Impact of CD19 CAR T-cell product type on outcomes in relapsed or refractory aggressive B-NHL.

CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor-engineered (CD19 CAR) T cells are novel therapies showing great promise for patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). Single-arm studies showed significant variations in outcomes across distinct CD19 CAR T-cell products. To estimate the independent impact of the CAR T-cell product type on outcomes, we retrospectively analyzed data from 129 patients with R/R aggressive B-NHL treated with cyclophosphamide and fludarabine lymphodepletion followed by either a commercially available CD19 CAR T-cell therapy (axicabtagene ciloleucel [axicel] or tisagenlecleucel [tisacel]), or the investigational product JCAR014 on a phase 1/2 clinical trial (NCT01865617). After adjustment for age, hematopoietic cell transplantation-specific comorbidity index, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), largest lesion diameter, and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), CAR T-cell product type remained associated with outcomes in multivariable models. JCAR014 was independently associated with lower cytokine release syndrome (CRS) severity compared with axicel (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.19; 95% confidence interval [CI]; 0.08-0.46), with a trend toward lower CRS severity with tisacel compared with axicel (aOR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.21-1.06; P = .07). Tisacel (aOR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.06-0.48) and JCAR014 (aOR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.06-0.47) were both associated with lower immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome severity compared with axicel. Lower odds of complete response (CR) were predicted with tisacel and JCAR014 compared with axicel. Although sensitivity analyses using either positron emission tomography- or computed tomography-based response criteria also suggested higher efficacy of axicel over JCAR014, the impact of tisacel vs axicel became undetermined. Higher preleukapheresis LDH, largest lesion diameter, and lower ALC were independently associated with lower odds of CR. We conclude that CD19 CAR T-cell product type independently impacts toxicity and efficacy in R/R aggressive B-NHL patients.

Multisystem ALK-Positive Histiocytosis With DCTN1::ALK Fusion in an Adult, Responsive to Alectinib: Case Report and Literature Review.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive histiocytosis has emerged as a clinically relevant diagnosis featuring a wide span of clinical presentations, which are unified by the presence of ALK-positive histiocytes on histopathology and molecular drivers involving the ALK kinase gene. This report presents an adult case of multisystem ALK-positive histiocytosis with xanthogranuloma-like features on histopathology that was responsive to ALK inhibition, and includes a review of ALK-positive histiocytoses with cutaneous involvement reported in the literature. A 56-year-old male developed a widespread eruption of red-brown papules on the face, trunk, and upper extremities. Histopathological evaluation revealed a well-circumscribed, nodular dermal infiltrate of epithelioid histiocytes with Touton giant cells, rare bizarre multinucleated cells, and focal emperipolesis. The lesional cells were positive for CD68 and ALK1 immunohistochemical stains, and negative for CD1a. Next-generation sequencing identified a DCTN1::ALK fusion. On imaging, he was found to have bone, lung, soft tissue, and salivary gland involvement. ALK inhibition was initiated with alectinib, resulting in rapid improvement of cutaneous lesions and eventual complete resolution of abnormal imaging findings, which was sustained at 24 months of follow-up. This case adds to the spectrum of ALK-positive histiocytoses and further demonstrates the positive response with targeted therapy.

