IMPRESS-Norway: improving public cancer care by implementing precision medicine in Norway; inclusion rates and preliminary results.

Background And Purpose: In Norway, comprehensive molecular tumour profiling is implemented as part of the public healthcare system. A substantial number of tumours harbour potentially targetable molecular alterations. Therapy outcomes may improve if targeted treatments are matched with actionable genomic alterations.

Attenuation of DNA base oxidation in post-surgery colorectal stage III patients at subsequent follow-ups.

DNA damage caused by oxidative reactions plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). In a previous cross-sectional study, CRC patients diagnosed with regional disease (stage III) exhibited a higher level of DNA base oxidation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) 2-9 months post-surgery compared to those with localized disease (stage I-II). To further explore this observation over time, the present study aimed to investigate DNA base oxidation in CRC patients with localized versus regional disease 6 and 12 months after the initial measurements.

Effect of a personalized intensive dietary intervention on base excision repair (BER) in colorectal cancer patients: Results from a randomized controlled trial.

DNA repair is essential to maintain genomic integrity and may affect colorectal cancer (CRC) patients' risk of secondary cancers, treatment efficiency, and susceptibility to various comorbidities. Bioactive compounds identified in plant foods have the potential to modulate DNA repair mechanisms, but there is limited evidence of how dietary factors may affect DNA repair activity in CRC patients in remission after surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a 6-month personalized intensive dietary intervention on DNA repair activity in post-surgery CRC patients (stage I-III).

The socioeconomic impact of cancer on patients and their relatives: Organisation of European Cancer Institutes task force consensus recommendations on conceptual framework, taxonomy, and research directions.

Loss of income and out-of-pocket expenditures are important causes of financial hardship in many patients with cancer, even in high-income countries. The far-reaching consequences extend beyond the patients themselves to their relatives, including caregivers and dependents. European research to date has been limited and is hampered by the absence of a coherent theoretical framework and by heterogeneous methods and terminology.

DNA base oxidation in relation to TNM stages and chemotherapy treatment in colorectal cancer patients 2-9 months post-surgery.

Accumulation of DNA damage is a critical feature of genomic instability, which is a hallmark of various cancers. The enzyme-modified comet assay is a recognized method to detect specific DNA lesions at the level of individual cells. In this cross-sectional investigation, we explore possible links between clinicopathological and treatment related factors, nutritional status, physical activity and function, and DNA damage in a cohort of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with non-metastatic disease.

Self-reported distress and problems after treatment for gynecological cancer - Correlation between a short screening tool and longer measures of anxiety/depression and health-related quality of life.

Introduction: The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) distress thermometer and problem list (DTPL) is a brief self-report screening measure for use in follow-up cancer care. The aims of this study were to explore the correlations between scores on the DTPL and scores on longer measures of anxiety/depression and health-related quality of life among women treated for gynecological cancer, and to define a cutoff score on the DT representing high levels of psychological distress in this patient group.

Material And Methods: During outpatient visits, 144 women filled in the DTPL, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the RAND-36-Item Short Form Health Survey (RAND-36) between October 2019 and March 2020.

Transcriptomic subtyping of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours highlights immune signatures, genomic profiles, patient survival and therapeutic targets.

Background: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) is an aggressive orphan disease commonly affecting adolescents or young adults. Current knowledge of molecular tumour biology has been insufficient for development of rational treatment strategies. We aimed to discover molecular subtypes of potential clinical relevance.

Effect of a one-year personalized intensive dietary intervention on body composition in colorectal cancer patients: Results from a randomized controlled trial.

Background & Aims: Changes in body composition may affect colorectal cancer (CRC) patient's risk of cancer recurrence, secondary cancer, and other chronic diseases. The suggested interventions for changes in body composition such as low muscle mass or high fat mass, are diet and physical activity. Nevertheless, there is limited evidence of how dietary intervention alone can impact body composition.

Outcome of rare primary malignant bone sarcoma treated with multimodal therapy: Results from the EUROpean Bone Over 40 Sarcoma Study (EURO-B.O.S.S.).

Background: Rare primary malignant bone sarcomas (RPMBS) account for 5%-10% of primary high-grade bone tumors and represent a major treatment challenge. The outcome of patients with RPMBS enrolled in the EUROpean Bone Over 40 Sarcoma Study (EURO-B.O.

Associations of the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute of Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) cancer prevention recommendations with stages of colorectal carcinogenesis.

Background: While adherence to cancer prevention recommendations is linked to lower risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), few have studied associations across the entire spectrum of colorectal carcinogenesis. Here, we studied the relationship of the standardized 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) Score for cancer prevention recommendations with detection of colorectal lesions in a screening setting. As a secondary objective, we examined to what extent the recommendations were being followed in an external cohort of CRC patients.

