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Why you should read this article: • To recognise that assessing the competence of nurses delivering systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) is essential to ensure high-quality patient care • To learn about the development of a digital SACT competency passport that aims to improve learning experience and accessibility for users • To contribute towards revalidation as part of your 35 hours of CPD (UK readers) • To contribute towards your professional development and local registration renewal requirements (non-UK readers). Robust competency assessment of systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) nurses ensures high-quality care is delivered to patients. The UK Oncology Nursing Society (UKONS) developed the SACT competency passport to support training and assessment of SACT nurses. Used throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland, the passport benefits staff, patients and employers. Limitations in terms of its accessibility and interactivity prompted UKONS to commission the creation of a digital version in the form of an app. This article introduces the app and discusses the features aiding the passport’s use. It also explains how to complete and mark the passport, how to assess others with it and how to provide feedback. Finally, the authors provide information about the implementation of the app and future developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twelve (N^N^N)platinum pyridyl complexes, (N^N^N)Pt(pyF), were synthesised and investigated for their singlet oxygen generation and potential biological activities. They exhibited 1IL and 1MLCT absorption transitions at approximately 325 and 360 nm, identified through TD-DFT calculations. Luminescence was observed only in the L1-derived compounds in solution, with a dual emission with the main contribution of phosphorescence under deaerated conditions. Room temperature phosphorescence was detected in all solid-state cases. Electron-withdrawing substituents at specific positions (R1 and X) and the number of fluorine atoms in R2 were found to enhance the photosensitizing capabilities of these compounds. Biological assessments, including cytotoxicity and photocytotoxicity, were conducted to evaluate their potential as chemotherapeutic agents and photosensitizers. Complexes with chloro substitution in the N^N^N tridentate ligand of the central pyridine ring exhibited promising chemotherapeutic properties. Ancillary pyridine ring substitution became significant under irradiation conditions, with fluoromethylated substituents enhancing cytotoxicity. Complex 2-CF3 was the most efficient singlet oxygen producer and a highly effective photosensitizer. CHF2-substituted complexes also showed improved photosensitizing activity. DNA binding studies indicated moderate interactions with DNA, offering insights into potential biological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microtubule polymerization inhibitors (MPIs) have long been used as anticancer agents because they inhibit mitosis. Microtubules are thought to play an important role in the migration of tumor cells and the formation of tumor blood vessels, and new MPIs are being developed. Many clinical trials of novel MPIs have been conducted in humans, while some clinical studies in dogs have also been reported. More attempts to apply MPIs not only in humans but also in the veterinary field are expected to be made in the future. Meanwhile, MPIs have a risk of cardiotoxicity. In this paper, we review findings on the pharmacological effects and cardiotoxicity of MPIs, as well as the mechanisms of their cardiotoxicity. Cardiotoxicity of MPIs involves not only the direct effects of MPIs on cardiomyocytes but also their effects on vascular function. For example, hypertension induced by impaired vascular function also contributes to the exacerbation of myocardial damage, and blood pressure control may be useful in reducing cardiotoxicity. By combined administration of MPIs and other anticancer agents, MPI efficacy may be enhanced, thereby potentially allowing to keep MPI dosage low. Measurement of myocardial injury markers in blood and echocardiography may be useful for monitoring cardiotoxicity. In particular, two‐dimensional speckle tracking may have high sensitivity for the early detection of MPI‐induced cardiac dysfunction. The exploration of the potential of new MPIs while understanding their toxicity and how to deal with them will lead to the further development of cancer chemotherapy. Microtubule polymerization inhibitors (MPIs) inhibit tumor cell mitosis, migration, and tumor angiogenesis. Clinical trials in humans and dogs have been conducted. However, MPIs have cardiotoxicity. Monitoring myocardial injury markers and echocardiography, particularly two‐dimensional speckle tracking, is recommended. Non‐clinical studies have reported that blood pressure control or combination with other anticancer drugs reduces cardiotoxicity. The exploration of the potential of new MPIs while understanding their toxicity and how to deal with them will lead to the further development of cancer chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is the leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. Despite significant advances in cancer research over the past few decades, it is almost impossible to cure end-stage cancer patients and bring them to remission. Adverse effects of chemotherapy are mainly caused by the accumulation of chemotherapeutic agents in normal tissues, and drug resistance hinders the potential therapeutic effects and curing of this disease. New drug formulations need to be developed to overcome these problems and increase the therapeutic index of chemotherapeutics. As a chemotherapeutic delivery platform, three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds are an up-and-coming option because they can respond to biological factors, modify their properties accordingly, and promote site-specific chemotherapeutic deliveries in a sustainable and controlled release manner. This review paper focuses on the features and applications of the variety of 3D scaffold-based nano-delivery systems that could be used to improve local cancer therapy by selectively delivering chemotherapeutics to the target sites in future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we have considered a tumour-immune model with the dosage effect of the targeted chemotherapeutic drug and its efficacy. The chemotherapeutic drug efficacy is characterized via way of means of its impact on the abnormal size of beginning tumours. In pharmacology, the effectiveness of a drug is a very important factor in developing a dosage for any disease. With these points of view regarding drug efficacy, we present a four compartmental mathematical model, viz, the population of tumour cells, T (t) , CD8 T-killer cells, E k (t) , CD4 T-helper cells, E h (t) , and the amount of targeted chemotherapeutic drug, C (t) , in the bloodstream, at any time t. A qualitative analysis of the proposed model, including the existence and boundedness of the model has been described here. The dynamics of the system are presented by examining the admissibility and stability of the system at trivial, dead, tumour-free, and co-existing equilibrium points with their respective biological significance. The conditions for the local stability of all equilibrium points are derived by using the Jacobian matrix and Routh–Hurwitz's criterion. Numerical calculations have been performed using the Multi-step Differential Transformation Method (Ms-DTM), and are presented and discussed briefly in terms of graphs. We have expressed that the model is suitable for the tumour removal with the passage of time, regardless of the initial population or tumour size. Also, the amount the dosage of the drug with an assigned numerical value for its efficacy is one of the important factors in the treatment. The efficacy term is included to see the effect of drug dosages in CD8 T-killer cells and CD4 T-helper cells compartment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) diagnosis is largely based on patient reported outcomes. Wearables, sensors, and smart devices may potentially provide early