Search

We assessed the impact of DNA damage response and repair (DDR) biomarker expressions in 222 node-positive early breast cancer (BC) patients from a previous Phase III GOIM 9902 trial of adjuvant taxanes. At a median follow-up of 64 months, the original study showed no disease-free survival (DFS) or overall survival (OS) differences with the addition of docetaxel (D) to epirubicine-cyclophosphamide (EC). Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the expression of DDR phosphoproteins (pATM, pATR, pCHK1, γH2AX, pRPA32, and pWEE1) in tumor tissue, and their association with clinical outcomes was evaluated through the Cox elastic net model. Over an extended follow-up of 234 months, we confirmed no significant differences in DFS or OS between patients treated with EC and those receiving D → EC. A DDR risk score, inversely driven by ATM and ATR expression, emerged as an independent prognostic factor for both DFS (HR = 0.41, p < 0.0001) and OS (HR = 0.61, p = 0.046). Further validation in a public adjuvant BC cohort was possible only for ATM, confirming its protective role. Overall, our findings confirm the potential role of the DDR pathway in BC prognostication and in shaping treatment strategies advocating for an integrated approach, combining molecular markers with clinical–pathological factors.

Hereditary cancer syndromes caused by germline mutations account for 5–10% of all cancers. The finding of a genetic mutation could have far-reaching consequences for pharmaceutical therapy, personalized prevention strategies, and cascade testing. According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network’s (NCCN) and the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) guidelines, unaffected family members should be tested only if the affected one is unavailable. This article explores whether germline genetic testing may be offered to high-risk families for hereditary cancer even if a living affected relative is missing. A retrospective study was carried out on 103 healthy subjects tested from 2017 to 2023. We enrolled all subjects with at least two first- or second-degree relatives affected by breast, ovarian, pancreatic, gastric, prostate, or colorectal cancer. All subjects were tested by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) multi-gene panel of 27 cancer-associated genes. In the study population, 5 (about 5%) pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (PVs/LPVs) were found, while 40 (42%) had a Variant of Uncertain Significance (VUS). This study highlights the importance of genetic testing for individuals with a strong family history of hereditary malignancies. This approach would allow women who tested positive to receive tailored treatment and prevention strategies based on their personal mutation status.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a poor prognosis and displays resistance to immunotherapy. A better understanding of tumor-derived extracellular vesicle (EV) effects on immune responses might contribute to improved immunotherapy. EVs derived from Capan-2 and BxPC-3 PC cells isolated by ultracentrifugation were characterized by atomic force microscopy, Western blot (WB), nanoparticle tracking analysis, and label-free proteomics. Fresh PBMCs from healthy donors were treated with PC- or control-derived heterologous EVs, followed by flow cytometry analysis of CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocytes. The proteomics of lymphocytes sorted from EV-treated or untreated PBMCs was performed, and the IFN-γ concentration was measured by ELISA. Notably, most of the proteins identified in Capan-2 and BxPC-3 EVs by the proteomic analysis were connected in a single functional network (p = 1 × 10−16) and were involved in the “Immune System” (FDR: 1.10 × 10−24 and 3.69 × 10−19, respectively). Interestingly, the treatment of healthy donor-derived PBMCs with Capan-2 EVs but not with BxPC-3 EVs or heterologous control EVs induced early activation of CD8+ and CD4+ lymphocytes. The proteomics of lymphocytes sorted from EV-treated PBMCs was consistent with their activation by Capan-2 EVs, indicating IFN-γ among the major upstream regulators, as confirmed by ELISA. The proteomic and functional analyses indicate that PC-EVs have pleiotropic effects, and some may activate early immune responses, which might be relevant for the development of highly needed immunotherapeutic strategies in this immune-cold tumor.

Breast cancer treatments can elicit negative kinesiological side effects concerning both the posture and functional status of breast cancer survivors. As our body is functionally organized in myofascial meridians, physical exercise practice should favor a whole-body approach rather than a local one. The aim of the study was to investigate and compare the effects of two whole-body disciplines, i.e., adapted Nordic Walking and myofascial exercise, on the flexibility and strength performances in BCS. One hundred and sixty breast cancer survivors were trained three times per week for 12 weeks through adapted Nordic Walking or myofascial exercise. Handgrip, sit and reach, back scratch, and single leg back bridge tests and body composition were assessed at the beginning and completion of the training period. Linear mixed models showed no significant changes in body composition, whereas flexibility (p < 0.001), strength (p < 0.001), and muscle quality index (p = 0.003) changed independently from the treatment. When data modification has been analyzed according to sub-sample membership, no significant differences have been observed. Age, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy seem to have independent effects on several investigated variables. Twelve weeks of adapted myofascial exercise and Nordic Walking led to significant changes in flexibility, strength, and muscle quality in breast cancer survivors, with no apparent superiority of one approach over the other.

BackgroundIn triple negative breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, residual disease at surgery is the most relevant unfavorable prognostic factor. Current guidelines consider the use of adjuvant capecitabine, based on the results of the randomized CREATE-X study, carried out in Asian patients and including a small subset of triple negative tumors. Thus far, evidence on Caucasian patients is limited, and no real-world data are available.MethodsWe carried out a multicenter, observational study, involving 44 oncologic centres. Triple negative breast cancer patients with residual disease, treated with adjuvant capecitabine from January 2017 through June 2021, were recruited. We primarily focused on treatment tolerability, with toxicity being reported as potential cause of treatment discontinuation. Secondarily, we assessed effectiveness in the overall study population and in a subset having a minimum follow-up of 2 years.ResultsOverall, 270 patients were retrospectively identified. The 50.4% of the patients had residual node positive disease, 7.8% and 81.9% had large or G3 residual tumor, respectively, and 80.4% a Ki-67 >20%. Toxicity-related treatment discontinuation was observed only in 10.4% of the patients. In the whole population, at a median follow-up of 15 months, 2-year disease-free survival was 62%, 2 and 3-year overall survival 84.0% and 76.2%, respectively. In 129 patients with a median follow-up of 25 months, 2-year disease-free survival was 43.4%, 2 and 3-year overall survival 78.0% and 70.8%, respectively. Six or more cycles of capecitabine were associated with more favourable outcomes compared with less than six cycles.ConclusionThe CaRe study shows an unexpectedly good tolerance of adjuvant capecitabine in a real-world setting, although effectiveness appears to be lower than that observed in the CREATE-X study. Methodological differences between the two studies impose significant limits to comparability concerning effectiveness, and strongly invite further research.

Background: Several hereditary–familial syndromes associated with various types of tumors have been identified to date, evidencing that hereditary cancers caused by germline mutations account for 5–10% of all tumors. Advances in genetic technology and the implementation of Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) have accelerated the discovery of several susceptibility cancer genes, allowing for the detection of cancer-predisposing mutations in a larger number of cases. The aim of this study is to highlight how the application of an NGS-multigene panel to a group of oncological patients subsequently leads to improvement in the identification of carriers of healthy pathogenic variants/likely pathogenic variants (PVs/LPVs) and prevention of the disease in these cases. Methods: Starting from a total of 110 cancer patients carrying PVs/LPVs in genes involved in cancer susceptibility detected via a customized NGS panel of 27 cancer-associated genes, we enrolled 250 healthy collateral family members from January 2020 to July 2022. The specific PVs/LPVs identified in each proband were tested in healthy collateral family members via Sanger sequencing. Results: A total of 131 out of the 250 cases (52%) were not carriers of the mutation detected in the affected relative, while 119 were carriers. Of these, 81/250 patients carried PVs/LPVs on BRCA1/2 (33%), 35/250 harbored PVs/LPVs on other genes beyond BRCA1 and BRCA2 (14%), and 3/250 (1%) were PVs/LPVs carriers both on BRCA1/2 and on another susceptibility gene. Conclusion: Our results show that the analysis of BRCA1/2 genes would have only resulted in a missed diagnosis in a number of cases and in the lack of prevention of the disease in a considerable percentage of healthy carriers with a genetic mutation (14%).

Abstract In metastatic breast cancer (mBC), the change of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status between primary and metastatic lesions is widely recognized, however clinical implications are unknown. Our study address the question if relevant differences exist between subjects who preserve the HER2 status and those who gain the HER2 positivity when relapsed. Data of patients affected by HER2-positive mBC, treated with pertuzumab and/or trastuzumab-emtansine (T-DM1) in a real-world setting at 45 Italian cancer centers were retrospectively collected and analyzed. From 2003 to 2017, 491 HER2‐positive mBC patients were included. Of these, 102 (20.7%) had been initially diagnosed as HER2-negative early BC. Estrogen and/or progesterone receptor were more expressed in patients with HER2-discordance compared to patients with HER2-concordant status (p

Abstract The 90K protein, also known as Mac-2 BP or LGALS3BP, can activate the immune response in part by increasing major histocompatibility (MHC) class I levels. In studies on a non-immune cell model, the rat FRTL-5 cell line, we observed that transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, like γ-interferon (IFN), increased 90K levels, despite its immunosuppressive functions and the ability to decrease MHC class I. To explain this paradoxical result, we investigated the mechanisms involved in the TGF-β1 regulation of 90K expression with the aim to demonstrate that TGF-β1 utilizes different molecular pathways to regulate the two genes. We found that TGF-β1 was able to increase the binding of Upstream Stimulatory Factors, USF1 and USF2, to an E-box element, CANNTG, at −1926 to −1921 bp, upstream of the interferon response element (IRE) in the 90K promoter. Thyrotropin (TSH) suppressed constitutive and γ-IFN-induced 90K expression by decreasing USF binding to the E-box. TGF-β1 was able to overcome TSH suppression at the transcriptional level by increasing USF binding to the E-box. We suggest that the ability of TGF-β1 to increase 90K did not result in an increase in MHC class I because of a separate suppressive action of TGF-β1 directly on the MHC class I gene. We propose that the increased levels of 90K may play a role, rather than in immune response, in the context of the TGF-β1-induced changing of the cellular microenvironment that predisposes to cell motility and cancer progression. Consistently, analyzing the publicly available cancer patient data sets cBioPortal, we found that 90K expression directly correlated with TGF-β1 and USFs and that high levels of 90K were significantly associated with increased mortality in patients affected by different types of cancer.

Background: Distress and adrenal balance of breast cancer survivors (BCS) are key elements of their psychophysical health, and increasing evidence has shown both physical exercise and the natural environment are effective for their modulation. The aim of the study was to evaluate the acute effects of the environment and type of light intensity workouts, on distress, salivary cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) in BCS. Methods: Twenty-four BCS participated in six different workouts, each with the same duration and intensity. Three of them were conducted in natural environments – walking (Wnature), canoeing with assistance (Cnature) and a mix of myofascial and yoga exercises (MYnature). The others were conducted in an urban environment, namely walking (Wurban), or an indoor environment, namely mobilisation and light upper body exercises (MCgym) and a mix of myofascial and yoga exercises (MYgym). Before and after each workout, the Distress Thermometer was completed and saliva was collected. Results: Workouts practised in natural environments elicited a higher reduction in cortisol and the cortisol to DHEA-S ratio and a greater DHEA-S increase compared with workouts practised in urban and indoor environments. Overall, Cnature and MYnature were the best activities; among those practised in urban and indoor environments, MYgym elicited the best results. Distress was not acutely reduced after Wurban and MCgym. Conclusion: Natural environments seem to provide the best management of distress, cortisol, DHEA-S and their balance when working out at light intensities. The simultaneous presence of forests and rivers seems to be the key element of the observed results.

Abstract Background Fatigue was reported as the most common any-grade adverse event (18.3%), and the most common grade 3 or higher immune-related adverse event (irAE) (0.89%) in patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors in clinical trial. Methods The aim of this retrospective multicenter study was to evaluate the correlations between “early ir-fatigue”, “delayed ir-fatigue”, and clinical outcomes in cancer patients receiving PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in clinical practice. Results 517 patients were evaluated. After the 12-weeks landmark selection, 386 (74.7%) patients were eligible for the clinical outcomes analysis. 40.4% were NSCLC, 42.2% were melanoma, 15.3% renal cell carcinoma and 2.1% other malignancies. 76 patients (19.7%) experienced early ir-fatigue (within 1 month from treatment commencement), while 150 patients (38.9%) experienced delayed ir-fatigue. Early ir-fatigue was significantly related to shortened PFS (HR = 2.29 [95% CI 1.62–3.22], p

In previous studies we have demonstrated that the expression of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I gene in thyrocytes is controlled by several hormones, growth factors, and drugs. These substances mainly act on two regions of the MHC class I promoter a “tissue-specific” region (−800 to −676 bp) and a “hormone/cytokines-sensitive” region (−500 to −68 bp). In a previous study, we have shown that the role of the “tissue-specific” region in the MHC class I gene expression is dominant compared to that of the “hormone/cytokines-sensitive” region. In the present report we further investigate the dominant role of the “tissue-specific” region evaluating the effect of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), methimazole (MMI), phenylmethimazole (C10), glucose and thymosin-α1. By performing experiments of electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) we show that TSH, MMI and C10, which inhibit MHC class I expression, act on the “tissue-specific” region increasing the formation of a silencer complex. Glucose and thymosin-α1, which stimulate MHC class I expression, act decreasing the formation of this complex. We further show that the silencer complex is formed by two distinct members of the transcription factors families activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB), c-jun and p65, respectively. These observations are important in order to understand the regulation of MHC class I gene expression in thyroid cells and its involvement in the development of thyroid autoimmunity.

