Risk Stratification Using a Perioperative Nomogram for Predicting the Mortality of Bladder Cancer Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy.

Perioperative factors significantly impact oncologic outcomes after radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer. This study aimed to identify key perioperative predictors for overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) and to develop a prognostic nomogram for the identification of high-risk patients adapted to the clinical routines and standard of care of our country. We retrospectively analyzed 121 patients undergoing RC (2014-2024).

Lymphovascular Invasion Is a Predictor of Clinical Outcomes in Bladder Cancer Patients Treated with Radical Cystectomy.

Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) has been consistently linked to poor outcomes in patients with bladder cancer (BC), yet its independent prognostic value, especially after adjusting for established pathological features, remains debated. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of LVI in the context of other pathological features of patients undergoing radical cystectomy. : We conducted a retrospective cohort study including 200 patients treated at the Municipal Clinical Hospital in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

The Genomic Landscape of Romanian Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients: The Insights from Routine NGS Testing with the Oncomine Dx Target Panel at the PATHOS Molecular Pathology Laboratory.

Comprehensive molecular profiling is essential for precision oncology in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, genomic data from Eastern European populations, including Romania, remain limited. We analyzed 398 consecutive NSCLC cases tested at the PATHOS Molecular Pathology Laboratory (Cluj-Napoca, Romania) between April 2024 and February 2025 using the Ion Torrent™ Genexus™ System and the Oncomine™ Dx Target Test, which evaluates SNVs/indels in 46 genes, fusions in 23 genes, and CNVs in 19 genes from FFPE samples.

Tarlatamab in Small-Cell Lung Cancer after Platinum-Based Chemotherapy.

Background: Tarlatamab, a bispecific delta-like ligand 3-directed T-cell engager immunotherapy, received accelerated approval for the treatment of patients with previously treated small-cell lung cancer. Whether tarlatamab is more effective than chemotherapy in the treatment of patients whose small-cell lung cancer has progressed during or after initial platinum-based chemotherapy is not known.

Methods: We conducted a multinational, phase 3, open-label trial to compare tarlatamab with chemotherapy as second-line treatment in patients with small-cell lung cancer whose disease had progressed during or after platinum-based chemotherapy.

Overall Survival with Neoadjuvant Nivolumab plus Chemotherapy in Lung Cancer.

Background: Neoadjuvant nivolumab plus chemotherapy significantly improved pathological complete response and event-free survival in patients with resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in a phase 3 trial. Data are needed on overall survival.

Methods: In this open-label, phase 3 trial, patients with stage IB to IIIA resectable NSCLC were randomly assigned to receive nivolumab plus chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone for three cycles, followed by surgery.

Prospective Upfront Next-Generation Sequencing for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Real-World Outcomes from the Ion Chiricuță Oncology Institute.

Upfront Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) is increasingly recommended in advanced NSCLC to guide targeted therapy. This prospective single-center study in Romania evaluated routine, upfront NGS in advanced NSCLC at baseline (tissue and/or liquid) and progression (liquid). Baseline FoundationOne NGS (tissue/liquid) was performed in 119 consecutive stage IV NSCLC patients, along with PD-L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC, SP263).

5-Azacytidine treatment inhibits the development of lung cancer models via epigenetic reprogramming and activation of cellular pathways with anti-tumor activity.

Background And Aims: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment is challenged by late detection and limited therapeutic options. Aberrant DNA methylation, a common epigenetic alteration in NSCLC, offers new therapeutic avenues. This study aims to evaluate the combined effects of 5-Azacytidine (5-Aza), an epigenetic modifier, and ionizing radiation (IR) on NSCLC, exploring the underlying molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential.

Five-year outcomes with first-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab with 2 cycles of chemotherapy versus 4 cycles of chemotherapy alone in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in the randomized CheckMate 9LA trial.

Background: We report 5-year efficacy and safety outcomes from CheckMate 9LA in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC) and exploratory analyses in key patient subgroups.

Methods: Adults with stage IV/recurrent NSCLC and no sensitizing EGFR/ALK alterations were randomized to receive nivolumab plus ipilimumab with chemotherapy (n = 361) or chemotherapy (n = 358). Outcomes were assessed in all randomized patients and subgroups.

