Hematocrit control and thrombotic risk in patients with polycythemia vera treated with ruxolitinib in clinical practice

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by unregulated red blood cell production resulting in elevated hemoglobin and/or hematocrit levels. Patients often have symptoms such as fatigue, pruritus, and painful splenomegaly, but are also at risk of thrombosis, both venous and arterial. Ruxolitinib, a selective Janus kinase inhibitor, is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration as second-line cytoreductive treatment after intolerance or inadequate response to hydroxyurea. Although ruxolitinib has been widely used in this setting, limited data exist in the literature on ruxolitinib treatment patterns and outcomes among patients with PV in routine clinical practice. We report a retrospective, observational, cohort study of patients treated for PV with ruxolitinib across three US centers (academic and regional practice) from December 2014-December 2019. The study included 69 patients, with a median follow-up duration of 3.7 years (95% CI, 2.9-4.4). Our data demonstrate very high rates of hematocrit control (88% of patients by three months and 89% by six months); few patients required dose adjustments or suspension. No arterial thromboses were observed; however, the follow-up duration does not allow for the generation of meaningful conclusions from this. Three patients had thrombotic events; one was in the setting of a second malignancy, one post-operative, and a third related to prolonged immobility. We also found that 28% of patients initiated ruxolitinib as a result of poorly controlled platelet counts, second only to hydroxyurea intolerance (46%) as a reason to start therapy. In clinical practice, ruxolitinib continues to be effective in controlling hematocrit levels after three and six months of treatment in patients and is associated with low thrombotic risk.

Levine Cancer Institute Financial Toxicity Tumor Board: A Potential Solution to an Emerging Problem

PURPOSE:

Fiscal distress or “financial toxicity,” in which patients experience challenges in paying for treatment, are becoming dominant problems for patients with cancer because of burgeoning health care costs and strategies implemented by health insurance payers to reduce their level of expenditure. We report the structure and function of the first Financial Toxicity Tumor Board (FTTB). Modeled on the concept of a conventional multidisciplinary tumor board, FTTB functions as a multidisciplinary conference providing broad problem-solving approaches to financial toxicity.

METHODS:

The FTTB, with participation from physicians, nurses, financial counselors, nurse navigators, social workers, and administrators, meets monthly and is focused on financial toxicity and financial worry experienced by patients with cancer. It is linked to a Patient Assistance Program for oncologic pharmaceutical agents as this domain constitutes a critical area of financial toxicity for many patients.

RESULTS:

In the first years of function, more than $55-$60 million of personal expenditure has been avoided for 1,749 and 1,819 patients, respectively, as well as more than $1.3 million copay assistance provided for financially challenged patients. Problems addressed have included payer impediments, underinsurance, complexities of certification, coding or billing issues, and inadequate internal standard operating procedures.

CONCLUSION:

A focus on proactive management of financial toxicity through the function of multidisciplinary FTTBs substantially ameliorates this burgeoning international problem. This concept is presented early as it may be leveraged readily in other centers.

Comprehensive geriatric assessment in lung cancer and hematologic malignancy

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Background: The incidence of cancer in patients older than 65 is nearly tenfold higher than in their younger counterparts. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is recommended for cancer patients > 65 years, as it can more reliably assess underlying function and predict tolerance to anticancer therapy. We reviewed data for patients with lung cancer and hematologic malignancies who completed comprehensive geriatric assessment by the Senior Oncology Section within the Levine Cancer Institute. Methods: From 2015 to 2019 Levine Cancer Institute (LCI) providers performed 96 CGAs in lung cancer patients and 58 in patients with hematologic malignancy, many of the latter being evaluated for bone marrow transplantation. Data was incorporated into an LCI Senior Oncology Clinic Database using the REDCap secure web application, allowing both quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Results: Median ages were 80 in lung cancer and 67 in hematologic malignancy. The lung cancer patients had a slower gait than patients with hematologic malignancy (0.8 m/s versus 1.3 m/s). Lung cancer patients also had a longer median timed up and go (TUG) test of 13 seconds, versus 8 seconds in hematologic malignancy. Considerably more lung cancer patients had experienced a fall within the preceding six months (32 (33%) versus 9 (16%)). The median Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatric (CIRS-G) total score was significantly higher in lung than in hematologic malignancy (14 versus 8), indicating a higher degree of comorbid illness. Cognitive functioning was comparable between the two groups, with median Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scores of 25 in lung and 26 in hematologic malignancy. Conclusions: Lung cancer patients undergoing CGA had more comorbid illnesses, slower gait speed and timed up and go, and more falls in the preceding 6 months than hematologic malignancy patients. Overall cognitive functioning was not significantly different between the two groups. These findings highlight the importance of comprehensive geriatric assessment in elderly lung cancer patients. [Table: see text]

Pre- and post-comprehensive geriatric assessment in older patients with hematological malignancy before allogeneic stem cell transplantation

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Background: Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a multi-dimensional evaluation which influences medical decisions and predicts toxicity in older cancer patients. CGA pre-allogeneic stem cell transplant patients (ASCT) and repeated post-transplant provides information about treatment and helps to determine which parameters may predict ASCT outcomes. Methods: This was a prospective observational study evaluating 17 older patients with hematologic malignancy with CGA between December 9, 2016 and April 3, 2018 within the Levine Cancer Institute Senior Oncology Clinic. Included were validated measures across domains of cognition, disability, frailty, function and psychologic status. Repeat CGA was performed on surviving patients at least 99 days after ASCT (avg 122 days). Results: Median age was 66 (range 60-75) and the most common diagnosis was AML. There was no notable difference in pre and post-CGA physical and neurocognitive parameters for ASCT survivors (n=8). Within the deceased group (n=9) there was a longer TUG, lower patient-reported KPS, poorer psychological status, grip strength, and social support. Conclusions: There was no notable difference in the physical and neurocognitive CGA parameters before and after ASCT. Although the sample is small, there were notable trends toward lower patient-rated KPS compared to physician-rated KPS, poorer ADL function, slower TUG, and weaker grip strength in those patients who did not survive. CGA may identify older patients with hematologic malignancy who are at risk for worse outcomes post-ASCT.[Table: see text]

Response and survival rates with frontline hypomethylating agent (HMAs) in favorable risk AML

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Background: HMAs are an accepted frontline therapy for AML patients (pts) who are unfit for intensive induction therapy (IIT), particularly pts with unfavorable cytogenetics and/or p53 mutations. However, little is known about the response of favorable risk AML to HMAs. We previously reported that NPM1 mutated and/or CD34- AML status were predictors of response to HMAs. Here, we evaluated responses to frontline HMAs in AML. Methods: A total of 117 patients with de novo AML diagnosed between 7/2013 and 9/2016 were evaluated based on pt and disease related variables, overall response rate (ORR = CR + CR with incomplete count recovery + hematologic remission (ANC > 1000/µL, Hgb > 10g/dL, Plts > 100,000/µL, & no circulating blasts)), and overall survival (OS). Categorical variables were compared using Fisher’s exact test. Kaplan Meier methods estimated survival outcomes, and log rank tests compared survival between groups. Multivariable analyses were performed using Cox proportional hazards models. Results: 51 pts, considered unfit for IIT, received frontline HMAs. ORR and OS were highest in the ELN favorable risk AML pts (n = 13; ORR = 92%, p = .009; median OS = 17.5 months, p = .022). Among 41 NPM1 mutated pts, 15 received HMAs; and 26 received intensive induction. ORRs were 73% and 84%, respectively (p = .434). No difference was found in OS distributions between the HMA and IIT groups in univariate and multivariate (adjusted for age and FLT3 status) models (p = .329 and .241, respectively). Interestingly, ORR was 100% among 9 HMA-treated pts with NPM1 mutated, CD34-, FLT3/ITD-, cytogenetically normal AML. Conclusions: HMA therapy is highly effective frontline treatment in favorable risk AML pts considered unfit for IIT. Survival results with HMAs in NPM1 mutated AML are comparable to those of fitter pts treated with IIT. In selected favorable risk pts considered unfit for standard induction, HMAs can be a successful bridge to potentially curative therapy, including more intensive therapy or transplant. Cytogenetically normal AML with an isolated NPM1 mutation and CD34- status appears to be exceptionally responsive to frontline treatment with HMAs. Prospective validation of these findings is necessary.