Background: The evolution of therapeutic landscape of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC) has led to an unprecedented outcome improvement, even if the optimal sequence strategy is still debated. To address this issue and to provide a picture of the advancement of anti-HER2 treatments, we performed a large, multicenter, retrospective study of HER2-positive BC patients. Methods: The observational PANHER study included 1,328 HER2-positive advanced BC patients treated with HER2 blocking agents since June 2000 throughout July 2020. Endpoints of efficacy were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: Patients who received a first-line pertuzumab-based regimen showed better PFS ( p < 0.0001) and OS ( p = 0.004) than those receiving other treatments. Median PFS and mOS from second-line starting were 8 and 28 months, without significant differences among various regimens. Pertuzumab-pretreated patients showed a mPFS and a mOS from second-line starting not significantly affected by type of second line, that is, T-DM1 or lapatinib/capecitabine ( p = 0.80 and p = 0.45, respectively). Conversely, pertuzumab-naïve patients receiving second-line T-DM1 showed a significantly higher mPFS compared with that of patients treated with lapatinib/capecitabine ( p = 0.004). Median OS from metastatic disease diagnosis was higher in patients treated with trastuzumab-based first line followed by second-line T-DM1 in comparison to pertuzumab-based first-line and second-line T-DM1 ( p = 0.003), although these data might be partially influenced by more favorable prognostic characteristics of patients in the pre-pertuzumab era . No significant differences emerged when comparing patients treated with ‘old’ or ‘new’ drugs ( p = 0.43), even though differences in the length of the follow-up between the two cohorts should be taken into account. Conclusion: Our results confirmed a relevant impact of first-line pertuzumab-based treatment and showed lower efficacy of second-line T-DM1 in trastuzumab/pertuzumab pretreated, as compared with pertuzumab-naïve patients. Our findings may help delineate a more appropriate therapeutic strategy in HER2-positive metastatic BC. Prospective randomized trials addressing this topic are awaited.

The Hippo pathway and its two key effectors, Yes-associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ), are consistently altered in breast cancer. Pivotal regulators of cell metabolism such as the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Stearoyl-CoA-desaturase 1 (SCD1), and HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) are relevant modulators of TAZ/YAP activity. In this prospective study, we measured the tumor expression of TAZ, YAP, AMPK, SCD1, and HMGCR by immunohistochemistry in 65 Her2+ breast cancer patients who underwent trastuzumab-based neoadjuvant treatment. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the immunohistochemical expression of the Hippo pathway transducers and cell metabolism regulators on pathological complete response. Low expression of cytoplasmic TAZ, both alone and in the context of a composite signature identified by machine learning including also low nuclear levels of YAP and HMGCR and high cytoplasmic levels of SCD1, was a predictor of residual disease in the univariate logistic regression. This finding was not confirmed in the multivariate model including estrogen receptor > 70% and body mass index > 20. However, our findings were concordant with overall survival data from the TCGA cohort. Our results, possibly affected by the relatively small sample size of this study population, deserve further investigation in adequately sized, ad hoc prospective studies.

Advances in the management of gastric cancer have improved patient survival in the last decade. Nonetheless, the number of patients relapsing and dying after a diagnosis of localized gastric cancer is still too high, even in early stages (10% in stage I). Adjuvant systemic chemotherapy has been proven to significantly improve outcomes. In the present article we have critically reviewed the clinical trials that guide the current clinical practice in the adjuvant treatment of patients affected by resectable gastric cancer, focusing on the different approaches worldwide, i.e., adjuvant chemotherapy, adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, and perioperative chemotherapy. We also delineate the clinical–pathological characteristics that are commonly taken into account to identify patients at a higher risk of recurrence and requiring adjuvant chemotherapy, and also describe novel biomarkers and therapeutic agents that might allow personalization of the treatment.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Identification of novel tumor biomarkers is highly advocated in PC to optimize personalized treatment algorithms. Blood-circulating extracellular vesicles hold promise for liquid biopsy application in cancer. We used an optimized flow cytometry protocol to study leukocyte-derived EVs (CD45+) and PD-L1+ EVs in blood from 56 pancreatic cancer patients and 48 healthy controls (HCs). Our results show that PC patients presented higher blood levels of total EVs (p = 0.0003), leukocyte-derived EVs (LEVs) (p = 0.001) and PD-L1+ EVs (p = 0.01), as compared with HCs. Interestingly, a blood concentration of LEVs at baseline was independently associated with improved overall survival in patients with borderline resectable or primary unresectable PC (HR = 0.17; 95% CI 0.04–0.79; p = 0.02). Additionally, increased blood-based LEVs were independently correlated with prolonged progression-free survival (HR = 0.10; 95% CI 0.01–0.82; p = 0.03) and significantly associated with higher disease control rate (p = 0.02) in patients with advanced PC receiving standard chemotherapy. Notably, a strong correlation between a decrease in blood LEVs concentration during chemotherapy and disease control was observed (p = 0.005). These intriguing findings point to the potential of LEVs as novel blood-based EV biomarkers for improved personalized medicine in patients affected by PC.

