tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
A prospective, multicentric clinical study of intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC): A 4-year follow-up report.
Authors: Fang Wu, Ren-sheng Wang, Guosheng Feng, Guisheng Li, Meilian Liu, Haolin Yan, Jinxian Zhu, Kai Hu, Yong Zhang
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2012)

e16054 Background: To evaluate the treatment efficacy, toxicity and prognostic factors of patients with NPC treated with IMRT. Methods: Between January 2006 and August 2008, 300 patients with pathologically diagnosed NPC from 6 medical center received IMRT. The number of patients with stage I, II, III, IVa-b disease (UICC/AJCC 2002 staging system) was 6, 45,141, and 108, respectively. The prescription doses were as follows: 70~74Gy/30 fraction to GTVnx, 68~70Gy/30 fraction to GTVnd, 60~64Gy/30 fraction to CTV1,50~54Gy /30 fraction to CTV2. Patients with stage III, IVa-b disease also received cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Results: The median follow-up time was 47.1 months (range,11-68 months). There were 18,15 and 42 patients who had developed local, regional recurrence and distant metastasis, respectively. There were 45 patients died. 34 patients died of distant metastasis,6 died of local and regional recurrence, 2 died of re-treatment, one died of hemorrhage complications of nasopharynx,one died of second primary tumor, and the other one died of unknown cause.The 4-year rate of local control (LC), regional control(RC), metastasis-free survival(DMFS),disease-free survival(DFS) and overall survival(OS) was 94.0%, 95.5%, 87.4%, 80.8%, 86.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that N stage was the only prognostic factor for OS (x2=3.912, p=0.048, HR=14.565), DMFS (x2=5.195, p=0.023, HR=8.737)and DFS (x2=7.613,p=0.006, HR=7.628), in these patients. Mucositis was the most severe acute toxicity, with 18.1% grade 1, 48.6% grade 2, 33.3% grade 3 . No patient suffered from grade 4 mucositis. Xerostomia was the most common seen late toxicity, with 8% grade 0, 50.5% grade 1, 4.6% grade 2. No grade 3-4 xerostomia was observed. Conclusions: IMRT can improve the treatment efficacy of patients with NPC. The acute and late toxicities were tolerated. Distant metastasis becomes the main treatment failure. N stage is a significant prognostic factors.
A pilot study of evaluation of a phosphorylation signature from pancreatic cancer tumors.
Authors: Andrea Wang-Gillam, Sachin Wani, Dayna S Early, Steven Alphonse Edmundowicz, Daniel Mullady, Faris Murad, Sreenivasa Jonnalagadda, Feng Gao, Thomas Hollander, Emma J. Langley, Gary Meyer, Sharat Singh, Phillip Sangwook Kim, Kian-Huat Lim, David Linehan, Riad Azar
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2012)

e14584 Background: The development of targeted therapy in pancreatic cancer has been hindered by minimal material available for molecular analysis from diagnostic endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspirations (EUS/FNA). Revealing the phosphorylation status of key pathway mediators would allow optimal selection of patients for kinase inhibitor clinical trials. We launched a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of detecting phosphorylation signatures from FNA samples using an ultrasensitive multiplexed protein microarray platform (CEER, Prometheus). Methods: Patients who underwent routine diagnostic EUS/FNA for a suspicious lesion in the pancreas underwent two additional EUS passes. Mediators of multiple signaling pathways including HER1/EGFR, HER2, HER3, IGF-IR, and their downstream mediators, AKT, MEK, ERK, et al were evaluated by CEER. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and resected tumor specimens were collected as available from patients for comparison. Results: From January-September, 2011, 57 patients were enrolled with a planned final enrollment of 100. This is an interim analysis. Thirty-nine (68.4%) had carcinoma cytology, 9 had atypical and 9 had negative cytology. HER2 (median value of 18 CU vs. 2 CU, p = 0.021) and HER3 (median value of 547 CU vs. 168 CU, p = 0.008) showed significantly higher levels of phosphorylation in malignant FNAs over their counterparts with negative cytology. Robust levels of CK expression were also observed in FNAs with carcinoma cytology (median CK level 1030 CU vs. 106 CU, p = 0.007). The wide range of phosphorylation signatures detected indicates this is a feasible clinical approach. For example, the expression levels of phosphorylated PI3K were 16 (22.5% - low), 28 (39.4% - medium low), 23 (32.4% - medium high), and 2 (2.8% - high). The correlation of p PI3K between 2 passes was 0.59 (p = 0.018) based on the Spearman Correlation. A CEER comparison of FNA vs. surgical specimens and FNA vs. CTCs is forthcoming. Conclusions: Profiling the phosphorylation status of pancreatic cancer pathways from FNA samples is feasible. If further validated, patients with pancreatic cancer can be screened for targeted therapy by their phosphorylation signature.
Small cell carcinoma of the bladder (SCCB): Clinical, histopathologic, and genomic predictors of clinical outcomes.
Authors: MinYuen Teo, XueLi Hao, Neil Desai, Irina Ostrovnaya, Arshi Arora, Samuel Funt, Anuradha Gopalan, Yingbei Chen, Samson Fine, Bernard H. Bochner, Guido Dalbagni, Barry S. Taylor, Michael F. Berger, David B. Solit, Satish Tickoo, Victor E. Reuter, Dean F. Bajorin, Jonathan E. Rosenberg, Hikmat Al-Ahmadie, Gopa Iyer
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2017)

294 Background: SCCB is a rare, aggressive subtype of bladder cancer. We reviewed our center’s experience in SCCB management and investigated potential markers of clinical outcomes. Methods: SCCB cases were identified and re-reviewed for confirmation by detailed histologic evaluation. A subset of SCCB was sequenced with MSK-IMPACT ( &gt; 279 genes) (Cheng et al J Mol Diagn 2015). Clinical stage, treatment response and proportion of neuroendocrine component (%NE) were correlated with progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS), calculated from the time of cystectomy. Distribution of somatic alterations (alts) was compared between responders ( ≤ ypT1pN0) and nonresponders. Results: Between 1985 and 2015, 214 SCCB patients (pts) were identified. Median age was 68 years (range: 38 – 94) and 78% were male. Of 199 pts with sufficient data, 147 (74%) were nonmetastatic (M0) and 52 pts (26%) had metastatic disease (M1). 14 pts did not receive SCCB-directed therapies. Of M0 pts, 108 underwent cystectomy: 71 received neoadjuvant (NAC), 14 received adjuvant, 14 had definitive chemoradiotherapy and 23 did not receive chemotherapy. Of M1 pts, 47 received chemotherapy. Cystectomy only pts were older than NAC pts (76 vs 67 years, p &lt; .01). NAC improved PFS and OS compared to cystectomy only (HR 0.55, p = .04 and HR 0.41, p &lt; .01) although only OS remains significant after adjusting for age (p = .01). For NAC pts, pT0pN0 and ≤ pT1pN0 rates were 38% and 48%, respectively. Responders had superior PFS (HR 0.26 p &lt; .01) and OS (HR 0.32 p = .02). Median %NE was 100 (range: 10 – 100) and did not correlate with NAC response. %NE ≥ 95 is more prevalent among M1 pts (85% vs 68%, p = .04). Genomic data were available for 31 NAC pts (44%). Responders were enriched with alts in ERBB2 (33% vs. 0%, p = .02), PI3K pathway ( PIK3CA, PTEN, AKT1, TSC1, TSC2) (33% vs. 6%, p = .02) and histone acetyltransferases (60% vs. 25%, p = .07). Of 22/31 tumors sequenced with a larger gene set (n = 341), ERCC2 and RBM10 alts were enriched in responders (54% vs. 11%, p = .07) and nonresponders (44% vs. 0%, p = .02), respectively. Conclusions: In SCCB, NAC improves survival and response might be characterized by specific somatic alts. M1 pts had higher %NE but it is not predictive of outcome.
Rate of complete hematological response of elderly Ph+ acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients by sequential use of nilotinib and imatinib: A GIMEMA protocol LAL 1408.
Authors: Cristina Papayannidis, Alfonso Piciocchi, Antonella Vitale, Ilaria Iacobucci, Simona Soverini, Francesco Di Raimondo, Stefania Paolini, Giovanni Pizzolo, Angelo Michele Carella, Mario Cazzola, Antonio Cuneo, Pietro Leoni, Mario Luppi, Enrica Morra, Giorgina Specchia, Loredana Elia, Robin Foa, Michele Baccarani, Giovanni Martinelli
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2013)

