The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus, has infected millions worldwide with cancer patients demonstrating a higher prevalence for severe disease and poorer outcomes. Recently, the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was released as the primary means to combat COVID-19. The currently reported incidence of local and systemic side effects was 27% in the general public. The safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine has not been studied in patients with an active cancer diagnosis who are either ongoing or plan to undergo oncologic therapy. This single center study reviewed the charts of 210 patients with active cancer diagnoses that received both doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. The development of side effects from the vaccine, hospitalizations or exacerbations from various oncologic treatment were documented. Type of oncologic treatment (immunotherapy, chemotherapy, hormonal, biologic, radiation or mixed) was documented to identify if side effects were related to treatment type. The time at which the vaccine was administered in relation to treatment onset (on long term therapy, within 1 month of therapy or prior to therapy) was also documented to identify any relationships. Sixty five (31%) participants experienced side effects from the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, however most were mild to moderate. Treatment protocol was not linked to the development of vaccine related side effects ( P = .202), nor was immunotherapy ( P = .942). The timing of vaccine administered in relation to treatment onset was also not related to vaccine related side effects ( P = .653). Six (2.9%) participants were hospitalized and 4 (2%) died. The incidence of side effects in cancer patients is similar to what has been reported for the general public (31% vs 27%). Therefore, we believe that the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine is safe in oncologic patients undergoing numerous cancer treatments.

Lung cancer has historically been the main responsible for cancer associated deaths. Owing to this is our current inability to screen for and diagnose early pathological findings, preventing us from a timely intervention when cure is still achievable. Over the last decade, together with the extraordinary progress in therapeutical alternatives in the field, there has been an ongoing search for a biomarker that would allow for this. Numerous technologies have been developed but their clinical application is yet to come. In this review, we provide an update on volatile organic compounds, a non-invasive method that can hold the key for detecting early metabolic pathway changes in carcinogenesis. For its compilation, web-based search engines of scientific literature such as PubMed were explored and reviewed, using articles, research, and papers deemed meaningful by authors discretion. After a brief description, we depict how this technique can complement current methods and present the value of electronic noses in the identification of the “breathprint”. Lastly, we bring some of the latest updates in the field together with the current limitations and final remarks.

Background: Patients (pts) with cancer are purported to be more vulnerable to coronavirus disease 2019 . However, cancer encompasses a spectrum of heterogenous tumor subtypes. The aim of this study was to investigate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection risk and COVID-19 prevalence according to tumor subtype in the resident cancer population of the Province of Parma (Emilia Romagna Region, Nothern Italy) during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Italy.Methods: We analyzed data from the Parma Province Cancer Registry, COVID-19 hospital medical records, and local surveillance system of all laboratory-confirmed cases tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 from the beginning of the outbreak (February, 20) to July 19, 2020. All the Parma resident cancer population was classified as either "active" or "inactive" according to the evidence of any referral to health services, for any reason, during the observation period. Study analyses were adjusted for patient demographics, tumor subtype and period of cancer diagnosis.Results: 40,148 cancer pts (mean age 68; 57.8% females; 45.1% active) were analyzed. The cumulative risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 11.2% for cancer pts vs. 7% for non-cancer subjects (P < 0.0001). The overall COVID-19 attack rate was 2.2% (95% CI, 2.0-2.4) and 2.6% (95% CI, 2.4-2.9) for inactive and active cancer pts, respectively. The cumulative incidence of COVID-19 was higher in active vs. inactive cancer subjects (HR 1.18, P ¼ 0.01). In the active cancer group, the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 was higher in lung cancer pts vs. other tumors (HR 4.3). In the same group, HR for breast cancer pts was 0.86. Interestingly, the subgroup analysis of COVID-19 cumulative incidence showed a significant interaction between active patient status and hematological malignancies.Conclusions: In our study, cancer pts were more susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The cumulative incidence of COVID-19 was higher in active vs. inactive cancer subjects. However, cancer is a heterogeneous group of diseases and pts with different tumor types had differing susceptibility to COVID-19 phenotypes. COVID-19 fatality rates for subgroups will be reported at the meeting.

Cardiomyopathy can be defined as a structural and functional myocardial disorder that is commonly genetic rather than due to coronary artery, valvular or congenital heart disease. It can be subcategorized into dilated, hypertrophic, restrictive, unclassified, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia. They can be further subdivided into primary and secondary cardiomyopathy. Primary includes genetics (HOCM, ARVC/D), mixed (DCM, RCM) or acquired (stress-induced, myocarditis) causes; while secondary cardiomyopathy is derived from the involvement of other organ systems. Cardiomyopathies can be identified by echocardiogram to display the anatomic and functional changes related to each subtype including systolic or diastolic dysfunction. In certain instances, cardiac-MRI or CT are used to further elucidate its specific characteristics such as fatty infiltration and focal hypertrophy. Treatment is very diverse and catered to each individual case. This will all be further elaborated on in the following chapter.