Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia in the Community Setting.

The treatment landscape for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is rapidly changing. Many new agents and lower-intensity regimens have been approved and can be safely used by hematologists and oncologists in both academic and community settings. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) held a virtual symposium on AML treatment in the community in November 2022. Several members of the FDA, along with practicing hematologists and oncologists in both academic and community settings, participated in the symposium. The goal of the symposium was to discuss challenges and opportunities in the treatment of patients with AML in community oncology settings. A summary of these discussions and key considerations are presented here.

Evaluation of treatment patterns and survival among patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the USA.

AIM: To evaluate treatment patterns of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). PATIENTS & METHODS: First-line and relapsed/refractory treatment patterns and survival outcomes following first-line therapy in adult patients newly diagnosed with DLBCL were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 1436 DLBCL patients initiated treatment and mainly received a combination regimen versus monotherapy (92.1 vs 7.9%). Patients who received monotherapy were older with more comorbidities and had shorter progression-free survival than patients receiving combination therapy (median: 31.3 vs 55.8 months). In the second-line setting (n = 164), rituximab-based combination regimens were most common; 25% underwent stem cell transplantation, and were younger with fewer comorbidities. CONCLUSION: These results illustrate the need for new treatment options for patients unable to tolerate initial combination therapy and transplant-ineligible patients who require salvage therapy.

Economic burden of patients with diffuse large B-cell and follicular lymphoma treated in the USA.

AIM: Evaluate healthcare costs and utilization of treated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL) patients. MATERIALS & METHODS: Adults with newly diagnosed DLBCL and FL between 1 January 2008 and 31 October 2015 were identified in the Optum™ claims database. Healthcare costs and utilization were assessed from diagnosis date until end of follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 1267 DLBCL- and 1595 FL-treated patients were identified. Mean per-patient, per-month cost during follow-up was US$11,890 for DLBCL and US$10,460 for FL. Healthcare costs and utilization decreased from year 1 to 2 following diagnosis, due to a decrease in chemotherapy services, inpatient admissions and other outpatient services. CONCLUSION: The economic burden of treated DLBCL and FL is considerable, especially in the first year following diagnosis.

Isavuconazole versus voriconazole for primary treatment of invasive mould disease caused by Aspergillus and other filamentous fungi (SECURE): a phase 3, randomised-controlled, non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Isavuconazole is a novel triazole with broad-spectrum antifungal activity. The SECURE trial assessed efficacy and safety of isavuconazole versus voriconazole in patients with invasive mould disease. METHODS: This was a phase 3, double-blind, global multicentre, comparative-group study. Patients with suspected invasive mould disease were randomised in a 1:1 ratio using an interactive voice-web response system, stratified by geographical region, allogeneic haemopoietic stem cell transplantation, and active malignant disease at baseline, to receive isavuconazonium sulfate 372 mg (prodrug; equivalent to 200 mg isavuconazole; intravenously three times a day on days 1 and 2, then either intravenously or orally once daily) or voriconazole (6 mg/kg intravenously twice daily on day 1, 4 mg/kg intravenously twice daily on day 2, then intravenously 4 mg/kg twice daily or orally 200 mg twice daily from day 3 onwards). We tested non-inferiority of the primary efficacy endpoint of all-cause mortality from first dose of study drug to day 42 in patients who received at least one dose of the study drug (intention-to-treat [ITT] population) using a 10% non-inferiority margin. Safety was assessed in patients who received the first dose of study drug. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00412893. FINDINGS: 527 adult patients were randomly assigned (258 received study medication per group) between March 7, 2007, and March 28, 2013. All-cause mortality from first dose of study drug to day 42 for the ITT population was 19% with isavuconazole (48 patients) and 20% with voriconazole (52 patients), with an adjusted treatment difference of -1·0% (95% CI -7·8 to 5·7). Because the upper bound of the 95% CI (5·7%) did not exceed 10%, non-inferiority was shown. Most patients (247 [96%] receiving isavuconazole and 255 [98%] receiving voriconazole) had treatment-emergent adverse events (p=0·122); the most common were gastrointestinal disorders (174 [68%] vs 180 [69%]) and infections and infestations (152 [59%] vs 158 [61%]). Proportions of patients with treatment-emergent adverse events by system organ class were similar overall. However, isavuconazole-treated patients had a lower frequency of hepatobiliary disorders (23 [9%] vs 42 [16%]; p=0·016), eye disorders (39 [15%] vs 69 [27%]; p=0·002), and skin or subcutaneous tissue disorders (86 [33%] vs 110 [42%]; p=0·037). Drug-related adverse events were reported in 109 (42%) patients receiving isavuconazole and 155 (60%) receiving voriconazole (p<0·001). INTERPRETATION: Isavuconazole was non-inferior to voriconazole for the primary treatment of suspected invasive mould disease. Isavuconazole was well tolerated compared with voriconazole, with fewer study-drug-related adverse events. Our results support the use of isavuconazole for the primary treatment of patients with invasive mould disease. FUNDING: Astellas Pharma Global Development, Basilea Pharmaceutica International.

Executive Summary: Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Aspergillosis: 2016 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

It is important to realize that guidelines cannot always account for individual variation among patients. They are not intended to supplant physician judgment with respect to particular patients or special clinical situations. IDSA considers adherence to these guidelines to be voluntary, with the ultimate determination regarding their application to be made by the physician in the light of each patient's individual circumstances.

Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Aspergillosis: 2016 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

It is important to realize that guidelines cannot always account for individual variation among patients. They are not intended to supplant physician judgment with respect to particular patients or special clinical situations. IDSA considers adherence to these guidelines to be voluntary, with the ultimate determination regarding their application to be made by the physician in the light of each patient's individual circumstances.

Personalized risk prediction for event-free survival at 24 months in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

We recently defined event-free survival at 24 months (EFS24) as a clinically relevant outcome for patients with DLBCL. Patients who fail EFS24 have very poor overall survival, while those who achieve EFS24 have a subsequent overall survival equivalent to that of the age- and sex-matched general population. Here, we develop and validate a clinical risk calculator (IPI24) for EFS24. Model building was performed on a discovery dataset of 1,348 patients with DLBCL and treated with anthracycline-based immunochemotherapy. A multivariable model containing age, Ann Arbor stage, normalized serum LDH, ALC, ECOG performance status, bulky disease, and sex was identified. The model was then applied to an independent validation dataset of 1,177 DLBCL patients. The IPI24 score estimates the probability of failing to achieve the EFS24 endpoint for an individual patient. The IPI24 model showed superior discriminatory ability (c-statistic = 0.671) in the validation dataset compared to the IPI (c-statistic = 0.649) or the NCCN-IPI (c-statistic = 0.657). After recalibration of the model on the combined dataset, the median predicted probability of failing to achieve EFS24 was 36% (range, 12-88%), and the IPI24 showed an EFS24 gradient in all IPI groups. The IPI24 also identified a significant percentage of patients with high risk disease, with over 20% of patients having a 50% or higher risk of failing to achieve EFS24. The IPI24 provides an individual patient level probability of achieving the clinically relevant EFS24 endpoint. It can be used via electronic apps.

The epidemiology and outcomes of invasive Candida infections among organ transplant recipients in the United States: results of the Transplant-Associated Infection Surveillance Network (TRANSNET).

BACKGROUND: Invasive candidiasis (IC) is a common cause of mortality in solid organ transplant recipients (OTRs), but knowledge of epidemiology in this population is limited. METHOD: The present analysis describes data from 15 US centers that prospectively identified IC from nearly 17 000 OTRs. Analyses were undertaken to determine predictors of infection and mortality. RESULTS: A total of 639 cases of IC were identified. The most common species was Candida albicans (46.3%), followed by Candida glabrata (24.4%) and Candida parapsilosis (8.1%). In 68 cases >1 species was identified. The most common infection site was bloodstream (44%), followed by intra-abdominal (14%). The most frequently affected allograft groups were liver (41.1%) and kidney (35.3%). All-cause mortality at 90 days was 26.5% for all species and was highest for Candida tropicalis (44%) and C. parapsilosis (35.2%). Non-white race and female gender were more commonly associated with non-albicans species. A high rate of breakthrough IC was seen in patients receiving antifungal prophylaxis (39%). Factors associated with mortality include organ dysfunction, lung transplant, and treatment with a polyene antifungal. The only modifiable factor identified was choice of antifungal drug class based upon infecting Candida species. CONCLUSION: These data highlight the common and distinct features of IC in OTRs.

Long-term persistence of zoster vaccine efficacy.

BACKGROUND: The Shingles Prevention Study (SPS) demonstrated zoster vaccine efficacy through 4 years postvaccination. A Short-Term Persistence Substudy (STPS) demonstrated persistence of vaccine efficacy for at least 5 years. A Long-Term Persistence Substudy (LTPS) was undertaken to further assess vaccine efficacy in SPS vaccine recipients followed for up to 11 years postvaccination. Study outcomes were assessed for the entire LTPS period and for each year from 7 to 11 years postvaccination. METHODS: Surveillance, case determination, and follow-up were comparable to those in SPS and STPS. Because SPS placebo recipients were offered zoster vaccine before the LTPS began, there were no unvaccinated controls. Instead, SPS and STPS placebo results were used to model reference placebo groups. RESULTS: The LTPS enrolled 6867 SPS vaccine recipients. Compared to SPS, estimated vaccine efficacy in LTPS decreased from 61.1% to 37.3% for the herpes zoster (HZ) burden of illness (BOI), from 66.5% to 35.4% for incidence of postherpetic neuralgia, and from 51.3% to 21.1% for incidence of HZ, and declined for all 3 outcome measures from 7 through 11 years postvaccination. Vaccine efficacy for the HZ BOI was significantly greater than zero through year 10 postvaccination, whereas vaccine efficacy for incidence of HZ was significantly greater than zero only through year 8. CONCLUSIONS: Estimates of vaccine efficacy decreased over time in the LTPS population compared with modeled control estimates. Statistically significant vaccine efficacy for HZ BOI persisted into year 10 postvaccination, whereas statistically significant vaccine efficacy for incidence of HZ persisted only through year 8.

Immunosuppression associated with novel chemotherapy agents and monoclonal antibodies.

The introduction of novel agents to the therapeutic armamentarium for oncologic, rheumatologic, and neurologic disorders has resulted in major clinical advances. These agents impact immune function, resulting in a discrete spectrum of infectious complications. Purine analogues and alemtuzumab alter cell-mediated immunity, resulting in opportunistic viral/fungal infections. Herpes zoster incidence increases with bortezomib. Hepatitis B reactivation may occur with rituximab. Cases of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy have occurred following monoclonal antibody therapy. Tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor therapy is complicated by tuberculosis reactivation and fungal infections. We summarize the impact of these therapies on pathogenesis and spectrum of infection complicating their usage.

Common variation at 6p21.31 (BAK1) influences the risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

We performed a meta-analysis of 3 genome-wide association studies to identify additional common variants influencing chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) risk. The discovery phase was composed of genome-wide association study data from 1121 cases and 3745 controls. Replication analysis was performed in 861 cases and 2033 controls. We identified a novel CLL risk locus at 6p21.33 (rs210142; intronic to the BAK1 gene, BCL2 antagonist killer 1; P = 9.47 × 10(-16)). A strong relationship between risk genotype and reduced BAK1 expression was shown in lymphoblastoid cell lines. This finding provides additional support for polygenic inheritance to CLL and provides further insight into the biologic basis of disease development.

