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Ghilli M, Becherini C, Meattini I, Angiolini C, Bengala C, Marconi A, Galli L, Angiolucci G, Coltelli L, Borghesi S, Lastrucci L, Manca G, Bianchi S, Doria M, Casella D, Marotti L, Amunni G, Roncella M. Management of the axilla in breast cancer patients: critical review, regional modified Delphi consensus and implementation in the Tuscan breast network. Radiol Med 2024:10.1007/s11547-024-01818-7. [PMID: 38683499 DOI: 10.1007/s11547-024-01818-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Data from recently trials have provided practice-changing recommendations in management of the axilla in early breast cancer (eBC). However, further controversies have been raised, resulting in heterogeneous diffusion of these recommendations. Our purpose was to obtain a better homogeneity. MATERIAL AND METHODS In 2021, the Tuscan Breast Network (TBN) established a consensus with the aim to update recommendations in this area. We performed a literature review on axillary management in eBC patients which led to an expert Delphi consensus aiming to explore the gray areas, build consensus and propose evidence-based suggestions for an appropriate management. Thereafter, we investigate their implementation in clinical practice. RESULTS (1) DCIS patients should have SLN biopsy only in case of mastectomy or in conservative surgery if tumor is in a location that would preclude future nodal sampling or in case of a mass; (2) ALND may be omitted for 1-2 positive SLN patients undergoing BCS in T1-2 tumors with 1-2 SLN positive, eligible for whole-breast irradiation and adjuvant systemic therapies; (3) consider the option of RNI in patients with 1-3 positive lymph nodes and one or more high-risk characteristics; (4) the population identified in 2) should NOT undergo lymph node irradiation as an alternative to axillary surgery and (5) patients with clinically (pre-operatively) positive axilla, or undergoing primary systemic therapy, or outside the criteria reported in 2) must receive additional ALND and/or RT as per local policy. CONCLUSION This consensus provided a practical tool to stimulate local and national breast surgical and radiotherapy protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Ghilli
- Breast Centre, Breast Surgery, University Hospital of Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Carlotta Becherini
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Oncology Department, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Icro Meattini
- Radiation Oncology Unit, Oncology Department, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "M. Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Catia Angiolini
- Breast Unit, Oncology Department, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, A. Brambilla 3, 50134, Florence, Italy
| | - Carmelo Bengala
- Oncology Department, Unit of Medical Oncology, Misericordia Hospital, Grosseto, Italy
| | - Aroldo Marconi
- Breast Oncological and Reconstructive Surgery, S.Luca Hospital- V. G. Lippi Francesconi, 55100, Lucca, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Galli
- Azienda Usl Toscana Centro, Ospedale San Giovanni Di Dio, Via Di Torregalli N 3, 50143, Florence, Italy
| | - Giovanni Angiolucci
- Radiologia Senologica, Azienda Usl Toscana Sud-Est, Ospedale Arezzo, Giovanni Valdarno, Italy
| | - Luigi Coltelli
- Division of Medical Oncology, Livorno Hospital, Department of Oncology, Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, Viale Alfieri 36, Leghorn, Italy
| | - Simona Borghesi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Azienda Usl Toscana Sud-Est, Ospedale Arezzo E S., Giovanni Valdarno, Italy
| | - Luciana Lastrucci
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Livorno Hospital, Azienda USL Toscana Nord Ovest, Viale Alfieri 36, Leghorn, Italy
| | - Gianpiero Manca
- Breast Centre, Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa, Italy
| | - Simonetta Bianchi
- Department of Health Sciences, Division of Pathological Anatomy, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini 6, Florence, Italy
| | - Morena Doria
- SOC Anatomia Patologica, Azienda Usl Toscana Centro, Ospedale San Giovanni Di Dio, Via Di Torregalli N° 3, 50143, Florence, Italy
| | | | - Lorenza Marotti
- European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists, Florence, Italy
| | - Gianni Amunni
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Manuela Roncella
- Breast Centre, Breast Surgery, University Hospital of Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa, Italy
- University Hospital of Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa, Italy
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2
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Gori S, Fabi A, Angiolini C, Turazza M, Salvini P, Ferretti G, Cretella E, Gianni L, Bighin C, Toss A, Zamagni C, Vici P, De Rossi C, Russo A, Bisagni G, Frassoldati A, Borgato L, Cariello A, Cappelletti C, Bordonaro R, Cinieri S, Modena A, Valerio M, Alvisi MF, De Simone I, Galli F, Rulli E, Santoni A, Nicolis F. Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy in Early Breast Cancer: Results of a Prospective Observational Multicenter BRIDE Study. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4852. [PMID: 37835546 PMCID: PMC10572070 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15194852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
To evaluate the rate of early breast cancer (EBC) patients treated with neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAT) in Italy, criteria of patient selection and types of therapies delivered, an analysis of 1276 patients with stage I-II-III was conducted out of 1633 patients enrolled in the multicenter prospective observational BRIDE study. A total of 177 patients (13.9%) were treated with NAT and 1099 (85.9%) with surgery; in multivariate analysis, menopausal status, cT, cN, grade, HER2-positive and Triple negative (TN) subgroups were significantly associated with the decision to administer NAT. The type of NAT delivered was influenced by EBC subtype. NAT was administered to 53.2% of HER2+/HR-negative, 27.9% of HER2+/HR+, 7.1% of HER2-negative/HR+ and 30.3% of TN EBC patients. The pCR rates were similar to the ones reported in the literature: 74.2% in HER2+/HR-negative, 52.3% in HER2+/HR+, 17.2% in HER2-negative/HR+ and 37.9% in TN. In clinical practice, patient and tumor characteristics influenced oncologists in the decision to administer NAT in EBC and in the choice of the type of systemic therapy, according to ESMO and AIOM Guidelines. Currently, it is recommended always to evaluate the use of NAT in EBC, mainly in HER2+ and TN patients, considering that pCR is associated with significantly better survival of the patient and that effective therapies are now available for residual disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Gori
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, 37024 Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Alessandra Fabi
- Precision Medicine Unit in Senology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Catia Angiolini
- Breast Unit and Multidisciplinary Oncology Group, Department of Breast Oncology, AOU Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Monica Turazza
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, 37024 Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Piermario Salvini
- Oncology, Humanitas Gavazzeni, 24125 Bergamo, Italy;
- Oncological Medicine—Policlinico Ponte S Pietro di Istituti Ospedalieri Bergamaschi, 24036 Ponte San Pietro, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Ferretti
- Division of Medical Oncology 1, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Angela Toss
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Modena, 41125 Modena, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Claudio Zamagni
- Medical Oncology of Senology and Gynecology, IRCCS AOU Bologna, Policlinico Sant’Orsola, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Patrizia Vici
- UOSD Sperimentazioni Fase IV, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori Regina Elena, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Costanza De Rossi
- Oncology—Ospedale dell’Angelo Azienda ULSS 3 Serenissima, 30174 Venice, Italy;
| | - Antonio Russo
- Medical Oncology, AOU Policlinico P. Giaccone, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Bisagni
- Medical Oncology, Comprehensive Cancer Centre, AUSL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, 22100 Reggio Emilia, Italy;
| | | | - Lucia Borgato
- Department of Oncology, San Bortolo General Hospital, Azienda ULSS8 Berica, 36100 Vicenza, Italy
| | - Anna Cariello
- Medical Oncology, AUSL Ravenna, 48100 Ravenna, Italy;
| | | | | | - Saverio Cinieri
- Medical Oncology, Antonio Perrino Hospital, 72100 Brindisi, Italy
| | - Alessandra Modena
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, 37024 Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Matteo Valerio
- Medical Oncology Unit, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, 37024 Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Maria Francesca Alvisi
- Laboratory of Methodology for Clinical Research, Department of Clinical Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy (I.D.S.); (E.R.)