Assessment of Mobility Trajectories Using Wearable Inertial Sensors During Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplant.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize mobility patterns using wearable inertial sensors and serial assessment across autologous hematopoietic cell transplant (autoHCT) and investigate the relation between mobility and perceived function in patients with hematologic cancer. DESIGN: Prospective longitudinal study. SETTING: Hospital adult transplant clinic followed by discharge. PARTICIPANTS: 78 patients with hematological cancer receiving autoHCT. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mobility was measured across 3 clinical phases (pretransplant, pre-engraftment, and post-engraftment) in using inertial sensors worn during prescribed performance tests in the hospital. Perceived function was assessed using validated provider-reported (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] Performance Status Scale) and patient-reported [European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire [EORTC QLQ-C30]) measures. Trajectories of 5 selected mobility characteristics (turn duration, gait speed, stride time variability, double support time, and heel strike angle) across the clinical phases were also evaluated using piecewise linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS: Using Principal Components Analysis, 4 mobility patterns were identified pretransplant: Gait Limitation, Sagittal Sway, Coronal Sway, and Balance Control. Gait Limitation measured pretransplant was significantly inversely associated with perceived function reported by the provider- (ß = -0.11; 95% CI: -0.19, -0.02) and patient- (ß = -4.85; 95% CI: -7.72, -1.99) post-engraftment in age-adjusted linear regression models. Mobility characteristics demonstrated immediate declines early pre-engraftment with stabilization by late pre-engraftment. CONCLUSION: Patients with hematological cancer experiencing gait limitations pretransplant are likely to have worse perceived function post-engraftment. Mobility declines in early phases post-transplant and may not fully recover, indicating an opportunity for timely rehabilitation referrals. Wearable inertial sensors can be used to identify early mobility problems and patients who may be at risk for future functional decline who may be candidates for early physical rehabilitation.

Concomitant use of a dual Src/ABL kinase inhibitor eliminates the in vitro efficacy of blinatumomab against Ph+ ALL.

Blinatumomab is currently approved for use as a single agent in relapsed and refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Cytotoxicity is mediated via signaling through the T-cell receptor (TCR). There is now much interest in combining blinatumomab with targeted therapies, particularly in Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL (Ph+ ALL). However, some second- and third-generation ABL inhibitors also potently inhibit Src family kinases that are important in TCR signaling. We combined ABL inhibitors and dual Src/ABL inhibitors with blinatumomab in vitro from both healthy donor samples and primary samples from patients with Ph+ ALL. Blinatumomab alone led to both T-cell proliferation and elimination of target CD19+ cells and enhanced production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ). The addition of the ABL inhibitors imatinib or nilotinib to blinatumomab did not inhibit T-cell proliferation or IFN-γ production. However, the addition of dasatinib or ponatinib inhibited T-cell proliferation and IFN-γ production. Importantly, there was no loss of CD19+ cells treated with blinatumomab plus dasatinib or ponatinib in healthy samples or samples with a resistant ABL T315I mutation by dasatinib in combination with blinatumomab. These in vitro findings bring pause to the excitement of combination therapies, highlighting the importance of maintaining T-cell function with targeted therapies.

Impact of COVID-19 in patients on active melanoma therapy and with history of melanoma.

INTRODUCTION: COVID-19 particularly impacted patients with co-morbid conditions, including cancer. Patients with melanoma have not been specifically studied in large numbers. Here, we sought to identify factors that associated with COVID-19 severity among patients with melanoma, particularly assessing outcomes of patients on active targeted or immune therapy. METHODS: Using the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19) registry, we identified 307 patients with melanoma diagnosed with COVID-19. We used multivariable models to assess demographic, cancer-related, and treatment-related factors associated with COVID-19 severity on a 6-level ordinal severity scale. We assessed whether treatment was associated with increased cardiac or pulmonary dysfunction among hospitalized patients and assessed mortality among patients with a history of melanoma compared with other cancer survivors. RESULTS: Of 307 patients, 52 received immunotherapy (17%), and 32 targeted therapy (10%) in the previous 3 months. Using multivariable analyses, these treatments were not associated with COVID-19 severity (immunotherapy OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.19 - 1.39; targeted therapy OR 1.89, 95% CI 0.64 - 5.55). Among hospitalized patients, no signals of increased cardiac or pulmonary organ dysfunction, as measured by troponin, brain natriuretic peptide, and oxygenation were noted. Patients with a history of melanoma had similar 90-day mortality compared with other cancer survivors (OR 1.21, 95% CI 0.62 - 2.35). CONCLUSIONS: Melanoma therapies did not appear to be associated with increased severity of COVID-19 or worsening organ dysfunction. Patients with history of melanoma had similar 90-day survival following COVID-19 compared with other cancer survivors.

