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Byline: V. Bhandari, K. Gupta, R. Taran Aim: Many Trials using sequential and concurrent chemo radiotherapy have been done so far and has established the role of concurrent chemo radiotherapy [...]

We report the detection and validation of two planets orbiting TOI-2095 (TIC 235678745). The host star is a 3700 K M1V dwarf with a high proper motion. The star lies at a distance of 42 pc in a sparsely populated portion of the sky and is bright in the infrared ( K = 9). With data from 24 sectors of observation during Cycles 2 and 4 of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, TOI-2095 exhibits two sets of transits associated with super-Earth-sized planets. The planets have orbital periods of 17.7 days and 28.2 days and radii of 1.30 R _⊕ and 1.39 R _⊕ , respectively. Archival data, preliminary follow-up observations, and vetting analyses support the planetary interpretation of the detected transit signals. The pair of planets have estimated equilibrium temperatures of approximately 400 K, with stellar insolations of 3.23 and 1.73 S _⊕ , placing them in the Venus zone. The planets also lie in a radius regime signaling the transition between rock-dominated and volatile-rich compositions. They are thus prime targets for follow-up mass measurements to better understand the properties of warm, transition-radius planets. The relatively long orbital periods of these two planets provide crucial data that can help shed light on the processes that shape the composition of small planets orbiting M dwarfs.

The definitive diagnosis of canine soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs) is based on histological assessment of formalin-fixed tissues. Assessment of parameters, such as degree of differentiation, necrosis score and mitotic score, give rise to a final tumour grade, which is important in determining prognosis and subsequent treatment modalities. However, grading discrepancies are reported to occur in human and canine STSs, which can result in complications regarding treatment plans. The introduction of digital pathology has the potential to help improve STS grading via automated determination of the presence and extent of necrosis. The detected necrotic regions can be factored in the grading scheme or excluded before analysing the remaining tissue. Here we describe a method to detect tumour necrosis in histopathological whole-slide images (WSIs) of STSs using machine learning. Annotated areas of necrosis were extracted from WSIs and the patches containing necrotic tissue fed into a pre-trained DenseNet161 convolutional neural network (CNN) for training, testing and validation. The proposed CNN architecture reported favourable results, with an overall validation accuracy of 92.7% for necrosis detection which represents the number of correctly classified data instances over the total number of data instances. The proposed method, when vigorously validated represents a promising tool to assist pathologists in evaluating necrosis in canine STS tumours, by increasing efficiency, accuracy and reducing inter-rater variation.

Background: A novel nanosomal paclitaxel lipid suspension (NPLS), free from Cremophor EL (CrEL) and ethanol, was developed to address the solvent-related toxicities associated with conventional paclitaxel formulation., Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of NPLS versus CrEL-based paclitaxel (conventional paclitaxel) in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC)., Design: A prospective, open-label, randomized, multiple-dose, parallel, phase II/III study., Methods: Adult (18-65 years) female patients with MBC who had previously failed at least one line of chemotherapy were randomized (2:2:1) to NPLS 175 mg/m 2 every 3 weeks (Q3W, n  = 48, arm A), NPLS 80 mg/m 2 every week (QW, n  = 45, arm B) without premedication or conventional paclitaxel (Taxol ® , manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb, Princeton, NJ, USA) 175 mg/m 2 Q3W ( n  = 27, arm C) with premedication. In the extension study, an additional 54 patients were randomized (2:1) to arm A ( n  = 37) or arm C ( n  = 17)., Results: Pooled data from the primary study and its extension phase included 174 patients. The primary endpoint was the overall response rate (ORR). As per intent-to-treat analysis, ORR was significantly better in the NPLS QW arm as compared to conventional paclitaxel [44.4% (20/45) versus 22.7% (10/44), ( p  = 0.04)]. An improvement in ORR with NPLS Q3W versus conventional paclitaxel arm [29.4% (25/85) versus 22.7% (10/44)] ( p  = 0.53) was observed. Disease control rates observed were improved with NPLS Q3W versus conventional paclitaxel Q3W (77.7% versus 72.7%, p  = 0.66) and with NPLS QW versus conventional paclitaxel Q3W (84.4% versus 72.7%, p  = 0.20), although not significant. A lower incidence of grade III/IV peripheral sensory neuropathy, vomiting, and dyspnea was reported with NPLS Q3W versus conventional paclitaxel Q3W arms., Conclusion: NPLS demonstrated an improved tumor response rate and a favorable safety profile versus conventional paclitaxel. NPLS 80 mg/m 2 QW demonstrated a significantly better response versus conventional paclitaxel 175 mg/m 2 Q3W., Trial Registration: Clinical Trial Registry-India (CTRI), CTRI/2010/091/001344 Registered on: 18 October 2010 (https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?EncHid=MjEzNQ==&Enc=&userName=CTRI/2010/091/001344), CTRI/2015/07/006062 Registered on: 31 July 2015 (https://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pmaindet2.php?EncHid=MTE2Mjc=&Enc=&userName=CTRI/2015/07/006062)., Competing Interests: Dr Ateeq Ahmad, Dr Saifuddin Sheikh, Dr Shoukath M Ali, and Dr Imran Ahmad are employees of Jina Pharmaceuticals, Libertyville, IL, USA. Mr Ronak Patel is an employee of Lambda Therapeutic Research Limited, Ahmedabad India. Mr Mahesh Paithankar, Dr Lav Patel, Dr Anil Rajani, Dr Deepak Bunger, and Dr Alok Chaturvedi are employees of Intas Pharmaceuticals Limited, Ahmedabad, India., (© The Author(s), 2024.)

To gain insights on the diverse practice patterns and treatment pathways for prostate cancer (PC) in India, the Urological Cancer Foundation convened the first Indian survey to discuss all aspects of PC, with the objective of guiding clinicians on optimizing management in PC. A modified Delphi method was used, wherein a multidisciplinary panel of oncologists treating PC across India developed a questionnaire related to screening, diagnosis and management of early, locally advanced and metastatic PC and participated in a web-based survey (WBS) (n = 62). An expert committee meeting (CM) (n = 48, subset from WBS) reviewed the ambiguous questions for better comprehension and reanalyzed the evidence to establish a revote for specific questions. The threshold for strong agreement and agreement was ≥90% and ≥75% agreement, respectively. Sixty-two questions were answered in the WBS; in the CM 31 questions were revoted and 4 questions were added. The panelists selected answers based on their best opinion and closest to their practice strategy, not considering financial constraints and access challenges. Of the 66 questions, strong agreement was reached for 17 questions and agreement was achieved for 22 questions. There were heterogeneous responses for 27 questions indicative of variegated management approaches. This is one of the first Indian survey, documenting the diverse clinical practice patterns in the management of PC in India. It aims to provide guidance in the face of technological advances, resource constraints and sparse high-level evidence., Competing Interests: None

Background: Although many cancers have seen a significant improvement in survival and reduction in morbidity in the past few decades, the same cannot be said about adenocarcinoma stomach. Upfront surgery in non metastatic stomach cancers definitely improves survival. It is well established that any form of adjuvant therapy adds to the improvement in survival, controversy remains if adjuvant chemoradiotherapy is the standard or not., Methodology: This study is a single arm bidirectional observational study of the stomach cancer patients undergoing adjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy with 5 FU (5 Fluorouracil) with an aim to estimate the disease free survival (DFS) and to analyze toxicity patterns. A total of 73 patients with stomach cancer undergoing gastric resection with a curative intent were evaluated., Results: With a median follow up of 16 months, the estimated disease free survival is 31.6 months. Of the 73 patients, recurrences were observed in 33 patients and the most common site was liver metastasis. Except for 2 patients, out of which one expired because of 5 FU induced myocardial infarction and another expired because of neutropenic sepsis during the first cycle of chemotherapy, most of the patients tolerated the regimen well., Conclusion: 5 FU based adjuvant CT-RT can be safely given in the Indian population with acceptable survival rates., (© Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 2011.)

