tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Patterns of symptom control and palliative care-focused original research articles in major radiation oncology journals.
Authors: Julia Di Giovanni, Tracy A. Balboni, Edward Chow
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2016)

216 Background: National oncology and palliative care organizations recommend greater incorporation of palliative care in clinical care and research in advanced cancer to improve care quality. In radiation oncology, palliative oncology care represents approximately 30-40% of treatment courses. Given the frequency of palliative care in radiation oncology and recommendations for greater research at this intersection, we sought to determine the prevalence and patterns of publication of symptom control and palliative care focused original research articles in two prominent radiation oncology journals from 2004-2015. Methods: From 2005 to 2014, abstracts of original research manuscripts published in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology (Red Journal) and the Radiotherapy and Oncology (Green Journal) journals were reviewed to determine the number and content of abstracts relating to symptom control and palliative care (SCPC). Research articles were included if their abstract described a patient population with advanced or metastatic cancer and were considered focused on SCPC if symptom palliation was the goal of treatment or patterns of palliative care needs was the goal of the research inquiry. Change in annual proportion of SCPC abstracts over time was assessed with the χ-square trend test. Results: From 2005 -2014, 10.6% (593/5611: range 4.2-17%) of all original research articles published in the Red Journal and 14.5% (365/2516: range 12.2-17.4%) published in the Green Journal involved palliative care. In the Red Journal, 1.3% (75/5611) of original research articles were specifically focused on SCPC and 5.3% (133/2516) in the Green Journal. In both journals the number of abstracts did not change over time (p = 0.24). Randomized controlled trials accounted for a minority (10.6%, 22/208) of SCPC abstracts in both journals. Conclusions: SCPC-focused original research is poorly represented in two major radiation oncology academic journals. Palliative radiotherapy is a critical part of radiotherapy clinical practice and should be the subject of further research; particularly needed is research employing rigorous study designs.
Catumaxomab observational study to investigate efficacy and safety profile in clinical practice.
Authors: V. Kunzmann, R. G. Linke, P. Ruf, H. Lindhofer, M. Hennig, M. M. Essing
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2010)

TPS156 Background: The trifunctional anti-EpCAM/anti-CD3 antibody catumaxomab was recently approved in the EU for intraperitoneal (i.p.) treatment of malignant ascites, based on data from an international, randomized clinical trial (Parsons et al. J Clin Oncol 2008; 26:abst 3000). In the PK analysis, the i.p. application of 10-20-50-150μ g catumaxomab resulted in high and effective local i.p. concentrations. As reported (Ruf et al. J Clin Oncol 2008; 26: abst 14006) the systemic catumaxomab exposure was low (< 5%) with a maximum median plasma concentration (C max) of 403 pg/ml and a mean plasma elimination half-life of 2.13 days. Nevertheless, catumaxomab remained immunologically active even after several days in the circulation. In the pivotal trial patients showed clinical benefit regardless of absence or presence of distant metastases (Heiss et al WCGIC 2009). Futhermore, an overall survival benefit in the gastric cancer subgroup was reported (Heiss et al ECCO/ESMO 2009). First anecdotal reports from patients treated with i.p. catumaxomab indicate a potential antitumor effect on extraperitoneal tumor sites. So far, there are no clinical study data available on a systemic treatment effect on the primary tumor site or distant metastases following locoregional i.p. catumaxomab administration. Therefore, relevant data will be collected systematically within this prospective observational trial. Methods: A planned number of 150 patients with malignant ascites due to epithelial cancer (ovarian, breast, and GI cancer) treated with catumaxomab i.p. under routine conditions in clinical practice will be closely documented. Data concerning underlying cancer disease, demographic factors, immunological parameters, applied chemotherapeutic regimen, tumor staging, safety results and clinical outcome will be collected and analyzed by descriptive statistical methods for the overall population and stratified by each cancer subpopulation. Targeted tumor lesions will be followed before and after catumaxomab via RECIST criteria. Interim analysis will be performed after each 50 patients. Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Position Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Funding Expert Testimony Other Remuneration Fresenius Biotech, Fresenius Biotech GmbH, TRION Pharma GmbH, TRION Research GmbH TRION Pharma GmbH
Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitor P21 Negatively Regulates PBX-1 Via Internal Tandem Duplication of Flt3 Dependent Manner, a Novel Mechanism That Does Not Exist in Normal Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells
Authors: Mariko Abe, Seiji Yamaguchi, Takeshi Taketani, Seiji Fukuda
Journal: Blood (2011)
A phase II study of capecitabine and concomitant boost radiotherapy (XRT) in patients (pts) with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC)
Authors: E. H. Lin, J. Skibber, M. Delcos, C. Eng, C. Christopher, T. Brown, S. Vadhan, P. Hoff, M. Rodriguez-Bigas, N. A. Janjan
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2005)

3593 Background: Preoperative radiotherapy with continuous infusional 5-fluorouracil (CI-5FU) improves sphincter preservation and produces pathological complete remissions (pCR) in 10–30% of patients (pts) with LARC. Capecitabine (Xeloda), an oral fluoropyrimidine, is preferentially converted to 5-FU by high intra-tumor thymidine phosphorylase that can be further activated by radiotherapy. Design: The primary endpoint of this phase II study is to evaluate the rate of pathological response with secondary endpoints on survival, recurrence, quality of life, and tumor markers. Capecitabine (825 mg/m2 PO bid/7days during XRT was administered with concomitant boost XRT (52.5 Gy/30 fractions to the primary/perirectal nodes, and 45Gy to the pelvis) in 54 pts with LARC (≥ T3N0 or any T/N1 staged by EUS). Eligible patients recieved capecitabine 1250 mg/m2 PO bid day 1–14 every 21 for four cycles as adjuvant treatment after surgery. Results: Pts characteristics included median age: 56 (36–78), male:female ratio: 1.7; ECOG performance status 0–1 100%; 42 pts (92%) had T3N0 or T3N1 disease. The pathological response of the 44 patients who underwent resection to date includes 7 pts (16%) who achieved pCR and 28 pts (64%) had a partial response resulting in a 79% overall response rate. Stable disease was evident in 5 pts (11%) and 2 pts (5%) had progressive disease. Two pts (5%) who achieve complete clinical remissions refused surgery. Most toxicities were Grade 1/2: hand foot syndrome (27%), diarrhea (25%), fatigue (21%), leukopenia (15%), anemia (15%), and proctitis (10%). Gr 3 toxicities were limited: diarrhea (10%) and radiation dermatitis (6%), bilirubinemia (4%) and hand and foot syndrome (2%). Gr 4 diarrhea occurred only in one pt. Conclusion: Concomitant boost radiotherapy plus capecitabine is very well tolerated and produces pathological response rates that are comparable to CI-5FU for LARC. Capecitabine also avoids the discomfort and potential complications, like infection and phlebitis, associated with CI-5FU. Full report will be presented at the meeting. *Study supported by Roche Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Funding Expert Testimony Other Remuneration Norvartis, Pfizer, Roche Norvartis, Roche
Alternately Binding Quenching Probe Competitive PCR: Simple, Sensitive, and Cost-Effective JAK2 Allele Burden Quantification Method
Authors: Soji Morishita, Naohiro Noda, Yuji Sekiguchi, Aya H Koda, Yuriko Yahata, Keita Kirito, Satoshi Tsuneda, Norio Komatsu
Journal: Blood (2010)
Physiopedia: one big constantly updating online textbook written and edited by physiotherapists for physiotherapists (continuing professional development series)
Authors: Adam G Culvenor
Journal: British Journal of Sports Medicine (2017)

> Building a place where all physiotherapists can freely unite, collaborate, learn and contribute to  improving global health — Rachael Lowe, Physiopedia Director

Physiopedia is a free online resource of physiotherapy knowledge, collaboratively written and edited by physiotherapists (http://www.physio-pedia.com). Essentially Wikipedia for physiotherapists, Physiopedia uses an innovative Wiki platform enabling any qualified physiotherapist from anywhere around the globe to contribute and edit content. It is built around collaborative group authoring, with the aim of gathering the sum of all physiotherapy knowledge and making it freely available to all (including the general public). For the busy sports physiotherapist, Physiopedia offers an abundance of tissue-specific (eg, tendons, muscles) and joint-specific (eg, knee, shoulder) resources in one place at a click of a button, as well as lots of other physiotherapy-related material.

