Prognostic Factor Risk Groups for Clinical Stage I Seminoma: An Individual Patient Data Analysis by the European Association of Urology Testicular Cancer Guidelines Panel and Guidelines Office

BACKGROUND

The relapse rate in patients with clinical stage I (CSI) seminomatous germ cell tumor of the testis (SGCTT) who were undergoing surveillance after radical orchidectomy is 4-30%, depending on tumor size and rete testis invasion (RTI). However, the level of evidence supporting the use of both risk factors in clinical decision-making is low.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to identify the most important prognostic factors for relapse in CSI SGCTT patients.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Individual patient data for 1016 CSI SGCTT patients diagnosed between 1994 and 2019 with normal postorchidectomy serum tumor marker levels and undergoing surveillance were collected from nine institutions.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were fit to identify the most important prognostic factors. The primary endpoint was the time to first relapse by imaging and/or markers. Relapse probabilities were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

After a median follow-up of 7.7 yr, 149 (14.7%) patients had relapsed. Categorical tumor size (≤2, >2-5, and >5 cm), presence of RTI, and lymphovascular invasion were used to form three risk groups: low (56.4%), intermediate (41.3%), and high (2.3%) risks with 5-yr cumulative relapse probabilities of 8%, 20%, and 44%, respectively. The model outperformed the currently used model with tumor size ≤4 versus >4 cm and presence of RTI (Harrell's C index 0.65 vs 0.61). The low- and intermediate-risk groups were validated successfully in an independent cohort of 285 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of relapse after radical orchidectomy in CSI SGCTT patients under surveillance is low. We propose a new risk stratification model that outperformed the current model and identified a small subgroup with a high risk of relapse.

PATIENT SUMMARY

The risk of relapse after radical orchidectomy in patients with clinical stage I seminomatous germ cell tumor of the testis is low. We propose a new risk stratification model that outperformed the current model and identified a small subgroup with a high risk of relapse.

Sequential RAS mutations evaluation in cell-free DNA of patients with tissue RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer: the PERSEIDA (Cohort 2) study

PURPOSE

RAS (KRAS/NRAS) mutational status on a tumor biopsy is mandatory to guide the best treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Determining the RAS mutational status by tumor-tissue biopsy is essential in guiding the optimal treatment decision for mCRC. RAS mutations are negative predictive factors for the use of EGFR monoclonal antibodies. Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis enables minimally invasive monitoring of tumor evolution.

METHODS/PATIENTS

PERSEIDA was an observational, prospective study assessing cfDNA RAS, BRAF and EGFR mutations (using Idylla™) in first-line mCRC, RAS wild-type (baseline tumor-tissue biopsy) patients (cohort 2). Plasma samples were collected before first-line treatment, after 20 ± 2 weeks, and at disease progression.

RESULTS

117 patients were included (103 received panitumumab + chemotherapy as first-line treatment). At baseline, 7 (6.8%) patients had RAS mutations, 4 (3.9%) BRAF mutations and no EGFR mutations were detected (cfDNA, panitumumab + chemotherapy subpopulation [panitumumab + Ch]). The baseline RAS mutational status concordance between tissue and liquid biopsies was 94.0% (93.2%, panitumumab + Ch). At 20 weeks, only one patient in the study (included in the panitumumab + Ch) had an emerging cfDNA RAS mutation. No emerging BRAF or EGFR mutations were reported. At disease progression, 6 patients had emergent mutations not present at baseline (RAS conversion rate: 13.3% [6/45]; 15.0% [6/40], panitumumab + Ch).

CONCLUSIONS

The concordance rate between liquid and solid biopsies at baseline was very high, as previously reported, while our results suggest a considerable emergence of RAS mutations during disease progression. Thus, the dynamics of the genomic landscape in ctDNA may provide relevant information for the management of mCRC patients.

Hypertension as predictive factor for bevacizumab-containing first-line therapy in metastatic breast and colorectal cancer in BRECOL (GEICAM/2011-04) study

BACKGROUND

Retrospective data suggest an association between bevacizumab efficacy and the incidence of arterial hypertension (AHT). Additionally, epigenetic mechanisms have been related to AHT.

METHODS

This prospective observational study conducted by GEICAM Spanish Breast Cancer Research Group included metastatic breast (MBC) or colorectal (mCRC) cancer patients treated with bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy as first-line treatment. Blood pressure (BP) levels were measured (conventional and 24-h Holter monitoring) at baseline and up to cycle 3. Primary endpoint assessed BP levels increase as predictive factor for progression-free survival (PFS). Germline DNA methylation profile was explored in pre-treatment blood samples; principal component analysis was used to define an epigenetic predictive score for increased BP levels.

RESULTS

From Oct-2012 to Jul-2016, 143 (78 MBC and 65 mCRC) patients were included. The incidence of AHT according to guidelines was neither predictive of PFS nor of best overall tumor response (BOR). No statistically significant association was observed with systolic BP nor diastolic BP increment for PFS or BOR. Grade 3 and 4 adverse events were observed in 37 and 5% of patients, respectively. We identified 27 sites which baseline methylation status was significantly associated to BP levels increase secondary to bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Neither the frequency of AHT nor the increase of BP levels were predictive of efficacy in MBC and mCRC patients treated with bevacizumab-containing chemotherapy.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01733628.

Dynamic nature of BRAF or KRAS p.G12C mutations in second-line therapy for advanced colorectal cancer patients: do early and late effects exist?

INTRODUCTION

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling network aberrations in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) generate intrinsic dynamic effects and temporal variations that are crucial but often overlooked in clinical trial populations. Here, we investigate the time-varying impact of MAPK pathway mutation genotype on each treatment line's contribution to the overall clinical course.

METHODS

The PROMETEO study focused on mCRC patients undergoing second-line treatment at 20 hospitals. We evaluated genotypes and employed flexible models to analyse the dynamic effect of each mutation.

RESULTS

We examined data derived from 1160 patients. The effects of KRAS G12C or G12V, and BRAF V600E are clearly time-varying, with unexpected consequences such as the deleterious effect of BRAF V600E vs other genotypes dissipating over time when subjects receive antiangiogenics, or KRAS G12V and G12C showing increasing aggressiveness over time. Thus, contrary to expectations, the 12-month survival rate from the second line for those who survived >6 months was 49.9% (95% CI, 32.7-67.3) for KRAS G12C and 59% (95% CI, 38.5-80.6) for BRAF V600E.

CONCLUSIONS

The dynamic perspective is essential for understanding the behaviour of tumours with specific genotypes, especially from the second line onward. This may be relevant in patient monitoring and treatment decision-making, particularly in cases with distinct mutations.

Verbal episodic memory in children undergoing temporal lobe epilepsy surgery: a one-year follow-up study

INTRODUCTION

Verbal episodic memory (VEM) is often unimpaired in children with focal epilepsy undergoing left temporal lobe resections, unlike what we might expect in the adult brain. The latter findings suggest that epileptiform activity in early life disrupts memory system lateralization, leading to the development of bilateral memory representation. The present study aims to analyze whether the laterality of epilepsy is a major predictor for post-operative VEM prognosis in pediatric temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) surgery. This research also pretends to provide evidence about the relationship of VEM performance with other relevant demographical and clinical factors such as sex, age at onset of seizures, age at surgery and duration of epilepsy, as well as to study the impact of presurgical VEM performance on postsurgical outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Pre-operative and one-year follow-up post-operative word-list recall scores from 25 children who underwent TLE surgery (left-sided, n = 11; right-sided, n = 14) were extracted from the Hospital Sant Joan de Deu database and were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

No significant presurgical intergroup differences were found when comparing VEM scores by laterality of epilepsy (p > 0.5). Looking at the left TLE group, a high negative correlation was found between the onset age and the pre-operative long-term free recall score (rho = -0.72, p = 0.01). No significant pre- to post-operative intragroup changes were found regarding VEM performance, regardless of epilepsy laterality (left TLE group, p > 0.56; right TLE group, p > 0.12).

CONCLUSIONS

The laterality of epilepsy does not show to be a significant factor in and of itself regarding presurgical VEM outcome and its prognosis one year after surgery, thus supporting the bilateral memory representation hypothesis. Furthermore, a younger age at onset of seizures seems to be related with a better pre-operative VEM performance, likely due to a more efficient reorganization of memory system induced by a greater brain plasticity at lower ages; however, this relationship has been only reported for the left-sided epilepsies in our sample.

SEOM-GEMCAD-TTD clinical guidelines for the systemic treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (2022)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Spain. Metastatic disease is present in 15-30% of patients at diagnosis and up to 20-50% of those with initially localized disease eventually develop metastases. Recent scientific knowledge acknowledges that this is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous disease. As treatment options increase, prognosis for individuals with metastatic disease has steadily improved over recent decades. Disease management should be discussed among experienced, multidisciplinary teams to select the most appropriate systemic treatment (chemotherapy and targeted agents) and to integrate surgical or ablative procedures, when indicated. Clinical presentation, tumor sidedness, molecular profile, disease extension, comorbidities, and patient preferences are key factors when designing a customized treatment plan. These guidelines seek to provide succinct recommendations for managing metastatic CRC.

Development of a predictive model of venous thromboembolism recurrence in anticoagulated cancer patients using machine learning

INTRODUCTION

Patients with cancer and venous thromboembolism (VTE) show a high risk of VTE recurrence during anticoagulant treatment. This study aimed to develop a predictive model to assess the risk of VTE recurrence within 6 months at the moment of primary VTE diagnosis in these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using the EHRead® technology, based on Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML), the unstructured data in electronic health records from 9 Spanish hospitals between 2014 and 2018 were extracted. Both clinically- and ML-driven feature selection were performed to identify predictors for VTE recurrence. Logistic regression (LR), decision tree (DT), and random forest (RF) algorithms were used to train different prediction models, which were subsequently validated in a hold-out data set.

RESULTS

A total of 16,407 anticoagulated cancer patients with diagnosis of VTE were identified (54.4 % male and median age 70). Deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and metastases were observed in 67.2 %, 26.6 %, and 47.7 % of the patients, respectively. During the study follow-up, 11.4 % of the patients developed a recurrent VTE, being more frequent in patients with lung cancer. Feature selection and model training based on ML identified primary pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, metastasis, adenocarcinoma, hemoglobin and serum creatinine levels, platelet and leukocyte count, family history of VTE, and patients' age as predictors of VTE recurrence within 6 months of VTE diagnosis. The LR model had an AUC-ROC (95 % CI) of 0.66 (0.61, 0.70), the DT of 0.69 (0.65, 0.72) and the RF of 0.68 (0.63, 0.72).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first ML-based predictive model designed to predict 6-months VTE recurrence in patients with cancer. These results hold great potential to assist clinicians to identify the high-risk patients and improve their clinical management.

Evaluation of connectivity measures to identify Seizure Onset and Propagation Zones in Refractory Epilepsy: A Case study with two different Post- Surgical Outcomes. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2023;2023:1-4. [PMID: 38083084 DOI: 10.1109/embc40787.2023.10340078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0]

High Frequency Oscillations (HFO) have been found very useful in refractory epilepsy. They have been used to identify the epileptogenic zone and as a promising clinical biomarker for presurgical evaluation in childhood epilepsy. There is controversy about whether there is a spread of HFOs and their propagation. Some researchers reinforce the idea of dealing with epilepsy as a network disorder, so the fact of propagation can promote this research. The hypothesis of this study is that connectivity methods can be useful to detect the seizure onset and propagation zones. Methodology has been applied to two cases where the clinical outcomes after surgery were free of seizures and not free. Promising results were obtained to understand both situations. A future study with more cases is necessary to obtain strong conclusions.Clinical Relevance- This exploratory study shows the relationship between connectivity measures and the propagation of HFOs and this can be useful to know the epileptogenic function of these waves that, nowadays, are unknown. Connectivity features in conjunction with other multivariate estimators can be a tool to help in identifying the regions of interest in refractory epilepsy.

