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Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an angio-proliferative disease with a viral etiology and a multifactorial pathogenesis that results from immune dysfunction. In patients affected by latent viral infections such as herpesviruses, SARS-CoV-2 infection may result in lytic cycle reactivation in host cells. A robust immune system response is crucial for eliminating pathogens and resolving both latent and non-latent viral infections. We report a case series of KS characterized by tumor progression after SARS-CoV-2 infection. We performed a systematic literature review of the PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE databases. The keyword terms included "SARS-CoV-2," "HHV-8," "Kaposi's sarcoma," "IL-6," and "COVID-19." English language restriction was applied. Items not covered by our study were excluded. KS is a complex disease linked to an impaired immune system. Conditions that result in temporary or permanent immunodeficiency can trigger viral reactivation or exacerbate an existing disease. It is feasible that the increase in cytokine levels in COVID-19 patients, coupled with lymphocyte downregulation and treatment that induces herpesvirus lytic reactivation, may contribute to the progression of KS after SARS-CoV-2 infection. These observations suggest that patients with KS should be clinically monitored both during and after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nevertheless, prospective data should be collected to validate this hypothesis and enhance our understanding of the mechanisms implicated in the onset or progression of KS.
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COVID-19 , Herpesvirus Humano 8 , SARS-CoV-2 , Sarcoma de Kaposi , Humanos , COVID-19/imunologia , COVID-19/complicações , COVID-19/virologia , Sarcoma de Kaposi/virologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Feminino , Idoso , Ativação ViralRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare neoplasms often associated with immune-related disorders. Patients with Good's syndrome (GS), an adult-acquired TET-related immunodeficiency, are at a high risk of mortality due to infectious diseases. This study aims to examine COVID-19 occurrence and severity in TET patients, with or without GS. METHODS: Clinical records of TET patients referred to the Regional Coordinating Center for Rare Tumors of Campania Region were retrospectively collected. During the observation period, elapsing from March 2020 to April 2023, the following data were collected: occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 infection; COVID-19 severity, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH) illness categories; COVID-19 treatment. COVID-19 occurrence and severity were assessed in the overall population and correlated with the presence of GS and/or other immune-related dysregulations. RESULTS: Overall, 47 TET patients were included in the study; 27 of these (57.4%) had GS. All participants had received a full cycle of mRNA vaccine for SARS-CoV2., Thirty-one patients (66.0%) experienced COVID-19, of whom 18 (58.0%) had previously received a diagnosis of GS. No significant association of GS and/or other immune-related dysregulations with SARS-CoV-2 infection occurrence was detected (Fisher's exact test p = 1 and p = 0.3587, respectively). Among patients with GS, 8 (45.0%) reported a COVID-19 severity score of ≥ 3; whereas, only 1 of the 13 patients without GS (7.7%) had a severity score of ≥ 3. The correlation between presence of GS and COVID-19 severity (score 1 or 2 vs. ≥ 3) was statistically significant (p = 0.0448). No statistically significant association between COVID-19 severity and other immune-related syndromes were found (p = 1). Of note, all the hospitalized patients for NIH 4 and 5 COVID-19 had GS. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that TET patients, especially those with GS, require a careful multidisciplinary monitoring for SARS-CoV-2 infection, in order to establish tailored treatments and prophylactic protocols.