Sepsis and acute respiratory failure in patients with cancer: how can we improve care and outcomes even further?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Care and outcomes of critically ill patients with cancer have improved over the past decade. This selective review will discuss recent updates in sepsis and acute respiratory failure among patients with cancer, with particular focus on important opportunities to improve outcomes further through attention to phenotyping, predictive analytics, and improved outcome measures. RECENT FINDINGS: The prevalence of cancer diagnoses in intensive care units (ICUs) is nontrivial and increasing. Sepsis and acute respiratory failure remain the most common critical illness syndromes affecting these patients, although other complications are also frequent. Recent research in oncologic sepsis has described outcome variation - including ICU, hospital, and 28-day mortality - across different types of cancer (e.g., solid vs. hematologic malignancies) and different sepsis definitions (e.g., Sepsis-3 vs. prior definitions). Research in acute respiratory failure in oncology patients has highlighted continued uncertainty in the value of diagnostic bronchoscopy for some patients and in the optimal respiratory support strategy. For both of these syndromes, specific challenges include multifactorial heterogeneity (e.g. in etiology and/or underlying cancer), delayed recognition of clinical deterioration, and complex outcomes measurement. SUMMARY: Improving outcomes in oncologic critical care requires attention to the heterogeneity of cancer diagnoses, timely recognition and management of critical illness, and defining appropriate ICU outcomes.

Challenges experienced and resources identified by young to midlife couples 1-3 years post-cancer diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to explore what young to midlife couples viewed as their strengths as a couple and the greatest challenges in their experience with cancer 1-3 years post-diagnosis. METHODS: We used qualitative content analysis to extract common themes from open-ended questions from 42 cancer survivors and their partners (aged 27-58). Patterns of themes by age and gender of the survivor were also explored. RESULTS: Couples described both positive and negative impacts of the cancer experience: (1) strengthened the relationship, bringing couples closer together; (2) brought emotional strain to many areas of life, especially for partners; (3) created positive changes in lifestyle and new priorities for the couple; (4) created strain in the couple's relationship and intimacy; and (5) altered the role of family in supporting the couple. Couples also described four key strengths in dealing with the cancer experience: (1) drawing strength from shared love and mutuality; (2) communicating openly, even about the difficult stuff; (3) working together as a team to support each other; and (4) drawing strength from shared values and goals. Couples reported unmet needs related to the emotional and relational strain of the cancer experience, managing longer term survivor symptoms, fertility and physical intimacy, and lack of support or attention to the partner who often assumed the role of care partner. CONCLUSIONS: Themes are discussed in light of current dyadic concepts and importance of couple-based interventions.

Prolonged hematologic toxicity following treatment with chimeric antigen receptor T cells in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR T) is a novel intervention for relapsed/refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) and other hematologic malignancies. However, it is associated with prolonged hematologic toxicity (PHT) that is unpredictable and can significantly impair patients' quality of life. Reported here is a single-center experience with PHT in adult patients with R/R DLBCL who received commercial CAR T-cell therapy between March 1, 2018 and May 30, 2020. Prolonged hematologic toxicity was defined as ≥ grade 3 neutropenia or thrombocytopenia at day +30 after CAR T-cell therapy. Of the 31 patients identified, 18 patients (58%) developed PHT. Patients with PHT had a shorter 1-year overall survival (OS) than patients without PHT (36% vs. 81%, P < .05). There were no differences in the median time to ANC recovery for those with PHT compared to patients without PHT (16 days vs. 15 days). Several risk factors were identified to be associated with PHT including CRS (P = .002), receipt of tocilizumab (P = .002) or steroids (P = .033), peak ferritin >5000 ng/ml (P = .048), peak C-reactive protein (CRP) > 100 mg/L (P = .007), and ferritin greater than the upper limit of normal at day +30. Seven patients with PHT underwent a bone marrow biopsy after CAR T-cell therapy; all showed complete aplasia or were hypocellular with cellularity ranging from <5% to 10%. These findings identify PHT as a significant toxicity associated with CAR T-cell therapy and highlight the critical need for further investigations to describe PHT in larger cohorts and identify standards for management of this condition.

Health-Related Quality-of-Life Comparison of Adult Related and Unrelated HSC Donors: An RDSafe Study.

