Efficacy and tolerability of single-fraction radiotherapy for spinal bone metastases in a low-middle-income country setting: a prospective study.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the symptomatic efficacy and tolerability of three different radiotherapy (RT) regimens for patients with vertebral metastases in a low-middle-income country setting, focusing specifically on the effectiveness of single-fraction radiotherapy.

Methods: Conducted at the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital, Bangladesh, from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021, this prospective, non-randomized study enrolled 90 patients aged 18 to 75 years with histologically confirmed primary malignancies and vertebral metastases. Patients were allocated to one of three treatment arms: 8 Gy in a single fraction (Arm A), 20 Gy in 5 fractions (Arm B), or 30 Gy in 10 fractions (Arm C).

Real-world experience with long-term albumin in patients with cirrhosis and ascites.

Background & Aims: Long-term albumin (LTA) is currently standard of care for patients with decompensated cirrhosis in many Italian hepatology centres. In this real-life study, we aimed to describe patient, logistical and treatment-related characteristics in daily clinical practice and to identify predictors of response.

Methods: We performed a multicentre, retrospective, observational study in patients with cirrhosis and ascites receiving LTA between 01/2016 and 02/2022 and followed until death, TIPS (transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt) placement, transplantation or 02/2023.

En plaque meningioma of the temporal bone: A systematic review on the imaging and management of a rare tumor.

Objective: To review the published cases of meningioma en plaque of the temporal bone (TB-MEP), to gather evidence on the clinical assessment and management of this rare entity.

Methods: Following PRISMA statement recommendations, 383 abstracts were screened independently by two authors. Inclusion criteria were articles of human patients affected by TB-MEP; English or Italian language; availability of the abstract articles unrelated to TB-MEP, guidelines and systematic reviews were excluded.

The burden of hepatic encephalopathy and the use of albumin as a potential treatment.

As a potential sequela of cirrhosis, hepatic encephalopathy (HE) significantly impacts the lives of patients and caregivers and places a substantial burden on the healthcare system. With an increasing incidence over time and a cumulative effect on cognition, HE adversely effects quality of life, morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. HE can range from minimal or covert (MHE/CHE) to overt and symptomatic (OHE).

COVID-19 clinical phenotypes in vaccinated and nonvaccinated solid organ transplant recipients: a multicenter validation study.

Clinical phenotypes of COVID-19, associated with mortality risk, have been identified in the general population. The present study assesses their applicability in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) hospital-admitted by COVID-19. In a cohort of 488 SOTR, nonvaccinated (n = 394) and vaccinated (n = 94) against SARS-CoV-2, we evaluated 16 demographic, clinical, analytical, and radiological variables to identify the clinical phenotypes A, B, and C.

Factors Associated With Shock at Presentation in Kawasaki Disease Versus Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated With Covid-19.

Background: While clinical overlap between Kawasaki disease (KD) and multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) has been evident, information regarding those presenting with shock has been limited. We sought to determine associations with shock within and between diagnosis groups.

Methods: The International KD Registry enrolled contemporaneous patients with either KD or MIS-C from 39 sites in 7 countries from January 1, 2020, to January 1, 2023.

Consensus of the Italian Primary Immunodeficiency Network on the use and interpretation of genetic testing for the diagnosis of inborn errors of immunity (IEI).

Background: Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) are more than 500 different rare congenital disorders of the immune system characterized by susceptibility to infections and immune dysregulation. The significant overlap of the clinical features among the different forms may lead to diagnostic delay. High throughput sequencing techniques may allow a timely genetic definition.

Ribosomal rodeo: wrangling translational machinery in gynecologic tumors.

Gynecologic cancers are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. Despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment, the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and progression of these cancers remain poorly understood. Recent studies have implicated translational machinery (ribosomal proteins (RPs) and translation factors (TFs)) as potential drivers of oncogenic processes in various cancer types, including gynecologic cancers.

A right colectomy case study: transitioning to the Hugo RAS system with a novel 3-ports technique in experienced robotic colorectal practice.

