PONDx: real-life utilization and decision impact of the 21-gene assay on clinical practice in Italy.

Clinicopathological prognostic features have limited value to identify with precision newly diagnosed patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer (BC), who would benefit from chemotherapy (CT) in addition to adjuvant hormonal therapy (HT). The 21-gene Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score (RS) assay has been demonstrated to predict CT benefit, hence supporting personalized decisions on adjuvant CT. The multicenter, prospective, observational study PONDx investigated the real-life use of RS results in Italy and its impact on treatment decisions.

Promoting Emotional Well-Being in Older Breast Cancer Patients: Results From an eHealth Intervention.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide, with increases in diagnoses at all ages. Due to several age-related factors, older breast cancer patients show particular difficulties in adjusting to breast cancer and its related treatments. One consistent indicator of vulnerability to long-term complications is emotional distress occurring within 3 months of diagnosis.

Are the autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) and the undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) related to each other? A case-control study of environmental exposures.

The autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) is an entity that includes different autoimmune conditions observed after exposure to an adjuvant. Patients with undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD) present many signs and symptoms of ASIA, alluding to the idea that an exposure to adjuvants can be a trigger also for UCTD. The aim of this case-control study was to investigate exposure to adjuvants prior to disease onset in patients affected by UCTD.

The antiphospholipid syndrome in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

The antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the occurrence of venous and/or arterial thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity in the presence of pathogenic autoantibodies known as antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). APS may be associated with other diseases, mainly systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The presence or absence of SLE might modify the clinical or serological expression of APS.

Subcutaneous administration of interleukin-2 and interferon-alpha 2b in advanced renal cell carcinoma: long-term results.

Clinical data have supported the combination of subcutaneous r-interleukin-2 (rIL-2) and r-interferon-alpha (rIFN-alpha) as a promising combination for advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), with a reduced toxicity. We evaluated the activity and safety of this outpatient immunotherapy and report on the clinical results and the long-term survival analysis. Objective responses was observed in 9 of 50 (18%) patients, 6 of whom (12%) achieved a complete response.

Possible correlation between some biologic effects and the clinical course in patients treated with continuous infusion of interleukin-2 plus alpha-2 interferon for metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

Background: Interleukin-2 therapy is known to cause many biologic effects, which are enhanced by the administration of interferon prior to or immediately after interleukin-2 infusion. Some of these effects could be related to the clinical response.

Methods: Sixteen patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma were treated with continuous infusion of interleukin-2 plus alpha-2 interferon.

Proliferation index as a prognostic marker in breast cancer.

Background: The proliferative activity of tumors has been extensively investigated with different approaches, among which the use of the monoclonal antibody Ki-67 represents an easy and reliable means of assessing cell proliferation. In this study, the proliferative activity of 129 primary breast cancers was investigated, and the results were related to prognosis.

Methods: Tumor samples, obtained from 129 patients who underwent surgery between January 1987 and December 1988, were processed for staining by an immunohistochemical procedure (avidin-biotin complex).

[Treatment results in pT2, NO1 breast cancer. )A retrospective analysis of 85 cases)].

The authors report on 85 T2 breast carcinoma treated from March 1984 to February 1991. The median age was 55.7 years (range: 24-82).

[Clinical and prognostic usefulness of Ki67 determination in breast carcinoma].

We studied the correlation between tumor size, nodal status, menopausal status, nuclear oestrogen receptors, disease free survival and Ki67 (proliferation rate) measured by mean of immunohistochemical analysis with monoclonal antibody. Median value was 10%. From December 1986 to October 1989 we studied 236 consecutive patients (pts).

Histology as a prognostic factor in early gastric cancer.

Of 431 patients with gastric cancer observed in our institution, 23 (5.3%) had early gastric cancer (EGC). Macroscopic presentation, histology, depth of invasion, and lymph node involvement were evaluated in all the cases.

Age as a prognostic factor in primary non Hodgkin lymphoma of the stomach.

We present 20 cases of primary non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the stomach. Histological classification, staging, age of patients and therapeutical approach were evaluated. Median overall survival was 30 months, and 5-year survival was 44%.

Pancreatic cystadenocarcinoma and pregnancy: a case report.

We report a case of cystadenocarcinoma occurring in a pregnant woman. After child birth, a subtotal pancreatectomy was performed, without rupture of the cyst. The patient is asymptomatic, 24 months after surgery.