<b><i>Background:</i></b> In patients with hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer, palbociclib has been shown to improve overall survival and progression-free survival (PFS) when combined with endocrine therapy. Dose modification of palbociclib is effective in the management of adverse events. Despite variable clinical response, no predictive biomarkers of efficacy to palbociclib have been identified in metastatic breast cancer. In our study, we aimed to assess the PFS of metastatic breast cancer patients who received dose-reduced palbociclib and compare the results in the non-dose-reduced group. We also evaluated the clinical significance of progesterone receptor (PR) and Ki67 as predictive biomarkers of palbociclib. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Seventy-six palbociclib-treated metastatic breast cancer patients were included in our study. PFS was compared between dose-reduced and non-dose-reduced groups. PR expression and Ki67 status were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to analyze PFS. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of the 76 patients, 40 (52.6%) experienced dose reduction (DR). Statistical analysis of the results revealed that there were no statistically significant differences observed between dose-reduced (16.5 months) versus non-dose-reduced (17.7 months) patients in PFS (<i>p</i> = 0.5493). For patients with Ki67 ≥14%, PFS was 15.2 months (95% CI: 10.2–22.2 months; <i>p</i> = 0.3024). In patients with PR ≥20%, median PFS was 25.0 months (lower 95% CI: 16.8 months; <i>p</i> = 0.0069). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Our study indicated that DR of palbociclib is frequently required but does not appear to affect PFS. PR expression was suggested to be a significant predictive factor for palbociclib responsiveness.
There are rare instances in which patients are found to have small cell and non-small cell lung cancer simultaneously. combined small cell lung cancer (cSCLC) is a rare type of SCLC in which a tumor contains SCLC and another non-small cell component. (1). Mutiple primary lung cancer (MPLC) occurs when malignancies develop at anatomically separate sites in the lungs. (2) CASE PRESENTATION: A 71-year-old female with a 60-year history of cigarette smoking presented with two weeks of generalized weakness and fatigue. A computerized tomography (CT) scan of the chest (Figure 1) revealed a large subpleural thickwalled cavitary mass in the right lower lobe (RLL) measuring 10 cm in the largest dimension. Additionally, there was a peribronchovascular mass in the right upper lobe with right-sided hilar and mediastinal adenopathy. Given the patient's clinical history and radiographic findings malignancy was suspected. Bronchoscopy with TBNA of mediastinal lymph nodes and the cavitary RLL mass was performed. Immunohistochemistry of the RLL mass biopsy was consistent with moderately differentiated invasive SCC. However, immunohistochemistry of the subcarinal lymph nodes biopsies revealed a different cancer type, highgrade SCLC. Based on the biopsy results, the diagnosis could have been either cSCLC in which separate biopsy sites sampled tumor different components or MPLC. Following these findings, the patient elected for comfort care.
DISCUSSION:The ACCP guidelines for the diagnosis and management of lung cancer recommend that lung cancer diagnosis be made by the least invasive method possible which is often bronchoscopy with TBNA or endobronchial ultrasound-guided needle aspiration when extensive mediastinal disease is present. (3) In this case presentation, isolated sampling of subcarinal lymph nodes would have led to an incorrect or incomplete diagnosis, as the peripheral tumor site biopsy found an additional cancer type. While it is important to minimize morbidity associated with tumor tissue collection, bronchoscopists are also tasked with obtaining adequate samples for molecular and histologic subtyping of tumors. cSCLC and MPLC present a unique challenge because limited tissue sampling can lead to under diagnosis of these cancers. As such, these cancers are likely under underdiagnosed (1,2). When possible, maximizing tissue acquisition from tumor sites and nodal stations can help prevent misdiagnosis of cSCLC and MPLC. In both MPLC and cSCLC, characterization of all malignant cell lines is needed for the effective management of patients.CONCLUSIONS: cSCLC and MPLC are both important, likely under-diagnosed cancers to consider when investigating pulmonary tumors. Bronchoscopists should balance the need to minimize morbidity with the need for obtaining adequate tissue from nodal stations and tumor sites to prevent misdiagnosis of cSCLC and MPLC.
Since its introduction, Bentall procedure has remained the standard of care for management of ascending aortic aneurysms with associated aortic valve pathologies. It involves replacement of aortic root, ascending aorta and the aortic valve, using a hybrid vascular graft with built in valves. The openings of the main coronary arteries are then rejoined with the graft. The procedure has satisfactory long term survival rate. However, there are some complications including graft infection, stroke from dislodged plaques and coronary insufficiency due to kinking of the reconnected main coronary arteries.
Here, we report a rare and life-threatening complication following Bentall procedure. A 76-year-old female developed left main stenosis following Bentall procedure, successfully treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We discuss various etiologies and treatment options for this complication. We recommend routine surveillance with coronary angiography at six months post Bentall.
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