Search

Background: This study evaluated the effect of adjuvant chemotherapy and hormone therapy on overall survival and disease-free survival in patients with breast cancer with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative tumors without lymph node involvement. Methods: Breast cancer patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative, and no lymph node involvement were included in this retrospective cohort study. Patient records were used to collect data on sex, age, time of disease onset, tumor subtype, tumor size, grade, lymphovascular and perineural involvement, ki67, and treatment protocols. Patients were divided into 2 groups: Patients who received both adjuvant chemotherapy and hormonal therapy and patients who received hormonal therapy only. Disease-free survival index (DFS) and overall survival index (OS) were evaluated. Results: Sixty-seven female patients were enrolled in this study. Of them, 68.2% received both adjuvant chemotherapy and hormonal therapy and 31.6% received hormonal therapy only. During follow-up, recurrences occurred in 8 patients. The 3-year and 5-year DFS were 93.4% and 90%, respectively. The 3-year and 5-year DFS was 94% and 92%, respectively, in patients who received both adjuvant chemotherapy and hormonal therapy, and 91% and 85%, respectively, in patients who received hormonal therapy. None of the factors studied affected the 3-year and 5-year DFS. The 3-year and 5-year DFS OS were 98.6% and 96.9%, respectively Conclusion: Adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative, and no lymph node involvement compared with similar patients receiving hormone therapy alone had no significant difference in disease-free survival index and overall survival index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Anti-cancer potential of silymarin has been shown in cell culture. However, no prospective clinical study has been conducted in this relation. Methods: In a randomized double blind pilot study, we compared effects of addition of standard chemotherapy along with silymarin (420mg/day) versus placebo on clinical response of advanced tumors after three cycles of cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Results: There was no significant difference in tumor size after three consecutive chemotherapy courses but a trend toward lower metastasis rate in chemotherapy + silymarin group. Concomitant use of silymarin and chemotherapy was very well tolerated but didn't significantly increase clinical response. Conclusion: Due to the trend towards significantly lower metastasis in silymarin group, further study with larger sample size is needed to better clarify probable role of adjunctive therapy with silymarin in patients with solid tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthcare horizon scanning systems, have become one of the main components of health technology assessment. We conducted a horizon scanning exercise to identify new oncology drugs that may have a high impact on cancer patients and the health system in Iran. Methods:We reviewed existing health technology horizon scanning systems, and selected and weighted criteria for prioritizing oncology drugs, including 1) clinical efficiency and effectiveness, 2) incidence and prevalence of cancer types, 3) potential costs, 4) availability of alternative treatment, 5) having variable indications, 6) quality of evidence, and 7) being a first, second or third line drug. We reviewed horizon scanning reports in other countries and prepared a list of new oncology drugs to be ranked. We summarized clinical and epidemiological information about the drugs and presented them to a member of our expert panel who ranked them based on a structured checklist. Eventually, the drugs were categorized into four groups from low to high impact, based on their effect on patients and the health system of Iran in the future Results: We identified 158 new oncology drugs, most of which were in their phase III clinical trials, and had been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Finally, we selected 18 medicines as having the highest impact on patients and the health system of Iran. Conclusion: The results of this study can be used for several purposes, including research and drug development. These results suggest the need for periodical horizon scanning in Iran and other low and middle income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]