Cancer In Older Adults Research Articles

Exploring the relationships between income and emotional/practical concerns and help-seeking by older adult cancer survivors: A secondary analysis

PurposeThe number of older cancer survivors is growing rapidly and expected to double through the next decade. Survivors can face challenges from treatment as well as other co-morbid conditions which may influence quality of living and generate distress. Understanding more about factors influencing whether older cancer survivors receive the help they desire is important for cancer program planning. The purpose of this analysis was to understand relationships between income and emotional/practical concerns, help-seeking experiences and unmet needs of adults 65+ years one to three years following cancer treatment. Materials and MethodsA survey was conducted with randomly selected Canadian cancer survivors about their survivorship care. Drawing from these publicly available data, this secondary analysis examines prevalence of concerns, help-seeking, receipt of help, reasons for not seeking help, responses to information questions, and overall unmet needs for trends across income groups. Results7975 respondents 65+ years responded, of which the 5891 (73.9%) indicating annual household income were analyzed. Over 80% responded to questions regarding emotional/practical concerns following treatment with the largest proportions reporting emotional concerns for anxiety/fear of cancer returning (63%) and depression (49%), and practical concerns regarding transportation for appointments (33%) and paying healthcare bills (31%). Individuals with household incomes <$25,000 reported higher levels of concern than other income groups and higher proportions sought assistance for their concerns. Across income levels, 20% reported difficulty finding assistance to address their concerns. DiscussionOlder cancer survivors across all income categories reported emotional/practical concerns, lack of information about these issues, and unmet needs regarding both emotional and practical concerns. Many encountered challenges obtaining help with those in lower income categories more severely affected despite Canada's universal health care system. Financial burden ought to be assessed with older survivors on an on-going basis to ensure relevant intervention.

Physical Comorbidities and Their Relationship with Cancer Treatment and Its Outcomes in Older Adult Populations: Systematic Review.

BackgroundCancer is one of the predominant causes of morbidity and mortality in older adult populations worldwide. Among a range of barriers, comorbidity particularly poses a clinical challenge in cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment owing to its heterogeneous nature. While accurate comorbidity assessments and appropriate treatment administration can result in better patient outcomes, evidence related to older adult cancer populations is limited as these individuals are often excluded from regular clinical trials due to age and comorbid conditions.ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of physical comorbidity and the impact of physical comorbidities and rurality on treatment and its outcomes in older adult cancer populations.MethodsScientific databases Embase and PubMed were searched for published scientific literature on physical comorbidity and older adult cancer patients. Google Scholar was searched for scholarly literature published in nonindexed journals. Snowballing was utilized to identify research papers missed in the above searches. Included studies : (1) reported on original research involving cancer patients; (2) included patients aged 65 years or older; (3) had patients receiving cancer-related treatment and (4) cancer survivors; (5) reported on physical comorbidity as a variable; (6) were published in English; and (7) conducted from any geographical location.ResultsIn total, 29 studies were selected for data extraction, evidence synthesis, and quality assessment. In these, comorbidities ranged from 37.9%-74.3% in colorectal cancer, 74%-81% in head and neck cancer, and 12.6%-49% in breast cancer. Moderate comorbidities ranged from 13%-72.9%, and severe comorbidities from 2.5%-68.2%. Comorbidity increased with age, with comorbidity affecting both treatment choice and process. Physical comorbidities significantly affected treatment initiation, causing delay, toxicity, and discontinuation. Older adult cancer patients were given less vigorous and nonstandard treatments and were also less likely to be offered treatment. Where patients are given more vigorous treatment, several studies showed better survival outcomes. Appropriate treatment in older adult cancer patients increased both overall and disease-related survival rates. None of the studies noted rurality as a distinct variable.ConclusionsThis systematic review concludes that there is evidence to substantiate the adverse effect of comorbidity on treatment and survival outcomes. However, the mechanism by which comorbidity impedes or impacts treatment is unknown in many cases. Some low-quality evidence is available for considering the functional status and biological age in treatment decisions. Future studies that substantiate the value of comprehensive older adult assessments before treatment initiation in cancer patients, including assessing the nature and severity of comorbidities, and additional consideration of rurality as a factor, could lessen the effect of comorbidities on the treatment process.

The Needs of Older Adult Cancer Survivors During COVID-19: Implications for Oncology Nursing.

ObjectivesOlder adults living with cancer have been described as more susceptible to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and in need of special attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. For cancer survivors, the first year post-treatment is a critical time because many individuals transition back to their primary care provider and adjust to physical and psychosocial changes that occurred during their cancer treatment. In this longitudinal qualitative study, we followed a cohort of older adult cancer survivors through the first three waves of the pandemic to describe their experiences as a means for providing recommendations for how oncology nurses can tailor support to this unique population.Data SourcesWe conducted individual, semi-structured qualitative interviews with 24 older adults at three time points during the pandemic. Data were analyzed drawing from interpretive descriptive methodologies.ConclusionOlder adult cancer survivors’ needs shifted during the pandemic from feeling confident and self-assured during the early days of COVID-19 to growing uncertainty and unease about their health and well-being. The main survivorship concerns included a preference for in-person appointments (as opposed to virtual), barriers to caregiver attendance at appointments, and diminished access to health care services.Implications for Nursing PracticeOncology nurses play a critical role providing care to older adult cancer survivors and are most familiar with unique patient needs and the gaps in services they face. We provide recommendations for oncology nursing practice that consider the shifting needs of older adult cancer survivors during COVID-19 and beyond.

"Moving Forward": Older Adult Motivations for Group-Based Physical Activity After Cancer Treatment.

BackgroundEngagement in physical activity (PA) post-treatment can improve health outcomes and quality of life among cancer survivors. The purpose of this study is to explore United States (US) older adult cancer survivors’ (OACS) reasons for engaging in group-based PA classes, to identify themes supporting exercise motivations in the context of cancer recovery.MethodsOACS participating in a fitness program at a large US comprehensive cancer center completed semi-structured interviews. Transcripts were analyzed using modified grounded theory, and demographic data were analyzed descriptively.ResultsModified grounded theory analysis (n = 25; age M = 70.92, SD = 10.82; 9 cancer types) identified individual rationales for exercise grounded in collective experience. Participants’ internal motivations for PA are shaped by the desire for control over an uncertain future and post-treatment body, obtained by literally “moving forward” post-cancer; this is supported by external motivations for social connections that present a positive model of survivorship, within a setting that instills confidence and safety.ConclusionsExercise can be a way for older adults to tap into internal and external motivations that support cancer survivorship. Interventions that make explicit connections between exercise and cancer recovery, facilitate interpersonal interaction, and promote a sense of safety may be the most effective. The concepts identified in this study can inform the development of future interventions to improve long-term behavior change among OACS and evaluate existing PA programs.

National disparities in use of minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer in older adults.

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is safe and improves outcomes in older persons with rectal cancer but may be underutilized. As older persons are the largest surgical population, investigation of the current use and factors impacting MIS use is warranted. Our goal is to investigate the trends and disparities that affect utilization of MIS in older persons with rectal cancer. The National Cancer Database was reviewed for persons 65 years and older who underwent curative resection for rectal adenocarcinoma from 2010 to 2017. Cases were stratified by surgical approach (open or MIS [laparoscopic or robotic]). Univariate analysis compared patient and provider demographics across approaches. Multivariate analysis investigated variables associated with MIS use. Main outcome measures were trends and factors associated with MIS use in older persons. Of 31,910 patients analyzed, 51.9% (n=16,555) were open and 48.1% (n=15,355) MIS. The MIS cohort was 66.7% (n=10,236) laparoscopic and 33.3% (n=5119) robotic. MIS increased from 29% in 2010 (n=1197; 25% laparoscopic, 4% robotic) to 65% in 2017 (n=2382; 35% laparoscopic, 30% robotic), likely from annual increases in robotics (OR 1.24/year, p < 0.0001). In the unadjusted analysis, there were significant differences in MIS use by age, race, comorbidity, socioeconomic status, and facility type. In multivariate analysis, patients with advancing age (OR 0.93, p < 0.001), major comorbidity (OR 0.75, p < 0.001), total proctectomy (OR0.78, p < 0.001), and advanced pathologic stage (OR 0.51, p < 0.001) were less likely to undergo MIS. Nationwide, less than half of rectal cancer cases in older persons were performed with MIS, despite steady robotic growth. Patient and facility factors impacted MIS use. Further work on regionalizing rectal cancer care and ensuring equitable MIS access and training could improve utilization.

