In terms of worldwide levels, Cuba has an intermediate incidence of cancer of the oral cavity and oro-pharynx. We studied 200 cases of cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx, of whom 57 women (median age = 64) and 200 hospital controls, frequency matched with cases by age and sex, in relation to smoking and drinking history, intake of 25 foods or food groups, indicators of oral hygiene and sexual activity, and history of sexually transmitted diseases. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained from unconditional multiple logistic regressions and adjusted for age, sex, area of residence, education, and smoking and drinking habits. In the multivariate model, high educational level and white-collar occupation, but not white race, were associated with halving of oral cancer risk. Smoking ≥30 cigarettes per day showed an OR of 20.8 (95% CI: 8.9–48.3), similar to smoking ≥4 cigars daily (OR = 20.5). Drinking ≥ 70 alcoholic drinks per week showed an OR of 5.7 (95% CI: 1.8–18.5). Hard liquors were by far the largest source of alcohol. Increased risk was associated with the highest tertile of intake for maize (OR = 1.9), meat (OR = 2.2) and ham and salami (OR = 2.0), whereas high fruit intake was associated with significantly decreased risk (OR = 0.4). Among indicators of dental care, number of missing teeth and poor general oral condition at oral inspection showed ORs of 2.7 and 2.6, respectively. Number of sexual partners, marriages or contacts with prostitutes, practice of oral sex and history of various sexually transmitted diseases, including genital warts, were not associated with oral cancer risk. 82% of oral cancer cases in Cuba were attributable to tobacco smoking, 19% to smoking cigars or pipe only. The fractions attributable to alcohol drinking (7%) and low fruit intake (11%) were more modest. Thus, decreases in cigarette and cigar smoking are at present the key to oral cancer prevention in Cuba. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.com

The instrumental role of CK2 in the SARS-CoV-2 infection has pointed out this protein kinase as promising therapeutic target in COVID-19. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity has been reported by CK2 inhibitors in vitro ; however, no anti-CK2 clinical approach has been investigated in COVID-19. This trial aimed to explore the safety and putative clinical benefit of CIGB-325, an anti-CK2 peptide previously assessed in cancer patients. A monocentric, controlled, and therapeutic exploratory trial of intravenous CIGB-325 in adults hospitalized with COVID-19 was performed. Twenty patients were randomly assigned to receive CIGB-325 (2.5 mg/kg/day during 5-consecutive days) plus standard-of-care (10 patients) or standard-of-care alone (10 patients). Adverse events were classified by the WHO Adverse Reaction Terminology. Parametric and nonparametric statistical analyses were performed according to the type of variable. Considering the small sample size, differences between groups were estimated by Bayesian analysis. CIGB-325 induced transient mild and/or moderate adverse events such as pruritus, flushing, and rash in some patients. Both therapeutic regimens were similar with respect to SARS-CoV-2 clearance in nasopharynx swabs over time. However, CIGB-325 significantly reduced the median number of pulmonary lesions (9.5 to 5.5, p = 0.042) at day 7 and the proportion of patients with such an effect was also higher according to Bayesian analysis (pDif > 0; 0.951). Also, CIGB-325 significantly reduced the CPK ( p = 0.007) and LDH ( p = 0.028) plasma levels at day 7. Our preliminary findings suggest that this anti-CK2 clinical approach could be combined with standard-of-care in COVID-19 in larger studies.

Purpose: The instrumental role of CK2 in the SARS-Cov2 infection has pointed out this protein kinase as a promising therapeutic target in Covid-19. Anti-SARS-Cov2 activity has been reported by CK2 inhibitors in vitro; however, any anti-CK2 clinical approach has been investigated in Covid-19. This exploratory trial aimed to explore safety and putative clinical benefit of CIGB-325, an anti-CK2 peptide previously assessed in cancer. Methods: A monocentric, parallel group design, therapeutic exploratory trial of intravenous CIGB-325 in adults hospitalized with Covid-19 was performed. Twenty patients were randomly assigned to receive CIGB-325 (2.5 mg/kg/day during 5-consecutive days) plus standard-of-care (10 patients) or standard-of-care (10 patients). Adverse events were classified by the WHO Adverse Reaction Terminology. Parametric and non-parametric statistical analyses were performed according to the type of variable. Considering the small sample size, differences between groups were estimated by Bayesian analysis. Findings: CIGB-325 induced transient mild and/or moderate adverse events like pruritus, flushing and rash in some patients. Both therapeutic regimens were similar respect to SARS-Cov2 clearance in nasopharynx swabs over the time. However, CIGB-325 significantly reduced the median number of pulmonary lesions (9.5 to 5.5, p = 0.042) at day 7 and proportion of patients with such effect was also higher according to Bayesian analysis (pDif > 0; 0.951). Additionally, CIGB-325 significantly reduced the CPK (p = 0.007) and LDH (p = 0.028) plasma levels at day 7. Implications: Our preliminary findings suggest that this anti-CK2 clinical approach could be combined with standard-of-care in Covid-19 thus warranting larger studies.

52 Background: Emergency department (ED) visits are a distressing event for patients with advanced cancer, and identifying planned, unplanned and avoidable ED visits is important for providing better cancer care. We studied the causes for ED visits, as well as potentially avoidable ED visits during palliative chemotherapy, among patients with advanced cancer treated at a public cancer center in Mexico City. Methods: Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed advanced solid tumors treated at Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán from 10/2015 to 03/2016 were screened. Patients who visited the ED during that period were included, and their demographic and clinical characteristics recorded. Number and reasons for ED visits were obtained from medical records. Among patients who received chemotherapy within the previous 30 days, the following reasons for ED visits were classified as avoidable: anemia, nausea, dehydration, neutropenia, diarrhea, pain, emesis, pneumonia, fever or sepsis (according to Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services Hospital Outpatient Quality Reporting Program). Results: 77 patients were diagnosed with advanced solid tumors during the study period, of which 53 (69%) had at least one ED visit. Median age was 63 years (range, 19-88), and 47% were men (n = 25). 51% had gastrointestinal, 21% genitourinary and 28% other tumors. Median follow-up was 360 days. 95 ED visits were identified; with a median number of ED visits per patient of 1 (range 1-5). The most common causes of ED visits were: infections (n = 20; 21%), gastrointestinal disorders (n = 18; 19%), pain (n = 15; 16%), ascites (n = 14; 15%), anemia (n = 4; 4%), catheter dysfunction (n = 4; 4%), and other causes (n = 20; 21%). 57% of ED visits among patients who received chemotherapy within the previous 30 days were classified as potentially avoidable. Conclusions: Over two thirds of patients with newly diagnosed metastatic cancer had ED visits in the first year after diagnosis. Furthermore, more than a half of ED visits among patients receiving palliative chemotherapy were potentially avoidable. Strategies aimed at reducing ED visits are needed to improve quality of care for patients with advanced cancer.