Patient and caregiver agreement on prognosis estimates for older adults with advanced cancer.

BACKGROUND: Disagreements between patients and caregivers about treatment benefits, care decisions, and patients' health are associated with increased patient depression as well as increased caregiver anxiety, distress, depression, and burden. Understanding the factors associated with disagreement may inform interventions to improve the aforementioned outcomes. METHODS: For this analysis, baseline data were obtained from a cluster-randomized geriatric assessment trial that recruited patients aged ≥70 years who had incurable cancer from community oncology practices (University of Rochester Cancer Center 13070; Supriya G. Mohile, principal investigator). Patient and caregiver dyads were asked to estimate the patient's prognosis. Response options were 0 to 6 months, 7 to 12 months, 1 to 2 years, 2 to 5 years, and >5 years. The dependent variable was categorized as exact agreement (reference), patient-reported longer estimate, or caregiver-reported longer estimate. The authors used generalized estimating equations with multinomial distribution to examine the factors associated with patient-caregiver prognostic estimates. Independent variables were selected using the purposeful selection method. RESULTS: Among 354 dyads (89% of screened patients were enrolled), 26% and 22% of patients and caregivers, respectively, reported a longer estimate. Compared with dyads that were in agreement, patients were more likely to report a longer estimate when they screened positive for polypharmacy (ß = 0.81; P = .001), and caregivers reported greater distress (ß = 0.12; P = .03). Compared with dyads that were in agreement, caregivers were more likely to report a longer estimate when patients screened positive for polypharmacy (ß = 0.82; P = .005) and had lower perceived self-efficacy in interacting with physicians (ß = -0.10; P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Several patient and caregiver factors were associated with patient-caregiver disagreement about prognostic estimates. Future studies should examine the effects of prognostic disagreement on patient and caregiver outcomes.

Multimedia psychoeducation for patients with cancer who are eligible for clinical trials: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Supporting patients' decision making about clinical trials may enhance trial participation. To date, few theory-based interventions have been tested to address this issue. The objective of the current study was aimed to evaluate the effect of a multimedia psychoeducation (MP) intervention, relative to a print education (PE) intervention, on patients' decision support needs and attitudes about clinical trials. METHODS: Patients with cancer who were eligible for participation in a National Cancer Institute therapeutic cancer clinical trial were recruited through the nationwide University of Rochester Cancer Center National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program from 2014 to 2016 and were randomized to the MP or PE intervention. Assessments at baseline (before intervention), postintervention, and at a 2-month follow-up visit included patients' decision support needs, attitudes regarding clinical trials, and clinical trial participation. RESULTS: In total, 418 patients with various types of cancer were recruited (ages 26-89 years). Relative to the PE intervention, the MP intervention did not significantly affect decision support needs. However, patients in the MP arm reported significantly more positive attitudes about clinical trials and were more likely to participate in a clinical trial than those in the PE arm (69% vs 62%; P = .01). Furthermore, an improvement in attitudes about clinical trials significantly mediated the effect of the intervention on participation in clinical trials. CONCLUSIONS: The MP intervention was able to improve patient attitudes toward clinical trials compared with the PE intervention, and this improvement led to increased rates of participation in trials. The MP intervention could be disseminated to improve attitudes about clinical trials among patients with cancer.

Extending venous thromboembolism secondary prevention with apixaban in cancer patients. The EVE trial.

BACKGROUND: Cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) management guideline recommendations include continued therapeutic anticoagulation while active cancer persists. The Federal Drug Administration label for apixaban for secondary VTE prevention includes a dose reduction to 2.5 mg twice daily after 6 months of treatment. OBJECTIVES: The study's purpose was to determine whether this dose reduction is advisable for cancer-associated VTE. METHODS: A randomized, double-blind trial compared apixaban 2.5 mg with 5 mg twice daily for 12 months among cancer patients with VTE who had completed 6 to 12 months of anticoagulation therapy. The primary outcome was combined major bleeding plus clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding. RESULTS: Of 370 patients recruited, 360 were included in the intention-to-treat analyses. Major plus clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding occurred in 16 of 179 patients (8.9%) in the apixaban 2.5 mg group compared with 22 of 181 patients (12.2%) in the 5 mg group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.72; 95% CI, 0.38-1.37; P = .39). Major bleeding occurred in 2.8% of the apixaban 2.5 mg group and in 2.2% of the 5 mg group (HR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.34-4.66; P = .73). Recurrent VTE or arterial thrombosis occurred in 9 of 179 patients (5.0%) in the apixaban 2.5 mg group and 9 of 181 patients (5.0%) in the 5 mg group (HR, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.40-2.53; P = 1.00). All-cause mortality rates were similar between groups, 13% vs 12% (HR, 1.14; 95% CI, 0.63-2.04; P = .67). CONCLUSION: For secondary prevention of cancer-associated VTE, apixaban 2.5 mg compared with 5 mg twice daily did not lower combined bleeding events (EVE trial NCT03080883).

Characteristics of Health Care Settings Where Adolescents and Young Adults Receive Care for ALL.

PURPOSE: Individuals diagnosed with cancer between 15 and 39 years (adolescent and young adult [AYA]) face unique vulnerability. Detail is lacking about care delivery for these patients, especially those with ALL. We address these knowledge gaps by describing AYA ALL care delivery details at National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) (sub)affiliates by model of care. METHODS: Participating institutions treated at least one AYA with ALL from 2012 to 2016. Study-specific criteria were used to determine the number of unique clinical facilities (CFs) per NCORP and their model of care (adult/internal medicine [IM], pediatric, mixed [both]). Surveys completed by NCORPs for each CF by model of care captured size, resources, services, and communication. RESULTS: Among 84 participating CFs (adult/IM, n=47; pediatric, n=15; mixed, n=24), 34% treated 5-10 AYAs with ALL annually; adult/IM CFs more often treated <5 (adult/IM, 60%; pediatric, 40%; mixed, 29%). Referral decisions were commonly driven by an age/diagnosis combination (58%), with frequent ALL-specific age minimums (87%) or maximums (80%). Medical, navigational, and social work services were similar across models while psychology was available at more pediatric CFs (pediatric, 80%; adult/IM, 40%; mixed, 46%-54%). More pediatric or mixed CFs reported oncologists interacting with pediatric/adult counterparts via tumor boards (pediatric, 93%; adult/IM, 26%; mixed, 96%) or initiating contact (pediatric, 100%; adult/IM, 77%; mixed 96%); more pediatric CFs reported an affiliated counterpart (pediatric, 53%; adult, 19%). Most CFs reported no AYA-specific resources (79%) or meetings (83%-98%). CONCLUSION: System-level aspects of AYA ALL care delivery have not been examined previously. At NCORPs, these characteristics differ by models of care. Additional work is ongoing to investigate the impact of these facility-level factors on guideline-concordant care in this population. Together, these findings can inform a system-level intervention for diverse practice settings.

Sequencing systemic therapies in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Men with prostate cancer will not die of the disease until it progresses to the metastatic castration resistant stage. At that stage, the median survival is 9 to 30 months. METHODS: Recently approved and emerging treatments for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) were reviewed based on their mechanisms of action, as well as sequencing and combining these treatments with existing options. RESULTS: Advances in androgen deprivation therapy, immunotherapy, bone-targeted therapy, and chemotherapy have led to approvals of abiraterone acetate, sipuleucel-T, denosumab, and cabazitaxel for the treatment of mCRPC. Despite improvements in patient survival and quality of life, mCRPC remains incurable. CONCLUSIONS: With the emerging new therapies, this is an unprecedented time in treating mCRPC. A better understanding of their mechanisms of action, the genetic makeup of each mCRPC, and the development of new prognostic and predictive biomarkers will help determine sequencing or different combination treatments for each individual patient.

