tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Racial disparities in patients with ALL according to a national dataset.
Authors: Fayaz Khan, Kenan Rahima
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2024)

e13733 Background: Racial disparities in healthcare refer to differences in health outcomes, access to healthcare &amp;quality of care among racial or ethnic groups. Aim of study is to investigate the characteristics and clinical outcomes of racial differences in patients admitted with ALL. Methods: We queried the National Inpatient Sample between 2017-2020 for adult patients of different races who were hospitalized with ALL. The primary outcome was inpatient mortality; secondary outcomes were cardiac arrest, invasive mechanical ventilation, length of stay &amp; hospital cost. Multivariable logistic, linear &amp; Poisson regression analyses were used to estimate clinical outcomes with p-value &lt; 0.05 was significant. Results: Total 110999 hospitalizations with ALL. Mean age 46 years &amp; 55.8% male. Among admitted, 59599 (53.7 %) were Caucasian, 9205 (8.3 %) were Black, 27565 (24.8%) were Asian, 4540 (4.1%) were Hispanic, and 10090 (9.1%) were others. Subgroup with Caucasian, Blacks, Asians, Hispanics, and other races had Medicare 34.9% vs 30.2% vs 13.5% vs 17.9% vs 12.5%, Medicaid 13.3% vs 29.7% vs 41.4% vs 19.2 vs 34.8%, Non-insured 2.1% vs 5.1% vs 10.6% vs 4.2% vs 7.7%; DM 19% vs 23.8% vs 24.6% vs 17.4% vs 20.7%; Protein calorie malnutrition 11 % vs 10.6% vs 10.1% vs 12.6% vs 10.2%, respectively. All-cause mortality was 3810, where subgroup with Caucasian, Black, Asian, Hispanic, and others were 2085 (3.5%) vs 410 (4.4%) vs 885 (3.2%) vs 145 (3.2%) vs 285 (2.8%). Conclusions: Among the racial categories, Caucasians comprised the largest portion followed by Asians, Blacks, Hispanics. Mortality and intubation proportion was highest among Blacks followed by Hispanics &amp; Asians. Cardiac arrest proportion was highest among Blacks followed by Hispanics and Asians. LOS was highest among Hispanics followed by Asians &amp; Blacks. Resource utilization was highest in Hispanics followed by Asians &amp; Blacks. Understanding these disparities is essential for improving healthcare equity and ensuring that all patients receive appropriate &amp; equitable care regardless of their racial/ethnic background. Interventions include improving access to healthcare, culturally competent care and addressing social determinants of health that affect racial/ethnic groups. [Table: see text]
Efficacy of a culturally tailored screening campaign to tackle cervical cancer disparities among Hispanic patients.
Authors: Justine Po, Arthur Bookstein, Rosa Barahona, Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2024)

e13697 Background: Cultural barriers have been identified as drivers of cervical cancer disparities. Hispanic patients specifically experience a higher incidence of cervical cancer and are more likely to be diagnosed at advanced stages than non-Hispanic White patients, mediated by multiple factors including cultural perceptions. To tackle cultural barriers in cervical cancer screening, this study assessed the efficacy of a community-based media campaign to increase Pap tests within a predominantly Hispanic community in east Los Angeles (LA). Methods: The campaign was implemented through a collaboration of local community members, design and communication experts, and cancer researchers. Prior to campaign design, focus groups were conducted with at-risk Hispanic women aged 18-45. Learnings from these focus groups and additional study of the visual culture of east LA led to selection of the jacaranda tree, which blooms for a short time in LA each spring, as a visual cue to pursue screening. This imagery was accompanied by a scheduling phone number and messaging (“It’s time.” and “You can prevent cervical cancer.”) in Spanish and English. Campaign materials were displayed on bus benches, billboards, and light post banners throughout east LA. To analyze campaign efficacy, intercept surveys were conducted from 2015-2018 by trained interviewers at locations throughout the community. In their preferred language, female participants (n=770) were asked standardized questions assessing campaign recall, message interpretation, and likelihood of scheduling a Pap test after viewing the campaign. Results: Among participants, mean age was 47.4 years, 88.7% primarily spoke Spanish at home, 25.2% were uninsured, 80.6% had not been vaccinated against HPV, and 12.5% had not had a Pap test in the last 3 years. 25.7% of participants recalled having seen campaign materials prior to survey, with 71.7% interpreting the message as a call to prevent and/or get screened for cervical cancer. 89.3% of participants stated that they were Likely or Extremely Likely to schedule a Pap test after viewing the campaign, including 87.2% of those who had not had a Pap test in the last 3 years. Conclusions: These findings support the efficacy of a community-based strategy to increase cervical cancer screening. This campaign showed high screening intent in a sample of participants who were disproportionately uninsured (25.2% v. 8.5% overall in the US in 2018), with similar efficacy among those who were overdue for recommended screenings. These results emphasize the benefit of culturally tailored messaging to improve screening uptake within underserved populations.
