NCI-designated Cancer Center Research Articles

Abstract PO2-10-07: Patterns of presentation, treatment and survival for older patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC): results from a large prospective registry

Abstract Background: The median age of breast cancer diagnosis in the U.S. is 62 years; however, older pts with breast cancer are consistently underrepresented in clinical research. In population-based studies, older pts, particularly those aged 70+, do worse than their younger counterparts at every stage of disease, including stage IV. However, our understanding of patterns of recurrence, treatment patterns, and outcomes for older pts with MBC is limited by a lack of available data. Methods: We identified pts age >60 years seen at least once at a single, NCI-designated cancer center for a diagnosis of MBC between 1999-2022 with 1+ years of follow-up from the time of their metastatic diagnosis. We categorized pts into 5-year age groups (60-65; 66-70; 71-75; 76-80; >80) and two groups of 60-70 and >70. Clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment patterns, reason for treatment discontinuation, and the proportion enrolling on clinical trials were compared by tumor subtype and age group using Chi-Square testing. Median overall survival using Kaplan-Meier method was calculated from the date of initial MBC diagnosis to date of death or last follow-up, examined by tumor subtype and age. Results: The final analytic cohort included 1,115 patients diagnosed with MBC with median follow-up of 2.9 years (1.0-18.5). Median age at MBC diagnosis was 66.3 years (60.0-95.4) and 10% were non-White; disease subtype distribution was the following: 70.7% HR+HER2-, 11.9% HER2+, 17.4% TN. Overall, 22.2 presented with de novo MBC. Presentation of MBC did not vary by ages 60-70 vs. 70+, with no differences in disease characteristics such as grade and disease sites at MBC diagnosis (except for bone). However, the proportion of pts with HR+HER2- disease increased with age, from 69% of MBC in ages 60-70 and 76% in ages >70 (p=.02). In pts with this subtype receiving first-line (1L) therapy (n=783), use of endocrine therapy as 1L (with or without a CDK4/6 inhibitor) increased by age (77.8% in ages 60-65 v. 94.7% in ages >80); use of 1L chemotherapy also varied by age (22.2% in ages 60-65 v. 5.3% in >80). Among pts with HER2+ BC, 89% received a trastuzumab-containing regimen in the 1L setting; in pts with TN MBC, 94% received at least 1L line of chemotherapy. Overall, most pts discontinued 1L therapy for progression, not toxicity, and there was no variation in rates of discontinuation due to toxicity by age with 10.4% noted in both age groups, 60-70 and >70. The proportion of patients receiving 3+ lines of chemotherapy across disease subtype decreased with increasing age (e.g., 54% in ages 60-65 v. 25% in ages >80 among HR+HER2-; 69% in ages 60-65 and 33% in ages >80 among TN MBC). Overall, enrollment on a clinical trial in the MBC setting steadily decreased with older age from 40% in ages 60-65 to 13% in ages >80 (p=.0004). Overall median overall survival differed with increasing age from 4.4 yrs in ages 60-65 to 2.7 yrs in ages >80 (p< 0.005). In descriptive analyses, the proportion of pts alive at 2 yrs was variable. For those ages 60-65, 37.8%, 17.1%, and 42.9% of pts with HR+HER2, TN, and HR-HER2+, respectively were alive at 2 yrs. For those ages >80, 23.7%, 0%, and 0% of pts with HR+HER2-, TN, and, HR-HER2+ disease were alive at 2 yrs. Median survival times were < 2 years for pts with TN regardless of age. Conclusions. In a unique, large prospective cohort of older pts with MBC, we examined detailed information on disease presentation, treatments, and outcomes, lending new information on patterns of care and experiences for older pts with MBC in a modern real-world experience. Limitations include a single center experience and small numbers of older pts with HER2+ and TN disease. Although the oldest pts with MBC had similar disease characteristics as younger pts in our dataset, survival outcomes were poor, particularly for those ages 80+. Therapeutic approaches, likely including improved supportive care, are urgently needed to optimize outcomes in the oldest pts with MBC. Table 1. Outcomes for older pts with MBC Citation Format: Melissa Hughes, Alyssa Patterson, Alexandra Newman, Amanda Higgins, Gregory Kirkner, Janet Files, Molly Skeffington, McKenna Moore, Sarah Strauss, Nicole Kuhnly, Lindsey Crowley, Sara Tolaney, Nancy Lin, Rachel Freedman. Patterns of presentation, treatment and survival for older patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC): results from a large prospective registry [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO2-10-07.