Modifiable fall risk factors among older adults with advanced cancer: Secondary analysis of a cluster-randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Older adults with cancer have unique fall risk factors related to their disease and treatment such as polypharmacy and neurotoxic treatments. In this secondary analysis, we identified modifiable risk factors associated with future falls among older adults with advanced cancers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were from the COACH study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02107443; PI: Mohile). Patients were age ≥ 70, had stage III/IV solid tumor or lymphoma, ≥1 geriatric assessment impairment, and were receiving palliative intent treatment. Falls were self-reported at baseline (in the past six months), four to six weeks, three months, and six months. We generated inverse probability weights to account for mortality-related loss to follow-up and applied these in generalized linear mixed models to estimate incidence rate ratios. RESULTS: Of 541 patients (mean age: 77, standard deviation [SD]: 5.27), 140 (26%) reported prior falls at baseline, and 467 (86%) had falls data for ≥1 follow-up timepoint. Of those, 103 (22%) reported at least one fall during the follow-up period, and 112 (24%) had incomplete follow-up due to death. In fully adjusted models, prior falls and impaired Timed Up and Go score were associated with higher incidence of falls over 6 months. DISCUSSION: We identified several potentially modifiable fall risk factors in older adults with advanced cancers. Future studies should consider ways to integrate fall risk assessment into ongoing cancer care and intervene to reduce falls in this population.

Health-related quality of life and vulnerability among people with myelodysplastic syndromes: a US national study.

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and vulnerability are variably affected in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and other cytopenic states; however, the heterogeneity of these diseases has limited our understanding of these domains. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-sponsored MDS Natural History Study is a prospective cohort enrolling patients undergoing workup for suspected MDS in the setting of cytopenias. Untreated patients undergo bone marrow assessment with central histopathology review for assignment as MDS, MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS), acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with <30% blasts, or "At-Risk." HRQoL data are collected at enrollment, including the MDS-specific Quality of Life in Myelodysplasia Scale (QUALMS). Vulnerability is assessed with the Vulnerable Elders Survey. Baseline HRQoL scores from 449 patients with MDS, MDS/MPN, AML <30%, ICUS or At-Risk were similar among diagnoses. In MDS, HRQoL was worse for vulnerable participants (eg, mean Patent-Reported Outcomes Management Information Systems [PROMIS] Fatigue of 56.0 vs 49.5; P < .001) and those with worse prognosis (eg, mean Euroqol-5 Dimension-5 Level [EQ-5D-5L] of 73.4, 72.7, and 64.1 for low, intermediate, and high-risk disease; P = .005). Among vulnerable MDS participants, most had difficulty with prolonged physical activity (88%), such as walking a quarter mile (74%). These data suggest that cytopenias leading to MDS evaluation are associated with similar HRQoL, regardless of eventual diagnosis, but with worse HRQoL among the vulnerable. Among those with MDS, lower-risk disease was associated with better HRQoL, but the relationship was lost among the vulnerable, showing for the first time that vulnerability trumps disease risk in affecting HRQoL. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02775383.

Discordant pathologic diagnoses of myelodysplastic neoplasms and their implications for registries and therapies.

Myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) are a collection of hematopoietic disorders with widely variable prognoses and treatment options. Accurate pathologic diagnoses present challenges because of interobserver variability in interpreting morphology and quantifying dysplasia. We compared local clinical site diagnoses with central, adjudicated review from 918 participants enrolled in the ongoing National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National MDS Natural History Study, a prospective observational cohort study of participants with suspected MDS or MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Locally, 264 (29%) were diagnosed as having MDS, 15 (2%) MDS/MPN overlap, 62 (7%) idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS), 0 (0%) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with <30% blasts, and 577 (63%) as other. Approximately one-third of cases were reclassified after central review, with 266 (29%) diagnosed as MDS, 45 (5%) MDS/MPN overlap, 49 (5%) ICUS, 15 (2%) AML with <30%, and 543 (59%) as other. Site miscoding errors accounted for more than half (53%) of the local misdiagnoses, leaving a true misdiagnosis rate of 15% overall, 21% for MDS. Therapies were reported in 37% of patients, including 43% of patients with MDS, 49% of patients with MDS/MPN, and 86% of patients with AML with <30% blasts. Treatment rates were lower (25%) in cases with true discordance in diagnosis compared with those for whom local and central diagnoses agreed (40%), and receipt of inappropriate therapy occurred in 7% of misdiagnosed cases. Discordant diagnoses were frequent, which has implications for the accuracy of study-related and national registries and can lead to inappropriate therapy. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT05074550.