Osteosarcoma (OS), the most common type of primary malignant bone tumor, is defined by the presence of malignant mesenchymal cells producing osteoid or immature bone. The peak incidence of the most frequent type of OS, i.e., high-grade central OS, occurs in the second decade of life during the adolescent growth spurt. Most patients suffer from the pain and swelling in the involved region and, usually, seek medical attention. Diagnosis is carried out by conventional radiographs, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance image (MRI). In addition, three-phase bone scans, thallium scintigraphy, dynamic MRI, and positron emission spectroscopy are new innovative promising tools. OS can be treated with surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. There is a clear need for newer effective agents for patients with OS, especially for patients who afflicted with metastatic and recurrence tumor. Monoclonal antibodies directed against OS may prove useful as treatment, either for drug delivery or for radiopharmaceuticals., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

This review article highlights the current role of iron chelation in MDS to optimize survival and quality of life. Its role in specific subtypes of MDS is also discussed.

Background: Brainstem gliomas account for approximately 25% of all posterior fossa tumors. In pediatric age group, it constitutes about 10% of all brain tumors. Brainstem glioma is an aggressive and lethal type of malignancy with poor outcome despite all treatments., Aim: We studied the incidence and treatment outcome in pediatric patients with brainstem glioma depending on their tumor volume presenting in our institution in last 5 years. Brain tumors comprised 2.95% of all cancers and brainstem gliomas were 8% of all brain tumors., Materials and Methods: Nine pediatric patients were included in this analysis, who were treated with localized external radiotherapy 54-59.4 Gy along with temozolomide 75 mg/m(2) during the whole course of radiotherapy., Results: The median survival in all these patients was 20 months and the overall 2 years survival is 44.4% (4/9). The median survival of patients with primary disease volume <40cc is 26 months whereas when the volume is more than 40cc the median survival is 13.5 months as calculated by Chi-square test., Conclusion: As this study includes a small number of patients with unknown histology and treated on the basis of magnetic resonance imaging findings, no definite opinion can be given as some patients may have a low-grade tumor. More studies are required to establish the relation of size of the tumor with survival.

Background: Nanosomal docetaxel lipid suspension formulation was developed to eliminate ethanol and polysorbate 80 from the currently used docetaxel (Taxotere) drug for treatment of cancer patients. NDLS clinical safety and efficacy was evaluated and compared with Taxotere at 75 mg/m(2) in metastatic breast cancer patients., Patients and Methods: A total of 72 patients were randomized in a ratio of 2:1 (NDLS:Taxotere). Patients treated with NDLS were not premedicated with corticosteroids as required with solvent-based Taxotere. Disease status and tumor response was assessed after every 2 cycles of treatment using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 guidelines through cycle 6., Results: Overall therapeutic response (complete + partial) rate in metastatic breast cancer patients treated with NDLS and Taxotere were 35.5% and 26.3%, respectively, indicating better response in patients treated with NDLS. Patients in the NDLS group were not premedicated but the safety results of NDLS were found to be comparable with Taxotere., Conclusion: NDLS formulation with no premedication provides an alternative treatment option for breast cancer patients., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Regenerative medicine is an evolving interdisciplinary topic of research involving numerous technological methods that utilize stem cells to repair damaged tissues. Particularly, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a great tool in regenerative medicine because of their lack of tumorogenicity, immunogenicity and ability to perform immunomodulatory as well as anti-inflammatory functions. Numerous studies have investigated the role of MSCs in tissue repair and modulation of allogeneic immune responses. MSCs derived from different sources hold unique regenerative potential as they are self-renewing and can differentiate into chondrocytes, osteoblasts, adipocytes, cardiomyocytes, hepatocytes, endothelial and neuronal cells, among which neuronal-like cells have gained special interest. MSCs also have the ability to secrete multiple bioactive molecules capable of stimulating recovery of injured cells and inhibiting inflammation. In this review we focus on neural differentiation potential of MSCs isolated from different sources and how certain growth factors/small molecules can be used to derive neuronal phenotypes from MSCs. We also discuss the efficacy of MSCs when transplanted in vivo and how they can generate certain neurons and lead to relief or recovery of the diseased condition. Furthermore, we have tried to evaluate the appropriatemerits of different sources ofMSCs with respect to their propensity towards neurological differentiation as well as their effectiveness in preclinical studies.