Articles tagged with Oncology
Gastrointestinal stroma tumors (GIST) are rare cancers that can be problematic to detect and treat. Researchers have identified the mutational drivers for GIST in the stomach and found a potential drug therapy, temozolomide, which showed promising results in treating patients with specific mutations.
A recent study has uncovered the evolutionary forces at play in the aging of the blood system and identified individuals at increased risk of blood cancer. The research provides a robust indicator for classifying patients with ARCH mutations, allowing for more frequent screening and early treatment.
A big data study from UNSW Sydney found that Australian cancer patients kept up their pharmaceutical treatments during last year's COVID-19 lockdowns. The researchers attribute the good news to relatively low rates of COVID-19 infections in Australia, which minimally impacted cancer treatment patterns.
Researchers found changes in erythrocyte morphology and nanoparticles on cell surfaces during radiation therapy, which may indicate treatment effectiveness or prognosis. The study suggests that analyzing these changes could lead to the development of a diagnostic method for assessing RT efficacy.
A new clinical guideline from ASTRO provides guidance on the use of radiation therapy to treat adult patients with soft tissue sarcoma, recommending optimal radiation dosing and techniques. The guideline also addresses the role of radiation therapy for retroperitoneal sarcomas.
The study, led by Caicun Zhou, found that sintilimab-gemcitabine/platinum improved progression-free survival over placebo-gemcitabine/platinum. The results demonstrated a 46.4% reduction in disease progression or death risk.
A new lymph node collection kit has been shown to improve long-term survival after curative-intent lung cancer surgery. The kit helps surgeons attain complete resection by improving pathologic nodal evaluation, leading to a significant increase in R0 resections and reduction in non-examination of lymph nodes.
The ESMO Targeted Anticancer Therapies Congress 2021 presented new data on drug discovery and development for a range of targets, including precision medicine. World-renowned experts discussed breakthroughs in the microbiome and oncolytic viruses, highlighting their potential as tools and targets.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on the progress of achieving gender balance in academic oncology. Disruptions to research and education have hindered the advancement of this specialty, particularly for women. The article proposes potential solutions to counteract these negative effects.
Patients with non-small cell lung cancer who enrolled in a phase III early-stage trial showed a high rate of smoking reduction and cessation following study entry. Smoking rates were significantly lower among never-smokers, leading to improved overall survival compared to smokers.
Researchers report factors preventing effective launch of oncology biosimilars, including market share struggles and patent litigation lawsuits. The 'Pay-for-Delay' strategy by AMGEN and Genentech/Roche holds the market hostage.
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant financial risks to independent oncology practices. Experts propose various strategies to promote stability and survival in these vulnerable entities.
The FDA has issued guidance on clinical trials for cancer drug development during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance highlights regulatory challenges and lessons learned from recent experiences. By providing this support, the FDA aims to facilitate oncology drug development in a challenging environment.
A phase 3 trial found that combining nivolumab and cabozantinib was superior to sunitinib for progression-free survival, overall survival, and response rate in patients with metastatic kidney cancer. The treatment reduced the risk of progression or death by almost 50%.
The ESMO Virtual Congress 2020 will feature a virtual meeting between 19-21 September, including access to scientific programme, e-poster area, and industry satellite symposia. Accredited journalists can also access congress webcasts for re-watching presentations.
The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted oncology clinicians to prioritize cancer care, leveraging expertise from low-resource settings for guidance. Prioritization involves weighing the benefits and harms of different treatments, considering factors such as patient outcomes and healthcare resource availability.
The ESMO Virtual Congress 2020 will deliver a scientific programme featuring the presentation of latest cancer research results. More than 2100 abstracts will be included, including around 100 expected late-breaking abstracts.
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on oncologists, leading to a loss of personal connection with patients and their families. This essay highlights the need for maintaining emotional connections in oncology despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
A meta-analysis of 15 studies found that minimally invasive radical hysterectomy for early-stage cervical cancer is linked to a 71% higher risk of recurrence or death compared to open surgery. The study's findings suggest that the benefits of minimally invasive procedures may not outweigh the risks for this specific type of cancer.
Researchers used molecular imaging to track DNA damage in neuroendocrine tumors treated with 177Lu-DOTATATE. The technique enabled visualization of γH2AX foci just days after treatment, providing insights into therapeutic outcomes and potential dose adjustments.
The Oncotarget review explores the use of biomarkers, CA19-9, gemcitabine-abraxane, FOLFIRINOX, and other treatments to identify patients who benefit most from therapy in pancreatic cancer. Further studies are needed to better understand pancreatic cancer biology and improve prognosis.
Including smoking cessation with existing lung cancer screening efforts would significantly reduce lung cancer mortality and increase life-years gained. The study found that point-of-screening cessation interventions could further reduce lung cancer deaths by 14% and increase life-years gained by 81%.
A recent study published in Annals of Oncology found that excess body fat in middle to late adulthood increases the risk of developing advanced prostate cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight through healthy eating and exercise can help reduce this risk.
A new study suggests that monitoring patients' activity levels prior to chemoradiation therapy for lung cancer can predict treatment outcomes. Inactive patients are more likely to experience hospitalization, treatment delays, and disease recurrence, while active patients have better survival rates.
A three-year longitudinal study found that having a hematologist mentor during medical education is associated with an increased likelihood of fellows specializing in hematology. Fellows who co-authored papers or engaged in research activities with mentors in hematology were more likely to pursue careers in the field.
Professor Fatima Cardoso will receive the award for her foresight in understanding advanced breast cancer and launching the ABC Global Alliance. The alliance, now an independent organization, aims to improve lives of patients worldwide through awareness and advocacy.
The CheckMate-227 trial found that the combination of nivolumab and low-dose ipilimumab improves overall survival in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer compared to chemotherapy. The treatment was well-tolerated, with a low rate of discontinuation and treatment-related toxicities.
Researchers from University of Colorado Cancer Center Department of Radiation Oncology won the IAEA safety competition by recognizing the importance of a positive attitude towards radiation safety and developing department-wide processes for communicating safety standards. The team used Safety Month as an opportunity to broadcast and t...
A 16-year study of 452,000 Europeans found a positive association between artificially sweetened and sugar-sweetened soft drinks and an increased risk of death from circulatory and digestive diseases. The findings support public health campaigns aimed at limiting soft drink consumption.
A survey of early career oncologists found that women are less likely to attend scientific meetings due to family obligations. Onsite childcare is essential to promote work-life integration and increase female participation.
A new diagnostic test has the potential to determine if breast cancer patients require chemotherapy, giving them control over their treatment. The test uses gene profiling to identify low-risk patients who may not benefit from chemotherapy.
Susan Band Horwitz, an NFCR fellow, has been named a Giant of Cancer Care for her pioneering work on Taxol and its role in stabilizing microtubules to prevent cancer cell growth. Her research enabled the development of life-saving medications for ovarian, breast, and lung cancers.
Christine Menias, MD, is recognized for her dedication to radiology education, with a notable track record of instructional courses and awards. She has been named the 2019 ARRS Distinguished Educator for her inspirational teaching and commitment to improving competence and patient outcomes.
The global HER2 testing survey reveals major access and affordability issues in low and middle income countries, with some upper middle income countries also affected. The study suggests that governments need better information to set planning priorities for investing in infrastructure, testing, and treatment.
A recent study published in JAMA found that magic mouthwash significantly reduced pain from oral mucositis, a common side effect of radiation therapy for head and neck cancers. The treatment, which contains diphenhydramine, lidocaine, and antacids, was well-tolerated by patients and outperformed placebo.
Consuming garlic and onions has been shown to lower the risk of colorectal cancer in a Chinese study involving 833 patients. Adults who ate high amounts of allium vegetables had an 79% lower chance of developing the disease compared to those who consumed low amounts.
A large European study found that small lung spots in rhabdomyosarcoma patients do not affect survival prospects or require aggressive treatment, unlike larger metastases.
The MYSTIC trial found that first line immunotherapy combination with durvalumab and tremelimumab does not improve overall survival in unselected patients with lung cancer. However, a subgroup of patients with high tumour mutational burden showed improved overall survival with the combination treatment.
The NRG Oncology clinical trial BR001 found that SBRT is safe for patients with 2 metastases or 3-4 metastases in specific locations, including peripheral lung and abdomen/pelvic. The study showed zero protocol-defined dose-limiting toxicities across evaluable anatomic locations.
Oncologists require more education on the use of biosimilars, which could increase patient access to innovative therapies due to economic constraints. ESMO supports their use as cheaper alternatives to reference biologics, promoting sustainable and widely accessible cancer care.
Researchers found a link between higher levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and lower disease-free survival rates after radiotherapy. Elevated CRP levels, a marker of inflammation, were not associated with DFS.
A study found huge variations in time between European countries to reach health technology assessment decisions on new cancer drugs, with some taking over a year. The average decision time was longer than one year in England and Scotland compared to Germany and France.
Researchers examined federal payment databases to determine payments made to oncologists who authored studies in high-impact journals. The study found that a substantial proportion of payments were not disclosed, which could lead to bias and influence clinical trial results.
Investigative report finds 40 physician advisors took over $10,000 from drug makers after reviewing drugs, while 26 received more than $100,000 in post-hoc earnings. The FDA's honor system for disclosing financial interests may be ineffective in detecting conflicts of interest.
Fabrice Barresi has been awarded the Heine H. Hansen Award by European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). This award is presented annually at the European Lung Cancer Congress to a lung cancer investigator who has made a special contribution to this field.
Dr. Jerry A. Shields, a pioneering ophthalmologist, received the inaugural Brady-Shields Endowed Chair in Ocular Oncology at Wills Eye Hospital. The chair honors Dr. Luther W. Brady Jr., Dr. Carol L. Shields, and their contributions to ocular oncology research.
A group of authors from IQWiG has contradicted the American Society of Clinical Oncology's conclusion that MammaPrint can identify patients who do not require chemotherapy. The IQWiG analysis found a statistically significant disadvantage of the test for disease-free survival in certain patient groups.
The combination of chemotherapy and immunotherapy significantly improves progression-free survival in patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC. The study showed that the addition of atezolizumab to bevacizumab and chemotherapy leads to a median PFS of 8.3 months, compared to 6.8 months with bevacizumab and chemotherapy alone.
A modified XELIRI regimen with reduced doses of irinotecan and capecitabine has been shown to be non-inferior to FOLFIRI in terms of overall survival. The treatment, combined with bevacizumab, demonstrated favourable tolerability and efficacy comparable to XELOX plus bevacizumab.
A new study estimates that there were 854,000 new cases of liver cancer and 810,000 deaths worldwide in 2015. The majority of these cases were attributed to hepatitis B virus and alcohol consumption, highlighting the need for prevention and treatment strategies.
A survey of breast cancer clinic patients found that short- and long-term side effects were often better than anticipated, with 83% and 84% of respondents reporting similar expectations. Women reported lower fears and more positive experiences after treatment, highlighting the need to address misconceptions about radiation therapy.
At ESMO 2017, researchers presented 55 late-breaking abstracts and 1,736 selected abstracts, featuring breakthrough treatments for various cancers. The Congress emphasized the importance of preventing cancer through lifestyle changes and explored sustainable treatment options.
The MONARCH 3 trial showed that adding abemaciclib to endocrine therapy improved progression-free survival compared to endocrine therapy alone. Around one-third of women may not need a CDK 4/6 inhibitor as initial treatment.
Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a process where patients discuss their goals and preferences with relatives and health-care providers. The study recommends adapting ACP to the individual's readiness, updating conversations and documents regularly.
The ESMO-MCBS version 1.1 is the first major revision, introducing a new scale for single-arm studies in orphan diseases and for diseases with high unmet need. This updated tool will enable users to evaluate single-arm studies, previously only applicable to comparative studies.
ASTRO has recognized 43 researchers and clinical teams for their top-rated research abstracts, showcasing innovative science in radiation oncology. The Resident Clinical/Basic Science Research Abstract Award and Annual Meeting Travel Award also support early-career scientists, with a total of $45,000 in honorariums awarded.
Annals of Oncology has achieved an impressive Impact Factor score of 11.855, ranking it among the top 5% of oncology titles globally. The journal is recognized for its rapid and efficient peer-review publications on cutting-edge cancer research.
The IASLC published a comprehensive summary of the year's key developments in thoracic oncology, covering prevention, early detection, pathology, staging, surgery, adjuvant therapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy. The publication highlights significant progress in small cell lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma.
A phase III CONVERT trial study presented at ELCC 2017 shows that white blood cell boosting drugs are safe during concurrent chemo-radiotherapy of small cell lung cancer. The use of G-CSF had no significant negative impact on patient outcomes, supporting its use to mitigate neutropenia and increase chemotherapy delivery.
Rafal Dziadziuszko, a global leader in clinical thoracic oncology, has been awarded the Heine H. Hansen (HHH) Award by ESMO and IASLC for his lifetime contributions to lung cancer research and education globally.