First-line immune-based combinations or sunitinib in favorable-risk metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a real-world retrospective comparison from the ARON-1 study.

Introduction: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most common types of urogenital cancer. The introduction of immune-based combinations, including dual immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) or ICI plus tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), has radically changed the treatment landscape for metastatic RCC, showing varying efficacy across different prognostic groups based on the International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) criteria.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective multicenter study, part of the ARON-1 project, aimed to evaluate the outcomes of favorable-risk metastatic RCC patients treated with immune-based combinations or sunitinib.

Is There a Correlation Between Platelet Count, Mesenteric Lymph Node Involvement, and Hematogenous Metastases in Advanced Stage Ovarian Cancer?

Background/aim: Ovarian cancer remains a major cause of death in women worldwide, mainly due to late diagnosis and the lack of a reliable screening test for early detection of the disease. In this context, attention has been focused on the identification of other prognostic factors that might allow a better identification of cases with worse long-term outcome.

Patients And Methods: Data of patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery between 2014-2019 were retrospectively reviewed and 57 patients were considered eligible for this study.

Prognostic Factors in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma - A Systematic Review.

intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA) are rare, aggressive cancers that develop in second order or smaller bile ducts. The aim of this review is to systematically review the most important prognostic factors affecting the long-term outcomes of these patients. Material and articles conducted on this issue, written in English, published between from January 2000 to December 2023 in Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, MedLine, Web of Science, Elsevier, Google Scholar were systematically researched and reviewed.

Immunotherapeutic Innovations in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Current Strategies and Future Directions.

Approximatively 80% of kidney cancers globally are clear cell kidney cancers (ccRCCs), with 80% of these malignancies featuring an inactivating mutation of the Von Hippel-Lindau gene. This genetic alteration leads to the stabilization of hypoxia inducible factors 1 and 2 alpha (HIF 1 and 2α), resulting in the over-expression of target genes such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is crucial for angiogenesis. As a result, ccRCCs are highly vascularized and serve as models for anti-angiogenic treatments (AAT).

Diagnostic Challenge in Heterotopic Pancreas in the Ampulla of Vater with Obstructive Jaundice - A Case Report and Literature Review.

Heterotopic pancreas is a rare congenital abnormality. The most common location is the stomach, duodenum and proximal jejunum. Rare locations are represented by the ampulla of Vater, esophagus, ileum, Meckel diverticulum, biliary tract, mesentery and spleen.

Risk Factors and Prognostic Factors in GBC.

: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare entity with a poor prognosis, usually discovered late due to nonspecific symptoms; therefore, over the last years, attention has been focused on identifying the risk factors for developing this malignancy in order to provide an early diagnosis, as well as new prognostic factors in order to modulate the long-term evolution of such cases. The aim of this review is to discuss both major risk factors and prognostic factors in GBC for a better understanding and integration of relevant and currently available information. : A literature search was performed using Cochrane Library, PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, and Web of Science; studies published after the year of 2000, in English, were reviewed.

The Influence of Inflammatory and Nutritional Status on the Long-Term Outcomes in Advanced Stage Ovarian Cancer.

Background: Despite improving surgical techniques and achieving more often complete debulking procedures, certain patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer still have a very poor prognosis. The aim of the current paper is to investigate whether inflammatory and nutritional status can predict the long-term outcomes of ovarian cancer patients.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 57 cases diagnosed with advanced-stage ovarian cancer submitted to surgery as first intent therapy was carried out.

Beyond the Surface: A Case Report of a Patient with Small Bowel Metastasis and Melanoma History. Diagnosis and Management.

Malignant melanoma (MM) is one of the most prevalent and deadliest forms of skin cancer, resulting from the malignant transformation of melanocytes. It accounts for approximately 1.7% of global cancer diagnoses and is the fifth most common cancer in the US.

An Investigative Analysis of Therapeutic Strategies in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Raetrospective Examination of 23 Biopsy-Confirmed Cases Emphasizing the Significance of Histopathological Insights.

