The impact of expanded access programs for systemic anticancer therapy in an Irish cancer centre.

Background: Expanded access programs (EAPs) allow cancer patients with unmet clinical need to obtain access to pre-authorisation treatments. There is no standardised process for implementing these programs nationally, and real-world data on their impact is lacking.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of such EAPs and their impact in a cancer centre.

The Sleepio After Cancer (SAC) study. Digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (dCBT-I) in women cancer patients - Trial protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

Aims: This study will assess the efficacy of digital CBT for insomnia (dCBT-I) compared to sleep hygiene education (SHE) for the management of insomnia in women with cancer.

Background: 30% of patients with cancer meet insomnia diagnostic criteria and this can be detrimental to health outcomes. Insomnia disorder comprises a dissatisfaction with sleep quantity or quality characterized by difficulty initiating sleep, frequent awakenings, or early morning wakening without the ability to return to sleep, at least 3 nights per week, for at least 3 months, causing significant impairment or distress in areas of functioning.

Pilot study of the implementation of G8 screening tool, Cognitive screening assessment and Chemotherapy Toxicity assessment in older adults with cancer in a Tertiary University Hospital in Ireland.

Background: Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is recommended by international guidelines prior to initiation of systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT). In practice, CGA is limited by time constraints, lack of resources and expert interpretation.

Aims: The primary objective of this pilot study was to establish the prevalence of frailty (assessed by G8), cognitive impairment (assessed by Mini-Cog), and risk of chemotherapy toxicity (assessed by CARG Chemo-Toxicity Calculator) among patients (pts) ≥65 years commencing SACT.

Small cell lung cancer recurring in the retina.

Intraocular metastases are rare, usually isolating to the uveal tract. Retinal metastases are less common still, presenting a unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. This case observes a 66-year-old female ex-smoker presenting with unilateral painful vision loss 2 months from completion of definitive chemoradiotherapy for early-stage small cell lung cancer.

Characterization of Treatments and Disease Course for Women with Breast Cancer Brain Metastases: 5-Year Retrospective Single Institution Experience.

Purpose: Around 30% of patients with breast cancer will develop brain metastases (BM). We sought to characterize the disease course, treatments and outcome for our patient cohort.

Materials And Methods: We extracted clinicopathological data from electronic records from January 2015 to December 2020.

The potential role of cofilin-1 in promoting triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) metastasis via the extracellular vesicles (EVs).

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive cancer, particularly prone to metastasis and is associated with poor survival outcomes. The key to unravelling the aggressiveness of TNBC lies in decoding the mechanism by which it metastasises. Cofilin-1 is a well-studied member of the cofilin family, involved in actin depolymerisation.

Rapid and Laboratory SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Testing in High-Risk Hospital Associated Cohorts of Unknown COVID-19 Exposure, a Validation and Epidemiological Study After the First Wave of the Pandemic.

We aimed to use SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests to assess the asymptomatic seroprevalence of individuals in high-risk hospital cohorts who's previous COVID-19 exposure is unknown; staff, and patients requiring haemodialysis or chemotherapy after the first wave. In a single Center, study participants had five SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests done simultaneously; one rapid diagnostic test (RDT) (Superbio Colloidal Gold IgM/IgG), and four laboratory tests (Roche Elecsys® Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG [RE], Abbott Architect i2000SR IgG [AAr], Abbott Alinity IgG [AAl], and Abbott Architect IgM CMIA). To determine seroprevalence, only positive test results on laboratory assay were considered true positives.

Pregnancy-associated breast cancer: evaluating maternal and foetal outcomes. A national study.

Purpose: Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC) is defined as breast cancer diagnosed during the gestational period (gp-PABC) or in the first postpartum year (pp-PABC). Despite its infrequent occurrence, the incidence of PABC appears to be rising due to the increasing propensity for women to delay childbirth. We have established the first retrospective registry study of PABC in Ireland to examine specific clinicopathological characteristics, treatments, and maternal and foetal outcomes.

Competing mortality risks: predicted cardiovascular disease risk versus predicted risk of breast cancer mortality in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy in a single Irish center.

Background: Due to advances in care, most women diagnosed with breast cancer do not die from the disease itself. Instead, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the most frequent cause of death. Many breast cancer patients are older and have established CVD risk factors.

