Seminars in Oncology Nursing RSS feed: Current Issue. Seminars in Oncology Nursing is a quarterly journal for the dissemination of knowledge in the complex field of cancer nursing. The Journal contains topical reviews carefully prepared by selected experts. Each issue focuses on a specific topic, with the aim of comprehensive coverage. 2011 Topics , Volume 27, Issues 1-4 February The Genetics and Genomics of Cancer May Adherence and Oral Agents August Patient-centered Technologies: Enhancing Communication and Self-care for Patients and Caregivers November Prostate Cancer http://www.seminarsoncologynursing.com/?rss=yesElsevier Inc.en © 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc. Seminars in Oncology Nursing0749-2081282May 2012 © 2012 Published by Elsevier Inc. healthpermissions@elsevier.comhttp://www.seminarsoncologynursing.com/article/PIIS0749208112000034/abstract?rss=yesOVER the past several decades, major technological and scientific advances have broadened our understanding of tumor biology, especially at the molecular level. In addition to explaining the mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis, molecular abnormalities in tumor tissue can also be used as biomarkers. “Biomarkers are physical entities or images of these entities that can be measured and used to indicate a biological process, disease process, or drug response” The measurement and evaluation of biomarkers, sometimes referred to as molecular signatures, is integral to major scientific discoveries in genetic risk assessment, drug development, prevention, diagnostics, determination of disease prognosis, prediction of therapeutic response, and symptom management. Each biomarker has a unique set of characteristics that allow it to be exploited for specific purposes. In some instances, a single molecular biomarker can function in multiple roles. In this issue, the authors define the term biomarker and discuss ways in which biomarkers can function in various roles.IntroductionJudith J. Smith, Barbara K. Dunn10.1016/j.soncn.2012.03.001Seminars in Oncology Nursing 28, 2 (2012)2012-05-01Seminars in Oncology Nursing2012-05-01282S0749-2081(12)X0002-08586http://www.seminarsoncologynursing.com/article/PIIS0749208112000046/abstract?rss=yesObjectives: To provide an overview of the basic principles of biomarker use in clinical oncology practice and discuss the range of biomarker forms (from genes to constitutional characteristics), biomarker functions (both disease- and drug-related), modalities (protein expression patterns to patient history), the criteria for biomarker validation, and the integral role of bioinformatics.Data Sources: Published nursing and medical literature.Conclusion: The premise of nursing assessment is the same as that of biomarker use – biological variables that appear at one level of biological organization (eg, molecule, organelle, cell, tissue, organ, and organism) correspond to processes or events occurring at other levels of biologic organization. The advent of genomic technologies has logarithmically increased the volume of biomarkers, which are expected to provide new insights that improve patient care.Implications for Nursing Practice: Nurses and patients will benefit greatly from the incorporation of molecular biomarkers into patient care. Nurses will be able to better assess (and anticipate) patient needs with the new insights that are available in the post-genomic, personalized medicine era of health care. Although the rapid rate of technological changes and new discoveries will require continuing concerted educational efforts, the improved quality of patient care will be rewarded by better outcomes.Biomarkers: An Overview for Oncology NursesEllen S. Richmond, Debra Dunn10.1016/j.soncn.2012.03.002Seminars in Oncology Nursing 28, 2 (2012)2012-05-01Seminars in Oncology Nursing2012-05-01282S0749-2081(12)X0002-08792http://www.seminarsoncologynursing.com/article/PIIS0749208112000058/abstract?rss=yesObjectives: To discuss the discovery, validation, and clinical use of multiple types of biomarkers.Data Sources: Medical literature and published guidelines.Conclusion: Formal validation of biomarkers should include both retrospective analyses of well-characterized samples as well as a prospective clinical trial in which the biomarker is tested for its ability to predict the presence of disease or the efficacy of a cancer therapy.Implications for Nursing Practice: Biomarker development is complicated, with very few biomarker discoveries leading to clinically useful tests. Nurses should understand how a biomarker was developed, including the sensitivity and specificity before applying new biomarkers in the clinical setting.Oncology Biomarkers: Discovery, Validation, and Clinical UseBrandy M. Heckman-Stoddard10.1016/j.soncn.2012.03.003Seminars in Oncology Nursing 28, 2 (2012)2012-05-01Seminars in Oncology Nursing2012-05-01282S0749-2081(12)X0002-09398http://www.seminarsoncologynursing.com/article/PIIS0749208112000083/abstract?rss=yesObjectives: To define and discuss surrogate endpoint biomarkers, which are used in therapeutic trials as a substitute for the clinically meaningful “true” endpoint; and hence, may be used in answering cancer prevention questions in clinical trials evaluating drug/nutrient interventions for a number of common cancer sites.Data Sources: Literature, research articles.Conclusion: Surrogate endpoint biomarkers offer greater efficiency in clinical studies because they may allow for the generation of useful results from studies that are of shorter duration using smaller numbers of study participants in clinical trials for treatment and prevention of cancer.Implication for Nursing Practice: Continual changes in the science of cancer diagnosis and prevention demand rigorous scientific knowledge of the professional nurse to optimize the outcome of cancer prevention drug/agent development and the delivery of evidence-based care.Biomarkers as Surrogate Endpoints in Cancer TrialsBarbara K. Dunn, Esther Akpa10.1016/j.soncn.2012.03.006Seminars in Oncology Nursing 28, 2 (2012)2012-05-01Seminars in Oncology