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Respir Med Case Rep 2020 16;30:101065. Epub 2020 May 16.

Pulmonology Department, Fattouma Bourguiba Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia.

Thyroid metastasis revealing a primary lung cancer is an extremely rare condition. Only few cases have been reported in the literature. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for the diagnosis. Read More

Ann Thorac Med 2020 Apr-Jun;15(2):98-101. Epub 2020 Apr 3.

Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia.

Intrapulmonary solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) are sporadic mesenchymal neoplasms that typically arise from visceral or parietal pleura. While accounting for <5% of all pleural tumors, SFTs are known to occur in nearly all bodily organs, including nasopharynx, bladder, prostate, soft tissue of neck, buttocks, extremities, and abdominal wall. Such tumors have been previously designated localized fibrous mesothelioma or pleural fibroma. Read More

Zhonghua Bing Li Xue Za Zhi 2020 Jun;49(6):556-561

Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Jiangsu Province Hospital) , Nanjing 210029, China.

To study the clinicopathological characteristics, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of bronchiolar adenoma (BA). Fifteen cases of BA were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, from January 2016 to October 2019. The clinical data, imaging examination, morphology, immunostaining and molecular changes were retrospectively analyzed. Read More

Zhonghua Bing Li Xue Za Zhi 2020 Jun;49(6):550-555

Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450052, China.

To investigate the clinicopathological features of pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (PEHE). Eighteen cases of PEHE were collected from August 2011 to December 2018 at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. All cases were retrospectively studied by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Read More

Zhonghua Bing Li Xue Za Zhi 2020 Jun;49(6):544-549

Department of Pathology, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450008, China.

To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of pulmonary enteric adenocarcinoma (PEAC). The clinical and pathological data of 19 cases of PEAC in the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University were retrospectively collected from 2015 to 2019. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to detect the relevant immunophenotypes, amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were used to detect the expression of EGFR, KRAS and ALK genes. Read More

Genet Mol Biol 2020 Jun 1;43(3):e20190164. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Hubei University of Medicine, Department of Oncology, Suizhou Hospital, Suizhou, Hubei, China.

Lung cancer has one of the highest mortality rates of malignant neoplasms. Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the most common types of lung cancer. DNA methylation is more stable than gene expression and could be used as a biomarker for early tumor diagnosis. Read More

Sarcoidosis Vasc Diffuse Lung Dis 2018 28;35(2):129-138. Epub 2018 Apr 28.

Pulmonology Department and Diffuse Lung Diseases Study Group, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal.

: Organizing pneumonia (OP) is classified as an acute/subacute pneumonia according to the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society statement (2013 update). Although its clinical presentation, radiologic and histologic features are well established, data on the relevance of potential causes, corticosteroid doses and length, or management of relapses are based on heterogeneous series of patients. : The aims of this study were to describe clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of OP, explore potential causes, discuss strategies for managing relapses, and analyze prognostic factors. Read More

Oncotarget 2020 May 12;11(19):1749-1757. Epub 2020 May 12.

Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms that span from well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) to highly aggressive neoplasms classified as neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). The genomic landscape of NENs has not been well studied. The aim of this study is to confirm the feasibility of next generation sequencing (NGS) testing circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in patients with NENs and characterize common alterations in the genomic landscape. Read More

Drugs Context 2020 15;9. Epub 2020 May 15.

Medical Oncology Department, Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO)-Badalona; Badalona-Applied Research Group in Oncology (B-ARGO)-Germans Trias i Pujol Institute (IGTP); Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital (HUGTiP), Badalona, Barcelona, Spain.

Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) comprise a heterogeneous group of tumours, which can be classified into neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) and mixed neuroendocrine non-neuroendocrine neoplasms (MiNENs). To date, there is no consensus regarding the optimal therapy, which usually depends on the primary location and classification, according to morphological features of differentiation and proliferation rates. Nevertheless, multidisciplinary strategies combining medical treatments and locoregional strategies have yielded better efficacy results. Read More

Rep Pract Oncol Radiother 2020 Jul-Aug;25(4):489-493. Epub 2020 Apr 27.

Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, US.

Background: Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is commonly employed in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC); however, the optimal radiotherapy regimen is still unknown. This 3-institution analysis compares long-term disease control and survival outcomes for once- (QD) versus twice-daily (BID) radiotherapy at contemporary doses.

Methods And Materials: Data were collected for LS-SCLC patients treated with platinum-based CCRT and planned RT doses of >5940 cGy at >180 cGy QD or >4500 cGy at 150 cGy BID. Read More

Colomb Med (Cali) 2019 Dec 30;50(4):224-238. Epub 2019 Dec 30.

