bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Overcoming barriers to tumor genomic profiling through direct patient social media outreach.
Authors: Doe-Tetteh Seyram Adjoa , Camp Sabrina Yvonne , Crowdis Jett , Noronha Anne Marie , Reales Dalicia , Alano Tina , Viale Agnes , Donoghue Mark , Socci Nicholas D. , Berger Michael F. , Al-Ahmadie Hikmat A. , Funt Samuel Aaron , Feldman Darren R. , Diamond Eli L. , Van Allen Eliezer Mendel , Solit David B. 
Published: June 2022

6532 Background: Tumor genomic profiling is increasingly used to identify actionable genomic alterations as a guide to therapy selection. To overcome barriers to genomic testing for patients with rare cancers, we initiated a program to offer free clinical tumor genomic testing worldwide to patients with select rare cancer subtypes. Methods: Patients were recruited through social media outreach, engagement with disease advocacy groups, or via physician referral, with a focus on recruiting patients with histiocytosis, germ cell tumors and rare pediatric cancers. Tumor and patient-matched germline DNA were analyzed using the MSK-IMPACT targeted sequencing next generation sequencing panel with return of results to patients and their local physicians. Whole exome recapture of MSK-IMPACT DNA sequencing libraries was performed for patients with female germ cell tumors to define the genomic landscape of this rare cancer subtype. Results: 359 cancer patients expressed interest in the Make-an-IMPACT program, of whom 333 were enrolled. Tumor tissue was received for 288 (86.4%), with 250 (86.8%) having tumor DNA of sufficient quantity and quality for MSK-IMPACT testing. 14 histiocytosis patients have received genomically guided therapy to date, of whom 13 (93%) have had clinical benefit based on local MD response assessment with a mean treatment duration of 16.7 months (range 3-32+). Whole exome sequencing of ovarian GCTs identified a subset with fully haploid genotypes, a phenotype rarely observed in other cancer types. Actionable genomic alterations were rare in ovarian GCT (28%), however, 2 ovarian GCTs and squamous transformation had high tumor mutational burden, one of whom had a complete response to pembrolizumab. Conclusions: Social media outreach can facilitate the assembly of cohorts of rare cancers of sufficient size to define their genomic landscape. By profiling tumors in a clinical laboratory, results could be reported to patients and their local physicians where they could be used to guide treatment selection. This can also open the door to diversifying and being able to study the genomic landscape in a diverse cohort.
Population-based impact of rurality and neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage on pediatric cancer mortality in Washington State.
Authors: Ohlsen Timothy James Daeeun , Doody David R , Desai Arti D , Mueller Beth A , Chow Eric Jessen 
Published: June 2022

6537 Background: Emerging evidence suggests mortality among children with cancer differs based on socioeconomic factors. The effects of residential location in relation to these factors are not well-characterized. We examined associations of rurality and neighborhood-level socioeconomic (SE) disadvantage with mortality in pediatric patients with cancer. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using Washington State (WA) Cancer Registry data (1992-2013) linked to state birth (1974-2013) and death records (1992-2013) to identify all children born in WA diagnosed with cancer < 20 years. We defined rural residence as patient addresses within 2010 census tract level rural-urban commuting area (RUCA) codes of ≥4.0 at diagnosis. Neighborhood-level socioeconomic disadvantage was determined using 2010 census block-group level Area Deprivation Index (ADI) quintiles normalized to WA. Patient addresses within the highest ADI quintile were categorized as having SE disadvantage. children in four mutually exclusive groups was compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis, pairwise log rank testing, and Cox proportional hazard ratios (HR): non-rural with SE disadvantage, rural without SE disadvantage, rural with SE disadvantage, and non-rural without SE disadvantage (). Models were adjusted for sex, race and ethnicity, age at diagnosis, birth year, and cancer type. Results: We identified 4,417 children for analysis. Median length of follow up among survivors was 5.0 years (inter-quartile range: 1.0-11.5). SE disadvantaged and 13% were rural. Pairwise log rank tests showed mortality differences among children living in rural, SE disadvantaged, or rural and SE disadvantaged neighborhoods when compared with children without either factor (individual p-values all < 0.005); no other differences were noted. Relative to children in non-rural areas without SE disadvantage, the mortality HR for those in non-rural areas with SE disadvantage was 1.68 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.37-2.07). The HR for children in rural areas without SE disadvantage was 1.59 (95% CI 1.19-2.12). The HR for children in rural areas with SE disadvantage was 1.56 (95% CI 1.20-2.03). In sub-analyses, associations for rurality and SE disadvantage remained significant for leukemia mortality, but CNS and solid tumor mortality was only associated with SE disadvantage (but not rural) status. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia mortality was associated with rural (but not SE disadvantage) status. Conclusions: Children with cancer living in socioeconomically disadvantaged and/or rural neighborhoods at diagnosis had higher mortality relative to those in non-rural areas with lower neighborhood deprivation. Associations varied by disease type. The individual effects of SE disadvantage and rurality suggest that interventions should be designed to target both factors.
