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Cafaro A, Foca F, Nanni O, Chiumente M, Coppola M, Baldo P, Orzetti S, Enrico F, Ladisa V, Lerose R, Nardulli P, Maiolino P, Gradellini F, Gasbarro AR, Carrucciu G, Provasi R, Cappelletto PC, Pasqualini A, Vecchia S, Veraldi M, De Francesco AE, Crinò L, Delmonte A, Masini C. A real-world retrospective, observational study of first-line pembrolizumab plus chemotherapy for metastatic non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer with PD-L1 tumor proportion score < 50% (PEMBROREAL). Front Oncol 2024; 14:1351995. [PMID: 38601759 PMCID: PMC11004281 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2024.1351995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The phase III Keynote-189 trial established a first-line treatment combining pembrolizumab with pemetrexed and platinum as a standard treatment for patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without known EGFR and ALK driver mutations and independent of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. However, in Italy, eligibility for the National Health Service payment program is limited to patients with PD-L1 <50%. The PEMBROREAL study assesses the real-world effectiveness and safety of pembrolizumab in patients eligible for the National Health Service payment program. Methods PEMBROREAL is a retrospective, observational study on patients with NSCLC who started pembrolizumab combined with pemetrexed and platinum within the reimbursability time window, considered as December 2019 to December 2020. The primary endpoints were to assess progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS; using the Kaplan-Meier method), response to therapy, and tolerability. Results Until February 2022, 279 patients (median follow-up: 19.7 months) have been observed. The median PFS was 8.0 months (95% confidence interval: 6.5-9.2). OS was not reached, but we can estimate a 12- to 24-month survival rate for the combined treatment: 66.1% and 52.5%, respectively. PD-L1 expression and Eastern Cooperative Group (ECOG) Performance Status were both associated with PFS and OS. Overall, only 44.4% of patients reported an adverse event, whereas toxicity led to a 5.4% discontinuation rate. Conclusion The results of the PEMBROREAL study have shown that the combined treatment of pembrolizumab with pemetrexed and platinum is effective for metastatic non-squamous NSCLC, even for patients with PD-L1 levels below 50%, despite the differences in patient demographics and pathological features compared to the Keynote-189 study. The adverse events reported during the study were more typical of chemotherapy treatment rather than immunotherapy, and physicians were able to manage them easily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cafaro
- Pharmacy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Flavia Foca
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Oriana Nanni
- Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Trials, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Marco Chiumente
- Scientific Direction, Società Italiana di Farmacia Clinica e Terapia (SIFaCT), Turin, Italy
| | - Marina Coppola
- Pharmacy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Oncologico Veneto (IOV), Padova, Italy
| | - Paolo Baldo
- Pharmacy Unit, CRO Aviano IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy
| | - Sabrina Orzetti
- Pharmacy Unit, CRO Aviano IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, Italy
| | - Fiorenza Enrico
- Hospital Pharmacy, Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Vito Ladisa
- Hospital Pharmacy, IRCCS National Cancer Institute Foundation, Milan, Italy
| | - Rosa Lerose
- Hospital Pharmacy, IRCCS-CROB Referral Cancer Center of Basilicata, Rionero in Vulture, PZ, Italy
| | - Patrizia Nardulli
- Pharmacy Unit, National Cancer Research Center Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari, Italy
| | - Piera Maiolino
- Pharmacy Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori “Fondazione G. Pascale”, IRCCS, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Riccardo Provasi
- Pharmacy Unit, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Trieste, Italy
| | | | | | - Stefano Vecchia
- Pharmacy Unit, Hospital Guglielmo da Saliceto, Piacenza, Italy
| | - Marianna Veraldi
- Protesic and Pharmaceutical Assistance sector n. 3, Department of Health Protection and Health Service Calabria Region, Catanzaro, Italy
| | | | - Lucio Crinò
- Thoracic Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Angelo Delmonte
