Happy Holidays! Blog posting will resume in January 2021

 Dear Grey Horizon readers, 

While 2020 has undoubtedly been a difficult year, we nonetheless would like to wish you a happy and restful holiday season.  Blog posts will resume in January 2021. 

Happy Holidays! Stay safe and well 🎄

How do non-smokers develop lung cancer? Mouth bacteria may play a role

 New research has unveiled a correlation between a specific type of mouth bacteria and the development of lung cancer in those who have never smoked.  While 25% of all lung cancer patients are non-smokers, researchers now believe that exposure to second-hand smoke and family history are not the only risk factors.  Of the 135,000 individuals observed in this study, "having a wider number of different species of bacteria, specifically Bacteroidetes and Spirochaetes, was associated with a lower risk of developing lung cancer, [while] higher volumes of Firmicutes species of bacteria in the mouth was associated with a heightened risk for lung cancer." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Source mentioned: Hosgood HD, Cai Q, Hua X, Long J, Shi J, Wan Y, Yang Y, Abnet C, Bassig BA, Hu W, Ji BT, Klugman M, Xiang Y, Gao YT, Wong JY, Zheng W, Rothman N, Shu XO, Lan Q. Variation in oral microbiome is associated with future risk of lung cancer among never-smokers. Thorax. 2020 Dec 14:thoraxjnl-2020-215542. doi: 10.1136/thoraxjnl-2020-215542. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33318237.

COVID-19 vaccine and cancer

 A recent news release on the Cancer Research UK blog states that more than 300 potential vaccines have been in development since the COVID-19 outbreak in March.  Many of these vaccines are in the final stages of testing, with Pfizer commencing vaccine rollout across the United Kingdom yesterday (December 8, 2020).  

According to the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JVCI), the recommended order of vaccination priority is: 

1. Older adults in a care home and care home workers
2. All those 80 years of age and over and health and social care workers
3. All those 75 years of age and over
4. All those 70 years of age and over and the clinically extremely vulnerable individuals, excluding pregnant women and those under 18 years of age
5. All those 65 years of age and over
6. Adults aged 18 to 65 years in an at-risk group
7. All those aged 60 and over
8. All those 55 and over
9. All those aged 50 and over

To read more about this press release, click here. 

First global estimates of cervical cancer attributable to HIV

 A recently completed study by the World Health Organization (WHO) determined that women with HIV have a considerably higher risk (up to 6 times more likely) of developing vertical cancer.  In fact, nearly "5% of all cervical cancer cases worldwide are attributable to HIV infection."  The WHO study, published as a systematic review and meta-analysis in the November 2016 issue of The Lancet Global Health, determined that 63.8% of women in Southern Africa diagnosed with cervical cancer were living with his, the highest rate of all 4 continents (Africa, Asia,, Europe, and North America) included in the study. 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Biomarkers of pro-inflammatory response may identify cancer patients at risk of adverse outcomes from SARS-COV-2 infection

 First reported at the ESMO Asia Virtual Congress, held this past weekend (November 20-22, 2020), researchers in the Department of Surgery and Cancer at Imperial College, Hammersmith Hospital in London, "investigators testing and validating several key biomarkers of inflammation to identify cancer patients at increased risk of mortality from COVID-19 found a significant association between these biomarkers and decreases overall survival."  Known as OnCovid, the study retrospectively analyzed 1,318 cancer patients diagnosed with COVID-19 from February 27 - June 23, 2020 at 23 academic centres in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Belgium.  The findings determined that inflammation is a key factor in mortality from SARS-COV-2 for cancer patients and thus can be used "as beside tests to stratify patients at risk of poorer outcome from COVID-19." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Study mentioned: 319O – Dettorre G, Diamantis N, Loizidou A, et al. The systemic pro-inflammatory response identifies cancer patients with adverse outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection. ESMO Asia Virtual Congress 2020 (20-22 November).

