Publications by authors named "Verna Cheung"

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of chronic hematologic malignancies that lead to morbidity and early mortality due to thrombotic complications and progression to acute leukemia. Clinical and mutational risk factors have been demonstrated to predict outcomes in patients with MPNs and are used commonly to guide therapeutic decisions, including allogenic stem cell transplant, in myelofibrosis. Adolescents and young adults (AYA, age ≤45 years) comprise less than 10% of all MPN patients and have unique clinical and therapeutic considerations.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Transformation of BCR::ABL1-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) to an accelerated or blast phase is associated with poor outcomes. The efficacy of acute myeloid leukemia (AML)-type intensive and nonintensive hypomethylating agent-based regimens is not well studied. We therefore performed a retrospective analysis of patients with MPN-AP/BP (N = 138) treated with intensive (N = 81) and nonintensive (N = 57) blast-reduction strategies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

To date, allogenic stem cell transplant (ASCT) remains the only potential curative option for patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF). However, relapse rates and associated mortality remain a concern. A second ASCT may not be feasible due to advancing age, declined functional status, donor unavailability, toxicities associated with a second ASCT.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

In 2019, the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) published the Advanced Practice Nursing: A Pan-Canadian Framework, defining and highlighting the competencies of the clinical nurse specialist role (CNS). In response to the CNA publication, the CNS Community of Practice (CoP) at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM) reviewed how the oncology CNS roles at PM aligned with the CNA competencies. The primary goal was to utilize the CNA (2019) document to guide the development of a PM CNS role-clarity document and new-hire CNS pathway to assist the onboarding process for new CNS hires at PM.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

There is limited understanding of the impact of frailty on clinical outcomes in patients with myelofibrosis (MF). In this retrospective cohort study on 439 chronic phase MF patients [mean age: 68·7 ± 12 years; median follow-up: 3·4 years (IQR 0·4-8·6)] from 2004 till 2018, we used a 35-variable frailty index (FI) to categorise patient's frailty status as fit (FI < 0·2, reference), prefrail (FI 0·2-0·29) or frail (FI ≥ 0·3). The association of frailty with overall survival (OS) and cumulative JAK inhibitor (JAKi) therapy failure was measured using hazard ratio (HR, 95% CI).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of rare Philadelphia-negative chronic leukemias. Disease rarity has resulted in limited expertise concentrated in specialist centres. Patients are often referred to such expert centres for diagnostic issues, complex decision-making, access to novel drugs through clinical trials, and supportive care.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Despite the curative potential of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) for myelofibrosis (MF), a significant number of patients with MF do not undergo HCT. Factors influencing treatment preferences in these patients have not been well studied. This study was conducted to identify patient-, disease-, and donor-related factors influencing the decision regarding HCT in patients with MF.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Problem Identification: Improvements in pediatric cancer survival have increased interest in the experiences of children undergoing treatment; however, no review of the qualitative literature describing these experiences has been conducted.

Literature Search: Databases were searched from January 2000 to January 2016 for qualitative studies describing the experience of children with cancer aged 18 years or younger.

Data Evaluation: Two reviewers assessed abstracts for relevance and rated reporting comprehensiveness.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF