Certolizumab Pegol treatment in Behcet's disease with different organ involvement: A multicenter retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to describe our experience with the recombinant Fab' antibody fragment against TNF-α Certolizumab Pegol (CZP) in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) refractory to standardized therapies and previous biologic agents. METHODS: Retrieved data including demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, and previous treatments were collected in three different specialized Rheumatologic Units in Italy. In order to evaluate disease activity, the BD current activity form (BDCAF) has been used before starting CZP therapy and at each visit during treatment. RESULTS: Thirteen BD patients (mean age 42.6 ± 8.8 years) with a disease duration of 8.80 ± 6.9 years, underwent CZP treatment for 6.92 ± 3.52 months. Six patients (46.15%) experienced a worsening of symptoms after 4.16 ± 1.21 months, whereas a satisfactory response was achieved in seven patients (53.84%) who were still on CZP therapy at the last follow-up visit (after 9.28 ± 3.03 months of treatment). The mean decrease of BDCAF between the first and last visit was 0.308 ± 1.84 without reaching significant difference (mean 8.3 ± 1.3 and 8 ± 2.08, respectively; p= .51). During the whole study period, CZP was well tolerated in all patients except one who developed a generalized cutaneous reaction after the third administration. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that despite an improvement of clinical manifestations has been observed in more than half of the patients, it is not possible to draw firm conclusions about the effectiveness of CZP in BD and further studies with larger cohorts of patients are warranted. Whether the increase of CZP dosage may ensure a better clinical response remains an unsolved issue that needs to be considered.

Evaluation of endocrinological sequelae following particle therapy performed on anterior skull base lesions in the adult population.

Background: Radiotherapy has increasingly assumed a central role in the multidisciplinary treatment of skull base lesions. Unfortunately, it is often burdened by relevant radio-induced damage to the pituitary function and the surrounding structures and systems. Patients who were treated with radiotherapy around the sellar region especially have a high risk of developing radio-induced hypopituitarism. Particle therapy has the potential advantage of delivering a higher radiation dose to the target while potentially sparing the sellar region and pituitary function. The aim of this study is to evaluate the pituitary function in adult patients who have undergone hadron therapy for anterior skull base lesions involving or surrounding the pituitary gland. Methods: This is a retrospective, observational, and noncontrolled study. We evaluated pituitary and peripheral hormone levels in all patients referring to National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy, Pavia, Italy for anterior skull base tumors. Furthermore, we performed a magnetic resonance imaging for every follow-up to evaluate potential tumoral growth. Results: We evaluated 32 patients with different tumoral lesions with a mean follow-up of 27.9 months. The mean hadron therapy (HT) dose was 60 ± 14 Gray, with a mean dose per fraction of 2.3 ± 2.1 Gray. Six patients were treated with carbon ions and 26 with protons. Pituitary hormone alteration of some kind was reported for six patients. No patient experienced unexpected severe adverse events related to particle therapy. Conclusion: Particle radiotherapy performed on anterior skull base lesions has proved to cause limited damage to pituitary function in the adult population.

COVID-19 and radiotherapy: impact on work and personal life of Lombardy residents during first lockdown, survey endorsed by AIRO Young.

AIM: Since 20 February 2020, Lombardy has been one of the most affected areas worldwide by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study is to evaluate work and psychological impact of COVID-19 on Lombardy radiation therapy (RT) residents in the first 3 months of the outbreak (first lockdown). METHODS: An online questionnaire (22 multiple choice questions) via Microsoft Forms was administered on 30 May 2020 to RT residents. RESULTS: Nineteen Lombardy RT residents responded to the survey. Nineteen percent of residents underwent a nasal swab and 11% were quarantined. Seventeen residents (89%) reported an increase in workload. Twelve residents (63%) did not find any difference in terms of work distress; worsening was highlighted in 5 cases (26%). The majority has never considered the possibility of stopping work due to excessive stress (89%). Almost all the residents experienced self- or relative-referred apprehension (95%). Ninety-five percent reported having missed extra-work social relationships. Most of the sample noted worsening sleep quality and difficulty concentrating (69%). No residents requested psychological support, even if provided by the hospital. CONCLUSION: Overall, the residents adapted to the new workplace scenario, although some health risks and well-being challenges have been reported. An extension of the survey to all Italian RT residents endorsed by Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology "Young AIRO" will allow an evaluation of COVID-19 impact on a national level. A second survey is planned to underline differences between the first lockdown and the current situation of the pandemic.

