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LoCastro M, Wang Y, Yu T, Mortaz-Hedjri S, Mendler J, Norton S, Bernacki R, Carroll T, Klepin H, Wedow L, Goonan S, Erdos H, Bagnato B, Liesveld J, Huselton E, Kluger B, Loh KP. Clinicians' Perspectives on the Telehealth Serious Illness Care Program for Older Adults With Myeloid Malignancies: Single-Arm Pilot Study. JMIR Form Res 2024; 8:e58503. [PMID: 38935428 PMCID: PMC11240066 DOI: 10.2196/58503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Serious illness conversations may help patients avoid unwanted treatments. We previously piloted the telehealth Serious Illness Care Program (SICP) for older adults with acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to understand the experience of the telehealth SICP from the clinician's perspective. METHODS We studied 10 clinicians who delivered the telehealth SICP to 20 older adults with acute myeloid leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome. Quantitative outcomes included confidence and acceptability. Confidence was measured using a 22-item survey (range 1-7; a higher score is better). Acceptability was measured using an 11-item survey (5-point Likert scale). Hypothesis testing was performed at α=.10 (2-tailed) due to the pilot nature and small sample size. Clinicians participated in audio-recorded qualitative interviews at the end of the study to discuss their experience. RESULTS A total of 8 clinicians completed the confidence measure and 7 clinicians completed the acceptability measure. We found a statistically significant increase in overall confidence (mean increase of 0.5, SD 0.6; P=.03). The largest increase in confidence was in helping families with reconciliation and goodbye (mean 1.4, SD 1.5; P=.04). The majority of clinicians agreed that the format was simple (6/7, 86%) and easy to use (6/7, 86%). Clinicians felt that the telehealth SICP was effective in understanding their patients' values about end-of-life care (7/7, 100%). A total of three qualitative themes emerged: (1) the telehealth SICP deepened relationships and renewed trust; (2) each telehealth SICP visit felt unique and personal in a positive way; and (3) uninterrupted, unrushed time optimized the visit experience. CONCLUSIONS The telehealth SICP increased confidence in having serious illness conversations while deepening patient-clinician relationships. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04745676; https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04745676.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa LoCastro
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Tristan Yu
- River Campus, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Soroush Mortaz-Hedjri
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Jason Mendler
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Sally Norton
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Rachelle Bernacki
- Department of Palliative Care, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Thomas Carroll
- Divisions of General Medicine and Palliative Care, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Heidi Klepin
- Section on Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Lucy Wedow
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Sean Goonan
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Hannah Erdos
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Brenda Bagnato
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Jane Liesveld
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Eric Huselton
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Benzi Kluger
- Divisions of Palliative Care and Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Kah Poh Loh
- Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, Rochester, NY, United States
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Neuendorff NR, Khan A, Ullrich F, Yates S, Devarakonda S, Lin RJ, von Tresckow B, Cordoba R, Artz A, Rosko AE. Cellular therapies in older adults with hematological malignancies: A case-based, state-of-the-art review. J Geriatr Oncol 2024; 15:101734. [PMID: 38430810 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2024.101734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 11/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Cellular therapies, including autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT), and chimeric antigen receptor- (CAR-) T cell therapies are essential treatment modalities for many hematological malignancies. Although their use in older adults has substantially increased within the past decades, cellular therapies represent intensive treatment approaches that exclude a large percentage of older adults due to comorbidities and frailty. Under- and overtreatment in older adults with hematologic malignancy is a challenge and many treatment decisions are influenced by chronologic age. The advent of efficient and well-tolerated newer treatment approaches for multiple myeloma has challenged the role of ASCT. In the modern era, there are no randomized clinical trials of transplant versus non-transplant strategies for patients ≥65 years. Nonetheless, ASCT is feasible for selected older patients and does not result in long-term compromise in quality of life. AlloHCT is the only curative approach for acute myeloid leukemia of intermediate and unfavourable risk but carries a significant risk for non-relapse mortality depending on comorbidities, general fitness, and transplant-specific characteristics, such as intensity of conditioning and donor choice. However, alloHCT is feasible in appropriately-selected older adults. Early referral for evaluation is strongly encouraged as this is the most obvious barrier. CAR-T cell therapies have shown unprecedented clinical efficacy and durability in relapsed and refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma. Its use is well tolerated in older adults, although evidence comes from limited case numbers. Whether patients who are deemed unfit for ASCT qualify for CAR-T cell therapy remains elusive, but the tolerability and efficacy of CAR-T cell therapy appears promising, especially for older patients. The evidence from randomized trials is strong in favor of using a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) to reduce treatment-related toxicities and guide treatment intensity in the care for solid tumors; its use for evaluation of cellular therapies is less evidence-based. However, CGA can provide useful information on patients' fitness, resilient mechanisms, and reveal potential optimization strategies for compensating for vulnerabilities. In this narrative review, we will discuss key questions on cellular therapies in older adults based on illustrative patient cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Rosa Neuendorff
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, D-45147 Essen, Germany.
| | - Abdullah Khan
- Department of Hematology, The Ohio State University, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Fabian Ullrich
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, D-45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Samuel Yates
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Hematology and Oncology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Srinivas Devarakonda
- Department of Hematology, The Ohio State University, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| | - Richard J Lin
- Adult Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) Service, Cellular Therapy Service, Division of Hematologic Malignancies, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Bastian von Tresckow
- Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, D-45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Raul Cordoba
- Lymphoma Unit, Department of Hematology, Health Research Institute IIS-FJD, Fundacion Jimenez Diaz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrew Artz
- Division of Leukemia, Department of Hematology & Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation, City of Hope, Duarte, CA, USA
| | - Ashley E Rosko
- Department of Hematology, The Ohio State University, James Comprehensive Cancer Center, Columbus, OH, United States of America
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LoCastro M, Mortaz-Hedjri S, Wang Y, Mendler JH, Norton S, Bernacki R, Carroll T, Klepin H, Liesveld J, Huselton E, Kluger B, Loh KP. Telehealth serious illness care program for older adults with hematologic malignancies: a single-arm pilot study. Blood Adv 2023; 7:7597-7607. [PMID: 38088668 PMCID: PMC10733103 DOI: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2023011046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) feel shocked and bewildered when diagnosed. Serious illness conversations (SICs) may increase disease understanding and preparations for the future. However, SICs often happen late, in part because of clinician-perceived patient discomfort. Telehealth may promote patient comfort by allowing SICs to take place at home. This study assesses the feasibility and usability of a telehealth-delivered Serious Illness Care Program (SICP) for older adults with AML and MDS. We conducted a single-arm pilot study including 20 older adults with AML and MDS. Feasibility was measured using retention rate, with >80% considered feasible. Usability was measured using telehealth usability questionnaire (TUQ; range, 1-7): >5 considered usable. We collected other outcomes including acceptability and disease understanding and conducted post-visit qualitative interviews to elicit feedback. Hypothesis testing was performed at α = 0.10 owing to the pilot nature and small sample size. Retention rate was 95% (19/20); mean TUQ scores were 5.9 (standard deviation [SD], 0.9) and 5.9 (SD, 1.1) for patients and caregivers, respectively. We found the SICP to be acceptable. The majority of patients found the SICP to be very or extremely worthwhile (88.2%; 15/17), and reported it increased closeness with their clinician (75.0%; 12/16). After their visit, patient estimates of curability, and overall life expectancy aligned more closely with those of their clinicians. In qualitative interviews, most patients said that they would recommend this program to others (89.5%, 17/19). This study demonstrated that delivery of the telehealth SICP to older patients with AML and MDS is feasible, usable, and acceptable. This trial is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT04745676.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa LoCastro
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
| | - Soroush Mortaz-Hedjri
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Jason H. Mendler
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Sally Norton
- School of Nursing, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | | | - Thomas Carroll
- Divisions of General Medicine and Palliative Care, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Heidi Klepin
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | - Jane Liesveld
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Eric Huselton
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Benzi Kluger
- Divisions of General Medicine and Palliative Care, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
| | - Kah Poh Loh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
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Korbecki J, Kupnicka P, Barczak K, Bosiacki M, Ziętek P, Chlubek D, Baranowska-Bosiacka I. The Role of CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR5, and CXCR6 Ligands in Molecular Cancer Processes and Clinical Aspects of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4555. [PMID: 37760523 PMCID: PMC10526350 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15184555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a type of leukemia known for its unfavorable prognoses, prompting research efforts to discover new therapeutic targets. One area of investigation involves examining extracellular factors, particularly CXC chemokines. While CXCL12 (SDF-1) and its receptor CXCR4 have been extensively studied, research on other CXC chemokine axes in AML is less developed. This study aims to bridge that gap by providing an overview of the significance of CXC chemokines other than CXCL12 (CXCR1, CXCR2, CXCR3, CXCR5, and CXCR6 ligands and CXCL14 and CXCL17) in AML's oncogenic processes. We explore the roles of all CXC chemokines other than CXCL12, in particular CXCL1 (Gro-α), CXCL8 (IL-8), CXCL10 (IP-10), and CXCL11 (I-TAC) in AML tumor processes, including their impact on AML cell proliferation, bone marrow angiogenesis, interaction with non-leukemic cells like MSCs and osteoblasts, and their clinical relevance. We delve into how they influence prognosis, association with extramedullary AML, induction of chemoresistance, effects on bone marrow microvessel density, and their connection to French-American-British (FAB) classification and FLT3 gene mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Korbecki
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (J.K.); (P.K.); (M.B.); (D.C.)
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, Collegium Medicum, University of Zielona Góra, Zyty 28, 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland
| | - Patrycja Kupnicka
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (J.K.); (P.K.); (M.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Katarzyna Barczak
- Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Mateusz Bosiacki
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (J.K.); (P.K.); (M.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Paweł Ziętek
- Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Orthopaedic Oncology, Pomeranian Medical University, Unii Lubelskiej 1, 71-252 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Dariusz Chlubek
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (J.K.); (P.K.); (M.B.); (D.C.)
| | - Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wlkp. 72, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (J.K.); (P.K.); (M.B.); (D.C.)
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5
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Neuendorff NR, Gagelmann N, Singhal S, Meckstroth S, Thibaud V, Zhao Y, Mir N, Shih YY, Amaro DMC, Roy M, Lombardo J, Gjærde LK, Loh KP. Hypomethylating agent-based therapies in older adults with acute myeloid leukemia - A joint review by the Young International Society of Geriatric Oncology and European Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation Trainee Committee. J Geriatr Oncol 2023; 14:101406. [PMID: 36435726 PMCID: PMC10106360 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2022.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is associated with poor outcomes in older adults. A major goal of treatment is to balance quality of life and functional independence with disease control. With the approval of new, more tolerable regimens, more older adults are able to receive AML-directed therapy. Among these options are hypomethylating agents (HMAs), specifically azacitidine and decitabine. HMAs have become an integral part of AML therapy over the last two decades. These agents are used either as monotherapy or nowadays more commonly in combination with other agents such as the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax. Biological AML characteristics, such as molecular and cytogenetic risk factors, play crucial roles in guiding treatment decisions. In patients with high-risk AML, HMAs are increasingly used rather than intensive chemotherapy, although further trials based on a risk-adapted approach using patient- and disease-related factors are needed. Here, we review trials and evidence for the use of HMA monotherapy and combination therapy in the management of older adults with AML. Furthermore, we discuss the use of HMAs and HMA combination therapies in AML, mechanisms of action, their incorporation into hematopoietic stem cell transplantation strategies, and their use in patients with comorbidities and reduced organ function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Rosa Neuendorff
- Clinic for Hematology and Stem-Cell Transplantation, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, D-45147 Essen, Germany.
| | - Nico Gagelmann
- Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Surbhi Singhal
- Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Shelby Meckstroth
- Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Vincent Thibaud
- Department of Hematology, Hôpital Saint-Vincent, Université Catholique de Lille, 59000 Lille, France
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of General, Visceral, Cancer and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital Cologne, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Nabiel Mir
- Section of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Yung-Yu Shih
- Department of Hematology and Oncology, Clinic Favoriten Vienna, Austria
| | - Danielle M C Amaro
- Department of Oncology and Hematology, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mukul Roy
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Jaslok Hospital, Mumbai, India
| | - Joseph Lombardo
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lars Klingen Gjærde
- Department of Hematology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kah Poh Loh
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, James P. Wilmot Cancer Institute, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
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