Hype or hope? A review of challenges in balancing tumor control and treatment toxicity in breast cancer from the perspective of the radiation oncologist.

The aim of this article is to discuss the challenges and new strategies in managing breast cancer patients, with a specific focus on radiation oncology and the importance of balancing oncologic outcomes with quality of life and post-treatment morbidity. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify advances in the management of breast cancer, exploring de-escalation strategies, hypofractionation schemes, predictors and tools for reducing toxicity (radiation-induced lymphocyte apoptosis, deep inspiration breath-hold, adaptive radiotherapy), enhancer treatments (hyperthermia, immunotherapy) and innovative diagnostic modalities (PET-MRI, omics). Balancing oncologic outcomes with quality of life and post-treatment morbidity is crucial in the era of personalized medicine. Radiotherapy plays a critical role in the management of breast cancer patients. Large randomized trials are necessary to generalize some practices and cost remains the main obstacle for many innovations that are already applicable.

Experimental allergic airway inflammation impacts gut homeostasis in mice.

Background: /Aims: Epidemiological data show that there is an important relationship between respiratory and intestinal diseases. To improve our understanding on the interconnectedness between the lung and intestinal mucosa and the overlap between respiratory and intestinal diseases, our aim was to investigate the influence of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic airway inflammation on gut homeostasis. Methods: A/J mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA. The animals were euthanized 24 h after the last challenge, lung inflammation was determined by evaluating cells in Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum anti-OVA IgG titers and colon morphology, inflammation and integrity of the intestinal mucosa were investigated. IL-4 and IL-13 levels and myeloperoxidase activity were determined in the colon samples. The expression of genes involved in inflammation and mucin production at the gut mucosa was also evaluated. Results: OVA challenge resulted not only in lung inflammation but also in macroscopic alterations in the gut such as colon shortening, increased myeloperoxidase activity and loss of integrity in the colonic mucosal. Neutral mucin intensity was lower in the OVA group, which was followed by down-regulation of transcription of ATOH1 and up-regulation of TJP1 and MUC2. In addition, the OVA group had higher levels of IL-13 and IL-4 in the colon. Ova-specific IgG1 and OVA-specific IgG2a titers were higher in the serum of the OVA group than in controls. Conclusions: Our data using the OVA experimental model suggested that challenges in the respiratory system may result not only in allergic airway inflammation but also in the loss of gut homeostasis.

Experimental allergic airway inflammation impacts gut homeostasis in mice

Background Aims: Epidemiological data show that there is an important relationship between respiratory and intestinal diseases. To improve our understanding on the interconnectedness between the lung and intestinal mucosa and the overlap between respiratory and intestinal diseases, our aim was to investigate the influence of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic airway inflammation on gut homeostasis. Methods A/J mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA. The animals were euthanized 24 h after the last challenge, lung inflammation was determined by evaluating cells in Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, serum anti-OVA IgG titers and colon morphology, inflammation and integrity of the intestinal mucosa were investigated. IL-4 and IL-13 levels and myeloperoxidase activity were determined in the colon samples. The expression of genes involved in inflammation and mucin production at the gut mucosa was also evaluated. Results OVA challenge resulted not only in lung inflammation but also in macroscopic alterations in the gut such as colon shortening, increased myeloperoxidase activity and loss of integrity in the colonic mucosal. Neutral mucin intensity was lower in the OVA group, which was followed by down-regulation of transcription of ATOH1 and up-regulation of TJP1 and MUC2. In addition, the OVA group had higher levels of IL-13 and IL-4 in the colon. Ova-specific IgG1 and OVA-specific IgG2a titers were higher in the serum of the OVA group than in controls. Conclusions Our data using the OVA experimental model suggested that challenges in the respiratory system may result not only in allergic airway inflammation but also in the loss of gut homeostasis.

Effectiveness and safety of intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) with low-energy X-rays (INTRABEAM®) for accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI).

PURPOSE: To evaluate treatment outcomes in patients with early-stage breast cancer (ESBC) treated with targeted intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) administered as accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI). METHODS: Between December 2014 and May 2019, 50 patients diagnosed with ESBC were treated with a 50 kilovoltage (kV) X-ray source with a single dose of 20 Gy using the Intrabeam® radiotherapy delivery system. All patients were followed prospectively to assess local control (LC), disease-free survival (DFS), cancer-specific survival (CSS), overall survival (OS), radiation-induced toxicity, and cosmetic outcomes. We also evaluated the prognostic implications of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). RESULTS: Median follow-up was 53 months. Mean patient age was 70 years. The mean duration of radiation delivery was 22.25 min. Two patients developed a recurrence. One death was recorded. Elevated pretreatment NLR levels were a significant risk factor for mortality (p = 0.0026). The most common treatment-related toxicities were breast induration (30%) and seroma (18%). Five-year LC, DFS, CSS, and OS rates were 97.1%, 93.9%, 100%, and 94.4%, respectively. Cosmesis was excellent or good in most cases (94%). CONCLUSION: These findings confirm the effectiveness of a single dose of 20 Gy of IORT with the Intrabeam device as APBI. The toxicity profile was good with excellent cosmesis. These results provide further support for the clinical use of APBI in well-selected patients.

Condrosarcoma mesenquimal en región pectoral, reporte de caso / Mesenchymal chondrosarcoma in the pectoral re-gion, case report

Introducción: El condrosarcoma mesenquimal extraesquelético (CME), corresponde al 1% de todos los tumores malignos de los tejidos blandos. Se localizan principalmente en la región de la cabeza y cuello, sobre todo en la órbita, y en la duramadre del cráneo, seguida de las extremidades inferiores particularmente a nivel del muslo. La ubicación pectoral es rara, motivo de reporte. Reporte de caso: Paciente hombre de 38 años quien desarrolla un nódulo de aproximadamente 2 cm de diámetro localizado en región pectoral derecha con dolor mínimo a la palpación y crecimiento rápido. Dos meses después, al momento la de resección, el nódulo mide 7.5x 6.5 x 3.5 cm, y pesa 106g. Presenta aspecto lobulado, color café grisáceo, al corte es de consistencia cauchosa y superficie blanquecina nodular con áreas centrales de aspecto mineralizado/calcificado. Se procesa 6 cortes de parafina y se diagnostica como condrosarcoma mesenquimal (CM). Evolución: El paciente fue egresado y está en control por consulta externa no ha desarrollado recidivas hasta el momento. Conclusiones: El crecimiento acelerado de una masa de consistencia cartilaginosa se correlacionó en este paciente con la presencia de un condrosarcoma mesenquimal extraesquelético.

Introduction: The extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (ESC) corresponds to 1% of all malignant soft tissue tumors. They are located mainly in the head and neck region, especially in the orbit, and in the dura mater of the skull, followed by the lower extremities, particularly at the level of the thigh. Pectoral location is rare, reason for report. Case report: 38-year-old male patient who developed a nodule approximately 2 cm in diameter located in the right pectoral region with minimal pain on palpation and rapid growth. Two months later, at the time of resection, the nodule measures 7.5 x 6.5 x 3.5 cm, and weighs 106g. It has a lobulated appearance, greyish brown color, when cut it is of a rubbery consistency and a nodular whitish surface with central areas of mineralized / calcified appearance. 6 paraffin sections are processed and diagnosed as mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (CM). Evolution: The patient was discharged and is being monitored by an outpatient clinic. He has not developed recurrences to date. Conclusions: The accelerated growth of a mass of cartilaginous consistency was correlated in this patient with the presence of an extraskeletal mesenchymal chondrosarcoma.

