Cancer
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Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was an exploratory endpoint in the PALETTE trial, a global, double-blind, randomized, phase 3 trial of pazopanib 800 mg versus placebo as second-line or later treatment for patients with advanced soft tissue sarcoma (N = 369). In that trial, progression-free survival was significantly improved in the pazopanib arm (median, 4.6 vs 1.6 months; hazard ratio, 0.31; P < .001), and toxicity of pazopanib consisted mainly of fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, weight loss, and hypertension. ⋯ HRQoL did not improve with the receipt of pazopanib. However, the observed improvement in progression-free survival without impairment of HRQoL was considered a meaningful result. The toxicity profile of pazopanib was reflected in the patients' self-reported symptoms but did not translate into significantly worse overall global health status during treatment.
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CD4 (+) T helper 17 (Th17) cells play critical roles in inflammation and tumor development. The involvement of Th17 cells in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)-type inflammation-associated lung cancer has also been confirmed in animal models. However, to the authors' knowledge, it is unknown whether the role of Th17 cells is different in patients with lung cancer complicated with COPD compared with those without COPD. In the current study, the authors attempted to determine the association between the circulating levels of Th17-related cytokines and the clinical characteristics of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in patients with or without COPD. ⋯ The results of the current study indicate a clear association between the Th17-related cytokine profile and the risk of NSCLC complicated by the presence or absence of COPD.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Minimal clinically important differences in the Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale in cancer patients: A prospective, multicenter study.
The Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS) is widely used for symptom assessment in clinical and research settings. A sensitivity-specificity approach was used to identify the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for improvement and deterioration for each of the 10 ESAS symptoms. ⋯ ESAS was responsive to change. The optimal cutoffs were ≥1 point for improvement and ≤-1 point for deterioration for each of the 10 symptoms. Our findings have implications for sample size calculations and response determination.
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A chemosensitizing effect of levetiracetam (LEV) has been suggested because LEV inhibits O-6 methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). However, the survival benefit of LEV has not been clinically documented. The objective of this study was to assess the survival benefit of LEV compared with other antiepileptic drugs as a chemosensitizer to temozolomide for patients with glioblastoma. ⋯ LEV may provide a survival benefit in patients with glioblastoma who receive temozolomide-based chemotherapy. A prospective randomized study may be indicated.
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In China, cigarette consumption has increased substantially since the 1980s, almost exclusively in men. This study was aimed at assessing the emerging cancer risks. ⋯ In China, smoking now causes a quarter of all adult male cancers. High male uptake rates before the age of 20 years and nearly universal use of cigarettes foreshadow substantial tobacco-attributed risks in China unless there is widespread cessation.