Prognosis and risk of suicide after cancer diagnosis.

INTRODUCTION: Suicide rates are elevated after cancer diagnosis. Existential distress caused by awareness of one's impending death is well-described in patients with cancer. The authors hypothesized that suicide risk is associated with cancer prognosis, and the impact of prognosis on suicide risk is greatest for populations with higher baseline suicide risk. METHODS: The authors identified patients (≥16 years old) with newly diagnosed cancers from 2000 to 2019 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, representing 27% of US cancers. Multiple primary-standardized mortality ratios (SMR) were used to estimate the relative risk of suicide within 6 months of diagnosis compared to the general US population, adjusted for age, sex, race, and year of follow-up. Suicide rates by 20 most common cancer sites were compared with respective 2-year overall survival rates (i.e., prognosis) using a weighted linear regression model. RESULTS: Among 6,754,704 persons diagnosed with cancer, there were 1610 suicide deaths within 6 months of diagnosis, three times higher than the general population (SMR = 3.1; 95% confidence interval, 3.0-3.3). Suicide risk by cancer site was closely associated with overall prognosis (9.5%/percent survival deficit, R2  = 0.88, p < .0001). The association of prognosis with suicide risk became attenuated over time. For men, the risk of suicide increased by 2.8 suicide deaths per 100,000 person-years (p < .0001) versus 0.3 in women (p < .0001). The risk was also higher for persons ≥60 old and for the White (vs. Black) race. CONCLUSIONS: Poorer prognosis was closely associated with suicide risk early after cancer diagnosis and had a greater effect on populations with higher baseline risks of suicide. This model highlights the need for enhanced psychiatric surveillance and continued research in this patient population.

Utilization and outcome disparities in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant in the United States.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT) is increasingly being used in the United States (US) and across the world as a curative therapeutic option for patients with certain high-risk hematologic malignancies and non-malignant diseases. However, racial and ethnic disparities in utilization of the procedure and in outcome following transplant remain major problems. Racial and ethnic minority patients are consistently under-represented in the proportion of patients who undergo allo-HSCT in the US. The transplant outcomes in these patients are also inferior. The interrelated driving forces responsible for the differences in the utilization and transplant outcome of the medical intervention are socioeconomic status, complexity of the procedure, geographical barriers, and the results of differences in the genetics and comorbidities across different races. Bridging the disparity gaps is important not only to provide equity and inclusion in the utilization of this potentially life-saving procedure but also in ensuring that minority groups are well represented for research studies about allo-HSCT. This is required to determine interventions that may be more efficacious in particular racial and ethnic groups. Various strategies at the Federal, State, and Program levels have been designed to bridge the disparity gaps with varying successes. In this review paper, we will examine the disparities and discuss the strategies currently available to address the utilization and outcome gaps between patients of different races in the US.

Intestinal barrier functions in hematologic and oncologic diseases.

The intestinal barrier is a complex structure that not only regulates the influx of luminal contents into the systemic circulation but is also involved in immune, microbial, and metabolic homeostasis. Evidence implicating disruption in intestinal barrier functions in the development of many systemic diseases, ranging from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis to autism, or systemic complications of intestinal disorders has increased rapidly in recent years, raising the possibility of the intestinal barrier as a potential target for therapeutic intervention to alter the course and mitigate the complications associated with these diseases. In addition to the disease process being associated with a breach in the intestinal barrier functions, patients with hematologic and oncologic diseases are particularly at high risks for the development of increased intestinal permeability, due to the frequent use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and chemoradiation. They also face a distinct challenge of being intermittently severely neutropenic due to treatment of the underlying conditions. In this review, we will discuss how hematologic and oncologic diseases are associated with disruption in the intestinal barrier and highlight the complications associated with an increase in the intestinal permeability. We will explore methods to modulate the complication. To provide a background for our discussion, we will first examine the structure and appraise the methods of evaluation of the intestinal barrier.

