Reações adversas medicamentosas em pacientes em quimioterapia e estratégias de intervenções / Adverse drug reactions in chemotherapy patients and intervention strategies / Reacciones adversas a medicamentos en pacientes quimioterápicos y estrategias de intervención

A quimioterapia do câncer pode ocasionar reações adversas medicamentosas (RAM), podendo resultar de interações medicamentosas (IM) e impactar na adesão. O presente estudo relatou as RAM apresentadas por pacientes em quimioterapia (QT) e propôs estratégias de intervenções. Este trabalho foi aprovado em comité de ética (5.160.503), sendo incluídos 23 pacientes em quimioterapia (oral- VO e/ou endovenosa- EV) e todos foram entrevistados. Recebiam apenas o QTEV, 20 pacientes e 2 QTEV e VO, a maioria em tratamento paliativo (50%), predomínio de estadiamento IV, sendo as doenças mais presentes de pâncreas (27,3%), estômago (22,7%) e mama (18,2%) e esquema mais usado foi Carboplatina + Paclitaxel. As principais comorbidades foram diabetes e hipertensão arterial. As interações medicamentosas foram classificadas em graves (45%), moderadas (55%) e intencional (75%), sendo necessário introdução de medicamentos de suporte (61%). Houve RAM de maior gravidade, neutropenia, sendo necessário a suspensão temporária, e de menor gravidade náuseas. Houve um óbito relacionado a evolução de doença e, talvez, o tratamento possa ter contribuído. Ao final, foram feitas as intervenções para cada caso e validado o formulário para a consulta farmacêutica a pacientes oncológicos.

Cancer chemotherapy can cause adverse drug reactions (ADRs), which can result from drug interactions (IM) and impact adherence. The present study reported the ADRs presented by patients undergoing chemotherapy (CT) and proposed intervention strategies. This work was approved by the ethics committee (5,160,503), and 23 patients on chemotherapy (oral-VO and/or intravenous-IV) were included and all were interviewed. Only received CTIV, 20 patients and 2 CTIV and VO, most in palliative treatment (50%), predominance of stage IV, being the most common diseases of pancreas (27.3%), stomach (22.7%) and breast (18.2%) and the most used regimen was Carboplatin + Paclitaxel. The main comorbidities were diabetes and arterial hypertension. Drug interactions were classified as severe (45%), moderate (55%) and intentional (75%), requiring the introduction of supportive drugs (61%). There were more severe ADRs, neutropenia, requiring temporary suspension, and less severe nausea. There was one death related to the evolution of the disease and, perhaps, the treatment may have contributed. At the end, interventions were made for each case and the form for the pharmaceutical consultation to cancer patients was validated.

La quimioterapia contra el cáncer puede causar reacciones adversas a los medicamentos (RAM), que pueden ser consecuencia de interacciones farmacológicas (IM) y repercutir en la adherencia. El presente estudio reportó las RAM presentadas por pacientes en quimioterapia (QT) y propuso estrategias de intervención. Este trabajo fue aprobado en comité de ética (5.160.503), se incluyeron 23 pacientes en quimioterapia (oral- VO y/o endovenosa-EV) y todos fueron entrevistados. Recibieron sólo QTEV, 20 pacientes y 2 QTEV y VO, la mayoría en tratamiento paliativo (50%), predominio de estadiaje IV, siendo las enfermedades más presentes las de páncreas (27,3%), estómago (22,7%) y mama (18,2%) y el esquema más utilizado fue Carboplatino + Paclitaxel. Las principales comorbilidades fueron la diabetes y la hipertensión arterial. Las interacciones farmacológicas se clasificaron como graves (45%), moderadas (55%) e intencionadas (75%), requiriendo la introducción de fármacos de apoyo (61%). La RAM más grave fue la neutropenia, que requirió la suspensión temporal, y la menos grave las náuseas. Hubo una muerte relacionada con la evolución de la enfermedad y, tal vez, el tratamiento pudo haber contribuido. Al final, se realizaron intervenciones para cada caso y se validó el formulario de consulta farmacéutica a pacientes oncológicos.

Dose-dense paclitaxel plus carboplatin in combination with trastuzumab neoadjuvant versus standard adjuvant therapy in human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive and hormone receptor negative breast cancer: a prospective cohort study / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To provide survival evidence of anthracycline-free neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with stages Ⅱ-Ⅲ human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) positive and hormone receptor (HR) negative breast cancer. Methods: The prospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Medical Oncology of Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Patients with HER-2 positive and HR negative breast cancer in stages Ⅱ-Ⅲ were enrolled to receive neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) of dose-dense paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)) plus carboplatin (AUC=4.0) biweekly for 6 cycles in combination with trastuzumab (PCbH), and matched patients who received standard adjuvant therapy of physicians' choice were recruited for survival and safety comparison. Results: From July 2013 to November 2019, 166 patients were included (neoadjuvant 51, adjuvant 115). Compared with those who received adjuvant therapy, patients receiving NAT were younger (<35 years: 19.6% vs 5.2%, P=0.014), had larger tumors (T3: 62.7% vs 7.8%, P<0.001) and more advanced diseases (stage ⅡA: 2.0% vs 41.7%, P<0.001). Patients in the neoadjuvant group all received surgery, and 96 (83.5%) in the adjuvant group received anthracycline-and-taxane-containing regimens. A total of 98 patients (49 pairs) were matched, and the covariates between the two groups were acceptably balanced. Within a median follow-up of 46.5 (range, 14-87) months, the 4-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate among patients who received NAT was 73.3% (95% CI: 59.0%-87.6%), versus 80.6% (95% CI: 67.9%-93.3%) among those in the adjuvant group without statistical difference (P=0.418). A similar result was observed for the 4-year overall survival (OS) [neoadjuvant versus adjuvant: 91.5% (95% CI: 81.7%-100.0%) vs 97.8% (95% CI: 93.5%-100.0%), P=0.314]. Compared with standard adjuvant therapy, PCbH was related to less neutropenia and better cardiac safety. Conclusions: These results support the consideration of anthracycline-free neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with anti-HER-2 therapy for patients with stages Ⅱ-Ⅲ HER-2-positive and HR-negative breast cancer. Optimized regimens with both efficacy and safety are needed and to be further investigated.

Dose-dense paclitaxel plus carboplatin in combination with trastuzumab neoadjuvant versus standard adjuvant therapy in human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 positive and hormone receptor negative breast cancer: a prospective cohort study / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To provide survival evidence of anthracycline-free neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with stages Ⅱ-Ⅲ human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER-2) positive and hormone receptor (HR) negative breast cancer. Methods: The prospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Medical Oncology of Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Patients with HER-2 positive and HR negative breast cancer in stages Ⅱ-Ⅲ were enrolled to receive neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) of dose-dense paclitaxel (175 mg/m(2)) plus carboplatin (AUC=4.0) biweekly for 6 cycles in combination with trastuzumab (PCbH), and matched patients who received standard adjuvant therapy of physicians' choice were recruited for survival and safety comparison. Results: From July 2013 to November 2019, 166 patients were included (neoadjuvant 51, adjuvant 115). Compared with those who received adjuvant therapy, patients receiving NAT were younger (<35 years: 19.6% vs 5.2%, P=0.014), had larger tumors (T3: 62.7% vs 7.8%, P<0.001) and more advanced diseases (stage ⅡA: 2.0% vs 41.7%, P<0.001). Patients in the neoadjuvant group all received surgery, and 96 (83.5%) in the adjuvant group received anthracycline-and-taxane-containing regimens. A total of 98 patients (49 pairs) were matched, and the covariates between the two groups were acceptably balanced. Within a median follow-up of 46.5 (range, 14-87) months, the 4-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) rate among patients who received NAT was 73.3% (95% CI: 59.0%-87.6%), versus 80.6% (95% CI: 67.9%-93.3%) among those in the adjuvant group without statistical difference (P=0.418). A similar result was observed for the 4-year overall survival (OS) [neoadjuvant versus adjuvant: 91.5% (95% CI: 81.7%-100.0%) vs 97.8% (95% CI: 93.5%-100.0%), P=0.314]. Compared with standard adjuvant therapy, PCbH was related to less neutropenia and better cardiac safety. Conclusions: These results support the consideration of anthracycline-free neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with anti-HER-2 therapy for patients with stages Ⅱ-Ⅲ HER-2-positive and HR-negative breast cancer. Optimized regimens with both efficacy and safety are needed and to be further investigated.

