WT1-mRNA dendritic cell vaccination of patients with glioblastoma multiforme, malignant pleural mesothelioma, metastatic breast cancer, and other solid tumors: type 1 T-lymphocyte responses are associated with clinical outcome.

Cell therapies, including tumor antigen-loaded dendritic cells used as therapeutic cancer vaccines, offer treatment options for patients with malignancies. We evaluated the feasibility, safety, immunogenicity, and clinical activity of adjuvant vaccination with Wilms' tumor protein (WT1) mRNA-electroporated autologous dendritic cells (WT1-mRNA/DC) in a single-arm phase I/II clinical study of patients with advanced solid tumors receiving standard therapy. Disease status and immune reactivity were evaluated after 8 weeks and 6 months.

Long-term health-related quality of life in head and neck cancer survivors: A large multinational study.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients suffer from a range of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) issues, but little is known about their long-term HRQoL. This study explored associations between treatment group and HRQoL at least 5 years' post-diagnosis in HNC survivors. In an international cross-sectional study, HNC survivors completed the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) quality of life core questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ-C30) and its HNC module (EORTC-QLQ-H&N35).

Incidence of falls and fall-related injuries and their predictive factors in frail older persons with cancer: a multicenter study.

Background: Falls and fall-related injuries are a major public health problem. Data on falls in older persons with cancer is limited and robust data on falls within those with a frailty profile are missing. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence and predictive factors for falls and fall-related injuries in frail older persons with cancer.

Functional status in older patients with cancer and a frailty risk profile: A multicenter observational study.

Introduction: Functional status (FS) and frailty are significant concerns for older adults, especially those with cancer. Data on FS (Activities of Daily Living [ADL]; Instrumental Activities of Daily Living [IADL]) and its evolution during cancer treatment in older patients and a frailty risk profile are scarce. Therefore, this study examines FS and its evolution in older patients with cancer and a frailty risk profile and investigates characteristics associated with functional decline.

Tipifarnib in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Mutations.

Purpose: Mutations in the (m) proto-oncogene occur in 4%-8% of patients with recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Tipifarnib is a farnesyltransferase inhibitor that disrupts function. We evaluated the efficacy of tipifarnib in patients with R/M m HNSCC.

Immunotherapy for head and neck cancer: from recurrent/metastatic disease to (neo)adjuvant treatment in surgically resectable tumors.

Purpose Of Review: We aim to summarize the current evidence on the role of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the (neo)adjuvant treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC), with a particular focus on surgically treated patients.

Recent Findings: Pembrolizumab +/- chemotherapy improves the outcome in patients with previously untreated recurrent/metastatic HNSCC. Nivolumab is superior to chemotherapy after platinum failure.

Cost-effectiveness of nivolumab in advanced melanoma: a drug review.

The immune checkpoint inhibitors, including nivolumab, and targeted agents have dramatically improved the outcome for patients with unresectable advanced melanoma. This is a narrative review of the published evidence on nivolumab in metastatic melanoma. In ipilimumab pre-treated patients (CheckMate 037), nivolumab was associated with a higher response rate and a longer duration of response when compared to chemotherapy.

Unplanned hospitalizations in older patients with cancer: Occurrence and predictive factors.

Background: This study aims to investigate the occurrence of unplanned hospitalizations in older patients with cancer and to determine predictive factors.

Methods: A prospective Belgian multicentre (n = 22), observational cohort study was performed. Patients ≥70 years with a malignant tumor were included.

The prognostic value of patient-reported Health-Related Quality of Life and Geriatric Assessment in predicting early death in 6769 older (≥70 years) patients with different cancer tumors.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the prognostic value of baseline Health-Related Quality Of Life (HRQOL) and geriatric assessment (GA) to predict three-month mortality in older patients with cancer undergoing treatment.

Methods: Logistic regressions analysed HRQOL, as measured with the EORTC Global Health Status (GHS) scale, and geriatric information prognostic for early mortality controlling for oncology variables. The assessment was established with the odds ratio (OR), 95% confidence interval (CI) and level of significance set at p < 0.

An overview of binimetinib for the treatment of melanoma.

Introduction: Approximately 50% of patients with metastatic melanoma have mutations in BRAF. Based on the results of prior phase III trials, the combination of a BRAF inhibitor (BRAFi) and a MEK inhibitor (MEKi) is the standard of care in patients with BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma.

Areas Covered: The author summarizes the available data on binimetinib, a reversible inhibitor of the kinase activity of MEK1 and MEK2, in BRAF- and NRAS-mutated melanoma.

