Speaking the same language: a feasibility trial for a novel visual communication tool for oncologist-patient treatment discussions

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Functional and clinical significance of the integrin alpha chain CD49d expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

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Functional and clinical significance of the integrin alpha chain CD49d expression in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Curr Cancer Drug Targets. 2016 Aug 9;

Authors: Bo MD, Tissino E, Benedetti D, Caldana C, Bomben R, Del Poeta G, Gaidano G, Rossi FM, Bulian P, Zucchetto A, Gattei V

Abstract
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a clinically heterogeneous disease characterized by the accumulation/expansion of a clonal population of neoplastic cells with the morphological appearance of small mature B lymphocytes in blood, bone marrow, and lymphoid organs. CD49d, the α chain of the α4β1 integrin heterodimer, is one of the main interactors between CLL cells and accessory cells in the microenvironmental sites and one of the main predictors of overall survival. In particular, CD49d is known to play a pivotal role in mediating both cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in CLL-involved tissues eventually delivering prosurvival signals and protecting CLL cells from drug-induced damages. Treatment strategies targeting the α4β1 integrin could represent an interesting option in CLL. In this context, the recombinant anti-CD49d antibody natalizumab demonstrated the potential to overcome stromal cell-induced resistance of B cell lymphoma cells against cytotoxic drugs and rituximab in-vitro. Moreover, a specific interest for the CD49d molecule raises from the clinical activity of the recently proposed inhibitors of kinases downstream the BCR that has been recently related with the inside-out activation of the α4β1 integrin. In the review, we addressed in detail the role of CD49d in CLL cells, including clinical impact, relationship with specific cytogenetic features, and CD49d-dependent interactions in lymph node and bone marrow microenvironment responsible for growth- and survival- supporting signals, eventually influencing CLL prognosis and therapeutic options.

PMID: 27514846 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

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Treatment registry for outcomes in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (TRUMPET): a methodology for real-world evidence and research

Future Oncology Ahead of Print.


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PET imaging of recurrent and metastatic prostate cancer with novel tracers

Future Oncology Ahead of Print.


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Researcher Interview: Aviv Regev

For this Researcher Interview, CCG Communications Manager Amy E. Blum, M.A. spoke to Aviv Regev, Ph.D. Dr. Regev is a Core Member at the Broad Institute, Associate Professor of Biology at MIT, and an Early Career Scientist at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. 

Amy E. Blum: Your research focuses on molecular circuitry. For starters, what are molecular circuits?

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The Cancer Council Australia Medical Student Essay Competition

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Developing and Evaluating Multimedia Patient Education Tools to Better Prepare Prostate-Cancer Patients for Radiotherapy Treatment (Randomized Study)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of multimedia educational tools to improve CT planning preparation for intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for prostate cancer. Many patients are not prepared when given verbal preparation instructions to have a full bladder and empty rectum for their IMRT and require being rescanned, which results in additional costs for the patient and the hospital. A pamphlet and video outlining the proper preparation for prostate IMRT was created to decrease additional scans and the associated costs, while increasing patient satisfaction. A controlled, randomized experimental group study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of the multimedia tools (the video and the pamphlet), as compared to the pamphlet only, in preparing patients for their planning CT appointment. We found no statistical difference between the multimedia group and the pamphlet group in patients' preparedness for their appointments and the rescanning rate. However, patients in the multimedia group indicated that they felt more prepared about their treatment after watching the video and stated that they would recommend the video to other patients with prostate cancer. Furthermore, patients who had to wait longer for their planning CT appointment felt less prepared by the materials than those with a shorter wait time. We recommend reducing wait times between appointments as much as possible to increase patients' preparedness for the planning CT. We conclude that providing multimedia treatment information and minimizing wait times increases patients' feelings of preparedness leading to a more positive treatment experience and reducing costly rescans.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02410291

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