The lancet oncology
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The lancet oncology · Jan 2022
ReviewEuropean Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology Advisory Committee in Radiation Oncology Practice consensus recommendations on patient selection and dose and fractionation for external beam radiotherapy in early breast cancer.
High-quality randomised clinical trials testing moderately fractionated breast radiotherapy have clearly shown that local control and survival is at least as effective as with 2 Gy daily fractions with similar or reduced normal tissue toxicity. Fewer treatment visits are welcomed by patients and their families, and reduced fractions produce substantial savings for health-care systems. Implementation of hypofractionation, however, has moved at a slow pace. ⋯ The results from this European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology Advisory Committee in Radiation Oncology Practice consensus state that moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy can be offered to any patient for whole breast, chest wall (with or without reconstruction), and nodal volumes. Ultrafractionation (five fractions) can also be offered for non-nodal breast or chest wall (without reconstruction) radiotherapy either as standard of care or within a randomised trial or prospective cohort. The consensus is timely; not only is it a pragmatic framework for radiation oncologists, but it provides a measured proposal for the path forward to influence policy makers and empower patients to ensure equity of access to evidence-based radiotherapy.
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Imaging is paramount for the early detection and clinical staging of breast cancer, as well as to inform management decisions and direct therapy. PET-MRI is a quantitative hybrid imaging technology that combines metabolic and functional PET data with anatomical detail and functional perfusion information from MRI. ⋯ In this Review, we discuss the rationale and summarise the clinical evidence for the use of PET-MRI in the diagnosis, staging, prognosis, tumour phenotyping, and assessment of treatment response in breast cancer. The continued development and approval of targeted radiopharmaceuticals, together with radiomics and automated analysis tools, will further expand the opportunity for PET-MRI to provide added value for breast cancer imaging and patient care.
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Immunotherapy has greatly improved outcomes for subgroups of patients with cancer. As indications keep expanding, there is an unmet need to gain a better understanding of the effect of these therapies on pregnancy and fertility. During pregnancy, substantial adaptations occur in the maternal immune system to maintain protection against pathogens while avoiding detrimental reactions to the semi-allogeneic fetus. ⋯ Immunotherapies that target these inhibitory pathways, or that directly interact with the regulatory immune cells involved in tolerance mechanisms, might therefore result in complications during pregnancy. Similarly, by activating the patient's immune system with immunotherapy, a broad range of immune-related adverse events can occur that could negatively affect the fetus or impede a future desired pregnancy. This Review summarises preclinical and clinical data related to the use of immunotherapy during pregnancy, including all approved immune checkpoint inhibitors, recombinant cytokines, cell therapies, vaccines, and immunomodulatory drugs.
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The lancet oncology · Dec 2021
ReviewFinancial toxicity in cancer care in India: a systematic review.
Although financial toxicity is widely acknowledged to be a potential consequence of costly cancer treatment, little is known about its prevalence and outcome among the Indian population. In this study, we systematically reviewed the prevalence, determinants, and consequences of financial toxicity among patients with cancer in India. 22 studies were included in the systematic review. ⋯ Our findings emphasise the need for urgent strategies to mitigate financial toxicity among patients with cancer in India, especially in the most deprived sections of society. The qualitative evidence synthesised in this systematic review could provide a basis for the development of such interventions to reduce financial toxicity among patients with cancer.
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The lancet oncology · Dec 2021
ReviewFinancial toxicity in cancer care in India: a systematic review.
Although financial toxicity is widely acknowledged to be a potential consequence of costly cancer treatment, little is known about its prevalence and outcome among the Indian population. In this study, we systematically reviewed the prevalence, determinants, and consequences of financial toxicity among patients with cancer in India. 22 studies were included in the systematic review. ⋯ Our findings emphasise the need for urgent strategies to mitigate financial toxicity among patients with cancer in India, especially in the most deprived sections of society. The qualitative evidence synthesised in this systematic review could provide a basis for the development of such interventions to reduce financial toxicity among patients with cancer.