Long-term prospective outcome data using EndoPredict as risk stratification and chemotherapy decision biomarker in hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To report the prospective long-term outcome data of patients whose chemotherapy decision was guided by the EndoPredict test. METHODS: Patients with hormone receptor-positive HER2-negative early breast cancer with 0-3 positive lymph nodes were enrolled. The EndoPredict test was carried out on all tumor samples. Treatment compliance, local recurrence, distant metastases, and survival were evaluated. Associations of EPclin risk stratification with 5-year disease-free survival and distant metastasis-free survival were evaluated by time-to-event analysis. RESULTS: 368 consecutive patients were included in the analysis. Median follow-up was 8.2 years. EndoPredict allocated 238 (65%) in the low-risk and 130 (35%) patients in the high-risk group. Risk for disease recurrence or death in EPclin high-risk patients was twofold higher than in EPclin low-risk patients (hazard ratio [HR] 2.08; 95% CI 1.26-3.44; p = 0.004). EPclin low-risk patients had a 5-year disease-free survival of 95.3% (95% CI 92.6-98.0%). EPclin high-risk patients were at higher risk of developing distant metastases or death (HR 2.21; 95% CI 1.27-3.88; p = 0.005). EPclin high-risk patients who underwent chemotherapy had a 5-year DFS of 89.1% (95% CI 82.7-96.1%) in contrast to high-risk patients without chemotherapy (68.9%; 95% CI 56.2-84.5%; HR 0.46; 95% CI 0.23-0.95; p = 0.036). EPclin high-risk patients were at higher risk of experiencing distant metastases or death than EPclin low-risk patients regardless of menopausal status (premenopausal: HR 3.55; 95% CI 1.17-12.32; p = 0.025; postmenopausal: HR 1.92; 95% CI 0.99-3.7; p = 0.054). CONCLUSION: EndoPredict can guide decisions on adjuvant chemotherapy in early luminal breast cancer. EndoPredict risk stratification is also applicable in premenopausal women.

Experiences with alternative online lectures in medical education in obstetrics and gynecology during the COVID-19 pandemic-possible efficient and student-orientated models for the future?

PURPOSE: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic posed an eminent challenge for medical teachers worldwide. Face-to-face lectures and seminars were no longer possible, and alternatives had to be found. E-learning concepts quickly emerged as the only practicable solutions and also offered the opportunity to evaluate whether traditional face-to-face lectures could be translated into an online format, independent of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We offered an e-learning program consisting of lecture notes, screencasts with audio narration, and online webinars that covered topics normally taught in traditional lectures and seminars. To evaluate the learning behavior and quality of our e-learning program, we drafted a questionnaire that students completed at the end of the 2020 summer semester that had been designed to enable a comparative analysis of the different e-learning modules. RESULTS: Voluntary participation in the online courses was high. Survey analysis revealed high satisfaction with and a distinctive preference for the format, even under regular, COVID-19-independent conditions. In general, a positive appraisal of e-learning-especially as a substitute for regular lectures-was found. Students also reported higher studying efficiency. Exam results were equal to those of previous semesters. CONCLUSION: Both acceptance of and satisfaction with our e-learning modules were high, and students displayed increased demand for this kind of e-learning format. We, therefore, conclude that e-learning offerings could serve as reasonable, efficient, student-orientated substitutes for certain medical courses, especially lectures. These curricular adaptations would correlate with the high digitalization seen in students' everyday lives. This correlation may also hold true independent of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