Background Some concomitant medications including antibiotics (ATB) have been reproducibly associated with worse survival following immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in unselected patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (according to programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and treatment line). Whether such relationship is causative or associative is matter of debate.Methods We present the outcomes analysis according to concomitant baseline medications (prior to ICI initiation) with putative immune-modulatory effects in a large cohort of patients with metastatic NSCLC with a PD-L1 expression ≥50%, receiving first-line pembrolizumab monotherapy. We also evaluated a control cohort of patients with metastatic NSCLC treated with first-line chemotherapy. The interaction between key medications and therapeutic modality (pembrolizumab vs chemotherapy) was validated in pooled multivariable analyses.Results 950 and 595 patients were included in the pembrolizumab and chemotherapy cohorts, respectively. Corticosteroid and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy but not ATB therapy was associated with poorer performance status at baseline in both the cohorts. No association with clinical outcomes was found according to baseline statin, aspirin, β-blocker and metformin within the pembrolizumab cohort. On the multivariable analysis, ATB emerged as a strong predictor of worse overall survival (OS) (HR=1.42 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.79); p=0.0024), and progression free survival (PFS) (HR=1.29 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.59); p=0.0192) in the pembrolizumab but not in the chemotherapy cohort. Corticosteroids were associated with shorter PFS (HR=1.69 (95% CI 1.42 to 2.03); p

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most incident and lethal malignancies worldwide. Recent treatment advances prolonged survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). However, there are still few biomarkers to guide clinical management and treatment selection in mCRC. In this study, we applied an optimized flow cytometry protocol for EV identification, enumeration, and subtyping in blood samples of 54 patients with mCRC and 48 age and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs). The overall survival (OS) and overall response rate (ORR) were evaluated in mCRC patients enrolled and treated with a first line fluoropyrimidine-based regimen. Our findings show that patients with mCRC presented considerably higher blood concentrations of total EVs, as well as CD133+ and EPCAM+ EVs compared to HCs. Overall survival analysis revealed that increased blood concentrations of total EVs and CD133+ EVs before treatment were significantly associated with shorter OS in mCRC patients (p = 0.001; and p = 0.0001, respectively). In addition, we observed a correlation between high blood levels of CD133+ EVs at baseline and reduced ORR to first-line systemic therapy (p = 0.045). These findings may open exciting perspectives into the application of novel blood-based EV biomarkers for improved risk stratification and optimized treatment strategies in mCRC.

Background: Lung neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) is characterized by aggressive clinical behavior and lack of treatment advances. We evaluate the prognostic and the predictive roles of systemic inflammatory biomarkers in patient circulating blood: neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI), and the Lung Immune Prognostic Index (LIPI) score. Methods: A total of 120 patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) ( n = 110) and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC) ( n = 10) were enrolled. Overall survival (OS) was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier estimator and univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were performed to determine prognostic factors associated with OS while χ 2 test was used for categorical data. Results: NLR cutoff value was 1.93. NLR was measured before and after first-line chemotherapy; 25 (21%) patients had higher NLR (delta NLR >1), whereas NLR was lower in 37 (31%). At the univariate analysis, median OS was 12 months: OS for SCLC and LCNEC were 11 months and 14 months, respectively. OS had a prognostic positive value in patients with pre-treatment NLR 1.93) had an increased probability of tumor progression ( p = 0.045, χ 2 test). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that systemic inflammatory biomarkers could facilitate the understanding of survival differences in the clinical management of lung NEC patients, underlying the need for prospective biomarker-driven studies in the immune checkpoint inhibitors setting.