| | - Irene De Simone
- Laboratory of Methodology for Clinical Research, Department of Clinical Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy (I.D.S.); (E.R.)
| | - Francesca Galli
- Laboratory of Methodology for Clinical Research, Department of Clinical Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy (I.D.S.); (E.R.)
| | - Eliana Rulli
- Laboratory of Methodology for Clinical Research, Department of Clinical Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy (I.D.S.); (E.R.)
| | - Anna Santoni
- Laboratory of Methodology for Clinical Research, Department of Clinical Oncology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milan, Italy (I.D.S.); (E.R.)
| | - Fabrizio Nicolis
- Medical Direction, IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, 37024 Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
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D’Antona R, Deandrea S, Sestini E, Pau L, Ferrè F, Angiolini C, Bortul M, Bucchi L, Caumo F, Fortunato L, Giordano L, Giordano M, Mantellini P, Martelli I, Melucci G, Naldoni C, Paci E, Saguatti G, Tinterri C, Vainieri M, Cataliotti L. Presence and Role of Associations of Cancer Patients and Volunteers in Specialist Breast Centres: An Italian National Survey of Breast Centres Associated with Senonetwork. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:8186-8195. [PMID: 37754509 PMCID: PMC10529214 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30090594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
This article aims to present the results of a national, cross-sectional, voluntary, online survey on the presence and roles of associations of breast cancer patients and volunteers in Italian specialist breast centres. The survey was developed according to standard methods. The questionnaire was pre-tested by a random sample of three breast centres, loaded onto the SurveyMonkey platform, and piloted by one volunteer breast centre. The breast centre clinical leads were invited to participate via email. A link to the online instrument was provided. No financial incentives were offered. The results were reported using standard descriptive statistics. The response rate was 82/128 (65%). Members of associations were routinely present in 70% Italian breast centres. Breast centres most often reporting their presence were those certified by the European Society of Breast Cancer Specialists. Patient support (reception and information, listening, identification of needs, and psychological support) was the primary area where associations were reported to offer services. The magnitude of this phenomenon warrants a study to investigate the impact of the activities of associations on the quality of life of patients and on the cost-benefit ratio of the service, and the modes of their interactions with the nursing staff and the medical staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna D’Antona
- Europa Donna Italia, 20122 Milan, Italy; (R.D.); (E.S.); (L.P.); (C.N.)
| | - Silvia Deandrea
- Environmental Health Unit, Agency for Health Protection, 27100 Pavia, Italy;
| | | | - Loredana Pau
- Europa Donna Italia, 20122 Milan, Italy; (R.D.); (E.S.); (L.P.); (C.N.)
| | - Francesca Ferrè
- Management and Health Laboratory, Institute of Management, Department EMbeDS, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (F.F.); (I.M.); (M.V.)
| | - Catia Angiolini
- SOD Oncologia Della Mammella, Breast Unit, DAI Oncologico, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, 50134 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Marina Bortul
- Breast Unit, Division of General Surgery, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina, Hospital of Cattinara, 34149 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Lauro Bucchi
- Emilia-Romagna Cancer Registry, Romagna Cancer Institute, IRCCS Istituto Romagnolo per lo Studio dei Tumori (IRST) Dino Amadori, 47014 Meldola, Italy
| | - Francesca Caumo
- Department of Breast Radiology, Veneto Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, 35128 Padova, Italy;
| | - Lucio Fortunato
- Breast Centre, San Giovanni-Addolorata Hospital, 00184 Rome, Italy;
| | - Livia Giordano
- CPO Piedmont, AOU Cittá della Salute e della Scienza, 10126 Torino, Italy;
| | - Monica Giordano
- Medical Oncology Department, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Lariana, 22100 Como, Italy;
| | - Paola Mantellini
- Screening Unit, ISPRO—Oncological Network, Prevention and Research Institute, 50139 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Irene Martelli
- Management and Health Laboratory, Institute of Management, Department EMbeDS, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (F.F.); (I.M.); (M.V.)
| | - Giuseppe Melucci
- SS Radiologia Senologica, ASL ‘SS. Annunziata’, 74100 Taranto, Italy;
| | - Carlo Naldoni
- Europa Donna Italia, 20122 Milan, Italy; (R.D.); (E.S.); (L.P.); (C.N.)
| | - Eugenio Paci
- Italian Group for Mammography Screening, 50131 Firenze, Italy;
| | - Gianni Saguatti
- Senology Unit, Local Health Authority, 40139 Bologna, Italy;
| | - Corrado Tinterri
- Breast Unit, Humanitas Cancer Centre, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy;
| | - Milena Vainieri
- Management and Health Laboratory, Institute of Management, Department EMbeDS, Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, 56127 Pisa, Italy; (F.F.); (I.M.); (M.V.)
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4
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Deandrea S, Ferrè F, D’Antona R, Angiolini C, Bortul M, Bucchi L, Caumo F, Fortunato L, Giordano L, Giordano M, Mantellini P, Martelli I, Melucci G, Naldoni C, Paci E, Pau L, Saguatti G, Sestini E, Tinterri C, Vainieri M, Cataliotti L. Integrating mammography screening programmes into specialist breast centres in Italy: insights from a national survey of Senonetwork breast centres. BMC Health Serv Res 2022; 22:723. [PMID: 35641985 PMCID: PMC9153866 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08111-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Despite recommendations, mammography screening is often insufficiently integrated into specialist breast centres. A national, cross-sectional, voluntary, online survey on this issue was carried out among the Italian breast centres associated with Senonetwork, the Italian network of breast cancer services.
Methods
A 73-item questionnaire was created, pre-tested and piloted. Centres integrating and not integrating a screening programme were compared using the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) model. Centres’ clustering was performed using the Gower’s distance metric. Groups and clusters were compared with the equality-of-means test.
Results
The response rate was 82/128 (65%). Overall, 84% (69/82) breast centres reported a collaboration with a screening programme in performing and/or reading mammograms and in the diagnostic work-up of women with abnormal screening results. The same proportion was observed among those centres responding to all questions (62/74). Performance expectancies (or the perceived usefulness of integration in terms of clinical quality, patient convenience, ease of job, and professional growth), satisfaction and motivation were higher in those centres collaborating with the screening programme. Effort expectancy indicators (or the degree to which the respondents believe that the integration is easy to implement) and those concerning the existence of facilitating conditions were lower both in centres collaborating and not collaborating with the screening programme. Among the former, six clusters of centres, distributed from ‘no integration’ to ‘high’, were identified. In cluster analysis, the highest level of integration was associated with higher agreement that integration eases the job, offers better opportunities for professional growth, and makes the working environment more satisfactory. The least integrated cluster assigned the lowest score to the statement that local health authority made available the resources needed.
Conclusions
While confirming the positive effects of integrating screening programmes into breast centres, this survey has brought to light specific difficulties that must be faced. The results provide insights into the importance of integration focusing on the perspectives of professional career and motivation. The deficiency of facilitating conditions to integration is modifiable. Screening professionals’ societies may have a role as initiators of the integration. Other supporting actions may be included in health laws at the national and regional level.
