The lancet oncology
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The lancet oncology · Dec 2024
ReviewCancer care and outreach in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region: overcoming barriers and addressing challenges.
Cancer care in countries in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is hindered by many challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, a shortage of skilled health-care professionals, and economic constraints. These factors contribute to disparities in timely diagnosis and treatment, leading to poorer health outcomes. Health-care systems within the region vary considerably, ranging from free public health care in Sri Lanka to predominantly out-of-pocket expenses in Bangladesh, highlighting inequities in financial access and service delivery for patients within this region. ⋯ Despite progress in India and Sri Lanka, gaps in specialised training and holistic care for older patients remain. Addressing these disparities requires coordinated efforts, including improving health-care infrastructure, expanding insurance coverage, and fostering regional collaborations. Implementing comprehensive national cancer control programmes across SAARC nations, leveraging intercountry networks, and ensuring political commitment are essential to achieving equitable cancer care and advancing Sustainable Development Goals in the region.
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The lancet oncology · Dec 2024
ReviewCancer education and training within the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries.
The education and training of the oncological health-care workforce is vital for building effective health-care systems that deliver optimal care to patients with cancer. In the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) nations, there is a notable shortage of both physician and non-physician oncology professionals, including oncologists, medical physicists, radiotherapy technologists, and oncology nurses. This shortage is primarily caused by inadequate education and training programmes. ⋯ In the long term, the goals are to establish self-sufficient cancer care systems, promote regional collaboration, and strengthen research infrastructure. Achieving these objectives will require comprehensive approaches, increased financial resources, advanced cancer care infrastructure, and innovative educational models. Regional and international collaborations are essential to raise awareness of cancer as a major public health concern, advance prevention and early detection efforts, and bolster research initiatives.
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The lancet oncology · Dec 2024
Multicenter StudyValemetostat monotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a first-in-human, multicentre, open-label, single-arm, phase 1 study.
Few treatment options exist for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and outcomes remain poor for relapsed or refractory disease. We evaluated the safety and preliminary clinical activity of valemetostat, a novel inhibitor of EZH2 and EZH1, in patients with relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphomas. ⋯ Daiichi Sankyo.
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The lancet oncology · Dec 2024
Multicenter StudyAlpelisib plus fulvestrant in PIK3CA-mutated, hormone receptor-positive advanced breast cancer after a CDK4/6 inhibitor (BYLieve): one cohort of a phase 2, multicentre, open-label, non-comparative study.
Alpelisib, a PI3Kα-selective inhibitor and degrader, plus fulvestrant showed efficacy in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative, PIK3CA-mutated advanced breast cancer in SOLAR-1; limited data are available in the post-cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor setting. BYLieve aimed to assess alpelisib plus endocrine therapy in this setting in three cohorts defined by immediate previous treatment; here, we report results from cohort A. ⋯ Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
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The lancet oncology · Dec 2024
Multicenter StudyShort-course hypofractionated proton beam therapy, incorporating 18F-DOPA PET and contrast-enhanced MRI targeting, for patients aged 65 years and older with newly diagnosed glioblastoma: a single-arm phase 2 trial.
Older patients (aged ≥65 years) with glioblastoma have a worse prognosis than younger patients and a median overall survival of 6-9 months. 3,4-Dihydroxy-6-[18F]fluoro-L-phenylalanine (18F-DOPA) PET sensitively and specifically identifies metabolically active glioblastoma for preferential targeting. Proton beam therapy potentially improves quality of life (QOL) by sparing more healthy brain tissue than photon radiotherapy. With improved targeting and the dosimetric advantages of proton beam therapy, we aimed to test whether hypofractionated proton beam therapy could improve survival and QOL in older patients with glioblastoma. ⋯ Mayo Clinic Marley Endowment Funds and the Lawrence W and Marilyn W Matteson Fund in Cancer Research.