Role of MicroRNAs in Treatment Response in Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most common non-skin cancer in men worldwide, resulting in significant mortality and morbidity. Depending on the grade and stage of the cancer, patients may be given radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, or chemotherapy. However, more than half of these patients develop resistance to treatment, leading to disease progression and metastases, often with lethal consequences.

Patterns of follow up and survivorship care for people with colorectal cancer in new South Wales, Australia: a population-based survey.

Background: The incidence and survival rates for colorectal cancer in Australia are among the highest in the world. With population growth and ageing there are increasing numbers of colorectal cancer survivors in the community, yet little is known of their ongoing follow up and survivorship care experiences. This study investigated patterns and predictors of follow up and survivorship care received and recommended for adults with colorectal cancer in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Beyond using composite measures to analyze the effect of unmet supportive care needs on caregivers' anxiety and depression.

Objective: Caregiver research has relied on composite measures (eg, count) of unmet supportive care needs to determine relationships with anxiety and depression. Such composite measures assume that all unmet needs have a similar impact on outcomes. The purpose of this study is to identify individual unmet needs most associated with caregivers' anxiety and depression.

The development of an online intervention (Care Assist) to support male caregivers of women with breast cancer: a protocol for a mixed methods study.

Introduction: It is projected that 17 730 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia in 2017, with 3114 of these predicted to be fatal. Caregiving for a person with cancer can significantly impact caregivers' physical and mental health. Many caregivers feel ill-prepared for this role, especially when care involves complex medical needs accompanied by the psychological challenges experienced following a cancer diagnosis.

Lymph node ratio as a prognostic factor in metastatic cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The prognostic impact of the size and number of nodal metastases in head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is well established. The purpose of this study was to validate the prognostic significance of the lymph node ratio in metastatic head and neck cutaneous SCC.

Methods: A retrospective review of 326 patients with head and neck cutaneous SCC with parotid and/or cervical nodal metastases was performed.

Analysis and Comparison of the 8th Edition American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Nodal Staging System in Cutaneous and Oral Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck.

Background: The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) uses the same nodal staging system for cutaneous and mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in its 8th edition (AJCC 8) despite differences in the etiology, risk factors, and clinical behavior of the two diseases. This study aims to evaluate the performance of the AJCC 8 nodal staging system by direct comparison of cutaneous (cSCC) versus oral squamous cell carcinoma (oSCC) patients.

Methods: Patients with metastatic cSCC (N = 382) and oSCC (N = 325) were identified from a prospective database (years 1987-2016).

Screening for distress in survivorship.

Purpose Of Review: The current review provides an overview of recent research and other initiatives aimed at increasing and/or systematizing screening for distress in cancer survivors. It is timely given an increasing drive internationally to implement distress screening as part of routine cancer care.

Recent Findings: Screening using brief validated tools is recommended and the single-item distress thermometer continues to be the international screening tool of choice.

A systematic review of quantitative observational studies investigating psychological distress in testicular cancer survivors.

Objective: Testicular cancer (TC) affects young men and may cause psychological distress despite a good prognosis. This systematic review evaluated the prevalence, severity, and correlates of anxiety, depression, fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), and distress in TC survivors.

Methods: A systematic search of literature published 1977 to 2017 was conducted to find quantitative studies including TC survivor-reported outcomes relevant to review objectives.

Prostatectomy versus radiotherapy for early-stage prostate cancer (PREPaRE) study: protocol for a mixed-methods study of treatment decision-making in men with localised prostate cancer.

Background: Men diagnosed with localised prostate cancer (LPC) wanting curative treatment face a highly preference-sensitive choice between prostatectomy and radiotherapy, which offer similar cure rates but different side effects. This study aims to determine the information, decision-making needs and preferences of men with LPC choosing between robotic prostatectomy and standard external beam or stereotactic radiotherapy.

Methods And Analysis: This study will be conducted at a large public teaching hospital in Australia offering the choice between robotic prostatectomy and radiotherapy from early 2017.

Systematic Review of Decision Aids for the Management of Men With Localized Prostate Cancer.

A broader range of decisional tools should be investigated. This paper will update the decisional outcome data and assess the features of decisional tool. Literature search strictly followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline.

Lower trial participation by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) cancer patients is largely due to language barriers.

