Christian Heise, Alexander Edward Nieto, Magdalena K Scheck, Ira Ekmekciu, Greta Sommerhäuser, Anke Reinacher-Schick, Ralf-Dieter Hofheinz, Sylvie Lorenzen, Henning Wege, Volker Kunzmann, Thorsten Oliver Götze, Ilektra Antonia Mavroeidi
{"title":"Pancreatic, Hepatic, and Biliary Tract Oncology Highlights from the European Society for Medical Oncology Annual Meeting 2023.","authors":"Christian Heise, Alexander Edward Nieto, Magdalena K Scheck, Ira Ekmekciu, Greta Sommerhäuser, Anke Reinacher-Schick, Ralf-Dieter Hofheinz, Sylvie Lorenzen, Henning Wege, Volker Kunzmann, Thorsten Oliver Götze, Ilektra Antonia Mavroeidi","doi":"10.1159/000537935","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000537935","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19543,"journal":{"name":"Oncology Research and Treatment","volume":" ","pages":"233-237"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139932279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Berna Akkus Yildirim, Sedef Gokhan Acikgoz, Mustafa Halil Akboru, Emre Uysal, Baver Tütün, Necla Gurdal, Yilmaz Tezcan
{"title":"Evaluating the Impact of Age and G8 Assessment on Definitive Treatment Strategies in Elderly Patients with Local Advanced Esophageal Carcinoma.","authors":"Berna Akkus Yildirim, Sedef Gokhan Acikgoz, Mustafa Halil Akboru, Emre Uysal, Baver Tütün, Necla Gurdal, Yilmaz Tezcan","doi":"10.1159/000542017","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000542017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>While chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is commonly employed as a curative approach for esophageal cancer, administering standard CRT to elderly patients often presents challenges in practical settings. The objective of this study was to compare treatment tolerance and survival outcomes between younger and elderly patients (aged ≥65 years) diagnosed with locally advanced esophageal cancer receiving curative-intent treatment. Additionally, it aimed to assess the impact of the Geriatric-8 Health Status Screening Tool (G8 score) on treatment decisions in elderly patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Ninety-seven patients treated with neoadjuvant or definitive CRT for locally advanced esophageal cancer were retrospectively evaluated at two centers from 2013 to 2023. We divided the patients by age (<65 and ≥65 years) and assessed their demographic, clinical, and treatment data, including pre- and post-treatment G8 scores. Radiotherapy (RT) was administered at a median dose of 50.4 Gy (45-66 Gy). Planned concurrent chemotherapy was completed in 73 (75.3%) of the patients.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the comparative study of 97 esophageal cancer patients, 48 geriatric (aged ≥65 years) and 49 younger individuals were followed up for a median of 20 and 21 months, respectively. No significant statistical differences were noted between the groups concerning baseline and treatment characteristics. Surgical intervention rates were comparable, with 22.9% of geriatric and 36.7% of young patients undergoing surgery (p = 0.184). There were no significant differences in pathological complete response, local recurrence, distant metastasis, progression, or death rates. The median progression-free survival (PFS) for geriatric and younger patients was 31 months (95% CI, 13.6-48.4) and 19 months (95% CI, 0-39.4), respectively (p = 0.832). The median overall survival (OS) was 38 months (95% CI, 23.8-52.2) in geriatric patients, while it was not reached in younger patients (p = 0.745). There was no significant difference between the two groups. The pretreatment and post-treatment G8 values of the geriatric patients were 9.25 (6-13.5) and 9.5 (6-14), respectively. Patients with increased G8 scores were found to have significantly higher PFS (median 85 months vs. 11 months, p = 0.001) and OS (median 85 months vs. 14 months, p = 0.001) compared to those with unchanged or decreased G8 scores.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Age alone should not be the determining factor in the treatment decision of elderly patients diagnosed with locally advanced esophageal cancer. Moreover, CRT could be safely performed even in patients with low G8 scores, and although the G8 score may not directly influence treatment decision, its enhancement during the treatment process holds significant prognostic value.</p>","PeriodicalId":19543,"journal":{"name":"Oncology Research and Treatment","volume":" ","pages":"590-601"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142471693","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Marietta Lieb, Martina Madl, Martin Vogelhuber, Matthias W Beckmann, Yesim Erim
