Summaries of Must-Read Clinical Literature, Guidelines, and FDA Actions

Neurotoxic Effects of Chemotherapy Regimens

Comparing anthracyclines with nonanthracyclines

Publish date:: December 15, 2015

Anthracyclines may have greater negative effects than nonanthracycline regimens on particular cognitive domains and brain network connections, according to an observational study of functional MRI data from 62 primary breast cancer survivors with a mean age of 54.7 years. Researchers found:

• The anthracycline group showed significantly lower verbal memory performance including immediate recall and delayed recall, as well as lower left precuneus connectivity vs both a nonanthracycline group and a group receiving no chemotherapy.

• Patient-reported outcomes related to cognitive dysfunction and psychological distress were similarly elevated in both chemotherapy groups vs no-chemotherapy controls.

Citation: Kesler SR, Blayney DW. Neurotoxic effects of anthracycline- vs nonanthracycline-based chemotherapy on cognition in breast cancer survivors. [Published online ahead of print December 3, 2015]. JAMA Oncol. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2015.4333.

This Week's Must Reads

Younger adults present with more advanced esophageal adenocarcinoma,

PDAC: Tumor reduction after neoadjuvant therapy may predict postsurgical survival,

Mortality risks rise with age, infections, but not inhibitor status in persons with non-severe hemophilia A,

‘Impressive’ local control with MRI-guided brachytherapy in cervical cancer,

U.S. mothers underestimate role breastfeeding plays in curbing breast cancer,

Must Reads in Breast Cancer

U.S. mothers underestimate role breastfeeding plays in curbing breast cancer,

Study: Doctors underreport side effects of breast irradiation,

No edge for anastrozole over tamoxifen in DCIS,

Long-term APBI cosmetic, toxicity data reported WBI has the edge Practice-confirming results,

Omitting postop radiotherapy doesn’t affect survival in older breast cancer patients,