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The interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA) cytokine is thought to counteract tumor angiogenesis/metastasis. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the IL-1RA gene (rs4251961 T/C and rs579543 C/T) influence IL-1RA circulating levels with highest production in carriers of the homozygous rs4251961 T/T and rs579543 T/T genotypes. A total of 180 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer were categorized as high IL-1RA producers if they were carriers of at least one of the rs4251961 T/T or rs579543 T/T genotypes (T/T carriers). Median survival times were 35.8 months (95% confidence interval: 29.7-43.7 months) and 28.6 months (95% confidence interval: 25.6-30 months) in 56 T/T carriers and in 124 non-T/T carriers, respectively. The favorable association between T/T carriers' status and survival was significant in the multivariate analysis (P ¼ 0.018). Also, T/T carriers and non-T/T carriers were prevalent among patients with Karnofsky performance status 90-100 and 70-80, respectively (P ¼ 0.002). These findings encourage additional studies in this field and the evaluation of a recombinant-IL-1RA for anticancer activity.

Cancer is one of the several comorbidities that have been linked with chronic cutaneous inflammatory diseases namely psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis and hidradenitis suppurativa. Although the chronic inflammatory state, typical of the diseases, may induce pro-tumorigenic effects, the debate whether or not the drugs currently used in clinical practice do in facts increase a patient’s risk of malignancy remains largely unsolved. The therapeutic armamentarium has been greatly enhanced at least in the last two decades with the advent of biologics, a heterogeneous group of laboratory-engineered agents with more in the pipeline, and other targeted small molecules. Among the organ systems, skin results as one of the most commonly affected, non-melanoma skin cancers being the main drug-induced manifestations as side effect in course of these treatments. The objective of the study is to systematically review the cutaneous malignancy risk of the newer therapies through an overview of meta-analyses and observational studies on the topic.

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) is accelerating the paradigm shift towards patient-tailored brain tumor management, achieving optimal onco-functional balance for each individual. AI-based models can positively impact different stages of the diagnostic and therapeutic process. Although the histological investigation will remain difficult to replace, in the near future the radiomic approach will allow a complementary, repeatable and non-invasive characterization of the lesion, assisting oncologists and neurosurgeons in selecting the best therapeutic option and the correct molecular target in chemotherapy. AI-driven tools are already playing an important role in surgical planning, delimiting the extent of the lesion (segmentation) and its relationships with the brain structures, thus allowing precision brain surgery as radical as reasonably acceptable to preserve the quality of life. Finally, AI-assisted models allow the prediction of complications, recurrences and therapeutic response, suggesting the most appropriate follow-up. Looking to the future, AI-powered models promise to integrate biochemical and clinical data to stratify risk and direct patients to personalized screening protocols.

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common infection in pediatric-age patients. Acute pyelonephritis (PNA) represents a worrying situation in pediatric patients due to the risk of sepsis and long-term cicatricial consequences. The purpose of this retrospective study is to evaluate the diagnostic role of DW-MRI in relation to clinical data, to understand if there are any clinical parameters useful in identifying which patients should undergo it. Methods: According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, we enrolled 51 patients ≤15 years old admitted to our Institute between September 2012 and April 2020 with a febrile UTI who underwent DW-MRI evaluation. Clinical, laboratory and imaging data were collected. Statistical analysis was performed. Results: 34 of 51 patients with an fUTI (66.7%) showed signs of acute parenchymal involvement at DW-MRI evaluation. In 27 of these 34 (79.4%), DW-MRI showed multiple areas of pyelonephritis. A statistically significant relationship (p = 0.0004) between older age at admission and pyelonephritis was demonstrated. No statistically significant relationship was found between the other clinical, anamnestic and laboratory parameters and the outcome of DWI. Only two ultrasound examinations allowed the identification of pathological areas on the renal parenchyma. Conclusions: From these preliminary investigations, we can say that selecting the patients with fUTI on whom to perform a DW-MRI is difficult. Nevertheless, thanks to the low cost, the very rare need for sedation and the accuracy in identifying pyelonephritic areas, the use of DW-MRI in patients with febrile UTI seems recommendable.

e15530 Background: The aims of this phase II trial are to determine the activity and the safety of the new combination modality with Gemcitabine fixed dose rate (FDR) infusion and Capecitabine in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Methods: Patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer who had pathologically confirmed adenocarcinoma, no prior chemotherapy, ECOG PS < 2 and measurable disease were enrolled. Gemcitabine (800 mg/mq IV infused in 80 minutes on days 1 and 8) and Capecitabine (650 mg/mq orally twice daily for 14 days) were administered and repeated every 21 days. Results: 47 patients were enrolled between January 2004 and October 2008. Median age was 66 (range: 37–79), 18 female and 29 male. A total of 299 cycles were administered, median cycles for patient were 6 (range: 1–17). CR was observed in one patient (2.1 %) and 10 patients achieved PR (21.3 %) giving an overall response rate of 23.4 % in intention-to-treat population. 22 pts (46.8 %) had stable disease obtaining an overall tumour control of 70.2 %. The median time to progression was 5.2 months (95 % CI, 2.4–7.6); the median overall survival was 8.4 months (95 % CI, 5.5–20). Grade 3–4 neutropenia was observed in 29.8 % of subjects, thrombocytopenia in 6.4 %. Grade 1–2 non-hematological toxicities were asthenia (61.7 %), diarrhea (29.8%), stomatitis (29.8 %) and hand foot syndrome (2.1 %). There were no treatment-related deaths. Gemcitabine was skipped at least once/reduced in 51/10.6 % of the patients, respectively. Capecitabine was skipped at least once/reduced in 16/8 % of the patients, respectively. Conclusions: The combination of FDR Gemcitabine and Capecitabine with this modality of infusion is feaseble, safe and seems to be active. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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