Novel Combinations of Immunotherapies or DNA Damage Repair Inhibitors in Platinum-Refractory Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer: The Phase II BALTIC Study.

Purpose: The phase II, multiarm, signal-searching BALTIC study (NCT02937818) assessed novel treatment combinations for platinum-refractory/resistant extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).

Patients And Methods: Patients with ES-SCLC with progressive disease during or within 90 days of completing first-line platinum-based chemotherapy received one of three regimens: durvalumab plus tremelimumab followed by durvalumab monotherapy (arm A), adavosertib plus carboplatin (arm B), or ceralasertib plus olaparib (arm C). The primary endpoint was the objective response rate.

Pembrolizumab-combination therapy for NSCLC- effectiveness and predictive factors in real-world practice.

Introduction: Pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy has become the standard of care for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in <50% of tumour cells (TC).

Methods: We evaluated the efficacy of the treatment in real-world practice, paying attention to the predictive factors, with a special focus on low level of PD-L1 expression. This study is a multicenter retrospective analysis of patients with stage IV NSCLC.

The effect of surgical repair of the chest on postural stability among patients with pectus excavatum.

Pectus excavatum is the most encountered of chest wall deformities. It may produce respiratory and cardiovascular symptoms, hence surgical repair of this defect is performed. The procedure involving the insertion of metal bars under the sternum (the Nuss procedure) usually brings significant improvement to patients.

Molecular alterations of driver genes in non-small cell lung cancer: from diagnostics to targeted therapy.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death all over the world. The majority (80-85 %) of lung cancer cases are classified as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Within NSCLC, adenocarcinoma (AC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are the most often recognized.

Treatment Patterns, Testing Practices, and Outcomes in Patients with Mutation-Positive Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in Poland: A Descriptive Analysis of National, Multicenter, Real-World Data from the REFLECT Study.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) represents 85% of new cases of lung cancer. Over the past two decades, treatment of patients with NSCLC has evolved from the empiric use of chemotherapy to more advanced targeted therapy dedicated to patients with an epidermal growth factor receptor () mutation. The multinational REFLECT study analyzed treatment patterns, outcomes, and testing practices among patients with -mutated advanced NSCLC receiving first-line EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy across Europe and Israel.

NEPTUNE: Phase 3 Study of First-Line Durvalumab Plus Tremelimumab in Patients With Metastatic NSCLC.

Introduction: NEPTUNE, a phase 3, open-label study, evaluated first-line durvalumab plus tremelimumab versus chemotherapy in metastatic NSCLC (mNSCLC).

Methods: Eligible patients with EGFR and ALK wild-type mNSCLC were randomized (1:1) to first-line durvalumab (20 mg/kg every 4 weeks until progression) plus tremelimumab (1 mg/kg every 4 weeks for up to four doses) or standard chemotherapy. Randomization was stratified by tumor programmed death-ligand 1 expression (≥25% versus <25%), tumor histologic type, and smoking history.

Serum sCD25 Protein as a Predictor of Lack of Long-Term Benefits from Immunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Pilot Study.

Prognosis of advanced non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) is poor. Even though it can improve with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents, most patients do not respond to treatment. We hypothesized that the serum soluble form of the unit α of the interleukin-2 receptor (sCD25) could be used as a biomarker of successful immunotherapy in NSCLC.

Detection of EGFR mutations in liquid biopsy samples using allele-specific quantitative PCR: A comparative real-world evaluation of two popular diagnostic systems.

Purpose: The detection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in plasma cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is an auxiliary tool for the molecular diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), especially when an adequate tumor tissue specimen cannot be obtained. We compared the diagnostic accuracy of two commonly used in vitro diagnostic-certified allele-specific quantitative PCR assays for detecting plasma cfDNA EGFR mutations.

Methods: We analyzed EGFR mutations in plasma cfDNA from 90 NSCLC patients (stages I-IV) before treatment (n ​= ​60) and after clinical progression on EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (n ​= ​30) using the cobas EGFR mutation test v2 (Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.

Effectiveness of osimertinib in patients with lung adenocarcinoma in clinical practice - the Expanded Drug Access Program in Poland.

Introduction: Osimertinib is a third-generation, irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in prospective clinical trials.

Material And Methods: This retrospective analysis evaluated the outcomes of 32 pretreated patients with EGFR T790M mutation who received osimertinib in clinical practice at seven centers in Poland within the Expanded Drug Access Program. Osimertinib was used in the second line in 59% of patients and in later lines in 41%.

PF-06439535 (a Bevacizumab Biosimilar) Compared with Reference Bevacizumab (Avastin), Both Plus Paclitaxel and Carboplatin, as First-Line Treatment for Advanced Non-Squamous Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study.

Background: PF-06439535 is a bevacizumab biosimilar. We aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of PF-06439535 with that of reference bevacizumab (Avastin) sourced from the EU (bevacizumab-EU), each with paclitaxel and carboplatin, in the first-line treatment of advanced non-squamous non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: In this double-blind, parallel-group study, we recruited patients from 159 centers in 27 countries.

The expression of circulating miR-504 in plasma is associated with EGFR mutation status in non-small-cell lung carcinoma patients.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), key regulators of gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, are grossly misregulated in some human cancers, including non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The aberrant expression of specific miRNAs results in the abnormal regulation of key components of signalling pathways in tumour cells. MiRNA levels and the activity of the gene targets, including oncogenes and tumour suppressors, produce feedback that changes miRNA expression levels and indicates the cell's genetic activity.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in a young male with lung cancer and neoplastic embolization of the coronary microcirculation.

The associations between stress-induced takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) and cancer or its therapy have been studied with increasing interest in recent years. Different mechanisms of TC development in neoplastic disease are suggested, including a decreased threshold for stress stimuli or aggravated heart adrenoreceptors sensitivity. The action of cytokines and reactive oxygen species on the myocardium, on the epicardial arteries as well as on the coronary microcirculation is also taken into consideration.

Comparison of the effectiveness of erlotinib, gefitinib, and afatinib for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer in patients with common and rare gene mutations.

Epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are routinely used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients with common activating mutations of the gene. The aim of the study was to compare the efficacies of EGFR-TKIs in patients with common (exon 19 deletions and exon 21 p.Leu858Arg) and rare mutations.

[Hemoptysis during concomitant treatment with rivaroxaban and amiodarone in a patient with a history of pulmonary disease].

Unlabelled: Rivaroxaban, a selective inhibitor of active factor X, is metabolized by cytochrom P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and is a substrate for transporter protein--P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Amiodarone, an antiarrhytmic agent, is classified as moderate CYP3A4 and P-gp inhibitor.

A Case Report: A 75-year-old male, who underwent lobectomy for bronchiectasis many years ago, is presented.

Tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus - an underappreciated association.

The current review presents up-to-date knowledge on tuberculosis (TB) in diabetic patients. On the basis of available literature, there is little doubt about the close relationship between these two conditions. Diabetes mellitus in this association may still contribute substantially to the burden of TB and negatively affect control of the latter.

Anti-angiogenic agents in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Lung cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm diagnosed worldwide. In Poland, in 2011, lung cancer was diagnosed in 14,522 men and 6,283 women. Morbidity and mortality are nearly equal, and lung cancer is still the most common cause of cancer-related death among men as well as among women.