Publications by authors named "Nicole Lollo"
Purpose: Cancer patients experience distress and anxiety when undergoing imaging studies to monitor disease status, yet these symptoms are not always appropriately identified or well-managed. This interim analysis of a phase 2 clinical trial explored feasibility and acceptability of a virtual reality relaxation (VR) intervention for primary brain tumor (PBT) patients at the time of clinical evaluation.
Methods: English speaking, adult PBT patients with previous reports of distress and upcoming neuroimaging were recruited between March of 2021 and March 2022.
Article Synopsis
- Precision health strategies are essential for managing symptom burden in primary brain tumor patients, addressing the complex and diverse nature of their symptoms.
- The study used network analysis and unsupervised clustering on data from 1,128 patients to uncover symptoms' interconnections, revealing four key dimensions of symptom burden: cognitive, physical, focal neurologic, and affective.
- The results indicated four patient subgroups, with notable distinctions in their symptom patterns and severities, potentially guiding the development of personalized symptom management approaches in the future.
Cancer patients experience distress and anxiety when undergoing imaging studies to monitor disease status, yet these symptoms are not always appropriately identified or well-managed. This interim analysis of a phase 2 clinical trial explored feasibility and acceptability of a virtual reality relaxation (VR) intervention for primary brain tumor (PBT) patients at the time of clinical evaluation. English speaking, adult PBT patients with previous reports of distress and upcoming neuroimaging were recruited between March of 2021 and March 2022.
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- Financial toxicity, especially linked to unemployment, has a significant impact on cancer survivors, prompting an evaluation of how it relates to patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in individuals with primary CNS tumors (PCNST).
- The study, conducted between September 2016 and December 2019 with 277 participants, revealed that Hispanic individuals faced higher unemployment rates and reported greater functional impairments and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQOL) than employed counterparts.
- Unemployed participants exhibited notably higher levels of depressive (25% vs. 8%) and anxiety symptoms (30% vs. 15%), highlighting the mental health challenges associated with unemployment in this patient group.
The uncommon -altered primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors were recently added to the World Health Organization 2021 classification under the name Astroblastoma, -altered. Another term used to describe them, "High-grade neuroepithelial tumor with alteration" (HGNET-MN1), makes reference to their distinct epigenetic profile but is currently not a recommended name. Thought to occur most commonly in children and predominantly in females, -altered CNS tumors are associated with typical but not pathognomonic histological patterns and are characterized by a distinct DNA methylation profile and recurrent fusions implicating the (meningioma 1) gene.
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- * Patients with sleep disturbances also experienced a higher overall symptom burden, including significantly more depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as increased feelings of drowsiness and distress.
- * The findings suggest that addressing sleep disturbances in PBT patients could improve their overall symptom experience and quality of life, highlighting the need for future research on sleep patterns and potential interventions.
Article Synopsis
- The study focused on the importance of clinical outcomes assessments (COAs) for patients with malignant glioma, specifically looking at symptoms and functions recommended by the RANO-PRO Working Group.
- Using a cohort of 336 patients from a larger study, researchers analyzed how symptoms like pain and cognitive issues and functions like weakness and ability to work relate to disease progression over time.
- Findings suggest that these COAs are relevant indicators of disease status and may change as the disease progresses, providing vital information for both clinical care and research.
Article Synopsis
- Cognitive impairments are common in patients with primary CNS tumors, and traditional neuropsychological assessments are often too lengthy for routine use, prompting the study of the brief Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) during in-person and telehealth visits.
- The study involved 71 adults with CNS tumors who took the MoCA, revealing an average score of 25 in-person and 26 via telehealth, with a notable percentage scoring abnormally; satisfaction surveys indicated healthcare providers found the MoCA useful in both settings.
- Findings demonstrated a correlation between lower MoCA scores and worse symptoms, emphasizing the importance of incorporating both objective cognitive measures and patient-reported outcomes for a comprehensive understanding of patient cognition in neuro-oncology care.
Introduction: Despite an increasing aging population, older adults (≥ 65 years) with primary brain tumors (PBTs) are not routinely assessed for geriatric vulnerabilities. Recent reports of geriatric assessment (GA) in patients with glioblastomas demonstrated that GA may serve as a sensitive prognosticator of overall survival. Yet, current practice does not include routine evaluation of geriatric vulnerabilities and the relevance of GA has not been previously evaluated in broader cohorts of PBT patients.
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- Primary CNS tumors lead to significant symptoms and a poor prognosis, prompting a study on long-term survivors (≥5 years) to evaluate their reported outcomes.
- Data from 248 adult survivors revealed that while 42% reported no moderate-to-severe symptoms, many experienced issues like fatigue and cognitive difficulties, with significant anxiety and depression reported by some.
- The study highlights the need for tailored survivorship care programs, as survivors exhibited diverse symptom experiences regardless of tumor characteristics, indicating ongoing support and research are essential.
Purpose: To investigate the toxicity profile and establish an optimal dosing schedule of zotiraciclib with temozolomide in patients with recurrent high-grade astrocytoma.
Patients And Methods: This two-stage phase I trial determined the MTD of zotiraciclib combined with either dose-dense (Arm1) or metronomic (Arm2) temozolomide using a Bayesian Optimal Interval design; then a randomized cohort expansion compared the progression-free survival rate at 4 months (PFS4) of the two arms for an efficient determination of a temozolomide schedule to combine with zotiraciclib at MTD. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenomic profiling were included.
Antiretroviral treatment effect on immune activation reduces cerebrospinal fluid HIV-1 infection.
J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr
April 2008
Objective: To define the effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on activation of T cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood, and interactions of this activation with CSF HIV-1 RNA concentrations.
Design: Cross-sectional analysis of 14 HIV-negative subjects and 123 neuroasymptomatic HIV-1-infected subjects divided into 3 groups: not on ART (termed "offs"), on ART with plasma HIV-1 RNA >500 copies/mL ("failures"), and on ART with plasma HIV-1 RNA
Objective: To characterize the effect of partially suppressive combination antiretroviral therapy on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 RNA levels and CSF inflammation.
Design: The study was a cross-sectional analysis of 139 HIV-1-infected subjects without active neurological disease, categorized as having successful therapy (plasma HIV-1 RNA level < or =500 copies/mL), having failure of therapy (plasma HIV-1 RNA level >500 copies/mL), or not receiving therapy. The control group consisted of 48 HIV-negative subjects.
Research demonstrates that injection drug users with HIV and/or AIDS have difficulty adhering to complex regimens of HIV medications. Because of the risk of increased viral resistance associated with irregular medication adherence, there is considerable clinical need to assist clients who abuse substances in taking their antiretroviral medications on time and as directed. This article outlines intervention strategies to improve medication adherence among clients who are in methadone maintenance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Central nervous system (CNS) exposure to HIV is a universal facet of systemic infection. Because of its proximity to and shared barriers with the brain, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) provides a useful window into and model of human CNS HIV infection.
Methods: Prospective study of the relationships of CSF to plasma HIV RNA, and the effects of: 1) progression of systemic infection, 2) CSF white blood cell (WBC) count, 3) antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 4) neurological performance.