The INTRABEAM® Photon Radiotherapy System for the adjuvant treatment of early breast cancer: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

Background: Initial treatment for early breast cancer is usually either breast-conserving surgery (BCS) or mastectomy. After BCS, whole-breast external beam radiotherapy (WB-EBRT) is the standard of care. A potential alternative to post-operative WB-EBRT is intraoperative radiation therapy delivered by the INTRABEAM(®) Photon Radiotherapy System (Carl Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany) to the tissue adjacent to the resection cavity at the time of surgery.

The clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of peginterferon alfa and ribavirin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in children and young people: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

Background: Optimal therapy for children with chronic hepatitis C is unclear. Two treatment regimens are currently licensed in children.

Objectives: To assess the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys®, Roche) and peginterferon alfa-2b [ViraferonPeg®, Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD)] in combination with ribavirin (RBV), within their licensed indications, for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) in children and young people aged 3-17 years.

Are trainee teachers being adequately prepared to promote the health and well-being of school children? A survey of current practice.

Background: Teachers are a key part of the wider public health workforce in England. We conducted a survey to find out how they are trained for this role during their initial teacher education (ITE).

Methods: Between 2011 and 2012, we sent an online questionnaire to 220 ITE course managers and conducted semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 19 course managers to explore issues in more depth.

An economic model of school-based behavioral interventions to prevent sexually transmitted infections.

Objectives: Reducing sexually transmitted infections (STI) and teenage pregnancy through effective health education is a high priority for health policy. Behavioral interventions which teach skills to practice safer sex may reduce the incidence of STIs. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of school-based behavioral interventions in young people.

Shortened peginterferon and ribavirin treatment for chronic hepatitis C.

Background: Peginterferon alfa and ribavirin combination therapy is an effective treatment for many patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV). Reducing the length of treatment may be advantageous. We performed a systematic review and economic evaluation to assess shorter treatment duration of this regimen.

Behavioural interventions for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections in young people aged 13-19 years: a systematic review.

We systematically reviewed school-based skills building behavioural interventions for the prevention of sexually transmitted infections. References were sought from 15 electronic resources, bibliographies of systematic reviews/included studies and experts. Two authors independently extracted data and quality-assessed studies.

Topotecan for relapsed small cell lung cancer: a systematic review and economic evaluation.

Background: Topotecan is a relatively new drug for use as a second-line treatment in patients with relapsed small cell lung cancer (SCLC). We performed a systematic review and economic evaluation of topotecan, and consider it here in relation to the NICE end of life criteria.

Methods: Seventeen bibliographic databases (including Cochrane library, Medline and Embase) were searched from 1990 to February 2009, and experts and manufacturers were consulted, to identify relevant randomised controlled trials (RCTs) which were selected according to prospectively defined criteria.

Time to full publication of studies of anticancer drugs for breast cancer, and the potential for publication bias.

Objectives: Nonpublication of results of clinical trials can contribute to inappropriate medical decisions. The primary aim of this systematic review was to investigate publication delays between conference abstracts and full journal publications from randomized controlled trial results of new anticancer agents for breast cancer. The review was restricted to anticancer agents previously, or due to be, appraised in the United Kingdom by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Pegylated and non-pegylated interferon-alfa and ribavirin for the treatment of mild chronic hepatitis C: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Traditionally, patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have not received treatment until their infection reaches the moderate to severe stage. The aim of this systematic review was to assess the clinical effectiveness of pegylated (PEG) and non-pegylated interferon (IFN) alfa and ribavirin (RBV) for the treatment of adults with histologically mild HCV.

Methods: We performed a sensitive search of fourteen electronic bibliographic databases for literature that met criteria defined in a research protocol.

Dietary advice for patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery: falling on deaf ears?

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the most common cause of death in the UK, accounting for around 125,000 deaths per year. Diet is a CHD risk factor that is modifiable, and therefore has the potential to alter the risk for CHD. At present, little is known about the dietary patterns of CHD patients.