Multiple investigations have documented the health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) and donation-related experiences of unrelated donors (URDs), but similar investigations of the related donor (RD) experience have been less common. The central goal of this study was to longitudinally examine and compare HRQoL of RD and URD hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) donors from predonation through 1 year postdonation. This prospective investigation included adult HSC donors ages 18 to 60 years who donated bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cells at one of 48 geographically diverse US transplant/donor centers and completed HRQoL interviews at predonation and 4 weeks and 1 year postdonation. At predonation, related donors were less ambivalent about donation (t = -3.30; P = .001), more satisfied with their decision to donate (t = 2.65; P = .009), and more likely to define themselves as donors (t = 2.94; P = .004) than were URDs. However, related donors were more concerned about the use of needles (odds ratio [OR] = 2.19; P = .012), about who would pay for the procedure (OR = 2.80; P = .011), and the possibility that they would feel responsible if the transplant failed (t = 2.31; P = .022). Shortly postdonation, related donors were more likely to report donation-related pain (t = 2.50; P = .013) and lightheadedness (OR = 3.63; P = .028). At 1 year postdonation, related donors were less likely to be fully recovered from donation (OR = 0.10; P = .010) and more likely to report a longer recovery period following donation (t = 2.57; P = .011), although this latter finding was primarily due to the percentage of related versus unrelated donors not fully recovered at 1 year postdonation (10% versus 1%). Taken together, these findings suggest that current related donor management practices may be sufficient in preparing related donors for the psychological aspects of donation but that there may be more to do in terms of calibrating the description of donation-related experiences and recovery time to the related donor group (i.e., descriptions of donation experiences based on unrelated donation may not provide best estimates of experience for this group).

Chimeric Antigen Receptor T Cell Therapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted the delivery of cellular therapeutics, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. This impact has extended beyond patient care to include logistics, administration, and distribution of increasingly limited health care resources. Based on the collective experience of the CAR T-cell Consortium investigators, we review and address several questions and concerns regarding cellular therapy administration in the setting of COVID-19 and make general recommendations to address these issues. Specifically, we address (1) necessary resources for safe administration of cell therapies; (2) determinants of cell therapy utilization; (3) selection among patients with B cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas and B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia; (4) supportive measures during cell therapy administration; (5) use and prioritization of tocilizumab; and (6) collaborative care with referring physicians. These recommendations were carefully formulated with the understanding that resource allocation is of the utmost importance, and that the decision to proceed with CAR T cell therapy will require extensive discussion of potential risks and benefits. Although these recommendations are fluid, at this time it is our opinion that the COVID-19 pandemic should not serve as reason to defer CAR T cell therapy for patients truly in need of a potentially curative therapy.

Higher Risks of Toxicity and Incomplete Recovery in 13- to 17-Year-Old Females after Marrow Donation: RDSafe Peds Results.

Although donation of bone marrow (BM) or peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) from children to family members undergoing allogeneic transplantation are well-established procedures, studies detailing levels of pain, symptoms, and long-term recovery are lacking. To address this lack, we prospectively enrolled 294 donors age <18 years at 25 pediatric transplantation centers in North America, assessing them predonation, peridonation, and at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year postdonation. We noted that 71% of children reported pain and 59% reported other symptoms peridonation, with resolution to 14% and 12% at 1 month postdonation. Both older age (age 13 to 17 years versus younger) and female sex were associated with higher levels of pain peridonation, with the highest rates in older females (57% with grade 2-4 pain and 17% with grade 3-4 pain). Multivariate analyses showed a 4-fold increase in risk for older females compared with males age <13 years (P <.001). At 1 year, 11% of 13- to 17-year-old females reported grade 2-4 pain, compared with 3% of males age 13 to 17 years, 0% of females age <13 years, and 1% of males age <13 years (P = .01). Males and females age 13 to 17 years failed to return to predonation pain levels at 1 year 22% and 23% of the time, respectively, compared with 3% and 10% in males and females age <13 years (P = .002). Our data show that females age 13 to 17 years are at increased risk of grade 2-4 pain at 1 year and >20% of females and males age 13 to 17 years do not return to baseline pain levels by 1 year after BM donation. Studies aimed at decreasing symptoms and improving recovery in older children are warranted.

