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EGFR exon 20 insertions represent a subgroup of NSCLC patients posed with a therapy dilemma. In this issue of Cancer Cell , Elamin and colleagues demonstrate that only insertions localized in the near loop respond to poziotinib. Pharmacological inhibition of spindle assembly checkpoint components inhibits tumor growth in poziotinib-resistant exon 20 insertions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Malignant melanoma is an aggressive cancer with an increasing incidence. Exosomes are actively secreted microvesicles, whose characteristics reflect those of the cell they are originated in. The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate the presence of the melanoma biomarkers MIA, S100B and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (TYRP2) in exosomes and their potential clinical utility. Methods Serum samples were obtained from stage IV melanoma patients, melanoma-free patients and healthy controls. Exosomes were precipitated and TYRP2, MIA and S100B concentrations were quantified in serum, exosomes, and exosome-free serum. Results Both MIA and S100B were detected in exosomes and correlated significantly with serum concentrations (S100B: r = 0.968; MIA: r = 0.799; p < 0.001). MIA and S100B concentrations in exosomes were significantly higher in melanoma patients than in healthy controls and disease-free patients. However, TYRP2 concentrations in exosomes did not differ between these three groups. ROC curves analysis rendered AUCs for MIA of 0.883 (p < 0.01) and of 0.840 for S100B (p < 0.01). Patients with exosome MIA concentration higher than 2.5 μg/L showed shorter median survival related to those with lower level (4 versus 11 months; p < 0.05). Conclusions MIA and S100B can be detected in exosomes from melanoma patients and their quantification presents diagnostic and prognostic utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of perioperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy (PHDRB) as an alternative to standard low-dose-rate brachytherapy in adult patients with soft tissue sarcomas. Methods and materials: Twenty-five adult patients with soft tissue sarcomas of the extremities or the superficial trunk were treated with surgical resection and PHDRB (16, 24, or 32Gy) for negative, close/microscopically positive, or grossly involved surgical resection margins, respectively. External beam radiation therapy (45Gy) was added postoperatively. Adjuvant chemotherapy with ifosfamide and doxorubicin was given to patients with high-grade tumors. Results: Resection margins were negative in 6 patients (24.0%), close/microscopically positive in 18 (72.0%), and grossly involved in 1 (4.0%). One patient (4.0%) with wound dehiscence needed reoperation. Three patients failed in the anatomical region treated, but relapse sites were not adjacent to the area treated with PHDRB. After a median followup of 23.2 months (range 2.8–48.0), the 4-year local and regional control rates were 100% and 80.5%, respectively. Four-year overall survival was 78.2%. Conclusions: Locoregional control and survival results are encouraging for this high-risk patient population. PHDRB results seem to be similar to those obtained with low-dose-rate brachytherapy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]