Articles tagged with Cancer Patients
The COVID-19 pandemic worsens existing health disparities in cancer patients, with marginalized communities facing poorer treatment outcomes. Healthcare providers must acknowledge these disparities to deliver equitable care.
A Phase III trial led by the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center found that combining venetoclax and azacitidine improved overall survival and achieved a 66.4% complete remission rate in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.
Recent advances in treatment have led to a sharp reduction in lung cancer mortality rates in the US, with non-small cell lung cancer deaths decreasing faster than incidence. The study found significant improvements in survival for both men and women, particularly after the introduction of targeted therapies.
A Singapore team identified a mutation in the PD-L1 gene as a reliable biomarker for patients with natural-killer T-cell lymphoma who are likely to respond positively to anti-PD-1 therapy. The study found an overall response rate of 47% and complete responses in 7 out of 19 patients.
The new guidelines offer additional recommendations for photobiomodulation therapy and benzydamine, as well as a stronger guideline statement for cryotherapy. Researchers also found that natural honey may help prevent mucositis in head and neck cancer patients, although long-term effects are unclear.
A new study shows that men treated for testicular cancer at public safety net hospital and academic tertiary care center have the same outcomes, despite differences in demographics. The study eliminated sociodemographic disparities in survival and cancer recurrence rates.
A qualitative study proposes a practical communication guide to assuage the fear, anger and anxiety of cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guide aims to improve patient care in oncology settings.
A team of researchers at Michigan Medicine developed a guide to help oncologists navigate difficult conversations with patients due to the pandemic. The guide provides three core communication strategies and examples of language that can be used to respond empathetically, addressing concerns around risk, delays, and changes in treatment.
Researchers at Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center have found that molecular characteristics can refine prognostic recommendations for AML patients under age 60. The study detected mutations in several categories, which were associated with better or worse outcomes and may help improve treatment choices.
A rapid and affordable test for breast cancer has been developed to combat delayed diagnoses in developing regions. The compact CytoPAN test uses image cytometry to analyze individual cells, yielding results in under 1 hour and requiring minimal training, making it ideal for resource-limited settings.
Researchers at Huntsman Cancer Institute develop new models to study molecular characteristics of lung and pancreas tumors driven by NTRK1 mutations. The findings aim to identify effective treatments for patients with NTRK1-driven cancers, which have proven resistant to current therapies.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to changes in the number of new cancer diagnoses in US patients. Researchers analyzed data from 2020 and found that there was a significant increase in new cases during the pandemic.
Dr. Emmanuel Katsanis is studying a new chemotherapy treatment for patients with blood-related cancers who undergo a specific type of bone marrow transplant procedure. The treatment, known as haploidentical BMT, has shown promising results in improving survival rates and reducing post-transplant complications.
A blood test can predict which cancer patients will benefit from immunotherapy, a treatment option for advanced cancers. The test analyzes changing levels of tumour fragments in the blood to identify those who will respond well to the treatment.
A large international study analyzed genetic and clinical data from 4,444 MDS patients to assess the impact of TP53 gene mutations on cancer outcomes. The study found that having two mutated copies of TP53 led to worse outcomes, while one copy had similar effects as a non-mutated copy.
Cancer patients at low risk of severe COVID-19; treating cancer can impact overall survival. ESMO recommends continuing anti-cancer treatments to prioritize tumour control.
A new study by NYU Langone Health found that women receiving standard treatment for ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers are not at increased risk of hospitalization or death from COVID-19. In fact, 75% of gynecologic cancer patients with COVID-19 had a mild form of the disease and recovered
The study found that social distancing policies implemented in the US and globally led to significant reductions in SARS-CoV-2 transmission, with an estimated 1.57 million cases prevented over a two-week period. The researchers also observed a strong correlation between decreased mobility and reduced virus transmission.
A case series evaluates radiotherapy delivery to 209 cancer patients during the COVID-19 outbreak. Key findings include improved outcomes and reduced treatment delays.
A consensus statement evaluates the use of prognostic genetic expression profile testing in melanoma, cautioning against routine use due to limitations. The statement aims to assist clinicians in determining when and how gene expression profiling should be adopted in clinical practice.
Researchers developed an AI algorithm to analyse tissue samples from cancer patients, distinguishing between healthy and cancerous tissues and identifying patterns of DNA and RNA changes. The study highlights the potential of AI for improving cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment.
