Safety and efficacy analysis of neoadjuvant pertuzumab, trastuzumab and standard chemotherapy for HER2-positive early breast cancer: real-world data from NeoPowER study.

Background: The addition of pertuzumab (P) to trastuzumab (H) and standard chemotherapy (CT) as neoadjuvant treatment (NaT) for patients with HER2 + breast cancer (BC), has shown to increase the pathological complete response (pCR) rate, without main safety concerns. The aim of NeoPowER trial is to evaluate safety and efficacy of P + H + CT in a real-world population.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of stage II-III, HER2 + BC patients treated with NaT: who received P + H + CT (neopower group) in 5 Emilia Romagna institutions were compared with an historical group who received H + CT (control group).

Nine-Week Versus One-Year Trastuzumab for Early Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2-Positive Breast Cancer: 10-Year Update of the ShortHER Phase III Randomized Trial.

JCO We present the final analysis of the phase III noninferiority, randomized ShortHER trial comparing 9 weeks versus 1 year of adjuvant trastuzumab with chemotherapy in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) early breast cancer (BC). Women with HER2+ BC were randomly assigned to anthracycline-taxane combinations plus 1-year trastuzumab (arm A, long) or 9-week trastuzumab (arm B, short). Here, we report the second coprimary end point overall survival (OS), updated disease-free survival (DFS), and outcomes according to hormone receptor status, age, and nodal status.

Is Molecular Tailored-Therapy Changing the Paradigm for CNS Metastases in Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common tumour spreading to the central nervous system (CNS). The prognosis of patients with CNS metastases depends on several parameters including the molecular assessment of the disease. Although loco-regional treatment remains the best approach, systemic therapies are acquiring a role leading to remarkable long-lasting responses.

Expertise is crucial to prolong survival in average risk medulloblastoma: long-term results of a retrospective study.

Purpose: Medulloblastoma is a rare tumor in adults and the use of adjuvant chemotherapy in average risk patients is debated.

Methods: Patients included in our study were ⩾16 years of age, had histologically confirmed medulloblastoma, and underwent adjuvant radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy. Average risk was defined according to the Chang classification.

Treatment of recurrent glioblastoma: state-of-the-art and future perspectives.

Background: Almost all patients affected by glioblastoma experience recurrence of the disease.

Areas Covered: Management of recurrent glioblastoma is a clinical challenge, and several elements should be taken into consideration when making treatment choice. Loco-regional treatments may be the best treatment approach in selected cases while systemic therapies or supportive care alone are necessary for other patients.