Completion of Patient-Reported Outcome Questionnaires Among Older Adults with Advanced Cancer.

CONTEXT: Systematic collection of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) reduces symptom burden and improves quality of life. The ability of older adults to complete PROs, however, has not been thoroughly studied. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether older adults with advanced cancer received assistance completing PROs, the nature of the assistance, the factors associated with receiving assistance, and how the prevalence of assistance changed over time. METHODS: Data were obtained from a multisite cluster randomized controlled study of geriatric assessment (Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02107443). Adults ≥70 years with advanced cancer completed multiple PROs at 4 time points (enrollment, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months). Factors associated with receipt of assistance were assessed with bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The study included 541 adults (range 70-96 years, 49% female, mixed incurable cancer diagnoses). Twenty-eight percent (153/541) received assistance completing PROs. Of these, 42% received assistance from caregivers, 37% from research staff, and 15% from both. Factors associated with receiving assistance included older age [Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 3.71, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.03-13.38], lower education level (3.92, 2.11-7.29), impaired cognition (1.90, 1.23-2.93), impaired functional status (2.16, 1.33-3.52), and impaired hearing (1.38, 1.05-1.80). Eighty percent of individuals who received assistance were identified at study initiation. Receiving assistance decreased over time from 28% to 18%, partially due to drop-outs. CONCLUSION: Over a quarter of older adults with advanced cancer in this study received assistance completing PROs. Completing PROs is a key aspect of many clinical programs and cancer trials; assistance in completing PROs should be offered and provided.

Association of Prognostic Understanding With Health Care Use Among Older Adults With Advanced Cancer: A Secondary Analysis of a Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: A poor prognostic understanding regarding curability is associated with lower odds of hospice use among patients with cancer. However, the association between poor prognostic understanding or prognostic discordance and health care use among older adults with advanced incurable cancers is not well characterized. Objective: To evaluate the association of poor prognostic understanding and patient-oncologist prognostic discordance with hospitalization and hospice use among older adults with advanced cancers. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a post hoc secondary analysis of a cluster randomized clinical trial that recruited patients from October 29, 2014, to April 28, 2017. Data were collected from community oncology practices affiliated with the University of Rochester Cancer Center National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program. The parent trial enrolled 541 patients who were aged 70 years or older and were receiving or considering any line of cancer treatment for incurable solid tumors or lymphomas; the patients' oncologists and caregivers (if available) were also enrolled. Patients were followed up for at least 1 year. Data were analyzed from January 3 to 16, 2021. Main Outcomes and Measures: At enrollment, patients and oncologists were asked about their beliefs regarding cancer curability (100%, >50%, 50%, <50%, and 0%; answers other than 0% reflected poor prognostic understanding) and life expectancy (≤6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years, 2-5 years, and >5 years; answers of >5 years reflected poor prognostic understanding). Any difference between oncologist and patient in response options was considered discordant. Outcomes were any hospitalization and hospice use at 6 months captured by the clinical research associates. Results: Among the 541 patients, the mean (SD) age was 76.6 (5.2) years, 264 of 540 (49%) were female, and 486 of 540 (90%) were White. Poor prognostic understanding regarding curability was reported for 59% (206 of 348) of patients, and poor prognostic understanding regarding life expectancy estimates was reported for 41% (205 of 496) of patients. Approximately 60% (202 of 336) of patient-oncologist dyads were discordant regarding curability, and 72% (356 of 492) of patient-oncologist dyads were discordant regarding life expectancy estimates. Poor prognostic understanding regarding life expectancy estimates was associated with lower odds of hospice use (adjusted odds ratio, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.16-0.59). Discordance regarding life expectancy estimates was associated with greater odds of hospitalization (adjusted odds ratio, 1.64; 95% CI, 1.01-2.66). Conclusions and Relevance: This study highlights different constructs of prognostic understanding and the need to better understand the association between prognostic understanding and health care use among older adult patients with advanced cancer. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02107443.

