Liquid biopsy in pancreatic cancer: Are we ready to apply it in the clinical practice?

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits the poorest prognosis of all solid tumors, with a 5-year survival of less than 10%. To improve the prognosis, it is necessary to advance in the development of tools that help us in the early diagnosis, treatment selection, disease monitoring, evaluation of the response and prognosis. Liquid biopsy (LB), in its different modalities, represents a particularly interesting tool for these purposes, since it is a minimally invasive and risk-free procedure that can detect both the presence of genetic material from the tumor and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in the blood and therefore distantly reflect the global status of the disease. In this work we review the current status of the main LB modalities (ctDNA, exosomes, CTCs and cfRNAs) for detecting and monitoring PDA

Aproximación Psicosocial y de Género al Proyecto Migratorio de Mujeres

Despite a recent increase in both immigration to Spain, and studies on immigrants,research concerning women immigrants has two important biases that prevent correct explanations of the migration, as well as limiting suitable interventions. Firstly, most studies relate to the masculine migratory project. Secondly, the dominance of social, economic and political aspects in the analysis of migratory phenomena means that the macrosocial perspective has been the prevailing focus in the study of this topic.In this paper we adopt a psychosocial and gender based approach to analysis of thesituation of women immigrants. We emphasise the main psychosocial variables thatdefine their migratory project, since it is clear that they are strongly influenced bydifferent factors, linked directly with their women’s condition.In addition, in this paper, we outline some questions that should be considered infuture research in order to achieve a correct understanding of the feminine migratory phenomenon is to be reached, and so that future intervention may increase women immigrant’s satisfaction, quality of life and welfare.A pesar de la presencia cada vez más significativa de mujeres inmigrantes2 en España, se observa en la investigación sobre este tema dos sesgos importantes que impiden una correcta explicación del fenómeno migratorio y una adecuada intervención. En primer lugar, la mayoría de los estudios realizados están relacionados con el proyecto migratorio masculino. En segundo lugar, la importancia que adquieren los aspectos socioeconómicos y políticos en el análisis de los fenómenos migratorios ha hecho que haya sido la perspectiva macrosocial la que ha dominado esta área de estudio.En este artículo se intenta profundizar en el estudio de la mujer inmigrante desde una perspectiva psicosocial y de género, haciendo especial hincapié en las principales variables psicosociales que definen su proyecto migratorio y ubicando dicho proyecto en un enfoque de género, pues no cabe duda que éste se encuentra fuertemente modulado o mediatizado por una serie de factores que proceden directamente de su condición de mujer.Asimismo, en el presente artículo se esbozan algunas cuestiones que se podrían tener en cuenta en las futuras líneas de investigación para lograr una adecuada comprensión del fenómeno migratorio femenino y para dirigir la intervención hacia el incremento de la satisfacción, la calidad de vida y el bienestar de la mujer inmigrante

Clinico-pathological features, outcomes and impacts of COVID-19 pandemic on patients with early-onset colorectal cancer: A single-Institution Experience

The rising incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) among young patients is alarming. We aim to characterize the clinico-pathological features and outcomes of patients with early-onset CRC (EOCRC), as well as the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We included all patients with pathologically confirmed diagnoses of CRC at Hospital Universitario La Paz from October 2016 to December 2021. The EOCRC cut-off age was 50 years old. Results: A total of 1475 patients diagnosed with CRC were included, eighty (5.4%) of whom had EOCRC. Significant differences were found between EOCRC and later-onset patients regarding T, N stage and metastatic presentation at diagnosis; perineural invasion; tumor budding; high-grade tumors; and signet ring cell histology, with all issues having higher prevalence in the early-onset group. More EOCRC patients had the RAS/ BRAF wild type. Chemotherapy was administered more frequently to patients with EOCRC. In the metastatic setting, the EOCRC group presented a significantly longer median OS. Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, more patients with COVID-19 were diagnosed with metastatic disease (61%) in the year after the lockdown (14 March 2020) than in the pre-pandemic EOCRC group (29%). Conclusions: EOCRC is diagnosed at a more advanced stage and with worse survival features in localized patients. More patients with EOCRC were diagnosed with metastatic disease in the year after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The long-term consequences of COVID-19 are yet to be determinedThe work in the authors’ laboratory is funded by the Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) (ICI20/00057, CIBERONC/CB16/12/00273, and CIBERONC/CB16/12/00398), as well as the Comunidad de Madrid (S2022/BMD-7212