AI frontiers in oncology: Bridging the gap between humanity and machine.
Authors: Rubal Sharma, Gaetano Di Petro, Sritha Rajupet, Suzanne El-Sayegh, Yue Faat Raymond Kwok, Meekoo Dhar, Alexander Bershadskiy, Thomas Gut, Mario R. Castellanos
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2024)

e13657 Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming medical education and how healthcare services are delivered. Oncology healthcare professionals (HCPs) can significantly benefit from the advances of AI including optimized diagnostic capabilities, treatment plans, resource allocation, patient outcomes and much more. The synergy between technology and healthcare is strengthening, heralding opportunities for a revolution in medical education and the broader healthcare industry. We developed an introductory AI workshop and conducted pre- and post-surveys, aiming to inform the design of successive workshops and an AI curriculum, to access knowledge, attitudes and perceived challenges for AI integration into Medical Oncology. Methods: An interactive one-hour workshop was conducted for physicians and faculty of the Hematology and Oncology department. 18 participants, encompassing 6 physicians and 12 other HCPs completed a pre- and post-workshop survey. We evaluated participants' knowledge, opinions, and perceived limitations regarding AI in oncology research, practitioner education, and clinical applications using both open and closed-ended questions, such as multiple-choice and 1-5 Likert scale formats. Results: Survey results included 18 pre-workshop and 17 post-workshop participants, 83% had no formal computer science training: AI knowledge in medicine and awareness of clinical AI applications increased by 100%. Interestingly 24% felt the workshop influenced their view on AI's role in their medical career and better prepared for AI-related challenges. 58% believed AI would assist clinicians within 5 years. However, the belief that AI will play a significant role in their own career did not change after the intervention. Data privacy concerns increased by 25%, while concerns about physician over-reliance on AI decreased by 15%. Notably, 76% were motivated to engage with AI during their future practice after the workshop. Conclusions: The AI initiative significantly enhanced oncology healthcare professionals' understanding and readiness for AI integration, despite most lacking prior formal AI education. A marked increase in AI knowledge and motivation to use AI in practice was noted, although perceptions of AI's impact in their day-to-day work remained unchanged with one workshop, contrasting expert views and predictions. Data privacy concerns rose, but decreased fears of over-reliance on AI indicate a more balanced perspective. These findings stress the need for ongoing AI education in healthcare and underscore the importance of baseline evaluations and feedback for shaping future workshops. Since, AI's integration into society is poised to transform healthcare, an AI curriculum is essential.
Mindfulness-based group medical visits: Strategies to improve equitable access and inclusion for diverse patients in cancer treatment.
Authors: Chloe Evelyn Atreya, Ivan C. Leung, Maria T. Chao, Ariana Thompson-Lastad, Christine Pollak, Anand Dhruva, Wendy Hartogensis, Michael Lister, Stephanie W. Cheng, Kavita K. Mishra
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2024)

e13717 Background: The 2023 Society for Integrative Oncology-ASCO joint guideline recommends mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) as the non-pharmacologic therapy with the highest level of evidence to improve anxiety and depression symptoms experienced by adults with cancer. However, the evidence predominately derives from White breast cancer survivors. Racial and ethnic minority patients have less access to integrative symptom support and worse cancer outcomes. To address these gaps, we designed and piloted a series of mindfulness-based group medical visits (MB-GMVs), embedded into comprehensive cancer care, for racially and ethnically diverse patients in cancer treatment. Methods: As a quality improvement project, we launched a telehealth MB-GMV series for patients undergoing cancer treatment, delivered as four weekly 2-hour visits billable to insurance. Content was concordant with evidence-based guidelines and established MBIs and adapted to improve cultural relevance and fit (e.g., access-centered, trauma-informed, with inclusive communication practices). Program structure was adapted to address barriers to participation, with ≥50% slots per series reserved for racial and ethnic minority patients. Intake surveys incorporated a demographic questionnaire and symptom assessments. Evaluations were sent following the visits. Results: In our first ten cohorts (n=78), 80% of referred patients enrolled. Participants were: 22% Asian, 14% Black, 17% Latino, 45% non-Latino White; 65% female; with median age 54 years (range 27-79); and 80% had metastatic cancer. Common baseline symptoms included lack of energy, difficulty sleeping, and worrying. Most patients (90%) attended ≥3 visits. On final evaluations, 87% patients rated the series as “excellent”; 81% “strongly agreed” that they liked the GMV format; and 92% would “definitely” recommend the series to others. Qualitative themes included empowerment and connectedness. Conclusions: Telehealth GMVs are a feasible, acceptable, and financially sustainable model for increasing access to MBIs. Diverse patients in active cancer treatment were able to participate and reported high levels of satisfaction with this series that was tailored to center health equity and inclusion.
Evaluation of a web-based, interactive guide to enhance patient-clinician electronic communication.
Authors: Jordan M Alpert, Tithi B. Amin, Zhongyue Zhang, Merry Jennifer Markham, Martina Cathryn Murphy, Carma L Bylund
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2024)

e13659 Background: Secure messaging (SM) enables patients to ask clinicians questions asynchronously. Benefits include enhancing patient engagement, contributing to oral chemotherapy adherence, and lowering symptom distress. However, patients are unsure how to address concerns effectively, and clinicians find it challenging to decipher patients’ needs within messages. Coupled with clinicians not having adequate time to respond to messages, breakdowns in communication are common. We developed an interactive guide to help patients with cancer craft effective secure messages. It featured an oncologist providing strategies to write messages with specificity, expressing concerns, stating needs, being direct, and included a downloadable tip sheet. Methods: Patients 18+ with a current cancer diagnosis who were enrolled in the portal at a large health center were recruited. Between October 2023 and January 2024, participants were sent a link to interact with the guide, followed by a survey. The survey included several measures: 1) Communication and Attitudinal Self-Efficacy scale for cancer (CASE-cancer); 2) Digital Behavior Change Intervention (DBCI) Engagement Scale; 3) Website User Satisfaction questionnaire (WUS); 4) Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM); 5) Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM). We used R version 4.3.2 for the descriptive analysis. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test compared groups by demographic categories. The local IRB approved this study. Results: One hundred patients participated. Median age was 64 years (range=21-86), 54% male, 83% white, 35% diagnosed with prostate cancer, 35% lung cancer, and 23% hematologic cancer. Respondents reported high levels of self-efficacy based on CASE-cancer (mean 43.3 of 48). Respondents averaged 15 minutes using the guide. 96% thought the guide’s content was presented clearly, 95% found it easy to understand, 90% enjoyed using it, 89% thought the guide was suitable, and 88% could rely on its information. Results by demographic categories found that non-white respondents (M = 43.0) were significantly more engaged than white respondents (M = 28.4), P = 0.038 , and those with a bachelor’s degree+ (M = 96.5) had higher satisfaction than those without (M = 91.6), P = 0.025. Conclusions: Patients with cancer embraced an interactive guide that provided strategies to craft secure messages. They found it engaging, satisfying, acceptable, and appropriate, with racially minoritized patients being most engaged. As SM is a widely used tool for patient-clinician communication, it is crucial to concentrate on the way messages are constructed. We found potential to improve patients’ message-writing techniques, which could result in clinicians writing more complete answers to questions. Additionally, there is the possibility to enhance underserved patients’ communication skills and make them more engaged in their care.