WHO Europe factsheet: policy action needed to reduce cancers attributable to alcohol use

 A new factsheet released by the World Health Organization (WHO) focused on the need for greater awareness regarding alcohol use and cancers, specifically breast and colorectal.  The fact sheet states that alcohol consumption was responsible for 180 000 cancer cases and 92 000 deaths in Europe in 2018.  Several coat-effective policies, "such as increasing taxes on alcoholic beverages and restricting marketing and availability of alcohol" are suggested  as policies that can be implemented to curb this disturbing trend. 

To learn more about this factsheet, click here. 

Colorectal cancer rising among young adults

 Following a think tank held this past September, comprised of 400 scientists from academia, industry, and government, together with patent advocates, colorectal cancer rates are on the rise amongst young adults.  When the age range is extended from the traditional young adult grouping beyond the 18-24 or even 18-35 age group, "colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer death among people under 50 in the United States."  Further, only 10%-20% of colorectal cancer diagnoses among younger adults are due to inherent genetic factors; most are caused by lifestyle factors, including poor diet and sedentary behaviour.  

To read more about the think tank findings, click here. 

New trial alert: Identification of actionable molecular alternations in NCI-match

 A recently completed trial at the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Centre in Boston indicates that next-generation sequencing (NLS) conducted on biopsy specimens of 5,954 patients "with relapsed, refractory advanced cancers permits training of newly one-with (18%) of patients to evidence-based investigational therapy."  Known as NCI-MATCH (National Cancer Institute Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice), this was the first national trial of its kind in the United States, incorporating "centralized diagnostic testing and geographically distributed clinical investigation of dozens of parallel treatment options."  

To read more about this trial, click here

Source mentioned: Flaherty KT, Gray RJ, Chen AP, et al. Molecular Landscape and Actionable Alterations in a Genomically Guided Cancer Clinical Trial: National Cancer Institute Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice (NCI-MATCH). JCO; Published online 13 October 2020. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.19.03010.

Radiopharmaceuticals for radiation therapy

 Research arising from the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) indicates that radiopharmaceuticals, "which deliver radiation therapy directly and specifically to cancer cells" can reduce both the short and long-term effects of radiation therapy treatment.  According to Dr. Charles Kenos of NCI CTEP, radiopharmaceuticals will "transform radiation oncology in the next 10 to 15 years." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Targeted therapy based on molecular profiling of malignant mesothelioma tumours is feasible

 Treatment recommendations from the recently held MAP 2020 Virtual Congress indicated that "molecular profiling demonstrated gender specific differences in gene expression" in patients with metastatic malignant mesothelioma.  The study, conducted at the Universitatsklinik fur Innere Medizin in Vienna, Austria determined that this form of targeted therapy varied according to gender, with more significant recommendations made for men vs. women "due to gender-specific differences in PDGRFA expression." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Source mentioned: 

Taghizadeh H, Zöchbauer-Müller S, Mader RM, Müllauer L, Klikovits T, Bachleitner-Hofmann T, Hoda MA, Prager GW. Gender differences in molecular-guided therapy recommendations for metastatic malignant mesothelioma. Thorac Cancer. 2020 Jul;11(7):1979-1988. doi: 10.1111/1759-7714.13491. Epub 2020 May 21. PMID: 32438515; PMCID: PMC7327667.

Radiation-induced genomic scars associated with poor patient outcome

New research from the Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine in Farmington, USA studied the genomic affects of radiation therapy on gliomas.  Following an analysis from 190 paired primary and recurrent gliomas from the Glioma Longitudinal Analysis (GLASS) databases, it was determined that "an increased burden of radiation-induced deletions was significantly associated with poor patient outcome."  

To read more about this study, which was recently presented at the MAP 2020 Virtual Congress, click here. 

Study mentioned: 2MO – Kocakavuk E, Anderson KJ, Johnson KC, et al. Radiotherapy in cancer is associated with a deletion signature that contributes to poor patient outcomes. MAP 2020 Virtual Congress (9-10 October 2020).

Treatment for cancer with microsatellite instability

 A new study led by researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) shows that targeting an enzyme known as WRN may be a new method used to treat specific cancers.  Over the previous year, "scientists discovered that cancers cells with a genetic feature called micro satellite instability-high (MSI-high) need WRN to survive." Approximately 1 in 3 endometrial, 1 in 7 colorectal, stomach, and ovarian cancers, are considered MSI-high. 

