Hem/Onc Roundup: Statins May Improve Breast Cancer Survival, Clotting Risk During Chemo

Each week on DocWire News, editors bring you the latest news and research in hematology and oncology. Here are this week’s top headlines:

World Lung Cancer Day 2021

On August 1st, patients, physicians, and caretakers around the globe celebrated World Lung Cancer Day by educating about prevention and celebrating breakthroughs in treating the deadliest cancer worldwide.

“World Lung Cancer Day presents a meaningful opportunity to highlight our new and existing lung cancer resources that offer support for those impacted by this devastating disease while building additional awareness across the country,” said American Lung Association National President and Chief Executive Officer Harold P. Wimmer.

Read more about the different types of lung cancer, screening and diagnosis, the latest treatments, and more on DocWire.

https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/hem-onc-picks/world-lung-cancer-day-education-advocacy-and-remembrance/

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Blood Clot Risk During Chemotherapy

In other news, a catheter-to-vein ratio (CVR) of >45% during IV chemotherapy was found to increase the risk of blood clots in patients with cancer. A CVR of >45% was associated with double the risk of thrombosis.

“We have identified how to reduce some of these risks by recommending specific limits on catheter-to-vein ratios for individual patients. These results will help nurses and doctors to provide safe care and reduce harm for people with cancer,” said lead author Rebecca Sharp, MD.

https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/catheter-size-during-chemo-may-impact-risk-for-blood-clots/

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Statins May Improve Breast Cancer Survival

For women with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), statin use after diagnosis is associated with improved survival, according to a study in Cancer. Among 1,534 patients with TNBC, there was a significant association between statin use and increased breast cancer-specific survival and overall survival. This association was not found among patients without TNBC.

“Our data suggest that statins may have a role as a therapy in patients with TNBC and support the initiation of prospective studies,” wrote the authors.

https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/statin-use-improves-survival-in-triple-negative-breast-cancer/

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Patients with Cancer May Lack Immunity for Measles and Mumps

A study in JAMA Network Open found that a considerable proportion of ambulatory patients with cancer lack protective antibodies for measles and mumps. The overall seroprevalence of measles and mumps antibodies was 0.75 in patients with solid tumors and 0.62 for patients with hematologic malignant neoplasm.

“These findings underscore these patients’ high risk during measles and mumps outbreaks and the need to increase herd immunity in the community,” the authors wrote.

https://www.docwirenews.com/docwire-pick/many-cancer-patients-lack-immunity-for-measles-mumps/

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