The collection of adverse events on clinical trials, in the past, has been based on verbal reports from the patient to the study team. Dueck et al evaluated the validity and reliability of a patient-reported outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) using a sample of 975 adults undergoing treatment for cancer. The data showed favorable evidence for the use of the tool in evaluating adverse events. These data lay the foundation for the integration of patient-reported adverse events into standard adverse event reporting systems. Movsas provides an Invited Commentary.
Invited Commentary
Individuals who serve in the military can be exposed to toxic agents that have substantial health effects later in life. Using serum specimens collected by the Air Force Health Study, Landgren et al demonstrate a higher risk of the development of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) in veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange compared with veterans who were not exposed. These data show a direct association between serum levels of a contaminant of Agent Orange and the eventual development of MGUS, a precursor to multiple myeloma. Munshi provides an Editorial.
Editorial
Author Audio Interview
The utility of mammographic screening differs based on menopausal status. Miglioretti et al evaluated more than 15 000 women with breast cancer diagnosed within 1 year of an annual or within 2 years of a biennial screening mammogram. Premenopausal women screened every 2 years had a higher proportion of tumors with unfavorable characteristics than premenopausal women screened annually. This was not the case for postmenopausal women. These data call to question recommendations for mammographic screening in premenopausal women. Chen provides an Editorial.
Editorial
Author Audio Interview
Puxty and colleagues studied more than 100 000 cancer patients to assess what effect a critical illness may have on survival within 2 years of a cancer diagnosis. The risk of a critical illness resulting in an intensive care unit (ICU) stay was greatest for patients with gastrointestinal cancers and lowest for those with breast cancer. Among patients who died in the ICU or during the hospital stay, mortality was greatest among emergency medical admissions and lowest among elective surgical patients. Illness requiring an ICU admission may be a factor in decreasing cancer survival. Todd provides an Invited Commentary.
Invited Commentary
Clinical Review & Education
Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-directed therapies have changed the outcome for patients with HER2-positive breast cancers. Monoclonal antibodies and kinase inhibitors along with chemotherapy are the foundation of treatment in this subtype of breast cancer. Moasser and Krop review HER2-targeted agents, mechanisms of action of these drugs, and biomarkers that may help guide therapy.