Brachytherapy: A critical component of primary radiation therapy for cervical cancer: From the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) and the American Brachytherapy Society (ABS)

Brachytherapy is well-established as an integral component in the standard of care for treatment of patients receiving primary radiotherapy for cervical cancer. A decline in brachytherapy has been associated with negative impacts on survival in the era of modern EBRT techniques. Conformal external beam therapies such intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) should not be used as alternatives to brachytherapy in patients undergoing primary curative-intent radiation therapy for cervical cancer. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance image-guided adaptive brachytherapy is evolving as the preferred brachytherapy method. With careful care coordination EBRT and brachytherapy can be successfully delivered at different treatment centers without compromising treatment time and outcome in areas where access to brachytherapy maybe limited.

Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy versus Brain Metastasis in a Patient with Locally-Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a demyelinating disease affecting the white matter of the brain. This condition is caused by the John Cunningham virus and leads to progressive neuropsychological deficits. Though the infection is typically seen in association with HIV or AIDS, other immune-compromised states may predispose patients as well. This report discusses a patient who developed PML following standard chemo-radiotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer in whom presentation was initially more convincing for brain metastasis; thus, highlighting the importance of accurate diagnosis of new brain lesions in this setting.

The pervasive crisis of diminishing radiation therapy access for vulnerable populations in the United States, part 2: American Indian patients

INTRODUCTION

American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) patients with cancer disproportionally present with more advanced stages of disease and have the worst cancer-specific survival rates of any racial/ethnic group in the United States. The presence of disparities in radiation therapy (RT) access for AI/AN patients has rarely been examined.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

National Cancer Institute (NCI) initiatives toward addressing AI/AN disparities were examined. Additionally, an extensive PubMed literature search for studies investigating RT access disparities in AI/AN patients was performed.

RESULTS

Literature describing RT access disparities for the AI/AN patient population is sparse, revealing only 3 studies, each of which described initiatives from the Walking Forward program, the NCI Cancer Disparity Research Partnership initiative to address barriers to cancer screening among AI populations in the Northern Plains region (eg, geographic remoteness and mistrust of health care providers). This program has used patient navigation, community education, and access to clinical trials for more than 4000 AI/AN patients to combat high cancer mortality rates. Over the course of its 15-year existence, the program has resulted in patients presenting with earlier stages of disease and experiencing higher cure rates. Lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related mortality in AI/AN patients, is the most recent and ongoing focus of the program.

CONCLUSION

The amount of information regarding RT access in AI/AN patients is limited, with nearly all peer-reviewed published progress in this area being associated with the Walking Forward program. Further initiatives from this program will hopefully inspire similar initiatives throughout the country to reduce the barriers to optimized cancer care that these patients face. Given the similarities with cancer disparities of populations worldwide, the AI/AN experience should be included within the broad issue of a global shortage of cancer care among underserved populations.

Assessing HPV and Cervical Knowledge, Preference and HPV Status Among Urban American Indian Women

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate whether or not an educational intervention would lead to a change in knowledge and attitudes about human papillomavirus (HPV), HPV vaccines, and cervical cancer. The HPV status was also investigated for interested participants.

METHODS

We provided HPV and cervical cancer education to urban American Indian (AI) women 18 and older using a pre and post-knowledge exam to assess knowledge and attitudes. Women were also given the option to perform vaginal self-tests for high risk HPV (hrHPV) analysis immediately after the education.

RESULTS

Ninety-six women participated in our educational sessions. Improvement in performance on a knowledge exam increased from 61.6 to 84.3 percent. Ninety-three women performed the vaginal self-test with 63.1 percent of women preferring vaginal self-testing over conventional screening methods. Thirty-five out of 91 women (38.5 percent) had hrHPV types with 12 of the 35 harboring multiple hrHPV types (13 percent overall).

CONCLUSION

HPV and cervical cancer education was beneficial for urban AI women with the majority of women preferring vaginal self-testing. HPV self-testing may be a strategy to improve screening rates for cervical cancer. Urban AI women had high rates of hrHPV compared to rural AI populations as reported in previous studies.

Cancer Care Access and Outcomes for American Indian Populations in the United States: Challenges and Models for Progress

Low socioeconomic and health care access realities of being American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) in the United States combined with decades of data documenting poor cancer outcomes for this population provide a population nested within the United States that is analogous to the cancer care landscape of low- and middle-income countries internationally. We reviewed the medical literature with respect to cancer prevention, access to cancer treatment, and access to effective supportive and palliative care for AI/AN populations in the United States. Research confirms poorer cancer outcomes, suboptimal cancer screening, and high-risk cancer behaviors among AI/AN communities. AI/AN cancer patients are less likely to undergo recommended cancer surgeries, adjuvant chemotherapy, and radiation therapy than their White counterparts. Studies including both rural and urban survivors with AI cancer revealed barriers to receipt of optimal cancer symptom management and proportionally lower hospice use among AI/AN populations. Culturally tailored programs in targeted communities have been shown to mitigate the observed cancer-related health disparities among AI/AN communities. There is still much work to be done to improve cancer-related health outcomes in AI/AN communities, and the goals of the providers serving them corresponds with those propelling the growing interest in global oncology equity. Policy work and more funding are needed to continue to build upon the work that the Indian Health Service and established cancer-related health programs have begun in AI/AN communities.

N08C9 (Alliance): A Phase 3 Randomized Study of Sulfasalazine Versus Placebo in the Prevention of Acute Diarrhea in Patients Receiving Pelvic Radiation Therapy

PURPOSE

To provide confirmatory evidence on the use of sulfasalazine to reduce enteritis during pelvic radiation therapy (RT), following 2 prior single-institution trials suggestive that benefit existed.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

A multi-institution, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial was designed to assess the efficacy of sulfasalazine versus placebo in the treatment of RT-related enteritis during RT including the posterior pelvis (45.0-53.5 Gy) and conducted through a multicenter national cooperative research alliance. Patients received 1000 mg of sulfasalazine or placebo orally twice daily during and for 4 weeks after RT. The primary endpoint was maximum severity of diarrhea (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0). Toxicity and bowel function were assessed by providers through a self-administered bowel function questionnaire taken weekly during RT and for 6 weeks afterward.

RESULTS

Eighty-seven patients were enrolled in the trial between April 29, 2011, and May 13, 2013, with evenly distributed baseline factors. At the time of a planned interim toxicity analysis, more patients with grade ≥3 diarrhea received sulfasalazine than received placebo (29% vs 11%, P=.04). A futility analysis showed that trial continuation would be unlikely to yield a positive result, and a research board recommended halting study treatment. Final analysis of the primary endpoint showed no significant difference in maximum diarrhea severity between the sulfasalazine and placebo arms (P=.41).

CONCLUSIONS

Sulfasalazine does not reduce enteritis during pelvic RT and may be associated with a higher risk of adverse events than placebo. This trial illustrates the importance of confirmatory phase 3 trials in the evaluation of symptom-control agents.

Abstract IA11: Understanding the complex factors that contribute to the persistence of disparities among American Indian/Alaska Native populations: The Walking Forward experience

Purpose/Objective(s): American Indians (AIs) present with more advanced stages of cancer and, therefore, suffer from higher cancer mortality rates compared to non-AIs. Under the National Cancer Institute Cancer Disparities Research Partnership Program (CDRP), we have been researching methods of improving cancer treatment and outcomes since 2002, for AIs in Western South Dakota, through the Walking Forward (WF) Program.

Materials/Methods: This program consists of 1) a culturally-tailored patient navigation program that facilitated access to innovative clinical trials in conjunction with a comprehensive educational program encouraging screening and early detection, b) surveys to evaluate barriers to access, c) clinical trials focusing on reducing treatment length as AIs live a median of 140 miles from the cancer center, d) a molecular study (ATM - Ataxia telangectasia mutation) to address whether there is a molecular profile that increases toxicity risks, and e) recently funded projects using mHealth (mobile) technology to address smoking cessation in the general population and cancer survivors, as well as a survivorship program to increase physical activity. A breast patient navigation (BPN) program was developed for all patients in 2007 to address the high mastectomy rates in our area. An analysis of this program was undertaken to determine if the breast conservation rates (BC) have improved over time: 849 non-navigated patients from 2000-2006 were compared to 617 navigated patients from 2007-2012.

Results: To date, over 3,800 AIs have participated in various WF research studies. Critical outcomes include the establishment of trust within tribal communities, identification of barriers to cancer screening, creation of research infrastructure, higher completion rates and patient satisfaction for patients undergoing cancer treatment, enrollment of patients on Phase II trials with excellent clinical outcomes, and the establishment of new research partners. The BC rates have improved from 37% to 56% over time. To date, 158 AIs have been enrolled in our smoking cessation study with an anticipated accrual of 256. Recent analysis suggests that AI cancer patients with screen-detectable cancers are now presenting with earlier stages of disease and higher cure rates.

Conclusions: This NCI funded pilot program has achieved some initial measures of success. A research infrastructure has been created in a community setting to address new research questions and interventions. One critical objective of the CDRP program was to create sustainable, community research programs that has been achieved at our site and is ongoing with new grants and a new partnership with the Avera Health in Sioux Falls, SD, where a genomics program will be implemented. Lessons learned will also be presented.

This study was funded by NIH grant 5 U56 CA099010.

Contributors: Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed2, Amy Boylan1, Simone Bordeaux1, Linda Burhansstipanov3, Kristin Cina1, Kim Crawford1, Mark Dignan6, Ashleigh Guadagnolo5, Linda Krebs3, Patricia Kussman1, Adam Omidpanah4, Daniel Petereit1, Michele Sargent1, Mary Stein1, Doris Thibeault1. 1Rapid City Regional Hospital, Rapid City, SD; 2Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI; 3Native American Cancer Research Corporation, Pine, CO; 4University of Washington, Seattle, WA; 5The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX; 6University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.

Citation Format: Daniel G. Petereit. Understanding the complex factors that contribute to the persistence of disparities among American Indian/Alaska Native populations: The Walking Forward experience. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Seventh AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 9-12, 2014; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2015;24(10 Suppl):Abstract nr IA11.

Impact of adjuvant pelvic radiotherapy in stage I uterine sarcoma

BACKGROUND/AIM

The optimal adjuvant therapy for stage I uterine sarcoma remains unresolved and may consist of radiotherapy (RT), chemotherapy, hormonal therapy or observation. We analyzed the impact of adjuvant pelvic RT on overall survival (OS), cause-specific survival (CSS), disease-free survival (DFS), pelvic control (PC) and patterns of failure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 157 patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics FIGO stage I uterine sarcoma was performed. RT was given postoperatively to a dose of 45-51 Gy in 28-30 fractions.

RESULTS

The 5-year OS, CSS, DFS and PC was 58%, 62%, 47% and 72%, respectively. Adjuvant RT significantly improved PC (85% for RT group vs. 64% for non-RT group; p=0.02) but did not impact OS, CSS or DFS.

CONCLUSION

The addition of adjuvant pelvic RT significantly improved PC for patients with stage I uterine sarcoma. As systemic therapies continue to improve, optimal locoregional control may result in improved patient outcomes.

The international cancer expert corps: a unique approach for sustainable cancer care in low and lower-middle income countries

The growing burden of non-communicable diseases including cancer in low- and lower-middle income countries (LMICs) and in geographic-access limited settings within resource-rich countries requires effective and sustainable solutions. The International Cancer Expert Corps (ICEC) is pioneering a novel global mentorship-partnership model to address workforce capability and capacity within cancer disparities regions built on the requirement for local investment in personnel and infrastructure. Radiation oncology will be a key component given its efficacy for cure even for the advanced stages of disease often encountered and for palliation. The goal for an ICEC Center within these health disparities settings is to develop and retain a high-quality sustainable workforce who can provide the best possible cancer care, conduct research, and become a regional center of excellence. The ICEC Center can also serve as a focal point for economic, social, and healthcare system improvement. ICEC is establishing teams of Experts with expertise to mentor in the broad range of subjects required to establish and sustain cancer care programs. The Hubs are cancer centers or other groups and professional societies in resource-rich settings that will comprise the global infrastructure coordinated by ICEC Central. A transformational tenet of ICEC is that altruistic, human-service activity should be an integral part of a healthcare career. To achieve a critical mass of mentors ICEC is working with three groups: academia, private practice, and senior mentors/retirees. While in-kind support will be important, ICEC seeks support for the career time dedicated to this activity through grants, government support, industry, and philanthropy. Providing care for people with cancer in LMICs has been a recalcitrant problem. The alarming increase in the global burden of cancer in LMICs underscores the urgency and makes this an opportune time fornovel and sustainable solutions to transform cancer care globally.

National Cancer Institute's Cancer Disparities Research Partnership Program: Experience and Lessons Learned

PURPOSE

To increase access of underserved/health disparities communities to National Cancer Institute (NCI) clinical trials, the Radiation Research Program piloted a unique model - the Cancer Disparities Research Partnership (CDRP) program. CDRP targeted community hospitals with a limited past NCI funding history and provided funding to establish the infrastructure for their clinical research program.

METHODS

Initially, 5-year planning phase funding was awarded to six CDRP institutions through a cooperative agreement (U56). Five were subsequently eligible to compete for 5-year implementation phase (U54) funding and three received a second award. Additionally, the NCI Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities supported their U56 patient navigation programs.

RESULTS

Community-based hospitals with little or no clinical trials experience required at least a year to develop the infrastructure and establish community outreach/education and patient navigation programs before accrual to clinical trials could begin. Once established, CDRP sites increased their yearly patient accrual mainly to NCI-sponsored cooperative group trials (~60%) and Principal Investigator/mentor-initiated trials (~30%). The total number of patients accrued on all types of trials was 2,371, while 5,147 patients received navigation services.

CONCLUSION

Despite a historical gap in participation in clinical cancer research, underserved communities are willing/eager to participate. Since a limited number of cooperative group trials address locally advanced diseases seen in health disparities populations; this shortcoming needs to be rectified. Sustainability for these programs remains a challenge. Addressing these gaps through research and public health mechanisms may have an important impact on their health, scientific progress, and efforts to increase diversity in NCI clinical trials.

Abstract PL02-02: Lessons learned from the Walking Forward Program in recruiting American Indians on clinical trials

Purpose/Objective(s): American Indians (AIs) present with more advanced stages of cancer and, therefore, suffer from higher cancer mortality rates compared to non-AIs. Under the National Cancer Institute Cancer Disparities Research Partnership Program (CDRP), we have been researching methods of improving cancer treatment and outcomes since 2002, for AIs in Western South Dakota, through the Walking Forward (WF) Program.

Materials/Methods: This program consists of a) a culturally-tailored patient navigation program that facilitated access to innovative clinical trials in conjunction with a comprehensive educational program encouraging screening and early detection, b) surveys to evaluate barriers to access, c) clinical trials focusing on reducing treatment length as AIs live a median of 140 miles from the cancer center, d) a molecular study (ATM - Ataxia telangectasia mutation) to address whether there is a molecular profile that increases toxicity risks, and e) a recently funded project using mHealth (mobile) technology to address the high smoking rates in this population.

Results: To date, over 3,700 AIs have participated in various WF research studies. Critical outcomes include the establishment of trust within tribal communities, identification of barriers to cancer screening, creation of research infrastructure, higher completion rates and patient satisfaction for patients undergoing cancer treatment, enrollment of patients on phase II trials with excellent clinical outcomes, and the establishment of new research partners. Recent analysis suggests that AI cancer patients with screen detectable cancers are now presenting with earlier stages of disease and higher cure rates. Lessons learned will also be presented.

Conclusions: This NCI funded pilot program has achieved some initial measures of success. A research infrastructure has been created in a community setting to address new research questions and interventions. One critical objective of the CDRP program was to create sustainable, community research programs that has been achieved at our site.

Citation Format: Daniel G. Petereit, Shalini Kanekar, Ashleigh Guadagnolo, Amy Boylan, Kristin Cina, Linda Burhansstipanov. Lessons learned from the Walking Forward Program in recruiting American Indians on clinical trials. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr PL02-02. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-PL02-02

Findings from the native navigators and the Cancer Continuum (NNACC) study

Native Navigators and the Cancer Continuum (NNACC) was a community based participatory research study among Native American Cancer Research Corporation, CO; Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, MI; Rapid City Regional Hospital's Walking Forward, SD; Great Plains Tribal Chairman's' Health Board, SD; and Muscogee (Creek) Nation, OK. The project goal was to collaborate, refine, expand, and adapt navigator/community education programs to address American Indian communities' and patients' needs across the continuum of cancer care (prevention through end-of-life). The intervention consisted of four to six site-specific education workshop series at all five sites. Each series encompassed 24 h of community education. The Social Ecology Theory guided intervention development; community members from each site helped refine education materials. Following extensive education, Native Patient Navigators (NPNs) implemented the workshops, referred participants to cancer screenings, helped participants access local programs and resources, and assisted those with cancer to access quality cancer care in a timely manner. The intervention was highly successful; 1,964 community participants took part. Participants were primarily American Indians (83 %), female (70 %) and between 18 and 95 years of age. The education programs increased community knowledge by 28 %, facilitated referral to local services, and, through site-specific navigation services, improved access to care for 77 participants diagnosed with cancer during the intervention. Approximately, 90 % of participants evaluated workshop content as useful and 92.3 % said they would recommend the workshop to others. The intervention successfully increased community members' knowledge and raised the visibility of the NPNs in all five sites.

Poor Survival for American Indians with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To examine patient characteristics, treatment modalities, and human papillomavirus (HPV) prevalence to identify potential mediators of disparities that may lead to differences in outcomes for American Indians with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

STUDY DESIGN

Historical cohort study.

SETTING

Community cancer centers.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We reviewed all patients older than 18 years with a new diagnosis of HNSCC in South Dakota from 1999 to 2009. We assessed tissue samples from cases of oropharyngeal cancer for the presence of HPV DNA.

RESULTS

In total, 474 white patients were compared with 32 American Indians. American Indians experienced significantly worse survival compared with whites (hazard ratio [HR], 0.59; P = .05), even after controlling for other factors such as age, sex, distance, Charlson comorbidity index, alcohol abuse, smoking, insurance, and disease stage. American Indians had a greater risk of alcohol abuse (68% vs 42%; P = .008), current smoking (67% vs 49%; P = .03), living more than 1 hour from a cancer center (81% vs 30%; P < .001), lacking private insurance (24% vs 68%; P < .001), and late-stage disease presentation (stages III and IV) (74% vs 55%; P = .04). There were no detected differences in age, sex, medical comorbidities, tumor site, tumor grade, HPV status, time to treatment, or type of treatment received.

CONCLUSION

American Indians in South Dakota with HNSCC have poorer survival compared with white patients. Once presented to a cancer center, American Indians received nearly identical treatment to white patients. Disparities in outcomes arise primarily due to sociodemographic factors and later stage at presentation.

A review of safety, quality management, and practice guidelines for high-dose-rate brachytherapy: executive summary

This white paper was commissioned by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) Board of Directors to evaluate the status of safety and practice guidance for high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy. Given the maturity of HDR brachytherapy technology, this white paper considers, from a safety point of view, the adequacy of general physics and quality assurance guidance, as well as clinical guidance documents available for the most common treatment sites. The rate of medical events in HDR brachytherapy procedures in the United States in 2009 and 2010 was 0.02%, corresponding to 5-sigma performance. The events were not due to lack of guidance documents but failures to follow those recommendations or human failures in the performance of tasks. The white paper summarized by this Executive Summary reviews current guidance documents and offers recommendations regarding their application to delivery of HDR brachytherapy. It also suggests topics where additional research and guidance is needed.

Navigation as an intervention to eliminate disparities in American Indian communities

OBJECTIVES

To identify the role of patient navigation in decreasing health care disparities through an exemplar of a successful patient navigation program for American Indian populations living in the Northern and Southern Plains of the United States.

DATA SOURCES

Published literature and data from the Native Navigators and the Cancer Continuum study.

CONCLUSION

Native Patient Navigators successfully collaborated with local American Indian organizations to provide cancer education through a series of 24-hour workshops. These workshops increased community knowledge about cancer, influenced cancer screening behaviors, and increased the visibility and availability of the navigators to provide navigation services.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Reaching those with health care disparities requires multiple strategies. Collaborating with patient navigators who are embedded within and trusted by their communities helps to bridge the gap between patients and providers, increases adherence to care recommendations, and improves quality of life and survival.

Disparities in hospice utilization among American Indian Medicare beneficiaries dying of cancer

OBJECTIVE

We sought to compare hospice utilization for American Indian and White Medicare beneficiaries dying of cancer.

METHODS

We used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked databases to analyze claims for 181,316 White and 690 American Indian patients dying of breast, cervix, colorectal, kidney, lung, pancreas, prostate cancer, or stomach cancer from 2003 to 2009.

RESULTS

A lower proportion of American Indians enrolled in hospice compared to White patients (54% vs 65%, respectively; P < .0001). While the proportion of White patients who used hospice services in the last 6 months of life increased from 61% in 2003 to 68% in 2009 (P < .0001), the proportion of American Indian patients using hospice care remained unchanged (P = .57) and remained below that of their White counterparts throughout the years of study.

CONCLUSION

Continued efforts should be made to improve access to culturally relevant hospice care for American Indian patients with terminal cancer.

Prevalence of ATM Sequence Variants in Northern Plains American Indian Cancer Patients

Purpose: To identify sequence variants of the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene and establish their prevalence rate among American Indian (AI) as compared with non-AI cancer patients.

Materials and Methods: DNA was isolated from blood samples collected from 100 AI and 100 non-AI cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy, and a blinded assessment of the ATM sequence was conducted. Quantitative PCR assessment of copy number for each exon was also performed. The main outcome measure was the prevalence of ATM variants in the two patient populations.

Results: No statistically significant differences for total prevalence of ATM variants among AI and non-AI patients were found. Of the 25 variants identified, 5 variants had a prevalence of >2%, of which 4 occurred at a rate of >5% in one or both groups. The prevalence of these four variants could meaningfully be compared between the two groups. The only statistically significant difference among the groups was the c.4138C > T variant which is predicted not to affect protein function, seen in 8% of AI versus 0% of non-AI patients (P = 0.007). No exonic copy number changes were found in these patients.

Conclusion: This study is the first to determine the prevalence of ATM variants in AIs.