Linking EORTC QLQ-C-30 and PedsQL/PEDQOL physical functioning scores in patients with osteosarcoma.

Purpose: The available questionnaires for quality-of-life (QoL) assessments are age-group specific, limiting comparability and impeding longitudinal analyses. The comparability of measurements, however, is a necessary condition for gaining scientific evidence. To overcome this problem, we assessed the viability of harmonising data from paediatric and adult patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures.

Improving public cancer care by implementing precision medicine in Norway: IMPRESS-Norway.

Background: Matching treatment based on tumour molecular characteristics has revolutionized the treatment of some cancers and has given hope to many patients. Although personalized cancer care is an old concept, renewed attention has arisen due to recent advancements in cancer diagnostics including access to high-throughput sequencing of tumour tissue. Targeted therapies interfering with cancer specific pathways have been developed and approved for subgroups of patients.

Rituximab-treated patients with lymphoma develop strong CD8 T-cell responses following COVID-19 vaccination.

B-cell depletion induced by anti-cluster of differentiation 20 (CD20) monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy of patients with lymphoma is expected to impair humoral responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination, but effects on CD8 T-cell responses are unknown. Here, we investigated humoral and CD8 T-cell responses following two vaccinations in patients with lymphoma undergoing anti-CD20-mAb therapy as single agent or in combination with chemotherapy or other anti-neoplastic agents during the last 9 months prior to inclusion, and in healthy age-matched blood donors. Antibody measurements showed that seven of 110 patients had antibodies to the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein 3-6 weeks after the second dose of vaccination.

Long-term satisfaction with curative treatment and follow-up in prostate cancer survivors.

Purpose: In a cross-sectional observational study to explore long-term satisfaction with treatment among men who had undergone radical prostatectomy (RP) or definitive pelvic radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer (PCa).

Methods: After mean 7 years from therapy (range: 6-8), 431 PCa-survivors (RP:  = 313, RT:  = 118) completed a mailed questionnaire assessing persistent treatment-related adverse effects (AEs) (Expanded Prostate cancer Index Composite [EPIC-26]) and seven Quality indicators describing satisfaction with the health care service following a most often general practitioner (GP)-led follow-up plan. A logistic regression model evaluated the associations between long-term satisfaction and treatment modality, age, the seven satisfaction-related Quality indicators, and persistent AEs.

Implementing cancer patient pathways in Scandinavia how structuring might affect the acceptance of a politically imposed reform.

Through political decisions all three Scandinavian countries implemented national reforms in cancer care introducing cancer patient pathways. Though resistance from the professional community is common to top-down initiatives, we recognized positive receptions of this reform in all three countries and professionals immediately contributed in implementing the core measures. The implementation of a similar reform in three countries with a similar health care system created a unique opportunity to look for shared characteristics.

Mind the Differences: How Diagnoses and Hospital Characteristics Influence Coordination in Cancer Patient Pathways.

Integrated care pathway (ICP) is a prevailing concept in health care management including cancer care. Though substantial research has been conducted on ICPs knowledge is still deficient explaining how characteristics of diagnose, applied procedures, patient group and organizational context influence specific practicing of ICPs. We studied how coordination takes place in three cancer pathways in four Norwegian hospitals.

Exploring the triggering process of a cancer care reform in three Scandinavian countries.

Cancer incidence is increasing, and cancer is a leading cause of death in the Scandinavian countries, and at the same time more efficient but very expensive new treatment options are available. Based on the increasing demand, high expectations and limited resources, crises in public legitimacy of cancer care evolved in the three Scandinavian countries. Similar cancer care reforms were introduced in the period 2007-2015 to address the crisis.

Quantification of adipose tissues by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry and Computed Tomography in colorectal cancer patients.

Background & Aims: Excess adipose tissue may affect colorectal cancer (CRC) patients' disease progression and treatment. In contrast to the commonly used anthropometric measurements, Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and Computed Tomography (CT) can differentiate adipose tissues. However, these modalities are rarely used in the clinic despite providing high-quality estimates.

Outcome in dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma for patients treated with multimodal therapy: Results from the EUROpean Bone Over 40 Sarcoma Study.

Introduction: The role of chemotherapy for patients with dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma (DDCS) is still under discussion. Here, we present the outcome in patients with DDCS treated with intensive chemotherapy from the EUROpean Bone Over 40 Sarcoma Study.

Materials And Methods: The chemotherapy regimen included doxorubicin, ifosfamide and cisplatin.