Paraneoplastic syndromes can commonly occur due to lung cancer, especially small cell lung cancer. Frequently paraneoplastic syndromes can precede the diagnosis of the neoplasm or present with limited stage disease. However, these syndromes can also occur at the time of recurrence or metastasis of disease. This review focuses on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical features, and current management of the most common paraneoplastic syndromes encountered in patients with small cell lung cancer.Manifestations of paraneoplastic syndromes in small cell lung cancer include endocrine syndromes with secretion of excess hormones, and neurologic syndromes due to the production of antibodies causing an autoimmune condition. Recent advances have allowed for greater understanding of these syndromes and for the development of improved diagnostic as well as therapeutic tools. Awareness of paraneoplastic syndromes in small cell lung cancer can lead to an earlier diagnosis and recognition of both the condition and in some cases the disease potentially improving the overall survival and prognosis for patients. Further research examining effective methods to improve recovery from neurologic deficits in patients with a paraneoplastic neurologic illness is warranted.

The development of brain metastases (BMs) in breast cancer (BC) patients remains a challenging complication. Current clinical practice guidelines recommend local treatment of BMs without changing systemic therapy (CST) in patients with stable extracranial disease. We retrospectively investigated the impact of CST (when applicable as per treating physician’s discretion) following the diagnosis and management of oligometastatic (1–3) BMs in patients without extracranial metastases on the progression-free survival time (PFS), and overall survival (OS). Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard model. Among the 2645 patients with BC and BMs treated between 2002 and 2015, 74 were included for analysis. 40.5% of patients had HER2 + disease. Median time from diagnosis of BC to BMs was 17.6 months. 54%, 8%, and 38% of BMs were managed by radiation, craniotomy, or combination, respectively. Following the primary management of BMs, we observed that CST occurred in 26 (35.5%) patients, consisting of initiation of therapy in 13.5% and switching of ongoing adjuvant therapy in 22%. Median PFS was 6.6 months among patients who had CST compared to 7.1 months in those who did not (HR = 0.88 [0.52–1.47], p = 0.62). Median OS was 20.1 months among patients who had CST compared to 15.1 months in those who did not (HR = 0.68 [0.40–1.16], p = 0.16). Upon the successful local management of oligometastatic BMs in patients without extracranial disease, we did not find a significant difference in survival between patients who experienced a change in systemic therapy as compared to those who did not.

1090 Background: Despite advances in systemic therapies and improved overall survival of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients, the development of brain metastases (BMs) remains a challenging complication that affects quality of life and increases morbidity and mortality. Current clinical practice guidelines recommend local treatment of BMs without changing systemic therapy (CST) in patients with stable systemic disease. Methods: We retrospectively investigated the impact of CST (when applicable as per treating physician’s discretion) after diagnosis of the initial 1-3 BMs on the patient’s progression-free survival time (PFS), defined as time to death, to a second BMs or to extracranial metastases. All MBC patients with 1 to 3 BMs only (without extracranial disease) treated at our institution between 2002 and 2017 were identified. For each patient, full information on follow-up and administered therapies were mandatory for inclusion. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated using the Cox proportional hazard model. We also computed the restricted mean survival time (RMST) up to 5 years of follow-up. Results: Among the 2645 patient with BM treated at our institution, 80 were included for analysis. In regards to primary BMs management in patients, 46 of 80 (57%) were treated by radiation therapy, 6 of 80 (7.5%) underwent surgical resection, and 28 of 80 (35%) were managed by a combination of surgery and radiation therapy. All patients had staging imaging documenting lack of extracranial metastases at the time of local therapy of BMs. Following the primary management of BM, we observed that providers changed systemic therapy in 32 of 80 (40%), defined as the CST group. CST included both initiation of therapy in 16 of 80 (20%) and switching of adjuvant therapy in 16 of 80 (20%). Median PFS among CST was 7.7 months vs. 7.2 months among no CST (HR = 0.855, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53-1.38, p = 0.52). 5-year RMST for the CST group was 16.6 months vs. 12.8 months in no CST group. The difference of 3.8 months (95% CI 4.3-11.8) was not statistically significant. Conclusions: Patients with 1-3 BMs without extracranial disease had a median PFS close to 7.5 months after local therapy. Consistent with current standard of care of maintaining the same systemic therapy approach upon developing isolated BMs, our findings did not demonstrate a significant difference in PFS between patients who experienced a change in systemic therapy compared to those who did not.

