About

Ida Wong-Sefidan is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Medicine at UC San Diego, affiliated with the divisions of Hematology-Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation. Her research includes evaluating the impact of external mentorship programs in classical hematology, as well as studies related to hematologic malignancies and neoplasms. Her publication record demonstrates a focus on hematology, with contributions to understanding lymphoma response assessments, prostate adenocarcinoma metastases, hepatitis B reactivation, and evidence-based transfusion guidelines, among other topics. Her work is derived from sources such as MEDLINE/PubMed, and she collaborates with other researchers within UCSD and the broader medical community.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Political Science
• Internal medicine
• Psychology
• Medical education
• Surgery

Selected publications

• Evaluating the impact of a year-long external mentorship pilot program in classical hematology

  Blood Advances · 2024 · 11 citations

  • Political Science
  • Medical education
  • Medicine

  ABSTRACT: Effective mentorship is a pivotal factor in shaping the career trajectory of trainees interested in classical hematology (CH), which is of critical importance due to the anticipated decline in the CH workforce. However, there is a lack of mentorship opportunities within CH compared with medical oncology. To address this need, a year-long external mentorship program was implemented through the American Society of Hematology Medical Educators Institute. Thirty-five hematology/oncology fellows interested in CH and 34 academically productive faculty mentors from different institutions across North America were paired in a meticulous process that considered individual interests, experiences, and background. Pairs were expected to meet virtually once a month. Participation in a scholarly project was optional. A mixed-methods sequential explanatory design was used to evaluate the program using mentee and mentor surveys, a mentee interview, and a mentee focus group. Thirty-three mentee-mentor pairs (94.2%) completed the program. Sixty-three percent of mentee respondents worked on a scholarly project with their mentor; several mentees earned publications, grants, and awards. Mentee perception that their assigned mentor was a good match was associated with a perceived positive impact on confidence (P = .0423), career development (P = .0423), and professional identity (P = .0302). Furthermore, 23 mentees (66%) accepted CH faculty positions after fellowship. All mentor respondents believed that this program would increase retention in CH. This mentorship program demonstrates a productive, beneficial way of connecting mentees and mentors from different institutions to improve the careers of CH trainees, with the ultimate goal of increasing retention in CH.

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• Factors associated with hospitalization in patients (pts) with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (LA-HNSCC) treated with definitive chemoradiation (CRT).

  Journal of Clinical Oncology · 2021

  Senior authorCorresponding
  • Medicine
  • Internal medicine
  • Surgery

  e18035 Background: Definitive CRT is the standard of care for LA-HNSCC and associated with mucosal toxicity and treatment-related morbidity. Nutritional support via gastrostomy tube (G-tube) during CRT may reduce treatment-related complications. This study aims to identify factors associated with hospitalization in pts with LA-HNSCC treated with CRT. Methods: We conducted a medical record review of pts with LA-HNSCC treated with CRT between January 2010 and December 2019 at the VA San Diego Medical Center. Demographic and clinical factors were compared for pts based on hospitalization and G-tube placement. Logistic regression was used to identify associations with hospitalization and treatment interruptions. Results: Data on 100 pts (98% male) were analyzed. 21 pts were hospitalized, and 17 pts had radiation treatment (RT) interrupted. 72 pts had prophylactic G-tube (p-G-tube) placement, and 11 pts had reactive G-tube (r-G-tube) placement. Hospitalized and non-hospitalized pts did not differ by ethnicity, alcohol use status, or chemotherapy type. Hospitalized vs non-hospitalized pts were older (mean 67.6 vs 63.8, P = 0.043), more likely to lose more weight during CRT (-14.90% vs -10.60%, P = 0.009), less likely to complete CRT (71.4% vs 92.4%, P = 0.009), and more likely to have chemotherapy (42.9% vs 3.8%, P < 0.001) and RT interruptions (71.4% vs 2.5%, P < 0.001). Logistic regression used to predict hospitalization and RT interruption were significant (X 2 = 35.24, P = 0.002 and X 2 = 31.97, P = 0.007, respectively). The effect testing p-G-tube vs r-G-tube placement was the only factor significantly associated with lower likelihood of hospitalization during CRT (Wald = 4.61, P = 0.032) and RT interruption (Wald = 6.02, P = 0.014). Pts with r-G-tube placement lost more weight during CRT (-16.79% vs -10.82% with p-G-tube, -10.97% with no G-tube, P = 0.022), had higher hospitalization rates during CRT (72.7% vs 18.1% with p-G-tube, 0% with no G-tube, P < 0.001), had increased likelihood of RT interruption (63.6% vs 13.9% with p-G-tube, 0% with no G-tube, P < 0.001), and were more likely to receive weekly cisplatin (45.5% vs 9.7% with p-G-tube, 41.2% with no G-tube, P = 0.018). Prophylactic G-tube placement was associated with current smoking status (43.1% vs 9.1% with r-G-tube, 41.2% with no G-tube, P = 0.009), bolus cisplatin (52.8% vs 36.4% with r-G-tube, 35.3% with no G-tube, P = 0.018), and cetuximab (27.8% vs 9.1% with r-G-tube, 11.8% with no G-tube, P = 0.018). Conclusions: Prophylactic G-tube placement should be considered for pts with LA-HNSCC treated with CRT regardless of smoking history and chemotherapy choice to decrease treatment-related hospitalizations and RT interruptions. This may be more important for indigent pts since prior research has shown treatment interruptions occur at higher rates in this at-risk population.

