Prognostic role of vitamin d status and efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in cancer patients: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Whether or not hypovitaminosis D can influence the prognosis of cancer patients and whether or not vitamin D (vitD) supplementation improves outcome remain controversial. DESIGN: Studies evaluating the prognostic role of vitD and vitD receptor (VDR) in cancer patients and trials evaluating the efficacy of vitD administration on patient outcome were identified by a search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, ISI Web of Knowledge, and the Cochrane Library through June 2010. RESULTS: Twenty-five studies were included. A negative prognostic role for low serum vitD level was observed in five cohort studies including patients with breast cancer (one study), colon cancer (two studies), prostate cancer (one study), and melanoma (one study), but not in two studies on non-small cell lung cancer and one study on breast cancer. Three of four studies showed that VDR(+) tumors carry a better prognosis than VDR(-) tumors, whereas VDR polymorphisms were significantly associated with prognosis in five of 10 studies. A significant interaction between serum vitD level and VDR polymorphism was observed in one study. Three randomized trials involving advanced prostate cancer patients explored the prognostic role of vitD supplementation. A meta-analysis of these trials showed no effect on survival (pooled risk ratio, 1.07; 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.93-1.23), with strong heterogeneity among studies. CONCLUSION: Hypovitaminosis D seems to be associated with a worse prognosis in some cancers, but vitD supplementation failed to demonstrate a benefit in prostate cancer patients. The currently available evidence is insufficient to recommend vitD supplementation in cancer patients in clinical practice

MASHS di siliciuri di metalli di transizione

The mechanical activated self propagating hygh temperature synthesis procedure is used to prepare several different transition metals silicides. The obtained powders are analyzed by X-Ray powder diffraction

Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy as First Local Therapy for Lung Oligometastases From Colorectal Cancer: A Single-Institution Cohort Study

To estimate stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) efficacy and its potential role as an alternative to surgery for the treatment of lung metastases from colorectal cancer.Forty consecutive patients who received SABR as first local therapy at the time of lung progression were included, from 2004 to 2014. The primary study endpoint was overall survival. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival and safety.A single nodule was treated in 26 patients (65%), 2 nodules in 10 patients (25%), 3 in 3 patients (7.5%), and 4 in 1 patient (2.5%), for a total of 59 lesions. The median delivered biological effective dose was 96 Gy, in 1 to 8 daily fractions. Median follow-up time was 20 months (range, 3-72 months). Overall survival rates at 1, 2, and 5 years were, respectively, 84%, 73%, and 39%, with 14 patients (35%) dead. Median overall survival was 46 months. Progression occurred in 25 patients (62.5%), at a median interval of 8 months; failure at SABR site was observed in 3 patients (7.5%). Progression-free survival rates were 49% and 27% at 1 and 2 years, respectively.The results of this retrospective exploratory analysis suggest safety and efficacy of SABR in patients affected with colorectal cancer lung oligometastases and urge inclusion of SABR in prospective clinical trials

Stereotactic ablative radiation therapy as first local therapy for lung oligometastases from colorectal cancer: A single-institution cohort study

Purpose To estimate stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) efficacy and its potential role as an alternative to surgery for the treatment of lung metastases from colorectal cancer. Methods and Materials Forty consecutive patients who received SABR as first local therapy at the time of lung progression were included, from 2004 to 2014. The primary study endpoint was overall survival. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival and safety. Results A single nodule was treated in 26 patients (65%), 2 nodules in 10 patients (25%), 3 in 3 patients (7.5%), and 4 in 1 patient (2.5%), for a total of 59 lesions. The median delivered biological effective dose was 96 Gy, in 1 to 8 daily fractions. Median follow-up time was 20 months (range, 3-72 months). Overall survival rates at 1, 2, and 5 years were, respectively, 84%, 73%, and 39%, with 14 patients (35%) dead. Median overall survival was 46 months. Progression occurred in 25 patients (62.5%), at a median interval of 8 months; failure at SABR site was observed in 3 patients (7.5%). Progression-free survival rates were 49% and 27% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Discussion The results of this retrospective exploratory analysis suggest safety and efficacy of SABR in patients affected with colorectal cancer lung oligometastases and urge inclusion of SABR in prospective clinical trials

Salvage treatment with lenalidomide and dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma: clinical results and effects on microenvironment and neo-angiogenic biomarkers.

Background Preclinical studies have highlighted the activity of lenalidomide in mantle cell lymphoma and its anti-proliferative synergy with dexamethasone. Design and Methods In this prospective, multicenter, phase II study, patients with relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma who were not eligible for, or had relapsed after, intensive treatments received lenalidomide 25 mg/day (days 1\u201321 of each 28-day cycle) and dexamethasone (40 mg/day on days 1, 8, 15, and 22) for up to 12 months. Results The primary end-points, overall and complete response rates, were achieved by 17 of 33 (52%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 35\u201368%) and 8 of 33 patients (24%; 95% CI, 13\u201341%), respectively, by the end of treatment. Fifteen patients (45%) discontinued treatment prematurely, 13 due to lack of response. The median progression-free and overall survival were 12 months (95% CI, 5\u201319 months) and 20 months (95% CI, 12 months to not estimable), respectively. Treatment resulted in a significant increase in microvessel density (P=0.033) and non-significant increases in macrophage and natural killer cell counts, while serum levels of neoangiogenic factors did not change significantly. Grade 3/4 adverse events were neutropenia (53%), leukopenia (25%), thrombocytopenia (22%), infections (12%), and febrile neutropenia (12%). Conclusions These results confirm a favorable safety and activity profile of lenalidomide in relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma. The contribution of dexamethasone in achieving these results is unclear because of its possible detrimental effect on the immune activation generated by lenalidomide and a higher risk of developing infectious complications. (clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00786851)

Khorana score and histotype predict the incidence of early venous thromboembolism (VTE) in Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). A pooled data analysis of twelve clinical trials of Fondazione Italiana Linfomi (FIL)

Recent studies show that the risk of VTE in NHL pts is similar to that observed in high risk solid tumors (i.e. pancreatic, ovarian cancer). VTE in NHL occurs in most cases within three months from diagnosis and can have substantial impact on treatment delivery and outcome as well as on quality of life. However few data are available on potential predictors