1,720,976 research outputs found
Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy‐related pneumonitis: How, when and why to diagnose and manage (Review)
Full text linkImmune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy has revolutionized cancer treatment by enhancing the immune response against tumor cells. However, their influence on immune pathways can lead to immune-related adverse events such as pneumonitis, necessitating rapid diagnosis and management to prevent severe complications. These adverse events arise from the activation of the immune system by immunotherapeutic drugs, leading to immune-mediated inflammation and tissue damage in various organs and tissues throughout the body. The present review article discusses the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities and management strategies for ICI-related pneumonitis, emphasizing early recognition and tailored interventions. Future research endeavors should focus on elucidating the underlying mechanisms of pneumonitis and identifying predictive biomarkers to guide personalized treatment strategies in this evolving field of oncology
A Survey on the Prescribing Orientation Towards Complementary Therapies Among Oncologists in Italy: Symptoms and Unmet Patient Needs
Full text linkBackground/aim: A high percentage of cancer patients use complementary therapies (CM) during their disease journey. Several barriers for CM prescription still exist among oncologists. This study explored oncologists' attitudes toward prescribing CM with oral supplements or confirming prescriptions made by others. Materials and methods: The study employed a mixed semi-quantitative and qualitative research strategy via a web-based platform interview as a preliminary step for a program of observational studies on the oncologist's prescriptions of oral supplements in cancer management, in Italy. Results: Out of 95 invited oncologists, 40 participated in the study, mainly working in a general hospital or a cancer center. The deep knowledge of guidelines on integrative medicine was generally poor. The symptoms driving oncologists to initiate discussions on CM with patients were fatigue, anorexia/poor appetite, weight loss, insomnia, distress, neuropathy, or pain. The presence of reliable data in the medical literature on prescribing CM was a significant factor in choosing a supplement. Conclusion: This study reveals that oncologists' limited knowledge and lack of standardized guidelines hinder the prescription of CM, despite recognizing its potential benefits. CM discussions are primarily patient-driven, with prescriptions influenced by reliable scientific data and symptom management. Expanding integrative medicine services and research on CM efficacy could enhance oncologists' confidence, improve patient care, and address unmet needs in oncology
A Survey on Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Vaccination Against Herpes Zoster Virus Among Medical Oncologists for Patients with Solid Tumors
No full textHerpes zoster (HZ) virus reactivation is a significant medical problem among immunocompromised patients, especially considering its potential complications. Although the recombinant HZ vaccine has demonstrated > 90% efficacy against HZ in adults, its use is not as frequent as needed in daily oncology practice due to several barriers, including oncologists' knowledge, patients' willingness, and organizational issues. A web-based survey was sent to 139 oncologists treating solid tumors concerning their knowledge and attitudes toward the adjuvanted gE-based recombinant HZ vaccination. The survey included questions regarding the characteristics of medical oncologists participating, such as the type of hospital, main field of expertise, percent of work with patients, awareness of the HZ risk in cancer patients, knowledge of scientific data and scientific societies guidelines on HZ vaccination, familiarity with vaccinations, frequency of HZ detection in clinical practice, barriers, and challenges toward vaccine administration. Fifty-four physicians (46%; 95% CI 0.2918 to 0.5069) responded to all the questions. The main reason for non-response was the lack of time due to the overwhelming burden of assistance. When the survey was launched, 31 participants reported good knowledge of scientific and clinical data of HZ vaccines, 10% none, and 36 were aware of guidelines. Reported barriers included knowledge of the problem, patients' willingness, and organizational issues. Surveying medical oncologists on the adjuvanted gE-based recombinant HZ vaccination provides essential insights into their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding vaccination for cancer patients. These data suggest that continuing medical education is necessary to implement HZ vaccination prescription among oncologists
Gynecological Cancer and Venous Thromboembolism: A Narrative Review to Increase Awareness and Improve Risk Assessment and Prevention
Full text linkThe prevention and appropriate management of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients is of paramount importance. However, the literature data report an underestimation of this major problem in patients with gynecological cancers, with an inconsistent venous thromboembolism risk assessment and prophylaxis in this patient setting. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the available evidence regarding the management of venous thromboembolism in cancer patients, focusing on the specific context of gynecological tumors, exploring the literature discussing risk factors, risk assessment, and pharmacological prophylaxis. We found that the current understanding and management of venous thromboembolism in gynecological malignancy is largely based on studies on solid cancers in general. Hence, further, larger, and well-designed research in this area is needed
Risk-reducing mastectomy in healthy women with BRCA mutation: a narrative review.
