Concurrent substance use among cancer patients with and without a history of cannabis use since cancer diagnosis at an NCI-Designated Cancer Center in Florida.

Background: Although substance use may have adverse impacts on cancer outcomes, little is known regarding patterns of concurrent substance use with cannabis among cancer patients. Our objective was to examine predictors of concurrent substance use with cannabis among cancer patients since their cancer diagnosis and explore perceptions of cannabis among these patients.

Methods: Patients treated at a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center were invited to participate in an electronic survey regarding medical cannabis from August to November 2021.

Correlation of handgrip strength with quality of life-adjusted pulmonary function in adults.

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) is acknowledged as a key indicator of overall physical fitness and is associated with various health outcomes.

Objectives: This research investigates the correlation between HGS and quality of life (QoL), focusing on its relation to pulmonary function in the general adult population.

Method: The study involved 19,402 participants aged 40 and above, spanning from 2014 to 2019, who underwent pulmonary function and HGS tests.

CYP2D6-guided opioid therapy for adults with cancer pain: A randomized implementation clinical trial.

Introduction: The CYP2D6 enzyme metabolizes opioids commonly prescribed for cancer-related pain, and CYP2D6 polymorphisms may contribute to variability in opioid response. We evaluated the feasibility of implementing CYP2D6-guided opioid prescribing for patients with cancer and reported pilot outcome data.

Methods: Adult patients from two cancer centers were prospectively enrolled into a hybrid implementation-effectiveness clinical trial and randomized to CYP2D6-genotype-guided opioid selection, with clinical recommendations, or usual care.

Lucid Dreams Associated with Pregabalin: Implications for Clinical Practice.

Here, we describe a case of a patient with multiple myeloma who reported symptoms of lucid dreams. This patient was taking methadone for neoplasm related pain. The patient was also taking pregabalin which was initially started at dosing of 50 mg taken orally three times a day.

Rate of cannabis use in older adults with cancer.

Objectives: Older adults with cancer are increasingly inquiring about and using cannabis. Despite this, few studies have examined cannabis use in patients with cancer aged 65 years and older as a separate group and identified characteristics associated with use. The current study sought to determine the rate of cannabis use in older adult patients with cancer and to identify demographic and clinical correlates of use.

Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale and Clinical Characteristics Associated With Cannabinoid Use in Oncology Supportive Care Outpatients.

Background: Information about the frequency of cannabinoid use and the clinical characteristics of its users in oncology supportive care is limited. This study explored associations between cannabinoid use and cancer-related clinical characteristics in a cancer population.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective review included 332 patients who had a urine drug test (UDT) for tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) together with completion of an Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) and cannabinoid history questionnaire on the same day that urine was obtained during 1 year in the supportive care clinic.

Cannabis Use in Young Adult Cancer Patients.

The use of cannabis by young adult (YA) cancer patients is likely to increase as medical cannabis becomes more available. Clinically relevant data on cannabis use are needed to establish benchmarks for use, to identify patients who are more likely to use cannabis, and to assess outcomes associated with use. The current study sought to determine the rate of cannabis use in YA cancer patients ages 18 to 39, identify demographic and clinical correlates of use, and examine differences in moderate-to-severe symptoms between users and nonusers.

Relationship of Cannabis Use to Patient-Reported Symptoms in Cancer Patients Seeking Supportive/Palliative Care.

The use of cannabis by cancer patients has become increasingly common. With expanding access to medical cannabis, unsanctioned cannabis use is likely to increase. Despite this, the extent to which patients seeking specialized palliative or supportive care for cancer-related symptoms are actively using cannabis has not been well established.

Cancer and Opioids: Patient Experiences With Stigma (COPES)-A Pilot Study.

Context: Cancer-related pain is a common symptom that is often treated with opioids. However, legislation aimed at containing the opioid crisis, coupled with public fears about opioid risks, may contribute to opioid stigma in cancer patients. To our knowledge, no prior research has examined opioid stigma and stigma-related behavior in this population.

Prognostic value of CD8CD45RO tumor infiltrating lymphocytes in patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignancy arising from the biliary tract epithelial cells with poor prognosis. Tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL)s and programmed cell death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1) have a prognostic impact in various solid tumors. We aimed to investigate TILs and PD-L1 expression and their clinical relevance in cholangiocarcinoma.

Design and rational for the precision medicine guided treatment for cancer pain pragmatic clinical trial.

Introduction: Pain is one of the most burdensome symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment, and opioids are the cornerstone of pain management. Opioid therapy is empirically selected, and patients often require adjustments in therapy to effectively alleviate pain or ameliorate adverse drug effects that interfere with quality of life. There are data suggesting CYP2D6 genotype may contribute to inter-patient variability in response to opioids through its effects on opioid metabolism.

Single Institute Experience With Methylphenidate and American Ginseng in Cancer-Related Fatigue.

Background: Single therapy with methylphenidate or American ginseng contributes to the reduction in cancer-related fatigue (CRF) with different pharmacologic mechanisms and is relatively safe. However, the safety and efficacy of treating CRF with methylphenidate and AG combination therapy is unknown.

Aim: The primary objective was to assess the clinical safety and the change in fatigue with numerical rating scale (NRS) on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) after intervention with methylphenidate and AG combination therapy.