Breaking Research News from sources other than Breastcancer.org
Comments
-
Anybody out there go back to your old treatments and if so did you get positive results ?
0 -
Kimchee,
I repeated taxotere after about 18 months. Worked like a charm. Got a near PCR (again). Taxanes seem to be very effective for my type of cancer: HER2+, hormone negative. I remained on H&P which worked for about 14 months.
0 -
I'm Er+Pr+ Her2- was on piqray and stopped working , Dr. wants me to go back to old treatments . Thank you for your reply so fast . I'm so glad to have found this site .
0 -
taxol worked for me after 7 years.
0 -
Interesting data for those on CDK4-6 inhibitors. The authors investigated enzyme Thymidinkinase (unspecific tumour marker) and could predict the response (developing resistance or sensitivity).http
/clincancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2020/01/14/1078-0432.CCR-19-3271.full-text.pdf0 -
Hi Santabarbian, Ketrolac is a NSAID sometimes used during or after surgery. Not really anesthesia
0 -
Strontium89 Now Available for Relief of Metastatic Bone Pain
0 -
nice to see you back Lumpie! But good that you had a break too
0 -
Welcome back Lumpie and thanks for all you do!
0 -
So good to see you back Lumpie! Thank you for this thread and all you do!!
0 -
Why biometrics are the future of patient care
"We have seen an increased investment in biometrics by our healthcare customers as a way to accurately identify people in their ecosystems, including patients and clinicians, maintain secure access to protected health information, and secure high-risk work flows such as electronic prescribing for controlled substances,"
...healthcare organizations are using biometric tools for two-factor or multi-factor identification and single sign-in for staff and patient identification.
"Some providers or patients may be concerned that the government will get access to their information....
it was important to develop on "elevator speech" for staff to explain to patients how the technology would be used and data would be stored.
"A lot of our staff training was educating them on how to speak to a patient about the technology....
https://www.medicaleconomics.com/news/why-biometri...
{Thanks for all the kind comments. I have had a lot going on and have had to put myself on an internet "diet." It's brutal!}
0 -
De Novo Versus Recurrent HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer: Patient Characteristics, Treatment, and Survival from the SystHERs Registry
Limited data exist describing real-world treatment of de novo and recurrent HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The Systemic Therapies for HER2-Positive Metastatic Breast Cancer Study (SystHERs) was a fully enrolled (2012-2016), observational, prospective registry of patients with HER2-positive MBC. Patients aged ≥18 years and ≤6 months from HER2-positive MBC diagnosis were treated and assessed per their physician's standard practice. The primary endpoint was to characterize treatment patterns by de novo versus recurrent MBC status, compared descriptively. Secondary endpoints included patient characteristics, progression-free and overall survival, and patient-reported outcomes.
Patients with de novo versus recurrent HER2-positive MBC exhibit different disease characteristics and survival durations, suggesting these groups have distinct outcomes.
Clinical trial identification number NCT01615068 (clinicaltrials.gov).
https://www.meta.org/papers/de-novo-versus-recurre...
DOI: 10.1634/theoncologist.2019-0446
https://theoncologist.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/...
0 -
Antitumor Activity and Safety of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in Patients With HER2-Low-Expressing Advanced Breast Cancer: Results From a Phase Ib Study
Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd, formerly DS-8201a) is a novel human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-targeted antibody drug conjugate (ADC) with a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload. A dose escalation and expansion phase I study evaluated the safety and activity of T-DXd in patients with advanced HER2-expressing/mutated solid tumors.
Here, results for T-DXd at the recommended doses for expansion (RDE) in patients with HER2-low (immunohistochemistry [IHC] 1+ or IHC 2+/in situ hybridization-) breast cancer (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02564900) are reported.
The novel HER2-targeted ADC, T-DXd, demonstrated promising preliminary antitumor activity in patients with HER2-low breast cancer. Most toxicities were GI or hematologic in nature. ILD (interstitial lung disease/pneumonitis) is an important identified risk and should be monitored closely and proactively managed.
https://www.meta.org/papers/antitumor-activity-and...
