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Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer death. Patients eligible for surgery have better overall survival rate than patients who are not eligible. We investigated the prognostic value of p16 in patients who underwent surgery for lung cancer, in association with other factors such as PD-L1 and Ki-67.Expression of p16 was evaluated along with the presence of Ki-67 and PD-L1 in 256 NSCLC patients treated only surgically.Adenocarcinoma was the prevalent histotype (56%) followed by squamous cell (29%) and differentiation grade of 3 was the most common (60%). p16 was detected in 83 patients (30%): low positivity (10% cells) was observed in 30 samples (11%) and high positivity (10 % cells) in 53 patients (20%). Ki-67 was detected in 89 patients (34%) with mild positivity in 46 patients (10-25% cells), moderate positivity (26-75% cells) in 30 patients (11%), and high positivity (75% cells) in 13 patients (5%). An influence of p16 expression (p0.05) along with grading and staging on overall survival (OS) was found. The average OS was 36 months, but the OS increased up to 54 months when patients were stratified according to p16 expression levels. The stratification by staging showed a significant prognostic value for p16 at an early stage (p0.014).p16 significantly influences prognosis, notably at an early stage, along with other variables such as grading and staging.

The research work carried out aimed at verifying the efficacy of Trichoderma-based products on the fertility maintenance in vineyard soils, in case of replanting. The presence of a hypofertile horizon, in fact, can cause problems in the engrafting of rooted cuttings and a slowing down in their vegetative development. The trial was carried out at the experimental farm of CREA − Research Center for Viticulture and Enology of Arezzo, during the setting up of a new Sangiovese vineyard. Rooted grafts treated with three different formulations containing some Trichoderma spp. strains were planted, considering an untreated negative control. In addition, treatments with the same formulations were repeated in the 2014-2016 three-year period, by spraying the soil, with an injector pole. Every year the shoot length and the pruning wood weight were evaluated, as well as the presence/absence of Trichoderma spp. on the root systems. Moreover, in 2016 the photosynthetic efficiency of the vines was verified. The presence of Trichoderma spp. within the rhizosphere of the vines treated was stable over time; the differences found between treated and untreated thesis were considerable, while only minor differences emerged among the plants subjected to the three different treatments. According to the results obtained, the application of Trichoderma-based products can be considered a valid practice to be used during vineyard implantation in case of difficult edaphic conditions.

Background: Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression at immunohistochemistry is the only approved, but still unsatisfactory, biomarker for immunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Neutrophil to Lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a surrogate of systemic inflammation and could correlate with outcome to immunotherapy. This retrospective study (NCT03816657) explored the role of NLR in predicting benefit to nivolumab and susceptibility to hyperprogression (HPD). Methods: PD-L1, baseline and on-therapy NLR values were available in 173NSCLC patients receiving nivolumab. PD-L1 positivity was defined as expression on ≥1% of tumor cells; NLR was dichotomized in high (≥5) or low (

The treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has historically been based on platinum doublets- and taxan-based chemotherapy in the first- and second-line therapy, respectively. Although new agents have emerged for patients with driver mutations, treatment options for nononcogene addicted NSCLC have not changed for years. However, the last 5 years have seen the approval and introduction of new biological agents, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors and antiangiogenic drugs. The aim of this review is to give readers an update on the news in the treatment of nononcogene addicted NSCLC. As more and more therapeutic options are now available, we will delineate a potential therapeutic algorithm for the optimization of daily life treatment choice of NSCLC patients.

// Silvia Vecchiarelli 1, * , Francesco Passiglia 2, * , Armida D’Incecco 3, * , Marianna Gallo 4 , Antonella De Luca 4 , Elisa Rossi 5 , Federica D’Inca 1 , Gabriele Minuti 1 , Lorenza Landi 1 , Chiara Bennati 1 , Michela Spreafico 1 , Manolo D’Arcangelo 1 , Valentina Mazza 1 , Nicola Normanno 4 and Federico Cappuzzo 1 1 Department of Oncology and Hematology, AUSL della Romagna, Ravenna, Italy 2 Department of Surgical, Oncological and Stomatological Disciplines, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy 3 Medical Oncology and Immunotherapy, University Hospital of Siena, Siena, Italy 4 Cell Biology and Biotherapy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G Pascale"-IRCCS, Naples, Italy 5 Fondazione Ricerca Traslazionale, Rome, Italy * These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Federico Cappuzzo, email: federico.cappuzzo@auslromagna.it Keywords: PD-L1; immunotherapy; biomarkers; non-small-cell lung cancer Received: November 28, 2017 Accepted: February 27, 2018 Published: April 03, 2018 ABSTRACT Background: This study aimed at investigating feasibility of programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) testing in plasma samples of advanced NSCLC patients receiving first-line treatment, assessing whether circulating (c)PD-L1 levels were modified by the therapy and whether baseline cPD-L1 levels were associated with patients’ clinical responses and survival outcome. Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 16 healthy volunteers and 56 newly diagnosed NSCLC patients before and at 12th week during the course of first-line therapy. The level of PD-L1 was measured in plasma samples using the human (PD-L1/CD274) ELISA kit (CUSABIO, MD, USA). The Mann Whitney test or Fisher’s test were used for comparisons. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan Meyer method, providing median and p -value. Results: Baseline median cPD-L1 was 42.21 pg/ml (range 12.00-143.49) in NSCLC patients and 37.81 pg/ml (range 9.73-90.21) in healthy control cohort ( p = 0.78). Median cPD-L1 increased in patients treated with first-line chemotherapy (63.20 pg/ml vs 39.34 pg/ml; p = 0.002), with no changes in patients exposed to non-chemotherapy drugs (42.39 pg/ml vs 50.67 pg/ml; p = 0.398). Time to progression and overall survival were 4.4 vs 6.9 months ( p = 0.062) and 8.8 vs 9.3 months ( p = 0.216) in cPD-L1 positive vs cPD-L1 negative patients. Baseline cPD-L1 levels increased with the ascending number of metastatic sites, even if the association was not statistically significant ( p = 0.063). Conclusions: This study showed that cPD-L1 testing is feasible, with chemotherapy influencing PD-L1 plasma levels. The possibility of using such test for predicting or monitoring the effect of immunotherapy or combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy warrant further investigations.