Next-generation sequencing as a valuable tool for mutational spectrum in advanced-stage NSCLC patients.

Background And Aim: Lung cancer remains one of the most threatening malignancies, ranking as the second most diagnosed cancer, and it continues to be the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Challenges persist with late diagnosis and the high mutational burden characteristic of lung cancer.

Methods: Our study focuses on identifying the mutational spectrum of a cohort of advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients using a minimally invasive method through blood collection.

Sotorasib (960 mg or 240 mg) once daily in patients with previously treated KRAS G12C-mutated advanced NSCLC.

Background: Sotorasib 960 mg once daily is approved to treat KRAS G12C-mutated locally advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Sotorasib exhibits non-dose proportional pharmacokinetics and clinical responses at lower doses; therefore, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of sotorasib 960 mg and 240 mg.

Methods: In this phase 2, randomized, open-label study, adults with KRAS G12C-mutated advanced NSCLC received sotorasib 960 mg or 240 mg once daily.

Use of Different Anti-PD-1 Checkpoint Combination Strategies for First-Line Advanced NSCLC Treatment-The Experience of Ion Chiricuță Oncology Institute.

Purpose: Different combination modalities between an anti-PD-1/PD-L1 agent and a platinum-based chemotherapy or another checkpoint inhibitor (with or without a short course or full course of a platinum doublet) proved superior to chemotherapy alone in multiple clinical trials, but these strategies were not directly compared. The aim of this study is to report the real-world data results with different immunotherapy combinations in a series of patients treated in consecutive cohorts at the Ion Chiricuță Oncology Institute.

Methods: A total of 122 patients were successively enrolled in three cohorts: (1A) nivolumab + ipilimumab (18 patients), (1B) nivolumab + ipilimumab + short-course chemotherapy (33 patients), and (2) pembrolizumab plus full-course chemotherapy (71 patients).

Four-year clinical update and treatment switching-adjusted outcomes with first-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab with chemotherapy for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer in the CheckMate 9LA randomized trial.

Background: In CheckMate 9LA, nivolumab plus ipilimumab with chemotherapy prolonged overall survival (OS) versus chemotherapy regardless of tumor PD-L1 expression or histology. We report updated efficacy and safety in all randomized patients with a minimum 4-year follow-up and an exploratory treatment-switching adjustment analysis in all treated patients who received chemotherapy and subsequent immunotherapy.

Methods: Adults with stage IV/recurrent non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), no sensitizing alterations, and ECOG performance status ≤1 were randomized 1:1 to nivolumab 360 mg every 3 weeks plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks with chemotherapy (two cycles) or chemotherapy (four cycles, with optional maintenance pemetrexed for the nonsquamous population).

Exploring Therapeutic Avenues in Lung Cancer: The Epigenetic Perspective.

Lung cancer, primarily non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) and small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC), is distinguished by its high prevalence and marked mortality rates. Traditional therapeutic approaches, encompassing chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapies, frequently show limited efficacy due to acquired resistance and notable side effects. The objective of this review is to introduce a fresh perspective on the therapeutic strategies for lung cancer, emphasizing interventions targeting the epigenetic alterations often seen in this malignancy.

MicroRNAs expression profile in chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in NSCLC using a co-culture model.

Clinical application of chemotherapy in lung cancer is constrained by side effects, notably cardiotoxicity, the mechanisms of which remain elusive. This study assessed the potential of specific miRNAs as biomarkers for chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in lung cancer. We employed two lung adenocarcinoma cell lines (Calu6 and H1792) and ventricular normal human cardiac fibroblasts (NHCF-V) in single and co-culture experiments.

Systemic and Intracranial Outcomes With First-Line Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab in Patients With Metastatic NSCLC and Baseline Brain Metastases From CheckMate 227 Part 1.

Introduction: In CheckMate 227 Part 1, nivolumab plus ipilimumab prolonged overall survival (OS) versus chemotherapy in patients with metastatic NSCLC, regardless of tumor programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. Here, we report post hoc exploratory systemic and intracranial efficacy outcomes and safety by baseline brain metastasis status at 5 years' minimum follow-up.

