Later lines of systemic therapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer: real-world data from a setting with barriers to access cancer therapies.

Background: Regorafenib and trifluridine/tipiracil (TFD/TPI) are oral systemic therapies with survival benefit in chemorefractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients, but they are not widely available worldwide. We aimed to evaluate the treatment patterns and outcomes of patients with limited access to these drugs.

Methods: Retrospective study involving 510 patients with mCRC who were treated at five different centers in Brazil, from January 2011 to December 2019.

Cancer-related health behaviors during the COVID 19 pandemic in geographically diverse samples across the US.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic involved business closures (e.g., gyms), social distancing policies, and prolonged stressful situations that may have impacted engagement in health behaviors.

Preexposure Prophylaxis and Intimate Partner Violence Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Global Scoping Review of the Literature.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) experience intimate partner violence (IPV) and are at an elevated risk of HIV acquisition. Preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is an effective preventative measure against HIV. However, its adoption and consistent use among MSM, especially those experiencing IPV, is low.

Cost-effectiveness of CDK4/6 inhibitors in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK 4/6) inhibitors have emerged as a significant advancement in the treatment of HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Despite the clinical efficacy of CDK 4/6 inhibitors in HR+/HER2- metastatic breast cancer, there remains a significant gap in understanding their cost-effectiveness, particularly regarding the long-term economic impact and the key drivers of costs, when used in combination with endocrine therapy. This study aims to systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis of cost-effectiveness studies evaluating CDK4/6 inhibitors in treatment of HR+/HER2- advanced breast cancer and identify key drivers of costs of CDK4/6 inhibitors in combination with endocrine therapy.

How new pharmacists handled COVID-19 misinformation: A qualitative study.

Background: New pharmacists, PharmD graduates of 2020 and 2021, faced the unique challenge of entering the workforce during the volatile and divisive COVID-19 pandemic. They had to navigate patient-driven misinformation while adapting to evolving roles, including the distribution and administration of COVID-19 vaccines. Understanding the experiences of new pharmacists during this period is crucial for professional development and patient care.

Drivers of citations in social pharmacy and practice research articles.

Background: Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy has been expanding in the last decade. The recently published Granada Statements offer key recommendations to improve the quality of research in this field.

Objectives: To identify the factors associated with the citations of articles in the field of social, administrative, clinical pharmacy and practice research.

Feasibility of precision smoking treatment in a low-income community setting: results of a pilot randomized controlled trial in The Southern Community Cohort Study.

Background: The feasibility of precision smoking treatment in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities has not been studied.

Methods: Participants in the Southern Community Cohort Study who smoked daily were invited to join a pilot randomized controlled trial of three smoking cessation interventions: guideline-based care (GBC), GBC plus nicotine metabolism-informed care (MIC), and GBC plus counseling guided by a polygenic risk score (PRS) for lung cancer. Feasibility was assessed by rates of study enrollment, engagement, and retention, targeting > 70% for each.

Drug policies' sensitivity towards women, pregnancy, and motherhood: a content analysis of national policy and programs from nine countries and their adherence to international guidelines.

Background And Objectives: Substance use in women is associated with unique psycho-social and physical vulnerabilities and poses complex challenges during pregnancy and motherhood. Gender-sensitive drug policy which considers the needs of women and their children could address these concerns. The objectives of this study were: (1) to systematically explore national-level drug policies' sensitivity and responsiveness to women, pregnant women, and children; and (2) to examine the adherence of drug policies with international guidelines for gender sensitivity in drug policy.

Part-Time and Cofunded Pharmacy Faculty and Their Perceptions of Professional and Organizational Identity Formation.

Objective: To gain a better understanding of professional and organizational identity formation and workplace climate issues among part-time and cofunded pharmacy faculty.

Methods: This study had a cross-sectional, prospective design using a semistructured interview guide developed by the researchers of this study. The interview guide drew themes from motivating language theory, social provisions, and previous research on professional identity.

