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Public release date: 19-Jun-2013[ | E-mail |
Share ] Contact: Connie Hughes
connie.huges@wolterskluwer.com
646-674-6348
Wolters Kluwer Health
Philadelphia, Pa. (June 19, 2013) The results of three important studies have been published in the June issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.
One study indicates that continuous "machine learning" using artificial neural networks (ANNs) may improve the ability to predict survival in patients with advanced brain cancers. Another study in the June Neurosurgery supports increased use of stereotactic biopsy for obtaining samples of brainstem tumors; while another calls for medical professionals and specialty societies to play an increased role in evaluating "off label" uses of medications.
Artificial Neural Networks Predict Brain Cancer Prognosis
Dr. Matthew Ewend of University of North Carolina and colleagues evaluated the use of ANNs to predict the chances of survival for patients with brain cancer. Based on the biological functioning of brain cells, ANNs are computer programs designed "to learn patterns within a data set and then apply that learning for recognition and prediction."
The researchers performed a pilot study of ANNs using data on patients treated for advanced brain cancer at several hospitals. The results showed that ANNs beat standard prediction models for predicting patient survival. "Pooled voting" of five ANNs correctly predicted the risk of death within one year in 84 percent of patients, compared to 78 percent with a single ANN and 74 percent using standard statistical techniques.
The predictive power of ANNs would likely increase over time, providing a "facile and powerful means or predicting survival" in patients with brain cancers or other conditions. The researchers conclude, "With the explosion in clinical data over the past few years.we anticipate a growing need for modern machine learning techniques such as ANNs to properly make use of the information at our disposal and realize its full benefit for clinical care."
New Proposal for Evaluating 'Off Label' Uses of Medications
An improved process for evaluating "off label" use of drugsusing medications for purposes other than those for which they were approvedis described by Donlin Long, MD, PhD, of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Clark Watts, MD, JD, of University of Texas School of Law. They cite the example of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), a product approved to promote bone growth in one specific type of spinal fusion surgery.
After approval, surgeons started using BMP-2 for various other types of spinal surgeryleading to complications in some cases. The authors believe that problems resulting from "uncontrolled" off-label use have had a chilling effect, leading to missed opportunities to develop effective uses of BMP-2.
In the proposed approach, medical specialty societies such as the Congress of Neurological Surgeons would play a leading role in setting parameters for off-label use of new products, and in systematically gathering evidence of effectiveness. Drs. Long and Watts write, "Our goal is to challenge our professional societies to take a leadership role in the study of valid uses of new drugs and devices in a cooperative, constructive relationship with government regulators and industry."
Stereotactic Biopsy for Brainstem Tumors
Dr. Philipp Kickingereder of University Hospital of Cologne and colleagues present a review of research evidence on stereotactic biopsyusing triangulation techniques to precisely localize tumorsto obtain samples of uncommon brainstem cancers. While stereotactic biopsy is not a new technique, surgeons may hesitate to use it for brainstem tumors because of the perceived risks of the procedure.
But the available data show a diagnostic success rate of 96 percent, with a relatively low complication rates. Dr. Kickingereder and coauthors conclude that stereotactic biopsy is a safe and valuable procedure that provides samples for simultaneous tissue and genetic analysiswhich may allow more individualized treatment. They recommend its use in all adult patients with brainstem cancers, as well as in certain groups of children.
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About Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery, the Official Journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, is your most complete window to the contemporary field of neurosurgery. Members of the Congress and non-member subscribers receive 3,000 pages per year packed with the very latest science, technology, and medicine, not to mention full-text online access to the world's most complete, up-to-the-minute neurosurgery resource. For professionals aware of the rapid pace of developments in the field, Neurosurgery is nothing short of indispensable.
About Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW) is a leading international publisher of trusted content delivered in innovative ways to practitioners, professionals and students to learn new skills, stay current on their practice, and make important decisions to improve patient care and clinical outcomes.
LWW is part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading global provider of information, business intelligence and point-of-care solutions for the healthcare industry. Wolters Kluwer Health is part of Wolters Kluwer, a market-leading global information services company with 2012 annual revenues of 3.6 billion ($4.6 billion).
[ | E-mail | Share ] ?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Public release date: 19-Jun-2013[ | E-mail |
Share ] Contact: Connie Hughes
connie.huges@wolterskluwer.com
646-674-6348
Wolters Kluwer Health
Philadelphia, Pa. (June 19, 2013) The results of three important studies have been published in the June issue of Neurosurgery, official journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons. The journal is published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, a part of Wolters Kluwer Health.
One study indicates that continuous "machine learning" using artificial neural networks (ANNs) may improve the ability to predict survival in patients with advanced brain cancers. Another study in the June Neurosurgery supports increased use of stereotactic biopsy for obtaining samples of brainstem tumors; while another calls for medical professionals and specialty societies to play an increased role in evaluating "off label" uses of medications.
Artificial Neural Networks Predict Brain Cancer Prognosis
Dr. Matthew Ewend of University of North Carolina and colleagues evaluated the use of ANNs to predict the chances of survival for patients with brain cancer. Based on the biological functioning of brain cells, ANNs are computer programs designed "to learn patterns within a data set and then apply that learning for recognition and prediction."
The researchers performed a pilot study of ANNs using data on patients treated for advanced brain cancer at several hospitals. The results showed that ANNs beat standard prediction models for predicting patient survival. "Pooled voting" of five ANNs correctly predicted the risk of death within one year in 84 percent of patients, compared to 78 percent with a single ANN and 74 percent using standard statistical techniques.
The predictive power of ANNs would likely increase over time, providing a "facile and powerful means or predicting survival" in patients with brain cancers or other conditions. The researchers conclude, "With the explosion in clinical data over the past few years.we anticipate a growing need for modern machine learning techniques such as ANNs to properly make use of the information at our disposal and realize its full benefit for clinical care."
New Proposal for Evaluating 'Off Label' Uses of Medications
An improved process for evaluating "off label" use of drugsusing medications for purposes other than those for which they were approvedis described by Donlin Long, MD, PhD, of Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Clark Watts, MD, JD, of University of Texas School of Law. They cite the example of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2), a product approved to promote bone growth in one specific type of spinal fusion surgery.
After approval, surgeons started using BMP-2 for various other types of spinal surgeryleading to complications in some cases. The authors believe that problems resulting from "uncontrolled" off-label use have had a chilling effect, leading to missed opportunities to develop effective uses of BMP-2.
In the proposed approach, medical specialty societies such as the Congress of Neurological Surgeons would play a leading role in setting parameters for off-label use of new products, and in systematically gathering evidence of effectiveness. Drs. Long and Watts write, "Our goal is to challenge our professional societies to take a leadership role in the study of valid uses of new drugs and devices in a cooperative, constructive relationship with government regulators and industry."
Stereotactic Biopsy for Brainstem Tumors
Dr. Philipp Kickingereder of University Hospital of Cologne and colleagues present a review of research evidence on stereotactic biopsyusing triangulation techniques to precisely localize tumorsto obtain samples of uncommon brainstem cancers. While stereotactic biopsy is not a new technique, surgeons may hesitate to use it for brainstem tumors because of the perceived risks of the procedure.
But the available data show a diagnostic success rate of 96 percent, with a relatively low complication rates. Dr. Kickingereder and coauthors conclude that stereotactic biopsy is a safe and valuable procedure that provides samples for simultaneous tissue and genetic analysiswhich may allow more individualized treatment. They recommend its use in all adult patients with brainstem cancers, as well as in certain groups of children.
###
About Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery, the Official Journal of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons, is your most complete window to the contemporary field of neurosurgery. Members of the Congress and non-member subscribers receive 3,000 pages per year packed with the very latest science, technology, and medicine, not to mention full-text online access to the world's most complete, up-to-the-minute neurosurgery resource. For professionals aware of the rapid pace of developments in the field, Neurosurgery is nothing short of indispensable.
About Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins (LWW) is a leading international publisher of trusted content delivered in innovative ways to practitioners, professionals and students to learn new skills, stay current on their practice, and make important decisions to improve patient care and clinical outcomes.
LWW is part of Wolters Kluwer Health, a leading global provider of information, business intelligence and point-of-care solutions for the healthcare industry. Wolters Kluwer Health is part of Wolters Kluwer, a market-leading global information services company with 2012 annual revenues of 3.6 billion ($4.6 billion).
[ | E-mail | Share ] ?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-06/wkh-npf061913.php
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