Radiation Therapy Delivery During the 2023 Israel-Hamas War: Trust Prevails Over Fear.

Purpose: The attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians (October 7, 2023) triggered the ongoing war, which could be detrimental to cancer care in general and radiation therapy (RT) in particular. To assure continuity of care within the Radiation Oncology Department of Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital (SAAUH), which borders on Gaza, patient-centric measures were redoubled by our institution. This study describes the impact of these measures on patients' perception and their willingness to continue RT, despite fear of war. Methods and Materials: A survey questionnaire was designed to detect changes in attitude and treatment adherence during war. It was offered to the patients undergoing RT at SAAUH. A Pearson correlation between the items relating to desire to continue the therapy was calculated. Smallest space analysis was conducted to illustrate the association between the variables. Results: Forty-seven patients enrolled in this study reported a significantly lower feeling of personal safety during wartime in comparison with the confidence in the professionalism of the staff (paired samples t test, t(43) = 4.61; P < .001). Simultaneously, patients perceived that the impact of the national situation on their health was very low (mean of 1.59 on a scale of 1-6). Both the Pearson correlation test and smallest space analysis revealed that the desire to continue treatment in general and to continue treatment at the same department were significantly related to trust in the staff's professionalism. Conclusions: Fear of war can pose a major pitfall in providing daily RT care. This obstacle may be potentially overridden by creating deep, trusting relationships between the patients and the medical staff.

Addressing challenges in low-income and middle-income countries through novel radiotherapy research opportunities.

Although radiotherapy continues to evolve as a mainstay of the oncological armamentarium, research and innovation in radiotherapy in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) faces challenges. This third Series paper examines the current state of LMIC radiotherapy research and provides new data from a 2022 survey undertaken by the International Atomic Energy Agency and new data on funding. In the context of LMIC-related challenges and impediments, we explore several developments and advances-such as deep phenotyping, real-time targeting, and artificial intelligence-to flag specific opportunities with applicability and relevance for resource-constrained settings. Given the pressing nature of cancer in LMICs, we also highlight some best practices and address the broader need to develop the research workforce of the future. This Series paper thereby serves as a resource for radiation professionals.

The Ethics of Hope-A Moral Imperative for Oncologists.

This Viewpoint suggests that giving patients with terminal cancer unrealistic hope based only on cure is ethically inferior to redirecting patients toward noncurative goals and noncancer-related hope.

A topical BRAF inhibitor (LUT-014) for treatment of radiodermatitis among women with breast cancer.

Background: Modern radiotherapy is associated with dermatitis (RD) in approximately one-third of patients treated for breast cancer. There is currently no standard for treating RD. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine whether LUT014, a topical BRAF inhibitor which paradoxically activates mitogen-activated protein kinase, can safely improve RD. Methods: A phase I/II study was designed to first follow a small cohort of women with grade 2 RD regarding toxicity and response. Then, 20 patients were randomized to compare LUT014 to "vehicle" relative to safety and response (measured with common terminology criteria for adverse events, Dermatology Life Quality Index). Results: No substantial toxicity (eg, 0 serious adverse event) was associated with LUT014. All 8 women receiving LUT014 achieved treatment success (5-point Dermatology Life Quality Index reduction at day 14) compared to 73% (8/11) on the placebo arm (P = .591). The time to complete recovery was shorter in the treatment arm. Limitations: The sample size was limited. Only 2 hospitals were included. Conclusions: Topical LU014 is tolerable and may be efficacious for grade 2 RD.

Hope during somber times: a defining moment.

In addition to the diverse educational materials the National Cancer Institute provides to patients, caregivers, and health-care professionals, the NCI maintains an online dictionary that provides concise definitions of terms used in modern oncology. The dictionary is regarded as a valuable data reserve because it is updated frequently and employs language that facilitates comprehension among lay users and professionals alike. In this commentary, we call attention to the absence of the word hope as an entry in this important digital resource. Moreover, we propose not only including the concept of hope in this vital reference text but also basing its meaning on C. R. Snyder's model of "hope theory," which stresses the importance of 3 entities: goals, pathways thinking, and agency. Finally, we argue that hope can be taught as a skill to relevant stakeholders (eg, patients, caregivers, and health-care professionals) through brief workshops that have recently been expanded from in-person encounters to virtual platforms revolving around a user-friendly mobile app called "Hopetimize."