Dose adjustment and supportive care before and during treatment

Patterns in Symptoms Preceding Acute Care in Patients With Cancer

Importance

Patients with cancer frequently experience unplanned acute care with emergency department visits and hospitalization due to disease or treatment complications, which impacts outcomes, quality of life, and health care costs. There remains a knowledge gap in understanding patterns of symptoms that precede acute care events. Natural language processing (NLP) may enable greater understanding of the symptoms and identify differences across patient and cancer characteristics.

Objective

To characterize symptoms preceding acute care in patients with cancer and quantify differences in symptom documentation across sociodemographic and cancer histologic subgroups.

Design, Setting, and Participants

A cohort study in a single tertiary-care institution, including all acute care (emergency department and hospitalization) encounters for patients aged 18 years or older with a primary cancer diagnosis identified between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Natural language processing was used to identify routine clinical documentation to characterize symptoms documented in the 30 days preceding acute care. Logistic regression analyses was used to examine the possible association between sex, age, race and ethnicity, insurance coverage, cancer histologic characteristics, and reported symptoms.

Results

Overall, 28 708 patients with cancer had 70 606 acute care visits with 854 830 associated preceding documented symptoms. Median age was 61 (IQR, 48-70) years. Men (37 861 encounters [53.62%]) and patients of White race (39 989 encounters [56.64%]) accounted for most acute care encounters. Pain (7.54% of documented symptoms), nausea (6.74%), and vomiting (5.79%) were the most frequently documented symptoms. Acute care encounters with patients who were female (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.14; 95% CI, 1.10-1.18; P < .001), Asian (AOR, 1.22; 1.17-1.28; P < .001), Black (AOR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.10-1.25; P < .001), American Indian or Alaska Native (AOR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.01-1.44; P = .04), or Medicaid-insured (AOR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.05-1.14; P < .001) were associated with a high documented symptom burden (>10 unique symptoms) preceding acute care visits. Patients aged 65 years or older (AOR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-1.00; P = .04) or uninsured (AOR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.45-0.76; P < .001) were less likely to have a high symptom burden documented before acute care events.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this study highlight common symptoms preceding acute care as well as the need for further research on interventions to reduce patient burden, improve quality of life, and reduce the use of acute care in patients with cancer.

Identification of distinct symptom profiles in patients with gynecologic cancers using a pre-specified symptom cluster

PURPOSE

Pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression are four of the most common symptoms in patients with gynecologic cancer. The purposes were to identify subgroups of patients with distinct co-occurring pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression profiles (i.e., pre-specified symptom cluster) in a sample of patients with gynecologic cancer receiving chemotherapy and assess for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the severity of other common symptoms and QOL outcomes among these subgroups.

METHODS

Patients completed symptom questionnaires prior to their second or third cycle of chemotherapy. Latent profile analysis was used to identify subgroups of patients using the pre-specified symptom cluster. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to evaluate for differences between the subgroups.

RESULTS

In the sample of 233 patients, two distinct latent classes were identified (i.e., low (64.8%) and high (35.2%)) indicating lower and higher levels of symptom burden. Patients in high class were younger, had child care responsibilities, were unemployed, and had a lower annual income. In addition, these women had a higher body mass index, a higher comorbidity burden, and a lower functional status. Patients in the high class reported higher levels of anxiety, as well as lower levels of energy and cognitive function and poorer quality of life scores.

CONCLUSIONS

This study identified a number of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors associated with membership in the high class. Clinicians can use this information to refer patients to dieticians and physical therapists for tailored interventions.

Predictive model of chemotherapy-related toxicity in elderly Chinese cancer patients