Abstract PO5-10-02: Neighborhood deprivation index and time to initiation in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Abstract Background Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 and 6 inhibitors (CDKi) are first-line therapy for patients with estrogen-positive (ER+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The accessibility, usability, and outcomes according to demographic factors have not been well studied in real world practice. Methods Retrospective review of patients with ER+ MBC prescribed first line CDKi therapy at a large NCI-designated cancer center from January 2015 through December 2022. Patient records were abstracted for outcomes including 1) time from CDKi prescription to drug initiation (TTI), 3) time from CDKi initiation to progression, and 3) time from CDKi initiation to death/or 6/30/2022. Patient variables collected were: patient age (continuous), race (patient self-report – Black, White, Other), partner status (Married, Not married), Insurance type (Medicare, Medicaid, Private); Mean BMI; Number of comorbidities (5 categories). Neighborhood deprivation index (NDI) was determined from the patient’s address with higher scores indicating more deprivation. Descriptive, comparative, and correlational statistics were used. Results A total of 173 patients were included in the analysis. Mean age – 63.1, (SD 12.7, range 24-94); race – White n=157, Black n=16; marital status – Married n=102, Not married n=71; mean NDI – 61.0 (SD 23.7, range 6-100); mean BMI – 28.9 (SD 6.9, range 16-48); number of comorbidities – 0 n=35, 1-2 n= 35, 3-4 n = 55, 5-6 n = 20, 7+ n = 28; insurance type – Medicare n = 115, Medicaid n = 21, Private n = 37. TTI: the median TTI was 14 days. There were no statistically significant differences in TTI based on age, race, NDI, or other demographic variables. Time to progression: in the multivariate model, younger age at diagnosis and Medicaid insurance were associated with shorter time to progression. Overall survival: not married, younger age at diagnosis, and Medicaid insurance were associated with shorter overall survival. Discussion Demographic factors are associated with diverse outcomes of MBC therapy, not attributed to delay in CDKi treatment initiation. Personalization of support during MBC illness according to risk factors for worse outcomes may help to equalize incomes. Citation Format: Sneha Rajendran, Dianxu Ren, Marina Petruzzi, Margaret Rosenzweig. Neighborhood deprivation index and time to initiation in patients with metastatic breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO5-10-02.

Trends in financial payments from industry to US cancer centers, 2014-2021.

Industry payments to US cancer centers are poorly understood. US National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers were identified (n = 51). Industry payments to NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers from 2014 to 2021 were obtained from Open Payments and National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant funding from NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePORT). Given our focus on cancer centers, we measured the subset of industry payments related to cancer drugs specifically and the subset of NIH funding from the NCI. Despite a pandemic-related decline in 2020-2021, cancer-related industry payments to NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers increased from $482 million in 2014 to $972 million in 2021. Over the same period, NCI research grant funding increased from $2 481 million to $2 724 million. The large majority of nonresearch payments were royalties and licensing payments. Industry payments to NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers increased substantially more than NCI funding in recent years but were also more variable. These trends raise concerns regarding the influence and instability of industry payments.

Evaluating implementation of a community-focused patient navigation intervention at an NCI-designated cancer center using RE-AIM

BackgroundPatient navigation is an evidence-based intervention that reduces cancer health disparities by directly addressing the barriers to care for underserved patients with cancer. Variability in design and integration of patient navigation programs within cancer care settings has limited this intervention’s utility. The implementation science evaluation framework, RE-AIM, allows quantitative and qualitative examination of effective implementation of patient navigation programs into cancer care settings.MethodsThe Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework was used to evaluate implementation of a community-focused patient navigation intervention at an NCI-designated cancer center between June 2018 and October 2021. Using a 3-month longitudinal, non-comparative measurement period, univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted to examine associations between participant-level demographics and primary (i.e., barrier reduction) and secondary (i.e., patient-reported outcomes) effectiveness outcomes. Mixed methods analyses were used to examine adoption and delivery of the intervention into the cancer center setting. Process-level analyses were used to evaluate maintenance of the intervention.ResultsParticipants (n = 311) represented a largely underserved population, as defined by the National Cancer Institute, with the majority identifying as Hispanic/Latino, having a household income of $35,000 or less, and being enrolled in Medicaid. Participants were diagnosed with a variety of cancer types and most had advanced staged cancers. Pre-post-intervention analyses indicated significant reduction from pre-intervention assessments in the average number of reported barriers, F(1, 207) = 117.62, p < .001, as well as significant increases in patient-reported physical health, t(205) = − 6.004, p < .001, mental health, t(205) = − 3.810, p < .001, self-efficacy, t(205) = − 5.321, p < .001, and satisfaction with medical team communication, t(206) = − 2.03, p = .029. Referral patterns and qualitative data supported increased adoption and integration of the intervention into the target setting, and consistent intervention delivery metrics suggested high fidelity to intervention delivery over time. Process-level data outlined a successful transition from a grant-funded community-focused patient navigation intervention to an institution-funded program.ConclusionsThis study utilized the implementation science evaluation framework, RE-AIM, to evaluate implementation of a community-focused patient navigation program. Our analyses indicate successful implementation within a cancer care setting and provide a potential guide for other oncology settings who may be interested in implementing community-focused patient navigation programs.

Impact of Clinical Trial Design on Recruitment of Racial and Ethnic Minorities.

Knowledge related to how oncology treatment trial design influences enrollment of racial and ethnic minorities is limited. Rigorous identification of clinical trial design parameters that associate favorably with minority accrual provides educational opportunities for individuals interested in designing more representative treatment trials. We identified oncology trials with a minimum of 10 patients at an NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center from 2010 to 2021. We defined a study endpoint of racial and ethnic minority accrual greater than zero. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine whether co-variables predicted our study endpoint. P-values of less than 0.05 were considered significant. A total of 352 cancer trials met eligibility criteria. These studies enrolled a total of 7981 patients with a total of 926 racial and ethnic minorities leading to a median enrollment of 10%. Trials open in community sites (yes versus no) were more likely to have a minority patient (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.02-4.96) as well as pilot/phase I studies compared to phase II/III (OR, 3.19; 95% CI, 1.34-8.26). Trials incorporating immunotherapy (yes versus no) were less likely to have a minority patient (OR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.23-0.94). Trials open in community sites as well as early phase treatment studies were more likely to accrue minority patients. However, studies including immunotherapy were less likely to accrue racial and ethnic minorities. Knowledge gained from our analysis may help individuals design oncology treatment trials that are representative of more diverse populations.

EPR24-120: A Data-Driven Approach to Increase Lung Cancer Screening Rate in the Catchment Area of an NCI-Designated Cancer Center via Community Outreach and Engagement.

EPR24-120: A Data-Driven Approach to Increase Lung Cancer Screening Rate in the Catchment Area of an NCI-Designated Cancer Center via Community Outreach and Engagement.

National Estimates of the Participation of Patients With Cancer in Clinical Research Studies Based on Commission on Cancer Accreditation Data.

National estimates of cancer clinical trial participation are nearly two decades old and have focused solely on enrollment to treatment trials, which does not reflect the willingness of patients to contribute to other elements of clinical research. We determined inclusive, contemporary estimates of clinical trial participation for adults with cancer using a national sample of data from the Commission on Cancer (CoC). The data were obtained from accreditation information submitted by the 1,200 CoC programs, which represent more than 70% of all cancer cases diagnosed in the United States each year. Deidentified, institution-level aggregate counts of annual enrollment to treatment, biorepository, diagnostic, economic, genetic, prevention, quality-of-life (QOL), and registry studies were examined. Overall, study-type estimates for the period 2013-2017 were estimated. Multiple imputation by chained equations was used to account for missing data, with summary estimates calculated separately by type of program (eg, National Cancer Institute [NCI]-designated cancer centers) and pooled. The overall estimated patient participation rate to cancer treatment trials was 7.1%. Patients with cancer participated in a wide variety of other studies, including biorepository (12.9%), registry (7.3%), genetic (3.6%), QOL (2.8%), diagnostic (2.5%), and economic (2.4%) studies. Treatment trial enrollment was 21.6% at NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers, 5.4% at academic (non-NCI-designated) comprehensive cancer programs, 5.7% at integrated network cancer programs, and 4.1% at community programs. One in five patients (21.9%) participated in one or more cancer clinical research studies. In a first-time use of national accreditation information from the CoC, enrollment to cancer treatment trials was 7.1%, higher than historical estimates of <5%. Patients participated in a diverse set of other study types. Contributions of adult patients with cancer to clinical research is more common than previously understood.

Survey of NCI-Designated Cancer Centers on the Utilization of Palliative Care in Pancreatic Cancer Patients.

Recognized as one of the deadliest cancers, pancreatic cancer underscores an urgent need for palliative care. We surveyed palliative care directors at all 65 National Cancer Institute (NCI) cancer centers to assess the utilization and timing of palliative care involvement in pancreatic cancer patients. 1) Does your palliative care team have a policy to get involved with every pancreatic cancer patient? a. Yes b. No 2) When palliative care is involved with pancreatic cancer patients, in what setting are you typically/primarily first asked to be involved? a. Early in the patient's treatment journey (focusing on symptom management) b. Later in the patient's treatment journey (focusing on end-of-life discussions and explaining hospice) All 65 NCI-designated centers responded, achieving 100% of the targeted sample. Among these centers, 64 lacked a policy for palliative care involvement with every pancreatic cancer patient. Additionally, 38 centers initiated intervention early, focusing on symptom management, while 15 centers started palliative care late in the treatment journey, emphasizing end-of-life discussions. Furthermore, 12 centers initiated intervention both early and late when treating pancreatic cancer. There is an increasing recognition among medical centers of palliative care's necessity for pancreatic cancer, with a rising trend toward early integration. Variation in the timing and emphasis of palliative care involvement remains. Future research should explore barriers to accessing palliative care and compare outcomes of early versus late intervention. By addressing these areas, healthcare providers can potentially improve outcomes for pancreatic cancer patients.

Psychosocial consequences of head and neck cancer symptom burden after chemoradiation: a mixed-method study.

Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) experience significant symptom burden from combination chemotherapy and radiation (chemoradiation) that affects acute and long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, psychosocial impacts of HNC symptom burden are not well understood. This study examined psychosocial consequences of treatment-related symptom burden from the perspectives of survivors of HNC and HNC healthcare providers. This was a cross-sectional, mixed-method study conducted at an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. Participants (N = 33) were survivors of HNC who completed a full course of chemoradiation (n = 20) and HNC healthcare providers (n = 13). Participants completed electronic surveys and semi-structured interviews. Survivors were M = 61years old (SD = 9) and predominantly male (75%), White (90%), non-Hispanic (100%), and diagnosed with oropharynx cancer (70%). Providers were mostly female (62%), White (46%) or Asian (31%), and non-Hispanic (85%) and included physicians, registered nurses, an advanced practice nurse practitioner, a registered dietician, and a speech-language pathologist. Three qualitative themes emerged: (1) shock, shame, and self-consciousness, (2) diminished relationship satisfaction, and (3) lack of confidence at work. A subset of survivors (20%) reported clinically low social wellbeing, and more than one-third of survivors (35%) reported clinically significant fatigue, depression, anxiety, and cognitive dysfunction. Survivors of HNC and HNC providers described how treatment-related symptom burden impacts psychosocial identity processes related to body image, patient-caregiver relationships, and professional work. Results can inform the development of supportive interventions to assist survivors and caregivers with navigating the psychosocial challenges of HNC treatment and survivorship.

Abstract 1009: Direct partnering with employers and unions diversifies cancer center access

Abstract Treatment at academic cancer centers can further research and improve patient outcomes. Interventions improving access to treatment across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic boundaries might increase the generalizability of studies conducted at such centers and reduce healthcare inequities. Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) is an academic cancer center based in New York and New Jersey (NY/NJ). Like many other NCI-designated cancer centers, it has historically served a population within its geographic catchment, with limited diversity. MSK Direct is a national cancer benefits program that partners with employers and unions to provide a direct referral service for their employees or members and their families, including in-person care and remote second opinions outside NY/NJ. Whether such programs diversify access to academic cancer care is understudied. To evaluate whether the service diversifies access to academic cancer care, we examined the self-identified race and ethnicity, geographic composition, and imputed socioeconomic status (Yost Index) of MSK Direct and non-MSK Direct (Control) patients with at least one assessment note at MSK since program inception in 2016 until September 21, 2023. We further stratified MSK Direct patients based on referral by employers vs. unions. Groups were compared using Chi-square or Student T tests. The MSK Direct patient population (N=8,604) was more racially diverse than the Control population (N=283,434), with 9.0% Black/African American patients compared to 6.9% Control (p&amp;lt;0.001) patients and 9.3% Asian-Far East/Indian Subcontinental patients compared to 7.5% Control patients (p&amp;lt;0.001). Of MSK Direct patients, 10.5% identified as Hispanic or Latino vs. 7.5% of Control patients (p&amp;lt;0.001). Among MSK Direct patients, 14.2% of union-member patients self-identified as Black vs. 6.1% of non-union members, while Asian patients comprised 12.1% of company-referral patients vs. 5.8% of union patients. Hispanic patients represented 17.4% of union-referral patients vs. 6.5% of company referrals. The median Yost Index of union MSK Direct patients was 25 vs. 12 (non-union) and 17 (Control, p&amp;lt;0.001), signifying a less privileged socioeconomic status for union-referred patients. A total of N=336 MSK Direct patients received guidance through remote second opinions across 41 states, with the most common home states being Georgia, Arizona, and Florida. Addressing healthcare disparities in diverse populations is a complex and systemic challenge. Direct partnerships with employers and unions are a new paradigm that may expand access to academic cancer care outside a center’s usual geographic and sociodemographic catchment. Different partnering strategies may enhance the representation of specific patient populations. Citation Format: Michele Waters, Greg Crewse, Cole Manship, Abigail Baldwin-Medsker, Chris Fong, Nikolaus Schultz, Sergio Giralt, Benjamin Roman, Michelle Johnson, Francesca Gany, Carol Brown, Bob T. Li, Justin Jee. Direct partnering with employers and unions diversifies cancer center access [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1009.

