JCO Global Oncology最新文献

{"title":"Surgical Castration as an Alternative to Improve Systemic Treatment for Advanced Prostate Cancer: A Window of Opportunity for Developing Countries.","authors":"Fernando Sabino Marques Monteiro, Andre Deeke Sasse, Denizar Vianna Araujo, Rana R McKay, Karine Martins da Trindade, Andrey Soares, João Ricardo Alves, Douglas Andreas Valverde, Diogo Assed Bastos, Nicholas D James, Daniel Herchenhorn","doi":"10.1200/GO-24-00319","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/GO-24-00319","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The Brazilian Public Health System (BPHS) serves approximately 71,730 patients with prostate cancer (PC) every year for which androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the primary treatment for patients with advanced hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (aHSPC). Androgen receptor pathway inhibitors (ARPIs) are not accessible through the BPHS. Using the BPHS as a model, this study assesses the long-term economic effect of surgical versus medical castration in aHSPC treatment to strategize cost reduction and the incorporation of ARPI in developing countries.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>Data of patients with aHSPC (ie, TxN1M0 ineligible for local treatment or TxNxM1) from the BPHS database were analyzed from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2021, using the TECHTRIALS artificial intelligence platform. The main outcomes were quantitative and descriptive analyses as well as a cost analysis of surgical versus chemical castration.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 274,519 patients with aHSPC who received active treatment during the 11-year study period, 90% (n = 246,683) underwent chemical castration and 10% (n = 27,836) underwent bilateral subcapsular orchiectomy (BSO). The median duration of chemical castration was 28 months. The BPHS spent an estimated total of $665,552,091.40 US dollars (USD) on chemical castration and $5,939,348.47 USD on BSO, respectively. The cost per patient was $2,698 USD and $213.37 USD for chemical castration and BSO, respectively. Hypothetically, if all patients with aHSPC had undergone BSO, the total direct cost for the BPHS would have been $42,774,832.20 USD, saving $622,777,259.20 USD over 11 years, making it possible to offer low-dose abiraterone to 65% of aHSPC patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>On the basis of this extensive financial analysis from the world's largest public health system database, BSO appears to be a valuable alternative to chemical castration for treating aHSPC. In resource-limited environments, the cost savings from using BSO may allow access to drugs that will improve survival such as ARPIs.</p>","PeriodicalId":14806,"journal":{"name":"JCO Global Oncology","volume":"10 ","pages":"e2400319"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142621084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Beliefs on Causes of Cancer in the General Population, and the Association With Risk Perception and Lifestyle in a Multiethnic Setting.","authors":"Nur-Nadiatul-Asyikin Bujang, Yek-Ching Kong, Mahmoud Danaee, Murallitharan Munisamy, Ranjit Kaur, Harenthri Devy Alagir Rajah, Hariharan Menon, Shridevi Subramaniam, Kelly Lai Ming Ying, Ros Suzanna Bustamam, Cheng-Har Yip, Nirmala Bhoo Pathy","doi":"10.1200/GO.24.00129","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/GO.24.00129","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Beliefs on causes of cancer, although sometimes aligned with known risk factors, may be influenced by personal experiences, cultural narratives, and misinformation. We investigated the prevalence of beliefs on causes of cancer and their association with cancer risk perception and lifestyle in a multiethnic Asian population.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In total, 2,008 Malaysian adults with no previous cancer were surveyed using a 42-item questionnaire adapted from the Awareness Measure and the Cancer Awareness Measure-Mythical Causes Scale. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to evaluate measurement models.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Despite high educational attainment, only about half of the respondents believed that 7 of the 21 listed established risk factors caused cancer. Factors associated with accurate beliefs included higher socioeconomic status (SES) and having family or friends with cancer. However, 14 of the 21 listed mythical/unproven factors were correctly believed as not cancer-causing by the majority. Women and those with lower SES were more likely to hold misconceptions. Beliefs on established risk factors were significantly associated with perceived risk of cancer. Individuals with stronger beliefs in established risk factors were less likely to be associated with healthy behaviors. Conversely, stronger beliefs in mythical or unproven factors were more likely to be associated with healthy lifestyles.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Findings highlight the importance of prioritizing cancer literacy as a key action area in national cancer control plans. The counterintuitive associations between cancer beliefs and lifestyle emphasize the complexity of this relationship, necessitating nuanced approaches to promote cancer literacy and preventive behaviors.