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Background: There are interesting studies on glioma therapy with modulated electrohyperthermia (mEHT), which combines heat therapy with an electric field. Clinical researchers not only found the mEHT method feasible for palliation but also reported evidence of therapeutic response. Purpose: To study the efficacy and safety of mEHT for the treatment of relapsed malignant glioma and astrocytoma versus best supportive care (BSC). Methods: We collected data retrospectively on 149 patients affected by malignant glioma and astrocytoma. Inclusion criteria were informed consent signed; >18 years old; histological diagnosis of malignant glioma or astrocytoma; relapsed after surgery, adjuvant temozolomide-based chemotherapy, and radiotherapy; and indication for treatment with mEHT in palliative setting. mEHT was performed with capacitive coupling technique keeping the skin surface at 26°C and the tumor temperature at 40°C to 42.5°C for > 90% of treatment duration (20-60 minutes). The applied power was 40 to 150 W using a step-up heating protocol. Results from patients treated with mEHT were compared with those treated with BSC. Results: A total of 149 consecutive patients were enrolled in the study, 111 (74%) had glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and 38 (26%) had astrocytoma (AST). mEHT was performed for 28 (25%) of GBM and 24 (63%) of AST patients. Tumor response at the 3-month follow-up was observed in 29% and 48% of GBM and AST patients after mEHT, and in 4% and 10% of GBM and AST patients after BSC, respectively. The survival rate at first and second year in the mEHT group was 77.3% and 40.9% for AST, and 61% and 29% for GBM, respectively. The 5-year overall survival of AST was 83% after mEHT versus 25% after BSC and 3.5% after mEHT versus 1.2% after BSC for GBM. The median overall survival of mEHT was 14 months (range 2-108 months) for GBM and 16.5 months (range 3-156 months) for the AST group. We observed 4 long-term survivors in the AST and 2 in the GBM group. Two of the long survivors in AST and 1 in GBM group were treated by mEHT. Conclusions: mEHT in integrative therapy may have a promising role in the treatment and palliation of relapsed GBM and AST.

Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma has a poor prognosis, resulting in a <10% survival rate at 5 years. Modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) has been increasingly used for pancreatic cancer palliative care and therapy. Objective: To monitor the efficacy and safety of mEHT for the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer. Methods: We collected data retrospectively on 106 patients affected by stage III-IV pancreatic adenocarcinoma. They were divided into 2 groups: patients who did not receive mEHT (no-mEHT) and patients who were treated with mEHT. We performed mEHT applying a power of 60 to 150 W for 40 to 90 minutes. The mEHT treatment was associated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy for 33 (84.6%) patients, whereas 6 (15.4%) patients received mEHT alone. The patients of the no-mEHT group received chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy in 55.2% of cases. Results: Median age of the sample was 65.3 years (range = 31-80 years). After 3 months of therapy, the mEHT group had partial response in 22/34 patients (64.7%), stable disease in 10/34 patients (29.4%), and progressive disease in 2/34 patients (8.3%). The no-mEHT group had partial response in 3/36 patients (8.3%), stable disease in 10/36 patients (27.8%), and progressive disease in 23/36 patients (34.3%). The median overall survival of the mEHT group was 18.0 months (range = 1.5-68.0 months) and 10.9 months (range = 0.4-55.4 months) for the non-mEHT group. Conclusions: mEHT may improve tumor response and survival of pancreatic cancer patients.

To determine the activity and safety of a schedule with a low dose of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and weekly paclitaxel in operable and locally advanced breast cancer patients. Thirty-five patients with histologically confirmed, operable, and locally advanced breast cancer entered the study. The median age was 59 years (range 31-74 years). The schedule was biweekly PLD at the dose of 15 mg/m for four administrations and weekly paclitaxel at the dose of 80 mg/m for eight administrations. All patients were evaluable for response and toxicity. Twenty-six patients responded (74%): three (8%) had a complete response and 23 (66%) had a partial response, seven (23%) remained stable, and one experienced progression (3%). Fifteen of 27 operable patients (55%) underwent conservative surgery. Three patients (9%) had a pathological complete response and the disappearance of infiltrating disease was documented in three other patients. The main toxicity was hand-foot syndrome (grade 3 in four patients; 11%). Other nonhematological grade 3 toxicities included stomatitis in three patients (8%) and liver toxicity in one patient (3%). Grade 3-4 neutropenia was documented in another three patients and dose reduction was necessary in two patients. The fourth administration of PLD was suspended in four patients for grade 2-3 hand-foot syndrome. No symptoms were related to impairment of cardiac function and no death related to toxicity occurred. The combination of biweekly PLD and weekly paclitaxel was active in operable and locally advanced breast cancer with a manageable safety profile.

Background Elderly patients are generally underrepresented in the study populations of combination chemotherapy trials. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of a modified FOLFOX regimen in elderly patients with metastatic gastric cancer and presenting associated disease(s). , every 2 weeks. Assessment of response was performed every four cycles according to RECIST criteria. Results Median patient age was 74 years (range, 70-83 years). Overall response rate was 34.9 % [95 % confidence interval (CI), 20.6-49.1, with 3 complete responses and 12 partial responses. Grade 3 neutropenia occurred in 4 patients (9.3 %), fatigue in 3 patients (7.0 %), and vomiting in 2 patients (4.6 %). Grade 2 and 3 peripheral neuropathy was observed in 5 patients (11.6 %) and 1 patient (2.3 %), respectively. No treatment-related death was observed. Median progression-free and overall survival were 6.8 and 10.5 months, respectively. Conclusions This modified FOLFOX regimen is an active and well-tolerated treatment for elderly patients with metastatic gastric cancer and also represents a good therapeutic option in patients with associated disease(s).