Abstract 4960: PIONEER initiative: Providing patient access to functional precision medicine

Abstract Eighty-five percent of patients receive medical care in cancer centers without National Cancer Institute (NCI) designation or significant ongoing research. The ability to access fresh tumor tissue for immediate functional testing is now available with appropriate logistical coordination. Cryopreservation of these tissues also allows testing to be done at a later date. We hypothesize that patient access to and ownership of each individual's tissues will facilitate personalized testing, thus bridging the chasm between research and the clinical cancer care for the individual patient. The PIONEER Initiative stands for Precision Insights On N-of-1 Ex vivo Effectiveness Research. In this Initiative we save cancerous tissue for any patient at any location, with subsequent cryopreservation and functional testing as needed and as able within an environment in which neither are standard. Our endpoint was to determine if this process serves to alter care for individual patients, and to what degree. The SpeciCare PIONEER Initiative: Precision Insights On N-of-1 Ex Vivo Effectiveness Research Based on Individual Tumor Ownership Trial (MYCT001) received human subjects IRB approval (Approval Number: 33943/1) from Quorum Review. The PIONEER Initiative is our lead clinical trial designed to provide the foundation for subsequent adaptive trials. Our mission with this trial was to demonstrate the utility of carrying out functional precision medicine in that cohort of patients who receive local cancer care at institutions that do not have significant research capabilities or are not NCI-designated cancer centers. Most cancer patients (~85%) are in this category. It is imperative to open the possibility of the best-in-class functional precision medicine testing to these patients. Core aspects of the PIONEER Initiative involve scaling up this process to approximately 200 patients, showing that our proof of concept in a more limited set of patients can ultimately scale to arbitrarily large numbers of patients. We see this capacity filling an important unmet need within the cancer community. The primary endpoint was the return of actionable information to positively impact care as assessed by the patient's clinical team and the patient. The underlying basic assumption of the PIONEER Initiative is that the ability to receive the best in cancer care should not come with restriction as to location, age, or medical condition. The PIONEER Initiative design facilitates inclusion of subjects across all these divides, thus providing beneficence to all participants. Among the 60 patients whose tumors had ex vivo drug testing performed, none of the data was included in the clinical decision making of the healthcare team. We conclude that physicians are not adequately prepared to use ex vivo drug testing data and the more likely acceptance of molecular characterization is primarily driven by genomic sequencing. Citation Format: Ken Dixon, Jared James Barrott, David Booker. PIONEER initiative: Providing patient access to functional precision medicine [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4960.

Abstract 813: Primary cutaneous gamma-delta T-Cell lymphoma in the United States: A nationwide analysis of demographics and survival outcomes among the Hispanic population

Abstract BACKGROUND: Primary Cutaneous Gamma-Delta T-Cell Lymphoma (PCGDTCL) is a rare subtype of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) that, despite comprising &amp;lt;1% of cutaneous lymphomas, has gained recognition in recent years as an entity separate from other rare CTCLs. (LeukemiaPMID 35732829) A 5 year survival of 11% demonstrates a low response to current available therapies. (BloodPMID 30635287, Clin Hematol Int.PMID 35950208) Due to lack of consistency in behavior between CTCLs, there exists a need for studies of demographic, clinical, and survival disparities, including between Hispanics (HI) vs. non-Hispanics (NH). METHODS: Data were analyzed on PCGDTCL patients in the United States reported to the National Cancer Database (NCDB) between 2004-2019. Demographic and treatment characteristics were compared between ethnic groups. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to compare OS between populations. Multivariate analysis and propensity score matching was performed with adjustment for age, stage, co-morbidity score, and insurance status, type of facility and great circle distance. RESULTS: Among 132 PCGDTCL patients studied (5% HI, 92% NH), the HI group was younger at diagnosis than NH (49.5y vs. 60y) (p=0.384); The majority of HI (50%) was diagnosed between 2010-2012 vs 2017-2019 for NH (45%) (p=0.673). Most of HI and NH were white (67% vs 79%). Private insurance was the most prevalent type in HI (67%) vs government sponsored for NH (49%). The most non-Insured group was NH (3%) vs HI (0%). The most prevalent bracket for Census Median Income (2008-2012) was $63,000+ for both HI (50%) and NH (31%). 17% HI vs 13%. NH had median income &amp;lt;$38,000. For Charlson-Deyo Score (comorbidities score), HI had 0% =/&amp;gt; 2 score, vs NH 6%. NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers were the most prevalent type of facility providing care for HI (100%) and NH (56%) Survival probability (OS) at 2, 5 and 10y (HI vs NH) were (80% vs 48%), (80% vs 44%), and (80% vs 26%), respectively. Median survival time (MS) was not reached for HI vs 1.9 years for NH. Overall survival (OS) difference favored HI (p=0.13) On multivariate analysis, there was no independent variable associated with better or worse OS. Interestingly, the propensity matched analysis demonstrated significant MS difference between HI vs NH (median not reached vs. 1.35 years). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in OS between groups; however, the weighed MS favored the HI cohort, likely in part due to the difference in numbers between cohorts. The drastically low survival in all demographics is consistent with prior studies. These results demonstrate an unmet need for more comprehensive studies with the potential inclusion of correlatives looking at intrinsic biologic characteristics that may offer insight into druggable targets, aiming for improvement in survival outcomes for this rare lymphoma. Citation Format: Katherine Thiel, Rosa White, Qianqian Liu, Joel Michalek, Adolfo Enrique Diaz Duque. Primary cutaneous gamma-delta T-Cell lymphoma in the United States: A nationwide analysis of demographics and survival outcomes among the Hispanic population [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 813.