Researchers discovered that almost 20% of patients with unexplained intestinal polyps had tumors with mutations similar to those caused by colibactin, a bacterial toxin. Regular tooth brushing may have prevented the bacterial infection that triggered these cancer-causing DNA mutations.
Research from the Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center found significant decreases nationwide in cancer-related care, including a -56.9% decline in any neoplasm encounters and a 74% drop in new incidence neoplasms. Mammograms declined by 89.2% and colorectal cancer screenings fell by 84.5% during the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated social isolation and distress among cancer patients, emphasizing the importance of human connection in their care. Clinicians can support these patients by fostering connections through non-clinical interventions.
A new study suggests that a simple urine test could significantly improve the detection of adrenal cancer by detecting excess adrenal steroid hormones. The test was found to be more accurate than imaging tests in diagnosing cancerous adrenal masses, potentially reducing unnecessary surgeries and healthcare costs.
Dr Patricia Ganz shares her expertise on assessing quality of life in cancer patients, with a focus on breast cancer survivorship. She highlights the importance of centering patients' needs in both US and UK healthcare systems.
Researchers at Hollings Cancer Center are studying T-cell exhaustion in the tumor microenvironment to discover ways to revitalize immunity against tumors. The team's work may lead to a new approach for immunotherapy by targeting the stress response that undermines T-cell function.
Research has found that cancer patients diagnosed over 24 months ago are more likely to experience severe COVID-19 infection. Patients from Asian ethnicity or receiving palliative treatment were also at a higher risk of death from COVID-19.
Newly released CCC19 data show a racial disparity in access to Remdesivir, an antiviral drug that shortens hospital stays, and increased mortality associated with dexamethasone, a steroid. Black patients were half as likely to receive Remdesivir as white patients.
Researchers found that some mutations actually generate 'noise' that can counteract cancer development, leading to a dead end. New drug combinations aim to reactivate suppressed pathways to disrupt oncogenic signal transduction in cancer cells.
A new study found that delays in cancer diagnosis due to the pandemic could result in more than 1,000 excess deaths in England. The researchers suggest prioritizing certain tumor types and ramping up diagnostic capacity to mitigate the impact of these delays.
Preliminary data suggests that immunotherapy won't worsen complications in patients with both conditions. Researchers found that an anti-diabetic drug metformin can reduce protein production by immune cells, offering a potential treatment option for COVID-19 complications.
A $204,000 grant from the NCI will support research on sustainability of telemedicine for rural cancer patients. The study aims to identify factors allowing telemedicine to be sustained over time and its impact on patients.
Researchers investigate how antibodies affect varying outcomes in coronavirus patients, with potential implications for vaccine efficacy and treatment approaches. The team aims to identify conditions under which antibody-dependent enhancement occurs and develop new assays for therapeutic antibody screening.
The rapid adoption of telehealth services during the COVID-19 pandemic has raised concerns about care quality and safety. Experts warn that integrating essential components of traditional doctor visits into virtual care poses challenges, including physical exams, lab work, and imaging. However, telehealth also holds promise for improvi...
A new testing method has shown promise in rapidly identifying radiation sickness based on biomarkers measured through a single drop of blood. The test uses microRNAs to quantify the actual radiation dose absorbed, allowing for early and real-time identification of the condition to enable timely clinical interventions.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that blocking an enzyme used by glioblastoma cells to store fats may be a new way to treat the deadly disease. This approach could also apply to other types of cancers that use lipid droplets for energy.
A new study published in JNCI Cancer Spectrum found significant disparities in cancer mortality rates between one-star and five-star hospitals. The research examined 105,823 patients who underwent complex cancer procedures at 3,146 hospitals between 2013 and 2016.
The new volume uses a health equity approach to focus on factors associated with cancer disparities research and identifies potential solutions. Studies highlight the impact of lifestyle on breast cancer risk and link mammary gland development to breast cancer disparity.
A comprehensive proteomic analysis of 103 Chinese patients with lung adenocarcinoma revealed molecular characteristics associated with clinical outcomes and potential prognostic biomarkers. The study identified 27 potential plasma biomarkers and several drug targets for LUAD, providing new insights into the disease.
Scientists have discovered that a steroidal sex hormone, ecdysone, drastically alters intestinal stem cell behavior, affecting gut growth and function. The study found that ecdysone stimulates stem cell growth and causes the gut to grow in size, leading to changes in its structure and function.
A clinical trial is underway to test an immune booster, IMM-101, in cancer patients to prevent severe COVID-19. The study aims to boost the innate immune system and protect vulnerable populations from lung infections.
A new study by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center found that surgical delays of 30-40 days are associated with shorter survival times in patients with colon cancer. For pancreatic and gastric cancers, the results indicate that longer surgical delays may increase cancer progression and worsen patient outcomes.
A new patient-focused intervention, DISCO App, has been developed to improve patient-provider treatment cost discussions and related patient outcomes. The five-year grant-funded study will evaluate the effectiveness of the app in reducing financial toxicity among cancer patients.
A study using electronic health records found that AI can predict who is at higher risk of pancreatic cancer up to 20 months before diagnosis. The model could help narrow down the number of people needed to be screened, potentially reducing false positives and improving survival rates.
A new study shows that genomic mutation testing using the Idylla automated system can reduce wait times for test results from 15 days to just 5 days. This allows patients to begin treatment for colorectal cancer sooner.
Researchers developed a machine learning predictive model to predict nephrotoxicity risk in testicular cancer patients using Danish patient data. The model correctly predicted 67% of high-risk patients and 92% of low-risk patients who did not develop nephrotoxicity.
A new study found that Black patients with early-stage esophageal cancer are less likely to receive life-saving surgery, contributing to their higher mortality rates. The study, which analyzed data from over 60,000 patients, suggests that education and targeted interventions are needed to address these disparities.
A new study from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center found that patients with active cancer treatment who develop COVID-19 illness do not fare any worse than other hospitalized patients. The study, published in Nature Medicine, suggests that no one should delay cancer treatment due to concerns about the virus.
A new international trial published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology suggests that carboplatin-paclitaxel is the optimal chemotherapy regimen for treating inoperable anal cancer. The study found a trend toward improved survival and less toxicity compared to cisplatin-5FU, with overall survival rates of 20 months vs 12.3 months.
PATRIOT analysis uses organoids to identify potential therapeutic targets in tumor cells, providing a holistic assessment of patient tumors. This allows for improved therapy recommendations and expanded personalized therapy options for cancer patients.
A new study found that patients' quality of life during the pandemic was significantly lower than a reference group, mainly due to social and cognitive functioning. Cancer patients considered postponing or abandoning treatment due to fear of COVID-19 morbidity and cancer progression.
A recent study by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that greater inactivity is independently associated with a higher risk of dying from cancer. Replacing sedentary time with physical activity, such as 30 minutes of cycling or walking, can lower this risk.
The InterAAct trial found carboplatin-paclitaxel to be the optimal chemotherapy regimen for inoperable anal cancer, with a lower risk of adverse events and improved overall survival. Patients treated with this regimen experienced a trend towards better survival rates, suggesting it should become the standard of care.
A patient-personalized sequencing pipeline, INVAR, enhances the sensitivity of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection in plasma samples. This technique analyzes hundreds of patient-specific mutations to detect ctDNA, enabling more accurate monitoring and potentially early relapse spotting.
Researchers discovered a novel combination of biomarkers from baseline tumor tissues that predict improved clinical responses and prolonged survival in patients with advanced bladder cancer. ARID1A mutations and CXCL13 expression were associated with better overall survival, suggesting potential patient selection improvements.
Researchers from the University of South Australia suggest that Vitamin D could mitigate chemotherapy-induced intestinal mucositis by suppressing inflammation and enhancing T-cell function. The study highlights the potential benefits of Vitamin D in reducing damage to the gut microbiome caused by chemotherapy agents.
This study evaluated the relationship between preoperative Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and long-term outcomes in elderly gastric cancer patients. The results showed that the GNRI is a useful prognostic indicator for estimating overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and postoperative outcomes.
The study found that patients treated with chemotherapy had a significantly increased risk of dying from COVID-19, while those on anticoagulants and corticosteroids also faced higher mortality risks. In contrast, immunotherapies showed no increased risk of mortality.
A new Australian-developed treatment decision model, dubbed AUS-rule, has allowed more young cancer patients to recover from mild infections at home. The rule considers platelet and white cell counts and chemotherapy intensity to guide doctors in deciding whether patients can be treated and supported at home.