Racial/ethnic disparities in serious illness communication for patients with cancer.
Authors: Frydman Julia L. , Gelfman Laura P. , Morillo Jose , Allen Olivia S. , Bickell Nina A. , Kwon Deukwoo , Pollak Kathryn I. , Smith Cardinale B. 
Published: June 2022

6540 Background: Racial/ethnic disparities in serious illness communication exist between patients with cancer and their oncologists. Our prior work has shown that goals of care discussions are three minutes shorter with racial/ethnic minority patients. In this study, we sought to compare oncologist's use of serious illness communication skills, patient participatory behavior, and overall communication quality during encounters with patients with advanced cancer of different self-reported races/ethnicities. Methods: We analyzed baseline recordings from a two-arm multisite randomized controlled trial to test a coaching model of communication skills training for solid tumor oncologists and their newly diagnosed advanced cancer patients. We audio recorded post-imaging patient-oncologist encounters for patients receiving systemic cancer treatment and coded transcripts for oncologist's use of serious illness communication skills (coded as count/encounter): open-ended questions, reflections, empathic responses to patient empathic opportunities, empathic statements, “sorry” statements, and elicitation of questions. We also assessed global codes of oncologist communication (assessed on 5-point Likert scales): flow, concerns addressed, attention, warmth, and respect. Finally, we coded patient participatory behavior (coded as count/encounter): asking questions and assertive responses. We compared the skills and behaviors by race/ethnicity of the patient using the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: We included the 56 (38%) recordings with oncologists who did not receive the intervention. The patients in these encounters were 25 (45%) female; 32 (57%) over the age of 65; 23 (41%) White Non-Hispanic, 20 (36%) Black Non-Hispanic, and 11 (20%) Hispanic. Overall, oncologists responded empathically to patients’ emotions only 19% of the time. Oncologists used fewer reflective statements with Black Non-Hispanic patients (mean 0.3 statements/encounter) as compared to White Non-Hispanic patients (1.1) and Hispanic patients (1.1), p = 0.02. Furthermore, coders rated oncologists as being less likely to address concerns of Black Non-Hispanic patients (mean Likert scale 3.1) as compared to White Non-Hispanic (3.8) and Hispanic (3.4) patients, p = 0.04. Finally, coders rated oncologists as having less warmth with Black Non-Hispanic patients (mean Likert scale 2.9) as compared to White Non-Hispanic (3.8) and Hispanic (3.3) patients, p = 0.04. Conclusions: In this diverse sample of patients with advanced cancer, oncologists used fewer reflective statements, were less attentive to concerns, and expressed less warmth with Black Non-Hispanic patients. Interventions are needed to overcome these striking racial/ethnic disparities in serious illness communication for patients with cancer.
Evaluation of inpatient chemotherapy among patients with cancer.