European Association of Urology (EAU) Testicular Cancer Guidelines Panel: A new prognostic factor risk group classification for patients with clinical stage 1 seminoma in active surveillance

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Background: Between 4%- 30% of patients with clinical stage 1 (CS I) seminoma testis (ST) in active surveillance (AS) relapse depending on pathological risk factors tumor size (TS) and rete testis invasion (RTI). The level of evidence supporting these pathological risk factors in clinical decision-making is low due to heterogeneous study design and reporting and the difficulty to analyze patient subgroups according to combination of these factors. The objectives of the present study were to identify the most important pathological prognostic factors predicting relapse in CS I seminoma patients with normal post-orchidectomy serum tumor marker (STM) levels in AS and to construct risk-groups for guiding treatment decision-making and follow-up. Methods: Individual patient data from 1016 CS I-ST patients diagnosed between February 1994 and January 2019 in AS were collected from 9 institutions. Central pathology review was not routinely performed in all institutions; therefore, pagetoid and stromal RTI were not differentiated explicitly in most cases. Assessing patient age, pre-orchidectomy STM b-human chorionic gonadotropin and lactate dehydrogenase, pathological TS, RTI, lympho-vascular invasion (LVI), multi-focality, and GCNIS, multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were fit to identify the most important prognostic factors for the time to first relapse by imaging and/or markers (primary endpoint). Probabilities of relapse were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: After median follow-up of 7.7 years, 149 (14.7%) patients relapsed, 104 identified by imaging alone, 44 by imaging with elevated STMs and 1 by elevated STMs alone. Excluding 18 patients with unknown LVI from the multivariable analyses, TS (≤ 2 cm, between 2 and 5 cm, > 5 cm), presence of RTI and presence of LVI were used to form three risk groups: very low, low and high-risk (Table). Five-years probability of relapse varied from 8% in the very low risk-group to 44% in the high risk-group. The new model outperformed the current model with TS < 4cm vs ≥ 4 and RTI (Harrell's C index 0.65 vs 0.61) and identifies a subgroup of patients with a higher risk of relapse. Conclusions: The new risk-group stratification for CS I -ST patients in AS outperforms the histopathological model based on TS and RTI. It will serve to better inform patients on the risk of relapse during follow-up after orchidectomy but requires an independent validation. [Table: see text]

Evolution of RAS Mutations in Cell-Free DNA of Patients with Tissue RAS Wild-Type Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Receiving First-Line Treatment: The PERSEIDA Study

The serial analysis of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) enables minimally invasive monitoring of tumor evolution, providing continuous genetic information. PERSEIDA was an observational, prospective study assessing the cfDNA RAS (KRAS/NRAS) mutational status evolution in first-line, metastatic CRC, RAS wild-type (according to baseline tumor tissue biopsy) patients. Plasma samples were collected before first-line treatment, after 20 ± 2 weeks, and at disease progression. One hundred and nineteen patients were included (102 received panitumumab and chemotherapy as first-line treatment-panitumumab subpopulation). Fifteen (12.6%) patients presented baseline cfDNA RAS mutations (n = 14 [13.7%], panitumumab subpopulation) (mutant allele fraction ≥0.02 for all results). No patients presented emergent mutations (cfDNA RAS mutations not present at baseline) at 20 weeks. At disease progression, 11 patients (n = 9; panitumumab subpopulation) presented emergent mutations (RAS conversion rate: 19.0% [11/58]; 17.7% [9/51], panitumumab subpopulation). In contrast, three (5.2%) patients presenting baseline cfDNA RAS mutations were RAS wild-type at disease progression. No significant associations were observed between overall response rate or progression-free survival and cfDNA RAS mutational status in the total panitumumab subpopulation. Although, in patients with left-sided tumors, a significantly longer progression-free survival was observed in cfDNA RAS wild-type patients compared to those presenting cfDNA RAS mutations at any time. Continuous evaluation of RAS mutations may provide valuable insights on tumor molecular dynamics that can help clinical practice.

Randomized phase II trial of FOLFIRI-panitumumab compared with FOLFIRI alone in patients with RAS wild-type circulating tumor DNA metastatic colorectal cancer beyond progression to first-line FOLFOX-panitumumab: the BEYOND study (GEMCAD 17-01)

PURPOSE

Panitumumab plus FOLFOX (P-FOLFOX) is standard first-line treatment for RAS wild-type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer. The value of panitumumab rechallenge is currently unknown. We assessed addition of panitumumab to FOLFIRI (P-FOLFIRI) beyond progression to P-FOLFOX in patients with no RAS mutations in liquid biopsy (LB).

METHODS

In this randomized phase II trial, patients were assigned (3:2 ratio) to second-line P-FOLFIRI (arm A) or FOLFIRI alone (arm B). LB for circulating tumor DNA analysis was collected at study entry and at disease progression. Primary endpoint was 6-month progression-free survival. Two-stage Simon design required 85 patients to be included (EudraCT 2017-004519-38).

RESULTS

Between February 2019 and November 2020, 49 patients were screened (16 RAS mutations in LB detected) and 31 included (18 assigned to arm A and 13 to arm B). The study was prematurely closed due to inadequate recruitment. Serious adverse events were more frequent in arm A (44% vs. 23%). Overall response rate was 33% (arm A) vs. 7.7% (arm B). Six-month progression-free survival rate was 66.7% (arm A) and 38.5% (arm B). Median progression-free survival was 11.0 months (arm A) and 4.0 months (arm B) (hazard ratio, 0.58). At disease progression, RAS or BRAF mutations in LB were found in 4/11 patients (36%) in arm A and 2/10 (20%) in arm B.

CONCLUSIONS

The BEYOND study suggests a meaningful benefit of P-FOLFIRI beyond progression to P-FOLFOX in metastatic colorectal cancer patients with WT RAS status selected by LB. This strategy deserves further investigation.

Predicting major bleeding events in anticoagulated cancer patients with venous thromboembolism using real-world data and machine learning

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Background: Evidence regarding the clinical predictors of bleeding risk in patients with cancer and venous thromboembolism (VTE) is lacking. Our aim was to develop a predictive model to assess the risk of major bleeding (MB) in anticoagulant-treated patients with active cancer during the first 6 months following VTE diagnosis. Methods: Observational, retrospective, and multicenter study based on the secondary analysis of unstructured clinical data in electronic health records (EHRs). Using the EHRead technology, based on Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML), data were collected from EHRs from 9 Spanish hospitals between 2014 and 2018. The study population comprised all adult cancer patients with a diagnosis of VTE under anticoagulant treatment and no history of MB. This population was downsampled to prevent bias and class imbalance. A total of 94 patient characteristics were explored, and Random Forest (RF) feature selection was performed to identify the most relevant predictors. Multiple algorithms were used to train different prediction models, which were subsequently validated in a hold-out dataset. The model with the best performance metrics (i.e., ROC-AUC) was selected as the final model. Results: Among a source population of 2,893,208 patients, 21,227 anticoagulant-treated patients with VTE and active cancer were identified from EHRs. Of these, 53.9% men, with a median age (Q1, Q3) of 70 (59,80) years. The median duration of follow up across all patients was 0.7 (0.11, 2.03) years. During the study period, estimated in-hospital prevalence of cancer-related VTE was 5.8 %. The most common type of VTE at baseline was deep vein thrombosis (68.2 % of patients), followed by pulmonary embolism (28.4%). The most frequent primary cancers were colorectal (10.1%) and lung cancer (8.5 %). Of all trained and validated models, the RF approach yielded the best performance, with a ROC-AUC = 0.7. The following predictors of MB were identified: hemoglobin levels, presence of metastasis, patient’s age, platelet count, leukocyte count, and serum creatinine levels. Conclusions: This is the first multicenter study to use NLP to extract the unstructured information from EHRs to develop a predictive model for MB in anticoagulated cancer patients with VTE. These results may improve the prevention and management of bleeding in these patients.