{"title":"Psycho-Oncological Self-Help Groups in Bavaria: The Current Situation and Suggestions for Improvement.","authors":"Marietta Lieb, Martina Madl, Martin Vogelhuber, Matthias W Beckmann, Yesim Erim","doi":"10.1159/000538248","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000538248","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Self-help groups (SHGs) are an important cornerstone of the German health care system. Especially collaborations of SHGs with cancer centers enable active patient involvement in cancer care. We investigated the current situation and unmet needs of Bavarian SHGs in order to point out possible options of action.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a cross-sectional study with Bavarian psycho-oncological SHGs. Via e-mail, an online survey was sent to 150 SHGs registered at the BZKF (Bavarian Cancer Research Center). We assessed activities and needs of the SHGs as well as the nature of collaborations with cancer centers. We focused on adaptations during the COVID-19 pandemic and the inclusion of migrants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>46 (33.66%) SHGs participated, while 39 (84.78%) completed the questionnaire. During the COVID-19 pandemic, 50% of the SHGs reported less meetings. 22.7% changed to online meetings or other formats (43.2%). 20.9% of the SHGs had regular meetings with the cancer center, and 23.1% with the psycho-oncology. 51.2% evaluated the psycho-oncological services as neutral to dissatisfying due to lack of information, availability, and long waiting times. The SHGs indicated needs concerning interventions (coping strategies, digital applications, etc.), information, and better communication. Efforts for overcoming inequalities seemed rare: only 13.6% of the SHGs and 16.2% of the cancer centers had services for migrants.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study gave an overview of current activities and needs of Bavarian SHGs. The implementation of patient guides, comprehensive information material, and low-threshold psycho-oncological services should be objectives in future care to increase patient satisfaction. The needs for services for migrants should be investigated in more detail.</p>","PeriodicalId":19543,"journal":{"name":"Oncology Research and Treatment","volume":" ","pages":"177-188"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140094452","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Oliver Rick, Alexandra Gerhardt, Georgia Schilling
{"title":"Cancer-Related Cognitive Dysfunction: A Narrative Review for Clinical Practice.","authors":"Oliver Rick, Alexandra Gerhardt, Georgia Schilling","doi":"10.1159/000538277","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000538277","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cancer-related cognitive dysfunction (CRCD) is a major functional disorder in patients with cancer. This central nervous dysfunction is found in up to 60% of patients after tumour therapy, often significantly limits the quality of life, and significantly impedes participation in working life. For this reason, diagnosis and treatment of CRCD are of central importance. This narrative review is intended to provide an overview and support for practical clinical care with regard to diagnostics and therapeutic options.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>In Germany, CRCD has received insufficient attention in clinical practice due to the lack of guidelines for diagnosis and therapy. The pathophysiology is complex and cannot be explained by chemotherapeutic treatment alone. In addition to the tumour disease as such and the tumour therapy, psychological factors such as anxiety and depression as well as sleep disorders also play a significant role. Today, it is known that in addition to age, molecular genetic changes also have an effect on cognitive function. Morphologically, CRCD can be located in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. In addition to easy-to-use screening instruments such as the visual analogue scale, validated questionnaires such as the Questionnaire of Subjectively Experienced Deficits in Attention (FEDA) developed in Germany are also available. These allow the suspected diagnosis to be substantiated and the patient to be referred to further neurological, neuropsychological, or psycho-oncological diagnostics. Within the framework of further neuropsychological diagnostics, the International Cognition and Cancer Task Force (ICCTF) recommends testing learning, memory, processing speed, and executive functions. From the authors' point of view, a step-by-step diagnosis is recommended in order to avoid overdiagnosis. In clinical practice, graduation according to the \"Common Terminology Criteria for Adversity Events\" (CTCAE Version 5.0) is suitable for assessing the degree of severity. Cognitive training should be behaviourally oriented and include regular practice of cognitive skills to restore attention, psychomotor speed, memory, and executive functions. The best evidence is currently found for web-based training programmes that can be used by the patient at home. There is also evidence for mindfulness training and physical exercises. In particular, the combination of these three therapeutic elements currently seems to be the optimal treatment strategy for CRCD.</p><p><strong>Key messages: </strong>Cognitive dysfunction should be given much more attention in the clinical care of cancer patients. Diagnostic tools for this purpose and evidence-based therapeutic interventions are available. In the future, networks should be created that allow for better care of patients with CRCD.</p>","PeriodicalId":19543,"journal":{"name":"Oncology Research and Treatment","volume":" ","pages":"218-223"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140111135","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Thoracic Oncology Highlights from the European Society for Medical Oncology Annual Meeting 2023 with Focus on Targeted Therapies.","authors":"Fabian Acker, Jingting Luan, Puyan Soltani Germy, Marcel Kemper, Miriam Blasi, Frank Griesinger, Amanda Tufman, Annalen Bleckmann, Cornelia Kropf-Sanchen, Tobias Raphael Overbeck","doi":"10.1159/000538436","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000538436","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19543,"journal":{"name":"Oncology Research and Treatment","volume":" ","pages":"306-311"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140288610","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christina Kaiser, Alina-Valik Abramian, Andree Faridi