Physiopedia receives ~1 million visits per month from over 200 countries, and the more than 2000 knowledge-based pages are updated by physiotherapists on average of 200 times per day. Free online content is made up largely …
Timeliness of care in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the Louis Stokes Veteran Affairs Medical Center (LSVAMC).
Authors: Rami Manochakian, Stephanie Mervar, Deborah Fox, Yang Liu, Joseph A. Bokar, Lisa Arfons
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2013)

50 Background: Timeliness of care in patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer is a controversial topic. Although some studies have concluded that timeliness does not improve clinical outcomes, many experts agree that timeliness is an important aspect of quality care as it leads to shorter duration of emotional distress during the diagnostic process and treatment initiation. Methods: At the LSVAMC, we have established a 60-day time interval from first abnormal radiology to treatment initiation as our institutional standard of care. We have initiated several interventions to improve timeliness of care through our new lung cancer program launched in July 2012. These interventions, which were implemented over a 1 year period, include: 1) Weekly interdisciplinary lung nodule rounds. 2) A cancer care tracking system. 3) A lung cancer-specific case manager who collaborates with all disciplines to expedite workup and treatment initiation. We have retrospectively reviewed all NSCLC cases since the launch of the new lung cancer program (group 1) and compared the timeliness to a sample of patients before the interventions (group 2). Results: 58 patients (group 1) and 107 patients ( group 2) with NSCLC were diagnosed and treated at the LSVAMC from January to July 2011 and July 2012 to May 2013 respectively. Median time from first abnormal radiology to first treatment was 104 days (range 13-375, mean 113.4) in group 1 and 81 days (range 1-261, mean 84.9) in group 2. Median time from diagnostic radiology to tissue diagnosis was 39 days (range 2-226, mean 66) in group 1 and 29 days (range 2-206, mean 42.6) in group 2. Median time from tissue diagnosis to first treatment was 23 days (range 0-177, mean 38) in group 1 and 28 days (range 0-254, mean 36.5) in group 2. Conclusions: Timeliness of care in NSCLC patients at our center has improved. We still have not reached our target. Continued progress is expected as we transition to a multidisciplinary multi specialty care lung cancer program.
Embedding palliative care (pc) in a community-based cancer center: Benefits and barriers.
Authors: Jennifer Bayne, John Weems, Robert D. Siegel, Teresa N. Bowen, Leigh Stinnett, Jennifer Ashley
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2016)

153 Background: The importance of involving PC early in the disease process of oncology patients is well documented. Decreased symptom burden, increased quality of life, and extended survival are proven outcomes; however, the provision of PC has largely been limited to the acute care setting in most institutions. Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, a community based healthcare system in Greenville, South Carolina, opened a comprehensive cancer center in late 2014. Our established inpatient PC team began seeing outpatients at the cancer center shortly after its opening. Methods: PC at the cancer center is provided in an “embedded” model of care. PC appointments were initiated at 20 hours/week and have been expanded to 28 hours/week, currently provided by NPs 24 hrs, MD 4 hrs, all of whom are certified in hospice and palliative care. Patients are seen during medical oncology, radiation oncology, or infusion appointments. In August 2015, the PC team began to participate in an interdisciplinary team meeting, reviewing new oncology patients and their expected or known needs. Results: Total visits for 2015: 559/158 new patients seen. Informal interviews from patients, oncology, and PC staff revealed the following benefits: better communication regarding treatment plans; improved symptom management; flexibility and convenience in meeting patients anywhere in the cancer center and; providing resources for staff regarding pain and symptom management and communication techniques. Barriers identified were: scheduling conflicts for patients with multiple appointments; less than full-time coverage by PC prohibits some patients from being seen during their oncology appointments; PC and oncology being separate administrative entities has required creative solutions in billing and staffing. Conclusions: Despite some barriers, the benefits of embedding a PC clinic in a community-based oncology center are clear and worthwhile. This clinic improves coordination of care between inpatient and outpatient services, which results in positive patient experiences. It is hoped that the early integration of PC in the ambulatory setting will result in a decrease in avoidable emergency room visits and hospital admissions.
Activity and epigenetic determinants of sensitivity to temozolomide in diffuse large B cell lymphoma
Authors: V. Leshchenko, A. Melnick, S. S. Parekh
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2008)

19523 Background: Temozolomide (TMZ) has clinical activity in the treatment of gliomas. Aberrant methylation of methyl-guanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) has been shown to determine sensitivity of gliomas to TMZ. We hypothesize that a similar mechanism may possibly determine sensitivity to TMZ in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and that modulation of MGMT could be used to overcome drug resistance in DLBCL. We therefore proposed to evaluate cytotoxicity of TMZ in DLBCL cell lines and murine xenograft models. Methods: Fifteen DLBCL cell lines were treated with TMZ (25 uM-1.5 mM). Cytotoxicity was measured using CellTiter Blue Assay and trypan blue exclusion. To determine whether MGMT depletion could circumvent drug resistance, we treated TMZ-refractory SUDHL4 cells with multi-day low-dose schedules of TMZ and measured MGMT protein levels. Then, to evaluate DNA hypomethylation by Decitabine (DAC) as a mechanism of sensitizing cells to TMZ, we pre-treated SUDHL4 cells with low doses of DAC (0.1-1 uM) and then TMZ. Samples were analyzed for methylation of CpG sites within the MGMT gene promoter using MassARRAY, a mass-spectrometric system for the detection and quantitative analysis of DNA methylation. Results: TMZ has activity in DLBCL lines with IC50s in the range expected by oral administration of the drug. There is significant methylation of the MGMT promotor in chemo-resistant SUDHL4 cells as compared to chemo- sensitive LY1 cells. All DLBCL cell lines were tested for microsatellite instability (MSI) and found to be MSI stable. Depletion of MGMT by repeated doses of TMZ overcomes resistance in DLBCLs. DNA hypo-methylation by DAC sensitizes chemo-refractory SUDHL4 cells to TMZ. Conclusions: TMZ has activity in DLBCL cell lines, especially at current multi-day dosing schedules. Modulation of MGMT expression and methylation overcomes chemo-resistance in these cells with excellent cell kill even at low doses. MGMT expression or MSI status are poor predictors of sensitivity to TMZ in DLBCL but MGMT promoter methylation may identify a subset of chemo-sensitive DLBCLs. We expect the cell line and murine experiments to provide evidence to support a clinical trial of TMZ in DLBCL patients. Author Disclosure Employment or Leadership Consultant or Advisory Role Stock Ownership Honoraria Research Expert Testimony Other Remuneration Schering-Plough
Engagement in a statewide oral oncolytic collaborative and practice impact.
Authors: Jane Alcyne Severson, Emily R. Mackler, Grayce Galiyas, Laura Petersen, Jamie Lindsay, Teresa M Salgado, Emily Davis, Karen B Farris
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2016)

89 Background: The rapid shift to oral oncolytic therapy presents challenges to oncology practitioners. The purpose of this study is to describe how participation in a statewide oral oncolytic improvement collaborative where best practices and resources were shared can readily impact quality of care as measured by national standards. Methods: The Michigan Oncology Quality Consortium (MOQC) hosted a series of learning collaborative sessions focused on topics and deployment of resources specific to oral oncolytic management and quality improvement. Participating practices performed pre/post self-assessments in Oct. 2013 and Apr. 2015 (n = 3). Concordance with national ASCO QOPI and ONS standards was compared, including documentation (5 measures), patient education (7 measures), and follow-up/monitoring (4 measures). A response scale of always, sometimes, and never was used. Specifically, practices were surveyed to assess which evidence-based MOQC resources were implemented: patient intake template, drug-specific self-management guides, start date mailer, medication calendar, primary care physician communication template, Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS), and patient adherence questionnaires. Results: Practice A showed improvement in documentation, patient education, and monitoring. This practice used the initial oral chemotherapy template, ESAS, patient education templates, and patient calendar (Table). Practice B implemented 6 resources and demonstrated improvements in 15 metrics. Practice C implemented 4 resources, namely patient-focused resources, to improve all patient education and monitoring metrics. Conclusions: Use of the collaborative model and supplying oncology teams with scientific evidence, standard workflows, and resources improves concordance with national standards of care. Large-scale deployment of this model program may provide a clinically efficient and effective mechanism to enhance widespread change. [Table: see text]
Phase II trial of linifanib in patients (pts) with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC): Analysis of pts receiving extended therapy.
Authors: E. M. Posadas, N. M. Tannir, Y. Wong, M. S. Ernstoff, C. K. Kollmannsberger, J. Qian, P. J. Ansell, E. M. McKeegan, M. D. McKee, J. L. Ricker, D. M. Carlson, M. D. Michaelson
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2011)

2543 Background: Linifanib is an orally bioavailable, potent VEGF/PDGF RTK inhibitor. Activity was observed in a phase II trial of RCC pts (ASCO 2010, abstr 4527). An exploratory analysis of pts who received linifanib for >48 weeks (wk) is presented. Methods: In this ongoing open-label, multicenter trial, pts received oral 0.25 mg/kg linifanib daily until progressive disease (PD) or intolerable toxicity. Key eligibility criteria include PD within 100 days (d) of enrollment after ≥ 2 cycles of sunitinib, prior nephrectomy, and adequate organ function. Assessments included tumor response (RECIST) by central imaging; adverse events (AEs) per NCI CTCAE v3.0, and plasma level of biomarkers. Results: 53 pts enrolled; 11 (median age, 58 yr [40, 73]; 73% men) received linifanib for >48 wk (range 350-1,008 d), with median start and last doses of 25 mg [15, 25] & 12.5 mg [5, 20], respectively. These pts had baseline ECOG status 0-1 & clear cell histology (82%). All had prior systemic therapies; 55% had 1 line, 27% had 2 lines, and 9% had 3 or 4 prior treatments. Most common prior therapies were sunitinib (100%), cytokine (IL-2 and/or IFN; 36%), bevacizumab and erlotinib (18% each), sorafenib and vitespen (9% each). Grade 3/4 AEs included diarrhea (64%) and hypertension (55%). Best responses were 5 PR, 4 SD & 2 PD. Pt with PD (per central) remained on treatment based on site assessment of SD. 9/11 pts had increased placental growth factor (PIGF) and decreased change in tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP) from baseline on d 28. Remaining biomarker data at baseline (BL) are shown. These biomarkers were evaluated based on prior work with linifanib. Conclusions: Strong antitumor activity and biomarker effects were seen in pts treated long-term with linifanib for sunitinib-refractory metastatic RCC. In these 11 pts, extended linifanib treatment provided prolonged clinical benefit. Pts Biomarkers, BL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 CA125 L L H L - L L L L L L CA15.3 H L H L - L L L L L L CYFRA 21.1 L L L L - L L L L L L ProGRP H H L L - H L H H H L CRP H N H N - N H N N H N TIMP H H H L - L L L H L H Best % tumor change from BL 33 37 42 42 30 26 28 16 43 36 24 Abbreviations: CA, cancer antigen; CYFRA, cytokeratin fragment; ProGRP, Pro-gastrin-releasing peptide; CRP, C reactive protein; H, high; L, low; N, normal.
Mind-body medicine epigenetic technique (MET) and TP53AIP1 gene expression.
Authors: Francisco Ventura Munoz
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2016)

e292 Background: This is a pilot study update on the potential of MET to up-regulate TP53AIP1 gene expression correlated with the up-regulation TP53 gene expression in patients diagnosed with breast cancer. Methods: The selection process for the study participants was nonrandom. The following was the eligibility criteria. 1.) Inclusion Criteria: Breast Cancer, Stages II, III. 2.) Exclusion Criteria: Cognitively impaired, weak or ill. The study utilized two groups. Each group was assigned two research participants. Group One received one session of MET. Group Two received two sessions of MET. Each MET session was approximately 25-35 minutes in duration. Blood samples were taken at baseline and post-MET sessions to provide evidence in gene expression changes. For Group Two, the post-MET session blood draw was done 7 days after baseline. 1.) Primary Endpoint: To determine whether MET can up-regulate TP53AIP1 gene expression. 2.) Secondary Endpoint:To determine whether there is a correlation between up-regulated TP53AIP1 gene expression and up-regulated TP53 gene expression. The blood samples were sent to genomics labs at the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles and the University of Nevada Las Vegas for mRNA extraction and microarray analysis. The gene expression was measured by DNA microarray results using the “PrimeView gene chip” and “Partek Genomics Suite” statistical software. Results: For three participants, there was no statistical or biologically significant up-regulation in TP53AIP1 gene expression. However, one participant from Group 1 evidenced a biologically significant up-regulation of TP53AIP1 gene expression along with a biologically significant up-regulation of TP53 gene expression. One major limitation of these findings is the statistical insignificance of the results due to the small number of participants. Conclusions: This pilot study evidenced the up-regulation of TP53AIP1 gene expression potentially due to MET and provided evidence supporting the established correlation between TP53 and TP53AIP1 gene expression that could induce apoptosis. This study also provided a foundation for a larger study with more participants.