Analysis of Complex Circadian Time Series Data Using Wavelets.

Experiments that compare rhythmic properties across different genetic alterations and entrainment conditions underlie some of the most important breakthroughs in circadian biology. A robust estimation of the rhythmic properties of the circadian signals goes hand in hand with these discoveries. Widely applied traditional signal analysis methods such as fitting cosine functions or Fourier transformations rely on the assumption that oscillation periods do not change over time.

Calcium-binding protein S100P is a new target gene of MACC1, drives colorectal cancer metastasis and serves as a prognostic biomarker.

Background: The metastasis inducing gene MACC1 is a prognostic and predictive biomarker for metastasis in several cancers. Its mechanism of inducing metastasis includes the transcriptional control of other cancer-related target genes. Here, we investigate the interplay with the metastasis driver S100P in CRC progression.

Identifying and handling unbalanced baseline characteristics in a non-randomized, controlled, multicenter social care nurse intervention study for patients in advanced stages of cancer.

Purpose: Given the psychosocial burdens patients in advanced stages of cancer face, innovative care concepts are needed. At the same time, such vulnerable patient groups are difficult to reach for participation in intervention studies and randomized patient inclusion may not be feasible. This article aims to identify systematic biases respectively selection effects occurring during the recruitment phase and to discuss their potential causes based on a non-randomized, multicenter intervention study with patients in advanced stages of cancer.

Biomarker-driven therapies for metastatic uveal melanoma: A prospective precision oncology feasibility study.

Background: Targeted therapies for metastatic uveal melanoma have shown limited benefit in biomarker-unselected populations. The Treat20 Plus study prospectively evaluated the feasibility of a precision oncology strategy in routine clinical practice.

Patients And Methods: Fresh biopsies were analyzed by high-throughput genomics (whole-genome, whole-exome, and RNA sequencing).

Possible age-related differences in healthcare professionals' perspectives on younger and older patients' autonomy and decision-making in the context of sedation in specialised palliative care: exploratory secondary qualitative content and linguistic conversation analysis of interviews with healthcare professionals.

Background: Chronic illnesses and multi-morbidity can threaten competence and independence, particularly in old age. Autonomy becomes increasingly important in the context of sedation, as in this case medication leads to (further) changes of consciousness. The study aimed to identify possible age-related differences in the perspectives of healthcare professionals on patients' autonomy, in the context of sedation in specialised palliative care.

Effectiveness of Immune Checkpoint Inhibition vs Chemotherapy in Combination With Radiation Therapy Among Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer and Brain Metastasis Undergoing Neurosurgical Resection.

Importance: Patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have regularly been excluded from prospective clinical trials that include therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Clinical data demonstrating benefit with ICIs, specifically following neurosurgical brain metastasis resection, are scarce.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the association of radiation therapy with ICIs vs classic therapy involving radiation therapy and chemotherapy regarding overall survival in a cohort of patients who underwent NSCLC brain metastasis resection.

Sedatives and Sedation at the End of Life in the Hospital.

Background: Data on sedation at the end of life (eol) in different medical disciplines are scarce and mostly based on subjective reports. We aimed to assess the use of sedatives with continuous effect in the last week of life and associated factors in different hospital departments, with the aid of objectifiable criteria.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study based on the medical records of patients who died in one of five clinical departments of German hospitals between January 2015 and December 2017 (hematology/oncology [two different departments], neurology, geriatrics, and gynecology).

Elevated MACC1 Expression in Colorectal Cancer Is Driven by Chromosomal Instability and Is Associated with Molecular Subtype and Worse Patient Survival.

Metastasis-Associated in Colon Cancer 1 () is a strong prognostic biomarker inducing proliferation, migration, invasiveness, and metastasis of cancer cells. The context of dysregulation in cancers is, however, still poorly understood. Here, we investigated whether chromosomal instability and somatic copy number alterations (SCNA) frequently occurring in CRC contribute to dysregulation, with prognostic and predictive impacts.

Safety and preliminary activity results of the GATTO study, a phase Ib study combining the anti-TA-MUC1 antibody gatipotuzumab with the anti-EGFR tomuzotuximab in patients with refractory solid tumors.

Background: The phase I GATTO study (NCT03360734) explored the feasibility, tolerability and preliminary activity of combining gatipotuzumab, a novel humanized monoclonal antibody binding to the tumor-associated epitope of mucin 1 (TA-MUC1) and an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (anti-EGFR) antibody in refractory solid tumors.

Patients And Methods: Initially the study enrolled primary phase (PP) patients with EGFR-positive metastatic solid tumors, for whom no standard treatment was available. Patients received gatipotuzumab administered at 1400 mg every 2 weeks, 6 weeks after the start of the glyco-optimized anti-EGFR antibody tomuzotuximab at 1200 mg every 2 weeks.

