bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment monitoring value of plasma X in patients with metastatic breast cancer.
Authors: Peng Cike , Yang Rongxi , Madhavan Dharanija , Wallwiener Markus , Rudolph Anja , Chang-Claude Jenny , Burwinkel Barbara 
Published: February 2017

37 Background: Metastasis is the main course of death in breast cancer (BC) patients. Reliable prognostic markers are very much appreciated to evaluate possible outcome of patients. Circulating tumor cells (CTC) is a circulating prognostic tumor marker of metastatic breast cancer patients. Despite the big technical challenges in CTC detection, the reliability of CTC enumeration for the prognosis of BC is still on debate. Some studies have proved that the plasma level of X, a major component in extracellular matrix, was increased in patients with metastatic breast cancer. However, the association between the plasma X level and the prognosis of metastatic breast cancer is still unknown. Methods: Plasma X was measured by ELISA in 60 healthy controls, 48 primary breast cancer (PBC) patients, and 212 metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed. An independent cohort with 210 primary and 69 patients with metastatic breast cancer were further investigated to validate our findings. Results: A 2-fold elevation was presented in MBC patients when compared with PBC patients and controls, regardless of their CTC status. A multivariate Cox regression demonstrated that lower X level at base line was associated with longer PFS (HR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.72–3.63, p = 1.607 × 10-6), as well as longer OS (HR: 3.74, 95% CI: 1.65 – 8.51, p = 0.002). After 1stcycle of chemotherapy, plasma X level was still prognostic and was dramatically decreased in patients who had responded to the treatment (54%, IQR: 36%–64%). In the independent validation round, a 2-fold increase of plasma X was observed again in MBC patients, compared with PBC patients. The prognostic value was also validated for PFS (HR: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.43– 3.84, p = 0.001) and OS (HR: 2.91, 95% CI: 1.73–7.65, p = 0.002) in MBC patients. Conclusions: Plasma X could be used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for metastatic breast cancer. Its reduction after 1st cycle of chemotherapy could be an indicator of treatment efficacy. This finding may further prevent unnecessary systemic therapy by facilitating personalized medicine in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.
Family history and breast cancer subtype among women of Mexican descent.
Authors: Anderson Kristin , Thompson Patricia , Wertheim Betsy , Martin Lorena , Komenaka Ian K. , Bondy Melissa , Daneri-Navarro Adrian , Meza-Montenegro Maria Mercedes , Gutierrez-Millan Luis Enrigue , Brewster Abenaa M. , Madlensky Lisa , Martinez Maria Elena 
Published: February 2017

41 Background: A family history of breast cancer in a first-degree relative is associated with a 2-fold increase in breast cancer risk; however, breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease and there may be differences in risk profiles driven by tumor subtype or by racial/ethnic group. Methods: We assessed prevalence of familial breast cancer and its association with tumor subtype among 914 women with breast cancer of Mexican descent enrolled in the Ella Study, a case-only, binational (U.S.-Mexico) breast cancer study. Logistic regression was conducted to compare odds of triple negative breast cancers to non triple-negative breast cancers according to family history. Results: The prevalence of family history of breast cancer in a first- or second-degree relative was 24.1%, with 13.1% having an affected first-degree relative. Among participants who were diagnosed at age < 50, prevalence of family history of breast cancer in a first- or second-degree relative was 27.4%. After adjustment for age and country of residence, women with a first-degree relative with breast cancer were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancers compared to non triple-negative breast cancers (OR = 1.98; 95% CI, 1.26-3.11). Similar results were seen for odds of triple-negative breast cancers compared to non-triple negative breast cancers for women with affected first- or second-degree relatives (OR=2.04; 95% CI, 1.40–2.98). The odds of triple-negative breast cancer compared to non-triple negative breast cancer was 1.93 (95% CI, 1.26–2.97) for women with first-degree relatives affected with breast or ovarian cancer. Conclusions: Findings suggest that familial cancers are most likely to be associated with triple negative subtype, supporting etiologic heterogeneity by tumor subtype in this population of Hispanic women. This association may be related to the prevalence of BRCA1 founder mutations in this population, which are strongly associated with triple-negative breast cancers. Identification of such differences in risk factors can help personalize screening and prevention approaches.
Does biologic subtype and pathologic response after neoadjuvant chemotherapy predict locoregional recurrence?
Authors: Yang T. Jonathan , Morrow Monica , Modi Shanu , Krause Kate , Siu Chun , Gupta Gaorav P. , McCormick Beryl , Powell Simon N. , Ho Alice Y. 
Published: February 2017

