Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Hematology & Oncology for March 2020. 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.
Methylation Analysis of cfDNA IDs >50 Cancer Types
TUESDAY, March 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Methylation analysis of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sequencing can detect malignancy across stages with high specificity, according to a study published online March 30 in the Annals of Oncology.
Doctors, Hospitals, Pharmacies Warned Not to Stockpile Meds
TUESDAY, March 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a joint statement released by the American Medical Association, American Pharmacists Association, and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the professional groups “strongly oppose” physicians, pharmacies, and hospitals prophylactically prescribing medications or purchasing excessive amounts or stockpiles of potential treatments for COVID-19.
U.S. Army Opens Field Hospital in New York City
MONDAY, March 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The first U.S. Army field hospital for civilian patients opened in New York City Monday and could be the first of many across the nation as it struggles with the coronavirus pandemic.
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PPE Negative for SARS-CoV-2 After Patient Contact
FRIDAY, March 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Samples collected from personal protective equipment (PPE) from health care workers (HCWs) caring for patients positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were negative for SARS-CoV-2, according to research published online March 26 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
Workers at Risk for COVID-19 Exposure Can Access Online Training
THURSDAY, March 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The National Institutes of Health has launched a new website with educational resources for hospital employees, emergency first responders, and other workers at risk for exposure to COVID-19.
Increased Risk for SARS-CoV-2 Seen in Cancer Patients in Wuhan
THURSDAY, March 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Patients with cancer in Wuhan had an increased risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, according to a research letter published online March 25 in JAMA Oncology.
Reduction Noted in Transfusion Burden With Luspatercept
THURSDAY, March 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For patients with transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia, significantly more have a reduction in transfusion burden with receipt of luspatercept versus placebo, according to a study published in the March 26 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Acute Kidney Injury Seems to Promote Renal Cell Carcinoma
THURSDAY, March 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Acute kidney injury (AKI) seems to promote the development of papillary renal cell carcinoma (pRCC) from single progenitors, according to a study published in the March 25 issue of Science Translational Medicine.
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Prospective, Randomized Studies of AI Lacking in Medical Imaging
THURSDAY, March 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In the field of medical imaging, there are few prospective studies and randomized trials of deep learning, according to a review published online March 25 in The BMJ.
National Health Spending Expected to Increase Through 2028
WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — National health expenditures are projected to increase at an average annual rate of 5.4 percent for 2019 to 2028, representing almost 20 percent of U.S. gross domestic product by 2028, according to a study published online March 24 in Health Affairs.
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FDA: Insulin Among Drugs Transitioned to Biological Products
TUESDAY, March 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Insulin and other biologic drugs, such as human growth hormone, have now transitioned to being regulated as biological products, providing a new pathway for approval of biosimilars and interchangeable versions of these products and introducing competition into the market, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Monday.
More Steps in a Day Tied to Lower Risk for Death
TUESDAY, March 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A greater number of daily steps — 8,000 or more — is associated with a significantly lower risk for all-cause mortality, according to a study conducted in U.S. adults published in the March 24/31 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Interleukin-1β Inhibition Linked to Reduced Incidence of Anemia
TUESDAY, March 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Inhibition of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) with canakinumab is associated with reduced incident anemia as well as improved hemoglobin levels among patients with baseline anemia, according to research published online March 24 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Iron Chelation Therapy Treats Iron Overload in MDS
MONDAY, March 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Iron chelation therapy (ICT) seems beneficial for iron-overloaded patients with low- or intermediate-1-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), according to a study published online March 24 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Article Addresses Management of Cancer Care During COVID-19
MONDAY, March 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Management of cancer care during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is addressed in a special feature article published online March 20 in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
Cumulative Dose of Oral Steroids Associated With HTN Incidence
MONDAY, March 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For adults with any of six chronic inflammatory diseases, a cumulative dose of oral glucocorticoids is associated with an increased incidence of hypertension, according to a study published online March 23 in CMAJ, the journal of the Canadian Medical Association.
10-Year Outcomes Similar for H-IMRT, C-IMRT in Prostate Cancer
MONDAY, March 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For men with intermediate- and high-risk prostate adenocarcinoma, 10-year outcomes are similar with conventionally fractionated intensity-modulated radiation therapy (C-IMRT) or moderate hypofractionated IMRT (H-IMRT), according to a study published online March 2 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
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1990 to 2017 Saw Increases in Primary Liver Cancer Cases
MONDAY, March 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 1990 to 2017, there were increases in the number of primary liver cancer (PLC) cases among those diagnosed at ages 30 to 59 and ≥60 years, according to a study published online March 23 in Cancer.
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Young Cancer Survivors Have More Financial, Food Insecurity
FRIDAY, March 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Greater financial worry and food insecurity are reported for younger adult cancer survivors, according to a study published online in the March issue of the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
Patients Underestimate Length of Mohs Surgery Scars
FRIDAY, March 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Scars from Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) for facial skin cancers are often longer than patients expect, according to a study published online March 11 in JAMA Network Open.
