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Arterial and venous thromboembolic events in ALK - and ROS1 -positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A multicenter real-world analysis.
Azar, Ibrahim, Macaraeg, Chef Stan L. , Park, C H , Arter, Zhaohui , Nagasaka, Misako, Aldecoa, Kim Abbegail Tan , Azar, Ibrahim, Arter, Zhaohui , Ou, Sai‐Hong Ignatius , Nagasaka, Misako

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.e23419 Get It

e23419 Background: Current risk assessment for cancer-associated thrombosis remain suboptimal in NSCLC, likely due to unaccounted tumor-specific biology. Although ALK and ROS1-positive NSCLC share closely related structure and elevated thrombotic risk, real-world data on thromboembolic outcomes remain limited. Methods: This multicenter retrospective study was conducted using TriNetX, a global federated health research network;14 of 113 healthcare organizations contributed to analysis. Adults (≥18 years) with NSCLC ROS1 or ALK from 2012-2025 were included. Index event was defined as the first documented NSCLC diagnosis. Outcomes included cumulative incidence, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis (KMS), and event recurrence for arterial thromboembolism (ATE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE). Analyses were conducted pre and post-propensity score matching (PSM) adjusted for age and sex. Subgroup analyses evaluated outcomes at 1, 3, 6, and ≥12 months. Results: 3,310 NSCLC patients were identified (ALK n=3,155; ROS1 n=155). Mean age was 73 years, with 52.8% female and 46.2% male; 72.5% White, 12.7% Black, 9.5% Asian; South (49%), Northeast (29%). ALK NSCLC were older than those with ROS1 (mean 68.9 vs 64.6 years, p<0.0001), with similar sex distribution. ROS1 had higher proportion of White (85% vs 72%), while ALK included more Asian and Black. Median follow-up prior to matching was 482 days for ROS1 (post-PSM:482) and 546 days for ALK (post-PSM:601) Incidence proportions in ROS1 NSCLC were 12.3% for ATE, 9.7% for DVT, and 12.9% for PE (vs. ALK: 22.6% for ATE, 12.5% for DVT, 11.8% for PE) For ATE, prior to PSM, ROS1 NSCLC demonstrated a significantly lower risk compared with ALK (16.6% vs 25.0%), with an absolute risk difference of −8.4% (95% CI −14.7 to −2.2; p=0.02) and relative risk of 0.66 (95% CI 0.46–0.96). KMS showed longer ATE-free survival in ROS1 compared to ALK (48.2% vs 44.5%, p=0.01; HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.40–0.91, p=0.04). After PSM, overall ATE risk difference did not reach statistical significance, although ROS1 continued to demonstrate lower risk (16.6% vs 25.8%; risk difference −9.2%, p=0.06). Notably, in the subgroup analyses, this significant risk difference emerged ≥12 months, with improved late ATE-free survival in ROS1(91.1% vs 80.3%, p=0.01). For VTE and PE, no significant differences in risk, survival analyses or recurrence, were observed between ROS1 and ALK before or after PSM (DVT risk: 9.2% vs 9.7% pre-PSM; 9.2% vs 10.1% post-PSM; PE: 11.2% vs 9.9% pre-PSM; 11.2% vs 8.6% post-PSM; all p>0.05). Conclusions: Arterial thromboembolism differed by oncogenic subtype, with higher ATE risk in ALK compared with ROS1-positive NSCLC, particularly ≥12-months. In contrast, no significant difference in venous thromboembolism and pulmonary embolism were observed; further validation in prospective studies is warranted.
Evolution of symptom burden across prostate cancer disease states in the EHR-facilitated Cancer Symptom Control (E2C2) trial.
Tarhini, Ali , Muniz, Miguel, Grzegorczyk, Veronica , Pachman, Deirdre R. , Orme, Jacob, Heath, Elisabeth I. , Ruddy, Kathryn Jean, Cheville, Andrea L., Orme, Jacob J. , Ruddy, Kathryn J. , Cheville, Andrea L., Childs, Daniel S.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.e23276 Get It

