Similarity of molecular portraits in synchronous bilateral breast cancers could be influenced by common environmental factors

 A recent study conducted within the Translational Research Department, Institut Curie, Universite de Paris, found that in breast cancer patients, "immune infiltration was not determined purely by local tumour microenvironment properties, but was different according to the subtype of the contralateral tumour."  The study further unveiled that 5% of patients with bilateral breast cancers carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations; from the 17575 patients listed in the Institut Curie clinical databases, only 2.3% (404) patients had synchronous bilateral breast cancers.  

To read more about this study, click here. 

Source mentioned: Hamy A-S, Abécassis J, Driouch K, et al. Evolution of synchronous female bilateral breast cancers and response to treatment. Nature Medicine; Published online 6 March 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-023-02216-8

HRQoL data support benefit of adding pembrolizumab to chemotherapy in patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer

 Findings from the Keynote-826 study indicate favourable outcomes on the use of pembrolizumab and chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab as a standard treatment regimen for patients with persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer.  Cervical cancer "is commonly associate with bleeding, fatigue, pain, bladder, and bowel dysfunction, leg swelling, and sexual dysfunction", symptoms which worsen in advanced or recurrent stages.  The goal of the standard treatment regimen mentioned above is to prolong, preserve, and improve health-related quality of life.  

To learn more about this study, click here. 

Source mentioned: 

Monk BJ, Tewari KS, Dubot C, et al. Health-related quality of life with pembrolizumab or placebo plus chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab for persistent, recurrent, or metastatic cervical cancer (KEYNOTE-826): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial. The Lancet Oncology; Published online 3 March 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1470-2045(23)00052-9

Estimate of the global economic cost of the most prevalent cancers in 204 countries from 2020 To 2050

 A recent decision analytical modelling study, using a "health-augmented macroeconomic model...to estimate the global economic cost of 29 cancer types for 204 countries..." is the first of its kind to study productivity loss among individuals with different educational and experience levels.  Study authors have found the estimated global economic cost of cancers from 2020-2050 to be $25.2 trillion, with tracheal bronchus, and lung cancer (15.4%), colon and rectal cancer (10.9%), breast cancer (7.7%), liver cancer (6.5%), and leukaemia (6.3%) deemed to sustain the highest economic costs. 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Sources mentioned: 

• Chen S, Cao Z, Prettner K, et al. Estimates and Projections of the Global Economic Cost of 29 Cancers in 204 Countries and Territories From 2020 to 2050. JAMA Oncology; Published online 23 February 2023. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2022.7826
• Lopes G. The Global Economic Cost of Cancer—Estimating It Is Just the First Step! JAMA Oncology; Published online 23 February 2023. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2022.7133

Exposure to antibiotics before treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitor associated with worse overall survival among older adults with cancer

A large population-level study from the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto indicated that "antibiotic exposure and specifically fluoroquinolones before treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitor were associated with worse overall survival, with fluoroquinolone exposure conferring up to a 65% increased risk of mortality among older adults with cancer."   Of the 2,737 cancer patients who were administered immune checkpoint inhibitors, 59% received antibiotics 1 year before ICU treatment, while 19% received antibiotics 60 days before ICI.  The authors of the study further state that more data is required to further explore the association between antibiotic exposure, ICI treatment and survival outcomes among cancer patients in diverse settings. 

To read more about this study, click here. 

Sources mentioned: 

• Eng L, Sutradhar R, Niu Y, et al. Impact of Antibiotic Exposure Before Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment on Overall Survival in Older Adults With Cancer: A Population-Based Study. JCO; Published online 24 February 2023. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.22.00074
• Pinato DJ, Cortellini A. Antibiotic Therapy: The Cornerstone of Iatrogenic Resistance to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors. JCO; Published online 24 February 2023. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.23.00049