Treatment challenges and outcomes of older patients with acute myeloid leukemia from India.

Globally, overall survival (OS) of older patients with AML continues to be suboptimal with very little data from India. In a multicenter registry analysis, we evaluated 712 patients with AML older than 55 years. Only 323 (45.3%) underwent further treatment, of which 239 (74%) received HMAs, and 60 (18%) received intensive chemotherapy (IC). CR was documented in 39% of those receiving IC and 42% after HMAs. Overall, 100 (31%) patients died within 60 days of diagnosis, most commonly due to progressive disease (47%) or infections (30%). After a median follow-up of 176 days, 228 (76%) of patients had discontinued treatment. At one year from diagnosis, 211 (65%) patients had died, and the median OS was 186 days (IQR, 137-234). Only 12 (3.7%) patients underwent stem cell transplantation. Survival was significantly lower for those older than 60 years (p < 0.001). Patients who died had a higher median age (p = .027) and baseline WBC counts (p = .006). Our data highlights suboptimal outcomes in older AML patients, which are evident from 55 years of age onwards, making it necessary to evaluate HMA and targeted agent combinations along with novel consolidation strategies to improve survival in this high-risk population.

Daratumumab in Indian patients with relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma: a prospective, multicenter, phase IV study.

Aim: To assess the safety and effectiveness of daratumumab monotherapy in Indian patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Methods: In this prospective, multicenter, phase IV study, patients (aged ≥18 years) received intravenous daratumumab (16 mg/kg) in six cycles. Safety was the primary end point. Results: Of the 139 patients included, 121 (87.1%) experienced ≥1 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs; 53 [38.1%] drug-related), 32 (23%) had ≥1 serious TEAEs (five [3.6%] drug-related) and 16 (11.5%) deaths were reported (one death [0.7%] was drug-related). Overall response rate was 26.3%; 62.7% of patients had stable disease. Median time to first response and median progression-free survival were 5.2 and 5.9 months, respectively. Functional status and well-being were improved. Conclusion: Daratumumab showed an acceptable and expected safety profile with consistent efficacy, providing a novel therapeutic option for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma management in India.

Daratumumab is a monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). This study evaluated the outcome of daratumumab single therapy in Indian patients who were not cured with other drugs used for the same disease. 139 adult patients were included in this study from 15 institutes across India. Daratumumab (16 mg/kg) was diluted with 500 or 1000 ml of saline solution and given slowly through the intravenous route 16-times within 6 months. The study examined whether the safety profile and benefits of daratumumab reported in Indian patients were similar to those reported in the RRMM populations of other countries. The study found that most of the adverse events were not severe and could be easily treated by the study physician. 16 patients died (one might have been due to daratumumab treatment). Daratumumab treatment provided life support and recovery benefits to many patients. Daratumumab single therapy provides an appropriate and acceptable safety profile with no new adverse events and consistent benefits in RRMM patients. Clinical Trial Registration: NCT03768960 (ClinicalTrials.gov), CTRI/2019/06/019546.

A National Cancer Grid pooled procurement initiative, India.

In health systems with little public funding and decentralized procurement processes, the pricing and quality of anti-cancer medicines directly affects access to effective anti-cancer therapy. Factors such as differential pricing, volume-dependent negotiation and reliance on low-priced generics without any evaluation of their quality can lead to supply and demand lags, high out-of-pocket expenditures for patients and poor treatment outcomes. While pooled procurement of medicines can help address some of these challenges, monitoring of the procurement process requires considerable administrative investment. Group negotiation to fix prices, issuing of uniform contracts with standardized terms and conditions, and procurement by individual hospitals also reduce costs and improve quality without significant investment. The National Cancer Grid, a network of more than 250 cancer centres in India, piloted pooled procurement to improve negotiability of high-value oncology and supportive care medicines. A total of 40 drugs were included in this pilot. The pooled demand for the drugs from 23 centres was equivalent to 15.6 billion Indian rupees (197 million United States dollars (US$)) based on maximum retail prices. The process included technical and financial evaluation followed by contracts between individual centres and the selected vendors. Savings of 13.2 billion Indian Rupees (US$ 166.7million) were made compared to the maximum retail prices. The savings ranged from 23% to 99% (median: 82%) and were more with generics than innovator and newly patented medicines. This study reveals the advantages of group negotiation in pooled procurement for high-value medicines, an approach that can be applied to other health systems.

Lorsque les systèmes de santé reçoivent peu de fonds publics et que leurs processus d'achat sont décentralisés, le prix et la qualité des médicaments contre le cancer ont un impact direct sur l'accès aux traitements efficaces contre la maladie. Des facteurs tels que l'application de prix différenciés, les négociations en fonction des volumes ainsi que la confiance placée dans des génériques bon marché dont la qualité n'a pas été évaluée peuvent entraîner des décalages entre l'offre et la demande, d'énormes dépenses non remboursables pour les patients et de piètres résultats thérapeutiques. Bien que les acquisitions groupées de médicaments puissent contribuer à résoudre certains de ces problèmes, le suivi du processus d'achat requiert un engagement considérable au niveau administratif. Les négociations collectives en vue de fixer les tarifs, l'établissement de contrats types assortis de conditions générales standardisées, mais aussi les achats effectués par des hôpitaux en particulier peuvent également faire baisser les coûts et améliorer la qualité sans nécessiter d'importants investissements. Le National Cancer Grid, un réseau réunissant plus de 250 centres d'oncologie en Inde, a testé un dispositif d'achat groupé visant à assurer une meilleure négociabilité pour des médicaments et soins de soutien essentiels contre le cancer. Au total, 40 substances ont été prises en compte dans ce projet pilote. La demande groupée en médicaments émise par 23 centres équivalait à 15,6 milliards de roupies indiennes (197 millions de dollars américains) d'après le prix maximal de vente au détail. Ce processus prévoyait une évaluation technique et financière, puis des contrats entre chaque centre et les distributeurs sélectionnés. Des économies de 13,2 milliards de roupies indiennes (166,7 millions de dollars américains) ont pu être réalisées par rapport au prix maximal de vente au détail. Ces économies étaient comprises entre 23 et 99% (médiane: 82%) et concernaient davantage les médicaments génériques que les marques et les médicaments récemment brevetés. La présente étude révèle les avantages que représentent les négociations collectives lors des achats groupés de médicaments essentiels, une approche applicable à d'autres systèmes de santé.

En los sistemas sanitarios con escasa financiación pública y procesos de adquisición descentralizados, el sistema de fijación de precios y la calidad de los medicamentos contra el cáncer afectan directamente al acceso a una terapia eficaz contra dicha enfermedad. Factores como los diferentes sistemas de determinación de precios, la negociación en función del volumen y la dependencia de genéricos de bajo precio sin evaluación de su calidad pueden generar retrasos en la oferta y la demanda, elevados gastos para los pacientes y malos resultados en el tratamiento. Aunque la adquisición conjunta de medicamentos puede ayudar a abordar algunos de estos retos, el seguimiento del proceso de adquisición requiere una inversión administrativa considerable. La negociación colectiva a la hora de determinar los precios, la emisión de contratos unificados con términos y condiciones estandarizados y la adquisición por parte de algunos hospitales también reducen los costes y mejoran la calidad sin necesidad de realizar una gran inversión. La Red Nacional de Cáncer, una red que cuenta con más de 250 centros oncológicos en la India, puso a prueba la adquisición conjunta con el fin de mejorar la negociabilidad de medicamentos oncológicos y de tratamiento complementario que resultaban costosos. En esta prueba piloto se incluyó un total de 40 medicamentos. La demanda conjunta de medicamentos por parte de 23 centros fue equivalente a 15 600 millones de rupias indias (197 millones USD) según los precios minoristas máximos. El proceso incluyó una evaluación técnica y financiera, así como contratos entre centros independientes y proveedores seleccionados. Se logró un ahorro de 13 200 millones de rupias indias (166,7 millones USD) en comparación con los precios minoristas máximos. El ahorro osciló entre el 23 y el 99% (media: 82%) y fue más alto con los medicamentos genéricos que con los de marca y los recién patentados. Este estudio pone de manifiesto las ventajas de la negociación colectiva en lo que respecta a la adquisición conjunta de medicamentos costosos, un enfoque que se puede aplicar a otros sistemas sanitarios.