Organoids and colorectal cancer

Organoids were first established as a three‐dimensional cell culture system from mouse small intestine. Subsequent development has made organoids a key system to study many human physiological and pathological processes that affect a variety of tissues and organs. In particular, organoids are becoming very useful tools to dissect colorectal cancer (CRC) by allowing the circumvention of classical problems and limitations, such as the impossibility of long‐term culture of normal intestinal epithelial cells and the lack of good animal models for CRC. In this review, we describe the features and current knowledge of intestinal organoids and how they are largely contributing to our better understanding of intestinal cell biology and CRC genetics. Moreover, recent data show that organoids are appropriate systems for antitumoral drug testing and for the personalized treatment of CRC patients.The work in the authors’ laboratory is funded by the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (PID2019‐104867RB‐I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (SAF2017‐90604‐REDT/NuRCaMeIn), and the Instituto de Salud Carlos III—Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (CIBERONC/CB16/12/00273, CIBERONC/CB16/12/00398 and ICI20/00057)

Importance of specialized paediatric and neonatal transport. Current situation in Spain: Towards a more equitable and universal future

Transporte neonatal; Transporte interhospitalario; Cuidados críticosNeonatal transport; Interfacility transport; Critical careTransport neonatal; Transport interhospitalari; Cures crítiquesEl transporte pediátrico y neonatal especializado es un recurso útil y esencial en el traslado interhospitalario de estos pacientes. Permite acercar los recursos materiales y personales de una unidad de cuidados intensivos a los hospitales comarcales donde se pueda encontrar el paciente. Los beneficios de estos equipos están muy bien demostrados en la literatura. Estas unidades deberían formar parte de los sistemas de emergencias, al mismo tiempo que sería recomendable que estuvieran constituidas por personal integrado en los hospitales terciarios con el fin de mantener las habilidades y competencias necesarias. El equipo, compuesto por médicos, enfermeros y técnicos de emergencias sanitarias, tiene que dominar tanto la fisiopatología del transporte como la del paciente crítico en este rango de edad. Es importante una alta calidad tanto humana como asistencial, por lo que la formación continuada y el reciclaje periódico serán imprescindibles para poder cumplir correctamente con los indicadores de calidad en transporte. Así mismo, es fundamental contar con vehículos propios y adaptados a su función, que permitan llevar la gran variedad de material necesario, así como la electromedicina que se requiere. Sin embargo, en España este modelo de transporte pediátrico y neonatal no está estandarizado y por lo tanto no es homogéneo: existen diferentes modelos que no siempre aportan una adecuada calidad, siendo necesaria la implantación de unidades especializadas en todo el país para garantizar un transporte sanitario de calidad a cualquier niño o neonato crítico.Specialized paediatric and neonatal transport is a useful and essential resource in the interhospital transfer of these patients. It allows bringing the material and personal resources of an intensive care unit closer to the regional hospitals where the patient can be found. The benefits of these teams are very well demonstrated in the literature. These units should be part of the emergency systems, while it would be recommended that they would be staff integrated in the tertiary hospitals, in order to maintain the necessary skills and competencies. The team, made up of physicians, nurses and emergency medical technicians, must master both the pathophysiology of transport and that of the critical patient in this age range. A high-quality of both human and care is important, so continuous training and periodic recycling will be essential to be compliant with the quality indicators in transport. Likewise, it is essential to have specific vehicles adapted to this function, which allow carrying the wide variety of necessary material, as well as the electromedicine that is required. However, in Spain this paediatric and neonatal transport model is not standardized and, therefore, is not homogeneous: there are different models that do not always provide adequate quality, making it necessary to implement specialized units throughout the country to guarantee sanitary transport quality to any critical child or neonate

Clinical and pathological features of Merkel cell carcinoma: A 4-year follow-up observational retrospective study in Spain

Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a malignant skin cancer with a 5-year survival rate of approximately 50%. Knowledge of MCC has increased in recent years mostly due to improved diagnosis techniques. In Spain there is lack of information regarding the incidence and tumour characteristics, and the treatment approaches are not standardised. The objective of this study was to provide information of the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of MCC patients in Spain. Methods: Retrospective, observational study involving 192 patients from 25 Spanish hospitals. Evaluated vari ables included overall survival and incidence rate of Merkel cell polyomavirus, in patients diagnosed from 2012 to 2016. Results: The Spanish incidence rate was estimated 0.32/100,000 inhabitants/year, with variations according to geographical regions, being slightly higher in areas with greater sunlight exposure. In total, 61.5% of tumours showed expansive growth (progressive growth of the tumour), 78.6% showed localisation in UV-exposed skin. 97.4% of patients were diagnosed by excisional biopsy. Surgery was the first line treatment in 96.6% of patients, radiotherapy in 24.6%, and chemotherapy in 6.3%. These treatments were not mutually exclusive. Median overall survival was 38.3 months (78.4% at 12 months and 60% at 24 months). MCPyV was present in 33.8% of patients. Conclusion: The incidence of MCC in Spain is one of the highest in Europe, with a slight predominance in men. The sample has shown that a biopsy is available for diagnosis in most cases. Moreover, the treatment is surgical when the tumour is localized and is associated with lymphadenectomy, and/or it is radiotherapy if widespread