To read more about this study, click here 

New trials alert: CheckMate 649, Attraction 4, and Keynote 590 support immunotherapy for gastric and oesophageal cancers

 New data presented at the recent ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) 2020 conference discusses 3 trials, CheckMate, Attraction 4, and Keynote 590 supporting the use of immunotherapy for gastric and oesophageal cancer patients with poor survival prognoses.  As indicated in the ESMO press release "immune checkpoint inhibitors are not yet approved for early therapy in Western countries."  The trials thus provide evidence on the use of different immune checkpoint inhibitors as first-line therapy regimens. 

To read more about these trials, click here. 

Early evaluation of nutritional status needed to provide nutritional support and decrease risk of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and nosocomial infection in cancer patients

 According to criteria from the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM), malnutrition and risk of developing nosocomial infection is at high prevalence upon hospital admission for cancer patients.  A small observational study of 107 patients (average age of 66 years old) conducted at General University Hospital of Valencia Oncology Department, indicated that 70% had an advanced stage of cancer diagnosis, presenting with severe (44.9%) and moderate (17.8%) malnutrition on admission.  Study author Dr. Nunez Abad and his investigative team thus advise that "an adequate nutritional evaluation is essential for timely implementation of nutritional support, to avoid malnutrition, sarcopenia and to decrease NI." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

COVID-19 pandemic halts cancer care and damages oncologists' wellbeing

 As recently discussed at the European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) Virtual Congress 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in delays and/or cancellation of cancer treats, while increasing stress levels and causing burnout among oncologists.  According to a statement by Dr. Guy Jerusalem at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sart Tilman in Belgium, "COVID-19 has had a major impact on the organization of patient care...there is a risk that the diagnosis of new cancer cases will be delayed and that more patients will be diagnosed at a later stage of their disease."  Studying findings indicated that among survey results obtained from cancer centres across 18 European countries, 60.9% admitted that clinical activity was reduced as a result of COVID-19, with 64.2% concerned about under-treatment, and 37% expecting significant reductions in clinical trials.  

To read more about this study, click here. 

Blog postings will resume week of September 14

 To all Grey Horizon readers, 

Postings will resume the week of September 14th.  Please stay safe and well.  

Male patients with cancer at higher risk of severe disease course and mortality attributable to COVID-19

 A recently published systematic review and meta-analysis, conducted within the Division of Medical Oncology at the Kansas University Medical Center, indicates that gender, in particular males is a significant risk factor for advanced disease and death as a result of COVID-19.  

The study authors have posited a number of theories regarding the gender difference, including age, comorbidities, as well as "androgenic hormones in the pathogenesis, potential sex differences in one or more of the multistep immunopathogenic pathway including virus entry, innate immune virus recognition, and induction of adaptive immune response." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Study mentioned: 

Sex-bias in COVID-19-associated illness severity and mortality in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. EClinicalMedicine; Published online 24 August 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2020.100519

regular aspirin use may increase older people's risk of dying from cancer

 A randomized clinical trial, ASPREE, indicates that patients 70 years of age or older who regularly take 100mg of aspirin daily "have a greater likelihood of being diagnosed with an advanced cancer and of dying from cancer."  While researchers agree that further study is required, many believe that aspirin may indeed have a different effect on people as they age.  Dr. Andrew Chan, senior researcher for ASPREE the strongly believes that "cancer prevention should be tailored to each person." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Strict safety measures in Austria results in low SARS-COV-2 detection rates in cancer patients

 A recently published study conducted on 1016 cancer patients in a tertiary care hospital in Vienna between March 21, 2020 - May 4, 2020 indicates a "low rate of detectable SARS-CoV-2 infections...after implementation of institutional and population-wide safety measures."  As countries worldwide can attest to, COVID-19 mortality is highest among the elderly.  88% of the 1016 cancer patients tested were managed in an outpatient setting; 53 patients (5.2%) self-reported symptoms attributable to COVID-19, however only 4 patients (0.4%) were officially diagnosed with coronavirus.  While the study team acknowledges that their research was conducted in a controlled setting, they are adamant that "implementation of strict safety policies including routine SARS-CoV-2 testing in cancer patients in the cancer centres is advisable to present uncontrolled viral spread." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Study mentioned: Berghoff AS, Gansterer M, Bathke AC, et al. SARS-CoV-2 testing in 1016 consecutive cancer patients treated at a tertiary care hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Clinical Oncology; Published on 14 August 2020. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.20.01442. 