detection and monitoring of CIPN. We systematically reviewed data on wearables, sensors, and smart devices to detect and/or monitor signs and symptoms of CIPN. Moreover, we provide directions and recommendations for future studies. A literature search using PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, IEEE Xplore, and CINHAL databases was conducted from database inception until March 2021. The search was further updated in July 2022 to ensure currency of results. A total of 1885 records were title‐abstract screened, 33 full texts were assessed, and 16 were included. The retrieved papers were heterogeneous in terms of study design, sample size, CIPN severity, chemotherapy agents, type of wearable/sensor/device applied, parameters of interest, and purpose. Data are promising and provide preliminary evidence on wearables, sensors, and smart devices for CIPN detection and monitoring. There are several issues and knowledge gaps that should be addressed. We propose a framework for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gynecological cancer is one of the most severe diseases that threaten the lives and health of women worldwide. Its incidence rate increases with each passing year and becomes more prevalent among young people. The prognosis of gynecological cancer remains poor despite significant advances in surgical removal and systemic chemotherapy. Several chemokines play a role in the progression of gynecologic cancers. CCL2 (CC-chemokine ligand 2), also termed MCP-1 (monocyte chemotactic protein 1), plays a significant physiological role in monocyte cell migration and the inflammatory response. Recent studies have demonstrated that CCL2 plays a pro-tumorigenic function in the tumor microenvironment. According to previous studies, CCL2 plays a significant role in the occurrence and development of gynecological cancers. Furthermore, recent studies noted that CCL2 could be a potential diagnostic biomarker and prognostic predictor. The purpose of this paper is to review the role of CCL2 in the occurrence and development of gynecological cancers and to discuss the potential therapeutic strategy of CCL2 for gynecological cancers, with a primary focus on breast cancer, ovarian cancer, cervical cancer, and endometrial cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common toxicity of cancer treatment, with potential to significantly impact cancer survivors' long-term quality of life. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly utilised to evaluate CIPN. However, guidance remains lacking on how to identify fit for purpose PROMs with considerations necessarily differing when used in various research and in-clinic contexts. This study aimed to evaluate evidence about CIPN PROMs measurement properties and propose considerations to optimize CIPN PROM selection for each purpose. Methods: A systematic review was conducted to identify literature assessing measurement properties of CIPN PROMs. These were evaluated against Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) criteria and International Society for Quality of Life minimum standards. Risk of Bias (RoB) was assessed using the COSMIN RoB checklist. Results: Thirty-nine papers evaluating measurement properties of 13 PROMs were included. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Questionnaire (QLQ-CIPN20) and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology Group-Neurotoxicity (FACT/GOG-Ntx) were the most commonly investigated PROMs and had the most measurement properties meeting established criteria. Conclusion: The use of the QLQ-CIPN20 and FACT/GOG-Ntx to assess CIPN in research settings has the most supporting evidence. However other considerations including study aims, endpoints and target population also factor into PROM selection and need to be considered more often when determining the most suitable outcome measure. Evidence of CIPN PROMs use in clinical practice is limited and their adoption to individual-patient level management requires more evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cancer in the head and neck region (HNSCC) is exponentially increasing due to human papillomavirus (HPV) infections. This paper helps us to understand the complexity of the inflammatory networks and the mechanisms of immune evasion in HPV+ HNSCC to open up new avenues and drive the discovery of useful tools to be translated clinically in the screening and treatment of these cases, especially to overcome resistance and improve patients' quality of life. Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) are a heterogeneous group of malignancies which have shown exponential incidence in the last two decades especially due to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The HPV family comprises more than 100 types of viruses with HPV16 and HPV18 being the most prevalent strains in HNSCC. Literature data reveal that the mutation profile as well as the response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy are distinct among HPV+ versus HPV-negative tumors. Furthermore, the presence of the virus induces activation of an immune response, in particular the recruitment of specific antiviral T lymphocytes to tumor sites. These T cells when activated produce soluble factors including cytokines and chemokines capable of modifying the local immune tumor microenvironment and impact on tumor response to the treatment. In this comprehensive review we investigated current knowledge on how the presence of an HPV can modify the inflammatory response systemically and within the tumor microenvironment's immunological responses, thereby impacting on disease prognosis and survival. We highlighted the research gaps and emerging approaches necessary to discover novel immunotherapeutic targets for HPV-associated HNSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Necroptosis plays an important role in the progression and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and regulates the inflammatory response and tumor microenvironment. First of all, through NRGs, we determined the LUAD early diagnosis model, which is composed of four necroptosis-related genes (NRGs) (AUC = 0.994), and the LUAD prognosis evaluation model, composed of nine NRGs (AUC = 0.826). Secondly, the LUAD prognosis model was found to be closely related to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment and chemosensitivity. ICI treatment is more suitable for low-risk patients, while chemotherapy is more effective for high-risk patients. Finally, we identified the core gene PANX1 for the first time, which is important for prognosis evaluation and early diagnosis, and analyzed its role in LUAD immunotherapy. This study provides a new target for the immunotherapy of LUAD and a new theoretical basis for future individualized treatment in the clinic. Necroptosis is a type of programmed necrosis that is different from apoptosis and necrosis. Lung cancer has the highest incidence and mortality worldwide, and lung adenocarcinoma is the most common subtype of lung cancer. However, the role of necroptosis in the occurrence and development of LUAD remains largely unexplored. In this paper, four NRGs and nine NRGs determined by big data analysis were used to effectively predict the risk of early LUAD (AUC = 0.994) and evaluate the prognostic effect on LUAD patients (AUC = 0.826). Meanwhile, ESTIMATE, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), genomic variation analysis (GSVA), gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and immune checkpoint analysis were used to explore the enrichment characteristics and immune research related to the prognostic model. In deep data mining, we were surprised to find that prognostic models also regulate the immune microenvironment, cell cycle, and DNA damage repair mechanisms. Thus, we demonstrated a significant correlation between model evaluation results, ICI treatment, and chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity. The low-risk population has a stronger tumor immune response, and the potential for ICI treatment is greater. People at high risk respond less to immunotherapy but respond well to chemotherapy drugs. In addition, PANX1, a core gene with important value in immune regulation, prognosis assessment, and