Publications by authors named "Lucy Shepherd"
Background/objectives: An evaluation of quality of life (QoL) is increasingly required for approval and reimbursement of new drug therapies. To support the evaluation of the impact of new drug therapies on QoL in single-arm studies in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), we sought to determine the QoL baseline in a cohort of patients with ACC during routine follow up visits and to assess for associations with clinical or prognostic factors.
Methods: An internationally-validated QoL questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) was completed by patients with ACC referred to an experimental medicine centre.
Background: Magnetic resonance imaging localises cancer in the prostate, allowing for a targeted biopsy with or without transrectal ultrasound-guided systematic biopsy. Targeted biopsy methods include cognitive fusion, where prostate lesions suspicious on magnetic resonance imaging are targeted visually during live ultrasound, and software fusion, where computer software overlays the magnetic resonance imaging image onto the ultrasound in real time. The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of software fusion technologies compared with cognitive fusion biopsy are uncertain.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFApproximately one third of children with rhabdomyosarcoma relapse or have refractory disease. Treatment approaches include a combination of systemic therapies and local therapies, directed at tumour site(s). This review was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the combination of surgery and brachytherapy as local therapy for treating children and young people with relapsed/refractory rhabdomyosarcoma.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in kids, with about one-third facing relapses or treatment-resistant cases that lead to worse outcomes.
- - A systematic review analyzed early phase studies involving over 1,100 children with relapsed/refractory rhabdomyosarcoma to guide future research and aid families and clinicians in treatment decisions.
- - Findings revealed that most therapies result in poor outcomes, with a median progression-free survival of ≤6 months and a 21.6% objective response rate, highlighting the need for better and more consistent research reporting.