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Purpose: Telemedicine has the potential to lessen healthcare burden of older patients due to frequent appointments, physical disabilities, and reliance on caretakers. To benefit from telemedicine, patients must have the capacity and willingness to engage with technology. This study aimed to better understand the telemedicine experiences of older women with non-metastatic breast cancer regarding visit convenience, completeness, and interpersonal satisfaction. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted in a convenience sample of women age 65+, post-primary treatment for stage I–III breast cancer, who had received in-person outpatient care at a cancer center in urban North Carolina before a telemedicine appointment occurring after March 2020. Patients were interviewed about their perceptions of telemedicine (telephone, video) as compared to in-person visits. Audio files of interviews were transcribed and analyzed for themes and subthemes established a priori in the interview protocol. Results: Fifteen patients (telephone = 5, video = 10) were consented and interviewed July–October 2021, mean age 74. Thirteen participants reported they preferred a hybrid care model that included telemedicine care over in-person care alone. COVID-19, physical disability, and transportation burden were the most common factors for telemedicine preference. Comfort with familiar face-to-face interactions and having a physical exam were common factors for in-person appointment preference. In-person appointment was favored early in the post-primary treatment phase; telemedicine was more acceptable when relationships were well-established and patients were farther out from diagnosis. Conclusions: Patient-provider discussions about appointment modality should take into account newness of diagnosis, patient familiarity with the care team, travel burden, and necessity of physical exam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of an 85-year-old woman with mammographically detected early breast cancer. The woman was suffering from several diseases including gastric esophageal reflux disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypercholesterolemia. There were several examinations performed including Doppler ultrasonogram, cytologic examination, and fine-needle aspiration. Results of the examinations indicated the presence of estrogen-receptor protein and progesterone-receptor protein in the tumor cells.

The article presents a study on the effectiveness of capecitabine therapy compared to standard chemotherapy in older women with breast cancer. The women involved in the study were 65 years old or older with varying stages of cancer and were randomly assigned to one of the therapies. The standard chemotherapy was selected by the patient with her physician from a choice of cyclophosphmide, methotrexate, and fluorouracil or doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide. The results revealed that patients who were treated with capecitabine were more likely to relapse or die than those treated with standard chemotherapy.

We hypothesized that amplification or overexpression of HER-2 (c-erbB-2), the Ki-67 antigen (Mib1), cyclin D-1 (CD1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), or the transforming growth factor beta II receptor, (TGFβRII), would predict relapse in women with early stage, estrogen (ER) and/or progesterone receptor (PR) positive breast cancer treated with tamoxifen. Conditional logistic regression models and a new novel analytic method––support vector machines (SVM) were used to assess the effect of multiple variables on treatment outcome. All patients had stage I–IIIa breast cancer (AJCC version 5). We paired 63 patients who were disease-free on or after tamoxifen with 63 patients who had relapsed (total 126); both disease-free and relapsed patients were matched by duration of tamoxifen therapy and time to recurrence. These 126 patients also served as the training set for SVM analysis and 18 other patients used as a validation set for SVM. In a multivariate analysis, larger tumor size, increasing extent of lymph node involvement, and poorer tumor grade were significant predictors of relapse. When HER-2 or CD1 were added to the model both were borderline significant predictors of relapse. The SVM model, after including all of the clinical and marker variables in the 126 patients as a training set, correctly predicted relapse in 78% of the 18 patient validation samples. In this trial, HER-2 and CD1 proved of borderline significance as predictive factors for recurrence on tamoxifen. An SVM model that included all clinical and biologic variables correctly predicted relapse in >75% of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context Adjuvant chemotherapy improves survival for patients with local-regional breast cancer, but healthy older patients at high risk of recurrence are frequently not offered adjuvant chemotherapy, and the benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in older patients is uncertain. Objective To compare the benefits and toxic effects of adjuvant chemotherapy among breast cancer patients in age groups of 50 years or younger, 51 to 64 years, and 65 years or older. Design and Setting Retrospective review of data from 4 randomized trials that accrued patients from academic and community medical centers between 1975 and 1999. Median follow-up for all patients was 9.6 years. All trials randomized patients to different regimens, doses, schedules, and durations of chemotherapy and all had a treatment arm with doses or schedules that were regarded to be "high" and potentially more toxic. Patients A total of 6487 women with lymph node--positive breast cancer; 542 (8%) patients were 65 years or older and 159 (2%) were 70 years or older. Main Outcome Measure Comparison of disease-free survival, overall survival, and treatment-related mortality among different age groups. Results Multivariate analysis showed that smaller tumor size, fewer positive lymph nodes, more chemotherapy, and tamoxifen use were all significantly (P<.001) related to longer disease-free and overall survival. There was no association between age and disease-free survival. Overall survival was significantly (P<.001) worse for patients aged 65 or older because of death from causes other than breast cancer. Thirty-three deaths (0.5% of all patients) were attributed to treatment, and older women had higher treatment-related mortality. Older women and younger women derived similar reductions in breast cancer mortality and recurrence from regimens containing more chemotherapy. Conclusion Age alone should not be a contraindication to the use of optimal chemotherapy regimens in older women who are in good general health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age, race, and socioeconomic status all play a role in decisions regarding breast cancer adjuvant therapy. Increasing age remains the major risk factor for breast cancer, while in very young women breast cancer may have a poorer prognosis, even when adjusted for disease stage and other variables. More than half of all new breast cancers in the United States occur in women older than 65 years. Because of the higher frequency of coexisting (comorbid) serious illness in older women, the benefits of adjuvant therapy get smaller as age increases. Adjuvant therapy with tamoxifen and/or chemotherapy can statistically significantly improve survival in older women, but older women are less likely to receive chemotherapy and are less likely to be offered participation in clinical trials. Efforts are now under way to overcome age bias among health care providers and to develop clinical trials focusing on older patients. Breast cancer mortality is higher in African-Americans than in white Americans. Although the biologic characteristics of breast cancer are worse in African-Americans, major differences in survival are related to socioeconomic factors and access to care. When matched for disease stage and other major clinical and biologic variables, African-American and white patients have similar survival rates. Few data are available on the effects of adjuvant treatment on early breast cancer outcomes in Hispanic Americans and Asian-Americans. Poverty and lack of insurance are surrogates for poor outcomes; major efforts are needed to guarantee all Americans high-quality cancer care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Medical mistrust, rooted in unethical research, is a barrier to cancer‐related health care for Black/African American (AA) persons. Understanding trust, mistrust, and health care experiences is crucial, especially in multiple myeloma (MM), which disproportionately burdens Black/AA persons in incidence and survival. Study Purpose: This study qualitatively examines the experiences of Black/AA and White dyads (patient with MM and adult caregiver) to gain insights into these phenomena. Methods: From November 2021 to April 2022, we recruited 21 dyads from the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Participants completed a sociodemographic survey and a 60–90 min semi‐structured interview. We used ATLAS.ti v9 for project management and to facilitate data analysis using the Sort and Sift, Think and Shift approach (ResearchTalk Inc). Results: We interviewed 21 racially concordant dyads (11 Black/AA, 10 White) with mean patient ages of 70 (Black/AA) and 72 (White) at enrollment. Both Black/AA and White caregivers had a mean enrollment age of 68. The mean duration from MM diagnosis to enrollment for all patients was 5.5 years. Four key themes emerged: (1) knowledge and trust, (2) heightened emotions and discomfort, (3) differing mental constructs of health care experiences, and (4) mitigating mistrust, which varied by self‐identified race. Black/AA participants had greater knowledge of historical events like the U.S. Public Health Service Untreated Syphilis Study at Tuskegee and carried the emotional burden longer. They also emphasized self‐learning and self‐guided research about MM for informed medical decision‐making. Both Black/AA and White dyads emphasized the pivotal role of patient‐provider relationships and effective communication in fostering trust and addressing concerns. Conclusion: Our study offers contextual insights into the enduring challenges of medical mistrust, particularly within the Black/AA community, and its implications for patients and caregivers accessing and receiving MM‐related care. Future studies should leverage these insights to guide the development of multilevel interventions addressing medical mistrust within the Black/AA community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the effect of age on treatment outcome in women with metastatic breast cancer treated with chemotherapy. The Piedmont Oncology Association; Conclusion that women 70 years of age or older should not be excluded, based on age alone, from clinical trials involving chemotherapy for advanced breast cancer; Substantial increase in breast cancer with increasing age; Maximum toxic effects per patient, by age group; More.

