The OncoSim-Breast Cancer Microsimulation Model.

Background: OncoSim-Breast is a Canadian breast cancer simulation model to evaluate breast cancer interventions. This paper aims to describe the OncoSim-Breast model and how well it reproduces observed breast cancer trends.

Methods: The OncoSim-Breast model simulates the onset, growth, and spread of invasive and ductal carcinoma in situ tumours.

Clinical impact and cost-effectiveness of integrating smoking cessation into lung cancer screening: a microsimulation model.

Background: Low-dose computed tomography (CT) screening can reduce lung cancer mortality in people at high risk; adding a smoking cessation intervention to screening could further improve screening program outcomes. This study aimed to assess the impact of adding a smoking cessation intervention to lung cancer screening on clinical outcomes, costs and cost-effectiveness.

Methods: Using the OncoSim-Lung mathematical microsimulation model, we compared the projected lifetime impact of a smoking cessation intervention (nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline and 12 wk of counselling) in the context of annual low-dose CT screening for lung cancer in people at high risk to lung cancer screening without a cessation intervention in Canada.

A Phase I Study of DLYE5953A, an Anti-LY6E Antibody Covalently Linked to Monomethyl Auristatin E, in Patients with Refractory Solid Tumors.

Purpose: DLYE5953A is an antibody-drug conjugate consisting of an anti-LY6E antibody covalently linked to the cytotoxic agent monomethyl auristatin E. This study characterized the safety, pharmacokinetics, immunogenicity, potential biomarkers, and antitumor activity of DLYE5953A in patients with metastatic solid tumors.

Patients And Methods: This was a phase I, open-label, 3+3 dose-escalation, and dose-expansion study of DLYE5953A administered intravenously every 21 days (Q3W) in patients with locally advanced or metastatic solid malignancies.

Biennial lung cancer screening in Canada with smoking cessation-outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

Background: Guidelines recommend low-dose CT (LDCT) screening to detect lung cancer among eligible at-risk individuals. We used the OncoSim model (formerly Cancer Risk Management Model) to compare outcomes and costs between annual and biennial LDCT screening.

Methods: OncoSim incorporates vital statistics, cancer registry data, health survey and utility data, cost, and other data, and simulates individual lives, aggregating outcomes over millions of individuals.

Risk of work loss due to illness or disability in patients with osteoarthritis: a population-based cohort study.

Objectives: To estimate the risk of work loss due to illness or disability in a cohort of employed persons with OA compared with matched non-OA individuals.

Methods: We performed a population-based cohort analysis using the last six cycles of the Canadian longitudinal National Population Health Survey from 2000 to 2010. OA cases and up to four age- and sex-matched non-OA individuals were selected.

Effects of Reductions in Body Mass Index on the Future Osteoarthritis Burden in Canada: A Population-Based Microsimulation Study.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease and a major cause of disability. Incidence and prevalence of OA are expected to increase due to population aging and increased levels of obesity. The purpose of this study was to project the effect of hypothetical interventions that change the distribution of body mass index (BMI) on OA burden in Canada.

The Population Health Model (POHEM): an overview of rationale, methods and applications.

The POpulation HEalth Model (POHEM) is a health microsimulation model that was developed at Statistics Canada in the early 1990s. POHEM draws together rich multivariate data from a wide range of sources to simulate the lifecycle of the Canadian population, specifically focusing on aspects of health. The model dynamically simulates individuals' disease states, risk factors, and health determinants, in order to describe and project health outcomes, including disease incidence, prevalence, life expectancy, health-adjusted life expectancy, quality of life, and healthcare costs.

Cost-effectiveness of Lung Cancer Screening in Canada.

Importance: The US National Lung Screening Trial supports screening for lung cancer among smokers using low-dose computed tomographic (LDCT) scans. The cost-effectiveness of screening in a publically funded health care system remains a concern.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of LDCT scan screening for lung cancer within the Canadian health care system.

Performance of the cancer risk management model lung cancer screening module.

Background: The National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) demonstrated that low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening reduces lung cancer mortality in a high-risk U.S. population.

Eligibility for low-dose computerized tomography screening among asbestos-exposed individuals.

Objectives: The study aimed to incorporate an estimate of risk for asbestos exposure in the Canadian Cancer Risk Management Lung Cancer (CRMM-LC) microsimulation model.

Methods: In CRMM-LC, a 3-year probability of developing lung cancer can be derived from different risk profiles. An asbestos-exposed cohort was simulated and different scenarios of low-dose computerized tomography (LDCT) screening were simulated.

Development of a population-based microsimulation mode of physical activity in Canada.

Background: Computer simulation modeling makes it possible to project physical activity levels and the prevalence of related health outcomes. Such projections can help to inform programs that aim to increase physical activity levels and improve population health.

Data And Methods: The Population Health Model (POHEM) platform was used to develop a dynamic microsimulation model of physical activity among Canadian adults.

Trends in risk factors for cardiovascular disease in Canada: temporal, socio-demographic and geographic factors.

Background: Temporal trends in risk factors for cardiovascular disease and the impact of socio-economic status on these risk factors remain unclear.

Methods: Using data from the National Population Health Survey and the Canadian Community Health Survey, we examined national trends in heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity and smoking prevalence from 1994 to 2005, adjusting for age and sex. We stratified data by income adequacy category, body mass index and region of residence.

Discovery of a potent and selective aurora kinase inhibitor.

This communication describes the discovery of a novel series of Aurora kinase inhibitors. Key SAR and critical binding elements are discussed. Some of the more advanced analogues potently inhibit cellular proliferation and induce phenotypes consistent with Aurora kinase inhibition.

Trends in physician-diagnosed osteoarthritis incidence in an administrative database in British Columbia, Canada, 1996-1997 through 2003-2004.

Objective: Prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) is expected to increase due to population aging. However, there is little information on the trends in the incidence of OA over time. The purpose of this study was to describe changes in physician-diagnosed OA incidence rates between 1996-1997 and 2003-2004 in British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Population health impact of cancer in Canada, 2001.

Summary measures of population health that incorporate morbidity provide a new perspective for health policy and priority setting. Health-adjusted life years (HALYs) lost to a disease combine the impact of years of life lost to premature mortality and morbidity, measured as year-equivalents lost to reduced functioning. HALYs for 25 cancers were estimated from mortality and incidence in 2001 in Canada; population-attributable fractions were estimated for major risk factors contributing to these cancers.

Small-molecule inhibition of TNF-alpha.

We have identified a small-molecule inhibitor of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) that promotes subunit disassembly of this trimeric cytokine family member. The compound inhibits TNF-alpha activity in biochemical and cell-based assays with median inhibitory concentrations of 22 and 4.6 micromolar, respectively.

Lifetime costs of colon and rectal cancer management in Canada.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality among Canadians. We derived the direct health care costs associated with the lifetime management of an estimated 16,856 patients with a diagnosis of colon and rectal cancer in Canada in 2000. Information on diagnostic approaches, treatment algorithms, follow-up and care at disease progression was obtained from various databases and was integrated into Statistics Canada's Population Health Model (POHEM) to estimate lifetime costs.

Potential impact of population-based colorectal cancer screening in Canada.

Randomized controlled trials (RCT) have shown the efficacy of screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) using the faecal occult blood test (FOBT) with follow-up by colonoscopy. We evaluated the potential impact of population-based screening by FOBT followed by colonoscopy in Canada: mortality reduction, cost-effectiveness, and resource requirements. The microsimulation model POHEM was adapted to simulate CRC screening using Canadian data and RCT results about test sensitivity and specificity, participation, incidence, staging, progression, mortality and direct health care costs.