PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

New study in JNCCN supports chemotherapy option that reduces side effects for people with gastrointestinal cancers

Researchers found that omitting the bolus-specific 5-flourouracil (5-FU) portion from common chemotherapy regimens could improve tolerability for patients without sacrificing treatment effectiveness.

New study in JNCCN supports chemotherapy option that reduces side effects for people with gastrointestinal cancers
2024-09-05
(Press-News.org) PLYMOUTH MEETING, PA [September 5, 2024] — New research just-published online by JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network finds that for many commonly used treatment regimens targeting metastatic gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, such as FOLFOX, FOLFIRI, or FOLFIRINOX, it is possible to administer 5-FU solely through continuous infusion, minus the bolus (quick-delivery via intravenous push) component, without negatively affecting patient outcomes.

The study reviewed results from 11,765 patients across 280 cancer clinics who were diagnosed with advanced colorectal, gastroesophageal, and pancreatic cancers between January 2011 and May 2022. According to the findings, there was no decrease in overall survival for the 13.7% of patients who did not receive a 5-FU bolus component as part of their treatment regimen. However, those patients did see a notable reduction in cytopenias, such as neutropenia (compromised immune system) or thrombocytopenia (bleeding problems).

“The true value of our findings lies in the empirical evidence they provide, which supports what many of us have long suspected,” said lead researcher Shun Yu, MD, NYU Langone Health. “The most significant benefit of this adjustment is that it makes the treatment more tolerable, potentially easing the chemotherapy experience for patients. For decades, the most effective treatment for gastrointestinal cancers was a combination of two forms of 5-fluorouracil: the 5-FU bolus injection, followed by the 5-FU continuous infusion. However, in the early 2000s, the standard of care evolved into multi-drug regimens after it was discovered that adding to the two-component 5-FU backbone significantly improved patient outcomes. While the value of the 5-FU bolus was well established in the older single drug regimens, its role in these newer multi-drug combinations was never thoroughly tested and was largely just assumed.”

The study points out that many practicing oncologists—particularly those who have been in practice longer or who specialize in GI cancers—have already begun to omit the bolus. Recent shortages of 5-FU have also highlighted the potential for reducing this bolus portion.

“This study offers solid evidence for not using a 5-FU bolus with FOLFOX/FOLFIRI/FOLFIRINOX regimens in advanced GI cancers,” commented Elena Gabriela Chiorean, MD, Fred Hutch Cancer Center, who was not involved in this research. “5-FU is a core component of treatment regimens for many gastrointestinal cancers and has traditionally been included as a bolus in addition to a 46-hour infusion in many multiagent chemotherapy regimens. However, there have been no clear evidence showing that bolus 5-FU confers additional efficacy when retained with 5-FU infusion in multi-agent regimens. The authors conducted a large retrospective cohort study to determine the safety and survival rates for patients with advanced colorectal, gastroesophageal and pancreatic cancers after multiagent 5-FU based chemotherapy with and without the 5-FU bolus from the start, adjusting for clinical factors such as age and comorbidities. This large study shows that omitting the bolus 5-FU has no detrimental effect on survival but reduces side effects and healthcare costs.”

A more detailed response from Dr. Chiorean, who is also a Member of the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) Panel for Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma, will be publishing in the upcoming October 2024 issue of JNCCN.

Complimentary access is available to “Omission of 5-Fluorouracil Bolus from Multidrug Regimens for Advanced Gastrointestinal Cancers: A Multicenter Cohort Study.” To read the entire article, visit JNCCN.org.

# # #

About JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

More than 25,000 oncologists and other cancer care professionals across the United States read JNCCN—Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. This peer-reviewed, indexed medical journal provides the latest information about innovation in translational medicine, and scientific studies related to oncology health services research, including quality care and value, bioethics, comparative and cost effectiveness, public policy, and interventional research on supportive care and survivorship. JNCCN features updates on the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®), review articles elaborating on guidelines recommendations, health services research, and case reports highlighting molecular insights in patient care. JNCCN is published by Harborside/BroadcastMed. Visit JNCCN.org. To inquire if you are eligible for a FREE subscription to JNCCN, visit NCCN.org/jnccn/subscribe. Follow JNCCN at x.com/JNCCN.