Efficacy and survival outcomes of dose-dense carboplatin plus paclitaxel as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for triple-negative breast cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and survival outcomes of dose-dense (biweekly) carboplatin plus paclitaxel (PC) as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), and to explore an optimal neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen for TNBC. Methods: Patients diagnosed as TNBC(cT1-4N0-3M0) in Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College Between January 2008 and September 2018 who received dose-dense PC and standard 3-weekly PC as NAC were 1∶1 matched using propensity score matching (PSM) to compare the efficacy, safety and survival outcomes. Results: One hundred of TNBC patients were enrolled (50 patients were divided in dose-dense group, 50 patients in standard group). The objective response rate (ORR) of dose-dense group and standard group were both 90.0% (45/50). The grade 3-4 neutropenia in dose-dense group was less than that of standard group (32.7% vs. 68.0%, P=0.001), while the rate of ALT/AST elevation in dose-dense group was higher than that of standard group (57.1% vs. 32.0%, P=0.012). The pathological complete response (pCR) rates were 34.0% (17/50) in dose-dense group and 38.0% (19/50) in standard group, without statistically significance (P=0.677). The median follow-up time was 55 months (3-150 months). The 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS) in dose-dense group and standard group were 83.5% and 75.2%, respectively the 5-year overall survival (OS) in dose-dense and standard group were 87.9% and 84.5% the difference were not statistically significant (P=0.322 and 0.647, respectively). Patients with residual disease (tumor size≥1 cm or lymph node positive) had poor prognosis, the 5-year RFS and OS were 59.3% and 68.5%, respectively. Conclusions: Dose-dense PC has similar efficacy with standard 3-weekly PC and has a good safety profile. Since dose-dense regimen can shorten the duration of therapy, it can be an alternative in TNBC.

Clinical efficacy of docetaxel combined with carboplatin in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the early efficacy and toxicity of docetaxel combined with carboplatin in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).@*METHODS@#From May 2017 to July 2019, fifteen patients with mCRPC treated in Peking University First Hospital were collected. The median age was 70 years (43-77 years), and the pathological types were all adenocarcinoma, which was confirmed as distant metastasis by imaging examination. They were given the chemotherapy of docetaxel combined with carboplatin. The specific method was as follows: each cycle was 28 days. Androgen deprivation therapy was administered routinely throughout the treatment period. Blood routine, liver and kidney function, blood clotting function and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests were performed before each cycle. Docetaxel was administered intravenously on the first day of each cycle at a dose of 75 mg/m2, and carboplatin was administered intravenously on the second day at the dose calculated by Calvert formula. The main outcome measures including PSA decline range, pain remission rate and occurrence of adverse reactions were observed and analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Among the 15 patients, 12 had completed at least 4 cycles of chemotherapy and had short-term efficacy evaluation. PSA decline range > 50% was observed in 8 patients (66.7%). Among the 9 patients with bone pain, remarkable pain relief was observed in 4 patients (44.4%). Among the 4 patients with measurable metastatic lesions, 2 achieved partial response, 1 was evaluated as stable disease, and 1 was evaluated as progressive disease. The main adverse reactions of chemotherapy included bone marrow suppression, gastrointestinal reactions, fatigue and neurological disorders, and most of them were within the tolerable range.@*CONCLUSION@#This report is a case series study of docetaxel combined with carboplatin in the treatment of mCRPC reported in China and the conclusions are representative. The chemotherapy of docetaxel combined with carboplatin has positive short-term efficacy and high safety in patients with mCRPC, which is worthy of further promotion and exploration in clinical practice.

Comparison between weekly versus 3-weekly paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and toxicity of dose-dense weekly paclitaxel and 3-weekly carboplatin (ddPC) as neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) with the standard 3-weekly regimen.METHODS: A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with stage IIIc and IV ovarian cancer who received at least one cycle of NAC followed by interval debulking surgery between August 2015 and January 2018 was conducted. Patient characteristics, clinical and pathological response to NAC, surgical and survival outcome, and adverse event were compared.RESULTS: A total of 23 patients in the ddPC group and 50 patients in the standard group received a median of 3 cycles of NAC. Rate of grade ≥3 neutropenia was significantly higher in the ddPC group than the standard (82.6% vs. 22.0%, p<0.001). Patients in the ddPC group underwent dose-reduction more frequently (34.8% vs. 4.00%, p=0.001). Normalization of cancer antigen-125 post-NAC occurred more frequently in the ddPC group (73.9% vs. 46.0%, p=0.030). No residual disease rate (43.5% vs. 60.0%, p=0.188) and chemotherapy response score of 3 (34.8% vs. 26.0%, p=0.441) were not statistically different between two groups. There was no statistical difference in progression free survival (PFS) at 2 years (36.3% vs. 28.4%, p=0.454). Cox proportional hazard model showed that ddPC was not a significant determinant of PFS (p=0.816).CONCLUSION: There was no difference between both regimens in terms of NAC response and survival outcomes. However, ddPC group showed higher hematologic toxicity requiring dose reduction.

Real world effectiveness and safety of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian, fallopian, or primary peritoneal cancer: a Korean multicenter retrospective cohort study / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the combination of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin with carboplatin (CD) compared with those of carboplatin and paclitaxel (CP) for platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian, fallopian, or primary peritoneal cancer in a real-world setting in Korea.METHODS: We enrolled relevant patients from 9 institutions. All patients received CD or CP as the second- or third-line chemotherapy in routine clinical practice during 2013–2018. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and toxicity. The secondary endpoint included the objective response rate (ORR).RESULTS: Overall, 432 patients (224 and 208 in the CD and CP groups, respectively) were included. With a median follow-up of 18.9 months, the median PFS was not different between the groups (12.7 vs. 13.6 months; hazard ratio, 1.161; 95% confidence interval, 0.923–1.460; p=0.202). The ORR was 74.6% and 80.1% in the CD and CP group, respectively (p=0.556). Age and surgery at relapse were independent prognostic factors. More patients in the CD group significantly experienced a grade 3 to 4 hematologic toxicity and hand-foot syndrome (13.8% vs. 6.3%), whereas grade 2 or more alopecia (6.2% vs. 36.1%), peripheral neuropathy (4.4% vs. 11.4%), and allergic/hypersensitivity reaction (0.4% vs. 8.5%) developed more often in the CP group.CONCLUSIONS: The safety and effectiveness of chemotherapy with CD in a real-world setting were consistent with the results from a randomized controlled study. The different toxicity profiles between the 2 chemotherapy (CD and CP) regimens should be considered in the clinical practice.TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03562533

Maintenance of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin/carboplatin in patients with advanced ovarian cancer: randomized study of an Asian Gynecologic Oncology Group / 부인종양

Efectos adversos inmunomediados por inhibidores de PD-1 / PD-1 inhibitors immune-mediated side effects

Los anticuerpos monoclonales que inhiben los puntos de control PD-1 y CTLA-4 se usan actualmente en el tratamiento del melanoma y cáncer metastásico de pulmón de células no pequeñas, entre otros. Se refiere el caso de una paciente con cáncer de pulmón en tratamiento con pembrolizumab. La paciente se presentó con edema facial y parálisis facial periférica. En el laboratorio se observó la hormona tirotrofina (TSH) elevada y se llegó al diagnóstico de hipotiroidismo por pembrolizumab. Inició tratamiento con levotiroxina con mejoría clínica. Se presenta este caso por el importante papel del dermatólogo en el manejo multidisciplinario del paciente oncológico. (AU)

Monoclonal antibodies that inhibit PD-1 and CTLA-4 control points are currently used in the treatment of melanoma and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, among others. The case of a patient, with lung cancer being treated with Pembrolizumab. The patient was presented with facial edema and peripheral facial paralysis and in the laboratory the elevated hormone Tyrotrophin (TSH) was observed, the diagnosis of pembrolizumab hypothyroidism was reached. She started treatment with levothyroxine with clinical improvement. This case is presented by the important role of the dermatologist in the multidisciplinary management of the cancer patient. (AU)

Functional and transcriptomic characterization of carboplatin-resistant A2780 ovarian cancer cell line

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is a significant cancer-related cause of death in women worldwide. The most used chemotherapeutic regimen is based on carboplatin (CBDCA). However, CBDCA resistance is the main obstacle to a better prognosis. An in vitro drug-resistant cell model would help in the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying this drug-resistance phenomenon. The aim of this study was to characterize cellular and molecular changes of induced CBDCA-resistant ovarian cancer cell line A2780. METHODS: The cell selection strategy used in this study was a dose-per-pulse method using a concentration of 100 µM for 2 h. Once 20 cycles of exposure to the drug were completed, the cell cultures showed a resistant phenotype. Then, the ovarian cancer cell line A2780 was grown with 100 µM of CBDCA (CBDCA-resistant cells) or without CBDCA (parental cells). After, a drug sensitivity assay, morphological analyses, cell death assays and a RNA-seq analysis were performed in CBDCA-resistant A2780 cells. RESULTS: Microscopy on both parental and CBDCA-resistant A2780 cells showed similar characteristics in morphology and F-actin distribution within cells. In cell-death assays, parental A2780 cells showed a significant increase in phosphatidylserine translocation and caspase-3/7 cleavage compared to CBDCA-resistant A2780 cells (P < 0.05 and P < 0.005, respectively). Cell viability in parental A2780 cells was significantly decreased compared to CBDCA-resistant A2780 cells (P < 0.0005). The RNA-seq analysis showed 156 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated mainly to molecular functions. CONCLUSION: CBDCA-resistant A2780 ovarian cancer cells is a reliable model of CBDCA resistance that shows several DEGs involved in molecular functions such as transmembrane activity, protein binding to cell surface receptor and catalytic activity. Also, we found that the Wnt/3-catenin and integrin signaling pathway are the main metabolic pathway dysregulated in CBDCA-resistant A2780 cells.