Infections in patients with leukemia and lymphoma.

Infectious complications remain a significant issue in the care of patients with hematologic malignancies. Inherent immune defects related to the primary disease process are present in patients with disorders such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, multiple myeloma, hairy cell leukemia, and Hodgkin lymphoma. Therapy-related immunosuppression is also commonplace in these patients. This includes not only treatment-related neutropenia, but also defects in cell-mediated immunity, such as those that occur with purine analog therapy. In this chapter, we will review the pathogenesis of infection in these disorders, as well as the spectrum of infectious complications seen and suggested strategies for the prevention of infection.

Safety of zoster vaccine in elderly adults following documented herpes zoster.

BACKGROUND: After completion of the Shingles Prevention Study (SPS; Department of Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program Number 403), SPS participants who had initially received placebo were offered investigational zoster vaccine without charge. This provided an opportunity to determine the relative safety of zoster vaccine in older adults following documented herpes zoster (HZ). METHODS: A total of 13 681 SPS placebo recipients who elected to receive zoster vaccine were followed for serious adverse events (SAE) for 28 days after vaccination. In contrast to the SPS, a prior episode of HZ was not a contraindication to receiving zoster vaccine. The SPS placebo recipients who received zoster vaccine included 420 who had developed documented HZ during the SPS. RESULTS: The mean interval between the onset of HZ and the receipt of zoster vaccine in the 420 recipients with prior HZ was 3.61 years (median interval, 3.77 years [range, 3-85 months]); the interval was <5 years for approximately 80% of recipients. The proportion of vaccinated SPS placebo recipients with prior HZ who developed ≥ 1 SAE (0.95%) was not significantly different from that of vaccinated SPS placebo recipients with no prior history of HZ (0.66%), and the distribution of SAEs in the 2 groups was comparable. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the general safety of zoster vaccine in older persons is not altered by a recent history of documented HZ, supporting the safety aspect of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendation to administer zoster vaccine to all persons ≥ 60 years of age with no contraindications, regardless of a prior history of HZ.

Genome-wide association study identifies a novel susceptibility locus at 6p21.3 among familial CLL.

Prior genome-wide association (GWA) studies have identified 10 susceptibility loci for risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). To identify additional loci, we performed a GWA study in 407 CLL cases (of which 102 had a family history of CLL) and 296 controls. Moreover, given the strong familial risk of CLL, we further subset our GWA analysis to the CLL cases with a family history of CLL to identify loci specific to these familial CLL cases. Our top hits from these analyses were evaluated in an additional sample of 252 familial CLL cases and 965 controls. Using all available data, we identified and confirmed an independent association of 4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that met genome-wide statistical significance within the IRF8 (interferon regulatory factor 8) gene (combined P values ≤ 3.37 × 10(-8)), located in the previously identified 16q24.1 locus. Subsetting to familial CLL cases, we identified and confirmed a new locus on chromosome 6p21.3 (combined P value = 6.92 × 10(-9)). This novel region harbors the HLA-DQA1 and HLA-DRB5 genes. Finally, we evaluated the 10 previously reported SNPs in the overall sample and replicated 8 of them. Our findings support the hypothesis that familial CLL cases have additional genetic variants not seen in sporadic CLL. Additional loci among familial CLL cases may be identified through larger studies.

Geriatric assessment in older adults with non-Hodgkin lymphoma: A Young International Society of Geriatric Oncology (YSIOG) review paper.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a disease of older adults, with a median age at diagnosis of 67 years. Treatment in older adults with NHL is challenging. The aging process is associated with a decline in functional reserve that varies among individuals, and results in an increasing risk of treatment-related toxicity and mortality. Chronological age and performance status fail to capture the multidimensional and heterogeneous nature of the aging process. A geriatric assessment (GA) screens multiple geriatric domains and provides a more accurate assessment of functional reserve. Several abbreviated GA tools have been developed for use in oncology clinics and help identify patients at high risk for chemotherapy-related toxicity and mortality. In this review, we explore GA tools validated for use in patients with NHL. We discuss the evidence behind GA-guided treatment in NHL and present a suggested approach to assessing frailty in this patient population.