Predicting recurrence of venous thromboembolism in anticoagulated cancer patients using real-world data and machine learning

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Background: The clinical predictors of venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence in patients with cancer are not well known. Our objective was to develop a predictive model for risk of VTE recurrence in anticoagulant-treated cancer patients within the first 6 months following VTE diagnosis. Methods: Using the EHRead technology, based on Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML), the unstructured clinical data in EHRs from 9 Spanish hospitals between 2014 and 2018 was extracted and analyzed. The study population, comprising all adult anticoagulated cancer patients with VTE, was downsampled to prevent bias and class imbalance. A total of 94 patient characteristics were explored, and Random Forest (RF) feature selection was performed to identify the most relevant predictors for VTE recurrence. Multiple algorithms were used to train different prediction models, which were subsequently validated in a hold-out dataset. The model with the best performance metrics (i.e., ROC-AUC) was selected as the final model. Results: From a source population of 2,893,208 patients, 21,227 anticoagulant-treated patients with VTE and active cancer (53.9% male, median age of 70 years) were identified. Across the study period, yearly incidence of VTE remained relatively stable, ranging from 2.7 to 3.9%. The most common type of VTE was deep vein thrombosis (68.2% of patients), followed by pulmonary embolism (28.4%). Regarding primary cancer locations, the most frequent were colorectal (10.1%) and lung cancer (8.5%). Of all trained and validated models, the RF approach yielded the best performance, with a ROC-AUC = 0.72. The following predictors of VTE recurrence were identified: pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, metastasis, adenocarcinoma, hemoglobin values, serum creatinine values, platelet count, leukocyte count, family history of VTE, and patients’ age. Conclusions: Using NLP and ML, we were able to use the real-world data in EHRs to build a predictive model of VTE recurrence in cancer patients based on individual clinical features. These results may improve the clinical management of VTE recurrence in this population.

Treatment patterns and intensification within 5 year of follow-up of the first-line anti-TNFα used for the treatment of IBD: Results from the VERNE study

BACKGROUND

Anti-TNFα represent one of the main treatment approaches for the management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Therefore,the evaluation of their treatment patterns over time provides valuable insights about the clinical value of therapies and associated costs.

AIMS

To assess the treatment patterns with the first anti-TNFα in IBD.

METHODS

Retrospective, observational study.

RESULTS

310 IBD patients were analyzed along a 5-year follow-up period. 56.2% of Crohn's disease (CD) patients started with adalimumab (ADA), while 43.8% started with infliximab (IFX). 12.9% of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients initiated with ADA, while 87.1% initiated with IFX. Treatment intensification was required in 28.9% of CD and 37.1% of UC patients. Median time to treatment intensification was shorter in UC than in CD (5.3 vs. 14.3 months; p = 0.028). Treatment discontinuation due to reasons other than remission were observed in 40.7% of CD and 40.5% of UC patients, although, in UC patients there was a trend to lower discontinuation rates with IFX (36.6%) than with ADA (66.7%). Loss of response accounted for approximately one-third of discontinuations, in both CD and UC.

CONCLUSIONS

Around one-third of IBD biologic-naive patients treated with an anti-TNFα required treatment intensification (earlier in UC) and around 40% discontinued the anti-TNFα due to inappropriate disease control.

Real-life use of ramucirumab in gastric cancer in Spain: the RAMIS study

Aims: To obtain real-world data on ramucirumab use and effectiveness for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer (AGC) or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma (GEJ). Methods: Observational, retrospective study carried out in 20 Spanish hospitals, in patients who started ramucirumab treatment between December 2015 and December 2018. Descriptive analysis was conducted for patient characteristics, treatment patterns and effectiveness outcomes. Results: Three hundred seventeen patients were included (93.7% treated with ramucirumab-paclitaxel and 6.3% with ramucirumab); age 62.5 (11.3) years; 66.9% male. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 3.9 months (95% CI: 3.4-4.3) and 7.4 (95% CI: 6.4-8.9) in combination regimen and 2.0 (1.1-2.8) and 4.3 (95% CI: 1.9-7.3) in monotherapy, respectively. Conclusion: The study findings were consistent with available real-world studies and randomized clinical trials.

The prognostic significance of lactate dehydrogenase levels in seminoma patients with advanced disease: an analysis by the Global Germ Cell Tumor Collaborative Group (G3)

Purpose

The prognostic significance of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in patients with metastatic seminoma is not defined. We investigated the prognostic impact of LDH levels prior to first-line systemic treatment and other clinical characteristics in this subset of patients.

Methods

Files from two registry studies and one single-institution database were analyzed retrospectively. Uni- and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify patient characteristics associated with recurrence free survival (RFS), overall survival (OS), and complete response rate (CRR).

Results

The dataset included 351 metastatic seminoma patients with a median follow-up of 5.36 years. Five-year RFS, OS and CRR were 82%, 89% and 52%, respectively. Explorative analysis revealed a cut-off LDH level of < 2.5 upper limit of normal (ULN) (n = 228) vs. ≥ 2.5 ULN (n = 123) to be associated with a significant difference concerning OS associated with 5-years OS rates of 93% vs. 83% (p = 0.001) which was confirmed in multivariate analysis (HR 2.87; p = 0.004). Furthermore, the cut-off LDH < 2.5 ULN vs. ≥ 2.5 ULN correlated with RFS and CRR associated with a 5-years RFS rate and CRR of 76% vs. 86% (p = 0.012) and 32% vs. 59% (p  ≤  0.001), respectively.

