Citations

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of inserting epidemiological information into lumbar spine imaging reports on subsequent nonsurgical and surgical procedures involving the thoracolumbosacral spine and sacroiliac joints. Design Analysis of secondary outcomes from the Lumbar Imaging with Reporting of Epidemiology (LIRE) pragmatic stepped-wedge randomized trial. Setting Primary care clinics within four integrated health care systems in the United States. Subjects 238,886 patients ≥18 years of age who received lumbar diagnostic imaging between 2013 and 2016. Methods Clinics were randomized to receive text containing age- and modality-specific epidemiological benchmarks indicating the prevalence of common spine imaging findings in people without low back pain, inserted into lumbar spine imaging reports (the “LIRE intervention”). The study outcomes were receiving 1) any nonsurgical lumbosacral or sacroiliac spine procedure (lumbosacral epidural steroid injection, facet joint injection, or facet joint radiofrequency ablation; or sacroiliac joint injection) or 2) any surgical procedure involving the lumbar, sacral, or thoracic spine (decompression surgery or spinal fusion or other spine surgery). Results The LIRE intervention was not significantly associated with subsequent utilization of nonsurgical lumbosacral or sacroiliac spine procedures (odds ratio [OR] = 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.93–1.09; P = 0.79) or any surgical procedure (OR = 0.99, 95 CI 0.91–1.07; P = 0.74) involving the lumbar, sacral, or thoracic spine. The intervention was also not significantly associated with any individual spine procedure. Conclusions Inserting epidemiological text into spine imaging reports had no effect on nonsurgical or surgical procedure utilization among patients receiving lumbar diagnostic imaging.

Background To develop a preclinical thromboembolic occlusion model for studying revascularization strategies. Methods Clot analog with barium sulfate was injected into the distal aorta in 9 New Zealand white rabbits. The situation of aorta occlusion was compared among fibrin-rich (n=4), red blood cell (RBC)-rich (n=3), and whole blood clot analogs (n=2) using digital subtraction angiography. Arterial geometries, histologic features and circumferential stretch of the distal aorta in rabbits were compared with the common carotid artery in swine and the distal internal carotid artery (ICA) in humans. Aspiration thrombectomy and mechanical thrombectomy using a stent retriever were performed in two rabbits. Results The aortic bifurcation was occluded after a single delivery of clot in 4 cases. It was occluded after the second clot injection in the 5 remaining rabbits. Fragmentation of RBC-rich clots occurred during clot injection in 2 cases. The mean diameters of the distal aorta and right common iliac artery in rabbits were 3.7±0.4 and 2.8±0.3 mm, respectively; the mean diameters of human ICA, and first and second segments of the middle cerebral artery (M1, M2) were 3.6±0.4, 3.1±0.4, and 2.4±0.4 mm, respectively. Arterial revascularization was achieved in both rabbits. Geometric, mechanical and histological factors of the distal aorta in rabbit were more close to human distal ICA than swine carotid artery. Conclusion Arterial occlusion can be achieved at the aortic bifurcation in rabbits, which is comparable to human ICA bifurcation. This thrombectomy model has the potential to be used for testing of thrombectomy devices.

Background After critical illness, patients are often left with impairments in physical, social, emotional, and cognitive functioning. Peer support interventions have been implemented internationally to ameliorate these issues. Objective To explore what patients believed to be the key mechanisms of effectiveness of peer support programs implemented during critical care recovery. Methods In a secondary analysis of an international qualitative data set, 66 telephone interviews with patients were undertaken across 14 sites in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to understand the effect of peer support during recovery from critical illness. Prevalent themes were documented with framework analysis. Results Most patients who had been involved in peer support programs reported benefit. Patients described 3 primary mechanisms: (1) sharing experiences, (2) care debriefing, and (3) altruism. Conclusion Peer support is a relatively simple intervention that could be implemented to support patients during recovery from critical illness. However, more research is required into how these programs can be implemented in a safe and sustainable way in clinical practice.