7025 Background: We have explored if the administration of two TKIs, Nilotinib (NIL) and Imatinib (IM) can improve the results without increasing the toxicity in the elderly Ph+ Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) patients. We investigate the type and number of BCR-ABL kinase domain mutations developing during and after the study. Methods: We have designed a study (ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT01025505) in which patients more than 60 years old or unfit for intensive chemotherapy and SCT where treated with two TKIs, NIL 400 mg twice daily, and IM 300 mg twice daily, alternating for 6 weeks for a minimum of 24 weeks (study core) and indefinitely in case of response. The 6-weeks rotation schedule was respected, irrespectively of temporary discontinuations. The primary end-point was the rate of Disease Free Survival (DFS) at 24 weeks (4 courses of treatment); the secondary end points included the evaluation of CHR, CCgR and CMR rates. Results: 39 patients have been enrolled in 15 Italian hematologic Centers (median age 66 years, range 28-84). Among these, 8 patients were unfit for standard chemotherapy or SCT (median age 50 years, range 28-59). 27 patients were p190, 5 were p210 and 7 were p190/p210. After 6 weeks of treatment, 36 patients were evaluable for response: 34 were in CHR (94%) and 2 in PHR (6%). 23 patients have already completed the study core (24 weeks), 87% were in CHR and 17 are currently continuing therapy in the protocol extension phase. Thus, the OS at 1 year is 79%, and 64% at 2 years. Overall, 1 patient was primarily resistant and 13 patients have relapsed, with a median time to relapse of 7.6 months (range 0.8-16.1 months), for a DFS of 51.3% at 12 months. Conclusions: In this small cohort of Ph+ ALL elderly/unfit patients, the rates of relapse and progression were not likely to be different from the rates observed with Imatinib alone. Acknowledgements: ELN, AIL, AIRC, PRIN. Clinical trial information: NCT01025505.
A large retrospective analysis of trabectedin in 885 patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma.
Authors: Axel Le Cesne, Isabelle Ray-Coquard, Florence Duffaud, Christine Chevreau, Nicolas Penel, Binh Bui, Sophie Piperno-Neumann, Corinne Delcambre, Maria Rios, Loic Chaigneau, Christine Le Maignan, Cecile Guillemet, François Bertucci, Emmanuelle Bompas, Claude Linassier, Olivier Collard, Caroline Even, Francoise Ducimetiere, Philippe Cousin, Jean-Yves Blay
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2013)

10563 Background: Trabectedin (Yondelis) is the first marine-derived antineoplastic drug approved in Europe for the treatment of patients with recurrent ASTS or for patients unsuited to receive anthracyclines and ifosfamide. We retrospectively analyzed the RetrospectYon database with patients’ data treated with trabectedin between Jan 2008 - Dec 2011. Methods: Trabectedin was given at the approved dose of 1.5 mg/m 2 as a 24-h infusion every 3 weeks. Patients who achieved partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD) after 6 cycles could receive maintaining trabectedin treatment. Uni- and multivariate analyses of prognostic factors were performed. Results: 885 patients (486 women) from 26 centers in France with ASTS with a median age of 54 years (range 12-84) were included. Most had leiomyosarcoma (36%), liposarcoma (18%) or synovial STS (11%). At baseline, performance status (PS) was 0 in 26%, 1 in 47% and &gt;1 in 27% of patients. A median of 4 trabectedin cycles (range 1-28) was given as a 2 nd (41%), 3 rd (39%) or ≥4 th (20% of patients) treatment line. Toxic death and unscheduled re-hospitalization occurred in 0.5% and 8% of patients, respectively.The objective response rate was 15% (6 complete and 127 PR), and SD rate was 45.5% (n=403). After a median follow-up of 22.6 months (range 0.03-51.2), the patients who received trabectedin as 2 nd , 3 rd or ≥4 th line had the median PFS of 4.3, 4.2 and 3.4 months, respectively, and the median OS of 12.9, 12.3 and 9.5 months. Multivariate analysis identified liposarcoma, leiomyosarcoma, angiosarcoma, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) and trabectedin line as independent prognostic factors for PFS, and UPS, angiosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, gender, PS and trabectedin line for OS. After 6 cycles, 205 of the 273 patients with non-progressive disease received trabectedin as maintenance treatment and obtained a superior PFS (median 11 vs. 7.2 months, p=0.0001) and OS (median 25.1 vs. 16.9 months, p&lt;0.0001) that those who stopped trabectedin after 6 cycles. Conclusions: Patients with ASTS treated with trabectedin had PFS and OS comparable or better to those observed in phase II/III trials. Trabectedin maintenance beyond 6 cycles is associated with improved OS and warrants further exploration.
Are needs of stakeholders in cancer care being met? A novel approch to assessing needs to improve value in cancer care.
Authors: Manali I. Patel, David Moore, Shannon Randolph, Heather A. Wakelee, Douglas W. Blayney, Arnold Milstein
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2013)