BACKGROUND WHO grade II and III IDH wild-type astrocytomas behave more aggressively than their IDH mutated counterparts. A subpopulation shares molecular features with the novel entity proposed in cIMPACT-NOW Update 3 “Diffuse astrocytic glioma, IDH wild-type, with molecular features of glioblastoma (GBM), WHO IV”. METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of clinical and molecular features, management and survival of 134 adult patients treated for grade II and III IDH wild-type astrocytoma between 06/2012 and 12/2018 at MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC - 112) and UT Health Science Center at Houston (UTHSC - 22). All patients had IDH1 sequenced, all but 2 had IDH2 sequenced, and 73 had further next generation sequencing. RESULTS Median age at diagnosis was 53 (interquartile range 18-83). 82 patients (61%) were male. 31 patients were histologically diagnosed with grade II astrocytoma, 102 with grade III astrocytoma, and one with diffuse glioma (insufficient tissue to render histologic grade or perform sequencing). EGFR alterations were found in 31 patients and TERT promoter mutations in 22. 84 (63%) received concurrent chemoradiation and adjuvant temozolomide (grade II, n=9; grade III, n=74; NOS, n=1). PFS overall was 12.0 months (grade II = 17.9; grade III = 10.7). OS in patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation and adjuvant temozolomide was 17.1 months versus 17.7 in patients treated with sequential radiation and temozolomide (p = NS), and 10.6 in patients treated with RT alone or surveillance (p< 0.016). The highest 2-year OS was seen in grade II patients treated with concurrent chemoradiation and adjuvant temozolomide (60%). CONCLUSIONS WHO grade II and III IDHwt astrocytoma survival is similar to historical GBM cohorts. The proportion meeting molecular criteria for GBM is yet undefined. Groups who received chemotherapy may perform better than those who do not. Further analysis of MGMT methylation and other molecular factors is ongoing.

In the 2016 WHO classification of CNS tumors, oligodendrogliomas are molecularly defined by IDH1 or IDH2 mutations and 1p/19q co-deletion. Some reports suggest that PI3K pathway alterations may confer increased risk of progression and poor prognosis in oligodendroglioma. However, factors that influence prognosis in molecularly defined oligodendroglioma (mOGD) have not been thoroughly studied. Also, the benefits of adjuvant radiation and temozolomide in mOGDs remain to be determined. 107 mOGDs diagnosed between 2008-2018 at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (n= 39) and MD Anderson Cancer Center (n= 68) were included. A retrospective review of the demographic, clinical, histologic, molecular, and outcomes were performed. Median age at diagnosis was 37 years and 61 (57%) patients were male. There were 64 (60%) WHO Grade 2 and 43 (40%) WHO Grade 3 tumors. Ninety-five (88.8%) tumors were IDH1-mutant and 12 (11.2%) were IDH2-mutant. Eighty-two (77%) patients were stratified as high-risk: older than 40-years and/or subtotal resection (RTOG 9802). Gross-total resection was achieved in 47 (45%) patients. Treatment strategies included observation (n= 15), temozolomide (n= 11), radiation (n= 13), radiation with temozolomide (n= 62) and other (n= 6). Our results show a benefit of temozolomide vs. observation in progression-free survival (PFS). However, no benefit in PFS or overall survival (OS) was observed when comparing radiation vs. radiation with temozolomide. PIK3CA mutations were detected in 15 (14%) cases, and patients with PIK3CA-mutant mOGDs showed worse OS (10.7-years vs 15.1-years, p= 0.009). Patients with WHO Grade 3 tumors had shorter PFS but no significant difference in OS was observed compared to grade 2. Our findings suggest that mOGDs harboring PIK3CA mutations have worse OS. Except for an advantage in PFS in temozolomide treated patients, adjuvant treatment with radiation or the combination of both, showed no significant advantage in terms of OS.

