The First Case Report of a Solitary Pulmonary Metastasis of a Transitional Meningioma and Literature Review.

Extracranial metastases from meningiomas are extremely rare, with an incidence of <1%, and their prognosis is poor. Moreover, there is currently no gold standard for their treatment; therefore, the decision-making process is strictly dependent on multidisciplinary discussions. In this report, we describe the case of a 73-year-old patient who was diagnosed with a solitary lung metastasis more than 20 years after the initial treatment for a low-grade meningioma.

New Anticancer Agents: Design, Synthesis and Evaluation.

Among the fundamental pathological processes, tumorigenesis is arguably the most complex [...

Investigational new drugs to treat brain metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Brain metastasis (BM) has a high incidence in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and represents a devastating complication associated with poor prognosis and symptoms that significantly reduce the quality of life (QOL) in patients. Managing and controlling BM is critical for prolonging survival and improving QOL.

Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio: a potential biomarker in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Introduction: Literature has shown that there is a correlation between increased circulatory inflammatory factors and negative prognosis, which can be evaluated through the using the neutrophil and lymphocyte ratio (NLR). The aim of this research is to investigate the predictive and prognostic role of the NLR in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) patients, treated with immunotherapy, and its correlation to the overall survival (OS), progression free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR).

Methods: This multicentric study coordinated by the Oncology Unit of University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", retrospectively analyzed data from 135 patients diagnosed with R/M HNSCC from 13 Italian oncological centers.

Paclitaxel for second-line treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: A multicenter retrospective Italian study.

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) accounts for 3% of all malignant tumors in Italy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy is first-line treatment for SCCHN; however, second-line treatment options are limited. Taxanes are widely used for combination therapy of SCCHN, as clinical trials have shown their efficacy in patients with this disease, particularly in patients with prior therapy.

Self-assembling nanoparticles for delivery of miR-603 and miR-221 in glioblastoma as a new strategy to overcome resistance to temozolomide.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain cancer with poor clinical outcome. Unfortunately, chemotherapy with temozolomide (TMZ) has a limited efficacy due to resistance mainly attributed to O6-methylguanine methyl transferase (MGMT) activity. Recently, miR-603 and miR-221 have been identified to target MGMT, thus improving the efficacy of temozolomide (TMZ) in the treatment of GBM.

Differential methylation of circulating free DNA assessed through cfMeDiP as a new tool for breast cancer diagnosis and detection of BRCA1/2 mutation.

Background: Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation profile in detecting breast cancer (BC) and its different subtypes. We investigated whether plasma cfDNA methylation, using cell-free Methylated DNA Immunoprecipitation and High-Throughput Sequencing (cfMeDIP-seq), may be informative in characterizing breast cancer in patients with BRCA1/2 germline mutations for early cancer detection and response to therapy.

Methods: We enrolled 23 BC patients with germline mutation of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, 19 healthy controls without BRCA1/2 mutation, and two healthy individuals who carried BRCA1/2 mutations.

Therapeutic inhibition of isocitrate dehydrogenase mutations in glioma and cholangiocarcinoma: new insights and promises-a narrative review.

Background And Objective: The identification of mutation hot spots in the isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) genes is one of the most important cancer genome-wide sequencing discoveries with relevant impact in the treatment of some orphan tumors. These genes were mostly found mutated in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs), acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and in cholangiocarcinoma. This aberrant genomic condition represents a therapeutic target of great interest in cancer research, especially in AML, given the limitations of currently approved therapies in this field.

Temozolomide based treatment in glioblastoma: 6 vs. 12 months.

The Stupp regimen remains the standard treatment for newly diagnosed glioblastomas, although the prognosis remains poor. Several temozolomide alternative schedules have been studied, with extended adjuvant treatment (>6 cycles of temozolomide) frequently used, although different trials have indicated contrasting results. Survival data of 87 patients who received 6 ('6C' group) or 12 ('12C' group) cycles of temozolomide were collected between 2012 and 2022.

TGF-β Modulated Pathways in Colorectal Cancer: New Potential Therapeutic Opportunities.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer worldwide, with 20% of patients presenting with metastatic disease at diagnosis. TGF-β signaling plays a crucial role in various cellular processes, including growth, differentiation, apoptosis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), regulation of the extracellular matrix, angiogenesis, and immune responses. TGF-β signals through SMAD proteins, which are intracellular molecules that transmit TGF-β signals from the cell membrane to the nucleus.

Identification and bioinformatic characterization of a serum miRNA signature for early detection of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The growing understanding of cancer biology and the establishment of new treatment modalities has not yielded the expected results in terms of survival for Laryngeal Squamous Cell Cancer (LSCC). Early diagnosis, as well as prompt identification of patients with high risk of relapse would ensure greater chance of therapeutic success. However, this goal remains a challenge due to the absence of specific biomarkers for this neoplasm.

Exosomes multiplex profiling, a promising strategy for early diagnosis of laryngeal cancer.

Background: Exosomes are nanosized vesicles released from all cells into surrounding biofluids, including cancer cells, and represent a very promising direction in terms of minimally invasive approaches to early disease detection. They carry tumor-specific biological contents such as DNA, RNA, proteins, lipids, and sugars, as well as surface molecules that are able to pinpoint the cellular source. By the above criteria, exosomes may be stratified according to the presence of tissue and disease-specific signatures and, due to their stability in such biofluids as plasma and serum, they represent an indispensable source of vital clinical insights from liquid biopsies, even at the earliest stages of cancer.

