Dragos Mircea Median

Dr. Dragos Mircea Median

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

22Years (2005-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

View All Publications
6 October 2020 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
ASANCA ANGELA SIMIONESCU
ANCA ANGELA SIMIONESCU
Alexandra HorobetAlexandra Horobet
Alexandra Horobet
Lucian BelascuLucian Belascu
Lucian Belascu
DMDragos Mircea Median
Dragos Mircea Median
Background and objectives: Breast cancer is among the most common cancer types encountered during pregnancy. Here, we aimed to describe the characteristics, management, and outcomes of women with pregnancy-associated breast cancer at a tertiary-level hospital in Romania. Material and Methods: We retrospectively and prospectively collected demographic, oncological, and obstetrical data for women diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy, and who elected to continue their pregnancy, between June 2012 and June 2020. Complete data were obtained regarding family and personal medical history and risks factors, cancer diagnosis and staging, clinical and pathological features (including histology and immunohistochemistry), multimodal cancer treatment, pregnancy management (fetal ultrasounds, childbirth, and postpartum data), and infant development and clinical evolution up to 2020. Cancer therapy was administered following national guidelines and institutional protocols and regimens developed for non-pregnant patients, including surgery and chemotherapy, while avoiding radiotherapy during pregnancy. Results: At diagnosis, 16.67% of patients were in an advanced/metastatic stage, while 75% were in early operable stages. However, the latter patients underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy rather than up-front surgery due to aggressive tumor biology (triple negative, multifocal, or HER2+). No patient achieved complete pathological remission, but only one patient relapsed. No recurrence was recorded within 12 months among early-stage patients. Conclusions: In this contemporary assessment of real-world treatment patterns and outcomes among patients with pregnancy-associated breast cancer, our findings were generally consistent with globally observed treatment outcomes, underscoring the need for a multidisciplinary team and reference centers.

5 May 2025 in Diagnostics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
COCRISTINA OPREAN
CRISTINA OPREAN
LBLarisa Badau
Larisa Badau
RPRamona Petrita
Ramona Petrita
DMDragos Mircea Median
Dragos Mircea Median
ADAlis Dema
Alis Dema
Background: Palbociclib, when combined with endocrine therapy, represents a valuable treatment option for patients diagnosed with hormone receptor (HR) positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative advanced breast cancer (BC) or metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Approved in Europe following phase II/III trials, it became the first CDK4/6 inhibitor used alongside hormone therapy. Available real-world data demonstrate the strong performance of Palbociclib in unselected, heavily pretreated patient groups. Our retrospective, observational, multicenter study, conducted in six Romanian institutions during a follow-up period of 2.5 years, aimed to assess Palbociclib’s safety and effectiveness in clinical practice. Objectives: The primary endpoints included response rate such as overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), disease control rate (DCR) and best clinical response (BCR), progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The secondary objectives focused on treatment duration with aromatase inhibitors (AI) or fulvestrant and subsequent therapies after disease progression. Grade 3/4 adverse events were individually recorded. Exploratory analysis evaluated the potential predictive biomarkers such as Ki67, lower levels of HER2 expression (HER2-low), and histological or luminal subtype. Methods: Approximately 650 patients were planned for inclusion. PFS and OS were analyzed via the Kaplan–Meier method, with median times, 1- and 2-year estimates, and 95% confidence intervals reported. Conclusions: This study supports the integration of clinical trial evidence into real-world settings, enhancing patient selection and treatment personalization.

17 February 2026 in Current Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DMDragos Mircea Median
Dragos Mircea Median
NANicoleta Zenovia Antone
Nicoleta Zenovia Antone
SVSimona-Ruxandra Volovat
Simona-Ruxandra Volovat
LMLaura Mazilu
Laura Mazilu
SNSerban Mircea Negru
Serban Mircea Negru
COCRISTINA OPREAN
CRISTINA OPREAN
Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignant disease in women in Romania, with incidence and mortality rates among the highest in Europe. This consensus statement aims to ensure equitable access to care for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative metastatic BC (HR+/HER2– mBC) and triple-negative mBC (mTNBC) in Romania. Between December 2024 and June 2025, a scientific board of 11 oncologists, in collaboration with the Romanian National Society for Medical Oncology (SNOMR), developed national recommendations based on ESMO/NCCN/ABC guidelines, clinical expertise, and local conditions. A modified Delphi survey was conducted among medical oncologists to evaluate acceptance of recommendations with greatest clinical impact. Key recommendations included: mandatory biopsy at metastasis with ER/PgR/HER2 retesting, HER2-low assessment, and molecular profiling (BRCA, PIK3CA, AKT1/PTEN, ESR1, plus PD-L1 testing in mTNBC); for HR+/HER2– mBC, first-line endocrine therapy plus CDK4/6 inhibitor, followed by targeted agents, chemotherapy, or antibody–drug conjugates based on progression and visceral crisis; for mTNBC, first-line immune checkpoint inhibitor plus chemotherapy in PD-L1-positive, PARP inhibitors in BRCA-positive patients, and sacituzumab-govitecan or trastuzumab-deruxtecan later; systematic toxicity monitoring; and integrated supportive and palliative care. Sixty-one oncologists completed the survey, with >90% overall agreement, suggesting broad acceptance of recommendations as Romania’s national standard for mBC care.

1 June 2005 in Journal of Clinical Oncology
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
MDMircea Dediu
Mircea Dediu
ATA. Tarlea
A. Tarlea
AAA. Alexandru
A. Alexandru
DMDragos Mircea Median
Dragos Mircea Median
MRM. Radut
M. Radut
7322 Background: Previous experience with concurrent chemo-radiation regimens at our institution showed a high rate of associated toxicities, which precludes the delivery of the whole protocol in a large fraction of patients (pts.). Methods: This prospective study was aimed to evaluate the efficacy and dose intensity (DI) of a split course radiation-therapy (RT) strategy, delivered concurrently with NVB and CDDP chemotherapy (CT). To be eligible, pts. had to have histologically or cytologically documented, locally advanced NSCLC, ECOG performance status(PS) 0–2. NVB 25 mg/m2 + CDDP 40 mg/ m2 on day 1+8 were administered in 4 cycles (days 1,8,22,29,57,64,78,85). Concurrent with the second CT cycle, RT (2 courses of 30 Gy separated by a 2 weeks break) was started, and was planned to achieve a total dose of 60 Gy (2 Gy/day/5 days /week). Results: From October 2000 to July 2004, 28 pts. were evaluated. Patients’ characteristics: males/females= 25/3, median age =61 years old, stage III B/III A = 25/3, ECOG PS 0–1=19 (68%) and PS 2= 9(32%), histology: adenocarcinoma/ squamous cell/ large cell/ unclassified 11/8 /1/8. Grade 3–4 toxicities : leucopenia 3 (11%), thrombocytopenia 1(4%), anemia 1(4%), esophagitis 3 (11%). The response rates were : 2 CR (7%), 12 PR (43%), 9 SD (32%) and 5 PD (18%), with an overall response rate of 50%. The estimated progression free and median survival was 9 and 12 months respectively. After a median follow-up of 11 months 19 pts (68%) relapsed, with 9 (32%) local and 10 (36%) distant failures. The sites of distant failures were : PUL 5(19%), OSS 2 (7%), BRA 2(7%), LYM 1(4%). Conclusions: Our concurrent schedule allows for good CT and RT dose intensities, with low associated toxicities. The pattern of relapses is equally divided between local and distant failures. Given the high proportion of pts. with stage IIIB and PS 2 status the survival data are promising. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DJDan Corneliu Jinga
Dan Corneliu Jinga
GDGeorgiana Duta-Cornescu
Georgiana Duta-Cornescu
DCDanut Cimponeriu
Danut Cimponeriu
EPEirini Papadopoulou
Eirini Papadopoulou
AMAngeliki Meintani
Angeliki Meintani
ATAndreea Truican
Andreea Truican
Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) is a clinically relevant biomarker that predicts sensitivity to PARP inhibitors and enables personalized cancer therapy. Validated local HRD testing solutions are essential to ensure timely and equitable access, ultimately improving treatment outcomes. We evaluated a shallow whole-genome sequencing (sWGS) approach for genomic instability (GI) assessment combined with a 52-gene targeted panel in ovarian cancer. Validation used reference materials and 24 archival samples with prior HRD characterization, comparing performance with the Myriad myChoice® HRD test. A prospective cohort of 124 newly diagnosed ovarian cancer patients was then analyzed. sWGS-derived GI status showed strong concordance with the reference test (95.8% overall agreement; κ = 0.913; NPV 100%, PPV 93.3%). Pathogenic BRCA1/2 variants were detected in 30 patients (24.19%). An additional 22.76% were BRCA1/2-negative but GI-positive, giving an overall HRD prevalence of 47.15%. Platinum sensitivity occurred in 90.0% (18/20) of HRD-positive patients with follow-up. Among 12 patients assessed for PARP-inhibitor response, the overall response rate was 66.7% (95% CI 39.1–86.2) and disease control rate 83.3% (95% CI 55.2–95.3). TP53 alterations were most frequent (62.90%), followed by BRCA1 (19.35%) and BRCA2 (4.83%). Pathogenic variants in other HR-pathway genes (ATM, CHEK2, BRIP1, RAD51C, BARD1) appeared in 9.57% of BRCA-wild-type cases, with heterogeneous GI impact. Two cases showed concurrent BRCA2 variants and microsatellite instability, indicating possible eligibility for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy in addition to PARPi. This first comprehensive analysis of Romanian ovarian cancer patients suggests that integrating sWGS-based genomic instability assessment with BRCA testing can improve HRD detection and reflects the heterogeneity of HR-pathway variants. Preliminary clinical observations were consistent with known HRD-associated treatment responses, although larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.