The lancet oncology
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The lancet oncology · Jul 2010
ReviewSequelae of osteosarcoma medical therapy: a review of rare acute toxicities and late effects.
Since the introduction of multi-agent chemotherapy for osteosarcoma over 30 years ago, overall survival has exceeded 50%. A clear understanding of the acute complications and late effects of osteosarcoma therapy is required to care effectively for patients with osteosarcoma undergoing active treatment, and for the increasing number of osteosarcoma survivors. ⋯ Late effects and rare toxicities of osteosarcoma include cardiac toxicity, acute and chronic nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, hearing loss, infertility, and second malignant neoplasms. Reducing the complications of osteosarcoma therapy is an important goal that will require the identification of clear prognostic indicators, the development of biologically-based therapies, and improved antidotes for the active anti-osteosarcoma cytotoxic drugs.
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The lancet oncology · Jul 2010
Comparative StudyEffect of graft source on unrelated donor haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation in adults with acute leukaemia: a retrospective analysis.
Umbilical-cord blood (UCB) is increasingly considered as an alternative to peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) or bone marrow, especially when an HLA-matched adult unrelated donor is not available. We aimed to determine the optimal role of UCB grafts in transplantation for adults with acute leukaemia, and to establish whether current graft-selection practices are appropriate. ⋯ These data support the use of UCB for adults with acute leukaemia when there is no HLA-matched unrelated adult donor available, and when a transplant is needed urgently.
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Randomised controlled trials are the gold standard method for developing evidence-based medicine. Good trial design and an awareness of some potential pitfalls are likely to maximise the chances of a successful trial with a conclusion that adds meaningfully to the evidence base. This paper is aimed at people early in their research careers and focuses on some common, usually avoidable, pitfalls in trial design. The areas covered include: assessing the scientific idea; trial design; size and duration of the trial; analysis; and reporting and presentation.