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Background: The optimal anti-angiogenic strategy as second-line treatment in RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with anti-EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) based first-line treatment is still debated. Methods: This multicenter, real-world, retrospective study is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of second-line Bevacizumab- and Aflibercept-based treatments after an anti-EGFR based first-line regimen. Clinical outcomes measured were: objective response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and adverse events (AEs) profiles. Results: From February 2011 to October 2019, 277 consecutive mCRC patients received Bevacizumab-based (228, 82.3%) or Aflibercept-based (49, 17.7%) regimen. No significant difference was found regarding ORR. The median follow-up was 27.7 months (95%CI: 24.7&ndash, 34.4). Aflibercept-treated group had a significantly shorter PFS compared to Bevacizumab-treated group (5.6 vs. 7.1 months, respectively) (HR = 1.34 (95%CI: 0.95&ndash, 1.89), p = 0.0932). The median OS of the Bevacizumab-treated group and Aflibercept-treated group was 16.2 (95%CI: 15.3&ndash, 18.1) and 12.7 (95%CI: 8.8&ndash, 17.5) months, respectively (HR= 1.31 (95%CI: 0.89&ndash, 1.93) p = 0.16). After adjusting for the key covariates (age, gender, performance status, number of metastatic sites and primary tumor side) Bevacizumab-based regimens revealed to be significantly related with a prolonged PFS (HR = 1.44 (95%CI: 1.02&ndash, 2.03), p = 0.0399) compared to Aflibercept-based regimens, but not with a prolonged OS (HR = 1.47 (95%CI: 0.99&ndash, 2.17), p = 0.0503). The incidence of G3/G4 VEGF inhibitors class-specific AEs was 7.5% and 26.5% in the Bevacizumab-treated group and the Aflibercept-treated group, respectively (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Our analysis seems to reveal that Bevacizumab-based regimens have a slightly better PFS and class-specific AEs profile compared to Aflibercept-based regimen as second-line treatment of RAS wild-type mCRC patients previously treated with anti-EGFR based treatments. These results have to be taken with caution and no conclusive considerations are allowed.

The immune checkpoint inhibitors, a class of drugs able to block immune suppressive pathways in order to prime an anticancer immunity, revolutionized standard of care in platinum-refractory recurrent and/or metastatic head and neck carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). The PD-1/ PD-L1 axis is involved in the genesis, maintenance and progression of HNSCC and represents the target of checkpoint inhibitors. HNSCC is an immunosuppressive disease with a high inflammatory component in tumor microenvironment. Recent clinical trials showed that only a small subset of patients really benefits from immunotherapy. This review aims to highlight the five W-points of immunotherapy: why immunotherapy is promising in HNSCC, what is currently available in daily clinical practice, when immunotherapy can be integrated into the therapeutic strategy, where it can be useful according to predictive response biomarker, who, among patients, could get the best benefit from immunotherapy and how improve the achieved results.

Background Energy homeostasis is mediated by the hypothalamus, whose inflammation-induced functional derangements contribute to the onset of anorexia in cancer. By using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we determined the patterns of hypothalamic activation after oral intake in anorexic (A), non-anorexic (NA) cancer patients, and in controls (C). Methods Lung cancer patients were considered. Hypothalamic activation was recorded in A and NA patients and in C by fMRI, before (T0), immediately after (T1) the administration of an oral nutritional supplement, and after 15 min (T2). The grey of the hypothalamus and Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) intensity were calculated and normalized for basal conditions. Interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, ghrelin, and leptin plasma levels were measured. A statistical parametric mapping was used. Results Thirteen lung cancer patients (7 M, 6 F; 9A, 4NA) and 2 C (1 M, 1 F) were enrolled. Controls had the lowest BOLD intensity. At all-time points, anorexic patients showed lower hypothalamic activity compared with NA (P

