Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Dropout From Exercise Trials Among Cancer Survivors—An Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis From The Polaris Study, Benedikte Western, Andreas Ivarsson, Ingvild Vistad, Ingrid Demmelmaier, Neil K. Aaronson, Gillian Radcliffe, Marc Van Beurden, Martin Bohus, Kerry S. Courneya, Amanda J. Daley, Daniel A. Galvão, Rachel Garrod, Martine M. Goedendorp, Kathleen A. Griffith, Wim H. Van Harten, Sandi C. Hayes, Fernando Herrero-Roman, Anouk E. Hiensch, Melinda L. Irwin, Erica James, Marlou-Floor Kenkhuis, Marie J. Kersten, Hans Knoop, Alejandro Lucia, Anne M. May, Alex Mcconnachie, Willem Van Mechelen, Nanette Mutrie, Robert U. Newton, Frans Nollet, Hester S. Oldenburg, Ron Plotnikoff, Martina E. Schmidt, Katie H. Schmitz, Karl-Heinz Schulz, Camille E. Short, Gabe S. Sonke, Karen Steindorf, Martijn M. Stuiver, Dennis R. Taaffe, Lene Thorsen, Miranda J. Velthuis, Jennifer Wenzel, Kerri M. Winters-Stone, Joachim Wiskemann, Sveinung Berntsen, Laurien M. Buffart

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: The number of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of exercise among cancer survivors has increased in recent years; however, participants dropping out of the trials are rarely described. The objective of the present study was to assess which combinations of participant and exercise program characteristics were associated with dropout from the exercise arms of RCTs among cancer survivors. Methods: This study used data collected in the Predicting OptimaL cAncer RehabIlitation and Supportive care (POLARIS) study, an international database of RCTs investigating the effects of exercise among cancer survivors. Thirty-four exercise trials, with a total of 2467 patients …

Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy For Advanced Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Australia: A Retrospective Real World Cohort Study, Luke S. Mclean, Annette M. Lim, Mathias Bressel, Jenny Lee, Rahul Ladwa, Alexander D. Guminski, Brett Hughes, Samantha Bowyer, Karen Briscoe, Samuel Harris, Craig Kukard, Rob Zielinski, Muhammad Alamgeer, Matteo Carlino, Jeremy Mo, John J. Park, Muhammad A. Khattak, Fiona Day, Danny Rischin

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: To review the outcomes of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment of advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) outside clinical trials. Study design: Retrospective observational study; review of patient records in fifteen Australian institutions. Setting, participants: All Australian adults with locally advanced or metastatic CSCC not amenable to curative surgery or radiotherapy treated with ICIs, 5 May 2017 – 23 May 2022, through a cemiplimab compassionate access scheme (Therapeutic Goods Administration Special Access Scheme) or who personally covered the cost of pembrolizumab prior to the start of the access scheme. Main outcome measures: Best overall response rate (ORR) according to …

Device Assessed Activity Behaviours In Patients With Indwelling Pleural Catheter: A Sub-Study Of The Australasian Malignant Pleural Effusion (Ample)-2 Randomized Trial, Carolyn J. Peddle-Mcintyre, Sanjeevan Muruganandan, Joanne Mcveigh, Deirdre B. Fitzgerald, Leon Straker, Robert U. Newton, Kevin Murray, Yun Chor Gary Lee

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background and Objective: Device-assessed activity behaviours are a novel measure for comparing intervention outcomes in patients with malignant pleural effusion (MPE). Australasian Malignant PLeural Effusion (AMPLE)-2 was a multi-centre clinical trial where participants with MPE treated with an indwelling pleural catheter were randomized to daily (DD) or symptom-guided (SGD) drainage for 60-days. Our aim was to describe activity behaviour patterns in MPE patients, explore the impact of drainage regimen on activity behaviours and examine associations between activity behaviours and quality of life (QoL). Methods: Following randomization to DD or SGD, participants enrolled at the lead site (Perth) completed accelerometry assessment. …

Association Of Computed Tomography Measures Of Muscle And Adipose Tissue And Progressive Changes Throughout Treatment With Clinical Endpoints In Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer Treated With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors, Azim Khan, Christopher J. Welman, Afaf Abed, Susan O’Hanlon, Andrew Redfern, Sara Azim, Pedro Lopez, Favil Singh, Adnan Khattak

