1
|
Kamaraju S, McKoy J, Williams GR, Gilmore N, Minami C, Bylow K, Rajalingam H, Cortina CS, Beckert A, Stolley M, Bullock D, Kurzrock R, Jatoi A. An Annual Symposium on Disparities in Milwaukee, WI, with a 2023 Focus on Older Adults with Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 2024:10.1007/s11912-024-01525-6. [PMID: 38801612 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-024-01525-6] [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] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Cancer-related inequities are prevalent in Wisconsin, with lower survival rates for breast, colorectal, and lung cancer patients from marginalized communities. This manuscript describes the ongoing efforts at the Medical College of Wisconsin and potential pathways of community engagement to promote education and awareness in reducing inequities in cancer care. RECENT FINDINGS While some cancer inequities are related to aggressive disease biology, health-related social risks may be addressed through community-academic partnerships via an open dialogue between the community members and academic faculty. To develop potential pathways of community-academic partnerships, an annual Cancer Disparities Symposium concept evolved as a pragmatic and sustainable model in an interactive learning environment. In this manuscript, we describe the programmatic development and execution of the annual Cancer Disparities Symposium, followed by highlights from this year's meeting focused on geriatric oncology as discussed by the speakers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sailaja Kamaraju
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8800 W. Doyne Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA.
| | - June McKoy
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | | | - Christina Minami
- Department of Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Bylow
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8800 W. Doyne Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | | | - Chandler S Cortina
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8800 W. Doyne Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
- Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Angela Beckert
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8800 W. Doyne Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Melinda Stolley
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8800 W. Doyne Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Dan Bullock
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8800 W. Doyne Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
- Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Razelle Kurzrock
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8800 W. Doyne Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Aminah Jatoi
- Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Patel I, Winer A. Assessing Frailty in Gastrointestinal Cancer: Two Diseases in One? Curr Oncol Rep 2024; 26:90-102. [PMID: 38180691 DOI: 10.1007/s11912-023-01483-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSEOF REVIEW This review examines the challenges of treating gastrointestinal cancer in the aging population, focusing on the importance of frailty assessment. Emphasized are the rise in gastrointestinal cancer incidence in older adults, advances in frailty assessments for patients with gastrointestinal cancer, the development of novel frailty markers, and a summary of recent trials. RECENT FINDINGS Increasing evidence suggests that the use of a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) to identify frail older adults and individualize cancer care leads to lower toxicity and improved quality of life outcomes. However, the adoption of a full CGA prior to chemotherapy initiation in older cancer patients remains low. Recently, new frailty screening tools have emerged, including assessments designed to specifically predict chemotherapy-related adverse events. Additionally, frailty biomarkers have been developed, such as blood tests like IL-6 and performance tracking through physical activity monitors. The relevance of nutrition and muscle mass is discussed. Highlights from recent trials suggest the feasibility of successfully identifying patients most at risk of serious adverse events. There have been promising developments in identifying novel frailty markers and methods to screen for frailty in the older adult population. Further prospective trials that focus on and address the needs of the geriatric population for early identification of frailty in cancer care, facilitating a more tailored treatment approach. Practicing oncologists should select a frailty assessment to implement into their routine practice and adjust treatment accordingly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ishan Patel
- Inova Schar Cancer Institute, 8081 Innovation Park Drive, Falls Church, Falls Church, VA, 22031, USA.
| | - Arthur Winer
- Inova Schar Cancer Institute, 8081 Innovation Park Drive, Falls Church, Falls Church, VA, 22031, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li D, Ju F, Wang H, Fan C, Jacob JC, Gul S, Zaliani A, Wartmann T, Polidori MC, Bruns CJ, Zhao Y. Combination of the biomarkers for aging and cancer? - Challenges and current status. Transl Oncol 2023; 38:101783. [PMID: 37716258 PMCID: PMC10514562 DOI: 10.1016/j.tranon.2023.101783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The proportion of patients diagnosed with cancer has been shown to rise with the increasing aging global population. Advanced age is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality in older adults. As individuals experience varying health statuses, particularly with age, it poses a challenge for medical professionals in the cancer field to obtain standardized treatment outcomes. Hence, relying solely on chronological age and disease-related parameters is inadequate for clinical decision-making for elderly patients. With functional, multimorbidity-related, and psychosocial changes that occur with aging, oncologic diseases may develop and be treated differently from younger patients, leading to unique challenges in treatment efficacy and tolerance. To overcome this challenge, personalized therapy using biomarkers has emerged as a promising solution. Various categories of biomarkers, including inflammatory, hematological, metabolic, endocrine, and DNA modification-related indicators, may display features related to both cancer and aging, aiding in the development of innovative therapeutic approaches for patients with cancer in old age. Furthermore, physical functional measurements as non-molecular phenotypic biomarkers are being investigated for their potential complementary role in structured multidomain strategies to combat age-related diseases such as cancer. This review provides insight into the current developments, recent discoveries, and significant challenges in cancer and aging biomarkers, with a specific focus on their application in advanced age.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dai Li
- Department of General, Visceral, Tumor and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Department of Anesthesiology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Ju
- Department of General, Visceral, Tumor and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Han Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunfu Fan
- Medical faculty, University of Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Sheraz Gul
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Schnackenburgallee 114, d-22525 Hamburg, Germany; Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hamburg Site, Schnackenburgallee 114, d-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Zaliani
- Fraunhofer Institute for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, Schnackenburgallee 114, d-22525 Hamburg, Germany; Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hamburg Site, Schnackenburgallee 114, d-22525 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Wartmann
- Department of General, Visceral und Vascular Surgery, Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Leipziger Str. 44, Magdeburg, 39120, Germany
| | - Maria Cristina Polidori
- Ageing Clinical Research, Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany; Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress-Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD), University of Cologne, Cologne Germany
| | - Christiane J Bruns
- Department of General, Visceral, Tumor and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany; Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO) Aachen, Bonn, Cologne and Düsseldorf, Cologne, Germany
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of General, Visceral, Tumor and Transplantation Surgery, University Hospital of Cologne, Kerpener Straße 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
van Holstein Y, van den Berkmortel PJE, Trompet S, van Heemst D, van den Bos F, Roemeling-van Rhijn M, de Glas NA, Beekman M, Slagboom PE, Portielje JEA, Mooijaart SP, van Munster BC. The association of blood biomarkers with treatment response and adverse health outcomes in older patients with solid tumors: A systematic review. J Geriatr Oncol 2023; 14:101567. [PMID: 37453811 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgo.2023.101567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Blood biomarkers are potentially useful prognostic markers and may support treatment decisions, but it is unknown if and which biomarkers are most useful in older patients with solid tumors. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence on the association of blood biomarkers with treatment response and adverse health outcomes in older patients with solid tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature search was conducted in five databases in December 2022 to identify studies on blood biomarkers measured before treatment initiation, not tumor specific, and outcomes in patients with solid tumors aged ≥60 years. Studies on any type or line of oncologic treatment could be included. Titles and abstracts were screened by three authors. Data extraction and quality assessment, using the Quality in Prognosis Studies (QUIPS) checklist, were performed by two authors. RESULTS Sixty-three studies were included, with a median sample size of 138 patients (Interquartile range [IQR] 99-244) aged 76 years (IQR 72-78). Most studies were retrospective cohort studies (63%). The risk of bias was moderate in 52% and high in 43%. Less than one-third reported geriatric parameters. Eighty-six percent examined mortality outcomes, 37% therapeutic response, and 37% adverse events. In total, 77 unique markers were studied in patients with a large variety of tumor types and treatment modalities. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (20 studies), albumin (19), C-reactive protein (16), hemoglobin (14) and (modified) Glasgow Prognostic Score ((m)GPS) (12) were studied most often. The vast majority showed no significant association of these biomarkers with outcomes, except for associations between low albumin and adverse events and high (m)GPS with mortality. DISCUSSION Most studies did not find a significant association between blood biomarkers and clinical outcomes. The interpretation of current evidence on prognostic blood biomarkers is hampered by small sample sizes and inconsistent results across heterogeneous studies. The choice for blood biomarkers in the majority of included studies seemed driven by availability in clinical practice in retrospective cohort studies. Ageing biomarkers are rarely studied in older patients with solid tumors. Further research is needed in larger and more homogenous cohorts that combine clinical parameters and biomarkers before these can be used in clinical practice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yara van Holstein
- Department of Internal Medicine, section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands.
| | - P Janne E van den Berkmortel
- Department of Internal Medicine, section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Stella Trompet
- Department of Internal Medicine, section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Diana van Heemst
- Department of Internal Medicine, section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Frederiek van den Bos
- Department of Internal Medicine, section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | | | - Nienke A de Glas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Marian Beekman
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, section of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - P Eline Slagboom
- Department of Biomedical Data Sciences, section of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | | | - Simon P Mooijaart
- Department of Internal Medicine, section of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, the Netherlands
| | - Barbara C van Munster
- Department of Internal Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Predictive Value of Inflammatory and Nutritional Indexes in the Pathology of Bladder Cancer Patients Treated with Radical Cystectomy. Curr Oncol 2023; 30:2582-2597. [PMID: 36975410 PMCID: PMC10047817 DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30030197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the focus of numerous studies has been the predictive value of inflammatory and nutritional parameters in oncology patients. The aim of our study was to examine the relationship between the inflammatory and nutritional parameters and the histopathological characteristics of patients with bladder cancer. A retrospective study included 491 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer between 2017 and 2021. We calculated the preoperative values of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), the systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), the lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), the prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and the geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI). Statistically significant positive correlations were observed between NLR, dNLR, SII, SIRI, and PLR and the pathological stage of the tumor. We observed statistically significant inverse correlations for LMR, PNI, and GNRI with the tumor stage. SIRI was identified as an independent predictor of the presence of LVI. dNLR was identified as an independent predictor of positive surgical margins. GNRI was identified as an independent predictor of the presence of metastases in the lymph nodes. We noticed the predictive value of SIRI, dNLR, and GNRI in the pathology of bladder cancer patients.
Collapse
|
6
|
Specjalski K, Romantowski J, Niedoszytko M. YKL-40 as a possible marker of neutrophilic asthma. Front Med (Lausanne) 2023; 10:1115938. [PMID: 36844232 PMCID: PMC9945318 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1115938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Asthma is a heterogeneous chronic disorder of the airways, with inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness as its major underlying phenomena. Asthmatics vary in terms of inflammation pattern, concomitant pathologies, and factors aggravating the course of the disease. As a result, there is a need for sensitive and specific biomarkers that could facilitate diagnosing asthma as well as phenotyping in everyday practice. Chitinases and chitinase-like proteins (CLPs) seem promising in this field. Chitinases are evolutionarily conserved hydrolases that degrade chitin. In contrast, CLPs bind chitin but do not have degrading activity. Mammalian chitinases and CLPs are produced by neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages in response to parasitic or fungal infections. Recently, several questions have been raised about their role in chronic airway inflammation. Several studies demonstrated that overexpression of CLP YKL-40 was associated with asthma. Moreover, it correlated with exacerbation rate, therapy resistance, poor control of symptoms, and, inversely, with FEV1. YKL-40 facilitated allergen sensitization and IgE production. Its concentration was elevated in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after an allergen challenge. It was also found to promote the proliferation of bronchial smooth muscle cells and correlate with subepithelial membrane thickness. Thus, it may be involved in bronchial remodeling. Associations between YKL-40 and particular asthma phenotypes remain unclear. Some studies showed that YKL-40 correlates with blood eosinophilia and FeNO, suggesting a role in T2-high inflammation. Quite the opposite, cluster analyses revealed the highest upregulation in severe neutrophilic asthma and obesity-associated asthma. The main limitation in the practical application of YKL-40 as a biomarker is its low specificity. High serum levels of YKL-40 were also found in COPD and several malignancies, in addition to infectious and autoimmune diseases. To conclude, the level of YKL-40 correlates with asthma and some clinical features in the whole asthmatic population. The highest levels are found in neutrophilic and obesity-related phenotypes. However, due to its low specificity, the practical application of YKL-40 remains uncertain but could be useful in phenotyping, especially when combined with other biomarkers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jan Romantowski
- Department of Allergology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Marek Niedoszytko
- Department of Allergology, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ruiz Esparza Garrido R, Gutiérrez M, Ángel Velázquez Flores M. Circulating cervical cancer biomarkers potentially useful in medical attention (Review). Mol Clin Oncol 2023; 18:13. [PMID: 36761385 PMCID: PMC9892968 DOI: 10.3892/mco.2023.2609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer (CC) is a public health problem worldwide, including Mexico. This type of cancer is the fourth most frequent in women worldwide; in Mexico it is the second most common type in women after breast cancer. The diagnosis of CC is based mainly on Pap smears and colposcopy and the identification of molecular tools that serve as a support for these methods is urgent. Regarding this, differential expressions of specific circulating biomolecules has been detected and, based on this, they have been postulated as potential biomarkers for CC diagnosis, prognosis, and/or to identify the response to treatments. Importantly, the combined analysis of these molecules considerably improves their efficacy as biomarkers and their potential use in the medical attention is promising.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Ruiz Esparza Garrido
- Investigadora por México, Non-coding RNAs Laboratory, Medical Research Unit in Human Genetics, Children's Hospital ‘Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freund’, National Medical Center XXI Century, Mexican Institute of Social (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, IMSS), Doctores, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| | - Mercedes Gutiérrez
- ATSO PHARMA Laboratory, Jardines del Pedregal, Álvaro Obregón, Mexico City 01900, Mexico
| | - Miguel Ángel Velázquez Flores
- Non-coding RNAs Laboratory, Medical Research Unit in Human Genetics, Children's Hospital ‘Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freund’, National Medical Center XXI Century, Mexican Institute of Social (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, IMSS), Doctores, Mexico City 06720, Mexico,Correspondence to: Dr Miguel Ángel Velázquez Flores, Non-coding RNAs Laboratory, Medical Research Unit in Human Genetics, Children's Hospital ‘Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freund’, National Medical Center XXI Century, Mexican Institute of Social Security, 330 Cuauhtémoc Avenue, Doctores, Mexico City 06720, Mexico
| |
Collapse
|