early diagnosis, has been identified for the first time, which provides a new target for the immunotherapy of LUAD as well as a new theoretical basis for the basic research, clinical diagnosis, and individualized treatment of LUAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and is known as "the king of cancers". Currently, gemcitabine (GEM) as the clinical drug of choice for chemotherapy of advanced pancreatic cancer has poor drug sensitivity and ineffective chemotherapy. Nardoguaianone L (G-6) is a novel guaiane-type sesquiterpenoid isolated from Nardostachys jatamansi DC., and it exhibits anti-tumor activity. Based on the newly discovered G-6 with anti-pancreatic cancer activity in our laboratory, this paper aimed to evaluate the potential value of the combination of G-6 and GEM in SW1990 cells, including cell viability, cell apoptosis, colony assay and tandem mass tags (TMT) marker-based proteomic technology. These results showed that G-6 combined with GEM significantly inhibited cell viability, and the effect was more obvious than that with single drug. In addition, the use of TMT marker-based proteomic technology demonstrated that the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway was activated after medication-combination. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) assays were used to validate the proteomic results. Finally, apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. In conclusion, G-6 combined with GEM induced an increase in ROS level and a decrease in MMP in SW1990 cells through the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, ultimately leading to apoptosis. G-6 improved the effect of GEM chemotherapy and may be used as a potential combination therapy for pancreatic cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mathematical study of the growth and treatment of cancer has been of great interest to researchers in the recent past as that can help clinical practitioners in adopting new treatment strategies to fight effectively against cancer. Although chemotherapy is the most common method of cancer treatment, the drug-resistant nature of tumor cells and the toxic effect of chemotherapeutic drugs on normal cells are major threats to the success of chemotherapy. In this paper, we propose a multi-drug chemotherapy model combined with an optimal control approach in which the amount of drugs is taken as control functions. The underlying mathematical model discusses the evolution of a heterogeneous tumor population and the dynamics of normal cells under chemotherapy. The model incorporates the pharmacokinetics of the anticancer agents as well. The proposed optimal control approach ensures maximum decay of the tumor cells while preserving a sufficient level of normal cells that would help faster recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Current cancer treatment strategies such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, have significant drawbacks. There is a need for a breakthrough approach to cancer treatment. Bacteriocin, an antimicrobial peptide, has shown several anticancer properties in vitro. Therefore, this article reviews the effect of bacteriocin on cancer cells and how bacteriocins affect cancer cells in vitro. This article aims to promote additional bacteriocin research, particularly in vivo studies, to fully understand the potential of bacteriocin as a cancer treatment agent. Cancer is regarded as one of the most common and leading causes of death. Despite the availability of conventional treatments against cancer cells, current treatments are not the optimal treatment for cancer as they possess the possibility of causing various unwanted side effects to the body. As a result, this prompts a search for an alternative treatment without exhibiting any additional side effects. One of the promising novel therapeutic candidates against cancer is an antimicrobial peptide produced by bacteria called bacteriocin. It is a non-toxic peptide that is reported to exhibit potency against cancer cell lines. Experimental studies have outlined the therapeutic potential of bacteriocin against various cancer cell lines. In this review article, the paper focuses on the various bacteriocins and their cytotoxic effects, mode of action and efficacies as therapeutic agents against various cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study summarises research- and practice-based evidence on home-based chemotherapy, and explores existing delivery models. A three-pronged investigation was conducted consisting of a literature review and synthesis of 54 papers, a review of seven home-based chemotherapy programmes spanning four countries, and two case studies within the Canadian province of Ontario. The results support the provision of home-based chemotherapy as a safe and patient-centred alternative to hospital- and outpatient-based service. This paper consolidates information on home-based chemotherapy programmes including services and drugs offered, patient eligibility criteria, patient views and experiences, delivery structures and processes, and common challenges. Fourteen recommendations are also provided for improving the delivery of chemotherapy in patients' homes by prioritising patient-centredness, provider training and teamwork, safety and quality of care, and programme management. The results of this study can be used to inform the development of an evidence-informed model for the delivery of chemotherapy and related care, such as symptom management, in patients' homes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Systematic reviews of mistletoe therapy (MT) trials in cancer show promising results in improvement of patients' quality of life during chemotherapy and reduction of fatigue. However, patients' experiences of side effects and the acceptability, tolerability, and perceived benefits of MT have not been systematically reviewed. The aim of this study was to systematically review and synthesise the results of qualitative studies of cancer patients' experiences of using MT. Design: A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, Embase, PsychLIT, CINAHL, and AMED to identify qualitative studies of MT. Articles were screened independently by two reviewers and critically appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. A thematic synthesis of the findings was carried out. Results: One hundred and seventy-three papers were identified; 156 were excluded at initial screening. Seventeen papers were read in full, 14 of which were excluded. Three articles about patients' experiences of MT alongside conventional treatment were included in the synthesis, either as a monotherapy (two articles) or as part of a package of anthroposophic treatment (one article). Patients reported demonstrable changes to their physical, emotional, and psychosocial well-being following MT, as well as a reduction in chemotherapy side effects. Self-reported side effects from MT were few, and the studies suggest good adherence to the therapy. Self-injection gave patients a sense of empowerment through involvement in their own treatment. Conclusions: A systematic search revealed a small number of qualitative studies of MT in cancer. These were effectively combined to provide a detailed overview of patients' experiences in order to complement the developing evidence base from trials. Given the variation in context of MT delivery across the articles, it is not possible to ascribe changes in patients' quality of life specifically to MT. The results of this review will help in the design of outcome measures that more fully capture patients' experiences. It is essential to embed qualitative research of patients' experiences of MT and other CAM therapies within future trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Methods: The present paper examines 3042 Indian publications in colorectal cancer, as covered in Scopus database during 2005-2014, experiencing an annual average growth rate of 4.06% and citation impact of 3.91. Results: The world colorectal cancer output (171,518 publications) came from several countries, of which the top 15 (United States, China., Japan, U.K., Germany, Italy, France, etc.) together accounts for 90.64% share of the global output during 