Influence of reminiscence therapy on mental health and quality of life in elderly patients with unresectable, metastatic gastrointestinal cancer.

Reminiscence therapy (RT) attenuates psychological disorders in cancer patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of RT on anxiety, depression, spiritual well-being, and quality of life in elderly patients with unresectable, metastatic gastrointestinal cancer. A total of 222 elderly patients with unresectable, metastatic gastrointestinal cancer were randomized into RT group (RT plus usual care, n=112) or control group (usual care, n=110) with a 6-month intervention. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for Anxiety (HADS-A) and Depression (HADS-D), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale (FACIT-Sp), and Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) were evaluated at month (M)0, M1, M3, and M6. Concerning the primary outcome, HADS-A score at M6 decreased in the RT group compared to the control group (P=0.005). As to secondary outcomes, the RT group showed decreased HADS-A scores at M3, anxiety rate at M3, HADS-D scores at M3 and M6, depression rate at M6, as well as greater FACIT-Sp scores at M1, M3, and M6 vs the control group (all P<0.050). Additionally, QLQ-C30 global health score was elevated at M1 (P=0.046) and M6 (P=0.005), functions score was greater at M6 (P=0.038), and symptoms score was lower at M3 (P=0.019) in the RT group than in the control group. Subgroup analysis revealed that the addition of RT was more effective for patients with anxiety or depression at baseline. In summary, RT alleviated anxiety and depression, and improved the spiritual well-being and quality of life within 6 months in elderly patients with unresectable, metastatic gastrointestinal cancer.

Activity Monitoring for Toxicity Detection and Management in Patients Undergoing Chemoradiation for Gastrointestinal Malignancies.

PURPOSE: Physical activity is associated with decreased hospitalization during cancer treatment. We hypothesize that activity data can help identify and triage high-risk patients with GI cancer undergoing concurrent chemoradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study randomly assigned patients to activity monitoring versus observation. In the intervention arm, a 20% decrease in daily steps or 20% increase in heart rate triggered triage visits to provide supportive care, medication changes, and escalation of care. In the observation group, activity data were recorded but not monitored. The primary objective was to show a 20% increase in triage visits in the intervention group. Secondary objectives were estimating the rates of emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were computed using logistic regression modeling. RESULTS: There were 22 patients in the intervention and 18 in the observation group. Baseline patient and treatment characteristics were similar. The primary objective was met, with 3.4 more triage visits in the intervention group than in the observation group (95% CI, 2.10 to 5.50; P < .0001). Twenty-six (65.0%) patients required at least one triage visit, with a higher rate in the intervention arm compared with that in the observation arm (86.4% v 38.9%; odds ratio, 9.95; 95% CI, 2.13 to 46.56; P = .004). There was no statistically significant difference in ED visit (9.1% v 22.2%; P = .38) or hospitalization (4.5% v 16.7%; P = .31). CONCLUSION: It is feasible to use activity data to trigger triage visits for symptom management. Further studies are investigating whether automated activity monitoring can assist with early outpatient management to decrease ED visits and hospitalizations.

Caracterización de paciente con tumores estromales gastrointestinales en Hospital Clínico-Quirúrgico "Arnaldo Milián Castro" / Characterization of Patients with Stromal Gastrointestinal Tumors in Arnaldo Milián Castro Clinical-Surgical Hospital

