Plasma tumor DNA is associated with increased risk of venous thromboembolism in metastatic castration-resistant cancer patients.

Cancer is a risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Plasma tumor DNA (ptDNA) is an independent predictor of outcome in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). We aimed to investigate the association between ptDNA and VTE in mCRPC. This prospective biomarker study included 180 mCRPC patients treated with abiraterone and enzalutamide from April 2013 to December 2018. We excluded patients with a previous VTE history and/or ongoing anticoagulation therapy. Targeted next-generation sequencing was performed to determine ptDNA fraction from pretreatment plasma samples. VTE risk based on survival analysis was performed using cumulative incidence function and estimating sub-distributional hazard ratio (SHR). At a median follow-up of 58 months (range 0.5-111.0), we observed 21 patients who experienced VTE with a cumulative incidence at 12 months of 17.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 10.3-23.9). Elevated ptDNA, visceral metastasis, prior chemotherapy and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly associated with higher VTE incidence compared to patients with no thrombosis (12-month estimate, 18.6% vs 3.5%, P = .0003; 44.4% vs 14.8%, P = .015; 24.7% vs 4.5%, P = .006; and 30.0% vs 13.5%, P = .05, respectively). In the multivariate analysis including ptDNA level, visceral metastases, number of lesions and serum LDH, high ptDNA fraction was the only independent factor associated with the risk of thrombosis (HR 5.78, 95% CI 1.63-20.44, P = .006). These results first suggest that baseline ptDNA fraction in mCRPC patients treated with abiraterone or enzalutamide may be associated with increased VTE risk. These patients may be followed-up more closely for the VTE risk, and the need for a primary thromboprophylaxis should be taken into account in mCRPC with elevated ptDNA.

Serum Biomarkers to Dynamically Predict the Risk of Cardiovascular Events in Patients under Oncologic Therapy. A Multicenter Observational Study.

Background: Serum biomarkers have been investigated as predictive risk factors for cancer-related cardiovascular (CV) risk, but their analysis is limited to their baseline level rather than their overtime change. Besides historically validated causal factors, inflammatory and oxidative stress (OS) related markers seem to be correlated to CV events but this association needs to be further explored. We conducted an observational study to determine the predictive role of the longitudinal changes of commonly used and OS-related biomarkers during the cancer treatment period. Methods: Patients undergoing anticancer therapies, either aged 75+ years old or younger with an increased CV risk according to European Society of Cardiology guidelines, were enrolled. We assessed the predictive value of biomarkers for the onset of CV events at baseline and during therapy using Cox model, Subpopulation Treatment-Effect Pattern Plot (STEPP) method and repeated measures analysis of longitudinal data. Results: From April 2018 to August 2021, 182 subjects were enrolled, of whom 168 were evaluable. Twenty-eight CV events were recorded after a median follow up of 9.2 months (Interquartile range, IQR: 5.1-14.7). Fibrinogen and troponin levels were independent risk factors for CV events. Specifically, patients with higher than the median levels of fibrinogen and troponin at baseline had higher risk compared with patients with values below the medians, hazard ratio (HR) = 3.95, 95% CI, 1.25-12.45 and HR = 2.48, 0.67-9.25, respectively. STEPP analysis applied to Cox model showed that cumulative event-free survival at 18 and 24 months worsened almost linearly as median values of fibrinogen increased. Repeated measure analysis showed an increase over time of D-Dimer (p-interaction event*time = 0.08), systolic (p = 0.07) and diastolic (p = 0.05) blood pressure and a decrease of left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.15) for subjects who experienced a CV event. Conclusions: Higher levels of fibrinogen and troponin at baseline and an increase over time of D-Dimer and blood pressure are associated to a higher risk of CV events in patients undergoing anticancer therapies. The role of OS in fibrinogen increase and the longitudinal monitoring of D-dimer and blood pressure levels should be further assessed.

First step results from a phase II study of a dendritic cell vaccine in glioblastoma patients (CombiG-vax).

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a poor prognosis grade 4 glioma. After surgical resection, the standard therapy consists of concurrent radiotherapy (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ) followed by TMZ alone. Our previous data on melanoma patients showed that Dendritic Cell vaccination (DCvax) could increase the amount of intratumoral-activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Methods: This is a single-arm, monocentric, phase II trial in two steps according to Simon's design. The trial aims to evaluate progression-free survival (PFS) at three months and the safety of a DCvax integrated with standard therapy in resected GBM patients. DCvax administration begins after completion of RT-CTwith weekly administrations for 4 weeks, then is alternated monthly with TMZ cycles. The primary endpoints are PFS at three months and safety. One of the secondary objectives is to evaluate the immune response both in vitro and in vivo (DTH skin test). Results: By December 2022, the first pre-planned step of the study was concluded with the enrollment, treatment and follow up of 9 evaluable patients. Two patients had progressed within three months after leukapheresis, but none had experienced DCvax-related G3-4 toxicities Five patients experienced a positive DTH test towards KLH and one of these also towards autologous tumor homogenate. The median PFS from leukapheresis was 11.3 months and 12.2 months from surgery. Conclusions: This combination therapy is well-tolerated, and the two endpoints required for the first step have been achieved. Therefore, the study will proceed to enroll the remaining 19 patients. (Eudract number: 2020-003755-15 https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/trial/2020-003755-15/IT).

Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS) in Onco-Hematologic Patients: Retrospective Analysis and Focus on the Correlation or Not With Anticancer Drugs. Case Reports and Review of the Literature.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an uncommon cardiovascular condition also known as stress-induced cardiomyopathy or broken heart disease. The syndrome, characterized by acute non-coronary segmental ventricular dysfunction, commonly occurs as a reaction to severe emotional or physical stress and can cause significant problems. Several classes of chemotherapeutic agents that are known to be cardiotoxic have been shown to be associated with TTS in cancer patients. Describing a case of TTS from chemotherapy and/or monoclonal antibody is important because these drugs are widely used and their temporary or permanent suspension could compromise the success of treatment. The detection and reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions in clinical practice are the foundations of postmarketing surveillance. We performed a retrospective analysis of a large number of patients followed at our cancer centre to identify drugs that could lead to the onset of TTS, focusing our attention on 2 monoclonal antibodies, bevacizumab and rituximab plus chemotherapy. A search was carried out for the word "Takotsubo" in database sources such as in PubMed, in medical oncology, radiology and cardiology electronic clinical records. From October 2007 to March 2021, of the 79,005 patients seen or treated for any kind of malignancy at our institute, 9 had a diagnosis of TTS (4 before and 5 after the diagnosis of malignancy). Only 2 patients had TTS after treatment with the anticancer drugs, bevacizumab and rituximab plus chemotherapy. These two patients were hospitalised, one for subocclusion while the other for pulmonary embolism (PE) with a life threatening condition and in need of intravenous catecholamines. For both patients, an ECG, echocardiography and coronary angiography were performed as well as blood tests with a subsequent diagnosis of TTS and both received cardiological treatment with resolution of the clinical picture. A reassessment of the two cases found that a subocclusion and intravenous catecholamines appeared to be the most likely triggers. In conclusion, TTS is rare in cancer patients. Identifying TTS triggers could be useful because it could induce therapeutic changes.

Phase II study of liposomal doxorubicin, docetaxel and trastuzumab in combination with metformin as neoadjuvant therapy for HER2-positive breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to improve activity over single human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-blockade sequential neaodjuvant regimens for HER2-positive breast cancer, by exploiting the concomitant administration of trastuzumab, taxane and anthracycline, while restraining cardiac toxicity with use of liposomal doxorubicin, and by adding metformin, based on preliminary evidence of antitumor activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This multi-center, single-arm, two-stage phase II trial, assessed the safety and the activity of a new treatment regimen for HER2-positive, early or locally advanced breast cancer. Patients received six 21-day cycles of non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, 50 mg/m2 intravenously (i.v.) on day 1, docetaxel, 30 mg/m2 i.v. on days 2 and 9, trastuzumab, 2 mg/kg/week i.v. on days 2, 9, and 16 (with 4 mg/kg loading dose), in association with metformin 1000 mg orally twice daily. The primary endpoint was the rate of pathological complete response (pCR) in the breast and axilla (ypT0/is ypN0). A subgroup of patients performed a 3-deoxy-3-18F-fluorothymidine positron emission tomography (FLT-PET) at baseline and after one cycle. RESULTS: Among 47 evaluable patients, there were 18 pCR [38.3%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 24.5-53.6%]. A negative estrogen-receptor status, high Ki67, and histological grade 3 were related with pCR, although only grade reached statistical significance. FLT-PET maximum standardized uptake value after one cycle was inversely related to pCR in the breast (odds ratio 0.29, 95% CI 0.06-1.30, p = 0.11). Toxicity included grade 3-4 neutropenia in 70% and febrile neutropenia in 4% of patients, grade 1-2 nausea/vomiting in 60%/38%, and grade 3 in 4%/2%, respectively, grade 1-2 diarrhea in 72%, and grade 3 in 6%. There were two cases of reversible grade 2 left-ventricular ejection-fraction decrease, and one case of sharp troponin-T increase. CONCLUSIONS: The concomitant administration of trastuzumab, liposomal doxorubicin, docetaxel, and metformin is safe and shows good activity, but does not appear to improve activity over conventional sequential regimens.