2005-2014. India's global publication share was 1.77% during 2005-2014, which increased from 1.13% to 2.27% from 2005-2009 to 2010-2014. India's international collaborative share in colorectal cancer was 19.56% during 2005-2014, which increased from 15.05% to 20.14% from 2005-2009 to 2010-2014. Only 68.01% publications were cited 1 or more times since their publications till February 2015. Medicine accounted for the largest share (58.12%) of output in colorectal cancer, followed by biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology (34.62%), pharmacology, toxicology and pharmaceutics (29.26%), chemistry (9.60%), agricultural and biological sciences (4.80% share) and immunology and microbiology (3.68% share) during 2005-2014. Diagnosis, chemotherapy, surgery, and screening together account for 56.02% publications share among treatments methods used in Indian colorectal cancer research during 2005-2014 Maharashtra, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka together contributed 57.82% share in Indian publications output in colorectal cancer during 2005-2014. Conclusion: The authors stressed the need for developing national policy for colorectal cancer which should take care of screening for detection and diagnosis, management and treatment options of the prostate cancer patients in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Radiochemotherapy is the standard of care for the treatment of anal carcinoma achieving good loco-regional control and sphincter preservation. This approach is however associated with acute and late toxicities including haematological, skin, bowel function and genito-urinary complications. This paper systematically reviews studies addressing the quality of life (QoL) implications of anal cancer and radiochemotherapy. The paper also evaluates how QoL is assessed in anal cancer.Methods: Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library were searched for publications (1996-2014) reporting the effects on patients of anal cancer and radiochemotherapy.Results: Of the 152 papers reporting treatment-related effects on patients, only 11 provided a formal assessment of QoL. In the absence of an anal cancer-specific measure, QoL was assessed using generic cancer instruments such as the core EORTC quality of life questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) or colorectal cancer tools such as the EORTC QLQ-CR29. Bowel function, particularly diarrhoea, and sexual problems were the most commonly reported QoL concerns. The review of QoL issues of anal cancer patients treated with radiochemotherapy is limited by the QoL assessment measures used. It is argued that certain treatment-related toxicities, for example skin-induced radiation problems, are overlooked or inadequately represented in existing measures.Conclusions: This review emphasises the need to develop an anal cancer-specific QoL measure and to incorporate QoL as an outcome of future trials in anal cancer. The results of this review are informative to clinicians and patients in terms of treatment decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chondroid lesions are very common bone tumors. In most cases, they are benign enchondromas (EC) and, in a minor percentage, chondrosarcomas (CSs), the malignant counterpart. In the latter cases, surgery is the mainstay treatment, because they are chemo- and radio-resistant unless dedifferentiation occurs. If resection is recognized as the gold standard for intermediate-, high-grade tumors, and for low-grade chondrosarcoma (LG-CS) located in the spine and pelvis to reduce the risk of local recurrence, there is still no consensus in literature on the treatment of central low-grade chondrosarcoma (cLG-CS) located in the limbs. Our aim is to perform a review of literature on evidence supporting this approach or not.Materials and Methods: An electronic research of the medical archives was carried out in March 2017 seeking papers evaluating the results of curettage and resection in cLG-CS.Results: We selected 13 studies corresponding to our criteria. Unfortunately, they were descriptive, retrospective, non-randomized studies. We identified a population of 471 patients for a total of 473 low-grade chondrosarcomas. Two hundred and ninety-nine lesions were treated with curettage and 174 with wide surgery. The two groups were not homogeneous for diagnosis, size and staging, so no comparison between resection and curettage was possible. The global weighted average percentage of local recurrence was 6.7% (20 cases) and 10.9% (19 cases) after curettage and resection, respectively. No cases of metastasis were reported in the group treated with intralesional surgery, compared to five cases reported in the group treated with resection. Indications for surgery were given in most cases based on symptoms and imaging.Conclusions: The absence of a preoperative histological diagnosis and the lack of a scientific method to conduct the studies do not sufficiently support curettage for low-grade chondrosarcomas. In the absence of this, resection must be considered a general rule for every malignancy. In our opinion, based on the low biological growth rate of low-grade chondrosarcoma, every chondromatous lesion can be followed-up. Biopsies must be performed based on clinical and radiological suspicions such as pain, scalloping or increase in size, rather than on performing a PET scan to evidence more informative high metabolic areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Platin-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) is a common cause of PN in cancer patients. The aim of this paper is to systematically review the current literature regarding PIPN, with a particular focus on epidemiological and clinical characteristics of painful PIPN, and to discuss relevant management strategies.Methods: A systematic computer-based literature search was conducted on the PubMed database.Results: This search strategy resulted in the identification of 353 articles. After the eligibility assessment, 282 articles were excluded. An additional 24 papers were identified by scanning the reference lists. In total, 95 papers met the inclusion criteria and were used for this review. The prevalence of neuropathic symptoms due to acute toxicity of oxaliplatin was estimated at 84.6%, whereas PN established after chemotherapy with platins was estimated at 74.9%. Specifically regarding pain, the reported prevalence of pain due to acute toxicity of oxaliplatin was estimated at 55.6%, whereas the reported prevalence of chronic peripheral neuropathic pain in PIPN was estimated at 49.2%.Conclusion: Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication in patients receiving platins and can be particularly painful. There is significant heterogeneity among studies regarding the method for diagnosing peripheral neuropathy. Nerve conduction studies are the gold standard and should be performed in patients receiving platins and complaining of neuropathic symptoms post-treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A high percentage of oncological patients die yearly because of colorectal cancer (CRC). Worldwide, CRC represents the fourth leading cause of death among oncological patients. Numerous studies have been conducted in order to identify new biomarkers for the early diagnosis of patients with CRC. From this point of view, an ideal biomarker is represented by the expression of microRNAs. In this paper, we wish to summarize the expressions of microRNAs in CRC and to present the pathophysiological and genetic interactions that microRNAs have with protein systems in these patients. Methods: For this paper, we looked into the studies available in scientific databases such as PubMed. For the search the following keywords have been used: "miRNAs expression", "colorectal cancer", "genetic polymorphisms in CRC", and "genetic biomarkers in CRC". Results: Modifying the expression of microRNAs can be used successfully both in diagnosing patients with CRC and in following their response to chemotherapy. Numerous studies have shown high specificity for certain microRNA species in the case of CRC. An extraordinary advantage of these biomarkers is represented by their non-invasive sampling from urine and blood. Moreover, a