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Busco S, Tavilla A, Gigli A, Lopez T, Pierannunzio D, Mallone S, Guzzinati S, Capodaglio G, Giusti F, Angiolini C, Francisci S. A direct method for the identification of patterns of care using administrative databases: the case of breast cancer. Eur J Health Econ 2021; 22:1477-1485. [PMID: 34312745 PMCID: PMC8558165 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-021-01327-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify and provide lists of procedures and drugs related to diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. These lists can be used for the estimation of the cost of illness. METHODS The method consists of identifying lists of procedures/interventions/drugs related to the tumour of interest, drawn by a panel of expert clinicians and oncologists on the basis of clinical guidelines and current practice. The lists are applied to data referring to breast cancer female patients, collected by population-based Cancer Registries and linked at individual level with information on health care treatments. A comparison with lists obtained via the matched control method is implemented. RESULTS The distribution of administered procedures and drug prescriptions is coherent with the patient clinical pathway: surgery is the main cause of hospitalization in the first year since diagnosis, diagnostic and monitoring interventions are more frequent in the following years (recurrences detection), and at end-of-life (palliative care). Most outpatient services are due to diagnosis and monitoring, one third of services in the first year since diagnosis is radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Drugs prescribed to patients and sold in pharmacy include hormonal drugs as first course treatment and analgesics as palliative care. CONCLUSIONS This direct method represents a valid alternative to the matched control method in describing patterns of care and costs related to the entire disease pathway. It is particularly suitable in case of cancer sites with complex patterns of care, such as breast cancer. The lists of codes developed here are based on international classification systems and can be easily applicable to other countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanna Busco
- UOC Programmazione Controllo E Governo Clinico-ASL Latina, Latina, Italy
| | - Andrea Tavilla
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Gigli
- Institute for Research on Population and Social Policies, National Research Council, via Palestro 32, 00185, Rome, Italy.
| | - Tania Lopez
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Pierannunzio
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Sandra Mallone
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Catia Angiolini
- Breast Oncology Unit, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Francisci
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
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Spinelli S, Mini E, Monteleone E, Angiolini C, Roviello G. ALTERTASTE: improving food pleasure and intake of oncology patients receiving chemotherapy. Future Oncol 2021; 17:2573-2579. [PMID: 33858202 DOI: 10.2217/fon-2020-0871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
ALTERTASTE is a prospective study to evaluate changes in taste/flavor perception and food preferences in patients treated with adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast or colorectal cancer. The study adopts a longitudinal approach. Taste and odor responsiveness, food preferences and habits, emotions elicited by foods, and quality of life will be measured at six-time points: before chemotherapy (T0), after two cycles (T1, after around 1 month), after four cycles (T2, after around 2 months), after six cycles (T3, after around 4 months), at the end of chemotherapy (T4, after around 6 months) and 3 months after the conclusion of the therapy (T5). In addition, patients will be characterized for oral responsiveness and their psychological traits and attitudes toward food. The ALTERTASTE trial is expected to improve the understanding of the impact of chemotherapy on taste and smell and the repercussions of these alterations on food behaviors. Furthermore, the trial aims to develop an easy and reliable procedure to test smell, taste and food behavior alterations to allow a routine measure with patients. Clinical trial registration: NCT04495387 (ClinicalTrials.gov).
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Spinelli
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment & Forestry - Section of Food Science & Technology, University of Florence, Via Donizetti 6, Florence, 50144, Italy
| | - Enrico Mini
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology & Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, Florence, 50139, Italy
| | - Erminio Monteleone
- Department of Agriculture, Food, Environment & Forestry - Section of Food Science & Technology, University of Florence, Via Donizetti 6, Florence, 50144, Italy
| | - Catia Angiolini
- Breast Oncology, Careggi University Hospital, Viale Pieraccini, 6, Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Giandomenico Roviello
- Department of Health Sciences, Section of Clinical Pharmacology & Oncology, University of Florence, Viale Pieraccini, 6, Florence, 50139, Italy
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7
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Francisci S, Guzzinati S, Capodaglio G, Pierannunzio D, Mallone S, Tavilla A, Lopez T, Busco S, Mazzucco W, Angiolini C, Zorzi M, Serraino D, Barchielli A, Fusco M, Stracci F, Bianconi F, Rugge M, Iacovacci S, Russo AG, Cusimano R, Gigli A. Patterns of care and cost profiles of women with breast cancer in Italy: EPICOST study based on real world data. Eur J Health Econ 2020; 21:1003-1013. [PMID: 32399781 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-020-01190-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To estimate total direct health care costs associated to diagnosis and treatment of women with breast cancer in Italy, and to investigate their distribution by service type according to the disease pathway and patient characteristics. METHODS Data on patients provided by population-based Cancer Registries are linked at individual level with data on health-care services and corresponding claims from administrative databases. A combination of cross-sectional approach and a threephase of care decomposition model with initial, continuing and final phases-of-care defined according to time occurred since diagnosis and disease outcome is adopted. Direct estimation of cancer-related costs is obtained. RESULTS Study cohort included 49,272 patients, 15.2% were in the initial phase absorbing 42% of resources, 79.7% in the continuing phase absorbing 44% of resources and 5.1% in the final phase absorbing 14% of resources. Hospitalization was the most important cost driver, accounting for over 55% of the total costs. CONCLUSIONS This paper represents the first attempt in Italy to estimate the economic burden of cancer at population level taking into account the entire disease pathway and using multiple current health care databases. The evidence produced by the study can be used to better plan resources allocation. The model proposed is replicable to countries with individual health care information on services and claims.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Francisci
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Daniela Pierannunzio
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Sandra Mallone
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Andrea Tavilla
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Tania Lopez
- National Centre for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Busco
- UOC Programmazione e Controllo di Gestione, ASL Latina, Latina, Italy
| | - Walter Mazzucco
- Sciences for Health Promotion and Mother and Child (PROSAMI) Department, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
- Clinical Epidemiology and Cancer Registry Unit, Palermo University Hospital "P. Giaccone", Palermo, Italy
| | - Catia Angiolini
- Breast Oncology, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Manuel Zorzi
- Veneto Tumour Registry, Azienda Zero, Padua, Italy
| | - Diego Serraino
- SOC Epidemiologia Oncologica, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico, IRCCS, Aviano, Italy
| | | | - Mario Fusco
- Registro Tumori ASL Napoli 3 sud, Naples, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Stracci
- Umbria Cancer Registry, Public Health Section, Department Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Fortunato Bianconi
- Umbria Cancer Registry, Public Health Section, Department Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Massimo Rugge
- Department of Medicine, Surgical Pathology Unit, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Anna Gigli
- Institute for Research on Population and Social Policies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
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8
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Gori S, Puglisi F, Cinquini M, Pappagallo G, Frassoldati A, Biganzoli L, Cortesi L, Fiorentino A, Angiolini C, Tinterri C, De Censi A, Levaggi A, Del Mastro L. Adjuvant endocrine therapy in premenopausal patients with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer: Evidence evaluation and GRADE recommendations by the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM). Eur J Cancer 2018; 99:9-19. [PMID: 29886394 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2018.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer are candidates for adjuvant endocrine therapy, as recommended by the major international guidelines. To date, adjuvant endocrine options for premenopausal women include tamoxifen with or without ovarian function suppression (OFS) or an aromatase inhibitor with OFS. Multiple strategies for endocrine treatment of premenopausal women with hormone-responsive breast cancer have been assessed, and the results of randomised clinical trials have been reported over the last years. Despite this evidence, the optimal algorithm for endocrine therapy for premenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive early stage invasive breast cancer shows open questions regarding the role of OFS in addition to tamoxifen and the optimal use of hormonal agents. The panel of the Italian Association of Medical Oncology (AIOM) Clinical Practice Guidelines on Breast Cancer applied the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology on three critical questions on the choice of the adjuvant hormonal therapy in premenopausal breast cancer patients to summarise available evidence and to create recommendations to help physicians in their clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Gori
- Medical Oncology Unit, Sacro Cuore - Don Calabria Hospital, Cancer Care Center, Via Don Angelo Sempreboni 5, 37024 Negrar, VR, Italy.
| | - Fabio Puglisi
- Struttura Operativa Complessa "Oncologia Medica e Prevenzione Oncologica", Dipartimento di Oncologia Clinica, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Aviano, PN, Italy; Dipartimento Area Medica, Università degli Studi di Udine, Italy.
| | - Michela Cinquini
- IRCCS-Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Oncology Department, Via Giuseppe La Masa 19, 20156 Milan, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Pappagallo
- Epidemiology & Clinical Trials Office, General Hospital, Via Don Giacobbe Sartor 4, 30035 Mirano, VE, Italy.
| | - Antonio Frassoldati
- Clinical Oncology, Arcispedale Sant'Anna University Hospital, Via Aldo Moro 8, 44124 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Laura Biganzoli
- Medical Oncology Department, Hospital of Prato, P.zza Dell'Ospedale 2, 59100 Prato, Italy.
| | - Laura Cortesi
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, University Hospital of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Del Pozzo 71, 41100 Modena, Italy.
| | - Alba Fiorentino
- Radiation Oncology Division, Sacro Cuore - Don Calabria Hospital, Cancer Care Center, Via Don Angelo Sempreboni 5, 37024 Negrar, VR, Italy.
| | - Catia Angiolini
- SOD Oncologia Della Mammella- Breast Unit-DAI Oncologico-Azienda Ospedaliero- Universitaria Careggi, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Firenze, Italy.
| | - Corrado Tinterri
- Department of Surgery, IRCCS Clinical and Research Institute Humanitas, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, MI, Italy.
| | - Andrea De Censi
- Medical Oncology Unit, Galliera Hospital, Via Alessandro Volta 8, 16128 Genova, Italy.
| | - Alessia Levaggi
- Department of Oncology, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Via Vittorio Veneto 197, 19121 La Spezia, Italy.
| | - Lucia Del Mastro
- Department of Medical Oncology, U.O. Sviluppo Terapie Innovative, IRCCS AOU San Martino-IST, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genoa, Italy.
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9
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Gigli A, Warren JL, Yabroff KR, Francisci S, Stedman M, Guzzinati S, Giusti F, Miccinesi G, Crocetti E, Angiolini C, Mariotto A. Initial treatment for newly diagnosed elderly colorectal cancer patients: patterns of care in Italy and the United States. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2014; 2013:88-98. [PMID: 23962512 DOI: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgt006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer is a major component of health-care expenditures in most developed countries. The costs of cancer care are expected to increase due to rising incidence (as the population ages) and increasing use of targeted anticancer therapies. However, epidemiological analysis of patterns of care may be required prior to empirically well-grounded cost analyses. Additionally, comparisons of care between health-care delivery systems and countries can identify opportunities to improve practice. They can also increase understanding of patient outcomes and economic consequences of differences in policies related to cancer screening, treatment, and programs of care. In this study, we compared patterns of colorectal cancer treatment during the first year following diagnosis in two cohorts of elderly patients from some areas of Italy and the United States using cancer registry linked to administrative data. We evaluated hospital use, initial treatments (surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation), and timeliness of surgery and adjuvant therapy, taking into account patient characteristics and clinical features, such as stage at diagnosis and the cancer subsite. We observed greater use of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage III and IV colon cancer patients and adjuvant therapy in all stages of rectal cancer patients in the US cohort. We found a higher rate of open surgeries in the Italian cohort, a similar rate of hospitalization, but a higher number of hospital days in the Italian cohort. However, in spite of structural differences between the United States and Italy in health-care organization and delivery as well as in data collection, patterns of care and the timing of care in the year after diagnosis are generally similar among patients within stage of disease at diagnosis. Comparative studies of the costs associated with patterns of cancer care will be important for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Gigli
- Istituto di Ricerche sulla Popolazione e le Politiche Sociali, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Palestro 32-00185 Roma, Italy.
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10
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Lipscomb J, Yabroff KR, Hornbrook MC, Gigli A, Francisci S, Krahn M, Gatta G, Trama A, Ritzwoller DP, Durand-Zaleski I, Salloum R, Chawla N, Angiolini C, Crocetti E, Giusti F, Guzzinati S, Mezzetti M, Miccinesi G, Mariotto A. Comparing cancer care, outcomes, and costs across health systems: charting the course. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr 2014; 2013:124-30. [PMID: 23962516 DOI: 10.1093/jncimonographs/lgt011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Lipscomb
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Rollins School of Public Health, Rm 720, 1518 Clifton Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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11
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Francisci S, Guzzinati S, Mezzetti M, Crocetti E, Giusti F, Miccinesi G, Paci E, Angiolini C, Gigli A. Cost profiles of colorectal cancer patients in Italy based on individual patterns of care. BMC Cancer 2013; 13:329. [PMID: 23826976 PMCID: PMC3706387 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-13-329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2012] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Due to changes in cancer-related risk factors, improvements in diagnostic procedures and treatments, and the aging of the population, in most developed countries cancer accounts for an increasing proportion of health care expenditures. The analysis of cancer-related costs is a topic of several economic and epidemiological studies and represents a research area of great interest to public health planners and policy makers. In Italy studies are limited either to some specific types of expenditures or to specific groups of cancer patients. Aim of the paper is to estimate the distribution of cancer survivors and associated health care expenditures according to a disease pathway which identifies three clinically relevant phases: initial (one year following diagnosis), continuing (between initial and final) and final (one year before death). Methods The methodology proposed is based on the reconstruction of patterns of care at individual level by combining different data sources, surveillance data and administrative data, in areas covered by cancer registration. Results A total colorectal cancer-related expenditure of 77.8 million Euros for 18012 patients (corresponding to about 4300 Euros per capita) is estimated in 2006 in two Italian areas located in Tuscany and Veneto regions, respectively. Cost of care varies according to the care pathway: 11% of patients were in the initial phase, and consumed 34% of total expenditure; patients in the final (6%) and in the continuing (83%) phase consumed 23% and 43% of the budget, respectively. There is an association between patterns of care/costs and patients characteristics such as stage and age at diagnosis. Conclusions This paper represents the first attempt to attribute health care expenditures in Italy to specific phases of disease, according to varying treatment approaches, surveillance strategies and management of relapses, palliative care. The association between stage at diagnosis, profile of therapies and costs supports the idea that primary prevention and early detection play an important role in a public health perspective. Results from this pilot study encourage the use of such analyses in a public health perspective, to increase understanding of patient outcomes and economic consequences of differences in policies related to cancer screening, treatment, and programs of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Francisci
- Centro Nazionale di Epidemiologia, Sorveglianza e Promozione della Salute, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
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12
