Abstract S5-06: Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of duloxetine for aromatase inhibitor (AI)-associated musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS) in early stage breast cancer (SWOG S1202)

Background: Adherence to AI therapy for adjuvant treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer is poor, primarily because of AIMSS. Premature discontinuation of AI therapy can lead to increased likelihood of breast cancer recurrence. Duloxetine (dulox) is a serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that is FDA-approved for treatment of multiple chronic pain disorders. Phase II data from an open label trial of dulox for treatment of AIMSS demonstrated a 61% improvement in pain. We hypothesized that treatment of AIMSS with dulox would improve average joint pain compared to placebo (plac).

Methods: Postmenopausal women with stage I-III breast cancer who had been taking AI therapy for between 3 wks and 36 mo were enrolled. To be eligible, patients were required to have average pain of ≥4/10 using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) that developed or worsened since AI therapy initiation, and not have any contraindications to dulox therapy. Patients were randomized 1:1 to dulox 30 mg daily for 7 d then 60 mg daily for 11 wks then 30 mg daily for 7 d, or to matching plac, stratified by baseline pain (4-6 vs 7-10) and prior taxane use (yes vs no). Pain, depression, and quality of life (QoL) were assessed after 2, 6, and 12 wks of therapy, as well as at the 24 wk time point. The primary analysis used linear mixed models to examine average pain through 12 wks by arm, adjusting for the stratification factors and assessment time. Clinically significant change in average pain was defined as a ≥2-point decrease from baseline.

Results: 299 patients were randomized between June 2013 and October 2015, 10 of whom were ineligible. 127 dulox-treated and 128 plac-treated patients were evaluable for the primary analysis. No sizeable imbalances in baseline factors were noted by arm. Seventeen pts reported grade 3 adverse events (AEs) (dulox: 12/138 (8.7%), plac: 5/141 (3.5%)), and 40 pts discontinued treatment because of AEs (dulox: 21 (52.5%), plac: 19 (47.5%)). Mean observed average pain, the proportion of pts experiencing clinically significant change in average pain from baseline, and percent reduction in average pain all indicated greater improvement for dulox compared with plac through 12 wks, but were similar by arm at wk 24 (12 wks after completion of intervention; see Table). In multivariable linear mixed model analysis, the BPI average pain was reduced on average by 0.82 points more on dulox compared to plac over the first 12 wks (95% CI -1.24 to -0.40, p=0.0002). Similar patterns were observed for worst pain, pain interference, joint pain, stiffness, and functioning, and QoL.

Table: Observed Average Pain Scores by Assessment TimeTime PointBaseline2 weeks6 weeks12 weeks24 weeksduloxplacduloxplacduloxplacduloxplacduloxplacAverage pain5.445.493.514.412.953.962.913.453.373.42Percent reduction--34%20%46%28%46%36%37%37%Patients with clinically significant change--54%44%69%49%69%60%60%59%

Conclusions: Treatment with duloxetine was superior to placebo for the treatment of AIMSS among women with early stage breast cancer, was well tolerated, and was associated with improvements in QoL.

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01598298.

Citation Format: Henry NL, Unger JM, Schott AF, Fehrenbacher L, Flynn PJ, Prow D, Sharer CW, Lew DL, Moseley A, Fisch MJ, Moinpour C, Hershman DL, Wade III JL. Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of duloxetine for aromatase inhibitor (AI)-associated musculoskeletal symptoms (AIMSS) in early stage breast cancer (SWOG S1202) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr S5-06.

The Influence of Older Age on Physician and Patient Decision-Making Regarding Enrollment to Breast Cancer Clinical Trials