Assessing patient-level knowledge of precision medicine in a community health center setting.

As precision medicine approaches are implemented, cancer treatment decisions have come to require comprehension of genetic tests and their role in risk stratification and treatment options. Acceptance and implementation of precision medicine requires patient understanding of numeracy, genetic literacy, health literacy, and medical trust. Implementing precision medicine in a US federally qualified community health center (FQCHC) setting has received little attention.

Tribbles 3 deficiency promotes atherosclerotic fibrous cap thickening and macrophage-mediated extracellular matrix remodelling.

Tribbles 3 (TRIB3) modulates lipid and glucose metabolism, macrophage lipid uptake, with a gain-of-function variant associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Here we set out to examine the role of this pseudokinase in atherosclerotic plaque development. Human endarterectomy atherosclerotic tissue specimens analysed by immunofluorescence showed upregulated TRIB3 in unstable plaques and an enrichment in unstable regions of stable plaques.

Dispositional optimism and optimistic bias: Associations with cessation motivation, confidence, and attitudes.

Objective: To test whether 2 conceptually overlapping constructs, dispositional optimism (generalized positive expectations) and optimistic bias (inaccurately low risk perceptions), may have different implications for smoking treatment engagement.

Method: Predominantly Black, low-income Southern Community Cohort study smokers (n = 880) self-reported dispositional optimism and pessimism (Life Orientation Test-Revised subscales: 0 = neutral, 12 = high optimism/pessimism), comparative lung cancer risk (Low/Average/High), and information to calculate objective lung cancer risk (Low/Med/High). Perceived risk was categorized as accurate (perceived = objective), optimistically-biased (perceived < objective), or pessimistically-biased (perceived > objective).

Harm reduction calls to action from young people who use drugs on the streets of Vancouver and Lisbon.

Vancouver, Canada, and Lisbon, Portugal, are both celebrated for their world-leading harm reduction policies and programs and regarded as models for other cities contending with the effects of increasing levels of drug use in the context of growing urban poverty. However, we challenge the notion that internationally celebrated places like Lisbon and Vancouver are meeting the harm reduction needs of young people who use drugs (YPWUD; referring here to individuals between the ages of 14 and 29). In particular, the needs of YPWUD in the context of unstable housing, homelessness, and ongoing poverty-a context which we summarize here as "street involvement"-are not being adequately met.

Lessons From Implementing a Clinical Research Network in Brazil.

In this article, we discuss the strategy designed by a private oncology group to offer patients access to new technologies and treatments via a recently created research program, and we describe how the patient journey was the motivation for developing standard assistance flows and processes to integrate areas of care. The increase in Brazilians' life expectancy has raised the incidence of cancer, and it is now the second leading cause of death. Because it is a multifactorial disease, cancer treatment has several challenges.

Exploring the frontline experiences of pharmacy technicians during the opioid epidemic in community pharmacies.

Background: The opioid epidemic continues to have a significant negative impact on public health in the United States. Community pharmacies represent an important care setting in confronting the opioid epidemic. However, they continue to be an underutilized care access point.

How do Hispanics/Latinos Perceive and Value the Return of Research Results?

Interest in the return of research results has been increasing; however, little is known about how Hispanics/Latinos perceive and value receiving results. This study examined differences among Hispanics/Latinos by education and income in the experience and expectations about the return of research results, perceived value of specific types of information, and the least and most valuable specific information. Retrospective observational design using a cross-sectional national survey sample of Hispanics/Latinos (n = 327).

Reflections of mentors and mentees on a national mentoring programme for pharmacists in the United Kingdom: An examination into organisational culture and systems.

Background: There is no accepted or consistent model for delivering mentoring programmes, manifesting in some debate surrounding the ideal conducive system. Mentorship structures and culture within pharmacy can be advanced by researching experiences of mentors and mentees.