Virtual oncology clinics during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in radical changes in the delivery of healthcare worldwide. Our oncology service (at an Irish national cancer centre) rapidly transitioned to the use of telemedicine or virtual clinics (VC) to minimise potential risk of exposure to COVID-19 amongst an immunosuppressed, high-risk population. Our study aimed to evaluate the use of VC in this setting.

A Multicenter Retrospective Review of Systemic Anti-Cancer Treatment and Palliative Care Provided to Solid Tumor Oncology Patients in the 12 Weeks Preceding Death in Ireland.

Background: Systemic anti-cancer treatment (SACT) can improve symptoms and survival in patients with incurable cancer but there may be harmful consequences. Information regarding the use of SACT at the end-of-life and its impact on patients has not been described in Ireland.

Aims: The study aimed to quantify and describe the use of SACT at end-of-life.

N-Linked glycosylation profiles of therapeutic induced senescent (TIS) triple negative breast cancer cells (TNBC) and their extracellular vesicle (EV) progeny.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has poor clinical outcomes and limited treatment options. Chemotherapy, while killing some cancer cells, can result in therapeutic-induced-senescent (TIS) cells. Senescent cells release significantly more extracellular vesicles (EVs) than non-senescent cells.

Understanding and Attitudes toward Cancer Clinical Trials among Patients with a Cancer Diagnosis: National Study through Cancer Trials Ireland.

Cancer clinical trials (CCTs) are critical to translation and development of better therapies to improve outcomes. CCTs require adequate patient involvement but accrual rates are low globally. Several known barriers impede participation and knowing how subpopulations differ in understanding of CCTs can foster targeted approaches to aid accrual and advance cancer treatments.

A Phase II Trial of Cabozantinib in Hormone Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer with Bone Metastases.

Background: We assessed the antitumor activity of cabozantinib, a potent multireceptor oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer with bone metastases.

Patients And Methods: In this single-arm multicenter phase II study, patients received an initial starting dose of 100 mg, later reduced to 60 mg, per day. The primary endpoint was the bone scan response rate.

Exosomes in triple negative breast cancer: Garbage disposals or Trojan horses?

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a breast cancer subtype which is particularly aggressive and invasive. The treatment of TNBC has been limited due to the lack of well-defined molecular targets. Exosomes are nano-sized extracellular vesicles that are released from virtually all cell types into the extracellular space.

Effects of Celecoxib and Low-dose Aspirin on Outcomes in Adjuvant Aromatase Inhibitor-Treated Patients: CCTG MA.27.

Background: Celecoxib and low-dose aspirin might decrease risk of breast cancer recurrence.

Methods: In the Canadian Cancer Trials Group MA.27, postmenopausal hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients were randomly assigned (2 × 2) to adjuvant exemestane or anastrozole, and celecoxib or placebo.

Extended Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Hormone Receptor-Positive Early Breast Cancer.

Despite meaningful, incremental improvements in detection, local treatment and adjuvant systemic treatments for breast cancer, there remains a significant risk of late relapse in hormone receptor (HR)-positive disease. 5 years of tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor for all patients with HR-positive early breast cancer is considered standard; however, there are now data to support an extended approach using up to 10 years of treatment. This review will provide some historical background on endocrine therapy and summarize the key clinical trials that demonstrate the small absolute benefit of extended adjuvant therapy.

βhCG-secreting osteosarcoma.

A 35-year-old woman presented to our institution with tender, right knee swelling. Radiological and pathological work-up revealed metastatic osteosarcoma. Prior to the initiation of chemotherapy, she underwent a routine urine pregnancy test and was surprised with a positive result.

Phase II and Biomarker Study of Cabozantinib in Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Patients.

Unlabelled: Currently, no targeted therapies are available for metastatic triplenegative breast cancer (mTNBC). We evaluated the safety, efficacy, and biomarkers of response to cabozantinib, a multikinase inhibitor, in patients with mTNBC. We conducted a single arm phase II and biomarker study that enrolled patients with measurable mTNBC.

Extended adjuvant endocrine therapy in hormone-receptor-positive early breast cancer.

Purpose Of Review: The risk of relapse associated with oestrogen receptor-positive early breast cancer persists for at least 15 years after diagnosis. Several large clinical trials have examined extended adjuvant endocrine therapy.

Recent Findings: The MA.