Personalized LSTM Models for ECG Lead Transformations Led to Fewer Diagnostic Errors Than Generalized Models: Deriving 12-Lead ECG from Lead II, V2, and V6.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of chronic cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has risen globally, nearly doubling from 1990 to 2019. ECG is a simple, non-invasive measurement that can help identify CVDs at an early and treatable stage. A multi-lead ECG, up to 15 leads in a wearable form factor, is desirable. We seek to derive multiple ECG leads from a select subset of leads so that the number of electrodes can be reduced in line with a patient-friendly wearable device. We further compare personalized derivations to generalized derivations. METHODS: Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) networks using Lead II, V2, and V6 as input are trained to obtain generalized models using Bayesian Optimization for hyperparameter tuning for all patients and personalized models for each patient by applying transfer learning to the generalized models. We compare quantitatively using error metrics Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), R2, and Pearson correlation (ρ). We compare qualitatively by matching ECG interpretations of board-certified cardiologists. RESULTS: ECG interpretations from personalized models, when corrected for an intra-observer variance, were identical to the original ECGs, whereas generalized models led to errors. Mean performance values for generalized and personalized models were (RMSE-74.31 µV, R2-72.05, ρ-0.88) and (RMSE-26.27 µV, R2-96.38, ρ-0.98), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic accuracy based on derived ECG is the most critical validation of ECG derivation methods. Personalized transformation should be sought to derive ECGs. Performing a personalized calibration step to wearable ECG systems and LSTM networks could yield ambulatory 15-lead ECGs with accuracy comparable to clinical ECGs.

Lower limb alignment in patients with primary valgus ankle arthritis: A comparative analysis with patients with varus ankle arthritis and healthy controls.

BACKGROUND: While it is commonly acknowledged that the combined effect of lower limb orientation and ankle and hindfoot alignment play a fundamental role in ankle arthritis, supramalleolar/lower limb alignment has received less attention in valgus ankle arthritis. The purpose of this study was to analyze the lower limb alignment of patients with valgus ankle arthritis with primary origin, compared to that of varus ankle arthritis and normal controls. We hypothesized that patients with valgus ankle arthritis would have the opposite pattern of lower limb alignment as those with varus ankle arthritis. METHODS: A retrospective radiographic analysis was performed on 61 patients (62 ankles, mean age, 59.3 ± 12 years) with primary valgus ankle arthritis. On preoperative radiographs, seven parameters, including talar tilt angle, medial distal tibial angle (MDTA), talar center migration, anterior distal tibial angle, talo-first metatarsal (Meary's) angle, hindfoot moment arm (HMA), and mechanical axis deviation (MAD), were measured and compared to those of primary varus ankle arthritis (n = 55; mean age, 59.7 ± 8.1 years) and control patients (n = 59; mean age, 29.3 ± 7.3 years). RESULTS: The valgus group had a significantly lower mean MDTA than the control group (p < 0.0001), indicating a varus distal tibial plafond in comparison to the control group. Meary's angle and HMA were significantly lower in the valgus group compared to the varus group (p < 0.05 and p < 0.0001, respectively), indicating a lower medial longitudinal arch and valgus hindfoot alignment. On whole limb radiographs, the valgus group showed a greater MAD than the control group, indicating varus lower limb alignment (p < 0.05). However, the MAD did not differ significantly between the valgus and varus groups (p = 0.7031). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that a significant proportion of ankles with primary valgus arthritis have a varus tibial plafond and a varus lower limb mechanical axis. This study contributes to our understanding of primary valgus ankle arthritis and suggests that lower limb alignment should be analyzed and considered throughout valgus ankle arthritis realignment procedures.

Aortic dissection and multimodality imaging.

Aortic dissection is a life-threatening emergency warranting expeditious diagnosis. Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is the established gold standard test but is not always fool proof. We report the case of an 18-year-old male patient with traumatic type A aortic dissection which was not evident on the CTA, suggestive on the transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) and eventually confirmed with a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE). When the clinical suspicion for dissection is high and in the presence of complications of type A dissection, such as aortic regurgitation, it would be prudent to obtain further imaging with a TTE/TEE to rule in or rule out the diagnosis.

Multiple Biomarkers to Assess the Pathophysiological State in Critically Ill Patients with Sepsis.

