Tocilizumab in grade 4 hepatitis secondary to immune checkpoint inhibitor: a case report and review of the literature.

First- and second-line treatments for immune checkpoint inhibitor-related hepatotoxicity (IRH) are well established; however, evidence for third-line therapies is limited. We present a 68-year-old female with relapsed metastatic non-small-cell lung carcinoma despite multiple treatments. A fortnight after the second cycle of CTLA-4 inhibitor immunotherapy, she developed scleral icterus and mild jaundice with significant elevation in liver enzymes.

Phase I Trial of nab-Paclitaxel Administered Concurrently With Radiotherapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Inoperable Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

Objectives: Nab-paclitaxel has radiosensitizing antitumor efficacy in pancreatic cancer. We aimed to establish maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of nab-paclitaxel with radiotherapy in unresectable locally advanced pancreatic cancer.

Methods: In a phase I dose escalation trial patients received weekly nab-paclitaxel for 6 weeks with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).

Effect of anti-inflammatory diets on inflammation markers in adult human populations: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.

Context: Chronic inflammation, characterized by prolonged elevated inflammation markers, is linked to several chronic conditions. Diet can influence the levels of inflammation markers in the body.

Objective: The aim of this systematic review was to assess the effects of anti-inflammatory diets on 14 different inflammation markers in adults.

Validation of a Short Food Frequency Questionnaire to Measure Dietary Intake of a Selection of Micronutrients in Oncology Patients Undergoing Systemic Therapy.

Dietary intake, specifically consumption of anti-inflammatory micronutrients, can play a role in both cancer initiation as well as the treatment-related outcomes experienced by patients receiving systemic cancer therapy. Increasing research is being conducted to determine whether micronutrient supplementation can aid in altering the tumor microenvironment (TME), reducing inflammatory side effects and immune-related adverse events (irAEs). However, further research pertaining to the adequacy of dietary micronutrient intake is indicated in the oncology cohort.

Eosinophilic Vasculitis and Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy Associated With Anti-PD-L1 Therapy.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy is frequently associated with immune-related adverse events, which occasionally manifest with visual symptoms. Here, we describe a case of unilateral and sudden-onset painless vision loss in an 82-year-old man with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer receiving immunotherapy with the anti-programmed death-ligand 1 agent atezolizumab. Examination demonstrated a right-sided relative afferent pupillary defect, diffusely swollen optic disc, and delayed choroidal and retinal arterial filling on fundus fluorescein angiography, consistent with an arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

Real-world experience of nivolumab in the treatment of poor performance status patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Nivolumab improves disease control and survival in advanced NSCLC in patients with good performance status (PS), but there is limited data on its efficacy in patients with poor PS.

Aim: Primary objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nivolumab and examine the influence of PS on outcomes.

Methods And Results: Retrospective analysis of patients treated with single-agent nivolumab for advanced NSCLC at a single institution was performed.

Predicting chemotherapy-induced menopause using baseline and post-chemotherapy anti-Müllerian hormone levels: Results of a pilot study.

Background: Chemotherapy can cause premature menopause which may result in adverse effects such as fertility loss, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and menopausal symptoms. It is thus very important that women are provided with accurate information regarding their risk of premature menopause as a consequence of proposed chemotherapy. Unfortunately, at present there are no reliable tools which can be applied in clinical practice to estimate the risk of premature menopause in women undergoing chemotherapy, beyond age of the patient and form of chemotherapy utilized.

Nivolumab-induced synovitis is characterized by florid T cell infiltration and rapid resolution with synovial biopsy-guided therapy.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are associated with rheumatic and musculoskeletal immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in 5%-20% of patients. Currently, patients refractory to corticosteroids and conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (cDMARD) are treated with biological DMARDs (bDMARDs) targeting tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin-6, although without a clear biological rationale. Synovial tissue (ST) biopsy presents a valuable opportunity to investigate irAE pathogenesis and appropriately stratify bDMARD use in refractory irAE patients.

Survival and late toxicities following concurrent chemo-radiotherapy for locally advanced stage III non-small cell lung cancer: findings of a 10-year Australian single centre experience with long term clinical follow up.

Background: The preferred management of patients with unresectable locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC) is concurrent chemo-radiotherapy (CRT). Acute CRT-related toxicities are well defined, however, less is known about late toxicities. The aim of the study was to examine the outcomes and late toxicities in Stage III NSCLC treated with CRT.

Patterns of care in Jehovah's Witnesses patients with solid tumours and lymphoma.

Background: Supportive care of Jehovah's Witnesses (JWs) diagnosed with cancer can be challenging, as they do not accept red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.

Aim: The study was designed to determine treatment preferences and pattern of care offered to JWs diagnosed with cancer and its impact on cancer management.

Methods And Results: A retrospective cohort study of JWs with solid malignancies or lymphoma in our institution between 2005 and 2015 was conducted.

Internet use and preferences among women living with advanced breast cancer.

Despite high distress and unmet informational and psychosocial needs, and recommendations for development of advanced breast cancer (ABC)-specific resources, there remains a paucity of appropriate, accessible psychological interventions. This survey study examined internet use and preferences of women with ABC, to gauge feasibility of providing an ABC-specific internet intervention. Most participants (83%) used the internet daily.