Background: We investigate the role of family history of cancer (FHC) and diagnosis of metachronous and/or synchronous multiple neoplasms (MN), during anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. Design: This was a multicenter retrospective study of advanced cancer patients treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy. FHC was collected in lineal and collateral lines, and patients were categorized as follows: FHC-high (in case of cancer diagnoses in both the lineal and collateral family lines), FHC-low (in case of cancer diagnoses in only one family line), and FHC-negative. Patients were also categorized according to the diagnosis of MN as follows: MN-high (>2 malignancies), MN-low (two malignancies), and MN-negative. Objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and incidence of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) of any grade were evaluated. Results: 822 consecutive patients were evaluated. 458 patients (55.7%) were FHC-negative, 289 (35.2%) were FHC-low, and 75 (9.1%) FHC-high, respectively. 29 (3.5%) had a diagnosis of synchronous MN and 94 (11.4%) of metachronous MN. 108 (13.2%) and 15 (1.8%) patients were MN-low and MN-high, respectively. The median follow-up was 15.6 months. No significant differences were found regarding ORR among subgroups. FHC-high patients had a significantly longer PFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.69 [95% CI: 0.48–0.97], p = .0379) and OS (HR = 0.61 [95% CI: 0.39–0.93], p = .0210), when compared to FHC-negative patients. FHC-high was confirmed as an independent predictor for PFS and OS at multivariate analysis. No significant differences were found according to MN categories. FHC-high patients had a significantly higher incidence of irAEs of any grade, compared to FHC-negative patients (p = .0012). Conclusions: FHC-high patients seem to benefit more than FHC-negative patients from anti-PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest malignancies worldwide, since patients rarely display symptoms until an advanced and unresectable stage of the disease. Current chemotherapy options are unsatisfactory and there is an urgent need for more effective and less toxic drugs to improve the dismal PC therapy. Repurposing of non-oncology drugs in PC treatment represents a very promising therapeutic option and different compounds are currently being considered as candidates for repurposing in the treatment of this tumor. In this review, we provide an update on some of the most promising FDA-approved, non-oncology, repurposed drug candidates that show prominent clinical and preclinical data in pancreatic cancer. We also focus on proposed mechanisms of action and known molecular targets that they modulate in PC. Furthermore, we provide an explorative bioinformatic analysis, which suggests that some of the PC repurposed drug candidates have additional, unexplored, oncology-relevant targets. Finally, we discuss recent developments regarding the immunomodulatory role displayed by some of these drugs, which may expand their potential application in synergy with approved anticancer immunomodulatory agents that are mostly ineffective as single agents in PC.

The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a promising predictive and prognostic factor in breast cancer. We investigated its ability to predict disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with luminal A- or luminal B-HER2-negative breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Pre-treatment complete blood cell counts from 168 consecutive patients with luminal breast cancer were evaluated to assess NLR. The study population was stratified into NLRlow or NLRhigh according to a cut-off value established by receiving operator curve (ROC) analysis. Data on additional pre- and post-treatment clinical-pathological characteristics were also collected. Kaplan–Meier curves, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazards models were used for statistical analyses. Patients with pre-treatment NLRlow showed a significantly shorter DFS (HR: 6.97, 95% CI: 1.65–10.55, p = 0.002) and OS (HR: 7.79, 95% CI: 1.25–15.07, p = 0.021) compared to those with NLRhigh. Non-ductal histology, luminal B subtype, and post-treatment Ki67 ≥ 14% were also associated with worse DFS (p = 0.016, p = 0.002, and p = 0.001, respectively). In a multivariate analysis, luminal B subtype, post-treatment Ki67 ≥ 14%, and NLRlow remained independent prognostic factors for DFS, while only post-treatment Ki67 ≥ 14% and NLRlow affected OS. The present study provides evidence that pre-treatment NLRlow helps identify women at higher risk of recurrence and death among patients affected by luminal breast cancer treated with NACT.