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

To investigate the association between skeletal muscle mass and adiposity measures with disease-free progression (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with advanced lung cancer receiving immunotherapy, we retrospectively analysed 97 patients (age: 67.5 ± 10.2 years) with lung cancer who were treated with immunotherapy between March 2014 and June 2019. From computed tomography scans, we assessed the radiological measures of skeletal muscle mass, and intramuscular, subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue at the third lumbar vertebra. Patients were divided into two groups based on specific or median values at baseline and changes throughout treatment. A total number of 96 patients …

Congenital Gastrointestinal Anomalies In Europe 2010–2019: A Geo-Spatiotemporal And Causal Inferential Study Of Epidemiological Patterns In Relationship To Cannabis- And Substance Exposure, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Congenital anomalies (CA’s) of most of the gastrointestinal tract have been linked causally with prenatal or community cannabis exposure. Therefore, we studied this relationship in Europe. Methods: CA data were from Eurocat. Drug-use data were sourced from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Income data were taken from the World Bank. Results: When countries with increasing rates of daily cannabis use were compared with those which were not, the overall rate of gastrointestinal CA’s (GCA’s) was higher in the former group (p = 0.0032). The five anomalies which were related to the metrics of cannabis exposure …

Patterns Of Cannabis- And Substance-Related Congenital General Anomalies In Europe: A Geospatiotemporal And Causal Inferential Study, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction:

Recent series of congenital anomaly (CA) rates (CARs) have showed the close and epidemiologically causal relationship of cannabis exposure to many CARs. We investigated these trends in Europe where similar trends have occurred.

Methods:

CARs from EUROCAT. Drug use from European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Income data from World Bank. Results: CARs were higher in countries with increasing daily use overall (p = 9.99 × 10⁻¹⁴, minimum E-value (mEV) = 2.09) and especially for maternal infections, situs inversus, teratogenic syndromes and VACTERL syndrome (p = 1.49 × 10⁻¹⁵, mEV = 3.04). In …

Geospatiotemporal And Causal Inferential Study Of European Epidemiological Patterns Of Cannabis- And Substance-Related Congenital Orofacial Anomalies, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction:

Since high rates of congenital anomalies (CAs), including facial CAs (FCAs), causally attributed to antenatal and community cannabis use have been reported in several recent series, it was of interest to examine this subject in detail in Europe.

Methods:

CA data were taken from the EUROCAT database. Drug exposure data were downloaded from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). Income was taken from the World Bank’s online sources.

Results:

On the bivariate maps of both orofacial clefts and holoprosencephaly against resin, the Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol concentration rates of both covariates increased together in France, Bulgaria, and the …

Clinical Epigenomic Explanation Of The Epidemiology Of Cannabinoid Genotoxicity Manifesting As Transgenerational Teratogenesis, Cancerogenesis And Aging Acceleration, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

As global interest in the therapeutic potential of cannabis and its’ derivatives for the management of selected diseases increases, it is increasingly imperative that the toxic profile of cannabinoids be thoroughly understood in order to correctly assess the balance between the therapeutic risks and benefits. Modern studies across a number of jurisdictions, including Canada, Australia, the US and Europe have confirmed that some of the most worrying and severe historical reports of both congenital anomalies and cancer induction following cannabis exposure actually underestimate the multisystem thousand megabase-scale transgenerational genetic damage. These findings from teratogenic and carcinogenic literature are supported by …

Identification Of Tp53 Mutations In Circulating Tumour Dna In High Grade Serous Ovarian Carcinoma Using Next Generation Sequencing Technologies, Leslie Calapre, Tindaro Giardina, Aaron B. Beasley, Anna L. Reid, Colin Stewart, Benhur Amanuel, Tarek M. Meniawy, Elin S. Gray

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Plasma circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) has been suggested to be a viable biomarker of response to treatment in patients with high grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC). TP53 mutations are present in more than 90 % of HGSOCs but somatic variants are distributed across all exonic regions of the gene, requiring next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies for mutational analysis. In this study, we compared the suitability of the Accel (Swift) and Oncomine (ThermoFisher) panels for identification of TP53 mutations in ctDNA of HGSOC patients (N = 10). Only 6 patients (60 %) were found to have TP53 mutations using the ACCEL …

Incidence And Mortality Of Uveal Melanoma In Australia (1982–2014), Aaron B. Beasley, David B. Preen, Samuel Mclenachan, Elin S. Gray, Fred K. Chen

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Aims:

We aimed to estimate the incidence and mortality of uveal melanoma (UM) in Australia from 1982 to 2014.

Methods:

Deidentified unit data for all cases of ocular melanoma were extracted from the Australian Cancer Database from 1 January 1982 to 31 December 2014. UM cases were extracted and trends in incidence and disease-specific mortality were calculated. Incidence rates were age-standardised against the 2001 Australian Standard Population. Mortality was assessed using Cox regression.

Results:

From 1982 to 2014, there were 5087 cases of ocular melanoma in Australia, of which 4617 were classified as UM. The average age-standardised incidence rate of …

Cannabis- And Substance-Related Carcinogenesis In Europe: A Lagged Causal Inferential Panel Regression Study, Albert S. Reece, Kellie Bennett, Gary K. Hulse

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Recent European data facilitate an epidemiological investigation of the controversial cannabis–cancer relationship. Of particular concern were prior findings associating high-dose cannabis use with reproductive problems and potential genetic impacts. Cancer incidence data age-standardised to the world population was obtained from the European Cancer Information System 2000–2020 and many European national cancer registries. Drug use data were obtained from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Alcohol and tobacco consumption was sourced from the WHO. Median household income was taken from the World bank. Cancer rates in high-cannabis-use countries were significantly higher than elsewhere ( -estimate = 0.4165, p …

Reporting And Mapping Research Evidence On Perceptions Of Clinical Hypnosis Among The General Population And Patients Receiving Health Care Including Cancer Care: A Scoping Review, Malwina Szmaglinska, Deborah Kirk, Lesley Andrew

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Despite empirical evidence supporting clinical hypnosis for numerous conditions, its utilization in healthcare is limited due to skepticism and misconceptions. This review identifies and maps research on clinical hypnosis perceptions among the general population, healthcare patients, and more specifically patients with cancer. A systematic search following JBI PRISMA ScR guidelines was conducted in EBSCOhost, ProQuest, PubMed, and PMC, resulting in 18 peer-reviewed, English language articles (2000–2023). Most studies employed quantitative methods, which were complemented by some qualitative and one mixed-methods approach. The results found attitudes toward hypnotherapy, especially when administered by licensed professionals, are consistently positive; however, awareness of hypnosis …

Multimodal Exercise In Older Patients With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Undergoing First-Line Chemotherapy: A Case Series Examining Feasibility And Preliminary Efficacy, Hao Luo, Daniel A. Galvão, Robert U. Newton, Colin I. Tang, Nigel Spry, Dennis R. Taaffe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose. Exercise is emerging as an adjunct therapy to cancer treatment; however, its role in older patients with advanced pancreatic cancer undergoing first-line chemotherapy is unclear. The aim of this study was to primarily provide evidence on feasibility with an exploratory examination of the initial efficacy of exercise in this clinical setting.

Materials and Methods. Six patients aged 60–75 years with de novo or recurrent advanced pancreatic cancer undergoing first-line chemotherapy consented to participate in twice-weekly exercise that included resistance and aerobic training and boxing-related activities for up to 12 weeks. Patients were monitored for attendance, adherence, and …

Systemic Treatment Of Advanced And Metastatic Urothelial Cancer: The Landscape In Australia, Howard Gurney, Timothy D. Clay, Niara Oliveira, Shirley Wong, Ben Tran, Carole Harris

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The 5-year survival rate of metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) is estimated to be as low as 5%. Currently, systemic platinum-based chemotherapy followed by avelumab maintenance therapy is the only first-line treatment for mUC that has an overall survival benefit. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy (usually in combination with gemcitabine) is the preferred treatment but carboplatin is substituted where contraindications to cisplatin exist. Treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors, antibody-drug conjugates, and kinase inhibitors has not yet demonstrated superiority to chemotherapy as first-line therapy and remains investigational in this setting. A recent media release indicates that chemotherapy plus nivolumab gives an OS advantage as first-line …

Vitamin K1 Intake And Incident Diabetes In The Danish Diet Cancer And Health Study: Supplemental Information, Pratik Pokharel, Jamie W. Bellinge, Frederik Dalgaard, Kevin Murray, Marc Sim, Bu B. Yeap, Emma Connolly, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Catherine P. Bondonno, Joshua Lewis, Gunnar Gislason, Anne Tjønneland, Kim Overvad, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Carl Schulz, Nicola P. Bondonno

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

No abstract provided.

Editorial: Viral Infection, Tumor Development And Host Immune Response, Xin Li, Liwei An, Yucui Jin, Jun Gui, Weitao Lin, Zhenke Wen, Muzaffer Ahmad Kassab, Jie Chen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Cancer is a devastating disease that remains a leading cause of death worldwide. According to recent statistics, cancer was responsible for 10 million deaths in 2020 alone (Ferlay et al., 2021). Of these cases, viral infections associated cancers have been found to contribute to a significant proportion, with chronic infections such as hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV and HCV), human papillomavirus (HPV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) being particularly noteworthy. Inflammation and immune response are also closely linked to tumorigenesis, making it crucial to understand how viral infections and host immune response contribute to cancer development …

Moderators Of Exercise Effects On Self-Reported Cognitive Functioning In Cancer Survivors: An Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis, Anouk E. Hiensch, Julia Beckhaus, Lenja Witlox, Evelyn M. Monninkhof, Sanne B. Schagen, Jonna K. Van Vulpen, Maike G. Sweegers, Robert U. Newton, Neil K. Aaronson, Daniel A. Galvão, Karen Steindorf, Martijn M. Stuiver, Ilse Mesters, Hans Knoop, Martine M. Goedendorp, Martin Bohus, Lene Thorsen, Karl Heinz Schulz, Martina E. Schmidt, Cornelia M. Ulrich, Gabe S. Sonke, Wim H. Van Harten, Kerri M. Winters-Stone, Miranda J. Velthuis, Dennis R. Taaffe, Willem Van Mechelen, Marie J. Kersten, Frans Nollet, Joachim Wiskemann, Laurien M. Buffart, Anne M. May

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: This individual participant data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) assesses exercise effects on self-reported cognitive functioning (CF) and investigates whether effects differ by patient-, intervention-, and exercise-related characteristics. Methods: IPD from 16 exercise RCTs, including 1987 patients across multiple types of non-metastatic cancer, was pooled. A one-stage IPD-MA using linear mixed-effect models was performed to assess exercise effects on self-reported CF (z-score) and to identify whether the effect was moderated by sociodemographic, clinical, intervention- and exercise-related characteristics, or fatigue, depression, anxiety, and self-reported CF levels at start of the intervention (i.e., baseline). Models were adjusted for baseline CF and included a random …

The Impact Of The 2022 Ukraine/Russian Conflict On Cancer Clinical Trials, Alice Talbot, Sophia G. Connor, Kate Austin, Tara Hannon, Eli Gabbay, Timothy D. Clay

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, clinical trial conduct has become extremely challenging due to damage to the healthcare infrastructure and patient displacement. This current study aimed to estimate the number of cancer clinical trials at risk of impact from the conflict. A descriptive analysis and narrative review were completed using data from cancer clinical trials with sites in Russia or Ukraine using the ‘clinical trials.gov’ online database between February 2022 and May 2022. There were 508 clinical trials involving sites in Ukraine or Russia. Most were multinational studies (470 of 508; 93 %). The majority of studies …

Prevalence Of Distress And Its Associated Factors Among Caregivers Of People Diagnosed With Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study, Deborah L. Kirk, Istvan Kabdebo, Lisa Whitehead

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims and Objectives: To (i) determine prevalence of distress among caregivers of people living with cancer, (ii) describe caregivers’ most commonly reported problems and (iii) investigate which factors were associated with caregivers’ distress. Background: The psychological distress associated with a cancer diagnosis jointly impacts those living with cancer and their caregivers(s). As the provision of clinical support moves towards a dyadic model, understanding the factors associated with caregivers’ distress is increasingly important. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Distress screening data were analysed for 956 caregivers (family and friends) of cancer patients accessing the Cancer Council Western Australia information and support line …

Response To Chen Et. Al, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Whilst our paper was published in three parts to assist with readability it is essentially a single report. Our analysis moves logically from continuous and categorical bivariate studies to inverse probability weighted multivariate (IPWM) and then geospatiotemporal analysis and finally statistical analysis of geospatiotemporal models. Context is important. As stated by Chen and colleagues IPWM models are very powerful and present compelling conclusions and have the effect of transforming ecological into pseudo-randomized studies from which it is entirely proper to draw causal conclusions. That this report follows similar earlier IPWM and geotemporospatial reports on the commonest cancer in adults and …

Epidemiological Patterns Of Cannabis- And Substance- Related Congenital Uronephrological Anomalies In Europe: Geospatiotemporal And Causal Inferential Study, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction:

Recent reports linking prenatal and community cannabis exposure to elevated uronephrological congenital anomaly (UCA) rates (UCAR’s) raise the question of its European epidemiology given recent increases in community cannabinoid penetration there.

Methods:

UCAR data from Eurocat. Drug use data from European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Income from World bank.

Results:

UCAR increased across Spain, Netherlands, Poland and France. UCAR’s and cannabis resin THC increased simultaneously in France, Spain, Netherlands and Bulgaria. At bivariate analysis all UCA’s were related to cannabis herb and resin THC concentrations. All UCAR’s were bivariately related to cannabis metrics ordered by median …

Cannabis- And Substance-Related Epidemiological Patterns Of Chromosomal Congenital Anomalies In Europe: Geospatiotemporal And Causal Inferential Study, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction:

Laboratory data link cannabinoid exposure to chromosomal mis-segregation errors. Recent epidemiological reports confirm this link and raise concern that elevated chromosomal congenital anomaly rates (CCAR) may be occurring in Europe which is experiencing increased cannabis use, daily intensity of use and cannabinoid potency.

Methods:

CCAR data from Eurocat. Drug use data from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Income from World Bank. Bivariate, multivariate, panel and geotemporospatial regressions analyzed. Inverse probability weighting of panel models and E-values used as major quantitative causal inferential methodologies.

Results:

In countries where daily cannabis use was rising the trend for …

The Quality Of Life Of Regional And Remote Cancer Caregivers In Australia, Belinda C. Goodwin, Fiona Crawford-Williams, Michael Ireland, Sonja March, Suzanne K. Chambers, Joanne F. Aitken, Jeff Dunn

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: This study compares the well-being of rural caregivers with that of the general population and explores the potential drivers of poorer outcomes. Method: Patient–caregiver dyads (n = 241) residing in regional or remote Queensland, Australia, reported on QoL, chronic illness, caregiver burden, depression, anxiety and stress. Caregiver outcomes were compared with population norms and patient outcomes. Multiple regressions were conducted to identify factors associated with poorer caregiver outcomes. Results: Caregivers reported lower mental health-related QoL (M = 0.436, 95% CI = 0.410–0.462) in comparison with age-matched population norms (M = 0.556, 95% CI = 0.532–0.580). No differences existed between …

Re-Imagining The Data Collection And Analysis Research Process By Proposing A Rapid Qualitative Data Collection And Analytic Roadmap Applied To The Dynamic Context Of Precision Medicine, James Smith, Jeffrey Braithwaite, Tracey A. O’Brien, Stephanie Smith, Vanessa J. Tyrrell, Emily V. A. Mould, Janet C. Long, Frances Rapport

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Our implementation science study focuses on implementing a new way of practice and offers methodological specificity about how to rapidly investigate an individually tailored precision medicine intervention. A qualitative study advancing a new methodology for speedily identifying barriers and enablers to implementation in the context of childhood cancer. Data were collected through rapid ethnography, coded using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, and analysed by Sentiment Analysis. Thirty-eight data collection events occurred during 14 multidisciplinary tumour board meetings, 14 curation meetings, and 10 informal conversations. Sentiment Analysis distilled Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research codes to reveal key barriers and enablers …

Survivorship Research For People With Metastatic Or Advanced Cancer: A Time For Action, Andrea L. Smith, Nicolas H. Hart, Michael Jefford, Raymond J. Chan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Over recent decades, survival outcomes for people diagnosed with cancer have changed dramatically, with approximately 20% improvement in five-year relative survival rates in high-income countries including the United States and Australia. Regardless of regions, there is a decrease in overall cancer mortality rate of about 1% per year. Likewise, the cancer disease trajectory has changed. The traditional linear cancer trajectory in which a patient moves from cancer diagnosis through to a binary outcome (cure or death)—is no longer applicable and does not adequately describe the complexity of experience for many people. Indeed, the availability of targeted therapies and immunotherapies has …