e23276 Background: More than 50,000 patients with cancers of all stages were enrolled in the E2C2 trial, which captured patient-reported data across 6 symptom domains (SPPADE): sleep, pain, impaired physical function, anxiety, depression, and energy deficit or fatigue. This trial offers a unique opportunity to evaluate the evolution of symptom burden as prostate cancer (PCa) advances and the association of symptom burden with prognosis in the various disease states. Methods: The cohort was derived by cross-referencing participants in the E2C2 study with the Mayo Clinic Cancer Registry for more granular data on disease state and treatment characteristics, focusing on PCa. Symptoms were patient-reported on a 0-10 numerical rating scale, categorized as none/mild (0-3), moderate (4-6), and severe (7-10). We compared the prevalence of symptom burden across disease states, using the first survey completed by patients, in 3 groups: (1) non-metastatic (localized, locally advanced, and biochemically recurrent), (2) metastatic hormone sensitive (mHSPC), and (3) castration resistant (CRPC), using chi square tests. We then used log-rank tests to compare survival distributions based on symptom severity within each disease state. Results: A total of 1,011 patients were included. The distribution of moderate to severe symptoms by disease state is shown in Table 1. Fatigue, impaired physical function, and pain were more prevalent in patients with advanced disease, whereas the prevalence of depression and anxiety was not statistically different by disease state. Greater fatigue and physical impairment were consistently associated with poorer OS across all disease states, including patients with non-metastatic disease (p < 0.001). Pain was most strongly associated with inferior outcomes in the more advanced disease states of mHSPC (p < 0.001) and CRPC (p < 0.001). Anxiety (p < 0.001) and depression (p = 0.001) were only prognostic in CRPC patients. Conclusions: SPPADE symptoms are common in PCa. Physical symptoms are greater in more advanced disease, yet the high burden of unmet psychologic needs is similar across the disease states. Notably, severe patient-reported fatigue and physical dysfunction are strongly prognostic even in early disease, suggesting they are markers of physiologic vulnerability. Structured symptom monitoring may improve the identification of high-risk patients. Clinical trial information: NCT03892967 . Moderate to severe symptoms by disease state. Non-Metastatic (N= 243) mHSPC (N= 479) CRPC (N= 289) P-value Pain, n (%) 51 (21.3) 121 (25.5) 100 (35.1) 0.001 Fatigue, n (%) 92 (38.3) 230 (48.6) 163 (57.2) <0.001 Impaired Physical Function, n (%) 79 (32.5) 180 (37.7) 146 (50.7) <0.001 Sleep Disturbance, n (%) 72 (30.1) 167 (35.2) 104 (36.1) 0.3 Depression, n (%) 47 (19.6) 92 (19.4) 63 (22.0) 0.67 Anxiety, n (%) 56 (23.4) 93 (19.6) 68 (23.9) 0.3
Patient-reported digital symptom monitoring and actionable triage in oncology: A scoping systematic review.
Gupta, Mansha, Sangaraju, Sai Lahari , Cherukuri, Swathi Priya

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.e23274 Get It

e23274 Background: Treatment-related symptoms substantially impair quality of life (QoL) and drive unplanned acute care use in oncology. Although patient-reported digital symptom monitoring is widely studied, outcomes remain inconsistent. We examined how intervention design influences clinical impact. Methods: We conducted a scoping systematic review of prospective randomized trials and pragmatic real-world studies evaluating patient-reported digital symptom monitoring or management interventions in adult oncology populations. Eligible studies reported symptom burden, QoL and/or acute care utilization. Data were abstracted on cancer type, digital modality, triage approach, and direction of outcomes. Protocols and qualitative studies were reviewed for context but excluded from outcome synthesis. Results: Across studies involving solid tumors and hematologic malignancies, interventions used web-based portals, mobile applications or interactive voice response systems. A consistent pattern emerged across the evidence base: interventions that paired real-time symptom reporting with structured, rule-based triage and proactive clinician response demonstrated improvements in symptom burden and QoL across multiple settings. In contrast, passive monitoring or self-management alone showed limited or no benefit despite similar reporting intensity. Effects on acute care utilization were heterogeneous, with reductions most often seen in pragmatic, workflow-integrated implementations. Conclusions: The clinical value of patient-reported digital symptom monitoring lies not in symptom collection itself, but in how reported data are reviewed and acted upon by clinicians. Monitoring alone is insufficient. Implementation-ready models that embed actionable triage and clinician response workflows are essential to improve patient outcomes and reduce avoidable utilization. Intervention approaches and clinical outcomes of digital symptom monitoring in oncology. Intervention Approach Digital Modality Actionable Triage / Clinician Response Symptom Burden Quality of Life Acute Care Use Monitoring with proactive clinician response Portal / App / IVR Yes (rule-based, clinician-reviewed) Improved Improved Reduced / Mixed Monitoring with automated alerts only Portal / App Partial Mixed Mixed NR Passive monitoring or self-management App / Portal No No benefit No benefit NR Pragmatic, workflow-integrated models Mixed Yes + staffing workflows Improved Improved Reduced Heterogeneous or non-integrated implementations Mixed Variable Mixed Mixed Mixed Abbreviations: IVR = Interactive Voice Response; QoL = Quality of Life; NR = Not Reported.
Emergency vs elective presentation as a care-delivery phenotype in presumed early-stage lung cancer: A National Inpatient analysis.
Jones, Daniel T. , Nanda, Rishi Kumar , Srinivasmurthy, Ramaditya , Hattin, Riccesha, Hussain, Abbas, Thein, Kyaw Zin, Behl, Deepti , Leventakos, Konstantinos, Ta, Jason , Thein, Kyaw Zin , Shanshal, Mohamed

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.e23223 Get It

e23223 Background: Early-stage lung cancer is potentially curable with surgery, yet emergency or nonelective presentation represents a care-delivery phenotype reflecting failures in early diagnosis or access to care rather than tumor biology alone. The national impact of emergency presentation among surgically treated, presumed early-stage lung cancer patients is poorly defined. This study evaluates emergency versus elective presentation as a care-delivery phenotype and its association with perioperative morbidity, failure-to-rescue, and inpatient outcomes. Methods: A survey-weighted analysis of the National Inpatient Sample (2016–2023) was conducted. Adult lung cancer hospitalizations were identified using ICD-10-CM C34* in any diagnosis position. A presumed early-stage surgical cohort was defined by curative-intent lung resection without metastatic disease, malignant pleural effusion, or palliative care coding. The primary exposure was nonelective versus elective admission. Outcomes included in-hospital mortality; ICU-level care, defined by invasive mechanical ventilation, shock, or respiratory failure; major complications; failure-to-rescue; length of stay; and hospitalization cost and charges. Multivariable survey-weighted models adjusted for patient demographics, payer, neighborhood income, hospital characteristics, and year. Results: In the weighted cohort of 422,925 hospitalizations, nonelective admission occurred in 27.3%. After multivariable adjustment, nonelective admission was independently associated with higher odds of in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.59, 95% CI 2.22–3.03), ICU-level care (aOR 4.53, 95% CI 4.32–4.76), and major complications (aOR 5.00, 95% CI 4.78–5.23), as well as longer length of stay (+2.42 days). Notably, failure-to-rescue among patients with major complications did not differ by admission type (aOR 0.90, 95% CI 0.77–1.05), indicating that excess mortality associated with nonelective presentation is driven by presentation severity and care pathway rather than differences in rescue quality. In unadjusted analyses, nonelective presentation was associated with higher mortality (2.21% vs 0.68%), greater ICU-level care use (33.8% vs 8.9%), more frequent major complications (45.0% vs 12.4%), and longer length of stay (7.84 vs 4.99 days) compared with elective admissions. Conclusions: In a procedure-defined, presumed early-stage lung cancer surgical cohort, nonelective admission identifies a common care-delivery failure phenotype associated with higher perioperative morbidity, ICU-level care, in-hospital mortality, and longer hospitalization. Emergency presentation represents a systems-level vulnerability in curative-intent lung cancer care and serves as a scalable and actionable marker for quality improvement and disparity-focused analyses.
Late-stage prostate cancer in Syria: A call for decentralized and early detection systems.
Al-Bitar, Ahmad, Alseoudi, Alhadi, Al-Ahmad, Radwan, Alkhouli, Rabie, Al-Jojo, Fatima, Nahhat, Fouad , Al‐Bitar, Ahmad

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.e23211 Get It

e23211 Background: The Syrian conflict, ongoing since 2011, has significantly disrupted healthcare delivery, particularly in oncology. With the destruction of many regional cancer centers, access to care has become centralized in Damascus, home to Al Bairouni University Hospital—the nation’s primary cancer referral facility. This study examines the geographic distribution and stage at diagnosis of prostate cancer patients, highlighting post-conflict disparities in access and outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of all prostate cancer patients diagnosed at Al Bairouni University Hospital between January 2022 and December 2024. Data on age, residency, and stage at diagnosis were extracted and analyzed descriptively. Results: A total of 859 patients were included, with a mean age of 69 years (SD 9). Only 47% (n = 405) of patients resided in Damascus or its suburbs (Rif-Dimashq), while the majority (53%, n = 462) traveled from other governorates—most notably Aleppo (8.5%), Hama (9.1%), Homs (8.4%), and Al-Hasakah (6.2%). This geographic pattern reflects the collapse of regional oncology services due to prolonged conflict.Alarmingly, 65% of patients (n = 507) were diagnosed with metastatic disease (stage IV), while only 16% and 19% presented with localized and regional stages, respectively. This contrasts sharply with global trends and suggests systemic gaps in early detection. Contributing factors may include the absence of structured screening programs, weak insurance system and primary care infrastructure, low prostate cancer awareness, fear of cancer diagnosis, financial barriers, and limited healthcare access in rural areas. Conclusions: This study reveals the deep, lingering effects of war on prostate cancer care in Syria. The centralization of oncology services places undue burden on patients traveling long distances for care, while the predominance of advanced-stage diagnoses underscores the need for robust early detection efforts. These findings support urgent investment in rebuilding regional cancer infrastructure, expanding community-based health services, and improving access to timely diagnosis and treatment as the country enters a phase of reconstruction.
Inpatient chemotherapy in small cell lung cancer as a high-risk care-delivery phenotype: National Inpatient Sample analysis.
Hattin, Riccesha, Hussain, Abbas, Srinivasmurthy, Ramaditya , Nanda, Rishi Kumar , Jones, Daniel T. , Thein, Kyaw Zin, Behi, Deepti, Leventakos, Konstantinos, Ta, Jason , Thein, Kyaw Zin , Shanshal, Mohamed

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.e23193 Get It

e23193 Background: Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is typically treated with outpatient systemic therapy; inpatient chemotherapy during acute hospitalization represents a high-risk care-delivery phenotype driven by delayed diagnosis, access barriers, or acute clinical decompensation rather than tumor biology alone. National data describing this care pathway and its inpatient outcomes remain limited. Methods: The U.S. National Inpatient Sample (2016–2023) was analyzed using survey weights. Adult hospitalizations meeting an ICD-10–based proxy definition for small cell lung cancer, defined by lung cancer diagnoses combined with neuroendocrine malignancy codes and excluding palliative care admissions, were identified. Inpatient chemotherapy was defined using ICD-10-PCS administration codes with prespecified sensitivity definitions. Outcomes included in-hospital mortality (primary), ICU-level care, sepsis, acute kidney injury, length of stay, hospitalization costs, and routine discharge. Multivariable survey-weighted logistic regression adjusted for patient demographics, payer, admission characteristics, and hospital factors. Results: The analytic cohort included 2,507 unweighted hospitalizations, representing 12,535 nationally weighted admissions. In multivariable analyses adjusting for demographics, payer, admission characteristics, and hospital factors, inpatient chemotherapy was independently associated with higher in-hospital mortality (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.31, 95% CI 1.48–3.60) and greater ICU-level care (aOR 2.80, 95% CI 1.86–4.23). These associations were consistent across prespecified sensitivity analyses. In unadjusted analyses, inpatient chemotherapy occurred in 12.3%–19.3% of admissions annually from 2016–2023 and was associated with higher mortality (8.7% vs 5.2%), greater ICU-level care (11.8% vs 4.9%), longer length of stay (11.6 vs 7.0 days), higher costs ($38,446 vs $23,746), and lower routine discharge rates (42.8% vs 48.4%). Among 400 admissions with procedure-day data, chemotherapy was administered a mean of 3–5 days after admission. Late inpatient chemotherapy (day ≥2) was associated with higher mortality (10.6% vs 5.6%), greater ICU-level care (14.8% vs 9.2%), longer hospitalization (14.1 vs 8.0 days), and higher costs ($46,203 vs $28,025) compared with early chemotherapy (day 0–1), supporting inpatient chemotherapy as a marker of late care escalation rather than planned inpatient treatment. Conclusions: Inpatient chemotherapy identifies a high-risk care-delivery phenotype in hospitalized small cell lung cancer, with higher mortality, greater ICU-level care, and increased resource use, supporting its role as a marker of late care escalation or system-level barriers and a scalable quality indicator.
Genitourinary safety of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with cancer and type 2 diabetes: A real-world analysis.
Shah, P.S., Mal, Madho, TUMMALA, NAYANIKA, Nimmagadda, Rithish , Keswani, Shiwani, Jawed, Inshal, Ali, Mujahid, Mehta, Aayushi, Gundakaram, Samhitha, Asghar, Tehreem, Shah, Nandan, Kumar, Love, Maroules, Michael, Gondhi, Venkatesh, Shah, Parjanya, Jawed, Inshal , Mehta, Aayushi, Gundakaram, Samhitha , Maroules, Michael

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.e23089 Get It

e23089 Background: Sodium–glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are increasingly used for glycemic and cardiovascular benefits; however, concerns persist regarding genitourinary infections, particularly in vulnerable populations such as patients with cancer and diabetes. Real-world data evaluating the safety of SGLT2 inhibitors in this population remain limited. We evaluated the association between SGLT2 inhibitor use and genitourinary infection risk among cancer patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX federated research network. Adult patients (≥18 years) with malignant neoplasms and type 2 diabetes mellitus were identified. Patients were stratified based on exposure to SGLT2 inhibitors and compared with cancer patients with diabetes not receiving SGLT2 inhibitors. Primary outcomes included urinary tract infection (UTI) and cystitis, identified using ICD-10 diagnostic codes. Analyses included unadjusted comparisons, 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM), and a Cox proportional hazards model as a sensitivity analysis to assess time to first UTI within one year following index exposure. Results: A total of 7,485 patients were included (7,137 without SGLT2 inhibitors and 348 with SGLT2 inhibitors). In unadjusted analyses, crude rates of UTI and cystitis were numerically higher in the SGLT2 inhibitor cohort. After 1:1 propensity score matching (312 patients per cohort), baseline characteristics were well balanced. The incidence of UTI was identical between matched cohorts (6.41% vs 6.41%, p = 1.00), with no significant differences observed for cystitis or acute cystitis. In a Cox proportional hazards sensitivity analysis, SGLT2 inhibitor use was associated with a significantly lower hazard of UTI compared with no SGLT2 inhibitor exposure (hazard ratio 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.52–0.89; p = 0.0048). Conclusions: In this large real-world cohort of cancer patients with diabetes, SGLT2 inhibitor use was not associated with an increased risk of genitourinary infections. Propensity-matched analyses demonstrated no difference in absolute infection risk, while time-to-event analysis suggested a lower hazard of UTI among patients receiving SGLT2 inhibitors. These findings support the genitourinary safety of SGLT2 inhibitors in cancer patients with diabetes and may inform clinical decision-making in this high risk population.
Impact of geographic distance from transplant center on the risk of severe graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation.
Adhikari, Aakriti , Bansal, Vasu , Saha, Souvik , Mahadevia, Himil, Cossor, Furha, Mahadevia, Himil , Cossor, Furha

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.e23055 Get It

e23055 Background: Geographic distance to care has been associated with outcomes in solid tumors, reflecting differences in access, follow-up, and supportive care. However, its relationship with biologic transplant toxicities such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) has not been well characterized. Understanding whether access-related factors are associated with immune-mediated complications is important for systems-level optimization of post-transplant care and survivorship. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation using the CIBMTR hs1802 publicly available dataset. Distance from patient residence to the transplant center was categorized as less than 20 miles, 20 to 50 miles, 50 to 150 miles, and greater than 150 miles, with less than 20 miles as the reference group. Primary outcomes were acute GVHD and chronic GVHD within one year after transplantation. Secondary outcomes included overall survival. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate associations between distance and outcomes, adjusting for age, sex, race and ethnicity, HCT comorbidity index, conditioning intensity, donor type, GVHD prophylaxis, transplant era, disease type, and total body irradiation use. Results: A total of 5,473 patients were included, with a median follow-up of 60.2 months. Crude rates of acute GVHD increased with greater distance from the transplant center, occurring in 40.2 percent of patients living less than 20 miles away and 45.1 percent of those living more than 150 miles away. In adjusted analyses, residence more than 150 miles from the transplant center was associated with a higher risk of acute GVHD compared with less than 20 miles, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.15 and a 95 percent confidence interval of 1.00 to 1.31. No significant differences were observed for intermediate distance categories. For chronic GVHD within one year, patients living more than 150 miles away had a lower recorded risk compared with those living less than 20 miles away, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.79 and a 95 percent confidence interval of 0.71 to 0.88. Distance to transplant center was not significantly associated with overall survival. Conclusions: Greater geographic distance from transplant centers is associated with a higher risk of severe GVHD after allo-HCT. These findings suggest that access to specialized post-transplant care and close monitoring may influence immune-mediated outcomes. Strategies to improve follow-up care, including enhanced care coordination and telemedicine, may help mitigate GVHD-related disparities and inform health policy efforts aimed at improving access to specialized transplant services, reimbursement for remote monitoring, and regional models of post-transplant care delivery.
Trends and expenditure of cardioprotective drugs in cancer survivors: Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (2016-2023).
Patel, Harshkumar Arvindbhai, Vasireddy, Neha Sivani Raja, Patel, M S, Nawab, Athar, Patel, Brijesh, Sanghvi, Urja, Patel, Brijesh D.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.e23005 Get It

e23005 Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading non-cancer cause of death among cancer survivors. Managing this risk increasingly requires a transition from traditional generic therapies (e.g., statins, ACEi) to novel agents (e.g., SGLT2i, GLP-1RA). While these drugs are clinically recommended for survivors comorbidities, their population level economic impact has not been well defined. Methods: We analyzed the 2016–2023 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS-HC) to identify U.S. adults with a history of cancer (n=5,165; weighted ~54.3M) and non-cancer controls (n=217,834). We evaluated utilization, total prescription expenditures, and out-of-pocket (OOP) costs across 10 cardioprotective drug classes: statins, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, aspirin, antiplatelets, ezetimibe, GLP-1RA, SGLT2i, PCSK9i, and colchicine. surgery-weighted Pearson chi-square tests and design-based F-statistics accounted for the complex sampling design. Results: Cancer survivors were older (mean age ~68 vs 46 years), with higher prevalence of hypertension (54.5% vs 31.5%), diabetes (18.7% vs 8.1%), and dyslipidemia (56.1% vs 23.1%) than controls (all p<0.001). Survivors more frequently used traditional cardioprotective therapies, including statins (43.7% vs 23.1%) and ACE/ARBs (35.8% vs 18.2%). Aspirin use remained common and stable with negligible expenditures and OOP costs, reflecting its role as a low-cost foundational therapy. Antiplatelet use was higher among survivors and associated with modest but persistent OOP spending. Between 2016 and 2023, mean annual per-patient statin expenditures declined by 65% ($177 to $61). In contrast, expenditures for novel agents increased substantially. Mean per-person SGLT2 inhibitor expenditures rose from $0.36 to $211.55, while GLP-1RA utilization increased from 2.0% to 20.5%. These shifts increased patient cost sharing: survivor OOP costs increased 40-fold for SGLT2 inhibitors ($0.35 to $13.91) and more than four-fold for GLP-1 receptor agonists ($3.69 to $15.83). Socioeconomic disparities were evident, with PCSK9 inhibitor users reporting higher family incomes than non-users ($123,069 vs $85,530), and ezetimibe utilization was higher among Black compared with White survivors (14.8% vs 9.5%; p<0.05). Conclusions: Among U.S. cancer survivors, declining costs of generic cardioprotective therapies have been fully offset by rising expenditures and OOP burdens from newer agents. Access to high-value therapies increasingly reflects socioeconomic disparities more than clinical risk alone. Reducing patient cost sharing will be essential to prevent financial barriers from worsening adherence and long-term cardiovascular outcomes in survivorship.
Global lung cancer burden attributable to environmental and occupational exposures.
Batra, Akshee , Jani, Chinmay, Chitkara, Akshit , Batra, Nitya, Vyas, Abhinav, Anamika, Fnu, Chattopadhyay, Priya, Jindal, Tanisha , Lopes, Gilberto , Jani, Chinmay , Khosla, Atulya Aman , Paudel, Amrit, Anamika, Fnu, Chattopadhyay, Priya Ranjan, Singh, Rohit

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.e22677 Get It

e22677 Background: Lung cancer without tobacco exposure is a growing and preventable source of global morbidity driven by environmental and occupational exposures, with marked regional variation and unevenly addressed prevention strategies. Methods: Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2023 estimates were used to quantify lung cancer disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and age-standardized mortality rates (ASMRs) attributable to ambient particulate matter (PM2.5), household air pollution (HAP), residential radon, and occupational carcinogens across seven GBD super-regions from 1990–2023. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) and temporal trends were assessed, with sex-stratified analyses for radon and occupational exposures. Results: Air pollution accounted for the largest attributable lung cancer DALYs in low and middle-income regions, particularly South Asia, where PM2.5 (PAF 15.9%) and HAP (PAF 16.8%) together accounted for 32.7% of DALYs. In Sub-Saharan Africa, HAP alone accounted for 21.4%. Occupational carcinogens contributed the largest proportion in high-income regions (PAF 21.7%) and were associated with the highest DALY rate (230/100,000) and ASMR (13/100,000). From 1990–2023, HAP-attributable lung cancer burden declined across all regions (40–70%), consistent with transitions away from solid household fuels. In contrast, PM2.5-attributable DALY rates declined by 30–40% in high-income regions but increased by 40–50% in South Asia and the Middle East and North Africa. Radon- and occupational carcinogen–attributable burdens remained largely stable across most regions, although high-income regions experienced declines in radon (18.4%) and occupational carcinogen (32.1%) attributable DALY rates. Radon showed a modest male excess (male-to-female ratios 1.2–1.5), whereas occupational carcinogens demonstrated marked male predominance (often > 4). Conclusions: Despite substantial decrease in HAP related lung cancer burden, other modifiable factors including PM2.5, occupational carcinogen and radon exposure remain major contributors, specially in high-income regions where occupational exposures account for the largest PAF. These patterns suggest that reducing household energy exposure alone is insufficient. We need regional exposure targeted prevention strategies that extend beyond tobacco control and are relevant to oncology practice, survivorship and policy advocacy. Population-attributable fractions of lung cancer burden from environmental and occupational exposures across gbd super-regions. GBD Super-Region Air Pollution (PM2.5 + HAP) Residential Radon Occupational Carcinogens High-income 6.2 4.6 21.7 Central Europe, Eastern Europe & Central Asia 11.3 6.3 10.9 Latin America & Caribbean 12.5 4.1 11.9 North Africa & Middle East 21 3.7 12.7 South Asia 32.7 4.3 10 Sub-Saharan Africa 30.7 4.3 9.4 Southeast Asia, East Asia & Oceania 23.6 3.4 9.8