Diagnostic yield and accuracy of image-guided percutaneous core needle biopsy of paediatric solid tumours: An experience from Italy

Abstract Background Percutaneous core needle biopsy (PCNB) has become an accepted method to collect tumour tissue samples given its safety, minimal invasiveness, high accuracy and cost-effectiveness. Procedure It is a single centre, retrospective evaluation of 213 ultrasound (US) or computed tomography (CT) guided PCNBs of paediatric solid tumours performed from 2005 to 2017. Safety, diagnostic yield, accuracy, and efficacy assessments of the PCNB procedure were performed. Univariate logistic models were applied to assess the relation of the diagnostic yield with patient, procedure and lesion features. Results The image-guide was US in 91.08% of biopsies; the needle gauge was ≥16 G in 69.01% of the biopsies. The anatomical site of lesion was deep in 113 biopsies (53.05%). The nature of the lesion was the only factor associated with diagnostic yield (OR: 4.04; 95% CI 1.23–13.28; p: 0.022), with benign lesion as an unfavourable factor. Complication incidence was 1.41%. Overall, the diagnostic yield of PCNB was 93.90% (95% CI: 89.79-96.71%), the diagnostic accuracy was 96.86% (95% CI: 93.29–98.84%) and the diagnostic efficacy was 93.33% (95% CI: 86.75–97.28%). Sensitivity was 97.94% (95% CI: 92.75–99.75%) and specificity 100% (95% CI: 66.37–100%). Conclusion PCNB can be recommended as the first-choice method for solid tumours diagnosis in paediatric, adolescent and young adult patients because of its high diagnostic success, safety and accessibility

Stopping Smoking Reduces Mortality in Low-Dose Computed Tomography Screening Participants

Abstract Introduction The National Lung Screening Trial has achieved a 7% reduction in total mortality with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening as compared with in the chest radiography arm. Other randomized trials are under way, comparing LDCT screening with no intervention. None of these studies was designed to investigate the impact of smoking habits on screening outcome. In the present study, we tested the effect of stopping smoking on the overall mortality of participants undergoing repeated LDCT screening for many years. Methods Between 2000 and 2010, 3381 smokers aged 50 years or older were enrolled in two LDCT screening programs. On the basis of the last follow-up information, subjects were divided into two groups: current smokers throughout the screening period and former smokers. Results With a median follow-up time of 9.7 years and a total of 32,857 person-years (PYs) of follow-up, a total of 151 deaths were observed in the group of 1797 current smokers (17,846 PYs) versus 109 among 1584 former smokers (15,011 PYs), corresponding to mortality rates of 8.46 and 7.26 for every 1000 PYs, respectively. Compared with current smokers, former smokers had an adjusted mortality hazard ratio of 0.61 (95% confidence interval: 0.44–0.83), with a 39% reduction in mortality. A similar reduction in mortality was observed in the subset of 712 late quitters, with a hazard ratio of 0.65 (95% confidence interval: 0.44–0.96). Conclusions Stopping smoking significantly reduces the overall mortality of smokers enrolled in LDCT screening programs. The beneficial effect of stopping smoking on total mortality appears to be threefold to fivefold greater than the one achieved by earlier detection in the National Lung Screening Trial

Final results of the second prospective AIEOP protocol for pediatric intracranial ependymoma

BACKGROUND: This prospective study stratified patients by surgical resection (complete = NED vs incomplete = ED) and centrally reviewed histology (World Health Organization [WHO] grade II vs III). METHODS: WHO grade II/NED patients received focal radiotherapy (RT) up to 59.4 Gy with 1.8 Gy/day. Grade III/NED received 4 courses of VEC (vincristine, etoposide, cyclophosphamide) after RT. ED patients received 1-4 VEC courses, second-look surgery, and 59.4 Gy followed by an 8-Gy boost in 2 fractions on still measurable residue. NED children aged 1-3 years with grade II tumors could receive 6 VEC courses alone. RESULTS: From January 2002 to December 2014, one hundred sixty consecutive children entered the protocol (median age, 4.9 y; males, 100). Follow-up was a median of 67 months. An infratentorial origin was identified in 110 cases. After surgery, 110 patients were NED, and 84 had grade III disease. Multiple resections were performed in 46/160 children (28.8%). A boost was given to 24/40 ED patients achieving progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates of 58.1% and 68.7%, respectively, in this poor prognosis subgroup. For the whole series, 5-year PFS and OS rates were 65.4% and 81.1%, with no toxic deaths. On multivariable analysis, NED status and grade II were favorable for OS, and for PFS grade II remained favorable. CONCLUSIONS: In a multicenter collaboration, this trial accrued the highest number of patients published so far, and results are comparable to the best single-institution series. The RT boost, when feasible, seemed effective in improving prognosis. Even after multiple procedures, complete resection confirmed its prognostic strength, along with tumor grade. Biological parameters emerging in this series will be the object of future correlatives and reports

