COVD-19. COGNITION, CANCER, AND COVID: DELIVERING DIRECT-TO-HOME TELE-NEUROPSYCHOLOGY SERVICES TO NEURO-ONCOLOGY PATIENTS

Abstract BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic altered the delivery of healthcare services globally with a rapid adoption of telemedicine to meet patient’s needs. Telemedicine is critical for neuro-oncology patients who may be at an increased risk of infection, yet require continuity of care. An important aspect of neuro-oncology care includes neuropsychological assessment, which can be challenging to complete outside of a structured testing environment. Teleneuropsychology (TNP) has been explored under proctored conditions and proven feasible and reliable. Conducting TNP visits directly to the patients’ home (DTH-TNP) had minimal study prior to the pandemic, but was implemented to reduce COVID-19 exposure. METHODS We used surveys to examine patient acceptance and clinician feasibility of DTH-TNP at two regionally diverse medical institutions routinely providing neuropsychological assessments services to neuro-oncology patients from April to August 2020, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). RESULTS 45 patients voluntarily responded (MGH=30, VCU=15) and 98 percent (MGH=100%, VCU=93%) of respondents were satisfied with the DTH-TNP experience. Nine percent (MGH=7%, VCU=13%) reported challenges (e.g., technological issues) during the appointment. Eighty-nine percent (MGH=90%, VCU=87%) would recommend the virtual visit to others. Patients perceived reduced risk of infection (MGH=77%, VCU=87%) and time traveling to clinic (MGH=87%, VCU=80%) as favorable aspects of DTH-TNP. 43 clinician surveys collected at MGH indicated that clinicians were able to achieve the goal of their appointment in 91% of clinical encounters. Common issues reported by clinicians included trouble connecting (7%) to the telemedicine platform and environmental disruptions (12%). DISCUSSION This preliminary data suggests neuro-oncology patients and clinicians find DTH-TNP to be an acceptable and feasible practice, while also recognizing its limitations. This study is limited in that voluntary patient surveys are subject to bias. These results suggest that further study of DTH-TNP (e.g., reliability, validity, and limitations) for neuro-oncology patients is warranted. Future directions are discussed.

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Cancer, Cognition, and COVID: Delivering Direct-to-Home Tele-Neuropsychology Services to Neuro-Oncology Patients

Neuro-Oncology Practice ◽

10.1093/nop/npab021 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Melissa M Gardner ◽

Farah J Aslanzadeh ◽

Giuliana V Zarrella ◽

Sarah E Braun ◽

Ashlee R Loughan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neuropsychological Testing ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Oncology Patients ◽

Privacy Concerns ◽

Testing Environment ◽

Medical Institutions ◽

Included Patient ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Communication Challenges ◽

Oncology Care

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic induced rapid adoption of telemedicine services for neuro-oncology patients at an increased risk of infection. Neuropsychological assessment is important to neuro-oncology care yet challenging to complete outside of a structured testing environment. Teleneuropsychology (TNP) has been explored in limited populations and proven feasible and reliable. Conducting TNP visits directly to patients' home (DTH) had minimal prior study. Methods We used two voluntary surveys to examine acceptance (patients) and feasibility (providers) of DTH-TNP at two regionally diverse medical institutions providing neuropsychological services to neuro-oncology patients from April to September 2020. Results A total of 119 patients were scheduled during the study period, 79 of whom completed neuropsychological testing via DTH-TNP. Neuropsychology providers completed surveys on 68 of these encounters (86%). In 98% of cases, neuropsychologists were able to achieve or partially achieve the individually defined goals of their assessment. Common problems reported included patient dysregulation (16%) and slow/unreliable internet (15%). Of the 52 patients who responded, 98% were satisfied with the DTH-TNP experience and 92% would recommend the virtual visit to others. All respondents felt understood by the examiner (100%) and the majority denied technical difficulties (90%), communication challenges (94%), or privacy concerns (98%). Patients reported reduced risk of infection and saved travel time as favorable aspects of DTH-TNP. Conclusions These preliminary results suggest neuro-oncology patients find DTH-TNP acceptable and neuropsychologists find it a feasible practice, while also recognizing its limitations. Results suggest that further study of DTH-TNP (e.g., reliability, validity) for neuro-oncology patients is warranted.