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Caldarella A, Amunni G, Angiolini C, Crocetti E, Di Costanzo F, Di Leo A, Giusti F, Pegna AL, Mantellini P, Luzzatto L, Paci E. Feasibility of evaluating quality cancer care using registry data and electronic health records: a population-based study. Int J Qual Health Care 2012; 24:411-8. [DOI: 10.1093/intqhc/mzs020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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13
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Landi M, Frignani F, Lazzeri C, Angiolini C. Abundance of orchids on calcareous grasslands in relation to community species, environmental, and vegetational conditions. RUSS J ECOL+ 2009. [DOI: 10.1134/s1067413609070066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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14
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Angiolini C. [The optimal duration of adjuvant therapy in breast cancer: what kind of evidence? Hormone therapy: what kind of evidence?]. Suppl Tumori 2004; 3:S75-6. [PMID: 15206219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Catia Angiolini
- Ospedale Santa Maria Annunziata, Azienda Sanitaria di Firenze
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15
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Venturini M, Del Mastro L, Garrone O, Angiolini C, Merlano M, Bergaglio M, Tolino G, Lambiase A, Baldini A, Canavese G, Rosso R. Phase I, dose-finding study of capecitabine in combination with docetaxel and epirubicin as first-line chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer. Ann Oncol 2002; 13:546-52. [PMID: 12056704 DOI: 10.1093/annonc/mdf056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Capecitabine is an oral fluoropyrimidine with considerable activity and minimal myelosuppression and alopecia. This phase I study evaluated the addition of capecitabine to epirubicin/docetaxel combination therapy as first-line treatment for advanced breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-three female patients with advanced breast cancer received capecitabine (765-1060 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1-14 of a 3-week treatment cycle) in combination with epirubicin and docetaxel (75 mg/m2 i.v. on day 1). RESULTS The maximum tolerated dose of capecitabine was 985 mg/m2 and the principal dose-limiting toxicity was febrile neutropenia. No grade 3/4 anemia or thrombocytopenia occurred. There were no grade 4 non-hematological events and grade 3 events other than alopecia were rare. Alopecia occurred in all patients and treatment cycles, and asthenia occurred in all patients and in 84% of treatment cycles. Other frequent adverse events included nausea, vomiting, fever, paresthesia and elevated transaminase levels. An objective response to treatment was observed in 91% (95% confidence interval 72% to 99%) of patients. CONCLUSIONS The addition of capecitabine to docetaxel/epirubicin combination therapy provides a well-tolerated and active first-line chemotherapy regimen in patients with advanced breast cancer, and merits phase II/III evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Venturini
- Division of Medical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy.
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Angiolini C, Riccucci C, De Dominicis V. La Flora vascolare della Riserva Naturale Lago di Burano (Grosseto, Toscana meridionale). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2002. [DOI: 10.1080/00837792.2002.10670728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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17
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Bertelli G, Valenzano M, Costantini S, Rissone R, Angiolini C, Signorini A, Gustavino C. Limited value of sonohysterography for endometrial screening in asymptomatic, postmenopausal patients treated with tamoxifen. Gynecol Oncol 2000; 78:275-7. [PMID: 10985880 DOI: 10.1006/gyno.2000.5876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Sonohysterography (SHG) has been proposed as a useful tool for the surveillance of the endometrium in patients receiving tamoxifen. This study aimed to assess the value of SHG in asymptomatic patients who would have been biopsy candidates because of abnormal transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) results. METHODS The study population included postmenopausal breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant tamoxifen who had asymptomatic abnormalities at TVUS (endometrial thickness >/=8 mm or endometrial echo not adequately visualized). SHG was performed with an Aloka SSD 680 system using a 5-MHz vaginal probe, with sterile saline solution as contrast medium. RESULTS Forty-one patients entered the study. A regular endometrial echo was identified by SHG in 9 patients (21.9%). Histology was obtained in the remaining 32 patients with positive (n = 27, 65.8%) or unsuccessful (n = 5, 12.2%) SHG. Benign polyps (n = 15, 36.6%) and endometrial atrophy (n = 14, 34.1%) were the most common findings; 3 patients (7.3%) had simple hyperplasia. CONCLUSIONS Breast cancer patients with asymptomatic, tamoxifen-associated TVUS abnormalities have little additional benefit from SHG. More than 23 remain candidates for biopsy, which usually yields benign or insignificant findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Bertelli
- Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Genoa, 16132, Italy.
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18
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Bertelli G, Queirolo P, Vecchio S, Angiolini C, Bergaglio M, Del Mastro L, Signorini A, Valenzano M, Venturini M. Toremifene as a substitute for adjuvant tamoxifen in breast cancer patients. Anticancer Res 2000; 20:3659-61. [PMID: 11268435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toremifene is a new antiestrogen, which in nonclinical studies appears less carcinogenic than tamoxifen. Clinical trials of adjuvant toremifene vs. tamoxifen in breast cancer patients are ongoing. This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of changing from adjuvant tamoxifen to toremifene. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty postmenopausal breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant tamoxifen, 20 mg/day, were switched to toremifene 60 mg/day. The effects on the uterus were evaluated prospectively by transvaginal ultrasound; tolerability was assessed clinically. RESULTS In 14 patients who had uterine abnormalities (endometrial thickening or polyps) under tamoxifen, no significant changes occurred during a median of 18 months (range 7-24) of toremifene treatment. Out of six patients who had entered the study due to intolerance to tamoxifen, however, 3 tolerated toremifene well. CONCLUSION Toremifene does not modify previous uterine changes induced by tamoxifen. For some patients who do not tolerate tamoxifen, however, switching to toremifene may allow the continuation of adjuvant antiestrogenic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Bertelli
- Medical Oncology Division and University, National Cancer Institute, Genova, Italy.
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Bruschi F, Carulli G, Azzarà A, Homan W, Minnucci S, Rizzuti-Gullaci A, Sbrana S, Angiolini C. Inhibitory effects of human neutrophil functions by the 45-kD glycoprotein derived from the parasitic nematode Trichinella spiralis. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2000; 122:58-65. [PMID: 10859470 DOI: 10.1159/000024359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM We evaluated the effect of the 45-kD protein of Trichinella spiralis (gp45), purified by affinity chromatography, on random migration and chemotaxis, the oxidative metabolism of human neutrophils and on the CD11b upregulation induced by formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (f-MLP). METHODS Donor neutrophils incubated with different amounts of gp45 (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 microg/ml) or buffer and the random migration and chemotaxis, evaluated by means of a special technique of image analysis, and the chemiluminescence response to f-MLP or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) were analyzed. The effect on CD11b upregulation was assessed incubating cells with the protein, when activating them with f-MLP. RESULTS The results showed that gp45 inhibited both random and stimulated migrations, and reduced the response to f-MLP and PMA. Furthermore, gp45 significantly reduced the upregulation of the CD11b induced by f-MLP. CONCLUSION The results show that gp45 inhibits PMN in different functions, suggesting an anti-inflammatory action.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Bruschi
- Istituto di Patologia Generale, Università di Perugia, Italy.
