bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Communicating Oncologic Prognosis with Empathy (COPE) Pilot Study.
Authors: Goodgame Boone W. , Phillips Farya , Zhang Wenhui Vivian , Jones Barbara L. 
Published: March 2020

11613 Background: Multiple studies show that patients with advanced cancer often believe the goal of treatment is cure. Our interprofessional team designed the Communicating Oncologic Prognosis with Empathy (COPE) guide to enhance communication for patients, families, and the healthcare team. This unique, single-page tool allows treating physicians to estimate prognosis for patients, including likelihood of living 6 mo, 1y, 2y, and 5y, with or without treatment. Methods: Patients with incurable cancer were enrolled at one oncology clinic. Using a pre/post-test design, participants completed the validated prognosis and treatment perception survey (PTPQ) then met with their oncologist. The COPE guide was used for the discussion and the patient received a copy of the completed COPE. The COPE guide was placed in the patient chart and the healthcare team (social work, spiritual care etc.) used it to provide patient support and explore the patient’s response to the information. Post-test was completed 4-8 weeks later. Qualitative exit interviews were used to assess patient reported impact on communication with medical team, caregivers and family, and quality of life. Results: 43 patients were enrolled and 25 completed all study measures. All patients had advanced cancer with 96% of patients (24) extremely unlikely to be cured ( < 1% chance). Oncologist’s treatment goals were better quality of life and longer life. All participants completing the study found the communication guide helpful, scoring 9-10 out of 10. 95% of patients enrolled wanted to hear details about their prognosis. Pre-intervention, 28% (7) of patients reported their primary goal of treatment as cure (n = 7; 28%) or to extend life as long as possible (n = 7; 28%). Pre-intervention, patient’s perceptions of their oncologist’s goals of treatment were cure (n = 11; 44%) or extend life (n = 8; 32%). At post-test, 8% of participants (2) inaccurately reported goal of treatment as cure (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings highlight major gaps in patients’ understanding of their prognosis. COPE is a promising mechanism to enhance patient-centered communication about prognosis and treatment for patients with incurable cancer.
Current practice for screening and management of financial distress at NCCN member institutions.
Authors: Khera Nandita , Sugalski Jessica , Krause Diana , Butterfield Richard , Zhang Nan , Smedley Warren , Stewart F. Marc , Griffin Joan M. , Zafar Yousuf , Lee Stephanie 
Published: March 2020

11615 Background: Deficiencies and barriers exist to delivering comprehensive and affordable cancer care. Understanding the variation in organizational commitment, existing programs, and expected outcomes for screening and management of financial distress is needed. Methods: Representatives from 17 of 27 NCCN Member Institutions (63%) completed an online survey in November 2018 conducted by the NCCN Best Practices Committee. Centers were classified based on number of unique patients seen per year, as large ( > 10,000) (76%), or small ( < 10,000) (34%). The survey focused on institutions’ screening and management practices for patient financial distress, perceived barriers in implementation, and leadership attitudes. Results: Routine screening for financial distress was reported by 77% of centers, and most used social worker assessments (94%). 56% screened patients throughout the cancer journey. Help with drug costs, meal or gas vouchers and payment plans were offered by 100% of centers. Formal pre-authorization programs and assistance with claims and denials was offered by 81%. Charity care for medical costs was provided by 100% of the large centers compared to only 33% of small centers (p = 0.03). Median number of social workers (24 vs. 3; p = 0.01) and pharmacy representatives (6 vs. 2; p = 0.02) was also different between large and small centers. 76% evaluated the impact of financial advocacy services through number of patients assisted (85%), bad debt and charity write-offs (85%) or patient satisfaction surveys (54%). 6% and 12% reported overall effectiveness of institutional practice for screening and management of financial distress as poor/ very poor respectively. Inadequate staffing and real time resources (69%), limited institutional budget (50%), lack of reimbursement (50%), and clinical time constraints (50%) were reported as potential barriers in provision of these services. 94% agreed about stronger integration of financial advocacy services into oncology practice and 84% felt that success of these services should be a quality metric. 31% of large centers vs. 100% of small centers plan to increase staffing in this area in the next 5 years. Conclusions: Majority of NCCN Member Institutions report screening and management programs for financial distress, though the actual practices and range of services vary widely. Information from this study can help centers benchmark their performance relative to similar cancer programs and identify best practices in this area.
Lung cancer stigma: A ten-year look at patient and oncologist attitudes about lung cancer.
Authors: King Jennifer C. , Rapsomaniki Eleni , Rigney Maureen 
Published: March 2020

11619 Background: The presence of lung cancer stigma is well documented and has been shown to impact the care and treatment of lung cancer survivors (Tod et al. 2008; Carter-Harris et al. 2014). In the past decade, there has been considerable research progress in lung cancer but it is unknown if the level of stigma has changed and how that affects patient care. Methods: 205 oncologists who treat lung cancer, 208 patients with lung cancer, and 1001 members of the general public were surveyed with the same survey instrument from a 2008 survey (Weiss et al. 2014) plus 5-15 additional questions at the end. The survey was carried out with identical methodology by phone and online between June 6 and July 26, 2018. Statistical analysis was performed comparing 2008 and 2018 datasets using paired t-tests if normally distributed or Mann-Whitney U tests for continuous data and Chi-squared or Fisher’s exact test for categorical data. Results: In 2018, significantly more oncologists feel they have adequate treatment options for metastatic lung cancer (67% vs 36%, p < 0.001) and the majority of patients report being satisfied with their medical care (87%) and treatment options (71%). Despite these advances, there was a non-significant increase in oncologists indicating both that there is a stigma associated with lung cancer (68% in 2018 vs 60% in 2008) and that patients blame themselves (67% vs 57%). Significantly more patients felt that there was a stigma associated with having lung cancer (70% vs. 54%, p < 0.001). In addition, 57% of oncologists indicated that patients with different cancers are thought about, approached, or handled differently, similar to 2008. Lung cancer patients were most frequently cited as treated differently. In 2018, 40% of patients agreed with the statement “patients with lung cancer are treated differently by doctors and nurses” compared to 26% a decade ago (p = .01). Both groups felt the most common way patients were treated differently was “received less sympathy from medical staff.” Conclusions: After a decade of research progress in lung cancer, stigma surrounding the disease remains a critical problem even in a healthcare setting. Patients are perceiving stigma at higher levels and oncologists are not reporting any improvement. This work underscores the need to address stigma with proactive multilevel approaches including the need for medical providers to practice empathic communication.
Relationship between perceptions of treatment goals and psychological distress in patients with advanced cancer.
Authors: Jankowski Amanda L. , Forst Deborah Anne , Greer Joseph , Nipp Ryan David , Waldman Lauren , Temel Jennifer S. , El-Jawahri Areej 
Published: March 2020

11621 Background: Several studies have demonstrated discordance between how patients perceive their goal of treatment versus how they perceive their oncologist’s goal. Studies evaluating the extent and risk factors of this discordance are lacking. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 559 patients with incurable lung, gastrointestinal, breast, and brain cancers. We used the Perception of Treatment and Prognosis Questionnaire to assess patients’ perceptions of both their treatment goal and their oncologist’s goal and categorized responses: 1) patients who reported that both their goal and their oncologist’s goal was concordant (either to cure or not to cure); and 2) patients who reported discordant perceptions of their goal versus their oncologist’s goal. We assessed patients’ psychological distress using the Hospital-Anxiety-and-Depression-Scale and used linear regression to assess the relationship between patients’ perceptions of their treatment goal and psychological outcomes. Results: 61.7% of patients reported that both their goal and their oncologist’s goal was non-curative; 19.3% reported that both their goal and their oncologist’s goal was to cure their cancer; and 19.0% reported discordance between their goal and their perception of the oncologist’s goal. Older age (OR = 0.98, P = 0.01), non-Hispanic ethnicity (OR = 0.31, P = 0.049), and higher education (OR = 0.62, P = 0.042) were associated with lower likelihood of reporting discordant goals. Patients with discordant perceptions of their goal and their oncologist’s goal reported higher anxiety (B = 1.56, P = 0.003) compared to those who reported that both their goal and their oncologist’s goal was curative. Patients who reported both their goal and the oncologist’s goal was non-curative had higher depression symptoms (B = 1.06, P = 0.013) compared to those who reported that both their goal and the oncologists’ goal was curative. Conclusions: One-fifth of patients with advanced cancer report discrepancies between their perceptions of their own and their oncologists’ treatment goal which is associated with psychological distress. Tools are needed to identify patients at risk of cognitive dissonance about their prognosis.
Evaluating the effects of a structured exercise intervention on physical self-worth in men with prostate cancer: Addressing an unmet need.
Authors: Dunne Richard Francis , Heckler Charles E. , Inglis Julia Ellen , Lin Po-Ju , Fung Chunkit , Peppone Luke Joseph , Lopez Gilberto , Culakova Eva , Kleckner Ian , Janelsins Michelle Christine , Jatoi Aminah , Mohile Supriya Gupta , Mustian Karen Michelle 
Published: March 2020

11625 Background: Improving body image and self-esteem are top ASCO priorities in the survivorship care of men with prostate cancer (PCa). Body image and global self-esteem, influenced by physical self-worth, are negatively affected by PCa treatment. We investigate whether exercise can improve physical self-worth in men treated for PCa and if improving self-worth is associated with changes in quality of life (QoL) and mental health. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of a phase II randomized controlled trial comparing the effects of Exercise for Cancer Patients(EXCAP), a structured, 6-week, home-based exercise intervention, to usual care (UC) in men with non-metastatic PCa receiving radiation or Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT). The Physical Self-Perception Profile (PSPP), a valid 30-item questionnaire where higher scores indicate greater physical self-worth, was assessed at pre- and post-intervention. Changes between arms were compared using ANCOVA. Spearman correlations were calculated for pre/post-intervention change scores for PSPP and QoL, depression, and anxiety as measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT), Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), respectively. Results: Fifty-eight men were randomized; average age was 67.1 years. Physical self-worth at baseline moderated the effect of the intervention. Compared to UC, EXCAP improved physical self-worth in those with baseline PSPP scores above the median (p < 0.04). Exercisers with baseline PSPP scores in the top quartile demonstrated a more significant improvement over UC (p < 0.01). Improvements in physical self-worth were associated with improved QoL (r = 0.29, p = 0.04), depression (r = -0.28, p = 0.04) and anxiety (r = -0.30, p = 0.03). Conclusions: Exercise significantly improves physical self-worth in men with PCa on radiation or ADT, and greater physical self-worth is associated with improved QoL, depression and anxiety. Those with higher baseline physical self-worth derived the most benefit from exercise. Exercise should be prescribed to boost self-esteem and body image in men receiving radiation or ADT for PCa. Clinical trial information: NCT00815672.
Primary results of the phase 4 BYOND study of bosutinib (BOS) for pretreated chronic phase (CP) chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
Authors: Gambacorti-Passerini Carlo , Abboud Camille N. , Gjertsen Bjorn T. , Brümmendorf Tim H. , Smith B. Douglas , Giraldo-Castellano Pilar , Olsson-Strömberg Ulla , Saussele Susanne , Bardy-Bouxin Nathalie , Viqueira Andrea , Leip Eric , Leone Jocelyn M , Rosti Gianantonio , Watts Justin M. , Giles Frank , Hochhaus Andreas ,   BYOND Study Investigators
Published: March 2020

7012 Background: The tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) BOS is approved for patients (pts) with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph)+ CML resistant/intolerant to prior therapy and newly diagnosed pts in CP. Methods: The ongoing phase 4 BYOND study is further evaluating efficacy and safety of BOS (starting dose 500 mg/d) for CML resistant/intolerant to prior TKIs. Primary endpoint (not powered) in Ph+ CP CML cohorts is cumulative confirmed major cytogenetic response (MCyR) by 1 y. Results: Of 163 pts who received BOS, 156 had Ph+ CP CML (46, 61 and 49 after 1, 2 and 3 prior TKIs, respectively). Across Ph+ CP CML cohorts, 51.9% of pts were male; median age was 61 y. As of 1 y after last enrolled pt (median follow-up 30.4 mo), 56.4% remained on BOS. Median BOS duration was 23.7 mo and median dose intensity after adjustment due to adverse events (AEs) 313 mg/d. Of 144 evaluable pts with a valid baseline assessment, cumulative confirmed MCyR by 1 y was 71.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 63.4–78.7). Cumulative complete cytogenetic response rate anytime on treatment was 81.3% (95% CI 73.9–87.3). Cumulative molecular response (MR) rates were high across lines of therapy (Table). 10 deaths occurred (5 on treatment); 1-y overall survival rate was 98.0%. No pt progressed to accelerated/blast phase on treatment. 25.0% discontinued BOS due to AEs and 5.1% due to insufficient response. Most common treatment-emergent AEs (TEAEs) were diarrhea (87.8%) and nausea (41.0%). Grade 3/4 TEAEs in > 10% of pts were diarrhea (16.7%) and increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT; 14.7%). The only TEAE leading to discontinuation in > 5% of pts was increased ALT (5.1%). Conclusions: Most pretreated pts with Ph+ CP CML had MCyR by 1 y with BOS; a substantial proportion achieved or preserved major MR (MMR) and deep MR in all therapy lines. Results further support BOS use for Ph+ CP CML resistant/intolerant to prior TKIs. Clinical trial information: NCT02228382. [Table: see text]
Clinical features, molecular aberrations, treatments, and outcomes in histiocytic sarcoma.
Authors: Ruan Gordon , Goyal Gaurav , Bennani Nabila Nora , Shah Mithun Vinod , Rech Karen , Go Ronald S. ,   Mayo Clinic Histiocytosis Working Group
Published: March 2020

7020 Background: Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is a rare and aggressive malignancy of the monocyte/macrophage lineage. There is a paucity of data on treatments and outcomes in HS. Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients with histologically confirmed diagnosis of HS from 2000-2018. Kaplan-Meier and log-rank tests were used to perform overall survival (OS) analyses. Hazard ratios (HR) with confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using Cox-proportional hazards. Results: There were 27 patients in the study (median age 59; range 3-83) and 63% were males. Nine had unifocal involvement and 18 had multifocal disease. Common sites involved were lymph node (50%), soft tissue (40%), bone (36%), and bone marrow (22%). Two of 8 patients had the BRAF-V600E mutation. Next-generation sequencing was performed on 8 patients and showed ≥1 oncogenic alterations (DNMT3A, FLT4, KRAS, NRAS, NUP98, PTCH1, PTPN11, TP53, TSC1, PDGFR, or BRAF genes) as well as a CLIP2-BRAF fusion. The median OS for the cohort was 12 months. Factors associated with worse OS included multifocal disease (OS 10 vs. 125 months, p = 0.03; HR 5.0, CI 1.1-21.8) and marrow involvement (OS 3 vs. 43 months, p = 0.003; HR 8.9, CI 1.7-45.0). Twelve (44%) had surgery with median OS of 42 months (range 1-125). Fifteen had chemotherapy with median OS of 12 months (range 2-67; Table). Conclusions: HS is an aggressive neoplasm, with multifocal disease and bone marrow involvement portending worse outcomes. Most patients have somatic oncogenic alterations involving the MAPK-ERK pathway and other genes. Chemotherapeutic regimens have variable response rates but are not durable. More studies on targeted kinase inhibitors in HS are needed to improve outcomes. [Table: see text]
Evaluation of etiologic genetic polymorphisms by whole exome sequencing (WES) in the Mayo Clinic AML epidemiology cohort (MCAEC).
Authors: Abdel Rahman Zaid , Cherukuri Yesesri , Heckman Michael , Finn Laura Elizabeth , Cerhan James Robert , Asmann Yan W. , Foran James M. 
Published: March 2020

7021 Background: Case-control studies (CCS) have identified germline variants (GVs) & genes associated with AML risk and/or outcome. However, whether these genes also harbor somatic mutations (SMs) in AML and whether these SMs are associated with clinical phenotypes and outcome is unknown. We systemically interrogated PubMed (terms "AML genetic polymorphisms"), yielding 612 reports (1981-2018), from which we identified unique variants/single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 100 genes associated with AML risk and/or outcome in CCS. To determine the prevalence and relevance of SMs in these genes in an unselected AML population, we performed an analysis using WES of cases in the highly-annotated MCAEC (Finn, Ca Epidemiol 2015). Methods: We performed WES using remnant cytogenetic pellets from AML diagnosis in 98 MCAEC patients with available samples, sequenced at a depth of ~100 million paired-end 100bp reads using Agilent SureSelectXT Human All Exon V5 + UTRs target enrichment kit. Sequencing reads were aligned to human reference genome, and SMs including non-synonymous (NS) and truncating single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and small INDELs were identified and filtered using Exome Sequencing Project, 1000 genome, HapMap, & Mayo Clinic (MC) internal Biobank GV database. Copy number aberrations (CNAs) were identified & filtered using public CN polymorphism databases. For this analysis we evaluated the prevalence of somatic SNVs, INDELs, & CNAs in the 100 nominated genetic risk genes in collaboration with MC Cancer Center to determine their association with clinical phenotype and outcome. Results: Of the 100 unique genes, there were 40 with SM in our dataset, with 126 total mutations. Most were mutated in a very small number of patients, allowing insufficient statistical power to perform association analyses. However, an NS mutation in CYP2B6 (c.785A > G, p.Lys262Arg) had a minor allele frequency of 12.0%; this variant has been reported in association with breast cancer risk, but not with AML. Conclusions: We studied SM’s in AML genetic risk genes using WES of tumor samples. While representing a smaller sample size, this suggests their contribution to AML development may be limited in a broader clinical population. These results & prevalence of the novel CYP2B6 rs2279343 variant in AML must be confirmed in larger cohorts.
Results from the first-in-human study of mivebresib (ABBV-075), a pan-inhibitor of bromodomain and extra terminal proteins, in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia.
Authors: Odenike Olatoyosi , Wolff Johannes E. , Borthakur Gautam , Aldoss Ibrahim Taha , Rizzieri David , Prebet Thomas , Hu Beibei , Dinh Minh , Chen Xiaotian , Modi Dimple , Freise Kevin J , Jonas Brian Andrew 
Published: March 2020

7030 Background: Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins bind to acetyllysines and upregulate oncogenic target genes. Mivebresib (ABBV-075) is a pan-BET inhibitor with antitumor activity in vitro and xenograft models of AML. This 2-part phase 1 study evaluates the safety and pharmacokinetics of mivebresib at monotherapy or combination dosing schedules in patients with solid tumors (part 1) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML; part 2) (NCT02391480). Here, we report preliminary data from part 2 in patients with relapsed/refractory (RR) AML. Methods: Mivebresib monotherapy (MIV-mono), or combined with venetoclax (MIV-VEN), were administered daily to adult patients with AML. The dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) period was 28 d. Results: As of Dec 2018, 41 patients (median age: 69 y [range, 29–84]; 19 patients had > 2 prior therapies) were enrolled: 19 in MIV-mono (5 of whom switched to MIV-combo) and 22 who began treatment in MIV-VEN cohorts. 23 patients had high cytogenetic risk. Median time on treatment was 28 d (range, 8–562). There were no DLTs. All patients experienced a treatment-emergent adverse event (AE), most commonly (≥40% patient incidence), fatigue (56%), dysgeusia (46%), decreased appetite (44%), diarrhoea (42%), nausea (42%), vomiting (42%). 40 patients had grade ≥3 AEs (febrile neutropenia (37%), anemia (34%) and thrombocytopenia (32%). 33 patients had serious AEs, most commonly febrile neutropenia (19%). 25 deaths were reported; 15 patients died of causes unrelated to mivebresib and 10 patients due to AML progression. The median best % bone marrow blast change for 26 evaluable patients was -20% (range, -98% to +300%). Gene expression analysis in pre- and post-treatment peripheral blood samples showed that HEXIM1, DCXR and CD93 genes were reliable PD biomarkers of ABBV-075 which were consistently modulated in a dose-dependent manner. At the cutoff date, median overall survival for all patients was 2.6 m. Conclusions: Mivebresib was well tolerated and showed antileukemic effects in patients with RR AML. Clinical trial information: NCT02391480.