European Organization For Research On Treatment Of Cancer Research Articles

Clinical study of cancer-related fatigue in patients with advanced gastric cancer

Objective To study the relationship between cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and clinicopathological features and quality of life in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Methods The clinical and pathological data of 182 patients with advanced gastric cancer were collected, The CRF level and quality of life were assessed by the brief fatigue inventory (BFI), European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) life quality scale QLQ-C30(V3.0). The correlations between CRF and clinicopathological features and quality of life were analyzed. Results One hundred twenty-two patients with advanced gastric cancer were associated with different degrees of fatigue. The CEF BFI score had correlation with the age (F= 6.637, P= 0.001), PS score (F= 15.559, P= 0.000), the World Health Organization (WHO)pathologic type (F= 7.352, P= 0.000). The CRF index of the 50-59 age group was higher than that of other age groups; the CRF BFI scores of PS score 1 and 2 were higher than that of 0 group; CRF BFI score of gastric signet ring cell carcinoma was significantly higher than that of gastric squamous cell carcinoma. The Pearson correlation analysis showed that the CRF BFI score was positively correlated with mood (r= 0.423, P= 0.008). There were significant differences in body function and mood (F=-16.254, F=-13.256, both P <0.05) and fatigue, pain and loss of appetite among 3 CRF groups (F= 12.075, F= 14.361, F= 13.837, all P <0.05). There was a significant difference in the mean CRF BFI score between the three groups before and after chemotherapy (t SD= 6.981, t PR= 6.903, t PD= 7.437, all P < 0.05). Compared with pre-chemotherapy, the mean CRF BFI score of SD and PR group decreased after 3 months follow-up, score of PD group increased, the differences were statistically significant (t= 2.371, t= 6.912, t= 18.237, all P < 0.05). Conclusions The incidence of CRF in patients with advanced gastric cancer is very high, the degree of CRF has correlation with age, PS score and pathological type. Relieve symptoms such as fatigue, pain and loss of appetite and control adverse reactions could help to reduce the degree of CRF. Key words: Stomach neoplasms; Cancer-related fatigue; Quality of life

Effect of Qizaoyixue decoction with exercise on cancer-related fatigue for oophoroma patients during intermittent chemotherapy

Objective To investigate the effect of Qizaoyixue decoction with exercise on cancer-related fatigue for oophoroma patients during intermittent chemotherapy.Methods 92 oophoroma patients with cancer-related fatigue were given diet intervention with exercise. They were investigated by Simple Fatigue Assessment Scale and European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)-QLQ-C30 for assessing their cancer-related fatigue and quality of life before the intervention and 30 days after the intervention with self-contrast method. Fatigue level and change of quality of life for them before and after the intervention were compared.Results Patients' fatigue was greatly relieved after the intervention;there was significant difference compared with that before the intervention (u=4.5,P<0.01). There was significant difference in quality of life compared with that before the intervention (P<0.01).Conclusions Qizaoyixue decoction with exercise could effectively relieve cancer-related fatigue for oophoroma patients during intermittent chemotherapy and improve their quality of life. Key words: Oophoroma; Fatigue; Qizaoyixue decoction; Exercise intervention; Quality of life

Sustained Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) Improvement in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated with Bortezomib/Melphalan/Prednisone Versus Melphalan/Prednisone: Results From the VISTA Trial.

