Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 Response to Initial Adjuvant Chemotherapy Predicts Survival and Failure Pattern of Resected Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma but Not Which Patients Are Suited for Additional Adjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy: From a Prospective Randomized Study.

Purpose: The predictive value of carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) for adjuvant chemo(radiation) therapy of resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is undefined.

Methods And Materials: We analyzed CA19-9 levels in patients with resected PDAC in a prospective randomized trial of adjuvant chemotherapy with or without additional chemoradiation therapy (CRT). Patients with postoperative CA19-9 ≤92.

Management of cancer-related fatigue in Taiwan: an evidence-based consensus for screening, assessment and treatment.

Background: Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common and persistent issues experienced by cancer patients. Cancer-related fatigue is a distinct form of fatigue that is subjective, long-lasting and unalleviated by rest or sleep. Studies have shown that almost all cancer patients experience severe fatigue that disrupts the quality of life and physical function, but cancer-related fatigue remains under-addressed in clinical care, and only about half of all patients receive treatment.

High expression of krüppel-like factor 10 or Smad4 predicts clinical benefit of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy in curatively resected pancreatic adenocarcinoma: From a randomized phase III trial.

Purpose: Our previous studies have demonstrated that Krüppel-like factor 10 (Klf10) modulated tumor radiation resistance and helps to predict clinical outcomes of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This study aimed to evaluate whether the expression levels of Klf10, Smad4 and Runx3 can help predict the benefits of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in resected PDAC.

Methods And Materials: Tissue specimens were collected from 111 patients with curatively resected PDAC who were enrolled into a randomized trial comparing adjuvant gemcitabine with or without CRT.

A nationwide survey of fatigue in cancer patients in Taiwan: an unmet need.

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is an emerging clinical issue, although its prevalence and impact on quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients in Taiwan remain unclear. The present nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted to provide a thorough overview of the prevalence, related factors and impact of CRF in Taiwan.

Methods: In this multi-center survey, data were collected using the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD-10) Fatigue evaluation, Brief Fatigue Inventory-Taiwan (BFI-T), the Chinese version of the Symptom Distressed Scale and a fatigue experience survey.

Novel circulating tumor cell-based blood test for the assessment of PD-L1 protein expression in treatment-naïve, newly diagnosed patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

We evaluated the analytical and clinical performance of a novel circulating tumor cell (CTC)-based blood test for determination of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) protein expression status in real time in treatment-naïve non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. CTCs were detected in 86% of patients with NSCLC (I-IV) at the time of diagnosis, with a 67% PD-L1 positivity rate (≥ 1 PDL + CTC). Among 33 NSCLC patients with PD-L1 results available via both tissue immunohistochemistry (IHC) and CTC assays, 78.

A nationwide survey of adherence to analgesic drugs among cancer patients in Taiwan: prevalence, determinants, and impact on quality of life.

Purpose: Poor adherence to analgesic drugs is one of the most common barriers to adequate pain management. This prospective, cross-sectional, patient-oriented observational study aimed to explore the adherence rate, clinical factors, and impact of adherence to analgesic drugs on the quality of life (QoL) among cancer outpatients in Taiwan.

Methods: Eight hundred ninety-seven consecutive adult outpatients with cancer who had reported tumor pain and received regular analgesic drug treatment were enrolled from 16 medical centers across Taiwan.

Satisfaction with pain management and impact of pain on quality of life in cancer patients.

Aim: To evaluate the prevalence of pain in cancer outpatients in Taiwan and to investigate the impact of pain on quality of life (QoL) and patient satisfaction. Results were compared to those of a similarly designed study conducted in 2008 to identify trends.

Methods: Adult patients with cancer treated as outpatients in hospitals throughout Taiwan were recruited.

Patients with head and neck cancer may need more intensive pain management to maintain daily functioning: a multi-center study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of pain, pain management, and impact of recent pain on daily functioning in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and patients with other cancers.

Methods: This multi-center survey was conducted by using Brief Pain Inventory questionnaire to evaluate pain status and its impact on daily functioning.

Results: A total of 3289 patients were analyzed including 708 HNC patients and 2581 patients with other cancers.