Serial Interval of COVID-19 Estimated at 3.96 Days
FRIDAY, March 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The serial interval of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), defined as the time between a primary case and secondary case developing symptoms, is 3.96 days, according to a study published online March 19 in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Large Decrease Seen in Melanoma Mortality From 2013 to 2016
THURSDAY, March 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2013 to 2016, there was a large decrease of 17.9 percent in melanoma mortality, according to a study published online March 19 in the American Journal of Public Health.
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Low Muscle Mass, Density Linked to Shorter Survival in Lymphoma
THURSDAY, March 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The combination of low muscle mass (LMM) and low muscle density (LMD) is associated with shorter survival in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), according to a study published online March 13 in Leukemia & Lymphoma.
Copper Intrauterine Devices Tied to Lower Risk for Cervical Cancer
WEDNESDAY, March 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Use of copper intrauterine devices (Cu IUDs) is associated with a lower risk for cervical cancer versus use of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), according to a study published in the February issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.
Graphic Health Warnings Coming for U.S. Cigarette Packs
TUESDAY, March 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Graphic new health warnings must appear on cigarette packages and in cigarette ads beginning next year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says.
Per-Capita Medical Radiation Exposure Down in United States
TUESDAY, March 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2006 to 2016, there was a decrease in per-capita exposure to medical radiation in the United States, according to a study published online March 17 in Radiology.
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Causal Link Suggested for IGF-1 Concentrations, Breast Cancer
TUESDAY, March 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There seems to be a causal association between circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentrations and breast cancer, according to a study published online March 10 in the Annals of Oncology.
Nonsmoker Mortality Showcases Harm of Secondhand Smoke
TUESDAY, March 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 1990 to 2016, the number of individuals who smoke associated with the death of one individual who died from secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure increased to 52.3, according to a study published online March 17 in JAMA Network Open.
Chemo Ups Disease-Free Survival in Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer
TUESDAY, March 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For patients with locally advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), gemcitabine-platinum combination chemotherapy improves disease-free survival, according to a study published online March 5 in The Lancet.
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Race, Insurance Status Linked to Lower Cancer Survival
MONDAY, March 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Nonwhite, uninsured patients with clinically favorable human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) have higher mortality than their white peers, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
Spirometry Suggests COPD for Many at Lung Cancer Screening
MONDAY, March 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Many individuals undergoing low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening (LCS) have spirometry findings consistent with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study published online March 13 in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society.
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Breast Cancer Incidence Rising for Young Women Since 1935
FRIDAY, March 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of breast cancer for women aged 25 to 39 years has been increasing since 1935 and seems not to be related to changes in parity over time, according to a study published online March 13 in JAMA Network Open.
Psoriasis Linked to Increased Risk for Developing Cancer
FRIDAY, March 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Patients with psoriasis may have a slightly increased risk for cancer, according to a review published online Feb. 19 in JAMA Dermatology.
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Recommendations Updated for Postcolonoscopy Management
FRIDAY, March 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In two guideline updates from the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer, published in the March issue of Gastroenterology, recommendations are presented for postcolonoscopy management and endoscopic removal of colorectal lesions.
Abstract/Full Text – Gupta
Abstract/Full Text – Kaltenbach
Prevalence of CRC Screening Lowest in Adults Aged 50 to 54
THURSDAY, March 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is lowest among adults aged 50 to 54 years, according to research published in the March 13 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Invasive Breast Cancer Detection Up With Abbreviated Breast MRI
THURSDAY, March 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Abbreviated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is associated with a significantly higher rate of invasive breast cancer detection compared with digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) among women with dense breasts, according to a study published online Feb. 25 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Decreases Seen in Cancer Incidence, Death Rates
THURSDAY, March 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Cancer incidence and death rates have decreased in recent years, according to two studies published online March 12 in Cancer.
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CRC Risks Similar to General Population After Bariatric Surgery
THURSDAY, March 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Patients with obesity undergoing bariatric surgery have the same risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) as the general population, according to a study published online March 11 in JAMA Surgery.
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Second Case of HIV-1 Cure After Stem Cell Transplant Reported
THURSDAY, March 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A second case of HIV-1 cure following allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation has been reported at 30 months after analytical treatment interruption (ATI), according to a study published online March 10 in The Lancet HIV.
Safety, Effectiveness of VKAs, DOACs Similar in General Practice
THURSDAY, March 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For patients receiving anticoagulants, arteriovenous events and major bleeding events do not differ for those receiving vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), according to a study published in the March/April issue of the Annals of Family Medicine.
Risk for Liver Cancer Down With Low-Dose Aspirin in Hepatitis B, C
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Low-dose aspirin is associated with a reduced risk for hepatocellular carcinoma among patients with chronic viral hepatitis, according to a study published in the March 12 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Advanced Features Seen in Some Adults With Small Thyroid Tumors
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Almost 19 percent of adult patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) present with advanced features, according to a study published online March 6 in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons.
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Sustained Favorable Outcomes Found With Digital Breast Tomosynthesis
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) screening outcomes are favorable and sustained over multiple years, according to a study published online March 10 in Radiology.
