Research indicates female representation at top of oncology field at a plateau

Recently published results from the ESMO Women for Oncology Monitoring and Authorship Studies has revealed that "women continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions despite making up an increasing proportion of the oncology workforce."  Data collected from 2017-2019 from several worldwide oncology societies scrutinized the number of women as board members or presidents of oncology organizations/societies, as well as representation at cancer conferences.  The data has revealed 37% of speaker at oncology congresses are women, while 36% of females are presented on the boards of professional organizations.  In addition, 37-41% of women are lead authors in cancer publications.  

To read more about this study, click here. 

Studies mentioned: 

1. A.S. Berghoff, C. Sessa, J.C.-H. Yang, Z. Tsourti, J. Tsang, J. Tabernero, S. Peters, H. Linardou, A. Letsch, J. Haanen, E. Garralda, M.C. Garassino, A.J.S. Furness, E. Felip, G. Dimopoulou, U. Dafni, S.P. Choo, S. Banerjee, J. Bajpai, A.A. Adjei and P. Garrido. Female leadership in oncology—has progress stalled? Data from the ESMO W4O authorship and monitoring studies. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esmoop.2021.100281
2. E. Hofstädter-Thalmann, U. Dafni, T. Allen, D. Arnold, S. Banerjee, G. Curigliano, E. Garralda, M.C. Garassino, J. Haanen, C. Robert, C. Sessa, Z. Tsourti, P. Zygoura, S. Peters. Report on the status of women occupying leadership roles in oncology. https://doi.org/10.1136/esmoopen-2018-000423

Why cancer patients and caregivers need paid leave

A recently conducted survey by the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) in the United States concludes that cancer patients and caregivers should receive paid time away from work during the course of their cancer treatment or providing care to loved ones. According to survey results, 10-21% of survey respondents quit their jobs while undergoing cancer treatment, while 40% of survivors made financial sacrifices.  

To read more about this survey, click here.  

Third dose of BNT162b2 is safe; improves immunity against COVID-19 in patients with solid tumours

Researchers at the University of Arizona Cancer Center recently unveiled data on a trial comparing "serological and cellular immune response after...BNT162b2 vaccination of patients with solid tumours on active cytotoxic chemotherapy compared to healthy controls..."  The study background informs readers that antibody responses decline after a first dose of the mRNA vaccine for patients with solid or haematological tumours, but markedly improve after a second dose.  20 patients with gastrointestinal and breast cancer diagnoses from the original study cohort agreed to a third dose of the mRNA vaccine. "AT one week after a third immunization, 16 participants demonstrated a median threefold increase in neutralizing antibody responses." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Study mentioned: Shroff RT, Chalasani P, Wei R, et al. Immune responses to two and three doses of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in adults with solid tumors. Nature Medicine; Published online 30 September 2021. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-021-01542-z

Patients treated with chemotherapy and B cell-targeting agents show impaired serological response to COVID-19 vaccination

 

A recently completed cohort study conducted in Austria and Italy on patients with haemato-oncological diseases indicates that "patients with cancer are able to develop SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies."  The study, conducted on 595 patients being treated for haematological and solid malignant tumours, compared to 58 healthcare workers acting as controls, showed that in both cohort, "anti-S antibody levels were higher in fully vaccinated patients coparents with patients who received 1 vaccine dose." 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Source mentioned: Mair MJ, Berger JM, Berghoff AS, et al. Humoral Immune Response in Hematooncological Patients and Health Care Workers Who Received SARS-CoV-2 Vaccinations. JAMA Oncology; Published online 30 September 2021. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2021.5437