The sequelae of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adolescents and young adults: protocol for a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a life-saving treatment for adolescents and young adults (ages 15-39) with hematologic malignancy. Given the significant developmental milestones usually achieved during this unique life stage, this population is especially vulnerable to the interruption caused by a cancer diagnosis and its treatment. HSCT is a particularly invasive form of cancer therapy with many negative physical, social, and psychological sequelae. The long-term impact of HSCT in adolescents and young adults with hematologic malignancies warrants a systematic investigation of its effects to best shape clinical care and health policy. METHODS: This protocol for a systematic review will focus on the long-term physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and health behavior effects experienced by adolescents and young adults who undergo HSCT for hematologic malignancy. We have constructed a specific search strategy that queries these five domains, which will be applied to five databases-Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Trials and Reviews, PsychInfo, and CINAHL-to identify the key literature. Two independent reviewers will perform a title/abstract screen followed by a full-text screen using standard screening templates to ensure the inclusion of outcomes in the post-acute HSCT period. Risk of bias will be assessed using the University of Adelaide Joanna Briggs Institute Collaboration Critical Appraisal Tools. Data from included studies will be abstracted on study characteristics, study setting, sample characteristics, and outcomes. Given the broad scope of the research question, data synthesis will focus on qualitative methods in accordance with Institute of Medicine standards. DISCUSSION: While adolescents and young adults undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancy are understood to have a unique survivorship experience, the sequelae of this treatment approach in this population have not been previously aggregated. This systematic review intends to expand insight into the adolescent and young adult experiences with HSCT in order to inform age-appropriate survivorship care and deliver this life-saving intervention with the best possible outcomes. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022361663.

Updates in the treatment of HR+HER2- breast cancer.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer among women in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer death. BC research, diagnostics, drug development, and expansion of therapies for novel indications advances so rapidly that BC treatment standards change month-by-month. Herein we discuss notable advancements in the past year for hormone receptor positive (HR+) HER2 negative (HER2-) BC. RECENT FINDINGS: Radiolabeled estradiol imaging and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) have changed our approach to metastatic BC (mBC) detection. Amongst an abundance of therapy options, treatment de-escalation to avoid toxicities is a priority. Promising results with CDK4/6 inhibitors in the curative setting have been demonstrated even as we await final data for use in the metastatic setting. Several novel endocrine therapies are expected to gain FDA-approval in the near future. Antibody-drug conjugates have expanded from other mBC types to HR+HER2- mBC. The PROMISE trial helped define disease recurrence outcomes for premenopausal women seeking pregnancy. SUMMARY: The diagnostic and treatment landscape for HR+HER2- BC continues to rapidly evolve on multiple fronts.

Mental health and care utilization in survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors experience mental health challenges, yet little is known about the evolution of these difficulties. This study explored mental health symptoms and utilization among long-term adolescent and young adult cancer survivors. METHODS: Using 30 432 respondents from the 2019 National Health Interview Survey, this study compared adults with a history of adolescent and young adult cancer (diagnosed when patients were between 15 and 39 years of age) to adults without adolescent and young adult cancer. Mental health symptom severity was measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale and 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaires. Care utilization constituted psychotherapy and mental health medication use. Inverse propensity score weights were used to balance demographics and combined with survey weights. Descriptive statistics, multivariable generalized linear models, and structural equation modeling with 2-sided tests were used for analysis. RESULTS: We compared 639 adolescent and young adult survivors with 29 793 controls. Survivors were, on average, 20.5 years (SE = 0.74) past their cancer diagnosis dates. After adjusting for survey and propensity score weights, adolescent and young adult survivors reported more severe depression (incidence rate ratio = 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09 to 1.84, P < .01) and anxiety (incidence rate ratio = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.55 to 2.21, P < .001). They were more likely to use psychotherapy (odds ratio = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.16 to 3.17, P < .05) and mental health medications (odds ratio = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.15 to 3.11, P < .05). Time since diagnosis was negatively associated with symptoms and utilization. Structural equation modeling demonstrated mediation of utilization effect by symptom severity. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent and young adult survivors experience worse mental health in late survivorship, despite small improvements over time. We highlight the importance of survivorship care that addresses the long-term mental health needs of these survivors.

Implementation of a Near-Peer Support Program to Improve Trainee Well-Being after Patient Safety Events.

Adverse events can take an emotional toll on physicians, which, left unprocessed, can have negative impacts on well-being, including burnout and depression. Peer support can help mitigate these negative effects. Structured programs train physicians to aid colleagues in processing work-related experiences and emotions such as guilt and self-doubt. Although such programs are common for faculty, peer support for resident physicians has not been adequately addressed, and few programs have been described in the literature. Residency is a vulnerable time of professional identity formation, and providing support has specific challenges. The power dynamics and distance between lived experiences limit the utility of faculty peer support programs. Some institutions have trained residents to provide peer support, but widespread implementation may be difficult because of limited resident time and comfort in providing support. Chief residents (CRs), however, are close to residents in training yet experienced enough to afford perspective and are uniquely situated to provide "near-peer" support. We describe the implementation of a CR near-peer support program in which an established peer support framework was adapted to add elements specific to resident stressors and CR-resident relationships. One faculty member and two outgoing CRs lead a 2-hour workshop that is built into existing CR onboarding to ensure sustainability. The workshop combines large-group didactics and small-group breakouts, using clinical vignettes and simulated near-peer support conversations. To date, 36 CRs have been trained. CR near-peer support can serve as a model for programs in which true resident peer support is not feasible.

Factors Associated With Hospitalization Among Breast Cancer Patients With COVID-19: A Diverse Multi-Center Los Angeles Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The SARS-CoV-2 virus has infected and killed millions of people worldwide. Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women and few studies have investigated the outcomes of patients with a history of breast cancer and COVID-19. We report the clinical outcomes of patients with invasive breast cancer who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, including hospitalization and death, and evaluate demographic and cancer-related factors associated with these outcomes. PATIENTS: Patients with a history of invasive breast cancer and positive SARS-CoV-2 test from January 1 to December 31, 2020 at two large, academic Los Angeles health systems were included. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of the electronic medical record was performed. Data for demographic and cancer-related factors were manually abstracted. Relationships between outcomes and clinical variables were evaluated using Fisher's exact test and linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Among a total of 132 patients, 40 (30.3%) were hospitalized, while 11 (8.3%) required intensive care support, and 8 patients (6.1%) died. Older age and presence of one or more additional comorbidities were associated with hospitalization and death (P = .010, P = .003, P = .034, P < .001). Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity was associated with hospitalization (P = .047). Cancer treatment was not associated with hospitalization or death. CONCLUSION: In our diverse, multi-center, breast cancer cohort, Hispanic/Latinx ethnicity, older age and presence of other comorbidities were associated with worse outcomes from COVID-19. Breast cancer treatment, including surgery, radiation, systemic therapy, and endocrine therapy, was not associated with hospitalization in our cohort. Further studies are needed to explore the relationship between breast cancer and COVID-19 outcomes.