Anticancer Center Research Articles

Management of sotorasib-related adverse events and hepatotoxicities following anti-PD-(L)1 therapy: Experience with sotorasib in two French anti-cancer centers and practical guidance proposal

IntroductionSotorasib is a first-in-class KRASG12C inhibitor that showed significant clinical activity in KRASG12C-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The most frequent grade 3 or 4 sotorasib-related adverse events (AEs) were diarrhea (4–12 %) and hepatotoxicity (10.1–15.1 %). Data is lacking about the management of these AEs, especially in patients receiving sequential anti-PD-(L)1 and sotorasib therapy. Our aim was to report the management of grade ≥ 2 sotorasib-related AEs in real-world setting and to propose practical guidance for the management of grade ≥ 2 sotorasib-related AEs and more generally KRASG12C inhibitors-related AEs. Materials and methodsRecords from all consecutive patients who initiated sotorasib through expanded access program in two French anti-cancer centers from January 1st 2021 to April 1st 2023 were reviewed to identify and grade sotorasib-related AEs, according to NCI-CTCAE v5.0., and to collect AEs management data. Patients were included in the analysis if they presented a grade ≥ 2 sotorasib-related AE. ResultsFrom 57 patients identified, 21 met inclusion criteria including eighteen (86 %) who received sequential anti-PD-(L)1 and sotorasib therapy. Hepatotoxicity (76 %) and diarrhea (24 %) were the most common grade ≥ 2 sotorasib-related AEs. Among the 16 patients with a grade ≥ 2 hepatotoxicity, 12 (75 %) definitely discontinued sotorasib, among which 9 (56 %) after dose reductions and rechallenge, and five (32 %) received corticosteroids, allowing only one patient to resume sotorasib. Diarrhea and nausea were usually manageable and not associated with sotorasib discontinuation. We propose a step-by-step management practical guidance for sotorasib-related hepatotoxicity based on dose-reduction and careful monitoring. Liver biopsy is strongly encouraged for grade 3 and 4 hepatotoxicity to assess candidates for corticosteroids. DiscussionThe experience with sotorasib might help better prevent, screen and manage sotorasib-related and other KRASG12C inhibitors-related AEs, particularly hepatotoxicity.

Epidemiological insights into colorectal cancer in northwestern Algeria.

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has exhibited regional variability in North Africa and the Middle East, with a steady increase in Algeria. Despite this trend, limited data exist on the epidemiology of CRC in northwestern Algeria. Our study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of CRC in this region. We conducted a retrospective study examining 255 confirmed CRC cases through medical records from patients at the Sidi Bel Abbes anti-cancer centre. The mean age of the study participants was 59 ± 13 years. The results showed a higher incidence in males (57%) than in females, and colon (62%) than rectal cancer. Within this cohort, 47% had a pre-existing medical condition, while 39% had a family history of cancer. Adenocarcinomas were the prevailing histological subtype in 94% of CRC cases. Compared with colon cancer, rectal cancer was less often diagnosed at stage IV of the disease (OR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.09, 4.86; p = 0.8) and more likely in early-onset patients (OR = 2.27; 95% CI = 1.25, 4.17; p = 0.007). Men were at a higher risk of being diagnosed with metastatic CRC primarily hepatic metastases (OR = 2.03; 95% CI = 1.07, 3.99; p = 0.033) and pulmonary metastases (OR = 2.50; 95% CI = 1.07, 6.59; p = 0.045). This study may provide a comprehensive glimpse into CRC epidemiology in northwest Algeria. Understanding regional differences is the key to implementing specific preventive and interventional strategies.

Editorial introductions.

Editorial introductions.

Breast Cancer and SARS-Cov2: Lessons from a Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced drastic containment measures, which had a direct impact on breast cancer management. During the first wave, a delay in care and a decrease in new consultation numbers was observed. It would be interesting to study the resulting long-term consequences on breast cancer presentation and time to first treatment. This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the surgery Department of the Anti-Cancer Center of Nice, France. Two periods of 6 months were compared: a pandemic period from June to December 2020 (after the end of the first wave), and a control period one year earlier. The primary endpoint was to measure the time to care access. The patients and cancer characteristics and the management type were also compared. A total of 268 patients underwent diagnosis for breast cancer in each period. The time from biopsy to consultation was shortened after the containment was lifted (16 days vs. 18 days, p=0.024). The time between first consultation and treatment was unchanged between the two periods. The tumor size was larger in the pandemic period (21 mm vs. 18 mm, p=0.028). The clinical presentation was different: 59.8% of patients consulted for a palpable mass in the pandemic period, vs. 49.6% in the control period (p=0.023). There was no significant change in therapeutic management. The use of genomic testing was significantly increased. The number of breast cancer cases diagnosed decreased by 30% during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Even though a rebound was expected after the first wave, the number of consultations for breast cancer remained constant. This finding shows the fragility of screening adherence. It is necessary to reinforce education in the face of crises that may be repeated. Management of breast cancer did not change, which is a reassuring aspect regarding the care pathway in anticancer centers.

Evaluation of oral pain in patients with cavum cancer treated with cancer chemotherapy

Objective. This study aims to evaluate oral pain experienced by patients with nasopharyngeal cancer after administration of anticancer chemotherapy protocol. Materials and Methods. This is a prospective study conducted on patients with nasopharyngeal cancer treated with chemotherapy at the Anti-Cancer Center (CAC) in Annaba over a period of 2 years. Results. Out of the 80 patients recruited in our study, it was found that oral pain was only felt at the mucosal level, and there was a statistically significant relationship between pain and the intensity of mucosal lesion (mucositis) (p = 0.001). Pain was experienced by 36 patients (45%, 95% CI); with a grade 1 (mild discomfort) intensity in 19 patients (52.78%), grade 2 (mild pain) in 15 patients (41.67%) and grade 3 (moderate pain) in 2 patients (5.5%). Conclusion. In order to improve the quality of life of cancer patients, determining the incidence and intensity of oral pain is essential for all patients treated with chemotherapy in order to guide therapeutic choices and evaluate the effectiveness of analgesic treatments.

Editorial introductions.

Editorial introductions.

Chemical composition analysis of essential oils of four plants from Aurès region of Algeria and their antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against coagulase-negative staphylococci

Background: The altitudinal and geographical variability of the Aurès mountains of Algeria favored the existence of some endemic and rare varieties of medicinal plants. The aim of the present work is to determine the chemical composition, antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties of the essential oils (EOs) from aerial parts of four medicinal plants from Aurès region of Algeria; Juniperus thurifera L., Juniperus oxycedrus L., Salvia officinalis L. and Thymus ciliatus ssp. munbyanus (Boiss. & Reut.) Batt. on coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS) isolates.
 Methodology: Extraction of EOs from the four plant materials was carried out by hydro-distillation, and the EO yield expressed in gram of the distillate per 100 grams of dry matter. The chemical composition of the EOs was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) method. In vitro antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of the EOs were evaluated against CoNS previously isolated at the Anti-Cancer Center of Batna, Algeria using the agar disc diffusion assay and biofilm inhibition study, respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bacterial concentration (MBC) of the EOs of S. officinalis L. and T. ciliatus ssp. munbyanus were determined by the dilution method.
 Results: Twenty-seven and 41 compounds rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons were identified from J. oxycedrus and J. thurifera plants respectively, while 45 and 32 compounds, constituted mainly by oxygenated monoterpenes, were identified from S. officinalis L. and T. ciliatus ssp. munbyanus, respectively. The EOs of T. ciliatus ssp. munbyanus showed the most inhibitory activity of all the four plants on CoNS isolates (n=66) with mean inhibition zone diameter of 24.99±6.29mm, and mean MIC and MBC values of 2.65±3.77mg/ml and 5.31±7.41mg/ml respectively, followed by S. officinalis L., with mean inhibition zone diameter of 13.38± 6.52mm, and mean MIC and MBC values of 27.53±28.2 mg/ml and 31.97±33.19 mg/ml respectively (p<0.0001 by one-way ANOVA). Also, percentage biofilm inhibition of CoNS isolates (n=59) was high for EOs of T. ciliatus ssp. munbyanus (65.63±10.71%) and S. officinalis L. (53.13±5.83%), although was significantly higher for T. ciliatus ssp. munbyanus compared to S. officinalis L. (p<0.0001, t=7.874).
 Conclusion: Essential oils from T. ciliatus ssp. munbyanus and S. officinalis L. could represent an alternative to classical antibiotics against planktonic cells and biofilms of CoNS.