Background: More than 50% of breast cancers occur in women ≥65 years. Clear guidelines for treatment do not exist for this population, however, due to underrepresentation of older patients on clinical trials. We reported that patients 65 and older are significantly underrepresented in Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) trials, particularly in breast cancer. (Hutchins, 1999) We conducted a prospective study (S0316) to determine physician- and patient-perceived barriers to breast cancer clinical trial enrollment in older versus younger patients.Methods: Eight geographically diverse SWOG institutions, 5 academic and 3 community, participated in S0316. Breast cancer patients were registered at time of systemic treatment decision-making. The study prospectively assessed reasons behind patients' and physicians' decisions to either enroll in or decline clinical treatment trials, including demographics, return rates to the institution, trial availability, and eligibility. Patient questionnaires elicited concerns about treatment toxicities, confidence in medical staff or institution, opposition or support by family/friends, and financial or time commitment concerns. Physician questionnaires elicited factors influencing decisions either not to discuss a trial or not to enroll the patient, including treatment toxicities, patient age or medical status, demands on personal or staff time, and reimbursement issues. Results were compared between patients <65 vs. ≥65 years.Results: 1,079 patients were registered and eligible, and 909 (84%) returned for follow-up. Clinical trial participation was 16%. The major reason for non-accrual was either trial unavailability or ineligibility (60%). Older patients were less likely to be eligible for trials (65% vs. 78%, p=.004). If eligible, trial participation rates did not differ significantly by age (34% vs. 40%, p=.32). Treatment-specific issues were the most common reasons cited by all patients for non-participation. Patients ≥65 more often were concerned about side effects (p=.02), had friends opposed to participation (p=.001), or believed that participation would not benefit other generations (p=.009). Concerns about transportation, time commitment, or posing a burden to family were similar between age groups. Physicians discussed trial participation when trials were available and patients were eligible with 76% <65 years versus 58% ≥65 years (p=.008). The study regimen and toxicity were the most common reasons influencing physician decisions not to discuss a trial, but did not differ between age groups. For patients ≥65 years, 14% of physicians indicated age as a reason the patient did not participate vs. 3% for patients <65 years (p=.002).Conclusions: Trial unavailability or patient ineligibility are major reasons for lack of enrollment on breast cancer clinical trials for patients of all ages in this prospective study. Older patients were less likely to be eligible for trials, but if eligible participated at similar rates to younger patients. Older age should not deter physicians in recommending clinical trials. Addressing stringent eligibility criteria may improve accrual rates of older patients.Supported by the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the SWOG Hope Foundation

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 3077.

Development, feasibility and compliance of a web-based system for very frequent QOL and symptom home self-assessment after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation

We believe that many adverse events following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), particularly relapse and chronic graft-versus-host disease (CGVHD), are preceded by a subclinical period of development that is accessible by frequent psychometric assessment. Documenting these associations could improve future clinical care by extending the potential window for intervention. However, conventional methods of assessing quantity of lite (QOL) in patients in their homes, typically by mailed self-assessment questionnaires, are impractical for very frequent administration. We have developed and implemented a web-based system for measuring short-term (dynamic) changes in QOL by employing brief, online, daily QOL assessments and more extensive, monthly online assessments from patients' homes. Here we report the feasibility of collecting very frequent patient home self-assessments of QOL via the web for a 52 week participation period; we detail incidence of home web access, accrual, compliance, and satisfaction with the system in an HSCT patient sample. We also describe our integrated web-systems for administering patient recruitment, scheduling, monitoring, and analysis. Our results suggest that very frequent routine collection of QOL outcomes is entirely feasible using our web-based home assessment tool, with good patient compliance and high user satisfaction. We believe our methodology shows great promise for use with other cancer and health populations.

Practice and policy of measuring quality of life and health economics in cancer clinical trials: a survey among co-operative trial groups

BACKGROUND

Co-operative groups have played an important role in the advance of health-related quality of life (HRQL) research. However, definitions of the concept, criteria for selection of existing instruments and methods for data collection and interpretation remain poorly defined in the literature. A survey was conducted amongst the major cancer co-operative groups in order to gain a better understanding of their current policy and processes to ensure optimal HRQL data collection within cancer clinical trials. The topic of health economics was similarly addressed.

METHODS

A written questionnaire was addressed to 16 major European and North American cancer co-operative groups. Eleven groups responded (response rate: 69%). however, one group could not provide information for the survey, thus ten questionnaires were available for analysis.

RESULTS

The results from this survey among co-operative groups show that HRQL (more than health economics) is recognized as an important, although usually secondary, outcome measure in oncology trials. On the whole, co-operative groups have a rather flexible policy towards the inclusion of HRQL (and HE) into their clinical trials, and practice is very much on a case-by-case basis, but use standard practice guidelines and internal procedures is to ensure well-defined study protocols and enhance good quality studies.

Association of African-American ethnic background with survival in men with metastatic prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

African-American men have earlier onset of prostate cancer, higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, more advanced stage at diagnosis, and higher mortality than white men. It is not known whether the poorer survival of African-American men with prostate cancer reflects their later stage at diagnosis or differences in the basic biology of their disease. To evaluate this question, we examined outcomes of African-American and white men with metastatic prostate cancer in the context of a randomized clinical trial.

METHODS

Southwest Oncology Group Study 8894 was a randomized phase III trial that compared orchiectomy with or without flutamide in men with metastatic prostate cancer. Using data from 288 African-American and 975 white men in the trial, we conducted a proportional hazards regression analysis to determine if ethnicity was an independent predictor of survival. All statistical tests were two-sided.

RESULTS

African-American men were more likely than white men to have extensive disease and bone pain and had poorer performance status, younger age at study entry, higher Gleason score, and higher PSA levels. After adjustment for these prognostic variables, the hazard ratio (HR) for all-cause mortality for African-American men relative to white men was 1.23 (P: =.018). Further adjustment for initial quality-of-life assessments also resulted in higher HRs associated with African-American ethnicity relative to white ethnicity (HR = 1.39; P: =.007).

CONCLUSIONS

African-American men with metastatic prostate cancer have a statistically significantly worse prognosis than white men that cannot be explained by the prognostic variables explored in this study. These data should give increased impetus for efforts to detect the disease early in African-American men and for the development of more effective therapies based on potential biologic differences in this ethnic group.

Quality of life in survivors of colorectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Colon carcinoma is a common malignancy that accounts for a substantial share of all cancer-related morbidity and mortality. However, little is known with regard to general and disease specific quality of life in survivors of colorectal carcinoma, particularly from community-based samples of cases across stage and survival times from diagnosis.

METHODS

Subjects with colorectal carcinoma were recruited from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry. Subjects completed two self-administered surveys: the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Scales for Colorectal Cancer (FACT-C) and the Health Utilities Index (HUI) Mark III.

RESULTS

One hundred seventy-three respondents (average age: 70.4 years, 71.4% female) completed the survey. In the first 3 years after diagnosis, quality of life was lower and varied substantially among respondents. After 3 years, respondents in all TNM stages of disease except Stage IV reported a relatively uniform and high quality of life. Pain, functional well-being, and social well-being were affected most substantially across all stages and times from diagnosis. Low income status was associated with worse outcomes for pain, ambulation, and social and emotional well-being. Only emotional well-being scores improved significantly over time in both surveys.

CONCLUSIONS

Those individuals who achieve a long term remission from colorectal carcinoma may experience a relatively high quality of life, although deficits remain for several areas, particularly in those of low socioeconomic status. Sampling design may have excluded the most severely ill patients.

CARE-PARTNER: a computerized knowledge-support system for stem-cell post-transplant long-term follow-up on the World-Wide-Web

Evidence-based practice in medicine promotes the performance of medicine based upon proven and validated practice. The CARE-PARTNER system presented here is a computerized knowledge-support system for stem-cell post-transplant long-term follow-up (LTFU) care on the WWW, which means that it monitors the quality of the knowledge both of its own knowledge-base and of its users. Its aim is to support the evidence-based practice of the LTFU clinicians and of the home-town physicians who actually care for the transplanted patients. Currently, three fundamental characteristics of CARE-PARTNER are accountable for its knowledge-support function: the quality of its knowledge-base, its availability on the WWW, and its learning from experience capability. As a matter of fact, the integration of a case-based reasoner in the reasoning framework enables the system to introspectively study its results, and to learn from its successes and failures, thus confronting the quality of the guidelines and pathways it reuses to the reality and complexity of the clinical cases.

A randomized clinical trial of home nursing care for lung cancer patients

A randomized clinical trial was conducted to assess the effects of home nursing care for patients with progressive lung cancer. One hundred sixty-six patients were assigned to either an oncology home care group (OHC) that received care from oncology home care nurses, a standard home care group (SHC) that received care from regular home care nurses, or an office care group (OC) that received whatever care they needed except for home care. Patients were entered into the study 2 months after diagnosis and followed for 6 months. Patients were interviewed at 6-week intervals across five occasions. At the end of the study, there were no differences in pain, mood disturbance, and concerns among the three groups. There were significant differences in symptom distress, enforced social dependency, and health perceptions. The two home nursing care groups had less distress and greater independence 6 weeks longer than the office care group. In addition, the two home nursing care groups steadily reported worse health perceptions over time. Thus, it was remarkable that the office care group, which indicated more symptom distress and social dependency with time, also indicated perceptions of improved health with time. These results suggest that home nursing care assists patients with forestalling distress from symptoms and maintaining their independence longer in comparison to no home nursing care. Home care may also include assisting patients in acknowledging the reality of their situation.