Search

Background/Aims Performance status is crucial for most clinical research, as an eligibility criterion, a comorbidity covariate, or a trial endpoint. Yet information on performance status often is embedded as free text within a patient’s electronic medical record, rather than coded directly, thereby making this concept extremely difficult to extract for research. Furthermore, performance status information frequently resides in outside reports, which are scanned into the electronic medical record along with thousands of clinic notes. The image format of scanned documents also is a major obstacle to the search and retrieval of information, as natural language processing cannot be applied to unstructured text within an image. We, therefore, utilized optical character recognition software to convert images to a searchable format, allowing the application of natural language processing to identify pertinent performance status data elements within scanned electronic medical records. Methods Our study cohort consisted of 189 subjects diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma for whom performance status was a required data element for analysis of prognostic factors related to recurrence and survival. Manual abstraction of performance status was previously conducted by a clinical Subject Matter Expert, serving as the gold standard. Leveraging our data warehouse, we extracted relevant scanned electronic medical record documents and applied optical character recognition to these images using the ABBYY FineReader software. The Linguamatics i2e natural language processing software was then used to run queries for performance status against the corpus of electronic medical record documents. We evaluated our optical character recognition/natural language processing pipeline for accuracy and reduction in data extraction effort. Results We found that there was high accuracy and reduced time for extraction of performance status data by applying our optical character recognition/natural language processing pipeline. The transformed scanned documents from a random sample of patients yielded excellent precision, recall, and F score, with Conclusion By applying this optical character recognition/natural language processing pipeline, we achieved significant operational improvement and reduced time for information retrieval to support clinical research. Our study demonstrated that optical character recognition software provides an effective mechanism to transform scanned electronic medical record images to allow the application of natural language processing, yielding highly accurate data abstraction. We conclude that our optical character recognition/natural language processing pipeline can greatly facilitate research data abstraction by providing a highly focused data review, eliminating unnecessary manual review of the entire chart, and thus freeing time for abstracting other data elements requiring more human interpretation.

Purpose:We performed detailed genomic analysis on 87 cases of de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of germinal center type (GCB DLBCL) to identify characteristics that are associated with survival in those treated with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone).Experimental Design:The cases were extensively characterized by combining the results of IHC, cell-of-origin gene expression profiling (GEP; NanoString), double-hit GEP (DLBCL90), FISH cytogenetic analysis for double/triple-hit lymphoma, copy-number analysis, and targeted deep sequencing using a custom mutation panel of 334 genes.Results:We identified four distinct biologic subgroups with different survivals, and with similarities to the genomic classifications from two large retrospective studies of DLBCL. Patients with the double-hit signature, but no abnormalities of TP53, and those lacking EZH2 mutation and/or BCL2 translocation, had an excellent prognosis. However, patients with an EZB-like profile had an intermediate prognosis, whereas those with TP53 inactivation combined with the double-hit signature had an extremely poor prognosis. This latter finding was validated using two independent cohorts.Conclusions:We propose a practical schema to use genomic variables to risk-stratify patients with GCB DLBCL. This schema provides a promising new approach to identify high-risk patients for new and innovative therapies.

Supplemental Material

Recent advances in intestinal organoid research, along with encouraging preclinical proof-of-concept studies, have revealed significant therapeutic potential for induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived organoids in the healing and replacement of severely injured or diseased bowel (Finkbeiner et al. Biol Open 4: 1462–1472, 2015; Kitano et al. Nat Commun 8: 765, 2017; Cruz-Acuna et al. Nat Cell Biol 19: 1326–1335, 2017). To fully realize the tremendous promise of stem cell organoid-based therapies, careful planning aligned with significant resources and efforts must be devoted demonstrating their safety and efficacy to meet critical regulatory requirements. Early recognition of the inherent preclinical and clinical obstacles that occur with the novel use of pluripotent stem cell-derived products will accelerate their bench-to-bedside translation (Neofytou et al. J Clin Invest 125: 2551–2557, 2015; O’Brien et al. Stem Cell Res Ther 6: 146, 2015; Ouseph et al. Cytotherapy 17: 339–343, 2015). To overcome many of these hurdles, a close and effective collaboration is needed between experts from various disciplines, including basic and clinical research, product development and manufacturing, quality assurance and control, and regulatory affairs. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to outline the critical areas and challenges that must be addressed when transitioning laboratory-based discovery, through an investigational new drug (IND) application to first-in-human clinical trial, and to encourage investigators to consider the required regulatory steps from the earliest stage of the translational process. The ultimate goal is to provide readers with a draft roadmap that they could use while navigating this exciting cell therapy space.

