Effect of ALDH1A1 and CD44 on Survival and Disease Recurrence in Patients With Osteosarcoma

PURPOSE

Emerging evidence suggests that osteosarcoma stem cells (OSCs) may be responsible for tumor initiation propagation, recurrence, and resistance to therapy. We set out to evaluate the relationship between the abundance of ALDH1A1 and CD44-positive cells in biopsy and resection samples on disease recurrence and overall survival.

METHODS

A retrospective review of 20 patients, including biopsy and resection samples, was performed at a comprehensive cancer center. Additionally, we queried the publicly available TARGET dataset of osteosarcoma patients.

RESULTS

Neither the percentages of ALDH1A1-positive cells nor CD44-positive cells were significantly associated with overall mortality or disease recurrence in either biopsy or resection samples. Unlike our institutional data, overall survival was significantly correlated to higher ALDH1A1 expression in the TARGET dataset both in univariate and age-adjusted analyses.

CONCLUSIONS

ADLH1 and CD44, potential markers of OSCs, were not found to be reliable clinical immunohistochemical prognostic markers for osteosarcoma patient survival, specifically disease-free survival. Osteosarcoma patients with high ALDH1A1 RNA expression showed improved overall survival in examining a national genomic database of osteosarcoma patients but again no association with disease-free survival. The potential of CD44 and ALDH1A1 as cellular-specific prognostic markers of survival, and as possible molecular targets, may be limited in osteosarcoma.

Tantalum Spacer Augmentation of Large Bony Defects in Hindfoot Arthrodesis

Category:

Ankle Arthritis; Hindfoot

Introduction/Purpose:

Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) arthrodesis is a common surgical technique used in the treatment of various hindfoot pathologies. Large osseus defects are particularly challenging with a high rate of graft collapse and nonunion when using autograft or allograft. Porous tantalum has emerged as a favorable osteoconductive material to address sizeable hindfoot defects. The purpose of this study was to review the radiographic outcomes and complications associated with tantalum spacer augmentation in hindfoot arthrodesis.

Methods:

A retrospective review was performed of all patients who underwent a hindfoot arthrodesis augmented with a metal spacer (Trabecular MetalTM) from 2012 to 2020 at a single institution. Patients [endif]–>18 years of age who had a large, hindfoot osseus defect were included in the study. Surgeries were performed by two fellowship-trained foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons. The primary outcomes assessed were presence of radiographic union, post-operative complications, and return to the operating room.

Results:

Fourteen patients were identified who underwent hindfoot arthrodesis with the use of a Trabecular MetalTM augment. Two of the 14 patients were lost to follow-up resulting in a total of 12 patients with an average age of 59 years (range, 42 - 74). The average length of follow-up was 26 months (range, 4 - 56). Four patients had plain radiographs at final follow-up compared to 7 patients who had CT scans performed. Nine patients underwent TTC fusion with a retrograde intramedullary nail (MedShape DynaNail) and three patients underwent isolated subtalar (ST) fusion. Ten of 12 fusions were augmented using reamer irrigator aspirator (RIA) autograft and two patients received autograft from either the tibia or fibula. Of the 12 patients, 10 achieved radiographic evidence of union for a union rate of 83%. There were three patients who required reoperations: one hypertrophic nonunion, one surgical site infection, and one symptomatic hardware.

Conclusion:

Tantalum provides a great structural option for patients undergoing TTC or ST fusion in the setting of large hindfoot bony defects. This method combined with the use of autograft and adequate biomechanical stabilization can produce reliable results. Functional outcomes are needed to capture the utility of this technique in attaining longterm clinical results.

Prognostic factors, disparity, and equity variables impacting prognosis in bone sarcomas of the hand: SEER database review

BACKGROUND

Primary sarcomas originating from the bones of hand and wrist are rare but carry a significant burden of morbidity.

METHODS

National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result database from 1975 to 2017 was queried to report incidence and survival data in 237 patients in the United States. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression were used to determine the prognostic factors affecting survival. χ² test was used to assess the correlation.

RESULTS

Incidence of hand and wrist sarcoma was 0.017 per 100 000 persons in 2017 and has not significantly changed since 1975 (p > 0.05). Disease-specific 5-year and 10-year survival for the entire cohort was 90% and 84%, respectively. On multivariate analysis race "others," histology other than "osteosarcoma," "undifferentiated" grade, and size "≥6 cm" were predictors of worse disease-specific survival. Cross-tabulation of race with other significant prognostic factors on univariate analysis revealed a significant correlation of race with every other significant prognostic factor except for grade.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study is an analysis of a population-based registry reporting incidence and survival data for patients with sarcoma of hand and wrist. Independent prognostic factors include race, histology, grade, and size. There is a lack of improvement in survival over the last four decades.

What is the Trend in Representation of Women and Under-represented Minorities in Orthopaedic Surgery Residency?

BACKGROUND

Orthopaedic surgery training programs have lagged behind other surgical specialties in increasing their representation of women and people from under-represented minority (URM) groups. Comparative data between orthopaedic surgery and other specialties are needed to help identify solutions to closing the diversity gap.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

(1) Which surgical specialties have the greatest representation of women residents and residents from URM groups? (2) How have the proportions of women residents and residents from URM groups changed across the surgical specialties during the past decade?