Health problems among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors

 A new study conducted by Kaiser Permanente in Southern California has unveiled a correlation between types of cancer treatment and the risk of developing health problems in adolescent and young adult cancer survivors.  According to study leader Dr Chun Chao, adolescent and young adult cancer survivors have been an understudied group, however, the risk of this age group developing one of 26 health conditions after completion of treatment was considerable: "after 10 years, 40% of AYA [adolescent and young adult] cancer survivors had developed two or more...conditions, compared with only 20% of people...with not history of cancer." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Fusion proteins in childhood cancers

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) recently launched the Fusion Oncoproteins in Childhood Cancers (FusOnC2) Consortium, consisting of a group of researchers with expertise in cancer biology, proteomics, genomics, computational biology, and pharmacology.  The purpose of Fu OnC2 is to investigate difficult-to-treat "cancers driven by fusion proteins in children and young adults", with emphasis on soft tissue cancers such as synovial sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, as well as ependymoma, a type of brain cancer.

Too read more about this study, click here.   

Postings will resume week of August 4th

To all Grey Horizon readers,

Blog postings will resume the week of August 4th.

Thank you for your continued support.

Survivorship and immune checkpoint inhibitors

A U.S. investigative study team from Vanderbilt University's School of Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee, have unveiled a positive relationship between longer length of survival in melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and non-small cell lung cancer patients treated by immune checkpoint inhibitors.  Following treatment with PD-1 and/or PD-L1 inhibitors, most of the 217 patients studied had a survival period of more than 2 years, and "no obvious long-term adverse cardiometabolic signals were noted.

To read more about this study, click here.

Study mentioned:  Patrinely JR Jr., Young AC, Quach H, et al. Survivorship in immune therapy: Assessing toxicities, body composition and health-related quality of life among long-term survivors treated with antibodies to programmed death-1 receptor and its ligand. European Journal of Cancer 2020; 135:211-220. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2020.05.005

Assessment of patients' perspectives on consequences of COVID-19 on cancer care

A team of oncologists from the Netherlands recently published what is believed to be the first study focusing on perspectives of cancer patients during COVID-19.  Developed by the Dutch Federation of Cancer Patients Organizations, together with oncologists and patient advocacy groups from the Dutch Multidisciplinary Oncology Foundation, an online survey was distributed to cancer patients across the Netherlands via direct mail, website announcements, and social media.  "The survey consisted of 20 question on four topics: patients' characteristics, contact with the hospital, consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and concerns about COVID-19". Of the 5302 completed survey responses received 30% of patents stated a number of consequences pertaining to their cancer treatments or subsequent follow-up visits, many of which were altered from in-person visits to phone or video consultations.

To read more about this study, click here.

Source mentioned: de Joode K, Dumoukin DW, Engelen V, et al. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer treatment the patients' perspective.  European Journal of Cancer; published online 4 July 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecja.2020.06.019

Artificial intelligence for earlier detection of pancreatic cancer

A recent presentation at the ESMO (European Society of Medical Oncology) World Congress on Gastrointestinal Cancer, held in Lugano, Switzerland, July 1-4, 2020, indicates that artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining support for earlier detection of pancreatic cancer.  70-80% of pancreatic cancer patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage where treatment may no longer be effective, resulting in only a 6% survival rate 5 years after diagnosis.  The study, conducted on 1,378 pancreatic cancer patients between 15-99 years of age shows that for those under 60, the AI model "could predict who was at higher risk of pancreatic cancer up to 20 months before diagnosis."