First prospective outcome data for the second-generation multigene test Endopredict in ER-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Prospectively collected outcome data of patients (pts) whose adjuvant systemic therapy recommendation was based on the clinico-molecular test EndoPredict® (EP) are presented. METHODS: Pts with ER-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer with 0-3 positive lymph nodes were enrolled. The EP was carried out on all tumor samples. Pts were evaluated for treatment compliance, local recurrence, distant metastases and overall survival. Censored time-to-event outcomes were analysed by Cox proportional hazards models. Additional estimates of the event-free-survival were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Hypothesis testing was conducted on two-sided exploratory 5% significance levels. RESULTS: 373 consecutive pts were enrolled. EP classified 238 pts (63.8%) as low risk and 135 pts (36.2%) as high risk. Median follow-up was 41.6 months. Risk for disease recurrence or death in EPclin high-risk patients was twofold higher in comparison with EPclin low-risk patients (hazard ratio (HR) 2.05 (95% CI 0.85-4.96; p = 0.110). Patients with EPclin high risk were at significant higher risk of distant metastases than patients with EPclin low risk (HR 5.18; 95% CI 1.04-25.74; p = 0.0443). EPclin high-risk patients who actually underwent adjuvant CTX had a 3-year-DFS of 96.3% (95% CI 92.2-100) in contrast to EPclin high-risk patients without CTX (3-year-DFS: 91.5% (95% CI 82.7-100%); HR 0.32; 95% CI 0.10-1.05; p = 0.061). CONCLUSION: These first prospective outcome results show that EP, in clinical routine, is a valid clinico-molecular test, to predict DFS and to guide decision of adjuvant CTX use in ER-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer pts with 0-3 positive lymph nodes. Adjuvant CTX seems to be beneficial for EPclin high-risk patients.

Complementary medicine in radiation oncology : German health care professionals' current qualifications and therapeutic methods.

INTRODUCTION: Recently, complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has moved more into the focus, and cancer societies such as the German Cancer Society (Deutsche Krebsgesellschaft, DKG) have established working groups to develop a guideline for CAM. The present work aims to evaluate the acceptance of CAM in the whole radiation oncology community. METHODS: We conducted an online survey on CAM and sent the modified questionnaire that was successfully distributed to all members of the Research Group on Gynecological Oncology (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynakologische Onkologie, AGO) of the DKG in 2014 to the members of the German Society of Radiation Oncology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Radioonkologie und Strahlentherapie, DEGRO). The survey consisted of 17 questions regarding personal information and current CAM guidelines within the workplace/clinic. RESULTS: A total of 143 members participated. Of these, 12% had some CAM qualification. For hematological cancer in 35% and in up to 76% for breast cancer, CAM treatment is offered in German radiation oncology facilities, mainly due to fatigue symptoms. CAM is part of routine treatment in 32.2%, 22.0% are planning to incorporate it. Most physicians advise patients to partake in sports activities and recommend dietary supplements and nutritional counseling. The cost of CAM treatment is fully covered in 9.8% of all participating facilities. CONCLUSION: Today, CAM is integrated into cancer care; however, skepticism regarding its effect still exists. Evidence-based results must be generated to convince physicians of the effectiveness of CAM methods. CAM qualifications must be included in physicians' training to improve their understanding and counseling regarding CAM options in cancer care.

Use of biologically-based complementary medicine in breast and gynecological cancer patients during systemic therapy.

BACKGROUND: Biologically-based complementary medicines (BB-CAM) including herbs and nutritional supplements are frequently taken by breast- and gynecological cancer patients undergoing systemic therapy. The aim of this study was to analyze the use of these natural CAM methods under systemic therapy. METHODS: From September 2014 to December 2014 and February 2017 to May 2017 all patients (n= 717) undergoing systemic therapy at the day care unit, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Technical University Munich, Germany, with breast- and/or gynecological cancer were included in this survey. The self-administered 8-item questionnaire was developed to obtain information on complementary medication intake during systemic therapy. RESULTS: Among 448 respondents 74.1% reported to use complementary medication simultaneous to their systemic therapy. The most frequently applied methods during therapy were vitamins and minerals supplements (72.3%), medicinal teas (46.7%), phytotherapy (30.1%), and mistletoe (25.3%). The analysis showed that various patients-, disease- and therapy characteristics like receiving chemotherapy (p= 0.002), and younger age (younger than 60 years; p=0.017) are significantly associated with BB-CAM use. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that female cancer patients undergoing systemic therapy frequently use BB-CAM medicine. Therefore, it is indispensable to implement counseling and evidence-based complementary treatments into clinical routine of cancer centers. A counseling service for integrative medicine concepts and an outpatient program (ZIGG) was therefore implemented in our cancer center in 2013. Further research on the CAM intake of cancer patients is needed in order to verify drug interactions and implement specific guidelines for integrative medication concepts.

