Consultant Medical Oncologist and Director of the Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre, both at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne. Also Professor of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
a role for T cells at the earliest stages of infection is unclear. The present study demonstrates... more a role for T cells at the earliest stages of infection is unclear. The present study demonstrates that the innate immune cell-derived cytokine, IL-1, can increase CD40L-induced cytokine secretion by monocyte-derived DC, CD34-derived DC, and peripheral blood DC independently of T cell-derived cytokines. Furthermore, IL-1 is constitutively produced by monocyte-derived DC and monocytes, and is increased in response to intact
Asia-Pacific journal of clinical oncology, Jan 6, 2015
The American Society of Clinical Oncology and US Institute of Medicine emphasize the need to tria... more The American Society of Clinical Oncology and US Institute of Medicine emphasize the need to trial novel models of posttreatment care, and disseminate findings. In 2011, the Victorian State Government (Australia) established the Victorian Cancer Survivorship Program (VCSP), funding six 2-year demonstration projects, targeting end of initial cancer treatment. Projects considered various models, enrolling people of differing cancer types, age and residential areas. We sought to determine common enablers of success, as well as challenges/barriers. Throughout the duration of the projects, a formal "community of practice" met regularly to share experiences. Projects provided regular formal progress reports. An analysis framework was developed to synthesize key themes and identify critical enablers and challenges. Two external reviewers examined final project reports. Discussion with project teams clarified content. Survivors reported interventions to be acceptable, appropriate ...
Mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) has been shown to confer a superior prognosis and is possibly p... more Mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) has been shown to confer a superior prognosis and is possibly predictive of a lack of benefit from fluoropyrimidine adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) for early-stage colon cancer (ESCC). We conducted a survey to assess medical oncologists' views regarding ESCC AC, with an emphasis on the use of MMR status to guide their recommendations. The survey was distributed to all members of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia. Their demographic data, practice information, and views on the use of MMR status in ESCC and in 3 case scenarios were collected. The 3 case scenarios were a 68-year-old woman with moderate-risk stage II disease, who was eager to undergo AC (case 1); a 43-year-old woman with high-risk stage II disease, who was ambivalent regarding AC (case 2); and a 78-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities and high-risk stage II disease, who was eager to undergo AC. The survey response rate was 35% (190 of 550). Of the 190 responders, 152 (80%) routinely treated patients with colon cancer (CC) and completed the survey. For patients with stage II CC, 112 of 141 (79%) would use MMR status to assist AC recommendations, and 97 (69%) thought it changed their practice. In the case scenarios, 81% (case 1, 110 of 136), 67% (case 2, 92 of 137), and 43% (case 3, 57 of 133) used MMR status to assist AC recommendations. If dMMR was present, 78% (case 1, 86 of 110), 53% (case 2, 49 of 92), and 53% (case 3, 30 of 57) changed their initial recommendations by advising against AC. The use of MMR status to assist AC recommendations for patients with stage II CC is an accepted practice for most Australian medical oncologists who responded to our survey.
People directly affected by cancer report significant psychological distress. Peer support progra... more People directly affected by cancer report significant psychological distress. Peer support programs are based on the premise that shared experience is a valuable resource that assists individuals to adjust to, and cope effectively with, stressful events. This article considers two types of peer support service available to cancer patients--telephone peer support (the 'Cancer Connect' program) and cancer support groups.
a role for T cells at the earliest stages of infection is unclear. The present study demonstrates... more a role for T cells at the earliest stages of infection is unclear. The present study demonstrates that the innate immune cell-derived cytokine, IL-1, can increase CD40L-induced cytokine secretion by monocyte-derived DC, CD34-derived DC, and peripheral blood DC independently of T cell-derived cytokines. Furthermore, IL-1 is constitutively produced by monocyte-derived DC and monocytes, and is increased in response to intact
Asia-Pacific journal of clinical oncology, Jan 6, 2015
The American Society of Clinical Oncology and US Institute of Medicine emphasize the need to tria... more The American Society of Clinical Oncology and US Institute of Medicine emphasize the need to trial novel models of posttreatment care, and disseminate findings. In 2011, the Victorian State Government (Australia) established the Victorian Cancer Survivorship Program (VCSP), funding six 2-year demonstration projects, targeting end of initial cancer treatment. Projects considered various models, enrolling people of differing cancer types, age and residential areas. We sought to determine common enablers of success, as well as challenges/barriers. Throughout the duration of the projects, a formal "community of practice" met regularly to share experiences. Projects provided regular formal progress reports. An analysis framework was developed to synthesize key themes and identify critical enablers and challenges. Two external reviewers examined final project reports. Discussion with project teams clarified content. Survivors reported interventions to be acceptable, appropriate ...
Mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) has been shown to confer a superior prognosis and is possibly p... more Mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR) has been shown to confer a superior prognosis and is possibly predictive of a lack of benefit from fluoropyrimidine adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) for early-stage colon cancer (ESCC). We conducted a survey to assess medical oncologists' views regarding ESCC AC, with an emphasis on the use of MMR status to guide their recommendations. The survey was distributed to all members of the Medical Oncology Group of Australia. Their demographic data, practice information, and views on the use of MMR status in ESCC and in 3 case scenarios were collected. The 3 case scenarios were a 68-year-old woman with moderate-risk stage II disease, who was eager to undergo AC (case 1); a 43-year-old woman with high-risk stage II disease, who was ambivalent regarding AC (case 2); and a 78-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities and high-risk stage II disease, who was eager to undergo AC. The survey response rate was 35% (190 of 550). Of the 190 responders, 152 (80%) routinely treated patients with colon cancer (CC) and completed the survey. For patients with stage II CC, 112 of 141 (79%) would use MMR status to assist AC recommendations, and 97 (69%) thought it changed their practice. In the case scenarios, 81% (case 1, 110 of 136), 67% (case 2, 92 of 137), and 43% (case 3, 57 of 133) used MMR status to assist AC recommendations. If dMMR was present, 78% (case 1, 86 of 110), 53% (case 2, 49 of 92), and 53% (case 3, 30 of 57) changed their initial recommendations by advising against AC. The use of MMR status to assist AC recommendations for patients with stage II CC is an accepted practice for most Australian medical oncologists who responded to our survey.
People directly affected by cancer report significant psychological distress. Peer support progra... more People directly affected by cancer report significant psychological distress. Peer support programs are based on the premise that shared experience is a valuable resource that assists individuals to adjust to, and cope effectively with, stressful events. This article considers two types of peer support service available to cancer patients--telephone peer support (the 'Cancer Connect' program) and cancer support groups.
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