The edition · Oncology
Weekly symptom reporting was linked to five months' longer survival in lung cancer
Long-term SYMPRO-Lung data from 14 Dutch centres, across all stages. Also: a HER2 bispecific against standard first-line therapy, short-course radiotherapy in rectal cancer, and targeting BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer.
The edition in brief
A post hoc long-term analysis of SYMPRO-Lung, a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial in 14 Dutch centres, found weekly online symptom reporting for a year was associated with longer overall survival in 446 patients with stage I–IV lung cancer (median 26 vs 21 months; HR 0.80, CI 0.63–1.00). The phase 3 HEALER trial in China found the HER2 bispecific anbenitamab with albumin-bound docetaxel improved 24-month progression-free survival over docetaxel, trastuzumab and pertuzumab (58.5% vs 34.4%; HR 0.46) in HER2-positive advanced breast cancer, with more grade 3 or higher adverse events. A meta-analysis of nine trials found short-course radiotherapy followed by consolidation chemotherapy raised pathological complete response over long-course chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer but did not improve survival and increased acute toxicity. A reconstructed patient-level meta-analysis of 18 trials in BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer found BRAF-directed regimens associated with the longest survival. The pearl covers febrile neutropenia.
A HER2 bispecific beat docetaxel–trastuzumab–pertuzumab on progression-free survival
Anbenitamab with albumin-bound docetaxel improved progression-free survival over THP, but THP remains standard until survival data and licensing follow.
Short-course radiotherapy then chemotherapy: more complete responses, no survival gain
Short-course radiotherapy with consolidation chemotherapy raises complete response rates but not survival; match the regimen to the patient's goals.
BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer: BRAF-directed therapy linked to the longest survival
Test every metastatic colorectal cancer for BRAF V600E, and favour a BRAF-directed regimen when it is present.
Febrile neutropenia: antibiotics within the hour
Treat fever on chemotherapy as neutropenic sepsis until proven otherwise, with IV antibiotics within the hour.
Weekly symptom reporting in lung cancer, and longer survival
Consider weekly structured symptom monitoring with a clear response pathway for patients on lung cancer treatment.
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