Evaluation of quality indicators near death in older adult cancer decedents in Japan: A nationwide retrospective cohort study.

End-of-life cancer care is important; however, data on hospitalization and costs for older patients have been lacking. We aimed to examine quality indicators and costs for older patients in Japan. Using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database, a national database of acute-care hospitals in Japan, we retrospectively collected data on cancer decedents aged ≥65years. We evaluated the quality indicators (hospitalizations, length of stay in the hospital, emergency hospitalizations, emergency hospitalizations using an ambulance, intensive care unit [ICU] admissions, length of stay in the ICU, interval between last chemotherapy use and death, and chemotherapy within 14days before death) and hospitalization costs at 30, 90 and 180days before death. We compared the outcomes across age groups (65-74, 75-84 and≥85years). Between January 2011 and March 2015, we identified 369616 cancer decedents. From 180 to 30days before death, there were increases in emergency hospitalizations, emergency hospitalizations using an ambulance, and the mean costs per hospital day. Overall, 16.7% of patients receiving chemotherapy last received this treatment on the day before death or the day of death. Costs decreased with increasing age. The group aged ≥85years had the shortest hospital and ICU stays and the lowest multiple hospitalizations, ICU admissions, chemotherapy within 14days before death, and costs. Many older adult patients had emergency hospitalizations and received chemotherapy just prior to death, and there is room for improvement in appropriate end-of-life care. Oldest old patients consumed relatively few medical resources.

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Older Adult Oncology, Version 1.2021.

The NCCN Guidelines for Older Adult Oncology address specific issues related to the management of cancer in older adults, including screening and comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), assessing the risks and benefits of treatment, preventing or decreasing complications from therapy, and managing patients deemed to be at high risk for treatment-related toxicity. CGA is a multidisciplinary, in-depth evaluation that assesses the objective health of the older adult while evaluating multiple domains, which may affect cancer prognosis and treatment choices. These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on recent updates to the NCCN Guidelines providing specific practical framework for the use of CGA when evaluating older adults with cancer.

Prostate Cancer in Older Adults: Risk of Clinically Meaningful Disease, the Role of Screening and Special Considerations.

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in the USA and several studies suggest more aggressive disease in older patients. However, screening remains controversial, especially in the older patient population. Aggressive prostate cancers are more common in older men. Screening trial results are conflicting but data suggest an improvement in prostate cancer mortality and increased detection of metastatic disease with screening. When PSA is utilized with multiparametric MRI and biomarker assays, patients at significant risk of clinically meaningful prostate cancer can be appropriately selected for biopsy. A thoughtful and individualized approach is central when considering prostate cancer screening in older men. This approach includes life expectancy estimation, use of appropriate geriatric assessment tools, use of multiparametric MRI and biomarkers in addition to PSA, and most importantly shared decision-making with patients.

Use of Melatonin Is Associated With Lower Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Older Adults.

INTRODUCTION:Preclinical evidence suggests that melatonin may affect cellular pathways involved in colorectal cancer (CRC). We sought to test whether melatonin use was associated with decreased risk of CRC using population-based data.METHODS:We performed a nationwide cohort study using a new-user study design. We identified a total of 58,657 incident melatonin users aged 50 years and older from the Prescribed Drug Register, and matched them with 175,971 comparisons who did not use melatonin, on the ratio of 1:3. The Cox regression model was used to calculate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals.RESULTS:The incidence rate of CRC was 10.40 per 10,000 person-years for melatonin users, whereas the rate was 12.82 per 10,000 person-years in the nonusers. We found a significant negative association between melatonin use and risk of CRC (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.72–0.92). A test for trend showed a significant dose-response correlation (P < 0.001). The decrease of CRC risk was independent of tumor location and stage at diagnosis. When stratified by age groups, the inverse association was significant only among individuals aged 60 years and older.DISCUSSION:This population-based cohort study suggests that the use of melatonin was associated with a reduced risk of CRC. Further studies are needed to confirm the observed association and to explore the underlying mechanisms.

Abstract LB093: Incident heart failure among young adult cancer survivors

Abstract Background: Risk of heart failure (HF) is known to be higher among childhood cancer survivors as well as older adult cancer survivors who may already have cardiovascular disease risk factors. However, the risk of HF among young adult cancer survivors is not known. Aim: To examine incident HF in adult cancer survivors between 18-39 years of age. Methods: We identified patients who were aged 18-39 years when diagnosed with cancer based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 9 and 10 at an integrated multisite single health system (Northwestern Medicine) between January 2000 and January 2019. We stratified by cancer types predominantly linked with anthracycline exposure (leukemia, lymphoma, sarcoma, breast, kidney, and bone cancers) compared with those less likely to have anthracycline exposure. We estimated the cumulative incidence of HF using the Kaplan-Meier method then calculated unadjusted and adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for incident HF using Cox proportional hazard models. HRs were adjusted for demographic factors and cardiovascular risk factors. Results: Of 12,879 eligible patients, 35% were men and 68% White. The mean age was 31.5±5.7 years. Cardiovascular comorbidities were present in &amp;lt;5% of cancer survivors. During a median follow-up period of 3.4 (IQR, 1.3-7.1) years, 180 incident HF events were observed. Five-year cumulative incidence of HF was significantly higher in those cancer types more likely to have anthracycline exposure compared without (2.5% vs 0.6%, Log-rank p-value &amp;lt;0.01) with an adjusted HR for incident HF of 3.31 (95% confidence of interval 2.36-4.64, p&amp;lt;0.01). Conclusion: While cardiovascular comorbidities and HF are rare in the young adult population, undergoing cancer treatment with anthracycline exposure is associated with significantly higher risk for HF in young adult cancer survivors. Citation Format: Yoshihiro Tanaka, Phlip Greenland, Sadiya Khan, Elizabeth A. Hibler. Incident heart failure among young adult cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr LB093.

Abstract 903: Circulating inflammatory proteins associated with mortality from causes other than the index cancer in older adult cancer survivors in the atherosclerosis risk in communities study

