Associations Between Social Determinants of Health and Psychoneurologic Symptom Clusters in Women With Gynecologic Cancers: A Longitudinal Study.

Objectives: To evaluate the associations between social determinants of health (SDOH) and psychoneurologic symptom (PNS) clusters in women with gynecologic cancers during cancer treatment.

Sample & Setting: 67 women with gynecologic cancers who received radiation therapy were assessed at baseline, six to eight weeks after treatment, and six months after treatment at oncology clinics in Georgia.

Methods & Variables: Fatigue, pain, sleep disturbances, cognitive impairment, and depressive symptoms were measured to determine a PNS cluster score.

Long-Term Results of a Phase 3 Randomized Prospective Trial of Erectile Tissue-Sparing Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy for Men With Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine whether limiting the doses delivered to the penile bulb (PB) and corporal bodies with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) preserves erectile function compared with standard IMRT in men with prostate cancer.

Methods And Materials: A total of 117 patients with low- to intermediate-risk, clinical T1a-T2c prostate adenocarcinoma were enrolled in a single-institution, prospective, single-blind, phase 3 randomized trial. All received definitive IMRT to 74 to 80 Gy in 37 to 40 fractions and standard IMRT (s-IMRT) or erectile tissue-sparing IMRT (ETS-IMRT), which placed additional planning constraints that limited the D90 to the penile bulb and corporal bodies to ≤15 Gy and ≤7 Gy, respectively.

Follow-Up to High-Resolution Anoscopy After Abnormal Anal Cytology in People Living with HIV.

Current expert recommendations suggest anal cytology followed by high-resolution anoscopy (HRA) for biopsy and histological confirmation may be beneficial in cancer prevention, especially in people living with HIV (PLWH). Guided by the social ecological model, the purpose of this study was to examine sociodemographic and clinical variables, individual-level factors (depression, HIV/AIDS-related stigma, and health beliefs) and interpersonal-level factors (social support) related to time to HRA follow-up after abnormal anal cytology. We enrolled 150 PLWH from a large HIV community clinic, with on-site HRA availability, in Atlanta, GA.

Exploring the Anal Microbiome in HIV Positive and High-Risk HIV Negative Women.

This exploratory study sought to characterize the anal microbiome and explore associations among the anal microbiome, risk factors for anal cancer, and clinical factors. A pilot sample of 50 HIV infected and high-risk HIV negative women were recruited from the former Women's Interagency HIV Study. Microbiome characterization by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and datasets were analyzed using QIIME 2™.

Characterizing Pain Experiences: African American Patients With Multiple Myeloma Taking Around-the-Clock Opioids.

Background: Despite known disparities by race, studies to date have not focused on pain characterization among African American patients with multiple myeloma.

Objectives: This study aimed to characterize the pain experience, beliefs about pain and pain control, and additional symptoms among African American patients with multiple myeloma taking around-the-clock opioids.

Methods: This study employed secondary analysis of baseline data from a completed longitudinal study of opioid adherence.

Research Agenda of the Oncology Nursing Society: 2019-2022.

Problem Statement: To define the Oncology Nursing Society Research Agenda for 2019-2022.

Design: Multimethod, consensus-building approach by members of the Research Agenda Project Team.

Data Sources: Expert opinion, literature review, surveys, interviews, focus groups, town hall, and review of research priorities from other cancer care organizations and funding agencies.

Comparisons of Depression, Sexual Function, and Quality of Life Between Women With Gynecological Cancers and Race-Matched Healthy Controls.

Background: Although higher incidence and mortality of gynecological cancer (GynCa) are documented in black compared with white women, few studies have documented quality of life (QOL) or healthy control comparisons.

Objective: This study compared depression, sexual function, and QOL between patients with GynCa and race-matched healthy controls.

Methods: Patients with GynCa and healthy controls completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Female Sexual Function Index, and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General measures at baseline; GynCa patients were assessed again at 6 months post-radiation therapy (RT).

Pilot Study of Vaginal Microbiome Using QIIME 2™ in Women With Gynecologic Cancer Before and After Radiation Therapy.

Objectives: To characterize the vaginal microbiome using QIIME 2™ (Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology 2) in women with gynecologic cancer.

Sample & Setting: 19 women with gynecologic cancer before and after radiation therapy at a comprehensive cancer center in Atlanta, Georgia.

Methods & Variables: This pilot study analyzed vaginal microbiome communities using a microbiome analysis pipeline, beginning with 16S rRNA gene sequencing and processing through use of a bioinformatics pipeline to downstream microbial statistical analysis.

Attrition in NRG Oncology's Radiation-Based Clinical Trials.

Purpose: To determine individual, organizational, and protocol-specific factors associated with attrition in NRG Oncology's radiation-based clinical trials.

Methods And Materials: This retrospective analysis included 27,443 patients representing 134 NRG Oncology's radiation-based clinical trials .trials with primary efficacy results published from 1985-2011.

Sociodemographic Predictors of Anal Cancer Screening and Follow-up in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Individuals.

Background: Anal cancer in the United States is generally rare; however, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals are 28 times more likely to be given a diagnosis of anal cancer than the general population.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the rates and sociodemographic predictors of anal cancer screening and follow-up anoscopy in a sample of HIV-infected individuals.

Methods: Data for this study (n = 200) were derived from a retrospective chart review of randomly selected HIV-infected individuals.

The Complementary Nature of Patient-Reported Outcomes and Adverse Event Reporting in Cooperative Group Oncology Clinical Trials: A Pooled Analysis (NCCTG N0591).

Context: Clinical trials use clinician-graded adverse events (AEs) and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to describe symptoms.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the agreement between PROs and AEs in the clinical trial setting.

Methods: Patient-level data were pooled from seven North Central Cancer Treatment Group, two Southwest Oncology Group, and three Radiation Therapy Oncology Group lung studies that included both PROs and AE data.

Patient-reported outcomes and survivorship in radiation oncology: overcoming the cons.

Purpose: Although patient-reported outcomes (PROs) have become a key component of clinical oncology trials, many challenges exist regarding their optimal application. The goal of this article is to methodically review these barriers and suggest strategies to overcome them. This review will primarily focus on radiation oncology examples, will address issues regarding the "why, how, and what" of PROs, and will provide strategies for difficult problems such as methods for reducing missing data.

Recommended patient-reported core set of symptoms to measure in prostate cancer treatment trials.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Symptom Management and Health-Related Quality of Life Steering Committee convened four working groups to recommend core sets of patient-reported outcomes to be routinely incorporated in clinical trials. The Prostate Cancer Working Group included physicians, researchers, and a patient advocate. The group's process included 1) a systematic literature review to determine the prevalence and severity of symptoms, 2) a multistakeholder meeting sponsored by the NCI to review the evidence and build consensus, and 3) a postmeeting expert panel synthesis of findings to finalize recommendations.

Can electronic web-based technology improve quality of life data collection? Analysis of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0828.

Purpose: Missing data are a significant problem in clinical trials, particularly for quality of life (QOL), which cannot be obtained retrospectively. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of an electronic web-based strategy for QOL data collection in a cooperative group radiation oncology trial setting.

Methods And Materials: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 0828 was a prospective National Cancer Institute cooperative group companion study of RTOG-0415, a randomized study of conventional versus hypofractionated radiation.

Preliminary toxicity analysis of 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy versus intensity modulated radiation therapy on the high-dose arm of the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group 0126 prostate cancer trial.

Purpose: To give a preliminary report of clinical and treatment factors associated with toxicity in men receiving high-dose radiation therapy (RT) on a phase 3 dose-escalation trial.

Methods And Materials: The trial was initiated with 3-dimensional conformal RT (3D-CRT) and amended after 1 year to allow intensity modulated RT (IMRT). Patients treated with 3D-CRT received 55.

Memantine for the prevention of cognitive dysfunction in patients receiving whole-brain radiotherapy: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: To determine the protective effects of memantine on cognitive function in patients receiving whole-brain radiotherapy (WBRT).

Methods: Adult patients with brain metastases received WBRT and were randomized to receive placebo or memantine (20 mg/d), within 3 days of initiating radiotherapy for 24 weeks. Serial standardized tests of cognitive function were performed.

