Radical Prostatectomy Versus Stereotactic Radiotherapy for Clinically Localised Prostate Cancer: Results of the PACE-A Randomised Trial.

Background And Objective: Randomised data on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) for stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) and prostatectomy in localised prostate cancer are lacking. PACE-A compared patient-reported health-related quality of life after SBRT with that after prostatectomy.

Methods: PACE is a phase 3 open-label, randomised controlled trial.

Clinical evaluation of the efficacy of limbus artificial intelligence software to augment contouring for prostate and nodes radiotherapy.

Objectives: To determine if Limbus, an artificial intelligence (AI) auto-contouring software, can offer meaningful time savings for prostate radiotherapy treatment planning.

Methods: Three clinical oncologists recorded the time taken to contour prostate and seminal vesicles, lymph nodes, bladder, rectum, bowel, and femoral heads on CT scans for 30 prostate patients (15 prostate, 15 prostate and nodes). Limbus 1.

Phase 1, pharmacogenomic, dose-expansion study of pegargiminase plus pemetrexed and cisplatin in patients with ASS1-deficient non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: We evaluated the arginine-depleting enzyme pegargiminase (ADI-PEG20; ADI) with pemetrexed (Pem) and cisplatin (Cis) (ADIPemCis) in ASS1-deficient non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) via a phase 1 dose-expansion trial with exploratory biomarker analysis.

Methods: Sixty-seven chemonaïve patients with advanced non-squamous NSCLC were screened, enrolling 21 ASS1-deficient subjects from March 2015 to July 2017 onto weekly pegargiminase (36 mg/m ) with Pem (500 mg/m ) and Cis (75 mg/m ), every 3 weeks (four cycles maximum), with maintenance Pem or pegargiminase. Safety, pharmacodynamics, immunogenicity, and efficacy were determined; molecular biomarkers were annotated by next-generation sequencing and PD-L1 immunohistochemistry.

Learning from Crisis: a Multicentre Study of Oncology Telemedicine Clinics Introduced During COVID-19.

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated adaptation of cancer patient care. Oncology patients who contract COVID-19 have poor outcomes. Telemedicine clinics (teleclinics) have been introduced for cancer patients to reduce the risk of horizontal transmission at St.

Integrin αvβ6 Positron Emission Tomography Imaging in Lung Cancer Patients Treated With Pulmonary Radiation Therapy.

Purpose: Post radiation therapy (RT) lung fibrosis is a major barrier to improved cure rate in lung cancer. Integrin αvβ6 plays a key role in fibrogenesis by activating transforming growth factor-β. Positron emission tomography (PET) studies with a fluorine-18 radiolabelled αvβ6 radioligand, [F]-FBA-A20FMDV2, were performed to assess uptake, and the relationship to RT dose parameters was explored.

Long-Term Results from the IDEAL-CRT Phase 1/2 Trial of Isotoxically Dose-Escalated Radiation Therapy and Concurrent Chemotherapy for Stage II/III Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Purpose: The IDEAL-CRT phase 1/2 multicenter trial of isotoxically dose-escalated concurrent chemoradiation for stage II/III non-small cell lung cancer investigated two 30-fraction schedules of 5 and 6 weeks' duration. We report toxicity, tumor response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) for both schedules, with long-term follow-up for the 6-week schedule.

Methods And Materials: Patients received isotoxically individualized tumor radiation doses of 63 to 71 Gy in 5 weeks or 63 to 73 Gy in 6 weeks, delivered concurrently with 2 cycles of cisplatin and vinorelbine.

Carboplatin versus two doses of cisplatin in combination with gemcitabine in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: Results from a British Thoracic Oncology Group randomised phase III trial.

Background: Platinum-based combination chemotherapy is standard treatment for the majority of patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The trial investigates the importance of the choice of platinum agent and dose of cisplatin in relation to patient outcomes.

Methods: The three-arm randomised phase III trial assigned patients with chemo-naïve stage IIIB/IV NSCLC in a 1:1:1 ratio to receive gemcitabine 1250 mg/m on days 1 and 8 of a 3-week cycle with cisplatin 80 mg/m (GC80) or cisplatin 50 mg/m (GC50) or carboplatin AUC6 (GCb6) for a maximum of four cycles.

Retrospective Audit: Does Prior Assessment by Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Reduce the Risk of Osteonecrosis of The Jaw in Patients Receiving Bone-Targeted Therapies for Metastatic Cancers to the Skeleton?--Part II.

Men who receive bone-targeted therapy for metastatic prostate cancer are at increased risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). Development of ONJ has been associated with the administration of bone-targeted therapies in association with other risk factors. ONJ can be distressing for a patient because it can cause pain, risk of jaw fracture, body image disturbance, difficultly eating, and difficulty maintaining good oral hygiene.

Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in Patients Receiving Bone-Targeted Therapies: An Overview--Part I.

Urologic patients receiving bone-targeted therapies are at risk of developing osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). ONJ has historically been associated with bisphosphonate therapy. More recently, RANK-Ligand inhibitors (denosumab) have also been used to reduce the risk of skeletal-related events in patients who have advanced cancers with bone metastases.

IDEAL-CRT: A Phase 1/2 Trial of Isotoxic Dose-Escalated Radiation Therapy and Concurrent Chemotherapy in Patients With Stage II/III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Purpose: To report toxicity and early survival data for IDEAL-CRT, a trial of dose-escalated concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for non-small cell lung cancer.

Patients And Methods: Patients received tumor doses of 63 to 73 Gy in 30 once-daily fractions over 6 weeks with 2 concurrent cycles of cisplatin and vinorelbine. They were assigned to 1 of 2 groups according to esophageal dose.

Skeletal Health Part 2: Development of a Nurse Practitioner Bone Support Clinic for Urologic Patients.

Part 1 of this article highlighted the potential negative effects of cancer on the skeleton and provided an overview of available treatment options. Part 2 presents a nurse practitioner-led Bone Support Clinic, which was developed for patients with cancer-induced bone disease and cancer therapy-induced bone loss. This clinic, started in 2011 in a university medical center urology/oncology outpatient center in London, England, United Kingdom, has been a collaborative effort among a multidisciplinary team of doctors, nurse practitioners and nurses.

Skeletal Health Part 1: Overview Of Bone Health and Management In the Cancer Setting.

Cancer-induced bone disease and cancer therapy-induced bone loss are significant skeletal problems related to the treatment for urological and other cancers. Our team of specialists and nurse practitioners developed a nurse practitioner-led Bone Support Clinic for urologic cancer patients at a university hospital in London, England, United Kingdom, to address this issue. The clinic has been well-accepted, has made a positive impact on the patient journey, helps to ensure continuity of care, and highlights patients who require assessment or treatment for impending skeletal-related events in a timely fashion.

Use of Condition-Specific Patient-Reported Outcome Measures in Clinical Trials among Patients with Wrist Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review.

Background. This paper aimed to identify condition-specific patient-reported outcome measures used in clinical trials among people with wrist osteoarthritis and summarise empirical peer-reviewed evidence supporting their reliability, validity, and responsiveness to change. Methods.

The efficacy and safety of weekly vinorelbine in relapsed malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rapidly progressive invariably lethal tumor. Treatment options remain limited and the outcome in relapsed disease is poor warranting new therapeutic options. Following our previous experience in the first-line setting, we conducted a phase 2 open-label non-comparative study to assess the safety and efficacy of weekly vinorelbine chemotherapy, each cycle consisting of 30 mg/m(2) for 6 weeks, in patients with previous exposure to chemotherapy.

Phase II trial of irinotecan, cisplatin and mitomycin for relapsed small cell lung cancer.

There is no standard therapy for relapsed small cell lung cancer (rSCLC). We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of a new triplet consisting of irinotecan (100 mg/m(2) Days 1 and 15 q28), cisplatin (40 mg/m(2) Days 1 and 15 q28) and mitomycin (6 mg/m(2) d1 q28) administered to a maximum of 6 cycles in individuals with rSCLC that had relapsed following first line treatment. Partial remissions were observed in 35% and progression in 30% of patients.

Efficacy and safety of first- or second-line irinotecan, cisplatin, and mitomycin in mesothelioma.

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a rapidly progressive lethal tumor. Treatment options remain limited and the outcome in recurrent disease is poor.

Methods: A Phase II open-label noncomparative study was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of the triplet combination irinotecan, cisplatin, and mitomycin-C (IPM) chemotherapy in untreated patients and in those with previous exposure to chemotherapy.

Specific risk factors for Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea: a prospective, multicenter, case control evaluation.

Background: Clostridium difficile is a toxin-producing bacterium that is responsible for toxicity to the colonic mucosa, causing inflammation, necrosis, and, in some extreme cases, intestinal dilation and perforation. C difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) occurs when patients have a reduction in their natural gastrointestinal flora that allows for the proliferation of and toxin production by C difficile.

Methods: Using a multicenter, prospective observational case control study, we assessed and quantified risk factors associated with the development of diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile, with particular attention to antibiotic use.

2-[11C]thymidine positron emission tomography reproducibility in humans.

Purpose: To evaluate the reproducibility of 2-[11C]thymidine positron emission tomography (PET) scanning in patients with advanced intra-abdominal malignancies.

Patients And Methods: The reproducibility of 2-[11C]thymidine PET was studied by comparing interpatient and intrapatient variability (coefficient of variability, COV) of both blood and tissue data. Arterial plasma metabolite levels were measured using on-line sampling and high-pressure liquid chromatography.

Measuring tumor pharmacodynamic response using PET proliferation probes: the case for 2-[(11)C]-thymidine.

[(18)F]-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) is becoming accepted as a diagnostic tool for cancer, but the potential uses of PET in oncology extend beyond the imaging of glucose metabolism. The development of a PET proliferation probe would be a useful pharmacodynamic tool. [(11)C]-thymidine PET has been assessed in man as a specific measure of tumor proliferation.

Assessment of inter- and intrapatient variability in C15O2 positron emission tomography measurements of blood flow in patients with intra-abdominal cancers.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the inter- and intrapatient variability of positron emission tomography (PET) measurements of perfusion in advanced solid cancers.

Experimental Design: Thirty-seven patients with predominantly intra-abdominal tumors underwent PET imaging using inhaled C15O2. Repeat data were obtained by scanning five patients twice, 1 week apart, with no intervening therapy.

2-[11C]thymidine positron emission tomography as an indicator of thymidylate synthase inhibition in patients treated with AG337.

Background: Some anticancer drugs inhibit thymidylate synthase (TS), a key enzyme for thymidine nucleotide biosynthesis. Cells can compensate for depleted thymidine levels by taking up extracellular thymidine via a salvage pathway. We investigated the use of 2-[11C]thymidine positron emission tomography (PET) to measure thymidine salvage kinetics in vivo in humans.

Assessment of proliferation in vivo using 2-[(11)C]thymidine positron emission tomography in advanced intra-abdominal malignancies.

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between 2-[(11)C]thymidine positron emission tomography (PET) in vivo-derived parameters and the ex vivo Ki-67 index of proliferation in human tumors. The study comprised 17 treatment-naïve patients with advanced intra-abdominal malignancies. Tumor thymidine kinetics were measured using 2-[(11)C]thymidine PET.