Frailty and neurocognitive decline in young adult survivors of childhood cancer: A longitudinal analysis from the St. Jude lifetime cohort

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Background: Among young adult childhood cancer survivors, 8% meet the criteria for frailty, an aging phenotype associated with poor health. Frailty is associated with neurocognitive decline in the elderly general population, but this association has not been examined in young adult survivors of childhood cancer. Methods: Childhood cancer survivors (N = 845, mean [SD] age 30 [7] years, 22 [7] years post diagnosis, 52% male) were clinically evaluated for prefrailty/frailty (defined as ≥2/≥3 of muscle wasting, muscle weakness, low energy expenditure, slow walking speed, exhaustion) and completed neuropsychological assessments at baseline and five years later. Linear regression models estimated mean differences in neurocognitive decline in prefrail/frail survivors vs. non-frail survivors adjusting for age, sex, race, CNS therapy (cranial radiation, intrathecal chemotherapy, neurosurgery), and baseline neurocognitive performance. P-values were adjusted for multiple comparisons using false discovery rate (FDR). Results: 18% and 6% of survivors were prefrail and frail at baseline. Baseline frailty was associated with declines in visual-motor processing speed, short-term memory, and sustained attention (Table). Prefrailty and frailty were associated with declines in focused attention and executive function (Table). No significant associations were observed between prefrailty or frailty and decline in global cognition, academics, motor processing speed, long-term memory, verbal learning, or verbal fluency despite significant baseline cross-sectional associations. Conclusions: Young adult prefrail and frail survivors had greater declines in attention and executive function compared to non-frail survivors, domains commonly associated with aging. These findings suggest that interventions designed to mitigate components of frailty may also mitigate or prevent neurocognitive decline. [Table: see text]

Serum biomarkers for detection of cardiomyopathy in survivors of childhood cancer: A report from the St. Jude Lifetime Cohort

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Background: Childhood cancer survivors are at increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Little is known about the utility of cardiac biomarkers (NT-proBNP, cardiac troponin-T [TnT]) for long-term surveillance. Methods: Cross-sectional analyses of 1213 survivors ≥18 years of age and ≥10 years from cancer diagnosis (786 exposed to cardiotoxic therapy [174 radiation therapy (RT) alone, 366 anthracycline alone, 246 both] and 427 unexposed). TnT > 0.01 ng/ml and NT-proBNP levels > 97.5th percentile age- and sex-specific cutoffs were considered abnormal. Three-dimensional left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), global longitudinal strain (GLS), diastolic function and cardiomyopathy (CM) according to the CTCAE v4.03 were evaluated. Generalized linear models estimated risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Among survivors (median 8.7 [range 0.0-23.6] years at diagnosis; 35.5 [range 19.1-62.2] years at evaluation), NT-proBNP and TnT were abnormal in 22.5% and 0.4%, respectively. A dose-dependent increased risk for abnormal NT-proBNP was seen with exposure to chest RT (referent no RT, 1- < 20 Gy RR 1.62 [CI 1.07-2.46], 20- < 30 Gy RR 1.68 [1.23-2.30], ≥30 Gy RR 3.66 [2.89-4.64]; p for trend < 0.0001) and anthracycline (referent no anthracycline, 1-200mg/m2 RR 1.39 [1.01-1.91], 201-350mg/m2 RR 2.28 [1.74-2.99], > 350mg/m2 RR 2.99 [2.27-3.95]; p for trend < 0.0001). Survivors with CM at the time of evaluation had abnormal NT-proBNP (grade 2 CM RR 1.46, CI 1.08-1.99; grade 3-4 CM 2.66, 2.02-2.39). However, among exposed survivors previously undiagnosed with clinical CM, NT-proBNP had poor sensitivity and moderate specificity in identifying those with new onset of abnormal LVEF ( < 53%), GLS or diastolic dysfunction: sensitivity (29%, 30%, 33%), specificity (75%, 77%, 76%). Also, 132 (20.2%) had abnormal NT-proBNP with normal LVEF (≥53%). Conclusions: Abnormal NT-proBNP levels were prevalent and associated with prior cardiotoxic therapy and established CM but were not sensitive for detection of new onset CM. Longitudinal follow-up is needed to determine whether abnormal NT-proBNP in the large number of survivors without CM is predictive of future CM.

Impact of protein supplementation on lean muscle mass in adult survivors of childhood cancer engaged in resistance training

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Background: Muscle weakness, low lean muscle mass and poor physical performance are prevalent among adult survivors of childhood cancer. We evaluated the effects of resistance training with and without protein supplementation on lean muscle mass, and muscle strength among childhood cancer survivors. Methods: This double-blind placebo-controlled trial enrolled survivors aged ≥18 to < 45 years. Participants were randomized to resistance training with daily protein supplement (21g protein/day, 90kcal) (RT+S) or resistance training with placebo (sucrose, 90kcal) (RT+P). Both groups received educational materials, access to a local fitness center and a tailored resistance training program with tapered supervision. Lean muscle mass and muscle strength were assessed at baseline and 24 weeks, using dual x-ray absorptiometry and dynamometer testing respectively. Mean changes were compared within and between groups. Results: Of 93 participants randomized, 57 completed the 24-week intervention (24 in RT+S, 33 in RT+P). The mean age was 33.1 (SD 7.0), 67% were white and 47% female. The RT+S group had a significant increase in lean body mass (1.05 kg [SD 2.34], p = 0.04), while the RT+P group did not (0.13 kg [SD 2.19], p = 0.74). Mean change in handgrip strength also improved in the RT+S group (1.98 [SD 4.30], p = 0.03); change approached significance in the RT+P group (1.49 [SD 4.60], p = 0.07). All survivors significantly improved their strength over time (Table) as measured by one max repetition test at baseline and follow-up. Conclusions: Preliminary findings indicate that a supervised resistance training program among adult survivors of childhood cancer that includes protein supplementation is feasible and may increase total lean body mass and muscle strength. Clinical trial information: NCT02501460. [Table: see text]

Progression of frailty in young adult survivors of childhood cancer: St. Jude Lifetime Cohort

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Background: Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for premature aging; over 8% (ages18-60 years) meet Fried Frailty Criteria (≥3 of low lean muscle mass, muscle weakness, slow walking speed, exhaustion, low energy expenditure). Longitudinal changes and new onset frailty has not been studied. Methods: Childhood cancer survivors (N = 1501, 51.5% male, 14.9% black, median age at diagnosis 7 [0-22] years), were evaluated clinically to ascertain frailty at baseline (median age 30 [18-45] years) and five years later. Risk factors for incident frailty and impact of baseline frailty on mortality were evaluated in proportional hazard models. Results: Frailty increased from 6.0% (95% CI 4.1-8.9) to 11.7% (95% CI 6.7-12.2) overall, and for all diagnoses (Table). Risk factors for new onset frailty among those not frail at baseline were amputation (HR 5.1, 95% CI 1.1-14.4), anthracyclines (HR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4 per 100 mg/m2), and carboplatin (HR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.5 per 2000 mg/m2). Severe, disabling or life threatening chronic conditions (HR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4 per organ system) and inactivity (HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.2) also predicted new onset frailty. Sixty-nine participants died from baseline to follow-up. Accounting for age, sex and chronic conditions, baseline frailty was associated with a 2.9 (95% CI 1.6-5.2) increased hazard of death. Conclusions: Prevalent frailty nearly doubled in five years and was associated with increased risk for death. Given that previous treatment exposures cannot be altered, interventions to remediate chronic disease and promote activity may impact function and longevity for childhood cancer survivors. [Table: see text]

Randomized web-based physical activity intervention in adolescent survivors of childhood cancer

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Background: This study of adolescent survivors of childhood cancer evaluated the initial efficacy of a web-delivered, interactive, rewards-based physical activity intervention that aimed to increase moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and improve fitness, neurocognitive and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes over 24 weeks. Methods: Survivors (aged ≥ 11 to < 15 years) who were not undergoing active cancer treatment, were physically active < 60 minutes/day and were treated at a single institution were randomized (2:1) to a rewards-based physical activity intervention delivered via the internet or a control group. The intervention group received educational materials, an activity monitor, and access to an interactive website designed to motivate increased physical activity via rewards (e.g. t-shirts, stickers, gift cards) and the control group received only the activity monitor and educational materials. Physical activity, fitness, neurocognitive and HRQoL outcomes were assessed at baseline and 24-weeks. Mean changes in outcomes were compared between groups using paired t-tests. Results: Of 97 survivors enrolled, 78 completed the study (53 in the intervention group, 25 in the control group), the mean age was 12.7 (SD 1.1), 80% were white, and 55.1% were female. The intervention group increased their MVPA over time (mean change in weekly MVPA: 4.7 minutes [SD 119.9]), while the control group steadily decreased their weekly MVPA (-24.3 minutes [SD 89.7]) (p = 0.30). In the intervention group, mean change in hand grip strength (p = 0.01), number of sit-ups (p < 0.01) and push-ups (p < 0.01), neurocognitive measures (e.g. verbal executive function, p < 0.01), and HRQoL outcomes (e.g. overall HRQoL, p = 0.01; physical function, p = 0.01) improved over time; no change was observed in the control group. Conclusions: These preliminary findings indicate that increasing MVPA via an intervention designed to increase motivation to exercise may have positive effects on fitness, neurocognitive and HRQoL outcomes in adolescent survivors of childhood cancer. Clinical trial information: NCT01778127.