J A Sloan

..We report an analysis exploring relationships among baseline QOL assessments and candidate genetic variations in a large cohort of patients with lung cancer...

..This study evaluated the prognostic value of QOL assessments with regard to OS in a large cohort of patients with lung cancer...

..Responsiveness and MID must be demonstrated and documented for the particular study population, and these measurement characteristics are needed for PRO labeling and promotional claims...

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..Olmsted County, MN, geographically isolated from other urban areas offers the opportunity to study clinical pathogenesis of ALI in a search for potential prevention targets...

..We developed limited sampling models (LSMs) for predicting the area under the curve (AUC) of irinotecan (CPT-11) and its metabolites SN-38 and SN-38 glucuronide (SN-38G)...

..There remains a need for more research in several methodologic aspects of design, analysis, and interpretation of symptom management trials...

..We populate the paper with concrete examples of how QOL data need not be treated any different, in terms of statistical analysis, than tumor response or other clinical end points...

..The primary conclusion from this work is that scientifically sound investigations into the QOL of early-stage lung cancer patients are feasible and encouraged so that the care of these patients can be optimized...

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..After these findings, an additional meta-analysis of the toxicity profiles on five NCCTG colorectal cancer treatment trials was undertaken...

..We explore alternative options to customize the graphic representation for other data sets drawn from several NCCTG clinical trials...

..This is vitally important because after all, at the heart of all healthcare endeavors is the patient...

..The objective was to produce a simple, practical, stratification factor for phase III oncology clinical trials involving patients with advanced malignant disease...

..4. A process of MCID estimation involving all approaches to produce a potential range with sensitivity analyses is the optimal solution to producing an MCID based on the most complete knowledge possible...

..The instruments were used with equal success both in face-to-face interviews and via mail...

..g.,missing data, multiplicity, null results etc.). The manuscript provides key literature for existing resources and proposes new guidelines...

..The theoretical discussion is supplemented with an example of how the various ideas can be operationalized in an oncology clinical trial...

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..Multitargeted antifolate (MTA) is an investigational agent that, like gemcitabine, exhibits broad activity in solid tumors. A phase I trial of MTA and gemcitabine was undertaken, based on the demonstration of preclinical cytotoxic synergy...

..To present the results of a quality-of-life (QOL) assessment performed with the current version of the Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS) questionnaire in a large single-institutional data set of 650 patients with lung cancer...

..Anecdotal information suggested a low dose of a relatively new antidepressant, venlafaxine, could abrogate this clinical problem...

..We undertook a phase I study of BAY 12-9566, an inhibitor of MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-3, in patients with solid tumors to determine its safety, pharmacokinetics, and effects on potential surrogate markers of biologic activity...

..99). The maximum number of stools per day was 5.1 for the glutamine arm and 5.2 for the placebo arm (P =.99). CONCLUSION: There is no evidence of a beneficial effect of glutamine during pelvic RT...

..However, the combination of BAY, VP-16 and CDBCA produces significant hematologic toxicity. Findings from this study may help to direct further studies with other inhibitors of MMPs...

..We undertook a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial to assess the efficacy of venlafaxine in women with a history of breast cancer or reluctance to take hormonal treatment because of fear of breast cancer...

..Coumarin has been reported to be effective for the treatment of women with lymphedema; we undertook a study in which we attempted to replicate those findings...

..The current trial was developed to compare and contrast a progestational agent, a corticosteroid, and an anabolic corticosteroid for the treatment of cancer anorexia/cachexia...

..Little is known about the prevalence of suicidal ideation among U.S. medical students or how it relates to burnout...

..CONCLUSION: This trial failed to provide any evidence that black cohosh reduced hot flashes more than the placebo...

..Cross-validation sensitivity analysis of results support the conclusion that nortriptyline provides modest improvement at best over placebo in terms of chemotherapy-related neuropathy...

..The objectives of this pilot trial were to assess the potential efficacy and safety of levetiracetam for the treatment of hot flashes, a major cause of morbidity among breast cancer survivors...