Randomized, Phase II Study Prospectively Evaluating Treatment of Metastatic Esophageal, Gastric, or Gastroesophageal Cancer by Gene Expression of ERCC1: SWOG S1201.

PURPOSE: Platinum-based therapy is the standard of care in patients who have HER2-negative, advanced esophagogastric cancer (AEGC). Retrospective data suggest that intratumoral ERCC1 levels may determine platinum sensitivity. A randomized, phase II study was performed in patients with AEGC to explore whether the efficacy of a platinum-based therapy with fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) versus a non-platinum-containing regimen of irinotecan and docetaxel (IT) differed according to ERCC1 levels. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Overall, 202 untreated patients with HER2-negative AEGC and a Zubrod performance status of 0-1 were evaluated prospectively for mRNA expression of ERCC1 level and then randomly assigned to FOLFOX or IT, stratified by the intratumoral statuses of ERCC1 low (< 1.7) or high (≥ 1.7). Objectives were to assess progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in all patients treated with FOLFOX compared with IT, stratified by low and high ERCC1 levels, and to assess for interactive effects between ERCC1 expression and treatment arm. RESULTS: Eighty-six percent of patients had ERCC1 values < 1.7. Thus, evaluation of the ERCC1-high subgroup was limited. Grade ≥ 3 anemia, dehydration, diarrhea, and fatigue were greater in patients with IT. Occurrences of grade ≥ 3 neuropathy and decreased neutrophils were greater in patients with FOLFOX. In all patients, FOLFOX had a statistically superior median PFS compared with IT (5.7 v 2.9 months; hazard ratio, 0.68; P = .02). In patients with ERCC1 levels < 1.7 receiving FOLFOX, PFS and response rate were statistically superior to IT, with no significant difference in OS. CONCLUSION: The evaluation of ERCC1 in patients with upper GI tumors was thwarted by an overwhelming predominance of low ERCC1 mRNA expression. Nonetheless, distribution of treatment effects on PFS did not vary with expression. For all patients and for those with low ERCC1 expression, FOLFOX was superior in efficacy to IT.

Phase II Study of Immunotherapy With Tecemotide and Bevacizumab After Chemoradiation in Patients With Unresectable Stage III Non-Squamous Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer (NS-NSCLC): A Trial of the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (E6508).

INTRODUCTION: Although chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the standard of care for patients with unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer (LA-NSCLC), most patients relapse. Tecemotide is a MUC1 antigen-specific cancer immunotherapy vaccine. Bevacizumab improves survival in advanced nonsquamous (NS)-NSCLC and has a role in immune modulation. This phase II trial tested the combination of tecemotide and bevacizumab following CRT in patients with LA-NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Subjects with stage III NS-NSCLC suitable for CRT received carboplatin/paclitaxel weekly + 66 Gy followed by 2 cycles of consolidation carboplatin/paclitaxel ≤ 4 weeks of completion of CRT (Step 1). Patients with partial response/stable disease after consolidation therapy were registered onto step 2, which was 6 weekly tecemotide injections followed by every 6 weekly injections and bevacizumab every 3 weeks for up to 34 doses. The primary endpoint was to determine the safety of this regimen. RESULTS: Seventy patients were enrolled; 68 patients (median age, 63 years; 56% male; 57% stage IIIA) initiated therapy, but only 39 patients completed CRT and consolidation therapy per protocol, primarily owing to disease progression or toxicity. Thirty-three patients (median age, 61 years; 58% male; 61% stage IIIA) were registered to step 2 (tecemotide + bevacizumab). The median number of step 2 cycles received was 11 (range, 2-25). Step 2 worst toxicity included grade 3, N = 9; grade 4, N = 1; and grade 5, N = 1. Grade 5 toxicity in step 2 was esophageal perforation attributed to bevacizumab. Among the treated and eligible patients (n = 32) who were treated on step 2, the median overall survival was 42.7 months (95% confidence interval, 21.7-63.3 months), and the median progression-free survival was 14.9 months (95% confidence interval, 11.0-20.9 months) from step 1 registration. CONCLUSIONS: This cooperative group trial met its endpoint, demonstrating tolerability of bevacizumab + tecemotide after CRT and consolidation. In this selected group of patients, the median progression-free survival and overall survival are encouraging. Given that consolidation immunotherapy is now a standard of care following CRT in patients with LA-NSCLC, these results support a role for continued investigation of antiangiogenic and immunotherapy combinations in LA-NSCLC.