Abstract Aims Elevated cardiac filling pressures producing clinical congestion in heart failure (HF) patients may be secondary to intravascular volume expansion or abnormalities in cardiac diastolic properties. The objective of this study was to assess the extent to which measures of myocardial function and intravascular volume correlate with haemodynamic abnormalities in chronic HF. Methods and results Subjects underwent invasive haemodynamic assessment, measurement of total blood volume (TBV) using radiolabel indicator‐dilution methodology, and echocardiography to evaluate cardiac structure and function. Patients were divided into those with hypervolaemia (defined as TBV > +8% above referenced normal volume) and normal volume (‘euvolaemia’) (TBV ≤ + 8%). Of 66 patients, 39 (59%) were hypervolaemic and 27 (41%) normal TBV. Central venous pressure (CVP, P = 0.01) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP, P < 0.001) were higher in hypervolaemic compared with euvolaemic patients; however, 15% of hypervolaemic patients displayed normal pressures. Of euvolaemic patients, 70% displayed elevated CVP and 63% elevated PCWP. PCWP was moderately correlated with TBV (r = 0.42), left ventricular diastolic function (e′ velocity, r = −0.44), and left atrial strain (r = −0.47). In multivariable regression TBV, left ventricular e′, and left atrial strain were independently associated with PCWP (all P < 0.05). Conclusions While hypervolaemic patients displayed elevations in filling pressures, a substantial proportion (15%) had normal pressures, and of all subjects with elevated filling pressures nearly one third had normal TBVs. Importantly, of patients with normal volumes, a majority (>60%) display elevated filling pressures. Combined analysis of volume, pressure, and cardiac function may be helpful to guide comprehensive assessments of HF status.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancer in the United States and is the country’s fifth most common cause of cancer mortality in women. A major challenge in treating ovarian cancer is that most patients have advanced disease at initial diagnosis. These NCCN Guidelines discuss cancers originating in the ovary, fallopian tube, or peritoneum, as these are all managed in a similar manner. Most of the recommendations are based on data from patients with the most common subtypes─high-grade serous and grade 2/3 endometrioid. The NCCN Guidelines also include recommendations specifically for patients with less common ovarian cancers, which in the guidelines include the following: carcinosarcoma, clear cell carcinoma, mucinous carcinoma, low-grade serous, grade 1 endometrioid, borderline epithelial, malignant sex cord-stromal, and malignant germ cell tumors. This manuscript focuses on certain aspects of primary treatment, including primary surgery, adjuvant therapy, and maintenance therapy options (including PARP inhibitors) after completion of first-line chemotherapy.

Abstract Context. —Bioelectronic sensors, which combine microchip and biological components, are an emerging technology in clinical diagnostic testing. An electronic detection platform using DNA biochip technology (eSensor) is under development for molecular diagnostic applications. Owing to the novelty of these devices, demonstrations of their successful use in practical diagnostic applications are limited. Objective. —To assess the performance of the eSensor bioelectronic method in the validation of 6 Epstein-Barr virus–transformed blood lymphocyte cell lines with clinically important mutations for use as sources of genetic material for positive controls in clinical molecular genetic testing. Two cell lines carry mutations in the CFTR gene (cystic fibrosis), and 4 carry mutations in the HFE gene (hereditary hemochromatosis). Design. —Samples from each cell line were sent for genotype determination to 6 different molecular genetic testing facilities, including the laboratory developing the DNA biochips. In addition to the bioelectronic method, at least 3 different molecular diagnostic methods were used in the analysis of each cell line. Detailed data were collected from the DNA biochip output, and the genetic results were compared with those obtained using the more established methods. Results. —We report the successful use of 2 applications of the bioelectronic platform, one for detection of CFTR mutations and the other for detection of HFE mutations. In all cases, the results obtained with the DNA biochip were in concordance with those reported for the other methods. Electronic signal output from the DNA biochips clearly differentiated between mutated and wild-type alleles. This is the first report of the use of the cystic fibrosis detection platform. Conclusions. —Bioelectronic sensors for the detection of disease-causing mutations performed well when used in a “real-life” situation, in this case, a validation study of positive control blood lymphocyte cell lines with mutations of public health importance. This study illustrates the practical potential of emerging bioelectronic DNA detection technologies for use in current molecular diagnostic applications.

