Cancer
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Although the majority of parents of children with cancer say they want prognostic information, to the authors' knowledge little is known regarding how their desire for and experiences with prognosis communication change over time. ⋯ The majority of parents wanted detailed, longitudinal prognostic conversations; nearly none of the parents preferred less prognostic information. A return to these conversations over time can help rather than hurt parents. Future studies should assess the ideal contents of these longitudinal discussions, and the communication preferences of pediatric patients. Cancer 2017;123:4031-8. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
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Proton radiotherapy remains a limited resource despite its clear potential for reducing radiation doses to normal tissues and late effects in children in comparison with photon therapy. This study examined the impact of race and socioeconomic factors on the use of proton therapy in children with solid malignancies. ⋯ Socioeconomic factors affect the use of proton radiotherapy in children. Whether this disparity is related to differences in the referral patterns, the knowledge of treatment modalities, or the ability to travel for therapy needs to be further clarified. Improving access to proton therapy in underserved pediatric populations is essential. Cancer 2017;123:4048-56. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
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Multicenter Study
Sacituzumab govitecan (IMMU-132), an anti-Trop-2-SN-38 antibody-drug conjugate for the treatment of diverse epithelial cancers: Safety and pharmacokinetics.
Sacituzumab govitecan (IMMU-132), an antitrophoblastic cell-surface antigen (anti-Trop-2) humanized antibody-SN-38 conjugate, had encouraging efficacy in the phase 1 clinical trial. This report further examines the pharmacokinetics and safety of multiple cycles of IMMU-132 at doses of 8 or 10 mg/kg in patients with diverse advanced epithelial cancers. ⋯ Sacituzumab govitecan has a predictable pharmacokinetic profile and manageable toxicity at doses of 8 and 10 mg/kg. With objective responses and a good therapeutic index at 10 mg/kg, this dose was chosen for future development. Cancer 2017;123:3843-3854. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Cost-effectiveness analysis of consolidation with brentuximab vedotin for high-risk Hodgkin lymphoma after autologous stem cell transplantation.
In a recent randomized, placebo-controlled trial, consolidation treatment with brentuximab vedotin (BV) decreased the risk of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) progression after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). However, the impact of BV consolidation on overall survival, quality of life, and health care costs remain unclear. ⋯ BV as consolidation therapy under current US pricing is unlikely to be cost effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000 per QALY. However, indication-specific price reductions for the consolidative setting could reduce ICERs to widely acceptable values. Cancer 2017. © 2017 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2017;123:3763-3771. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
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Comparative Study
The association of demoralization with mental disorders and suicidal ideation in patients with cancer.
Demoralization refers to a state in which there is a perceived inability to cope, that is associated with a sense of disheartenment and a loss of hope and meaning. This study investigated the co-occurrence versus independence of demoralization with mental disorders and suicidal ideation to evaluate its features as a concept of distress in the context of severe illness. ⋯ Clinically relevant demoralization frequently occurs independently of a mental disorder in patients with cancer and has a unique contribution to suicidal ideation. Demoralization is a useful concept to identify profiles of psychological distress symptoms amenable to interventions improving psychological well-being in this population. Cancer 2017;123:3394-401. © 2017 American Cancer Society.