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Topic Review
Biography
Peer Reviewed Entry
Video Entry
Topic Review
Radiotherapy of Soft tissue sarcomas
Historically, patients with localized soft tissue sarcomas (STS) of the extremities would undergo limb amputation. It was subsequently determined that the addition of radiation therapy (RT) delivered prior to (neoadjuvant) or after (adjuvant) a limb-sparing surgical resection yielded equivalent survival outcomes to amputation in appropriate patients.ty.
661
26 Aug 2020
Topic Review
MicroRNAs in Metastasis
Metastasis is the process whereby cancer cells migrate from the primary tumour site to colonise the surrounding or distant tissue or organ. Metastasis is the primary cause of cancer-related mortality and approximately half of all cancer patients present at diagnosis with some form of metastasis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small (19-25 nucleotides) non-coding single-strand RNAs, regulate gene expression and play an important role in cancer development and progression including in the metastatic process.
661
19 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Functional Precision Oncology on Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma remains the most malignant and intrinsically resistant brain tumour in adults. Precision oncology refers to the evaluation of treatment efficacies and vulnerabilities of (ex vivo) living tumor cells in a highly personalized way. Precision oncology aims at identifying effective therapeutic approaches based on properties (biomarkers) that are specific to each patient’s tumor.
661
23 Aug 2022
Topic Review
Diagnosis of Gastric Cancer
Gastric cancer is an enigmatic malignancy that has recently been shown to be increasing in incidence globally. There has been recent progress in emerging technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Improvements in non-invasive diagnostic techniques with serological tests and biomarkers have led to decreased use of invasive procedures such as endoscopy.
661
30 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Parvovirus-Based Combinatorial Cancer Immunotherapy
Resistance to anticancer treatments poses continuing challenges to oncology researchers and clinicians. The underlying mechanisms are complex and multifactorial. However, the immunologically “cold” tumor microenvironment (TME) has recently emerged as one of the critical players in cancer progression and therapeutic resistance. Therefore, TME modulation through induction of an immunological switch towards inflammation (“warming up”) is among the leading approaches in modern oncology. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are seen today not merely as tumor cell-killing (oncolytic) agents, but also as cancer therapeutics with multimodal antitumor action. Due to their intrinsic or engineered capacity for overcoming immune escape mechanisms, warming up the TME and promoting antitumor immune responses, OVs hold the potential for creating a proinflammatory background, which may in turn facilitate the action of other (immunomodulating) drugs. This review deals with the smallest among all OVs, the H-1 parvovirus (H-1PV), and focuses on H-1PV-based combinatorial approaches, whose efficiency has been proven in preclinical and/or clinical settings. Special focus is given to cancer types with most devastating impact on life expectancy that urgently call for novel therapies.
660
11 Oct 2021
Topic Review
The Potential of DHA as Cancer Therapy Strategies
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), also known as omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), is a natural compound that has demonstrated pharmacological activity against several malignant neoplasms. Available cancer treatments cause side effects, affect healthy cells, reduce the quality of life of patients and may cause resistance to antineoplastics. For these reasons, the search for new therapies is continuous.
660
05 May 2023
Topic Review
Clinical Perspective of Liquid Biopsy
The term liquid biopsy (LB) refers to the study of circulating tumor cells, circulating tumors nucleic acids free of cells or contained in exosomes, and information about platelets associated with tumors. LB can be performed in different biofluids and allows the limitations of tissue biopsy to be overcome offering possibilities of tumor identification reflecting in real time tumor heterogeneity. In addition, LB allows screening and early detection of cancer, real-time monitoring of therapy, stratification and therapeutic intervention, a therapeutic target and resistance mechanism, and a risk of metastatic relapse.
659
22 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Microbiota Alterations in Pancreatic Cancer
The human microbiome is a key factor in many malignancies, having the ability to alter host metabolism and immune responses and participate in tumorigenesis. Gut microbes have an influence on physiological functions of the healthy pancreas and are themselves controlled by pancreatic secretions. An altered oral microbiota may colonize the pancreas and cause local inflammation by the action of its metabolites, which may lead to carcinogenesis. The mechanisms behind dysbiosis and pancreatic cancer (PC) development are not completely clear. An altered microbiota may induce oncogenomic changes, or, on the other hand, cancer mutations may have an impact on microbiota composition. Altered microbiota can also influence drug efficacy in PC chemo- and immunotherapies. Possible future scenarios are the intentional manipulation of the gut microbiota in combination with therapy or the utilization of microbial profiles for the noninvasive screening and monitoring of PC.
659
13 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Immune Checkpoints in Endometrial Cancer
Endometrial cancer (EC) occurs when cancer cells proliferate in the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium. This disease primarily occurs in post-menopausal women and often shows symptoms such as abnormal vaginal bleeding and discharge or severe pelvic pain. Due to poor outcome with conventional therapy, novel treatment options such as immune checkpoint inhibitors are urgently needed for advanced/ recurrent disease EC.
658
24 Nov 2020
Topic Review
CD3-Bispecific Antibody Therapy
CD3-bispecific antibody therapy is a form of immunotherapy that enables soldier cells of the immune system to recognize and kill tumor cells.
658
29 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Magnetic Nanostructures for Cancer Immunotherapy
Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) represent an attractive class of nanomaterials due to their unique physical and chemical features that allow them to respond specifically to magnetic fields. Among the magnetic class of materials, iron oxide-based nanoparticles are the only inorganic nanomaterials that have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for medical applications. Magnetic nanomaterials are particularly appealing for cancer immunotherapy due to their unique features, which include (i) the traceability of their signal by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or by magnetic particle imaging (MPI) techniques ; (ii) their exploitation as carriers to promote the accumulation and the efficient delivery of biotherapeutic compounds, such as genes and peptides, into a specific target cell or tissue; (iii) their ability to mediate the elimination of cancer cells through the production of a local thermo-ablative effect when exposed to an external alternating magnetic field, referred to as magnetic hyperthermia therapy (MHT); and (iv) their intrinsic immunomodulatory properties that can be harnessed to further promote or modulate the immune function.
658
07 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Talimogene Laherparepvec
Talimogene laherparepvec (T-VEC), an attenuated HSV expressing GM-CSF, became the first oncolytic agent that achieved regulatory approval in the United States, Europe, and Australia.
658
09 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Risks: HCV Clearance by DAA
Direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) induce a rapid virologic response (SVR) in up to 99% of chronic hepatitis C patients. The role of SVR by DAAs on the incidence or recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still a matter of debate, although it is known that SVR does not eliminate the risk of HCC. In this review, we made an updated analysis of the literature data on the impact of SVR by DAAs on the risk of HCC as well as an assessment of risk factors and the role of epigenetics. Data showed that SVR has no impact on the occurrence of HCC in the short–medium term but reduces the risk of HCC in the medium–long term. A direct role of DAAs in the development of HCC has not been demonstrated, while the hypothesis of a reduction in immune surveillance in response to the rapid clearance of HCV and changes in the cytokine pattern influencing early carcinogenesis remains to be further elucidated. HCV induces epigenetic alterations such as modifications of the histone tail and DNA methylation, which are risk factors for HCC, and such changes are maintained after HCV clearance. Future epigenetic studies could lead to identify useful biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Cirrhosis has been identified as a risk factor for HCC, particularly if associated with high liver stiffness and α-fetoprotein values, diabetes and the male sex. Currently, considering the high number and health cost to follow subjects’ post-HCV clearance by DAAs, it is mandatory to identify those at high risk of HCC to optimize management.
657
22 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a malignancy of serosal membranes including the peritoneum, pleura, pericardium and the tunica vaginalis of the testes. Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is a rare disease with a global incidence in countries like Italy of about 1.15 per 100,000 inhabitants. Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma (MPM) is the most common form of mesothelioma, accounting for approximately 80% of disease. Although rare in the global population, mesothelioma is linked to industrial pollutants and mineral fiber exposure, with approximately 80% of cases linked to asbestos. Due to the persistent asbestos exposure in many countries, a worldwide progressive increase in MPM incidence is expected for the current and coming years. The tumor grows in a loco-regional pattern, spreading from the parietal to the visceral pleura and invading the surrounding structures that induce the clinical picture of pleural effusion, pain and dyspnea. Distant spreading and metastasis are rarely observed, and most patients die from the burden of the primary tumor. Currently, there are no effective treatments for MPM, and the prognosis is invariably poor. Some studies average the prognosis to be roughly one-year after diagnosis. The uniquely poor mutational landscape which characterizes MPM appears to derive from a selective pressure operated by the environment; thus, inflammation and immune response emerge as key players in driving MPM progression and represent promising therapeutic targets.
657
07 Apr 2021
Topic Review
TNBC Histological Subtypes with a Favourable Prognosis
Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBC), as a group of tumours, have a worse prognosis than stage-matched non-TNBC and lack the benefits of routinely available targeted therapy. However, TNBC is a heterogeneous group of neoplasms, which includes some special type carcinomas with a relatively indolent course.
657
29 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Capecitabine in Head and Neck Cancers
Head and neck cancers (HNCs) are the sixth most common malignancies in the world, with more than 500,000 new cases occurring each year. Capecitabine, an oral pro-drug that is metabolized to 5-FU, the use of capecitabine has been evaluated in many trials including cases diagnosed in recurrent or metastatic settings. Induction regimens or a combination with radiation therapy were evaluated in head and neck cancers, but 5-FU still remained the fluoropyrimidine used as a part of the current therapeutic standard.
657
18 Oct 2022
Topic Review
ALDH in Gynecologic Malignancies
Gynecologic cancers cause over 600,000 deaths annually in women worldwide. The development of chemoresistance after initial rounds of chemotherapy contributes to tumor relapse and death due to gynecologic malignancies. In this regard, cancer stem cells (CSCs), a subpopulation of stem cells with the ability to undergo self-renewal and clonal evolution, play a key role in tumor progression and drug resistance. Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDH) are a group of enzymes shown to be robust CSC markers in gynecologic and other malignancies. These enzymes also play functional roles in CSCs, including detoxification of aldehydes, scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and retinoic acid (RA) signaling, making ALDH an attractive therapeutic target in various clinical scenarios. In this review, we discuss the critical roles of the ALDH in driving stemness in different gynecologic malignancies. We review inhibitors of ALDH, both general and isoform-specific, which have been used to target CSCs in gynecologic cancers. Many of these inhibitors have been shown to be effective in preclinical models of gynecologic malignancies, supporting further development in the clinic. Furthermore, ALDH inhibitors, including 673A and CM037, synergize with chemotherapy to reduce tumor growth. Thus, ALDH-targeted therapies hold promise for improving patient outcomes in gynecologic malignancies.
656
20 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Serum Metabolomes of Gastric Cancers
Gastric cancer (GC) is ranked third in cancer deaths world-wide. It is separated anatomically into either gastric adenocarcinomas (non-cardia GC) or gastro-esophageal-junction adenocarcinomas (cardia GC) and is further classified histologically into either diffuse or intestinal types.
656
25 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the commonest form of lymphoid malignancy, with a prevalence of about 40% worldwide. The term DLBCL reflects the growth pattern and size of the neoplastic cells, which tend to diffusely efface the normal structure of the involved organ (most frequently the lymph node) and are provided with a diameter at least twice that of normal lymphocytes. Although during the last few years several distinct clinical-pathological categories of DLBCL have been reported in the literature, which are nowadays listed in the Revised 4th Edition of the WHO Classification of the Tumours of Haematopoietic and Lymphoid Tissues, about 80% of DLBCLs do not enter into any of these categories and are therefore termed not otherwise specified (NOS). DLBCL-NOS displays a quite variable morphology and only rarely consists of only one cytotype (centroblastic, immunoblastic or anaplastic). Thus, microscopic examination fails to define the cell of origin, prognostic indicators and novel potential therapeutic targets. The standard of care is the immuno-chemotherapy R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone), which cures up to 65% of patients. The remaining individuals with DLBCL-NOS experience resistant or relapsing disease and eventually die of it. This situation has promoted a huge number of studies focusing on the pathobiology of the tumour and based on high-throughput techniques, including gene expression profiling and next generation sequencing. In addition, attention has been focused on the mcroenvironmental composition, which can influence the behaviour and response to therapy of the tumour in conjunction with the molecular characteristics of neoplastic cells. The aim of the present review is to discuss the most recent acquisitions in the field of DLBCL-NOS based on the extensive application of molecular techniques, which paves the way to a more rational classification of the tumour along with the identification of effective prognostic indicators and novel therapeutic targets for ad hoc personalised approaches.
656
23 Jun 2021
Topic Review
Epigenetics and Breast Cancer Chemoresistance
Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most important cancers worldwide, and usually, chemotherapy can be used in an integrative approach. Usually, chemotherapy treatment is performed in association with surgery, radiation or hormone therapy, providing an increased outcome to patients. However, tumors can develop resistance to different drugs, progressing for a more aggressive phenotype.
655
30 Jan 2021
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