Introduction: Advancements in robotic technology have revolutionized general surgery, with new platforms and continuous improvements enhancing surgical procedures. Our unit adopted the Da Vinci Si model in 2012 and later the X model for various abdominal surgeries. In early 2023, we integrated the Hugo RAS system by Medtronic into our practice following comprehensive training.

Safety and Efficacy of Tinostamustine in a Subpopulation of Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma From a Phase I Trial.

A significant unmet need remains for patients with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) who fail to respond to first-line treatment or experience an early relapse. Tinostamustine, a novel alkylating deacetylase inhibitor, inhibits tumor cell growth and slows disease progression in models of hematological malignancies and solid tumors. This was a Phase I, multicenter, open-label, two-stage trial investigating the safety and efficacy of tinostamustine in patients ≥ 18 years with relapsed/refractory (R/R) hematological malignancies, including HL.

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.

Italian cross-cultural validation of the STRONGkids tool for pediatric nutritional evaluation.

Nutritional assessment plays a pivotal role in individual development and represents a fundamental component in the early identification of nutritional challenges and imbalances in pediatric patients. Among the validated instruments in the literature, the STRONGkids tool is the most utilized. This study aimed to undertake the translation and transcultural validation of the STRONGkids tool.

High level of circulating cell-free tumor DNA at diagnosis correlates with disease spreading and defines multiple myeloma patients with poor prognosis.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell (PC) disorder characterized by skeletal involvement at the time of diagnosis. Recently, cell-free DNA (cfDNA) has been proven to recapitulate the heterogeneity of bone marrow (BM) disease. Our aim was to evaluate the prognostic role of cfDNA at diagnosis according to disease distribution, and to investigate the role of the MM microenvironment inflammatory state in supplying the release of cfDNA.

Better Oncological Outcomes After Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography-guided Salvage Radiotherapy Following Prostatectomy.

Background And Objective: Up to 50% of patients with prostate cancer experience prostate-specific antigen (PSA) relapse following primary radical prostatectomy (RP). Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET) is increasingly being used for staging after RP owing to its high detection rate. Our aim was to compare outcomes for patients who received salvage radiotherapy (sRT) with versus without PSMA PET guidance.

Exploring the Common Mutational Landscape in Cutaneous Melanoma and Pancreatic Cancer.

Cutaneous melanoma (CM) and pancreatic cancer are aggressive tumors whose incidences are rapidly increasing in the last years. This review aims to provide a complete and update description about mutational landscape in CM and pancreatic cancer, focusing on similarities of these two apparently so different tumors in terms of site, type of cell involved, and embryonic origin. The familial forms of CM and pancreatic cancers are often characterized by a common mutated gene, namely CDKN2A.

A Cross-Sectional Study of Variant Interpretation and Reporting of NGS Data Using Tertiary Analysis Software: Navify Mutation Profiler.

Introduction: Personalized medicine has revolutionized the clinical management of patients with solid tumors. However, the large volumes of molecular data derived from next-generation sequencing (NGS) and the lack of harmonized bioinformatics pipelines drastically impact the clinical management of patients with solid tumors. A possible solution to streamline the molecular interpretation and reporting of NGS data would be to adopt automated data analysis software.

Azacitidine and venetoclax with or without pevonedistat in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia.

Unlabelled: This phase 2 study investigated pevonedistat + azacitidine + venetoclax ( = 83) versus azacitidine + venetoclax ( = 81) in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. The study was stopped early following negative results from PANTHER, which evaluated pevonedistat in higher-risk myelodysplastic syndromes/chronic myelomonocytic leukemia or low-blast AML. Outcomes were analyzed up to the datacut.

Viral Hepatitis in Western Patients with Advanced Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma: Retrospective Assessment of Prevalence, Prognostic and Predictive Significance.

Despite a biologically established causative role of viral hepatitis (VH), i.e. HBV and HCV infections, on intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), only few large Western cohorts exploring the association between VH and ICC development are available.