Clinico-pathologic factors and survival of patients with breast cancer diagnosed with de novo brain metastasis: a national cancer database analysis.

PURPOSE: Patients with Breast Cancer (BC) with Brain Metastasis (BCBM) have poor survival outcomes. We aimed to explore the clinico-pathologic and therapeutic factors predicting the survival in patients with de novo BCBM using the National Cancer Database (NCDB). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The NCDB was queried for patients with BC between 2010 and 2020. Survival analysis with Kaplan-Meier curves and log rank tests were used to find median overall survival (OS) in months (95% CI) across the different variables. A multivariate cox regression model was computed to identify significant predictors of survival. RESULTS: Out of n = 2,610,598 patients, n = 9005 (0.34%) had de novo BCBM. A trend of decreasing OS was observed with increasing age, Charlson-Deyo score (CDS), and number of extracranial metastatic sites. The highest median OS was observed in the Triple Positive and the lowest OS in the Triple Negative subgroup. Based on treatment regimen, combination of systemic therapy and local therapy achieved the highest OS. A positive trend in OS was observed in the BC subgroup analysis with targeted therapy demonstrating a survival benefit when added to systemic therapy. The multivariate cox regression model showed that age, race, ethnicity, insurance, median income, facility type, CDS, BC subtype, metastatic location sites, and treatment combinations received were significantly associated with risk of death. Receiving only local treatment for BM without systemic therapy more than doubled the risk of death compared to combining it with systemic therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis suggests that treatment of systemic disease is the major factor influencing survival in patients with BCBM. Moreover, targeted therapy with anti-HER2 increased survival when added to systemic therapy explaining the highest median OS noted in the Triple Positive subgroup.

"You matter": patients perceptions and disparities about cancer care and telehealth during and after COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: Disparities in cancer care have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study is to establish how telehealth mitigated the effect of COVID-19 on the healthcare sector and to identify potential disparities in perception and experience with telehealth in cancer care during and after the pandemic. METHODS: We identified individuals with an established cancer diagnosis who received treatment at a comprehensive academic cancer center with a diverse patient population between 2019 and 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were asked to complete a self-administrated survey intended to collect patient-reported outcomes on socioeconomic and mental health challenges incurred during the pandemic as well as participants' experience with telehealth. The assessment was adapted from a 21-question-based survey applied for mental health. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize participant characteristics and the response to the survey items. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess and analyze the contributing factors to the survey responses. RESULTS: A total of N = 136 participants were included in this analysis. The majority of participants (60.6%) reported increased anxiety, stress, or experience of distress as a direct result of COVID-19. However, among 54.1% of survey responders participated in a telehealth appointment and 84.4% agreed it was an easy and effective experience. CONCLUSION: Elderly, male, and black participants reported the worst impact related to the pandemic. The majority of patients had a positive experience with telehealth. The results of the study suggest that telehealth services can serve as a tool for patients with cancer during and beyond active treatment to access supportive services.

Los derechos sexuales y (no) reproductivos en suspenso en territorios rurales y urbanos de Santiago del Estero, Argentina / Sexual and (non) reproductive rights put on holdin rural and urban territories of Santiago del Estero, Argentina / Direitos sexuais e (não) reprodutivos suspensos nos territórios rurais e urbanos de Santiago del Estero, Argentina

Objetivo: analizar el acceso a derechos sexuales y (no) reproductivos de mujeres y niñas en el contexto de la pandemia por COVID-19; y las políticas implementadas (o no) por los gobiernos de la provincia de Santiago del Estero y nacional. Metodología: desde métodos cualitativos se ha indagado a través de entrevistas no estructuradas y en profundidad por medio de videollamadas por las plataformas disponibles: a funcionarias/os, agentes de salud y referentes de organizaciones sociales. Resultados: el acceso a los derechos sexuales y (no) reproductivos enfrentó graves dificultades entre las que podemos destacar las restricciones a la circulación, sobre todo durante el 2020, y la priorización en los servicios públicos a la atención de los casos de COVID-19. Las respuestas institucionales a las demandas de interrupciones legales de las niñas y mujeres embarazadas han seguido circuitos largos y laberínticos. Conclusión:los diversos obstáculos que enfrentan las mujeres y las niñas para que el Estado garantice sus derechos, deben situarse en la perduración de un contexto histórico y estructural, donde la sexualidad y la reproducción están sometidas a estricto control y el ejercicio de los derechos se enfrenta con morales restrictivas. Las respuestas ofrecidas por el Estado no fueron suficientes y las organizaciones sociales cumplieron un rol sustitutivo. Y allí en donde no hay una red de contención o una organización social, la vida de mujeres y niñas presenta mayor vulnerabilidad.