Background: The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) combines standardized terminology with a classification system for imaging findings in patients with HCC, therefore rendering diagnostic biopsy unnecessary in many cases. This retrospective study included 23 patients with a biopsy diagnosis of HCC, performed either before or after local interventional procedures, in order to evaluate the histopathologic changes induced by previous procedures and their potential influence on the response to immune therapy.

Material And Methods: The study encompassed a cohort of patients diagnosed with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC).

Prognostic Factors in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma - A Systematic Review.

intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICCA) are rare, aggressive cancers that develop in second order or smaller bile ducts. The aim of this review is to systematically review the most important prognostic factors affecting the long-term outcomes of these patients. articles conducted on this issue, written in English, published between from January 2000 to December 2023 in Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, MedLine, Web of Science, Elsevier, Google Scholar were systematically researched and reviewed.

Recurrence and Carcinogenetic Rates of Colorectal Polyps.

Aim: to determin the recurrence rate of benign recto-colonic polyps in a 5-year interval, and compare the development rate of intrapolypoid carcinomatous lesions in polypectomized versus nonpolypectomized subjects.

Material And Method: a group of 77 patients diagnosed with recto-colonic polypoid lesions during the period 2014-2019 underwent colonoscopy at the time of study initiation and then annually during a five-year interval. The recurrence rate of polyps increased annually from 5 to 12.

Women's Sexual Dysfunctions Following Stem Cell Transplant and the Impact on Couple Relationship.

Stem cell transplant proved its efficacy in increasing the survival rate among young patients diagnosed with hematological malignancies. A transplant conditioning regimen is particularly destructive on the genital system, often determining premature ovarian failure, accompanied by vulvovaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunctions. The aims of the present study were, first, to evaluate sexual dysfunctions among transplanted women, using clinical examination and the female sexual function index (FSFI), and second, to determine their impact on a couple's relationship.

Prognostic Significance of Preoperative Inflammation Markers on the Long-Term Outcomes in Peritoneal Carcinomatosis from Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian cancer remains one of the most lethal gynaecological malignancies affecting women worldwide; therefore, attention has been focused on identifying new prognostic factors which might help the clinician to select cases who could benefit most from surgery versus cases in which neoadjuvant systemic therapy followed by interval debulking surgery should be performed. The aim of the current paper is to identify whether preoperative inflammation could serve as a prognostic factor for advanced-stage ovarian cancer. Material and methods: The data of 57 patients who underwent to surgery for advanced-stage ovarian cancer between 2014 and 2020 at the Cantacuzino Clinical Hospital were retrospectively reviewed.

Early Echocardiography and ECG Changes Following Radiotherapy in Patients with Stage II-III HER2-Positive Breast Cancer Treated with Anthracycline-Based Chemotherapy with or without Trastuzumab-Based Therapy.

BACKGROUND Cardiotoxicity from radiotherapy and anti-cancer therapies have been reported in patients with breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate the early echocardiography and ECG changes following radiotherapy in 68 patients ages 30-78 years with stages II-III HER2-positive breast cancer treated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy with or without trastuzumab-based therapy from 2015 to 2021. MATERIAL AND METHODS We analyzed data of 68 breast cancer patients aged 30-78 years, predominantly in AJCC stages II-III (61) and HER2-positive (58), treated and monitored from 2015 to 2021.

Use of concomitant proton pump inhibitors, statins or metformin in patients treated with pembrolizumab for metastatic urothelial carcinoma: data from the ARON-2 retrospective study.

Background: Concomitant medications may potentially affect the outcome of cancer patients. In this sub-analysis of the ARON-2 real-world study (NCT05290038), we aimed to assess the impact of concomitant use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI), statins, or metformin on outcome of patients with metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) receiving second-line pembrolizumab.

Methods: We collected data from the hospital medical records of patients with mUC treated with pembrolizumab as second-line therapy at 87 institutions from 22 countries.

Geographical differences in the management of metastatic de novo renal cell carcinoma in the era of immune-combinations.

Background: The upfront treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has been revolutionized by the introduction of immune-based combinations. The role of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CN) in these patients is still debated. The ARON-1 study (NCT05287464) was designed to globally analyze real-world data of mRCC patients receiving first-line immuno-oncology combinations.

