Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Hematology & Oncology for March 2019. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Perception of E-Cigarettes as More Harmful Than Cigarettes Increased
FRIDAY, March 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2012 to 2017, the proportion of U.S. adults who perceived electronic-cigarettes to be as harmful as or more harmful than cigarettes increased, according to a study published online March 29 in JAMA Network Open.
Starting Colorectal Cancer Screening at Age 45 Years Is Cost-Effective
FRIDAY, March 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Starting colorectal cancer (CRC) screening at age 45 instead of 50 years seems cost-effective, but greater benefits could be achieved by increasing participation rates for unscreened older individuals, according to a study published online March 28 in Gastroenterology.
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California Man Awarded $80 Million in Roundup Lawsuit
THURSDAY, March 28, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A California man who said that Monsanto’s weedkiller Roundup caused his cancer was awarded $80 million in damages by a jury in San Francisco on Wednesday.
Docetaxel Chemo Ups Survival in High-Risk Localized Prostate Cancer
THURSDAY, March 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Adding docetaxel-based chemotherapy (CT) to standard treatment for high-risk nonmetastatic prostate cancer improves survival, according to a study published online March 12 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Doctors With Malpractice Claims More Likely to Leave Medicine
THURSDAY, March 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Physicians with one or more paid malpractice claims are more likely to leave practice or shift into smaller practice settings, according to a study published in the March 28 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Tooth Loss May Up Pancreatic Cancer Risk in Black Women
THURSDAY, March 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Tooth loss is associated with an increased risk for incident pancreatic cancer in African-American women, according to a study published online March 28 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
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FDA: Breast Density Must Be Reported to Women During Mammograms
WEDNESDAY, March 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Women with dense breasts who get mammograms must be told of their higher risk for breast cancer under new rules proposed Wednesday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Taxane + Platinum Feasible for Adjuvant Tx in Endometrial Cancer
WEDNESDAY, March 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Taxane plus platinum regimens may be a reasonable alternative to doxorubicin plus cisplatin as postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy for endometrial cancer that carries a high risk for progression, according to a study published online March 21 in JAMA Oncology.
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FDA Panel: Too Early to Ban Breast Implant Linked With Cancer
TUESDAY, March 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — It is too early to ban a type of breast implant recently linked to a rare form of cancer, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration expert panel advised Monday.
Douglas County, Colorado, Ranked as Healthiest Community
TUESDAY, March 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The 2019 healthiest community in America is Douglas County, Colorado, according to a report published online March 26 by U.S. News & World Report, in conjunction with the Aetna Foundation.
Radiomic Features May Predict Response to Chemo in NSCLC
TUESDAY, March 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with lung adenocarcinoma, radiomic texture features extracted from within and around the nodule on baseline computed tomography (CT) scans can predict response to chemotherapy, according to a study published online March 20 in Radiology: Artificial Intelligence.
Topical Immunotx for Actinic Keratosis May Prevent Cancer
MONDAY, March 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A short course of calcipotriol plus 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment for actinic keratosis (AK) is associated with induction of robust T cell immunity and reduced development of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) within three years, according to a study published in the March 21 issue of JCI Insight.
2019 Residency Match Day Was Largest in History
MONDAY, March 25, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The 2019 Main Residency Match was the largest in history, with a record high of 38,376 applicants for 35,185 positions, according to 2019 Match Day results released by the National Resident Matching Program.
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FDA: Higher Risk for Death Found With Venclexta in Multiple Myeloma
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A safety statement was issued yesterday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration regarding risks found to be associated with the investigational use of Venclexta (venetoclax) for treatment of patients with multiple myeloma.
Low, High Levels of Physical Activity Tied to Reduced Mortality
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Both low and high levels of physical activity (PA) are associated with reduced all-cause mortality, according to a study published online March 19 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
State Breast Density Notification Laws May Up Ultrasound Use
FRIDAY, March 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Dense breast notification (DBN) laws are associated with increased use of ultrasound and cancer detection only when notification of the possible benefits of supplemental screening is required, according to a study published online March 21 in the American Journal of Public Health.