Background: Older women with breast cancer frequently experience toxicity‐related hospitalizations during adjuvant chemotherapy. Although the geriatric assessment can identify those at risk, its use in clinic remains limited. One simple, low‐cost marker of vulnerability in older persons is fall history. Here, the authors examined whether falls prechemotherapy can identify older women at risk for toxicity‐related hospitalization during adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer. Methods: In a prospective study of women >65 years old with stage I–III breast cancer treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, the authors assessed baseline falls in the past 6 months as a categorical variable: no fall, one fall, and more than one fall. The primary end point was incident hospitalization during chemotherapy attributable to toxicity. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between falls and toxicity‐related hospitalization, adjusting for sociodemographic, disease, and geriatric covariates. Results: Of the 497 participants, 60 (12.1%) reported falling before chemotherapy, and 114 (22.9%) had one or more toxicity‐related hospitalizations. After adjusting for sociodemographic, disease, and geriatric characteristics, women who fell more than once within 6 months before chemotherapy had greater odds of being hospitalized from toxicity during chemotherapy compared to women who did not fall (50.0% vs. 20.8% experienced toxicity‐related hospitalization, odds ratio, 4.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.66–11.54, p =.003). Conclusions: In this cohort of older women with early breast cancer, women who experienced more than one fall before chemotherapy had an over 4‐fold increased risk of toxicity‐related hospitalization during chemotherapy, independent of sociodemographic, disease, and geriatric factors. In this study, nearly one in four older women with early breast cancer experienced toxicity‐related hospitalization during chemotherapy. Women who reported more than one fall in the 6 months leading up to chemotherapy had a greater than four times higher odds of experiencing toxicity‐related hospitalization during treatment than women who reported no falls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study is to gather detailed insights from breast cancer (BC) clinicians on how to have patient‐centered conversations about weight and weight management with women diagnosed with early BC. A high body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for female BC, and many women diagnosed with BC experience unhealthy weight gain after their primary treatment. The oncology team has the opportunity to discuss the importance of healthy weight for BC prognosis and survival. Methods: The sample of community‐based BC clinicians included the following: three Black clinicians, three White clinicians, and two clinicians who were neither Black nor White; six females and two males; and six MDs and two physician assistants or nurse practitioners. Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with these clinicians regarding their experience with and insights into having healthy weight conversations during routine clinic visits. Results: Clinicians noted that weight‐related conversations should focus less on BMI and weight loss and more on "healthy behavior." Clinicians looked for cues from their patients as to when they were ready for "healthy weight" counseling, receptive to diet/nutrition counseling and referrals, and ready to attempt behavioral change. Clinicians noted that encouraging physical activity could be especially challenging with patients accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle. Conclusions: Clinic‐based conversations about healthy weight are likely to be most productive for both patients and their treating oncologists during the post–primary treatment phase when patients are most receptive to behavioral change that enhances their prognosis and survival. Conversations about healthy weight will be most productive and well received by patients with breast cancer during the post–primary treatment phase of the cancer care continuum when patients are receptive to behavioral change that enhances their prognosis and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pharmacist-led medication reconciliation (PMR) ensures adequate recording and use of medications by patients. PMR may be important for cancer patients initiating new therapies, as they have a high burden of medication use and are more susceptible to inadvertent medication discrepancies. To describe medication changes (additions, discontinuations, and modifications) made to the electronic health record during a PMR among cancer patients initiating chemotherapy. Methods: From October 2011 to March 2012, 397 cancer patients initiating chemotherapy underwent a PMR at the University of North Carolina Cancer Hospital. Self-reported medications and those in the patients' electronic health record were reviewed. Log-binomial regression models were used to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the associations between patient characteristics and medication changes made to the electronic health record. Results: Mean age at time of the PMR was 58. Median number of medications taken prior to the PMR was 10 and median time to PMR completion was 11 min. Vitamins and herbal supplements accounted for the largest proportion of medication additions (38%) and modifications (20%). Antimicrobials accounted for the largest share of discontinuations (15%). After adjustment for all other covariates, patients aged 60–69 years were more likely to have additions than those aged 50 and under (aPR = 1.47, 95%CI: 1.10–1.97). Patients 70 years and over were more likely to have modifications (aPR = 1.74, 95%CI: 1.07–2.82). Conclusion: Our results show that most cancer patients had a medication change in the electronic health record. A brief oncology PMR can accurately capture and improve medication safety by preventing prescribing and administration errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study is to gather detailed insights from breast cancer (BC) clinicians on how to have patient‐centered conversations about weight and weight management with women diagnosed with early BC. A high body mass index (BMI) is a risk factor for female BC, and many women diagnosed with BC experience unhealthy weight gain after their primary treatment. The oncology team has the opportunity to discuss the importance of healthy weight for BC prognosis and survival. Methods: The sample of community‐based BC clinicians included the following: three Black clinicians, three White clinicians, and two clinicians who were neither Black nor White; six females and two males; and six MDs and two physician assistants or nurse practitioners. Semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with these clinicians regarding their experience with and insights into having healthy weight conversations during routine clinic visits. Results: Clinicians noted that weight‐related conversations should focus less on BMI and weight loss and more on "healthy behavior." Clinicians looked for cues from their patients as to when they were ready for "healthy weight" counseling, receptive to diet/nutrition counseling and referrals, and ready to attempt behavioral change. Clinicians noted that encouraging physical activity could be especially challenging with patients accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle. Conclusions: Clinic‐based conversations about healthy weight are likely to be most productive for both patients and their treating oncologists during the post–primary treatment phase when patients are most receptive to behavioral change that enhances their prognosis and survival. Conversations about healthy weight will be most productive and well received by patients with breast cancer during the post–primary treatment phase of the cancer care continuum when patients are receptive to behavioral change that enhances their prognosis and survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response by Hyman B. Muss to a letter to the editor about an article on the use of chemotherapy in older women who are suffering from breast cancer in the May 14, 2009 issue is presented.

The article offers the author's views on cancer treatment for older people. He points out the need to overcome the bias against offering potentially beneficial chemotherapy to older patients, encouraging leaders in the fields of gerontology and oncology to educate physicians and the public about the appropriate use of the therapy in such patients.

Background Chemotoxicity risk scores were developed to predict grade 3-5 chemotherapy toxicity in older women with early breast cancer. However, whether these toxicity risk scores are associated with clinically meaningful decline in patient health remains unknown. Methods In a prospective study of women aged 65 years and older with stage I-III breast cancer treated with chemotherapy, we assessed chemotoxicity risk using the Cancer and Aging Research Group-Breast Cancer (CARG-BC) score (categorized as low, intermediate, and high). We measured patient health status before (T1) and after (T2) chemotherapy using a clinical frailty index (Deficit Accumulation Index, categorized as robust, prefrail, and frail). The population of interest was robust women at T1. The primary outcome was decline in health status after chemotherapy, defined as a decline in Deficit Accumulation Index from robust at T1 to prefrail or frail at T2. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between T1 CARG-BC score and decline in health status, adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Results Of the 348 robust women at T1, 83 (24%) experienced declining health status after chemotherapy, of whom 63% had intermediate or high CARG-BC scores. After adjusting for sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, women with intermediate (odds ratio = 3.14, 95% confidence interval = 1.60 to 6.14, P  < .001) or high (odds ratio = 3.80, 95% confidence interval = 1.35 to 10.67, P  = .01) CARG-BC scores had greater odds of decline in health status compared with women with low scores. Conclusions In this cohort of older women with early breast cancer, higher CARG-BC scores before chemotherapy were associated with decline in health status after chemotherapy independent of sociodemographic and clinical risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Skeletal muscle loss, commonly known as sarcopenia, is highly prevalent and prognostic of adverse outcomes in oncology. However, there is limited information on adults with early breast cancer and examination of other skeletal muscle indices, despite the potential prognostic importance. This study characterizes and examines age‐related changes in body composition of adults with early breast cancer and describes the creation of a novel integrated muscle measure. Female patients diagnosed with stage I‐III breast cancer with abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scans within 12 weeks from diagnosis were identified from local tumor registry (N = 241). Skeletal muscle index (muscle area per height [cm2/m2]), skeletal muscle density, and subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue areas, were determined from CT L3 lumbar segments. We calculated a novel integrated skeletal measure, skeletal muscle gauge, which combines skeletal muscle index and density (SMI × SMD). 241 patients were identified with available CT imaging. Median age 52 years and range of 23‐87. Skeletal muscle index and density significantly decreased with age. Using literature based cut‐points, older adults (≥65 years) had significantly higher proportions of sarcopenia (63 vs 28%) and myosteatosis (90 vs 11%) compared to younger adults (<50 years). Body mass index was positively correlated with skeletal muscle index and negatively correlated with muscle density. Skeletal muscle gauge correlated better with increasing age (ρ = 0.52) than with either skeletal muscle index (ρ = 0.20) or density (ρ = 0.46). Wide variations and age‐related changes in body composition metrics were found using routinely obtained abdominal CT imaging. Skeletal muscle index and density provide independent, complementary information, and the product of the two metrics, skeletal muscle gauge, requires further research to explore its impact on outcomes in women with curable breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigates whether high body mass index (BMI) in women diagnosed with early breast cancer (BC) is associated with patient-reported symptom severity during chemotherapy. Methods: Women with Stage I–III BC completed toxicity reports for 17 side effects throughout regularly scheduled chemotherapy infusions. Toxicity reports were compared in women with obesity (BMI > = 30) versus no obesity (BMI < 30). Fisher’s exact tests and 2-sample t-tests compared baseline patient characteristics. Risk ratios (RR) for women with obesity as compared to no obesity were estimated for individual symptoms that were patient-rated as moderate, severe or very severe (MSVS) severity, adjusting for marital status and race. Results: In a sample of 286 patients, Black women comprised 23% of the sample. The obesity rate was 76% among Black patients and 31% among White patients (p <.0001). Women with obesity rated an average of 6.9 side effects (standard deviation, SD 4.2) as MSVS vs 5.5 side effects (SD 3.7) among women with no obesity (p =.003). In adjusted analysis, women with obesity had significantly greater risk for MSVS fatigue (RR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01–1.36), dyspnea (RR 1.71, 95% CI 1.09–2.69), arthralgia (RR 1.47, 95% CI 1.10–1.97), peripheral neuropathy (RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.01–2.08), edema of limbs (RR 1.84, 95% CI 1.18–2.88), and abdominal pain (RR 1.75, 95% CI 1.07–2.87). There were no inter-group differences in BC stage or phenotype, chemotherapy treatment modifications, or hospitalizations. Conclusions: Among women with early BC, patients with obesity reported higher chemotherapy toxicity as compared to patients without obesity; however, this did not result in differences in treatment completion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Current guidelines recommend a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) for the management of older adults with cancer. We evaluated the effect of CGA conducted by a geriatric oncology service (GOS) on the management of older adults with cancer. We also queried patients about their perceptions of the value of this process. Methods: This was a prospective quality assessment study of 498 consecutive older adults with cancer who were referred to the GOS from May 2020 through December 2021. Treating physicians requested a consultation and the GOS conducted a CGA and assessed patient preferences. The GOS provided recommendations on cancer treatment and geriatric interventions. Patient perspectives on the consultation were evaluated using collaboRATE and modified Patient Assessment of Care for Chronic Conditions (PACIC) subscales. Results: A 10‐item frailty index based on a CGA (FI‐CGA‐10) [Oncologist, 26, e1751 (2021)] in the 498 patients showed that 19% of patients were fit, 40% pre‐frail, and 41% frail. Prior to CGA the intent of the proposed cancer treatment was curative in 56% (n = 280), life‐extending in 40% (n = 201), and palliative in 3.4% (n = 17). After a CGA consultation, a cancer treatment decision was changed in 45% of patients. The intent of treatment after the CGA consultation was curative in 45%, life‐extending in 34%, and palliative in 21%. At least one referral to relevant disciplines was recommended for 88% of patients and was implemented in 43%. As part of the GOS consultation educational support was provided to 97% of patients. Based on the collaboRATE and PACIC tools, patients perceived the GOS consultation positively and helpful for facilitating shared decision‐making and patient‐centered care. Conclusion: Our institutional experience demonstrated the valuable effect of the CGA consultation on oncologic decision‐making and geriatric interventions in a patient‐centered manner. See related Editorial by Fernandes Dos Santos Hughes et al. in this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response by B. D. Bagwell and colleagues to a letter to the editor regarding their article "Mammography Before Diagnosis Among Women Age 80 Years and Older with Breast Cancer" in the May 20, 2010 issue is presented.

The article presents an editorial that discusses the clinical management of metastic breast cancer, which is incurable, in light of the development of new targeted therapies that may improve a patient's response to treatment. Clinical studies involving the use of lapatinib and bevacizumab in combination with other agents in treating metastic breast cancer are discussed, as well as the roles of those agents in adjuvant therapy. Various statistical information regarding the results of the studies, which resulted in improved progression-free time periods for the participants, is presented. The author also looks at how these treatments would affect health care, and questions whether the delay in the progression of cancer by only months is worth the expense to the health care system.

Background Body composition plays an important role in predicting treatment outcomes in adults with cancer. Using existing computed tomographic (CT) cross-sectional imaging and readily available software, the assessment of skeletal muscle mass to evaluate sarcopenia has become simplified. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantify the prognostic value of skeletal muscle index (SMI) obtained from cross-sectional CT imaging on clinical outcomes in non-haematologic solid tumours. Methods We searched PubMed and the American Society Clinical Oncology online database of meeting abstracts up to October 2015 for relevant studies. We included studies assessing the prognostic impact of pre-treatment SMI on clinical outcomes in patients with non-haematologic solid tumours. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS) and the secondary outcomes included cancer-specific survival (CSS), disease-free survival (DFS), and progression-free survival (PFS). The summary hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Results A total of 7843 patients from 38 studies were included. SMI lower than the cut-off was associated with poor OS (HR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.32–1.56, p < 0.001). The effect of SMI on OS was observed among various tumour types and across disease stages. Worse CSS was also associated with low SMI (HR = 1.93, 95% CI = 1.38–2.70, p < 0.001) as well as DFS (HR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.00–1.30, p = 0.014), but not PFS (HR = 1.54, 95% CI = 0.90–2.64, p = 0.117). Conclusions This meta-analysis demonstrates that low SMI at cancer diagnosis is associated with worse survival in patients with solid tumours. Further research into understanding and mitigating the negative effects of sarcopenia in adults with cancer is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, with an incidence that rises dramatically with age. The average age at diagnosis of breast cancer is 61 years, and the majority of woman who die of breast cancer are age 65 years and older. Major improvements in public health and medical care have resulted in dramatic increases in longevity. The oldest old (those age 80 years and older) are a rapidly expanding group and now comprise 9 million members of the US population. The treatment of individuals who are age 80 years and older is complex and involves clearly defining the goals and value of treatment while also weighing risks, such as the potential effects of treatment on functional loss and quality of life. Limited evidence-based treatment guidelines exist for the caring of this older cohort of patients with breast cancer. Data from clinical trials that enroll primarily younger patients lack the information needed to estimate the likelihood of toxicities that can be life changing in older adults. Clinicians who make treatment recommendations should place the available evidence in the context of the patient's life expectancy and geriatric assessment results that include an evaluation of a patient's functional status, comorbidities, cognition, social support, nutritional status, and psychological state. Furthermore, these decisions should be placed in the context of the patient's goals for treatment, preferences, and values. This review summarizes the current literature and focuses on the role of geriatric assessment in treatment recommendations for patients age 80 years and older with early and metastatic breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A response by Hyman B. Muss, Ann D. Thor and Donald A. Berry to letters to the editor, about their article "c-erbB-2 expression and response to adjuvant therapy in women with node-positive early breast cancer," in the May 5, 1994 issue is presented.

