<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><bold>Purpose:</bold> Clinical trials are expensive and lengthy, where success of a given trial depends on observing a prospectively defined number of patient events required to answer the clinical question. The point at which this analysis time occurs depends on both patient accrual and primary event rates, which typically vary throughout the trial's duration. We demonstrate real-time analysis date projections using data from a collection of six clinical trials that are part of the IDEA collaboration, an international preplanned pooling of data from six trials testing the duration of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage III colon cancer, and we additionally consider the hypothetical impact of one trial's early termination of follow-up.<bold>Patients and Methods:</bold> In the absence of outcome data from IDEA, monthly accrual rates for each of the six IDEA trials were used to project subsequent trial-specific accrual, while historical data from similar Adjuvant Colon Cancer Endpoints (ACCENT) Group trials were used to construct a parametric model for IDEA's primary endpoint, disease-free survival, under the same treatment regimen. With this information and using the planned total accrual from each IDEA trial protocol, individual patient accrual and event dates were simulated and the overall IDEA interim and final analysis times projected. Projections were then compared with actual (previously undisclosed) trial-specific event totals at a recent census time for validation. The change in projected final analysis date assuming early termination of follow-up for one IDEA trial was also calculated.<bold>Results:</bold> Trial-specific predicted event totals were close to the actual number of events per trial for the recent census date at which the number of events per trial was known, with the overall IDEA projected number of events only off by eight patients. Potential early termination of follow-up by one IDEA trial was estimated to postpone the overall IDEA final analysis date by 9 months.<bold>Conclusions:</bold> Real-time projection of the final analysis time during a trial, or the overall analysis time during a trial collaborative such as IDEA, has practical implications for trial feasibility when these projections are translated into additional time and resources required.</abstract>

Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA

Cancer Research UK, Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre, Institute of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, Scotland

Department of Oncology, IRCCS Instituto di RicercheFarmacologiche Mario Negri, Milan, Italy

Methodological and Quality of Life Unit in Oncology, University Hospital, Besançon, France

Department of Biostatistics, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

Department of Biostatistics, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan

Division of Internal Medicine, University of Crete, Crete, Greece

National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project Biostatistical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Projecting Event-Based Analysis Dates in Clinical Trials: An Illustration Based on the International Duration Evaluation of Adjuvant Chemotherapy (IDEA) Collaboration. Projecting Analysis Dates for the IDEA Collaboration

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Cancer incidence increases with age. With an ageing population, the burden of cancer in older people is set to increase significantly in the coming decades. This is a heterogeneous group with wide variations in health and functional status separate from chronological age. Data suggest that historically this patient cohort have poorer outcomes and have been under-represented in clinical cancer trials. There is an emerging body of evidence to help guide treatment; however, ongoing research is needed to develop comprehensive evidence-based guidelines and identify treatment regimens, which are suitable for frailer patients. In this article, we review the current field of geriatric oncology. We highlight that age is not a contradiction to cancer treatment but geriatric assessment is needed to identify which treatment a patient may tolerate and benefit from.</abstract>

FY2, Medicine, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, UK

CT1, Orthopaedics, Countess of Chester Hospital, UK

Breast Surgery, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy

Consultant Surgical Oncologist, University of Liverpool and St Helens, Teaching Hospital

Geriatric Oncology

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">A major challenge in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is the identification of specific biomarkers that are likely to predict which patients will benefit from a specific treatment. To this date, a number of studies have shown that a tumour's mutational profile influences treatment outcome in patients with mCRC and should, therefore, be used to guide treatment decision. For more than 5 years now, we know that patients with tumours harbouring mutations in exon 2, codons 12 and 13 of the <italic>KRAS</italic> oncogene gain no benefit from the administration of anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibodies (moAbs), Cetuximab and Panitumumab. It has just recently being elucidated that <italic>KRAS</italic> mutations outside codons 12 and 13 and mutations in the <italic>NRAS</italic> gene confer resistance to Cetuximab and Panitumumab, as well. Thus, since June 2013, the analysis of exons 2, 3 and 4 of <italic>KRAS</italic> and <italic>NRAS</italic> has been incorporated in daily clinical practice to improve patients’ selection for anti-EGFR moAbs treatment. Nevertheless, even if patients’ outcome under anti-EGFR moAbs therapy is improved with better selection based on Ras mutational status, more research is needed in this field; the matter is far from being resolved, since there are still a minority of wt <italic>RAS</italic> patients who do not respond upfront to such a treatment.</abstract>

Laboratory of Tumor Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Oncology Department “Asklepios”, 71303 Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Department of Medical Oncology, University General Hospital of Heraklion, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Department of Medical Oncology, Centre René Gauducheau, Nantes

Analysis of the role of RAS Family Mutations in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC): Current Treatment Practice

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Locoregional colorectal cancer recurrence after curative resection remains a clinical problem despite improvements in surgical techniques. A surgical approach is usually preferred, although controversies exist. Retrospective studies have identified risk factors that may predict successful outcomes after reoperation. In the current manuscript, the experience of our tertiary oncology center involving cases with complicated locoregional recurrences is reported. Four such patients were identified, age 55-69 years old, who were treated with an aggressive surgical intervention in the setting of multimodality treatment including postoperative chemotherapy and radiation. Despite the presence of risk factors, such as involvement of adjacent structures, an excellent disease-free survival was achieved. We, therefore, propose that aggressive surgical approach supported by modern chemotherapy and occasionally radiotherapy for the treatment of colorectal cancer locoregional relapses should be considered in the setting of a multidisciplinary oncologic evaluation.</abstract>

