Patient with EGFR-mutant lung cancer harboring de novo MET amplification successfully treated with gefitinib combined with crizotinib

While 50% of lung adenocarcinoma patients in Asia have mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) site, there are few patients with the EGFR mutation accompanied by de novo mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) amplification. Due to the low incidence rate, there is no consensus regarding treatment. Here, a case of a 62-year-old never smoker presented with EGFR Exon19del and de novo MET amplification. A radiographic examination and computed tomography (CT) imaging were conducted on the chest and middle abdomen. A pulmonary puncture was performed and a sample of the lung tissue was used for pathologic diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry was performed for the expression of CK, P40, P63, ttf-1, NapsinA, alk-d5f3, and ki-67 on the cancer cells. Craniocerebral magnetic resonance and whole body bone imaging were completed. Second-generation gene sequencing (next-generation sequencing [NGS]) and fluorescence in situ hybridization examination were also performed to further characterize the cancer cells. A radiographic examination was performed and revealed space-occupying lesions in the lungs. CT results revealed a mass in the upper lobe of the left lung. The pathologic diagnosis was non–small cell carcinoma T3N2M1a. Second-generation gene sequencing (NGS) indicated EGFR Exon 19del (p.E746_A750del, mutant abundance: 13.99%) with de novo MET amplification (CHR: q31.2, CN = 4.0). Fluorescence in situ hybridization examination confirmed MET amplification. Targeted therapy with gefitinib combined with crizotinib was administered as treatment. Four weeks later, the CT results revealed a substantial reduction in the lesion size. The patient was followed up with favorable complete recovery and no tumor-related symptoms. Although crizotinib is efficacious when used alone in follow-up treatment; however, these results of this case and others indicate that it is likely safe to use both drugs together in the case of drug resistance.     

Association Between Different Domains of Physical Activity and Body Adiposity Indicators in Breast Cancer Survivors

BackgroundTo analyze the relationship between different physical activity (PA) domains and adiposity indicators in breast cancer survivors.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study, composed of 115 breast cancer (BC) survivors. Measurements of weight, height, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference were objectively collected, as well as the analysis of body fat percentage through bioelectrical impedance analysis. The PA level was assessed by the Baecke questionnaire including domains related to occupational activity, leisure-time activity, and transportation, while the time spent in sedentary behavior was assessed through self-reported screen-time. Socioeconomic status was assessed through the Brazilian criteria for economic classification and considered as a covariate.ResultsBC survivors with higher PA levels in leisure-time activity/sport presented reductions in body fat percentage (β = 1.13%; CI = -2.06; -0.21), BMI (β = 0.80 kg/m²; CI = -1.50; -0.11), WC (β = 1.89 cm; CI = -3.54; -0.23), and waist-to-height ratio (β = 0.13 cm; CI = -0.23; -0.02). Similar values were observed in PA during transportation and in total. There was no correlation between PA at work and adiposity indicators.ConclusionDifferent PA domains were inversely related to body adiposity in BC survivors.     

Determinants of Breast-Conserving Therapy in Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients: A Nationwide Study

IntroductionEvidence from previous studies and treatment guidelines suggested that breast-conserving therapy (BCT) is the treatment of choice for early-stage breast cancer. However, in the last decades, surgeons have noticed a high percentage of mastectomies done in this population. The aim of this study is to explore the factors associated with not choosing BCT among eligible patients with early-stage breast cancer.Materials and MethodsThis study uses a retrospective cohort design. Demographic and clinical characteristics derived from The Taiwan Cancer Registry Database, the National Health Insurance Database and the Death File Database from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2014. Patients were followed until December 31, 2015. To explore the associated factors related to BCT, we used univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsA total sample of 25,967 stage I breast cancer patients was included. Among them, 12,191 underwent BCT and 13,776 underwent mastectomy as their primary treatment. The logistic regression analysis reveals that age, pay-for-performance (P4P) program participation, number of affected lymph nodes, tumor size and location, were determinants of BCT. Interestingly enough, histological type did not reach the significance level.ConclusionThis study shows that personal and clinical characteristics influence the treatment choice in stage 1 breast cancer patients.     