Objective: this study aims to assess the access to sexual and (non) reproductive rights of women and girls within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, examining the policies implemented (or not) by the governments of Santiago del Estero province and nationally. Methods: utilizing qualitative approaches, the research conducted unstructured and in-depth interviews via video calls with officials, health agents, and representatives of social organizations.Results: Access to sexual and (non) reproductive rights encountered substantial challenges, notably movement restrictions, particularly in 2020, and the prioritization of public services for COVID-19 cases. Institutional responses to legal interruptions for pregnant girls and women involved complex and protracted procedures.Conclusion: the barriers faced by women and girls in obtaining state-guaranteed rights must be contextualized within a historical and structural framework, characterized by strict control over sexuality and reproduction. State responses proved insufficient, leading social organizations to assume a substitute role. In the absence of a support network or social organization, the vulnerability of women and girls is heightened.

Objetivo: analisar o acesso aos direitos sexuais e (não) reprodutivos de mulheres e meninas no contexto da pandemia da COVID-19 e as políticas implementadas (ou não) pelos governos da província de Santiago del Estero e a nível nacional. Metodologia: utilizando métodos qualitativos, a investigação foi realizada por meio de entrevistas não estruturadas e em profundidade por meio de videochamadas: a autoridades, agentes de saúde e representantes de organizações sociais. Resultados: o acesso aos direitos sexuais e (não) reprodutivos enfrentou sérias dificuldades, entre as quais podemos destacar as restrições à circulação, especialmente durante 2020, e a priorização dos serviços públicos para atendimento aos casos de COVID-19. As respostas institucionais às exigências de interrupções legais por parte de meninas e mulheres grávidas seguiram circuitos longos e labirínticos. Conclusão: os diversos obstáculos que as mulheres e as meninas enfrentam para que o Estado garanta os seus direitos devem ser colocados na continuidade de um contexto histórico e estrutural, onde a sexualidade e a reprodução estão sujeitas a um controle rigoroso e o exercício dos direitos enfrenta morais restritivas. As respostas oferecidas pelo Estado não foram suficientes e as organizações sociais desempenharam um papel substituto. E onde não existe rede de apoio ou organização social, as vidas das mulheres e das meninas são mais vulneráveis.

Caracterización de las cirugías laparoscópicas en el Servicio de Ginecología del Hospital Materno-Infantil Ángel Arturo Aballí / Characterization of Laparoscopic Surgeries in the Gynecology Service at Hospital Materno-Infantil Ángel Arturo Aballí

Introducción: La cirugía laparoscópica ginecológica permite intervenir a la paciente sin tener que abrir el abdomen, pues consiste en realizar pequeñas incisiones. Actualmente se emplea en enfermedades como el cáncer o en la extracción de quistes y miomas, por lo que se puede aplicar en casi cualquier intervención de cirugía ginecológica. Objetivo: Caracterizar los procedimientos laparoscópicos del Servicio de Ginecología en el Hospital Materno-Infantil Ángel Arturo Aballí en el período comprendido entre enero del 2018 y diciembre del 2021. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, retrospectivo de corte longitudinal con el fin de describir la actividad asistencial laparoscópica. La muestra fue de 180 pacientes, según el criterio de selección no probabilístico de los investigadores. Resultados: La edad promedio fue 41,6 años. Según los antecedentes, predominó el tamaño del útero con 91,1 por ciento (n = 164). Dentro de las indicaciones quirúrgicas, se encontró la paridad satisfecha en un 34,4 por ciento, seguido del tumor de ovario (18,9 por ciento), las neoplasias intraepiteliales cervicales (13,4 por ciento) y el fibroma uterino sintomático. En cuanto a la cirugía mayor, se encontró la histerectomía abdominal laparoscópica en un 49,0 por ciento (n = 78), seguido de la salpingectomía con un 38,9 por ciento, resultados con significación desde el punto de vista estadístico (p = 0,004). En cuanto a la cirugía menor, el 11,6 por ciento de la muestra recibió la ablación de los focos endometriales. Las complicaciones fueron escasas. Conclusiones: Los procederes laparoscópicos del Servicio de Ginecología del Hospital Materno-Infantil Ángel Arturo Aballí se consideraron adecuados de acuerdo a los indicadores quirúrgicos(AU)