Authors: Petrone Giulia , Chowdhury Nobel , Handa Shivani , Anderson Justine , Kwon Deukwoo , Bhardwaj Aarti Sonia , Jain Priya , Smith Cardinale B. , Berger Natalie S 
Published: June 2022

6566 Background: Administration of inpatient chemotherapy (IC) is associated with more aggressive end of life care, reduced use of palliative care (PC) and decreased quality of life (QOL). This study aims to identify risk factors associated with overutilization of IC. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all admissions where IC was administered at an academic center between January 2016 and December 2017. Patients (pts) were stratified by solid tumors (ST) versus hematologic malignancies (HM) and urgency for IC was assessed. We evaluated other variables which can impact patient care such as length of stay (LOS), reason for admission and for IC. Descriptive statistics and odds ratios (OR) were estimated from logistic regression models with mixed-effect taking into account correlations from multiple admissions per patient. All tests were two-sided and statistical significance was considered when p<.05. Results: We analyzed 880 admissions (17% ST). Table 1 summarizes outcomes. HM pts required frequent direct admission for IC compared to ST. ST pts (p<.0001), pts >65 years (p=0.004) and pts with KPS ≤50% (p<.0001) were most likely admitted for cancer complications rather than for IC. LOS (>7 days) was significantly longer in HM admissions (p=0.0001), among pts with stage 4 cancer (p=0.014) and KPS ≤50% (p=0.0001). ST (p=0.006) and pts with KPS ≤50% (p=0.0001) received IC for a non-urgent indication significantly more often than HM. In 20% of ST admissions, pts received IC because the admission coincided with a non-urgent planned cycle compared to 3% of HM. In the adjusted analysis, tumor type was the most important factor correlated with urgency of IC (OR 0.42, 95% CI: 0.25-0.72; p=0.001). ST pts (p=0.0001), older pts (p=0.004) and pts with KPS ≤50% (p=0.0001) were less likely to respond to chemotherapy. Only 15% of HM admissions and 46% of ST admissions had a PC consult. 60-day mortality was significantly higher in ST pts than HM (p=0.002). Conclusions: IC is associated with poorer outcomes for pts with advanced stage ST, pts with poor functional status and pts admitted for acute indications. Additionally, ST pts have a higher mortality after IC compared to HM. Utilization of IC should be standardized to account for different patient characteristics and to reduce the incidence of non-urgent administration. Based on this data, we created a standardized protocol to better assess the appropriateness of IC to improve patient care, QOL, and reduce chemotherapy and healthcare utilization at the end of life. [Table: see text]
Real-world trends of PARPi maintenance treatment uptake and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients (pts) with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) in the United States.
Authors: Chan John K , Liu Jinan , Song Jinlin , Xiang Cheryl , Wu Eric Q. , Kalilani Linda , Hurteau Jean , Thaker Premal H. 
Published: June 2022

6580 Background: Since 2018, the FDA has approved 2 PARP inhibitors (PARPi), niraparib and olaparib, for first-line (1L) maintenance therapy for OC. Using real-world population data, we assessed trends of 1L PARPi maintenance treatment uptake and PFS of pts with newly diagnosed AOC. Methods: Pts diagnosed with AOC between January 1, 2017, and June 30, 2021, who completed 1L chemo were identified from the nationwide Flatiron Health electronic health record (EHR)-derived de-identified database. We calculated descriptive statistics describing pt demographics, clinico-pathological characteristics, and 1L treatment patterns. The use of PARPi or active surveillance (AS) was identified during a 120-day period after the last dose of 1L chemo. The end of the 1L treatment identification period was defined as the index date. Time to next treatment was used as a proxy for PFS and was defined as time from the index date to the next therapy, last clinical activity, end of study period, or death. Kaplan-Meier methods and Cox models were used to analyze the PFS endpoint. Results: A total of 705 pts were included in the study; 166 received PARPi monotherapy (PARPi mono) and 539 underwent AS after completion of 1L chemo. Median age was 68 y for AS vs. 65 y for PARPi mono (Table). Median time from last chemo to initiation of PARPi mono was 48.5 d. Median follow-up was 20.6 mo for AS and 10.9 mo for PARPi mono. In the overall group, median PFS (mPFS) was 9.53 mo for AS vs. not reached (NR) for PARPi mono. In those with BRCA mutations ( BRCAm), corresponding mPFS was 11.4 mo vs. NR and for BRCA wild type ( BRCAwt) was 9.1 mo vs. 13.5 mo. On multivariate analysis, 1L PARPi maintenance was an independent predictor for improved PFS when compared to AS in all pts (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.34-0.63), BRCAm (HR, 0.17; 95% CI, 0.07-0.41) and BRCAwt (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.35-0.72). Stage IV at initial diagnosis, no debulking surgery, residual disease, and BRCAwt status were associated with poorer PFS. Trends analysis over the 4-year study period showed PARPi mono use increased from 6% in 2017 to 53% in 2021. Conclusions: This real-world analysis shows that adoption of PARPi mono in the 1L maintenance setting in pts with newly diagnosed AOC has increased to 53% in 2021. PARPi use, when compared with AS, was associated with significantly improved mPFS in both pts with BRCAm and BRCAwt. [Table: see text]
Cost effectiveness of reduced intensity conditioning and transplantation of unrelated umbilical cord blood versus HLA haploidentical related bone marrow for adults with hematologic malignancies.
