A patient's perspective on the side effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of advanced and metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

To provide the gastrointestinal stromal tumor patient's perspective on side effects of tyrosine kinase inhibitors and compare this with that of healthcare professionals. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 patients with an advanced or metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumor, as well as six healthcare professionals, and five patients participated in a focus group. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data.

International Validation of the EORTC QLQ-ANL27, a Field Study to Test the Anal Cancer-Specific Health-Related Quality-of-Life Questionnaire.

Purpose: The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) health-related quality of life questionnaire for anal cancer (QLQ-ANL27) supplements the EORTC cancer generic measure (QLQ-C30) to measure concerns specific to people with anal cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy. This study tested the psychometric properties and acceptability of the QLQ-ANL27.

Methods And Materials: People with anal cancer were recruited from 15 countries to complete the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-ANL27 and provide feedback on the QLQ-ANL27.

Health-related quality of life scores of metastatic pancreatic cancer patients responsive to first line chemotherapy compared to newly derived EORTC QLQ-C30 reference values.

Background: Metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC) and its treatments significantly impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL). POLO, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial evaluated the efficacy of olaparib as maintenance therapy in germline BRCA mutated mPC patients who had not progressed during ≥16 weeks of first-line platinum-based chemotherapy. HRQoL was assessed using the EORTC QLQ-C30.

Evaluation of increased fiber, decreased amino acids, or decreased electrolyte balance as dietary approaches to slow finishing pig growth rates.

In swine production, pig movement restrictions or packing plant closures may create the need to slow growth rates of finishing pigs to ensure they remain at a marketable body weight when packing plant access is restored. Although dietary formulations can be successful at slowing pig growth, precision is needed regarding how to best formulate diets to achieve growth rate reductions. Thus, the objective was to evaluate three dietary experimental approaches aimed at slowing growth rates in finishing pigs.

Developing Symptom Lists for People with Cancer Treated with Targeted Therapies.

Background: Targeted therapies (TTs) have revolutionised cancer treatment with their enhanced specificity of action. Compared with conventional therapies, TTs are delivered over a longer period and often have unusual symptom profiles. Patient-reported outcome measures such as symptom side-effect lists need to be developed in a time-efficient manner to enable a rapid and full evaluation of new treatments and effective clinical management OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop a set of TT-related symptoms and identify the optimal method for developing symptom lists.

Psychometric properties of the updated EORTC module for assessing quality of life in patients with lung cancer (QLQ-LC29): an international, observational field study.

Background: The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire-Lung Cancer 13 (QLQ-LC13) assesses quality of life (QOL) in patients with lung cancer and was the first EORTC module developed for use in international clinical trials. Since its publication in 1994, major treatment advances with possible effects on QOL have occurred. These changes called for an update of the module and its international psychometric validation.

International validation of the EORTC CAT Core: a new adaptive instrument for measuring core quality of life domains in cancer.

Background: The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Group (QLG) has developed computerised adaptive tests (CATs) for the 14 functional and symptom domains of the EORTC QLQ-C30 quality of life questionnaire. This is expected to optimise measurement precision, relevance to patients and flexibility. Here, we present the first international validation of the EORTC CAT Core.

Exploring the patient experience of locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer to inform patient-reported outcomes assessment.

Purpose: Pancreatic cancer and its treatments impact patients' symptoms, functioning, and quality of life. Content-valid patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments are required to assess outcomes in clinical trials. This study aimed to: (a) conceptualise the patient experience of pancreatic cancer; (b) identify relevant PRO instruments; (c) review the content validity of mapped instruments to guide PRO measurement in clinical trials.

Effects of dietary chromium propionate on growth performance, metabolism, and immune biomarkers in heat-stressed finishing pigs1.

Study objectives were to determine the effects of chromium (Cr) propionate (Cr propionate 0.04%; 0.5 g/kg of feed to deliver 200 parts per billion Cr/d; KemTRACE Cr, Kemin Industries, Inc.

Psychometric evaluation of a patient-reported outcome measure in pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI).

Background/objectives: Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) is commonly caused by chronic pancreatitis (CP) or cystic fibrosis (CF). There are no PEI-specific patient-reported assessments of symptoms and impacts. The PEI Questionnaire (PEI-Q) was developed through qualitative research with PEI patients and expert clinical input.

International phase IV validation study of an EORTC quality of life questionnaire for testicular cancer patients: the EORTC QLQ-TC26.

Background: Given the high cure-rate for testicular cancer (TC) and the patients' young age, comprehensive evaluation of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important consideration in this patient population. The EORTC QLQ-TC26 questionnaire module has been developed to supplement the EORTC QLQ-C30 in assessing TC-specific HRQOL in clinical trials and routine clinical practice. This international, multicentre phase IV validation study evaluated the psychometric properties of the new module.

Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis: International State-of-the-Science Conference With Recommendations.

Recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) is a clinically significant problem globally. The etiology remains unclear in approximately 10% to 15% of patients despite a thorough workup. Data on natural history and efficacy of treatments are limited.

Understanding the quality of life (QOL) issues in survivors of cancer: towards the development of an EORTC QOL cancer survivorship questionnaire.

Backround: The number of cancer survivors is growing steadily and increasingly, clinical trials are being designed to include long-term follow-up to assess not only survival, but also late effects and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Therefore it is is essential to develop patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) that capture the full range of issues relevant to disease-free cancer survivors. The objectives of this project are: 1) to develop a European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) questionnaire that captures the full range of physical, mental and social HRQOL issues relevant to disease-free cancer survivors; and 2) to determine at which minimal time since completion of treatment the questionnaire should be used.

Intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein as a Marker of Necrosis and Severity in Acute Pancreatitis.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to study intestinal fatty acid binding protein (i-FABP) as a potential biomarker in predicting severity of acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods: In a prospective multicenter cohort study, plasma levels of i-FABP were measured in 402 patients with AP. Severity of AP was determined based on the 1992 Atlanta Classification.

Surgeons' assessment versus risk models for predicting complications of hepato-pancreato-biliary surgery (HPB-RISC): a multicenter prospective cohort study.

Background: Several studies advise the use of risk models when counseling patients for hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgery, but studies comparing these models to the surgeons' assessment are lacking. The aim of this study was to assess whether risk prediction models outperform surgeons' assessment for the risk of complications in HPB surgery.

Methods: This prospective study included adult patients scheduled for HPB surgery in three centers in the UK and the Netherlands.

Factors Influencing Global Health Related Quality of Life in Elderly Cancer Patients: Results of a Secondary Data Analysis.

Cancer treatment for elderly patients is often complicated by poor physical condition, impaired functioning and comorbidities. Patient reported health related quality of life (HRQOL) can contribute to decisions about treatment goals and supportive therapy. Knowledge about factors influencing HRQOL is therefore needed for the development of supportive measures and care pathways.

Phase I-III development of the EORTC QLQ-ANL27, a health-related quality of life questionnaire for anal cancer.

Background And Purpose: There is currently no health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measure specific to anal cancer. Our objective was to develop an anal cancer HRQoL module to supplement the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire using EORTC Quality of Life Group Guidelines.

Materials And Method: In order to generate a list of HRQoL issues facing anal cancer patients treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT), we systematically reviewed the literature and conducted semi-structured interviews with patients and health care professionals (HCPs).

Describing Peripancreatic Collections According to the Revised Atlanta Classification of Acute Pancreatitis: An International Interobserver Agreement Study.

Objectives: Severe acute pancreatitis is associated with peripancreatic morphologic changes as seen on imaging. Uniform communication regarding these morphologic findings is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. For the original 1992 Atlanta classification, interobserver agreement is poor.

Health-related Quality of Life and Functional Outcomes in 5-year Survivors After Pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Objective: Our aim was to assess quality of life (QOL) and functionality in a large cohort of patients ≥5-years after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).

Background: Long-term QOL outcomes after PD for benign or malignant disease are largely undocumented.

Methods: We administered the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire to patients who underwent PD for neoplasms from 1998 to 2011 and compared their scores with an age- and sex-matched normal population.

Qualitative Assessment of the Symptoms and Impact of Pancreatic Exocrine Insufficiency (PEI) to Inform the Development of a Patient-Reported Outcome (PRO) Instrument.

Background: Pancreatic exocrine insufficiency (PEI) affects patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) and cystic fibrosis (CF) who produce insufficient digestive pancreatic enzymes. Common symptoms include steatorrhoea, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

Objective: The objective of the study was to develop and test the content validity of a patient-reported outcome (PRO) instrument assessing PEI symptoms and their impact on health-related quality of life.

Development of the EORTC QLQ-CAX24, A Questionnaire for Cancer Patients With Cachexia.

Context: Cachexia is commonly found in cancer patients and has profound consequences; yet there is only one questionnaire that examines the patient's perspective.

Objective: To report a rigorously developed module for patient self-reported impact of cancer cachexia.

Methods: Module development followed published guidelines.

Pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is a major cause of cancer-associated mortality, with a dismal overall prognosis that has remained virtually unchanged for many decades. Currently, prevention or early diagnosis at a curable stage is exceedingly difficult; patients rarely exhibit symptoms and tumours do not display sensitive and specific markers to aid detection. Pancreatic cancers also have few prevalent genetic mutations; the most commonly mutated genes are KRAS, CDKN2A (encoding p16), TP53 and SMAD4 - none of which are currently druggable.

Interventional Treatment of Abdominal Compartment Syndrome during Severe Acute Pancreatitis: Current Status and Historical Perspective.

Abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS) in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a marker of severe disease. It occurs as combination of inflammation of retroperitoneum, visceral edema, ascites, acute peripancreatic fluid collections, paralytic ileus, and aggressive fluid resuscitation. The frequency of ACS in SAP may be rising due to more aggressive fluid resuscitation, a trend towards conservative treatment, and attempts to use a minimally invasive approach.

International Association of Pancreatology (IAP)/European Pancreatic Club (EPC) consensus review of guidelines for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Background: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most devastating diseases with an extremely high mortality. Medical organizations and scientific societies have published a number of guidelines to address active treatment of pancreatic cancer. The aim of this consensus review was to identify where there is agreement or disagreement among the existing guidelines and to help define the gaps for future studies.

Systematic Review of the Side Effects Associated With Anti-HER2-Targeted Therapies Used in the Treatment of Breast Cancer, on Behalf of the EORTC Quality of Life Group.

Purpose: Targeted therapies (TTs), notably trastuzumab, have improved outcomes for breast cancer characterised by overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptors including HER2. Compared with chemotherapy treatments, TTs are more specific in their targets and are delivered over longer periods of time, thus presenting different side-effect profiles. The objective of this paper is to systematically review and describe the side effects associated with TTs used in the adjuvant and metastatic settings for HER2+ breast cancer.