Role of Serine arginine protein kinase 1 and Minichromosome maintenance protein 2 in predicting epithelial ovarian cancer response to treatment and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Serine-Arginine (SR) proteins are a conserved family of proteins involved in RNA splicing and are reported to be over-expressed in multiple cancers. The aim of the study is evaluation of the expression of Serine arginine protein kinase 1 (SRPK1) and Minichromosome maintenance protein 2 (MCM2) in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) and their correlation with clinicopathological features, response to therapy, progression-free survival (PFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS). METHODS: This study was carried out on surgical specimens of 65 patients diagnosed with EOC which were submitted to immunohistochemical staining by SRPK1 and MCM2 antibodies. RESULTS: About 89.2% of cases showed SRPK1 expression and its high expression was significantly associated with type II tumors and advanced stage. All cases showed nuclear immunoreaction for MCM2 with high expression in 49.2% of cases. There was a significant relationship between high values of SRPK1 H-score and percentage of MCM2. Postmenopause, type II pathology, advanced stage, absence of complete response to the treatment, resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy, and surgery done by a general surgeon were the factors affecting PFS. Response to treatment and platinum sensitivity were the most independent factors affecting patients' PFS. The factors associated with shorter CSS were suboptimal debulking, advanced stage, absence of complete response to the treatment, platinum resistance, and high SRPK1. High SRPK1 expression and platinum sensitivity were the independent factors affecting patients' CSS. CONCLUSIONS: SRPK1 is an unfavorable biomarker in EOC patients because of its association with aggressive histologic type, advanced International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage, and worse survival. SRPK1 could promote the proliferation of EOC by up-regulation of MCM2.

Real-world treatment patterns and clinical outcomes in patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer: results of KINDLE-Egypt cohort.

Background: Stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being highly heterogeneous requires multimodal therapeutic strategies for optimal management. We present findings on treatment patterns and their associated survival outcomes in patients with stage III NSCLC from the Egypt subset of the KINDLE global real-world study conducted across countries from Asia, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Method: Retrospective data from the Egypt subset (21 centers) of adult patients diagnosed with stage III NSCLC between January 2013 and December 2017 were analyzed. Descriptive and inferential statistics summarized treatment modalities, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Results: Of 421 patients enrolled (median age: 59.0 years), 77.9% were males, 53.5% had stage IIIA disease, 60.8% had adenocarcinoma, 78.4% had an unresectable disease, and 81.5% had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ⩽1. Overall, chemotherapy alone (40.4%) was predominantly used in the initial line, whereas definite radiotherapy was used in only 5.0% of patients. In resectable patients, chemotherapy plus surgery (33.8%), surgery alone (20.6%), or other surgery (20.6%) were the top three modalities used in initial line of treatment. Chemotherapy alone was most preferred (48.8%) in unresectable patients, followed by sequential chemoradiotherapy (CRT) (17.6%) and concurrent CRT (9.3%). The overall median PFS was 10.3 months [95% confidence interval (CI), 9.43-12.02], whereas the median OS was 18.5 months (95% CI, 16.46-21.88). Overall, female gender, adenocarcinoma histology, and radical therapy as surgery or CRT predicted significantly longer OS (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: KINDLE-Egypt cohort revealed wide heterogeneities in the treatment patterns of stage III NSCLC. Although deemed resectable, few patients did not undergo surgery, probably due to high smoking rates leading to poor lung function. Lower survival outcomes than other published real-world studies highlight the need for timely approval and availability of novel targeted and immunotherapies to enhance patient outcomes. Trial registration: NCT03725475.

LICAP Versus TDAP for the Reconstruction of Partial Breast Defects.

Perforator flaps are the latest development in reconstructive surgery. Pedicled chest wall perforator flaps can be utilized in many cases of partial breast reconstruction. This research compares the outcome and technique of thoracodorsal artery perforator flap (TDAP) and the lateral intercostal artery perforator flap (LICAP) in the reconstruction of partial breast defects. Patient records were reviewed for the time period between 2011 and 2019 at the Breast Unit of the National Cancer Institute of Cairo University. Eighty three patients were accessible for the study. (46 cases of TDAP flap and 37 cases of LICAP flap). Relevant clinical data were extracted from patients' records. A special visit was organized for all 83 patients, where a digital photograph was taken in an antroposterior view. The photographs were later processed via BCCT.core software to obtain an objective cosmetic outcome assessment. Complication rates and cosmetic outcome were comparable for both techniques. TDAP flap proved to require more tedious dissection and preoperative Doppler mapping to localize perforator vessels. On the other hand, LICAP was technically easier with more consistent perforators. Pedicled chest wall perforator flaps constitute an excellent reconstructive option in partial breast defects. TDAP flap and LICAP are two reliable perforator flaps which can reconstruct outer breast defects with acceptable outcome.