Radiotherapy and High-Dose Interleukin-2: Clinical and Immunological Results of a Proof of Principle Study in Metastatic Melanoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma.

High-dose interleukin-2 (HD IL-2) has curative potential in metastatic melanoma (MM) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Radiotherapy (RT) kills cancer cells and induces immunomodulatory effects. Prospective trials exploring clinical and immunological properties of combined RT/HD IL-2 are still needed. We designed a phase II, single-arm clinical trial for patients with MM and RCC. The treatment schedule consisted of 3 daily doses of 6-12 Gy of RT to 1-5 non-index metastatic fields, before IL-2 at the first and third treatment cycle. HD IL-2 was administered by continuous infusion for 72 hours and repeated every 3 weeks for up to 4 cycles, thereafter every 4 weeks for a maximum of 2 cycles. The primary endpoint was the immunological efficacy of the combined RT/HD IL-2 treatment (assessed by IFN-γ ELISPOT). Nineteen out of 22 patients were evaluable for immunological and clinical response. Partial response occurred in 3 (15.7%) patients and stable disease was observed in 7 (36.8%). The disease control rate was 52.6% after a median follow up of 39.2 months. According to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 4.0 (CTCAE 4.0), the majority of toxicities were grade 1-2. Immunological responses were frequent and detected in 16 (84.2%) patients. Increased levels of IL-8 and IL-10 in melanoma, circulating effector memory CD4+ and intratumoral CD8+ T cells in both tumor types were detected after therapy. Overall the treatment was well tolerated and immunologically active. Immunomonitoring and correlative data on tumor and peripheral blood cell subsets suggest that this combination treatment could be a promising strategy for patients progressing after standard treatments.

Hydroxychloroquine as Prophylaxis for COVID-19: A Review.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide has led to a desperate search for effective drugs and vaccines. There are still no approved agents for disease prophylaxis. We thus decided to use a drug repositioning strategy to perform a state-of-the-art review of a promising but controversial drug, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), in an effort to provide an objective, scientific and methodologically correct overview of its potential prophylactic role. The advantage of using known drugs is that their toxicity profile is well known and there are fewer commercial interests (e.g., expired patents), thus allowing the scientific community to be freer of constraints. The main disadvantage is that the economic resources are almost always insufficient to promote large multinational clinical trials. In the present study, we reviewed the literature and available data on the prophylactic use of HCQ. We also took an in-depth look at all the published clinical data on the drug and examined ongoing clinical trials (CTs) from the most important CT repositories to identify a supporting rationale for HCQ prophylactic use. Our search revealed a substantial amount of preclinical data but a lack of clinical data, highlighting the need to further assess the translational impact of in vitro data in a clinical setting. We identified 77 CTs using a multiplicity of HCQ schedules, which clearly indicates that we are still far from reaching a standard of care. The majority of the CTs (92%) are randomized and 53% are being conducted in a phase 3 or 2/3 setting. The comparator is placebo or control in 55 (77%) of the randomized studies. Forty-eight (62%) CTs expect to enroll up to 1,000 subjects and 50 (71%) plan to recruit healthcare workers (HCW). With regard to drug schedules, 45 (58.5%) CTs have planned a loading dose, while 18 (23.4%) have not; the loading dose is 800 mg in 19 trials (42.2%), 400 mg in 19 (42.2%), 600 mg in 4 (8.9%) and 1,200 mg in 1 (2.2%). Forty trials include at least one daily schedule, while 19 have at least one weekly schedule. Forty-one (53.2%) will have a treatment duration of more than 30 days. Awaiting further developments that can only derive from the results of these prospective randomized CTs, the take-home message of our review is that a correct methodological approach is the key to understanding whether prophylactic HCQ can really represent an effective strategy in preventing COVID-19.

Circulating biomarkers and cardiac function over 3 years after chemotherapy with anthracyclines: the ICOS-ONE trial.

AIMS: A multicentre trial, ICOS-ONE, showed increases above the upper limit of normality of cardiac troponin (cTn) in 27% of patients within 12 months after the end of cancer chemotherapy (CT) with anthracyclines, whether cardiac protection with enalapril was started at study entry in all (prevention arm) or only upon first occurrence on supra-normal cTn (troponin-triggered arm). The aims of the present post hoc analysis were (i) to assess whether anthracycline-based treatment could induce cardiotoxicity over 36 month follow-up and (ii) to describe the time course of three cardiovascular biomarkers (i.e. troponin I cTnI-Ultra, B-type natriuretic peptide BNP, and pentraxin 3 PTX3) and of left ventricular (LV) function up to 36 months. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eligible patients were those prescribed first-in-life CT, without evidence of cardiovascular disease, normal cTn, LV ejection fraction (EF) >50%, not on renin-angiotensin aldosterone system antagonists. Patients underwent echocardiography and blood sampling at 24 and 36 months. No differences were observed in biomarker concentration between the two study arms, 'prevention' vs. 'troponin-triggered'. During additional follow-up 13 more deaths occurred, leading to a total of 23 (9.5%), all due to a non-cardiovascular cause. No new occurrences of LV-dysfunction were reported. Two additional patients were admitted to the hospital for cardiovascular causes, both for acute pulmonary embolism. No first onset of raised cTnI-Ultra was reported in the extended follow-up. BNP remained within normal range: at 36 months was 23.4 ng/L, higher (N.S.) than at baseline, 17.6 ng/L. PTX3 peaked at 5.2 ng/mL 1 month after CT and returned to baseline values thereafter. cTnI-Ultra peaked at 26 ng/L 1 month after CT and returned to 3 ng/L until the last measurement at 36 months. All echocardiographic variables remained stable during follow-up with a median LVEF of 63% and left atrial volume index about 24 mL/m2 . CONCLUSIONS: First-in-life CT with median cumulative dose of anthracyclines of 180 mg/m2 does not seem to cause clinically significant cardiac injury, as assessed by circulating biomarkers and echocardiography, in patients aged 51 years (median), without pre-existing cardiac disease. This may suggest either a 100% efficacy of enalapril (given as preventive or troponin-triggered) or a reassuringly low absolute cardiovascular risk in this cohort of patients, which may not require intensive cardiologic follow-up.

Reliability of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction from Three-Dimensional Echocardiography for Cardiotoxicity Onset Detection in Patients with Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Cardiotoxicity is a well-known adverse effect of various chemotherapeutic agents that can be monitored by echocardiography. A decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) triggers consideration for therapy modification or interruption. The aim of this study was to evaluate how variability in LVEF estimates computed using three-dimensional echocardiography could influence cardiotoxicity onset detection. METHODS: One hundred eighty one patients with breast cancer treated with anthracycline and trastuzumab were analyzed. LVEF was computed using two commercial software packages. In a subgroup of 40 patients, three-dimensional echocardiographic data were reanalyzed to assess intra- and interobserver variability by two expert investigators using both packages. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) imaging was evaluated in 64 patients. RESULTS: End-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, and LVEF measurements obtained applying the two software packages were in good agreement, with small bias and acceptable limits of agreement. Intra- and interobserver variability was smaller using one of the two software packages. However, for both packages, variability indexes were in the range of affecting LVEF estimates at a level that could lead to an inaccurate assessment of cardiac adverse effects of cancer therapeutic drugs. On the basis of LVEF, 11 of 181 patients (6.1%) had cardiotoxicity at 3-month follow-up. The absolute value of GLS was smaller in 16 of 64 patients (25%) thought to have cardiotoxicity on the basis of GLS results, including six of seven patients who had cardiotoxicity considering LVEF in this subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Following clinical definition of cardiotoxicity onset, variability in LVEF computation by three-dimensional echocardiography could be a confounding factor for cardiotoxicity diagnosis, and different software packages should not be used interchangeably for LVEF monitoring. GLS confirms its predictive value for subsequent cardiotoxicity.