Conclusions

LDH levels correlate with treatment response and survival in metastatic seminoma patients and should be considered for their prognostic stratification.

Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. First Line Therapy for Unresectable Disease

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a commonly diagnosed malignancy. The prognosis of patients with unresectable, metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is dismal and medical treatment is mainly palliative in nature. Although chemotherapy remains the backbone of treatment, the landscape is changing with the understanding of its heterogeneity and molecular biology. First-line therapy relies on a combination of chemotherapy and targeted therapies, according to clinical patient characteristics and tumor molecular profile. Here we review current evidence from randomized clinical trials for using chemotherapy doublets or triplets, and for the addition of bevacizumab or anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) agents. Novel therapies developed for small, selected populations are also discussed.

Correlation of RECIST, Computed Tomography Morphological Response, and Pathological Regression in Hepatic Metastasis Secondary to Colorectal Cancer: The AVAMET Study

Background: The prospective phase IV AVAMET study was undertaken to correlate response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST)-defined response rates with computed tomography-based morphological criteria (CTMC) and pathological response after liver resection of colorectal cancer metastases. Methods: Eligible patients were aged ≥18 years, with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0/1 and histologically-confirmed colon or rectal adenocarcinoma with measurable liver metastases. Preoperative treatment was bevacizumab (7.5 mg on day 1) + XELOX (oxaliplatin 130 mg/m², capecitabine 1000 mg/m² bid on days 1–14 q3w). After three cycles, response was evaluated by a multidisciplinary team. Patients who were progression-free and metastasectomy candidates received one cycle of XELOX before undergoing surgery 3–5 weeks later, followed by four cycles of bevacizumab + XELOX. Results: A total of 83 patients entered the study; 68 were eligible for RECIST, 67 for CTMC, and 51 for pathological response evaluation. Of these patients, 49% had a complete or partial RECIST response, 91% had an optimal or incomplete CTMC response, and 81% had a complete or major pathological response. CTMC response predicted 37 of 41 pathological responses versus 23 of 41 responses predicted using RECIST (p = 0.008). Kappa coefficients indicated a lack of correlation between the results of RECIST and morphological responses and between morphological and pathological response rates. Conclusion: CTMC may represent a better marker of pathological response to bevacizumab + XELOX than RECIST in patients with potentially-resectable CRC liver metastases.

Role of 3D printing for the protection of surgical and critical care professionals in the COVID-19 pandemic

Antecedentes y objetivo

Durante la pandemia de COVID-19 se produce una reducción del material para la protección de los profesionales. La impresión 3D ofrece la posibilidad de compensar la escasez de algunos de los suministros. El objetivo es describir el papel de la impresión 3D en un servicio de salud durante la pandemia de COVID-19, con énfasis en proceso para desarrollar un producto final listo para ser implementado en el entorno clínico.

Materiales y métodos

Se formó un grupo de trabajo entre la administración sanitaria, clínicos y otras instituciones público-privadas de Cantabria coordinado en el Hospital virtual Valdecilla. El proceso incluyó la recepción de las propuestas de impresión, el conocimiento de los recursos de impresión en la región, la selección de los dispositivos, la creación de un equipo para cada proyecto, diseño de prototipos, evaluación y rediseño, fabricación montaje y distribución.

Resultados

Se producen 1) dispositivos que ayudan a prevenir el contagio de los profesionales: pantallas de protección facial (2.400 unidades), accesorios personalizados para fotóforos (20 unidades) y horquillas salvaorejas para mascarillas (1.200 unidades); 2) productos relacionados con la ventilación de pacientes infectados: conectores de sistemas de ventilación no invasiva entre tubuladura y mascarilla; y 3) hisopos oro y nasofaríngeos (7.500 unidades) para la identificación de portadoras del coronavirus con el objetivo de diseñar protocolos de actuación en las área clínicas.

Conclusiones

La impresión 3D es un recurso válido para la producción de material de protección de los profesionales cuyo suministro está reducido durante una pandemia.

Patterns of relapse and treatment outcome after active surveillance or adjuvant carboplatin for stage I seminoma: a retrospective study of the Spanish Germ Cell Cancer Group

PURPOSE

Active surveillance (AS) and adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) with carboplatin are valid alternatives for managing stage I seminoma, and most relapses can be cured with cisplatin-based chemotherapy. However, some reports suggest that AC may modify the classical pattern of recurrences.

METHODS

We analyzed all relapses observed in a series of 879 patients with stage I seminoma included in 4 consecutive studies of the Spanish Germ Cell Cancer Group. After a median follow-up of 67 months, recurrences were detected in 56/467 (12%) low-risk cases on AS and 13/412 (3%) high-risk cases after AC (p < 0.001). The objective was to describe clinical features, treatment and outcome. Univariate comparisons were performed between both groups.

RESULTS

No significant differences were found between relapses on AS and those after AC in terms of time to relapse (13 vs 17 months), size (26 vs 27 mm), location (retroperitoneum in 88% vs 85%), and method of detection (computed tomography in 77% vs 69%). Treatment consisted of chemotherapy (etoposide + cisplatin ± bleomycin) in 89% and 92%, respectively. Late relapses (after > 3 years) were seen in 11% vs 7.7% (p = NS) and second or successive recurrences in 1.8 vs 23% (p < 0.05). With a median follow-up of 130 moths, two patients died of seminoma-unrelated causes (AS group) and the rest are alive and disease-free.

CONCLUSION

In the setting of a risk-adapted treatment of stage I seminoma, the administration of two courses of AC in patients with tumor size > 4 cm and/or rete testis invasion is associated with a higher incidence of second recurrences but does not significantly modify the pattern of relapses or their outcome.

Gliomatosis cerebri and Rasmussen's encephalitis: Two different entities causing refractory epilepsy. Comparison through two clinical cases

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE

Rasmussen's Encephalitis (RE) is a chronic and progressive childhood disease caused by an inflammatory disorder that affects a cerebral hemisphere. On the other hand, Gliomatosis Cerebri (GC) is a rare primary neoplastic glial process with a diffuse and infiltrative growth.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

We present two clinical cases with a history of continuous focal epilepsy refractory to antiepileptic drugs. They share similar clinical and radiologic features, but a different histopathological diagnosis. A brain biopsy was needed to distinguish GC from a RE.

