Incorporating alpha-fetoprotein within dimensional criteria for hepatocellular carcinoma transplantation

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Oxidative Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Liver Diseases: From Systems Biology to the Personalized Medicine

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BRCA in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Current Treatments and Future Perspectives

: A strong association between pancreatic cancer and BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations is documented. Based on promising results of breast and ovarian cancers, several clinical trials with poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) are ongoing for gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, especially for pancreatic cancer. Indeed, the POLO trial results provide promising and awaited changes for the pancreatic cancer therapeutic landscape. Contrariwise, for other gastrointestinal tumors, the rationale is currently only alleged. The role of BRCA mutation in gastrointestinal cancers is the subject of this review. In particular, we aim to provide the latest updates about novel therapeutic strategies that, exploiting DNA repair defects, promise to shape the future therapeutic scenario of GI cancers

Treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA): A new era?

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INCREASE OF REPORTS OF SUSPECTED ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN ONCOLOGY

Objective: The information of safety of antineoplastic agents derives solely from clinical studies that have a number of limitations, such as the number of patients enrolled, selected case studies, follow-up of short duration; therefore, it is not possible to identify the complete profile of safety and possible side effects of the drugs under study. ADRs monitoring and reporting programmes aim to identifying and quantifying the risks associated with the use of drugs provided in a hospital setting. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the ADRs that occurred during hospitalization for chemotherapy in 7 cancer centers, and to facilitate the development of a monitoring system of pharmacovigilance. Methods: An observational study was conducted in 7 cancer centers in the Emilia Romagna region over a period of 2 years, from January 2012 to January 2014. This study was based on an analysis of ADRs reported. Several parameters were utilised in the data evaluation, including drug and reaction characteristics. Results: From January 2012 to January 2014 No. 884 ADRs were included in National Network of pharmacovigilance. The highest ADR rate (57.4%) was found in the adult females with a mean age of 62. The oncology drug most frequently reported were taxanes and platinum derivates. Conclusion: The results obtained will contribute to the development of strategies for the pharmacovigilance service in 7 cancer centers, which will improve the quality of ADR reporting and ensure safer oncology drug use

Cabozantinib as a second-line treatment option in hepatocellular carcinoma

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent tumors affecting the gastrointestinal tract and a universal cause of morbidity and mortality. Cabozantinib is a strong multi-inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases approved for renal cell carcinoma that could be useful also for the treatment of HCC. Areas covered: This review describes the chemical structure, the pharmacologic properties and current knowledge of the efficacy of cabozantinib in the treatment of HCC based on data available from first phase and later phase clinical trials. The ongoing studies testing cabozantinib, either alone or in combination with other drugs, are also described. Expert opinion: Despite the recent achievements in the use of cabozantinib for patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, data are still needed to allow clinicians to make better decisions on how to treat specific patient subgroups.</p

Cabozantinib as a second-line treatment option in hepatocellular carcinoma

Introduction: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most frequent tumors affecting the gastrointestinal tract and a universal cause of morbidity and mortality. Cabozantinib is a strong multi-inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases approved for renal cell carcinoma that could be useful also for the treatment of HCC. Areas covered: This review describes the chemical structure, the pharmacologic properties and current knowledge of the efficacy of cabozantinib in the treatment of HCC based on data available from first phase and later phase clinical trials. The ongoing studies testing cabozantinib, either alone or in combination with other drugs, are also described. Expert opinion: Despite the recent achievements in the use of cabozantinib for patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, data are still needed to allow clinicians to make better decisions on how to treat specific patient subgroups.</p

Increase of reports of suspected adverse drug reactions in oncology

Methods: An observational study was conducted in 7 cancer centersin the Emilia Romagna region over a period of 2 years, from January 2012 to January 2014. This study was based on an analysis of ADRs reported. Several parameters were utilised in the data evaluation, including drug and reaction characteristics.Results: From January 2012 to January 2014 No. 884 ADRs were included in National Network of pharmacovigilance. The highest ADR rate (57.4%) was found in the adult femaleswith a mean age of 62. The oncology drug most frequently reported were taxanes and platinum derivates.Conclusion: The results obtained will contribute to the development of strategies for the pharmacovigilance service in 7 cancer centers, which will improve the quality of ADR reporting and ensure safer oncology drug use.Objective: The information of safety of antineoplastic agents derives solely from clinical studies that have a number of limitations, such as the number of patients enrolled, selected case studies, follow-up of short duration; therefore, it is not possible to identify the complete profile of safety and possible side effects of the drugs under study. ADRs monitoring and reporting programmes aim to identifying and quantifying the risks associated with the use of drugs provided in a hospital setting. The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the ADRs that occurred during hospitalization for chemotherapy in 7 cancer centers, and to facilitate the development of a monitoring system of pharmacovigilance

Acute oxaliplatin-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: A case report and results from a cytoflourimetric assay of platelet fibrinogen receptor

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Radioembolization versus chemoembolization for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis of randomized trials

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare clinically relevant outcomes following transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and transarterial radioembolization (TARE) in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using only prospective randomized clinical trials as a source of information. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A meta-analysis was performed to compare the efficacy of TARE and TACE in treating patients with unresectable HCC. Only prospective randomized trials were included in the quantitative analysis. Overall and progression-free survival, disease control rate, and transplantation rate were the variables under analysis. RESULTS: Overall survival at 1 year was similar between the two treatment groups (OR =1.31, 95% CI: 0.56-3.04, P=0.53). Progression-free survival at 1 year was also not statistically different between the two treatments (OR =0.23, 95% CI: 0.02-2.45, P=0.22). Although a higher proportion of patients underwent transplantation in the TARE group (30% vs 20.8%), this difference was not statistically significant (OR =0.68, 95% CI: 0.23-2.01; P=0.49). CONCLUSION: TARE and TACE provide similar outcomes in unresectable HCC. The role of TARE should be explored in selected patient subpopulations in future clinical trials