Background Lorlatinib, an ALK/ROS1 inhibitor, showed activity in ROS1+ NSCLC pretreated with crizotinib. However, molecular events predictive for tumor response during lorlatinib treatment are largely unknown. Methods The PFROST trial included ROS1+ NSCLCs refractory to crizotinib. Eligible patients received lorlatinib 100 mg daily until disease progression. Primary end point was response rate (RR). For all patients, pre-lorlatinib tumor tissue or blood sample collection was mandatory. At lorlatinib failure liquid biopsy was recommended. The samples were then run with the NEOliquid assay, specifically designed for liquid biopsies, or NEOselect, a panel optimized for formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue, covering 39 cancer related genes. Results From June 2017 to April 2019, 22 ROS1+ crizotinib refractory lung adenocarcinoma patients were included in 10 Institutions. Median age was 56 years (range 39-82); male/female: 8/14; ECOG PS 0 (N = 8; 36.4%), PS1 (N = 14; 63,6%); The majority had brain metastases at baseline (N = 15; 68.1%), were never smokers (N = 13; 59.1%) and received lorlatinib as third-line therapy (N = 16; 72.7%). In all cases crizotinib was the last therapy before lorlatinib. Accrual is completed and 13 patients are still receiving therapy. A total of 18 patients were evaluable for response and 7 had confirmed complete (N = 1) or partial (N = 6) responses for an overall RR of 38.8%. In 4 patients, response to therapy was not yet evaluated. A total of 10 tissue biopsies and 20 blood samples obtained after crizotinib and before lorlatinib therapy were collected. For 7 samples analyses are ongoing. Among responders, no patient harbored a secondary ROS1 mutation. Conversely, no response was observed among patients with secondary ROS1 mutations (N = 1 ROS1S1861I, N = 1 ROS1 V2054A, N = 3 ROS1G2032R). All patients harboring the ROS1G2032R mutation rapidly progressed and maintained this aberration in liquid biopsy at the time of of lorlatinib failure. Conclusions In our study lorlatinib confirmed its efficacy in crizotinib resistant ROS1+ NSCLC. Molecular profile of refractory patients suggests reduced efficacy in individuals harbouring crizotinib-induced secondary ROS1 mutations. Clinical trial identification EudraCT Number: 2016-001259-34. Legal entity responsible for the study Fondazione Ricerca Traslazionale. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure L. Landi: Advisory / Consultancy: Pzifer; Advisory / Consultancy: AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy: BMS; Advisory / Consultancy: MSD; Advisory / Consultancy: Boehringer Ingelheim. M. Tiseo: Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Eli Lilly; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: BMS; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Roche; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: MSD; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Boehringer Ingelheim; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Otsuka; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Takeda; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pierre Fabre. D.L. Cortinovis: Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: BMS; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Roche; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: MSD; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Boehringer Ingelheim; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Amgen. A. Delmonte: Advisory / Consultancy: AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy: Roche; Advisory / Consultancy: MSD; Advisory / Consultancy: Boehringer Ingelheim. D. Galetta: Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Eli Lilly; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: BMS; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Roche; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: MSD; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Boehringer Ingelheim. R. Chiari: Advisory / Consultancy: Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy: Boehringer Ingelheim; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Takeda; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Roche; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: BMS; Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Novartis. L. Crino: Advisory / Consultancy: AbbVie; Advisory / Consultancy: Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy: Novartis; Advisory / Consultancy: Bristol; Advisory / Consultancy: Roche; Advisory / Consultancy: AstraZeneca. F. Cappuzzo: Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Roche; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Pfizer; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: AstraZeneca; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Takeda; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Eli Lilly; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: BMS; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: MSD; Advisory / Consultancy, Speaker Bureau / Expert testimony: Boehringer Ingelheim. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

The paradigm for first-line treatment of relapsed or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is changing. Large phase III trials demonstrated that, in 2010, we cannot select a therapy without an accurate definition of tumor histology and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) status. Patients harboring an EGFR-activating mutation have a better prognosis and certainly are extremely sensitive to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors, while other agents, such as bevacizumab or pemetrexed, are more effective and less toxic in patients with non-squamous histology. Moreover, data from large phase III trials demonstrated that maintenance therapy with pemetrexed, docetaxel or erlotinib is an effective strategy against metastatic NSCLC. Overall, the changing paradigm in first-line treatment of NSCLC inevitably is changing the second-line strategy. In addition, the emerging role of maintenance therapy is leading to early use of all agents potentially active in a second- or third-line setting, with the consequence that very few options are available at disease progression. The aim of this article is to discuss the consequences of targeted treatments for second-line therapy in metastatic NSCLC.

Purpose: The aims of the present study were to evaluate the clinical activity and the pharmacodynamic profile of the novel schedule of a single i.v. standard dose of cyclophosphamide (CTX) immediately followed by an oral metronomic CTX regimen with celecoxib (CXB) and dexamethasone (DEX) in advanced hormone-refractory prostate cancer patients. Experimental Design: Twenty-eight patients (68% docetaxel-resistant) received 500 mg/m2 CTX i.v. bolus on day 1 and, from day 2, 50 mg/day CTX p.o. plus 200 mg/twice a day CXB p.o. and 1 mg/day DEX p.o. until disease progression. Plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and thrombospondin-1 were detected by ELISA, and real-time reverse transcription-PCR of VEGF and thrombospondin-1 gene expression on peripheral blood mononuclear cell and of VE-cadherin (VE-C) in blood samples was done. Results: A confirmed prostate-specific antigen decrease of ≥50% from baseline was observed in 9 of 28 patients (32%). Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 3 months (95% confidence interval, 2.2-4.2 months) and 21 months (95% confidence interval, 12.4-29.4 months), respectively. Toxicity was mild and no grade 3 to 4 toxicities occurred. A significant relationship was found between plasma VEGF and prostate-specific antigen values (r = 0.4223; P < 0.001). VEGF levels significantly increased in nonresponders, whereas the responder patients maintained significantly lower levels of VE-C gene expression after the beginning of the treatment if compared with nonresponder ones. Conclusion: Metronomic CTX plus CXB and DEX showed favorable toxicity and activity profile in patients. VE-C gene expression and VEGF levels represent potentially useful pharmacodynamic markers for the clinical response.

The treatment of fractures of the humeral shaft opens a discussion with multiple solutions. Intramedullary nailing represents a possible therapeutic option that has shown, in relation to evolution of the instruments, effectiveness in terms of healing and functional recovery with few complications. In performing intramedullary nailing we take into account, in relation to limits and indications, the elastic Marchetti-Vicenzi nail and the locked nail.

Many fingertip injuries in childhood involve the nail bed. Deformities of the nail are a frequent result of failure to repair the nail bed at the time of injury. Secondary correction of nail deformities seldom achieves good results. We present the results of our experience in the management of 19 children with 22 injuries involving the nail bed. All achieved normal nail growth and the overall result of the repair was good in 91%. Complications were few and parental satisfaction with the management was high. Every effort should be made to perform a meticulous primary repair of all nail bed injuries.

e16032 Background: Metronomic oral CTX and C has demonstrated activity and a favourable toxicity profile in CRCP. Combination of such strategy with the standard DP could be of interest. Methods: Pts with CRPC received D 60 mg/sqm iv day 1 every 3 weeks up to 12 cycles and from day 2 continuously: P 5 mg po BID, CTX 50 mg po daily, and C 200 mg po BID. Primary objective is the percentage of pts free of progression at 6 months; secondary are: PSA levels decrease ≥ 50%, objective responses (RECIST), toxicities (NCI-CTC criteria) survival and pharmacodynamic evaluations. Results: To date 29 pts have been enrolled. Main pts characteristics are: median age 72 years (52–78 years), median PS 0 (0–2), median baseline PSA level 38,8 ng/mL (2.5–1309 ng/mL); main sites of disease: bone 23 pts (79%), lymphnodes 6 pts (21%), liver 1 pt (3,5%). Twenty-nine pts are evaluable for toxicity whereas 28 for PSA response (1 pt abandoned the study due to allergic reaction after first D administration). Median number of D cycles delivered is 10 (1–12) and median duration of metronomic CTX plus P and C is 224 days (35–874 days). Main grade 3 side-effects are: neutropenia (2 pt; 7%), thrombocytopenia, diarrhoea, stomatitis and onycholysis (1 pt; 3.5%). No grade 4 toxicities have been observed.The rate of pts free of progression at 6 months is 80%. Overall 18 pts (64%) showed a PSA decrease ≥ 50% and 23 pts (82%) showed any PSA decrease from baseline (range: 4%-99%of decrease). Four pts are evaluable according to RECIST criteria: we observed 1 CR, 2 SD and 1 PD. At a median follow up of 12,4 months median time to PSA progression is 11.6 months (95% CI 8,3–15). Conclusions: Metronomic CTX plus C in combination with DP is a feasible and tolerable regimen with a promising preliminary activity. The evaluation of plasma levels of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), VEGF, sVEGFR-2, VE-cadherin mRNA, and the expression of TSP-1 and VEGF in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, as potential surrogated markers of antiangiogenic activity of the combination, is ongoing. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