Demand for integrative medicine among women in pregnancy and childbed: a German survey on patients' needs.

BACKGROUND: Although integrative medicine is gaining increasing attention and is claiming more and more its place in modern health care, it still plays a marginal role in conventional maternity care. The present study aims to examine the patterns of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use and the demand for integrative therapies, including CAM, relaxation therapies, nutritional counseling, and psychological assistance, among women in pregnancy and childbed. METHODS: The survey was conducted from April 2017 to July 2017 by means of a pseudo-anonymous 38-item questionnaire at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich. Eligible participants were women hospitalized due to pregnancy related complications and women in childbed. Descriptive statistics were generated to determine patterns of CAM use and demand for integrative therapeutic approaches. Univariate analysis was used to detect associations between patients' characteristics and their interest in the different integrative therapies. Furthermore, binary logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio of demand for CAM. RESULTS: A total of 394 out of 503 patients participated in the survey (78%). 60% declared using CAM in general, 45% specifically in relation to their pregnancy or childbed. Most commonly used modalities were vitamins (31% of all patients), yoga (24%), and herbal supplements (23%). Most popular sources of recommendation of CAM use were midwives and gynecologists. Integrative therapy options patients would have wanted alongside conventional maternity care were CAM (64%), relaxation therapies (44%), dietary counseling (28%), and psychological counseling (15%). Furthermore, associations between patients' sociodemographic characteristics and their demand for integrative therapies were identified. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that there is a considerable demand for integrative medicine and widespread use of CAM among women during pregnancy and childbed in Germany. Maternity health care providers should be aware of these findings in order to be able to better address patients' needs and wishes. Our study findings should be interpreted with regard to patients in an hospital setting.

Reconstructive breast surgery with partially absorbable bi-component Seragyn® BR soft mesh: an outcome analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Synthetic meshes and acellular dermal matrices are increasingly used in implant-based breast reconstruction. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence and severity of complications following the implantation of the partially absorbable bi-component soft mesh SERAGYN® BR and assess risk factors for adverse operative outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective clinical study was performed: The SERAGYN® BR soft mesh was utilized in 148 operations (skin-sparing mastectomy, nipple-sparing mastectomy, breast-conserving surgery, and secondary reconstruction after mastectomy) in four different institutions in Germany from June 2012 to February 2014. We analyzed whether the results were affected by tumor morphology (e.g., grading), patient characteristics and comorbidities, previous surgery or therapies, and use of alloplastic materials. RESULTS: The SERAGYN® BR soft mesh was successfully implanted in 131 of 148 operations. The rate of reconstructive failure was 11.5%. The most common complication was seroma (25.7%), followed by hematoma and skin infection (each 14.2%). Wound-healing issues were detected in 13.5% cases, secondary wound infections in 10.8%. 83.8% of operations had no severe complications. Independent predictors for reconstructive failure were wound-healing issues, nipple- or skin necrosis, wound- or skin infections, a high volume of excised tissue, hematomas, seromas, and sentinel lymph node excisions. A higher body mass index was correlated with a higher rate of infection. CONCLUSION: SERAGYN® BR mesh can be used successfully in breast reconstructive surgery. Rates of major complications or reconstructive failure are comparable to the use of other synthetic or biological meshes.

Gynecologic oncologists' attitudes and practices relating to integrative medicine: results of a nationwide AGO survey.

