The Impact of Resistance Exercise on Muscle Mass in Glioblastoma in Survivors (RESIST): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain malignancy in adults, accounting for approximately 48% of all brain tumors. Standard treatment includes radiation and temozolomide chemotherapy. Glioblastomas are highly vascular and can cause vasogenic brain edema and mass effect, which can worsen the neurologic symptoms associated with the disease. The steroid dexamethasone (DEX) is the treatment of choice to reduce vasogenic edema and intracranial pressure associated with glioblastoma. However high-dose DEX or long-term use can result in muscle myopathy in 10%-60% of glioblastoma patients, significantly reducing functional fitness and quality of life (QOL). There is a wealth of evidence to support the use of exercise as an adjuvant therapy to improve functional ability as well as help manage treatment-related symptoms. Specifically, resistance training has been shown to increase muscle mass, strength, and functional fitness in aging adults and several cancer populations. Although studies are limited, research has shown that exercise is safe and feasible in glioblastoma populations. However, it is not clear whether resistance training can be successfully used in glioblastoma to prevent or mitigate steroid-induced muscle myopathy and associated loss of function. OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose of this study is to establish whether an individualized circuit-based program will reduce steroid-induced muscle myopathy, as indicated by maintained or improved functional fitness for patients on active treatment and receiving steroids. METHODS: This is a 2-armed, randomized controlled trial with repeated measures. We will recruit 38 adult (≥18 years) patients diagnosed with either primary or secondary glioblastoma who are scheduled to receive standard radiation and concurrent and adjuvant temozolomide chemotherapy postsurgical debulking and received any dose of DEX through the neurooncology clinic and the Nova Scotia Health Cancer Center. Patients will be randomly allocated to a standard of care waitlist control group or standard of care + circuit-based resistance training exercise group. The exercise group will receive a 12-week individualized, group and home-based exercise program. The control group will be advised to maintain an active lifestyle. The primary outcome, muscle myopathy (functional fitness), will be assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery and hand grip strength. Secondary outcome measures will include body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity, QOL, fatigue, and cognitive function. All measures will be assessed pre- and postintervention. Participant accrual, exercise adherence, and safety will be assessed throughout the study. RESULTS: This study has been funded by the Canadian Cancer Society Atlantic Cancer Research Grant and the J.D. Irving Limited-Excellence in Cancer Research Fund (grant number 707182). The protocol was approved by the Nova Scotia Health and Acadia University's Research Ethics Boards. Enrollment is anticipated to begin in March 2022. CONCLUSIONS: This study will inform how individualized circuit-based resistance training may improve functional independence and overall QOL of glioblastoma patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrails.gov NCT05116137; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05116137. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/37709.

Phase II study of PX-866 in recurrent glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive malignancy of the central nervous system in adults. Increased activity of the phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI3K) signal transduction pathway is common. We performed a phase II study using PX-866, an oral PI3K inhibitor, in participants with recurrent GBM. METHODS: Patients with histologically confirmed GBM at first recurrence were given oral PX-866 at a dose of 8 mg daily. An MRI and clinical exam were done every 8 weeks. Tissue was analyzed for potential predictive markers. RESULTS: Thirty-three participants (12 female) were enrolled. Median age was 56 years (range 35-78y). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 0-1 in 29 participants and 2 in the remainder. Median number of cycles was 1 (range 1-8). All participants have discontinued therapy: 27 for disease progression and 6 for toxicity (5 liver enzymes and 1 allergic reaction). Four participants had treatment-related serious adverse events (1 liver enzyme, 1 diarrhea, 2 venous thromboembolism). Other adverse effects included fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and lymphopenia. Twenty-four participants had a response of progression (73%), 1 had partial response (3%, and 8 (24%) had stable disease (median, 6.3 months; range, 3.1-16.8 months). Median 6-month progression-free survival was 17%. None of the associations between stable disease and PTEN, PIK3CA, PIK3R1, or EGFRvIII status were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: PX-866 was relatively well tolerated. Overall response rate was low, and the study did not meet its primary endpoint; however, 21% of participants obtained durable stable disease. This study also failed to identify a statistically significant association between clinical outcome and relevant biomarkers in patients with available tissue.

Examining time intervals between diagnosis and treatment in the management of patients with limited stage small cell lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To examine time intervals between diagnosis and treatment of limited stage small cell lung cancer (L-SCLC) and to evaluate its effect on clinical outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on 166 patients with L-SCLC referred to a regional cancer center between January 1991 and December 1999 were analyzed. The time intervals studied were defined as: interval A, first abnormal chest x-ray to pathologic diagnosis: interval B, diagnosis to first oncology consultation; interval C, oncology consultation to first day of thoracic radiotherapy (RT); interval D, oncology consultation to first day of chemotherapy; and interval E, first day of chemo to first day of RT. Cox proportional hazards models were used to examine associations between the time intervals and thoracic relapse (TR) and overall survival (OS) outcomes. Logistic regression analysis was used to model associations between time and complete response (CR) rates. RESULTS: The median time duration of intervals A to E were 20, 12, 63.5, 15, and 48 days, respectively. When time was analyzed as a continuous variable, no statistically significant association between the interval lengths and outcomes studied was observed. Dichotomizing each interval using the median value as cut-off revealed that interval A >20 days was significantly associated with improved CR (odds ratio = 3.573; P = 0.027) whereas interval B >12 days was associated with a trend toward lower CR (odds ratio = 0.348; P = 0.073). CONCLUSIONS: Short median times from first abnormal chest x-ray to diagnosis and from diagnosis to oncology consultation indicate that L-SCLC patients were diagnosed and referred promptly in the community setting. OS and TR appeared independent of the time intervals analyzed. Individual variations in disease presentation and tumor biology may explain the observed associations between early pathologic diagnosis and inferior CR rates.

