Allocation of authorship and patient enrollment among global clinical trials in oncology.

Background: Oncology randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are increasingly global in scope. Whether authorship is equitably shared between investigators from high-income countries (HIC) and low-middle/upper-middle incomes countries (LMIC/UMIC) is not well described. The authors conducted this study to understand the allocation of authorship and patient enrollment across all oncology RCTs conducted globally.

Cancer Medicines: What Is Essential and Affordable in India?

Purpose: The WHO essential medicines list (EML) guides selection of drugs for national formularies. Here, we evaluate which medicines are considered highest priority by Indian oncologists and the extent to which they are available in routine practice.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of an electronic survey developed by the WHO EML Cancer Medicine Working Group.

Defining Essential Childhood Cancer Medicines to Inform Prioritization and Access: Results From an International, Cross-Sectional Survey.

Purpose: Access to essential cancer medicines is a major determinant of childhood cancer outcomes globally. The degree to which pediatric oncologists deem medicines listed on WHO's Model List of Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc) essential is unknown, as is the extent to which such medicines are accessible on the front lines of clinical care.

Methods: An electronic survey developed was distributed through the International Society of Pediatric Oncology mailing list to members from 87 countries.

Randomized Controlled Trials in Lung, Gastrointestinal, and Breast Cancers: An Overview of Global Research Activity.

Background: In this study, we compared and contrasted design characteristics, results, and publications of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in gastrointestinal (GI), lung, and breast cancer. Methods: A PUBMED search identified phase III RCTs of anticancer therapy in GI, lung, and breast cancer published globally during the period 2014−2017. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and the Kruskal−Wallis test were used to compare RCT design, results, and output across the cancer sites.

Incidence, Timing, and Outcomes of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients Undergoing Surgery for Esophagogastric Cancer: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Abdominal surgery and chemotherapy are well-established risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with cancer, but their specific contribution in patients with esophageal and gastric cancer is unclear. We aim to quantify the risk of VTE, identify risk factors associated with VTE, and determine the association between VTE and survival in patients undergoing surgery for esophageal or gastric cancer.

Methods: A retrospective, population-based cohort study was conducted using linked administrative healthcare databases.

Trends and Projections in National United States Health Care Spending for Gastrointestinal Malignancies (1996-2030).

Background & Aims: The management of gastrointestinal (GI) cancers is associated with high health care spending. We estimated trends in United States (US) health care spending for patients with GI cancers between 1996 and 2016 and developed projections to 2030.

Methods: We used economic data, adjusted for inflation, developed by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluations for the Disease Expenditure Project.

Access to cancer medicines deemed essential by oncologists in 82 countries: an international, cross-sectional survey.

Background: The WHO Essential Medicines List (EML) identifies priority medicines that are most important to public health. Over time, the EML has included an increasing number of cancer medicines. We aimed to investigate whether the cancer medicines in the EML are aligned with the priority medicines of frontline oncologists worldwide, and the extent to which these medicines are accessible in routine clinical practice.

Industry Funding of Oncology Randomised Controlled Trials: Implications for Design, Results and Interpretation.

Aims: Most randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in oncology are now funded by the pharmaceutical industry. We explore the extent to which RCT design, results and interpretation differ between industry-funded and non-industry-funded RCTs.

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional analysis, a structured literature search was used to identify all oncology RCTs published globally during 2014-2017.

Application of Value Frameworks to the Design of Clinical Trials: The Canadian Cancer Trials Group Experience.

Background: Use of value framework thresholds in the design of clinical trials may increase the proportion of randomized controlled trials that identify clinically meaningful advances for patients. Existing frameworks have not been applied to the research output of a cooperative cancer trials group. We apply value frameworks to the randomized controlled trial output of the Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG).

Breast cancer in transgender female-to-male individuals: A case report of androgen receptor-positive breast cancer.

Highlight the challenges associated with managing breast cancer in female-to-male (FtM) transgender individuals. This is a rare entity, requiring nuanced decision-making regarding surgery as well as adjuvant therapies given the unique hormonal environment seen in individuals taking exogenous androgen as part of their gender identity. Contemporary case report derived from our clinical experience.

Medical Oncology Workload in Europe: One Continent, Several Worlds.

Aims: The workload pressure on medical oncologists will increase in the near future. There are no comprehensive data available about the current workload of medical oncologists in Europe. Here we report the European results of a global survey of the workload of medical oncologists.

Cancer care workforce in Africa: perspectives from a global survey.

Background: While the burden of cancer in Africa is rapidly rising, there is a lack of investment in healthcare professionals to deliver care. Here we report the results of a survey of systemic therapy workload of oncologists in Africa in comparison to oncologists in other countries.

Methods: An online survey was distributed through a snowball method via national oncology societies to chemotherapy-prescribing physicians in 65 countries.

Hyperacute Superior Vena Cava Syndrome associated with Central Venous Catheter Insertion.

Unlabelled: Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome is classically thought of as a complication of malignancy. However, SVC syndrome secondary to indwelling central venous catheters (CVCs) is another important entity. Amongst those with CVCs who develop SVC syndrome, the majority are attributed to thrombosis.

Medical oncology job satisfaction: Results of a global survey.

Background: While physician burnout is increasingly recognized, little is known about medical oncologist job satisfaction, and the factors associated with low satisfaction. Here, we report the results of an international survey of medical oncologists.

Methods: An online survey was distributed using a modified snowball methodology via national oncology societies to chemotherapy-prescribing physicians in 65 countries.

Medical oncology workload in Canada: infrastructure, supports, and delivery of clinical care.

Background: In 2000, a Canadian task force recommended that medical oncologists (mos) meet a target of 160-175 new patient consultations per year. Here, we report the Canadian results of a global survey of mo workload compared with mo workload in other high-income countries (hics).

Methods: Using a snowball method, an online survey was distributed by national oncology societies to chemotherapy-prescribing physicians in 22 hics (World Bank criteria).

Delivery of Global Cancer Care: An International Study of Medical Oncology Workload.

Background: To our knowledge, there is no literature that has described medical oncology (MO) workload in the global context. Here, we report results of an international study of global MO workload.

Methods: An online survey was distributed through a snowball method via national oncology societies to chemotherapy-prescribing physicians in 65 countries.

Meta-analysis of the effectiveness and safety of catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation in patients with versus without left ventricular systolic dysfunction.

Catheter ablation is a promising therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF), but its utility in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) is uncertain. The objectives of this study were to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and observational studies comparing the rates of recurrent AF, atrial tachycardia (AT), and complications after AF catheter ablation in those with versus without LVSD and to summarize the impact of catheter ablation on the left ventricular ejection fraction. Seven observational studies and 1 randomized trial were included (total n = 1,851).