Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Hematology & Oncology for August 2019. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Costs of Reusable Colonoscopes Vary Based on Center Volume
FRIDAY, Aug. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The cost per colonoscopy, including purchase, maintenance, and reprocessing costs, varies from $188.64 to $501.16, with higher costs at low-volume centers, according to a study published online Aug. 14 in Gut.
Type and Timing of Menopausal HRT Affect Risk for Breast Cancer
FRIDAY, Aug. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is associated with an increased incidence of breast cancer, according to a study published online Aug. 29 in The Lancet.
FDA: Risk From Tainted Blood Pressure Drugs Very Low
THURSDAY, Aug. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The health risk from contamination of widely used generic blood pressure medications, angiotensin II receptor blockers, is very low, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
AP News Article
More Information: FDA
1984 to 2016 Saw Increase in Age of Death for HIV-Infected
THURSDAY, Aug. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The mean age at death increased for patients with HIV infection from 1984 to 2016, according to a study published online Aug. 28 in the Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
2001 to 2016 Saw Large Increase in Mohs Surgery for Melanoma
THURSDAY, Aug. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2001 to 2016, the use of Mohs surgery for melanoma increased more than threefold, according to a study published online Aug. 28 in JAMA Dermatology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Viewpoint (subscription or payment may be required)
Cancer Survivors Face Long-Term Cardiovascular Risk
THURSDAY, Aug. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Cancer survivors face an increase in the long-term risk for cardiovascular disease, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in The Lancet.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Low Nurse and Support Staffing Tied to Higher Inpatient Mortality
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Low levels of nurse and nursing support staffing are associated with increased inpatient mortality, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in BMJ Quality & Safety.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors May Up Pancreatic Disease Risk
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) is associated with increased risks for pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in Diabetes Care.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Salvage Therapy Does Not Up Survival for Progressive Myeloma
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For myeloma patients with progressive disease (PD) after induction therapy, deepening of response through salvage therapy is not associated with improved progression-free or overall survival, according to a study published online Aug. 19 in Leukemia & Lymphoma.
Physical Activity, Overall Survival Not Linked in Metastatic CRC
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with advanced/metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), greater total physical activity is not associated with longer overall survival, but it may prolong progression-free survival and lower the risk for treatment-related toxicities, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
DEA to Approve Dozens More Growers for Marijuana Research
TUESDAY, Aug. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of marijuana growers allowed to produce the drug for U.S. government-approved research will be expanded from one to 34, officials say.
Few Oncologists Suggest Health Promotion to Cancer Survivors
TUESDAY, Aug. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Few oncologists and specialists recommend health promotion to cancer survivors, according to a study published online Aug. 26 in Cancer.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
CT Scan Screen for Lung Cancer Can ID Smoking-Related Diseases
TUESDAY, Aug. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Lung cancer screening (LCS) computed tomography (CT) scans can be used to identify smoking-related conditions that frequently are associated with adverse events, according to a study published in the July issue of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases: Journal of the COPD Foundation.
Psoriasis Independently Linked to Increased Mortality Risk
TUESDAY, Aug. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Psoriasis is significantly associated with an increased mortality risk, according to a study published online Aug. 12 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
FDA: Men Should Be Included in Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
MONDAY, Aug. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Men should be included in clinical trials of new breast cancer treatments, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
Risk for Cardiovascular Disease Greater for Childhood Cancer Survivors
MONDAY, Aug. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Survivors of childhood cancer have an increased risk for all subtypes of cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to a research letter published online Aug. 26 in Circulation.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Novel Therapy Treats Triple-Class Refractory Multiple Myeloma
FRIDAY, Aug. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The combination of selinexor and dexamethasone seems effective in treating patients with multiple myeloma that has not responded to standard therapies, according to a study published in the Aug. 22 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Prurigo Nodularis Associated With Mental Health Disorders
FRIDAY, Aug. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Prurigo nodularis (PN) is associated with mental health disorders, systemic illnesses, and HIV infection, according to a study published online Aug. 15 in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Most HPV-Linked Cancers Due to Types Targeted by 9vHPV Vaccine
FRIDAY, Aug. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Ninety-two percent of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers are attributable to HPV types targeted by the 9-valent HPV vaccine (9vHPV), according to research published in the Aug. 23 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Coverage With HPV Vaccine Continuing to Increase in Boys
THURSDAY, Aug. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Coverage with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine increased among boys from 2017 to 2018, according to research published in the Aug. 23 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
More Physical Activity at Any Intensity May Reduce Mortality
THURSDAY, Aug. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For middle-aged and older adults, more physical activity at any intensity and less sedentary time are associated with a reduced risk for premature mortality, according to a review published online Aug. 21 in The BMJ.
Many Providers Fail to Discuss Sun-Safe Behaviors With Patients
THURSDAY, Aug. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Less than half of health care providers discuss sun-safe behaviors with patients, according to a study published in the September issue of Preventive Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Odds of Developing C. Diff Increased in Older Cancer Patients
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Older adults with cancer have increased odds of developing Clostridiodes difficile infection (CDI), according to a study published in the September issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Oral Antibiotic Use Linked to Risk for Colorectal Cancer
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Oral antibiotic use is associated with an increased risk for colon cancer and a reduced risk for rectal cancer, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in Gut.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
USPSTF Recommends Genetic Counseling for High BRCA Risk
TUESDAY, Aug. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women who are at increased risk for BRCA1/2 mutations should undergo genetic counseling, and if indicated, genetic testing. These recommendations form the basis of a final recommendation statement published in the Aug. 20 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Recommendation Statement
Evidence Report
Editorial 1 (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial 2 (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial 3 (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial 4 (subscription or payment may be required)
DAAs Cut Deaths in Those Treated for HCV-Related Liver Cancer
TUESDAY, Aug. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Among patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and complete response to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment, direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is associated with a significant reduction in the risk for death, according to a study published online July 30 in Gastroenterology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Lipophilic Statins May Cut Liver Cancer in Chronic Viral Hepatitis
TUESDAY, Aug. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Lipophilic statin use is associated with significantly reduced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) incidence and mortality in adults with chronic viral hepatitis, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Patient Preferences Explored in Multiple Myeloma Treatment
TUESDAY, Aug. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status of ≥2 is linked to lower treatment satisfaction in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), but receiving medication orally is linked to higher satisfaction, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in The Oncologist.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Minority, Low-Income Individuals Less Likely to Receive Oral Cancer Screening
TUESDAY, Aug. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Despite a recent dental visit, more individuals of a minority race/ethnicity and low socioeconomic status report not receiving an oral cancer screening exam, according to a study published online Aug. 20 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
AI Program May Aid in Pathologic Evaluation of Breast Biopsies
FRIDAY, Aug. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An artificial intelligence program outperforms pathologists for differentiating ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) from atypia, according to a study published online Aug. 9 in JAMA Network Open.
SAVED Score Can Predict Risk for VTE in Multiple Myeloma
FRIDAY, Aug. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with multiple myeloma (MM) receiving immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), a risk assessment model, SAVED, can predict the risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), according to a study published in the July issue of the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
FDA Proposes Graphic Warning Labels on Cigarettes
THURSDAY, Aug. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Smokers would have to get past some gruesome imagery to purchase a pack of cigarettes under a new rule proposed Thursday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
ACIP Recommends Catch-Up HPV Vaccines Through Age 26
THURSDAY, Aug. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Catch-up human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations are recommended for all persons through age 26 years and should be considered for some persons aged 27 to 45 years, according to research published in the Aug. 16 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Vaping Industry Group Sues to Delay FDA Review of E-Cigarettes
THURSDAY, Aug. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A vaping industry group has launched legal action to delay the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s upcoming review of electronic cigarettes.
Advertising Can Promote Interest in Health-Related Research
THURSDAY, Aug. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Advertising current local health-related research using large TV monitors in emergency department waiting rooms can increase the short-term interest in health-related research, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in BMJ Open.
Cost Burden of Disease Progression High in Multiple Myeloma
THURSDAY, Aug. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The economic burden of disease progression is considerable among multiple myeloma (MM) patients receiving drug therapy across all lines of therapy (LOTs), according to a study published online Aug. 7 in Leukemia & Lymphoma.
Burden of Obesity-Associated Cancers Shifted to Younger Age Groups
THURSDAY, Aug. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2000 to 2016, there was a shift of the obesity-associated cancer (OAC) burden to younger age groups, according to a study published online Aug. 14 in JAMA Network Open.
Half of Physician Directors of NCI Cancer Centers Receive Industry Payments
THURSDAY, Aug. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In 2017, about half of physician directors of National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers received industry payments, according to a research letter published online Aug. 5 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
AI Assists in Reading of Digital Breast Tomosynthesis Images
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Use of a deep learning artificial intelligence (AI) system for digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) images can improve cancer detection efficacy and reduce image reading time, according to a study published in the July issue of Radiology: Artificial Intelligence.
Non-Hospital-Based Provider-to-Patient Telehealth Use Growing
TUESDAY, Aug. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Use of non-hospital-based provider-to-patient telehealth grew almost 1,400-fold from 2014 to 2018, according to a FAIR Health White Paper.
Coffee May Speed Up Recovery of Function After Bowel Surgery
TUESDAY, Aug. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The time to first postoperative bowel movement after elective laparoscopic colorectal resection is shorter in those drinking coffee versus noncaffeinated tea, according to a study published in the August issue of Diseases of the Colon & Rectum.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Comorbid CVD May Up Mortality With ADT for Prostate Cancer
TUESDAY, Aug. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Elderly prostate cancer patients with preexisting cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) using abiraterone acetate (AA) or enzalutamide (ENZ) have higher short-term mortality compared with their counterparts without CVDs, according to a study published online Aug. 13 in European Urology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
EPA Will Not Approve Warning Labels for Glyphosate
MONDAY, Aug. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Warning labels for the suspected cancer-causing weed killer glyphosate (Roundup) will not be approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
AP News Article
Adherence to Surgical Guidelines Low for Salpingo-Oophorectomy
MONDAY, Aug. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Only two-thirds of all health care providers are fully adherent to surgical guidelines for risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
One-Third of Physicians Will Take 10+ Years to Pay Off Debt
MONDAY, Aug. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Nearly two-thirds of actively practicing physicians are still carrying medical school debt, according to the Medical School Debt Report 2019, published by the staffing firm Weatherby Healthcare.
Medical School Debt Report 2019
Aspirin May Improve Liver Function After Embolization of HCC
MONDAY, Aug. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Aspirin therapy can improve liver function and survival in patients who have received chemoembolization or transarterial embolization for hepatocellular carcinoma, according to a study published in the September issue of the American Journal of Roentgenology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
AI Tool Discerns Lung Cancer Outcomes From Imaging Reports
MONDAY, Aug. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Deep natural language processing may be able to estimate the presence of active cancer, cancer worsening or progression, and cancer improvement or response from radiologic reports, according to a study published online July 25 in JAMA Oncology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Adjuvant RT May Cut Recurrence in Some With Prostate Cancer
MONDAY, Aug. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Adjuvant radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy compared with surgery alone may prolong biochemical recurrence-free survival in patients with locally advanced prostate cancer, according to a study published online July 29 in European Urology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Worse Cancer Outcomes for Elderly HIV-Infected Patients
FRIDAY, Aug. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Elderly HIV-infected patients with cancer have worse outcomes than HIV-uninfected patients with cancer, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in JAMA Oncology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Red Meat Consumption May Up Risk of Invasive Breast Cancer
FRIDAY, Aug. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Red meat consumption may increase the risk of invasive breast cancer, according to a study published online Aug. 6 in the International Journal of Cancer.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Delayed/Foregone Care More Likely for Cancer Survivors With HDHPs
FRIDAY, Aug. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Cancer survivors with high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) are more likely to experience delayed or foregone care, according to a study published online Aug. 8 in the Journal of Oncology Practice.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Medicare to Cover CAR-T Therapy for Leukemia, Lymphoma
THURSDAY, Aug. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A breakthrough gene therapy will be covered for certain types of lymphoma and leukemia, Medicare says.
Breast Cancer Surgery + Another Procedure Ups Complications
THURSDAY, Aug. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients undergoing surgery for breast cancer, who simultaneously have either a plastic or gynecologic procedure, have greater postoperative complications, according to a study published online July 6 in The Breast Journal.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Hematological Malignancy Risk Up for First-Degree Relatives
THURSDAY, Aug. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — First-degree relatives of patients with hematological malignancies have increased relative risks for the same tumor types and some different hematological malignancies, according to a study published online Aug. 8 in Blood.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Younger CRC Patients More Likely to Present With Abdominal Pain
THURSDAY, Aug. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Younger patients with colorectal cancer are more likely to present with abdominal pain and via an emergency, according to a study published online Aug. 6 in Colorectal Disease.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Persistent Inflammation After Sepsis Linked to Higher Mortality
THURSDAY, Aug. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — About two-thirds of patients who survive hospitalization for sepsis have persistent elevation of inflammation and immunosuppression biomarkers, which is linked to increased mortality, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in JAMA Network Open.
Some Cancer Trends Differ for Oldest Old in the United States
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Some cancer trends differ for U.S. patients aged 85 years and older, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
New Score Predicts Risk for VTE in Those With Multiple Myeloma
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A new risk prediction score outperforms current guidelines for predicting venous thromboembolism (VTE) in multiple myeloma (MM), according to a study published online Aug. 4 in the American Journal of Hematology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Medicare Spending on Essential Medicines Up 116 Percent From 2011 to 2015
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Spending associated with essential medicines grew substantially from 2011 to 2015 for Medicare Part D beneficiaries, according to a study published online July 17 in The BMJ.
USPSTF Reaffirms Recs Against Screening for Pancreatic Cancer
TUESDAY, Aug. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends against screening for pancreatic adenocarcinoma as the potential benefits do not outweigh the potential harms. These recommendations form the basis of a final recommendation statement published in the Aug. 6 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Recommendation Statement
Evidence Report
Editorial 1
Editorial 2
DNA Methylation Classifier Predicts Progression in CIN2
TUESDAY, Aug. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A DNA methylation classifier can predict progression in young women with untreated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 (CIN2), according to a study published online July 25 in Clinical Infectious Diseases.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Bone Health Management Key in Childhood Cancer Survivors
TUESDAY, Aug. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — As part of a literature review, published in the June issue of the Annals of Oncology, recommendations are presented for the management of bone health in survivors of childhood cancer.
Overweight, Obesity May Up Early Mortality Risk in Pediatric ALL
MONDAY, Aug. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For Mexican children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), overweight and obesity are predictors of early mortality, according to a study published online July 18 in BMC Cancer.
Psychologic Distress Linked to Cervical Cancer Mortality
FRIDAY, Aug. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A clinical diagnosis of stress-related disorders or an occurrence of stressful life events around the time of cervical cancer diagnosis is associated with an increased risk for cancer-specific mortality, according to a study published in the August issue of Cancer Research.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Brand-Brand Competition Has Not Cut Prices in Pharma Market
FRIDAY, Aug. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Brand-brand competition in the U.S. pharmaceutical market has not lowered drug list prices, according to a review published online July 30 in PLOS Medicine.
Trump Admin Announces Plan to Allow Drug Imports From Canada
THURSDAY, Aug. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Americans could import less expensive prescription drugs from Canada under a plan being developed by the Trump administration.
HHS Press Release
PhRMA Statement
Many Hospitals Lack Sufficient Surgery Volumes
THURSDAY, Aug. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients can achieve better outcomes by choosing a hospital and a surgeon with adequate, ongoing experience performing a specific surgery, according to a new report entitled Safety In Numbers: The Leapfrog Group’s Report on High-Risk Surgeries Performed at American Hospitals.
Transfusion Reactions Up With Postpartum Blood Transfusion
THURSDAY, Aug. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Blood transfusions received postpartum are associated with an increased risk for transfusion reactions (TRs), especially among women with preeclampsia, according to a study published online July 31 in Blood Advances.
One Dose of HPV Vaccine May Be Sufficient in Certain Situations
THURSDAY, Aug. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — One dose of prophylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine may be as effective as two or three doses in preventing high-grade disease in a high-coverage setting, according to a study published online July 15 in Papillomavirus Research.
Ibrutinib-Rituximab Beats Chemoimmunotherapy for CLL
THURSDAY, Aug. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with previously untreated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), ibrutinib-rituximab is more efficacious than chemoimmunotherapy, according to a study published in the Aug. 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Dietary Vitamin A Intake Tied to Reduced Risk for Squamous Cell Carcinoma
THURSDAY, Aug. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Increased dietary vitamin A seems to be associated with a reduced risk for incident cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), according to a study published online July 31 in JAMA Dermatology.
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Copyright © 2019 ScoutNews, LLC. All rights reserved.
