An Inflammatory Signature to Predict the Clinical Benefit of First-Line Cetuximab Plus Platinum-Based Chemotherapy in Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Cancer.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway has been shown to play a crucial role in several inflammatory conditions and host immune-inflammation status is related to tumor prognosis. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic significance of a four-gene inflammatory signature in recurrent/metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated with the EGFR inhibitor cetuximab plus chemotherapy. The inflammatory signature was assessed on 123 R/M HNSCC patients, enrolled in the multicenter trial B490 receiving first-line cetuximab plus platinum-based chemotherapy. The primary endpoint of the study was progression free survival (PFS), while secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and objective response rate (ORR). The patient population was subdivided into 3 groups according to the signature score groups. The four-genes-signature proved a significant prognostic value, resulting in a median PFS of 9.2 months in patients with high vs. 6.2 months for intermediate vs. 3.9 months for low values (p = 0.0016). The same findings were confirmed for OS, with median time of 18.4, 13.4, and 7.5 months for high, intermediate, and low values of the score, respectively (p = 0.0001). When ORR was considered, the signature was significantly higher in responders than in non-responders (p = 0.0092), reaching an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.65 (95% CI: 0.55-0.75). Our findings highlight the role of inflammation in the response to cetuximab and chemotherapy in R/M-HNSCC and may have translational implications for improving treatment selection.

Prevalence and Clinical Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Silent Carriers Among Actively Treated Patients with Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: In Europe, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had its first epicenter in Italy. Despite a significant mortality rate, the severity of most cases of COVID-19 infection ranges from asymptomatic to mildly symptomatic, and silent infection affects a still-unknown proportion of the general population. No information is available on the prevalence and clinical impact of SARS-CoV-2 silent infection among patients with cancer receiving anticancer treatment during the pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 1, 2020, to the end of the same month, 560 consecutive patients with cancer, asymptomatic for COVID-19 and on anticancer treatment at Papa Giovanni XXIII Hospital in Bergamo, were evaluated and tested for SARS-CoV-2. We implemented a two-step diagnostics, including the rapid serological immunoassay for anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin (Ig) G/IgM and the nasopharyngeal swab reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test in case of seropositivity to identify SARS-CoV-2 silent carriers. RESULTS: In 560 patients, 172 (31%) resulted positive for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG antibodies, regardless of different type of cancer, stage, and treatment. The Ig-seropositive patients were then tested with RT-PCR nasopharyngeal swabs, and 38% proved to be SARS-CoV-2 silent carriers. At an early follow-up, in the 97 SARS-CoV-2-seropositive/RT-PCR-negative patients who continued their anticancer therapies, only one developed symptomatic COVID-19 illness. CONCLUSION: Among patients with cancer, the two-step diagnostics is feasible and effective for SARS-CoV-2 silent carriers detection and might support optimal cancer treatment strategies at both the individual and the population level. The early safety profile of the different anticancer therapies, in patients previously exposed to SARS-CoV-2, supports the recommendation to continue the active treatment, at least in cases of RT-PCR-negative patients. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This is the first study evaluating the prevalence and clinical impact of SARS-CoV-2 silent infection in actively treated patients with cancer, during the epidemic peak in one of the worst areas of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lacking national and international recommendations for the detection of asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, a pragmatic and effective two-step diagnostics was implemented to ascertain SARS-CoV-2 silent carriers. In this series, consisting of consecutive and unselected patients with cancer, the prevalence of both SARS-CoV-2-seropositive patients and silent carriers is substantial (31% and 10%, respectively). The early safety profile of the different anticancer therapies, in patients previously exposed to SARS-CoV-2, supports the recommendation to continue the active treatment, at least in case of RT-PCR-negative patients.

