scholarly journals The Safety of Acupuncture in Patients with Cancer Therapy–Related Thrombocytopenia

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 224-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Cybularz ◽  
Karen Brothers ◽  
Gurneet M. Singh ◽  
Jennifer L. Feingold ◽  
Mark E. Lewis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Patients With Cancer

scholarly journals A Copay Foundation Assistance Support Program for Patients Receiving Intravenous Cancer Therapy

2011 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swapnil P. Rajurkar ◽  
Cary A. Presant ◽  
Linda D. Bosserman ◽  
Wendy J. McNatt
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Financial Assistance ◽  
Financial Hardship ◽  
Support Program ◽  
Chemotherapy Drugs ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Appropriate Treatment

Copay for chemotherapy drugs is a financial hardship for many patients with cancer. The authors have developed a support program to work closely with copay assistance foundations to secure financial assistance for appropriate treatment.

Patients— and Physiotherapists— Belief in and Use of Acupuncture for Cancer-Related Symptoms

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 251-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Enblom
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Outcome ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Cancer Pain ◽  
Therapeutic Relationships ◽  
Vasomotor Symptoms ◽  
Treatment Expectations ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Radiotherapy Treatment

Background It is important to investigate attitudes to acupuncture, because therapists’ and patients’ expectations may affect the treatment outcome. Aim To explore the use of and belief in acupuncture among oncological physiotherapists and to explore patients’ interest in receiving acupuncture during cancer therapy and their belief in its effectiveness. Methods 522 patients (80% female, mean age 67 years) reported on their interest in receiving acupuncture for nausea during radiotherapy treatment; a subgroup (n=198) additionally disclosed their belief in the effectiveness of acupuncture. 117 Swedish oncological physiotherapists (96% female, mean age 48 years) answered a questionnaire regarding their use of and belief in acupuncture. Results Of the patients initiating cancer therapy, 359 (69%) were interested in receiving acupuncture. The patients believed acupuncture to be effective for pain (79%), nausea (79%) and vasomotor symptoms (48%). Of the 117 physiotherapists, 66 (56%) practised acupuncture. Physiotherapists generally believed in the effectiveness of acupuncture. For pain, 89% believed that acupuncture was effective and 42% of them practised it. Similar responses were noted for chemotherapy-induced nausea (86% and 38%, respectively) and vasomotor symptoms (80% and 28%, respectively). Younger physiotherapists and patients were more likely to believe in the effectiveness of acupuncture compared with older ones. Conclusions More than two thirds of patients with cancer were interested in receiving acupuncture during therapy. Patients and oncological physiotherapists believed that acupuncture was effective for cancer pain, nausea and vasomotor symptoms. Further studies of acupuncture for cancer-related symptoms and of the effect of patients’ and clinicians’ therapeutic relationships, including treatment expectations, would be welcome.

scholarly journals Low Vitamin C Status in Patients with Cancer Is Associated with Patient and Tumor Characteristics

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 2338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca White ◽  
Maria Nonis ◽  
John F. Pearson ◽  
Eleanor Burgess ◽  
Helen R. Morrin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Vitamin C ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Tumor Characteristics ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Plasma Ascorbate ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Low Levels

Vitamin C (ascorbate) acts as an antioxidant and enzyme cofactor, and plays a vital role in human health. Vitamin C status can be affected by illness, with low levels being associated with disease due to accelerated turnover. However, robust data on the ascorbate status of patients with cancer are sparse. This study aimed to accurately measure ascorbate concentrations in plasma from patients with cancer, and determine associations with patient or tumor characteristics. We recruited 150 fasting patients with cancer (of 199 total recruited) from two cohorts, either prior to cancer surgery or during cancer chemo- or immunotherapy. A significant number of patients with cancer had inadequate plasma ascorbate concentrations. Low plasma status was more prevalent in patients undergoing cancer therapy. Ascorbate status was higher in women than in men, and exercising patients had higher levels than sedentary patients. Our study may prompt increased vigilance of ascorbate status in cancer patients.

An emerging epidemic: cancer and heart failure

2016 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paaladinesh Thavendiranathan ◽  
Mark T. Nolan
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Prevention Strategies ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Adult Cancer Survivors ◽  
Shared Risk

Heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of mortality globally. Cardiovascular complications of cancer therapy significantly contribute to the global burden of cardiovascular disease. Heart failure (HF) in particular is a relatively common and life-threatening complication. The increased risk is driven by the shared risk factors for cancer and HF, the direct impact of cancer therapy on the heart, an existing care gap in the cardiac care of patients with cancer and the increasing population of adult cancer survivors. The clear relationship between cancer treatment initiation and the potential for myocardial injury makes this population attractive for prevention strategies, targeted cardiovascular monitoring and treatment. However, there is currently no consensus on the optimal strategy for managing this at-risk population. Uniform treatment using cardioprotective medications may reduce the incidence of HF, but would impose frequently unnecessary and burdensome side effects. Ideally we could use validated risk-prediction models to target HF-preventive strategies, but currently no such models exist. In the present review, we focus on evidence and rationales for contemporary clinical decision-making in this novel field and discuss issues, including the burden of HF in patients with cancer, the reasons for the elevated risk and potential prevention strategies.

scholarly journals Cancer History and Systemic Anti-Cancer Therapy Independently Predict COVID-19 Mortality: A UK Tertiary Hospital Experience

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher C. T. Sng ◽  
Yien Ning Sophia Wong ◽  
Anjui Wu ◽  
Diego Ottaviani ◽  
Neha Chopra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Solid Cancer ◽  
Cancer History ◽  
Asian Ethnicity ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Anti Cancer ◽  
South Asian Ethnicity ◽  
History Of ◽  
Second Peak

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic remains a pressing concern to patients with cancer as countries enter the second peak of the pandemic and beyond. It remains unclear whether cancer and its treatment contribute an independent risk for mortality in COVID-19.MethodsWe included patients at a London tertiary hospital with laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. All patients with a history of solid cancer were included. Age- and sex-matched patients without cancer were randomly selected. Patients with hematological malignancies were excluded.ResultsWe identified 94 patients with cancer, matched to 226 patients without cancer. After adjusting for age, ethnicity, and co-morbidities, patients with cancer had increased mortality following COVID-19 (HR 1.57, 95% CI:1.04–2.4, p = 0.03). Increasing age (HR 1.49 every 10 years, 95% CI:1.25–1.8, p < 0.001), South Asian ethnicity (HR 2.92, 95% CI:1.73–4.9, p < 0.001), and cerebrovascular disease (HR 1.93, 95% CI:1.18–3.2, p = 0.008) also predicted mortality. Within the cancer cohort, systemic anti-cancer therapy (SACT) within 60 days of COVID-19 diagnosis was an independent risk factor for mortality (HR 2.30, 95% CI: 1.16–4.6, p = 0.02).ConclusionsAlong with known risk factors, cancer and SACT confer an independent risk for mortality following COVID-19. Further studies are needed to understand the socio-economic influences and pathophysiology of these associations.

Case series on the safety of mRNA COVID19 vaccines in cancer patients undergoing treatment.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e14562-e14562
Author(s):  
Faysal Haroun ◽  
Malak Alharbi ◽  
Alison Hong
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Performance Status ◽  
Single Agent ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
High Risk Population ◽  
Patients With Cancer