</p>","PeriodicalId":14806,"journal":{"name":"JCO Global Oncology","volume":"10 ","pages":"e2400129"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142604562","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the Stronger Together Peer Mentoring Model Among Patients With Breast and Gynecologic Cancer in Viet Nam.","authors":"PhuongThao D Le, Carolyn Taylor, Mai T Do, Rachel Monahan, Sang Lee, Meenakshi Sigireddi, Cong Wang, Anna Cabanes, Ophira Ginsburg, Thanh Huong T Tran","doi":"10.1200/GO.24.00031","DOIUrl":"10.1200/GO.24.00031","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Stronger Together is a peer mentoring model that seeks to address the severe lack of mental health and psychosocial support for patients with cancer in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This article presents the results of the Stronger Together pilot study among patients with breast and gynecologic cancer in Viet Nam (VN).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Eligible participants comprised women age 25 years or older with a diagnosis of breast or gynecologic cancers and receiving treatment at four participating hospitals. Participants were asked whether they wanted to proceed with usual care or be matched with a trained and supervised peer mentor (a cancer survivor). Surveys were administered at baseline (0) and 2, 4, and 6 months and assessed depression, anxiety, stress, mental health and physical health components of quality of life (QOL), self-efficacy, and social support. We computed and compared 2-, 4-, and 6-month changes in scores from baseline and conducted difference-in-difference analyses to estimate the intervention effect at 6 months.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The sample size included N = 186 participants. Mentees (n = 91) exhibited improvements in depression, anxiety, stress, and mental health QOL across all time points, whereas usual care participants (n = 95) experienced these improvements at later periods (4 and 6 months). Compared with usual care participants, mentees reported greater improvements in depression at 2 and 4 months, mental health QOL at all time points, and self-efficacy and social support at 4 and 6 months. Greater improvements in stress were also seen in the breast cancer subsample.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Stronger Together is a promising model to improve mental health and psychosocial outcomes among patients with breast and gynecologic cancer in VN and can help fill gaps in cancer peer support interventions in many LMICs.</p>","PeriodicalId":14806,"journal":{"name":"JCO Global Oncology","volume":"10 ","pages":"e2400031"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11567052/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142621071","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Germline Genetic Susceptibility Testing Among Emirati Nationals at Risk for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome.","authors":"Rifaat R Rawashdeh, Holly Pederson, Rafal Iskanderian, Fawad Khan, Basel Altrabulsi, Stephanie Ricci, Charis Eng, Bassel Jallad, Asma Ibrahim Al Mannaei, Mohamed Salem Alameri, Azza Attia, Stephen R Grobmyer","doi":"10.1200/GO-24-00352","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/GO-24-00352","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Breast cancer among Emirati patients is characterized by early-onset disease and later stages at presentation. Little is known about the germline genetic variants that may contribute to these observations. The goal of this study is to characterize the rate and implications of germline genetic variants among a cohort of Emirati patients at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>A retrospective study was performed to analyze the results of clinical germline genetic testing (March 2020-January 2023) among a cohort of consecutive Emirati patients at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome: group A: patients with personal history of breast or ovarian cancer (n = 135); group B: unaffected patients with family history of breast or ovarian cancer (n = 37); and group C: patients presenting for cascade testing (n = 20). Management of patients identified to have pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants was analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The rate of P/LP germline variants for each group was: group A: 17.3%, group B: 16.6%, group C: 57.9%. <i>BRCA1</i> gene was the most commonly identified gene harboring P/LP variants, followed by <i>BRCA2</i>, among this cohort. Four unrelated patients had a recurrent <i>BRCA1</i> pathogenic variant: c.4065_4068del (p.Asn1355Lysfs*10). Only two patients in this series elected risk-reducing mastectomy and four patients elected risk-reducing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A higher rate of P/LP variants is seen among Emirati patients at risk for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer syndrome compared with reports of similar patients from Western populations. Efforts to increase utilization and awareness of germline genetic testing are warranted among Emirati patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":14806,"journal":{"name":"JCO Global Oncology","volume":"10 ","pages":"e2400352"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142621075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Efficacy and Safety of Biosimilar Cetuximab Versus Innovator Cetuximab in Indian Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Phase III Trial.","authors":"Kumar Prabhash, Chetan Deshmukh, Hemant Malhotra, Atul Sharma, Minish Jain, Nilesh Dhamne, Rajnish Nagarakar, Prasantha Ganesan, Vijay K Mahobia, Chandan K Das, Rejnish Kumar, Prakash S Shivanna, Manu P Avaronnan, Puligundla K Chaithanya, Vaibhav Chaudhary, Kartar Singh, Suhas Aagre, Bellala Ravishankar, Dhruv Mehta, Kandipalli Shilpa, Vashishth Maniar, Koushik Chatterjee, Saroj D Majumdar, Rohitashwa Dana, Vanita Noronha, Nandini Menon, Akhilesh Sharma, Roshan Pawar, Vinayaka Shahavi, Rajiv Yadav, Amol Aiwale","doi":"10.1200/GO.24.00059","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/GO.24.00059","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is the sixth most common cancer, with approximately 225,419 new cases with over 125,000 deaths annually in India. This trial compared the efficacy and safety of biosimilar cetuximab versus innovator cetuximab (IC) in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy in patients with recurrent locoregional or metastatic SCCHN.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This phase III trial is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind and parallel group study performed in Indian patients with recurrent locoregional or metastatic SCCHN. Patients were randomly assigned in 2:1 ratio to receive biosimilar cetuximab and IC in combination with cisplatin and fluorouracil via intravenous infusions. The primary end points were disease control rate (DCR) and overall response rate (ORR) as per response evaluation criteria in solid tumors version 1.1. The secondary end points included pharmacokinetics (PK), immunogenicity, safety, and tolerability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 180 patients enrolled, 120 patients received biosimilar cetuximab and 60 patients received IC treatment. No significant statistical difference was observed in the primary outcomes between two groups. Treatment difference in DCR and ORR response was found to be -5.21 (90% CI, -8.94 to -1.48) and -4.79 (90% CI, -19.42 to 9.84), respectively, indicating noninferiority to reference product. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs; biosimilar cetuximab: 89.2% <i>v</i> IC: 91.7%; <i>P</i> = .8364) and serious AEs (biosimilar cetuximab: 23.3% <i>v</i> IC: 13.3%; <i>P</i> = .0603) and PK parameters were comparable between treatment groups. The immunogenicity findings showed higher incidence of anticetuximab antibodies in the biosimilar cetuximab group compared with the IC group at the end of Study.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings of this study demonstrated noninferiority along with comparable PK, safety, and immunogenicity of biosimilar cetuximab and IC in patients with recurrent or metastatic SCCHN.</p>","PeriodicalId":14806,"journal":{"name":"JCO Global Oncology","volume":"10 ","pages":"e2400059"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142621068","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Health-Related Quality of Life and Financial Burden in Ethiopian Patients With Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Receiving Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: A Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Fisihatsion Tadesse, Francesco Sparano, Amha Gebremedhin, Abdulaziz Abubeker, Alfonso Piciocchi, Marta Cipriani, Daniela Krepper, Lalise Gemechu, Atalay Mulu, Getahun Asres, Fabio Efficace","doi":"10.1200/GO-24-00281","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/GO-24-00281","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is now an important goal of therapy for patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, there is paucity of data for patients living in low-income countries (LICs) and on factors associated with their HRQoL profile. The primary objective was to compare the HRQoL of patients with CML living in an LIC (Ethiopia) with that of patients living in a high-income country (HIC).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Adult patients with CML treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in Ethiopia were considered eligible for this study. To assess their HRQoL and symptom burden, eligible patients completed the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire Chronic Myeloid Leukemia 24 (QLQ-CML24). A matched case-control analysis was applied to compare the HRQoL profile of the herein-recruited Ethiopian cohort with a sample of patients with CML from an HIC (Italy).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Overall, 395 Ethiopian patients were enrolled between February 2021 and June 2021. Except for dyspnea and satisfaction with care, the Ethiopian patients reported lower HRQoL and functioning and higher symptom burden compared with patients with CML living in an HIC. A remarkable proportion of Ethiopian patients (n = 353, 89.4%) reported financial toxicity (FT). Compared with patients without FT, those with FT reported a higher prevalence of clinically important problems and symptoms across all the QLQ-C30 scales. For example, the prevalence of clinically important impairment of social functioning was almost sixfold higher for patients with FT compared with those without FT (41.8%, 7.1%, respectively).