SIGUE - Materiales para actividades no presenciales en asignaturas vinculadas a los Sistemas de Información Geográfica (SIG): recopilación, preparación y evaluación

Depto. de GeografíaFac. de Geografía e HistoriaFALSEsubmitte

Clinico-pathological characteristics and outcomes of patients with early-onset colorectal cancer

[Background]: The rising incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) among young patients is alarming. We aim to characterize the clinico-pathological features and outcomes of patients with early-onset CRC (EOCRC). [Methods]: We included all of the patients with pathologically confirmed diagnosis of CRC at Hospital Universitario La Paz from October 2016 to September 2020. EOCRC age cut-off was 50 years. All statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS v.25. [Results]: A total of 1152 patients were diagnosed with CRC, fifty-nine (5,1%) of them were After a median follow-up of 24 months, 279 patients have died. Median overall survival (OS) was not reached in either group (p = 0,06). Three-year OS was 80% (95%CI: 73-87) and 67 (95%CI: 65-69) in the younger and older group, respectively. In patients with localized disease that underwent surgery or other antineoplastic treatment ( n = 856), 159 events for disease-free survival (DFS) were observed. Median DFS was [Conclusions]: Patients with EOCRC are diagnosed at a more advanced stage and display distinct biological features (more prevalence of dMMR and WT tumors among others). Studies focusing on screening in this population and deeper molecular profiling are needed

Clinico-pathological characteristics and outcomes of patients with early-onset colorectal cancer

[Background]: The rising incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) among young patients is alarming. We aim to characterize the clinico-pathological features and outcomes of patients with early-onset CRC (EOCRC).[Methods]: We included all of the patients with pathologically confirmed diagnosis of CRC at Hospital Universitario La Paz from October 2016 to September 2020. EOCRC age cut-off was 50 years. All statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS v.25. [Results]: A total of 1152 patients were diagnosed with CRC, fifty-nine (5,1%) of them were After a median follow-up of 24 months, 279 patients have died. Median overall survival (OS) was not reached in either group (p ¼ 0,06). Three-year OS was 80% (95% CI: 73-87) and 67 (95%CI: 65-69) in the younger and older group, respectively. In patients with localized disease that underwent surgery or other antineoplastic treatment ( n ¼ 856), 159 events for disease-free survival (DFS) were observed. Median DFS was not reached in either group (p ¼0,144). Three-year DFS was 86% (95%CI: 79-93) and 73% (95%CI: 71-75, respectively). In patients with metastatic disease (n ¼ 332; synchronous or metachronic), median OS was not reach in the EOCRC group vs 18,1 (95%CI: 13,8-22,4), p ¼ 0,05). In those patients with metastatic EOCRC with mutational status assessed (n ¼23), no difference in OS according to RAS was observed (p ¼ 0,55).[Conclusions]: Patients with EOCRC are diagnosed at a more advanced stage and display distinct biological features (more prevalence of dMMR and WT tumors among others). Studies focusing on screening in this population and deeper molecular profiling are needed.Peer reviewe

Coupled C, H, N, S and Fe biogeochemical cycles operating in the continental deep subsurface of the Iberian Pyrite Belt

Microbial activity is a major contributor to the biogeochemical cycles that make up the life support system of planet Earth. A 613 m deep geomicrobiological perforation and a systematic multi-analytical characterization revealed an unexpected diversity associated with the rock matrix microbiome that operates in the subsurface of the Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB). Members of 1 class and 16 genera were deemed the most representative microorganisms of the IPB deep subsurface and selected for a deeper analysis. The use of fluorescence in situ hybridization allowed not only the identification of microorganisms but also the detection of novel activities in the subsurface such as anaerobic ammonium oxidation (ANAMMOX) and anaerobic methane oxidation, the co-occurrence of microorganisms able to maintain complementary metabolic activities and the existence of biofilms. The use of enrichment cultures sensed the presence of five different complementary metabolic activities along the length of the borehole and isolated 29 bacterial species. Genomic analysis of nine isolates identified the genes involved in the complete operation of the light-independent coupled C, H, N, S and Fe biogeochemical cycles. This study revealed the importance of nitrate reduction microorganisms in the oxidation of iron in the anoxic conditions existing in the subsurface of the IPBFP7 Ideas: European Research Council, Grant/Award Number: ERC Advanced Grant #250-35