Effect of Aging and Predonation Comorbidities on the Related Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Donor Experience: Report from the Related Donor Safety Study.

The development of reduced-intensity approaches for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation has resulted in growing numbers of older related donors (RDs) of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs). The effects of age on donation efficacy, toxicity, and long-term recovery in RDs are poorly understood. To address this we analyzed hematologic variables, pain, donation-related symptoms, and recovery in 1211 PBSC RDs aged 18 to 79 enrolled in the Related Donor Safety Study. RDs aged > 60 had a lower median CD34+ level before apheresis compared with younger RDs (age > 60, 59 × 106/L; age 41 to 60, 81 × 106/L; age 18 to 40, 121 × 106/L; P < .001). This resulted in older donors undergoing more apheresis procedures (49% versus 30% ≥ 2 collections, P < .001) and higher collection volumes (52% versus 32% > 24 L, P < .001), leading to high percentages of donors aged > 60 with postcollection thrombocytopenia <50 × 109/L (26% and 57% after 2 and 3days of collection, respectively). RDs aged 18 to 40 had a higher risk of grades 2 to 4 pain and symptoms pericollection, but donors over age 40 had more persistent pain at 1, 6, and 12 months (odds ratio [OR], 1.7; P = 0.02) and a higher rate of nonrecovery to predonation levels (OR, 1.7; P = .01). Donors reporting comorbidities increased significantly with age, and those with comorbidities that would have led to deferral by National Marrow Donor Program unrelated donor standards had an increased risk for persistent grades 2 to 4 pain (OR, 2.41; P < .001) and failure to recover to predonation baseline for other symptoms (OR, 2.34; P = .004). This information should be used in counseling RDs regarding risk and can assist in developing practice approaches aimed at improving the RD experience for high-risk individuals.

Related peripheral blood stem cell donors experience more severe symptoms and less complete recovery at one year compared to unrelated donors.

Unlike unrelated donor registries, transplant centers lack uniform approaches to related donor assessment and deferral. To test whether related donors are at increased risk for donation-related toxicities, we conducted a prospective observational trial of 11,942 related and unrelated donors aged 18-60 years. Bone marrow (BM) was collected at 37 transplant and 78 National Marrow Donor Program centers, and peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) were collected at 42 transplant and 87 unrelated donor centers in North America. Possible presence of medical comorbidities was verified prior to donation, and standardized pain and toxicity measures were assessed pre-donation, peri-donation, and one year following. Multivariate analyses showed similar experiences for BM collection in related and unrelated donors; however, related stem cell donors had increased risk of moderate [odds ratios (ORs) 1.42; P<0.001] and severe (OR 8.91; P<0.001) pain and toxicities (OR 1.84; P<0.001) with collection. Related stem cell donors were at increased risk of persistent toxicities (OR 1.56; P=0.021) and non-recovery from pain (OR 1.42; P=0.001) at one year. Related donors with more significant comorbidities were at especially high risk for grade 2-4 pain (OR 3.43; P<0.001) and non-recovery from toxicities (OR 3.71; P<0.001) at one year. Related donors with more significant comorbidities were at especially high risk for grade 2-4 pain (OR 3.43; P<0.001) and non-recovery from toxicities (OR 3.71; P<0.001) at one year. Related donors reporting grade ≥2 pain had significant decreases in Health-Related Quality of Life (HR-QoL) scores at one month and one year post donation (P=0.004). In conclusion, related PBSC donors with comorbidities are at increased risk for pain, toxicity, and non-recovery at one year after donation. Risk profiles described in this study should be used for donor education, planning studies to improve the related donor experience, and decisions regarding donor deferral. Registered at clinicaltrials.gov identifier:00948636.