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20
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Venturini M, Lunardi G, Del Mastro L, Vannozzi MO, Tolino G, Numico G, Viale M, Pastrone I, Angiolini C, Bertelli G, Straneo M, Rosso R, Esposito M. Sequence effect of epirubicin and paclitaxel treatment on pharmacokinetics and toxicity. J Clin Oncol 2000; 18:2116-25. [PMID: 10811677 DOI: 10.1200/jco.2000.18.10.2116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Sequence-dependent clinical and pharmacokinetic interactions between paclitaxel and doxorubicin have been reported. Some data have shown an influence of paclitaxel on epirubicin metabolism, but no data are available about the effect of diverse sequences of these drugs. We investigated whether reversing the sequence of epirubicin and paclitaxel affects the pattern or degree of toxicity and pharmacokinetics. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients receiving epirubicin 90 mg/m(2) by intravenous bolus followed by paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) over 3-hour infusion or the opposite sequence every 3 weeks for four cycles were eligible. Toxicity was recorded at nadir. Pharmacokinetic data were evaluated at the first and the second cycle and were correlated with toxicity parameters. RESULTS Thirty-nine consecutive stage II breast cancer patients were treated. Twenty-one patients received epirubicin followed by paclitaxel (ET group), and 18 received the opposite sequence (TE group). No significant difference in nonhematologic toxicity was seen. A lower neutrophil and platelet nadir and a statistically significant slower neutrophil recovery was observed in the TE group. Area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of epirubicin was higher in the TE group (2,346 ng/mL. h v 1,717 ng/mL. h; P =.002). An inverse linear correlation between epirubicin AUC and neutrophil recovery was also observed (P =.012). No difference was detected in paclitaxel pharmacokinetics. CONCLUSION Our results support a sequence-dependent effect of paclitaxel over epirubicin pharmacokinetics that is associated with increased myelotoxicity. Because schedule modifications of anthracyclines and paclitaxel can have clinical consequences, the classical way of administration (ie, anthracyclines followed by paclitaxel) should be maintained in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Venturini
- Department of Medical Oncology I and Pharmacotoxicology Laboratory, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genova, Italy.
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Esposito M, Venturini M, Vannozzi MO, Tolino G, Lunardi G, Garrone O, Angiolini C, Viale M, Bergaglio M, Del Mastro L, Rosso R. Comparative effects of paclitaxel and docetaxel on the metabolism and pharmacokinetics of epirubicin in breast cancer patients. J Clin Oncol 1999; 17:1132. [PMID: 10561171 DOI: 10.1200/jco.1999.17.4.1132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate whether paclitaxel and docetaxel influence the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of epirubicin. PATIENTS AND METHODS We studied the pharmacokinetics and biotransformation patterns of epirubicin in 27 cycles and 20 breast cancer patients. Four patients received epirubicin alone 90 mg/m(2) by intravenous (IV) bolus; eight patients received the same dose of epirubicin followed immediately by paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2) in a 3-hour infusion; the other eight patients received epirubicin 90 mg/m(2) followed immediately by docetaxel 70 mg/m(2) in a 1-hour infusion. Epirubicin and its metabolites, epirubicinol (EOL) and 7-deoxydoxorubicinone (7d-Aone), were identified by high-pressure liquid chromatography. RESULTS No pharmacokinetic interaction between the parent compound epirubicin and taxanes was detected. Conversely, a significant effect on epirubicin metabolism by both paclitaxel and docetaxel was found. Epirubicin given with paclitaxel or docetaxel yielded areas under the plasma concentration-time curves (AUC) for 7d-Aone 1. 7-fold and 1.9-fold higher (P <.05), respectively, than epirubicin alone. The appearance of two polar metabolites sensitive to glucuronidase was also significantly greater in both taxane groups. Quantitatively different metabolic rates and patterns for EOL were observed in the paclitaxel and docetaxel combinations. The EOL AUC after paclitaxel treatment (1,521 +/- 150 ng/mL*h) was significantly higher (P <.01) than the corresponding values after epirubicin administered either as a single agent (692 +/- 46 ng/mL*h) or in combination with docetaxel (848 +/- 237 ng/mL*h). CONCLUSION There is no apparent pharmacokinetic interaction between the parent compound epirubicin and paclitaxel or docetaxel. A different pattern of interaction between these taxanes and epirubicin metabolism is clearly evident.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Esposito
- Pharmacotoxicology Laboratory, Department of Preclinical Oncology, Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy.
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Abstract
A flow cytometric method to detect and study human eosinophils in whole blood was established. Normal subjects and patients with various types of eosinophilia (hypereosinophilic syndromes, allergic diseases, dermatitis, Hodgkin's Disease, parasitosis) were studied. Whole blood samples were treated for 10 minutes at room temperature with a commercially available reagent (FACS Lysing Solution, Becton Dickinson) which acts both as a fixative and as a lysing agent. Eosinophils were identified as a granulocytic subpopulation with higher SSC and FSC properties. This cell population was characterized by evident autofluorescence and hypodiploid DNA features after propidium iodide staining. The purity of the eosinophil population sorted after electronic gating was close to 100%. A very significant correlation between eosinophil counting by our whole blood method and other two assays, namely routine automatic counting by the H*3 Bayer System and eosinophil detection by depolarized SSC, was obtained. The phagocytic properties of eosinophils were also studied by means of a commercially available diagnostic kit, thus demonstrating that our method is also suitable for the study of those granulocytic functions which can be evaluated by flow cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Carulli
- Department of Oncology, University of Pisa, Italy
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Angiolini C, Zappa M, Paci E, Giorgi D, Barchielli A, Bianchi S, Distante V, Muraca M, Pacini P. Locoregional recurrences in breast cancer: a population-based study in the city of Florence, Italy. Breast 1997. [DOI: 10.1016/s0960-9776(97)90070-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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Carulli G, Azzarà A, Minnucci S, Angiolini C, Sbrana S, Ambrogi F. fMLP-induced CD11b/CD18 upregulation on neutrophils from patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas treated with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 1997; 16:301-8. [PMID: 9387905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The effects of rhG-CSF administration on fMLP-induced neutrophil CD11b and CD18 upregulation were studied in nine patients suffering from intermediate and high grade non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Blood samples were obtained before recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) administration and 24 hrs after rhGSF interruption. The growth factor was administered subcutaneously for five days in a dosage of 5 microg/Kg/day. Nine normal subjects were studied as controls. Five patients showed an impaired baseline CD11b and CD18 upregulation, which was corrected by rhG-CSF therapy. Four patients showed a normal baseline CD11b and CD18 upregulation, but this function was reduced by rhG-CSF therapy. All patients showed a normal baseline fMLP-induced luminol-enhanced chemiluminiscence and significantly increased chemiluminescence values after rhG-CSF administration. We conclude that, while in some patients rhg-CSF is able to improve neutrophil CD11b and CD18 upregulation in response to chemotactic agents, in other patients a decrease of this function can occur, maybe due to a relative immaturity of the circulating neutrophils induced by rhG-CSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Carulli
- Department of Oncology, 1st Medical Clinic, University of Pisa, Italy
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25