CONCLUSION

The debut of a drug-resistant epilepsy with focal seizures and an ipsilateral progressive hemiparesis suggests the diagnosis of RE. However, there are other entities such as GC, which, despite its rarity, should be considered in the differential diagnosis. So, in some cases, histological diagnosis is needed.

Human chorionic gonadotropin-positive seminoma patients: A registry compiled by the global germ cell tumor collaborative group (G3)

BACKGROUND

The prognostic role of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) serum levels in seminoma patients remains uncertain. This observational study evaluates the prognostic impact of tumour marker levels, and other clinicopathological findings, in hCG-positive seminoma patients.

METHODS

Seminoma patients with serum hCG levels above normal at first diagnosis were eligible for recruitment. Statistical analysis, including multivariate regression, was performed to identify risk factors. Primary end-points were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS).

RESULTS

We recruited 1031 hCG-positive patients (stage I: n = 586; stage II + III: n = 427) diagnosed between 1981 and 2018. In metastatic disease, LDH levels ≥3 above upper normal limit (UNL) pre- (n = 109) or post-orchiectomy (n = 73) and patients aged ≥40 years (n = 187) were associated with poor prognosis: 5-year OS rates of 84% (LDH ≥3 UNL pre-orchiectomy) versus 92% (<3 UNL pre-orchiectomy) (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.155, [95% confidence interval {CI}: 1.28-7.75], P = 0.012), 82% (≥3 UNL post-orchiectomy) versus 92% (<3 UNL post-orchiectomy) (HR: 6.877, [95% CI: 1.61-29.34]; P = 0.009) and 86% (≥40 years) versus 91% (<40 years) (HR: 6.870, [95% CI: 1.45-13.37], P = 0.009), respectively. A subset of patients with hCG levels ≥2000 IU/l pre-orchiectomy (n = 17) exhibited a poor prognosis, with 5-year OS rates of 73% (≥2000 IU/l) versus 94% (<2000 IU/l) (HR: 3.936, [95% CI: 1.02-12.61], P = 0.047).

CONCLUSIONS

Age and LDH levels are significantly associated with poor prognosis in hCG-positive seminoma patients. A small number of patients, with levels of hCG ≥2000 IU/l, may represent a separate prognostic subgroup associated with impaired survival rates.

Prognostic impact of LDH and HCG levels in marker-positive seminomas

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Background: The prognostic impact of LDH and HCG serum levels in marker positive metastatic seminoma patients is uncertain. This analysis evaluated the association between LDH and HCG levels with oncological outcomes in this patient population. Methods: Seminoma patients with elevated HCG levels were retrospectively analyzed. After stratification according to tumor marker levels pre- and post-orchiectomy, outcomes of subgroups were compared using log-rank test and cox-regression analysis. Study endpoints were cancer specific- (CSS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). Results: In total, 429 HCG-positive metastatic seminoma patients (stage II n=291; stage III n=138) diagnosed between 1981 and 2018 were included. LDH + HCG levels ranged from 124 U/l to 8833 U/l (median: 619; IQR: 955) + 2 IU/l to 283,782 IU/l (median: 20; IQR: 63) pre- and from 107 U/l to 8650 U/l (median: 324; IQR: 481) + 0 IU/l to 36700 IU/l post-orchiectomy (median: 30; IQR: 121), respectively. Five-year CSS and RFS rates were 90% and 79%, respectively. Patients with LDH levels pre-orchiectomy <1.5 UNL (n=142) had a 5-year CSS (RFS) rate of 97% (88%), compared to 86% (81%) for ≥1.5 to 3 UNL (n=40), 83% (77%) for >3 to 5 UNL (n=44) and 83% (72%) for >5 UNL (n=44) (CSS p <0.001; RFS p=0.142). Concerning LDH levels post-orchiectomy this stratification was not significant but patients with LDH levels ≥3 UNL (n=77) displayed an impaired prognosis associated with a 5-year CSS (RFS) rate of 85% (79%) compared to 94% (82%) for levels <3 UNL (n=186) (CSS p=0.025; RFS p=0.447). Patients with HCG levels ≥2000 IU/l (n=17) pre- but not post-orchiectomy had a 5-year CSS (RFS) rate of 73% (60%) compared to 94% (79%) for patients with HCG levels <2000 IU/l (n=855) (CSS p=0.09; RFS p=0.04). In cox-regression analysis LDH ≥1.5 UNL (p=0.037; HR 3.32, CI95%1.08-10.26) and HCG levels ≥2000 IU/l (p=0.044; HR 3.69, 95%CI1.04-13.13) pre-orchiectomy were confirmed as prognostic factors for CSS. Conclusions: LDH levels inversely correlate with survival outcomes, suggesting ≥1.5 UNL pre- and ≥3 UNL post-orchiectomy as potential cut-off values for further risk assessment. Patients with extensive HCG elevations may represent an unfavorable subgroup concerning RFS and CSS, but only few patients were affected.

[The role of eslicarbazepine acetate in the treatment of focal-onset epilepsy in pediatric age: practical issues]

Eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) is a third-generation antiepileptic drug (AED) of the carboxamide family and structurally related to carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine, although it has pharmacological differences that may have relevant implications of clinical utility. Since 2009 in Europe, ESL has been indicated for use in adults as adjuvant therapy in patients with partial-onset seizures (currently called focal-onset), with or without secondary generalization (with or without evolution to bilateral tonic-clonic, in current terminology). In 2017, the indication for adjunctive therapy of patients with partial-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization was extended to its use as monotherapy in adults and as adjuvant therapy in adolescents and children older than 6 years. A group of experts carried out this review aimed at the aspects of most interest in the clinical practice of the use of ESL in the pediatric population, including differential aspects from other AEDs. Aspects such as efficacy, dosage, clinical response depending on age, tolerability and its management, neurocognitive and behavioral profile, need for monitoring of any analytical parameter, role of plasma level monitoring, possible added value of the once-daily administration, clinical situations in which the addition of ESL would be recommended, use with other sodium channel blockers, how to switch from carbamazepine/oxcarbazepine, potential interactions with other AEDs, potential interactions with drugs other than AEDs, and some practical issues that require additional research.