Sexual functioning among young adult cancer patients: A 2-year longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related sexual dysfunction has been reported among adolescents and young adults (AYAs); however, its prevalence over time has not been examined. This longitudinal study investigated sexual dysfunction in AYAs over the course of 2 years after the initial diagnosis. METHODS: Young adult patients (18-39 years old) completed the Medical Outcomes Study Sexual Functioning Scale within the first 4 months of their diagnosis (n = 123) and again 6 (n = 107) and 24 months later (n = 95). An ordered multinomial response model analyzed changes in the probability of reporting sexual dysfunction over time and the independent effects of demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables. RESULTS: More than half of the participants reported sexual functioning to be problematic at each assessment. The probability of reporting sexual dysfunction increased over time (P < .01) and was greater for cancer patients who were female (P < .001), older (P < .01), married or in a committed relationship (P < .001), treated with chemotherapy (P < .05), and reporting comorbid psychological distress (P < .001) and lower social support (P < .05). For women, being in a relationship increased the likelihood of reporting sexual problems over time; for men, the likelihood of reporting sexual problems increased regardless of their relationship status. CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of young adults report ongoing problems with sexual functioning in the first 2 years after their cancer diagnosis. These findings justify the need to evaluate and monitor sexual functioning throughout a continuum of care. Cancer 2018;124:398-405. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Treatment of young adults with Philadelphia-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma: Hyper-CVAD vs. pediatric-inspired regimens.

For young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, pediatric-based regimens are likely to provide the following when compared to hyper-CVAD regimens: better disease control, less hospitalization time, diminished acute toxicities, decreased financial cost, more quality-adjusted life years, and fewer adverse late effects, such as infertility, myelodysplasia, and second malignant neoplasms. There are also reasons to expect less cardiac and cognitive dysfunction after pediatric regimens. The improved quality and quantity of life associated with pediatric regimens renders them preferable to hyper-CVAD regimens for the treatment of Philadelphia-negative B-precursor or T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and lymphoblastic lymphoma in young adults.

Health-Related Quality of Life among Older Related Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donors (>60 Years) Is Equivalent to That of Younger Related Donors (18 to 60 Years): A Related Donor Safety Study.

The increasing number of older adults with blood-related disorders and the introduction of reduced-intensity conditioning regimens has led to increases in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation among older adults and a corresponding increase in the age of siblings who donate HSCs to these patients. Data regarding the donation-related experiences of older donors are lacking. The Related Donor Safety Study aimed to examine/compare health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of older versus younger HSC donors. Sixty peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) donors ages 18 to 60 years and 104 PBSC donors age >60 years completed validated questionnaires before donation and 4 weeks and 1 year after donation. Before donation, older donors had poorer general physical health (t = -3.27; P = .001) but better mental health (t = 2.11; P < .05). There were no age differences in multiple other donation-related factors. At 4 weeks after donation, there were no group differences in general physical/mental health, but older donors were less likely to report donation-related pain (t = -2.26; P < .05) and concerns (t = -3.38; P = .001). At both 4 weeks and 1 year after donation, there were no significant differences in the percentage of each age group feeling physically back to normal or in the number of days it took donors to feel completely well. There was no evidence that increasing age within the older donor group was associated with poorer donation-related HRQoL. Taken together, these data support the current practice of HSC donation by sibling donors above age 60, providing no evidence of worsening HRQoL up to 1 year after donation in individuals up to age 76.

Cancer in adolescents and young adults: Who remains at risk of poor social functioning over time?

BACKGROUND: The objective of the current study was to examine social functioning among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) within the first 2 years after a cancer diagnosis and compare their scores with population norms and identify trajectories of social functioning over time and its correlates. METHODS: A multicenter, longitudinal study was conducted among 215 AYA patients with cancer aged 14 to 39 years. A total of 141 patients completed a self-report measure of social functioning within the first 4 months of diagnosis and again at 12 months and 24 months later. RESULTS: AYA patients with cancer were found to have significantly worse social functioning scores around the time of diagnosis (52.0 vs 85.1; P<.001), at the 12-month follow-up (73.1 vs 85.1; P<.001), and at the 24-month follow-up (69.2 vs 85.1; P<.001) when compared with population norms. Significant improvements in social functioning from baseline to the 12-month follow-up were observed; however, social functioning levels remained stable thereafter. Among participants, 9% demonstrated consistently high/normal social functioning, 47% demonstrated improved social functioning, 13% were found to have worsening social functioning, and 32% demonstrated consistently low social functioning. AYA patients with cancer who had consistently low social functioning were more often off treatment at the time of follow-up, reported more physical symptoms and higher levels of distress at baseline and follow-up, and perceived less social support at baseline compared with the other 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although improved over time, social functioning still was found to be compromised 24 months after the primary diagnosis. Nearly one-third of these patients remain at risk of poor social functioning. Reducing physical symptoms and psychological distress and enhancing social support by interventions during the period after treatment may potentially help these young survivors to better reintegrate into society. Cancer 2017;123:2743-51. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

Next steps for adolescent and young adult oncology workshop: An update on progress and recommendations for the future.