Communication With Older Patients With Cancer Using Geriatric Assessment: A Cluster-Randomized Clinical Trial From the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program.

Importance: Older patients with cancer and their caregivers worry about the effects of cancer treatment on aging-related domains (eg, function and cognition). Quality conversations with oncologists about aging-related concerns could improve patient-centered outcomes. A geriatric assessment (GA) can capture evidence-based aging-related conditions associated with poor clinical outcomes (eg, toxic effects) for older patients with cancer. Objective: To determine whether providing a GA summary and GA-guided recommendations to oncologists can improve communication about aging-related concerns. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cluster-randomized clinical trial enrolled 541 participants from 31 community oncology practices within the University of Rochester National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program from October 29, 2014, to April 28, 2017. Patients were aged 70 years or older with an advanced solid malignant tumor or lymphoma who had at least 1 impaired GA domain; patients chose 1 caregiver to participate. The primary outcome was assessed on an intent-to-treat basis. Interventions: Oncology practices were randomized to receive either a tailored GA summary with recommendations for each enrolled patient (intervention) or alerts only for patients meeting criteria for depression or cognitive impairment (usual care). Main Outcomes and Measures: The predetermined primary outcome was patient satisfaction with communication about aging-related concerns (modified Health Care Climate Questionnaire [score range, 0-28; higher scores indicate greater satisfaction]), measured after the first oncology visit after the GA. Secondary outcomes included the number of aging-related concerns discussed during the visit (from content analysis of audiorecordings), quality of life (measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy scale for patients and the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey for caregivers), and caregiver satisfaction with communication about aging-related patient concerns. Results: A total of 541 eligible patients (264 women, 276 men, and 1 patient did not provide data; mean [SD] age, 76.6 [5.2] years) and 414 caregivers (310 women, 101 men, and 3 caregivers did not provide data; mean age, 66.5 [12.5] years) were enrolled. Patients in the intervention group were more satisfied after the visit with communication about aging-related concerns (difference in mean score, 1.09 points; 95% CI, 0.05-2.13 points; P = .04); satisfaction with communication about aging-related concerns remained higher in the intervention group over 6 months (difference in mean score, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.04-2.16; P = .04). There were more aging-related conversations in the intervention group's visits (difference, 3.59; 95% CI, 2.22-4.95; P < .001). Caregivers in the intervention group were more satisfied with communication after the visit (difference, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.12-1.98; P = .03). Quality of life outcomes did not differ between groups. Conclusions and Relevance: Including GA in oncology clinical visits for older adults with advanced cancer improves patient-centered and caregiver-centered communication about aging-related concerns. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02107443.