Introduction: Laparoscopic gynecological surgery allows for the patient to undergo surgery without having to open their abdomen, since it consists in making small incisions. It is currently used in diseases such as cancer or in the removal of cysts and myomas; therefore, it can be applied in almost any gynecological surgery. Objective: To characterize the laparoscopic procedures of the gynecology service at Hospital Materno-Infantil Ángel Arturo Aballí, in the period from January 2018 to December 2021. Methods: An observational, descriptive, retrospective and longitudinal study was carried out in order to describe the laparoscopic assistance activity. The sample consisted of 180 patients, according to the researchers' nonprobabilistic selection criteria. Results: The mean age was 41.6 years. Concerning antecedents, uterine size predominated, with 91.1 percent (n = 164). Among surgical indications, satisfied parity was found in 34.4 percent , followed by ovarian tumor (18.9 percent ), cervical intraepithelial neoplasms (13.4 percent ) and symptomatic uterine fibroid. With respect to major surgery, laparoscopic abdominal hysterectomy was found in 49.0 percent (n = 78), followed by salpingectomy, with 38.9 percent ; such results are statistically significant (p = 0.004). Regarding minor surgery, 11.6 percent of the sample received ablation of endometrial focuses. Complications were rare. Conclusions: The laparoscopic procedures of the gynecology service at Hospital Materno-Infantil Ángel Arturo Aballí are considered adequate according to the surgical indicators(AU)

Geographic Origin may Affect Outcomes for Hispanic Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Social determinants of health thoroughly explored in the literature include insurance status, race, and ethnicity. There are over 50 million self-identifying Hispanics in the United States. This, however, represents a heterogeneous population. We used a national registry to investigate for significant differences in outcomes of Hispanic patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in the Unites states, by geographic region of origin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified a cohort of Hispanic patients in the Unites states with NSCLC for which region of origin was documented within the 2004 to 2016 National Cancer Database (NCDB) registry. This included patients from Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico, South and Central America, and the Dominican Republic. We performed multivariate logistic regression modeling to determine whether origin was a significant predictor of cancer staging at diagnosis, adjusting for age, sex, histology, grade, insurance status, and facility type. Race was not included due to a nonsignificant association with stage at diagnosis at the bivariate level in this cohort. Subsequently, we used Kaplan-Meier modeling to identify whether overall survival (OS) of Hispanic patients differed by origin. RESULTS: A total of 12,557 Hispanic patients with NSCLC were included in this analysis. The breakdown by origin was as follows: n = 2071 (16.5%) Cuban, n = 2360 (18.8%) Puerto Rican, n = 4950 (39.4%) Mexican, n = 2329 (18.5%) from South or Central America, and n = 847 (6.7%) from the Dominican Republic. After controlling for age, sex, histology, grade, insurance status and treating facility type, we found that geographic origin was a significant predictor of advanced stage at diagnosis (P = .015). Compared to Cubans, patients of Puerto Rican origin were less likely to present with advanced disease (68.4% vs. 71.9%; OR: 0.82; 95%CI: 0.69-0.98; P = .026). We also identified a significant (log-rank P-value<.001) difference in OS by geographic origin, even at early-stages of diagnosis. Dominican patients with NSCLC exhibited the highest 5-year OS rate (63.3%), followed by patients from South/Central America (59.7%), Puerto Rico (52.3%), Mexico (45.9%), and Cuba (43.8%). CONCLUSION: This study showed that for Hispanic individuals living in the Unites states, region/country of origin is significantly associated with outcomes, even after accounting for other known determinants of health. We suggest that region of origin should be studied further as a potential determinant of outcomes in patients with cancer.

