Italian Melanoma Intergroup tele-genetic counseling project for melanoma predisposition syndromes: five-year evaluation of effectiveness and outcomes.

This study assessed the implementation of a tele-genetic counseling (TGC) pathway for hereditary melanoma risk using the culturally adapted Italian Melanoma Intergroup Tele-Genomics Outcome Scale (IMI-TGOS) questionnaire. Among 278 eligible patients, 177 (64%) completed the survey across three Italian centers. Responses showed high comprehension and perceived utility: 88% of participants reported understanding the information received, 96% recognized familial implications, and over 85% felt confident in managing risk and making decisions.

The Impact and Performance of the Molecular Tumor Board: Three-Year Activity in Precision Medicine for Treatment of Patients with Cancer from the Marche Region, in Italy.

Introduction: Cancer incidence is rising in Italy, making it harder for researchers to search for innovative and comprehensive treatment strategies. The advancement of precision medicine, the hunt for molecular targets, and the development of drugs that may operate on a specific target have all become increasingly important aspects of the oncological treatment strategy in recent years. The aim of this study is to analyze the activity and performance of the Oncology and Research Center of the Marche Region (CORM) and its Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) in implementing precision medicine to improve cancer treatment.

Retrospective-Prospective Observational Study of Italian Patients Treated in Melanoma Adjuvant Cohort MAP-MADAM (Maximing ADjuvAnt MAP): Interim Analysis.

: Dabrafenib and trametinib (D + T) have been approved for the treatment of stage III melanoma with BRAF V600E V600K mutations in an adjuvant setting, based on the results from the COMBI-AD trial. To provide early access to this combination therapy prior to its commercial availability in Italy, a Managed Access Program (MAP) was run in Italy from June 2018 to December 2019. : The MADAM (Maximing ADjuvAnt MAP) study is an Italian retrospective-prospective observational study that included patients who received at least one dose of D + T through the MAP.

Prognostic Impact of Blood Lipid Profile in Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background: Specific components of lipid profile seem to differently impact on immune activity against cancer and unraveling their prognostic role in patients with solid cancer treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is needed.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively collected baseline clinicopathological characteristics including circulating lipid profile (total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], low-density lipoproteins [LDL], high-density lipoproteins [HDL]) of patients with consecutive solid cancer treated with ICIs, and we investigated their role in predicting clinical outcomes.

Results: At a median follow-up of 32.

Potential dual synergy between electrochemotherapy and sequence of immunotherapies in metastatic melanoma: A case report.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors have changed the natural history of advanced melanoma. Despite this, a notable proportion of patients immediately relapse or develop resistance during immunotherapy, especially with the appearance of superficial metastases and consequently with a dramatic impact on clinical outcomes. Local treatment by electrochemotherapy (ECT), parallel to regional control with palliative aim, seems to release neoantigens potentially determining a significant systemic anticancer immune reactivation.

Potential immune‑related adverse events during dabrafenib and trametinib treatment: A case series of patients with BRAF V600E melanoma.

In recent years, BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) and MEK inhibitors (MEKi), together with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), have changed the therapeutic strategy of cutaneous melanoma, both in adjuvant and metastatic settings. These inhibitors have significantly improved the clinical outcome for patients with melanoma, including in both BRAF-mutated and BRAF-wild type disease. Some preclinical and clinical studies have revealed that BRAFi and MEKi are able to influence T- and B-cell activation, and to modulate immune system activation within the tumor microenvironment.

Comparison Between First Line Target Therapy and Immunotherapy in Different Prognostic Categories of BRAF Mutant Metastatic Melanoma Patients: An Italian Melanoma Intergroup Study.

Background: BRAF and MEK inhibitors target therapies (TT) and AntiPD1 immunotherapies (IT) are available first-line treatments for BRAF v600 mutant metastatic melanoma patients. ECOG PS (E), baseline LDH (L), and baseline number of metastatic sites (N) are well-known clinical prognostic markers that identify different prognostic categories of patients. Direct comparison between first-line TT and IT in different prognostic categories could help in first line treatment decision.

