1,407 research outputs found

    Improving I.S. student Engagement and Perceived Course Value

    Get PDF
    This study investigated the relationships among course organization, active learning assignments, perceived course value, and student engagement. The study relied on constructs from previous studies to measure value, engagement, and course organization. A new construct of active learning assignments was specially designed for this study. Statistically significant findings were observed between course organization, active learning assignments, perceived course value, and student engagement. The use of active learning assignments has a strong positive relationship with students’ perception of course value and course engagement. Likewise, there is a positive correlation between course organization and students’ perception of course value and course engagement

    Evidence-Based Treatment Options in Recurrent and/or Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck.

    Get PDF
    The major development of the past decade in the first-line treatment of recurrent and/or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN) was the introduction of cetuximab in combination with platinum plus 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy (CT), followed by maintenance cetuximab (the EXTREME regimen). This regimen is supported by a phase 3 randomized trial and subsequent observational studies, and it confers well-documented survival benefits, with median survival ranging between approximately 10 and 14 months, overall response rates between 36 and 44%, and disease control rates of over 80%. Furthermore, as indicated by patient-reported outcome measures, the addition of cetuximab to platinum-based CT leads to a significant reduction in pain and problems with social eating and speech. Conversely, until very recently, there has been a lack of evidence-based second-line treatment options, and the therapies that have been available have shown low response rates and poor survival outcomes. Presently, a promising new treatment option in R/M SCCHN has emerged: immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), which have demonstrated favorable results in second-line clinical trials. Nivolumab and pembrolizumab are the first two ICIs that were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. We note that the trials that showed benefit with ICIs included not only patients who previously received ≄1 platinum-based regimens for R/M SCCHN but also patients who experienced recurrence within 6 months after combined modality therapy with a platinum agent for locally advanced disease. In this review, we outline the available clinical and observational evidence for the EXTREME regimen and the initial results from clinical trials for ICIs in patients with R/M SCCHN. We propose that these treatment options can be integrated into a new continuum of care paradigm, with first-line EXTREME regimen followed by second-line ICIs. A number of ongoing clinical trials are comparing regimens with ICIs, alone and in combination with other ICIs or CT, with the EXTREME regimen for first-line treatment of R/M SCCHN. As we eagerly await the results of these trials, the EXTREME regimen remains the standard of care for the first-line treatment of R/M SCCHN

    Oncolytic Virotherapy Needs Trials, Not Access Programs

    Full text link

    Evaluation of the benefit and use of multidisciplinary teams in the treatment of head and neck cancer.

    Get PDF
    SummaryGiven the complexities of multimodality treatment for patients with head and neck cancer, the rationale for the use of multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) to define individual optimal treatment strategies on a per-patient basis is apparent. Increased use of guideline-directed approaches, reduced time to treatment and improved outcomes, which result from use of an MDT approach in head and neck cancer, have been documented. A discussion of these recent advances, as well as presentation of available country-specific guidance on the roles and responsibilities of team members, supports the creation of similar local-language recommendations for the treatment of patients with head and neck cancer. Finally, expert practical advice on the implementation of MDTs may enable the establishment of the MDT approach more universally around the world

    Efficacy and safety of talimogene laherparepvec versus granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in patients with stage IIIB/C and IVM1a melanoma: subanalysis of the Phase III OPTiM trial

    Get PDF
    Talimogene laherparepvec is the first oncolytic immunotherapy to receive approval in Europe, the USA and Australia. In the randomized, open-label Phase III OPTiM trial ({"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT00769704","term_id":"NCT00769704"}}NCT00769704), talimogene laherparepvec significantly improved durable response rate (DRR) versus granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in 436 patients with unresectable stage IIIB–IVM1c melanoma. The median overall survival (OS) was longer versus GM-CSF in patients with earlier-stage melanoma (IIIB–IVM1a). Here, we report a detailed subgroup analysis of the OPTiM study in patients with IIIB–IVM1a disease

    A comprehensive examination of mental health in patients with head and neck cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis

    Get PDF
    Background: Patients with head and neck cancer present particularly considerable levels of emotional distress. However, the actual rates of clinically relevant mental health symptoms and disorders among this population remain unknown. Methods: A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses and Meta-analyses of Observational Studies in Epidemiology–compliant systematic review and quantitative random-effects meta-analysis was performed to determine suicide incidence and the prevalence of depression, anxiety, distress, posttraumatic stress, and insomnia in this population. MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register, KCI Korean Journal database, SciELO, Russian Science Citation Index, and Ovid-PsycINFO databases were searched from database inception to August 1, 2023 (PROSPERO: CRD42023441432). Subgroup analyses and meta-regressions were performed to investigate the effect of clinical, therapeutical, and methodological factors. Results: A total of 208 studies (n = 654 413; median age = 60.7 years; 25.5% women) were identified. Among the patients, 19.5% reported depressive symptoms (95% confidence interval [CI] = 17% to 21%), 17.8% anxiety symptoms (95% CI = 14% to 21%), 34.3% distress (95% CI = 29% to 39%), 17.7% posttraumatic symptoms (95% CI = 6% to 41%), and 43.8% insomnia symptoms (95% CI = 35% to 52%). Diagnostic criteria assessments revealed lower prevalence of disorders: 10.3% depression (95% CI = 7% to 13%), 5.6% anxiety (95% CI = 2% to 10%), 9.6% insomnia (95% CI = 1% to 40%), and 1% posttraumatic stress (95% CI = 0% to 84.5%). Suicide pooled incidence was 161.16 per 100 000 individuals per year (95% CI = 82 to 239). Meta-regressions found a statistically significant higher prevalence of anxiety in patients undergoing primary chemoradiation compared with surgery and increased distress in smokers and advanced tumor staging. European samples exhibited lower prevalence of distress. Conclusions: Patients with head and neck cancer presented notable prevalence of mental health concerns in all domains. Suicide remains a highly relevant concern. The prevalence of criteria-meeting disorders is significantly lower than clinically relevant symptoms. Investigating the effectiveness of targeted assessments for disorders in highly symptomatic patients is essential
    • 

    corecore