ABSTRACT
Clinically relevant bone metastases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality for prostate cancer patients. Distinct phenotypes are described: osteoblastic, the more common osteolytic and mixed. A molecular classification has been also proposed. Bone metastases start with the tropism of cancer cells to the bone through different multi-step tumor-host interactions, as described by the "metastatic cascade" model. Understanding these mechanisms, although far from being fully elucidated, could offer several potential targets for prevention and therapy. Moreover, the prognosis of patients is markedly influenced by skeletal-related events. They can be correlated not only with bone metastases, but also with "bad" bone health. There is a close correlation between osteoporosis-a skeletal disorder with decreased bone mass and qualitative alterations-and prostate cancer, in particular when treated with androgen deprivation therapy, a milestone in its treatment. Systemic treatments for prostate cancer, especially with the newest options, have improved the survival and quality of life of patients with respect to skeletal-related events; however, all patients should be evaluated for "bone health" and osteoporotic risk, both in the presence and in the absence of bone metastases. Treatment with bone-targeted therapies should be evaluated even in the absence of bone metastases, as described in special guidelines and according to a multidisciplinary evaluation.
ABSTRACT
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common women cancer and cause of cancer death. Despite decades of scientific progress in BC treatments, the clinical benefit of new drugs is modest in several cases. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway mutations are frequent in BC (20-40%) and are significant causes of aggressive tumor behavior, as well as treatment resistance. Improving knowledge of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is an urgent need. This review aims to highlight the central role of PI3K-mTORC1/C2 mutations in the different BC subtypes, in terms of clinical outcomes and treatment efficacy. The broad base of knowledge in tumor biology is a key point for personalized BC therapy in the precision medicine era.
ABSTRACT
Gastric and gastro-esophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GEA) remains a considerable major public health problem worldwide, being the fifth most common cancer with a fatality-to-case ratio that stands still at 70%. Angiogenesis, which is a well-established cancer hallmark, exerts a fundamental role in cancer initiation and progression and its targeting has been actively pursued as a promising therapeutic strategy in GEA. A wealth of clinical trials has been conducted, investigating anti-angiogenic agents including VEGF-directed monoclonal antibodies, small molecules tyrosine kinase inhibitors and VEGF-Trap agents both in the resectable and advanced setting, reporting controversial results. While phase III randomized trials testing the anti-VEGFR-2 antibody Ramucirumab and the selective VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor Apatinib demonstrated a significant survival benefit in later lines, the shift of angiogenesis inhibitors in the perioperative and first-line setting failed to improve patients' outcome in GEAs. The molecular landscape of disease, together with novel combinatorial strategies and biomarker-selected approaches are under investigation as key elements to the success of angiogenesis blockade in GEA. In this article, we critically review the existing literature on the biological rationale and clinical development of antiangiogenic agents in GEA, discussing major achievements, limitations and future developments, aiming at fully realizing the potential of this therapeutic approach.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Temozolomide has shown a significant anti-proliferative activity on adrenocortical cancer (ACC) cells in vitro. DESIGN: On the basis of these results the drug was prescribed as second/third line in advanced metastatic ACC patients in four referral centers in Italy. METHODS: We retrospectively collected anagraphic, clinical and pathological data of patients with advanced ACC with disease progression to standard chemotherapy plus mitotane who were treated with temozolomide at the dose of 200 mg/m2/die given for 5 consecutive days every 28 days. The primary endpoint was the disease control rate, defined as objective response or disease stabilization after 3 months. Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and drug safety. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients have been included in the study. Ten patients (35.8%, 95% CI: 17.8-53.8) obtained a disease control from temozolomide treatment. In particular, 1 patient had a complete response, 5 patients a partial response and 4 patients stable disease. Median PFS was 3.5 months and median OS was 7.2 months. Disease response was more frequently observed in patients with methylation of O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene. Temozolomide therapy was well tolerated and most toxicities were limited to grade G1-2 according to WHO criteria. CONCLUSION: Temozolomide was found active in the management of advanced ACC patients. The disease control rate obtained, however, was short-lived and the prognosis of treated patients was poor.