Universidad de la República, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Métodos Cuantitativos. Montevideo, Uruguay.

Background: Uruguay is the south American country which has the highest cancer incidence and mortality rates. The National Cancer Registry collects data on cancer cases nationwide since 1989 and has reached high quality standards in the last decades. This is the first report on incidence trends. Read More

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2020 May 31. Epub 2020 May 31.

Cardiac Surgery, IRCCS Policlinico San Donato, San Donato Milanese, Italy.

Objectives: Our goal was to analyse a consecutive series of patients with solid organ tumours undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) by defining the risk factors for early and long-term outcomes.

Methods: Between 2005 and 2016, a consecutive series of 4079 patients underwent isolated CABG at our institution. Of 103 patients (2. Read More

J Clin Pathol 2020 May 29. Epub 2020 May 29.

Division of Clinical Laboratory Genetics, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Aims: Epidermal growth factor receptor () T790M mutations can be detected in the circulating tumour DNA from plasma of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to triage patients for osimertinib eligibility and monitor patients longitudinally for development of T790M-mediated resistance.

Methods: Using droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), we examined the T790M status of 343 sequential patients with NSCLC and correlated mutational status with demographic and clinical features. Where available, serial T790M blood test results were assessed to identify clinical triggers and timing of repeat testing. Read More

Thorac Cancer 2020 May 29. Epub 2020 May 29.

University of Virginia / Riverside, Radiosurgery Center, Newport News, Virginia, USA.

Background: This study reports the outcomes of a single institutional experience treating non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) involving the pulmonary hilum with low-dose stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). The authors also present a series of repeat hilar SBRT.

Methods: Inclusion criteria required treatment with SBRT for NSCLC involving regional lymph nodes of the: (i) hilum, (ii) mediastinum, (iii) aortopulmonary window (station 5), or (iv) mainstem bronchus. Read More

Thorac Cancer 2020 May 29. Epub 2020 May 29.

Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is spreading worldwide, and has been declared as an international public health concern. Patients with lung cancer are highly susceptible to infection compared to healthy individuals because of systemic immunosuppression induced by malignancy and anticancer therapy. Furthermore, patients with cancer demonstrate poorer outcomes following infection. Read More

Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) 2020 May 29:e13254. Epub 2020 May 29.

Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility, acceptability and perceived utility of the provision of a wearable fitness device and an exercise prescription from a surgeon, prior to surgery for lung cancer.

Methods: A single-arm, pre-post feasibility study was conducted with 30 participants scheduled for surgery to treat stage I, II or III lung cancer. Participants were given a Garmin Vivoactive HR device and a prescription for 150 min of moderately to vigorous exercise per week. Read More

Cancer Cell Int 2020 19;20:173. Epub 2020 May 19.

1Department of Pulmonary Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Institute of Respiratory Diseases of Sun Yat-sen University, 600 Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, 510630 China.

Circular RNAs, as hopeful diagnosis markers and therapeutic molecules, have been studied, probed and applied into several diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus, leukemia, pulmonary tuberculosis, and cancer especially. Recently, mounting evidence has supported that circRNAs play a key role in the tumorigenesis, progress, invasion and metastasis in lung cancer. Its special structure-3'-5' covalent loop-allow it to execute several special functions in both normal eukaryotic cells and cancer cells. Read More

Rev Med Suisse 2020 May;16(695):1079-1085

Service d'oncologie médicale, Département d'oncologie, CHUV, 1011 Lausanne.

Small cell lung cancer is a recalcitrant malignancy with 5-year survival rates of less than 20%. In the majority of cases, patients have metastatic disease at diagnosis despite the new screening method by low-dose CT-scan. The high throughput sequencing has deepened our understanding of its biology. Read More

Head Neck Pathol 2020 May 27. Epub 2020 May 27.

Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Department of Pathology, 5601 De Soto Avenue, Woodland Hills, CA, 91365, USA.

Lymphoepithelial carcinoma of salivary glands (LECSG) are rare neoplasms, reported in endemic populations (southeastern Chinese) with a strong Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) association. A retrospective series comparing EBV status within an ethnically diverse population (endemic vs. non-endemic patients) has not been reported. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2020 6;2020:9043012. Epub 2020 May 6.

Department of Clinical Immunology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China.

Objective: To quantify the change in risk and aging factors with a two time point analysis for major cancers to assess supportive strategies.

