Search

PurposePrognostic markers that identify patients with stage II colon cancers who are at the risk of recurrence are essential to personalize therapy. We evaluated the potential of GIV/Girdin as a predictor of recurrence risk in such patients.Experimental designExpression of full-length GIV was evaluated by IHC using a newly developed mAb together with a mismatch repair (MMR)-specific antibody panel in three stage II colon cancer patient cohorts, that is, a training (n = 192), test (n = 317), and validation (n = 181) cohort, with clinical follow-up data. Recurrence risk stratification models were established in the training cohort of T3, proficient MMR (pMMR) patients without chemotherapy and subsequently validated.ResultsFor T3 pMMR tumors, GIV expression and the presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) were the only factors predicting recurrence in both training (GIV: HR, 2.78, P = 0.013; LVI: HR, 2.54, P = 0.025) and combined test and validation (pooled) cohorts (GIV: HR, 1.85, P = 0.019; LVI: HR, 2.52, P = 0.0004). A risk model based on GIV expression and LVI status classified patients into high- or low-risk groups; 3-year recurrence-free survival was significantly lower in the high-risk versus low-risk group across all cohorts [Training: 52.3% vs. 84.8%; HR, 3.74, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.50-9.32; Test: 85.9% vs. 97.9%, HR, 7.83, 95% CI, 1.03-59.54; validation: 59.4% vs. 84.4%, HR, 3.71, 95% CI, 1.24-11.12].ConclusionsGIV expression status predicts recurrence risk in patients with T3 pMMR stage II colon cancer. A risk model combining GIV expression and LVI status information further enhances prediction of recurrence. Further validation studies are warranted before GIV status can be routinely included in patient management algorithms. Clin Cancer Res; 22(14); 3488-98. ©2016 AACR.

Objective: Masculinities have been explored in men with testicular cancer (TC), though limited contemporary research is available on traditional masculine norms important to masculine self‐perception. The purpose of this research was to explore the discourse of TC experience in relation to masculine self‐perception. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted consisting of semi‐structured interviews with 21 men. Men were aged between 31 and 47 (Mage = 35.7). Most men were diagnosed with Stage 1 cancer (66.6%), all men had finished active treatment and time since diagnosis ranged from 17.3 to 71.8 months (M = 47.2). Independent coding was conducted by two researchers and was refined in coding meetings with authors. Themes were developed in a predominantly deductive manner, and analysis of themes was undertaken using a reflexive analysis approach. Results: Traditional masculine norms showed differing relationships to masculine self‐perception. Two main themes were identified [1] Maintained or enhanced masculine self‐perception and [2] threats to masculine self‐perception. Subthemes demonstrated that maintaining emotional control, strength and 'winning' was important to men, and reduced physical competencies (i.e., strength, sexual dysfunction, virility) challenged self‐perception. Strict adherence to traditional norms in response to threatened self‐perception related to psychological distress. Conclusion: Leveraging traditionally masculine norms such as physical strength and control and developing flexible adaptations of masculinities should be encouraged with men with TC to retain self‐perception and potentially enable better coping. Masculine self‐perception of gay/bisexual men may centre around sexual functioning, though further research is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Multiple clinical practice guidelines, conflicting evidence, and physician perceptions result in variations in risk stratification among patients with non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). This study aims to describe the extent of this variation and its impact on management approaches in the Asia‐Pacific region. Methods: We conducted a cross‐sectional survey involving 32 urologists and seven medical oncologists with ≥8 years of experience managing early‐stage bladder cancer patients across Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. The physicians completed an anonymous questionnaire that assessed their risk stratification and respective management approaches, based on 19 NMIBC characteristics. For each NMIBC characteristic, they were required to select one risk group, and their most preferred management approach. Results: Our results demonstrated a higher consensus on risk classification versus management approaches. More than 50% of the respondents agreed on the risk