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Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Can Reduce Benign Biopsy Rate
THURSDAY, March 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) can reduce the rate of benign biopsies without affecting cancer detection compared with full-field digital mammography (FFDM), according to a study published online March 19 in Radiology.
Younger Female Blood Donors Vulnerable to Iron Deficiency
THURSDAY, March 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Blood donation is associated with iron deficiency among both adolescent girls and younger adult women in the United States, according to a study recently published in Transfusion.
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Trastuzumab Tied to Higher Long-Term Risk for Heart Failure
WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Compared with chemotherapy alone, trastuzumab is associated with a twofold increased long-term risk for heart failure in breast cancer survivors, according to a study published in the March 1 issue of JACC: Heart Failure.
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Pregnancy-Adapted Algorithm Avoids Diagnostic Imaging for PE
WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A pregnancy-adapted algorithm can safely avoid diagnostic imaging in a proportion of pregnant women with suspected pulmonary embolism, according to a study published in the March 21 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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FDA Takes New Look at Breast Implant Safety
WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Questions about breast implant safety are getting new attention from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as thousands of women say their implants cause debilitating joint pain and fatigue.
The New York Times Article
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Jury Finds Roundup a Major Contributor to Man’s Cancer
WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller was a major factor in a California man’s cancer, a federal jury in San Francisco has ruled.
Sugary Drinks Tied to Cardiovascular Disease Mortality
WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is associated with increased mortality, mainly cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, according to a study published online March 18 in Circulation.
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Recommendations Issued for HSCT in Multiple Myeloma
WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A consensus statement for the use of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) has been developed by Mayo Clinic physicians; the recommendations were published in the March issue of Bone Marrow Transplantation.
Breast Density Categorization Varies With Screening Modality
WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) breast density categorization may vary by screening mammographic modality, according to a study published online March 19 in Radiology.
Overall, Physicians Are Happy and Enjoy Their Lives
WEDNESDAY, March 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Overall, physicians are happy and enjoy their lives, according to the 2019 American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)/CompHealth Physician Happiness Survey published online March 19.
2019 AAFP/CompHealth Physician Happiness Survey
Model Predicts Survival in Transplant-Ineligible Myeloma Patients
TUESDAY, March 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with multiple myeloma who are ineligible for stem cell transplantation, a risk profile can predict overall survival, according to a study recently published in The Lancet Haematology.
FDA OKs Tecentriq for Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
TUESDAY, March 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Tecentriq (atezolizumab) has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat adults with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer.
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Favorable Outcomes Seen in Long Term for ALLR3 Trial
TUESDAY, March 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For children with B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia with late bone marrow relapse, risk stratification by minimal residual disease seems to be an effective strategy for treatment, according to a study recently published in The Lancet Haematology.
Cancer Risk Modestly Elevated With Chronic Kidney Disease
MONDAY, March 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have a modestly elevated cancer risk, according to a study published online March 14 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
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Average of 8.8 Inactive Ingredients Found in Oral Medications
MONDAY, March 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Oral forms of medications contain an average of 8.8 inactive ingredients, many of which could cause adverse reactions, according to a perspective piece published in the March 13 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
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Fewer Complications After MIRS Introduced for Endometrial Cancer
MONDAY, March 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The introduction of minimally invasive robotic surgery (MIRS) is associated with a significantly lower risk for severe complications among patients with early-stage endometrial cancer, according to a study published online Feb. 27 in JAMA Surgery.
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Adenocarcinoma, High-Grade Dysplasia Up With Barrett Esophagus
MONDAY, March 18, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of high-grade dysplasia (HGD) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) has significantly increased since 1995 in patients with Barrett esophagus (BE), according to a study published in the February issue of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
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Extra Weight in Adolescence Tied to Later Risk for Renal Cancer
FRIDAY, March 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Overweight and obesity in adolescence is associated with an increased risk for developing renal cell carcinoma (RCC) later in life, according to a study published online Feb. 20 in the International Journal of Cancer.
Physician Burnout Rate Increased From 2014 to 2017
FRIDAY, March 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2014 to 2017, there was an increase in physician burnout, with early-career physicians being the most susceptible, according to a study published online March 15 in JAMA Network Open.
ASCO: Guidelines Released for Early Detection, Treatment of CRC
FRIDAY, March 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Expert guidance has been provided on the early detection of colorectal cancer and on treatment and posttreatment follow-up; the two guidelines were recently published online in the Journal of Global Oncology.
Abstract/Full Text – Lopes
Abstract/Full Text – Costas-Chavarri
E-Cigarettes May Threaten Goal of Achieving Tobacco Endgame
THURSDAY, March 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable concern regarding the potential negative impact that electronic cigarettes and other new products may have on ending all tobacco use and nicotine addiction, according to a presidential advisory issued by the American Heart Association and published online March 13 in Circulation.
Intervention Promotes Better Conversations With Cancer Patients
THURSDAY, March 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A communication quality-improvement intervention results in better and earlier serious illness conversations, despite not improving patient outcomes, according to two studies published online March 14, one in JAMA Oncology and one in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text – Paladino
Abstract/Full Text – Bernacki (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial
Infertility in Women Linked to Modestly Elevated Cancer Risk
THURSDAY, March 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Infertility seems to be associated with an increased risk for cancer in women, according to a study published online March 13 in Human Reproduction.
New AI Model May Predict Cancerous Lung Nodules
THURSDAY, March 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The Lung Cancer Causal Model (LCCM) shows promise as a predictor of cancerous lung nodules, according to a study published online March 12 in Thorax.
Head of National Cancer Institute Named Acting FDA Commissioner
WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will temporarily be overseen by the head of the National Cancer Institute when FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., leaves the post next month.
Prediagnosis Psychiatric Care Linked to Worse Cancer Mortality
WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Precancer psychiatric utilization (PU) is associated with worse cancer-specific mortality (CSM) and all-cause mortality (ACM) among adults with solid organ malignancies, according to a study recently published in the British Journal of Cancer.
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CDC: Most Americans Report Excellent, Good Health
WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Most Americans report having excellent or good health and have a usual place to go for medical care, according to a report published March 13 for the National Health Interview Survey Early Release Program.
Parity, Risk for Breast Cancer Studied for BRCA1/2 Carriers
WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The correlation between reproductive events and breast cancer risk varies for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers, according to a study published March 8 in JNCI Cancer Spectrum.
Model Can Predict Survival in Nonmetastatic Prostate Cancer
TUESDAY, March 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An individualized, multivariable model can predict survival in patients with nonmetastatic prostate cancer (PCa), according to a study published online March 12 in PLOS Medicine.
Parent Perception of E-Cig Safety Varies With Smoking Habits
TUESDAY, March 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Parents who both smoke cigarettes and electronic cigarettes are less likely to have smoke-free car and vape-free car or home policies compared with cigarette users, according to a study published online March 11 in Pediatrics.
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Acupressure Reduces Lasting Symptoms in Breast Cancer Survivors
TUESDAY, March 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Acupressure is associated with improvements in co-occurring symptoms in breast cancer survivors with fatigue, according to a study recently published in JNCI Cancer Spectrum.
FDA Approves First Immunotherapy Drug for Breast Cancer
MONDAY, March 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has given its blessing to the first immunotherapy regimen for breast cancer.
CNN Article
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Distinct Etiology Found for Colorectal Cancer With Early Onset
MONDAY, March 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Onset of colorectal cancer (CRC) in adults younger than 50 years is distinct from onset in patients aged 50 years or older, according to a study published online March 11 in Cancer.
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Chest CT May Be Better Than PET/CT for HNSCC Distant Metastasis Evaluation
MONDAY, March 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — As distant metastasis (DM) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a rare event, computed tomography of the chest may be more cost-effective for evaluation, according to a study recently published in Oral Oncology.
