The Role of Adjuvant Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Resected High-Risk Stage III Cutaneous Melanoma in the Era of Modern Systemic Therapies.

Modern adjuvant systemic therapies (STs) have revolutionized the management of stage III melanoma. Currently, the role of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) remains unclear. In this single-center retrospective study, patients with clinically detectable stage III melanoma with high-risk features for lymph node basin (LNB) recurrence and whose tumors were fully resected with complete lymphadenectomy (CLD) between 2010 and 2019 were assessed.

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Real-World Experience from a Canadian Comprehensive Cancer Centre.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) cemiplimab and pembrolizumab have revolutionized the treatment of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ICI in a real-world cSCC population, including patients with conditions that would exclude clinical trial participation. In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, we included all non-trial patients with advanced cSCC treated with ICI between 2017 and 2022.

Toxicity and outcomes of melanoma brain metastases treated with stereotactic radiosurgery: the risk of subsequent symptomatic intralesional hemorrhage exceeds that of radiation necrosis.

Purpose: We aimed to assess the outcomes and patterns of toxicity in patients with melanoma brain metastases (MBM) treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) with or without immunotherapy (IO).

Methods: From a prospective registry, we reviewed MBM patients treated with single fraction Gamma Knife SRS between 2008 and 2021 at our center. We recorded all systemic therapies (chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy) administered before, during, or after SRS.

BRAF Mutations in CNS Tumors-Prognostic Markers and Therapeutic Targets.

Gliomas are a heterogeneous group of brain tumors with limited therapeutic options. However, identification of BRAF V600E mutations in a subset of gliomas has provided a genomic-targeted approach for management of these diseases. In this review, we aimed to review the role of BRAF V600E in gliomagenesis, to characterize concurrent genomic alterations and their potential prognostic implications, and to review comprehensively the efficacy data of BRAF inhibitors (combined or not with MEK inhibitors) for the treatment of low- and high-grade gliomas.

Turnaround Times in Melanoma BRAF Testing and the Impact on the Initiation of Systemic Therapy at a Single Tertiary Care Cancer Center.

Purpose: The identification of mutations in melanoma enables targeted therapy and improves patient outcomes. Barriers to molecular testing affect the quality of care and therapeutic options.

Methods: This retrospective study mapped testing timelines in adult patients with melanoma at the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre to identify obstacles to timely reporting and its impact on the initiation of therapy.

CANDIED: A Pan-Canadian Cohort of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor-Induced Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus.

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-induced insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is a rare but potentially fatal immune-related adverse event (irAE). In this multicentre retrospective cohort study, we describe the characteristics of ICI-induced IDDM in patients treated across five Canadian cancer centres, as well as their tumor response rates and survival. In 34 patients identified, 25 (74%) were male and 19 (56%) had melanoma.

Development of a Metastatic Uveal Melanoma Prognostic Score (MUMPS) for Use in Patients Receiving Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

Metastatic uveal melanoma (mUM) is a rare disease. There are limited data on prognostic clinical factors for overall survival (OS) in patients with mUM treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Retrospective and non-randomized prospective studies have reported response rates of 0-17% for anti-PD1/L1 ± anti-CTLA4 ICI in mUM, indicating a potential benefit only in a subset of patients.

Real World Outcomes and Hepatotoxicity of Infliximab in the Treatment of Steroid-Refractory Immune-Related Adverse Events.

Background And Aims: Current guidelines state that infliximab is contraindicated for the treatment of immune checkpoint inhibitor-related hepatitis (ir-hepatitis) due to the risk of inducing further liver damage. As this recommendation is largely based on the use of infliximab for rheumatologic diseases, we evaluated the efficacy and hepatotoxicity of infliximab in patients with steroid-refractory immune-related adverse events (irAEs).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients treated with infliximab for irAEs at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Genomic Landscape of Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor‒Like Melanoma.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST)-like melanoma is a rare malignancy with overlapping characteristics of both neural sarcoma and melanoma. Although the genomics of cutaneous melanoma has been extensively studied, those of MPNST-like melanoma have not. To characterize the genomic landscape of MPNST-like melanoma, we performed a single-center, retrospective cohort study at a tertiary academic cancer center.