To read more about this study, click here

Patients with multiple myeloma and CHIP face works outcomes following autologous stem cell transplant

A recently published study from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute has determined that patients with multiple myeloma treated with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), "the presence of clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) was associated with worse outcomes compared to those without CHIP.  According to first study author Dr. Tarek H. Mouhieddine, the study results indicate that immunomodulatory therapy after transplant is a safe and viable option regardless of CHIP status.

To read more about the study, click here.

PICOS score can help in identifying patients with brain metastases at high risk for VTEs

A recent study conducted within the Department of Neurology at University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland, determined that applying the PICOS (primary, immobilization, chemotherapy, obesity, steroid) score is more effective than current venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk estimation models for cancer patients.  Of the 811 patients with brain metastases analyzed in this study, 97 (12%) experienced VTE.  As a result of these findings, the authors concluded that PICOS "may be useful for stratification in controlled studies...to identify patients with brain metastasis at high risk for VTEs."

To read more about this study, click here.

Study mentioned:

Wolpert F, Berghoff AS, Grossenbacher B, et al. Venous thromboembolic events in patients with brain metastases: the PICOS score. European Journal of Cancer2020; 134:P75-85. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejca.2020.04.018. 

Olanzapine reduces nausea caused by advanced cancer

Recent findings published in JAMA Oncology indicate that olanzapine, normally used to treat psychiatric disorders, is effective in reducing nausea and vomiting in advanced cancer patients.  According to Dr. Charles Loprinzi, study investigator at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, "there was a dramatic reduction in nausea and vomiting within 24 hours in the people who received olanzapine and it lasted for the entire week that patients were formally studied."  In addition, olanpazine, available as a generic drug is relatively inexpensive, with few side effects.

To read more about this study, click here. 

Study examines whether blood test can identify early cancers

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine have discovered that a blood test, combined with imaging, is able to detect breast, lung, and colorectal cancers, at an early stage.  Known as cancerSEEK, the blood test correctly identified 26 of the 10,006 women tested with an eventual cancer diagnosis.  While the test is not meant to replace current cancer screening and detection methods, it is seen as a complement to minimize overdiagnosis.

To read more about this study, click here. 

Cancer cells cause inflammation to protect themselves from viruses

Research conducted at the Francis Crick Institute has identified the means by which cancer cells are protected from oncolytic viruses, which trigger an immune response and thus have been used as a treatment mechanism to destroy cancer cells.  Findings from the Crick Institute study determined that cancels cells exposed to cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) "leads to inflammation that can alert the surrounding tissue, making it harder for viruses to invade and replicate within in the cancer cell."

To read more about this study, click here.

Researchers identify key immune checkpoint protein operating within T cells

Research undertaken at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center has discovered a protein presented in specific immune cells required for "optimal immune responses to cancer."  According to Dr. Zihai Li, professor of medical oncology at Ohio State and principle investigator in the study, the poly(c)-binding protein 1 (PCBP1) aids in the June response that "adequate numbers of activated immune T cells differentiate into cytotoxic T cells, which kill cancer cells."

To read more about this study, click here

New trial alert: NCI COVID-19 in cancer patients study

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has launched a natural history study of COVID-19 in cancer patients.  Blood tests, medical history and imaging will be obtained from 2,000 cancer patients, who are more susceptible to serious illness if they contract COVID-19.  Anticipated outcomes of the trial include understanding genetic risk factors of COVID-19 diagnoses while patients are undergoing cancer treatment, as well as establish a repository of blood tests and imaging results for future research.

To learn more about this study, click here.

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Blog posts will resume week of May 25th

To all our Grey Horizon readers,

Postings will be postponed next week, resuming the week of May 25th.

Thank you and to all, say safe and well.

Lower antibodies rate in cancer patients after symptomatic COVID-19 than in healthcare workers

A new analysis conducted at the Centre Leon Gerard in Lyon, France has unveiled that cancer patients shoed a significantly lower detection rate of SARS-COV2 antibodies compared to healthcare workers 15 days or more after first exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.  According to study reports led by Professor Jean-Yves Blay, "5 of 75 patents with cancer (5.9%) and 13 of 244 healthcare workers (5.4%) had detectable antibodies against COVID-19."  The study further claims that patients receiving anti-cancer treatment 1 month prior to being tested for COVID-19 had a higher rate of undetectable antibodies.