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results indicate that the HRQoL profile of patients with CML living in Ethiopia may be worse across several important functional and symptom domains than that of their peers living in an HIC. In addition, FT is highly prevalent among these patients and it is associated with poorer HRQoL outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":14806,"journal":{"name":"JCO Global Oncology","volume":"10 ","pages":"e2400281"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142621078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Predictive Factors of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Breast Cancer: A Decision Tree Model Approach.","authors":"Juan Adrian Wiranata, Yufi Kartika Astari, Meita Ucche, Susanna Hilda Hutajulu, Dewi Kartikawati Paramita, Dian Caturini Sulistyoningrum, Yudiyanta Siswohadiswasana, Ahmad Asmedi, Mardiah Suci Hardianti, Kartika Widayati Taroeno-Hariadi, Johan Kurnianda, Ibnu Purwanto","doi":"10.1200/GO.24.00160","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/GO.24.00160","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) poses a substantial challenge in breast cancer (BC) chemotherapy, affecting the patient's quality of life. Recent studies have focused on exploring predictors and patterns of CIPN occurrence. We aimed to develop a prediction model for CIPN occurrence using a classification and regression tree (CART) algorithm.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this prospective study of 170 patients with BC undergoing chemotherapy, patient-reported adaptation of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0 was used to assess CIPN occurrence. Multivariable analysis using the CART model was tuned using 10-fold cross-validation to identify baseline predictors for CIPN throughout chemotherapy. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was conducted for the CART model. A multivariable logistic regression was conducted from the variables included in the CART model to assess the strength and direction of the association.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The prevalence of CIPN was 64.7% (n = 110). The most decisive predictor of CIPN occurrence in the CART model was the subject's C-reactive protein (CRP) level. CRP level >3.91 mg/dL, BMI >21.85 kg/m², and a marital status of unmarried have predicted a probability of 100% in CIPN occurrence. The CART model showed an accuracy of 65.9%, sensitivity of 51.7%, specificity of 73.2%, and an area under the curve of 0.705. A CRP level of >3.91 mg/dL and a neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) of >2.82 are significantly associated with the occurrence of CIPN (odds ratio [OR], 2.01 [95% CI, 1.01 to 4.01]; <i>P</i> = .046, OR, 2.09 [95%, CI, 1.02 to 4.24]; <i>P</i> = .042, respectively).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Baseline CRP, NLR, BMI level, and marital status are significant predictors of CIPN occurrence throughout chemotherapy. Our CART model was better at ruling out individuals who would not experience CIPN. The CART model may provide insight into the future development of individualized patient care and prevention strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":14806,"journal":{"name":"JCO Global Oncology","volume":"10 ","pages":"e2400160"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142621081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Teleophthalmology Through Online Mentorship Over a 20-Year Period: Education and Capacity Building.","authors":"Sarah E Huemmer, Jennifer L Patnaik, Susan Ybarra, Nathan Congdon, David H Cherwek, Matthew W Wilson","doi":"10.1200/GO-24-00297","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/GO-24-00297","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Telemedicine is widely used for diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, and other ophthalmic diseases. However, there is limited research on the use of teleophthalmology in retinoblastoma. The goal of this study was to explore how Orbis Cybersight affected the capacity for treatment and management of children with retinoblastoma through online mentorship and to assess the efficacy of online mentoring through disease-specific knowledge change over time.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective review of Orbis Cybersight retinoblastoma consultations from 2004 to 2023 was conducted. Each participant was scored from 0 to 39 points on the basis of information provided throughout the consultation. These points were separated into six categories: patient history, clinical findings, grouping/staging, diagnostic findings, treatment plan, and patient and ocular outcomes. Data were analyzed by linear regression models to identify changes over time.