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Journal of Lower Genital Tract Disease Apr 2022Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is a premalignant condition with high recurrence rates despite treatment. Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia develops through...
OBJECTIVE
Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is a premalignant condition with high recurrence rates despite treatment. Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia develops through separate etiologic pathways relative to the presence or absence of human papillomavirus (HPV) and TP53 mutations. This systematic review was conducted (1) to identify historical risk factors for the development, recurrence, and progression of VIN and (2) to critique these risk factors in the context of advances made in the stratification of VIN based on HPV or TP53 status.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic search was performed on MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Database, PsychInfo, and CINAHL from inception to July 5, 2021. Three gynecologic oncologists independently evaluated the eligibility of studies based on predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, abstracted data, and then analyzed the relevant data.
RESULTS
A total of 1,969 studies (involving 6,983 patients) were identified. Twenty-nine studies met inclusion criteria. The quality of evidence was low; primarily level 2b (Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine). Risk factors associated with the development of VIN include: smoking and coexisting vulvar dermatoses. Risk factors associated with recurrence include: smoking, multifocal disease, and positive surgical margins. Recent studies identified the presence of differentiated VIN/TP53 mutation as the most significant risk factor for both VIN recurrence and malignant progression.
CONCLUSIONS
The current body of evidence consists primarily of small retrospective observational studies. Well-designed retrospective case-control series and/or prospective observational studies are urgently needed. Ideally, future studies will collect standardized data regarding associated risk factors and stratify women with VIN based on HPV and TP53 status.
Topics: Carcinoma in Situ; Female; Humans; Observational Studies as Topic; Papillomaviridae; Papillomavirus Infections; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Vulvar Neoplasms
PubMed: 35249976
DOI: 10.1097/LGT.0000000000000662 -
Journal of Thoracic Oncology : Official... Aug 2011Greater understanding of molecular pathways important in cell growth and proliferation of thoracic malignancies, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), has... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Greater understanding of molecular pathways important in cell growth and proliferation of thoracic malignancies, particularly non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), has resulted in intense clinical and translational research. There is now considerable interest in personalizing treatment based on an understanding of tumor histology and molecular abnormalities. However, there is a multiplicity of data, often with discordant results resulting in confusion and uncertainty among clinicians.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and a consensus meeting of Canadian lung cancer oncologists and pathologists to make recommendations on the use of biomarkers in NSCLC. PubMed covering 2005 to March 2010 was searched using MESH terms for NSCLC and randomized trials, plus text words for the biomarkers of interest. Conference proceedings from 2005 to 2009 ASCO, ESMO, IASLC, and USCAP were also searched. The articles were reviewed by pairs of oncologists and pathologists to determine eligibility for inclusion.
RESULTS
Ten oncologists and pathologists reviewed and summarized the literature at a meeting attended by 37 individuals. Draft recommendations were formulated and agreed upon by consensus process. There is some evidence that histology is prognostic for survival. There is evidence from multiple randomized clinical trials to recommend the following: histologic subtype is predictive of treatment efficacy and for some agents toxicity. Immunohistochemistry testing should be performed on NSCLC specimens that cannot be classified accurately with conventional H&E staining. As EGFR mutations are predictive of benefit from tyrosine kinase inhibitors, diagnostic NSCLC samples should be routinely tested for EGFR-activating mutations. Clinical data on K-RAS mutations are inconsistent, therefore testing is not recommended. There is insufficient evidence to recommend other biomarker testing. No biomarkers to date reliably predict improved efficacy for anti-VEGF therapy. Routine assessment for EML4/ALK mutations is not recommended at present, although emerging data suggest that it may become valuable in the near future.
CONCLUSIONS
Assessment of NSCLC biomarkers is becoming increasingly important. Therefore, adequate diagnostic material must be obtained for accurate histologic subtyping and relevant molecular biology assays.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Canada; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Clinical Trials as Topic; Consensus; Humans; Lung Neoplasms; Practice Guidelines as Topic
PubMed: 21709590
DOI: 10.1097/JTO.0b013e318220cb8e -
Cureus Oct 2022In the treatment of various patients, the presence of lymphovascular invasion is a prognostic determinant, often taken into account by surgeons and oncologists. The... (Review)
Review
Lymph Node Involvement and the Clinical Stage as Predictors of the Survival of Patients With Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
In the treatment of various patients, the presence of lymphovascular invasion is a prognostic determinant, often taken into account by surgeons and oncologists. The exact frequency and prognostic impacts of this microscopic event in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) patients are, however, not clear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the lymph node involvement and the clinical stage of cancer as predictors of ACC prognosis. A systematic search was conducted covering a number of databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and EBSCO. A total of three studies were included in this analysis, with 591 participants, 247 of whom were males. Lymph node involvement and clinical stage were demonstrated as significant bad prognosis factors among ACC patients (HR = 1.48, 95% CI, 1.00, 1.96; P<0.0001). We found that lymph node involvement and clinical stage of the cancer are both significant predictors of bad prognosis of ACC.