DOI: 10.1200/jco.19.02318
https://ascopubs.org/doi/10.1200/JCO.19.02318
0 -
Molecular heterogeneity in breast carcinoma cells with increased invasive capacities
Background Metastatic progression of breast cancer is still a challenge in clinical oncology. Therefore, an elucidation how carcinoma cells belonging to different breast cancer subtypes realize their metastatic capacities is needed. The aim of this study was to elucidate a similarity of activated molecular pathways underlying an enhancement of invasiveness of carcinoma cells belonging to different breast carcinoma subtypes.
Conclusions: We can conclude that hormone receptor-positive cells with increased invasiveness acquire the molecular characteristics of triple-negative breast cancer cells, whereas Her2-positive INV cells specifically changed their own molecular phenotype with very limited partaking in the involved pathways found in the MDA-MB-231-INV and T47D-INV cells. Since hormone receptor-positive invasive cells share their molecular properties with triple-negative breast cancer cells, we assume that these types of metastatic disease can be treated rather equally with an option to add anti-hormonal agents. In contrast, Her2-positive metastasis should be carefully evaluated for more effective therapeutic approaches which are distinct from the triple-negative and hormone-positive metastatic breast cancers.
https://www.meta.org/papers/molecular-heterogeneit...
https://content.sciendo.com/view/journals/raon/ahe...
0 -
GREELEY, Colo. (CBS4) – A team of scientists at the University of Northern Colorado believe venom from venomous snakes could carry the cure to cancer. Dr. Stephen Mackessy, professor at UNC's School of Biology, says studies show venoms in different snakes can attack human cancer cells in unique ways.
To conduct the study, Mackessy's students are given access to hundreds of snakes from around the world, all of which are stored in a secured facility on the campus of UNC. From rattlesnakes to vipers, the students are able to extract venom from each snake to study the compounds and proteins.
"These are compounds that have evolved to kill other animals, and kill things … in general, wreak havoc with living systems," Mackessy told CBS4's Dillon Thomas. "It turns out they are actually a very logical place to look for therapeutics."
Mackessy said that when sharing his studies with the public, many times people automatically think of the dangers venomous snakes come with. However, most don't consider the benefits the reptiles can offer to humans.
"People tend to have a visceral reaction to snakes in general," Mackessy said.
Snake venoms have been used since the 1950s to treat things like high blood pressure in millions of people around the globe. However, Mackessy said his lab is one of the first to research the possible uses of venom compounds to battle various forms of cancer.
"When you think about looking for a therapeutic drug, you don't turn first to something like a venom or toxin as a source," Mackessy said.
PhD candidate Tanner Harvey has specifically been researching viper venoms, some of which come from habitats as close as southern Arizona. Each venom, in different doses, reacts to cancers uniquely.
"(One viper venom) kills breast cancer really quickly at low doses. And, it kills colon cancer at low doses. But, it doesn't kill melanoma," Harvey said.
However, other venoms strongly react to melanoma.
Killing the cancer with venom isn't hard. It's not killing the patient at the same time that's the challenge. The team at UNC said their challenge is finding which compounds can be combined with other remedies to kill cancer efficiently, while preserving other life-dependent cells.
"(Finding the proper doses and mixes) is just like panning for gold," Harvey said.
The study is still in preliminary phases. Once the team feels they have a solid answer to which venom compounds are safe to battle cancer with, the research would press on to one day potentially meet clinical studies.
When asked if students at UNC were capable of finding the cure to cancers, Mackessy said they were well on their way toward that direction.
"There is no question they have the ability to make that kind of contribution," Mackessy said.
While Mackessy's team is working toward the goal of curing cancers, another takeaway from their research was also offered. Both Mackessy and Harvey hope their research will encourage the public to stop senselessly killing snakes simply out of fear. While both said they understood human instinct to fear a snake's ability to take life, they hoped the public would ultimately come to value the snake's ability to preserve life at the same time.
"You never really know what is going to come from a natural source, even something like a rattlesnake," Mackessy said. "It may be, in fact, that these dangerous animals house in their venom something that one day may be lifesaving for you, or your family members."
0 -
that seems pretty logical taxol is derived from a plant - maybe future “chemo” could come from venom.
0 -
Using ctDNA to Predict Relapse in Patients With Early-Stage Breast Cancer
- Interview by
- Farzanna S Haffizulla MD, FACP, FAMWA
- Interview with
- Ben Ho Park MD, PhD
- So, we'd like to talk about circulating tumor DNA today. Can you tell us how reliable modern technology is in identifying ctDNA?
- Can you tell me about then early-stage breast cancer and some challenges perhaps in identifying ctDNA in this patient population?
- Do you think that we can look at circulating tumor DNA as a potential biomarker perhaps for early-stage breast cancer patients?
- https://www.practiceupdate.com/C/94149/56?elsca1=e...
- @{Interview addresses these and other questions. Video and transcription provided. Video is @ 3.5 minutes long. If log in is required, it is free.}
- {Yikes... those snakes...! (in the post above)}
0 -
Immune cell which kills most cancers discovered by accident by British scientists in major breakthrough
20 Jan 2020 The Telegraph
A new type of immune cell which kills most cancers has been discovered by accident by British scientists, in a finding which could herald a major breakthrough in treatment.
Researchers at Cardiff University were analysing blood from a bank in Wales, looking for immune cells that could fight bacteria, when they found an entirely new type of T-cell.
That new immune cell carries a never-before-seen receptor which acts like a grappling hook, latching on to most human cancers, while ignoring healthy cells.
"Our finding raises the prospect of a 'one-size-fits-all' cancer treatment, a single type of T-cell that could be capable of destroying many different types of cancers across the population. Previously nobody believed this could be possible."
The research was published in the journal Nature Immunology.
https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/immune-cell-...
0 -
Hippocampal Avoidance During Whole-Brain Radiotherapy Plus Memantine for Patients With Brain Metastases
- Journal of Clinical Oncology
- The authors of this phase III randomized trial studied hippocampal avoidance using intensity-modulated radiotherapy during whole-brain radiotherapy with memantine and compared that approach with WBRT with memantine in 518 randomly assigned patients with brain metastases. The most common primary sites of malignancy were breast and lung. The risk of cognitive function failure was significantly lower in the hippocampal-avoidance arm (aHR, 0.74; P = .02), and this was primarily due to less deterioration in executive function at 4 months and learning and memory at 6 months. There was no significant difference in overall survival or intracranial progression-free survival between the two groups.
- These results support hippocampal avoidance as the standard of care in this patient population.
doi: 10.1200/JCO.19.02767.0 -
Not surprising...
Higher case numbers correlated with better results in breast cancer surgery
[A study in Germany showed that] a positive correlation exists between the volume of services provided and the quality of treatment results in the surgical treatment of primary breast cancer: In hospitals with larger case numbers and with medical teams who perform many breast cancer operations, the overall survival chances are higher for breast cancer patients who underwent surgery. In addition, further surgery on the operated breast is less common.
0 -
Also not surprising...
Certain factors linked with discontinuing breast cancer [anti-hormonal] therapy
In the study of 1,231 women who completed questionnaires, 59% reported at least one barrier to adhering to endocrine therapy. Three factors were identified as important: habit (challenges developing medication-taking behavior), tradeoffs (perceived side effects and medication safety concerns), and resource barriers (challenges related to cost or accessibility).
0 -
The article about ringing the bell was fascinating. It made me think that while cancer is sneaky, maybe the brain is tricky in how it processes all the treatment andthe associated events.
0 -
Shannen Doherty's Stage IV Breast Cancer
— "Beverly Hills, 90210" star
In an ABC News interview, actress Shannen Doherty told Amy Robach (herself a breast cancer survivor) that her breast cancer has returned and that it is now stage IV. The 48-year-old actress is best known for her roles in the original "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Charmed."
https://www.medpagetoday.com/blogs/celebritydiagno...
ABC interview:
{This is sad news. Perhaps a silver lining will be added attention to and awareness of MBC.)
