Publications by authors named "Z Ballatore"
Background: Thymic carcinoma (TC) is a rare tumor with aggressive behavior. Chemotherapy with carboplatin plus paclitaxel represents the treatment of choice for advanced disease. Antiangiogenic drugs, including ramucirumab, have shown activity in previously treated patients.
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- The study focuses on the role of BRCA and other homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes in DNA damage repair in heart cells, particularly in breast cancer patients receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy.
- In a cohort of 503 patients, those with pathogenic variants in BRCA or other HRR genes showed a significant decrease in heart function, measured by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), after chemotherapy.
- The findings suggest that genetic mutations in HRR genes heighten the risk of heart toxicity from cancer treatment, indicating the need for careful monitoring in these patients.
Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on good clinical practice trials in oncology.
Explor Target Antitumor Ther
October 2023
Aim: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) became pandemic on 11th March 2020 and it deeply stressed the healthcare system. Cancer patients represent a vulnerable population, so many recommendations have been approved to ensure optimal management. Clinical research was notably impacted by COVID too.
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- T-DXd showed high efficacy and safety in a real-world study of 143 HER2+ metastatic breast cancer patients in Italy, with a median progression-free survival (rwPFS) of 16 months.
- Among patients with measurable disease, an overall response rate (ORR) of 68% and disease control rate (DCR) of 93% were observed, with some patients responding better when T-DXd was given earlier in the treatment line.
- Common side effects included nausea and neutropenia, with 59% of patients experiencing any toxicity, but these adverse events did not significantly impact the patients' treatment response and survival outcomes.
A single experience in the conduction of clinical trial during COronaVIrusDisease-2019 pandemic.
Explor Target Antitumor Ther
September 2023
Aim: From the start of the pandemic, several aspects of healthcare policies changed, not least the clinical trials management from recruiting capabilities to the protocol compliance in terms of schedule of procedures, follow-up visits, staff constraints and monitoring. This study aims to assess the impact of the COronaVIrusDisease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the conduction of clinical trials at the site of clinical oncology, Ancona (Italy), to identify the strengths and weaknesses upfront the past emergency, and to select better strategies for future similar situations.
Methods: Data from February to July of the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 were collected and three practical parameters of the trial unit were investigated: milestones, performance, and impact.