A patient's perspective on the side effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of advanced and metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

To provide the gastrointestinal stromal tumor patient's perspective on side effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and compare this with that of healthcare professionals. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 patients with an advanced or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor, as well as six healthcare professionals, and five patients participated in a focus group. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data.

Defining the role of real-world data in cancer clinical research: The position of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer.

The emergence of the precision medicine paradigm in oncology has led to increasing interest in the integration of real-world data (RWD) into cancer clinical research. As sources of real-world evidence (RWE), such data could potentially help address the uncertainties that surround the adoption of novel anticancer therapies into the clinic following their investigation in clinical trials. At present, RWE-generating studies which investigate antitumour interventions seem to primarily focus on collecting and analysing observational RWD, typically forgoing the use of randomisation despite its methodological benefits.

Not as Stable as We Think: A Descriptive Study of 12 Monthly Assessments of Fear of Cancer Recurrence Among Curatively-Treated Breast Cancer Survivors 0-5 Years After Surgery.

: Previous studies suggest one-third of breast cancer survivors (BCS) experience elevated fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and that it remains stable. Most studies include long assessment intervals and aggregated group data. This study aimed to describe the individual trajectories of FCR when assessed monthly using both a statistical and descriptive approach.

uality of life and experiences of sarcoma trajectories (the study): protocol for an international observational cohort study on diagnostic pathways of sarcoma patients.

Introduction: Sarcomas are rare tumours with considerable heterogeneity. Early and accurate diagnosis is important to optimise patient outcomes in terms of local disease control, overall survival (OS) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Time to diagnosis is variable in bone as well as soft tissue sarcoma.

A nationwide cohort study on treatment and survival in patients with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours.

Background: Despite curative intents of treatment in localized malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs), prognosis remains poor. This study investigated survival and prognostic factors for overall survival in non-retroperitoneal and retroperitoneal MPNSTs in the Netherlands.

Methods: Data were obtained from the Netherlands Cancer Registry and the Dutch Pathology Database.

Genetic Variants as Predictive Markers for Ototoxicity and Nephrotoxicity in Patients with Locally Advanced Head and Neck Cancer Treated with Cisplatin-Containing Chemoradiotherapy (The PRONE Study).

Ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity are potentially irreversible side effects of chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin in locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC) patients. Several predictive genetic variants have been described, but as yet none in LAHNC patients. The aim of this study is to investigate genetic variants as predictors for ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity in LAHNC patients treated with cisplatin-containing chemoradiotherapy.

Prophylactic antibiotics reduce hospitalisations and cost in locally advanced head and neck cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy: A randomised phase 2 study.

Background: Platinum-based chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced head and neck cancer (LAHNC) induces a high rate of acute toxicity, including dysphagia and aspiration pneumonia. We hypothesised that prophylactic antibiotics can prevent pneumonia and hospitalisations and can be cost-effective.

Patient And Methods: In this multicentre randomised trial, patients with LAHNC treated with chemoradiotherapy received prophylactic amoxicillin/clavulanic acid from day 29 after the start of treatment until 14 days after completion of chemoradiotherapy or standard care without prophylaxis.

Early Metabolic Response as a Predictor of Treatment Outcome in Patients With Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcomas.

Background/aim: Pazopanib is approved for advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS) patients. The aim of the study was to examine the usefulness of (F)-Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) imaging for early evaluation of the response of STS patients to pazopanib, as well as the association between pazopanib pharmacokinetics and early metabolic response.

Patients And Methods: Twenty STS patients underwent FDG-PET scans at baseline, two- and eight-weeks following treatment with pazopanib.

Association of pazopanib-induced toxicities with outcome of patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma; a retrospective analysis based on the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) 62043 and 62072 clinical trials.

There is an unmet need for markers predicting the outcome of patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma (STS) treated with pazopanib. Since toxicity might be related to the anti-tumor activity of the drug, the aim of this study was to determine whether pazopanib-induced proteinuria, hypothyroidism and cardiotoxicity grade 3-4 were associated with outcome. The combined results of the EORTC 62043 and 62072 trials were retrospectively assessed and used in a landmark analysis to evaluate the effect of the toxicities on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression models.

Impact of Concomitant Administration of Gastric Acid-Suppressive Agents and Pazopanib on Outcomes in Soft-Tissue Sarcoma Patients Treated within the EORTC 62043/62072 Trials.

Purpose: Pazopanib is active in soft-tissue sarcoma (STS). Because pazopanib absorption is pH-dependent, coadministration with gastric acid-suppressive (GAS) agents such as proton pump inhibitors could affect exposure of pazopanib, and thereby its therapeutic effects.

Patients And Methods: The EORTC 62043 and 62072 were single-arm phase II and placebo-controlled phase III studies, respectively, of pazopanib in advanced STS.

Gemcitabine Re-challenge in Metastatic Soft Tissue Sarcomas: A Therapeutic Option for Selected Patients.

