Body composition derangements in lung cancer patients treated with first-line pembrolizumab: A multicentre observational study.

Background: While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are increasingly reshaping the therapeutic landscape of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), only a limited proportion of patients achieve a relevant and long-lasting benefit with these treatments, calling for the identification of clinical and, ideally modifiable, predictors of efficacy. Body composition phenotypes may reflect aspects of patients' immunology and thereby their ability to respond to ICIs. This study aims to explore the possible association between pre-treatment body composition phenotypes, tumour response, and clinical outcomes in patients receiving first-line pembrolizumab monotherapy for advanced NSCLC.

Exploring the Association between Health-Related Physical Fitness and Quality of Life in Patients with Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Whereas an exercise intervention effectively improves patients' quality of life, little information is available about the contribution of each physical fitness component. This study aims to explore the association between physical fitness components and the quality-of-life domain in patients with cancer. Between September 2021 and August 2023, 160 patients with mixed cancer types visiting the Oncology Unit were selected on a consecutive basis according to selection criteria.

Correction: Cross-sectional survey evaluating the psychological impact of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in patients with cancer: The VACCINATE study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

A cross-sectional study evaluating the exercise discussion with oncologist during cancer consultation: the CONNECT study.

Background: Evidence demonstrates that physical exercise confers several psycho-physical benefits on patients with cancer. This study aims to investigate the role of oncologists in exercise promotion.

Patients And Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional study was conducted by distributing an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire to patients with cancer.

Feasibility of a novel exercise program for patients with breast cancer offering different modalities and based on patient preference.

Purpose: Exercise improves quality of life and reduces the side effects of cancer therapies. Nevertheless, attendance to exercise programs remains a challenge for patients. This study explored the feasibility of an exercise program in which women with breast cancer may be allowed to choose among three exercise delivery modalities.

Cross-sectional survey evaluating the psychological impact of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign in patients with cancer: The VACCINATE study.

The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted on cancer patients' psychological well-being and clinical status. We assessed the levels of anxiety, depression, and distress and the attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients, accepting vaccination at the Verona University Hospital and Camposampiero Hospital in the Veneto region. Self-reported questionnaires were administered to patients undergoing COVID-19 vaccination between March and May 2021 (first and second dose).

Exploring the feasibility of a combined exercise program for patients with advanced lung or pancreatic cancer.

Objective: This study aims to assess the safety, feasibility, and potential benefits of a combined aerobic and resistance exercise intervention for patients diagnosed with advanced pancreatic or lung cancer.

Methods: A prospective, single-arm study was conducted, enrolling patients with advanced lung or pancreatic cancer. Participants engaged in a 12-week exercise intervention comprising personalized bi-weekly aerobic and resistance training tailored to individual baseline conditions.

Adjuvant Targeted Therapy in Solid Cancers: Pioneers and New Glories.

Targeted therapy (TT) has revolutionized cancer treatment, successfully applied in various settings. Adjuvant TT in resected early-stage gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and breast cancer has led to practice-changing achievements. In particular, standard treatments include BRAF inhibitors for melanoma, osimertinib for NSCLC, hormone therapy or HER2 TT for breast cancer, and imatinib for GIST.

Exercise and Bone Health in Cancer: Enemy or Ally?

Bone health is often threatened in cancer patients. Bone metastasis and osteoporosis frequently occur in patients with cancer and may lead to different skeletal-related events, which may negatively affect patients' quality of life and are associated with high mortality risk. Physical exercise has been recognized as a potential adjunctive strategy in the cancer setting to improve physical function as well as treatment-related side effects.

Predictive and prognostic effect of computed tomography-derived body composition analysis during neoadjuvant chemotherapy for operable and locally advanced breast cancer.

Objectives: Excess adiposity is associated with several factors involved in carcinogenesis and breast cancer progression. Evidence supporting the role of body composition in breast cancer treatment is promising, but still scanty and mainly focused on adjuvant treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in body composition during neoadjuvant chemotherapy and its association with pathologic complete response and survival outcome in patients treated for operable/locally advanced breast cancer.

Willingness, preferences, barriers, and facilitators of a multimodal supportive care intervention including exercise, nutritional and psychological approach in patients with cancer: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Supportive care, including exercise, nutritional and psychological support, is becoming increasingly important in cancer given their impact on 'patients' quality and quantity of life. The purpose of this study was to explore willingness, preferences barriers and facilitators for a multimodal intervention in patients with cancer.

Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was proposed on randomly selected days to the patients visiting the cancer outpatients' facilities at the Oncology Unit of the University Hospital of Verona.

Selpercatinib in RET-fusion positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: achievements and gray areas.

Introduction: Selpercatinib is a RET selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor with nanomolar potency against diverse RET alterations, including fusions, activating point mutations, and acquired resistance mutations. Rearranged during transfection (RET) gene is a validated target in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Selpercatinib is currently approved for adult patients with metastatic RET fusion-positive NSCLC.

Effect of exercise on functional capacity in patients with advanced cancer: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Purpose: To determine the impact of exercise on functional capacity, measured through the "Six minutes walking test" (6MWT) in patients with advanced cancer stage.

Methods: Systematic research on PubMed, Cochrane Library, and SportDiscus was conducted. Randomized controlled trials were eligible if they examined the effect of exercise on 6MWT.

Exercise and anemia in cancer patients: could it make the difference?

Introduction: Anemia is one of the most common hematological manifestations occurring in cancer patients, related to a poorer prognosis. Among supportive care in cancer, exercise is emerging as a crucial tool demonstrating reduction in mortality risk and counteracting several diseases and treatment-related adverse events. Nevertheless, the effect of exercise on anemia in cancer is still a relatively unexplored area.

Nurses' perspectives on physical activity promotion in cancer patients: A qualitative research.

Purpose: The present study aimed to qualitatively examine the perspectives of nurses about physical activity in cancer patients.

Method: A purposive sample of nurses was recruited by email. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, focus group interviews were conducted.

Anticipating EGFR Targeting in Early Stages of Lung Cancer: Leave No Stone Unturned.

: The current treatment landscape of early stage lung cancer is rapidly evolving, particularly in mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), where target therapy is moving to early stages. In the current review, we collected the available data exploring the impact of targeting in both neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings, underlying and discussing the existing open issues. : We performed a comprehensive search using PubMed and the proceedings of major international meetings to identify neoadjuvant/adjuvant trials with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in NSCLC.

Pancreatic Enzyme Replacement Therapy in Patients Undergoing First-Line Gemcitabine Plus -paclitaxel for Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

Background: The clinical consequences of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency and its treatment in advanced pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) are poorly investigated. This retrospective study aims at investigating the pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) use and its impact on survival and maldigestion-related symptoms in advanced PDAC patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on advanced PDAC patients, treated with first-line gemcitabine plus -paclitaxel at two academic institutions (March 2015-October 2018).

Development of Educational Print Materials for Physical Activity in Cancer: Evaluation of Readability and Suitability.

Educational health materials may be important tools to increase physical activity in cancer patients. Nevertheless, most of the available resources regarding physical activity for cancer patients were found not suitable, had a low grade of readability, and thus, represent a significant barrier to behavior change. To date, little data about development criteria and evaluation of physical activity resources for cancer before their spread exist.