Disparity in initiation of checkpoint inhibitors among commercially insured and Medicare Advantage patients with metastatic melanoma.

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of advanced melanoma, but racial disparities in melanoma outcomes continue. These inequities are not fully explained by individual factors. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations of neighborhood factors with the use of ICIs in metastatic melanoma. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of commercially insured US adults with metastatic melanoma diagnosed between January 2011 and December 2020. We examined the associations between the county-level percentage of population from racial and ethnic minority groups and the time from metastatic melanoma diagnosis to initiating ICIs using Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for patient characteristics. RESULTS: We identified 4,052 patients with metastatic melanoma, of which 49% used ICIs. We found that the adoption of ICIs in a county declined with increasing minority quintile (quintile 1: 52.4%, quintile 2: 50.4%, quintile 3: 50.1%, quintile 4: 45.8%, and quintile 5: 44.7%). The delay in ICI initiation also went up as the percentage of minorities in a county increased (log-rank test P = 0.03). Compared with the lowest quintile, the adjusted hazard ratio of ICI initiation of the second, third, fourth, and highest minority quintile was 0.94 (95% CI = 0.81-1.08), 0.88 (95% CI = 0.76-1.02), 0.81 (95% CI = 0.68-0.97), and 0.77 (95% CI = 0.66-0.91), respectively. Secondary analysis revealed that the slower initiation was driven by the counties with the highest percentage of Hispanic population (hazard ratio = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.61-0.89) in both Cox models and sensitivity analyses. High-minority counties correlated with metro areas, higher poverty levels, and a greater number of medical oncologists. CONCLUSIONS: We found that patients with metastatic melanoma living in counties with higher proportion of minorities, particularly of Hispanic origin, are more likely to experience delays in ICI treatment. This study provides important population-level data on neighborhood-level disparity in medication use. More research is needed on the underlying provider- and system-level factors that directly contributed to the lower use of cancer medicines in high-minority areas, which can help inform the development of evidence-based medication use strategies that can improve health outcomes and equity.

Association of Second-generation Antiandrogens With Cognitive and Functional Toxic Effects in Randomized Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Importance: The use of second-generation antiandrogens (AAs) in the treatment of prostate cancer is increasing. Retrospective evidence suggests an association between second-generation AAs and adverse cognitive and functional outcomes, but further data from prospective trials are needed. Objective: To examine whether evidence from randomized clinical trials (RCTs) in prostate cancer supports an association between second-generation AAs and cognitive or functional toxic effects. Data Sources: PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus (inception to September 12, 2022). Study Selection: Randomized clinical trials of second-generation AAs (abiraterone, apalutamide, darolutamide, or enzalutamide) among individuals with prostate cancer that reported cognitive toxic effects, asthenic toxic effects (eg, fatigue, weakness), or falls were evaluated. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Study screening, data abstraction, and bias assessment were completed independently by 2 reviewers following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses and Enhancing the Quality and Transparency of Health Research reporting guidelines. Tabular counts for all-grade toxic effects were determined to test the hypothesis formulated before data collection. Main Outcomes and Measures: Risk ratios (RRs) and SEs were calculated for cognitive toxic effects, asthenic toxic effects, and falls. Because fatigue was the asthenic toxic effect extracted from all studies, data on fatigue are specified in the results. Meta-analysis and meta-regression were used to generate summary statistics. Results: The systematic review included 12 studies comprising 13 524 participants. Included studies had a low risk of bias. An increased risk of cognitive toxic effects (RR, 2.10; 95% CI, 1.30-3.38; P = .002) and fatigue (RR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.16-1.54; P < .001) was noted among individuals treated with second-generation AAs vs those in the control arms. The findings were consistent in studies that included traditional hormone therapy in both treatment arms for cognitive toxic effects (RR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.12-2.79; P = .01) and fatigue (RR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.10-1.58; P = .003). Meta-regression supported that, across studies, increased age was associated with a greater risk of fatigue with second-generation AAs (coefficient, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.04-0.12; P < .001). In addition, the use of second-generation AAs was associated with an increased risk of falls (RR, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.27-2.75; P = .001). Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that second-generation AAs carry an increased risk of cognitive and functional toxic effects, including when added to traditional forms of hormone therapy.

An infant with LUMBAR syndrome complicated by severe perineal ulceration managed with diverting colostomy.

Infantile hemangiomas are the most common childhood vascular lesions. LUMBAR syndrome (lower body hemangioma, urogenital abnormalities/ulceration, myelopathy, bony deformities, anorectal malformations/arterial anomalies, and rectal anomalies) warrants special treatment considerations. Here we describe a case of an infant with LUMBAR syndrome who presented with severe perineal ulceration refractory to standard medical therapy and was managed with a temporary diverting sigmoid colostomy. This case demonstrates that adjunctive surgical management can be considered in infants with aggressive perineal wounds refractory to standard medical therapy.

Green nail syndrome complicated by pseudomonal keratitis in a teenager with artificial nails.

Green nail syndrome (GNS) is a pseudomonal nail infection that presents with characteristic green nail discoloration. It typically affects patients with preexisting nail conditions or chronic exposure to wet environments but can also be seen with local trauma. Our patient presented with a pseudomonal corneal ulcer of the left eye and was incidentally found to have GNS, which developed after home artificial nail application. This unusual case of extensive pediatric GNS illustrates a rare and serious infectious complication of prolonged artificial nails.

Neurological complications in patients undergoing general surgery: A literature review.

Surgical procedures are extremely burdensome for patients, as in addition to complications directly related to the intervention, they expose the patient to further complications resulting from the disturbance of key functions of homeostasis in the body's systems, particularly the circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems. Furthermore, they may contribute to the exacerbation of symptoms of underlying chronic diseases. This paper focuses on the most common possible neurological complications that may occur after surgical procedures and includes topics such as stroke, chronic pain, neuropathy, and delirium. The risk factors for neurological deficits, their known or possible etiology, the most characteristic symptoms, and potential preventive actions are discussed. The paper analyzes articles from the PubMed, ResearchGate, and Scopus databases. A surge0on's knowledge of possible complications that may occur in the perioperative period enables early recognition and effective reduction of their negative impact on the patient's functioning and quality of life after surgery, contributing to better overall treatment outcomes.

Association of clonal hematopoiesis mutations with clinical outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Clonal hematopoiesis (CH) mutations are common among individuals without known hematologic disease. CH mutations have been associated with numerous adverse clinical outcomes across many different studies. We systematically reviewed the available literature for clinical outcomes associated with CH mutations in patients without hematologic disease. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Scopus for eligible studies. Three investigators independently extracted the data, and each study was verified by a second author. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We identified 32 studies with 56 cohorts that examine the association between CH mutations and clinical outcomes. We conducted meta-analyses comparing outcomes among individuals with and without detectable CH mutations. We conducted meta-analyses for cardiovascular diseases (nine studies; HR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.26-2.07, p = .0002), hematologic malignancies (seven studies; HR = 5.59, 95% CI = 3.31-9.45, p < .0001), therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (four studies; HR = 7.55, 95% CI = 4.3-13.57, p < .001), and death (nine studies; HR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.2-1.5, p < .0001). The cardiovascular disease analysis was further stratified by variant allele fraction (VAF) and gene, which showed a statistically significant association only with a VAF of ≥ 10% (HR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.24-1.62, p < .0001), as well as statistically significant associations for each gene examined with the largest magnitude of effect found for CH mutations in JAK2 (HR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.84-6.68, p < .0001). Analysis of the association of CH mutations with hematologic malignancy demonstrated a numeric stepwise increase in risk with increasing VAF thresholds. This analysis strongly supports the association of CH mutations with a clinically meaningful increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes among individuals without hematologic disease, particularly with increasing VAF thresholds.

Association of Second-generation Antiandrogens With Depression Among Patients With Prostate Cancer.

Importance: Previous studies have shown a consistent association between hormone therapy (HT), such as androgen deprivation therapy, to treat prostate cancer and depression risk. However, the association between second-generation antiandrogens (AAs) and depression is unknown. Objective: To test the a priori hypothesis that second-generation AAs are associated with an increased risk of depression, including compared with traditional forms of HT. Design, Setting, and Participants: This retrospective cohort study analyzed patients aged 66 years and older who were diagnosed with prostate cancer without a second cancer in 12 months from January 2011 to December 2015. Patients with continuous Medicare Parts A, B, and D coverage were included. Individuals who received any form of HT prior to prostate cancer diagnosis and those previously diagnosed with depression were excluded. Data were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare and Texas Cancer Registry-Medicare linked databases. Data were analyzed from February to May 2021. Exposures: The following treatment groups were compared: (1) no HT group, (2) traditional HT group (HT without second-generation AA exposure), and (3) second-generation AA group. Main Outcomes and Measures: Risk of depression in the second-generation AA group compared with the no HT and traditional HT groups, determined prior to data collection, stratified by diagnosis stage. Results: Of 210 804 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer during the study window, 30 069 men (11 484 [38%] aged 66-70 years; 22 594 [75%] White) who met inclusion criteria were identified. Overall, 17 710 (59%) received no HT, 11 311 (38%) received traditional HT only, and 1048 (3%) received a second-generation AA. Those receiving a second-generation AA were more likely to be older (aged ≥81 years: second-generation AA group, 246 [24%]; traditional HT group, 1997 [18%]; no HT group, 1173 [7%]) and present with advanced disease (eg, distant disease: second-generation AA group, 562 [24%]; traditional HT group, 876 [8%]; no HT group, 129 [0.7%]). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that the second-generation AA group had an increased risk of depression compared with the no HT group (hazard ratio [HR], 2.15; 95% CI, 1.79-2.59; P < .001) and the traditional HT group (HR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.88-2.73; P < .001), including specifically among those with metastatic disease at diagnosis (HR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.38-4.15; P = .002). Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study, patients with prostate cancer who received a second-generation AA had a large and clinically significant increased risk of depression compared with patients who received traditional HT alone or no HT, including when limiting our analysis to individuals with metastatic disease at diagnosis.

Association of statin use with clinical outcomes in patients with triple-negative breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have examined the association of statin therapy and breast cancer outcomes with mixed results. The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical effects of incident statin use among individuals with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). METHODS: Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare and Texas Cancer Registry-Medicare databases were used, and women aged ≥66 years who had stage I, II, and III breast cancer were identified. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the association of new statin use in the 12 months after a breast cancer diagnosis with overall survival (OS) and breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS). RESULTS: When examining incident statin use, defined as the initiation of statin therapy in the 12 months after breast cancer diagnosis, a significant association was observed between statin use and improved BCSS (standardized hazard ratio, 0.42; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20-0.88; P = .022) and OS (hazard ratio, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.50-0.99; P = .046) among patients with TNBC (n = 1534). No association was observed with BCSS (standardized hazard ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.71-1.39; P = .97) or OS (hazard ratio, 1.04; 95% CI, 0.92-1.17; P = .55) among those without TNBC (n = 15,979). The results were consistent when examining statin exposure as a time-varying variable. CONCLUSIONS: Among women with I, II, and III TNBC, initiation of statin therapy in the 12 months after breast cancer diagnosis was associated with an OS and BCSS benefit. Statins may have a role in select patients with breast cancer, and further investigation is warranted.

Association of Endocrine Therapy and Dementia in Women with Breast Cancer.

PURPOSE: Prior studies have reported differing results regarding the association between endocrine therapy (ET) in the treatment of breast cancer and dementia risk. However, existing findings may be limited by common sources of bias and confounding. Here we investigate the association of ET utilized in the definitive setting to treat non-metastatic breast cancer with dementia risk accounting for multiple potential sources of bias and confounding. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study in SEER-Medicare of women aged ≥ 66 years with non-metastatic breast cancer. We examined the risk of all-cause dementia among ET users versus non-ET users using multivariable regression models, accounting for the competing risk of death, and using a start of the follow-up period as 12-months following breast cancer diagnosis for both groups to avoid immortal time bias. RESULTS: Among 25,777 individuals there were 2,869 incident dementia cases. We found a statistically significantly decreased risk of any dementia among ET users in unadjusted and adjusted models that completely attenuated when accounting for the competing risk of death (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-1.07). CONCLUSION: When accounting for common sources of bias and confounding we did not find evidence to support an association between ET in the definitive treatment of non-metastatic breast cancer and dementia risk. These results suggest that ET may not be associated with dementia risk.

The importance of antiangiogenic effect in multiple myeloma treatment.

Angiogenesis plays a significant role in oncogenesis, and thus it has become an attractive target for cancer treatment. It is the formation of new blood vessels that occurs physiologically as well as under pathological conditions, and may influence cancer proliferation and survival. The current therapeutic approach in oncology includes conventional chemotherapy in combination with biologically-based treatment in various perspectives, targeting not only the malignant cells, but also its microenvironment. Target treatment might be less toxic than conventional chemotherapy. In multiple myeloma, there is a close connection between bone marrow stroma, myeloma cell growth and their ability to survive. It has been reported in many clinical observations that the more advanced the multiple myeloma, the more increased the angiogenesis, and this might correlate with the treatment response. There are several angiogenesis inhibitors already registered or in clinical trials in cancer treatment. Despite the continuous research on the development of prognostic factors and introduction of new agents in the treatment, multiple myeloma still remains an incurable and debilitating disease. Some antiangiogenic agents have already been introduced in multiple myeloma treatment, but there is still a need to search for new antiangiogenic drugs and the exploitation of angiogenesis in a clinical approach.

Effects of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression on Reduction of Postoperative Lower Extremity Edema and Normalization of Foot Microcirculation Flow in Patients Undergoing Arterial Revascularization.

BACKGROUND In patients with chronic leg ischemia, the beneficial effect of arterial revascularization can be significantly decreased due to postoperative leg swelling. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) on skin flow normalization in patients undergoing revascularization procedures due to chronic leg ischemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS We evaluated 116 patients with chronic leg ischemia. The patients were divided into groups according to the performed treatment (endovascular or surgical) and implementation of IPC postoperatively. The leg edema assessment and microcirculation flow assessment were performed pre- and postoperatively, using percutaneous O2 pressure (TcpO2), cutaneous blood perfusion (CBP) measurements, and skin flow motion assessment. RESULTS In patients who did not receive IPC, a decrease in CBP value was observed in the 1st postoperative assessment. Among patients receiving IPC, the CBD value increased at the 1st and 2nd postoperative measurements, especially in the surgical group. The lowest TcpO2 values were observed in by-pass surgery group without IPC postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS The benefits of the by-pass procedure in patients with leg ischemia can be significantly reduced by postoperative edema. Among patients with postoperative leg edema, local tissue blood perfusion can be improved by the use of IPC, which can result in decreased local leg swelling, as well as improved skin blood perfusion and TcpO2.

A comparison of an antibacterial sandwich dressing vs dressing containing silver.

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of dressings containing octenidine vs. dressings containing silver in the wound healing in the course of a chronic venous disease. There were two groups of 40 patients who met the inclusion criteria and who did not meet the exclusion criteria. The patients were randomly assigned into the groups (envelope method). The first, "O group" was treated with octenidine-based dressings. The second, "S group" was treated with silver dressings. The study lasted for 56 days. All patients in the research were treated with medical compression stockings with cotton understockings. Microbiological eradication was observed on the 28th day of the study among 33% of patients in the treatment group vs. 6% in control group. On the 56th day of the treatment, these percentages equalled 72% and 35%. The rate of healing was faster in the 0 group than in the S group. In the wounds <10 cm(2) it was faster by 1.35 cm(2)/week and in wounds >10 cm(2) it equalled 3.44 cm(2). The reduction of pain level was 37.5% higher in the O group, in contrast with the S group. One change of a dressing in the O group led to a 0.06 cm(2) greater wound size reduction and in the case of wounds >10 cm(2) to 0.29 cm(2) reduction compared with the S group. The presented results indicate that the efficacy of dressings containing octenidine is higher compared to silver dressings.

Efficacy evaluation of bio trombina ® 400 in mini mall y invasive treatment of complications (pseudoaneurysms), after venipuncture for diagnostic purposes. Authors' own experience - case study of 38 patients.

UNLABELLED: Common use of venipuncture on upper and lower limbs for diagnostic purposes (such as coronarography or arteriography), and also during the course of treatment (angioplasty), very often bares a complication in the form of pseudoaneurysms. According to various reports, the incidence of pseudoaneurysms ranges from 0.005% to 0.5% of all vascular procedures requiring arterial cannulation (Common Femoral Artery, Brachial Artery, Radial Artery). The use of Bio Trombina® 400 in the embolization of pseudoaneurysms allows minimally invasive and effective treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of pseudoaneurysm embolization with the use of Trombina 400, authors' own experience. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the years 2011 - 2013, the authors of this study performed 38 vascular interventional procedures involving pseudoaneurysms as complications of venipuncture in upper and lower limbs for diagnostic and treatment purposes. All procedures involved the direct injection of thrombin into the chamber of the pseudoaneurysm under the guidance of USG Doppler (6.2 MHz linear head). 34 cases presented single chamber pseudoaneurysms while 4 cases involved multi- chamber pseudoaneurysms, which required several thrombin reinjections (Bio Trombina® 400) into each of the chambers. Pseudoaneurysm maximum size of 4 cm was set as an inclusion criterion for the embolization procedure. Furthermore, all pseudoaneurysms with a significantly wide tract in transverse dimensions were treated as an exclusion criterion because of high risk of the peripheral arteries embolization. RESULTS: Initial success was observed in 36 patients (94.73%) in the first day after the procedure, 1 patient (2.63%) underwent thrombin reinjection procedure in the second day after the first embolization. Another patient (2.63%) underwent an open procedure in which the Common Femoral Artery was accessed, the clot evacuated, and CFA was sutured with continuous suture Prolene 6-0. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Embolization of pseudoaneurysms with USG Doppler-guided thrombin injection is an effective course of treatment for complications of cannulation. 2. The safety of pseudoaneurysm embolization depends on a surgeon's experience. It is also crucial to keep in mind the inclusion and exclusion criteria for this type of procedure (the size of a pseudoaneurysm, the width of its base). 3. Furthermore, its cost effectiveness and short hospitalization period make pseudoaneurysm embolization an effective and valuable alternative to the classic approach.