Ganiyani, Mohammad Arfat

Abstract Objectives Understanding trends in end-of-life care for bladder cancer patients is essential in improving palliative care planning. This study analyzes trends in preferred place of death among bladder cancer patients in the United States from year 2000 to 2020. Methods Data from the CDC WONDER database were used to identify 293,906 deaths caused by bladder cancer. Further data on patient place of death, age, demographics, census geographic region, and year of death were recorded. Place of death was used as a proxy for preferred place of death. A multivariable binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine associations between preferred place of death and other variables. Results At-home deaths were most common among individuals aged 75–84 years of age (42,644 deaths) and 85+ years of age (32,806 deaths). Hospice use was highest among the 75–84 age group (8,754 deaths) and 85+ age group (7,358 deaths). Nursing home deaths were highest in the 85+ age group (26,216 deaths), with significant age-related differences ( p < 0.001). In terms of racial variations, White individuals accounted for 93.6% of all deaths. Black individuals were less likely to utilize hospice care ( p < 0.001). Overall, race differences were significantly associated with place of death ( p < 0.001). The number of home deaths rose from 4,281 in 2000 to 8,554 in 2020, and hospice deaths also rose significantly during this time period. Interestingly, younger individuals were more likely to die in hospice compared to those aged 85 years or older, though the odds decreased with age. Black individuals had significantly lower odds of hospice use than White patients (OR = 0.699, p < 0.001) and hospice use increased annually by an average of 13.4% ( p < 0.001). Significance of results The results indicate that utilization of hospice care and home-based end-of-life care have risen in prominence though disparities are present across racial and regional groups. Further studies are needed to better understand potential barriers to end-of-life care among bladder cancer patients.

58 Background: Skeletal-related events (SREs) are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). These complications are managed using bone-modifying agents (BMAs), radiation therapy, and surgery, and lead to diminished quality of life irrespective of their castration status. We sought to evaluate the mortality trends for patients with PC and SREs in patients of >65 years from 1999 to 2023 using the CDC WONDER (Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research) database. Methods: The database was searched from January 1, 1999, to December 31, 2023. Mortality trends were assessed by identifying prostate cancer international classification of diseases-10th revision code (ICD-10 code C61) as the underlying cause of death in individuals aged >65 years, and (SREs) as contributing causes using the following ICD-10 codes: S02, S12, S22, S32, S42, S52, S62, S82, S92, T02, T08, T10, T12, T14.2, Y93.2, E55, M80, M81, M84.4. Joinpoint 5.0 software was used to analyze mortality trends. Results: From 1999 to 2023, a total of 3,231 deaths were reported. Trend analysis revealed a decline in overall mortality from 1999 to 2014, with an annual percentage change (APC) of -1.60 (CI: -2.6, -0.5; p = 0.005), followed by a significant increase in mortality from 2015 to 2023, with an APC of 5.30 (p = 0.0001). When stratified by age, individuals aged 65-69 showed an insignificant decline in mortality over the entire study period. For those aged 70-74, mortality significantly decreased from 1999 to 2014 (APC: -3.02, CI: -5.0, -0.9; p = 0.008), but experienced an exponential increase from 2014 to 2023 (APC: 14.07, CI: 8.7, 19.6; p = 0.00005). In the 75-79 age group, mortality significantly decreased from 1999 to 2011 (APC: -5.6, CI: -9.5, -1.6; p = 0.0091), followed by a robust increase from 2011 to 2023 (APC: 7.06, CI: 2.7, 11.5; p = 0.002). For individuals aged >80 years, the trend showed an insignificant decline in mortality from 1999 to 2023 (APC: -0.260, CI: -0.8, 0.3; p = 0.380). Conclusions: Our study revealed significant trends in prostate cancer mortality attributable to SREs, contributing to a sharp increase from 2015 to 2023. Age-stratified analysis revealed that substantial mortality is reported in patients aged 70-79, with the most pronounced rise occurring after 2014. These findings emphasize the growing burden of SREs in older prostate cancer patients, underscoring the need for targeted interventions along with a focus on patient-reported outcomes to improve survival and quality of life.

5 Background: Penile cancer (PC) is often diagnosed late, which leads to advanced disease. Studies have reported that less than 18% of individuals with metastatic PC receive any kind of palliative therapy. Place of Death (PoD) is a crucial determinant of patient and caregiver preferences and the cost of caregiving at the end of life (EOL). We aimed to evaluate the trends in PoD for patients with PC in the U.S. from 2003 to 2023 based on the CDC WONDER (Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research) database. Methods: We analyzed data from January 01, 2003, to December 31, 2023. The data for deaths due to PC were pooled using the International Classification of Diseases-10th Revision code as C60 for malignant neoplasm of the penis. The inclusion criteria included patients aged > 25 years. PoD is defined as deaths at home and hospice (H&H) versus medical facilities. Average annual percentage change (AAPC) was calculated using the Joinpoint Regression Program, version 5.0.2. Results: The analysis demonstrated a total of n = 6,074 deaths from PC. A total of 52.1% of deaths, n = 3,167, were reported at H&H. The trend analysis demonstrates an exponential rise in H&H utilization from 34.4% in 2003 to 57.5% in 2023, AAPC [5.4284, CI (4.7-6.10, p < 0.000001]. A significant increase in the utilization of H&H is notable in both African Americans (AA), AAPC [2.8514, CI (1.0-4.7), p = 0.004], and the White population, AAPC [5.3497, CI (4.6-6.0); p < 0.000001]. However, a racial disparity is also noted, with 45.4% in AA, while the White population is at 52.5% deaths in H&H-based care. PC mortality in medical facilities has a 29.7% decline from 2003 to 2023. On age stratification, there was a significant increase in utilizing H&H as PoD for the 45-64 years cohort AAPC [4.29, CI (3.2, 5.2), p < 0.000001], similarly, with the older age group 65+ cohorts AAPC [6.26, CI (5.4, 7.0), p < 0.000001]. In contrast, the younger cohort deduced no significant trend AAPC [2.92, CI (-1.5, 7.6), p = 0.14]. Conclusions: This is the first study to our knowledge providing valuable insights into the evolving PoD preferences among PC patients in the U.S.The age-related trends underscore the importance of tailoring end-of-life care strategies to specific age cohorts. The findings emphasize the importance of policies promoting and supporting H&H care for PC patients. Targeted efforts are warranted to address notable disparities in PoD preferences among racial and age groups.

Abstract Background: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) accounts for 0.3% of all new cancer cases and 0.2% of cancer-related deaths in the United States. While survival outcomes have improved over the years, further intensifying chemotherapy has offered diminishing returns. Blinatumomab, a bispecific T-cell engager targeting CD3 and CD19, has shown clinical benefit in minimal residual disease (MRD)-positive and relapsed/refractory settings. Its recent FDA approval for use in the consolidation phase of newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome–negative, CD19-positive B-ALL followed the landmark E1910 trial, which demonstrated a survival advantage when added to standard chemotherapy. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of blinatumomab in the consolidation phase across clinical trials and real-world studies. Methods: A comprehensive review was carried out on PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov and Cochrane library from inception up to July 2025 using the terms “Blinatumomab” and “ALL”. Studies that evaluated response: overall response rate (ORR) and complete response (CR) and adverse events between Blinatumomab and control groups were included. Out of the 19 studies that met the inclusion criteria, 12 were clinical trials and 7 were observational studies. Open meta-analyst software was used to analyze the data. For single arm study, PLO (logit-transformed proportion) was used as a metric. Der Simonian-Laird random effects model was used to generate forest plots of pooled response rate estimates and 95% CI along with p-values and I2 statistics for heterogeneity. Results: A total of 824 patients were included (54.4% male, 45.6% female), with a median age of 48 years. The median follow-up across studies was 18.2 months (range, 3.4 to 92.8 months). Pooled ORR was 96.4% (95% CI, 93–98; p=0.955), and pooled CR was 92.7% (95% CI, 87–95; p&lt;0.001). TRAEs leading to treatment discontinuation occurred in 6.8% (95% CI, 2.5–11.2; p=0.004), dose reductions in 2.9% (95% CI, 0.2–5.6; p=0.069), and treatment-related mortality in 1.4% (95% CI, 0.4–2.3; p=0.256). There was moderate heterogeneity across studies for toxicity outcomes. Conclusion: Consolidation-phase blinatumomab is associated with high response rates and a favorable safety profile, reinforcing the survival gains observed in E1910 (3-year OS: 83% vs 65%). With low rates of treatment-limiting toxicity and mortality, our findings support the incorporation of blinatumomab into standard adult B-ALL consolidation regimens. These data suggest that this immunotherapeutic approach may help narrow the outcome gap between adult and pediatric ALL.