The Integrated Islet Distribution Program (IIDP) is currently the largest source of human islets for research in the U.S. The IIDP Human Islet Phenotyping Program (HIPP) provides standardized islet assessment and makes these data available to researchers. Since 2016, HIPP has phenotyped 337 islet samples from nondiabetic organ donors (40%F / 60%M, 45±12 years, BMI 29.0±5.4; 52% European, 26% Latino, 8% African, 3% Asian, and 11% other ancestry) . To define the islet structure-function relationships, we integrated physiological profiling of hormone secretion with islet cell composition measured by immunohistochemistry­. We found that % β cells varied significantly (range 34 - 92%; CV 21%) and had a strong negative correlation with % α (range 3 - 59%; CV 33%; r -0.95; p Disclosure M. Brissova: None. G. Poffenberger: None. D. C. Saunders: None. A. C. Powers: None. J. C. Niland: None. C. Evans-molina: Advisory Panel; Avotres Inc., DiogenX, Isla Technologies, MaiCell Therapeutics, Provention Bio, Inc., Other Relationship; Astellas Pharma Inc., Dompé, Lilly, Research Support; BMS, Nimbus Therapeutics. H. H. Durai: None. S. Mei: None. A. Coldren: None. C. Davis: None. C. Reihsmann: None. A. L. Hopkirk: None. D. Gibson: None. R. Aramandla: None.