65 Background: The relative contribution of biological subtype and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) to locoregional recurrence (LRR) is uncertain. We aim to determine if these factors identify a high risk population for LRR. Methods: 233 patients received anthracycline/taxane-based NAC, mastectomy and postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) in 2000-2009 for Stage II-III breast cancer. 53% (n=123) were HR+ (ER or PR+/HER2-), 23% (53) HER2+ (HER2+/HR+ or HR-), and 24% (57) TN (HR-/HER2-). 76% of HER2+ received trastuzumab. Median PMRT dose was 50 Gy to chest wall and regional nodes. Pathologic complete response (pCR) rates were compared using Fisher's exact test. Rates of LRR and distant recurrence (DR) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier methods. Cox regression analysis was performed. Results: Median follow-up was 62 months (range 7-161) with 21 LRR, 84 DR and 58 deaths. pCR rate and 5-year LRR rates were 14% and 7% in the entire cohort, respectively. Significantly more TN and HER2+ patients achieved pCR than HR+ patients (Table 1, p=0.003). TN patients had higher 5-year LRR rate compared to HR+ and HER2+ patients (18% vs. 4% and 6%, p=0.02). The 5-year LRR rate was 0% in pCR patients versus 9% in non-pCR patients (p=0.06). In patients without pCR, TN subtype was associated with increased LRR (23% at 5-year vs. 4% HR+ and 7% HER2+; p=0.001). TN patients without pCR were also associated with increased DR (48% at 5-year vs. 29% HR+ and 30% HER2+, p=0.02). On univariate analysis, TN subtype (HR=2.0, p=0.008), pathologic stage (HR=2.2, p=0.02), and pN+ status (HR=9.3, p=0.03) were associated with increased LRR. Conclusions: Although response to NAC strongly correlates with breast cancer subtype, patients with HR+ and HER2+ breast cancer had favorable rates of LRR regardless of response to NAC, perhaps because of additional postoperative targeted therapy. In contrast, while no LRR was seen in TN patients with pCR, those with poor response to NAC had significantly higher LRR risk, underscoring the need for potential new treatment strategies to improve local control in this population. [Table: see text]
Predicting the biologic classification of phyllodes tumors from preoperative core needle biopsy and imaging findings.
Authors: Yasir Saba , Martin-Macintosh Erica L , Onkendi Edwin O , Jimenez Rafael E. , Fazzio Robert T. , Spears Grant M. , Jenkins Sarah , Hieken Tina J. 
Published: February 2017

86 Background: Phyllodes tumors (PT) are rare breast neoplasms confounding their systematic study and evidence-based management guidelines. There is little data on the sensitivity of preoperative core needle biopsy (CNB) and imaging findings in establishing a correct preoperative diagnosis. We undertook this study to evaluate the sensitivity of CNB histologic findings and imaging findings in preoperatively categorizing tumors as benign or borderline/malignant. Methods: We identified 47 patients who underwent surgical resection of a PT at our institution after a preoperative CNB between 6/2000-3/2012. Statistical analysis utilized Wilcoxon rank-sum, chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported. Results: 30 patients had a final diagnosis of benign and 17 of borderline/malignant PT. The latter were significantly more often palpable (76.5% vs 36.7%, p=0.01). No other clinical or radiologic feature predicted borderline/malignant subtype, although irregular shape on US was suggestive (70.6% vs 44.8%, p= 0.09). CNB diagnosis by tumor type is summarized in the table. No benign PT had ≥10 mitoses, necrosis or marked stromal atypia on CNB. No case with absent mitoses on preoperative CNB was a borderline/malignant PT; however 77% of benign PT did exhibit mitoses on CNB. Sensitivity of CNB for PT overall was 48.9% (95% CI: 35.3-62.8%) while it was 40% (24.6-57.7%) for benign PT and 17.6% (6.2-41.0%) for borderline/malignant PT. Conclusions: Marked stromal atypia, ≥10 mitoses and necrosis were rare on CNB, but suggestive of malignancy. No imaging or histology feature reliably distinguished between tumor types. Over one-third of borderline/malignant PT had a preoperative CNB diagnosis of fibroadenoma or cellular fibroepithelial lesion emphasizing the low sensitivity of CNB and the need for judicious consideration of definitive surgical excision. [Table: see text]
Dosimetric evaluation of organs at risk to toxicities between multicatheter accelerated partial-breast irradiation and whole-breast external beam radiotherapy.
Authors: Chan Tabitha Y , Tan Poh Wee , Tan Chek Wee , Tang Johann I 
Published: February 2017

