Support Through Remote Observation and Nutrition Guidance (STRONG), a digital health intervention to reduce malnutrition among pancreatic cancer patients: A study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Background: Malnutrition is a common and distressing condition among pancreatic cancer patients. Fewer than a quarter of pancreatic cancer patients receive medical nutrition therapy (MNT), important for improving nutritional status, weight maintenance, quality of life and survival. System, provider, and patient level barriers limit access to MNT. We propose to examine the feasibility of a 12-week multi-level, digital health intervention designed to expand MNT access among pancreatic cancer patients. Methods: Individuals with advanced pancreatic cancer starting chemotherapy (N = 80) will be 1:1 randomized to the intervention or usual care. The Support Through Remote Observation and Nutrition Guidance (STRONG) intervention includes system-level (e.g., routine malnutrition and screening), provider-level (e.g., dietitian training and web-based dashboard), and patient-level strategies (e.g., individualized nutrition plan, self-monitoring of dietary intake via Fitbit, ongoing goal monitoring and feedback). Individuals receiving usual care will be referred to dietitians based on their oncologists' discretion. Study assessments will be completed at baseline, 4-, 8-, 12-, and 16-weeks. Results: Primary outcomes will be feasibility (e.g., recruitment, retention, assessment completion) and acceptability. We will collect additional implementation outcomes, such as intervention adherence, perceived usability, and feedback on intervention quality via an exit interview. We will collect preliminary data on outcomes that may be associated with the intervention including malnutrition, quality of life, treatment outcomes, and survival. Conclusion: This study will advance our knowledge on the feasibility of a digital health intervention to reduce malnutrition among individuals with advanced pancreatic cancer. Trial registration: NCT05675059, registered on December 9, 2022.

Complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy treated with anticomplement protein 5 therapy, a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy (CM-TMA), also called atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), is a difficult-to-diagnose rare disease that carries severe morbidity and mortality. Anti-C5 monoclonal antibodies (aC5-mab) are standard treatments, but large studies and long-term data are scarce. Here, we report our single institution experience to augment the knowledge of CM-TMA treated with aC5-mab therapy. METHODS: We aimed to assess the short and long-term effects of aC5-mab in patients diagnosed with CM-TMA treated outside of a clinical trial. This was a retrospective study. We included all patients diagnosed with CM-TMA and treated with aC5-mab at our institution. There were no exclusion criteria. Endpoints included complete TMA response (CR) defined as normalization of hematological parameters and ≥25% improvement in serum creatinine (Cr) from baseline in patients with renal disease, relapse defined as losing the previously achieved CR, morbidity, adverse events, and survival. RESULTS: We found 28 patients with CM-TMA treated with aC5-mab. The median age was 50 years. Baseline laboratories: platelet counts 93 × 109 /L, hemoglobin 8.6 g/dL, lactate dehydrogenase 1326 U/L, serum Cr 4.7 mg/dL, and estimated glomerular filtration rate 19 mL/min. One individual was on renal replacement therapy (RRT) and 10 initiated RRT within 5 days of the first dose of aC5-mab. Genetic variants associated with CM-TMA included mutations in C3, CFB, CFH, CFHR1/3, CFI, and MCP. The mean duration of hospitalization was 24 days. The median time to initiation of aC5-mab was 10 days. Sixteen subjects received RRT. At the time of hospital discharge, 27 were alive, 14 remained on RRT, and 4 had a CR. At 6 months, 23 patients were alive, 18 continued aC5-mab, 8 remained on RRT, and 9 had a CR. At the last follow-up visit past 6 months, 20 were alive, 14 continued aC5-mab, 5 remained on RRT, 12 had a CR, and 1 was lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides real-world experience and insight into the long-term outcomes of CM-TMA treated with aC5-mab. Our findings validate that CM-TMA is an aggressive disease with significant morbidity and mortality, and confirm that aC5-mab is a relatively effective therapy for CM-TMA. Our study adds practical, real-world experience to the literature, but future research remains imperative.

Enhanced Efficacy of Chemotherapy by Addition of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Stage IV Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Lung: A Real-World Analysis.

