Journal of cancer research and therapeutics
-
The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a major public health threat to the whole world. Although the control of COVID-19 has been in the forefront of interventional practice, most interventional radiologists (IRs) are not equipped adequately to cope with such a crisis. In this review, we share our experience from Chinese IRs' perspective, report on the acute measures instituted within interventional radiology (IR) units, and give recommendations to the prevention and control of COVID-19.
-
Along with increasing incidence of operable small pulmonary nodules, it becomes difficult to localize nodules via palpation. Accurate localization of small pulmonary nodules has remained a big challenge in lung surgery. Therefore, several techniques for preoperative localizing small pulmonary nodules have evolved, but the advantages and disadvantages of each method remain unclear. ⋯ Case reports and case series with <20 patients were excluded. All localization techniques showed good reliability, but some carry a high rate of major or minor complications and drawbacks. No ideal localization technique is available; thus, the choice of preoperative assisted localization technique still depends on surgeons' preference and local availability of both specialists and instruments.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Risk of serious adverse event and fatal adverse event with molecular target anticancer drugs in cancer patients: A meta-analysis.
Molecular target anticancer drugs are commonly used in various forms of cancers. It is a concern that the risk of serious adverse events (SAEs) and fatal adverse events (FAEs) of molecular target drugs are increasing. An up-to-date meta-analysis of all Phase II/III/IV randomized trials of molecular target anticancer drugs was conducted to calculate the increased risk of SAEs and FAEs. ⋯ The overall incidence of SAEs and FAEs was 0.269 (95% CI = 0.262-0.276, P < 0.01) and 0.023 (95% CI = 0.020-0.025, P < 0.01), respectively. Molecular target anticancer drugs significantly increased the risk of SAEs and FAEs. For patients taking molecular target drugs, efforts are needed to prevent the occurrence of SAEs and FAEs.
-
The role of direct-acting oral anticoagulants in the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients compared with the current standard of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) treatment remains unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of direct factor Xa inhibitors compared with those of LMWH in the treatment of cancer-associated VTE. ⋯ Direct factor Xa inhibitors are superior to LMWH in efficacy in the treatment of VTE in cancer patients, and the safety between the two regimens is comparable except for a slightly higher rate of minor bleeding when the former is used.
-
Clinical management of metastatic melanoma suffered historically from a lack of effective targeted and immunotherapies due to short-lived clinical responses. Recent advances in our understanding of tumor-immune signaling pathways, discovery of immunosuppressive checkpoints, and subsequent development of antibodies that target these checkpoints reverses the situation to some extent. Two antibodies ipilimumab and nivolumab gained Food and Drug administration approval for the treatment of metastatic melanoma and target two major immunosuppressive checkpoints cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), respectively. ⋯ Successful Phase I-III results with remarkable antitumor activity and safety led to approval of nivolumab against ipilimumab refractory metastatic melanoma. Nivolumab therapy is exciting in that it not only provides substantial benefit but also provides durable responses. This review focuses on the evolution of immunotherapy leading to nivolumab approval and its potential in treating melanoma either alone or in combination with other therapies.