Phase 2 study of epigenetic priming with decitabine followed by cytarabine for acute myeloid leukemia in older patients.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in older patients has a poor prognosis, low complete remission (CR) rates, and poor overall survival (OS). Preclinical studies have shown synergistic effects of epigenetic priming with hypomethylating agents followed by cytarabine. Based on these data, we hypothesized that an induction regimen using epigenetic priming with decitabine, followed by cytarabine would be effective and safe in older patients with previously untreated AML.

Using Single-Case Experimental Design and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures to Evaluate the Treatment of Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in Clinical Practice.

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) affects a large proportion of cancer survivors and has significant negative effects on survivor function and quality of life (QOL). Treatments for CRCI are being developed and evaluated. Memory and attention adaptation training (MAAT) is a cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) demonstrated to improve CRCI symptoms and QOL in previous research.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cancer patients in western Pennsylvania: rural-urban disparities.

Purpose: Disparities in cancer care persist between patients living in rural versus urban areas. The COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted concerns related to care and personal health differently in rural cancer patients. Using survey data collected from cancer patients in western Pennsylvania, we examined pandemic-related distress, concerns related to cancer care, impact on personal health, and the extent to which these differed by urban-rural residence.

A Real-Time Mobile Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behavior Before and After Cancer Surgery: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Sedentary behavior (SB) is prevalent after abdominal cancer surgery, and interventions targeting perioperative SB could improve postoperative recovery and outcomes. We conducted a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of a real-time mobile intervention that detects and disrupts prolonged SB before and after cancer surgery, relative to a monitoring-only control condition.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effects of a perioperative SB intervention on objective activity behavior, patient-reported quality of life and symptoms, and 30-day readmissions.

Improving well-being for individuals with persistent pain after surgery for breast cancer, lobular carcinoma in situ, or ductal carcinoma in situ: A randomized clinical trial.

>276,000 Americans will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, lobular carcinoma in situ, or ductal carcinoma in situ this year and most will undergo breast surgery as part of their care. Although prognosis is excellent, many patients experience persistent post-surgical pain (PSP), which has no satisfactory pharmacological treatment. The causal contributions of pain-associated psychological factors (e.

Self-reported cognitive impairments and quality of life in patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor: Results of a multinational survey.

Background: Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) has long-term effects on survivor quality of life, but CRCI research on patients with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is lacking. The aims of this study were to investigate CRCI and concomitant quality of life among patients with GIST.

Methods: An online survey was used to assess CRCI in adult patients with GIST using the validated Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive-v.

Intensive Daily Symptom and Function Monitoring Is Feasible and Acceptable to Women Undergoing First-Line Chemotherapy for Gynecologic Cancer.

Background: Women receiving chemotherapy for gynecologic cancer (GC) experience severe symptoms with associated functional changes. Understanding day-to-day symptom and function variation within and across chemotherapy treatment cycles could inform improved symptom management, but such studies are rare and may be infeasible in clinical care.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of daily symptom monitoring combined with objective and self-reported functional assessments every 21 days during active chemotherapy for GC.

Rates and Predictors of Nonadherence to the Post-Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Medical Regimen in Patients and Caregivers.

Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) requires a complex, multicomponent medical regimen after hospital discharge. Patients must manage multiple medications; care for their catheter; minimize exposure to sources of potential infection; follow diet, exercise, and self-care guidelines; and attend frequent follow-up medical appointments. Their caregivers are tasked with helping them manage the regimen.

A prospective study of the use of central venous catheters in patients newly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia treated with induction chemotherapy.

Purpose: Central venous catheters (CVCs) are widely used in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. Complications associated with CVCs are frequently encountered and contribute to morbidity and mortality. Prospective studies investigating and comparing complications of different types of CVCs in AML patients and their effects on the quality of life are limited.

Glucocorticoid resistance and β2-adrenergic receptor signaling pathways promote peripheral pro-inflammatory conditions associated with chronic psychological stress: A systematic review across species.

Activation of the HPA-axis and SNS are widely accepted to link chronic stress with elevated levels of peripheral pro-inflammatory markers in blood. Yet, empirical evidence showing that peripheral levels of glucocorticoids and/or catecholamines mediate this effect is equivocal. Recent attention has turned to the possibility that cellular sensitivity to these ligands may contribute to inflammatory mediators that accompany chronic stress.

A Real-Time Mobile Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behavior Before and After Cancer Surgery: Usability and Feasibility Study.

Background: Sedentary behavior (SB) is common after cancer surgery and may negatively affect recovery and quality of life, but postoperative symptoms such as pain can be a significant barrier to patients achieving recommended physical activity levels. We conducted a single-arm pilot trial evaluating the usability and acceptability of a real-time mobile intervention that detects prolonged SB in the perioperative period and delivers prompts to walk that are tailored to daily self-reported symptom burden.

Objective: The aim of this study is to develop and test a mobile technology-supported intervention to reduce SB before and after cancer surgery, and to evaluate the usability and feasibility of the intervention.

Cancer Bereavement and Depression Symptoms in Older Spouses: The Possible Modifying Role of the Circadian Rest-Activity Rhythm.

Objectives: This study examines the associations of cancer death and aspects of the 24-h circadian rest-activity rhythm (RAR) on depression symptoms in older spouses.

Methods: Participants included 46 adults aged 60-94 years ( = 73 years) who experienced the death of a spouse. We tested a multivariate model using cancer death (vs.

Psychobehavioral risk factors for financial hardship and poor functional outcomes in survivors of multiple primary cancers.

Objective: Survivors of multiple primary cancers (MPC) are at increased risk for poor health outcomes compared with survivors of single cancers. Using an adapted psychobehavioral stress-response model, the study purpose was to identify pathways and individual risk factors associated with poor health outcomes in adults with MPC.

Methods: Adult MPC survivors (N = 211) with first cancers (stages I-III) diagnosed within 1 to 10 years were recruited via tumor registry.

Relationships Between a History of Abuse, Changes in Body Mass Index, Physical Health, and Self-Reported Depression in Female Bariatric Surgery Patients.

A history of physical and sexual abuse has been implicated in weight gain. Although bariatric surgery is effective for weight loss in severely obese individuals, we investigated whether bariatric surgery patients who self-report a history of physical and/or sexual abuse have differential outcomes regarding weight loss, body mass index (BMI), quality of life (SF-36), and depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression [CESD]) compared with nonabused patients. Standardized assessments at baseline and follow-up visits were performed on 103 obese (BMI >35) female bariatric surgery patients (mean age: 44.

Persistent breast pain in post-surgery breast cancer survivors and women with no history of breast surgery or cancer: associations with pain catastrophizing, perceived breast cancer risk, breast cancer worry, and emotional distress.

Persistent breast pain (PBP) is prevalent among breast cancer survivors and has powerful negative psychological consequences. The present study provided a first test of the hypothesis that: (a) pain catastrophizing, (b) heightened perceived risk of cancer, and (c) worry that pain indicates cancer may be independent mediating links between breast cancer survivors' experiences of PBP and heightened emotional distress. We assessed levels of PBP and psychological factors in breast cancer survivors (Survivor Group:  = 417; Stages I-IIIA; White = 88.

The consistency of circadian blood pressure and heart rate patterns over three months in women employed in sedentary office jobs.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the consistency of the circadian patterns of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) variation over a three-month time frame in women employed outside the home.

Methods: The subjects were 157 healthy women of varying ethnicity (age = 38.2 ± 8.

Correlates of anxiety and depression symptoms among patients and their family caregivers prior to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant for hematological malignancies.

Purpose: Given the complexities and risks of allogeneic HCT, patients and their family caregivers may experience elevated psychological distress, including symptoms of anxiety and depression, in anticipation of the procedure. Patients and caregivers also bring with them their pre-HCT experiences of diagnosis, prior treatment, and associated burdens, thus potentially compounding their acute distress. Identification of clinical, psychosocial, and sociodemographic factors related to pre-HCT distress would allow targeting of patients and caregivers who may require assistance during the HCT process.

Putting the life in lifestyle: Lifestyle choices after a diagnosis of cancer predicts overall survival.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine predictors of health behaviors over time and the link between health behaviors and survival after a diagnosis of advanced cancer.

Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of advanced cancer were administered a battery of questionnaires measuring optimism, depressive symptoms, physical activity, intake of fruits and vegetables, and alcohol and tobacco use over an 18-month period. Analyses included generalized linear mixed models and Cox regression survival analyses.

Fitbit step counts during inpatient recovery from cancer surgery as a predictor of readmission.

Background: Postoperative ambulation is encouraged to promote timely recovery but is rarely monitored objectively or examined as a predictor of clinical outcomes, despite growing availability of wearable devices that allow passive quantification and remote real-time monitoring of the number of steps taken during recovery.

Purpose: To determine whether the number of steps taken during inpatient recovery predicts 30- and 60-day readmission risk after metastatic cancer surgery.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with metastatic peritoneal cancer and scheduled for surgical resection were enrolled in this observational cohort study at their preoperative clinic visit.

Expressive writing intervention and self-reported physical health out-comes - Results from a nationwide randomized controlled trial with breast cancer patients.

The objective was to examine the effect of Expressive Writing Intervention (EWI) on self-reported physical symptoms and healthcare utilization in a nationwide randomized controlled trial with Danish women treated for primary breast cancer, and to explore participant characteristics related to emotion regulation as possible moderators of the effect. Women who had recently completed treatment for primary breast cancer (n = 507) were randomly assigned to three 20 min. home-based writing exercises, one week apart, focusing on emotional disclosure (EWI) of a distressing experience (their cancer or a non-cancer topic) or a non-disclosing topic (control).

Sleep and circadian disruption and incident breast cancer risk: An evidence-based and theoretical review.

Opportunities for restorative sleep and optimal sleep-wake schedules are becoming luxuries in industrialized cultures, yet accumulating research has revealed multiple adverse health effects of disruptions in sleep and circadian rhythms, including increased risk of breast cancer. The literature on breast cancer risk has focused largely on adverse effects of night shift work and exposure to light at night (LAN), without considering potential effects of associated sleep disruptions. As it stands, studies on breast cancer risk have not considered the impact of both sleep and circadian disruption, and the possible interaction of the two through bidirectional pathways, on breast cancer risk in the population at large.

Changes in inflammatory endometrial cancer risk biomarkers in individuals undergoing surgical weight loss.

Objective: Obesity has been strongly linked to endometrial cancer (EC) risk. A number of potential EC risk biomarkers have been proposed, including heightened pro-inflammatory cytokines and adipokines. To evaluate if bariatric surgery can serve as a means for altering levels of such EC risk biomarkers, we investigated changes in these biomarkers after weight loss.

Modified Terminal Restriction Fragment Analysis for Quantifying Telomere Length Using In-gel Hybridization.

There are several different techniques for measuring telomere length, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. The traditional approach, Telomere Restriction Fragment (TRF) analysis, utilizes a DNA hybridization technique whereby genomic DNA samples are digested with restriction enzymes, leaving behind telomere DNA repeats and some sub-telomeric DNA. These are separated by agarose gel electrophoresis, transferred to a filter membrane and hybridized to oligonucleotide probes tagged with either chemiluminescence or radioactivity to visualize telomere restriction fragments.