The Lablogatory people sent me an email today.
They’d blogged about the role of the safety officer.
Not a role I’d like to do (again) but
thought-provoking nonetheless…
This is (supposed to be) a reflective diary by a (not very) anonymous biomedical scientist who works somewhere in the south of England. One day this diary may well be submitted to the Health and Care Professions Council as evidence of ongoing continual professional development....
10 May 2017 (Wednesday) - Quality Circle
I sat in on the blood transfusion department's quality circle today. Several improvements were suggested; I won't go into details here, but I will say that it was good that my input was sought because it was actually wanted and not (as I've been accustomed to) because management had to be seen to be going through the motions.
9 May 2017 (Tuesday) - The Oncologist Newsletter
"The Oncologist" email arrived in my in-box this morning:
![The Oncologist Footer]()
Controlling Human Papilloma Virus: A Public Health Perspective of Treatment of Anogenital Warts
Nadeem TanveerThe success of human papilloma virus (HPV) screening is attributable to clear-cut guidelines on the detection and management of premalignant HPV lesions. A similar approach is necessary for both low-risk and high-risk lesions, including anogenital warts.
Precision Medicine Clinic
DNA Polymerase ε Deficiency Leading to an Ultramutator Phenotype: A Novel Clinically Relevant Entity
Enrico Castellucci, Tianfang He, D. Yitzchak Goldstein, Balazs Halmos, Jennifer ChuyTwo cases of metastatic colorectal cancer with a POLE mutation, both of which were ultramutated and microsatellite stable, are presented and discussed from the standpoint of the basic biochemical mechanisms leading to a unique phenotype in POLE deficiency, the challenges faced with interpreting the genomic profiling of tumors in this important subset of patients, and the potential clinical implications.
Clinical Trial Results
A Phase I Study of Abiraterone Acetate Combined with BEZ235, a Dual PI3K/mTOR Inhibitor, in Metastatic Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer
Xiao X. Wei, Andrew C. Hsieh, Won Kim, Terence Friedlander, Amy M. Lin, Mirela Louttit, Charles J. RyanA Phase Ib Study of Sorafenib (BAY 43-9006) in Patients with Kaposi Sarcoma
Thomas S. Uldrick, Priscila H. Gonçalves, Kathleen M. Wyvill, Cody J. Peer, Wendy Bernstein, Karen Aleman, Mark N. Polizzotto, David Venzon, Seth M. Steinberg, Vickie Marshall, Denise Whitby, Richard F. Little, John J. Wright, Michelle A. Rudek, William D. Figg, Robert YarchoanBreast Cancer
Endocrine Therapy in the Current Management of Postmenopausal Estrogen Receptor-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer
Virginia G. Kaklamani, William J. GradisharEndocrine therapy is an integral component of systemic therapy for metastatic breast cancer. In addition, targeted therapies are emerging as useful treatments. This article reviews current endocrine treatments of metastatic breast cancer, as well as studies of combination treatments and targeted therapies that interfere with cellular proliferation pathways, as a means of overcoming resistance.
SAFE-HEaRt: Rationale and Design of a Pilot Study Investigating Cardiac Safety of HER2 Targeted Therapy in Patients with HER2-Positive Breast Cancer and Reduced Left Ventricular Function
Filipa Lynce, Ana Barac, Ming T. Tan, Federico M. Asch, Karen L. Smith, Chau Dang, Claudine Isaacs, Sandra M. SwainThe SAFE-HEaRt study tests the hypothesis that HER2 targeted therapies may be safely used in patients with mildly decreased left ventricular ejection fraction with appropriate cardiac monitoring and treatment. This is the first prospective evaluation of HER2 targeted therapy in patients with HER2 positive breast cancer and decreased cardiac function, a group of patients who at present have limited treatment options and therefore are at risk for worse oncologic outcomes.
Complete Metabolic Response on Interim 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography to Predict Long-Term Survival in Patients with Breast Cancer Undergoing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy
Suyun Chen, Nuhad K. Ibrahim, Yuanqing Yan, Stephen T. Wong, Hui Wang, Franklin C. WongThe objective of this study was to determine the prognostic role of complete metabolic response on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography during or following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients. The association between 18F-FDG metabolic parameters (including uptake) and survival outcome, according to breast cancer subtype, was investigated
Endocrine Therapy Initiation and Medical Oncologist Utilization Among Women Diagnosed with Ductal Carcinoma in Situ
Chelsea Anderson, Anne Marie Meyer, Stephanie B. Wheeler, Lei Zhou, Katherine E. Reeder-Hayes, Hazel B. NicholsDuctal carcinoma in situ accounts for over 20% of all breast cancer diagnoses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate characteristics associated with endocrine therapy initiation in the year after a diagnosis of ductal carcinoma in situ and to investigate factors associated with receiving medical oncology consultation among women with ductal carcinoma in situ.
