Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network

Long-Term Pattern of Psychotropic Medication Uses Among Swedish Parents of Children Diagnosed With Cancer
Liu Y, Jiang Z, Sundquist J, Sundquist K and Ji J
Parents experience a range of mental health disorders following their child's cancer diagnosis. It is thus essential to explore how the child's cancer diagnosis affects the dosage of psychotropic medication in both short- and long-term use, as well as potential disparities in utilization patterns between mothers and fathers.
Implementation of ePROs Into Multidisciplinary Tumor Board Discussions for Patients With Pancreatic Cancer: The INSPIRE Intervention
Henderson NL, Ortiz-Olguin E, Bourne G, Pywell C, Rose JB, Williams GR, Nipp RD and Rocque GB
The incorporation of electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs), such as the Geriatric Assessment (GA) and treatment preferences, into decision-making for pancreatic cancer has been limited by clinician- and system-level barriers concerning workflow. We hypothesized that ePRO inclusion within multidisciplinary tumor boards (MDTBs) would circumvent barriers and provide a venue for systematic consideration of critical patient-provided information.
Local Recurrence and Survival in Patients With Melanoma >2 mm in Thickness at Difficult Sites Treated With 1-cm Versus 2-cm Margins
Maurichi A, Barretta F, Patuzzo R, Gallino G, Mattavelli I, Shimonovitz-Moore M, Nizri E, Matteucci M, Summo V, Cossa M, Valeri B, Cortinovis U, Miceli R and Santinami M
Melanoma guidelines recommend surgical excision with 2-cm margins for melanomas >2 mm in thickness. However, this procedure may be problematic at critical anatomic sites. We aimed to compare the outcomes of wide (2 cm) versus narrow (1 cm) excision margins in patients with melanoma >2 mm in thickness near critical structures.
Letter to the Editor: Enhancing the Readability of Online Patient-Facing Content Using AI Chatbots
Wu Q
Up-Front Treatment of Elderly (Age ≥75 Years) and Frail Patients With Multiple Myeloma
Abdallah N and Kumar SK
Older patients with multiple myeloma (MM) exhibit wide heterogeneity in their baseline physiologic and functional status, which demands an individualized treatment approach based on biological rather than chronological age. Various frailty scores have been developed for older patients with MM, but they are underutilized in clinical trials and in practice. Older patients with MM are underrepresented in therapeutic clinical trials, and treatment recommendations are currently derived from clinical trials of transplant-ineligible patients. This article provides a summary of phase II and III clinical trials in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed MM, highlighting outcomes in patients aged ≥75 years and frailty-based outcomes. The data available thus far show that triplet regimens are more efficacious than doublets in older patients but may be associated with higher toxicity. DRd (daratumumab/lenalidomide/dexamethasone) and VRd (bortezomib/lenalidomide/dexamethasone) are good options in patients who are nonfrail, whereas dose-adjusted DRd and VRd-lite should be offered to frail patients. Frailty should be assessed regularly to guide treatment intensification and/or deescalation. It is important that frailty measures are incorporated in clinical trials evaluating novel treatments to inform how older and frail patients will benefit from these treatments.
Dose Modifications in the Management of Chronic Phase Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Who, What, and When
Oehler VG, Huang IJ, Siu C, Kim M, Signorelli J, Bell CS and Hobbs GS
With the availability of BCR::ABL1 targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), outcomes for most individuals with chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML) are outstanding, with life expectancy similar to age-matched peers. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) impair quality of life and many patients struggle with low-level chronic AEs, which for some individuals impact emotional well-being as well as social and work functioning. An emerging body of data supports that many TEAEs are related to therapy dose and can improve with dose reduction. However, it is critical that dose reductions do not alter current outcomes, especially in the rare patients who are at greater risk of losing response or transforming to acute leukemia. Organizations including the National Comprehensive Cancer Network have begun to address when dose reductions may be considered in patients with CP-CML. In this manuscript, we review retrospective and prospective data reporting outcomes in patients after dose reduction and review data supporting lower dose preemptive dosing in first-line and later-line therapy. Switching therapy for intolerance can result in improvements in symptoms and limit toxicity, but other TEAEs may occur. Additionally, emerging therapeutics such as the new class of BCR::ABL1 allosteric inhibitors are under evaluation with a goal of improving tolerability. However, with many TKIs on the cusp of becoming generic, dose reduction becomes an appealing and important cost-effective strategy to minimize TEAEs and improve quality of life while preserving outstanding outcomes in CP-CML.
