Treatment of children with favorable histology Wilms tumor with extrapulmonary metastases: A report from the COG studies AREN0533 and AREN03B2 and NWTSG study NWTS-5.

BACKGROUND: Patients with stage IV favorable histology Wilms tumor (FHWT) with extrapulmonary metastases (EPM) constitute a small subset of patients with FHWT. Because of their rarity and heterogeneity, optimal FHWT treatment is not well understood. Children's Oncology Group protocol AREN0533 assigned patients with FHWT and EPM to intensified chemotherapy, regimen M, after initial DD-4A chemotherapy. To improve understanding of prognostic factors and best therapies, experiences of patients with EPM on AREN0533, as well as on protocols AREN03B2 and NWTS-5, were reviewed. METHODS: Combined outcomes for patients with EPM from NWTS-5, AREN0533, and AREN03B2 were determined. Those treated on AREN0533 were compared with those treated on NWTS-5. Prognostic factors were explored in the pooled cohort. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients with FHWT with EPM enrolled on AREN0533, 37 enrolled on NWTS-5, and 64 were followed only on AREN03B2. The pooled cohort of all 148 patients demonstrated a 4-year event-free survival (EFS) of 77.3% (95% CI, 70.8-84.4) and 4-year overall survival of 88.9% (95% CI, 83.9-94.2). Four-year EFS of patients with EPM treated on AREN0533 was 76.0% (95% CI, 64.6-89.4) vs 64.9% (95% CI, 51.7-82.2) on NWTS-5; hazard ratio, 0.64, p = .26; no difference in overall survival was observed. Increasing linear age and slow incomplete lung response were associated with worse EFS in a pooled cohort. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes for patients with EPM are among the lowest for children with FHWT. Further trials with standardized surgical and radiation treatment to metastatic sites, and prospectively collected biologic and treatment details are needed. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials.gov identifiers: NCT00379340, NCT00898365, and NCT00002611.

Treatment and outcomes of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney: A report from the Children's Oncology Group studies AREN0321 and AREN03B2.

BACKGROUND: On the fifth National Wilms Tumor Study, treatment for clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) included combined vincristine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and etoposide (regimen I) plus radiation therapy (RT), yielding 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rates of 100%, 88%, 73%, and 29% for patients who had with stage I, II, III, and IV disease, respectively. In the Children's Oncology Group study AREN0321 of risk-adapted therapy, RT was omitted for stage I disease if lymph nodes were sampled, and carboplatin was added for stage IV disease (regimen UH-1). Patients who had stage II/III disease received regimen I with RT. METHODS: Four-year EFS was analyzed for patients enrolled on AREN0321 and on those enrolled on AREN03B2 who received AREN0321 stage-appropriate chemotherapy. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients with CCSK enrolled on AREN0321, 50 enrolled on AREN03B2 only. The 4-year EFS rate was 82.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 74.8%-91.4%) for AREN0321 and 89.6% (95% CI, 81.3%-98.7%) for AREN03B2 only (p = .28). When combining studies, the 4-year EFS rates for patients who had stage I (n = 10), II (n = 47), III (n = 65), and IV (n = 10) disease were 90% (95% CI, 73.2%-100.0%), 93.4% (95% CI, 86.4%-100.0%), 82.8% (95% CI, 74.1%-92.6%), and 58.3% (95% CI, 34%-100.0%), respectively. There were no local recurrences among seven patients with stage I disease who were treated without RT. One stage I recurrence occurred in the brain, which was the most common site of relapse overall. Among patients with local stage III tumors, neither initial procedure type, margin status, nor lymph node involvement were prognostic. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with stage I CCSK had excellent outcomes without local recurrences when treated without RT. Patients with stage IV disease appeared to benefit from a carboplatin-containing regimen, although their outcomes remained unsatisfactory. Further research is needed to improve outcomes for patients with advanced-stage disease (ClinicalTrials.gov identifiers NCT00335556 and NCT00898365).

Phase II study of vemurafenib in children and young adults with tumors harboring BRAF V600 mutations: NCI-COG pediatric MATCH trial (APEC1621) Arm G.

