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Purpose:Prognostic value of pathologic complete response (pCR) and extent of pathologic response attained with anthracycline-free platinum plus taxane neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is unknown. We report recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) according to degree of pathologic response in patients treated with carboplatin plus docetaxel NAC.Patients and Methods:One-hundred and ninety patients with stage I–III TNBC were treated with neoadjuvant carboplatin (AUC6) plus docetaxel (75 mg/m2) every 21 days × 6 cycles. pCR (no evidence of invasive tumor in breast and axilla) and Residual cancer burden (RCB) were evaluated. Patients were followed for recurrence and survival. Extent of pathologic response was associated with RFS and OS using the Kaplan–Meier method.Results:Median age was 51 years, and 52% were node-positive. pCR and RCB I rates were 55% and 13%, respectively. Five percent of pCR patients, 0% of RCB I patients, and 58% of RCB II/III patients received adjuvant anthracyclines. Three-year RFS and OS were 79% and 87%, respectively. Three-year RFS was 90% in patients with pCR and 66% in those without pCR [HR = 0.30; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.14–0.62; P = 0.0001]. Three-year OS was 94% in patients with pCR and 79% in those without pCR (HR = 0.25; 95% CI, 0.10–0.63; P = 0.001). Patients with RCB I demonstrated 3-year RFS (93%) and OS (100%) similar to those with pCR. On multivariable analysis, higher tumor stage, node positivity, and RCB II/III were associated with worse RFS.Conclusions:Neoadjuvant carboplatin plus docetaxel yields encouraging efficacy in TNBC. Patients achieving pCR or RCB I with this regimen demonstrate excellent 3-year RFS and OS without adjuvant anthracycline.

Purpose: We previously detected promising efficacy of neoadjuvant nintedanib (a multityrosine kinase inhibitor, TKI) in early HER2-negative breast cancer. In a preclinical study, we monitored stromal hypoxia with 18F-fluoromisonidazole-positron emission tomography (18F-FMISO-PET); we found that reoxygenation of tumors (or lack of it) during a window-of-opportunity (WoO) treatment with TKIs correlated with the benefit (or lack of it) from TKI-plus-chemotherapy combinations. We studied the predictive role of 18F-FMISO-PET for the TKI nintedanib in the neoadjuvant setting in a phase II WoO randomized trial.Experimental Design: Patients were randomized to a 14-day WoO of nintedanib preceded and followed by an 18F-FMISO-PET, followed by nintedanib plus weekly paclitaxel (Arm A) or an 18F-FMISO-PET followed by weekly paclitaxel (Arm B) before surgery. The endpoint was residual cancer burden (RCB). The objective was to detect the patients with no response (RCB-III) on the basis of the baseline or evolutive 18F-FMISO-PET values/changes.Results: One-hundred and thirty HER2-negative patients were randomized. Seventeen (27.9%), 34 (55.7%), and 8 (13.1%) patients had an RCB of III, II, and I/0, respectively, in Arm A. In this arm, baseline hypoxic tumors had a 4.4-fold higher chance of experiencing RCB = 3 (P = 0.036) compared with baseline normoxic tumors. Nintedanib WoO induced tumor reoxygenation in 24.5% of the patients; those not reoxygenating showed a trend toward higher chance of experiencing RCB-III (6.4-fold; P = 0.09). In Arm B, 18F-FMISO-PET lacked predictive/prognostic value.Conclusions: Baseline hypoxic tumors (measured with 18F-FMISO-PET) do not benefit from neoadjuvant nintedanib. Clin Cancer Res; 23(6); 1432–41. ©2016 AACR.

Pathological response to carboplatin plus docetaxel by germline BRCA status

Figure S1 legend

Hypoxic volumes

Further description of patient population and exploratory analysis.

