Maintenance of angiogenesis inhibition with aflibercept after progression to bevacizumab in metastatic colorectal cancer: real life study in the Valencian community

Introduction The second-line chemotherapy in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with FOLFIRI-aflibercept demonstrated an increase in survival compared with FOLFIRI in patients previously treated with oxaliplatin-based regimens. Few data are available in patients treated previously with bevacizumab. Our objective is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of FOLFIRI-aflibercept in second-line treatment in patients who have previously received bevacizumab. Patients and methods This is a observational, retrospective study of patients with mCRC treated with FOLFIRI-aflibercept in 2nd line in eight hospitals in the Valencian Community. Survival, response, and toxicity were analyzed. Result 122 patients with a median age of 61 years were included. 89% of patients had PS 0–1. The median of PFS (progression free survival) and OS (overall survival) was 5.45 (95% CI 4.74–6.15 months) and 10.15 (95% CI 7.47–12.82 months), respectively. Disease control rate 59.8%. The most common grade 3–4 adverse events were neutropenia (13,1%) and asthenia (9%). The presence of hypertension during treatment with FOLFIRI-aflibercept was associated with a survival benefit. Median of OS was 14.45 (95% CI 11.58–17.32) in patients with hypertension vs 7.78 (95% CI 5.02–10.54) in patients without hypertension (p = .001). Our results suggest that the presence of PS 0, primary tumor surgery, metachronous metastases, and the presence of only 1 metastatic location, are favorable prognostic factors associated with better OS. Conclusions Our results confirm the value of maintaining angiogenesis inhibition with FOLFIRI-aflibercept in mCRC after progression to a first-line treatment with bevacizumab. The development of hypertension during treatment is a possible predictive marker of response (AU)

Effectiveness of a Computerized Home-Based Cognitive Stimulation Program for Treating Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment.

Cancer patients assert that after chemotherapy their cognitive abilities have deteriorated. Cognitive stimulation is the clinical treatment of choice for reversing cognitive decline. The current study describes a computerized home-based cognitive stimulation program in patients who survived breast cancer. It aims to assess safety and effectiveness of cognitive stimulation in the oncology population. A series of 45-min training sessions was completed by the participants. A thorough assessment was performed both before and after the intervention. The mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer Scale, the Cognitive Assessment for Chemo Fog Research, and the Functionality Assessment Instrument in Cancer Treatment-Cognitive Function served as the main assessment tools. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Beck Depression Inventory, Brief Fatigue Inventory, and Measuring Quality of Life-The World Health Organization data were gathered as secondary outcomes. Home-based cognitive stimulation demonstrated beneficial effects in the oncology population, with no side effects being reported. Cognitive, physical, and emotional improvements were observed, along with decreased interference in daily life activities and a better overall quality of life.

Frecuentación y síntomas de presentación en urgencias de pacientes paliativos en el departamento de salud de La Ribera / Frequentation and presentation symptoms at the emergency room for palliative care patients of "Departamento de salud de La Ribera"

OBJETIVO: Conocer la frecuencia con la que los pacientes paliativos solicitan atención urgente en el departamento de salud de La Ribera, así como los síntomas más frecuentes que requieren dicha atención. MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio longitudinal prospectivo en el que se incluyeron pacientes adultos que acudieron a urgencias tanto hospitalarias como de atención primaria del departamento de salud de La Ribera en los primeros 9 meses de 2017. RESULTADOS: Se atendieron 693 episodios; 209 se resolvieron desde atención primaria y 484 fueron atendidos en el hospital. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron la disnea, el dolor y la fiebre. Los síntomas variaron significativamente en frecuencia cuando se analizaron en subgrupos según fueran o no pacientes oncológicos. DISCUSIÓN: Aunque la mayoría de los resultados obtenidos concuerdan con los publicados en la literatura, observamos algunas diferencias propias de nuestro departamento de salud. Además encontramos diferencias significativas en los síntomas de presentación en función de si se trata de pacientes oncológicos o no

OBJECTIVE: A prospective longitudinal study to know the frequency of urgent care for palliative care patients in Departamento de Salud de La Ribera, as well as the most frequent symptoms that required attention. METHODS: Inclusion of adult patients who visited the emergency room of hospitals and primary care centers belonging to Departamento de Salud de La Ribera during the first 9 months of 2017. RESULTS: A total of 693 events were attended; 209 were resolved within the primary care setting, and 484 were treated in hospital. Most frequent symptoms included dyspnea, pain, and fever. Symptoms vary significantly in frequency when they are analyzed in subgroups according to whether they were oncological or not. DISCUSSION: Although most of the results obtained are consistent with those previously published, we observed some differences that are specific to our health area. We also found significant differences in presentation symptoms according to whether patients were on palliative care or otherwise

Chemotherapy near the end of life; assessment of the clinical practise in onco-hematological in adult patients.

