Geriatric Oncology: A 5-Year Strategic Plan.

The increasing rate of the older adult population across the world over the next 20 years along with significant developments in the treatment of oncology will require a more granular understanding of the older adult population with cancer. The ASCO Geriatric Oncology Community of Practice (COP) herein provides an outline for the field along three fundamental pillars: education, research, and implementation, inspired by ASCO's 5-Year Strategic Plan. Fundamental to improving the understanding of geriatric oncology is research that intentionally includes older adults with clinically meaningful data supported by grants across all career stages.

Validation of algorithms to select patients with multiple myeloma and patients initiating myeloma treatment in the national Veterans Affairs Healthcare System.

Background: We aimed to evaluate and compare the performance of multiple myeloma (MM) selection algorithms for use in Veterans Affairs (VA) research.

Methods: Using the VA Corporate Data Warehouse (CDW), the VA Cancer Registry (VACR), and VA pharmacy data, we randomly selected 500 patients from 01/01/1999 to 06/01/2021 who had (1) either one MM diagnostic code OR were listed in the VACR as having MM AND (2) at least one MM treatment code. A team reviewed oncology notes for each veteran to annotate details regarding MM diagnosis and initial treatment within VA.

A Systematic Review of Decision Aids in Hematologic Malignancies: What Are Currently Available and What Are We Missing?

Background: Patient decision aids (PDAs) are tools designed to facilitate decision-making. In this systematic review, we summarized existing studies on the development and evaluation of PDAs for patients with hematologic malignancies.

Patients And Methods: We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Older patients' experiences following initial diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia: A qualitative study.

Introduction: The onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often occur suddenly and may lead to a range of emotional responses. Understanding patients' experiences and emotional states allows clinicians to tailor care to patients' needs. Previous studies have largely focused on patients' experiences at diagnosis and after remission has been achieved among those who received intensive chemotherapy.

The Evolution of Geriatric Oncology and Geriatric Assessment over the Past Decade.

Cancer is predominantly a disease of aging, and older adults represent the majority of cancer diagnoses and deaths. Older adults with cancer differ significantly from younger patients, leading to important distinctions in cancer treatment planning and decision-making. As a consequence, the field of geriatric oncology has blossomed and evolved over recent decades, as the need to bring personalized cancer care to older adults has been increasingly recognized and a focus of study.

Update on the Contemporary Treatment of Light Chain Amyloidosis Including Stem Cell Transplantation.

The management of immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis is complex. Emerging data have shown promising results for several novel agents. We review the management of AL amyloidosis, including factors that determine transplant eligibility, treatment options for transplant-ineligible patients, and treatment options for relapsed/refractory AL amyloidosis.

Enhancement of Podocyte Attachment on Polyacrylamide Hydrogels with Gelatin-Based Polymers.

Biological activities of cells such as survival and differentiation processes are mainly maintained by a specific extracellular matrix (ECM). Hydrogels have recently been employed successfully in tissue engineering applications. In particular, scaffolds made of gelatin methacrylate-based hydrogels (GelMA) showed great potential due to their biocompatibility, biofunctionality, and low mechanical strength.

Treatment decision-making in acute myeloid leukemia: a qualitative study of older adults and community oncologists.

Little is known about the characteristics of patients, physicians, and organizations that influence treatment decisions in older patients with AML. We conducted qualitative interviews with community oncologists and older patients with AML to elicit factors that influence their treatment decision-making. Recruitment was done purposive sampling and continued until theoretical saturation was reached, resulting in the inclusion of 15 patients and 15 oncologists.

Multimorbidity, Function, and Cognition in Aging.

Multimorbidity is a global health challenge. Here, we define multimorbidity, describe ways multimorbidity is measured, discuss the prevalence of multimorbidity and how it differs across different populations, examine mechanisms of disease and disability, and discuss the effects of multimorbidity on outcomes such as survival and function.

Management of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in Older Patients.

Purpose Of Review: The acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment landscape has rapidly evolved over the past few years. These changes have several implications for the care of older adults (≥ 60 years), who have inferior clinical outcomes. We review decision-making in older adults, focusing on patient- and disease-related factors.

