Prognostic role of ctDNA in patients with surgically resectable colorectal cancer

 Results from GALAXY, part of the CIRCULATE study from Japan, analyzing circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) was recently published in Nature Medicine.  Investigators from GALAXY demonstrated that "postsurgical ctDNA status is a most significant prognostic biomarker than the currently used high-risk clinicopathological features in resectable colorectal cancer and can potentially be predictive of adjuvant chemotherapy benefit."  The study authors thus believe that incorporating postsurgical ctDNA into TNM staging criteria can be further developed as a result of findings from GALAXY. 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Source mentioned: Kotani D, Oki E, Nakamura Y, Yukami H, Mishima S, Bando H, Shirasu H, Yamazaki K, Watanabe J, Kotaka M, Hirata K, Akazawa N, Kataoka K, Sharma S, Aushev VN, Aleshin A, Misumi T, Taniguchi H, Takemasa I, Kato T, Mori M, Yoshino T. Molecular residual disease and efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with colorectal cancer. Nat Med. 2023 Jan;29(1):127-134. doi: 10.1038/s41591-022-02115-4. Epub 2023 Jan 16. PMID: 36646802; PMCID: PMC9873552.

Suicide risk higher among individuals with cancer

 A new study conducted by researchers at the American Cancer Society (ACS) indicates that "the risk for suicide of individuals diagnosed with cancer...is 26% higher compared with the general population."  While the study explains that additional characteristics, including geographic, racial/ethnic, and socioeconomic also play contributing roles to this statistic, Dr. Xuesong Han, senior study author explains that joint efforts by local and national governments are needed to ensure insurance coverage for psycho-oncological and psychosocial issues, as well as "development of appropriate clinical guidelines for suicide risk screening and inclusion of suicide prevention in survivorship care plans."  

To read more about this study, click here. 

Implementation of clinical trials regulation in the EU and EEA

 Effective January 31, 2023, the Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) "will become the single-entry point for sponsors and regulators of clinical trials for the submission and assessment of clinical trial data which includes a public searchable database for healthcare professionals, patients, and the public."  Soft-launched nearly one year ago on January 31, 2022, CTIS was created to regulate how clinical trials are authorized and supervised across the European Union.  

To read more about CTIS, including access to training material and webinars, click here. 

Patient-reported symptom burden and supportive care needs of patients with stage II-III colorectal cancer during and after adjuvant systemic treatment

 A retrospective population-based cohort study conducted on newly diagnosed stage II-III colorectal cancer patients in Calgary, Alberta, Canada was recently published in JCO Oncology Practice.  The study, conducted on 303 patients over a period of 3 years (January 2016 - January 2019), indicated that while symptom severity was low and most systems either remained stable and/or or improved following adjuvant systemic treatment, "ongoing assessments and interventions to address physical and psychologic symptoms and supportive care needs in patients [with colorectal cancer] during and after treatment are needed." 

Study mentioned: Cuthbert CA, O'Sullivan DE, Boyne DJ, Brenner DR, Cheung WY. Patient-Reported Symptom Burden and Supportive Care Needs of Patients With Stage II-III Colorectal Cancer During and After Adjuvant Systemic Treatment: A Real-World Evidence Study. JCO Oncol Pract. 2023 Jan 6:OP2200462. doi: 10.1200/OP.22.00462. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36608313.

Western region of U.S. has highest prostate cancer mortality among white men; black men face highest prostate cancer mortality overall

A recent study completed by researchers at the American Cancer Society indicates that the highest mortality rates for prostate cancer in white men occurred in the western part of the United States, particularly in California, while "black men...had an estimated 70%-110% higher incidence and mortality rate for prostate cancer than white men overall..."  The study also indicated socioeconomic disparities in four genitourinary cancers (bladder, kidney, prostate, testicular), among both men and women in the United States.   In addition to the aforementioned prostate cancer findings, the study also uncovered highest incidence of bladder cancer among white individuals in the U.S. Northeast, while kidney cancer incidence was most prevalent in the Appalachia and southern regions.  Among ethnic and racial groups, rates of bladder cancer were highest among American Indian and Alaska Natives, while mortality rates were highest in Hispanic men afflicted with testicular cancer. 

To read more about this study, click here.