Acute myeloid leukemias in Batna Epidemiological and cytological profile of acute myeloid leukemias

Background Acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) are heterogeneous clonal hematologic malignancies caused by the transformation of a hematopoietic stem cell or an already-committed progenitor to the myeloid lineage. The objective of this work is to describe the epidemiological and cytological characteristics of peripheral blood and marrow in 126 patients with AML at the Batna Anti-Cancer Center between 2016 and 2019. Methods The diagnostic criteria are based on the morphology of cells under the microscope, cytochemistry, clinical presentation, immunophenotyping of blasts by flow cytometry, cytogenetics, and the search for certain molecular markers. Results The age of the patients ranged from 15 to 88 years. Morphological examination of blood and marrow smears and myeloperoxidase reaction allowed AML to be classified according to the criteria of the French–American–British group: (1) 9.5% of AML0, (2) 17.5% of AML1, (3) 11.1% of LAM2, (4) 13.5% of LAM3, (5) 15.1% of LAM4, (6) 16.7% of LAM5, (7) 3.2% of LAM6, and (8) 0% of LAM7. There were 12.7% of cases difficult to classify, and 0.8%biphenotypic cases. Conclusions Discrepancies in terms of percentages are noted between the subtypes M0, M1, and M2. These results must be supplemented by studies of cytogenetics and molecular biology.

'Bad news consultations' with oncology nurses: Impact on perceived stress and patient experience.

'Bad News Consultations' (BNC), conducted by nurses who are specialists in cancer, have been institutionally implemented in all French anti-cancer centres, to support the patient facing announcement-related stress. This study aimed to 1/describe the impact of the BNC on the patient's perceived stress and 2/determine the patient's benefits from the BNC. This monocentric study, cross-sectional evaluation, used a mixed method, both quantitative and qualitative. During 8 months, 336 eligible participants who underwent a BNC were recruited by nurses. Perceived stress was self-assessed with a validated Visual Analogic Scale (VAS), at the beginning and at the end of the BNC. Stress resilience was self-assessed once using the CD-RISC2. Qualitative experiences were explored after the BNC, using a 25-item questionnaire. Multivariate analyses were conducted on perceived stress measures (on the VAS) to test mixed-effects models, including initial predispositions (e.g., stress resilience) and organisational constraints (e.g, interval between the medical consultation and the BNC). Analyses on the perceived stress measures revealed a significant and negative effect of Time (B=-1.91; p<.001), Gender (B=0.72; p=.03), and Resilience score (B=-0.43; p<.001), without any significant effect of the other incorporated random effects (i.e., Type of cancer/treatment) nor fixed effects (i.e., Age, Organisational constraints). Patients mostly reported having received necessary information, having their addressed emotions with empathetic responses and respect, perceived benefits in the healthcare pathway, and heard of some supportive cares. Perceived stress was reduced after BNCs. According to the patients, the BNCs allowed a better patient-centered communication and a better care pathway.

Parallel evolution and differences in seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody between patients with cancer and health care workers in a tertiary cancer centre during the first and second wave of COVID-19 pandemic: canSEROcov-II cross-sectional study