PURPOSE: The growing popularity and acceptance of integrative medicine is evident both among patients and among the oncologists treating them. As little data are available regarding health-care professionals' knowledge, attitudes, and practices relating to the topic, a nationwide online survey was designed. METHODS: Over a period of 11 weeks (from July 15 to September 30, 2014) a self-administered, 17-item online survey was sent to all 676 members of the Research Group on Gynecological Oncology (Arbeitsgemeinschaft Gynäkologische Onkologie) in the German Cancer Society. The questionnaire items addressed the use of integrative therapy methods, fields of indications for them, advice services provided, level of specific qualifications, and other topics. RESULTS: Of the 104 respondents (15.4%) using integrative medicine, 93% reported that integrative therapy was offered to breast cancer patients. The second most frequent type of tumor in connection with which integrative therapy methods were recommended was ovarian cancer, at 80% of the participants using integrative medicine. Exercise, nutritional therapy, dietary supplements, herbal medicines, and acupuncture were the methods the patients were most commonly advised to use. CONCLUSION: There is considerable interest in integrative medicine among gynecological oncologists, but integrative therapy approaches are at present poorly implemented in routine clinical work. Furthermore there is a lack of specific training. Whether future efforts should focus on extending counseling services on integrative medicine approaches in gynecologic oncology or not, have to be discussed. Evidence-based training on integrative medicine should be implemented in order to safely guide patients in their wish to do something by themselves.

Detecting Metastatic Patterns of Oligometastatic Breast Cancer: A Comparative Analysis of 18F-FDG PET/CT and Conventional CT Imaging.

Metastasis-directed therapy has the potential to improve progression-free and overall survival in oligometastatic disease (OMD). For breast cancer, however, randomized trials have failed so far to confirm this finding. Because the concept of metastasis-directed therapy in OMD is highly dependent on the accuracy of the imaging modality, we aimed to assess the impact of 18F-FDG PET/CT on the definition of OMD in breast cancer patients. Methods: Eighty patients with a total of 150 18F-FDG PET/CT images (between October 2006 and January 2022) were enrolled in this retrospective study at the Technical University of Munich. The inclusion criteria were OMD, defined as 1-5 distant metastases, at the time of 18F-FDG PET/CT. For the current study, we systemically compared the metastatic pattern on 18F-FDG PET/CT with conventional CT. Results: At the time of 18F-FDG PET/CT, 21.3% of patients (n = 32) had a first-time diagnosis of metastatic disease, 40.7% (n = 61) had a previous history of OMD, and 38% (n = 57) had a previous history of polymetastatic disease. In 45.3% of cases, the imaging modality (18F-FDG PET/CT vs. conventional CT) had an impact on the assessment of whether OMD was present. An identical metastatic pattern was observed in only 32% of cases.18F-FDG PET/CT detected additional metastases in 33.3% of cases, mostly in the nonregional lymph node system. Conclusion: The use of 18F-FDG PET/CT had a substantial impact on the definition of OMD and detection of metastatic pattern in breast cancer. Our results emphasize the importance of establishing a standardized definition for imaging modalities in future trials and clinical practices related to metastasis-directed therapy in breast cancer patients.

