Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, β-blockers and antihistamines: A clinical trial is needed.

Survival in pancreatic cancer (pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, PDAC) at just 5 months is the worst of all cancers. It is predicted to become the second highest cause of cancer deaths worldwide this decade and unlike most cancers, there has been little progress in improving survival in PDAC. Numerous studies including molecular and mechanistic studies, cancer biology studies and retrospective human epidemiological studies suggest that two well-known, approved drug classes - β-blockers and H1-antihistamines - may be beneficial and thus may potentially prolong life in patients with PDAC.

In vivo evaluation of complex polyps with endoscopic optical coherence tomography and deep learning during routine colonoscopy: a feasibility study.

Standard-of-care (SoC) imaging for assessing colorectal polyps during colonoscopy, based on white-light colonoscopy (WLC) and narrow-band imaging (NBI), does not have sufficient accuracy to assess the invasion depth of complex polyps non-invasively during colonoscopy. We aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a custom endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) probe for assessing colorectal polyps during routine colonoscopy. Patients referred for endoscopic treatment of large colorectal polyps were enrolled in this pilot clinical study, which used a side-viewing OCT catheter developed for use with an adult colonoscope.

A qualitative exploration of barriers, enablers, and implementation strategies to replace disposable medical devices with reusable alternatives.

Hospitals use many single-use devices that produce more waste and greenhouse gas emissions than reusable devices; operating theatres alone are responsible for up to a third of hospital waste. We explored barriers and enablers to replacing disposable devices with reusable alternatives in operating theatres by use of interviews, the Theoretical Domains Framework, and theory-informed behaviour change techniques. 19 stakeholders were interviewed at a large tertiary hospital in Melbourne, Australia, and 53 barriers and 44 experience-based or intuition-based enablers were identified.

Three consecutive pregnancies in a woman with spastic cerebral palsy being treated with intrathecal baclofen therapy.

Baclofen is a commonly used medication for spasticity in patients with an injury to the central nervous system. For some, intrathecal delivery of baclofen provides better treatment with fewer systemic side effects. Baclofen is a category C medication during pregnancy based on animal studies.

Integrating priorities at the intersection of cancer and neuroscience.

Cancer neuroscience is a rapidly growing multidisciplinary field that conceptualizes tumors as tissues fully integrated into the nervous system. Recognizing the complexity and challenges in this field is of fundamental importance to achieving the goal of translational impact for cancer patients. Our commentary highlights key scientific priorities, optimal training settings, and roadblocks to translating scientific findings to the clinic in this emerging field, aiming to formulate a transformative and cohesive path forward.