Abstract Background: Inflammation is hypothesized to underlie premature mortality in cancer survivors, yet little is known about the inflammatory proteins and pathways involved. Methods: 474 long-term (≥5 years) older adult survivors of prostate, breast, colorectal, endometrial or bladder cancers in the ARIC study were followed from visit 5 (2011-13) to 12/2018. At visit 5, 580 plasma inflammatory proteins were assayed using the SomaScan platform, a modified aptamer-based assay. We modeled sub-distribution hazards (sHR) of non-index cancer-related death per log2 increase in each protein, adjusting for age, sex, race, years since cancer diagnosis, renal function, anti-inflammatory drug use, and cancer/CVD shared risk factors. We also investigated these proteins with mortality in survivors of the two most common cancers, prostate and breast. To account for multiple testing, we used Bonferroni correction and false discovery rate. Using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (Qiagen®) and principal components analysis, we identified protein pathways and upstream regulators most strongly associated with mortality. Results: Survivors were 21% Black, 56% male, had a mean age of 77 yrs, and median time since diagnosis of 11 yrs. 95 non-cancer (50% CVD) and 34 non-index cancer deaths occurred in 2740 person-yrs of follow-up. After FDR correction, 49 proteins were significantly associated with risk of death. VEGF sR3, complement C1RL, CD9 antigen, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), platelet-derived growth factor D (PDGFD) and interferon-induced protein (IFIT2) were most strongly positively associated, with sHR: 2.1-4.4 per two-fold increase. Transmembrane protein (TMEM230), plasminogen, TNFSF12, APOL1, serum amyloid P-component and von Willebrand factor (VWA2) were most strongly inversely associated, with sHR:0.34-0.42. Only IFIT2 remained significant after Bonferroni correction. Associations of some inflammatory proteins differed by cancer site survived. However, 2 proteins, telomeric repeat binding factor (TERF1) and toll-like receptor (TLR2), were associated with increased mortality in all, prostate, and breast cancer survivors. Proteins associated with mortality were enriched for 5 major signaling pathways - MSP-RON, IL-8, glioma/coagulation, glucocorticoid receptor, atherosclerosis, and hepatic fibrosis, and were activated or inhibited by upstream regulators: SOX7, ERG, MYC, and IL4. Conclusion: Several circulating inflammatory proteins and signaling pathways were associated with premature death in cancer survivors independent of cancer/CVD risk factors. If confirmed, these proteins/pathways may warrant evaluation as potential biomarkers for screening for risk of premature mortality, and possibly as therapeutic targets to prolong lives of cancer survivors. Funding: NHLBI, NCI, NPCR Citation Format: Chinenye C. Ugoji, Keenan A. Walker, Lorraine T. Dean, Alden Gross, Christie M. Ballantyne, Ken Butler, Ron C. Hoogeveen, Corinne Joshu, Thomas H. Mosley, Anna Prizment, A. Richey Sharrett, Adrienne Tin, Ravi Varadhan, Josef Coresh, Elizabeth A. Platz. Circulating inflammatory proteins associated with mortality from causes other than the index cancer in older adult cancer survivors in the atherosclerosis risk in communities study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 903.

Systemic therapy for early breast cancer in older adults: current status and prospects.

In this review, we describe the evidence on the efficacy and the safety of systemic treatments for the management of early breast cancer (EBC) in older individuals. Chemotherapy has a temporary impact on quality of life (QoL) for older EBC patients and improves survival outcomes for those with oestrogen receptor (ER)-negative disease. Benefits were seen also in the context of comorbidities, although these may be influenced by selection bias. The Cancer and Aging Research Group-Breast Cancer tool can predict the risk of severe toxicities on chemotherapy in older patients. Gene expression profiling is less frequently used in older adults although it holds promise to better inform patient selection also in this age group.Postneoadjuvant systemic therapy and novel agents remain poorly described in older patients with EBC. No disease-free survival benefits were seen in older patients receiving abemaciclib plus adjuvant endocrine therapy. Chemotherapy is beneficial for selected older patients with high-risk, ER-negative EBC. Although its impact on QoL is temporary, preferences, higher risk of toxicity and competing risks need to be carefully considered. Open questions remain on novel therapeutic approaches and gene expression profile in older EBC patients and more real-world evidence is warranted.

The Landscape of Perception: Racial Differences in How Disability Is Viewed Among Older-Adult Cancer Survivors.

This paper compares disability perceptions of Black with white older cancer survivors' to document racial disparities in these perceptions and the factors that contribute to them. The data are from a randomly selected tumor registry sample of 321 older adult cancer survivors from an NCI funded study. OLS regression models of disability perceptions, nested by race, examined the effects cancer and non-cancer health factors along with important covariates. Black older adult cancer survivors perceived themselves to be more disabled than did white survivors. Multivariate analyses showed a strong relationship between functional difficulties and disability perceptions for both Black and white survivors. However cancer-related factors such as continuing symptoms of the illness or treatment were relatively more important for Blacks. The findings suggest that race and cancer are both important factors in our understanding of disability in later life. These findings can then inform clinical best practices among minority older adults.