Background: The role of molecular markers in predicting the response to treatment of breast cancer is poorly defined. The Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) conducted a randomized adjuvant-chemotherapy trial (CALGB 8541) comparing three doses (high, moderate, and low) of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and fluorouracil in 1572 women with node-positive breast cancer. This study (CALGB 8869) was designed to determine whether the DNA index, the S-phase fraction, c-erbB-2 expression, or p53 accumulation could be used as a marker to identify a subgroup of patients more likely than others to benefit from high doses of chemotherapy. Methods: Tissue blocks were obtained from 442 patients randomly selected from the larger CALGB trial. Paraffin sections from the primary lesions were analyzed for DNA content, S-phase fraction, c-erbB-2 expression, and p53 accumulation. Results: Patients randomly assigned to the high-dose regimen of adjuvant chemotherapy had significantly longer disease-free and overall survival if their tumors had c-erbB-2 overexpression. No further information was gained by adding the data on S-phase fraction or p53 accumulation to the analysis. There was no clear evidence of a dose-response effect in patients with minimal or no c-erbB-2 expression. Conclusions: There is a significant dose-response effect of adjuvant chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and fluorouracil in patients with overexpression of c-erbB-2 but not in patients with no c-erbB-2 expression or minimal c-erbB-2 expression. Overexpression of c-erbB-2 may be a useful marker to identify the patients who are most likely to benefit from high doses of adjuvant chemotherapy. (N Engl J Med 1994;330:1260-6.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Young adult cancer survivors experience frailty and decreased muscle mass at rates equivalent to much older noncancer populations, which indicate accelerated aging. Although frailty and low muscle mass can be identified in survivors, their implications for health‐related quality of life are not well understood. Methods: Through a cross‐sectional analysis of young adult cancer survivors, frailty was assessed with the Fried frailty phenotype and skeletal muscle mass in relation to functional and quality of life outcomes measured by the Medical Outcomes Survey Short‐Form 36 (SF‐36). z tests compared survivors with US population means, and multivariable linear regression models estimated mean SF‐36 scores by frailty and muscle mass with adjustments made for comorbidities, sex, and time from treatment. Results: Sixty survivors (median age, 21 years; range, 18‐29) participated in the study. Twenty‐five (42%) had low muscle mass, and 25 were either frail or prefrail. Compared with US population means, survivors reported worse health and functional impairments across SF‐36 domains that were more common among survivors with (pre)frailty or low muscle mass. In multivariable linear modeling, (pre)frail survivors (vs nonfrail) exhibited lower mean scores for general health (−9.1; P =.05), physical function (−14.9; P <.01), and overall physical health (−5.6; P =.02) independent of comorbid conditions. Conclusions: Measures of frailty and skeletal muscle mass identify subgroups of young adult cancer survivors with significantly impaired health, functional status, and quality of life independent of medical comorbidities. Identifying survivors with frailty or low muscle mass may provide opportunities for interventions to prevent functional and health declines or to reverse this process. Lay Summary: Young adult cancer survivors age more quickly than peers without cancer, which is evidenced by a syndrome of decreased resilience known as frailty.The relationship between frailty (and one of its common components, decreased muscle mass) and quality of life among young adult cancer survivors was examined.Measuring decreased muscle mass and frailty identifies young survivors with poor quality of life, including worse general health, fatigue, physical function, and overall physical health, compared with nonfrail survivors.Interventions to address components of frailty (low muscle mass and weakness) may improve function and quality of life among young adult cancer survivors. Measuring decreased muscle mass and frailty identifies young adult cancer survivors with poor quality of life, including worse general health, fatigue, physical function, and overall physical health, compared with nonfrail survivors. Interventions to address components of frailty (low muscle mass and weakness) may improve function and quality of life among young adult cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little is known regarding the predictive value of the Cancer and Aging Research Group (CARG) score, a validated chemotherapy toxicity prediction tool for older adults with cancer, for survival outcomes. Methods: This was a prospective observational study of patients ≥65 years old receiving first‐line chemotherapy for advanced noncolorectal gastrointestinal cancer for which combination chemotherapy is the standard of care. Overall survival (OS), time to treatment failure (TTF), which was defined as the time from the start of first‐line chemotherapy to the discontinuation of first‐line chemotherapy for any reason, and toxicity were compared in 4 groups of patients: 1) non–high‐risk (nHR) CARG score (<10) and standard‐intensity therapy (ST), 2) nHR score and reduced‐intensity therapy (RT), 3) high‐risk (HR) CARG score (≥10) and ST, and 4) HR score and RT. Results: Fifty patients (median age, 71 years) were enrolled. The median OS in months was 19.7 in nHR/ST (n = 19) group, 12.7 in nHR/RT (n = 9) group, 4.5 in HR/ST (n = 12) group, and 3.9 in HR/RT (n = 10) group (log‐rank test, P =.005). The median TTF in months was 9.1 in nHR/ST group, 2.5 in nHR/RT group, 2.3 in HR/ST group, and 3.0 in HR/RT group (log‐rank test, P =.04). The CARG‐score category was prognostic of OS (HR, 3.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.59‐5.83, P =.001) and TTF (HR, 2.60; 95% CI, 1.31‐5.20, P =.007). The incidence of grade 3‐5 toxicity was 68% in nHR/ST group, 33% in nHR/RT group, 92% in HR/ST group, and 70% in HR/RT group (Fisher exact test, P =.048). Conclusions: Risk‐adapted chemotherapy based on the CARG‐score may improve treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Many patients with breast cancer experience depression and anxiety for years after completing systemic chemotherapy, which negatively impact overall symptom burden, quality of life, and treatment outcomes. The objective of this study was to examine the utility of patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures to predict mental health needs in patients with breast cancer during post-chemotherapy follow-up care.Methods: In a sample of women with non-metastatic breast cancer, associations between patient-reported depression and anxiety at end of chemotherapy and post-chemotherapy mental health needs were evaluated using log-binomial regression adjusted for functional status, social activity limitations, and time from chemotherapy.Results: In a sample of 149 women, 40% reported at least mild depressive symptoms and 52% reported at least mild anxiety at the end of chemotherapy. Over an average 3.2 years post-chemotherapy (range: 0.7-5.6 years), 23% received new psychiatric diagnoses, 21% engaged in mental health specialty care, and 62% were prescribed psychotropic medications. End of chemotherapy depression and anxiety were associated with future prescription of psychotropic medications (RR 1.52; 95% CI 1.14-2.03), as well as greater number of psychotropics. Associations were strongest with serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors [(depression: RR 4.75; 95% CI 2.06-10.95); (anxiety: RR 3.68; 95% CI 1.62-8.36); (depression and anxiety: RR 2.98; 95% CI 1.65-5.36)].Conclusion: Diagnosis of and treatment for depression and anxiety are common among women with breast cancer after completing chemotherapy. Prescriptions for psychotropic medications during the initial years after systemic chemotherapy can be anticipated by depression and anxiety screening at end of chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Examine baseline fatigue levels in early-breast cancer survivors (EBCS) compared to inactive controls (CON) and identify associated physical and psychosocial factors with fatigue prior to community-based exercise.Methods: A total of 33 EBCS (53.9 ± 11.4 years) and 21 CON (54.0 ± 8.0 years) were recruited. Participants completed questionnaires for demographics and patient-reported outcome measures pertaining to fatigue, quality of life, mental health, and physical activity, and completed a 6-min walk test, balance assessment, cardiopulmonary exercise test (VO2peak), and muscular strength test. A Mann-Whitney U test compared fatigue between groups and unadjusted univariable linear regressions were used to explore relationships with fatigue.Results: Fatigue in EBCS was not statistically different from CON (EBCS: 16.9 ± 5.75; CON: 14.2 ± 3.4, p = 0.121). Univariable analyses showed lower fatigue in EBCS was associated with better Physical and Mental Health (both R2 = 0.435; p < 0.01), better outcome expectations for exercise (R2 = 0.237; p < 0.01), better self-efficacy (R2 = 0.407; p < 0.01), lower depression (R2 = 0.383; p < 0.001), lower anxiety (R2 = 0.104; p < 0.05), and better balance (R2 = 0.265; p < 0.01). Lower fatigue in the CON group was associated with better sleep quality (R2 = 0.263; p < 0.05) and self-efficacy (R2 = 0.417; p < 0.05).Conclusions: Mild fatigue was prevalent in EBCS, whereas moderate/severe fatigue was not. This discrepancy should be explored provided the benefits of exercise for fatigue management. Further, fatigue in EBCS was associated with multiple psychosocial and functional outcomes, which emphasized both its multi-factorial nature and uniqueness to the EBCS population.