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Flu vaccination rate of patients with severe immune-related adverse events.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2019.37.15_suppl.e18234 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 37 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e18234-e18234

Author(s):

Ian Matthew Allen ◽

Yonina Robbie Murciano-Goroff ◽

Leyre Zubiri ◽

Qun Li ◽

Michael Sang Hughes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nearest Neighbor ◽

Massachusetts General Hospital ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Control Group ◽

P Value ◽

Severe Toxicity ◽

Current Recommendation ◽

Oncology Patients ◽

Pathologic Features ◽

Increased Risk

e18234 Background: Infection with influenza in adults with cancer carries an increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Vaccination against seasonal influenza (Flu-V) can decrease the incidence of influenza, shorten its course, and reduce influenza-associated morbidity. Recent data has suggested that the administration of the Flu-V to patients on an ICI leads to an exaggerated inflammatory response and an increased risk of irAE. However, this trend was demonstrated in a small cohort of patients with lung cancer. Current recommendation for annual Flu-V in patients treated with ICI is unclear and literature about safety is limited. We compared rates of Flu-V for patients on ICI admitted with severe toxicity vs those patients on ICI who were admitted for reasons other than toxicity. We also evaluated rate of Flu-V among oncology patients who had received non-immunotherapy modalities. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated patients treated with ICI who were admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital from February 5, 2011- June 12, 2017. Patients received ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, nivolumab, atezolizumab, durvalumab, avelumab, or a combination in treatment of an advanced solid tumor malignancies including melanoma, NSCLC, SCCHN. Admissions due to irAE were confirmed by review of clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features. Flu-V status was determined by rigorous chart review. Nearest neighbor matching was used to create a control group of cancer patients treated with non-ICI modalities. Descriptive statistics compared rates and timing of Flu-V relative to admission. Statistical significance was determined using Fischer’s Exact Test, p < 0.05. Results: Of 540 patients on ICI, 28% were admitted for irAE, 72% had a non-irAE reason for admission. The rate of Flu-V in the flu season prior to admission for irAE group was lower than for non-irAE (18.5% vs 29.6%; p value = 0.01). There were no differences in vaccination rates within ≤30 days (2.7% vs 3.6%, p = 0.80), ≤90 days (4.0% vs 9.3%, p = 0.05), or ≤180 days of admission (11.9% vs 18.5%, p = 0.07). Flu-V rate overall in patients on ICI was 26.5%. In comparison, Flu-V rate in the nearest neighbor non-immunotherapy oncology patients was 67% (n = 101). Conclusions: Flu-V rates were much lower in patients treated with ICI compared to patients treated with non-ICI modalities. We did not see a higher rate of Flu-V in patients admitted with irAE compared to non-irAE which suggests that Flu-V and severe irAE may not be linked in clinical practice. Additional studies are needed, but Flu-V in patients on ICI holds potential to improve care.

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Improving cancer pain control: Potential impact of CYP2D6 pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing in oncology (Onc) patients.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2020.38.15_suppl.12089 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 12089-12089

Author(s):

Natalie Reizine ◽

Keith Danahey ◽

Emily Schierer ◽

Tien Truong ◽

Mark J. Ratain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Pain Control ◽

Opioid Analgesics ◽

P Value ◽

Cyp2d6 Genotype ◽

Oncology Patients ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Oncology Care ◽

The University ◽

Post Hoc

12089 Background: Several opioid analgesics have well-known germline PGx associations which may predict either inefficacy or exaggerated (toxic) responses, depending on the patient’s genotype. Despite this, germline PGx testing has not been routinely incorporated into oncology care. We hypothesized that CYP2D6 germline PGx profiling offers the potential to improve oncology patients’ pain control by identifying individuals at increased risk for inadequate analgesia with standard opioid dosing. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medication histories of over 81,000 adult oncology patients treated at the University of Chicago from 2012-2018 for exposure to opioids. CYP2D6 genotype (permitting assignment of metabolizer phenotype: normal metabolizer [NM], intermediate metabolizer [IM], or poor metabolizer [PM]) was determined post-hoc for 127 patients who were genotyped for other reasons unrelated to pain prescribing. The primary endpoint was the number of opioids required for pain control over the course of longitudinal care, comparing PM/IMs with NMs. The secondary endpoint was the number of hospitalizations for pain control. Results: Over 47,000 oncology patients were exposed to opioids, with an average of 2.67±1.6 different opioid medication exposures per patient. Thirteen percent of genotyped patients were IM/PM, who were at risk for inadequate analgesia. IM/PM patients demonstrated an increased number of different opioid exposures (4.5±2.1) compared to NM (2.7±2.1, P value = 0.002). IM/PM patients were also more likely to have a pain related hospitalization (OR 4.17, CI 1.3-13.2, P = 0.016). Conclusions: Based on population prevalence, we estimate that > 6000 oncology patients (1000 patients/year) who received opioids at our center were IM/PM and thus at risk for inadequate analgesia due to genetic predisposition. CYP2D6 germline PGx profiling offers the potential to improve oncology patients’ pain management.