To read more about this study, click here.

Checkpoint target for colorectal cancer immunotherapy identified

New research from the Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center have discovered a checkpoint target for colorectal cancer immunotherapy. Upon investigating patient tumour genetic data, researchers found "abundant expression of ST2 in macrophages in tumor tissue samples from early to late-stage colorectal cancer."

To read more about this study, click here.

Study mentioned: Van Der Jeught K et al. ST2 as checkpoint target for colorectal cancer immunotherapy. JCI Insight 2020. doc: 10.1172/jci.insight.136073

Cancer care on the front lines of COVID-19

The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) has dedicated the latest issue of Health Care Roundup to cancer care among frontline staff for COVID-19 patients.  Entries for Health Care Roundup include a new study published by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) on the higher risks of acquiring COVID-19 for cancer survivors, a podcast, presented in the style of a diary, on the experiences of an oncologist during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the COVID-19 Tracking Project comparing COVID-19 with other common causes of death including heart disease, cancer, flu, and car crashes.

To access the Health Care Roundup, click here.

COVID-19 and cancer panel discussion: managing stress, anxiety, and grief during uncertain times

As part of its wellness blog series, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship has created a series and webinars and resources for cancer patients and survivors experiencing increasing stress and anxiety amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.  Isolation and fear are serious risk factors for many cancer survivors.  The tips provided by a psychologist and cancer control expert in the webinars focus on the importance of virtual connections with family and friends, as well as the importance of exercise, adequate sleep, and proper nutrition.

Click here to view the webinars and learn more about the information resources provided.

Chronic, late effects of cancer treatment: the consequences of a cure

A recent interview with Dr. Balazs Bodai, Director of the Breast Cancer Survivorship Institute at Kaiser Permanente Health, states that long-term management of cancer survivors may increasingly fall under the responsibility of primary care providers.  The interview also presents the views of Dr. Catherine Alfano, vice president of survivorship at the American Cancer Society.  Dr. Alfano informs readers about the differences between chronic vs. late effects of cancer treatment.  Chronic effects are issues that first present during cancer treatment and continue in the post-treatment period, while late effects do not occur while a patient is treated, "but pop up seemingly out of nowhere a few years, even 10 years later." 

To read more about this interview, click here.

Practicing oncology during the COVID-19 pandemic: protecting medical staff to ensure cancer patients can safely receive care

The European Society of Medical Oncology (ESMO) has launched a new series, Practicing Oncology During the Pandemic, sharing experiences and perspectives from medical personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Via a series of interviews, readers will learn about current COVID-19 testing policies, daily routines of medical oncologists, along with treatment and follow-up strategies for cancer patients.

Click here for further information

COVID-19 Infection in Cancer Patients in Wuhan: Emphasis on Severe Events

A new retrospective study on COVID-19 among cancer patients, focusing on risk factors associated with admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) has been conducted by a team of clinicians from 3 hospitals in Wuhan, China, and recently published in the Annals of Oncology.  Clinical data gathered from 28 cancer patients with COVID-19 infection between January 13, 2020 - February 26, 2020 indicates that 17 patients (60%) were male, with an average age of 65 years.  Of the 28 cancer patients studied, 7 (25%) had lung cancer, followed by oesophageal cancer (4 patients), and breast cancer (3 patients).  10 patients had a stage IV cancer diagnosis and 8 patients developed COVID-19 from hospital-associated transmission.  Further, of the 6 patients who received anti-tumour treatment within 14 days of their COVID-19 diagnosis, 5 (83%) developed severe events.

To read more about this study, click here.

Study mentioned: Zhang L, Zhu F, Xie L, et al. Clinical characteristics of COVID-19-infected cancer patients: A retrospective case study in three hospitals within Wuhan, China. Annals of Oncology; Published online 23 March 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2020.03.296

Patient Education: FAQ on COVID-19 (coronavirus) and cancer patients

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) has unveiled a FAQ, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Patients with Cancer.  This document includes a brief history of the COVID-19 outbreak, common symptoms, and precautions that must be taken amongst cancer patients.