BACKGROUND:Reports suggest that phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathway alterations confer increased risk of progression and poor prognosis in oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant, and 1p/19q-codeleted molecular oligodendrogliomas (mODG). However, factors that affect prognosis in mODG have not been thoroughly studied. In addition, the benefits of adjuvant radiation and temozolomide (TMZ) in mODGs remain to be determined.OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the role of PIK3CA mutations in mODGs.METHODS:One hundred seven mODGs (2008-2019) diagnosed at 2 institutions were included. A retrospective review of clinical characteristics, molecular alterations, treatments, and outcomes was performed.RESULTS:The median age was 37 years, and 61 patients (57%) were male. There were 64 (60%) World Health Organization (WHO) grade 2 and 43 (40%) WHO grade 3 tumors. Eighty-two patients (77%) were stratified as high risk (age 40 years or older and/or subtotal resection per Radiation Treatment Oncology Group-9802). Gross-total resection was achieved in 47 patients (45%). Treatment strategies included observation (n = 15), TMZ (n = 11), radiation (n = 13), radiation/TMZ (n = 62), and others (n = 6). Our results show a benefit of TMZ vs observation in progression-free survival (PFS). No difference in PFS or overall survival (OS) was observed between radiation and radiation/TMZ. PIK3CA mutations were detected in 15 (14%) mODG, and shorter OS was observed in PIK3CA-mutant compared with PIK3CA wild-type mODGs (10.7 years vs 15.1 years, P = .009). WHO grade 3 tumors showed a shorter PFS, but no significant difference in OS was observed between WHO grades.CONCLUSION:Our findings suggest that mODGs harboring PIK3CA mutations have worse OS. Except for an advantage in PFS with TMZ treatment, adjuvant TMZ, radiation, or a combination of the two showed no significant improvement in OS.

<p><strong>INTRODUCTION: </strong>End stage renal disease is on the rise in many parts of the world. Kidney transplant is a common procedure and definitive treatment for end stage renal disease. Along with its various advantages, it presents with an array of complications, associated with the procedure. Hence, an effective screening program to identify eligible donors is of crucial importance. The main aim of this study was to identify the frequency of possible undetected cardiovascular abnormalities in scheduled donors and its association with gender.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>METHODS:</strong> A sample size of 402 was selected with an equal number of donor and non-donor participants after age and gender matching. A positive electrocardiogram (ECG) change was defined as cardiac ischemia, occurring during exercise tolerance test (ETT), with 2 mm horizontal or down sloping ST-segment depression occurring 0.08 milliseconds after J-point whereas an exaggerated blood pressure (BP) was defined as high systolic blood pressure (SBP) at rest to maximum effort ≥7.5mmHg/MET (metabolic equivalents) and/or SBP at the peak of effort ≥220mmHg or subjects with high diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at rest to maximum effort ≥15mmHg, from normal levels of blood pressure at rest. Chi square was used as the primary statistical test.</p><p><strong>RESULTS: </strong>Scheduled kidney donors had significantly (P=0.007) higher proportion (n=19, 9.5%) of positive ECG changes and exaggerated BP response (n=35, 17.4%) (P&lt;0.0001) compared with the controls. Also, female donors had significantly (P=0.025) higher (n=16, 13.2%) chances of having a positive ECG change.</p><p><strong>CONCLUSION: </strong>A significant number of kidney donors have undetected cardiovascular abnormalities which could lead to post-transplant complications. Therefore, effective screening should be made imperative to avoid preventable complications such as hypertension of kidney transplantation.</p>