Background: The logic behind the outcome of endocrine therapy in breast cancer has long remained poorly understood. The prognostic role of DNA damage and repair biomarkers (DDR) was explored in postmenopausal, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant hormone therapy (NAHT). Methods: Data on 55 patients were included. The phosphorylated ataxia-teleangectasia and Rad3-related protein (pATR), phosphorylated ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase, and phosphorylated H2A Histone Family Member X (γ-H2AX) were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in paired tissues collected at baseline and following NAHT. Biomarkers were considered both singularly and within signatures. Ki-67 percentage change was the primary biomarker endpoint. Classical endpoints were also considered. Results: The most favorable Ki-67 outcome was associated with the γ-H2AX/pATM signature ( p = 0.011). In models of Ki-67 reduction, ‘luminal B’ subtype, higher grade of anaplasia, and the γ-H2AX/pATM signature tested as significant ( p < 0.05 for all). Results were confirmed in multivariate analysis. No association was observed with pathologic response. An increase of ∆γ-H2AX in paired breast tissues was associated with longer event-free survival ( p = 0.027) and overall survival ( p = 0.042). In Cox models, both survival outcomes were solely affected by grade of anaplasia, with less favorable prognosis in the highest grades ( p < 0.05 for both). Conclusions: We report novel evidence of the prognostic role of DDR biomarkers on important patient outcomes in postmenopausal hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer patients treated with NAHT. If confirmed in future and adequately sized trials, our results may help inform therapeutic decisions and clarify underlying biological mechanisms.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common subtype of vulvar cancer. Locoregional surgery is often curative when the tumor is diagnosed at an early stage. However, the disease can unexpectedly evolve with a dismal prognosis even after an early diagnosis. We report a case of a woman who experienced a rapid, chemorefractory tumor progression after surgery for stage IB vulvar SCC.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) incidence is rising and due to late diagnosis, combined with unsatisfactory response to current therapeutic approaches, this tumor has an extremely high mortality rate. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying pancreatic carcinogenesis is of paramount importance for rational diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Multiple lines of evidence have showed that exosomes are actively involved in intercellular communication by transferring their cargos of bioactive molecules to recipient cells within the tumor microenvironment and systemically. Intriguingly, exosomes may exert both protumor and antitumor effects, supporting or hampering processes that play a role in the pathogenesis and progression of PC, including shifts in tumor metabolism, proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and chemoresistance. They also have a dual role in PC immunomodulation, exerting immunosuppressive or immune enhancement effects through several mechanisms. PC-derived exosomes also induce systemic metabolic alterations, leading to the onset of diabetes and weight loss. Moreover, exosomes have been described as promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for PC. Their potential application in PC therapy as drug carriers and therapeutic targets is under investigation. In this review, we provide an overview of the multiple roles played by exosomes in PC biology through their specific cargo biomolecules and of their potential exploitation in early diagnosis and treatment of PC.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) induce durable clinical responses only in a subset of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. There is a need to identify mechanisms of ICI resistance and immunotherapy biomarkers to improve clinical benefit. In this study, we evaluated the prognostic and predictive value of circulating endothelial and leukocyte-derived extracellular vesicles (EV) in patients with advanced NSCLC treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agents. In addition, the relationship between total blood circulating EV proteome and response to ICIs was investigated. An optimized flow cytometry method was employed for the identification and subtyping of blood circulating EVs in 59 patients with advanced NSCLC. Blood samples were collected from patients receiving anti-PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors (n = 31) or chemotherapy (n = 28). An exploratory proteomic analysis of sorted blood EVs was conducted in a subset of patients. Our results show that a low blood concentration of circulating endothelial-derived EVs before treatment was strongly associated to longer overall survival (p = 0.0004) and higher disease control rate (p = 0.045) in patients treated with ICIs. Interestingly, shotgun proteomics revealed that EVs of responders to anti-PD-1 therapy had a specific protein cargo before treatment. In addition, EV protein cargo was specifically modulated during immunotherapy. We identified a previously unknown association between circulating endothelial-derived extracellular vesicle concentration and immunotherapy-related clinical outcomes. We also observed differences in circulating extracellular vesicle proteome according to anti-PD-1-based treatment response in NSCLC patients. Overall, these results may contribute to the identification of novel circulating biomarkers for rational immunotherapy approaches in patients affected by NSCLC.

Chemotherapy based on the sequential use of anthracyclines and taxanes has long represented the most efficacious approach in the management of early-stage, triple-negative breast cancer, whose aggressive behavior is widely renowned. This standard chemotherapy backbone was subsequently enriched by the use of carboplatin, based on its association with increased pathologic complete response and efficacy in the metastatic setting. Following the results from the IMpassion130 trial, the recent approval of the immunotherapic agent atezolizumab in combination with chemotherapy as first-line treatment for programmed-death ligand 1-positive, unresectable locally advanced, or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer increasingly fueled the flourishing of trials of immune-checkpoint inhibitors in the early setting. In this work, we review the most recent inherent literature in light of key methodological issues and provide a quantitative summary of the results from phase II–III randomized trials of immunotherapic agents combined with chemotherapy in the setting of interest. Hints regarding future directions are also discussed.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a lethal malignancy with rising incidence and limited therapeutic options. Obesity is a well-established risk factor for PC development. Moreover, it negatively affects outcome in PC patients. Excessive fat accumulation in obese, over- and normal-weight individuals induces metabolic and inflammatory changes of adipose tissue microenvironment leading to a dysfunctional adipose “organ”. This may drive the association between abnormal fat accumulation and pancreatic cancer. In this review, we describe several molecular mechanisms that underpin this association at both local and systemic levels. We focus on the role of adipose tissue-derived circulating factors including adipokines, hormones and pro-inflammatory cytokines, as well as on the impact of the local adipose tissue in promoting PC. A discussion on potential therapeutic interventions, interfering with pro-tumorigenic effects of dysfunctional adipose tissue in PC, is included. Considering the raise of global obesity, research efforts to uncover the molecular basis of the relationship between pancreatic cancer and adipose tissue dysfunction may provide novel insights for the prevention of this deadly disease. In addition, these efforts may uncover novel targets for personalized interventional strategies aimed at improving the currently unsatisfactory PC therapeutic options.

