Androgen receptor expression in patients with triple negative breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a single institution study.

Androgen receptor (AR) expression has emerged as a potential prognostic and predictive marker in patients with triple negative breast cancer (TNBC). We conducted a retrospective analysis to evaluate pathologic complete response (pCR) rates, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with AR positive and AR negative TNBC treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. 107 patients with TNBC subtype, treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy between June 2006 and March 2016 were evaluated for AR expression.

Unusual presentation of lepidic adenocarcinoma in a healthy female.

Background: Lepidic adenocarcinoma represents a histologic pattern of non-small cell lung cancer that characteristically arises in the lung periphery with tracking alongside pre-existing alveolar walls. Noninvasive and invasive variants of lepidic adenocarcinoma are dependent on parenchymal destruction, vascular, or pleural invasion. The lepidic-predominant lung malignancies are collectively recognized as slow growing with rare metastasis and excellent prognosis.

A high mitotic score in breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is predictive of outcome and associated with a distinct morphology.

Aims: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is frequently used for the treatment of breast cancer. We sought to analyse the clinical, morphological and immunohistochemical features of tumours from patients who did not achieve pathological complete response following NAC.

Methods And Results: We identified stage I-III post-NAC breast cancers from surgical resections (2000-2016) with evaluable residual invasive carcinoma [ypT1a(m) or greater and ≥15% tumour cellularity].

High-dose intravenous methotrexate in the management of breast cancer with leptomeningeal disease: Case series and review of the literature.

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) in breast cancer is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. While there is currently no standard therapy, treatment options include craniospinal radiotherapy, intrathecal chemotherapy and systemic chemotherapy. Craniospinal radiotherapy has not demonstrated improved survival and intrathecal chemotherapy is often poorly tolerated due to associated neurotoxicity.

Evaluation of a two-sample process for prevention of ABO mistransfusions in a high volume academic hospital.

Background: Acute haemolytic transfusion reactions due to ABO incompatible blood transfusion remain a leading cause of transfusion-associated morbidity and mortality in the USA. Erroneous patient identification and specimen labelling account for many errors that lead to ABO mistransfusions; these errors are largely preventable.

Methods: Our hospital requires a two-sample process of ABO/Rh typing prior to transfusion.

Does Progesterone Receptor Matter in the Risk of Recurrence for Patients With Ductal Carcinoma in Situ?

Background: Local recurrence is a major concern in patients diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In invasive breast cancers, estrogen receptor (ER) (+)/progesterone receptor (PR) (-) subtype is considered more aggressive with poorer prognosis as compared to ER+/PR+ tumors. It is unclear whether this holds true in DCIS.

Risk factors of trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity in breast cancer: A meta-analysis.

Background: Trastuzumab targets the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 oncogene and in combination with first-line therapy results in significantly improved survival outcomes and has thus become standard of care in both adjuvant and metastatic settings. While it is estimated that 1% to 4% of patients treated with trastuzumab will develop heart failure and ∼10% will experience a reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), the patient risk factors associated with trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity (TIC) are unclear. This meta-analysis aims to consolidate previously published data to identify the risk factors most likely leading to TIC.

Relevance of progesterone receptor immunohistochemical staining to Oncotype DX recurrence score.

Objective/background: Progesterone-receptor negativity (PR-) is predictive of adverse outcomes in estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer. The Oncotype DX assay provides risk stratification for hormone receptor-positive (HR+) invasive breast cancer; however, the association of PR status and Oncotype DX recurrence scores (RSs) is less clear.

Methods: We designed an analysis to determine whether a significant difference exists in the RS for ER+/PR- tumors when compared with ER+/PR+ breast cancer.

Use of a dual lumen port for automated red cell exchange in adults with sickle cell disease.

Red cell exchange (RCE) is a common procedure in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). Implantable dual lumen Vortex (DLV) ports can be used for RCE in patients with poor peripheral venous access. We performed a retrospective cohort study of RCE procedures performed in adults with SCD.