Purpose: Older cancer patients are more likely to develop and die from chemotherapy-related toxicity. However, evidence on drug safety and optimal effective doses is relatively limited in this group. The aim of this study was to develop a tool to identify elderly patients vulnerable to chemotherapy toxicity. Patients and methods: Elderly cancer patients ≥60 years old who visited the oncology department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital between 2008 and 2012 were included. Each round of chemotherapy was regarded as a separate case. Clinical factors included age, gender, physical status, chemotherapy regimen and laboratory tests results were recorded. Severe (grade ≥3) chemotherapy-related toxicity of each case was captured according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0. Univariate analysis was performed by chi-square statistics to determine which factors were significantly associated with severe chemotherapy toxicity. Logistic regression was used to build the predictive model. The prediction model was validated by calculating the area under the curve of receiver operating characteristic (ROC). Results: A total of 253 patients and 1,770 cases were included. The average age of the patients was 68.9 years. The incidence of grade 3-5 adverse events was 24.17%. Cancer type (non-GI cancers), BMI<20 kg/m2, KPS<90%, severe comorbidity, polychemotherapy, standard dose chemotherapy, low white blood cells count, anemia, low platelet cells count, low creatine level and hypoalbuminemia were associated with severe chemotherapy-related toxicity. We used these factors to construct a chemotherapy toxicity prediction model and the area under the ROC curve was 0.723 (95% CI, 0.687-0.759). Risk of toxicity increased with higher risk score (11.98% low, 31.51% medium, 70.83% high risk; p < 0.001). Conclusion: We constructed a predictive model of chemotherapy toxicity in elderly cancer patients based on a Chinese population. The model can be used to guide clinicians to identify vulnerable population and adjust treatment regimens accordingly.

Identification of Distinct Symptom Profiles in Cancer Patients Using a Pre-Specified Symptom Cluster

CONTEXT

Pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression often co-occur in oncology patients and negatively impact quality of life (QOL).

OBJECTIVES

Study purposes were to identify subgroups of patients with distinct symptom profiles based on their experiences with a pre-specified symptom cluster (i.e., pain, fatigue, depression, sleep disturbance) and to identify demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics and QOL outcomes associated with each distinct profile.

METHODS

Patients with breast, lung, gastrointestinal, and gynecologic cancers (n = 1340) were recruited from outpatient clinics during their first or second cycle of chemotherapy. They completed valid and reliable measures of pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance. depression, and QOL prior to their next dose of chemotherapy. Latent class profile analysis was used to identify the patient subgroups. Differences among the profiles were evaluated using parametric and non-parametric tests.

RESULTS

Three distinct profiles were identified (i.e., Low (44.0%), Moderate (45.1%), High (10.8%). Compared to Low class, Moderate and High classes were younger and more likely to be female. Compared to the other two classes, High class was less likely to be married/partnered and employed, more likely to have a lower income and childcare responsibilities, had lower functional status, a higher body mass index, and exercised less. For both QOL scales, differences in subscale and total scores followed the same pattern (Low>Moderate>High).

CONCLUSIONS

Over 55% of patients undergoing chemotherapy had a moderate to high symptom burden associated with these four common co-occurring symptoms. Multimodal interventions are needed to decrease symptom burden and improve QOL outcomes in these patients.

Managing the risk of toxicity in the treatment of elderly patients with soft tissue sarcomas

INTRODUCTION

Nearly half of soft tissue sarcomas (STS) occur after the age of 65 years. Treating these patients is a complex issue in the absence of specific guidelines.

AREAS COVERED

This is a narrative review that summarizes current data on the efficacy and the safety of different treatment strategies in this subpopulation.

EXPERT OPINION

Age per se should not be a limiting factor to treatment. Surgery remains the treatment of choice offering the only chance of cure. The potential for benefit from adjuvant therapies must be discussed in the context of expected treatment-related toxicities and impairment of quality of life. Efficacy of systemic treatment in advanced disease did not differ from that in younger patients. However, safety must be considered when selecting treatments. Managing the risk of toxicity requires an assessment of vulnerabilities with validated tools. The Comprehensive geriatric assessment has become increasingly accepted but need to be validated in STS patients. Frailty should not exclude patients from potentially life-saving therapy. The correction of reversible conditions and active supportive care may make the treatment safer. Future studies are warranted to define better the patterns, benefits, risks of existing treatments. New options remain to be identified to reduce toxicity.

EURO-B.O.S.S.: A European study on chemotherapy in bone-sarcoma patients aged over 40: Outcome in primary high-grade osteosarcoma

INTRODUCTION

The EUROpean Bone Over 40 Sarcoma Study (EURO-B.O.S.S.) was the first prospective international study for patients 41-65 years old with high-grade bone sarcoma treated with an intensive chemotherapy regimen derived from protocols for younger patients with high-grade skeletal osteosarcoma.

METHODS

Chemotherapy based on doxorubicin, cisplatin, ifosfamide, and methotrexate was suggested, but patients treated with other regimens at the investigators' choice were also eligible for the study.