The pathophysiology of cancer anorexia is complex and serum biomarkers, including growth and differentiation factor(s) (GDF), may be modulated. We explored the association(s) between GDF-15 serum levels and anorexia and, secondarily, with low muscle mass and body weight loss in cancer patients. We considered gastrointestinal and lung cancer patients (CP) and healthy BMI-matched controls. The FAACT-questionnaire was administered to diagnose anorexia and we calculated the L3-SMI by CT scan to assess low muscularity, setting their cutoff values at the lowest tertile. GDF-15 serum levels were assessed by ELISA. We enrolled 59 CP and 30 controls, among CP, 25 were affected by gastrointestinal and 34 by lung cancer. Anorexia was present in 36% of CP. Gastrointestinal CP resulted more anorexic compared to lung CP (p = 0.0067). Low muscle mass was present in 33.9% of CP and L3-SMI was lower in gastrointestinal compared to lung CP (p = 0.049). The GDF-15 levels were higher in CP vs. controls (p = 0.00016), as well as in anorexic vs. non-anorexic CP (p = 0.005) and vs. controls (p &lt, 0.0001). Gastrointestinal CP showed higher GDF-15 levels vs. lung CP (p = 0.0004). No difference was found in GDF-15 between CP with low muscle mass and those with moderate/high muscularity and between patients with body weight loss and those with stable weight. Our data support the involvement of GDF-15 in the pathogenesis of cancer anorexia. The mechanisms of action of GDF-15 in cancer should be further clarified also regarding the changes in muscularity.

Anorexia represents a common and debilitating clinical problem in patients with several forms of cancer, in particular lung cancer, but its mechanisms are not completely understood. Recently, the caseinolytic-protease-B (ClpB) homologue protein, produced by common gut bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, was identified as an antigen-mimetic of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), an anorexigenic neuropeptide. ClpB was previously detected in human plasma and displayed satietogenic properties; however, its possible relevance to cancer anorexia has not yet been investigated.To address this question, we analyzed plasma ClpB concentrations as well as levels and affinities of anti-ClpB and α-MSH-reactive antibodies in patients with lung cancer with and without anorexia as compared with body mass index-matched healthy controls with normal appetite.We found that plasma ClpB concentrations were significantly lower in non-anorexic patients with cancer than those of the control group (P = 0.028). In contrast, patients with cancer and anorexia had lower levels of anti-ClpB immunoglobulins (Ig)M (P0.0001) and of both α-MSH IgM and IgG (P0.05) with respect to controls. Moreover, in patients with cancer and anorexia, anti-ClpB IgG showed a trend of lower affinities compared with non-anorexic patients (P = 0.05).Taken together, the results revealed a reduced humoral immune response to ClpB in patients with cancer and anorexia, which may lead to an enhanced satietogenic effect of this enterobacterial protein contributing to the mechanisms of reduced appetite.

4082 Background: Right- (R) and left-sided (L) mCRCs exhibit different clinical and molecular features. Several retrospective analyses showed that the survival benefit of anti-EGFR-based tx is limited to RAS/BRAF wt L-sided mCRC pts, which a larger effect in the first-line setting. Few data are available concerning the anti-EGFR efficacy according to primary tumor site in third line. Methods: Pts affected by RAS/BRAF wt mCRC treated with third-line anti-EGFR-based tx or R/T were retrospectively collected. The objective of the analysis was to compare tx activity and efficacy according to tumor site. Primary endpoint was PFS; secondary endpoints were OS and RR. PFS and OS analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier method, and survival curves were compared using the log-rank test. RR was evaluated according to RECIST criteria and it was compared in the two groups using Fisher’s exact test. Statistical significance was set at p = 0.05 for a bilateral test. Univariate and multivariate analyses for PFS and OS were performed. Results: A total of 76 RAS/BRAF wt mCRC pts, treated with third-line anti-EGFR-based tx or R/T, were enrolled. Of those, 19 (25%) pts had R-sided tumor (9 pts received anti-EGFR tx and 10 pts received R/T) and 57 (75%) pts had L-sided tumor (30 pts received anti-EGFR tx and 27 pts received R/T). As shown in the table, a significant PFS and OS benefit in favor of anti-EGFR tx vs R/T was observed in L-sided pts, while no difference both in PFS and OS was observed in R-sided pts. RR was significantly higher in L-sided pts treated with anti-EGFR vs R/T, no difference was shown in R-sided pts. At the multivariate analysis, tx regimen was indipendently associated with PFS in L-sided pts, but not in R-sided pts. Conclusions: Our study confirmed the results deriving from the retrospective analysis of the phase III study 20020408. Our results demonstrated a different benefit from third-line anti-EGFR tx according to primary tumor site, confirming the role of L-sided tumor in predicting benefit from third-line anti-EGFR vs R/T, while no difference was observed in R-sided tumors. [Table: see text]

