Phase I Study of [Ga]Ga-Anti-CD206-sdAb for PET/CT Assessment of Protumorigenic Macrophage Presence in Solid Tumors (MMR Phase I).

Macrophages play an important role throughout the body. Antiinflammatory macrophages expressing the macrophage mannose receptor (MMR, CD206) are involved in disease development, ranging from oncology to atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. [Ga]Ga-NOTA-anti-CD206 single-domain antibody (sdAb) is a PET tracer targeting CD206.

Antitumor Activity of Cabozantinib in Metastatic Adult Ewing Sarcoma: A Case Report.

A 49-year-old male with Ewing sarcoma and bone, pleural, lung and mediastinal lymph node metastasis was treated with cabozantinib after four lines of previous systemic treatments. He responded objectively and subjectively well for 8 months. In this heavily pretreated patient, the daily starting dose of 60 mg had to be reduced to 30 mg because of adverse events.

Real life safety and effectiveness of nivolumab in older patients with non-small cell lung cancer: Results from the Belgian compassionate use program.

Objectives: To compare real life effectiveness and safety of nivolumab in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to age and Eastern Cooperative Group performance status (ECOG-PS).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients treated with nivolumab for NSCLC within a Belgian compassionate use program from July 2015 until December 2016. Safety and effectiveness were compared between patients aged ≥70 years and < 70 years and between ECOG-PS 0/1 and ≥ 2.

Retrospective comparison of two consecutive cohorts of adjuvant chemotherapy regimens of cyclophosphamide with either docetaxel or paclitaxel in older patients with early breast cancer.

Adjuvant chemotherapy with docetaxel/cyclophosphamide (TC) is adopted worldwide as a valuable option for elderly patients with high-risk early breast cancer. Some studies suggest that paclitaxel may have a better therapeutic ratio than docetaxel. Therefore we have implemented an adjuvant chemotherapy in which docetaxel was replaced by paclitaxel.

Treatment of older patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer: A challenge.

With a median age of 70 years at diagnosis, lung cancer is a disease of older persons. As a consequence oncologists are confronted with an increasing older lung cancer population for which treatment decisions are needed. In the past years, the therapeutic landscape of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has changed impressively with the introduction of targeted therapies and immunotherapy next to chemotherapy.

The Relationship between a New Biomarker of Vagal Neuroimmunomodulation and Survival in Two Fatal Cancers.

Background: The vagus nerve may slow tumor progression because it inhibits inflammation. This study examined the relationship between a new vagal neuroimmunomodulation (NIM) index and survival in fatal cancers.

Method: We retroactively derived markers of vagal nerve activity indexed by heart rate variability (HRV), specifically the root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD), from patients' electrocardiograms near diagnosis.

Geriatric Assessment and Functional Decline in Older Patients with Lung Cancer.

Purpose: Older patients with lung cancer are a heterogeneous population making treatment decisions complex. This study aims to evaluate the value of geriatric assessment (GA) as well as the evolution of functional status (FS) in older patients with lung cancer, and to identify predictors associated with functional decline and overall survival (OS).

Methods: At baseline, GA was performed in patients ≥70 years with newly diagnosed lung cancer.

Which Factors Predict Overall Survival in Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer Treated With Abiraterone Acetate Post-Docetaxel?

Background: Abiraterone acetate (AA) increases overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) previously treated with docetaxel. However, survival time varies substantially between individuals. Our goal was to identify prognostic factors that better estimate OS.

Prostatic Leiomyoma: A Case Report.

A pure leiomyoma of the prostate is a rare tumor. Less than 30 cases about prostatic leiomyoma have been reported. Pathologic anatomy examination is the only medium for definitive diagnosis and is important to rule out malignancies such as leiomyosarcoma.

Prospective Evaluation of First-Line Erlotinib in Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Carrying an Activating EGFR Mutation: A Multicenter Academic Phase II Study in Caucasian Patients (FIELT).

Introduction: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibition is the preferred first-line treatment of advanced adenocarcinoma of the lung that harbors EGFR activating tyrosine kinase domain mutations. Most data available pertain to Asian populations in which such mutations are more prevalent. We report on the long-term results of first-line treatment with erlotinib in Caucasian patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of the lung that have a somatic EGFR mutation in their tumor.

Abiraterone acetate post-docetaxel for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in the Belgian compassionate use program.

Background: Abiraterone acetate (AA) is licensed for treating metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Real-world data on oncological outcome after AA are scarce. The current study assesses efficacy and safety of AA in mCRPC patients previously treated with docetaxel who started treatment during the Belgian compassionate use program (January 2011-July 2012).

Effective Treatment of Pleural Epitheloid Hemangio-endothelioma with Pazopanib: A Case Report.

A patient with a pleural epitheloid hemangio-endothelioma (EHE) who failed to respond to six cycles of initial chemotherapy with iphosphamide and epirubicine was treated with pazopanib in second-line. A significant subjective and objective metabolic response on (18)F-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron-emission tomography-computed tomography was noted. Based on this observation, the role of vasculoendothelial growth factor receptor inhibitors such as pazopanib (or other tyrosine kinase inhibitors), in the treatment of pleural EHE should be established through prospective collaborative studies as upfront medication and in combination with chemotherapy.

Ureteral Metastasis: Uncommon Manifestation in Prostate Cancer.

Ureteral metastasis from a primary prostate cancer is a rare event in the initial diagnosis and progression of prostate cancer. We report here the case of a 72- year-old patient who was treated for castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer involving bone, intra-abdominal lymph nodes, bilateral adrenal glands, and a small distal ureteral lesion with left hydronephrosis considered in remission, with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog plus abiraterone acetate (AA) and prednisone after initial docetaxel plus prednisone chemotherapy. After an episode of acute left flank pain, the previous left distal intraluminal ureteral mass appeared increased in volume on computed tomographic scan and was compatible with either a metastasis from prostate cancer, transitional cell carcinoma of the ureter, or a collision tumor.

Phase I Study of 68Ga-HER2-Nanobody for PET/CT Assessment of HER2 Expression in Breast Carcinoma.

Unlabelled: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status is one of the major tumor characteristics in breast cancer to guide therapy. Anti-HER2 treatment has clear survival advantages in HER2-positive breast carcinoma patients. Heterogeneity in HER2 expression between primary tumor and metastasis has repeatedly been described, resulting in the need to reassess HER2 status during the disease course.

Phase II study of afatinib, an irreversible ErbB family blocker, in demographically and genotypically defined lung adenocarcinoma.

Objectives: Afatinib, an oral irreversible ErbB family blocker, has demonstrated efficacy in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive advanced lung adenocarcinoma. Other potential biomarkers predicting response to afatinib, such as human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) mutations and EGFR gene amplification, have not been validated yet. This phase II study investigated whether afatinib conferred clinical benefit in cohorts of adenocarcinoma patients with: (1) EGFR mutation and failing on erlotinib/gefitinib; or (2) increased copy number of EGFR by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH); or (3) HER2 mutation.

Phase II study of stereotactic body radiotherapy to primary tumor and metastatic locations in oligometastatic nonsmall-cell lung cancer patients.

Background: Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has emerged as a treatment modality in patients presenting with oligometastatic nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). SBRT is used as a local consolidative treatment to metastatic disease sites. The majority of patients included in SBRT trials for oligometastatic NSCLC have controlled primary tumors and brain metastases.

Prospective non-interventional multicentre observational trial of first-line anti-cancer treatment in patients with metastatic renal cell cancer in Belgium.

Objectives: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 2·4% of all new cancers in Belgium. Over the past decade, the armamentarium for systemic therapy of metastatic RCC (mRCC) has undergone important changes with implementation of targeted therapies directed against pathways involved in the pathogenesis of RCC. We describe first-line treatment choice of a group of patients in 9 Belgian oncology centres between October 2009 and November 2012.

Pemetrexed-induced radiation recall dermatitis of the breast.

Pemetrexed (Alimta™) is a frequently used multi-targeted antifolate drug for the treatment of inoperable and metastatic non-squamous cell lung cancer and mesothelioma, administered as a single-agent or in combination with platinum analogs. In some patients, radiotherapy to any part of the body precedes administration of pemetrexed. This drug has been associated with hematological toxicity and cutaneous side-effects.

The relationship between vagal nerve activity and clinical outcomes in prostate and non-small cell lung cancer patients.

Recent studies suggest that vagal nerve activity, indexed by heart rate variability (HRV), could have a prognostic role in cancer. However, most studies did not control adequately for confounders and included cardiac patients. Furthermore, the validity of this prognostic role needs to be tested in different types of cancer.

Zoledronic acid in patients with stage IIIA/B NSCLC: results of a randomized, phase III study.

Background: Bone metastases are common in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and can have devastating consequences. Preventing or delaying bone metastases may improve outcomes.

Patients And Methods: This study evaluated whether zoledronic acid (ZOL) delayed disease progression or recurrence in patients with controlled stage IIIA/B NSCLC after first-line therapy.

Expressed wishes and incidence of euthanasia in advanced lung cancer patients.

This study explores expressed wishes and requests for euthanasia (i.e. administration of lethal drugs at the explicit request of the patient), and incidence of end-of-life decisions with possible life-shortening effects (ELDs) in advanced lung cancer patients in Flanders, Belgium.

Clinical activity of afatinib (BIBW 2992) in patients with lung adenocarcinoma with mutations in the kinase domain of HER2/neu.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER)2/neu kinase domain mutations are found in approximately 1-4% of lung adenocarcinomas with a similar phenotype to tumors with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations. Afatinib is a potent irreversible ErbB family blocker. We determined the tumor genomic status of the EGFR and HER2 genes in non- or light smokers with lung adenocarcinoma in patients who were entered into an exploratory Phase II study with afatinib.