Background: Large Cell Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (LCNEC) is a high-grade malignancy with limited treatment options. Despite promising results of immunotherapy in non-small cell and small cell lung cancers, its benefit in LCNEC remains elusive. Methods: We included 24 patients diagnosed with stage IV LCNEC from the Moffitt Cancer Center database who received systemic therapy between January 2016 and May 2021. Group A comprised patients who received first-line CT and ICI (anti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 therapy for ICI, n = 11), and Group B received first-line CT only (n = 13). The collected data encompassed overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), and toxicities since treatment initiation. Results: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed median OS was 56 weeks (95%CI = 22.2-89.8) and 28 weeks (95% CI=16.3-39.7) in groups A and B, respectively. Log-rank test showed the difference was statistically significant (p=0.029). Median PFS was 32 weeks (95%CI=14.7-49.3) in group A and 20 weeks (95% CI=13.8-26.2) in groups B, but the difference was not statistically significant (p= 0.136). Univariate Cox analysis confirmed that the addition of ICI to CT significantly improved OS in patients with stage IV LCNEC (HR=0.35, 95% CI=0.13-0.95, p = 0.039). The ORR (63.6% vs 45.4%, p= 0.670) and DCR (81.8% vs 63.6%, p= 0.635) tended to be higher in group A than in group B but the difference was not statistically significant. Importantly, the combined treatment demonstrated a satisfactory safety profile, with only two patients reporting grade 2 or higher adverse events. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the combination of immunotherapy with chemotherapy holds potential for improving outcomes in stage IV LCNEC. Despite the retrospective nature and limited sample size of our study, these preliminary findings provide a valuable insight into the potential of immunotherapy in LCNEC treatment and encourage further research through larger, prospective trials.

Anticoagulation With Platelet Transfusions for Acute Limb Ischemia With Severe Thrombocytopenia.

Acute limb ischemia (ALI) is a medical and surgical emergency, and the mainstays of treatment are therapeutic anticoagulation and surgery. These interventions require adequate platelet count and functionality. Anticoagulation and surgery can be complicated in thrombocytopenic patients and require interdisciplinary management for optimal outcomes, as literature is limited in this population. We present a case of a patient with severe thrombocytopenia who developed limb ischemia from cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT). We propose a management strategy for anticoagulation and perioperative platelet transfusion, with successful revascularization without adverse bleeding events. While successful, more data is required to investigate long-term outcomes.

Insights into the Impact of Hesitancy on Cancer Care and COVID-19.

World Health Organization findings indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected cancer diagnosis and management. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the optimal management of outpatient appointments, scheduled treatments, and hospitalizations for cancer patients because of hesitancy among patients and health-care providers. Travel restrictions and other factors likely affected medical, surgical, and radiation treatments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Cancer patients were more likely to be affected by severe illness and complications if they contracted COVID-19. A compromised immune system and comorbidities in cancer patients may have contributed to this increased risk. Hesitancy or reluctance to receive appropriate therapy or vaccination advice might have played a major role for cancer patients, resulting in health-care deficits. The purpose of this review is to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on screening, entry into clinical trials, and hesitancy among patients and health-care professionals, limiting adjuvant and metastatic cancer treatment.

Association of Age With Treatment-Related Adverse Events and Survival in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer.

