Impact of vaccination against COVID-19 on patients with cancer in ACHOC-C19 study: Real world evidence from one Latin American country.

Introduction: During the pandemic, it has been recommended that vaccination against COVID-19 be a priority for patients with cancer; however, these patients were not included in the initial studies evaluating the available vaccines. Objective: To define the impact of vaccination against COVID-19 in preventing the risk of complications associated with the infection in a cohort of patients with cancer in Colombia. Methods: An analytical observational cohort study, based on national registry of patients with cancer and COVID 19 infection ACHOC-C19, was done. The data was collected from June 2021, until October 2021. Inclusion criteria were: Patients older than 18 years with cancer diagnosis and confirmed COVID-19 infection. Data from the unvaccinated and vaccinated cohorts were compared. Outcomes evaluated included all-cause mortality within 30 days of COVID-19 diagnosis, hospitalization, and need for mechanical ventilation. The estimation of the effect was made through the relative risk (RR), the absolute risk reduction (ARR) and the number needed to treat (NNT). Multivariate analysis was performed using generalized linear models. Results: 896 patients were included, of whom 470 were older than 60 years (52.4%) and 59% were women (n=530). 172 patients were recruited in the vaccinated cohort and 724 in the non-vaccinated cohort (ratio: 1 to 4.2). The cumulative incidence of clinical outcomes among the unvaccinated vs vaccinated patients were: for hospitalization 42% (95% CI: 38.7%-46.1%) vs 29%; (95% CI: 22.4%-36.5%); for invasive mechanical ventilation requirement 8.4% (n=61) vs 4.6% (n=8) and for mortality from all causes 17% (n=123) vs 4.65% (n=8). Conclusion: In our population, unvaccinated patients with cancer have an increased risk of complications for COVID -19 infection, as hospitalization, mechanical ventilation, and mortality. It is highly recommended to actively promote the vaccination among this population.

Expanded Access Study of Palbociclib Plus Letrozole for Postmenopausal Women with HR+/HER2- Advanced Breast Cancer in Latin America for Whom Letrozole Therapy is Deemed Appropriate.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Palbociclib is a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitor that is approved in the United States for the treatment of hormone receptor‒positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor‒2 negative (HER2-) advanced breast cancer (ABC). The objectives of this expanded access trial were to provide palbociclib in combination with letrozole to patients with HR+/HER2- ABC in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico who were candidates for letrozole therapy before commercial availability of palbociclib, and to evaluate the safety and tolerability of palbociclib plus letrozole. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Postmenopausal women aged ≥ 18 years with HR+/HER2- ABC were eligible to participate in this study. Patients received palbociclib 125 mg once daily (3/1 schedule) and letrozole 2.5 mg once daily (continuous schedule). Safety, objective response rate (ORR), and duration of treatment were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 130 patients were treated with palbociclib plus letrozole (Argentina, n = 33; Brazil, n = 35; Colombia, n = 28; Mexico, n = 34). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of any grade were neutropenia (70.0%), leukopenia (34.6%), anemia (33.8%), decreased neutrophil count (27.7%), and thrombocytopenia (24.6%); 22.3% of patients required a palbociclib dose reduction due to adverse events (AEs). Serious AEs were reported in 32 patients (24.6%). The ORR was 24.8% (95% confidence interval 17.6‒33.2), and the median duration of treatment was 10.6 months (range 0.1‒29.3). CONCLUSION: Palbociclib in combination with letrozole was generally well tolerated with a clinically manageable safety profile; the observed ORR supported treatment benefit in Latin American women with HR+/HER2- ABC. TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02600923.

This study was done to learn more about the safety of 2 medicines together for women with advanced breast cancer after menopause. All 130 women in the study had the most common kind of breast cancer and were from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico. Everyone took 2 oral medicines called palbociclib and letrozole during the study. The researchers looked for any side effects experienced by the women while taking these medicines together. Another goal of the study was to see how well the treatment worked. Blood tests showed 70.0% of women had a side effect where they had a lower number of a type of white blood cell called a neutrophil. In total, 34.6% of women had low levels of another white blood cell called a leukocyte. These blood test results can mean a person is more likely to get infections. Serious side effects were experienced by 24.6% of the women, which meant these were life-threatening, caused lasting problems, or they needed hospital care. To cope with their side effects, 22.3% of the women switched to a lower palbociclib dose; 24.8% of the women had an overall response, which meant they either had a decrease in their tumor size or all cancer signs disappeared from their body. The most common length of time in the study was 10.6 months and the longest time was 29.3 months. The results of this study support using palbociclib plus letrozole to treat women who live in Latin America with advanced breast cancer after menopause.

Real-world evidence of nivolumab for non-small-cell lung cancer in a developing country.

Nivolumab is a human programmed death receptor-1 blocking antibody, used as treatment option in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We assessed the nivolumab efficacy in terms of survival and response to treatment as second-line (2L) or third-line (3L) therapy in patients with advanced NSCLC. This is a multicentric observational study. Data of patients with advanced NSCLC who received nivolumab as 2L or 3L treatment were analyzed retrospectively. Information regarding patient demographics and clinical backgrounds, treatment patterns from diagnosis to post-nivolumab treatment, effectiveness, and safety of nivolumab treatment were collected. The outcomes evaluated were overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and objective response rate (ORR) to treatment. OS and PFS were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method and the differences were evaluated through the log-rank test. Data of 178 patients were included. The median follow-up was 26.8 months (interquartile range (IQR): 20.3-40.4). Nivolumab was commonly used as a 2L treatment (77.5%). The outcomes in this setting (2L) were as follows: ORR was 21.0%, and the median PFS and OS were 5.5 months (95% confidence interval (CI): 4.5-6.5) and 12.4 months (95% CI: 10.8-14.0), respectively. In 3L, the ORR with nivolumab was 15.0%, the median PFS and OS were 4.1 months (95% CI: 3.1-5.1) and 10.1 months (95% CI: 9.4-10.6), respectively. Three patients (1.7%) required discontinuation due to toxicity. Nivolumab effectiveness and safety in this scenario was consistent with that reported by previous trials and other real-world data.

Impact of COVID-19 Infection on Patients with Cancer: Experience in a Latin American Country: The ACHOCC-19 Study.

INTRODUCTION: The ACHOCC-19 study was performed to characterize COVID-19 infection in a Colombian oncological population. METHODOLOGY: Analytical cohort study of patients with cancer and COVID-19 infection in Colombia. From April 1 to October 31, 2020. Demographic and clinical variables related to cancer and COVID-19 infection were collected. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality from all causes. The association between the outcome and the prognostic variables was analyzed using logistic regression models and survival analysis with Cox regression. RESULTS: The study included 742 patients; 72% were >51 years. The most prevalent neoplasms were breast (132, 17.77%), colorectal (92, 12.34%), and prostate (81, 10.9%). Two hundred twenty (29.6%) patients were asymptomatic and 96 (26.3%) died. In the bivariate descriptive analysis, higher mortality occurred in patients who were >70 years, patients with lung cancer, ≥2 comorbidities, former smokers, receiving antibiotics, corticosteroids, and anticoagulants, residents of rural areas, low socioeconomic status, and increased acute-phase reactants. In the logistic regression analysis, higher mortality was associated with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) 3 (odds ratio [OR] 28.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.2-99.6); ECOG PS 4 (OR 20.89; 95% CI, 3.36-129.7); two complications from COVID-19 (OR 5.3; 95% CI, 1.50-18.1); and cancer in progression (OR 2.08; 95% CI, 1.01-4.27). In the Cox regression analysis, the statistically significant hazard ratios (HR) were metastatic disease (HR 1.58; 95% CI, 1.16-2.16), cancer in progression (HR 1.08; 95% CI, 1.24-2.61) cancer in partial response (HR 0.31; 95% CI, 0.11-0.88), use of steroids (HR 1.44; 95% CI, 1.01-2.06), and use of antibiotics (HR 2.11; 95% CI, 1.47-2.95). CONCLUSION: In our study, patients with cancer have higher mortality due to COVID-19 infection if they have active cancer, metastatic or progressive cancer, ECOG PS >2, and low socioeconomic status. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study's findings raise the need to carefully evaluate patients with metastatic cancer, in progression, and with impaired Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group status to define the relevance of cancer treatment during the pandemic, consider the risk/benefit of the interventions, and establish clear and complete communication with the patients and their families about the risk of complications. There is also the importance of offering additional support to patients with low income and residence in rural areas so that they can have more support during cancer treatment.

Descripción de las caracteristicas clínicas de las neoplasias mieloproliferativas crónicas (NMPC). Primer informe del registro colombiano de NMPC / Description of the clinical characteristics of chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). First report of the colombian registry of MPNs