Management of lung cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic: dos, don'ts and don't knows.

Aim: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic two needs have overlapped: on one hand continuing to provide the best care for patients with lung cancer and preventing the spread of the virus between patients and healthcare professionals on the other hand. Due to the pandemic's unpredictable duration, physicians had to evaluate the risk/benefit ratio of anti-cancer therapeutic strategy to do the best for their patients and to protect patients themselves, as well as healthcare workers.

Methods: Systematic literature research was performed with the aim to assess the available guidelines for the management of lung cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The role of angiogenetic single-nucleotide polymorphisms in thymic malignancies and thymic benign lesions.

Background: We previously showed that selected single-nucleotide-polymorphisms (SNPs) of genes involved in angiogenesis influence the aggressiveness of thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). This study analyzes their role in TETs and in thymic benign lesions, in order to investigate potential correlation with risk and outcome.

Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from paraffin-embedded tissue of 92 patients, undergoing surgery at our Institution.

Lynch syndrome-associated lung cancer: pitfalls of an immunotherapy-based treatment strategy in an unusual tumor type.

Lynch syndrome is a hereditary cancer predisposition syndrome caused by germline alterations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes leading to increased risk of colon cancer as well as other cancer types. Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not among typical Lynch syndrome-associated tumors: pembrolizumab, an immune checkpoint inhibitor, is actually approved for the treatment of NSCLC patients and represents a promising treatment option for patients with advanced metastatic MMR-deficient cancer, regardless of tumor origin. This case report describes the clinical presentation and management of a 74-year-old female with a history of rectal adenocarcinoma and ovarian cancer, who has a documented frameshift pathogenic variant in the exon 8 of gene and an intronic variant in the gene (classified as a variant of uncertain significance), affected by NSCLC with brain metastases.

Potential benefit of β-glucans as adjuvant therapy in immuno-oncology: a review.

Fungal compounds have long been used for centuries as food supplements. β-glucans have been identified as the most interesting molecules with beneficial effects in several chronic diseases. studies have shown that they are able to elicit the immune cells maturation and activation with the result of an increased release of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and a stimulation of anti-bacterial activity of macrophages and neutrophils.

Benefits and Limitations of a Multidisciplinary Approach in Cancer Patient Management.

Over the years, a growing body of literature has confirmed as beneficial the implementation of a multidisciplinary approach in the so-often-intricate scenario of cancer patients' management. Together with the consolidation of tumor-board experience in clinical practice, certain aspects have emerged as controversial and a source of current debate. In this systematic literature review, we focused our attention on the impact of multidisciplinary tumor boards, assessing benefits and limitations as a result of the dissemination of such approaches.

An Italian Retrospective Survey on Bone Metastasis in Melanoma: Impact of Immunotherapy and Radiotherapy on Survival.

Background: We performed a multicenter retrospective observational study to investigate the impact of clinical-pathological features and therapeutic strategies on both the complications and survival of patients with bone metastases (BMs) from malignant melanoma.

Patients And Methods: A total of 305 patients with melanoma and radiological evidence of BMs were retrospectively enrolled from 19 Italian centers. All patients received conventional treatments in accordance with each own treating physician's practice.

A case report of metastatic giant sarcomatoid melanoma with BRAF V600E mutation: a complete response to targeted therapy.

Sarcomatoid melanoma is an extremely rare pattern of malignant melanoma, and only few cases have been described throughout the literature. We herein report a case of a patient with newly diagnosed, metastatic giant sarcomatoid melanoma of the arm. The patient underwent surgical removal of the huge mass, and NGS sequencing demonstrated BRAF V600E mutation.

Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone Secretion (SIADH): Optimal Management.

Hyponatremia, defined as serum sodium concentration <135 mEq/l, is the most common electrolyte balance disorder in clinical practice. Many causes are listed, but syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) is certainly the most relevant, mainly in oncological and hospitalized patients. In this review, the pathophysiological and clinical aspects are described in detail.