METHODS

This was a retrospective evaluation of a large, longitudinally maintained survey database. Resident data by gender and ethnicity were retrieved from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Data Resource Books for the 2011 to 2012 through 2019 to 2020 academic years. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education database is updated annually; thus, it is the most up-to-date and complete database available for gender and ethnicity data for all surgical residents. Data were obtained and analyzed for seven different surgical specialties: orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, otolaryngology, plastic surgery, general surgery, and urology. No sampling was necessary, and thus descriptive statistics of the data were completed. Because the entire population of residents was included for the period of time in question, no statistical comparisons were made, and the reported differences represent absolute differences between the groups for these periods. Linear regression analyses were performed to estimate the annual growth rates of women residents and residents from URM groups in each specialty.

RESULTS

Among the seven surgical specialties, representation of women residents increased from 28% (4640 of 16,854) of residents in 2012 to 33% (6879 of 20,788) in 2020. Orthopaedic surgery had the lowest representation of women residents every year, with women residents comprising 16% of residents (700 of 4342) in 2020. Among the seven surgical specialties, representation of residents from URM groups increased from 8.1% (1362 of 16,854) in 2012 to 9.7% (2013 of 20,788) in 2020. In 2020, the representation of residents from URM groups in orthopaedic surgery was 7.7% (333 of 4342). In 2020, general surgery had the highest representation of women residents (42%; 3696 of 8809) as well as residents from URM groups (12%; 1065 of 8809). Plastic surgery (1.46% per year) and general surgery (0.95% per year) had larger annual growth rates of women residents than the other specialties did. In each surgical specialty, the annual growth rate of residents from URM groups was insignificant.

CONCLUSION

During the past decade, there was only a small increase in the representation of women in orthopaedic surgery, while the representation of people from URM groups did not change. In contrast, by 2020, general surgery had become the most diverse among the seven surgical specialties. To increase diversity in our field, we need to evaluate and implement some of the effective interventions that have helped general surgery become the diverse surgical specialty that it is today.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

General surgery has substantially reduced gender and ethnic disparities that existed in the past, while those in orthopaedic surgery still persist. General surgery residencies have implemented a holistic review of resident applications and longitudinal mentoring programs to successfully address these disparities. Orthopaedic surgery programs should consider placing less emphasis on United States Medical Licensing Examination score thresholds and more weight on applicants' non-academic attributes, and put more efforts into targeted longitudinal mentorship programs, some of which should be led by non-minority faculty.

Malignant neoplasms originating from the bones of the foot: Predilection of hematological malignancies and sex-related and ethnic disparities in amputation

PURPOSE

Neoplasms originating from the "small bones of the lower limb and the overlapping joints" are rare but portend a serious prognosis. Current study utilizes a population-based registry in the United States to characterize the malignancies of the foot.

METHODS

National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result database from 1975 to 2017 was queried to report incidence and survival data in 514 patients in the Uited States. Kaplan-Meier and Cox Regression were used to determine the prognostic factors affecting survival. Chi square test was used to assess the correlation.

RESULTS

Hematological malignancies constituted 14.8% of the entire cohort. Incidence of the foot neoplasms was 0.024 per 100 000 persons in 2017 and has not significantly changed since 1975 (p > 0.05). Disease-specific-5-year survival for the entire cohort was 73%. On multivariate analysis younger age groups, "localized" stage and extent of surgical resection were predictors of improved outcomes. A significant correlation was found between amputation with male sex and Hispanic ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study analyzes data from population-based registry reporting incidence and survival data for patients with neoplasms of the foot. Independent prognostic factors include age, stage and extent of surgical resection. Amputation was found to be associated with male sex and Hispanic ethnicity.

Primary mobile vertebral column sarcomas: Prognostic factors vary by histologic subtypes

BACKGROUND

Primary sarcomas originating from the mobile spine portends a particularly sinister outcome. Rarity of the disease process has resulted in inconsistent data due to small sample size and heterogeneity in patient selection and analytics.

METHODS

Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Result (SEER) database from 1975 to 2017 was queried to report incidence and survival data in 712 patients in the United States. Kaplan-Meier and Cox Regression were used to determine the prognostic factors affecting survival.

RESULTS

Incidence of spinal sarcoma was 0.019 per 100,000 persons in 2017 and has not significantly changed since 2000 (p > 0.05). Disease-specific 5-year survival for the entire cohort was 57%. Osteosarcoma has the worst 5-year survival (39%) and chondrosarcoma has the best 5-year survival (69%). Independent predictors of survival for the entire cohort included age, grade, and stage. Stage was an independent predictor of survival for every histologic subtype. Additional predictors of survival for spinal osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, and chondrosarcoma included age, size, and grade, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study is an analysis of a population-based registry reporting incidence survival data for patients with sarcoma of mobile vertebral column. Survival and prognostic factors vary by histologic subtypes. There is lack of improvement in survival over the last three decades.

Postoperative In-Hospital Morbidity and Mortality of Patients With COVID-19 Infection Compared With Patients Without COVID-19 Infection

This cohort study uses the Vizient Clinical Data Base to compare the postoperative in-hospital morbidity and mortality of surgical patients with COVID-19 infection with patients without COVID-19 infection.