The Case for Shared Decision-making in Oncology and Why the Philippine Healthcare System is Primed for It.

Shared decision-making is ethically imperative, and is a key component in cost-effective, efficient and equitable cancer care. We review the recent advances in resources, training, tool development, and health policy, supporting the implementation of shared decision-making, and how the Philippines is primed for it.

Shared Decision Making in Oncology and Its Implementation in Cervical Cancer Management in the Philippines: A Narrative Review.

Purpose: Shared decision making (SDM) is an approach where clinicians and patients make decisions together using the best available evidence. Although much studied, recognized to be ethically imperative, and recommended in international health policies, it remains poorly implemented. In the Philippines, there are limited studies on patient decision making preferences and SDM.

Clinical outcomes of single application multi-fractionated CT-guided interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer: A multi-institution initial experience.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and clinical outcomes of single application multi-fractionated computed tomography (CT)-guided interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy given in four fractions in locally advanced cervical cancer.

Material And Methods: Patients with locally advanced cervical cancer stage IIB-IVA treated definitively with external radiation ± weekly cisplatin, followed by single application multi-fractionated CT-guided interstitial high-dose-rate brachytherapy in four fractions were included. Dosimetry data, clinical response, and toxicity records were reviewed.

Antibody response to enterotoxigenic of Filipino colorectal cancer patients.

Background: Several species of the gut microbiota have been implicated in colorectal cancer (CRC) development. The anaerobic bacterium enterotoxigenic (ETBF), has been identified to produce fragilysin, a toxin known to cleave E-cadherin, thereby leading to carcinogenesis.

Objective: To determine the antibody response of CRC patients against ETBF to ascertain whether significant difference exists or whether antibody response is related to tumor grade and tumor stage.

Patient Decision Aid for Chemotherapy or Exclusion in Cisplatin-Intolerant Patients With Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer: Development, Alpha Testing, and Peer Validation.

Purpose: In locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC), adding cisplatin to radiotherapy (RT) improves survival but increases toxicity. Among patients with cisplatin contraindications, RT compliance may be compromised by toxicity because of cisplatin or a substitute. In shared decision making, a patient decision aid (PtDA) may decrease decisional conflict and attitudinal barriers, thereby improving treatment compliance.

Teleconsultation Perceptions of Medical and Radiation Oncologists in the COVID-19 and Post-COVID-19 Era: A National Survey in the Philippines.

Purpose: The study reports on the current perception of medical and radiation oncologists regarding teleconsultation in the Philippines. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the adoption of telemedicine was not widespread. With movement restrictions imposed during the pandemic, physicians were compelled to use telemedicine.

Final Safety and Health-Related Quality of LIfe Results of the Phase 2/3 Act.In.Sarc Study With Preoperative NBTXR3 Plus Radiation Therapy Versus Radiation Therapy in Locally Advanced Soft-Tissue Sarcoma.

Purpose: Act.In.Sarc (NCT02379845) demonstrated that the first-in-class radioenhancer NBTXR3, activated by preoperative radiation therapy (RT), doubled the rate of pathologic complete response after resection compared with preoperative RT alone in adult patients with locally advanced soft tissue sarcoma of the extremity or trunk wall (16.

Outcomes with definitive radiotherapy among patients with locally advanced cervical cancer with relative or absolute contraindications to cisplatin: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) is chemoradiation (CRT) with cisplatin, followed by brachytherapy, but is less defined for cisplatin-intolerant patients. We synthesized evidence on treatment outcomes with definitive radiotherapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy (ChT) in these patients.

Methods: We performed a systematic search and included 20 relevant studies.

Phase 1/2 trial evaluating the effectiveness and safety of dose-adapted Hypofractionated pelvic radiotherapy for Advanced Cervical cancers INeligible for ChemoTherapy (HYACINCT).

Background: The standard treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) is concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) followed by brachytherapy (BRT). The addition of chemotherapy (ChT) to radiotherapy (RT) is associated with a 7.5% improvement in overall survival but with more grade 3-4 acute toxicities (16.

Orbital mold brachytherapy for recurrent orbital mesenchymal chondrosarcoma: a case report.

Purpose: The aim of this case report is to present a case of orbital mesenchymal chondrosarcoma sarcoma with multiple recurrences, and to report technical details of a contemporary approach for orbital brachytherapy that can be used in low-resource settings.

Material And Methods: A 46-year-old female diagnosed with recurrent orbital mesenchymal chondrosarcoma of the left orbit presented with her third local recurrence. The patient proceeded with conservative surgery with planned adjuvant high-dose-rate brachytherapy 2 weeks post-surgery.

antibody response of colorectal cancer patients versus clinically healthy individuals.