Negative impact on bone homeostasis in postmenopausal women with non-metastatic breast cancer during cytotoxic chemotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: The burden and mechanisms of endocrine therapy-related bone loss are well known, while there are limited data on chemotherapy-induced bone resorption. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of cytotoxic chemotherapy on bone homeostasis among postmenopausal women with non-metastatic breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Early and locally advanced postmenopausal non-metastatic breast cancer patients aged 45 to 65 planned for three cycles of anthracycline and four cycles of taxane chemotherapy administered along with dexamethasone (cumulative dose-256 mg) as an antiemetic from June 2018 to December 2021 were included. Bone mineral density (BMD), bone turnover markers, calciotropic hormones, pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and total antioxidant levels (TAS) were measured. RESULTS: We recruited 109 patients, with early 34 (31.2%) and locally advanced breast cancer 75 (68.8%) with median age 53 (45-65) years. There was a significant decrease in the % BMD at the lumbar spine, neck of the femur, and total hip post-chemotherapy. There was a significant increase in serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) and procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) levels post-chemotherapy. PINP/CTX ratio significantly decreased post-chemotherapy. Serum 25-OH vitamin D was significantly reduced with a compensatory increase in plasma iPTH levels. The change in CTX, PINP/CTX ratio, 25-OH vitamin D, iPTH, and oxidative stress index was more pronounced during anthracycline as taxane chemotherapy. There were no significant changes in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy and dexamethasone as antiemetic resulted in significant bone loss, as evidenced by bone turnover markers. Further studies are required to understand the mechanism of chemotherapy-induced bone loss and the need for bone-strengthening agents during chemotherapy.

Quantifying a spectrum of clinical response in atrial tachyarrhythmias using spatiotemporal synchronization of electrograms.

AIMS: There is a clinical spectrum for atrial tachyarrhythmias wherein most patients with atrial tachycardia (AT) and some with atrial fibrillation (AF) respond to ablation, while others do not. It is undefined if this clinical spectrum has pathophysiological signatures. This study aims to test the hypothesis that the size of spatial regions showing repetitive synchronized electrogram (EGM) shapes over time reveals a spectrum from AT, to AF patients who respond acutely to ablation, to AF patients without acute response. METHODS AND RESULTS: We studied n = 160 patients (35% women, 65.0 ± 10.4 years) of whom (i) n = 75 had AF terminated by ablation propensity matched to (ii) n = 75 without AF termination and (iii) n = 10 with AT. All patients had mapping by 64-pole baskets to identify areas of repetitive activity (REACT) to correlate unipolar EGMs in shape over time. Synchronized regions (REACT) were largest in AT, smaller in AF termination, and smallest in non-termination cohorts (0.63 ± 0.15, 0.37 ± 0.22, and 0.22 ± 0.18, P < 0.001). Area under the curve for predicting AF termination in hold-out cohorts was 0.72 ± 0.03. Simulations showed that lower REACT represented greater variability in clinical EGM timing and shape. Unsupervised machine learning of REACT and extensive (50) clinical variables yielded four clusters of increasing risk for AF termination (P < 0.01, χ2), which were more predictive than clinical profiles alone (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The area of synchronized EGMs within the atrium reveals a spectrum of clinical response in atrial tachyarrhythmias. These fundamental EGM properties, which do not reflect any predetermined mechanism or mapping technology, predict outcome and offer a platform to compare mapping tools and mechanisms between AF patient groups.

Optimising platelet usage during the induction therapy of acute myeloid leukaemia: Impact of physician education.

INTRODUCTION: Platelet products are scarce and expensive resources to be used judiciously. However, inappropriate usage is common. Lack of physician awareness is an important issue. We implemented a physician education program (PEP) along with repeated WhatsApp reminders at our centre. We audited the platelet usage practise before and after the intervention. METHODS: Charts of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) treated between January 2020 and August 2020 was reviewed, and the mean platelet usage per patient per day was calculated. Physician education was implemented between September 2020 and December 2020 (2 PowerPoint lectures of 20 min each and weekly WhatsApp messages containing the guidelines). Data of patients treated between Jan 2021 and August 2021 was prospectively audited to understand platelet usage and the indications for transfusions. The British Committee for the Standards in Haematology (BCSH) platelet transfusion guidelines were used as the adjudication tool to evaluate compliance. The mean platelet usage per day per kg body weight of a patient before and after the PEP was compared using the t-test. RESULTS: Group A (before physician education) consisted of 22 patients, and group B (after physician education) consisted of 23 patients. The mean number of platelet transfusions for each patient in a day per kg body weight was 125.7 × 108 in group A whereas, after the PEP, it had reduced to 73.9 × 108 amounting to an absolute reduction of 51 × 108 (58.8%) from the baseline with a statistical significance of P = 0.001. After implementing the PEP, the mean number of random donor platelets used reduced by 10.25 units (34% reduction), and the mean single donor platelets used reduced by 0.83 units (19% reduction). The 190 requests for platelet transfusion received during this period were classified as appropriate (157/190), which constituted 82.63% of the requests, or inappropriate (33/190), which accounted for 17.36%. CONCLUSIONS: A short-duration education programme supplemented with weekly WhatsApp messages and an active feedback mechanism on the rationale of platelet transfusion by the treating physician and transfusion specialist could significantly reduce platelet consumption during the therapy of acute myeloid leukaemia patients. This is a measure that can be considered by all high-volume haematology centres, which can improve patient safety and reduce costs.

Quality of death: The unspoken experiences of patients with advanced cancers in India - An exploratory qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: End-of-life (EOL) care is a developing concept in India, with well-established practices in certain states like Kerala, but not in all the states. As there is a substantial stigma associated with death discussion across the Indian population, the experiences of caregivers of people with advanced cancer have not been explored. Our aim in this study was to explore the experience and perceptions of caregivers of people diagnosed with advanced cancer regarding the quality of the individuals' death. METHODS: An exploratory study where the caregivers (n = 108) of advanced cancer patients, who died either during hospitalization or at home, were interviewed to assess quality of death (QOD), using an open-ended question to explore the sufferings of the patients in the final days and caregivers' coping mechanism. RESULTS: Majority of the patients died at home (n = 79, 73.1%). The thematic analysis of the transcripts resulted in seven sub-themes, which were categorized under four major themes, namely 'bodily discomfort', 'psychological experiences' with the sub-themes resilience and existential distress, 'awareness of prognoses' with the sub-themes aware, unaware and conjecture, and 'carers coping' with the sub-themes perceived strain and contentment. CONCLUSION: Patients under EOL care experience physical and psychological suffering, as reported by the caregivers. Efforts must be undertaken to reduce suffering by means of improving focus on and strengthening symptom management and enhancing psychosocial support, for optimally utilizing the available interventions to manage the physical symptoms and to address the psychosocial issues.

Atrial fibrillation source area probability mapping using electrogram patterns of multipole catheters.

BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation therapy involving isolation of pulmonary veins (PVs) from the left atrium is performed to terminate atrial fibrillation (AF). Unfortunately, standalone PV isolation procedure has shown to be a suboptimal success with AF continuation or recurrence. One reason, especially in patients with persistent or high-burden paroxysmal AF, is known to be due to the formation of repeating-pattern AF sources with a meandering core inside the atria. However, there is a need for accurate mapping and localization of these sources during catheter ablation. METHODS: A novel AF source area probability (ASAP) mapping algorithm was developed and evaluated in 2D and 3D atrial simulated tissues with various arrhythmia scenarios and a retrospective study with three cases of clinical human AF. The ASAP mapping analyzes the electrograms collected from a multipole diagnostic catheter that is commonly used during catheter ablation procedure to intelligently sample the atria and delineate the trajectory path of a meandering repeating-pattern AF source. ASAP starts by placing the diagnostic catheter at an arbitrary location in the atria. It analyzes the recorded bipolar electrograms to build an ASAP map over the atrium anatomy and suggests an optimal location for the subsequent catheter location. ASAP then determines from the constructed ASAP map if an AF source has been delineated. If so, the catheter navigation is stopped and the algorithm provides the area of the AF source. Otherwise, the catheter is navigated to the suggested location, and the process is continued until an AF-source area is delineated. RESULTS: ASAP delineated the AF source in over 95% of the simulated human AF cases within less than eight catheter placements regardless of the initial catheter placement. The success of ASAP in the clinical AF was confirmed by the ablation outcomes and the electrogram patterns at the delineated area. CONCLUSION: Our analysis indicates the potential of the ASAP mapping to provide accurate information about the area of the meandering repeating-pattern AF sources as AF ablation targets for effective AF termination. Our algorithm could improve the success of AF catheter ablation therapy by locating and subsequently targeting patient-specific and repeating-pattern AF sources inside the atria.

Iterative navigation of multipole diagnostic catheters to locate repeating-pattern atrial fibrillation drivers.

