Mucinous Differentiation in Colorectal Cancer: A 10-Year Experience Audit at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Jeddah.

Given that colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality, mucinous adenocarcinoma is one of the subtypes and is characterized by the presence of mucin-producing tumor cells with mucin components and is more challenging to manage. In Saudi Arabia, it represents approximately 10-15% of all colorectal carcinoma. The main etiological cause of mucinous adenocarcinoma is yet not well understood.

Variants of Human Mucin Genes in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma and their Potential Prognostic and Predictive Values.

Background: There is no reliable prognostic and predictive biomarkers for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (cc-RCC).

Methods: DNA from 47 cc-RCC tissue samples were sequenced using next generation sequencing and a customized gene panel testing for tumor-driver genes including 19 Mucin genes.

Results: Distinctive variants in 12 Mucin genes were present in all samples.

Cardiac function in women receiving dual anti-Her2 antibodies (trastuzumab and pertuzumab) combined with chemotherapy for breast cancer.

Background: Chemotherapy regimens containing a combination of anti-Her2 antibodies are effective but can be associated with cardiac toxicity.

Objectives: We evaluate the outcome with a particular focus on the cardiac function of patients with Her2 over-expressed breast cancer receiving Chemotherapy regimens combined with Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab in routine clinical practice settings.

Design And Methods: The initial cohort of patients who started Chemotherapy regimens in combination with Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab before September 2019 in four cancer units were reviewed retrospectively.

Biweekly cetuximab in combination with capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) or irinotecan (XELIRI) in the first-line and second-line treatment of patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer.

Background: Oral capecitabine in combination with intravenous oxaliplatin (XELOX) or irinotecan (XELIRI) are acceptable substitutions to fully intravenous regimens. Biweekly (as opposed to weekly) cetuximab is more convenient when combined with biweekly chemotherapy. Here, we report the tolerability and efficacy of biweekly cetuximab in combination with biweekly XELOX or XELIRI in patients with RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (RAS-WT mCRC).

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on psychological wellbeing of Oncology clinicians in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Objective: The reorganization of cancer services and the increased work burden on health care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to be associated with significant negative psychological impact. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological well-being of oncology clinicians in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Materials And Methods: We randomly invited 1500 oncology clinicians including medical oncologists, clinical oncologists, radiation oncologists and surgical oncologists from 17 countries in the MENA region to complete a web-based survey to determine the level of psychological stress during the COVID-19 pandemic from October 2020 to January 2021.

Profiling Activins and Follistatin in Colorectal Cancer According to Clinical Stage, Tumour Sidedness and Smad4 Status.

This study explored the roles of activins and follistatin in colorectal cancers. Paired malignant and normal colonic tissues were collected from archived paraffin-embedded ( = 90 patients) alongside fresh ( = 40 patients) specimen cohorts. Activin β-subunits, follistatin and Smad4 mRNAs and proteins were measured by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Impact of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor on docetaxel-induced febrile neutropenia in patients with breast cancer.

Background: Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a life-threatening complication of Docetaxel-based chemotherapy regimens (DBRs). Prophylactic granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) can reduce the risk of FN. This study investigated the effect of G-CSF on FN in patients receiving DBRs for breast cancer.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Patients with Breast Cancer Based on Clinical and Evolving Oncotype DX Criteria.

Introduction: Oncotype DX assay recurrence score (ODX-RS) cut-off values have recently changed after the publication of the TAILOR-X trial results. We aim to explore decisions for adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) based on physicians' clinical assessment and the evolving ODX-RS.

Methodology: Patients who underwent ODX testing after curative surgical resection of estrogen receptor positive (ER+), Her2 non-overexpressed (Her2-) and lymph node-negative (LN-) breast cancer (BC) were eligible.

Frequency and clinical characteristics of HER2 over-expressed breast cancer in Saudi Arabia: a retrospective study.

Introduction: This study aimed to determine the frequency of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) over-expression in newly diagnosed breast cancer (BC) patients in Saudi Arabia and to assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with HER2-positive disease.

Methods: In the first part of the study, we retrospectively reviewed the pathology records of all patients diagnosed with BC between 2007 and 2013 at 3 hospitals in the largest 3 cities in Saudi Arabia to determine the frequency of HER2 over-expression. In the second part, a representative sample from the patients identified with HER2 over-expressed BC was selected for further investigation.

The clinical significance of routine risk categorization in metastatic renal cell carcinoma and its impact on treatment decision-making: a systematic review.

To analyze responses to first-line metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treatment stratified by risk criteria. Clinical trials and observational studies of patients aged ≥18 years, published January 2005-May 2019, were identified via Ovid from MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Trials Register and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Data extracted included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR).

