Evaluating pain management practices for cancer patients among health professionals in cancer and supportive/palliative care units: a Belgian survey.

Background: Pain is reported in 66% of cancer patients with advanced disease. Adequate pain management is a cornerstone of comprehensive supportive cancer care.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess pain management in Oncology Units in Belgium.

Pyridoxamine Limits Cardiac Dysfunction in a Rat Model of Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiotoxicity.

The use of doxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy is restricted due to dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. Pyridoxamine (PM) is a vitamin B6 derivative with favorable effects on diverse cardiovascular diseases, suggesting a cardioprotective effect on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. The cardioprotective nature of PM was investigated in a rat model of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Evaluation of quality of clinical management of neuroendocrine tumors.

Background: Neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) are a group of biologically and clinically heterogeneous neoplasms predominantly found in the gastrointestinal and bronchopulmonary tractus. Despite a rising incidence, implementation of evidence-based standardized care for this heterogenous group remains challenging. The European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society regularly reviews guidelines regarding diagnostic and treatment strategies for NETs.

A novel, multi-active emollient for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients: a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: To investigate the efficacy of a novel, multi-active emollient in preventing and managing acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) in breast cancer patients undergoing moderate hypofractionated (HF) radiotherapy (RT) compared to standard of care.

Methodsa: A monocentric, open-label, randomized clinical trial (RCT) with breast cancer patients receiving moderate HF (dose: 40.05-55.

The use of photobiomodulation therapy for the management of chemotherapy-induced alopecia: a randomized, controlled trial (HAIRLASER trial).

Purpose: The purpose of this trial was to evaluate if photobiomodulation (PBM) can accelerate hair regrowth after chemotherapy in breast cancer patients and if this is correlated with a better quality of life (QoL).

Methods: A randomized controlled trial with breast cancer patients that underwent an anthracycline and taxane-containing chemotherapy regimen was set up at the Jessa Hospital (Hasselt, Belgium). Patients were randomized into the control group (no intervention) or the PBM group (three PBM sessions each week for 12 weeks, starting the last day of their chemotherapy).

Steroid-dependent pericarditis following anti-PD1 immunotherapy in a metastatic melanoma patient: a case report.

Background: Immune-related adverse events are increasingly prevalent in the oncologist's practice. Cardiac adverse events are rare but can be life-threatening. Case reports of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related pericarditis are scarce and so is the scientific evidence for its management.

Evaluation of a novel skin care product for the management of chemotherapy-related dermatologic toxicities: A quasi-experimental study.

Purpose: Evaluate the efficacy of a novel skincare product for the management of chemotherapy-related dermatological toxicities.

Methods: A monocentric, prospective, interventional, open-label, pretest-posttest, single-group study with cancer patients receiving chemotherapy (n = 100) was set up. All enrolled patients applied the emollient daily to their face and body for three weeks.

A long-term follow-up of early breast cancer patients treated with photobiomodulation during conventional fractionation radiotherapy in the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis.

Objectives: The evidence demonstrating the efficacy of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy for preventing and managing acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) is growing steadily. The question that arises from many clinicians is, if PBM is safe for oncologic patients. This study aimed to evaluate the disease-free survival (DFS), cancer-free survival (CFS), and overall survival (OS) of breast cancer patients treated with PBM for ARD.

Photobiomodulation therapy in management of cancer therapy-induced side effects: WALT position paper 2022.

Disclaimer: This article is based on recommendations from the 12 WALT Congress, Nice, October 3-6, 2018, and a follow-up review of the existing data and the clinical observations of an international multidisciplinary panel of clinicians and researchers with expertise in the area of supportive care in cancer and/or PBM clinical application and dosimetry. This article is informational in nature. As with all clinical materials, this paper should be used with a clear understanding that continued research and practice could result in new insights and recommendations.

The use of photobiomodulation therapy for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy: a randomized, placebo-controlled pilot trial (NEUROLASER trial).

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in breast cancer patients.

Methods: A prospective, randomized placebo-controlled pilot trial (NEUROLASER) was set up with 32 breast cancer patients who underwent chemotherapy (ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT03391271).

Prospective non-interventional BELOVA/BGOG-ov16 study on safety of frontline bevacizumab in elderly patients with FIGO stage IV ovarian cancer: a study of the Belgian and Luxembourg Gynaecological Oncology Group.

Objective: Because elderly patients with ovarian cancer are underrepresented in randomized studies, this study aimed to expand our knowledge on the safety and effectiveness of frontline treatment with bevacizumab in combination with standard carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy in patients aged 70 years and older with a diagnosis of Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IV ovarian cancer in routine clinical practice in Belgium.

Methods: Patients aged 70 years and older with FIGO stage IV ovarian cancer were included in a multicenter, non-interventional prospective studyto evaluate the safety and effectiveness of treatment with bevacizumab in combination with frontline carboplatin and paclitaxel chemotherapy. Comprehensive geriatric assessments were performed at baseline and during treatment.

