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Metabolic syndrome (MS) is commonly associated with left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction and LV hypertrophy. We sought to examine whether preclinical LV diastolic dysfunction can occur independent of LV hypertrophy in MS. We recruited 90 consecutive participants with MS and without cardiovascular disease (mean age 46 years, 78% women) and 26 controls (no risk factors for MS; mean age 43 years, 65% women). Participants underwent echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging. In age- and gender-adjusted analyses, MS was associated with higher left atrial (LA) diameter, higher LV mass, lower E/A ratio, and lower mean e′ (p <0.001 for all). These associations remained significant after further adjusting for blood pressure, antihypertensive medication use, and body mass index. After adjusting for LV mass, MS remained independently associated with higher LA diameter, lower E/A ratio, and lower mean e′ (p ≤0.01 for all). Specifically, subjects with MS had a 1.8 cm/s lower mean e′ compared with controls (p = 0.01). Notably, differences in mean e′ between those with and without MS were more pronounced at younger ages (p for interaction = 0.003). In conclusion, MS was associated with preclinical LV diastolic dysfunction independent of LV mass, as reflected by higher LA diameter, lower E/A ratio, and lower mean e′. This suggests that MS can lead to the development of diastolic dysfunction through mechanisms independent of hypertrophy. Differences in diastolic function were more pronounced at younger ages, highlighting the potential importance of early risk factor modification and preventive strategies in MS.

Background There is increasing interest in the molecular profiling of tumour tissues in order to investigate alternative breast cancer (BC) therapies. However, the impact of genomic screening for druggable mutations with targeted gene panel sequencing (TGPS) in routine practice remains controversial. Methods This is a retrospective analysis of data from a genomic screening programme at our institution, in which we performed simplified TGPS for mutations in PIK3CA, AKT1, KRAS, NRAS, and BRAF in order to select patients for targeted therapy clinical trials. The genomes of archived samples of primary (PT) and/or metastatic (MT) tumours from advanced BC patients were analysed with MassARRAY technology (Sequenom MassARRAY, OncoCarta v1.0). The level of PTEN expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The primary endpoint was to identify the proportion of BC patients with PI3 K and MAPK alterations who were included in clinical trials using targeted therapies against these pathways. Results Two hundred and fifteen metastatic BC patients (65 PT and 168 MT) were included. Fifty-two patients (24.19 %) were enrolled in tailored clinical trials, of whom 29 (55.77, 13.49 % of all patients screened) harboured mutations targeted by the study drug. Moreover, 12 wild-type patients out of the 215 (5.58 %) were included in the clinical trials for which mutation analysis was an inclusion criteria. All the patients received drugs targeting the PI3K-AKT pathway and only two were given combinations directed against the PI3K and MAPK pathways. PI3KCA mutations were present in 33.7 % (61/181) of the patients, 45.83 % in PTs and 29.32 % in MTs. AKT1 mutations were detected in 5.48 % (8/146) of patients and PTEN loss in 34.67 % (52/150). KRAS , NRAS , and BRAF mutations were present in 12.06, 5.67, and 3.18 % of patients, respectively. Conclusions Genomic screening with a simplified TGPS is feasible, and was used to identify 13.49 % of patients who were included in clinical trials using targeted therapy against the mutations they harboured; PI3KCA mutations were the most frequent aberration in our series.

KRAS mutational status is considered a negative predictive marker of the response to anti-EGFR therapies in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. However, conflicting data exist regarding the variable response to EGFR-targeted therapy. The effects of oncogenic KRAS on downstream targets were studied in cell lines with different KRAS mutations. Cells harboring a single KRASG13D allele showed the most tumorigenic profile, with constitutive activation of the downstream pathway, rendering them EGF-unresponsive. Conversely, KRASA146T cells showed a full EGF-response in terms of signal transduction pathways, cell proliferation, migration or adhesion. Moreover, the global acetylome of CRC cells was also dependent on KRAS mutational status. Several hnRNP family members were identified within the 36 acetylated-proteins. Acetylation status is known to be involved in the modulation of EGF-response. In agreement with results presented herein, hnRNPA1 and L acetylation was induced in response to EGF in KRASA146T cells, whereas acetyl-hnRNPA1 and L levels remained unchanged after growth factor treatment in KRASG13D unresponsive cells. Our results showed that hnRNPs induced-acetylation is dependent on KRAS mutational status. Nevertheless hnRNPs acetylation might also be the point where different oncogenic pathways converge.