Genetic Profiles Associated with Chemoresistance in Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Ovarian Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

PURPOSE: Recurrence and chemoresistance (CR) are the leading causes of death in patients with high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) of the ovary. The aim of this study was to identify genetic changes associated with CR mechanisms using a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse model and genetic sequencing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To generate a CR HGSC PDX tumor, mice bearing subcutaneously implanted HGSC PDX tumors were treated with paclitaxel and carboplatin. We compared gene expression and mutations between chemosensitive (CS) and CR PDX tumors with whole exome and RNA sequencing and selected candidate genes. Correlations between candidate gene expression and clinicopathological variables were explored using the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and the Human Protein Atlas (THPA). RESULTS: Three CR and four CS HGSC PDX tumor models were successfully established. RNA sequencing analysis of the PDX tumors revealed that 146 genes were significantly up-regulated and 54 genes down-regulated in the CR group compared with the CS group. Whole exome sequencing analysis showed 39 mutation sites were identified which only occurred in CR group. Differential expression of SAP25,HLA-DPA1, AKT3, and PIK3R5 genes and mutation of TMEM205 and POLR2A may have important functions in the progression of ovarian cancer chemoresistance. According to TCGA data analysis, patients with high HLA-DPA1 expression were more resistant to initial chemotherapy (p=0.030; odds ratio, 1.845). CONCLUSION: We successfully established CR ovarian cancer PDX mouse models. PDX-based genetic profiling study could be used to select some candidate genes that could be targeted to overcome chemoresistance of ovarian cancer.

A randomized controlled trial comparing concurrent chemoradiation versus concurrent chemoradiation followed by adjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced cervical cancer patients: ACTLACC trial / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: To compare response rate and survivals of locally advanced stage cervical cancer patients who had standard concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CCRT) alone to those who had adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) after CCRT. METHODS: Patients aged 18–70 years who had International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage IIB–IVA without para-aortic lymph node enlargement, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scores 0–2, and non-aggressive histopathology were randomized to have CCRT with weekly cisplatin followed by observation (arm A) or by ACT with paclitaxel plus carboplatin every 4 weeks for 3 cycles (arm B). RESULTS: Data analysis of 259 patients showed no significant difference in complete responses at 4 months after treatment between arm A (n=129) and arm B (n=130): 94.1% vs. 87.0% (p=0.154) respectively. With the median follow-up of 27.4 months, 15.5% of patients in arm A and 10.8% in arm B experienced recurrences (p=0.123). There were no significant differences of overall or loco-regional failure. However, systemic recurrences were significantly lower in arm B than arm A: 5.4% vs. 10.1% (p=0.029). The 3-year progression-free survival (PFS) and 3-year overall survival (OS) of the patients in both arms were not significantly different. The hazard ratio of PFS and OS of arm B compared to arm A were 1.26 (95% CI=0.82–1.96; p=0.293) and 1.42 (95% CI=0.81–2.49; p=0.221) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: ACT with paclitaxel plus carboplatin after CCRT did not improve response rate and survival compared to CCRT alone. Only significant decrease of systemic recurrences with ACT was observed, but not overall or loco-regional failure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02036164 Thai Clinical Trials Registry Identifier: TCTR 20140106001

Long-term survival after intraperitoneal chemotherapy with paclitaxel-cisplatin for recurrent primary peritoneal cancer resistant to multiple lines of intravenous chemotherapy

The long-term survival of heavily pretreated patients with primary peritoneal cancer (PPC) is uncommon. Here, we report on a patient with PPC refractory to multiple lines of intravenous chemotherapy, namely, a combined regimen of paclitaxel and carboplatin, and single regimens of topotecan, docetaxel, cisplatin, and gemcitabine. However, after intraperitoneal (IP) chemotherapy with paclitaxel-cisplatin, the patient's condition improved, and she has been progression-free for more than 4 years. Interestingly, before the IP chemotherapy, the recurrences were limited to the peritoneal cavity. These results suggest that IP recurrence might be a predictor of a good response to IP chemotherapy.

