Articles related to Oncology, Medical

Publication: JAMADesign: Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial performed in six hospices in the Netherlands of 162 patients with a life expectancy of three or more days. Administration of subcutaneous scopolamine butylbromide, 20 mg four times a day (n = 79) or placebo (n=78) in the 157 patients included in the primary analysis.Results: A death rattle occurred in 10 patients (13%) in the scopolamine group compared with 21 patients (27%) in the placebo group.

Bone marrow failure in children and young adults is often suspected to be inherited; however, in many cases, diagnosis remains uncertain. A new study involving 179 patients (from 173 families) found that implementing precision medicine at diagnosis can improve patient management, along with the use of family counseling. This study published in Blood expands the “portrait” of IBMF syndromes and explores some newly recognized disease entities.

Surgery still offers the best chance of cure for patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). However, for locally advanced or metastatic well-differentiated tumors, medical therapy including theranostics, targeted therapies, and chemotherapy can all play a role. Clinical Advances in Hematology & Oncology reviews the diagnosis and management of these tumors.

In this series from Blood that tackles four cases studies, the outcomes of AML pediatric patients compared to children with ALL is explored, focusing on the emerging new treatments venetoclax (Venclexta; AbbVie/Genentech), CD33- and CD123-directed CAR T-cell therapy, CD123-directed antibody therapy, and menin inhibitors.

The FDA has required that Amgen compare its approved KRAS-targeted therapy sotorasib (Lumakras) 960-mg dose with a 240-mg dose as one of its accelerated approval post-marketing requirements, a paradigm-shifting event that signals new scrutiny around determining the labeled dose for targeted oncology drugs, which still follow outdated maximum tolerated dose (MTD) principles in cytotoxic agents.

Publication: ASH Clinical NewsOriginal Source: Journal of the National Care InstituteDesign: Assessment of longitudinal changes in memory, attention, and executive function in men and women with lymphoma (n=248; 62.5% male) prior to and six months after initiation of chemotherapy. A group of age- and sex-matched people without cancer was used as a control arm (n=212; 59% male).Results: At baseline, patients with lymphoma self-reported significantly more issues on the FACT-Cog scale (perceived cognitive impairment [PCI] and total scores) compared with sex-matched controls (p<0.05). In addition, patients with lymphoma reported significantly more attentional difficulty (p=0.01) and significantly greater PCI (p<0.03).