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COVID-19 in pediatric cancer: where are the brain tumors?

10.22541/au.161789810.09609748/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Rebecca Ronsley ◽

Eric Bouffet

Keyword(s):

Brain Tumors ◽

Pediatric Oncology ◽

Pediatric Cancer ◽

Inpatient Care ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Oncology Patients ◽

Pediatric Cancers ◽

Oncology Care ◽

The Brain ◽

Insight Into

Treatment of pediatric oncology patients generally results in significant immunosuppression and when the COVID-19 pandemic arose, there was concern among pediatric oncologists about the implications of this virus. We reviewed the literature and describe all pediatric oncology patients with COVID-19 reported worldwide. Within this review, it is striking that CNS tumors are reported at low numbers (27/466 pediatric oncology patients with COVID-19). This may be related to decreased inpatient care when compared to other pediatric cancers. Additional work is needed to understand the risk of infection in this population and gain insight into the effect on delivery of oncology care.

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VTE risk assessment in cancer

Onkologische Welt ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1624994 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 07 (01) ◽

pp. 20-25

Author(s):

I. Pabinger ◽

C. Ay

Keyword(s):

Risk Assessment ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Medical Oncology ◽

Clinical Importance ◽

Cancer Surgery ◽

Ambulatory Setting ◽

Oncology Patients ◽

Related Factors ◽

Risk Assessment Models ◽

Increased Risk

SummaryVenous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with cancer is associated with an increased morbidity and mortality, and its prevention is of major clinical importance. However, the VTE rates in the cancer population vary between 0.5% - 20%, depending on cancer-, treatment- and patient-related factors. The most important contributors to VTE risk are the tumor entity, stage and certain anticancer treatments. Cancer surgery represents a strong risk factor for VTE, and medical oncology patients are at increased risk of developing VTE, especially when receiving chemotherapy or immunomodulatory drugs. Also biomarkers have been investigated for their usefulness to predict risk of VTE (e.g. elevated leukocyte and platelet counts, soluble P-selectin, D-dimer, etc.). In order to identify cancer patients at high risk of VTE and to improve risk stratification, risk assessment models have been developed, which contain both clinical parameters and biomarkers. While primary thromboprophylaxis with lowmolecular- weight-heparin (LMWH) is recommended postoperatively for a period of up to 4 weeks after major cancer surgery, the evidence is less clear for medical oncology patients. Thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized medical oncology patients is advocated, and is based on results of randomized controlled trials which evaluated the efficacy and safety of LMWH for prevention of VTE in hospitalized medically ill patients. In recent trials the benefit of primary thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in the ambulatory setting has been investigated. However, at the present stage primary thromboprophylaxis for prevention of VTE in these patients is still a matter of debate and cannot be recommended for all cancer outpatients.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of CD4+CD28- T cell expansion in granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) is driven by latent cytomegalovirus infection and is associated with an increased risk of infection and mortality.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.718359875.793494224 ◽

2014 ◽

Author(s):

Florian Kern

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

Cell Expansion ◽

Cytomegalovirus Infection ◽

Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Increased Risk ◽

T Cell Expansion

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1095. Investigation of Risk Factors Associated with Serious Bacterial, Viral and Invasive Fungal Infections in Hematologic Patients on Ibrutinib

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.1281 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S576-S577

Author(s):

Thomas Holowka ◽

Harry Cheung ◽

Maricar F Malinis ◽

Sarah Perreault ◽

Iris Isufi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Fungal Infections ◽

Antimicrobial Prophylaxis ◽

Hematologic Malignancy ◽

Invasive Fungal Infections ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Serious Infection ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Serious Infections