PubMed: 36447733
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.30780 -
The Oncologist Feb 2020The Institute of Medicine recommends that survivorship care plans (SCPs) be included in cancer survivorship care. Our meta-analysis compares patient-reported outcomes... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
The Institute of Medicine recommends that survivorship care plans (SCPs) be included in cancer survivorship care. Our meta-analysis compares patient-reported outcomes between SCP and no SCP (control) conditions for cancer survivors. Our systematic review examines the feasibility of implementing SCPs from survivors' and health care professionals' perspectives and the impact of SCPs on health care professionals' knowledge and survivorship care provision.
METHODS
We searched seven online databases (inception to April 22, 2018) for articles assessing SCP feasibility and health care professional outcomes. Randomized controlled trials comparing patient-reported outcomes for SCP recipients versus controls were eligible for the meta-analysis. We performed random-effects meta-analyses using pooled standardized mean differences for each patient-reported outcome.
RESULTS
Eight articles were eligible for the meta-analysis (n = 1,286 survivors) and 50 for the systematic review (n = 18,949 survivors; n = 3,739 health care professionals). There were no significant differences between SCP recipients and controls at 6 months postintervention on self-reported cancer and survivorship knowledge, physical functioning, satisfaction with information provision, or self-efficacy or at 12 months on anxiety, cancer-specific distress, depression, or satisfaction with follow-up care. SCPs appear to be acceptable and potentially improve survivors' adherence to medical recommendations and health care professionals' knowledge of survivorship care and late effects.
CONCLUSION
SCPs appear feasible but do not improve survivors' patient-reported outcomes. Research should ascertain whether this is due to SCP ineffectiveness, implementation issues, or inappropriate research design of comparative effectiveness studies.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
Several organizations recommend that cancer survivors receive a survivorship care plan (SCP) after their cancer treatment; however, the impact of SCPs on cancer survivors and health care professionals is unclear. This systematic review suggests that although SCPs appear to be feasible and may improve health care professionals' knowledge of late effects and survivorship care, there is no evidence that SCPs affect cancer survivors' patient-reported outcomes. In order to justify the ongoing implementation of SCPs, additional research should evaluate SCP implementation and the research design of comparative effectiveness studies. Discussion may also be needed regarding the possibility that SCPs are fundamentally ineffective.
Topics: Cancer Survivors; Humans; Neoplasms; Patient Care Planning; Survivors; Survivorship
PubMed: 32043786
DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2019-0184 -
The Oncologist 2011We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare treatment effectiveness and adverse effects in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy with palonosetron to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare treatment effectiveness and adverse effects in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy with palonosetron to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV).
METHODS
We identified randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT) comparing palonosetron with first-generation 5-HT3RA in the prevention of CINV in cancer patients. Meta-analyses were performed on homogeneous studies. Fixed or random-effects models were used to combine data.
RESULTS
Eight eligible trials were identified, reporting outcomes on 3,592 patients. Meta-analyses showed statistically significant differences in favor of palonosetron compared with first-generation 5-HT3RA in prevention of acute CINV (p = .0003), delayed CINV (p < .00001), and overall phase of CINV (p < .00001). Subgroup analyses showed statistically significant differences in favor of both 0.25 mg and 0.75 mg of palonosetron in prevention of all phases of CINV. There were no statistically significant differences between 0.25 and 0.75 mg of palonosetron. Compared with the first-generation 5-HT3RA, 0.75 mg of palonosetron showed a statistically significant difference in the occurrence of constipation (p = .04).
INTERPRETATION
The use of palonosetron should be considered an integral part of adjuvant therapy for prevention of the acute, delayed, and overall phases of CINV. The 0.25 mg intravenous palonosetron dose is as effective as the 0.75 mg intravenous palonosetron dose. However, 0.75 mg intravenous palonosetron causes constipation more frequently than the first-generation 5-HT3RA.
Topics: Adult; Antiemetics; Antineoplastic Agents; Constipation; Dexamethasone; Headache; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Isoquinolines; Nausea; Neoplasms; Palonosetron; Quinuclidines; Serotonin 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists; Treatment Outcome; Vomiting
PubMed: 21282670
DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2010-0198 -
Reports of Practical Oncology and... 2020To assess the educational needs, role and perceptions in palliative care issues of radiation oncologists (ROs) and trainees. (Review)
Review
AIM
To assess the educational needs, role and perceptions in palliative care issues of radiation oncologists (ROs) and trainees.