Oncologists' Perspectives on Individualizing Dose Selection for Patients With Metastatic Cancer.

PURPOSE: Treatment goals for patients with metastatic cancer include prolongation and maintenance of quality of life. Patients and oncologists have questioned the current paradigm of initial dose selection for systemic therapy; however, data on oncologists' dose selection strategies and beliefs are lacking. METHODS: We conducted an electronic international survey of medical oncologists who treat patients with breast and/or gastrointestinal cancers. Survey questions addressed experiences with, and attitudes toward, dose reduction at initiation (DRI) of a new systemic therapy for patients with metastatic cancer. RESULTS: Among 3,099 eligible oncologists, 367 responded (response rate 12%). Most (52%) reported using DRI at least 10% of the time to minimize toxicities. Gastrointestinal specialists were more likely to report DRI ≥ 10% of the time (72% v 50% of generalists and 51% of breast specialists, P < .005). Of those who dose reduced ≥ 10% of the time, 89% reported discussing potential tradeoffs between efficacy and toxicity with patients. Overall, 65% agreed it is acceptable to lower starting doses to reduce side effects even if it compromises efficacy; younger clinicians were more likely to agree (P < .005). There was strong support (89%) for future trials to determine optimal effective, rather than maximum tolerated, dose. CONCLUSION: Oncology practice varies with regard to discussion and individualized selection of starting doses in the metastatic setting. This study demonstrates a need for consideration of shared decision making regarding initial dose selection and strong support among oncologists for clinical studies to define optimal dosing and best practices for individualizing care.

Invasive non-Aspergillus mold infections in transplant recipients, United States, 2001-2006.

Recent reports describe increasing incidence of non-Aspergillus mold infections in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. To investigate the epidemiology of infections with Mucorales, Fusarium spp., and Scedosporium spp. molds, we analyzed data from the Transplant-Associated Infection Surveillance Network, 23 transplant centers that conducted prospective surveillance for invasive fungal infections during 2001-2006. We identified 169 infections (105 Mucorales, 37 Fusarium spp., and 27 Scedosporium spp.) in 169 patients; 124 (73.4%) were in HCT recipients, and 45 (26.6%) were in SOT recipients. The crude 90-day mortality rate was 56.6%. The 12-month mucormycosis cumulative incidence was 0.29% for HCT and 0.07% for SOT. Mucormycosis incidence among HCT recipients varied widely, from 0.08% to 0.69%, with higher incidence in cohorts receiving transplants during 2003 and 2004. Non-Aspergillus mold infections continue to be associated with high mortality rates. The incidence of mucormycosis in HCT recipients increased substantially during the surveillance period.