Hyponatremia is a Predictor of Clinical Outcome for Resected Biliary Tract Cancers: A Retrospective Single-Center Study.

Introduction: Biliary tract cancers (BTC) include both gallbladder cancer and cholangiocarcinoma, both of which have a poor prognosis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the main clinical prognostic factors in this setting and to assess their impact on overall survival (OS).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data collected on 64 patients with BTC who underwent surgery with radical intent at our institution.

Gender Differences and Outcomes in Melanoma Patients.

Introduction: Melanoma is one of the most common cancers in younger people. The incidence of cutaneous melanoma is increasing in patients of both sexes, with female patients generally living longer than their male counterparts. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate and confirm the sex-based difference in survival of melanoma patients and the relationship of this difference with pathological features.

Prognostic relevance of programmed cell death protein 1/programmed death-ligand 1 pathway in thymic malignancies with combined immunohistochemical and biomolecular approach.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate Programmed cell Death protein 1 (PD-1) and Programmed Death-Ligand 1 (PD-L1) and their mRNA expression in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs).

Research Design And Methods: We analyzed 68 samples of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue (63 thymomas and 5 thymic carcinomas). PD-1 and PD-L1 protein expression were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and mRNA expression was evaluated by real-time PCR.

Questioning the prognostic role of BAP-1 immunohistochemistry in malignant pleural mesothelioma: A single center experience with systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The prognostic role of BRCA1 associated protein-1 (BAP1) expression in malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a matter of debate. We aimed to clarify whether MPM patients with loss of BAP1 expression have better overall survival (OS) compared to BAP1 positive patients.

Methods: BAP1 immunohistochemical staining of tumor samples from 60 MPM patients treated at our institution with first-line chemotherapy was evaluated.

Electrolyte disorders in advanced non-small cell lung cancer patients treated with immune check-point inhibitors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the relative risk (RR) of electrolyte disorders (EDs) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC) patients treated with immune check-point inhibitors (ICIs).

Methods: We searched for phase II/III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ICIs (alone or combined with chemotherapy) with standard chemotherapy in aNSCLC. Summary incidence and RR were calculated.

Anti-PD1 antibodies in patients aged ≥ 75 years with metastatic melanoma: A retrospective multicentre study.

Background: Advanced age is associated with comorbidities and immune system impairment, which may influence the efficacy and tolerability of immune checkpoint inhibitors. There is evidence that anti-PD1 antibodies in advanced melanoma are equally effective in patients >65 years. However, data on patients >75 years are lacking as co-morbidities and logistics often exclude them from clinical trials.

Pre-treatment systemic immune-inflammation represents a prognostic factor in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Background: Inflammation plays an important role in pathogenesis, development and progression of lung cancer. The aim of the study is to assess the prognostic role of Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index (SII), obtained by analyzing the neutrophil, lymphocyte and platelet counts, and to design prognostic models for patients receiving first-line chemo- or targeted therapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods: We conducted an analysis on 311 patients with advanced NSCLC, treated with first line chemo- or targeted therapy till June 2015 at our Institution.

Systemic treatment for lung carcinoids: from bench to bedside.

In the huge spectrum of lung neuroendocrine neoplasms, typical and atypical carcinoids should be considered as a separate biological entity from poorly differentiated forms, harboring peculiar molecular alterations. Despite their indolent behavior, lung carcinoids correlate with a worse survival. To date, only limited therapeutic options are available and novel drugs are strongly needed.

High CTLA-4 expression correlates with poor prognosis in thymoma patients.

Thymomas, tumors that arise from epithelial cells of the thymus gland, are the most common neoplasms of the anterior mediastinum, with an incidence rate of approximately 2.5 per million/year. Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte Antigen 4 (CTLA-4 or CD152) exerts inhibitory activity on T cells, and since its oncogenic role in the progression of different types of tumors, it has emerged as a potential therapeutic target in cancer patients.