Risk of mucocutaneous toxicities in patients with solid tumors treated with lapatinib: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the risk of mucocutaneous adverse events associated with lapatinib.

Patients And Methods: Eligible studies included randomized phase II and III trials of patients with solid tumors on lapatinib; describing events of stomatitis, skin rash, hand foot syndrome, pruritus and alopecia.

Results: Our search strategy yielded 380 potentially relevant citations on lapatinib from PubMed/Medline, CENTRAL Cochrane Registry and ASCO Meeting Library.

[(11) C]Carbon monoxide in labeling chemistry and positron emission tomography tracer development: scope and limitations.

[(11) C]Carbon monoxide is an attractive precursor for labeling carbonyl position in a wide range of organic compounds. The use of [(11) C]carbon monoxide in transition metal-mediated coupling reactions has been explored by several groups during the last 15 years, and an impressive number of the synthesis of [carbonyl-(11) C]compounds have been published to date. The application of radical-mediated [(11) C]carbonylation has also been explored in some extent.

Hedgehog pathway aberrations and gastric cancer; evaluation of prognostic impact and exploration of therapeutic potentials.

Gastric cancer is an important cause for mortality and morbidity worldwide; it lies in the fourt rank as a cause of cancer-related death in males and in the fifth rank of cancer-related death in women. The prognosis of advanced/metastatic gastric cancer cases looks poor with the majority of available therapeutics. Thus, novel therapeutic strategies in this setting have been considered a priority for leading cooperative oncology groups.

Risk of fatigue in patients with solid tumors treated with everolimus, temsirolimus or ridaforolimus: a comparative meta-analysis.

We performed a meta-analysis of fatigue associated with the use of everolimus, temsirolimus or ridaforolimus in patients with solid tumors. Eligible studies included randomized trials of patients with solid tumors on everolimus, temsirolimus or ridaforolimus describing events of fatigue. A total of 18 clinical trials including 8143 patients were considered eligible for the meta-analysis.

Risk of selected gastrointestinal toxicities in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer receiving erlotinib: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

We performed a meta-analysis of diarrhea and stomatitis associated with erlotinib use in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Eligible studies included randomized trials of patients with non-small cell lung cancer on erlotinib describing events of diarrhea and stomatitis. A total of 19 clinical trials including 7524 patients were considered eligible for the meta-analysis.

Efficacy and toxicity of sunitinib for non clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC): a systematic review of the literature.

Background: The randomized phase III trial of sunitinib versus interferon Alfa provided level-A evidence for the use of sunitinib in advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This systematic literature review aims at the evaluation of the level of evidence for the use of sunitinib monotherapy for advanced non clear cell RCC in terms of efficacy and toxicity parameters.

Methods: Eligible studies were identified using MEDLINE, Google scholar, ASCO, ESMO and the Cochrane databases.

Everolimus-based combination for the treatment of advanced gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs): biological rationale and critical review of published data.

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) comprise a heterogeneous group of diseases. Advanced GEP-NENs are considered distinct disease entity with limited treatments. In this review, we will explore the biological rationale and clinical data of everolimus-based combinations for advanced GEP-NENs.

Sphenoidal esthesioneuroblastoma treated with sequential chemo radiotherapy: a case report and review of the literature.

Esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB)-also known as olfactory neuroblastoma-originates primarily from the olfactory epithelium in the roof of the nasal cavity. We present here the 7th reported case of ENB arising from the sphenoidal sinus. We undertook a review of the case notes from the time of initial presentation and literature review of this topic.

Risk of fatigue and hepatic and metabolic toxicities in patients with solid tumors treated with everolimus: a meta-analysis.

Background: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of fatigue, hepatic and metabolic toxicities associated with everolimus intake in patients with solid tumors.

Methods: Eligible studies included randomized trials of patients with solid tumors on everolimus describing events of fatigue, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia and elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT).

Results: After the exclusion of ineligible studies, a total of ten clinical trials were considered eligible for the meta-analysis.

Targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway in iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC): from bench to bedside.

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, representing 1% of all human malignancies; its incidence has been escalating worldwide during the last decades. In recent years important molecular pathways contributing to tumor progression and worse survival rates have been identified in iodine-refractory differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) with the consequent development of molecular therapeutics to target these specific oncogenic pathways. For example, a positive correlation has been found between expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and a more aggressive phenotype of DTC.

Insulin-like growth factor pathway aberrations and gastric cancer; evaluation of prognostic significance and assessment of therapeutic potentials.

Gastric cancer is a major cause of treatment-related mortality and morbidity worldwide, it ranks as the fourth most common cause of cancer-related death in males and fifth most common cause of cancer-related death in women. The prognosis of advanced cases with gastric cancer looks poor with the majority dying within 1 year of diagnosis of metastatic disease. Thus, intensive search for new innovative treatments has been a major focus of current oncology research.

Risk of mucocutaneous toxicities in patients with solid tumors treated with sunitinib: a critical review and meta analysis.

Introduction: we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of mucocutaneous toxicities associatedwith sunitinib, an oral multi-tyrosine kinase inhibitor.

Methods: eligible studies included randomized Phase II and III trials of patients with solid tumors on sunitinib daily, describing events of hand-foot syndrome, skin rash, stomatitis, and skin and hair discoloration.

Results: the relative risk (RR) of all-grade hand-foot skin reaction, skin rash, stomatitis, skin and hair discoloration were 2.

Assessment of congenital anomalies in infants born to pregnant women enrolled in clinical trials.