Evaluación de la Administración Infiltrativa de vitamina E y alendronato en la Reparación de Alvéolos Post Exodoncia de Ratas / Evaluation of the Infiltrative Administration of Vitamin E and Alendronate in the Repair of Alveoli Post-Extraction in Rats

RESUMEN: Los bisfosfonatos (BP) disminuyen la resorción ósea al frenar la actividad de los osteoclastos. La vitamina E es antioxidante y su efecto positivo en el hueso sería mediante la prevención del estrés oxidativo. Se estudió la administración infiltrativa de Alendronato y Vitamina E para determinar si favorecían la formación de hueso en la reparación ósea del alvéolo postexodoncia. Se utilizaron ratas machos Wistar (n=96), de 90 ± 15 g, se les realizó la exodoncia de los primeros molares inferiores. Fueron dividos en 4 grupos: Un grupo control (C) recibió solución salina. El grupo AL 0,5 mg/ Kg; grupo E recibió 20 mg/kg; y grupo con tratamiento combinado AL y E. Los animales se sacrificaron a los 0, 7, 15 y 30 días postextracción. Se realizó la resección de las mandíbulas; las muestras fueron descalcificadas con EDTA y luego se incluyeron en parafina. Se realizaron cortes histológicos y se colorearon con Hematoxilina/Eosina. Se realizó análisis histológico e histomorfométrico. Se utilizó análisis de Varianza (ANOVA). En el análisis histológico, a los 7 y 15 días el grupo E presentó mayor neoformación de tejido óseo que los otros grupos. A los 30 días se observó hueso maduro con presencia de osteonas en el grupo E. En el estudio histomorfométrico a los 15 y 30 días se evidencian diferencias significativas en el número de osteoblastos por mm lineal, entre el grupo AL + E y C (p<0,01) y a los 30 días se encontró diferencia entre el grupo E y C (p<0,01). Al medir espesor trabecular se observó a los 30 días diferencias significativas entre el grupo AL+E y C (p<0,01) y entre el grupo C y E (p<0,01). La Vitamina E demostró que administrada por vía infiltrativa favorece la remodelación ósea en los alvéolos post exodoncia.

ABSTRACT: Bisphosphonates (BP) decrease bone resorption to curb the activity of the osteoclasts. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and its positive effect on the bone would be by preventing oxidative stress. Infiltrative Alendronate and vitamin E administration wasstudied to determine if they favored the formation of bone in bone repair of the postextraction alveolus. Male Wistar rats were used (n = 96), 90 ± 15 g, underwent extraction of the lower first molars. They were divided into 4 groups: A control group (C) received saline. The Group at the 0.5 mg/Kg; Group E received 20 mg/kg; and combined treatment group to AL and E. The animals were sacrificed at days 0, 7, 15 and 30 post extraction. With the resection of the jaws; samples were decalcified with EDTA and then included in paraffin. Histological cuts were made and colored with Hematoxylin/ eosin. Histomorphometric and histological analysis was performed. We used analysis of variance (ANOVA). In the histological analysis, 7 to 15 days the Group E presented greater neoformation of bone tissue than other groups. At 30 days mature bone was observed, with presence of osteons in the Group E. Study shows significant differences in the number of osteoblast histomorphometric function to 15 to 30 days by linear mm, among the group to the + E and C (p < 0.01) and 30-day difference was found among the Group E and C (p < 0.01). When measuring thick trabecular, significant differences were observed at 30 days between the AL+E and C Group (p < 0.01) and between C and E (p < 0.01). Vitamin E showed that administered infiltrative favors the bone remodeling in post extraction sockets.

