Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Hematology & Oncology for May 2016. 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.
AHRQ Communication Toolkit Can Help After Patient Harm Occurs
TUESDAY, May 31, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A new communication toolkit created by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) can help health care organizations and providers communicate with patients and families when harm occurs to patients.
ASCO Develops Recommendations for Invasive Cervical Cancer Care
TUESDAY, May 31, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) has developed guidelines for the management and palliative care of women with invasive cervical cancer. The clinical practice guideline was published online May 25 in the Journal of Global Oncology.
Possible Benefit Found for Betrixaban in Acutely Ill
TUESDAY, May 31, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Betrixaban may be beneficial versus enoxaparin in acutely ill medical patients, according to a study published online May 27 in the New England Journal of Medicine. The research was published to coincide with the annual meeting of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Scientific and Standardization Committee, held from May 25 to 28 in Montpellier, France.
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FDA Approves Probuphine Implant for Opioid Dependence
THURSDAY, May 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first-ever buprenorphine implant to treat opioid dependence, the agency said Thursday in a news release.
Remaining Uninsured May Be Difficult to Reach Via ACA
FRIDAY, May 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Uninsurance rates have decreased since the introduction of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), but reaching the remaining uninsured may prove challenging, according to a health policy brief published online May 23 in Health Affairs.
Triptorelin Doesn’t Prevent Chemo-Induced Ovarian Failure
FRIDAY, May 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Triptorelin plus norethisterone (GnRHa) does not prevent chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian failure (POF) in young patients with lymphoma, according to a study published online May 23 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Recognition of Patient Expertise Can Improve Adherence
FRIDAY, May 27, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Recognizing the unique role of patients and their expertise within the physician-patient interaction can help to prevent non-adherence based on disagreement, according to an article published online May 18 in the Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice.
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Genetic Breast Cancer Risk Can Be Mediated by Healthy Lifestyle
THURSDAY, May 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Women who carry common gene variants linked to breast cancer can still reduce risk of the disease by following a healthy lifestyle, according to research published online May 26 in JAMA Oncology.
Global Recession Tied to 260,000 Additional Cancer Deaths
THURSDAY, May 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The 2008 global economic crisis has been linked to a sharp rise in cancer mortality, according to a report published online May 25 in The Lancet.
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Eight Immune Genes Identified As Playing a Role in Glioblastoma
THURSDAY, May 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Researchers have identified immune genes that may affect mortality in patients with glioblastoma multiforme, according to a study published online May 25 in Neurology.
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New Findings Offer Hope for Those With Severe Hemophilia
THURSDAY, May 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Two new studies could pave the way to major changes in how severe cases of hemophilia are treated. Both studies were published in the May 26 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Atrial Fibrillation Linked to Cancer Risk in Women
THURSDAY, May 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Women with atrial fibrillation may be at an increased risk of developing cancer, particularly of the colon, according to research published online May 25 in JAMA Cardiology.
Paper Outlines Image-Guided Radiation Recommendations
THURSDAY, May 26, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The Faculty of Radiation Oncology in Australia and New Zealand has issued recommendations for the use of image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). The position paper was published online April 27 in the Journal of Medical Imaging and Radiation Oncology.
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Many Americans Have Reservations About Clinical Trials
WEDNESDAY, May 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Just four in 10 Americans have a positive impression of clinical trials, and only about one-third of Americans would be likely to enroll in one, according to a study commissioned by the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
Chemotherapy Toxicity Predictive Model Validated
WEDNESDAY, May 25, 2016 (HealthDay News) — A predictive model for chemotherapy toxicity has been validated for older patients with solid tumors, according to a study published online May 16 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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Lip Cancer Risk Up for Some Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
TUESDAY, May 24, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For solid organ transplant recipients, azathioprine dose and duration of immunosuppression are associated with increased risk of lip cancer, according to a study published in the June issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Many Advanced Cancer Patients Lack Info About Their Disease
TUESDAY, May 24, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Many patients with advanced cancer lack basic information about their prognosis or treatment, according to a study published online May 23 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Overall Survival in Mantle Cell Lymphoma Up With Deferred Tx
TUESDAY, May 24, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), deferred therapy seems safe and is an independent predictor of overall survival, according to a study published online May 6 in Cancer.
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Lifestyle Factors Can Significantly Affect Cancer Mortality
MONDAY, May 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Most cancer deaths among white Americans could be prevented through four healthy lifestyle changes, according to a study published online May 19 in JAMA Oncology.
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Women Battling Cancer Need More Fertility Preservation Info
MONDAY, May 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Many young female cancer survivors say they don’t receive enough information about preserving their fertility, according to a study published online May 23 in Cancer.
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Some Sun Protection Behaviors Up With History of NMSC
MONDAY, May 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Individuals with previous nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) are more likely to engage in certain sun protection behaviors than those without previous NMSC, according to a study published online May 16 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
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Opioid Prescriptions Drop for First Time in Two Decades
MONDAY, May 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In a sign that the opioid epidemic might be waning, new data show that the number of opioid prescriptions has dropped for the first time in 20 years.
Moderate Link for Automated, Clinical Breast Density Measures
MONDAY, May 23, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There is moderate correlation for automated and clinical assessments of breast density, according to a study published in the June issue of Radiology.
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Dietary Fat Intake in Adolescence May Affect Breast Density
FRIDAY, May 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Teens who eat high amounts of saturated fats or low amounts of healthier mono- and polyunsaturated fats tend to have denser breasts 15 years later, according to a study published online May 19 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
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Overweight Colorectal CA Patients Display Better Survival Odds
FRIDAY, May 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Overweight colorectal cancer (CRC) patients may have better survival than their normal-weight peers, according to research published online May 19 in JAMA Oncology.
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Danazol Treatment Linked to Telomere Elongation
FRIDAY, May 20, 2016 (HealthDay News) — In patients with telomere diseases, treatment with the synthetic sex hormone danazol is associated with telomere elongation, according to a study published in the May 18 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
FDA Approves Tecentriq to Treat Urothelial Carcinoma
THURSDAY, May 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved atezolizumab (Tecentriq), a PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor, for treatment of patients with locally-advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma whose disease has worsened during or following platinum-containing chemotherapy, or within 12 months of receiving platinum-containing chemotherapy, either before or after surgery.
Strategies Can Help Streamline Revenue-Related Processes
THURSDAY, May 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Strategies can be employed to maximize the amount of time available for patient care by streamlining revenue-related processes, according to the American Medical Association (AMA).
Unrealistic Expectations for Many Men With Localized Prostate CA
THURSDAY, May 19, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Men with localized prostate cancer (LPC) often have unrealistic survival expectations, according to a study published in the May/June issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Burnout, Lack of Job Satisfaction Driving Doctors to Cut Hours
WEDNESDAY, May 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Full-time physicians reporting worsening burnout or decreased job satisfaction are more likely to reduce their work hours, according to a study published in the April issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Age-Adjusted D-Dimer Testing Improves Ability to Rule Out PE
WEDNESDAY, May 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Compared with fixed D-dimer testing, age-adjusted D-dimer testing is associated with an increase in the proportion of patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) in whom imaging can be withheld, according to a review published online May 17 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Cancer Treatment Lacking for HIV-Infected Patients
WEDNESDAY, May 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — While powerful HIV medications are allowing patients to live longer, these same patients are less likely to get treatment for cancer if it develops, according to a study published online May 17 in Cancer.
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IOM Committee Finds Genetically Engineered Crops Safe
WEDNESDAY, May 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Crops created through genetic engineering are as safe to eat as crops developed through traditional plant-breeding methods, according to the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Sexual Harassment Experienced by One-Third of Female Doctors
WEDNESDAY, May 18, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Thirty percent of female physicians face sexual harassment on the job, while close to three-quarters perceive gender bias at work and two-thirds say they have actually experienced it, according to survey findings published in the May 17 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Physical Activity Associated With Lower Risk of Many Cancers
MONDAY, May 16, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Exercise may significantly reduce risk for many types of cancer, according to a large review published online May 16 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Novel Index Predicts Survival After Chemo in Pancreatic Cancer
MONDAY, May 16, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with advanced pancreatic cancer receiving chemotherapy, the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), based on peripheral neutrophil, monocyte, and lymphocyte counts, can predict survival, according to a study published online May 6 in Cancer.
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Complementary Medicine Use Up With Chronic Conditions
MONDAY, May 16, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Adults with multiple chronic conditions frequently use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), according to a study published online May 5 in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Preventing Chronic Disease.
Oophorectomy Tied to Increased Risk of Colorectal Cancer
FRIDAY, May 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Oophorectomy may lead to increased risk of developing colorectal cancer, according to research reported in the June issue of the British Journal of Surgery.
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CAM Use May Affect Breast Cancer Patients’ Chemo Decisions
FRIDAY, May 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Women with early-stage breast cancer who utilize complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) may delay recommended chemotherapy, according to research published online May 12 in JAMA Oncology.
Bundle of Practices Can Cut Surgical Site Infections
FRIDAY, May 13, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Implementing a bundle of evidence-based practices can reduce 30-day surgical site infection, according to a study published in the June issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Adolescent Fruit Consumption May Impact Breast Cancer Risk
THURSDAY, May 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Teenage girls who consume large amounts of fruit may lower their future risk for breast cancer; however, women who drink more alcohol over time might increase their breast cancer risk, according to two studies published online May 11 in The BMJ.
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Two Years of Tamoxifen Offers Long-Term Survival Benefit
THURSDAY, May 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For premenopausal women with breast cancer, two years of tamoxifen is associated with long-term survival benefit, according to a study published online May 9 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Use of Disease-Monitoring Tests Often Extreme in Breast Cancer
THURSDAY, May 12, 2016 (HealthDay News) — More than one in three women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) are extreme users of disease-monitoring tests, with higher total health care costs seen in association with extreme use, according to a study published online May 9 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
DEA Weighing Change in Medical Marijuana Rules
WEDNESDAY, May 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is weighing whether to loosen its classification of marijuana, which would remove many restrictions on its use in medical research. If that occurs, doctors could start getting answers to the questions they regularly receive from patients regarding marijuana’s clinical benefits.
Nilotinib Associated With Case of Scurvy
WEDNESDAY, May 11, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Nilotinib is associated with scurvy, possibly because of its effects on cutaneous metabolism, according to a letter to the editor published online April 28 in the Journal of Cutaneous Pathology.
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Agreement High for Prognostic Cancer Screening Tools
TUESDAY, May 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For cancer screening in Medicare beneficiaries, there is substantial agreement for different prognostic tools for short- and long-term survival, according to a study published online April 30 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
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Cutting Brand-Name Drug Use Could Save U.S. $73 Billion
TUESDAY, May 10, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Americans could save tens of billions of dollars with more efficient drug use, replacing brand-name drugs with their generic equivalents whenever possible, according to a study published online May 9 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Microbiome Linked to Infectious Complications in AML
MONDAY, May 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) undergoing induction chemotherapy (IC), gastrointestinal microbiome composition is associated with infectious complications, according to a study published online May 3 in Cancer.
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CDC Establishes New ‘Clean Hands Count’ Campaign
MONDAY, May 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has introduced a new campaign, “Clean Hands Count,” to encourage health care professionals, patients, and patients’ families to keep their hands clean in order to prevent health care-associated infections.
Regular Aspirin Use May Protect Against Bile Duct Cancer
MONDAY, May 9, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Regular aspirin use may lower the risk of bile duct cancer, according to a study published online April 26 in Hepatology.
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Analytics Approach Could Improve Chemo Combinations
FRIDAY, May 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Models based on machine learning and optimization could improve chemotherapy regimens to be tested in phase III clinical trials without altering the toxicity outcomes, according to a study published in the May issue of Management Science.
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Substantial Aggregate Costs of Care for Cervical Cancer
FRIDAY, May 6, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The costs of care for cervical cancer vary by phase of care, and aggregate costs are substantial, according to a study published in the May issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
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Lung Cancer Resection Linked to Longer Survival for Older Patients
THURSDAY, May 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Older lung cancer patients are surviving longer when they have lung cancer surgery, according to a study published online May 5 in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
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Readability of Online Info About Pancreatic Cancer Varies
THURSDAY, May 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The readability and accuracy of online information regarding pancreatic cancer varies, according to a study published online May 4 in JAMA Surgery.
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CT-Gross Tumor Volume Predicts Outcome in Larynx Preservation
THURSDAY, May 5, 2016 (HealthDay News) — For patients undergoing larynx preservation, pretreatment computed tomography-gross tumor volume (CT-GTV) is predicative of an increase in time with tracheostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), according to a study published online April 30 in Head & Neck.
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Physician Leadership Training May Help Counteract Burnout
WEDNESDAY, May 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Physician leaders with good leadership qualities are more likely to have employees who are satisfied and do not show signs of burnout, according to a study published in the April issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings and a report published by the American Medical Association.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction May Explain Prostate Cancer Disparity
WEDNESDAY, May 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Improper mitochondrial functioning may account for prostate cancer treatment resistance in African-American (AA) men, according to a study published online April 26 in the British Journal of Cancer.
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Price Transparency Tool Doesn’t Cut Health Care Spending
WEDNESDAY, May 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Employee use of a price transparency tool does not cut health care spending, according to a study published in the May 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Radon in the Home Linked to Hematologic Malignancies
WEDNESDAY, May 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — There appears to be a strong link between exposure to high levels of radon in the home and women’s risk of hematologic malignancies, according to a study published online recently in Environmental Research.
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Additional Treatments Offer Little Benefit for Pancreatic Cancer
WEDNESDAY, May 4, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Additional treatments for locally advanced pancreatic cancer don’t appear to improve survival, according to a study published in the May 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Adding Antiviral to Sorafenib Is Cost-Effective in HCC
TUESDAY, May 3, 2016 (HealthDay News) — The addition of antiviral therapy to sorafenib is a cost-effective option compared with sorafenib monotherapy in patients with advanced hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China, according to a study published online April 27 in the Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology.
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All-Cause, CVD, DM Mortality Down From 2000 to 2011
TUESDAY, May 3, 2016 (HealthDay News) — All-cause and certain cause-specific mortality rates have decreased recently among those with type 1 and 2 diabetes, although younger patients have seen less improvement, according to a study published online April 26 in Diabetes Care.
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Report: Why Health Care Costs Are Lower in Europe Than U.S.
TUESDAY, May 3, 2016 (HealthDay News) — European residents have access to the same health care services as U.S. residents but pay much less, and this is related to several specific factors, according to a report published by INDIGOMED on April 25.
Well Water a Suspected Cause of Bladder Cancer in New England
TUESDAY, May 3, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Arsenic in drinking water from private wells may explain the elevated bladder cancer risk among people in three New England states, according to a study published online May 2 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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Psychotherapy May Ease Chemo-Related Cognitive Dysfunction
MONDAY, May 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) — Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) might help cancer survivors manage the long-term cognitive dysfunction some experience after chemotherapy, according to research published online May 2 in Cancer.
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2017 May Offer Fewer Choices for Affordable Care Act Enrollees
MONDAY, May 2, 2016 (HealthDay News) — With the nation’s largest health insurer exiting all but a few Affordable Care Act exchanges next year, some Americans may be left with fewer choices and some might see higher monthly premiums.
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