Cancer Biology
A Bacterial Cause of Cancer: An Historical Essay
Marshall A. LichtmanThe history of the discovery of microbes that increase the risk of cancer of some tissues is reviewed, with a special emphasis on the discovery of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and its capability to induce two gastric neoplasms: carcinoma and lymphoma.
Hematologic Malignancies
Phase II Study of Bortezomib in Combination with Cyclophosphamide and Rituximab for Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Hun Ju Lee, Jorge E. Romaguera, Lei Feng, Aakash P. Desai, Liang Zhang, Michelle Fanale, Felipe Samaniego, Fredrick B. Hagemeister, Luis E. Fayad, Maria A. Rodriguez, Jeffrey L. Medeiros, Kimberly Hartig, Krystle Nomie, Makhdum Ahmed, Maria Badillo, Haige Ye, Yasuhiro Oki, Pei Lin, Loretta Nastoupil, Jason Westin, Michael WangRelapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma has a poor prognosis. This article presents the result of a phase II trial of the combination regimen of rituximab, bortezomib, and cyclophosphamide in patients with relapsed or refractory aggressive mantle cell lymphoma.
A Host-Dependent Prognostic Model for Elderly Patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma
Katsuhiro Miura, Jun Konishi, Takaaki Miyake, Masanori Makita, Atsuko Hojo, Yasufumi Masaki, Masatoshi Uno, Jun Ozaki, Chikamasa Yoshida, Daigo Niiy, Koichi Kitazume, Yoshinobu Maeda, Jun Takizawa, Rika Sakai, Tomofumi Yano, Kazuhiko Yamamoto, Kazutaka Sunami, Yasushi Hiramatsu, Kazutoshi Aoyama, Hideki Tsujimura, Jun Murakami, Yoshihiro Hatta, Masatoshi KannoR-CHOP has improved the clinical outcome of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma compared with CHOP alone; however, patients with unfavorable prognostic factors have less change of benefitting from such standard treatments. Advanced age is a crucial risk factor for unfavorable prognosis, as is hypoalbuminemia and medical comorbidities. This study measured the effects of these three biomarkers on clinical outcomes and developed a decision-making treatment model that can serve as a guide for optimal personalized therapy for elderly patients treated with R-CHOP.
Hepatobiliary
Prognostic Nomograms Stratify Survival of Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Without Portal Vein Tumor Thrombosis After Curative Resection
Yi-Peng Fu, Yong Yi, Jin-Long Huang, Chu-Yu Jing, Jian Sun, Xiao-Chun Ni, Zhu-Feng Lu, Ya Cao, Jian Zhou, Jia Fan, Shuang-Jian QiuThis study aimed to identify prognostic factors of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma without portal vein tumor thrombosis and to establish prognostic nomograms for recurrence-free survival and overall survival. The accuracy of these nomograms for predicting individual prognosis is compared with the accuracy of established clinical prognostic models to ascertain whether the nomograms are an accurate instrument of prognosis
Neuro-Oncology
Prolonged Temozolomide Maintenance Therapy in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma
Marco Skardelly, Elena Dangel, Julia Gohde, Susan Noell, Felix Behling, Guilherme Lepski, Christian Borchers, Marilin Koch, Jens Schittenhelm, Sotirios Bisdas, Aline Naumann, Frank Paulsen, Daniel Zips, Ulrike von Hehn, Rainer Ritz, Marcos Soares Tatagiba, Ghazaleh TabatabaiIn clinical practice, many centers continue temozolomide maintenance chemotherapy beyond six cycles, a practice that is controversial. This study investigated the effect of prolonged temozolomide maintenance therapy on progression-free survival and overall survival in newly diagnosed glioblastoma.
New Drug Development and Clinical Pharmacology
Dosing Three-Drug Combinations That Include Targeted Anti-Cancer Agents: Analysis of 37,763 Patients
Mina Nikanjam, Sariah Liu, Jincheng Yang, Razelle KurzrockThis study aimed to determine the lowest safe starting doses observed in previously published phase I, II, and III adult oncology clinical protocols to help avoid excessive toxicity when dosing of de novo three-drug combinations involving a targeted agent in clinical trials and practice.
Regulatory Issues: FDA
FDA Approval Summary: Nivolumab for the Treatment of Relapsed or Progressive Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma
Yvette L. Kasamon, R. Angelo de Claro, Yaping Wang, Yuan Li Shen, Ann T. Farrell, Richard PazdurOn May 17, 2016, after an expedited priority review, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval for nivolumab for the treatment of patients with classical Hodgkin L that has relapsed or progressed after autologous HSCT and post-transplantation brentuximab vedotin. This was the first FDA application for a PD-1 inhibitor in hematologic malignancies. A summary of the FDA review and approval is presented here.
