Antimetabolite dose intensity and adverse outcomes in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a COG-AALL03N1 report.

The association between antimetabolite dose intensity (DI) and adverse events among children receiving maintenance therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains unclear, especially in the context of antimetabolite adherence. Using Children's Oncology Group AALL03N1 data, we examined the association between high DI during the first 4 study months and (i) treatment-related toxicities during the subsequent 2 study months; and (ii) relapse risk. Patients were classified into a high DI phenotype (either 6-mercaptopurine [6-MP] or methotrexate [MTX] DI ≥110% during the first 4 study months, or 6-MPDI or MTXDI 100%-110% at study enrollment and ≥25% increase over the 4 study months) and normal DI phenotype (all others).

Poverty and relapse risk in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a Children's Oncology Group study AALL03N1 report.

The association between individual-level poverty and relapse in children receiving maintenance treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains unclear. In a secondary analysis of COG-AALL03N1, we used data from US Census Bureau to categorize patients living below year-specific federal poverty thresholds, calculated using self-reported annual household income and size of household. Participants with federal poverty thresholds above 120% of their yearly household income were categorized as living in extreme poverty.

Late Health Outcomes Among Survivors of Wilms Tumor Diagnosed Over Three Decades: A Report From the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study.

Purpose: To evaluate long-term morbidity and mortality among unilateral, nonsyndromic Wilms tumor (WT) survivors according to conventional treatment regimens.

Methods: Cumulative incidence of late mortality (≥ 5 years from diagnosis) and chronic health conditions (CHCs) were evaluated in WT survivors from the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study. Outcomes were evaluated by treatment, including nephrectomy combined with vincristine and actinomycin D (VA), VA + doxorubicin + abdominal radiotherapy (VAD + ART), VAD + ART + whole lung radiotherapy, or receipt of ≥ 4 chemotherapy agents.

Body mass index during maintenance therapy and relapse risk in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A Children's Oncology Group report.

Background: Obesity at diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is associated with greater risk of relapse; whether this association extends to obesity during maintenance is unstudied.

Methods: This study used data from AALL03N1 to calculate median body mass index (BMI) for 676 children over 6 consecutive months during maintenance therapy; BMI percentile (BMI%ile) were operationalized as normal/underweight (<85%ile), overweight/obese (85%-98%ile), and extreme obesity (≥99%ile). Hazard of relapse was estimated using multivariable proportional subdistributional hazards regression after adjusting for all relevant demographic and clinical predictors.

Gender Distribution of Authors of Evaluation Letters for Promotion at One Medical School.

Purpose: Women remain underrepresented in key leadership positions and advanced ranks in academic medicine. This study examines the numbers of men and women letter writers for promotion candidates during a 5-year period across departments, tracks, ranks, and candidate gender.

Method: A descriptive study characterized the gender of evaluation letter writers for candidates for promotion to associate or full professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School between 2015 and 2020.