Current medical research and opinion
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Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) have shown prognostic value in breast cancer. This study evaluated the TILs scores in 186 Portuguese patients diagnosed with early breast cancer, with special focus on HER2 subtype. ⋯ TILs were higher in tumors with negative hormone receptor status and HER2 amplifications, and in triple-negative breast cancer. In HER2+ patients treated with dual anti-HER neoadjuvant therapy, the TILs score on the surgical specimen was generally lower than in the biopsy.
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Observational Study
Real-world safety and supportive care use of second-line 5-fluorouracil-based regimens among patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Chemotherapy-related adverse events (AEs) can negatively impact the care of patients. The prevention and management of AEs often require additional medications. This study evaluated the percentages of patients with metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC) undergoing second-line therapy with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-based regimens that experienced AEs during treatment and received medication to manage those AEs. ⋯ In patients with mPDAC who received second-line therapy, those who received liposomal irinotecan-based regimens had the lowest rates of anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia compared to FOLFIRI, FOLFIRINOX, and FOLFOX, while requiring a similar or lower level of medication to treat and manage those adverse events. Patients treated with FOLFIRI received the highest dose of pegfilgrastim to manage neutropenia. The results of this real-world analysis are consistent with prior evaluations of patients with mPDAC and highlight the importance of managing adverse events and associated cost implications.
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Itch is a common symptom of atopic dermatitis (AD), however, there is limited evidence of the frequency and association of skin pain alongside itch. This study assessed the incremental dual burden and impact of itch and skin pain on satisfaction, quality of life and work productivity in patients with AD in Japan. ⋯ This dissatisfaction, alongside variations in reported symptomatic burdens, suggests that physicians could consider alternative and/or novel therapeutic approaches for the management of both itch and skin pain.
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To explore the healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs for patients with progressive gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP-NETs) treated with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE and matched patients treated with somatostatin analogs (SSAs), chemotherapy, or targeted therapies. ⋯ These analyses indicate significantly lower overall costs and HCRU for progressive GEP-NET patients treated with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE. Current research reveals that future real-world analyses would further benefit from using additional databases linked to the HES dataset such as the Clinical Practice Research Datalink and/or National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service database.
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Hypoglycaemia leads to significant morbidity and impacts negatively on quality-of-life, especially in elderly people with increased frailty. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of low interstitial fluid glucose (IFG) in patients with tightly controlled type 2 diabetes (T2D), and to evaluate whether there were differences in burden of low IFG between sulphonylurea and insulin treated groups. ⋯ This study demonstrates that elderly patients with tightly-controlled T2D have a significant number of low sensor glucose events which go by undetected.