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COVID-19 , Neoplasias Epiteliais e Glandulares , Neoplasias do Timo , Humanos , COVID-19/complicações , COVID-19/epidemiologia , COVID-19/imunologia , Neoplasias do Timo/complicações , Neoplasias do Timo/epidemiologia , Neoplasias do Timo/imunologia , Masculino , Estudos Retrospectivos , Feminino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso , Adulto , Neoplasias Epiteliais e Glandulares/virologia , Neoplasias Epiteliais e Glandulares/patologia , SARS-CoV-2/isolamento & purificação , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Doenças da Imunodeficiência Primária/complicações , Doenças da Imunodeficiência Primária/epidemiologia , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Itália/epidemiologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: Thymic epithelial tumors (TET) patients are at high risk of autoimmune and hypoimmune complications. Limited evidence is available on the potential risk of immune-related and inflammatory reactions induced by SARS-Cov-2 vaccine in this patient population. METHODS: In order to identify subjects at higher risk for vaccine complications, we prospectively evaluated a panel of serum biomarkers related to inflammation (TNF-α, IL-1ß, -6, -10, -12, and -17A, IFN-α, ß and γ, MPO, MMP-9), and vascular damage (E- and P-selectin, VEGF-A, P-ANCA and MCP-1) in 44 TET patients and in 30 healthy controls along the whole SARS-Cov-2 vaccine cycle. RESULTS: About 50â¯% of subjects (either TET and controls) showed an increase of serum biochemical markers of inflammation and endothelial damage with a large heterogeneity of values. Such increase appeared early, after the first dose in control subjects and later, after the second dose in TET patients (in which we observed mainly an increase of inflammatory biomarkers). The values normalized after about 3 months and did not increase after the third, booster dose. No autoimmune or vascular complications were observed in the study subjects and no difference was observed in terms of vaccine response among subjects showing serum biomarkers increase and those who experienced no changes. CONCLUSIONS: Our data highlight the relevance of Sars-Cov-2 vaccine in TET patients, as it resulted safe and prevented severe COVID-19. However, further studies are awaited to explore the mechanisms and the potential consequences of the observed increase of serum inflammatory and vascular damage biomarkers.
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Biomarcadores , Vacinas contra COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Inflamação , Neoplasias do Timo , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Feminino , Biomarcadores/sangue , Inflamação/sangue , Idoso , Neoplasias do Timo/sangue , Neoplasias do Timo/imunologia , Vacinas contra COVID-19/efeitos adversos , COVID-19/sangue , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Adulto , Neoplasias Epiteliais e Glandulares/sangue , SARS-CoV-2/imunologia , Estudos Prospectivos , Vacinas de mRNARESUMO
The cure rate of germ cell tumours (GCTs) has significantly increased from the late 1970s since the introduction of cisplatin-based therapy, which to date remains the milestone for GCTs treatment. The exquisite cisplatin sensitivity has been mainly explained by the over-expression in GCTs of wild-type TP53 protein and the lack of TP53 somatic mutations; however, several other mechanisms seem to be involved, many of which remain still elusive. The findings about the role of TP53 in platinum-sensitivity and resistance, as well as the reported evidence of second cancers (SCs) in GCT patients treated only with surgery, suggesting a spectrum of cancer predisposing syndromes, highlight the need for a deepened understanding of the role of TP53 in GCTs. In the following report we explore the complex role of TP53 in GCTs cisplatin-sensitivity and resistance mechanisms, passing through several recent genomic studies, as well as its role in GCT patients with SCs, going through our experience of Center of reference for both GCTs and cancer predisposing syndromes.
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Genes p53 , Neoplasias Embrionárias de Células Germinativas/metabolismo , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/metabolismo , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Cisplatino/uso terapêutico , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos , Humanos , Neoplasias Embrionárias de Células Germinativas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Embrionárias de Células Germinativas/genética , Neoplasias Embrionárias de Células Germinativas/secundário , Proteína Supressora de Tumor p53/genéticaRESUMO
As widely acknowledged, 40-50% of all melanoma patients harbour an activating BRAF mutation (mostly BRAF V600E). The identification of the RAS-RAF-MEK-ERK (MAP kinase) signalling pathway and its targeting has represented a valuable milestone for the advanced and, more recently, for the completely resected stage III and IV melanoma therapy management. However, despite progress in BRAF-mutant melanoma treatment, the two different approaches approved so far for metastatic disease, immunotherapy and BRAF+MEK inhibitors, allow a 5-year survival of no more than 60%, and most patients relapse during treatment due to acquired mechanisms of resistance. Deep insight into BRAF gene biology is fundamental to describe the acquired resistance mechanisms (primary and secondary) and to understand the molecular pathways that are now being investigated in preclinical and clinical studies with the aim of improving outcomes in BRAF-mutant patients.