The identification keys are the main tool for plant identification. However, the absence of a recent and up-to-date key to the botanical families present in Cuba greatly hinders the identification process by non-specialist researchers of the different groups. Here are seven keys for the identification of families of angiosperms of the flora of Cuba within selected morphological groups: terrestrial plants with compound and opposite leaves, plants with trifoliolate leaves, with translucent punctuation, with latex, climbing with tendrils, parasites and epiphytic angiosperms. Citation: García-Beltrán, J.A., Toledo, S., Lemus-Barrios, H., Rodríguez-Meno, A., Medina, B., Castañeda, A., Font, D., Moreira, A., Agüero, D.J. & Mulens, M. 2021. Claves para la identificación de familias por grupos morfológicos seleccionados de la flora de Cuba. Revista Jard. Bot. Nac. Univ. Habana 42: 195-201. Received: 30 April 2021. Accepted: 21 June 2021. Online: 13 August 2021. Editor: Gabriela Rijo de Francisco.

Simple Summary There is insufficient evidence on the impact of sociodemographic and clinical factors on health-related lifestyles in breast cancer (BC) survivors. The International guidelines for cancer prevention are recommended not only for the general population but also for people who already have cancer. We sought to explore the degree of adherence to 2018 WCRF/AICR cancer prevention recommendations and to identify potentially influential factors, in 420 BC survivors in Spain. Global adherence was moderate, higher for the consumption of fruits and vegetables and lower for limiting red/processed meat consumption and having a high fibre intake. Compliance was worse in more educated survivors and in women with first-degree relatives with BC. There were differences in compliance with specific recommendations according to sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. This information is of interest to promote behavioural changes towards healthier lifestyles in BC survivors. Breast cancer (BC) survivors are advised to follow the WCRF/AICR cancer prevention recommendations, given their high risk of developing a second tumour. We aimed to explore compliance with these recommendations in BC survivors and to identify potentially associated clinical and sociodemographic factors. A total of 420 BC survivors, aged 31-80, was recruited from 16 Spanish hospitals. Epidemiological, dietary and physical activity information was collected through questionnaires. A 7-item score to measure compliance with the recommendations was built according to the 2018 WCRF/AICR scoring criteria. Standardized prevalences and standardized prevalence ratios of moderate and high compliance across participant characteristics were estimated using multinomial and binary logistic regression models. The mean score was 3.9 (SD: 1.0) out of 7 points. Recommendations with the worst adherence were those of limiting consumption of red/processed meats (12% of compliance, 95% CI: 8.2-15.0) and high fibre intake (22% of compliance, 95% CI: 17.6-27.0), while the best compliance was observed for the consumption of fruits and vegetables (73% of compliance, 95% CI: 69.2-77.7). Overall, adherence was worse in women with university education and in those with first-degree relatives with BC. This information may be of interest to design and implement personalized preventive measures adapted to the characteristics of these patients.

A taxonomic revision to Portulaca (Portulacaceae) in Cuba is presented. Fourteen species are recognized: 11 native (one endemic), one naturalized, and two cultivated. Portulaca avinoamii Garcia-Beltran is proposed as a new name for P. tuberculata (Danin & H.G. Baker) Danin (non P. tuberculata Leon). The lectotypes for 21 names of Portulaca are designated: P. biloba, P. brevifolia, P. cubensis, P. elatior, P. erecta, P. gagatosperma, P. grandiflora, P. halimoides var. brevipilosa, P. martinicensis, P. microphylla, P. nana, P. paucistaminata, P. phaeosperma, P. poliosperma, P. poliosperma var. bistigmatata, P. poliosperma var. cubensis, P. poliosperma var. minor, P. procumbens, P. rubricaulis, P. teretifolia and P. umbraticola. The second step lectotype of P. coronata is designated. Four new synonyms for P. biloba are presented: Portulaca poliosperma var. cubensis, P. poliosperma var. tristigmatata, P. poliosperma var. bistigmatata and P. cinerea, and one new synonym for P. pilosa is proposed: Portulaca halimoides var. brevipilosa. An identification key for all species is presented, and updated descriptions, nomenclatural information, geographic distributions, citation of all specimens examined, and habitat descriptions for all the species are included here.

