Akram Saad

Dr. Akram Saad

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

7Years (2020-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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20 March 2020 in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
PDF file
ASAkram Saad
Akram Saad
JGJeffrey Goldstein
Jeffrey Goldstein
OMOfer Margalit
Ofer Margalit
ESEinat Shacham‐Shmueli
Einat Shacham‐Shmueli
YLYaacov R. Lawrence
Yaacov R. Lawrence
BBBen Boursi
Ben Boursi

26 April 2020 in Cancers
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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MGMoran Gadot
Moran Gadot
TDTima Davidson
Tima Davidson
MAMargalit Aharon
Margalit Aharon
EAEshetu G. Atenafu
Eshetu G. Atenafu
AMAvraham Malki
Avraham Malki
RLRaya Leibowitz
Raya Leibowitz
Lutetium-177-PSMA ([177Lu]-PSMA-617), a radiolabeled small molecule, binds with high affinity to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), enabling targeted radiation therapy to metastatic prostate lesions. Our objective was to retrospectively analyze the activity of [177Lu]-PSMA-617 given off-trial to men with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) and identify clinical factors associated with PSA response. Electronic medical records of all men treated with [177Lu]-PSMA-617 were reviewed and analyzed. Overall survival was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. The association between potential variables and PSA response was analyzed by univariate analysis, using either logistic regression or χ2/Fisher’s exact test. Multivariable analysis was carried out using logistic regression on all categorical variables with a P-value of 20%. A score combining these two parameters was significantly associated with PSA response. In summary, [177Lu]-PSMA-617 is active in the ‘real-life’ setting of heavily pretreated men with mCRPC.

11 May 2022 in Thoracic Cancer
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
ASAkram Saad
Akram Saad
JGJeffrey Goldstein
Jeffrey Goldstein
SASarit Appel
Sarit Appel
SDSameh Daher
Sameh Daher
DUDamien Urban
Damien Urban
JBJair Bar
Jair Bar
Objective: Compare outcomes in patients with stage III non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with chemoradiation and adjuvant durvalumab to historical controls treated with chemoradiation alone.Methods: The records of patients with stage III NSCLC treated with definitive chemoradiation ± adjuvant durvalumab were reviewed retrospectively. Primary endpoints were progression free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and adverse events (AE).Results: Between September 2009 and September 2020, 215 patients were treated with concurrent chemoradiation (n = 144) or concurrent chemoradiation followed by adjuvant durvalumab (n = 71). Compared to historical controls, durvalumab use was associated with improved PFS: median (27 months vs. 10 months, p < 0.0001), 1‐year (83.1% vs. 43.8, p < 0.0001); and improved OS; median (not reached vs. 24 months, p < 0.0001), 1‐year (85.9% vs. 81.9%, p < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed adjuvant durvalumab was associated with increased OS (p = 0.005) and PFS (p = 0.001). Within the durvalumab group, only clinical stage IIIA versus IIIB/C was associated with improved OS (p = 0.049), but not PFS. There was no association between PFS or OS and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score, prior history of immune disease, programmed death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) receptor status, delay in starting durvalumab beyond 42 days, or development of an AE. During durvalumab treatment, 63 AE were reported in 52 patients with treatment discontinuation in 11. Pneumonitis was the most common AE reported (n = 35, 49%). Most AE were grade 1–2 (n = 57). Grade 3–4 AE were uncommon (n = 6) and none were grade 5.Conclusion: Treatment with adjuvant durvalumab following chemoradiation was associated with improved PFS and OS compared to chemoradiation alone.