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Melanoma/genética , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas B-raf/fisiologia , Neoplasias Cutâneas/genética , Antineoplásicos/administração & dosagem , Ciclo Celular , Quimioterapia Adjuvante , Ensaios Clínicos como Assunto , Análise Mutacional de DNA , Resistencia a Medicamentos Antineoplásicos/genética , MAP Quinases Reguladas por Sinal Extracelular/metabolismo , Feminino , Humanos , Imuno-Histoquímica , Imunoterapia , Sistema de Sinalização das MAP Quinases , Masculino , Oncologia/tendências , Melanoma/metabolismo , Mutação , Metástase Neoplásica , Recidiva Local de Neoplasia/tratamento farmacológico , Inibidores de Proteínas Quinases/farmacologia , Proteínas Proto-Oncogênicas B-raf/genética , Recidiva , Neoplasias Cutâneas/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become a public health emergency affecting frail populations, including patients with cancer. This poses the question of whether cancer treatments can be postponed or modified without compromising their efficacy, especially for highly curable cancers such as germ cell tumors (GCTs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: To depict the state-of-the-art management of GCTs during the COVID-19 pandemic, a survey including 26 questions was circulated by e-mail among the physicians belonging to three cooperative groups: (a) Italian Germ Cell Cancer Group; (b) European Reference Network-Rare Adult Solid Cancers, Domain G3 (rare male genitourinary cancers); and (c) Genitourinary Medical Oncologists of Canada. Percentages of agreement between Italian respondents (I) versus Canadian respondents (C), I versus European respondents (E), and E versus C were compared by using Fisher's exact tests for dichotomous answers and chi square test for trends for the questions with three or more options. RESULTS: Fifty-three GCT experts responded to the survey: 20 Italian, 6 in other European countries, and 27 from Canada. Telemedicine was broadly used; there was high consensus to interrupt chemotherapy in COVID-19-positive patients (I = 75%, C = 55%, and E = 83.3%) and for use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor primary prophylaxis for neutropenia (I = 65%, C = 62.9%, and E = 50%). The main differences emerged regarding the management of stage I and stage IIA disease, likely because of cultural and geographical differences. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the common efforts of GCT experts in Europe and Canada to maintain high standards of treatment for patients with GCT with few changes in their management during the COVID-19 pandemic. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Despite the chaos, disruptions, and fears fomented by the COVID-19 illness, oncology care teams in Italy, other European countries, and Canada are delivering the enormous promise of curative management strategies for patients with testicular cancer and other germ cell tumors. At the same time, these teams are applying safe and innovative solutions and sharing best practices to minimize frequency and intensity of patient contacts with thinly stretched health care capacity.
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COVID-19/epidemiologia , Institutos de Câncer/estatística & dados numéricos , Neoplasias Embrionárias de Células Germinativas/terapia , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Canadá/epidemiologia , Institutos de Câncer/tendências , Europa (Continente)/epidemiologia , Fator Estimulador de Colônias de Granulócitos/uso terapêutico , Humanos , Oncologistas/estatística & dados numéricos , Padrões de Prática Médica/estatística & dados numéricos , Padrões de Prática Médica/tendências , SARS-CoV-2 , Inquéritos e Questionários , Telemedicina/tendênciasRESUMO
Malignant gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumour is an extremely rare neoplasm that arises in the wall of the small bowel, stomach or large bowel in young-aged and middle-aged adults. Histologically, it is generally characterized by monomorphic cells with clear cytoplasma, S-100 protein expression, and EWSR1 gene translocation. To the best of our knowledge, we describe for the first time, the case of a young woman with a diagnosis of metastatic gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumour arising from ileum, who had a childhood adrenal neuroblastoma with liver, bone and lymph nodes metastasis, treated with four cycles of chemotherapy with the schedule CADO-CVP (CADO: cyclophosphamide 300 mg/m/day on days 1-5, vincristine 1,5 mg/m/day on days 1 and 5, and doxorubicin 60 mg/m/day on day 5; CVP: cisplatin 40 mg/m/day on days 1-5 and etoposide 100 mg/m/day on days 1-5) followed by right adrenal, kidney, lymph nodes and liver lesion resection, conditioning chemotherapy (melphalan-carmustine-teniposide), stem cells autologous transplantation and consecutively radiotherapy on the spine (T9 to L3) for a total of 30 Gy. For the second diagnosis of gastrointestinal neuroectodermal tumour with liver metastasis, she underwent ileal tumour resection and platinum-anthracycline based chemotherapy with initial shrinkage of liver metastasis. Unfortunately, despite the initial response and the following delivered therapies, she died for rapid progressive disease. Taking into account the late effects of past therapeutic modalities, a long-term surveillance of young child treated for neuroblastoma, is required to appreciate their overall risks of second malignancies.
