Catherine Aftandilian

All Publications

• CONTINUATION OF TYROSINE KINASE INHIBITORS AFTER CHEMOTHERAPY IN PH plus ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA Smith, S., Aftandilian, C. WILEY. 2019

  View details for Web of Science ID 000490282100037

• Mucormycosis diagnosed during induction chemotherapy in five pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Pediatric blood & cancer Aftandilian, C., Eguiguren, L., Mathew, R., Messner, A. 2019: e27834

  Abstract

  Mucormycosis in pediatric oncology patients is a rare invasive fungal infection associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We describe five patients diagnosed with mucormycosis during induction chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia at our institution. All of the patients in our series survived, some in spite of having disseminated disease. Most of the patients' chemotherapy was modified with the aim of controlling their leukemia while minimizing immunosuppression until their fungal infection was under control. Although mucormycosis is frequently fatal, rapid diagnosis and a multidisciplinary approach can lead to excellent outcomes, even in patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/pbc.27834

  View details for PubMedID 31131954

• Comparison of the Transcriptomic Signature of Pediatric Vs. Adult CML and Normal Bone Marrow Stem Cells Chae, H., Murphy, L. C., Donato, M., Lee, A. G., Sweet-Cordero, E., Abidi, P., Bittencourt, H., Lacayo, N. J., Dahl, G., Aftandilian, C., Davis, K. L., Huang, M., Sumarsono, N., Redell, M., Fu, C. H., Chen, I. L., Alonzo, T. A., Eklund, E. A., Gotlib, J. R., Khatri, P., Hijiya, N., Sakamoto, K. M. AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY. 2018

  View details for DOI 10.1182/blood-2018-99-119974

  View details for Web of Science ID 000454842803255

• Chromation Remodeling Therapy and Capizzi Methotrexate in Treatment-Related MDS/AML Aftandilian, C., Sakamoto, K. M., Davis, K. L., Dahl, G., Lacayo, N. J. AMER SOC HEMATOLOGY. 2018

  View details for DOI 10.1182/blood-2018-99-110481

  View details for Web of Science ID 000454842806106

• Identifying patient- and family-centered outcomes relevant to inpatient versus at-home management of neutropenia in children with acute myeloid leukemia PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER Szymczak, J. E., Getz, K. D., Madding, R., Fisher, B., Raetz, E., Hijiya, N., Gramatges, M. M., Henry, M., Mian, A., Arnold, S. D., Aftandilian, C., Collier, A. B., Aplenc, R. 2018; 65 (4)

  View details for DOI 10.1002/pbc.26927

  View details for Web of Science ID 000425642100028

• Identifying patient- and family-centered outcomes relevant to inpatient versus at-home management of neutropenia in children with acute myeloid leukemia. Pediatric blood & cancer Szymczak, J. E., Getz, K. D., Madding, R., Fisher, B., Raetz, E., Hijiya, N., Gramatges, M. M., Henry, M., Mian, A., Arnold, S. D., Aftandilian, C., Collier, A. B., Aplenc, R. 2018; 65 (4)

  Abstract

  Efficacy of therapeutic strategies relative to patient- and family-centered outcomes in pediatric oncology must be assessed. We sought to identify outcomes important to children with acute myeloid leukemia and their families related to inpatient versus at-home management of neutropenia. We conducted qualitative interviews with 32 children ≥8 years old and 54 parents. Analysis revealed the impact of neutropenia management strategy on siblings, parent anxiety, and child sleep quality as being outcomes of concern across respondents. These themes were used to inform the design of a questionnaire that is currently being used in a prospective, multiinstitutional comparative effectiveness trial.

  View details for PubMedID 29286570

• Multisite external validation of a risk prediction model for the diagnosis of blood stream infections in febrile pediatric oncology patients without severe neutropenia. Cancer Esbenshade, A. J., Zhao, Z., Aftandilian, C., Saab, R., Wattier, R. L., Beauchemin, M., Miller, T. P., Wilkes, J. J., Kelly, M. J., Fernbach, A., Jeng, M., Schwartz, C. L., Dvorak, C. C., Shyr, Y., Moons, K. G., Sulis, M., Friedman, D. L. 2017