Background: Multiple myeloma is typically characterized by clonal expansion of malignant plasma cells within the bone marrow compartment. Presence of extramedullary disease (EMD) either in the form of soft tissue plasmacytoma or circulating plasma cells can be seen at diagnosis but is more common in the relapsed and refractory patients. Presence of EMD is typically associated with a poor prognosis, both in the newly diagnosed and relapsed setting, but trials designed specifically for patients with EMD are sparse. Treatment of EMD can be challenging and the responses even when seen are often short lasting, highlighting the need for developing specific treatment approaches aimed at these patients. Based on initial trials suggesting activity of pomalidomide in the setting of EMD and the increased tissue distribution with the oral proteasome inhibitor ixazomib, we designed this trial to examine if the all oral combination of ixazomib, pomalidomide and dexamethasone can be effective in the setting of EMD. Patients and Methods: Patients with previously treated multiple myeloma, with adequate hematologic and organ function were enrolled if there was evidence, at study entry, of EMD defined as one or more plasmacytomas, outside the bone marrow that were non-contiguous with a bone lesion and had a single diameter of ≥2 cm OR as plasma cell leukemia, with circulating plasma cells &gt; 5% of peripheral blood leukocytes or at least 0.5 X 109/L or 200 cells/150000 events by flowcytometry. Patients were treated on 28-day cycles, with ixazomib 4 mg on days 1, 8, and 15 along with pomalidomide 4 mg PO daily on days 1-21 and dexamethasone 40 milligrams weekly until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The goals of the study were to determine confirmed response rate (≥ PR), toxicities of this combination, differential response rates and progression-free survival (PFS). Confirmed response rate, differential response rates and PFS were estimated using Duffy and Santner approach, exact binomial distributions and Kaplan Meier curves, respectively. The study was designed to accrue 30 patients. Results: This study was designed to enroll up to 30 patients but was closed after enrolling 17 patients due to slow accrual. The baseline characteristics are as indicated in Table 1. Eleven patients were enrolled with an extramedullary plasmacytoma while the remaining six patients had plasma cell leukemia. Median number of lines of prior therapy was 3 (range: 1, 7). Overall, 10 (58.8%) patients had progressive disease and 11 (64.7%) patients have died, median (range) follow-up for the live patients is 22.2 (2.1, 37.9) months. Patients were treated for a median of 2 (range 1-34) cycles. A grade 3+ AE, at least possibly attributed, was seen in 53%. Grade 3+, at least possibly related, hematologic toxicity was noted in 41%, with 29% experiencing grade 3+ neutropenia. Notable grade 3+ non-hematologic toxicities (regardless of attribution), with &gt;10% incidence rate were anemia, hypoxia, infections and lung infection. The confirmed response rate in evaluable patients was 35% (1 CRs and 5 PRs), with a 90% CI of 6% - 37%. While 33% (4/12; 95% CI: 1-8%) of patients reported a biochemical response, 40% (2/5; 95% CI: 0-4%) of patients reported an extramedullary response. The median PFS was 4.5 (95% CI: 2-11.8) months. Conclusions: The combination of ixazomib, pomalidomide and dexamethasone resulted in disease response in a third of this group of high-risk patients with EMD; however, the responses were not very durable, with a median PFS of only 4.5 months. The trial highlights the feasibility of doing clinical trials specifically targeted towards this high-risk patient population. Future trials should explore combinations of novel agents, including monoclonal antibodies through multicenter collaborative efforts. Disclosures Kansagra: Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Bristol Myers Squibb /Celgene, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Pharmacyclics, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Karyopharm Therpeutics: Other: Advisory Board. Witzig:Spectrum: Consultancy; Immune Design: Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Research Funding; Acerta: Research Funding; Incyte: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; MorphSys: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding. Kumar:Oncopeptides: Consultancy, Other: Independent Review Committee; IRC member; Genecentrix: Consultancy; Carsgen: Other, Research Funding; Cellectar: Other; Celgene/BMS: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Dr. Reddy's Laboratories: Honoraria; AbbVie: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Takeda: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Janssen Oncology: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments, Research Funding; Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Adaptive Biotechnologies: Consultancy; Genentech/Roche: Other: Research funding for clinical trials to the institution, Consulting/Advisory Board participation with no personal payments; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy; MedImmune: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Tenebio: Other, Research Funding.