A modified recursive partitioning analysis for predicting overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer and central nervous system metastases.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major cause of brain metastases. Nonetheless, patients with central nervous system (CNS) spread are poorly represented in clinical trials. We sought to evaluate the overall survival (OS) of patients with NSCLC and CNS metastases.

Retrospective analysis of efficacy and safety of Gemcitabine-based chemotherapy in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma experiencing disease progression on FOLFIRINOX.

Background: Metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (MPA) represents a highly lethal condition. Despite the improvements seen with FOLFIRINOX, there is no randomized data to guide treatment selection beyond this regimen. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients with MPA progressing on FOLFIRINOX who were treated with Gemcitabine-based chemotherapy afterwards.

Retrospective comparison of the efficacy and the toxicity of standard and modified FOLFIRINOX regimens in patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Background: FOLFIRINOX stands a major breakthrough in the management of metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma (MPA). Nonetheless, significant side-effects have been reported using standard FOLFIRINOX. We aimed to compare survival outcomes, response rates and toxicity of patients treated with standard or modified FOLFIRINOX in MPA.

The relationship between performance on the modified star excursion balance test and the knee muscle strength before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the dynamic balance of the injured and uninjured limb before and after the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and compare with the control group.

Study Design: Prospective longitudinal.

Setting: Biomechanics laboratory.

Current advances in targeted therapies for metastatic gastric cancer: improving patient care.

In this article, we review the literature on the current advances in targeted therapies for metastatic gastric cancer aimed at improving patient care. We conclude that the key to guiding targeted therapy is individual biomarkers, which are not completely elucidated. HER2 overexpression is the only predictive biomarker currently in use.

Lower limb ice application alters ground reaction force during gait initiation.

Background: Cryotherapy is a widely used technique in physical therapy clinics and sports. However, the effects of cryotherapy on dynamic neuromuscular control are incompletely explained.

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of cryotherapy applied to the calf, ankle and sole of the foot in healthy young adults on ground reaction forces during gait initiation.

Study of enzyme replacement therapy for Gaucher Disease: comparative analysis of clinical and laboratory parameters at diagnosis and after two, five and ten years of treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of enzyme replacement therapy for Gaucher Disease on clinical and laboratory parameters after two, five and ten years of treatment.

Methods: Data were collected from patient records and analyzed using BioEstat software (version 5.0).

Relationship among eccentric hip and knee torques, symptom severity and functional capacity in females with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Objective: To determine the relationships between eccentric hip and knee torques, symptom severity and functional capacity in females with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).

Design: Within-subject correlational study.

Setting: University biomechanics laboratory.

Electromyographic preactivation pattern of the gluteus medius during weight-bearing functional tasks in women with and without anterior knee pain.

Background: Proximal factors have been proposed to influence the biomechanics of the patellofemoral joint. A delayed or diminished gluteus medius (GM) activation, before the foot contact on the ground during functional activities could lead to excessive femur adduction and internal rotation and be associated with anterior knee pain (AKP). There are few studies on this topic and the results were inconclusive, therefore, it is necessary to investigate the GM preactivation pattern during functional activities.

Eccentric hip muscle function in females with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Context: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common knee condition in athletes. Recently, researchers have indicated that factors proximal to the knee, including hip muscle weakness and motor control impairment, contribute to the development of PFPS. However, no investigators have evaluated eccentric hip muscle function in people with PFPS.

The effect of additional strengthening of hip abductor and lateral rotator muscles in patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomized controlled pilot study.

Objectives: To study the effect of additional strengthening of hip abductor and lateral rotator muscles in a strengthening quadriceps exercise rehabilitation programme for patients with the patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Design: Randomized controlled pilot trial.

Setting: Clinical setting with home programme.