BackgroundPatients with cancer are a population at high risk of severe infection from SARS-CoV-2. Patients with cancer regularly attend specialised healthcare centres for management and treatment, where they are in contact with healthcare workers (HCWs). Numerous recommendations target both patients with cancer and HCWs to minimise the spread of SARS-CoV-2 during these interactions. ObjectiveTo investigate the parallel evolution of the COVID-19 epidemic in these 2 populations over time, we studied the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after both the first and second waves of the pandemic, and in both cancer patients and HCWs from a single specialised anti-cancer centre. Factors associated with seropositivity were identified in both populations. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study after the second wave of the COVID pandemic in France. All participants were invited to undergo serological testing for SARS-CoV-2 and complete a questionnaire collecting data about their working conditions (for HCWs) or medical management (for patients) during this period. Results after the second wave were compared to those of a previous study among 1011 patients with cancer and 663 HCWs performed in the same centre after the first wave, using the same evaluations. FindingsWe included 502 HCWs and 507 patients with cancer. Seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was higher after the second wave than after the first wave in both HCWs (15.1% versus 1.8%; p < 0.001), and patients (4.1% versus 1.7%; p = 0.038). By multivariate analysis, the factors found to be associated with seropositivity after the second wave for HCWs were: working in direct patient care (p = 0.050); having worked in a dedicated COVID-19 unit (p = 0.0036); contact with a person with COVID-19-positive in the workplace (p = 0.0118) or outside of the workplace (p = 0.0297). Among patients with cancer, only a contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19 was found to be significantly associated with positive serology. The proportion of reported contacts with individuals with COVID-19-positive was significantly lower among patients with cancer than among HCWs (7.6% versus 40.7%, respectively; p < 0.0001) InterpretationBetween the first and second waves of the epidemic in France, the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies increased to a lesser extent among patients with cancer than among their HCWs, possibly due to better self-protection, notably social distancing. The risk factors for infection identified among HCWs plead in favour of numerous intra-hospital contaminations, especially for HCWs in contact with high-risk patients. This underlines the compelling need to pursue efforts to implement strict hygiene and personal protection measures (including vaccination) to protect HCWs and patients with cancer.

Primary Broncho-Pulmonary Cancer in Women: Epidemiological Study, Clinical-Pathological Study and Therapeutic Load.

Introduction: Primary bronchial cancer in women is a major public health problem; its incidence has increased steadily over the past 20 years. Objective: The objective of this work was to analyze the epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and prognostic characteristics of lung cancer in women in the region of Sidi Bel Abbes. Materials and methods: A descriptive retrospective study of 50 women diagnosed with primary lung cancer collected in the oncology and radiotherapy department of anti cancer centre between January 2008 and May 2019. Results: The average age of our patients was 64 years (±15,063). Respiratory symptoms were dominated by chest pain. The main risk factors were passive smoking (26% of cases), family history of cancer, hormonal factors, environmental factors, history of respiratory diseases. The most common histological type was adenocarcinoma (74% of cases), stages III and IV accounted for 95% of cases. The main metastatic locations were bone and cervical (23.8%). Treatment management was based mainly on chemotherapy (50% of cases), of which 19% were palliative. Discussion: Our results confirm that bronchial cancer in women is steadily increasing. Its risk factors are different from those of men. The dominant histological type in women was adenocarcinoma, which has a better prognosis, however, the diagnosis remains late, which explains the predominance of stages III and IV in women. Conclusion: The female primary broncho-pulmonary cancer has anatomopathological, hormonal and genetic peculiarities that characterize it, which should encourage us to apprehend it differently from the therapeutic strategies better for women

Programme personnalisé d'après cancer (PPAC) : vision des patientes atteintes de cancer du sein et de leur médecin traitant

BackgroundThe French National Cancer Institute recommends the use of survivorship care plans (SCP) for all cancer survivors. Developing useful SCP's requires understanding of what survivors and their providers need and how SCP's can be implemented in practice. We conducted a study to assess the delivery of SCP comprehensive binders for breast cancer women (BCW) and their general practitioners (GP) in a Cancer center from January 2019. MethodsSCP binders, containing a full range of information on topics related to post-cancer care to survivor-specific information and referrals, were given to BCW during a post-treatment dedicated consultation. Then a letter, containing the treatment summary and 5-year follow-up schedule, was sent to their GPs. Comprehensive binder delivery assessment was carried out using item checkbox, and anonymous open-answered, self-reported questionnaires were sent by email to BCW and their GPs. ResultsThe questionnaire response rates were 81.3% for BCW (n = 109/134) and 48.6% for their GPs (n = 52/107). Most BCW (85%) reported that SCP binders provided useful and comprehensive information. However, some of them (18%) felt abandoned and anonymous during the post-treatment follow-up. Most GPs found SCP letters from our anti-cancer center physicians to be useful for their patients, 38% of them had used this information to assure transition of care with other care providers. In addition, GPs were unanimous to express their feeling that this SCP could improve the long-term surveillance of BCW. There was a high concordance between BCW survivors’ and PCP’ answers, especially regarding SCPs as a communication bridge between GPs and BCW survivors. Response results concerning use of the binders: to talk about them: 59% for BCW vs. 51% for GPs, and to show them: 35% for BCW vs. 31% for GPs. ConclusionThe opinions of BCW survivors’ and PCP’ opinions about the use of SCP's by our Cancer Center seems to be favourable. It is essential to implement and develop SCP's as a key tool in long-term surveillance and support for cancer patient survivors and they are a useful instrument for care providers in communication and transition.

