Non-medicinal oral contrast in upper abdominal MRI for MR-guided radiotherapy: A scoping review.

Introduction: Using non-medicinal oral contrast agents may aid safe delivery of magnetic resonance image-guided (MR-guided) radiotherapy by improving the ability to visualise and avoid excessive radiation dose to adjacent bowel/stomach. This scoping review aims to map the literature on non-medicinal oral contrasts used in upper-abdominal diagnostic or therapeutic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to find potential candidates for employing in MR-guided radiotherapy and identify gaps in knowledge for further study.

Methods: A scoping review of non-medicinal oral contrast used in upper-abdominal MRI research followed a pre-defined protocol based on Arksey and O'Malley's framework.

PLA2R autoantibodies, a multifaceted biomarker in nephrotic syndrome and membranous nephropathy.

Background And Hypothesis: The PLA2R antibody test is a valuable first-line diagnostic tool for primary membranous nephropathy (MN), helping to identify PLA2R-related MN and potentially eliminating the need for a kidney biopsy in some individuals. By reducing the reliance on biopsies, the test streamlines diagnosis and improves patient care. However, determining the optimal PLA2R measurement method and cut-off is critical to maximising the benefits of the test and minimising any harms.

Temporary treatment cessation compared with continuation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors for adults with renal cancer: the STAR non-inferiority RCT.

Background: There is interest in using treatment breaks in oncology, to reduce toxicity without compromising efficacy.

Trial Design: A Phase II/III multicentre, open-label, parallel-group, randomised controlled non-inferiority trial assessing treatment breaks in patients with renal cell carcinoma.

Methods: Patients with locally advanced or metastatic renal cell carcinoma, starting tyrosine kinase inhibitor as first-line treatment at United Kingdom National Health Service hospitals.

The Prehabilitation Radiotherapy Exercise, smoking Habit cessation and Balanced diet Study (PREHABS) protocol to explore the feasibility of embedding behavioural modifications into the clinical pathway for patients undergoing radical radiotherapy for lung cancer.

Unlabelled: Patients with curable non-surgical lung cancer are often current smokers, have co-existing medical comorbidities and are treated with curative radiotherapy. To maximise the benefits of modern radiotherapy, there is an urgent need to optimise the patient's health to improve survival and quality of life.

Methods And Analysis: The Yorkshire Cancer Research-funded Prehabilitation Radiotherapy Exercise, smoking Habit cessation and Balanced diet Study (PREHABS) (L426) is a single-centre prospective feasibility study to assess embedding behavioural changes into the radical radiotherapy pathway of patients with lung cancer.

Integrating the patients' voice in designing and delivering a research study: The Yorkshire Cancer Research funded PREHABS study's experience.

Introduction: Engaging with patients when designing a clinical or research project is beneficial; feedback from the intended audience provides invaluable insight form the patients' perspective. Working with patients can result in developing successful research grants and interventions. The benefit of including the voice of the patient in the Yorkshire Cancer Research funded PREHABS study is described in this article.

Temporary treatment cessation versus continuation of first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitor in patients with advanced clear cell renal cell carcinoma (STAR): an open-label, non-inferiority, randomised, controlled, phase 2/3 trial.

Background: Temporary drug treatment cessation might alleviate toxicity without substantially compromising efficacy in patients with cancer. We aimed to determine if 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.

Methods: This open-label, non-inferiority, randomised, controlled, phase 2/3 trial was done at 60 hospital sites in the UK.

Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation for Patients with Lung Cancer: A Review of Where we are Today.

Lung cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the UK, with nearly 50 000 new cases diagnosed a year. Treatments for lung cancer have improved in recent years with the advent of new surgical and radiotherapy techniques and the increased use of immunotherapies. These advances have resulted in increasing numbers of patients surviving beyond the completion of their treatment.

The DANTE trial protocol: a randomised phase III trial to evaluate the Duration of ANti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody Treatment in patients with metastatic mElanoma.

Background: Immunotherapy is revolutionising the treatment of patients diagnosed with melanoma and other cancers. The first immune checkpoint inhibitor, ipilimumab (targeting cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4)), showed a survival advantage over standard chemotherapy. Subsequently the anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibodies, nivolumab and pembrolizumab were shown to be more effective than ipilimumab.

SABRTooth: a randomised controlled feasibility study of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) with surgery in patients with peripheral stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer considered to be at higher risk of complications from surgical resection.

Objectives: Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is a well-established treatment for medically inoperable peripheral stage I nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Previous nonrandomised evidence supports SABR as an alternative to surgery, but high-quality randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence is lacking. The SABRTooth study aimed to establish whether a UK phase III RCT was feasible.

New models of care: a liaison psychiatry service for medically unexplained symptoms and frequent attenders in primary care.

This paper describes the process of setting up and the early results from a new liaison psychiatry service in primary care for people identified as frequent general practice attenders with long-term conditions or medically unexplained symptoms. Using a rapid evidence synthesis, we identified existing service models, mechanisms to identify and refer patients, and outcomes for the service. Considering this evidence, with local contingencies we defined options and resources.

Erratum to: The SABRTooth feasibility trial protocol: a study to determine the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a phase III randomised controlled trial comparing stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) with surgery in patients with peripheral stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) considered to be at higher risk of complications from surgical resection.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s40814-016-0046-2.].