Evidence has recently emerged on the influence of gender on the immune system. In this systematic review and meta-analysis of phase III randomized clinical trials (RCTs), we explored the impact of gender on survival in patients with advanced cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We performed a comprehensive search of the literature updated to April 2018, including the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, and EMBASE. We extracted data on study characteristics and risk of bias in duplicate. Of 423 unique citations, 21 RCTs were included, inherently to 12,635 patients. Both males and females showed reduced risk of death associated with ICIs use (HR 0.73, p < 0.001 and HR 0.77, p < 0.001, respectively). Subgroup analyses by specific ICI showed similar OS in both genders for anti-PD-1/PDL-1. Anti-CTLA-4 use was associated with longer OS in men only (HR 0.77, p < 0.012), with the exception of melanoma (in women, HR 0.80, p = 0.006). PFS was longer in men than in women (HR 0.67, p < 0.001 and HR 0.77, p = 0.100, respectively). Conclusively, ICIs use was associated with more favorable outcomes in men, particularly for anti-CTLA-4 agents. In melanoma, not gender-related factors may influence the anti-tumor immune response evoked by ICIs.

Hydroxamate-based histone deacetylase inhibitors (Hb-HDACIs), such as vorinostat, belinostat and panobinostat, have been previously shown to have a wide range of activity in hematologic malignancies such as cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma. Recent data show that they synergize with a variety of cytotoxic and molecular targeted agents in many different solid tumors, including breast, prostate, pancreatic, lung and ovarian cancer. Hb-HDACIs have a quite good toxicity profile and are now being tested in phase I and II clinical trials in solid tumors with promising results in selected neoplasms, such as hepatocarcinoma. This review will focus on their clinical activity and safety in patients with advanced solid neoplasms.

PurposeBreast cancer follow-up procedures after primary treatment are still a controversial issue. Aim of this study was to investigate, through a web-based survey, surveillance methodologies selected by Italian oncologists in everyday clinical practice.MethodsReferents of Italian medical oncology units were invited to participate to the study via e-mail through the SurveyMonkey website. Participants were asked how, in their institution, exams of disease staging and follow-up are planned in asymptomatic women and if surveillance continues beyond the 5th year.ResultsBetween February and May 2013, 125 out of 233 (53.6%) invited referents of Italian medical oncology units agreed to participate in the survey. Ninety-seven (77.6%) referents state that modalities of breast cancer follow-up are planned according to the risk of disease progression at diagnosis and only 12 (9.6%) oncology units apply the minimal follow-up procedures according to international guidelines. Minimal follow-up is never applied in high risk asymptomatic women. Ninety-eight (78.4%) oncology units continue follow-up in all patients beyond 5 years.ConclusionsOur survey shows that 90.4% of participating Italian oncology units declare they do not apply the minimal breast cancer follow-up procedures after primary treatment in asymptomatic women, as suggested by national and international guidelines. Interestingly, about 80.0% of interviewed referents performs the so called "tailored follow-up", high intensity for high risk, low intensity for low risk patients. There is an urgent need of randomized clinical trials able to determine the effectiveness of risk-based follow-up modalities, their ideal frequency and persistence in time.

Resveratrol is a polyphenol found in grapes and berries that has antioxidant, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory properties. For these reasons, it is available as a dietary supplement, and it is under investigation in several clinical trials. Few data are available regarding the effects of resveratrol on thyroid function. A previous study showed that resveratrol transiently increases iodide influx in FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells. Indeed, this increase arises after short treatment times (6-12 h), and no further effects are seen after 24 h. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of resveratrol on iodide uptake and sodium/iodide symporter expression in thyroid cells after longer times of treatment. For this purpose, the effects of resveratrol were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo using the rat thyroid FRTL-5 cell line and Sprague-Dawley rats, respectively. In FRTL-5 cells, resveratrol decreased the sodium/iodide symporter RNA and protein expression as a function of time. Furthermore, resveratrol decreased cellular iodide uptake after 48 h of treatment. The inhibitory effect of resveratrol on iodide uptake was confirmed in vivo in Sprague-Dawley rats. This study demonstrates that with longer-term treatment, resveratrol is an inhibitor of sodium/iodide symporter gene expression and function in the thyroid. These data suggest that resveratrol can act as a thyroid disruptor, which indicates the need for caution as a supplement and in therapeutic use.