Abstract 1881Poster Board I-904 Introduction:The impact of multiple myeloma treatment on patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) merits careful evaluation since treatment effect and toxicity may impact HRQoL. Previously, the positive impact of achieving CR in the VISTA study on HRQoL had been reported at the fourth cycle after CR onset. The aim of this study was to describe the rate of patients who experienced a sustained HRQoL improvement after best response and the overall HRQoL impact of best response. Patients and Methods:The VISTA trial was a randomized, open-label, multicenter study designed to compare the efficacy and safety of VMP to melphalan/prednisone (MP) in subjects with previously untreated multiple myeloma who were ineligible for transplantation. Patients were followed over a 9-cycle period (54 weeks) and for a post-treatment follow-up phase. Response to therapy was defined according to the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation criteria. The European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ-C30, a HRQoL questionnaire commonly used in multiple myeloma, was administered at screening, day 1 of each cycle during the treatment phase, and every 8 weeks until progression during follow-up. A sustained HRQoL improvement was defined as a change in score of at least 5 points (Dubois et al, JCO 2006; 24:976–82) for at least 2 consecutive cycles after best response (Complete Response [CR], Partial Response [PR] or Minimal Response [MR]). The rate of sustained improvement and the time to sustained improvement were calculated in the population of patients who were followed for at least 2 cycles after best response (n=363). Treatment groups were compared using a log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard models were applied to explore the effect of covariates (type of best response, score at baseline, score at best response) on the chance of sustained improvement in each EORTC QLQ-C30 score. Results:Mean and median age of study patients was 72 and 71 years, respectively; 51% were female, mean and median KPS was 80. All EORTC domain scores were similar at baseline across the study arms. Worse health was reported in all domains with VMP arm at best tumor response onset. However, after best response onset, patients in the VMP arm had a higher sustained HRQoL improvement rate than those in the MP arm in 14 of the 15 EORTC QLQ-C30 scores. VMP patients had a slightly lower sustained response rate only in Cognitive Functioning: 27% vs 28%, respectively. VMP patients were more likely than MP patients to experience a statistically significant sustained response in three QLQ-C30 domains according to the log-rank test: Nausea/Vomiting (p=0.0095), Appetite Loss (p=0.0170), and Diarrhea (p=0.0082). The differences for Nausea and Diarrhea remained significant in the Cox models when adjusted for baseline score, score at best response, and type of response (CR, PR or MR). VMP patients also had a higher rate of sustained response over MP patients for Global Health (49% vs 40%), Pain (40% vs 32%), and Insomnia (32% vs 24%). However, these differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions:Patients treated with VMP more frequently experienced a sustained HRQoL improvement in most of the EORTC QLQ-C30 domains than patients in the MP arm after best tumor response. In particular, the likelihood of a sustained improvement in Nausea and Diarrhea was significantly higher in VMP patients, independent of the type of response and the respective symptom score at baseline and at time of best response. Although the incidences of nausea and diarrhea were higher in the VMP arm at best response onset, these data suggest that HRQoL decrements reported by patients begin to improve with best response onset. Further analysis is planned. Disclosures:Dhawan:Janssen Cilag: Employment, Equity Ownership. Robinson:Johnson & Johnson: Employment, Equity Ownership, Research Funding. Meunier:Mapi Values: Employment. Regnault:Mapi Values: Employment. Rosa:Mapi Values: Employment. Cakana:Janssen Cilag: Employment, Equity Ownership. van de Velde:Johnson & Johnson: Employment, Equity Ownership. Richardson:Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Johnson and Johnson: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Keryx: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau. San Miguel:Millennium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; OrthoBiotech: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.

Long-term risk of cardiovascular disease after treatment for aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma

AbstractCardiovascular disease frequently occurs after lymphoma therapy, but it is common in the general population too. Therefore, risk estimation requires comparison to population-based rates. We calculated risk by standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and absolute excess risks (AERs) per 10 000 person-years based on general population rates (Continuous Morbidity Registry Nijmegen) in 476 (Dutch and Belgian) patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) treated with at least 6 cycles of doxorubicin-based chemotherapy in 4 European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) trials (1980-1999). Cumulative incidence of cardiovascular disease, estimated in a competing risk model, was 12% at 5 years and 22% at 10 years (median follow-up, 8.4 years). Risk of chronic heart failure appeared markedly increased (SIR, 5.4; 95% CI, 4.1-6.9) with an AER of 208 excess cases per 10 000 person-years, whereas risk of coronary artery disease matched the general population (SIR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.8-1.8; AER, 8 per 10 000 person-years). Risk of stroke was raised (SIR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-2.4; AER, 15 per 10 000 person-years), especially after additional radiotherapy (> 40 Gy). Preexisting hypertension, NHL at young age, and salvage treatment increased risk of all cardiovascular events; the effect of radiotherapy was dose dependent. In conclusion, patients are at long-term high risk of chronic heart failure after NHL treatment and need therefore life-long monitoring. In contrast, risk of coronary artery disease appeared more age dependent than treatment related.