BACKGROUND: This is a phase II subprotocol of the NCI-COG Pediatric MATCH study evaluating vemurafenib, a selective oral inhibitor of BRAF V600 mutated kinase, in patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors harboring BRAF V600 mutations. METHODS: Patients received vemurafenib at 550 mg/m2 (maximum 960 mg/dose) orally twice daily for 28-day cycles until progression or intolerable toxicity. The primary aim was to determine the objective response rate and secondary objectives included estimating progression-free survival and assessing the tolerability of vemurafenib. RESULTS: Twenty-two patients matched to the subprotocol and 4 patients (18%) enrolled. Primary reasons for non-enrollment were ineligibility due to exclusions of low-grade glioma (nâ=â7) and prior BRAF inhibitor therapy (nâ=â7). Enrolled diagnoses were one each of histiocytosis, ameloblastoma, Ewing sarcoma, and high-grade glioma, all with BRAF V600E mutations. Treatment was overall tolerable with mostly expected grade 1/2 adverse events (AE). Grade 3 or 4 AE on treatment were acute kidney injury, hyperglycemia, and maculopapular rash. One patient came off therapy due to AE. One patient (glioma) had an objective partial response and remained on protocol therapy for 15 cycles. CONCLUSION: There was a low accrual rate on this MATCH subprotocol, with only 18% of those who matched with BRAFV600 mutations enrolling, resulting in early termination, and limiting study results (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03220035).

Olaparib for childhood tumors harboring defects in DNA damage repair genes: arm H of the NCI-COG Pediatric MATCH trial.

BACKGROUND: The National Cancer Institute-Children's Oncology Group Pediatric Molecular Analysis for Therapy Choice (MATCH) precision oncology platform trial enrolled children aged 1-21 years with treatment-refractory solid tumors and predefined actionable genetic alterations. Patients with tumors harboring alterations in DNA damage repair (DDR) genes were assigned to receive olaparib. METHODS: Tumor and blood samples were submitted for centralized molecular testing. Tumor and germline sequencing were conducted in parallel. Olaparib was given twice daily for 28-day cycles starting at a dose 30% lower than the adult recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). The primary endpoint was the objective response. RESULTS: Eighteen patients matched (1.5% of those screened) based on the presence of a deleterious gene alteration in BRCA1/2, RAD51C/D, or ATM detected by tumor sequencing without germline subtraction or analysis of loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Eleven (61%) harbored a germline mutation, with only one exhibiting LOH. Six patients enrolled and received the olaparib starting dose of 135 mg/m2/dose. Two participants were fully evaluable; 4 were inevaluable because <85% of the prescribed dose was administered during cycle 1. There were no dose-limiting toxicities or responses. Minimal hematologic toxicity was observed. CONCLUSION: Most DDR gene alterations detected in Pediatric MATCH were germline, monoallelic, and unlikely to confer homologous recombination deficiency predicting sensitivity to olaparib monotherapy. The study closed due to poor accrual. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV IDENTIFIER: NCT03233204. IRB approved: initial July 24, 2017.

Enrollment of adolescent and young adult patients newly diagnosed with cancer in NCI CTEP-sponsored clinical trials before and after launch of the NCI National Clinical Trials Network.

BACKGROUND: Participation of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) in oncology clinical trials is important to ensure adequate opportunities for AYA patients to contribute to, and benefit from, advances in cancer treatment. METHODS: Accrual data for National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program (CTEP) cooperative group-led treatment trials were examined to assess enrollment of newly diagnosed AYA patients (15-39 years) during the period 2004-2019, with particular interest in comparing enrollment before launch of the NCI National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) to after. All phase 2, 2/3, and 3 trials activated during the period between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2019, were identified (n = 1568) and reduced to a set of 304 that met predetermined criteria to focus on cooperative group-led trials that involved therapy for newly diagnosed cancer and had age eligibility overlapping the AYA range. The proportion of AYA patients relative to total accrual, along with 95% bootstrapped CI was calculated for patients enrolled pre-NCTN and post-NCTN. RESULTS: AYA accrual comprised 9.5% (95% CI, 7.6-11.8) pre-NCTN compared with 14.0% (95% CI, 9.9-18.3) post-NCTN. The mean difference in proportions post-NCTN compared with pre-NCTN was 4.4% (0.7%-8.3%). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate an increase in AYA participation in trials conducted within the NCTN relative to the pre-NCTN period. This suggests an awareness and utilization of NCTN trials for AYAs with cancer.

Early-phase clinical trial eligibility and response evaluation criteria for refractory, relapsed, or progressive neuroblastoma: A consensus statement from the National Cancer Institute Clinical Trials Planning Meeting.