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Simonetti RG, Liberati A, Angiolini C, Pagliaro L. Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Ann Oncol 1997. [PMID: 9093719 DOI: 10.1023/a: 1008285123736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death. Many treatments have been proposed but considerable uncertainty still remains about their effectiveness. In this review we evaluated the quality, clinical coherence, consistency and results of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) of non-surgical treatments for HCC. METHODS Thirty-seven RCTs examining the effect of different treatments were retrieved using MEDLINE (November 1978 to December 1995) and a review of reference lists. Selected aspects of the quality of design, conduct and reporting were examined. The odds ratio for the probability of surviving up to one year was calculated according to the Mantel Haenszel Peto method and displayed using l'Abbe plots. RESULTS The 37 RCTs overall included 2803 patients (median 56, range 20-289). Patients prognosis varied widely across studies which also failed to report on important information about their characteristics. Only 10 RCTs had an untreated control group; the remaining 27 compared different regimens of intravenous or intraarterial chemotherapy with or without embolization of hepatic artery, hormono- and immunotherapy regimens. Some evidence of a moderate benefit emerged only from RCTs using tamoxifen and transcatheter arterial embolization vs. no treatment in unresectable patients: pooled odds ratio for 1-year survival were, respectively, 2.0 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.1-3.6) and 2.0 (95% CI 1.1-3.6). At 2 years, however, pooled odds ratio were no longer statistically significant for tamoxifen 1.2 (95% CI 0.6-2.6) but was significant for embolization 2.3 (95% CI 1.2-4.6). No evidence of efficacy was detected for embolization as adjuvant therapy in resected or transplanted patients nor for chemotherapy added to intraarterial embolization. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review of RCTs on HCC, mostly in non resectable patients, indicate that the non-surgical current treatments are ineffective or minimally and uncertainly effective. The three treatment modalities minimally and uncertainly effective (i.e., embolization, tamoxifen and IFN) can deserve further assessment by larger and methodologically more sound randomized trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- R G Simonetti
- Divisione di Medicina, Ospedale V. Cervello, Palermo, Italy
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Carulli G, Sbrana S, Minnucci S, Azzarà A, Angiolini C, Gullaci AR, Ambrogi F. Actin polymerization in neutrophils from patients affected by myelodysplastic syndromes--a flow cytometric study. Leuk Res 1997; 21:513-8. [PMID: 9279362 DOI: 10.1016/s0145-2126(97)00009-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In this study F-actin polymerization in neutrophils from 21 patients affected by myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) was evaluated by means of a flow cytometric assay. Neutrophils were stimulated with formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylanaline (fMLP; 10(-8) M final concentration) for 15, 30, 60 and 120 sec, and F-actin content was determined using fluorescein-isothiocyanate phallacidin as a specific probe. Eight normal subjects were studied as controls. We found that F-actin polymerization was defective in ten patients, with very impaired values after 60 and 120 sec of stimulation with fMLP. The remaining 11 patients showed a prevalent neutrophil population with normal F-actin polymerization and neutrophil sub-populations with either defective or undetectable F-actin polymerization. In the first group, patients with very poor prognosis (refractory anemia with excess blasts, refractory anemia with excess blasts in leukemic transformation, trisomy 8, multiple karyotypic abnormalities) were present, although patients with aberrations of karyotype were present in the second group. It is possible that defects in neutrophil F-actin polymerization may be responsible for neutrophil dysfunction, which has frequently been observed in MDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Carulli
- Unit of Hematology, University of Pisa, Ospedale S. Chiara, Italy
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27
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Azzarà A, Rizzuti-Gullaci A, Carulli G, Minnucci S, Angiolini C, Petrini M. 107 Abnormal motility patterns of neutrophils in myelodysplastic syndromes identified by image analysis. Leuk Res 1997. [DOI: 10.1016/s0145-2126(97)81321-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Carulli G, Azzarà A, Sbrana S, Minnucci S, Angiolini C, Gullaei AR, Ambrogi F. 108 Defective actin polymerization in neutrophils from patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. Leuk Res 1997. [DOI: 10.1016/s0145-2126(97)81319-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Carulli G, Sbrana S, Azzarà A, Minnucci S, Angiolini C, Ambrogi F. Reversal of autoimmune phenomena in autoimmune neutropenia after treatment with rhG-CSF: two additional cases. Br J Haematol 1997; 96:877-8. [PMID: 9074439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related death. Many treatments have been proposed but considerable uncertainty still remains about their effectiveness. In this review we evaluated the quality, clinical coherence, consistency and results of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) of non-surgical treatments for HCC. METHODS Thirty-seven RCTs examining the effect of different treatments were retrieved using MEDLINE (November 1978 to December 1995) and a review of reference lists. Selected aspects of the quality of design, conduct and reporting were examined. The odds ratio for the probability of surviving up to one year was calculated according to the Mantel Haenszel Peto method and displayed using l'Abbe plots. RESULTS The 37 RCTs overall included 2803 patients (median 56, range 20-289). Patients prognosis varied widely across studies which also failed to report on important information about their characteristics. Only 10 RCTs had an untreated control group; the remaining 27 compared different regimens of intravenous or intraarterial chemotherapy with or without embolization of hepatic artery, hormono- and immunotherapy regimens. Some evidence of a moderate benefit emerged only from RCTs using tamoxifen and transcatheter arterial embolization vs. no treatment in unresectable patients: pooled odds ratio for 1-year survival were, respectively, 2.0 (95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.1-3.6) and 2.0 (95% CI 1.1-3.6). At 2 years, however, pooled odds ratio were no longer statistically significant for tamoxifen 1.2 (95% CI 0.6-2.6) but was significant for embolization 2.3 (95% CI 1.2-4.6). No evidence of efficacy was detected for embolization as adjuvant therapy in resected or transplanted patients nor for chemotherapy added to intraarterial embolization. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review of RCTs on HCC, mostly in non resectable patients, indicate that the non-surgical current treatments are ineffective or minimally and uncertainly effective. The three treatment modalities minimally and uncertainly effective (i.e., embolization, tamoxifen and IFN) can deserve further assessment by larger and methodologically more sound randomized trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- R G Simonetti
- Divisione di Medicina, Ospedale V. Cervello, Palermo, Italy
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Carulli G, Minnucci S, Gianfaldoni ML, Angiolini C, Azzarà A, Ambrogi F. Interactions between platelets and neutrophils in essential thrombocythaemia. Effects on neutrophil chemiluminescence and superoxide anion generation. Eur J Clin Invest 1995; 25:929-34. [PMID: 8719933 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.1995.tb01969.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Essential thrombocythaemia (ET) is frequently associated with neutrophil and platelet dysfunction, and with increased incidence of vascular complications (thrombosis, haemorrhage). Several interactions between platelets and neutrophils have been reported, and the reciprocal actions between these cells may have an important role both in thromboregulation and in diseases such as those caused by uncontrolled neutrophil activation. In the current paper the authors studied 15 patients affected by ET and 10 normal subjects as controls. Circulating neutrophils and platelets were purified and were recombined in constant ratios (50:1, 100:1 and 200:1) and the individual platelet to neutrophil ratio. Superoxide anion (O2-) generation and luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence (CL) were studied after neutrophil stimulation with fMLP. In normal subjects both O2- generation and CL were inhibited by autologous platelets in a dose-dependent manner. In ET patients, on the contrary, platelet-dependent inhibition of O2- generation did not occur, while a dose-dependent inhibition of CL was observed. Two groups of ET patients were found: patients with neutrophil O2- generation and CL within the normal range, and patients with significantly reduced neutrophil respiratory burst. However, no differences were found between these two groups of patients in terms of platelet effects towards fMLP-stimulated neutrophils. Therefore, platelets from ET patients were not able to exert the homeostatic control towards neutrophil O2- generation shown by platelets from normal subjects, and this phenomenon may have a role in the clinical setting. In fact, O2- has been shown to be a very strong direct platelet activator, is able to inactivate nitric oxide (which is a powerful inhibitor of platelet aggregation and adhesion to endothelium), and is directly involved in neutrophil-mediated tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Carulli
- Unit of Hematology, University of Pisa, Italy