About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to improving and facilitating quality, effective, equitable, and accessible cancer care so all patients can live better lives. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) provide transparent, evidence-based, expert consensus recommendations for cancer treatment, prevention, and supportive services; they are the recognized standard for clinical direction and policy in cancer management and the most thorough and frequently-updated clinical practice guidelines available in any area of medicine. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients® provide expert cancer treatment information to inform and empower patients and caregivers, through support from the NCCN Foundation®. NCCN also advances continuing education, global initiatives, policy, and research collaboration and publication in oncology. Visit NCCN.org for more information.

END


[Attachments] See images for this press release:
New study in JNCCN supports chemotherapy option that reduces side effects for people with gastrointestinal cancers New study in JNCCN supports chemotherapy option that reduces side effects for people with gastrointestinal cancers 2

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Study shows long term-effects of immigration on Chinese Americans’ cardiovascular health

2024-09-05
A new UCLA-led study found that cardiovascular disease risk among Chinese American immigrants increases with length of residence and varies by location in the U.S. The study, which leveraged data from the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) cohort, sponsored by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), observed the heart health of 746 Chinese Americans in both Los Angeles and Chicago over a period of roughly 18 years. The study found that participants who resided in Chicago showed lower mortality levels from heart disease compared to those who lived in Los Angeles. “This is the first long-term prospective study in nearly two decades to investigate the effects of ...

High blood pressure a concern for adolescents and young adults in U.S.

2024-09-05
Research Highlights: In the first study, nearly 23% of young adults (ages 18-39 years) included in the NHANES 2017-2020 datasets had high blood pressure (130/80 mm Hg or greater). In addition, they were more likely to self-report being uninsured, food insecure and low-income compared to older adults. The second study, which also used the 2017-2020 NHANES datasets, found that among 2,600 youths ages 8-19, 8.7% had elevated blood pressure and 5.4% had high blood pressure, as defined by age-sex-height percentiles in accordance with guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. These two studies point to the need for policies and programs to support youth and young adults ...

Remote monitoring and pharmacist helped improve hard-to-control blood pressure

2024-09-05
Research Highlights: A new study finds that up to 74% of participants with resistant or difficult-to-control high blood pressure, including those with chronic kidney disease, were able to improve control of their blood pressure within 12 months after using a Bluetooth-enabled remote monitoring system coupled with pharmacist interactions. Two-thirds of patients had interacted with pharmacists who co-managed their blood pressure via telehealth, often making medication adjustments and addressing medication adherence, which was associated with ...

Popular home blood pressure monitoring cuff devices may not fit some US adults

2024-09-05
Research Highlights: An analysis of at-home blood-pressure monitors estimates that the arm cuffs for 10 of the most popular potentially do not fit up to 18 million adults in the U.S. and nearly 12% of Black adults. To ensure accurate blood pressure monitoring, the researchers suggest that manufacturers and retailers be aware of the disparities and improve access and selection of diverse blood pressure cuff sizes for consumers. Note: The studies featured in this news release are research abstracts. Abstracts ...

How fish guts might play a role in future skin care products

2024-09-05
There are some pretty strange ingredients in cosmetics and skin care products. One example is snail mucin — also known as snail slime — which is used for its moisturizing and antioxidant properties. But researchers reporting in ACS Omega might have found something even weirder to put on your face: molecules made by fish gut bacteria. In cultured cells, the compounds had skin-brightening and anti-wrinkle properties, making them potential ingredients for your future skin care routine. Though fish guts might seem like the absolute last place to look for cosmetic compounds, it’s not a completely far-fetched idea. Many important drugs have ...

Research update: Recreational tubing, swimming leaves an impact on streams

2024-09-05
How does your dip in a local watering hole affect the stream’s chemistry? Researchers who previously analyzed the impact of people swimming and tubing on a Colorado creek report updated observations in ACS ES&T Water. They find that these recreational activities over a busy Labor Day weekend have a short-term effect, increasing the levels of metals, human gut-associated microbes and substances from personal care products. Researchers James Ranville, Carsten Prasse, John Spear, Noor Hamden, Carmen Villarruel and colleagues studied how recreational ...

Asian Fund for Cancer Research announces winner of the 2024 BRACE Award Venture Competition

Asian Fund for Cancer Research announces winner of the 2024 BRACE Award Venture Competition
2024-09-05
Hong Kong (5 September 2024) – The Asian Fund for Cancer Research Limited (AFCR) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 BRACE Award Venture Competition: the First Prize goes to Concarlo Therapeutics, led by Founder and CEO Stacy Blain, Ph.D., and the Second Prize goes to Orphagen Pharmaceuticals, led by its Founder and CEO Scott Thacher, Ph.D. AFCR’s BRACE (Bridging Research from Academia to Cancer Entrepreneurship) Award Venture Competition is designed to support and accelerate oncology innovations on their path toward commercialization, aiming to improve outcomes for patients affected by cancer globally. ...

