Multiomic analysis of HER2-enriched and AR-positive breast carcinoma with apocrine differentiation and an oligometastatic course: a case report.

Breast carcinoma is the most prevalent cancer among women globally. It has variable clinical courses depending on the stage and clinical-biological features. This case report describes a 56-year-old female with invasive breast cancer without estrogen or progesterone receptor expression, with apocrine differentiation, and with no germline variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes.

International Tailored Chemotherapy Adjuvant (ITACA) trial, a phase III multicenter randomized trial comparing adjuvant pharmacogenomic-driven chemotherapy versus standard adjuvant chemotherapy in completely resected stage II-IIIA non-small-cell lung cancer.

Background: Several strategies have been investigated to improve the 4% survival advantage of adjuvant chemotherapy in early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this investigator-initiated study we aimed to evaluate the predictive utility of the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of excision repair cross complementation group 1 (ERCC1) and thymidylate synthase (TS) as assessed in resected tumor.

Patients And Methods: Seven hundred and seventy-three completely resected stage II-III NSCLC patients were enrolled and randomly assigned in each of the four genomic subgroups to investigator's choice of platinum-based chemotherapy (C, n = 389) or tailored chemotherapy (T, n = 384).

A review of immune checkpoint blockade in breast cancer.

In the recent years characterized by the cancer immunotherapy revolution, attention has turned to how to potentially boost and/or generate an efficient anti-tumor immune response in breast cancer (BC). Clinical activity of immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) targeting PD-1 or PD-L1 in BC has been more evident in the triple negative subtype and in earlier lines of the treatment. Remarkably, some responders to single agent ICB have achieved durable responses with metastatic disease, possibly as a result of treatment-induced immunological memory.

Management of patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: The Italian perspective on the second wave.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been an overwhelming challenge for worldwide health systems. Since the beginning of year 2020, COVID-19 has represented a potential harm for cancer patients and has often hindered oncology care. The Collegio Italiano dei Primari Oncologi Medici (CIPOMO) is an Italian association of head physicians in oncology departments, which promotes working and research activities in oncology on a national basis.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Pancreatic Injury: Imaging Findings and Literature Review.

The immunotherapy revolution in cancer treatment involves a variety of specialists, not only oncologists, but also internal medicine physicians, endocrinologists, dermatologists, gastroenterologists, rheumatologists, and radiologists, introducing new scenarios and novel challenges in the diagnosis and management of a number of novel immune-related adverse events. Among these, immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced pancreatic injury has been described (occurring in up to 4% of patients) and has been reported to be responsible for visits to the emergency departments in up to 1.9% of patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Immunotherapy Associated Pulmonary Toxicity: Biology Behind Clinical and Radiological Features.

The broader use of immune checkpoint blockade in clinical routine challenges clinicians in the diagnosis and management of side effects which are caused by inflammation generated by the activation of the immune response. Nearly all organs can be affected by immune-related toxicities. However, the most frequently reported are: fatigue, rash, pruritus, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, arthralgia, decreased appetite and abdominal pain.

Sensitive Genotyping of Foodborne-Associated Human Noroviruses and Hepatitis A Virus Using an Array-Based Platform.

Human noroviruses (NoV) are the leading cause of human gastroenteritis in populations of all ages and are linked to most of the foodborne outbreaks worldwide. Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is another important foodborne enteric virus and is considered the most common agent causing acute liver disease worldwide. In the present study, a focused, low-density DNA microarray was developed and validated for the simultaneous identification of foodborne-associated genotypes of NoV and HAV.

Management of acute skin toxicity with Hypericum perforatum and neem oil during platinum-based concurrent chemo-radiation in head and neck cancer patients.

Acute skin toxicity is a frequent finding during combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy in head and neck cancer patients. Its timely and appropriate management is crucial for both oncological results and patient's global quality of life. We herein report clinical data on the use of Hypericum perforatum and neem oil in the treatment of acute skin toxicity during concurrent chemo-radiation for head and neck cancer.

Parameters and outcomes in 525 patients operated on for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Purpose: This report analyzed the outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) to identify the value of prognostic factors.

Material And Methods: A total of 525 patients were studied who had undergone surgery for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) between 2000 and 2011, of whom 222 had received postoperative radiation-therapy (PORT) and or chemoradiation-therapy (PORTC). For each patient, personal data, histological findings, treatment and outcome were recorded and analyzed statistically.

Induction Chemotherapy and Sequential Concomitant Chemo-radiation in Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancers: How Induction-phase Intensity and Treatment Breaks May Impact on Clinical Outcomes.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to assess outcomes of locally advanced head and neck (LAHNC) treated with induction chemotherapy (ICT) and subsequent concurrent chemo-radiation.

Patients And Methods: A total of 71 LAHNC patients were treated with 2-3 cycles of docetaxel, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil as induction chemotherapy and subsequent concurrent chemoradiation with weekly cisplatin or carboplatin. Definitive radiotherapy was delivered with intensity-modulated radiation and a simultaneous integrated boost approach up to a total dose of 70 Gy in 35 fractions to the macroscopic primary and nodal disease.

Conventional 2D (2DRT) and 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) versus intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal cancer treatment.

Purpose: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma represents a distinct entity as compared to other head and neck tumours. Radio-chemotherapy is the treatment of first choice in non-metastatic disease. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) allows the sparing of parotid glands, improving the toxicity profile.

FOLFOX-4 regimen or single-agent gemcitabine as first-line chemotherapy in advanced biliary tract cancer.

