Patient-Reported Outcomes of Accelerated Aging: A Novel Approach to Investigate Second Cancer Risk in Adolescent and Young Adult (18-39 Years) Cancer Survivors.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYAs, aged 18-39 years at first diagnosis) have a higher second cancer risk. Accelerated aging is hypothesized as underlying mechanism and has been described clinically by 6 indicators; fatigue, low quality of sleep, low mood, lack of motivation, subjective memory complaints, and poor exercise tolerance. Using patient-reported outcomes, we aimed to identify clusters of accelerated aging among AYA cancer survivors and to investigate their association with second cancer development. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patient, tumor, and treatment data were obtained from the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Patient-reported clinical indicators and second cancer data were obtained from the SURVivors (5-20 years) of cancer in AYAs (SURVAYA) questionnaire study between 1999 and 2015. Latent class and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: In total, n = 3734 AYA survivors with known second cancer status (n = 278 [7.4%] second cancers) were included. Four latent clusters were identified and named based on their clinical indicator features; (1) high accelerated aging (31.3%), (2) intermediate accelerated aging without poor exercise tolerance (15.1%), (3) intermediate accelerated aging without lack of motivation (27.4%), and (4) low accelerated aging (26.2%). AYAs in the high accelerated aging cluster were more likely to have second cancer (odds ratio: 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.3) compared to the low accelerated aging cluster. CONCLUSION: AYAs with a higher burden of accelerated aging were more likely to develop a second cancer. Validation of the clinical indicators and how to best capture them is needed to improve (early) detection of AYAs at high risk of developing second cancer.

Exploring the interconnectedness between health-related quality of life factors among long-term adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYAs): a network analysis.

PURPOSE: Adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYAs) are at increased risk of long-term and late effects, and experience unmet needs, impacting their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In order to provide and optimize supportive care and targeted interventions for this unique population, it is important to study HRQoL factors' interconnectedness on a population level. Therefore, this network analysis was performed with the aim to explore the interconnectedness between HRQoL factors, in the analysis described as nodes, among long-term AYAs. METHODS: This population-based cohort study used cross-sectional survey data of long-term AYAs, who were identified by the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR). Participants completed a one-time survey (SURVAYA study), including the EORTC survivorship questionnaire (QLQ-SURV111) to assess their long-term HRQoL outcomes and sociodemographic characteristics. The NCR provided the clinical data. Descriptive statistics and a network analysis, including network clustering, were performed. RESULTS: In total, 3596 AYAs (on average 12.4 years post diagnosis) were included in our network analysis. The network was proven stable and reliable and, in total, four clusters were identified, including a worriment, daily functioning, psychological, and sexual cluster. Negative health outlook, part of the worriment cluster, was the node with the highest strength and its partial correlation with health distress was significantly different from all other partial correlations. CONCLUSION: This study shows the results of a stable and reliable network analysis based on HRQoL data of long-term AYAs, and identified nodes, correlations, and clusters that could be intervened on to improve the HRQoL outcomes of AYAs.

This is what life with cancer looks like: exploring experiences of adolescent and young adults with cancer using two visual approaches.

INTRODUCTION: Talking about illness experience can be challenging for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer. Visual tools, in addition to spoken language, might make this easier, such as rich pictures and photovoice. We aimed to obtain a comprehensive view of the cancer experience of AYAs by using rich pictures and photovoice. METHODS: AYAs (18-35 years old) who had any type of cancer, or were in remission from cancer, were eligible. AYAs drew rich pictures about their experience of living with cancer and explained these during subsequent interviews. Some of the AYAs also participated in photovoice and spent two days with a photographer to make photos about their illness experience. Rich pictures and photos were first analyzed separately, using open coding, after which the identified themes were compared. RESULTS: Twelve AYAs made rich pictures (RPs), of whom seven also participated in photovoice. The two most predominant themes emerging from the data were struggles related to the future and defining one's identity. The AYAs expressed concerns for the future related to relationships, education, and employment. Relating to defining one's identity, many AYAs expressed that the cancer had a negative impact on their body- and self-image. The main themes were visible in the RPs as well as in the photovoice; however, subtle differences in sub-themes were found. CONCLUSIONS: We found that cancer has an effect on many aspects of AYAs' lives. Further research on how the identified themes play a role in the lives of AYAs with cancer is needed.

IL-21 and CD40L signals from autologous T cells can induce antigen-independent proliferation of CLL cells.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells multiply in secondary lymphoid tissue, but the mechanisms leading to their proliferation are still uncertain. In addition to B-cell receptor (BCR)-triggered signals, other microenvironmental factors might well be involved. In proliferation centers, leukemic B cells are in close contact with CD4(+)CD40L(+) T cells. Therefore, we here dissected the signals provided by autologous activated T cells (Tact) to CLL cells. Although the gene expression profile induced by Tact was highly similar to that induced by sole CD40 signaling, an obvious difference was that Tact induced proliferation of CLL cells. We determined that stimulation with only CD40L+IL-21 was sufficient to induce robust proliferation in CLL cells. We then defined an interleukin (IL)-21-induced gene signature in CLL, containing components of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription and apoptosis pathways, and this signature could be detected in lymph node (LN) samples from patients. Finally, we could detect IL-21 RNA and protein in LN, and IL-21 production ex vivo by LN CD4(+)CXCR5(+) follicular helper T cells. These results indicate that in addition to BCR signaling, activated T cells might contribute to CLL cell proliferation via CD40 and IL-21. Targeting these signaling pathways might offer new venues for treatment of CLL.

Disentangling trust of patients with rare cancer in their healthcare professionals and the healthcare system: a qualitative interview study.

PURPOSE: Patients with a rare cancer face challenges, e.g., delayed diagnosis, that may affect trust in the healthcare system and the healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved. This study aimed to explore trust of patients with a rare cancer in their HCPs and the healthcare system. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 purposively sampled patients with a rare cancer. The interview guide included topics related to trust, including level, development, barriers and facilitators, importance, and trust dimensions. Thematic analysis was conducted with use of Atlas.ti. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 50 years, 60% were female, and 70% were highly educated. Three themes were constructed: (1) "Confirmed expertise is a prerequisite of trust." Patients need confirmation of their HCPs' expertise, as it could not be assumed due to the rarity of their cancer; (2) "Trust depends on the adequacy of information and how it is provided." Limited information about rare cancer reduced patients' trust in health care, whereas interpersonal trust was mainly affected by how HCPs provided information; and (3) "Trust is built on properly coordinated and supportive care." Proper organization and cooperation within and between hospitals, and integration of supportive care, enhanced trust. CONCLUSION: Patients with a rare cancer experience challenges that influence trust in HCPs and the healthcare system. Further research should examine trust among subgroups of patients with a rare cancer, to enable development of tailored interventions. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: HCPs may improve trust by focusing on expertise, effective information provision, proper coordination of care, and provision of adequate supportive care.

Health-related conditions among long-term cancer survivors diagnosed in adolescence and young adulthood (AYA): results of the SURVAYA study.

BACKGROUND: With 5-year survival rates > 85%, gaining insight into the long-term and late health-related conditions of cancer survivors diagnosed in adolescence and young adulthood is of utmost importance to improve their quantity and quality of survival. This study examined the prevalence of and factors associated with, patient-reported health-related conditions and their latency times among long-term adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors. METHODS: AYA cancer survivors (5-20 years after diagnosis) were identified by the population-based Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR), and invited to participate in the SURVAYA questionnaire study. Participants reported the prevalence and date of diagnosis of health-related conditions. Clinical data were retrieved from the NCR. RESULTS: Three thousand seven hundred seventy-six AYA cancer survivors (response rate 33.4%) were included for analyses. More than half of the AYAs (58.5%) experienced health-related conditions after their cancer diagnosis, of whom 51.4% were diagnosed with two or more conditions. Participants reported conditions related to vision (15.0%), digestive system (15.0%), endocrine system (14.1%), cardiovascular system (11.7%), respiratory system (11.3%), urinary tract system (10.9%), depression (8.6%), hearing (7.4%), arthrosis (6.9%), secondary malignancy (6.4%), speech-, taste and smell (4.5%), and rheumatoid arthritis (2.1%). Time since diagnosis, tumor type, age at diagnosis, and educational level were most frequently associated with a health-related condition. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of long-term AYA cancer survivors report having one or more health-related conditions. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Future research should focus on better understanding the underlying mechanisms of, and risk factors for, these health-related conditions to support the development and implementation of risk-stratified survivorship care for AYA cancer survivors to further improve their outcomes. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: NCT05379387.

Adherence to the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research recommendations for cancer prevention in adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors: results from the SURVAYA study.

PURPOSE: For adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors with a good prognosis, having a healthy lifestyle prevents morbidity and mortality after treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of (un)healthy lifestyle behaviors and related determinants in AYA cancer survivors. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional study was performed among long-term (5-20 years) AYA cancer survivors (18-39 years old at diagnosis) registered within the Netherlands Cancer Registry. Self-reported questionnaires data about health behaviors were used to calculate the 2018 World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (WCRF/AICR) adherence score. Associations between the score and clinical/sociodemographic determinants of (un)healthy behaviors were investigated using logistic regression models. RESULTS: The mean WCRF/AICR score was low to moderate, 3.8 ± 1.2 (0.5-7.0) (n = 3668). Sixty-one percent adhered to "limit the consumption of sugar sweetened drinks," 28% to "be a healthy weight," 25% to "fruit and vegetable consumption," and 31% to "limit alcohol consumption." Moderate and high adherence were associated with being a woman (ORmoderate = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.14-1.85, and ORhigh = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.46-2.4) and highly educated (ORmoderate = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.30-1.83, and ORhigh = 1.87, 95% CI = 1.46-2.4). Low adherence was associated with smoking (ORmoderate = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.50-0.92, and ORhigh = 0.30, 95% CI = 0.21-0.44) and diagnosis of germ cell tumor (ORmoderate = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.39-0.86, and ORhigh = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.30-0.69). CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to the 2018 WCRF/AICR lifestyle recommendations was low to moderate, especially regarding body weight, fruit, vegetables, and alcohol consumption. Men, current smokers, lower-educated participants, and/or those diagnosed with germ cell tumors were less likely to have a healthy lifestyle. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Health-promotion programs (e.g., age-specific tools) are needed, focusing on high-risk groups.

Pre-treatment fertility preservation and post-treatment reproduction in long-term survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer.

PURPOSE: To describe recall of fertility-related consultations and cryopreservation and to examine reproductive goals and reproduction post-treatment in long-term survivors of adolescent and young adult (AYA) (age, 18-39 years) cancer. METHODS: This study included n = 1457 male and n = 2112 female long-term survivors (Mage = 43-45 years; 5-22 years from diagnosis) who provided self-report. Clinical data were supplied by the Netherlands Cancer Registry. RESULTS: Most male survivors (72.7%) recalled fertility-related consultations and 22.6% completed sperm cryopreservation. Younger age (OR = 2.8; 95%CI [2.2-3.6]), not having children (OR = 5.0; 95%CI [3.2-7.7]), testicular cancer or lymphoma/leukemia (OR = 2.8/2.5 relative to "others"), and more intense treatments (OR = 1.5; 95%CI [1.1-2.0]) were associated with higher cryopreservation rates. Time since diagnosis had no effect. Of men who cryopreserved, 12.1% utilized assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Most men (88.5%) felt their diagnosis did not affect their reproductive goals, but 7.6% wanted no (additional) children due to cancer. Half of female survivors (55.4%; n = 1171) recalled fertility-related consultations. Rates of cryopreservation were very low (3.6%), but increased after 2013 when oocyte cryopreservation became non-experimental. Of women who cryopreserved, 13.2% successfully utilized ART. Most women (74.8%) experienced no effects of cancer on reproductive goals, but 17.8% wanted no (additional) children due to cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Cryopreservation in men varied by patient/clinical factors and was very low in women, but data of more recently treated females are needed. Utilizing cryopreserved material through ART was rare, which questions its cost-effectiveness, but it may enhance survivors' well-being. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The extent to which cryopreservation positively affects survivors' well-being remains to be tested. Moreover, effects of cancer on reproductive goals require further attention, especially in women who refrain from having children due to cancer.

The survival disparity between children and adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with Ewing sarcoma in the Netherlands did not change since the 1990s despite improved survival: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with Ewing sarcoma have a worse prognosis than children. Population-based survival evaluations stratifying findings by important clinical factors are, however, limited. This Dutch population study comprehensively compared survival of children and AYAs with Ewing sarcoma over three decades considering diagnostic period, tissue of origin, tumor site, and disease stage. METHODS: Data on all children (0-17 years, N = 463) and AYAs (18-39 years, N = 379) diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma in the Netherlands between 1990-2018 were collected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry with follow-up until February 2023. Five-year relative survival was calculated using the cohort method. Multivariable analyses were conducted through Poisson regression. RESULTS: Children with Ewing sarcoma had a significantly higher 5-year relative survival than AYAs (65 % vs. 44 %). An increasing trend in survival was noted reaching 70 % in children and 53 % in AYAs in 2010-2018. Results were similar for Ewing bone sarcoma and extraosseous Ewing sarcoma. AYAs had a poorer prognosis than children for most tumor sites and regardless of disease stage. Survival probabilities were 60 % vs. 78 % for localized disease and 20 % vs. 33 % for metastatic disease. Multivariable-regression analysis, adjusted for follow-up time, diagnostic period, sex, disease stage, and tumor site, confirmed increased excess mortality among AYAs compared with children (excess HR: 1.7, 95 % CI: 1.3-2.1). CONCLUSIONS: Despite survival improvements since the 1990s, AYAs with Ewing sarcoma in the Netherlands continue to fare considerably worse than children. This survival disparity was present irrespective of tissue of origin, tumor site, and disease stage.

CD40 stimulation sensitizes CLL cells to lysosomal cell death induction by type II anti-CD20 mAb GA101.

Sensitivity of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells to anti-CD20 mAbs is low and, therefore, the efficacy of monotherapy with current anti-CD20 mAbs is limited. At present, it is not known whether sensitivity of CLL cells to CD20 mAbs is modulated by microenvironmental stimuli. We have shown previously that in vitro CD40 stimulation of peripheral blood-derived CLL cells results in resistance to cytotoxic drugs. In the present study, we show that, in contrast, CD40 stimulation sensitizes CLL cells to the recently described novel type II anti-CD20 mAb GA101. Cell death occurred without cross-linking of GA101 and involved a lysosome-dependent mechanism. Combining GA101 with various cytotoxic drugs resulted in additive cell death, not only in CD40-stimulated CLL cells, but also in p53-dysfunctional CLL cells. Our findings indicate that GA101 has efficacy against chemoresistant CLL, and provide a rationale for combining cytotoxic drugs with anti-CD20 mAbs.

Health-related quality of life of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: longitudinal improvements on social functioning and fatigue.

The health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among long-term Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors (AYACS) and an age- and sex-matched normative population was examined. Although the HRQoL of AYACS was worse compared to the normative population before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the scores of AYACS improved over time in contrast to the normative population. Presumably, AYACS are used to adjusting their lives to stressful life events. Furthermore, the lockdown may have been beneficial for AYACS who face difficulties fully participating in society due to the impact of cancer. AYACS who encounter HRQoL issues could benefit from support interventions to empower them and build resilience.

Quality of integrated female oncofertility care is suboptimal: A patient-reported measurement.

BACKGROUND: Clinical practice guidelines recommend to inform female cancer patients about their infertility risks due to cancer treatment. Unfortunately, it seems that guideline adherence is suboptimal. In order to improve quality of integrated female oncofertility care, a systematic assessment of current practice is necessary. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional survey study in which a set of systematically developed quality indicators was processed, was conducted among female cancer patients (diagnosed in 2016/2017). These indicators represented all domains in oncofertility care; risk communication, referral, counseling, and decision-making. Indicator scores were calculated, and determinants were assessed by multilevel multivariate analyses. RESULTS: One hundred twenty-one out of 344 female cancer patients participated. Eight out of 11 indicators scored below 90% adherence. Of all patients, 72.7% was informed about their infertility, 51.2% was offered a referral, with 18.8% all aspects were discussed in counseling, and 35.5% received written and/or digital information. Patient's age, strength of wish to conceive, time before cancer treatment, and type of healthcare provider significantly influenced the scores of three indicators. CONCLUSIONS: Current quality of female oncofertility care is far from optimal. Therefore, improvement is needed. To achieve this, improvement strategies that are tailored to the identified determinants and to guideline-specific barriers should be developed.

