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What does Translational Oncology mean?
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What does Translational Oncology mean?

› Forums › General Melanoma Community › What does Translational Oncology mean?

  • Post
    • September 2, 2016 at 12:42 am
    Joycem
    Participant

      Hi

      While obsessing/second guessing over my decision today to decline adjuvant interferon recommended be oncologist, I came across this article that I felt was helpful, but I am unclear what "translational oncology" (in "the Oncologist-Journal of Translational Oncology") means. Is this a mainstream reliable source in your opinion? 

      http://theoncologist.alphamedpress.org/content/10/9/739.full

      I'm guessing since author is associated with Sloan-Kettering this is pretty solid source? 

      There seems to be some murkiness as to whether I am properly staged at 2C or 2B according to my oncologist, (which significantly impacts my prognosis.) He said he was going to seek clarification from pathologist. I guess what is, is tho, and I don't think it would change my decision or follow up plan.

      Best to you all, 

      Joyce

    Viewing 8 reply threads
    • Replies
        • September 2, 2016 at 2:54 am
        Bubbles
        Participant

          Hi Joyce,

          Translational Oncology is a journal…as well as an ocology group.  Nothing more or less.  Interferon never provided amazing results…the best you can say about interferon is that it MAY prolong time to recurrence but it has no significant effect on overall survival.  Still…some choose to do it and I respect that.  The biggest problem I find with the article you found is that it was published in 2005.  That was an eternity ago in melanoma.  Heck…2010 was an eternity ago!  In 2010 we did not have ipi, BRAFi or the anti-PD1 drugs.  So with no other options…interferon may seem more palatable.  That is just not the situation today.  Additionally…the first reference listed is by Kirkwood.  He was, and sadly continues to be, one of the biggest proponents of interferon.  That is a horse he is not going to stop riding.   I tell you all this just so you know where the data is coming from.  I still sincerely support patients right to choose the option that best suits them.  It is a very personal road we walk.  I wish you well.  Celeste

          • September 2, 2016 at 2:54 am
          Bubbles
          Participant

            Hi Joyce,

            Translational Oncology is a journal…as well as an ocology group.  Nothing more or less.  Interferon never provided amazing results…the best you can say about interferon is that it MAY prolong time to recurrence but it has no significant effect on overall survival.  Still…some choose to do it and I respect that.  The biggest problem I find with the article you found is that it was published in 2005.  That was an eternity ago in melanoma.  Heck…2010 was an eternity ago!  In 2010 we did not have ipi, BRAFi or the anti-PD1 drugs.  So with no other options…interferon may seem more palatable.  That is just not the situation today.  Additionally…the first reference listed is by Kirkwood.  He was, and sadly continues to be, one of the biggest proponents of interferon.  That is a horse he is not going to stop riding.   I tell you all this just so you know where the data is coming from.  I still sincerely support patients right to choose the option that best suits them.  It is a very personal road we walk.  I wish you well.  Celeste

            • September 2, 2016 at 2:54 am
            Bubbles
            Participant

              Hi Joyce,

              Translational Oncology is a journal…as well as an ocology group.  Nothing more or less.  Interferon never provided amazing results…the best you can say about interferon is that it MAY prolong time to recurrence but it has no significant effect on overall survival.  Still…some choose to do it and I respect that.  The biggest problem I find with the article you found is that it was published in 2005.  That was an eternity ago in melanoma.  Heck…2010 was an eternity ago!  In 2010 we did not have ipi, BRAFi or the anti-PD1 drugs.  So with no other options…interferon may seem more palatable.  That is just not the situation today.  Additionally…the first reference listed is by Kirkwood.  He was, and sadly continues to be, one of the biggest proponents of interferon.  That is a horse he is not going to stop riding.   I tell you all this just so you know where the data is coming from.  I still sincerely support patients right to choose the option that best suits them.  It is a very personal road we walk.  I wish you well.  Celeste

                • September 2, 2016 at 6:43 pm
                Joycem
                Participant

                  Thank you Celeste, yes I did notice age on article. That is interesting about Kirkwood- the sort of insight I seek and find here that is so helpful.

                  I suppose it's confirmation bias, but this stood out to me:

                  " As an example, we may consider a stage IIIB patient with a single, palpable regional lymph node involved with melanoma. This patient has an approximately 50% chance of dying from melanoma over 5 years [8], a risk that is not improved by HD IFN according to the published data [3]. This means that if the patient chooses to receive HD IFN, he runs a 50% risk that he will spend at least 20% of his remaining time (presumably the best 20%, because it is the year immediately after surgery) on HD IFN."

                  as 2C, my statistical risk is said to be similar to stage 3, but stage 3 treatments wouldn't be offered. I remain optimistic I will be fortunate, and will watch diligently and get on with things and deal with whatever happens when it does or doesn't happen. 

                  My onc pointed out that even with all the new things coming out, not having Mel reappear is vastly preferable, but I think he understood my decision and circumstances. 

                  • September 2, 2016 at 6:43 pm
                  Joycem
                  Participant

                    Thank you Celeste, yes I did notice age on article. That is interesting about Kirkwood- the sort of insight I seek and find here that is so helpful.

                    I suppose it's confirmation bias, but this stood out to me:

                    " As an example, we may consider a stage IIIB patient with a single, palpable regional lymph node involved with melanoma. This patient has an approximately 50% chance of dying from melanoma over 5 years [8], a risk that is not improved by HD IFN according to the published data [3]. This means that if the patient chooses to receive HD IFN, he runs a 50% risk that he will spend at least 20% of his remaining time (presumably the best 20%, because it is the year immediately after surgery) on HD IFN."

                    as 2C, my statistical risk is said to be similar to stage 3, but stage 3 treatments wouldn't be offered. I remain optimistic I will be fortunate, and will watch diligently and get on with things and deal with whatever happens when it does or doesn't happen. 

                    My onc pointed out that even with all the new things coming out, not having Mel reappear is vastly preferable, but I think he understood my decision and circumstances. 

                    • September 2, 2016 at 6:43 pm
                    Joycem
                    Participant

                      Thank you Celeste, yes I did notice age on article. That is interesting about Kirkwood- the sort of insight I seek and find here that is so helpful.

                      I suppose it's confirmation bias, but this stood out to me:

                      " As an example, we may consider a stage IIIB patient with a single, palpable regional lymph node involved with melanoma. This patient has an approximately 50% chance of dying from melanoma over 5 years [8], a risk that is not improved by HD IFN according to the published data [3]. This means that if the patient chooses to receive HD IFN, he runs a 50% risk that he will spend at least 20% of his remaining time (presumably the best 20%, because it is the year immediately after surgery) on HD IFN."

                      as 2C, my statistical risk is said to be similar to stage 3, but stage 3 treatments wouldn't be offered. I remain optimistic I will be fortunate, and will watch diligently and get on with things and deal with whatever happens when it does or doesn't happen. 

                      My onc pointed out that even with all the new things coming out, not having Mel reappear is vastly preferable, but I think he understood my decision and circumstances. 

                      • September 2, 2016 at 8:29 pm
                      Bubbles
                      Participant

                        I really do understand your conundrum…having been myself Stage III from 2003 to 2010 with no options other than srugical removal and interferon. I did NOT take interferon and despite progressing, I do not regret it. You have every right to hope that you will NOT follow in my footsteps and the odds are that you WON'T!!!  That is my wish for you. Hang in there. Live large! C

                        • September 2, 2016 at 8:29 pm
                        Bubbles
                        Participant

                          I really do understand your conundrum…having been myself Stage III from 2003 to 2010 with no options other than srugical removal and interferon. I did NOT take interferon and despite progressing, I do not regret it. You have every right to hope that you will NOT follow in my footsteps and the odds are that you WON'T!!!  That is my wish for you. Hang in there. Live large! C