Introducción: El tumor estromal gastrointestinal es la neoplasia mesenquimal más frecuente en el tracto digestivo, su diagnóstico y tratamiento aun es controvertido por ser infrecuente. Objetivo: Caracterizar los pacientes con tumores estromales gastrointestinales atendidos en nuestro servicio. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo longitudinal en pacientes con tumores estromales gastrointestinales atendidos en el servicio de cirugía del Hospital Clínico-Quirúrgico "Arnaldo Milián Castro" desde 2015 hasta 2018. La muestra fue de 17 pacientes. Resultados: Predominaron los pacientes entre 60 y 69 años (35,3 por ciento) del sexo femenino (58,82 por ciento). El dolor abdominal como síntoma más frecuente (58,82 por ciento). El (47,1 por ciento) de los tumores midieron más de 10 cm, celularidad fusiforme (58,8 por ciento), índice mitótico menor de 5 (70,6 por ciento), sin patrón de crecimiento infiltrante (70,6 por ciento). La metástasis ausente en el (82,4 por ciento). Presente con igual frecuencia en estómago e intestino delgado (N = 8), fue igual la presencia de comportamiento agresivo bajo y alto (35,3 por ciento). Predominaron los marcadores CD.117 (41,2 por ciento) y CD.34 (35,3 por ciento). La recesión segmentaria de intestino delgado con anastomosis término-terminal fue la técnica quirúrgica más empleada (35,3 por ciento). Conclusiones: A pesar de ser mayormente grandes y encontrarse en porciones altas del tubo digestivo, muchos presentaron índice mitótico bajo, no obstante, un grupo considerable presentó comportamiento agresivo. Si bien es cierto que casi la totalidad de pacientes egresaron vivos, falta un seguimiento en el centro, lo cual resultaría interesante evaluar en futuros estudios(AU)

Introduction: Gastrointestinal stromal tumor is the most frequent mesenchymal neoplasm in the digestive tract, its diagnosis and treatment is still controversial because it is infrequent. Objective: To characterize the patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors treated in our service. Methods: A longitudinal descriptive observational study was carried out in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors treated in the surgery service of the "Arnaldo Milián Castro" Clinical-Surgical Hospital from 2015 to 2018. The sample consisted of 17 patients. Results: Female patients between 60 and 69 years old (35.3 percent) predominated (58.82 percent). Abdominal pain as the most frequent symptom (58.82 percent). Tumors (47.1 percent) measured more than 10 cm, spindle cell cellularity (58.8 percent), mitotic index less than 5 (70.6 percent), and no infiltrative growth pattern (70.6 percent). Metastasis absent in (82.4 percent). Present with equal frequency in the stomach and small intestine (N = 8), the presence of low and high aggressive behavior (35.3 percent) was the same. The markers CD.117 (41.2 percent) and CD.34 (35.3 percent) predominated. Segmental recession of the small intestine with end-to-end anastomosis was the most widely used surgical technique (35.3 percent). Conclusions: Despite being mostly large and found in high portions of the digestive tract, many presented a low mitotic index, however, a considerable group presented aggressive behavior. Although it is true that almost all the patients were discharged alive, there is a lack of follow-up at the center, which would be interesting to evaluate in future studies(AU)

Peripheral blood T-cell receptor repertoire as a predictor of clinical outcomes in gastrointestinal cancer patients treated with PD-1 inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: Identifying valid biomarkers for patient selection impressively promotes the success of anti-PD-1 therapy. However, the unmet need for biomarkers in gastrointestinal (GI) cancers remains significant. We aimed to explore the predictive value of the circulating T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire for clinical outcomes in GI cancers who received anti-PD-1 therapy. METHODS: 137 pre- and 79 post-treated peripheral blood samples were included. The TCR repertoire was evaluated by sequencing of complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) in the TRB gene. The Shannon index was used to measure the diversity of the TCR repertoire, and Morisita's overlap index was used to determine TCR repertoire similarities between pre- and post-treated samples. RESULTS: Among all enrolled patients, 76 received anti-PD-1 monotherapy and 61 received anti-PD-1 combination therapy. In the anti-PD-1 monotherapy cohort, patients with higher baseline TCR diversity exhibited a significantly higher disease control rate (77.8% vs. 47.2%; hazard ratio [HR] 3.92; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-13.48; P = 0.030) and a longer progression-free survival (PFS) (median: 6.47 months vs. 2.77 months; HR 2.10; 95% CI 1.16-3.79; P = 0.014) and overall survival (OS) (median: NA vs. 8.97 months; HR 3.53; 95% CI 1.49-8.38; P = 0.004) than those with lower diversity. Moreover, patients with a higher TCR repertoire similarity still showed a superior PFS (4.43 months vs. 1.84 months; HR 13.98; 95% CI 4.37-44.68; P < 0.001) and OS (13.40 months vs. 6.12 months; HR 2.93; 95% CI 1.22-7.03; P = 0.016) even in the cohort with lower baseline diversity. However, neither biomarker showed predictive value in the anti-PD-1 combination therapy cohort. Interestingly, the combination of TCR diversity and PD-L1 expression can facilitate patient stratification in a pooled cohort. CONCLUSION: The circulating TCR repertoire can serve as a predictor of clinical outcomes in anti-PD-1 therapy in GI cancers.