Background: In diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the presence of MYC and BCL2 and/or BCL6 translocations, so-called double-hit lymphoma (DH), has been associated with an aggressive clinical course. Recently, it was reported that gene expression profiling (GEP) could also identify cases with the biological and clinical characteristics of DH lymphoma, including some without the requisite translocations (DHITsig-positive cases)1. The purpose of this study was to develop a molecular subtyping schema for germinal center B-cell type (GCB) DLBCL using genomic studies such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) cytogenetic analysis, GEP, and mutation analysis to risk-stratify patients with GCB DLBCL. Method and Results: We performed a detailed genomic analysis of 87 cases of de novo GCB DLBCL to identify characteristics that are associated with survival in those treated with R-CHOP. The cases were extensively characterized by combining the results of immunohistochemistry, cell-of-origin GEP (Nanostring), DH GEP (DLBCL90)1, FISH cytogenetic analysis for DH lymphoma, copy number analysis (CNA), and targeted deep sequencing using a custom mutation panel of 334 genes. These studies were used to divide the cases into four groups. GCB1: DHITsig-positive with TP53 inactivation (DHIT+TP53): DLBCL with TP53 mutations and/or deletions has a poor prognosis in patients treated with R-CHOP. We found 7 cases (8% of all cases) of GCB DLBCL that were DHITsig-pos with TP53 abnormalities. By FISH analysis, two cases had a triple-hit (TH), one was DH with MYC/BCL2, and 2 cases had a MYC translocation only. Cases in GCB1 had the worst overall survival (OS; Hazard Ratio (HR)=9.2, P=0.0018) and shortest progression-free survival (PFS; HR=6.1, P=0.002) compared to other groups (Figures 1 A/B). However, cases with TP53 abnormalities that were DHITsig-neg did not have the same poor survival. GCB2: DHITsig-positive (DHITsig-pos): The other 8 cases (9%) who were DHITsig-pos from the DBLCL90 GEP but lacked TP53 abnormalities showed a predilection (88%) for having an EZH2 mutation and/or BCL2 translocation (EZB of Schmitz et al2). These cases also had a high frequency of MYC mutations (63%) but lacked mutations in SGK1 and had a low frequency of mutations in linker histone genes (e.g. HIST1H1E). By FISH analysis, 3 cases were DH lymphoma with MYC/BCL2, 2 cases were TH lymphoma, and 1 case had a MYC translocation only. Typically DHITsig-pos cases have a poor OS when compared to DHITsig-neg cases1, however this group demonstrated good survival in our study, after removing the cases with TP53 abnormalities. GCB3: DHITsig-negative and EZH2 mutation and/or BCL2 translocation (EZB-like): We had 28 cases (32%) that were DHITsig-neg and had an EZH2 mutation and/or BCL2 translocation. These were categorized as EZB-like with some overlapping features with the DLBCL in Cluster 3 of Chapuy et al3. The survival of this group was intermediate compared to the other groups (Figures 1A/B). GCB4: DHITsig-negative and not EZB-like (GCB Other): The largest group of cases (51%) were DHITsig-neg and lacked EZH2 mutations and BCL2 translocations. These cases had frequent mutations in SGK1 (16%) and histone modifying genes (50%), as well as TET2 mutations (25%). These cases have similarities to Cluster 4 of Chapuy et al3 and the ST2 group from Wright et al4. The survival of this group was excellent (Figures 1 A/B). These groups were validated in an independent cohort of 188 cases of GCB DLBCL4 (Figures 1 C/D). Conclusions: We have identified four distinct biologic subgroups of GCB DLBCL with different survival rates, and with similarities to the genomic classifications from recent large retrospective studies of DLBCL. Patients with the DH signature but no abnormalities of TP53 (GCB2), and those lacking EZH2 mutation and BCL2 translocation (GCB4), had an excellent prognosis. However, patients with an EZB-like profile (GCB3) had an intermediate prognosis, whereas those with TP53 inactivation combined with the DH signature (GCB1) had an extremely poor prognosis. We propose this as a practical schema to risk-stratify patients with GCB DLBCL. This schema provides a promising new approach to identify high-risk patients for new and innovative therapies. Figure 1 Disclosures Herrera: AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Genentech, Inc./F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merck: Consultancy, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Other: Travel, Accomodations, Expenses, Research Funding; Gilead Sciences: Consultancy, Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Immune Design: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding. Zain:Kyowa Kirlin: Research Funding; Mundai Pharma: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Research Funding. Popplewell:Pfizer: Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding. Kwak:Celltrion Healthcare: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; CJ Healthcare: Consultancy; Sellas Life Sciences Grp: Consultancy; Enzychem Life Sciences: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Antigenics: Other: equity; InnoLifes, Inc: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pepromene Bio: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Xeme Biopharma/Theratest: Other: equity; Celltrion, Inc.: Consultancy. Scott:NIH: Consultancy, Other: Co-inventor on a patent related to the MCL35 assay filed at the National Institutes of Health, United States of America.; Roche/Genentech: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy; NanoString: Patents & Royalties: Named inventor on a patent licensed to NanoString, Research Funding; Abbvie: Consultancy; AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy, Research Funding.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for a disproportionate amount of poor outcomes among breast cancers. A subset of TNBCs demonstrates an aggressive course with marked chemoresistance, rapid distant metastatic spread, and poor survival. The clinicopathologic and sociodemographic features associated with rapid relapse among TNBCs remain poorly understood. Primary Objective: To evaluate the relationship between clinicopathologic and sociodemographic features with rapid relapse in TNBC (rrTNBC). Methods: This large multi-institutional study analyzed a cohort of breast cancer patients diagnosed with TNBC who received treatment at one of ten academic centers that previously participated in a National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) outcomes database between 1998 and 2012. We defined rrTNBC as a distant metastatic recurrence event or death from any cause ≤24 months after diagnosis. We included patients with ≥2 years follow-up or had suffered a survival event within that timeframe. We excluded patients with de novo metastatic disease and those who did not receive chemotherapy. We randomly divided the total dataset into 70% training and 30% validation cohorts, balanced by the number of rrTNBC events. Covariates included study site, age at diagnosis, body mass index (BMI), race/ethnicity, education, median annual household income (2000 census tract), insurance type (Managed Care, Medicare, Medicaid, and Other), Charlson comorbidity index, tumor stage and grade at diagnosis, and adjuvant radiation treatment. Logistic regression was performed among the training dataset univariately for associations with rapid relapse vs. not. Features with a p-value Results: Among 41,839 patients with invasive breast cancer treated in these ten centers, 5256 had TNBC (12.6%), among whom 3016 had adequate follow-up to be included in the analysis. Bivariable analyses in the training cohort (n=2112) identified tumor stage at diagnosis, insurance type, age at diagnosis, BMI, race, and income to be associated with rrTNBC events (p15x increased risk of rapid relapse (adjusted OR [95% CI]: 16.5 [10.3, 26.4]; p Conclusion: Advanced tumor stage at diagnosis was the most influential predictor of rapid relapse among patients who had TNBC, while type of insurance remains an independent predictor in training and validation cohorts. Given the known association of sociodemographic disparities with tumor stage, further study of underlying causes and potential interventions to reduce rapid relapse of TNBC is warranted. Citation Format: Sarah Asad, Carlos H. Barcenas, Richard J. Bleicher, Adam L. Cohen, Sara H. Javid, Ellis G. Levine, Nancy U. Lin, Beverly Moy, Joyce Niland, Antonio C. Wolff, Michael J. Hassett, Daniel G. Stover. Factors associated with rapid relapse in triple negative breast cancer: A multi-institution study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-07-02.