Online information and support needs of women with advanced breast cancer: a qualitative analysis.

Purpose: Women with advanced breast cancer (ABC) face significant adjustment challenges, yet few resources provide them with information and support, and attendance barriers can preclude access to face-to-face psychosocial support. This paper reports on two qualitative studies examining (i) whether information and support-seeking preferences of women with ABC could be addressed in an online intervention, and (ii) how an existing intervention for patients with early stage cancer could be adapted for women with ABC.

Methods: Women with ABC participated in telephone interviews about their information and support-seeking preferences (N = 21) and evaluated an online intervention focused on early-stage cancer (N = 15).

Pre-treatment serum lactate dehydrogenase as a biomarker in small cell lung cancer.

Background: Small cell lung cancer is a rapidly progressive disease with high fatality. No sensitive and specific biomarker to assist in managing this disease exists currently.

Aim: Role of pretreatment serum lactate dehydrogenase as a biomarker in small cell lung cancer.

A Pilot Study of Self-Management-based Nutrition and Physical Activity Intervention in Cancer Survivors.

Exercise and a healthy diet are beneficial after cancer, but are not uniformly adopted by cancer survivors. This study reports on the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of a self-management-based nutrition and exercise intervention for Australian cancer survivors. Adult survivors (n  =  25) during curative chemotherapy (stratum 1[S1]; n  =  11) or post-treatment (stratum 2 [S2]; n  =  14) were recruited prospectively from a single center.

Is self-management feasible and acceptable for addressing nutrition and physical activity needs of cancer survivors?

Background: Self-management is recommended for patients with chronic conditions, but its use with cancer survivors is underexplored. Optimal strategies for achieving lifestyle changes in cancer survivors are not known.

Objective: We aimed to determine feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of self-management-based nutrition and physical activity interventions for cancer survivors.

Pemetrexed-Induced Interstitial Pneumonitis: A Case Study and Literature Review.

Pemetrexed is a new-generation antifolate drug, now widely used in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We report a case of pemetrexed-induced interstitial pneumonitis, and review the literature of eight previously reported cases. As pemetrexed is now a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, it is important to be aware of rare adverse events related to its administration.

Late effects of oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (LEON)--cross-sectional cohort study of patients with colorectal cancer surviving at least 2 years.

Objectives: Oxaliplatin accumulates in dorsal root ganglia, causing an axonal neuronopathy. Symptoms include numbness, pain and gait disturbance which may persist and impact on quality of life (QOL). Despite widespread use of this drug, its late effects and patient satisfaction outcomes have not been widely reported.

Returning to work following curative chemotherapy: a qualitative study of return to work barriers and preferences for intervention.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore barriers to return to work (RTW) and preferences for intervention and support for cancer patients treated with curative intent from the perspectives of cancer survivors and oncology health professionals.

Methods: Participants attended a focus group (N = 24) or an individual interview (N = 14). A topic guide and a semi-structured recorded interview format were used to gather data, which were later transcribed and analysed for global themes and subthemes.

Phase 1 clinical trial of the novel proteasome inhibitor marizomib with the histone deacetylase inhibitor vorinostat in patients with melanoma, pancreatic and lung cancer based on in vitro assessments of the combination.

Purpose: Combining proteasome and histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition has been seen to provide synergistic anti-tumor activity, with complementary effects on a number of signaling pathways. The novel bi-cyclic structure of marizomib with its unique proteasome inhibition, toxicology and efficacy profiles, suggested utility in combining it with an HDAC inhibitor such as vorinostat. Thus, in this study in vitro studies assessed the potential utility of combining marizomib and vorinostat, followed by a clinical trial with the objectives of assessing the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), safety and preliminary anti-tumor activity of the combination in patients.

Small cell lung cancer: patterns of care and their influence on survival - 25 years experience of a single Australian oncology unit.

Aim: Evidence supporting improved outcomes for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) in recent decades is limited. This study aimed to identify patterns of care and survival over two time periods; 1 January 1987 to 31 December 1996 (cohort A) and 1 January 1997 to 31 December 2006 9 (cohort B).

Methods: Patients' characteristics, management and outcome data were extracted from the Hospital Cancer Registry and clinical records.

Reversing Hyperammonemia in Neuroendocrine Tumors.

Ammonia is a neurotoxin that is normally cleared by the intact liver and if not, hyperammonemia results in hepatic encephalopathy. Hyperammonemia may be owing to primary or secondary causes. Early diagnosis is important to prevent permanent brain damage.

Splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes.

Splenic lymphoma with villous lymphocytes (SLVL) is a rare disorder that comprises less than 1% of lymphoid neoplasms. It is the leukemic counterpart of splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL) and is characterized by splenomegaly, often with no lymphadenopathy, moderate lymphocytosis and villous lymphocytes on peripheral blood smear. Here, we report a case of SLVL in a 56-year-old male with very high leukocyte counts, massive splenomegaly and relatively few leukemic cells with subtle villous projections on the surface.