Implementation Barriers To Integrating Exercise As Medicine In Oncology: An Ecological Scoping Review, Mary A. Kennedy, Sara Bayes, Robert U. Newton, Yvonne Zissiadis, Nigel Spry, Dennis Taaffe, Nicolas H. Hart, Daniel A. Galvao

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Purpose

While calls have been made for exercise to become standard practice in oncology, barriers to implementation in real-world settings are not well described. This systematic scoping review aimed to comprehensively describe barriers impeding integration of exercise into routine oncology care within healthcare systems.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted across six electronic databases (since 2010) to identify barriers to implementing exercise into real-world settings. An ecological framework was used to classify barriers according to their respective level within the healthcare system.

Results

A total of 1,376 results were retrieved; 50 articles describing implementation barriers in real-world exercise oncology …

Detection Of Clinical Progression Through Plasma Ctdna In Metastatic Melanoma Patients: A Comparison To Radiological Progression, Gabriela Marsavela, Ashleigh C. Mcevoy, Michelle R. Pereira, Anna L. Reid, Zeyad Al-Ogaili, Lydia Warburton, Muhammad K. Khattak, Afaf Abed, Tarek M. Meniawy, Michael Millward, Melanie R. Ziman Dr, Leslie Calapre, Elin S. Gray

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background

The validity of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) as an indicator of disease progression compared to medical imaging in patients with metastatic melanoma requires detailed evaluation.

Methods

Here, we carried out a retrospective ctDNA analysis of 108 plasma samples collected at the time of disease progression. We also analysed a validation cohort of 66 metastatic melanoma patients monitored prospectively after response to systemic therapy.

Results

ctDNA was detected in 62% of patients at the time of disease progression. For 67 patients that responded to treatment, the mean ctDNA level at progressive disease was significantly higher than at the time of …

Changes In Body Composition In Patients With Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma And The Relationship With Activity Levels And Dietary Intake, Emily Jeffery, Y. C. Gary Lee, Robert U. Newton, Philippa Lyons-Wall, Joanne Mcveigh, Deirdre B. Fitzgerald, Leon Straker, Carolyn J. Peddle-Mcintyre

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background:

Skeletal muscle loss is common in advanced cancer and is associated with negative outcomes. In malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM), no study has reported body composition changes or factors associated with these changes. This study aimed to describe changes in body composition over time and its relationship with activity levels, dietary intake and survival.

Methods:

The study was a secondary analysis of data collected from a longitudinal observational study of patients with MPM. Participants completed 3-month assessments for up to 18 months. Participants with two dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were included. Changes in appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) and …

Cannabinoid And Substance Relationships Of European Congenital Anomaly Patterns: A Space-Time Panel Regression And Causal Inferential Study, Albert Stuart Reece, Gary Kenneth Hulse

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

With reports from Australia, Canada, USA, Hawaii and Colorado documenting a link between cannabis and congenital anomalies (CAs), this relationship was investigated in Europe. Data on 90 CAs were accessed from Eurocat. Tobacco and alcohol consumption and median household income data were from the World Bank. Amphetamine, cocaine and last month and daily use of cannabis from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. Cannabis herb and resin Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol concentrations were from published reports. Data were processed in R. Twelve thousand three hundred sixty CA rates were sourced across 16 nations of Europe. Nations with a higher or …

Exercise Medicine For Cancer Cachexia: Targeted Exercise To Counteract Mechanisms And Treatment Side-Effects, Georgios Mavropalias, Marc Sim, Dennis R. Taaffe, Daniel A. Galvao, Nigel Spry, William Kraemer, Keijo Häkkinen, Robert U. Newton

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: Cancer-induced muscle wasting (i.e., cancer cachexia, CC) is a common and devastating syndrome that results in the death of more than 1 in 5 patients. Although primarily a result of elevated inflammation, there are multiple mechanisms that complement and amplify one another. Research on the use of exercise to manage CC is still limited, while exercise for CC management has been recently discouraged. Moreover, there is a lack of understanding that exercise is not a single medicine, but mode, type, dosage, and timing (exercise prescription) have distinct health outcomes. The purpose of this review was to examine the effects …