e14562 Background: Millions of vaccines have been administered since Emergency Use Authorization has been granted for two mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (mCV). The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention recommends that immunocompromised individuals with no contraindications to vaccines may receive an mCV. The CDC suggests that patients receiving cancer therapies should be consulted about the unknown vaccine safety profile and effectiveness. The American Society of Clinical Oncology recognizes that vaccine may reduce the risk of infection for individuals with cancer. Vaccine trials have not actively enrolled immunocompromised or patients on active cancer therapy; therefore, the potential side effects and efficacy of the mRNA vaccines in these individuals are unexplored. Per state guidelines, many patients with cancer undergoing treatment qualify for vaccination however current vaccine uptake in that population is unknown. Data in this specific high-risk population is needed to increase confidence in the vaccine. We explored adverse events (AE) to the mCV in a small cohort of patients undergoing cancer therapy. Methods: Our case series evaluated patients' tolerance to the voluntary but recommended 2 doses of the mCV while on chemotherapy (CX), checkpoint inhibitors (CPI) or tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) at the George Washington University (GWU) Cancer Center in Washington DC. Patient chart review and phone interviews were conducted. Patients had independently signed up for the mCV at the GWU Hospital or through the DC Health Department. Patients were asked if they had experienced any of the commonly reported side effects listed by the CDC or others new symptoms receiving the vaccine. Results: 12 patients had voluntarily received the mCV, all patients were above the age of 65 with a mean age of 72 (66-85). ECOG performance status was 2 or above in 4 patients. 6 patients were receiving single agent CPI, 1 patient was on combination CX and CPI. 2 patients were on oral TKI for EGFR mutated lung cancer. 3 other patients were on combination CX with rituximab, ramucirumab or radiation. In the 2 patients on daily TKI, treatment was not interrupted for the mCV. In the 10 other patients, all but one patient received the mCV at least one week after the last therapy. Both mCV were tolerated without any life-threatening AE or hospitalization. Pain and swelling at the vaccine site were the most common local AE and reported in 7 patients. 6 patients reported systemic AE most commonly myalgia and headaches. Conclusions: This exploratory analysis in 12 patients with cancer undergoing treatment did not uncover any additional SE signals. Larger studies are needed to evaluate AE and efficacy and to guide recommendations for COVID19 vaccination in this patient population.

scholarly journals Impact of the timing of hepatitis B virus (HBV) identification and anti-HBV therapy initiation on the risk of adverse liver outcomes in patients receiving cancer therapy.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6503-6503
Author(s):  
Jessica Hwang ◽  
Maria E. Suarez-Almazor ◽  
Scott B. Cantor ◽  
Andrea G. Barbo ◽  
Heather Y. Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hepatitis B Virus ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Hepatitis B ◽  
Liver Failure ◽  
Solid Tumors ◽  
Hematologic Malignancies ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Therapy Initiation ◽  
B Virus ◽  
Chronic Hbv

6503 Background: Patients with cancer and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection receiving cancer therapy are at risk for HBV reactivation. We aimed to determine the impact of early vs. late HBV identification and early vs. late/no anti-HBV therapy on adverse liver outcomes of patients with cancer with chronic (HBsAg+/anti-HBc+) or past (HBsAg-/anti-HBc+) HBV infection. Methods: We retrospectively studied adult patients with solid or hematologic malignancies who received chemotherapy during 2004-2011. Adverse liver-related events included hepatitis flares, liver failure, and death. Time-to-event analysis was used to determine incidence, and multivariable hazard models to determine predictors of outcomes. Early was defined as at the initiation of cancer therapy and late as after therapy initiation. Results: There were 18,688 study patients (80.4% had solid tumors). Among patients with hematologic malignancies, 89.6% had HBV testing of which 90.4% was early. Among patients with solid tumors, 10.8% had HBV testing of which 46.4% was early. Prevalence of chronic HBV was 1.1% (52/4905) and past HBV was 7.1% (350/4905). Among patients with chronic HBV with hematologic or solid malignancy, those identified late had 2.95 times (1.45-6.01) higher risk of liver failure than those identified early. Among chronic HBV patients, 59% (23/39) with early testing had early initiation of anti-HBV therapy, while all of those tested late had late/no initiation of anti-HBV therapy. Predictors of liver failure were male sex, chronic HBV, and late HBV identification for patients with solid tumors, and allogeneic SCT for patients with hematologic malignancies. Conclusions: Early HBV identification correlated with early anti-HBV therapy initiation and reduced risk of liver failure after chemotherapy in chronic HBV patients with solid tumors or hematologic malignancies as well as patients with past HBV and solid tumors.

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