European journal of cancer : official journal for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [and] European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)
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The lack of integration between public health approaches, cancer care and palliative and end-of-life care in the majority of health systems globally became strikingly evident in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. At the same time, the collapse of the boundaries between these domains imposed by the pandemic created unique opportunities for intersectoral planning and collaboration. While the challenge of integration is not unique to oncology, the organisation of cancer care and its linkages to palliative care and to global health may allow it to be a demonstration model for how the problem of integration can be addressed. ⋯ Such inequities deserve attention by government, financial institutions and decision makers in health care. However, there has been no framework in most countries for integrated decision-making that takes into account the requirements of public health, clinical medicine and palliative and end-of-life care. Integrated planning across these domains at all levels would allow for more coordinated resource allocation and better preparedness for the inevitability of future systemic threats to population health.
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Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (sRCC) represents a rare form of renal cell carcinoma marked by an aggressive biology, poor prognosis and little benefit from anti-angiogenic targeted therapy. More promising results come from the recent therapeutic strategy based on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) combinations. ⋯ Our data support the efficacy of ICI-based combinations for sRCC therapy, redefining the first-line treatment.
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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, has inevitable consequences for medical care of patients without COVID-19. To assess the impact of this pandemic on oncological care, a nationwide survey was conducted among patients with cancer in the Netherlands. ⋯ This is the first study investigating perspectives of patients with cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study demonstrates the significant impact of the COVID-19 crisis on oncological care, indicating the need for psycho-oncological support during this pandemic.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
PROFAST: A randomised trial implementing enhanced recovery after surgery for highcomplexity advanced ovarian cancer surgery.
Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs include multiple perioperative elements designed to achieve early recovery after surgery and a shorter length of stay (LOS) in hospital. The PROFAST trial aimed to expand the evidence base for implementing ERAS in advanced gynaecologic oncology surgery. ⋯ Patients with advanced ovarian cancer in the ERAS program had a decreased LOS and decreased rate of readmission as compared with those in CM, with no increased morbidity or mortality. This study provides important evidence for the benefits of ERAS management even for gynaecologic surgeries of medium/high complexity and suggests that ERAS should be a standard practice for cytoreductive surgeries for peritoneal carcinomatosis.
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Tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are an established prognostic biomarker for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We evaluated the role of programmed cell-death ligand-1 (PD-L1), CD8 and FOXP3 expression in refining a prognostic model for non-metastatic TNBC beyond classic factors and TILs. ⋯ Beyond clinicopathological factors and TILs, other immune biomarkers may add prognostic information for early TNBC. The increased PD-L1 expression on residual disease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy strengthens the rationale of testing immune checkpoint inhibitors in the post-neoadjuvant setting.