Click here for more information.

Cancer treatment in the age of COVID-19

OncoLink, a prominent cancer blog created by the University of Pennsylvania recently posted 3 blogs entries on their forum pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic.  The first, On the Front Lines with Cancer and COVID-19,  provides personal perspectives from a radiation therapist, while Cancer Treatment in the Age of COVID-19 contains key resources to address concerns cancer patients may have regarding coronavirus.   Finally, the OncoLink team focuses on the mental health perspective of COVID-19, providing suggestions on dealing with mandated self-isolation periods.  To read more, click here.

Breast MRI associated with significantly higher rate of invasive cancer detection than digital breast tomosynthesis

A recent cross-sectional study with longitudinal follow-up on 1444 women undergoing breast cancer screening indicates that invasive cancer rate was considerable higher (11.8/1000) for breast MRI, compared to 4.8/1000 for digital breast tomosynthesis. While the authors of the study caution that further investigation of the correlation between screening methods and clinical outcome should be undertaken, the findings do support the notion that "improved screening methods for women with dense breasts are needed because of their increased risk of breast cancer and of failed early diagnosis by screening mammography."

To read more about this study, click here.

Source mentioned:   Comstock CE, Gatsonis C, Newstead GM, et al. Comparison of abbreviated breast MRI vs. digital breast tomosynthesis for breast cancer detection among women with dense breasts undergoing screening.  JAMA 2020;323(8):746-756. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.0572.

New trial alert: Hypofractionated whole-pelvis radiation therapy (WPRT) vs. conventionally-fractionated WPRT in prostate cancer

A new trial sponsored, in part by the Canadian Association of Radiation Oncology is seeking to determine "if 5 fractions of external radiation therapy with higher radiation doses per fraction to the pelvis leads to similar results to the standard of care external radiation therapy treatment that is comprised of 25 fractions of external radiation therapy with lower radiation doses per fraction to the pelvis."  The primary outcome of the trial is quality of life with regards to late bowel function, while secondary outcomes include acute urinary and sexual quality of life outcomes.

To learn more about this trial, click here.

Largest real world database of immune checkpoint inhibitors in melanoma

Results of the largest real world dataset in metastatic melanoma via uptake of immune checkpoint inhibitors was presented at the 2020 ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium in Orlando Florida, February 6-8, 2020.  The dataset, comprised of 5465 melanoma patients studied between April 2014 - March 2018 reports that 2322 of the 5465 patients received first-line treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (1174 were administered pembrolizumab, 724 ipilimumab, 52 nivolumab, and 372 a combination of both ipilimumab and nivolumab.

To read more about this study, click here.

Source mentioned:  Corrie PG, Chao D, Board R, et al. Metastatic melanoma patient outcomes since introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors in England between 2014 and 2018. J Clin Oncol 2020; 38:(suppl 5; abstr 55).   

First baby born to cancer patienst from eggs matured in lab and frozen

The Department of Reproductive Medicine and Fertility Preservation at the Antoine Béclère University Hospital near Paris, France have "announced the birth of the first baby to be born to a cancer patient from an immature eff that was matured in the laboratory, frozen, then thawed and fertilized five years later."  According to the announcement, the 34-year old mother of the baby boy was infertile due to the chemotherapy she underwent for breast cancer.  Prior to beginning her cancer treatment, her immature eggs were removed and allowed to fully develop via in vitro maturation (IVM).  This study is believed to be the first successful pregnancy in cancer patients following IVM and vitrification.

To read more about this study, click here.

Cancer Related to Infections

A recently published article by investigators from the International Agency on Cancer (IARC) provides a global analysis of cancer diagnoses attributable to infections.  According to the study, "an estimated 2.2 million infection-attributable cancer cases were diagnosed worldwide [in 2018]."  Primary causes included Helicobacter pylori, human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis B and C viruses.

To read more about this study, click here.