Methods: Treatment-naive adults with stage IV or recurrent NSCLC without EGFR or ALK alterations, including asymptomatic patients with treated brain metastases, were enrolled.

First-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab with two cycles of chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone (four cycles) in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer: CheckMate 9LA 2-year patient-reported outcomes.

Background: In CheckMate 9LA (NCT03215706), first-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab with chemotherapy (2 cycles) significantly improved overall survival versus chemotherapy (4 cycles) in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer and no known sensitising epidermal growth factor receptor/anaplastic lymphoma kinase alterations. We present exploratory patient-reported outcomes (PROs; minimum follow-up, 2 years).

Methods: In patients (N = 719) randomised 1:1 to nivolumab plus ipilimumab with chemotherapy or chemotherapy alone, disease-related symptom burden and health-related quality of life were assessed using the Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS) and 3-level EQ-5D (EQ-5D-3L).

Plain language summary of the CheckMate 816 study results: nivolumab plus chemotherapy given before surgery for non-small-cell lung cancer.

What Is This Summary About?: In this article, we summarize results from the ongoing phase 3 CheckMate 816 clinical study that were published in in 2022. The goal of CheckMate 816 was to find out if , an immunotherapy that activates a person's immune system (the body's natural defense system) to fight cancer, works better than when given before surgery in people with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) that can be removed surgically (resectable NSCLC).

What Happened In The Study?: Adults who had not previously taken medications to treat NSCLC and whose cancer could be removed with surgery were included in CheckMate 816.

First-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab for metastatic non-small cell lung cancer, including patients with ECOG performance status 2 and other special populations: CheckMate 817.

Background: CheckMate 817, a phase 3B study, evaluated flat-dose nivolumab plus weight-based ipilimumab in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Here, in this research, we report on first-line treatment in patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 0-1 (cohort A) and special populations (cohort A1: ECOG PS 2; or ECOG PS 0-1 with untreated brain metastases, renal impairment, hepatic impairment, or controlled HIV infection).

Methods: Cohorts A and A1 received nivolumab 240 mg every 2 weeks plus ipilimumab 1 mg/kg every 6 weeks.

Combination lurbinectedin and doxorubicin versus physician's choice of chemotherapy in patients with relapsed small-cell lung cancer (ATLANTIS): a multicentre, randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial.

Background: Lurbinectedin is a synthetic marine-derived anticancer agent that acts as a selective inhibitor of oncogenic transcription. Lurbinectedin monotherapy (3·2 mg/m every 3 weeks) received accelerated approval from the US Food and Drug Administration on the basis of efficacy in patients with small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) who relapsed after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. The ATLANTIS trial assessed the efficacy and safety of combination lurbinectedin and the anthracycline doxorubicin as second-line treatment for SCLC.

Five-Year Survival Outcomes With Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab Versus Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment for Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer in CheckMate 227.

Purpose: We present 5-year results from CheckMate 227 Part 1, in which nivolumab plus ipilimumab improved overall survival (OS) versus chemotherapy in patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer, regardless of tumor programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) status.

Methods: Adults with stage IV/recurrent non-small-cell lung cancer without mutations or alterations and with tumor PD-L1 ≥ 1% or < 1% (n = 1739) were randomly assigned. Patients with tumor PD-L1 ≥ 1% were randomly assigned to first-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab, nivolumab alone, or chemotherapy.

Safety of First-Line Nivolumab Plus Ipilimumab in Patients With Metastatic NSCLC: A Pooled Analysis of CheckMate 227, CheckMate 568, and CheckMate 817.

Introduction: We characterized the safety of first-line nivolumab plus ipilimumab (NIVO+IPI) in a large patient population with metastatic NSCLC and efficacy outcomes after NIVO+IPI discontinuation owing to treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs).

Methods: We pooled data from three first-line NIVO+IPI studies (NIVO, 3 mg/kg or 240 mg every 2 wk; IPI, 1 mg/kg every 6 wk) in metastatic NSCLC (CheckMate 227 part 1, CheckMate 817 cohort A, CheckMate 568 part 1). Safety end points included TRAEs and immune-mediated adverse events (IMAEs) in the pooled population and patients aged 75 years or older.