Molecular alterations are not randomly distributed in colorectal cancer (CRC), but rather clustered on the basis of primary tumor location underlying the importance of colorectal cancer sidedness. We aimed to investigate whether circulating tumor cells (CTC) characterization might help clarify how different the patterns of dissemination might be relative to the behavior of left- (LCC) compared to right-sided (RCC) cancers. We retrospectively analyzed patients with metastatic CRC who had undergone standard baseline CTC evaluation before starting any first-line systemic treatment. Enumeration of CTC in left- and right-sided tumors were compared. The highest prognostic impact was exerted by CTC in left-sided primary cancer patients, even though the lowest median number of cells was detected in this subgroup of patients. CTC exhibit phenotypic heterogeneity, with a predominant mesenchymal phenotype found in CTC from distal compared to proximal primary tumors. Most CTC in RCC patients exhibited an apoptotic pattern. CTC in left-sided colon cancer patients exhibit a predominant mesenchymal phenotype. This might imply a substantial difference in the biology of proximal and distal cancers, associated with different patterns of tumor cells dissemination. The poor prognosis of right-sided CRC is not determined by the hematogenous dissemination of tumor cells, which appears to be predominantly a passive shedding of non-viable cells. Conversely, the subgroup of poor-prognosis left-sided CRC is reliably identified by the presence of mesenchymal CTC.

The benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy has been clearly established in the adjuvant setting for node-positive colon cancer. A number of trials in the adjuvant setting have analyzed the efficacy of multiple-agent combinations, including irinotecan, oxaliplatin, bevacizumab and cetuximab. Only oxaliplatin added to fluorouracil/capecitabine has been shown to be superior beyond a fluropyrimidine alone in the adjuvant setting. As such, standard treatment options include fluorouracil (FU) or capecitabine with or without oxaliplatin. However, oxaliplatin is associated with cumulative dose-dependent neurotoxicity, characterized by distal or perioral paresthesias or dysesthesias; for this reason, in this review we discuss the results of the International Duration Evaluation of Adjuvant Chemotherapy (IDEA) trial. The IDEA trail is the largest prospective clinical trial ever conducted in colorectal cancer, wherein patients were treated with either 3 months or 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. In the era of cancer gene expression-based subtyping, the Colorectal Cancer Subtyping Consortium has proposed a four-subgroup molecular classification system for colorectal cancer, consisting of CMS1 (immune), CMS2 (canonical), CMS3 (metabolic) and CMS4 (mesenchymal). In this review, we present and analyze the available data on efficacy and toxicity of the combination regimen approved for treatment of resected colon cancer, and discuss the questions of when, how and how long we need to treat such patients.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an extremely rare primary neuroendocrine neoplasm of the skin that shows aggressive behavior and a poor prognosis. We report a case of a 67-year-old male with a Merkel cell carcinoma which initially presented itself as a large retroperitoneal mass. Pathological and immunohistochemical analysis revealed tissue consistent with neuroendocrine carcinoma. Despite complete medical workup, no other primary MCC could be detected. While being an atypical presentation, the tumor mass showed an excellent response to the combination of chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy.