94 Background: This study aims to quantify the dosimetric reduction to the heart and lung when comparing Whole Breast External Beam Radiotherapy(WBEBRT) with Multicatheter Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation(MCAPBI) for early stage left sided breast cancer. Methods: Planning CT data sets of 13 patients with left breast cancer receiving multicatheter brachytherapy post breast conserving surgery were used to create two independent treatment plans – WBEBRT prescribed to 50Gy/25fractions and MCAPBI prescribed to 34Gy/10fractions. Dose parameters for (i) heart, (ii) left anterior descending(LAD) artery and (iii) ipsilateral lung were calculated and compared between the two treatment modalities. Results: After adjusting for Equivalent Dose in 2Gy Fractions(EQD2), comparing MCAPBI with WBEBRT, the largest dose reduction was for the LAD artery whose point dose differed by a factor of 4.9. Although somewhat less pronounced, this was also true for the mean lung dose of the ipsilateral lung and mean heart dose with a factor of 3.8 and 2.1 respectively. Compared to WBEBRT, the mean MCAPBI heart D0.1cc (representing the dose received by the most highly exposed 0.1 cc of the risk organ, i.e. the dose peak) was significantly lower(16.43Gy vs 48.82Gy;p<0.01) as well as mean heart dose(MHD) was significantly lower(2.33Gy vs 4.85Gy; p<0.01). Similarly, mean point dose for MCAPBI LAD was significantly lower compared to WBEBRT(9.85Gy vs 47.92Gy; p<0.05). Peak dose and mean lung dose(MLD) for ipsilateral lung was also lower for MCAPBI compared to WBEBRT (Peak dose: 22.19Gy vs 50.45Gy(p<0.05); MLD: 2.31Gy vs 8.73Gy(p<0.05). Conclusions: Compared to WBEBRT, MCAPBI showed a significant reduction in radiation dose for the heart and lung. This may translate into better cardiac and pulmonary toxicities for patients undergoing MCAPBI.
Raising the safety bar: The hematology/oncology patient safety committee.
Authors: Nahas Myrna Rita , Zerillo Jessica A. , Cannistra Stephen A. , Totte Cheryle 
Published: February 2017

144 Background: Enhancing patient safety can prevent unintended outcomes arising from defects in healthcare delivery systems. The Hematology/Oncology Patient Safety Committee (HOPSC) at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is a multidisciplinary team of healthcare providers that meets monthly to review inpatient and outpatient adverse events, near misses, and medical errors that impact patient safety. Methods: Our aim was to quantify and qualify the cases that the HOPSC has reviewed from 2012-2013. In order to identify trends in event reporting, we reviewed the number of events reported to the HOPSC in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. We further subdivided events into two categories: medication-related and non-medication related. Additionally, we delineated which healthcare provider initiated the reporting of each event. Results: Over the two-year period, a total number of 1,061 events were reported to the HOPSC. Of these, 259 were medication-related events. Of the events reported, 40 were by a physician/NP and 1,021 were by a nurse. There was a discrepancy in the type of event reported (24.4% medication vs. 75.6% non-medication related) as well as in the type of reporter (3.8% physician/NP vs. 96.2% nurse). Of all the events reported, 8 were escalated to the Department of Medicine Peer Review Committee. Conclusions: Through review of healthcare provider event reports, the HOPSC has identified several types of adverse events and near misses in the Hematology/Oncology division at BIDMC. The events are mostly reported by inpatient nurses and are primarily medication-related. Given this skewed reporting pattern, we will investigate the reasons why reporting by physicians, especially in the outpatient setting, is limited. Our reported outline of the HOPSC operations may also guide oncology practices elsewhere in their own development of patient safety peer review committees. [Table: see text]
Does insurance mix impact utilization of published care practices and guidelines among breast imaging sites?
Authors: Murphy Anne Marie , Weldon Christine B. , Trosman Julia Rachel , Schink Julian C. , Ansell David , Simon Melissa A. 
Published: February 2017

150 Background: Significant variation exists across Metropolitan Chicago in the quality and timeliness measures for breast cancer detection (Rauscher GH 2014). We examined utilization of published care practices and guidelines at breast imaging sites in Chicago and compared them based on insurance mix. Methods: We conducted an IRB approved web survey of all 58 breast imaging sites in Chicago. Using guidelines (NCCN, NAPBC, ACR) and peer-reviewed literature (38 studies) we developed a survey of breast diagnostic practices. Results analyzed using simple frequencies and Fisher's exact test. Results: We achieved a response rate of 91% (53/58 sites): 27 sites with over 40% privately insured (PI) patients and 26 sites with over 60% Medicare, Medicaid, charity and self pay (MM) patients (IDPH 2012). Utilization of practices vary (Table). The use of breast MRI for diagnostic patients is 81% (17/21) of PI vs. 47% (8/17) of MM sites, p=0.04. Image guided biopsy is used by 81% (17/21) of PI vs. 25% (3/12) of MM sites, p=0.03. Clip placement at biopsy is done at 86% (18/21) of PI vs. 50% (6/12) of MM sites, p=0.04. Conclusions: Sites with higher rates of private insurance show better utilization of three published breast cancer diagnostic care practices. However, improvement is needed across sites, regardless of insurance mix, to provide care to all patients that is up-to-date on published breast cancer screening and diagnostic practices. [Table: see text]
Emergency department (ED) utilization and hospital admission rates among oncology patients at a large academic center and the need for improved urgent care access.
Authors: Adelson Kerin B. , Dest Vanna , Velji Salimah , Lisitano Richard , Lilenbaum Rogerio 
Published: February 2017

19 Background: In the US, 30% of the total cancer expenditure is spent in the last year of life and 55% of this is spent on inpatient care. For patients with advanced cancer, most hospitalizations arise from expected disease progression. With the ultimate goal reducing hospital admissions at the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven, we sought to understand our patterns of ED referral, hospital admission, and length-of-stay. Methods: An analysis of all oncology patients coming to the Yale New Haven Hospital (YNHH) ED was performed by executing reports through our EPIC electronic medical record. We looked at a 5-month time frame from January 1, 2014, through May 31, 2014. Results: A total of 391 oncology patients from each of our disease groups presented to the ED and 90% were admitted. Mean length of stay (LOS) was 6.74 days. 62% of patients arrived during the hours of 9:00AM-5:00PM. The average daily cost per admission was $1886 per day/ $12,711.64 for the mean hospitalization (largely spent on nursing, pharmacy, and laboratory). At least 50% of these presentations could have been addressed in the ambulatory setting including but not limited to dehydration, abdominal pain and failure-to-thrive. Conclusions: Despite a 6-day/wk ambulatory oncology practice, our patients are presenting to the ED during standard daytime hours resulting in admission and prolonged length-of-stay. We will launch a same-day visit program with access to urgent palliative care consultation, pharmacy and infusion chairs. We will treat dehydration, nausea, vomiting, pain, DVT, and other urgent presentations. This cultural change will require education of physicians, nurses, staff, patients and caregivers. We estimate that a 50% reduction in admissions would yield a cost savings of approximately $6 million annually. [Table: see text]
Patient satisfaction with doctor and nurse communication varies with patient education level, age, gender, and primary language.
Authors: McFarland Daniel Curtis , Holcombe Randall F. 
Published: February 2017

198 Background: Hospital Consumer Assessments of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) surveys are used to enhance quality care. Non-random patient satisfaction variance is evident from HCAHPS scores which could be due to varying perception of quality care across demographically heterogeneous areas of the USA. Methods: HCAHPS, hospital bed, and county demographic data were obtained from the Hospital Compare, American Hospital Directory, and US Census Bureau websites, respectively. Multivariate regression modeling was performed for all ten dimensions of HCAHPS scores. Standardized partial regression coefficients were used to assess strengths of predictors (Table). Results: HCAHPS scores were obtained from 3,192 hospitals and demographic data collected from all 3,144 county or county equivalents. While most predictors were significant, ‘bachelor’s degree’ most strongly predicted for favorable satisfaction for MD communication and ‘white alone percent’ most strongly predicted favorable satisfaction for RN communication. Age (over 65), non-English speaking, female, average household size and high school education predicted worse satisfaction with both MD and RN communication. Conclusions: In conclusion, a communication quality gap exists for less educated, non-white, elderly, non-English speaking and female sections of the population. Research should focus on enhancing delivery of quality communication for these subpopulations. [Table: see text]
Characterization of aggressive interventions within 30 days of death in lung cancer patients at Smilow Cancer Hospital (SCH).
Authors: Zhang Bingnan , Adelson Kerin B. , Velji Salimah , Rimar Joan , Longley Peter , Keane Brian , Chiang Anne C. , Lilenbaum Rogerio 
Published: February 2017

20 Background: Multiple studies have demonstrated that patients with advanced cancer receive overly aggressive care at the end-of-life. With the goal of ultimately reducing overutilization, we sought to characterize the care we provide and identify if the Rothman Index (RI), a validated EMR tool which displays patients’ clinical condition, could predict those in whom aggressive interventions might be futile. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review on 118 patients with advanced lung cancer who died at SCH in the fiscal year 2012. We extracted: 1. Rates of aggressive interventions including ICU stay, chemotherapy, non-palliative radiation and surgery within 30 days of death; 2. Rate of palliative care (PC) consultation; 3. RI. 4. Readmission rates. Results: 118 lung cancer patients were identified: 88% stage IV, 12% stage III or unstaged. Results are characterized in the Table. Conclusions: Consistent with national trends, utilization of aggressive interventions near the end-of-life is high amongst SCH advanced lung cancer patients. Discordant with ASCO and IOM guidelines, which call for PC in all patients with advanced cancer, PC was involved in only 29% of our study population, which is an opportunity for quality improvement. A RI of 40 appears to be associated with death within 30 days. Further validation of RI may serve as a trigger to direct care toward palliative measures. Going forward we will expand this analysis to our entire cancer population to provide a baseline for future quality interventions. [Table: see text]
Patient characteristics and survival outcomes associated with early versus delayed molecular testing in metastatic NSCLC.
Authors: Smith David A. , Reynolds Craig H. , Patt Debra A. , Smith Gregory , Harrell Robyn K. , Horblyuk Ruslan , Rembert Debra , Mardekian Jack , Yap Mark , James Leonard Philip 
Published: February 2017

211 Background: Evidence-based guidelines recommend molecular testing for appropriate patients with advanced NSCLC at the time of diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. This study evaluated patient demographics, clinical characteristics and survival outcomes associated with early molecular testing (EMT) as compared to delayed molecular testing (DMT) in patients with metastatic NSCLC. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients’ electronic medical records from The US Oncology Network Practices that utilize iKnowMed (iKM). Patients with a diagnosis of metastatic NSCLC between March 2011 and June 2012, >2 visits and >6 months of follow-up were eligible. EMT and DMT was defined as occurring <45 days and >45 days of diagnosis, respectively. Patient characteristics were compared using t-test and chi-square tests as appropriate. Logistic regression was used to predict the likelihood of higher performance status in the cohorts. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared using Cox proportional hazards models controlling for age, gender, stage at diagnosis, performance status and comorbidities. Results: A total of 350 patients were eligible and had a median follow-up of 17.3 months. Average age was 64, majority were female (55%) and diagnosed with adenocarcinoma (93%). There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics between EMT and DMT cohorts, however DMT patients were more likely to have ECOG 0 or 1 (OR=2.95, 95%CI=1.33-6.54, p=0.008). No difference in OS or PFS was observed between EMT and DMT patients, p>0.05 (log-rank test). However, poor performance status was found to increase risk of progression/death in multivariate OS and PFS analysis, p<0.02 and p<0.01, respectively. Conclusions: While patients undergoing EMT were nearly three times more likely to exhibit poorer performance status as compared to DMT cohort, their survival outcomes were no different, reinforcing the importance of molecular testing in these patients who may otherwise be less likely to receive treatment. Although limited to small sample size, results of this analysis call for further investigation of potential benefits of EMT in metastatic NSCLC in real-world setting.