Injectable and pH-responsive self-assembled peptide hydrogel for promoted tumor cell uptake and enhanced cancer chemotherapy

An injectable, pH-responsive, in situ self-assembled drug-peptide hydrogel (MTX-KKFKFEFEF(DA)) for highly efficient local tumor chemotherapy.

Development of the knowledge test of medical instruments and materials for cancer chemotherapy

Background: Focusing on medical instruments and materials used for high-risk medicines for cancer treatments, a test on knowledge of medical instruments requiring acquisition of basic knowledge and materials was developed for students in pharmacy school. The aim of the study is to investigate the reliability and validity of the test (medical instruments and materials for cancer treatment-Questionnaire 45; MIMCT-Q45) we developed.Patients and Methods: Focus group discussion was performed by participants consisting of medical staff considered to have abundant experience of cancer chemotherapy. Content analysis was performed and a list of extracted medical instruments and materials was prepared. A questionnaire survey was performed twice in pharmacy students to confirm reliability employing the retest method. Responses were also collected from nurses and pharmacists to investigate discriminative validity on comparison with the students. Furthermore, difficulty and discrimination were estimated using the item response theory (IRT).Results: Thirteen types of medical instruments and materials were extracted and listed in the knowledge test. In the questionnaire survey, the overall Cronbach’s α and interclass correlation coefficient were high, but Cronbach’s α was slightly low (0.56-0.58) in some categories. The range of discrimination estimated based on IRT was 0.98-3.09, and that of difficulty was -0.91-3.00.Conclusions: A knowledge test on cancer chemotherapy-related medical instruments and materials including palliative care at home (MIMCT-Q45) was prepared, and its reliability and validity were confirmed. MIMCT-Q45 might serve as a guidance on basic knowledge to be acquired by students and resident pharmacists and be useful to confirm the level of acquired knowledge.

Psychosocial Support and Nutrition Counselling Among Patients with Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy: A Mixed-Methods Study

Purpose Cancer chemotherapy causes nutrition impact symptoms (NIS) that affect patient diet and nutrition. Such patients, therefore, require nutrition counselling. In this study, we aimed to 1) identify the psychosocial factors of patients who require nutrition counselling and 2) articulate the specific details of the issues for which patients desire advice. Methods We conducted anthropometric measurements, surveys using questionnaires, and interviews with patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy for head and neck, oesophageal, gastric, colorectal, and lung cancers. The questionnaire included items on NIS, patients’ experience of eating-related distress (ERD), and quality of life (QOL). Interviews were conducted with patients who required nutrition counselling regarding specific issues. We provided nutrition counselling in two sessions. Results Of the 151 patients, 42 required nutrition counselling. The psychosocial factors affecting the required nutrition counselling were the number of people in the household, employment status, QOL, and ERD. The contexts of the specific issues patients wanted to discuss included self-management, distress, understanding and sympathy, anxiety, and confusion. Conclusion Nutrition counselling for patients receiving cancer chemotherapy needs to involve multidisciplinary support that considers psychological (anxiety, confusion) and social (family structure, employment situation) aspects as additional means to address NIS.