Is There a Role for Locoregional Therapies for Non-colorectal Gastrointestinal Malignancies?

The liver is the most common site of metastases from solid gastrointestinal tract tumors. Over the past few decades, the role of locoregional therapies, resection and thermal ablation, for neuroendocrine and colorectal liver metastases has been widely studied. However, for liver metastases originating from other gastrointestinal organs, the role of locoregional treatment remains unclear. This review summarizes and discusses the available evidence regarding benefits, risks, and indications for locoregional therapies for non-colorectal and non-neuroendocrine gastrointestinal liver metastases, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary approach and patient selection.

Análise de redes na regulação do tratamento do câncer do aparelho digestivo / Network analysis of the regulation of gastrointestinal cancer treatment / Análisis de redes en la regulación del tratamiento del cáncer del aparato digestivo

Resumo: A alta complexidade é componente fundamental da Política Nacional para a Prevenção e Controle do Câncer no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) brasileiro. Tem como obrigação garantir cuidado integral aos pacientes. A regulação é parte da estrutura organizacional, sendo responsável por definir os fluxos de atendimento. No Rio de Janeiro, a Central de Regulação iniciou as atividades em junho de 2015, organizando procedimentos ambulatoriais de alta complexidade. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o deslocamento para o tratamento de pessoas com tumores digestivos no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, antes e após a atuação da regulação, sob a perspectiva da Análise de Redes Sociais (ARS). Foi desenvolvido um estudo ecológico, comparando os períodos anterior (2013) e posterior (2016) à implantação da central reguladora. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida com a utilização de dados secundários provenientes do Departamento de Informática do SUS. Desse modo, foram desenhados dois sociogramas referentes aos anos 2013 e 2016, relacionando local de residência com local de internação. Com essa abordagem foi possível identificar algumas mudanças na dinâmica das relações entre as microrregiões do estado após a implantação da regulação. As microrregiões que apresentam estabelecimentos de Alta Complexidade em Oncologia exibiram um incremento no número de internações no segundo ano estudado. Observa-se ainda que a microrregião Rio de Janeiro mantém centralidade de grau nos dois momentos. A utilização da ARS para a avaliação de políticas públicas pode trazer uma importante contribuição para planejamento e gestão em saúde.

Abstract: High complexity is a fundamental component of Brazil's National Policy for Cancer Prevention and Control under the Unified National Health System (SUS). The policy mandates guaranteeing comprehensive patient care. Regulation is part of the organizational structure and is responsible for defining treatment flows. In Rio de Janeiro, the Central Regulating Office launched its activities in June 2015, organizing high-complexity outpatient procedures. The current study aims to analyze commuting for treatment by individuals with gastrointestinal tumors in the state of Rio de Janeiro, before and after the implementation of regulation, from the perspective of Social Network Analysis. This ecological study compared the periods before (2013) and after (2016) implementation of the Central Regulating Office. The study drew on secondary data from the Brazilian Health Informatics Department. Two sociograms were designed for the years 2013 and 2016, correlating place of residence with place of hospitalization. This approach allowed identifying some changes in the dynamics of relations between the state's microregions after implementation of the regulation. The microregions with high-complexity oncology establishments displayed an increase in the number of hospitalizations in 2016. The microregion of Rio de Janeiro also maintained degree centrality in the two moments. The use of Social Network Analysis to assess public policies can contribute to health planning and management.

