Clinical and equipment-related factors associated with the adequate peripheral blood stem cell collection in autologous transplant at a tertiary cancer center in Kerala - A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: PBSC collection using apheresis is the preferred source of hematopoietic stem cells transplantation. However, apheresis procedures fail to harvest adequate CD34 yield in 5 to 40% of patients during the first collection. Therefore, this study aimed to study both the clinical- and equipmentrelated factors influencing CD34 yield among the autologous patients and to compare the collection efficiency of two apheresis equipments(Haemonetics MCS+ and Terumo Spectra Optia). METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 69 patients underwent PBSC collection from 2015 to 2018. Frequency, clinical- and equipment-related factors responsible for adequate CD34+ cells (≥2 x106 cells/kg) yield during the first collection was studied. Factors such as collection efficiency, percentage platelet loss and percentage hemoglobin loss were considered to compare the two apheresis system. RESULTS: Two-third (72%) patients of the study population had adequate CD34 stem cells yield during the first collection. Factors such as exposure to lenalidomide-based pretreatment regimen, peripheral blood WBC count and CD34 count are associated with the adequate CD34 yield. Optia had a slightly better collection efficiency than MCS+ (50 and 44; p=0.37). Optia had lower product volume (237 vs 298 ml) and lesser procedure duration (277 vs 360 min), whereas the median Hb loss (3.0% and 2.3%) and mean platelet loss (49% and 34%) were higher with MCS. CONCLUSION: This study infers that the collection efficiency of both the equipments in collecting CD34 stem cells was similar. However, during PBSC collection, procedures using Optia can be preferred to MCS+ on the patients with risk of anemia and thrombocytopenia.

Tolerance of weekly metronomic paclitaxel and carboplatin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer patients who are unlikely to tolerate 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin.

OBJECTIVE: There are little data regarding safety and effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in patients who are considered unfit for receiving 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin. The aim of this study was to examine the toxicity and response rates of weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin as NACT in such cohort of patients. METHODS: Study population included advanced ovarian cancer patients who were unlikely to tolerate 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin and hence received weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m(2)) and carboplatin AUC-2 as NACT. The data regarding the baseline characteristics, chemotherapy tolerance, completion rates, toxicity (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.02), and radiological response rates are presented. SPSS version 16 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics is presented. RESULTS: Eleven patients received this schedule. Nine patients completed nine cycles of NACT. Except one, all patients completed NACT with an average relative dose intensity of >0.8. There was no chemotherapy-related mortality. Grade 3-4 life-threatening complications were seen in two patients. The post NACT response rate was 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy is safe and efficacious in patients who are unsuitable for 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy schedules.

Tolerance of weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced ovarian cancer patients who are unlikely to tolerate 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin.

OBJECTIVE: There are little data regarding safety and effectiveness of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in patients who are considered unfit for receiving 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin. The aim of this study was to study the toxicity and response rates of weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin as NACT in such cohort of patients. METHODS: Study population included advanced ovarian cancer patients who were unlikely to tolerate 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin and hence received weekly paclitaxel (80 mg/m2) and carboplatin AUC-2 as NACT. The data regarding the baseline characteristics, chemotherapy tolerance, completion rates, toxicity (CTCAE version 4.02), and radiological response rates are presented. SPSS version 16 was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics is presented. RESULT: Eleven patients received this schedule. Nine patients completed nine cycles of NACT. Except one, all patients completed NACT with an average relative dose intensity of >0.8. There was no chemotherapy-related mortality. Grade 3-4 life-threatening complications were seen in two patients. The post NACT response rate was 100%. CONCLUSION: Weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy is safe and efficacious in patients who are unsuitable for 3 weekly paclitaxel and carboplatin chemotherapy schedules.

An audit of cytoreductive surgeries in ovarian cancer from a rural based cancer center.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Ovarian cancers are frequently seen at an advanced stage in our center. This audit was planned to see the morbidity and efficacy of different types of cytoreductive surgeries (radical vs. ultra-radical) done in such patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of all ovarian cancer patients who underwent cytoreductive surgery at our center from January 2009 to August 2013. The case records of these patients were reviewed and the demographic, disease-related and treatment-related data were extracted. RESULTS: Fifty-fivepatients were identified. Ten (18.2%) patients underwent primary cytoreduction while 45 patients had (81.8%) interval cytoreduction. The resections achieved were optimal in 50 patients (90.9%) and suboptimal in five patients (9.1%). The postoperative median blood loss was 400 (350-600) mL. The median time interval for surgery was 4.0 h (3-5 h). The type of resection achieved (optimal vs. suboptimal) was the only factor affecting the progression free survival (PFS) (Hazard ratio = 0.08 95% confidence interval 0.02-0.3). There was no significant difference in postoperative morbidity in patients undergoing the ultra-radical surgery as compared to those who underwent radical surgery. CONCLUSION: Optimal cytoreduction may improve PFS in advanced ovarian cancer patients and needs to be done even if it mandates an ultra-radical surgery.

Pattern of care in operable endometrial cancer treated at a rural-based tertiary care cancer center.

PURPOSE: An audit was planned to study the demographics, staging, treatment details, and outcomes of operable endometrial cancers. METHODOLOGY: All operable endometrial cancers treated between January 2009 and October 2014 were included in the study. The details regarding demographics, staging, surgical procedure, pathological staging, adjuvant treatment, and outcomes were extracted from the case records. Descriptive statistics was performed. The time-to-event analysis was done by Kaplan-Meier method. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: There were 55 patients with a median age of 59 years (35-73 years). The Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status was 1 in 52 patients (94.5%) and 2 in 3 patients (5.5%). Forty-nine patients (89.1%) had disease restricted to endometrium while 6 patients (10.9%) had cervical involvement. The surgery done was Type I hysterectomy in 49 patients (89.1%), Type II in 5 patients (9.1%), and Type III in 1 patient (1.8%). Pelvic lymph node dissection was done in all patients while para-aortic (infrahilar) dissection was done in 48 patients (87.3%). The pathological stages were Stage IA in 19 patients, Stage IB in 15 patients, Stage II in 4 patients, Stage IIIA in 3 patients, Stage IIIB in 2 patients, Stage IIIC1 in 5 patients, Stage IIIC2 in 4 patients, and Stage IV in 3 patients. Grade 1 tumors were seen in 23 patients, Grade 2 in 13 patients, and Grade 3 in 19 patients. The histology was endometrioid in 44 patients, serous in 6 patients, clear cell in 3 patients, and others in 2 patients. Adjuvant treatment was received by 40 patients. With a median follow-up of 2.5 years, the 3-year DFS and OS were 78% and 82%, respectively. Age >59 years, Stage III or greater, and Grade 3 tumors were independent prognostic factors adversely affecting both DFS and OS. CONCLUSION: The outcomes in our study are comparable to that seen in Western literature. Elderly status, higher stage, and a poorly differentiated tumor are associated with poor outcomes.

Retrospective audit of clinico-pathologic features and treatment outcomes in a cohort of elderly non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients in a tertiary cancer center.

INTRODUCTION: There is limited data from India regarding elderly non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) patients. Hence, this audit was planned to study the clinic-pathological features and treatment outcomes in elderly NHL patients. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all NHL patients above age of 59 years treated at the author's institute, between December 2010 and December 2013 was done. Case records were reviewed for baseline details, staging details, prognostic factors, treatment delivered, response, toxicity and efficacy. SPSS version 16 (IBM, Newyork) was used for analysis. Descriptive statistics was performed. Kaplan-Meir survival analysis was done for estimation of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Univariate analysis was done for identifying factors affecting PFS and OS. RESULTS: Out of 141 NHL patients, 67 patients were identified subjected to the inclusion criteria. The median age was 68 years (60-92). Majority were B-cell NHL (86.6%). The commonest subtype in B-cell was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (55.2%). Fifty-four patients took treatment. The treatment intent was curative in 41 patients (61.2%). Among the patients receiving curative treatment, 16 patients couldn't receive treatment in accordance with NCCN guidelines due to financial issues. Two years PFS was 55%. Two years PFS for B-cell NHL and T-cell NHL were 55% and 50% respectively (P = 0.982). Two years PFS for standard Rx and nonstandard Rx were 62% and 50% respectively, but it didn't reach statistical significance (P = 0.537). Two years OS for the entire cohort was 84%. CONCLUSION: Standard treatment in accordance with guidelines can be delivered in elderly patients irrespective of age. There is a need for creating financial assistance for patients, so that potentially curative treatments are not denied.

An audit of febrile neutropenia cases from a rural cancer center in India.

BACKGROUND: Data of febrile neutropenia (FN) from rural cancer centers is sparse. We did a audit of outcome of patients with FN in the period of March 2013-August 2013. The aim was to help us to develop rational antibiotic usage policies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients presenting with FN. Data regarding demographic profile, tumor type, intent of treatment, chemotherapy regimen, blood culture susceptibility details, use of antibiotics, response to antibiotics and complications of FN were noted. SPSS (Statistical Product and Service Solutions) 16 was used for analysis. RESULTS: 67 patients had FN and there were 91 episodes. The median day of presentation with FN after start of chemotherapy was 10 days. The nadir absolute neutrophil count was 161.5 and nadir platelet count 1,00,000. The median multinational association for supportive care in cancer (MASCC) Score was 24. In accordance with MASCC there were 27 high risk FN and 64 low risk FN episodes. On multivariate analysis using logistic regression MASCC score strata was the only significant variable that predicted failure to 1st line antibiotics (P = 0.03) and mortality (P = 0.01). Nine patients (9.9%) had positive isolates on blood cultures. The blood culture isolates were predominantly Gram negative (66.7%). CONCLUSION: The importance of developing local guidelines for rational antibiotic usage is highlighted.