No full textIntroduction: Breast cancer (BC) prevention in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers remains a significant clinical challenge. Risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) is the most effective preventive option, lowering BC incidence by over 90%. Despite its survival benefit, the decision to undergo RRM is complex and shaped by psychological, social, and healthcare access factors. Areas covered: This narrative review synthesizes evidence on the oncologic efficacy, safety, and outcomes of RRM in BRCA mutation carriers. Literature was identified through PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to March 2025. Large cohort studies and systematic reviews confirm the effectiveness of RRM. Nipple-sparing mastectomy offers comparable oncologic safety with improved cosmetic and psychological outcomes. Histopathologic analyses frequently reveal occult malignancies, supporting the role of early surgery. However, surgical complications, sensory loss, and sexual health impacts remain important considerations. Expert opinion: RRM is cost-effective, especially when performed at younger ages, but disparities in access to genetic testing and surgery persist. Special populations, such as ovarian cancer survivors and those diagnosed before genetic testing, require individualized care. Advances in risk stratification, surgical techniques, and psychosocial support will enhance outcomes. A multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach is essential for informed decision-making
Unusual presentation of luminal breast carcinoma metastatic to the brain and coma: a case report of dramatic response to abemaciclib and literature review
Full text linkPatients with luminal breast cancer (BC) may develop central nervous system
metastases in 20%–40% of cases. Radiation or surgical therapy represents the cornerstone of treating central nervous system metastases. Meanwhile, the best practice for metastatic luminal BC involves using cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors combined with endocrine therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first case to report a dramatic response of breast metastases to abemaciclib plus endocrine therapy without radiation therapy, particularly in a patient who presented with seizures and sudden coma. She received brain surgery to control
a large bleeding metastasis. Abemaciclib was crushed and diluted in water for administration via the nasogastric tube, while an upfront fulvestrant was given since aromatase inhibitors cannot be diluted. Beyond the radiological response, the clinical improvement was notable, with complete symptom recovery to the point where she is again working. Our paper supports the activity of abemaciclib in brain metastases from luminal BC and includes a review of the medical literature. Further investigation is warranted in this clinical setting
Going Beyond Counting First Authors in Author Co-citation Analysis
Full text linkThe present study examines one of the fundamental aspects of author co-citation analysis (ACA) - the way co-citation
counts are defined. Co-citation counting provides the data on which all subsequent statistical analyses and mappings
are based, and we compare ACA results based on two different types of co-citation counting - the traditional type that
only counts the first one among a cited work's authors on the one hand and a non-traditional type that takes into
account the first 5 authors of a cited work on the other hand. Results indicate that the picture produced through this non-traditional author co-citation counting contains more coherent author groups and is therefore considerably clearer. However, this picture represents fewer specialties in the research field being studied than that produced through the traditional first-author co-citation counting when the same number of top-ranked authors is selected and analyzed. Reasons for these effects are discussed
Variations on the Author
Full text link“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Appropriate Similarity Measures for Author Cocitation Analysis
Full text linkWe provide a number of new insights into the methodological discussion about author cocitation analysis. We first argue that the use of the Pearson correlation for measuring the similarity between authors’ cocitation profiles is not very satisfactory. We then discuss what kind of similarity measures may be used as an alternative to the Pearson correlation. We consider three similarity measures in particular. One is the well-known cosine. The other two similarity measures have not been used before in the bibliometric literature. Finally, we show by means of an example that our findings have a high practical relevance.information science;Pearson correlation;cosine;similarity measure;author cocitation analysis
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