Abstract 887: Clinicopathological and genetic features of breast cancer in Algerian population: A multicenter study

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among Algerian women.The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to analyze some clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of breast cancer diagnosed between 2011 and 2019. Here we also report the experience of our research laboratory for the screening of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) patients. Materials and Methods: The population study included 7655 consecutive breast cancer patients. Data were collected from cancer registries of three medical oncology services and two anti-cancer centers located in north central region and eastern region of Algeria, respectively. Breast cancers were diagnosed between 2011 and 2019. Patient and tumor information included: age at diagnosis, menopausal status, receptor status, Ki-67 score, histological type,TNM stage and histological grade. Recurrent germline mutations on BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes previously found in Algerian patients were screened using PCR-Sanger sequencing in 230 HBOC patients. In addition, 18 HBOC patients were analyzed by NGS using a cancer panel of 30 hereditary cancer genes or BRCA1/2 genetic test. Results: The median age at diagnosis of the patients was 49.52 years. Data for age at diagnosis were available for 7389 patients. 55.29% patients were diagnosed under the age of 50 years and 55.83% had a premenopausal status. Data for receptor status were available for a total of 5599 patients. Of these, 55.75% patients were luminal A, 19.79% were TNBC, 17.39% were luminal B and 7.05% were HER2+. Data for Ki-67 score were available for 3357 cases. We noticed that 62.73% patients had a Ki-67 score ≥ 20% and 37.27% had a score &amp;lt;20%. Data for histological tumor type were available for 6145 cases. 84.28% patients had invasive ductal carcinoma followed by 8.84% with invasive lobular carcinoma. Data for TNM stage were available for 3524 cases. We identified 59.3% patients with stage III, 22.3% with stage II and 9.5% with stage IV. Data for histological grade were available for 6693 patients. We found 67.45% patients with grade II and 25.51% with grade III, respectively. 10 distinct BRCA1 germline mutations have been detected in 18 families and 5 distinct BRCA2 germline mutations have been identified in 5 families. The BRCA1 recurrent mutation c.83_84delTG has been detected in 5 unrelated families.The BRCA1 recurrent mutation c.2125_2126insA has been identified in 3 unrelated families. In addition, the BRCA1 c.181T&amp;gt;G has been found in two unrelated families. Interestingly, our results also showed differences in the distribution of the mutation spectrum of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes between the eastern region and the north central region of Algeria. Conclusion: Our current study will contribute in developing optimal clinical trial protocols and personalized management strategies for breast cancer patients. Citation Format: Farid Cherbal, Leticia Ledmila Saada, Massila Nehar, Kamelia Yatta, Lydia Souha Zerrouki, Wafa Abdou, Chiraz Mehemmai, Hadjer Gaceb, Wassila Benbrahim, Hassen Mahfouf, Kada Boualga. Clinicopathological and genetic features of breast cancer in Algerian population: A multicenter study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 887.

Use of Homeopathy in Integrative Oncology in Strasbourg, France: Multi-center Cross-Sectional Descriptive Study of Patients Undergoing Cancer Treatment.

The use of homeopathy in oncological supportive care seems to be progressing. The first French prevalence study, performed in 2005 in Strasbourg, showed that only 17% of the subjects were using it. What is the situation 12 years later? This is a descriptive study, using a questionnaire identical to that used in 2005, on 633 patients undergoing treatment in three anti-cancer centers in Strasbourg. The results of the "homeopathy" sub-group were extracted and studied. Of the 535 patients included, 164 used homeopathy: that is 30.7%. The main purpose of its use was to reduce the side effects of cancer treatments (75%). Among the users, 82.6% were "somewhat" or "very" satisfied, against "quite" satisfied for 15.5%, and "not at all" satisfied for 1.9%. The homeopathic treatment was prescribed by a doctor in 75.6% of the cases; the general practitioner was kept informed in 87% of the cases and the oncologist in 82%. Fatigue, pain, nausea, anxiety, sadness and diarrhea were improved in 80% of the cases. However, alopecia, weight disorders and loss of libido were the least improved symptoms. The use of homeopathy was significantly associated with the female sex. With a prevalence of 30.7%, homeopathy is the most used complementary medicine in integrative oncology in Strasbourg. Over 12 years, we have witnessed an increase of 83% in its use in the same city. Almost all respondents declare themselves satisfied and tell their doctors more readily than in 2005.