RESULTS

The present report focuses on the subgroup of 218 patients with primary high-grade osteosarcoma. With a median follow-up of 47 months, the 5-year probability of overall survival (OS) was 66% in patients with localized disease and 22% in case of synchronous metastases. The 5-year OS in patients with localized disease was 29% in pelvic tumors, and 70% and 73% for extremity or craniofacial locations, respectively. In primary chemotherapy, tumor necrosis ≥90% was reported in 21% of the patients. There were no toxic deaths; however, hematological toxicity was considerable with 32% of patients experiencing 1 or more episodes of neutropenic fever. The incidence of nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity (mainly peripheral) was 28% and 24%, respectively. After methotrexate, 23% of patients experienced delayed excretion, in 4 cases with nephrotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients over 40 years of age with primary high-grade osteosarcoma, an aggressive approach with chemotherapy and surgery can offer the probability of survival similar to that achieved in younger patients. Chemotherapy-related toxicity is significant and generally higher than that reported in younger cohorts of osteosarcoma patients treated with more intensive regimens.

Age differences in fatigue, decrements in energy, and sleep disturbance in oncology patients receiving chemotherapy

OBJECTIVE

The number of older adults with cancer is increasing. Given the limited amount of research and the inconsistent findings regarding age differences in common physical symptoms associated with cancer and its treatments, the purposes of this study, in a sample of oncology outpatients receiving chemotherapy (CTX), were to evaluate for age differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as in occurrence rates of and severity ratings for fatigue, decrements in energy, and sleep disturbance. In addition, using regression analysis techniques, within and across age groups, demographic and clinical characteristics associated with the severity of each symptom were evaluated.

METHODS

Patients (n = 1343) were dichotomized into younger (<65 years) and older (≥65 years) age groups. Patients completed self-report questionnaires prior to their next dose of CTX.

RESULTS

Overall, our findings suggest that compared to younger patients, older adults experience a lower or similar level of fatigue, decrements in energy, and sleep disturbance. However, it should be noted that both age groups experienced high occurrence rates and moderate to severe levels of all three symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians need to assess all oncology patients receiving CTX for these three symptoms. Future research needs to determine the biopsychosocial reasons that underlie these age-related differences in fatigue, decrements in energy, and sleep disturbance.

Low-dose fludarabine with or without darbepoetin alfa in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and comorbidity: primary results of the CLL9 trial of the German CLL Study Group

This study was planned as a phase 3 trial to investigate low-dose fludarabine with or without darbepoetin alfa in older patients with previously untreated or treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and comorbidity. Due to slow recruitment, the study was terminated prematurely after accrual of 97 patients who, on average, were 74 years old and had a cumulative illness rating scale (CIRS) total score of 5. We report toxicity and efficacy of the study treatment. Grade 3-5 neutropenia and infection were observed in 25% and 10% of patients, respectively. Response was seen in 73% (5% complete remissions). Median event-free and overall survival was 12.2 and 44.8 months, respectively. No differences in outcome were found for patients treated with versus without darbepoetin alfa. In subjects with progressive/recurrent CLL during or after study treatment, overall survival was similar for patients receiving chemotherapy versus chemoimmunotherapy as salvage treatment.

Assessing MGMT methylation status and its current impact on treatment in glioblastoma

MGMT promoter methylation status is a strong and independent prognostic factor in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma and a clinically relevant predictive marker in the subpopulation of elderly glioblastoma patients. However, there is still lack of consensus on the optimal assay for reliable MGMT promoter methylation testing and a variety of test are being used in different laboratories. Pyrosequencing is the only method for which an adequately high analytical performance (high intra- and interlaboratory repeatability and reproducibility) has been demonstrated in a fully published ring trial. For clinical decision-making MGMT promoter methylation testing should be performed only in experienced laboratories using meticulous validation of assay accuracy. Ideally, such laboratories should undergo regular accreditation through a quality control consortium.

Is the eGFR formula adequate for evaluating renal function before chemotherapy in patients with urogenital cancer? A suggestion for clinical application of eGFR formula

BACKGROUND

Accurate evaluation of renal function is required before cancer chemotherapy. Various kinds of formula have been developed for estimating creatinine clearance (Ccr) or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) conveniently. We retrospectively examined the reliability of the GFR estimating formula using the renal function data in cancer chemotherapy.