Analysis found weight-loss surgery may help people with obesity manage high blood pressure

2024-09-05
Research Highlights: In an analysis of 18 randomized clinical trials, people with obesity and high blood pressure who underwent bariatric (weight-loss) surgery were almost three times more likely to achieve blood pressure remission, defined as reducing to less than 140/90 mm Hg and no longer taking antihypertensive medication, and keep it under control in comparison to peers treated with medication and healthy lifestyle adjustments. Over a 1-to-5-year follow-up period, people with obesity who ...

New AI hair analysis method holds promise for improved health research

2024-09-05
PULLMAN, Wash. —  A new application that uses artificial intelligence may revolutionize the way scientists study hair and could lead to the development of health diagnostics based solely on hair. The AI model speeds up and streamlines the hair quantification process, allowing a microscope to scan slides and collect images of hundreds of hairs at a time. In a matter of seconds, it can capture an abundance of high-resolution data that is then processed with a deep learning algorithm that collects the color, shape, width and length of each individual hair. Researchers tested it using mouse fur, but it could be ...

Cells, data, stars: Three new ERC Projects at ISTA

Cells, data, stars: Three new ERC Projects at ISTA
2024-09-05
A combined 4.8 million euros in ERC Starting Grants will go to scientists at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA). Awarded to early career researchers by the European Research Council (ERC), Starting Grants help researchers launch and develop projects, build capable teams, and pursue cutting-edge research. All three of ISTA’s ERC winners wholly embody the Institute’s curiosity-driven mission: they aim to find out how cells keep time, improve the way we date our stars, and optimize the extraction of relevant information from our ever-growing data. ERC Starting Grants ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Reality check: making indoor smartphone-based augmented reality work

Overthinking what you said? It’s your ‘lizard brain’ talking to newer, advanced parts of your brain

Black men — including transit workers — are targets for aggression on public transportation, study shows

Troubling spike in severe pregnancy-related complications for all ages in Illinois

Alcohol use identified by UTHealth Houston researchers as most common predictor of escalated cannabis vaping among youths in Texas

Need a landing pad for helicopter parenting? Frame tasks as learning

New MUSC Hollings Cancer Center research shows how Golgi stress affects T-cells' tumor-fighting ability

#16to365: New resources for year-round activism to end gender-based violence and strengthen bodily autonomy for all

Earliest fish-trapping facility in Central America discovered in Maya lowlands

São Paulo to host School on Disordered Systems

New insights into sleep uncover key mechanisms related to cognitive function

USC announces strategic collaboration with Autobahn Labs to accelerate drug discovery

Detroit health professionals urge the community to act and address the dangers of antimicrobial resistance

3D-printing advance mitigates three defects simultaneously for failure-free metal parts 

Ancient hot water on Mars points to habitable past: Curtin study

In Patagonia, more snow could protect glaciers from melt — but only if we curb greenhouse gas emissions soon

Simplicity is key to understanding and achieving goals

Caste differentiation in ants

Nutrition that aligns with guidelines during pregnancy may be associated with better infant growth outcomes, NIH study finds

New technology points to unexpected uses for snoRNA

Racial and ethnic variation in survival in early-onset colorectal cancer

Disparities by race and urbanicity in online health care facility reviews

Exploring factors affecting workers' acquisition of exercise habits using machine learning approaches

Nano-patterned copper oxide sensor for ultra-low hydrogen detection

Maintaining bridge safer; Digital sensing-based monitoring system

A novel approach for the composition design of high-entropy fluorite oxides with low thermal conductivity

A groundbreaking new approach to treating chronic abdominal pain

ECOG-ACRIN appoints seven researchers to scientific committee leadership positions

New model of neuronal circuit provides insight on eye movement

Cooking up a breakthrough: Penn engineers refine lipid nanoparticles for better mRNA therapies

[Press-News.org] New study in JNCCN supports chemotherapy option that reduces side effects for people with gastrointestinal cancers
Researchers found that omitting the bolus-specific 5-flourouracil (5-FU) portion from common chemotherapy regimens could improve tolerability for patients without sacrificing treatment effectiveness.