BACKGROUND: International standardized criteria for eligibility, evaluable disease sites, and disease response assessment in patients with refractory, progressive, or relapsed high-risk neuroblastoma enrolled in early-phase clinical trials are lacking. METHODS: A National Cancer Institute-sponsored Clinical Trials Planning Meeting was convened to develop an international consensus to refine the tumor site eligibility criteria and evaluation of disease response for early-phase clinical trials in children with high-risk neuroblastoma. RESULTS: Standardized data collection of patient and disease characteristics (including specified genomic data), eligibility criteria, a definition of evaluable disease, and response evaluations for primary and metastatic sites of disease were developed. Eligibility included two distinct patient groups: progressive disease and refractory disease. The refractory disease group was subdivided into responding persistent disease and stable persistent disease to better capture the clinical heterogeneity of refractory neuroblastoma. Requirements for defining disease evaluable for a response assessment were provided; they included requirements for biopsy to confirm viable neuroblastoma and/or ganglioneuroblastoma in those patients with soft tissue or bone disease not avid for iodine-123 meta-iodobenzylguanidine. Standardized evaluations for response components and time intervals for response evaluations were established. CONCLUSIONS: The use of international consensus eligibility, evaluability, and response criteria for early-phase clinical studies will facilitate the collection of comparable data across international trials and promote more rapid identification of effective treatment regimens for high-risk neuroblastoma.

Survival outcomes for cancer types with the highest death rates for adolescents and young adults, 1975-2016.

BACKGROUND: Five-year relative survival for adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer diagnosed at the ages of 15 to 39 years is 85%. Survival rates vary considerably according to the cancer type. The purpose of this study was to analyze long-term survival trends for cancer types with the highest mortality among AYAs to determine where the greatest burden is and to identify areas for future research. METHODS: Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry and the National Center for Health Statistics, the authors examined the incidence, mortality, and survival for the 9 cancer types with the highest mortality rates in this age group from 1975 to 2016. JPSurv, new survival trend software, was used in the analysis. RESULTS: Results suggested significant improvements in 5-year relative survival for brain and other nervous system tumors, colon and rectum cancer, lung and bronchus cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (all P values < .05). Limited or no improvement in survival was found for female breast cancer, cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and bone and joint sarcomas. CONCLUSIONS: Five-year relative survival for multiple cancer types in AYAs has improved, but some common cancer types in this group still show limited survival improvements (eg, ovarian cancer). Survival improvements in colorectal cancer have been overshadowed by its rising incidence, which suggests a substantial disease burden. Future research should focus on female breast, bone, ovarian, and cervical cancers, which have seen minimal or no improvements in survival. LAY SUMMARY: Survival trends for adolescents and young adults with cancer are presented from a 40-year period. Although survival progress is noted for brain cancer, lung cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, and colon and rectum cancer, the incidence of colon and rectum cancer remains high. Minimal progress is evident for female breast, bone, ovarian, and cervical cancers, which are in need of renewed focus.

Impact of cyclophosphamide and etoposide on outcome of clear cell sarcoma of the kidney treated on the National Wilms Tumor Study-5 (NWTS-5).

PURPOSE: To improve the event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) for patients with clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) by incorporating cyclophosphamide and etoposide into treatment on National Wilms Tumor Study (NWTS)-5. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients less than 16 years of age with a centrally confirmed pathological diagnosis of CCSK were eligible for treatment on this prospective single-arm study conducted between August 1995 and June 2002. Staging consisted of CT scans of chest, abdomen, pelvis, bone scan, skeletal survey, and CT or MRI of the head. Treatment consisted of vincristine/doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide alternating with cyclophosphamide/etoposide for 24 weeks and radiation to sites of disease. RESULTS: One hundred eight eligible patients were enrolled on study (69% males, 63% Caucasian), with a median age of 22 months. Stage distribution was as follows: stage I, 12; II, 44; III, 45; IV, 7. Median follow-up was 9.7 years. Five-year EFS and OS were 79% (95% CI: 71%-88%) and 90% (95% CI: 84%-96%). Five-year EFS for stage I-IV was 100%, 88%, 73%, and 29%, respectively. Twenty of the 23 disease-related events occurred within three years of initial treatment. The most common site of recurrence was brain (12/23). CONCLUSION: The outcome for patients with CCSK treated on NWTS-5 was similar to NWTS-4 and accomplished over a shorter treatment duration. Stage was highly predictive of outcome. Brain metastases occurred more frequently than on NWTS-4. Regimen I showed more benefit for patients with stage I and II disease as compared with higher stages of disease where new therapies are needed.

Efficacy of micafungin for the treatment of invasive candidiasis and candidaemia in patients with neutropenia.