Authors: Steuten Lotte Maria Gertruda , Bansal Aasthaa , Li Li , Brunstein Claudio G , O'Donnell Paul V. , Eapen Mary , Sangaralingham Lindsey R. , Thao Viengneesee , Roth Joshua A. , Wright Winona E , Ramsey Scott David 
Published: June 2022

6591 Background: BMT CTN 1101 was a Phase III randomized controlled trial evaluating the comparative effectiveness of unrelated umbilical cord blood (UCB) versus HLA-haploidentical related donor bone marrow (haplo-BM) cell sources for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in patients with high-risk hematologic malignancies (leukemias, lymphomas). We report results of an economic evaluation conducted as part of the clinical trial. Methods: 368 patients (90% of planned accrual) enrolled from 33 centers in the U.S. were randomly assigned to unrelated UCB (n=186) or haplo-BM (n=182) transplant. Healthcare utilization and costs were estimated using propensity-score matched cohorts of BMT patients in the OptumLabs Data Warehouse for trial participants <65 years, and Medicare claims for trial participants ≥65 years. Cost-effectiveness was calculated from payer perspectives (commercial, Medicare) over a 20-year time horizon from time of transplant. Weibull models (best fit based on AIC/BIC) were used to extrapolate survival from 5-year trial follow-up data. Trial participant surveys (EQ-5D) were used to derive health state utilities for estimating Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs). One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess uncertainty in results. Outcomes were discounted at 3% annually. Results: At 5-year follow-up, overall survival was 42% for haplo-BM versus 36% for UCB (P=.06). Over a 20-year time horizon, haplo-BM is expected to be more effective and more costly for <65 year-olds and in ≥65 year-olds it is expected to be more effective and less costly. In one-way uncertainty analyses, for persons <65, the cost/QALY result was most sensitive to life years and health state utilities. For persons ≥65, life years were more influential than costs and health state utilities. Using probabilistic sensitivity analysis, for persons <65 there was a 43% chance that haplo-BM was cost-effective using a willingness to pay threshold of $150k/QALY and 52% at a $200K/QALY threshold. Conclusions: Results from a large national clinical trial indicate that compared to UCB, haplo-BM was moderately cost-effective for patients aged <65 years, and less costly and more effective for persons ≥65 years. Haplo-BM is a fair value choice for commercially insured patients with high-risk leukemia and lymphoma who require HCT. For Medicare enrollees, haplo-BM is a preferred choice when considering costs and outcomes. [Table: see text]
A quantitative analysis of escalating antineoplastic medication price increases.