Resumen: La alta complejidad es un componente fundamental de la Política Nacional para la Prevención y Control del Cáncer en el ámbito del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) brasileño. Tiene como obligación garantizar el cuidado integral a los pacientes. La regulación es parte de la estructura organizacional, siendo responsable de definir los flujos de atención. En Río de Janeiro, la Central de Regulación inició sus actividades en junio de 2015, organizando procedimientos ambulatorios de alta complejidad. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar el desplazamiento para el tratamiento de personas con tumores digestivos en el Estado de Río de Janeiro, antes y después de la actuación de la regulación, desde la perspectiva del Análisis de Redes Sociales (ARS). Se desarrolló un estudio ecológico, comparando los períodos anterior (2013) y posterior (2016) a la implementación de la central reguladora. La investigación fue desarrollada con la utilización de datos secundarios provenientes del Departamento de Informática del SUS. De este modo, se diseñaron dos sociogramas referentes a los años 2013 y 2016, relacionando lugar de residencia con local de internamiento. Con este abordaje fue posible identificar algunos cambios en la dinámica de las relaciones entre las microrregiones del Estado tras la implementación de la regulación. Las microrregiones que presentan establecimientos de Alta Complejidad en Oncología mostraron un incremento en el número de internamientos en el segundo año estudiado. Se observa incluso que la microrregión Río de Janeiro mantiene centralidad de nivel/grado en los dos momentos. La utilización de la ARS para la evaluación de políticas públicas puede conllevar una importante contribución para la planificación y gestión en salud.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor: epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to review the past year's literature to provide comprehensive information to researchers, physicians, and the general public regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). Common ground as well as divergent viewpoints will be highlighted and discussed. RECENT FINDINGS: The diagnosis of GISTs may involve imaging tests such as computed tomorgraphy scan and MRI, endoscopy with or without endoscopic ultrasound, and biopsy. Only biopsy, however, can yield a positive diagnosis. As most GISTs express KIT protein, immunostaining for KIT and/or molecular genetic testing for mutations in KIT can diagnose 95% of GISTs. Regorafenib, a drug that inhibits various protein genes that lead to GIST development is a relatively new treatment modality. SUMMARY: The current review should enable clinicians to best select the diagnostic and treatment approaches to GIST.

[Network analysis of the regulation of gastrointestinal cancer treatment]. / Análise de redes na regulação do tratamento do câncer do aparelho digestivo.

High complexity is a fundamental component of Brazil's National Policy for Cancer Prevention and Control under the Unified National Health System (SUS). The policy mandates guaranteeing comprehensive patient care. Regulation is part of the organizational structure and is responsible for defining treatment flows. In Rio de Janeiro, the Central Regulating Office launched its activities in June 2015, organizing high-complexity outpatient procedures. The current study aims to analyze commuting for treatment by individuals with gastrointestinal tumors in the state of Rio de Janeiro, before and after the implementation of regulation, from the perspective of Social Network Analysis. This ecological study compared the periods before (2013) and after (2016) implementation of the Central Regulating Office. The study drew on secondary data from the Brazilian Health Informatics Department. Two sociograms were designed for the years 2013 and 2016, correlating place of residence with place of hospitalization. This approach allowed identifying some changes in the dynamics of relations between the state's microregions after implementation of the regulation. The microregions with high-complexity oncology establishments displayed an increase in the number of hospitalizations in 2016. The microregion of Rio de Janeiro also maintained degree centrality in the two moments. The use of Social Network Analysis to assess public policies can contribute to health planning and management.

A alta complexidade é componente fundamental da Política Nacional para a Prevenção e Controle do Câncer no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) brasileiro. Tem como obrigação garantir cuidado integral aos pacientes. A regulação é parte da estrutura organizacional, sendo responsável por definir os fluxos de atendimento. No Rio de Janeiro, a Central de Regulação iniciou as atividades em junho de 2015, organizando procedimentos ambulatoriais de alta complexidade. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo analisar o deslocamento para o tratamento de pessoas com tumores digestivos no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, antes e após a atuação da regulação, sob a perspectiva da Análise de Redes Sociais (ARS). Foi desenvolvido um estudo ecológico, comparando os períodos anterior (2013) e posterior (2016) à implantação da central reguladora. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida com a utilização de dados secundários provenientes do Departamento de Informática do SUS. Desse modo, foram desenhados dois sociogramas referentes aos anos 2013 e 2016, relacionando local de residência com local de internação. Com essa abordagem foi possível identificar algumas mudanças na dinâmica das relações entre as microrregiões do estado após a implantação da regulação. As microrregiões que apresentam estabelecimentos de Alta Complexidade em Oncologia exibiram um incremento no número de internações no segundo ano estudado. Observa-se ainda que a microrregião Rio de Janeiro mantém centralidade de grau nos dois momentos. A utilização da ARS para a avaliação de políticas públicas pode trazer uma importante contribuição para planejamento e gestão em saúde.

La alta complejidad es un componente fundamental de la Política Nacional para la Prevención y Control del Cáncer en el ámbito del Sistema Único de Salud (SUS) brasileño. Tiene como obligación garantizar el cuidado integral a los pacientes. La regulación es parte de la estructura organizacional, siendo responsable de definir los flujos de atención. En Río de Janeiro, la Central de Regulación inició sus actividades en junio de 2015, organizando procedimientos ambulatorios de alta complejidad. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo analizar el desplazamiento para el tratamiento de personas con tumores digestivos en el Estado de Río de Janeiro, antes y después de la actuación de la regulación, desde la perspectiva del Análisis de Redes Sociales (ARS). Se desarrolló un estudio ecológico, comparando los períodos anterior (2013) y posterior (2016) a la implementación de la central reguladora. La investigación fue desarrollada con la utilización de datos secundarios provenientes del Departamento de Informática del SUS. De este modo, se diseñaron dos sociogramas referentes a los años 2013 y 2016, relacionando lugar de residencia con local de internamiento. Con este abordaje fue posible identificar algunos cambios en la dinámica de las relaciones entre las microrregiones del Estado tras la implementación de la regulación. Las microrregiones que presentan establecimientos de Alta Complejidad en Oncología mostraron un incremento en el número de internamientos en el segundo año estudiado. Se observa incluso que la microrregión Río de Janeiro mantiene centralidad de nivel/grado en los dos momentos. La utilización de la ARS para la evaluación de políticas públicas puede conllevar una importante contribución para la planificación y gestión en salud.

SEOM clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of gastroenteropancreatic and bronchial neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) (2018).

NENs are a heterogeneous family of tumors of challenging diagnosis and clinical management. Their incidence and prevalence continue to rise across all sites, stages and grades. Although improved diagnostic techniques have led to earlier detection and stage migration, the improved prognosis documented over time for advanced gastrointestinal and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors also reflect improvements in therapy. The aim of this guideline is to update practical recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of gastroenteropancreatic and lung NENs. Diagnostic procedures, histological classification and therapeutic options are briefly discussed, including surgery, liver-directed therapy, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, and systemic hormonal, cytotoxic or targeted therapy, and treatment algorithms are provided.

Current approaches to immunotherapy in noncolorectal gastrointestinal malignancies.

Noncolorectal gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies are among the most frequently diagnosed cancers. Despite the undeniable progress in systemic treatments in recent decades, further improvements using cytotoxic chemotherapy seem unlikely. In this setting, recent discoveries regarding the mechanism underlying immune evasion have prompted the study of molecules capable of inducing strong antitumor responses. Thus, according to early data, immunotherapy is a very promising tool for the treatment of patients with GI malignancies. Noncolorectal GI cancers are a major public health problem worldwide. Traditional treatment options, such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, monoclonal antibodies and antiangiogenic agents, have been the backbone of treatment for various stages of GI cancers, but overall mortality remains a major problem. Thus, there is a substantial unmet need for new drugs and therapies to further improve the outcomes of treatment for noncolorectal GI malignancies. "Next-generation" immunotherapy is emerging as an effective and promising treatment option in several types of cancers. Therefore, encouraged by this recent success, many clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and other strategies in treating noncolorectal GI malignancies are ongoing. This review will summarize the current clinical progress of modern immunotherapy in the field of noncolorectal GI tumors.

