Oncology

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of levetiracetam (LEV) combined with perampanel (PER) therapy for intraoperative seizure treatment to determine whether a combination of LEV and PER can aid in the prevention of intraoperative intractable seizures during awake surgery. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective cohort study in 78 consecutive patients with glioma who underwent awake surgery using intraoperative direct electrical stimulation mapping...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Dissemination of cancer cells is an intricate multistep process that represents the most deadly aspect of cancer. Cancer cells form F-actin-rich protrusions known as invadopodia to invade surrounding tissues, blood vessels and lymphatics. A number of studies have demonstrated the significant roles of invadopodia in cancer. Therefore, the specific cells and molecules involved in invadopodia activity can provide as therapeutic targets. In this review, we included a thorough overview of studies in invadopodia and discussed their functions in cancer metastasis...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutations are the most common targetable oncogenic driver mutation in metastatic non-small lung cancer (NSCLC). There have been significant advances in the management of metastatic EGFR-mutant NSCLC, from the advent of first and second generation EGFR inhibitors to, more recently, the third-generation inhibitor osimertinib. Osimeritinib is now established as first-line therapy on the basis of improved outcomes compared to first and second generation agents. However, despite excellent initial response rates, responses may not be durable due to the development of acquired resistance...

INTRODUCTION: The immune response has been recognized as a major tumor-eradication component of radiotherapy. OBJECTIVE: This review studies, under a clinical perspective, two contrasting effects of radiotherapy, namely immunosuppression and radiovaccination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We critically reviewed the available clinical and experimental experience on radiotherapy-induced lymphopenia. RESULTS: Radiation-induced tumor damage promotes radio-vaccination, enhances cytotoxic immune responses, and potentiates immunotherapy...

A number of epidemiological studies have suggested a positive association between periodontal diseases and oro-digestive cancers, including liver cancer. The purpose of the present systematic review was to analyze the current evidence regarding the potential association between periodontitis and/or tooth loss and the risk of liver cancer. A comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases was conducted in August 2019. The inclusion criteria comprised all observational studies that assessed the relationship between periodontitis or tooth loss and liver cancer...

Cholangiocarcinoma and biliary tract cancers are rare but aggressive tumors that are characterized by an heterogenous molecular and genetic footprint. Genetic aberrations such as FGFR2 fusion and ErBb2 amplification are common in those cancers. Recent studies aimed at exploring the efficacy and benefit of targeted therapy in the treatment of advanced cholangiocarcinoma. Many promising drugs exist and warrant additional investigations. This review will summarize available results and highlight therapeutic strategies incorporated in clinical trials...

IMPORTANCE: Several randomized trials of neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy in early triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) have been recently reported, showing conflicting results. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, Embase and key oncological meetings for trials of neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy in TNBC. The primary endpoint was pCR, with sub-analyses based on PD-L1 expression and risk of relapse RESULTS: Five randomized trials enrolling 1496 TNBC patients were included...

BACKGROUND: Development and spread of cancer is linked to the inflammatory response, in which cytokines serve a key role. The inflammatory response may also form the basis for symptoms of cancer. This systematic review examines the relationship between cytokines and symptoms in incurable cancer. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science and PsycINFO databases were searched for studies from January 2004 to January 2020. RESULTS: Twenty studies were selected (n = 1,806 patients, 119 controls)...

AIMS: The limbic circuit (LC) is devoted to linking emotion to behavior and cognition. The injury this system results in post-RT cognitive dysfunction. The aim of this study is to create the first radiation oncologist's practical MR-based contouring guide for the delineation of the LC for the everyday clinical practice and education. METHODS: An anonymized diagnostic 3.0 T T1-weighted BRAVO MRI sequence from a healthy patient with typical brain anatomy was used to delineate LC...

Pain is a common and devastating symptom among cancer patients. It can be caused by the cancer itself or by certain therapies like surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Opioids are the first line of treatment for moderate to severe cancer-related pain. Opioids alone or in combination with non-opioid analgesics and adjuvant medications are important components for pain management during the perioperative period for cancer patients. Opioids act on the μ-opioid receptor (MOR), which is expressed in cancer cells and non-malignant cells of the tumor microenvironment...

Cancer neurobiology is an emerging discipline that inevitably unfurls new perspectives in oncology. The role that nerves play in cancer progression resonates with the long-reported dependency of tumors on neuro-molecular mechanisms that remain insufficiently elucidated. Whereas interactions between neurotrophic growth factors and receptors have been heavily studied in the nervous system, their expression in cancers and their impact on tumor cell growth and metastasis through their corresponding signaling pathways has been undervalued...

A review of the Investigator's Brochure and Clinical Study Reports for 58 non-oncology small molecule and biopharmaceutical drug candidates tested in a healthy volunteer subject population was conducted. Key findings were (1) a vital role for nonclinical pharmacology and toxicology testing was confirmed to allow setting of clinical starting dose and supporting use of highest dose based on No Observed Adverse Effect Levels (NOAELs), Pharmacologically Active Doses (PADs) and other approaches, (2) for clinical starting dose calculation, reference to the NOAEL was key, whether in calculation of a Maximum Recommended Starting Dose (MRSD), or by supporting PAD approaches (small molecules); or, through pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) data modelling (biopharmaceuticals), (3) starting dose for small molecules was very conservative with human exposure >100- to 100-fold (46%) lower or between 10- and 100-fold (41%) lower than that seen at the NOAEL; high margins over exposure seen at NOAELs were also seen for biopharmaceuticals, (4) at the highest doses used, about 25% of studies for small molecules and 12% of studies for biopharmaceuticals showed exposure greater than that seen at the NOAEL and (5) adverse event evaluation showed that our current paradigm of moving from nonclinical testing into SAD/MAD Phase I testing is remarkably safe...

BACKGROUND: In 2004, we started an intergroup randomized trial of adjuvant imatinib versus no further therapy after R0-R1 surgery in localized, high/intermediate-risk GIST patients. Interim analysis results were published in 2015 upon recommendation from an independent data review committee. We report the final outcome of the study. METHODS: This was a randomized, open label, multicenter phase III trial performed at 112 hospitals in 12 countries. Patients were randomized to 2 years (yrs) of imatinib, 400 mg daily, or no further therapy after surgery...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

PURPOSE: The management of cT4b thoracic esophageal cancer (EC) is challenging. The optimal treatment remains unclear, and prospective or large-scale retrospective reports on treatment outcomes are lacking. The present study was conducted to investigate the treatment outcomes, failure patterns, treatment responses, and prognostic factors focusing on cT4b thoracic EC treated by definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (dCRT). METHODS: A retrospective review of cT4b thoracic EC patients treated with curative intent dCRT at our institution between 2009 and 2017 was conducted...

BACKGROUND: The limited availability of proton beam therapy (PBT) requires individual treatment selection strategies that can be based on normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models. We developed and externally validated NTCP models for common late side-effects following PBT in brain tumour patients to optimise patients' quality of life. METHODS: Cohorts from three PBT centres (216 patients) were investigated for several physician-rated endpoints at 12 and 24 months after PBT: alopecia, dry eye syndrome, fatigue, headache, hearing and memory impairment, and optic neuropathy...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

We investigate the power densities which are obtainable locally in a vibration bioreactor. These reactor systems are of great relevance for research about oncological or antibacterial therapies. Our focus lies on the local liquid pressure caused by resonance vibration in the fluid contained by the reactor's petri dish. We use for the excitation one piezoelectric patch which offer advantages concerning controllability and reproducibility, when compared to ultrasound. The experimental work is extended by finite element analyses of bioreactor details...