A new perspective on quality of life

The paper by Juniper et al. in this issue examines the impact of two different methods of item selection for quality of life questionnaires [I]. The authors conclude that while both methods give generally similar results, the resulting questionnaires differ in several items according to the method of selection. The work contributes in important ways to our understanding of quality of life methodology. At the same time, a larger question remains: Do the data capture and analysis techniques yield an adequate picture of quality of life or does the methodology limit our understanding of quality of life? Extensive efforts to measure quality of life have yielded indicators of quality of life and its basic elements, such as physical well-being and ability, psychological well-being, social well-being, and effect of disease on personal functioning [2-51. These elements form the foundation of a variety of tests such as the Functional Living Index-Cancer (FLIC), the European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [4,6], and utility/preference methods [7]. An important feature of these tools is the ability to represent differences between patients numerically. Much of the effort to validate these tools has focused on the relationship between numerical estimates of quality of life and the experience of patients [4]. Such work has led to changes in medical treatment, such as those aimed at increasing the quality of life of patients with cancer [8]. Yet, it is difficult to describe all of the complex factors that influence individual perceptions, behaviors, and responses of patients to medical care [9-l 11. Each patient will perceive quality of life differently from other patients, making it difficult to compare and standardize experiences between them. The number of potential factors that can influence perceptions and behavior is very large, while only a small number is important at any one time for an individual. In addition, the patient may not be aware of some factors, such as personal psychological characteristics. Any one of these aspects may introduce bias into the descriptions of quality of life. Such bias can only be revealed when qualitatively different methodologies are used to describe the concept.

Once weekly irradiation for carcinoma of the bladder

Purpose : A dose-searching study was carried out treating selected elderly patients or patients with poor performance with bladder cancer with once weekly fractionation to determine an effective dose per fraction, and to evaluate acute and late effects resulting from this schedule. Methods and Materials : Seventy patients with invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were entered in the study. The dose used was 36–39 Gy in six fractions over 35 days in 27 patients (Group 1). The remaining 43 patients were treated with 34.5 Gy in six fractions over 39 days (Group 2). Results : Six patients developed Grade 1–2 European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) bowel reaction. Three patients in Group 1 developed Grade 3 late bowel reaction and a fourth patient developed Grade 4 reaction requiring colostomy. However, only one patient in Group 2 developed Grade 3 reaction. The difference between the two groups was statistically ( ξ 2 = 3.794, p = 0.05). Conclusions : The acute and late reaction as well as the 5-year free survival for patients in Group 2 compare favorably with daily treatment. We conclude that 34.5 Gy given over 39 days is a safe and effective treatment for selected patients with bladder cancer.

Neutron therapy in saudi arabia: An overview and results of dose searching study in head and neck cancer

The King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre is the only center in the Middle East that incorporates a neutron therapy facility. The neutron beam is produced by a cyclotron, which produces a beam by either a (d(15)+Be) or (p(26)+Be) reaction. The beam from the proton reaction is selected for therapy because of its superior physical characteristics. These were verified by an intercomparison conducted by the European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Heavy Particle Therapy Group. Full beam data are presented. The first study in the neutron therapy Program is on the treatment of squamous cancers of the head and neck. This consists of two parts. Part I is a dose searching phase and Part II is a comparison of our current photon treatment versus neutrons using the neutron dose selected by Part I of the study. Results of the dose searching phase (Part I) are presented.

Mortality from papillary thyroid carcinoma. A case-control study of 56 lethal cases.

To document the presentation, findings, therapy, and postoperative course of lethal papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), 56 fatal cases were studied in a retrospective case-matched control fashion. These patients and their controls were taken from a larger series receiving their primary treatment at one institution (Mayo Clinic; 1946-1970). Mean follow-up for the lethal cohort was 8.5 years and 16.6 years for controls. Age, sex, tumor size, histologic grade, extent of disease at presentation, European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and AGES scores (patient's age, tumor grade, tumor extent, and tumor size), and DNA ploidy pattern were found to be significant prognostic factors. The immediate causes of death were most frequently either local airway obstruction or respiratory insufficiency from pulmonary metastases. The results suggest that it is possible, at the time of initial treatment, to assess an individual patient's risk of dying from PTC. Aggressive postoperative adjunctive therapy should be restricted to that minority of patients who are at highest risk of death from PTC.