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials: gov Number: NCT03760536. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women with obesity are at higher risk for high-grade and/or advanced-stage breast cancer in comparison with women without obesity. Many women with a high body mass index (BMI) at breast cancer diagnosis experience further weight gain during and after treatment. This study investigated Black and White patient perspectives on conversations with their oncologists about weight and weight management.Methods: Focus groups using a virtual platform (Zoom) were conducted with women after primary treatment for stage I to III breast cancer who were 21 years or older and had a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 : 2 with Black women (n = 12) and 2 with White women (n = 14).Results: Participants asked that their oncologists be "transparent" about weight gain as a potential side effect of their cancer treatment and how excess weight might affect their prognosis and survival. They asked to be "seen as an individual" to facilitate both person-centered and culturally appropriate conversations about behavioral changes needed for weight management. Participants urged clinicians to take the lead in initiating conversations about weight to underscore its importance in cancer care and survivorship. They welcomed actionable recommendations about nutrition and exercise from either the oncology clinician or a specialist. Participants offered specific suggestions on how clinicians could initiate weight-related conversations, beginning with questions eliciting patients' perspectives on their weight and lifestyle.Conclusions: Many women with early-stage breast cancer and obesity have concerns about weight and weight gain and urge their oncologists to use an active and personalized approach in recommending and supporting efforts at weight management.Lay Summary: Focus group discussions with Black and White women with early-stage breast cancer and obesity have elicited patient perspectives on conversations with their oncologists about weight and weight management. Many patients have concerns about weight and weight gain and urge their oncologists to use an active and personalized approach in recommending and supporting efforts at weight management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caring for older patients with breast cancer presents unique clinical considerations because of preexisting and competing comorbidity, the potential for treatment-related toxicity, and the consequent impact on functional status. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, treatment decision making for older patients is especially challenging and encourages us to refocus our treatment priorities. While we work to avoid treatment delays and maintain therapeutic benefit, we also need to minimize the risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exposures, myelosuppression, general chemotherapy toxicity, and functional decline. Herein, we propose multidisciplinary care considerations for the aging patient with breast cancer, with the goal to promote a team-based, multidisciplinary treatment approach during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. These considerations remain relevant as we navigate the "new normal" for the approximately 30% of breast cancer patients aged 70 years and older who are diagnosed in the United States annually and for the thousands of older patients living with recurrent and/or metastatic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors discuss the survey on geriatric oncology which they conducted as part of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) leadership development program. They discuss the findings of the survey, which focuses on three areas of geriatric oncology which are education, research, and patient care. They also highlight some of their recommendations regarding these three areas.

Background: To the authors' knowledge, it is unknown whether patient‐reported symptom severity and symptom interference with daily activities differ between younger (aged <65 years) and older (aged ≥65 years) women receiving similar chemotherapy regimens for early breast cancer (EBC). Methods: Study participants rated 17 side effects of chemotherapy regimens currently in use in clinical practice (2014‐2019). Results: Of 284 women with EBC (stage I‐III), approximately 57% were aged <65 years and 43% were aged ≥65 years. For anthracycline‐based regimens, a higher percentage of younger women reported moderate, severe, or very severe (MSVS) hot flashes (49% vs 18%) (P <.001). For nonanthracycline regimens, a higher percentage of younger women reported MSVS hot flashes (38% vs 19%) (P =.009) and a lower percentage reported MSVS arthralgia (28% vs 49%) (P =.005). With regard to symptom interference with daily activities, a higher percentage of younger women being treated with anthracycline‐based regimens reported MSVS hot flashes (32% vs 7%) (P =.001) and myalgia (38% vs 18%) (P =.02). For nonanthracycline chemotherapy, a higher percentage of younger women reported MSVS interference for hot flashes (26% vs 9%) (P =.006) and lower percentages reported abdominal pain (13% vs 28%) (P =.02). Overall, there were no significant differences noted among younger versus older patients with regard to hospitalizations (19% vs 12%; P =.19), dose reductions (34% vs 31%; P =.50), dose delays (22% vs 25%; P =.59), or early treatment discontinuation (16% vs 16%; P =.9546). Conclusions: Older and younger women with EBC who were treated with identical chemotherapy regimens generally experienced similar levels of symptom severity, symptom‐related interference with daily activities, and adverse events. Lay Summary: In this study, women receiving chemotherapy for early breast cancer rated the severity of 17 symptoms and symptom interference with their activities of daily living.Older (aged ≥65 years) and younger (aged <65 years) women who received identical chemotherapy regimens generally experienced similar levels of symptom severity, symptom‐related interference with daily activities, and adverse events. In the current study, women receiving chemotherapy for early breast cancer rate the severity of 17 symptoms and symptom interference with their activities of daily living. Older (aged ≥65 years) and younger (aged <65 years) women who received identical chemotherapy regimens generally experienced similar levels of symptom severity, symptom‐related interference with daily activities, and adverse events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study investigates obesity and comorbidity in Black and White women with early breast cancer (stages I‐III) and their potential impact on treatment decisions for patients with hormone receptor–positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative (HER2–) tumors. Methods: In this retrospective chart review, comparisons of frequencies for Black and White patients were calculated with the Fisher exact test. Log binomial regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) with 95% confidence intervals for total and individual comorbidities, and multivariable modeling was used to estimate PRs adjusted for age and body mass index (BMI). Results: In a sample of 548 patients, 26% were Black, and 74% were White. Sixty‐two percent of Black patients and 32% of White patients were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2; P <.0001). Seventy‐five percent of Black patients and 87% of White patients had HR+ tumors (P =.001). Significant intergroup differences were seen for 2 or more total comorbidities (62% of Blacks vs 47% of Whites; P =.001), 2 or more obesity‐related comorbidities (33% vs 10%; P <.0001), hypertension (60% vs 32%; P <.0001), diabetes mellitus (23% vs 6%; P <.0001), hypercholesterolemia or hyperlipidemia (28% vs 18%; P =.02), and hypothyroidism (4% vs 11%; P =.012). In women with HR+/HER2– tumors, there were no intergroup differences in treatment decisions regarding the type of surgery, chemotherapy regimen, radiation, or endocrine treatment despite significant differences in the prevalence of obesity and comorbidities. Conclusions: This study documents significant disparities between Black and White women with early breast cancer with regard to high rates of obesity, overall comorbidities, and obesity‐related comorbidities, and it highlights the prevalence of competing risks that may complicate outcomes in breast cancer. This study documents significant disparities between Black and White women with early breast cancer with respect to high rates of obesity