COVID Vaccine Protection; ‘Until You Die From the Cancer’; What’s Palliative Care?

Oncologists’ comfort level with CAR T-cell therapy and its high cost has increased. (Cardinal Health)

About 40% of women reported sleep disturbance after risk-reducing salpingo-ovariectomy, and sleep problems persisted long-term in 18%. (Gynecologic Oncology)

An Israeli study showed that 90% of patients on active cancer treatment obtained adequate protection against COVID-19 after a second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. (JAMA Oncology)

Lipac Oncology announced that the locally administered taxane, TSD-001 (LIPax), led to a 2-year recurrence-free survival of 83% in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer.

Naveris announced that a saliva test for human papillomavirus (HPV) identified viral DNA in 44 of 46 patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer, suggesting potential as a test for early diagnosis.

A biotech startup has attracted major investor support for an ambitious plan to develop drugs that target treatment-resistant blood cancers, beginning with acute myeloid leukemia. (Endpoints News)

“Until you die from the cancer.” During treatment for a heart attack, a patient learned he had inoperable colon cancer and optimistically asked how long the treatment would continue. (Journal of Clinical Oncology – Art of Oncology)

A review of a National Cancer Institute database showed that only 11% of 3,450 U.S. patients had an adequate understanding of palliative care and its role in cancer treatment. (Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention)

With the aid of machine learning techniques (artificial intelligence), a potential early diagnostic test for pancreatic cancer moved a step closer to reality. (London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)

Men with high-risk prostate cancer had better survival if they received radiation therapy immediately after surgery as compared with deferred (salvage) radiotherapy. (Journal of Clinical Oncology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital)

Remote monitoring of selected patients receiving cancer treatment may reduce the need for hospitalization, according to a study of patients with cancer and COVID-19. (Mayo Clinic)

The adverse effect of COVID-19 on cancer research has persisted into 2021, as the U.S. led all other countries in disrupted clinical trials, particularly phase II trials. (GlobalData)