Prognostic role of serum concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: results from the ITACa trial.

Serum levels of C-reactive protein are (CRP) higher in patients with neoplastic conditions and numerous studies have been performed to clarify the etiologic and prognostic role of the high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) in cancer. Our study was conducted on patients enrolled in the prospective randomized "Italian Trial in Advanced Colorectal Cancer (ITACa)" to assess hs-CRP levels and their impact on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Serum samples from 132 ITACa patients were collected at baseline and 2 months after starting first-line chemotherapy. The supernatant was immediately transferred to cryovials and stored at -80°C. After thawing, hs-CRP was measured with the Cobas c501 analyzer. High levels of hs-CRP (≥ 13.1 mg/L) were associated with poorer median PFS (p < 0.0001) and OS (p < 0.0001) than low hs-CRP levels (< 13.1 mg/L). hs-CRP values in 107 patients were evaluated again after 2 months of therapy, revealing that patients with low hs-CRP levels in both baseline and second serum samples had the best median PFS and OS. Our study confirms the prognostic value of hs-CRP in patients with metastatic colorectal carcinoma.

Impact of a territorial ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction network on prognosis of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

INTRODUCTION: We sought to assess the effect of a territorial system of care for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) on the outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 720 patients who experienced a witnessed OOHCA of presumed cardiac origin during a four-year period in an area with a STEMI network and for whom resuscitation was attempted. RESULTS: Overall, 242 (33.6%) patients had return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), 645 (90%) died before discharge. We observed a trend toward decreased overall mortality for OOHCA between the years 2004 and 2007, both in the entire population and in patients with ROSC (2004=94%; 2005=89%; 2006=85%; 2007=89%; P=0.064; 2004=81%; 2005=69%; 2006=65%; 2007=60%; P=0.076, respectively). On multivariable analysis, age, crew-witnessed arrest and presence of shockable rhythm were independent predictors of mortality. Patients who experienced OOHCA in the year 2006 (OR=0.47; 95% CI: 0.21-1.05; P=0.07) and 2007 (OR=0.51; 95% CI: 0.23-1.12; P=0.09) showed a strong trend toward decreased risk of mortality compared to year 2004. In patients with ROSC, the year 2007 was associated with a significant lower risk of mortality compared to year 2004 (OR=0.38; 95% CI: 0.15-0.96; P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a territorial network of care for STEMI appears to be associated with reduced mortality OOHCA patients.

[Networks of care for ST-elevation myocardial infarction in Italy. Results of the RETE IMA WEB survey]. / La rete per il trattamento dell'infarto miocardico acuto con sopraslivellamento del tratto ST in Italia. Risultati della rilevazione RETE IMA WEB.

BACKGROUND: The organization of a regional system of care (RSC) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is recommended by the Italian Federation of Cardiology (FIC) and international guidelines in order to increase the number of patients treated with primary coronary angioplasty and, more in general, with reperfusion therapy, speed up the diagnostic and therapeutic processes, and ultimately improve the outcome. METHODS: The "RETE IMA WEB" survey was launched in 2007 from the Italian Society of Invasive Cardiology (SICI-GISE) in collaboration with the FIC, with the aim of evaluating the current state of RSC for STEMI in Italy. The personnel of the 118 Emergency System participated in the survey. Data collection was made using different electronic forms with access limited by personal passwords. We assessed the organization of the RSC together with local resource availability, with specific attention to the distance from a Hub center. RESULTS: The survey ended in December 31, 2008. We censored 701 hospitals admitting STEMI patients, 157 (22.4%) with uninterrupted access (h24/7 days) to the catheterization laboratory (2.67 per million inhabitants). An operative network was present in 36/103 (35.9%) provinces, with important geographic variability. Among hospitals without a full-time primary angioplasty facility, only 46% was within a RSC. ECG was available in 72% of the national territory, telemedicine in 50%. Prehospital fibrinolysis was available in 16% of the country. Overall, 92.4% of the Italian population resides within 60 min of a Hub center. CONCLUSIONS: In 2008, despite an adequate framework, the RSC for STEMI in Italy was heterogeneous and still suboptimal. Healthcare administrators, scientific societies and all operators involved in the process of care for STEMI should make efforts to implement current guidelines.