as well as overall comorbidities and obesity‐related comorbidities—many of which are independent of age and obesity itself—and it highlights the prevalence of competing risks that may complicate outcomes in breast cancer. Patients need to be counseled that their long‐term overall health and survival depend as much on the effective management of their comorbidities as they do on the successful completion of cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cellular senescence, measured by expression of the cell cycle kinase inhibitor p16INK4a, may contribute to accelerated aging in survivors of childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer. The authors measured peripheral blood T‐lymphocyte p16INK4a expression among pediatric and young adult cancer survivors, hypothesizing that p16INK4a expression is higher after chemotherapy and among frail survivors. Methods: A cross‐sectional cohort of young adult survivors and age‐matched, cancer‐free controls were assessed for p16INK4a expression and frailty. Newly diagnosed pediatric patients underwent prospective measurements of p16INK4a expression before and after cancer therapy. Frailty was measured with a modified Fried frailty phenotype evaluating sarcopenia, weakness, slowness, energy expenditure, and exhaustion. Results: The cross‐sectional cohort enrolled 60 survivors and 29 age‐matched controls with a median age of 21 years (range, 17‐29 years). The prospective cohort enrolled 9 newly diagnosed patients (age range, 1‐18 years). Expression of p16INK4a was higher among survivors compared with controls (9.6 vs 8.9 log2 p16 units; 2‐sided P =.005, representing a 25‐year age acceleration in survivors) and increased among newly diagnosed patients from matched pretreatment to posttreatment samples (7.3‐8.9 log2 p16 units; 2‐sided P =.002). Nine survivors (16%) were frail and had higher p16INK4a expression compared with robust survivors (10.5 [frail] vs 9.5 [robust] log2 p16 units; 2‐sided P =.055), representing a 35‐year age acceleration among frail survivors. Conclusions: Chemotherapy is associated with increased cellular senescence and molecular age in pediatric and young adult cancer survivors. Frail survivors, compared with robust survivors, exhibit higher levels of p16INK4a, suggesting that cellular senescence may be associated with early aging in survivors. The expression of p16INK4a, a biomarker of cellular aging and senescence, increases among childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors after chemotherapy and is higher among frail survivors, indicating advanced cellular aging related to cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The National Cancer Institute's Patient-Reported Outcomes Version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, collected alongside the clinician-reported Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, enables comparisons of patient and clinician reports on treatment toxicity.Methods: In a multisite study of women receiving chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer, symptom reports were collected on the same day from patients and their clinicians for 17 symptoms; their data were not shared with each other. The proportions of moderate, severe, or very severe patient-reported symptom severity were compared with the proportions of clinician-rated grade 2, 3, or 4 toxicity. Patient-clinician agreement was assessed via κ statistics. Chi-square tests investigated whether patient characteristics were associated with patient-clinician agreement.Results: Among 267 women, the median age was 58 years (range, 24-83 years), and 26% were nonwhite. There was moderate scoring agreement (κ = 0.413-0.570) for 53% of symptoms, fair agreement for 41% (κ = 0.220-0.378), and slight agreement for 6% (κ = 0.188). For example, patient-reported and clinician-rated percentages were 22% and 8% for severe or very severe fatigue, 41% and 46% for moderate fatigue, 32% and 39% for mild fatigue, and 6% and 7% for none. Clinician severity scores were lower for nonwhite patients in comparison with white patients for peripheral neuropathy, nausea, arthralgia, and dyspnea.Conclusions: Although clinician reporting of symptoms is common practice in oncology, there is suboptimal agreement with the gold standard of patient self-reporting. These data provide further evidence supporting the integration of patient-reported outcomes into oncological clinical research and clinical practice to improve monitoring of symptoms as well as timely interventions for symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Position Statement on Obesity and Cancer notes that the oncology care team is in a unique position to initiate weight management conversations that may help patients manage their weight in survivorship. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative content analysis of electronic health records at a university-affiliated cancer hospital was conducted to gather documentation of weight-related communications between oncology clinicians and their patients with obesity (Body Mass Index 30 or higher) at early breast cancer diagnosis. Results: The sample includes 237 women, mean age 56.5 (range 25–86), 37% black, and mean BMI 36 (range 30–59). Ninety-three patients (39%) had weight-related communications with at least one oncology clinician, for a total of 120 communications. Seventy-three percent of these communications were with a medical oncologist, 17% with a radiation oncologist, and 10% with a surgical oncologist. Examples of communications include referrals to weight management programs (22%), printed patient instructions about diet or diet and exercise (12%), and clinician notes describing weight-related interactions with their patients (67%). Conclusions: This study provides preliminary but encouraging evidence of weight-related communications during a busy clinic visit with patients who were obese at breast cancer diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite data demonstrating the safety of omitting axillary surgery in older women with early-stage breast cancer, the incidence of axillary surgery remains high. It was hypothesized that the prevalence of nodal positivity would decrease with advancing age.Methods: The National Cancer Data Base was used to construct a cohort of adult women with early-stage, clinically node-negative, estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative breast cancer treated between 2013 and 2015. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between age and nodal positivity, and this was stratified by the axillary surgery category. Modified Poisson regression was used to estimate the proportion of women receiving adjuvant therapy according to age and nodal status.Results: The incidence of axillary surgery among women aged 70 and older (n = 51,917) remained high nationwide (86%). There was a significant decrease in nodal positivity with advancing age in women with early-stage, ER+, clinically node-negative breast cancer from the youngest cohort up to patients aged 70 to 89 years, and this was independent of histologic subtype (ductal vs lobular), race, comorbidities, and socioeconomic factors. Overall, less than 10% of women aged 70 or older who underwent surgery had node-positive disease, regardless of axillary surgery type, and almost 95% of node-positive patients aged 70 or older were at pathological stage N1mi or N1.Conclusions: Axillary surgery may be safely omitted for many older women with ER+, clinically node-negative, early-stage breast cancer. Nodal positivity declines with advancing age, and this suggests varied biology in older patients versus younger patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The selection of later-line treatment for older patients with AJCC (version 7) stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains controversial. Nanoparticle albumin-bound (nab)-paclitaxel is approved with carboplatin for the first-line treatment of patients with NSCLC and subgroup analysis of phase 3 data has suggested superior survival in older patients.Methods: The authors conducted a phase 2 study of nab-paclitaxel in 42 patients aged ≥70 years who had been treated previously with a platinum doublet regimen; patients also could have received a PD-1 inhibitor. The primary endpoint of the current study was grade 3 to 5 toxicity (according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [version 4.0]). In addition to response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), geriatric assessments also were performed before and during treatment, associations between baseline sarcopenia and outcomes were explored, and changes in T lymphocyte p16 before and during treatment were measured. The authors also performed a retrospective subgroup analysis of 19 older patients who were treated with nab-paclitaxel as part of a larger, randomized, phase 2 study; data were not combined.Results: The rate of grade 3 to 5 toxicities was 33.7%. The most common grade 3 to 5 toxicities were decreased white blood cell count (11.9%), neutropenia (9.5%), and fatigue (11.9%). The response rate was 34.2% (2.6% complete response rate and 31.6% partial response rate). The median PFS was 5.2 months and the median OS was 9.3 months. Adverse prognostic factors were common: 42% of