Objectives: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to compare 2 different chemotherapy regimens for advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC).

Methods: Records of patients consecutively treated in our institution for advanced BTC from 2001 to 2006 were retrieved. Chemotherapy treatment with FOLFOX-4 regimen was routinely offered as first option; gemcitabine (GEM) as single agent was proposed as an alternative option to patients who refused central venous catheter implantation.

Approaching heterogeneity of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 in surgical specimens of gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer shows intratumoral heterogeneity for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression. We evaluated whether the number of tissue blocks analyzed or the antibodies used may influence the immunohistochemical results in gastrectomy specimens. Clinicopathologic data from 148 patients receiving gastric surgery for cancer were collected.

DNA repair gene expression level in peripheral blood and tumour tissue from non-small cell lung cancer and head and neck squamous cell cancer patients.

Background: The nucleotide excision repair pathway is crucial for cellular DNA integrity and the ERCC1 helicase is also potentially involved in resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy, and high levels of ERCC1 mRNA in tumours have been associated with cisplatin resistance in different human cancers. The aim of this work was to investigate the correlation between DNA repair gene expression levels in tumour tissue, normal tissue and peripheral blood samples from patients with two common human cancers, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), to test if blood gene expression could be a proxy for tumour tissue gene expression to predict response to platinum-based chemotherapy.

Methods: Using RT-qPCR we determined ERCC1, ERCC2, ERCC4, XPA, XPC, XRCC1, XRCC3, APEX, OGG1, MGMT mRNA levels in fresh NSCLC, normal lung and HNSCC tissue, as well as blood, from NSCLC and HNSCC patients who were treated surgically.

Efficacy and feasibility of induction chemotherapy and radiotherapy plus cetuximab in head and neck cancer.

Background: To determine the potential activity and tolerability of sequential treatment in head and neck cancer, we conducted a phase II trial based on induction chemotherapy of two cycles of taxotere, cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil followed by radiotherapy plus weekly cetuximab.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-six patients with stage III or IV squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity, larynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx were treated and evaluated for response and acute toxicity.

Results: Eighty-one percent of patients had stage IV disease and 42% had hypopharyngeal and oral cavity primaries.

Effect of n-3 fatty acids on patients with advanced lung cancer: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

PUFA from fish oil appear to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects and improve nutritional status in cancer patients. With this as background, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of EPA plus DHA on inflammatory condition, and oxidative and nutritional status in patients with lung cancer. In our multicentre, randomised, double-blind trial, thirty-three patients with a diagnosis of advanced inoperable non-small-cell lung cancer and undergoing chemotherapy were divided into two groups, receiving four capsules/d containing 510 mg of EPA and 340 mg of DHA, or 850 mg of placebo, for 66 d.

The effects of Reiki therapy on pain and anxiety in patients attending a day oncology and infusion services unit.

Reiki is a system of natural healing techniques administered by laying of hands and transferring energy from the Reiki practitioner to the recipient. We investigated the role of Reiki in the management of anxiety, pain and global wellness in cancer patients. Building on the results of a pilot project conducted between 2003 and 2005 by a volunteer association at our hospital, a wider, 3-year study was conducted at the same center.

Concomitant adjuvant chemoradiotherapy with weekly low-dose cisplatin for high-risk squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: a phase II prospective trial.

Aims: Several randomised trials have tested adjuvant regimens using concomitant high-dose cisplatin and radiotherapy to improve outcome in high-risk locally advanced squamous cell head and neck cancer (HNSCC), showing a substantial increase in locoregional control and disease-free survival, despite a higher and eventually detrimental toxicity profile. The aim of the present phase II single-stage prospective study was to investigate whether a weekly cisplatin-based chemoradiotherapy regimen might be able to improve patients' compliance compared with standard-dose cisplatin with similar outcome results.

Materials And Methods: Between January 2004 and November 2008, 54 patients with high-risk locally advanced HNSCC were enrolled on to this phase II trial.

Phase I dose-escalation study of brostallicin, a minor groove binder, in combination with cisplatin in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Purpose: Brostallicin is a DNA minor groove binder which shows enhanced antitumor activity in cells which are resistant to several anticancer agents due to their high glutathione S-transferase (GST)/glutathione content. Phase I and II clinical trials of single-agent brostallicin have shown that myelotoxicity is the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), while hints of antitumor activity were mainly observed in soft tissue sarcoma. Preclinical studies showing a more than additive antitumor effect of the cisplatin-brostallicin combination paved the way to clinical combination studies.

Cell cycle and viral and immunologic profiles of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma as predictable variables of tumor progression.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether the aberrant expression of cell-cycle or immune-response markers together with human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity impacts patient survival in different head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) subsets.

Methods: A total of 59 HNSCC specimens were analyzed for expression of cell cycle and proliferation markers, and macrophage infiltration. HPV was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing.

[The implementation of NEMS and NAS systems to assess the nursing staffing levels in a polyvalent intensive care unit].

Unlabelled: NEMS and NAS scoring systems allow to calculate the number of nurses needed in an intensive care unit. Aim of the study is the assessment of nursing workload in a polyvalent intensive care unit, the evaluation of easiness of routine use of the systems and the assessment of the number of nurses needed.

Method: The NEMS and NAS scores of 752 patients admitted respectively from may 2004 and July 2006 and of 250 patients admitted from August 2006 to July 2007 were analysed and adjusted to the number of inpatients.