A phase II trial of the effect of perindopril on hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR) incidence and severity in patients receiving regorafenib for refractory mCRC.

Purpose: Regorafenib is an oral multi-kinase inhibitor that offers an OS benefit to patients with mCRC refractory to standard therapy (Grothey et al., in Lancet 381:303-312, 2013), but comes with potential significant toxicities including grade 3 hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR). The pathogenesis of regorafenib-induced HFSR is not well established, but may be related to alterations in the capillary endothelium.

Survival Impact of CAPOX Versus FOLFOX in the Adjuvant Treatment of Stage III Colon Cancer.

Background: Capecitabine and oxaliplatin (CAPOX) and folinic acid, fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) are both used in the adjuvant treatment of colon cancer, and while their efficacy is assumed to be similar, they have not been directly compared. We reviewed the toxicity profiles, relative dose intensity (RDI), and survival associated with these regimens across a multi-institutional cohort.

Patients And Methods: We identified 394 consecutively treated patients with stage III colon cancer who received an oxaliplatin-containing regimen.

Correlation between County-Level Surgeon Density and Mortality from Colorectal Cancer.

Purpose: We aimed to explore the effect of county-level general surgeon (GS) and colorectal surgeon (CS) density on colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality and to identify additional county characteristics associated with outcomes.

Methods: Using data from the Area Resource File, US Census, and National Cancer Institute, we developed multivariate regression models to determine the effect of density of GS and CS on CRC death between 2005 and 2009 while controlling for CRC incidence, county demographics, and other socioeconomic factors.

Results: In total, we included 1767 counties: Mean CRC incidence and death rates were 64.

Population-Based Cost-Minimization Analysis of CAPOX Versus Modified FOLFOX6 in the Adjuvant Treatment of Stage III Colon Cancer.

Background: Evidence suggests that CAPOX (capecitabine and oxaliplatin) has efficacy similar to 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) in the adjuvant treatment of colon cancer. CAPOX is partly administered orally and associated with a 3-week rather than a 2-week treatment cycle. A population-based cost-minimization analysis was conducted from the health care payer and societal perspectives to evaluate the potential cost savings of replacing mFOLFOX6 with CAPOX.

A qualitative focus group study to identify the needs of survivors of stage II and III colorectal cancer.

Background: Prior survivorship research has largely focused on issues faced by survivors of childhood tumors, breast cancers, or hematologic malignancies. Relatively little is known about the needs of other prevalent survivor groups. Our aim was to identify the specific concerns of colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors in the key domains of physical functioning, psychological wellbeing, and social relationships.

Defining Eligibility of FOLFIRINOX for First-Line Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (MPC) in the Province of British Columbia: A Population-based Retrospective Study.

Background: FOLFIRINOX is a first-line treatment option for patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (MPC) and is associated with improved survival yet significantly more toxicities than standard gemcitabine. Our aim was to determine the proportion of patients with MPC who would be eligible for FOLFIRINOX based upon the pivotal ACCORD study criteria.

Methods: Patients with confirmed MPC at the time of referral to the BC Cancer Agency between 2004 and 2007 were identified from the Gastrointestinal Cancers Outcomes Unit Database (GICOU).

The association between county-level surgeon density and esophageal and gastric cancer mortality.

Background: Surgical resection plays an integral part in the curative treatment of esophageal (EC) and gastric cancer (GC). The impact of the allocation of surgeons at the county level on these cancer outcomes is unclear. Our aims were to examine the effect of surgeon density on EC and GC mortality and to compare the relative roles of thoracic and general surgeons on outcomes.

Presentation and management of docetaxel-related adverse effects in patients with breast cancer.

The taxane chemotherapeutic agent docetaxel has been utilized in the management of breast cancer in the adjuvant, neoadjuvant and metastatic setting. Although well tolerated by the majority of patients, docetaxel toxicity may limit the dose which can be administered. Adverse events include infusion reactions, febrile neutropenia, fatigue, fluid retention, pneumonitis, cutaneous and nail toxicity, epiphora and lacrimal duct stenosis, gastrointestinal complications, and neuropathies.

The influence of physicians on colorectal cancer screening behavior.

Background: Our aims were to determine clinical factors associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and to evaluate the relative role of patient contact with physicians and the quality of these patient-physician interactions in affecting screening.

Methods: Screening-eligible patients were identified from the Health Information National Trends Survey. Determinants of CRC screening were assessed with logistic regression, and a joint effects model that considered the frequency and quality of contact with physicians was developed to explore their influence on screening.