Distribución Topográfica de las Metástasis de Origen Desconocido / Topographic Distribution of Metastases of Unknown Origin

Introducción: La metástasis de origen desconocido es una entidad clínica relativamente común, que representa del 5% de todos los cánceres invasivos. La búsqueda del origen primario puede resultar desafiante por un patrón atípico metastásico, no obstante el adenocarcinoma y carcinomas indiferenciados representan un 75% siendo el adenocarcinoma el más complicado de determinar su sitio primario ya que sus características citológicas/histológicas generalmente no son específicas. Por esta razón surge la necesidad identificar el origen primario de las lesiones metastásica de origen desconocido en pacientes con y sin antecedentes oncológicos personales, el sexo y edad de mayor prevalencia. Métodos: Investigación observacional descriptiva, retrospectiva tomándose como universo de 100 pacientes con diagnóstico histopatológico de Carcinoma/Adenocarcinoma metastásico en el departamento de Anatomía patológica del Instituto Oncológico Nacional "Dr. Juan Tanca Marengo"­ Solca-Guayaquil en el periodo 2013-2015, con y sin antecedentes oncológicos personales. Resultados: Se obtuvo una muestra de 91 pacientes, donde la localización metastásica más frecuente fue en los ganglios cervicales (27%), seguida del hígado (13%), hueso y epiplón (9%). Además, en 69 de ellos pudo ser posible la identificación del origen primario de la lesión metastásica. Conclusión: La topografía metastásica de neoplasia primaria desconocida tales como los ganglios cervicales y el hígado son los lugares de notable predominio, siendo el ganglio cervical el lugar de biopsia por excelencia debido a su mayor accesibilidad. La metástasis de origen desconocido a pesar de ser más frecuente en el sexo femenino, tiene una gran incidencia en el grupo etario entre 61-70 años.

Introduction: The metastasis of unknown origin is clinical entity relatively common, which represents 5% of all invasive cancer. The research of the primary origin could be difficult because of its atypical pattern, instead that, the undifferentiated adenocarcinoma and carcinoma represents 75% , being adenocarcinoma the most complicated to diagnoses the primary origin because of their unspecific characteristic cytological/histological. For this reason is necessary to identify the primary origin of the metastatic lesion with unknown origin in patients with or without personal oncological background, sex and age with higher prevalence. Methods: Observational, descriptive- retrospective investigation that used the collection 100 patients with histopathologic diagnoses carcinoma/adenocarcinoma metastatic in the Anatomy Pathologic Department of ION-SOLCA period 2013-2015, with and without personal oncological background. Results: Sample of 91 patients, in 69 of them were the most frequently metastatic location was superior cervical ganglion (27%), liver (13%), bone and omentum (9%). Furthermore, 69 patients were possible to identify the primary origin of the metastatic lesion. Conclusion: The metastatic location of the neoplasm unknown primary such as superior cervical ganglion and liver are the places more common, being superior cervical ganglion with most accessibility for biopsies. The neoplasm unknown primary is more frequently in female sex and has a high incidence at the ages of 61-70 years.

The relationship among IL-13, GSTP1, and CYP1A1 polymorphisms and environmental tobacco smoke in a population of children with asthma in Northern Mexico.

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) during early childhood increases the risk of developing asthma. The intention of this study was to genotype a population of children from Coahuila state in Northern Mexico and to determine whether polymorphisms of the CYP1A1, GSTP1, and IL13 genes are associated with exposure to ETS and subsequently a higher risk for asthma. IL13 plays an important role in the development of allergic response, particularly those related with airway inflammation. CYP1A1 and GSTP1 are xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes induced by repeated exposure to toxicants. Polymorphisms of these genes have been related with ETS exposure and increased risk for asthma. To assess the effect of IL13 (-1112 C>T and Arg110Gln), GSTP1 (Ile105Val), and CYP1A1 (Ile462Val) on asthma risk and ETS exposure, we recruited 201 unrelated children and classified them into four groups: (1) control without ETS exposure; (2) control with ETS exposure; (3) with asthma and with ETS exposure and (4) with asthma and without ETS exposure. No association among ETS exposure, asthma, and the studied polymorphisms was denoted by multivariate analysis of this population.