Methods: The 2004 and 2015 mortality statistics in China were accessed. The standardized mortality rates of the two periods were used to calculate the ratio of change (RC) value to assess the risk of death associated with time (social development with time) for cancers. Read More

J Immunother Cancer 2020 May;8(1)

Department of Medical Oncology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Background: A minority of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) benefit from treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Ineffective effector function of activated T and NK cells may lead to reduced tumor cell death, even when these activated effector cells are released from their immune checkpoint brake. Hence, in this study we aimed to assess the association of baseline serum granzyme B, as well as germline variation of the gene, with clinical outcome to programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) blockade. Read More

J Immunother Cancer 2020 May;8(1)

Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan

Background: Patients with biliary tract cancer (BTC) have poor prognosis with few treatment options. Bintrafusp alfa, a first-in-class bifunctional fusion protein composed of the extracellular domain of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-βRII receptor (a TGF-β 'trap') fused to a human IgG1 antibody blocking programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), has shown clinical efficacy in multiple solid tumors.

Methods: In this phase I, open-label trial expansion cohort, Asian patients with BTC whose disease progressed after first-line chemotherapy received bintrafusp alfa 1200 mg every 2 weeks until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal. Read More

Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci 2020 May 28;29:e132. Epub 2020 May 28.

Department of Psychiatry & Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.

Aims: Decades of research show that people with schizophrenia have an increased risk of death from cancer; however, the relationship between schizophrenia and cancer incidence remains less clear. This population-based study investigates the incidence of seven common types of cancer among people with a hospital diagnosis of schizophrenia and accounting for the effects of age, sex and calendar time.

Methods: This population-based study used 1990-2013 data from three nationwide Swedish registries to calculate the incidence (in total, by age group and by sex) of any cancer and of lung, oesophageal, pancreatic, stomach, colon, (in men) prostate and (in women) breast cancer in 111 306 people with a hospital diagnosis of schizophrenia. Read More

N Engl J Med 2020 05;382(22):2165-2166

Institute for DiagNostic Accuracy, Groningen, the Netherlands.

N Engl J Med 2020 05;382(22):2165

International Prevention Research Institute, Lyon, France

N Engl J Med 2020 05;382(22):2164-2165

Cork University Hospital, Wilton, Ireland

N Engl J Med 2020 05;382(22):2164

Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark

ESMO Open 2020 05;5(3)

NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Emerging and Zoonotic Infections, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Zhongguo Fei Ai Za Zhi 2020 May 27. Epub 2020 May 27.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China.

Background: In recent years, the technique of uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery has been developed. As a new surgical method, its feasibility and safety have not been generally recognized. The aim of this study is to review the technology in the treatment of lung cancer patients in stage I to part of stage IIIa. Read More

Case Rep Oncol Med 2020 8;2020:4196178. Epub 2020 May 8.

Department of Pneumonology, Oncology and Allergology, Medical University of Lublin, Poland.

Immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is a new option of treatment in a growing range of neoplasms. In addition to an antitumor effect, ICI are associated with autoimmune reactions resulting in a wide spectrum of toxicities that have not been seen in patients receiving chemotherapy. In this article, we present a case of a patient with advanced lung adenocarcinoma who developed an EDTA-dependent pseudothrombocytopenia (PTCP) during pembrolizumab therapy. Read More

Cancer Lett 2020 May 24;487:21-26. Epub 2020 May 24.

Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología and Salud Pública - CIBERESP), Spain.

We aimed to evaluate lung cancer survival in never-smokers, both overall and specifically by sex, exposure to residential-radon, age, histological type, and diagnostic stage. We included lung cancer cases diagnosed in a multicentre, hospital-based, case-control-study of never-smoker patients, diagnosed from January-2011 to March-2015 (Lung Cancer Research In Never Smokers study). 369 never-smokers (79% women; median age 71 years; 80% adenocarcinoma; 66% stage IV) were included. Read More

Genes Genomics 2020 May 24. Epub 2020 May 24.

Genomic Medicine Institute, Medical Research Center, Seoul National University, 103 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.

Background: The increase in genetic alterations targeted by specific chemotherapy in lung cancer has led to the need for universal use of more comprehensive genetic testing, which has highlighted the development of a lung cancer diagnostic panel using next-generation sequencing.

Objective: We developed a hybridization capture-based massively parallel sequencing assay named Friendly, Integrated, Research-based, Smart and Trustworthy (FIRST)-lung cancer panel (LCP), and evaluated its performance.

Methods: FIRST-LCP comprises 64 lung cancer-related genes to test for various kinds of genetic alterations including single nucleotide variations (SNVs), insertions and deletions (indels), copy number variations (CNVs), and structural variations. Read More

Thorac Cancer 2020 May 22. Epub 2020 May 22.

Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Tissue harvesting for patients with a lung nodule is sometimes unsuitable due to the size and location of the nodule. In such cases, it is unclear whether it is acceptable to proceed to definitive lobectomy without intraoperative frozen section analysis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent definitive lobectomy or wedge resection for frozen section analysis at our institution between 2014 and 2018. Read More

Cancer Cell Int 2020 13;20:165. Epub 2020 May 13.

1Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Guangxi Medical University Cancer Hospital, No. 71, Hedi Road, Qingxiu District, Nanning, 530021 Guangxi China.

Background: Increased long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) expression is characteristic to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and several other neoplasms. The present study aimed to identify the mechanism underlying modulation of HCC development by the lncRNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1).

Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine MALAT1 and microRNA (miR)-146a expression in HCC tissues and cell lines. Read More

J Immunother Cancer 2020 05;8(1)

Oncology, University Hospitals Geneva, Geneve, Switzerland.

Cases of the 2019 novel coronavirus also known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continue to rise worldwide. To date, there is no effective treatment. Clinical management is largely symptomatic, with organ support in intensive care for critically ill patients. Read More

Zhongguo Fei Ai Za Zhi 2020 May 21. Epub 2020 May 21.

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Yancheng First People's Hospital, Yancheng 224000, China.

Background: The aim of this study is to explore the effects of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) combined with respiratory function exercise combined with single-hole thoracoscopic surgery on lung cancer patients with postoperative pulmonary complications, postoperative pain, time to get out of bed, time to extubation, and length of hospital stay.

Methods: A total of 240 patients who underwent endoscopic lung cancer surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University and the Yancheng First People's Hospital from October 2017 to October 2019 were randomly divided into 4 groups, with 60 patients in each group. Patients in group A underwent single-hole thoracoscopic surgery, and preoperatively performed ERAS concept education and respiratory function training; group B used conventional 3-hole thoracoscopic surgery, and performed ERAS concept education and respiratory function training before operation; group C used conventional 3-hole thoracoscopic operation Surgery, routine hospitalization education and nursing guidance, routine respiratory function training, no preoperative ERAS concept education; group D used single-hole thoracoscopic surgery, routine hospitalization education and nursing guidance, routine respiratory function training, no preoperative ERAS Concept mission. Read More

Zhongguo Fei Ai Za Zhi 2020 May 21. Epub 2020 May 21.

Medical Molecular Diagnostics Key Laboratory of Guangdong.

Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor in the world with the highest incidence of deaths. In recent years, the treatment of lung cancer has made a significant breakthrough. However, as the tumor progresses, lung cancer cells inevitably acquire resistance and the efficacy of the treatment are greatly reduced. Read More

Avicenna J Med Biotechnol 2020 Apr-Jun;12(2):116-123

Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

Background: Isolation, introduction and producing bioactive compounds from bacteria, especially marine bacteria, is an attractive research area. One of the main challenges of using these metabolites as drug and their industrialization is the optimization of production conditions.

Methods: In the present study, the response surface methodology was applied to optimize the production of a cytotoxic extract (C-137-R) by () strain RP137. Read More

Zhongguo Fei Ai Za Zhi 2020 May;23(5):393-401

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.

Intraoperative aspiration is a common pulmonary complication in the surgery, anesthesia and position were main factors leading to the operative aspiration. In recent years, perioperative lung protection has attracted wide attention of thoracic surgeons and anesthetist; how to accelerate the process of postoperative rehabilitation, reduce the incidence of related complications and significantly improve the prognosis of patients, these have become a chief goal of surgical treatment. This article will center on operative aspiration and summarize it from anatomy, pathophysiology, manifestation, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Read More

Zhongguo Fei Ai Za Zhi 2020 May;23(5):381-387

Department of Medical Oncology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China.

Patients with sensitive epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations often respond to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), but acquired resistance will eventually develop. The most common mechanisms of acquired resistance include secondary EGFR mutation, MET amplification, and histologic transformation. Besides, gene fusions could also mediate the process of acquired resistance. Read More

Zhongguo Fei Ai Za Zhi 2020 May;23(5):343-350

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Beijing Hospital, National Center of Gerontology, Institute of Geriatric Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.

Background: Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a group of diffuse lung diseases that mainly involve the interstitial and alveolar cavities and result in loss of alveolar-capillary functional units, leading to restrictive ventilatory dysfunction and diffusion impairment. There was an increased incidence of lung cancer on the basis of ILD, and perioperative risk of patients with lung cancer combined with ILD (LC-ILD) was significantly increased. The aim of this study is to summarize the safety and experience of surgical treatment of LC-ILD. Read More

Zhongguo Fei Ai Za Zhi 2020 May;23(5):333-336

Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China.