The SABRTooth feasibility trial protocol: a study to determine the feasibility and acceptability of conducting a phase III randomised controlled trial comparing stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) with surgery in patients with peripheral stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) considered to be at higher risk of complications from surgical resection.

Background: Stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is potentially curable, and surgery is considered to be the standard of care for patients with good performance status and minimal co-morbidity. However, a significant proportion of patients with stage I NSCLC have a poorer performance status and significant medical co-morbidity that make them at higher risk of morbidity and mortality from surgery. Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR), which uses modern radiotherapeutic techniques to deliver large doses of radiation, has shown superiority over conventional radiotherapy in terms of local control and toxicity and is a standard of care for patients with stage I NSCLC who are at too high risk for surgery.

Can service integration work for universal health coverage? Evidence from around the globe.

Universal health coverage (UHC) is at the heart of the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Health service integration is seen by World Health Organization as an essential requirement to achieve UHC. However, to date the debate on service integration has focused on perceived benefits rather than empirical impact.

The use of cognitive interviewing methodology in the design and testing of a screening tool for supportive and palliative care needs.

Goals Of Work: The authors describe the use of cognitive interviewing methodology in the development of a new supportive and palliative care screening measure to identify the specialist supportive and palliative care needs of patients with an advanced illness.

Materials And Methods: A draft screening measure was developed by literature reviewing and consultation with patients, carers and health and social care professionals. Using this draft, cognitive interviews were conducted with six professionals and one consumer using the 'thinking aloud technique' to assess the perception, usefulness and interpretation of each question on the measure.

Fluticasone at different doses for chronic asthma in adults and children.

Background: Inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) is a high-potency inhaled corticosteroid used in the treatment of asthma.

Objectives: 1. To assess the efficacy and safety outcomes of inhaled fluticasone at different nominal daily doses in the treatment of chronic asthma.

Fluticasone versus placebo for chronic asthma in adults and children.

Background: Inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) is a relatively new inhaled corticosteroid for the treatment of asthma.

Objectives: To assess efficacy and safety outcomes in studies that compared FP to placebo for treatment of chronic asthma.

Search Strategy: We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Specialised Register (January 2008), reference lists of articles, contacted trialists and searched abstracts of major respiratory society meetings (1997-2006).

Holding chambers versus nebulisers for inhaled steroids in chronic asthma.

Background: Inhaled corticosteroids are available in the form of a suspension for nebulisation, although the role of this mode of therapy in the treatment of chronic asthma is still unclear.

Objectives: To assess the efficacy and safety of inhaled corticosteroids delivered via nebuliser versus holding chamber for the treatment of chronic asthma.

Search Strategy: We searched the Cochrane Airways Group Trial Register (1999) and reference lists of articles.

Fluticasone versus placebo for chronic asthma in adults and children.

Background: Inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) is a relatively new inhaled corticosteroid for the treatment of asthma.

Objectives: 1. To assess efficacy and safety outcomes in studies that compared FP to placebo for treatment of chronic asthma.

Inhaled fluticasone at different doses for chronic asthma in adults and children.

Background: Inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) is a high-potency inhaled corticosteroid used in the treatment of asthma.

Objectives: 1. To assess the efficacy and safety outcomes of inhaled fluticasone at different nominal daily doses in the treatment of chronic asthma.

Inhaled fluticasone versus placebo for chronic asthma in adults and children.

Background: Inhaled fluticasone propionate (FP) is a relatively new inhaled corticosteroid for the treatment of asthma.

Objectives: 1. To assess efficacy and safety outcomes in studies that compared FP to placebo for treatment of chronic asthma.

Clinical service organisation for heart failure.

Background: Chronic heart failure (CHF) is a serious, common condition associated with frequent hospitalisation. Several different disease management interventions (clinical service organisation interventions) for patients with CHF have been proposed.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of disease management interventions for patients with CHF.

Inhaled fluticasone versus inhaled beclomethasone or inhaled budesonide for chronic asthma in adults and children.

Background: Beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) and budesonide (BUD) are commonly prescribed inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of asthma. Fluticasone propionate (FP) is newer agent with greater potency in in-vitro assays.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and safety of Fluticasone to Beclomethasone or Budesonide in the treatment of chronic asthma.

Inhaled beclomethasone versus placebo for chronic asthma.

Background: Inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) has been, together with inhaled budesonide, the mainstay of anti-inflammatory therapy for asthma for many years. A range of new prophylactic therapies for asthma is becoming available and BDP has been reformulated using a hydrofluoroalkane-134a (HFA) propellant which is free from chlorofluorocarbon (CFC).

Objectives: The objectives of this review were to: (1) Compare the efficacy of BDP with placebo with both CFC and HFA propellants in the treatment of chronic asthma.

Systematic review of the problems and issues of accessing specialist palliative care by patients, carers and health and social care professionals.

Objectives: To determine the problems and issues of accessing specialist palliative care by patients, informal carers and health and social care professionals involved in their care in primary and secondary care settings.

Data Sources: Eleven electronic databases (medical, health-related and social science) were searched from the beginning of 1997 to October 2003. Palliative Medicine (January 1997-October 2003) was also hand-searched.