series of connections of micr oRNAs in some mechanisms involved in the appearance and development of CRC have been shown. Therefore, microRNAs can be named as the biomarker of the future, as well as the epigenetic targeted treatment for patients with CRC. Conclusions: The expression of microRNAs can be successfully used in the evaluation and non-invasive monitoring of patients with CRC. However, further studies are needed regarding the expression of microRNAs and the connections these species have in the pathological mechanisms specific for CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemotherapy is a new therapeutic option for patients with locally spread melanoma. It is based on the phenomenon of reversible electroporation, i.e. a transient increase in permeability of cell membranes under the influence of an appropriately modulated electric field. This allows multiplication of toxicity of a cytostatic agent entering the tumour cell. It is highly effective, especially in the palliative treatment of cancers located in the integument of the human body (skin and subcutaneous tissue). Available literature provides a mandate both for the application of this method in the aforementioned cases as well as for further work on its development. This paper focuses on reviewing the literature concerning the use of electrochemotherapy in the treatment of melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the effects of treatment on tumor‐immune dynamics based on a conceptual two‐dimensional model. In absence of treatment, this model exhibits regimes of "active" and "dormant" tumor. Increasing intensity of chemotherapy entails a significant complication of tumor‐immune interaction with parameter zones of monostability, bistability, and tristability where "active," "dormant," and "zero" tumor states can coexist. A detailed description of bifurcations, attractors, and their basins is given. Based on this mathematical analysis, we discuss efficiency of various programs of treatment combining chemotherapy and radiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer and it is treated with surgical intervention, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or a combination of these regimens. Despite chemotherapy's ample use, it has limitations such as bioavailability, adverse side effects, high-dose requirements, low therapeutic indices, multiple drug resistance development, and non-specific targeting. Drug delivery vehicles or carriers, of which nanocarriers are prominent, have been introduced to overcome chemotherapy limitations. Nanocarriers have been preferentially used in breast cancer chemotherapy because of their role in protecting therapeutic agents from degradation, enabling efficient drug concentration in target cells or tissues, overcoming drug resistance, and their relatively small size. However, nanocarriers are affected by physiological barriers, bioavailability of transported drugs, and other factors. To resolve these issues, the use of external stimuli has been introduced, such as ultrasound, infrared light, thermal stimulation, microwaves, and X-rays. Recently, ultrasound-responsive nanocarriers have become popular because they are cost-effective, non-invasive, specific, tissue-penetrating, and deliver high drug concentrations to their target. In this paper, we review recent developments in ultrasound-guided nanocarriers for breast cancer chemotherapy, discuss the relevant challenges, and provide insights into future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mathematical study of cancer received great attention in recent years. The theoretical and numerical investigations of models employed for studying the growth of cancer cells and treatment of cancer can help the clinical practitioners in adapting new strategies to face the challenges posed by the deadly disease. Chemotherapy is the most common method of treatment for cancer. The resistance of tumor cells toward the administered drug and the toxic effect of anti-cancer agents on healthy cells are major hurdles to the success of therapy. In this paper, we study this as an optimal control problem in which the amount of drug injected is taken as control. The evolution of different types of cells — sensitive tumor cells, resistant tumor cells and normal cells — under treatment are analyzed. The pharmacokinetics of the drug is also incorporated into the mathematical model. We propose a treatment protocol that assures the death of a maximum number of tumor cells but also manages to keep the normal cells at a sufficient level. We also validated our theoretical results numerically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oncological pathologies take a toll on millions of lives throughout the world, with a burden set to spiral in the future. The humanity’s increasing lifespan has pushed physicists to come up with specific and improved methods of treatment, and even more so, aggressive, in order to fight back these cell degenerations. Chemotherapy remains still one of the most effective ways to treat cancer, but the price for health might be even higher than expected. The cognitive repercussions of cancer and its treatment have been under the spotlight for the past 20 years, where scientists focused on getting a deeper understanding of post-chemotherapy effects on the human brain. In this paper we dive into the psychological and psychiatric pathology linked to this treatment method, by examining a clinical case that envisions a resilient woman who overcame cancer, but still encountered some setbacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor‐specific, hypoxia‐activated prodrugs have been developed to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy drugs. However, the release efficiency of hypoxia‐activated prodrugs is restricted by the degree of tumor hypoxia, which further leads to poor cancer treatment effects. On the other hand, oxygen is consumed gradually in photodynamic therapy (PDT), which aggravates hypoxia at the tumor site. In this study, we combined hypoxia‐activated prodrugs with PDT agents to promote the prodrugs release, thereby improving their bioavailability and therapeutic effects. As a proof of concept, a mitochondria‐targeted molecular prodrug, CS‐P, was designed and synthesized. It can be selectively activated by tumor hypoxia to release chemotherapeutic drugs and photosensitizers, and then further discharge drugs after light irradiation. The design strategy proposed in this paper provides a new idea for enhancing hypoxia‐activated prodrug release and real‐time monitoring prodrug release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The incidence of cancer is increasing today, particularly lung and chest cancer. Employing novel methods to detect cancer in its earliest stages and discover painless, noninvasive treatments are urgently needed. The goal of the proposed study is to investigate the value of automated breast volume scanning (ABUS) in conjunction with contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) in properly diagnosing breast cancer in its early stages and the effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in treating the disease. For the research study, information on 98 patients who had NAC and surgery in the breast surgery department of the Shaanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital has been gathered. All patients have received four cycles of NAC and underwent conventional ultrasound (HUSS), CEUS, ABUS, and pathological examination. At the same time, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, single factor, multiple linear regression, and other methods have also been used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of breast cancer and NAC efficacy evaluation results. The study of this paper is totally based on the data collected from Shaanxi Provincial Cancer Hospital. The statistical and computational analyses are performed on the data collected for drawing inferences. When the findings are compared to the results of the pathological examination, HUSS has demonstrated a significant distinction between benign and malignant diagnoses with a statistical value of P < 0.05.ABUS combined with CEUS has shown no considerable differences in correlation study. Except