Reduced-dose of doublet chemotherapy combined with anti-EGFR antibodies in vulnerable older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: Data from the REVOLT study

Abstract Objectives To assess the toxicity patterns and effectiveness of doublet chemotherapy when administered at reduced doses of 20% (FOLFOX or FOLFIRI) in combination with anti-EGFR antibodies (cetuximab or panitumumab) in old, vulnerable patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Patients and methods We performed a retrospective observational study of RAS and BRAF wild-type, vulnerable patients aged ≥70 years with previously untreated mCRC. The primary endpoint was safety, and secondary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Results One hundred and eighteen patients were collected from 14 selected Italian centres.…

Dicer and drosha expression and response to bevacizumab-based therapy in advanced colorectal cancer patients.

PURPOSE: The miRNA-regulating enzymes Dicer and Drosha exhibit aberrant expression in several cancer types. Dicer and Drosha play a crucial role during the angiogenetic process in vitro and, for Dicer, in vivo. We aimed to investigate the potential role of Dicer and Drosha in predicting response to Bevacizumab-based therapy in advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. METHODS: Dicer and Drosha mRNA levels were analysed in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens from patients affected by advanced CRC treated with or without Bevacizumab-containing regimens (n=116 and n=50, respectively) and from patients with diverticulosis as control group (n=20). The experimental data were obtained usin…

Prognostic significance of K-Ras mutation rate in metastatic colorectal cancer patients

// Bruno Vincenzi 1 , Chiara Cremolini 2 , Andrea Sartore-Bianchi 3 , Antonio Russo 4 , Francesco Mannavola 5 , Giuseppe Perrone 6 , Francesco Pantano 1 , Fotios Loupakis 2 , Daniele Rossini 2 , Elena Ongaro 7 , Erica Bonazzina 3 , Emanuela Dell’Aquila 1 , Marco Imperatori 1 , Alice Zoccoli 1 , Giuseppe Bronte 4 , Giovanna De Maglio 7 , Gabriella Fontanini 8 , Clara Natoli 9 , Alfredo Falcone 2 , Daniele Santini 1 , Andrea Onetti-Muda 6 , Salvatore Siena 3 , Giuseppe Tonini 1 and Giuseppe Aprile 7 1 Department of Medical Oncology, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, Rome, Italy 2 Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, Istituto Toscano Tumori, Pisa, Italy 3 Niguarda Cancer Center, Osped…

Evaluation of Second-line Anti-VEGF after First-line Anti-EGFR Based Therapy in RAS Wild-Type Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: The Multicenter “SLAVE” Study

: Background: The optimal anti-angiogenic strategy as second-line treatment in RAS wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treated with anti-EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) based first-line treatment is still debated. Methods: This multicenter, real-world, retrospective study is aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of second-line Bevacizumab- and Aflibercept-based treatments after an anti-EGFR based first-line regimen. Clinical outcomes measured were: objective response rate (ORR), progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and adverse events (AEs) profiles. Results: From February 2011 to October 2019, 277 consecutive mCRC patients received Bevacizumab-based (228,…

Pharmacogenomics of cetuximab in metastatic colorectal carcinoma

Cetuximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody that has revolutionized the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Knowledge of the mechanisms that underlie its effectiveness, as well as the primary and secondary resistance mechanisms, have led to important developments in the understanding of cetuximab biology. In light of knowledge gained from recent trials, the efficacy of cetuximab has been clearly demonstrated to depend upon RAS mutational status, moreover cetuximab should only be used in a subset of patients who may benefit. In this article, we critically review clinical and pharmacogenetic issues of cetuximab, focusing on the cost–effectiveness involved with the use of the drug.

P-42 Reduced-dose of doublet chemotherapy combined with anti-EGFR antibodies as treatment option in vulnerable older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: A retrospective cohort study

The role of macrophages polarization in predicting prognosis of radically resected gastric cancer patients

Tumour-associated Macrophages (TAM) present two different polarizations: classical (M1) characterized by immunostimulation activity and tumour suppression; alternative (M2) characterized by tumour promotion and immune suppression. In this retrospective study, we evaluated the correlation between the two forms of TAM with survival time in radically resected gastric cancer patients. A total of 52 chemo- and radio- naive patients were included. Two slides were prepared for each patient and double-stained for CD68/NOS2 (M1) or CD68/CD163 (M2) and five representative high-power fields per slide were evaluated for TAM count. The median value of the two macrophage populations density and the media…