Dueck, Amylou C.

PURPOSE There is increasing interest in implementing digital systems for remote monitoring of patients’ symptoms during routine oncology practice. Information is limited about the clinical utility and user perceptions of these systems. METHODS PRO-TECT is a multicenter trial evaluating implementation of electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs) among adults with advanced and metastatic cancers receiving treatment at US community oncology practices (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03249090 ). Questions derived from the Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) are administered weekly by web or automated telephone system, with alerts to nurses for severe or worsening symptoms. To elicit user feedback, surveys were administered to participating patients and clinicians. RESULTS Among 496 patients across 26 practices, the majority found the system and questions easy to understand (95%), easy to use (93%), and relevant to their care (91%). Most patients reported that PRO information was used by their clinicians for care (70%), improved discussions with clinicians (73%), made them feel more in control of their own care (77%), and would recommend the system to other patients (89%). Scores for most patient feedback questions were significantly positively correlated with weekly PRO completion rates in both univariate and multivariable analyses. Among 57 nurses, most reported that PRO information was helpful for clinical documentation (79%), increased efficiency of patient discussions (84%), and was useful for patient care (75%). Among 39 oncologists, most found PRO information useful (91%), with 65% using PROs to guide patient discussions sometimes or often and 65% using PROs to make treatment decisions sometimes or often. CONCLUSION These findings support the clinical utility and value of implementing digital systems for monitoring PROs, including the PRO-CTCAE, in routine cancer care.

Abstract Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) that have evolved into accelerated or blast phase disease (MPN-AP/BP) have poor outcomes with limited treatment options and therefore represent an urgent unmet need. We have previously demonstrated in a multicenter, phase 1 trial conducted through the Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Research Consortium that the combination of ruxolitinib and decitabine is safe and tolerable and is associated with a favorable overall survival (OS). In this phase 2 trial, 25 patients with MPN-AP/BP were treated at the recommended phase 2 dose of ruxolitinib 25 mg twice daily for the induction cycle followed by 10 mg twice daily for subsequent cycles in combination with decitabine 20 mg/m2 for 5 consecutive days in a 28-day cycle. Nineteen patients died during the study follow-up. The median OS for all patients on study was 9.5 months (95% confidence interval, 4.3-12.0). Overall response rate (complete remission + incomplete platelet recovery + partial remission) was 11/25 (44%) and response was not associated with improved survival. We conclude that the combination of decitabine and ruxolitinib was well tolerated, demonstrated favorable OS, and represents a therapeutic option for this high-risk patient population. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02076191.

151 Background: Decision aids (DAs) for prostate cancer treatment can improve knowledge and reduce decisional conflict, but the relative effect of pre-visit and within-visit DAs is not known, and effect sizes for minority populations has not been estimated. Methods: We conducted a 3-arm, patient-level-RCT in specialty urology and radiation oncology practices in Ohio, South Dakota, and Alaska, test the effect of pre-consultation and with-in consultation decision aids on patient knowledge immediately after specialty consultation compared to usual care. We used linear regression to estimate effects of each intervention arm, including the respective standard error, two-sided 95% confidence interval, and two-sided P value for testing the study’s hypotheses. Results: 103 patients were recruited and randomized to receive either the pre-visit decision aid, within-visit decision aid, or neither decision aids (usual care). In 2017 and 20018, we accrued similar numbers of men to pre-consultation aid (n = 37), during-consultation aid (n = 33) and usual care arms, respectively (n = 33). The median (range) age in years was 64 [49, 81]; 67.6% were White, 15.7% were Black or African American, 16.7% were American Indian or Alaska Native, and 1% were not reported. 47.6%, 45.6%, and 6.8% had a baseline clinical stage of T1, T2, and T3, respectively. The median [range] prostate specific antigen (PSA) was 8.0 [2.4, 53.7]. There were no clinically notable imbalances. We obtained usable data on 102 of the 103 patient-participants. The pre-visit decision aid arm showed a mean knowledge effect of 0.694 (0.636, 0.753). The within-visit decision arm showed a very similar mean knowledge effect of 0.686 (0.625, 0.748). The usual care arm showed a mean knowledge effect of 0.644 (0.582,0.705). The linear regression model showed, that, compared with usual care, neither intervention effect achieved statistical significance in the primary analysis (p = 0.24, 0.330, for pre-visit and within-visit, respectively). Conclusions: Modest knowledge gains of pre-visit and during-visit decision aids for prostate cancer treatment were not statistically significant. Clinical trial information: NCT03182998 .

AbstractBackgroundPhiladelphia chromosome negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), including essential thrombocythemia, polycythemia vera, and myelofibrosis, have severe function‐limiting symptom burden that is experienced by the majority of patients. Previous studies have suggested that depression may be present in over a quarter of MPN patients, but to date no studies have evaluated the relationship between depression and other variables such as symptoms.MethodsA 70‐item internet based survey regarding fatigue and mood symptoms was developed by a multidisciplinary team of MPN investigators, patients and patient advocates including Patient Health Questionnaire and the Myeloproliferative Neoplasm Symptom Assessment Form was completed by over 1300 patients with MPN diagnosis.ResultsThere were 309 respondents (23%) with PHQ‐2 scores ≥ 3. In this analysis, we found worse systemic symptom burden in individuals reporting depressive symptoms.ConclusionThis analysis suggests the importance of depression in contributing to as well as confounding symptomatology in MPN patients, and suggests that this critical variable should also be addressed by clinicians and researchers alike when comprehensively assessing symptom burden etiologies.

BackgroundThe goal of this study was to assess the impact of trastuzumab on locoregional failure.METHODSThe analysis included 2763 patients with HER2‐positive (HER2+) breast cancer who were randomly assigned to adjuvant doxorubicin (A), cyclophosphamide (C), paclitaxel (T) and trastuzumab (H) (arm A, AC→T [n = 922]; arm B, AC→T→H [n = 988]; arm C, AC→T+H→H [n = 853]). Radiotherapy was given after AC→T concurrently with H. Radiotherapy was given after lumpectomy (L) or after mastectomy (M) with ≥4 positive lymph nodes but was optional for 1 to 3 positive lymph nodes. Locoregional failures at 10 years (LFR10) as first events were compared using competing risk analysis.ResultsThe median follow‐up was 13.0 years. The first site of failure was local‐only in 96 cases, locoregional in 16 cases, regional in 32 cases, and not specified in 2 cases; LFR10 was 4.8% (95% CI 4.1%‐5.7%). LFR10 was 5.5% (95% CI 4.3%‐7.2%), 4.9% (95% CI 3.7%‐6.4%), and 2.8% (95% CI 1.9%‐4.1%) in arms A, B, and C (B vs A: hazard ratio [HR] 0.91, P = .62; C vs A: HR 0.72, P = .12). For estrogen receptor–positive patients, LFR10 was 3.7% (95% CI 2.8%‐4.8%) and for estrogen receptor–negative patients, it was 6.1% (95% CI 5.0%‐7.4%; HR 0.61, P = .004). Local treatment included L+RT (n = 1044 [38%]), M+RT (n = 1025 [37%]), and M (n = 694 [25%]). LFR10 was 6.% (95% CI 5.0%‐7.8%), 3.0% (95% CI 2.1%‐4.3%), and 5.5% (95% CI 4.0%‐7.4%) for L+RT, M+RT, and M, respectively (M+RT vs L+RT: HR 0.43, P < .001; M vs L+RT: HR 0.88, P = .57). For 1 to 3 positive lymph nodes, LFR10 was 6.5% (95% CI 4.8%‐8.9%), 4.1% (95% CI 2.4%‐7.0%), and 4.3% (95% CI 2.9%‐6.5%) in L+RT, M+RT, and M, respectively (M vs L+RT: HR 0.68, P = .14; M vs M+RT: HR 1.2, P = .6).ConclusionLow 10‐year LFRs were seen regardless of trastuzumab use. Differences in local therapy in patients with 1 to 3 positive lymph nodes did not appear to improve local control. Local therapy studies for HER2+ and other tumor characteristics are important as the role of local therapies continues to evolve.

Abstract Background Prior comparisons of chemotherapy adverse events (AEs) by age and performance status (PS) are limited by the traditional maximum grade approach, which ignores low-grade AEs and longitudinal changes. Materials and Methods To compare fatigue and neuropathy longitudinally by age (&lt;65, ≥65 years) and PS (0–1, 2), we analyzed data from a large phase III trial of carboplatin and paclitaxel versus paclitaxel for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (CALGB 9730, n = 529). We performed multivariable (a) linear mixed models to estimate mean AE grade over time, (b) linear regression to estimate area under the curve (AUC), and (c) proportional hazards models to estimate the hazard ratio of developing grade ≥2 AE, as well as traditional maximum grade analyses. Results Older patients had on average a 0.17-point (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.00–0.34; p = .049) higher mean fatigue grade longitudinally compared with younger patients. PS 2 was associated with earlier development of grade ≥2 fatigue (hazard ratio [HR], 1.56; 95% CI, 1.07–2.27; p = .02). For neuropathy, older age was associated with earlier development of grade ≥2 neuropathy (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.00–1.97; p = .049). Patients with PS 2 had a 1.30 point lower neuropathy AUC (95% CI, −2.36 to −0.25; p = .02) compared with PS 0–1. In contrast, maximum grade analyses only detected a higher percentage of older adults with grade ≥3 fatigue and neuropathy at some point during treatment. Conclusion Our comparison of complementary but distinct aspects of chemotherapy toxicity identified important longitudinal differences in fatigue and neuropathy by age and PS that are missed by the traditional maximum grade approach. Clinical trial identification number: NCT00003117 (CALGB 9730) Implications for Practice The traditional maximum grade approach ignores persistent low-grade adverse events (AEs) and changes over time. This toxicity over time analysis of fatigue and neuropathy during chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer demonstrates how to use longitudinal methods to comprehensively characterize AEs over time by age and performance status (PS). We identified important longitudinal differences in fatigue and neuropathy that are missed by the maximum grade approach. This new information about how older adults and patients with PS 2 experience these toxicities longitudinally may be used clinically to improve discussions about treatment options and what to expect to inform shared decision making and symptom management.

11095 Background: Biologic characterization of CTCs is increasingly important in determining metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patient (pt) prognosis and treatment prediction. Combined preliminary results from two earlier metastatic BC NCCTG trials, N0234 & N0336, suggested that the change in CTC mammaglobin (MGB1) gene expression between baseline and two cycles of chemotherapy predicted tumor response (p=0.04). The objectives of this study were to 1) determine CTC gene expression of CK19 and MGB1 before, during, and after treatment in N0436 & N0437 and 2) determine associations between baseline and post-treatment gene expression and treatment response. Methods: CTCs were enriched using CD45-depletion from ∼10ml EDTA blood obtained from metastatic BC pts before, after two cycles, and at end of treatment with either first/second-line irinotecan plus cetuximab (N0436) or first-line paclitaxel poliglumex and capecitabine (N0437). CK19 and MGB1 mRNA levels were determined using quantitative RT-PCR in baseline and serial CTC samples of up to 19 pts from N0436 and 40 pts from N0437. The relative gene expressions were normalized to β2-microglobulin and calibrated to healthy blood using the 2-ΔΔCt algorithm; a value of 2 was defined as positive for the respective marker. Results: CK19+ mRNA was detected in 58% of baseline samples from N0436 (11/19) and N0437 (23/40). MGB1+ mRNA was detected in 32% (6/19) and 38% (15/40) of N0436 and N0437 baseline samples, respectively. CK19+ mRNA was detected in 50% (7/14) and 56% (29/52) of N0436 and N0437 serial CTC samples, respectively. MGB1+ mRNA was detected in 29% (4/14) and 27% (14/52) of N0436 and N0437 serial CTC samples, respectively. Of the 66 serial samples, 27% of samples (18/66) had turned positive from baseline for CK19 or MGB1. CK19 mRNA was detected in 85% (33/39) of MGB1+ mRNA samples but their baseline mRNA levels were not correlated. Conclusions: CK19 mRNA was detected in MBC pts with similar frequencies to the CellSearch imaging system. CK19 was detected at a higher frequency than MGB1. In the majority of cases, MGB1 was co-expressed with CK19. Associations between gene expression and treatment response using Chi-Squared analyses and Cox regression models will be presented. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

e19047 Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is predominantly a disease of the elderly. Most patients (pts) present with incurable advanced disease, but chemotherapy for good performance status (PS) pts improves quality and quantity of life. Despite good PS, many elderly pts with metastatic NSCLC do not receive chemotherapy. This study compared treatment, outcomes, and survival in elderly vs younger pts with stage IV NSCLC. Methods: All analytic MCA Cancer Registry pts with stage IV NSCLC from 1998–2007 were retrospectively reviewed for type of therapy and outcome. Pts were analyzed by age: <75 vs ≥75 years old. Categorical variables were compared using chi-squared tests and survival was compared by Cox regression. Results: 344 pts with stage IV NSCLC were identified. 234 (68%) pts were <75 years old, and 110 pts (32%) were ≥75 years old. Median survival for all pts was 7 months. Among 302 pts with treatment data available, 60.8% of pts <75 years old received some form of systemic therapy (chemotherapy/targeted therapy) compared to only 32% of pts ≥ 75 years old (p <0.0001). Among pts with PS 0–1, pts <75 years old more frequently received systemic therapy than elderly patients (88.5% vs 32.1%, p<0.0001); whereas a difference was not evident in pts with PS 2–4 (34.1% vs 41.7%, p=0.49). Median survival in the <75 age group was 7 months vs. 3.4 months in the ≥75 age group (p=0.048). In the <75 age group, median survival was 12 months in pts who received chemotherapy vs. 2 months in the other or no treatment group (p<0.0001). In the elderly group, median survival was 10 months in the chemotherapy group vs. 2 months in the pts who received other or no treatment (p=0.0003). Thus, the median survival was significantly improved among the pts who received systemic therapy independent of age. Statistical significance persisted when stratifying by PS. Conclusions: Pts with stage IV NSCLC have improved survival with systemic therapy independent of age. Our results confirm that despite an improvement in survival similar to younger pts, elderly patients with metastatic NSCLC are often undertreated. Prospective trials should be designed to include metastatic NSCLC patients without age discrimination No significant financial relationships to disclose.

539 Background: An increased baseline sHER-2 concentration is an indicator of poor prognosis in the metastatic and adjuvant settings of HER-2+BC. This study evaluated the levels of sHER-2 during treatment and at time of recurrence in N9831. Methods: Aims were to describe sHER-2 levels during treatment and at time of recurrence in patients (pts) randomized to Arms A (standard chemotherapy) and C (standard chemotherapy with concurrent trastuzumab). Baseline serum samples of 1506 pts from both arms along with 86 recurrence serum samples were analyzed for sHER-2 (ng/mL). In addition, 556 serial samples were obtained in 148 patients over the treatment period. Median follow up was 4.5 years. Statistical methods included repeated measures linear models, Wilcoxon rank sum tests, and Cox regression models. Results: Analyzing serial sHER-2 levels during treatment, mean log sHER-2 remained constant in Arm C (estimated slope = 0.004, p = 0.44) while the estimated increase per month was 0.026 (on log e scale) for Arm A (p = 0.0003). Based on the linear model at 18 months, the mean log sHER-2 was 2.98 (95% CI: 2.87–3.09) and 2.55 (95% CI: 2.40–2.70) for Arms A and C, respectively. Among pts with disease recurrence, sHER-2 levels increased in Arm A from baseline to time of recurrence (mean = 72.9, median = 1.7, p =0.005) while sHER-2 levels remained unchanged in Arm C (mean = 9.2, median = -0.9, p = 0.65). While all 86 recurrence patients had baseline sHER2 levels <50, 24% (15/63) of Arm A patients had very high recurrence sHER-2 levels (≥50) as compared to 9% (2/23) on Arm C (p=0.10). Patients with recurrence sHER-2 levels ≥15 had shorter survival time following recurrence with 3 year overall survival of 51% compared to 76% for the <15 sHER-2 group (HR = 2.77; 95% CI: 1.20–6.43, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Based on serial specimens during treatment, the concurrent trastuzumab arm (C) had constant sHER-2 levels, whereas the standard chemotherapy arm (A) had increasing sHER-2 levels. In arm A, recurrence sHER-2 levels increased significantly from baseline while recurrence sHER-2 levels did not change in arm C. Additionally, pts with high sHER-2 levels at recurrence had shorter overall survival following recurrence. Partial support: CA25224, CA114740 , Genentech, Siemens, and the BCRF. [Table: see text]