Neutropenia is linked to the development of invasive candidiasis/candidaemia, for which micafungin has demonstrated efficacy, but evidence in patients with neutropenia is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of micafungin for the treatment of invasive candidiasis/candidaemia in patients with neutropenia (<500 neutrophils/µL) and without neutropenia. This pooled, post hoc analysis of 2 Phase 3 trials compared micafungin 100 mg/d (adults) and 2 mg/kg/d (paediatrics) with L-AmB 3 mg/kg/d (NCT00106288) and micafungin 100 mg/d and 150 mg/d with caspofungin 70 mg/d followed by 50 mg/d (adults) (NCT00105144); treatment duration 2-4 weeks (≤8 weeks for chronic disseminated candidiasis). Effects of neutropenia duration and Candida spp. on efficacy outcomes (treatment success, clinical and mycological response) were examined. Of 685 patients, 77 had neutropenia. The most common infection in patients with/without neutropenia was due to C. tropicalis (31/77) and C. albicans (295/608) respectively. Overall success was numerically lower in patients with vs without neutropenia (63.6% vs 72.9%). Clinical and mycological response was similar between groups. Neutropenia duration or Candida spp. did not impact micafungin's overall success rate. This analysis supports evidence that micafungin is effective against invasive candidiasis/candidaemia in patients with neutropenia, irrespective of neutropenia duration or Candida spp., although overall success may be lower than in patients without neutropenia.

Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Liposomal Amphotericin B in Immunocompromised Pediatric Patients.

The safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of the liposomal formulation of amphotericin B (L-AMB) were evaluated in 40 immunocompromised children and adolescents. The protocol was an open-label, sequential-dose-escalation, multidose pharmacokinetic study with 10 to 13 patients in each of the four dosage cohorts. Each cohort received daily dosages of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, or 10 mg of amphotericin B in the form of L-AMB per kg of body weight. Neutropenic patients between the ages of 1 and 17 years were enrolled to receive empirical antifungal therapy or treatment of documented invasive fungal infections. The pharmacokinetic parameters of L-AMB were measured as those of amphotericin B by high-performance liquid chromatography and calculated by noncompartmental methods. There were nine adverse-event-related discontinuations, four of which were related to infusions. Infusion-related side effects occurred for 63 (11%) of 565 infusions, with 5 patients experiencing acute infusion-related reactions (7.5- and 10-mg/kg dosage levels). Serum creatinine levels increased from 0.45 ± 0.04 mg/dl to 0.63 ± 0.06 mg/dl in the overall population (P = 0.003), with significant increases in dosage cohorts receiving 5.0 and 10 mg/kg/day. At the higher dosage level of 10 mg/kg, there was a trend toward greater hypokalemia and vomiting. The area under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC0-24) values for L-AMB on day 1 increased from 54.7 ± 32.9 to 430 ± 566 µg · h/ml in patients receiving 2.5 and 10.0 mg/kg/day, respectively. These findings demonstrate that L-AMB can be administered to pediatric patients at dosages similar to those for adults and that azotemia may develop, especially in those receiving ≥5.0 mg/kg/day.

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.

Population Pharmacokinetics of Liposomal Amphotericin B in Immunocompromised Children.

Liposomal amphotericin B (LAmB) is widely used in the treatment of invasive fungal disease (IFD) in adults and children. There are relatively limited pharmacokinetic (PK) data to inform optimal dosing in children that achieves systemic drug exposures comparable to those of adults. Our objective was to describe the pharmacokinetics of LAmB in children aged 1 to 17 years with suspected or documented IFD. Thirty-five children were treated with LAmB at doses of 2.5 to 10 mg kg-1 daily. Samples were taken at baseline and at 0.5- to 2.0-h intervals for 24 h after receipt of the first dose (n = 35 patients) and on the final day of therapy (n = 25 patients). LAmB was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The relationship between drug exposure and development of toxicity was explored. An evolution in PK was observed during the course of therapy, resulting in a proportion of patients (n = 13) having significantly higher maximum serum concentrations (Cmax) and areas under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC0-24) later in the course of therapy, without evidence of drug accumulation (trough plasma concentration accumulation ratio of <1.2). The fit of a 2-compartment model incorporating weight and an exponential decay function describing volume of distribution best described the data. There was a statistically significant relationship between mean AUC0-24 and probability of nephrotoxicity (odds ratio, 2.37; 95% confidence interval, 1.84 to 3.22; P = 0.004). LAmB exhibits nonlinear pharmacokinetics. A third of children appear to experience a time-dependent change in PK, which is not explained by weight, maturation, or observed clinical factors.