Sierra de Guane and Sierra de Paso Real are located in the most southwestern portion of the Faja de Mogotes of the Sierra de Los Órganos and are part of the Viñalense district. This study presents the floristic checklist of both hills belonging to Guane, wherein a mogotes vegetation complex develops. There were 273 taxa (78 endemic) representative of the flora of the mogotes of Western Cuba and 15 exotic ones. In the Sierra de Guane, 221 species were found and 199 in the Sierra de Paso Real, 138 species shared between both hill, where the shrubs and trees as a whole predominate over the other life habits, as well as the endemic species of Cuba and the elements of the Neotropics. Both hills stand out among the inventoried mogotes of Western Cuba for being the greatest in diversity and endemism, only surpassed by the Sierra de la Güira and the Sierra del Infierno, respectively. Pombalia attenuata (Violaceae) is recorded for the first time for Cuba and the Antilles. The threatened flora represents 19.7 % of the registered native taxa, of which 39 are endemic, therefore an important conservation strategy in the area is the approval and administration of a protected area that encompasses the two mountain ranges under study. Citation: Acosta, Z. & García-Beltrán, J.A. 2021. Flora de las Sierras de Guane y de Paso Real, Pinar del Río, Cuba. Revista Jard. Bot. Nac. Univ. Habana 42: 137-155. Received: 14 December 2020. Accepted: 14 April 2021. Online: 31 May 2021. Editor: Luis Manuel Leyva.

Phyllanthus subcarnosus, which is endemic to Cuba and Hispaniola is the only species in P. sect. Omphacodes. The representatives of Eastern Cuba had been considered a species (P. leonis) independent from those of Western Cuba due to the greater dimensions of their terminal branches, leaves, capsules, seeds and also for their floral characters. However, they are currently considered as a single species. In view of these divergent taxonomic treatments, characterize the morphological diversity of P. subcarnosus is assessed, and its nomenclature, as well as its geographical distribution in Cuba are updated, based on the study of 159 herbarium specimens that represents 59 individual plants, and on the evaluation of 56 vegetative and 63 reproductive characters. The characters that distinguish P. subcarnosus plants in Cuba from its congeners are: hardened cataphylls, elliptical or ovate leaf blade, bisexual cymules, male flowers with three stamens, female flowers with three bifid styles united in a column at the base, and fruits with 6 asymmetrically trigonous seeds. The most important vegetative characters to characterize its variability are the length of the floriferous branches, the number of leaves per floriferous branch and the length of the leaf blade. The nomenclature of the species was updated by clarifying the correct authorship of the name P. subcarnosus is established. The distribution was updated by adding 21 new locations. Citation: Medina, B., Fiallo, J.L., de Vales, D., Pérez, L., García-Beltrán, J.A. & Falcón-Hidalgo, B. 2021. Análisis morfológico, nomenclatura y distribución geográfica de Phyllanthus subcarnosus (Phyllanthaceae) en Cuba. Revista Jard. Bot. Nac. Univ. Habana 42: 107-118. Received: 30 September 2020. Accepted: 25 January 2021. Online: 4 May 2021. Editor: Luis Manuel Leyva.

Hymenocallis is a genus of herbaceous and bulbous plants, belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family. This family includes species of ornamental plants, which have been used in traditional medicine. Within the family, plants of the Amaryllidoideae subfamily are characterized by synthesizing a large number of structurally diverse alkaloids, to many of which are attributed antitumor, antiviral, antimalarial, acetylcholinesterase and immunostimulant inhibitor activity. Scientific analyses that support the ethnobotanical use of the H. caribaea are scarce, which favored the pharmacognostic and toxicological study for the first time. The main physical and chemical parameters were determined on the leaves and bulbs of the species, as well as their hydroalcoholic and aqueous extracts. The results obtained allowed us to verify that in most of the determinations they are within the limits established in the official monographs for plant drugs. The analysis of both plant organs by near infrared spectroscopy showed values corresponding to the moisture and ash parameters initially obtained. The characterization of the extracts from the physical and chemical point of view was achieved. The qualitative determination of the chemical composition suggested the presence of phenols, flavonoids, saponins and especially alkaloids. The results achieved allowed establishing the quality parameters of the raw drug and its extracts. Citation: Salas, E., Sánchez-Milán, D.C., Cuéllar, A., Mangas, R., Arencibia, J.A. & García-Beltrán, J.A. 2020. Estudio farmacognóstico de Hymenocallis caribaea (Amaryllidaceae). Revista Jard. Bot. Nac. Univ. Habana 41: 109-117. Article history: Received: 29 November 2019. Accepted: 20 August 2020. Online: 4 November 2020. Editor: Luis Manuel Leyva.

Antecedentes: En Cuba, los estudios sobre Portulaca carecen de un consenso de los taxones presentes. Las especies se encuentran pobremente representadas en colecciones de herbario y para ellas se infieren distribuciones geográficas más amplias. Esta situación dificulta la evaluación de su riesgo de extinción y, por tanto, la implementación de acciones de conservación. Preguntas: ¿Cómo se distribuyen las Portulaca nativas y naturalizadas en Cuba? ¿Cuál es el estado de conservación de las especies nativas? Sitio y años de estudio: Cuba, 1902-2020. Métodos: Se georreferenciaron los registros de presencia de las especies y de cada una se determinó la distribución geográfica, ecológica y fitogeográfica. El estado de conservación de las especies nativas se evaluó según las categorías y criterios de IUCN. Resultados: Portulaca en Cuba incluye 11 especies nativas (una endémica) y una naturalizada, distribuidas en todo el país, mayormente en complejos de vegetación de costa y matorrales xeromorfos. Tres especies se encuentran En Peligro Crítico, cinco En Peligro, una Casi Amenazada y dos en Preocupación Menor. Las principales amenazas son la ganadería y los incendios. En la mayoría de las especies, menos de la mitad del área de ocupación se encuentra en áreas protegidas. Conclusiones: Se actualizó la distribución Portulaca en Cuba y se presenta la primera evaluación completa del estado de conservación del género en el país. Entre las especies no pueden identificarse patrones de disyunción o vicarianza, geográfica o ecológica. La mayoría de las especies están amenazadas de extinción, aunque el género está ampliamente representado en áreas protegidas.

Population structure of Gesneria ferruginea (Gesneriaceae) in the stream Las Vueltas, Sierra de Cajalbana, Pinar del Rio, Cuba Citation: Lemus-Barrios, H., Toledo, S. & García-Beltrán, J.A. 2020. Estructura poblacional de Gesneria ferruginea (Gesneriaceae) en el arroyo Las Vueltas, Sierra de Cajálbana, Pinar del Río, Cuba. Revista Jard. Bot. Nac. Univ. Habana 41: 31-35. Article history: Received: 26 February 2020. Accepted: 8 April 2020. Online: 3 June 2020. Editor: Banessa Falcón Hidalgo.

García-Beltrán, José Angel (2022): Cenostigma pinnatum var. oblongifolium (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae) validly published. Phytotaxa 548 (1): 126-126, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.548.1.13

Although Melocactus is the second-most diverse cactus genus in Cuba, there is still no consensus regarding species circumscription. Seed morphology has not been used for classifying species in this group in Cuba, despite the taxonomically useful data obtained in some other genera of Cactaceae. In this study, seeds were evaluated for all Melocactus taxa known from Cuba, and seed morphological variability was analysed. Seed descriptions for each studied taxon (or localities) are presented here. We analysed 10 quantitative, and 19 qualitative characters in 50 seeds of 14 accessions. Seeds of the native species of Melocactus of Cuba are small to medium-sized, which place them among the smaller in the Cactoideae, and their shape is circular to broadly oval. Our results show that seven quantitative and six qualitative characters evaluated were suitable to distinguish among taxa. Such characters allowed establishing a general seed pattern for the M. matanzanus and M. curvispinus group, however, seeds in the M. harlowii group were less distinguishable using these characters. Colliculate relief characterized seeds of the M. matanzanus group with the testa border not expanded, while the M. curvispinus group seeds were identified by their ventro-apical keel. The most useful characters for species delimitation in the M. curvispinus group were seed length, and hilum-micropylar region characters. Significant characters that reveal differences within the M. harlowii group are lustre, seed relief and testa border expansion. Citation: Lemus-Barrios H., Barrios D., Garcia-Beltran J. A., Arias S. & Majure L. C. 2021: Taxonomic implications of seed morphology in Melocactus (Cactaceae) from Cuba. – Willdenowia 51: 91–113. Version of record first published online on 5 April 2021 ahead of inclusion in April 2021 issue.