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 653 patients from 38 different mentees, significant improvement in total points over time was observed (β = .012 [SE, 0.004]; <i>P</i> = .009). The mean score for total points at first consult was 17.7 (standard deviation [SD], 3.5) and at fifth consult was 19.8 (SD, 5.2). Three management categories showed significant improvement: clinical findings (<i>P</i> = .005), grouping/staging (<i>P</i> < .0001), and patient and ocular outcomes (<i>P</i> = .002). However, there was a significant decline in patient history points over time (<i>P</i> = .0006).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Mentorship via Orbis Cybersight improved retinoblastoma disease-specific knowledge and management over a 20-year period. Tele-education provides an opportunity for disease-specific capacity building in low- and middle-income countries for the treatment of retinoblastoma.</p>","PeriodicalId":14806,"journal":{"name":"JCO Global Oncology","volume":"10 ","pages":"e2400297"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142621141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Access of Low-Resource Areas to ASCO Quality Initiatives: Initial Experience and Lessons Learned.","authors":"Abdul Rahman Jazieh, Jackson Orem, Gerardo Umanzor, Julia Tomkins","doi":"10.1200/GO.24.00140","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1200/GO.24.00140","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With the aim of improving the quality of cancer care globally, ASCO began to offer its quality improvement programs to interested international oncology practices. In this manuscript, we describe the experiences with ASCO quality initiatives in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The experience acquired from different practices in Latin America and Africa was reviewed and various action steps were summarized. Encountered challenges and implemented solutions to mitigate these challenges were identified to list as lessons learned for oncology practices in LMICs or low-resource settings to use in their future quality improvement initiatives and providing a proactive approach for those practices considering starting quality improvement programs. Having programs tailored to LMICs may facilitate the participation of more practices and help them take advantage of these programs to enhance patient care. The preliminary data and learning are promising and demonstrate that participation in quality improvement activities can have a positive effect. Although this early experience is encouraging, each country and resource-limited practice will have its own unique challenges as highlighted in this article. Having more practices participate will further enhance the knowledge base, build experience in addressing challenges, and enable oncology patients to reap the benefits worldwide.</p>","PeriodicalId":14806,"journal":{"name":"JCO Global Oncology","volume":"10 ","pages":"e2400140"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142465987","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Medical Tourism for Cancer Treatment: Trends, Trajectories, and Perspectives From African Countries.","authors":"Fidel Rubagumya, Laura Carson, Daniel Afolayan, Eulade Rugengamanzi, Godwin Abdiel Nnko, Omar Abdihamid, Verna Vanderpuye, Nazik Hammad","doi":"10.1200/GO.24.00131","DOIUrl":"10.1200/GO.24.00131","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>Cancer continues to be a significant public health concern. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) struggles with a lack of proper infrastructure and adequate cancer care workforce. This has led to some countries relying on referrals of cancer care to countries with higher income levels. In some instances, patients refer themselves. Some countries have made it their goal to attract patients from other countries, a term that has been referred to as medical tourism. In this article, we explore the current status of oncology-related medical tourism in SSA.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a cross-sectional study. The study participants included oncologists, surgeons, and any other physicians who take care of patients with cancer. A predesigned questionnaire was distributed through African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer member mailing list and through study team personal contacts and social media.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 52 participants from 17 African countries with a 1.6:2 male to female ratio responded to the survey. Most (55.8%) of the respondents were from Eastern African countries. The majority (92%) of study participants reported that they knew patients who referred themselves abroad, whereas 75% referred patients abroad, and the most common (94%) referral destination was India. The most common (93%) reason for referral was perception of a higher quality of care in foreign health institutions.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings suggest the need to improve local health care systems including building trust of the system among general population. The study highlights potential financial toxicity, and it adds to the current emphasis on return of investment on homegrown workforce and cancer treatment infrastructure.</p>","PeriodicalId":14806,"journal":{"name":"JCO Global Oncology","volume":"10 ","pages":"e2400131"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11529831/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142500795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}