Quantification of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake to detect residual nodal disease in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma after chemoradiotherapy: results from the ECLYPS study.

Background: The Hopkins criteria were introduced for nodal response evaluation after therapy in head and neck cancer, but its superiority over quantification is not yet confirmed.

Methods: SUV thresholds and lesion-to-background ratios were explored in a prospective multicenter study of standardized FDG-PET/CT 12 weeks after CRT in newly diagnosed locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LAHNSCC) patients (ECLYPS). Reference standard was histology, negative FDG-PET/CT at 12 months after treatment or ≥ 2 years of negative follow-up.

Radiosensitization of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells by the Plk1 Inhibitor Volasertib Is Dependent on the p53 Status.

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), a master regulator of mitotic cell division, is highly expressed in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) making it an interesting drug target. We examined the in vitro therapeutic effects of volasertib, a Plk1 inhibitor, in combination with irradiation in a panel of NSCLC cell lines with different p53 backgrounds. Pretreatment with volasertib efficiently sensitized p53 wild type cells to irradiation.

Health related quality of life in older patients with solid tumors and prognostic factors for decline.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate health-related quality of life (HRQOL) at baseline and at follow-up in older patients with cancer and to determine prognostic factors for HRQOL decline.

Methods: A prospective Belgian multicentre (n = 22) study was performed. Patients ≥70 years with a malignant tumor and abnormal G8 (≤14/17) screening tool were included.

In vitro study of the Polo-like kinase 1 inhibitor volasertib in non-small-cell lung cancer reveals a role for the tumor suppressor p53.

Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1), a master regulator of mitosis and the DNA damage response, is considered to be an intriguing target in the research field of mitotic intervention. The observation that Plk1 is overexpressed in multiple human malignancies, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), gave rise to the development of several small-molecule inhibitors. Volasertib, presently the most extensively studied Plk1 inhibitor, has been validated to efficiently reduce tumor growth in preclinical settings.

Evolution of self-perceived swallowing function, tongue strength and swallow-related quality of life during radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients.

Background: Radiation-associated-dysphagia is a serious side effect of radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: Seventy-six patients had a weekly prospective follow-up from baseline until one week post-RT. Combined mixed model analysis (n = 43) determined the evolution of self-perceived swallowing function, isometric tongue strength (MIP), tongue strength (TS) during swallowing (Pswal), and quality of life (QoL) in these patients during RT.

Efficacy of nab-paclitaxel in treating metastatic melanoma.

Systemic treatment of metastatic melanoma has been revolutionized by the advent of checkpoint inhibitors and targeted agents which are widely accepted as standard front-line therapies. However, despite these major advances, a substantial portion of patients still fail checkpoint inhibitors and/or targeted agents and are not candidates for clinical trials. Commonly used cytotoxics in these patients include paclitaxel, dacarbazine, platins, and temozolomide.

Determining clinically important differences in health-related quality of life in older patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy or surgery.

Purpose: Using the EORTC Global Health Status (GHS) scale, we aimed to determine minimal clinically important differences (MCID) in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) changes for older cancer patients with a geriatric risk profile, as defined by the geriatric 8 (G8) health screening tool, undergoing treatment. Simultaneously, we assessed baseline patient characteristics prognostic for HRQOL changes.

Methods: Our analysis included 1424 (G8 ≤ 14) older patients with cancer scheduled to receive chemotherapy (n = 683) or surgery (n = 741).

Optimizing treatments for recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

The majority of patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) will recur. The treatment of patients with recurrent/metastatic (R/M HNSCC) is rapidly evolving. Areas covered: This article will comprehensively review the current systemic treatment of R/M HNSCC.

Programmed Cell Death-1 Inhibitor-Induced Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Context: Pembrolizumab (Keytruda; Merck Sharp & Dohme) is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody used in cancer immunotherapy. It targets the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) receptor, which is important in maintaining self-tolerance. However, immune checkpoint blockade is associated with a risk for immune-related adverse events (irAEs) potentially affecting the endocrine organs.

Adherence to geriatric assessment-based recommendations in older patients with cancer: a multicenter prospective cohort study in Belgium.

Background: In the general older population, geriatric assessment (GA)-guided treatment plans can improve overall survival, quality of life and functional status (FS). In GA-related research in geriatric oncology, studies mainly focused on geriatric screening and GA but not on geriatric recommendations, interventions and follow-up. The aim of this study was to investigate the adherence to geriatric recommendations and subsequent actions undertaken in older patients with cancer.