First advanced course on biomarkers in molecular and immuno-oncology in the Middle East.

The first 'advanced course on biomarkers in molecular and immuno-oncology' in the Middle East took place in Beirut, Lebanon, as a hybrid meeting on 11 December 2020. The aim of this seminar was to discuss biomarker development, implications and detection modalities and to highlight advances in molecular technologies as well as the clinical applicability of biomarkers in oncology. The seminar consisted of five sessions, each discussing a special topic in the biomarker field.

Lebanese Real-World Experience in Treating Multiple Myeloma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

Objective: The present retrospective multicenter study aims at documenting characteristics of multiple myeloma (MM) patients and the effect of autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) on survival.

Methods: A total of 134 adult patients initiating any new MM therapy from January 2002 till December 2019 were included. Enrollment was stratified by disease subtype, induction protocol and transplant status.

Long term outcomes of laparoscopic sacro/colpo-hysteropexy with and without rectopexy for the treatment of prolapse.

Introduction And Hypothesis: Laparoscopic sacrohysteropexy (LSH), sacrocolpopexy (LSC) and ventral rectopexy (LVR) with mesh are advocated for surgical treatment of pelvic and rectal prolapse. Our study aims at showing the feasibility of concomitant laparoscopic prolapse repair by comparing perioperative and long-term outcomes of LSH or LSC with and without LVR.

Methods: This is a retrospective study carried out on 348 women operated on between July 2009 and July 2019.

A case of recurrent vaccine-triggered Gianotti-Crosti syndrome.

Gianotti-Crosti syndrome (GCS) is a self-limited benign dermatosis, clinically characterized by a monomorphic papular or papulovesicular eruption symmetrically distributed on the limbs and face of children. Various viral and vaccine triggers have been associated with GCS. Recurrences are uncommon but have been reported.

Use of real-world evidence for oncology clinical decision making in emerging economies.

Real-world evidence (RWE) can provide insights into patient profiles, disease detection, treatment choice, dosing strategies, treatment sequencing, adverse event management and financial toxicity associated with oncology treatment. However, the full potential of RWE is untapped in emerging economies due to structural and behavioral factors. Structural barriers include lack of regulatory engagement, real-world data availability, quality and integrity.

Lichen Planus Pigmentosus Associated with Topical Olive Oil Application.

A 45-year-old brown-skinned woman presented with a 5-year history of asymptomatic grayish brown lesions on the face, arms, and legs. She had no medical history of previous diseases or contact dermatitis. She revealed that she had used olive oil all over her body for the last 8 years every other day.

Characteristics and outcome in prenatally diagnosed vascular aorta-umbilical vein malformation.

Congenital arteriovenous fistulas involving the abdominal aorta are very rare. We report an unusual presentation involving the umbilical vein and characterized by the occurrence of a postnatal thrombosis and a favorable outcome. Fetal abdominal arteriovenous fistulas are rare involve branches from the aorta and can lead to umbilical vein thrombosis.

Infective endocarditis due to Neisseria elongata: A case report and literature review.

Introduction: Neisseria elongata (NE), a Gram-negative, rod-shaped organism, was previously thought to be non-pathogenic. However, in recent years it has become increasingly recognized as a rare cause of infective endocarditis. In this paper, we report a case of NE infective endocarditis and provide a review of the literature.

Immuno-oncology: a narrative review of gastrointestinal and hepatic toxicities.

Vaccines, cytokines, and adoptive cellular therapies (ACT) represent immuno-therapeutic modalities with great development potential, and they are currently approved for the treatment of a limited number of advanced malignancies. The most up-to-date knowledge on the regulation of the anti-cancer immune response has recently led to the development and approval of inhibitors of immune checkpoints, which have produced unprecedented clinical activity in several hard to treat solid malignancies. However, severe adverse events (AEs) represent a limitation to the use of these drugs.

The use of hysteroscopic endometrectomy in the conservative treatment of early endometrial cancer and atypical hyperplasia in fertile women.

Objective: To illustrate the effectiveness of hysteroscopic endometrial resection in conservative treatment of early endometrial cancer/atypical hyperplasia in women of reproductive age.

Methods: Review of outcomes of women of reproductive age who underwent fertility sparing treatment (hysteroscopic superficial endometrectomy followed by progestin therapy) in early endometrial cancer.

Results: Eight women with Stage I endometrial cancer and three with atypical endometrial hyperplasia underwent hysteroscopic superficial endometrial resection, followed by 1-year treatment with oral megestrol acetate.

Cancer management during the COVID-19 pandemic: Choosing between the devil and the deep blue sea.

COVID-19 was declared a "Public Health Emergency of International Concern" in March 2020. Since then, drastic measures were implemented to reduce the virus spread. These measures prevented cancer patients from receiving prompt medical care.

Retrograde intussusception causing small bowel obstruction in a 35 year old Female patient following a Roux en Y Bypass. Case report.

Introduction: Intestinal intussusception is an uncommon entity when preceded by Roux en Y gastric bypass. Retrograde intussusception is an enigmatic phenomenon characterized by reversely intussuscepted intestinal loop that may involve any piece of the Roux en Y limbs. Computed Tomography is gold standard for diagnosis.

Cesarean section rates in a tertiary referral hospital in Beirut from 2018 to 2020: Our experience using the Robson Classification.

Objective: To evaluate the cesarean section rate using the Robson Classification for the first time in Lebanon, at Hôtel-Dieu de France University Hospital, a tertiary referral center in Beirut.

Methods: Routine medical record data that included all live births from January 1, 2018 to September 30, 2020 was investigated. The overall cesarean section rate was recorded, and the size, cesarean section rate, and absolute and relative contributions were calculated within each group.

Neoadjuvant treatment for newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer: where do we stand and where are we going?

Newly diagnosed high grade serous epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients are treated with radical surgery followed by adjuvant platinum and taxane combination chemotherapy. In EOC patients where upfront surgery is contraindicated for medical reasons (e.g.

Development of new poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors in ovarian cancer: Quo Vadis?

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality among women, potentially due to ineffectiveness of screening tests for early detection. Patients typically present with advanced disease at diagnosis, whereas, up to 80% relapse and the estimated median progression-free survival (PFS) is approximately 12-18 months. Increased knowledge on the molecular biology of EOC resulted in the development of several targeted therapies, including poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors.

Periductal stromal tumor of the breast in a young lady: A case report.

We present the case of a 30-year-old lady who underwent a core needle biopsy for a BIRADS 4 lesion of her left breast and was diagnosed as having a cellular fibroadenoma. The final diagnosis after excision returned to be a periductal stromal tumor (PST). An extremely rare entity, the PST is actually classified as a subtype of phyllodes tumor, with specific criteria that are only found upon histological examination of the specimen.