Tumor Contact With Internal Mammary Perforator Vessels as Risk Factor for Gross Internal Mammary Lymph Node Involvement in Patients With Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: The identification of internal mammary lymph node metastases and the assessment of associated risk factors are crucial for adjuvant regional lymph node irradiation in patients with breast cancer. The current study aims to investigate whether tumor contact with internal mammary perforator vessels is associated with gross internal mammary lymph node involvement. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We included 297 patients with primary breast cancer and gross internal mammary (IMN+) and/or axillary metastases as well as 230 patients without lymph node metastases. Based on pretreatment dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, we assessed contact of the tumor with the internal mammary perforating vessels (IMPV). RESULTS: A total of 59 patients had ipsilateral IMN+ (iIMN+), 10 patients had contralateral IMN+ (cIMN+), and 228 patients had ipsilateral axillary metastases without IMN; 230 patients had node-negative breast cancer. In patients with iIMN+, 100% of tumors had contact with ipsilateral IMPV, with 94.9% (n = 56) classified as major contact. In iIMN- patients, major IMPV contact was observed in only 25.3% (n = 116), and 36.2% (n = 166) had no IMPV contact at all. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that "major IMPV contact" was more accurate in predicting iIMN+ (area under the curve, 0.85) compared with a multivariate model combining grade of differentiation, tumor site, size, and molecular subtype (area under the curve, 0.65). Strikingly, among patients with cIMN+, 100% of tumors had contact with a crossing contralateral IMPV, whereas in cIMN- patients, IMPVs to the contralateral side were observed in only 53.4% (iIMN+) and 24.8% (iIMN-), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor contact with the IMPV is highly associated with risk of gross IMN involvement. Further studies are warranted to investigate whether this identified risk factor is also associated with microscopic IMN involvement and whether it can assist in the selection of patients with breast cancer for irradiation of the internal mammary lymph nodes.

Training in medical communication competence through video-based e-learning: How effective are video modeling and video reflection?

OBJECTIVE: The present study investigated the efficacy of the didactic approaches of video modeling (VM, best-practice examples), video reflection (VR, problem-based approach), and the combination of both (VMR) in fostering medical communication competence in a video-based digital learning environment. METHODS: N = 126 third-year medical students who participated in the pre-post study were assigned to either the intervention groups (VM, VR, and VMR) or the wait-list control group. The efficacy of the three approaches was assessed by means of a situational judgment test (SJT) of medical communication competence. To investigate the differences between the wait-list control and the intervention groups (H1), between the single-mode and combined conditions (H2), and between VM and VR (H3), we applied planned contrast analyses. RESULTS: The planned contrasts showed that the VR condition significantly improved learning outcomes in comparison to the VM condition (H3). The decreased mean scores of the VM condition offset the increased mean scores of VR, and thus no significant differences could be found in H1 and H2. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides promising evidence that VR fosters medical communication competence more effectively than VM. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Medical students' learning in video-based digital environments can be facilitated by the use of interactive VR.

ChatGPT's performance in German OB/GYN exams - paving the way for AI-enhanced medical education and clinical practice.

Background: Chat Generative Pre-Trained Transformer (ChatGPT) is an artificial learning and large language model tool developed by OpenAI in 2022. It utilizes deep learning algorithms to process natural language and generate responses, which renders it suitable for conversational interfaces. ChatGPT's potential to transform medical education and clinical practice is currently being explored, but its capabilities and limitations in this domain remain incompletely investigated. The present study aimed to assess ChatGPT's performance in medical knowledge competency for problem assessment in obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN). Methods: Two datasets were established for analysis: questions (1) from OB/GYN course exams at a German university hospital and (2) from the German medical state licensing exams. In order to assess ChatGPT's performance, questions were entered into the chat interface, and responses were documented. A quantitative analysis compared ChatGPT's accuracy with that of medical students for different levels of difficulty and types of questions. Additionally, a qualitative analysis assessed the quality of ChatGPT's responses regarding ease of understanding, conciseness, accuracy, completeness, and relevance. Non-obvious insights generated by ChatGPT were evaluated, and a density index of insights was established in order to quantify the tool's ability to provide students with relevant and concise medical knowledge. Results: ChatGPT demonstrated consistent and comparable performance across both datasets. It provided correct responses at a rate comparable with that of medical students, thereby indicating its ability to handle a diverse spectrum of questions ranging from general knowledge to complex clinical case presentations. The tool's accuracy was partly affected by question difficulty in the medical state exam dataset. Our qualitative assessment revealed that ChatGPT provided mostly accurate, complete, and relevant answers. ChatGPT additionally provided many non-obvious insights, especially in correctly answered questions, which indicates its potential for enhancing autonomous medical learning. Conclusion: ChatGPT has promise as a supplementary tool in medical education and clinical practice. Its ability to provide accurate and insightful responses showcases its adaptability to complex clinical scenarios. As AI technologies continue to evolve, ChatGPT and similar tools may contribute to more efficient and personalized learning experiences and assistance for health care providers.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on medical teaching in obstetrics and gynecology-A nationwide expert survey among teaching coordinators at German university hospitals.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic has imposed severe challenges on medical education at German university hospitals. In this first German nationwide expert survey, we addressed the responsible university teaching coordinators in obstetrics and gynecology departments and investigated their experiences during the pandemic as well as their opinions on future developments, especially with regard to the broader implementation of e-learning in the standard curriculum. METHODS: The questionnaire included 42 items and was disseminated among teaching coordinators at all 41 departments of obstetrics and gynecology at German university hospitals via an email that included a weblink to the online survey provider. Responses were collected between 19 April and 7 June 2021. RESULTS: In total, 30 responses were collected from 41 departments across Germany and their respective teaching coordinators in obstetrics and gynecology. The general opinion of the medical teaching provided during the pandemic was positive, whereas the teaching quality in practical skills was considered inferior and not equivalent to the standard face-to-face curriculum. Lectures and seminars had to be substituted by remote-learning alternatives, while clinical clerkships were reduced in length and provided less patient contact. Students in their final year experienced only a few differences in the clinical and teaching routine. Teaching coordinators in obstetrics and gynecology stated that they intend to incorporate more e-learning into the curriculum in the future. CONCLUSION: The medical educators' views presented here may help to complement the already-thoroughly investigated experiences of students under the restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical educators in obstetrics and gynecology at German university hospitals have successfully established online and hybrid teaching alternatives to their standard face-to-face courses. Building on recent experiences, digitalization could help to improve future medical education.

Incorporating Genomic and Genetic Testing into the Treatment of Metastatic Luminal Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of patients with luminal metastatic breast cancer (MBC) has become even more complex over the last few years as molecular profiling has begun to alter disease management. It is well accepted that MBC is not curable but is treatable. Today we are able to prolong progression-free survival and partly overall survival with targeted and more individual treatment strategies adjusted according to the molecular subtype. SUMMARY: Genetic and genomic testing has become therapeutically relevant in luminal MBC and is therefore an integral component within the treatment spectrum. By now, germline testing of BRCA1 and BRCA2 and somatic testing for PIK3CA mutations are inevitable elements in disease management and the current state of the art in luminal MBC patients. Furthermore, testing of ESR1 resistance mutation, ERBB2 mutation, microsatellite instability, and neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusion (mainly in secretory breast cancer) has recently gained increasing attention. However, based on the expanding role of personalized medicine, clinicians are now faced with substantial new challenges and possibly unsuspected possibilities. The following review summarizes current developments in genetic and genomic testing in luminal MBC. KEY MESSAGES: In luminal MBC genomics have become an integral component within the spectrum of oncological treatment establishing novel therapeutic facilities. Further developments in treatment personalization adjusted according to the molecular subtype should become increasingly important in order to enhance the progress of de-escalation of chemotherapy in luminal MBC. However, based on the expanding role of personalized medicine, clinicians are now faced with substantial new challenges and possibly unsuspected possibilities.

Evaluation of an Expert Guided Integrative Therapy Concept in Patients With Breast or Gynecological Cancer During Systemic Therapy.