Dysbiosis, defined as an imbalance in the gut microbiota caused by too few beneficial bacteria and an overgrowth of bad bacteria, yeast, and/or parasites, is now being associated with several diseases, including the development of colorectal carcinoma (CRC). In this study, the potential association of (formerly ) with CRC was investigated. Plasma samples obtained from preoperative histologically confirmed CRC patients (=39) and their age- and sex-matched clinically healthy controls (=39) were analyzed for antibodies to toxin B of (anti-tcdB) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Assessing the Effect of Radiotherapy in Addition to Surgery in Colon Adenocarcinomas: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Contemporary Evidence.

Purpose: This study aims to review the contemporary evidence investigating radiotherapy (RT) in addition to surgery for colon adenocarcinomas.

Methods: We searched the following databases: PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, ASCOpubs, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Studies (since January 2005) comparing outcomes of high-risk colon adenocarcinomas who underwent RT in addition to surgery versus no RT were eligible.

NBTXR3, a first-in-class radioenhancer hafnium oxide nanoparticle, plus radiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone in patients with locally advanced soft-tissue sarcoma (Act.In.Sarc): a multicentre, phase 2-3, randomised, controlled trial.

Background: Pathological complete response to preoperative treatment in adults with soft-tissue sarcoma can be achieved in only a few patients receiving radiotherapy. This phase 2-3 trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of the hafnium oxide (HfO) nanoparticle NBTXR3 activated by radiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone as a pre-operative treatment in patients with locally advanced soft-tissue sarcoma.

Methods: Act.

XRCC4 c.1394G>T Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Breast Cancer Risk among Filipinos.

Background: The identification of cancer-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and mutation genes is a promising approach in recognizing individuals who are at risk of developing cancer. Hence, this study was conducted to determine the association between XRCC4 c.1394G>T SNP and breast cancer development among Filipinos.

GSTM1 and GSTT1 Genetic Polymorphisms and Breast Cancer Risk in Selected Filipino Cases.

Background: The association of genetic polymorphisms with cancer development has been shown to be race- and tumor site-specific. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether polymorphisms in the GSTM1 and GSTT1 genes are associated with breast cancer among selected Filipinos. Methods: A total of 136 histologically confirmed breast cancer cases were age- and sex-matched with 136 clinically healthy controls.

Neoadjuvant Radiotherapy Versus No Radiotherapy for Stage IV Rectal Cancer: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to review the contemporary evidence comparing neoadjuvant radiotherapy (NRT) versus no radiotherapy (no RT) in patients with stage IV rectal cancer.

Methods: Literature was searched for studies using the following databases: Pubmed, EMBASE, Science Direct, Scopus, ASCOpubs, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Studies reporting outcomes for stage IV rectal cancer patients who underwent NRT or no RT were selected.

A novel applicator design for intracavitary brachytherapy of the nasopharynx: Simulated reconstruction, image-guided adaptive brachytherapy planning, and dosimetry.

Purpose: In nasopharyngeal cancer, brachytherapy is given as boost in primary treatment or as salvage for recurrent or persistent disease. The Rotterdam nasopharyngeal applicator (RNA) allows for suboptimal reduction of soft palate radiation dose, based on image-guided brachytherapy plans. Building on the RNA, we propose a novel design, the Benavides nasopharyngeal applicator (BNA).

Immunogenicity of a Fap2 peptide mimotope of and its potential use in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Background: The role of Fap2 protein in the development of colorectal cancer has recently been explained. Fap2, when bound to the human inhibitory receptor, TIGIT, inhibits the cytotoxic activity of natural killer (NK) cells against cancer cells, thus, allowing proliferation of the latter eventually leading to tumor growth. The aim of the study was to identify the immunogenicity of a peptide mimotope of the Fap2 protein and to determine the reactivity of colorectal cancer patients' sera against the mimotope.

Validation of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head-and-Neck-Filipino (MDASI-HN-F): clinical utility of symptom screening among patients with head-and-neck cancer.

Context: Symptom burden and quality of life (QOL) are of particular importance in head-and-neck cancer treatment. The MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Head-and-Neck (MDASI-HN) is a simple symptom assessment tool practicable for patient follow-up, but a validated Filipino translation was previously unavailable.

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to develop a valid Filipino translation of the MDASI-HN, to test the sensitivity of the validated MDASI core-F, and to report the prevalence and pattern of head-and-neck symptoms in our cohort.

Depressive symptoms among cancer patients in a Philippine tertiary hospital: prevalence, factors, and influence on health-related quality of life.

Background: The World Health Organization recognizes depression as one of the most burdensome diseases in the world. Among cancer patients, depression is significantly associated with shorter survival, independent of the influence of biomedical prognostic factors. Although cancer is the third leading cause of morbidity and mortality among Filipinos, little is known about depressive symptoms and their influence on health-related quality of life in this population.