Efecto de Vitamina E y Alendronato sobre la Densidad Mineral en Hueso Maxilar de Ratas / Effect of Vitamin E and Alendronate on Mineral Density in Rat Maxillary Bone

RESUMEN: El balance óseo está mediado por una regulación inmunoendócrina, siendo éste un complejo proceso. Entre las acciones llevadas a cabo para mantener la densidad y estructura del esqueleto son variadas las farmacoterapias utilizadas. Diversos estudios han demostrado que tanto Alendronato (AL) y Vitamina E (E) contribuyen a la inhibición de la reabsorción ósea. El objectivo de este trabajo fue estudiar el efecto de la administración combinada de (AL) por vía subcutánea y (E) se administró tres veces por semana también por vía subcutánea con una dosificación de 20 mg/kg de peso corporal. La fórmula farmacéutica fue de 0,5 mg/kg de peso corporal para AL, y 20 mg/kg de vitamina E. El efecto se evaluó en ratas machos Wistar (n=108), de 90 ± 20 g, divididas en 4 grupos. Se realizó la exodoncia de los primeros molares inferiores. La droga se inyectó en forma subcutánea en tiempos 0, 7, 15 y 30 días post cirugía. Las imágenes de las mandíbulas fueron adquiridas mediante radiovisiógrafo, en cada tiempo experimental y fueron analizadas con el Software Image ProPlus versión 4,1 de Media Cibernetics. Estudios estadísticos: no paramétrico: prueba de Kruskal-Wallis Resultados: El grupo C (que registró la media de intensidad más baja), se diferenció significativamente de los grupos E y A-E (p<0,001), no así del grupo que utilizó únicamente Al (p=0,070; p>0,05). Los grupos Al, E y el combinado Al-E no se diferenciaron significativamente entre sí (p>0,05 en todos los casos). Los datos evaluados sirven para mostrar una tendencia favorable en relación al efecto beneficioso de la combinación de AL y vitamina E.

ABSTRACT: The bone balance is mediated by an immunoendocrine regulation, this being a complex process. A number of pharmacotherapies are used among the actions taken to maintain the density and structure of the skeleton. Several studies have shown that both Alendronate (AL) and Vitamin E (E) contribute to the inhibition of bone resorption. Objective: To study the effect of combined administration of (LA) subcutaneously and (E) was administered three times per week also subcutaneously with a dosage of 20 mg / kg body weight. The pharmaceutical formulation was 0.5 mg / kg body weight for AL and 20 mg / kg vitamin E. The effect was evaluated in male Wistar rats (n = 108), 90 ± 20 g, divided into 4 groups. Extraction of the first lower molars was performed. The drug was injected subcutaneously at time 0, 7, 15 and 30 days post-surgery. The images of the jaws were acquired by radiovisiography, at each experimental time and were analyzed with Image ProPlus Software version 4.1 of Media Cibernetics. Statistical studies: non-parametric: Kruskal-Wallis test Group C (which recorded the lowest mean intensity) was significantly different from the E and AE groups (p <0.001), but not from the group that used only Al (P = 0.070, p> 0.05). The Al, E and combined Al-E groups did not differ significantly from each other (p> 0.05 in all cases). The data evaluated serve to show a favorable trend in relation to the beneficial effect of the combination of AL and vitamin E.

Comparison of the Tolerability Profile of Controlled-Release Oral Morphine and Oxycodone for Cancer Pain Treatment. An Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial.

CONTEXT: Oxycodone and morphine are recommended as first-choice opioids for moderate/severe cancer pain, but evidence about their relative tolerability has significant methodological limitations. OBJECTIVES: This study was mainly aimed at comparing the risk of developing adverse events (AEs) with controlled-release oral morphine vs. oxycodone; secondary aims were comparing their analgesic efficacy and testing heterogeneity in tolerability across different age and renal function subgroups. METHODS: An open-label multicenter RCT (EudraCT number: 2006-003151-21) was carried out in patients with moderate/severe cancer pain. At baseline, 7 and 14 days, patients scored on 0-10 rating scales (0-10 numerical rating scale) the intensity of pain and of a list of common opioid side effects. The primary end point was the percentage of patients reporting an AE (a worsening ≥ 2 points on any of the listed side effects); tolerability by subgroups and average follow-up pain intensity were compared through regression models. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-seven patients were enrolled (47% of originally planned). Intention to treat (ITT) analysis (N = 185, morphine 94, oxycodone 91) did not show any difference in the risk of developing AEs (risk difference -0.6%, 95% CI -11.0% to 9.9%) nor in analgesia (0-10 numerical rating scale pain intensity difference -0.28, 95% CI -0.83 to 0.27). No evidence of heterogeneity of tolerability across age and renal function patient subgroups emerged. CONCLUSION: This trial failed to show any difference in tolerability and analgesic efficacy of morphine and oxycodone as first-line treatment for moderate/severe cancer pain but results interpretation is difficult due to lack of power, potential bias from open-label design, and concerns about assay sensitivity. These data, however, can significantly contribute to future meta-analyses comparing WHO Step-III opioids and are relevant in designing future randomized studies.