Abstract Background Ibrutinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat hematologic malignancies that may increase the risk of serious infection including invasive fungal infections (IFI). In a study of 378 patients with hematologic malignancy on ibrutinib, serious infection and IFI occurred in 11% and 4% respectively (Varughese et al. Clin Infect Dis). The primary aims of our study were to determine the incidence of serious infection and associated risk factors in patients on ibrutinib. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with hematologic malignancy prescribed ibrutinib for ≥ 1 week at Yale New Haven Hospital from 2014 to 2019 to identify serious infections defined as those requiring inpatient management. We collected demographic, clinical and oncologic data. Chi-squared tests were used to determine factors associated with an increased risk of infection. Results A total of 254 patients received ibrutinib including 156 with CLL, 89 with NHL and 9 with other leukemias. Among these, 21 underwent HSCT, 9 complicated by GVHD. There were 51 (20%) patients with serious infections including 45 (17.7%) bacterial, 9 (3.5%) viral and 5 (2%) IFI (1 pulmonary cryptococcosis, 4 pulmonary aspergillosis). Anti-mold prophylaxis was prescribed to 7 (2.8%) patients, none of whom developed IFI. Risk factors associated with serious infection included ECOG score ≥ 2 (OR 4.6, p < 0.001), concurrent steroid use (≥ 10 mg prednisone daily for ≥ 2 weeks; OR 3.0, p < 0.001), neutropenia (OR 3.6, p < 0.01), lymphopenia (OR 2.4, p < 0.05) and maximum ibrutinib dose of 560 mg (OR 2, p < 0.05). There was a dose dependent increase in infections based on number of chemotherapy regimens prior to ibrutinib initiation: 14.3% with 0, 19.7% with 1-2 and 28.7% with ≥ 3 prior treatments. Conclusion The incidence of serious infection in hematologic patients on ibrutinib was higher than previously reported (20% versus 11%) but the rate of IFI was lower (2% versus 4%). High ECOG score, leukopenia, steroids, and higher ibrutinib doses were associated with an increased risk for serious infection. Targeted antimicrobial prophylaxis should be considered for patients on ibrutinib with these risk factors. Improving functional status may also reduce the risk of infection in patients on ibrutinib. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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A novel box for aerosol and droplet guarding and evacuation in respiratory infection (BADGER) for COVID-19 and future outbreaks

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-82675-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hau D. Le ◽

Gordon A. Novak ◽

Kevin C. Janek ◽

Jesse Wang ◽

Khang N. Huynh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Infection ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Airborne Particles ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Indirect Contact ◽

Vacuum Suction ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative ◽

Additional Layer ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Design Construction

AbstractThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected millions and killed more than 1.7 million people worldwide as of December 2020. Healthcare providers are at increased risk of infection when caring for patients with COVID-19. The mechanism of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is beginning to emerge as airborne spread in addition to direct droplet and indirect contact as main routes of transmission. Here, we report on the design, construction, and testing of the BADGER (Box for Aerosol and Droplet Guarding and Evacuation in Respiratory Infection), an affordable, scalable device that contains droplets and aerosol particles, thus minimizing the risk of infection to healthcare providers. A semi-sealed environment is created inside the BADGER, which is placed over the head of the patient and maintains at least 12-air changes per hour using in-wall vacuum suction. Multiple hand-ports enable healthcare providers to perform essential tasks on a patient’s airway and head. Overall, the BADGER has the potential to contain large droplets and small airborne particles as demonstrated by simulated qualitative and quantitative assessments to provide an additional layer of protection for healthcare providers treating COVID-19 and future respiratory contagions.

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Risk of infection associated with targeted therapies for solid organ and hematological malignancies

Therapeutic Advances in Infectious Disease ◽

10.1177/2049936121989548 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

pp. 204993612198954

Author(s):

Isabel Ruiz-Camps ◽

Juan Aguilar-Company

Keyword(s):

Hematological Malignancies ◽

Opportunistic Infections ◽

Respiratory Infections ◽

Fungal Infections ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽

Janus Kinase ◽

Prolonged Treatment ◽

Solid Organ ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Increased Risk

Higher risks of infection are associated with some targeted drugs used to treat solid organ and hematological malignancies, and an individual patient’s risk of infection is strongly influenced by underlying diseases and concomitant or prior treatments. This review focuses on risk levels and specific suggestions for management, analyzing groups of agents associated with a significant effect on the risk of infection. Due to limited clinical experience and ongoing advances in these therapies, recommendations may be revised in the near future. Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitors are associated with a higher rate of infections, including invasive fungal infection, especially in the first months of treatment and in patients with advanced, pretreated disease. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors are associated with an increased risk of Pneumocystis pneumonia and cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation. Venetoclax is associated with cytopenias, respiratory infections, and fever and neutropenia. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors may predispose patients to opportunistic and fungal infections; need for prophylaxis should be assessed on an individual basis. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors have been linked to a higher risk of general and opportunistic infections. Breakpoint cluster region-Abelson (BCR-ABL) inhibitors are associated with neutropenia, especially over the first months of treatment. Anti-CD20 agents may cause defects in the adaptative immune response, hypogammaglobulinemia, neutropenia, and hepatitis B reactivation. Alemtuzumab is associated with profound and long-lasting immunosuppression; screening is recommended for latent infections and prevention strategies against CMV, herpesvirus, and Pneumocystis infections. Checkpoint inhibitors (CIs) may cause immune-related adverse events for which prolonged treatment with corticosteroids is needed: prophylaxis against Pneumocystis is recommended.

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