INTRODUCTION: Targeting repeating-pattern atrial fibrillation (AF) sources (reentry or focal drivers) can help in patient-specific ablation therapy for AF; however, the development of reliable and accurate tools for locating such sources remains a major challenge. We describe iterative catheter navigation (ICAN) algorithm to locate AF drivers using a conventional circular Lasso catheter. METHODS AND RESULTS: At each step, the algorithm analyzes 10 bipolar electrograms recoded at a given catheter location and the history of previous catheter movements to determine if the source is inside the catheter loop. If not, it calculates new coordinates and selects a new position for the catheter. The process continues until a source is located. The algorithm was evaluated in a computer model of atrial tissue with various degrees of fibrosis under a broad range of arrhythmia scenarios. The latter included slow and fast reentry, macroreentry, figure-of-eight reentry, and fibrillatory conduction. Depending on the initial distance of the catheter from the source and scenario, it took about 3 to 16 steps to localize an AF source. In 94% of cases, the identified location was within 4 mm from the source, independently of the initial position of the catheter. The algorithm worked equally well in the presence of patchy fibrosis, low-voltage areas, fragmented electrograms, and dominant-frequency gradients. CONCLUSIONS: AF repeating-pattern sources can be localized using circular catheters without the need to map the entire tissue. The proposed algorithm has the potential to become a useful tool for patient-specific ablation of AF sources located outside the pulmonary veins.

Intravenous fosaprepitant for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced vomiting in children: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Fosaprepitant is a neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist, approved for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. The data on the use of fosaprepitant in children are limited and therefore we conducted a phase III randomized controlled trial. PROCEDURE: Children aged 1-12 years scheduled to receive moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy were randomly assigned to arm-A (fosaprepitant) or arm-B (placebo). Children recruited to arm-A received intravenous ondansetron plus dexamethasone followed by fosaprepitant infusion. Children recruited to arm-B received the same drugs as those given to children in arm-A, except that fosaprepitant was substituted with a placebo. Ondansetron and dexamethasone were continued for 48 hours after completion of chemotherapy. The primary end point of the study was to determine the proportion of patients who achieved a complete response (CR), defined as no vomiting, no retching, and no use of rescue medication, during the 24-120 hours (delayed phase) after administration of the last dose of chemotherapy. Secondary end points were the proportion of patients who achieved a CR during the acute phase (0-24 hours) and overall after administration of the last dose of chemotherapy. RESULTS: One-hundred-sixty-three patients were analyzed (81 in the fosaprepitant arm and 82 in the placebo arm). CR rates were significantly higher in the fosaprepitant arm compared to those in the placebo arm during the acute phase (86% vs 60%, P < 0.001), delayed phase (79% vs 51%, P < 0.001), and overall phase (70% vs 41%, P < 0.001). Three (4%) patients in the fosaprepitant arm and sixteen (20%) in the placebo arm required rescue anti-emetics (P = 0.0017). CONCLUSION: Addition of fosaprepitant to ondansetron and dexamethasone improved chemotherapy-induced vomiting control in children treated with moderately or highly emetogenic chemotherapy.

Prevalence of multi-drug resistant organisms in stool of paediatric patients with acute leukaemia and correlation with blood culture positivity: A single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in children with acute leukaemia. The present study was conducted to assess the prevalence of MDR bacteria in stool cultures of patients with acute leukaemia at presentation to the hospital. The results were then correlated with blood cultures when patients developed septicaemia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study involved analysis of case records of patients with newly diagnosed acute leukaemia less than 18 years of age treated at our centre from January 2015 to December 2015. Stool cultures were sent within 72 hr of hospital admission and blood cultures were sent when clinically indicated. MDR was defined as resistance to at least one antibiotic in three or more following antimicrobial groups: cephalosporins, ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitor, carbapenems, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides. RESULTS: The analysis included 85 patients with acute leukaemia, among whom 48 of 85 (56%) patients had positive stool cultures and 42 of 85 (50%) patients were positive for MDR bacteria. Blood cultures were positive in 13 of 48 patients (27%, seven MDR and six non-MDR) with positive stool cultures and three of 37 patients (8%, one MDR and two non-MDR) with negative stool cultures (P = 0.01). The concordance between stool and blood culture for similar organism was 61%. There were seven deaths in 48 stool culture positive patients and two deaths in 37 stool culture negative patients. CONCLUSION: This study shows the high prevalence of MDR bacteria in newly diagnosed children with acute leukaemia. Colonisation with MDR bacteria in stools is associated with increased positivity of blood cultures and mortality.