Importance: While the incidence of early-onset metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has been increasing, studies on the age-related disparity in this group of patients are limited. Objective: To evaluate the association of age with treatment-related adverse events and survival in patients with mCRC and explore the potential underlying factors. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study included 1959 individuals. Individual data on 1223 patients with mCRC who received first-line fluorouracil and oxaliplatin therapy in 3 clinical trials, and clinical and genomic data of 736 patients with mCRC from Moffitt Cancer Center were used to assess genomic alterations and serve as an external validation cohort. All statistical analyses were conducted from October 1, 2021, through November 12, 2022. Exposures: Metastatic colorectal cancer. Main Outcomes and Measures: Survival outcomes and treatment-related adverse events were compared among patients in 3 age groups: younger than 50 (early onset), 50 to 65, and older than 65 years. Results: In the total population of 1959 individuals, 1145 (58.4%) were men. Among 1223 patients from previous clinical trials, 179 (14.6%) in the younger than 50 years group, 582 (47.6%) in the 50 to 65 years group, and 462 (37.8%) in the older than 65 years group had similar baseline characteristics except for sex and race. The younger than 50 years group had significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio [HR], 1.46; 95% CI, 1.22-1.76; P < .001) and overall survival (OS) (HR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.19-1.84; P < .001) compared with the 50 to 65 years group after adjustment for sex, race, and performance status. Significantly shorter OS in the younger than 50 years group was confirmed in the Moffitt cohort. The younger than 50 years group had a significantly higher incidence of nausea and vomiting (69.3% vs 57.6% [50-65 years] vs 60.4% [>65 years]; P = .02), severe abdominal pain (8.4% vs 3.4% vs 3.5%; P = .02), severe anemia (6.1% vs 1.0% vs 1.5%; P < .001), and severe rash (2.8% vs 1.2% vs 0.4% P = .047). The younger than 50 years group also had earlier onset of nausea and vomiting (1.0 vs 2.1 vs 2.6 weeks; P = .01), mucositis (3.6 vs 5.1 vs 5.7 weeks; P = .05), and neutropenia (8.0 vs 9.4 vs 8.4 weeks; P = .04), and shorter duration of mucositis (0.6 vs 0.9 vs 1.0 weeks; P = .006). In the younger than 50 years group, severe abdominal pain and severe liver toxic effects were associated with shorter survival. The Moffitt genomic data showed that the younger than 50 years group had a higher prevalence of CTNNB1 mutation (6.6% vs 3.1% vs 2.3%; P = .047), ERBB2 amplification (5.1% vs 0.6% vs 2.3%; P = .005), and CREBBP mutation (3.1% vs 0.9% vs 0.5%; P = .05), but lower prevalence of BRAF mutation (7.7% vs 8.5% vs 16.7%; P = .002). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of 1959 patients, those with early-onset mCRC showed worse survival outcomes and unique adverse event patterns, which could be partially attributed to distinct genomic profiles. These findings may inform individualized management approaches in patients with early-onset mCRC.

Primary immune thrombocytopenia: a 'diagnosis of exclusion'?

Current diagnosis of primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is presumptive, centered on excluding other causes of thrombocytopenia. The diagnosis of ITP is challenging because of the wide range of potential inherited and acquired causes of thrombocytopenia. The treatment of ITP is empiric with steroids, high-dose immunoglobulin, immunosuppressants and thrombopoietin agonists with potential side effects. We searched Medline and Cochrane databases, reviewed the study data and analyzed the individual diagnostic tests for their evidence-based role in the diagnosis of ITP. We then analyzed the strength of the scientific evidence for each diagnostic test in the diagnosis of ITP and identified gaps in the diagnostic accuracy. The diagnostic challenges in ITP include: insufficient evidence for the individual test for diagnosis of ITP, no standardized protocol/guideline for diagnosis, hurdles in accessing the available resources and failure to correlate the clinical data while reviewing the blood smear. We did not identify a diagnostic test that clinicians can use to confirm the diagnosis of ITP. In the absence of a diagnostic test of proven value in ITP, the clinician is best served by a comprehensive history and physical examination, complete blood count and review of the peripheral blood smear in evaluating thrombocytopenia.

Cardiac Transthyretin Amyloidosis: Hidden in Plain Sight.

Amyloidosis is an underappreciated medical condition with symptoms camouflaging as common medical comorbidities leading to its underdiagnosis due to its systemic involvement. Despite common misconceptions, amyloidosis and its systemic comorbidities are more prevalent and treatable than previously acknowledged by the medical community. There are two major forms of amyloidosis: amyloid light-chain and transthyretin amyloidosis. Each of these have a distinct pathophysiology, diagnostic work-up, treatment, and prognosis. The patient described in this study was diagnosed with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis months after presenting with heart failure of unknown etiology. Usually, clinicians presume that heart failure results from common comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Here, the correct etiology was transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis. The patient had five admissions for heart failure symptoms prior to a physician identifying the etiology as cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis. After initiating the transthyretin stabilizer tafamidis, the patient did not experience another heart failure exacerbation. This vignette provides an example of the clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, and treatment of a patient with cardiac transthyretin amyloidosis. The review of the literature focuses on the epidemiology, and clinical symptoms that should prompt an evaluation for cardiac amyloidosis as well as the diagnostic and therapeutic options are available. Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis is a rare and underdiagnosed disease, while heart failure is a highly prevalent condition. This clinical vignette seeks to provide education and awareness to an overlooked medical disorder.

