Clinical Trial Service Unit

About: Clinical Trial Service Unit is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Stroke. The organization has 428 authors who have published 1387 publications receiving 181920 citations.

Risk of Cerebrovascular Events in 178 962 Five-Year Survivors of Cancer Diagnosed at 15 to 39 Years of Age: The TYACSS (Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Survivor Study)

Abstract: Background —Survivors of teenage and young adult (TYA) cancer are at risk of cerebrovascular events, but the magnitude of and extent to which this risk varies by cancer type, decade of diagnosis, age at diagnosis and attained age remains uncertain. This is the largest ever cohort study to evaluate the risks of hospitalisation for a cerebrovascular event among long-term survivors of TYA cancer. Methods —The population-based Teenage and Young Adult Cancer Survivor Study (N=178,962) was linked to Hospital Episode Statistics data for England to investigate the risks of hospitalisation for a cerebrovascular event among 5-year survivors of cancer diagnosed when aged 15-39 years. Observed numbers of first hospitalisations for cerebrovascular events were compared to that expected from the general population using standardised hospitalisation ratios (SHR) and absolute excess risks (AER) per 10,000 person-years. Cumulative incidence was calculated with death considered a competing risk. Results —Overall, 2,782 cancer survivors were hospitalised for a cerebrovascular event—40% higher than expected (SHR=1.4, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.3-1.4). Survivors of central nervous system (CNS) tumours (SHR=4.6, CI=4.3-5.0), head & neck tumours (SHR=2.6, CI=2.2-3.1) and leukaemia (SHR=2.5, CI=1.9-3.1) were at greatest risk. Males had a significantly higher AER than females (AER=7 versus 3), especially among head & neck tumour survivors (AER=30 versus 11). By age 60, 9%, 6% and 5% of CNS tumour, head & neck tumour, and leukaemia survivors, respectively, had been hospitalised for a cerebrovascular event. Beyond age 60, every year 0.4% of CNS tumour survivors were hospitalised for a cerebral infarction (versus 0.1% expected. Whereas at any age, every year 0.2% of head & neck tumour survivors were hospitalised for a cerebral infarction 7 (versus 0.06% expected). Conclusions —Survivors of a CNS tumour, head & neck tumour, and leukaemia are particularly at risk of hospitalisation for a cerebrovascular event. The excess risk of cerebral infarction among CNS tumour survivors increases with attained age. For head & neck tumour survivors this excess risk remains high across all ages. These groups of survivors, and in particular males, should be considered for surveillance of cerebrovascular risk factors and potential pharmacological interventions for cerebral infarction prevention.

Chlorambucil—Still Not Bad: A Reappraisal

Abstract: Although chlorambucil has been used in the management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) for 55 years, the optimal dose and treatment duration have not been established. We summarized data from 4 UK randomized CLL trials over the past 30 years in which chlorambucil, as a single agent, was one of the study arms. Overall response rates (ORR) ranged from 57% to 75% when using doses of 60-70 mg/m(2) per 28-day cycle. This compares favorably with an ORR of 31% to 55% in other studies that used lower doses. Response rates improved when patients received 6 or more courses. Studies that used chlorambucil as a comparator, at lower doses or with fewer courses, resulted in consistently lower ORR. Comparisons with single-agent fludarabine in 2 randomized trials (LRF CLL4 and German CLL5) showed similar progression-free survival. Chlorambucil compares favorably with fludarabine and bendamustine with respect to myelotoxicity, neutropenia, and fever, even at 70 mg/m(2) per cycle and in the elderly. Resistance to chlorambucil does not preclude a good response to newer treatments used as second-line treatment, which explains the good survival after progression observed in patients randomized to chlorambucil in LRF CLL4. Chlorambucil is currently being combined with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies in several phase II and III trials. It remains a useful drug for patients unfit to receive more intensive combinations. However, both the dose and duration of treatment are important.

Risk stratification of childhood cancer survivors necessary for evidence-based clinical long-term follow-up.

Abstract: Reorganisation of clinical follow-up care in England was proposed by the National Cancer Survivorship Initiative (NCSI), based on cancer type and treatment, ranging from Level 1 (supported self-management) to Level 3 (consultant-led care). The objective of this study was to provide an investigation of the risks of serious adverse health-outcomes associated with NCSI Levels of clinical care using a large population-based cohort of childhood cancer survivors. The British Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (BCCSS) was used to investigate risks of specific causes of death, subsequent primary neoplasms (SPNs) and non-fatal non-neoplastic outcomes by NCSI Level. Cumulative (excess) risks of specified adverse outcomes by 45 years from diagnosis among non-leukaemic survivors assigned to NCSI Levels 1, 2 and 3 were for: SPNs—5% (two-fold expected), 14% (four-fold expected) and 21% (eight-fold expected); non-neoplastic death—2% (two-fold expected), 4% (three-fold expected) and 8% (seven-fold expected); non-fatal non-neoplastic condition—14%, 27% and 40%, respectively. Consequently overall cumulative risks of any adverse health outcome were 21%, 45% and 69%, respectively. Despite its simplicity the risk stratification tool provides clear and strong discrimination between survivors assigned to different NCSI Levels in terms of long-term cumulative and excess risks of serious adverse outcomes.

Coxibs, Traditional NSAIDs, and Cardiovascular Safety Post-PRECISION: What We Thought We Knew Then and What We Think We Know Now.

Abstract: The aim of the present review is to analyze how thinking about the cardiovascular safety of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs has evolved during the past two decades, and discuss to what extent the additional information from the Prospective Randomized Evaluation of Celecoxib Integrated Safety Versus Ibuprofen or Naproxen study may alter our current mechanistic understanding and/or clinical practice.