METHODS

Clinical data of 12 patients with urogenital cancer from 1998 to 2013 in Saga University Hospital were reviewed. Patients were treated with 6-21 (median 10.5) courses of chemotherapy and those patients underwent 9-29 (median 14.5) times of 24hrCcr tests before and during chemotherapy. We compared estimated GFR (eGFR) with 24hrCcr. In addition, we developed a novel method to estimate the Ccr using the patient-inherent 24hrCcr/eGFR ratio, which is calculated from initial 3 or 4 determinations of 24hrCcr and the corresponding eGFR. Those estimated Ccrs were also compared with 24hrCcr.

RESULTS

The dissociation between 24hrCcr and eGFR was not constant, and a large dissociation was observed in some cases. The newly devised estimated Ccr demonstrated less dissociation from 24hrCcr compared with eGFR.

CONCLUSIONS

The eGFR formula is not adequate for the clinical use in cancer chemotherapy. The absolute value of eGFR is not reliable, but clinical use of eGFR as relative value seems to be acceptable. To avoid troublesome 24hrCcr measurement in long-term cancer chemotherapy, eGFR formula can be used for estimating Ccr in combination with the specific inherent 24hrCcr/eGFR ratio, which is obtained from 3 or 4 times of actual 24hrCcr measurements.

A review of the management of elderly patients with non-small-cell lung cancer

Most patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are elderly but evidence to guide appropriate treatment decisions for this age group is generally scant. Careful evaluation of the elderly should be undertaken to ensure that treatment appropriate for the stage of the tumour is guided by patient characteristics and not by age. The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) remains the preferred option, but briefer tools may be appropriate to select patients for further evaluation. The predicted outcome should be used to guide management decisions together with a reappraisal of polypharmacy. Patient expectations should also be taken into account. Management recommendations are generally similar to those of general guidelines for the NSCLC population, although the risks of surgery and toxicity of chemotherapy and radiotherapy are often increased in the elderly compared with younger patients; therefore, patients should be closely scrutinised and subjected to a CGA to ensure suitability of the planned treatment. If surgery is indicated, then lobectomy is generally the preferred option, although limited resection may be more feasible for some. Radiotherapy with curative intent is an alternative, with stereotactic body radiotherapy the most likely preferred modality. Adjuvant chemotherapy is also an appropriate approach, whereas adjuvant radiotherapy is generally not recommended. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy should be considered for elderly patients with inoperable locally advanced disease and chemotherapy for advanced/metastatic disease. Efforts should also be made to increase participation of elderly patients with NSCLC in clinical trials, thereby enhancing evidence-based treatment decisions for this majority group. This will require overcoming barriers relating to trial design and to physician and patient awareness and attitudes.

Bi-weekly liposomal doxorubicin for advanced breast cancer in elderly women (≥ 70 years)

BACKGROUND

We conducted a multicenter prospective trial to assess tolerability and activity of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in women ≥ 70 years with locally-advanced or metastatic breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients underwent Multidimensional Geriatric Assessment (MGA). Frail patients were excluded. Normal cardiac function was required for inclusion. A bi-weekly schedule of PLD at 20mg/mq was adopted.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients were enrolled with a median age of 78 years, 78.1% with visceral involvement, and 37.6% previously treated with chemotherapy for advanced disease. A mean of 7.8 cycles were delivered (range 1 to 20), with a median cumulative dose intensity of 8.9 mg/m(2)/week. Grade 3-4 toxicities were anemia (6.3%), palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia (6.3%), mucositis (6.3%), infection (3.1%), and pulmonary embolism (3.1%). No cardiac events were registered. Causes of treatment interruption were maximal response (15.6%), progression (40.6%), refusal/loss to follow-up (28.1%), toxicities (9.4%), or other (6.3%). Response was obtained in 33.3% of 27 evaluable patients; median time to progression (TTP) was 10.3 months. MGA status (vulnerable vs. fit) did not have an impact on response, progression, and toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Bi-weekly PLD is well tolerated in both fit and vulnerable patients, with an apparently fairly good response rate and TTP (possibly biased by subsequent endocrine therapy and loss to follow-up). Close observation of patients is recommended in order to avoid early refusal/loss to follow-up.

Differences in the symptom experience of older versus younger oncology outpatients: a cross-sectional study

Background

Mortality rates for cancer are decreasing in patients under 60 and increasing in those over 60 years of age. The reasons for these differences in mortality rates remain poorly understood. One explanation may be that older patients received substandard treatment because of concerns about adverse effects. Given the paucity of research on the multiple dimensions of the symptom experience in older oncology patients, the purpose of this study was to evaluate for differences in ratings of symptom occurrence, severity, frequency, and distress between younger (< 60 years) and older ( ≥ 60 years) adults undergoing cancer treatment. We hypothesized that older patients would have significantly lower ratings on four symptom dimensions.

