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BackgroundThere is increasing evidence for the use of exercise in cancer patients and data supporting enhanced tumour volume reduction following chemotherapy in animal models. To date, there is no reported histopathological evidence of a similar oncological benefit in oesophageal cancer.MethodsA prospective non-randomised trial compared a structured prehabilitation exercise intervention during neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery versus conventional best-practice for oesophageal cancer patients. Biochemical and body composition analyses were performed at multiple time points. Outcome measures included radiological and pathological markers of disease regression. Logistic regression calculated ORs with 95% CI for the likelihood of pathological response adjusting for chemotherapy regimen and chemotherapy delivery.ResultsComparison of the Intervention (n=21) and Control (n=19) groups indicated the Intervention group had higher rates of tumour regression (Mandard TRG 1–3 Intervention n=15/20 (75%) vs Control n=7/19 (36.8%) p=0.025) including adjusted analyses (OR 6.57; 95% CI 1.52 to 28.30). Combined tumour and node downstaging (Intervention n=9 (42.9%) vs Control n=3 (15.8%) p=0.089) and Fat Free Mass index were also improved (Intervention 17.8 vs 18.7 kg/m2; Control 16.3 vs 14.7 kg/m2, p=0.026). Differences in markers of immunity (CD-3 and CD-8) and inflammation (IL-6, VEGF, INF-y, TNFa, MCP-1 and EGF) were observed.ConclusionThe results suggest improved tumour regression and downstaging in the exercise intervention group and should prompt larger studies on this topic.Trial registration numberNCT03626610.

IMPORTANCE: Older and/or frail patients are underrepresented in landmark cancer trials. Tailored research is needed to address this evidence gap. OBJECTIVE: The GO2 randomized clinical trial sought to optimize chemotherapy dosing in older and/or frail patients with advanced gastroesophageal cancer, and explored baseline geriatric assessment (GA) as a tool for treatment decision-making. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This multicenter, noninferiority, open-label randomized trial took place at oncology clinics in the United Kingdom with nurse-led geriatric health assessment. Patients were recruited for whom full-dose combination chemotherapy was considered unsuitable because of advanced age and/or frailty. INTERVENTIONS: There were 2 randomizations that were performed: CHEMO-INTENSITY compared oxaliplatin/capecitabine at Level A (oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 on day 1, capecitabine 625 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-21, on a 21-day cycle), Level B (doses 0.8 times A), or Level C (doses 0.6 times A). Alternatively, if the patient and clinician agreed the indication for chemotherapy was uncertain, the patient could instead enter CHEMO-BSC, comparing Level C vs best supportive care. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: First, broad noninferiority of the lower doses vs reference (Level A) was assessed using a permissive boundary of 34 days reduction in progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio, HR = 1.34), selected as acceptable by a forum of patients and clinicians. Then, the patient experience was compared using Overall Treatment Utility (OTU), which combines efficacy, toxic effects, quality of life, and patient value/acceptability. For CHEMO-BSC, the main outcome measure was overall survival. RESULTS: A total of 514 patients entered CHEMO-INTENSITY, of whom 385 (75%) were men and 299 (58%) were severely frail, with median age 76 years. Noninferior PFS was confirmed for Levels B vs A (HR = 1.09 [95% CI, 0.89-1.32]) and C vs A (HR = 1.10 [95% CI, 0.90-1.33]). Level C produced less toxic effects and better OTU than A or B. No subgroup benefited from higher doses: Level C produced better OTU even in younger or less frail patients. A total of 45 patients entered the CHEMO-BSC randomization: overall survival was nonsignificantly longer with chemotherapy: median 6.1 vs 3.0 months (HR = 0.69 [95% CI, 0.32-1.48], P = .34). In multivariate analysis in 522 patients with all variables available, baseline frailty, quality of life, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio were independently associated with OTU, and can be combined in a model to estimate the probability of different outcomes. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This phase 3 randomized clinical trial found that reduced-intensity chemotherapy provided a better patient experience without significantly compromising cancer control and should be considered for older and/or frail patients. Baseline geriatric assessment can help predict the utility of chemotherapy but did not identify a group benefiting from higher-dose treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN44687907

Targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), an important component in carcinogenesis, is an attractive therapeutic option for selective anticancer therapy. Several EGFR inhibitors, mostly monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors are under investigation in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Although there has been some progress in the treatment of colorectal cancer with combination chemotherapy, the repertoire of active agents is still limited. More recently the anti-EGFR drugs cetuximab and panitumumab have made an impact in the treatment of metastatic disease but with variable response rates. Although the appearance of a skin rash confers a higher response rate, immunohistochemical staining of EGFR at baseline does not. Several studies have now focused on identifying predictive biological markers at a molecular level. Exciting data has demonstrated KRAS mutation status to be the first predictive marker of response to anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and has led a new era in the development of targeted therapies in colorectal malignant disease. The aim of this review is to evaluate the impact of anti-EGFR therapies in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer; and to present the current data on predictive markers including KRAS status, PTEN expression and germinal gene polymorphisms. The relevant patents are discussed.

Today, lymphoma represents one of the most complex and diverse malignancies in routine clinical practice and huge advances have been made in the pathological classification and treatment of this family of diseases. Progress in treatment means that long-term survival is now an achievable goal for many, although a proportion of patients remain incurable. Developments in both conventional chemotherapy as well as biotechnological advances have opened new therapeutic approaches, many of which have already reached the clinic.

Introduction The currently accepted standard of care for patients with relapse/refractory NHL is dose escalation and consolidation with Stem Cell Transplantation. The ability to predict those patients who may benefit or not from this approach would be beneficial. Whole-body Positron Emission Tomography using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is now recognised to have predictive ability in those patients at high risk of relapse and shortened overall survival in De novo High grade lymphoma. In the salvage setting it is unknown whether the appearance of PET scan after 1 cycle of salvage treatment may predict similarly for outcome post transplant and whether early scanning is indicated before cycle 2 salvage chemotherapy. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess whether the PET-CT after one cycle or two cycles of dose escalation was predictive of outcome in patients with relapse/refractory NHL. Methods: We collected the data prospectively of all patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive NHL or HD treated in our institution over a 2 year period who were considered suitable for salvage therapy followed by Stem Cell Transplantation. We identified 14 male and 10 female patients with a mean age of 44 years (range 24–66). 12 patients had disease refractory to first line treatment and 12 patients had relapsed disease with a median interval from completion of treatment to relapse of 20 months (range 2–60). All patients were initially treated with DHAP as salvage therapy.22/24 patients proceeded to a stem cell transplant. 16/22 had an autologous transplant conditioned with BEAM and 6/22 had allogeneic transplants.FDG PET- CT scans were performed (all positive) prior to salvage chemotherapy and then assessed after 1 cycle of salvage chemotherapy and then after the second cycle using a 5 point visual scoring system as follows: CMR - no uptake at disease sites, MRU1 – visually uptake below level of mediastinum, MRU2 – visually between mediastinum and liver Stable/persistent metabolically active disease and Progressive disease (either new lesions or increased uptake in the same sites. Results FDG-PET Data was collected from 24 patients (14 male and 10 female) and read by two independent observers. The patients had the distribution shown in table: Visual response criteria Appearance PET 1 : Patient Numbers Appearance PET 2 : Patient Numbers CMR 1 6 MRU1 0 2 MRU2 1 3 Stable/persistent 16 5 Progressive 6 8 The median progression free survival of the patients with progression after one cycle of chemotherapy was 1.5 months with 3/6 deaths. Progression on PET1 was seen only in refractory cases pre salvage and was associated with a significant risk of relapse (p=0.014). The median progression free survival of the patients with stable disease after one cycle was 9.5 months. After two cycles of chemotherapy the median progression free survival of patients with CMR/MRU1/MRU2 was 9 months, compared with stable disease of 8 months and progressive disease 6 months. Conclusions: Patients with progressive disease on PET after one cycle of chemotherapy have a poor outcome with 50% early deaths and would be candidates for targeted/experimental therapies. Longer follow up will be required to assess the significance of stable or persistent disease on PET after one cycle and two cycles of salvage chemotherapy.

IntroductionThe currently accepted standard of care for patients with relapse/refractory NHL is dose escalation and consolidation with Stem Cell Transplantation. The ability to predict those patients who may benefit or not from this approach would be beneficial. Whole-body Positron Emission Tomography using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is now recognised to have predictive ability in those patients at high risk of relapse and shortened overall survival in De novoHigh grade lymphoma. In the salvage setting it is unknown whether the appearance of PET scan after 1 cycle of salvage treatment may predict similarly for outcome post transplant and whether early scanning is indicated before cycle 2 salvage chemotherapy.