In 2011 and 2012, the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, held a series of meetings to provide guidance to investigators regarding study design of clinical trials of vaccines and antimicrobial medications that enroll pregnant women. Assessment of congenital anomalies among infants born to women enrolled in these trials was recognized as a challenging issue, and a workgroup with expertise in epidemiology, pediatrics, genetics, dysmorphology, clinical trials, and infectious diseases was formed to address this issue. The workgroup considered 3 approaches for congenital anomalies assessment that have been developed for use in other studies: (1) maternal report combined with medical records review, (2) standardized photographic assessment and physical examination by a health professional who has received specific training in congenital anomalies, and (3) standardized physical examination by a trained dysmorphologist (combined with maternal interview and medical records review).

Targeting platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signaling in gastrointestinal cancers: preclinical and clinical considerations.

The prognosis of advanced gastrointestinal malignancies has been generally dreadful prompting robust search for better, more personalized, and more tailored treatments. In recent years, important signaling pathways leading to tumor progression and metastasis have been discovered with the subsequent development of targeted therapies to target these pathways. These include epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and mesenchymal epithelial transition (MET).

Risk of cardiovascular toxicities in patients with solid tumors treated with sorafenib: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of cardiovascular toxicities associated with sorafenib.

Patients & Methods: Eligible studies included randomized Phase II and III trials of patients with solid tumors receiving daily sorafenib treatment that described the following events: hypertension, bleeding, venous thromboembolism, left ventricular dysfunction myocardial ischemia and cerebrovascular events.

Results: A total of 18 randomized clinical trials were considered eligible for the meta-analysis.

Second line systemic therapy options for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma; a systematic review.

This systematic review aims at evaluation of the level of evidence for the use of second-line systemic therapy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Eligible studies were identified using database search. Eligible studies reported efficacy and/or toxicity data for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma receiving second-line systemic chemotherapy.

Targeting the hepatocyte growth factor/mesenchymal epithelial transition pathway in gastric cancer: biological rationale and clinical applications.

Advanced gastric cancer (GC) is a dreadful disease with a poor prognosis and the majority of patients die within 1 year of diagnosis. In the past decade, important signaling pathways promoting tumor proliferation and aggressiveness have been evaluated; the hepatocyte growth factor/mesenchymal epithelial transition (MET) pathway is one of the most promising pathways in that regard. This pathway has been evaluated in preclinical and early clinical settings of GC.

Prevalence and characteristics of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) among first grade students (6- to 7-year-olds) in a representative Midwestern US community.

Methods: From a consented sample of 70.5% of all first graders enrolled in public and private schools, an oversample of small children (≤ 25th percentile on height, weight, and head circumference) and randomly selected control candidates were examined for physical growth, development, dysmorphology, cognition, and behavior.

Somatostatin receptor expression in hepatocellular carcinoma: prognostic and therapeutic considerations.

Sorafenib is the only systemic therapy to demonstrate a significant survival benefit over supportive care in robust randomised controlled trials for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In the context of an intense search for prognostic and predictive factors for response and efficacy of different systemic therapies (including sorafenib), a number of molecular targets have been identified, paving new avenues for potential therapeutic opportunities. Such molecular targets include somatostatin receptor (SSTR)-related alterations.

Adjuvant systemic treatment for elderly breast cancer patients; addressing safety concerns.

Introduction: The issue of systemic treatment for early breast cancer in the elderly has always been challenging and in spite of the clear evidence of the potential benefits of adjuvant treatment in older women, they are usually undertreated with the potential consequence of worse outcomes.

Areas Covered: This article will review the evidence surrounding the various systemic options in the treatment armamentarium of early-stage breast cancer in elderly patients. The risks and benefits, with particular attention to a number of newly introduced targeted agents, along with the potential role of incorporating a combined geriatric/oncologic assessment as a routine part of the management of elderly patients with breast cancer are considered.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway and neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs): prognostic and therapeutic considerations.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) consist of a large heterogeneous group of epithelial tumors with neuroendocrine differentiation, as proved by immune reactivity for neuroendocrine markers. From the very first studies of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway, VEGF has been considered an important prognostic marker in NENs. Consequently, a number of preclinical experiences and clinical trials have examined the efficacy of VEGF-targeted therapeutics in NENs.

Work stress and hair cortisol levels among workers in a Bangladeshi ready-made garment factory - Results from a cross-sectional study.

Evidence on the association of work stress with cortisol levels is inconsistent and mostly stems from Western countries, with limited generalizability to other regions of the world. These inconsistencies may partly be due to methodological limitations associated with the measurement of cortisol secretion in saliva, serum or urine. The present study set out to explore associations of work stress with long-term integrated cortisol levels in hair among 175 workers of an export oriented ready-made garment (RMG) factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Risk of mucocutaneous toxicities in patients with solid tumors treated with everolimus; a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of mucocutaneous toxicities associated with the use of everolimus in solid tumors.

Patients And Methods: Eligible studies included randomized Phase II and III trials of patients with solid tumors on everolimus; describing events of stomatitis, skin rash, pruritus and mouth ulceration.

Results: Our search strategy yielded 380 potentially relevant citations on everolimus from Pubmed/Medline, CENTRAL Cochrane registry and American Society of Clinical Oncology meeting library.

Ruthenium(II) bipyridine complexes bearing new keto-enol azoimine ligands: synthesis, structure, electrochemistry and DFT calculations.

The novel azoimine ligand, Ph-NH-N=C(COCH3)-NHPh(C≡CH) (H2L), was synthesized and its molecular structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. Catalytic hydration of the terminal acetylene of H2L in the presence of RuCl3·3H2O in ethanol at reflux temperature yielded a ketone (L1=Ph-N=N-C(COCH3)=N-Ph(COCH3) and an enol (L2=Ph-N=N-C(COCH3)=N-PhC(OH)=CH2) by Markovnikov addition of water. Two mixed-ligand ruthenium complexes having general formula, trans-[Ru(bpy)(Y)Cl2] (1-2) (where Y=L1 (1) and Y=L2 (2), bpy is 2.