Mel Valerie Cruz | Far Eastern University-Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation (FEU-NRMF) (original) (raw)

Papers by Mel Valerie Cruz

Research paper thumbnail of Clinical trial and translational research for cancer immunology in Asian countries: Understanding the new frontier

Journal of Clinical Oncology

e14510 Background: Among the major advances in cancer treatment is the progress in cancer immunot... more e14510 Background: Among the major advances in cancer treatment is the progress in cancer immunotherapy; however, despite the strides, there is few information specific to the Asian population. It is unclear to what extent clinical trial and translational research in cancer immunology are conducted in Asian institutions. Methods: This questionnaire-based survey was conducted among researchers and healthcare professionals who are involved in cancer immunology research and therapeutics in Asia-Pacific countries. The study identified the involvement of respondents in various phases of clinical trials, and immunotherapy research. In addition, the current capabilities of the institutions to conduct translational research were surveyed. Results: We received a total of 122 responses from 20 Asia-Pacific countries. More than half (58%) of the responders are currently conducting clinical trials on cancer immunology with 25% having performed more than 10 Phase 3 trials in the last 3 years. In...

Research paper thumbnail of Case Series of Rare Primary Intranasal Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma among Filipinos

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Care

Background: Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma... more Background: Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) at the present time. However, it rarely presents in the intranasal cavity as the primary site. There is scarcity of local data on this disease, and the outcomes to the standard treatment are still unclear. Objective: In this case series, we presented 2 patients with primary intranasal DLBCL that were treated with chemotherapy ± anti-CD20 antibody and radiotherapy. Results: Both cases were in the early stage of disease. One patient was given systemic chemotherapy (CHOP) plus anti-CD20 antibody (Rituximab), and the other patient was only given chemotherapy (CHOP) due to financial constraints. The systemic treatment was followed by Involved-Field Radiotherapy (IFRT). Both patients demonstrated with an objective radiologic and clinical response to the treatment. The patients had no evidence of disease recurrence at 36 months. Conclusion: The cases presented showed that primary intrana...

Research paper thumbnail of Comparison of Treatment Outcomes between Right- and Left-sided Colorectal Adenocarcinoma after Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Care, 2021

Objective: The survival outcomes of patients with metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma based on t... more Objective: The survival outcomes of patients with metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma based on tumor laterality has already been established based on large-scale retrospective studies. As for the non-metastatic disease, the data is much more conflicting. Local data in this population is also scarce. In this study, we determined the difference in survival of right-sided versus left-sided colorectal cancer patients after surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed a total of 124 patients who were diagnosed with early to locally advanced (stage I to IVA) colorectal adenocarcinoma and underwent definitive surgery and adjuvant systemic treatment per physician’s preference. The patients were stratified according to the primary tumor laterality: Right-Sided Colon cancer (RCC) and Left-sided Colon cancer (LCC). The primary outcome being investigated is the disease-free survival (DFS) at 3 years and 5 years. Secondary outcomes are overall survi...

Research paper thumbnail of Diagnostic Accuracy of the NCCN Distress Thermometer for the Assessment of Psychosocial Distress among Filipino Patients with Cancer

Acta Medica Philippina, 2021

Objective. The study aimed to assess the validity of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Di... more Objective. The study aimed to assess the validity of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer (NCCN-DT) for determining psychosocial distress, as applied to Filipino patients with cancer. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study that included adult patients with cancer undergoing treatment at a tertiary private hospital. The NCCN-DT was administered to the patients together with the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) as the gold standard diagnostic test for psychosocial distress. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was done to determine the accuracy of the NCCN-DT as a screening tool. Results. We included 114 Filipino adults with cancer. The ROC analysis showed an Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC) score of 0.98 for the NCCN-DT against the PHQ-8. The cut-off score of ≥7 showed a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 89.3% for detecting distress. The positive predictors for distress were identified: sadness (P<0.001), fear (P=0....

