Perceptions of involvement in advance care planning and emotional functioning in patients with advanced cancer

Purpose: Advance Care Planning (ACP) is positively associated with the quality of care, but its impact on emotional functioning is ambiguous. This study investigated the association between perceptions of ACP involvement and emotional functioning in patients with advanced cancer. Methods: This study analyzed baseline data of 1,001 patients of the eQuiPe study, a prospective, longitudinal, multicenter, observational study on quality of care and quality of life in patients with advanced cancer in the Netherlands. Patients with metastatic solid cancer were asked to participate between November 2017 and January 2020. Patients’ perceptions of ACP involvement were measured by three self-administered statements. Emotional functioning was measured by the EORTC-QLQ-C30. A linear multivariable regression analysis was performed while taking gender, age, migrant background, education, marital status, and symptom burden into account. Results: The majority of patients (87%) reported that they were as much involved as they wanted to be in decisions about their future medical treatment and care. Most patients felt that their relatives (81%) and physicians (75%) were familiar with their preferences for future medical treatment and care. A positive association was found between patients’ perceptions of ACP involvement and their emotional functioning (b=0.162, p<0.001, 95%CI[0.095;0.229]) while controlling for relevant confounders. Conclusions: Perceptions of involvement in ACP are positively associated with emotional functioning in patients with advanced cancer. Future studies are needed to further investigate the effect of ACP on emotional functioning. Trial registration number: NTR6584 Date of registration: 30 June 2017 Implications for Cancer Survivors: Patients’ emotional functioning might improve from routine discussions regarding goals of future care. Therefore, integration of ACP into palliative might be promising

Open communication between patients and relatives about illness & death in advanced cancer—results of the eQuiPe Study

Objective: To assess the degree of openness of communication about illness and death between patients with advanced cancer and their relatives during the last three months of the patient’s life, and its association with relatives’ characteristics and bereavement distress. Methods: We used data from bereaved relatives of patients with advanced cancer from the prospective, longitudinal, multicenter, observational eQuipe study. Univariate and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to assess the association between the degree of openness of communication (measured using the validated Caregivers’ Communication with patients about Illness and Death scale), the a priori defined characteristics of the relatives, and the degree of bereavement distress (measured using the Impact of Event Scale). Results: A total of 160 bereaved relatives were included in the analysis. The average degree of open communication about illness and death between patients with advanced cancer and their relatives was 3.86 on a scale of 1 to 5 (SE=0.08). A higher degree of open communication was associated with a lower degree of bereavement distress (p=0.003). No associations were found between the degree of open communication and the relatives’ age (p=0.745), gender (p=0.196), level of education (p>0.773), (religious) worldview (p=0.435), type of relationship with the patient (p>0.548), or level of emotional functioning before the patient’s death (p=0.075). Conclusions: Open communication about illness and death between patients and relatives seems to be important, as it is associated with a lower degree of bereavement distress. Healthcare professionals can play an important role in encouraging the dialogue. However, it is important to keep in mind that some people not feel comfortable talking about illness and death

Neutrophil Recovery in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Docetaxel-Containing Chemotherapy with and without Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Prophylaxis

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Quality of integrated female oncofertility care is suboptimal: A patient-reported measurement

Background: Clinical practice guidelines recommend to inform female cancer patients about their infertility risks due to cancer treatment. Unfortunately, it seems that guideline adherence is suboptimal. In order to improve quality of integrated female oncofertility care, a systematic assessment of current practice is necessary. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional survey study in which a set of systematically developed quality indicators was processed, was conducted among female cancer patients (diagnosed in 2016/2017). These indicators represented all domains in oncofertility care; risk communication, referral, counseling, and decision-making. Indicator scores were calculated, and determinants were assessed by multilevel multivariate analyses. Results: One hundred twenty-one out of 344 female cancer patients participated. Eight out of 11 indicators scored below 90% adherence. Of all patients, 72.7% was informed about their infertility, 51.2% was offered a referral, with 18.8% all aspects were discussed in counseling, and 35.5% received written and/or digital information. Patient's age, strength of wish to conceive, time before cancer treatment, and type of healthcare provider significantly influenced the scores of three indicators. Conclusions: Current quality of female oncofertility care is far from optimal. Therefore, improvement is needed. To achieve this, improvement strategies that are tailored to the identified determinants and to guideline-specific barriers should be developed

Upfront Genotyping of DPYD*2A to Individualize Fluoropyrimidine Therapy : A Safety and Cost Analysis

PURPOSE: Fluoropyrimidines are frequently prescribed anticancer drugs. A polymorphism in the fluoropyrimidine metabolizing enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD; ie, DPYD*2A) is strongly associated with fluoropyrimidine-induced severe and life-threatening toxicity. This study determined the feasibility, safety, and cost of DPYD*2A genotype-guided dosing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients intended to be treated with fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy were prospectively genotyped for DPYD*2A before start of therapy. Variant allele carriers received an initial dose reduction of ≥ 50% followed by dose titration based on tolerance. Toxicity was the primary end point and was compared with historical controls (ie, DPYD*2A variant allele carriers receiving standard dose described in literature) and with DPYD*2A wild-type patients treated with the standard dose in this study. Secondary end points included a model-based cost analysis, as well as pharmacokinetic and DPD enzyme activity analyses. RESULTS: A total of 2,038 patients were prospectively screened for DPYD*2A, of whom 22 (1.1%) were heterozygous polymorphic. DPYD*2A variant allele carriers were treated with a median dose-intensity of 48% (range, 17% to 91%). The risk of grade ≥ 3 toxicity was thereby significantly reduced from 73% (95% CI, 58% to 85%) in historical controls (n = 48) to 28% (95% CI, 10% to 53%) by genotype-guided dosing (P < .001); drug-induced death was reduced from 10% to 0%. Adequate treatment of genotype-guided dosing was further demonstrated by a similar incidence of grade ≥ 3 toxicity compared with wild-type patients receiving the standard dose (23%; P = .64) and by similar systemic fluorouracil (active drug) exposure. Furthermore, average total treatment cost per patient was lower for screening (€2,772 [$3,767]) than for nonscreening (€2,817 [$3,828]), outweighing screening costs. CONCLUSION: DPYD*2A is strongly associated with fluoropyrimidine-induced severe and life-threatening toxicity. DPYD*2A genotype-guided dosing results in adequate systemic drug exposure and significantly improves safety of fluoropyrimidine therapy for the individual patient. On a population level, upfront genotyping seemed cost saving

Pretreatment serum uracil concentration as a predictor of severe and fatal fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity

BACKGROUND: We investigated the predictive value of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) phenotype, measured as pretreatment serum uracil and dihydrouracil concentrations, for severe as well as fatal fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity in 550 patients treated previously with fluoropyrimidines during a prospective multicenter study. METHODS: Pretreatment serum concentrations of uracil and dihydrouracil were measured using a validated LC-MS/MS method. The primary endpoint of this analysis was global (any) severe fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity, that is, grade ⩾3 toxicity according to the NCI CTC-AE v3.0, occurring during the first cycle of treatment. The predictive value of uracil and the uracil/dihydrouracil ratio for early severe fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity were compared. Pharmacogenetic variants in DPYD (c.2846A>T, c.1679T>G, c.1129-5923C>G, and c.1601G>A) and TYMS (TYMS 5'-UTR VNTR and TYMS 3'-UTR 6-bp ins/del) were measured and tested for associations with severe fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity to compare predictive value with DPD phenotype. The Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate method was used to control for type I errors at level q16 ng ml(-1)) were strongly associated with global severe toxicity (OR 5.3, P=0.009), severe gastrointestinal toxicity (OR 33.7, P<0.0001), toxicity-related hospitalisation (OR 16.9, P<0.0001), as well as fatal treatment-related toxicity (OR 44.8, P=0.001). None of the DPYD variants alone, or TYMS variants alone, were associated with severe toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: High pretreatment uracil concentration was strongly predictive of severe, including fatal, fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity, and is a highly promising phenotypic marker to identify patients at risk of severe fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity.British Journal of Cancer advance online publication 20 April 2017; doi:10.1038/bjc.2017.94 www.bjcancer.com

Successful Treatment of MYC rearrangement Positive Large B Cell Lymphoma Patients with R-CHOP21 Plus Lenalidomide: Results of a Multicenter Phase II HOVON Trial

Background: Patients with MYC rearrangement positive large B cell lymphoma other than Burkitt lymphoma (MYC+ LBCL), have a dismal prognosis following standard first line therapy with R-CHOP. Retrospective studies report complete remission rates &lt; 50% and 2-year overall survival (OS) of approximately 35%. Lenalidomide is an immunomodulatory drug and is able to down-regulate MYC and its target genes and proteins in B cells that harbor a MYC rearrangement. We report data of a prospective phase II study evaluating the efficacy of lenalidomide in combination with R-CHOP (R2CHOP) in newly diagnosed MYC+ LBCL patients.Methods: A national screening program for MYC rearrangement by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed in newly diagnosed LBCL patients. Patients with a proven MYC rearrangement, ≥ 18 year, Ann Arbor stage II-IV, were offered participation in a single arm phase II study. Treatment consisted of 6 cycles R-CHOP21 plus lenalidomide 15 mg on day 1-14, followed by two additional rituximab administrations. Use of G-CSF was mandatory. All patients received intrathecal methotrexate prophylaxis. 18F-FDG PET-CT (PET-CT) scans were performed at baseline, midterm (after 3 cycles) and end-of-treatment (EOT).Diagnostic lymphoma samples were centrally reviewed including immunohistochemical (IHC) work-up and complementary BCL2 and BCL6 FISH analysis. Cell of origin classification was determined by IHC (Hans) and by gene expression profiling (Lymph2Cx).The primary endpoint was complete metabolic response rate (CMR) on EOT PET-CT scan, according to the Deauville criteria and assessed by 2 independent nuclear medicine physicians performing central review. In case of discordance, a third adjudicator reviewed. Confirmation of bone marrow (BM) negativity at EOT for patients with positive BM at diagnosis was not required for CMR.Secondary endpoints included disease free survival (DFS), progression free survival (PFS), OS and predictive value of midterm PET-CT for EOT PET-CT scan. Data cut-off was July 4th 2018.Results: From April 2015 to February 2018, 85 patients were included at 20 hospitals. Planned interim analysis (after 26 consecutive patients completed treatment) revealed no safety concerns. At data cut-off, central data management, pathology and imaging review processes were completed for the first 60 patients. The remaining patients (60 to 85) are still on treatment or have recently finished treatment. Among the first 60 patients, 2 were declared ineligible, leaving 58 patients for this analysis (demographics and disease characteristics in table 1).Central pathology review confirmed diagnosis of MYC+ LBCL in all patients. Additional FISH analysis revealed that 41/58 patients (71%) had MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 rearrangements (double hit or triple hit), 11/58 (19%) had a single MYC rearrangement, 6/58 (10%) had a MYC rearrangement but no information on BCL2 and BCL6.At EOT PET-CT scan (primary endpoint), 36/58 patients (62%) were in CMR (95% confidence interval (CI) 50%-71%). 2/58 patients (3%) reached a partial metabolic response (PMR), and 20/58 patients (34%) had progressive disease (PD).At midterm PET-CT, 39/58 patients (67%) were in CMR; of these 29 were still in CMR and 10 showed PD at EOT PET-CT. 18/58 patients (31%) were in PMR at midterm; 7 of them converted to CMR, 2 remained in PMR, 9 showed PD at EOT. One patient went off protocol after two cycles due to progression.With a median follow-up of 17.2 months, 1-year estimates for OS were 79% (CI 66%-88%), for DFS 74% (CI 59%-85%), and for PFS 60% (CI 47%-72%).Grade 3 and 4 adverse events (AE) were seen in 26 (43%) respectively 9 patients (15%). Most common grade 3-4 AEs were gastrointestinal disorders, infections, and neutropenia. 55 serious AEs were reported in 27 patients (all hospitalization). 1 patient went off protocol due to grade 3 diarrhea.Univariate regression analyses revealed no significant prognostic factors for achieving CMR or prolonged survival yet.Conclusion: These data represent the first prospective trial worldwide for newly diagnosed MYC rearrangement positive LBCL patients. Treatment with R2CHOP demonstrates acceptable toxicity and promising efficacy with 62% CMR on centrally reviewed PET-CT scan and a 1-year OS rate of 79%. In December 2018, all 85 registered patients will have finished treatment and complete analysis of the primary endpoint and additional biological studies will be available.Disclosures Chamuleau: Gilead: Research Funding; celgene: Research Funding; Genmab: Research Funding; BMS: Research Funding. Mous: Gilead: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; JANSSEN CILAG: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; MSD: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; sandoz: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lugtenburg: takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding; servier: Consultancy, Research Funding; roche: Consultancy; BMS: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Sandoz: Consultancy; GenMab: Research Funding. Kersten: celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; roche: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding.↵* Asterisk with author names denotes non-ASH members

Pretreatment serum uracil concentration as a predictor of severe and fatal fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity

BACKGROUND: We investigated the predictive value of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) phenotype, measured as pretreatment serum uracil and dihydrouracil concentrations, for severe as well as fatal fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity in 550 patients treated previously with fluoropyrimidines during a prospective multicenter study. METHODS: Pretreatment serum concentrations of uracil and dihydrouracil were measured using a validated LC-MS/MS method. The primary endpoint of this analysis was global (any) severe fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity, that is, grade ⩾3 toxicity according to the NCI CTC-AE v3.0, occurring during the first cycle of treatment. The predictive value of uracil and the uracil/dihydrouracil ratio for early severe fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity were compared. Pharmacogenetic variants in DPYD (c.2846A>T, c.1679T>G, c.1129-5923C>G, and c.1601G>A) and TYMS (TYMS 5'-UTR VNTR and TYMS 3'-UTR 6-bp ins/del) were measured and tested for associations with severe fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity to compare predictive value with DPD phenotype. The Benjamini-Hochberg false discovery rate method was used to control for type I errors at level q16 ng ml(-1)) were strongly associated with global severe toxicity (OR 5.3, P=0.009), severe gastrointestinal toxicity (OR 33.7, P<0.0001), toxicity-related hospitalisation (OR 16.9, P<0.0001), as well as fatal treatment-related toxicity (OR 44.8, P=0.001). None of the DPYD variants alone, or TYMS variants alone, were associated with severe toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: High pretreatment uracil concentration was strongly predictive of severe, including fatal, fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity, and is a highly promising phenotypic marker to identify patients at risk of severe fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity.British Journal of Cancer advance online publication 20 April 2017; doi:10.1038/bjc.2017.94 www.bjcancer.com