classification of all NMIBC characteristics, but 42% or fewer chose the same treatment option as their preferred choice for all but two characteristics—existence of variant histology (55%) and persistent high‐grade T1 disease on repeat resection (52%). Across territories, there was the greatest variation in preferred treatment options (i.e., no treatment, intravesical chemotherapy, or Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin [BCG] treatment) for intermediate‐risk patients and the highest consensus on the treatment of very high‐risk patients, namely radical cystectomy. Conclusions: Our study revealed considerable variation in risk stratification and management of NMIBC in the region. It is critical to develop practical algorithms to facilitate the recognition of NMIBC and standardize the treatment of NMIBC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Examine the understanding of terminologies and management patterns of bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG)‐unresponsive nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) in six territories in Asia‐Pacific. Methods: This study involved two phases: (1) a survey with 32 urologists and 7 medical oncologists (MOs) and (2) a factorial experiment and in‐depth interviews with 23 urologists and 2 MOs. All clinicians had ≥8 years' experience managing NMIBC patients in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. Data from Phase 1 were summarized using descriptive statistics; content and thematic analyses applied in Phase 2. Results: In phase 1, 35% of clinicians defined BCG‐unresponsive as BCG‐refractory, ‐relapse and ‐resistant, 6% defined it as BCG‐refractory and ‐relapse; 22% classified BCG‐failure as BCG‐refractory, ‐relapse, ‐resistant, and when muscle‐invasive bladder cancer is detected. If eligible and willing, 50% (interquartile range [IQR], 50%–80%) of BCG‐unresponsive patients would undergo radical cystectomy (RC), and 50% (IQR 20%–50%) of RC‐eligible patients would receive bladder‐sparing treatment or surveillance. In phase 2, we found that 32%, 88%, and 48% of clinicians, respectively, used "BCG‐unresponsive," "BCG‐refractory," and "BCG‐relapse" in clinical practice but with no consistent interpretation of the terms. Compared with EAU definitions, 8%–60% of clinicians appropriately classified 9 tumor types that are persistent or recurrent after adequate BCG. Fifty percent of clinicians mentioned a lack of bladder‐preserving treatment that outperforms RC in quality of life as a reason to retreat BCG‐unresponsive patients with BCG. Conclusions: Our study revealed varied understanding and application of BCG‐unresponsive terminologies in practice. There is a need for a uniform and simple definition of BCG‐unresponsive disease in Asia‐Pacific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Psychological distress is common in men with testicular cancer (TC), and masculinities may work to explain this. This study aimed to compare masculinities and distress in TC and healthy control (HC) populations and explore relationships between correlates of distress (psychological flexibility and coping style) and masculinities in TC. Methods: A cross‐sectional, online survey was completed by 92 men with TC (Mage = 34.8) and 90 HC (Mage = 30.7). Measures included psychological distress (Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Depression/Anxiety, fear of cancer recurrence inventory‐short form), masculinities (gender role conflict‐short form, inventory of subjective masculinity experiences/subjective masculinity stress scale, masculinity in chronic disease inventory), coping style (mini‐mental adjustment to cancer) and psychological flexibility (comprehensive assessment of acceptance commitment therapy). Linear regressions were conducted to compare groups and analyse associations. Results: There were no differences in masculinities or psychological distress between populations (all p > 0.05 and all Cohen's d < 0.20), except for subjective masculine stress and restrictive affectionate behaviour between men. For men with TC, restrictive affection/emotion, conflicts between family/work and subjective masculine stress were associated with psychological distress (rs 0.21–0.58). Optimistic action was negatively associated with depression/anxiety, helplessness/hopelessness coping (rs −0.27 to −0.42) and positively associated with psychological flexibility (r = 0.35). Conclusions: Masculinities are implicated in psychological distress in men with TC. Psychological flexibility as well as leveraging masculine beliefs (e.g., optimistic action) may be modifiable targets to reduce distress in men with TC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]