Minimally invasive determination of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) subtype by means of circulating cell-free RNA.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) comprises two clinically relevant molecular subtypes that are currently determined using tissue biopsies, which are spatially biased and highly invasive. We used whole transcriptome sequencing of 10 plasma samples with tumor-informed subtypes, complemented by proteomic analysis for minimally invasive identification of PDAC subtype markers. Data were validated in independent large cohorts and correlated with treatment response and patient outcome.

Prognostic value of deep learning-derived body composition in advanced pancreatic cancer-a retrospective multicenter study.

Background: Despite the prognostic relevance of cachexia in pancreatic cancer, individual body composition has not been routinely integrated into treatment planning. In this multicenter study, we investigated the prognostic value of sarcopenia and myosteatosis automatically extracted from routine computed tomography (CT) scans of patients with advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).

Patients And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical imaging data of 601 patients from three German cancer centers.

Lasting response by vertical inhibition with cetuximab and trametinib in KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer patient-derived xenografts.

Although approximately half of all metastatic colorectal cancers (mCRCs) harbour mutations in KRAS or NRAS, hardly any progress has been made regarding targeted treatment for this group over the last few years. Here, we investigated the efficacy of vertical inhibition of the RAS-pathway by targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) in patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumours with primary KRAS mutation. In total, 19 different PDX models comprising 127 tumours were tested.

SUV Above 20 in F-FDG PET/CT at Initial Diagnostic Workup Associates with Favorable Survival in Patients with Cancer of Unknown Primary.

Cancer of unknown primary (CUP) is a heterogeneous entity with a limited prognosis. Novel prognostic markers are needed for patient stratification in prospective clinical trials exploring innovative therapies. In CUP patients treated at the West German Cancer Center Essen, the prognostic value of F-FDG PET/CT at the initial diagnostic workup was analyzed by comparing overall survival (OS) in patients who underwent F-FDG PET/CT with those who did not.

Smaller panel, similar results: genomic profiling and molecularly informed therapy in pancreatic cancer.

Background: Pancreatic cancer has a dismal prognosis. One reason is resistance to cytotoxic drugs. Molecularly matched therapies might overcome this resistance but the best approach to identify those patients who may benefit is unknown.

Clinical Outcome and Treatment Sequences of Patients with Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Treated with Contemporary Chemotherapy Protocols.

Introduction: Systemic therapy is firmly established in patients with advanced or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Clinical efficacy is still modest and options are limited. Combination therapy protocols such as FOLFIRINOX and gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (Gem/NP) define standard-of-care.

MCL1 as putative target in pancreatoblastoma.

Pancreatoblastoma (PB) is a rare tumor of the pancreas. In case of metastases, the treatment options are sparse and targeted approaches are not developed. We here evaluate MCL1 amplification as a putative target in PB.

Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Alone or in Combination With Chemotherapy in NSCLC Harboring ERBB2 Mutations.

Introduction: In contrast to other driver mutations, no targeted therapies have yet been approved in ERBB2-mutated NSCLC (HER2mu NSCLC). Nevertheless, several compounds have revealed promising early efficacy data, which need to be evaluated in the context of current standard approaches. Although data on the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in second or subsequent lines of treatment remain limited and conflicting, there are virtually no data on patient outcome under ICI/platinum-doublet combinations in the first-line setting.

[Multimodal treatment of periampullary carcinoma].

Ampullary carcinoma is a rare malignant neoplasm and arises in the region of Vater's ampulla. The differentiation from pancreatic and distal cholangiocarcinoma can be difficult. The prognosis is more favorable than for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma but recurrences are frequent.

ERK phosphorylation as a marker of RAS activity and its prognostic value in non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Deregulated signal transduction pathways play a key role in development, progression and therapeutic resistance of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). The purpose of this study is to assess the downstream markers of two well-characterized pathways and to correlate them with clinical outcome.

Design: 670 patients with metastatic NSCLC were prospectively enrolled in a comprehensive biomarker profiling program at a single center from 2012 to 2016.