Racial differences in degrees of side effects to taxane based chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer.
Authors: Helen Yuan, Melanie Anne Sheen, Erin Biggs, Meena Mishra, James Peeples, Raina Saxena, Carl Haupt
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2024)

e13726 Background: Taxane-based chemotherapy is well-established as a backbone of treatment for patients with breast cancer. While highly effective, all taxanes are known to cause peripheral neuropathy, with a high prevalence in obese patients. Other risk factors to developing peripheral neuropathy include older age, smoking, and hyperglycemia. Prior studies have shown that obesity is more prevalent in Black women compared with other racial group in the United States. Obese women have higher body surface areas and thus, tend to receive higher doses of chemotherapy. The higher total doses of taxanes received by obese women puts them at higher risks for developing peripheral neuropathy. We sought to evaluate the racial and BMI differences in rates of neuropathy in patients with breast cancer receiving taxanes. Methods: We created a 2-year database (2021-2022) of women diagnosed with breast cancer who received a taxane across a single health system. Data collected included age at diagnosis, self-identified race, breast cancer subtype, BMI, type of taxane, neuropathy, smoking and diabetes. Stratification analysis was performed using SAS Software 9.4. Results: The rate of neuropathy was 65.2% in White patients and 71.01% in Black patients (p=0.4649). The risk ratio between Black patients with neuropathy to White patients with was 1.26, 95% Cl (0.73-2.17), p=0.6525. In the total cohort of patients, regardless of neuropathy, 60.6% of Black patients had a BMI &gt;30 compared with only 39.5% of White patients. Of those who had neuropathy, obesity was present in 64% of White patients and 65% of Black patients. Conclusions: The data presented here suggest that in a population of breast cancer patients treated with taxanes, there was a trend towards increased neuropathy in Black patients, but no increase in neuropathy based on BMI. Black women were more obese, which suggests that they are at increased risk for developing neuropathy. Factors such as universal effects of chemotherapy across races, comorbid conditions and insufficient sample size could have masked potential significant differences. Further research is needed to understand the complex elements influencing treatment responses in a diverse population. [Table: see text]
Results of the COMPARE-GPT study: Comparison of medication package inserts and GPT-4 cancer drug information.