Sepsis is associated with various metabolic derangements as a consequence of inflammatory response, ischemia and oxidative stress. Four parameters of relevance are procalcitonin (PCT), ischemia modified albumin (IMA) pH and lactate. The study was carried out to highlight the concomitant occurrence of sepsis, ischemia and lactic acidosis, all of which could have deleterious effects on organ function. 26 critically ill patients with a provisional diagnosis of sepsis were the test subjects. The control group had 25 apparently healthy volunteers. PCT, lactate and IMA were assayed. PCT was estimated on an automated analyser using electro-chemiluminescence. Lactate and pH were estimated on a blood gas analyzer. Serum IMA was estimated spectrophotometrically by Albumin Cobalt Binding Test. Statistical tools like students 't' test and Venn diagram were employed to depict the outcome of the study. All critically ill patients had significantly higher IMA levels (0.96746 ± 0.73407) as compared to the control group (0.00728 ± 0.00895) with a p value of <0.0001. The Venn diagram was used to depict the finding that all 26 test subjects had elevated levels of IMA, of which PCT was elevated in 22 and lactate in 20. Both PCT and lactate were abnormal in 17 patients. The most significant observation was that all critically ill patients, irrespective of the presence of sepsis or lactic acidosis had elevated levels of IMA which is clearly indicative of the ubiquitous presence of oxidative stress. The Venn diagram is an elegant representation of the concurrent multiple pathophysiological processes which occur in critically ill patients.

The Relevance of Phosphorus and Iron Chemistry to the Recovery of Phosphorus from Wastewater: A Review.

The addition of iron is a convenient way for removing phosphorus from wastewater, but this is often considered to limit phosphorus recovery. Struvite precipitation is currently used to recover phosphorus, and this approach has attracted much interest. However, it requires the use of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR). EBPR is not yet widely applied and the recovery potential is low. Other phosphorus recovery methods, including sludge application to agricultural land or recovering phosphorus from sludge ash, also have limitations. Energy-producing wastewater treatment plants increasingly rely on phosphorus removal using iron, but the problem (as in current processes) is the subsequent recovery of phosphorus from the iron. In contrast, phosphorus is efficiently mobilized from iron by natural processes in sediments and soils. Iron-phosphorus chemistry is diverse, and many parameters influence the binding and release of phosphorus, including redox conditions, pH, presence of organic substances, and particle morphology. We suggest that the current poor understanding of iron and phosphorus chemistry in wastewater systems is preventing processes being developed to recover phosphorus from iron-phosphorus rich wastes like municipal wastewater sludge. Parameters that affect phosphorus recovery are reviewed here, and methods are suggested for manipulating iron-phosphorus chemistry in wastewater treatment processes to allow phosphorus to be recovered.

Assessment of normal portal vein diameter in children.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The internal diameter of the portal vein varies with age and anthropometric parameters. The caliber of the normal portal vein in adults has been extensively studied but little is known about portal vein dimensions in the growing child. This study was conducted to establish standards of portal vein diameter by ultrasonography in healthy Indian children based on age, gender and anthropometric parameters. METHODS: Total 306 healthy children between the age of < 1 month and 12 years, visiting our outpatient departmentor accompanying their siblings were enrolled in the study. The children were distributed into ten age-groups. Each group was further divided in two sub-groups based on gender. Anthropometric parameters including weight, height and chest circumference were measured.Portal vein diameter was assessed by ultrasonography. RESULTS: The portal vein diameter increases with age, height, weight and chestcircumference. But the values are similar in boys and girls. Multiple logistic regression (adjusted R- square: 0.922) revealed age (p = 0.002), height/length (p < 0.0001), weight (p = 0.011), and chest circumference (p < 0.0001), as independent determinants of portal vein diameter. However, height/length emerged as the most consistent determinant (coefficient of regression: 1.536; p < 0.001; 95% confidence interval: 0.066-0.092). CONCLUSION: Our results provide a normal range of portal vein diameter according to age, gender and anthropometric parameters. We conclude that portal vein diameter strongly correlates with age and anthropometric variables like height, weight and chestcircumference,with height being the strongest determinant.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Premenopausal Patients With Hormone-Positive Breast Cancer With a Recurrence Score of 16-25: A Retrospective Analysis Using the National Cancer Database.

