Development of a New Score Based on Image Defined Risk Factors to Standardize Surgical Risk in Neuroblastoma Resection - A SIOPEN Collaborative Study.

Background And Aims: Image Defined Risk Factors (IDRFs) assess surgical risk in neuroblastoma (NB) and guide neoadjuvant therapy. Despite chemotherapy IDRFs may persist in 70 % of cases. Several studies have suggested that not all IDRFs hold equal significance and that the presence of an IDRF does not inherently signify unresectability.

Apalutamide in Metastatic Castration-sensitive Prostate Cancer: Results from the Multicenter Real-world ARON-3 Study.

Background And Objective: Apalutamide (APA) is a treatment for metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). In the ARON-3 study we investigated real-world experiences with APA treatment for mCSPC.

Methods: We retrospectively assessed real-world clinical outcomes for patients with mCSPC treated with APA in the ARON-3 study.

Concise review of end of life and palliative care in neuromuscular pathologies: still a long pathway ahead.

Introduction: Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) include different types of diseases depending on the deficient component of the motor unit involved. They may all be interested by a progressive and sometimes irreversible pump respiratory failure which unfortunately for some NMD may start soon after the diagnosis. Within this vast group of patients those affected by muscle diseases are a subgroup who comprises patients with an average earlier onset of symptoms compared to other NMD.

Nurses' knowledge, attitudes, and practices on CLABSI prevention in the Intensive Care Unit: An observational study.

Background: Management of central venous catheters (CVC) is a frequent procedure in intensive care units (ICUs) and the risk of bloodstream infections (CLABSI) is found to be high. The literature provides healthcare professionals with guidelines to prevent the risk of CLABSI infections. The aim of this study was to observe the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of ICU nurses on the prevention of CLABSI.

Clinical outcome predictors for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a retrospective multicenter real-life case series.

Over the last decades, the therapeutic armamentarium of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) has been revolutionized by the advent of tyrosin-kinase inhibitors (TKI), immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI), and immune-combinations. RCC is heterogeneous, and even the most used validated prognostic systems, fail to describe its evolution in real-life scenarios. Our aim is to identify potential easily-accessible clinical factors and design a disease course prediction system.

Neutrophil-to-Eosinophil Ratio Predicts the Efficacy of Avelumab in Patients With Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma Enrolled in the MALVA Study (Meet-URO 25).

Background: Neutrophil-to-eosinophil ratio (NER) has been described to be associated with outcomes to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in several tumor types, but less is known about its role of in the response to avelumab in advanced urothelial cancer (aUC). Thus, we reported outcomes by NER of aUC patients treated with avelumab as maintenance after initial response to platinum-based chemotherapy and enrolled in the Maintenance with AVeLumAb ([MALVA] in advanced urothelial neoplasms in response to first-line chemotherapy: an observational retrospective study) study (Meet-URO 25).

Patients And Methods: Median NER at baseline and after 3 cycles of avelumab were calculated.

Genomic Profiling and Molecular Characterisation of Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma.

The clinical management of metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) is undergoing a major paradigm shift; the integration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) into the mUC therapeutic strategy has succeeded in improving platinum-based chemotherapy outcomes. Given the expanding therapeutic armamentarium, it is crucial to identify efficacy-predictive biomarkers that can guide an individual patient's therapeutic strategy. We reviewed the literature data on mUC genomic alterations of clinical interest, discussing their prognostic and predictive role.

Assessing the effectiveness and safety of lenvatinib and everolimus in advanced renal cell carcinoma: insights from the RELIEVE study's analysis of heavily pretreated patients.

Background: The treatment of heavily pretreated patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) represents an unmet medical need and is still challenging.

Objectives: The primary objective was to assess the effectiveness of the lenvatinib plus everolimus combination and the secondary objective was the toxicity profile of this combination.

Design: We conducted a longitudinal retrospective study examining mRCC patients pre-treated with one or more lines of therapy among different cancer centers in Italy.

Ropeginterferon versus Standard Therapy for Low-Risk Patients with Polycythemia Vera.

BACKGROUND: Whether phlebotomy alone can adequately maintain target hematocrit in patients with low-risk polycythemia vera (PV) remains elusive. METHODS: In a phase 2 open-label randomized trial, we compared ropeginterferon alfa-2b (ropeg; 100 μg every 2 weeks) with phlebotomy only regarding maintenance of a median hematocrit level (≤45%) over 12 months in the absence of progressive disease (primary end point). In follow-up, crossover to the alternative treatment group was allowed if the primary end point was not met.

Concomitant Immunotherapy and Metastasis-Directed Radiotherapy in Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: A Biomarker-Driven, Original, Case-Based Proof-of-Concept Study.

Metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (mUTUC) has a poor prognosis. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have demonstrated efficacy in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma. However, data supporting the use of ICIs in patients with mUTUC are limited.