Use of the geriatric assessment in clinical practice in Mexico: A survey of cancer providers.

e24013 Background: Despite the growing burden of cancer in older adults in Mexico, it is unknown how many cancer care providers in Mexico use information obtained through a geriatric assessment (GA) and/or geriatric oncology principles in their everyday clinical practice. Methods: We administered a cross-sectional survey to oncology providers in Mexico via the Mexican Society of Oncology mailing list (n = 1240). The survey included questions on demographics, awareness about geriatric oncology principles, and the use of the GA and other geriatric clinical tools. The primary outcome was to estimate the proportion of providers using GA tools through the question: “For your patients ≥65 years, do you perform a multidimensional geriatric assessment using validated tools?”. We hypothesized that ≤10% of respondents would give a positive answer. We used descriptive statistics and X2 tests to compare groups of respondents. Results: We obtained 196 answers (response rate 15.8%). 121 (62%) respondents were male; median age 42. 98 (50%) were surgical oncologists, 59 (30%) medical oncologists, and 38 (19%) radiation oncologists. Median time in practice was 8 years, with 39% practicing in Mexico City. A third had their practice at a public institution, 26% at a private institution, and 38% in both. The proportion of patients aged 65-79 and ≥80 seen on an average clinic day by the respondents was 30% and 10%, respectively. 121 (62%) reported having a geriatrician available at their practice site. 37 respondents (19%) reported using validated GA tools to evaluate older adults with cancer in their practice. The proportion of respondents who evaluated each GA domain is shown in Table 1. Male respondents (p=0.03), medical oncologists (p&lt;0.01), and those with a less busy practice (≤10 patients/day) (p=0.01) were more likely to use validated tools to perform a GA. Regarding barriers for implementing GA, 37% reported lack of time, 49% lack of qualified personnel, 44% lack of knowledge of geriatric tools, 6% patient unwillingness to undergo a GA, and 8% prohibitive cost. Only 17 (9%) thought that information obtained through a GA would not lead to practice changes. Conclusions: According to our survey, the proportion of Mexican oncology providers using validated tools to perform a GA is 19%, which is higher than expected. Some GA domains, such as comorbidity and functional status, were commonly assessed, while others, such as fall history, were seldom evaluated. Common barriers for GA implementation were lack of qualified personnel and of knowledge about geriatric tools. We plan to further explore these barriers and potential facilitators through focused interviews in order to guide future interventions.[Table: see text]

Continuation of Screening Endoscopy for Colorectal Cancer in Older Adults

Continuation of Screening Endoscopy for Colorectal Cancer in Older Adults

Accuracy of the CARG chemotherapy toxicity risk prediction tool in older Indian patients with cancer.

e24023 Background: Clinical judgement alone is inadequate in accurately predicting chemotherapy toxicity in older adult cancer patients. Hurria and colleagues developed and validated, the CARG score (range, 0–17) as a convenient and reliable tool for predicting chemotherapy toxicity in older cancer patients in America, however, its applicability in Indian patients is unknown. Methods: An observational retrospective and prospective study between 2018 and 2020 was conducted in the Department of Medical Oncology at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India. The study was approved by the institutional ethics committee (IEC-III; Project No. 900596) and registered in the Clinical Trials Registry of India (CTRI/2020/04/024675). Written informed consent was obtained in the prospective part of the study. Patients aged ≥ 60 years and planned for systemic therapy were evaluated in the geriatric oncology clinic and their CARG score was calculated. Patients were stratified into low (0-4), intermediate (5-9) and high risk (10-17) based on the CARG scores. The CARG score was provided to the treating physicians, along with the results of the geriatric assessment. Chemotherapy-related toxicities were captured from the electronic medical record and graded as per the NCI CTCAE, version 4.0. Results: We assessed 130 patients, with a median age 69 years (IQR, 60 to 84); 72% patients were males. The common malignancies included gastrointestinal (52%) and lung (30%). Approximately 78% patients received polychemotherapy and 53% received full dose chemotherapy. Based on the CARG score, 28 (22%) patients belonged to low risk, 80 (61%) to intermediate risk and 22 (17%) to the high risk category. The AU-ROC of the CARG score in predicting grade 3-5 toxicities was 0.61 (95% CI, 0.51-0.71). The sensitivity and specificity of the CARG score in predicting grade 3-5 toxicities were 60.8% and 78.6%. Grade 3-5 toxicities occurred in 6/28 patients (21%) in the low risk group, compared to 62/102 patients (61%) in the intermediate /high risk group, p = 0.0002. There was also a significant difference in the time to development of grade 3-5 toxicities, which occurred at a median of 2.5 cycles (IQR, 1-3.8) in the intermediate /high risk group and at a median of 6 cycles (IQR, 3.5-8) in the low risk group, p = 0.0011. Conclusions: In older Indian patients with cancer, the CARG score reliably stratifies patients into low risk and intermediate/high risk categories, predicting both the occurrence and the time to occurrence of grade 3-5 toxicities from chemotherapy. The CARG score may aid the oncologist in estimating the risk-benefit ratio of chemotherapy. An important limitation was that we provided the CARG score to the treating oncologists prior to the start of chemotherapy, which may have resulted in alterations in the chemotherapy regimen and dose and may have impacted the CARG risk prediction model. Clinical trial information: CTRI/2020/04/024675.

Geriatric conditions and treatment burden following diagnosis of non-muscle- invasive bladder cancer in older adults: A population-based analysis

IntroductionTreatment burden is emerging as an important patient-centered outcome for older adults with cancer who concurrently manage geriatric conditions. Our objective was to evaluate the contribution of geriatric conditions to treatment burden in older adults with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). MethodsWe identified 73,395 Medicare beneficiaries age 66+ diagnosed with NMIBC (Stage <II) in SEER-Medicare (2001–2014). The primary outcome was treatment burden, defined as health system contact days in the year following NMIBC diagnosis. Explanatory variables were the following geriatric conditions: multimorbidity (≥ 2 chronic conditions), functional dependency, falls, depression, cognitive impairment, weight loss, and urinary incontinence. We used negative binomial regression to model the association between individual geriatric conditions and treatment burden while adjusting for covariates. ResultsAt baseline, 64% had multimorbidity and median 3 conditions (IQR 0–5). Prevalence of other geriatric conditions ranged from 5.9%–15.2%. Adjusted mean health system contact was 8.9 days (95% CI 8.6–9.2). Multimorbidity had the largest effect size (adjusted mean 11.8 contact days (95% CI 8.3–8.8)). Each additional chronic condition conferred a 13% increased average number of health system contact (adjusted IRR 1.132, 95% CI 1.129–1.135). Regardless of number of chronic conditions, rural patients consistently had more treatment burden than urban counterparts. DiscussionIn this population-based cohort of older NMIBC patients, multimorbidity and rurality were strongly associated with treatment burden in the year following NMIBC diagnosis. These findings highlight the need for interventions that reduce treatment burden due to geriatric conditions among the growing population of older adults with cancer, particularly in rural areas.

Examination of Cancer and Aging Through Activities of Daily Living: A National Health and Aging Trends Study Analysis.

Objectives: This study longitudinally examined how older adult cancer survivors perceive disability in activities of daily living over time compared to older adults who have not had cancer. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the National Health and Aging Trends Study examining participants with a new cancer diagnosis and age-, gender-, and comorbidity-matched comparison participants without a history of cancer. Generalized linear mixed models examined time and group interaction and main effects in disability. Results: There was a significant main effect of time (F4,771= 12.81; p < .0001) demonstrating increasing disability levels for both groups. There were significant group differences, with higher disability in the cancer group than the comparison group (β = 0.628, SE = 0.263; t = 2.39, p = 0.017). Discussion: Although perceived disability was greater immediately following cancer diagnosis, older adult cancer survivors and comparison participants appear to have similar perceived disability over time.