{"title":"Surgical Management and System Therapy of the Most Giant Known Malignant Metastatic Breast Phyllodes Tumor: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.","authors":"Christina Kaiser, Alina-Valik Abramian, Andree Faridi","doi":"10.1159/000537956","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000537956","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Phyllodes tumors belong to uncommon fibroepithelial breast tumors with a range of biological behaviors. Phyllodes tumors are responsible for less than 1 percent of all neoplasms of the breast.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>A 66-year-old woman presented to our Breastcancer Unit in March 2021 because of a huge mass of her left breast with bleeding out of a tumor necrosis. Five years ago in 2016, a benign phyllodes tumor was diagnosed externally. When we started the treatment, the tumor had a weight of 18.6 kg.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We describe the surgical management and the systemic treatment of metastatic disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":19543,"journal":{"name":"Oncology Research and Treatment","volume":" ","pages":"145-148"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139932280","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Aggressive B-Cell Lymphoma with Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression: Treat the Patient, Not the Disease.","authors":"Leonid L Yavorkovsky","doi":"10.1159/000538104","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000538104","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The management of metastatic spinal cord compression (mSCC) is a demanding task. The main challenges of mSCC include various manifestations and unpredictable outcomes with indiscriminate treatment recommendations. Because of attendant urgency with potentially devastating health consequences, the SCC is an emotionally disturbing experience whose management could take an impulsive rather than rational approach. The treatment strategy is particularly problematic when mSCC is caused by a malignant lymphoma with its protean attributes.</p><p><strong>Case report: </strong>A 68-year-old female presented with generalized body pain and weight loss. Imaging studies revealed a vast bulk of the disease involving lymph nodes, spleen, visceral organs, musculature, marrow, and bones including vertebrae with extension into the spinal canal. A biopsy of the chest wall mass showed high-grade diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine demonstrated diffuse marrow replacement by the tumor of the thoracic and lumbar spine with compression of the cord. The prompt treatment with corticosteroids and immunochemotherapy (ICT) was recommended, but the patient elected to seek a second opinion. After two doses of radiation therapy, the patient's general condition rapidly deteriorated and she was hospitalized for systemic ICT. Despite the treatment, her condition continued to deteriorate, and she died 3 weeks after the presentation.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The presented case demonstrates some hitherto unaddressed challenges in evaluation and treatment of mSCC caused by aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (LSSC). The case scrutinizes the role of MRI in uncommon clinical situations. The case has also exposed some ethical issues associated with the proper management of LSCC.</p>","PeriodicalId":19543,"journal":{"name":"Oncology Research and Treatment","volume":" ","pages":"287-295"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140022347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Oncolytic Activity of Canine Distemper Virus in Human Ductal Breast Carcinoma Cells.","authors":"Dhwani Jhala, Neelam Nathani, Madhvi Joshi, Amrutlal Patel, Chaitanya G Joshi","doi":"10.1159/000535418","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000535418","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Oncolytic virotherapy is a novel strategy for cancer treatment in humans and companion animals. Canine distemper virus (CDV) is known to induce apoptosis in tumor cells, thus serving as a potential candidate for oncolytic therapy. However, the mechanism of viral oncolytic activity is less studied and varies depending on the type of cancer and cell lines.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In the present study, the susceptibility of the MCF-7 cell line to CDV infection was assessed using the CDV strain, which was confirmed previously through sequence analysis in the Vero cell line. The impact of CDV infection on cell proliferation and apoptosis was studied by evaluating the expression of four target genes including the myeloid cell leukemia 1 (MCL-1), phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 1 (PIK3R1), transcription factor (SP1), and DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 3A (DNMT3A).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CDV replication in the cells induced cytopathic effect and decreased in the cell proliferation rates compared to the uninfected control. MCL-1, SP1, and PIK3R1 gene expression was down-regulated, while the expression of DNMT3A was up-regulated 3 days post-infection. The expression levels of the target genes suggest that CDV may be inducing the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in the cancer cell line.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Overall, the results strongly propose CDV strain as a potential candidate for cancer therapy after detailed studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":19543,"journal":{"name":"Oncology Research and Treatment","volume":" ","pages":"10-17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138441061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hypogammaglobulinemia and Anti-CD20 Therapy-Induced Acute Thrombocytopenia: Perhaps More than a Coincidence?","authors":"Tobias Ronny Haage, Vanja Zeremski, Mirjeta Berisha, Dimitrios Mougiakakos","doi":"10.1159/000539919","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000539919","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The development of secondary hypogammaglobulinemia (sHGG) because of tumor treatment and/or the primary underlying hematologic disorder holds substantial clinical significance. B-cell-derived malignancies and anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represent important risk factors for the development of sHGG. In addition, the occurrence of acute thrombocytopenia (AT) induced by anti-CD20 therapy is a known, albeit rare, phenomenon.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>A 54-year-old patient experiencing the first relapse of classical follicular lymphoma has commenced salvage therapy following the R-DHAP protocol. After rituximab infusion, platelet count dropped from 116 × 109/L to 13 × 109/L within 24 h. Reduced immunoglobulin G levels indicated moderate HGG; thus, we immediately administered intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg). Within 5 days after initiation of IVIg, platelet count increased and stabilized at >50 × 109/L.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>It seems possible that anti-CD20 mAbs act like or activate similar mechanisms as autoantibodies in immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Assuming that anti-CD20 therapy-induced AT is an ITP-like condition, HGG could be considered a potential risk factor. Thus, appropriate treatment of HGG with IVIg prior to anti-CD20 mAb therapy could potentially alleviate anti-CD20 therapy-induced AT.</p>","PeriodicalId":19543,"journal":{"name":"Oncology Research and Treatment","volume":" ","pages":"434-438"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141432433","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A Multicentre, Randomized Trial in Adults with de novo Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia to Assess the Efficacy of Ponatinib versus Imatinib in Combination with Low-Intensity Chemotherapy, to Compare End of Therapy with Indication for Stem Cell Transplantation versus Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor, Blinatumomab, and Chemotherapy in Optimal Responders, and to Evaluate Blinatumomab in Suboptimal Responders (GMALL-EVOLVE).","authors":"Fabian Lang, Heike Pfeifer, Monika Brüggemann, Eva Hermann, Hubert Serve, Nicola Goekbuget","doi":"10.1159/000539391","DOIUrl":"10.1159/000539391","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (Ph+ALL) is treated as standard of care (SoC) by imatinib-based treatment combined with induction and consolidation chemotherapy followed by allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT) in first remission. The German Multicenter ALL Study Group for Adult ALL (GMALL) reports about a trial to evaluate the impact of ponatinib-based therapy, blinatumomab treatment for suboptimal responders, and the possibility of omission of SoC Allo SCT in optimal responders entitled GMALL-EVOLVE.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Herein, imatinib is randomized versus ponatinib as frontline treatment combined with chemotherapy, optimal responders also get randomized between SCT and chemo-immunotherapy, and suboptimal responders receive immunotherapy before SCT. The trial is registered under the EudraCT number 2022-000760-21.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This trial will answer several major questions in the treatment of Ph+ALL.</p>","PeriodicalId":19543,"journal":{"name":"Oncology Research and Treatment","volume":" ","pages":"430-433"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11382633/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140958411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}