Distinctive lower incidence rates of cutaneous melanoma on the hips and lower extremities of men

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous melanomas (CMs) are more frequently found on the trunk in men, and on the hip and lower extremities (legs) in women. This discrepancy has been attributed to greater exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation of women's legs due to their dressing habits.

OBJECTIVES

To understand the sex difference in the bodily distribution of CMs, especially those on the legs.

METHODS

This was a cancer registry-based cohort study. CM incidences, relative tumour density and tumour mutational burdens (TMBs) were compared among different body sites in different sex and racial groups using the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) and TCGA SKCM (The Cancer Genome Atlas skin cutaneous melanoma) databases.

RESULTS

White men had lower rates and lower relative tumour density (RTD) of CMs on their legs compared with the rest of their body sites, or compared with White women. Men classified by SEER into racial groups other than White did not show such a trend. White women had comparable RTDs among different body sites. The ratios between the 'White' and the 'other' groups were used to evaluate the approximate effect of sun exposure at different body sites, which further validated a distinct protective effect of men's legs in melanoma. TMB on leg melanomas was lower than on other sites in both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

The legs of both sexes in White patients show lower RTDs and lower levels of TMB, suggesting a weaker association with UV exposure. Furthermore, White men are especially protected against CM on their legs, suggesting an unknown intrinsic protective factor as compared with women.

Automation of Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Outcomes Reporting Leads to Dramatic Reduction in Errors Reported to Real-World Data Registry

Institutions that perform hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are required by law to report standardized, structured data on transplantation outcomes. A key post-transplantation outcome is engraftment, the time between HCT infusion and reemergence of circulating neutrophils and platelets. At our center, we found that manual chart abstraction for engraftment data was highly error-prone. We developed a custom R/Shiny application that automatically calculates engraftment dates and displays them in an intuitive format to augment the manual chart review. Our hypothesis was that use of the application to assist with calculating and reporting engraftment dates would be associated with a decreased error rate. The study was conducted at a single tertiary care institution. The application was developed in a collaborative, multidisciplinary fashion by members of an embedded cellular therapy informatics team. Retrospective validation of the application's accuracy was conducted on all malignant HCTs from February 2016 to December 2020 (n = 198). Real-world use of the application was evaluated prospectively from April 2021 through April 2022 (n = 53). The Welch 2-sample t test was used to compare error rates preimplementation and postimplementation. Data were visualized using p charts, and standard special cause variation rules were applied. The accuracy of reported data postdeployment increased dramatically; the engraftment error rate decreased from 15% to 3.8% for neutrophils (P = .003) and from 28% to 1.9% for platelets (P < .001). This study demonstrates the effective deployment of a custom R/Shiny application that was associated with significantly reduced error rates in HCT engraftment reporting for operational, research, and regulatory purposes. Users reported subjective satisfaction with the application and that it addressed difficulties with the legacy manual process. Identifying and correcting erroneous data in engraftment reporting could lead to a more efficient and accurate nationwide assessment of transplantation success. Furthermore, we show that it is possible and practical for academic medical centers to create and support embedded informatics teams that can quickly build applications for clinical operations in a manner compliant with regulatory requirements.

Impact of MEK Inhibitor Therapy on Neurocognitive Functioning in NF1

Background and Objectives

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)-associated cognitive impairments carry significant lifelong morbidity. The lack of targeted biologic treatments remains a significant unmet need. We examine changes in cognition in patients with NF1 in the first 48 weeks of mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor (MEKi) treatment.

Methods

Fifty-nine patients with NF1 aged 5–27 years on an MEKi clinical trial treating plexiform neurofibroma underwent pretreatment and follow-up cognitive assessments over 48 weeks of treatment. Performance tasks (Cogstate) and observer-reported functioning (BRIEF) were the primary outcomes. Group-level (paired t tests) and individual-level analyses (Reliable Change Index, RCI) were used.

Results

Analysis showed statistically significant improvements on BRIEF compared with baseline (24-week Behavioral Regulation Index: t₍₅₈₎ = 3.03, p = 0.004, d = 0.24; 48-week Metacognition Index: t₍₃₉₎ = 2.70, p = 0.01, d = 0.27). RCI indicated that more patients had clinically significant improvement at 48 weeks than expected by chance (χ² = 11.95, p = 0.001, odds ratio [OR] = 6.3). Group-level analyses indicated stable performance on Cogstate (p > 0.05). RCI statistics showed high proportions of improved working memory (24-week χ² = 8.36, p = 0.004, OR = 4.6, and 48-week χ² = 9.34, p = 0.004, OR = 5.3) but not visual learning/memory. Patients with baseline impairments on BRIEF were more likely to show significant improvement than nonimpaired patients (24 weeks 46% vs 8%; χ² = 9.54, p = 0.008, OR = 9.22; 48 weeks 63% vs 16%; χ² = 7.50, p = 0.02, OR = 9.0).

Discussion

Our data show no evidence of neurotoxicity in 48 weeks of treatment with an MEKi and a potential clinical signal supporting future research of MEKi as a cognitive intervention.

Sex disparity in skin carcinogenesis and potential influence of sex hormones

Background

Sex or gender disparity in skin cancer has been documented for a long time at the population level. UV radiation (UVR) is a common environmental risk for all three major types of skin cancer: cutaneous melanoma (CM), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). The underlying mechanism for sex disparity has been largely attributed to sex‐differentiated behaviour patterns related to UVR. Non‐UVR factors such as intrinsic physiological differences have been suggested but remain understudied.

Aims, Materials and Methods

This review summarizes and compares the known sex differences in three skin cancer types with regard to body site distribution and age influence.

Results

We found a similar age‐dependent sex difference pattern in CM and BCC. Specifically, CM and BCC tend to show higher incidence in young women and old men, with a switching age around menopause. The switching age suggests involvement of sex hormones, which has shown controversial influence on skin cancers at epidemiological level. Literatures regarding sex hormone receptors for oestrogen, androgen and progesterone are summarized for potential explanations at molecular level.

Discussion

Overall, more and more evidence suggests non‐UVR factors such as sex hormones play critical roles in skin cancer (especially CM and BCC), yet solid population and molecular evidence are required. Incidences of skin cancer are increasing which suggests limited effect for the current UVR‐avoidance prevention methods.

Conclusion

Fully understanding the causes of sex disparities in incidence is necessary for developing a comprehensive prevention strategy.

Staying in the here-and-now: a pilot study on the use of dialectical behaviour therapy group skills training for forensic clients with intellectual disability

BACKGROUND

Dialectic behaviour therapy (DBT) has been widely used with individuals diagnosed with borderline personality disorder who exhibit severe emotional and behavioural dysregulation. There is a paucity of research in assessing the effectiveness of DBT with forensic clients with intellectual disability (ID).

METHODS

This pilot study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the DBT group skills training programme adapted particularly for offenders with ID. Six participants completed the 13-week adapted DBT group skills training programme. All participants exhibited challenging behaviours and have a history of prior charges or convictions for violent crimes. The study conducted pre- and post-tests using instruments that measured dynamic risks, relative strengths, coping skills and global functioning.

RESULTS

The study result showed improvement across all measures. A decrease in the level of risks, increase in relative strengths and general improvement in overall functioning were found significant. The results were promising particularly as a stand-alone adapted DBT group skills training programme for this client group.