Learning from long-term adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors regarding their age-specific care needs to improve current AYA care programs.

BACKGROUND: Despite growing (inter)national awareness and appreciation, age-specific care is still not always self-evident and accepted as standard of care for adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer patients. It is unknown whether long-term AYA cancer survivors have missed age-specific care, and if so, which survivors missed it and regarding which topics. METHODS: The Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) identified all long-term AYA cancer survivors (aged 18-39 years at initial cancer diagnosis, 5-20 years past diagnosis) in the Netherlands, who were invited to participate in a population-based, observational, cross-sectional questionnaire study (SURVAYA study), including questions on care needs. RESULTS: In total, 3.989 AYAs participated (35.3% response rate). One-third of them had a need for age-specific care (33.5%), 41.2% had no need and 25.3% did not know whether they had a need. Those who had a need for age-specific care were significantly more often female, higher educated, diagnosed at a younger age, and treated with chemotherapy, radiotherapy or hormone therapy. Most frequent topics were disease and treatment (29.7%), emotions (24.1%), friends (22.6%), family and children (15.6%), fertility and pregnancy (14.8%), work and reintegration (10.5%), care not tailored (13.8%), and overarching care and life (27.7%). Palliative care (0.0%), spirituality (0.2%), death (0.7%), complementary care (0.7%), and late effects (1.3%) were mentioned least. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of long-term AYA cancer survivors showed a need for age-specific care, varying by sociodemographic and clinical factors, on a wide variety of topics, which could be targeted to improve current AYA care services.

A Negative Body Image among Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Survivors: Results from the Population-Based SURVAYA Study.

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors (18-39 years at diagnosis) often experience negative body changes such as scars, amputation, and disfigurement. Understanding which factors influence body image among AYA survivors can improve age-specific care in the future. Therefore, we aim to examine the prevalence, and association of a negative body image with sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors, among AYA cancer survivors (5-20 years after diagnosis). A population-based cross-sectional cohort study was conducted among AYA survivors (5-20 years after diagnosis) registered within the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) (SURVAYA-study). Body image was examined via the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-SURV100. Multivariable logistic regression models were used. Among 3735 AYA survivors who responded, 14.5% (range: 2.6-44.2%), experienced a negative body image. Specifically, AYAs who are female, have a higher Body Mass Index (BMI) or tumor stage, diagnosed with breast cancer, cancer of the female genitalia, or germ cell tumors, treated with chemotherapy, using more maladaptive coping strategies, feeling sexually unattractive, and having lower scores of health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL), were more likely to experience a negative body image. Raising awareness and integrating supportive care for those who experience a negative body image into standard AYA survivorship care is warranted. Future research could help to identify when and how this support for AYA survivors can be best utilized.

Recruiting Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors for Patient-Reported Outcome Research: Experiences and Sample Characteristics of the SURVAYA Study.

BACKGROUND: Participation of Adolescents and Young Adults with cancer (AYAs: 18-39 years at time of diagnosis) in patient-reported outcome studies is warranted given the limited knowledge of (long-term) physical and psychosocial health outcomes. We examined the representativeness of AYAs participating in the study, to observe the impact of various invitation methods on response rates and reasons for non-participation. METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional cohort study was performed among long-term (5-20 years) AYA cancer survivors. All participants were invited using various methods to fill in a questionnaire on their health outcomes, including enclosing a paper version of the questionnaire, and sending a reminder. Those who did not respond received a postcard in which they were asked to provide a reason for non-participation. RESULTS: In total, 4.010 AYAs (response 36%) participated. Females, AYAs with a higher socio-economic status (SES), diagnosed more than 10 years ago, diagnosed with a central nervous system tumor, sarcoma, a lymphoid malignancy, stage III, or treated with systemic chemotherapy were more likely to participate. Including a paper questionnaire increased the response rate by 5% and sending a reminder by 13%. AYAs who did not participate were either not interested (47%) or did want to be reminded of their cancer (31%). CONCLUSIONS: Study participation was significantly lower among specific subgroups of AYA cancer survivors. Higher response rates were achieved when a paper questionnaire was included, and reminders were sent. To increase representativeness of future AYA study samples, recruitment strategies could focus on integrating patient-reported outcomes in clinical practice and involving AYA patients to promote participation in research.