OSSMAR: An Observational Study to Describe the Use of Sunitinib in Real-Life Practice for the Treatment of Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose: Sunitinib offers improved efficacy for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). To provide better disease management in the Middle East, we studied its use in mRCC in real-life practice in this region.

Material And Methods: Patients diagnosed with mRCC and started on sunitinib between 2006 and 2016 from 10 centers in Africa and the Middle East region were studied in this regional, multicenter, observational, retrospective trial to obtain routine clinical practice data on the usage patterns and outcomes of sunitinib in mRCC in real-life practice.

Neuroendocrine tumor of the kidney: Diagnostic challenge and successful therapy.

The management of gastrointestinal and pancreatic (GEP) neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) has evolved over the recent decade. Primary renal NETs are extremely rare as neuroendocrine cells are not recognized in the normal renal parenchyma. We report a case of primary renal NET characterized by the initial diagnostic challenges.

Bone modifying agents for patients with bone metastases from breast cancer managed in routine practice setting: Treatment patterns and outcome.

Introduction: Bone metastases are common in patients with breast cancer and can lead to pain and skeletal-related events. Bone modifying agents are licensed to be used for these patients. We report the treatment patterns and outcome of zoledronic acid and denosumab in routine practice.

Evaluation of the Idylla KRAS and NRAS mutation test in colorectal cancer tissue.

Introduction: The currently approved techniques for RAS mutations testing in colorectal cancer (CRC) tissue are labor-intensive and time consuming. The Idylla technology (IT) is a rapid and fully automated diagnostics system. The primary aim of this study is to compare the Idylla performance against that of conventional techniques (CT).

Obesity and outcome of post-menopausal women receiving adjuvant letrozole for breast cancer.

Introduction: Aromatase enzyme activity is predominant in adipose tissue. This has led to speculation that aromatase activity is elevated in obese women and subsequently decreased the clinical activity of adjuvant aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in women with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC). We investigated the effect of obesity on the outcome of this population.

Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy With Capecitabine Plus Cisplatin in Patients With Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Cancer: Case Series Study.

Purpose: Capecitabine, an oral fluorouracil (5-FU) derivative, has replaced 5-FU in many chemotherapy regimens used in various GI tract cancers. The experience with capecitabine in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is limited.

Patients And Methods: We report on eight patients with locally advanced NPC treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy with capecitabine and cisplatin.

Disclosure of Adverse Cancer News: The Public's Perspective in a Middle Eastern Country.

Objectives: The disclosure to patients of unfavorable news related to cancer remains a controversial issue in the Middle East. This study investigated the perspective of the public in Saudi Arabia regarding the disclosure of unfavorable cancer-related news.

Methods: A convenience sample of 103 adult noncancer patients attending a family medicine clinic were asked to respond to 9 closed-ended questions.

Complications of bone metastases from malignant melanoma.

Introduction: Metastatic bone disease (MBD) carries significant morbidity for patients with cancer. MBD from malignant melanoma (MM) is understudied. We examined the characteristics, morbidity, management and outcome of MBD in patients with MM.

The impact of a coordinated joint multidisciplinary breast cancer clinic.

Introduction: Timely access to cancer treatment is expected to improve patients' satisfaction and treatment outcome. A joint multidisciplinary breast cancer clinic (JMDBCC) was developed in January 2011 which aimed to accelerate access to breast cancer care. Here, we assess the efficacy of this approach.

Mutations in codons 12 and 13 of K-ras exon 2 in colorectal tumors of Saudi Arabian patients: frequency, clincopathological associations, and clinical outcomes.

Mutations in codons 12/13 of K-ras exon 2 are associated with reduced benefit from anti-epidermal growth factor receptor antibody treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we evaluated the frequency of K-ras mutations and their relationship with clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes in Saudi Arabian patients with CRC. The genetic status of K-ras was determined in 300 patients diagnosed with CRC.

High-dose chemotherapy and peripheral hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in relapsed/refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Purpose: High-dose chemotherapy (HDCT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is used to treat patients with relapsed Hodgkin's lymphoma. In this retrospective study we report our experience with patients who underwent HDCT and ASCT.

Methods: All patients ≥15 years old with relapsed/refractory Hodgkin's lymphoma who underwent HDCT and ASCT between June 2001 and December 2013 were included.

Assessment of bone health in breast cancer patients starting adjuvant aromatase inhibitors: A quality improvement clinical audit.

Introduction: Adjuvant Aromatase Inhibitors (AIs) predispose breast cancer patients to accelerated bone loss. Guidelines recommend initial screening and follow up of bone mineral density with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. In this audit we assessed the rate of adherence to these guidelines and introduced awareness measures to improve it.