Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Hematology & Oncology for August 2017. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Minimal Evidence for Electronic Communication Guidelines
THURSDAY, Aug. 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Minimal evidence is available for guidelines for electronic communication between patients and providers, according to research published online Aug. 28 in the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association.
Prophylaxis Linked to Improved Function, HRQoL in Hemophilia
THURSDAY, Aug. 31, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For adults with severe hemophilia and pre-existing joint disease, prophylaxis is associated with improved function, quality of life, activity, and pain, according to a study published online Aug. 24 in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis.
FDA Approves First Gene Therapy in the United States
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved the first gene therapy — Kymriah (tisagenlecleucel) — in the United States, to treat certain pediatric and young adult patients with a form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Proactive Approach Encouraged for Online Patient Reviews
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Most patients are using online reviews as a first step to finding a new doctor, with 65 percent forming an opinion from reading one to six reviews, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Most Melanomas Don’t Start As Existing Moles
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 30, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The majority of melanomas arise from new lesions rather than existing moles, according to a review published online Aug. 29 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Options Available for Estrogen Depletion After Breast Cancer
TUESDAY, Aug. 29, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Many non-hormone options and therapies are available for the treatment of estrogen-depletion symptoms in breast cancer survivors, and individualized treatment is important, according to a review published online Aug. 2 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Androgen-Deprivation Therapy May Carry Cardiovascular Risks
MONDAY, Aug. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Use of androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) may increase the risk of certain cardiovascular conditions in men with prostate cancer, according to a study published online Aug. 24 in the British Journal of Cancer.
Computed Tomography Useful for Staging Head, Neck Melanoma
MONDAY, Aug. 28, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients with head and neck melanoma benefit from the introduction of initial staging using computed tomography (CT), according to research published online Aug. 21 in Head & Neck.
ART Era Has Changed Secondary Cancers After Kaposi Sarcoma
FRIDAY, Aug. 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There has been a significant decline in the risk of secondary cancers after Kaposi sarcoma (KS) in the era of highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), according to a study published online Aug. 24 in JAMA Oncology.
CDC: More U.S. Teens Starting HPV Vaccination
FRIDAY, Aug. 25, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Six out of 10 U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 received one or more doses of a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in 2016, but many are still not completing the vaccination series, according to research published in the Aug. 25 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Telomere Length Prognostic in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
THURSDAY, Aug. 24, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Telomere attrition occurs in tumor cells from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and shortened telomeres are independent prognosticators for HCC patients, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in the Journal of Pathology.
PERSEVERE-XP Improves Mortality Risk Stratification in Sepsis
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Addition of previously unconsidered genes from the Pediatric Sepsis Biomarker Risk Model (PERSEVERE) can improve mortality risk stratification for children with septic shock, according to a study published in the Aug. 15 issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Nurse-, System-Related Factors Analyzed in Wrong-Patient Events
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Greater focus is needed on correct identification processes in order to prevent wrong-patient medication administration incidents, and system supports for nurses are critical, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Vitamin B6, B12 Supplements May Up Risk of Lung Cancer in Men
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 23, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Men, and especially male smokers, appear to be more likely to develop lung cancer if they take high doses of vitamins B6 and B12, according to a study published online Aug. 22 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Females Show Better Response to CRT in Esophageal Cancer
TUESDAY, Aug. 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma who received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT), female sex is associated with increased likelihood of achieving a complete or nearly complete pathologic response, according to a study published online Aug. 22 in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Occult Cancer Found in ~5 Percent With Unprovoked VTE
TUESDAY, Aug. 22, 2017 (HealthDay News) — About one in 20 patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) have occult cancer detected within one year, according to a review published online Aug. 22 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy Screening Reduces Mortality
MONDAY, Aug. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Screening with flexible sigmoidoscopy reduces all-cause mortality, according to a research letter published online Aug. 22 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Hours Worked Impacted by Kids for Female, Not Male Doctors
MONDAY, Aug. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For women, but not men, in dual-physician couples, weekly hours worked are lower for those with versus those without children, according to a research letter published online Aug. 21 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Mortality Estimates Favor Annual Mammography From Age 40
MONDAY, Aug. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — An annual screening mammogram starting at age 40 is the optimal strategy to avert an early breast cancer death, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in Cancer.
Literacy Level an Issue in Laryngectomy-Related Patient Ed
MONDAY, Aug. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Current laryngectomy-related patient education materials are too difficult for an average American adult to understand, according to a study published online Aug. 16 in Head & Neck.
Outdoor Nighttime Light Exposure Linked to Breast Cancer Risk
MONDAY, Aug. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There is an association between living in areas with high amounts of ambient nighttime light and slightly increased odds for breast cancer in younger women who smoke, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in Environmental Health Perspectives.
