Chintan Pandya

Cost‐effectiveness analysis of early vs. late autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma

Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is the current standard of care for most patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who are transplant eligible, yet the timing of ASCT is disputed due to a similar overall (OS) and progression‐free survival with an early ASCT (eASCT) or a delayed ASCT (dASCT) approach.

Association of falls with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older cancer survivors: A population based study

OBJECTIVE To examine the association between falls and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older cancer survivors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the 2006-2011 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry system and the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (SEER-MHOS) linkage database, a cross-sectional analysis was performed including 17,958 older cancer survivors. Multivariable regression models were used to evaluate the association of falls with HRQOL measured by the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores on the Veteran RAND 12-item health survey after controlling for demographic, health- and cancer-related factors. A longitudinal analysis using the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) models was also conducted comparing changes in HRQOL of older cancer survivors who fell with HRQOL of older patients with cancer who did not fall. RESULTS In the cross-sectional analysis, 4524 (25%) cancer survivors who fell reported a significantly lower PCS (-2.18; SE=0.16) and MCS (2.00; SE=0.17) scores compared to those who did not (N=13,434). In the longitudinal analysis, after adjusting for baseline HRQOL scores and covariates, patients who fell reported a decline in mean HRQOL scores of both PCS (-1.54; SE=0.26) and MCS (-1.71; SE=0.27). Presence of depression, functional impairment and comorbidities was significantly associated with lower HRQOL scores. CONCLUSION Falls are associated with lower HRQOL scores and are associated with a significant prospective decline in HRQOL in older cancer survivors. Further research is necessary to determine if assessment and intervention programs can help improve HRQOL by reducing the likelihood of falls.

Associations between a patient-reported outcome (PRO) measure of sarcopenia and falls, functional status, and physical performance in older patients with cancer

OBJECTIVE In older patients with cancer, we aimed to investigate associations between a patient-reported outcome measure for sarcopenia (SarcoPRO) and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), self-reported falls, and limitations in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). MATERIALS AND METHODS Assessments were conducted as part of the initial evaluation of older, often frail, patients with cancer seen in the Specialized Oncology Care and Research in the Elderly (SOCARE) clinic. Univariate associations were evaluated using Spearmans correlation and Wilcoxon sign ranked tests. Logistic regressions were used to identify associations of clinical factors and SarcoPRO scores or SPPB scores with falls and IADL limitations. RESULTS In total, 174 older patients with cancer were evaluated. A moderate correlation was found between the SarcoPRO and the SPPB (ρ=0.62). After adjusting for multiple clinical factors, neither the SarcoPRO nor the SPPB were associated with falls. In contrast, both higher SarcoPRO (i.e., worse) and lower SPPB (i.e., worse) scores were associated with limitations in IADLs (odds ratio for one unit change in predictor: SarcoPRO: 1.06, p<0.0001; SPPB: 0.71, p=0.003, respectively). Models using the SarcoPRO and SPPB explained similar amounts of variability in association with IADL limitations (AUC: 0.88 vs. 0.87, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The SarcoPRO was moderately associated with the SPPB, an objective measure of physical performance, and was associated with limitations in IADLs. Thus, older patients with cancer who present with IADL limitations should be screened for sarcopenia. The SarcoPRO shows promise as a measure for screening as well as outcome assessment for research on sarcopenia.

Which better predicts mortality among older men, a prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis or vulnerability on the Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13)? A retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES Older men with a prostate cancer (PCa) diagnosis face competing mortality risks. Little is known about the prevalence of vulnerability and predictors of mortality in this population compared to men without a PCa diagnosis. We examined the predictive utility of the Vulnerable Elders Survey (VES-13) for mortality in older men with a PCa diagnosis as compared to controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS Men aged ≥65years from an urban geriatrics clinic completed the VES-13 between 2003 and 2008. Each patient with a PCa diagnosis was matched by age to five controls, resulting in 59 patients with a PCa diagnosis and 318 controls. Cox proportional hazard models were used to determine the association of a PCa diagnosis and vulnerability on the VES-13 with mortality. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The mean age for men with a PCa diagnosis and controls was 77.9years and 76.1years, respectively. Of those with a PCa diagnosis, 74.6% had no active disease or a rising PSA only. Regardless of PCa diagnosis, vulnerable individuals on the VES-13 were more likely to die during the study period (VES-13≥3: HR=4.46, p<0.01; VES13≥6: HR=3.77, p<0.01). Men with a PCa diagnosis were not more likely to die compared to age-matched controls (VES-13≥3: HR=1.14, p=0.59; VES13≥6: HR=1.06, p=0.83). Vulnerability for men with a PCa diagnosis was more predictive of mortality. Therefore, the assessment of vulnerability is important for establishing goals of care.

Characteristics and outcomes of elderly patients with systemic prostate cancer (PCa) treated with peripheral androgen blockade (PAB).