- Thoracic Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
| | - Carla Masini
- Pharmacy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) “Dino Amadori”, Meldola, Italy
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Nardulli P, Ballini A, Zamparella M, De Vito D. The Role of Stakeholders' Understandings in Emerging Antimicrobial Resistance: A One Health Approach. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2797. [PMID: 38004808 PMCID: PMC10673085 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11112797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing misuse of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine and in agroecosystems and the consequent selective pressure of resistant strains lead to multidrug resistance (AMR), an expanding global phenomenon. Indeed, this phenomenon represents a major public health target with significant clinical implications related to increased morbidity and mortality and prolonged hospital stays. The current presence of microorganisms multi-resistant to antibiotics isolated in patients is a problem because of the additional burden of disease it places on the most fragile patients and the difficulty of finding effective therapies. In recent decades, international organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have played significant roles in addressing the issue of AMR. The ECDC estimates that in the European Union alone, antibiotic resistance causes 33,000 deaths and approximately 880,000 cases of disability each year. The epidemiological impact of AMR inevitably also has direct economic consequences related not only to the loss of life but also to a reduction in the number of days worked, increased use of healthcare resources for diagnostic procedures and the use of second-line antibiotics when available. In 2015, the WHO, recognising AMR as a complex problem that can only be addressed by coordinated multi-sectoral interventions, promoted the One Health approach that considers human, animal, and environmental health in an integrated manner. In this review, the authors try to address why a collaboration of all stakeholders involved in AMR growth and management is necessary in order to achieve optimal health for people, animals, plants, and the environment, highlighting that AMR is a growing threat to human and animal health, food safety and security, economic prosperity, and ecosystems worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrizia Nardulli
- S.C. Farmacia e UMACA IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Viale O. Flacco 65, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Andrea Ballini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Danila De Vito
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, Medical School, University Aldo Moro of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy;
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Nardulli P, Hall GG, Quarta A, Fruscio G, Laforgia M, Garrisi VM, Ruggiero R, Scacco S, De Vito D. Antibiotic Abuse and Antimicrobial Resistance in Hospital Environment: A Retrospective Observational Comparative Study. Medicina (Kaunas) 2022; 58:medicina58091257. [PMID: 36143934 PMCID: PMC9505554 DOI: 10.3390/medicina58091257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance represents a serious problem, and it may be life-threatening in the case of severe hospital-acquired infections (HAI). Antibiotic abuse and multidrug resistance (MDR) have significantly increased this burden in the last decades. The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution and susceptibility rates of five selected bacterial species (E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, S. aureus and E. faecium) in two healthcare settings located in the Apulia region (Italy). Materials and Methods: Setting n.1 was a university hospital and setting n.2 was a research institute working on oncological patients. All the enrolled patients were diagnosed for bacterial HAI. The observation period was between August and September 2021. Clinical samples were obtained from several biological sources, in different hospital wards. Bacterial identification and susceptibility were tested by using the software VITEC 2 Single system. Results: In this study, a higher incidence of multi-drug-resistant K. pneumoniae was reported (42,2% in setting n.1 and 50% in setting n.2), with respect to the Italian 2019 statistics report (30.3%). All the isolates of E. faecium and S. aureus were susceptible to linezolid. All the bacterial isolates of P. aeruginosa and most of K. pneumoniae were susceptible to ceftazidime–avibactam. Amikacin and nitrofurantoin represented a good option for treating E. coli infections. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistantE. faecium (VRE) had a lower incidence in the clinical setting, with respect to E. coli and K. pneumoniae. Conclusions: The data obtained in this study can support clinicians towards a rational and safe use of antibiotics for treating the infections caused by these resistant strains, to enhance the overall efficacy of the current antibiotic protocols used in the main healthcare environments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gabriel Gustafsson Hall