Background: Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is the most common histiocytic disorder that is now recognized as a neoplasm by the World Health Organization. It is generally classified based on the site and extent of disease involvement (single system or multisystem). Pulmonary LCH (pLCH), an uncommon interstitial lung disease associated with smoking, often presents as isolated pulmonary disease. It is unclear whether patients with clinically isolated pLCH have extra-pulmonary lesions at diagnosis or during the course of their disease. The role of [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG-PET-CT) in the staging of pLCH remains unclear. Our study aims to better characterize the utility of radiographic staging studies at time of diagnosis and prevalence of extrapulmonary disease at follow up in pLCH. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of patients presenting with clinical findings consistent with isolated pLCH seen at the Mayo Clinic from January 2000 to January 2020. All patients had a diagnosis of pLCH determined by chest imaging studies [computed tomography (CT) or high-resolution CT (HRCT)] or by histopathologic findings from surgical or transbronchial lung biopsy. Histopathologic findings for the diagnosis of pLCH required the presence of Langerhans cells (S100+/CD1a+/Langerin+). Patients were excluded if they had clinically apparent extra-pulmonary organ involvement at the time of diagnosis. BRAF V600E mutation was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) or cell-free DNA (cfDNA). Staging was defined as FDG-PET-CT or whole body CT imaging obtained within 3 months of diagnosis of pLCH. Extra-pulmonary LCH involvement was determined by imaging characteristics or by histopathologic findings. Descriptive statistics and overall survival (OS) were analyzed with JMP software, version 14 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Results: A total of 112 patients with clinically isolated pLCH were identified. The median age at diagnosis was 45 years (range 21-73), and 48 (43%) were male. The majority (n=110, 99%) were former or current smokers with a median pack year of 25 (range 1-57). Three (3%) patients were noted to have occupational industrial exposure. Nine patients had a history of another cancer prior to their diagnosis and staging of pLCH [lung (n=4), breast (n=2), neuroendocrine (n=2), thyroid (n=1)]. Presenting symptoms included dyspnea on exertion 49 (44%), cough 18 (16%), chest pain 14 (13%), and 29 (28%) were incidentally discovered on imaging studies. On HRCT, the following characteristics were observed: 42 (38%) cystic, 32 (29%) cystic and nodular, 37 (33%) nodular, 1 (&lt;1%) ground glass opacities. Seventy (63%) patients had lung biopsy confirmation, of which 11 (16%) patients underwent BRAF V600Emutation testing (7 by IHC, 4 by cfDNA). Six (55%) of these 11 patients were positive for BRAF V600E mutation. 34 (30%) patients underwent radiographic staging studies within 3 months of diagnosis of pLCH (25 FDG-PET-CT and 9 whole-body CT), and none of these imaging studies showed evidence of extra-pulmonary disease. Of the patients who had at least one year of follow-up (n=52), one (2%) developed extra-pulmonary disease. This patient did not undergo initial staging studies, developed headaches and was found to have a large calvarial lytic lesion within 2 months of pLCH diagnosis (BRAF V600E+). Among those who did not undergo staging at diagnosis (n=78), long term (&gt;5 years) follow up data were available for 23 (29%), and none developed extra-pulmonary disease as determined by clinical notes or imaging studies. No patient had evidence of new extra-pulmonary involvement or second malignancy at the time of last known follow-up. After a median follow-up duration of 2.4 years (95% CI: 1.5-3.6, range: 0.1-17) ten (9%) patients died, of which 5 died of pLCH related complications. The median OS for entire cohort was 15 years (95% CI 9.1-not reached, Figure 1). Conclusion: Our study shows that adult patients with clinically isolated pLCH rarely present with extra-pulmonary manifestations at diagnosis or at follow up. These findings suggest a limited role of routine radiographic staging studies in pLCH unless clinically indicated. Studies on longer follow up of this cohort would provide further insights into the natural history of pLCH and are underway. Disclosures Bennani: Purdue Pharma: Other: Advisory Board; Verastem: Other: Advisory Board; Kite/Gilead: Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding. Shah:Dren Bio: Consultancy.

Background Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) has a median age at diagnosis of 67 years. The only curative therapy remains an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT), yet it is complicated by non-relapse mortality (NRM) and ongoing morbidity including graft versus host disease (GVHD) that may impact survival, particularly in older patients. We examined the outcomes and predictors of success in a large cohort of patients aged 60 years and older receiving a HCT for AML in first complete remission (CR1). Methods HCT recipients 60 years or older with AML in CR1 reported to the CIBMTR were included. Cox models were used to compare rates of overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), non-relapse mortality (NRM), relapse, acute GHVD, chronic GVHD in 3 separate age groups: 60-64 years vs. 65-70 years vs. 70+ years (Figure 1A). Results 1,327 patients undergoing HCT from 2007-2017 were included. The three age cohorts (60-64; 65-69; 70+) were comparable in demographic and disease characteristics, except the older cohort had more males, more de novo AML, and a higher incidence of measurable residual disease (MRD) pre-HCT. Fewer had sibling donors and more were performed in recent years. With median follow-up of nearly 3 years, patients aged 60-64 had significantly better OS, DFS and lower NRM than those aged 65-69 and 70+. Those aged 65-69 and 70+ had similar outcomes (Figure 1). Three-year OS for the 3 cohorts was 49.4%, 42.3%, and 44.7% respectively (p=0.026). NRM was higher with increasing age, cord blood as graft source and HCT-CI score of ≥ 3. Conditioning intensity was not a significant predictor of outcomes with HR for OS for 60-69 cohort of 0.46 for RIC and 0.49 for MAC (p=0.38). There was no difference in the relapse rate, incidence of G3/4 acute GVHD, or incidence of moderate-severe chronic GVHD across the age cohorts. Poor risk cytogenetics, presence of MRD prior to HCT, cord blood as graft source, and transplant prior to 2016 were significant predictors of poor OS. Discussion In this large retrospective series of HCT for AML in CR1, age had a small effect OS and NRM after accounting for other predictors. High-risk features such as poor cytogenetics and presence of MRD prior to HCT were significantly associated with relapse and accounted for most of the adverse impact on OS and DFS. Age did not influence the incidence of either acute or chronic GVHD; graft type and associated GVHD prophylaxis were most important. These data suggest that age alone is not a barrier to successful HCT for AML in CR1 and should not exclude patients from HCT. Efforts should focus on minimizing residual disease and better donor selection. Table Disclosures Kebriaei: Ziopharm: Other: Research Support; Novartis: Other: Served on advisory board; Jazz: Consultancy; Amgen: Other: Research Support; Kite: Other: Served on advisory board; Pfizer: Other: Served on advisory board. Weisdorf:FATE Therapeutics: Consultancy; Incyte: Research Funding.