for negative likelihood ratio, the diagnostic performance indexes of CEUS+ ABUS are substantially higher than HHUS with P < 0.05. ROC curve analysis is also performed which shows that CEUS and ABUS combination has higher precision in the analysis of breast cancer. ABUS pooled with CEUS shows great application value in the judgment of breast cancer as per the results obtained from the statistical analysis on data of 98 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer continues to be the most diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is the standard of care for breast cancer patients with locally advanced disease and patients with poor pathological features, such as triple-negative (TN) or human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive subtypes. Neoadjuvant therapy offers several advantages, including better surgical outcomes, early systemic treatment for micro-metastases, and accurate tumor biology and chemosensitivity assessment. Multiple studies have shown that achieving pathological complete response (pCR) following neoadjuvant chemotherapy is associated with better prognosis and better treatment outcomes; almost half of such patients may fail to achieve pCR. Tumor proliferative index, hormone receptor (HR) status, and HER2 expression are the major predictors of pCR. Strategies to improve pCR have been dependent on augmenting neoadjuvant chemotherapy with the addition of taxanes and dual anti-HER2 targeted therapy in patients with HER2-positive tumor, and more recently, immunotherapy for patients with TN disease. The clinical management of patients with residual disease following neoadjuvant chemotherapy varies and depends mostly on the level of HR expression and HER2 status. Recent data have suggested that switching trastuzumab to trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) in patients with HER2-positive disease and the addition of capecitabine for patients with HER2-negative and HR-negative subtype is associated with a better outcome; both strategies are incorporated into current clinical practice guidelines. This paper reviews available and ongoing studies addressing strategies to better manage patients who continue to have residual disease following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To date, little and discordant data still exists on the management of cervical cancer (CC) during pregnancy. In this paper, we report our experience of the treatment of these patients analyzing the oncologic, obstetric, and neonatal outcomes. Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2021, 13 patients were diagnosed with CC during pregnancy. All patients underwent platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and 11/13 patients underwent a cesarean radical hysterectomy (CRH). Results: All 13 patients were diagnosed with squamous-cell carcinoma, FIGO-2018 stage between IB2-IIIC1. The majority of patients had a partial (61.5%) or complete (15.4%) response to NACT. Most patients had a regular course of pregnancy and the obstetric complications observed were gestational diabetes mellitus in 23.1% and IUGR in 15.4% of cases. CRH was performed in the absence of major complications. Only 2 patients (15.4%) had disease recurrence and only 1 patient (7.7%) died of disease. All children are currently healthy. At birth, we observed mainly prematurity-related complications (38.5% respiratory distress syndrome and 7.7% neonatal jaundice) and only a case of congenital malformation (hypospadias). In our pediatric population, we reported a case of malignancy (acute myeloid leukemia). Conclusion: NACT seems to be safe and efficacious in controlling tumor burden during pregnancy. CRH following NACT appears to be feasible, avoiding repeated surgery and treatment delays. This approach is also reasonably safe from a maternal, obstetric, and neonatal point of view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. Tumors consist of heterogeneous cell populations that have different biological properties. While conventional cancer therapy such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery does not target cancer cells specifically, gene therapy is attracting increasing attention as an alternative capable of overcoming these limitations. With the advent of gene therapy, there is increasing interest in developing non-viral vectors for genetic material delivery in cancer therapy. Nanosystems, both organic and inorganic, are the most common non-viral vectors used in gene therapy. The most used organic vectors are polymeric and lipid-based delivery systems. These nanostructures are designed to bind and protect the genetic material, leading to high efficiency, prolonged gene expression, and low toxicity. Quality by Design (QbD) is a step-by-step approach that investigates all the factors that may affect the quality of the final product, leading to efficient pharmaceutical development. This paper aims to provide a new perspective regarding the use of the QbD approach for improving the quality of non-viral vectors for genetic material delivery and their application in cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: In this paper we perform an introduction about pregnancy-associated cancer (PAC) and transplacental passage of antineoplastic agents. Furthermore, we describe therapeutic use and potential toxic effects of chemotherapeutic drug (alkylating agents, antimetabolites agents, anthracyclines, topoisomerase inhibitors, antimitotic agents, actinomycin-D, bleomycin) and targeted agents during pregnancy. This manuscript may be a useful and practical guide for the management of PAC, which is a challenge for clinicians that have to consider alike maternal benefits and fetal potential risks correlated to the antineoplastic treatment. The incidence of PAC is relatively infrequent among pregnant women. However, it has gradually increased in recent years, becoming a challenging area for clinicians that should take into account in the same way maternal benefits and fetal potential risks correlated to the antineoplastic treatment. None of the antineoplastic drugs is completely risk-free during the pregnancy, the timing of exposure and transplacental transfer properties influence the toxicity of the fetus. Despite the lack of guidelines about the management of PAC, several studies have described the use and the potential fetal and neonatal adverse events of antineoplastic drugs during pregnancy. We provide a review of the available literature about the transplacental passage and fetal effects of chemotherapy and targeted agents, to guide the clinicians in the most appropriate choices for the management of PAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review focuses on the role of cancer stem cells in tumor development and summarizes multiple therapeutic approaches based on them. Cancer research has been significant in medical research as it is increasingly recognised as a worldwide public health concern. Although modern medical treatment can be done utilizing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, tumors' high mortality and recurrence rate remain a critical issue. However, in recent years, based on a large number of studies on cancer, scientists have put forward the theory of cancer stem cells, aiming to provide prospective treatment theories and methods for cancer therapies. These innovative treatments have brought hope to a complete cure for cancer. This paper first reviews the current status of cancer development, the hot theory of cancer stem cells, and the role of cancer stem cells in curing cancer. Then, three popular cancer stem cell treatments are reviewed, briefly discussed, and analyzed. Finally, the prospect of a treatment system is examined based on cancer stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer medicine is a challenging field with an increasing range of promising therapies and combinations. Increasingly, personalised medicine shows promise to improve cancer outcomes – response, symptom control, survival and cure. However, optimal dosing is an under‐appreciated aspect of personalised anticancer therapy, with few clinical trials addressing this specific issue. This position paper aims to inform various health professionals about the principles