Neoadjuvant T-DM1 for HER2-positive breast cancer used as a bridging strategy during COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned-a case series.

Background: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has played a pivotal role in changing medical care around the world. During the pandemic, the operating rooms (ORs) were closed to elective surgery. Since breast cancer surgery is not regarded as an emergent procedure, there was an adoption of treatment regimen modification due to delays in treatment. Therefore, a decision was made to bridge early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer patients with neoadjuvant treatment to postpone surgery. Consequently, to reduce the frequency of dosing and the number of visits, as well as avoid steroid premedication, these patients were treated with ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) every three weeks as opposed to weekly taxol and herceptin (TH). Case Description: Five patients with early-stage HER2-positive cancer were treated with neoadjuvant T-DM1 3.6 mg/kg IV every three weeks. Three of the five patients developed cancer progression identified by their physical exam and/or imaging. T-DM1 was discontinued, and all three patients underwent immediate surgery. The remaining two patients, 4 and 5, had a complete and partial pathological response, respectively. All five patients received adjuvant therapy after surgery, and currently, none of these patients show evidence of disease on follow-up. Conclusions: Our findings underscore the obstacles and treatment challenges encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic while preventing the spread of the virus and cancer progression. Furthermore, the use of T-DM1 for neoadjuvant treatment remains controversial, particularly when T-DM1 is used as a bridge to surgery during critical times. Perhaps better patient selection or a different drug regimen could have resulted in a better outcome in our study.

Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OBCS) vs. mastectomy with reconstruction: a comparison of outcomes in an underserved population.

Background: Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OBCS) has demonstrated superior cosmetic outcomes to traditional breast-conserving surgery (BCS) while maintaining oncologic safety. While prior studies have compared OBCS to mastectomy, there is a scarcity of literature on the impact of social determinants of health on outcomes. Furthermore, although traditionally tumors larger than 5 cm and multifocal disease were treated with mastectomy, the literature has now shown OBCS to be safe in treating such disease. As a result, patients with large or multifocal tumors could be eligible for both mastectomy and OBCS, which prompts the need for comparison between the two. Thus, the aim of our study was to compare OBCS and mastectomy with reconstruction using BREAST-Q and oncologic outcome measures, as well as stratify these outcomes based on race, ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI). Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for 57 patients treated with OBCS and 204 patients treated with mastectomy with reconstruction from 2015 to 2021. Variables including age, race, ethnicity, BMI, insurance status, surgery type, pathology, recurrence, and complications were recorded. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) were recorded using BREAST-Q pre- and post-operatively. Results: Despite having a higher BMI (P<0.001), OBCS yielded higher "satisfaction with breast" and "satisfaction with outcome" than mastectomy (P=0.02 and P=0.02, respectively). When stratified by race, there were no statistical differences in the PROs between the two surgeries for Hispanic nor African American patients. OBCS had a significantly lower rate of infection and fewer additional surgeries than mastectomy (P=0.004 and P<0.001, respectively). There were no differences in positive margin rate or recurrence rate between the groups. Conclusions: In our study, OBCS yielded better PROs than mastectomy while maintaining oncologic safety and resulting in fewer surgeries and complications. These excellent outcomes in a majority non-Caucasian cohort support the utilization of OBCS for underserved, minority populations. Larger studies evaluating PROs in diverse and uninsured groups are needed to reinforce these conclusions.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Missed Short-term Follow-up After Primary Total Shoulder Arthroplasty.

INTRODUCTION: The importance of consistent postoperative follow-up has been established for collecting patient-reported outcomes and surveilling for potential complications. Despite this, the prevalence of and risk factors for missed short-term follow-up after elective shoulder arthroplasty remain limited. METHODS: A retrospective review of consecutive primary anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (aTSA) and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty cases with a minimum of 12-month follow-up performed by a single, fellowship-trained shoulder surgeon was undertaken from January 2015 to December 2021. Demographic patient and surgical data, including age, sex, marital status, self-identified race, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index, prior ipsilateral shoulder surgery and/or contralateral arthroplasty, distance from home to clinic, smoking status, and hospital length of stay, were collected. The follow-up at 1 week, 6 weeks, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months and beyond was determined. Patient-related and surgical predictors for missing the 12-month and 24-month follow-up were identified. RESULTS: There were 295 cases included (168 aTSA and 127 reverse total shoulder arthroplasty), of whom 199 (67%) were women. Of the total cases, 261 (86%) were eligible for 24-month follow-up. Patients undergoing aTSA, those of younger age, those of male sex, and those who missed their 6-week and 6-month follow-up were significantly more likely to miss the 12-month follow-up visit. Following multivariable analysis, a missed 6-month follow-up (OR 10.10, 95% CI 5.32 to 19.16, P < 0.001) was associated with 12-month visit nonattendance, and increasing age (per year) (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.99, P = 0.011) was associated with improved 12-month follow-up. Not having a surgical complication within 6 months postoperatively, not undergoing ipsilateral revision arthroplasty, and missing the 1-week and 12-month follow-up were significantly associated with missing the 24-month follow-up. After multivariable analysis, missing the 1-week (OR 3.07, 95% CI 1.12 to 8.41, P = 0.029) and 12-month (OR 3.84, 95% CI 2.11 to 6.99, P < 0.001) follow-ups was associated with missing the 24-month visit, whereas having a postoperative complication was associated with increased attendance at 24 months (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.99, P = 0.047). DISCUSSION: Strategies for preventing missed short-term follow-up should be focused on ensuring that patients undergoing TSA attend the 6-month and 12-month visit, particularly among younger patients and those with an uneventful postoperative course.

