Citations

249 Background: Serum CGA has been identified as a candidate prognostic biomarker for mCRPC. In a two cohort study, we compared the prognostic value of serum CGA with a validated CTC assay. Methods: In the discovery cohort (DC), blood samples were collected from 256 men with mCRPC. In an independent validation cohort (VC), 92 men with mCRPC were enrolled in a biospecimen collection study. In both cohorts, men receiving proton pump inhibitors and those with non-castrate levels of testosterone ( > 50ng/dl) were excluded. Serum CGA was measured in a homogeneous automated immunofluorescent assay using time-resolved amplified cryptate emission. In the VC, CTC enumeration was performed using the FDA cleared CELLSEARCH CTC test prior to treatment with abiraterone acetate/ prednisone. Cox proportional hazard regression and Kaplan-Meier analysis were performed for associations with elevated CGA (above reference range), unfavorable (≥ 5) CTCs, and overall survival (OS). Results: In the DC, 200 men were eligible for analysis. The median age was 72 years (yrs), 81/200 pts had a Gleason score (GS) ≥ 8, 34/200 had an elevated CGA. At a median follow up of 2.2 yrs, 156/200 were deceased. In the subset of men with GS ≥ 8, elevated CGA was associated with shorter OS [hazard ratio (HR) 2.19, p = 0.017]. In the VC, 71 men were eligible for analysis. The median age was 71 yrs, 36/71 tumors were GS ≥ 8, 31/71 pts had an elevated CGA, 26/66 had unfavorable CTCs (≥ 5). At a median follow up of 1.8 yrs, 31/71 were deceased. Elevated CGA (HR 1.91, p = 0.043) and unfavorable CTC counts (HR 2.97, p = 0.0012) were adversely associated with OS. In the high GS group, both CTCs and CGA had the same area under the curve (AUC) of 0.72. Pts with elevated CTC and CGA had the poorest OS (HR 3.76, p = 0.008). Conclusions: Elevated serum CGA was negatively associated with OS in men with mCRPC. Serum CGA represents a prognostic biomarker that may complement CTC enumeration. Clinical trial information: NCT#01953640.

AbstractBackgroundScreening for vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus (VRE) is performed at many transplant centers, but data on the impact of VRE colonization and bloodstream infection (BSI) on hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) outcomes remain conflicting.MethodsConsecutive adults with acute myeloid leukemia who underwent allogeneic HCT between 2004 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were screened by perirectal PCR swabs targeting vanA and vanB twice weekly while inpatient.ResultsOf a total of 203 patients (median age 54 years), 73 (36%) were VRE colonized prior to HCT, 23 (11%) became colonized within the first 100 days, and 107 (53%) remained non‐colonized through day 100 post HCT. A landmark analysis on HCT day 0 revealed no significant difference in overall survival according to pre‐transplant colonization status (P=.20). However, patients with subsequent VRE colonization within the first 100 days of HCT had a significantly worse survival on both univariable (P=.04) and multivariable (P=.03) analyses. During the first 30 days post HCT, 11 (5% of total and 11% of the VRE colonized) patients developed VRE BSI. Ten (91%) of these had screened positive for VRE colonization before the bacteremia. Age ≥60 years, HCT‐comorbidity index ≥3, and VRE colonization were independent risk factors for VRE BSI on multivariable analysis (P=.04, .03, .003, respectively). Only 1 (9%) patient with VRE BSI died within the first 100 days post HCT.ConclusionVRE colonization is a surrogate marker and not an independent predictor of worse outcomes post HCT. VRE BSI is associated with increased morbidity, but does not impact post‐HCT survival.

AbstractBackgroundRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection causes significant morbidity and mortality in allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo‐SCT) recipients. Although ribavirin and immunoglobulins are common components of therapy, the role of adjunct corticosteroids is not established.ObjectivesWe sought to evaluate corticosteroid utilization in the setting of post‐allo‐SCT RSV infection in our center and assess post‐transplant outcomes including pulmonary function decline.MethodsPatients with a history of RSV infection from 2008 to 2014 seen at our institution were identified. Treatment and outcome data were retrospectively collected. Forced expiratory volume at 1 s (FEV1) and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity (DLCO) were collected pre‐ and post‐RSV infection.ResultsDuring the observation period, RSV was isolated in 53 of 552 patients undergoing allo‐SCT (10%) and 45 had evaluable therapy data. RSV‐related mortality in this cohort was 4/45 (9%). Twenty‐one (47%) were on corticosteroids prior to RSV diagnosis, of whom 11 (24%) had a dose increase post symptom onset. Eight (18%) patients were started on corticosteroids at the time of RSV infection. Corticosteroid therapy at symptom onset was associated with a higher rate of upper respiratory infection (URTI) to lower respiratory infection (LRTI) progression risk ratio (RR) 2.49 (1.21–5.13; P = 0.016), hospital admission RR 2.05 (1.24–3.37; P = 0.005), or intensive care unit admission RR 2.91 (1.89–5.01; P = 0.002). No significant difference was seen with FEV1 and DLCO decline (P = 0.3 and 0.24, respectively) or mortality (P = 0.26).ConclusionAdjunct corticosteroid use in the setting of RSV infection did not improve RSV‐related outcomes including long‐term pulmonary function. Our results do not support the routine use of corticosteroids; however, this finding does need to be verified in a larger cohort of patients.