High dose total marrow irradiation (TMI) does not increase long-term toxicity of myeloablative fludarabine/busulfan (FluBu4) conditioning regimen in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Objectives: Based on a previous phase 1 study, total marrow irradiation (TMI) at 9Gy was added to a myeloablative FluBu4 conditioning regimen in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for myeloid malignancies. Here, we report on the long-term toxicity of TMI combined with FluBu4 and compare it to patients who received only FluBu4.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 38 consecutive patients conditioned with FluBu4/TMI (n = 15) or FluBu4 (n = 23, control group) who had at least 1 year follow-up post-transplant.

Risk prediction models for antineoplastic-associated cardiotoxicity in treatment of breast cancer: A systematic review.

Purpose: The objective of this systematic review is to assess methodology of published models to predict the risk of antineoplastic-associated cardiotoxicity in patients with breast cancer.

Methods: We searched PubMed and Embase for studies that developed or validated a multivariable risk prediction model. Data extraction and quality assessments were performed according to the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST).

Perceptions of prescription opioids among marginalized patients with hematologic malignancies in the context of the opioid epidemic: a qualitative study.

Purpose: Opioids are essential for treating pain in hematologic malignancies (HM), yet are heavily stigmatized in the era of the opioid epidemic. Stigma and negative attitudes towards opioids may contribute to poorly managed cancer pain. We aimed to understand patient attitudes towards opioids for HM pain management, particularly among historically marginalized populations.

A comparison of four leukapheresis methods to harvest an optimal dose of CD34+ cells: A single center experience.

Background: Chemokine receptor CXCR4 antagonist plerixafor (Px) as well as high volume (HV) leukapheresis have been shown to reduce hematopoietic stem progenitor cell (HSPC) mobilization failure rates. However, no direct comparisons of such methods currently exists.

Methods And Materials: We compared the HSPC collection yield based on basal peripheral blood CD34+ cell numbers in patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation in a retrospective chart review.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Nepal: International Partnership, Implementation Steps, and Clinical Outcomes.

Blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) is rarely available in many low- to middle-income countries (LMICs). In 2012, Civil Service Hospital, a government hospital in Kathmandu, partnered with the University of Illinois at Chicago to consult on the establishment of BMT in their hospital, train staff, and promote educational activities. The implementation of BMT occurred in 3 phases over 4 years and included regular onsite visits, training of personnel in Chicago, continuous remote communication, and co-organization of educational events in Kathmandu.

Evaluation of Frequency of Administration of Intravenous Bisphosphonate and Recurrent Skeletal-Related Events in Patients With Multiple Myeloma.

This cohort study examines the risk of skeletal-related events associated with the frequency of bisphosphonate treatment in patients with multiple myeloma.

Race/ethnicity and underlying disease influences hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell mobilization response: A single center experience.

Background: Whether race/ethnicity plays a role in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC) mobilization in autologous donors has not been studied. We hypothesize that donor characteristic including race/ethnicity, age, sex, body mass index, and diagnostic groups influences HSPC mobilization. Diagnostic groups include healthy allogeneic donors, autologous multiple myeloma (MM) and non-MM donors.

Racial Disparities in Intravenous Bisphosphonate Use Among Older Patients With Multiple Myeloma Enrolled in Medicare.

Purpose: Intravenous (IV) bisphosphonates reduce the risk of skeletal-related events in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, data describing racial differences in IV bisphosphonate utilization outside of clinical trial settings are limited. We evaluated population-level IV bisphosphonate initiation and discontinuation among patients of age ≥ 65 years with MM.

Predictors of increased melphalan exposure correlate with overall survival, nonrelapse mortality, and toxicities in patients undergoing reduced-intensity allogeneic stem cell transplantation with fludarabine and melphalan.

The reduced-intensity conditioning regimen, fludarabine and melphalan 140 mg/m (FM140), is widely adopted in practice. Pharmacokinetic studies report 10-fold interpatient variability in melphalan exposure. We identified low hemoglobin (Hb) and/or creatinine clearance (CrCl), determinants of melphalan pharmacokinetic, as strong predictors of outcomes after high-dose melphalan and autologous transplant.

Self-reported health and survival in older patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

Purpose: Patient-reported outcomes such as self-reported health (SRH) are important in understanding quality cancer care, yet little is known about links between SRH and outcomes in older patients with multiple myeloma (MM). We evaluated associations between SRH and mortality among older patients with MM.

Methods: We analyzed a retrospective cohort of patients ages ≥ 65 years diagnosed with first primary MM using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (MHOS) data resource.

A multi-institutional comparison of mitoxantrone, etoposide, and cytarabine vs high-dose cytarabine and mitoxantrone therapy for patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

Relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia (R/R AML) has a poor prognosis and is best treated with salvage chemotherapy as a bridge to allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloSCT). However, the optimal salvage therapy remains unknown. Here we compared two salvage regimens; mitoxantrone, etoposide, and cytarabine (MEC) and mitoxantrone and high-dose Ara-C (Ara-C couplets).

