Racial Differences in Androgen Receptor (AR) and AR Splice Variants (AR-SVs) Expression in Treatment-Naïve Androgen-Dependent Prostate Cancer.

Androgen receptor splice variants (AR-SVs) contribute to the aggressive growth of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). AR-SVs, including AR-V7, are expressed in ~30% of CRPC, but minimally in treatment-naïve primary prostate cancer (PCa). Compared to Caucasian American (CA) men, African American (AA) men are more likely to be diagnosed with aggressive/potentially lethal PCa and have shorter disease-free survival.

Clinical and exploratory biomarker findings from the MODUL trial (Cohorts 1, 3 and 4) of biomarker-driven maintenance therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer.

Purpose: MODUL is an adaptable, signal-seeking trial of biomarker-driven maintenance therapy following first-line induction treatment in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We report findings from Cohorts 1 (BRAF), 3 (human epidermal growth factor 2 [HER2]+) and 4 (HER2‒/high microsatellite instability, HER2‒/microsatellite stable [MSS]/BRAF or HER2‒/MSS/BRAF/RAS).

Methods: Patients with unresectable, previously untreated mCRC without disease progression following standard induction treatment (5-fluorouracil/leucovorin [5-FU/LV] plus oxaliplatin plus bevacizumab) were randomly assigned to control (fluoropyrimidine plus bevacizumab) or cohort-specific experimental maintenance therapy (Cohort 1: vemurafenib plus cetuximab plus 5-FU/LV; Cohort 3: capecitabine plus trastuzumab plus pertuzumab; Cohort 4: cobimetinib plus atezolizumab).

Considerations when selecting an antidepressant: a narrative review for primary care providers treating adults with depression.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a debilitating mental disorder that can be treated with a number of different antidepressant therapies, each with its own unique prescribing considerations. Complicating the selection of an appropriate antidepressant for adults with MDD is the heterogeneity of clinical profiles and depression subtypes. Additionally, patient comorbidities, preferences, and likelihood of adhering to treatment must all be considered when selecting an appropriate therapy.

Adjuvant effect of herbal medicine on transarterial chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths, especially in Asian countries. As a practical treatment option, transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) has been well applied; however, its limited efficacy remains challenging. This study analyzed the adjuvant effects of herbal medicine on TACE to determine whether it improves clinical outcomes in patients with HCC.

Antitumor Effect of Korean Red Ginseng through Blockade of PD-1/PD-L1 Interaction in a Humanized PD-L1 Knock-In MC38 Cancer Mouse Model.

Blocking immune checkpoints, programmed death-1 (PD-1) and its ligand PD-L1, has proven a promising anticancer strategy for enhancing cytotoxic T cell activity. Although we previously demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg3, Rh2, and compound K block the interaction of PD-1 and PD-L1, the antitumor effect through blockade of this interaction by Korean Red Ginseng alone is unknown. Therefore, we determined the effects of Korean Red Ginseng extract (RGE) on the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction and its antitumor effects using a humanized PD-1/PD-L1-expressing colorectal cancer (CRC) mouse model.

ANCHOR CRC: Results From a Single-Arm, Phase II Study of Encorafenib Plus Binimetinib and Cetuximab in Previously Untreated -Mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Purpose: The positive BEACON colorectal cancer (CRC) safety lead-in, evaluating encorafenib + cetuximab + binimetinib in previously treated patients with -mutated metastatic CRC (mCRC), prompted the design of the phase II ANCHOR CRC study (ClinicalTrails.gov identifier: NCT03693170). ANCHOR CRC aimed to evaluate efficacy, safety, and quality of life with first-line encorafenib + binimetinib + cetuximab in -mutated mCRC.

Predicting future cancer incidence by age, race, ethnicity, and sex.

Introduction: Cancer remains a substantial burden on society. Our objective was to update projections on the number of new cancer diagnoses in the United States by age, race, ethnicity, and sex through 2040.

Materials And Methods: Population-based cancer incidence data were obtained using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data.

Mutational analysis of microsatellite-stable gastrointestinal cancer with high tumour mutational burden: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Genomic signatures contributing to high tumour mutational burden (TMB-H) independent from mismatch-repair deficiency (dMMR) or microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) status are not well studied. We aimed to characterise molecular features of microsatellite stable (MSS) TMB-H gastrointestinal tumours.

Methods: Molecular alterations of 48 606 gastrointestinal tumours from Caris Life Sciences (CARIS) identified with next-generation sequencing were compared among MSS-TMB-H, dMMR/MSI-H, and MSS-TMB-low (L) tumours, using χ or Fisher's exact tests.

Transcripts of the Prostate Cancer-Associated Gene Are Retained in the Nuclei of Prostatic Epithelial Cells.

Prostate cancer affects millions of men globally. The prostate cancer-associated gene is downregulated in advanced prostate cancer, whereas benign tissue and low-grade cancer display varying expression levels. In this study, we assess the spatial correlation between mRNA and protein using fluorescent in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry for the detection of mRNA and protein in parallel sections of tissue microarrays prepared from radical prostatectomy samples.