Influence of vascular comorbidities and race on erectile dysfunction after prostate cancer radiotherapy.

Introduction: Vascular comorbidities (VC) (hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia) are known factors related to erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. However, no data are yet available for the effects of VC on ED incidence after prostate cancer radiotherapy (XRT).

Aim: To investigate the influence of VC on post-XRT ED incidence and to further characterize ED incidence by racial groups.

Stamp test delivers message on erectile dysfunction after high-dose intensity-modulated radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Objective: To evaluate erectile function after high-dose radiotherapy for prostate cancer using the International Index of Erectile Function, Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite, and stamp test.

Methods: Men with favorable and intermediate-risk prostate cancer were assigned to receive prostate intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) versus an erectile tissue-sparing IMRT technique in a Phase III randomized, prospective study. The stamp test and International Index of Erectile Function and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite questionnaires were completed at baseline and 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after IMRT.

Five-year local control in a phase II study of hypofractionated intensity modulated radiation therapy with an incorporated boost for early stage breast cancer.

Purpose: Conventional radiation fractionation of 1.8-2 Gy per day for early stage breast cancer requires daily treatment for 6-7 weeks. We report the 5-year results of a phase II study of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), hypofractionation, and incorporated boost that shortened treatment time to 4 weeks.

Nurse Practitioners' attitudes about cancer clinical trials and willingness to recommend research participation.

Background: Recruitment and retention of human participants in cancer clinical trials remains challenging for all investigators. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are in a prime position to discuss, educate and refer patients to clinical trials as many NPs work in ethnically and geographically diverse primary care settings in the U.S.

Impact of gender, partner status, and race on locoregional failure and overall survival in head and neck cancer patients in three radiation therapy oncology group trials.

Purpose: We investigated the impact of race, in conjunction with gender and partner status, on locoregional control (LRC) and overall survival (OS) in three head and neck trials conducted by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG).

Methods And Materials: Patients from RTOG studies 9003, 9111, and 9703 were included. Patients were stratified by treatment arms.

Randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial of treating erectile dysfunction with sildenafil after radiotherapy and short-term androgen deprivation therapy: results of RTOG 0215.

Introduction: Erectile dysfunction (ED) may be the most commonly observed adverse event (AE) associated with the combination of radiation therapy (RT) and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). A significant number of men are trying phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5s) such as sildenafil to treat ED, yet sildenafil studies to date shed little light on the response to ED after ADT.

Aim: The purpose of this trial was to evaluate sildenafil in the treatment of ED in prostate cancer patients previously treated with external beam RT and neoadjuvant and concurrent ADT.

Feasibility of economic analysis of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 91-11 using Medicare data.

Purpose: The specific aim of this analysis was to evaluate the feasibility of performing a cost-effectiveness analysis using Medicare data from patients treated on a randomized Phase III clinical trial.

Methods And Materials: Cost data included Medicare Part A and Part B costs from all providers--inpatient, outpatient, skilled nursing facility, home health, hospice, and physicians--and were obtained from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for patients eligible for Medicare, treated on Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 9111 between 1992 and 1996. The 47-month expected discounted (annual discount rate of 3%) cost for each arm of the trial was calculated in 1996 dollars, with Kaplan-Meier sampling average estimates of survival probabilities for each month and mean monthly costs.

The influence of gender, race, and marital status on survival in lung cancer patients: analysis of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group trials.

Objective: A meta-analysis was conducted to determine the influence of gender, race, and marital status on overall survival (OS) in Radiation Therapy Oncology Group nonoperative non-small cell lung cancer trials.

Materials And Methods: Data from 1365 patients treated on nine prospective Radiation Therapy Oncology Group studies activated during the 1990s were analyzed. Impact of gender, marital status, and race was considered in the Cox proportional hazards models.

Prostate cancer early detection program recruitment methods and show rates in men at high risk.

Purpose: Men with a family history of prostate cancer and black men are at higher risk for prostate cancer. Recruitment and retention of these men at high risk into early detection programs is challenging. We report a comprehensive analysis of recruitment methods, show rates and participant factors from the Prostate Cancer Risk Assessment Program, a prospective, longitudinal prostate cancer screening study.