Interbalkan Medical Center, Department of Oncology

Interbalkan Medical Center, Department of Surgery

Successful Salvage Resection of Locoregional Colon Cancer Recurrence. Report of Four Cases

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Characterized by an aggressive clinical course and relatively poor prognosis, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) refers to a diverse group of tumors with distinct molecular characteristics rather than to a single entity. The recognition of distinct gene expression subtypes within the group of TNBC and the description of an ever-expanding set of genetic events has led to improved understanding of the underlying biology. However, the improvement of clinical results has been incremental despite undergoing efforts to evaluate the role of molecularly targeted agents in the treatment of TNBC. The relative rarity of each one of these genetic events increases the difficulty of conducting large clinical trials, further hindering our ability to identify meaningful, personalized treatment approaches. Herein, we summarize current knowledge on TNBC, focusing on molecular pathology and emerging treatment approaches.</abstract>

Department of Medical Oncology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece

University Medical Oncology Ward, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Papageorgiou General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Greece.

Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: One Or More Entities?

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 14 (2023): Issue 1 (December 2023)

Volume 13 (2022): Issue 3 (December 2022)

Volume 13 (2022): Issue 2 (December 2022) 6TH HELLENIC CONGRESS OF ONCOLOGY

Volume 13 (2022): Issue 1 (December 2022)

Volume 12 (2021): Issue 3 (December 2021)

Volume 12 (2021): Issue 2 (December 2021) Supplementary Issue: 27th Hellenic Conference of Clinical Oncology

Volume 12 (2021): Issue 1 (May 2021)

Volume 11 (2020): Issue 3 (December 2020)

Volume 11 (2020): Issue 2 (July 2020)

Volume 11 (2020): Issue 1 (March 2020)

Volume 10 (2019): Issue 2 (December 2019)

Volume 10 (2019): Issue 1 (April 2019)

Volume 9 (2018): Issue 1 (December 2018)

Volume 8 (2017): Issue 1 (June 2017)

Volume 7 (2016): Issue 2 (June 2016)

Volume 7 (2016): Issue 1 (March 2016)

Volume 6 (2015): Issue 4 (December 2015)

Volume 6 (2015): Issue 3 (September 2015)

Volume 6 (2015): Issue 2 (June 2015)

Volume 6 (2015): Issue 1 (March 2015)

Volume 5 (2014): Issue 2 (December 2014)

Volume 5 (2014): Issue 1 (July 2014)

Forum of Clinical Oncology

 Why subscribe and read  We would like to present to you the Forum of Clinical Oncology (FCO), the official scientific journal of the Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology.In the Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology we want FCO to serve as a forum, for us all, to communicate clinical and research achievements in English; to share thoughts, opinions, facts, problems and solutions.We envision the journal to be the means, by which our efforts in the fight against cancer will become known to a wider audience, thus establishing our presence in the global setting. FCO publishes original and translational research articles relevant to diagnosis and treatment of cancer, state-of-the-art reviews, case reports, research articles, statements of opinion and comments, all related to clinical practice and basic research. A large number of eminent Greek and Foreign colleagues who participate in the National and International Editorial Boards, with their continuum direction and support, guarantee the high quality of the work published in FCO. In every issue published there will be something new, enjoyable and exciting to be read.  Why submit  We would like to welcome you to the Forum of Clinical Oncology (FCO), the official scientific journal of the Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology.In the Hellenic Society of Medical Oncology we share the view that there are many issues we deal with in our everyday clinical and research practice that are common to our colleagues geographically closer to us, in the Balkans and the Mediterranean basin, but also to those in other parts of the world. That led us to dare "the great leap forward": to broaden the scope of our Greek scientific journal for oncology, published in Greek for the last 10 years, and develop Forum of Clinical Oncology a web based open access journal in English.  FCO will serve as a forum for us all to communicate clinical and research achievements. One of the innovations of the journal is its online management from submission of an article to its publication. Online is more efficient: submitting, reviewing, proofreading, filing and indexing. However, the most important benefit of all is easy universal access.  English has become the common language amongst scientists from around the globe. This is the reason why we chose English as the official language of the journal. Many Greek colleagues have already published work in English in distinguished journals or have studied or worked abroad. We believe that the language change will not be an impediment for our Greek colleagues to present their work in FCO, whereas on the other hand it will allow our colleagues from other countries to participate.  The Forum of Clinical Oncology publishes original and translational research articles relevant to diagnosis and treatment of cancer, state-of-the-art reviews, case reports, research articles, statements of opinion and comments, all related to clinical practice and basic research.  We share the view that there should be no barriers to knowledge and thus, we decided Forum of Clinical Oncology to be an open-access journal, i.e., any work submitted to the journal and accepted for publication shall be made immediately available to the scientific community and the general public, via the journal's website and printed version. Authors are requested to adjust accordingly the information regarding their work they wish to make public. It is the desire of the editorial team to make this journal an interactive educational tool to acquire knowledge and it is addressed to scientists working with oncology.  Please join us in our effort and submit your work to the FCO.  Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 