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Clin Transl Radiat Oncol 2021 Jul 9;29:60-64. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.

Purpose: We investigated whether serum cytokines including Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) are increased during pelvic chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with gynecologic malignancies, and sought to identify prognostic factors for the development of diarrhea during pelvic CRT.

Materials And Methods: Patients with cervical or endometrial cancer receiving postoperative pelvic CRT were eligible for this prospective study. Patients were evaluated weekly during CRT for symptoms, including diarrhea and constipation. Read More

J Surg Oncol 2021 Jun 21. Epub 2021 Jun 21.

Head and Neck Oncology and Robotic Surgery, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy.

Background And Objectives: The current evidence regarding complications after salvage neck dissection (ND) for isolated regional recurrences (IRRs) in head and neck cancers is poor. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence and differences in complication rates of salvage ND after primary surgery, radiotherapy, chemoradiotherapy, or combined treatments.

Methods: This was a multicentric retrospective study on 64 patients who underwent salvage ND for IRR in three Italian institutes between 2008 and May 2020. Read More

Gynecol Oncol 2021 Jun 17. Epub 2021 Jun 17.

Department of Geriatric Medicine, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China; Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Proteomics of Shandong Province, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, China. Electronic address:

Objective: The goal of the study was to confirm whether preoperative controlling nutritional status (CONUT) was a prognostic factor in early-stage cervical cancer patients with high-risk factors after surgery and postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Methods: Between 2004 and 2015, a total of 698 patients who were treated with surgery and postoperative CCRT were included in this retrospective study. The prescribed dose for postoperative radiotherapy was 45-50. Read More

BMC Cancer 2021 Jun 19;21(1):717. Epub 2021 Jun 19.

Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.

Background: Because there is no exact therapeutic target, the systemic treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) still relies on chemotherapy. In terms of local treatment, based on the highly malignant characteristics of TNBC, it is still uncertain whether patients should be given more aggressive local treatment.

Methods: This study was based on the SEER database. Read More

JAMA Netw Open 2021 Jun 1;4(6):e2113749. Epub 2021 Jun 1.

Center for Population Health Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California.

Importance: Although female representation has increased in clinical trials, little is known about how clinical trial representation compares with burden of disease or is associated with clinical trial features, including disease category.

Objective: To describe the rate of sex reporting (ie, the presence of clinical trial data according to sex), compare the female burden of disease with the female proportion of clinical trial enrollees, and investigate the associations of disease category and clinical trial features with the female proportion of clinical trial enrollees.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional study included descriptive analyses and logistic and generalized linear regression analyses with a logit link. Read More

Cancer Manag Res 2021 8;13:4529-4540. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Department of Chinese Journals of Practical Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.

Purpose: Although rare, small-cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gynecologic tract (SCNCGT) is associated with poor prognosis. We analyzed the clinical characteristics, pathological features, treatment strategies, and prognosis in patients with SCNCGT.

Patients And Methods: We performed a retrospective data analysis of 34 patients with SCNCGT diagnosed and treated at our hospital between 2006 and 2018. Read More

Cancer Treat Res Commun 2021 Jun 2;28:100413. Epub 2021 Jun 2.

Dermatology, Antwerp University Hospital, Drie Eikenstraat 655, 2650, Edegem, Belgium.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a highly prevalent cancer and the majority of cSCC have a good prognosis. However, a subset of cSCC can progress to advanced disease. We present the first reported case of a giant cSCC located on the breast. Read More

Cancer Radiother 2021 Jun 10. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Department of Radiation Oncology, HFR Fribourg - Cantonal Hospital, Chemin des Pensionnats 2-6, 1708 Fribourg, Switzerland.

Purpose: In patients with right-sided breast cancer (BC) the liver might be partially irradiated during adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Thus, we performed a prospective observational study to evaluate the dose delivered to the liver, and its potential biological impact.

Patients And Methods: We enrolled 34 patients with right-sided BC treated with adjuvant RT. Read More

Eur J Cancer 2021 Jun 10;152:204-214. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Aim: To investigate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of Dutch adult childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and to identify risk factors of impaired HRQOL.

Methods: Adult CCS (age >18, diagnosed <18, ≥5 years since diagnosis) from the Dutch LATER registry completed the Medical Outcome Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) to measure HRQOL and provided sociodemographic characteristics. Age-adjusted mean SF-36 scale scores of CCS were compared to the Dutch general population for men and women separately using t-tests, with effect size d. Read More

JCO Glob Oncol 2021 Jun;7:886-895

Department of Non-communicable Diseases, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.

The essential package of palliative care for cervical cancer (EPPCCC), described elsewhere, is designed to be safe and effective for preventing and relieving most suffering associated with cervical cancer and universally accessible. However, it appears that women with cervical cancer, more frequently than patients with other cancers, experience various types of suffering that are refractory to basic palliative care such as what can be provided with the EPPCCC. In particular, relief of refractory pain, vomiting because of bowel obstruction, bleeding, and psychosocial suffering may require additional expertise, medicines, or equipment. Read More

Int J Gynecol Cancer 2021 Jun 10. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Aarhus Universitetshospital, Aarhus, Denmark.

Objective: To compare the performance of the new ESGO-ESTRO-ESP (European Society of Gynecological Oncology-European Society for Radiotherapy & Oncology-European Society for Pathology) 2020 risk classification system with the previous 2016 risk classification in predicting survival and patterns of recurrence in the Danish endometrial cancer population.

Methods: This Danish national cohort study included 4516 patients with endometrial cancer treated between 2005 and 2012. Five-year Kaplan-Meier adjusted and unadjusted survival estimates and actuarial recurrence rates were calculated for the previous and the new classification systems. Read More

Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys 2021 May 25. Epub 2021 May 25.

Radiation and Cancer Biology Group. Electronic address:

Purpose: Autophagy and cell-cycle checkpoints act in concert to confer cellular radioresistance. We investigated the functional interaction between radiation-induced autophagy and G2 checkpoint activation in highly radioresistant human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells.

Methods And Materials: Four human PDAC cell lines (MIA PaCa-2, KP-4, Panc-1, and SUIT-2) were analyzed. Read More

BMC Cancer 2021 Jun 10;21(1):682. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Department of Gynecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas - UNICAMP, Rua Alexander Fleming, 101, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Campinas, SP, 13083-881, Brazil.

Background: We aimed to evaluate the effects of different therapeutic options to prevent the evolution of vaginal stenosis after pelvic radiotherapy in women with cervical cancer.

Methods: open-label randomized clinical trial of 195 women, stage I-IIIB, aged 18-75 years, using topical estrogen (66), topical testosterone (34), water-based intimate lubricant gel (66), and vaginal dilators (29) to assess the incidence and severity of vaginal stenosis after radiotherapy at UNICAMP-Brazil, from January/2013 to May/2018. The main outcome measure was vaginal stenosis assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) scale and percental changes in vaginal volume. Read More

Acta Oncol 2021 Jun 9:1-9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Clinical Physiology, Nuclear Medicine and PET, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Background: Radiotherapy (RT) planning for cervical cancer patients entails the acquisition of both Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Further, molecular imaging by Positron Emission Tomography (PET) could contribute to target volume delineation as well as treatment response monitoring. The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a PET/MRI-only RT planning workflow of patients with cervical cancer. Read More

Int J Clin Oncol 2021 Jun 9. Epub 2021 Jun 9.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokai University, 143, Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa, 259-1193, Japan.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective analysis is to reveal clinicopathological findings and clinical outcome of patients with stage IB1/IB2 (FIGO 2018) uterine cervical cancer.

Methods: Based on the database of the Japanese Gynecologic Oncology Group, 2194 patients with stage IB1/IB2 (FIGO 2018), who underwent radical hysterectomy between 1/1/2004-12/31/2008, were identified as eligible for this retrospective study.

Results: Patients with squamous cell carcinoma had significantly frequent lympho-vascular space invasion than those with non-squamous cell carcinoma in both stage IB1 and IB2 (stage IB1; 29. Read More

Breast Cancer (Auckl) 2021 30;15:11782234211020242. Epub 2021 May 30.

Department of Pathology, University Teaching Hospital of Lomé, Lomé, Togo.

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, and its incidence and mortality rates are expected to increase significantly over the next few years, particularly in developing countries. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, radiological, histopathological, and prognostic aspects of breast cancer in Togo.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed at our Department of Pathology of Lomé all cases of breast cancer in women confirmed by histology over a period of 20 years (2000-2019). Read More

Nat Commun 2021 06 8;12(1):3424. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Immunologically-cold tumors including glioblastoma (GBM) are refractory to checkpoint blockade therapy, largely due to extensive infiltration of immunosuppressive macrophages (Mϕs). Consistent with a pro-tumor role of IL-6 in alternative Mϕs polarization, we here show that targeting IL-6 by genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition moderately improves T-cell infiltration into GBM and enhances mouse survival; however, IL-6 inhibition does not synergize PD-1 and CTLA-4 checkpoint blockade. Interestingly, anti-IL-6 therapy reduces CD40 expression in GBM-associated Mϕs. Read More

J Turk Ger Gynecol Assoc 2021 Jun 8. Epub 2021 Jun 8.

Department of Gynecology Oncology, Hospital Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain.

Objective: The diagnosis of endometrial cancer is made by biopsy sampling with pathological analysis, but it is extremely important to make an accurate diagnosis in order to plan the specific treatment, and we suggest that HE4 in the endometrial tissue and in serum could be tools to make the diagnosis more precise.

Material And Methods: Our prospective study compared patients with endometrial cancer against non-endometrial cancer ones, matched with several variables. The inclusion criteria were females older than 18 years old that accepted to participate in the research study but that had never underwent surgery for other oncological pathologies, whether for ovarian, colon, cervical carcinoma or uterine sarcoma, and none of them had received preoperative chemo or radiotherapy; moreover, they could not have any severe renal or liver pathology. Read More

Int J Pharm 2021 Jun 5;604:120763. Epub 2021 Jun 5.

Univ Rennes, ISCR (Institut des Sciences Chimiques de Rennes), UMR 6226, F-35000 Rennes, France; CHU de Rennes, Pôle Hospitalo-Universitaire de Pharmacie, F-35033 Rennes, France. Electronic address:

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a concept based on a selective activation by light of drugs called photosensitizers (PS) leading to reactive oxygen species production responsible for cell destruction. Mechanisms of photodynamic reaction and cell photo-destruction following direct or indirect mechanisms will be presented as well as PS classification, from first generation molecules developed in the 1960 s to third generation vectorized PS with improved affinity for tumor cells. Many clinical applications in dermatology, ophthalmology, urology, gastroenterology, gynecology, neurosurgery and pneumology reported encouraging results in human tumor management. Read More

Gynecol Oncol Rep 2021 Aug 19;37:100789. Epub 2021 May 19.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for health care super-utilization among gynecologic oncology patients at a single academic hospital. A retrospective cohort study of gynecologic oncology patients with an index unplanned encounter between January and December 2018 was performed. Super-utilizers were defined as patients with 3 or more unplanned hospital encounters during a 12-month period starting at the time of the index unplanned encounter. Read More

Front Oncol 2021 20;11:651693. Epub 2021 May 20.

Department of Anesthesiology, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy and radiotherapy are the main first-line treatment strategies for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Unfortunately, resistance is a major obstacle in the clinical management of NPC patients. We prove that the expression level of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is dramatically increased in resistant NPC cells than that in sensitive cells. Read More

Mol Clin Oncol 2021 Jul 23;15(1):142. Epub 2021 May 23.

Department of Radiation Oncology, Juntendo University Faculty of Medicine, Bunkyo, Tokyo 113-8421, Japan.

The purpose of the present study was to analyze the feasibility and safety of radiosensitization using hydrogen peroxide for cervical cancer. In superficial tumors, breast cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, the safety and effectiveness of radiosensitization has been reported; to the best of our knowledge, however, there are no reports on cervical cancer. A total of 20 patients with cervical cancer were recruited. Read More

Int J Gen Med 2021 28;14:2137-2145. Epub 2021 May 28.

Department of Neurosurgery, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, People's Republic of China.

Purpose: World Health Organization (WHO) Grades II and III gliomas [also known as low grade gliomas (LGGs)] displayed different malignant behaviors and survival outcomes compared to Grade IV gliomas. This study aimed to identify the prognostic predictive value of a novel cumulative prognostic score [combined with fibrinogen and albumin levels (FA score)], establish and validate a point-based nomogram in LGG patients.

Patients And Methods: A total of 91 patients who underwent total glioma resection at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University between 2011 and 2013 were enrolled to establish a prognostic nomogram. Read More

BMC Womens Health 2021 06 7;21(1):237. Epub 2021 Jun 7.

Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hadassah Medical Organization and Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.

Background: Colorectal cancer is a condition which is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to assess urinary dysfunction and its effect on quality of life in women who underwent total mesorectal excision compared to women treated by partial mesorectal excision for treatment of rectal cancer.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study at a tertiary university hospital between January 2014 and December 2019. Read More

Cell Death Discov 2021 Jun 5;7(1):136. Epub 2021 Jun 5.

Department of Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, 250021, Jinan, Shandong, China.

The mortality rate of ovarian cancer (OC) remains the highest among all gynecological malignancies. Platinum-based chemotherapies are effective in treating most OC cases. However, chemoresistance is still a major challenge for successful OC treatments. Read More

BMC Cancer 2021 Jun 5;21(1):667. Epub 2021 Jun 5.

Vali-e-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most common malignancies among women. Appropriate and timely treatment of these patients can reduce the complications and increase their survival. The objective of this study was to compare neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus radical hysterectomy (NACTRH) and chemo-radiotherapy (CRT) in patients with bulky cervical cancer (stage IB3 & IIA2). Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 Jun;100(22):e25863

Unit of Surgical Gynecol Oncology.

Rationale: Endometrial cancer (EC) is the most common gynecological malignancy in developed countries. It is usually diagnosed at early-stage and presents a favorable prognosis. Conversely, advanced or recurrent disease shows poor outcome. Read More

Cancer Rep (Hoboken) 2021 Jun 4:e1431. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University Hospital Aachen, Aachen, Germany.

Background: Hormone Receptor (HR)-discordance between primary breast cancer and metastasis is a known biological phenomenon. Discordance studies usually comprise a heterogeneous group of HR-positive and negative patients and allow for the comparison of changes in HR-status from the primary to the recurrent disease. However, in a clinical setting, the rate of estrogen receptor-conversion following endocrine therapy with agents such as Tamoxifen (TAM) in estrogen receptor-positive cancers is of primary interest as opposed to total receptor discordance. Read More

Int J Clin Oncol 2021 Jun 4. Epub 2021 Jun 4.

Department of Pharmacy, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

Background: Radiation-based therapy is widely used for advanced cervical cancer. Prior radiation-based therapy is a potential risk factor for febrile neutropenia (FN). However, the effect of irradiation field size on the incidence of FN during recurrent cervical cancer treatment is unclear. Read More

J Gynecol Oncol 2021 Jul;32(4):e64

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kansai Rosai Hospital, Amagasaki, Japan.

Objective: To determine the safety and efficacy of dose-dense (dd) paclitaxel (PTX) and carboplatin (CBDCA) in treating advanced or recurrent endometrial cancer.

Methods: Women aged 20-75 years with histologically confirmed endometrial cancer, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage III disease with some residual tumor, FIGO stage IV disease, recurrence after front-line curative treatment, or recurrence after second-line chemotherapy or radiotherapy were enrolled in this study. PTX (80 mg/m²) was administered intravenously (IV) to every participant on days 1, 8, and 15, and CBDCA (area under the curve of 5) was administered IV on day 1 once every 3 weeks until the disease progressed, unacceptable adverse events occurred, or consent was withdrawn. Read More