Quality of Life of Caregivers of Older Patients with Advanced Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the relationships between aging-related domains captured by geriatric assessment (GA) for older patients with advanced cancer and caregivers' emotional health and quality of life (QOL). DESIGN: In this cross sectional study of baseline data from a nationwide investigation of older patients and their caregivers, patients completed a GA that included validated tests to evaluate eight domains of health (eg, function, cognition). SETTING: Thirty-one community oncology practices throughout the United States. PARTICIPANTS: Enrolled patients were aged 70 and older, had one or more GA domain impaired, and had an incurable solid tumor malignancy or lymphoma. Each could choose one caregiver to enroll. MEASUREMENTS: Caregivers completed the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Distress Thermometer, Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (depression), and Short Form Health Survey-12 (SF-12 for QOL). Separate multivariate linear or logistic regression models were used to examine the association of the number and type of patient GA impairments with caregiver outcomes, controlling for patient and caregiver covariates. RESULTS: A total of 541 patients were enrolled, 414 with a caregiver. Almost half (43.5%) of the caregivers screened positive for distress, 24.4% for anxiety, and 18.9% for depression. Higher numbers of patient GA domain impairments were associated with caregiver depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.29; P < .001], caregiver physical health on SF-12 (regression coefficient [ß] = -1.24; P < .001), and overall caregiver QOL (ß = -1.14; P < .01). Impaired patient function was associated with lower caregiver QOL (ß = -4.11; P < .001). Impaired patient nutrition was associated with caregiver depression (aOR = 2.08; P < .01). Lower caregiver age, caregiver comorbidity, and patient distress were also associated with worse caregiver outcomes. CONCLUSION: Patient GA impairments were associated with poorer emotional health and lower QOL of caregivers. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:969-977, 2019.

The National MDS Natural History Study: design of an integrated data and sample biorepository to promote research studies in myelodysplastic syndromes.

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), a spectrum of heterogeneous hematopoietic stem cell diseases, vary in clinical severity, response to therapy, and propensity toward progression to acute myeloid leukemia. These are acquired clonal disorders resulting from somatic mutations within the hematopoietic stem or progenitor cell population. Understanding the natural history and the risk of developing leukemia and other adverse outcomes is dependent on access to well-annotated biospecimens linked to robust clinical and molecular data. To facilitate the acquisition and distribution of MDS biospecimens to the wider scientific community and support scientific discovery in this disease, the National MDS Natural History study was initiated by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and is being conducted in collaboration with community hospitals and academic medical centers supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The study will recruit up to 2000 MDS patients or overlapping myeloproliferative neoplasms (MDS/MPN) and up to 500 cases of idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS). The National MDS Natural History Study (NCT02775383) will offer the world's largest disease-focused tissue biobank linked to longitudinal clinical and molecular data in MDS. Here, we report on the study design features and describe the vanguard phase of 200 cases. The study assembles a comprehensive clinical database, quality of life results, laboratory data, histopathology slides and images, genetic information, hematopoietic and germline tissues representing high-quality biospecimens and data from diverse centers across the United States. These resources will be available to the scientific community for investigator-initiated research.

GO-Diff: mining functional differentiation between EST-based transcriptomes.

BACKGROUND: Large-scale sequencing efforts produced millions of Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) collectively representing differentiated biochemical and functional states. Analysis of these EST libraries reveals differential gene expressions, and therefore EST data sets constitute valuable resources for comparative transcriptomics. To translate differentially expressed genes into a better understanding of the underlying biological phenomena, existing microarray analysis approaches usually involve the integration of gene expression with Gene Ontology (GO) databases to derive comparable functional profiles. However, methods are not available yet to process EST-derived transcription maps to enable GO-based global functional profiling for comparative transcriptomics in a high throughput manner. RESULTS: Here we present GO-Diff, a GO-based functional profiling approach towards high throughput EST-based gene expression analysis and comparative transcriptomics. Utilizing holistic gene expression information, the software converts EST frequencies into EST Coverage Ratios of GO Terms. The ratios are then tested for statistical significances to uncover differentially represented GO terms between the compared transcriptomes, and functional differences are thus inferred. We demonstrated the validity and the utility of this software by identifying differentially represented GO terms in three application cases: intra-species comparison; meta-analysis to test a specific hypothesis; inter-species comparison. GO-Diff findings were consistent with previous knowledge and provided new clues for further discoveries. A comprehensive test on the GO-Diff results using series of comparisons between EST libraries of human and mouse tissues showed acceptable levels of consistency: 61% for human-human; 69% for mouse-mouse; 47% for human-mouse. CONCLUSION: GO-Diff is the first software integrating EST profiles with GO knowledge databases to mine functional differentiation between biological systems, e.g. tissues of the same species or the same tissue cross species. With rapid accumulation of EST resources in the public domain and expanding sequencing effort in individual laboratories, GO-Diff is useful as a screening tool before undertaking serious expression studies.