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Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias do Sistema Digestório/tratamento farmacológico , Neuroblastoma/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto , Feminino , HumanosRESUMO
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most prevalent malignancies in young Caucasian men. Clinical stage I (CSI) TGCTs present the highest cure rate and treatment options after orchiectomy depend on histology and risk factors. Nevertheless, the management of CSI TGCTs is controversial due to the availability of multiple treatments and the lack of randomized trials. An integrated multidisciplinary approach that includes clinicians (surgeons, radiotherapists and oncologists) and psychologists is crucial to maximize the patients' compliance and must be acknowledged with appropriate tools. The aim of our work is to review the oncological and psychological aspects of the decision-making process, discussing the fundamental role of the patient involvement in the personalized management of CSI TGCTs.
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Tomada de Decisões , Neoplasias Embrionárias de Células Germinativas/psicologia , Neoplasias Embrionárias de Células Germinativas/terapia , Neoplasias Testiculares/psicologia , Neoplasias Testiculares/terapia , Humanos , Masculino , Neoplasias Embrionárias de Células Germinativas/diagnóstico , Orquiectomia , Neoplasias Testiculares/diagnósticoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cystic thymoma is a rare variant of thymic neoplasm characterized by almost complete cystic degeneration with mixed internal structure. We describe a case of a 60 year-old woman with a cystic thymoma studied with advanced tomographic imaging stydies. CT, MRI and PET/CT with (18)F-FDG were performed; volumetric CT and MRI images provided better anatomic evaluation for pre-operative assessment, while PET/CT was helpful for lesion characterization based on (18)F-FDG uptake. Although imaging studies are mandatory for pre-operative evaluation of cystic thymoma, final diagnosis still remains surgical. CASE REPORT: A 60-year-old woman with recent chest pain and no history of previous disease was admitted to our departement to investigate the result of a previous chest X-ray that showed bilateral mediastinal enlargement; for this purpose, enhanced chest CT scan was performed using a 64-rows scanner (Toshiba, Aquilion 64, Japan) before and after intravenous bolus administration of iodinated non ionic contrast agent; CT images demonstrated the presence of a large mediastinal mass (11×8 cm) located in the anterior mediastinum who extended from the anonymous vein to the cardio-phrenic space, compressing the left atrium and causing medium lobe atelectasis; bilateral pleural effusion was also present. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, correlative imaging plays a foundamental role for the diagnostic evaluation of patient with cystic thymoma. In particular, volumetric CT and MRI studies can provide better anatomic informations regarding internal structure and local tumor spread for pre-operative assessment. Conversely, metabolic imaging using (18)F-FDG PET/CT is helpful for lesion characterization differentiating benign from malignant lesion on the basis of intense tracer uptake. The role of PET/MRI is still under investigation. However, final diagnosis still remains surgical even though imaging studies are mandatory for pre-operative patient management.
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The therapeutic approach to advanced or metastatic solid tumors, either with chemotherapy or targeted therapies, is mainly palliative. Resistance to chemotherapy occurs very frequently and is one of the most important reasons for disease progression. Immunotherapy has the potential to mount an ongoing, dynamic immune response that can kill tumor cells for an extended time after the conventional therapy has been administered. Such a long-lasting response is potentially able to completely eradicate tumor cells, rather than producing only a temporary killing of cells. The most promising immune-based treatments are monoclonal antibodies that act as checkpoint inhibitors (e.g. ipilimumab and nivolumab), adoptive cell therapy (e.g. T-cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors) and vaccines (e.g. sipuleucel-T). Ipilimumab is currently approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and sipuleucel-T is approved for advanced prostate cancer. There is great interest in immunotherapy in other solid tumors, potentially used alone or in a multimodal fashion with chemotherapy and/or biological drugs. In this paper, we review recent advances in immuno-oncology in solid malignancies (except melanoma) as were discussed at the inaugural meeting of the Campania Society of Oncology Immunotherapy (SCITO).
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Imunoterapia , Neoplasias/imunologia , Neoplasias/terapia , Ensaios Clínicos como Assunto , Congressos como Assunto , Determinação de Ponto Final , HumanosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: A multi-institutional Phase II trial was initiated in 2005 to test the combination gemcitabine and capecitabine in patients with thymic epithelial malignancies (TETs). PATIENTS & METHODS: Patients with histologic confirmation of TET diagnosis by central review who had received >1 systemic chemotherapy treatment were included. Patients received oral capecitabine (650 mg/mq twice daily on days 1-14) and intravenous gemcitabine (1000 mg/mq on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks). RESULTS: Of the 30 patients included (18 men, 12 women; median age: 57 years, range: 48-61 years), the majority (73%) had thymoma, and the remaining thymic carcinoma. Eight patients developed grade 3-4 neutropenia. A total of 12 patients had a response. Median progression-free survival was 11 months (range: 6.5-16.5). CONCLUSION: Capecitabine and gemcitabine is highly active in TETs.
Assuntos
Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/uso terapêutico , Neoplasias Epiteliais e Glandulares/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias do Timo/tratamento farmacológico , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/efeitos adversos , Capecitabina , Desoxicitidina/administração & dosagem , Desoxicitidina/análogos & derivados , Feminino , Fluoruracila/administração & dosagem , Fluoruracila/análogos & derivados , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Metástase Neoplásica , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , Neoplasias Epiteliais e Glandulares/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Epiteliais e Glandulares/mortalidade , Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons , Retratamento , Neoplasias do Timo/diagnóstico , Neoplasias do Timo/mortalidade , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X , Resultado do Tratamento , GencitabinaRESUMO
Thymic epithelial tumors are rare malignancies with an incidence of 1.7 cases per million people per year. They pose significant management challenges due to their association with autoimmune disorders. In this case report, we present the 21-year history of a patient diagnosed with advanced B2/B3 thymoma and Good's syndrome. The patient achieved a complete and durable response after receiving only two cycles of the immune checkpoint inhibitor Nivolumab. However, this positive outcome was accompanied by the development of severe immune-related myocarditis complicated by reactivation of cytomegalovirus. Moreover, the patient developed a highly uncommon subdiaphragmatic pararectal dissemination of the thymic tumor, which is a condition rarely described in the literature. Despite the success in achieving complete and durable response with immune checkpoint inhibitors, the emergence of immune-related adverse events highlights the potential challenges associated with these treatments, emphasizing the need for careful monitoring and a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between cancer, immune system dysregulations and immunotherapy.
Assuntos
Inibidores de Checkpoint Imunológico , Neoplasias do Timo , Humanos , Inibidores de Checkpoint Imunológico/uso terapêutico , Inibidores de Checkpoint Imunológico/efeitos adversos , Neoplasias do Timo/imunologia , Neoplasias do Timo/terapia , Neoplasias do Timo/tratamento farmacológico , Timoma/imunologia , Timoma/terapia , Nivolumabe/uso terapêutico , Nivolumabe/efeitos adversos , Masculino , Imunoterapia/métodos , Imunoterapia/efeitos adversos , Miocardite/etiologia , Miocardite/imunologia , Miocardite/terapia , Miocardite/tratamento farmacológico , Resultado do Tratamento , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Neoplasias Epiteliais e GlandularesRESUMO
CONTEXT: Radioactive iodine is a crucial tool for treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). In 5% of cases, DTCs lose I-131 avidity and assume an aggressive behaviour. Treatment options for iodine-refractory DTC are limited. We report the experience of off-label use of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor sorafenib for treatment of advanced iodine-refractory DTC. DESIGN: Patients with progressive DTC refractory to radioactive iodine were treated with sorafenib used off-label independently from their performance status. Primary study end-points were radiological response, progression-free survival (PFS) and safety. Secondary end-points were site-specific radiological response and overall survival (OS). An exploratory analysis of the role of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) was performed. RESULTS: A total of 17 patients were included in the study. Median follow-up was 15·5 months. Clinical benefit was obtained in 71% of subjects (30% partial response and 41% stable disease). Sorafenib was mostly well tolerated, but a high incidence of fatal events was reported (three patients died from severe bleeding events and two from cardiac arrest). Median PFS was 9 months. Median OS was 10 months. The best responses were observed in lymph nodes and lung. Baseline Tg levels and the Tg response to treatment were correlated to both radiological response and PFS. Baseline FDG-PET assessment and early FDG-PET response were correlated to radiological response. CONCLUSIONS: Sorafenib allows morphological disease control in the majority of patients with iodine-refractory DTC. Progression-free survival and overall survival were lower than in previous studies as a consequence of the worse clinical condition of our patients. Sorafenib is mostly well tolerated but could have been responsible for the reported fatal events. Baseline Tg and the Tg response to treatment could be useful for predicting morphological response and clinical outcome. Early FDG-PET response could be helpful for the timely identification of nonresponding patients.
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Fluordesoxiglucose F18 , Niacinamida/análogos & derivados , Compostos de Fenilureia/uso terapêutico , Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons/métodos , Tireoglobulina/sangue , Neoplasias da Glândula Tireoide/sangue , Neoplasias da Glândula Tireoide/tratamento farmacológico , Antineoplásicos/efeitos adversos , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Niacinamida/efeitos adversos , Niacinamida/uso terapêutico , Compostos de Fenilureia/efeitos adversos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Sorafenibe , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
To determine the impact of prophylaxis with granulocyte-colony stimulating growth factor (G-CSF) on the risk of febrile neutropenia in a cohort of patients enrolled at the University Federico II of Naples and treated with cabazitaxel for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). We carried out a retrospective review of prospectively collected data of patients enrolled at our institution in a compassionate-use programme with cabazitaxel, aimed at providing early access to the drug before its commercial availability in mCRPC patients. Besides baseline clinical and demographic characteristics, data on treatment efficacy and toxicity, as well as those on the use of G-CSF per patient per cycle were extracted. Progression-free survival and overall survival were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Fisher's exact test was used to explore a relationship between a single event of grade 3 or more neutropenia or febrile neutropenia and previous use of G-CSF. Univariate analysis was carried out to evaluate predictors of grade 3 or more neutropenia and/or febrile neutropenia. Of 34 patients enrolled at our institution from December 2010 to December 2011, 32 had received at least one dose of cabazitaxel and were included in the analysis. Patients received a median of 10 cabazitaxel cycles. Grade 3 or more neutropenia was common, occurring in 64.5% of patients. Three patients (9.3%) developed febrile neutropenia. Twenty-seven patients received prophylaxis with G-CSF during at least one cycle using peg-filgrastim. The risk of grade 3 or more neutropenia and/or febrile neutropenia per patient and per cycle was seven times lower when G-CSF was used. Baseline neutrophil count of less than 4570/mm was the strongest predictor of grade 3 or more neutropenia and/or febrile neutropenia. No toxic death was reported. Only one patient discontinued cabazitaxel because of an adverse event. Our analysis suggests that prophylaxis with peg-filgrastim may considerably reduce the incidence of grade 3 or more neutropenia and, possibly, of febrile neutropenia in mCRPC patients treated with cabazitaxel. Further analyses involving a larger population are warranted to confirm our results.
