National Analysis of Over 48,000 Veterans With HIV Demonstrates CD4/CD8 Ratio as a Risk Marker for Anal Intraepithelial Lesions and Anal Cancer.

Background: Anal squamous intraepithelial lesions are identifiable and treatable precancerous lesions that lack defined risk factors determining screening necessity.

Objective: Assess the prevalence and risk factors associated with low- and high-grade anal squamous intraepithelial lesions and anal squamous cell carcinoma.

Design: Retrospective cohort analysis of veterans with HIV between 1999-2023.

Potty Stools, a Pilot Study to Step Up the Management of Functional Constipation in Children.

Functional constipation (FC) comprises 30% of pediatric gastroenterology clinic visits. FC results from withholding behaviors that can be worsened by poor toileting posture. The use of a defecation posture modification device (DPMD)-a potty stool-has demonstrated benefit in adults.

Phase II Clinical Chemoprevention Trial of Weekly Erlotinib before Bladder Cancer Surgery.

We performed a clinical trial in patients with non-muscle-invasive (NMI) urothelial cancer randomized (2:1) to the EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib or placebo (either orally once weekly × 3 doses prior to scheduled surgery) to assess for a difference in EGFR phosphorylation in tumor-adjacent normal urothelium <24 hours post-study dose and tolerance of weekly erlotinib therapy. Thirty-seven volunteers (6 female/31 male; mean age 70; 35 White/2 non-White) with confirmed or suspected NMI urothelial cancer were enrolled into either erlotinib (n = 24; 900 mg-13, 600 mg-11) or placebo (n = 13). IHC assessment of phosphorylated and total EGFR in tumor-adjacent normal urothelium (20 erlotinib and 9 placebo subjects) or tumor (21 erlotinib and 11 placebo subjects) at study end showed no significant difference between those receiving erlotinib or placebo.

Risk of developing high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions or anal cancer after anal condylomata treatment in people living with HIV.

Aim: To assess the risk and natural history of developing advanced anal disease after diagnosis of anal condyloma in people living with HIV (PLWH).

Methods: This was a single-centre retrospective cohort study of PLWH and anal condyloma from 2001 to 2021. Patients who developed advanced anal disease (AAD; anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and/or anal cancer) were compared to those who did not progress (non-AAD).

Worth a Shot: Experience and Lessons From an Unsuccessful Pediatric Immunization Quality Improvement Effort in a Large Health System During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: During the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, routine childhood immunization rates dropped dramatically across the world, and the Military Health System (MHS) was no exception. In the MHS, which is a large, universally covered, low-to-no-cost health system, the immunization rates with the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine remain below the rate necessary to prevent community transmission of measles. We aimed to improve childhood immunization rates in the MHS with an expansive quality improvement project.

Stress Keratin 17 Is a Predictive Biomarker Inversely Associated with Response to Immune Check-Point Blockade in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinomas and Beyond.

Low response rates in immune check-point blockade (ICB)-treated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) drive a critical need for robust, clinically validated predictive biomarkers. Our group previously showed that stress keratin 17 (CK17) suppresses macrophage-mediated CXCL9/CXCL10 chemokine signaling involved in attracting activated CD8+ T cells into tumors, correlating with decreased response rate to pembrolizumab-based therapy in a pilot cohort of ICB-treated HNSCC ( = 26). Here, we performed an expanded analysis of the predictive value of CK17 in ICB-treated HNSCC according to the REMARK criteria and investigated the gene expression profiles associated with high CK17 expression.

Non-melanoma skin cancer event rates in a formalized clinical trial setting: considerations for clinical trial design.

Background: Here we report clinical risk factors and event rates for the development of new non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of the irreversible ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) inhibitor, difluromethylornithine (DFMO), over a 3-5-year follow-up.

Methods: 147 placebo patients (white; mean age 60.2 years; 60% male) were evaluated for event rates and association of initial skin biomarkers and baseline patient characteristics with the development of squamous cell (SCC) and basal cell (BCC) carcinomas.

Use of Toxicity Identification Evaluation Procedures to Clarify the Relationship Between Ammonium Concentrations and Phytoplankton Blooms in the San Francisco Bay Estuary, California, USA.

Phytoplankton blooms in the northern San Francisco Bay Estuary have historically supported much of the larval fish production in the estuary. In the past, blooms were limited largely by reduced light intensities and net outflows through the system, as well as dense populations of introduced clams that continuously filter the water column. Conversely, the estuary is exposed to a wide variety of contaminants that may also impact phytoplankton growth.

Ototoxicity of Long-Term α-Difluoromethylornithine for Skin Cancer Prevention.

Objective: Evaluate the effects of α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) on hearing thresholds as part of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Methods: Subjects were randomized and assigned to the control (placebo) or experimental (DFMO) group. DFMO or placebo were administered orally (500 mg/m /day) for up to 5 years.

A phase II randomized placebo-controlled trial of pomegranate fruit extract in men with localized prostate cancer undergoing active surveillance.

Introduction Or Objective: Men with favorable-risk prostate cancer (PCa) on active surveillance may benefit from intervention strategies to slow or prevent disease progression and the need for definitive treatment. Pomegranate and its extracts have shown antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in cell lines and animal models, but its effect on human prostate cancer as a target tissue remain unclear. Objectives of this trial include pomegranate's ability to alter serum and prostate tissue biomarkers and the ability of an active surveillance cohort to adhere to a chemoprevention trial for 1 year.

Early patient satisfaction following orthopaedic surgery.

Background: The healthcare industry is shifting its focus from traditional clinical outcome measures to patient satisfaction metrics. This change has caused orthopaedic surgeons to become increasingly interested in factors influencing patient satisfaction, which would allow them to potentially modify these factors in an effort to increase postoperative satisfaction. The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with patient satisfaction two weeks following extremity orthopaedic surgery.

A randomized, double-blind, dose-ranging, pilot trial of piperine with resveratrol on the effects on serum levels of resveratrol.

Resveratrol (3,4,5-trihydroxystilbene) is a naturally occurring phytoalexin with purported health-promoting effects, but with limited oral bioavailability. Our prior murine modeling research observed enhanced resveratrol bioavailability with piperine co-administration. In this study, single-dose pharmacokinetics of resveratrol with or without piperine and the associated toxicities were studied on a cohort of healthy volunteers.

Effect of forced-air warming blanket position in elective lumbar spine surgery: Intraoperative body temperature and postoperative complications.

Background: Perioperative hypothermia is linked to multiple postoperative complications including increased surgical bleeding, surgical site infection, myocardial events, and increased length of hospital stay. The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of forced-air warming blanket position, above the shoulders versus under the trunk/legs, on intraoperative core body temperature and perioperative complications in elective lumbar spine surgery.

Methods: After IRB approval, patients were enrolled in a consecutive fashion and randomized to either upper body (Group I) or lower body (Group II) groups.

Oncologic Implications of Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection.

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection increases the risk for several types of cancer, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, as primary and second primary malignancies. HCV-infected patients with cancer, particularly those undergoing anticancer therapy, are at risk for development of enhanced HCV replication, which can lead to hepatitis flare and progression of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Risk factors for HCV infection include injection drug use, blood transfusion, or solid organ transplantation before 1992, receipt of clotting factor concentrates before 1987, long-term hemodialysis, chronic liver disease, HIV positivity, and occupational exposure.

A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blind, Dose Escalation, Single Dose, and Steady-State Pharmacokinetic Study of 9cUAB30 in Healthy Volunteers.

9cUAB30 is a synthetic analogue of 9-cis retinoic acid with chemoprevention activity in cell lines and animal models. The purpose of this phase I placebo-controlled, double-blinded, dose escalation study of 9cUAB30 was to evaluate its safety, pharmacokinetics, and determine a dose for future phase II studies. Participants received a single dose of study drug (placebo or 9cUAB30) on day 1 followed by a 6-day drug-free period and then 28 days of continuous daily dosing starting on day 8.

Global Epidemiology, Prevention, and Management of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

The incidence rate of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is rising. It is one of the most common cancers worldwide and accounts for substantial morbidity and mortality. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the most important etiologies of HCC, and effective screening and management strategies are crucial to reduce the HCC risk.

Using ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry and toxicity identification techniques to characterize the toxicity of oil sands process-affected water: The case for classical naphthenic acids.

Previous assessments of oil sands process-affected water (OSPW) toxicity were hampered by lack of high-resolution analytical analysis, use of nonstandard toxicity methods, and variability between OSPW samples. We integrated ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry with a toxicity identification evaluation (TIE) approach to quantitatively identify the primary cause of acute toxicity of OSPW to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The initial characterization of OSPW toxicity indicated that toxicity was associated with nonpolar organic compounds, and toxicant(s) were further isolated within a range of discrete methanol fractions that were then subjected to Orbitrap mass spectrometry to evaluate the contribution of naphthenic acid fraction compounds to toxicity.

A Phase II Randomized, Double-blind, Presurgical Trial of Polyphenon E in Bladder Cancer Patients to Evaluate Pharmacodynamics and Bladder Tissue Biomarkers.

We performed a phase II pharmacodynamic prevention trial of Polyphenon E [a green tea polyphenol formulation primarily consisting of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)] in patients prior to bladder cancer surgery. Patients with a bladder tumor were randomized to receive Polyphenon E containing either 800 or 1,200 mg of EGCG or placebo for 14 to 28 days prior to transurethral resection of bladder tumor or cystectomy. The primary objective was to compare the postintervention EGCG tissue levels in patients receiving Polyphenon E as compared with placebo.

A phase I study of tivantinib in combination with temsirolimus in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Background A wide variety of human cancers exhibit dysregulated c-Met activity that has implications in oncogenesis. Phosphorylation of c-Met results in activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Combined blockade of c-Met and mTOR pathways has shown efficacy in preclinical studies.

Phase IIa, randomized placebo-controlled trial of single high dose cholecalciferol (vitamin D) and daily Genistein (G-2535) versus double placebo in men with early stage prostate cancer undergoing prostatectomy.

Introduction And Objectives: Prostate cancer (PCa) represents an important target for chemoprevention given its prolonged natural history and high prevalence. Epidemiologic and laboratory data suggest that vitamin D and genistein (soy isoflavone) may decrease PCa progression. The effect of vitamin D on prostate epithelial cell proliferation and differentiation is well documented and genistein may augment this affect through inhibition of the CYP24 enzyme, which is responsible for intracellular vitamin D metabolism.

A Survey of Baseline Tobacco Cessation Clinical Practices and Receptivity to Academic Detailing.

Background: Thirty percent of all cancers are directly attributable to smoking, yet tobacco cessation treatment is not commonly provided at cancer clinics.

Objectives: To assess current tobacco cessation practices among Wisconsin cancer clinics and to measure their receptivity to onsite training and technical assistance to increase their delivery of evidence-based tobacco cessation treatment.

Process: An online survey to assess current tobacco use identification and treatment clinical practice at 16 Wisconsin cancer clinics affiliated with the Wisconsin Oncology Network.

Application of sediment toxicity identification evaluation techniques to a site with multiple contaminants.

Sediment toxicity identification evaluations (TIEs) are conducted to determine causes of adverse effects observed in whole-sediment toxicity tests. However, in multiple contaminant scenarios, it is problematic to partition contributions of individual contaminants to overall toxicity. Using data from a site with multiple inputs and contaminants of concern, the authors describe a quantitative approach for the TIE process by tracking toxicity units to determine whether all toxicity is accounted for.

American Society of Clinical Oncology Statement: Human Papillomavirus Vaccination for Cancer Prevention.

American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), the leading medical professional oncology society, is committed to lessening the burden of cancer and as such will promote underused interventions that have the potential to save millions of lives through cancer prevention. As the main providers of cancer care worldwide, our patients, their families, and our communities look to us for guidance regarding all things cancer related, including cancer prevention. Through this statement and accompanying recommendations, ASCO hopes to increase awareness of the tremendous global impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) -caused cancers, refocus the discussion of HPV vaccination on its likely ability to prevent millions of cancer deaths, and increase HPV vaccination uptake via greater involvement of oncology professionals in ensuring accurate public discourse about HPV vaccination and calling for the implementation of concrete strategies to address barriers to vaccine access and acceptance.