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• Plasmablastic Lymphoma

  2018-01-01 · 2 citations

  book-chapter
  PublisherDOI

• Myelodysplasia

  Anemia · 2018-05-17

  book-chapterOpen access1st authorCorresponding

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• Prostate adenocarcinoma metastases to the testis and brain: case report and review of the literature

  Oxford Medical Case Reports · 2017-08-01 · 8 citations

  articleOpen access

  Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide. While clinicians commonly see metastases to the bones and lymph nodes, it may infrequently spread to more uncommon locations. We report an unusual case of an 83-year-old patient with previously treated prostate adenocarcinoma who presents with symptomatic metastases to the testis and brain in the absence of widely disseminated disease. This case report highlights the importance of including metastatic disease in the differential for patients with a history of prostate cancer and a newly discovered mass until an evaluation of the tissue can be performed.

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• [18F] Positron emission tomography response after rituximab-containing induction therapy in follicular lymphoma is an independent predictor of survival after adjustment for FLIPI in academic and community-based practice

  Leukemia & lymphoma/Leukemia and lymphoma · 2016-08-12 · 10 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Positron emission tomography (PET) after induction therapy in follicular lymphoma (FL) is predictive of survival in clinical trials. We describe use of PET and computed tomography (CT) after rituximab-based induction therapy in FL patients followed by the National LymphoCare Study and explore the association between imaging response assessment and survival. Among 1289 patients, imaging consisted of: PET ± CT (35%), CT alone (42%), other/no imaging (24%). Median follow-up was 7.6 years. In unadjusted analyses, positive PET ± CT and CT were prognostic of inferior OS (HR 1.78; 95% CI: 1.16-2.72 and HR 1.61, 95% CI: 1.13-2.29, respectively) and PFS (HR 1.63, 95% CI: 1.21-2.20 and HR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.12-1.89, respectively). Adjusting for FL International Prognostic Index, PET remained predictive of OS (HR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.01-2.36) and PFS (HR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.14-2.07). Residual disease via PET in FL is prognostic of survival in clinical practice.

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• Reactivation of Hepatitis B Virus after Withdrawal of Erlotinib

  Current Oncology · 2015-12-01 · 15 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Reactivation of hepatitis B virus (hbv) is a reported complication for patients undergoing chemotherapy, particularly immunochemotherapy with anti-CD20 agents such as rituximab. However, as the use of molecularly targeted agents increases, the risk of viral reactivation is less clearly defined. Here, we present the case of a 62-year-old woman with newly diagnosed EGFR mutation-positive metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (nsclc). Per interview, our patient had a remote history of hbv infection. She was started on erlotinib and developed profound diarrhea leading to renal failure that required hospital admission and temporary discontinuation of erlotinib. At 8 days after erlotinib cessation, she had a marked spike in her liver function tests, with viral serologies that were consistent with hbv reactivation. Although erlotinib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (tkis) are not classically associated with hbv reactivation, hbv reactivation can occur even in the setting of tki withdrawal. Before tki initiation, careful patient screening in those at risk for hbv should be performed to attenuate preventable hepatotoxicity and to differentiate between other causes of hepatotoxicity (for example, drug-induced toxicity).

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• Plasmablastic Lymphoma

  2014-01-01 · 2 citations

  book-chapter
  PublisherDOI

• Plasmablastic Lymphoma

  2014-01-01 · 5 citations

  book-chapter
  PublisherDOI

• PET Compared With CT As a Prognosticator After Rituximab Induction Therapy In Follicular Lymphoma: Report From The National Lymphocare Study