0 -
marijen - loved those snake pictures!!! I wonder if some types of venom would be better than others. So would doses be givne in IVs or bites? Maybe a pill. And are they wearing protective gear when milking the snake.
0 -
I am guessing a formulation by injection. Unfortunately it will take more research and testing.
0 -
If Only That Phase III Oncology Trial Had Been Designed Differently
The cancer treatment community's ultimate perception of a successfully completed phase III randomized trial depends in large part on how well the trial was conceived and structured....the question it poses must be relevant to ensure interest by clinical investigators, referring clinicians, and potential research subjects. Further, the initiative must have adequate funding for data collection and analysis, translational laboratory investigations, and other trial components. {There is a} risk that study results may lead investigators and others to question the study's design in retrospect.
...the goal {in writing this} has been to emphasize both the critical relevance of very careful consideration of the impact of trial design on the interpretation of possible study results and the legitimate risk that individual trials, no matter how meaningful or even "positive" their outcomes may be, may raise as many clinically relevant questions as they answer.
https://www.onclive.com/publications/Oncology-live...
{An interesting perspective, especially for those in or considering clinical trials.}
0 -
Homing in on Targeted Treatment Strategies in Breast Cancer
The fields of early-stage hormone receptor (HR)–positive and metastatic HER2-positive breast cancer have made great strides in recent years, said Neelima Denduluri, MD, and such progress could be attributed to the emergence of tailored treatment strategies and the use of HER2-directed agents, respectively.
OncLive: How are you approaching treatment in patients with early-stage HR-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer?
Could you discuss the use of genomic assays in practice?
Could you discuss some of the key studies that were presented at the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium?
...anything else ...?
https://www.onclive.com/web-exclusives/homing-in-o...
{Dr. Denduluri shares insight on treatment, advances, etc. An accessible commentary on treatments advances and options.}
0 -
Agnes Dumas, PhD, on the Impact of Breast Cancer Treatment on Employment
Two years post-diagnosis, 21% of patients had not returned to work, study shows
The adverse effects of breast cancer treatment are known to often prevent patients from going back to work -- leading to negative economic as well as psychological consequences. French researchers recently analyzed a prospective cohort of more than 1,800 patients with stages I-III breast cancer who were employed prior to their diagnosis, showing that 2 years after diagnosis, 21% had not returned to work. The odds of not returning were significantly increased among those treated with combinations of chemotherapy and trastuzumab, and other significant factors included arm morbidity and depression.
This is an important study not just for physicians but also for society as a whole, which identifies the vulnerable members in hopes of changing policies to better support them through different strategies.
{Two Medpage articles:}
0 -
“City of Hope scientists have identified an unlikely way to potentially prevent or slow the progression of aggressive breast cancer: target one's internal clock.
Often taken for granted, the circadian rhythm is gaining traction as a potential catalyst or brake for the onset of disease. For example, studies have shown that women who take frequent night shifts have disrupted internal clocks and increased risk of developing breast cancer. Now, City of Hope's David K. Ann, Ph.D., and his colleagues think they may have found a new role for the "clock gene": It is linked to triple-negative breast cancer, an aggressive form of the disease that often results in a poorer prognosis.“
https://www.cityofhope.org/breakthroughs/internal-clock-key-to-slowing-cancer0 -
The Impact of Dietary Supplement Use on Survival Outcomes in Breast Cancer
- Journal of Clinical Oncology In this observational correlative study, the authors evaluated the impact of dietary supplements during cancer treatment in 1134 patients with metastatic breast cancer queried at registration and during treatment in a randomized phase III trial of chemotherapy treatment schedules.
- The authors found a signal of potential negative impact in terms of recurrence and overall survival with the use of antioxidants, iron, and vitamin B12 during chemotherapy. Multivitamin use was not associated with survival outcomes.
- CONCLUSION
Associations between survival outcomes and use of antioxidant and
other dietary supplements both before and during chemotherapy are
consistent with recommendations for caution among patients when
considering the use of supplements, other than a multivitamin, during
chemotherapy.
doi/10.1200/JCO.19.012030
