PurposeTo assess influence of the radiobiological doses, tumor, and treatment features on local control, enucleation rates, overall and disease-specific survival rates after brachytherapy for posterior uveal melanoma.Material and methodsLocal control, enucleation, overall and disease-specific survival rates were evaluated on the base of 243 patients from 1996 through 2016, using plaques loaded with iodine sources. Clinical and radiotherapy data were extracted from a dedicated prospective database. Biologically effective dose (BED) was included in survival analysis using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regressions. The 3-, 5-, 10-, and 15-year relative survival rates were estimated, and univariate/multivariate regression models were constructed for predictive factors of each item. Hazard ratio (HR) and confidence interval at 95% (CI) were determined.ResultsThe median follow-up was 73.9 months (range, 3-202 months). Cumulative probabilities of survival by Kaplan-Meier analysis at 3, 5, 10 and 15 years were respectively: 96%, 94%, 93%, and 87%, for local control; 93%, 88%, 81%, and 73% for globe preservation; 98%, 93%, 84%, and 73% for overall survival, and 98%, 96%, 92%, and 87% for disease-specific survival. By multivariate analysis, we concluded variables as significant: for local control failure – the longest basal diameter and the juxtapapillary location; for globe preservation failure – the longest basal dimension, the mushroom shape, the location in ciliary body, and the dose to the foveola; for disease-specific survival – the longest basal dimension. Some radiobiological doses were significant in univariate models but not in multivariate ones for the items studied.ConclusionsThe results show as predictive factors of local control, enucleation, and disease-specific survival rates those related with the features of the tumor, specifically the longest basal dimension. There is no clear relation between radiobiological doses or treatment parameters in patients after brachytherapy.

Despite advances in the treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), it remains the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the Western world. Angiogenesis is a complex process that involves the formation of new blood vessels from preexisting vessels. It is essential for promoting cancer survival, growth, and dissemination. The inhibition of angiogenesis has been shown to prevent tumor progression experimentally, and several chemotherapeutic targets of tumor angiogenesis have been identified. These include anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatments, such as bevacizumab (a VEGF-specific binding antibody) and anti-VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, although antiangiogenic therapy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of several cancers, including CRC. However, it is also associated with its own side effects and financial costs. Therefore, the identification of biomarkers that are able to identify patients who are more likely to benefit from antiangiogenic treatment is very important. This article intends to be a concise summary of the potential biomarkers that can predict or prognosticate the benefit of antiangiogenic treatments in CRC, and also what we can expect in the near future.

PurposeTo assess the long-term influence of radiobiological doses in the evolution of visual acuity (VA) in patients with uveal melanoma treated by episcleral brachytherapy.Material and methodsVisual acuity was evaluated prospectively from a case series of 243 patients in 2016 treated with 125I. Data analysis was applied to trend VA outcome and find the accurate best-fit line. Biologically effective dose (BED) was included in survival analysis with the use of Kaplan-Meier and Cox regressions. Hazard ratio (HR) and confidence interval at 95% (CI) were determined. Variables statistically significant were analyzed and compared by log-rank tests.ResultsThe median follow-up was 74.2 months (range, 3-223). Exponential regression shows a 25% reduction and 50% in visual acuity score (VAS) scale for 5 and 27.8 months, respectively. Cumulative probabilities of survival analysis were 57%, 42%, 27%, and 23% at 3, 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. Multivariable analysis found tumor height (HR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.07-1.29), applicator size (HR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.08-1.36), juxtapapillary localization (HR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.01-2.84), and dose to foveola (HR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.01) significantly associated with VA loss. Log-rank tests were significant for all those variables. BED has a strong influence in univariate model, but not statistically significant in the multivariate one.ConclusionsVisual acuity changes can be modeled by an exponential function for the first 5 years after treatment. No relation between VA loss and BED has been found; nevertheless, apical height, plaque size, juxtapapillary localization, and dose to fovea were found as statistical significant variables.

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BACKGROUND: Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a polysaccharide present in almost all animal tissues, in which it carries out important biological functions, among them, the protection of the joints by lubricating them and dampening the tension in them. OBJECTIVE: This study compares the viscoelastic properties of several commercial preparations of HA, to determine their suitability for use as viscosupplementation therapy in joint pathology (osteoarthritis). METHODS: 4 HA hydrogels: Durolane®, Synocrom_Forte_One®, Synvisc_One® and Viscoplus_Matrix® and 4 HA solutions: Ostenil®, Ostenil_Plus®, Viscoplus_Gel® and Orthovisc® were analyzed to compare their viscoelatsic rheological parameters using an oscillatory-rotational rheometer. RESULTS: With respect to the 4 HA hydrogels, comparison of crossover frequencies allowed division into two main groups: Synvisc_One® and Viscoplus_Matrix®, with crossover frequencies in the order of magnitude of 10−2 Hz, while Synocrom_Forte_One® and Durolane® showed crossover frequencies on the order of 10−1 Hz. Only one of the 4 HA solutions, Viscoplus_Gel®, showed a crossover frequency on the order of 10−2, whereas Ostenil_Plus® and Orthovisc® showed crossover frequencies on the order of 10−1, and Ostenil® remained as a predominantly viscous fluid for frequencies as high as 4.8 Hz. CONCLUSIONS: The viscoelastic properties of the HA preparations can be ordered according to the values of G ∗ (the rigidity, or vector sum of the elastic modulus G ′ and the viscous modulus G ′′) at both transition points (0.5 and 2.5 Hz) as follows: Viscoplus_Matrix®  > Viscoplus_Gel®  > Durolane®  > Synocrom_Forte_One®  > Ostenil_Plus®  > Synvisc_One®  > Orthovisc®  > Ostenil®.