PURPOSE: Breast and gynecological cancer patients undergoing systemic therapy frequently request integrative therapy concepts. The potential of integrative therapy (IM) lies in minimizing side effects of conventional cancer treatments and therefore decreasing treatment delays. IM can help to improve patients' physical and emotional well-being, optimizing health and quality of life as IM involves patients in their own treatment. A counseling service for integrative medicine concepts as an outpatient program was implemented in our cancer center in 2013. METHODS: In 2016 and 2017 144 breast and gynecological cancer patients were included into our specific IM program. The program comprises biological based complementary and alternative medicines (BB-CAM), a structured exercise therapy, manipulative and body-based practices, nutritional counseling, psycho-oncological and relaxing therapies. Therapists with additional specialization for IM, guide the treatment units. The program was evaluated via self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: 78% of the participating patients noticed an improvement by using BB-CAMs. 86% stated to feel better through participation in the structured exercise program. 74% profited from nutritional counseling and 91% from manual therapy. 93% of the patients treated with body compresses considered the application as soothing. The Bio-Frequency Sound Color Bed led to a relaxation in 96%. Psychological therapy improved coping with the disease in 70% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Integrative oncology combines the best practices of conventional and complementary therapy, uniting them in a holistic concept. Data show that our integrative therapy concept is well accepted by the patients and that therapy- and disease-related side effects can be reduced.

Improving physicians' surgical ward round competence through simulation-based training.

OBJECTIVE: Ward rounds are an essential part of physicians' daily routine. Existing studies suggest that their practical implementation is inconsistent. Therefore, developing interventions to train ward round competence and assessing if they are effective educational tools are crucial goals for research. METHODS: We analysed a simulation-based tutorial dedicated to fourth-year medical students, including casework and ward round simulation. We investigated the effectiveness of this intervention regarding ward round competence through a randomized controlled trial. Performance was assessed with the modified/validated surgical ward round assessment tool by two blinded and trained raters. Supplementary, motivation during the ward round tutorial was assessed for all students at different time points. RESULTS: Analysis of the ratings show that, in contrast to the control group (pre: 66.1 vs. post: 64.8 points, p =  0.72), the ward round competence of the intervention group (pre: 62.6 vs. post: 69.6 points, p =  0.0169) improved significantly after participating in the ward round tutorial. CONCLUSION: The results show that our simulation-based training is an effective way to improve competence of medical students in conducting surgical ward rounds. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Participation in ward round trainings is a valuable tool to prepare students for their future professional practise.

Risk stratification in luminal-type breast cancer: Comparison of Ki-67 with EndoPredict test results.

OBJECTIVES: Adjuvant chemotherapy decision in patients with hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer (BC) is challenging. Ki-67 is widely used for adjuvant therapy decision in BC. The multigene assay EndoPredict (EP) has shown to provide valid and additional information about the risk of recurrence compared to traditional pathological factors. In this study, we compared Ki-67 with EP assay generated risk groups. METHODS: We analyzed the results from prospective EP testing (n = 373) and tumor proliferation assessed by Ki-67 staining in luminal breast cancer. We statistically investigated the association of both parameters and probed for equivalence in risk stratification. RESULTS: Evaluation of Ki-67 was feasible in 307 (82%) BC specimens with known EP test results. The EPscore (now called 12-gene molecular score) delineated 140 low and 167 high scores. After combining the EPscore with pathological tumor stage and nodal status, we received 203 EPclin low-risk and 104 EPclin high-risk classifications. EPscore and EPclin were significantly associated with Ki-67 indices and tumor grade (p < 0.001). Overall, we observed a moderate correlation between Ki-67 and the EPscore (r = 0.63) as well as the EPclin score (r = 0.59). CONCLUSION: Ki-67 values above 25% partly overlap with EP test results and therefore indicate a high-risk profile. In these cases, the additional prognostic information from EP testing might be rather low. However, low and intermediate Ki-67 values (less than 25%) alone were not reliable in predicting a low risk EP profile, indicating that EP testing is useful in this subgroup.

Initial experience with CDK4/6 inhibitor-based therapies compared to antihormone monotherapies in routine clinical use in patients with hormone receptor positive, HER2 negative breast cancer - Data from the PRAEGNANT research network for the first 2 years of drug availability in Germany.