Are we missing an opportunity for cancer prevention? Human papillomavirus vaccination for survivors of pediatric and young adult cancers.

Survivors of pediatric and young adult cancers remain at risk for subsequent diseases, including those related to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Prevention of HPV acquisition through vaccination has become possible over the last decade. HPV vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective, yet rates of vaccination among childhood cancer survivors have remained low. Multiple factors, including stronger advocacy for this intervention from providers, could potentially increase vaccination and lead to lower HPV disease burdens for childhood cancer survivors. Health care providers for survivors of pediatric and adolescent cancers should prioritize counseling for HPV vaccination at follow-up visits. Cancer 2015;121:3435-43. © 2015 American Cancer Society.

Allergic reactions and antiasparaginase antibodies in children with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A children's oncology group report.

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to assess the incidence of clinical allergy and end-induction antiasparaginase (anti-ASNase) antibodies in children with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated with pegylated (PEG) Escherichia coli ASNase and to determine whether they carry any prognostic significance. METHODS: Of 2057 eligible patients, 1155 were allocated to augmented arms in which PEG ASNase replaced native ASNase postinduction. Erwinia chrysanthemi (Erwinia) ASNase could be used to replace native ASNase after allergy, if available. Allergy and survival data were complete for 990 patients. End-induction antibody titers were available for 600 patients. RESULTS: During the consolidation phase, 289 of 990 patients (29.2%) had an allergic reaction. There were fewer allergic reactions to Erwinia ASNase than to native ASNase (odds ratio, 4.33; P < .0001) or PEG ASNase (odds ratio, 3.08; P < .0001) only during phase 1 of interim maintenance. There was no significant difference in 5-year event-free survival (EFS) between patients who received PEG ASNase throughout the entire study postinduction versus those who developed an allergic reaction to PEG ASNase during consolidation phase and subsequently received Erwinia ASNase (80.8% ± 2.8% and 81.6% ± 3.8%, respectively; P = .66). Patients who had positive antibody titers postinduction were more likely to have an allergic reaction to PEG ASNase (odds ratio, 2.4; P < .001). The 5-year EFS rate between patients who had negative versus positive antibody titers (80% ± 2.6% and 77.7% ± 4.3%, respectively; P = .68) and between patients who did not receive any ASNase postconsolidation and those who received PEG ASNase throughout the study (P = .22) were significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: The current results demonstrate differences in the incidence rates of toxicity between ASNase preparations but not in EFS. The presence of anti-ASNase antibodies did not affect EFS.

Increased post-induction intensification improves outcome in children and adolescents with a markedly elevated white blood cell count (≥200 × 10(9) /l) with T cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia but not B cell disease: a report from the Children's Oncology Group.

Children and adolescents presenting with a markedly elevated white blood cell (ME WBC) count (WBC ≥200 × 10(9) /l) comprise a unique subset of high-risk patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). We evaluated the outcomes of the 251 patients (12% of the study population) with ME WBC treated on the Children's Cancer Group-1961 protocol. Patients were evaluated for early response to treatment by bone marrow morphology; those with a rapid early response were randomized to treatment regimens testing longer and stronger post-induction therapy. We found that ME WBC patients have a poorer outcome compared to those patients presenting with a WBC <200 × 10(9) /l (5-year event-free survival 62% vs. 73%, P = 0·0005). Longer duration of therapy worsened outcome for T cell ME WBC with a trend to poorer outcome in B-ALL ME WBC patients. Augmented therapy benefits T cell ME WBC patients, similar to the entire study cohort, however, there appeared to be no impact on survival for B-ALL ME WBC patients. ME WBC was not a prognostic factor for T cell patients. In patients with high risk features, B lineage disease in association with ME WBC has a negative impact on survival.

Identifying and addressing the needs of adolescents and young adults with cancer: summary of an Institute of Medicine workshop.

Cancer is the leading disease-related cause of death in adolescents and young adults (AYAs). This population faces many short- and long-term health and psychosocial consequences of cancer diagnosis and treatment, but many programs for cancer treatment, survivorship care, and psychosocial support do not focus on the specific needs of AYA cancer patients. Recognizing this health care disparity, the National Cancer Policy Forum of the Institute of Medicine convened a public workshop to examine the needs of AYA patients with cancer. Workshop participants identified many gaps and challenges in the care of AYA cancer patients and discussed potential strategies to address these needs. Suggestions included ways to improve access to care for AYAs, to deliver cancer care that better meets the medical and psychosocial needs of AYAs, to develop educational programs for providers who care for AYA cancer survivors, and to enhance the evidence base for AYAs with cancer by facilitating participation in research.