that guide anticancer drug dose selection and modifications. We discuss the available evidence base for personalised dosing, as well as the professional judgement required by experienced oncology physicians to determine the most appropriate dose for each patient. We provide nine steps to guide clinicians and trainees in this process, based on: pharmacology of each agent (absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination and mechanism of action); scientific evidence for recommended doses; professional knowledge of patients' unique phenotype (adiposity, comorbidities, etc.); previous drug tolerance; individual dose adjustment in combination therapy; communication and documentation, with the added need for ongoing monitoring and adjustment. We strongly propose professional education and future research towards optimal dosing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we propose a heuristic approach that computes the order in which patients will be treated in an ambulatory chemotherapy center. Each patient follows an individual treatment plan that fixes dates for series of drug injections separated by recovery periods. The daily care process has three steps: consultation with the oncologist, drug preparation in the pharmacy and drug injection in medical beds. The facility closes after the last injection. As drug injection varying considerably in duration—from 15 min to 6 h—bad schedules lead to excessive overtime. In addition, after the consultation the oncologist may decide to cancel the injection because of a weak patient's health condition. In the current setting of the chemotherapy facility we work with, First Come First Served policy controls the care process. In this study, we propose to compute a common priority list of patients for consultation and injection phases. A unique list of patients is a simple tool used by nurses to manage the flow of patients and to react to uncertain events. A GRASP algorithm is developed to compute optimized list of patients in few seconds as the operating planning context requires. Two objectives are considered; the closing time and the overworking time of the facility. Numerical experiments show that our GRASP is able to quickly reach near optimal solutions and that list of patients policy performance is comparable to more complex scheduling policies. Benchmark data sets are built based on historical data of the French chemotherapy facility, ICL in Saint-Étienne. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe the theoretical, evidence-based and consumer-informed development of a smartphone self-management program aiming to support adherence to oral chemotherapy in adolescents and adults diagnosed with cancer. Methods: The design of the program followed two frameworks for the development and evaluation of mHealth interventions and was conducted in three steps: 1) conceptualization, which involved an extensive literature review and a scoping review that led to the identification of the behavioral change strategies in the program; 2) definition of features and structure, based on a formative study with end-users to explore their preferences about the structure and elements of the program; and 3) selection of program delivery technology, whereby available technology platforms were examined and the most suitable tool to deliver the program was selected. Results: Three main reasons for oral chemotherapy non-adherence were identified: forgetfulness, side-effects and poor knowledge about oral chemotherapy. Key behavior change strategies were also identified, namely, medication intake reminders and information about oral chemotherapy and managing side-effects. Based upon end-user feedback the method of delivery of these behavioral strategies that was deemed most appropriate was conventional text messages. The reminders were standard, short, text-only messages sent when each oral chemotherapy dose was due, one way (no need to reply) and addressed the end-users using their first name. Delivery of information about oral chemotherapy and side-effects was tailored to each individual's preferred frequency. Conclusion: The careful design process described in this paper may serve to inform the development of future mobile phone-based medication adherence-enhancing interventions for people with cancer. A trial to explore end-users acceptability of and satisfaction with the intervention is currently underway. Trial Registration: ACTRN12618001987257p. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the papers that will be published in the forthcoming issues of the "British Journal of Haematology" including "The WHIM Syndrome Shows a Peculiar Dysgranulopoiesis: Myelokathexis," "Positron Emission Tomography Positive Distal Femur Following Fludarabine, Dexamethasone and Mitoxantrone Chemotherapy," "Optimal Haemophilia Care Versus the Reality," and "FQPD, A Novel Immunomodulatory Drug, Has Significant in Vitro Activity in Multiple Myeloma."

Presents abstracts of papers invited for publication by the journal 'British Journal of Cancer.' Structure dynamics and energetic analysis of DNA and RNA in oligonucleotides; Advanced concepts of cancer chemotherapy using topoisomerase I; Significance of biophysics of drug binding for cancer agents.

The poor tumour accumulation of nanoparticles (NPs) severely hampers the therapeutic efficacy of NPs, which is mainly attributed to the inadequate drug distribution within tumour tissues. Developing an intracellular in situ assembling system (IIAS) that can form micro-sized aggregations as drug depots for the prolonged retention of drugs inside tumour cells and deeply penetrate tumour tissues owing to the initial small size of the NPs is a promising strategy for enhancing the tumour accumulation of drugs and improving their chemotherapeutic efficacy. Herein, smart in situ assembling nanoparticles (named DOX-uNPs) with an ultrasmall size of approximately 8 nm were prepared by encapsulating doxorubicin (DOX) into the hydrophobic domains of human serum albumin (HSA). After extravasating into tumour cells, the DOX-uNPs aggregated into micro-sized particles as drug depots through a thio-disulfide exchange reaction between neighboring nanoparticles triggered by the elevated level of reduced glutathione (GSH) to achieve the sustained release of DOX, which was visually confirmed by the fluorescent imaging of the sections of tumours after systemic administration. Furthermore, the in vivo anti-lymphoma results of the DOX-uNPs demonstrated a dramatic tumour reduction of approximately 71% when compared with free DOX. Thus, this smart in situ aggregating nanoparticles system provides a promising nanoplatform for both deep tumour penetration and prolonged tumour retention, which is a robust strategy for higher tumour accumulation of intracellular targeted drugs for enhanced therapeutic efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the effectiveness of traditional treatment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has become increasingly poor, and a new therapeutic strategy should be explored to solve the current problem of poor efficacy. Phototherapy based on stimuli-responsive nanocarriers combined with chemotherapy has drawn considerable attention as a kind of and significant potential tumour treatment method. By loading the drug osimertinib (AZD) and the targeting agent hyaluronic acid (HA) onto red-emitting carbon dots, a biocompatible multifunctional nanocrystalline drug carrier system (RCDs-HA@AZD) with dual stimulation of pH and hyaluronidase has been developed for chemotherapy/photothermal combination therapy of NSCLC. RCDs-HA@AZD has the ability to target NSCLC tumours with the loading of HA. Simultaneously, the tumour killing ability can be enhanced through a reasonable synergistic effect of the photothermal effect of RCDs and the anti-tumour function of AZD. This work provides inspiration for a combined anti-NSCLC therapeutic strategy as well as offers promising prospects in both fundamental and clinical investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) can improve the survival of patients with locally progressive gastric cancer, but chemotherapeutics do not always exhibit good efficacy in all patients. Therefore, accurate preoperative