CYP2D6*4 allele and breast cancer risk: Is there any association?

Background  

CYP2D6 is an important cytochrome P450 enzyme. These enzymes catalyse the oxidative biotransformation of about 25% of clinically important drugs as well as the metabolism of numerous environmental chemical carcinogens. The most frequent null allele of CYP2D6 in European populations, CYP2D6*4, has been studied here in order to elucidate whether a relationship exists between this allele and the risk of developing breast cancer in a Spanish population.     

Tamoxifen and the Rafoxifene analog LY117018: their effects on arachidonic acid release from cells in culture and on prostaglandin I<Subscript>2</Subscript>production by rat liver cells

Background  

Tamoxifen is being used successfully to treat breast cancer. However, tamoxifen also increases the risk of developing endometrial cancer in postmenopausal women. Raloxifene also decreases breast cancer in women at high risk and may have a lower risk at developing cancer of the uterus. Tamoxifen has been shown to stimulate arachidonic acid release from rat liver cells. I have postulated that arachidonic acid release from cells may be associated with cancer chemoprevention.     

Patient perceptions of communications on the threshold of cancer survivorship: implications for provider responses

Introduction  

Although high quality professional–patient communication is recognized as fundamental to effective cancer care, less attention has been paid to developing an evidence basis for communications surrounding the stage of the cancer journey when primary cancer treatment concludes, management responsibilities shift from oncology specialist services into the generalist care domain, and the patient transitions beyond patienthood and into survivorship.     

The use of genetic programming in the analysis of quantitative gene expression profiles for identification of nodal status in bladder cancer

Background  

Previous studies on bladder cancer have shown nodal involvement to be an independent indicator of prognosis and survival. This study aimed at developing an objective method for detection of nodal metastasis from molecular profiles of primary urothelial carcinoma tissues.     

Ovarian cancer survival population differences: a "high resolution study" comparing Philippine residents, and Filipino-Americans and Caucasians living in the US

Background  

In contrast to most other forms of cancer, data from some developing and developed countries show surprisingly similar survival rates for ovarian cancer. We aimed to compare ovarian cancer survival in Philippine residents, Filipino-Americans and Caucasians living in the US, using a high resolution approach, taking potential differences in prognostic factors into account.     

Meta-analysis of smoking and the risk of gastric cancer among the Chinese population

OBJECTIVE To reevaluate the effect of tobacco smoking on the risk of developing gastric cancer among the Chinese population. METHODS Thirty articles from the literature both in Chinese and English from January, 1988 to present were identified and from which adjusted odd ratios （ORs） or relative risks （RRs） were combined by meta-analysis. Generalized least squares （GLS） for trend estimation of summarized dose-response data was carried out. All the analyses were performed using software of STATA version 10.0. RESULTS Comparing current smokers with subjects who have never smoked, the summary effect values on gastric cancer with a 95% confidence interval （CI） were 1.67 （1.43-1.96） for casecontrol studies and 1.52 （1.17-1.96） for cohort studies, respectively. The combined effect values with a 95%CI for the comparison of smoking quantity of current smokers with the referent group were 1.41 （1.15-1.72） for case-control studies and 1.24 （1.02-1.52） for cohort studies, respectively. The combined effect values with a 95%CI for the comparison of accumulative years smoked of current smokers with the referent group were 1.07 （0.89-1.28） for case-control studies and 1.28 （0.95-1.74） for cohort studies, respectively. Dose-response meta-analysis showed that the gastric cancer risk will increase 50% （OR = 1.50, 95%CI： 1.34-1.67） with each 20 cigarette per day increment and increase 14% （OR = 1.14, 95%CI： 1.10-1.18） with each 10 year increment of smoking. CONCLUSION The gastric cancer risk among the Chinese population is significantly associated with tobacco smoking and the smoking quantity per day. Smoking cessation should be more strongly advocated.     

Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and survival in Norwegian patients with cancer of breast, colon, lung, and lymphoma: a population-based study

Purpose  

We investigated the association between serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) and risk of death in Norwegian cancer patients.     

Factors related to second cancer screening practice in disease-free cervical cancer survivors

Background  

Although cancer survivors are at increased risk for developing cancers at other sites, little is known about the current status of second cancer (cancers other than the index cancer) screening practices and related factors in cervical cancer survivors.     

The relative risk of second primary cancers in Queensland,Australia: a retrospective cohort study

Background  

Cancer survivors face an increased likelihood of being subsequently diagnosed with another cancer. The aim of this study was to quantify the relative risk of survivors developing a second primary cancer in Queensland, Australia.     

How social media can help to understand treatment experiences of survivors of rare cancers: Findings from the Granulosa Cell Tumor Survivor Sisters Facebook group member survey

Background

Engaging with online social media consumer groups for rare cancers may help to develop collaborations between consumers and researchers. This study, a collaboration with the Granulosa Cell Tumor-Survivor Sisters (GCT-SS) Facebook group, explores the results of their survey of member's treatment and follow-up experiences.

Methods

Members of the closed multinational GCT-SS Facebook group completed a 43-item survey covering symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, recurrence, follow-up, and possible risk factors for GCT. Group members could have adult (aGCT) or juvenile (jGCT) disease. Data was collected via an online survey between 2014 and 2019.

Results

A total of 743 members (average 4.4 years [SD = 5.9] post-diagnosis) participated including 52 with jGCT. A total of 67% had stage I disease and 8% had stage III–IV at diagnosis, although 30% of aGCT and 25% of jGCT reported recurrent disease at survey completion. A total of 48% of aGCT had laparoscopic surgery, tumor encapsulation was reported by 49%, and tumor bagging reported by 29% overall (37% laparoscopic; 8% open). Recurrence rates were higher when the tumor was cut or ruptured (ruptured: p < .001; cut: p = .01). A total of 19% of aGCT had chemotherapy with this most common for stage II-III disease. Bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin protocols became less common over time (diagnosed before 2015: 47% vs. diagnosed post-2015: 21%).

Conclusions

This is one of the largest surveys of GCT treatment. Members of the GCT-SS group report treatment patterns generally in line with those found from clinical audits. Using naturally forming consumer groups may assist with developing the evidence base for care and supporting those living with GCT ovarian cancer.

Plain language summary

• This study is a collaboration between members of Granulosa Cell Tumor-Survivor Sisters (GCT-SS) Facebook group and researchers to assess members' experiences of treatment and follow-up.
• A total of 743 members (52 with juvenile GCT) completed an online survey.
• A total of 67% had stage I disease at diagnosis.
• Treatment patterns were generally in line with those found from clinical audits: 95% had surgery and 19% of those with adult GCT had chemotherapy.
• A total of 30% reported recurrent disease, with recurrence occurring within 5 years of diagnosis for 33%.
• Using naturally forming consumer groups may assist with developing the evidence base for care and supporting those living with GCT ovarian cancer.

     

“Axillary recurrences after sentinel lymph node biopsy: A multicentre analysis and follow-up of sentinel lymph node negative breast cancer patients”

Introduction

The objective of this study was to conduct a multicentre data analysis to identify prognostic factors for developing an axillary recurrence (AR) after negative sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in a large cohort of breast cancer patients with long follow-up.

Patients and methods

The prospective databases from different hospitals of clinically node negative breast cancer patients operated on between, 2000 and 2002 were analyzed. SLNB was performed and pathological analysis done by local pathologists according to national guidelines. Adjuvant treatment was given according to contemporary guidelines. Multivariate analysis was performed using all available variables, a p-value of <0,05 was considered to be significant.

Results

A total of 929 patients who did not undergo axillary lymph node dissection were identified. After a median follow up of 77 (range 1–106) months, fifteen patients developed an isolated AR (AR rate 1,6%). Multivariate analysis showed that young age (p = 0.007) and the absence of radiotherapy (p = 0.010) significantly increased the risk of developing an AR. Distant metastasis free survival (DMFS) was significantly worse for patients with an AR compared to all other breast cancer patients (p < 0,0001).

Conclusion

Even after long-term follow up, the risk of developing an AR after a negative SLN in breast cancer is low. Young age and absence of radiation therapy are highly significant factors for developing an axillary recurrence. DMFS is worse for AR patients compared to patients initially diagnosed with N0 or N1 disease.     

Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D and risk of breast cancer in the Nurses' Health Study II

Introduction  

Experimental evidence indicates vitamin D may play an important role in breast cancer etiology but epidemiologic evidence to date is inconsistent. Vitamin D comes from dietary intake and sun exposure and plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) are considered the best measure of vitamin D status.     

Coordinate up-regulation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">TMEM97</Emphasis> and cholesterol biosynthesis genes in normal ovarian surface epithelial cells treated with progesterone: implications for pathogenesis of ovarian cancer

Background  

Ovarian cancer (OvCa) most often derives from ovarian surface epithelial (OSE) cells. Several lines of evidence strongly suggest that increased exposure to progesterone (P4) protects women against developing OvCa. However, the underlying mechanisms of this protection are incompletely understood.     

Serum vitamin D levels and survival of patients with colorectal cancer: Post-hoc analysis of a prospective cohort study

Background  

Recently, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) levels were shown to be associated with the survival of patients with colorectal cancer. However, 25OHD levels were measured a median of 6 years before diagnosis or were predicted levels. In this study, we directly measured serum 25OHD levels at surgery and examined the association with survival among patients with colorectal cancer.     

