Real-world data has become integral to sarcoma research
Researchers’ confidence is growing, but the quality of the data generated may still represent a challenge
Rising rates of cancer in young people: nature or nurture?
High-quality studies employing molecular pathological epidemiology frameworks could help pinpoint aetiologic mechanisms and help tackle a potential future epidemic among the youngest
What role for real-world evidence in cancer research?
With the growing use of real-world evidence (RWE) to support regulatory approvals of new anti-cancer medicines in Europe and the USA, can this type of research ensure greater inclusion of women, the elderly, diverse ethnic groups, those with rare cancers and other under-represented populations in oncology studies?
Real-world research does not need to replace randomised clinical trials to be recognised as valuable for treatment evaluation
According to Prof. Urania Dafni, high quality real-world evidence can provide broader information and more generalisable conclusions to verify the clinical applicability of evidence from RCTs
Should we invest more in registry data?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, real-world data have shown they can support clinical decision-making in complex situations but extensive bureaucracy is still a limiting factor
There is a growing place for real-world evidence in medical journals
However, researchers’ concerns about missing opportunities to publish their real-world evidence-based papers in high-ranked scientific journals are justified to some extent due to lack of ‘best practices’ from publishers and suitable peer reviewers for these study designs
Why we need to investigate sex differences in cancer research
Sex- and gender-sensitive medicine postulates that differences in biological sex, gender identity, role and relations all impact health and disease, and may have implications for prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment. Its goal is to learn from these differences to improve care and treatment for men and women.
What should oncologists know about e-cigarettes?
Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are battery-powered products that create an aerosol by heating a liquid consisting of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin and flavouring agents. The liquid may or may not (but usually does) contain nicotine, at variable doses. Differently from conventional cigarettes, there is no combustion of tobacco in ENDS, thus making people think they cause less harm. However, the varying voltage that is applied to the liquid creates a mixture of potentially toxic substances in the aerosols that are then inhaled by users.