Access to cancer care

What Is ONS’s Stance on Handling Chemotherapy While Pregnant, Breastfeeding, or Trying to Conceive?

One of the questions that ONS commonly receives in the clinical inbox (clinical@ons.org) is whether nurses who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to conceive can safely administer or handle chemotherapy and other hazardous drugs.

January 05, 2017

Cancer treatments

Combination Therapy Shows Promise for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

According to the results of a new study published in Science Translational Medicine, a combination regimen consisting of a BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a B-cell lymphoma 2 inhibitor may one day result in a cure for chronic myeloid leukemia.

January 03, 2017

Cancer treatments

Combination Therapy Shows Promise for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia

According to the results of a new study published in Science Translational Medicine, a combination regimen consisting of a BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor and a B-cell lymphoma 2 inhibitor may one day result in a cure for chronic myeloid leukemia.

January 03, 2017

Research

Oncomicrobiotics May Improve Efficacy of Chemotherapy

The presence of certain intestinal bacteria types may improve the efficacy of alkylating chemotherapy agents such as cyclophosphamide, according to the results of a new study published in Immunity.

December 20, 2016

Lung Cancer

Smoking Causes Higher Proportion of Cancer Deaths in Southern States

Researchers looked at the burden of cigarette use across all U.S. states and found that the proportion of cancer deaths from smoking was highest in several Southern states, including Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

December 13, 2016

Research

CDC Releases Study on Breast Cancer Rates by Age and Ethnicity

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a study in October 2016 that found breast cancer rates among women have decreased in recent years. However, disparities among races and between age groups still exist.

December 01, 2016

Oncology nurse researcher

NINR Sets Strategic Plan for Nursing Research

On September 15, 2016, the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) released its new strategic plan, “Advancing Science, Improving Lives: A Vision for Nursing Science,” citing forward-thinking research.

October 06, 2016

Breast cancer

Neratinib May Be Effective for HER2-Positive Breast Cancer

According to the results of a phase II, randomized study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, neratinib may effectively treat women with HER2-positive, hormone receptor-negative breast cancer.

October 04, 2016

Lung Cancer

Weight Gain May Indicate Clinical Benefit in NSCLC

Increasing weight during treatment may indicate early clinical benefit in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), according to the results of a study published in the Annals of Oncology.

September 27, 2016

Cancer treatments

Inotuzumab Ozogamicin May Improve Survival in ALL

Researchers have found that a monoclonal antibody called inotuzumab ozogamicin may help more patients with refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) proceed to stem cell transplantation. The findings were reported in the New England Journal of Medicine.

September 20, 2016

Cancer screening

Metastatic Prostate Cancer Increasing in United States

The number of new U.S. cases of metastatic prostate cancer increased by 72% from 2004–2013, according to a new study published in Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases.

September 06, 2016

Oncology drug research

Maintenance Treatment May Prolong Progression-Free Survival in Ovarian Cancer

Although response rates to chemotherapy are high, 90% of ovarian cancers will recur within two years. A new drug called niraparib is under investigation as maintenance treatment between cycles of platinum-based chemotherapy, and findings from phase III trials have shown promise.

August 23, 2016

Cancer surgery

Surgery Prolongs Survival for Patients With NSCLC

Patients with late-stage non-small cell lung cancer who have surgery have better survival rates than those who don’t, according to the results of a recent study published in the Annals of Thoracic Surgery. The researchers also reported that despite the improved survival from surgery, fewer patients are receiving the treatment.

August 23, 2016

Cancer treatments

Poliovirus May Be Key to Treating Glioblastoma

A phase I study has shown that a small group of patients with recurrent glioblastoma who received treatment with a modified form of poliovirus showed survival improvement over historical controls. The findings, which were not peer reviewed, were presented at the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting.

August 16, 2016

Cancer treatments

Pembrolizumab Associated With Long-Term Survival in Advanced Melanoma

A new study has shown that 40% of patients with previously treated advanced melanoma were alive at three years’ follow-up after initiating treatment with pembrolizumab. The results were presented at the 2016 American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting.

August 09, 2016

Lung Cancer

Pretreatment Anemia Predicts Poor Survival From NSCLC

Patients receiving stereotactic body radiation therapy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer who have anemia at diagnosis may be more likely to have aggressive disease with poor survival and non-local progression, according to findings from a new study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology.

August 02, 2016

Oncology drug research

New Class of Drugs Shows Promise in Treatment-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Researchers in the United Kingdom are looking at a new class of drugs that attacks cancer indirectly through a network of signals, which may prevent or overcome drug resistance. The findings of the study were published in Cancer Research.

July 26, 2016

Adverse events

Sorafenib Adverse Events May Be More Common in Thyroid Cancer

Researchers have found that patients receiving sorafenib for differential thyroid cancer are more likely to experience adverse events from the drug, compared to patients with renal or hepatocellular cancers. The findings were published in JAMA Oncology.

July 19, 2016

Immunotherapy

What Nurses Need to Know About Talimogene Laherparepvec for Advanced Melanoma

A number of different oncolytic immunotherapies are in development for advanced melanoma, one of which is talimogene laherparepvec, a genetically modified recombinant herpes simplex virus type 1.

July 12, 2016

Prostate cancer

Prostate Radiotherapy May Increase Bladder Cancer Risk

Patients with prostate cancer who undergo radiation treatment, especially brachytherapy, may be at increased risk of bladder cancer more than 10 years later, according to the results of a new study presented at the American Urological Association annual meeting.

July 12, 2016

Leukemia

Blinatumomab May Induce Remission in Patients With Relapsed or Refractory ALL

About 40% of acute lymphocytic leukemias (ALLs) occur in adults, but those cases are responsible for 80% of ALL’s death rate. Two studies have shown the blinatumomab is effective in inducing remissions in refractory B-cell ALL.

June 21, 2016

Pancreatic cancer

Protein May Offer Drug Target for Pancreatic and Other Cancers

Renalase, a protein that researchers have found is overexpressed in pancreatic cancer, may be a new key to treating the disease. The findings were reported in Scientific Reports.

June 07, 2016

Cancer treatments

Radiation Plus Chemotherapy Improves Survival From Low-Grade Gliomas

A new study has shown that patients with grade 2 gliomas who are treated with radiation therapy plus a combination of chemotherapy have better survival than patients treated with radiation alone. The findings were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

June 01, 2016

Cancer treatments

Proteins Targeting Tumor Microenviroment May Block Metastatic Ovarian Cancer Growth

Although some patients can be treated with surgery and chemotherapy, eventually most metastatic ovarian cancers become resistant to treatment. New options are needed for patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

May 24, 2016

Breast cancer

Study Links Bladder Cancer Subtype to Breast Cancer

Researchers have found that a subtype of muscle-invasive bladder cancer shares molecular signatures with some forms of breast cancer, opening the door for new ways of treating the disease. The findings were published in the new journal JCI Insight.

May 10, 2016

Cancer treatments

Low-Dose Metformin May Reduce Risk of Colorectal Adenomas

In patients who have undergone endoscopic polypectomy, subsequent treatment with low-dose metaformin, a diabetes drug, may reduce the risk of metachronous colorectal adenomas and polyps, according to a new study reported in Lancet Oncology.

May 03, 2016

Cancer treatments

New Treatment Approach May Be Effective for Aggressive Ovarian Cancer

Approximately 80% of ovarian cancers are classified as a high-grade serous subtype. Because of this, long-term survival rates are usually low. Researchers in a new study have found a treatment approach that may offer promise for this form of ovarian cancer.

April 26, 2016

Cancer health policy

Discarded Excess U.S. Cancer Drugs Cost $1.8 Billion per Year

Infused cancer drugs that are dosed according to patient weight are often available only in single-size vials. Many patients need only part of a second or third vial, and the remaining drug must be discarded. According to researchers, for the top 20 infused cancer drugs in the United States, this amounts to throwing away $1.8 billion in wasted medication.

April 19, 2016

Cancer research

Annual Report on the Status of Cancer Released

Annual cancer deaths have decreased, according to the latest report from the National Cancer Institute on the United States’ cancer status. From 2003—2012, overall rates for men, women, and children from infancy to age 19 have fallen by as much as 2%.

April 18, 2016

Breast cancer

Imaging Tests Are Overused in Early-Stage Breast Cancer

As many as 60% of women with early-stage breast cancer may receive unnecessary imaging tests such as computed tomography, bone, and positron-emission tomography scans, researchers reported after a new study. The findings were shared during the American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Care Symposium in February 2016.

April 12, 2016

Cancer recurrence

Missing Radiation Therapy Sessions Increases Risk of Recurrence

Patients who miss two or more regularly scheduled radiation therapy sessions may be at increased risk of recurrence even if they eventually complete their course of treatment, researchers reported after a recent study.

April 05, 2016

Cancer research

Academic-Community Partnerships

The news is peppered with stories of the latest studies of new ways to treat or prevent cancer. What do most of those studies have in common? The majority were conducted in large, academic medical centers, leading many to believe that those institutions are where most patients with cancer are receiving their care.

April 05, 2016

Cancer moonshot

National Cancer Moonshot Initiative Could Learn From Open-Source Data Ideas

At the 2016 State of the Union Address, President Obama announced a commitment to eliminating cancer by 2020. The “moonshot” is to be led by Vice President Joe Biden, who lost his son to a brain tumor last May. In his statement, Biden acknowledges that there are currently many barriers to cancer research and finding a cure. The Cancer Moonshot will need to come at the problem from many angles in order to be effectual.