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Dairy Milk Tied to Higher Breast Cancer Risk
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Higher intakes of dairy milk are associated with a greater risk for breast cancer, when adjusting for soy intake, according to a study published online Feb. 25 in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
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Low-Dose Chest CT Does Not Seem to Alter Chromosomal DNA
TUESDAY, March 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Low-dose (LD) computed tomography (CT) chest examinations appear to have no biological effect on chromosomal DNA, according to a study published online March 10 in Radiology.
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Genetic Mutations ID’d in Breast Cancer After Menopause
TUESDAY, March 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a cohort of unselected postmenopausal women with breast cancer, 3.55 percent have pathogenic variants (PVs) in breast cancer-associated genes compared with 1.29 percent in cancer-free controls, according to a research letter published in the March 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Bereavement Tied to Higher Melanoma-Related Mortality
TUESDAY, March 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There is a decreased risk for melanoma diagnosis among bereaved individuals but increased mortality associated with melanoma compared with nonbereaved individuals, according to a study published online March 3 in the British Journal of Dermatology.
2018 Health Care Spending Up Due to Higher Prices
MONDAY, March 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Average employer-sponsored insurance spending rose to $5,892 per person in 2018, according to the Health Care Cost Institute annual Health Care Cost and Utilization Report.
Health Care Cost and Utilization Report
Guidelines Detail Management of Liver Failure in ICU Patients
MONDAY, March 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In an executive summary of a new guideline from the Society of Critical Care Medicine, published in the March issue of Critical Care Medicine, a set of evidence-based recommendations are presented for the management of liver failure in critically ill patients.
Knowledge of Cancer Risk, Health Promotion Varies Widely
FRIDAY, March 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Cancer risk awareness varies by socioeconomic status, according to the results of the International Public Opinion Survey on Cancer.
International Public Opinion Survey on Cancer
Genetic Testing Proposed for All Women ≤65 With Breast Cancer
FRIDAY, March 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Expansion of National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) hereditary cancer testing criteria to include all women diagnosed with breast cancer at ≤65 years would improve the sensitivity of detection of germline pathogenic variants, according to a study published online March 3 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
CRC Incidence, Mortality Declining for Adults Aged ≥65
FRIDAY, March 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality are continuing to decline among adults aged 65 years and older but are increasing among younger adults, according to a study published online March 5 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.
Many Young Women With Breast Cancer Experience Financial Decline
THURSDAY, March 5, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Almost half of young women with a breast cancer diagnosis experience financial decline, according to a study published in the March issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
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Omega-3 Fatty Acids Seem Not to Protect Against Cancer
THURSDAY, March 5, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Omega-3 fatty acids do not appear to protect against cancer and may only have a small beneficial effect in coronary heart disease, according to two reviews published online Feb. 29 in the British Journal of Cancer and the Cochrane Library.
Abstract/Full Text – Hanson (subscription or payment may be required)
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Female Clinical Chairs Paid Significantly Less Than Men
THURSDAY, March 5, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There are significant sex differences in salaries of clinical department chairs in public medical schools in the United States, according to a research letter published online March 2 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Combined Biopsy Method Better for Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Combined biopsy, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-targeted and systematic biopsy, leads to more detection of prostate cancers among patients with MRI-visible lesions, according to a study published in the March 5 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Molecularly Matched Therapy Promising in Pancreatic Cancer
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Receipt of molecularly matched therapy is associated with improved outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer, according to a study published online March 2 in The Lancet Oncology.
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Late Mortality Down for Young Adult, Adolescent Cancer Survivors
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — All-cause and cause-specific mortality have decreased among five-year adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors overall, but improvements have not been consistent across all cancer types, according to a study published online March 3 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
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Racial/Ethnic Insurance Coverage Disparity Down Since ACA
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Since the implementation of coverage expansions associated with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the disparities in insurance coverage related to race and ethnicity have decreased, according to a study published in the March issue of Health Affairs.
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Considerable Increase Seen in List, Net Prices of Branded Drugs
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2018, there were substantial increases in list and net prices of branded drugs in the United States, according to a study published in the March 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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1996 to 2016 Saw Increases in U.S. Spending on Health Care
TUESDAY, March 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 1996 to 2016, there were considerable increases in U.S. spending on health care, according to a study published in the March 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Surgical Approach Not Tied to Decision Regret After Prostatectomy
TUESDAY, March 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Surgical approach is not associated with intermediate-term decision regret following radical prostatectomy, according to a study published in the March issue of The Journal of Urology.
Ambient Air Pollution Causes Decreased Life Expectancy
TUESDAY, March 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Ambient air pollution is a leading cause of excess mortality and loss of life expectancy (LLE), according to a study published online March 3 in Cardiovascular Research.
Use of PPIs Tied to Cognitive Issues in Breast Cancer Survivors
TUESDAY, March 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Use of acid reflux drugs (proton pump inhibitors [PPIs]) during and after cancer treatment may be tied to impaired memory and concentration in breast cancer survivors, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship.
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Treatment for Hereditary Breast Cancer Not Always Guideline-Concordant
MONDAY, March 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Many women with early-stage breast cancer who test positive for an inherited genetic variant are receiving cancer treatment that does not follow current guidelines, according to a study published online Feb. 6 in JAMA Oncology.
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