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Research and Reviews for the Practicing Oncologist
Lessons learned from using CDK 4/6 inhibitors to treat metastatic breast cancer
45 new cancer drugs – a significant jump from the average 26 approvals annually from 2006 to 2014. This major shift in the number of approvals is due to many factors, including the intensified efforts by scientists and clinicians to develop new drugs, especially novel immunotherapies, and changes in the FDA’s drug approval process under the leadership of Dr Richard Pazdur.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
45 new cancer drugs – a significant jump from the average 26 approvals annually from 2006 to 2014. This major shift in the number of approvals is due to many factors, including the intensified efforts by scientists and clinicians to develop new drugs, especially novel immunotherapies, and changes in the FDA’s drug approval process under the leadership of Dr Richard Pazdur.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
45 new cancer drugs – a significant jump from the average 26 approvals annually from 2006 to 2014. This major shift in the number of approvals is due to many factors, including the intensified efforts by scientists and clinicians to develop new drugs, especially novel immunotherapies, and changes in the FDA’s drug approval process under the leadership of Dr Richard Pazdur.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
David Henry's JCSO podcast, October 2016
In the October podcast for The Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology, the Editor-in-Chief, Dr David Henry, discusses Original Reports on toxicity analysis of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil neoadjuvant chemotherapy in Indian patients with head and neck cancers and on the impact of a literacy-sensitive intervention on CRC screening knowledge, attitudes, and intention to screen as well as an editorial by JCSO Editor Jame Abraham on lessons learned from using CDK 4/6 inhibitors to treat metastatic breast cancer. Also up for discussion are the approval of cabozantinib for renal cell carcinoma, and two Case Reports on central nervous system manifestations of multiple myeloma and on primary chest-wall leiomyosarcoma. Rounding out the discussion are two featured articles, one on new therapies for urologic cancers and another on a step-by-step guide for doctors who want to take to the Twittersphere.
Listen to the podcast below.
In the October podcast for The Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology, the Editor-in-Chief, Dr David Henry, discusses Original Reports on toxicity analysis of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil neoadjuvant chemotherapy in Indian patients with head and neck cancers and on the impact of a literacy-sensitive intervention on CRC screening knowledge, attitudes, and intention to screen as well as an editorial by JCSO Editor Jame Abraham on lessons learned from using CDK 4/6 inhibitors to treat metastatic breast cancer. Also up for discussion are the approval of cabozantinib for renal cell carcinoma, and two Case Reports on central nervous system manifestations of multiple myeloma and on primary chest-wall leiomyosarcoma. Rounding out the discussion are two featured articles, one on new therapies for urologic cancers and another on a step-by-step guide for doctors who want to take to the Twittersphere.
Listen to the podcast below.
In the October podcast for The Journal of Community and Supportive Oncology, the Editor-in-Chief, Dr David Henry, discusses Original Reports on toxicity analysis of docetaxel, cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil neoadjuvant chemotherapy in Indian patients with head and neck cancers and on the impact of a literacy-sensitive intervention on CRC screening knowledge, attitudes, and intention to screen as well as an editorial by JCSO Editor Jame Abraham on lessons learned from using CDK 4/6 inhibitors to treat metastatic breast cancer. Also up for discussion are the approval of cabozantinib for renal cell carcinoma, and two Case Reports on central nervous system manifestations of multiple myeloma and on primary chest-wall leiomyosarcoma. Rounding out the discussion are two featured articles, one on new therapies for urologic cancers and another on a step-by-step guide for doctors who want to take to the Twittersphere.
Listen to the podcast below.
Deconstructing MACRA: the switch from volume- to value-based payment
In this interview, Dr Bosserman and Dr Zon talk aboout the ins and outs of the upcoming implementation of MACRA, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. The legislation will usher in the switch from volume- to value- and performance-based Medicare payments. It goes into effect in January 2019, but the measurements will be based on 2017 performance. Dr Zon lists five steps for preparing for MACRA: first, participate in the three 2016 quality-reporting programs – PQRS, meaningful use, and VBM – to avoid 2018 penalties; second, review your Quality and Resource Use Reports, or QRUR, which are available online; third, focus on performance by reviewing quality benchmarks and implementing strategies and workflows to ensure above-average performance; fourth, ensure data and information accuracy, eg, physician specialty and practice address; and fifth, audit and educate your practice on proper use of the International Classification of Diseases, Revision 10 coding.
For more, listen to the podcast below, or click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read a transcript of the interveiw.
In this interview, Dr Bosserman and Dr Zon talk aboout the ins and outs of the upcoming implementation of MACRA, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. The legislation will usher in the switch from volume- to value- and performance-based Medicare payments. It goes into effect in January 2019, but the measurements will be based on 2017 performance. Dr Zon lists five steps for preparing for MACRA: first, participate in the three 2016 quality-reporting programs – PQRS, meaningful use, and VBM – to avoid 2018 penalties; second, review your Quality and Resource Use Reports, or QRUR, which are available online; third, focus on performance by reviewing quality benchmarks and implementing strategies and workflows to ensure above-average performance; fourth, ensure data and information accuracy, eg, physician specialty and practice address; and fifth, audit and educate your practice on proper use of the International Classification of Diseases, Revision 10 coding.
For more, listen to the podcast below, or click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read a transcript of the interveiw.
In this interview, Dr Bosserman and Dr Zon talk aboout the ins and outs of the upcoming implementation of MACRA, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. The legislation will usher in the switch from volume- to value- and performance-based Medicare payments. It goes into effect in January 2019, but the measurements will be based on 2017 performance. Dr Zon lists five steps for preparing for MACRA: first, participate in the three 2016 quality-reporting programs – PQRS, meaningful use, and VBM – to avoid 2018 penalties; second, review your Quality and Resource Use Reports, or QRUR, which are available online; third, focus on performance by reviewing quality benchmarks and implementing strategies and workflows to ensure above-average performance; fourth, ensure data and information accuracy, eg, physician specialty and practice address; and fifth, audit and educate your practice on proper use of the International Classification of Diseases, Revision 10 coding.
For more, listen to the podcast below, or click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read a transcript of the interveiw.
Long-term breast cancer studies yield encouraging data for recurrence, survival
Four pivotal breast cancer trials were presented at the 2016 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago. The MA.17R trial, which was the plenary talk by Dr Paul Goss, looked at extending adjuvant aromatase inhibitors to 10 years or beyond in postmenopausal women; two presentations reported on mutations after progression in metastatic breast cancer, one on first-line AIs and the other on prior endocrine therapy (PALOMA-3); and results from the Z0011 trial showed that sentinel lymph node dissection without axillary lymph node dissection might show promising 10-year loco-regional control and survival outcomes.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Four pivotal breast cancer trials were presented at the 2016 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago. The MA.17R trial, which was the plenary talk by Dr Paul Goss, looked at extending adjuvant aromatase inhibitors to 10 years or beyond in postmenopausal women; two presentations reported on mutations after progression in metastatic breast cancer, one on first-line AIs and the other on prior endocrine therapy (PALOMA-3); and results from the Z0011 trial showed that sentinel lymph node dissection without axillary lymph node dissection might show promising 10-year loco-regional control and survival outcomes.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Four pivotal breast cancer trials were presented at the 2016 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology in Chicago. The MA.17R trial, which was the plenary talk by Dr Paul Goss, looked at extending adjuvant aromatase inhibitors to 10 years or beyond in postmenopausal women; two presentations reported on mutations after progression in metastatic breast cancer, one on first-line AIs and the other on prior endocrine therapy (PALOMA-3); and results from the Z0011 trial showed that sentinel lymph node dissection without axillary lymph node dissection might show promising 10-year loco-regional control and survival outcomes.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Dexamethasone-associated posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
A positive attitude in prostate cancer challenges: finding hope and optimism
Background Prostate cancer affects not only men with the disease, but their partners and families as well. These affects can include changes to everyday lifestyle activities, incontinence, and sexual dysfunction, and sometimes, relationships.
Objective To find out how men with prostate cancer and their female partners found spiritual lift and hope during the prostate cancer trajectory.
Methods The very personal and human nature of the question suggested that a qualitative approach with narrative inquiry would be the most appropriate. Comments were obtained from 10 men and 10 women who were not in a relationship with each other and from 10 couples (N = 40) and then subjected to narrative and thematic analysis.
Results The participants’ activities and circumstances provided their lift – rising above the everyday mundane – and their hope – optimism for the future – and helped them cope. In addition, what emerged was interesting insights on the way in which the participants associated these concepts with having a positive attitude in their life. They provided some valuable information on what constitutes being positive that will be helpful to others in similar circumstances, and to health professionals.
Limitations The information from a relatively small number of participants needs to be interpreted carefully and cannot result in strong conclusions about the nature of the results.
Conclusions Being positive during a time of illness and when dealing with the consequences of the illness, is an important element in coping. However, an understanding of the practicalities of what it means to be positive needs to be thoroughly developed and understood.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Background Prostate cancer affects not only men with the disease, but their partners and families as well. These affects can include changes to everyday lifestyle activities, incontinence, and sexual dysfunction, and sometimes, relationships.
Objective To find out how men with prostate cancer and their female partners found spiritual lift and hope during the prostate cancer trajectory.
Methods The very personal and human nature of the question suggested that a qualitative approach with narrative inquiry would be the most appropriate. Comments were obtained from 10 men and 10 women who were not in a relationship with each other and from 10 couples (N = 40) and then subjected to narrative and thematic analysis.
Results The participants’ activities and circumstances provided their lift – rising above the everyday mundane – and their hope – optimism for the future – and helped them cope. In addition, what emerged was interesting insights on the way in which the participants associated these concepts with having a positive attitude in their life. They provided some valuable information on what constitutes being positive that will be helpful to others in similar circumstances, and to health professionals.
Limitations The information from a relatively small number of participants needs to be interpreted carefully and cannot result in strong conclusions about the nature of the results.
Conclusions Being positive during a time of illness and when dealing with the consequences of the illness, is an important element in coping. However, an understanding of the practicalities of what it means to be positive needs to be thoroughly developed and understood.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.
Background Prostate cancer affects not only men with the disease, but their partners and families as well. These affects can include changes to everyday lifestyle activities, incontinence, and sexual dysfunction, and sometimes, relationships.
Objective To find out how men with prostate cancer and their female partners found spiritual lift and hope during the prostate cancer trajectory.
Methods The very personal and human nature of the question suggested that a qualitative approach with narrative inquiry would be the most appropriate. Comments were obtained from 10 men and 10 women who were not in a relationship with each other and from 10 couples (N = 40) and then subjected to narrative and thematic analysis.
Results The participants’ activities and circumstances provided their lift – rising above the everyday mundane – and their hope – optimism for the future – and helped them cope. In addition, what emerged was interesting insights on the way in which the participants associated these concepts with having a positive attitude in their life. They provided some valuable information on what constitutes being positive that will be helpful to others in similar circumstances, and to health professionals.
Limitations The information from a relatively small number of participants needs to be interpreted carefully and cannot result in strong conclusions about the nature of the results.
Conclusions Being positive during a time of illness and when dealing with the consequences of the illness, is an important element in coping. However, an understanding of the practicalities of what it means to be positive needs to be thoroughly developed and understood.
Click on the PDF icon at the top of this introduction to read the full article.