Research paper thumbnail of Clinical trial and translational research for cancer immunology in Asian countries: Understanding the new frontier

Journal of Clinical Oncology

e14510 Background: Among the major advances in cancer treatment is the progress in cancer immunot... more e14510 Background: Among the major advances in cancer treatment is the progress in cancer immunotherapy; however, despite the strides, there is few information specific to the Asian population. It is unclear to what extent clinical trial and translational research in cancer immunology are conducted in Asian institutions. Methods: This questionnaire-based survey was conducted among researchers and healthcare professionals who are involved in cancer immunology research and therapeutics in Asia-Pacific countries. The study identified the involvement of respondents in various phases of clinical trials, and immunotherapy research. In addition, the current capabilities of the institutions to conduct translational research were surveyed. Results: We received a total of 122 responses from 20 Asia-Pacific countries. More than half (58%) of the responders are currently conducting clinical trials on cancer immunology with 25% having performed more than 10 Phase 3 trials in the last 3 years. In...

Research paper thumbnail of Case Series of Rare Primary Intranasal Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma among Filipinos

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Care

Background: Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma... more Background: Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most common type of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) at the present time. However, it rarely presents in the intranasal cavity as the primary site. There is scarcity of local data on this disease, and the outcomes to the standard treatment are still unclear. Objective: In this case series, we presented 2 patients with primary intranasal DLBCL that were treated with chemotherapy ± anti-CD20 antibody and radiotherapy. Results: Both cases were in the early stage of disease. One patient was given systemic chemotherapy (CHOP) plus anti-CD20 antibody (Rituximab), and the other patient was only given chemotherapy (CHOP) due to financial constraints. The systemic treatment was followed by Involved-Field Radiotherapy (IFRT). Both patients demonstrated with an objective radiologic and clinical response to the treatment. The patients had no evidence of disease recurrence at 36 months. Conclusion: The cases presented showed that primary intrana...

Research paper thumbnail of Comparison of Treatment Outcomes between Right- and Left-sided Colorectal Adenocarcinoma after Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Care, 2021

Objective: The survival outcomes of patients with metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma based on t... more Objective: The survival outcomes of patients with metastatic colorectal adenocarcinoma based on tumor laterality has already been established based on large-scale retrospective studies. As for the non-metastatic disease, the data is much more conflicting. Local data in this population is also scarce. In this study, we determined the difference in survival of right-sided versus left-sided colorectal cancer patients after surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed a total of 124 patients who were diagnosed with early to locally advanced (stage I to IVA) colorectal adenocarcinoma and underwent definitive surgery and adjuvant systemic treatment per physician’s preference. The patients were stratified according to the primary tumor laterality: Right-Sided Colon cancer (RCC) and Left-sided Colon cancer (LCC). The primary outcome being investigated is the disease-free survival (DFS) at 3 years and 5 years. Secondary outcomes are overall survi...

Research paper thumbnail of Diagnostic Accuracy of the NCCN Distress Thermometer for the Assessment of Psychosocial Distress among Filipino Patients with Cancer

Acta Medica Philippina, 2021

Objective. The study aimed to assess the validity of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Di... more Objective. The study aimed to assess the validity of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer (NCCN-DT) for determining psychosocial distress, as applied to Filipino patients with cancer. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional descriptive study that included adult patients with cancer undergoing treatment at a tertiary private hospital. The NCCN-DT was administered to the patients together with the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) as the gold standard diagnostic test for psychosocial distress. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis was done to determine the accuracy of the NCCN-DT as a screening tool. Results. We included 114 Filipino adults with cancer. The ROC analysis showed an Area Under the ROC Curve (AUC) score of 0.98 for the NCCN-DT against the PHQ-8. The cut-off score of ≥7 showed a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 89.3% for detecting distress. The positive predictors for distress were identified: sadness (P<0.001), fear (P=0....