Nursing2012-05-01282S0749-2081(12)X0002-099108http://www.seminarsoncologynursing.com/article/PIIS074920811200006X/abstract?rss=yesObjectives: To present an overview of biomarkers used in a multiplicity of roles, including as targets of therapeutic intervention for several organ sites.Data Sources: Journal articles and book chapters from medical and nursing literature, and internet resources.Conclusion: A single molecular marker may function in a variety of roles (ie, markers of risk, diagnostics, prognostics, intermediate endpoints). In some instances the molecule can also function as a target of therapeutic intervention.Implications for Nursing Practice: Nursing implications include a better understanding of the nature of biomarkers and the multiplicity of their applications, especially with regard to therapeutic targets.Biomarkers as Molecular Targets of Drug InterventionsJudith J. Smith, Barbara K. Dunn10.1016/j.soncn.2012.03.004Seminars in Oncology Nursing 28, 2 (2012)2012-05-01Seminars in Oncology Nursing2012-05-01282S0749-2081(12)X0002-0109115http://www.seminarsoncologynursing.com/article/PIIS0749208112000071/abstract?rss=yesObjectives: To review strategies to incorporate biomarkers into screening studies, and prevention and therapeutic clinical trials.Data Sources: Published research articles.Conclusion: The incorporation of biomarkers into cancer clinical trials has been an important advancement in the last two decades of cancer research and has been critical to increasing our understanding of cancer across the spectrum from early lesions to frank cancers. While the incorporation of biomarkers into studies may increase the significance of the results, they also increase cost and a burden on research subjects.Implications for Nursing Practice: It is important for nurses to have an understanding of both the science and the implications of the biomarkers.The Role of Biomarkers in Cancer Clinical TrialsMary Reid, Joyce Yasko10.1016/j.soncn.2012.03.005Seminars in Oncology Nursing 28, 2 (2012)2012-05-01Seminars in Oncology Nursing2012-05-01282S0749-2081(12)X0002-0116121http://www.seminarsoncologynursing.com/article/PIIS0749208112000095/abstract?rss=yesObjectives: To provide a review of genetic biomarkers of cancer risk and associated clinical implications.Data Sources: Published literature, evidence-based guidelines.Conclusion: Identification of the genetic variation associated with cancer risk enables the health care provider to stratify an individual's risk and personalize their cancer risk management. This may lead to a decreased cancer incidence in high-risk populations, but at a minimum, will provide the opportunity for early diagnosis that may decrease cancer morbidity and mortality.Implications for Nursing Practice: Nursing implications include assessment for cancer risk, initiate referrals indicated, and delivering ongoing education and support for cancer risk management plans.Genetic Biomarkers of Cancer RiskKathleen A. Calzone10.1016/j.soncn.2012.03.007Seminars in Oncology Nursing 28, 2 (2012)2012-05-01Seminars in Oncology Nursing2012-05-01282S0749-2081(12)X0002-0122128http://www.seminarsoncologynursing.com/article/PIIS0749208112000101/abstract?rss=yesObjectives: To review the evidence on a number of biomarkers that show potential clinical utility in the prediction of and treatment responsiveness for the four most common symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment (ie, pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression).Data Sources: Review and synthesis of review articles and data-based publications.Conclusion: A growing body of evidence suggests that sensitive and specific biomarkers will be available to assist clinicians with the assessment and management of symptoms.Implications for Nursing Practice: Nurses will play a critical role in educating patients about their risk for specific symptoms based on an evaluation of specific biomarkers. Nurses will be involved in using biomarker data to titrate medications based on patient’s responses to symptom management interventions.Biomarkers: Symptoms, Survivorship, and Quality of LifeChristine Miaskowski, Bradley E. Aouizerat10.1016/j.soncn.2012.03.008Seminars in Oncology Nursing 28, 2 (2012)2012-05-01Seminars in Oncology Nursing2012-05-01282S0749-2081(12)X0002-0129138http://www.seminarsoncologynursing.com/article/PIIS0749208112000113/abstract?rss=yesObjectives: To present a clinical update regarding common distressing lung cancer symptoms and provide an update on management interventions.Data Sources: Journal articles, systematic reviews.Conclusion: Goals of treatment of the patient with lung cancer must include management of the high symptom burden that often accompanies the disease.Implications for Nursing Practice: Early assessment and management of symptoms improves quality of life. Nurses play a key role in implementing and monitoring these interventions.Supportive Care in Lung Cancer: Clinical UpdateMaureen Huhmann, Jayne Camporeale10.1016/j.soncn.2012.03.009Seminars in Oncology Nursing 28, 2 (2012)2012-05-01Seminars in Oncology Nursing2012-05-01282S0749-2081(12)X0002-0e1e10http://www.seminarsoncologynursing.com/article/PIIS0749208112000162/abstract?rss=yesTable of Contents10.1016/S0749-2081(12)00016-2Seminars in Oncology Nursing 28, 2 (2012)2012-05-01Seminars in Oncology Nursing2012-05-01282S0749-2081(12)X0002-0FrontmatterA1A1http://www.seminarsoncologynursing.com/article/PIIS0749208112000149/abstract?rss=yesMasthead10.1016/S0749-2081(12)00014-9Seminars in Oncology Nursing 28, 2 (2012)2012-05-01Seminars in Oncology Nursing2012-05-01282S0749-2081(12)X0002-0FrontmatterA2A2http://www.seminarsoncologynursing.com/article/PIIS0749208112000150/abstract?rss=yesEditorial Board10.1016/S0749-2081(12)00015-0Seminars in Oncology Nursing 28, 2 (2012)2012-05-01Seminars in Oncology Nursing2012-05-01282S0749-2081(12)X0002-0FrontmatterA3A3http://www.seminarsoncologynursing.com/article/PIIS0749208112000174/abstract?rss=yesPublished Issues10.1016/S0749-2081(12)00017-4Seminars in Oncology Nursing 28, 2 (2012)2012-05-01Seminars in Oncology Nursing2012-05-01282S0749-2081(12)X0002-0FrontmatterA4A4