16084 Background: Docetaxel based chemotherapy has became the standard of care for metastatic HRPC, moreover, low-dose metronomic antiangiogenic CTX and C have demonstrated a significant activity in preclinical and clinical studies without relevant toxicities. Combination of such strategies could be of interest in prostate cancer patients. Methods: A total of 19 patients with metastatic HRPC received D 60 mg/sqm iv day 1 every 3 weeks up to 12 cycles and from day 2 in a continuous fashion: P 5 mg po BID, CTX 50 mg po daily and C 200 mg po BID. Primary end point was PFS; secondary were: activity (PSA reduction >50%); objective responses, toxicities (NCI-CTC criteria), OS, evaluation of plasma levels of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), VEGF, sVEGFR-2, VE-cadherin mRNA; expression and synthesis of TSP-1 and VEGF in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Patients (pts) characteristics: median age 69,5 years (59–78), median PS 1 (0–2), median baseline PSA 48,3 ng/ml (10–444); main sites of disease: bone 17 pts (90%), ly...

Aim: Novel molecularly targeted agents such as small molecule kinase inhibitors and antibodies targeted against immune check-point inhibitors have begun to erode the dominant position held by platinum-based chemotherapy in the treatment of NSCLC. While in some cases, activating kinase mutations appear to be mutually exclusive (EGFR and KRAS), there are many overlapping molecular subsets within NSCLC. As we continue to develop novel drugs, it is important that we develop a greater understanding of the prevalence, overlap, and prognostic significance of drug targets including activating mutations, signaling pathways, and tumor immune markers, as this will aid in trial design and predictive biomarker development for drug combinations or sequential treatment regimens. Methods: Seven biomarkers - TTF1, p63, EGFR mutation, KRAS mutation, MET immunohistochemistry [IHC], PDL1 IHC, NaPI2B IHC- across two sample sets (Set 1, n = 561; Set 2, n = 310) were tested. Set 1 contained surgically resected cases obtained at MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDA) during 2003-2005. Samples from Set 2 were part of a collaboration between the University of Colorado Cancer Center (UofC), USA and The Norwegian Radium Hospital, and contained surgically-resected NSCLC tissues collected from 2006–2011. Results: The prevalence, overlap, and prognostic significance of each biomarker were compared between the two cohorts. Most endpoints were consistent between the cohorts. However, significant differences in prevalence were observed within adenocarcinomas for MET (50% vs. 34%, MDA vs. UofC; p 67% of patients in both cohorts were positive for more than one biomarker and >33% were positive for at least three biomarkers. Correlations with patient characteristics and outcomes will be described in further detail. Conclusions: These data suggest that the biomarker landscape in NSCLC is complex with most patients having multiple targetable alterations. Thus, the treatment landscape for NSCLC will become increasingly complex as more experimental agents approach pivotal testing. Disclosure: D. Shames, M. Kowanetz, Y. Xiao, Y. Choi, H. Koeppen, R. Firestein, Y. Wang, S. Mocci, C. Bowden and L.C. Amler all declare that: I am an employee of Genentech Inc. I own stock in Roche Holdings. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Aim: NaPi2b belongs to the type II family of sodium-dependent phosphate co-transporters, physiologically expressed in type II pneumocytes of lung and on the brush border membrane of small intestine. Increased expression of NaPi2b was recently described in ovary, thyroid and breast cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate NaPi2b expression in lung cancer. Methods: Immunohistochemistry using the 10H1 primary antibody (Genentech) was performed on two cohorts of treatment naive resected NSCLC patients collected at MD Anderson, University of Texas, USA (training cohort, N = 415) and University of Oslo, Norway (testing cohort, N = 350). Moreover, 67 lung cancer cell lines were analyzed (51 non-small cell and 16 small cell lung cancer). EGFR and KRAS mutations were evaluated with the SnapShot assay. NaPi2b protein expression was scored using the H-score method (0-300). Expression was defined as high or low according to a H-score cut-off value of 200. Results: Patient characteristics did not differ significantly in the two cohorts. In the training and testing cohorts high levels of NaPi2b were detected in 48.4% and 64% of patients, respectively. Adenocarcinomas (AC) were found to express significantly higher levels of NaPi2b than squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) (AC vs SqCC median H-score: 248 vs 11, p Conclusions: NaPi2b is a prognostic marker in NSCLC and is strongly associated with important clinicopathological and biological variables such as histology and driver mutation status. Further studies are warranted to clarify the role of NaPi2b in tumor development and progression, as well as its association with driver mutations. Disclosure: O.T. Brustugun received research funding from Roche, Astrazeneca and GlaxoSmithKline; Y. Xiao is a Genentech employee and owns stock in Roche Holdings; Y. Choi is en amployee of Genetech Inc and owns stock in Roche Holdings; Y. Wang is an employee of Genentech Inc and owns stock in Roche Holdings; R. Firestein is an employee of Genentech Inc and owns stock in Roche Holdings; A. Helland received research funding from Roche, AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline; F.R. Hirsch received research funding from Celgene, Genentech, Ventana, Lilly, Imclone and Amgen, and received compensation from Genentech/Roche, Novartis, Pfizer, Brystol-Meyers Squibb, Amgen and Lilly for partecipating in their advisory boards; D. Shames is an employee of Genetech Inc and owns stock in Roche Holdings. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

The long-term results of a technique for correction of syndactyly are reported. The technique consists of a dorsal omega flap and a palmar anchor forming two palmar and lateral flaps. A long-term review was made of 50 patients with a minimum of 8 years follow-up operated over a period of 10 years. A total of 122 web spaces in simple, complex and syndromic syndactyly were operated on. Most patients achieved satisfactory reconstruction of the web spaces, resulting in a web of good shape. At long-term review, web creep was recorded in eight webs, and skin contractures in three fingers. This study shows the technique to be effective in reconstructing web spaces and in minimizing the prevalence of complications.

Tissue expansion has been advocated as a method of obtaining enough skin to correct syndactyly without using skin grafts. However, results have been disappointing, indications are unclear, and complication rates are still relatively high. We review the published cases of syndactyly treated with tissue expansion, acknowledging the lack of data and guidelines for its use in such condition. After more than 10 years since its introduction in the treatment of syndactyly, its use is still not as widespread as one would have been led to expect.

A case of partial traumatic division of a Dupuytren's band in a 56-year-old man with known Dupuytren's disease is described. Management consisted of exploration of the wound and limited fasciectomy, with excision of the diseased fascia, the pretendinous band, the lateral cord and the spiral cord. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and the patient returned to work. He remains well two years after the injury.

Background FGFR1 belongs to a family of five different receptors often dysregulated in human malignancies, including lung cancer. Recent studies showed that gene amplification is one of the mechanisms potentially responsible for FGFR dysregulation. Although FGFR1 gene amplification has been reported in up to 20% of lung cancer patients with squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC), prognostic effect is unknown. Aim of the present study was to assess the prognostic role of FGFR1 gene copy number (GCN) in pure lung SCC. Methods A total of 378 patients were included in the present study. Pure SCC was defined as a tumor positive for P40 and negative for TTF1 using immunohistochemistry. FGFR1 was evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in tissue microarray sections from primary lung tumors. All cases with an FGFR1/centromere ratio ≥ 2 were considered as amplified (FGFR1 FISH+). Results Among patients included onto the study, FGFR1 FISH analysis was successfully performed in 304 and 32 (10.5%) were FGFR1 FISH+. FGFR1 amplification was significantly associated with P40 positive status (p = 0.002) and with lack of TTF1 expression (p = 0.005). In the whole population, no difference in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) was detected between FGFR1 FISH positive and negative patients (DFS: 17.2 versus 17.0 months, p = 0.98; OS: not reached in both groups, p = 0.2). In the group of patients p40 + /TTF1 negative (N = 66), 14 (21.2%) displayed FGFR1 gene amplification. No difference in survival was detected between FGFR1 FISH+ and negative patients in p40+ versus p40 negative (OS not reached versus 46.2 months, p = 0.41 in FGFR1 FISH + /p40+ versus any negative), nor in TTF1 negative versus TTF1+ (OS not reached versus 41.8 months in FGFR1 FISH + /TTF1 negative versus other subgroups) nor in FGFR FISH + /p40 + /TTF1 negative versus FGFR negative/p40 + /TTF1 negative (37.3 months versus not reached, p = 0.77). Conclusions FGFR1 is amplified in 21% of pure lung SCC with no prognostic effect. The high percentage of gene amplification detected further support anti-FGFR1 strategies in individuals with pure SCC. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