PURPOSE: Treatment with CDK4/6 inhibitors and endocrine therapy (CDK4/6i + ET) is a standard for patients with advanced hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative (HR + HER2-) breast cancer (BC). However, real-world data on the implementation of therapy usage, efficacy, and toxicity have not yet been reported. METHODS: The PRAEGNANT registry was used to identify advanced HR + HER2- BC patients (n = 1136). The use of chemotherapy, ET, everolimus + ET, and CDK4/6i + ET was analyzed for first-line, second-line, and third-line therapy. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were also compared between patients treated with CDK4/6i + ET and ET monotherapy. Also toxicity was assessed. RESULTS: CDK4/6i + ET use increased from 38.5% to 62.7% in the first 2 years after CDK4/6i treatment became available (November 2016). Chemotherapy and ET monotherapy use decreased from 2015 to 2018 from 42.2% to 27.2% and from 53% to 9.5%, respectively. In this early analysis no statistically significant differences were found comparing CDK4/6i + ET and ET monotherapy patients with regard to PFS and OS. Leukopenia was was seen in 11.3% of patients under CDK4/6i + ET and 0.5% under ET monotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: In clinical practice, CDK4/6i + ET has been rapidly implemented. A group of patients with a more unfavorable prognosis was possibly treated in the real-world setting than in the reported randomized clinical trials. The available data suggest that longer follow-up times and a larger sample size are required in order to identify differences in survival outcomes. Studies should be supported that investigate whether chemotherapy can be avoided or delayed in this patient population by using CDK4/6i + ET.

Variations in Parent and Teacher Ratings of Internalizing, Externalizing, Adaptive Skills, and Behavioral Symptoms in Children with Selective Mutism.

Selective mutism (SM) is an anxiety disorder that impacts communication. Children with SM present concerns to parents and teachers as they consistently do not speak in situations where there is an expectation to speak, such as at school, but speak in other settings where they feel more comfortable, such as at home. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between parents' and teachers' perceptions of children with SM on behavioral rating scales and language measures. Forty-two children (22 boys and 20 girls, ranging from 2.4 to 13.8 years, with a mean age of 7.1 years) took part in this study. Parents and teachers completed the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-3) measuring internalizing behaviors, externalizing behaviors, adaptive skills, and behavioral symptoms. Frequency of speaking and language abilities were also measured. Parents and teachers both identified withdrawal as the most prominent feature of SM but parents saw children as significantly more withdrawn than did their teachers. Both rated children similarly at-risk on scales of functional communication and social skills. Higher adaptive skills (including functional communication and social skills) were positively correlated with vocabulary, narrative language, and auditory serial memory according to teachers. Parent and teacher rating scales provide valuable information for diagnosis and progress monitoring. Children with SM can benefit from mental health practitioners who can identify and enhance their emotional well-being.

Evaluating the Demand for Integrative Medicine Practices in Breast and Gynecological Cancer Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Integrative medicine is becoming increasingly relevant to modern oncology. The present study aims to assess the demand for integrative therapeutic approaches including complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), body and mind practices, nutritional counseling, and psychological assistance among breast and gynecological cancer patients. METHODS: From April to July 2017, a pseudo-anonymous questionnaire was distributed to cancer patients at the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Technical University of Munich. Patterns of CAM use and demand for integrative health approaches were investigated by generating descriptive statistics. RESULTS: 182 (90%) of 203 patients participated in the survey. 59% indicated the use of CAM practices in general, and 41% specifically in relation to their oncological disease. Most frequently used modalities were herbal supplements (32%), homeopathy (29%), vitamins (28%), and selenium (21%). Integrative health approaches that patients would have desired alongside conventional oncological treatment were CAM (54%), relaxation therapies (44%), and dietary counseling (43%). CONCLUSION: There is a considerable demand for integrative medicine among breast and gynecological cancer patients. Our results underline the need for the implementation of evidence-based integrative treatments in cancer care in order to meet the standards of modern oncology.