Retrospective Comparison of Targeted Anticancer Drugs Predicted by the CNS-TAP Tool Versus Those Selected by a Molecularly Driven Tumor Board in Children With DIPG.

The recent trial Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium 003 (PNOC003) utilized a molecular tumor board to recommend personalized treatment regimens based on tumor sequencing results in children with DIPG. We separately developed the Central Nervous System Targeted Agent Prediction (CNS-TAP) tool, which numerically scores targeted anticancer agents using preclinical, clinical, and patient-specific data. We hypothesized that highly scored agents from CNS-TAP would overlap with the PNOC003 tumor board's recommendations.

Outpatient administration of paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and cisplatin (TIP) for germ cell tumor.

Purpose: The combination of paclitaxel, ifosfamide, and cisplatin (TIP) is frequently used for the treatment of metastatic germ cell tumors. Due to complex supportive care and infusion requirements, TIP is typically given in the inpatient setting. This analysis describes the development and implementation of a protocol for complete outpatient administration of TIP chemotherapy.

Evaluation of biliary toxicity in patients with hepatic artery infusion pumps.

Purpose: Identify risk factors for biliary toxicity in patients with colorectal liver metastases who received floxuridine (FUDR) via a surgically implanted hepatic artery infusion pump (HAIP). Describe the incidence of biliary toxicity and evaluate relevant patterns in the biliary toxicity cohort.

Methods: A single center, retrospective, case-control study included adult colorectal cancer patients with liver metastases who received at least one cycle of FUDR via a surgically implanted HAIP from 1 January 2017, to 1 October 2021.

Solving coagulation conundrums: comparing prophylaxis strategies in adult patients receiving PEG-asparaginase.

PEG-asparaginase is a key component in treatment regimens for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Major side effects include thrombosis and bleeding; however, there is currently no consensus on methods to prevent these complications. In this multi-center retrospective cohort study of 101 adults, we compared two prophylaxis strategies: cryoprecipitate and fresh frozen plasma (Cryo/FFP) versus cryoprecipitate and antithrombin (ATIII).

Expanding Access to CNS-TAP: Design, Development, and Initial Use of a Complex Precision Health Specialty Web App for Neuro-Oncology.

This paper offers a case study to demonstrate how a complex scoring model tool called CNS-TAP, originally created by a neuro-oncology team at one institution, was upgraded and made accessible to a wider audience. In the Results and Discussion, many issues of web app design, development, and sustainability are covered. Overall, we chart a path to expand access to many unique software tools created and needed by today's medical specialists.

Utility of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal screening in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Background: Current literature has demonstrated the utility of the MRSA nasal screen as a de-escalation tool to decrease unnecessary anti-MRSA antibiotic therapy. However, data on the applicability of this test in patients with hematologic malignancy is lacking.

Methods: This is a single-center, retrospective cohort study of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) with or without a history of hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT), with pneumonia and MRSA nasal screening with respiratory cultures obtained.

Clinical controversies in the treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism.

Cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication of malignancy. Patients with cancer exhibit risk factors for both recurrent VTE and major or minor bleeding. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are an attractive treatment option; however, there is a lack of consensus among national guidelines for choice between DOACs and LMWH, agent selection, dosing strategy, and duration of anticoagulation.

Impact of Extended-Interval Versus Standard Dosing of Zoledronic Acid on Skeletal Events in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients With Bone Metastases.

Background: Zoledronic acid every 4 weeks (Q4wk) reduces the incidence of skeletal-related events (SREs) in patients with metastatic lung cancer. Lung cancer patients were excluded from extended-interval dosing trials (every 12 weeks [Q12wk]) that demonstrated noninferiority of the 2 dosing schemes. To date, the optimal dosing of zoledronic acid in metastatic lung cancer remains unknown.

A comparison of response in the presence or absence of a delay in induction therapy with bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone.

Purpose: Lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (RVd) has emerged as a preferred induction therapy in multiple myeloma (MM) in the United States. Due to lenalidomide's teratogenic risk, patients and prescribers must comply with a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) program. The REMS program limits dispensing to certain third-party specialty pharmacies, whose average prescription fill times are longer than in-house specialty pharmacies.

Comparison of Weight-Based Dosing Strategies for Intravenous Immunoglobulin in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies.

Study Objective: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is a weight-based therapy used to treat and prevent infections in patients with hematologic malignancies. IVIG doses were calculated traditionally using actual body weight (ABW). However, limited pharmacokinetic data suggest dosing strategies using ideal body weight (IBW) or adjusted body weight (adjBW) may be appropriate given the small volume of distribution of IVIG.

Drosophila muller f elements maintain a distinct set of genomic properties over 40 million years of evolution.

The Muller F element (4.2 Mb, ~80 protein-coding genes) is an unusual autosome of Drosophila melanogaster; it is mostly heterochromatic with a low recombination rate. To investigate how these properties impact the evolution of repeats and genes, we manually improved the sequence and annotated the genes on the D.