Abdominal specimen retrieval in endometrial cancer patients with large uteri

Research Article

Endometrial cancer surgery has a low risk of specimen fragmentation, but removing large uteri can be challenging. This study aimed to assess whether the use of minilaparotomic incision for specimen retrieval compromises the benefits of minimally invasive surgery in endometrial cancer patients with a large uterus or utero-vaginal discrepancy.
This is a retrospective multi-institutional study, including endometrial cancer patients with FIGO 2009 clinical stage I–II, undergoing minimally invasive staging surgery (laparoscopic or robot-assisted) followed by minilaparotomic specimen retrieval. A propensity-matched algorithm was used to compare outcomes of minimally invasive staging with open surgery.

Two years after the reform of Italian Ethics Committees: Time for reflection

Editorial

The recent reform of Italian Ethics Committees (ECs), formalized between 2022 and 2023, aimed to streamline ethical oversight in clinical research by transitioning from a fragmented local system to a coordinated national framework. The new structure includes 40 Territorial Ethics Committees (CETs) and three National Committees (CENs), under the supervision of the National Coordination Centre (CCNCE). While the reform aligned Italy with European Regulation (EU) No 536/2014, significant implementation gaps remain.

Postoperative radiotherapy for stage IV breast cancer following primary tumor removal: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Review Article

De novo metastatic breast cancer (dnMBC) is diagnosed when breast cancer has spread at presentation and accounts for 5–10% of cases. The benefit of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) after primary tumor surgery in this setting remains uncertain.
We conducted a review and meta-analysis of observational studies published between 2013 and 2024. Two databases (PubMed and Embase) were searched and the review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines.

A phase II study of nivolumab plus metformin in pre-treated metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients: NivoMet TWINS-GU002 Study

Research Article

This study evaluates the activity of nivolumab plus metformin in pre-treated metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients.
The NivoMet TWINS-GU002 Study was a prospective, multicentre, single-arm, phase II trial conducted in pre-treated mRCC patients eligible for nivolumab and without diabetes mellitus. Patients received nivolumab (240 mg every two weeks) plus metformin (500 mg orally twice a day) until disease progression.

Pediatric palliative care in patients with brain tumors: Timing, activation, and management of acute events

Research Article

The highest percentage of our patients referred to Pediatric Palliative Care (PPC) are those with brain tumors. Of these, we analyzed PPC activation modes and timing, occurrence of acute events during the period of PPC activation, and the time between acute event and death.
During the period 1 January 2010 to 31 October 2023 approximately 1000 Cranial Nervous System (CNS) tumor patients were treated at Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori in Milan.

Looking back to move forward: 50 years of epidemiology of lymphohaematopoietic malignancies for prevention, and healthcare planning in Sardinia, Italy

Review Article

The Italian region of Sardinia is the second largest and one of the least populated islands in the Mediterranean Sea. While renowned for its stunning coastline, scientists know it better for the unique genetic features among the local population,1 which have been preserved through millennia of isolation and selective pressure exerted by malaria.