PURPOSE: Results from the TAILORx trial revealed that the use of adjuvant chemotherapy along with endocrine therapy had no survival advantage in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-), node-negative (N0) breast cancer (BC) with an intermediate (11-25) 21-gene recurrence score (RS) in the overall population. However, in patients under age 50 years, adjuvant chemotherapy demonstrated a progression-free survival benefit when the RS ranged from 16-25. We studied this cohort with the population-based national database. METHODS: The 2010-2018 National Cancer Database was used to include patients with BC age 18-50 years, N0, M0, RS 16-25, ER+/progesterone receptor±, and HER2-. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of adjuvant chemotherapy use, and the survival between them was compared. RESULTS: Adjuvant chemotherapy use was noted in 4,808/15,792 (30.45%) patients. Median RS was 18 and 21 in patients without and with adjuvant chemotherapy, respectively. Factors associated with adjuvant chemotherapy use were higher T stage, poor and moderately differentiated tumors, age <40 years, care at an academic center, Caucasian race, patients undergoing mastectomy, regional lymph node surgery, and radiation therapy. Kaplan-Meier survival at 10 years was better with adjuvant chemotherapy (96.2% v 91.6%). Patients without adjuvant chemotherapy had more adverse outcomes (hazard ratio [HR], 1.683 [95% CI, 1.392 to 2.036]; P < .0001). Subgroup analysis showed that the benefit was significant in patients with RS scores 21-25 (HR, 1.953 [95% CI, 1.295 to 2.945]), ductal histology (HR, 1.521 [95% CI, 1.092 to 2.118]), Caucasian race (HR, 1.655 [95% CI, 1.180 to 2.322]), and 41-50 years age group (HR, 1.732 [95% CI, 1.244 to 2.411]). CONCLUSION: Our study showed an overall survival benefit for adjuvant chemotherapy use in patients with ER-positive, N0 premenopausal BC patients, age less than 50 years, with an intermediate RS score, particularly 21-25.

Antibody-drug conjugates: Principles and opportunities.

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are immunoconjugates that combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with a cytotoxic agent. The most appealing aspects of ADCs include their potential additive or synergistic effects of the innate backbone antibody and cytotoxic effects of the payload on tumors without the severe toxic side effects often associated with traditional chemotherapy. Recent advances in identifying new targets with tumor-specific expression, along with improved bioactive payloads and novel linkers, have significantly expanded the scope and optimism for ADCs in cancer therapeutics. In this paper, we will first provide a brief overview of antibody specificity and the structure of ADCs. Next, we will discuss the mechanisms of action and the development of resistance to ADCs. Finally, we will explore opportunities for enhancing ADC efficacy, overcoming drug resistance, and offer future perspectives on leveraging ADCs to improve the outcome of ADC therapy for cancer treatment.

A Quality Improvement Initiative for Echocardiogram Ordering Patterns in an Academic Hospital.

Background Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for echocardiography are a useful tool to deliver quality healthcare. Our quality-based interventional study was designed to assess the trends in appropriate utilization rates for echocardiography in our institution and improve adherence to the AUC criteria for transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE). Methodology A prospective, time series analysis was conducted at the Upstate University Hospital for the months of July 2019 and August 2020. A chart analysis was performed on 620 consecutive inpatients who underwent TTE for the month of July 2019. We assessed the trends of the appropriate ordering of TTEs. We then updated our order form incorporating the 42 most common appropriate indications. A post-intervention chart analysis was performed on all inpatient TTEs ordered for the month of August 2020 (n = 410). The appropriateness of the TTE for the entire group was determined based on the true indication per chart review. The primary outcome was the proportion of appropriate and inappropriate TTEs ordered. Secondary outcomes included assessing for concordance between the indication on the order requisition form and by chart review. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results Using the 2011 AUC for the entire group, 81% of the pre-intervention TTEs and 79.5% of the post-intervention TTEs were appropriate (p = 0.55). There was a statistically significant reduction in the number of discordant TTE orders before and after the intervention (p < 0.01). In addition, we noted increased appropriateness of TTEs in the concordant group both pre and post-intervention. Conclusions Our study demonstrates a significant increase in the concordance between the TTE order sheet and actual indication per chart review with the intervention. This can translate into improved scanning and physician reading quality and time, thereby increasing focus on areas of interest according to the true indication. There was no significant increase in the appropriate TTEs ordered.

A Patient-Reported Outcome-Based Comparison of Cheilectomy With and Without Proximal Phalangeal Dorsiflexion Osteotomy for Hallux Rigidus.