- Visby Hospital, Section of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, 62156 Visby, Sweden
| | - Alessandro Quarta
- DLV System s.r.l., Research Section, Viale della Resistenza, 19, 87036 Quattromiglia, Italy
| | - Giovanni Fruscio
- Energent s.p.a., Research Section, Via Cristoforo Colombo, 112, 00154 Roma, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Salvatore Scacco
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70100 Bari, Italy
| | - Danila De Vito
- School of Medicine, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70100 Bari, Italy
- Correspondence:
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Laforgia M, Amodio L, Colangiulo S, Ungaro V, Gatti L, Lucarelli G, Leopoldo M, Nardulli P, Colabufo NA. LC-MS/MS Analysis on Infusion Bags and Filled Syringes of Decitabine: New Data on Physicochemical Stability of an Unstable Molecule. ACS Omega 2022; 7:25239-25243. [PMID: 35910137 PMCID: PMC9330129 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c02144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Many anticancer drugs are reported to have low physicochemical stability after dilution; therefore, producers impose short times from reconstitution, dilution, and the end of administration. The precariousness of cancer patients' health in real-life experience within cancer hospitals often forces delays in the drug administration with respect to the standard treatment schedule timing, because of acute toxicities or the need to postpone a control analysis before administration. The public health costs for discarded anticancer drugs due to administration interruptions can be avoided, thanks to independent analytical studies, which integrate the producer's data reported in the technical sheet, referring to the real conditions of preparation in a sterile atmosphere under a cabin in a laboratory dedicated to handling cytotoxic drugs in controlled conditions of temperature, pressure, and particulate contamination. Decitabine is apparently an unstable molecule, whose reported stability is only 3 h at 2-8 °C when diluted, while the mother solution must be immediately used or, otherwise, discarded. This study has investigated the physicochemical stability of decitabine both in diluted infusion bags and in sterile water reconstituted syringes at 4 °C for 0, 24, 48, and 72 h. In all performed studies, the stability-indicating method involves, for the first time, the use of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Unexpectedly, both diluted and reconstituted solutions of decitabine are more stable than previously reported data, with a 48 h-long physicochemical stability at 2-8 °C and protected from light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariarita Laforgia
- S.C.
Farmacia e U.Ma.C.A. IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo
II”, Viale Orazio
Flacco, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Loredana Amodio
- Biofordrug, Spin-Off
of Bari University, Via
Dante, Triggiano, Bari 70019, Italy
| | - Santina Colangiulo
- Biofordrug, Spin-Off
of Bari University, Via
Dante, Triggiano, Bari 70019, Italy
| | - Valentina Ungaro
- S.C.
Farmacia e U.Ma.C.A. IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo
II”, Viale Orazio
Flacco, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Letizia Gatti
- S.C.
Farmacia e U.Ma.C.A. IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo
II”, Viale Orazio
Flacco, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Gianpiero Lucarelli
- S.C.
Farmacia e U.Ma.C.A. IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo
II”, Viale Orazio
Flacco, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Marcello Leopoldo
- Biofordrug, Spin-Off
of Bari University, Via
Dante, Triggiano, Bari 70019, Italy
- Department
of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of
Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona, Bari 70121, Italy
| | - Patrizia Nardulli
- S.C.
Farmacia e U.Ma.C.A. IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo
II”, Viale Orazio
Flacco, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Nicola A. Colabufo
- Biofordrug, Spin-Off
of Bari University, Via
Dante, Triggiano, Bari 70019, Italy
- Department
of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of
Bari “Aldo Moro”, Via Orabona, Bari 70121, Italy
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Mast cell leukemia (MCL) is one of the most aggressive forms of Systemic Mastocytosis (SM), a complex family of rare diseases, for which standard therapies are very few. MCL represents only <1% cases of SM and this is the reason why there are no specific clinical trials to better explore this disease. As a consequence, MCL is treated and grouped within other forms of SM, being all KIT-driven diseases; however, its KIT dysregulation leads to uncontrolled activation of mast cells (MCs), which correlates with forms of myeloid acute leukemia (AML). AREAS COVERED Different therapeutic approaches can be followed in the treatment of MCL. The authors look at both symptomatic therapies along with other approaches including targeted therapy. Further, the authors provide their expert opinion. EXPERT OPINION In the scenario of mast cell leukemia treatment, the key approach to achieve clinical results is, more than other similar pathologies, personalizing the therapy. It could be interesting or desirable to introduce for instance KIT mutant forms as minor criteria for the diagnosis of advanced SM, considering the small patient population with MCL and the relatively large panel of activating mutations for KIT and other important proteins involved in MCs' regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariarita Laforgia
- S.C. Farmacia e U.Ma.C.A, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II , Bari, Italy
| | - Concetta Calabrò
- S.C. Farmacia e U.Ma.C.A, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II , Bari, Italy
| | - Anna Scattone
- Anatomo-Pathology Department, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" , Bari, Italy
| | - Carmelo Laface
- Department of Interventional Radiology and Integrated Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" , Bari, Italy
| | - Mariangela Porcelli
- Department of Interventional Radiology and Integrated Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" , Bari, Italy
| | - Cosmo Damiano Gadaleta
- Department of Interventional Radiology and Integrated Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" , Bari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Nardulli
- S.C. Farmacia e U.Ma.C.A, IRCCS Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II , Bari, Italy
| | - Girolamo Ranieri
- Department of Interventional Radiology and Integrated Medical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II" , Bari, Italy
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Abstract
Introduction: Systemic Mastocytosis (SM) is a complex family of rare diseases, against which pharmacological therapies are still very few. It is a c-kit driven disease, whose disregulation leads to uncontrolled activation and proliferation of mast cells (MCs) with consequent release of effector molecules which are responsible for its clinical manifestations. Areas covered: Masitinib is a relatively new potential drug against SM and its chemical structure strictly derives from imatinib, the first tyrosine kinase inhibitor which entered the pharmaceutical market about 15 years ago. In this review, the authors present masitinib in all its properties, from chemistry to pharmacology and toxicity to its potential clinical application in SM, focusing the discussion on the few clinical trials in which it has been involved, with a particular attention on the still open challenge to determine how to measure the response to therapy. Expert opinion: In spite of their similarity in chemistry and biological activity against submolecular targets, masitinib is much more selective towards c-kit receptors than other tyrosine kinases, such as Bcl-Abl. Furthermore, its ability to inhibit degranulation, cytokine production and MCs migration from bone marrow gives it a great chance to become an important therapeutic option for selected SM patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ilaria Marech
- Interventional and Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "G. Paolo II" , Bari , Italy
| | | | - Concetta Calabrò
- Pharmacy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "G. Paolo II" , Bari , Italy
| | - Cosimo Damiano Gadaleta
- Interventional and Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "G. Paolo II" , Bari , Italy
| | - Girolamo Ranieri
- Interventional and Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "G. Paolo II" , Bari , Italy
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Leopoldo M, Nardulli P, Contino M, Leonetti F, Luurtsema G, Colabufo NA. An updated patent review on P-glycoprotein inhibitors (2011-2018). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2019; 29:455-461. [DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2019.1618273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marcello Leopoldo
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Patrizia Nardulli
- Hospital Pharmacy Unit, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari, Italy
| | | | - Francesco Leonetti
- Department of Pharmacy-Drug Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Gert Luurtsema
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Longo V, Brunetti O, Azzariti A, Galetta D, Nardulli P, Leonetti F, Silvestris N. Strategies to Improve Cancer Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors Efficacy, Other Than Abscopal Effect: A Systematic Review. Cancers (Basel) 2019; 11:cancers11040539. [PMID: 30991686 PMCID: PMC6521062 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11040539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite that the impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors on malignancies treatment is unprecedented, a lack of response to these molecules is observed in several cases. Differently from melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer, where the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors results in a high efficacy, the response rate in other tumors, such as gastrointestinal cancers, breast cancer, sarcomas, and part of genitourinary cancers remains low. The first strategy evaluated to improve the response rate to immune checkpoint inhibitors is the use of predictive factors for the response such as PD-L1 expression, tumor mutational burden, and clinical features. In addition to the identification of the patients with a higher expression of immune checkpoint molecules, another approach currently under intensive investigation is the use of therapeutics in a combinatory manner with immune checkpoint inhibitors in order to obtain an enhancement of efficacy through the modification of the tumor immune microenvironment. In addition to the abscopal effect induced by radiotherapy, a lot of studies are evaluating several drugs able to improve the response rate to immune checkpoint inhibitors, including microbiota modifiers, drugs targeting co-inhibitory receptors, anti-angiogenic therapeutics, small molecules, and oncolytic viruses. In view of the rapid and extensive development of this research field, we conducted a systematic review of the literature identifying which of these drugs are closer to achieving validation in the clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Longo
- Medical Thoracic Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Viale Orazio Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Oronzo Brunetti
- Medical Oncology Unit, Hospital of Barletta, Viale Ippocrate, 15, 70051 Barletta, Italy.
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Experimental Pharmacology Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Viale Orazio Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Domenico Galetta
- Medical Thoracic Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Viale Orazio Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Patrizia Nardulli
- Pharmacy Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Viale Orazio Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy.
| | - Francesco Leonetti
- Dipartimento di Farmacia-Scienze del Farmaco, University of Bari, Piazza Umberto I, 1, 70121 Bari, Italy.
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Scientific Guidance, IRCCS Istituto Tumori "Giovanni Paolo II", Viale Orazio Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy.
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Restelli U, Saibene G, Nardulli P, Di Turi R, Bonizzoni E, Scolari F, Perrone T, Croce D, Celio L. Cost-utility and budget impact analyses of the use of NEPA for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting prophylaxis in Italy. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e015645. [PMID: 28765126 PMCID: PMC5642784 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficiency of resources allocation and sustainability of the use of netupitant+palonosetron (NEPA) for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) prophylaxis assuming the Italian National Health Service (NHS) perspective. A published Markov model was adapted to assess the incremental cost-utility ratio of NEPA compared with aprepitant (APR) + palonosetron (PALO), fosaprepitant (fAPR) + PALO, APR + ondansetron (ONDA), fAPR + ONDA in patients receiving a highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC) and with APR + PALO and fAPR + PALO in patients receiving a moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (MEC). SETTING Oncology hospital department in Italy. METHODS A Markov model was used to determine the impact of NEPA on the budget of the Italian NHS on a 5-day time horizon, corresponding to the acute and delayed CINV prophylaxis phases. Direct medical costs considered were related to antiemetic drugs, adverse events management, CINV episodes management. Clinical and quality of life data referred to previously published works. The budget impact analysis considered the aforementioned therapies plus PALO alone (for HEC and MEC) on a 5-year time horizon, comparing two scenarios: one considering the use of NEPA and one not considering its use. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Incremental cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) and differential economic impact for the Italian NHS between the two scenarios considered. RESULTS NEPA is more effective and less expensive (dominant) compared with APR + PALO (for HEC and MEC), fAPR + PALO (for HEC and MEC), APR + ONDA (for HEC), fAPR + ONDA (for HEC). The use of NEPA would lead to a 5-year cost decrease of €63.7 million (€42.7 million for HEC and €20.9 million for MEC). CONCLUSIONS NEPA allows an efficient allocation of resources for the Italian NHS and it is sustainable, leading to a cost decrease compared with a scenario which does not consider its use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Restelli
- Centre for Research on Health Economics, Social and Health Care Management (CREMS), Castellanza, Italy
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Patrizia Nardulli
- Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, IRCCS, National Cancer Institute, Bari, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Turi
- Dipartimento dei Servizi, Azienda Sanitaria Locale Roma 3, Rome, Italy
| | - Erminio Bonizzoni
- Department of Clinical Science and Community, Section of Medical Statistics, Biometry and Epidemiology “GA Maccacaro”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Scolari
- Centre for Research on Health Economics, Social and Health Care Management (CREMS), Castellanza, Italy
| | - Tania Perrone
- Department of Medical Affairs, Italfarmaco Spa, Cinisello Balsamo (MI), Italy
| | - Davide Croce
- Centre for Research on Health Economics, Social and Health Care Management (CREMS), Castellanza, Italy
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Luigi Celio
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milan, Italy
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Longo V, Gnoni A, Gardini AC, Pisconti S, Licchetta A, Scartozzi M, Memeo R, Palmieri VO, Aprile G, Santini D, Nardulli P, Silvestris N, Brunetti O. Immunotherapeutic approaches for hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 2017; 8:33897-33910. [PMID: 28420805 PMCID: PMC5464921 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.15406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a cancer with a high mortality rate due to the fact that the diagnosis usually occurs at anadvanced stage. Even in case of curative surgical treatment, recurrence is common. Sorafenib and regorafenib are the only therapeutic agents that have been demonstrated to be effective in advanced HCC, thus novel curative approaches are urgently needed. Recent studies focus on the role of immune system in HCC. In fact, the unique immune response in the liver favors tolerance, which can represent a real challenge for conventional immunotherapy in these patients. Spontaneous immune responses against tumor antigens have been detected, and new immune therapies are under investigation: dendritic cell vaccination, immune-modulator strategy, and immune checkpoint inhibition. In recent years different clinical trials examining the use of immunotherapy to treat HCC have been conducted with initial promising results. This review article will summarize the literature data concerning the potential immunotherapeutic approaches in HCC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Longo
- Medical Oncology Unit, Hospital of Taranto, Taranto, Italy
| | - Antonio Gnoni
- Medical Oncology Unit, Hospital of Gallipoli, Gallipoli, Italy
| | - Andrea Casadei Gardini
- Department of Medical Oncology, Istituto Scientifico Romagnolo per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori IRCCS, Meldola, FC, Italy
| | | | | | - Mario Scartozzi
- Department of Medical Oncology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Monserrato, CA, Italy
| | - Riccardo Memeo
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Ospedale Regionale “F.Miulli”, Strada Pr. Acquaviva - Santeramo, Bari, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Ostilio Palmieri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, Clinica Medica “A. Murri”, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Aprile
- Department of Oncology, San Bortolo Hospital ULSS 6, Vicenza, Italy
| | - Daniele Santini
- Medical Oncology Unit, University Campus Biomedico, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Nardulli
- Pharmacy Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale Orazio Flacco, Bari, Italy
| | - Oronzo Brunetti
- Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre, Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale Orazio Flacco, Bari, Italy
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Azzariti A, Porcelli L, Brunetti O, Del Re M, Longo V, Nardulli P, Signorile M, Xu JM, Calabrese A, Quatrale AE, Maiello E, Lorusso V, Silvestris N. Total and not bevacizumab-bound vascular endothelial growth factor as potential predictive factors to bevacizumab-based chemotherapy in colorectal cancer. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:6287-6295. [PMID: 27468218 PMCID: PMC4945987 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i27.6287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM: To identify suitable biomarkers of response to bevacizumab (BV) - it remains an open question. The measurement of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been proposed as a predictive factor for this drug, even if literature data are contradictory.
METHODS: We prospectively evaluated the role of BV, total and not BV-bound VEGF and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) serum levels as potential predictive factors of response for BV in combination with an oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy. BV, Ang-2, total and not BV-bound VEGF levels were measured at baseline, before 2nd and 5th cycle of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy in 20 consecutive metastatic colorectal cancer patients.
RESULTS: Results were correlated to response to treatment. Variability in BV levels have been found, with decreased level in less responding patients. In particular, the concentration of BV increased of 3.96 ± 0.69 folds in serum of responsive patients after 3 more cycles of therapy compared to those with stable or progressive disease with a 0.72 ± 0.25 and 2.10 ± 0.13 fold increase, respectively. The determination of free and total VEGF demonstrated that the ratio between the two values, evaluated immediately before the 2nd and the 5th cycle of therapy, decreased from 26.65% ± 1.33% to 15.50% ± 3.47% in responsive patients and from 53.41% ± 4.75 to 34.95% ± 2.88% in those with stable disease. Conversely, in those with progression of disease, the ratio showed the opposite behavior coming up from 25.99% ± 5.23% to 51.71% ± 5.28%. The Ang-2 levels did not show any relationship.
CONCLUSION: Our data show that the ratio of not BV-bound VEGF to total VEGF serum and BV plasma concentrations for predicting the response to BV plus oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy could be a promising biomarker of response to BV.
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Silvestris N, Gnoni A, Brunetti AE, Vincenti L, Santini D, Tonini G, Merchionne F, Maiello E, Lorusso V, Nardulli P, Azzariti A, Reni M. Target therapies in pancreatic carcinoma. Curr Med Chem 2014; 21:948-65. [PMID: 23992319 DOI: 10.2174/09298673113209990238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2013] [Revised: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 04/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) occurs in the majority of cases with early locoregional spread and distant metastases at diagnosis, leading to dismal prognosis and limited treatment options. Traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy provides only modest benefit to patients with PDAC. Identification of different molecular pathways, overexpressed in pancreatic cancer cells, has provided the opportunity to develop targeted therapies (monoclonal antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors) and peculiar new class of taxanes with a crucial therapeutic role in this cancer setting. A phase III trial has shown that erlotinib in combination with gemcitabine was clinically irrelevant and skin toxicity can be a positive prognostic factor. Moreover, the combination of cetuximab or erlotinib with radiotherapy in advanced pancreatic cancer has shown to be synergistic and a reversal of radio-resistance has been suggested by inhibition of VEGF/EGFR pathway. To overcome EGFR-inhibition therapy resistance several alternative pathways targets are under investigation (IGF- 1R, MMPs, Hedgehog proteins, m-TOR, MEK, COX-2) and provide the rationale for clinical use in phase II/III studies. Also nab-paclitaxel, a new taxanes class, uses high pancreatic albumin-binding protein SPARC levels to act in cancer cells with a less toxic and more effective dose with respect to classic taxanes. Understanding of molecular pathogenesis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma continues to expand. However, many promising data in preclinic and phase I/II trials did not yield promise in phase III trials, suggesting that identification of predictive biomarkers for these new agents is mandatory. The knowledge of biologic and molecular aspects of pancreatic cancer can be the basis for future therapeutic developments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Michele Reni
- Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre - Istituto Tumori Giovanni Paolo II, Viale Orazio Flacco, 65, 70124 Bari, Italy.
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13
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Gnoni A, Licchetta A, Scarpa A, Azzariti A, Brunetti AE, Simone G, Nardulli P, Santini D, Aieta M, Delcuratolo S, Silvestris N. Carcinogenesis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: precursor lesions. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:19731-62. [PMID: 24084722 PMCID: PMC3821583 DOI: 10.3390/ijms141019731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Revised: 09/04/2013] [Accepted: 09/10/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic adenocarcinoma displays a variety of molecular changes that evolve exponentially with time and lead cancer cells not only to survive, but also to invade the surrounding tissues and metastasise to distant sites. These changes include: genetic alterations in oncogenes and cancer suppressor genes; changes in the cell cycle and pathways leading to apoptosis; and also changes in epithelial to mesenchymal transition. The most common alterations involve the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene, the HER2 gene, and the K-ras gene. In particular, the loss of function of tumor-suppressor genes has been documented in this tumor, especially in CDKN2a, p53, DPC4 and BRCA2 genes. However, other molecular events involved in pancreatic adenocarcinoma pathogenesis contribute to its development and maintenance, specifically epigenetic events. In fact, key tumor suppressors that are well established to play a role in pancreatic adenocarcinoma may be altered through hypermethylation, and oncogenes can be upregulated secondary to permissive histone modifications. Indeed, factors involved in tumor invasiveness can be aberrantly expressed through dysregulated microRNAs. This review summarizes current knowledge of pancreatic carcinogenesis from its initiation within a normal cell until the time that it has disseminated to distant organs. In this scenario, highlighting these molecular alterations could provide new clinical tools for early diagnosis and new effective therapies for this malignancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Gnoni
- Medical Oncology Unit, Hospital Vito Fazzi, Lecce 73100, Italy; E-Mails: (A.G.); (A.L.)
| | - Antonella Licchetta
- Medical Oncology Unit, Hospital Vito Fazzi, Lecce 73100, Italy; E-Mails: (A.G.); (A.L.)
| | - Aldo Scarpa
- Department of Pathology and Diagnostics, University of Verona, Verona 37121, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - Amalia Azzariti
- Clinical and Preclinical Pharmacology Laboratory, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari 70124, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - Anna Elisabetta Brunetti
- Scientific Direction, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari 70124, Italy; E-Mail: (A.E.B.); (S.D.)
| | - Gianni Simone
- Histopathology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari 70124, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - Patrizia Nardulli
- Hospital Pharmacy Unit - National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari 70124, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - Daniele Santini
- Medical Oncology Department, University Campus Bio-Medico, Rome 00199, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - Michele Aieta
- Medical Oncology Unit - CROB-IRCCS, 85028, Rionero in Vulture, Potenza 85100, Italy; E-Mail:
| | - Sabina Delcuratolo
- Scientific Direction, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Bari 70124, Italy; E-Mail: (A.E.B.); (S.D.)
| | - Nicola Silvestris
- Medical Oncology Unit, National Cancer Research Centre Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, Viale Orazio Flacco 65, Bari 70124, Italy
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Console G, Calabro C, Nardulli P, Digiuseppe F, Rucci A, Russo P, Geppetti P. Clinical and economic effects of central venous catheters on oncology patient care. J Chemother 2007; 19:309-14. [PMID: 17594927 DOI: 10.1179/joc.2007.19.3.309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Central Venous Catheters (CVC) and ports are essential devices to the medical care of cancer patients. Every year about one million CVCs are inserted in cancer patients. The field of oncohematology is making a great contribution to the development of new models of catheters and to the use of innovative materials. New therapeutic protocols, based on continuous administration and higher doses of anticancer drugs with relative phlebitis problems, have raised the issue of long CVC in situ permanence. Different complications are related to the intravascular catheters such as those associated with insertion (pneumothorax, damages to arteries and nerves), or with the duration of catheterization (thrombosis and infections). Furthermore, Catheter-Related Bloodstream Infections (CRBSI), in particular, cause significant mortality and excessive hospital costs. The aim of this prospective study was to analyze the costs related to the use of polyurethane (PU) CVC. 44 patients with a non tunneled double lumen PU CVC in place were followed for 6 months, and for each patient, time of permanence, possible antibiotic prophylaxis, blood parameters, adverse events and medical treatments were monitored. Our results suggest that physicians should pay greater attention to the correlation between new medical devices and the real benefit for the patient, and economic consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Console
- Pharmacy Department, IRCSS Oncologico, Bari, Italy.
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Lorusso V, Console G, Nardulli P, Calabrò C. Use of pegilated liposomal anthracycline (PLD) in clinical practice: Results and toxicity. J Clin Oncol 2005. [DOI: 10.1200/jco.2005.23.16_suppl.5180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
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