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Introduction: Exceptional response to therapy is rare in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. This study explored potential genomic differences between typical and exceptional responses that could confer more favorable biology. Methods: We included exceptional responders and controls with advanced pancreatic cancer from Cleveland Clinic from April 2013 to August 2017. Exceptional responders were defined as patients with an overall survival of more than 18 months for metastatic disease and more than 24 months for locally advanced disease. Clinical data were obtained, and next-generation sequencing was performed. Statistical analyses comparing the 2 groups were performed using descriptive statistics, the Kaplan-Meier method, and the log-rank test. Results: The study comprised 4 exceptional responders and 6 controls. Both groups were well balanced in age, sex, race, and treatment regimens. Exceptional responders had significantly fewer nonsynonymous mutations than controls (2.25 vs 5.17; P = .014). A mutation count of less than 3 was associated with significantly better progression-free survival (17.2 vs 2.3 months; P = .002) and overall survival (29.4 vs 4.6 months; P = .013). Tumor mutational burden did not differ between exceptional responders and controls (4.88 vs 5.70 mut/Mb; P = .39). Conclusion: A lower number of nonsynonymous mutations may correlate with exceptional outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer. These findings should encourage future studies into genomic signatures of exceptional response., Introduction Pancreatic cancer is associated with poor outcomes at any stage. However, a very small number of patients--approximately 3% of those with metastatic disease--experience long-term survival through 5 years and [...]

Background: The study design and nature of oncology phase 1 clinical trials create a uniquely vulnerable patient population yet little research has been conducted to identify the added burden these trials create for both cancer patients and their caregiver(s).Objective: Examining the perceptions and needs of patients and their caregivers participating in phase 1 oncology clinical trials, the investigators tested the hypothesis that the caregiver will exhibit a higher level of burden and/or distress than the patient.Method: A mixed-methods exploratory process utilizing patient and caregiver interviews and quality-of-life questionnaires was used to assess the psychosocial burdens associated with oncology clinical trial participation. A qualitative and quantitative analysis of the responses were 8 performed.Result: Both patients and caregivers reported similar themes identifying the burdens and benefits related to phase 1 clinical trial participation. However, the caregivers’ expressed burden exceeded that of the patients’ validating the study’s hypothesis.Conclusion: The need for ongoing additional support services for not only the patient but also the caregiver was identified.

Radiation therapy represents a vital component in the multidisciplinary management of soft tissue sarcomas. Combined with limb-preserving surgery, radiation therapy represents a standard of care treatment option for patients with high-grade sarcomas. Radiation therapy for soft tissue sarcoma continues to evolve with changes in timing, techniques, and targets. Over the past 2 decades, increasing data have supported the role of preoperative radiotherapy with the potential for lower total doses of radiation and improved long-term function coming at the cost of increased wound complications for certain locations. Retroperitoneal sarcomas represent a location where preoperative treatment is becoming the standard of care based on anatomic constraints and challenges with delivering postoperative radiotherapy. Multiple radiation therapy techniques exist to deliver treatment; currently both 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) are appropriate options, although increasing data support the role of IMRT in reducing dose to critical structures (bone, bowel, kidneys, vessels) while maintaining target coverage. Traditional target volumes have included larger fields; however, recent prospective data have demonstrated that image guidance in conjunction with smaller treatment volumes may reduce toxicity while not increasing marginal failures, although follow-up is short. Because of the toxicity associated with treatment, novel radiotherapy strategies are being used such as stereotactic radiotherapy as well as the use of tumor genetics to identify patients most likely to benefit most from radiotherapy.

Soon after a logging crew cleared a section of woods behind our house, a ruffed grouse appeared. The bird ventured close when I spoke to him and tilted his head [...]

We report our experience with prostatic-type tissue in ovarian teratomas, and in particular we highlight a case of prostatic-type adenocarcinoma arising within a mature cystic ovarian teratoma in a 32-yr-old woman. On gross examination, the cyst consisted of typical features of a dermoid cyst. Closer examination revealed a single 1.5-cm solid nodule within the cyst. Microscopically, it was composed of a small cyst-like structure lined by urothelium and to one side glandular and stromal tissue consistent with prostate parenchyma. Within the prostatic-type tissue, there were malignant glands morphologically and immunohistochemically supportive of prostatic-type adenocarcinoma Gleason score 3+3=6. There were also areas consistent with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia. Although there are several reports in the literature of benign prostatic-type tissue arising within ovarian as well as testicular teratomas, to our knowledge, prostatic-type adenocarcinoma arising in a mature ovarian teratoma is an extremely rare phenomenon, with only 1 previous report in the literature.

People age 65 years and older are the fastest growing segment of the US population. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the elderly. Geriatric oncology has developed since most cancer cases are diagnosed in elderly patients and the majority of cancer deaths occur in elderly patients. Little is known on how to best treat elderly patients with cancer and deal with treatment side effects and palliative care. Most recommendations have focused on the need for clinical trials specifically for the elderly with cancer, and a short, easy tool to predict chemotherapy toxicity. The focus of geriatric oncologists has been to integrate geriatric assessment into the care of the elderly cancer patient and find new assessment tools to predict chemotherapy tolerance, toxicity, and outcomes. Understanding the importance of supportive management during antineoplastic treatment and developing an intentional approach to palliative care issues (which are an important part of treating elderly patients with cancer) will help patients complete a full treatment course and maintain quality of life.

Important innovations have been achieved in the development of novel systemic hormonal therapies for the salvage treatment of metastatic castrate-resistant disease. The use of chemotherapy as an adjunct for the treatment of castrate-resistant metastatic disease and local advanced tumors has also resulted in patterns of late toxic effects. The authors review the important advances in the evolution of systemic therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Importance of the field:Patients with prostate cancer who have progression of their disease while on androgen deprivation therapy have limited therapeutic options. Docetaxel is currently the only agent that increases overall survival in patients with metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer; additional agents are needed.Areas covered in this review:This review will describe the importance of endothelin-1 (ET-1) for growth of prostate cancer cells, development of bone metastases, and pain responses; the preclinical data for zibotentan, a specific inhibitor of the ETAreceptor; and the clinical development of atrasentan, a first-generation ET receptor inhibitor, and zibotentan, a more selective inhibitor of the ETAreceptor.What the reader will gain:Readers will understand the importance of ET-1 as a novel pathway to target for patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer due to its association with prostate cancer growth, metastases to bone, and pain. Readers will learn about the preclinical and clinical development of zibotentan, including the promising Phase II results that have resulted in an extensive Phase III clinical trials program.Take home message:Modulating the activity of ET-1 through the ETAreceptor is a novel target for treating patients with metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer. There are currently three ongoing Phase III trials with zibotentan, a selective ETAinhibitor, to determine the effect of this agent on overall survival in these patients.

Abstract: The importance of statins for the prevention and treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD), the recent paradoxical effects of hormone replacement therapy on prevention of CAD, and the role of nontraditional risk factors in CAD in women are examined.

To evaluate the outcomes of surgical resection of malignant primary cardiovascular tumors.

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