INTRODUCTION: This study provides the first comparison of patient-reported outcomes between isolated cheilectomy (C) and cheilectomy with Moberg (CM) osteotomy for hallux rigidus. METHODS: A single-center, retrospective registry search identified all patients with preoperative Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores who underwent cheilectomy, with and without concomitant proximal phalangeal dorsiflexion osteotomy, for hallux rigidus between January 2016 and December 2020. Because there were far fewer isolated cheilectomies (62), all C patients were compared with a commensurate number of consecutive CM cases (67) using preoperative, 1-year, and 2-year PROMIS scores for physical function, pain interference, pain intensity, global physical health, global mental health, and depression, as well as complication and revision data from a chart review. A multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to compare adjusted postoperative PROMIS scores between the 2 cohorts. RESULTS: There were no differences between groups among the demographic and preoperative variables compared. The CM cohort reported worse pain interference scores preoperatively (P < .001) and at 1 year postoperatively (P = .01). However, the C cohort reported worse pain intensity scores preoperatively (P < .001) and at 1 year postoperatively (P < .001). Adjusted postoperative PROMIS score comparison demonstrated that the CM cohort had better 1-year postoperative pain intensity scores (P < .05). However, there were no differences between cohorts for additional PROMIS scores or complications data. CONCLUSION: The addition of a Moberg osteotomy does not appear to significantly change short- to medium-term outcomes of cheilectomy for hallux rigidus treatment. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Level III: Retrospective comparative study.

Strength and Functional Outcomes Following Achilles Tendon Reconstruction With Hamstring Tendon Autograft Augmentation.

BACKGROUND: The proposed advantages of hamstring autograft reconstruction when compared to alternative procedures, such as flexor hallucis longus (FHL) transfer, V-Y lengthening, and allograft reconstruction, are improved healing and reproduction of normal tendon biomechanics and reduced morbidity within the foot and ankle. In this study, we examined the effect of Achilles tendon reconstruction using hamstring autografts on strength and functional outcomes. METHODS: Patients who underwent Achilles repair with a hamstring autograft for insertional or midsubstance tendinopathy, delayed diagnosis of rupture, or infection after primary repair were evaluated for inclusion. Forty-six patients were identified; 12 further augmented with an FHL transfer are included in the analysis. Isokinetic testing was completed with a Biodex dynamometer under supervision of a physical therapist masked to surgical side. Pre- and postoperative Foot and Ankle Outcome Scores (FAOS, before March 2016) or Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS, after March 2016) surveys were collected. RESULTS: For knee flexion, peak torque was not significantly different when comparing operative and nonoperative sides at 180 degrees/second (45.38 Nm vs 45.96 Nm; P = .69) nor at 300 degrees/second (44.2 Nm vs 47.02 Nm; P = .069). Knee extension absolute peak torque was only found to be significantly weaker on the operative side at the faster testing (75.5 Nm vs 79.56 Nm; P < .05). Peak ankle plantarflexion torque was significantly weaker on the operative side at both the slower speed (60 degrees/second: 39.9 Nm vs 48.76 Nm; P < .005) and the faster speed (120 degrees/second: 31.3 Nm vs 40.7 Nm; P < .001). Average power for ankle plantarflexion did not differ significantly from the operative side to the nonoperative side in the slower test (26.46 W vs 27.48 W; P = .60) but did significantly differ on the faster test (32.13 W vs 37.63 W; P = .041). At an average of 19.9 months postoperation, all physical function and pain-related patient-reported outcome scores showed clinically and statistically significant improvement. CONCLUSION: Achilles reconstruction with a hamstring autograft ± FHL transfer allowed patients with severe Achilles pathology to return to good subjective function, with modest deficits in calf strength compared with the uninjured side. Overall knee flexion strength did not appear impaired. These results suggest that hamstring autograft reconstruction is a viable method to treat these complex cases involving a lack of healthy tissue, allowing patients to return to symptom-free physical function and athletic activity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, case series.

Improved Dielectrically Modulated Quad Gate Schottky Barrier MOSFET Biosensor.

A novel Schottky barrier MOSFET with quad gate and with source engineering has been proposed in this work. A high-κ dielectric is used at the source side of the channel, while SiO2 is used at the drain side of the channel. To improve the carrier mobility, a SiGe pocket region is created at the source side of the channel. Physical and electrical characteristics of the proposed device are compared with conventional double gate Schottky barrier MOSFET. It has been observed that the proposed device exhibits better performance, with a higher ION/IOFF ratio and lower subthreshold slope. The high-κ dielectric, along with the SiGe pocket region, improves tunneling probability, while aluminum, along with SiO2 at the drain side, broadens the drain/channel Schottky barrier and reduces the hole tunneling probability, resulting in a reduced OFF-state current. Further, the proposed device is used as a biosensor to detect both the charged and neutral biomolecules. Biosensors are made by creating a nanocavity in the dielectric region near the source end of the channel to capture biomolecules. Biomolecules such as streptavidin, biotin, APTES, cellulose and DNA have unique dielectric constants, which modulates the electrical parameters of the device. Different electrical parameters, viz., the electric field, surface potential and drain current, are analyzed for each biomolecule. It has been observed that drain current increases with the dielectric constant of the biomolecules. Furthermore, the sensitivity and selectivity of the proposed biosensors is better than that of conventional biosensors made using double gate Schottky barrier MOSFETs. Sensitivity is almost twice that of a conventional sensor, while selectivity is six to twelve times higher than a conventional one.