Arsenic Levels Higher in Patients With Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers
MONDAY, Aug. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Certain arsenic species levels are higher among patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC), according to a study published online Aug. 16 in the Journal of Dermatology.
Geriatric Consults Remain Rare in Kidney Cancer Care
MONDAY, Aug. 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Use of geriatric consultation remains sparse among older patients undergoing surgery for kidney cancer, according to a study published online Aug. 11 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Radioiodine Therapy for Thyroid Cancer Doesn’t Up Stroke Risk
FRIDAY, Aug. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Radioiodine (I-131) therapy for thyroid cancer is not associated with increased risk of stroke, according to a study published online Aug. 16 in Head & Neck.
One-Quarter With Early Breast Cancer Strongly Considers CPM
FRIDAY, Aug. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — More than half of newly diagnosed patients with early-stage breast cancer consider contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM), with one-quarter considering it strongly, according to a study published online Aug. 15 in Cancer.
Moderate, Severe OSA Linked to Elevated Blood Coagulability
FRIDAY, Aug. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Moderate and severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are associated with elevated blood coagulability markers, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.
Worse Survival Seen for Alternative Vs Usual Cancer Rx
FRIDAY, Aug. 18, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Patients who choose alternative medicine over traditional cancer treatments for curable cancers have a higher risk of dying early, according to research published online Aug. 10 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Online Nursing Education Can Up Patient Use of VTE Prophylaxis
THURSDAY, Aug. 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Online training for nurses has been found to increase hospital patients’ use of venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis, according to a study published online Aug. 16 in PLOS ONE.
FDA Approves New Treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
THURSDAY, Aug. 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved Besponsa (inotuzumab ozogamicin) to treat B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Dietary Energy Density May Up Risk of Obesity-Linked Cancers
THURSDAY, Aug. 17, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Higher dietary energy density (DED; the ratio of energy intake to food weight) is associated with increased risk of obesity-related cancers among normal-weight women, according to a study published online Aug. 17 in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Perceived Social Support Lower for Cancer Caregivers Vs Patients
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A sense of coherence (SOC) is associated with cancer patients’ acceptance of their illness, according to a study published Aug. 9 in the Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Single-Color PCR Detects Cancer Mutations From Circulating DNA
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 16, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A single-color digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay can detect cancer mutations directly from circulating DNA from patients, according to research published online Aug. 14 in the Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.
Studies Used for FDA Approval of Device Changes Often Low Quality
TUESDAY, Aug. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Many studies used to support U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of high-risk medical device modifications are not controlled; and efficacy of drugs granted accelerated approval is often confirmed three years after approval, according to two studies published in the Aug. 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Specialist Access No Better With Adoption of Access Standards
TUESDAY, Aug. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Adoption of specialty access standards does not improve access to specialists, according to a study published online Aug. 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Most Patients With Care Plan Die in Chosen Location
TUESDAY, Aug. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Most individuals with a Coordinate My Care (CMC) plan die in their chosen location, according to a research letter published online Aug. 15 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Caregivers Have a Worse View of Cancer Patients’ Functional Status
TUESDAY, Aug. 15, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Compared to patients themselves, caregivers rate older cancer patients as having poorer physical function, poorer mental health, and more social support, according to a study published online Aug. 14 in The Oncologist.
All-Cause, CVD Mortality Down With Light, Moderate Drinking
MONDAY, Aug. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — All-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality are reduced for U.S. adults with light and moderate alcohol intake, according to a study published in the Aug. 22 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Short-Term Risk of Arterial Embolism Up in Cancer Patients
MONDAY, Aug. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The risk of arterial thromboembolism is increased in the short term among patients with incident cancer, according to a study published in the Aug. 22 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Endometrial Ablation Doesn’t Increase Cancer Risk
MONDAY, Aug. 14, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For women in Finland, endometrial ablation is not associated with increased risk of endometrial or breast cancer, according to a study published in the September issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Multigene Panel Tests Can ID Hereditary Kidney Cancer
FRIDAY, Aug. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients who lack distinguishing clinical characteristics of known hereditary kidney cancer syndromes, panel testing may be useful for identifying hereditary cancer, according to a study published online Aug. 8 in Cancer.
Hospital Volume, Quality Impact Survival in Ovarian Cancer
FRIDAY, Aug. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients with ovarian cancer, both hospital volume and adherence to quality metrics are associated with survival, according to a study published in the September issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Patient Profile Impacts QOL With Radiation Tx in Head, Neck Cancer
FRIDAY, Aug. 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There are patient characteristics and clinical factors independently associated with physical and mental quality of life (QOL) in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radiotherapy, according to a study published online Aug. 2 in Head & Neck.
Swallowing Exercises Rehabilitate Chronic Dysphagia
THURSDAY, Aug. 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A novel rehabilitative swallowing exercise program aids long-term head and neck cancer survivors with chronic dysphagia, according to a study published online Aug. 2 in Head & Neck.
Opioid Prescription Rates Higher in Cancer Survivors
THURSDAY, Aug. 10, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Substantially higher opioid prescribing rates persist among cancer survivors, even long after attaining survivorship, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in Cancer.
Analysis of EBV DNA in Plasma Samples IDs Nasopharyngeal CA
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Analysis of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in plasma samples can identify early asymptomatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma, according to a study published in the Aug. 10 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Higher Risk of CVD Persists After Hospital Stay for Severe Infection
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 9, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease following hospital admission for sepsis or pneumonia that persists for at least five years after the infection, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology.
Colorectal Cancer Mortality Rates Down in Blacks, Up in Whites
TUESDAY, Aug. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Colorectal cancer (CRC) mortality rates have decreased since 1970 in black adults (aged 20 to 54 years), but increased among white individuals, according to a research letter published in the Aug. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Azithromycin Tied to Poor Airflow Decline-Free Survival After HSCT
TUESDAY, Aug. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), early administration of azithromycin is associated with worse airflow decline-free survival, according to a study published in the Aug. 8 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Few Skull Radiation Patients Show Cognitive Impairment
TUESDAY, Aug. 8, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The majority of patients undergoing skull base irradiation for cancer have no detectable cognitive impairment, but about one-third may have ambiguous results with a self-reporting tool, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in Head & Neck.
Guidance Provided for Preventing Practice Billing Errors
MONDAY, Aug. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Strategies can help to prevent medical practice billing errors, according to a report published in Medical Economics.
Osteoporosis Meds Up BMD in Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer
MONDAY, Aug. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — For men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer who are receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), bisphosphonates and denosumab improve bone mineral density (BMD), according to a review published online Aug. 8 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Intervention May Cut Muscle Loss From RT for Head & Neck Cancer
MONDAY, Aug. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) — An exercise and nutrition intervention is feasible for patients with head and neck cancer during or after radiotherapy, and the intervention is potentially effective in mitigating loss of muscle mass, according to a small study published online July 31 in Cancer.
Strong Religious Beliefs May Be Linked to Higher Weight
FRIDAY, Aug. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — There is evidence of a significant association between religious affiliation and body weight, with religiosity being significantly associated with higher body weight, according to research published online Aug. 2 in Obesity Reviews.
Not All 80-, 90-Year-Olds With Rectal Cancer Are Treated
FRIDAY, Aug. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — About 15 percent of octogenarians and nonagenarians with stage II/III rectal adenocarcinoma do not receive treatment, according to a study published online July 31 in Cancer.
Reconstruction Method in Gastric CA Surgery Affects Bone Density
FRIDAY, Aug. 4, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The reconstruction method may affect postoperative bone mineral density (BMD) loss in gastric cancer, according to a study published online July 31 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
FDA Approves New Treatment for Acute Myeloid Leukemia
THURSDAY, Aug. 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The combination chemotherapy drug Vyxeos (daunorubicin and cytarabine) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the first treatment for certain high-risk types of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Genetic Variation Impacts Pharmacokinetics of Exemestane
THURSDAY, Aug. 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The OATP1B1 c.521>C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) influences exemestane pharmacokinetics in healthy postmenopausal women, according to a study published online July 29 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics.
Centralized Mailings Can Improve CRC Screening Adherence
THURSDAY, Aug. 3, 2017 (HealthDay News) — A centralized program which includes mailings can increase the time in compliance with colorectal cancer (CRC) screening guidelines, according to a study published online July 28 in Cancer.
FDA Approves Imbruvica to Treat Chronic Graft Versus Host Disease
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday expanded approval for the cancer drug Imbruvica (ibrutinib) to include adults with chronic graft versus host disease (cGVHD).
FDA Approves Idhifa for Some With Acute Myeloid Leukemia
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Idhifa (enasidenib) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adults with a specific genetic mutation that leads to relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Mechanisms ID’d for Curcumin Resensitization of Cancer Cells
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Curcumin can resensitize chemoresistant pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells through inhibition of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2)-PVT1-c-Myc axis, according to a study published online July 17 in Carcinogenesis.
Revenue Exceeds Expenditures for Many ABMS Member Boards
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 2, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Overall revenue exceeds expenditures for many American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) member boards, according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Periodontal Disease History Linked to Increased Cancer Risk
TUESDAY, Aug. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Among older women, periodontal disease history is associated with increased total cancer risk, and with increased risk of several specific types of cancer, according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of Cancer, Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Climate Change Expected to Up Premature Deaths From Pollution
TUESDAY, Aug. 1, 2017 (HealthDay News) — Increases in air pollution caused by rising temperatures will trigger an additional 60,000 premature deaths each year around the globe by 2030, and as many as 260,000 more premature deaths annually by 2100, according to findings from a new study published online July 31 in Nature Climate Change.
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