Category Archives: Research Article

Predicting severe toxicity after head-and-neck cancer RT: Validation of the synergist role of a biological marker and dosimetry

To assess the value of biologically enriched Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) models integrating clinical, dosimetric, and biological markers, specifically the RadioDtect© assay based on phosphorylated ATM (Ataxia-Telangiectasia Mutated, pATM) quantification.
We considered 67 patients with head-and-neck cancer receiving curative-intent radiotherapy. We developed logistic NTCP models for severe acute/late toxicities (grade ⩾3) using (i) the pATM-based RadioDtect test, (ii) clinical-dosimetric variables, and (iii) a combined model.

An indirect approach to identify the healthcare services for thyroid and melanoma cancer patients in Italy: Epicost-2 project

An indirect approach was applied to the case-study of thyroid cancer (TC) and melanoma of the skin (MS) in Italy to identify health services (HS) for cancer patients and to enable cost estimation.
Within the Epicost-2 project, a self-controlled crossover design analysed TC and MS 2018 prevalent cases from Italian cancer registries. Controls (1:1) were matched to cases 18-6 months prior to diagnosis; increases between cases and controls in potentially cancer-related HS claims (P⩽5%) were identified.

Delphi Study on the creation of a Committee of patients, caregivers, and representatives of patient associations

As part of the improvement plan of the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes at the Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori of Milan (INT) a Committee composed of patients, caregivers, and representatives of patient associations has been established to actively participate in the planning and organization of both hospital services and research initiatives. The potential impact of implementation of the Committee could ensure a patient-centered care environment.

Medication-related jaw osteonecrosis in metastatic RCC treated with VEGFR-TKIs ± IO and bone agents: A real-world analysis

Despite Immune-Oncology (IO) combinations, bone metastases (BM) remain a clinical challenge, occurring in ~30% of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) patients and leading to skeletal-related events (SREs). Bone-targeted therapies (BTT), denosumab (Dmab) and zoledronic acid (ZOL AC), reduce SREs but are associated with a risk of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ), especially when combined with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor – Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs).

The e-BRAVE study: A prospective web-based cohort and biobank of women carriers of BRCA mutations

Women carriers of BRCA1/2 mutations face a very high lifetime risk (penetrance) of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. A sizeable proportion of carriers, however, does not develop cancer at all or develop it only late in life, thus suggesting a potential modulation of this risk. Epidemiological studies have suggested that other genetic (polymorphisms) and environmental factors (lifestyle) affect penetrance. However, data regarding these associations mainly come from retrospective case-control analyses and the results are likely to be distorted by bias.

Effects of uniportal 3D video-assisted thoracic surgery lobectomy on postoperative pain and immune function in patients with NSCLC

This study focused on comparing the efficacy of uniportal three-dimensional (3D) video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) lobectomy and traditional two-dimensional (2D) VATS lobectomy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
A retrospective analysis was performed on 84 NSCLC patients who underwent VATS lobectomy. Based on the type of thoracoscope used during surgery, patients were assigned to either the 3D group (n = 42), which received uniportal 3D VATS lobectomy, or the 2D group (n = 42), which underwent traditional 2D VATS lobectomy.

Biomarker testing implementation for molecularly targeted therapy in non-small cell lung cancer patients

Recent advancements in identifying druggable molecular drivers in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD), have transformed treatment paradigms. In recent years, Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) has gained momentum as an essential tool for in-depth simultaneous analysis of multiple genes, thereby streamlining the diagnostic process in LUAD. Despite this, the implementation of NGS testing in both the US and Europe remains suboptimal.

Validating HER2 copy number variation assessment by NGS: A comparative analysis with immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization

Anti-HER2 drugs are becoming an important therapeutic option for various solid tumors, increasing the need for HER2 status testing. Comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) panels, including FoundationOne®CDx, are commonly used to assess ERBB2 (encoding for HER2) copy number alterations. We aimed to evaluate the analytical validity of FoundationOne®CDx assay, by comparing ERBB2 copy number data with traditional HER2 status by immunohistochemistry (IHC)/in situ hybridization (ISH) assays in a heterogeneous cohort of solid tumor samples.

Effect of the IDH1 inhibitor combined with hypomethylating agents on acute myeloid leukemia

Mutations in the gene encoding isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) occur in approximately 6-10% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Ivosidenib (IVO) is a small-molecule inhibitor of mutant IDH1. This study delves into the mechanism of IVO with hypomethylating agents (HMAs) (azacitidine or decitabine) for treating IDH1-mutated AML through the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Volume 111 Issue 3, June 2025

Read the latest issue. It contains the following articles:
Associations between vascular endothelial growth factor polymorphisms and response to 5-FU-based pharmaceutical therapy in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: A meta-analysis.
Adjuvant chemotherapy in elderly patients with HER2-negative early breast cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Towards a better registration of neuroendocrine neoplasms: The results of the Italian retrospective population-based study.
Clinical difference between solitary and multiple pulmonary adenocarcinoma nodules.
CT-based radiomics: A potential indicator of KRAS mutation in pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
Efficacy and safety of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy followed by transarterial embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma.
Prevalence of breast cancer in ovarian cancer patients and its impact on patient survival: An analysis of the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results data.
ESCO1 as a novel predictive biomarker and potential therapeutic target in renal cell carcinoma.
Exploratory analysis of the professional quality of life in an Italian radiotherapy department: The role of empathy and alexithymia.