Clinical characteristics and first-line palliative treatment patterns in 3,414 patients with advanced lung cancer in India.

Lung cancer, particularly non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), is a major global health issue. In India, the complexity of managing this disease is heightened by diverse demographics, varying healthcare access and evolving epidemiological trends influenced by factors such as smoking and advancements in diagnostics. This study explores cancer demographics and first-line palliative treatment options.

Phase III randomized trial comparing neoadjuvant paclitaxel plus platinum with 5-fluorouracil plus platinum in esophageal or gastroesophageal junction squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced esophageal or gastroesophageal junction squamous cancer, 5-fluorouracil plus platinum, is toxic and logistically challenging; alternative regimens are needed.

Methods: This was a phase III randomized open-label noninferiority trial at Tata Memorial Center, India, in resectable locally advanced esophageal or gastroesophageal junction squamous cancer. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to 3 cycles of 3-weekly platinum (cisplatin 75 mg/m2 or carboplatin area under the curve 6) with paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 (day 1) or 5-fluorouracil 1000 mg/m2 continuous infusion (days 1-4), followed by surgery.

Long-Term Update of a Phase 3 Randomized Study Comparing Once-a-Week Versus Once-Every-3-Weeks Cisplatin Along With Radiation in Head and Neck Cancer.

Purpose: In the weekly-3-weekly study, cisplatin at 100 mg/m once-every-3-weeks led to superior locoregional control compared with cisplatin 30 mg/m once-a-week in combination with radical radiation for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LAHNSCC). We report the updated analysis of the study.

Methods And Materials: In this phase 3 open-label noninferiority study conducted between 2013 and 2017, 300 patients with LAHNSCC were randomly assigned to receive cisplatin 100 mg/m once-in-every-weeks or cisplatin 30 mg/m once-a-week, concurrently with radiation.

Clinical Profile and Outcomes of Carcinoma Penis Patients Receiving Systemic Therapy at an Indian tertiary care Center: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Background: Penile cancer is a rare malignancy with scant data on the impact of systemic therapy on outcomes.

Methods: Retrospective observational study of patients with a histological diagnosis of carcinoma penis treated with systemic therapy at the Tata Memorial Centre (Mumbai, India) between August 2010 and February 2018. Primary objective was overall survival (OS); secondary objectives included assessment of clinical characteristics, treatment approaches, and toxicity profiles.

A Comparative Study Evaluating the Quality of Life and Survival Outcomes in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy Versus Oral Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor in the Third Line and Beyond Setting for Advanced NSCLC.

Introduction: The outcomes in advanced NSCLC have improved owing to the availability of more effective systemic and improved supportive care. This has increased the number of patients who seek treatment in the third line and beyond setting. We conducted this study to compare the quality of life (QoL), toxicity, and outcomes in patients receiving chemotherapy and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in this setting.

Repurposing pantoprazole in combination with systemic therapy in advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a phase I/II randomized study.

Pantoprazole decreases the acidity of the tumor microenvironment by inhibiting proton pumps on the cancer cell. This possibly leads to increased sensitivity to cytotoxic therapy. We conducted a phase I/II randomized controlled trial in adult patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) planned for first-line palliative chemotherapy.

ALK-positive advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients with poor performance status: Outcomes in a real-world scenario.

Background: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors have shown significant efficacy in ALK -rearranged non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with good performance status (PS) in multiple randomised studies. However, there is limited data on patients with poor performance status.

Patients And Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of patients with ALK-rearranged NSCLC and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) PS of 2-4 treated at a single academic cancer centre from January 2013 to November 2018.

Clinical Utility of Liquid Biopsy (Cell-free DNA) Based EGFR Mutation Detection Post treatment Initiation as a Disease Monitoring Tool in Patients With Advanced EGFR-mutant NSCLC.

Introduction: Plasma cfDNA-based mutation analysis has shown disease-monitoring potential in various cancers. We assessed the potential of cfDNA-based EGFR mutation testing as a monitoring tool in patients with NSCLC.

Patients And Methods: Patients with NSCLC harboring EGFR mutations receiving first-line treatment as per institutional protocol were enrolled.

Study of Treatment Outcome in Adults with TFE-Related RCC.

TFE Translocation renal cell carcinoma (TRCC) represents 1 to 5% of all cases of renal cell carcinoma, with the highest frequency among children and young adults. Management of these tumors is not very well defined in literature. Although in pediatric age group it has favorable prognosis, in adults it has an aggressive nature, with poor outcome.