Impact of cemiplimab treatment duration on clinical outcomes in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Treatment duration with checkpoint inhibitors must be optimized to prevent unjustified toxicity, but evidence for the management of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is lacking. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the survival of patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) who discontinued cemiplimab due to different causes and without progression. Among 95 patients with CSCC who received cemiplimab, 22 (23%) patients discontinued immunotherapy due to causes other than progression, such as comorbidities, toxicity, complete response or lack of compliance (group that discontinued before censoring [DBC]), then 73 patients had standard treatment scheduled (STS). The overall survival was 25.2 months (95% CI: 8.9-29.4) in STS group and 28.3 months (95% CI: 12.7-28.3) in the DBC group; deaths for all causes were 11/22 (50%) in the DBC group and 34/73 (46.6%) in the STS group (p = 0.32). 10/22 (45.4%) subjects died due to CSCC in the DBC after discontinuation and 34/73 (46.6%) in the STS group, and the difference between groups was not significant (p = 0.230). Duration of treatment was significantly lower in subjects with stable disease versus those with complete or partial response (16.9, 30.6 and 34.9 months, respectively; p = 0.004). Among the 22 STS patients, 12 received cemiplimab for less than 12 months (10 [83%] died) and 10 for at least 12 months (1 [10%] died). Our observation, finding no outcome difference between DBC and STS groups, suggests that ICI treatment after one year might expose patients to further treatment related events without efficacy advantages.

The role of diabetes in metastatic melanoma patients treated with nivolumab plus relatlimab.

BACKGROUND: The combination of nivolumab + relatlimab is superior to nivolumab alone in the treatment of naive patients and has activity in PD-1 refractory melanoma. We had previously observed a reduced expression of LAG3 in melanoma tissue from patients with type 2 diabetes. METHOD: To evaluate the impact of diabetes on oncological outcomes of patients with advanced melanoma treated with nivolumab plus the LAG3 inhibitor relatlimab we performed a retrospective multicenter study. RESULTS: Overall, 129 patients were included: 88 without diabetes before the treatment, 37 who were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before the start of treatment, and 4 without diabetes before treatment who developed immune checkpoint inhibitor-induced diabetes (ICI-DM). PFS was 21.71 months (95% CI: 15.61-27.81) in patients without diabetes, 10.23 months (95% CI: 5.81-14.66) in patients with type 2 diabetes, and 50.85 months (95% CI: 23.04-78.65) in patients who developed ICI-DM. OS was 37.94 months (95% CI: 31.02-44.85) in patients without diabetes, 22.12 months (95% CI: 14.41-29.85) in those with type 2 diabetes and 57.64 months (95% CI: 42.29-72.99) in those who developed ICI-DM. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of diabetes and LDH was correlated with OS and PFS. The mean OS was 64.63 months in subjects with low levels of glucose (< 137 mg/dl) and 36.27 months in those with high levels (hazard ratio 0.16, 95% CI: 0.04-0.58; p = 0.005). The patients whose glucose blood level increased after 3 months of treatment with nivolumab + relatinib compared to baseline (ratio of blood level at baseline/after 3 months > 1.5) had a worse prognosis than those whose glucose level had not increased. This result was observed also in subgroups treated either in first line or further lines. Patients who developed ICI-DM during the study period had better outcomes than the overall population and patients without diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: LAG3 inhibition for treating metastatic or unresectable melanoma has a reduced efficacy in patients with type 2 diabetes, possibly due to a low expression of LAG3 in tumor tissue. Higher level evidence should be obtained.

Combining L-Arginine with vitamin C improves long-COVID symptoms: The LINCOLN Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Recent evidence suggests that oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction play critical roles in the pathophysiology of COVID-19 and Long-COVID. We hypothesized that a supplementation combining L-Arginine (to improve endothelial function) and Vitamin C (to reduce oxidation) could have favorable effects on Long-COVID symptoms. METHODS: We designed a survey (LINCOLN: L-Arginine and Vitamin C improves Long-COVID), assessing several symptoms that have been associated with Long-COVID to be administered nationwide to COVID-19 survivors; the survey also included effort perception, measured using the Borg scale. Patients receiving the survey were divided in two groups, with a 2:1 ratio: the first group included patients that received L-Arginine + Vitamin C, whereas the second group received a multivitamin combination (alternative treatment). RESULTS: 1390 patients successfully completed the survey. Following a 30-day treatment in both groups, the survey revealed that patients in the L-Arginine + Vitamin C treatment arm had significantly lower scores compared to patients who had received the multivitamin combination. There were no other significant differences between the two groups. When examining effort perception, we observed a significantly lower value (p < 0.0001) in patients receiving L-Arginine + Vitamin C compared to the alternative-treatment arm. CONCLUSIONS: Our survey indicates that the supplementation with L-Arginine + Vitamin C has beneficial effects in Long-COVID, in terms of attenuating its typical symptoms and improving effort perception.

Long-term dual antiplatelet therapy and nuisance bleeding: impact on quality of life.

Long term dual antiplatelet therapy (LTDAPT), with ticagrelor 60 mg and low-dose aspirin, is indicated after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) for the secondary prevention of atherothrombotic events in high-risk patients with a history of ACS of at least 1 year. LTDAPT had a good tolerability and safety profile, but the risk of TIMI major bleeding was increased. However, even non-significant bleeding may be important because it has an effect on the quality of life and therefore may lead to treatment discontinuation. We, therefore, evaluated patients' experiences with LTDAPT and the impact of nuisance bleeding on quality of life and treatment adherence. We retrospectively reviewed 225 patients in follow-up after ACS with at least one high-risk condition, treated with ticagrelor 60 mg twice daily (after 90 mg twice daily for 12 months). The outpatient follow-up program after hospitalization provides a visit on day 30 after discharge, then after 3 months, continuing with six-monthly checks. We assessed the presence and intensity of bleeding, as well as health-related quality of life (HRQoL), at each visit. The TIMI score was used to determine the severity of the bleeding. Any overt bleeding event that did not meet the major and minor criteria was labeled "minimal" and could be framed as "nuisance bleeding." The HRQoL was assessed by the EuroQol-5 and Dimension (EQ-5D) visual analog scale (VAS) score. Minimal bleedings were present in 49 patients (21%), but only in one case (by decision of the patient) there was a cause for discontinuation of therapy. However, 39 (79%) subjects had asked for opinions on stopping the therapy during the telephone consultation. Factors influencing LTDAPT knowledge included access to medication counselling, engaging with information communicated during medication counselling, and access to timely, relevant and expert information and advice after discharge from the hospital. All adverse events, judged to be "not serious" in trials, may have an effect on the quality of life and therefore may lead to treatment discontinuation. The authors underline the importance of careful outpatient follow-up and ongoing counselling, to check out compliance and possible adverse effect of LTDAPT.

Long term dual antiplatelet therapy after myocardial infarction: retrospective analysis in an outpatient population.

Long term treatment with ticagrelor 60 mg and low-dose aspirin are indicated after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We retrospectively reviewed aggregate data of 187 patients (155 M and 38 F) (mean age 63.8±9 years) in follow up after ACS with at least one high risk condition (Multivessel disease, diabetes, GFR<60 mL/min, history of prior myocardial infarction, age >65 years) treated with ticagrelor 60 mg twice daily (after 90 mg twice daily for 12 months). The results were compared with findings (characteristics of the patients at baseline, outcomes, bleeding) of PEGASUS-TIMI 54 trial and Eu Label. The highrisk groups were represented as follows: multivessel disease 105 pts (82%), diabetes 63 pts (33%), GFR< 60 mL/min 27 pts (14%), history of prior MI 33 pts (17%), >65 year aged 85 pts (45%). Treatment was withdrawn in 7 patients: 3 cases showed atrial fibrillation and were placed on oral anticoagulant drugs, one developed intracranial bleeding, in three patients a temporary withdrawal was due to surgery (1 colon polyposis and 2 cases of bladder papilloma). Chest pain without myocardial infarction occurred in 16 patients (revascularization was required in 9 patients). Dyspnea was present in 15 patients, but was not a cause for discontinuation of therapy. Long term treatment with ticagrelor 60 mg twice daily plus aspirin 100 mg/day showed a favourable benefit/risk profile after ACS.  In this study all patients had been given ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily for 12 months and the 60 mg twice daily dosage was started immediately thereafter, unlike PEGASUS-TIMI 54 trial in which it was prescribed within a period ranging from 1 day to 1 year after discontinuation of the 90 mg dose. This makes our results more consistent with current clinical practice. However, a careful outpatient follow-up and constant counseling are mandatory to check out compliance to therapy and adverse side effects.

The role of 3D echocardiographic imaging in the differential diagnosis of an atypical left atrial myxoma.

We describe a case of a left atrial myxoma atypical for its anatomical features and site of attachment. Although an initial multimodality imaging was performed, the diagnosis of myxoma was possible only by three dimensional echocardiography (3DE) which was able to identify the pedicle and the attachment at the base of the interatrial septum, close to the origin of right inferior pulmonary vein. In fact the 3DE can electronically section the structures and obtain unique planes useful in visualizing correctly the anatomical features of the myxomas and as a result, it facilitates the surgical decision planning. Even the anatomical appearance was uncommon at surgery and the diagnosis could be confirmed only by pathology.  This case highlights the diagnostic ability of the 3DE in similar challenging scenarios.

Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation "3.0": From acute to chronic phase. Position Paper of the ltalian Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (GICR-IACPR).

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is the subspecialty of clinical cardiology dedicated to the treatment of cardiac patients, early and in the long term after an acute event. The aim of CR is to improve both quality of life and prognosis through prognostic stratification, clinical stabilization and optimization of therapy (pharmacological and non), management of comorbidities, treatment of disability, as well as through the provision and reinforcement of secondary prevention interventions and maintenaince of adherence to treatment. The mission of CR has changed over time. Once centered on the acute phase, aimed primarily at short-term survival, the healthcare of cardiac patients now increasingly involves the chronic phase where the challenge is to guarantee continuity and quality of care in the medium and long-term. The aim of the present position paper is to provide the state-of-the-art of CR in Italy, discussing its trengths and weaknesses as well as future perspectives.

Identification, prevention and management of cardiovascular risk in chronic myeloid leukaemia patients candidate to ponatinib: an expert opinion.

Ponatinib (Iclusig, ARIAD Pharmaceuticals-Incyte Co.) is a third-generation structure-guided tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is approved for treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive leukaemias resistant or intolerant to other inhibitors. The clinical use of ponatinib is complicated by the possible development of cardiovascular events, primarily hypertension and arterial or venous thrombotic events. The US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicine Agency recommend that the cardiovascular profile of patients candidate for ponatinib should be carefully evaluated. For patients deemed to carry a high risk of cardiovascular events, other life-saving therapeutic options should be considered. When alternative options are not available, treatment with ponatinib is indicated but requires that haematologists and cardiologists collaborate and identify modalities of surveillance and risk mitigation in the best interest of the patient. This article reports on the expert opinion provided by a panel of Italian haematologists, cardiologists and clinical pharmacologists. It summarises suggestions that may help to improve the therapeutic index of ponatinib, primarily in the settings of chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukaemia.

[Cardiac rehabilitation "3.0": from the acute to the chronic stage. A position paper from the Italian Association for Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation (GICR-IACPR)]. / La Cardiologia Preventiva e Riabilitativa "3.0": dalle acuzie alla cronicità. Position paper del Gruppo Italiano di Cardiologia Riabilitativa e Preventiva (GICR-IACPR).

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) represents a cardiology subspecialty that is devoted to the care of cardiac patients, early and long term after an acute event. CR aims at improving both quality of life and prognosis through risk and prognostic stratification, clinical stabilization and optimization of therapy, management of comorbidities, treatment of disability, and the provision of sustained long-term preventive and rehabilitative services.The mission of CR has changed over time. From being centred on the acute phase, health care of cardiac patients is increasingly involving the long-term chronic phase. The aim of the present position paper is to provide the state of the art of CR in Italy, discussing strengths and weaknesses as well as future perspectives.

Work-related outcome after acute coronary syndrome: Implications of complex cardiac rehabilitation in occupational medicine.

OBJECTIVES: Coronary heart disease is frequent in the working-age population. Traditional outcomes, such as mortality and hospital readmission, are useful for evaluating prognosis. Fit-for-work is an emerging outcome with clinical as well as socioeconomic significance. We describe the possible benefit of a cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program for return to work (RTW) after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We evaluated 204 patients with recent ACS. They were divided into 4 groups on the basis of their occupational work load: very light (VL), light (L), moderate (M), and heavy (H). Work-related outcomes were assessed with the Work Performance Scale (WPS) of the Functional Status Questionnaire and as "days missed from work" (DMW) in the previous 4 weeks. The variables considered for outcomes were percent ejection fraction, functional capacity expressed in metabolic equivalents (METs), and participation or non-participation in the CR program (CR+ and CR-). RESULTS: One hundred thirty (66%) patients took part in the CR program. Total WPS scores for CR+ and CR- subgroups were VL group: 18±4 vs. 14±4 (p < 0.001), L group: 18±3 vs. 14±3 (p < 0.0001), M group: 19±3 vs. 16±3 (p < 0.003), and H group: 20±4 vs. 17±3 (p < 0.006). Fewer DMW were reported by the CR+ group. CONCLUSIONS: Non-participation in CR was a consistent cause of poorer work-related outcomes. Our findings indicate that CR and occupational counseling play a very important role in worker recovery and subsequent reintegration in the workplace, in particular among clerical workers.