Authors: Alevizakos Michail , Bockorny Bruno 
Published: June 2022

6592 Background: Established antineoplastic medication prices are overall increasing, yet the yearly trend and additive cost of such increases relative to overall antineoplastic spending is often unclear. Methods: We accessed the yearly reimbursement files from Medicare Part B for parenteral antineoplastic agents (codes J8501-J9999) for the years 2010-2020 and adjusted all values to 2020 USD to account for inflation. We calculated an initial inflation-adjusted price-per-claim for every medication at the time of medication entry to the database and compared that price with the yearly price-per-claim that Medicare reimbursed. For medications whose price had increased beyond the initial inflation-adjusted price, we multiplied the annual differences with the total annual claims of the medication reimbursed in order to calculate the additional cost accrued by Medicare for every affected year. We only included medications with total annual cost >10 million USD/yr in our analysis. Results: Price increases were noted in 70.9% of already established medications annually (median 74.5%, range 52.17-81.48%). This led to an average additional extra cost of 311 million USD (range 156-492 million USD) annually, for a total of 3.1 billion USD over the 10 years of observation. This extra cost represented 4.6-9.3% of the total Medicare Part B spending for antineoplastic medications annually and this percentage rose yearly by a statistically significant 0.43% (95% CI 0.14%-0.73%, P = 0.01; R2 0.59) in absolute terms (Table). Rituximab (1,003 million USD), trastuzumab (421 million USD), and bevacizumab (326 million USD) accumulated the highest extra costs. Conclusions: The majority of established parenteral antineoplastics are affected by escalating price increases beyond the rate of inflation. Year-by-year, these increases occupy a progressively larger part of overall Medicare Part B spending. Since Medicare does not negotiate medication price nor receives rebates but rather relies on average market prices, these increases likely affect other U.S. markets as well.[Table: see text]
Systematic performance status assessment by primary care providers in patients with advanced cancer and its impact on referral to palliative care and cost in a value-based practice.
Authors: Ochoa Roberto Enrique , Salomon Say , King Alexandra , Hosein Peter Joel , Prats Leon Ernesto , Gilbert Candace , Guerra Daniel , Chen Christopher James , Tromanhauser Scott , Chen James 
Published: June 2022

6595 Background: Value Based (VB) Care model has been growing in the primary care (PrC) Medicare population, its role in oncology and integration with VB PrC has not been well defined. Key initiatives in VB include reducing hospitalizations by multidisciplinary management of chronic conditions. Earlier Palliative Care (PaC) has shown to favorably impact outcomes. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) is a validated tool used for decision making. Poor PS is associated with worse outcomes and futile end of life care; Guidelines recommend using ECOG-PS to decide on involvement of PaC in patients (pts) with metastatic cancer (mCa). ECOG-PS is subject to significant variability among oncologists and rarely used by PrC providers (PCPs). We created a standardized system for ECOG-PS documentation and monitoring by PCPs in a VB model in a large Medicare Advantage (MA) population with the goal of increasing earlier PaC referrals. Methods: Pts with mCa managed by PCPs in a multi-state MA practice were identified via EMR from February 2021 to September 2021. At every visit, an automated alert asked PCPs to determine pts’ ECOG-PS and for those ≥ 2, recommendation to refer to PaC. PCPs were trained on use of the tool and were given a script to discuss with pts the role of PaC. Hospital admissions as well as total cost of care was measured in pts comanaged by PCP’s & PaC versus those managed by PCPs &Oncology without PaC. Statistical analysis between the groups was done using Pearson's Chi-squared test with Yates' continuity correction. Results: An ECOG-PS was measured in a total of 565 pts with mCa during the study period. Median age was 73 years, 40% were ≥75 yrs. 55% were female. Breast, Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Gyn ca accounted for 75% cases. ECOG was documented in 97% of patients; 250 (44%) had ECOG ≥ 2, 124 (22%) had ECOG ≥ 3. Of those PaC referral was done by the PCP in 70%, in total 69 patients were comanaged by PC vs 181 who did not. Pts that had PaC involvement were 43% less likely (RR 0.57 [95%CI 0.33,0.98 p = 0.043]) to be admitted compared to patients without PC. Pts without PaC that were admitted had 238% higher admission days per 1,000 pts compared to pts comanaged by PaC. Total medical costs of pts comanaged by PaC was 86% lower after PaC involvement $18,541 3-months prior vs $2,742 3-months after PaC involvemen, driven by lower part A and part B costs (p=0.001) Conclusions: ECOG PS monitoring of pts with mCa by PCPs was very successful, easy to perform and implement in a PrC. Poor PS is common in this medicare advantage population. PaC involvement in pts with poor ECOG-PS was associated with lower admission rates at the end of life, and significantly lower total medical costs. [Table: see text]