Post Approval Experience with Caplacizumab for Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura at a Single Institution.

Caplacizumab prevents platelet adhesion and has been approved for acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP). This study was retrospective, including all patients diagnosed with aTTP and treated with caplacizumab since commercial availability in 2019 until 28 February 2021 at a single academic hospital with no exclusion criteria. Results used definitions for outcomes in aTTP from the International Working Group Consensus. Ten patients with aTTP received caplacizumab. The median age was 52 years. Six (60%) patients had refractory aTTP while 4 (40%) had newly diagnosed aTTP. The median laboratory values prior to therapy demonstrated: platelet count (PC) 29/uL, LDH 518 U/L (182-1850), ADAMTS13 activity 3% and ADAMTS13 inhibitor 1.4 BU. Everyone received glucocorticoids, rituximab, therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and caplacizumab. The median number of TPE was 12 days. Caplacizumab was started at a median of 5 days after the first TPE and the median treatment duration was 31 days. Normalization of PC, LDH and ADAMTS13 activity in days were 5, 3.5, and 32.5, respectively. Six (60%) patients achieved complete response, 3 (30%) had refractory disease and 1 (10%) had relapsed aTTP. No subject suffered abnormal bleeding, or thrombotic event. There were no deaths. Caplacizumab with TPE, glucocorticoids and rituximab was a safe and effective therapy for aTTP.

A Novel Case of Leflunomide-Induced Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura.

Leflunomide has not been previously associated with thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a rare life-threatening clinical syndrome characterized by thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) due to inability to cleave ADAMTS13. Here, we present the first case of leflunomide-induced TTP. Our patient developed encephalopathy, thrombocytopenia, anemia and hyperbilirubinemia 2 months after starting leflunomide. Schistocytes were noted on peripheral smear and ADAMTS13 activity was low (< 5%), consistent with acquired TTP. He received therapeutic plasma exchange, corticosteroids, rituximab and caplacizumab with normalization of hemolysis labs and ADAMTS13 activity. However, pancytopenia persisted, raising the suspicion for leflunomide toxicity. Oral cholestyramine treatment was empirically started before teriflunomide (a leflunomide metabolite) level was found to be elevated. Blood counts normalized after cholestyramine and have remained normal at last follow-up over a year later. This is the first reported case of TTP precipitated by leflunomide. Our case highlights the importance of recognizing drugs as an etiology of TMA and adds leflunomide to this list.

A phase I/II study of docetaxel in combination with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Taxanes and anthracyclines have been among the best-studied chemotherapy classes in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Docetaxel (D) 75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks has been the standard first line chemotherapy for CRPC. Encapsulation of doxorubicin in polyethylene glycol-coated liposomes (PLD) was developed to enhance the safety and efficacy of conventional doxorubicin. We hypothesize that the combination of weekly low dose-D and PLD would result in a high response rate and low toxicity. Eligibility criteria included metastatic progressive CRPC, no prior D or PLD and good organ function. After a short phase I with no dose-limiting toxicity, D 30 mg/m2 was administered on days 1, 8 and 15; and PLD 30 mg/m2 on day 1 only, every 28 days. Thirty-seven patients were enrolled. The PSA response rate was 53%. Twenty-two subjects had measurable disease; one (5%) achieved complete response, five (23%) partial response, and twelve (54%) stable disease. Twenty-seven patients (73%) manifested pain relief. The median time to progression was 3.7 months for all patients and 7.9 months for responders. Median overall survival was 16.3 months. Grade 4 neutropenia without infection and anemia occurred in 1 patient each. Grade 3 treatment-related toxicities included: 15% fatigue; 9% neutropenia, anemia and nausea; 6% dehydration and hand-foot syndrome; and 3% infection, febrile neutropenia, thrombosis, stomatitis, headache, vomiting, weight loss and weakness. In this non-comparative study D-PLD demonstrated a higher activity than previously reported with single agent D with favorable side effect profile. A phase 3 study would be needed to evaluate the true benefit of this combination.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00456989.

Phase 2 Study of Cyclophosphamide, Etoposide, and Estramustine in Patients With Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

BACKGROUND: There are no effective chemotherapies for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) whose disease has failed to respond to taxanes or patients who do not wish to receive intravenous drugs. We hypothesized that low doses of multiple medications with prolonged exposure would result in a high response rate and low toxicity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with mCRPC were eligible for this phase 2 trial. The primary endpoint was a prostate-specific antigen decrease of more than 50%. CEE consisted of cyclophosphamide (50 mg/m2), etoposide (50 mg/m2), and estramustine 280 mg provided orally once a day for 14-day cycles every 28 days. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were enrolled and included in all evaluations. The prostate-specific antigen response rate was 46% in all patients, 53% in chemotherapy-naive subjects, and 31% after docetaxel chemotherapy. Thirty subjects had measurable lesions, 1 (3%) had complete response, 2 (7%) partial response, and 22 (73%) stable disease, for a clinical benefit of 83%. Sixty percent experienced an improvement in their performance status, and 65% reported improvement in their pain. The median overall survival was 18.6 months in all patients, 20.4 months in chemotherapy-naive patients and 11.3 months in patients whose disease progressed while receiving docetaxel therapy. Grade 3/4 treatment-related toxicities included 20% neutropenia, 10% thrombocytopenia, 10% deep-vein thrombosis, 8% anemia, 8% fatigue, 4% death, and 2% anorexia and stomatitis. CONCLUSION: CEE was an all-oral, easy-to-administer, and effective triple-drug therapy for patients with mCRPC.

Metastatic Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma with DNA Sequencing Results and Response to Systemic Antineoplastic Chemotherapy.

Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC) is a rare cutaneous malignancy. Due to its rarity, the molecular characteristics and treatment for metastatic MAC remain undefined. Here we present, as far as we are aware, the first case of metastatic MAC with DNA sequencing results indicating a mutation in TP53 and chromosomal losses in cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) and cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2B (CDKN2B). In addition, this is the first case of metastatic MAC with a documented objective response to systemic antineoplastic chemotherapy (carboplatin and paclitaxel) confirmed by positron emission tomography/computed tomography. Our case increases the very limited medical knowledge of this rare disease.

Nivolumab as salvage treatment in a patient with HIV-related relapsed/refractory Hodgkin lymphoma and liver failure with encephalopathy.

BACKGROUND: We report the first case to our knowledge of a patient with relapsed/refractory classical hodgkin lymphoma and liver failure with encephalopathy along with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome infection, successfully treated with nivolumab without major side effects and encouraging prolonged disease control. CASE PRESENTATION: In December 2015, at the time of the patient's progression from his Hodgkin lymphoma after fourth line treatment, he developed persistent fevers, abdominal distension, jaundice and worsening of his liver function tests. Magnetic resonance imaging of abdomen/pelvis demonstrated hepatomegaly with innumerable new liver lesions, splenomegaly with multiple splenic nodules and several new mediastinal, intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy. In accordance with the patient's wishes before admission, and after agreement with the family, nivolumab (3 mg/kg every 2 weeks) was given. Of note, antiretroviral therapy was on hold due to liver function tests, his viral load was undectable and cluster of differentiation 4 counts were 103/uL at the time of nivolumab administration. One week after the first dose of nivolumab both his hepatic encephalopathy and constitutional symptoms started to improve, and after 2 doses, (January 2016) his LFTs were almost back to normal. After 5 months of nivolumab treatment (10 doses), restaging (computerized tomography scans of neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis) done on May 2016 showed resolution of hepatosplenomegaly with two residual small hepatic lesions, heterogeneous spleen with no splenic lesions, and stable non-enlarged retroperitoneal lymph nodes without intraabdominal lymphadenopathy; consistent with partial response. CONCLUSIONS: We report a case of a patient with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome -related relapsed/refractory classical Hodgkin lymphoma and acute liver failure with encephalopathy successfully treated with nivolumab after failing all standard therapeutic options. Unlike classic cytotoxic chemotherapy, which relies on preserved organ function to ameliorate potential severe side effects (i.e. myelosuppression), elimination of monoclonal antibodies is fairly independent of baseline renal and hepatic function since they are usually metabolized by circulating phagocytes and/or by their target antigen-expressing cell.

A phase II trial of AS1411 (a novel nucleolin-targeted DNA aptamer) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: DNA aptamers represent a novel strategy in anti-cancer medicine. AS1411, a DNA aptamer targeting nucleolin (a protein which is overexpressed in many tumor types), was evaluated in patients with metastatic, clear-cell, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) who had failed treatment with ≥1 prior tyrosine kinase inhibitor. METHODS: In this phase II, single-arm study, AS1411 was administered at 40 mg/kg/day by continuous intravenous infusion on days 1-4 of a 28-day cycle, for two cycles. Primary endpoint was overall response rate; progression-free survival (PFS) and safety were secondary endpoints. RESULTS: 35 patients were enrolled and treated. One patient (2.9 %) had a response to treatment. The response was dramatic (84 % reduction in tumor burden by RECIST 1.0 criteria) and durable (patient remains free of progression 2 years after completing therapy). Whole exome sequencing of this patient's tumor revealed missense mutations in the mTOR and FGFR2 genes which is of interest because nucleolin is known to upregulate mTOR pathway activity by enhancing AKT1 mRNA translation. No other responses were seen. Thirty-four percent of patients had an AS1411-related adverse event, all of which were mild or moderate. CONCLUSIONS: AS1411 appears to have minimal activity in unselected patients with metastatic RCC. However, rare, dramatic and durable responses can be observed and toxicity is low. One patient in this study had an excellent response and was found to have FGFR2 and mTOR mutations which will be of interest in future efforts to discover and validate predictive biomarkers of response to nucleolin targeted compounds. DNA aptamers represent a novel way to target cancer cells at a molecular level and continue to be developed with a view to improving treatment and imaging in cancer medicine.

Spontaneous complete regression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

In medical terminology, spontaneous regression of cancer refers to exceptional and unexplained partial or complete disappearance of cancer without medical intervention. This phenomenon has been described in various malignancies with no well established causative factors, except perhaps immune mediated. Here we present a rare case of hepatocellular carcinoma with possible metastasis to the lung by computed tomography with complete regression of both the primary tumor and the pulmonary nodules without medical intervention. Our patient may represent the first case of complete regression of the HCC with possible lung metastasis by computed tomography caused by abstinence from alcohol. This phenomenon was confirmed by surgical resection and pathologic evaluation.

Fixed-dose every-other-week capecitabine and oxaliplatin for refractory squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

AIMS: To maximize the palliative benefits of capecitabine and oxaliplatin for patients with refractory squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). METHODS: Patients received fixed-dose capecitabine (1500 mg orally twice a day) on days 1 to 7 and oxaliplatin (85 mg/m) days 1 and 14. RESULTS: Fifteen patients with refractory SCCHN were enrolled. All patients had relapsed after surgery and had failed radiation therapy. Eighty-seven percent (13) had progressed after chemotherapy. The most common toxicities were grades 1 or 2 fatigue and anemia. There was a 13% partial response rate and 33% stable disease rate for a clinical benefit of 46% by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Fixed-dose capecitabine and oxaliplatin combination on an every-other-week schedule showed activity in refractory SCCHN. The simplicity and toxicity profile of this regimen compares favorably with other commonly used chemotherapies and should be tested in larger studies.

The role of human papilloma virus in lung cancer: a review of the evidence.

Papillomaviruses are small nonenveloped DNA viruses that infect squamous epithelial cells. These viruses have been found in many organisms. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) give rise to a large spectrum of epithelial lesions, mainly benign hyperplasia (eg, warts and papillomas) with low malignant potential. There is a subgroup of HPV, the "high-risk" HPV, which is associated with precancerous and cancerous lesions. A small fraction of people infected with high-risk HPV will develop cancers that usually arise many years after the initial infection (Psyrri and Dimaio, Nat Clin Pract Oncol. 2008;5:24-31). Nonsmall cell lung cancer is a heterogeneous disease. The most common histologic subtypes include squamous cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and large cell carcinoma. Despite different histologies, nonsmall cell lung cancers are often classified together because of similarities in approach and management of the disease. In this article, we reviewed the current literature on lung cancer and HPV. On the basis of this data, we suggested a possible mechanism of carcinogenesis induced by HPV.