Pretreatment neutrophil?to?lymphocyte ratio predicts lymph node metastasis in triple?negative breast cancer

Background: The purpose of the study was to investigate the value of pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a prognostic marker in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and to see its bearing on the clinical and pathological stage of the disease. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of cases of TNBC treated at our center from 2006 to 2013. The pretreatment complete blood count was recorded from which the NLR was calculated as the percentage of neutrophils divided by the percentage of lymphocytes. The association between pretreatment NLR with the stage of the disease, clinical and pathological lymph node status, and disease-specific survival was analyzed. Results: A total of 208 patients were eligible for the analysis. The median follow-up period was 48 months. The NLR was found to have a strong correlation with the pathological nodal status and the clinical stage (75% cases node-positive in the high NLR group versus 36% in the low NLR group; P < 0.01). At the time of analysis, 74% of our study population was alive and well. There was no significant correlation between the NLR and the overall survival. Conclusions: Based on our study, we conclude that the pretreatment NLR is strongly associated with lymph node metastasis and clinical stage in TNBC patients. It is probably not useful as a prognostic marker, as it does not seem to have any significant bearing on the overall survival.

Relugolix: A Novel Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Antagonist for Prostate Cancer

Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is currently the mainstay of treatment for advanced prostate cancer. The peptide formulations of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists need to be given subcutaneously every month. This led to the development of an oral, nonpeptide GnRH antagonist formulation relugolix which promptly lowers the levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicular-stimulating hormone. On December 18, 2020, the US Food and Drug Administration approved relugolix for the treatment of adult advanced prostate cancer. The recommended loading dose of 360 mg on the 1st day of treatment, followed by 120 mg once daily orally, approximately the same time each day. The maximum plasma concentration (Tmax) is obtained within 2.25 h and is metabolized to a major extent by CYP3A mediated mechanism. Hot flushes, musculoskeletal pain, and fatigue are some of its common adverse effects. High rates of testosterone suppression with a limited adverse event profile make it an ideal therapy for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancers in older patients: Outcomes and their determinants

INTRODUCTION: Meta-analyses have shown concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) provides no survival benefit over radiotherapy in patients of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) aged over 70 years. This study was performed to determine the adverse-effect profile, compliance, functional and oncological outcomes in patients of HNSCC over 70 years of age treated with CCRT. MATERIALS AND Methods: Retrospective analysis of stage III/IV HNSCC in patients above 70 years of age who received CCRT at our institution (n = 57). Cox-proportional hazards regression model was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were 57 patients of stage III/IV HNSCC who underwent curative CCRT. 61% completed chemotherapy with no deaths and acceptable toxicity. The predictors of recurrence were poorer performance status (P = 0.031) and treatment breaks (P = 0.04). Tube dependence was associated with 2.7 times higher risk of mortality (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: CCRT should be considered standard of care in those over seventy with good performance status. Patients with tube dependence have a higher risk of persistent disease or treatment related mortality.

Prognostic significance of residual nodal burden using lymph node ratio in locally advanced breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic value of lymph node ratio (LNR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) according to breast cancer molecular subtypes. METHODS: From 2004 to 2014, patients with definitive surgery after NAC were identified. LNR was calculated for node positive patients who underwent axillary dissection and at least 10 nodes (LNT) were removed. Disease free and overall survivals were analysed using Kaplan-Meier test and compared using log rank test for ypN0-3, LNR categories (LNRC) ≤0.2 (low), 0.21-0.65 (intermediate), >0.65 (high), and single LNR cut-off value. RESULTS: Of 224 analysed patients: ypN0 72 (32.1%), ypN+ 152 (67.9%). Of 118 LNT ≥10 ypN+ patients LNRC: Low risk 48 (40.7%), intermediate risk 36 (30.5%), high risk 34 (28.8%). Factors significantly different in LNR categories were ypN (P < 0.001); extranodal extension (P < 0.001); present status of patients (P < 0.001); and disease status (P = 0.029). LNRC was inversely associated with 5-year DFS: Low 52.3%, intermediate 40%, and high 12.2% (log rank P < 0.001); and OS: Low 64.4%, intermediate 58.3%, and high 13.6% (log rank P < 0.001). Significant association of LNRC and DFS and OS were demonstrated in TNBC (P < 0.001) and HER2 subtypes (P = 0.045 and 0.005 respectively). A single value of LNR = 0.25 in node positive was found significant for DFS and OS in TNBC (P < 0.001) and Her2+ (P = 0.013 and P = 0.001 respectively) but not for HR+ (DFS: P = 0.132; OS: P = 0.144). CONCLUSION: Residual nodal disease after NAC analysed by LNRC or LNR = 0.25 cut-off value, is prognostic and can discriminate between favourable and unfavourable outcomes for TNBC and Her2+ breast cancers.