Abstract 6301: Mapping survivor-specific supportive care resources: A digital landscape analysis of NCI-designated cancer centers

Abstract Background: Optimal care for cancer survivors requires a comprehensive array of supportive care services to address the multitude of physical, psychological, social, financial, and health promotion needs of this population. To understand options to address their unique needs, survivors and their caregivers may seek information from online sources. Although National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers (NCIDCCs) serve as leaders in cancer treatment and care delivery, as well as credible sources for survivors to receive information on their recovery, no study has characterized the digital landscape of survivorship offerings on their website. This study aims to characterize the supportive care services offered to cancer survivors on NCIDCCs. Methods: Of the 72 NCIDCCs, 65 provide clinical care. We reviewed the webpage of each to identify supportive care offerings. Services were categorized based on the four domains of the quality-of-life model: (1) physical well-being, (2) psychological well-being, (3) social well-being, and (4) spiritual well-being. Supportive care services were classified as survivor-specific if the online description included information that specifically catered to cancer survivors. Results: Of the 65 clinical NCIDCC websites, 100% offer supportive care services and 54% offer supportive care services specific to survivors (Table). The most common supportive care service offered was nutrition (90.6%) and the least commonly offered was caregiver support (7.9%). Behavioral medicine was offered most frequently for survivors (28.3%) and caregiver support was offered the least (0%). Out of the four domains of the quality-of-life model, spiritual well-being services were offered the least at NCIDCCs. Conclusion: More than half of the NCIDCC websites provided survivor-specific supportive care services. Supportive care services on websites of NCI-Designated or Comprehensive Cancer Centers (N = 65) Supportive Care Service (n) % Supportive Care Service Specific to Cancer Survivors (n) % Physical Well Being Services Nutrition 58 90.6 14 24.1 Genetics 53 82.8 5 9.4 Pain and Palliative Care 52 81.3 8 15.4 Complementary and Alternative Medicine 49 75.4 6 12.2 Integrative Medicine 47 73.4 9 19.1 Occupational Therapy 45 70.3 6 13.3 Fertility Preservation 43 66.2 6 14 Tobacco Cessation 38 58.5 6 15.8 Speech 36 56.3 3 8.3 Exercise 29 45.3 5 17.2 Primary Care 6 9.2 3 50 Psychological Well-Being Services Behavioral Medicine 53 81.5 15 28.3 Recreational Therapy 36 58.1 5 13.9 Social Well-Being Services Oncology Social Work 56 87.5 5 8.9 Patient Navigation 33 51.6 3 9.1 Financial Counseling 32 50 4 12.5 Self-Image 27 41.5 3 11.1 Reproductive and Sexual Health 22 33.8 5 22.7 Caregiver Support 5 7.9 0 0 Spiritual Well-Being Services Pastoral Services 49 75.4 5 10.2 Citation Format: Alexis Taylor, Katherine Sterba, Evan Graboyes. Mapping survivor-specific supportive care resources: A digital landscape analysis of NCI-designated cancer centers [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 6301.

Payer-Negotiated Price Variation and Relationship to Surgical Outcomes for the Most Common Cancers at NCI-Designated Cancer Centers.

Federal rules mandate that hospitals publish payer-specific negotiated prices for all services. Little is known about variation in payer-negotiated prices for surgical oncology services or their relationship to clinical outcomes. We assessed variation in payer-negotiated prices associated with surgical care for common cancers at National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers and determined the effect of increasing payer-negotiated prices on the odds of morbidity and mortality. A cross-sectional analysis of 63 NCI-designated cancer center websites was employed to assess variation in payer-negotiated prices. A retrospective cohort study of 15,013 Medicare beneficiaries undergoing surgery for colon, pancreas, or lung cancers at an NCI-designated cancer center between 2014 and 2018 was conducted to determine the relationship between payer-negotiated prices and clinical outcomes. The primary outcome was the effect of median payer-negotiated price on odds of a composite outcome of 30 days mortality and serious postoperative complications for each cancer cohort. Within-center prices differed by up to 48.8-fold, and between-center prices differed by up to 675-fold after accounting for geographic variation in costs of providing care. Among the 15,013 patients discharged from 20 different NCI-designated cancer centers, the effect of normalized median payer-negotiated price on the composite outcome was clinically negligible, but statistically significantly positive for colon [aOR 1.0094 (95% CI 1.0051-1.0138)], lung [aOR 1.0145 (1.0083-1.0206)], and pancreas [aOR 1.0080 (1.0040-1.0120)] cancer cohorts. Payer-negotiated prices are statistically significantly but not clinically meaningfully related to morbidity and mortality for the surgical treatment of common cancers. Higher payer-negotiated prices are likely due to factors other than clinical quality.

Optimizing presurgical education for patients with head and neck cancer receiving laryngectomy and free flap surgery: A qualitative study.

There has been limited study of oncology professionals' perspectives on optimizing delivery of presurgical education for individuals with head and neck cancer (HNC). Therefore, we assessed oncology professionals' perspectives about presurgical education for laryngectomy and free flap surgeries, which have a significant impact on patients' quality of life. Interviews were conducted with 27 oncology professionals from an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and a community oncology setting. Participants identified six recommendations to improve presurgical education: (1) establishing preoperative consultations with allied health professionals; (2) educating patients and providers on the concept of team-based care; (3) optimizing education through multimodal strategies; (4) connecting patients with other HNC surgical patients; (5) preparing caregivers for their role; and (6) educating patients on insurance navigation. Study findings demonstrate gaps in the timing, content, and mode of delivery for presurgical education and suggest strategies for further evaluation in future studies.

In-clinic Versus Online Recruitment of Women With a History of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia or Cervical Cancer to a Smoking Cessation Trial: A Post hoc Comparison of Participant Characteristics, Study Retention, and Cessation Outcomes.

Recruiting special populations to smoking cessation trials is challenging and approaches beyond in-clinic recruitment may be beneficial. This secondary analysis of data from a smoking cessation RCT for individuals with a history of cervical cancer or cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) explored differences associated with in-clinic vs. online recruitment. Participants were recruited from clinics within a university-based NCI-designated cancer center (n = 87) and online nationally via Facebook (n = 115). Baseline measures included sociodemographics, smoking history, and cancer or CIN history. Study retention and smoking abstinence were assessed 12 months post-baseline. Group differences in baseline characteristics were evaluated. Retention and abstinence were evaluated while controlling for group differences and predictors. Participants recruited online (vs. in-clinic) had higher educational attainment (p = .01) and health literacy (p = .003). They were more likely to have CIN versus cancer, to be further from the time of diagnosis, and to have completed active treatment (p values < .001). While controlling for these group differences and independent predictors, retention was higher among participants recruited online (log-likelihood χ2(1) = 11.41, p < .001). There were no recruitment differences in self-reported (p = .90) or biochemically confirmed smoking abstinence (p = .18). Compared to individuals recruited in-person, individuals recruited online were more educated, had higher health literacy, and presented with a different clinical profile (ie, more likely to have CIN vs. cancer and to have completed active treatment). There were few differences in participant characteristics between recruitment approaches, and no differences on any smoking-related variables. Online recruitment has the potential to improve enrollment of cancer survivors in smoking cessation trials. People with a history of CIN or cervical cancer recruited to a smoking cessation RCT online (vs. in-clinic) were more likely to have a diagnosis of CIN versus cancer and were more educated and health literate. Participants recruited online were more likely to be retained in the study and there were no differences in smoking abstinence rates at 12 months. Incorporating online recruitment increased the reach of tobacco treatment efforts to a larger and more diverse sample. This could reduce the burden of tobacco-related disease, improve CIN and cancer treatment outcomes, and reduce secondary malignancies and morbidity among this underserved group.

Cannabis Use Is Associated with Pain Severity and Interference Among Cancer Survivors.

Cannabis use for symptom management among individuals with cancer is increasingly common. We sought to describe the (1) prevalence and characteristics of cannabis use, (2) perceived therapeutic benefits of cannabis use, and (3) examine how use of cannabis was associated with self-reported pain, mood, and general health outcomes in a representative sample of patients treated at a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Oregon Health and Science University Knight Cancer Institute. We conducted a population-based, cross-sectional survey developed in conjunction with 11 other NCI-designated cancer centers and distributed to eligible individuals. The survey inquired about characteristics of cannabis use, perception of therapeutic benefits, pain, mood, and general health. Responses were population weighted. We examined the association of cannabis use with self-reported pain, mood, and general health using logistic regression controlling for relevant sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. A total of 523 individuals were included in our analytic sample. A total of 54% endorsed using cannabis at any time since their cancer diagnosis and 42% endorsed using cannabis during active treatment. The most commonly endorsed reasons for use included the following: sleep disturbance (54.7%), pain (47.1%), and mood (42.6%). We found that moderate pain was associated with more than a twofold (odds ratio = 2.4 [95% confidence interval = 1.3-4.6], p = 0.002) greater likelihood of self-reported cannabis use. Depressed mood and general health were not associated with cannabis use. In a state that had early adoption of medical and recreational cannabis legislation, a high number of cancer survivors report cannabis use. Moderate or more severe pain was associated with an increased likelihood to use cannabis, while mood and general health were not associated. Oncologists should be aware of these trends and assess use of cannabis when managing long-term symptoms of cancer and its treatments.

Understanding perceptions of tumor genomic profile testing in Black/African American cancer patients in a qualitative study: the role of medical mistrust, provider communication, and family support.

