Cardiovascular and Thromboembolic Events in Patients With Localized Prostate Cancer Receiving Intensified Neoadjuvant Androgen Deprivation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Several phase II trials have investigated neoadjuvant novel androgen receptor signaling inhibitors (ARSIs) in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) followed by radical prostatectomy (RP) in prostate cancer (PC) patients. However, data regarding complications of intense hormone therapy and surgical complications are scarce. Our objective was to evaluate the occurrence of cardiovascular (CV) and thromboembolic (TE) adverse events (AE) in patients with localized PC who have received intense neoadjuvant ADT followed by prostatectomy. A comprehensive search in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus and conference abstracts was performed. The strategies were developed and applied for each electronic database on March 7th, 2023. Eligible studies included randomized and single-arm trials testing ARSIs prior to prostatectomy that adequately reported safety data regarding CV and TE AE, peri-operative complications, and mortality during therapy. Pooled incidence (PI) of AE with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was estimated using a random effects model. Quality assessment and reporting followed Cochrane Collaboration Handbook and PRISMA guidelines. PROSPERO: CRD42022344104. Nine randomized controlled trials and three single-arm phase II trials were included, comprising 702 patients (702 patients for CV AE and 522 for perioperative complications). The neoadjuvant regimen was classified as monotherapy with ARSI (100 patients), combination therapy with ADT + ARSI (383 patients), or ADT + ARSI + ARSI (219 patients). The PI of TE within the perioperative interval was 4.2% (95% CI = 2.6%-6.6%, I2 = 0.0%, P = .65), and the PI for CV AE was 4.6% (95% CI = 3.1%-6.7%, I2 = 0.0%, P = .71). Seven deaths were reported, resulting in a PI of 2.2% (95% CI = 1.3%-3.8%, I2 = 0.0%, P = .99), of which two were considered treatment-related and occurred within the perioperative period. The PI of hypertension grade 3-5 was 7.3% (95% CI = 4.8%-11.0%, I2 = 38.8%, P = .04). CV and TE AE associated with intense neoadjuvant hormone therapy in patients with localized PC can occur in up to 4.6% of cases. Our data warns for further assessment of thrombotic risk and prophylactic anticoagulation in this setting.

Survival and Response Outcomes for Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumor (GEP-NETs) Patients Treated with Lutetium-177-DOTATATE in a Brazilian Reference Center: A Six-Year Follow-Up Experience.

BACKGROUND: PRRT can be an option for all-grade GEP-NETs, but selecting patients is challenging. In this scenario, clinical-pathological and radiological characteristics, such as pre-treatment Ga-68 DOTA PET/CT, might have the potential to help. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on advanced GEP-NETs treated with at least one PRRT dose. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Krenning Score (KS), and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were derived from the pre-treatment scans. A maximally selected rank statistics test was used for SUVmax simple cut point estimate. RESULTS: Among 36 patients, 19 had primary pancreatic tumors. The numbers of G1, G2, and G3 tumors were 10, 18, and 7, respectively. During a median follow-up of 90.5 months, 4 patients died. Median OS was not reached for G1 and G2 tumors, and it was 30 months for G3 (p = 0.001). Median PFS was 23 months, with G3 showing lower PFS compared to G1 [7 versus 30 months; HR 8.41 (95%CI 2.2-31.0; p = 0.001)]. CONCLUSIONS: PRRT provides long-term PFS in patients with G1/G2 GEP-NETs independent of clinical characteristics and primary site. G3 has worse survival, but selected patients may experience long OS after PRRT treatment.

Cardiovascular toxicity following immune checkpoint inhibitors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors may be associated with multiple immune-related toxicities. Cardiovascular adverse effects are underreported in clinical trials. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate cardiovascular adverse effects incidence among patients with solid tumors receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors in randomized clinical trials and the relative risk of presenting these effects compared to placebo or best supportive care. The search was conducted through MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases from January 1st, 2010 until July 1st, 2020. Outcomes were reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: 57 randomized clinical trials including 12,118 patients were included. All grade CV AEs incidence rate was 8.32% (95% CI = 6.35%-10.53%). When only grade 3-5 CV AEs were considered, ICIs were significantly associated with increased risk than placebo or BSC (RR = 1.36; 95% CI = 1.06-1.73; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis corroborates the hypothesis of increased CV risk related to immune checkpoint inhibitors.