226 Background: The side effect profile of androgen deprivation (ADT) warrants exploration of alternative options for elderly patients with systemic PCa. In phase 2 trials, the combination of anti-androgen and 5 alpha reductase inhibitor (PAB) demonstrated efficacy with low morbidity in the fit population. The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the characteristics and outcomes of elderly patients treated with PAB in lieu of ADT. METHODS We reviewed records of patients ≥65 yrs who received PAB in the geriatric oncology program from 2007-2012. Patients were evaluated with a validated comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) prior to PAB. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate PAB type, characteristics of patients and their cancers, as well as PCa -specific and overall outcomes Results: Twenty-one asymptomatic PCa patients received PAB (bicalutamide alone-57%, or bicalutamide and finasteride-43%) in lieu of ADT. Indications for treatment were metastatic disease (53%) or biochemical relapse with PSA doubling time≤ 6 months (47%). Median age at the initiation of PAB was 86 years (range 65-94) and 76 % had ECOG PS≥ 2. By CGA, 57 % were vulnerable, 33% frail and 10% fit. 76% had contraindications for standard ADT (e.g., dementia, falls, etc.); the rest declined ADT due to concern about adverse effects (AE). The median PSA at PAB initiation was 14.78 (range 0.9-165.8). PSA nadir (i.e. 1st of 3 consecutive PSA levels where values were within 90%) was reached in 57% of patients at the time of analysis with the remainder demonstrating a continuing decline. Median PSA at nadir was 0.86(range 0.02-11.24). The median follow up time was 11 months (range 1-30). The median time to PSA nadir was 5 months; (range 1-19). PSA nadir was maintained for median of 10.5 months (range 3-24).The median % decline in PSA was 92 % (range 13-99%).No patients reported AE or required treatment interruption. Two fit patients of the 4 who progressed on PAB responded to subsequent ADT. CONCLUSIONS These results provide evidence that PAB is feasible, active and well tolerated in patients for whom ADT may be contraindicated. A prospective phase II study for an older vulnerable patient population is planned.

Elucidating the associations between sleep disturbance and depression, fatigue, and pain in older adults with cancer

OBJECTIVES Sleep disturbance is prevalent and often coexists with depression, fatigue, and pain in the cancer population. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of sleep disturbance with co-existing depression, fatigue, and pain in older patients with cancer. We also examined the associations of several socio-demographic and clinical variables with sleep disturbance. METHODS This cross-sectional study consisted of 389 older patients with solid and hematologic malignancies who were referred to the Specialized Oncology Care & Research in the Elderly (SOCARE) clinics at the Universities of Rochester and Chicago between May 2011 and October 2015 and completed a sleep and geriatric assessment (that inquires about fatigue, pain, and depression). Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify variables associated with sleep disturbance. RESULTS The prevalence of sleep disturbance was 40%. Of those with sleep disturbance (n = 154), 84% also had at least one of the other three symptoms (25% had one symptom, 38% had two symptoms, and 21% had three symptoms). Sleep disturbance was more likely to be reported in those with comorbidities (45% vs. 28%, P = 0.002), depression (49% vs. 36%, P = 0.015), fatigue (49% vs. 23%, P < 0.001), and pain (45% vs. 31%, P = 0.010). On multivariable analysis, only fatigue (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.90, 95% CI 1.10-3.30, P = 0.020) was independently associated with sleep disturbance. CONCLUSIONS Sleep disturbance is prevalent and often co-occurs with depression, fatigue, or pain in older patients with cancer. Fatigue was significantly associated with sleep disturbance and future studies should explore interventions that target sleep disturbance and fatigue.

Characterizing cancer cachexia in the geriatric oncology population

OBJECTIVES Cancer cachexia, characterized by weight loss and sarcopenia, leads to a decline in physical function and is associated with poorer survival. Cancer cachexia remains poorly described in older adults with cancer. This study aims to characterize cancer cachexia in older adults by assessing its prevalence utilizing standard definitions and evaluating associations with components of the geriatric assessment (GA) and survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS Patients with cancer older than 65 years of age who underwent a GA and had baseline CT imaging were eligible in this cross-sectional study. Cancer cachexia was defined by the international consensus definition reported in 2011. Sarcopenia was measured using cross-sectional imaging and utilizing sex-specific cut-offs. Associations between cachexia, sarcopenia, and weight loss with survival and GA domains were explored. RESULTS Mean age of 100 subjects was 79.9 years (66-95) and 65% met criteria for cancer cachexia. Cachexia was associated with impairment in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) (p = .017); no significant association was found between sarcopenia or weight loss and IADL impairment. Cachexia was significantly associated with poorer survival (median 1.0 vs 2.1 years, p = .011). CONCLUSIONS Cancer cachexia as defined by the international consensus definition is prevalent in older adults with cancer and is associated with functional impairment and decreased survival. Larger prospective studies are needed to further describe cancer cachexia in this population.