Nutritional Therapy in Gastrointestinal Cancers.

Malnutrition is the most frequent nutritional disorder in patients with gastrointestinal cancer and is associated with cachexia syndrome, worsening of prognosis, and shortened survival rate. Early nutrition screening, assessment, and intervention are able to favorably modify the clinical evolution of affected patients. The adequate provision of nutritional requirements has been associated with improvement of immunologic status, and avoidance of further complications related to poor nutritional status, surgical treatment, and anticancer therapy. In malnourished patients, the supplementation of perioperative immunonutrition might contribute to fewer infectious and noninfectious complications, shorter length of hospitalization, and improved wound healing.

Current approaches to immunotherapy in noncolorectal gastrointestinal malignancies

Noncolorectal gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies are among the most frequently diagnosed cancers. Despite the undeniable progress in systemic treatments in recent decades, further improvements using cytotoxic chemotherapy seem unlikely. In this setting, recent discoveries regarding the mechanism underlying immune evasion have prompted the study of molecules capable of inducing strong antitumor responses. Thus, according to early data, immunotherapy is a very promising tool for the treatment of patients with GI malignancies. Noncolorectal GI cancers are a major public health problem worldwide. Traditional treatment options, such as chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, monoclonal antibodies and antiangiogenic agents, have been the backbone of treatment for various stages of GI cancers, but overall mortality remains a major problem. Thus, there is a substantial unmet need for new drugs and therapies to further improve the outcomes of treatment for noncolorectal GI malignancies. "Next-generation" immunotherapy is emerging as an effective and promising treatment option in several types of cancers. Therefore, encouraged by this recent success, many clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors and other strategies in treating noncolorectal GI malignancies are ongoing. This review will summarize the current clinical progress of modern immunotherapy in the field of noncolorectal GI tumors.

SEOM Clinical Guideline for gastrointestinal sarcomas (GIST) (2016).

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common mesenchymal neoplasms of the digestive tract, and this disease has served as a paradigmatic model for successful rational development of targeted therapies. The introduction of tyrosine kinase inhibitors with activity against KIT/PDGFRA in both localized and advanced stages has remarkably improved the survival in a disease formerly deemed resistant to all systemic therapies. The Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) guidelines provide a multidisciplinary and updated consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of GIST patients. We strongly encourage that the managing of these patients should be performed within multidisciplinary teams in reference centers.

Nutritional Status Parameters as Risk Factors for Mortality in Cancer Patients.

The aim of this study was to verify the relationship between weight loss, handgrip strength (HGS) and phase angle (PA) before the beginning of chemotherapy with overall survival in cancer patients. Patients diagnosed with gastrointestinal and breast cancer who were over 18 years old and were scheduled to undergo adjuvant treatment at Hospital Borges da Costa/Brazil were evaluated. The exclusion criteria were neoadjuvant treatment, patients with kidney and liver disease and using diuretics. Weight, HGS and PA tests were performed by trained dietitians. The Kaplan-Meier survival method and the log-rank test, cox regression and ROC curve were used and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Two-hundred and twenty-eight patients were evaluated.The median survival time was higher among the patients who showed weight loss of less than 10% of usual body weight (p < 0.05). Regarding HGS, patients with decreased HGS had a 22.0 month survival versus 34.2 months for those with normal values (p < 0.05). 146 patients had normal PA values, and these patients had increased survival time compared to those with inappropriate values (p < 0.05). In the Cox regression, weight loss and PA were predictors of mortality, HGS wasn't significantly associated with mortality. ROC analysis revealed that weight loss was the nutritional status parameter with the most predictive power.

Patients with brain metastases derived from gastrointestinal cancer: clinical characteristics and prognostic factors.

