Tumori Journal Abstract Book - October 2020 - 187

T - Miscellanea	
cytokines, clinical and dental parameters of pts with BM
from solid tumours receiving BTT at the Medical Oncology
Unit of Cagliari University Hospital (April 2009-April
2018). Pts underwent baseline orthopanoramic radiography and odontostomatological visit at the Department of
Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics of Cagliari
University. Dental elements were evaluated according to
community periodontal index (CPI) and periapical index.
The aim of our study was to assess the correlation between
haematological, immunological and odontostomatologic
parameters and clinical outcome in the study population.
MedCalc was used for statistical analysis of survival distribution (Kaplan-Meier method), survival curves comparison (log-rank test) and to assess the independent role of
significant variables at univariate analysis (logistic regression). The other variables were evaluated with SPSS program (T Student, Anova and Mann Whitney, Pearson and
Spearman correlation coefficient, Chi-square - p<0.05).
Results: Globally, 192 pts (92 males,100 females) were
included in the study. Mean age was 60 years. Primary
tumours were mainly breast (44,3%), prostate (16,1%), lung
(14%) and colorectal (6,5%). Overall survival (OS) was 61
months (m) (95%CI:47-81) in pts with MLR>0,4667 versus (vs) 27 m in pts with MLR⩽0,4667 (95%CI:20-35),
p<0,001. OS was significantly longer also for NLR=11,25:
56 m (95%CI:42-69) vs 8 m (NLR>11,25, 95%CI:42-69),
p<0,0001. Increased IL-6 levels were associated with earlier SREs and shorter survival. Odontostomatologic data
were available for statistical analysis for 25% of pts and
showed a statistically significant correlation between CPI
and NLR in males (0,0337).
Conclusions: An integrated approach evaluating proinflammatory cytokines, MLR, NLR and paradontopathy
can be a useful tool to predict outcome of cancer pts with
BM receiving BTT.

T22
Evaluation of Chemobrain in
Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy
treated oncogeriatric patients:
could the olfactory impairment
be a biomarker?
Leo S.1, Nestola C.2, Accogli G.3, Leucci M.3, Calogiuri M.2, Cairo G.1,
Romano G.D.1, Accettura C.1, Saracino V.1, Invitto S.3
1
Ospedale Vito Fazzi - U.O. Oncologia Medica, Lecce; 2Associazione La
Chiave d'Argento Onlus, Lecce; 3Inspire Lab Università del Salento, Lecce

Background: Aging is a risk factor for cognitive impairment as well as cancer. The cognitive decline due to therapy
is usually called "chemobrain" and is associated with deficits in memory, concentration, executive functions, and
multitasking and a general feeling of cognitive fogginess.
Chemotherapy can also affect chemosensory perception,

187
such as olfaction. Moreover, it is known that olfactory perception can be related to cognitive ability. Aim of this study
was to evaluate the correlation between chemobrain and
olfactory impairment in elderly cancer patients treated with
chemotherapy (CHT) and immunotherapy (IO).
Material and Methods: The research, conducted from July
to December 2019, involved 147 patients (pts) (age>70
years) (mean age 78±8 years) with advanced solid tumors
at Oncology Unit of Vito Fazzi Hospital in Lecce: 65 pts
already in treatment with CHT, 41 with IO and 41 geriatric
people without cancer [that represent Control Group (CoG)].
The study was conducted in cooperation with Laboratory of
Cognitive and Psychophysiological Olfactory Processes
(INSPIRE LAB) of University of Salento. The cognitive
function was assessed trough the Mini Mental State
Examination (MMSE). The olfactory evaluation was carried out by The Sniffin' Sticks - Screening 12, with score
0-12 (MediSense - http://www.medi-sense.eu). The test uses
12 odour pens and allows to distinguish anosmics and
hyposmics from normosmics people. The purpose of the test
is to identify the 12 smells presented and the patients have to
choose between 4 options for response. The total score is
compared to the age-related normal values.
Results: Patients treated with both CHT and IO scored
lower in the various tests (MMSE, Sniffin' Sticks) than the
CoG. There is, also, a gender effect with lower scores in
MMSE for women. About the Sniffin' Sticks test, analysis
highlighted lower scores in CHT and IO than in the CoG
and shows an olfactory impairment in CHT (score 5) rather
than in IO (score 7) and CoG (score 7). In addition, Pearson
Coefficient showed a significant correlation between
MMSE and Sniffin' Sticks test.
Conclusions: Olfactory impairment can be strictly linked to
chemobrain and that more high with CHT, moreover the
olfactory perception can be a biomarker of cognitive impairment in oncogeriatric patients. The study is ongoing for evaluation of IO effect on cognitive status and test needs to be
repeated after regular and standardized intervals of time.

T23
Preliminary study on financial
toxicity perception among cancer
patients: The financial toxicity
questionnaire 16
Bordonaro R.1, Castagna F.2, Piazza D.3, Cordio S.S.2, Sergi C.2,
Fassari G.E.2, Martines C.2, Commendatore O.2, Sambataro D.2,
Carapezza L.2, Mattina M.2, Russo A.E.2, Gebbia V.4
1
Medical Oncology, National Specialist Hospital Garibaldi, Catania; 2ARNAS
Garibaldi, Catania; 3GSTU Foundation for Cancer Research, Palermo; 4Casa
di Cura La Maddalena, Palermo

Background: Financial toxicity (FT) among cancer
patients (CP) is multifactorial, arising from both related
http://www.medi-sense.eu
Tumori Journal Abstract Book - October 2020

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