Current research analysis and prospects on sensitization effect of artesunate on anti-cancer radiotherapy and chemotherapy / 中国中药杂志

The wide application of artemisinins in the treatment of multiple cancers reflects the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine used in this field. The existing basic and clinical studies have revealed that artesunate can effectively suppress the malignant progression of breast cancer,colon cancer,leukemia,melanoma,ovarian cancer,prostate cancer,kidney cancer and various tumors in central nervous system. The pharmacological mechanisms of artesunate against cancers are reflected in many aspects,such as inhibiting tumor cell proliferation,invasion and metastasis,inducing tumor cell apoptosis and autophagy,regulating cell signal transduction and inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. Meanwhile,growing experimental evidences have indicated that artesunate has been used for the sensitization of radiotherapy with X-ray,β-ray,γ-ray and~(60)Co γ-ray,as well as chemotherapy with cisplatin,carboplatin and doxorubicin.This review collected basic and clinical studies on the sensitization effect of artesunate on anti-cancer radiotherapy and chemotherapy published on PubMed and CNKI during April 2000 and February 2019,and summarized the clinical positioning and application of artesunate,with the aim to provide a more comprehensive explanation on the sensitization effect of artesunate on anti-cancer radiotherapy and chemotherapy,and offer the inspiration and ideas for the development of radiotherapy and chemotherapy sensitizers,as well as cancer resistance reversal agents.

Effect of bevacizumab in treatment of children with optic pathway glioma / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of bevacizumab in the treatment of children with optic pathway glioma (OPG).@*METHODS@#A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 30 children with OPG who underwent chemotherapy. According to whether bevacizumab was used, they were divided into conventional chemotherapy (carboplatin, vincristine and etoposide) group with 12 children and combined chemotherapy (bevacizumab, carboplatin, vincristine and etoposide) group with 18 children. The children were followed up to 6 months after chemotherapy, and the two groups were compared in terms of visual acuity and tumor size before and after chemotherapy and adverse reactions during chemotherapy.@*RESULTS@#The combined chemotherapy group had a significantly higher proportion of children achieving tumor regression than the conventional chemotherapy group (P0.05). No chemotherapy-related death was observed in either group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Bevacizumab combined with conventional chemotherapy can effectively reduce tumor size. Compared with conventional chemotherapy, such combination does not increase adverse reactions and can thus become a new direction for the treatment of OPG in children.

Unknown primary large-cell neuroendocrine tumor

Large-cell neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are poorly differentiated malignancies of rare incidence and aggressive nature. NETs mostly arise in the lung followed by the gastrointestinal tract, although they are potentially ubiquitous throughout the body. Primary unknown NET has a worse prognosis and shorter survival comparing with other NETs, with limited available data in the literature concerning this subgroup. The authors report the case of large-cell NET with supraclavicular lymph node presentation. Total excisional biopsy revealed an enlarged adenopathy 18 × 15 × 10 mm, which was extensively infiltrated by a solid malignant neoplasm composed of large cells with granular chromatin, nuclear pseudo-inclusions, high mitotic index, and focal necrosis, with a Ki 67 index 25-30% and positive immunohistochemical study for the expression of cytokeratin 8/18, chromogranin, synaptophysin, and thyroid transcriptional factor-1 (TTF-1). There was no evidence of primary location apart from two infracentimetric lung lesions that could not be accessed for biopsy and were negative at both somatostatin receptor scintigraphy and positron emission tomography. The NET relapsed with three mediastinal masses, so the patient was started on chemotherapy with carboplatin and etoposide with initial total response. Early progression showed no response to further chemotherapy regimens (temozolomide, oral etoposide); therefore, the patient was treated with local radiotherapy. This patient has an atypical long survival (54 months) compared to the literature data. In fact, there are few long-term survivors of large-cell NET and they are all related to complete surgical resection.

Citorreducción óptima en cáncer de ovario avanzado tratado con paclitaxel a dosis densa y carboplatino seguido de cirugía de intervalo en el Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas del Perú / Optimal cytoreduction in advanced ovarian cancer treated with dose-dense paclitaxel and carboplatin followed by interval surgery at the Peruvian National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases

RESUMEN Objetivos. Determinar la tasa de citorreducción óptima en pacientes con cáncer de ovario avanzado que recibieron quimioterapia neoadyuvante con carboplatino y paclitaxel dosis densa seguido de cirugía de citorreducción de intervalo (CCI). Materiales y métodos. Estudio de una serie de casos retrospectiva de mujeres peruanas tratadas con quimioterapia neoadyuvante con carboplatino (AUC 6 mg/ml/min) y paclitaxel (80 mg/m2 semanal) seguido de CCI, en el Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas durante el período 2010-2014. Resultados . Los 41 pacientes que alcanzaron cirugía de intervalo, tuvieron una mediana de edad de 59 años (rango: 47-73 años). En 37 (90,2%) pacientes se reportó histología de adenocarcinoma seroso de alto grado. Treinta y cuatro (82,9%) lograron citorreducción óptima y cinco (14,7%) respuesta patológica completa. La sobrevida libre de progresión al año y 2 años fueron 74,7% y 51,8%, respectivamente. La sobrevida global al año y 2 años fue 85,2% y 71,4%, respectivamente. El riesgo de progresión y muerte fue mayor en pacientes sin citorreducción óptima y pacientes con niveles de dosaje del antígeno carcinoembrionario 125 postoperatorio > 30 U/ml. Conclusiones . La neoadyuvancia con carboplatino y paclitaxel dosis densa logró una frecuencia elevada de citorreducción óptima. Los niveles de antígeno carcinoembrionario 125 postoperatorios y citorreducción óptima resultaron factores independientes de sobrevida libre de progresión y sobrevida global.

ABSTRACT Objectives. To determine the rate of optimal cytoreduction in patients with advanced ovarian cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy with dose-dense carboplatin and paclitaxel followed by interval debulking surgery (IDS). Materials and Methods. A retrospective study of a series of cases of Peruvian women treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy with carboplatin (6 AUC mg/mL/min) and paclitaxel (80 mg/m2 weekly) followed by IDS, at the National Institute of Neoplastic Diseases during the 2010-2014 period. Results. The 41 patients who made it to the interval surgery had a median age of 59 years (range: 47-73 years). In 37 (90.2%) patients, high-grade serous adenocarcinoma histology was reported. Thirty-four (82.9%) achieved optimal cytoreduction and five (14.7%), a complete pathological response. Progression-free survival at one year and two years was 74.7% and 51.8%, respectively. Overall survival at one year and two years was 85.2% and 71.4%, respectively. The risk of progression and death was greater in patients without optimal cytoreduction and in patients with postsurgery levels of carcinoembryonic antigen 125 > 30 U/mL. Conclusions. Neoadjuvant therapy with dose-dense carboplatin and paclitaxel achieved an elevated frequency of optimal cytoreduction. The post-surgery levels of carcinoembryonic antigen 125 and optimal cytoreduction were independent factors of progression-free survival and overall survival.

Medicações ototóxicas utilizadas no tratamento oncológico pediátrico: uma revisão sistemática / Ototoxic medications used in treating childhood cancer: a systematic review

RESUMO Objetivo Fazer um levantamento dos medicamentos ototóxicos utilizados no tratamento do câncer pediátrico, apontar os danos das drogas para o sistema auditivo e os métodos utilizados na identificação destes danos nessa população. Estratégia de pesquisa: Foram utilizados periódicos nacionais e internacionais pertinentes ao assunto, acessados eletronicamente em bases de dados da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde - MS, PubMed, Biblioteca Digital Brasileira de Teses e Dissertações, que envolvessem a população pediátrica com histórico de tratamento oncológico, publicados entre 2007 e 2016, e no Banco de Teses e Dissertações da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior. Critérios de seleção Foram selecionados estudos que contemplassem os seguintes critérios: estudos observacionais nas línguas portuguesa, inglesa ou espanhola e resumos disponíveis que informassem o método de avaliação do dano auditivo. Resultados A amostra final resultou em 12 artigos. Destes, a audiometria tonal limiar foi o método de avaliação auditiva mais utilizado, estando presente em 10 (84,61%) dos estudos, seguido das emissões otoacústicas (46,15%). Todos os estudos foram desenvolvidos com pacientes que fizeram uso de cisplatina ou derivados da platina e, quanto ao dano auditivo, apenas 1 dos estudos incluídos não relatou presença de alteração na população estudada. Conclusão Os derivados da platina expressam papel importante no tratamento do câncer em diversos níveis e são os agentes ototóxicos mais citados em pesquisas. A cóclea é o local mais afetado, mais especificamente as células ciliadas externas. Os métodos de investigação da alteração auditiva mais utilizados são a audiometria tonal limiar e as emissões otoacústicas.