6581 Background: Advanced cancer is a leading cause of death in the US. While treatments have improved, patients still report physical, emotional, and financial burdens associated with the disease. In order to improve cancer care, a comprehensive examination of unmet needs among patients, health care professionals, and other stakeholders is required to develop interventions that can improve patient outcomes, experience, and reduce healthcare spending. Methods: A national convenience sample of patients, families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, payer groups, and healthcare delivery systems who have experience with cancer care were selected for participation. A 10-question survey was administered to participants regarding their experiences with current cancer care. A novel combination of Grounded theory, Stanford d.school and bio-design needs-findings methodologies were used to assess and prioritize needs. Results: A total of 273 participants presented 99 unique needs over the study period. Needs were organized into five categories: 1. Monitor/Intervene Patient Clinical and Symptom Data 2. Shared Decision-Making 3. Best Practice Communication 4. Integrated Care Team 5. Patient-Tailored Care. The most common needs of cancer patients were improved symptom control. Needs among providers focused on minimizing tasks that could be performed by others. Payer needs reflected improved value in care. Family and caregiver needs reflected shared decision-making in treatment plans. Healthcare delivery system needs included improved guideline development, evidence-based care, and report of quality metrics. Conclusions: A novel methodology to assess, analyze, and organize unmet needs in cancer care reveals that the top concerns among stakeholders are better symptom control, enhanced efforts to improve patient care commensurate with patients’ values, and a more tailored approach to coordinate care delivery using guideline-based care with attention to quality metrics. Future studies should draw upon these needs to develop targeted interventions for patients with advanced cancer that can improve experience, clinical outcomes, and reduce healthcare spending.
ARN-509 in patients (pts) with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with and without prior abiraterone acetate (AA) treatment.
Authors: Dana E. Rathkopf, Emmanuel S. Antonarakis, Neal D. Shore, Ronald F. Tutrone, Joshi J. Alumkal, Charles J. Ryan, Mansoor N. Saleh, Ralph J. Hauke, Rajesh Bandekar, Edna Chow Maneval, Carla De Boer, Mary Beth Todd, Margaret K. Yu, Howard I. Scher
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2014)

5026 Background: ARN-509 is a second-generation antiandrogen that selectively binds to the ligand-binding domain of the androgen receptor, blocks its nuclear translocation and impairs DNA binding to androgen response elements. ARN-509-001 is a phase 1/2 study evaluating ARN-509 activity in 3 cohorts: 1) nonmetastatic CRPC; 2) mCRPC; and 3) mCRPC post-abiraterone acetate (AA). Phase 2 results for the mCRPC cohorts as of July 2013 are presented. Methods: All pts with mCRPC had progressive disease based on rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and/or imaging. Prior chemotherapy for mCRPC was an exclusion. The post-AA cohort required treatment with AA for ≥ 6 mos. All pts received 240 mg/d ARN-509, the phase 2 recommended dose (Rathkopf et al. J Clin Oncol. 2013). The primary end point was PSA response at 12 wks, using Prostate Cancer Working Group 2 (PCWG2) criteria. Secondary end points were safety, time to PSA progression, objective response rate, and progression-free survival (PFS). PSA was assessed every 4 wks and tumor imaging was performed every 12 wks. Results: Enrolled pts included 25 mCRPC and 21 post-AA mCRPC pts with median age of 68 yrs (range 48-91). At baseline 57% had ECOG score 0; 52% had Gleason score ≥ 8; median PSA 14.7 (mCRPC) and 58.4 (post-AA) ng/mL. Median duration on ARN-509 treatment is 9.2 mos (range 1.8-25.8). 31 pts have discontinued the study due to disease progression (n = 18), adverse events (n = 5), consent withdrawal (n = 4), or other reasons (n = 4). The most common treatment-related adverse events were fatigue (n = 21), nausea (n = 13), diarrhea (n = 10) and abdominal pain (n = 8). Conclusions: ARN-509 is safe and well tolerated, with evidence of activity in chemo-naïve mCRPC, including in 24% of pts who have received prior AA. Clinical trial information: NCT01171898. mCRPC mCRPC post-AA N 25 21 Efficacy measures PSA responsea, n (%) 12 wks 22 (88) 5 (24) 24 wks 19 (76) 2 (10) 36 wks 17 (68) 0 Median time to PSA progression, mos (95% CI) 16.3 (8.3, NE) 3.7 (2.8, 7.1) Pts with measurable disease, N 8 11 Partial responseb, n (%) 4 (50) 0 Stable diseaseb, n (%) 2 (25) 4 (36) Median PFS, mos (95% CI) 19.2 (NE, NE) 8.3 (4.2, NE) NE, not estimable. aPer PCWG2, % of pts with ≥ 50% decline in PSA from baseline. bObjective response.
BMP-9 interferes with liver regeneration and promotes liver fibrosis
Authors: Katja Breitkopf-Heinlein, Christoph Meyer, Courtney König, Haristi Gaitantzi, Annalisa Addante, Maria Thomas, Eliza Wiercinska, Chen Cai, Qi Li, Fengqi Wan, Claus Hellerbrand, Nektarios A Valous, Maximilian Hahnel, Christian Ehlting, Johannes G Bode, Stephanie Müller-Bohl, Ursula Klingmüller, Jutta Altenöder, Iryna Ilkavets, Marie-José Goumans, Lukas J A C Hawinkels, Se-Jin Lee, Matthias Wieland, Carolin Mogler, Matthias P Ebert, Blanca Herrera, Hellmut Augustin, Aránzazu Sánchez, Steven Dooley, Peter ten Dijke
Journal: Gut (2017)

<h3>Objective</h3> Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-9, a member of the transforming growth factor-β family of cytokines, is constitutively produced in the liver. Systemic levels act on many organs and tissues including bone and endothelium, but little is known about its hepatic functions in health and disease. <h3>Design</h3> Levels of BMP-9 and its receptors were analysed in primary liver cells. Direct effects of BMP-9 on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and hepatocytes were studied in vitro, and the role of BMP-9 was examined in acute and chronic liver injury models in mice. <h3>Results</h3> Quiescent and activated HSCs were identified as major BMP-9 producing liver cell type. BMP-9 stimulation of cultured hepatocytes inhibited proliferation, epithelial to mesenchymal transition and preserved expression of important metabolic enzymes such as cytochrome P450. Acute liver injury caused by partial hepatectomy or single injections of carbon tetrachloride (CCl<sub>4</sub>) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into mice resulted in transient downregulation of hepatic BMP-9 mRNA expression. Correspondingly, LPS stimulation led to downregulation of BMP-9 expression in cultured HSCs. Application of BMP-9 after partial hepatectomy significantly enhanced liver damage and disturbed the proliferative response. Chronic liver damage in BMP-9-deficient mice or in mice adenovirally overexpressing the selective BMP-9 antagonist activin-like kinase 1-Fc resulted in reduced deposition of collagen and subsequent fibrosis. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Constitutive expression of low levels of BMP-9 stabilises hepatocyte function in the healthy liver. Upon HSC activation, endogenous BMP-9 levels increase in vitro and in vivo and high levels of BMP-9 cause enhanced damage upon acute or chronic injury.
Utilizing propensity scores to determine the risk of recurrence and death in epithelial ovarian cancer.
Authors: Lindsay Louise Morgenstern Warner, Sean Christopher Dowdy, Janice Martin, Maureen Lemens, Michaela McGree, Amy Weaver, Karl C. Podratz, Jamie Nadine Bakkum-Gamez
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2013)

5577 Background: Perioperative red blood cell transfusion (PRBCT) may be a negative prognostic marker in surgical oncology. We assessed PRBCT as an independent risk factor for recurrence and death from epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) in the largest cohort to date. Methods: Patient characteristics and process-of-care variables (NSQIP-defined, &gt;130 variables) were retrospectively abstracted from 587 women who underwent primary staging and cytoreduction for EOC (1/1/03-12/29/08). Evaluated using propensity scoring with univariate logistic regression and odds ratios (OR) and Cox proportional hazards regression and hazard ratios (HR). Factors with p&lt;0.1 used in multivariate models. Results: Rate of PRBCT was 77.0% (452/587). In univariable analysis, PRBCT was associated with older age (OR 1.25[95% CI 1.06, 1.48]/10yr increase), stage≥IIIa (4.66[3.04, 7.13]), splenectomy (26.63[3.67, 193.17]), higher surgical complexity (1.86[1.17, 2.95] score 2; 21.48 [7.37, 62.59] 3; referent 1), serous histology (2.36[1.57, 3.55]vs non-serous), longer operating time (1.58[1.36, 1.83]/hr increase), and residual disease (3.26[1.97, 5.41]≤1cm; 1.97[1.09, 3.56]&gt;1cm), and lower preop hemoglobin (Hb) (1.89[1.59, 2.27]per 1g/dL decrease). In univariable analysis, PRBCT was associated with a higher risk of recurrence (HR 1.96[95% CI 1.43, 2.68]) and death (1.71[1.28, 2.28]). However, in multivariable analysis, stage≥IIIa (4.03[2.05, 6.49]), splenectomy (1.41[1.02, 1.95]), residual disease (1.86[1.41, 2.46]≤1cm; 2.91[2.02, 4.18]&gt;1cm), and lower preop Hb (1.09[1.01, 1.19]) were associated with higher risk of recurrence. Older age (1.24[1.12, 1.37]), stage≥IIIa (3.07[1.93, 4.90]), albumin ≤3 g/dL (2.06[1.28, 3.31]), residual disease (1.63[1.22, 2.19]≤1cm; 3.03[2.19, 4.18]&gt;1cm), and low Hb (1.08[1.00, 1.19]) were associated with higher risk of death. Serous histology (0.70[0.52, 0.95]) associated with lower risk of death. Conclusions: PRBCT does not appear to be directly associated with disease-free and overall survival in EOC. Lower preoperative Hb was associated with a higher risk of both recurrence and death. The need for PRBCT appears to be a stronger prognostic indicator than the receipt of PRBCT.
Cytoplasmic Expression of GFP in Dendritic Cells Transfected with Total RNA Extracted from EGFP-Expressing Leukemia Cells
Authors: M. Narita, M. Takahashi, A. Flavio, O. Yasser, L. Alldawi, A. Liu, T. Abe, T. Furukawa, K. Toba, Y. Aizawa
Journal: Blood (2002)
Initial <i>in vitro</i> functional characterization of serum exosomal microRNAs from patients with metastatic basal cell carcinoma
Authors: J. Chang, D.C. Tran, G.A. Zhu, R. Li, R. Whitson, Y.H. Kim, A. Gupta, A. Afshari, T. Antes, R.C. Spitale, A.L.S. Chang
Journal: British Journal of Dermatology (2017)

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common of human malignancies, but the mechanism by which metastasis occurs is poorly understood1. Serum exosomes, 30-100 nanometer membrane-bound vesicles containing regulatory microRNAs (miRs), are emerging as a mechanism for cancer metastasis in melanoma2, breast3, prostate4, and lung cancers5, but the role of exosomes in BCC metastasis is not known. In this pilot study, we assessed for differences in exosomal composition in BCC patients with and without metastasis, and whether these differences confer functional changes in vitro.

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