Respiratory Function as a Prognostic Factor for Lung Cancer in Screening and General Populations.

Rationale: Despite advancements in screening, lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally.

Objectives: To investigate respiratory function as a prognostic factor for survival in the UK Biobank, a population-based cohort of over 500,000 participants, and the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST), a high-risk screening population of over 50,000 screenees.

Methods: Participants with an incident lung cancer diagnosis and spirometry-assessed lung function were included.

Addition of Cribriform and Intraductal Carcinoma Presence to Prostate Biopsy Reporting Strengthens Pretreatment Risk Stratification Using CAPRA and NCCN Tools.

Background: Pretreatment stratification tools can help in clinical decision making in prostate cancer. To date, none incorporates well-established routinely reported adverse prognostic pathologic features such as intraductal carcinoma of prostate (IDC) or cribriform pattern 4 (CC).

Objective: To assess the impact of addition of CC and/or IDC on the Cancer of Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA) and National Cancer Comprehensive Network (NCCN) tools for predicting biochemical recurrence free survival (BCR-FS) and event-free survival (EFS) across multiple patient cohorts.

Impact of cribriform pattern 4 and intraductal prostatic carcinoma on National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) and Cancer of Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA) patient stratification.

Pretreatment classification tools are used in prostate cancer to inform patient management. The effect of cribriform pattern 4 (CC) and intraductal carcinoma (IDC) on such nomograms is still underexplored. We analyzed the Cancer of Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk scores in cases with and without CC/IDC to assess impact on biochemical recurrence (BCR) and metastases/death of prostate cancer (event free survival-EFS) after prostatectomy.

Evidence-based Urology: Trustworthy Guidelines.

Clinical guidelines for guiding clinical decision-making must be trustworthy, especially when there is controversy or a shifting paradigm. In urology, the management of small renal masses is one area in which there is currently a paradigm shift towards active surveillance. A number of international guidelines address this paradigm shift to some extent, with varying degrees of rigor.

Risk Perception Among a Lung Cancer Screening Population.

Background: A successful lung cancer screening program requires a patient cohort at sufficient risk of developing cancer who are willing to participate. Among other factors, a patient's lung cancer risk perception may inform their attitudes toward screening and smoking cessation programs.

Research Question: This study analyzed data from the Pan-Canadian Early Detection of Lung Cancer (PanCan) Study to address the following questions: Which factors are associated with the perception of lung cancer risk? Is there an association between risk perception for lung cancer and actual calculated risk? Is there an association between risk perception for lung cancer and the intent to quit smoking? Are there potential targets for lung cancer screening awareness?

Study Design And Methods: The PanCan study recruited current or former smokers aged 50 to 75 years who had at least a 2% risk of developing lung cancer over 6 years to undergo low-dose screening CT.

Patient-derived cell line, xenograft and organoid models in lung cancer therapy.

Lung cancer accounts for most cancer-related deaths worldwide and has an overall 5-year survival rate of ~15%. Cell lines have played important roles in the study of cancer biology and potential therapeutic targets, as well as pre-clinical testing of novel drugs. However, most experimental therapies that have cleared preclinical testing using established cell lines have failed phase III clinical trials.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease prevalence and prediction in a high-risk lung cancer screening population.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an underdiagnosed condition sharing risk factors with lung cancer. Lung cancer screening may provide an opportunity to improve COPD diagnosis. Using Pan-Canadian Early Detection of Lung Cancer (PanCan) study data, the present study sought to determine the following: 1) What is the prevalence of COPD in a lung cancer screening population? 2) Can a model based on clinical and screening low-dose CT scan data predict the likelihood of COPD?

Methods: The single arm PanCan study recruited current or former smokers age 50-75 who had a calculated risk of lung cancer of at least 2% over 6 years.

Feasibility randomised controlled trial of remote symptom chemotherapy toxicity monitoring using the Canadian adapted Advanced Symptom Management System (ASyMS-Can): a study protocol.

Introduction: Technology is emerging as a solution to develop home-based, proactive 'real-time' symptom monitoring and management in cancer care. The Advanced Symptom Monitoring and Management System-Canada (ASyMS-Can) is a remote phone-based symptom management system that enables real-time remote monitoring of systemic chemotherapy toxicities.

Methods And Analysis: This study is an open-label, prospective, mixed-method, Phase II, 2-arm parallel group assignment (ASyMS-Can vs usual care) feasibility study in patients with cancer receiving systemic (neo-adjuvant or adjuvant) chemotherapy at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Correction: Targeting CXCL12/CXCR4 and myeloid cells to improve the therapeutic ratio in patient-derived cervical cancer models treated with radio-chemotherapy.

Since the publication of this paper, the authors have reported that an incorrect version of Figure 1 was presented. The correct version of Figure 1 is provided.An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Targeting CXCL12/CXCR4 and myeloid cells to improve the therapeutic ratio in patient-derived cervical cancer models treated with radio-chemotherapy.

Background: The CXCL12/CXCR4 chemokine pathway is involved in cervical cancer pathogenesis and radiation treatment (RT) response. We previously reported that radiochemotherapy (RTCT) and concurrent administration of the CXCR4 inhibitor plerixafor improved primary tumour response. The aims of this study were to determine optimal sequencing of RTCT and plerixafor, the mechanisms responsible for improved response and the effect of plerixafor on late intestinal toxicity.

Niraparib monotherapy for late-line treatment of ovarian cancer (QUADRA): a multicentre, open-label, single-arm, phase 2 trial.

Background: Late-line treatment options for patients with ovarian cancer are few, with the proportion of patients achieving an overall response typically less than 10%, and median overall survival after third-line therapy of 5-9 months. In this study (QUADRA), we investigated the activity of niraparib monotherapy as the fourth or later line of therapy.

Methods: QUADRA was a multicentre, open-label, single-arm, phase 2 study that evaluated the safety and activity of niraparib in adult patients (≥18 years) with relapsed, high-grade serous (grade 2 or 3) epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, or primary peritoneal cancer who had been treated with three or more previous chemotherapy regimens.

Predicting Malignancy Risk of Screen-Detected Lung Nodules-Mean Diameter or Volume.

Objective: In lung cancer screening practice low-dose computed tomography, diameter, and volumetric measurement have been used in the management of screen-detected lung nodules. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of nodule malignancy risk prediction tools using diameter or volume and between computer-aided detection (CAD) and radiologist measurements.

Methods: Multivariable logistic regression models were prepared by using data from two multicenter lung cancer screening trials.

Liquid Biopsy for Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC): A Statement Paper from the IASLC.

The isolation and analysis of circulating cell-free tumor DNA in plasma is a powerful tool with considerable potential to improve clinical outcomes across multiple cancer types, including NSCLC. Assays of this nature that use blood as opposed to tumor samples are frequently referred to as liquid biopsies. An increasing number of innovative platforms have been recently developed that improve not only the fidelity of the molecular analysis but also the number of tests performed on a single specimen.

Genomic Testing in Lung Cancer: Past, Present, and Future.

Precision medicine commonly refers to the selection of the most effective cancer treatments based on the presence of specific biomarkers (eg, genomic abnormalities) in a patient's tumor. Therefore, genomic testing is used to identify patients whose tumors harbor the vulnerability that is sensitive to corresponding targeted therapies. This approach allows for the selection of patients who have the greatest chance of deriving benefit from the treatments, reduces toxicity, and significantly improves outcome; precision medicine is recommended for advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Targeting the CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway and myeloid cells to improve radiation treatment of locally advanced cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer and the fourth leading cause of cancer death in women worldwide. Approximately half of cervical cancer patients present with locally advanced disease, for which surgery is not an option. These cases are nonetheless potentially curable with radiotherapy and cisplatin chemotherapy.

Technique adaptation, strategic replanning, and team learning during implementation of MR-guided brachytherapy for cervical cancer.

Purpose: MR-guided brachytherapy (MRgBT) with interstitial needles is associated with improved outcomes in cervical cancer patients. However, there are implementation barriers, including magnetic resonance (MR) access, practitioner familiarity/comfort, and efficiency. This study explores a graded MRgBT implementation strategy that included the adaptive use of needles, strategic use of MR imaging/planning, and team learning.

Plerixafor Improves Primary Tumor Response and Reduces Metastases in Cervical Cancer Treated with Radio-Chemotherapy.

There is an important need to improve the effectiveness of radio-chemotherapy (RTCT) for cervical cancer. The CXCL12/CXCR4 pathway can influence RT response by recruiting normal myeloid cells to the tumor microenvironment that in turn can exert radioprotective effects, and may promote metastases. The objective of this study was to explore the efficacy and toxicity of combining RTCT with CXCL12/CXCR4 inhibition in cervical cancer.

The natural history of renal function after surgical management of renal cell carcinoma: Results from the Canadian Kidney Cancer Information System.

Introduction And Objective: Patients who undergo surgical management of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are at risk for chronic kidney disease and its sequelae. This study describes the natural history of renal function after radical and partial nephrectomy and explores factors associated with postoperative decline in renal function.

Methods: This is a multi-institutional cohort study of patients in the Canadian Kidney Cancer Information System who underwent partial or radical nephrectomy for RCC.

Scientific Advances in Lung Cancer 2015.

Lung cancer continues to be a major global health problem; the disease is diagnosed in more than 1.6 million new patients each year. However, significant progress is underway in both the prevention and treatment of lung cancer.