Fortnightly or fractionated weekly docetaxel-cisplatin-5-FU as first-line treatment in advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma: The randomized phase II DoGE study.

Background: While docetaxel/cisplatin/5-fluorouracil (DCF) outperforms CF in first-line gastric adenocarcinoma, toxicity remains an issue.

Methods: This multicenter phase II trial randomized chemonaïve metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma patients to fractionated weekly DCF (D 40 mg/m , C 35 mg/m², F 1800 mg/m² over 24 h, on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks, arm (1) or fortnightly DCF (D 50 mg/m , C 50 mg/m², F 2000 mg/m² over 48 h every 2 weeks, arm (2). Prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was not allowed.

Long term response on Regorafenib in non-V600E BRAF mutated colon cancer: a case report.

Background: BRAF mutated colorectal cancer (CRC) is a rare disease entity with specific clinical features. These tumors are less likely to have microsatellite instability than CRC with a V600E BRAF mutation and often harbor a KRAS or NRAS mutation. Notably, median overall survival is longer than in wild-type BRAF CRC.

Radiologic and pathologic response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy predicts survival in patients undergoing the liver-first approach for synchronous colorectal liver metastases.

Purpose: To investigate the short- and long-term outcomes of liver first approach (LFA) in patients with synchronous colorectal liver metastases (CRLM), evaluating the predictive factors of survival.

Methods: Sixty-two out of 301 patients presenting with synchronous CRLM underwent LFA between 2007 and 2016. All patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

The subgroups of the phase III RECOURSE trial of trifluridine/tipiracil (TAS-102) versus placebo with best supportive care in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Background: In the phase III RECOURSE trial, trifluridine/tipiracil (TAS-102) extended overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) with an acceptable toxicity profile in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer refractory or intolerant to standard therapies. The present analysis investigated the efficacy and safety of trifluridine/tipiracil in RECOURSE subgroups.

Methods: Primary and key secondary end-points were evaluated using a Cox proportional hazards model in prespecified subgroups, including geographical subregion (United States of America [USA], European Union [EU], Japan), age (<65 years, ≥65 years) and v-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma 2 viral oncogene homologue (KRAS) status (wild type, mutant).

The inflammatory response to stress and angiogenesis in liver resection for colorectal liver metastases: a randomized controlled trial comparing open versus laparoscopic approach.

Background: This study evaluates the surgical stress response following laparoscopic and open liver resection for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM).

Methods: Patients with CRLM were prospectively randomized to receive open or laparoscopic liver resection (NCT03131778). Blood samples were drawn preoperatively and 24 h after resection.

Neither creatinine- nor cystatin C-estimated glomerular filtration rate is optimal in oncology patients treated with targeted agents.

Background: In the last decade, there has been an increase in the use of anti-angiogenic drugs as treatment for metastatic malignancies. However, use of these targeted therapies could induce both glomerular and tubular damage. Also during targeted therapy, the lysosomal protease cathepsin D is released from the tumour, which is inhibited by the protease inhibitor cystatin C.

Safety analysis of the oncological outcome after vein-preserving surgery for colorectal liver metastases detached from the main hepatic veins.

Purpose: Recent studies have reported that margins alone do not predict survival in patients with a positive chemotherapy response. The aim of this retrospective study is to analyze the surgical and oncological outcomes of patients who underwent chemotherapy and liver resection for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) with lesions detached from the main hepatic veins, comparing the vein-preserving (VP) approach with traditional surgery.

Methods: Fourteen patients undergoing VP surgery from January 2006 to January 2013 were matched in a 1:2 ratio with a control group (CG) of 28 patients undergoing traditional resection.

Focus on 16p13.3 Locus in Colon Cancer.

Background: With one million new cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosed annually in the world, CRC is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the Western world. Patients with stage I-III CRC can be cured with surgery but are at risk for recurrence. Colorectal cancer is characterized by the presence of chromosomal deletions and gains.

Impact of surgical margins on overall and recurrence-free survival in parenchymal-sparing laparoscopic liver resections of colorectal metastases.

Background: The relationship between the width of surgical margins and local and distant recurrence of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) remain controversial. We analyzed the impact of surgical margins in laparoscopic liver resections (LLR) for CRLM, using the parenchymal-sparing approach on overall (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

Methods: From January 2005 to October 2012, 114 first LLR for CRLM were performed and retrospectively analyzed.

Cisplatin-modified de Gramont in second-line therapy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Objectives: In Belgium, combination chemotherapy of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil + leucovorin (CFL) according to the modified de Gramont schedule is the treatment of choice in second line for metastatic pancreatic cancer. We retrospectively analyzed survival data in 2 Belgian centers in a nonselected population.

Methods: Between January 2004 and October 2011, 48 patients with histologically proven recurrent or unresectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma who had received CFL as second-line treatment were identified.

Exploring limits for data registration in the context of PROCARE, a quality improvement project on rectal cancer.

Background: A high burden of registration in the context of quality improvement projects may result in registration fatigue.

Methods: Time required for data collection and registration was measured. Quality of care indicators (QCI) were scored and factors for adjusted benchmarking were identified.

Adjuvant gemcitabine versus NEOadjuvant gemcitabine/oxaliplatin plus adjuvant gemcitabine in resectable pancreatic cancer: a randomized multicenter phase III study (NEOPAC study).

Background: Despite major improvements in the perioperative outcome of pancreas surgery, the prognosis of pancreatic cancer after curative resection remains poor. Adjuvant chemotherapy increases disease-free and overall survival, but this treatment cannot be offered to a significant proportion of patients due to the surgical morbidity. In contrast, almost all patients can receive (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy before surgery.

MDM2 gene amplification and protein expressions in colon carcinoma: is targeting MDM2 a new therapeutic option?

The aim of this study was to investigate murine double minute-2 (MDM2) gene copy number changes in colon carcinoma and to correlate these findings with an immunohistochemical analysis of MDM2 protein expression and histopathologic prognostic indicators of the tumors. The study included 80 cases of sporadic colon carcinomas. MDM2 protein expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry, and MDM2 gene status by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Disrupted NF- kappa B activation after partial hepatectomy does not impair hepatocyte proliferation in rats.

Aim: To analyze the effects of NF- kappa B inhibition by antioxidant pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) or TNF inhibitor pentoxifylline (PTX) on liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH).

Methods: Saline, PDTC or PTX were injected 1 h before PH and rats were killed at 0.5 and 24 h after PH.

Whole-cell recording from honeybee olfactory receptor neurons: ionic currents, membrane excitability and odourant response in developing workerbee and drone.

Whole-cell recording techniques were used to characterize ionic membrane currents and odourant responses in honeybee olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in primary cell culture. ORNs of workerbee (female) and drone (male) were isolated at an early stage of development before sensory axons connect to their target in the antennal lobe. The results collectively indicate that honeybee ORNs have electrical properties similar, but not necessarily identical to, those currently envisaged for ORNs of other species.