Older patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma: Survival and prognostication across 20 U.S. cancer centers.

There is a paucity of large-scale data delineating outcomes and prognostication of older patients with primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL). We retrospectively analyzed 539 newly-diagnosed PCNSL patients ages ≥60 years across 20 U.S.

EBV-positive PCNSL in older patients: incidence, characteristics, tumor pathology, and outcomes across a large multicenter cohort.

The objective of this multicenter retrospective study was to examine the incidence, patient characteristics, pathology, and outcomes associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related CNS lymphoma (CNSL) in older patients. Among 309 CNSL patients aged ≥60, 11.7% had EBV + tumors of which 72.

Seroconversion and outcomes after initial and booster COVID-19 vaccination in adults with hematologic malignancies.

Background: Patients with hematologic malignancies have impaired humoral immunity secondary to their malignancy and its treatment, placing them at risk of severe coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) infection and reduced response to vaccination.

Methods: The authors retrospectively analyzed serologic responses to initial and booster COVID-19 vaccination in 378 patients with hematologic malignancy and subsequently tracked COVID-19-related outcomes.

Results: Seroconversion occurred in 181 patients (48%) after initial vaccination; patients who had active malignancy or those who were recently treated with a B-cell-depleting monoclonal antibody had the lowest rates of seroconversion.

Timing of high-dose methotrexate CNS prophylaxis in DLBCL: a multicenter international analysis of 1384 patients.

Prophylactic high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX) is often used for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients at high risk of central nervous system (CNS) relapse, despite limited evidence demonstrating efficacy or the optimal delivery method. We conducted a retrospective, international analysis of 1384 patients receiving HD-MTX CNS prophylaxis either intercalated (i-HD-MTX) (n = 749) or at the end (n = 635) of R-CHOP/R-CHOP-like therapy (EOT). There were 78 CNS relapses (3-year rate 5.

Detection of clonotypic DNA in the cerebrospinal fluid as a marker of central nervous system invasion in lymphoma.

The diagnosis of parenchymal central nervous system (CNS) invasion and prediction of risk for future CNS recurrence are major challenges in the management of aggressive lymphomas, and accurate biomarkers are needed to supplement clinical risk predictors. For this purpose, we studied the results of a next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based assay that detects tumor-derived DNA for clonotypic immunoglobulin gene rearrangements in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with lymphomas. Used as a diagnostic tool, the NGS-minimal residual disease (NGS-MRD) assay detected clonotypic DNA in 100% of CSF samples from 13 patients with known CNS involvement.

CD5 expression in marginal zone lymphoma predicts differential response to rituximab or bendamustine/rituximab.

We examined outcomes of 244 patients with marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) diagnosed in 2010-2020, of which 25 (10%) expressed CD5. CD5 expression was present in 22% of splenic, 8% of nodal, and 5% of extranodal MZL, and showed frequent blood/bone marrow involvement, elevated lactate dehydrogenase, and deletions. CD5 expression was not associated with progression-free or overall survival, but it conferred a significantly higher risk of histologic transformation (22% versus 4% at 5 years,  = 0.

Antibody Response to COVID-19 Vaccination in Adults With Hematologic Malignant Disease.

This retrospective case series study examines immune response of adults with hematologic malignant disease who were vaccinated with 1 of 3 FDA-authorized COVID-19 vaccines between February and April of 2021.

HIV-associated Burkitt lymphoma: outcomes from a US-UK collaborative analysis.

Data addressing prognostication in patients with HIV related Burkitt lymphoma (HIV-BL) currently treated remain scarce. We present an international analysis of 249 (United States: 140; United Kingdom: 109) patients with HIV-BL treated from 2008 to 2019 aiming to identify prognostic factors and outcomes. With a median follow up of 4.

Thrombosis in COVID-19: A Narrative Review of Current Literature and Inpatient Management.

COVID-19 infection has been associated with an increased incidence of thrombotic events leading to poor patient outcomes. Given the rapid rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability to conduct prospective trials has been limited and data regarding the use of standard-dose versus intermediate-dose thromboprophylaxis, use of empiric therapeutic anticoagulation, and use of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis after discharge has been largely based upon observational data without any high-quality prospective data guiding their use. In this article, we will review the incidence and frequency of arterial and venous thrombotic events along with the current literature surrounding the use of intermediate-dose thromboprophylaxis, empiric therapeutic anticoagulation, and use of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis for patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Outcomes of Burkitt lymphoma with central nervous system involvement: evidence from a large multicenter cohort study.

Central nervous system (CNS) involvement in Burkitt lymphoma (BL) poses a major therapeutic challenge, and the relative ability of contemporary regimens to treat CNS involvement remains uncertain. We described prognostic significance of CNS involvement and incidence of CNS recurrence/progression after contemporary immunochemotherapy using real-world clinicopathologic data on adults with BL diagnosed between 2009 and 2018 across 30 US institutions. We examined associations between baseline CNS involvement, patient characteristics, complete response (CR) rates, and survival.

Burkitt Lymphoma International Prognostic Index.

Purpose: Burkitt lymphoma (BL) has unique biology and clinical course but lacks a standardized prognostic model. We developed and validated a novel prognostic index specific for BL to aid risk stratification, interpretation of clinical trials, and targeted development of novel treatment approaches.

Methods: We derived the BL International Prognostic Index (BL-IPI) from a real-world data set of adult patients with BL treated with immunochemotherapy in the United States between 2009 and 2018, identifying candidate variables that showed the strongest prognostic association with progression-free survival (PFS).

Treatment for metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach and gastroesophageal junction: 2020.

Gastric and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer is one of the most common malignancy worldwide. In unresectable or metastatic disease, the prognosis is poor and is generally less than a year. Standard front-line chemotherapy includes two- or three-drug regimens with the addition of trastuzumab in HER2-positive disease.

Enforcing the "4T": An In-Line Calculator for HIT Antibody Ordering in the Electronic Medical Record.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) remains a difficult clinical diagnosis, even with the under-utilized standardized scoring systems, like the '4T' score, to aid in clinical decision-making. Our quality improvement study sought to assess the use of '4T' score, improve the use of HIT antibody (HITA) testing and improvement management of possible HIT by implementing an in-line calculator with guidance within our electronic medical record (EMR) at our institution. We retrospectively reviewed patient charts between October 2017 and October 2018, assessing practices before and after implementation of the '4T' in-line calculator in April 2018.

Intensity of anticoagulation and survival in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 infection has noted derangements in coagulation markers along with significant thrombotic complications. Post-mortem examinations show severe endothelial injury and widespread thrombotic microangiopathy in the pulmonary vasculature. Early reports describing the use of prophylactic anticoagulation demonstrated improved survival, leading to the adoption of prophylactic and therapeutic anticoagulation guided by D-dimer levels.

Burkitt lymphoma in the modern era: real-world outcomes and prognostication across 30 US cancer centers.

We examined adults with untreated Burkitt lymphoma (BL) from 2009 to 2018 across 30 US cancer centers. Factors associated with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were evaluated in univariate and multivariate Cox models. Among 641 BL patients, baseline features included the following: median age, 47 years; HIV+, 22%; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) 2 to 4, 23%; >1 extranodal site, 43%; advanced stage, 78%; and central nervous system (CNS) involvement, 19%.

Burkitt lymphoma: bridging the gap between advances in molecular biology and therapy.

Genomic studies have revealed molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of Burkitt's lymphoma, including the ID3/TCF3-dependent centroblast gene expression program, tonic PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling, and deregulation of cell cycle and apoptosis through mutations in cyclin D3, , or . Unfortunately, these advances have not been translated into treatment, which relies on dose-intense cytotoxic chemotherapy. While most patients achieve long-term survival, options for relapsed/refractory disease are lacking, as Burkitt lymphoma is often excluded from clinical trials of novel approaches.

Esophageal, gastric cancer and immunotherapy: small steps in the right direction?

The treatment of advanced, solid-tumor oncology has been reshaped over the last eight years with the development and FDA approval of several immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) comprised of monoclonal antibodies targeting either PD-1, PD-L1, or CTLA-4 across numerous disease states and indications. Yet, despite their vast expansion of use in both solid-tumor and hematologic malignancies, gastrointestinal cancers have had limited approvals to date. This review article will focus on the use of the currently studied, approved uses and the potential future roles of ICIs in the treatment of cancers of the upper gastrointestinal tract through recent updates on ongoing studies and discussion of phase III studies underway.

Hepatobiliary cancers and immunotherapy: where are we now and where are we heading?

Primary liver cancers are a heterogenous collection of diseases with variable natural histories and treatments. This review article will focus on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and gallbladder cancer, and the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in their treatment. This will include the currently studied, approved uses as well as the potential future roles of ICIs in the treatment of cancers of the hepatobiliary system through recent updates on ongoing studies and discussion of phase III studies underway.