Klinicka Onkologie最新文献

Background: Malignant liver tumors are highly aggressive with a poor prognosis. Metalothionein (MT) is a low-molecular intracellular protein, whose primary function is to regulate the homeostasis of heavy metals in many organisms. There are only few studies focusing on the molecular mechanisms of MT expression. Recent studies show its significant relations to carcinogenesis, spontaneous mutagenesis and efficiency of antitumor medicine. In previous studies, the increase of MT levels in cancer patients was proven. The aim of this work is to study MT as well as to increase the efficiency of malignant liver tumor diagnosis.

Methods: In our pilot study (2022-2023) we observed a group of 15 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (diagnosis C220) and a group of 15 patients with hepatoblastoma (diagnosis C222). The control group included 20 healthy probands. We developed our own modified method for the analysis. Blood serum samples of the probands were denaturated (99 ˚C, 20 min). MT was determined by an electrochemical method. Obtained data were stored and processed in the laboratory information system QINSLAB.

Results: In denaturated blood serum samples, we obtained voltametric curves of MT. We determined concentrations of MT by evaluating the area under the curve (AUC). To differentiate normal and abnormal concentrations of MT, blood samples of healthy probands were used (N = 20), with the average MT levels of 2.0 ± 1.3 µg/L and median 1.9 µg/L. In patients diagnosed with HCC, the average MT levels were 9.1 ± 6.5 µg/L and median 9.0 µg/L. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed AUC 0.864 (95% CI 0.736-0.992), sensitivity 0.74 and specificity 0.75. In patients diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, the average MT concentrations measured were 11.5 ± 7.5 µg/L and the median was 10.9 µg/L. The ROC analysis displayed AUC 0.868 (95% CI 0.751-0.993), sensitivity 0.84 and specificity 0.86. The correlation analysis showed correlation between MT and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (r = 0.99), uric acid (r = -0.86) and potassium ions (r = -0.94).

Conclusion: In this pilot study, we observed the association of MT levels in healthy probands and malignant liver tumor patients. Many previous studies show that MT concentrations are increasing as the illness progresses. We assume that this increase is connected to the high metabolic activity of cancer cells. This study will continue with collecting a larger number of samples.

Background: Typically, the management of locally advanced rectal cancer consists of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, followed by surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. In addition to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) involving radiotherapy and combined chemotherapy has been increasingly used and shown to reduce the risk of distant metastasis and improve local control. Patients with microsatellite instability and deficient mismatch repair (MSI/dMMR) tumors represent a specific group that benefits from different approaches if TNT is considered.

Case: Our case report describes the diagnosis and treatment of a patient with locally advanced rectal cancer indicated for clinical characteristics to predictive molecular testing. Microsatellite instability was confirmed. Based on this finding, after short-course radiotherapy, she was offered neoadjuvant immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors. She subsequently underwent surgery with a confirmed pathologic complete response. The treatment was well-tolerated and she stays in complete remission, with a follow-up according to the standard recommendations.

Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of molecular testing in rectal cancer, which should be performed in all advanced cases requiring more intensive oncologic therapy than surgery alone. MSI/dMMR status indicates the need for a specific approach that may significantly improve the outcomes of these patients.

Background: Histiocytoses are rare disorders characterized by the accumulation of macrophages, dendritic cells, or monocyte-derived cells in various tissues and organs of children and adults, with a wide range of clinical manifestations, presentations, and histology. The histiocytoses are classified according to the WHO Classification, the last version of which was published in 2022, or according to the Histiocyte Society Classification, with the last version published in 2016.

Purpose: This text provides an overview of histiocytoses as described in the WHO Classification 2022.

Background: Despite bevacizumab being the first biological agent approved for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), there is not any established DNA biomarker to improve its efficacy and personalize the treatment.

Materials and methods: Thirty patients with mCRC on bevacizumab therapy (15 with a good response and 15 with a poor response) from the University Hospital Olomouc were followed. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples were used for copy number variation (CNV) analysis using the OncoScan FFPE Assay Kit in order to capture approx. 900 tumor genes.

Results: In the group of good responding patients, 102 genes (classified as ATPases, type AAA, neuronal signal transmission, regulation of transcription, and superior domain PH type), potentially significant positive predictive tumor biomarkers of bevacizumab treatment, were found. In the poorly responding group, 74 potentially negative predictive genes (classified as galectines, Jak-STAT signalling pathway, MAPK cascade, differentiation, and F-box associated domain) were identified.

Conclusion: In the pilot study, we found promising copy number variation biomarkers of bevacizumab response in FFPE samples of mCRC patients. The validation phase should be focused especially on the genes associated with angiogenesis (AGRN, MAPK8, ARHGAP22, LGALS13, LGALS4, ZFP36, and MYC), tumorigenesis (DVL1), and tumor proliferation (IFNL1, IFNL2, IFNL3, MAP3K10, and MAP4K1).

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has brought about a revolutionary advance in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Not a few patients with NSCLC have comorbid diseases. In patients who already have impaired renal function, particular attention must be paid to renal toxicity, a rare immune-related adverse events. Although there have been some case reports of ICI therapy for patients with advanced NSCLC undergoing hemodialysis, information on ICI therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is limited.

Case: We show herein a case with a successfully treated 75-year-old male patient with CKD and advanced NSCLC. His estimated glomerular filtration rate at the start of anticancer treatment was 40 mL/min/1.73 m2. Nivolumab and ipilimumab were administered, considering both the expectation of therapeutic efficacy and the avoidance of side effects. Ipilimumab was discontinued 1 year after the start of the treatment, and nivolumab was also terminated 2 years after the initiation of the treatment due to thyroid dysfunction as immune-related adverse event. Without worsening of CKD, the patient was able to control NSCLC with two immune checkpoint inhibitors for ≥ 3 years.

Conclusion: Nivolumab and ipilimumab regimen might become one of the options for NSCLC patients with CKD. This report could provide some suggestions for the treatment of future patients who might experience a similar course of the therapy.

Background: Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM) is a very rare disease with an incidence 10times lower than that of multiple myeloma. The incidence of WM is also significantly lower than that of the other CD20+ low-grade lymphomas. The rarity of WM is the reason why registration studies of new drugs used for multiple myeloma or the more common CD20+low-grade lymphomas do not cover WM. Data on the efficacy of proteasome inhibitors in WM can be drawn from case descriptions, small series of patients and a few phase II clinical trials. The aim of this case report and review is to inform about our experience with the treatment of WM with bortezomib and then ixazomib and to present an overview of publications on proteasome inhibitors in WM.

Case: We describe a patient who, after 8 years of asymptomatic course of WM, had the first fulminant progression with severe pancytopenia at the age of 74 years. For the first-line treatment, he was treated with dexamethasone and rituximab, and after alleviation of pancytopenia, with bendamustine. Monoclonal immunoglobulin IgM (M-IgM) dropped from 40 g/L to the level as low as 6.9 g/L, which meant partial remission (PR) accompanied with normal blood count values. After 29 months of PR, the patient experienced a fulminant relapse of WM, accompanied by severe pancytopenia. Rituximab and dexamethasone were the backbone of treatment with addition of bortezomib for its significantly lower myelosuppression compared to alkylating agents. Treatment with the triple combination of bortezomib, rituximab, and dexamethasone was effective, however, after five cycles, bortezomib had to be discontinued for severe neurotoxicity. The sixth cycle contained rituximab and dexamethasone, and from the seventh cycle, ixazomib was started. The patient underwent seven cycles (months) of treatment consisting of ixazomib, rituximab and dexamethasone (14 cycles of treatment in total).

Results: M-IgM decreased from 30 g/L at the beginning of the treatment to 4.0 g/L at the end of treatment and further decreased to a value of 2.8 g/L at the eighth month after the end of the treatment. A deeper decrease in M-IgM than after first-line treatment was achieved and the patient now meets the criteria for a very good partial remission.

Conclusion: According to the described experience and according to the review of publications evaluating proteasome inhibitors in WM, the combination of ixazomib with rituximab and dexamethasone excels with very good tolerance and high efficacy, approaching the efficacy of the combination of rituximab with bendamustine. This combination has its place particularly in patients with WM and cytopenia.

Background: Given the importance of physical activity (PA) for treatment success, survival and quality of life in cancer patients, this study aimed to identify predictors that influence patients' ability to maintain PA during and after treatment and to explore factors that help overcome barriers to PA engagement.

Patient population and methods: Mixed research design combining the results of longitudinal follow-up of selected psychophysiological correlates in breast cancer patients who participated in a movement program as part of their treatment with a retrospective qualitative investigation conducted through a focus group.