  Blood · 2013-11-15 · 1 citations

  article1st author

  Abstract Introduction While the utility of positron emission tomography (PET) compared with computed tomography (CT) for end-of–induction (EOI) therapy response assessment in follicular lymphoma (FL) remains unclear, emerging data suggest that PET performed at the end of therapy can predict survival. To further define the role of PET compared with CT in the management of patients with FL, we used the National LymphoCare Study (NLCS) database to examine the use of PET and CT in clinical practice, to assess the prognostic role of PET and CT after induction therapy, and to evaluate whether PET provides better prediction of outcomes compared with response based on CT scans. Methods NLCS is an observational study comprising 2700+ FL patients enrolled between 2004 and 2007. In NLCS, 1072 patients with FL completed induction rituximab (R) monotherapy or R-chemotherapy and had EOI imaging response assessments via PET ± CT or CT alone performed between 2 cycles prior to and 12 weeks after the end of therapy. Response assessments (complete response [CR], partial response [PR], stable disease [SD], and progressive disease [PD]) were determined by the local investigators; CR was classified as a negative scan, while PR, SD, and PD were classified as positive scans. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate baseline factors associated with receiving PET imaging. Outcomes were defined as the number of days from the EOI response assessment until date of death (overall survival [OS]), date of disease progression (as determined by the treating physician) or death (progression-free survival [PFS] defined for patients without PD at date of EOI assessment). To directly compare survival in each imaging group, a propensity score (PS) was calculated to adjust for imbalances between the groups. Cox proportional hazards models with PS matching were used to estimate the effects of PET and CT response on OS and PFS. All variables potentially related to outcome or imaging selection were included in the calculation of the PS. A total of 395 and 380 matched pairs were available for comparative analysis of OS and PFS, respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimates of PFS and OS were also calculated. Results Of 497 PET ± CT scans performed at EOI, 330 (66.4%) were reported as negative, and 167 (33.6%) were reported as positive. Of 575 CT scans performed at EOI, 233 (40.5%) were reported as negative, and 342 (59.5%) were reported as positive. Grade 3 histology, available bone marrow assessment, Southwest region, and R-CHOP induction were associated with greater likelihood of receiving PET imaging. Median follow-up was 6.3 years. Five-year PFS and OS outcomes are detailed in Table 1. Patients who remained PET-positive had significantly poorer OS (PS-adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 2.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32–3.68) and PFS (PS-adjusted HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.06–2.07) compared with patients who were PET-negative at EOI. Compared with patients who were CT-negative at EOI, patients with CT-positive scans at EOI trended toward inferior OS (PS-adjusted HR 1.50, 95% CI 0.96–2.34) and PFS (PS-adjusted HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.00–1.87) outcomes, but the trend was not statistically significant. Patients with PET-positive vs CT-positive scans had no significant differences in OS (PS-adjusted HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.61–1.51) and PFS (PS-adjusted HR 1.10, CI 95% 0.78–1.39) outcomes. Patients with PET-negative vs CT-negative scans had no significant differences in OS (PS-adjusted HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.39–1.08) and PFS (PS-adjusted HR 1.02, 95% 0.75–1.39) outcomes. Conclusions After accounting for baseline differences between patients receiving PET and CT response assessments, PET response performed after R-induction therapy is a prognosticator of OS and PFS in patients with FL, while CT response shows a trend toward association with OS and PFS, which is not statistically significant. There is a trend toward improved OS in PET-negative compared with CT-negative patients, but it is not statistically significant. There is no difference in PFS or OS when comparing PET-positive with CT-positive patients. PET performed at the end of R induction in patients with FL is highly predictive of outcome; however, it remains uncertain whether response by imaging with PET has better predictive power of survival compared with conventional imaging with CT. Disclosures: Off Label Use: Review will likely involve off label use of drugs for follicular lymphoma in the upfront setting. Byrtek:Genentech: Employment, Equity Ownership. Flowers:Bio-Oncology: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Janssen: Research Funding; Spectrum: Research Funding; Sanofi: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Abbott: Research Funding; Millennium/Takeda: Research Funding. Link:Millenium: Research Funding; Genentech: Research Funding; Spectrum: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy; Millenium: Consultancy; Genentech: Consultancy; Pharacyclics: Research Funding. Zelenetz:Cephalon: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy; Sanofi-Aventis : Consultancy; Genentech: Research Funding; GSK: Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Cancer Genetics: Scientific Advisor Other; Celgene: Consultancy; GSK: Consultancy. Dawson:Roche: Equity Ownership; Genentech: Employment. Reid:Genentech: Research Funding.

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Frequent coauthors

• Erin Reid

  University of California, San Diego

  6 shared

• Brian Kwan

  University of California, San Diego

  4 shared

• Elaine A. Muchmore

  University of California, San Diego

  4 shared

• Huan‐You Wang

  University of California, San Diego

  3 shared

• Nicolas Villanueva

  Bristol-Myers Squibb (United States)

  2 shared

• Neil Panjwani

  Fred Hutch Cancer Center

  2 shared

• Michelle Byrtek

  2 shared

• Scott Diamond

  University of California, Los Angeles

  2 shared