Summary Metaplastic breast carcinoma (MBC) is a rare subtype of breast cancer with variable morphology. MBC is more often triple negative (ER−, PR−, HER2−) and is associated with poorer clinical outcome when compared with infiltrating ductal carcinoma. The purpose of our study is to identify molecular alterations in MBC using next-generation sequencing (NGS), which may aid chemotherapy selection and use of targeted therapy. A cohort of 18 patients with MBC yielded adequate DNA from microdissected formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tumor blocks. NGS was performed using the Ion AmpliSeq cancer hotspot mutation panel version 2 kit, which targets hotspot regions in 50 genes. Immunohistochemical stains for androgen receptor (AR), and programmed cell death ligand-1 were performed. A total of 23 genetic alterations were identified in 15 (83.3%) of 18 patients. Eleven genetic alterations in the PI3K signaling pathway were identified in 9 (50.0%) of 18 patients, including 7 PIK3CA mutations (38.9%), 3 PTEN genetic alterations (16.7%), and 1 AKT1 mutation (5.6%). Ten (55.6%) of 18 patients each harbored 1 TP53 genetic alteration. Additional genetic alterations identified were 1 HRAS mutation and 1 ATM mutation. AR immunoreactivity was identified in 2 (11.1%) of 18 patients. Programmed cell death ligand-1 was negative in all patients. NGS analysis demonstrated that PI3K pathway–related genetic alterations were detected in a high percentage of MBCs, suggesting that targeting the PI3K/mTOR pathway may be promising in patients with MBC. In addition, patients with AR expressing MBC may benefit from androgen antagonist treatment.

Background:Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for disproportionately poor outcomes in breast cancer, driven by a subset of rapid-relapse TNBC (rrTNBC) with marked chemoresistance, rapid metastatic spread, and poor survival. Our objective was to evaluate clinicopathologic and sociodemographic features associated with rrTNBC.Methods:We included patients diagnosed with stage I–III TNBC in 1996 through 2012 who received chemotherapy at 1 of 10 academic cancer centers. rrTNBC was defined as a distant metastatic recurrence event or death ≤24 months after diagnosis. Features associated with rrTNBC were included in a multivariable logistic model upon which backward elimination was performed with aPResults:Among all patients with breast cancer treated at these centers, 3,016 fit the inclusion criteria. Training cohort (n=2,112) bivariable analyses identified disease stage, insurance type, age, body mass index, race, and income as being associated with rrTNBC (PP24 months), we found that insurance type and young age remained significant.Conclusions:Timing of relapse in TNBC is associated with stage of disease and distinct sociodemographic features, including insurance type, income, and age at diagnosis.

Background/Objective: The Integrated Islet Distribution Program (IIDP) distributes islets from five isolation Centers and serves as the main source of human islets for research in the U.S. In 2016, the IIDP initiated the Human Islet Phenotyping Program (HIPP), which provides standardized post-shipment assessment of islet hormone secretion and endocrine cell composition for each IIDP-supported islet isolation. To date, islets from 276 non-diabetic donors have been analyzed. We hypothesized that analysis of this unique resource will provide novel insights into how demographic and clinical features impact islet health. Methods: Relationships between insulin and glucagon secretion assessed by perifusion and islet composition (% of β- and α-cells) were analyzed using SAS Version 9.4. For each analysis, the isolation center was used as a covariate. Results: Of the 276 donors, 60% were male; 59% of donors were Caucasian, 28% were Hispanic, 9% were African-American; 4% were Asian; and 0.36% were American Indian. The % of β-cells was moderately correlated with insulin responses to 16.7 mM glucose (r=0.2785; p