Symptom Management and Supportive Care
A Prospective Observational Study on Effect of Short-Term Periodic Steroid Premedication on Bone Metabolism in Gastrointestinal Cancer (ESPRESSO-01)
Michio Nakamura, Atsushi Ishiguro, Tetsuhito Muranaka, Hiraku Fukushima, Satoshi Yuki, Kota Ono, Taichi Murai, Chika Matsuda, Ayane Oba, Kazufumi Itaya, Takayuki Sone, Masataka Yagisawa, Yuta Koike, Ayana Endo, Yoko Tsukuda, Yuji Ono, Takahiko Kudo, Atsushi Nagasaka, Shuji Nishikawa, Yoshito KomatsuThis study is an evaluation of the effect of gastrointestinal cancer chemotherapy with short-term periodic steroid premedication on bone metabolism. Primary endpoints were changes in bone mineral densities and metabolic bone turnover 16 weeks after initiation of chemotherapy.
Preventing Venous Thromboembolism in Ambulatory Cancer Patients: The ONKOTEV Study
Chiara Alessandra Cella, Giovanni Di Minno, Chiara Carlomagno, Michele Arcopinto, Anna Maria Cerbone, Elide Matano, Antonella Tufano, Florian Lordick, Biagio De Simone, Katja Sibylle Muehlberg, Dario Bruzzese, Laura Attademo, Claudia Arturo, Marta Sodano, Roberto Moretto, Ersilia La Fata, Sabino De PlacidoStratification of risk through predictive models is a strategic method for reducing the burden of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients. The objective of this study was to derivate a novel predictive scoring tool for measuring the risk of the individual patient.
A Systematic Review of Strategies to Prevent Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity
Daniel J. Crona, Aimee Faso, Tomohiro F. Nishijima, Kathleen A. Mcgraw, Matthew D. Galsky, Matthew I. MilowskyVarious hydration regimens and supplementation strategies are used to prevent cisplatin-induced kidney injury; however, evidence-based recommendations on specific hydration regimens are limited. This systematic review of the literature evaluates clinical studies that have examined hydration and supplementation strategies to prevent cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.
Brief Communications
Bilateral Lung Transplantation for Bleomycin-Associated Lung Injury
Vivek Narayan, Charuhas Deshpande, Christian A. Bermudez, Jaclyn M. Golato, James C. Lee, Joshua Diamond, David J. VaughnLung injury is the most severe complication of bleomycin chemotherapy. In patients with advanced germ cell tumor receiving bleomycin therapy, there is risk of severe bleomycin-induced pulmonary toxicity. The case reported here is the first to show that lung transplantation can be successfully used for severe bleomycin-related lung injury.
Kaposi Sarcoma Inflammatory Cytokine Syndrome (KICS): A Rare but Potentially Treatable Condition
Michael Karass, Emily Grossniklaus, Talal Seoud, Sanjay Jain, Daniel A. GoldsteinA case of Kaposi sarcoma inflammatory cytokine syndrome is presented and available literature reviewed. New treatment modalities to manage this condition are also discussed.
Narratives in Oncology
What If She Were My Friend?
Tania EchevesteAn oncologist training in Mexico reflects on her journey as a fellow and the patient who changed her life.
2 may 2017 (Tuesday) - Transfusion News email
The Transfusion News email arrived today:
Transfusion of Red Blood Cells from Younger Donors Is Not Associated with Improved Survival
![]()
April 26, 2017
Animal models suggest that blood from younger donors may provide revitalizing benefits, but findings from observational cohort studies on this topic have been inconsistent. Investigators in Scandinavia recently performed a retrospective cohort study following 968,264 red blood cell (RBC) transfusion recipients for 10 years. Since multiple transfusions can confound results, researchers used multiple approaches to [Read More]
Animal models suggest that blood from younger donors may provide revitalizing benefits, but findings from observational cohort studies on this topic have been inconsistent. Investigators in Scandinavia recently performed a retrospective cohort study following 968,264 red blood cell (RBC) transfusion recipients for 10 years. Since multiple transfusions can confound results, researchers used multiple approaches to [Read More]
Stored Whole Blood Treated with Pathogen Reduction Acceptable for Transfusion
Pathogen reduction technology (PRT) hold promise for eliminating many known and emerging pathogens in donated blood and thus preventing transfusion transmission. The performance of the Mirasol system, which uses a combination of riboflavin and ultraviolet light to inactivate pathogens and any remaining white blood cells, was recently tested on whole blood (WB) in a two-center [Read More]
Prophylactic Platelet Transfusions are Not Superior to Supportive Care for Dengue Patients with Thrombocytopenia
According to the World Health Organization, the incidence of dengue has increased 30-fold in the past 50 years, and over half of the world’s population is at risk of infection. Acute infection with dengue virus typically causes flu-like symptoms, but can also be associated with severe bleeding and thrombocytopenia. In order to determine if prophylactic [Read More]
30 April 2017 (Sunday) - Transfusions
Here’s an interesting article; the human face of blood transfusion.
Sometimes we get so bogged down with the BCSH guidelines and sample validity
and NBS deliveries that we can miss what it is all about…
28 April 2017 (Friday) - Immunology Day
I received the latest immunology newsletter from the nice people at Wiley today:
| News | IgE articles | Virtual Issues & Special Issues | Journals | Latest Books |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||
| Back to Top ▲ |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)