PURPOSE: This study seeks to evaluate the natural history, outcome, and possible prognostic factors in patients with brain metastases derived from gastrointestinal cancers. METHODS: The clinical features, prognostic factors, and the effects of different treatment modalities on survival were retrospectively investigated in 103 patients with brain metastases derived from gastrointestinal cancers. RESULTS: The median time from diagnosis of primary tumor to brain metastasis was 22.00 months. The interval between diagnosis of primary tumor relapse and brain metastasis was 8.00 months. The median follow-up time was 7.80 months. The median survival time after diagnosis of brain metastases was 4.10 months for all patients and 1.17 months for patients who received only steroids (36.9 %), 3.97 months for patients who only received whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT 31.1 %), 11.07 months for patients who received gamma-knife surgery alone or/and WBRT (20.4 %), and 13.70 months for patients who underwent surgery and radiotherapy (12 patients, 11.6 %) (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) class, extracranial metastasis, and chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors. Brain metastasis derived from gastrointestinal tract cancer is rare, and overall patient survival is poor. CONCLUSION: RPA class, chemotherapy after brain metastases, and treatment regimens were independent prognostic factors for the survival of patients with brain metastases derived from gastrointestinal cancers.

Prognostic angiogenic markers (endoglin, VEGF, CD31) and tumor cell proliferation (Ki67) for gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

AIM: To evaluate the correlation between the immunoexpression of angiogenic markers [CD31, CD105 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)], proliferative index (Ki67), and prognosis of patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 54 GIST cases. Medical records were searched to obtain the GIST patients' demographic and clinical data, and paraffin-embedded blocks of tumor samples were retrieved from the hospital archives to conduct a new immunohistochemical evaluation. The tumor samples of GIST patients were subject to immunohistochemical evaluation for endoglin (CD105), CD31, VEGF, and Ki67 expression. The CD105 and CD31 intratumoral microvascular density (IMVD) was measured using automated analysis. We determined the correlation between the immunoexpression of CD105, CD31, VEGF, Ki67 and prognosis. In addition, we conducted a cutoff analysis using the receiver-operating characteristic curve. VEGF positivity was classified as either null/weak or strong. Ki67 was evaluated using a cutoff of 5% positive cells. The prognosis was classified as good (patient alive without recurrence) or poor (patient with recurrence/death). RESULTS: The distribution of tumor sites among the 54 analyzed samples was as follows: 27 (50%) in the stomach, 20 (37.1%) in the small intestine, 6 (11.1%) in the colon, and 1 (1.8%) in the esophagus. The size of the tumors ranged from 2 to 33 cm (median: 8 cm); in 12 cases (22.2%), the tumor was below 5 cm at the largest diameter, but in 42 cases (77.7%), the tumor was larger than 5 cm. The means of CD105 and CD31 were significantly higher in the group with poor prognosis (P < 0.001). The cut-off values of CD105 (> 1.2%) and CD31 (> 2.5%) in the receiver-operating characteristic curve were related to a poorer prognosis. Cases with a better prognosis showed significantly null/weak staining for VEGF (P < 0.001). Ki-67 expression of ≥ 5% was strongly correlated with a worse prognosis (P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, CD105 was the variable that most strongly correlated with prognosis. CONCLUSION: The IMVD cutoff values for the angiogenic markers CD105 and CD31, may be prognostic factors for GIST, in addition to VEGF and Ki67.

Introduction of an omega-3 enriched oral supplementation for cancer patients close to the first chemotherapy: may it be a factor for poor compliance?