Talking about end-of-life preferences with advanced cancer patients: factors influencing feasibility.

CONTEXT: The End-of-Life Preferences Interview (ELPI) was developed with the purpose of supporting physicians in communicating with advanced cancer patients. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate ELPI feasibility and compare home care/hospice (HC-H) vs. outpatient (OU) care settings. METHODS: Twenty-eight physicians were trained in the use of the ELPI and were asked to apply the new instrument in their daily clinical practice for two months. ELPI feasibility was evaluated through three indices: the percentage of eligible patients, the percentage of patients to whom the ELPI was proposed, and the percentage of completed interviews. RESULTS: The 23 physicians participating in the data collection screened 633 patients, and 156 of them (25%, 95% confidence interval 21%-28%) were judged to be eligible. Eligibility in HC-H was lower than that in the OU setting (18% vs. 46%; P<0.0001), whereas the differences were reduced when looking at patients to whom the ELPI was proposed (12% vs. 20%; P=0.017) and who completed the ELPI (8% vs. 18%; P<0.001). The percentage of eligible patients refusing the interview was very low in the entire sample (1.9%). CONCLUSION: Results indicate that discussing end-of-life preferences in an earlier disease phase, such as in the OU setting, could be preferable but that its accomplishment in this setting may be more difficult, mainly as a result of organizational reasons. This observation could indicate that the system is not yet ready to offer patients such an opportunity and although communication on these sensitive issues cannot be reduced to a procedure, the ELPI can become a useful tool to help physicians in accomplishing this difficult task.

Venous thromboembolism and pancreatic cancer: incidence, pathogenesis and clinical implications.

Pancreatic cancer is still a major clinical challenge. Recent efforts to improve survival in locally advanced and metastatic disease have focused on combining cytotoxic drugs with targeted therapies. One of the major complications of pancreatic cancer is venous thromboembolism (VTE). Despite the general perception that patients with mucinous carcinoma of the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract present a high incidence of thromboembolic complications, there is little data regarding the incidence and pathogenesis of VTE in pancreatic cancer patients. Clinical data suggest that, among patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer, the occurrence of VTE may be associated with reduced overall survival. Furthermore emerging clinical data strongly suggest that anticoagulant treatments may improve cancer patient survival by decreasing thromboembolic complications as well as by anticancer effects. Given the lack of extensive data and the clinical relevance of this topic for both physicians and basic research scientists, this overview focuses attention on the incidence, pathogenesis and clinical implications of VTE in pancreatic cancer patients.

Edmonton symptom assessment scale: Italian validation in two palliative care settings.