Particle Radiotherapy for Skull Base Chondrosarcoma: A Clinical Series from Italian National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy.

BACKGROUND: The standard treatment for skull base chondrosarcoma (SB-CHS) consists of surgery and high-dose radiation therapy. Our aim was to evaluate outcome in terms of local control (LC) and toxicity of proton therapy (PT) and carbon ion (CIRT) after surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2011 to July 2020, 48 patients underwent particle therapy (67% PT, 33% CIRT) for SB-CHS. PT and CIRT total dose was 70 GyRBE (relative biological effectiveness) in 35 fractions and 70.4 GyRBE in 16 fractions, respectively. Toxicity was assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE v5). RESULTS: After a median follow-up time of 38 months, one local failure (2%) was documented and the patient died for progressive disease. Overall, 3-year LC was 98%. One (2%) and 4 (8%) patients experienced G3 acute and late toxicity, respectively. White-matter brain changes were documented in 22 (46%) patients, but only 7 needed steroids (G2). No patients had G3 brain toxicity. No G4-5 complications were reported. We did not find any correlation between high-grade toxicity or white-matter changes and characteristics of patients, disease and surgery. CONCLUSIONS: PT and CIRT appeared to be effective and safe treatments for patients with SB-CHS, resulting in high LC rates and an acceptable toxicity profile.

High-dose-rate Brachytherapy as Adjuvant Local rEirradiation for Salvage Treatment of Recurrent breAst cancer (BALESTRA): a retrospective mono-institutional study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical results of catheter-based interstitial high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT) as adjuvant treatment in previously irradiated recurrent breast cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 2011 and September 2015, 31 consecutive patients with histologically confirmed recurrent breast cancer after conservative surgery and conventional whole breast radiotherapy, were retreated with a second conservative surgical resection and reirradiated with adjuvant interstitial HDR-BT. None of the brachytherapy implant was performed during the quadrantectomy procedure. A dose of 34 Gy in 10 fractions, 2 fractions per day, with a minimal interval of 6 hours was delivered. RESULTS: At the time of the implant, the median age of patients was 59.7 years (range, 39.3-74.9 years). The median time from first treatment until BT for local recurrence was 11.9 years (range, 2.5-27.8 years). The median interval between salvage surgery and BT was 3.6 months (range, 1-8.2 months). No acute epidermitis or soft tissue side effects higher than grade 2 were recorded, with good cosmetic results in all patients. Most of the patients presented grade 1-2 late side effects. Only one patient developed grade 3 liponecrosis. After a median follow-up of 73.7 months (range, 28.8-102.4 months), the overall survival and cancer specific survival were 87.1% and 90.3%, respectively; 5-year local control and 5-year progression-free survival rate were 90.3% and 83.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary analysis showed that HDR-BT is a feasible treatment for partial breast reirradiation offering very low complications rate and fast procedure. Higher patients' cohort is warranted in order to define the role of this treatment modality in the breast conservative management of local recurrence.

Head and neck cancer radiotherapy amid COVID-19 pandemic: Report from Milan, Italy.

BACKGROUND: Management of head and neck cancers (HNC) in radiation oncology in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era is challenging. Aim of our work is to report organization strategies at a radiation therapy (RT) department in the first European area experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We focused on (a) dedicated procedures for HNC, (b) RT scheduling, and (c) health care professionals' protection applied during the COVID-19 breakdown (from March 1, 2020 to April 30, 2020). RESULTS: Applied procedures are reported and discussed. Forty-three patients were treated. Image-guided, intensity modulated RT was performed in all cases. Median overall treatment time was 50 (interquartile range: 47-54.25) days. RT was interrupted/delayed in seven patients (16%) for suspected COVID-19 infection. Two health professionals managing HNC patients were proven as COVID-19 positive. CONCLUSION: Adequate and well-timed organization allowed for the optimization of HNC patients balancing at the best of our possibilities patients' care and personnel's safety.