Authors' Reply to the Letter to the Editor by Wu Re: Enhancing the Readability of Online Patient-Facing Content Using AI Chatbots
Abreu AA, Nunez-Rocha RE, Murimwa GZ and Polanco PM
Progress in Cancer 2024
Geynisman DM
Statin Use During Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy for Advanced Nasopharyngeal Cancer
Yu JM, Chang CL, Lin KC, Chen WM, Shia BC and Wu SY
The objective of this study was to assess the impact of statin use on overall survival (OS) and nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC)-specific survival in patients with advanced NPC who underwent standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).
Prevention and Treatment of Cancer-Related Infections, Version 3.2024, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology
Baden LR, Swaminathan S, Almyroudis NG, Angarone M, Baluch A, Barros N, Buss B, Cohen S, Cooper B, Chiang AD, Boghdadly ZE, Gregg K, Hakim H, Ho D, Khawaja F, Lee R, Lee F, Logan C, Manley K, Multani A, Pande A, Pergam S, Pisano J, Saullo J, Schuster M, Seo SK, Shoham S, Taplitz R, Topal J, Wilson JW, Zimmer A, Cassara CJ, Kumar R and Diwan Z
There is an increased risk of infection in patients with cancer that results in higher morbidity and mortality. Several risk factors can predispose these patients to infectious complications. Some such factors include immunocompromised states like neutropenia, allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, and graft-versus-host disease, while others include immunosuppressive agents like corticosteroids, purine analogs, monoclonal antibodies, and other emerging cancer therapeutics like CAR T-cell therapy. The NCCN Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Cancer-Related Infections address infection concerns that may be observed in these immunocompromised populations and characterize the major pathogens to which patients with cancer are susceptible, with a focus on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of major common and opportunistic infections. This paper highlights 2 recently updated sections of the guidelines, namely, infection concerns related to CAR T-cell therapy and antimicrobial prophylaxis recommendations, including vaccination, in patients at high-risk for infections.
NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Management of Immunotherapy-Related Toxicities, Version 2.2024
Thompson JA, Schneider BJ, Brahmer J, Zaid MA, Achufusi A, Armand P, Berkenstock MK, Bermas B, Braaten T, Budde LE, Chokshi S, Crees ZD, Davies M, Deng C, Gesthalter Y, Jain M, Jain P, Jallouk A, Kaffenberger BH, Khalil M, Lechner MG, Li T, Marr A, McGettigan S, McPherson J, Medina T, Mohindra NA, Olszanski AJ, Oluwole O, Patel SP, Prosek J, Reddy S, Reid P, Ryan J, Ryder M, Salman H, Santomasso B, Shofer S, Sosman JA, Wang Y, Zaha VG, Zucker S, Lyons M, Awotiwon A and Hang L
The NCCN Guidelines for the Management of Immunotherapy-Related Toxicities are intended to provide oncology practitioners with guidance on how to manage the wide-ranging and potentially fatal toxicities that may occur with cancer immunotherapy. The guidelines address immune-related adverse events related to immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapies, and lymphocyte engagers (which include T-cell-engaging bispecific antibodies). These NCCN Guidelines Insights highlight recent guideline updates pertaining to the management of emerging toxicities related to cancer immunotherapy.