Strong opioid prescription in cancer patients in their final year of life: A population-based analysis using a Taiwanese health insurance database.

Aim: Pain assessment and management have been important criteria in hospital accreditation in Taiwan since 2007. We used a Taiwanese health insurance database to determine factors influencing patterns of strong opioid use in cancer patients in their final 12 months of life.

Methods: Data from patients with cancer in Taiwan outpatient clinics with cancer-related deaths between 2008 and 2011 were included in the analysis.

Germline variations at , , and and the risk of myeloproliferative neoplasms in Taiwanese population.

Germline variations at , , - and have been found to associate with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) in European populations. Whether these germline variations are associated with MPNs in Taiwanese population is obscure. Here we aimed to evaluate the association of five germline variations ( 46/1 haplotype tagged by rs12343867, intron 8 rs12339666, rs2736100, - rs9376092 and rs2201862) and the risk of MPNs in Taiwanese population.

Cancer-related pain: a nationwide survey of patients' treatment modification and satisfaction in Taiwan.

Background: We have limited knowledge about cancer patients' pain control satisfaction in outpatient departments in Taiwan and doctors' practice of adjusting analgesics according to their pain status. This survey examined pain management and satisfaction among cancer outpatients with pain and obtained information on their quality of life and treatment management for different pain intensities.

Methods: The Short version of the Brief Pain Inventory was used as the outcome questionnaire.

Falls and Related Injuries in Hospitalized Patients With Cancer in Taiwan.

Background: Falls and fall-related injuries are important indicators for quality of nursing care in institutions. Few studies have been conducted specifically on this topic for hospitalized patients with cancer in Taiwan.

Purpose: The aims of this study were to understand falls and levels of injury; to identify associations among fall-related injuries, demographics, and causes of falling; and to predict fall-related injuries in hospitalized patients with cancer.

Impact of Undertreatment of Cancer Pain With Analgesic Drugs on Patient Outcomes: A Nationwide Survey of Outpatient Cancer Patient Care in Taiwan.

Context: Undertreatment of cancer pain among outpatient cancer patients needs to be addressed to enhance care and improve patients' quality of life (QoL).

Objectives: This prospective, cross-sectional, patient-focused study aimed to explore the prevalence of pain and undertreatment of cancer pain in outpatients in Taiwan.

Methods: A total of 2652 non-selected outpatients with cancer and aged 20 years or older from 16 medical centers across Taiwan were included in this survey.

Increased B cell activation is present in JAK2V617F-mutated, CALR-mutated and triple-negative essential thrombocythemia.

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a BCL-ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasm. We have reported that increased activated B cells can facilitate platelet production mediated by cytokines regardless JAK2 mutational status in ET. Recently, calreticulin (CALR) mutations were discovered in ~30% JAK2/MPL-unmutated ET and primary myelofibrosis.

Targeted next-generation sequencing identified novel mutations in triple-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms.

Mutations in JAK2, MPL and CALR genes have been identified in the majority of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) patients, and patients negative for these three mutations are the so-called triple-negative (TN) MPN. In this study, we examined the mutational profiles of 16 triple-negative MPN patients including 7 essential thrombocythemia (ET), 1 primary myelofibrosis and 8 polycythemia vera (PV). Targeted next-generation sequencing was performed using the ACTOnco Comprehensive Cancer Panel (Ion AmpliSeq Comprehensive Cancer Panel, Life Technologies) to target all coding exons of 409 cancer-related genes.

A phase I dose-escalation study of PEP02 (irinotecan liposome injection) in combination with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin in advanced solid tumors.

Background: PEP02 (also known as MM-398, nal-IRI) is a novel nanoparticle formulation of irinotecan encapsulated in liposomes. The aims of this study were to investigate the dose-limiting toxicity (DLT), maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and pharmacokinetics (PK) of PEP02 in combination with 5-FU and LV, in patients with advanced refractory solid tumors.

Methods: Patients were enrolled in cohorts to receive PEP02 from 60 to 120 mg/m (dose expressed as the irinotecan hydrochloride trihydrate salt) as a 90-min intravenous infusion on day 1, followed by 24 h infusion of 5-FU 2,000 mg/m and LV 200 mg/m on days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks.

A Phase II Biomarker-Embedded Study of Lapatinib plus Capecitabine as First-line Therapy in Patients with Advanced or Metastatic Gastric Cancer.

An exploratory phase II biomarker-embedded trial (LPT109747; NCT00526669) designed to determine the association of lapatinib-induced fluoropyrimidine gene changes with efficacy of lapatinib plus capecitabine as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma independent of tumor HER2 status. Tumor biopsies obtained before and after 7-day lapatinib (1,250 mg) to analyze changes in gene expression, followed by a 14-day course of capecitabine (1,000 mg/m(2) twice daily, 14/21 days) plus lapatinib 1,250 mg daily. Blood samples were acquired for pharmacokinetic analysis.

The impact of pain control on physical and psychiatric functions of cancer patients: a nation-wide survey in Taiwan.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of pain in cancer patients at different disease statuses, the impact of pain on physical and psychiatric functions of patients and the satisfaction of pain control of patients at outpatient clinic department in Taiwan.

Methods: Short form of the Brief Pain Inventory was used as the outcome questionnaire. Unselected patients of different cancers and different disease statuses at outpatient clinic department were included.

Gemcitabine plus cisplatin for patients with recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Taiwan: a multicenter prospective Phase II trial.

Objective: This multicenter Phase II trial evaluated the toxicity/efficacy of gemcitabine plus cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy in patients with recurrent/metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods: Gemcitabine 1250 mg/m(2) on Days 1 and 8 and cisplatin 75 mg/m(2) on Day 1 were administered at a 3-week interval. The primary endpoint was the response rate.

EGF and EGFR genetic polymorphisms predict prognosis in locally advanced pharyngolaryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients receiving postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy.

Background: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) are part of an important signaling pathway that is involved in the pathogenesis of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We hypothesized that EGF/EGFR genetic polymorphisms might have a prognostic impact on disease-free survival and overall survival (OS) in locally advanced SCCHN.

Materials And Methods: The patient group included a consecutive cohort of 180 patients with locally advanced SCCHN who underwent postoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy between 2002 and 2010.

Rapid and sensitive detection of CALR exon 9 mutations using high-resolution melting analysis.

Background: Somatic CALR exon 9 mutations have recently been identified in patients with JAK2/MPL-unmutated myeloproliferative neoplasm, and have become an important clonal marker for the diagnosis of essential thrombocythemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis. In the present study, we sought to use high-resolution melting analysis (HRMA) as a screening method for the detection of CALR mutations.

Methods: 32 JAK2/MPL-unmutated ET patients were retrospectively enrolled and 8 healthy adults were used as wild-type control.

Impact of CINV in earlier cycles on CINV and chemotherapy regimen modification in subsequent cycles in Asia Pacific clinical practice.

Purpose: We sought to describe the impact of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in prior cycles on CINV and chemotherapy regimen modification in subsequent cycles.

Methods: Eligible patients in this multinational prospective observational study were adults (≥18 years old) receiving their first single-day highly or moderately emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC or MEC). Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the impact of CINV in prior cycles on CINV in subsequent cycles.

Lapatinib with trastuzumab for HER2-positive early breast cancer (NeoALTTO): survival outcomes of a randomised, open-label, multicentre, phase 3 trial and their association with pathological complete response.

Background: Findings from the randomised phase 3 NeoALTTO trial in women with HER2-positive early breast cancer showed that the combination of lapatinib and trastuzumab significantly improved rates of pathological complete response compared with either drug alone. Here, we report data for the prespecified secondary endpoints of event-free and overall survival, and assess the association between these outcomes and pathological complete response.

Methods: We enrolled women with HER2-positive early breast cancer and randomly assigned them to receive oral lapatinib (1500 mg), intravenous trastuzumab (4 mg/kg loading dose followed by 2 mg/kg), or lapatinib (1000 mg) plus trastuzumab (same dose as for single agent) in combination for 6 weeks, followed by an additional 12 weeks of the assigned anti-HER2 therapy in combination with weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2)).