Background: Lung cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases to human health, with high morbidity and mortality. It can be cured by surgery at early stage, therefore, the early detection and early treatment of lung cancer are especially important. Serum tumor markers play an important role in the detection and diagnosis of lung cancer. Read More

Zhongguo Fei Ai Za Zhi 2020 May;23(5):306-313

The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510280, China.

Background: Flubendazole is an anthelmintic and categorized in benzimidazole. Previous evidence indicates its suppression on proliferation of colon cancer and breast cancer cells. Our study aims to explore the effects of flubendazole on non-small cell lung cancer A549 and H460 cell lines and the underlying mechanism. Read More

Cancer 2020 May 19. Epub 2020 May 19.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA.

Background: The comparative risks of a second cancer diagnosis are uncertain after primary cancer treatment with 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT), intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), or proton beam radiotherapy (PBRT).

Methods: Pediatric and adult patients with a first cancer diagnosis between 2004 and 2015 who received 3DCRT, IMRT, or PBRT were identified in the National Cancer Database from 9 tumor types: head and neck, gastrointestinal, gynecologic, lymphoma, lung, prostate, breast, bone/soft tissue, and brain/central nervous system. The diagnosis of second cancer was modeled using multivariable logistic regression adjusting for age, follow-up duration, radiotherapy (RT) dose, chemotherapy, sociodemographic variables, and other factors. Read More

Front Genet 2020 30;11:389. Epub 2020 Apr 30.

School of Pharmacy, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, China.

Growing evidences have indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a significant role relating to many important bioprocesses; their mutations and disorders will cause the occurrence of various complex diseases. The prediction of miRNAs associated with underlying diseases computational approaches is beneficial to identify biomarkers and discover specific medicine, which can greatly reduce the cost of diagnosis, cure, prognosis, and prevention of human diseases. However, how to further achieve a more reliable prediction of potential miRNA-disease associations with effective integration of different biological data is a challenge for researchers. Read More

BMC Cancer 2020 May 18;20(1):431. Epub 2020 May 18.

Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Centre of Research on Psychological and Somatic Disorders (CoRPS), Tilburg University, P.O. Box 90151, 5000, LE, Tilburg, The Netherlands.

Background: Identification of patient-related factors associated with Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and Quality of Life (QoL) at the start of treatment may identify patients who are prone to a decrease in HRQoL and/or QoL resulting from chemotherapy. Identification of these factors may offer opportunities to enhance patient care during treatment by adapting communication strategies and directing medical and psychological interventions. The aim was to examine the association of sociodemographic factors, personality traits, and depressive symptoms with HRQoL and QoL in patients with advanced-stage lung cancer at the start of chemotherapy. Read More

Lung Cancer 2020 May 6;145:95-104. Epub 2020 May 6.

Sant'Orsola Malpighi Teaching Hospital - University of Bologna, Medical Oncology Unit, Bologna, Italy.

Objectives: ICIs have been approved and are routinely administered regardless of performance status (PS), despite randomized clinical trials of ICIs alone or combined with chemotherapy or target therapy enrolled patients with ECOG PS 0 or 1, while patients with ECOG PS 2 or more were excluded.

Materials And Methods: We carried out a meta-analysis of available clinical studies exploring the prognostic impact of PS ≥ 2 on Overall Survival (OS), Progression Free Survival (PFS) or Overall Response Rate (ORR) in patients with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with immunotherapy (any line).

Results: We reviewed 19 studies, comprising 3600 NSCLC patients, 757 of whom with ECOG PS > 1 (average 21. Read More

JCO Glob Oncol 2020 05;6:722-729

Department of Internal Medicine "Promise," University of Palermo, Palermo, Sicily, Italy.

Purpose: This descriptive investigation was undertaken at three oncology units to report queries, needs, and fears related to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) of patients with cancer and to avoid uncontrolled treatment delays or withdrawal, behavioral mistakes, and panic.

Patients And Methods: All queries spontaneously delivered through the WhatsApp instant messaging system commonly used by patients to communicate with oncology units were collected and grouped by homology in five categories. Responses to the queries were given according to recommendations by the Italian Association of Medical Oncology through WhatsApp and by subsequent phone calls. Read More

ESMO Open 2020 05;4(Suppl 2)

Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland

ESMO Open 2020 05;4(Suppl 2)

Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain.