To determine the effect of Trendelenburg position on the diameter or cross-section area of the internal jugular vein (IJV) a systematic review and metanalysis was performed. Studies that evaluated the cross-sectional area (CSA) and anteroposterior (AP) diameter of the right internal jugular vein (RIJV) with ultrasonography in supine and any degree of head-down tilt (Trendelenburg position) were analyzed. A total of 22 articles (613 study subjects) were included. A >5° Trendelenburg position statistically increases RIJV CSA and AP diameter. Further inclination from 10° does not statistically benefit IJV size. This position should be recommended for CVC placement, when patient conditions allow it, and US-guided cannulation is not available.
Public Perceptions on Breast Implant–Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma
Abstract Background The proportion of women in the field of hematology and oncology (H&O) has increased over recent decades, but the representation of women in leadership positions remains poor. In an effort to close the gender gap in academia, it is important to report on such inequities in hopes to close these gaps and improve career development. Materials and Methods We conducted a retrospective, observational study of published award recipients from 1994 to 2019 from the seven major H&O societies in the world. Gender was determined based on publicly available data. The χ2 and Cochran-Armitage tests were used for data analysis. Results Of the 1,642 awardees over the past 26 years, 915 met inclusion criteria. Award recipients were overwhelmingly men (77.9%) and non-Hispanic White (84.7%). Women awardees received 30.3% of the humanistic and education-related awards, whereas only receiving 16.0% of basic science awards (p < .01). Women represent 35.6% of all hematologists and oncologists but only received 24.0% of awards given to these physicians (p = .004). Black, Hispanic, and Asian awardees represented 3.7%, 3.3%, and 6.8% of the total awardees, respectively. Conclusion From 1994 to 2019, women were less likely to receive recognition awards from the seven major H&O societies studied compared with men. We also observed a considerably low proportion of minority awardees across all oncology subspecialties. Further studies examining how selection criteria favor either gender would be warranted in order to achieve equal representation in academic awards. Implications for Practice In this study, women and minority groups were found to be underrepresented amongst award recipients. Significant disparities were seen in disciplines that have been historically male predominant, such as basic sciences. As awards on an international level enhance academic resumes and assist with career advancement, it is important that awards are being given in an equitable manner. First steps to promote diversity and inclusion in academic medicine is reporting of gender and racial disparities in various areas of academia.
Clinical activity and safety of the RET inhibitor pralsetinib in patients with RET fusion-positive solid tumors: Update from the ARROW trial.
3079 Background: RET fusions are targetable oncogenic drivers in multiple solid tumor types. ARROW study (NCT03037385) data supported the US FDA approval of pralsetinib, a once-daily (QD) oral highly potent and selective RET inhibitor, for RET-altered metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and advanced/metastatic thyroid cancer. Here we provide an update on the clinical activity of pralsetinib in patients (pts) with advanced RET fusion-positive solid tumors other than NSCLC and thyroid cancer (“other” RET fusion–positive solid tumors). Methods: The global ongoing ARROW study (84 sites in 13 countries) includes phase 1 dose-escalation (30–600 mg [QD or twice daily]) and phase 2 expansion cohorts (400 mg QD) defined by tumor type and RET alteration status. Primary objectives are overall response rate (ORR; blinded independent central review per RECIST v1.1) and safety. Results: Updated analyses were completed as of Nov 6, 2020 (data cut-off) for 21 pts with other RET fusion–positive solid tumors enrolled by May 22, 2020 (enrollment cut-off) (lung other than NSCLC, n = 4; pancreatic, n = 3; colon, n = 3; cholangiocarcinoma, n = 3; unknown primary [UP], n = 2; other, n = 6). Overall, 11 (52%) pts received ≥2 prior lines of therapy for metastatic disease. The most common RET fusion partners were CCDC6 and KIF5B (24% each), NCOA4 (19%), other (10%), and unknown (24%). Two pts with colon cancer were excluded from efficacy analyses due to other driver mutations ( KRAS, PIK3CB). In 19 evaluable pts, ORR was 53% (95% CI, 29–76) with 2 (11%) complete responses (CR) and 8 (42%) partial responses (PR). Responses occurred across multiple tumor types including 3/3 pts with pancreatic cancer (including a CR ongoing at 20.8 months on treatment), 2/2 pts with UP, 2/3 pts with cholangiocarcinoma, and in pts with mesenchymal, salivary duct, and lung carcinoid tumors. Median duration of response was 19.0 months (95% CI, 5.5–not estimable). Clinical benefit rate (proportion with CR, PR, or stable disease persisting ≥16 weeks) was 68% (95% CI, 43–87). Tumor shrinkage was observed in 89% of 18 evaluable pts with post-baseline tumor assessment. In all pts enrolled in ARROW who received pralsetinib 400 mg QD irrespective of tumor type (n = 471) the most common (≥25%) treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were increased aspartate aminotransferase (39%), anemia (35%), increased alanine aminotransferase (28%), constipation (26%), and hypertension (25%). Overall, 6% of pts discontinued treatment due to TRAEs. Conclusions: Pralsetinib showed robust, durable antitumor activity in patients with multiple RET fusion‒positive, heavily pre-treated, advanced solid tumors, and was well tolerated. These data highlight the need for broad RET testing to identify candidates who could benefit from treatment with pralsetinib. Enrollment of patients with other RET fusion–positive solid tumors in ARROW is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT03037385.
Blindness Due to Cosmetic Fillers: Could Stem Cells Be the Answer?
AbstractBackgroundVascularized omental lymphatic transplant (VOLT) is an increasingly popular treatment of extremity lymphedema given its promising donor site. While the success of VOLT in the treatment of lymphedema has been reported previously, several questions remain.AimTo further elucidate appropriate use of VOLT in the treatment of lymphedema, specifically addressing patient selection, harvest technique, and operative methods.Methods and ResultsA systematic review of VOLT for upper extremity lymphedema was performed. Of 115 yield studies, seven were included for analysis based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Included studies demonstrated significant reductions in extremity circumference/volume (average volume reduction, 22.7%‐39.5%) as well as subjective improvements using patient‐reported outcomes. Though studies are heterogenous and limited, when analyzed in aggregate, suggest the efficacy of VOLT in lymphedema treatment.ConclusionThis is the largest systematic review of VOLT to date. VOLT continues to show promise as a safe and efficacious surgical intervention for lymphedema in the upper extremity. Further studies are warranted to more definitively identify patients for whom this technique is appropriate as well as ideal harvest and inset technique.
Clinical activity of the RET inhibitor pralsetinib (BLU-667) in patients with RET fusion–positive solid tumors.
467 Background: Recent tumor-agnostic drug approvals have resulted in a paradigm shift in cancer treatment away from organ/histology specific indications to biomarker-guided tumor-agnostic approaches. Pralsetinib is a potent and selective RET inhibitor, which has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adults with metastatic RET fusion–positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is under New Drug Application review for RET mutant thyroid cancers by the FDA. RET fusions occur in up to approximately 7‒8% of patients with gastrointestinal malignancies, including pancreatic, liver, and colorectal cancers. There are currently no approved selective RET inhibitors for patients with RET fusion–positive solid tumors other than NSCLC and thyroid cancer. Here, we present data on the clinical activity of pralsetinib in patients with RET fusion–positive solid tumor types other than NSCLC enrolled in the Phase I/II ARROW study (NCT03037385). Methods: ARROW consists of a phase I dose escalation (30–600 mg once [QD] or twice daily) followed by a phase II expansion (400 mg QD) in patients with advanced RET-altered solid tumors. Primary objectives are overall response rate (ORR), per RECICT v1.1 and safety. Results: A total of 13 patients with RET fusion–positive thyroid cancer (12 papillary, 1 poorly differentiated; enrollment cutoff July 11, 2019) and 14 patients with RET fusion–positive solid tumors other than NSCLC and thyroid (3 pancreatic, 3 colon, 2 cholangiocarcinoma, 6 other; enrollment cutoff November 19, 2019) were enrolled in ARROW and received pralsetinib. At the February 13, 2020, data cutoff, the ORR (blinded central review) in response-evaluable patients with RET fusion–positive thyroid cancer was 91% (10/11; 95% CI: 59‒100) and disease control rate was 100% (95% CI: 72‒100). Treatment was ongoing in 7 of 11 patients. In RET fusion–positive solid tumors other than NSCLC and thyroid, ORR (investigator’s assessment) was 50% (6/12; 95% CI: 21‒79) and responses were observed in all patients with pancreatic cancer (3/3) and cholangiocarcinoma (2/2). Treatment was ongoing in 6 of 12 patients, including 2 of 3 patients with pancreatic cancer and 1 of 2 patients with cholangiocarcinoma. Responses were observed across multiple fusion genotypes. In the 27 patients with RET fusion–positive tumors other than NSCLC, most frequent treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were grade 1–2, and included anemia (33%), increased aspartate aminotransferase (33%), decreased white blood cell count (33%), hypertension (30%), increased alanine aminotransferase (26%), hyperphosphatemia (19%), and neutropenia (19%). No patients discontinued due to TRAEs. Conclusions: Pralsetinib demonstrated broad and durable antitumor activity across multiple advanced solid tumor types, regardless of RET fusion genotype, and was well tolerated. The study is ongoing. Clinical trial information: NCT03037385.
Abstract The American Thoracic Society Core Curriculum updates clinicians annually in adult and pediatric pulmonary disease, medical critical care, and sleep medicine, in a 3–4-year recurring cycle of topics. These topics will be presented at the 2020 Virtual Conference. Below is the adult sleep medicine core that includes topics pertinent to sleep-disordered breathing and insomnia.
Shared Decision Making in the Era of Telehealth: Implications for Practice and Research