Outcome of Men With Relapses After Adjuvant Bleomycin, Etoposide, and Cisplatin for Clinical Stage I Nonseminoma

PURPOSE

Clinical stage I (CSI) nonseminoma (NS) is a disease limited to the testis without metastases. One treatment strategy after orchiectomy is adjuvant chemotherapy. Little is known about the outcome of patients who experience relapse after such treatment.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data from 51 patients with CSI NS who experienced a relapse after adjuvant bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) from 18 centers/11 countries were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Primary outcomes were overall and progression-free survivals calculated from day 1 of treatment at first relapse. Secondary outcomes were time to, stage at, and treatment of relapse and rate of subsequent relapses.

RESULTS

Median time to relapse was 13 months, with the earliest relapse 2 months after start of adjuvant treatment and the latest after 25 years. With a median follow-up of 96 months, the 5-year PFS was 67% (95% CI, 54% to 82%) and the 5-year OS was 81% (95% CI, 70% to 94%). Overall, 19 (37%) of 51 relapses occurred later than 2 years. Late relapses were associated with a significantly higher risk of death from NS (hazard ratio, 1.10 per year; P = .01). Treatment upon relapse was diverse: the majority of patients received a combination of chemotherapy and surgery. Twenty-nine percent of patients experienced a subsequent relapse. At last follow-up, 41 patients (80%) were alive and disease-free, eight (16%) had died of progressive disease, and one patient (2%) each had died from therapy-related or other causes.

CONCLUSION

Outcomes of patients with relapse after adjuvant BEP seem better compared with patients who experience relapse after treatment of metastatic disease but worse compared with those who have de-novo metastatic disease. We found a substantial rate of late and subsequent relapses. There seem to be three patterns of relapse with different outcomes: pure teratoma, early viable NS relapse (< 2 years), and late viable NS relapse (> 2 years).

ESMO Consensus Conference on testicular germ cell cancer: diagnosis, treatment and follow-up

The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) consensus conference on testicular cancer was held on 3-5 November 2016 in Paris, France. The conference included a multidisciplinary panel of 36 leading experts in the diagnosis and treatment of testicular cancer (34 panel members attended the conference; an additional two panel members [CB and K-PD] participated in all preparatory work and subsequent manuscript development). The aim of the conference was to develop detailed recommendations on topics relating to testicular cancer that are not covered in detail in the current ESMO Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) and where the available level of evidence is insufficient. The main topics identified for discussion related to: (1) diagnostic work-up and patient assessment; (2) stage I disease; (3) stage II-III disease; (4) post-chemotherapy surgery, salvage chemotherapy, salvage and desperation surgery and special topics; and (5) survivorship and follow-up schemes. The experts addressed questions relating to one of the five topics within five working groups. Relevant scientific literature was reviewed in advance. Recommendations were developed by the working groups and then presented to the entire panel. A consensus vote was obtained following whole-panel discussions, and the consensus recommendations were then further developed in post-meeting discussions in written form. This manuscript presents the results of the expert panel discussions, including the consensus recommendations and a summary of evidence supporting each recommendation. All participants approved the final manuscript.

Clinical Impact of Circulating Tumor RAS and BRAF Mutation Dynamics in Patients With Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treated With First-Line Chemotherapy Plus Anti-Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Therapy

PURPOSE

RAS and BRAF mutations can be detected as a mechanism of acquired resistance in circulating tumor (ct) DNA in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy.

METHODS

RAS and BRAF mutational status was assessed in ctDNA in a baseline plasma sample and a serum sample collected at the time of the last available determination (named secondary extraction) from patients with KRAS exon 2 wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer treated in two first-line prospective biomarker-designed clinical trials (PULSE, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01288339; and POSIBA, ClincialTrials.gov identifier: NCT01276379).

RESULTS

Analysis of extended RAS and BRAF in tissue and plasma from 178 patients with KRAS exon 2 wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer showed a sensitivity of 64.1% and a specificity of 90%. The median overall survival (OS) of baseline patients with RAS and BRAF mutations in ctDNA was 22.3 months (95% CI, 15.6 to 29 months) and 8.9 months (95% CI, 6.3 to 11.4 months), respectively, which was significantly inferior to the median OS of 40.4 months (95% CI, 35.9 to 44.9 months) in two patients with wild-type disease (P < .001). Acquisition of RAS/BRAF mutations occurred in nine of 63 patients (14%) with progressive disease (PD; ie, blood draw within 1 month before PD or after PD) compared with six of 73 patients (8%) with no PD or blood extraction for ctDNA analysis before 1 month of PD (P = .47). Median OS in patients with RAS/BRAF acquisition was 23.9 months (95% CI, 19.7 to 27.9 months) compared with 40.6 months (95% CI, not reached to not reached) in patients who remained free of mutations (P = .016).

CONCLUSION

Our results confirm that baseline RAS and BRAF testing in ctDNA discriminates survival. The emergence of RAS/BRAF mutations has limited relevance for the time to progression to anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapy.

Development, Implementation and Assessment of Molecular Diagnostics by Next Generation Sequencing in Personalized Treatment of Cancer: Experience of a Public Reference Healthcare Hospital

The establishment of precision medicine in cancer patients requires the study of several biomarkers. Single-gene testing approaches are limited by sample availability and turnaround time. Next generation sequencing (NGS) provides an alternative for detecting genetic alterations in several genes with low sample requirements. Here we show the implementation to routine diagnostics of a NGS assay under International Organization for Standardization (UNE-EN ISO 15189:2013) accreditation. For this purpose, 106 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and 102 metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) specimens were selected for NGS analysis with Oncomine Solid Tumor (ThermoFisher). In NSCLC the most prevalently mutated gene was TP53 (49%), followed by KRAS (31%) and EGFR (13%); in mCRC, TP53 (50%), KRAS (48%) and PIK3CA (16%) were the most frequently mutated genes. Moreover, NGS identified actionable genetic alterations in 58% of NSCLC patients, and 49% of mCRC patients did not harbor primary resistance mechanisms to anti-EGFR treatment. Validation with conventional approaches showed an overall agreement >90%. Turnaround time and cost analysis revealed that NGS implementation is feasible in the public healthcare context. Therefore, NGS is a multiplexed molecular diagnostic tool able to overcome the limitations of current molecular diagnosis in advanced cancer, allowing an improved and economically sustainable molecular profiling.