Safety of herpes zoster vaccine in the shingles prevention study: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The herpes zoster vaccine is effective in preventing herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia in immunocompetent older adults. However, its safety has not been described in depth. OBJECTIVE: To describe local adverse effects and short- and long-term safety profiles of herpes zoster vaccine in immunocompetent older adults. DESIGN: Randomized, placebo-controlled trial with enrollment from November 1998 to September 2001 and follow-up through April 2004 (mean, 3.4 years). A Veterans Affairs Coordinating Center generated the permutated block randomization scheme, which was stratified by site and age. Participants and follow-up study personnel were blinded to treatment assignments. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00007501) SETTING: 22 U.S. academic centers. PARTICIPANTS: 38 546 immunocompetent adults 60 years or older, including 6616 who participated in an adverse events substudy. INTERVENTION: Single dose of herpes zoster vaccine or placebo. MEASUREMENTS: Serious adverse events and rashes in all participants and inoculation-site events in substudy participants during the first 42 days after inoculation. Thereafter, vaccination-related serious adverse events and deaths were monitored in all participants, and hospitalizations were monitored in substudy participants. RESULTS: After inoculation, 255 (1.4%) vaccine recipients and 254 (1.4%) placebo recipients reported serious adverse events. Local inoculation-site side effects were reported by 1604 (48%) vaccine recipients and 539 (16%) placebo recipients in the substudy. A total of 977 (56.6%) of the vaccine recipients reporting local side effects were aged 60 to 69 years, and 627 (39.2%) were older than 70 years. After inoculation, herpes zoster occurred in 7 vaccine recipients versus 24 placebo recipients. Long-term follow-up (mean, 3.39 years) showed that rates of hospitalization or death did not differ between vaccine and placebo recipients. LIMITATIONS: Participants in the substudy were not randomly selected. Confirmation of reported serious adverse events with medical record data was not always obtained. CONCLUSION: Herpes zoster vaccine is well tolerated in older, immunocompetent adults. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Cooperative Studies Program, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Research and Development; grants from Merck to the Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program; and the James R. and Jesse V. Scott Fund for Shingles Research.

Frontline therapy with R-CHOP for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: Where have we come (or not come)? A Perspective.

A major evolution in the treatment of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) occurred almost two decades ago, with clinical trials demonstrating that the addition of rituximab (R) to cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone (CHOP), which had been the "gold standard" of therapy since 1976, significantly improved outcome, including response rate and disease-free survival, of these patients. Since the adoption of R-CHOP, subsequent clinical trials have attempted to improve upon outcomes achieved with R-CHOP, with a variety of approaches examined. These have included dose intensification, which may be applicable in younger patients, but not in the many older or frailer patients with a disease with median age at diagnosis in the 60's. Newer anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies have been substituted for rituximab in frontline regimens. A series of new agents, with unique mechanisms of action, have been added to the R-CHOP backbone. Rituximab-based, non-anthracycline regimens have been studied for older, more frail patients. The utility of maintenance therapy in responding patients has been re-examined, despite the lack of benefit found in the US Intergroup trial. Advances in molecular and genetic aspects of DLBCL have emerged since the seminal R-CHOP trials, demonstrating the DLBCL is not a single entity, but instead a spectrum of multiple disease subtypes. Attempts have been made to identify those patients at baseline who have poorer outcomes with standard approaches, utilizing laboratory and imaging findings. Moving forward, different risk-adapted treatment approaches will be studied to in an effort to improve overall outcome beyond R-CHOP.

Use of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in Oncology Patients to Guide Treatment Decisions and Predict Chemotherapy Toxicity.

PURPOSE: Our objective was to review the utility of pretreatment comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) and its impact on decision making regarding choice and intensity of oncologic therapeutic regimens for older, frail, or poor-functional-status patients, as well as using this prospective assessment to predict chemotherapy-related toxicities. Database searches were conducted in Medline, PubMed, and Ovid for clinical studies, review articles, and journal publications. Search terms included geriatric assessment, medical oncology, chemotherapy, frailty, toxicity, and functional status. Thirty-seven pertinent articles were retrieved and serve as the basis for this clinical review. OBSERVATIONS: CGA is an important tool for examining aspects of frailty and functional status that are not captured by traditional performance status measures. These findings may then be used in selection of appropriate therapeutic regimens for a given patient that are efficacious and tolerable. Such pretreatment assessments also have been used in predicting therapy-related toxicities. CONCLUSIONS: Frail and older patients are common in oncology practices and are at high risk for therapy-related toxicities because of comorbidities and physiologic changes, presenting a considerable clinical challenge. CGA establishes evidence-based strategies to better assess the functional status of such patients and is predictive for chemotherapy-related toxicities in this vulnerable group. Despite publications on these measures in the oncology literature, there is limited evidence-based research to demonstrate the utility of CGA by practicing oncology providers and how to implement it into practice.