Resumen Introducción y objetivos: las neoplasias mieloproliferativas crónicas (NMPC) son relativamente raras, con incidencias que varían entre 0.47-1.03/100 000 habitantes. Se presenta el primer informe del trabajo del registro colombiano de NMPC, cuyo objetivo es describir las características clínicas de estos pacientes en nuestro país. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo observacional, multicéntrico, retrospectivo y prospectivo en ocho centros del país, de abril de 2013 a diciembre de 2014. Las variables cualitativas se presentan con frecuencias absolutas y relativas; y las cuantitativas se resumen en medidas de tendencia central y dispersión. Resultados: once centros fueron aprobados, ocho ingresaron pacientes. En los primeros 179 casos reportados, 50% eran hombres, la edad promedio al diagnóstico 58.7 años (rango 19-92). Noventa y tres muestran trombocitemia esencial (TE); 55, policitemia vera (PV); y 31, mielofibrosis (MF). El 41% tenía esplenomegalia al diagnóstico; el 20% tuvo complicaciones trombóticas; y 12.85%, sangrado. Sólo en 57.5% se realizó JAK; de ellos, en 53.5% fue positivo, en especial sólo 60% de las PV. El 8% de los casos no tenía estudio de médula ósea, el 29.3% tiene algún grado de fibrosis. El hallazgo más frecuente fue hiperplasia megacariocítica en 59.78%. Más de 50% de pacientes estaban sintomáticos al diagnóstico. Sólo el 11% no recibió tratamiento farmacológico; los más frecuentes fueron hidroxiurea en 149 casos y ASA en 79. Con promedio de seguimiento de 52.6 meses; el 97.21% de los pacientes están vivos. Conclusiones: los hallazgos sugieren que algunas características de las NMPC podrían ser diferentes a lo reportado en otras series, lo que valida la importancia del esfuerzo de recoger información local.

Abstract Introduction and objectives: chronic MPNs are relatively rare, with incidences varying between 0.47-1.03 / 100 000 inhabitants. The first report of the work of the Colombian registry of chronic MPNs, whose objective is to describe the clinical characteristics of these patients in our country, is presented. Materials and methods: descriptive observational, multicenter, retrospective and prospective study in eight centers of the country, from April 2013 to December 2014. Qualitative variables are presented with absolute and relative frequencies, and the quantitative ones are summarized in measures of central tendency and dispersion. Results: eleven centers were approved; 8 admitted patients. In the first 179 cases reported, 50% were men; the average age at diagnosis was 58.7 years (range 19-92). Ninety-three present essential thrombocythemia (ET); 55, polycythemia vera (PV); and 31, myelofibrosis (MF). 41% had splenomegaly at diagnosis; 20% had thrombotic complications, and 12.85%, bleeding. JAK was performed in only 57.5%. Of them, in 53.5% was positive, especially in only 60% of the PV. 8% of the cases had no bone marrow study; 29.3% had some degree of fibrosis. The most frequent finding was megakaryocytic hyperplasia in 59.78%. More than 50% of patients were symptomatic at diagnosis. Only 11% did not receive pharmacological treatment, being the most frequent hydroxyurea in 149 cases and ASA in 79, with an average follow-up of 52.6 months. 97.21% of patients are alive. Conclusions: the findings suggest that some characteristics of chronic MPNs could be different from those reported in other series, which validates the importance of the effort to collect local information.

Recomendaciones sobre el manejo del cáncer de páncreas tipo adenocarcinoma en Latinoamérica: Reunión del Consenso del Simposio Latinoamericano de Gastroenterología Oncológica (SLAGO) y de la Asociación Ibero Latinoamericana de Terapia Radiante (ALATRO), Viña del Mar, Chile 2015 / Recommendations for the management of pancreatic cancer type adenocarcinoma: A consensus statement reached during the 2015 Latin American Symposium on Gastroenterological Oncology

Pancreatic cancer is a malignancy of great impact in developed countries and is having an increasing impact in Latin America. Incidence and mortality rates are similar for this cancer. This is an important reason to offer to the patients the best treatments available. During the Latin American Symposium of Gastroenterology Oncology (SLAGO) held in Viña del Mar, Chile, in April 2015, a multidisciplinary group of specialists in the field met to discuss about this disease. The main conclusions of this meeting, where practitioners from most of Latin American countries participated, are listed in this consensus that seek to serve as a guide for better decision making for patients with pancreatic cancer in Latin America.

[Recommendations for the management of pancreatic cancer type adenocarcinoma: A consensus statement reached during the 2015 Latin American Symposium on Gastroenterological Oncology]. / Recomendaciones sobre el manejo del cáncer de páncreas tipo adenocarcinoma en Latinoamérica: Reunión del Consenso del Simposio Latinoamericano de Gastroenterología Oncológica (SLAGO) y de la Asociación Ibero Latinoamericana de Terapia Radiante (ALATRO), Viña del Mar, Chile 2015.

Pancreatic cancer is a malignancy of great impact in developed countries and is having an increasing impact in Latin America. Incidence and mortality rates are similar for this cancer. This is an important reason to offer to the patients the best treatments available. During the Latin American Symposium of Gastroenterology Oncology (SLAGO) held in Viña del Mar, Chile, in April 2015, a multidisciplinary group of specialists in the field met to discuss about this disease. The main conclusions of this meeting, where practitioners from most of Latin American countries participated, are listed in this consensus that seek to serve as a guide for better decision making for patients with pancreatic cancer in Latin America.

Follow-up of the tumor load in patients with de novo chronic myeloid leukemia and in complete cytogenetic remission treated with imatinib in Colombia / Seguimiento de la carga tumoral en pacientes con leucemia mielode crónica de novo y en remisión citogenética completa tratados con imatinib en Colombia

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the hematological, cytogenetic, and molecular responses in Colombian patients with CML chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with imatinib. Methods: Two groups of patients, one with the novo diagnostic and another in state of complete cytogenetic remission were followed for 12 months with quantitative PCR evaluations every three months and with chromosomal analysis every 6 months. Results: The group with the novo diagnosis showed 50% of complete cytogenetic remission at 12 months while the other 50% were considered to have primary resistance. Respect the molecular analysis, 10.5% of the patients reached undetectable BCR-ABL transcripts at 12 months. In the complete cytogenetic remission group, 10.6% lost the state of complete cytogenetic remission at 12 months, 50% reached undetectable BCR-ABL transcripts but 10% showed levels higher than 10%, which in our standardization was equal to no molecular response. Conclusions: Despite having received the conventional dosages of 400 mg/day of imatinib, the cytogenetic and molecular responses obtained in our group of Colombian patients with CML, were lower than those in other international studies.

RESUMEN Objetivo. Evaluar las respuestas hematológica, citogenética y molecular en pacientes colombianos con leucemia mieloide crónica tratados con imatinib. Métodos. Dos grupos, uno con diagnóstico de novo y otro en el estado de remisión citogenética completa, se siguieron mediante estudios citogenéticos en médula ósea cada 6 meses y reacción en cadena de la polimerasa cuantitativa (Q-PCR) cada 3 meses. Resultados. En el grupo de novo, el 50% alcanzó el estado de remisión citogenética completa mientras el otro 50% se consideró con Resistencia primaria. Respecto al análisis molecular, 10.5% mostró transcriptos BCR-ABL indetectables. En el grupo de remisión citogenética completa, 10.6% perdió la condición de remisión citogenética completa, en el 50% los transcriptos BCR-ABL fueron indetectables mientras el 10% mostró niveles por encima del 10% considerado como no respuesta molecular, según nuestra estandarización. Conclusión. Aunque los pacientes recibieron las dosis convencionales de 400 mg/día de imatinib, las tasas de respuesta citogenética y molecular en los pacientes colombianos fueron menores que las obtenidas en estudios internacionales.

Follow-up of the tumor load in patients with de novo chronic myeloid leukemia and in complete cytogenetic remission treated with imatinib in Colombia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hematological, cytogenetic, and molecular responses in Colombian patients with CML chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treated with imatinib. METHODS: Two groups of patients, one with the novo diagnostic and another in state of complete cytogenetic remission were followed for 12 months with quantitative PCR evaluations every three months and with chromosomal analysis every 6 months. RESULTS: The group with the novo diagnosis showed 50% of complete cytogenetic remission at 12 months while the other 50% were considered to have primary resistance. Respect the molecular analysis, 10.5% of the patients reached undetectable BCR-ABL transcripts at 12 months. In the complete cytogenetic remission group, 10.6% lost the state of complete cytogenetic remission at 12 months, 50% reached undetectable BCR-ABL transcripts but 10% showed levels higher than 10%, which in our standardization was equal to no molecular response. CONCLUSIONS: Despite having received the conventional dosages of 400 mg/day of imatinib, the cytogenetic and molecular responses obtained in our group of Colombian patients with CML, were lower than those in other international studies.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar las respuestas hematológica, citogenética y molecular en pacientes colombianos con leucemia mieloide crónica tratados con imatinib. MÉTODOS: Dos grupos, uno con diagnóstico de novo y otro en el estado de remisión citogenética completa, se siguieron mediante estudios citogenéticos en médula ósea cada 6 meses y reacción en cadena de la polimerasa cuantitativa (Q-PCR) cada 3 meses. RESULTADOS: En el grupo de novo, el 50% alcanzó el estado de remisión citogenética completa mientras el otro 50% se consideró con Resistencia primaria. Respecto al análisis molecular, 10.5% mostró transcriptos BCR-ABL indetectables. En el grupo de remisión citogenética completa, 10.6% perdió la condición de remisión citogenética completa, en el 50% los transcriptos BCR-ABL fueron indetectables mientras el 10% mostró niveles por encima del 10% considerado como no respuesta molecular, según nuestra estandarización. CONCLUSIÓN: Aunque los pacientes recibieron las dosis convencionales de 400 mg/día de imatinib, las tasas de respuesta citogenética y molecular en los pacientes colombianos fueron menores que las obtenidas en estudios internacionales.