Evaluation of 122 advanced-stage cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas by comprehensive genomic profiling opens the door for new routes to targeted therapies.

BACKGROUND: The authors hypothesized that comprehensive genomic profiling of advanced-stage cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) could identify genomic-derived drug targets of therapy for patients with conventional therapy-resistant disease. METHODS: Comprehensive genomic profiling of 315 cancer genes was applied to 50 ng of DNA from 122 cSCC cases for the evaluation of all classes of genomic alterations (GAs). Clinically relevant genomic alterations (CRGAs) were defined as those identifying anticancer drugs on the market or in registered clinical trials. RESULTS: There were 21 women (17%) and 101 men (83%) with a median age of 64.9 years (range, 21-87 years). Eleven cSCC cases (9%) were histologic AJCC grade 1, 69 (57%) were grade 2, and 42 (34%) were grade 3. The primary cSCC was used for sequencing in 77 cases (63%). Metastatic lesions were sequenced in 37% of cases. There were 1120 total GAs identified (average of 9.2 GAs per tumor), with 100% of cases harboring at least 1 alteration. Of the 122 cSCCs, 107 (88%) harbored at least 1 CRGA (2.5 CRGAs per cSCC) includingNOTCH1 (43%); patched 1 (PTCH1) (11%); BRCA2 (10%); HRAS (8%); ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) (7%); erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 4 (ERBB4) (7%); neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) (7%); erb-B2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2) (6%); phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase, catalytic subunit alpha (PIK3CA) (6%); cyclin D1 (CCND1) (6%); epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (5%); and F-box and WD repeat domain containing 7, E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (FBXW7) (5%). CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, approximately 88% of patients with cSCC were found to harbor clinically relevant GAs that have the potential to guide the treatment of patients with advanced-stage tumors with targeted therapeutic agents. Cancer 2016;122:249-257. © 2015 American Cancer Society.

Phase I clinical trial of lenalidomide in combination with sorafenib in patients with advanced cancer.

BACKGROUND: Preclinical data have shown that lenalidomide and sorafenib target endothelial cells, inhibiting growth of ocular melanoma cells in a xenograft model. We conducted a Phase I study of lenalidomide and sorafenib in patients with advanced cancer. METHODS: During the escalation phase, lenalidomide (days 1-21) and sorafenib (days 1-28) were given orally once daily at the following respective doses: level 1 (10 mg, 200 mg); level 2 (10 mg, 400 mg); level 3 (20 mg, 400 mg); and level 4 (25 mg, 400 mg) (1 cycle = 28 days). A "3 + 3" study design was used. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were treated (median age: 50 years). The most common diagnoses were adenoid cystic carcinoma (N = 9), ovarian adenocarcinoma (N = 7), and melanoma (N = 6); 142 cycles (median: 3) were administered. No dose-limiting toxicities were noted. The maximum tested dose (dose level 4) was used in the expansion phase. Grade 3-4 treatment-related toxicities were neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, skin rash, and thromboembolism. Of 38 patients who were evaluable for response, stable disease (SD) was noted in 53 % of patients (SD ≥6 months: 16 %). Tumor types with SD ≥ 6 months were as follows: ocular melanoma, 2/2 (100 %); other melanoma, 1/4 (25 %); adenoid cystic carcinoma, 2/9 (22 %); and ovarian cancer, 1/6 (17 %). The median progression-free survival duration was 3.5 months (95 % CI, 1.9-5.0), and the median overall survival duration was 12.3 months (95 % CI, 10.1-14.5). CONCLUSIONS: Lenalidomide and sorafenib was well tolerated and associated with disease stabilization for ≥6 months in patients with melanoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, and ovarian adenocarcinoma.