                          • September 2, 2016 at 8:29 pm
                          Bubbles
                          Participant

                            I really do understand your conundrum…having been myself Stage III from 2003 to 2010 with no options other than srugical removal and interferon. I did NOT take interferon and despite progressing, I do not regret it. You have every right to hope that you will NOT follow in my footsteps and the odds are that you WON'T!!!  That is my wish for you. Hang in there. Live large! C

                          • September 2, 2016 at 6:03 am
                          Polymath
                          Participant

                            Wikipidia-"Translational Medicine"

                              • September 2, 2016 at 9:20 pm
                              Joycem
                              Participant

                                Thanks Anon, guess I didn't state my topic well. Was looking for more than a definition really. I am aware of Wikipedia. 

                                • September 2, 2016 at 9:20 pm
                                Joycem
                                Participant

                                  Thanks Anon, guess I didn't state my topic well. Was looking for more than a definition really. I am aware of Wikipedia. 

                                  • September 2, 2016 at 9:20 pm
                                  Joycem
                                  Participant

                                    Thanks Anon, guess I didn't state my topic well. Was looking for more than a definition really. I am aware of Wikipedia. 

                                  • September 2, 2016 at 6:03 am
                                  Polymath
                                  Participant

                                    Wikipidia-"Translational Medicine"

                                    • September 2, 2016 at 6:03 am
                                    Polymath
                                    Participant

                                      Wikipidia-"Translational Medicine"

                                      • September 2, 2016 at 1:48 pm
                                      ed williams
                                      Participant

                                        Hi Joyce, something to think about Joyce is that the New Pd-1 drugs are being tried in clinical trials in the  adjuvant setting and hopefully sooner rather than later new Melanoma patients will be able to get Nivo or Pembro at stage 3. Best Wishes!!! Ed

                                          • September 2, 2016 at 8:12 pm
                                          Joycem
                                          Participant

                                            Thank you Ed, I am comforted by so many promising things in the pipeline. My onc pointed out and I of course agree that one would prefer not to need them. But still, having more fall back plans than were available a few years ago did figure into my decision to pass on interferon.

                                            You are so kind to offer support and wisdom to so many here. 

                                            Praying that you will continue to do so for a long long time!

                                            Blessings, 

                                            Joyce

                                             

                                            • September 2, 2016 at 8:12 pm
                                            Joycem
                                            Participant

                                              Thank you Ed, I am comforted by so many promising things in the pipeline. My onc pointed out and I of course agree that one would prefer not to need them. But still, having more fall back plans than were available a few years ago did figure into my decision to pass on interferon.

                                              You are so kind to offer support and wisdom to so many here. 

                                              Praying that you will continue to do so for a long long time!

                                              Blessings, 

                                              Joyce

                                               

                                              • September 2, 2016 at 8:12 pm
                                              Joycem
                                              Participant

                                                Thank you Ed, I am comforted by so many promising things in the pipeline. My onc pointed out and I of course agree that one would prefer not to need them. But still, having more fall back plans than were available a few years ago did figure into my decision to pass on interferon.

                                                You are so kind to offer support and wisdom to so many here. 

                                                Praying that you will continue to do so for a long long time!

                                                Blessings, 

                                                Joyce

                                                 

                                              • September 2, 2016 at 1:48 pm
                                              ed williams
                                              Participant

                                                Hi Joyce, something to think about Joyce is that the New Pd-1 drugs are being tried in clinical trials in the  adjuvant setting and hopefully sooner rather than later new Melanoma patients will be able to get Nivo or Pembro at stage 3. Best Wishes!!! Ed

                                                • September 2, 2016 at 1:48 pm
                                                ed williams
                                                Participant

                                                  Hi Joyce, something to think about Joyce is that the New Pd-1 drugs are being tried in clinical trials in the  adjuvant setting and hopefully sooner rather than later new Melanoma patients will be able to get Nivo or Pembro at stage 3. Best Wishes!!! Ed

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