Source mentioned: de Martel C, Georges D, Bray F, Ferlay J, Clifford GM. (2020). Global burden of cancer attributable to infections in 2018: a worldwide incidence analysis. Lancet Glob Health. 2020 Feb;8(2): e180-e190.

Can working night shifts put you at greater risk of cancer?

The United States Nurses' Health Study recently revealed results of a study indicating that extensive rotating night shift work over 15 years leads to a greater risk of developing haematopoietic cancer. Haematopoietic cancers, (the 2 most common types are leukaemia and lymphoma) account for 10% of all new cancer diagnoses.  While this study admits that several occupational, environmental, lifestyle, and physiological factors can lead to a higher risk of a cancer diagnosis, "it is speculated that night shift work may suppress melatonin, which regulates the sleep-wake cycle and is a powerful antioxidant."

To read more about this study, click here.  

Immune checkpoint inhibitors associated with lower risk of developing severe adverse events vs. chemotherapy

A recently published meta-analysis in Annals of Oncology reports on 22 clinical trials conducted on 12,727 patients with advanced solid tumours.  Findings from the joint Canada-U.S. study indicated that patients "treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors were less likely to develop severe adverse events than those receiving chemotherapy.  16.5% of patients developed an adverse event when treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors, compared to 41.1% treated with chemotherapy.  Other adverse events, including fatigue, diarrhea, and acute kidney injury were more prevalent following chemotherapy treatment, while colitis, pneumonitis, and hypothyroidism occurred more frequently after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

To read more about this study, click here.

Study source: Magee DE, Hird AE, Klaassen Z, et al. Adverse event profile for immunotherapy agents compared with chemotherapy in solid organ tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Annals of Oncology; Published online 6 January 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annonc.2019.10.008 

Artificial Intelligence speeds brain tumour diagnosis

A recent National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded clinical trial of patients requiring brain surgery indicates how artificial intelligence (AI) is able to provide "neurosurgeons with valuable real-time information about what type of brain tumour is present, while the patient is still on the operating table."  In the joint study by researchers from NYU Langone Health and University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, the benefits of AI and a technique known as Stimulated Raman History (SRH) can provide real-time data and predictions related to a patient's brain tumour diagnosis.  AI overall performance in this study was 95% accurate (compared to 94% accuracy for conventional pathology).

To read more about this study, click here.

Source mentioned: Hollon TC, Pandian B, Adapa AR, Urias E, Save AV, Khalsa SS, et al. Near real-time intraoperative brain tumor diagnosis using stimulated Raman histology and deep neural networks. Nat Med. 2020 Jan 6. doi: 10.1038/s41591-019-0715-p [Epub ahead of print]

Recommended physical activity levels linked to lower risk of seven cancers

A recent joint study conducted by investigators at the National Cancer Institute, American Cancer Society, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health indicates that adherence of leisure-time physical activity is linked to lower risk of developing 7 cancers.  Lower risk levels for the 7 identified cancers include: colon cancer in men (8%-14%), female breast cancer (6%-10%), endometrial cancer (10%-18%), kidney cancer (11%-17%), myeloma (14%-19%), liver cancer (18%-27%), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (11%-18%).

To read more about this study, click here.

Source mentioned: Matthews CE, Moore SC, Arem H, Cook MB, Trabert B, Hakansson N., et al. Amount and intensity of leisure-time physical activity and lower cancer risk. J Clin Oncol. 2019 Dec 26: JCO1902407 [Epub ahead of print]

AI detects breast cancer as accurately as expert radiologists, study finds

Researchers in the United States and Britain recently reported that Google DeepMind, an artificial intelligence (AI) system, "proved as good as expert radiologists at detecting which women had breast cancer based on screening mammograms and showed promise at reducing errors."  According to the American Cancer Society, radiologists miss about 20% of breast cancers in mammograms; Google Deep Mind can reduce false positive results by 5.7%.

To read more about this study, click here.

Study mentioned: McKinney SM, Sieniek M, Godble V, Godwin J, Antropova H, Back T, et al. International evaluation of an AI system for breast cancer screening.  Nature, 2020 Jan; 577 (7788): 89-94.