Case report: Efficacy and safety of regorafenib plus fluorouracil combination therapy in the treatment of refractory metastatic colorectal cancer.

Background: More than half of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) present with metastatic disease or develop recurrent disease on first-line and second-line options. Treatment beyond the second line remains an area of unmet need for patients with progressive or recurrent disease.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data of adult (>18 years old) patients with mCRC who received regorafenib + 5FU combination therapy at Houston Methodist Hospital with outcomes of interest including response rate, discontinuation due to side effects, and overall survival.

Cancer Disparities and Black American Representation in Clinical Trials Leading to the Approval of Oral Chemotherapy Drugs in the United States Between 2009 and 2019.

Purpose: Over the past 10 years, oral chemotherapy made up about half (45.6%) of all US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved oncolytic and hematologic medications. Given the disparity in incidence and mortality rate because of certain cancers among Black Americans (BAs) in the United States, a review of BA's representation in the clinical trials that lead to the development and FDA approval of oral chemotherapy drugs becomes imperative.

A Framework for Protecting Pregnant Women in the Era of COVID-19 Pandemic.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, highlighted and compounded problems while posing new challenges for the pregnant population. Although individual organizations have provided disparate information, guidance, and updates on managing the pregnant population during the current COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to develop a collective model that highlights all the best practices needed to protect the pregnant population during the pandemic. To establish a standard for ensuring safety during the pandemic, we present a framework that describes best practices for the management of the pregnant population during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

A Surveillance System for the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and its ensuing mitigation measures have negatively affected the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) population. There is currently no surveillance system established to enhance our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to guide policy decision making to protect the MCH population in this pandemic. Based on reports of community and household spread of this novel infection, we present an approach to a robust family-centered surveillance system for the MCH population.

Role of Social Determinants of Health in Widening Maternal and Child Health Disparities in the Era of Covid-19 Pandemic.

We present a conceptual model that describes the social determinants of health (SDOH) pathways contributing to worse outcomes in minority maternal and child health (MCH) populations due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. We used International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10) codes in the categories Z55-Z65 to identify SDOH that potentially modulate MCH disparities. These SDOH pathways, coupled with pre-existing comorbidities, exert higher-than-expected burden of maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality in minority communities.

Trends and Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Rates of Pre-eclampsia by HIV Status in the US.

Background: Preeclampsia and HIV account for a significant proportion of the global burden of disease and pose severe maternal-fetal risks. There is a dearth of literature regarding racial/ethnic disparities in preeclampsia associated with HIV/AIDS in the US.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database from 2002 to 2015 on a cohort of hospitalized pregnant women with or without preeclampsia and HIV.

Development and implementation of an electrolyte replacement protocol in the outpatient oncology infusion centers of a large academic healthcare system.

Background: Patients receiving chemotherapy frequently experience electrolyte imbalances. Electrolyte replacement is, therefore, a necessity as patients may experience life-threatening symptoms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of low serum potassium and magnesium, and identify the rate of replacement for patients with low serum potassium and magnesium levels.

Incidence of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy within 12 weeks of starting neurotoxic chemotherapy for multiple myeloma or lymphoma: a prospective, single-center, observational study.

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) may necessitate chemotherapy dose reduction, delay, or discontinuation. This pilot study tested feasibility of patient enrollment, CIPN screening, and data collection in cancer patients for a future clinical study that will assess the safety and efficacy of an intervention that may prevent CIPN.

Methods: This prospective, observational, single-center, pilot study included adults with newly diagnosed lymphoma or multiple myeloma receiving neurotoxic chemotherapy.

Evaluation of the prescribing patterns, adverse effects, and drug interactions of oral chemotherapy agents in an outpatient cancer center.

Purpose: Although oral chemotherapy offers advantages over intravenous chemotherapy, it creates a unique set of challenges. Potential barriers include treatment complexity, patient responsibility for medication adherence and monitoring, reduced healthcare contact, and increased financial burden. The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of drug-related problems among a sample of patients treated with oral chemotherapy agents.

Successful treatment of a stage IIIC small-cell carcinoma of the ovary hypercalcemic subtype using multi-modality therapeutic approach.

Small-cell carcinoma of the ovary, hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) is a rare but highly undifferentiated, aggressive malignancy that primarily affects young women. Due to its early onset, unclear familial history and vague presenting symptoms, most SCCOHT patients present late with advanced disease. The prognosis is extremely poor, with <10% disease-free survival for advanced stages.