Ropeginterferon phase 2 randomized study in low-risk polycythemia vera: 5-year drug survival and efficacy outcomes.

In patients with low-risk polycythemia vera, exposure to low-dose Ropeginterferon alfa-2b (Ropeg) 100 µg every 2 weeks for 2 years was more effective than the standard treatment of therapeutic phlebotomy in maintaining target hematocrit (HCT) (< 45%) with a reduction in the need for phlebotomy without disease progression. In the present paper, we analyzed drug survival, defined as a surrogate measure of the efficacy, safety, adherence, and tolerability of Ropeg in patients followed up to 5 years. During the first 2 years, Ropeg and phlebotomy-only (Phl-O) were discontinued in 33% and 70% of patients, respectively, for lack of response (12 in the Ropeg arm vs.

Burnout symptoms, work motivation and their relationships among Italian ICU's nurses after COVID-19 emergency. A multicenter study.

Background: Despite the end of the health emergency, healthcare professionals are at risk of developing long-term mental health problems. The aim of this study was to observe Burnout symptoms and work motivation among Intensive Care Nurses, one year after admission to the Intensive Care Unit of the last positive SARS-CoV-2 swab patients.

Study Design: A multicenter cross-sectional study design was carried out and a national web-based survey was conducted between April, 2023 and May, 2023 among 21 Italian Intensive Care Units.

Genomic Profiling and Molecular Characterization of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) treatment has undergone three major paradigm shifts in recent years, first with the introduction of molecular targeted therapies, then with immune checkpoint inhibitors, and, more recently, with immune-based combinations. However, to date, molecular predictors of response to targeted agents have not been identified for ccRCC. The WHO 2022 classification of renal neoplasms introduced the molecularly defined RCC class, which is a first step in the direction of a better molecular profiling of RCC.

Beyond image defined risk factors (IDRFs): a delphi survey highlighting definition of the surgical complexity index (SCI) in neuroblastoma.

Purpose: Preoperative evaluation of Image Defined Risk Factors (IDRFs) in neuroblastoma (NB) is crucial for determining suitability for upfront resection or tumor biopsy. IDRFs do not all carry the same weighting in predicting tumor complexity and surgical risk. In this study we aimed to assess and categorize a surgical complexity (Surgical Complexity Index, SCI) in NB resection.

Hypersensitivity to Intravenous Iron Preparations.

Intravenous iron is widely used for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia when adherence to oral iron replacement is poor. Acute hypersensitivity reactions during iron infusions are very rare but can be life threatening. Major risk factors for hypersensitivity reactions include a previous reaction to an iron infusion, a fast iron infusion rate, multiple drug allergies, atopic diseases, high serum tryptase levels, asthma, and urticaria.

Development and Implementation of the AIDA International Registry for Patients With VEXAS Syndrome.

Objective: The aim of this paper is to present the AutoInflammatory Disease Alliance (AIDA) international Registry dedicated to Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, Autoinflammatory, Somatic (VEXAS) syndrome, describing its design, construction, and modalities of dissemination.

Methods: This Registry is a clinical, physician-driven, population- and electronic-based instrument designed for the retrospective and prospective collection of real-life data. Data gathering is based on the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) tool and is intended to obtain real-world evidence for daily patients' management.

Drugs and Vaccines Hypersensitivity in Children with Mastocytosis.

Mastocytosis, a heterogeneous mastcell disease, include three different entities: cutaneous mastocytosis, systemic mastocytosis (SM) and mast-cell sarcoma. Tryptase levels can differentiate cutaneous mastocytosis from SM. In mastocytosis, quick onset drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHRs) that are facilitated by mastcell mediators, are investigated in adults.

Radiocontrast Media Hypersensitivity Reactions in Children.

Hypersensitivity reactions to radiocontrast media seem to be rare in children. Furthermore, the use of radiocontrast media in children remains quite safe in terms of the severity of reactions. Since pediatric guidelines are lacking, the diagnostic workup employed in adults could be adapted to children, taking into account that results have not yet been validated in this age group.

Host Defenses to Viruses: Lessons from Inborn Errors of Immunity.

The constant battle between viruses and their hosts leads to their reciprocal evolution. Viruses regularly develop survival strategies against host immunity, while their ability to replicate and disseminate is countered by the antiviral defense mechanisms that host mount. Although most viral infections are generally controlled by the host's immune system, some viruses do cause overt damage to the host.

Hypersensitivity reactions to vaccines in children: from measles to SARS-CoV-2.

Allergic individuals at risk for hypersensitivity reactions to measles vaccine marketed for a long time are well established. On the other hand, risk factors for hypersensitivity reactions to the new mRNA COVID-19 vaccines currently include a history of allergy, allergy to excipient of the vaccine, or hypersensitivity reactions to the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. In the last two cases, the recipient should be assessed by an allergist before vaccination to share a decision on the choice of vaccination.