  Abstract

  Pediatric oncology patients are at an increased risk of invasive bacterial infection due to immunosuppression. The risk of such infection in the absence of severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count ≥ 500/μL) is not well established and a validated prediction model for blood stream infection (BSI) risk offers clinical usefulness.A 6-site retrospective external validation was conducted using a previously published risk prediction model for BSI in febrile pediatric oncology patients without severe neutropenia: the Esbenshade/Vanderbilt (EsVan) model. A reduced model (EsVan2) excluding 2 less clinically reliable variables also was created using the initial EsVan model derivative cohort, and was validated using all 5 external validation cohorts. One data set was used only in sensitivity analyses due to missing some variables.From the 5 primary data sets, there were a total of 1197 febrile episodes and 76 episodes of bacteremia. The overall C statistic for predicting bacteremia was 0.695, with a calibration slope of 0.50 for the original model and a calibration slope of 1.0 when recalibration was applied to the model. The model performed better in predicting high-risk bacteremia (gram-negative or Staphylococcus aureus infection) versus BSI alone, with a C statistic of 0.801 and a calibration slope of 0.65. The EsVan2 model outperformed the EsVan model across data sets with a C statistic of 0.733 for predicting BSI and a C statistic of 0.841 for high-risk BSI.The results of this external validation demonstrated that the EsVan and EsVan2 models are able to predict BSI across multiple performance sites and, once validated and implemented prospectively, could assist in decision making in clinical practice. Cancer 2017. © 2017 American Cancer Society.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/cncr.30792

  View details for PubMedID 28542918

• Pediatric Oncology Discharges With Febrile Neutropenia: Variation in Location of Care JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY Alvarez, E., Chamberlain, L. J., Aftandilian, C., Saynina, O., Wise, P. 2017; 39 (1): E1-E7

  Abstract

  We examined the use of Pediatric Cancer Specialty Centers (PCSCs) over time and the length of stay (LOS) in pediatric oncology patients with a diagnosis of febrile neutropenia. PCSCs were defined as Children's Oncology Group and California Children's Services designated centers. We performed a retrospective analysis on all discharges of pediatric (0 to 18) oncology patients with febrile neutropenia in California (1983 to 2011) using the private Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database. We examined influence of age, sex, race/ethnicity, payer, income, distance, tumor type, and complications on utilization of PCSCs and LOS (SAS 9.2). Analysis of 24,559 pediatric oncology febrile neutropenia discharges showed hospitalizations in PCSCs increasing from 48% in 1983 to 94% in 2011. The adjusted regression analysis showed decreased PCSC utilization for ages 15 to 18, Hispanic patients, and those living >40 miles away. The median PCSC LOS was 9 days compared with 7 days at a non-PCSC (P<0.0001). Discharge from a PCSC was associated with a LOS >8 days after controlling for complications. Inpatient PCSC care for febrile neutropenia in California has increased since 1983. Receiving care at a PCSC is influenced by age, tumor type, ethnicity, geography, and complications.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/MPH.0000000000000716

  View details for Web of Science ID 000391634100001

  View details for PubMedID 27918351

• Invasive Fungal Disease in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY Aftandilian, C., Weinberg, K., Willert, J., Kharbanda, S., Porteus, M., Maldonado, Y., Agarwal, R. 2016; 38 (7): 574-580

  View details for Web of Science ID 000385523700029

• Invasive Fungal Disease in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant. Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology Aftandilian, C., Weinberg, K., Willert, J., Kharbanda, S., Porteus, M., Maldonado, Y., Agarwal, R. 2016; 38 (7): 574–80

  Abstract

  Invasive fungal disease (IFD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality in pediatric patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). We analyzed the outcome of 152 consecutive pediatric patients who underwent allogeneic HSCT from 2005 to 2012: 126 of these without a history of IFD and 26 with IFD before HSCT. Antifungal prophylaxis agent was determined by the primary transplant attending. The rate of IFD after HSCT among patients with or without prior IFD was similar (7.7% with and 7.1% without a history of fungal disease before transplant). Mortality in these 2 populations did not differ (35% vs. 28%, P=0.48, χ). Patients deemed at higher risk for IFD were generally placed on voriconazole prophylaxis; however, this did not affect rates of posttransplant IFD. All-cause mortality in patients with posttransplant IFD was significantly higher than those without posttransplant IFD (67% vs. 21%, P<0.0001,χ). Identifying risk factors for posttransplant IFD remains a high priority to improve outcome of HSCT.

  View details for PubMedID 27658021

• Evaluation of Febrile, Nonneutropenic Pediatric Oncology Patients with Central Venous Catheters Who Are Not Given Empiric Antibiotics JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS Bartholomew, F., Aftandilian, C., Andrews, J., Gutierrez, K., Luna-Fineman, S., Jeng, M. 2015; 166 (1): 157-162

  Abstract

  To evaluate the practice of empiric antibiotics for febrile, nonneutropenic pediatric oncology patients with a central venous catheter (CVC) in place.Episodes of fever without neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] ≥500 cells/mm(3)) were reviewed retrospectively in pediatric oncology patients with a CVC undergoing chemotherapy. Characteristics and symptoms were compared between patients with bacteremia and patients without bacteremia.A total of 392 episodes of nonneutropenic fever in 138 subjects (52 females; 38%) were reviewed. In this cohort, the median age at an episode was 7 years, and the majority of patients had a diagnosis of acute leukemia (54%). Median ANC was 3100 cells/mm(3) (IQR, 1570-5980 cells/mm(3)). Median temperature was 38.7°C (IQR, 38.3-39.2°C). Twenty-four infectious episodes (6%) occurred in 18 subjects, and 5 CVCs required removal; all patients requiring removal admitted and received antibiotics owing to chills. There were no significant difference in age, sex, or ANC between patients with bacteremia and those without bacteremia; however, mean temperature was higher in the patients with bacteremia (39.4°C vs 38.7°C; P = .003). No deaths due to sepsis occurred, and no CVCs were removed because antibiotics were not administered empirically.Our practice of observing pediatric oncology patients undergoing chemotherapy with CVCs who are not neutropenic does not appear to lead to increased serious adverse outcomes and avoids antibiotic exposure for >90% of patients without a bacterial infection.

  View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpeds.2014.09.008

  View details for PubMedID 25444524

• The Neutropenic Diet ... Still Ageless? C. Aftandilian Article Reviewed ONCOLOGY-NEW YORK Aftandilian, C. C., Milotich, C., Sakamoto, K. M. 2012; 26 (6): 586-589

  View details for Web of Science ID 000305794100012

• The neutropenic diet... still ageless? Oncology (Williston Park, N.Y.) Aftandilian, C. C., Milotich, C., Sakamoto, K. M. 2012; 26 (6): 586-?

  View details for PubMedID 22870544

• Burkitt Lymphoma With Pancreatic Involvement JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY ONCOLOGY Aftandilian, C. C., Friedmann, A. M. 2010; 32 (8): E338-E340

  Abstract

  A 10-year-old boy was referred to our clinic for tonsillectomy and was found to have a large mass within his oropharynx. Intraoperative biopsies confirmed Burkitt lymphoma. Further imaging and biopsy revealed pancreatic involvement. He was treated with multiagent chemotherapy. He remains disease-free 6 years later. Review of the literature demonstrates other cases of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with pancreatic involvement with good outcomes. Pancreatic involvement is a relatively rare occurrence in childhood lymphoma.

  View details for DOI 10.1097/MPH.0b013e3181ed1178

  View details for Web of Science ID 000283538300021

  View details for PubMedID 20930650

• Group therapy for substance use disorders: What do we know? HARVARD REVIEW OF PSYCHIATRY Weiss, R. D., Jaffee, W. B., de Menil, V. P., Cogley, C. B. 2004; 12 (6): 339-350

  Abstract

  Although group therapy is the most prevalent treatment modality for substance use disorders, an up-to-date review of treatment outcome literature does not exist. A search of the literature yielded 24 treatment outcome studies comparing group therapy to other treatment conditions. These studies fell into one of six research design categories: (1) group therapy versus no group therapy; (2) group therapy versus individual therapy; (3) group therapy plus individual therapy versus group therapy alone; (4) group therapy plus individual therapy versus individual therapy alone; (5) group therapy versus another group therapy with different content or theoretical orientation; and (6) more group therapy versus less group therapy. In general, treatment outcome studies did not demonstrate differences between group and individual modalities, and no single type of group therapy reliably demonstrated greater efficacy than others. Unique methodological and logistical hurdles encountered in research on group therapy for substance use disorders, as well as considerations for future research, are also discussed.

  View details for DOI 10.1080/1067322049095723

  View details for Web of Science ID 000226593100004

  View details for PubMedID 15764469

• Requiring remission of undue influence of weight and shape on self-evaluation in the definition of recovery for bulimia nervosa Annual Conference of the Academy-for-Eating-Disorders Cogley, C. B., Keel, P. K. JOHN WILEY & SONS INC. 2003: 200–210

  Abstract

  The current study evaluated the concurrent validity of requiring remission of undue influence of weight and shape on self-evaluation (undue influence) in defining recovery from bulimia nervosa (BN).Three groups completed the Beck Depression Inventory, the Mood and Anxiety Symptom Questionnaire, the Body Shape Questionnaire, and the Social Adjustment Scale: 31 women were fully recovered from BN (FR), 28 women had no behavioral symptoms of BN (partially recovered [PR]), and 59 matched non-eating-disordered controls (MC).The PR group had more pathologic scores on depression, anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and social adjustment compared with both the FR and MC groups, which did not differ from each other.These findings suggest that including remission of cognitive symptoms in a standardized definition of recovery may prove to be clinically useful in establishing reliable prognostic indicators. Future research should evaluate the role played by cognitive symptoms in triggering relapse.

  View details for DOI 10.1002/eat.10187

  View details for Web of Science ID 000184510900003

  View details for PubMedID 12898556