Using the Translational Science Benefits Model to assess the impact of the Penn Implementation Science Center in Cancer Control.

Traditional approaches for evaluating the impact of scientific research - mainly scholarship (i.e., publications, presentations) and grant funding - fail to capture the full extent of contributions that come from larger scientific initiatives.

Community versus academic hospital community-acquired pneumonia patients: a nested cohort study.

Background: Most Canadians receive their care in community hospitals, yet most clinical research is conducted in academic hospitals. This study aims to compare patients with community acquired pneumonia (CAP) treated in academic and community hospitals with respect to their demographics, clinical characteristics, treatments and outcomes.

Methods: This nested observational cohort substudy of the Community Acquired Pneumonia: Toward InnoVAtive Treatment (CAPTIVATE) trial included 1,329 hospitalized adults with CAP recruited between March 1st, 2018 and September 31st, 2023 from 15 Canadian hospitals.

Feasibility of risk assessment for breast cancer molecular subtypes.

Purpose: Few breast cancer risk assessment models account for the risk profiles of different tumor subtypes. This study evaluated whether a subtype-specific approach improves discrimination.

Methods: Among 3389 women who had a screening mammogram and were later diagnosed with invasive breast cancer we performed multinomial logistic regression with tumor subtype as the outcome and known breast cancer risk factors as predictors.

A constrained maximum likelihood approach to developing well-calibrated models for predicting binary outcomes.

The added value of candidate predictors for risk modeling is routinely evaluated by comparing the performance of models with or without including candidate predictors. Such comparison is most meaningful when the estimated risk by the two models are both unbiased in the target population. Very often data for candidate predictors are sourced from nonrepresentative convenience samples.

The unique risk factor profile of triple-negative breast cancer: a comprehensive meta-analysis.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poor prognosis compared with other breast cancer subtypes. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines whether known risk factors for breast cancer are also associated with TNBC in adult women.

Methods: EMBASE, Medline, SCOPUS, and gray literature were queried with no limit on the date or language of publication.

Protocol for a pragmatic stepped wedge cluster randomized clinical trial testing behavioral economic implementation strategies to increase supplemental breast MRI screening among patients with extremely dense breasts.

Background: Increased breast density augments breast cancer risk and reduces mammography sensitivity. Supplemental breast MRI screening can significantly increase cancer detection among women with dense breasts. However, few women undergo this exam, and screening is consistently lower among racially minoritized populations.

Infections with long latency in international refugees, immigrants, and migrants seen at GeoSentinel sites, 2016-2018.

Background: The continued increase in global migration compels clinicians to be aware of specific health problems faced by refugees, immigrants, and migrants (RIM). This analysis aimed to characterize RIM evaluated at GeoSentinel sites, their migration history, and infectious diseases detected through screening and diagnostic workups.

Methods: A case report form was used to collect data on demographics, migration route, infectious diseases screened, test results, and primary infectious disease diagnosis for RIM patients seen at GeoSentinel sites.

Vaccine Effectiveness of non-adjuvanted and adjuvanted trivalent inactivated influenza vaccines in the prevention of influenza-related hospitalization in older adults: A pooled analysis from the Serious Outcomes Surveillance (SOS) Network of the Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN).

Background: Influenza vaccines prevent influenza-related morbidity and mortality; however, suboptimal vaccine effectiveness (VE) of non-adjuvanted trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (naTIV) or quadrivalent formulations in older adults prompted the use of enhanced products such as adjuvanted TIV (aTIV). Here, the VE of aTIV is compared to naTIV for preventing influenza-associated hospitalization among older adults.

Methods: A test-negative design study was used with pooled data from the 2012 to 2015 influenza seasons.

Leveraging Influenza Virus Surveillance From 2012 to 2015 to Characterize the Burden of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease in Canadian Adults ≥50 Years of Age Hospitalized With Acute Respiratory Illness.

Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) disease in older adults is undercharacterized. To help inform future immunization policies, this study aimed to describe the disease burden in Canadian adults aged ≥50 years hospitalized with RSV.

Methods: Using administrative data and nasopharyngeal swabs collected from active surveillance among adults aged ≥50 years hospitalized with an acute respiratory illness (ARI) during the 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 influenza seasons, RSV was identified using a respiratory virus multiplex polymerase chain reaction test to describe the associated disease burden, incidence, and healthcare costs.

Genome-Wide Association Study of Breast Density among Women of African Ancestry.

Breast density, the amount of fibroglandular versus fatty tissue in the breast, is a strong breast cancer risk factor. Understanding genetic factors associated with breast density may help in clarifying mechanisms by which breast density increases cancer risk. To date, 50 genetic loci have been associated with breast density, however, these studies were performed among predominantly European ancestry populations.

Breast density quantitative measures and breast cancer risk among screened Black women.

Mammographic density is a strong predictor of breast cancer but only slightly increased the discriminatory ability of existing risk prediction models in previous studies with limited racial diversity. We assessed discrimination and calibration of models consisting of the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool (BCRAT), Breast Imaging-Reporting and Data System density and quantitative density measures. Patients were followed up from the date of first screening mammogram until invasive breast cancer diagnosis or 5-year follow-up.

Combining Molecular and Radiomic Features for Risk Assessment in Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer risk is highly variable within the population and current research is leading the shift toward personalized medicine. By accurately assessing an individual woman's risk, we can reduce the risk of over/undertreatment by preventing unnecessary procedures or by elevating screening procedures. Breast density measured from conventional mammography has been established as one of the most dominant risk factors for breast cancer; however, it is currently limited by its ability to characterize more complex breast parenchymal patterns that have been shown to provide additional information to strengthen cancer risk models.

Comparing the Use of a Mobile App and a Web-Based Notification Platform for Surveillance of Adverse Events Following Influenza Immunization: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Vaccine safety surveillance is a core component of vaccine pharmacovigilance. In Canada, active, participant-centered vaccine surveillance is available for influenza vaccines and has been used for COVID-19 vaccines.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of using a mobile app for reporting participant-centered seasonal influenza adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) compared to a web-based notification system.

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cervical Cancer Screening From Three U.S. Healthcare Settings.

Introduction: This study sought to characterize racial and ethnic disparities in cervical cancer screening and follow-up of abnormal findings across 3 U.S. healthcare settings.

Nationwide Trends and Determinants of Germline BRCA1/2 Testing in Patients With Breast and Ovarian Cancer.

Background: Germline genetic testing (GT) for BRCA1/2 is instrumental in identifying patients with breast and ovarian cancers who are eligible for PARP inhibitors (PARPi). Little is known about recent trends and determinants of GT since PARPi were approved for these patients.

Patients And Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients in a nationwide electronic health record (EHR)-derived oncology-specific database with the following GT eligibility criteria: breast cancer diagnosed at age ≤45 years, triple-negative breast cancer diagnosed at age ≤60 years, male breast cancer, or ovarian cancer.

Combining Breast Cancer Risk Prediction Models.

Accurate risk stratification is key to reducing cancer morbidity through targeted screening and preventative interventions. Multiple breast cancer risk prediction models are used in clinical practice, and often provide a range of different predictions for the same patient. Integrating information from different models may improve the accuracy of predictions, which would be valuable for both clinicians and patients.

Changes in mammographic density and risk of breast cancer among a diverse cohort of women undergoing mammography screening.

Purpose: Mammographic density (MD) is a strong breast cancer risk factor. MD may change over time, with potential implications for breast cancer risk. Few studies have assessed associations between MD change and breast cancer in racially diverse populations.

Post-Artesunate Delayed Hemolysis: A Review of Current Evidence.

Artesunate is the drug of choice for treating patients with severe malaria. Post-artesunate delayed hemolysis (PADH) is an uncommon adverse event from malaria treatment. Most patients with PADH are non-immune travelers.

Improving patient-centered communication in breast cancer: a study protocol for a multilevel intervention of a shared treatment deliberation system (SharES) within the NCI community oncology research program (NCORP) (Alliance A231901CD).

Background: Advances in precision medicine have given oncologists new evaluative tools to better individualize treatments for patients with curable breast cancer. These innovations have revealed a need to improve patient understanding of novel, often complex information related to breast cancer treatment decisions. Ensuring patients have the emotional support to face consequential treatment decisions, as well as the opportunity to engage and discuss with their clinicians, is key to improving patient-centered communication and patient understanding.

Dengue outbreak amongst travellers returning from Cuba-GeoSentinel surveillance network, January-September 2022.

Increasing numbers of travellers returning from Cuba with dengue virus infection were reported to the GeoSentinel Network from June to September 2022, reflecting an ongoing local outbreak. This report demonstrates the importance of travellers as sentinels of arboviral outbreaks and highlights the need for early identification of travel-related dengue.

Provider beliefs in effectiveness and recommendations for primary HPV testing in 3 health-care systems.

In 2018, the US Preventive Services Task Force endorsed primary human papillomavirus testing (pHPV) for cervical cancer screening. We aimed to describe providers' beliefs about pHPV testing effectiveness and which screening approach they regularly recommend. We invited providers who performed 10 or more cervical cancer screens in 2019 in 3 healthcare systems that had not adopted pHPV testing: Kaiser Permanente Washington, Mass General Brigham, and Parkland Health; 53.

Distance to Multidisciplinary Team Clinic in Gaborone, Botswana, and Stage at Cervical Cancer Presentation for Women Living With and Without HIV.

Purpose: Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for women in Botswana. Barriers in access to cancer care can lead to later stages at diagnosis and increased mortality. This study evaluated access, defined as travel time from a patient's residential village to a multidisciplinary team clinic in Gaborone, with stage of cervical cancer at presentation.