MRI-based radiomic prognostic signature for locally advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: development, testing and comparison with genomic prognostic signatures

Background. At present, the prognostic prediction in advanced oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) is based on the tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) staging system, and the most used imaging modality in these patients is magnetic resonance image (MRI). With the aim to improve the prediction, we developed an MRI-based radiomic signature as a prognostic marker for overall survival (OS) in OCSCC patients and compared it with published gene expression signatures for prognosis of OS in head and neck cancer patients, replicated herein on our OCSCC dataset.MethodsFor each patient, 1072 radiomic features were extracted from T1 and T2-weighted MRI (T1w and T2w). Features selection was performed, and an optimal set of five of them was used to fit a Cox proportional hazard regression model for OS. The radiomic signature was developed on a multi-centric locally advanced OCSCC retrospective dataset (n = 123) and validated on a prospective cohort (n = 108).ResultsThe performance of the signature was evaluated in terms of C-index (0.68 (IQR 0.66-0.70)), hazard ratio (HR 2.64 (95% CI 1.62-4.31)), and high/low risk group stratification (log-rank p < 0.001, Kaplan-Meier curves). When tested on a multi-centric prospective cohort (n = 108), the signature had a C-index of 0.62 (IQR 0.58-0.64) and outperformed the clinical and pathologic TNM stage and six out of seven gene expression prognostic signatures. In addition, the significant difference of the radiomic signature between stages III and IVa/b in patients receiving surgery suggests a potential association of MRI features with the pathologic stage.ConclusionsOverall, the present study suggests that MRI signatures, containing non-invasive and cost-effective remarkable information, could be exploited as prognostic tools

Does Dose Modification Affect Efficacy of First-Line Pazopanib in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma?

BACKGROUND: Pazopanib is a standard treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), and 800 mg/daily is considered the optimal dose. However, some patients require dose modification because of toxicity. Whether a reduced dose of pazopanib is as effective as the standard dose in achieving clinical benefit remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to conduct a retrospective analysis to investigate the clinical effect of different therapeutic doses of first-line pazopanib in patients with mRCC. METHODS: Consecutive patients with mRCC treated with first-line pazopanib between 2011 and 2016 at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori of Milan were retrospectively analysed for demographics, response, outcomes, and toxicity. Three patient groups were compared: group 1 received the standard dose of 800 mg/day; group 2 started with 800 mg/day and then reduced the dose to 400 or 600 mg/day because of toxicity; and group 3 received a reduced starting dose of 400 or 600 mg/day because they had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of 2 and/or comorbidities. RESULTS: In total, 69 patients were evaluated: 34 in group 1, 19 in group 2, and 16 in group 3. After a median follow-up of 13.9 months (range 0.3-43.8), 27 (39.1%) patients had progressive disease (PD) and three (4.3%) patients had died. The incidence rate of PD or death per 100 person-months was 2.5 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.6-4.4; hazard ratio (HR) 1] in group 1 and 3.9 (95% CI 0-14.3; HR 1.43) in the combined group (2 + 3). The discontinuation rate due to PD was 28% in group 1, 42% in group 2, and 44% in group 3. The objective response rate was 44, 11, and 19% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results may suggest that patients with mRCC receiving a lower dose of first-line pazopanib might not have a meaningful progression-free survival advantage compared with those receiving a standard dose. These data highlight that proper management of treatment-related side effects may lead to optimal drug exposure

1053pdgenomics features gf and integration with mri radiomics features rf to develop a prognostic model in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma oscc

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A Prospectively Validated Prognostic Model for Patients with Locally Advanced Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck Based on Radiomics of Computed Tomography Images