Objective: To explore lived experiences of participants in a nationwide mentoring programme in relation to motivations and barriers associated with engaging with mentoring, and what system changes and organisational culture shift could further support mentoring for pharmacy professionals.

Pharmacy Technicians, Stigma, and Compassion Fatigue: Front-Line Perspectives of Pharmacy and the US Opioid Epidemic.

The opioid epidemic in the United States has led to a quadrupling of opioid overdoses since the 1990s. Stigmas exist among healthcare professionals, and it is essential to educate the next generation of pharmacy technicians regarding opioid use disorder. The main objective of this study was to characterize the phenomenon of stigma through the pharmacy technician lens when taking care of patients who are using opioid medications.

Reflections of mentors and mentees on a national mentoring programme for pharmacists: An examination into relationships, personal and professional development.

Background: While mentorship programmes for professionals are growing in number, the lived experiences of mentor and mentee participants could be captured so as to better inform best practices and considerations for thriving relationships.

Objective: This study evaluated the lived experiences of mentors and mentees in a nationwide programme for pharmacists administered by a professional organisation in the United Kingdom, specifically examining the nature of relationships comprising those experiences.

Methods: A phenomenological approach was adopted, with semi-structured interviews conducted remotely between November 2019 and June 2020.

A pilot study of a culturally-appropriate, educational intervention to increase participation in cancer clinical trials among African Americans and Latinos.

Aim: Culturally-appropriate, educational programs are recommended to improve cancer clinical trial participation among African Americans and Latinos. This study investigated the effect of a culturally-appropriate, educational program on knowledge, trust in medical researchers, and intent for clinical trial participation among African Americans and Latinos in Middle Tennessee.

Method: Trained community health educators delivered a 30-min presentation with video testimonials to 198 participants in 13 town halls.

Determinants of COVID-19 Mortality in Patients With Cancer From a Community Oncology Practice in Brazil.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic remains a public health emergency of global concern. Determinants of mortality in the general population are now clear, but specific data on patients with cancer remain limited, particularly in Latin America.

Materials And Methods: A longitudinal multicenter cohort study of patients with cancer and confirmed COVID-19 from Oncoclínicas community oncology practice in Brazil was conducted.

Factors influencing precision medicine knowledge and attitudes.

Precision medicine holds great promise for improving health and reducing health disparities that can be most fully realized by advancing diversity and inclusion in research participants. Without engaging underrepresented groups, precision medicine could not only fail to achieve its promise but also further exacerbate the health disparities already burdening the most vulnerable. Yet underrepresentation by people of non-European ancestry continues in precision medicine research and there are disparities across racial groups in the uptake of precision medicine applications and services.

Altered Macrophage Polarization Induces Experimental Pulmonary Hypertension and Is Observed in Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Objective: To determine whether global reduction of CD68 (cluster of differentiation) macrophages impacts the development of experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and whether this reduction affects the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory macrophages within the lung. Additionally, to determine whether there is evidence of an altered macrophage polarization in patients with PAH. Approach and Results: Macrophage reduction was induced in mice via doxycycline-induced CD68-driven cytotoxic diphtheria toxin A chain expression (macrophage low [MacLow] mice).

Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Colon and Rectal Surgery: A Systematic Review and Quality Assessment.

Background: There is growing interest in using patient-reported outcome measures to support value-based care in colorectal surgery. To draw valid conclusions regarding patient-reported outcomes data, measures with robust measurement properties are required.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the use and quality of patient-reported outcome measures in colorectal surgery.

Formative research to design a culturally-appropriate cancer clinical trial education program to increase participation of African American and Latino communities.

Background: Addressing knowledge deficiencies about cancer clinical trials and biospecimen donation can potentially improve participation among racial and ethnic minorities. This paper describes the formative research process used to design a culturally-appropriate cancer clinical trials education program for African American and Latino communities. We characterized community member feedback and its integration into the program.