Genetic Testing Recommended for All Patients With Breast Cancer
FRIDAY, March 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Genetic testing should be made available to all patients with a history of breast cancer, according to an updated consensus guideline from the American Society of Breast Surgeons (ASBS).
Consensus Guideline on Genetic Testing for Hereditary Breast Cancer
Becoming Active in Middle Age Still Offers Health Benefits
FRIDAY, March 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Becoming physically active in middle age may provide comparable health benefits to long-term participation in leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), according to a study published online March 8 in JAMA Network Open.
Only About Half of Elderly Newly Diagnosed With ALL Receive Tx
FRIDAY, March 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Almost half of elderly patients newly diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) do not receive treatment, according to a study recently published in Leukemia & Lymphoma.
Recall Down, Cancer Detection Up With Digital Breast Tomosynthesis
THURSDAY, March 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) is associated with lower recall and higher cancer detection rates than digital mammography (DM), according to research published online Feb. 28 in JAMA Oncology.
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Preoperative Frailty Linked to Surgical Outcomes, Costs
WEDNESDAY, March 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Preoperative frailty is associated with surgical outcomes and costs in patients undergoing elective surgery, according to a study published online March 1 in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
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Electronic Order Set May Reduce Inappropriate ECG Monitoring
WEDNESDAY, March 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Use of electronic order sets is a safe and effective way to enhance appropriate electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring of hospitalized patients, according to a study published in the March issue of the American Journal of Critical Care.
FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb Resigns
TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In what probably came as a surprise to many, U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, M.D., announced his resignation on Tuesday. Gottlieb is leaving the FDA because he wants to spend more time with his wife and three young daughters — twins aged 9 and a 5-year-old — one official said. He currently commutes each week from the family home in Connecticut to his Washington, D.C., office.
Childhood Cancer Considerably Underdiagnosed Worldwide
TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable underdiagnosis of childhood cancer, especially in south Asia and areas of Africa, according to a study published online Feb. 26 in The Lancet Oncology.
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Stereotactic Body RT Promising for Low-, Intermediate-Risk PCa
TUESDAY, March 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In men with low-risk and intermediate-risk prostate cancer, stereotactic body radiotherapy is associated with low rates of severe toxic events and high rates of biochemical control, according to a study published online Feb. 8 in JAMA Network Open.
Breast Cancer Diagnosis Delays Seen With High-Deductible Health Plans
MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Both low- and high-income women who are switched to high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) experience delays in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, according to a study published in the March issue of Health Affairs.
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Low-Dose Aspirin Does Not Cut Death From Prostate Cancer
MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Low-dose aspirin use does not appear to reduce the overall risk for prostate cancer death, according to a study published online March 5 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Readmission for Patients With Sepsis Common and Costly
MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Readmission after sepsis hospitalization is common and is associated with considerable costs, according to a study published in the March issue of CHEST.
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Multidimensional Approach Cuts Unneeded Drug-Drug Interaction Alerts
MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An iterative, multidimensional quality improvement (QI) effort can reduce interruptive drug-drug interaction (DDI) alerts, according to a study published in the March issue of Pediatrics.
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Higher Intake of Whole Grains May Lower Risk for Liver Cancer
MONDAY, March 4, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Higher intake of whole grains may be associated with a lower risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) among U.S. adults, according to a study published online Feb. 21 in JAMA Oncology.
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FDA Warns Americans Not to Buy Drugs From Canadian Company
FRIDAY, March 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A large Canadian drug distributor sells unapproved and mislabeled medicines to Americans, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned Thursday. The distributor disputes the claim, however.
The New York Times Article
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HPV Infection Unlikely to Spread From Hand Contact
FRIDAY, March 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The majority of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are likely to be caused by genital-to-genital sexual transmission, not hand-to-genital contact, according to a study published online Feb. 8 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
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Long-Term Cardiomyopathy Risk Varies by Chemo Agent
FRIDAY, March 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Long-term cardiomyopathy risk varies by chemotherapy agent for childhood cancer survivors, with a decreased risk for daunorubicin versus doxorubicin, according to a study recently published in JAMA Oncology.
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