Real-World Analysis of Breast Cancer Patients Qualifying for Adjuvant CDK4/6 Inhibitors.

Background: Adjuvant CDK4/6 inhibitors abemaciclib and ribociclib improved disease-free survival (DFS) added to endocrine therapy in hormone receptor (HR)-positive HER2-negative early breast cancer (EBC), in monarchE (NCT03155997) and NATALEE (NCT03701334) trials respectively. We assessed the proportion and outcome of EBC patients qualifying for adjuvant CDK4/6 inhibitors in the real-world.

Methods: Consecutive female patients with HR-positive HER2-negative EBC between 1997 and 2017 from the Australian Capital Territory and South-East New South Wales Breast Cancer Treatment Group registry were analyzed.

A signal-seeking phase 2 study of Trastuzumab emtansine in tumours harbouring HER2 amplification or mutation.

This single-arm phase II non-randomised trial (ACTRN12619001265167) evaluated trastuzumab emtansine in solid cancers with HER2 amplification or mutation detected by comprehensive genomic profiling. The primary objective was objective response (OR), while secondary objectives included the time to progression (TTP) on study to TTP on prior therapy ratio, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The cohort included 16 tumours with HER2 mutations (group 1) and 16 with HER2 amplification (group 2).

Beyond the main function: An experimental study of the use of hardwood boomerangs in retouching activities.

Retouched lithic tools result from the functional modification of their edges following knapping operations. The study of the later stages of the reduction sequence is fundamental to understanding the techno-functional features of any toolkit. In Australia, a gap exists in the study of the chaîne opératoire of lithic tools shaped or re-shaped through percussion retouching.

Recurrence in early breast cancer: Analysis of data from 3,765 Australian women treated between 1997 and 2015.

Background: Evidence suggests recent improvements in outcome in early breast cancer (EBC).

Aim: To analyse recurrence in women with EBC from our region from 1997 to 2015.

Methods: We analysed recurrence in 3,765 women with EBC.

The survival outcome of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer based on the site of metastases and the impact of molecular markers and site of primary cancer on metastatic pattern.

Background: Pattern of spread in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) is variable and may reflect different biology in subsets of patients. This is a retrospective study to explore the outcome of patients with mCRC based on their site of metastasis at diagnosis and to explore the association between tumor characteristics [KRAS/RAS, BRAF, mismatch repair (MMR) status, site of primary] and the site of metastasis.

Methods: Patients from two Australian databases were divided into six groups based on site of metastasis at time of diagnosis of metastatic disease; lung-only, liver-only, lymph node-only or any patients with brain, bone or peritoneal metastases.

Does low volume high-intensity interval training elicit superior benefits to continuous low to moderate-intensity training in cancer survivors?

Aim: To determine the impact of low volume high-intensity interval training (LVHIIT) and continuous low to moderate-intensity exercise training (CLMIT) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and health outcomes in cancer survivors.

Methods: Sedentary cancer survivors ( = 75, aged 51 ± 12 year) within 24 months of diagnosis, were randomised into three groups for 12 wk of LVHIIT ( = 25), CLMIT ( = 25) or control group ( = 25). The exercise intervention involved 36 sessions (three sessions per week).

Intravesical Gemcitabine versus Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin for the Treatment of Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: An Evaluation of Efficacy and Toxicity.

Background: Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) remains the standard adjuvant treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) following transurethral resection; however, BCG failure and related toxicities are common.

Objectives: To compare the efficacy and toxicity of intravesical BCG and gemcitabine in the treatment of NMIBC.

Methods: Retrospective data were collected in the region of Canberra, Australia from January 2010 to December 2015.

A pilot study examining the effects of low-volume high-intensity interval training and continuous low to moderate intensity training on quality of life, functional capacity and cardiovascular risk factors in cancer survivors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-volume high-intensity interval training and continuous low to moderate intensity training on quality of life, functional capacity and cardiovascular disease risk factors in cancer survivors.

Methods: Cancer survivors within 24 months post-diagnosis were randomly assigned into the low-volume high-intensity interval training group ( = 8) or the continuous low to moderate intensity training group ( = 8) group for 36 sessions (12 weeks) of supervised exercise. The low-volume high-intensity interval training (LVHIIT) group performed 7 × 30 s intervals (≥85% maximal heart rate) and the continuous low to moderate intensity training (CLMIT) group performed continuous aerobic training for 20 min (≤55% maximal heart rate) on a stationary bike or treadmill.

Administration of chemotherapy in patients on dialysis.

The prevalence of patients on dialysis has increased and these patients present a challenge for chemotherapy administration when diagnosed with cancer. A consensus on the dosage and timing of different chemotherapeutic agents in relation to dialysis has not been established. We describe the pattern of care and treatment outcome for cancer patients on dialysis in our institution.

Phase II, open-label trial of lapatinib and vinorelbine in women with previously treated HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of lapatinib (L) and intravenous vinorelbine (V) in patients with metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer who have previously received two lines of anti-HER2 therapy (i.e. trastuzumab [T] with chemotherapy and lapatinib with capecitabine [LC]).

Phase III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of modafinil for fatigue in patients treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy.

Purpose: Modafinil has been reported to benefit a subgroup of patients suffering severe fatigue while undergoing chemotherapy. Docetaxel is associated with fatigue that may lead to premature therapy withdrawal. We investigated whether modafinil could reduce fatigue during docetaxel chemotherapy.

Surgical margins and risk of locoregional recurrence in invasive breast cancer: an analysis of 10-year data from the Breast Cancer Treatment Quality Assurance Project.

Aim: There is debate as to what constitutes an adequate excision margin to reduce the risk of locoregional recurrence (LRR) after breast cancer surgery. We have investigated the relationship between surgical margin distance and LRR in women with invasive breast cancer (IBC).

Methods: Tumour free margin distances were extracted from histopathology reports for women with IBC, treated by either breast conserving surgery or mastectomy, enrolled in the Breast Cancer Treatment Group Quality Assurance Project from July 1997 to June 2007.

Comparison of two standard chemotherapy regimens for good-prognosis germ cell tumors: updated analysis of a randomized trial.

Background: The Australian and New Zealand Germ Cell Trials Group conducted a multicenter randomized phase III trial in men with good-prognosis germ cell tumors of two standard chemotherapy regimens that contained bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin but differed in the scheduling and total dose of cisplatin, the total dose of bleomycin, and the scheduling and dose intensity of etoposide. The trial was stopped early at a median follow-up of 33 months after a planned interim analysis found a survival benefit for the more dose-intense regimen. The aim of this analysis was to determine if this survival benefit was maintained with long-term follow-up.

Variation in the management of early breast cancer in rural and metropolitan centres: implications for the organisation of rural cancer services.

The study examines the management and outcomes of women with early invasive breast cancer treated in rural and metropolitan centres over a nine-year observation period. A prospective audit of the treatment and outcomes of 2081 women with early breast cancer who underwent potentially curative surgery between 1997 and 2006 in metropolitan Canberra or in the surrounding rural region was completed. Overall, there was good agreement between published guidelines and the treatment received by the women in the study.

Cost and cost-effectiveness of digital mammography compared with film-screen mammography in Australia.

Objective: A systematic review assessed the relative safety and effectiveness of digital mammography compared with film-screen mammography. This study utilised the evidence from the review to examine the economic value of digital compared with film-screen mammography in Australia.

Methods: A cost-comparison analysis between the two technologies was conducted for the overall population for the purposes of breast cancer screening and diagnosis.

Fluctuating awareness of treatment goals among patients and their caregivers: a longitudinal study of a dynamic process.

Background: Because increasing numbers of people now survive for months or years with advanced cancer, communication between patients, service providers, and family caregivers often continues over long periods. Hence, understanding of the goals of medical treatment may develop and change as time elapses and disease progresses. This understanding is closely related to the "awareness of dying," which has been studied in both qualitative and quantitative research.

Patients with advanced cancer and family caregivers' knowledge of health and community services: a longitudinal study.

The present study examines the knowledge of health and community services reported by patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers, and compares patient-stated use with their knowledge of availability. A longitudinal study of the quality of life of patients with advanced cancer was conducted out of the cancer services of The Canberra Hospital, a teaching service, in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia. Some 317 subjects were recruited sequentially, comprising patients (n = 181) and their nominated family caregivers (n = 136).

Does emotional support influence survival? Findings from a longitudinal study of patients with advanced cancer.

A total of 163 patients with advanced cancer at an Australian teaching hospital were interviewed to investigate whether emotional support was predictive of survival duration. Survival was analysed using the Kaplan-Meier product-limit estimate, and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression, from entry to the study in 1996 to date of death, or 31 March 2003, whichever came first. The number of confidants with whom feelings were being shared at the time of study entry was predictive of survival duration.

PC-3 cells with enhanced androgen receptor signaling: a model for clonal selection in prostate cancer.

Background: Two sublines of the human prostate cancer cell line, PC-3, which is widely used as a model of prostate cancer progression, have been reported: PC-3(AR-) that do not express androgen receptor (AR), and PC-3AR+ that have measurable AR RNA but little protein.

Methods: We assayed the geneotype, karyotype, AR expression, and physical characteristics of the two PC-3 sublines, and compared their ability to elicit a transactivation response from ectopic AR in the presence and absence of specific AR coregulators.

Results: PC-3(AR-) and PC-3AR+ cells are genotypically and karyotypically similar, but exhibit salient differences in their morphology, growth rate, and expression of AR RNA.

Family caregiver knowledge of treatment intent in a longitudinal study of patients with advanced cancer.

Goals Of Work: Caregivers have become part of a triad of care and frequently attend patient consultations in the ambulatory cancer setting. Effective caregiving and decision making require that they understand the course of the disease and the changing treatment goals. This study sought to evaluate caregiver perception of treatment intent.

Self-rated health as a predictor of survival among patients with advanced cancer.

Purpose: Evidence is emerging about the strong predictive relationship between self-rated health (SRH) and survival, although there is little evidence on palliative populations where an accurate prediction of survival is valuable. Thus, the relative importance of SRH in predicting the survival of ambulatory patients with advanced cancer was examined. SRH was compared to clinical assessments of performance status, as well as to quality-of-life measures.