US trends in survival disparities among adolescents and young adults with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

PURPOSE: Improvement in US survival rates among adolescents and young adults (AYAs, ages 15 through 39 years inclusive) diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) has been documented over the last two decades. We examined national trends in survival disparities for AYAs with NHL by race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status (SES, county-level poverty) to further understand NHL and to begin monitoring health outcome disparities for this disease. METHODS: Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results data were used to calculate 5-year relative survival rates of AYAs diagnosed with NHL from 1992 to 2007 and followed through 2011. Absolute and relative disparities were computed using HD*Calc. Whether a significant linear trend was present was evaluated using Joinpoint. Analyses were replicated after excluding individuals with known HIV infection. RESULTS: The study sample included 9,573 total and 7,121 non-HIV cases of NHL. Five-year survival rates improved for all groups over time. Significant decreases were found in absolute disparities for race/ethnicity (non-HIV), in relative disparities for SES (total) and race/ethnicity (total and non-HIV) (all p < 0.05). Survival rates of non-Hispanic Blacks and Hispanics remained below than those of non-Hispanic Whites throughout the time period. CONCLUSION: Absolute and relative disparities in 5-year survival narrowed for AYAs with NHL over the time period. To continue to promote this trend, future research should investigate factors, particularly diagnostic delays and barriers to care, which continue to contribute to SES and racial/ethnic differences in survival. These factors may be particularly relevant to identify given the recent Affordable Care Act, which is designed to increase access to medical services, particularly for young adults.

Weight change during childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia induction therapy predicts obesity: a report from the Children's Oncology Group.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a well documented problem associated with childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with increasing body mass index often observed during therapy. This study aims to evaluate if weight gain, early in therapy, is predictive of obesity at the end of treatment. PROCEDURE: In this secondary analysis, data from 1,017 high-risk ALL patients previously treated on a Children's Oncology Group protocol (CCG study 1961) were reviewed. Logistic regression was used to examine whether change in BMI z-score at Induction or Delayed Intensification (DI) 1 were predictive of obesity at the end of therapy. RESULTS: The BMI z-score at the beginning of Induction and the change in BMI z-score during Induction were both significant predictors of obesity at the end of therapy. The change in BMI z-score during cycle 1 of DI was not found to be associated with obesity. CONCLUSIONS: It is well know that obesity at the beginning of therapy is predictive of obesity at the end of ALL therapy. The new, and more important, finding from this study is that even after adjusting for baseline weight, the increase in BMI z-scores during induction was an independent predictor of obesity at the end of therapy. Most researchers agree that prevention is the best form of treatment for obesity as it is difficult to reverse once it is present. This study suggests that monitoring weight trends during Induction may be useful in guiding healthcare practitioners in identifying which patients are at highest risk for obesity development so that early intervention may occur.

Comparative Toxicity by Sex Among Children Treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Report From the Children's Oncology Group.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiologic studies find sex-based differences in incidence, survival, and long-term outcomes for children with cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine whether male and female patients differ with regard to acute treatment-related toxicities. PROCEDURES: We reviewed data collected on the Children's cancer group (CCG) high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL-HR) study (CCG-1961), and compared male and female patients' toxicity incidence and related variables in the first four phases of treatment. Similar analyses were performed with standard-risk ALL (ALL-SR) patients enrolled in CCG-1991. RESULTS: Among ALL-HR patients, females had significantly more hospital days, delays in therapy, grade 3 or 4 toxicities (e.g., gastrointestinal, liver), and supportive care interventions (e.g., transfusions, intravenous antibiotics) than males. Females were significantly more likely to have died of treatment-related causes than males (Hazard ratio = 2.8, 95%CI = 1.5-5.3, P = 0.002). Five months after beginning the treatment, the cumulative incidence of treatment-related deaths was 2.6% for females and 1.2% for males. Similar disparities were found among ALL-SR patients, with females experiencing significantly more hospital days and treatment-related toxicities than males. CONCLUSIONS: This study complements cancer survivorship studies that also report an increase in treatment-related late effects among females. Risk profiles appear to be different for male and female patients, with females having greater risk of developing both acute and long-term treatment-related toxicities. The underlying biological mechanisms for these sex differences are poorly understood and warrant further study in order to determine how sex-based outcome disparities can be addressed in future clinical trials and practice.