27-gene Immuno-Oncology (IO) Score is Associated With Efficacy of Checkpoint Immunotherapy in Advanced NSCLC: A Retrospective BC Cancer Study.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are standard of care in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, not all patients benefit, even among PD-L1 tumor proportional score (TPS) ≥50%, indicating an unmet need for additional biomarkers such as those assessing the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME). DetermaIO is a 27-gene assay that classifies TIME and has previously demonstrated association with ICI response.

Integrating Geriatric Assessment Measures into National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials.

To improve the care of older adults with cancer, the traditional approach to clinical trial design needs to be reconsidered. Older adults are underrepresented in clinical trials with limited or no information on geriatric-specific factors, such as cognition or comorbidities. To address this knowledge gap and increase relevance of therapeutic clinical trial results to the real-life population, integration of aspects relevant to older adults is needed in oncology clinical trials.

Napabucasin Plus FOLFIRI in Patients With Previously Treated Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Results From the Open-Label, Randomized Phase III CanStem303C Study.

Purpose: Napabucasin is an investigational, orally administered reactive oxygen species generator bioactivated by intracellular antioxidant NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 that has been evaluated in various solid tumors, including metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) is hypothesized to predict response in napabucasin-treated patients with mCRC.

Patient And Methods: In the multi-center, open-label, phase III CanStem303C (NCT02753127) study, adults with histologically confirmed mCRC that progressed on first-line fluoropyrimidine plus oxaliplatin ± bevacizumab were randomized to twice-daily napabucasin plus FOLFIRI (napabucasin) or FOLFIRI alone (control).

An examination of health care utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic among women with early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Background: Women undergoing treatment for breast cancer require frequent clinic visits for maintenance of therapy. With COVID-19 causing health care disruptions, it is important to learn about how this population's access to health care has changed. This study compares self-reported health care utilization and changes in factors related to health care access among women treated at a cancer center in the mid-South US before and during the pandemic.

Molecular portraits of clear cell ovarian and endometrial carcinoma with comparison to clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

Objective: Advanced clear cell gynecologic malignancies remain among the most challenging diseases to manage. We evaluated ovarian and endometrial clear cell carcinoma (OCCC and ECCC) specimens using comprehensive sequencing technology to identify mutational targets and compared their molecular profiles to histologically similar clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Methods: Using next-generation sequencing (NGS), fragment analysis (FA), and in situ hybridization (ISH), 164 OCCC, 75 ECCC and 234 ccRCC specimens from 2015 to 2018 were evaluated and compared.

Alectinib-associated pneumoperitoneum in stage IV non-small cell lung cancer - A case report.

Introduction And Importance: Alectinib, a highly potent, highly selective, brain-penetrant anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor is now the first line therapy for patients with metastatic ALK-positive non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Case Presentation: We report a rare case of pneumoperitoneum following alectinib initiation for metastatic non small cell lung cancer in a 74-year-old African American female. Patient developed abdominal pain approximately 2 weeks after starting alectinib.

Mobile application to support oncology patients during treatment on patient outcomes: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Cancer treatment requires substantial demands on patients and their caregivers. Mobile apps can provide support for self-management during oncology treatment, but few have been rigorously evaluated.

Methods: A 3-month randomized controlled trial was conducted at a large cancer center to evaluate the efficacy of an app (LivingWith®) that provides self-management support during cancer treatment on quality of life and health care utilization.

Determinants of tumor treating field usage in patients with primary glioblastoma: A single institutional experience.

Background: Determinates of tumor treating fields (TTFields) usage in patients receiving combined modality therapy for primary IDH wild-type glioblastoma are currently unknown.

Methods: Ninety-one patients underwent maximal debulking surgical resection, completed external beam radiotherapy with concurrent Temozolomide (TMZ), and initiated adjuvant TMZ with or without TTFields. We performed a retrospective analysis of patient, tumor, and treatment-related factors that affected TTFields usage.

Efficacy and Safety of Ginger on the Side Effects of Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world, with breast cancer being the most prevalent cancer. Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is one of the most serious side effects of chemotherapy. Because the current CINV treatment option has several flaws, alternative treatment options are required.

Genomic profiling in low grade serous ovarian cancer: Identification of novel markers for disease diagnosis and therapy.

Objectives: Low grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) differs from high grade serous in terms of pathogenesis, molecular, genetic, and clinical features. Molecular studies have been hampered by small sample sizes, heterogenous histology, and lack of comprehensive testing. We sought to molecularly profile LGSOC in a homogenously tested, histologically confirmed cohort.

Metastatic triple negative breast cancer with NTRK gene fusion on tissue but not on ctDNA molecular profile.

A woman presented to medical oncology with almost 4 years of untreated, slowly progressing, triple negative metastatic breast cancer to the lung. About 15 years prior, she was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma of the right breast with ipsilateral chest wall recurrence 6 years later. Comprehensive molecular profiling of a metastatic lesion detected a hotspot fusion, which was not present on circulating tumour DNA or molecular profile performed 4 years prior.

Race Differences in Patient-Reported Symptoms during Chemotherapy among Women with Early-Stage Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer.

Background: Symptom burden differences may contribute to racial disparities in breast cancer survival. We compared symptom changes from before to during chemotherapy among women with breast cancer.

Methods: This observational study followed a cohort of Black and White women diagnosed with Stage I-III, hormone receptor-positive breast cancer from a large cancer center in 2007 to 2015, and reported symptoms before and during chemotherapy.