Transplant Australia’s Post

Pancreatic cancer screening is not recommended for the general population due to the low prevalence of the disease, the inaccuracy of tests (including occasional false positives and negatives), and the high cost of the tests. However, in line with precision medicine principles, individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer, such as those with a family history or genetic predisposition, should undergo regular screenings. Selective surveillance of high-risk individuals (with a genetic or familial predisposition) for pancreatic cancer can lead to:  • The detection of smaller, lower-stage cancers  • Improved long-term survival rates and reduced PDAC-specific mortality These findings support the potential benefit of targeted surveillance programs in improving clinical outcomes for individuals at high risk for pancreatic cancer, highlighting the importance of early detection and appropriate management. Key Findings: 1. Early Detection and Stage at Diagnosis  • Surveillance led to a higher proportion of stage I pancreatic cancers (31% in high-risk individuals vs. 10% in controls).  • Tumors in high-risk individuals were significantly smaller (median diameter of 2.5 cm vs. 3.6 cm). 2. Survival Rates  • The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in high-risk individuals (50% vs. 9% in controls).  • High-risk individuals had a median OS of 62 months, compared to 8 months for controls.  • Fewer PDAC-specific deaths occurred in high-risk individuals (16% vs. 59% in 1-yr mortality; 43% vs. 86% in 5-yr). 3. Surveillance Methods  • Surveillance included annual endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).  • Standard-of-care surgical and/or oncologic treatments were performed when necessary. 4. Study Population  • The study included 26 high-risk individuals and 1504 matched control patients.  • High-risk individuals were part of the Cancer of the Pancreas Screening (CAPS) program. 5. Statistical Analysis  • The study used conditional logistic regression, Cox proportional hazards regression, and competing risk regression models.  • Sensitivity analyses and adjustments for lead-time bias were conducted.   Title: Pancreatic Cancer Surveillance and Survival of High-Risk Individuals Authors: Amanda L. Blackford, Marcia Irene Canto, Mohamad Dbouk, et al. Published Date: July 3, 2024 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.1930

A study conducted by researchers at University Hospital Tuebingen, Germany retrospectively compared two liver-targeted therapies for uveal melanoma patients with liver metastases. The results showed that Chemosaturation-Percutaneous Hepatic Perfusion (CS-PHP) had significantly longer overall survival (516 days) compared to Transarterial Radioembolization (SIRT) (300.5 days). #mintLesion was used to assess the treatment efficacy in line with the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST 1.1). The study observed that the disease control rate, which includes Complete Response (CR), Partial Response (PR), and Stable Disease (SD), was 18% for SIRT and 30% for CS-PHP. These findings highlight the need for further research and prospective randomized trials to optimize liver-targeted treatment strategies and address the challenges faced by patients with this condition. #RECIST #cancerresearch 

Green tea may prevent colon cancer? This pilot study from 2008, 125 patients had their colorectal precancerous lesions removed and 1 year later confirmed a clean colon. The patients were then randomized into two groups while maintaining their lifestyle. One group supplemented with 1.5 grams of green tea daily, one did not. Follow-up colonoscopy was conducted 12 months later and the incidence of precancerous lesions in the green tea group was 15% versions 31% in the control group. The size of the cancerous lesions were also smaller in the green tea group. "Conclusion: Green Tea Extract is an effective supplement for the chemoprevention of metachronous colorectal adenomas."

On World Cancer Day, we mark the final year of the 'Close the Care Gap' campaign, urging governments to address disparities in cancer services. In 2024, an estimated 2,001,140 new cancer cases and 611,720 deaths are projected in the U.S. While mortality rates have declined, challenges persist, with rising incidence for 6 of the top 10 cancers. Proud of our portfolio companies, Foresee Genomics LTD and Nevia bio, for contributing innovative solutions. Foresee uses next-gen sequencing for accessible personalized cancer diagnosis, while Nevia transforms women’s health with an early detection platform for ovarian cancer biomarkers. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/daKzyf2 #CancerAwareness #EarlyDetection #WorldCancerDay #CloseTheCareGap Dan Shwarzman, Dalia Mor, Zvika Shinar, Maura Rosenfeld, Judith Hammerschlag Grynbaum Foresee Genomics LTD: Roi Feingersch Nevia bio: Inbal Zafir-Lavie, Valeria Miller, Shiri Blumenfeld-Kan, Zohar Shnaider, Shlomit Yehudai-Reshef, PhD

Cancer survivors are living longer than ever, increasing the importance of managing treatment-related heart issues. In the burgeoning field of cardio-oncology, the ECG is a key tool for baseline risk evaluation, therapeutic monitoring, and prediction of prognosis. #ePeeps #DCARInsights #cardiology

Lung cancer remains a significant health concern, emphasizing the critical importance of early detection and timely intervention. Recognizing early signs, such as persistent cough, chest pain, or unexplained weight loss, prompts timely medical evaluation. Screening methods, including low-dose computed tomography (CT) scans for high-risk individuals, enhance detection rates. Lung cancer, characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in lung tissues, poses substantial health risks, with smoking being a primary risk factor. Treatment approaches, tailored to disease stage and patient characteristics, encompass surgical resection, radiation, chemotherapy, targeted therapies addressing specific genetic mutations, and innovative immunotherapies. For appointments : +91 9962022630 Website: https://lnkd.in/gTaEadhZ #LungCancerAwareness #EarlyDetection #TreatmentOptions #ScreeningSaves #CancerResearch #LungHealth #SurvivorStories #HealthFirst #RaiseAwareness #FightCancer #worldcancerday #worldcancerday2024 #closethecaregap #cancer #cancerawareness #lungcancer #quitsmoking #smokingkills #pulmonology #pulmnologist #doctor #lungcare #lung #lungs #lungdoctor #chennai #india #prismlungspecialityclinic #justforlungs

🩸 Wondering why cancer patients sometimes need blood transfusions? Here's why: 1️⃣ Anemia: Treatments like chemo can lower red blood cell levels, causing fatigue. Transfusions boost oxygen delivery! 2️⃣ Low Platelets: Some treatments reduce platelet counts, increasing bleeding risk. Platelet transfusions help prevent it! 3️⃣ Complications: Cancer treatments can lead to issues like infections or bleeding, often needing transfusions for management. 4️⃣ Bone Marrow: Cancers like leukemia can affect bone marrow, hampering blood cell production. Transfusions step in to support! 💉 Overall, blood transfusions are crucial for managing cancer-related symptoms and complications, improving patients' quality of life. #CancerAwareness #BloodTransfusion #SupportPatients #worldcancerday2024 #ISBTClinical

I am continually frustrated that women are unable to find healthcare providers willing to write prescriptions for bio-identical hormone replacement (Estradiol and Progesterone) for their hormone imbalances. Medicine ignores the European research that was verified by US research that in fact bio-identical hormone replacement, if properly balanced and followed, actually shows NO increase in breast cancer, a DECREASE in heart attack, a DECREASE in stroke, a DECREASE in osteopenia/osteoporosis and a DECREASE in Alzheimer's. So if we aren't willing to know the literature and help women achieve their optimal health, what are we really doing to increase quality of life? What are we really doing to actually PREVENT diagnoses such as breast cancer vs just DO THE TEST to see if breast cancer is starting to show up. Women need to know they are risk years before they have a bad mammogram; and they need to know they can prevent and reverse their risk by hormone balancing.

Following on from our post last week into the new study in the BJUI – “Cost -effective analysis of different treatment modalities in BCG-unresponsive NMIBC” – which cited HIVEC (intravesical hyperthermic chemotherapy) as a “highly cost-effective option”, here’s some more detail from the authors: “Due to extensive therapy and follow-up, NMIBC is a very cost-intensive oncological disease. For BCG-refractory disease, radical cystectomy has previously been the therapy of choice according to German and international guidelines. Over a horizon of 10 years, from the payer’s perspective, it is associated with average costs of ~ €21,871, thus representing the cheapest modality of all treatments examined. Nethertheless, it significantly reduces patients’ QoL [quality of life], with average QALYs (quality-adjusted life-years) of 5.01 calculated. “The primary goal of salvage therapy next to progression-free survival is bladder preservation. Pembrolizumab represents the most expensive salvage option with approximate annual costs of €200,000. Considering a willingness-to-pay threshold of <€50,000, costs of pembrolizumab in our model would have to be reduced by at least 70% to be cost effective, while with pembrolizumab, one QALY is gained at an additional cost of ~€180,000.” More to come tomorrow! 📖 Rieger et al (2024) Cost-effectiveness analysis of different treatment modalities in BCG-unresponsive NMIBC. BJU International. #medicalinnovation #bladdercancer #HIVEC #CombatMedical

ANDROPAUSE, MYTH OR LEGEND: Andropause is a condition surrounded by controversies, whether it be through its diagnosis or management. As we learn more about the pathophysiology of hypogonadism, our perspectives on the risks and benefits of testosterone therapy have shifted.Therefore the art of diagnosing hypogonadism as well as the association or lack thereof between testosterone replacement therapy and cardiovascular disease, prostate cancer, thrombosis, antiaging effects, exogenous steroid abuse, and diabetes mellitus open up possibilities of creating a higher quality of life for men above the age of 55 by preventing related diseases and relieving associated distress. Mian AH, Yang DY, Kohler TS. Current Management and Controversies Surrounding Andropause. Urol Clin North Am. 2022 Nov;49(4):583-592. doi: 10.1016/j.ucl.2022.07.003. Epub 2022 Oct 7. PMID: 36309415.