Aim: Clinical trials play a critical role in advancing cancer care, but international research shows that few cancer patients, particularly culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) patients, participate in trials. This limits generalizability of trial results and increases health disparities. This study aimed to establish rates and correlates of trial participation among CALD patients in South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD), a highly culturally diverse area.

Routine assessment of unmet needs in individuals with advanced cancer and their caregivers: A qualitative study of the palliative care needs assessment tool (PC-NAT).

Purpose: To examine (1) approaches used by oncologists to administer the palliative care needs assessment tool (PC-NAT) in consultations with patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers, (2) potential of this tool to facilitate discussion of psychosocial issues, and (3) whether use of the tool alters the length of consultations.

Design: A qualitative analysis was undertaken of audio-taped, outpatient consultations.

Sample And Methods: 20 individuals with advanced cancer and their caregivers who participated in an interrupted time series study of the impact of the systematic utilization of the PC-NAT had a total of 48 consultations audio-taped.

PD-L1 expression predicts longer disease free survival in high risk head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

Programmed cell death (PD-1) and its ligand (PD-L1) inhibitors have shown clinical response in many tumours. PD-L1 data are limited in head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (HNcSCC) and no clinical trials of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are published. We performed PD-L1 immunohistochemistry on 74 cases of high risk HNcSCC with 38 matched metastases and evaluated clinicopathological associations, prognostic significance and heterogeneity in matched metastases.

e-TC: Development and pilot testing of a web-based intervention to reduce anxiety and depression in survivors of testicular cancer.

e-TC is an online intervention designed to address common psychosocial concerns of testicular cancer survivors. It aims to reduce anxiety, depression and fear of cancer recurrence by providing evidence-based information and psychological intervention. This paper details the development and pilot testing of e-TC.

Reviewing the genetic alterations in high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: A search for prognostic markers and therapeutic targets.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is second only in incidence to basal cell carcinoma (BCC), effecting up to 500 000 people in the United States annually. Metastasis to regional lymph nodes occurs in approximately 5% of cases and imparts significant morbidity. Standard treatment in this group involves a combination of surgery and adjuvant radiation.

Trajectories of mental and physical functioning among spouse caregivers of cancer survivors over the first five years following the diagnosis.

Objective: Identify the trajectories of physical and mental functioning among spouse caregivers of patients with cancer over the first five years post-diagnosis and variables associated with low or deteriorating functioning.

Methods: Caregivers completed a survey at 6 months and 1, 2, 3.5, and 5 years post-patient diagnosis, including the SF-12 for quality of life (QOL).

Molecular dynamics simulations reveal structural insights into inhibitor binding modes and functionality in human Group IIA phospholipase A.

Human Group IIA phospholipase A (hGIIA) promotes inflammation in immune-mediated pathologies by regulating the arachidonic acid pathway through both catalysis-dependent and -independent mechanisms. The hGIIA crystal structure, both alone and inhibitor-bound, together with structures of closely related snake-venom-derived secreted phospholipase enzymes has been well described. However, differentiation of biological and nonbiological contacts and the relevance of structures determined from snake venom enzymes to human enzymes are not clear.

Differences in survival outcome between oropharyngeal and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma in relation to HPV status.

Background: This study examined the prognostic significance of human papillomavirus (HPV) in patients with oropharyngeal and oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods: Tissue microarrays were constructed from oropharyngeal and oral cavity SCC (n = 143). The presence of functional HPV in tumour was determined by combined assessments of p16 immunohistochemistry and HPV in situ hybridisation.

The Potential Value of Immunotherapy in Colorectal Cancers: Review of the Evidence for Programmed Death-1 Inhibitor Therapy.

Colorectal cancers (CRCs) have been identified as potential targets for immunotherapy with programmed cell death (PD)-1 inhibitors. English-language publications from MedLine and Embase that evaluated PD-1/PD ligand 1 (PD-L1) in the CRC tumor microenvironment and clinical trials that assessed PD-1 inhibitors were included. Sixteen abstracts were screened.

Circulating tumour cells in regionally metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: A pilot study.

Background: Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are increasingly being used in the surveillance of cancer, allowing for potential early detection and real-time monitoring of disease progression. The presence of CTCs in patients with metastatic cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (cHNSCC) has not been evaluated.

Results: CTCs were detected in eight of ten patients with regional metastatic cHNSCC (80%; range 1-44 cells/9 mL blood).