Wednesday, 23 April 2025

Potential for larger gene panels to increase the number of molecularly matched therapies in patients with advanced solid tumours

 Results of ProfiLER-2, a multicentre, prospective study comparing a hospital homemade control gene panel (CTL) to "the commercially available Foundation OneCDX (F1CDX).." was recently published in Nature Medicine.   Of the 741 patients with solid tumours screened in this study, molecular-based recommended therapies were identified with F1CDX in 175 patients and CTL in 125 patients, representing a 14.8% increase when using the F1CDX gene panel.  

To read more about this study, click here. 

Source mentioned: 

Trédan O, Pouessel D, Penel N, et al. Broad versus limited gene panels to guide treatment in patients with advanced solid tumors: a randomized controlled trialNature Medicine; Published online 7 April 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03613-x

Wednesday, 16 April 2025

Cancer mortality prediction for 2025 continues to show favourable trends in the European Union

 A recently completed study of cancer mortality rates across the European Union (EU) over the past 5 years (2020-2025) indicate a lower mortality rate of 3.5% for males and 1.2% in females, with notable decreases in breast cancer for women (9.8% less among those 50-69 years old, and 12.4% less among women 70-79 years old).  The two exceptions to this downward mortality trend were pancreatic cancer for both males and females, and bladder cancer for women.  In addition, despite enhanced tobacco control measures, rate of smoking across the EU was still report at 24%.   

To read more about this study, click here

Source mentioned: 

Santucci C, Mignozzi S, Levi F, et al. European cancer mortality predictions for the year 2025 with focus on breast cancer. Annals of Oncology;36(4):460-468.

Thursday, 10 April 2025

Adding chemotherapy to radiotherapy not associated with improved OS for patients with intermediate-risk cervical cancer

 A population-based cohort study recently published in JAMA Oncology found "no significant overall survival benefit from the addition of concomitant chemotherapy to radiotherapy in patients with intermediate-risk cervical cancer." While hysterectomy and surgical lymph node assessment is considered standard treatment for early-stage cervical cancer, nearly 60% of patients continue receiving chemoradiotherapy for intermediate-risk cases "despite the absence of clear benefit." 

To read more about this study, click here

Source mentioned: 

Agustí N, Viveros-Carreño D, Wu C-F, et al. Adjuvant Chemoradiotherapy vs Radiotherapy Alone for Patients With Intermediate-Risk Cervical Cancer. JAMA Oncology; Published online 13 March 2025. doi:10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.0146

Wednesday, 2 April 2025

Suggesting a deadline in the invitation letter to FIT colorectal cancer screening results in more timely FIT return

 Results from the timeframe and planning tool (TEMPO) study, part of the Scottish Bowel Screening Program, has determined that "including a deadline of 2 weeks for faecal immunochemical test (FIT) return in the invitation letter resulted in more rapid FIT returns, fewer reminder letters send, and marginally higher return rates..."  The authors of the TEMPO study also stated that establishing FIT return deadlines is more cost-effective and increases compliance with screening behaviour, as current FIT uptake in Scotland is 66% compared to an average of 50% across other European countries.  

To learn more about the TEMPO study, click here

Sources: