bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can patients with advanced malignancy and poor performance status benefit from nivolumab plus ipilimumab as a palliative treatment?
Authors: Abughanimeh Omar Khaled , Sharma Smriti , High Robin , Krishnan Mridula , Teply Benjamin A. 
Published: June 2021

12028 Background: Performance status (e.g. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] score) is a predictive tool used to determine whether a patient may benefit from cytotoxic chemotherapy. The toxicity profile of immunotherapy is different, and less is known about whether performance status (PS) is similarly associated with toxicity and benefit. Nonetheless, most clinical trials for immune checkpoint inhibitors have excluded patients with poor PS. Emerging data by our group and others has linked poor PS with lack of response and decreased survival with anti-PD-1/L1 agents, but whether combination therapy abrogates the poor outcomes of PD1 only therapy is unknown. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with metastatic cancer who received ipilimumab plus nivolumab at our institution between January 2014-December 2020. We compared outcomes between those with good PS (Group A, ECOG PS 0-1) and poor PS (Group B, ECOG PS ≥ 2). Our primary outcomes were overall survival (OS) and incidence of grade 3-4 immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Other outcomes included objective response rates and need for hospitalization. We utilized the Kaplan-Meyer method for time to survival analysis and exact Pearson Chi-squared testing for response, toxicity, and hospitalization analysis. Results: A total of 129 patients were identified with a mean age of 59.9 years. Among them were 73 males (57%) and 56 females (43%). Malignant melanoma was the most common malignancy (39%) followed by renal cell carcinoma (27%), small cell lung cancers (10%), non-small cell lung cancers (9%), and the rest with other histologies. 113 patients (87.6%) were in group A and 16 (12.4%) in group B. Across all tumor types, patients in Group B had significantly worse OS compared to group A (HR 0.24 [0.13-0.48], P = < 0.0001). Group B similarly had higher rates of hospitalization compared to group A (94% vs 56%, P = 0.0048). Interestingly, irAEs were not driving these hospitalizations, with a trend toward lower rates of irAEs in the poor PS group (19% vs 46% in Group A, P = 0.057). The overall response rate in group B was numerically lower (6% vs 26% in group A, p = 0.1). Conclusions: Our study showed that using ipilimumab plus nivolumab in patients with poor PS was associated with significantly poorer OS and higher rates of hospitalizations. irAEs were not increased in the poor PS group, suggesting a lack of treatment efficacy seemed to driving these poor outcomes. Extrapolation of clinical trial data for ipilimumab-nivolumab to a broader population including those with poor PS should be done with caution. Unfortunately, our data showed that most patients with poor PS were not adequately palliated with ipilimumab-nivolumab.
Effect of a geriatric management unit on the outcomes of hospitalized older adults with cancer in Mexico.
Authors: Henriquez Santos Gretell , de la O Murillo Andrea , Soto Perez De Celis Enrique 
Published: June 2021

12039 Background: Geriatric assessments and interventions improve the outcomes of hospitalized older adults with cancer, but their implementation in developing countries is limited. We studied the effect of a specialized geriatrician-led inpatient geriatric management unit compared with a conventional internal medicine ward on the outcomes of hospitalized Mexican older adults with cancer. Methods: This retrospective study included patients aged ≥65 with solid tumors who had a cancer-related hospitalization at a public academic center in Mexico City between March 2015 and October 2018. Patients hospitalized in the geriatric management unit (cases) were paired in a 1:2 fashion with those in internal medicine wards (controls). Pairing was done by age (+/- 5 years), tumor type, and admission date (+/- 3 months). We studied the effect of being hospitalized in the geriatric management unit on length of stay (LOS), incidence of delirium, hospital-acquired complications, and in-hospital mortality. Multivariate logistic regression models for each outcome were created using variables which were significant on univariate analysis. Results: 300 patients (100 cases, 200 controls, median age 75) were included. The most common tumors were gastrointestinal (GI) (53%) and genitourinary (25%). Both groups were comparable regarding baseline comorbidities (Charlson index 8.5 vs. 7.7, p = 0.99) and illness severity at admission (NEWS2 score 2.6 vs. 2.3, p = 