Predictive and Prognostic Role of Pre-Therapy and Interim 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT Parameters in Metastatic Advanced Neuroendocrine Tumor Patients Treated with PRRT.

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is an effective therapeutic option in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumor (NET). However, PRRT fails in about 15-30% of cases. Identification of biomarkers predicting the response to PRRT is essential for treatment tailoring.

Is early integration of palliative care feasible and acceptable for advanced respiratory and gastrointestinal cancer patients? A phase 2 mixed-methods study.

Background: There is evidence that early integration of palliative care improves quality of life, lowers spending and helps clarify preferences and goals for advanced cancer patients. Little is known about the feasibility and acceptability of early integration.

Aim: Assessing feasibility of early integration of palliative care, and exploring concerns perceived and problems encountered by patients, relatives and oncologists.

Strong Notch activation hinders bevacizumab efficacy in advanced colorectal cancer.

Aim: To assess the role of Notch activation in predicting bevacizumab efficacy in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Materials & Methods: Notch activation was evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on 65 CRC enrolled within randomized clinical trials assessing first-line bevacizumab-based chemotherapy and on 21 CRC treated with chemotherapy alone.

Results: Strong Notch (IHC 3+) activation was negatively associated with response (18 vs 62% in low Notch cases [IHC 0, 1, 2+]; p = 0.

The value of lactate dehydrogenase serum levels as a prognostic and predictive factor for advanced pancreatic cancer patients receiving sorafenib.

Although lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) serum levels, indirect markers of angiogenesis, are associated with a worse outcome in several tumours, their prognostic value is not defined in pancreatic cancer. Moreover, high levels are associated even with a lack of efficacy of tyrosine kinase inhibitors, contributing to explain negative results in clinical trials. We assessed the role of LDH in advanced pancreatic cancer receiving sorafenib.

Expression of pERK and VEGFR-2 in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and resistance to sorafenib treatment.

Background & Aims: The study aimed to evaluate the tissue expression of molecules involved in intracellular signalling pathways as predictors of response to sorafenib in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: We considered 77 patients enrolled into three prospective trials of sorafenib treatment for whom pretreatment tumour tissue was available. The tissue expression of β-catenin, glutamine synthetase (GS), phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase (pERK), phosphorylated v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog (pAKT) and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) was analysed by immunostaining.

A phase II randomized dose escalation trial of sorafenib in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Sorafenib has proven survival benefits in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The viability of continuing sorafenib at a higher dosage in patients who experienced radiologic disease progression was investigated.

Methods: Patients who experienced disease progression while on sorafenib 400 mg twice daily were randomized to sorafenib 600 mg twice daily (n = 49) or best supportive care (n = 52).

A phase I study of continuous hepatic arterial infusion of Irinotecan in patients with locally advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: Aim of this phase I study was to identify the maximum tolerated dose and dose limiting toxicity of continuous infusion of Irinotecan through a port-a-cath placed in the hepatic artery in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis to explore new strategies in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma. Response rate and time-to-progression were analysed.

Methods: Irinotecan was delivered as a five-day continuous infusion every 21 days, with increases of 2.