evaluation of the effect of neoadjuvant therapy and the appropriate selection of surgery time to minimize toxicity and complications while prolonging patient survival are key issues that need to be addressed. This paper reviews the role of three imaging methods, morphological, functional, radiomics, and artificial intelligence (AI)-based imaging, in evaluating NAC pathological reactions for gastric cancer. In addition, the advantages and disadvantages of each method and the future application prospects are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of novel anticancer drugs with antiproliferative and antimetastatic activities is of great importance in the pharmaceutical field. Herein, a series of ligustrazine (LSZ) platinum(IV) complexes with chemotherapeutic and immunotherapeutic effects were designed, prepared and evaluated as antitumor agents for the first time. Complex 4 with potent antitumor activities both in vitro and in vivo was screened out as a candidate. Notably, it displays significantly more effective anti-metastatic activities than the platinum(II) drugs cisplatin and oxaliplatin. Mechanism detection discloses that it causes serious DNA damage and increases the expression of γ-H2AX and P53. Then, the apoptosis of tumor cells is promoted by activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 and causing autophagy via modulating LC3-I/II and P62 expression. Furthermore, the immune therapeutic responses are significantly elevated by blocking HIF-1α, ERK 1/2 and COX-2 pathways to reduce PD-L1 expression, and further increasing CD3+ and CD8+ T cells to elevate T cell immunity in tumors. Tumor metastasis is blocked by the synergistic functions of DNA damage, hypoxia modulation and immune activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this practice statement is to help members and their multidisciplinary teams recognize infusion reactions and hypersensitivity reactions in the clinical setting. It will provide recommendations to help guide response to reactions and desensitization when appropriate, to promote safe use of chemotherapeutic agents among all providers in the delivery process. A multi-disciplinary team of healthcare professionals from the Society of Gynecologic Oncology Education Committee collaborated to review peer reviewed literature and guidelines to develop a practice statement on the management of chemotherapy hypersensitivity reactions and desensitization regimens. There is always potential for a patient to have a reaction to any medication, with both infusion reactions and hypersensitivity reactions potentially occurring in the treatment of gynecologic cancers. Premedication to prevent reactions should be given at least prior to infusion for regimens that include the most common agents associated with reactions. At the time when reaction is occurring it might be difficult to distinguish between an infusion reaction versus true hypersensitivity given the similarities in signs and symptoms, therefore it is important that orders to manage reactions be included in every chemotherapy order set so the infusion nurse can provide immediate interventions while waiting for the provider to arrive to assess the patient. Desensitization is a potential option to allow the patient to continue to receive the offending agent. While a variety of desensitization regimens have been presented in the literature, the goal is to minimize steps and variability to decrease opportunity for errors during chemotherapy preparation or administration. Incorporating a review of the literature and clinical experience from the SGO Education Committee, this paper provides an overview of current approaches for prevention and management of reactions to commonly used chemotherapy agents for gynecologic cancers. • Hypersensitivity and infusion reactions to antineoplastic therapies challenge the treatment of cancer patients. • Reactions require a multi-disciplinary team to decide on a protocol best suited to their patients within their institution. • Every effort should be made to streamline the process and protocols to reduce error during mixing and administration. • An overview is provided of approaches for prevention and management of reactions to agents used for gynecologic cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections cause significant morbidity in children and women of reproductive age. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends preventive chemotherapy (PC) of at-risk populations with anthelminthics to control these infections. Historically, STH are very intensively transmitted in Pemba Island (Zanzibar). A survey conducted in 1994 in 12 schools estimated a STH prevalence near to 100%. This extremely high prevalence induced the introduction of PC in the island; initially, however, PC was not regularly administered because of difficulties linked to drug procurement. A second STH survey, conducted in 2011, in 24 schools estimated a prevalence of STH of 89%; after this survey, PC was regularly administered until 2018. We conducted a survey in 2021 using the same method as that used in 2011. The prevalence of STH was evaluated at 80% (95% CI 78.1–81.5) and most of the STH cases were due to Trichuris trichiura. More than 32% (95% CI 30.3–34.0) of the children investigated had infections of moderate or heavy intensity. PC has been conducted for over 25 years in Pemba Island. However, despite its beneficial impact, both the prevalence and the intensity of STH infections remain high, and the intervention has been insufficient in controlling STH morbidity. This is probably due to a combination of irregular PC, climatic conditions favourable to STH transmission, the low sensitivity of T. trichiura to benzimidazoles, high population density and poor sanitation. Improvement of sanitation coverage remains a key measure to permanently reduce the prevalence and intensity of STH. Possible changes to the present PC approaches to better control STH in Pemba would be (i) to assure high coverage in all schools, (ii) to use mebendazole instead of albendazole given its better activity on T. trichiura and (iii) to use a combination of ivermectin and mebendazole to further increase anthelminthic efficacy on T. trichiura. Author summary: A survey conducted in 1994 in school aged children showed that soil-transmitted helminth were very intensively transmitted in Pemba Island (Zanzibar) with prevalence near to 100%. Between 1994 and 2011 several rounds of administration of anthelminthic were organized and a second survey was conducted in 2011 showing a decrease of prevalence and intensity of infection. The present paper reports the results of a third survey conducted in 2021 showing a further decline of the prevalence and a persistence of T. trichiura as the more prevalent parasite (in 1994 hookworms were the most transmitted STH). The interventions conducted until now where not sufficient to eliminate the morbidity caused by these parasites and it is suggested to include ivermectin in the anthelminthic distributed periodically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is fundamentally a disease of aberrant genetics. In contrast to nonmalignant cells, cancer cells are not only able to tolerate these genetic insults but are in fact enabled by them. While cancer treatment has progressed significantly in the last century, many current medical treatments rely on general cytotoxicity for rapidly dividing cells, rather than inhibiting the specific genetic lesions that enable malignant transformation. One promising area is the development of inhibitors targeted towards DNA replication. By targeting core pathways mutated in cancer, DNA replication inhibitor therapies offer new avenues for cancer treatment that spare patients the worst side effects of cytotoxic chemotherapy. One such target is RECQ1, a human helicase that shows great promise in cancer treatment when targeted as an adjuvant to other replication-based chemotherapies. In addition to summarizing the role replication stress plays in carcinogenesis, this paper discusses a triple combination of RECQ1, PARP1, and TOP1 inhibitors. While aggressive, this approach may increase the efficacy of these existing cancer therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]