Simulation of "North Carolina Protocol for Allocating Scarce Inpatient Critical Care Resources in a Pandemic" in a Multi-hospital Health Care System.

BACKGROUND An integrated nonprofit health care system with 13 North Carolina medical centers conducted a time-pressured quality improvement simulation of its plan to implement the "North Carolina Protocol for Allocating Scarce Inpatient Critical Care Resources in a Pandemic" attendant to pandemic scenario planning. Simulation objectives included assessing the plan in terms of a) efficiency and effectiveness; b) comorbidity scoring validity; c) impact by race/ethnicity, gender, age, and payer status; and d) simulation participant impressions of potential impact on clinicians.METHOD The simulation scenario involved scoring 14 patients with the constraint that only 10 could be afforded critical care resources. Also included were independent scoring validation by four clinicians, structured debriefs with simulation participants and observers, and tracking patient outcomes for 30 days.RESULTS Triage scoring was identical among four triage teams. Lack of concordance in clinician comorbidity scoring did not alter patient prioritization for withdrawal of treatment in this small cohort. Protocol scoring was not correlated with resource utilization or near-term mortality.LIMITATIONS The simulation sample was small and selected when COVID-19 census was temporarily waning. No protocol for pediatric patients was tested.CONCLUSIONS The simulation yielded resource allocation concordance using comorbidity scoring by attending physicians, which significantly accelerated triage team decision-making and did not result in notable disparities by race/ethnicity, gender, or advanced age. Qualitative findings surfaced tensions in balancing de-identified data with individualized assessment and in trusting the clinical judgments of other physicians. Additional research is needed to validate the protocol's predictive value related to patient outcomes.

Final overall survival and safety analysis of OCEANS, a phase 3 trial of chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: OCEANS is a randomized, placebo (PL)-controlled, phase 3 trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab combined with gemcitabine+carboplatin (GC) for patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC). The study met its primary endpoint, demonstrating improved progression-free survival with GC+bevacizumab compared with GC+PL. Herein, we describe results of final overall survival (OS) and updated safety. METHODS: Patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive ROC (recurring ≥6months after first-line platinum-based therapy) and measurable disease at baseline were randomized to receive GC+bevacizumab or GC+PL for 6-10cycles; PL or bevacizumab was then continued until disease progression. In this updated analysis, a Cox proportional hazards model was used to compare OS between the 2 treatment arms. RESULTS: At the data cutoff date (July 19, 2013), 353 patients (72.9%) had died. Median follow-up for OS was 58.2months in the experimental arm and 56.4months in the control arm. Consistent with interim analyses, median OS was comparable between arms (GC+bevacizumab: 33.6months; GC+PL: 32.9months; hazard ratio=0.95; log-rank p=0.65), and was consistent across all examined patient subgroups. The frequency and severity of adverse events were consistent with previous analyses; no new safety concerns were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Results from final OS analysis of the phase 3 OCEANS study showed no significant difference in OS for patients treated with GC+bevacizumab compared with GC+PL.

Effect of ArginMax on sexual functioning and quality of life among female cancer survivors: results of the WFU CCOP Research Base Protocol 97106.

BACKGROUND: Problems with sexual functioning are common following therapy for breast and gynecologic cancers, although there are few effective treatments. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of ArginMax, a nutritional supplement comprised of extracts of L-arginine, ginseng, gingko, and damiana, as well as multivitamins and minerals, on sexual functioning and quality of life in female cancer survivors. METHODS: This was a 12-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of eligible patients who were 6 months or more from active treatment and reporting problems with sexual interest, satisfaction, and functioning after therapy. The participants took 3 capsules of Arginmax or placebo twice daily. Outcome measures were the Female Sexual Function Inventory (FSFI) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - General (FACT-G). Assessments were done at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. RESULTS: 186 patients with a median age of 50 years were accrued between May 10, 2007 and March 24, 2010. 76% of the patients were non-Hispanic white. Most had breast or a gynecologic cancer (78% and 12%, respectively). At 12 weeks, there were no differences between the ArginMax group (n = 96) and placebo (n = 92) group in sexual desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm,satisfaction or pain. However, FACT-G total scores were significantly better for participants who took ArginMax compared with those who took placebo (least squares [LS] means, 87.5 vs 82.9, respectively; P = .009). The Fact-G subscales that were most affected were Physical (25.37 vs. 23.51, P = .001) and Functional Well-Being (22.46 vs. 20.72, P = .007). Toxicities were similar for both groups. LIMITATIONS: Study results are limited by a lack of data on the participants' psychological and physical symptoms and sexual partner variables. CONCLUSIONS: ArginMax had no significant impact on sexual functioning, but patient quality of life was significantly better at 12 weeks in participants who received ArginMax.

Independent radiologic review: bevacizumab in combination with gemcitabine and carboplatin in recurrent ovarian cancer.

OBJECTIVE: OCEANS, a randomized, placebo-controlled, phase III trial, found that adding bevacizumab to gemcitabine-carboplatin (GC) significantly improved investigator-determined progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response rate (ORR) in platinum-sensitive, recurrent ovarian cancer. To evaluate the reliability of assessment of progression and objective response per RECIST, radiologic and clinical data were assessed by an independent review committee (IRC). METHODS: Radiologic images and clinical data were provided prospectively to the IRC for all randomized patients (N=484). Data were reviewed in a blinded fashion per RECIST (modified v1.0). PFS and ORR were analyzed based on the IRC assessment. Concordance between investigator- and IRC-assessed progression and objective response was assessed. RESULTS: The IRC analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increase in PFS (hazard ratio [HR]=0.451; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.351 to 0.580, p<0.0001) consistent with the benefit reported by investigators (HR=0.484; 95% CI=0.388 to 0.605, p<0.0001). The concordance rate, defined by agreement on progression status, was 74.2% overall, and comparable between treatment arms (bevacizumab, 75.2% vs. placebo, 73.1%). IRC-assessed ORR was significantly improved with bevacizumab (bevacizumab, 74.8% vs. placebo, 53.7%; p<0.0001), consistent with the investigator-assessed results. The concordance rate for objective response was 79.8% overall, and comparable between treatment arms (bevacizumab, 78.9% vs. placebo, 80.6%). CONCLUSIONS: IRC-determined results were highly consistent with those determined by investigators, demonstrating that bevacizumab plus GC provides a significant improvement in PFS and ORR. These results suggest that investigators can reliably assess disease progression and objective response in recurrent ovarian cancer using RECIST, without the necessity of a full IRC review.

OCEANS: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial of chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab in patients with platinum-sensitive recurrent epithelial ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer.

PURPOSE: This randomized, multicenter, blinded, placebo-controlled phase III trial tested the efficacy and safety of bevacizumab (BV) with gemcitabine and carboplatin (GC) compared with GC in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian, primary peritoneal, or fallopian tube cancer (ROC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with platinum-sensitive ROC (recurrence ≥ 6 months after front-line platinum-based therapy) and measurable disease were randomly assigned to GC plus either BV or placebo (PL) for six to 10 cycles. BV or PL, respectively, was then continued until disease progression. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS) by RECIST; secondary end points were objective response rate, duration of response (DOR), overall survival, and safety. RESULTS: Overall, 484 patients were randomly assigned. PFS for the BV arm was superior to that for the PL arm (hazard ratio [HR], 0.484; 95% CI, 0.388 to 0.605; log-rank P < .0001); median PFS was 12.4 v 8.4 months, respectively. The objective response rate (78.5% v 57.4%; P < .0001) and DOR (10.4 v 7.4 months; HR, 0.534; 95% CI, 0.408 to 0.698) were significantly improved with the addition of BV. No new safety concerns were noted. Grade 3 or higher hypertension (17.4% v < 1%) and proteinuria (8.5% v < 1%) occurred more frequently in the BV arm. The rates of neutropenia and febrile neutropenia were similar in both arms. Two patients in the BV arm experienced GI perforation after study treatment discontinuation. CONCLUSION: GC plus BV followed by BV until progression resulted in a statistically significant improvement in PFS compared with GC plus PL in platinum-sensitive ROC.

Cost-effectiveness of combination versus sequential docetaxel and carboplatin for the treatment of platinum-sensitive, recurrent ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: In a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of patients with recurrent, platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer, the combination weekly docetaxel and carboplatin was associated a with progression-free survival (PFS) of 13.7 months compared with 8.4 months for sequential, single-agent docetaxel followed by carboplatin. The objective of the current study was to construct a cost-utility model to compare these 2 regimens with the incorporation of prospectively collected quality-of-life (QoL) data. METHODS: An RCT of concurrent docetaxel and carboplatin (cDC) versus docetaxel followed by carboplatin (sequential docetaxel and carboplatin [sDC]) was the basis for a Markov decision model, and the primary effectiveness outcome was PFS. Costs were estimated using US dollars based on Medicare reimbursements for chemotherapy regimens, bone marrow support, and management of adverse events. QoL data obtained using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General questionnaire were converted to utilities. Costs and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were reported in US dollars per quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Extensive 1-way sensitivity analyses and a Monte Carlo probabilistic sensitivity analysis were performed. RESULTS: The least expensive strategy was sDC, which cost an average of $20,381, compared with cDC, which cost an average of $25,122. cDC had an ICER of $25,239 per QALY compared with sDC. cDC remained cost-effective, with an ICER <$50,000 per QALY, over a range of costs and estimates. In Monte Carlo sensitivity analysis using a $50,000 per QALY willingness-to-pay threshold, cDC was either dominant or cost-effective with an ICER <$50,000 per QALY in 83% of simulations. CONCLUSIONS: Combined weekly cDC appeared to be cost-effective compared with sDC as treatment strategy for patients with platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer, even when accounting for slightly lower QoL during treatment.

A multicenter, randomized, phase 2 clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination docetaxel and carboplatin and sequential therapy with docetaxel then carboplatin in patients with recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of combination (cDC) and sequential (sDC) weekly docetaxel and carboplatin in women with recurrent platinum-sensitive epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). METHODS: Participants were randomized to either weekly docetaxel 30 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8 and carboplatin area under the curve (AUC) = 6 on day 1, every 3 weeks or docetaxel 30 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks for 6 cycles followed by carboplatin AUC = 6 on day 1, every 3 weeks for 6 cycles or until disease progression. The primary endpoint was measurable progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: Between January 2004 and March 2007, 150 participants were enrolled. The response rate was 55.4% and 43.2% for those treated with cDC and sDC, respectively. The median PFS was 13.7 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 9.9-16.8) for cDC and 8.4 months (95% CI, 7.1-11.0) for sDC. On the basis of an exploratory analysis, patients treated with sDC were at a 62% increased risk of disease progression compared to those treated with cDC (hazard ratio = 1.62; 95% CI, 1.08-2.45; P = .02). The median overall survival time was similar in both groups (33.2 and 30.1 months, P = .2). The incidence of grade 2 or 3 neurotoxicity and grade 3 or 4 neutropenia was higher with cDC than with sDC (11.7% vs 8.5%; 36.8% vs 11.3%). The sDC group demonstrated significant improvements in the Functional Assessment for Cancer Therapy-Ovarian, Quality of Life Trial Outcome Index scores compared with the combination cohort (P = .013). CONCLUSIONS: Both cDC and sDC regimens have activity in recurrent platinum-sensitive EOC with acceptable toxicity profiles. The cDC regimen may provide a PFS advantage over sDC.

Health-related quality of life outcomes of docetaxel/carboplatin combination therapy vs. sequential therapy with docetaxel then carboplatin in patients with relapsed, platinum-sensitive ovarian cancer: results from a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: A phase II clinical trial compared docetaxel in combination with carboplatin to sequential single agent docetaxel followed by carboplatin for treatment of recurrent platinum-sensitive ovarian, peritoneal, or tubal cancer. This manuscript reports prospectively collected health-related quality of life (HRQL). METHODS: Participants were randomized to either weekly docetaxel 30 mg/m(2)/days 1 and 8 and carboplatin AUC 6/day 1 every 3 weeks (cDC) or docetaxel 30 mg/m(2)/days 1 and 8, repeated every 3 weeks for 6 cycles followed by carboplatin AUC 6/day 1 every 3 weeks for 6 cycles or until disease progression (sDC). The primary HRQL endpoint was the trial outcome index (TOI) score of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Ovarian (FACT-O) instrument, and was assessed as an intent-to-treat analysis. The secondary HRQL endpoints included the FACT-O total score, the FACT-General, and several domain scores of the FACT-O instrument (physical well-being (PWB), social/family well-being (SWB), emotional well-being (EWB), functional well-being (FWB), and the ovarian cancer specific (OCS) module). The FACT-O was administered at randomization, prior to each of 6 cycles of treatment, and at study endpoint. RESULTS: One hundred forty-eight participants were randomized to each group. Sequential docetaxel followed by carboplatin (sDC) was associated with significant improvements in the FACT-O TOI (p=0.013), FACT-O total score (p=0.033), and OCS (p=0.029) compared to the combination docetaxel and carboplatin group (cDC). CONCLUSIONS: Sequential single agent docetaxel followed by carboplatin is associated with improved HRQL when compared to cDC. The improved progression-free survival observed with cDC should be weighed against lower quality of life during treatment.

Asian-Pacific Islander race independently predicts poor outcome in patients with endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The Department of Defense health care system provides access to care without respect to age, race, or socioeconomic status. We sought to determine the effect of race as a predictor of survival in patients with endometrial cancer treated in the Department of Defense medical system. METHODS: Information on patients with endometrial carcinoma was extracted from the Department of Defense centralized tumor registry for the period 1988 to 1995. Data included age at diagnosis, military status, race, tumor histology, grade, FIGO surgical stage, adjuvant therapies, and disease-free survival. The chi(2) test was used for analysis of prognostic factors and adjuvant treatments between racial groups. Actuarial survival curves were calculated by using the method of Kaplan and Meier and compared by the log-rank test. Variables found to be significant on univariate analysis (P < 0.05) were entered into a multivariate Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 1811 patients meeting criteria for the study, racial distribution was 90% Caucasian, 4.4% African-American, and 5.5% Asian-Pacific Islander. African-Americans had more advanced stages of disease compared to Caucasians (P < 0.001). Both African-Americans and Asian-Pacific Islanders had higher grade tumors and less favorable histologic types than Caucasians (P < 0.05). The extent of adjuvant therapies was similar for racial groups. African-Americans and Asian-Pacific Islanders had significantly worse 5-year disease-free survivals than Caucasians (P = 0.007). Additional poor prognostic factors included age >60 years, grade, unfavorable histology, and stage. On multivariate analysis age >60 years, stage, and Asian-Pacific Islander race remained significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSION: African-Americans and Asian-Pacific Islanders had worse survivals than Caucasians. After controlling for imbalances in clinicopathologic factors, Asian-Pacific Islander race was found to be a newly identified poor prognostic factor.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected IUD associated with pelvic inflammatory disease. A case report.

BACKGROUND: While pelvic infection is known to be an infrequent complication of intrauterine device (IUD) use, infections are usually related to microorganisms introduced at the time of insertion or by sexual contact. CASE: We diagnosed a 35-year-old woman with an IUD for 6 years with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and implemented antibiotic therapy. Her clinical course worsened, and exploratory surgery revealed a right tuboovarian abscess with multiple loculated pelvic abscesses. Culture of the IUD found heavy growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CONCLUSION: P aeruginosa has not previously been described in association with infections of the upper female genital tract. Double coverage with appropriate antipseudomonal agents is essential for proper treatment of pseudomonal infections.