Retrospective Studies | Ricerc@Sapienza

Predictive biomarkers for checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy: The Galectin-3 signature in NSCLCs

Checkpoint inhibitor-based immunotherapy is opening a promising scenario in oncology, with objective responses registered in multiple cancer types. However, reliable predictive markers of tumor responsiveness are still lacking. These markers need to be urgently identified for a better selection of patients that can be candidates for immunotherapy. In this pilot study, a cohort of 34 consecutive patients bearing programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1)-positive non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), treated with pembrolizumab, was considered.

Metformin Use Is Associated With Longer Progression-Free Survival of Patients With Diabetes and Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors Receiving Everolimus and/or Somatostatin Analogues

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Metformin seems to have anticancer effects. However, it is not clear whether use of glycemia and metformin affect outcomes of patients with advanced
pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs). We investigated the association between glycemia and progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with pNETs treated with everolimus
and/or somatostatin analogues, as well as the association between metformin use and PFS time. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of 445 patients with advanced

Random ‘spot’ urinary metanephrines compared with 24-h-urinary and plasma results in phaeochromocytomas and paragangliomas

Background: In patients with phaeochromocytomas or paragangliomas (PPGLs), 24-h urine collections for metanephrines (uMNs) are cumbersome. Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic utility of ratios to creatinine of ‘spot’ uMNs. Methods: Concentrations of uMNs and plasma metanephrines (pMNs) were measured by HPLC-mass-spectrometry. We retrospectively compared correlations of 24-h-urine output and ratio to creatinine in historical specimens and prospectively assessed 24-h and contemporaneous spot urines and, where possible, pMNs.

Tumour type and size are prognostic factors in gastric neuroendocrine neoplasia: A multicentre retrospective study

Background: Gastric neuroendocrine neoplasias (gNEN) are defined as type I if associated with atrophic body gastritis and type III when tumour is sporadic. This classification, together with grading and size, plays a crucial prognostic role. Nevertheless, the impact of these features on clinical outcome is not clear. Aim: To identify factors predicting poor outcome. Patients and methods: Analysis of type I and type III gNEN. A composite endpoint was defined if tumour-related death or metastases or angioinvasion were observed.