Methods

Data from two studies in the United States and one study in Australia were combined to conduct this analysis. All three studies used the MSAS to evaluate the occurrence, severity, frequency, and distress of 32 symptoms.

Results

Data from 593 oncology outpatients receiving active treatment for their cancer (i.e., 44.4% were < 60 years and 55.6% were ≥ 60 years of age) were evaluated. Of the 32 MSAS symptoms, after controlling for significant covariates, older patients reported significantly lower occurrence rates for 15 (46.9%) symptoms, lower severity ratings for 6 (18.9%) symptoms, lower frequency ratings for 4 (12.5%) symptoms, and lower distress ratings for 14 (43.8%) symptoms.

Conclusions

This study is the first to evaluate for differences in multiple dimensions of symptom experience in older oncology patients. For almost 50% of the MSAS symptoms, older patients reported significantly lower occurrence rates. While fewer age-related differences were found in ratings of symptom severity, frequency, and distress, a similar pattern was found across all three dimensions. Future research needs to focus on a detailed evaluation of patient and clinical characteristics (i.e., type and dose of treatment) that explain the differences in symptom experience identified in this study.

Study protocol of KLIMOP: a cohort study on the wellbeing of older cancer patients in Belgium and the Netherlands

Background

Cancer is mainly a disease of older patients. In older cancer patients, additional endpoints such as quality of survival and daily functioning might be considered equally relevant as overall or disease free survival. However, these factors have been understudied using prospective designs focussing on older cancer patients. Therefore, this study will focus on the impact of cancer, ageing, and their interaction on the long-term wellbeing of older cancer patients.

Methods/Design

This study is an observational cohort study. We aim to recruit 720 cancer patients above 70 years with a new diagnosis of breast, prostate, lung or gastrointestinal cancer and two control groups: one control group of 720 patients above 70 years without a previous diagnosis of cancer and one control group of 720 cancer patients between 50 - 69 years newly diagnosed with breast, prostate, lung or gastrointestinal cancer. Data collection will take place at inclusion, after six months, after one year and every subsequent year until death or end of the study. Data will be collected through personal interviews (consisting of socio-demographic information, general health information, a comprehensive geriatric assessment, quality of life, health locus of control and a loneliness scale), a handgrip test, assessment of medical records, two buccal swabs and a blood sample from cancer patients (at baseline). As an annex study, caregivers of the participants will be recruited as well. Data collection for caregivers will consist of a self-administered questionnaire examining depression, coping, and burden.

Discussion

This extensive data collection will increase insight on how wellbeing of older cancer patients is affected by cancer (diagnosis and treatment), ageing, and their interaction. Results may provide new insights, which might contribute to the improvement of care for older cancer patients.

Cancer in the elderly

A considerable knowledge has been collected in the last 20 years through retrospective and prospective trials on the medical management of cancer in older patients. Today a better approach to prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-related complications in older patients is provided by specific guide-lines.In this review, a synthetic information on the medical treatment specifically required by patients with age associated conditions for the most common tumor types (breast, non-small-cell lung prostate, colrectal cancer, and aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma) is presented.

Reducing excessive toxicity in ovarian cancer treatment: a personalized approach

The management of ovarian cancer is not only multifactorial, but also patient-specific. Different treatment modalities lead to varying levels of toxicity and individual patient responses, necessitating a personalized approach to each treatment plan. Surgical treatment along with first-line and salvage chemotherapies, are standard modalities but recent innovations in chemotherapy delivery and innovative therapy with mechanism of action are reviewed in this article. Extensive experience with standard chemotherapy has outlined algorithms for managing various toxicities. The focus of treatment may ultimately point towards palliative care and clinicians must be comfortable and well versed in addressing this important option. Overall, management of ovarian cancer requires a multi-faceted approach, keeping the patients’ overall health, curative goals and well-being at the forefront. It is nearly impossible to detail exact management plans for every possible toxicity for every patient; formulating personalized treatment plans should be based on evidence and clinician experience, all part of the art of medicine. The objective of this article is to highlight the most frequently encountered and most limiting toxicities of current standard therapies for epithelial ovarian cancer.