Each year, 70,000 adolescents and young adults (AYAs) between ages 15 and 39 years in the United States are diagnosed with cancer. In 2006, a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Progress Review Group (PRG) examined the state of science associated with cancer among AYAs. To assess the impact of the PRG and examine the current state of AYA oncology research, the NCI, with support from the LIVESTRONG Foundation, sponsored a workshop entitled "Next Steps in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology" on September 16 and 17, 2013, in Bethesda, Maryland. This report summarizes the findings from the workshop, opportunities to leverage existing data, and suggestions for future research priorities. Multidisciplinary teams that include basic scientists, epidemiologists, trialists, biostatisticians, clinicians, behavioral scientists, and health services researchers will be essential for future advances for AYAs with cancer.

Biologic and clinical characteristics of adolescent and young adult cancers: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, melanoma, and sarcoma.

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer have not attained the same improvements in overall survival as either younger children or older adults. One possible reason for this disparity may be that the AYA cancers exhibit unique biologic characteristics, resulting in differences in clinical and treatment resistance behaviors. This report from the biologic component of the jointly sponsored National Cancer Institute and LiveStrong Foundation workshop entitled "Next Steps in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology" summarizes the current status of biologic and translational research progress for 5 AYA cancers; colorectal cancer breast cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, melanoma, and sarcoma. Conclusions from this meeting included the need for basic biologic, genomic, and model development for AYA cancers as well as translational research studies to elucidate any fundamental differences between pediatric, AYA, and adult cancers. The biologic questions for future research are whether there are mutational or signaling pathway differences (for example, between adult and AYA colorectal cancer) that can be clinically exploited to develop novel therapies for treating AYA cancers and to develop companion diagnostics.

Nonmyeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant for the treatment of patients with hematologic malignancies using busulfan, fludarabine, and total body irradiation conditioning is effective in an elderly and infirm population.

The BuFluTBI conditioning regimen was designed with the primary goal of reducing non-relapse mortality (NRM) while maximizing primary disease control in patients ineligible for myeloablative conditioning. Patients with hematologic malignancies for whom limited long-term survival was expected with standard therapy were administered an outpatient conditioning regimen of busulfan 3.2 mg/kg IV on day -5, fludarabine 30 mg/m(2) IV on days -4, -3, -2, and 200 cGy of total body irradiation (TBI) followed by stem cell infusion from related or unrelated donors. GVHD prophylaxis included cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil. 147 patients were enrolled from 2005-2011; 59% with myeloid disease and 41% with lymphoid disease. The median age was 64, and the median comorbidity index (HCT-CI) score was 3. Overall survival (OS), with 3.2 years median follow-up, was 60% at 1 year and 48% at 2 years, with projected OS 37% at 5 years. Relapse rates were 29% at 1 year and 33% at 2 years, with relapse mortality of 13% at 1 year, and 20% at 2 years. Nonrelapse mortality (NRM) at 1 year was 27% and 33% at 2 years. 54% of patients developed grade II-IV aGVHD and 67% of patients developed cGVHD within 2 years. On multivariate analysis, HCT-CI score 4 or greater, pre-transplant KPS less than 90, delayed platelet engraftment of more than 15 days, and grade II-IV aGVHD were found to be independent predictors of poor survival. There was no difference in OS or PFS between lymphoid and myeloid malignancies. BuFluTBI is an efficacious NMA regimen, active in both myeloid and lymphoid disease, and is ideally suited for use in patients age 65 and older or with an HCT-CI of 4 or greater.