Background: Locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients have high relapse and mortality rates. Imaging-based decision support may improve out-comes by optimising personalised treatment, and support patient risk stratification. We propose a multifactorial prognostic model including radiomics features to improve risk stratification for advanced HNSCC, compared to TNM eighth edition, the gold standard. Patient and methods: Data of 666 retrospective-and 143 prospective-stage III-IVA/B HNSCC patients were collected. A multivar-iable Cox proportional-hazards model was trained to predict overall survival (OS) using diagnostic CT-based radiomics features extracted from the primary tumour. Separate analyses were performed using TNM8, tumour volume, clinical and biological variables, and combinations thereof with radi-omics features. Patient risk stratification in three groups was assessed through Kaplan–Meier (KM) curves. A log-rank test was performed for significance (p-value < 0.05). The prognostic accuracy was reported through the concordance index (CI). Results: A model combining an 11-feature radiomics signature, clinical and biological variables, TNM8, and volume could significantly stratify the validation cohort into three risk groups (p < 0∙01, CI of 0.79 as validation). Conclusion: A combination of radiomics features with other predictors can predict OS very accurately for advanced HNSCC patients and improves on the current gold standard of TNM8

Pre-treatment risk factors to predict early cisplatin-related nephrotoxicity in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients treated with chemoradiation: A single Institution experience

Objectives: Cisplatin is essential in the curative treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA-HNSCC) patients. The assessment of risk factors to predict an early cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity could help in better managing one of the most relevant cisplatin-related dose-limiting factors. Material and methods: We retrospectively collected data of LA-HNSCC patients treated at our Institution from 2008 to 2019. Patients received cisplatin in a curative setting concurrently with radiation. Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) was assessed as a dichotomous variable (CreaIncr) based on pre-treatment values, and values recorded at days 6-20 post-first cycle of cisplatin. Univariable logistic regression models were performed to investigate associations between CreaIncr and clinical characteristics. A multivariable logistic model on a priori selected putative covariates was performed. Results: Of the 350 LA-HNSCC treated patients, 204 were analyzed. Ninety (44 %) suffered from any grade AKI (grade I 51.1 %): out of them, 84.4 % received high-dose cisplatin (100 mg/m2 q21). On the univariable logistic regression model, male sex, age, serum uric acid, creatinine, concomitant drugs, and cisplatin schedule were significantly associated with a higher rate of AKI. At multivariable model, age (p = 0.034), baseline creatinine (p = 0.027), concomitant drugs (p = 0.043), and cisplatin schedule (one-day bolus or fractionated high-dose vs. weekly; p = 0.001) maintained their significant association. Conclusions: Identifying pre-treatment risk factors in LA-HNSCC patients may improve decision-making in a setting where cisplatin has a curative significance. A strict monitoring of AKI could avoid cisplatin dose adjustments, interruptions, and treatment delays, thus limiting a negative impact on outcomes

HER2 status in recurrent/metastatic androgen receptor overexpressing salivary gland carcinoma patients

BackgroundOverexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor type 2 (HER2) occurs in almost 25-30% of androgen receptor (AR)-positive salivary gland carcinomas (SGCs), notably salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) and adenocarcinoma not otherwise specified (NOS). In the last years, several studies have reported the clinical benefit of HER2 directed therapies in this setting. This work aims at describing the natural history of AR-positive recurrent/metastatic (R/M) SGC patients, based on HER2 amplification status.MethodsConsecutive R/M AR-positive SGC patients accessing our Institution from 2010 to 2021 were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and survival analyses were performed to present the clinical characteristics of the selected patients and the outcomes, based on HER2 status. A specific focus was dedicated to patients developing metastases to the central nervous system (CNS).ResultsSeventy-four R/M AR-positive SGC patients (72 men) were analyzed. Median follow-up was 36.18 months (95% CI 30.19-42.66). HER2 status was available in 62 cases (84%) and in 42% the protein was overexpressed (HER2+). Compared with patients with HER2- SGCs, in patients with HER2+ disease, HR for disease recurrence was 2.97 (95% CI 1.44-6.1, p=0.003), and HR for death from R/M disease was 3.22 (95% CI 1.39-7.49, p=0.007). Moreover, the HER2+ group showed a non-significant trend towards a higher prevalence of CNS metastases (40% vs. 24%, p=0.263). Patients developing CNS metastases had shorter survival than those who did not; at bivariate analysis (covariates: CNS disease and HER2 status), HER2 status demonstrated its independent prognostic significance.DiscussionIn our patient population, HER2 amplification was a negative prognostic factor, and it was associated with a non-statistically significant higher risk of developing CNS metastasis. Further studies are needed to explore the potential clinical benefit of tackling the two biological pathways (AR and HER2) in patients affected by this rare and aggressive malignancy