The broadening application of glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor agonists, specifically semaglutide (Ozempic) for the management of diabetes and obesity brings a critical need to evaluate its safety profile, considering estimates of up to 20 million prescriptions per year in the US until 2035. This systematic review aims to assess the incidence of thyroid cancer and detail the spectrum of adverse events associated with semaglutide, focusing on its implications for patient care. Through a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases up to December 2023, ten randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 14,550 participants, with 7830 receiving semaglutide, were analyzed, with an additional number of 18 studies that were separately discussed because they reported data from the same RCTs. The review focused on thyroid cancer incidence, gastrointestinal symptoms, and other significant adverse events attributed to semaglutide. The incidence of thyroid cancer in semaglutide-treated patients was less than 1%, suggesting no significant risk. Adverse events were predominantly gastrointestinal, including nausea (2.05% to 19.95%) and diarrhea (1.4% to 13%). Nasopharyngitis and vomiting were also notable, with mean prevalences of 8.23% and 5.97%, respectively. Other adverse events included increased lipase levels (mean of 6.5%), headaches (mean prevalence of 7.92%), decreased appetite (reported consistently at 7%), influenza symptoms (mean prevalence of 5.23%), dyspepsia (mean prevalence of 5.18%), and constipation (mean prevalence of 6.91%). Serious adverse events varied from 7% to 25.2%, highlighting the need for vigilant patient monitoring. These findings underscore the gastrointestinal nature of semaglutide’s adverse events, which, while prevalent, did not significantly deter from its clinical benefits in the treatment landscape. This systematic review provides a comprehensive assessment of semaglutide’s safety profile, with a focus on gastrointestinal adverse events and a low incidence of thyroid cancer. Despite the prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms, semaglutide remains an efficacious option for managing diabetes and obesity. The detailed characterization of adverse events underscores the importance of monitoring and managing these effects in clinical practice, excluding the hypothesis of carcinogenesis.

Digital twins (DTHs) and virtual twins (VTHs) in healthcare represent emerging technologies towards precision medicine, providing opportunities for patient-centric healthcare. Our scoping review aimed to map the current DTH and VTH technologies in oncology, summarize their technical solutions, and assess their credibility. A systematic search was conducted in the main bibliographic databases, identifying 441 records, of which 30 were included. The studies covered a wide range of cancers, including breast, lung, colorectal, and gastrointestinal malignancies, with DTH and VTH applications focusing on diagnosis, therapy, and monitoring. The results revealed heterogeneity in targeted topics, technical approaches, and outcomes. Most twining solutions use synthetic or limited real-world data, raising concerns regarding their reliability. Few studies have integrated real-time data and machine learning for predictive modeling. Technical challenges include data integration, scalability, and ethical considerations, such as data privacy and security. Moreover, the evidence lacks sufficient clinical validation, with only partial credibility in most cases. Our findings underscore the need for multidisciplinary collaboration among end-users and developers to address the technical and ethical challenges of DTH and VTH systems. Although promising for the future of personalized oncology, substantial steps are required to move beyond experimental frameworks and to achieve clinical implementation.

Inflammation-related parameters serve as pivotal indicators in the prognosis and management of lung cancer. This retrospective investigation aimed to explore the relationship between inflammatory markers and diverse clinical variables in non-small-cell lung cancer patients. A cohort of 187 individuals undergoing elective lobectomy for lung cancer was retrospectively analyzed, spanning an 11-year data collection period. Six inflammation ratios derived from complete peripheral blood counts were assessed. Significantly elevated levels of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (p = 0.005), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) (p = 0.001), Aggregate Index of Systemic Inflammation (AISI) (p = 0.015), Systemic Inflammation Response Index (SIRI) (p = 0.004), and Systemic Immune Inflammation Index (SII) (p = 0.004) were observed in patients with advanced T stages. Significantly, elevated values (p < 0.05) of these parameters were observed in the study’s smoker patients compared to non-smokers. A statistically significant correlation was identified between the NLR parameter and tumor size (p = 0.07, r = 0.204), alongside a significant elevation in SIRI (p = 0.041) among patients experiencing postoperative complications. Inflammatory biomarkers emerge as invaluable prognostic indicators for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer, offering potential utility in forecasting their prognosis.

The review investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the elective surgical treatment of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and the modifications of the duration of hospital stay scheduled for the surgery. Most of the studies included in our analysis showed a decrease in the number of elective surgical procedures applied to patients with colorectal cancer, varying from 14% to 70% worldwide. We have also observed a significant shortening of the hospital stay in most of the cases, associated with a longer waiting time until hospital admission. In the end, we have performed a synthesis of all the valuable data and advice gathered from real life observations, proposing a strategy to deal with the pandemic and with the large number of cancer patients accumulated during these difficult times.

This retrospective study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the surgical management of patients with colon cancer in a tertiary University Hospital in Timisoara, Romania. Data from 867 patients who underwent surgical interventions for this condition between 26 February 2019 and 25 February 2023 were meticulously analyzed to evaluate substantial shifts in the management and outcomes of these patients in comparison to the pre-pandemic era. The results reveal a substantial decrease in elective surgical procedures (p < 0.001) and a significant increase in emergency interventions (p < 0.001). However, postoperative mortality did not show significant variations. Of concern is the diagnosis of patients at more advanced stages of colon cancer, with a significant increase in Stage IV cases in the second year of the pandemic (p = 0.045). Average hospitalization durations recorded a significant decrease (p < 0.001) during the pandemic, and an inverse correlation between patient age and surgery duration was reported (p = 0.01, r = −0.088). This analysis provides a comprehensive perspective on how the pandemic has influenced the management of colon cancer, highlighting significant implications for the management and outcomes of these patients.

This systematic review investigates the intersection of early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC), sexual functioning, and associated quality of life (QoL), aiming to understand the comprehensive impact of EOCRC on these critical dimensions. Through an extensive search across PubMed, Scopus, and Embase up until November 2023, this study synthesized evidence from the literature while adhering to PRISMA guidelines. The studies included EOCRC patients under 50 years, which examined sexual functioning and QoL using validated instruments, and were published in English. After a rigorous screening process, five relevant studies were identified from an initial pool of 2184 articles. This review includes data from five studies involving 2031 EOCRC patients. The key findings revealed a high prevalence of sexual dysfunction, with up to 50% of men experiencing impotence and 58% reporting sexual dysfunction, alongside 36% of women in some studies. Pain was described by 12% to 31% of patients. Anxiety and depression were notably prevalent, affecting up to 69% of participants. EOCRC profoundly impacts sexual functioning and QoL, with a significant prevalence of sexual dysfunction and psychological distress among affected individuals. These findings suggest the need for oncological management strategies that include not only medical treatment but also psychological support and sexual health interventions. This systematic review emphasizes the importance of holistic patient care approaches, advocating for further research and clinical attention to address the complex needs of younger EOCRC patients.