Development of a method for clinical pharmacokinetic testing to allow for targeted Melphalan dosing in multiple myeloma patients undergoing autologous transplant.

Aims: High dose melphalan (HDM) and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is standard of care for multiple myeloma (MM), but there is significant variability in melphalan exposure (area under the plasma drug concentration-time curve, AUC) when using body surface area-based dosing. Our aim was to establish a method of pharmacokinetic (PK) testing for real-time melphalan dose adjustments.

Methods: We performed a prospective PK study of melphalan 140 or 200 mg/m in MM patients undergoing ASCT.

PARP Inhibition Synergizes with Melphalan but Does not Reverse Resistance Completely.

High-dose melphalan (MEL) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard of care in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). Resistance to MEL has been linked to increased DNA repair. Here we sought to identify whether inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) synergizes with MEL and can overcome resistance.

Improved health care utilization and costs in transplanted versus non-transplanted adults with sickle cell disease.

Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) have access to fewer health care resources and therapies compared to other diseases, which contributes to increased morbidity and health care utilization. We compared health care utilization (inpatient hospital days, emergency care visits) and health care-related costs between SCD adults that underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) using a nonmyeloblative conditioning regimen versus those referred for HSCT but did not proceed due to lack of an HLA-matched sibling donor, denial by insurance, red blood cell antibodies to the potential donor, or declining further evaluation. Between 8/2011 and 4/2016, 83 SCD patients were referred for allogeneic HSCT and 16 underwent the procedure.

Targets of biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and risk of multiple myeloma.

Several commonly used immune-suppressing biologic drugs target proteins and cytokines involved in myeloma pathogenesis. Our objective was to determine whether targeted biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are associated with risk of multiple myeloma (MM). We conducted a nested case-control study within a retrospective cohort of 56,886 commercially insured adults undergoing treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis between 2009 and 2015 using the Truven Health MarketScan Databases.

Depressive symptoms, mental health-related quality of life, and survival among older patients with multiple myeloma.

Purpose: To examine the impact of pre-diagnosis depressive symptoms and mental health-related quality of life (HRQOL) on survival among older patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare Health Outcomes Survey data resource. Patients aged 65 years and older diagnosed with first primary MM between 1998 and 2014 were identified, and presence of depressive symptoms was determined based on responses to 3 depression screening questions prior to MM diagnosis.

Mediation analyses of socioeconomic factors determining racial differences in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in a cohort of older adults.

Despite near universal health coverage under Medicare, racial disparities persist in the treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) among older patients in the United States. Studies evaluating DLBCL outcomes often treat socioeconomic status (SES) measures as confounders, potentially introducing biases when SES factors are mediators of disparities in cancer treatment.To examine differences in DLBCL treatment, we performed causal mediation analyses of SES measures, including: metropolitan statistical area (MSA) of residence; census-tract poverty level; and private Medicare supplementation using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare linked database between 2001 and 2011.

Combined immune score of lymphocyte to monocyte ratio and immunoglobulin levels predicts treatment-free survival of multiple myeloma patients after autologous stem cell transplant.

Outcomes after ASCT are highly variable making it difficult to predict risk of disease progression. We analyzed the impact of clinically available immune-related biomarkers on treatment-free survival (TFS) in 130 patients receiving Mel200 and ASCT. Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), monocyte count (AMC), neutrophil count (ANC), and immunoglobulin (Ig) levels were collected on day -2 and 90 of ASCT.

Pretransplant hemoglobin and creatinine clearance correlate with treatment-free survival after autologous stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma.

Melphalan is given at a dose of 200 mg/m (Mel200) prior to ASCT for multiple myeloma (MM). Pharmacokinetic (PK) studies show a high degree of interpatient variability. We aimed to test the impact of clinical factors previously shown to affect melphalan PK such as hemoglobin (Hgb), fat-free mass (FFM), and creatinine clearance (CrCl) on outcomes.

Bevacizumab Use and the Risk of Arterial and Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with High-Grade Gliomas: A Nested Case-Control Study.

Study Objective: Bevacizumab is used in the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma, but evidence is limited on the incidence of thromboembolic complications regarding the use of this drug in real-world settings. We evaluated the risk of arterial thromboembolism (ATE) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with the use of bevacizumab among adults diagnosed with high-grade gliomas in a commercially insured U.S.

Superior Survival in African American Patients Who Underwent Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma.

Introduction/background: African American (AA) individuals have a twofold higher incidence of multiple myeloma (MM) compared with other racial groups. Outcomes are affected by factors such as disparate access to care as well as differences in disease biology.

Patients And Methods: We conducted a single-institution analysis to evaluate the effect of AA race on outcomes of MM patients who underwent autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in the pre-novel and novel agent era.

Polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication use is highly prevalent in multiple myeloma patients and is improved by a collaborative physician-pharmacist clinic.

Objective: To compare polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication use in multiple myeloma patients receiving care under a traditional, physician-managed, or collaborative physician-pharmacist clinic.

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Urban academic cancer center.