Red cell specifications for blood group matching in patients with haemoglobinopathies: An updated systematic review and clinical practice guideline from the International Collaboration for Transfusion Medicine Guidelines.

Red blood cell (RBC) antigen matching beyond ABO and RhD is commonly recommended for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassaemia. We present an updated systematic literature review to inform evidence-based guidelines on RBC matching. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool was used to develop recommendations.

Personalized model for radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF) is a severe late-stage complication of radiotherapy (RT) to the chest area, typically used in lung cancer treatment. This condition is characterized by the gradual and irreversible replacement of healthy lung tissue with fibrous scar tissue, leading to decreased lung function, reduced oxygen exchange and critical respiratory deficiencies. Currently, predicting and managing lung fibrosis post-RT remains challenging, with limited preventive and treatment options.

Pembrolizumab 400 mg every 6 weeks as first-line therapy for advanced melanoma (KEYNOTE-555): Results from cohort B of an open-label, phase 1 study.

Intravenous pembrolizumab 400 mg every 6 weeks was approved across tumor types based on pharmacokinetic modeling, which showed exposures consistent with previous standard dosing of 200 mg or 2 mg/kg every 3 weeks, and early results of cohort B of the phase 1 KEYNOTE-555 study. Results after ≥1 year of potential follow-up for all patients in cohort B of KEYNOTE-555 are presented. Patients aged ≥18 years with previously untreated stage III/IV melanoma received pembrolizumab 400 mg every 6 weeks for ≤18 cycles.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors in driver mutation-positive nonsmall cell lung cancer.

Purpose Of Review: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and targeted therapies have changed the landscape of management of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) dramatically. Whereas ICIs in NSCLC without specific driver mutations are well established it is unclear what the place of ICIs in driver mutation-positive NSCLC is. This review summarizes the current view on the use of ICIs in driver mutation-positive NSCLC.

The impact of curative cancer treatment on sexual health - clinical results from the EORTC QLQ-SH22 validation study.

Background: The European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) has recently developed and validated a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for sexual health (SH) in cancer patients. Here, we present results from a secondary analysis of the EORTC QLQ-SH22 validation study. The objective was to investigate the impact of cancer treatment on SH over the disease trajectory into survivorship in patients who underwent curative treatment.

Optimizing Treatment Strategies for -Mutated Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treated with Osimertinib: Real-World Outcomes and Insights.

Osimertinib, a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), demonstrated superior efficacy over first-generation TKIs in the FLAURA trial, resulting in its approval as first-line therapy for metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the real-world application of these trial results requires an evaluation of sequential therapeutic strategies. This retrospective, non-interventional study utilized data from the Epidemiological Strategy and Medical Economics (ESME) platform, which includes information on patients treated for lung cancer since 2015.

[The concept of the liquid biopsy in the treatment of malignant eye tumours].

The liquid biopsy is a cutting-edge technique that involves analysing non-solid biological tissues, primarily blood but also ocular fluids, for the presence of cancer cells or fragments of tumour DNA. Unlike traditional biopsies, liquid biopsies are usually minimally invasive and can be performed more frequently, enabling continuous monitoring of disease progression and treatment efficacy. This article (and the associated series of articles) outlines the key developments in liquid biopsy, which include the analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), circulating tumor cells (CTC) and exosomal RNA and protein biomarkers.

Psychological distress and coping strategies in parents of children receiving cancer therapy in Morocco - a correlational study.

Introduction: Treating a child with cancer in a family is a challenge that can have an impact on mental health. The study consists of determining the prevalence of psychological distress of parents of cancer children and exploring its correlations with their coping strategies.

Material And Methods: The survey was conducted between March and July 2023 among parents or guardians of children with cancer.

The utility of the 21-gene Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score assay in node-negative breast cancer patients - the final analysis of the Polish real-life survey PONDx.