Frequency and Management of Hemorrhagic Malignant Wounds: A Retrospective, Single-Center, Observational Study

ContextThe prevalence of bleeding episodes in malignant wounds (MW) is poorly documented, with no distinction between minor and potentially severe bleedings. This affects the quality of care. ObjectivesAssessing the frequency and management of hemorrhagic malignant wounds at Institut Curie hospital, an anti cancer center. MethodsRetrospective study conducted from the medical records of patients followed up by the Research and Wound Care Unit from Curie Institute (Paris, France), between 2017 and 2018. Patients >18 years of age, seen at least once by the Unit, and with an MW > 10 cm2 were included. ResultsNinety patients were included, 74.4% female and 25.6% male, with a median age of 64 years (32-92). The most frequent etiologies were breast cancer (52.2%), sarcomas (12.2%), squamous cell carcinoma ear, nose and throat (11%), and pelvic cancer (8.9%). The median survival of patients after their first consultation was 5.6 months (95% CI: 4.6-8.4). Minor bleedings were observed in 38.9% of situations. Bleedings were significantly higher in malignant fungating wounds (P < 0.01). They were treated by the application of alginate or nonadherent dressings. The presence of at least one minor bleeding significantly increased the risk of more severe bleedings (P < 0.001). Hemorrhagic episodes were reported in 18.9% of patients, and 2.2% of patients died as a result of these bleeding episodes. Hemorrhages were fully controlled by hemostatic dressings in 70.6% of cases. The appearance of bleeding (minor or hemorrhagic) was significantly associated with survival (P < 0.001). ConclusionMWs with bleedings appear to be associated with a poor prognosis and could be a reason for early palliative care even if the patient's general condition is preserved. Palliative care must incorporate wound care skills to provide the most appropriate solutions to this anxiety-provoking symptom.

Abstract 4602: Clinicopathological and genetic features of prostate cancer in Algerian patients: First report

Abstract Background: Prostate cancer is the second most frequent malignancy (after lung cancer) in men worldwide. It is the third most common cancer in men in Algeria. We studied for the first time the clinicopathological and genetic features of prostate cancer in Algerian patients. Το date. inherited risk for prostate cancer is associated with aggressive disease and poorer outcomes. Patients with hereditary prostate cancer have been screened for germline mutations in BRCA1, BRCA2, MLH1, MSH2 and PMS2 genes. Patients and Methods: The study population included 769 patients with prostate cancer from 31 provinces of Algeria (among 48) covered by the cancer registry of the anti-cancer center of Blida, Algeria. Patients referred with a biopsy proven diagnosis of carcinoma of the prostate to the anti cancer center of Blida, from January 2013 to April 2019 were studied. Clinical and tumor data: age at diagnosis, PSA value, Gleason score (New grading system groupe 1), TNM stage and family history of prostate cancer have been collected from the medical records of the patients. Five patients and one asymptomatic patient with strong hereditary prostate cancer history have been tested by PCR-direct sequencing for recurrent germline mutations already detected in Algerian patients with family history of breast cancer and prostate cancer or lynch syndrome, respectively. We analysed BRCA1 (exon 3 and 10), BRCA2 (exons 10, 16 and 19), MLH1 (exon 1), MSH2 (exon 5). In addition, for the first time, we screened exons 6 and 10 of PMS2 gene in prostate cancer patients. Results: The median age at diagnosis of prostate cancer was 70.73 years. 41.71 % patients have been diagnosed with prostate cancer under the age of 70 years. Majority of patients (95.39%) presented with a PSA value &amp;gt;4ng/ml. Of the tumors, 36.87% were Gleason score 3+3 (grade 1) and 26.36% were Gleason score 3+4 (grade 2) while Gleason score 4+3 (grade 3), 4+4 (grade 4) and 4+5 (grade 5) disease comprised 16.32%, 11.97 and 8.42% of cases, respectively. Our results showed that 87.5% of prostate cancer were diagnosed at TNM stage I (7.63%), TNM stage II (44.87%), TNM stage III (31.05%), TNM stage IV(3.95%), respectively. 85 patients (11.18%) had a family history of prostate cancer. The BRCA1 recurrent germline mutation c.2125_2126insA has been identified in asymptomatic patient aged of 61 years with a strong family history of prostate cancer and breast cancer. His father and two brothers died of prostate cancer. We detected the intronic variant of uncertain significance (UV) c.989-107_989-106insA in the exon 10 of PMS2 gene in a suspected Lynch syndrome patient diagnosed with colon cancer at age 65 years and a prostate cancer at age 77 years, respectively. Interestingly, one son of this patient has developed colon cancer at age 34 years. BRCA2, MLH1 and MSH2 recurrent germline mutations have not been detected in our prostate cancer patients. Conclusions: The accumulative knowledge about clinicopathological features in prostate cancer patients will have an effect on clinical management in the areas of both prevention and treatment. Genetic testing of hereditary prostate cancer will have an important management implications for Algerian patients and their families. Citation Format: Farid Cherbal, Lydia Ait Braham, Selma Lerari, Kada Boualga. Clinicopathological and genetic features of prostate cancer in Algerian patients: First report [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 4602.