Outcomes of trimodality CROSS regimen in older adults with locally advanced esophageal cancer

BackgroundChemoradiotherapy for Esophageal cancer followed by Surgery (CROSS regimen) is standard of care for locally-advanced esophageal cancer. We evaluated CROSS completion rates, toxicity, and postoperative outcomes between older and younger adults receiving trimodality therapy. MethodsRetrospective analysis of patients with locally-advanced esophageal cancer who underwent CROSS regimen from May 2016 to January 2020 at a single academic center. Outcomes of those aged ≥70-years-old and <70 years-old were analyzed. ResultsOf 201 patients, 136 were <70 and 65 were ≥70 years. Older adults were more likely to be male (91% vs. 79%; p = 0.045), have higher ECOG scores (median 1 vs. 0; p = 0.003), Charlson-comorbidity index (median 6 vs. 4; p < 0.001), and undergo open procedures (20% vs. 8% p = 0.008). Most completed CROSS regimen (78% vs. 84% respectively) with similar rates of treatment discontinuation and dose reduction (all p > 0.05). Time to surgery following neoadjuvant therapy was similar between age groups, except in those ≥80-years-old as compared to <70-years-old (p < 0.05). Overall toxicity rates were similar (68% vs. 71% respectively; p = 0.676). Only rates of delirium (19% vs. 5%) and urinary retention (9% vs. 0%) were higher in older adults (both p < 0.05). Length of stay, discharge disposition, mortality, and overall survival were similar. Age was not an independent risk factor for complication, neoadjuvant toxicity or completion, surgery timing, nor worse overall or recurrence-free survival (p > 0.05). ConclusionTrimodality CROSS regimen for esophageal cancer in older adults is feasible, with similar completion rates and postoperative outcomes as compared to their younger counterparts.

Circulating Inflammatory Proteins Associated with Dementia Risk in Older Adult Cancer Survivors in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Abstract Background Inflammation is linked to cognitive impairment (CI) in cancer survivors. But its role in survivors who develop dementia is unclear. Methods We evaluated dementia risk per log2 increase in 580 inflammatory proteins in 391 dementia-free long-term (&amp;gt;5 yrs) older adult survivors of prostate, breast, colorectal, endometrial and bladder cancers in ARIC. Plasma inflammatory proteins were measured at visit 5 (2011–13) using SomaScan, an aptamer-based assay. Participants were followed through visit 6 (2016–17). We adjusted for age, sex, race, years since cancer diagnosis, ApoE4, renal function, anti-inflammatory drug use and cancer/CVD shared risk factors. We also investigated proteins associated with dementia in 196 prostate and 135 breast cancer survivors, accounting for multiple testing by Bonferroni correction and false discovery rate Q-values. Results Survivors were 20% Black, 54% male, mean age of 76yrs, median time since diagnosis of 12yrs. 67 dementia cases occurred in 1780 person-yrs. After FDR correction, 73 proteins were statistically significantly associated with dementia risk. TMEM87B, CD9, RAF1, IL21sR and FGF7 showed the strongest positive association, with HR:3.4–3.8 per Δlog2. LAIR1, IL36B, FGFR3, FLRT3 and LSAMP showed the strongest inverse association, HR:0.1–0.2. Only syntaxin12 (STX12) was significant after Bonferroni correction, HR:2.2. Associations of some inflammatory proteins with dementia were cancer site-specific. In breast cancer survivors, IL6, HMGA2, IFN-GR1, SAP, TNFRSF1a, TNFRSF14, and TNFAIP3, were associated with dementia. STX12 and RAF1 were significantly associated (q &amp;lt;0.05) with dementia in all, prostate, and breast cancer survivors. Conclusion Inflammatory proteins were associated with dementia in older adult cancer survivors, including STX12 (enriched in brain, linked to WNT signaling loss, exerts CNS effects) and RAF1 (regulates MAPK/ERK pathway, previously identified in dementia etiology). Inflammatory proteins previously associated with CI, including TNF proteins/receptors, were associated with dementia in breast cancer survivors. If confirmed, these proteins may warrant evaluation as potential biomarkers for dementia risk screening, and possibly preventive/therapeutic targets in cancer survivors. Funding: NHLBI, NCI, NPCR