Oncology News Recap: Gene Predicts RT Response; Maternal BMI Linked to CRC

Each week on DocWire News, editors bring you the latest hematology and oncology news and research. In case you missed it, here are this week’s top headlines.

The highlights:

• Interview: Gene Linked to Radiotherapy Outcomes in Early-Stage Breast Cancer
• Do Mindfulness Interventions Benefit Young Adults with Cancer?
• Alcohol Consumption Frequency Linked to Risk of GI Cancer
• Maternal Obesity Increases Risk of CRC in Offspring

Keep reading for the breakdown on these top stories!
–

Gene Predicts RT Outcomes in Early Breast Cancer

Editors spoke with Dr. Martin Sjöström about his recent study that identified a gene expression signature that is predictive for radiotherapy outcomes in early-stage invasive breast cancer. Dr. Sjöström and colleagues identified a gene expression signature, named Profile for the Omission of Local Adjuvant Radiation (POLAR), to predict whether women with early-stage invasive breast cancer, treated with breast conserving surgery, are likely to benefit from radiotherapy. Early results suggest that POLAR may effectively discern patients with a low risk of locoregional recurrence without adjuvant therapy following breast conserving surgery, and these women can safely be spared radiotherapy.

“POLAR low-risk patients had a 10 year local regional recurrence rate of 7%, and POLAR was prognostic also after adjusting for patient age, tumor size, and molecular subtype, showing that it provides additional prognostic information,” explained Dr. Sjöström “And importantly, the POLAR low-risk patients have no benefits from adjuvant radiotherapy, while the POLAR high-risk patients had a substantial benefit from radiotherapy.”

Watch the full interview to learn more:

https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/hem-onc-picks/dr-martin-sjostrom-discusses-an-important-study-for-women-with-early-stage-breast-cancer/

–

Mindfulness for Young Adults with Cancer

In other news, researchers evaluated the value of mindfulness-based interventions to improve the psychosocial well-being of young patients with cancer. The researchers reviewed six studies of mindfulness-based regimens in patients with cancer aged 10 to 29 years and found variable benefits associated with these interventions.

The researchers found an overall trend of acceptance of formal and informal mindfulness-based exercises among the patients enrolled in the studies. However, the authors note, recruitment of participants was a barrier to program success.

The authors also reported variability in psychosocial outcomes after interventions. Some studies showed patients demonstrated improvements in anxiety levels and social isolation. However, some studies did not record significant benefits.

https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/study-investigates-benefits-of-mindfulness-for-young-patients-with-cancer/

–

How Frequently You Drink Impacts GI Cancer Risk

A study found that the frequency of alcohol consumption may play a bigger role in subsequent risk of gastrointestinal (GI) cancer compared to the amount of alcohol consumed. Drinking every day was associated with an increased risk of GI cancer. Cancer risk was comparable among patients who drank between 8 and 14 unites of alcohol per occasion.

he analysis included 11,737,467 participants identified through the Korean National Health Insurance System database who underwent a national health screening program (2009 through 2010) and were followed for a median of 6.4 years.

The researchers found that the risk for GI cancer was higher for mild, moderate, and heavy drinkers compared with nondrinkers. There was a linear association noted between the risk for GI cancer and the frequency of drinking in a dose-dependent manner. The risk for GI cancer increased with consumption up to 5 to 7 units per occasion but remained similar among those with a higher intake per session.

For more GI cancer news, be sure to visit GU Oncology Now. 

https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/more-frequent-alcohol-consumption-ups-risk-for-gi-cancers/

–

Obesity in Mothers Raises Children’s Risk for CRC

Maternal obesity and certain patterns of pregnancy weight gain are associated with an increased risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) in adult offspring, according to a study. Maternal body mass index of >30 kg/m² was associated with a greater risk of CRC cancer among their children.

The association with CRC risk was altered by total weight gain versus the rate of early weight gain, with a greater risk associated with either high total weight gain or a higher rate of early weight gain. There was also a higher CRC risk seen with birth weight of 4,000 g or more.

“Given increasing population prevalence of maternal obesity and pregnancy weight gain, the burden of CRC is likely to continue increasing in the future,” the authors write.

https://www.docwirenews.com/hematology-oncology/maternal-obesity-may-up-crc-risk-in-adult-offspring/

–

Want to See More Oncology News?

Be sure to keep up with the latest oncology news and research here on DocWire, updated daily!

https://www.docwirenews.com/latest-hematology-oncology-news-2/