How Is Morocco Reacting to COVID-19 Crisis in Anticancer Centers?

The world is facing the pandemic linked to COVID-19 virus infection that has rapidly spread worldwide, and severe complications have been reported to occur in around a third of patients. To date, there is no approved vaccine or specific therapy against COVID-19, but many trials are ongoing with some of them showing promising results. It has been shown recently that patients with cancer are at high risk of infection and they are more susceptible to develop severe events such as the necessity of invasive ventilation and death. Therefore, this crisis presents a real challenge for health systems especially in low- and middle-income countries where the health systems are already fragile such as African countries. In this article, we describe the epidemiological situation of the infection in Morocco and the different challenges in cancer centers in the era of COVID-19, in addition to various strategies that have been implemented to prevent and control the infection spread in oncological units in order to ensure the continuation of adequate cancer care.

Editorial introductions

Editorial introductions

Toxicity and tolerance profile of ANTI-EGFRS in metastatic colorectal cancer RAS wild type from the east of Algeria.

e16032 Background: The results of the different studies showed that the use of anti-EGFRs (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) in the management of mCRCs, confront the healthcare team to a new toxicity which until then, were unknown before the era of anti EGFRs. knowing that there were no Algerian patients in these studies, reason for us to do this work. Methods: Between October 2015 and October 2018, our work consists of an epidemiological, observational, descriptive, longitudinal prospective study, including all patients with metastatic colorectal cancer RAS wild type, receiving specific medical treatment with anti EGFR (Panitumumab or Cetuximab) from Medical Oncology Department of Didouche Mourad Hospital of Constantine and the Medical Oncology Department of Batna’s Anti Cancer Center, performance status 0-2, and age 18-75 years. We have completed this work whose main objective is to evaluate the toxicity of anti EGFRs in patients with mCRC RAS wild-type from the east of Algeria. Results: 60 patients received an anti EGFR (Panitumumab or Cetuximab), in our study the most common toxicity was folliculitis with an average onset time of 3.36 weeks and a frequency of 83% of grade 2 and 3. Xerosis was observed in 71% of patients. Paronychia was observed in 50% of patients, in addition to the classical toxicities observed with the different chemotherapy regimens used in mCRCs. For secondary objectives, the median progression free survival in our study was 12 months, with a 95% confidence interval [10,787-13,213]. This median progression-free survival is comparable to those reported in the major anti-EGFR trials. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the Algerian patients with metastatic colorectal cancer RAS wild-type have the same profile of toxicity comparing to the results from different international trials studying anti EGFRs.

Preparedness for COVID-19 in the oncology community in Africa

Preparedness for COVID-19 in the oncology community in Africa