..This combination can be administered safely to this schedule if there is strict adherence to the 90 min infusion time for both CPT-11 and 5-FU...

..i.d.) but also provides the first evidence of successful inhibition of FT in the clinical setting and the first hint of clinical activity for this class of agents...

..Eight patients had disease stabilization for five or more cycles. CONCLUSION: Gemcitabine immediately followed by pemetrexed is well tolerated and clinically active, and deserves further evaluation in phase II trials...

..The use of potential agents of risk by the survivors and the lack of access to potentially beneficial modalities highlights the need for further study of CAM in this population...

..001), and greater extent of resection (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Baseline QOL was predictive of QOL over time. Gross total resection was associated with longer survival and improved QOL over time for patients with high-grade gliomas...

..Having a pessimistic outlook has been related to negative health behaviors and higher mortality. However, the construct has not been well explored in cancer populations...

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..CONCLUSION: Given the data gained from these experiences, we can plan and carry out more efficient trials to identify efficacious agents for the reduction of hot flash activity...

..The present trial was developed to evaluate the nonhormonal vaginal lubricating preparation, Replens, for alleviating these symptoms...

..CONCLUSION: CAM use is common among patients in phase I trials and should be ascertained by investigators, because some of the agents used may interact with investigational agents and affect adverse effects and/or efficacy...

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..Six hundred ninety-six additional findings of clinical importance were identified. CONCLUSION: CT can depict early-stage lung cancers. The rate of benign nodule detection is high...

..Overall response rate was 94% including seven very good partial responses and five complete responses. Addition of 153Sm EDTMP to melphalan conditioning appears to be safe, well-tolerated and worthy of further study...

..The data suggest that the single-item LASA scales are valid for assessing QOL of cancer patients and are an appropriate alternative when a shorter instrument is warranted...

..Fatigue and distress have been separately shown to be associated with medical errors. The contribution of each factor when assessed simultaneously is unknown...

..Few objective data exist on the burden of fatigue and other constitutional symptoms in patients with myeloproliferative disorders (MPD)...

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..However, exploratory analyses revealed improvement in some secondary outcomes, such as fatigue. Further research with valerian exploring physiologic effects in oncology symptom management may be warranted...

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..Physical activity level may have important QOL and symptom management benefits for long-term lung cancer survivors...

..The authors assessed the severity of thoughts of dropping out and explored the relationship of such thoughts with burnout and other indicators of distress...

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..Therefore, there is a continued need for rigorous evaluation to identify effective nonhormonal options for hot flash relief...

..To characterize the feasibility of delivering a structured physical therapy (PT) program as part of a multidisciplinary intervention to patients undergoing outpatient radiation therapy for advanced cancer...

..Patients in the upfront arm were slightly more likely to report limb edema, fatigue, fever, nausea and jaw osteonecrosis(1%). Upfront zoledronic acid prevents bone loss in postmenopausal women with BC starting letrozole after tamoxifen...

..Risedronate prevents bone loss in postmenopausal women. The purpose of this study was to determine whether risedronate prevents bone loss in premenopausal women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer...

..The characteristics and natural history of the paclitaxel-acute pain syndrome (P-APS) and paclitaxel's more chronic neuropathy have not been well delineated...

..To assess the effectiveness of depot octreotide for the prevention of diarrhea during pelvic radiation therapy...

..The effectiveness with which physicians help patients adjust to the physical, intellectual, and emotional challenges of CLL appears to impact patient QOL...

..Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitors are effective cancer therapies, but they are reported to cause a rash in >50% of patients. In the current study, the authors examined the use of tetracycline for rash prevention...

..Based on such data, a multicenter double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of lamotrigine on pain and other neuropathic symptoms due to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN)...

..This project was designed to provide an overview of hot flash studies conducted over the past two decades at the Mayo Clinic and in the North Central Cancer Treatment Group...

