The Impact of Graft CD3 T-Cell Dose on the Outcome of T-Cell Replete Human Leukocyte Antigen-Mismatched Allogeneic Hematopoietic Peripheral Blood Stem Cells Transplantation.

Background: Data on whether the graft CD3-positive (CD3) T-cell dose in T-cell-replete human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mismatched allogeneic hematopoietic peripheral blood stem cells transplantation (PBSCT) influences post-transplant outcomes are controversial.

Methods: Using King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) Blood and Marrow Transplantation (BMT) Registry database, 52 adult subjects, receiving the first T-cell-replete HLA-mismatched allogeneic hematopoietic PBSCT for acute leukemias or myelodysplastic syndrome, were identified, from January 2017 to December 2020. The cutoff value of graft CD3 T-cell dose was identified using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) formula and Youden's analysis.

Validation of the Arabic Version of the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System.

Quality cancer care is a team effort. In addition, patients' symptoms change over the course of treatment. As such, the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) is a simple tool designed to quickly monitor symptom change.

Impact of head-and-neck radiation oncology clinical fellowship on multidisciplinary assessment, radiation workflow, and survival of adult patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Purpose: The purpose of the study wast to evaluate the influence of head-and-neck clinical fellowship training on multidisciplinary assessment, radiation workflow, and clinical outcomes of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective review of patients with NPC treated between 2010 and 2017. The study cohort was allocated into prefellowship cohort (pre-FSC) (January 2010-September 2014) and postfellowship cohort (post-FSC) (October 2014-December 2017).

Validation of the FENCE Risk Groups for Prediction of Febrile Neutropenia With First-Cycle Chemotherapy.

Background: The FEbrile Neutropenia after ChEmotherapy (FENCE) score was developed to estimate the risk of febrile neutropenia (FN) at first cycle of chemotherapy but has not been externally validated. We aimed to validate the FENCE score based on its risk groups in patients treated at a comprehensive cancer center.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of treatment-naïve adult patients with solid tumors and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who received first-cycle chemotherapy between January and November 2019.

Supportive Care Needs Assessment for Cancer Survivors at a Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Middle East: Mending the Gap.

Background: Cancer survivors are often underprepared for what to expect post-treatment, and there are knowledge gaps regarding cancer survivors' supportive care needs in Jordan and neighboring Arab countries. This study aimed to identify gaps in supportive care needs among adult cancer survivors seen at King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, Jordan, and explore predictors of unmet needs.

Methods: This was an observational cross-sectional study using a modified version of the Supportive Care Needs Survey 34 item short form (SCNS-SF34).

Extramedullary acute myeloid leukemia (eAML): Retrospective single center cohort study on clinico-pathological, molecular analysis and survival outcomes.

Introduction: extramedullary acute myeloid leukemia (eAML) is characterized by extramedullary tumor formation infiltrated by myeloid blasts, with or without maturation and effaced architecture. The clinical, genetic and molecular aspects and overall outcomes are well defined worldwide, but not well characterized in our region.

Purpose And Methods: This is a retrospective single center cohort study on 32 patients, who were identified over 10 years to study the clinical, pathologic and genetic-molecular aspects, and survival outcomes.

REVISED PREDICTIVE BIOMARKER FOR OCRIPLASMIN THERAPY IN VITREOMACULAR TRACTION DISORDERS.

Purpose: To determine a statistically optimal limit of adhesion size in vitreomacular traction (VMT) syndrome for ocriplasmin treatment.

Methods: In this retrospective, consecutive, interventional study, we included 106 patients treated with ocriplasmin injection because of VMT between July 2013 and January 2018. A univariate and multivariate risk analysis was performed with grouped factors and continuous factors.

Uniportal video-assisted versus open pneumonectomy: a propensity score-matched comparative analysis with short-term outcomes.

Objectives: Uniportal (U-VATS) pneumonectomy in lung cancer patients remains disputed in terms of oncological outcomes, and has not been compared to open approaches previously. We evaluated U-VATS versus open pneumonectomy at a high-volume centre.

Methods: Patients undergoing pneumonectomy for lung cancer between 2014 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed and divided into two groups based on surgical approach.

Impact of F-FDG PET/CT, CT and EBUS/TBNA on preoperative mediastinal nodal staging of NSCLC.

Background: Staging of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a multidisciplinary process involving imaging, endoscopic and surgical techniques. This study aims at investigating the diagnostic accuracy of F-FDG PET/CT, CT scan, and endobronchial ultrasound/transbronchial needle aspirate (EBUS/TBNA) in preoperative mediastinal lymph nodes (MLNs) staging of NSCLC.

Methods: We identified all patients who were diagnosed with NSCLC at the King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman, Jordan, between July 2011 and December 2017.

Transient ischemic dilatation with adenosine Tc-sestamibi stress: prognostic significance in patients with normal myocardial perfusion.

Objective: To determine the significance of transient ischemic dilatation (TID) in patients with normal perfusion on adenosine stress/rest.

Methods: We analyzed 430 consecutive patients with normal perfusion on 2-day adenosine stress/rest Tc-sestamibi. A group of 70 patients with Framingham 10-year coronary heart disease risk < 10% was used to derive abnormal TID thresholds (derivation group).

Expression of PD-L1 using SP142 CDx in triple negative breast cancer.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a small subtype of breast cancer yet it has the worst outcome. Immunotherapy using immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy was recently approved by the FDA raising the hope for an improved outcome. The approval was based on demonstration of a positive PD-L1 expression using the SP142 CDx assay .

Moving Experience from North America to Developing Country to Approach a Desired Level of Quality Assurance in Head and Neck Radiation Therapy.

Evidence is lacking correlation between head and neck (HN) radiation oncology fellowship training and quality assurance (QA) round decision for plan modifications. This study was conducted to identify the association between training and changes in QA decisions. From 2007 to 2018, data on HN cancer cases presented at departmental QA rounds were prospectively collected.

Clinicopathological Characteristics And Treatment Outcomes Of Breast Cancer Among Adolescents And Young Adults In A Developing Country.

Purpose: Compared to Western societies, breast cancer diagnosis in our region is usually made at a younger age and at a more advanced stage. Breast cancer in younger patients tends to be more aggressive, and may result in a higher likelihood of long-term treatment-related toxicity and unique psychosocial problems. This study highlights the clinicopathological features and treatment outcomes in this age-group in a developing country like ours.

Intensity of Cancer Care Near the End of Life at a Tertiary Care Cancer Center in Jordan.

Context: Chemotherapy use in the last month of life is an indicator of poor quality of end-of-life care.

Objectives: We assessed the frequency of chemotherapy use at the end of life at our comprehensive cancer center in Jordan and identified the factors associated with chemotherapy use.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review to examine the use of chemotherapy in the last 30 days and 14 days of life in consecutive adult patients with cancer seen at King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) who died between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2012.

Evaluating the Predictive Value of Lactate in Patients With Cancer Having Septic Shock.

Purpose: Limited studies evaluated the predictive value of serum lactate (LA) in critically ill patients with cancer. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the predictive validity of LA single measurements as well as LA clearance in predicting mortality in patients with cancer having septic shock. The study also aimed to determine the LA measurement over the first 24 hours with the highest predictability for hospital mortality.

Four cycles of adriamycin and cyclophosphamide followed by four cycles of docetaxel (NSABP-B27) with concomitant trastuzumab as neoadjuvant therapy for high-risk, early-stage, HER2-positive breast cancer patients.

Background: The majority of breast cancer patients in Jordan are diagnosed at a young age and present with metastatic or locally advanced disease. The National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project Protocol B27 (NSABP-B27) (four cycles of adriamycin and cyclophosphamide [AC] followed by four cycles of docetaxel) is a standard neoadjuvant regimen in our institution. In this study, we report the efficacy of adding trastuzumab to docetaxel in this regimen for high-risk human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive early-stage disease.

Thromboembolic events in cancer patients on active treatment with cisplatin-based chemotherapy: another look!

Background: The risk of thromboembolic events is higher among cancer patients, especially in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Cisplatin-based regimens claim to be associated with a very high thromboembolic rate. In this study, we report on our own experience with thrombosis among patients on active cisplatin-based chemotherapy.

Informing tobacco control policy in Jordan: assessing the effectiveness of pictorial warning labels on cigarette packs.

Background: Pictorial warning labels (PWLs) deter initiation and motivate quitting. Assessing PWLs is important to track effectiveness and wear out. Jordan introduced an updated set of PWLs in 2013.

The impact of pharmacist telephone calls after discharge on satisfaction of oncology patients: A randomized controlled study.

Purpose The aim of the study was to determine the impact of telephone follow-up calls on satisfaction in oncology patients after hospital discharge. Method A randomized controlled study, in which patients were randomized into two groups: The experimental group with the telephone follow-up (TFU) calls (intervention) and the control group (no intervention). The telephone follow-up call was conducted within 72 h after discharge.

Second-line Chemotherapy in Older Patients With Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: Pooled Analysis of 10 Second-line Studies.

Background: Older patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC) are under-represented in clinical trials, and data regarding outcomes for second-line therapy is limited.

Materials And Methods: Individual data for patients with metastatic UC, aged ≥ 70 years, were pooled from 10 second-line studies. The influence of potential prognostic factors on overall survival (OS) was assessed via univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis.

Impact of outpatient palliative care (PC) on symptom burden in patients with advanced cancer at a tertiary cancer center in Jordan.

Purpose: Outpatient palliative care clinics are essential for early symptom management in patients with advanced cancer. Few outpatient programs are available in the Middle East. In this prospective study, we examined the symptom changes among cancer patients seen at a palliative care clinic in Jordan.

Psychometric properties of the Arabic version of EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL among cancer patients in Jordan.

Purpose: Health related quality of life (HRQOL) is an important outcome in cancer care and needs assessment by a valid questionnaire. HRQOL questionnaires need to be validated after translations to other languages and cultural settings. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Arabic version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life 15 items Questionnaire for Palliative Care (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL).