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Sunday, September 18, 2016

Proceedings of the Strategy Meeting for the Development of an International Consortium for Chinese Medicine and Cancer



open access:
Proceedings of the Strategy Meeting for the Development of an International Consortium for Chinese Medicine and Cancer

Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute

 

Metastatic Cancer - National Cancer Institute (how, where....)



NCI (U.S.)

 

Common Sites of Metastasis
Cancer Type Main Sites of Metastasis
Ovary:            Liver, lung, peritoneum

2016 Schedule (Sept 1-18) – Stanford Medicine X



2016 Schedule – Stanford Medicine X


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Index: (journal) Gynecologic Oncology (October 2016) (subscriber based)



(October 2016)

Impact of postoperative intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) on the rate of bowel obstruction in gyn malignancy



abstract:
Impact of postoperative intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) on the rate of bowel obstruction in gynecologic malignancy
 

Conclusions (cervical/endometrial)

The use of postoperative IMRT for cervical and endometrial cancer was associated with significant reduction in the rate of bowel obstruction. This difference maintained its statistical significance on multivariate analysis. Such finding if confirmed by others will help further solidify the benefit of IMRT in gynecologic cancers.

Highlights

IMRT is associated with lower rate of bowel obstruction.
Lower bowel obstruction rate was independent of other prognostic factors.
Results of this study add further credence to the role of IMRT in gynecologic cancers.

Objective

The purpose was to determine the potential impact of IMRT on the rate of bowel obstruction (BO), in patients with gynecologic malignancies undergoing postoperative pelvic RT.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of all patients with endometrial or cervical cancer who received postoperative pelvic RT at our institution from 2000 to 2012. Patients who received definitive or palliative RT, or those with BO due to disease progression, were excluded. Standard two-sided statistical tests were used to evaluate for associated risk factors. Kaplan-Meier, Log rank and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis tests were performed for actuarial analysis.

Results

A total of 224 patients were identified, 120 (54%) received postoperative pelvic IMRT and 104 (46%) 3-dimentional (3-D) RT. Median follow-up time was 67 months. BO was grade 1 (asymptomatic) in 2/228 (0.9%), grade 2 (conservative management) in 4 (1.8%), and grade 3 ≥ in 4 (1.8%). Overall, the 5-year actuarial rate of BO was 4.8%. The 5-year rate of BO in the IMRT group was 0.9% compared to 9.3% for 3-D RT (p = 0.006). Patients with BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 were less likely to develop BO (2.6% vs. 8.3; p = 0.03). On multivariate analysis, only IMRT retained its significance as an independent predictor of less BO (p = 0.022).

Conclusions

The use of postoperative IMRT for cervical and endometrial cancer was associated with significant reduction in the rate of bowel obstruction. This difference maintained its statistical significance on multivariate analysis. Such finding if confirmed by others will help further solidify the benefit of IMRT in gynecologic cancers.

(paywalled) Editorial: Intensity modulated radiation therapy for women with gyn cancers: this horse is also already out of the barn



paywalled - no abstract - required paid subscription to view

Cancer and treatment-related symptoms are associated with mobility disability in women with ovarian cancer



abstract:
Cancer and treatment-related symptoms are associated with mobility disability in women with ovarian cancer: A cross-sectional study
  

Highlights

Mobility disability is endorsed by over half of women with ovarian cancer.
Poor appetite, bloating, fatigue, pain, numbness correlate with disability.
Clinicians should assess for mobility disability in women with ovarian cancer.

Objective

To examine the prevalence of symptom-related mobility disability and identify specific symptoms and other factors associated with mobility disability among a national sample of ovarian cancer (OC) survivors.

Methods

Descriptive, correlational secondary analysis of a National Ovarian Cancer Coalition mailed survey of women with a history of OC (n = 713). We used the Symptom Representation Questionnaire (SRQ), the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) Interference Scale, and medical and demographic information to determine prevalence of symptom-related mobility disability. We constructed a multiple linear regression model to determine the relative contributions of specific symptoms and other factors to mobility disability.

Results

A majority of the sample (60.0%) reported symptom-related mobility disability. Independent predictors included: > one comorbidity, active OC, abdominal bloating, fatigue, lack of appetite, numbness/tingling, and pain. The model explained 41.5% of the variance in symptom-related mobility disability. Unexpectedly, age and current chemotherapy were not significant predictors.

Conclusions

Symptom-related mobility disability is common among women with OC and is associated with medical comorbidities, abdominal bloating, fatigue, lack of appetite, numbness/tingling, and pain. Longitudinal research should clarify the relationship of these symptoms to mobility disability and determine whether effective symptom management minimizes disability.

Saturday, September 17, 2016

US toughens rules for clinical-trial transparency (read for details)



Nature News & Comment

Stanford Medicine X (@StanfordMedX) | Twitter (day 2 conference #MedX)



conference | Twitter



Day 2 is underway! Watch live between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT, and join the conversation:

Everyone Included™ | Everyone Included™ in health care Standford Medicine



Everyone Included™

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 Standford Medicine:
Everyone Included™ creates a culture where everyone is trusted and respected for the expertise they bring to the future of health care

Learn more:

 http://www.everyoneincluded.org/#faqs

 

Electronic patient-reported outcomes from home in patients recovering from major gyn cancer surgery



abstract:
Electronic patient-reported outcomes from home in patients recovering from major gynecologic cancer surgery: A prospective study measuring symptoms and health-related quality of life
 
  • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
  •  The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA
  •  Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
  •  University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
  •  University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT, USA
  •  Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

Highlights

A Web-based model for assessing patient reported outcomes is feasible in the immediate post-operative period.
Many patients feel empowered by documenting and reporting PROs (PRO - patient reported outcomes) during the post-operative recovery period.
A Web-based system for capturing PROs may require additional resources for clinically useful application.

Purpose

We previously reported on the feasibility of a Web-based system to capture patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in the immediate postoperative period. The purpose of this study was to update the experience of these patients and assess patient and provider satisfaction and feedback regarding the system.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study of patients scheduled to undergo laparotomy for presumed gynecologic malignancy. Patients completed a Web-based Symptom Tracking and Reporting (STAR) questionnaire preoperatively and weekly during a 6-week postoperative period. Email alerts were sent to study nurses when concerning patient responses were entered. The patient and the nurse assessments of STAR's usefulness were measured via an exit survey.

Results

The study enrolled 96 eligible patients. Of these, 71 patients (74%) completed at least four of seven total sessions. Of the patients who completed the exit satisfaction survey, 98% found STAR easy to use; 84% found it useful; and 82% would recommend it to other patients. Despite positive feedback from patients, clinical personnel found that the STAR system increased their current workload without enhancing patient care.

Conclusions

Application of an electronic program for PROs in those recovering from major gynecologic cancer surgery is feasible, and acceptable to most patients. While most clinicians did not find STAR clinically helpful, the majority of patients reported a positive experience with the system and would recommend its use. The program helped many patients feel more empowered in their postoperative recovery.

Dairy, calcium, vitamin D and ovarian cancer risk in African American women



Abstract
 
Background:
No previous study has evaluated the associations of dairy products, lactose, calcium and vitamin D with the risk of ovarian cancer in African–American women, who are known to have high mortality from the disease, as well as to be at risk for calcium and vitamin D deficiency.
Methods:
We evaluated these associations among 490 ovarian cancer cases and 656 age- and site-matched controls of African–American descent recruited into the African American Cancer Epidemiology Study, a population-based case-control study in 11 geographical areas in the US. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results:
An increased ovarian cancer risk was observed for whole milk consumption and lactose intake (highest quartile vs lowest: OR=1.97. Calcium intake was associated with a decreased risk of ovarian cancer OR=0.51, but vitamin D intake was not. Longer sun exposure in summer months was found to predict a lower risk (OR=0.71).
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that a high-calcium, low-lactose diet, and sun exposure in summer months may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer in African–American women.

(Angelina Jolie effect) quick blog poll: take the poll: are you in favor of group genetic test counseling?




 Image result for right arrow icon

blog (click on 'blog' for poll - anonymous)

 


Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer: successful systematic implementation of a group approach to genetic counselling



abstract

 The increase in referrals to cancer genetics clinics, partially associated with the “Angelina Jolie effect”, presents a challenge to existing services, many are already running at full capacity. More efficient ways to deliver genetic counselling are therefore urgently needed. We now systematically offer group instead of standard individual counselling to patients with suspected Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer. Group sessions last 30 min. The first twenty consist of a presentation by the genetic counsellor, the next ten of a discussion involving a cancer geneticist and a psychologist. A short individual consultation ensues, where personal and family issues are addressed and consent obtained. Blood is drawn afterwards. Satisfaction and knowledge are evaluated. We report data for the Oct-2014–Aug-2015 period. 210 patients attended group counselling, up to eight simultaneously. We always fitted them within a 4-h time frame. Mean satisfaction score was 41/43. Knowledge scores increased from 3.1/6 to 4.9/6 post-counselling (p value < 2.2 × 10−16). Thanks to group counselling, we have withstood increases in referrals without compromising care. The “Angelina Jolie effect” and rapid developments in personalized medicine threaten to overwhelm cancer genetics clinics. In this context, our innovative approach should ensure that all patients have access to approved services.

The Impact of an Expanded Genetic Testing Program and Selective Oophorectomy on the Incidence of Ovarian Cancer in West Pomerania (Poland)



abstract: 
The Impact of an Expanded Genetic Testing Program and Selective Oophorectomy on the Incidence of Ovarian Cancer in West Pomerania

The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of a regional population-based genetic testing program on the incidence of ovarian cancer in West Pomerania. Between 1999 and 2010, a total of 37,552 women ages 35 to 70 were tested for three BRCA1 founder mutations at the outpatient genetics clinic of the Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Poland. 641 women were found to carry a mutation (1.7%) and of these, 220 had a prophylactic oophorectomy (34.3%).
12 women had an occult cancer diagnosed at the time of prophylactic oophorectomy (5.5%). We estimate that 26 more ovarian cancers would have been diagnosed by January 2015 in the absence of these oophorectomies and that an additional 25 cancers will be prevented in the future (total 51). During this period, 1,611 ovarian cancers were diagnosed in the region; therefore we estimate that approximately 1.6% of ovarian cancers were prevented between 1999 and 2015 by our genetic testing program. We conclude that the prophylactic oophorectomies performed between 1999 and 2010 as a result of widespread BRCA1 mutation testing have reduced the incidence of ovarian cancer in Pomerania by a small amount (about 1.6%), and that the impact of genetic testing will increase in the coming years.

(Lynch syndrome) Mismatch Repair Enzyme Expression in Primary and Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer



open access

5. Conclusions

The absence of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 protein and combinations thereof are frequent in PCa.

BRCA Share: A Collection of Clinical BRCA Gene Variants



abstract

As next generation sequencing (NGS) increases access to human genetic variation, the challenge of determining clinical significance of variants becomes ever more acute. Germline variants in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can confer substantial lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Assessment of variant pathogenicity is a critical part of clinical genetic testing for these genes. A database of clinical observations of BRCA variants is a critical resource in that process. This paper describes BRCA Share™, a database created by a unique international alliance of academic centers and commercial testing laboratories. By integrating the content of the Universal Mutation Database (UMD) generated by the French Unicancer Genetic Group (UGG) with the testing results of two large commercial laboratories, Quest Diagnostics and Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp), BRCA Share™ has assembled one of the largest publicly accessible collections of BRCA variants currently available. Although access is available to academic researchers without charge, commercial participants in the project are required to pay a support fee and contribute their data. The fees fund the ongoing curation effort, as well as planned experiments to functionally characterize variants of uncertain significance. BRCA Share™ databases can therefore be considered as models of successful data sharing between private companies and the academic world.

Update on Poly-ADP-ribose polymerase inhibition for ovarian cancer treatment xt



open access

Conclusion

This review will discuss the different PARP inhibitors in development and the potential use of this class of agents in the future. Moreover, combination strategies involving PARP inhibitors are likely to receive increasing attention. The utility of PARP inhibitors combined with cytotoxic chemotherapy is of doubtful value, because of enhanced toxicity of this combination; while, more promising strategies include the combination with antiangiogenic agents, or with inhibitors of the P13K/AKT pathway and new generation of immunotherapy.

Case Report/Review: Sister Mary Joseph Nodule as a First Manifestation of a Metastatic Ovarian Cancer



open access

 3. Discussion
Umbilical tumors are rare and can be classified as benign or malignant. Benign causes include umbilical hernia, granuloma, abscess, mycosis, and eczema. Malignant tumors can be either primary or metastatic [2, 6].....In this case the final pathological diagnosis was an ovarian serous adenocarcinoma with intra-abdominal and thoracic metastases.....

Abstract

A 76-year-old female presented to our hospital with a 2 cm firm, nontender, protuberant umbilical nodule. She received treatment with antibiotics for suspected granuloma, with no improvement after two months. High levels of CA125 as well as an ovarian cyst and intrathoracic and intra-abdominal lesions on imaging studies made us suspect an ovarian cancer with a Sister Mary Joseph nodule (SMJN) and other metastases. A bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and umbilical and omentum tumor resections were performed and a metastatic ovarian serous adenocarcinoma was diagnosed by histopathology. After surgery, the patient received chemotherapy with paclitaxel, carboplatin, and bevacizumab; however paclitaxel allergy was observed. As a result, chemotherapy continued with carboplatin and bevacizumab every three weeks for a total of 6 courses. Currently, she is still undergoing treatment with bevacizumab and CA125 levels have been progressively decreasing. SMJN is a rare umbilical metastasis which needs to be considered as a differential diagnosis in the presence of an umbilical tumor for prompt treatment initiation.

1. Introduction

Sister Mary Joseph nodule (SMJN) is a rare umbilical lesion resulting from an intra-abdominal and/or pelvic malignancy. It was named after Sister Mary Joseph, a surgical assistant to Dr. William J. Mayo, who noted the association between the presence of an umbilical nodule and an intra-abdominal malignancy [1]. Its incidence is 1%–3% of all intra-abdominal or pelvic malignancies [2]. Gastrointestinal malignancies, most commonly gastric, colon, and pancreatic, account for about 52% of cases and gynecological cancers, most commonly ovarian and uterine, account for about 28% of the underlying sources [3]. Also, 15–29% of all cases have an unknown origin [4]. The mechanism of tumor spread to the umbilicus is poorly understand as it seems to be lymphatic, vascular, contiguous, or via embryologic remnants in the abdominal wall [5].

Here, we present a case of SMJN as an ovarian cancer metastasis, its diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.....

References

    H. Bailey, Demonstrations of Physical Signs in Clinical Surgery, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, Md, USA, 11th edition, 1949.
    M. Palaniappan, W. M. Jose, A. Mehta, K. Kumar, and K. Pavithran, “Umbilical metastasis: a case series of four sister Joseph nodules from four different visceral malignancies,” Current Oncology, vol. 17, no. 6, pp. 78–81, 2010. View at Google Scholar · View at Scopus

Friday, September 16, 2016

Sept 16, 2016: Anti-tumor and Anti-angiogenic Effects of Aspirin-PC in Ovarian Cancer



 Abstract
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To determine the efficacy of a novel and safer (for gastrointestinal tract) aspirin (aspirin-PC) in preclinical models of ovarian cancer, in vitro dose-response studies were performed to compare the growth-inhibitory effect of aspirin-PC vs. aspirin on 3 human (A2780, SKOV3ip1, HeyA8), and a mouse (ID8) ovarian cancer cell line over an 8-day culture period. In the in vivo studies, the aspirin test drugs were studied alone and in the presence of a VEGF-A inhibitor (bevacizumab or B20), due to an emerging role for platelets in tumor growth following anti-angiogenic therapy, and we examined their underlying mechanisms. Aspirin-PC was more potent (vs. aspirin) in blocking the growth of both human and mouse ovarian cancer cells in monolayer culture. Using in vivo model systems of ovarian cancer, we found that aspirin-PC significantly reduced ovarian cancer growth by 50-90% (depending on the ovarian cell line/density). The efficacy was further enhanced in combination with Bevacizumab or B20. The growth-inhibitory effect on ovarian tumor mass and number of tumor nodules was evident, but less pronounced for aspirin and the VEGF inhibitors alone. There was no detectable gastrointestinal toxicity. Both aspirin and aspirin-PC also inhibited cell proliferation, angiogenesis and increased apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells. In conclusion, PC-associated aspirin markedly inhibits the growth of ovarian cancer cells, which exceeds that of the parent drug, in both cell culture and in mouse model systems. We also found that both aspirin-PC and aspirin have robust anti-neoplastic action in the presence of VEGF blocking drugs.

it's one of those days in Canada: Statistics Canada head resigns, cites loss of independence (media)



media

obesity - maybe yes, maybe no eg. survival/effects (kidney vs others)



http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312776.php

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/312524.php