Phyllanthus subcarnosus es la única especie de P. sect. Omphacodes, la cual es endémica de Cuba y La Española. Los representantes de Cuba oriental fueron considerados una especie independiente de los individuos de Cuba occidental (P. leonis) por las mayores dimensiones de las ramas terminales, las hojas, las cápsulas, las semillas y por sus caracteres florales. Sin embargo, actualmente se consideran la misma especie. Al tener en cuenta estas diferencias en el tratamiento taxonómico de la especie, los objetivos de la presente investigación fueron caracterizar la diversidad morfológica de P. subcarnosus, actualizar su nomenclatura, así como su distribución geográfica en Cuba, basado en el estudio de 159 especímenes de herbarios correspondientes a 59 individuos, en los que se evaluaron 56 caracteres vegetativos y 63 reproductivos. Los caracteres que distinguen a las plantas de P. subcarnosus de sus congéneres en Cuba son: catafilos esclerotizados, lámina de la hoja elíptica u ovada, címulas bisexuales, flores masculinas con tres estambres, flores femeninas con tres estilos bífidos unidos en una columna en la base y frutos con seis semillas asimétricamente trígonas. Los caracteres vegetativos de mayor importancia para caracterizar dicha variabilidad son la longitud de las ramas floríferas, el número de hojas por rama florífera y longitud de la lámina de la hoja. Se actualizó la nomenclatura de la especie mediante la aclaración del autor correcto del nombre P. subcarnosus. Se actualizó la distribución mediante la adición de 21 nuevas localidades.

La Sierra de Guane y la Sierra de Paso Real se ubican en la porción más suroccidental de la Faja de Mogotes de la Sierra de Los Órganos y forman parte del distrito Viñalense. En este estudio se presenta el inventario florístico de ambas Sierras pertenecientes a Guane, sobre las que se desarrolla un complejo de vegetación de mogotes. Se contabilizaron 273 taxones (78 endémicos) representativos de la flora de los mogotes de Cuba occidental y 15 exóticos. En la Sierra de Guane se encontraron 221 especies y 199 en la Sierra de Paso Real, 138 especies compartidas entre ambas, donde los arbustos y árboles en conjunto predominan sobre los restantes hábitos de vida, así como las especies endémicas de Cuba y los elementos del Neotrópico. Ambas destacan entre los mogotes inventariados de Cuba occidental por ser de las mayores en diversidad y endemismo, solo superadas por la Sierra de la Güira y la Sierra del Infierno, respectivamente. Se registra Pombalia attenuata (Violaceae) por primera vez para Cuba y las Antillas. La flora amenazada representa el 19,7 % de los taxones nativos registrados, de los cuales 39 son endémicos, por lo que una importante estrategia de conservación en la zona sería la aprobación y administración de un área protegida que abarque las dos Sierras objeto de estudio.

Las claves dicotómicas son la principal herramienta para la identificación de plantas. Sin embargo, la ausencia de una clave reciente y actualizada de las familias botánicas presentes en Cuba dificulta, en gran medida, el proceso de identificación por parte de los investigadores no especialistas de los diferentes grupos. Aquí se presentan siete claves para la identificación de familias de angiospermas de la flora de Cuba dentro de grupos morfológicos seleccionados: plantas terrestres de hojas compuestas y opuestas, plantas con hojas trifolioladas, con puntuaciones translúcidas, con látex, trepadoras con zarcillos, parásitas y angiospermas epífitas.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous disease representing about 15% of all breast cancers. TNBC are usually high-grade histological tumors, and are generally more aggressive and difficult to treat due to the lack of targeted therapies available, and chemotherapy remains the standard treatment. There is a close relationship between pathological complete response after chemotherapy treatment and higher rates of disease-free survival and overall survival. In this review of systemic treatment in early triple negative breast cancer, our purpose is to analyze and compare different therapies, as well as to highlight the novelties of treatment in this breast cancer subtype.