Ghrelin-induced multi-organ damage in mice fed obesogenic diet.

Objective And Design: Ghrelin has a key role in modulating energy metabolism and weight gain. The present study aimed at studying the potential role of ghrelin in the development and/or exacerbation of organ damage in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity.

Objective And Design: Adult mice were fed one of two diets for 20 weeks: standard high carbohydrate (HC) or high-fat high-sugar (HFHS).

Association Between Patient Cost Sharing and Cardiac Rehabilitation Adherence.

Objective: To determine the association between cost sharing and adherence to cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

Patients And Methods: We collected detailed cost-sharing information for patients enrolled in CR at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts, including the presence (or absence) and amounts of co-pays and deductibles. We evaluated the association between cost sharing and the total number of CR sessions attended as well as the influence of household income on CR attendance.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Treatment of Older Adults with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: a Young International Society of Geriatric Oncology Review Paper.

Purpose Of Review: The treatment landscape for older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is evolving. Many treatments have comparable efficacy making their impact on quality of life (QoL) an important differentiating factor. In this review, we discuss QoL in older adults with AML, focusing on therapeutic and observational trials that have incorporated QoL assessments.

Embracing the complexity: Older adults with cancer-related cognitive decline-A Young International Society of Geriatric Oncology position paper.

Cancer-related cognitive decline (CRCD) may have particularly significant consequences for older adults, impacting their functional and physical abilities, level of independence, ability to make decisions, treatment adherence, overall quality of life, and ultimately survival. In honor of Dr. Hurria's work we explore and examine multiple types of screening, assessment and non-pharmacologic treatments for CRCD.

Influence of Hydrolyzed Polyacrylamide Hydrogel Stiffness on Podocyte Morphology, Phenotype, and Mechanical Properties.

Chronic kidney disease is characterized by a gradual decline in renal function that progresses toward end-stage renal disease. Podocytes are highly specialized glomerular epithelial cells which form with the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) and capillary endothelium the glomerular filtration barrier. GBM is an extracellular matrix (ECM) that acts as a mechanical support and provides biophysical signals that control normal podocytes behavior in the process of glomerular filtration.

Ghrelin modulates intracellular signalling pathways that are critical for podocyte survival.

Damage to podocytes is a key event in glomerulopathies. While energy dense food can contribute to kidney damage, the role of the orixegenic hormone "ghrelin" in podocyte biology is still unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ghrelin on podocyte survival as well as the signalling pathways mediating ghrelin effect in immortalized cultured rat podocytes.

Use of Inpatient Palliative Care Services in Patients With Advanced Cancer Receiving Critical Care Therapies.

Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), dialysis for acute kidney failure, and other critical care therapies (CCTs) are associated with a high risk for complications in patients with metastatic cancer. Inpatient palliative care (IPC) can assist in assessing patients' preferences for life-prolonging treatment at the end of life. This study investigated the use pattern of IPC, outcomes (in-hospital mortality, length of stay [LOS], discharge destination, and cost of care), and predictors of IPC use in patients with metastatic cancer who received CCTs.

Transforming growth factor-β1 and phosphatases modulate COX-2 protein expression and TAU phosphorylation in cultured immortalized podocytes.

Objective And Design: The aim of this study is to elucidate TGF-β1 signaling pathways involved in COX-2 protein induction and modulation of TAU protein phosphorylation in cultured podocytes.

Materials, Treatment And Methods: In vitro cultured immortalized podocytes were stimulated with TGF-β1 in presence and absence of pharmacologic inhibitors for various signaling pathways and phosphatases. Then, COX-2 protein expression, as well as P38MAPK, AKT and TAU phosphorylation levels were evaluated by western blot analysis.

Downhill oesophageal variceal bleeding: A rare complication in Behçet's disease-related superior vena cava syndrome.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystemic disorder that involves vessels of all sizes. Superior vena cava (SVC) thrombosis is a rare complication that can lead to the development of various collateral pathways. A 31-year-old man presented with SVC syndrome.