The shape of the myelosuppression time profile is related to the probability of developing neutropenic fever in patients with docetaxel-induced grade IV neutropenia

Purpose  

Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia is associated with the risk of developing febrile neutropenia (FN). The aim was to describe the time course of myelosuppression in breast cancer patients treated with docetaxel and to investigate how the shape of the predicted myelosuppression time course and earlier proposed risk factors influence the probability of developing FN.     

The EORTC information questionnaire,EORTC QLQ-INFO25. Validation study for Spanish patients

Introduction  

The EORTC QLQ-INFO25 evaluates the information received by cancer patients. This study assesses the psychometric properties of the QLQ-INFO25 when applied to a sample of Spanish patients.     

Upper extremity impairments in women with or without lymphedema following breast cancer treatment

Introduction  

Breast-cancer-related lymphedema affects ∼25% of breast cancer (BC) survivors and may impact use of the upper limb during activity. The purpose of this study is to compare upper extremity (UE) impairment and activity between women with and without lymphedema after BC treatment.     

Role of BRCA2 mutation status on overall survival among breast cancer patients from Sardinia

Background  

Germline mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes have been demonstrated to increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Conversely, the impact of BRCA mutations on prognosis and survival of breast cancer patients is still debated. In this study, we investigated the role of such mutations on breast cancer-specific survival among patients from North Sardinia.     

Risk factors for double primary malignancies and their clinical implications in patients with sporadic gastric cancer

Aims

We carried out a large scale study to identify the risk factors for double primary malignancy (DPM) development in gastric cancer patients and to evaluate the clinical implications for these patients.

Methods

A total of 2593 patients who underwent gastrectomy for primary gastric cancer from January 2005 to November 2010 were reviewed with regard to DPM. We compared the clinicopathological characteristics, risk factors for developing DPM, and prognosis between the DPM(+) group and the DPM(−) group.

Results

Of the 2593 patients, 152 (5.9%) were diagnosed with DPM. The most common accompanying malignancies were colorectal, lung and thyroid. Multivariate analysis indicated that age (p = 0.016) and MSI status (p = 0.002) were associated with a higher frequency of DPM. 30.3% of patients were diagnosed with DPM within 1 year around perioperative period and 53.3% of patients had DPM detected during 5 years of post-operative follow up periods. Although there was no significant difference in overall survival between the DPM(+) and DPM(−) group, DPM(+) patients had a worse prognosis than DPM(−) patients in stage I gastric cancer.

Conclusions

Gastric cancer patients over the age of 60 or with a MSI-high status had an increased risk for developing DPM. Further, in stage I gastric cancer, the presence of DPM was associated with a worse prognosis. Therefore, careful pre- and postoperative surveillance is especially important in these patients.     

Parents’ and adolescents’ perspectives and understanding of information about childhood cancer precision medicine

Background

Precision medicine is projected to become integral to childhood cancer care. As such, it is essential to support families to understand what precision medicine entails.

Methods

A total of 182 parents and 23 adolescent patients participating in Precision Medicine for Children with Cancer (PRISM), an Australian precision medicine clinical trial for high-risk childhood cancer, completed questionnaires after study enrollment (time 0 [T0]). Of the parents, 108 completed a questionnaire and 45 completed an interview following return of precision medicine results (time 1 [T1]). We analyzed the mixed-methods data comprising measures exploring families’ perceptions and understanding of PRISM’s participant information sheet and consent form (PISCF), and factors associated with understanding.

Results

Most parents were satisfied with the PISCF, rating it as at least “somewhat” clearly presented (n = 160/175; 91%) and informative (n = 158/175; 90%). Many suggested improvements including the use of clearer language and a more visually engaging format. Parents’ actual understanding of precision medicine was low on average, but scores improved between T0 and T1 (55.8/100-60.0/100; p = .012). Parents from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds (n = 42/177; 25%) had lower actual understanding scores than those from a Western/European background whose first language was English (p = .010). There was little correlation between parents’ perceived and actual understanding scores (p = .794; Pearson correlation –0.020; 95% CI, –0.169 to 0.116). Most adolescent patients read the PISCF either “briefly” or “not at all” (70%) and had a perceived understanding score of 63.6/100 on average.

Conclusions

Our study revealed gaps in families’ understanding of childhood cancer precision medicine. We highlighted areas for potential intervention such as through targeted information resources.

Plain Language Summary

• Precision medicine is projected to become part of the standard of care for children with cancer. Precision medicine aims to give the right treatment to the right patient and involves several complex techniques, many of which may be challenging to understand.
• Our study analyzed questionnaire and interview data from parents and adolescent patients enrolled in an Australian precision medicine trial.
• Findings revealed gaps in families’ understanding of childhood cancer precision medicine. Drawing on parents’ suggestions and the literature, we make brief recommendations about improving information provision to families, such as through targeted information resources.