How Is CTCAE Improving Research and Patient Care?

How Is CTCAE Improving Research and Patient Care?

The Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) is a list of adverse event (AE) terms most often encountered in oncology. It’s been in ongoing development since the 1980s and was previously referred to as the Common Toxicity Criteria. Through continual development and support from the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program, CTCAE aids in the documentation and analysis of adverse events in oncology-related clinical trials.  

FDA Approves Lusutrombopag for Thrombocytopenia in Adults With Chronic Liver Disease

FDA Approves Lusutrombopag for Thrombocytopenia in Adults With Chronic Liver Disease

On July 31, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved lusutrombopag (Mulpleta, Shionogi Inc.) for thrombocytopenia in adults with chronic liver disease who are scheduled to undergo a medical or dental procedure.

Candidates’ Position Will Matter to Voters, Especially Health Care; Senate Confirms Robert Wilkie as Veterans Affairs Secretary; Trump Battle Over Drug Prices Heats Up

Candidates’ Position Will Matter to Voters, Especially Health Care

The Kaiser Family Foundation released a report stating that coverage for pre-existing conditions ranks highest among healthcare campaign issues for American voters. According to the report, the issue cuts across all parties, including Democrats, Republicans, and voters living in battleground states. Since attempting to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, 58% of those polled say that President Trump’s administration and the Republicans in Congress are responsible for problems with the healthcare law moving forward.

FDA Approves Jobenguane I 131 for Rare Adrenal Gland Tumors

FDA Approves Jobenguane I 131 for Rare Adrenal Gland Tumors

On July 30, 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved iobenguane I 131 (Azedra, Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) for adult and pediatric patients (12 years and older) with iobenguane scan-positive, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma (PPGL) who require systemic anticancer therapy.

Which of the Following Drug Spills Doesn’t Require a Full-Facepiece, Chemical Cartridge-Type Respirator or PAPR?

drug spill safe handling

Which of the following drug spills doesn’t require a full-facepiece, chemical cartridge-type respirator or PAPR during clean up?

A. 5-Fluorouracil 

B. Cyclophosphamide 

C. Adriamycin  

D. Nitrogen mustard 

The Oncology Nurse Experience in Managing Adverse Events in Patients Receiving Ibrutinib

The Oncology Nurse Experience in Managing Adverse Events in Patients Receiving Ibrutinib

Ibrutinib is a first-in-class Bruton’s tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL). The drug’s approval was based on results from the multicenter, open-label, phase III RESONATE trial.

You Are What You Read

You Are What You Read

Reading is essential to growth—both professionally and personally. Unfortunately, reading for enjoyment rapidly declines after age eight, and one in four Americans say they haven’t read a book in the past 12 months.

APRNs Must Stay Educated About Medical Cannabis in Cancer Care

APRNs Must Stay Educated About Medical Cannabis in Cancer Care

As more U.S. states approve the use of medical cannabis, oncology advanced practice RNs (APRNs) may see increasing inquiries from patients who are interested in using it to manage cancer-related symptoms. However, the drug remains illegal under federal law, confounding research efforts for its use in cancer care and limiting the generation of supportive evidence.

AHRQ Shutters National Guideline Clearinghouse Because of Budget Cuts

AHRQ Shutters National Guideline Clearinghouse Because of Budget Cuts

As of July 16, 2018, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ceased maintenance on guideline.gov, the website that housed the National Guideline Clearinghouse. The website had been a resource for healthcare providers for more than 20 years.

U.S. House Passes Two ONS Priority Bills to Advance Palliative Care and Strengthen Nursing Workforce

U.S. House Passes Two ONS Priority Bills to Advance Palliative Care and Strengthen Nursing Workforce

On July 23, 2018, the U.S. House of Representatives passed by voice vote two ONS priority bills that would provide palliative care training, awareness, and research and funding to build the nursing workforce.