Results: In the group of respondents (N = 6, median of age 50.2 years) with the longest time since the end of the PA program (24 months), effective strategies to help patients maintain participation in the PA program and exercise activity after its completion were identified, including: individually tailored exercise plan, psychosocial support from medical staff and relatives, monitoring progress and providing feedback. Group exercise, support from loved ones and medical staff played an important role in increasing motivation to maintain participation in PA. Predictors of retention in physical activity included previous exercise routine, with psychological factors (motivation, self-regulation, self-confidence and perception of own physical fitness) also playing a key role. A combination of tailoring the exercise programme to individual needs, complemented by the provision of comprehensive support, appears to be highly effective. This approach helps patients overcome barriers to their engagement in regular PA and maximize its benefits.

Conclusion: The results of this study present a specific picture of the key psychological and health benefits of physical activity in breast cancer patients enrolled in a PA program, and also present a picture of predictors of retention in this activity, which is particularly relevant in the context of developing effective intervention programs in this area. Understanding these factors can lead to the development of targeted individualized strategies suitable for integration into existing treatment and care systems for cancer patients and survivors.

The Guidelines for Clinical Practice for carriers of pathogenic variants in clinically relevant cancer predisposition genes define the steps of primary and secondary prevention that should be provided to these individuals at high risk of developing hereditary cancer in the Czech Republic. The drafting of the guidelines was organized by the Oncogenetics Working Group of the Society for Medical Genetics and Genomics of J. E. Purkyně Czech Medical Society (SLG ČLS JEP) in cooperation with the representatives of oncology and oncogynecology. The guidelines are based on the current recommendations of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) and take into account the capacity of the Czech healthcare system.

Background: Pancreatic cancer remains one of the most challenging malignancies to treat, with consistently low survival rates despite advances in medical research. The identification and validation of effective prognostic biomarkers are crucial for improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes.

Objective: The aim of the work is to analyze the latest data of the pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality, comparing them with global epidemiological data. The narrative review also aims to summarize current knowledge about various prognostic biomarkers in the pancreatic cancer treatment, including indicators of performance status, nutritional and inflammatory markers.

Methods: The most recently available national epidemiological data on pancreatic cancer are analyzed. The literature review is focused on markers that evaluate the general condition of patients, such as performance status, body mass index, prognostic nutritional index and markers of the inflammatory response, such as Glasgow prognostic score, C-reactive protein, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, systemic inflammatory response index and systemic immune inflammation index. These biomarkers are analyzed for their role in predicting prognosis and response to systemic therapy for pancreatic cancer.

Results: Both the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic are globally ranked in the leading places in terms of pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality, both in estimates and real data. Indicators of nutritional and performance status play a critical role in patient assessment and influence treatment decisions, with potential impact on treatment outcomes. Inflammatory markers have shown significant prognostic value, correlating with the patient's immune response to the tumor and inflammatory processes that may promote disease progression. However, despite their promising predictive capabilities, these biomarkers are not routinely used in clinical practice due to the need for further validation.

Conclusion: Integration of new biomarkers into clinical practice could lead to more personalized therapeutic decisions and improved treatment outcomes. Further research is needed for a more comprehensive assessment of the validity of these biomarkers and their use in common clinical conditions.

Background: Rituximab is already a standard part of the treatment of patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. However, a small proportion of patients develop intolerance to rituximab during administration or the treatment is not very effective. In these patients, we are faced with the question of whether another anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody can be used and what result will be achieved.

Patient population and methods: Between 2020 and 2022, we administered the new anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody obinutuzumab in combination with bendamustine and dexamethasone in five patients with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia (WM). All patients completed eight cycles of the indicated treatment. Two of them received second-line treatment, another two received third-line treatment, and one patient received this treatment as part of fourth-line treatment. We did not observe significant toxicity (grade III and IV) in any patient.

Results: All five patients achieved a deeper treatment response (once complete response, 4-times very good partial response) than in previous lines of treatment. At a median follow-up after treatment of 29 months (range 28-48), the disease relapsed in one patient only, the others are in remission.

Conclusion: Obinutuzumab in combination with bendamustine is a very effective treatment alternative for WM. In the described five patients, obinutuzumab with bendamustine and dexamethasone achieved a deeper therapeutic response than the previous treatment lines. Obinutuzumab represents a drug that will be of great benefit to selected patients with WM.