Systemic toxicities of trastuzumab-emtansine predict tumor response in HER2+ metastatic breast cancer.

The mechanism by which trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) causes systemic toxicities apart from trastuzumab alone is currently unknown. We hypothesized that the systemic toxicities from T-DM1 may have been caused by the free and active maytansine released from the lysed HER2+ tumor cells, and if so, they may correlate with the response to treatment and eventually disease-free survival or patient outcome. In a retrospective, observational study, we evaluated 73 patients from three centers in the United States and Canada with advanced HER2+ breast cancer that received at least one dose of T-DM1.

Small Biopsies Misclassify up to 35% of PD-L1 Assessments in Advanced Lung Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinomas.

Pembrolizumab is an FDA-approved immune-checkpoint (IC) inhibitor that targets programmed cell death protein PD-1, and recent phase III trials have demonstrated its superiority over chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Eligibility for treatment with Pembrolizumab is based on demonstration of PD-L1 expression on tumoral cells using the approved companion test 22C3 PharmDx (Dako). Access to the drug depends on a tumor proportion score (TPS) expressing the PD-L1 protein above predetermined cutoffs.

Detergent: an alternative approach to traditional bone cleaning methods for forensic practice.

Osteological assessment of human remains forms an essential part of forensic work, especially during the examination of extensively decomposed, dismembered, or burnt bodies. Currently employed methods for removal of adherent soft tissue reflect practices often used by museum curators, notably insect consumption, enzymatic maceration, or boiling of the bones, with subsequent manual removal of material. This study was designed to assess the effectiveness of detergents for the purpose of soft-tissue removal from animal-derived specimens.