The present study aims to evaluate compliance of cancer patients to EPA-enriched supplementation at the beginning of chemotherapy, and its effects on inflammation. Gastrointestinal and lung cancer patients were randomly assigned to receive nutritional supplement enriched with 2.2 g EPA or standard isocaloric one. Supplements were introduced 72 h before the first chemotherapy and continued for 4 wk. Serum C-reactive protein was measured and its variation was analyzed according to tumor location and treatment group. Compliance was assessed by phone contact and counting of supplement bottles returned after treatment. Sixty-nine patients were assessed, mean aged 65.5 yr old, most of them (59%) men. Gastrointestinal cancer was more prevalent and lung cancer had the highest C-reactive protein values (P = 0.009). Twenty-four patients interrupted treatment (trend for more interruption in EPA group), mainly because of gastrointestinal intolerance. No difference was found in C-reactive protein variation between EPA and control groups after treatment. Lung tumors showed higher inflammation than gastrointestinal ones. A short intervention with EPA was insufficient to reduce inflammation, which may be caused by the frequent abandoning of treatment. The beginning of chemotherapy may not be the optimal time point to initiate EPA supplementation because uncomfortable effects of both treatments may lead to poor adherence.

SEOM clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (GEP-NENs) 2014.

GEP-NENs are a challenging family of tumors of growing incidence and varied clinical management and behavior. Diagnostic techniques have substantially improved over the past decades and significant advances have been achieved in the understanding of the molecular pathways governing tumor initiation and progression. This has already translated into relevant advances in the clinic. This guideline aims to provide practical recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of GEP-NENs. Diagnostic workup, histological and staging classifications, and the different available therapeutic approaches, including surgery, liver-directed ablative therapies, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy, and systemic hormonal, cytotoxic or targeted therapy, are briefly discussed in this manuscript. Clinical presentation (performance status, comorbidities, tumor-derived symptoms and hormone syndrome in functioning tumors), histological features [tumor differentiation, proliferation rate (Ki-67), and expression of somatostatin receptors], disease localization and extent, and resectability of primary and metastatic disease, are all key issues that shall be taken into consideration to appropriately tailor therapeutic strategies and surveillance of these patients.

Ex vivo loading of autologous dendritic cells with tumor antigens.

Ex vivo-generated antigen-loaded dendritic cells (DC) have been shown to be immunogenic in patients with cancer. Loading DC with autologous whole tumor antigens is a strategy to arm DC against tumor without human leukocyte antigen (HLA) restriction. Furthermore, this approach allows the presentation of a full antigen range to the immune system. We describe the methods to obtain whole antigens from autologous tumor tissues in order to load DC generated ex vivo from patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

Prevalence and management of anaemia in patients with non-myeloid cancer undergoing systemic therapy: a Spanish survey.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to provide updated data on anaemia prevalence and management in cancer patients undergoing systemic therapy in Spain. METHODS: This was a multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study performed in 2008. Eligible patients were ≥18 years, with non-myeloid malignancies treated with systemic therapy [chemotherapy (CT), hormonal therapy or immunotherapy]. Anaemia was defined according to WHO as haemoglobin (Hb) < 12 g/dL. RESULTS: The study included 214 patients with a median age of 63 years (range 20-91), 58 % women, 73 % with solid tumours, and 79 % with advanced disease. CT was used in 91 % of patients (26 % with platinum compounds), hormonal therapy in 8.5 %, and immunotherapy in 8.5 %. In our study, 48.1 % of patients [95 % confidence interval (CI) 45.2-58.6] showed anaemia (31 % symptomatic): 42.0 % mild (10 ≤ Hb ≤ 11.9 g/dL), 5.6 % moderate (8 ≤ Hb ≤ 9.9 g/dL), and 0.5 % severe (Hb < 8 g/dL). A higher prevalence was observed in patients treated with CT (51 vs. 20 %, p = 0.01), platinum-based CT (70 vs. 47 %, p = 0.01) or palliative CT (61 vs. 39 %, p = 0.003). Anaemia was also more frequent in patients with more than three lines of CT (83 %) and in the fourth or subsequent CT cycle (58 %). Management in the previous 4 weeks in patients with anaemia was: 62 % did not receive treatment (92 % mild), 24 % received erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), 14 % received iron and 8.7 % received transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: In Spanish hospitals, about half of patients with non-myeloid malignancies undergoing systemic therapy fulfilled anaemia criteria (87 % mild). Approximately two-third of patients with anaemia do not receive specific treatment and ESA use is below current guidelines.