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of the present study was to perform a literature review on ototoxic medications used for the treatment of childhood cancer and determine the harm caused by such drugs to the auditory system as well as the methods used to identify this harm. Search strategy The electronic databases of the Virtual Health Library (Brazilian Health Ministry), PubMed, Brazilian Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations, and Databank of Theses and Dissertations of the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES [Brazilian Coordination for the Advancement of Higher Education Personnel]) were searched for relevant national and international papers involving the pediatric population with a history of treatment for cancer published between 2007 and 2016. Selection criteria Observational studies published in Portuguese, English or Spanish with abstracts available and that informed the method for assessing hearing damage. Results The final sample consisted of 12 articles. Pure-tone threshold audiometry was the used in ten (84.61%) of the studies and otoacoustic emissions were investigated in 46.15%. All studies involved patients who made use of cisplatin or platinum derivatives. Only one of the studies included in the present review reported no changes in hearing in the population studied. Conclusion Platinum derivatives play an important role in the treatment of cancer and are the most widely cited ototoxic agents in studies. The cochlea is the most affected site, specifically the outer hair cells. The most widely used methods for assessing altered hearing are pure-tone threshold audiometry and otoacoustic emissions.

Impact of lymph node ratio on survival in stage III ovarian high-grade serous cancer: a Turkish Gynecologic Oncology Group study / 부인종양

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of lymph node ratio (LNR) in patients with stage III ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC). METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective department database review was performed to identify patients with ovarian HGSC at 6 gynecologic oncology centers in Turkey. A total of 229 node-positive women with stage III ovarian HGSC who had undergone maximal or optimal cytoreductive surgery plus systematic lymphadenectomy followed by paclitaxel plus carboplatin combination chemotherapy were included. LNR, defined as the percentage of positive lymph nodes (LNs) to total nodes recovered, was stratified into 3 groups: LNR1 (<10%), LNR2 (10%≤LNR<50%), and LNR3 (≥50%). Kaplan-Meier method was used to generate survival data. Factors predictive of outcome were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Thirty-one women (13.6%) were classified as stage IIIA1, 15 (6.6%) as stage IIIB, and 183 (79.9%) as stage IIIC. The median age at diagnosis was 56 (range, 18–87), and the median duration of follow-up was 36 months (range, 1–120 months). For the entire cohort, the 5-year overall survival (OS) was 52.8%. An increased LNR was associated with a decrease in 5-year OS from 65.1% for LNR1, 42.5% for LNR2, and 25.6% for LNR3, respectively (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis, women with LNR≥0.50 were 2.7 times more likely to die of their tumors (hazard ratio [HR]=2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.42–5.18; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: LNR seems to be an independent prognostic factor for decreased OS in stage III ovarian HGSC patients.

Combination of carboplatin and intermittent normobaric hyperoxia synergistically suppresses benzoapyrene-induced lung cancer

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We explored the effects of intermittent normobaric hyperoxia alone or combined with chemotherapy on the growth, general morphology, oxidative stress, and apoptosis of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P)-induced lung tumors in mice. METHODS: Female A/J mice were given a single dose of B[a]P and randomized into four groups: control, carboplatin (50 mg/kg intraperitoneally), hyperoxia (95% fraction of inspired oxygen), and carboplatin and hyperoxia. Normobaric hyperoxia (95%) was applied for 3 hours each day from weeks 21 to 28. Tumor load was determined as the average total tumor numbers and volumes. Several markers of oxidative stress and apoptosis were evaluated. RESULTS: Intermittent normobaric hyperoxia combined with chemotherapy reduced the tumor number by 59% and the load by 72% compared with the control B[a]P group. Intermittent normobaric hyperoxia, either alone or combined with chemotherapy, decreased the levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione and increased the levels of catalase and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine. The Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio, caspase 3 level, and number of transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling positive cells increased following treatment with hyperoxia with or without chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Intermittent normobaric hyperoxia was found to be tumoricidal and thus may serve as an adjuvant therapy for lung cancer. Oxidative stress and its effects on DNA are increased following exposure to hyperoxia and even more with chemotherapy, and this may lead to apoptosis of lung tumors.