Photobiomodulation therapy for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients undergoing hypofractioned whole-breast irradiation (LABRA trial).

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy in breast cancer patients post-lumpectomy undergoing hypofractionated whole-breast irradiation (HF-WBI) for the prevention and management of acute radiodermatitis (ARD).

Materials And Methods: A randomized, multicentric clinical trial (LABRA trial, NCT03924011) was set up at the Limburg Oncology Center, including the Jessa Hospital (Hasselt, BE) and Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg (Genk, BE). A total of 71 breast cancer patients planned to undergo HF-WBI were randomized to one of the two study arms: the control group (n = 32) or the PBM group (n = 39).

Photobiomodulation therapy for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis in head and neck cancer patients (DERMISHEAD trial).

Background And Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients.

Materials And Methods: A randomised, placebo-controlled trial (RCT) with 46 HNC patients who underwent radiotherapy (RT) with or without concomitant chemotherapy was set up (DERMISHEAD trial). Patients were randomised to receive PBM or placebo treatments from the first day of RT (2×/week) alongside the institutional skincare.

Photobiomodulation Therapy for the Management of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy: An Overview.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of chemotherapy (CT), affecting 68% of patients. Current treatment strategies are based on pharmacological symptom management, but have limited results. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a new and emerging therapeutic tool in the supportive care of cancer patients.

A Narrative Review on the Use of Photobiomodulation Therapy for the Prevention and Management of Acute Radiodermatitis: Proposed Mechanisms, Current Clinical Outcomes, and Preliminary Guidance for Clinical Studies.

A narrative review of the available scientific evidence to identify the current proposals relating the use of photobiomodulation (PBM) to treat acute radiodermatitis (ARD), to guide future research. A devastating side effect of radiotherapy (RT) is ARD, defined as an inflammatory skin reaction induced by RT. Currently, there is still no standard of care for ARD.

Photobiomodulation therapy for acute radiodermatitis.

Purpose Of Review: The number of clinical trials on the use of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for the management of cancer therapy-related complications is growing steadily. One of the side-effects that is under investigation is acute radiodermatitis (ARD), an inflammatory skin reaction caused by radiotherapy. In this review, an overview is given on the state of art of the application of PBMT for the prevention and management of ARD.

Systematic screening and assessment of psychosocial well-being and care needs of people with cancer.

Background: Receiving a diagnosis of cancer and the subsequent related treatments can have a significant impact on an individual's physical and psychosocial well-being. To ensure that cancer care addresses all aspects of well-being, systematic screening for distress and supportive care needs is recommended. Appropriate screening could help support the integration of psychosocial approaches in daily routines in order to achieve holistic cancer care and ensure that the specific care needs of people with cancer are met and that the organisation of such care is optimised.

Letter to the Editor concerning the article "Application of red light phototherapy in the treatment of radioactive dermatitis in patients with head and neck cancer".

The aim of this Letter to the Editor was to report some methodological shortcomings in the recently published article "Application of red light phototherapy in the treatment of radioactive dermatitis in patients with head and neck cancer" by Zhang et al. There are some issues regarding the incomplete photobiomodulation (PBM) parameters, the chosen outcome measures, and some missing reference articles. In conclusion, the results of this study should be interpreted with caution and further research is necessary.

Neutropenia management in patients receiving myelosuppressive polychemotherapy for early breast cancer in Belgium: BRONS study results.

: Chemotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of early breast cancer (EBC). Granulocyte-colony stimulating factors (G-CSF) can reduce the risk of febrile neutropenia as primary prophylaxis (PP) or secondary prophylaxis (SP). The BRONS study investigated the incidence of serious neutropenic events (SNE) and G-CSF use in a Belgian population of EBC patients treated with myelosuppressive polychemotherapy.

Biophysical skin measurements to evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy in the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis in breast cancer patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate objectively the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) by using biophysical skin measurements.

Methods: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial with 120 breast cancer patients who underwent an identical radiotherapy (RT) regimen post-lumpectomy was performed (TRANSDERMIS trial). Patients were randomized to receive PBM (808 nm CW/905 nm pulsed, 168 mW/cm, spot size 19.

Prognostic Biomarkers in the Progression From MGUS to Multiple Myeloma: A Systematic Review.

Multiple myeloma (MM), characterized by malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow, is consistently preceded by asymptomatic premalignant stage monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). These MGUS patients have an annual risk of 1% to progress to MM. Clinical, imaging, and genomic (genetic and epigenetic) factors were identified, whose presence increased the risk of progression from MGUS to MM.

Prevention of acute radiodermatitis by photobiomodulation: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial in breast cancer patients (TRANSDERMIS trial).

Objective: Acute radiodermatitis (RD) is a distressing and painful skin reaction that occurs in 95% of the patients undergoing radiotherapy (RT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in the prevention of acute RD in breast cancer (BC) patients undergoing RT.

Methods: This study was a randomized, placebo-controlled trial including 120 BC patients that underwent an identical RT regimen post-lumpectomy.