Clinical prognostic factors and outcomes of essential thrombocythemia when transformed to myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia.

Transformation of essential thrombocythemia (ET) to myelodysplastic syndromes or acute myeloid leukemia is infrequent, comprising 1-5% of cases with dismal clinical outcome. Studies on prognosis in ET patients with leukemic transformation are limited. The large cohort included 40 patients (1990-2014) with ET transformation (median age of 59 years, M:F of 1:1). Median time from ET diagnosis to transformation was 76 months (26-481) with median follow-up time of 15 years. Advanced age, myelofibrosis (grade 2-3), and leukocytosis at the time of transformation were associated with inferior OS from transformation (p<0.05). Given rarity of the clinical scenario, multicenter efforts are encouraged.

Metabolic syndrome and colorectal cancer: is hyperinsulinemia/insulin receptor-mediated angiogenesis a critical process?

OBJECTIVE: Components of metabolic syndrome (MS) have been individually linked to colorectal cancer risk and prognosis; however, an understanding of the dominant mechanisms is lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one patients (10 MS; 11 non-MS) with resectable colorectal cancer were prospectively enrolled. Patients were classified for MS by the World Health Organization criteria and tested for circulating vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), fasting insulin, and tumor expression of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), insulin-receptor (IR) and receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE). Circulating markers were re-tested 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: The MS group had significantly higher baseline and post-operative fasting insulin levels (p < 0.001 and 0.003). No differences were observed in circulating IL-6, VEGF, IGF-1 and free IGF-1. By immunohistochemistry (IHC), IGF-1R expression was significantly higher in tumor vs. normal tissues (p < 0.001) while IR expression showed no difference. Interestingly, 64% of tumors demonstrated high IR positivity in the vessels within or surrounding the tumor stroma, but not in the vessels away from the tumor. By reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), tumor IGF-1R over-expression (80%) was confirmed, but there was no difference between MS and non-MS patients. Tumor RAGE over-expression was found in 67% of patients and was equally distributed between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperinsulinemia was the only significant factor distinguishing patients with colorectal cancer who have MS. The preferential over-expression of IR in the peri-tumoral microvessels suggests that hyperinsulinemia might contribute to colorectal cancer growth by enhancing angiogenesis.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment and its clinical impact in oncology.

The sum of these intervention studies suggests that a CGA can be performed in a variety of settings (inpatient, outpatient, or home), is a multidisciplinary effort, and can lead to interventions that may decrease the risk of morbidity and mortality in older patients with cancer. Further studies are needed using a CGA to (1) guide and test interventions to improve the care of older adults with cancer and (2) evaluate the impact of cancer therapy on geriatric assessment domains.

Cutaneous manifestations in CMML: Indication of disease acceleration or transformation to AML and review of the literature.

Our retrospective analysis explored the role of leukemia cutis (LC) in disease progression of chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). Of 108 patients with CMML, 11 patients (10.2%) had LC including its equivalent (2 patients). Four of these patients developed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) within 0-4 months. The remaining 7 patients demonstrated increased monocytes (<20% blasts), with 3 demonstrating extramedullary involvement. Overall survival from LC to disease progression was 7.8 months. Overall survival from diagnosis to the last follow-up in patients with LC was 28.2 months, shorter than patients without LC (44 months). LC and its equivalent could predict disease progression to AML.