BACKGROUND
1/3 of radiotherapy patients are treated with palliative intent. Conversely, education and role that ROs have in the palliative care process are not well established, neither in terms of how they perceive their competence nor whether it is important to improve training, research and attention in palliative care issues at radiotherapy congresses.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Literature systematic review in National Library of Medicine and Cochrane databases with 11 relevant issues to be identified. One doctor made first selection of articles, a second one confirmed their eligibility.
RESULTS
722 articles reviewed, 19 selected. 100% recognize the importance of palliative care in radiotherapy, 89.4% the need of training in palliative care for ROs, 68.4% the necessity of improving the resident programs, 63.1% the importance of skilled ROs in palliative care, 63.1% the need of better communication skills and pain management (47.3%), 52.6%, the perception of inadequate training in palliative care, 36.8% the lack of research and palliative care topics in radiotherapy meetings, 21% the absence of adequate guidelines regarding palliative care approaches, 42.1% the importance of the ROs in palliative care teams and 26.3% the lack of their involvement.
CONCLUSION
Palliative care has an important role in radiotherapy but it seems ROs still need more training. It is necessary to improve training programs, increment palliative care research in radiotherapy, giving more attention to palliative care themes at radiotherapy congresses. This could lead to a better integration of radiotherapists in multidisciplinary palliative care teams in the future.
PubMed: 33093812
DOI: 10.1016/j.rpor.2020.09.007 -
The Oncologist Feb 2023Patient decision aids (PDAs) are tools designed to facilitate decision-making. In this systematic review, we summarized existing studies on the development and...
BACKGROUND
Patient decision aids (PDAs) are tools designed to facilitate decision-making. In this systematic review, we summarized existing studies on the development and evaluation of PDAs for patients with hematologic malignancies.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched for articles in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov. We included studies, abstracts, and clinical trial protocols available in English involving PDAs for patients age ≥18 diagnosed with a hematologic malignancy and/or their caregivers. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS
Of the 5281 titles/abstracts screened, 15 were included: 1 protocol, 7 abstracts, and 7 full-texts. Six were PDA developmental studies, 6 were pilot studies, and 3 were randomized trials. PDA formats included electronic with web content, videos, and/or audio, questionnaires, bedside instruments, and a combination of various formats. Average participant age ranged from 36.0 to 62.4 years. Patients and caregivers identified efficacy, adverse effects, cost, and quality of life as important decision-making factors. PDAs were associated with increased knowledge and patient satisfaction as well as decreased decisional conflict and attitudinal barriers. Research on PDAs for adult patients with hematologic malignancies and their caregivers is limited. Among the studies, PDAs appear to support patients in shared decision-making.
CONCLUSION
While current literature examining the use of PDAs for adults with hematologic malignancies is limited, the positive impact of PDAs on shared decision-making and patient outcomes warrants additional research in this field.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Middle Aged; Decision Support Techniques; Quality of Life; Patient Satisfaction; Decision Making, Shared; Pilot Projects
PubMed: 36342114
DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyac231 -
Journal of the American Heart... Dec 2017The cardiovascular complications of cancer therapeutics are the focus of the burgeoning field of cardio-oncology. A common challenge in this field is the impact of... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The cardiovascular complications of cancer therapeutics are the focus of the burgeoning field of cardio-oncology. A common challenge in this field is the impact of cancer drugs on cardiac repolarization (ie, QT prolongation) and the potential risk for the life-threatening arrhythmia torsades de pointes. Although QT prolongation is not a perfect marker of arrhythmia risk, this has become a primary safety metric among oncologists. Cardiologists caring for patients receiving cancer treatment should become familiar with the drugs associated with QT prolongation, its incidence, and appropriate management strategies to provide meaningful consultation in this complex clinical scenario.
METHODS AND RESULTS
In this article, we performed a systematic review (using Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines) of commonly used cancer drugs to determine the incidence of QT prolongation and clinically relevant arrhythmias. We calculated summary estimates of the incidence of all and clinically relevant QT prolongation as well as arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. We then describe strategies to prevent, identify, and manage QT prolongation in patients receiving cancer therapy. We identified a total of 173 relevant publications. The weighted incidence of any corrected QT (QTc) prolongation in our systematic review in patients treated with conventional therapies (eg, anthracyclines) ranged from 0% to 22%, although QTc >500 ms, arrhythmias, or sudden cardiac death was extremely rare. The risk of QTc prolongation with targeted therapies (eg, small molecular tyrosine kinase inhibitors) ranged between 0% and 22.7% with severe prolongation (QTc >500 ms) reported in 0% to 5.2% of the patients. Arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death were rare.
