The adherence to the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases 2018 guidelines in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma and its impact on survival.

Introduction: In two Korean and Italian studies, the adherence rate (AR) to ASSLD 2005 guidelines in the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was 60%. In a US study, the AR to American Association for the Study of Liver Disease (AASLD) 2005 guidelines was 73.3%, 26.

Recent adventive soft scale insects (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) and mealybugs (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) in India.

Four species of soft scale insect [Hemiptera: Coccidae: Fistulococcus pokfulamensis Hodgson & Martin, Kilifia deltoides De Lotto, Maacoccus piperis (Green) and Paralecanium machili Takahashi] and two species of mealybug [Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae: Antonina thaiensis Takahashi and Formicococcus simplicior (Green)] are recorded in India for the first time. Each of the six species is comprehensively diagnosed based on Indian material, and compared with earlier descriptions. Keys to the Indian species in their respective genera are provided to facilitate identification.

Occurrence and spread of Ceroplastes cirripediformis Comstock (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae) in India.

The notoriously destructive and invasive soft scale, Ceroplastes cirripediformis Comstock (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Coccidae), is recorded for the first time from India. The scale is redescribed to facilitate its identification and information on its host range, natural enemies and distribution is provided. An identification key to the Indian species in this genus is given.

The Effects of HER2 Alterations in EGFR Mutant Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: HER2 alteration (mutation and/or amplification) is associated with poor survival in NSCLC and can mediate resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed de-identified molecular information from 12,946 NSCLC samples that underwent next-generation sequencing (NGS) with Caris Life Sciences. The objectives were to determine the prevalence and type of HER2 alterations with and without EGFR as a co-mutation.

Characterization of KRAS Mutation Subtypes in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

is the most commonly mutated oncogene in NSCLC and development of direct KRAS inhibitors has renewed interest in this molecular variant. Different mutations may represent a unique biologic context with different prognostic and therapeutic impact. We sought to characterize genomic landscapes of advanced, -mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a large national cohort to help guide future therapeutic development.

The cassava mealybug, Phenacoccus manihoti Matile-Ferrero (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Pseudococcidae) arrives in India.

Invasive species threaten the ecological and economic wellbeing of a country (Pimentel et al. 2001). In the last decade, several mealybugs and soft scale insects have been accidentally introduced to India, of which some have become serious pests (e.

Cellular and Molecular Progression of Prostate Cancer: Models for Basic and Preclinical Research.

We have witnessed noteworthy progress in our understanding of prostate cancer over the past decades. This basic knowledge has been translated into efficient diagnostic and treatment approaches leading to the improvement in patient survival. However, the molecular pathogenesis of prostate cancer appears to be complex, and histological findings often do not provide an accurate assessment of disease aggressiveness and future course.

Therapies Targeted to Androgen Receptor Signaling Axis in Prostate Cancer: Progress, Challenges, and Hope.

Prostate cancer is the mostly commonly diagnosed non-cutaneous malignancy and the second leading cause of cancer-related death affecting men in the United States. Moreover, it disproportionately affects the men of African origin, who exhibit significantly greater incidence and mortality as compared to the men of European origin. Since androgens play an important role in the growth of normal prostate and prostate tumors, targeting of androgen signaling has remained a mainstay for the treatment of aggressive prostate cancer.

Exosomal markers (CD63 and CD9) expression and their prognostic significance using immunohistochemistry in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Exosomes are important mediators of intercellular communications and play pivotal roles in cancer progression, metastasis and chemoresistance. CD63 and CD9 are widely accepted exosomal markers. In patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), positive correlation between CD9 expression and overall survival (OS) was reported.

The Prevalence of DPYD*9A(c.85T>C) Genotype and the Genotype-Phenotype Correlation in Patients with Gastrointestinal Malignancies Treated With Fluoropyrimidines: Updated Analysis.

Introduction: The dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase gene (DPYD)*9A (c.85T>C) genotype is relatively common. The correlation between DPYD*9A genotype and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency phenotype is controversial.

Thymineless Death by the Fluoropyrimidine Polymer F10 Involves Replication Fork Collapse and Is Enhanced by Chk1 Inhibition.

We are developing the fluoropyrimidine polymer F10 to overcome limitations of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) that result from inefficient metabolism to 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine-5'-mono- and tri-phosphate, the deoxyribonucleotide metabolites that are responsible for 5-FU's anticancer activity. F10 is much more cytotoxic than 5-FU to colorectal cancer (CRC) cells; however, the mechanism of enhanced F10 cytotoxicity remains incompletely characterized. Using DNA fiber analysis, we establish that F10 decreases replication fork velocity and causes replication fork collapse, while 1000-fold excess of 5-FU is required to achieve similar endpoints.

Correlation of tumor mutational burden and treatment outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer.

Background: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) showed that 16% of colorectal cancers (CRCs) display DNA repair mechanisms and high tumor mutational burden (TMB). Although, there is accumulating evidence of greater benefit of immunotherapy in tumors with high-TMB, its impact on response to chemotherapy is unknown.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we investigated the impact of TMB on progression-free survival (PFS) of CRC patients treated at tertiary care oncology clinics who had their tumors profiled by next-generation sequencing (NGS).

Wnt/beta-catenin pathway: modulating anticancer immune response.

Wnt/β-catenin signaling, a highly conserved pathway through evolution, regulates key cellular functions including proliferation, differentiation, migration, genetic stability, apoptosis, and stem cell renewal. The Wnt pathway mediates biological processes by a canonical or noncanonical pathway, depending on the involvement of β-catenin in signal transduction. β-catenin is a core component of the cadherin protein complex, whose stabilization is essential for the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.

Toxicity profile of approved anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibodies in solid tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Purpose: Nivolumab and pembrolizumab are antibodies against the programmed-death-receptor- 1 (PD-1) which are associated with distinct immune related adverse effects (AEs). This meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials aims to summarize current knowledge regarding the toxicity profile of these agents.

Methods: PubMed search was conducted in February of 2016.

Genomic characterization of high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

The genetic mechanisms associated with progression of high-risk non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (HR-NMIBC) have not been described. We conducted selective next-generation sequencing (NGS) of HR-NMIBC and compared the genomic profiles of cancers that responded to intravesical therapy and those that progressed to muscle-invasive or advanced disease. DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded sections from 25 HR-NMIBCs (22 with T1HG; 3 with TaHG with or without carcinoma in situ).

Concordance between genomic alterations assessed by next-generation sequencing in tumor tissue or circulating cell-free DNA.

Genomic analysis of tumor tissue is the standard technique for identifying DNA alterations in malignancies. Genomic analysis of circulating tumor cell-free DNA (cfDNA) represents a relatively non-invasive method of assessing genomic alterations using peripheral blood. We compared the concordance of genomic alterations between cfDNA and tissue biopsies in this retrospective study.

FGFR3-TACC3 fusion in solid tumors: mini review.

Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFR) are transmembrane kinase proteins with growing importance in cancer biology given the frequency of molecular alterations and vast interface with multiple other signaling pathways. Furthermore, numerous FGFR inhibitors in clinical development demonstrate the expanding therapeutic relevance of this pathway. Indeed, results from early phase clinical trials already indicate that a subset of patients with advanced tumors derive benefit from FGFR targeted therapies.

The challenge of developmental therapeutics for adrenocortical carcinoma.

Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a rare disease with an estimated incidence of only 0.7 new cases per million per year. Approximately 30-70% of the patients present with advanced disease with very poor prognosis and without effective therapeutic options.

The Association between EGFR and cMET Expression and Phosphorylation and Its Prognostic Implication in Patients with Breast Cancer.

EGFR and cMET cross-talk is involved in breast cancer (BC) progression and resistance to different targeted therapies, however little is known about the co-expression patterns of EGFR and cMET or its prognostic significance in BC. Protein levels of EGFR, cMET and their phosphorylated proteins were measured in 825 BC samples using reverse phase protein array (RPPA). Given unimodal distribution of proteins, the median was selected as a cut-off after sensitivity analyses.

Spotlight on lenvatinib in the treatment of thyroid cancer: patient selection and perspectives.

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine malignancy, with over 60,000 cases reported per year in the US alone. The incidence of thyroid cancer has increased in the last several years. Patients with metastatic differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) generally have a good prognosis.

Novel therapeutic agents in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Over the past couple of decades considerable progress has been made in the management of metastatic colorectal cancers (mCRC) leading to a significant improvement in five-year survival. Although part of this success has been rightly attributed to aggressive surgical management and advances in other adjunct treatments, our understanding of the pathogenesis of cancer and emergence of newer molecular targets for colon cancer has created a powerful impact. In this review article we will discuss various targeted therapies in the management of mCRC.

Angiotensin receptor blockers: are they related to lung cancer?

Introduction: Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are commonly used antihypertensive medication with several other additional proven benefits. Recent controversy on association of lung cancer and other solid malignancy with the use of ARBs is concerning, although the follow-up studies have shown no such association.

Methods: We used data from the Department of Veterans Affairs electronic medical record system and registries to conduct a retrospective cohort study that compared first-time ARB users with nonusers in 1:15 ratio, after balancing for many baseline differences using inverse probability of treatment weights.

Ethics and medico legal aspects of "not for resuscitation".

Not for resuscitation in India still remains an abstract concept with no clear guidelines or legal frame work. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is a complex medical intervention which is often used inappropriately in hospitalized patients and usually guided by medical decision making rather than patient-directed choices. Patient autonomy still remains a weak concept and relatives are expected to make this big decision in a short time and at a time of great emotional distress.

Symptomatic hypocalcemia in primary hyperaldosteronism: a case report.

The metabolic alterations caused by hyperaldosteronism are being increasingly recognized and have generated considerable interest among the medical fraternity. Hyperaldosteronism is suspected to have a pivotal role in the patho-physiology of congestive cardiac failure where it has been studied extensively. But its effects on calcium metabolism, parathyroid metabolism and renal handling of calcium are less well described.