Aflibercept Plus FOLFIRI for Second-line Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: Observations from the Global Aflibercept Safety and Health-Related Quality-of-Life Program (ASQoP)

BACKGROUND

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the safety profile of aflibercept and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) provided with aflibercept access before marketing authorization.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients received aflibercept followed by FOLFIRI (fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan) on day 1 of a 2-week cycle until disease progression, unacceptable toxicity, death, or patient/investigator decision to discontinue. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were evaluated, and HRQL was assessed at baseline, cycle 3, and every other cycle using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-CR29, and EuroQol 5-Dimensions 3-Levels questionnaires (NCT01571284).

RESULTS

Overall, 779 adult patients with mCRC, who received ≥ 1 prior oxaliplatin-based regimen and had disease progression during or following their last administration of oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, were enrolled. At data cutoff, all patients had discontinued treatment, mainly owing to disease progression (51.7%). The most common TEAEs of any grade were diarrhea (61.6%), hypertension (48.4%), and nausea (43.3%). The most common grade 3/4 TEAEs were hypertension (24.1%), neutropenia (23.1%), and diarrhea (15.3%). Clinically meaningful changes in HRQL were reported for all measures. Most patients either had an improvement in their HRQL scores or remained stable during the treatment period based on patient-reported outcomes.

CONCLUSION

The data from this study support the tolerability of the combination of aflibercept and FOLFIRI in a setting that more closely approximates real life in patients with mCRC who failed to respond to oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy, and also suggest an improvement in HRQL.

Outcome of men with relapses after adjuvant BEP for clinical stage I nonseminoma

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Background: Clin. stage I (CSI) non-seminoma (NS) is disease limited to the testis without metastases. One treatment strategy after orchiectomy is adjuvant (adjuv) chemotherapy with BEP after which relapses are rare. Little is known about the outcome of patients (pts) relapsing after such treatment. Methods: Data from 51 pts with CSI NS and relapse after adjuv BEP from 18 centers/11 countries was collected and retrospectively analyzed. Primary endpoints were OS and PFS calculated from start of treatment of relapse. Secondary outcomes were time to, stage at, and treatment of relapse as well as rate of subsequent relapses. Results: 23 pts received one cycle adjuv BEP and 28 pts two. Median time to relapse was 13 months, with the earliest relapse two months after start of adjuv BEP and the latest relapse recorded after 26 years. According to IGCCCG, 84% of pts classified as good prognosis at relapse. With a median follow up of 50 months 5y PFS was 64% (95% CI 52-80%) and 5y OS 79% (95% CI 68-92%). Treatment upon relapse was diverse, the majority of pts received combination- chemotherapy and surgery. 10 pts (20%) had pure mature teratoma at relapse treated with surgery alone. None of these pts experienced a second relapse. If teratoma relapses were excluded, 5y PFS dropped to 58% (44-77%) and 5y OS to 76% (63-92%). Relapses later than three years after adjuv therapy occured in 15/51 pts. (29%) and were associated with a statistically significant higher risk of death from germ-cell cancer (p=0.02). 15/51 pts (29%) experienced a subsequent relapse. Excluding pts with teratoma only, subsequent relapses occured in 15 of the remaining 41 pts (37%). At last follow-up, 41/51 (80%) pts were alive and disease-free, 8/51 (16%) had died from progressive disease and one pt each had died from therapy-related or other causes. Conclusions: Outcome of pts with relapse after adjuv BEP seems to be better compared to pts with relapse after metastatic disease, but worse compared to de novo metastatic pts. There is a substantial rate of late and subsequent relapses. Pts and care-takers need to be informed about this and therapy intensification at first relapse might be considered. However, considering the low rate of relapses, OS in general for CSI NS pts receiving adjuv BEP is excellent.

SEOM clinical guidelines to primary prevention of cancer (2018)

Cancer is the leading social and healthcare problem of the twenty-first century. The aim of primary prevention is to decrease the incidence of cancer by avoiding the known causes and risk factors. Nevertheless, it has been estimated that cancer diagnoses could be halved through primary prevention measures. A comprehensive review of the scientific evidence regarding the main carcinogens and risk factors and primary prevention recommendations have been put forth based on this evidence. The GRADE scale has been used to classify the grade of evidence. We present the scientific evidence and recommendations for primary prevention of the major modifiable risk factors: smoking, alcohol, diet, obesity, physical activity, occupational and environmental factors, ultraviolet radiation, infections, and socioeconomic factors. Primary prevention is a simple, effective means to lower the incidence of cancer. Preventive measures must be circulated in the fight against cancer.

SEOM clinical guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (2018)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second cause of cancer death in Spain, the objective of this guide published by the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology is to develop a consensus for the diagnosis and management of metastatic disease. The optimal treatment strategy for patients with metastatic CRC should be discussed in a multidisciplinary expert team to select the most appropriate treatment, and integrate systemic treatment and other options such as surgery and ablative techniques depending on the characteristics of the tumour, the patient and the location of the disease and metastases.

Retrospective study of perampanel efficacy and tolerability in myoclonic seizures

OBJECTIVES

Perampanel is an antiepileptic drug (AED) approved for add-on treatment of focal seizures (with or without generalization) and primary generalized tonic-clonic (GTC) seizures. Our objective was to explore the effectiveness and tolerability of adjunctive perampanel in patients with drug-resistant myoclonic seizures, after failure of other AEDs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective, multicenter, observational study. Data were collected from individual patient clinical files and analysed using appropriate descriptive statistics and inferential analyses.

RESULTS

Data are reported for 31 patients with mean age 36.4 years, who had an average epilepsy duration of 18 years, previously taken an average of 5.03 AEDs, and were taking an average of 2.4 AEDs on perampanel initiation. Patients exhibited myoclonic, GTC, absence, tonic and focal seizures, and most had associated cognitive decline and/or ataxia. Median time on perampanel was 6 months, most common dose was 6 mg, and overall retention rate was 84%. The responder rate for myoclonic seizures was defined via reduction of days with myoclonic seizures per month. At 6 months, 15 (48.4%) of the 31 patients were classed as myoclonic seizure responders, 10 (32.3%) were myoclonic seizure free, and 39% saw improvements in functional ability. Of 17 patients with GTC seizures at baseline, 9 (53%) were responders at 6 months, and 8 (47.1%) were seizure free. The most frequent side effects were psychiatric disorders, instability, dizziness and irritability, and mostly resolved with dose reduction. Five patients discontinued perampanel due to side effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Perampanel caused clinically meaningful improvements in patients with drug-resistant myoclonic seizures. It was generally well tolerated, but psychiatric and neurological side effects sometimes required follow-up and dose reduction.