0.82). No difference in median LOS was found between cases and controls (9.1 vs. 9.5 days, p = 0.34). Diagnosis of a GI tumor (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.3-5.5), hospital-acquired complications (OR 4.9, 95% CI 2.5-7.3), and delirium (OR 5.5, 95% CI 2.3-8.7) were associated with longer LOS. 14% of patients in both groups had delirium. Hospitalization in the geriatric management unit reduced the risk of delirium (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.1-0.9), while a higher Charlson index (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0-1.4), NEWS2 score (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4), and hospital-acquired complications (OR 7.3, 95% CI 2.9-18.5) increased it. 34% of patients developed hospital-acquired complications. Diagnosis of a GI tumor (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.3) and higher NEWS2 score (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4) increased the risk of hospital-acquired complications. No differences in in-hospital mortality were seen between cases and controls (12% vs. 10%, p = 0.59). A higher NEWS2 score at admission (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.7) and delirium (OR 10.7, 95% CI 3.2-36.3) increased the risk of death. Conclusions: Among older Mexican adults hospitalized for a cancer-related diagnosis, receiving care in a geriatric management unit led to a significant decrease in the risk of delirium. No improvements were seen in LOS, complications, or in-hospital mortality, which were associated with tumor and patient-related characteristics. Geriatric co-management can lead to improved geriatric outcomes in developing countries with limited resources.
Predictors of early readmission to hospital and mortality in patients with malignant ascites: Analysis of the nationwide readmissions database.
Authors: Yazdanpanah Omid , Mir Tanveer , Kabashneh Sohaip , Azar Ibrahim , Nagasaka Misako , Al Hallak Mohammed Najeeb 
Published: June 2021

12057 Background: Malignant ascites accounts for 7 percent of ascites cases in the United States. It is a common manifestation of several solid tumors and is associated with poor prognosis with median survival of 3 months. Moreover, patients with malignant ascites are at risk of recurrent hospitalizations. Hospital readmissions are costly for health-care system and are regarded as a quality of care index. Nevertheless, predictive factors for hospital readmissions and mortality in patients with malignant ascites are limited. Understanding these factors can expedite development of strategies to reduce the readmission and health-care costs. Methods: Utilizing the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD), we conducted a retrospective cohort study on patients admitted with malignant ascites between 2016 and 2018 across the United States. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine the predictors of unplanned 30-days readmissions and mortality among patients with malignant ascites. Results: Out of 130,648 patients hospitalized with malignant ascites, 15,756 individuals (12.1%) were readmitted within next 30 days. Predictors of early readmission included pulmonary embolism (OR 2.40; 95% CI 1.55-3.74), complicated diabetes (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.05-1.56) and having Medicaid insurance (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.11-1.62). In-hospital mortality for patients with malignant ascites was 14.1%. The comorbidities associated with increased mortality were liver disease (OR 1.87; 95% CI 1.77-1.97), pulmonary embolism (OR 1.60; 95% CI 1.34-1.90), renal failure (OR 1.39; 95% CI 1.27-1.52), and congestive heart failure (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.16-1.38). Patients with Medicaid insurance also had higher mortality (OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.12-1.32) among the payers. Conclusions: One in eight patients with malignant ascites was readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. By examining the risk factors leading to readmission, this study helped to identify the subpopulations of patients likely to become more ill. The strong association of pulmonary embolism with readmission and in hospital mortality suggests the benefit of prophylactic anticoagulation. Furthermore, higher readmission and mortality rate within Medicaid insurance population can open a new window in studying health care disparities.
Predictors of falls after starting an exercise program: A secondary analysis in inactive, female cancer survivors participating in the GET FIT trial.
Authors: Tibbitts Deanne , Stoyles Sydnee , Dieckmann Nathan , Horak Fay B. , Luoh Shiuh-Wen , Li Fuzhong , Winters-Stone Kerri M. 
Published: June 2021

12075 Background: Women treated for cancer are more likely to fall than women without a cancer history. Exercise is a fall prevention strategy for older adults that we are testing in the GET FIT trial as a fall prevention approach in women cancer survivors. Increasing physical activity, though, could acutely increase the risk of falls in inactive survivors with known fall risk related to treatment. Knowing who might be at risk prior to beginning an exercise program would inform additional safety precautions during exercise. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of baseline data from the GET FIT trial that enrolled inactive, older women who had completed chemotherapy for cancer. Women completed objective (muscle strength, static postural control, range of motion, physical functioning) and self-report (fall history, comorbidities, presence of neuropathy symptoms, pain severity, depressive symptoms, cognitive functioning, perceptions of lower extremity functioning, disability, fear of falling, demographic, and clinical characteristics) measures at baseline. Falls were prospectively collected during the 6 month intervention using monthly self report. Potential predictors of falls were included if univariate tests revealed significant differences between fallers and non-fallers. To identify the strongest predictors of falls, we used an automated model selection and multimodel inference approach to perform an exhaustive model search. Results: Baseline data were available for 415 participants with known faller status at the end of the intervention, of whom 31.3% (n = 130) reported at least one fall. The average age of the sample was 62.1±6.4 years and consisted mostly of non-Hispanic white, married, highly educated, overweight or obese women treated for breast cancer. Fallers (1+ falls) and non-fallers significantly differed on measures of fall history, comorbidities, pain, neuropathy, fear of falling, disability, perceived lower extremity functioning, cognitive functioning, depression, and postural control. The best model of faller status (per BIC) included postural control (p = 0.004), perceived lower extremity functioning (p = 0.072), and fear of falling (p = 0.030). Odds of ≥1 fall during the intervention increased by 1.72 (95% CI: 1.05-2.83) times for a 0.1-point decrease in postural control, 1.11 (1.04-1.19) times for a 0.1-point increase in fear of falling, and 1.02 (1.00-1.03) times for a 1-point decrease in perceived lower extremity functioning. Conclusions: Women cancer survivors with poor balance, poor self-rated functioning, and a fear of falling may need to take additional fall precautions when starting an exercise program. Clinical trial information: NCT01635413.
The effectiveness of a provincial symptom assessment program in reaching adolescents and young adults with cancer: A population-based cohort study.
Authors: Gupta Sumit , Sutradhar Rinku , Li Qing , Coburn Natalie G. 
Published: June 2021

12101 Background: Symptom control is prioritized by cancer patients and may improve overall survival. Several jurisdictions have thus launched population-wide initiatives to assess symptoms at regular intervals. In Ontario, Canada, for example, all cancer patients are screened using the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) at every outpatient visit. Few studies have examined symptom burdens in adolescents and young adults (AYA). Previous work suggests that AYA symptoms differ from those in older patients, and that general screening tools may not be appropriate. Despite this, whether current symptom screening initiatives reach AYA with cancer are unknown. We therefore determined 1) Whether AYA with cancer were participating in ESAS screening, and 2) Which AYA were at highest risk of not being screened. Methods: We identified all Ontario AYA diagnosed with cancer at age 15-29 years between 2010-2018 and treated in adult centers. Patients were linked to population-based databases to identify all cancer-related outpatient visits in the year following diagnosis and whether visits involved completion of an ESAS form. Each patient’s first year was divided into two-week periods. For each period, AYA were considered either “unscreened” if they had a cancer-related visit but no ESAS score, or “screened” if they had a cancer-related visit with at least one ESAS score. Periods without cancer-related visits were not considered, given no potential for ESAS screening during such periods. Covariates included age at diagnosis, sex, cancer type, neighbourhood income quintile, and institution type [regional cancer centre (RCC) vs. community]. Multivariable logistic regression models were implemented under a generalized estimating equations approach to account for individual-level correlation. Results: The final cohort included 5,435 AYA. Within any given two-week period, only 36-45% of AYA attending cancer-related outpatient visits were screened. In adjusted analyses, age and sex were not associated with being screened. However, AYA living in the lowest income quintile neighbourhood were less likely to be screened [odds ratio (OR) 0.86, 95th confidence interval (95CI) 0.77-0.97; p = 0.01] compared to those in the highest. Patients with hematologic malignancies were least likely to be screened (OR 0.77, 95CI 0.67-0.88; p < 0.001), as were AYA attending community centers (OR 0.48, 95CI 0.42-0.55; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Despite a population-wide symptom assessment program, only a minority of AYA are screened. Though patients with hematologic cancers suffer from particularly high symptom burdens, they were less likely to be screened. Interventions targeting AYA are required to increase uptake, particularly among those in disadvantaged neighborhoods or attending community hospitals. Studies of AYA-specific symptom assessment tools are also warranted.
Cancer inpatient malnutrition risk, documentation, and ICD-10 coding in an academic medical center.
Authors: Aktas Aynur , Finch Lenna , Boselli Danielle , Walsh Declan , Kadakia Kunal C. , Giamberardino Lauren Dennis , Trufan Sally , Slaughter Daniel , Bose Rupali 
Published: June 2021

12107 Background: Malnutrition (MN) is common in hospitalized cancer patients but often underdiagnosed. We evaluated the prevalence of MN risk, dietitian documented MN (DDMN), and physician coded malnutrition (PCMN) in a consecutive cohort of cancer inpatients in an academic, community-based medical center. Methods: Electronic medical records (EMR) were reviewed for inpatients with a solid tumor diagnosis staged I-IV and admitted to Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center at least once between 1/1/2016 to 5/21/2019. All data were collected from the first admission EMR encounter closest to the cancer diagnosis date. High MN risk was a score ≥2 on the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) completed by an RN at admission. Registered Dietitian (RD) assessments were reviewed for DDMN and grade (mild, moderate, severe). PCMN diagnosis was based on MN ICD-10 codes extracted from the medical coder’s discharge summary. Multivariate logistic regression models identified associations between clinic-demographic factors and the prevalence of DDMN and PCMN with stepwise selection. Results: N=5,143; 48% females. Median age 63 (range 18-102) years. 70% White; 24% Black, 3% Latino. Most common cancers: thoracic 19% and digestive system (14% other, 11% colorectal). 28% had known stage IV disease. The MST was completed in 79%. Among those with MST ≥2 (N=1,005; 25%), DDMN and PCMN prevalence was 30% and 22%, respectively. In the entire cohort, 8% had DDMN; 7% PCMN; 4% both. Prevalence of MN risk, DDMN, and PCMN by cancer site are in the Table. DDMN (N=420) was mild 2%, moderate 16%; severe 66%; unspecified 16%. On discharge, PCMN (N=360) was mild 10%; moderate 0%; severe 69%; unspecified 21%. Male gender (OR 1.27 [1.01, 1.59]), Black race (OR 1.57 [1.25, 1.98]), stage IV disease (v. I-III) (OR 3.08 [2.49, 3.82]), and primary site were all independent predictors of DDMN (all p<0.05); Black race (OR 1.46 [1.14, 1.87]), stage IV disease (OR 2.70 [2.15, 3.39]), and primary site were independent predictors of PCMN (all p<0.05). Conclusions: 25% of cancer inpatients were at high risk for MN. Primary site, disease stage, and race were independent predictors of a greater risk. MN appears to be under-diagnosed compared to population studies. This is the first study to report the prevalence of MN in a large cancer inpatient database with a representative population.[Table: see text]
Randomized study of electric hand warmer (EHW) versus observation to avoid discomfort during scalp cooling for chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) prevention.
Authors: Landeiro Luciana Castro G. , Dienstmann Rodrigo , Costa e Silva Matheus , Gonçalves Michele , Viana Priscila , dos Santos Ana Paula , de Castro Adriana , Teixeira Andrea , Costa Maira , da Silva Ceci , Almeida Malta Pamela Souza , Machado Roberto Mathias , Mathias Clarissa 
Published: June 2021

12108 Background: CIA has been reported as the most disturbing adverse event of cancer treatment by most women receiving chemotherapy. Many strategies have been tested to minimize CIA, among which scalp cooling has proven high effectiveness. However, discontinuation rates of this technology vary from 3% to 13%, mostly due to headache, cold sensation and pain. EHW could be used to mitigate these side effects, produce heat on demand and a warming sensation. The primary objective of this study is to evaluated the impact of EHW device on the general comfort of breast cancer patients while on scalp cooling during chemotherapy treatment. Methods: Patients were randomly assigned to EHW use or observation. Thermal, sensory and general comfort were measured with pragmatic questionnaires after each chemotherapy infusion: neutral or hot as favorable thermal responses; comfortable and very comfortable as favorable sensory responses; finally, favorable outcomes in both thermal and sensory comfort questionnaires defined a positive result on the general comfort. We evaluated the impact of age (≤ or > 50 years), alopecia (grade 0 or 1/2), chemotherapy regimen (with or without taxanes) and EHW use (yes or no) in the different comfort scales using Logistic Regression (LR) models. Results: Forty women with early or locally advanced breast cancer were assigned to EHW (n = 20) or observation (n = 20) during neo(adjuvant) chemotherapy. Median age was 53 years, 67.5% concluded university education, 52.5% had comorbidities. Most patients had stage II disease (55%), largely ER/PR+ HER2- disease (67.5%), followed by triple negative (22.5%), and HER2+ (10%). Most frequent regimen was ACdd-Tdd (42.5%). Thirty-one patients (77.5%) continued scalp cooling during entire chemotherapy regimen (alopecia < grade 3). A favorable thermal response was seen in 79% of EHW applications as compared to 50% in control arm (odds ratio [OR] 3.79, P <.001). Sensory comfort was satisfactory in 82% of EHW applications as compared to 74% with control (OR 1.62, P =.1). General comfort was favorable in 73% of EHW applications as compared to 44% in control arm (OR 3.4, P <.001). Age, alopecia grade and taxane use did not significantly impact on comfort measures. Conclusions: Our study suggests that an EHW has a consistent favorable impact on thermal and general comfort of breast cancer patients under scalp cooling technology to prevent CIA. This simple device can improve patient´s quality of life and eventually avoid scalp cooling discontinuation due to discomfort.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on African American cancer survivors living in metropolitan Detroit.
Authors: Beebe-Dimmer Jennifer Lynn , Lusk Chrissy , Ruterbusch Julie J. , Baird Tara , Pandolfi Stephanie , Hastert Theresa A. , Harper Felicity W. K. , Thompson Hayley , Schwartz Ann G. 
Published: June 2021

12129 Background: COVID-19 has had profound direct and indirect effects on population health to date and long-term effects are anticipated. Vulnerabilities to the most serious consequences of infection include older age, obesity, African American race and the presence of comorbid conditions. African American cancer survivors represent a particularly high-risk group, therefore understanding the impact of the virus and our strategies to prevent its spread on this patient population is important. Methods: The Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors (ROCS) cohort is a unique effort to understand the determinants of poor outcomes in African American cancer survivors. Eligible participants were diagnosed with breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancer on or after 1/1/2013, or with endometrial or any other cancer before age 50 on or after 01/01/2016 and were identified through the Metropolitan Detroit Cancer Surveillance System cancer registry. To date, we have enrolled 4173 survivors. Full participation includes completion of a baseline survey, and collection of biospecimens, medical records and tumor tissue, if available. Participants are also followed annually for outcomes and changes in history. A supplemental survey focused on the impact of COVID-19 was offered to enrolled participants beginning in the spring of 2020. The results presented here include data from 890 survivors who also completed the ROCS COVID survey. Results: Nearly all ( > 99%) survivors reported some change in their daily activities in an effort to reduce the risk of infection. At the time of survey, just over 1/3 of participants reported being tested for the virus and among those, 12% reported positive results. More than 40% of survivors reported some disruption in their access to medical care. A substantial ( > 40%) proportion of survivors reported feeling anxious, depressed and/or isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 40% of patients reported changes in health behaviors as a direct result of the pandemic that are known to negatively affect survivorship outcomes (physical inactivity, smoking, alcohol use). Notably, 30% of survivors reported declines in physical activity and these declines were significantly associated with increased anxiety (p = 0.008), depression (p = 0.005) and poorer health-related quality of life (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on African American cancer survivors has been substantial, affecting both their physical and mental health and access to needed medical care. Coupled with changes in health behaviors as a direct result of the pandemic, these factors will likely affect outcomes in this high-risk patient population making further study and interventions necessary to mitigate the long-term impact of the pandemic on cancer outcomes.