CONCLUSIONS
Our systematic review demonstrates that there is variability in the incidence of QTc prolongation of various cancer drugs; however, the clinical consequence, as defined by arrhythmias or sudden cardiac death, remains rare.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Death, Sudden, Cardiac; Electrocardiography; Global Health; Humans; Incidence; Long QT Syndrome; Neoplasms
PubMed: 29217664
DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.117.007724 -
Pediatric Blood & Cancer Jan 2017Pegylated-asparaginase (PEG-ASP) is a critical treatment for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and has traditionally been delivered via intramuscular (IM)... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study Meta-Analysis Review
Comparison of hypersensitivity rates to intravenous and intramuscular PEG-asparaginase in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A meta-analysis and systematic review.
BACKGROUND
Pegylated-asparaginase (PEG-ASP) is a critical treatment for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and has traditionally been delivered via intramuscular (IM) injection. In an attempt to reduce pain and anxiety, PEG-ASP has increasingly been delivered via intravenous (IV) administration. The study objective was to perform a meta-analysis and systematic review to compare and generate pooled hypersensitivity rates for IM and IV PEG-ASP.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted for all epidemiological studies that investigated IV and IM hypersensitivity rates for pediatric ALL. Included studies were critically appraised using the GRACE checklist. Pooled estimates and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for IM and IV hypersensitivity rates were derived based on either a random or fixed effects model.
RESULTS
Four studies satisfied the inclusion criteria and were of adequate quality. The random effects pooled hypersensitivity rates were 23.5% (95% CI 14.7-33.7) and 8.7% (95% CI 5.4-12.8) for IV and IM, respectively. The fixed effects pooled odds ratio after adjusting for publication bias was 2.49 (95% CI 1.62-3.83), indicating a significantly higher risk of hypersensitivity for IV over IM PEG-ASP. This risk is far more pronounced for high-risk (HR) patients compared with standard-risk (SR) patients (IV vs. IM: HR ↑35.2% and SR ↓2.9%).
CONCLUSIONS
Although administering PEG-ASP through IV is preferable for patients, it poses a significantly higher risk of hypersensitivity when compared with IM administration, especially for HR patients. We recommend pediatric oncologists consider treating patients with HR pediatric ALL with IM PEG-ASP to reduce the risk of hypersensitivity.
Topics: Administration, Intravenous; Asparaginase; Drug Hypersensitivity; Humans; Injections, Intramuscular; Polyethylene Glycols; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma; Prognosis
PubMed: 27578304
DOI: 10.1002/pbc.26200 -
The Oncologist Oct 2023HER2 overexpression/amplification in patients with RAS wild-type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) may be associated with resistance to standard-of-care anti-EGFR... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
HER2 overexpression/amplification in patients with RAS wild-type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) may be associated with resistance to standard-of-care anti-EGFR therapies. Given the lack of comprehensive investigations into this association, we assessed the prognostic or predictive effect of HER2 amplification/overexpression on anti-EGFR treatment outcomes.
METHODS
A systematic review of MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library (2001-2021) identified studies evaluating progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), and overall survival (OS) in HER2-positive vs. HER2-negative patients with RAS WT mCRC who received anti-EGFR treatments and whose HER2 status was known. Meta-analyses of proportions (ORR) and hazard ratios (PFS, OS) were performed using random-effect models with pre-specified sensitivity analyses.
RESULTS
Five high-quality retrospective cohort studies were included in the meta-analyses representing 594 patients with mCRC. All patients received anti-EGFR treatment, either as monotherapy or in combination with chemotherapy. Meta-analysis of PFS demonstrated a 2.84-fold higher risk of death or progression (95% CI, 1.44-5.60) in patients with HER2-positive (vs. HER2-negative) RAS WT mCRC treated with anti-EGFR regimens. The odds of response to anti-EGFR treatment were 2-fold higher in HER2-negative vs. HER2-positive (odds ratio, 1.96 [95% CI, 1.10-3.48]). Differences in OS were not statistically significant. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of the base-case estimates.
CONCLUSIONS
While this study could not account for all confounding factors, in patients with RAS WT mCRC who received anti-EGFR therapy, HER2 overexpression/amplification was associated with worse PFS and ORR and may therefore predict poorer outcomes. HER2 testing is important to inform treatment decisions and could optimize outcomes for patients.
Topics: Humans; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Colorectal Neoplasms; Retrospective Studies; ErbB Receptors; Panitumumab; Colonic Neoplasms; Rectal Neoplasms; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras); Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
PubMed: 37463037
DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyad200