Exploring the links of skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity, physical functionality, and mental well-being of cancer survivors.

Physical impairments following cancer treatment have been linked with the toxic effects of these treatments on muscle mass and strength, through their deleterious effects on skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity. Accordingly, we designed the present study to explore relationships of skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity with physical performance and perceived cancer-related psychosocial experiences of cancer survivors. We assessed skeletal muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity using in vivo phosphorus-31 magnetic resonance spectroscopy (P MRS), measuring the postexercise phosphocreatine resynthesis time constant, τPCr, in 11 post-chemotherapy participants aged 34-70 years.

Feasibility of DNA Methylation Age as a Biomarker of Symptoms and Resilience among Cancer Survivors with Multiple Chronic Conditions.

This study aims to examine the feasibility of DNA methylation age as a biomarker for symptoms and resilience in cancer survivors with multiple chronic conditions (MCCs). We included ten participants from our parent study, an ongoing randomized control trial study. Participants' symptoms and resilience were assessed, and peripheral blood was collected.

Racial disparities in mortality outcomes among women diagnosed with breast cancer in Maryland: Impact of cardiovascular disease and clinical characteristics.

Background: Although racial disparities in breast cancer (BC) mortality have been well documented in the United States, little is known about the impact of coexisting cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other clinical factors on Black-White survival disparities after the diagnosis of BC. This study examined the associations of race, CVD, and clinical factors at diagnosis with the hazard of BC and CVD-related mortality among patients with BC identified from the Maryland Cancer Registry.

Methods: A total of 36,088 women (25,181 Whites and 10,907 Blacks) diagnosed with incident invasive BC between 2007 and 2017 were included.

Late effects in a high-risk population of breast cancer survivors.

Purpose: To better understand the impact of cancer and treatment on outcomes and guide program development, we evaluated breast cancer survivors at risk for long-term medical and psychosocial issues who participated in survivorship care visits (SVs) at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Methods: We conducted a prospective survey study of women with stage I-III breast cancer who participated in SVs from 2010-2016. The same 56-item questionnaire administered at SV and follow-up included an assessment of symptoms, social factors, demographics, anxiety, depression, and comorbidities.

Landmark trials in the medical oncology management of metastatic breast cancer.

Significant advances in the management of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) have guided more personalized treatment according to disease biology and led to improved survival outcomes and quality of life for patients. In this review, we discuss landmark clinical trials in medical oncology that have shaped the current standard of care for MBC. Combinations of endocrine therapy with cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 inhibitors have led to substantial improvements in overall survival, thus becoming standard first-line treatment for patients with HR-positive MBC.

The impact of weight loss on physical function and symptoms in overweight or obese breast cancer survivors: results from POWER-remote.

Purpose: In pre-planned observational analysis of the POWER-remote trial, we examined the impact of weight loss on patient-reported outcomes (PROs). We hypothesized a priori that survivors with ≥ 5% weight loss would have improved physical function (PF) at 6 months vs. those who did not.

Landmark trials in the medical oncology management of early stage breast cancer.

With the advent of breast cancer screening programs, the majorities of patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer are diagnosed with early stage disease and are likely to experience cure with proper treatment. Significant advances have been made in the management of early-stage breast cancer to personalize treatment according to disease biology. This progress has led to improvement in survival outcomes and quality of life for our patients.

Management of Breast Cancer During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Stage- and Subtype-Specific Approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly changed delivery of cancer care. Many nonurgent surgeries are delayed to preserve hospital resources, and patient visits to health care settings are limited to reduce exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Providers must carefully weigh risks and benefits of delivering immunosuppressive therapy during the pandemic.

Breast cancer survivorship care beyond local and systemic therapy.

Despite persistent inequities in access to care and treatments, advances in combined modality care have led to a steady improvement in outcomes for breast cancer patients across the globe. When estimating the magnitude of clinical benefit of therapies, providers and patients must contend with a multitude of factors that impact treatment decisions and can have long-term effects on quality of life and survival. These include commonly described early toxicities, like aromatase inhibitor-associated musculoskeletal syndrome and neuropathy.

Prospective evaluation of finger two-point discrimination and carpal tunnel syndrome among women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy.

Purpose: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are associated with musculoskeletal symptoms and risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), which can impair quality of life and prompt treatment discontinuation. The incidence of CTS and clinical utility of diagnostic tests such as 2-point discrimination (2-PD) have not been prospectively examined among women receiving AIs.

Methods: Postmenopausal women with stage 0-III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer who were enrolled in a randomized clinical trial investigating adjuvant AIs (Exemestane and Letrozole Pharmacogenetics, ELPh) underwent prospective evaluation of 2-PD with the Disc-criminator™ (sliding aesthesiometer) and completed a CTS questionnaire at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months, following initiation of AI.

Survivorship care visits in a high-risk population of breast cancer survivors.

Purpose: Breast cancer survivors face numerous challenges after diagnosis and treatment. Several models have been developed to attempt to improve quality of care. Here, we describe characteristics and outcomes of patients who participated in survivorship visits (SV) at Johns Hopkins (JH).

Obese Breast Cancer Patients and Survivors: Management Considerations.

Excess body weight is a significant risk factor for many cancers, especially breast cancer. Patients with breast cancer or those with a history of the disease who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of therapy-related morbidity, recurrence, and breast cancer-related mortality. Obesity may also affect quality-of-life factors for survivors, including sexual dysfunction, neuropathy, cardiotoxicity, chronic fatigue, and lymphedema.

Systemic Therapy for Advanced Soft Tissue Sarcoma.

Soft tissue sarcomas are rare tumors that present with distant metastasis in up to 10% of patients. Survival has improved significantly because of advancements in histologic classification and improved management approaches. Older agents such as doxorubicin, ifosfamide, gemcitabine, and paclitaxel continue to demonstrate objective response rates from 18% to 25%.