Clinical Research Directory

Perioperative Dexmedetomidine and Long-term Survival After Cancer Surgery

Along with aging population, cancer incidence and mortality are increasing. However, despite advances in oncology and surgery, long-term survival of cancer patients is far from optimal. Dexmedetomidine is a highly selective alpha 2 adrenergic receptor agonist with sedative, analgesic, and anxiolytic effects. Studies showed that perioperative use of dexmedetomidine reduces delirium and some non-delirium complications after surgery. In long-term follow-up studies of older patients who, for other reasons, were randomized to receive either dexmedetomidine or placebo during intra- or postoperative period, dexmedetomidine use was associated with improved long-term survival. This multicenter randomized trial aims to investigate the effect of perioperative dexmedetomidine on long-term outcomes in older patients undergoing cancer surgery.

Personalized Massive Online Open Course After Childhood Cancer

Many studies have shown Childhood Cancer Survivors (CCS) are ill-informed about long-term follow-up (LTFU). Massive open online courses (MOOCs) could easily allow a deployment at an international level and make reliable information available for all CCS, wherever they live. The MOOC team (specialists of LTFU care, communication professionals and CCS associations), bringing together nearly 130 people, designed a MOOC named "Childhood Cancer, Living Well, After" including three modules addressing transversal issues (lifestyle, psychological support, fertility problems) and eight modules covering organ-specific problems.