..The authors conducted a comprehensive assessment of how learning environment, clinical rotation factors, workload, demographics and personal life events relate to student burnout...

..Aromatase inhibitors further increase bone loss in these patients. This study evaluates whether zoledronic acid prevents the bone loss expected when these patients initiate letrozole...

..Further investigation is warranted in this area, including interventions specifically designed and targeted to both reduce caregiver burden and to improve caregiver QOL...

..We tested the hypothesis that genes encoding glutathione enzymes may predict lung cancer short-term survival...

..To evaluate the toxicities, characterize the pharmacokinetics, and determine the maximum-tolerated dose of bizelesin administered once every 4 weeks...

..This current trial compared a single intramuscular dose of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), depot preparation, versus daily oral venlafaxine as treatment for hot flashes...

..In this project, we examined the impact that participation in a randomized controlled trial of a multidisciplinary intervention designed to impact overall QOL had on fatigue for advanced cancer patients actively receiving treatment...

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..To assess the maximum tolerated dose, toxicities, pharmacokinetics, and antileukemic activity of topotecan and carboplatin in adults with recurrent or refractory acute leukemias...

..To obtain pilot prospective data regarding the efficacy and tolerability of gabapentin for alleviating hot flashes...

..This study determined whether an EPA supplement-administered alone or with megestrol acetate (MA)-was more effective than MA...

..To determine the potential suitability of the 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) for measuring health-related quality of life (HRQL) in patients with Graves' ophthalmopathy...

..This Phase I study was undertaken to define the toxicity, pharmacodynamics, and maximum tolerated dose of the combination of R115777, a farnesyl transferase inhibitor, with gemcitabine and cisplatin in patients with advanced solid tumors...

..Medical errors are associated with feelings of distress in physicians, but little is known about the magnitude and direction of these associations...

..Eight of 10 patients using analgesics reported reduced use at some time after RF ablation. No serious complications were observed. CONCLUSION: RF ablation of painful osteolytic metastases is safe, and the relief of pain is substantial...

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..Our investigation provides no evidence that megestrol acetate down-regulates IL-6 in patients with cancer-associated anorexia and weight loss...

..Based on anecdotal information regarding the efficacy of fluoxetine and other newer antidepressants for treating hot flashes, the present trial was developed...

..There was evidence of antitumor activity in one out of six patients. Further investigation of this approach in patients with recurrent sarcomas is warranted...

..A prospective cohort study was conducted to analyze whether self-reported fatigue predicts overall survival in patients with esophageal cancer...

..Aerosol delivery of GM-CSF is feasible, safe, and possibly effective. Aerosol cytokine delivery may achieve effective immunological activation against cancer in the lung and is worthy of further study...

..Anorexia is a noxious symptom, and over half of patients with advanced cancer experience it. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), leptin, and cholecystokinin 8 (CCK8) have been implicated...

..As such, great care needs to be given to a priori determination of the QOL constructs that are most likely to change...

..Combination nicotine nasal spray and nicotine patches were delivered safely in a nonspecialized outpatient clinical setting and enhanced short-term smoking abstinence rates, but these rates were not sustained at 6 months...

..This Phase II trial explored green tea's antineoplastic effects in patients with androgen independent prostate carcinoma...

..To evaluate quality of life (QOL) and tumor response after administration of an oral chemotherapy regimen in patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer...

..Within the limitations of self-reported data, these results provide a benchmark for future interventions to improve QOL in patients with MDS...

..A secondary goal is to stimulate further discussion and research in the interpretation of QOL assessments...

..These data suggest that IL-12 and rituximab is an active combination and further studies of this combination in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma are warranted...

..To determine whether dronabinol administered alone or with megestrol acetate was more, less, or equal in efficacy to single-agent megestrol acetate for palliating cancer-associated anorexia...

..Topotecan showed significant activity in the treatment of extensive stage SCLC when administered as a brief daily IV repeated every 3 weeks...

..A large interdisciplinary team collaborated on developing operational methods to combine existing data sources into unified cancer patient histories...