Articles related to Oncology, Medical

Source: MedPage Today (from JAMA Oncology)Design: Analysis was from a previously published prospective cohort study that evaluated the rates of antibody response to Pfizer’s vaccine in 102 cancer patients who were on active treatment compared with 78 healthy controls. A fourth of the patients were undergoing treatment for lung cancer, 26% for gastrointestinal cancers, and 18% for breast cancer.Results: After four months from the second dose of Pfizer’s mRNA vaccine, 87% of cancer patients who had been on active treatment continued to produce COVID-19 antibodies.

Publication: JAMA Oncology Design: An analysis of data from the I-SPY2 randomized clinical trial that included 938 women with breast cancer.Results: In this randomized clinical trial, the prognostic significance of RCB was consistent regardless of cancer subtype and treatment.

Review Publication: Hematology AdvisorDesign: At the Annual Meeting of the Society of Hematologic Oncology, researchers presented a study identifying a higher percentage of patients with germline predisposition syndromes (GPS).Results: Following a review of medical records of patients diagnosed with GPS between 1994 and 2018, the investigators reported that the detection of GPS positively impacted medical care in 91% of cases, including proper selection of a bone marrow donor, selection of drug and conditioning regimens, and genetic counseling.

How could complete silence possibly be considered music (John Cage’s 4’33”), or a blank canvas a masterpiece of art (Robert Rauschenberg’s White Painting)? This oncology medical student explains how after truly listening to a dying patient’s wishes, the student’s silence provided the canvas for the patient’s thoughts, becoming an advocate for his needs: “Silence is not merely the absence of sound but rather an invitation for others to be heard.”

The inaugural report of the ASH Research Collaborative (RC) COVID-19 Registry for Hematology, published in Blood Advances, is based on an analysis of the first 250 patients with both hematologic malignancy and COVID-19 registered from 74 countries. The analysis showed that the mortality risk (28% overall and increased to 42% among hospitalized patients with COVID-19) was heterogenous and unpredictable, further challenging doctors when allocating resources and determining which patients receive intensive care.

Available from Guideline Central, the free, quick-reference print and digital pocket guide covers the most recent American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Hepatocellular Carcinoma Guidelines. Accessed by web and offline mobile devices, the pocket guide covers key points, treatment, first- and second-line therapies, a downloadable PDF, and links to other resources in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.