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Antineoplásicos/efeitos adversos , Fator Estimulador de Colônias de Granulócitos/uso terapêutico , Neutropenia/prevenção & controle , Neoplasias da Próstata/tratamento farmacológico , Taxoides/efeitos adversos , Idoso , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Intervalo Livre de Doença , Febre/induzido quimicamente , Febre/prevenção & controle , Filgrastim , Humanos , Estimativa de Kaplan-Meier , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Metástase Neoplásica , Neutropenia/induzido quimicamente , Neutrófilos/metabolismo , Polietilenoglicóis , Neoplasias da Próstata/patologia , Proteínas Recombinantes/uso terapêutico , Estudos Retrospectivos , Taxa de Sobrevida , Taxoides/uso terapêutico , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Tumor-to-tumor metastasis is a rare phenomenon, with around 150 cases being reported in the literature. Breast cancer is the second most commonly reported donor tumor after lung cancer, but thymic epithelial tumors have never been reported as recipient tumors. Furthermore, the thymus is rarely affected by metastases. To our knowledge, the present report is the first case of breast cancer metastatic to thymic epithelial tumor.
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Neoplasias da Mama/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Epiteliais e Glandulares/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Epiteliais e Glandulares/secundário , Neoplasias do Timo/diagnóstico , Neoplasias do Timo/secundário , Adulto , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Feminino , Humanos , Neoplasias Epiteliais e Glandulares/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias do Timo/tratamento farmacológicoRESUMO
AIM: This study aimed to identify predictive/prognostic factors in castration-resistant prostate cancer patients treated with cabazitaxel. PATIENTS & METHODS: Patients were enrolled from March 2011 to December 2011 in an international expanded access program. In January 2012, when cabazitaxel became commercially available, a prospective study was initiated at University Federico II of Naples and at Rionero in Vulture Hospital. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients were enrolled in this study. Patients received a median of nine cycles of cabazitaxel. Median progression-free survival was 7.0 months (95% CI: 5.7-8.0). Seventeen patients were still alive at the time of the analysis, with a median overall survival of 14 months (95% CI: 11-16). At multivariate analysis, a higher Gleason score (≥ 8) appeared to be associated with prolonged progression-free survival (hazard ratio: 0.36; 95% CI: 0.18-0.72); however, the higher Gleason score showed no statistical impact on overall survival. CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that the Gleason score has the potential to be incorporated in the clinical decision-making process for definition of treatment strategy in docetaxel-pretreated castration-resistant prostate cancer patients. We encourage further experimentation in this setting.
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Gradação de Tumores , Metástase Neoplásica/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias da Próstata/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias da Próstata/patologia , Taxoides/administração & dosagem , Idoso , Castração , Intervalo Livre de Doença , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Metástase Neoplásica/patologia , Estadiamento de Neoplasias , Prognóstico , Estudos Prospectivos , Antígeno Prostático Específico/sangue , Neoplasias da Próstata/sangue , Neoplasias da Próstata/diagnósticoRESUMO
Background: Ewing sarcoma (ES) represents the second most common malignant bone tumor in children and young adults. ES is not a frequent finding in sites different from the skeletal. Common sites of appearance of ES are lower extremities, the pelvis, paravertebral spaces and head and neck. Primary extraskeletal ES located in the anterior mediastinum are very rare. These neoplasms should be discussed in specialized contests with a high volume of patients treated. Here, we present an uncommon mediastinal mass challenging in its characterization and management. Case description: A thirty-year-old woman performed a thoracic CT scan for dyspnea and persistent cough. Imaging showed a solid mass of 14 x 11 cm involving the left thorax with mediastinal deviation to the right side. Patient underwent an en bloc resection of the mass. Initial histological examination was suggestive for B3 thymoma/thymic carcinoma. Patient was then referred to our rare tumor reference center where a histological review excluded the diagnosis of thymic/thymoma neoplasms meanwhile a third revision assessed a diagnosis of ES. Patient refused adjuvant chemotherapy due to her desire of maternity and radiation therapy was not indicated because surgery was performed too many months earlier. A close follow-up was considered. After a few months the patient relapsed and first line chemotherapy was proposed. She reached a complete response at the first evaluation maintained also at the end of the protocol. In order to consolidate the obtained response, high dose chemotherapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (HDCT/ASCT) was suggested and the patient agreed. Conclusions: This case underlined that, potentially, ES can arise from any soft tissue site in the body, even in rare sites such as mediastinum. The evaluation of expert centers was critical to establish a correct diagnosis and therapeutic approach in this complex case. Taking into account the time lasting from the diagnosis and the aggressiveness of this kind of neoplasm, frequently relapsing, the patient after a multidisciplinary discussion was a candidate for a multimodal treatment.
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Sarcomas of the thoracic cavity are rare entities that predominantly affect children and young adults. They can be very heterogeneous encompassing several different histological entities. Ewing Sarcoma (ES) can potentially arise from every bone, soft tissue, or visceral site in the body. However, it represents an extremely rare finding when it affects the thoracic cavity. It represents the second most frequent type of thoracic sarcoma, after chondrosarcoma. ES arises more frequently in sites that differ from the thoracic cavity, but it displays the same biological features and behavior of extra-thoracic ones. Current management of ES often requires a multidisciplinary treatment approach including surgery, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy, as it can guarantee local and distant disease control, at least transiently, although the long-term outcome remains poor. Unfortunately, due to the paucity of clinical trials purposely designed for this rare malignancy, there are no optimal strategies that can be used for disease recurrence. As a result of its complex biological features, ES might be suitable for emerging biology-based therapeutic strategies. However, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving tumor growth and treatment resistance, including those related to oncogenic pathways, epigenetic landscape, and immune microenvironment, is necessary in order to develop new valid therapeutic opportunities. Here, we provide an overview of the most recent therapeutic advances for ES in both the preclinical and clinical settings. We performed a review of the current available literature and of the ongoing clinical trials focusing on new treatment strategies, after failure of conventional multimodal treatments.
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Background: Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare malignancies with heterogeneous clinical manifestations. The high frequency of autoimmune paraneoplastic disorders observed in such patients requires caution when using COVID-19 vaccines. Furthermore, TETs are often associated with severe immunodeficiency, making it difficult to predict vaccine immunization. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate immune response to COVID-19 vaccine in patients with TETs. Methods: We conducted a prospective study enrolling patients who underwent the SARS-Cov-2 mRNA full vaccine cycle (two doses plus a booster after 6 months of BNT162b2). All patients were enrolled before receiving 1st vaccine dose and were followed over the vaccination cycle for up to 6 months after the booster dose to i) assess humoral and cellular responses, ii) define biomarkers predictive of effective immunization, and iii) evaluate the safety of the vaccine. Results: At the end of the full vaccine cycle, 27 (61.4%) patients developed humoral and 38 (86.4%) cellular responses (IFN γ release by stimulated cells) and showed an increase in activated TH1 and TH17 cells, particularly significant after the booster dose. The number of B and T lymphocytes at baseline was predictive of humoral and cellular responses, respectively. Patients with no evidence of tumor lesions had a higher probability of achieving a humoral response than those with evidence of the disease. Furthermore, the percentage of patients with immune-related disorders (75%), particularly Good's syndrome (47.7%) and myasthenia gravis (29.5%), did not change over the entire vaccine cycle. Overall, 19 of the 44 enrolled patients (43.2%) had COVID-19 during the observation period; none required hospitalization or oxygen support, and no fatalities were observed. Conclusion: SARS-Cov-2 mRNA vaccine determines the immune responses in patients with TET, particularly after the booster dose, and in patients with no evidence of tumor lesions. Preliminary analysis of B and T lymphocytes may help identify patients who have a lower probability of achieving effective humoral and cellular responses and thus may need passive immunization. The vaccine prevented severe COVID-19 infection and is safe.