MiR-449a antagonizes EMT through IL-6-mediated -signaling in laryngeal squamous cancer.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in post-transcriptional gene expression regulation and in mechanisms of cancer growth and metastases. In this light, miRNAs could be promising therapeutic targets and biomarkers in clinical practice. Therefore, we investigated if specific miRNAs and their target genes contribute to laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) development.

Prognostic value of diabetes and metformin use in a real-life population of head and neck cancer patients.

Introduction: Head and neck carcinoma (HNC) is a disease with a poor prognosis despite currently available treatments. The management of patients with this tumor is often complicated by several comorbidities. Among these, diabetes is the second most frequent and its influence on the prognosis is not known.

Utility of psychotherapy assessed with Kessler scale in a population of cancer patients undergoing systemic oncological treatment: a mono-institutional experience.

Background: Psychological distress has been associated with greater physical symptom severity, suffering, and mortality in cancer patients. For this reason, today, psychological care represents a fundamental tool for improving the quality of life of cancer patients.

Methods: From September 2021 to May 2022, 170 newly diagnosed cancer patients, were enrolled in the observational study at Medical Oncology Unit, "San Giovanni di Dio" Hospital.

Clinical activity of regorafenib in elderly patients with recurrent glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most frequent and aggressive primary tumors in the central nervous system, representing >60% of all brain tumors in adults. Despite treatment, prognosis remains poor with most if not all patients experiencing disease recurrence and a 2-year survival rate of 27%. At present, no confirmed standard treatment exists for recurrent glioblastoma.

The Art of Counseling in the Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer: Exploratory Investigation among Perceptions of Health Professionals in Southern Italy.

(1) Background: Recurrent and/or metastatic patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma show a poor prognosis, which has not changed significantly in 30 years. Preserving quality of life is a primary goal for this subset of patients; (2) Methods: A group of 19 physicians working in South Italy and daily involved in head and neck cancer care took an anonymous online survey aimed at revealing the level of knowledge and the application of communication techniques in daily patient care; (3) Results: Several specialists, 18 out 19 (95%), considered that patient participation in therapeutic choices is mandatory. The main obstacles to complete and reciprocate communication still consist of lack of time and staff, but also in the need for greater organization, which goes beyond the multidisciplinary strategy already used; (4) Conclusions: A greater impulse to training and updating on issues related to counseling can improve communication between the different clinicians involved in the treatment plan.

Microsatellite Instability: From the Implementation of the Detection to a Prognostic and Predictive Role in Cancers.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) has been identified in several tumors arising from either germline or somatic aberration. The presence of MSI in cancer predicts the sensitivity to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), particularly PD1/PD-L1 inhibitors. To date, the predictive role of MSI is currently used in the selection of colorectal cancer patients for immunotherapy; moreover, the expansion of clinical trials into other cancer types may elucidate the predictive value of MSI for non-colorectal tumors.

Microsatellite Status Detection in Gastrointestinal Cancers: PCR/NGS Is Mandatory in Negative/Patchy MMR Immunohistochemistry.

Background: Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a predictive biomarker for immune checkpoint inhibitors. The main goal was to investigate the discordance between IHC and PCR/NGS for MSI testing in gastrointestinal cancers.

Methods: Two series were analyzed through IHC for mismatch-repair-system proteins (MMRP) and PCR, with one series of 444 colorectal cancers (CRC) and the other of 176 gastric cancers (GC).

A delayed complication of a port-a-cath insertion via subclavian venous access: Case report of a "pinch-off syndrome".

Introduction: Port-a-caths are long-stay central catheters often used for chemotherapy or parenteral nutrition. The implantation of a port-a cath, despite being involved in routine procedures, is also associated with immediate and delayed complications. Complications are rare but must be known and managed by operators.

Overview on Molecular Biomarkers for Laryngeal Cancer: Looking for New Answers to an Old Problem.

Laryngeal squamous cell cancer (LSCC) accounts for almost 25-30% of all head and neck squamous cell cancers and is clustered according to the affected districts, as this determines distinct tendency to recur and metastasize. A major role for numerous genetic alterations in driving the onset and progression of this neoplasm is emerging. However, major efforts are still required for the identification of molecular markers useful for both early diagnosis and prognostic definition of LSCC that is still characterized by significant morbidity and mortality.

Silibinin: A New Opportunity for the Treatment of Brain Metastasis from Lung Cancer.

Despite multimodal treatment, the prognosis of brain metastases (BM) remains limited, with a survival of only a few months. In this report, silibinin (or silybin), a natural polyphenolic flavonoid isolated from seed extracts of the herb milk thistle, is discussed as a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of BM. This molecule has an anticancer effect, blocking the migratory and invasive properties of neoplastic cells.

Quality of Life in Patients With Severe Skin Reactions in Course of First-Generation Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors Monoclonal Antibodies (Our Experience With Cetuximab).

Background: Metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with wild type expression of RAS and RAF genes can be treated with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies, such as cetuximab, in combination with chemotherapy. Skin toxicity represents the most serious and frequent side effect in these patients. Skin manifestations occur in approximately 80% of patients.