10 June 2020 in The Oncologist
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
RLRaya Leibowitz
Raya Leibowitz
TDTima Davidson
Tima Davidson
MGMoran Gadot
Moran Gadot
MAMargalit Aharon
Margalit Aharon
AMAvraham Malki
Avraham Malki
RBRaanan Berger
Raanan Berger
Background: Prostate cancer is a common malignancy of the elderly, and with the aging of the population, the need is growing for therapies suitable for this age group. Lutetium-177–prostate-specific membrane antigen (Lu-PSMA), a radiolabeled small molecule, binds with high affinity to prostate-specific membrane antigen, enabling beta particle therapy targeted to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). In a recent single-arm phase II trial and a subsequent expansion cohort, a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline of ≥50% was observed in approximately 60% of patients receiving Lu-PSMA. Taking into account the specific challenges and potential toxicities of Lu-PSMA administration in elderly men, we sought to retrospectively analyze the safety and activity of Lu-PSMA in men aged older than 75 years with mCRPC. Patients and Methods: The electronic medical records of 24 patients aged older than 75 years treated with Lu-PSMA “off-trial” were reviewed, and clinical data were extracted. Clinical endpoints were toxicity and activity, defined as a PSA decline ≥50%. Descriptive statistics were performed using Excel. Results: The median age at treatment start was 81.7 years (range 75.1–91.9). The median number of previous treatment lines was four. The number of treatment cycles ranged from one to four; the mean administered radioactivity was 6 GBq per cycle. Treatment was generally tolerable; side effects included fatigue (n = 8, 33%), anemia (n = 7, 29%), thrombocytopenia (n = 5, 21%), and anorexia/nausea (n = 3, 13%). Clinical benefit was observed in 12 of 22 patients (54%); PSA decline above 50% was observed in 11 patients (48%) and was associated with significantly longer overall survival. Conclusion: Our results indicate that Lu-PSMA is safe and active in elderly patients with mCRPC. Implications for Practice: Lutetium-177–prostate-specific membrane antigen (Lu-PSMA), a radiolabeled small molecule, binds with high affinity to prostate-specific membrane antigen, enabling beta particle therapy targeted to metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The recently published single-arm phase II trial with Lu-PSMA, describing its safety and activity, did not include patients aged older than 75 years. In this study, Lu-PSMA activity was retrospectively analyzed in patients aged older than 75 years and results indicate that treatment was tolerable and similarly active in this age group, with no new emerging safety signals. Despite the small cohort size, this analysis suggests that Lu-PSMA can serve as an advanced palliative treatment line in mCRPC in elderly patients.

24 March 2023 in International Journal of Gynecological Cancer
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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SHShira Peleg Hasson
Shira Peleg Hasson
SFShira Felder
Shira Felder
LHLimor Helpman
Limor Helpman
ATAlexandra Taylor
Alexandra Taylor
MSMichal Shalamov
Michal Shalamov
ASAkram Saad
Akram Saad
Objective The use of chemoradiation in patients with stage IVB cancer of the cervix was evaluated to determine if definitive treatment offers benefit. Methods A database of 546 patients with cancer of the cervix treated between January 2005 and May 2021 at a tertiary academic medical center was reviewed retrospectively to identify patients with stage IVB disease. Log rank test, regression analysis, and the Kaplan–Meier method were used to identify and compare variables and estimate progression free survival and overall survival. Results Thirty-three patients with stage IVB cervical cancer were identified. Median age was 53 years (range 28–78). Pathology subtypes were squamous cell (n=22, 67%), adenocarcinoma (n=8, 24%), and clear cell (n=3, 9%). Metastases were classified as lymphatic (n=14, 42%) or hematogenous (n=19, 58%). Following treatment to all sites with chemoradiotherapy and selected use of surgery (n=23), six patients (26%, lymphatic n=4, hematogenous n=2) remained disease free for a median duration of 4 years (range 3–17 years). Recurrences in the remaining patients were distant (n=13) or local (n=4). All patients in the chemotherapy group (n=10, 100%) progressed. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that median progression free survival was longer for patients treated at all disease sites than for patients treated with chemotherapy alone (19 vs 11 months, p=0.01). However, this was not the case for overall survival (49 vs 33 months, p=0.15). Patients with metastases limited to lymph nodes also had longer median progression free survival (22 vs 11 months, p=0.04) but not overall survival (p=0.68). Conclusions Patients with stage IVB cancer of the cervix may benefit from treatment to all sites of disease, if feasible and safe, as demonstrated by improved progression free survival.

4 March 2022 in Medical Dosimetry
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
NWNoam Weizman
Noam Weizman
KBKhader Baidun
Khader Baidun
AGAdam Goldstein
Adam Goldstein
UAUri Amit
Uri Amit
ASAkram Saad
Akram Saad
JGJeffrey Goldstein
Jeffrey Goldstein