Background/aim: Treatment options for patients with metastatic soft tissue sarcomas are limited. Re-challenge with a previously successful gemcitabine-based regimen is common. There are no published data to support this practice.

Online support community for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer: user statistics, evaluation, and content analysis.

Purpose: Peer support is an important unmet need among adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients. This study was conducted to describe the use and evaluation of a Dutch secure online support community for AYA diagnosed with cancer between 18 and 35 years.

Methods: User statistics were collected with Google analytics.

Age-related sarcoma patient experience: results from a national survey in England.

Background: Sarcomas are rare, heterogeneous tumours affecting patients of any age. Previous surveys describe that sarcoma patients report a significantly worse experience than those with common cancers. Consequently, Sarcoma UK conducted a national survey and these data were examined for age- and tumour-related differences in patients' experiences.

Clinical Characteristics and efficacy of chemotherapy in sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma.

Background: Sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) is a very rare soft tissue sarcoma subtype. Clinically it is an aggressive tumour; however, to our knowledge there are no published reports regarding the efficacy of chemotherapy in SEF. Therefore, the aim of this study was to document the outcome of a series of patients with SEF treated at a single referral centre with reference to systemic therapy.

Clinical outcomes of adolescents and young adults with advanced solid tumours participating in phase I trials.

Background: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with advanced solid tumours are often considered for phase I clinical trials with novel agents. The outcome of AYAs in these trials have not been described before.

Aim: To study the outcome of AYA patients in phase I clinical trials.

Identification and assessment of health-related quality of life issues in patients with sporadic desmoid-type fibromatosis: a literature review and focus group study.

Purpose: Sporadic desmoid-type fibromatosis (DTF) is a rare, chronic, non-metastasising, disease of the soft tissues. It is characterised by local invasive and unpredictable growth behaviour and a high propensity of local recurrence after surgery thereby often having a great impact on health-related quality of life (HRQL). This study aims to review currently used HRQL measures and to asses HRQL issues among DTF patients.

Elderly patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) receive less treatment irrespective of performance score or comorbidity - A retrospective multicentre study in a large cohort of GIST patients.

Objective: Although gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) predominantly occur in older patients, data on treatment patterns in elderly GIST patients are scarce.

Methods: Patients registered in the Dutch GIST Registry (DGR) from January 2009 until December 2016 were included. Differences in treatment patterns between elderly (≥75 years) and younger patients were compared.

Early Evaluation of Response Using F-FDG PET Influences Management in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor Patients Treated with Neoadjuvant Imatinib.

F-FDG PET has previously been proven effective as an early way to evaluate the response of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) to imatinib treatment. However, it is unclear whether early evaluation of response affects treatment decisions in GIST patients treated with neoadjuvant intent. We retrospectively scored changes in management based on early evaluation of response by F-FDG PET in patients in the Dutch GIST registry treated with neoadjuvant imatinib.

Adherence to Guidelines for Adult (Non-GIST) Soft Tissue Sarcoma in the Netherlands: A Plea for Dedicated Sarcoma Centers.

Introduction: Optimal management of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) remains a challenge. A nationwide survey assessed the quality of STS care in the Netherlands, thereby aiming to identify potentialities for improvement through more centralized disease management.

Methods: From the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR), data were obtained on 3317 adult STS patients (excluding gastrointestinal stromal tumor, GIST) diagnosed in 2006-2011.

Pazopanib, a promising option for the treatment of aggressive fibromatosis.

Desmoid tumour/aggressive fibromatosis (DT/AF) is a rare soft-tissue neoplasm that is locally aggressive but does not metastasize. There is no standard systemic treatment for symptomatic patients, although a number of agents are used. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors have recently been reported to show useful activity.

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) lymphoma survivors report lower health-related quality of life compared to a normative population: results from the PROFILES registry.

Background: Trying to simultaneously achieve developmental milestones and cope with a life-threatening disease may place adolescents and young adults (AYAs) at risk for impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) later in life. The aim of this study was to examine differences in HRQoL between AYA lymphoma survivors and a normative population and to determine sociodemographic, clinical and long-term symptom-related factors associated with HRQoL.

Material And Methods: This study was part of a longitudinal, population-based survey among lymphoma survivors diagnosed between 1999 and 2012.

Adjuvant dendritic cell vaccination induces tumor-specific immune responses in the majority of stage III melanoma patients.

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of adjuvant dendritic cell (DC) vaccination to induce tumor-specific immunological responses in stage III melanoma patients.

Experimental Design: Retrospective analysis of stage III melanoma patients, vaccinated with autologous monocyte-derived DC loaded with tumor-associated antigens (TAA) gp100 and tyrosinase after radical lymph node dissection. Skin-test infiltrating lymphocytes (SKILs) obtained from delayed-type hypersensitivity skin-test biopsies were analyzed for the presence of TAA-specific CD8(+) T cells by tetrameric MHC-peptide complexes and by functional TAA-specific T cell assays, defined by peptide-recognition (T2 cells) and/or tumor-recognition (BLM and/or MEL624) with specific production of Th1 cytokines and no Th2 cytokines.