patients were frail and 39% of patients were prefrail, whereas 21% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 2 and 27% were sarcopenic. Only frailty was found to be predictive of inferior survival. A subgroup analysis of 19 older patients treated with nab-paclitaxel alone in a prior trial demonstrated a response rate of 15.8%, a PFS of 4.2 months, and an OS of 13.6 months.Conclusions: Fit and prefrail older patients with stage IV NSCLC should be considered for treatment with nab-paclitaxel after disease progression with doublet chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the current study, the authors investigated the incidence of moderate to severe chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) for chemotherapy regimens commonly used in current clinical practice for the treatment of patients with early breast cancer. Patient‐reported and clinician‐assessed CIPN severity scores were compared, and risk factors for CIPN severity were identified. Methods: Patients completed a Patient‐Reported Symptom Monitoring form and oncologists completed a Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events form. CIPN reports were collected prospectively during regularly scheduled infusion visits throughout the duration of chemotherapy. Results: The sample included 184 women with a mean age of 55 years; approximately 73% were white. The 4 chemotherapy regimens used were doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide plus paclitaxel (60 patients); docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (50 patients); docetaxel, carboplatin, and anti–human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) (24 patients); and doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide plus paclitaxel and carboplatin (18 patients). All patients treated with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide plus paclitaxel and doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide plus paclitaxel and carboplatin received paclitaxel; all patients treated with docetaxel and cyclophosphamide and docetaxel, carboplatin, and anti‐HER2 received docetaxel. The chemotherapy dose was reduced in 52 patients (28%); in 15 patients (29%), this reduction was due to CIPN. Chemotherapy was discontinued in 26 patients (14%), 8 because of CIPN. Agreement between patient‐reported and clinician‐assessed CIPN severity scores was minimal (weighted Cohen kappa, P = .34). Patient‐reported moderate to severe CIPN was higher for paclitaxel (50%) compared with docetaxel (17.7%) (P < .001). Pretreatment arthritis and/or rheumatism (relative risk [RR], 1.58; 95% CI, 1.06‐2.35 [P = .023]) and regimens containing paclitaxel (RR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.72‐4.83 [P < .0001]) were associated with higher CIPN severity. Being married (RR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.37‐0.887 [P = .01]) was found to be associated with lower CIPN severity. Conclusions: The discrepancy between patient‐reported and clinician‐assessed CIPN underscores the need for both patient and clinician perspectives regarding this common, dose‐limiting, and potentially disabling side effect of chemotherapy. The severity of patient‐reported chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) varies by the regimen used in current clinical practice for the treatment of early breast cancer. The discrepancy between patient‐reported and clinician‐assessed CIPN underscores the need for both patient and clinician perspectives on this common, dose‐limiting, and potentially disabling side effect of chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In older women, breast cancer and its treatment can have profound impact on their physical, mental, and social health, especially in frail patients. This study evaluated the association between frailty and long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in older women undergoing breast cancer treatment.Methods: Using the Carolina Senior Registry (CSR), participants with breast cancer were contacted to complete a follow-up HRQOL questionnaire (median 4 years). Baseline Geriatric Assessment (GA) variables were used to calculate the Carolina Frailty Index (CFI) and categorize participants as robust, pre-frail, or frail. Outcomes included HRQOL domains of physical function, social roles, fatigue, depression, anxiety, pain, and sleep disturbance assessed using PROMIS® instruments. Regression modeling compared outcomes between frailty groups using adjusted mean differences (AMD).Results: Of 190 eligible patients, 63 completed follow-up HRQOL survey. Mean age was 70 years (range 65-86) and 91% were white. Based on the CFI, 49 (78%) patients were robust, 11 (18%) pre-frail, and 3 (5%) frail. After controlling for age and cancer stage, patients identified as pre-frail/frail reported worse physical function (AMD - 9.2, p < 0.001) and social roles (AMD - 7.2, p = 0.002) and more fatigue (AMD 7.6, p = 0.008), depression (AMD 5.6, p = 0.004), and sleep disturbance (AMD 6.9, p = 0.008) compared to robust patients at follow-up.Conclusions: Frailty in older women with breast cancer was associated with worse long-term HRQOL outcomes. Further research is needed to develop interventions for frail patients at-risk for reduced HRQOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The association between geriatric assessment (GA)–identified impairments and long-term health care use in older cancer survivors remains unknown. Our objective was to evaluate whether a GA performed at cancer diagnosis was predictive of hospitalizations and long-term care (LTC) use in older adult cancer survivors. METHODS: Older adults with GA performed between 3 months before through 6 months after diagnosis were included (N = 125). Patients with Medicare Parts A and B coverage and no managed care were identified. Hospitalizations and LTC use (skilled nursing or assisted living) were assessed up to 5 years postdiagnosis. GA risk measures were evaluated in separate Poisson models estimating the relative risk (RR) for hospital and LTC visits, adjusting for age and Charlson comorbidity score. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 74 years, and the majority were female (80%) and white (90%). Breast cancer (64%) and early-stage disease (stages 0 to III, 77%) were common. Prefrail/frail status (RR, 2.5; P <.001), instrumental activities of daily living impairment (RR, 5.47; P <.001), and limitations in climbing stairs (RR, 2.94; P <.001) were associated with increased hospitalizations. Prefrail/frail status (RR, 1.86; P <.007), instrumental activities of daily living impairment (RR, 4.58; P <.001), presence of falls (RR, 6.73; P <.001), prolonged Timed Up and Go (RR, 5.45; P <.001), and limitations in climbing stairs (RR, 1.89; P <.005) were associated with LTC use. CONCLUSION: GA-identified impairments were associated with increased hospitalizations and LTC use among older adults with cancer. GA-focused interventions should be targeted toward high-risk patients to reduce long-term adverse health care use in this vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: The impact of occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) on functional outcomes in older adults with cancer is unknown. DESIGN: Two‐arm single‐institution randomized controlled trial of outpatient OT/PT. SETTING: Comprehensive cancer center with two off‐site OT/PT clinics. PARTICIPANTS: We recruited adults 65 years and older with a recent diagnosis or recurrence of cancer within 5 years, with at least one functional limitation as identified by a geriatric assessment. Participants were randomized to OT/PT or usual care. INTERVENTION: Rehabilitation consisted of individualized OT and PT that addressed functional activities and strength/endurance needs. MEASUREMENTS: Primary outcome was functional status as measured by the Nottingham Extended Activities of Daily Living scale. Secondary outcomes were Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System‐Global Mental Health (GMH) and Global Physical Health (GPH), ability to participate in Social Roles (SR), physical function, and activity expectations and self‐efficacy (Possibilities for Activity Scale [PActS]). RESULTS: Among those recruited (N = 63), only 45 patients (71%) were evaluable due to loss of follow‐up and/or nonreceipt of intervention. The median age was 74 years; 53% were female, and 91% were white. Overall, 30% patients had hematologic malignancies, 30% breast cancer, and 16% colorectal cancers. A total of 65% were in active treatment; 49% had stage 3 or 4 disease. At follow‐up, both OT/PT (P = .02) and usual care (P = .03) groups experienced a decline in functional status. PActS scores between groups (P = .04) was significantly improved in the intervention group. GMH and SR met criteria for minimally important clinical difference favoring the intervention, but not statistical significance. Several barriers were noted in the implementation of the intervention program: recruitment, concerns about cost, distance, scheduling, and limited treatment provided. CONCLUSION: OT/PT may positively influence activity expectations and self‐efficacy. Future research needs to address significant barriers to implementation to increase use of OT/PT services and access to quality care. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:953–960, 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To describe associations of functional, psychosocial, medical, and socio-demographic factors with performance on a cognitive screening test in chemotherapy naïve patients with breast cancer.Methods: Women with breast cancer were recruited between 2009 and 2018. The Blessed Orientation Memory Concentration Test (BOMC) was administered prior to chemotherapy. Associations between baseline BOMC and functional (Karnofsky Self-Reported Performance Rating Scale (KPS), Time Up and Go Test (TUG), Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) Physical Function, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL)), psychosocial (Mental Health Inventory-13, MOS Social Activity Limitation and Social Support Survey), medical, and socio-demographic variables were assessed using linear regression analysis.Results: In a sample of 331 women with breast cancer, the mean age was 65.2 years and 68.6% were 65 and older. Mean BOMC score was 3.60 on a scale from 0 (best) to 28 (worst). After controlling for demographic factors, worse BOMC screening test results were associated with KPS < 80 (P = 0.01), IADL<14 (P = 0.02), TUG ≥14 seconds (P = 0.001), worse MOS Physical Function (P = 0.0006), depressive symptoms (P = 0.04), and social activity limitations (P = 0.01).Conclusion: In a sample of women with breast cancer, pre-treatment cognitive screening scores did not reveal profound cognitive impairment. BOMC screening scores were associated with multiple measures of physical function, but further research is needed to determine a clinically meaningful cut point in the BOMC for screening of cancer-related cognitive impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Because of the escalating cost of cancer care coupled with high insurance deductibles, premiums, and uninsured populations, patients with cancer are affected by treatment-related financial harm, known as financial toxicity. The purpose of this study was to describe individuals reporting financial toxicity and to identify rates of and reasons for affordability-related treatment noncompliance. Methods: From May 2010 to November 2015, adult patients (age ≥ 18 years) with cancer were identified from a Health Registry/Cancer Survivorship Cohort. Financial toxicity was defined as agreement with the phrase "You have to pay for more medical care than you can afford" from the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18. Logistic regression and Fisher exact tests were used to compare groups. Results: Of 1,988 participants, 524 (26%) reported financial toxicity. Patients reporting financial toxicity were more likely age 65 years or younger, female, nonwhite, non-English speaking, not married, less educated, and to have received a diagnosis more recently (all P <.001). Participants with financial toxicity were more likely to report noncompliance with medication, owing to inability to afford prescription drugs (relative risk [RR], 3.55; 95% CI, 2.53 to 4.98), and reported forgoing mental health care (RR, 3.89; 95% CI, 2.04 to 7.45), doctor's visits (RR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.97 to 4.51), and medical tests (RR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.49 to 4.34). The most endorsed reasons for delayed care were not having insurance coverage and being unable to afford household expenses. Conclusion: More than 25% of adults with cancer reported financial toxicity that was associated with an increased risk for medical noncompliance. Financial toxicity remains a major issue in cancer care, and efforts are needed to ensure patients experiencing high levels of financial toxicity are able to access recommended care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hearing and visual impairments are common among community-dwelling older adults, and are associated with psychological, functional, and cognitive deficits. However, to the authors' knowledge, little is known regarding their prevalence among older patients with cancer.Methods: The current study was a secondary analysis combining 2 prospective cohorts of adults aged ≥65 years with solid tumors who were receiving chemotherapy. The authors assessed the association between patient-reported hearing and/or visual impairment (defined as fair/poor grading by self-report) and physical function, instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), anxiety, depression, and cognition. Descriptive analyses were conducted to summarize patient and treatment characteristics. One-way analysis of variance and chi-square tests were conducted as appropriate to examine differences between patients with and without sensory impairments. Logistic regression was used to analyze associations between sensory impairments and outcomes.Results: Among 750 patients with a median age of 72 years who had solid tumors (29% with breast/gynecological tumors, 28% with lung tumors, and 27% with gastrointestinal tumors), approximately 18% reported hearing impairment alone, 11% reported visual impairment alone, and 7% reported dual sensory impairment. Hearing impairment was associated with IADL dependence (odds ratio [OR], 1.9), depression (OR, 1.6), and anxiety (OR, 1.6). Visual impairment was associated with IADL dependence (OR, 1.9), poor physical function (OR, 1.9), and depression (OR, 2.5). Dual impairment was associated with IADL dependence (OR, 2.8), anxiety (OR, 2.3), depression (OR, 2.5), and cognitive impairment (OR, 3.2).Conclusions: Sensory impairment is common among older adults with cancer. Patients with sensory impairment are more likely to have functional, psychological, and cognitive deficits. Interventions aimed at improving the vision and hearing of older adults with cancer should be studied. Cancer 2018. © 2018 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Great heterogeneity exists in the ability of adults with cancer to tolerate chemotherapy. Variability in body composition may affect rates of metabolism of cytotoxic agents and contribute to the variable chemotherapy toxicity observed. The objective of this exploratory study was to examine the association of low skeletal muscle, commonly known as sarcopenia, on the pharmacokinetics (PKs) of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) in patients receiving FOLFOX for colorectal cancer.Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of a completed multicenter trial that investigated PK-guided 5FU dosing in patients receiving mFOLFOX6 +/- bevacizumab for colorectal cancer. Cycle 1 PK samples were obtained 2-44 h after the start of the 5FU infusion (steady state).Results: No significant differences in first cycle 5FU area-under-the-concentration-time-curve (AUC) were found between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients (17.3 vs. 19.3 AUC, p = 0.43). Patients with grade 3/4 toxicity had a higher dose of 5FU per kg lean body mass (LBM) (105 vs. 93 mg/kg, p = 0.06), most notably for hematological toxicities (110 vs. 94 mg/kg, p = 0.002); however, no correlation between the dose/LBM and 5FU AUC was found.Conclusions: Although our results did not confirm the impact of low skeletal muscle on PKs of 5FU, further research exploring the impact of body composition on chemotherapy PKs and related toxicities is warranted with the potential for alternative dosing strategies in sarcopenic patients to reduce unnecessary toxicities while maintaining efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A nocebo is an inert substance associated with adverse events. Although previous studies have examined the positive (placebo) effects of such inert substances, few have examined negative (nocebo) adverse event profiles, particularly in older patients who have higher morbidity and can experience frequent and severe adverse events from cancer therapy.Methods: This study focused on placebo/nocebo-exposed patients who participated in 2 double-blind, placebo-controlled, cancer therapeutic studies, namely, North Central Cancer Therapy Group trial NCCTG 97-24-51 and American College of Surgeons Oncology Group trial Z9001, with the goal of reporting the comparative, age-based adverse event rates, as reported during the conduct of these trials.Results: Among the 446 patients who received only placebo/nocebo and who were the focus of the current report, 161 were aged ≥65 years at the time of respective trial entry, and 5234 adverse events occurred. Unadjusted adverse event rates did not differ significantly between patients aged ≥65 years and younger patients (rate ratio, 1.01; 99% confidence interval, 0.47-2.02), and the findings were similar findings for grade 2 or worse adverse events and for all symptom-driven adverse events (for example, pain, loss of appetite, anxiety). Adjustment for sex, ethnicity, baseline performance score, and individual trial resulted in no significant age-based differences in adverse event rates. Similar findings were observed with an age threshold of 70 years.Conclusions: Adverse events are equally common in older and younger cancer patients who are exposed to nocebo and thus require the same degree of clinical consideration regardless of age. Cancer 2017;123:4193-4198. © 2017 American Cancer Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]