Long-Segment Epidural Hemorrhage of the Cervical and Dorsal Spine: A Case Report of a Rare Complication of Dengue Virus Disease.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a severe form of dengue virus disease, characterized by minor to major bleeding, thrombocytopenia, and plasma leakage. Common hemorrhagic manifestations include epistaxis, gum bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, hypermenorrhea, and hematuria. Intracranial hemorrhage is one of the most fatal manifestations of central nervous system involvement by dengue disease which is a part of the expanded dengue syndrome. Here we present a case of A 37-year-old male patient who presented with complaints of intermittent high-grade fever and generalized weakness four days prior to consultation. Laboratory investigations revealed mild thrombocytopenia and positive dengue serology. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and spine revealed mild diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage in bilateral parieto-occipital lobes with long segment cervical and dorsal spinal epidural hemorrhage.

Descriptive Analysis and Factors Influencing Survival in Patients With Primary Cutaneous Gamma-Delta T Cell Lymphoma. A Retrospective National Cancer Database Study.

BACKGROUND: Gamma delta T cells gives rise to a rare malignancy called Primary cutaneous Gamma-Delta T cell lymphoma (PCGDTCL). METHODS: From the National Cancer Database (NCDB), 110 (0.015%) patients with PCGDTCL were identified. RESULTS: Males aged >60 years were the commonest cohort. Caucasian race was the most common (Caucasian: 79.09%, African American:16.36%). Most patients were diagnosed at stage 1 (52.33%), followed by stage 4 (30.23%). On analyzing income categories, <$48,000 group had 48.15% stage 4 (13/27) and 40.74% (11/27) stage 1. Overall survival (OS) of the study group at 3 years by Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis was 46.6%. African American race (37.5%), income of <$48,000 (27.6%) and government insurance (38.8%) had lower survival rates in KM analysis. In the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) analysis, only age <=40 years compared to >60 years (0.165 [0.036, 0.768], P= .0217) reached significance. Although the group that did not receive any chemotherapy or radiation seemed to have a better survival by KM analysis at 74.3% at 3 years, significance was not seen in the adjusted HR estimates and majority of the patients in this group were stage 1. This group may have received topical treatments which may have not been captured in NCDB. Adjusted analysis also revealed chemoradiation to have a lower mortality risk compared to chemotherapy alone (0.229 [0.079, 0.670], P = .0071), suggesting that aggressive strategies may be required for management when needed. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic disparities significantly impact access to healthcare and are of particular importance in rare lymphomas.

Molecular Targets in Salivary Gland Cancers: A Comprehensive Genomic Analysis of 118 Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma Tumors.

INTRODUCTION: Salivary gland carcinomas (SGC) are histologically diverse cancers and next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify key molecular targets is an important aspect in the management of advanced cases. METHODS: DNA was extracted from paraffin embedded tissues of advanced SGC and comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) was carried out to evaluate for base substitutions, short insertions, deletions, copy number changes, gene fusions and rearrangements. Tumor mutation burden (TMB) was calculated on approximately 1.25 Mb. Some 324 genes in the FoundationOne CDX panel were analyzed. RESULTS: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MECa) mutations were assessed. CDKN2A and CDKN2B GA were common in mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MECa) (52.5 and 30.5%). PIK3CA was also common in MECa (16.9%). ERBB2 amplification/short variants (amp/SV) were found in MECa (5.9/0%). HRAS GA was common in MECa (14.4%) as well. Other targets, including BAP1, PTEN, and KRAS, were noted but had a low incidence. In terms of immunotherapy (IO)-predictive markers, TMB > 10 was more common in MECa (16.9%). PDL1 high was also seen in MECa (4.20%). CONCLUSION: SGC are rare tumors with no FDA-approved treatment options. This large dataset reveals many opportunities for IO and targeted therapy contributing to the continuously increased precision in the selection of treatment for these patients.