Eligibility criteria to cisplatin in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Egyptian expert opinion.

Introduction: The use of cisplatin in clinical practice in the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is limited by its toxicity and acquired resistance, which makes the decision-making process of its prescription multifactorial. Methods: An Egyptian expert panel (comprising nine Egyptian oncologists) meeting was held after a comprehensive literature review on the use of cisplatin in HNSCC. The panel aimed to develop a consensus on evidence-based recommendations for receiving cisplatin in the chemoradiotherapy management of HNSCC in Egyptian clinical practice. Results: The panel indicated that an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) > 2, creatinine clearance (CCR) < 50 ml/min, neuropathy grade ≥ 2, pre-existing hearing loss or tinnitus ≥2, hematological problems (platelets < 100,000/mm3, neutrophils < 1500/mm, and hemoglobin < 9 g/dl), and heart failure of New York Heart Association Classes III or IV (even if cardiovascular therapy is optimized); are all absolute contraindications to receiving cisplatin. On the other hand, relative contraindications to cisplatin according to the panel were an ECOG PS of 2, age more than 70 years, CCR between 50 and 60 ml/min, grade 1 neuropathy, grade 1 hearing loss, involuntary weight loss of ≥20% of body weight, Child-Pugh Scores B and C, previous induction chemotherapy, and heart failure of New York Heart Association Classes I or II with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤50%. The panel agreed that the socioeconomic status of patients should be considered when prescribing cisplatin to HNSCC patients. Conclusion: Our discussion resulted in a set of evidence-based recommendations for cisplatin eligibility criteria in patients of HNSCC in Egypt.

Impact of the vertical division of the rectum on the decrease in reloading of the endostapler for a complete division in colorectal cancer

Background: Despite several improvements in surgical techniques, the intracorporeal division of the distal end of the rectum is still challenging, particularly when it is too deep in a narrow pelvis. Even though it helps avoid spillage, the double-stapling technique (DST) raises concerns regarding safety and anastomotic leakage if multiple stapler firings are essential to complete the rectal division. Objective: To assess the feasibility of vertically dividing the rectum and its impact in reducing the number of reloads essential for that division in non-low rectal cancer patients undergoing total mesorectal excision (TME). Materials and Methods A retroprospective study. Results: From January 2017 to November 2021, a total of 123 patients with sigmoid and rectal cancers were enrolled in the present study; their data were collected and analyzed, and 21 patients were excluded. The remaining sample of 102 subjects was composed of 47 male (46%) and 55 female (54%) patients with a median age of 54 years (range: 30 to 78 years). Only 1 reload was enough to complete the rectal division in 82 (80.39%) cases, and 2 reloads were used in the remaining 20 (19.61%) patients. Anastomotic leakage was clinically evident in 4 cases (3.9%). No statically significant difference was observed when firing one or two staplers. No 30-day mortality was recorded in this series. Conclusion: Our early experience indicates that this type of division has a real advantage in terms of decreasing the number of reloads needed and, in turn, lowering the incidence of anastomotic leakage after partial mesorectal excision (PME) or TME when applied with proper patient selection. (AU)

Lateral chest wall perforator flaps in partial breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Breast conserving surgery (BCS) has been a standard procedure for the treatment of breast cancer instead of mastectomy whenever possible. Lateral chest wall perforator flaps are one of the volume replacement techniques that participate in increasing the rate of BCS especially in small- to moderate-sized breasts with good cosmetic outcome. In this study, we tried to evaluate the outcome of those flaps as an oncoplastic procedure instead of the conventional flaps. METHODS: This study included 26 patients who underwent partial mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using lateral chest wall perforator flaps in the period from October 2019 to November 2020. The operative time, techniques, and complications were recorded. The cosmetic outcome was assessed 3 months post-radiation therapy through a questionnaire and photographic assessment. RESULTS: Lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP), lateral thoracic artery perforator (LTAP) and combined flaps were performed in 24, 1, and 1 patients, respectively. The mean operative time was 129.6 ± 13.2 min. The flap length ranged from 10 to 20 cm and its width from 5 to 9 cm. Overall patients' satisfaction was observed to be 88.5% as either excellent or good and the photographic assessment was 96.2% as either excellent or good. CONCLUSIONS: Lateral chest wall perforator flaps are reliable and safe option for partial breast reconstruction with an acceptable aesthetic outcome. In the era of oncoplastic breast surgery, they deserve to gain attention especially with the advantages of some modifications added to the classic technique.

Prospective observational study on Pazopanib in patients treated for advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma in countries in Asia Pacific, North Africa, and Middle East regions: PARACHUTE study.