"Finding my way in a maze while the clock is ticking": The daily life challenges of adolescents and young adults with an uncertain or poor cancer prognosis.

Introduction: Increasingly more adolescent and young adult (AYA, aged 18-39 years) patients with an uncertain and/or poor cancer prognosis (UPCP) are gaining life-years because of novel treatments or refinement of established therapies, and sometimes even face the prospect of long-term disease control. This study aims to examine the challenges of AYAs with a UPCP in daily life to inform the development of AYA care programs. Methods: Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted among AYAs with a UPCP. Since we expected differences in experiences between three AYA subgroups, we interviewed patients of these subgroups (1): traditional survivors (2), low-grade glioma survivors, and (3) new survivors. Interviews were analyzed using elements of grounded theory. AYA patients were actively involved as research partners. Results: In total 46 AYAs with UPCP participated and shared their challenges in daily life. They were on average 33.4 years old (age range 23-44) and most of them were women (63%). The most common tumor types were low-grade gliomas (16), sarcomas (7), breast cancers (6), and lung cancers (6). We identified five primary themes: (1) feeling inferior to previous self and others (e.g. feeling useless, who wants me in a relationship), (2) feeling of being alone (e.g. lonely thoughts, nobody really gets me), (3) ongoing confrontation (e.g. it is always there, own decline), (4) grief about life (e.g. grief about life I did not get, grief about old life), and (5) loss of control over the future (e.g. not able to make future plans, waiting for growth). Although all of the challenges were identified in the three AYA subgroups, the perceived intensity of the challenges differed slightly between the subgroups. Discussion: AYAs living with a UPCP experience challenges associated to their sense of altered identity, their position in the social network, and the future uncertainties. This study highlights the importance to recognize and acknowledge the unique challenges of this group. To provide age-specific care, it is important to embed acceptance and commitment therapy and AYA peer support within the healthcare system and other care programs to support AYAs to live well with their disease.

RANKL inhibition for giant cell lesions of the jaw: A retrospective cohort analysis.

BACKGROUND: In all giant-cell-rich lesions (GCRL) occurring in bone, a common underlying excessive RANKL expression is held responsible for the osteolytic activity. Apart from giant cell tumour of bone (GCTB), systematic outcome analysis of RANKL inhibition in other GCRL is unavailable. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of a 1-year denosumab protocol in giant cell lesions of the jaw (GCLJ). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted compromising patients treated with a 1-year protocol of monthly subcutaneously administered 120 mg denosumab. Objective tumour response based on histology and imaging was used to calculate objective tumour response rate, progression-free survival (PFS) and time to progression. Type, severity and frequency of adverse events were recorded in a standardised way to assess safety. RESULTS: Twenty patients, predominantly female (90%), were included. Fifty-five per cent of lesions were located in the mandible; most classified as aggressive lesions (90%). Thirty-five per cent (7/20) of cases were either recurrent after prior treatment or progressive, while on other drug treatment. Objective tumour response rate was 100% after 12 months of treatment. Median PFS was 50.4 months (95% CI 38.0-62.8) with a cumulative PFS rate of 22.6% (95% CI 1.8-43.4) at 5 years follow-up. Median time to progression was 38.4 months (95% CI 26.0-50.8). Treatment was well tolerated, and none of the patients had to interrupt therapy for toxicity. CONCLUSION: High-dose denosumab is effective and safe in achieving a complete response in GCLJ within 12 months. The high long-term relapse rate after treatment cessation is the main obstacle for denosumab to become standard treatment for GCLJ.

Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in fertility-sparing cervical cancer treatment.