In the palliative care setting, the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) was developed for use in daily symptom assessment of palliative care patients. ESAS considers the presence and severity of nine symptoms common in cancer patients: pain, tiredness, nausea, depression, anxiety, drowsiness, appetite, well-being and shortness of breath plus an optional tenth symptom, which can be added by the patient. The aim of this study was to validate the Italian version of ESAS and to evaluate an easy quality of life monitoring system that uses a patient's self-rating symptom assessment in two different palliative care settings: in-patients and home patients. Eighty-three in-patients and 158 home care patients were enrolled. In the latter group, the Italian validated version of the Symptom Distress Scale (SDS) was also administered at the admission of the patients. The two groups of patients have similar median survival, demographic and clinical characteristics, symptom prevalence and overall distress score at baseline. ESAS shows a good concurrent validity with respect to SDS. The correlation between the physical items of ESAS and SDS was shown to be higher than the correlation between the psychological items. The association of ESAS scores and performance status (PS) showed a trend: the higher the symptom score was, the worse was the PS level. Test-retest evaluation, applied in the in-patient group, showed good agreement for depression, well-being and overall distress and a moderate agreement for all the other items. In conclusion, ESAS can be considered a valid, reliable and feasible instrument for physical symptom assessment in routine "palliative care" clinical practice with a potentially different responsiveness in different situations or care settings.

Optimizing use of opiates in the management of cancer pain.

Cancer pain is often suboptimally managed. The underestimation and undertreatment continues to be a problem despite the availability of consensus-based guidelines. Most patients with cancer develop pain. The prevalence and severity of pain among cancer patients varies according to primary and metastatic sites and stage of disease. Opioid therapy is the cornerstone of management of severe chronic pain in the field of cancer patients and in general in palliative care medicine. Since this class of drugs is the cornerstone of the treatment, optimizing its use may be useful in clinical practice. For this purpose we focused on 4 distinct issues: 1) How to implement the use the opioids in cancer patients; 2) How to optimise the use of morphine in cancer patients; 3) The management of side effects and opioid switching; 4) What is the role of other potent opioids. A holistic approach including an appropriate use of opioids may improve pain control in most cancer patients, particularly for those with advanced disease.

Postoperative hyperprolactinemia could predict longer disease-free and overall survival in node-negative breast cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: Breast manipulation determines a physiological increase in prolactin (PRL) blood levels, but the clinical and biological impact of surgery-induced changes in PRL secretion still has to be clarified. The postoperative hyperprolactinemia has been related to aggressiveness of the tumor, early disease relapse or metastases, and poor overall survival in node-negative breast cancer patients. Surgery-induced hyperprolactinemia may be associated with a longer disease-free survival in both patients with or without node involvement. METHODS: One hundred twenty-seven consecutive node-negative breast cancer patients, who were hospitalized from June 1985 to September 1990, were included in this study. The median follow-up was 12 years. To evaluate PRL secretion, venous blood samples were obtained at day 7th after surgery. In order to exclude the influence of stress and gonadal status, GH and estradiol serum levels were measured in the same blood samples. All endocrine examination were made during the morning, starting at 8.00 a.m. after overnight fasting. Hormonal serum levels were determined by the double antibody radioimmunoassay method. RESULTS: Hyperprolactinemia was significantly more frequent in women younger than 50 years compared with the older ones, while the premenopausal status and T1 stage showed only a borderline significant association with hyperprolactinemia. Patients with normal postsurgical prolactinemia had 5- and 10-year disease-free survival rates of 64 and 56%, respectively, and 5- and 10-year overall survival rates of 84 and 70%, respectively. Patients with postsurgical hyperprolactinemia had 5- and 10-year disease-free survival rates of 89 and 81%, respectively, and 5- and 10-year overall survival rates of 94 and 81%, respectively. The difference in overall survival between the hyperprolactinemic and the normoprolactinemic groups, assessed by the log-rank test, was statistically significant (p = 0.02), and the difference in disease-free survival was highly significant (p = 0.0008). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that postsurgical hyperprolactinemia is associated with a significantly lower recurrence rate and longer disease-free and overall survival in operable node-negative breast cancer patients. Our data suggest that postoperative hyperprolactinemia could be crucial in the development of recurrence in operable breast cancer. Looking at results, the recurrence rate of node-negative patients who did not show postoperative hyperprolactinemia would be, in theory, similar to that of patients with node-positive disease, suggesting that normal postoperative PRL levels could identify a group of node-negative patients at high risk for recurrence.