No abstract

The NDTF selected only those studies that met all quality criteria and were considered suitable as a clinical resource for NCS metrics. The literature is, however, limited and these findings should be confirmed by larger, multicenter collaborative efforts. Muscle Nerve 54: 371-377, 2016.

Rigorous criteria enable identification of high-quality studies dealing with nerve conduction reference values. This represents the first step toward the overarching goal of recommending NCS techniques and reference values for electrodiagnostic medicine. Muscle Nerve 54: 366-370, 2016.

Background: Sorafenib and sunitinib are tyrosine kinase inhibitors with largely overlapping specificities, approved for the treatment of metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (RCC). It was unclear whether the similarities of the two drugs would lead to complete cross-resistance, or whether sequential application would be efficacious. Methods: Patients with metastatic RCC and progression on sorafenib treatment were treated with repeated cycles of sunitinib, 50 mg for 4 weeks, followed by a 2-week break. Response (Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, RECIST) was assessed every second cycle. Results: A total of 22 patients with progression on sorafenib were accrued. Initially, sorafenib treatment was efficacious in all patients, with 7 showing partial response (PR) and 15 stable disease (SD), and subsequent disease progression. With 4 PRs (18%) and 12 SD (55%) a disease control rate of 73% was achieved. The median progression-free survival (PFS) on sunitinib was 21.5 weeks; median overall survival (OS) was not reached. Estimated 1-year PFS and OS were 31 and 60%, respectively. There was no apparent relationship between response to sorafenib and outcome on sunitinib. Conclusion: In our cohort of patients with RCC and progression after initial efficacy of sorafenib, the efficacy data of second-line sunitinib were close to published results of first-line treatment, suggesting limited clinically relevant cross-resistance.

This study prospectively evaluated quality of life (QOL) in localized prostate cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy, and it examined the relationships between QOL, depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. Instruments that were used are Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy for Prostate (FACT-P), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). We evaluated patients at preradiotherapy (PRT), midway radiotherapy (MRT), completion of radiotherapy (CRT), follow-up radiotherapy (4 to 8 wk) (FRT), and long-term follow-up radiotherapy (FRT2) (12 mo or more). Forty participants with a mean age of 67.8 yr were studied. Duration of radiotherapy was 7-8 wk. Mean longterm follow-up period post-CRT was 16.2 mo (range 12-24 mo). All patients had clinical T1c to T2b prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Specific (PCS) and Physical Well-Being (PWB) subscales of FACT-P, scores at MRT and CRT were significantly lower than at PRT. At FRT2, PWB scores declined further, while PCS scores increased. PFS median scores were significantly higher at CRT and at FRT2 as compared with PRT. Patients scoring higher on PFS were more likely to report a poorer QOL and PWB as measured with FACT-P questionnaire. No significant changes were noted in the BDI and ESS scores during the study periods. The PWB declined during and at CRT and worsened at FRT2. Decline in PCS subscale scores during and at CRT reflects worsening of urinary symptoms and appearance of bowel problems. The scores improved at long-term follow-up. A relationship was found to exist between physical well-being and fatigue.