Factors Associated with the Decision to Decline Chemotherapy in Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

(1) Background: Disparities in cancer treatment and outcomes have long been well-documented in the medical literature. With the eruption of advances in new treatment modalities, the long-existing disparities are now being further uncovered and brought to the attention of the medical community. While social health determinants have previously been linked to treatment disparities in lung cancer, we analyzed data from the National Cancer Database to explore sociodemographic and geographic factors related to accepting or declining physician-recommended chemotherapy. Patients diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer between 2004 and 2016 who declined chemotherapy recommended by their physicians were included in this study. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed. Cox Regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to look for survival characteristics. (2) Results: 316,826 patients with Stage IV lung cancer were identified. Factors related to a higher rate of refusal by patients included older age > 70, female sex, low income, lack of insurance coverage, residency in the New England region, and higher comorbidity. Patients living in areas with lower education were less likely to decline chemotherapy. (3) Conclusion: Further understanding of the factors impacting treatment decisions would be essential to improve the efficacy of care delivery in patients with cancer and reduce reversible causes of disparity.

Thymoma and Myasthenia Gravis: An Examination of a Paraneoplastic Manifestation.

Thymoma is a rare type of malignancy but is considered one of the most common neoplasms that occur in the anterior mediastinum. A large proportion of thymomas are associated with paraneoplastic syndromes, such as myasthenia gravis. Whenever feasible, the standard of care for the treatment of thymoma should focus on the control of paraneoplastic syndromes, surgical resection, and adjuvant therapy if appropriate. A 36-year-old female patient with a significant past medical history of obesity and iron deficiency anemia who underwenten bloc resection of thymoma three months prior now presented to the benign hematology clinic to establish care for the management of anemia. Upon review of systems, the patient incidentally reported fatigue, weakness with repetitive motion, occasional blurred vision, headaches, and exertional dyspnea. Physical examination was positive for horizontal nystagmus. Given the patient's history and clinical findings, suspicion of myasthenia gravis was high. Further work-up demonstrated anti-acetylcholine receptor titers of 5.70 nmol/L (normal < 0.21 nmol/L), supporting a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis in this patient. She was subsequently started on pyridostigmine. Often, patients with thymoma experience paraneoplastic syndrome-related symptoms prior to thymectomy, and in many cases thymectomy is curative. However, in the case presented, we examine a patient that was asymptomatic prior to surgery and subsequently reported the onset of symptoms following what we suspect was an exacerbation due to general anesthesia and pain control medications. We argue that all patients with thymoma should undergo systematic evaluation and treatment of paraneoplastic syndromes, regardless of clinical symptoms and prior to surgery, in order to improve patient quality of life and hospital outcomes.

Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer-Related Care in the United States: An Overview.

COVID-19 impacted several health services, including cancer-related care. Its implications were significant due to the lapse in hospital resources, compounded by the delays stemming from the economic effects on patients' jobs and medical coverage. Furthermore, reports suggesting an increased risk for morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 in patients with cancer and those on active cancer treatment caused additional fear and potential delays in seeking medical services. This review provides an overview of the pandemic's impact on cancer care in the United States and suggests measures for tackling similar situations in the future.

Efficacy of chemotherapy in patients with HR+/HER2-Invasive lobular breast cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Invasive Lobular Breast Cancer (ILC) harbors unique clinicopathologic features. Data on optimal treatment modalities focusing on ILC remain scarce. We aim to investigate the benefit of chemotherapy in early-stage hormone receptor-positive (HR+) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 negative (HER2-) ILC. METHODS: Female patients with early HR+/HER2- ILC (stages I-III) who underwent surgery were selected from the National Cancer Database (2010-2016) and grouped into four treatment cohorts: surgery only(S), chemotherapy alone (CT), endocrine therapy alone (ET), and combined chemotherapy followed by endocrine therapy (CET). Descriptive and bi-variate statistics summarized baseline characteristics and compared them across cohorts. A secondary analysis accounting for OncotypeDX (ODX) information was performed, stratifying for low (<26) and high (≥26) ODX. Kaplan-Meier (KM) and Cox proportional hazard models evaluated the relationship between treatment modality and overall survival (OS), stratifying for ODX scoring. RESULTS: N = 15,271 patients were included. The CET cohort (29.8%) was more likely to be younger and have no co-morbidities, advanced tumor stage or high ODX score (≥26). No significant difference in OS comparing ET to CET (HR:1.08, 95%CI:0.93-1.26, p = 0.31) was observed, adjusting for confounders. N = 5,561 patients had ODX results available. No significant difference in 5-year OS was observed comparing the ET to CET cohorts, both in patients an ODX score <26 (HR:1.10; 95%CI:0.69-1.76, p = 0.69) and ODX score ≥26 (HR:1.18; 95%CI:0.51-2.75, p = 0.69). CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy demonstrated no added survival benefit in HR+/HER2- ILC, even in tumors with ODX ≥26. Prospective trials identifying potential subgroups of patients with ILC who could benefit from chemotherapy are needed.

Merkel cell carcinoma: Epidemiology, disease presentation, and current clinical practice outcomes.

Using the National Cancer Database, we introduce the findings of a retrospective investigation of the largest cohort of cases with Merkel cell carcinoma (N = 20,829). A decreasing proportion of stage I (P = .0004) and stage II (P = .0065) Merkel cell carcinoma among skin cancers was complemented by an increasing proportion of stage III disease (P < .0001). A predominance of non-Hispanic White (96.4%), male (62.6%) patients with a mean age of 74.5 ± 10.8 years and Medicare coverage (73.5%) was observed. Stage I was the most common presenting stage at diagnosis (29.2%), followed by stages II (12.7%), III (11.0%), and IV (3.8%). Most Merkel cell carcinoma tumors grew outside the head and neck (53.4%) and showed a nodular growth pattern (66.0%) but no extracapsular lymph node (90.5%) or lymphovascular involvement (63.8%). Narrow-margin excision and radiation therapy (RT) were used in 75.2% and 56.3% of tumors, respectively. Wide-margin excision lead to improved overall survival (P < .001) versus narrow-margin excision, particularly in stage III (difference in the median overall survival rate [ΔmOS], 23.7 months; P < .001). RT showed a significant OS benefit (P =.006), most pronounced in stage II (ΔmOS, 37.8 months) followed by stage I (ΔmOS, 16.1 months; P < .001). The survival benefit with primary-site RT (ΔmOS, 24.0 months) was higher than that with primary-site/lymph node RT (ΔmOS, 5.2 months; P < .001). Wide-margin excision independently predicted improved OS (hazard ratio, 0.577; 95% CI, 0.403-0.826; P = .003) versus narrow-margin excision and RT predicted better OS (hazard ratio, 0.608; 95% CI, 0.424-0.873; P = .007) versus no RT on multivariable analysis.

Does the 21-gene recurrence score have clinical utility in HR+/HER2+ breast cancer?

The 21-gene recurrence score assay has been validated as a predictive biomarker in early-stage HR+ and HER2-breast cancer. It is not indicated for use in HER2+ disease based on national guidelines. In this study, we assessed the value of 21-gene recurrence score (RS), or OncotypeDX (ODX), testing in HR+/HER2+ breast cancer. We used the National Cancer Database to identify patients with stages I-II, HR+/HER2+ breast cancer who received multi-gene testing with ODX. We then explored the prognostic and predictive value of this biomarker through various forms of survival modeling. ODX testing was performed in n = 5,280 patients. N = 2,678 patients (50.7%) had a RS < 26, while n = 2,602 (49.3%) had a RS ≥26. In Kaplan-Meier survival modeling for patients with recurrence scores <26, there was no significant difference in overall survival (p = 0.445) between patients receiving different systemic treatment regimens. However, when recurrence scores were ≥26, there was a statistically-significant difference in overall survival between systemic treatment regimens (p < 0.001). 5-year overall survival was highest (97.4%) for patients receiving triple therapy (anti-HER2 with chemotherapy and endocrine therapy), followed by those receiving dual therapy with endocrine and anti-HER2 (96.7%), and endocrine with chemotherapy (94.9%). Patients receiving endocrine therapy alone exhibited the lowest 5-year overall survival (88.5%). RESULTS: Analysis from this large national cancer registry suggests that multigene testing may have predictive value in treatment selection for patients with early-stage, HR+/HER2+ breast cancer. Prospective trials are warranted to identify subgroups of patients with HR+/HER2+ breast cancer who can be spared anti-HER2 treatments and cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Disparities in Metabolic Conditions and Cancer Characteristics among Hispanic Women with Breast Cancer: A Multi-Institutional Study.

While the associations of common metabolic conditions with ethnicity have been previously described, disparity among Hispanic individuals based on country of origin is understudied. This multi-institutional analysis explored the prevalence of metabolic conditions and their association with cancer subtypes among Mexican and non-Mexican Hispanics. After IRB approval, we conducted a cross-sectional study at two academic medical centers with a significant Hispanic patient population (Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX (TTUHSC-EP) and Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston, FL (CCF)). A total of n = 1020 self-identified Hispanic patients with breast cancer consecutively diagnosed between 2005 and 2014 were selected from the two institutional databases. Comparisons between Mexican and Non-Mexican Hispanics revealed variations in tumor types and metabolic conditions. Mexican Hispanics were found to have a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (27.8% vs. 14.2%, p < 0.001), obesity (51.0% vs. 32.5%, p < 0.001), and ductal carcinoma type (86.6 vs. 73.4%, p < 0.001). On the other hand, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer was more common in non-Mexicans, while Mexicans had more triple-negative breast cancer, especially in premenopausal women. In addition to highlighting these variations among Hispanic patients with breast cancer, this study supports a more focused approach to addressing obesity and other metabolic conditions prevalent in the Hispanic population with breast cancer. Moreover, Hispanic individuals with breast cancer are diverse and should not be lumped under one category without reference to their country of origin regarding the impact of race and ethnicity.

Adhesion molecules in multiple myeloma oncogenesis and targeted therapy.

Every day we march closer to finding the cure for multiple myeloma. The myeloma cells inflict their damage through specialized cellular meshwork and cytokines system. Implicit in these interactions are cellular adhesion molecules and their regulators which include but are not limited to integrins and syndecan-1/CD138, immunoglobulin superfamily cell adhesion molecules, such as CD44, cadherins such as N-cadherin, and selectins, such as E-selectin. Several adhesion molecules are respectively involved in myelomagenesis such as in the transition from the precursor disorder monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance to indolent asymptomatic multiple myeloma (smoldering myeloma) then to active multiple myeloma or primary plasma cell leukemia, and in the pathological manifestations of multiple myeloma.

Management of HR+/HER2+ lobular breast cancer and trends do not mirror better outcomes.

PURPOSE: Treatment protocols for invasive lobular breast cancer (ILC) have largely followed those for invasive ductal breast cancer. This study compares treatment outcomes of endocrine therapy versus combined chemo-endocrine therapy in hormone-receptor-positive (HR+), HER2-positive (HER2+) ILC tumors in a large national registry. METHODS: We sampled the National Cancer Database (2010-2016) for female patients with stages I-III, HR+/HER2+ ILC who underwent surgery. Cochran-Armitage trend test examined trends of treatment regimen administration: Surgery only (S), chemotherapy (C), endocrine therapy (ET), and combined chemo-endocrine therapy (CET), with or without anti-HER2 therapy. Cox proportional hazard model were used to compare overall survival (OS) across ET and CET cohorts, stratifying for anti-HER2 therapy, before and after propensity score match of cohorts (2013-2016). Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curves were also produced. RESULTS: N=11,421 were included. 58.7% of patients received Anti-Her2 therapy after 2013. CET conferred better OS over ET in the unmatched (adjusted-5-year-OS: 92.5% vs. 81.1%, p<0.001) and PS-matched (90.4% vs. 84.5%, p=0.001) samples. ET caused lower OS in patients who received Anti-Her2 therapy (HR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.60-4.12, p<0.001) and patients who did not (HR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.21-2.78, p=0.004), as compared to CET on multivariable analysis. KM modeling showed highest OS in the CET cohort who received Anti-Her2 (93.0%), followed by the CET cohort who did not receive Anti-Her2 (90.2%) (p=0.06). CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy followed by endocrine therapy and Anti-Her2 therapy was shown to be the most effective treatment modality in HR+/HER2+ ILC, contrasting previous data on the inconclusive benefit of chemotherapy in patients with ILC.

Eastern European and Asian-born populations are prone to gastric cancer: an epidemiologic analysis of foreign-born populations and gastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: The highest incidence of gastric cancer is in East Asia, corresponding to a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), yet other regions with a similarly high prevalence of H. pylori have lower cancer rates. Foreign-born persons who immigrate to the United States are thought to remain at high-risk for gastric cancer, but this has not been confirmed by large population-based studies. METHODS: We evaluated total and foreign-born populations in metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs). Cardia and non-cardia gastric adenocarcinomas diagnosed between 2006 and 2016 were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Generalized linear regression models determined whether the incidence of gastric cancer in each MSA was associated with specific foreign-born populations. RESULTS: Among 32 MSAs, we identified 55,937 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. A greater percentage of Eastern European-born individuals in an MSA was associated with a higher incidence of cardia cancers (coefficient 1.32, P=0.02). Evaluating Asian-born populations alone, a greater percentage of Japanese-born individuals was associated with a higher incidence of non-cardia cancers (coefficient 2.48, P=0.03), whereas Korean or Chinese origin was not associated with a significantly higher risk. CONCLUSIONS: On a population level, a greater percentage of Eastern European-born individuals is associated with a higher incidence of cardia gastric adenocarcinomas. Among Asian-born individuals, Korean or Chinese origin was not associated with a significantly higher risk, but a greater percent of persons born in other Asian countries, including Japan, was associated with a higher incidence of non-cardia gastric adenocarcinomas in an MSA.

Development and Validation of a Model to Predict Long-Term Survival After Liver Transplantation.

Patients are prioritized for liver transplantation (LT) under an "urgency-based" system using the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score. This system focuses solely on waitlist mortality, without considerations of posttransplant morbidity, mortality, and health care use. We sought to develop and internally validate a continuous posttransplant risk score during 5-year and 10-year time horizons. This retrospective cohort study used national registry data of adult deceased donor LT (DDLT) recipients with ≥90 days of pretransplant waiting time from February 27, 2002 to December 31, 2018. We fit Cox regression models at 5 and 10 years to estimate beta coefficients for a risk score using manual variable selection and calculated the absolute predicted survival time. Among 21,103 adult DDLT recipients, 11 variables were selected for the final model. The area under the curves at 5 and 10 years were 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.60-0.66) and 0.67 (95% CI, 0.64-0.70), respectively. The group with the highest ("best") scores had 5-year and 10-year survivals of 89.4% and 85.4%, respectively, compared with 45.9% and 22.2% for those with the lowest ("worst") scores. Our score was significantly better at predicting long-term survival compared with the existing scores. We developed and validated a risk score using nearly 17 years of data to prioritize patients with end-stage liver disease based on projected posttransplant survival. This score can serve as the building block by which the transplant field can change the entire approach to prioritizing patients to an approach that is based on considerations of maximizing benefits (ie, survival benefit-based allocation) rather than simply waitlist mortality.

Predicting survival after liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma using the LiTES-HCC score.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Liver transplant priority in the US and Europe follows the 'sickest-first' principle. However, for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), priority is based on binary tumor criteria to expedite transplant for patients with 'acceptable' post-transplant outcomes. Newer risk scores developed to overcome limitations of these binary criteria are insufficient to be used for waitlist priority as they focus solely on HCC-related pre-transplant variables. We sought to develop a risk score to predict post-transplant survival for patients using HCC- and non-HCC-related variables. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study using national registry data on adult deceased-donor liver transplant (DDLT) recipients with HCC from 2/27/02-12/31/18. We fit Cox regression models focused on 5- and 10-year survival to estimate beta coefficients for a risk score using manual variable selection. We then calculated absolute predicted survival time and compared it to available risk scores. RESULTS: Among 6,502 adult DDLT recipients with HCC, 11 variables were selected in the final model. The AUCs at 5- and 10-years were: 0.62, 95% CI 0.57-0.67 and 0.65, 95% CI 0.58-0.72, which was not statistically significantly different to the Metroticket and HALT-HCC scores. The LiTES-HCC score was able to discriminate patients based on post-transplant survival among those meeting Milan and UCSF criteria. CONCLUSION: We developed and validated a risk score to predict post-transplant survival for patients with HCC. By including HCC- and non-HCC-related variables (e.g., age, chronic kidney disease), this score could allow transplant professionals to prioritize patients with HCC in terms of predicted survival. In the future, this score could be integrated into survival benefit-based models to lead to meaningful improvements in life-years at the population level. LAY SUMMARY: We created a risk score to predict how long patients with liver cancer will live if they get a liver transplant. In the future, this could be used to decide which waitlisted patients should get the next transplant.

Adecuación de la prescripción de antimicrobianos en población pediátrica en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario / Appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing in paediatric patients in a hospital emergency department

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los antimicrobianos son uno de los agentes terapéuticos más empleados en niños. Se estima que entre el 30 y el 50% de las prescripciones son inadecuadas. En este escenario, el análisis de la prescripción aporta información importante para la implementación de medidas de mejora en este campo. OBJETIVOS: Evaluar la adecuación de la prescripción de antimicrobianos en población pediátrica en un servicio de urgencias. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal en población menor de 14 años atendida en las urgencias hospitalarias de un hospital comarcal durante el año 2013. Se seleccionó una muestra aleatoria de 630 pacientes (intervalo de confianza: 99%; error alfa: 5%). Se analizó el grado de adecuación del tratamiento antimicrobiano comparando nuestra práctica clínica con las recomendaciones de una guía de tratamiento antimicrobiano basada en la mejor evidencia disponible diseñada especialmente para este estudio. RESULTADOS: Se prescribió antimicrobiano al 16,5% de los pacientes (n=104). El tratamiento fue considerado inadecuuado en el 51,9% de los pacientes (n = 54). Se prescribió tratamiento innecesario en el 40,7%, la elección del antimicrobiano fue incorrecta en el 35,2% y la posología en el 24,1%. Las principales enfermedades en las que se produjo la prescripción inadecuada fueron: otitis media aguda, episodio de sibilancias, fiebre sin foco, faringoamigdalitis aguda y neumonía adquirida en la comunidad. CONCLUSIÓN: Hasta en la mitad de los pacientes la prescripción de antimicrobianos puede ser inadecuada. Estos resultados ponen de manifiesto la importancia de introducir un programa de optimización de antimicrobianos para reducir su uso innecesario

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotics represent one of the most widely prescribed therapeutic agents in children. It has been estimated that 30-50% of antibiotic prescriptions for this population are inappropriate. In this scenario, analysis of prescription data provides an invaluable source of information as a basis for implementing strategies for improvement in this field. OBJECTIVE: To assess the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions in a paediatric population at an emergency department. METHODS: An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted on patients under 14 years who attended the emergency department during 2013. A random sample of 630 patients was selected (confidence level 99%, accuracy 5%). To assess the suitability of antibiotic prescriptions, the clinical practice was compared with an evidence-based guideline especially designed for this study. RESULTS: Antibiotics were prescribed to 16.5% patients (n = 104). Antibiotic treatment was inappropriate in 51.9% patients (n = 54). Unnecessary treatment was indicated in 40.7%, with wrong antibiotics chosen in 35.2%, and the posology was incorrect in 24.1% of them. The most frequent diseases with incorrectly prescribed antibiotics were: acute otitis media, episodes of wheezing, fever of unknown origin, acute pharyngo-tonsillitis, and community-acquired pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic prescribing seems to be inappropriate in up to half of the patients. These data reinforce the need to develop a paediatric antimicrobial stewardship program to decrease the unnecessary use of antimicrobial agents

[Appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing in paediatric patients in a hospital emergency department]. / Adecuación de la prescripción de antimicrobianos en población pediátrica en un servicio de urgencias hospitalario.

INTRODUCTION: Antibiotics represent one of the most widely prescribed therapeutic agents in children. It has been estimated that 30-50% of antibiotic prescriptions for this population are inappropriate. In this scenario, analysis of prescription data provides an invaluable source of information as a basis for implementing strategies for improvement in this field. OBJECTIVE: To assess the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions in a paediatric population at an emergency department. METHODS: An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was conducted on patients under 14 years who attended the emergency department during 2013. A random sample of 630 patients was selected (confidence level 99%, accuracy 5%). To assess the suitability of antibiotic prescriptions, the clinical practice was compared with an evidence-based guideline especially designed for this study. RESULTS: Antibiotics were prescribed to 16.5% patients (n=104). Antibiotic treatment was inappropriate in 51.9% patients (n=54). Unnecessary treatment was indicated in 40.7%, with wrong antibiotics chosen in 35.2%, and the posology was incorrect in 24.1% of them. The most frequent diseases with incorrectly prescribed antibiotics were: acute otitis media, episodes of wheezing, fever of unknown origin, acute pharyngo-tonsillitis, and community-acquired pneumonia. CONCLUSION: Antibiotic prescribing seems to be inappropriate in up to half of the patients. These data reinforce the need to develop a paediatric antimicrobial stewardship program to decrease the unnecessary use of antimicrobial agents.