Introduction: Breast cancer (BC) is among the most frequently diagnosed malignant tumours in females. The optimal treatment of early HR+, HER2-, and lymph node-negative (N0) BC remains challenging. Since individual assessment of recurrence risk and expected benefits from adjuvant chemotherapy (CT) based on clinicopathological features alone appear inadequate, gene expression profiling tests have been developed.

Personalised biomechanical modelling towards the optimisation of high dose-rate brachytherapy planning and treatment against prostate cancer.

High dose-rate brachytherapy presents a promising therapeutic avenue for prostate cancer management, involving the temporary implantation of catheters which deliver radioactive sources to the cancerous site. However, as catheters puncture and penetrate the prostate, tissue deformation is evident which may affect the accuracy and efficiency of the treatment. In this work, a data-driven modelling procedure is proposed to simulate brachytherapy while accounting for prostate biomechanics.

The time-to-surgery interval and its effect on pathological response after neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The time to surgery (TTS) after the completion of the final cycle of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is inconsistent. Pathological complete response (pCR) and major pathological response (MPR) are associated with enhanced survival in those with NSCLC. The optimal TTS interval remains to be determined, some studies indicated that TTS ≤6 weeks has a vital role in NSCLC prognosis.

Ultrasound assessment of the pelvic sidewall: methodological consensus opinion.

A standardized methodology for the ultrasound evaluation of the pelvic sidewall has not been proposed to date. Herein, a collaborative group of gynecologists and gynecological oncologists with extensive ultrasound experience presents a systematic methodology for the ultrasonographic evaluation of structures within the pelvic sidewall. Five categories of anatomical structures are described (muscles, vessels, lymph nodes, nerves and ureters).

Efficacy of a WeChat-Based, Multidisciplinary, Full-Course Nutritional Management Program on the Nutritional Status of Patients With Ovarian Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: As the most malignant type of cancer in the female reproductive system, ovarian cancer (OC) has become the second leading cause of death among Chinese women. Chemotherapy is the main treatment for patients with OC, and its numerous adverse effects can easily lead to malnutrition. It is difficult to centrally manage patients with OC in the intervals between chemotherapy.

Bactericidal versus bacteriostatic antibacterials: clinical significance, differences and synergistic potential in clinical practice.

Antibacterial activity can be classified as either bactericidal or bacteriostatic, using methods such as the MBC/MIC ratio and time-kill curves. However, such categorization has proven challenging in clinical practice, as these definitions only apply under specific laboratory conditions, which may differ from clinical settings. Several factors, such as the specific bacteria or infectious medium, can affect the action of antibiotics, with many antibacterials exerting both activities.

Evolving Practice and Outcomes in Grade 2 Glioma: Real-World Data from a Multi-Institutional Registry.

: Grade-2 gliomas (G2-glioma) are uncommon. In 2016, RTOG9802 established the addition of chemotherapy after radiation (CRT) as a new standard of care for patients with high-risk G2-glioma, defined as subtotal resection or age ≥40 yrs. Here, we report current practices using real-world data.

Artificial Intelligence in Infectious Disease Clinical Practice: An Overview of Gaps, Opportunities, and Limitations.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in clinical medicine marks a revolutionary shift, enhancing diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic efficacy, and overall healthcare delivery. This review explores the current uses, benefits, limitations, and future applications of AI in infectious diseases, highlighting its specific applications in diagnostics, clinical decision making, and personalized medicine. The transformative potential of AI in infectious diseases is emphasized, addressing gaps in rapid and accurate disease diagnosis, surveillance, outbreak detection and management, and treatment optimization.

Searching for New Biomarkers of Neuroendocrine Tumors: A Comparative Analysis of Chromogranin A and Inflammatory Cytokines in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumors.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) present a diagnostic challenge due to their heterogeneous nature and non-specific clinical manifestations. This study aimed to explore novel biomarkers for NENs. Serum chromogranin A (CgA) levels and a panel of 48 inflammatory cytokines were analyzed in a cohort of 84 NEN patients and 40 healthy controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and multiplex ELISA.