Real-world Outcome of Patients with Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma and Intermediate- or Poor-risk International Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma Database Consortium Criteria Treated by Immune-oncology Combinations: Differential Effectiveness by Risk Group?

Background: Renal c carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most common urinary cancers worldwide, with a predicted increase in incidence in the coming years. Immunotherapy, as a single agent, in doublets, or in combination with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), has rapidly become a cornerstone of the RCC therapeutic scenario, but no head-to-head comparisons have been made. In this setting, real-world evidence emerges as a cornerstone to guide clinical decisions.

Global Real-World Outcomes of Patients Receiving Immuno-Oncology Combinations for Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma: The ARON-1 Study.

Background: Immuno-oncology combinations have achieved survival benefits in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

Objective: The ARON-1 study (NCT05287464) was designed to globally collect real-world data on the use of immuno-combinations as first-line therapy for mRCC patients.

Patients And Methods: Patients aged ≥ 18 years with a cytologically and/or histologically confirmed diagnosis of mRCC treated with first-line immuno-combination therapies were retrospectively included from 47 International Institutions from 16 countries.

Clinico-Pathological Features Influencing the Prognostic Role of Body Mass Index in Patients With Advanced Renal Cell Carcinoma Treated by Immuno-Oncology Combinations (ARON-1).

Background: Obesity has been associated with improved response to immunotherapy in cancer patients. We investigated the role of body mass index (BMI) in patients from the ARON-1 study (NCT05287464) treated by dual immuno-oncology agents (IO+IO) or a combination of immuno-oncology drug and a tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) as first-line therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC).

Patients And Methods: Medical records of patients with documented mRCC treated by immuno-oncology combinations were reviewed at 47 institutions from 16 countries.

Safety and Efficacy of Direct-acting Antiviral Therapies for Chronic HCV Infection in Hemodialysis Patients.

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of a direct-acting antiviral treatment, ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir, without ribavirin, in a real-life setting.

Patients And Methods: We performed a prospective observational study including 108 patients undergoing hemodialysis for end-stage kidney disease, referred to our clinic for antiviral therapy for chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Patients received treatment with ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir and dasabuvir, for 12 weeks.

An Overview of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Pregnancy.

The objective of this review was to bring to attention cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during pregnancy, taking into consideration all relevant aspects, such as maternal diagnosis, fetal infection and prevention, prenatal diagnosis, and postnatal prognosis. A literature review was performed regarding adult and congenital infection. General information regarding this viral infection and potential related medical conditions was provided, considering the issues of maternal infection during pregnancy, transmission to the fetus, and associated congenital infection management.

A Retrospective Study From a Single Center in Romania of 36 Patients Aged Between 37 and 59 Years Who Presented With Locally Advanced Colorectal Cancer.

Background The incidence of colorectal carcinoma is increasing in younger adults. This retrospective study was conducted at a single center in Romania and included 36 patients aged between 37 and 59 years who presented with locally advanced colorectal cancer. The purpose of this study is to show the importance of colorectal cancer screening in young patients.

A review of NTRK fusions in cancer.

The family of the neurotrophic tropomyosin kinase receptors (NTRK or TRK) is a part of the transmembrane tyrosine kinases responsible for neuronal development. The members of this receptor family are TRKA, TRKB and TRKC and they are encoded by the genes , and . Alterations of genes can induce carcinogenesis both in neurogenic and non-neurogenic cells.

A Real-World Study to Compare the Safety and Efficacy of Paritaprevir/Ombitasvir/Ritonavir and Dasabuvir, with or without Ribavirin, in 587 Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C at the Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania.

BACKGROUND In the European Union, a tablet with fixed doses of ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir combined with dasabuvir is an authorized treatment for patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Ribavirin is a broad-spectrum antiviral used in several treatment regimens for patients with HCV infection. This real-world study aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of ombitasvir, paritaprevir, and ritonavir combined with dasabuvir, with or without ribavirin, in 587 patients with chronic hepatitis C attending the Fundeni Clinical Institute, Bucharest, Romania.