Biomarker Pursuit: Keeping Current With Novel Biomarkers in Hematology/Oncology.

In the popular biomarker-focused session at JADPRO Live 2022, presenters paired biomarkers with tumor types for which their expression is most commonly used to determine targeted therapy, identified key assays used to measure common biomarkers, and reviewed recommendations and guidelines for biomarker testing.

Transplantation Referral Patterns for Patients with Newly Diagnosed Higher-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndromes and Acute Myeloid Leukemia at Academic and Community Sites in the Connect® Myeloid Disease Registry: Potential Barriers to Care.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is indicated for patients with higher-risk (HR) myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Age, performance status, patient frailty, comorbidities, and nonclinical factors (eg, cost, distance to site) are all recognized as important clinical factors that can influence HCT referral patterns and patient outcomes; however, the proportion of eligible patients referred for HCT in routine clinical practice is largely unknown. This study aimed to assess patterns of consideration for HCT among patients with HR-MDS and AML enrolled in the Connect® Myeloid Disease Registry at community/government (CO/GOV)- or academic (AC)-based sites, as well as to identify factors associated with rates of transplantation referral.

The Prevention of COVID-19 in High-Risk Patients Using Tixagevimab-Cilgavimab (Evusheld): Real-World Experience at a Large Academic Center.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. Tixagevimab-cilgavimab (Tix-Cil) is a combination of 2 monoclonal antibodies approved for the prevention of COVID-19 complications in this high-risk group.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who received Tix-Cil during the Omicron variant period (January 17 to April 23, 2022), with a follow-up period until May 24, 2022.

Improving patient understanding and outcomes in myelodysplastic syndromes - An animated patient guide to MDS with visual formats of learning.

Objectives: Patient education resources that address barriers to health literacy to improve understanding and outcomes in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact and outcomes benefits of cancer educational modules (which includes the 'You and MDS' website and YouTube hosted resources) related to MDS education, awareness, understanding and health outcomes.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of learner feedback, metrics, and utilization data from July 2018 to August 2021.

Biomarker Jeopardy.

In the popular Biomarker Jeopardy session, Sandra E. Kurtin, PhD, ANP-C, AOCN®, Alyssa Henglefelt, PharmD, BCOP, and Haleigh Mistry, MS, PA-C, paired biomarkers with tumor types for which their expression is most commonly used to determine targeted therapy, identified key assays used to measure common biomarkers, and discussed guidelines for biomarker testing.

Implementation of an Oral Antineoplastic Therapy Program: Results From a Pilot Project.

Background: The Oncology Care Model requires implementation of processes to reduce urgent care (UC), emergency department (ED), and hospital visits for patients on antineoplastic therapies, including oral antineoplastic agents.

Objectives: The purpose of this project was to develop, implement, and initially evaluate an oral antineoplastic therapy program (OAP) and an oncology antineoplastic nurse navigator (OANN) role aimed at reducing UC, ED, and hospital visits.

Methods: This pilot project used a descriptive correlational design to analyze the impact of the novel role of the OANN on UC, ED, and hospital visits.

Optimizing Treatment of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

During JADPRO Live Virtual 2020, Sandra Kurtin, PhD, ANP-C, AOCN®, described personalization of the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) using molecular attributes of the disease, as well as patient characteristics. Dr. Kurtin discussed front-line treatment in previously untreated patients, treatment for relapsed or refractory CLL, and how to prevent, mitigate, and manage adverse events in order to optimize treatment.

Biomarker Jeopardy.

The popular Biomarker Jeopardy session returned this year at JADPRO Live 2020. Sandra E. Kurtin, PhD, ANP-C, AOCN®, led the session, and was joined by Alyssa Henglefelt, PharmD, BCOP, and Allyson Price, PA-C.

Biomarker BINGO.

This JADPRO Live session tested attendees' knowledge on biomarkers and their use in determining targeted therapy for certain tumor types, key assays used to measure common biomarkers, and guideline-endorsed biomarker testing recommendations.

Clinical Trial Design and Drug Approval in Oncology: A Primer for the Advanced Practitioner in Oncology.

Evidenced-based practice requires timely and accurate integration of scientific advances. This presents a challenge for the oncology clinician given the robust pace of scientific discovery and the increasing number of new drug approvals and expanded indications for previously approved drugs. All currently available antineoplastic therapies have been developed through the clinical trials process.

Real-world diagnostic testing patterns for assessment of ring sideroblasts and SF3B1 mutations in patients with newly diagnosed lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes.

Introduction: The presence of ring sideroblasts (RS) and mutation of the SF3B1 gene are diagnostic of lower-risk (LR) myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and are correlated with favorable outcomes. However, information on testing and reporting in community-based clinical settings is scarce. This study from the Connect MDS/AML Disease Registry aimed to compare the frequency of RS and SF3B1 reporting for patients with LR-MDS, before and after publication of the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) MDS classification criteria.

Integrating Touchscreen-Based Geriatric Assessment and Frailty Screening for Adults With Multiple Myeloma to Drive Personalized Treatment Decisions.

Purpose: Geriatric assessment (GA) results predict toxicity/survival in older adults, yet GA is not routinely used in care for patients with multiple myeloma (MM). We tested a tablet-based modified GA (mGA) providing real-time results to clinicians.

Methods: One hundred sixty-five patients with MM aged ≥ 65 years facing a treatment decision from 4 sites completed a tablet-based mGA with Katz Activities of Daily Living (ADL), Lawton Instrumental ADL, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and variables from the Cancer and Aging Research Group's Chemotherapy Toxicity Calculator.

Interdisciplinary Management of Acute Leukemia Across the Continuum of Care.

Objective: To describe the interdisciplinary management of acute leukemias across the continuum of care.

Data Source: Literature review and experiential knowledge.

Conclusion: Acute leukemia, including acute myelogenous leukemia, acute promyelocytic leukemia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, represent a heterogeneous group of hematologic malignancies with complex diagnostic requirements that drive risk-adapted treatment selection.

Review of the patient-centered communication landscape in multiple myeloma and other hematologic malignancies.

Objectives: To identify factors limiting and facilitating patient-centered communication (PCC) in the United States hematology-oncology setting, with a focus on multiple myeloma (MM), given the limited attention to PCC and rapid pace of change that has taken place in this setting.

Methods: A literature search was performed from 2007 to 2017 to identify published articles and congress abstracts related to clinician-patient communication and treatment decision-making in oncology. Search results were evaluated by year of publication and disease area.

Pain Management in the Cancer Survivor.

Objectives: To describe assessment and interdisciplinary management of pain in the cancer survivor over the continuum of cancer care.

Data Sources: Review of the literature and treatment standards.

Conclusion: Pain remains a primary concern throughout the cancer trajectory across all age groups and diagnoses, emphasizing the need to integrate pain assessment and management across the continuum of cancer survivorship and across care settings.

The Role of Advanced Practitioners in Optimizing Clinical Management and Support of Patients With Polycythemia Vera.

Mr. M, a 65-year-old male, presented to his primary care physician with progressive fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and daily headaches for the past 3 weeks. His headaches were not associated with visual disturbances, cognitive deficits, or nausea/vomiting, and he had no history of migraines.

Practical Strategies for Management of Lenalidomide-Associated Cytopenias in Myelodysplastic Syndromes With del(5q).

A male patient aged 67 years with a 2-year history of refractory anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with del(5q) started lenalidomide (Revlimid) treatment as a participant in the MDS-001 trial (List et al., 2005). At the time of the study, this patient had been transfusion-dependent since 2001, and at study entry he had received a total of 12 units of red blood cells (RBCs).