Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN
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J Natl Compr Canc Netw · Jun 2021
Association Between Chronologic Age and Geriatric Assessment-Identified Impairments: Findings From the CARE Registry.
The NCCN Guidelines for Older Adult Oncology recommend that, when possible, older adults with cancer undergo a geriatric assessment (GA) to provide a comprehensive health appraisal to guide interventions and appropriate treatment selection. However, the association of age with GA-identified impairments (GA impairments) remains understudied and the appropriate age cutoff for using the GA remains unknown. ⋯ Using chronologic age alone to identify which patients may benefit from GA is problematic. Future studies should identify screening tools that may identify patients at high risk of frailty and GA impairments.
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J Natl Compr Canc Netw · May 2021
Methylene Blue for the Treatment of Intractable Pain From Oral Mucositis Related to Cancer Treatment: An Uncontrolled Cohort.
Oral mucositis is a complication of cancer therapy, causing severe pain that affects oral functioning, nutrition, and quality of life, as well as therapy nonadherence or dose-limiting toxicity. Anecdotal experience has suggested that methylene blue (MB) oral rinse may be an effective and safe treatment of this oral pain. ⋯ MB oral rinse is an effective and safe treatment for refractory pain from oral mucositis related to cancer treatment.
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J Natl Compr Canc Netw · Mar 2021
Clinical Outcomes With Abemaciclib After Prior CDK4/6 Inhibitor Progression in Breast Cancer: A Multicenter Experience.
Inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6i) are widely used as first-line therapy for hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer (HR+ MBC). Although abemaciclib monotherapy is also FDA-approved for treatment of disease progression on endocrine therapy, there is limited insight into the clinical activity of abemaciclib after progression on prior CDK4/6i. ⋯ A subset of patients with HR+ MBC continue to derive clinical benefit from abemaciclib after progression on prior palbociclib. These results highlight the need for future studies to confirm molecular predictors of cross-resistance to CDK4/6i therapy and to better characterize the utility of abemaciclib after disease progression on prior CDK4/6i.
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J Natl Compr Canc Netw · Jan 2021
End-of-Life Characteristics Associated With Short Hospice Length of Stay for Patients With Solid Tumors Enrolled in Phase I Clinical Trials.
Patients participating in phase I trials represent a population with advanced cancer and symptoms, with quality-of-life implications arising from both disease and treatment. Transitions to end-of-life care for these patients have received little attention. Good empirical data are needed to better understand the role of advance care planning and palliative care during phase I trial transitions. We investigated how physician-patient communication at the time of disease progression, patient characteristics, and patterns of care were associated with end-of-life care. ⋯ Reported data support the benefit of palliative care for patients in phase I trials and the risks associated with healthcare transitions for all patients, particularly older adults, regardless of care received. Leaving a clinical trial is a time when clear communication is paramount. Phase I studies will continue to be vital in advancing cancer treatment. It is equally important to advance the support provided to patients who transition off these trials.