Meta-analysis on the treatment options and outcomes of carotid blood blister aneurysms

ObjectiveCarotid blister aneurysms remain a formidable surgical challenge with varied surgical options. There have been significant advancements in the endovascular management of these aneurysms with the introduction of flow diverters. The comparative risk profiles for different endovascular options compared to surgical management of these lesions is not completely understood.MethodsThe study is a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis on the treatment of carotid blood blister aneurysms. Pubmed searches were used to identify relevant articles and patient level data was extracted. Two and three group analyses were conducted comparing surgical and endovascular strategies and surgical, stent coil and flow diversion techniques respectively. Patient outcomes were graded on the modified Rankin Scale with a score of 2 or less defined as favorable.ResultsIn total, 83 studies (41 and 42 studies on surgical and endovascular interventions, respectively) with 1119 patients met our inclusion criteria. A statistically significant difference (at the 5% level of significance) in the effect among three different interventions was not found (Q = 3.41, p = 0.1815) under the random-effect model. Our results did show summary proportions of favorable outcomes were higher in the stent coil (0.87, 95% CI: 0.79 – 0.94) and flow diversion (0.87, 95% CI: 0.75 – 0.96) than that of surgery (0.76, 95% CI: 0.71 – 0.83).ConclusionsOur results suggest a trend towards improved patient outcomes with endovascular techniques compared to surgical strategies but statistical significance was not achieved. We also found that endovascular techniques compare favorably. Increasing retreatments were found to negatively affect patient outcomes.     

Clinical characteristics and risk factors of infection-related hospitalization in maintenance hemodialysis patients

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and risk factors of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients combined with infection-related hospitalization. Methods Patients with MHD from December 1, 2013 to February 28, 2018 were retrospectively selected and then followed up for at least 1 year until February 28, 2019. Baseline data including demographic and clinical data of patients were collected. According to whether the infection-related hospitalization occurred, patients were divided into infection group and non-infection group. The clinical characteristics and related factors were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors. Results A total of 392 patients were included in the study. Two hundred and fifty-five cases were males, accounting for 65.1%. The age was (59.39±15.28) years old. The infection rate of diabetic kidney disease patients was the highest (32.2%). The main site of infection was the lung, accounting for 78.4%, which was far higher than the catheter-related infection in the second position. After infection, quinolones and cephalosporins were often the preferred drugs. Compared with the non-infection group, the infection group had older age [(62.96±15.16) years vs (57.98±15.12) years, t=-2.607, P=0.004], higher proportion of comorbid diabetes (45.9% vs 32.4%, χ2=6.334, P=0.012) and previous smoking history (30.6% vs 18.5%, χ2=6.831, P=0.009), longer time of first dialysis stay [13.0(9.0, 18.0) d vs 12.0(9.0, 17.5) d, Z=3.659, P=0.001] and lower hemoglobin [(74.43±19.93) g/L vs (79.06±17.10) g/L, t=1.612, P=0.022] , albumin [(32.63±5.33) g/L vs (33.99±6.14) g/L, t=2.062, P=0.029] and red blood cell count [2.53×1012/L (2.06×1012/L, 3.06×1012/L) vs 2.68×1012/L(2.28×1012/L, 3.07×1012/L), Z=2.118, P=0.034]. Multivariate logistic analysis found that older age (every 1 year, OR=1.016, 95%CI 1.003-1.030, P=0.017) and longer hospital stay at first dialysis (every 1 d, OR=1.047, 95%CI 1.014-1.080, P=0.008) were independent risk factors, and higher hemoglobin (every 1 g/L, OR=0.987, 95%CI 0.975-0.999, P=0.033) was a protective factor for infection-related hospitalization in MHD patients. Conclusions MHD patients with diabetic kidney disease have the highest infection incidence. The incidence of pulmonary infection is much higher than other types of infection such as catheter-related infection, urinary tract infection and sepsis. Aging and low hemoglobin are risk factors for MHD patients to prone to co-infection.