OBJECTIVE: ensure a good quality of life in the last phase of onco- hematological patients should be the primary goal, despite this, we have little data at European level and published studies are contradictory. Nevertheless, most of them agree saying that administrating chemotherapy near the end of life impacts negatively in the patients quality of life. The main objective of this study is to analyze the treatment non-aggressiveness parameters in onco-hematological patients. The secondary objective is to do a describing study of the clinical variables of the patients who receive chemotherapy at the end of life and the treatments more used. METHODS: a retrospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary hospital. Both, oncological and hematological patients receiving chemotherapy (oral or intravenous) between January and December 2013 who were receiving chemotherapy in the last 90 days before death, were included. RESULTS: there were 823 patients that were threated between January and December of 2013. Of these 106 (13%) met the inclusion criteria to be analyzed. There were a 14.1% (n = 93) of oncological and a 8.4% (n = 13) of hematologic patients that maintained the antineoplasic treatment during the last three months before death. A 21.7% (n = 23) of the patients received chemotherapy in the last two weeks of life, 41.5% (n = 44) in the last 30 days and 78.3% (n = 83) in the last two months of life. There was a 67.9% (n = 72) of patients that had hospital admissions during their last three months of life, 47,2% (n = 50) during the last month, 33% (n = 35) during the last two weeks and 10,4% (n = 11) during the last three days of life. A 25,5% (n = 27) of patients had more than one hospital admission during their last 90 days. CONCLUSIONS: according to the Earle et al. criteria, our population had been treated aggressively. We need more scientific evidence with consolidate date that allows us to establish a unified criteria for the selection of patients with advanced cancer who may benefit from receiving antineoplasic treatments.

Objetivo: garantizar una buena calidad de vida en la última fase de los pacientes onco-hematológicos debería ser nuestro principal objetivo; a pesar de ello, disponemos de pocos datos a nivel europeo y los estudios publicados son contradictorios. No obstante, la mayoría coinciden en que administrar quimioterapia en la etapa final de la vida impacta de forma negativa en la calidad de vida del paciente. El objetivo principal del estudio es analizar los indicadores de no agresividad del tratamiento en pacientes onco-hematológicos. Como objetivo secundario, realizar un estudio descriptivo de las variables clínicas de los pacientes a los que se les administra quimioterapia en la fase final de la vida y los esquemas más utilizados. Método: se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo en un hospital de tercer nivel. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes oncológicos y hematológicos que recibieron quimioterapia (oral o intravenosa) entre enero y diciembre de 2013, a los que se les administró la última quimioterapia en los 90 días previos al fallecimiento. Resultados: se analizaron 823 pacientes que recibieron tratamiento entre enero y diciembre de 2013. De ellos, 106 (13%) cumplían los criterios de inclusión. Un 14,1% (n = 93) de los pacientes oncológicos y un 8,4% (n = 13) de los hematológicos que habían recibido quimioterapia durante el último año de vida lo seguían haciendo en los últimos tres meses. Un 21,7% (n = 23) de los pacientes recibieron quimioterapia en las dos últimas semanas, 41,5% (n = 44) en los últimos 30 días y 78,3% (n = 83) en los últimos dos meses de vida. El 67,9% (n = 72) de los pacientes ingresaron en el hospital durante los últimos tres meses de vida, el 47,2% (n = 50) lo hicieron durante el último mes, el 33% (n = 35) durante las dos últimas semanas y el 10,4% (n = 11) durante los últimos tres días de vida. El 25,5% (n = 27) de los pacientes ingresaron en más de una ocasión durante los 90 días previos al fallecimiento. Conclusiones: según los criterios establecidos por Earle et al, la población del estudio se trató de manera agresiva al final de la vida. Es necesario disponer de una evidencia científica, que todavía en la actualidad carece de una base consolidada, con la que establecer criterios para la selección de pacientes con cáncer en estadios avanzados que puedan beneficiarse de recibir tratamientos antineoplásicos.

Chemotherapy near the end of life; assessment of the clinical practise in onco-hematological in adult patients / Quimioterapia al final de la vida; análisis de la práctica clínica en pacientes adultos onco-hematológicos con cáncer

Objective: ensure a good quality of life in the last phase of onco-hematological patients should be the primary goal, despite this, we have little data at European level and published studies are contradictory. Nevertheless, most of them agree saying that administrating chemotherapy near the end of life impacts negatively in the patients quality of life. The main objective of this study is to analyze the treatment non-aggressiveness parameters in onco-hematological patients. The secondary objective is to do a describing study of the clinical variables of the patients who receive chemotherapy at the end of life and the treatments more used. Methods: a retrospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary hospital. Both, oncological and hematological patients receiving chemotherapy (oral or intravenous) between January and December 2013 who were receiving chemotherapy in the last 90 days before death, were included. Results: there were 823 patients that were threated between January and December of 2013. Of these 106 (13%) met the inclusion criteria to be analyzed. There were a 14.1% (n=93) of oncological and a 8.4% (n=13) of hematologic patients that maintained the antineoplasic treatment during the last three months before death. A 21.7% (n=23) of the patients received chemotherapy in the last two weeks of life, 41.5% (n=44) in the last 30 days and 78.3% (n=83) in the last two months of life. There was a 67.9% (n=72) of patients that had hospital admissions during their last three months of life, 47,2% (n=50) during the last month, 33% (n=35) during the last two weeks and 10,4% (n=11) during the last three days of life. A 25,5% (n=27) of patients had more than one hospital admission during their last 90 days. Conclusions: according to the Earle et al. criteria, our population had been treated aggressively. We need more scientific evidence with consolidate date that allows us to establish a unified criteria for the selection of patients with advanced cancer who may benefit from receiving antineoplasic treatments (AU)

Objetivo: garantizar una buena calidad de vida en la última fase de los pacientes onco-hematológicos debería ser nuestro principal objetivo; a pesar de ello, disponemos de pocos datos a nivel europeo y los estudios publicados son contradictorios. No obstante, la mayoría coinciden en que administrar quimioterapia en la etapa final de la vida impacta de forma negativa en la calidad de vida del paciente. El objetivo principal del estudio es analizar los indicadores de no agresividad del tratamiento en pacientes onco-hematológicos. Como objetivo secundario, realizar un estudio descriptivo de las variables clínicas de los pacientes a los que se les administra quimioterapia en la fase final de la vida y los esquemas más utilizados. Método: se realizó un estudio observacional retrospectivo en un hospital de tercer nivel. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes oncológicos y hematológicos que recibieron quimioterapia (oral o intravenosa) entre enero y diciembre de 2013, a los que se les administró la última quimioterapia en los 90 días previos al fallecimiento. Resultados: se analizaron 823 pacientes que recibieron tratamiento entre enero y diciembre de 2013. De ellos, 106 (13%) cumplían los criterios de inclusión. Un 14,1% (n=93) de los pacientes oncológicos y un 8,4% (n=13) de los hematológicos que habían recibido quimioterapia durante el último año de vida lo seguían haciendo en los últimos tres meses. Un 21,7% (n=23) de los pacientes recibieron quimioterapia en las dos últimas semanas, 41,5% (n=44) en los últimos 30 días y 78,3% (n=83) en los últimos dos meses de vida. El 67,9% (n=72) de los pacientes ingresaron en el hospital durante los últimos tres meses de vida, el 47,2% (n=50) lo hicieron durante el último mes, el 33% (n=35) durante las dos últimas semanas y el 10,4% (n=11) durante los últimos tres días de vida. El 25,5% (n=27) de los pacientes ingresaron en más de una ocasión durante los 90 días previos al fallecimiento. Conclusiones: según los criterios establecidos por Earle et al, la población del estudio se trató de manera agresiva al final de la vida. Es necesario disponer de una evidencia científica, que todavía en la actualidad carece de una base consolidada, con la que establecer criterios para la selección de pacientes con cáncer en estadios avanzados que puedan beneficiarse de recibir tratamientos antineoplásicos (AU)