Oncology Survivorship Care Clinics: Design and Implementation of Survivorship Care Delivery Systems at NCCN Member Institutions
Bandini L, Caires R, Jacobs L, Klemanski D, Berizzi D, Kircher S, Schmidt R, Sugalski J, Denlinger CS and Brown S
It is estimated that there are >18 million cancer survivors in the United States, and there is a growing number of survivorship programs across the country to care for these individuals. There is a clear need for survivorship care; however, evidence is still emerging on how to best operationalize the guidance from nationally recognized organizations and clinical practice guidelines.
Achieving Adherence With NCCN Guidelines for Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Regarding Peripheral and Deep En Face Margin Assessment (PDEMA)
Xu YG, Lim Y, Bordeaux JS, Aasi SZ, Alam M, Chen PL, Contreras CM, DiMaio D, Donigan JM, Farma JM, Grekin RC, Mark L, Nehal KS, Nghiem P, Olino K, Patel T, Scott J, Shaha AR, Srivastava D and Schmults CD
Peripheral and deep en face margin assessment (PDEMA), formerly termed by NCCN as complete circumferential peripheral and deep margin assessment (CCPDMA), has the advantages of histologic visualization of the entire marginal surface, highly accurate resection of involved tissue, and sparing of uninvolved tissue. Owing to its highest reported cure rates, PDEMA is the NCCN-preferred treatment for dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, high-risk basal cell carcinoma, and very-high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. In the United States, Mohs micrographic surgery (Mohs) is the most common method of PDEMA. In Germany and some other countries, non-Mohs methods of PDEMA referred to as the Tubingen torte and muffin techniques are more widely used. The Tubingen methods of PDEMA require close communication between surgeon and pathologist. This article describes the background of both Mohs and Tubingen PDEMA, reviews what constitutes PDEMA, and provides a protocol for Tubingen PDEMA detailing critical components in a stepwise fashion using illustrative photos and diagrams. We hope to broaden understanding of the NCCN Guidelines and their rationale, align practice, and optimize patient outcomes.
Proportion of Gleason Score ≥8 Prostate Cancer on Biopsy and Tumor Aggressiveness in Matched Cohorts of East Asian and Non-East Asian Men
Dong L, Lajkosz K, Sanchez-Salas R, Kuk C, Xu W, Tiwari RV, Dias Dos Santos CP, Qian H, Wang J, Dong B, Pan J, Zhu Y, Liu Q, Chan A, Kwong JCC, Woon DTS, Nesbitt M, Erlich A, Kulkarni GS, Perlis N, Hamilton RJ, Klotz L, Wallis CJD, Nguyen DD, Macek P, Tay KJ, Huang H, Toi A, Finelli A, Fleshner NE, Cheng CWS, Cathelineau X, van der Kwast TH, Xue W and Zlotta AR
Historically, Asia had a lower prostate cancer (PCa) incidence and mortality compared with Western countries, but the gap is narrowing. Paradoxically, Asians have been reported to present with more advanced disease though more favorable outcomes. Despite PCa becoming an emerging health priority in East Asia, our knowledge remains limited. We compared the prevalence of high-grade PCa on biopsy and disease progression after radical prostatectomy (RP) in East Asian men from Asia and non-East Asian men from Western countries.
Letter to the Editor: Variant Coverage and Diagnostic Performance of Commercially Available DPYD Genotyping Tests in Brazil
Suarez-Kurtz G
Impact of a Comprehensive Financial Navigation Intervention to Reduce Cancer-Related Financial Toxicity
Wheeler SB, Manning ML, Gellin M, Padilla N, Spees LP, Biddell CB, Petermann V, Deal A, Rogers C, Rodriguez-O'Donnell J, Samuel-Ryals C, Reeder-Hayes K and Rosenstein DL
Although the need to reduce the impact of financial toxicity among patients with cancer is widely acknowledged, few interventions have been developed to address this issue. We tested a novel, multiphase, patient-centered financial navigation (FN) intervention at a large academic medical center.
Tailoring Escalation Adjuvant Therapy for Early-Stage Triple-Negative Breast Cancer in the CBCSG010 Clinical Trial Biomarker Analysis
Wu W, Yang Y, Yang W, Pang D, Liu Y, Sheng Y, Li X, Yu S, Cao Y, Jiang G, Jin F, Ma B, Li J and Shao Z
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly heterogeneous disease. The CBCSG010 trial is a prospective and multicenter phase III clinical trial confirming that adding adjuvant capecitabine significantly improved the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate in patients with TNBC by 5.9%. In this study, we attempted to identify the specific population that benefited from adjuvant therapy.
NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Ovarian Cancer/Fallopian Tube Cancer/Primary Peritoneal Cancer, Version 3.2024
Liu J, Berchuck A, Backes FJ, Cohen J, Grisham R, Leath CA, Martin L, Matei D, Miller DS, Robertson S, Barroilhet L, Uppal S, Hendrickson AW, Gershenson DM, Gray HJ, Hakam A, Jain A, Konecny GE, Moroney J, Ratner E, Schorge J, Thaker PH, Werner TL, Zsiros E, Behbakht K, Chen LM, DeRosa M, Eisenhauer EL, Leiserowitz G, Litkouhi B, McHale M, Percac-Lima S, Rodabaugh K, Vargas R, Jones F, Kovach E, Hang L, Ramakrishnan S, Alvarez RD and Armstrong DK
The NCCN Guidelines for Ovarian Cancer/Fallopian Tube Cancer/Primary Peritoneal Cancer provide multidisciplinary diagnostic workup, staging, and treatment recommendations for this disease. These NCCN Guidelines Insights detail how the evolution of the use of PARP inhibitors as maintenance and single-agent regimens for the treatment of ovarian cancer informed panel recommendations in the guidelines.
Sympathetic Blockade for Pain Associated With Nonaxial Bone Lesions in Patients With Cancer: An Uncontrolled Cohort
Roldan CJ, Ye AL, Podgorski E, Song J, Chung M and Huh B
Cancer-related bone pain remains a prevalent and frequently incapacitating ailment. Although conventional approaches effectively alleviate pain in most individuals, a subset of patients may continue to experience intractable pain. Current recommendations for treating cancer-related bone pain include oral analgesics and multimodal adjuvants, radiation therapy, and, in selected cases, intrathecal therapy. Cancer-related bone pain is mediated by a proliferation of sensory and sympathetic fibers. Thus, we believe that this pain can be successfully managed with minimally invasive sympathetic blockade (SB).
Association of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities With Worse Outcomes After Surgical Treatment of Cancer
Resende V, Woldesenbet S, Katayama E, Munir MM, Lima HA, Khalil M, Rawicz-Pruszyński K, Khan MMM, Waqar U, Mavani P, Endo Y and Pawlik TM
Patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face unique challenges resulting in disparities in their health care. We sought to define the effect that IDD had on achievement of a "textbook outcome" (TO) following a cancer operation among a nationally representative cohort of patients.
Association of Medicaid Expansion With Timely Receipt of Treatment and Survival Among Patients With HR-Negative, HER2-Positive Breast Cancer
Shi KS, Ji X, Jiang C, Ruddy KJ, Castellino SM, Yabroff KR and Han X
Hormone receptor (HR)-negative, HER2-positive (also called HER2-enriched) breast cancer has no worse prognosis than other breast cancers if it is treated with HER2-targeted therapy. Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been shown to be associated with improved access to care and outcomes for many cancers, but its association with receipt of care for HR-negative, HER2-positive breast cancer is unknown. We examined the association of Medicaid expansion with receipt of guideline-concordant treatment, time to treatment initiation, and survival among nonelderly women newly diagnosed with HR-negative, HER2-positive breast cancer.