Tumor genomic profiling (TGP) examines genes and somatic mutations specific to a patient's tumor to identify targets for cancer treatments but can also uncover secondary hereditary (germline) mutations. Most patients are unprepared to make complex decisions related to this information. Black/African American (AA) cancer patients are especially at risk because of lower health literacy, higher levels of medical mistrust, and lower awareness and knowledge of genetic testing. But little is known about their TGP attitudes or preferences. Five in-person focus groups were conducted with Black/AA cancer patients (N = 33) from an NCI-designated cancer center and an affiliated oncology unit in an urban safety-net hospital located in Philadelphia. Focus groups explored participants' understanding of TGP, cultural beliefs about genetics, medical mistrust, and how these perceptions informed decision-making. Participants were mostly female (81.8%), and one-third had some college education; mean age was 57 with a SD of 11.35. Of patients, 33.3% reported never having heard of TGP, and 48.5% were not aware of having had TGP as part of their cancer treatment. Qualitative analysis was guided by the principles of applied thematic analysis and yielded five themes: (1) mistrust of medical institutions spurring independent health-information seeking; (2) genetic testing results as both empowering and overwhelming; (3) how provider-patient communication can obviate medical mistrust; (4) how unsupportive patient-family communication undermines interest in secondary-hereditary risk communication; and (5) importance of developing centralized patient support systems outside of treatment decisions. Results improve understanding of how Black/AA patients perceive of TGP and how interventions can be developed to assist with making informed decisions about secondary hereditary results.

Revisiting Feeding Tube Utilization in Oropharynx Cancer: 6-Year Prospective Registry Analysis.

Patients treated for oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) have historically demonstrated high feeding tube rates for decreased oral intake and malnutrition. We re-examined feeding tube practices in these patients. Retrospective analysis of prospective cohort from 2015 to 2021. Single-institution NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. With IRB approval, patients with new oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer or (unknown primary with neck metastasis) were enrolled. Baseline swallowing was assessed via videofluoroscopy and Performance Status Scale for Head and Neck Cancer (PSSHN). G-tubes or nasogastric tubes (NGT) were placed for weight loss before, during, or after treatment. Prophylactic NGT were placed during transoral robotic surgery (TORS). Tube duration was censored at last disease-free follow-up. Multivariate regression was performed for G-tube placement (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval [CI]) and removal (Cox hazard ratio, hazard ratio [HR] [95% CI]). Of 924 patients, most had stage I to II (81%), p16+ (89%), node-positive (88%) disease. Median follow-up was 2.6 years (interquartile range 1.5-3.9). Most (91%) received radiation/chemoradiation, and 16% received TORS. G-tube rate was 27% (5% after TORS). G-tube risk was increased with chemoradiation (OR 2.78 [1.87-4.22]) and decreased with TORS (OR 0.31 [0.15-0.57]) and PSSHN-Diet score ≥60 (OR 0.26 [0.15-0.45]). G-tube removal probability over time was lower for T3 to T4 tumors (HR 0.52 [0.38-0.71]) and higher for PSSHN-Diet score ≥60 (HR 1.65 [1.03-2.66]). In this modern cohort of patients treated for OPC, 27% received G-tubes-50% less than institutional rates 10 years ago. Patients with preserved baseline swallowing and/or those eligible for TORS may have lower G-tube risk and duration.

First-line therapies in a Latino-rich cohort of US patients (pts) with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and Child Pugh B (CPB) cirrhosis.

453 Background: There are limited prospective clinical trials in patients with both HCC and CPB cirrhosis. As the prevalence of HCC and cirrhosis has been rising among Latinos in South Texas, it is crucial to examine the liver dysfunction within this demographic to understand the contributing factors to treatment patterns. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 36 patients with both HCC and Child Pugh B (CPB) cirrhosis. Methods: A dataset of 65 patients with HCC and cirrhosis from 2009 – 2019 was used to identify 36 patients with CPB treated at a Latino-Rich NCI-designated Cancer Center. We further segmented patients of Child Pugh Class B by ALBI grades (1-3) to explore variations in demographics, liver dysfunction, and first-line therapies. Results: Median age overall of the cohort is 59 (50-71). Ethnicity: Latino White (83%), Non-Latino White (14%), Black (3%). Etiology: HCV (78 %) EtOH (50%), NASH (19%), and HBV (3%). ALBI Grade: I (6%), II (50%), III (44%). First line treatment in CPB: Sorafenib (86%), Nivolumab (8%), Lenvatinib (6%). Sorafenib was used across all ALBI grades, while Lenvatinib and Nivolumab were given only in ALBI II (Table). Conclusions: Sorafenib was more often given to patients with CPB cirrhosis, in the first line setting; however, more patients were treated with nivolumab or lenvatinib with ALBI II. Further investigation of survival based on ALBI levels and the trajectory of liver function over time in response to different treatment approaches is underway in a larger cohort who has received newer immunotherapy-based regimens. With more agents approved for HCC, prospective clinical trials are needed in CPB and HCC. [Table: see text]