Authors: Jasmin Hundal, Eleonora Teplinsky
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2024)

e13646 Background: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies has opened new avenues for information dissemination. GPT-4 (GPT) is a large language model developed by open AI. Concerns about its accuracy exist, especially in health communications. We conducted a study to evaluate the accuracy of GPT responses to questions about anti-neoplastic agents for solid tumor malignancies. Methods: We evaluated GPT responses to four questions (Table 1) for each solid tumor drug newly approved or approved for a new indication between 2020 and 2022. The responses from GPT were saved and then compared to the information provided in the medication package insert. For discordant results, a second search was run using a new GPT session. The study was performed by two physicians who ensured that the comparison was both rigorous and unbiased. Results: 53 unique antineoplastic agents were included. GPT responses regarding FDA approval &amp; mechanism of action were correct for each drug (100%). When asked about common adverse reactions, GPT provided incorrect responses for 47% (25/53) of the medications and correct responses for 53% (28/43). The inaccurate responses were either missing certain side effects (88%), provided inaccurate incidence rates (8%), and/or included side effects not listed on the package insert (20%). When a second search was conducted with the same question, GPT provided different responses in 76% (19/25), same responses in 16% (4/25) and now correct responses in 8% (2/25). When asked about drug warnings and precautions, GPT provided incorrect responses for 68% (36/53) of the medications and correct responses for 32% (17/53). The inaccurate responses were missing certain warnings and precautions (89%) and/or included warnings and precautions not listed on the package insert (25%). When a second search was conducted with the same question, GPT provided different responses in 53% (19/36), same responses in 39% (14/36) and now correct responses in 8% (3/36). Conclusions: Analysis of solid tumor drugs approved for use in 2020-2022 evaluated GPT's ability to provide drug information. GPT accurately identified FDA approved indications &amp; mechanisms of action but had significant limitations in accurately reporting a comprehensive list of adverse reactions, drug warnings and precautions. GPT occasionally included drug side effects that are not listed in the package insert. Significant variability in output was demonstrated in repeated searches. Given the inconsistencies in the data identified, GPT should not be used as a primary source of medical information and may potentially cause harm. [Table: see text]
Navigating the intersection: Exploring racial disparities in major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
Authors: Kanishka Uttam Chandani, Siddharth Pravin Agrawal, Maharshi Raval, Sajid Siddiq, Ahmed Nadeem, Ashish V. Chintakuntlawar
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2024)

e13740 Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks as the 6th most common cancer and as the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related mortality. With immunotherapy improving survival rates, the relevance of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) is increasing. We aim to explore the racial disparities in MACCE among patients with HCC, thus leading to a better understanding of the interplay of these conditions with social determinants of health. Methods: Using ICD-10 codes, patients with HCC were identified from National Inpatient Sample 2019 database. We included all-cause in-hospital mortality (ACIHM), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), atrial fibrillation (AF), cerebrovascular accident (CVA), and sudden cardiac death (SCD) as MACCE for the outcomes. Baseline characteristics including demographics, comorbidities; and MACCE outcomes were compared using chi-square for categorical or ANOVA for continuous data (statistical significance determined as p-value &lt;0.05) and results were stratified based on patient’s races. Results: Out of the total sample size of 89,615 patients admitted with a diagnosis of HCC, 60.14% (53,895) were White, 13.67% (12250) were Black, 15.64% (14015) were Hispanic, 6.48% (5805) were Asian/Pacific Islander, 0.8% (720) were Native American, while 3.27% (2930) belonged to other ethnicities. There were significant racial differences in comorbidities with hypertension being most prevalent in Black patients (42.53%), diabetes mellitus in Native American patients (45.14%) and dyslipidemia in Asian/Pacific Islander patients (32.39%). When compared to White patients, ACIHM was the significantly higher in Black patients with adjusted odds ratio (aOR) of 1.305 (95% CI 1.123-1.517, p=0.001), Asian/Pacific Islander patients with aOR 1.271 (95% CI 1.024-1.578, p=0.03) and Other races patients with aOR 1.578 (95% CI 1.2-2.076, p=0.001). AF was significantly lower in all races when compared to White patients. CVA was significantly higher in Black patients with aOR 1.654 (95% CI 1.329-2.059, p&lt;0.001) compared to White patients. SCD was significantly higher in Asian/Pacific Islander patients with aOR 2.22 (95% CI 1.364-3.612, p=0.001) when compared to White patients. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wM_b0jmNjChKEfpyj5SL6HmSKEhDo0N3X5H76jC-w0I/edit?usp=sharing Conclusions: In patients with HCC, Asian/Pacific Islander patients had higher ACIHM and SCD while Black patients had higher ACIHM and CVA as compared to White patients. This study highlights the importance for development of healthcare strategies stratified by race which may aid to mitigate the higher risk of MACCE in certain races. Further research involving possible genetic influences and social determinants of health contributing to poorer outcomes in people of color becomes imperative.