Search

Key Clinical Message: Germline pathogenic variants (PV) of the PALB2 tumor suppressor gene are associated with an increased risk of breast, pancreatic, and ovarian cancer. In previous research, PALB2‐associated breast cancer showed aggressive clinicopathological phenotypes, particularly triple‐negative subtype, and higher mortality regardless of tumor stage, type of chemotherapy nor hormone receptor status. The identification of this germline alteration may have an impact on clinical management of breast cancer (BC) from the surgical approach to the systemic treatment choice. We herein report the case of a patient with a germline PV of PALB2, diagnosed with locally advanced PD‐L1 positive triple‐negative BC, who progressed after an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)‐containing regimen and then experienced a pathologic complete response after platinum‐based chemotherapy. This case report hints a major role of the germline PALB2 alteration compared to the PD‐L1 expression as cancer driver and gives us the opportunity to extensively review and discuss the available literature on the optimal management of PALB2‐associated BC. Overall, our case report and review of the literature provide additional evidence that the germline analysis of PALB2 gene should be included in routine genetic testing for predictive purposes and to refine treatment algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Distant metastasis (DM) development in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OPSCC) represents an important prognostic factor. The identification of a phenotype of metastatic patients may better define therapeutic and follow‐up programs. Methods: We included 408 patients with OPSCC, non‐metastatic at the time of diagnosis, and treated with curative intent. The Overall Survival (OS) analyses were performed and the impact of developing DM on survival was analyzed through Cox proportional‐hazard regression model. Results: 57 (14%) patients develop DM. 302 (74%) were p16+ OPSCC and 35 of them experienced DM. Advanced clinical stage, smoking, p16‐status, response to primary treatment, and loco‐regional relapse influence the DM rate. Only in the p16+ group, DM onset results in a greater impact on OS (p < 0.0001). Lung metastases have a better OS compared to non‐pulmonary ones (p = 0.049). Conclusion: This retrospective study shows a possible stratification of OPSCC patients based on the risk of the development of DMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lesion characteristics had the aspect of a probable melanocytic or non-melanocytic skin tumor, but we couldn't exclude the possible diagnosis of an inflammatory disease, due to the unspecific morphology of vessels and the diffuse ulceration. Dear Editor, Nail unit melanoma (NUM) is a rare melanoma that originates from the nail unit apparatus. Nodular nail unit melanoma mimicking a non-healing ulcer: Dermoscopic and reflectance confocal microscopic features. [Extracted from the article]

Renal‐cell carcinoma (RCC) is responsible for the majority of tumors arising from the kidney parenchyma. Although a progressive improvement in median overall survival has been observed after the introduction of anti‐PD‐1 therapy, many patients do not benefit from this treatment. Therefore, we have investigated T cell dynamics to find immune modification induced by anti‐PD‐1 therapy. Here, we show that, after therapy, RCC patients (5 responders and 14 nonresponders) are characterized by a redistribution of different subsets across the memory T cell compartment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]