Spatially Conserved Spiral Wave Activity During Human Atrial Fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in the world and increases the risk for stroke and morbidity. During atrial fibrillation, the electric activation fronts are no longer coherently propagating through the tissue and, instead, show rotational activity, consistent with spiral wave activation, focal activity, collision, or partial versions of these spatial patterns. An unexplained phenomenon is that although simulations of cardiac models abundantly demonstrate spiral waves, clinical recordings often show only intermittent spiral wave activity. METHODS: In silico data were generated using simulations in which spiral waves were continuously created and annihilated and in simulations in which a spiral wave was intermittently trapped at a heterogeneity. Clinically, spatio-temporal activation maps were constructed using 60 s recordings from a 64 electrode catheter within the atrium of N=34 patients (n=24 persistent atrial fibrillation). The location of clockwise and counterclockwise rotating spiral waves was quantified and all intervals during which these spiral waves were present were determined. For each interval, the angle of rotation as a function of time was computed and used to determine whether the spiral wave returned in step or changed phase at the start of each interval. RESULTS: In both simulations, spiral waves did not come back in phase and were out of step." In contrast, spiral waves returned in step in the majority (68%; P=0.05) of patients. Thus, the intermittently observed rotational activity in these patients is due to a temporally and spatially conserved spiral wave and not due to ones that are newly created at the onset of each interval. CONCLUSIONS: Intermittency of spiral wave activity represents conserved spiral wave activity of long, but interrupted duration or transient spiral activity, in the majority of patients. This finding could have important ramifications for identifying clinically important forms of atrial fibrillation and in guiding treatment.

Assessment of novel prognostic biomarkers to predict pathological complete response in patients with non-metastatic triple-negative breast cancer using a window of opportunity design.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) includes approximately 20% of all breast cancer and is characterized by its aggressive nature, high recurrence rates, and visceral metastasis. Pathological complete response (pCR) is an established surrogate endpoint for survival. The window of opportunity studies provide valuable information on the disease biology prior to definitive treatment. Objectives: To study the association of dynamic change in pathological, imagining, and genomic biomarkers that can prognosticate pCR. The study aims to develop a composite prognostic score. Design: Clinical, interventional, and prognostic biomarker study using the novel window of opportunity design. Methods: The study aims to enroll 80 treatment-naïve, pathologically confirmed TNBC patients, administering a single dose of paclitaxel and carboplatin during the window period before neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Tumor tissue will be obtained through a tru-cut biopsy, and positron emission tomography and computed tomography scans will be performed for each patient at two time points aiming to evaluate biomarker alterations. This will be followed by the administration of standard dose-dense NACT containing anthracyclines and taxanes, with the study culminating in surgery to assess pCR. Results: The study would develop a composite prognostic risk score derived from the dynamic change in the Ki-67, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, Standardized Uptake Value (SUV max), Standardized Uptake Value for lean body mass (SUL max), and gene expression level pre- and post-intervention during the window period prior to the start of definitive treatment. This outcome will aid in categorizing the disease biology into risk categories. Trial registration: The current study is approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee [Ethics: Protocol. no. JIP/IEC/2020/019]. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov [CTRI Registration: CTRI/2022/06/043109]. Conclusion: The validated biomarker score will help to personalize NACT protocols in patients in TNBC planned for definitive treatment.

Precision in action: unveiling predictive biomarkers for enhanced TNBC treatment We are investigating new ways to predict how well a particular treatment will work in patients with a specific type of breast cancer called triple-negative breast cancer. The study goal is to find biomarkers that change in response to drugs to predict the complete elimination of cancer in patients before it spreads to other parts of the body. To do this, we are using a special research approach called a 'window of opportunity design.' This information could be valuable in personalizing and improving cancer treatments.

Prognostic Factors and Outcomes of Early-Stage Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Multi-Institutional Data From South India.

Early-stage Hodgkin's lymphoma (ESHL) is highly curable, usually with a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. Real-world data may show differences in survival and prognostic factors when compared to clinical trials. There is limited published literature on ESHL from India. The data on the baseline characters, treatment, and outcomes of patients with ESHL (stage IA, IB, and IIA) were obtained from five institutions' medical records and entered in a common database. Event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using the Kaplan Meier method, and cox-regression analysis was used to identify prognostic factors. There were 258 patients [median age was 37 (18-75) years; [males:160 (62%); stage I: 41%; B symptoms: 17 (6%); bulky disease:19 (15%)] treated between 2000 and 2020 who were evaluable. The common chemotherapies used were ABVD [N = 180 (70%)], COPP-ABVD hybrid [N = 52 (21%)], and COPP [N = 14 (5%)]. Median number of cycles were 4 (2-8) and 93 (47%) received radiation at end of treatment. After a median follow-up of 60 months, the 5 years EFS was 87% and OS was 92%. On multivariate analysis, the following factors adversely affected the EFS: Male gender [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.23, P = 0.02] and Hemoglobin < 10.5g/dL [hazard ration (HR) = 2.20, P = 0.02], and the following adversely affected the OS: Hemoglobin < 10.5g/dL [hazard ratio (HR) = 4.05, P = 0.001], Male gender [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.59, P = 0.004], Stage 2 [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.65, P = 0.002] and ECOG PS (2-3) [hazard ratio (HR) = 3.35, P = 0.01]. Using the hemoglobin, stage and gender a 3-item prognostic score could identify patients with very good outcomes (score 0; 5 years OS:100%) and poor outcomes (score 3; 5 years OS; 49%). This is one of the first multi-center real-world data exclusively focusing on ESHL from India. Though the survival of the entire population was good, there are subsets of patients who have poor outcomes, which may be identified using simple parameters. These parameters need validation in a larger dataset. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12288-023-01692-9.