PURPOSE: We performed detailed genomic analysis on 87 cases of de novo diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of germinal center type (GCB DLBCL) to identify characteristics that are associated with survival in those treated with R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The cases were extensively characterized by combining the results of immunohistochemistry, cell-of-origin gene expression profiling (Nanostring), double-hit gene expression profiling (DLBCL90), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) cytogenetic analysis for double/triple-hit lymphoma, copy number analysis (CNA), and targeted deep sequencing using a custom mutation panel of 334 genes. RESULTS: We identified four distinct biologic subgroups with different survivals, and with similarities to the genomic classifications from two large retrospective studies of DLBCL. Patients with the double-hit signature but no abnormalities of TP53, and those lacking EZH2 mutation and/or BCL2 translocation, had an excellent prognosis. However, patients with an EZB-like profile had an intermediate prognosis, whereas those with TP53 inactivation combined with the double-hit signature had an extremely poor prognosis. This latter finding was validated using two independent cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a practical schema to utilize genomic variables to risk-stratify patients with GCB DLBCL. This schema provides a promising new approach to identify high-risk patients for new and innovative therapies.

The IIDP has been supplying isolated human islets and corresponding data from nondiabetic (ND) donors to diabetes researchers for > 15 years. Since 2010 IIDP also has offered islets from T2D donors, with up to 68% of IIDP researchers interested in receiving them. From 2010-19, this unique desirable resource comprised 7.3% of IIDP isolations (98/1,333). Analysis of ND vs. T2D donor demographics showed similar trends (p=0.94) by sex (M/F ratio 1.37 vs. 1.39, respectively). Donor race/ethnicity differed significantly (p Disclosure B.J. Olack: None. J. Kilburn: None. J.J. Chuang: None. J. Cravens: None. J.C. Niland: None. Funding 2UC4DK098085-02

Background Although the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) assay is widely used to predict distant recurrence risk and benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy among women with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) breast cancer, the relationship between the RS and isolated locoregional recurrence (iLRR) remains poorly understood. Therefore, we examined the association between the RS and risk of iLRR for women with stage I-II, HR+ breast cancer. Methods We identified 1758 women captured in the national prospective Breast Cancer-Collaborative Outcomes Research Database who were diagnosed with stage I-II, HR+ breast cancer from 2006 to 2012, treated with mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery, and received RS testing. Women who received neoadjuvant therapy were excluded. The association between the RS and risk of iLRR was examined using competing risks regression. Results Overall, 19% of the cohort (n = 329) had a RS ≥25. At median follow-up of 29 months, only 22 iLRR events were observed. Having a RS ≥25 was not associated with a significantly higher risk of iLRR compared to a RS P = 0.81). When limited to women who received adjuvant endocrine therapy without chemotherapy (n = 1199; 68% of the cohort), having a RS ≥25 (n = 74) was significantly associated with a higher risk of iLRR compared to a RS P = 0.04). In this group, increasing RS was associated with greater risk of iLRR (compared to RS Ptrend = 0.02). Conclusions The RS was significantly associated with risk of iLRR in patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy. The utility of the RS in identifying patients who have a low risk of iLRR should be further studied.

Nipple-areola sparing mastectomy (NSM) may be offered to some women with breast cancer as an alternative to skin sparing (SSM) or total mastectomy (TM) with excellent cosmetic results and acceptable recurrence risk. The aim of this study is to determine the local/regional recurrence rate of NSM in comparison to SSM and TM at our institution and to determine the factors that may be associated with risk of recurrence. Women who underwent NSM (n=148), SSM (n=660) or TM (n=443) at City of Hope National Medical Center between May 2007 and December 2014 for Stage 0-III breast cancer were identified retrospectively. Exclusions were: women with inflammatory breast cancer and those who had mastectomy for recurrent breast cancer. Overall survival (OS) and disease free survival (DFS) were analyzed using Cox regression controlling for age, race/ethnicity, stage, histology, grade, hormone receptor and Her2 receptor status. There were total of 165 NSMs, 704 SSMs and 466 TMs performed for cancer, accounting for the patients with bilateral cancers. The median follow up time was 38, 58 and 55 months for NSM, SSM and TM, respectively. Median (range) age at diagnosis was 49 (23-74) for NSM, 51 (23-90) for SSM and 59 (26-92) for TM. In the NSM group, 76% of patients had invasive ductal cancer (IDC) and 15% had ductal carcinoma in-situ (DCIS); this was comparable to 73% and 13% in the SSM group and 78% and 9% in the TM group, respectively. The majority of patients who underwent NSM had Stage II disease (45%), which was similar to SSM (43%) and TM (44%). Only 3% of NSM patients had Stage III disease compared to 17% of SSM patients and 29% of TM patients. Most of the patients in all 3 surgical groups received adjuvant chemotherapy (NSM 59%; SSM 52%; TM 51%). Of patients who underwent NSM, 20% received neoadjuvant chemotherapy, compared with 29% of SSM patients and 35% of TM patients. The local/regional recurrence rate per breast was 12/165 (7.3%) for NSM, 23/704 (3.3%) for SSM and 11/466 (2.4%) for TM (n=11). Median time to recurrence was 20, 26 and 16 months for NSM, SSM and TM, respectively. Of the NSMs performed only 1 recurrence occurred at the nipple-areolar complex (0.6%), 9 recurrences were at the chest wall (5.5%) and 2 were at the axilla (1.2%). Eight recurrences after NSM had DCIS in addition to IDC at the time of initial diagnosis while 2 had pure DCIS, 1 had pure IDC and 1 had invasive lobular cancer. There were 8 recurrences with estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) positivity at the time of initial diagnosis, that converted to ER+, PR-. One third of recurrences after NSM had multifocal disease. There was no significant difference found in adjusted overall survival (p=0.49) and adjusted disease free survival (p=0.10) among NSM, SSM and TM patients. Even though there is higher rate of local/regional recurrence with NSM, there is no difference in overall and disease-free survival at our institution. Presence of DCIS may be an important factor for recurrence. From these data we conclude that NSM is an oncologically acceptable alternative to SSM and TM, with excellent cosmetic results. Citation Format: Bostanci Z, Wang X, Ottesen R, Nikowitz J, Jones VC, Springer L, Lai L, Taylor L, Vito CA, Paz IB, Niland J, Kruper L, Yim JH. Oncological safety of nipple-areola sparing mastectomy in comparison with skin sparing and total mastectomy: Results from a NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-22-12.

In recent years, the need for enhanced rigor, reproducibility, and transparency in biomedical research has been the topic of much discussion. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) led the way in this conversation with issuance of the NIH guidelines for rigor and reproducibility, which have been mandated for all grant applications since 2016 (1,2). In support of this initiative, a recent review article by Hart and Powers, published in Diabetologia (3), with an accompanying editorial copublished in Diabetes and Diabetologia by Poitout et al. (4,5) highlighted the need for improved standardization of human islet data and its reporting in scientific publications. Diabetologia and Diabetes have initiated a checklist that is now required at the time of manuscript submission. At a minimum, the source and isolation center, a unique identifier number for each human islet preparation, and key demographic/clinical data must be included. Although not mandatory, the editorial encourages the inclusion of additional data, such as the cause of donor death, measurements of islet purity and viability, functional measures, ischemia duration, and culture time. Since 2004, the Integrated Islet Distribution Program (IIDP) has served as the main source of human islets for research in the U.S. (6–8). Directed by Joyce C. Niland at the City of Hope in Duarte, CA, the IIDP is funded by the National Institutes of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the JDRF. To date, the IIDP has distributed over 250 million islets, serving more than 400 islet studies across nine different countries, with the resulting research yielding more than 700 publications. Thus, the IIDP is a …

Purpose Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has been rapidly incorporated into clinical practice because of its technological advantages over 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (CRT). We characterized trends in IMRT utilization in trimodality treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer at National Comprehensive Cancer Network cancer centers between 2005 and 2011. Methods and materials Using the prospective National Comprehensive Cancer Network Colorectal Cancer Database, we determined treatment patterns for 976 patients with stage II-III rectal cancer who received pelvic radiation therapy at contributing centers between 2005 and 2011. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with IMRT versus 3-dimensional CRT. Radiation therapy compliance and time to completion were used to compare acute toxicity. Results A total of 947 patients (97%) received 3-dimensional CRT (80%) or IMRT (17%). Ninety-eight percent of these patients received radiation therapy preoperatively, and 81% underwent definitive resection. IMRT use increased from 30% in 2010 and thereafter, with significant variability among institutions (range, 0%-43%). Other factors associated with IMRT use included age ≥65 years, dose >50.4 Gy, African-American race, and no transabdominal surgery. Rates of and time to radiation therapy completion were similar between the groups. Conclusions Although most patients with stage II-III rectal cancer at queried National Cancer Institute–designated cancer centers between 2005 and 2011 received 3-dimensional CRT, significant and increasing numbers received IMRT. IMRT utilization is highly variable among institutions and not uniform among sociodemographic groups but may be more consistently embraced in specific clinical settings. Given this trend, comparative-effectiveness research is needed to evaluate the benefits of IMRT for rectal cancer.