The effects of age and comorbidity on treatment and outcomes in women with endometrial cancer.

BACKGROUND: Although the incidence of endometrial cancer increases with age, the effect of patient age on treatment selection and outcomes is unclear. In addition, although aging is associated with increased prevalence of comorbid conditions, the extent to which comorbidities influence endometrial cancer management is not well documented. METHODS: This population-based analysis evaluates the effect of age and comorbidity on endometrial cancer treatment and outcome in a cohort of 401 patients referred to the Vancouver Island Centre, British Columbia Cancer Agency from 1989 to 1996. Treatment and 5-year actuarial overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were compared by age at diagnosis (<65, 65-74, and > or =75 years) and comorbidity index (Charlson score 0-1 and > or =2). RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 7.8 years. In this cohort, 148 (37%), 152 (38%), and 101 (25%) were aged <65, 65-74, and > or =75 years, respectively. Charlson comorbidity scores > or =2 were found in 18% of patients. Distributions of disease stage, tumor characteristics, and surgical therapy were similar across age and comorbidity subgroups. Standard surgery in this cohort comprised hysterectomy without routine lymphadenectomy. In stage Ic disease, the use of postoperative RT declined with advanced age (96%, 97%, and 74% in patients aged <65, 65-74, and > or =75 years, respectively, P = 0.05) and with increased comorbidities (91% and 79% in patients with Charlson score 0-1 and > or =2, respectively, P = 0.07). Among stage Ic patients aged > or =75 years, pelvic/vaginal relapse occurred in 2 of 6 patients treated with hysterectomy alone compared with 0 of 20 patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy (P = 0.006). On multivariable Cox modeling, age at diagnosis, performance status, stage, grade, lymphovascular invasion, surgery, and radiotherapy use, but not Charlson comorbidity score, were significant predictors for overall survival. CONCLUSIONS: Although surgical therapy for endometrial cancer was not influenced by age or comorbidities, reduced use of postoperative radiotherapy in stage Ic disease was observed among women with advanced age and high comorbidity index. The associated pelvic/vaginal relapse rates were higher in elderly patients not treated with radiotherapy. Chronologic age alone should not preclude patients from consideration of optimal local therapy.

Do age and comorbidity impact treatment allocation and outcomes in limited stage small-cell lung cancer? a community-based population analysis.

PURPOSE: The effects of age and comorbidity on treatment and outcomes for patients with limited stage small-cell lung cancer (L-SCLC) are unclear. This study analyzes relapse and survival in a community-based population with L-SCLC according to age and comorbidity. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 174 patients with L-SCLC referred to the British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver Island Centre, between January 1991 and December 1999. Patient and treatment characteristics, disease response, relapse, and survival were compared among three age cohorts: <65 years (n = 55, 32%), 65-74 years (n = 76, 44%), and > or =75 years (n = 43, 25%); and according to Charlson comorbidity scores 0, 1, and > or =2. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent prognostic factors associated with treatment response and survival. RESULTS: Patient factors that significantly differed with age were functional status classified by Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status and number of comorbidities. Increasing age was significantly associated with fewer diagnostic scans. Combined modality chemoradiotherapy (CRT) was given in 86%, 66%, and 40% of patients ages <65, 65-74, and > or =75 years, respectively, (p <0.0001). Thoracic irradiation use was comparable among the age cohorts (p >0.05), but chemotherapy use varied significantly with less intensive regimens, fewer cycles, and lower total doses with advancing age (p <0.05). Prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) was used in 41 patients, only 3 of whom were age >70 years. Overall response rates to primary treatment significantly decreased with advancing age: 91%, 79%, and 74% in patients ages <65, 65-74, and > or =75 years, respectively (p = 0.014). Treatment toxicity and relapse patterns were similar across the age cohorts. Overall 2-year survival rates were significantly lower with advancing age: 37%, 22%, and 19% (p = 0.003), with corresponding median survivals of 17, 12, and 7 months among patients ages <65, 65-74, and > or =75 years, respectively. On multivariate analysis, age and Charlson comorbidity scores were not significantly associated with treatment response and survival. Independent prognostic factors favorably associated with survival were good performance status, normal lactate dehydrogenase, absence of pleural effusion, and > or =four cycles of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Increasing age was associated with decreased performance status and increased comorbidity. Older patients with L-SCLC were less likely to be treated with CRT, intensive chemotherapy, and PCI. Treatment response and survival rates were lower with advancing age, but this may be attributed to poor performance status and suboptimal treatment rather than age.