Protocol for isolation and functional validation of label-retaining quiescent colorectal cancer stem cells from patient-derived organoids for RNA-seq.

Quiescent cancer stem cells (qCSCs) are a major source of posttreatment relapse, but methods to identify molecular targets for qCSC elimination are limited. Here, we present a protocol using the fluorescent dye PKH26 to isolate label-retaining qCSCs from colorectal cancer (CRC) patient-derived organoids (PDOs). We describe processing of organoids to single cells, followed by PKH26 labeling and FACS-based cell isolation.

Treatment outcome of atypical EGFR mutations in the German National Network Genomic Medicine Lung Cancer (nNGM).

Background: Atypical EGFR mutations occur in 10%-30% of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR mutations and their sensitivity to classical epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) is highly heterogeneous. Patients harboring one group of uncommon, recurrent EGFR mutations (G719X, S768I, L861Q) respond to EGFR-TKI. Exon 20 insertions are mostly insensitive to EGFR-TKI but display sensitivity to exon 20 inhibitors.

Treatment Stratification in First-Line Recurrent or Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer, on Behalf of the EORTC Young Investigator Head and Neck Cancer Group.

Multiple factors differentially influence treatment decisions in the first line treatment of recurrent/metastatic HNSCC. The EORTC Young investigator group launched a survey among treating physicians to explore the main influencing factors for treatment stratification. The questionnaire was posted as a web-survey link from May to August 2020.

Predictors for Adherence to Treatment Strategies in Elderly HNSCC Patients.

Finding a cure may be less important than ensuring the quality of life in elderly patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The aim of this study was to determine predictors for adherence. Clinical and pathological data from patients ≥70 years with HNSCC (initial diagnoses 2004-2018) were investigated retrospectively.

Combination of Wnt/β-Catenin Targets S100A4 and DKK1 Improves Prognosis of Human Colorectal Cancer.

Metastasis is directly linked to colorectal cancer (CRC) patient survival. Wnt signaling through β-catenin plays a key role. Metastasis-inducing S100A4 is a Wnt/β-catenin target gene and a prognostic biomarker for CRC and other cancer types.

Peritoneal carcinosis in male germ cell tumor patients: a registry study compiled by the German Testicular Cancer Study Group (GTCSG).

Purpose: To report on the clinical characteristics, outcome, and frequency of peritoneal carcinosis (PC) in patients with advanced germ cell tumors (GCT), a multicenter registry analysis was carried out.

Methods: A multicenter registry analysis was conducted by the German Testicular Cancer Study Group (GTCSG) with international collaborators. Data was collected and analyzed retrospectively.

What do people with lung cancer and stroke expect from patient navigation? A qualitative study in Germany.

Objective: This qualitative study investigated patients' needs and wishes in relation to patient navigation.

Design: A qualitative interview study was conducted. Participants were invited to take part in three in-depth interviews over a period of 6-12 months.

Quality of Life of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer Receiving Cetuximab, Fluorouracil, Cisplatin Comparing to Cetuximab, Fluorouracil, Cisplatin, and Docetaxel within the CEFCID Trial.

Introduction: CeFCiD was a multicenter phase II study comparing the efficacy of cetuximab (C), 5-flourouracil, and cisplatin with the same regimen adding docetaxel (D) in recurrent/metastatic head and neck cancer. The primary analysis trial did not demonstrate survival benefit from therapy intensification in first-line recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). The current analysis of the trial assessed the impact of treatment on quality of life (QoL).

Rapid testing of candidate oncogenes and tumour suppressor genes in signal transduction and neoplastic transformation.

The COSMIC database (version 94) lists 576 genes in the Cancer Gene Census which have a defined function as drivers of malignancy (oncogenes) or as tumour suppressors (Tier 1). In addition, there are 147 genes with similar functions, but which are less well characterised (Tier 2). Furthermore, next-generation sequencing projects in the context of precision oncology activities are constantly discovering new ones.

Rationale and design of the CRAFT (Continuous ReAssessment with Flexible ExTension in Rare Malignancies) multicenter phase II trial.

Background: Approvals of cancer therapeutics are primarily disease entity specific. Current molecular diagnostic approaches frequently identify actionable alterations in rare cancers or rare subtypes of common cancers for which the corresponding treatments are not approved and unavailable within clinical trials due to entity-related eligibility criteria. Access may be negotiated with health insurances.

Avelumab for platinum-ineligible/refractory recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: phase Ib results from the JAVELIN Solid Tumor trial.

Background: Recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) disease develops in approximately 65% of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) and is associated with a poor prognosis. Immune checkpoint inhibitors have proven effective in multiple tumor types, including R/M SCCHN. We report the efficacy and safety of avelumab (antiprogrammed death ligand 1 antibody) in an expansion cohort of patients with platinum-refractory/ineligible R/M SCCHN enrolled in the phase I JAVELIN Solid Tumor trial (NCT01772004).