British journal of cancer
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British journal of cancer · Sep 2017
Multicenter StudyExpression of L1CAM in curettage or high L1CAM level in preoperative blood samples predicts lymph node metastases and poor outcome in endometrial cancer patients.
Several studies have identified L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) as a strong prognostic marker in endometrial cancer. To further underline the clinical usefulness of this biomarker, we investigated L1CAM as a predictive marker for lymph node metastases and its prognostic impact in curettage specimens and preoperative plasma samples. In addition, we aimed to validate the prognostic value of L1CAM in hysterectomy specimen. ⋯ We demonstrate that preoperative evaluation of L1CAM levels, both in curettage or plasma samples, predicts lymph node metastases and adds valuable information on patient prognosis.
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British journal of cancer · Aug 2017
The cost-effectiveness of screening for ovarian cancer: results from the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS).
To assess the within-trial cost-effectiveness of an NHS ovarian cancer screening (OCS) programme using data from UKCTOCS and extrapolate results based on average life expectancy. ⋯ Analysis suggests that, after accounting for the lead time required to establish full mortality benefits, a national OCS programme based on the MMS strategy quickly approaches the current NICE thresholds for cost-effectiveness when extrapolated out to lifetime as compared with the within-trial ICER estimates. Whether MMS could be recommended on economic grounds would depend on the confirmation and size of the mortality benefit at the end of an ongoing follow-up of the UKCTOCS cohort.
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British journal of cancer · Aug 2017
Randomized Controlled TrialA combined biomarker panel shows improved sensitivity for the early detection of ovarian cancer allowing the identification of the most aggressive type II tumours.
There is an urgent need for biomarkers for the early detection of ovarian cancer (OC). The purpose of this study was to assess whether changes in serum levels of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), glucose-regulated protein, 78 kDa (GRP78), calprotectin and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) are observed before clinical presentation and to assess the performance of these markers alone and in combination with CA125 for early detection. ⋯ Combined biomarker panels (IGFBP2, LCAT and CA125) outperformed CA125 up to 3 years pre-diagnosis, identifying cancers missed by CA125, providing increased diagnostic lead times for Type I and Type II OC. The model identified more aggressive Type II cancers, with women crossing the threshold dying earlier, indicating that these markers can improve on the sensitivity of CA125 alone for the early detection of OC.
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British journal of cancer · Aug 2017
Lurbinectedin reduces tumour-associated macrophages and the inflammatory tumour microenvironment in preclinical models.
Lurbinectedin is a novel anticancer agent currently undergoing late-stage (Phase II /III) clinical evaluation in platinum-resistant ovarian, BRCA1/2-mutated breast and small-cell lung cancer. Lurbinectedin is structurally related to trabectedin and it inhibits active transcription and the DNA repair machinery in tumour cells. ⋯ The results illustrate that lurbinectedin affects at multiple levels the inflammatory microenvironment by acting on the viability and functional activity of mononuclear phagocytes. These peculiar effects, combined with its intrinsic activity against cancer cells, make lurbinectedin a compound of particular interest in oncology.
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British journal of cancer · Aug 2017
Geriatric assessment is superior to oncologists' clinical judgement in identifying frailty.
Frailty is a syndrome associated with increased vulnerability and an important predictor of outcomes in older cancer patients. Systematic assessments to identify frailty are seldom applied, and oncologists' ability to identify frailty is scarcely investigated. ⋯ Systematic assessment of geriatric domains is needed to aid oncologists in identifying frail patients with poor survival.