BACKGROUND: Clinical effectiveness and safety data of pazopanib in patients with advanced or mRCC in real-world setting from Asia Pacific, North Africa, and Middle East countries are lacking. METHODS: PARACHUTE is a phase IV, prospective, non-interventional, observational study. Primary endpoint was the proportion of patients remaining progression free at 12 months. Secondary endpoints were ORR, PFS, safety and tolerability, and relative dose intensity (RDI). RESULTS: Overall, 190 patients with a median age of 61 years (range: 22.0-96.0) were included. Most patients were Asian (70%), clear-cell type RCC was the most common (81%), with a favourable (9%), intermediate (47%), poor (10%), and unknown (34%) MSKCC risk score. At the end of the observational period, 78 patients completed the observational period and 112 discontinued the study; 60% of patients had the starting dose at 800 mg. Median RDI was 82%, with 52% of patients receiving < 85%. Of the 145 evaluable patients, 56 (39%) remained progression free at 12 months, and the median PFS was 10 months (95% CI: 8.48-11.83). 19% of patients (21/109) were long-term responders (on pazopanib for ≥18 months). The best response per RECIST 1.1 was CR/PR in 24%, stable disease in 44%, and PD in 31%. Most frequent (> 10%) TEAEs related to pazopanib included diarrhoea (30%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (15%), and hypertension (14%). CONCLUSIONS: Results of the PARACHUTE study support the use of pazopanib in patients with advanced or mRCC who are naive to VEGF-TKI therapy. The safety profile is consistent with that previously reported by pivotal and real-world evidence studies.

Presence of HPV, EBV and HMTV Viruses Among Egyptian Breast Cancer Women: Molecular Detection and Clinical Relevance.

BACKGROUND: Oncogenic viruses, their possible association with breast cancer (BC) and effect on its clinical course are interesting issue. The present study evaluates the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV), EpsteinBarr virus (EBV), and human mammary tumor virus (HMTV) in BC and their relation with clinico-pathological characteristics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on 80 Egyptian women with BC and 30 control women without known oncological disease. Forty formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues, forty fresh tissue samples, and white blood cells (WBCs) of BC patients and WBCs of controls were subjected to a qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure viral loads in fresh tissues of BC. The result was correlated with clinico-pathological characteristics of BC. RESULTS: HPV was detected in 33 (41.25%), EBV in 30 (37.5%) and HMTV in 33 (41.25%) BC patients. None of the control women was positive for HPV or EBV while HMTV was detected in 7 (23.3%). Among 40 BC WBCs specimens, HPV/HMTV were found together in 25%, followed by EBV/HMTV in 2.5% and EBV/HPV in 2.5%. However, the three viruses (HPV/EBV/HMTV) were found together in only 5%. In the 40 fresh BC tissues, the three viruses were found together in 12 (30%), EBV/HMTV in 7 (17.5%), HPV/HMTV in 4 (10%), and HPV/EBV in 4 (10%). EBV, HMTV, or multiple viral infections were associated with younger age of BC women. HPV, EBV, and HMTV median loads in fresh tissues were 4.8×103 copies/µL, 6.3×103 copies/µL, and 97 copies/µL, respectively. CONCLUSION: WBCs could be a more suitable specimen instead of fresh tissue for HMTV detection in BC patients to avoid invasive procedures. The presence of HPV, EBV, and HMTV together in Egyptian women with BC was significantly associated with younger age.

Intra-mammary lymph nodes, an overlooked breast cancer prognostic tool?

BACKGROUND: Due to the high variability of incidence and prevalence of intra-mammary lymph nodes (IMLNs), they might be overlooked during clinical and radiological examinations. Properly characterizing pathological IMLNs and detecting the factors that might influence their prevalence in different stages of breast cancer might aid in proper therapeutic decision-making and could be of possible prognostic value. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed for all breast cancer patients treated at the National Cancer Institute of Cairo University between 2013 and 2019. Radiological, pathological, and surgical data were studied. RESULTS: Intra-mammary lymph nodes were described in the final pathology reports of 100 patients. Five cases had benign breast lesion. Three cases had phyllodes tumors and two cases had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). All ten cases were excluded. The remaining 90 cases all had invasive breast cancer and were divided into two groups: one group for patients with malignant IMLNs (48) and another for patients with benign IMLNs (42). Pathological features of the malignant IMLN group included larger mean tumor size in pathology (4.7 cm), larger mean size of the IMLN in pathology (1.7 cm), higher incidence of lympho-vascular invasion (65.9%), and higher rate of extracapsular extension in axillary lymph nodes (57.4%). In addition, the pathological N stage was significantly higher in the malignant IMLN group. CONCLUSION: Clinicians frequently overlook intra-mammary lymph nodes. More effort should be performed to detect them during preoperative imaging and during pathological processing of specimens. A suspicious IMLN should undergo a percutaneous biopsy. Malignant IMLNs are associated with advanced pathological features and should be removed during surgery.