April 01, 2016

Oncology clinical trials

More Research Is Needed for Adolescent and Young Adult Cancers

Many young adults are just coming into their own through their teenage years and into their 20s. They’re attending college or entering the workforce, they’re beginning to form serious relationships, and they’re often coming to terms with what it means to be an adult. Unfortunately, this age group is not immune to cancer diagnoses. In fact, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), more than 70,000 adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer diagnoses happen each year.

March 31, 2016

Breast cancer

Periodontal Disease May Increase Breast Cancer Risk, Especially in Women Who Smoke

Women who have periodontal disease are at greater risk for breast cancer, especially if they smoke or recently quit smoking, according to a new study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Prevention.

March 22, 2016

Breast cancer

More Women Are Having Double Mastectomies, AHRQ Finds

In a February blog post, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) posed and answered some serious questions about breast cancer treatment and national trends.

March 15, 2016

Cancer health disparities

Psychological Morbidities Linked to Young Adult Survivors of Blood Cancers

Adolescent and young adult survivors of blood cancers are suffering from psychological diagnoses of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress (PTS), researchers reported in a recent study published in Cancer.

March 15, 2016

Cancer risk factors

Association Found Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Leukemia Risk

Leukemia rates are two times higher in people living at higher latitudes who are exposed to lower levels of sunlight and are more likely to be vitamin D deficient, according to the results of a recent study published in PLOS One.

March 08, 2016

Cancer healthcare advocacy

President Addresses Precision Medicine at White House Summit

“You can match a blood transfusion to a blood type...what if matching a cancer cure to our genetic code was just as easy, just as standard? What if figuring out the right dose of medicine was as simple as taking our temperature?”

March 02, 2016

Research

U.S. Cancer Deaths Continue to Drop

Since 1991, the United States has seen deaths related to cancer drop by 23%, according to the American Cancer Society’s (ACS’s) latest Cancer Statistics, 2016, report. Death rates were as high as 215.1 per 100,000 people in the early 1990s. As of 2012, rates have decreased to 166.4 per 100,000, marking a 28% drop in among men and 19% among women.

March 01, 2016

Breast cancer

Lidocaine Reduces Pain During Sexual Intercourse for Breast Cancer Survivors

As a greater number of patients are living beyond a cancer diagnosis, the management of health issues related to the persistent and late effects of cancer treatment is important and essential to long-term improvements in health.

February 23, 2016

Breast cancer

Combination Vaccine and Docetaxel May Improve Survival for Metastatic Breast Cancer

Results from an open-label, phase II, randomized clinical trial comparing docetaxel alone or in combination with PANVAC, a viral-vector cancer vaccine, in patients with metastatic breast cancer suggest that the vaccine may have some clinical benefit.

February 16, 2016

Cancer healthcare advocacy

“Big Data” Will Be at the Forefront of NINR Science

Advances in technology are changing the world, and nowhere is that more impactful than the provision of health care. Nurses are on the forefront of patient care and understand the multitude of components involved in treating people and educating on symptom management.

February 11, 2016

Cancer treatments

Oral BRAF Inhibitor Effective for Refractory Hairy Cell Leukemia

A new study has reported that the oral BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib is effective in treating patients with relapsed or refractory hairy cell leukemia.

February 09, 2016

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Rise in Early Cervical Cancer Detection May Be Associated With Affordable Care Act

A new study has found an increase in the number of women younger than 26 who have received a diagnosis of early-stage cervical cancer. Researchers concluded that it is most likely the effect of the Affordable Care Act.

February 02, 2016

Oncology clinical trials

Research Helps Guide Shared Decision Making in Cancer Clinical Trials

At the onset, patients diagnosed with cancer can feel a loss of control. Research has shown that when patients and providers participate in shared decision making (SDM), both parties find greater satisfaction in the overall decision and adherence to the treatment plan improves.

February 02, 2016

Oncology clinical trials

Research Helps Guide Shared Decision Making in Clinical Trials

January 26, 2016

Cancer treatments

Aspirin Post-Diagnosis for Gastrointestinal Cancer Linked to Improved Survival

Researchers studying 14,000 patients with gastrointestinal cancer in the Netherlands have found that patients who took aspirin following their diagnosis were twice as likely to be alive after four years as those who did not take the drug.

January 26, 2016

Research

Why Your Patients Need to Get Up, Get Moving

What’s one of the most common symptoms reported by patients with cancer? Fatigue. Regardless of diagnosis, it seems that nurses are constantly looking for ways to help their patients fight against the symptoms brought on by their disease and its treatment.

January 21, 2016

Breast cancer

African American Women’s Breast Cancer Rates Are Now Equivalent to Caucasian Women

For the first time, the incidence of breast cancer among African American women in the United States is equal to that of Caucasian women, according to a new report from the American Cancer Society.

January 12, 2016