Quality assurance control in the EORTC cooperative group ofradiotherapy: 2. Dosimetric intercomparison 0131 0301V

The European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) has performed site reviews at 17 institutions participating in clinical trials organized by the Cooperative Group of Radiotherapy. In this paper the dosimetric part of the quality assurance control programme is presented. In a previous paper (part 1) the medical profile of the participating centres was presented. In part 3 an integrated clinical and dosimetric investigation in an anatomical phantom will be presented. The deviations between the absorbed dose values, for specific points along the beam axis in a water phantom, determined by us and reported by the hospitals were within an acceptable level of variation (about +/- 3%) for 85, 70 and 71% of the 60Co gamma, X-ray and electron beams, respectively. In some scanning electron beams, too large deviations were found. The flatness and symmetry of the beams were measured. 73% of the X-ray and 60% of the electron beams were within the acceptable levels of variations. Dosimetric recommendations for institutions participating in EORTC clinical trials are presented.

Is the EORTC prognostic index of thyroid cancer valid in differentiated thyroid carcinoma? Retrospective multivariate analysis of differentiated thyroid carcinoma with long follow-up

The European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Thyroid Cancer Cooperative Group presented a prognostic index in 1979 that included all histologic groups of thyroid carcinomas, and was based on a multivariate analysis of 507 patients with a median follow-up of 40 months. The current report not only uses a multivariate analysis to study the clinical validity and reproducibility of this index on case material consisting of 226 differentiated thyroid carcinomas with a considerably long follow-up (11 years), but also it investigates possible prognostic factors, other than those proposed by the EORTC. Three EORTC variables could be reproduced as important: age at diagnosis, locally advanced disease, and distant metastases. Of the additional histopathologic variables tested, microscopic tumor invasion beyond thyroid capsule (pT4) and marked cellular atypia (MCA) proved to be significant. When the effect of the age-correlated tumor factors pT4 and MCA of differentiated thyroid carcinomas were taken into consideration, age alone lost its prognostic importance as a guide for treatment.

Estramustine phosphate as primary therapy for metastatic prostate cancer: Preliminary results of the University of Wisconsin Trial

[onsson and Hogberg were the first to use estramustine phosphate as primary therapy for patients with metastatic prostatic carcinoma;' Their early Iavorable experience prompted them subsequently to initiate a larger phase II trial of 63 patients with resultant objective remissions occurring in 46 (73.0 %) patients. Such encouraging response rates naturally resulted in the establishment of phase III trials comparing estramustine phosphate (Emcyt) to standard estrogen therapy. In one such study, patients with well or moderately well differentiated carcinoma Stages B, C, and D were randomized to receive estramustine phosphate 420 mg p.o. b.i .d, or polyestradiol phosphate one 80-mg IM injection a month plus oral 17-a-ethinylestradiol 2 mg/day for two weeks and thereafter 150 rug/day, There was no significant difference between the two treatment groups except for a somewhat lower frequency of cardiovascular side effects in those patients given estramustine phosphate. In a separate European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) trial patients with previously untreated prostatic carcinoma Stages C and D were randomized to diethylstilbestrol 3 mg q. day or estramustine phosphate 560 mg q. day for eight weeks and 280 mg daily thereafter. Although several progress reports of this study have been published which indicate that there is as yet no demonstrable difference between estramustine phosphate and standard estrogen therapy, an indepth analysis of the 278. entered patients is not yet available.P Our experience at the University of \Visconsin with estramustine phosphate for patients with hormone refractory Stage D carcinoma of the prostate prompted us to begin a phase III trial in 1977 comparing estramustine phosphate to diethylstilbestrol (DES) in previously untreated patients with Stage D

Neutron and neutron-boost irradiation of soft tissue sarcomas: A 4.5 year analysis of 139 patients

A 4.5 year analysis of neutron and neutron-boost therapy is presented for 139 patients with soft tissue sarcomas. The actuarial survival rate of all patients is 64.3%, the disease-free survival rate is 61.6%. Significant differences in local control rates were found as a function of tumour stage (100% for T1, 72% for T2 and 46% for T3; p: 0.018) and as a function of the presence (50.5%) or absence of clinical evidence of tumour at the time of irradiation (76%; p: 0.002). The corresponding actuarial survival rates are 90.1% for T1 tumours, 78.5% for T2 tumours and 51.2% for T3 tumours, and on the other hand, 50.5% for patients with gross tumour and 76% for patients with no clinical evidence of tumour. A rather high morbidity rate (31/111, i.e. 28%) was observed after full neutron treatment. In order to reduce this complication rate, a combination of photons and a neutron boost was adopted. On 28 patients treated up to now, only two severe complications were observed. The effectiveness of this treatment regimen is presently being evaluated in a prospective European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) trial.

Third European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)—National Cancer Institute Symposium

Third European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)—National Cancer Institute Symposium Get access JNCI: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Volume 66, Issue 3, March 1981, Pages 609–610, https://doi.org/10.1093/jnci/66.3.609-f Published: 01 March 1981

European organization for research on treatment of cancer (E.O.R.T.C.) E.O.R.T.C. symposium on treatment of neoplastic lesions of the nervous system : Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels, 10–11 April 1980

European organization for research on treatment of cancer (E.O.R.T.C.) E.O.R.T.C. symposium on treatment of neoplastic lesions of the nervous system : Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels, 10–11 April 1980

European organization for research on treatment of cancer (E.O.R.T.C.) : Metastasis Group A Conference on METASTASIS Clinical and Experimental

European organization for research on treatment of cancer (E.O.R.T.C.) : Metastasis Group A Conference on METASTASIS Clinical and Experimental

European organization for research on treatment of cancer (E.O.R.T.C.) metastasis group a conference on metastasis: Clinical and experimental : 21–23 April 1980, at the Royal Institution, Albermarle Street, London W1, England

European organization for research on treatment of cancer (E.O.R.T.C.) metastasis group a conference on metastasis: Clinical and experimental : 21–23 April 1980, at the Royal Institution, Albermarle Street, London W1, England

European organization for research on treatment of cancer (E.O.R.T.C.) E.O.R.T.C. symposium on advances in cancer chemotherapy : Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels 18–20 October 1979

European organization for research on treatment of cancer (E.O.R.T.C.) E.O.R.T.C. symposium on advances in cancer chemotherapy : Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels 18–20 October 1979

Protocol for an evaluative study of the protective effect of isolation systems and decontamination in patients with high susceptibility to infection

In the fall of 1968 Dr. T. M. Fliedner (University of Ulm, Germany) took the initiative to invite a number of clinicians and scientists working in the field of gnotobiology to discuss the necessity of cooperation. Since it would require many years for each individual clinical unit to evaluate the benefit of the isolation as well as antibiotic decontamination of the digestive tract of patients with a strong immune suppression, it was generally recognized that only co-operation could lead to a conclusive study. A close contact between clinicians and scientists experienced in gnotobiology would be of help since a number of questions arising in the clinical application, could be investigated first in experimental animals. This original nucleus extended rapidly. In the course of 2 years the protocol, published here, was prepared in a series of eight meetings. During this period the group was recognized as an official project group of the European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). Since the final version of the protocol in January 1971, 22 patients have been randomized. Not all units are at this moment in the position to isolate patients, but are expected to do so within the first half of 1972.

Recent Results in Cancer Research: Advances in the Treatment of Acute (Blastic) Leukemias.

This is the 30th volume in the series of recent results in cancer research. It deals with advances in the treatment of acute (blastic) leukemia as presented at the plenary session of the European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) in 1969. This group, comprised of a number of European medical centers, is actively engaged in basic cancer research, drug development, and collaborative clinical research. Several American investigators have also contributed to this two-day meeting and have reported results of cooperative study groups in the United States. The first chapter contains an impressive amount of information on several drugs that have recently come to clinical trial, such as daunomycin (Daunorubicin) and asparaginase. Some interesting animal studies and clinical trial with immunotherapy are described. In the second chapter different therapeutic approaches to acute myeloblastic leukemia are discussed. Most progress has been made in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) of childhood

European organization for research on treatment of cancer (E.O.R.T.C.)

European organization for research on treatment of cancer (E.O.R.T.C.)