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Carulli G, Minnucci S, Angiolini C, Azzarà A, Ambrogi F. Luminol-enhanced, whole blood chemiluminescence of human neutrophils evaluated by means of an automated, computer-assisted, and high-sensitivity luminescence analyzer. Int J Clin Lab Res 1995; 25:216-21. [PMID: 8788551 DOI: 10.1007/bf02592701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Luminol-enhanced whole blood chemiluminescence of human neutrophils was studied using opsonized zymosan as a stimulus. Heparinized blood (0.5 microliters) was used, and the chemiluminescence signals were recorded by a very sensitive, automated, and computer-assisted luminometer (LB 950, Berthold, Wildbad, Germany). The following parameters were provided: integral values over the total measuring time, peak values, the time to reach maximum value, and the time to reach half maximum value. Normal subjects, neutropenic patients, subjects with total or partial myeloperoxidase deficiency, patients with recurrent infections, phagocytic defects, thrombocythemic patients and those with non-Hodgkin's lymphomas undergoing therapy with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor were studied. The integral response of chemiluminescence and the time of reach half maximal value were useful indicators of chemiluminescence defects; the assay, was able to detect chemiluminescence responses in neutropenic subjects with neutrophil levels as low as 0.6 x 10(9)/l; differences between cellular and plasma defects could be identified; the quenching effect exerted by erythrocytes was negligible.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Carulli
- Hematology Unit, University of Pisa, Italy
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Scorpiglione N, Nicolucci A, Grilli R, Angiolini C, Belfiglio M, Carinci F, Cubasso D, Filardo G, Labbrozzi D, Mainini F. Appropriateness and variation of surgical treatment of breast cancer in Italy: when excellence in clinical research does not match with generalized good quality care. Progetto Oncologia Femminile. J Clin Epidemiol 1995; 48:345-52. [PMID: 7897456 DOI: 10.1016/0895-4356(94)00148-j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
To assess appropriateness of surgical care delivered to breast cancer patients in Italy and quantify the use of unnecessary radical procedures, a retrospective charts review of patients treated in 1988-1989 was conducted. A series of 1724 consecutive patients (median age 61 years; range 17-89) treated in 63 hospitals selected from within 8 regions with newly diagnosed operable breast carcinoma was evaluated. Overall, 541 (38%) patients had inappropriate surgery with more than two thirds of it being accounted for by the use of unnecessary mutilating Halsted mastectomy. Substantial geographic variation emerged in the overall rates of appropriateness (range 88-52%) which were not substantially affected by allowance for imbalances in patient- and hospital-related variables. Despite the important contribution given by Italian clinical researchers to the demonstration that less radical surgery can be as good as more radical procedures, still a substantial proportion of breast cancer patients are treated too aggressively. Besides pointing to the urgent need of interventions aimed at facilitating the process of technology transfer in order to promote more appropriate surgical care, these results suggest that efforts to increase patients' participation into treatment decision and awareness about alternative treatment options are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Scorpiglione
- Laboratorio di Farmacologia Clinica ed Epidemiologia Consorzio Mario Negri Sud (S. Maria Imbaro, Chieti), Italy
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Carulli G, Minnucci S, Azzarà A, Angiolini C, Sbrana S, Caracciolo F, Ambrogi F. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) administration increases PMN CD32 (FcRII) expression and FcR-related functions. Haematologica 1995; 80:150-4. [PMID: 7543071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The phenotypical and functional properties of circulating neutrophils from ten patients suffering from intermediate- and high-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma were investigated before and after rhG-CSF administration (5 micrograms/kg/day subcutaneously for 5 days). The following parameters were studied: flow cytometry evaluation of surface CD32, CD16, CD11b and CD18 by means of a whole blood method; whole blood phagocytosis by means of a flow cytometric assay; whole blood chemiluminescence using opsonized zymosan as a stimulus. A significant increase in the expression of surface CD32 was detected in all patients, while CD11b expression was found to be increased in only four of them. CD16 and CD18 expression did not change. A significant enhancement of phagocytosis and phagocytosis-associated chemiluminescence was also observed. These results show that rhG-CSF administration can increase both FcRII expression and FcR-related functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Carulli
- Unit of Hematology, University of Pisa, Italy
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Penna A, Scorpiglione N, Nicolucci A, Angiolini C, Mainini F, Grilli R, Liberati A. [The adjuvant treatment of operable breast carcinoma. The current status and outlook]. Recenti Prog Med 1993; 84:359-68. [PMID: 8511395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Breast cancer represents one of the most frequent neoplasm: every year, in Italy, 25,000 new cases are diagnosed with more than 9,000 deaths. In Italy--and also in other countries--has been shown a broad variability in the use of diagnostic or therapeutic procedures caused by different hospitals' characteristics, patients' conditions and physicians' opinions. Among the different therapeutic options, post-surgical therapy, that extends the disease-free interval and survival, fills an important position in the cure of breast cancer in relation to the overview published on Lancet the 4th and the 11th January 1992. According to this overview, patients who had surgery for breast cancer benefitted by an adjuvant therapy--hormonal or cytotoxic--with a reduction of mortality between 15 and 20%. That means, in Italy, a reduction of one thousand deaths per year for this neoplasm. Particularly the effectiveness of hormonal treatment in postmenopausal patients (not only in the oestrogen receptor (ER) positive but in the ER poor too), of ovarian ablation and chemotherapy in premenopausal patients was confirmed. In node negative patients the present overview recommends the adjuvant treatment for the risk reduction in recurrence and mortality. Nevertheless important research implications persist about treatment and a better definition of high risk patients; therefore more patient should be included in the randomized clinical trial.
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Grilli R, Angiolini C, Mainini F, Penna A, Liberati A. [Promoting the improvement of clinical practice: guidelines]. Epidemiol Prev 1993; 17:114-7. [PMID: 8045279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- R Grilli
- Laboratorio di Epidemiologia Clinica, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri, Milano
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Nicolucci A, Mainini F, Penna A, Scorpiglione N, Grilli R, Angiolini C, Mari E, Zola P, Liberati A. The influence of patient characteristics on the appropriateness of surgical treatment for breast cancer patients. Progetto Oncologia Femminile. Ann Oncol 1993; 4:133-40. [PMID: 8448081 DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.annonc.a058415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Within the framework of a multi-annual educational intervention sponsored by the Ministry of Health and regional health authorities, patterns of the care delivered to breast cancer patients in Italian general hospitals were monitored in order to identify areas of practice whose quality was in need of improvement. DESIGN Information on the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in 63 general hospitals in eight Italian regions performed in 1724 consecutive breast cancer patients were retrospectively gathered from medical records. Quality of care was assessed by a diagnostic and therapeutic score based on the observed degree of compliance with previously established courses of action. RESULTS The median value of the overall diagnostic and staging score was 60%. About one-third of surgical operations (38%) were inappropriate: one-fourth (24%) of patients with stage I-II disease had unnecessarily radical surgery (i.e., Halsted mastectomy), and limited surgery in patients with small tumors (i.e., < or = 2 cm) was under utilized. Chronological age influenced physicians' behaviour: elderly patients were more likely to have a less intensive diagnostic work-up and less appropriate surgical treatment (with more frequent performance of an unnecessary radical operation and a less frequent utilization of limited surgery), independently of their overall health status. The presence of one or more co-existent diseases was associated with a failure to undergo axillary clearance and with a lower utilization of conservative surgery independently of age. CONCLUSION In accord with others, this study confirms the existence of a clinically important effect of patient age on diagnostic and therapeutic behaviour and the use of unnecessarily radical surgery procedures. The paper discusses the implications of these findings for the next stage of the educational project, in which practice guidelines will be developed and implemented to improve the quality of care for breast cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Nicolucci
- Unità di Epidemiologia Clinica, Consorzio Mario Negri Sud, S. Maria Imbaro (CH), Italy
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