The current review provides a literature overview of studies assessing the oncological and fertility outcomes of treatment with neo-adjuvant chemotherapy followed by fertility-sparing surgery in patients with cervical cancer >2 cm. Six cohort studies were included showing severe heterogeneity regarding patient selection, chemotherapy regimen, and surgical approach. In total, 111 patients were studied, with overall favorable characteristics. Patients were on average 29 years old, had a tumor of 36 mm, no lymph node metastasis, and response to chemotherapy. In approximately 5-year follow-up, the recurrence rate was 13% (0%-21%) and overall death rate 2.7% (0%-10%). Three patients were alive with recurrent disease (2.7% and 0%-11%). Of the 111 patients, 90 underwent successful fertility-sparing treatment (83%). Roughly one-third conceived and one-fourth had a healthy live-born child. More research is essential to determine proper selection criteria for fertility-sparing treatment of cervical cancer >2 cm and the optimal treatment management.

Dose-Dependent Effect of Platinum-Based Chemotherapy on the Risk of Metachronous Contralateral Testicular Cancer.

PURPOSE: Patients with testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) are at increased risk of developing a contralateral TGCT (CTGCT). Although some studies suggest that prior treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy affects CTGCT risk, a relationship between CTGCT risk and platinum dose has not previously been assessed. We analyzed the association between the number of platinum-based chemotherapy cycles and CTGCT risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The risk of developing a metachronous CTGCT was evaluated in a nationwide cohort of 4,755 patients diagnosed with primary TGCT in the Netherlands between 1989 and 2007. Standardized incidence ratios were computed to compare CTGCT incidence with expected TGCT on the basis of TGCT incidence in the general population. The cumulative incidence of CTGCT was estimated in the presence of death as competing risk. The effect of treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy on CTGCT risk was assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: CTGCT was diagnosed in 136 patients (standardized incidence ratio, 14.6; 95% CI, 12.2 to 17.2). The cumulative incidence increased up to 20 years after primary diagnosis, reaching 3.4% (95% CI, 2.8% to 4.0%) after 20 years of follow up. The risk of developing a CTGCT decreased with age (hazard ratio [HR], 0.93; 95% CI, 0.90 to 0.96), was lower after nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (HR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.35 to 0.96) and decreased with every additional cycle of chemotherapy (HRper cycle, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.64 to 0.85). CONCLUSION: Approximately one in every 30 survivors of TGCT will develop a CTGCT, with CTGCT incidence increasing up to 20 years after a primary TGCT. Treatment with platinum-based chemotherapy shows a dose-dependent inverse association with CTGCT risk.

Tipping the Noxa/Mcl-1 balance overcomes ABT-737 resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

PURPOSE: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells in lymph nodes (LN), from which relapses are postulated to originate, display an antiapoptotic profile in contrast to CLL cells from peripheral blood (PB). The BH3 mimetic ABT-737 antagonizes the antiapoptotic proteins Bcl-X(L) and Bcl-2 but not Mcl-1 or Bfl-1. Previously, it was shown that CD40-stimulated CLL cells were resistant to ABT-737. We aimed to define which antiapoptotic proteins determine resistance to ABT-737 in CLL and whether combination of known antileukemia drugs and ABT-737 was able to induce apoptosis of CD40-stimulated CLL cells. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: To mimic the LN microenvironment, PB lymphocytes of CLL patients were cultured on feeder cells expressing CD40L and treated with ABT-737 with or without various drugs. In addition, we carried out overexpression or knockdown of pro- and antiapoptotic proteins in immortalized primary B cells. RESULTS: Upon CD40 stimulation patient-specific variations in ABT-737 sensitivity correlated with differences in levels of Mcl-1 and its antagonist Noxa. Knockdown of Noxa, as well as Mcl-1 overexpression, corroborated the importance of the Noxa/Mcl-1 ratio in determining the response to ABT-737. Inhibition of NF-κB resulted in increased Noxa levels and enhanced sensitivity to ABT-737. Interestingly, increasing the Noxa/Mcl-1 ratio, by decreasing Mcl-1 (dasatinib and roscovitine) or increasing Noxa levels (fludarabine and bortezomib), resulted in synergy with ABT-737. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, the Noxa/Mcl-1 balance determines sensitivity to ABT-737 in CD40-stimulated CLL cells. These data provide a rationale to investigate the combination of drugs which enhance the Noxa/Mcl-1 balance with ABT-737 to eradicate CLL in chemoresistant niches.