The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is a widely used tool for evaluating patient-reported lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). This study demonstrates that patients not infrequently misunderstand the IPSS questionnaire, leading them to respond in ways that do not accurately reflect their symptoms. Clinicians should verify patient understanding of the IPSS questions particularly when using the score to determine eligibility for treatments. Find the article here (https://www.advancesradonc.org/article/S2452-1094(23)00029-5/fulltext).
This study found an increase in the incidence of HPV-associated SNSCC and prevalence of HPV-positive SNSCC over recent decades. This is the first study to suggest that the incidence of HPV-associated carcinoma outside the oropharynx is increasing. Collectively, these findings have important public health and clinical implications. Find the article here (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2801414).
Antibiotic exposure before immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment can negatively affect outcomes through alteration in the gut microbiome, but large-scale evaluations are lacking. In this population-level study, exposure to antibiotics and specifically fluoroquinolones before ICI therapy was observed to be associated with worse OS among older adults with cancer. Interventions aimed at altering the gut microbiome to boost immunogenicity may help improve outcomes for patients receiving ICIs with prior antibiotic exposure. Find the article here (https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.22.00074).
This article demonstrates the development of a joint statistical model to predict prostate cancer recurrence, evaluating prognostic factors and longitudinal PSA. They show dynamically updated PSA information can improve prognostication, which can be used to guide follow-up and treatment management options. Find the article here (https://www.redjournal.org/article/S0360-3016(23)00167-0/fulltext).
What are the thoughts of people surrounding the potential elimination of animal testing prior to clinical trial recruitment? I understand animal welfare, but then do we subject our vulnerable human patients to these kinds of measures? Find the article here (https://www.science.org/content/article/fda-no-longer-needs-require-animal-tests-human-drug-trials).
In this cohort study including 1780 colonoscopy procedures, in the unassisted group, the adenoma detection rate (ADR) at late sessions was significantly higher compared with that of early sessions, while with the assistance of AI systems, no such statistically significant difference was found. These findings suggest AI systems may be a potential tool for minimizing time-related degradation of colonoscopy quality. Find the article here (https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2800845).
Lymphedema is a terrible complication that can occur as a consequence to breast conservation surgery, mastectomy, with the inclusion of radiotherapy. Investigators attempted to develop and test a multivariable normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) model predicting lymphedema in patients with breast cancer receiving radiotherapy in over 1345 patients and demonstrated that the two biggest culprits were the number of nodes dissected and the volume of axilla receiving at least 35 Gy. Find the article here (https://www.redjournal.org/article/S0360-3016(23)00106-2/fulltext).
Distant metastases (DMs) are the primary driver of mortality for patients with early stage NSCLC receiving stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), yet patient-level risk is difficult to predict. These authors demonstrated and developed an externally validated a practical model that predicts DM risk in patients with NSCLC receiving SBRT which may help select patients for systemic therapy. Find the article here (https://www.jto.org/article/S1556-0864(22)01909-8/fulltext).
Metformin has been associated with improved survival outcomes in patients undergoing conventional chemotherapy. However, whether metformin provides survival benefits in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is unknown. This article demonstrates that the use of metformin is associated with survival benefits in patients undergoing immunotherapy.
Currently there are no tumor-specific targets utilized as a therapeutic in renal cell carcinoma. This article suggest that CD105 could be used a molecular target for future therapeutic exploration in the treatment of renal cell cancer as it's expression correlates with more angiogenesis and tumor progression.
In non-small cell lung cancer that is unresectable, definitive treatment is Chemoradiotherapy followed by immune checkpoint blockade. Unfortunately, many patient develop pneumonitis limiting the consolidative checkpoint blockade leading to poor clinical prognoses. This article demonstrates that pre-treatment imaging along with PFTs can be prognostic factors for those who may develop pneumonitis.
This was an interesting article highlighting potential relevance of EGFR amplification in GBM and it's success with immune checkpoint blockade. Perhaps additional EGFR targeted therapy could be coupled with checkpoint blockade in GBM in similar fashion with non small cell lung cancer.
Though I do respect the work that comes out of PNAS I do take minor issue to the preference they take to authors that have been inducted to the National Academy of Sciences when it comes to publication. Seems like the person outweighs the work on occasion.
PLOS one continue to be one of the premier open access journal globally while pushing the boundaries with their unique collections. Recently they have dedicated a portion of their publication to cancer and social inequity. (https://collections.plos.org/collection/cancer-and-social-inequity/)
The global perspective in Oncologic practices is articulated quite well in this journal. Here they speak about the prospective peril and crises in Oncology facing Latin America. (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(23)00022-0/fulltext).
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