Background Breast cancer ranks first in women, and is the second cause of death in this gender. In addition to genetics, the environment contributes to the development of the disease, although the factors involved are not well known. Among the latter is the influence of microorganisms and, therefore, attention is recently being paid to the mammary microbiota. We hypothesize that the risk of breast cancer could be associated with the composition and functionality of the mammary/gut microbiota, and that exposure to environmental contaminants (endocrine disruptors, EDCs) might contribute to alter these microbiota. Methods We describe a case-control clinical study that will be performed in women between 25 and 70 years of age. Cases will be women diagnosed and surgically intervened of breast cancer (stages I and II). Women with antecedents of cancer or advanced tumor stage (metastasis), or who have received antibiotic treatment within a period of 3 months prior to recruitment, or any neoadjuvant therapy, will be excluded. Controls will be women surgically intervened of breast augmentation or reduction. Women with oncological, gynecological or endocrine history, and those who have received antibiotic treatment within a period of 3 months prior to recruitment will also be excluded. Blood, urine, breast tissue and stool samples will be collected. Data regarding anthropometric, sociodemographic, reproductive history, tumor features and dietary habits will be gathered. Metabolomic studies will be carried out in stool and breast tissue samples. Metagenomic studies will also be performed in stool and breast tissue samples to ascertain the viral, fungal, bacterial and archaea populations of the microbiota. Quantitation of estrogens, estrogen metabolites and EDCs in samples of serum, urine and breast tissue will also be performed. Discussion This is the first time that the contribution of bacteria, archaea, viruses and fungi together with their alteration by environmental contaminants to the risk of breast cancer will be evaluated in the same study. Results obtained could contribute to elucidate risk factors, improve the prognosis, as well as to propose novel intervention studies in this disease. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03885648 , 03/25/2019. Retrospectively registered.

Ewing's sarcoma is a rare and highly aggressive cancer most frequently arising in people under 20 years of age. We report an uncommon case of primary paraesophageal Ewing's sarcoma in a 25-year-old male harboring the infrequent EWSR1/ERG fusion transcript with multiple splice variants coexisting in the same tumor. The patient was totally refractory to chemotherapy and died 17 months after diagnosis. We underscore the need for better understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of the disease and improved systemic therapy options.

The animal-powered waterwheels of the meandering River Medjerda in Testour, a Tunisian town of Moorish foundation, are compared with those in the alluvial plain of the River Júcar in the region of Ribera Alta (Valencia, Spain). The methodology used in this research is qualitative-analytical and based on the comparative study of groundwater catchment systems on Mediterranean alluvial plains. The environmental characteristics (geological, climatic, hydrological and hydrogeomorphic) of both sectors are analysed to confirm the environmental similarities between both sites. The location and characteristics of these systems have also been analysed, including aspects such as technological evolution and current status, as well as their coexistence with other traditional irrigation systems. The similarity in the location, characteristics, and state of the systems in the two chosen sectors is confirmed, as well as the near absence of significant differences. For this reason, the work highlights the importance of environmental factors as opposed to cultural factors in the use and location of waterwheels.

Background Xentuzumab—a humanised IgG1 monoclonal antibody—binds IGF-1 and IGF-2, inhibiting their growth-promoting signalling and suppressing AKT activation by everolimus. This phase Ib/II exploratory trial evaluated xentuzumab plus everolimus and exemestane in hormone receptor-positive, locally advanced and/or metastatic breast cancer (LA/MBC). Methods Patients with hormone receptor-positive/HER2-negative LA/MBC resistant to non-steroidal aromatase inhibitors were enrolled. Maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of xentuzumab/everolimus/exemestane were determined in phase I (single-arm, dose-escalation). In phase II (open-label), patients were randomised 1:1 to the RP2D of xentuzumab/everolimus/exemestane or everolimus/exemestane alone. Randomisation was stratified by the presence of visceral metastases. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Results MTD was determined as xentuzumab 1000 mg weekly plus everolimus 10 mg/day and exemestane 25 mg/day. A total of 140 patients were enrolled in phase II (70 to each arm). Further recruitment was stopped following an unfavourable benefit-risk assessment by the internal Data Monitoring Committee appointed by the sponsor. Xentuzumab was discontinued; patients could receive everolimus/exemestane if clinically indicated. Median PFS was 7.3 months (95% CI 3.3–not calculable) in the xentuzumab/everolimus/exemestane group and 5.6 months (3.7–9.1) in the everolimus/exemestane group (hazard ratio 0.97, 95% CI 0.57–1.65; P  = 0.9057). In a pre-specified subgroup of patients without visceral metastases at screening, xentuzumab/everolimus/exemestane showed evidence of PFS benefit versus everolimus/exemestane (hazard ratio 0.21 [0.05–0.98]; P  = 0.0293). Most common any-cause adverse events in phase II were diarrhoea (29 [41.4%] in the xentuzumab/everolimus/exemestane group versus 20 [29.0%] in the everolimus/exemestane group), mucosal inflammation (27 [38.6%] versus 21 [30.4%]), stomatitis (24 [34.3%] versus 24 [34.8%]), and asthenia (21 [30.0%] versus 24 [34.8%]). Conclusions Addition of xentuzumab to everolimus/exemestane did not improve PFS in the overall population, leading to early discontinuation of the trial. Evidence of PFS benefit was observed in patients without visceral metastases when treated with xentuzumab/everolimus/exemestane, leading to initiation of the phase II XENERA™-1 trial (NCT03659136). Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02123823 . Prospectively registered, 8 March 2013.

BackgroundThere is still debate regarding the principal role and ideal timing of perioperative chemotherapy (CTx) for patients with upfront resectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). This study assesses long-term oncological outcomes in patients receiving neoadjuvant CTx only versus those receiving neoadjuvant combined with adjuvant therapy (perioperative CTx).MethodsInternational multicentre retrospective analysis of patients with CRLM undergoing liver resection between 2010 and 2015. Characteristics and outcomes were compared before and after propensity score matching (PSM). Primary endpoints were long-term oncological outcomes, such as recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). Furthermore, stratification by the tumour burden score (TBS) was applied.ResultsOf 967 patients undergoing hepatectomy, 252 were analysed, with a median follow-up of 45 months. The unmatched comparison revealed a bias towards patients with neoadjuvant CTx presenting with more high-risk patients (p = 0.045) and experiencing increased postoperative complications ≥Clavien-Dindo III (20.9% vs. 8%, p = 0.003). Multivariable analysis showed that perioperative CTx was associated with significantly improved RFS (hazard ratio [HR] 0.579, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.420–0.800, p = 0.001) and OS (HR 0.579, 95% CI 0.403–0.834, p = 0.003). After PSM (n = 180 patients), the two groups were comparable regarding baseline characteristics. The perioperative CTx group presented with a significantly prolonged RFS (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.37–0.76, p = 0.007) and OS (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.38–0.87, p = 0.010) in both low and high TBS patients.ConclusionsWhen patients after resection of CRLM are able to tolerate additional postoperative CTx, a perioperative strategy demonstrates increased RFS and OS in comparison with neoadjuvant CTx only in both low and high-risk situations.

Introduction/BackgroundUpRi is a first-in-class NaPi2b-targeting ADC with a novel scaffold-linker-payload that enables high drug-to-antibody ratio and controlled bystander effect. NaPi2b is a sodium-dependent phosphate transporter protein broadly expressed in high-grade serous epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube and primary peritoneal cancers (HGSOC), with limited expression in healthy tissues. Preliminary antitumor activity from the Phase 1b expansion cohort of heavily pretreated patients with recurrent HGSOC has been reported (Richardson et al., SGO 2022). These data suggested clinically meaningful activity in patients, notably in those with NaPi2b-high tumors (TPS≥75). Effective and well-tolerated treatments for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer (PROC) remain a substantial unmet medical need. The standard of care, single agent chemotherapy, has limited efficacy, significant toxicities, and short duration of response. UPLIFT was designed as a single-arm Ph2 registrational trial for UpRi monotherapy in PROC.MethodologyUPLIFT is enrolling patients with platinum-resistant HGSOC with up to 4 prior lines of therapy (LoT). Prior bevacizumab is required for patients with 1–2 prior LoT only; it is not required for patients with 3–4 prior LoT. Patients may enroll regardless of NaPi2b expression; ≤ Grade 2 peripheral neuropathy is permitted. Primary platinum refractory patients are excluded. UPLIFT will enroll ~180 patients globally, including approximately 100 patients with NaPi2b-high expression. UpRi will be dosed intravenously at 36 mg/m2 up to ~80 mg dose maximum every 4 weeks. Baseline tumor samples (fresh or archived) will be collected for central analysis of NaPi2b expression. Based on data from the Ph1b expansion cohort, the cut-off for high NaPi2b expression is Tumor Proportion Score (TPS) ≥75. The primary endpoint is ORR in NaPi2b-high expressing patients. Secondary endpoints include ORR in the overall population, duration of response, and safety. UPLIFT is being conducted in collaboration with ENGOT (ENGOT-ov67) and GOG (GOG-3048). NCT03319628ResultsN/A trial in progressConclusionN/A trial in progress