Oncology (all articles)
RCT | Temporary cessation vs. continuation of first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor in advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma
22 Feb, 2023 | 12:40h | UTCSummary: The STAR trial investigated whether a tyrosine kinase inhibitor drug-free interval strategy was non-inferior to a conventional continuation strategy for first-line treatment of advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma. All patients received standard dosing schedules of oral sunitinib (50 mg per day) or oral pazopanib (800 mg per day) for 24 weeks before moving into their randomly allocated group. Although non-inferiority could not be concluded for the primary endpoint of overall survival, temporary treatment cessation was found to preserve quality of life and was cost-effective. Therefore, planned breaks in tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment represent a reasonable option for selected patients with renal cell carcinoma, providing potential lifestyle and health economic benefits. The study provides a rationale for further exploration of treatment breaks in patients with other cancers.
Commentary on Twitter
NOW OF: The STAR open-label ph 2/3 RCT could not conclude that a TKI drug-free interval strategy was non-inferior to a conventional continuation strategy for first-line treatment of advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma. #rccsmhttps://t.co/xzCU1jdLE7 pic.twitter.com/Ks1Eh0vMId
— The Lancet Oncology (@TheLancetOncol) February 14, 2023
RCT | Rucaparib vs. physician’s choice in metastatic prostate cancer
20 Feb, 2023 | 12:17h | UTCSummary: This phase 3 randomized trial compared Rucaparib vs. physician’s choice control (docetaxel or a second-generation ARPI) in treating metastatic, castration-resistant prostate cancer patients with a BRCA1, BRCA2, or ATM alteration who had disease progression after treatment with a second-generation androgen-receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI). The study found that the duration of radiographic progression-free survival was significantly longer in the rucaparib group than in the control group. The most frequent adverse events with rucaparib were fatigue and nausea.
Article: Rucaparib or Physician’s Choice in Metastatic Prostate Cancer – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Commentary: Rucaparib Efficacious in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer – HealthDay
Commentary on Twitter
Original Article: Rucaparib or Physician’s Choice in Metastatic Prostate Cancer (TRITON3) https://t.co/vuHTxqRRyb#GU23 #oncology pic.twitter.com/UrPMOgW4Fo
— NEJM (@NEJM) February 17, 2023
RCT | Breast-conserving surgery without irradiation may be an option for older patients with early breast cancer
17 Feb, 2023 | 13:25h | UTCSummary: The article reports a phase 3 randomized trial that investigated the efficacy of omitting irradiation after breast-conserving surgery in women aged 65 years or older with hormone receptor-positive, node-negative, T1 or T2 primary breast cancer, and tumors ≤3 cm in the largest dimension, who received adjuvant endocrine therapy. A total of 1326 women were enrolled, with 658 receiving whole-breast irradiation and 668 receiving no irradiation. The results showed that the omission of radiotherapy led to an increased incidence of local breast cancer recurrence but had no negative effect on distant recurrence as the first event or overall survival. The study suggests that omission of radiotherapy could be a viable treatment option for older women with low-risk, hormone receptor–positive early breast cancer who receive adjuvant endocrine therapy.*
Article: Breast-Conserving Surgery with or without Irradiation in Early Breast Cancer – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Commentaries:
For many older breast cancer patients, study finds radiation doesn’t affect survival – STAT
Do Older Patients Need Radiation Rx After Breast Cancer Surgery? – HealthDay
*Note: This summary was created through the collaboration of a medical editor and ChatGPT.
M-A | Financial toxicity among patients with breast cancer worldwide
17 Feb, 2023 | 13:20h | UTCCommentary: Breast Cancer Treatment Is Associated With Financial Toxicity Worldwide, Study Finds – AJMC
Related:
Not Just Nausea And Vomiting: Cancer Docs Now Worry About ‘Financial Toxicity’ – WBUR
Financial Toxicity and Cancer Treatment (PDQ®) – National Institute of Cancer
Commentary on Twitter
Financial toxicity for patients with breast cancer (pooled): 78% in LMICs and 35% in HICs; much higher than other health conditions, including other cancers. Policies to address this huge burden are critical to improve financial and health outcomes. https://t.co/eaB7nCvurU
— JAMA Network Open (@JAMANetworkOpen) February 9, 2023
SR | Antipsychotic exposure is an independent risk factor for breast cancer
17 Feb, 2023 | 12:41h | UTC
RCT | Laser treatment does not improve sexual dysfunction in survivors of breast cancer
16 Feb, 2023 | 15:19h | UTCInvited commentary: Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause and the False Promise of Vaginal Laser Therapy – JAMA Network Open
Related:
RCT | Laser no better than sham treatment for genitourinary syndrome of menopause
M-A | Carbon dioxide laser vs. vaginal estrogen for genitourinary syndrome of menopause.
Perspective: From vaginal laser treatment to spa breaks – it’s the great menopause gold rush.
Commentary on Twitter
The LIGHT Trial RCT: Vaginal laser therapy does not improve sexual dysfunction/genitourinary syndrome of menopause in breast cancer survivors receiving aromatase inhibitors when added to first line therapy based on moisturizers and vibrator stimulation. https://t.co/jdVDgHe9HC
— JAMA Network Open (@JAMANetworkOpen) February 10, 2023
RCT | Adjuvant nivolumab plus ipilimumab not better than placebo for localized renal cell carcinoma after nephrectomy
16 Feb, 2023 | 15:15h | UTCAdjuvant nivolumab plus ipilimumab versus placebo for localised renal cell carcinoma after nephrectomy (CheckMate 914): a double-blind, randomised, phase 3 trial – The Lancet (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
Reconstructive burnout after mastectomy: implications for patient selection
16 Feb, 2023 | 15:02h | UTCCommentary: One in Four Patients Experience Breast Reconstruction Burnout – HealthDay
Digital health interventions for adult patients with cancer evaluated in randomized controlled trials: scoping review
16 Feb, 2023 | 14:45h | UTC
RCT | Pembrolizumab vs. placebo as second-line therapy in patients from Asia with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma
16 Feb, 2023 | 14:40h | UTCCommentary: KEYNOTE-394: Pembrolizumab as Second-Line Therapy in Asian Patients With Advanced HCC – The ASCO Post
Development and validation of a genomic profile for the omission of local adjuvant radiation in breast cancer
16 Feb, 2023 | 14:39h | UTC
Recent advances in the classification of gynecological tract tumors: updates from the 5th edition of the WHO “Blue Book”
16 Feb, 2023 | 14:35h | UTC
RCT | Preoperative MRI in breast cancer did not influence local relapse-free survival, overall survival, or reoperation rates
15 Feb, 2023 | 15:57h | UTCSummary: This study investigated the impact of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on survival and surgical outcomes in conservative surgery for breast cancer. The randomized controlled trial included female participants with stage 0-III breast cancer, eligible for breast-conserving surgery. The study found that preoperative MRI increased the rate of mastectomies by 8% compared to routine radiologic exams using mammography and ultrasound. However, preoperative MRI did not impact the rates of local relapse-free survival, overall survival, or reoperation.*
*Note: This summary was created through the collaboration of a medical editor and ChatGPT.
Position Statement | Immune checkpoint inhibitors and endocrine disorders
14 Feb, 2023 | 10:50h | UTCRelated:
Design, power, and alpha levels in randomized phase II oncology trials
14 Feb, 2023 | 10:40h | UTCSummary: This study examined the methodology, reporting, and bias in the interpretation of outcomes in randomized phase II oncology trials. It found that many trials failed to report essential data for determining sample size calculations, did not use a comparator to determine efficacy, and had positive conclusions even though the results were indeterminate or the primary endpoint was not met. The study concluded that phase II trials need to adhere to the same reporting standards and be interpreted in the context of their primary endpoint and endpoints important for the patient.
(By ChatGPT, reviewed and edited)
Article: Design, power, and alpha levels in randomized phase II oncology trials – ESMO Open
M-A | Predictors of survival to immunotherapy and chemoimmunotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer
14 Feb, 2023 | 10:34h | UTC
Perspective | Five new realities in critical care for patients with cancer
13 Feb, 2023 | 12:53h | UTCFive new realities in critical care for patients with cancer – Intensive Care Medicine
Related:
Consensus Conference: Critically ill cancer patient’s resuscitation.
Raising awareness for time-limited trial discussion upon ICU triage and admission.
Commentary on Twitter
New realities in critical care for pts with cancer
1️⃣ serious illness no longer means end of life
2️⃣ novel cancer therapies: changing outcomes but creating new diseases
3️⃣ take fresh look at ARF
4️⃣ goals of care & time‑limited trial
5️⃣ look beyond #ICU
📖 https://t.co/ZRNQD6AMIw pic.twitter.com/5QoYVSq5Br— Intensive Care Medicine (@yourICM) February 10, 2023
Guideline | Barrett’s esophagus and stage 1 esophageal adenocarcinoma: monitoring and management
13 Feb, 2023 | 12:49h | UTC
Umbrella review of basket trials testing a drug in tumors with actionable genetic biomarkers
13 Feb, 2023 | 12:26h | UTC
RCT | Hyaluronic acid spacer for hypofractionated prostate radiation therapy
13 Feb, 2023 | 12:25h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
Multicenter randomized clin trial in prostate cancer tested presence or absence of hyaluronic acid rectal spacer before receiving hypofractionated radiation, showed acute grade >2 GI toxicity in 2.9% of pts w/spacer vs. 13.8% in control group #PCSM #RadOnc https://t.co/eTifx0b1x2
— JAMA Oncology (@JAMAOnc) February 9, 2023
RCT | AI improves nodule detection on chest radiographs in a health screening population
10 Feb, 2023 | 13:55h | UTCNews Release: AI Improves Lung Nodule Detection on Chest X-Rays – RSNA News
Opinion | Interpreting the results from the first randomized controlled trial of colonoscopy: does it save lives?
10 Feb, 2023 | 13:54h | UTCOriginal Study: RCT | Effect of colonoscopy screening on risks of colorectal cancer and related death.
RCT | Sublobar resection noninferior to lobal resection for peripheral stage IA non–small-cell lung cancer
9 Feb, 2023 | 14:05h | UTCLobar or Sublobar Resection for Peripheral Stage IA Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
News Release: Less lung tissue removal needed for early-stage cancer, study finds – Weill Cornell Medical College
Related:
Segmentectomy versus lobectomy in small-sized peripheral non-small-cell lung cancer (JCOG0802/WJOG4607L): a multicentre, open-label, phase 3, randomised, controlled, non-inferiority trial – The Lancet (link to abstract – $ for full-text)
RCT | Effects of the interval between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery in rectal cancer
9 Feb, 2023 | 13:45h | UTC
Commentary on Twitter
Single centre #RCT of surgery for T3/4 N+ #rectalcancer before or after 8 weeks of CRT
🧑🤝🧑350 patients
⚖️no difference locoregional recurrence
Distant mets more common in delayed group at 5yrs
DFS and OS similar#some4surgery @SEIQuirurgica @asgbi https://t.co/4evsKNKKK1 pic.twitter.com/CxI0GJdG56— BJS Open (@BjsOpen) October 24, 2022
M-A | Treatment-related adverse events associated with HER2-Targeted antibody-drug conjugates in clinical trials
9 Feb, 2023 | 13:37h | UTC