Human small intestinal crypts are the source of intestinal stem cells (ISCs) that are capable of undergoing self-renewal and differentiation to an epithelial layer. The development of methods to expand the ISCs has provided opportunities to model human intestinal epithelial disorders. Human crypt samples are usually obtained from either endoscopic or discarded surgical samples, and are thereby exposed to warm ischemia, which may impair their in vitro growth as three-dimensional culture as spheroids or enteroids. In this study we compared duodenal samples obtained from discarded surgical samples to those isolated from whole-body preserved cadaveric donors to generate in vitro cultures. We also examined the effect of storage solution (phosphate-buffered saline or University of Wisconsin [UW] solution) as well as multiple storage times on crypt isolation and growth in culture. We found that intestinal crypts were successfully isolated from cadaveric tissue stored for up to 144 h post-procurement and also were able to generate enteroids and spheroids in certain media conditions. Surgical samples stored in UW after procurement were sufficiently viable up to 24 h and also allowed the generation of enteroids and spheroids. We conclude that surgical samples stored for up to 24 h post-procurement in UW solution allowed for delayed crypt isolation and viable in vitro cultures. Furthermore, in situ, hypothermic preservation in cadaveric duodenal samples permitted crypt/ISC isolation, and successful culture of spheroids and enteroids from tissues held for up to 6 days post-procurement.

SummaryAlthough many studies into the intestinal stem cell (ISC) niche have been carried out, they have focused on the role of a single cell type or molecular signal. However, no holistic comparisons of the predominant cell types and signals present within the intestinal mucosa have been conducted to date. We utilize bulk RNA sequencing to profile 20 different mucosal cell types covering four major cell categories: epithelial, stromal, endothelial and immune. We further examined the stromal signaling environment using scRNAseq to provide a more comprehensive view of the signaling microenvironment within the intestinal mucosa. We identified the primary signals for the major ISC regulatory pathways and their respective cellular sources. Our analysis suggests that a ‘niche network’ exists, with no single cell type being responsible for ISC self-renewal, proliferation, or differentiation; rather, each cell type within the network carries out specific functions in a highly cooperative and coordinated manner.

Purpose In 2010, a randomized clinical trial demonstrated noninferior survival for patients with advanced ovarian cancer who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) compared with primary cytoreductive surgery (PCS). We examined the use and effectiveness of NACT in clinical practice. Patients and Methods A multi-institutional observational study of 1,538 women with stages IIIC to IV ovarian cancer who were treated at six National Cancer Institute–designated cancer centers. We examined NACT use in patients who were diagnosed between 2003 and 2012 (N = 1,538) and compared overall survival (OS), morbidity, and postoperative residual disease in a propensity-score matched sample of patients (N = 594). Results NACT use increased from 16% during 2003 to 2010 to 34% during 2011 to 2012 in stage IIIC disease ( Ptrend < .001), and from 41% to 62% in stage IV disease ( Ptrend < .001). Adoption of NACT varied by institution, from 8% to 30% for stage IIIC disease (P < .001) and from 27% to 61% ( P = .007) for stage IV disease during this time period. In the matched sample, NACT was associated with shorter OS in stage IIIC disease (median OS: 33 v 43 months; hazard ratio [HR], 1.40; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.77) compared with PCS, but not stage IV disease (median OS: 31 v 36 months; HR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.89 to 1.52). Patients with stages IIIC and IV disease who received NACT were less likely to have ≥ 1 cm postoperative residual disease, an intensive care unit admission, or a rehospitalization (all P ≤ .04) compared with those who received PCS treatment. However, among women with stage IIIC disease who achieved microscopic or ≤ 1 cm postoperative residual disease, NACT was associated with decreased OS (HR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.01 to 2.18; P = .04). Conclusion Use of NACT increased significantly between 2003 and 2012. In this observational study, PCS was associated with increased survival in stage IIIC, but not stage IV disease. Future studies should prospectively consider the efficacy of NACT by extent of residual disease in unselected patients.

Purpose Young women are at increased risk for developing more aggressive subtypes of breast cancer. Although previous studies have shown a higher risk of breast cancer recurrence and death among young women with early-stage breast cancer, they have not adequately addressed the role of tumor subtype in outcomes. Methods We examined data from women with newly diagnosed stage I to III breast cancer presenting to one of eight National Comprehensive Cancer Network centers between January 2000 and December 2007. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the relationship between age and breast cancer–specific survival. Results A total of 17,575 women with stage I to III breast cancer were eligible for analysis, among whom 1,916 were ≤ 40 years of age at diagnosis. Median follow-up time was 6.4 years. In a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model controlling for sociodemographic, disease, and treatment characteristics, women ≤ 40 years of age at diagnosis had greater breast cancer mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 1.4; 95% CI, 1.2 to 1.7). In stratified analyses, age ≤ 40 years was associated with statistically significant increases in risk of breast cancer death among women with luminal A (HR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.4 to 3.2) and luminal B (HR 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.9) tumors, with borderline significance among women with triple-negative tumors (HR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0 to 1.8) but not among those with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 subtypes (HR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.8 to 1.9). In an additional model controlling for detection method, young age was associated with significantly increased risk of breast cancer death only among women with luminal A tumors. Conclusion The effect of age on survival of women with early breast cancer seems to vary by breast cancer subtype. Young age seems to be particularly prognostic in women with luminal breast cancers.

BACKGROUND The optimal treatment for patients with brain metastases remains controversial as the use of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) alone, replacing whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT), has increased. This study determined the patterns of care at multiple institutions before 2010 and examined whether or not survival was different between patients treated with SRS and patients treated with WBRT. METHODS This study examined the overall survival of patients treated with radiation therapy for brain metastases from non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC; initially diagnosed in 2007-2009) or breast cancer (initially diagnosed in 1997-2009) at 5 centers. Propensity score analyses were performed to adjust for confounding factors such as the number of metastases, the extent of extracranial metastases, and the treatment center. RESULTS Overall, 27.8% of 400 NSCLC patients and 13.4% of 387 breast cancer patients underwent SRS alone for the treatment of brain metastases. Few patients with more than 3 brain metastases or lesions ≥ 4 cm in size underwent SRS. Patients with fewer than 4 brain metastases less than 4 cm in size (n = 189 for NSCLC and n = 117 for breast cancer) who were treated with SRS had longer survival (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] for NSCLC, 0.58; 95% confidence Interval [CI], 0.38-0.87; P = .01; adjusted HR for breast cancer, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.33-0.91; P = .02) than those treated with WBRT. CONCLUSIONS Patients treated for fewer than 4 brain metastases from NSCLC or breast cancer with SRS alone had longer survival than those treated with WBRT in this multi-institutional, retrospective study, even after adjustments for the propensity to undergo SRS. Cancer 2016;122:2091–100. © 2016 American Cancer Society.

Purpose This study determined practice patterns in the staging and treatment of patients with stage I non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) among National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) member institutions. Secondary aims were to determine trends in the use of definitive therapy, predictors of treatment type, and acute adverse events associated with primary modalities of treatment. Methods and Materials Data from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Oncology Outcomes Database from 2007 to 2011 for US patients with stage I NSCLC were used. Main outcome measures included patterns of care, predictors of treatment, acute morbidity, and acute mortality. Results Seventy-nine percent of patients received surgery, 16% received definitive radiation therapy (RT), and 3% were not treated. Seventy-four percent of the RT patients received stereotactic body RT (SBRT), and the remainder received nonstereotactic RT (NSRT). Among participating NCCN member institutions, the number of surgeries-to-RT course ratios varied between 1.6 and 34.7 ( P P =.01). Significant variations were also observed in staging practices, with brain imaging 0.33 (0.25-0.43) times as likely and mediastinoscopy 31.26 (21.84-44.76) times more likely for surgical patients than for RT patients. Toxicity rates for surgical and for SBRT patients were similar, although the rates were double for NSRT patients. Conclusions The variations in treatment observed among NCCN institutions reflects the lack of level I evidence directing the use of surgery or SBRT for stage I NSCLC. In this setting, research of patient and physician preferences may help to guide future decision making.