Role of CYFRA 21-1 and CEA as prognostic and predictive markers in locally advanced and metastatic gastric carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Tumor-associated serum markers have demonstrated predictive and prognostic value in patients being treated for malignancies. However, the clinical importance of tumor markers in gastric cancers (GC) is poorly standardized. OBJECTIVES: The objective is to assess the clinical utility of cytokeratin-19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as serum tumor markers in advanced GC. METHODS: In this prospective study, CYFRA 21-1 and CEA levels were measured at baseline and after three cycles of chemotherapy in patients with advanced GC. The association of tumor marker levels with prognosis and decline of tumor markers with radiological overall response rates (ORR) and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: In the 105 patients, the proportion of patients with elevated baseline CYFRA 21-1 and CEA levels was 55% (N = 58) and 37% (N = 39) based on predefined cutoffs. Response assessment was done for 61 patients who received a minimum of three cycles of chemotherapy. A 15% and 13% reduction of serum levels from baseline for CYFRA 21-1 and CEA were selected for defining "CYFRA 21-1 response" and "CEA-response," respectively. Both responses were significant predictors of radiological ORR. The median overall survival (OS) was 9.6 months in the entire cohort and 13 months for patients who received at least three cycles of chemotherapy. In multivariate analysis, baseline CEA levels and ECOG status were significant predictors of OS. In a subset analysis of patients receiving palliative chemotherapy, any of the tumor marker responses predicted improved 1-year OS. CONCLUSION: In advanced GC, CYFRA 21-1 and CEA decline from baseline appeared to be reliable surrogate markers of chemotherapy efficacy and improved survival.

Adolescent and Young Adults with Gastric Cancer (AYA-GC)-The Dilemma of an Under-Represented Group: A Multi-Institutional Analysis from the Indian Subcontinent.

Soumya Surath PandaGastric cancer (GC) is often ignored at a young age, which frequently leads to tragic consequences. The worldwide incidence of GC is increasing at a young age. In view of the limited Indian publication, we sought to characterize clinicopathological parameters and risk factors in the adolescents and young adults (AYA) population. Retrospective data from six centers (which are part of the Network of Oncology Clinical Trials in India) from 2015 to 2020 were collected from patient (18-39 years of age) records. This study was approved by the institutional ethical committee of individual centers. All statistical analyses were performed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS (Version 20). Data interpretation along with the analysis of obtained results was carried out using the following tests: Qualitative data was expressed in terms of frequency/percentage. One-hundred fifty-two AYA GC patients were enrolled. The 31 to 39 years age group was most affected in which 76.3% were females. The majority of patients were nonalcoholic (93.4%), nonsmokers (98.0%), and without a family history (98.0%). The most common (MC) presenting symptom was abdominal pain (67.1%). MC site was antrum (48%). Among esophagogastric junction cancers, the majority were type I and II Siewert classifications (77% [20/26] patients in cardia), MC histology-signet ring cell (67.1%) followed by diffuse-type (65.1%). Most were poorly differentiated (65.1%) and were diagnosed at an advanced stage (III & IV= 54.6%). This is one of our country's first large multicenter studies on GC in the AYA population. There was a higher female prevalence, aggressive tumor behavior and the majority of patients were diagnosed at a more advanced stage. The majority were nonsmokers with a negative family history. Awareness among general people, researchers, clinicians, and policymakers must be improved to better the loss of life years in the younger population.