Background Although lung adenocarcinoma harboring activating Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutations respond dramatically to reversible EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), all patients (pts) inevitably develop acquired resistance. Afatinib, an irreversible EGFR-HER2 dual inhibitor, demonstrated some activity in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) pts progressing after at least 3 months of EGFR-TKI therapy. Materials and methods We analyzed 44 advanced lung adenocarcinoma pts resistant to EGFR-TKI according to criteria used in the LUX-Lung 1 trial (Miller VA, Lancet Oncol 2012) and treated with Afatinib at the daily dose of 40-50 mg in three Italian centers. The drug was given as compassionate use. Results Pts included had a median age of 61.6 year, the majority was female (N = 23/52%), never/former smoker (N = 41/93%), with good PS (0-1; N = 37/84%) and pretreated with > 3 therapy lines (N = 36/81%). EGFR status was assessed in all cases and 35 pts (80%) harbored a mutation in exon 18 (N = 3/8.6%), in exon 19 (N = 19/54,3%), in exon 20 (T790M; N = 2/5.7%) and in exon 21 (N = 11/31.4%). Among the 42 pts evaluable for toxicity, 58% had skin rash (G3 = 4.7%) and 18% diarrhea (G3 = 2.3%). Among the 35 pts evaluable for efficacy, response rate (RR) was 11%, disease control rate (RR+ stable disease) was 65%, median progression free-survival and overall survival were 3.5 months and 4.8 months respectively. EGFR resulted mutated in 3 of 4 responders including 1 pt with T790M mutation. In 4 pts in which tumor biopsy was repeated before starting Afatinib therapy only 1 pt had T790M mutation, with no evidence of response. Conclusions In “real life” experience Afatinib showed encouraging activity in pretreated NSCLC with manageable toxicity profile. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.

The authors examined prospectively 100 patients with lung diseases--50 of them benign and 50 malignant. The mean value of all lesions was measured with a constant region of interest (ROI); the muscle was considered as the reference tissue. Histopathology was the gold standard for the patients who underwent CT-guided needle biopsy and/or surgery; clinical-radiologic follow-up (average time: 2 years) was the gold standard for nonsurgical patients. A superconductive 1.5-T magnet with circular polarization body coil was used; T1- and T2-weighted spin echo images were acquired on the coronal and axial planes, respectively. The mean values with the constant ROI were measured both on the lesions and on the reference tissue to calculate and compare the T1-lesion/T1-muscle and T2-lesion/T2-muscle ratios in benign and malignant conditions. The t-test, the linear regression and correlation test and the analysis of variance were used to analyze the data. T1 benign lung disease/T1 muscle ratio was 1.21, while T1 malignant lung disease/T1 muscle ratio was 1.27, with no statistically significant difference. T2 benign lung disease/T2 muscle ratio was 2.63, while T2 malignant lung disease/T2 muscle ratio was 4.80: the difference was statistically significant (p0.001). To conclude, in chest diseases, the measurement of mean values in T2 allowed malignancy-indicative values (4 ratio) and positively benign values (2.5 ratio) to be identified.