A comparative evaluation of antimicrobial coated versus nonantimicrobial coated peripherally inserted central catheters on associated outcomes: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a common life-threatening risk factor associated with central venous catheters (CVCs). Research has demonstrated benefit in reducing CLABSIs when CVCs coated with antimicrobials are inserted. The impact of chlorhexidine (CHG)-impregnated versus non-CHG peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) on risk of CLABSI is unknown. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is also a complication associated with CVCs. This study compares the impact of both PICC lines on these outcomes. METHODS: Patients in 3 high-risk units were randomly assigned to receive either a CHG-impregnated or non-CHG PICC line. Laboratory data were collected and reviewed daily on all study patients. The PICC dressing site was assessed daily. Medical record documentation was reviewed to determine presence of CLABSI or VTE. RESULTS: There were 167 patients who completed the study. Three patients developed CLABSI (2 in the CHG group, and 1 in the non-CHG group), and 3 patients developed VTE (2 in the non-CHG group, and 1 in the CHG group). No significant relationship was noted between the type of PICC line on development of a CLABSI (P = .61) or VTE (P > .99). A significant difference was noted in moderate bleeding (P ≤ .001) requiring thrombogenic dressing in the patients who had the CHG PICC line. CONCLUSIONS: No differences were noted in the development of CLABSI and VTE between the CHG and non-CHG groups.

Development and feasibility of an electronic white blood cell identification trainer.

A prototype computer-based training tool to improve WBC identification skills was developed. Students were assigned to complete five simulated WBC differentials but were allowed ample free time to use the tool at will to complete additional cases and to use the software in two alternative learning modes. The assignment was made at the end of the traditional WBC differential training activities in the first semester of hematology in the clinical laboratory science curriculum. The tool recorded usage data during the one month that students had access. Student performance was compared to the consensus results from an expert panel of hematology instructors. Usage tracking data was extracted and reviewed. The performance data indicated that students varied in WBC identification skill on the assignment. The usage tracking data showed that students used the tool only slightly more than the assigned cases and did not use alternative learning modes. Data from the expert panel indicated that the experts varied greatly in the number of discrepancies from the consensus opinion. Item analysis indicated the cell types that were most problematic. The prototype experience prompted the creation of a revised subsequent version of the trainer that is now being evaluated in our CLS program. The new trainer is web-based offering personal computer and mobile device access.

Trans type genotype alpha thalassemia trait: a case study.

This is a case of hypochromic, microcytic red cells in a young adult Caucasian female. It illustrates the importance of performing iron studies to confirm suspected iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Thalassemia minor is often misdiagnosed as IDA and iron therapy may be needlessly administered. Moreover, the patient will be unaware of an inherited hematological disorder which may require genetic counseling. alpha-thalassemia patients with the --/alphaalpha (cis) genotype should be advised of the risk for producing offspring with Hemoglobin H disease (genotype --/alpha-). In this case, DNA analysis confirmed the diagnosis of a trans type gene deletion alpha-thalassemia trait. Ancestry on the maternal side is German and French. On the paternal side the ancestry is Dutch and Scandinavian. Additionally, there was no knowledge of any family history of anemia on either the maternal or paternal side of the family. This case reaffirms that Anglo-Saxon ancestry does not preclude the diagnosis of alpha-thalassemia. It also supports the findings of Wang that when laboratory findings are suggestive of alpha-thalassemia minor, a moderately decreased MCV, slightly elevated red cell count, and the absence of hemoglobin H inclusions is probably indicative of trans rather than cis type gene deletion alpha-thalassemia trait.

Are they microcytes or macrocytes? Can we do a better job?

As an attempt to improve accuracy in the grading of microcytes and macrocytes, a custom reticle was developed and evaluated. The evaluation looked at grading accuracy, reproducibility, speed, and opinion. In this study, the reticle improved the grading accuracy and reproducibility of graders who were "poorer performers." The reticle offered no advantage to the speed of the evaluation. The opinion survey indicated improved confidence with the reticle, and most of the participants found the device useful. The improvement to "poorer performers" is sufficient to warrant use in actual practice.