Background Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are the standard adjuvant treatment of hormone responsive early breast cancer (EBC) in postmenopausal women. AIs are well tolerated but are associated with specific toxicities, including effect on bone (accelerated bone loss, bone fracture, osteoporosis) and musculoskeletal symptoms (ostealgia, arthralgia, myalgia) Aim: The present observational study investigated the effect of BMD in postmenopausal women with EBC scheduled to receive AIs up-front or switch treatment after standard 2-3 years of adjuvant Tamoxifen (TAM-AIs). Patients and methods We reviewed data for 89 patients with hormone receptor-positive EBC: 64 postmenopausal women received up-front AIs for 5 years; 25 patients received TAM-AIs. BMD were assessed at baseline and during hormonal treatment once a year. Osteopenic patients received Calcium and vitamin D; osteoporotic patients received also oral biphosphonates. Results No patient with a normal baseline BMD (T-score >-1) became osteoporotic during 5 years of follow-up. However, it was noted that more women receiving AIs up-front became osteopenic, as compared with TAMaAI treated women (AIs = 58% vs. TAM-AIs = 26%, p= Conclusion The data suggest that only those women with a T-score of less than -1.5 are at risk of developing osteoporosis during the AIs adjuvant therapy. This cut-off value might reduce the costs both for BMD monitoring and supplementary comedications. Finally, the correct management of treatment-related symptoms might improve patient's compliance and the adherence to treatment. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Background Early breast cancer (EBC) is a heterogeneous disease with distinct clinical, pathological, and molecular features and different treatment responsiveness and outcomes. Aim of study was to evaluate outcomes according to molecular subtypes breast cancer classified by four biomarkers using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Patients and methods We retrospectively reviewed 264 women with T1 N0/N+ breast cancer, referred to a single centre (1986 - 2009) and treated according to European guidelines. The relationships between classical prognostic factors, molecular subtypes classified by IHC and Disease free survivals (DFS) were analyzed. Results Univariate survival analysis showed a significantly different DFS at 5- and 7-ys for N0 and N+ patient populations, with a better outcome for patients with node-negative tumors (5ys: N0 = 95.9% vs. N + =88.8, p = 0.03; 7ys: N0 = 94.8% vs. N + =86.0%, p = 0.02). Nevertheless, long-term outcome (15-ys) displayed an inversion of the survival curves with a lower DFS rate of 65% in N0 vs. 86% in N+ patients (p Conclusions At long-term follow-up, patients with T1N0 and patients with G2 EBC showed worst outcomes, probably because they are considered to have a low recurrence risk and not received adjuvant chemotherapy. Ki-67 expression is an important prognostic factor in hormone-receptors positive disease, allowing better definition of Luminal A and B molecular subtypes. Classic prognostic factors evaluated by IHC could be used as biomarkers surrogate for breast cancer molecular subtypes and might improve therapeutic decision in EBC patients. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Capecitabine is an oral fluoropyrimidine which is transformed to 5-Fluorouracil inside tumor cells, where it achieves high drug concentrations. Capecitabine is an active drug diffusely utilized in the treatment of various types of tumors, such as breast, colorectal, gastric, head and neck carcinoma. In our experience, capecitabine-induced hypertriglyceridemia does not seem to be a rare adverse effect as it is observed in 10% of treated patients. It is necessary to monitor the lipidic profile of patients treated with capecitabine also in consideration of the frequent presence of comorbidities in cancer populations, the concomitant toxicity related to other drugs used in combination regimens, and cardiovascular effects characteristic of biological target therapy.

Aim: The incidence rate of small-size (T1) early-stage breast cancer (EBC) has increased. The risk of relapse is low, but there is a growing interest in identifying traditional and new prognostic factors to optimize therapeutic management. Patients with T1 EBC, especially if node-negative (N0), are excluded from tumor gene expression profiling due to the cost of this procedure. Immunohistochemistry (IHC)-based classification of breast cancer subtypes with confirmed prognostic and therapeutic implication is therefore recommended. Methods: We reviewed the records of 511 patients diagnosed with T1 EBC referred to our oncology unit for adjuvant therapy. This retrospective study evaluated the different long-term clinical outcomes over 15 years and correlated with traditional (T, N, ER and PgR, Ki-67, HER2) and surrogate molecular subtype classification of the tumors using IHC prognostic factors. Results: Patient characteristics were: median age 58.5 years (range 27-86). Tumor stage: T1a 74 (14.5%), T1b 120 (23.5%), T1c 317 (62.0%). Node status: N0 327 (64.0%), N1 184 (36.0%). Tumor grade: G1 144 (28.2%), G2 216 (42.3%), G3 151 (29.5%). Ki-67 index: 20% 184 (36.0%). HER2 overexpression: absent 378 (73.9%), present 80 (15.6%). IHC molecular subtype was: Luminal A 199 (38.9%), Luminal B HER2 negative 70 (13.7%), Luminal B HER2 positive 65 (12.7%), HER2 overexpression 14 (2.7%), Basal-like 41 (8.0%). In the overall population, the significant prognostic factors at 5 years were N0 vs. N1 (p = 0.05), PgR 20% (p = 0.03), Ki-67 index 20% (p = 0.04) and Luminal A vs. Luminal B HER2 negative (p = 0.05). At 15 years of follow-up, only Ki-67 index confirmed its prognostic value (p = 0.04). In the N0 subgroup of patients DFS curves were significantly different for Ki-67 index 20% both at 5-year (p = 0.01) and 15-year follow-up (p = 0.03). Conclusions: The DFS curves of T1 EBC patients at 5 years underline the prognostic relevance of the cut-off of 20%, both for PgR expression and Ki-67 index as well as IHC-based molecular subtypes Luminal A vs. Luminal B HER2 negative. With regard to long-term outcome, only Ki67-index seems to be useful for identifying different prognostic tumor subgroups. These results were particularly important to improving current management of N0 EBC patients with different risk factors. Disclosure: All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.