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Robert J. Robbins is a biologist, an educator, a science administrator, a publisher, an information technologist, and an IT leader and manager who specializes in advancing biomedical knowledge and supporting education through the application of information technology. More About: RJR | OUR TEAM | OUR SERVICES | THIS WEBSITE
RJR: Recommended Bibliography 24 Apr 2025 at 01:48 Created:
Publications by FHCRC Researchers
The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center began in 1975, with critical help from Washington State's U.S. Senator Warren Magnuson.
Fred Hutch quickly became the permanent home to Dr. E. Donnall Thomas, who had spent decades developing an innovative treatment for leukemia and other blood cancers. Thomas and his colleagues were working to cure cancer by transplanting human bone marrow after otherwise lethal doses of chemotherapy and radiation. At the Hutch, Thomas improved this treatment and readied it for widespread use. Since then, the pioneering procedure has saved hundreds of thousands of lives worldwide.
While improving bone marrow transplantation remains central to Fred Hutch's research, it is now only part of its efforts. The Hutch is home to five scientific divisions, three Nobel laureates and more than 2,700 faculty, who collectively have published more than 10,000 scientific papers, presented here as a full bibliography.
NOTE: From 1995 to 2009 I served as the Hutch's vice president for information technology — hence my interest in the organization. Although my role was in the admin division, if you dig through this bibliography, you will find a couple of papers with me as an author.
Created with PubMed® Query: ( fhcrc[Affiliation] OR "fred hutchinson"[Affiliation] OR "Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research"[Affiliation] OR "Fred Hutch"[affiliation] ) NOT pmcbook NOT ispreviousversion
Citations The Papers (from PubMed®)
RevDate: 2025-04-18
CmpDate: 2025-04-18
A conserved opal termination codon optimizes a temperature-dependent trade-off between protein production and processing in alphaviruses.
Science advances, 11(16):eads7933.
Most mosquito-transmitted alphaviruses encode a premature opal termination codon upstream of their viral polymerase. We show that the Sindbis virus (SINV) opal codon outperforms other stop codons in primate cells at 37°C due to optimal translational readthrough. However, increased readthrough of all stop codons reduces opal preference at 28°C in primate and mosquito cells. Opal also outperforms all sense codons because opal-to-sense substitutions lead to excess polyprotein production at 37°C, disrupting orderly polyprotein processing and production of viral genomic RNAs (gRNAs) required for virus production. Increased readthrough at 28°C dampens the fitness advantages of opal codons. Unexpectedly, we find that a naturally occurring SINV mutation restores sense-codon fitness by further delaying polyprotein processing, allowing adequate time to produce gRNAs. Similar temperature-dependent mechanisms occur in the distantly related dual-host alphavirus, Ross River virus. Our work highlights sophisticated strategies dual-host alphaviruses use to optimize replication in divergent temperatures through a single codon.
Additional Links: PMID-40249804
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40249804,
year = {2025},
author = {Bhattacharya, T and Alleman, EM and Freeman, TS and Noyola, AC and Emerman, M and Malik, HS},
title = {A conserved opal termination codon optimizes a temperature-dependent trade-off between protein production and processing in alphaviruses.},
journal = {Science advances},
volume = {11},
number = {16},
pages = {eads7933},
doi = {10.1126/sciadv.ads7933},
pmid = {40249804},
issn = {2375-2548},
mesh = {*Codon, Terminator/genetics ; Animals ; *Temperature ; *Alphavirus/genetics ; *Protein Biosynthesis ; Virus Replication/genetics ; *Sindbis Virus/genetics ; *Viral Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Humans ; RNA, Viral/genetics ; Mutation ; Cell Line ; },
abstract = {Most mosquito-transmitted alphaviruses encode a premature opal termination codon upstream of their viral polymerase. We show that the Sindbis virus (SINV) opal codon outperforms other stop codons in primate cells at 37°C due to optimal translational readthrough. However, increased readthrough of all stop codons reduces opal preference at 28°C in primate and mosquito cells. Opal also outperforms all sense codons because opal-to-sense substitutions lead to excess polyprotein production at 37°C, disrupting orderly polyprotein processing and production of viral genomic RNAs (gRNAs) required for virus production. Increased readthrough at 28°C dampens the fitness advantages of opal codons. Unexpectedly, we find that a naturally occurring SINV mutation restores sense-codon fitness by further delaying polyprotein processing, allowing adequate time to produce gRNAs. Similar temperature-dependent mechanisms occur in the distantly related dual-host alphavirus, Ross River virus. Our work highlights sophisticated strategies dual-host alphaviruses use to optimize replication in divergent temperatures through a single codon.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
*Codon, Terminator/genetics
Animals
*Temperature
*Alphavirus/genetics
*Protein Biosynthesis
Virus Replication/genetics
*Sindbis Virus/genetics
*Viral Proteins/genetics/metabolism
Humans
RNA, Viral/genetics
Mutation
Cell Line
RevDate: 2025-04-18
Molecular signatures define BAP1-altered meningioma as a distinct CNS tumor with deregulation of Polycomb repressive complex target genes.
Neuro-oncology pii:8116004 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial neoplasms, with highly variable patient outcomes. While most meningiomas are benign, a significant subset recurs postoperatively, presenting substantial treatment challenges. BAP1 gene inactivation has been suggested as a marker for aggressive meningiomas, although its precise molecular and clinical roles remain poorly understood.
METHODS: To comprehensively investigate BAP1-altered meningiomas, we used six meningiomas with known BAP1 alterations as a discovery set. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of these samples, along 11,151 reference meningiomas, identified a distinct molecular cluster (n = 42) using unsupervised visualization approaches. These tumors were further characterized by DNA/RNA sequencing, histopathological examination, and a retrospective review of clinical data, compared to reference meningioma cohorts, providing a thorough characterization of this rare tumor subtype.
RESULTS: Our integrative analysis revealed BAP1-altered meningiomas as a distinct CNS tumor subtype, characterized by recurrent loss of chromosome 3p21 and driven by various BAP1-inactivating alterations. Although rhabdoid morphology is present in some cases, it is not exclusive and should not be used as a grading criterion. Progression-free survival analysis showed a median of 21 months (95% CI: 12-NA), with a 2-year overall survival rate of 79% (95% CI: 60%-100%), highlighting the aggressive nature of these tumors. Gene expression profiling revealed upregulation of PRC target genes, dysregulated Polycomb signaling, and elevated expression in several cellular and growth factor pathways.
CONCLUSIONS: BAP1-altered meningiomas represent a distinct and aggressive CNS tumor subtype associated with PRC dysregulation and recurrent 3p chromosome loss. These findings support the designation "meningioma, BAP1-altered."
Additional Links: PMID-40249111
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40249111,
year = {2025},
author = {Sievers, P and Arora, S and Hielscher, T and Savran, D and Schrimpf, D and Banan, R and Vonhören, D and Pusch, S and Sill, M and Appay, R and Wirsching, HG and Hortobagyi, T and Dohmen, H and Acker, T and Kohlhof-Meinecke, P and Schweizer, L and Wefers, AK and Harter, PN and Hartmann, C and Beschorner, R and Schittenhelm, J and Behling, F and Tabatabai, G and Mawrin, C and Snuderl, M and Maas, SLN and Wesseling, P and Brandner, S and Korshunov, A and Ratliff, M and Krieg, SM and Wick, W and Jones, DTW and Pfister, SM and Holland, EC and von Deimling, A and Szulzewsky, F and Sahm, F},
title = {Molecular signatures define BAP1-altered meningioma as a distinct CNS tumor with deregulation of Polycomb repressive complex target genes.},
journal = {Neuro-oncology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/neuonc/noaf105},
pmid = {40249111},
issn = {1523-5866},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial neoplasms, with highly variable patient outcomes. While most meningiomas are benign, a significant subset recurs postoperatively, presenting substantial treatment challenges. BAP1 gene inactivation has been suggested as a marker for aggressive meningiomas, although its precise molecular and clinical roles remain poorly understood.
METHODS: To comprehensively investigate BAP1-altered meningiomas, we used six meningiomas with known BAP1 alterations as a discovery set. Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of these samples, along 11,151 reference meningiomas, identified a distinct molecular cluster (n = 42) using unsupervised visualization approaches. These tumors were further characterized by DNA/RNA sequencing, histopathological examination, and a retrospective review of clinical data, compared to reference meningioma cohorts, providing a thorough characterization of this rare tumor subtype.
RESULTS: Our integrative analysis revealed BAP1-altered meningiomas as a distinct CNS tumor subtype, characterized by recurrent loss of chromosome 3p21 and driven by various BAP1-inactivating alterations. Although rhabdoid morphology is present in some cases, it is not exclusive and should not be used as a grading criterion. Progression-free survival analysis showed a median of 21 months (95% CI: 12-NA), with a 2-year overall survival rate of 79% (95% CI: 60%-100%), highlighting the aggressive nature of these tumors. Gene expression profiling revealed upregulation of PRC target genes, dysregulated Polycomb signaling, and elevated expression in several cellular and growth factor pathways.
CONCLUSIONS: BAP1-altered meningiomas represent a distinct and aggressive CNS tumor subtype associated with PRC dysregulation and recurrent 3p chromosome loss. These findings support the designation "meningioma, BAP1-altered."},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-21
CmpDate: 2025-04-18
mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine induces CD4+ T-cell responses among solid organ transplant recipients.
Frontiers in immunology, 16:1505871.
BACKGROUND: Cell-mediated immunity may provide durable protection against severe COVID-19, including among solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs). This exploratory analysis in the open-label phase 3b trial evaluated cell-mediated immunity of mRNA-1273 in a subset of participants (59 kidney and 33 liver SOTRs; 12 immunocompetent participants).
METHODS: In Part A, SOTRs received three 100-µg doses of mRNA-1273; immunocompetent participants received two doses. In Part B, an additional 100-µg dose was offered ≥4 months after the primary series. SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein-specific T-cell responses were measured by intracellular cytokine staining and polyfunctionality analyses.
RESULTS: The primary series and additional dose of mRNA-1273 induced S protein-specific CD4[+] T-cell responses exhibiting a Th-1-biased profile in both SOTRs and immunocompetent participants; however, response rates and magnitudes were lower among SOTRs. S protein-specific Th-2 CD4[+] T-cell responses were below those observed for Th-1; CD8[+] T-cell responses were not as robust among SOTRs compared with immunocompetent participants. Kidney SOTRs received multiple immunosuppressants and had lower cell-mediated immunity responses than liver SOTRs. Polyfunctional responses exhibited Th-1 cytokine signatures with ≤5 functional markers reported in SOTRs and immunocompetent participants.
CONCLUSION: Overall, a three-dose mRNA-1273 primary series elicited Th-1-biased CD4[+] T-cell responses among SOTRs that were improved with an additional dose.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://beta.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04860297?term=NCT04860297%20&rank=1, identifier NCT04860297.
Additional Links: PMID-40248714
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40248714,
year = {2025},
author = {Girard, B and Figueroa, AL and De Rosa, SC and McElrath, MJ and Azzi, JR and Stolman, D and Siangphoe, U and de Windt, E and Miller, JM and Das, R and Priddy, F},
title = {mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine induces CD4+ T-cell responses among solid organ transplant recipients.},
journal = {Frontiers in immunology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1505871},
pmid = {40248714},
issn = {1664-3224},
mesh = {Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273/immunology ; *CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology ; *COVID-19/prevention & control/immunology ; *COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology/administration & dosage ; Cytokines ; Immunity, Cellular ; Kidney Transplantation ; *Organ Transplantation ; *SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology ; Transplant Recipients ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Cell-mediated immunity may provide durable protection against severe COVID-19, including among solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs). This exploratory analysis in the open-label phase 3b trial evaluated cell-mediated immunity of mRNA-1273 in a subset of participants (59 kidney and 33 liver SOTRs; 12 immunocompetent participants).
METHODS: In Part A, SOTRs received three 100-µg doses of mRNA-1273; immunocompetent participants received two doses. In Part B, an additional 100-µg dose was offered ≥4 months after the primary series. SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein-specific T-cell responses were measured by intracellular cytokine staining and polyfunctionality analyses.
RESULTS: The primary series and additional dose of mRNA-1273 induced S protein-specific CD4[+] T-cell responses exhibiting a Th-1-biased profile in both SOTRs and immunocompetent participants; however, response rates and magnitudes were lower among SOTRs. S protein-specific Th-2 CD4[+] T-cell responses were below those observed for Th-1; CD8[+] T-cell responses were not as robust among SOTRs compared with immunocompetent participants. Kidney SOTRs received multiple immunosuppressants and had lower cell-mediated immunity responses than liver SOTRs. Polyfunctional responses exhibited Th-1 cytokine signatures with ≤5 functional markers reported in SOTRs and immunocompetent participants.
CONCLUSION: Overall, a three-dose mRNA-1273 primary series elicited Th-1-biased CD4[+] T-cell responses among SOTRs that were improved with an additional dose.
CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://beta.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04860297?term=NCT04860297%20&rank=1, identifier NCT04860297.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Adult
Aged
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273/immunology
*CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
*COVID-19/prevention & control/immunology
*COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology/administration & dosage
Cytokines
Immunity, Cellular
Kidney Transplantation
*Organ Transplantation
*SARS-CoV-2/immunology
Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
Transplant Recipients
RevDate: 2025-04-17
On the Horizon: A Global Multidisciplinary Perspective on Delivering Emerging Therapies for Patients with BCG-Naïve High-Risk NMIBC.
Oncology and therapy [Epub ahead of print].
Patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) are generally treated with transurethral resection of the bladder tumor followed by intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the current standard of care. However, recurrence or progression is common and may result in patients requiring radical cystectomy. Additionally, BCG continues to be in short supply worldwide. Therefore, there is an unmet need for new therapies that provide durable disease control and maintain quality of life. In the BCG-naïve high-risk NMIBC setting, potential new treatment options are emerging, with several regimens combining intravesical therapy with systemic PD-1 or PD-L1-directed immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) currently under investigation in several Phase 3 trials. In routine clinical practice, NMIBC has traditionally been managed almost entirely by urologists. However, the introduction of systemic ICIs would likely require medical oncology expertise to help assess patients' fitness for these therapies and potentially for treatment administration and immune-related adverse event management. While multidisciplinary workflows are common practice for advanced bladder cancer, they would represent a paradigm shift in NMIBC. Based on current experience of managing patients with NMIBC across different countries and healthcare systems from our perspective as urologists, medical oncologists, and nurses, we discuss best practices for the potential integration of emerging therapies such as ICIs into the treatment of BCG-naïve high-risk NMIBC. We emphasize the need for multidisciplinary care, either through formalized multidisciplinary teams or cross-discipline collaborative workflows adapted to local needs, to ensure efficient coordination and sharing of responsibilities. Specialized nurses have the potential to play key roles across multiple aspects of patient care. We also highlight the crucial importance of effective communication across teams, increases in resourcing, and education for healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers to enable eligible patients with high-risk NMIBC to benefit optimally from the introduction of these potential new treatment options.
Additional Links: PMID-40246795
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40246795,
year = {2025},
author = {Szabados, BE and Guerrero-Ramos, F and Grande, E and Grivas, P and Grünwald, V and Miguel, MC and Hussain, SA and Kulkarni, GS and Wilson, AL and Shore, ND and Sridhar, SS and Hoyt, M and Strumeier, S and Sutton, J and Brinkmann, J and Teresi, RE and Todenhöfer, T},
title = {On the Horizon: A Global Multidisciplinary Perspective on Delivering Emerging Therapies for Patients with BCG-Naïve High-Risk NMIBC.},
journal = {Oncology and therapy},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40246795},
issn = {2366-1089},
abstract = {Patients with high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) are generally treated with transurethral resection of the bladder tumor followed by intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the current standard of care. However, recurrence or progression is common and may result in patients requiring radical cystectomy. Additionally, BCG continues to be in short supply worldwide. Therefore, there is an unmet need for new therapies that provide durable disease control and maintain quality of life. In the BCG-naïve high-risk NMIBC setting, potential new treatment options are emerging, with several regimens combining intravesical therapy with systemic PD-1 or PD-L1-directed immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) currently under investigation in several Phase 3 trials. In routine clinical practice, NMIBC has traditionally been managed almost entirely by urologists. However, the introduction of systemic ICIs would likely require medical oncology expertise to help assess patients' fitness for these therapies and potentially for treatment administration and immune-related adverse event management. While multidisciplinary workflows are common practice for advanced bladder cancer, they would represent a paradigm shift in NMIBC. Based on current experience of managing patients with NMIBC across different countries and healthcare systems from our perspective as urologists, medical oncologists, and nurses, we discuss best practices for the potential integration of emerging therapies such as ICIs into the treatment of BCG-naïve high-risk NMIBC. We emphasize the need for multidisciplinary care, either through formalized multidisciplinary teams or cross-discipline collaborative workflows adapted to local needs, to ensure efficient coordination and sharing of responsibilities. Specialized nurses have the potential to play key roles across multiple aspects of patient care. We also highlight the crucial importance of effective communication across teams, increases in resourcing, and education for healthcare professionals, patients, and caregivers to enable eligible patients with high-risk NMIBC to benefit optimally from the introduction of these potential new treatment options.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-17
Do Differences in Comorbidity Explain Sex-based Differences in Lung Cancer Screening Outcomes?.
Annals of the American Thoracic Society [Epub ahead of print].
Additional Links: PMID-40245370
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40245370,
year = {2025},
author = {Triplette, M},
title = {Do Differences in Comorbidity Explain Sex-based Differences in Lung Cancer Screening Outcomes?.},
journal = {Annals of the American Thoracic Society},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1513/AnnalsATS.202504-391ED},
pmid = {40245370},
issn = {2325-6621},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-17
The length of G1 phase is an essential determinant of H3K27me3 landscape across diverse cell types.
PLoS biology, 23(4):e3003119 pii:PBIOLOGY-D-24-01920 [Epub ahead of print].
Stem cells have lower facultative heterochromatin as defined by trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) compared to differentiated cells. However, the mechanisms underlying these differential H3K27me3 levels remain elusive. Because H3K27me3 levels are diluted 2-fold in every round of replication and then restored through the rest of the cell cycle, we reasoned that the cell cycle length could be a key regulator of total H3K27me3 levels. Here, we propose that a short G1 phase restricts H3K27me3 levels in stem cells. To test this model, we determined changes to H3K27me3 levels in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) globally and at specific loci upon G1 phase lengthening - accomplished by thymidine block or growth in the absence of serum (with the "2i medium"). H3K27me3 levels in mESCs increase with G1 arrest when grown in serum and in 2i medium. Additionally, we observed via CUT&RUN and ChIP-seq that regions that gain H3K27me3 in G1 arrest and 2i media overlap, supporting our model of G1 length as a critical regulator of the stem cell epigenome. Furthermore, we demonstrate the inverse effect - that G1 shortening in differentiated human HEK293 cells results in a loss of H3K27me3 levels. Finally, in human tumor cells with extreme H3K27me3 loss, lengthening of the G1 phase leads to H3K27me3 recovery despite the presence of the dominant negative, sub-stoichiometric H3.K27M mutation. Our results indicate that G1 length is an essential determinant of H3K27me3 landscapes across diverse cell types.
Additional Links: PMID-40245079
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40245079,
year = {2025},
author = {Trouth, A and Ravichandran, K and Gafken, PR and Martire, S and Boyle, GE and Veronezi, GMB and La, V and Namciu, SJ and Banaszynski, LA and Sarthy, JF and Ramachandran, S},
title = {The length of G1 phase is an essential determinant of H3K27me3 landscape across diverse cell types.},
journal = {PLoS biology},
volume = {23},
number = {4},
pages = {e3003119},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pbio.3003119},
pmid = {40245079},
issn = {1545-7885},
abstract = {Stem cells have lower facultative heterochromatin as defined by trimethylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27me3) compared to differentiated cells. However, the mechanisms underlying these differential H3K27me3 levels remain elusive. Because H3K27me3 levels are diluted 2-fold in every round of replication and then restored through the rest of the cell cycle, we reasoned that the cell cycle length could be a key regulator of total H3K27me3 levels. Here, we propose that a short G1 phase restricts H3K27me3 levels in stem cells. To test this model, we determined changes to H3K27me3 levels in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) globally and at specific loci upon G1 phase lengthening - accomplished by thymidine block or growth in the absence of serum (with the "2i medium"). H3K27me3 levels in mESCs increase with G1 arrest when grown in serum and in 2i medium. Additionally, we observed via CUT&RUN and ChIP-seq that regions that gain H3K27me3 in G1 arrest and 2i media overlap, supporting our model of G1 length as a critical regulator of the stem cell epigenome. Furthermore, we demonstrate the inverse effect - that G1 shortening in differentiated human HEK293 cells results in a loss of H3K27me3 levels. Finally, in human tumor cells with extreme H3K27me3 loss, lengthening of the G1 phase leads to H3K27me3 recovery despite the presence of the dominant negative, sub-stoichiometric H3.K27M mutation. Our results indicate that G1 length is an essential determinant of H3K27me3 landscapes across diverse cell types.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-17
First-In-Human Phase 1/2a Study of the First-In-Class CDK2/4/6 Inhibitor PF-06873600 Alone or with Endocrine Therapy in Patients with Breast Cancer.
Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research pii:761283 [Epub ahead of print].
PURPOSE: The discovery that cyclin E overexpression is a key CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance mechanism has reinvigorated interest in targeting CDK2, and simultaneous inhibition of CDK2/4/6 as a novel therapeutic approach. This first-in-human study assessed safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and efficacy of PF-06873600, the first-in-class inhibitor of CDK2/4/6.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dose escalation included 78 patients with advanced breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer, or ovarian cancer who received oral PF-06873600 1-50 mg twice daily (BID) (Part 1A, n=51), or PF-06873600 with endocrine therapy (Part 1B, n=16; Part 1C n=11) to determine the recommended dose for expansion (RDE). Dose expansion (Part 2A, n=45; Part 2C, n=28) assessed preliminary antitumor activity, safety and tolerability at the RDE in combination with fulvestrant in patients with HR+/HER2- mBC. Pharmacodynamics and translational readouts were assessed by phosphorylated Rb and Ki67 in tumor biopsies and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).
RESULTS: The RDE of PF-06873600 was 25mg BID. During dose escalation, six of 42 (14.3%) evaluable patients had treatment-related dose-limiting toxicities. Most common all-causality adverse events (N=151) were nausea (62.9%), anemia (44.4%) and fatigue (43.7%). Reductions in Ki67-positive cells, pRb H-score, and ctDNA levels were observed. Three RECIST partial responses (PRs) were observed in Part 1. In Part 2A there were three PRs (objective response rate [ORR] 6.7%, 95% CI: 1.4-18.3%) and, in Part 2C, five PRs (ORR 22.7%, 95% CI: 7.8-45.4%).
CONCLUSIONS: PF-06873600 demonstrated a benefit-risk profile consistent with the CDK4/6 inhibitor class of drugs, with preliminary clinical activity in HR+/HER2- mBC.
CLINICALTRIALS: gov identifier: NCT03519178.
Additional Links: PMID-40243688
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40243688,
year = {2025},
author = {Yap, TA and Goldman, JW and Vinayak, S and Tomova, A and Hamilton, E and Naito, Y and Giordano, A and Bondarenko, I and Yamashita, T and Zhou, L and Moreau, A and Neumann, H and Tougias, J and Liu, F and Park, J and Delioukina, M and Jhaveri, K},
title = {First-In-Human Phase 1/2a Study of the First-In-Class CDK2/4/6 Inhibitor PF-06873600 Alone or with Endocrine Therapy in Patients with Breast Cancer.},
journal = {Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-2740},
pmid = {40243688},
issn = {1557-3265},
abstract = {PURPOSE: The discovery that cyclin E overexpression is a key CDK4/6 inhibitor resistance mechanism has reinvigorated interest in targeting CDK2, and simultaneous inhibition of CDK2/4/6 as a novel therapeutic approach. This first-in-human study assessed safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and efficacy of PF-06873600, the first-in-class inhibitor of CDK2/4/6.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: Dose escalation included 78 patients with advanced breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer, or ovarian cancer who received oral PF-06873600 1-50 mg twice daily (BID) (Part 1A, n=51), or PF-06873600 with endocrine therapy (Part 1B, n=16; Part 1C n=11) to determine the recommended dose for expansion (RDE). Dose expansion (Part 2A, n=45; Part 2C, n=28) assessed preliminary antitumor activity, safety and tolerability at the RDE in combination with fulvestrant in patients with HR+/HER2- mBC. Pharmacodynamics and translational readouts were assessed by phosphorylated Rb and Ki67 in tumor biopsies and circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA).
RESULTS: The RDE of PF-06873600 was 25mg BID. During dose escalation, six of 42 (14.3%) evaluable patients had treatment-related dose-limiting toxicities. Most common all-causality adverse events (N=151) were nausea (62.9%), anemia (44.4%) and fatigue (43.7%). Reductions in Ki67-positive cells, pRb H-score, and ctDNA levels were observed. Three RECIST partial responses (PRs) were observed in Part 1. In Part 2A there were three PRs (objective response rate [ORR] 6.7%, 95% CI: 1.4-18.3%) and, in Part 2C, five PRs (ORR 22.7%, 95% CI: 7.8-45.4%).
CONCLUSIONS: PF-06873600 demonstrated a benefit-risk profile consistent with the CDK4/6 inhibitor class of drugs, with preliminary clinical activity in HR+/HER2- mBC.
CLINICALTRIALS: gov identifier: NCT03519178.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-17
Density of T cell subsets in colorectal cancer in relation to disease-specific survival.
Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology pii:761286 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Prior studies have demonstrated that the overall density of T cells in colorectal tumors is favorably associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) survival; however, few studies have considered the potentially distinct roles of heterogeneous T cell subsets in different tissue regions in relation to CRC outcomes.
METHODS: Including 1,113 CRC tumors from three observational studies, we conducted in-situ T cell profiling using a customized 9-plex [CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45RA, CD45RO, FOXP3, KRT (keratin), MKI67 (Ki-67), and DAPI] multispectral immunofluorescence assay. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of T cell subset densities in both epithelial and stromal tissue areas in CRC with disease-specific survival.
RESULTS: Higher CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ naive, memory, and regulatory T cell densities were significantly associated with better CRC-specific survival in both epithelial and stromal tissue areas (HRs highest quantile versus lowest quantile ranging 0.41-0.68). These associations persisted in models further adjusted for stage at diagnosis and were largely consistent when stratified by microsatellite instability (MSI) status. However, the further stratification into CD4+ or CD8+ T cell subsets beyond CD3+ subsets did not significantly improve how well our model explains CRC prognosis.
CONCLUSIONS: The density of T cells in CRC tissue, both overall and for several T cell subset populations, is significantly associated with CRC-specific survival independent of MSI status and stage at diagnosis.
IMPACT: Higher levels of T cell densities in different locations with different functions are associated with better CRC-specific survival.
Additional Links: PMID-40243533
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40243533,
year = {2025},
author = {Thomas, CE and Takashima, Y and Buchanan, DD and Wesselink, E and Qu, C and Hsu, L and Dias Costa, A and Gallinger, S and Grant, RC and Huyghe, JR and Thomas, S and Ugai, S and Zhong, Y and Matsuda, K and Ugai, T and Peters, U and Ogino, S and Nowak, JA and Phipps, AI},
title = {Density of T cell subsets in colorectal cancer in relation to disease-specific survival.},
journal = {Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-25-0287},
pmid = {40243533},
issn = {1538-7755},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Prior studies have demonstrated that the overall density of T cells in colorectal tumors is favorably associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) survival; however, few studies have considered the potentially distinct roles of heterogeneous T cell subsets in different tissue regions in relation to CRC outcomes.
METHODS: Including 1,113 CRC tumors from three observational studies, we conducted in-situ T cell profiling using a customized 9-plex [CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45RA, CD45RO, FOXP3, KRT (keratin), MKI67 (Ki-67), and DAPI] multispectral immunofluorescence assay. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of T cell subset densities in both epithelial and stromal tissue areas in CRC with disease-specific survival.
RESULTS: Higher CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ naive, memory, and regulatory T cell densities were significantly associated with better CRC-specific survival in both epithelial and stromal tissue areas (HRs highest quantile versus lowest quantile ranging 0.41-0.68). These associations persisted in models further adjusted for stage at diagnosis and were largely consistent when stratified by microsatellite instability (MSI) status. However, the further stratification into CD4+ or CD8+ T cell subsets beyond CD3+ subsets did not significantly improve how well our model explains CRC prognosis.
CONCLUSIONS: The density of T cells in CRC tissue, both overall and for several T cell subset populations, is significantly associated with CRC-specific survival independent of MSI status and stage at diagnosis.
IMPACT: Higher levels of T cell densities in different locations with different functions are associated with better CRC-specific survival.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-18
Exploiting the therapeutic vulnerability of IDH-mutant gliomas with zotiraciclib.
iScience, 28(4):112283.
Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant gliomas have distinctive metabolic and biological traits that potentially render them susceptible to targeted treatments. Here, by conducting a high-throughput drug screen, we pinpointed a specific vulnerability of IDH-mutant gliomas to zotiraciclib (ZTR). ZTR exhibited selective growth inhibition across multiple IDH-mutant glioma in vitro and in vivo models. Mechanistically, ZTR at low doses suppressed CDK9 and RNA Pol II phosphorylation in IDH-mutant cells, disrupting mitochondrial function and NAD+ production, resulting in oxidative stress. Integrated biochemical profiling of ZTR kinase targets and transcriptomics unveiled that ZTR-induced bioenergetic failure was linked to the suppression of PIM kinase activity. We posit that the combination of mitochondrial dysfunction and an inability to adapt to oxidative stress resulted in significant cell death upon ZTR treatment, ultimately increasing the therapeutic vulnerability of IDH-mutant gliomas. These findings prompted a clinical trial evaluating ZTR in IDH-mutant gliomas (NCT05588141).
Additional Links: PMID-40241769
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@article {pmid40241769,
year = {2025},
author = {Pang, Y and Li, Q and Sergi, Z and Yu, G and Kim, O and Lu, P and Chan, M and Sang, X and Wang, H and Ranjan, A and Robey, RW and Soheilian, F and Tran, B and Núñez, FJ and Zhang, M and Song, H and Zhang, W and Davis, D and Gilbert, MR and Gottesman, MM and Liu, Z and Thomas, CJ and Castro, MG and Gujral, TS and Wu, J},
title = {Exploiting the therapeutic vulnerability of IDH-mutant gliomas with zotiraciclib.},
journal = {iScience},
volume = {28},
number = {4},
pages = {112283},
pmid = {40241769},
issn = {2589-0042},
abstract = {Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant gliomas have distinctive metabolic and biological traits that potentially render them susceptible to targeted treatments. Here, by conducting a high-throughput drug screen, we pinpointed a specific vulnerability of IDH-mutant gliomas to zotiraciclib (ZTR). ZTR exhibited selective growth inhibition across multiple IDH-mutant glioma in vitro and in vivo models. Mechanistically, ZTR at low doses suppressed CDK9 and RNA Pol II phosphorylation in IDH-mutant cells, disrupting mitochondrial function and NAD+ production, resulting in oxidative stress. Integrated biochemical profiling of ZTR kinase targets and transcriptomics unveiled that ZTR-induced bioenergetic failure was linked to the suppression of PIM kinase activity. We posit that the combination of mitochondrial dysfunction and an inability to adapt to oxidative stress resulted in significant cell death upon ZTR treatment, ultimately increasing the therapeutic vulnerability of IDH-mutant gliomas. These findings prompted a clinical trial evaluating ZTR in IDH-mutant gliomas (NCT05588141).},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-16
An ultrasensitive method for detection of cell-free RNA.
Nature [Epub ahead of print].
Sensitive methods for detection of cell-free RNA (cfRNA) could facilitate non-invasive gene expression profiling and monitoring of diseases[1-6]. Here we describe RARE-seq (random priming and affinity capture of cfRNA fragments for enrichment analysis by sequencing), a method optimized for cfRNA analysis. We demonstrate that platelet contamination can substantially confound cfRNA analyses and develop an approach to overcome it. In analytical validations, we find RARE-seq to be approximately 50-fold more sensitive for detecting tumour-derived cfRNA than whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), with a limit of detection of 0.05%. To explore clinical utility, we profiled 437 plasma samples from 369 individuals with cancer or non-malignant conditions and controls. Detection of non-small-cell lung cancer expression signatures in cfRNA increased with stage (6 out of 20 (30%) in stage I; 5 out of 8 (63%) in stage II; 10 out of 15 (67%) in stage III; 80 out of 96 (83% sensitivity) in stage IV at 95% specificity) and RARE-seq was more sensitive than tumour-naive circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) analysis. In patients with EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer who developed resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, we detected both histological transformation and mutation-based resistance mechanisms. Finally, we demonstrate the potential utility of RARE-seq for determination of tissue of origin, assessing benign pulmonary conditions and tracking response to mRNA vaccines. These results highlight the potential value of ultrasensitive cfRNA analysis and provide proof of concept for diverse clinical applications.
Additional Links: PMID-40240612
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@article {pmid40240612,
year = {2025},
author = {Nesselbush, MC and Luca, BA and Jeon, YJ and Jabara, I and Meador, CB and Garofalo, A and Binkley, MS and Hui, AB and van 't Erve, I and Xu, N and Shi, WY and Liu, KJ and Sugio, T and Kastelowitz, N and Hamilton, EG and Liu, CL and Olsen, M and Bonilla, RF and Wang, YP and Jiang, A and Lau, B and Eichholz, J and Banwait, M and Schroers-Martin, J and Boegeholz, J and King, DA and Luikart, H and Esfahani, MS and Mehrmohamadi, M and Stehr, H and Raclin, T and Tibshirani, R and Khush, K and Srinivas, S and Yu, H and Rogers, AJ and Nair, VS and Isbell, JM and Li, BT and Piotrowska, Z and Sequist, LV and Hata, AN and Neal, JW and Wakelee, HA and Gentles, AJ and Alizadeh, AA and Diehn, M},
title = {An ultrasensitive method for detection of cell-free RNA.},
journal = {Nature},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40240612},
issn = {1476-4687},
abstract = {Sensitive methods for detection of cell-free RNA (cfRNA) could facilitate non-invasive gene expression profiling and monitoring of diseases[1-6]. Here we describe RARE-seq (random priming and affinity capture of cfRNA fragments for enrichment analysis by sequencing), a method optimized for cfRNA analysis. We demonstrate that platelet contamination can substantially confound cfRNA analyses and develop an approach to overcome it. In analytical validations, we find RARE-seq to be approximately 50-fold more sensitive for detecting tumour-derived cfRNA than whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing (RNA-seq), with a limit of detection of 0.05%. To explore clinical utility, we profiled 437 plasma samples from 369 individuals with cancer or non-malignant conditions and controls. Detection of non-small-cell lung cancer expression signatures in cfRNA increased with stage (6 out of 20 (30%) in stage I; 5 out of 8 (63%) in stage II; 10 out of 15 (67%) in stage III; 80 out of 96 (83% sensitivity) in stage IV at 95% specificity) and RARE-seq was more sensitive than tumour-naive circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) analysis. In patients with EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer who developed resistance to tyrosine kinase inhibitors, we detected both histological transformation and mutation-based resistance mechanisms. Finally, we demonstrate the potential utility of RARE-seq for determination of tissue of origin, assessing benign pulmonary conditions and tracking response to mRNA vaccines. These results highlight the potential value of ultrasensitive cfRNA analysis and provide proof of concept for diverse clinical applications.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-16
Low overlap of transcription factor DNA binding and regulatory targets.
Nature [Epub ahead of print].
DNA sequence-specific transcription factors (TFs) modulate transcription and chromatin architecture, acting from regulatory sites in enhancers and promoters of eukaryotic genes[1,2]. How multiple TFs cooperate to regulate individual genes is still unclear. In yeast, most TFs are thought to regulate transcription via binding to upstream activating sequences, which are situated within a few hundred base pairs upstream of the regulated gene[3]. Although this model has been validated for individual TFs and specific genes, it has not been tested in a systematic way. Here we integrated information on the binding and expression targets for the near-complete set of yeast TFs and show that, contrary to expectations, there are few TFs with dedicated activator or repressor roles, and that most TFs have a dual function. Although nearly all protein-coding genes are regulated by one or more TFs, our analysis revealed limited overlap between TF binding and gene regulation. Rapid depletion of many TFs also revealed many regulatory targets that were distant from detectable TF binding sites, suggesting unexpected regulatory mechanisms. Our study provides a comprehensive survey of TF functions and offers insights into interactions between the set of TFs expressed in a single cell type and how they contribute to the complex programme of gene regulation.
Additional Links: PMID-40240607
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@article {pmid40240607,
year = {2025},
author = {Mahendrawada, L and Warfield, L and Donczew, R and Hahn, S},
title = {Low overlap of transcription factor DNA binding and regulatory targets.},
journal = {Nature},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40240607},
issn = {1476-4687},
abstract = {DNA sequence-specific transcription factors (TFs) modulate transcription and chromatin architecture, acting from regulatory sites in enhancers and promoters of eukaryotic genes[1,2]. How multiple TFs cooperate to regulate individual genes is still unclear. In yeast, most TFs are thought to regulate transcription via binding to upstream activating sequences, which are situated within a few hundred base pairs upstream of the regulated gene[3]. Although this model has been validated for individual TFs and specific genes, it has not been tested in a systematic way. Here we integrated information on the binding and expression targets for the near-complete set of yeast TFs and show that, contrary to expectations, there are few TFs with dedicated activator or repressor roles, and that most TFs have a dual function. Although nearly all protein-coding genes are regulated by one or more TFs, our analysis revealed limited overlap between TF binding and gene regulation. Rapid depletion of many TFs also revealed many regulatory targets that were distant from detectable TF binding sites, suggesting unexpected regulatory mechanisms. Our study provides a comprehensive survey of TF functions and offers insights into interactions between the set of TFs expressed in a single cell type and how they contribute to the complex programme of gene regulation.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-16
Old but Gold Radiation.
International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics, 122(1):7-8.
Additional Links: PMID-40240114
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40240114,
year = {2025},
author = {Ebadi, M and Tseng, YD},
title = {Old but Gold Radiation.},
journal = {International journal of radiation oncology, biology, physics},
volume = {122},
number = {1},
pages = {7-8},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.12.042},
pmid = {40240114},
issn = {1879-355X},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-19
Open Case Studies: Statistics and Data Science Education through Real-World Applications.
Journal of statistics and data science education : an official journal of the of the American Statistical Association, 32(4):331-344.
With unprecedented and growing interest in data science education, there are limited educator materials that provide meaningful opportunities for learners to practice statistical thinking, as defined by Wild and Pfannkuch, with messy data addressing real-world challenges. As a solution, Nolan and Speed advocated for bringing applications to the forefront in undergraduate statistics curriculum with the use of in-depth case studies to encourage and develop statistical thinking in the classroom. Limitations to this approach include the significant time investment required to develop a case study - namely, to select a motivating question and to create an illustrative data analysis - and the domain expertise needed. As a result, case studies based on realistic challenges, not toy examples, are scarce. To address this, we developed the Open Case Studies (opencasestudies.org) project, which offers a new statistical and data science education case study model. This educational resource provides self-contained, multimodal, peer-reviewed, and open-source guides (or case studies) from real-world examples for active experiences of complete data analyses. We developed an educator's guide describing how to most effectively use the case studies, how to modify and adapt components of the case studies in the classroom, and how to contribute new case studies (opencasestudies.org/OCS_Guide).
Additional Links: PMID-40241937
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@article {pmid40241937,
year = {2024},
author = {Wright, C and Meng, Q and Breshock, MR and Atta, L and Taub, MA and Jager, LR and Muschelli, J and Hicks, SC},
title = {Open Case Studies: Statistics and Data Science Education through Real-World Applications.},
journal = {Journal of statistics and data science education : an official journal of the of the American Statistical Association},
volume = {32},
number = {4},
pages = {331-344},
pmid = {40241937},
issn = {2693-9169},
support = {U24 HG010263/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; UE5 CA254170/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; UL1 TR003098/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {With unprecedented and growing interest in data science education, there are limited educator materials that provide meaningful opportunities for learners to practice statistical thinking, as defined by Wild and Pfannkuch, with messy data addressing real-world challenges. As a solution, Nolan and Speed advocated for bringing applications to the forefront in undergraduate statistics curriculum with the use of in-depth case studies to encourage and develop statistical thinking in the classroom. Limitations to this approach include the significant time investment required to develop a case study - namely, to select a motivating question and to create an illustrative data analysis - and the domain expertise needed. As a result, case studies based on realistic challenges, not toy examples, are scarce. To address this, we developed the Open Case Studies (opencasestudies.org) project, which offers a new statistical and data science education case study model. This educational resource provides self-contained, multimodal, peer-reviewed, and open-source guides (or case studies) from real-world examples for active experiences of complete data analyses. We developed an educator's guide describing how to most effectively use the case studies, how to modify and adapt components of the case studies in the classroom, and how to contribute new case studies (opencasestudies.org/OCS_Guide).},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-20
CmpDate: 2025-04-16
Cryo-EM structures of DNA-free and DNA-bound BsaXI: architecture of a Type IIB restriction-modification enzyme.
Nucleic acids research, 53(7):.
We have determined multiple cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the Type IIB restriction-modification enzyme BsaXI. Such enzymes cleave DNA on both sides of their recognition sequence and share features of Types I, II, and III restriction systems. BsaXI forms a heterotrimeric (RM)2S assemblage in the presence and absence of bound DNA. Two unique structural motifs-a multi-helical "knob" and a long antiparallel double-helical "paddle"-are involved in DNA binding and cleavage. Binding of the DNA target triggers a large conformational change from an 'open' to 'closed' configuration, resulting in a mixture of two different conformations with respect to the positioning of the S subunit and its target recognition domains on the enzyme's bipartite DNA target site. Structure-guided mutagenesis studies implicated two clusters of residues in the RM subunit as being critical for DNA cleavage, both are located proximal to a DNA cleavage site. One corresponds to a canonical PD-(D/E)xK endonuclease site in the N-terminal endonuclease domain, while the other corresponds to residues clustered within the paddle motif (near to the C-terminal end of the RM subunit). This analysis facilitates a comparison of three potential mechanisms by which such enzymes cleave DNA on each side of the bound target.
Additional Links: PMID-40239994
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@article {pmid40239994,
year = {2025},
author = {Shen, BW and Heiter, D and Yang, W and Xu, SY and Stoddard, BL},
title = {Cryo-EM structures of DNA-free and DNA-bound BsaXI: architecture of a Type IIB restriction-modification enzyme.},
journal = {Nucleic acids research},
volume = {53},
number = {7},
pages = {},
pmid = {40239994},
issn = {1362-4962},
support = {R01 GM049857/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; R35 GM148166/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; grid.436923.9//EMSL/ ; U24 GM129547/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; U24GM129547/GF/NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Cryoelectron Microscopy ; *DNA/chemistry/metabolism ; *Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific/chemistry/ultrastructure/genetics/metabolism ; Models, Molecular ; DNA Cleavage ; Protein Binding ; Binding Sites ; Protein Conformation ; },
abstract = {We have determined multiple cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the Type IIB restriction-modification enzyme BsaXI. Such enzymes cleave DNA on both sides of their recognition sequence and share features of Types I, II, and III restriction systems. BsaXI forms a heterotrimeric (RM)2S assemblage in the presence and absence of bound DNA. Two unique structural motifs-a multi-helical "knob" and a long antiparallel double-helical "paddle"-are involved in DNA binding and cleavage. Binding of the DNA target triggers a large conformational change from an 'open' to 'closed' configuration, resulting in a mixture of two different conformations with respect to the positioning of the S subunit and its target recognition domains on the enzyme's bipartite DNA target site. Structure-guided mutagenesis studies implicated two clusters of residues in the RM subunit as being critical for DNA cleavage, both are located proximal to a DNA cleavage site. One corresponds to a canonical PD-(D/E)xK endonuclease site in the N-terminal endonuclease domain, while the other corresponds to residues clustered within the paddle motif (near to the C-terminal end of the RM subunit). This analysis facilitates a comparison of three potential mechanisms by which such enzymes cleave DNA on each side of the bound target.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Cryoelectron Microscopy
*DNA/chemistry/metabolism
*Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific/chemistry/ultrastructure/genetics/metabolism
Models, Molecular
DNA Cleavage
Protein Binding
Binding Sites
Protein Conformation
RevDate: 2025-04-16
High-resolution dynamic imaging of chromatin DNA communication using Oligo-LiveFISH.
Cell pii:S0092-8674(25)00350-2 [Epub ahead of print].
Three-dimensional (3D) genome dynamics are crucial for cellular functions and disease. However, real-time, live-cell DNA visualization remains challenging, as existing methods are often confined to repetitive regions, suffer from low resolution, or require complex genome engineering. Here, we present Oligo-LiveFISH, a high-resolution, reagent-based platform for dynamically tracking non-repetitive genomic loci in diverse cell types, including primary cells. Oligo-LiveFISH utilizes fluorescent guide RNA (gRNA) oligo pools generated by computational design, in vitro transcription, and chemical labeling, delivered as ribonucleoproteins. Utilizing machine learning, we characterized the impact of gRNA design and chromatin features on imaging efficiency. Multi-color Oligo-LiveFISH achieved 20-nm spatial resolution and 50-ms temporal resolution in 3D, capturing real-time enhancer and promoter dynamics. Our measurements and dynamic modeling revealed two distinct modes of chromatin communication, and active transcription slows enhancer-promoter dynamics at endogenous genes like FOS. Oligo-LiveFISH offers a versatile platform for studying 3D genome dynamics and their links to cellular processes and disease.
Additional Links: PMID-40239646
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40239646,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhu, Y and Balaji, A and Han, M and Andronov, L and Roy, AR and Wei, Z and Chen, C and Miles, L and Cai, S and Gu, Z and Tse, A and Yu, BC and Uenaka, T and Lin, X and Spakowitz, AJ and Moerner, WE and Qi, LS},
title = {High-resolution dynamic imaging of chromatin DNA communication using Oligo-LiveFISH.},
journal = {Cell},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.cell.2025.03.032},
pmid = {40239646},
issn = {1097-4172},
abstract = {Three-dimensional (3D) genome dynamics are crucial for cellular functions and disease. However, real-time, live-cell DNA visualization remains challenging, as existing methods are often confined to repetitive regions, suffer from low resolution, or require complex genome engineering. Here, we present Oligo-LiveFISH, a high-resolution, reagent-based platform for dynamically tracking non-repetitive genomic loci in diverse cell types, including primary cells. Oligo-LiveFISH utilizes fluorescent guide RNA (gRNA) oligo pools generated by computational design, in vitro transcription, and chemical labeling, delivered as ribonucleoproteins. Utilizing machine learning, we characterized the impact of gRNA design and chromatin features on imaging efficiency. Multi-color Oligo-LiveFISH achieved 20-nm spatial resolution and 50-ms temporal resolution in 3D, capturing real-time enhancer and promoter dynamics. Our measurements and dynamic modeling revealed two distinct modes of chromatin communication, and active transcription slows enhancer-promoter dynamics at endogenous genes like FOS. Oligo-LiveFISH offers a versatile platform for studying 3D genome dynamics and their links to cellular processes and disease.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-16
The association between metformin use, immune mediated colitis and overall survival in patients treated with checkpoint inhibitor.
European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990), 221:115405 pii:S0959-8049(25)00186-8 [Epub ahead of print].
INTRODUCTION: Metformin is frequently prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. Its primarily regulates hepatic and colonic glucose metabolism, but recent studies have suggested an anti-inflammatory effect, especially in colitis. It has been suggested that metformin may enhance immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) efficacy for cancer treatment. Our study aims to explore the impact of metformin on ICI efficacy and the risk for colitis.
METHODS: This was a single center, retrospective analysis of consecutive patients at a tertiary cancer center who received ICI between 01/2010-12/2022 and developed immune-mediated colitis (IMC). Patients were screened for colitis based on stool tests, then divided into two groups depending on metformin use prior to colitis onset. We collected data on demographic and colitis clinical information including treatments, and outcomes.
RESULTS: A total of 953 patients were included. The incidence of IMC was higher among metformin users (7.6 %) than non-metformin users (4.9 %; p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in colitis features and outcomes, except for longer hospital stay among metformin users (8 days vs 6 for non-metformin users; p = 0.03). Metformin use was associated with shorter overall survival vs non-metformin users among patients with IMC (p = 0.03).
DISCUSSION: Our study is among the first to explore the impact of metformin on IMC and overall survival. We found that metformin use may be associated with higher risk of IMC. We also found an association between metformin use and shorter overall survival among patients who developed IMC. Larger studies with risk-stratified analysis are needed to validate our findings.
Additional Links: PMID-40239400
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40239400,
year = {2025},
author = {Shatila, M and Cruz, CC and Lu, L and Abdul-Baki, K and Baerman, E and Takigawa, K and Rivera, AU and Lee, IJ and Ngo, S and Sperling, G and Aleem, AS and Menon, R and Sullivan, A and Vemulapalli, V and Natha, C and Gupta, T and Khan, A and Mittal, N and Coleman, G and Salim, H and Wali, S and Varatharajalu, K and Kim, KC and Reddy, SA and Grivas, P and Thomas, AS and Wang, Y},
title = {The association between metformin use, immune mediated colitis and overall survival in patients treated with checkpoint inhibitor.},
journal = {European journal of cancer (Oxford, England : 1990)},
volume = {221},
number = {},
pages = {115405},
doi = {10.1016/j.ejca.2025.115405},
pmid = {40239400},
issn = {1879-0852},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Metformin is frequently prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. Its primarily regulates hepatic and colonic glucose metabolism, but recent studies have suggested an anti-inflammatory effect, especially in colitis. It has been suggested that metformin may enhance immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) efficacy for cancer treatment. Our study aims to explore the impact of metformin on ICI efficacy and the risk for colitis.
METHODS: This was a single center, retrospective analysis of consecutive patients at a tertiary cancer center who received ICI between 01/2010-12/2022 and developed immune-mediated colitis (IMC). Patients were screened for colitis based on stool tests, then divided into two groups depending on metformin use prior to colitis onset. We collected data on demographic and colitis clinical information including treatments, and outcomes.
RESULTS: A total of 953 patients were included. The incidence of IMC was higher among metformin users (7.6 %) than non-metformin users (4.9 %; p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in colitis features and outcomes, except for longer hospital stay among metformin users (8 days vs 6 for non-metformin users; p = 0.03). Metformin use was associated with shorter overall survival vs non-metformin users among patients with IMC (p = 0.03).
DISCUSSION: Our study is among the first to explore the impact of metformin on IMC and overall survival. We found that metformin use may be associated with higher risk of IMC. We also found an association between metformin use and shorter overall survival among patients who developed IMC. Larger studies with risk-stratified analysis are needed to validate our findings.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-16
Germline and Somatic Genomic Testing for Metastatic Prostate Cancer: ASCO Guideline Clinical Insights.
JCO oncology practice [Epub ahead of print].
Additional Links: PMID-40239123
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40239123,
year = {2025},
author = {Giri, VN and Rumble, RB and Yu, EY and Lu, K},
title = {Germline and Somatic Genomic Testing for Metastatic Prostate Cancer: ASCO Guideline Clinical Insights.},
journal = {JCO oncology practice},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {OP2500186},
doi = {10.1200/OP-25-00186},
pmid = {40239123},
issn = {2688-1535},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-15
Outcomes of PLAT-02 and PLAT-03: Evaluating CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapy and CD19-expressing T-APC Support in Pediatric B-ALL.
Blood pii:536722 [Epub ahead of print].
This study reports outcomes of PLAT-02, a phase 2 trial of SCRI-CAR19, a second-generation CAR T-cell product with FMC63 scFv and 41BB costimulation, in pediatric and young adult patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia; and PLAT-03, a companion study evaluating exogenous CD19 antigen stimulation with serial infusions of T cells expressing truncated CD19, T-cell antigen presenting cells (T-APCs). The efficacy cohort of PLAT-02 (n=72 patients, median age 12.5 years) received fludarabine/cyclophosphamide lymphodepletion followed by a dose of 1X106 CAR+ T cells/kg. MRD-negative complete remission rate was 89%. Leukemia free survival (LFS) with 95% CI at 1 and 2 years was 0.71 (0.58, 0.81) and 0.64 (0.51, 0.75). Patients with low disease burden had significantly higher 1-year LFS (0.91 vs. 0.42). Rapid in vivo contraction of CAR T cells after infusion was associated with CAR loss within six months compared to those without rapid contraction (57% vs. 19%, respectively). Most common grade 3/4 adverse events included cytokine release syndrome in 13% and neurotoxicity in 16%. The companion pilot, PLAT-03, enrolled 26 patients, and 19 received T-APCs. Neither cytokine-release syndrome nor neurotoxicity were observed after T-APC infusion. T-APC infusion in patients improved persistence (P=0.03) with rapid CAR T-cell contraction was associated with decreased early CAR loss (20% with T-APC vs. 57% without). Further exploration of serial artificial CD19 antigen exposure is warranted based on these pilot results. PLAT-02 (NCT02028455) and PLAT-03 (NCT03186118).
Additional Links: PMID-40233328
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40233328,
year = {2025},
author = {Annesley, C and Seidel, KD and Wu, Q and Summers, C and Wayne, AS and Pulsipher, MA and Agrawal, AK and Brown, CT and Mgebroff, S and Lindgren, CG and Rawlings-Rhea, SD and Huang, W and Wilson, A and Jensen, MC and Park, JR and Gardner, RA},
title = {Outcomes of PLAT-02 and PLAT-03: Evaluating CD19 CAR T-Cell Therapy and CD19-expressing T-APC Support in Pediatric B-ALL.},
journal = {Blood},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1182/blood.2025028359},
pmid = {40233328},
issn = {1528-0020},
abstract = {This study reports outcomes of PLAT-02, a phase 2 trial of SCRI-CAR19, a second-generation CAR T-cell product with FMC63 scFv and 41BB costimulation, in pediatric and young adult patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia; and PLAT-03, a companion study evaluating exogenous CD19 antigen stimulation with serial infusions of T cells expressing truncated CD19, T-cell antigen presenting cells (T-APCs). The efficacy cohort of PLAT-02 (n=72 patients, median age 12.5 years) received fludarabine/cyclophosphamide lymphodepletion followed by a dose of 1X106 CAR+ T cells/kg. MRD-negative complete remission rate was 89%. Leukemia free survival (LFS) with 95% CI at 1 and 2 years was 0.71 (0.58, 0.81) and 0.64 (0.51, 0.75). Patients with low disease burden had significantly higher 1-year LFS (0.91 vs. 0.42). Rapid in vivo contraction of CAR T cells after infusion was associated with CAR loss within six months compared to those without rapid contraction (57% vs. 19%, respectively). Most common grade 3/4 adverse events included cytokine release syndrome in 13% and neurotoxicity in 16%. The companion pilot, PLAT-03, enrolled 26 patients, and 19 received T-APCs. Neither cytokine-release syndrome nor neurotoxicity were observed after T-APC infusion. T-APC infusion in patients improved persistence (P=0.03) with rapid CAR T-cell contraction was associated with decreased early CAR loss (20% with T-APC vs. 57% without). Further exploration of serial artificial CD19 antigen exposure is warranted based on these pilot results. PLAT-02 (NCT02028455) and PLAT-03 (NCT03186118).},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-14
CmpDate: 2025-04-14
Designing Clinical Trials for Patients With Rare Cancers: Connecting the Zebras.
American Society of Clinical Oncology educational book. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Annual Meeting, 45(3):e100051.
The field of rare cancer research is rapidly transforming, marked by significant progress in clinical trials and treatment strategies. Rare cancers, as defined by the National Cancer Institute, occur in fewer than 150 cases per million people each year, yet they collectively represent a significant portion of all cancer diagnoses. Because of their infrequency, these cancers pose distinct challenges for clinical trials, including limited patient populations, geographical dispersion, and a general lack of awareness of treatment options. Economic limitations further complicate drug development, making initiatives such as the Orphan Drug Act essential for incentivizing research. The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and precision medicine has been instrumental in identifying actionable genetic alterations in parallel with an explosion in the development of genomically targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and antibody drug conjugates. Advances in clinical NGS, precision medicine, and tumor-agnostic therapies have become central to the progress in rare cancer research. The development and approval of tumor-agnostic drugs, such as BRAF, NTRK, and RET inhibitors, and immunotherapy for mismatch repair deficient/microsatellite instability-high status cancers highlight the potential of personalized treatments across diverse cancer types and across the age spectrum. Collaborative trials from cooperative groups including SWOG DART, ASCO TAPUR, NCI-MATCH, pediatric COG-match, DRUP, IMPRESS, and innovative registrational basket and platform trials (eg, VE-Basket, ROAR, LIBRETTO-001, ARROW), along with patient advocacy group-run trials like TRACK, are enhancing access to clinical trials. In addition, artificial intelligence has the potential to improve the trial matching process. An integrated approach, combining these innovations in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, is crucial for advancing rare cancer research, offering hope for better patient outcomes and quality of life.
Additional Links: PMID-40228175
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@article {pmid40228175,
year = {2025},
author = {Subbiah, V and Othus, M and Palma, J and Cuglievan, B and Kurzrock, R},
title = {Designing Clinical Trials for Patients With Rare Cancers: Connecting the Zebras.},
journal = {American Society of Clinical Oncology educational book. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Annual Meeting},
volume = {45},
number = {3},
pages = {e100051},
doi = {10.1200/EDBK-25-100051},
pmid = {40228175},
issn = {1548-8756},
mesh = {Humans ; *Neoplasms/therapy/diagnosis/genetics ; *Clinical Trials as Topic/methods ; *Rare Diseases/therapy/diagnosis ; Precision Medicine ; *Research Design ; },
abstract = {The field of rare cancer research is rapidly transforming, marked by significant progress in clinical trials and treatment strategies. Rare cancers, as defined by the National Cancer Institute, occur in fewer than 150 cases per million people each year, yet they collectively represent a significant portion of all cancer diagnoses. Because of their infrequency, these cancers pose distinct challenges for clinical trials, including limited patient populations, geographical dispersion, and a general lack of awareness of treatment options. Economic limitations further complicate drug development, making initiatives such as the Orphan Drug Act essential for incentivizing research. The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and precision medicine has been instrumental in identifying actionable genetic alterations in parallel with an explosion in the development of genomically targeted therapies, immunotherapies, and antibody drug conjugates. Advances in clinical NGS, precision medicine, and tumor-agnostic therapies have become central to the progress in rare cancer research. The development and approval of tumor-agnostic drugs, such as BRAF, NTRK, and RET inhibitors, and immunotherapy for mismatch repair deficient/microsatellite instability-high status cancers highlight the potential of personalized treatments across diverse cancer types and across the age spectrum. Collaborative trials from cooperative groups including SWOG DART, ASCO TAPUR, NCI-MATCH, pediatric COG-match, DRUP, IMPRESS, and innovative registrational basket and platform trials (eg, VE-Basket, ROAR, LIBRETTO-001, ARROW), along with patient advocacy group-run trials like TRACK, are enhancing access to clinical trials. In addition, artificial intelligence has the potential to improve the trial matching process. An integrated approach, combining these innovations in collaboration with multiple stakeholders, is crucial for advancing rare cancer research, offering hope for better patient outcomes and quality of life.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Humans
*Neoplasms/therapy/diagnosis/genetics
*Clinical Trials as Topic/methods
*Rare Diseases/therapy/diagnosis
Precision Medicine
*Research Design
RevDate: 2025-04-14
A Prospective Study Consortium for the Discovery and Validation of Early Detection Markers for Ovarian Cancer ("PREDICT") - Baseline findings for CA125.
Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research pii:760703 [Epub ahead of print].
PURPOSE: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a lethal malignancy. CA125, the "best" available marker for detecting EOC, has insufficient sensitivity and specificity for earlier-stage disease and is not a meaningful screening tool, motivating the search for further biomarkers. Cancer biomarker discovery is enhanced by "omics" technologies. Discovery studies for EOC biomarkers should be conducted in pre-diagnosis blood samples from prospective cohorts to maximize likelihood of identifying markers that can detect disease before usual diagnosis and in earlier disease stage, while reducing methodologic biases.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Individual cohorts with pre-diagnosis blood samples have insufficient sample size for such studies. thus, we established "PREDICT" ("Prospective Early Detection Consortium for Ovarian Cancer")-a collaboration of nine prospective studies-to assemble a sufficient number of EOC cases with blood samples collected ≤18 months before diagnosis plus controls. The 457 cases and 1,687 controls have circulating CA125 measured using a clinical assay.
RESULTS: The discrimination capacity for single CA125 measurements in samples collected <6 months prior to diagnosis was high (area under the curve (AUC), PREDICT overall=0.92; range across cohorts of non-pregnant individuals=0.89-0.98), and declined with extended time between blood collection and diagnosis. Between-cohort variability in CA125 levels and predictive performance was observed.
CONCLUSIONS: Ongoing investigations in PREDICT are evaluating the early detection potential of tumor-associated autoantibodies and microRNAs, using CA125 as a benchmark. PREDICT is a well-characterized resource for identifying and validating detection markers for EOC that may then be used in multi-modal screening, as a complement to CA125 and combined with imaging.
Additional Links: PMID-40227208
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40227208,
year = {2025},
author = {Kaaks, R and Cooley, V and Mukama, T and Teras, LR and Patel, AV and Masala, G and Crous-Bou, M and Harris, HR and Langseth, H and Surcel, HM and Wentzensen, N and Terry, K and Sasamoto, N and Tworoger, S and Fortner, RT},
title = {A Prospective Study Consortium for the Discovery and Validation of Early Detection Markers for Ovarian Cancer ("PREDICT") - Baseline findings for CA125.},
journal = {Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-1845},
pmid = {40227208},
issn = {1557-3265},
abstract = {PURPOSE: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a lethal malignancy. CA125, the "best" available marker for detecting EOC, has insufficient sensitivity and specificity for earlier-stage disease and is not a meaningful screening tool, motivating the search for further biomarkers. Cancer biomarker discovery is enhanced by "omics" technologies. Discovery studies for EOC biomarkers should be conducted in pre-diagnosis blood samples from prospective cohorts to maximize likelihood of identifying markers that can detect disease before usual diagnosis and in earlier disease stage, while reducing methodologic biases.
EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Individual cohorts with pre-diagnosis blood samples have insufficient sample size for such studies. thus, we established "PREDICT" ("Prospective Early Detection Consortium for Ovarian Cancer")-a collaboration of nine prospective studies-to assemble a sufficient number of EOC cases with blood samples collected ≤18 months before diagnosis plus controls. The 457 cases and 1,687 controls have circulating CA125 measured using a clinical assay.
RESULTS: The discrimination capacity for single CA125 measurements in samples collected <6 months prior to diagnosis was high (area under the curve (AUC), PREDICT overall=0.92; range across cohorts of non-pregnant individuals=0.89-0.98), and declined with extended time between blood collection and diagnosis. Between-cohort variability in CA125 levels and predictive performance was observed.
CONCLUSIONS: Ongoing investigations in PREDICT are evaluating the early detection potential of tumor-associated autoantibodies and microRNAs, using CA125 as a benchmark. PREDICT is a well-characterized resource for identifying and validating detection markers for EOC that may then be used in multi-modal screening, as a complement to CA125 and combined with imaging.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-14
The Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Location and Delivery of Palliative Radiotherapy.
American journal of clinical oncology pii:00000421-990000000-00280 [Epub ahead of print].
OBJECTIVES: Among patients that underwent palliative RT (pRT) at a single institution, we evaluated whether differences exist across race and ethnicity in location of pRT consultation and delivery of pRT.
METHODS: This retrospective study included cancer patients aged 18 years or older who received pRT between 10/2021 and 10/2022. Logistic regression models were used to examine univariable (UVA) and multivariable (MVA) associations between race and pRT consult in the inpatient (vs. outpatient) setting. A subset analysis of quality metrics for pRT delivery was limited to patients who had outpatient consults for pain.
RESULTS: Four hundred forty patients underwent 548 pRT consults (104 inpatient and 444 outpatient) followed by a course of pRT. Most patients were male (58.2%), White non-Hispanic (WNH) (72.6%), and English-speaking (92.9%). On MVA adjusting for histology, language, and insurance type, consults for Black/African American (BAA) patients had 2.92 higher odds of being performed in the inpatient setting compared with consults for WNH patients (95% CI: 1.28-6.70, P=0.011), although the global P-value was P=0.217. Among 290 outpatient consults for painful lesions, no differences in time to pRT start (global P=0.84), number of prescribed fractions of RT (global P=0.94), or new prescriptions for opioids (global P=0.69) were noted by race and ethnicity.
CONCLUSIONS: In this study, BAA race was associated with the location of pRT consultation, but no discernible differences were noted regarding the outpatient delivery of pRT for pain. These findings support the importance of inpatient pRT programs to ensure equitable access. More research is needed to understand barriers to outpatient consult.
Additional Links: PMID-40226958
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40226958,
year = {2025},
author = {Heng, AK and Gooley, T and Lo, SS and Yang, JT and Gillespie, EF and Halasz, LM and Tseng, YD},
title = {The Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Location and Delivery of Palliative Radiotherapy.},
journal = {American journal of clinical oncology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1097/COC.0000000000001202},
pmid = {40226958},
issn = {1537-453X},
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Among patients that underwent palliative RT (pRT) at a single institution, we evaluated whether differences exist across race and ethnicity in location of pRT consultation and delivery of pRT.
METHODS: This retrospective study included cancer patients aged 18 years or older who received pRT between 10/2021 and 10/2022. Logistic regression models were used to examine univariable (UVA) and multivariable (MVA) associations between race and pRT consult in the inpatient (vs. outpatient) setting. A subset analysis of quality metrics for pRT delivery was limited to patients who had outpatient consults for pain.
RESULTS: Four hundred forty patients underwent 548 pRT consults (104 inpatient and 444 outpatient) followed by a course of pRT. Most patients were male (58.2%), White non-Hispanic (WNH) (72.6%), and English-speaking (92.9%). On MVA adjusting for histology, language, and insurance type, consults for Black/African American (BAA) patients had 2.92 higher odds of being performed in the inpatient setting compared with consults for WNH patients (95% CI: 1.28-6.70, P=0.011), although the global P-value was P=0.217. Among 290 outpatient consults for painful lesions, no differences in time to pRT start (global P=0.84), number of prescribed fractions of RT (global P=0.94), or new prescriptions for opioids (global P=0.69) were noted by race and ethnicity.
CONCLUSIONS: In this study, BAA race was associated with the location of pRT consultation, but no discernible differences were noted regarding the outpatient delivery of pRT for pain. These findings support the importance of inpatient pRT programs to ensure equitable access. More research is needed to understand barriers to outpatient consult.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-17
Engaging Resource-Constrained Countries in Research Trials of HIV and Cancer: Lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa and the AIDS Malignancy Consortium.
International journal of cancer care and delivery, 3(2):.
HIV contributes significantly to the global burden of cancer. In developing countries, AIDS-defining cancers predominate due to inconsistent access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Even though AIDS-defining cancers are now less common in developed countries, the prevalence of non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs) has increased due to longer life expectancy in a milieu of chronic immune activation, exposure to oncogenic viruses, lifestyle factors, and environmental variables. In resource-constrained countries with inconsistent access to ART, Kaposi sarcoma, aggressive B-cell lymphomas, and cervical cancer continue to be a large problem. Not only do people living with HIV (PLWH) face higher cancer incidence and mortality, but they also encounter persistent stigmatization and barriers to equitable access to cancer treatment. To bridge this gap, the United States National Cancer Institute (NCI) established the AIDS Malignancy Consortium (AMC) to evaluate novel treatments, preventive strategies, and clinical guidelines for PLWH by conducting both domestic and international research. The AMC also emphasizes the development of robust research infrastructure in resource-limited countries, training of researchers, and fair management of clinical trial specimens. Despite various challenges, the AMC has contributed significant insights to international cancer trials among PLWH, thereby transforming clinical practice in low-resource areas. The high global burden of HIV-associated cancer underscores the need for comprehensive research, improved healthcare access, and greater inclusion of PLWH in cancer clinical trials.
Additional Links: PMID-40231215
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Citation:
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@article {pmid40231215,
year = {2023},
author = {He, B and Phipps, W and Aboulafia, DM},
title = {Engaging Resource-Constrained Countries in Research Trials of HIV and Cancer: Lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa and the AIDS Malignancy Consortium.},
journal = {International journal of cancer care and delivery},
volume = {3},
number = {2},
pages = {},
pmid = {40231215},
issn = {2770-3533},
support = {UM1 CA121947/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {HIV contributes significantly to the global burden of cancer. In developing countries, AIDS-defining cancers predominate due to inconsistent access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Even though AIDS-defining cancers are now less common in developed countries, the prevalence of non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADCs) has increased due to longer life expectancy in a milieu of chronic immune activation, exposure to oncogenic viruses, lifestyle factors, and environmental variables. In resource-constrained countries with inconsistent access to ART, Kaposi sarcoma, aggressive B-cell lymphomas, and cervical cancer continue to be a large problem. Not only do people living with HIV (PLWH) face higher cancer incidence and mortality, but they also encounter persistent stigmatization and barriers to equitable access to cancer treatment. To bridge this gap, the United States National Cancer Institute (NCI) established the AIDS Malignancy Consortium (AMC) to evaluate novel treatments, preventive strategies, and clinical guidelines for PLWH by conducting both domestic and international research. The AMC also emphasizes the development of robust research infrastructure in resource-limited countries, training of researchers, and fair management of clinical trial specimens. Despite various challenges, the AMC has contributed significant insights to international cancer trials among PLWH, thereby transforming clinical practice in low-resource areas. The high global burden of HIV-associated cancer underscores the need for comprehensive research, improved healthcare access, and greater inclusion of PLWH in cancer clinical trials.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-15
Sex differences in global electrical heterogeneity: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.
Heart rhythm O2, 6(1):97-102.
Additional Links: PMID-40224258
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40224258,
year = {2025},
author = {Tereshchenko, LG and Haq, KT and Howell, SJ and Mitchell, EC and Hyde, J and Martínez, J and Ahmed, CA and Briceno, G and Patel, H and Pena, J and Khan, A and Soliman, EZ and Lima, JAC and Kapadia, SR and Misra-Hebert, AD and Kansal, MM and Daviglus, ML and Kaplan, R},
title = {Sex differences in global electrical heterogeneity: The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.},
journal = {Heart rhythm O2},
volume = {6},
number = {1},
pages = {97-102},
pmid = {40224258},
issn = {2666-5018},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-13
Association of meal timing with adiposity measures and gut microbiome characteristics in a cohort study: the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.
The American journal of clinical nutrition pii:S0002-9165(25)00189-3 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Time-restricted eating may help control weight through caloric restriction, circadian rhythm, or influence on the gut microbiome (GMB). Physical activity (PA) also plays a role, as people with a longer eating window (EW: time between first and last daily intake) may be more active. The associations between meal timing, adiposity, PA, sedentary behavior (SB) and GMB characteristics are of interest in Hispanic/Latino persons, who experience a high burden of cardiometabolic diseases.
OBJECTIVE: We explored the relationship of EW with energy intake and accelerometer-measured activity and assessed whether a longer EW and later midpoint of intake (MOI: midpoint time of intake) are associated with adiposity and GMB differences in Hispanic/Latino adults.
METHODS: Using data from the prospective Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (n=11,778 participants with valid 24-hour dietary recall and accelerometer data, no unplanned weight loss, and BMI ≥18.5; n=1925 with GMB data) we explored the relationship between EW, SB and energy intake. We used multivariable linear regression models to study the relationship between EW or MOI and adiposity measures and GMB characteristics, adjusted for clinical, behavioral, and demographic characteristics.
RESULTS: Those with longer EW tended to have less SB and greater energy intake, suggesting that some individuals may balance greater intake with greater expenditure. After adjustments including energy balance, each hour of EW was associated with 0.29% higher BMI (95% CI 0.07, 0.51), p=0.011. Longer EW and caloric EW (EWC: EW, caloric meals only) were associated with several obesity-associated GMB taxa, such as Streptococcus (enriched, β [95% CI] 0.04 [0.01, 0.07] for EW). MOI was not significantly associated with adiposity or GMB characteristics.
CONCLUSIONS: Shorter EW may promote healthy weight, but some individuals with longer vs shorter EWs tend to have greater activity that could balance their greater energy intake. EW and EWC may influence GMB characteristics.
Additional Links: PMID-40222449
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40222449,
year = {2025},
author = {Alver, SK and Peters-Samuelson, BA and Mossavar-Rahmani, Y and Qi, Q and McClain, AC and Van Horn, L and Burk, RD and Kaplan, RC},
title = {Association of meal timing with adiposity measures and gut microbiome characteristics in a cohort study: the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos.},
journal = {The American journal of clinical nutrition},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.04.003},
pmid = {40222449},
issn = {1938-3207},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Time-restricted eating may help control weight through caloric restriction, circadian rhythm, or influence on the gut microbiome (GMB). Physical activity (PA) also plays a role, as people with a longer eating window (EW: time between first and last daily intake) may be more active. The associations between meal timing, adiposity, PA, sedentary behavior (SB) and GMB characteristics are of interest in Hispanic/Latino persons, who experience a high burden of cardiometabolic diseases.
OBJECTIVE: We explored the relationship of EW with energy intake and accelerometer-measured activity and assessed whether a longer EW and later midpoint of intake (MOI: midpoint time of intake) are associated with adiposity and GMB differences in Hispanic/Latino adults.
METHODS: Using data from the prospective Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (n=11,778 participants with valid 24-hour dietary recall and accelerometer data, no unplanned weight loss, and BMI ≥18.5; n=1925 with GMB data) we explored the relationship between EW, SB and energy intake. We used multivariable linear regression models to study the relationship between EW or MOI and adiposity measures and GMB characteristics, adjusted for clinical, behavioral, and demographic characteristics.
RESULTS: Those with longer EW tended to have less SB and greater energy intake, suggesting that some individuals may balance greater intake with greater expenditure. After adjustments including energy balance, each hour of EW was associated with 0.29% higher BMI (95% CI 0.07, 0.51), p=0.011. Longer EW and caloric EW (EWC: EW, caloric meals only) were associated with several obesity-associated GMB taxa, such as Streptococcus (enriched, β [95% CI] 0.04 [0.01, 0.07] for EW). MOI was not significantly associated with adiposity or GMB characteristics.
CONCLUSIONS: Shorter EW may promote healthy weight, but some individuals with longer vs shorter EWs tend to have greater activity that could balance their greater energy intake. EW and EWC may influence GMB characteristics.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-15
CmpDate: 2025-04-13
Presentation and Outcomes of Localized Immunoglobulin Light Chain Amyloidosis: 14-Year Experience of an Academic Center.
Hematological oncology, 43(3):e70082.
Localized light chain amyloidosis (loc-AL) is a rare disorder characterized by localized deposition of misfolded AL fibrils. There are limited data on patterns of disease presentation and long-term outcomes. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed 146 patients with loc-AL at our institution between January 1, 2010, and March 1, 2024. We excluded patients with evidence of systemic AL amyloidosis. We calculated local (PFSL) and systemic (PFSs) progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) using the Kaplan-Meier method. We found that loc-AL most commonly involved the respiratory (26%), gastrointestinal (17%), head and neck (17%) and genitourinary (10%) systems. Overall, 51% patients were asymptomatic at presentation, and 16% had a co-existent autoimmune disease. First line management included observation (52%), surgical resection (39%), chemotherapy (3%), and radiation (2%). Most patients (59%) had a response with first-line therapy. The median PFSL was ∼15 years (10-year PFSL 68%), and median OS was not reached (10-year OS 83%). None of the patients had progression to systemic amyloidosis. Seventeen patients had local recurrence and required second line therapy. In conclusion, loc-AL has an excellent prognosis and does not progress to systemic AL amyloidosis. Observation and/or surgical removal are usually adequate first-line approaches; however, a small proportion of patients can relapse locally requiring repeated interventions for symptom control.
Additional Links: PMID-40221882
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@article {pmid40221882,
year = {2025},
author = {Dima, D and Goel, U and Ullah, F and Faiman, B and Basali, D and Mazzoni, S and Williams, LS and Samaras, C and Valent, J and Anwer, F and Khouri, J and Raza, S},
title = {Presentation and Outcomes of Localized Immunoglobulin Light Chain Amyloidosis: 14-Year Experience of an Academic Center.},
journal = {Hematological oncology},
volume = {43},
number = {3},
pages = {e70082},
pmid = {40221882},
issn = {1099-1069},
mesh = {Humans ; Male ; Female ; *Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis/therapy/mortality/diagnosis/pathology ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Aged, 80 and over ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Academic Medical Centers ; Follow-Up Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; },
abstract = {Localized light chain amyloidosis (loc-AL) is a rare disorder characterized by localized deposition of misfolded AL fibrils. There are limited data on patterns of disease presentation and long-term outcomes. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed 146 patients with loc-AL at our institution between January 1, 2010, and March 1, 2024. We excluded patients with evidence of systemic AL amyloidosis. We calculated local (PFSL) and systemic (PFSs) progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) using the Kaplan-Meier method. We found that loc-AL most commonly involved the respiratory (26%), gastrointestinal (17%), head and neck (17%) and genitourinary (10%) systems. Overall, 51% patients were asymptomatic at presentation, and 16% had a co-existent autoimmune disease. First line management included observation (52%), surgical resection (39%), chemotherapy (3%), and radiation (2%). Most patients (59%) had a response with first-line therapy. The median PFSL was ∼15 years (10-year PFSL 68%), and median OS was not reached (10-year OS 83%). None of the patients had progression to systemic amyloidosis. Seventeen patients had local recurrence and required second line therapy. In conclusion, loc-AL has an excellent prognosis and does not progress to systemic AL amyloidosis. Observation and/or surgical removal are usually adequate first-line approaches; however, a small proportion of patients can relapse locally requiring repeated interventions for symptom control.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Humans
Male
Female
*Immunoglobulin Light-chain Amyloidosis/therapy/mortality/diagnosis/pathology
Middle Aged
Aged
Retrospective Studies
Adult
Aged, 80 and over
Prognosis
Survival Rate
Academic Medical Centers
Follow-Up Studies
Treatment Outcome
RevDate: 2025-04-12
Reprogramming of Androgen Receptor Activity in Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer is Shaped by Truncated Variants.
European urology focus pii:S2405-4569(25)00073-2 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Under the selective pressure of treatment, prostate cancer cells express constitutively active androgen receptor (AR) variants. Whether AR variants mediate therapy resistance remains contested, because they are often coexpressed with abundant full-length AR. Therefore, we sought to determine how truncated variants shape AR chromatin occupancy and responses to treatments in both the presence and absence of full-length AR.
METHODS: We used a cohort of patient-derived xenografts of metastatic prostate cancer with diverse AR alterations. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA sequencing were used to compare the landscape of AR binding and transcriptomic features. We assessed responses to castration by castrating host mice and evaluated responses to bipolar androgen therapy by administering testosterone cypionate.
KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: By profiling the AR cistrome, we identified a distinct group of tumours defined by ARv567es expression, a variant arising due to structural rearrangements of the AR gene. ARv567es-positive tumours also had a distinct epigenomic profile and altered transcriptional features, including loss of canonical AR-regulated gene signatures and elevated expression of AR-repressed genes. ARv567es-positive tumours were resistant to castration and bipolar androgen therapy. In tumours that coexpress full-length AR, this involves dampened transcriptional responses and disruption of the autoregulatory loop that modulates AR levels. Study limitations include the need for additional models of AR-driven prostate cancer.
The emergence of ARv567es via gene rearrangements causes transcriptional reprogramming and therapy resistance. This highlights ARv567es as a potential as a marker to guide treatment decisions.
Additional Links: PMID-40221372
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40221372,
year = {2025},
author = {Lawrence, MG and Keerthikumar, S and Townley, SL and Clark, AK and Cuffe, GB and Laven-Law, G and Hanson, AR and Shrestha, RK and Knutson, TP and Richards, MG and Teng, L and Choo, N and Crumbaker, M and Joshua, AM and Corey, E and Nelson, PS and Dehm, SM and Risbridger, GP and Tilley, WD and Hickey, TE and Taylor, RA and Selth, LA},
title = {Reprogramming of Androgen Receptor Activity in Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer is Shaped by Truncated Variants.},
journal = {European urology focus},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.euf.2025.03.017},
pmid = {40221372},
issn = {2405-4569},
abstract = {BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Under the selective pressure of treatment, prostate cancer cells express constitutively active androgen receptor (AR) variants. Whether AR variants mediate therapy resistance remains contested, because they are often coexpressed with abundant full-length AR. Therefore, we sought to determine how truncated variants shape AR chromatin occupancy and responses to treatments in both the presence and absence of full-length AR.
METHODS: We used a cohort of patient-derived xenografts of metastatic prostate cancer with diverse AR alterations. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA sequencing were used to compare the landscape of AR binding and transcriptomic features. We assessed responses to castration by castrating host mice and evaluated responses to bipolar androgen therapy by administering testosterone cypionate.
KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: By profiling the AR cistrome, we identified a distinct group of tumours defined by ARv567es expression, a variant arising due to structural rearrangements of the AR gene. ARv567es-positive tumours also had a distinct epigenomic profile and altered transcriptional features, including loss of canonical AR-regulated gene signatures and elevated expression of AR-repressed genes. ARv567es-positive tumours were resistant to castration and bipolar androgen therapy. In tumours that coexpress full-length AR, this involves dampened transcriptional responses and disruption of the autoregulatory loop that modulates AR levels. Study limitations include the need for additional models of AR-driven prostate cancer.
The emergence of ARv567es via gene rearrangements causes transcriptional reprogramming and therapy resistance. This highlights ARv567es as a potential as a marker to guide treatment decisions.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-14
CmpDate: 2025-04-11
Whole genome sequencing analysis of body mass index identifies novel African ancestry-specific risk allele.
Nature communications, 16(1):3470.
Obesity is a major public health crisis associated with high mortality rates. Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) investigating body mass index (BMI) have largely relied on imputed data from European individuals. This study leveraged whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from 88,873 participants from the Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Program, of which 51% were of non-European population groups. We discovered 18 BMI-associated signals (P < 5 × 10[-9]), including two secondary signals. Notably, we identified and replicated a novel low-frequency single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in MTMR3 that was common in individuals of African descent. Using a diverse study population, we further identified two novel secondary signals in known BMI loci and pinpointed two likely causal variants in the POC5 and DMD loci. Our work demonstrates the benefits of combining WGS and diverse cohorts in expanding current catalog of variants and genes confer risk for obesity, bringing us one step closer to personalized medicine.
Additional Links: PMID-40216759
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40216759,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, X and Brody, JA and Graff, M and Highland, HM and Chami, N and Xu, H and Wang, Z and Ferrier, KR and Chittoor, G and Josyula, NS and Meyer, M and Gupta, S and Li, X and Li, Z and Allison, MA and Becker, DM and Bielak, LF and Bis, JC and Boorgula, MP and Bowden, DW and Broome, JG and Buth, EJ and Carlson, CS and Chang, KM and Chavan, S and Chiu, YF and Chuang, LM and Conomos, MP and DeMeo, DL and Du, M and Duggirala, R and Eng, C and Fohner, AE and Freedman, BI and Garrett, ME and Guo, X and Haiman, C and Heavner, BD and Hidalgo, B and Hixson, JE and Ho, YL and Hobbs, BD and Hu, D and Hui, Q and Hwu, CM and Jackson, RD and Jain, D and Kalyani, RR and Kardia, SLR and Kelly, TN and Lange, EM and LeNoir, M and Li, C and Le Marchand, L and McDonald, MN and McHugh, CP and Morrison, AC and Naseri, T and , and O'Connell, J and O'Donnell, CJ and Palmer, ND and Pankow, JS and Perry, JA and Peters, U and Preuss, MH and Rao, DC and Regan, EA and Reupena, SM and Roden, DM and Rodriguez-Santana, J and Sitlani, CM and Smith, JA and Tiwari, HK and Vasan, RS and Wang, Z and Weeks, DE and Wessel, J and Wiggins, KL and Wilkens, LR and Wilson, PWF and Yanek, LR and Yoneda, ZT and Zhao, W and Zöllner, S and Arnett, DK and Ashley-Koch, AE and Barnes, KC and Blangero, J and Boerwinkle, E and Burchard, EG and Carson, AP and Chasman, DI and Ida Chen, YD and Curran, JE and Fornage, M and Gordeuk, VR and He, J and Heckbert, SR and Hou, L and Irvin, MR and Kooperberg, C and Minster, RL and Mitchell, BD and Nouraie, M and Psaty, BM and Raffield, LM and Reiner, AP and Rich, SS and Rotter, JI and Benjamin Shoemaker, M and Smith, NL and Taylor, KD and Telen, MJ and Weiss, ST and Zhang, Y and Heard-Costa, N and Sun, YV and Lin, X and Cupples, LA and Lange, LA and Liu, CT and Loos, RJF and North, KE and Justice, AE},
title = {Whole genome sequencing analysis of body mass index identifies novel African ancestry-specific risk allele.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {3470},
pmid = {40216759},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {U01 HL054472/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; U19 CA203654/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 DK075787/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; F32 HL085989/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; U01 HL072524/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; I01 BX003340/BX/BLRD VA/United States ; P20 GM109036/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; P01 CA134294/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; U01 HG009088/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; T32 HL007055/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 DK122503/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R35 CA197449/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL104135/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; I01 BX004821/BX/BLRD VA/United States ; R01 HL133040/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL120393/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AR048797/AR/NIAMS NIH HHS/United States ; U01 HG007416/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; U01 HL054509/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 DK 122503//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | Office of Extramural Research, National Institutes of Health (OER)/ ; U01 HL120393/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; U01 HL089897/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL113338/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 DK135938/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AG058921/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL142302/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 DK110113/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R01 NS058700/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 DK107786/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL119443/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL105756/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI114555/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; U01 HL089856/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; T32 HL129982/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL067348/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; P30 CA008748/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL104608/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI132476/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; K08 HL136928/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; M01 RR007122/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States ; KL2 TR002490/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL142825/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 DK124097/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL093093/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; I01 BX003362/BX/BLRD VA/United States ; R01 HL068959/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; U01 HL072507/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 DK071891/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; P01 HL132825/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HG010297/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; U01 HL054495/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL055673/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL092301/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; U01 HL054473/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Body Mass Index ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; *Whole Genome Sequencing ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; *Obesity/genetics/ethnology ; Male ; Female ; Alleles ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; *Black People/genetics ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; },
abstract = {Obesity is a major public health crisis associated with high mortality rates. Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) investigating body mass index (BMI) have largely relied on imputed data from European individuals. This study leveraged whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from 88,873 participants from the Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed) Program, of which 51% were of non-European population groups. We discovered 18 BMI-associated signals (P < 5 × 10[-9]), including two secondary signals. Notably, we identified and replicated a novel low-frequency single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in MTMR3 that was common in individuals of African descent. Using a diverse study population, we further identified two novel secondary signals in known BMI loci and pinpointed two likely causal variants in the POC5 and DMD loci. Our work demonstrates the benefits of combining WGS and diverse cohorts in expanding current catalog of variants and genes confer risk for obesity, bringing us one step closer to personalized medicine.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Body Mass Index
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
*Whole Genome Sequencing
Genome-Wide Association Study
*Obesity/genetics/ethnology
Male
Female
Alleles
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
*Black People/genetics
Adult
Middle Aged
RevDate: 2025-04-13
ALVAC-prime and monomeric gp120 protein boost induces distinct HIV-1 specific humoral and cellular responses compared with adenovirus-prime and trimeric gp140 protein boost.
PLOS global public health, 5(4):e0004250.
Although clade-specific and cross-clade mosaic prime-boost HIV-1 vaccine regimens were advanced to the HVTN 702 and HVTN 705 efficacy trials, neither regimen prevented HIV acquisition. The respective Phase 1/2a studies, HVTN 100 (NCT02404311) and HVTN 117/HPX2004 (NCT02788045), provided rich immunological data, including previously identified correlates of risk, for comparing immune responses elicited by these vaccine regimens over time. We analyzed antibody responses measured by binding antibody multiplex assay, and CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses measured by intracellular cytokine staining in per-protocol vaccinees in HVTN 100 (n=186) vs. HVTN 117/HPX2004 (n=99) after the months 6 and 12 vaccinations (months 6.5/7 and 12.5/13), and 6 months after the last vaccination (month 18). At month 12.5/13, both regimens induced similarly high IgG breadth against gp120, gp140, and V1V2 antigens, and similar IgG responses to gp70-BCaseA V1V2. IgG V1V2 responses were more durable in HVTN 117/HPX2004, with the largest difference in the gp70-BCaseA V1V2 IgG response rate at month 18 (17.8% in HVTN 100 vs 61.9% in HVTN 117/HPX2004, p<0.001). IgG3 responses to consensus Env antigens were higher and more durable in HVTN117/HPX2004; for example, IgG3 response rate to the consensus gp140 antigen was 65.9% in HVTN 117/HPX2004 vs 6.3% in HVTN 100 at month 18 (TMLE p<0.0001). At month 18, both regimens induced similar IgG3 responses to gp70-BCaseA V1V2 (3.2% in HVTN 100 vs 1.1% in HVTN 117/HPX2004). Polyfunctional CD4+ Env was significantly higher in HVTN 100, and polyfunctional CD4+ Gag was higher in HVTN 117/HPX2004. CD8+ T-cell responses were not seen in HVTN 100, while CD8+ T-cell response rates in HVTN 117/HPX2004 reached up to 42%. Despite the distinct immune responses induced by the two HIV vaccine regimens, the lack of demonstrated efficacy suggests that broader, higher magnitude, and possibly qualitatively different immune responses are needed for protection against HIV acquisition. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02404311 and NCT02788045; South African National Clinical Trials Registry (DOH-27-0215-4796).
Additional Links: PMID-40215224
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40215224,
year = {2025},
author = {Fisher, LH and Lazarus, E and Yu, C and Moodie, Z and Stieh, DJ and Yates, N and Zhang, L and Sawant, S and De Rosa, SC and Cohen, KW and Morris, D and Grant, S and Randhawa, A and Miner, MD and Hendriks, J and Wegmann, F and Gill, KM and Laher, F and Bekker, LG and Gray, GE and Corey, L and McElrath, MJ and Martin, T and Gilbert, PB and Tomaras, G and Walsh, SR and Baden, LR and , },
title = {ALVAC-prime and monomeric gp120 protein boost induces distinct HIV-1 specific humoral and cellular responses compared with adenovirus-prime and trimeric gp140 protein boost.},
journal = {PLOS global public health},
volume = {5},
number = {4},
pages = {e0004250},
pmid = {40215224},
issn = {2767-3375},
abstract = {Although clade-specific and cross-clade mosaic prime-boost HIV-1 vaccine regimens were advanced to the HVTN 702 and HVTN 705 efficacy trials, neither regimen prevented HIV acquisition. The respective Phase 1/2a studies, HVTN 100 (NCT02404311) and HVTN 117/HPX2004 (NCT02788045), provided rich immunological data, including previously identified correlates of risk, for comparing immune responses elicited by these vaccine regimens over time. We analyzed antibody responses measured by binding antibody multiplex assay, and CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses measured by intracellular cytokine staining in per-protocol vaccinees in HVTN 100 (n=186) vs. HVTN 117/HPX2004 (n=99) after the months 6 and 12 vaccinations (months 6.5/7 and 12.5/13), and 6 months after the last vaccination (month 18). At month 12.5/13, both regimens induced similarly high IgG breadth against gp120, gp140, and V1V2 antigens, and similar IgG responses to gp70-BCaseA V1V2. IgG V1V2 responses were more durable in HVTN 117/HPX2004, with the largest difference in the gp70-BCaseA V1V2 IgG response rate at month 18 (17.8% in HVTN 100 vs 61.9% in HVTN 117/HPX2004, p<0.001). IgG3 responses to consensus Env antigens were higher and more durable in HVTN117/HPX2004; for example, IgG3 response rate to the consensus gp140 antigen was 65.9% in HVTN 117/HPX2004 vs 6.3% in HVTN 100 at month 18 (TMLE p<0.0001). At month 18, both regimens induced similar IgG3 responses to gp70-BCaseA V1V2 (3.2% in HVTN 100 vs 1.1% in HVTN 117/HPX2004). Polyfunctional CD4+ Env was significantly higher in HVTN 100, and polyfunctional CD4+ Gag was higher in HVTN 117/HPX2004. CD8+ T-cell responses were not seen in HVTN 100, while CD8+ T-cell response rates in HVTN 117/HPX2004 reached up to 42%. Despite the distinct immune responses induced by the two HIV vaccine regimens, the lack of demonstrated efficacy suggests that broader, higher magnitude, and possibly qualitatively different immune responses are needed for protection against HIV acquisition. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02404311 and NCT02788045; South African National Clinical Trials Registry (DOH-27-0215-4796).},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-13
CmpDate: 2025-04-11
Opposite Roles of IL-32α Versus IL-32β/γ Isoforms in Promoting Monocyte-Derived Osteoblast/Osteoclast Differentiation and Vascular Calcification in People with HIV.
Cells, 14(7):.
People with HIV (PWH) have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our recent data demonstrated that the multi-isoform proinflammatory cytokine IL-32 is upregulated in PWH and is associated with arterial stiffness and subclinical atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms by which IL-32 contributes to the pathogenesis of these diseases remain unclear. Here, we show that while the less expressed IL-32α isoform induces the differentiation of human classical monocytes into the calcium-resorbing osteoclast cells, the dominantly expressed isoforms IL-32β and IL-32γ suppress this function through the inhibition of TGF-β and induce the differentiation of monocytes into the calcium-depositing osteocalcin+ osteoblasts. These results aligned with the increase in plasma levels of osteoprotegerin, a biomarker of vascular calcification, and its association with the presence of coronary artery subclinical atherosclerosis and calcium score in PWH. These findings support a novel role for the proinflammatory cytokine IL-32 in the pathophysiology of CVD by increasing vascular calcification in PWH.
Additional Links: PMID-40214435
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40214435,
year = {2025},
author = {Ramani, H and Cleret-Buhot, A and Sylla, M and Bunet, R and Bertrand, F and Peet, MM and Chartrand-Lefebvre, C and Trottier, B and Thomas, R and Routy, JP and Fortin, C and Martel-Laferrière, V and Sadouni, M and Cloutier, G and Allard, L and Kizer, JR and Chomont, N and Ancuta, P and Hanna, DB and Kaplan, RC and Jenabian, MA and Landay, AL and Durand, M and El-Far, M and Tremblay, CL},
title = {Opposite Roles of IL-32α Versus IL-32β/γ Isoforms in Promoting Monocyte-Derived Osteoblast/Osteoclast Differentiation and Vascular Calcification in People with HIV.},
journal = {Cells},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
pmid = {40214435},
issn = {2073-4409},
support = {R01 AG054324/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; 2R01AG054324-08A1/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Interleukins/metabolism ; *Monocytes/metabolism/pathology/cytology ; *Osteoblasts/metabolism/pathology ; *Cell Differentiation ; *HIV Infections/complications/pathology/metabolism ; *Vascular Calcification/metabolism/pathology/complications ; Protein Isoforms/metabolism ; *Osteoclasts/metabolism/pathology/cytology ; Male ; Calcium/metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Female ; },
abstract = {People with HIV (PWH) have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our recent data demonstrated that the multi-isoform proinflammatory cytokine IL-32 is upregulated in PWH and is associated with arterial stiffness and subclinical atherosclerosis. However, the mechanisms by which IL-32 contributes to the pathogenesis of these diseases remain unclear. Here, we show that while the less expressed IL-32α isoform induces the differentiation of human classical monocytes into the calcium-resorbing osteoclast cells, the dominantly expressed isoforms IL-32β and IL-32γ suppress this function through the inhibition of TGF-β and induce the differentiation of monocytes into the calcium-depositing osteocalcin+ osteoblasts. These results aligned with the increase in plasma levels of osteoprotegerin, a biomarker of vascular calcification, and its association with the presence of coronary artery subclinical atherosclerosis and calcium score in PWH. These findings support a novel role for the proinflammatory cytokine IL-32 in the pathophysiology of CVD by increasing vascular calcification in PWH.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Interleukins/metabolism
*Monocytes/metabolism/pathology/cytology
*Osteoblasts/metabolism/pathology
*Cell Differentiation
*HIV Infections/complications/pathology/metabolism
*Vascular Calcification/metabolism/pathology/complications
Protein Isoforms/metabolism
*Osteoclasts/metabolism/pathology/cytology
Male
Calcium/metabolism
Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
Middle Aged
Female
RevDate: 2025-04-12
Association between socioeconomic position and lung cancer incidence in 16 countries: a prospective cohort consortium study.
EClinicalMedicine, 82:103152.
BACKGROUND: Studies have reported higher lung cancer incidence among groups with lower socioeconomic position (SEP). However, it is not known how this difference in lung cancer incidence between SEP groups varies across different geographical settings. Furthermore, most prior studies that assessed the association between SEP and lung cancer incidence were conducted without detailed adjustment for smoking. Therefore, we aimed to assess this relationship across world regions.
METHODS: In this international prospective cohort consortium study, we used data from the Lung Cancer Cohort Consortium (LC3), which includes 20 prospective population cohorts from 16 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Participants were enrolled between 1985 and 2010 and followed for cancer outcomes using registry linkages and/or active follow-up. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for the association between educational level (our primary measure of SEP, in 4 categories) and incident lung cancer using Cox proportional hazards models separately for participants with and without a smoking history. The models were adjusted for age, sex, cohort (when multiple cohorts were included), smoking duration, cigarettes per day, and time since cessation.
FINDINGS: Among 2,487,511 participants, 53,830 developed lung cancer during a 13.5-year median follow-up (IQR = 6.5-15.0 years). Among participants with a smoking history, higher education was associated with decreased lung cancer incidence in nearly every cohort after detailed smoking adjustment. By world region, this association was observed in North America (HR per one-category increase in education [HRtrend] = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.87-0.89), Europe (HRtrend = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.88-0.91), and Asia (HRtrend = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.86-0.96), but not in the Australian study (HRtrend = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.95-1.09). By histological subtype, education associated most strongly with squamous cell carcinoma and more weakly with adenocarcinoma (p-heterogeneity < 0.0001). Among participants who never smoked, there was no association between education and lung cancer incidence in any cohort (all p-trend > 0.05), except the USA Southern Community Cohort Study (HRtrend = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.62-0.90).
INTERPRETATION: Based on longitudinal data from 2.5 million participants from 16 countries, our findings suggest that higher educational attainment was associated with lower lung cancer risk among participants with a smoking history, but not among participants who never smoked. Limitations of our study include that cohort participants cannot fully represent the general populations of the geographical regions included, and education was the only measure of SEP consistently available across our consortium.
FUNDING: This study was supported in part by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF), and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).
Additional Links: PMID-40212049
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40212049,
year = {2025},
author = {Onwuka, JU and Zahed, H and Feng, X and Alcala, K and Erhunmwunsee, L and Williams, RM and Aldrich, MC and Ahluwalia, JS and Albanes, D and Arslan, AA and Bassett, JK and Brennan, P and Cai, Q and Chen, C and Dimou, N and Ferrari, P and Freedman, ND and Huang, WY and Jones, ME and Jones, MR and Kaaks, R and Koh, WP and Langhammer, A and Liao, LM and Malekzadeh, R and Milne, RL and Rohan, TE and Sánchez, MJ and Sheikh, M and Sinha, R and Shu, XO and Stevens, VL and Tinker, LF and Visvanathan, K and Wang, Y and Wang, R and Weinstein, SJ and White, E and Yuan, JM and Zheng, W and Johansson, M and Robbins, HA},
title = {Association between socioeconomic position and lung cancer incidence in 16 countries: a prospective cohort consortium study.},
journal = {EClinicalMedicine},
volume = {82},
number = {},
pages = {103152},
pmid = {40212049},
issn = {2589-5370},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Studies have reported higher lung cancer incidence among groups with lower socioeconomic position (SEP). However, it is not known how this difference in lung cancer incidence between SEP groups varies across different geographical settings. Furthermore, most prior studies that assessed the association between SEP and lung cancer incidence were conducted without detailed adjustment for smoking. Therefore, we aimed to assess this relationship across world regions.
METHODS: In this international prospective cohort consortium study, we used data from the Lung Cancer Cohort Consortium (LC3), which includes 20 prospective population cohorts from 16 countries in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Participants were enrolled between 1985 and 2010 and followed for cancer outcomes using registry linkages and/or active follow-up. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) for the association between educational level (our primary measure of SEP, in 4 categories) and incident lung cancer using Cox proportional hazards models separately for participants with and without a smoking history. The models were adjusted for age, sex, cohort (when multiple cohorts were included), smoking duration, cigarettes per day, and time since cessation.
FINDINGS: Among 2,487,511 participants, 53,830 developed lung cancer during a 13.5-year median follow-up (IQR = 6.5-15.0 years). Among participants with a smoking history, higher education was associated with decreased lung cancer incidence in nearly every cohort after detailed smoking adjustment. By world region, this association was observed in North America (HR per one-category increase in education [HRtrend] = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.87-0.89), Europe (HRtrend = 0.89, 95% CI = 0.88-0.91), and Asia (HRtrend = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.86-0.96), but not in the Australian study (HRtrend = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.95-1.09). By histological subtype, education associated most strongly with squamous cell carcinoma and more weakly with adenocarcinoma (p-heterogeneity < 0.0001). Among participants who never smoked, there was no association between education and lung cancer incidence in any cohort (all p-trend > 0.05), except the USA Southern Community Cohort Study (HRtrend = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.62-0.90).
INTERPRETATION: Based on longitudinal data from 2.5 million participants from 16 countries, our findings suggest that higher educational attainment was associated with lower lung cancer risk among participants with a smoking history, but not among participants who never smoked. Limitations of our study include that cohort participants cannot fully represent the general populations of the geographical regions included, and education was the only measure of SEP consistently available across our consortium.
FUNDING: This study was supported in part by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF), and the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF).},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-11
Intranasal replicon SARS-CoV-2 vaccine produces protective respiratory and systemic immunity and prevents viral transmission.
Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy pii:S1525-0016(25)00281-3 [Epub ahead of print].
While mRNA vaccines have been effective in combating SARS-CoV-2, waning of vaccine-induced antibody responses and lack of vaccine-induced respiratory tract immunity contribute to ongoing infection and transmission. In this work, we compare and contrast intranasal (i.n.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration of a SARS-CoV-2 replicon vaccine delivered by a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC). Both i.m. and i.n. vaccines induce potent systemic serum neutralizing antibodies, bone marrow-resident IgG-secreting cells, and splenic T cell responses. The i.n. vaccine additionally induces robust respiratory mucosal immune responses, including SARS-CoV-2-reactive lung-resident memory T cell populations. As a booster following previous i.m. vaccination, the i.n. vaccine also elicits the development of mucosal virus-specific T cells. Both the i.m. and i.n. administered vaccines durably protect hamsters from infection-associated morbidity upon viral challenge, significantly reducing viral loads and preventing challenged hamsters from transmitting virus to naïve cagemates. This replicon-NLC vaccine's potent systemic immunogenicity, and additional mucosal immunogenicity when delivered i.n., may be key for combating SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens.
Additional Links: PMID-40211539
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40211539,
year = {2025},
author = {Jennewein, MF and Schultz, MD and Beaver, S and Battisti, P and Bakken, J and Hanson, D and Akther, J and Zhou, F and Mohamath, R and Singh, J and Cross, N and Kasal, DN and Ykema, MR and Reed, S and Kalange, D and Cheatwood, IR and Tipper, JL and Foote, JB and King, RG and Silva-Sanchez, A and Harrod, KS and Botta, D and Gerhardt, A and Casper, C and Randall, TD and Lund, FE and Voigt, EA},
title = {Intranasal replicon SARS-CoV-2 vaccine produces protective respiratory and systemic immunity and prevents viral transmission.},
journal = {Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.ymthe.2025.04.007},
pmid = {40211539},
issn = {1525-0024},
abstract = {While mRNA vaccines have been effective in combating SARS-CoV-2, waning of vaccine-induced antibody responses and lack of vaccine-induced respiratory tract immunity contribute to ongoing infection and transmission. In this work, we compare and contrast intranasal (i.n.) and intramuscular (i.m.) administration of a SARS-CoV-2 replicon vaccine delivered by a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC). Both i.m. and i.n. vaccines induce potent systemic serum neutralizing antibodies, bone marrow-resident IgG-secreting cells, and splenic T cell responses. The i.n. vaccine additionally induces robust respiratory mucosal immune responses, including SARS-CoV-2-reactive lung-resident memory T cell populations. As a booster following previous i.m. vaccination, the i.n. vaccine also elicits the development of mucosal virus-specific T cells. Both the i.m. and i.n. administered vaccines durably protect hamsters from infection-associated morbidity upon viral challenge, significantly reducing viral loads and preventing challenged hamsters from transmitting virus to naïve cagemates. This replicon-NLC vaccine's potent systemic immunogenicity, and additional mucosal immunogenicity when delivered i.n., may be key for combating SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-15
CmpDate: 2025-04-10
Large-scale multi-omics analyses in Hispanic/Latino populations identify genes for cardiometabolic traits.
Nature communications, 16(1):3438.
Here, we present a multi-omics study of type 2 diabetes and quantitative blood lipid and lipoprotein traits conducted to date in Hispanic/Latino populations (nmax = 63,184). We conduct a meta-analysis of 16 type 2 diabetes and 19 lipid trait GWAS, identifying 20 genome-wide significant loci for type 2 diabetes, including one novel locus and novel signals at two known loci, based on fine-mapping. We also identify sixty-one genome-wide significant loci across the lipid/lipoprotein traits, including nine novel loci, and novel signals at 19 known loci through fine-mapping. Next, we analyze genetically regulated expression, perform Mendelian randomization, and analyze association with transcriptomic and proteomic measure using multi-omics data from a Hispanic/Latino population. Using this approach, we identify genes linked to type 2 diabetes and lipid/lipoprotein traits, including TMEM205 and NEDD9 for HDL cholesterol, TREH for triglycerides, and ANXA4 for type 2 diabetes.
Additional Links: PMID-40210677
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40210677,
year = {2025},
author = {Petty, LE and Chen, HH and Frankel, EG and Zhu, W and Downie, CG and Graff, M and Lin, P and Sharma, P and Zhang, X and Scartozzi, AC and Roshani, R and Landman, JM and Boehnke, M and Bowden, DW and Chambers, JC and Mahajan, A and McCarthy, MI and Ng, MCY and Sim, X and Spracklen, CN and Zhang, W and Preuss, M and Bottinger, EP and Nadkarni, GN and Loos, RJF and Chen, YI and Tan, J and Ipp, E and Genter, P and Emery, LS and Louie, T and Sofer, T and Stilp, AM and Taylor, KD and Xiang, AH and Buchanan, TA and Roll, K and Gao, C and Palmer, ND and Norris, JM and Wagenknecht, LE and Nousome, D and Varma, R and McKean-Cowdin, R and Guo, X and Hai, Y and Hsueh, W and Sandow, K and Parra, EJ and Cruz, M and Valladares-Salgado, A and Wacher-Rodarte, N and Rotter, JI and Goodarzi, MO and Rich, SS and Bertoni, A and Raffel, LJ and Nadler, JL and Kandeel, FR and Duggirala, R and Blangero, J and Lehman, DM and DeFronzo, RA and Thameem, F and Wang, Y and Gahagan, S and Blanco, E and Burrows, R and Huerta-Chagoya, A and Florez, JC and Tusie-Luna, T and González-Villalpando, C and Orozco, L and Haiman, CA and Hanis, CL and Rohde, R and Whitsel, EA and Reiner, AP and Kooperberg, C and Li, Y and Duan, Q and Lee, M and Correa-Burrows, P and Fried, SK and North, KE and McCormick, JB and Fisher-Hoch, SP and Gamazon, ER and Morris, AP and Mercader, JM and Highland, HM and Below, JE and , and , },
title = {Large-scale multi-omics analyses in Hispanic/Latino populations identify genes for cardiometabolic traits.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {3438},
pmid = {40210677},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {R56 DK062370/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; U01 HG007416/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 DK107786/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R01 DK062370/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R56 HG010297/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; U01 HG011723/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; U01 DK062370/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL142302/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 DK110113/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R01 DK101855/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R01HL142302//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics/ethnology/blood ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; *Hispanic or Latino/genetics ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Male ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Female ; Proteomics ; Cholesterol, HDL/genetics/blood ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Quantitative Trait Loci ; Lipids/blood/genetics ; Membrane Proteins/genetics ; Triglycerides/blood ; Multiomics ; White ; },
abstract = {Here, we present a multi-omics study of type 2 diabetes and quantitative blood lipid and lipoprotein traits conducted to date in Hispanic/Latino populations (nmax = 63,184). We conduct a meta-analysis of 16 type 2 diabetes and 19 lipid trait GWAS, identifying 20 genome-wide significant loci for type 2 diabetes, including one novel locus and novel signals at two known loci, based on fine-mapping. We also identify sixty-one genome-wide significant loci across the lipid/lipoprotein traits, including nine novel loci, and novel signals at 19 known loci through fine-mapping. Next, we analyze genetically regulated expression, perform Mendelian randomization, and analyze association with transcriptomic and proteomic measure using multi-omics data from a Hispanic/Latino population. Using this approach, we identify genes linked to type 2 diabetes and lipid/lipoprotein traits, including TMEM205 and NEDD9 for HDL cholesterol, TREH for triglycerides, and ANXA4 for type 2 diabetes.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics/ethnology/blood
Genome-Wide Association Study
*Hispanic or Latino/genetics
Mendelian Randomization Analysis
Male
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Female
Proteomics
Cholesterol, HDL/genetics/blood
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
Quantitative Trait Loci
Lipids/blood/genetics
Membrane Proteins/genetics
Triglycerides/blood
Multiomics
White
RevDate: 2025-04-10
Sensitivity Measures in Studies of Cancer Early Detection Biomarkers.
Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology pii:757333 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: The sensitivity of a cancer screening biomarker to detect prevalent preclinical cancer drives screening benefit. Studies estimate sensitivity at different points in the biomarker development process. We examine how closely these estimates reflect the sensitivity to detect preclinical cancer (preclinical sensitivity).
METHODS: We posit that preclinical sensitivity is inversely proportional to the preclinical sojourn time. We simulate studies and estimates of sensitivity corresponding to the Early Detection Research Network's Phases of Biomarker Development. Sensitivity estimates based on clinically diagnosed cases (Phase 2, clinical sensitivity), archived-sample studies (Phase 3, archived-sample sensitivity), and prospectively screened cohorts (Phases 4 and 5, prospective empirical sensitivity) are defined and compared against the corresponding expected preclinical sensitivity.
RESULTS: Clinical sensitivity is generally optimistic. Archived-sample sensitivity is optimistic near clinical diagnosis but may be pessimistic at longer look-back intervals, with bias dependent also on test specificity. Prospective empirical sensitivity is optimistic when the sojourn time is long relative to the screening interval. Bias in prospective empirical sensitivity depends also on the frequency and accuracy of confirmation testing following a positive screening test.
CONCLUSIONS: Sensitivity estimates from different phases of biomarker development should be distinguished and labeled accordingly to facilitate realistic assessment of diagnostic performance and prediction of potential benefit.
IMPACT: Our study highlights the need for clearer terminology to describe sensitivity of cancer early detection biomarkers. We introduce new labels, explain biases in sensitivity estimates, and advocate for improved communication to enhance understanding of diagnostic test performance.
Additional Links: PMID-40208630
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40208630,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhao, Y and Gulati, R and Lange, J and Olivas-Martinez, A and Raoof, S and Zheng, Y and Feng, Z and Etzioni, R},
title = {Sensitivity Measures in Studies of Cancer Early Detection Biomarkers.},
journal = {Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-24-1849},
pmid = {40208630},
issn = {1538-7755},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The sensitivity of a cancer screening biomarker to detect prevalent preclinical cancer drives screening benefit. Studies estimate sensitivity at different points in the biomarker development process. We examine how closely these estimates reflect the sensitivity to detect preclinical cancer (preclinical sensitivity).
METHODS: We posit that preclinical sensitivity is inversely proportional to the preclinical sojourn time. We simulate studies and estimates of sensitivity corresponding to the Early Detection Research Network's Phases of Biomarker Development. Sensitivity estimates based on clinically diagnosed cases (Phase 2, clinical sensitivity), archived-sample studies (Phase 3, archived-sample sensitivity), and prospectively screened cohorts (Phases 4 and 5, prospective empirical sensitivity) are defined and compared against the corresponding expected preclinical sensitivity.
RESULTS: Clinical sensitivity is generally optimistic. Archived-sample sensitivity is optimistic near clinical diagnosis but may be pessimistic at longer look-back intervals, with bias dependent also on test specificity. Prospective empirical sensitivity is optimistic when the sojourn time is long relative to the screening interval. Bias in prospective empirical sensitivity depends also on the frequency and accuracy of confirmation testing following a positive screening test.
CONCLUSIONS: Sensitivity estimates from different phases of biomarker development should be distinguished and labeled accordingly to facilitate realistic assessment of diagnostic performance and prediction of potential benefit.
IMPACT: Our study highlights the need for clearer terminology to describe sensitivity of cancer early detection biomarkers. We introduce new labels, explain biases in sensitivity estimates, and advocate for improved communication to enhance understanding of diagnostic test performance.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-12
CmpDate: 2025-04-10
Integrator complex subunit 12 knockout overcomes a transcriptional block to HIV latency reversal.
eLife, 13:.
The latent HIV reservoir is a major barrier to HIV cure. Combining latency reversal agents (LRAs) with differing mechanisms of action such as AZD5582, a non-canonical NF-kB activator, and I-BET151, a bromodomain inhibitor is appealing toward inducing HIV-1 reactivation. However, even this LRA combination needs improvement as it is inefficient at activating proviruses in cells of people living with HIV (PLWH). We performed a CRISPR screen in conjunction with AZD5582 & I-BET151 and identified a member of the Integrator complex as a target to improve this LRA combination, specifically Integrator complex subunit 12 (INTS12). Integrator functions as a genome-wide attenuator of transcription that acts on elongation through its RNA cleavage and phosphatase modules. Knockout of INTS12 improved latency reactivation at the transcriptional level and is more specific to the HIV-1 provirus than AZD5582 & I-BET151 treatment alone. We found that INTS12 is present on chromatin at the promoter of HIV and therefore its effect on HIV may be direct. Additionally, we observed more RNAPII in the gene body of HIV only with the combination of INTS12 knockout with AZD5582 & I-BET151, indicating that INTS12 induces a transcriptional elongation block to viral reactivation. Moreover, knockout of INTS12 increased HIV-1 reactivation in CD4 T cells from virally suppressed PLWH ex vivo, and we detected viral RNA in the supernatant from CD4 T cells of all three virally suppressed PLWH tested upon INTS12 knockout, suggesting that INTS12 prevents full-length HIV RNA production in primary T cells. Finally, we found that INTS12 more generally limits the efficacy of a variety of LRAs with different mechanisms of action.
Additional Links: PMID-40207620
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40207620,
year = {2025},
author = {Gray, CN and Ashokkumar, M and Janssens, DH and Kirchherr, JL and Allard, B and Hsieh, E and Hafer, TL and Archin, NM and Browne, EP and Emerman, M},
title = {Integrator complex subunit 12 knockout overcomes a transcriptional block to HIV latency reversal.},
journal = {eLife},
volume = {13},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40207620},
issn = {2050-084X},
support = {DP1 DA051110/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States ; P30 CA015704/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R61 DA047023/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI143381/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI083203/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI 083203//National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/ ; R56 AI170226/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; 1UM1-A1-164567//National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/ ; },
mesh = {*Virus Latency/drug effects/genetics ; Humans ; *HIV-1/physiology/drug effects/genetics ; Virus Activation/drug effects ; *HIV Infections/virology ; *Transcription, Genetic ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings/pharmacology ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/virology ; },
abstract = {The latent HIV reservoir is a major barrier to HIV cure. Combining latency reversal agents (LRAs) with differing mechanisms of action such as AZD5582, a non-canonical NF-kB activator, and I-BET151, a bromodomain inhibitor is appealing toward inducing HIV-1 reactivation. However, even this LRA combination needs improvement as it is inefficient at activating proviruses in cells of people living with HIV (PLWH). We performed a CRISPR screen in conjunction with AZD5582 & I-BET151 and identified a member of the Integrator complex as a target to improve this LRA combination, specifically Integrator complex subunit 12 (INTS12). Integrator functions as a genome-wide attenuator of transcription that acts on elongation through its RNA cleavage and phosphatase modules. Knockout of INTS12 improved latency reactivation at the transcriptional level and is more specific to the HIV-1 provirus than AZD5582 & I-BET151 treatment alone. We found that INTS12 is present on chromatin at the promoter of HIV and therefore its effect on HIV may be direct. Additionally, we observed more RNAPII in the gene body of HIV only with the combination of INTS12 knockout with AZD5582 & I-BET151, indicating that INTS12 induces a transcriptional elongation block to viral reactivation. Moreover, knockout of INTS12 increased HIV-1 reactivation in CD4 T cells from virally suppressed PLWH ex vivo, and we detected viral RNA in the supernatant from CD4 T cells of all three virally suppressed PLWH tested upon INTS12 knockout, suggesting that INTS12 prevents full-length HIV RNA production in primary T cells. Finally, we found that INTS12 more generally limits the efficacy of a variety of LRAs with different mechanisms of action.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
*Virus Latency/drug effects/genetics
Humans
*HIV-1/physiology/drug effects/genetics
Virus Activation/drug effects
*HIV Infections/virology
*Transcription, Genetic
Gene Knockout Techniques
Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings/pharmacology
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/virology
RevDate: 2025-04-09
Synergies, partnership outcomes, and lessons learned: A qualitative evaluation of cancer center-coalition engagement.
JNCI cancer spectrum pii:8109646 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Nine National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Centers received supplemental funding to expand community outreach and engagement (COE) activities through a partnership with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded comprehensive cancer control coalitions. This article reports on an evaluation of these awards focused on organizational relationship synergies and partnership outcomes.
METHODS: NCI, COE, and coalition representatives co-designed the evaluation, which involved document review and 18 semi-structured interviews with 16 COE and 19 coalition representatives. AI-generated interview transcripts were dual-coded in NVivo 20/R1.
RESULTS: The funding generated a diverse collection of projects and partnerships. COE-coalition synergies and lessons learned were evident in the following domains: infrastructure, community and partner engagement, data monitoring, and intervention implementation, evaluation, and dissemination. Outcomes of this funding initiative were evident in the following domains: strengthened partnerships, expanded knowledge, improved health or healthcare programs and policies, and thriving communities.
CONCLUSIONS: Fostering COE-coalition partnerships created opportunities to leverage synergies and build capacity for engagement across multiple domains, contributing to enhanced trust and implementation of interventions across the cancer continuum. The findings provide examples and lessons about synergistic opportunities for cancer centers and coalitions to capitalize on. Successful collaborative relationships were based on identifying shared goals and complimentary expertise and roles, sharing of financial and other resources, and a commitment to authentic and open dialogue. While modest and short-term, supplemental funding can strengthen organizational relationships and promote effective collaboration on community-facing activities; it can also lead to improved research engagement and translation of evidence to practice.
Additional Links: PMID-40205614
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40205614,
year = {2025},
author = {Villalobos, A and Lipman, PD and Beebe-Dimmer, J and Borrayo, EA and Briant, KJ and Bruegl, A and Dee, C and Chavez, S and Drake, B and Johnson, SS and Kikuchi, K and Leeman, J and Lowery, J and Mendoza, JA and Parker, M and Purvis, L and Wells Sittig, K and Thompson, HS and Wangen, M and Wheeler, SB},
title = {Synergies, partnership outcomes, and lessons learned: A qualitative evaluation of cancer center-coalition engagement.},
journal = {JNCI cancer spectrum},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jncics/pkaf038},
pmid = {40205614},
issn = {2515-5091},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Nine National Cancer Institute (NCI)-Designated Cancer Centers received supplemental funding to expand community outreach and engagement (COE) activities through a partnership with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-funded comprehensive cancer control coalitions. This article reports on an evaluation of these awards focused on organizational relationship synergies and partnership outcomes.
METHODS: NCI, COE, and coalition representatives co-designed the evaluation, which involved document review and 18 semi-structured interviews with 16 COE and 19 coalition representatives. AI-generated interview transcripts were dual-coded in NVivo 20/R1.
RESULTS: The funding generated a diverse collection of projects and partnerships. COE-coalition synergies and lessons learned were evident in the following domains: infrastructure, community and partner engagement, data monitoring, and intervention implementation, evaluation, and dissemination. Outcomes of this funding initiative were evident in the following domains: strengthened partnerships, expanded knowledge, improved health or healthcare programs and policies, and thriving communities.
CONCLUSIONS: Fostering COE-coalition partnerships created opportunities to leverage synergies and build capacity for engagement across multiple domains, contributing to enhanced trust and implementation of interventions across the cancer continuum. The findings provide examples and lessons about synergistic opportunities for cancer centers and coalitions to capitalize on. Successful collaborative relationships were based on identifying shared goals and complimentary expertise and roles, sharing of financial and other resources, and a commitment to authentic and open dialogue. While modest and short-term, supplemental funding can strengthen organizational relationships and promote effective collaboration on community-facing activities; it can also lead to improved research engagement and translation of evidence to practice.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-09
The Association Between Use of Adherence Support Interventions and Adherence to HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Among Young South African and Zimbabwean Women in HPTN 082.
AIDS and behavior [Epub ahead of print].
We assessed the association between PrEP adherence support interventions and intracellular tenofovir-diphosphate (TFV-DP) levels, a biomarker for PrEP adherence, using data from 368 South African and Zimbabwean adolescent girls and young women enrolled in the HIV Prevention Trials Network 082 trial from 2016 to 2018. Group-based trajectory modeling identified trajectories of TFV-DP levels and adherence support interventions, including weekly two-way SMS and optional monthly adherence clubs. Two trajectories of TFV-DP levels were identified: a consistently low trajectory (N = 248, 67.4%, with consistent TFV-DP levels of 100 fmol/punch) and a high-decreasing trajectory (N = 120, 32.6%, with TFV-DP levels decreasing from approximately 900 to 500 fmol/punch). Two trajectories were also observed for adherence club attendance: consistently moderate (N = 249, 67.7%, attended approximately two out of three clubs in a three-month period) and low-increasing (N = 119, 32.3%). Similarly, SMS response patterns included a consistently high engagement group (N = 222, 66.1%), who responded to approximately 90% of messages, and a consistently low engagement group (N = 114, 33.9%). Women with consistently high SMS responses had higher odds of being in the high-decreasing TFV-DP levels trajectory group (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 6.6; 95% CI 2.8-15.5; p < 0.001), while those with a consistently moderate adherence club attendance trajectory had an AOR of 1.3 (95% CI 0.5-3.3, p = 0.620) for being in the same group. Use of PrEP was aligned with the higher response trajectories of SMS responses but not with attendance to adherence support clubs.
Additional Links: PMID-40205312
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40205312,
year = {2025},
author = {Elbur, AI and Donnell, D and Hosek, S and Dye, B and Velloza, J and Delany-Moretlwe, S and Celum, C},
title = {The Association Between Use of Adherence Support Interventions and Adherence to HIV Preexposure Prophylaxis Among Young South African and Zimbabwean Women in HPTN 082.},
journal = {AIDS and behavior},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40205312},
issn = {1573-3254},
support = {UM1-AI068619//National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/ ; UM1-AI068617//National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/ ; UM1-AI068613//National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/ ; T32AI007433//National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/ ; },
abstract = {We assessed the association between PrEP adherence support interventions and intracellular tenofovir-diphosphate (TFV-DP) levels, a biomarker for PrEP adherence, using data from 368 South African and Zimbabwean adolescent girls and young women enrolled in the HIV Prevention Trials Network 082 trial from 2016 to 2018. Group-based trajectory modeling identified trajectories of TFV-DP levels and adherence support interventions, including weekly two-way SMS and optional monthly adherence clubs. Two trajectories of TFV-DP levels were identified: a consistently low trajectory (N = 248, 67.4%, with consistent TFV-DP levels of 100 fmol/punch) and a high-decreasing trajectory (N = 120, 32.6%, with TFV-DP levels decreasing from approximately 900 to 500 fmol/punch). Two trajectories were also observed for adherence club attendance: consistently moderate (N = 249, 67.7%, attended approximately two out of three clubs in a three-month period) and low-increasing (N = 119, 32.3%). Similarly, SMS response patterns included a consistently high engagement group (N = 222, 66.1%), who responded to approximately 90% of messages, and a consistently low engagement group (N = 114, 33.9%). Women with consistently high SMS responses had higher odds of being in the high-decreasing TFV-DP levels trajectory group (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 6.6; 95% CI 2.8-15.5; p < 0.001), while those with a consistently moderate adherence club attendance trajectory had an AOR of 1.3 (95% CI 0.5-3.3, p = 0.620) for being in the same group. Use of PrEP was aligned with the higher response trajectories of SMS responses but not with attendance to adherence support clubs.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-10
CmpDate: 2025-04-09
NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Testicular Cancer, Version 2.2025.
Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN, 23(4):.
The NCCN Guidelines for Testicular Cancer provide recommendations for the multidisciplinary approach to the diagnostic workup, treatment, and follow-up for testicular germ cell tumors, including both seminoma and nonseminoma. These NCCN Guidelines Insights discuss the current treatment recommendations and supporting clinical data for seminomas as presented in Version 2.2025 of the NCCN Guidelines for Testicular Cancer.
Additional Links: PMID-40203876
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40203876,
year = {2025},
author = {Gilligan, T and Lin, DW and Adra, N and Bagrodia, A and Feldman, DR and Yamoah, K and Aggarwal, R and Chandrasekar, T and Costa, D and Drakaki, A and Eggener, S and Emamekhoo, H and Geynisman, DM and Graham, L and Humphrey, P and Leuva, H and Levine, EG and Luckenbaugh, A and Maughan, BL and McGregor, B and Monk, P and Picus, J and Pierorazio, P and Rais-Bahrami, S and Reichert, Z and Rwigema, JC and Saylor, P and Shah, A and Shah, S and Singla, N and Sircar, K and VanderWeele, D and Zhumkhawala, A and Montgomery, S and Sliker, B},
title = {NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Testicular Cancer, Version 2.2025.},
journal = {Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN},
volume = {23},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.6004/jnccn.2025.0018},
pmid = {40203876},
issn = {1540-1413},
mesh = {Humans ; *Testicular Neoplasms/therapy/diagnosis ; Male ; *Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/therapy/diagnosis ; Seminoma/therapy/diagnosis ; *Medical Oncology/standards ; Neoplasm Staging ; },
abstract = {The NCCN Guidelines for Testicular Cancer provide recommendations for the multidisciplinary approach to the diagnostic workup, treatment, and follow-up for testicular germ cell tumors, including both seminoma and nonseminoma. These NCCN Guidelines Insights discuss the current treatment recommendations and supporting clinical data for seminomas as presented in Version 2.2025 of the NCCN Guidelines for Testicular Cancer.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Humans
*Testicular Neoplasms/therapy/diagnosis
Male
*Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/therapy/diagnosis
Seminoma/therapy/diagnosis
*Medical Oncology/standards
Neoplasm Staging
RevDate: 2025-04-10
CmpDate: 2025-04-09
Bone Cancer, Version 2.2025, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines In Oncology.
Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN, 23(4):.
Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma constitute 36% of all primary bone cancers. However, these 2 subtypes represent the most commonly diagnosed bone cancer types in the pediatric and adolescent population. Although still largely unknown, certain genetic mutations, rearrangements, and/or predisposition syndromes likely play a role in the pathogenesis of bone cancer. Osteosarcoma may also develop as a direct result of the long-term side effects of radiation therapy. With the implementation of a multimodality approach to treatment, including multiagent neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy regimens, targeted therapy options, surgery, and radiation, individuals with Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma are showing higher cure rates and improved overall survival. The NCCN Guidelines for Bone Cancer provide a consensus and evidence-based framework for the workup, management, and surveillance of local and recurrent/metastatic disease.
Additional Links: PMID-40203873
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40203873,
year = {2025},
author = {Biermann, JS and Hirbe, A and Ahlawat, S and Bernthal, NM and Binitie, O and Boles, S and Brigman, B and Callan, AK and Cipriano, C and Cranmer, LD and Davis, J and Donnelly, E and Ferguson, M and Graham, A and Groundland, J and Hess, M and Hiniker, SM and Hoover-Regan, ML and Hornick, JL and Jonard, B and Kuechle, JB and Lindskog, D and Mayerson, JL and McGarry, SV and Morris, CD and Olson, D and Rose, PS and Santana, VM and Satcher, RL and Schwartz, H and Shulman, RM and Thorpe, SW and Wilky, BA and Wustrack, RL and Yoon, J and Hang, LE and Jones, F and Sansone, N and Lyons, M},
title = {Bone Cancer, Version 2.2025, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines In Oncology.},
journal = {Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN},
volume = {23},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.6004/jnccn.2025.0017},
pmid = {40203873},
issn = {1540-1413},
mesh = {Humans ; *Bone Neoplasms/therapy/diagnosis/mortality/pathology ; *Medical Oncology/standards/methods ; Combined Modality Therapy/methods ; *Sarcoma, Ewing/therapy/diagnosis ; *Osteosarcoma/therapy/diagnosis ; },
abstract = {Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma constitute 36% of all primary bone cancers. However, these 2 subtypes represent the most commonly diagnosed bone cancer types in the pediatric and adolescent population. Although still largely unknown, certain genetic mutations, rearrangements, and/or predisposition syndromes likely play a role in the pathogenesis of bone cancer. Osteosarcoma may also develop as a direct result of the long-term side effects of radiation therapy. With the implementation of a multimodality approach to treatment, including multiagent neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy regimens, targeted therapy options, surgery, and radiation, individuals with Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma are showing higher cure rates and improved overall survival. The NCCN Guidelines for Bone Cancer provide a consensus and evidence-based framework for the workup, management, and surveillance of local and recurrent/metastatic disease.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Bone Neoplasms/therapy/diagnosis/mortality/pathology
*Medical Oncology/standards/methods
Combined Modality Therapy/methods
*Sarcoma, Ewing/therapy/diagnosis
*Osteosarcoma/therapy/diagnosis
RevDate: 2025-04-10
CmpDate: 2025-04-09
Advancing the Evaluation and Management of CDH1-Associated Gastric Cancer.
Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN, 23(4):.
Gastric cancer is a significant global health concern, with CDH1-associated gastric cancer representing a small but important subset of cases. Historically, individuals with CDH1 pathogenic germline variants were advised to undergo prophylactic total gastrectomy due to the high reported risk of gastric cancer and the limited sensitivity of upper endoscopy in detecting signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC). However, emerging data suggest that the cumulative lifetime risk of advanced gastric cancer among CDH1 germline pathogenic variant carriers is lower than previously thought, and early-stage SRCC detected on endoscopy does not necessarily indicate imminent-or even eventual-progression to advanced cancer. The near-universal presence of T1a SRCC in gastrectomy specimens from asymptomatic CDH1 pathogenic variant carriers calls into question the reflexive recommendation for gastrectomy, including upon detection of SRCC during surveillance. Furthermore, the morbidity and quality-of-life impact associated with total gastrectomy require careful consideration. Active endoscopic surveillance has shown promise as an alternative management strategy for gastrectomy in patients lacking indicators of >T1a SRCC, though current data are limited by short follow-up periods and selection bias. This review synthesizes recent findings on the natural history of CDH1-associated gastric cancer and evaluates the risks and benefits of gastrectomy versus active endoscopic surveillance, with the goal of helping clinicians provide personalized and evidence-based recommendations for patients with CDH1 pathogenic variants.
Additional Links: PMID-40203872
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40203872,
year = {2025},
author = {Lerner, BA and Gupta, S and Burke, CA and Kupfer, S and Katona, BW and Grady, WM and Samadder, JJ and Yurgelun, MB and Kelly, KJ and Moreno Prats, M and Joseph, N and Idos, GE and Swanson, BJ and Kieber-Emmons, A and Weiss, JM and Llor, X},
title = {Advancing the Evaluation and Management of CDH1-Associated Gastric Cancer.},
journal = {Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network : JNCCN},
volume = {23},
number = {4},
pages = {},
doi = {10.6004/jnccn.2025.7006},
pmid = {40203872},
issn = {1540-1413},
mesh = {Humans ; *Stomach Neoplasms/genetics/diagnosis/therapy/surgery/pathology ; Gastrectomy/methods ; *Cdh1 Proteins/genetics ; *Antigens, CD/genetics ; *Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell/genetics/diagnosis/surgery/pathology ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Germ-Line Mutation ; Cadherins ; },
abstract = {Gastric cancer is a significant global health concern, with CDH1-associated gastric cancer representing a small but important subset of cases. Historically, individuals with CDH1 pathogenic germline variants were advised to undergo prophylactic total gastrectomy due to the high reported risk of gastric cancer and the limited sensitivity of upper endoscopy in detecting signet ring cell carcinoma (SRCC). However, emerging data suggest that the cumulative lifetime risk of advanced gastric cancer among CDH1 germline pathogenic variant carriers is lower than previously thought, and early-stage SRCC detected on endoscopy does not necessarily indicate imminent-or even eventual-progression to advanced cancer. The near-universal presence of T1a SRCC in gastrectomy specimens from asymptomatic CDH1 pathogenic variant carriers calls into question the reflexive recommendation for gastrectomy, including upon detection of SRCC during surveillance. Furthermore, the morbidity and quality-of-life impact associated with total gastrectomy require careful consideration. Active endoscopic surveillance has shown promise as an alternative management strategy for gastrectomy in patients lacking indicators of >T1a SRCC, though current data are limited by short follow-up periods and selection bias. This review synthesizes recent findings on the natural history of CDH1-associated gastric cancer and evaluates the risks and benefits of gastrectomy versus active endoscopic surveillance, with the goal of helping clinicians provide personalized and evidence-based recommendations for patients with CDH1 pathogenic variants.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Stomach Neoplasms/genetics/diagnosis/therapy/surgery/pathology
Gastrectomy/methods
*Cdh1 Proteins/genetics
*Antigens, CD/genetics
*Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell/genetics/diagnosis/surgery/pathology
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Germ-Line Mutation
Cadherins
RevDate: 2025-04-09
Comparative efficacy of Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors in high-risk relapsed/refractory CLL: a network meta-analysis.
Blood advances pii:536664 [Epub ahead of print].
Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) have led to changes in the treatment algorithm for patients with high-risk relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (R/R CLL), defined based on the presence of genetic mutations. Given the lack of head-to-head trials comparing next-generation BTKis used to treat high-risk R/R disease, a network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to estimate their relative efficacy. High-risk populations were defined based on the pre-specified definitions within each trial, including patients with del(17p) and/or TP53 mutations in ALPINE (n=150), and ASCEND (n=86), and del(17p)/del(11q) in ELEVATE-RR (n=533). Bayesian NMAs found zanubrutinib to be the most efficacious treatment for high-risk patients, with significantly reduced risk of progression or death compared with ibrutinib (hazard ratio [95% credible interval (CrI)]: 0.49 [0.31, 0.78]), acalabrutinib (0.55 [0.32, 0.94]), and bendamustine + rituximab or idelalisib + rituximab (BR/IR) (0.12 [0.05, 0.26]). Differences in overall survival demonstrated a numerical trend favoring zanubrutinib (probability better ≥80%) compared to ibrutinib (hazard ratio [95% credible interval]: 0.59 [0.31, 1.11]), acalabrutinib (0.72 [0.35, 1.50]) and BR/IR (0.65 [0.23, 1.75]). Rates of response also demonstrated trends favoring zanubrutinib compared to acalabrutinib, with significant results compared to ibrutinib. The NMA suggests that the most efficacious BTKi for patients with high-risk R/R CLL is zanubrutinib.
Additional Links: PMID-40203277
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40203277,
year = {2025},
author = {Shadman, M and Brown, JR and Mohseninejad, L and Yang, K and Burnett, H and Neupane, B and Williams, R and Lamanna, N and O'Brien, SM and Tedeschi, A and Tam, CS},
title = {Comparative efficacy of Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors in high-risk relapsed/refractory CLL: a network meta-analysis.},
journal = {Blood advances},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1182/bloodadvances.2024014523},
pmid = {40203277},
issn = {2473-9537},
abstract = {Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKis) have led to changes in the treatment algorithm for patients with high-risk relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (R/R CLL), defined based on the presence of genetic mutations. Given the lack of head-to-head trials comparing next-generation BTKis used to treat high-risk R/R disease, a network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed to estimate their relative efficacy. High-risk populations were defined based on the pre-specified definitions within each trial, including patients with del(17p) and/or TP53 mutations in ALPINE (n=150), and ASCEND (n=86), and del(17p)/del(11q) in ELEVATE-RR (n=533). Bayesian NMAs found zanubrutinib to be the most efficacious treatment for high-risk patients, with significantly reduced risk of progression or death compared with ibrutinib (hazard ratio [95% credible interval (CrI)]: 0.49 [0.31, 0.78]), acalabrutinib (0.55 [0.32, 0.94]), and bendamustine + rituximab or idelalisib + rituximab (BR/IR) (0.12 [0.05, 0.26]). Differences in overall survival demonstrated a numerical trend favoring zanubrutinib (probability better ≥80%) compared to ibrutinib (hazard ratio [95% credible interval]: 0.59 [0.31, 1.11]), acalabrutinib (0.72 [0.35, 1.50]) and BR/IR (0.65 [0.23, 1.75]). Rates of response also demonstrated trends favoring zanubrutinib compared to acalabrutinib, with significant results compared to ibrutinib. The NMA suggests that the most efficacious BTKi for patients with high-risk R/R CLL is zanubrutinib.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-09
Bridging Radiotherapy Prior to Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells for B-Cell Lymphomas: An ILROG Multicenter Study.
Blood advances pii:536662 [Epub ahead of print].
Despite the increasing utilization of bridging radiotherapy (Br-RT), its impact on chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T) efficacy and toxicity remains poorly characterized. We retrospectively reviewed patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphomas (r/r BCL) who received Br-RT followed by CAR-T from 2018-2020 across 10 institutions. Br-RT toxicities were graded per CTCAE v5.0, and cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) per ASTCT Consensus Guidelines. 172 patients (168 large BCL, 3 mantle cell, 1 Burkitt) received Br-RT prior to axicabtagene ciloleucel (73%), tisagenlecleucel (23%), or brexucabtagene autoleucel (2%). At leukapheresis, most patients (74%) had advanced-stage disease and 39% had bulky disease measuring ≥10cm. Comprehensive Br-RT was administered to 39% (n=67) and bridging systemic therapy to 35% (n=60). Among all patients, grade ≥3 Br-RT toxicity occurred in 2% [one grade 5 toxicity], grade ≥3 CRS in 9%, and grade ≥3 ICANS in 24%. Median follow-up was 31.3 months. Two-year PFS and OS were 38% and 53%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, comprehensive Br-RT was associated with superior PFS (HR 0.38, p<0.001) and OS (HR 0.48, p=0.011). Patients with LDH normalization following Br-RT (high pre-Br-RT LDH, normal post-Br-RT LDH) had superior PFS and OS compared to those with high post-Br-RT LDH, and similar PFS and OS compared to those with normal baseline LDH. In this particularly high-risk cohort, Br-RT prior to CAR-T demonstrates an acceptable toxicity profile with favorable clinical outcomes when compared to historical controls. Comprehensive Br-RT and LDH normalization post-Br-RT may be associated with superior PFS and OS.
Additional Links: PMID-40203192
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40203192,
year = {2025},
author = {Yegya-Raman, N and Plastaras, JP and Wright, CM and Chelius, MR and Zhang, S and Baron, JA and Hubbeling, H and Sim, AJ and Robinson, TJ and Jain, MD and Imber, BS and Fregonese, B and Yahalom, J and Ladbury, C and Dandapani, S and Pinnix, CC and Gunther, JR and Fang, PQ and Wu, SY and Dabaja, BS and Yang, JC and Chew, J and Braunstein, S and Sinha, S and Denlinger, N and Sun, S and Terezakis, SA and Sakthivel, G and Constine, LS and Chowdhry, AK and Reagan, PM and Burke, S and Tseng, YD and LaRiviere, MJ and Maity, A and Schuster, SJ and Chong, EA and Figura, NB},
title = {Bridging Radiotherapy Prior to Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cells for B-Cell Lymphomas: An ILROG Multicenter Study.},
journal = {Blood advances},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1182/bloodadvances.2025015855},
pmid = {40203192},
issn = {2473-9537},
abstract = {Despite the increasing utilization of bridging radiotherapy (Br-RT), its impact on chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T) efficacy and toxicity remains poorly characterized. We retrospectively reviewed patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell lymphomas (r/r BCL) who received Br-RT followed by CAR-T from 2018-2020 across 10 institutions. Br-RT toxicities were graded per CTCAE v5.0, and cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) per ASTCT Consensus Guidelines. 172 patients (168 large BCL, 3 mantle cell, 1 Burkitt) received Br-RT prior to axicabtagene ciloleucel (73%), tisagenlecleucel (23%), or brexucabtagene autoleucel (2%). At leukapheresis, most patients (74%) had advanced-stage disease and 39% had bulky disease measuring ≥10cm. Comprehensive Br-RT was administered to 39% (n=67) and bridging systemic therapy to 35% (n=60). Among all patients, grade ≥3 Br-RT toxicity occurred in 2% [one grade 5 toxicity], grade ≥3 CRS in 9%, and grade ≥3 ICANS in 24%. Median follow-up was 31.3 months. Two-year PFS and OS were 38% and 53%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, comprehensive Br-RT was associated with superior PFS (HR 0.38, p<0.001) and OS (HR 0.48, p=0.011). Patients with LDH normalization following Br-RT (high pre-Br-RT LDH, normal post-Br-RT LDH) had superior PFS and OS compared to those with high post-Br-RT LDH, and similar PFS and OS compared to those with normal baseline LDH. In this particularly high-risk cohort, Br-RT prior to CAR-T demonstrates an acceptable toxicity profile with favorable clinical outcomes when compared to historical controls. Comprehensive Br-RT and LDH normalization post-Br-RT may be associated with superior PFS and OS.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-09
The Impact of CMV Reactivation on Mortality After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy.
Blood advances pii:536660 [Epub ahead of print].
Additional Links: PMID-40203190
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40203190,
year = {2025},
author = {Kampouri, E and Flaherty, PW and Xie, H and Sekhon, MK and Chalal, C and Stevens-Ayers, TL and Green, DJ and Gauthier, J and Shadman, M and Pérez-Osorio, AC and Jerome, KR and Leisenring, WM and Boeckh, MJ and Hill, JA},
title = {The Impact of CMV Reactivation on Mortality After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy.},
journal = {Blood advances},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1182/bloodadvances.2024015164},
pmid = {40203190},
issn = {2473-9537},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-14
CmpDate: 2025-04-14
Characterizing the heterogeneity of Castleman disease and oligocentric subtype: findings from the ACCELERATE registry.
Blood advances, 9(8):1952-1965.
Castleman disease (CD) describes a group of rare lymphoproliferative disorders that exhibit a wide range of symptomatology and degree of lymphadenopathy, particularly across the 2 forms of CD with unknown etiology, unicentric CD (UCD), and human herpesvirus-8-negative/idiopathic multicentric CD (iMCD). Whereas UCD cases typically present with localized lymphadenopathy and mild symptoms, iMCD involves multicentric lymphadenopathy and cytokine storm-driven symptoms with 3 recognized clinical phenotypes. Increasingly, there are anecdotal reports of cases that do not fit into this framework, but these cases have not been systematically described. Herein, we use the ACCELERATE natural history registry to characterize the spectrum of CD based on disease features, symptomatology, and severity. Our results characterize a cohort of 179 CD cases, which were reviewed and confirmed by an expert panel of clinicians and hematopathologists. We show that patients with CD present on a continuous spectrum of clinical phenotypes, and we describe oligocentric CD (OligoCD), an intermediate phenotype that does not fit the criteria for UCD or iMCD. These cases tend to have "oligocentric" lymphadenopathy (median [interquartile range] regions of lymphadenopathy, 3.0 [2.0-4.0]) in a regional pattern and exhibit a mild clinical phenotype that is more similar to UCD than iMCD. We also show that patients with OligoCD are inconsistently categorized as UCD vs iMCD, highlighting the need for this characterization. Future data collected through ACCELERATE may further elucidate the natural history and risk profile of these patients.
Additional Links: PMID-39951615
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid39951615,
year = {2025},
author = {Pierson, SK and Brandstadter, JD and Torigian, DA and Bagg, A and Lechowicz, MJ and Alapat, D and Casper, C and Chadburn, A and Chandrakasan, S and Dispenzieri, A and Fosså, A and Hoffmann, C and Ide, M and Kurzrock, R and Mukherjee, S and Nasta, S and Navarro, JT and Noy, A and Oksenhendler, E and Bustamante, MS and Shyamsundar, S and Streetly, M and Wong, RSM and Zhang, L and Lim, MS and Srkalovic, G and van Rhee, F and Fajgenbaum, DC},
title = {Characterizing the heterogeneity of Castleman disease and oligocentric subtype: findings from the ACCELERATE registry.},
journal = {Blood advances},
volume = {9},
number = {8},
pages = {1952-1965},
doi = {10.1182/bloodadvances.2024014391},
pmid = {39951615},
issn = {2473-9537},
support = {R01 FD007632/FD/FDA HHS/United States ; R01 HL141408/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Castleman Disease/diagnosis/pathology/etiology/classification/epidemiology ; Registries ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Phenotype ; Aged ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; },
abstract = {Castleman disease (CD) describes a group of rare lymphoproliferative disorders that exhibit a wide range of symptomatology and degree of lymphadenopathy, particularly across the 2 forms of CD with unknown etiology, unicentric CD (UCD), and human herpesvirus-8-negative/idiopathic multicentric CD (iMCD). Whereas UCD cases typically present with localized lymphadenopathy and mild symptoms, iMCD involves multicentric lymphadenopathy and cytokine storm-driven symptoms with 3 recognized clinical phenotypes. Increasingly, there are anecdotal reports of cases that do not fit into this framework, but these cases have not been systematically described. Herein, we use the ACCELERATE natural history registry to characterize the spectrum of CD based on disease features, symptomatology, and severity. Our results characterize a cohort of 179 CD cases, which were reviewed and confirmed by an expert panel of clinicians and hematopathologists. We show that patients with CD present on a continuous spectrum of clinical phenotypes, and we describe oligocentric CD (OligoCD), an intermediate phenotype that does not fit the criteria for UCD or iMCD. These cases tend to have "oligocentric" lymphadenopathy (median [interquartile range] regions of lymphadenopathy, 3.0 [2.0-4.0]) in a regional pattern and exhibit a mild clinical phenotype that is more similar to UCD than iMCD. We also show that patients with OligoCD are inconsistently categorized as UCD vs iMCD, highlighting the need for this characterization. Future data collected through ACCELERATE may further elucidate the natural history and risk profile of these patients.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Castleman Disease/diagnosis/pathology/etiology/classification/epidemiology
Registries
Female
Male
Adult
Middle Aged
Phenotype
Aged
Young Adult
Adolescent
RevDate: 2025-04-09
"It took me on a journey other than just to stop smoking": Pilot trial outcomes of an Empowerment Theory-based smoking cessation intervention for sexual and/or gender minoritized people in Oklahoma.
Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco pii:8109343 [Epub ahead of print].
INTRODUCTION: Sexual and/or gender minoritized (SGM) people are more likely to smoke if they live where SGM stigma is high, and existing SGM-tailored cessation interventions do not address unique challenges of these environments. This paper reports outcomes from a single-arm pilot trial of an Empowerment Theory-based smoking cessation intervention for SGM people living in high-stigma environments.
METHODS: SGM adults willing to quit smoking (N=20; Oklahoma) participated in a 12-week intervention comprised of online SGM-serving volunteer activity sessions concurrent with remotely-delivered smoking cessation support (i.e., behavioral support plus combination nicotine replacement therapy [NRT]). Baseline and exit surveys and in-depth exit interviews addressed retention, acceptability, engagement, and adherence.
RESULTS: Study retention was 80.0% (16/20). Most exit survey respondents attended ≥4 volunteer activity sessions (62.5%; 10/16) and ≥4 cessation counseling sessions (87.5%; 14/16), had moderate/high NRT adherence (patch 84.6%; 11/13 and gum/lozenge 76.9%; 10/13), and would recommend the intervention (81.3%; 13/16). At exit, 7-day point prevalence abstinence was self-reported by 45.0% (9/20; missing=smoking) of all participants and 56.3% (9/16) of exit survey respondents. At least half of participants reported pre-post intervention increases in perceived assertiveness and/or decreases in sexual identity acceptance concerns, concealment concerns, and internalized transphobia. Interviews identified intervention endorsement reasons, including experiencing greater belonging and hope.
CONCLUSION: A novel approach to SGM-tailored smoking cessation treatment that leveraged Empowerment Theory was feasible and acceptable. Future work should refine and adapt this intervention for other high-stigma places, test its efficacy and treatment mechanisms, and measure organizational and individual-level outcomes.
IMPLICATIONS: This study adds to the literature on culturally tailored smoking cessation interventions as the first tobacco intervention tailored for SGM people in high-stigma environments. It used a novel application of Empowerment Theory to advance SGM smoking cessation and resilience in the face of minority stress. Findings from this pilot study in Oklahoma indicate promising feasibility and acceptability and will inform future interventions to address tobacco use disparities among SGM people in high-stigma environments.
Additional Links: PMID-40202852
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40202852,
year = {2025},
author = {McQuoid, J and Blackwell, M and Bradley, D and Durazo, A and Frank-Pearce, SG and Heffner, JL and Islam, S and Le, M and Ling, PM and Pan, S and Raye, T and Tan, ASL and Vogel, EA and Wilson, M and Kendzor, DE},
title = {"It took me on a journey other than just to stop smoking": Pilot trial outcomes of an Empowerment Theory-based smoking cessation intervention for sexual and/or gender minoritized people in Oklahoma.},
journal = {Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ntr/ntaf080},
pmid = {40202852},
issn = {1469-994X},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Sexual and/or gender minoritized (SGM) people are more likely to smoke if they live where SGM stigma is high, and existing SGM-tailored cessation interventions do not address unique challenges of these environments. This paper reports outcomes from a single-arm pilot trial of an Empowerment Theory-based smoking cessation intervention for SGM people living in high-stigma environments.
METHODS: SGM adults willing to quit smoking (N=20; Oklahoma) participated in a 12-week intervention comprised of online SGM-serving volunteer activity sessions concurrent with remotely-delivered smoking cessation support (i.e., behavioral support plus combination nicotine replacement therapy [NRT]). Baseline and exit surveys and in-depth exit interviews addressed retention, acceptability, engagement, and adherence.
RESULTS: Study retention was 80.0% (16/20). Most exit survey respondents attended ≥4 volunteer activity sessions (62.5%; 10/16) and ≥4 cessation counseling sessions (87.5%; 14/16), had moderate/high NRT adherence (patch 84.6%; 11/13 and gum/lozenge 76.9%; 10/13), and would recommend the intervention (81.3%; 13/16). At exit, 7-day point prevalence abstinence was self-reported by 45.0% (9/20; missing=smoking) of all participants and 56.3% (9/16) of exit survey respondents. At least half of participants reported pre-post intervention increases in perceived assertiveness and/or decreases in sexual identity acceptance concerns, concealment concerns, and internalized transphobia. Interviews identified intervention endorsement reasons, including experiencing greater belonging and hope.
CONCLUSION: A novel approach to SGM-tailored smoking cessation treatment that leveraged Empowerment Theory was feasible and acceptable. Future work should refine and adapt this intervention for other high-stigma places, test its efficacy and treatment mechanisms, and measure organizational and individual-level outcomes.
IMPLICATIONS: This study adds to the literature on culturally tailored smoking cessation interventions as the first tobacco intervention tailored for SGM people in high-stigma environments. It used a novel application of Empowerment Theory to advance SGM smoking cessation and resilience in the face of minority stress. Findings from this pilot study in Oklahoma indicate promising feasibility and acceptability and will inform future interventions to address tobacco use disparities among SGM people in high-stigma environments.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-10
Developing the engage for equity institutional multi-sector survey: Assessing academic institutional culture and climate for community-based participatory research (CBPR).
Journal of clinical and translational science, 9(1):e44.
INTRODUCTION: Community-engaged research/community-based participatory research/patient-engaged research (CEnR/CBPR/PEnR) are increasingly recognized as important approaches for addressing health equity. However, there is limited support for CEnR/CBPR/PEnR within Academic Health Centers (AHCs). It is important for AHCs to measure and monitor the context, process, and policies in support for CEnR/CBPR/PEnR. The Engage for Equity (E2) team developed the first Institutional Multi-Sector Survey (IMSS) instrument to assess and explore CEnR/CBPR/PEnR-related practices at three AHCs.
METHODS: Working with "champion teams" consisting of academic leaders, researchers, and patient/community partners at each AHC, we developed the IMSS to assess the following domains: institutional mission, vision, and values; CEnR/CBPR/PEnR policies/practices; community processes/structures; function of formal community advisory boards; climate/culture for CEnR/CBPR; perceptions of institutional leadership for CEnR/CBPR/PEnR. The survey was piloted to a convenience sample of CEnR/CBPR/PEnR participants at each AHC site.
RESULTS: A sample aggregated across all sites consisting of community (n = 49) and academic (n = 50) participants perceived high levels of advocacy for CEnR/CBPR/PEnR among their AHC research teams. Participants indicated that institutional leadership supported CEnR/CBPR/PEnR in principle, but resources to build CEnR/CBPR/PEnR capacity at their respective institutions were lacking. Differences in responses from community and academic partners are summarized.
CONCLUSIONS: While limited by survey length and question adaptation, the findings contribute to identification of institutional barriers and facilitators to CEnR/CBPR/PEnR in AHCs. These findings are critically important to support and improve CEnR/CBPR/PEnR practice in academic institutions and to elevate community partner voices and needs for advancing community and patient partners' research.
Additional Links: PMID-40201647
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Citation:
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@article {pmid40201647,
year = {2025},
author = {Dickson, E and Kuhlemeier, A and Adsul, P and Sanchez-Youngman, S and Myers, K and Akintobi, TH and Rosas, LG and Mendoza, JA and Oetzel, J and Castro-Reyes, P and Alaniz, C and Jacquez, B and Wallerstein, N},
title = {Developing the engage for equity institutional multi-sector survey: Assessing academic institutional culture and climate for community-based participatory research (CBPR).},
journal = {Journal of clinical and translational science},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
pages = {e44},
pmid = {40201647},
issn = {2059-8661},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Community-engaged research/community-based participatory research/patient-engaged research (CEnR/CBPR/PEnR) are increasingly recognized as important approaches for addressing health equity. However, there is limited support for CEnR/CBPR/PEnR within Academic Health Centers (AHCs). It is important for AHCs to measure and monitor the context, process, and policies in support for CEnR/CBPR/PEnR. The Engage for Equity (E2) team developed the first Institutional Multi-Sector Survey (IMSS) instrument to assess and explore CEnR/CBPR/PEnR-related practices at three AHCs.
METHODS: Working with "champion teams" consisting of academic leaders, researchers, and patient/community partners at each AHC, we developed the IMSS to assess the following domains: institutional mission, vision, and values; CEnR/CBPR/PEnR policies/practices; community processes/structures; function of formal community advisory boards; climate/culture for CEnR/CBPR; perceptions of institutional leadership for CEnR/CBPR/PEnR. The survey was piloted to a convenience sample of CEnR/CBPR/PEnR participants at each AHC site.
RESULTS: A sample aggregated across all sites consisting of community (n = 49) and academic (n = 50) participants perceived high levels of advocacy for CEnR/CBPR/PEnR among their AHC research teams. Participants indicated that institutional leadership supported CEnR/CBPR/PEnR in principle, but resources to build CEnR/CBPR/PEnR capacity at their respective institutions were lacking. Differences in responses from community and academic partners are summarized.
CONCLUSIONS: While limited by survey length and question adaptation, the findings contribute to identification of institutional barriers and facilitators to CEnR/CBPR/PEnR in AHCs. These findings are critically important to support and improve CEnR/CBPR/PEnR practice in academic institutions and to elevate community partner voices and needs for advancing community and patient partners' research.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-10
Practical considerations for engaging staff in resource-constrained healthcare settings in implementation research: A qualitative focus group and consensus building study.
Journal of clinical and translational science, 9(1):e65.
BACKGROUND: The primary purpose of this study was to assess perceived burdens and benefits of participating in implementation research among staff employed in resource-constrained healthcare settings. Another objective was to use findings to generate considerations for engaging staff in research across different phases of implementation research.
METHODS: This qualitative focus group and consensus building study involved researchers affiliated with the National Cancer Institute Implementation Science Centers in Cancer Control program and nine Community Health Centers (CHCs) in Massachusetts. Six focus groups (n = 3 with CHC staff; n = 3 with researchers) assessed barriers and facilitators to staff participation in implementation research. During consensus discussions, we used findings to develop considerations for engaging staff as participants and partners throughout phases of implementation research.
RESULTS: Sixteen researchers and 14 staff participated in separate focus groups; nine researchers and seven staff participated in separate consensus discussions. Themes emerged across participant groups in three domains: (1) influences on research participation; (2) research burdens and benefits; and (3) ways to facilitate staff participation in research. Practical considerations included: (a) aligning research with organizational and staff values and priorities; (b) applying user-centered design to research methods; (c) building organizational and individual research capacity; and (d) offering equitable incentives for staff participation.
CONCLUSIONS: Engaging staff as participants and partners across different phases of implementation research requires knowledge about what contributes to research burden and benefits and addressing context-specific burdens and benefits.
Additional Links: PMID-40201643
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40201643,
year = {2025},
author = {Aschbrenner, KA and Walsh-Bailey, C and Brown, MC and Khan, T and Baggett, TP and Jones, SMW and Levy, DE and Pace, LE and Winickoff, JP},
title = {Practical considerations for engaging staff in resource-constrained healthcare settings in implementation research: A qualitative focus group and consensus building study.},
journal = {Journal of clinical and translational science},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
pages = {e65},
pmid = {40201643},
issn = {2059-8661},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The primary purpose of this study was to assess perceived burdens and benefits of participating in implementation research among staff employed in resource-constrained healthcare settings. Another objective was to use findings to generate considerations for engaging staff in research across different phases of implementation research.
METHODS: This qualitative focus group and consensus building study involved researchers affiliated with the National Cancer Institute Implementation Science Centers in Cancer Control program and nine Community Health Centers (CHCs) in Massachusetts. Six focus groups (n = 3 with CHC staff; n = 3 with researchers) assessed barriers and facilitators to staff participation in implementation research. During consensus discussions, we used findings to develop considerations for engaging staff as participants and partners throughout phases of implementation research.
RESULTS: Sixteen researchers and 14 staff participated in separate focus groups; nine researchers and seven staff participated in separate consensus discussions. Themes emerged across participant groups in three domains: (1) influences on research participation; (2) research burdens and benefits; and (3) ways to facilitate staff participation in research. Practical considerations included: (a) aligning research with organizational and staff values and priorities; (b) applying user-centered design to research methods; (c) building organizational and individual research capacity; and (d) offering equitable incentives for staff participation.
CONCLUSIONS: Engaging staff as participants and partners across different phases of implementation research requires knowledge about what contributes to research burden and benefits and addressing context-specific burdens and benefits.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-10
Adoption of E2PLUS tools and resources to promote the development of institutional capacity for patient-centered and community-engaged research at a cancer center.
Journal of clinical and translational science, 9(1):e72.
INTRODUCTION: The Fred Hutch/University of Washington/Seattle Children's Cancer Consortium's (Consortium) Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (OCOE) joined Stanford Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine in implementing Engage for Equity Plus (E2PLUS), a multi-institutional community of practice to learn and share patient-centered and community-engaged research (P/CEnR) practices. University of New Mexico (UNM) facilitated this collaboration.
METHODS: The Consortium formed a Champion Team of 12 people who participated in two virtual workshops facilitated by UNM. Consortium executive leadership (n = 4) participated in interviews, and investigators (n = 4) and community members/patient advocates (n = 8) participated in focus groups to provide institutional context regarding P/CEnR. This is a paper on the process and findings.
RESULTS: Through E2PLUS engagement, the Champion Team identified four strategies to address institutional health inequities: 1) increase participation of underrepresented groups at all levels of institutional leadership and advisory boards; 2) create an Office of Patient Engagement to train and support patients who participate in institutional initiatives and advise research teams; 3) expand community engagement training, resources, and institutional commitment to focus on community-identified social and health needs; and 4) establish an umbrella entity for health equity efforts across the Consortium.
CONCLUSION: While the Consortium had longstanding community advisory boards and faculty and staff with P/CEnR expertise, it did not have centralized and institutionally supported P/CEnR resources, policies, and infrastructure. By participating in E2PLUS, the Champion Team received technical assistance to leverage qualitative data to influence strategies to guide the development of Consortium health equity infrastructure and capacity for P/CEnR in Washington.
Additional Links: PMID-40201639
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@article {pmid40201639,
year = {2025},
author = {Briant, KJ and Adsul, P and Carosso, EA and Chakoian, M and Mapes, D and Coutee, T and Hempstead, B and Hassell, L and Law, W and Mendoza, JA},
title = {Adoption of E2PLUS tools and resources to promote the development of institutional capacity for patient-centered and community-engaged research at a cancer center.},
journal = {Journal of clinical and translational science},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
pages = {e72},
pmid = {40201639},
issn = {2059-8661},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The Fred Hutch/University of Washington/Seattle Children's Cancer Consortium's (Consortium) Office of Community Outreach & Engagement (OCOE) joined Stanford Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine in implementing Engage for Equity Plus (E2PLUS), a multi-institutional community of practice to learn and share patient-centered and community-engaged research (P/CEnR) practices. University of New Mexico (UNM) facilitated this collaboration.
METHODS: The Consortium formed a Champion Team of 12 people who participated in two virtual workshops facilitated by UNM. Consortium executive leadership (n = 4) participated in interviews, and investigators (n = 4) and community members/patient advocates (n = 8) participated in focus groups to provide institutional context regarding P/CEnR. This is a paper on the process and findings.
RESULTS: Through E2PLUS engagement, the Champion Team identified four strategies to address institutional health inequities: 1) increase participation of underrepresented groups at all levels of institutional leadership and advisory boards; 2) create an Office of Patient Engagement to train and support patients who participate in institutional initiatives and advise research teams; 3) expand community engagement training, resources, and institutional commitment to focus on community-identified social and health needs; and 4) establish an umbrella entity for health equity efforts across the Consortium.
CONCLUSION: While the Consortium had longstanding community advisory boards and faculty and staff with P/CEnR expertise, it did not have centralized and institutionally supported P/CEnR resources, policies, and infrastructure. By participating in E2PLUS, the Champion Team received technical assistance to leverage qualitative data to influence strategies to guide the development of Consortium health equity infrastructure and capacity for P/CEnR in Washington.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-09
Nutrition issues in adult hematopoietic cell transplantation: A narrative review of latest advances.
Nutrition in clinical practice : official publication of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition [Epub ahead of print].
Patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are a highly heterogenous population with respect to their unique nutrient requirements and need for nutrition support. Dose-intensive conditioning regimens in addition to the debilitating effects of graft-vs-host disease impact and adversely affect the transplant recipient's nutrition status. Decreased oral intake, increased nutrient requirements, and impaired nutrient absorption and utilization often necessitate specialized nutrition support. The use of parenteral nutrition and enteral nutrition support, as well as dietary intervention strategies for immunocompromised patients, have varied over the past five decades and are highly dependent on the type of transplant used. This review highlights adult nutrition assessment components, nutrition support practices, and management of complex nutrition consequences associated with HCT.
Additional Links: PMID-40200765
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@article {pmid40200765,
year = {2025},
author = {Macris, PC and McMillen, K},
title = {Nutrition issues in adult hematopoietic cell transplantation: A narrative review of latest advances.},
journal = {Nutrition in clinical practice : official publication of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ncp.11288},
pmid = {40200765},
issn = {1941-2452},
abstract = {Patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are a highly heterogenous population with respect to their unique nutrient requirements and need for nutrition support. Dose-intensive conditioning regimens in addition to the debilitating effects of graft-vs-host disease impact and adversely affect the transplant recipient's nutrition status. Decreased oral intake, increased nutrient requirements, and impaired nutrient absorption and utilization often necessitate specialized nutrition support. The use of parenteral nutrition and enteral nutrition support, as well as dietary intervention strategies for immunocompromised patients, have varied over the past five decades and are highly dependent on the type of transplant used. This review highlights adult nutrition assessment components, nutrition support practices, and management of complex nutrition consequences associated with HCT.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-11
Real-world treatment patterns for teclistamab and talquetamab in multiple myeloma (MM): experience from 609 patients.
Blood cancer journal, 15(1):61.
Additional Links: PMID-40199861
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40199861,
year = {2025},
author = {Chunara, F and Lugo, C and Osinski, K and Shah, MR and Shah, N and Kent, J and Mohyuddin, GR and Radhakrishnan, SV and Kaur, G and Chakraborty, R and Banerjee, R and Rasche, L and Schinke, C and D'Souza, A and Szabo, A and Mohan, M},
title = {Real-world treatment patterns for teclistamab and talquetamab in multiple myeloma (MM): experience from 609 patients.},
journal = {Blood cancer journal},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {61},
pmid = {40199861},
issn = {2044-5385},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-08
Incremental cost of pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis service provision via an online pharmacy in Kenya.
Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999) pii:00126334-990000000-00628 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Online pharmacy HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP/PEP) provision is a novel strategy to expand HIV prevention coverage. In the ePrEP pilot study, we found online pharmacy PrEP/PEP was feasible and reached populations at HIV risk in Kenya. However, program costs data are lacking.
METHODS: We conducted a costing within the ePrEP pilot study in Nairobi from 11/01/2022-12/29/2023. We obtained costs from expense reports and conducted time-and-motion observations and staff interviews. We estimated total and unit costs in the first year of implementation, cost per client and per PrEP client-month (2023 US Dollars (USD)).
RESULTS: Overall, 229 clients initiated PrEP (507 months of PrEP coverage) and 1320 initiated PEP. Based on observed program volume, annual financial cost was $109,945 USD (PrEP: $19,456; PEP: $90,489). Cost per client was higher for PrEP than PEP ($85 vs $68.6), and cost per PrEP client-month was $38 (mean duration: 2.2 months). Main drivers of financial costs were courier-delivery of HIV testing kits and drugs (PrEP: 50.6%; PEP: 40.5%), demand generation (PrEP: 25.9%; PEP: 32.1%), and equipment, system development, and utilities (PrEP: 9.3%; PEP: 9.8%). Assuming a scaled-up client volume of 2500 (PrEP: 370; PEP: 2130) reduced per-client financial costs for PrEP ($65.5) and PEP ($56) and cost per PrEP client-month ($29.6).
CONCLUSIONS: Costs of online PrEP/PEP provision is likely higher than clinic-based PrEP. Implementing cost sharing models including charging clients for HIV testing and optimizing courier delivery routes can increase program efficiencies. Our cost estimates can inform economic evaluations of online PrEP/PEP delivery.
Additional Links: PMID-40198924
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40198924,
year = {2025},
author = {Chen, Y and Montaño, MA and Naik, P and Thuo, N and Kiptinness, C and Rafferty, M and Stergachis, A and Mugambi, ML and Ngure, K and Ortblad, KF and Sharma, M},
title = {Incremental cost of pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis service provision via an online pharmacy in Kenya.},
journal = {Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1097/QAI.0000000000003680},
pmid = {40198924},
issn = {1944-7884},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Online pharmacy HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP/PEP) provision is a novel strategy to expand HIV prevention coverage. In the ePrEP pilot study, we found online pharmacy PrEP/PEP was feasible and reached populations at HIV risk in Kenya. However, program costs data are lacking.
METHODS: We conducted a costing within the ePrEP pilot study in Nairobi from 11/01/2022-12/29/2023. We obtained costs from expense reports and conducted time-and-motion observations and staff interviews. We estimated total and unit costs in the first year of implementation, cost per client and per PrEP client-month (2023 US Dollars (USD)).
RESULTS: Overall, 229 clients initiated PrEP (507 months of PrEP coverage) and 1320 initiated PEP. Based on observed program volume, annual financial cost was $109,945 USD (PrEP: $19,456; PEP: $90,489). Cost per client was higher for PrEP than PEP ($85 vs $68.6), and cost per PrEP client-month was $38 (mean duration: 2.2 months). Main drivers of financial costs were courier-delivery of HIV testing kits and drugs (PrEP: 50.6%; PEP: 40.5%), demand generation (PrEP: 25.9%; PEP: 32.1%), and equipment, system development, and utilities (PrEP: 9.3%; PEP: 9.8%). Assuming a scaled-up client volume of 2500 (PrEP: 370; PEP: 2130) reduced per-client financial costs for PrEP ($65.5) and PEP ($56) and cost per PrEP client-month ($29.6).
CONCLUSIONS: Costs of online PrEP/PEP provision is likely higher than clinic-based PrEP. Implementing cost sharing models including charging clients for HIV testing and optimizing courier delivery routes can increase program efficiencies. Our cost estimates can inform economic evaluations of online PrEP/PEP delivery.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-08
A phase 1 trial of fully human BCMA CAR-T therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma with 5-year follow-up.
Blood pii:536609 [Epub ahead of print].
FCARH143, an autologous BCMA-targeted CAR-T therapy which incorporates a fully human BCMA-specific scFv and 4-1BB costimulatory domain, was evaluated in a phase 1 trial (NCT03338972) for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Patients were stratified by bone marrow (BM) plasma cell involvement (10-30% or >30%) and received lymphodepleting chemotherapy followed by escalating CAR-T cell doses (50×106 to 450×106). The primary endpoint was safety; secondary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), and progression-free survival (PFS). Among 28 enrolled patients, all underwent leukapheresis and successful CAR-T manufacturing, though three (11%) did not proceed to infusion. The 25 treated patients (median age 64 years) had a median of eight prior therapies, 80% were triple-class refractory, and 44% had extramedullary disease (EMD). Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in 84% (8% grade 3-4, no grade 5), and neurotoxicity in 24% (12% grade 3, no grade 4-5). No treatment-related deaths occurred. At a median follow-up of 67.3 months, treated patients had an ORR of 100%, including a stringent complete response in 64%. Median PFS and overall survival (OS) were 15.5 and 32.1 months, respectively. In an intention-to-treat analysis (median follow-up 69.6 months), the ORR was 89.3%, and OS was 30.2 months. FCARH143 demonstrated potent anti-myeloma activity with a 100% response rate and manageable toxicity, independent of disease burden or cytogenetic risk. Further evaluation in high-risk RRMM is warranted.
Additional Links: PMID-40198877
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40198877,
year = {2025},
author = {Tuazon, SA and Portuguese, AJ and Pont, MJ and Cowan, AJ and Cole, GO and Sather, BD and Song, X and Thomas, S and Wood, BL and Blake, ML and Works, MG and Shadman, M and Liang, EC and Wu, Q and Voutsinas, JM and Gooley, TA and Turtle, CJ and Till, BG and Coffey, DG and Maloney, DG and Riddell, SR and Green, DJ},
title = {A phase 1 trial of fully human BCMA CAR-T therapy for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma with 5-year follow-up.},
journal = {Blood},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1182/blood.2024027681},
pmid = {40198877},
issn = {1528-0020},
abstract = {FCARH143, an autologous BCMA-targeted CAR-T therapy which incorporates a fully human BCMA-specific scFv and 4-1BB costimulatory domain, was evaluated in a phase 1 trial (NCT03338972) for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Patients were stratified by bone marrow (BM) plasma cell involvement (10-30% or >30%) and received lymphodepleting chemotherapy followed by escalating CAR-T cell doses (50×106 to 450×106). The primary endpoint was safety; secondary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR), duration of response (DOR), and progression-free survival (PFS). Among 28 enrolled patients, all underwent leukapheresis and successful CAR-T manufacturing, though three (11%) did not proceed to infusion. The 25 treated patients (median age 64 years) had a median of eight prior therapies, 80% were triple-class refractory, and 44% had extramedullary disease (EMD). Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in 84% (8% grade 3-4, no grade 5), and neurotoxicity in 24% (12% grade 3, no grade 4-5). No treatment-related deaths occurred. At a median follow-up of 67.3 months, treated patients had an ORR of 100%, including a stringent complete response in 64%. Median PFS and overall survival (OS) were 15.5 and 32.1 months, respectively. In an intention-to-treat analysis (median follow-up 69.6 months), the ORR was 89.3%, and OS was 30.2 months. FCARH143 demonstrated potent anti-myeloma activity with a 100% response rate and manageable toxicity, independent of disease burden or cytogenetic risk. Further evaluation in high-risk RRMM is warranted.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-08
APOBEC3G Antagonism by Vif, or When Structure Meets Biological and Evolutionary Studies.
Annual review of virology [Epub ahead of print].
Restriction factors serve as innate host defenses against viruses and act as critical barriers to cross-species transmission. In response, viruses have evolved accessory proteins to counteract restriction factors, enabling evasion of innate immune responses. The interplay between primate APOBEC3G (A3G) and lentiviral virion infectivity factor (Vif) exemplifies a molecular arms race between a restriction factor and its viral antagonist. This review integrates evolutionary and functional analyses of this system, showing how genetic signatures of molecular arms races map onto high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structures. However, A3G's interaction with Vif is not limited to the evolutionary dynamic interface, characterized by rapidly evolving residues under selective pressure, but also involves a conserved interface mediated by RNA binding that positions A3G for antagonism by Vif. These findings propose a model wherein Vif and potentially other viral antagonists target functional complexes using a dual strategy: leveraging both adaptive interfaces subject to evolutionary pressures and conserved interfaces that constrain host escape mechanisms.
Additional Links: PMID-40198850
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@article {pmid40198850,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, YL and Langley, C and Emerman, M and Gross, JD},
title = {APOBEC3G Antagonism by Vif, or When Structure Meets Biological and Evolutionary Studies.},
journal = {Annual review of virology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1146/annurev-virology-092623-091351},
pmid = {40198850},
issn = {2327-0578},
abstract = {Restriction factors serve as innate host defenses against viruses and act as critical barriers to cross-species transmission. In response, viruses have evolved accessory proteins to counteract restriction factors, enabling evasion of innate immune responses. The interplay between primate APOBEC3G (A3G) and lentiviral virion infectivity factor (Vif) exemplifies a molecular arms race between a restriction factor and its viral antagonist. This review integrates evolutionary and functional analyses of this system, showing how genetic signatures of molecular arms races map onto high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structures. However, A3G's interaction with Vif is not limited to the evolutionary dynamic interface, characterized by rapidly evolving residues under selective pressure, but also involves a conserved interface mediated by RNA binding that positions A3G for antagonism by Vif. These findings propose a model wherein Vif and potentially other viral antagonists target functional complexes using a dual strategy: leveraging both adaptive interfaces subject to evolutionary pressures and conserved interfaces that constrain host escape mechanisms.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-08
Teclistamab for Patients with Heavily Pretreated Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma and Renal Impairment.
Blood advances pii:536605 [Epub ahead of print].
Outcomes of bispecific antibodies in patients with renal impairment (RI) are not well-characterized given the exclusion of these patients from clinical trials. Herein, we evaluated patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and RI treated with standard-of-care teclistamab. RI was defined as creatinine clearance (CrCl) <40mL/min. CrCl <30mL/min or dialysis dependence were defined as severe RI. Of the 384 included patients, 81 (21%) had RI, including 45 (18%) with severe RI, and 18 (5%) on dialysis. Patients with RI were more likely to be older (median age 71 vs. 67 years, p=0.002), and have a higher median number of prior lines of therapy (7 vs. 6, p=0.04). Rates and severity of cytokine release syndrome (51% vs. 59%, grade ≥3: 1.2% vs. 1%) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (16% vs. 13%; grade ≥3: 2.5% vs 2.6%) were similar in patients with and without RI, respectively. Patients with RI had higher baseline and day-30 post-teclistamab grade ≥3 anemia and grade ≥3 thrombocytopenia. Renal function did not worsen after teclistamab initiation in patients with RI outside of the context of disease progression. Overall response rate (52% vs. 56%, p=0.61) and survival outcomes (median progression-free survival: 4.6 vs. 6.5 months; p=0.62) were comparable in patients with and without RI, respectively, after a median follow-up of 9.9 months. No differences in overall survival or non-relapse mortality were noted. Our findings suggest that treatment with teclistamab is feasible in patients with RI including those on dialysis, with a similar safety and efficacy profile to patients without RI.
Additional Links: PMID-40198766
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40198766,
year = {2025},
author = {Dima, D and Afrough, A and Goel, U and Grajales-Cruz, A and Khouri, J and Julian, K and Pasvolsky, O and Banerjee, R and Razzo, B and Ferreri, CJ and Vazquez Martinez, MA and Davis, JA and Sannareddy, A and Castaneda Puglianini, O and Raza, S and Portuguese, AJ and Gaballa, MR and Rana, M and Lieberman-Cribbin, A and DeJarnette, S and Gonzalez, R and Chen, A and Herr, MM and Mikkilineni, L and Hosoya, H and Ouchveridze, E and Kaur, G and Rossi, AC and Shune, L and Anwer, F and Lin, Y and Richard, S and Sborov, DW and Baz, RC and Garfall, A and Lee, HC and Anderson, LD and Cowan, AJ and Patel, KK and Voorhees, PM and Sidana, S and Hansen, DK and Atrash, S and Susanibar-Adaniya, SP},
title = {Teclistamab for Patients with Heavily Pretreated Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma and Renal Impairment.},
journal = {Blood advances},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1182/bloodadvances.2025016059},
pmid = {40198766},
issn = {2473-9537},
abstract = {Outcomes of bispecific antibodies in patients with renal impairment (RI) are not well-characterized given the exclusion of these patients from clinical trials. Herein, we evaluated patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma and RI treated with standard-of-care teclistamab. RI was defined as creatinine clearance (CrCl) <40mL/min. CrCl <30mL/min or dialysis dependence were defined as severe RI. Of the 384 included patients, 81 (21%) had RI, including 45 (18%) with severe RI, and 18 (5%) on dialysis. Patients with RI were more likely to be older (median age 71 vs. 67 years, p=0.002), and have a higher median number of prior lines of therapy (7 vs. 6, p=0.04). Rates and severity of cytokine release syndrome (51% vs. 59%, grade ≥3: 1.2% vs. 1%) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (16% vs. 13%; grade ≥3: 2.5% vs 2.6%) were similar in patients with and without RI, respectively. Patients with RI had higher baseline and day-30 post-teclistamab grade ≥3 anemia and grade ≥3 thrombocytopenia. Renal function did not worsen after teclistamab initiation in patients with RI outside of the context of disease progression. Overall response rate (52% vs. 56%, p=0.61) and survival outcomes (median progression-free survival: 4.6 vs. 6.5 months; p=0.62) were comparable in patients with and without RI, respectively, after a median follow-up of 9.9 months. No differences in overall survival or non-relapse mortality were noted. Our findings suggest that treatment with teclistamab is feasible in patients with RI including those on dialysis, with a similar safety and efficacy profile to patients without RI.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-08
A targeted CRISPR screen identifies ETS1 as a regulator of HIV-1 latency.
PLoS pathogens, 21(4):e1012467 pii:PPATHOGENS-D-24-01652 [Epub ahead of print].
Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is regulated by a wide array of host cell factors that combine to influence viral transcription and latency. To understand the complex relationship between the host cell and HIV-1 latency, we performed a lentiviral CRISPR screen that targeted a set of host cell genes whose expression or activity correlates with HIV-1 expression. We further investigated one of the identified factors - the transcription factor ETS1, and found that it is required for maintenance of HIV-1 latency in both latently infected cell lines and in a primary CD4 T cell latency model. Interestingly, ETS1 played divergent roles in actively infected and latently infected CD4 T cells, with knockout of ETS1 leading to reduced HIV-1 expression in actively infected cells, but increased HIV-1 expression in latently infected cells, indicating that ETS1 can play both a positive and negative role in HIV-1 expression. CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of ETS1 in CD4 T cells from ART-suppressed people with HIV-1 (PWH) confirmed that ETS1 maintains transcriptional repression of the clinical HIV-1 reservoir. Transcriptomic profiling of ETS1-depleted cells from PWH identified a set of host cell pathways involved in viral transcription that are controlled by ETS1 in resting CD4 T cells. In particular, we observed that ETS1 knockout increased expression of the long non-coding RNA MALAT1 that has been previously identified as a positive regulator of HIV-1 expression. Furthermore, the impact of ETS1 depletion on HIV-1 expression in latently infected cells was partially dependent on MALAT1. Additionally, we demonstrate that ETS1 knockout resulted in enhanced abundance of activating modifications (H3K9Ac, H3K27Ac, H3K4me3) on histones located at the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR), indicating that ETS1 regulates the activity of chromatin-targeting complexes at the HIV-1 LTR. Overall, these data demonstrate that ETS1 is an important regulator of HIV-1 latency that impacts HIV-1 expression through repressing MALAT1 expression and by regulating modification of proviral histones.
Additional Links: PMID-40198713
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40198713,
year = {2025},
author = {Ashokkumar, M and Hafer, TL and Felton, A and Archin, NM and Margolis, DM and Emerman, M and Browne, EP},
title = {A targeted CRISPR screen identifies ETS1 as a regulator of HIV-1 latency.},
journal = {PLoS pathogens},
volume = {21},
number = {4},
pages = {e1012467},
doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1012467},
pmid = {40198713},
issn = {1553-7374},
abstract = {Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is regulated by a wide array of host cell factors that combine to influence viral transcription and latency. To understand the complex relationship between the host cell and HIV-1 latency, we performed a lentiviral CRISPR screen that targeted a set of host cell genes whose expression or activity correlates with HIV-1 expression. We further investigated one of the identified factors - the transcription factor ETS1, and found that it is required for maintenance of HIV-1 latency in both latently infected cell lines and in a primary CD4 T cell latency model. Interestingly, ETS1 played divergent roles in actively infected and latently infected CD4 T cells, with knockout of ETS1 leading to reduced HIV-1 expression in actively infected cells, but increased HIV-1 expression in latently infected cells, indicating that ETS1 can play both a positive and negative role in HIV-1 expression. CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of ETS1 in CD4 T cells from ART-suppressed people with HIV-1 (PWH) confirmed that ETS1 maintains transcriptional repression of the clinical HIV-1 reservoir. Transcriptomic profiling of ETS1-depleted cells from PWH identified a set of host cell pathways involved in viral transcription that are controlled by ETS1 in resting CD4 T cells. In particular, we observed that ETS1 knockout increased expression of the long non-coding RNA MALAT1 that has been previously identified as a positive regulator of HIV-1 expression. Furthermore, the impact of ETS1 depletion on HIV-1 expression in latently infected cells was partially dependent on MALAT1. Additionally, we demonstrate that ETS1 knockout resulted in enhanced abundance of activating modifications (H3K9Ac, H3K27Ac, H3K4me3) on histones located at the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR), indicating that ETS1 regulates the activity of chromatin-targeting complexes at the HIV-1 LTR. Overall, these data demonstrate that ETS1 is an important regulator of HIV-1 latency that impacts HIV-1 expression through repressing MALAT1 expression and by regulating modification of proviral histones.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-08
CmpDate: 2025-04-08
Pharmacogenomics of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy using an electronic health record-derived definition: a genome-wide association study.
Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 33(5):362.
PURPOSE: Prior studies evaluating the genetic predisposition to chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) have been limited by small populations due to difficulty with real-world data extraction. This genome-wide association study (GWAS) evaluates the genetic differences between patients who developed CIPN against those unaffected, using an electronic health record (EHR) definition of CIPN.
METHODS: This study included all patients who received chemotherapy associated with CIPN and had germline genetic data within the biobank at the Colorado Center for Personalized Medicine. CIPN was defined by a new neuropathic pain medication or an ICD-diagnosis of neuropathy after specified chemotherapy initiation. GWAS were stratified by (1) total population, (2) platinum chemotherapy, (3) taxane chemotherapy, and (4) vinca alkaloid chemotherapy. Genes previously associated with CIPN were analyzed within each GWAS.
RESULTS: Nine hundred fifteen patients received chemotherapy associated with CIPN, with 528 patients (57%) developing CIPN. Median age at chemotherapy initiation was 60.5 years; female sex (n = 517, 56.5%) and White or Caucasian race (n = 822, 89.8%) were most common. Among single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that reached suggestive levels of genome-wide significance (p < 1 × 10[-5]), 60 SNPs occurred within 11 genes that may play a role in the development of or protection against CIPN, including RCOR1, CLDN14, TRIM5, and TMC2. No SNPs previously associated with CIPN achieved genome-wide significance in this population.
CONCLUSION: This pharmacogenomic study suggests several genomic loci that may modulate the development of CIPN. This EHR-definition may allow for increased sample sizes and improved statistical power in future genetic studies of CIPN.
Additional Links: PMID-40198382
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@article {pmid40198382,
year = {2025},
author = {Jones, MK and Nicklawsky, A and Shortt, J and Pattee, J and Kennerley, V and Eule, CJ and Candelario, N and , and O'Donnell, PH and Flaig, TW},
title = {Pharmacogenomics of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy using an electronic health record-derived definition: a genome-wide association study.},
journal = {Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer},
volume = {33},
number = {5},
pages = {362},
pmid = {40198382},
issn = {1433-7339},
support = {University of Colorado Cancer Center Support Grant P30CA04934//University of Colorado/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; *Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/chemically induced/genetics ; Female ; Male ; Electronic Health Records ; Middle Aged ; *Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects/administration & dosage ; Aged ; Pharmacogenetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Bridged-Ring Compounds/adverse effects/administration & dosage ; Taxoids/adverse effects/administration & dosage ; Adult ; *Neoplasms/drug therapy ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Vinca Alkaloids/adverse effects/administration & dosage ; },
abstract = {PURPOSE: Prior studies evaluating the genetic predisposition to chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) have been limited by small populations due to difficulty with real-world data extraction. This genome-wide association study (GWAS) evaluates the genetic differences between patients who developed CIPN against those unaffected, using an electronic health record (EHR) definition of CIPN.
METHODS: This study included all patients who received chemotherapy associated with CIPN and had germline genetic data within the biobank at the Colorado Center for Personalized Medicine. CIPN was defined by a new neuropathic pain medication or an ICD-diagnosis of neuropathy after specified chemotherapy initiation. GWAS were stratified by (1) total population, (2) platinum chemotherapy, (3) taxane chemotherapy, and (4) vinca alkaloid chemotherapy. Genes previously associated with CIPN were analyzed within each GWAS.
RESULTS: Nine hundred fifteen patients received chemotherapy associated with CIPN, with 528 patients (57%) developing CIPN. Median age at chemotherapy initiation was 60.5 years; female sex (n = 517, 56.5%) and White or Caucasian race (n = 822, 89.8%) were most common. Among single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that reached suggestive levels of genome-wide significance (p < 1 × 10[-5]), 60 SNPs occurred within 11 genes that may play a role in the development of or protection against CIPN, including RCOR1, CLDN14, TRIM5, and TMC2. No SNPs previously associated with CIPN achieved genome-wide significance in this population.
CONCLUSION: This pharmacogenomic study suggests several genomic loci that may modulate the development of CIPN. This EHR-definition may allow for increased sample sizes and improved statistical power in future genetic studies of CIPN.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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hide MeSH Terms
Humans
Genome-Wide Association Study
*Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/chemically induced/genetics
Female
Male
Electronic Health Records
Middle Aged
*Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects/administration & dosage
Aged
Pharmacogenetics
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Bridged-Ring Compounds/adverse effects/administration & dosage
Taxoids/adverse effects/administration & dosage
Adult
*Neoplasms/drug therapy
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
Vinca Alkaloids/adverse effects/administration & dosage
RevDate: 2025-04-09
CmpDate: 2025-04-09
Olverembatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia-Review of historical development, current status, and future research.
Cancer, 131(8):e35832.
Once considered an incurable disease with a poor prognosis (median survival, 3-6 years), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is now managed with a diverse clinical armamentarium that includes BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which have largely normalized life expectancy in most patients in the chronic phase of the disease (CML-CP). Clinical challenges remain, including ABL1 mutation-driven treatment resistance (under the selection pressures exerted by TKIs), as well as treatment intolerance, which can involve potentially serious arterial occlusive events. Olverembatinib is a third-generation TKI approved in China for TKI-resistant CML-CP and accelerated-phase CML with the T135I mutation, as well as for CML-CP resistant to or intolerant of first- and/or second-generation TKIs. Olverembatinib exhibits a broad coverage of ABL1 mutants, including the gatekeeper T315I variant and compound mutations. In preclinical models, olverembatinib inhibited multiple downstream protein kinases, which has potentially opened avenues for future management of other malignancies, including acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemias, gastrointestinal tumors, and others. The pharmacokinetic profile of olverembatinib is compatible with alternate-day dosing. In clinical trials, olverembatinib exerted potent antileukemic effects in heavily pretreated patients with CML, including those with ponatinib or asciminib resistance or intolerance, and was well tolerated. Future studies include the phase 3 registrational POLARIS-1 (NCT06051409; in patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia), POLARIS-2 (NCT06423911; in patients with CML with or without the T315I mutation), and POLARIS-3 (NCT06640361; in patients with succinate dehydrogenase-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumors) clinical trials.
Additional Links: PMID-40197896
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40197896,
year = {2025},
author = {Kantarjian, H and Zhai, Y and Oehler, VG and Jamy, O and Koller, PB and Haddad, FG and Sasaki, K and Jabbour, EJ},
title = {Olverembatinib in chronic myeloid leukemia-Review of historical development, current status, and future research.},
journal = {Cancer},
volume = {131},
number = {8},
pages = {e35832},
doi = {10.1002/cncr.35832},
pmid = {40197896},
issn = {1097-0142},
support = {//Ascentage Pharma Group Corp Ltd. (Hong Kong)/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy/genetics ; *Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use/pharmacology ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics/drug effects ; Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/genetics/antagonists & inhibitors ; Mutation ; *Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; },
abstract = {Once considered an incurable disease with a poor prognosis (median survival, 3-6 years), chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is now managed with a diverse clinical armamentarium that includes BCR::ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), which have largely normalized life expectancy in most patients in the chronic phase of the disease (CML-CP). Clinical challenges remain, including ABL1 mutation-driven treatment resistance (under the selection pressures exerted by TKIs), as well as treatment intolerance, which can involve potentially serious arterial occlusive events. Olverembatinib is a third-generation TKI approved in China for TKI-resistant CML-CP and accelerated-phase CML with the T135I mutation, as well as for CML-CP resistant to or intolerant of first- and/or second-generation TKIs. Olverembatinib exhibits a broad coverage of ABL1 mutants, including the gatekeeper T315I variant and compound mutations. In preclinical models, olverembatinib inhibited multiple downstream protein kinases, which has potentially opened avenues for future management of other malignancies, including acute myeloid and lymphoid leukemias, gastrointestinal tumors, and others. The pharmacokinetic profile of olverembatinib is compatible with alternate-day dosing. In clinical trials, olverembatinib exerted potent antileukemic effects in heavily pretreated patients with CML, including those with ponatinib or asciminib resistance or intolerance, and was well tolerated. Future studies include the phase 3 registrational POLARIS-1 (NCT06051409; in patients with newly diagnosed Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia), POLARIS-2 (NCT06423911; in patients with CML with or without the T315I mutation), and POLARIS-3 (NCT06640361; in patients with succinate dehydrogenase-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumors) clinical trials.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive/drug therapy/genetics
*Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use/pharmacology
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/genetics/drug effects
Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl/genetics/antagonists & inhibitors
Mutation
*Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use
Clinical Trials as Topic
RevDate: 2025-04-08
Gaps in HIV Treatment and Care Cascade Among Men and Transfeminine Persons Who Have Sex with Men in Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa: Findings from the HIV Prevention Trials Network 075 Study (2015-2017).
AIDS patient care and STDs [Epub ahead of print].
Improving HIV outcomes for men who have sex with men (MSM) in sub-Saharan Africa requires addressing gaps in the HIV treatment cascade. This study examined these gaps among 71 treatment-naive MSM with HIV in the HIV Prevention Trials Network 075, a 1-year prospective biobehavioral cohort study (2015-2017) across four sub-Saharan African sites. Following a positive diagnosis, 86% of participants sought HIV care. Reasons for not having sought care or delays included a lack of perceived health issues and practical challenges. Most participants (80%) who engaged in care were prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART). Although self-reported adherence was high, over one-third of those prescribed ART had no detectable antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) at the study's conclusion. ARV detection was significantly associated with study site, higher income, and experienced homophobia. The highest adherence rates were observed at the site offering direct, integrated treatment, underscoring the potential of "one-stop shop" services to mitigate intra-, interpersonal, and structural barriers. Despite a supportive study environment, gaps remain in linking MSM and transfeminine individuals to sustained HIV care and ART adherence. Given the urgency of addressing HIV among these populations, targeted interventions that promote engagement in care and adherence to treatment are critical.
Additional Links: PMID-40195948
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40195948,
year = {2025},
author = {Sandfort, TGM and Szydlo, D and Fogel, JM and Chimwaza, Y and Rinnooy Kan, CE and Hamilton, EL and Mudhune, V and Panchia, R and Reynolds, D},
title = {Gaps in HIV Treatment and Care Cascade Among Men and Transfeminine Persons Who Have Sex with Men in Kenya, Malawi, and South Africa: Findings from the HIV Prevention Trials Network 075 Study (2015-2017).},
journal = {AIDS patient care and STDs},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1089/apc.2025.0028},
pmid = {40195948},
issn = {1557-7449},
abstract = {Improving HIV outcomes for men who have sex with men (MSM) in sub-Saharan Africa requires addressing gaps in the HIV treatment cascade. This study examined these gaps among 71 treatment-naive MSM with HIV in the HIV Prevention Trials Network 075, a 1-year prospective biobehavioral cohort study (2015-2017) across four sub-Saharan African sites. Following a positive diagnosis, 86% of participants sought HIV care. Reasons for not having sought care or delays included a lack of perceived health issues and practical challenges. Most participants (80%) who engaged in care were prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART). Although self-reported adherence was high, over one-third of those prescribed ART had no detectable antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) at the study's conclusion. ARV detection was significantly associated with study site, higher income, and experienced homophobia. The highest adherence rates were observed at the site offering direct, integrated treatment, underscoring the potential of "one-stop shop" services to mitigate intra-, interpersonal, and structural barriers. Despite a supportive study environment, gaps remain in linking MSM and transfeminine individuals to sustained HIV care and ART adherence. Given the urgency of addressing HIV among these populations, targeted interventions that promote engagement in care and adherence to treatment are critical.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-07
Alterations in DNA Methylation, Proteomic, and Metabolomic Profiles in African Ancestry Populations with APOL1 Risk Alleles.
Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN pii:00001751-990000000-00616 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: The APOL1 high-risk haplotype has been associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the deterioration of kidney function, particularly in populations with West African ancestry. However, the mechanisms by which APOL1 risk variants increase the risk for kidney disease and its progression have not been fully elucidated.
METHODS: We compared methylation (N = 3,191; 715 [22%] carriers), proteomic (N = 1,240; 169 [14%] carriers), and metabolomic (N = 6,309; 674 [11%] carriers) profiles in African and Hispanic/Latino carriers of two APOL1 high-risk alleles (G1/G1, G2/G2, G1/G2) and non-carriers (G0/G0), excluding heterozygotes (G0/G1, G0/G2), from the PAGE Consortium and UK BioBank. In each study, the associations between the APOL1 high-risk haplotype and up to 722,719 CpG sites, 2,923 proteins, or 836 metabolites were estimated using covariate-adjusted linear regression models, followed by fixed-effects sample size weighted meta-analyses.
RESULTS: Significant associations were observed between APOL1 high-risk haplotype and methylation at 52 CpG sites, with 48 located on chromosome 22 and 18 in the vicinity of APOL1 - 4 and MYH9. All significant CpG sites near APOL2 were hypomethylated, whereas those near APOL3 and APOL4 were hypermethylated. APOL1-associated CpG sites were also identified in genes involved in ion transport and mitochondrial stress pathways. Sensitivity analyses indicated consistent yet attenuated effects among heterozygotes, supporting an additive effect of APOL1 risk alleles. Further analyses of the 52 CpG sites identified two near APOL4 exhibiting G1-specific effects, eight associated with CKD but none with eGFR, and three showing heterogeneity by CKD status. Additionally, carrying two APOL1 risk alleles was associated with higher plasma APOL1 protein (β = 1.12, PFDR = 2.26e-70) and lower C18:1 cholesteryl ester metabolite (Z = -4.50, PFDR = 4.83e-3).
CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate differential methylation, proteomic, and metabolomic profiles associated with APOL1 high-risk haplotypes.
Additional Links: PMID-40193202
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40193202,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, X and Scadden, AW and Marthi, A and Buchanan, VL and Qu, Y and Ferrier, KR and Chen, BD and Graff, M and Avila, J and Boerwinkle, E and Buyske, S and Clish, CB and Cruz, D and Fornage, M and Gerzsten, RE and Gignoux, CR and Glover, L and Hou, L and Justice, AE and Kooperberg, C and Kramer, H and Lange, L and Loos, RJF and Matise, T and Mychaleckyj, JC and Olabisi, OA and Peters, U and Raffield, LM and Reiner, AP and Rich, SS and Rotter, JI and Taylor, KD and Yu, B and Zheng, Y and North, KE and Mottl, AK and Highland, HM and Stanislawski, MA},
title = {Alterations in DNA Methylation, Proteomic, and Metabolomic Profiles in African Ancestry Populations with APOL1 Risk Alleles.},
journal = {Journal of the American Society of Nephrology : JASN},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1681/ASN.0000000688},
pmid = {40193202},
issn = {1533-3450},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The APOL1 high-risk haplotype has been associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the deterioration of kidney function, particularly in populations with West African ancestry. However, the mechanisms by which APOL1 risk variants increase the risk for kidney disease and its progression have not been fully elucidated.
METHODS: We compared methylation (N = 3,191; 715 [22%] carriers), proteomic (N = 1,240; 169 [14%] carriers), and metabolomic (N = 6,309; 674 [11%] carriers) profiles in African and Hispanic/Latino carriers of two APOL1 high-risk alleles (G1/G1, G2/G2, G1/G2) and non-carriers (G0/G0), excluding heterozygotes (G0/G1, G0/G2), from the PAGE Consortium and UK BioBank. In each study, the associations between the APOL1 high-risk haplotype and up to 722,719 CpG sites, 2,923 proteins, or 836 metabolites were estimated using covariate-adjusted linear regression models, followed by fixed-effects sample size weighted meta-analyses.
RESULTS: Significant associations were observed between APOL1 high-risk haplotype and methylation at 52 CpG sites, with 48 located on chromosome 22 and 18 in the vicinity of APOL1 - 4 and MYH9. All significant CpG sites near APOL2 were hypomethylated, whereas those near APOL3 and APOL4 were hypermethylated. APOL1-associated CpG sites were also identified in genes involved in ion transport and mitochondrial stress pathways. Sensitivity analyses indicated consistent yet attenuated effects among heterozygotes, supporting an additive effect of APOL1 risk alleles. Further analyses of the 52 CpG sites identified two near APOL4 exhibiting G1-specific effects, eight associated with CKD but none with eGFR, and three showing heterogeneity by CKD status. Additionally, carrying two APOL1 risk alleles was associated with higher plasma APOL1 protein (β = 1.12, PFDR = 2.26e-70) and lower C18:1 cholesteryl ester metabolite (Z = -4.50, PFDR = 4.83e-3).
CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate differential methylation, proteomic, and metabolomic profiles associated with APOL1 high-risk haplotypes.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-08
CmpDate: 2025-04-07
Vital Sign alterations within 24 hours prior to death in children with retinopathy-positive Cerebral Malaria at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital Malawi.
Malawi medical journal : the journal of Medical Association of Malawi, 36(2):128-133.
BACKGROUND: Malaria is a significant obstacle to child health and survival. Plasmodium falciparum infections, especially in children under five, lead to high morbidity and mortality. Cerebral malaria (CM) is a life-threatening complication characterized by coma, and its diagnosis can be improved by observing malarial retinopathy in children. Monitoring vital signs is essential for managing patients with CM.
OBJECTIVES: To determine if changes in vital signs predict death in children with retinopathy positive cerebral malaria (RPCM).
METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study using data collected from children admitted to the Paediatric Research Ward at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre between 1997 and 2020. Patients who died 24 hours or more after admission were matched with control patients who survived. Linear regression analyses were used to assess the differential time trends of each vital sign in the survivor group and death group. Classification models were used to quantify various vital signs' predictive power of death.
RESULTS: Among the population that died, the estimated change in average respiratory rate per hour approaching death was 0.02 breaths per minute compared to -0.25 breaths per minute among those who survive (p < 0.001), and the estimated change in average BCS per hour approaching death was -0.01 compared to 0.06 among the survivors (p < 0.001). Changes in temperature and heart rate were not associated with clinical deterioration. Three models were developed, and the best receiver operating characteristic curve was 100% sensitive, the corresponding false positive rate was 75%.
CONCLUSION: Changes in respiratory rate and BCS have prognostic significance in the final 24 hours before death in children with cerebral malaria. Extra attention should be paid to these two vital signs as they may help to identify children who are at increased risk of deteriorating.
Additional Links: PMID-40191562
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Citation:
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@article {pmid40191562,
year = {2024},
author = {Chintsanya, M and Talham, C and Zhang, B and Taylor, TE and Seydel, KB},
title = {Vital Sign alterations within 24 hours prior to death in children with retinopathy-positive Cerebral Malaria at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital Malawi.},
journal = {Malawi medical journal : the journal of Medical Association of Malawi},
volume = {36},
number = {2},
pages = {128-133},
pmid = {40191562},
issn = {1995-7270},
mesh = {Humans ; *Malaria, Cerebral/mortality/complications/diagnosis/physiopathology ; Male ; Female ; Malawi/epidemiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Case-Control Studies ; Child, Preschool ; *Vital Signs ; Infant ; Child ; *Malaria, Falciparum/mortality/complications ; *Retinal Diseases/parasitology/mortality ; Coma ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Malaria is a significant obstacle to child health and survival. Plasmodium falciparum infections, especially in children under five, lead to high morbidity and mortality. Cerebral malaria (CM) is a life-threatening complication characterized by coma, and its diagnosis can be improved by observing malarial retinopathy in children. Monitoring vital signs is essential for managing patients with CM.
OBJECTIVES: To determine if changes in vital signs predict death in children with retinopathy positive cerebral malaria (RPCM).
METHODS: This was a retrospective case-control study using data collected from children admitted to the Paediatric Research Ward at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre between 1997 and 2020. Patients who died 24 hours or more after admission were matched with control patients who survived. Linear regression analyses were used to assess the differential time trends of each vital sign in the survivor group and death group. Classification models were used to quantify various vital signs' predictive power of death.
RESULTS: Among the population that died, the estimated change in average respiratory rate per hour approaching death was 0.02 breaths per minute compared to -0.25 breaths per minute among those who survive (p < 0.001), and the estimated change in average BCS per hour approaching death was -0.01 compared to 0.06 among the survivors (p < 0.001). Changes in temperature and heart rate were not associated with clinical deterioration. Three models were developed, and the best receiver operating characteristic curve was 100% sensitive, the corresponding false positive rate was 75%.
CONCLUSION: Changes in respiratory rate and BCS have prognostic significance in the final 24 hours before death in children with cerebral malaria. Extra attention should be paid to these two vital signs as they may help to identify children who are at increased risk of deteriorating.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Malaria, Cerebral/mortality/complications/diagnosis/physiopathology
Male
Female
Malawi/epidemiology
Retrospective Studies
Case-Control Studies
Child, Preschool
*Vital Signs
Infant
Child
*Malaria, Falciparum/mortality/complications
*Retinal Diseases/parasitology/mortality
Coma
RevDate: 2025-04-07
CmpDate: 2025-04-07
A polyvalent DNA prime with matched polyvalent protein/GLA-SE boost regimen elicited the most robust and broad IgG and IgG3 V1V2 binding antibody and CD4+ T cell responses among 13 HIV vaccine trials.
Emerging microbes & infections, 14(1):2485317.
Developing an effective HIV vaccine is a momentous challenge. An exceptionally wide range of candidate HIV vaccines have been tested, yet many were poorly immunogenic, and of the select few that advanced into efficacy trials, only one demonstrated any efficacy. Here we report the results of the largest-scale cross-protocol immunogenicity comparison to date: 13 HIV vaccine trials (including 36 vaccine regimens) conducted across nine countries worldwide, strengthened by standardized trial designs, validated assays in centralized laboratories, and harmonized immunogenicity endpoints - providing an objective approach to identify the HIV vaccine candidate(s) with the best immunogenicity. A polyvalent DNA prime + protein boost regimen (HVTN 124) including Env immunogens of four subtypes, matched between prime and boost, achieved the best anti-V1V2 antibody responses by a large margin and also induced high CD4+ T-cell responses - two key immune responses implicated in HIV vaccine protection. Our results provide strong support to test this promising HIV vaccine design in more advanced phase clinical trials and will also guide the future design of additional HIV vaccines.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01799954..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02109354..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02404311..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02207920..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02296541..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03284710..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02915016..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02997969..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03122223..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03409276..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02968849..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03060629..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00223080..
Additional Links: PMID-40190112
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40190112,
year = {2025},
author = {Moodie, Z and Li, SS and Giorgi, EE and Williams, LD and Dintwe, O and Carpp, LN and Chen, S and Seaton, KE and Sawant, SS and Zhang, L and Heptinstall, J and Liu, S and Grunenberg, N and Tomaka, F and Rerks-Ngarm, S and Pitisuttithum, P and Nitayaphan, S and Ake, JA and Vasan, S and Pantaleo, G and Frank, I and Baden, LR and Goepfert, PA and Keefer, M and Chirenje, M and Hosseinipour, MC and Mngadi, K and Laher, F and Garrett, N and Bekker, LG and De Rosa, S and Andersen-Nissen, E and Kublin, JG and Lu, S and Gilbert, PB and Gray, GE and Corey, L and McElrath, MJ and Tomaras, GD},
title = {A polyvalent DNA prime with matched polyvalent protein/GLA-SE boost regimen elicited the most robust and broad IgG and IgG3 V1V2 binding antibody and CD4+ T cell responses among 13 HIV vaccine trials.},
journal = {Emerging microbes & infections},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {2485317},
doi = {10.1080/22221751.2025.2485317},
pmid = {40190112},
issn = {2222-1751},
mesh = {Humans ; *AIDS Vaccines/immunology/administration & dosage ; *CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology ; *HIV Infections/prevention & control/immunology/virology ; *HIV Antibodies/immunology/blood ; Female ; *Immunoglobulin G/immunology/blood ; Adult ; Male ; Vaccines, DNA/immunology/administration & dosage ; *HIV-1/immunology ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; Immunization, Secondary ; Immunogenicity, Vaccine ; Adolescent ; },
abstract = {Developing an effective HIV vaccine is a momentous challenge. An exceptionally wide range of candidate HIV vaccines have been tested, yet many were poorly immunogenic, and of the select few that advanced into efficacy trials, only one demonstrated any efficacy. Here we report the results of the largest-scale cross-protocol immunogenicity comparison to date: 13 HIV vaccine trials (including 36 vaccine regimens) conducted across nine countries worldwide, strengthened by standardized trial designs, validated assays in centralized laboratories, and harmonized immunogenicity endpoints - providing an objective approach to identify the HIV vaccine candidate(s) with the best immunogenicity. A polyvalent DNA prime + protein boost regimen (HVTN 124) including Env immunogens of four subtypes, matched between prime and boost, achieved the best anti-V1V2 antibody responses by a large margin and also induced high CD4+ T-cell responses - two key immune responses implicated in HIV vaccine protection. Our results provide strong support to test this promising HIV vaccine design in more advanced phase clinical trials and will also guide the future design of additional HIV vaccines.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01799954..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02109354..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02404311..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02207920..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02296541..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03284710..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02915016..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02997969..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03122223..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03409276..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02968849..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03060629..Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00223080..},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*AIDS Vaccines/immunology/administration & dosage
*CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
*HIV Infections/prevention & control/immunology/virology
*HIV Antibodies/immunology/blood
Female
*Immunoglobulin G/immunology/blood
Adult
Male
Vaccines, DNA/immunology/administration & dosage
*HIV-1/immunology
Young Adult
Middle Aged
Immunization, Secondary
Immunogenicity, Vaccine
Adolescent
RevDate: 2025-04-07
CmpDate: 2025-04-07
Helping Her Heal-Ghana: A pilot feasibility study of a culturally adapted educational counseling intervention for spouse caregivers of women with breast cancer.
Palliative & supportive care, 23:e88 pii:S1478951524002153.
INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the leading cancer in Ghana, Africa, accounting for 31% of all cancers in women. The effects of breast cancer are not limited to the woman but also impact the spouse's anxiety, depressed mood, and coping behavior. Helping Her Heal (HHH)-Ghana is a culturally adapted evidenced-based intervention with potential to improve health outcomes of spouse caregivers.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to ascertain the feasibility, acceptability, and short-term impact of HHH-Ghana, a culturally adapted evidenced-based intervention for spouses of women with breast cancer in Ghana.
METHODS: The study used a single group pre-post design. Participants (n = 14) were recruited from medical care providers and were eligible if they were spouse caregivers of wives with Stage I, II, or III breast cancer, were 18 years or older, and had been living with their wives for at least 6 months. Data were obtained by spouse self-report on standardized measures of depressed mood, anxiety, self-care skills, self-efficacy to support their wife, self-efficacy to carry out their own self-care, and the quality of marital communication about breast cancer. Exit interviews were additionally obtained to describe the gains spouses attributed to their participation in the study.
RESULTS: The HHH-Ghana study was feasible and acceptable. Spouses actively engaged in each intervention session and completed the at-home assignments; retention was 87.5%. Spouses significantly improved on standardized measures of anxiety (p = 0.010), depressed mood (p = 0.002), self-care skills (p = 0.006), and their self-efficacy in supporting their wife (p = 0.001) and in carrying out their own self-care (p = 0.011). Although there was no statistically significant change in marital communication, spouses reported in their exit interviews that the intervention enabled them to communicate better and be more attentive listeners to their wives.
SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Results warrant a larger clinical trial in Ghana.
Additional Links: PMID-40190065
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40190065,
year = {2025},
author = {Osei-Assibey, BA and Lewis, FM},
title = {Helping Her Heal-Ghana: A pilot feasibility study of a culturally adapted educational counseling intervention for spouse caregivers of women with breast cancer.},
journal = {Palliative & supportive care},
volume = {23},
number = {},
pages = {e88},
doi = {10.1017/S1478951524002153},
pmid = {40190065},
issn = {1478-9523},
mesh = {Humans ; Female ; Ghana ; *Breast Neoplasms/psychology/complications/therapy ; Middle Aged ; Feasibility Studies ; Pilot Projects ; *Caregivers/psychology/education ; Adult ; *Counseling/methods/standards ; *Spouses/psychology ; Aged ; Male ; Adaptation, Psychological ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the leading cancer in Ghana, Africa, accounting for 31% of all cancers in women. The effects of breast cancer are not limited to the woman but also impact the spouse's anxiety, depressed mood, and coping behavior. Helping Her Heal (HHH)-Ghana is a culturally adapted evidenced-based intervention with potential to improve health outcomes of spouse caregivers.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to ascertain the feasibility, acceptability, and short-term impact of HHH-Ghana, a culturally adapted evidenced-based intervention for spouses of women with breast cancer in Ghana.
METHODS: The study used a single group pre-post design. Participants (n = 14) were recruited from medical care providers and were eligible if they were spouse caregivers of wives with Stage I, II, or III breast cancer, were 18 years or older, and had been living with their wives for at least 6 months. Data were obtained by spouse self-report on standardized measures of depressed mood, anxiety, self-care skills, self-efficacy to support their wife, self-efficacy to carry out their own self-care, and the quality of marital communication about breast cancer. Exit interviews were additionally obtained to describe the gains spouses attributed to their participation in the study.
RESULTS: The HHH-Ghana study was feasible and acceptable. Spouses actively engaged in each intervention session and completed the at-home assignments; retention was 87.5%. Spouses significantly improved on standardized measures of anxiety (p = 0.010), depressed mood (p = 0.002), self-care skills (p = 0.006), and their self-efficacy in supporting their wife (p = 0.001) and in carrying out their own self-care (p = 0.011). Although there was no statistically significant change in marital communication, spouses reported in their exit interviews that the intervention enabled them to communicate better and be more attentive listeners to their wives.
SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Results warrant a larger clinical trial in Ghana.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
Female
Ghana
*Breast Neoplasms/psychology/complications/therapy
Middle Aged
Feasibility Studies
Pilot Projects
*Caregivers/psychology/education
Adult
*Counseling/methods/standards
*Spouses/psychology
Aged
Male
Adaptation, Psychological
RevDate: 2025-04-06
Distinct routes of clonal progression in SF3B1-mutant myelodysplastic syndromes.
Blood advances pii:536583 [Epub ahead of print].
Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal stem cell disorders driven by heterogeneous genetic alterations leading to variable clinical course. MDS with splicing factor SF3B1 mutations is a distinct subtype with a favorable outcome. However, selected co-mutations induce poor prognosis and how these genetic lesions cooperate in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) during disease progression is still unclear. Here, we integrated clinical and molecular profiling of patients with SF3B1 mutations with gene editing of primary and iPSC-derived human HSPCs to show that high-risk co-mutations impart distinct effects on lineage programs of SF3B1-mutant HSPCs. Secondary RUNX1 or STAG2 mutations were clinically associated with advanced disease and reduced survival. However, RUNX1 and STAG2 mutations induced opposing regulation of myeloid transcriptional programs and differentiation in SF3B1-mutant HSPCs. Moreover, high-risk RUNX1 and STAG2, but not low-risk TET2, mutations expanded distinct SF3B1-mutant HSPC subpopulations. These findings provide evidence that progression from low- to high-risk MDS involves distinct molecular and cellular routes depending on co-mutation patterns.
Additional Links: PMID-40188457
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40188457,
year = {2025},
author = {Sarchi, M and Clough, CA and Gallì, A and Picone, C and Ferrari, B and Crosse, EI and Baquero Galvis, LD and Fiducioso, C and Aydinyan, N and Creamer, JP and Pozzi, S and Molteni, E and Elena, C and Bradley, RK and Malcovati, L and Doulatov, S},
title = {Distinct routes of clonal progression in SF3B1-mutant myelodysplastic syndromes.},
journal = {Blood advances},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1182/bloodadvances.2024014965},
pmid = {40188457},
issn = {2473-9537},
abstract = {Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are clonal stem cell disorders driven by heterogeneous genetic alterations leading to variable clinical course. MDS with splicing factor SF3B1 mutations is a distinct subtype with a favorable outcome. However, selected co-mutations induce poor prognosis and how these genetic lesions cooperate in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) during disease progression is still unclear. Here, we integrated clinical and molecular profiling of patients with SF3B1 mutations with gene editing of primary and iPSC-derived human HSPCs to show that high-risk co-mutations impart distinct effects on lineage programs of SF3B1-mutant HSPCs. Secondary RUNX1 or STAG2 mutations were clinically associated with advanced disease and reduced survival. However, RUNX1 and STAG2 mutations induced opposing regulation of myeloid transcriptional programs and differentiation in SF3B1-mutant HSPCs. Moreover, high-risk RUNX1 and STAG2, but not low-risk TET2, mutations expanded distinct SF3B1-mutant HSPC subpopulations. These findings provide evidence that progression from low- to high-risk MDS involves distinct molecular and cellular routes depending on co-mutation patterns.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-05
A Structured Peer Support Intervention for Patients with Hematologic Malignancies Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Peer Support Interventionists' Perspectives.
Transplantation and cellular therapy pii:S2666-6367(25)01113-3 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Peer support is emerging as an important component of supportive care for patients with hematologic malignancies, but it has not been robustly implemented in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
OBJECTIVES: This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of peer support interventionists (participants) delivering a structured, five-session, phone-delivered peer support intervention, the Supporting Transplant Experiences with Peer Program (STEPP) for patients undergoing HSCT.
METHODS: Adult patients who underwent allogeneic or autologous HSCT for the treatment of a hematologic malignancy within the past three years were eligible to volunteer in this study as trained STEPP participants. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted to explore participants' experiences, including their motivations for volunteering, reflections on intervention delivery and on the impact of peer support, and challenges faced while serving in this role. Interviews were deductively analyzed by two coders using framework-guided rapid analysis.
RESULTS: Twenty STEPP interventionists participated in this study. Participants were 65% men, with a median age of 63.5 years. 75% had undergone allogeneic HSCT. Emerging themes from the qualitative interviews highlighted that participants were motivated to serve as interventionists by a sense of gratitude for their transplant care and a desire to share their transplant experiences with others. The impact of the STEPP intervention on interventionists included opportunities to process their transplant journey while also providing support to their peers. Interventionists reported a preference for free-flowing conversations, which were still guided by the structured manual. Challenges included terminating the interventionist-patient relationship at the conclusion of STEPP.
CONCLUSION: Peer support interventions for patients undergoing HSCT have the potential to enhance well-being and provide meaning for both patients preparing to undergo HSCT and HSCT survivors who serve as interventionists. Large-scale randomized clinical trials are needed to test the efficacy of peer support interventions for improving health-related outcomes among patients undergoing HSCT and HSCT survivors serving as interventionists for these interventions.
Additional Links: PMID-40187495
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40187495,
year = {2025},
author = {Guo, M and Keane, EP and Baliousis, M and Gudenkauf, LM and Mate-Kole, MN and Boardman, AC and Larizza, IS and Song, MT and Wolfe, ED and Schaefer, DA and Cutler, C and Jim, HS and Lee, SJ and El-Jawahri, A and Amonoo, HL},
title = {A Structured Peer Support Intervention for Patients with Hematologic Malignancies Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Peer Support Interventionists' Perspectives.},
journal = {Transplantation and cellular therapy},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jtct.2025.03.017},
pmid = {40187495},
issn = {2666-6367},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Peer support is emerging as an important component of supportive care for patients with hematologic malignancies, but it has not been robustly implemented in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
OBJECTIVES: This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of peer support interventionists (participants) delivering a structured, five-session, phone-delivered peer support intervention, the Supporting Transplant Experiences with Peer Program (STEPP) for patients undergoing HSCT.
METHODS: Adult patients who underwent allogeneic or autologous HSCT for the treatment of a hematologic malignancy within the past three years were eligible to volunteer in this study as trained STEPP participants. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted to explore participants' experiences, including their motivations for volunteering, reflections on intervention delivery and on the impact of peer support, and challenges faced while serving in this role. Interviews were deductively analyzed by two coders using framework-guided rapid analysis.
RESULTS: Twenty STEPP interventionists participated in this study. Participants were 65% men, with a median age of 63.5 years. 75% had undergone allogeneic HSCT. Emerging themes from the qualitative interviews highlighted that participants were motivated to serve as interventionists by a sense of gratitude for their transplant care and a desire to share their transplant experiences with others. The impact of the STEPP intervention on interventionists included opportunities to process their transplant journey while also providing support to their peers. Interventionists reported a preference for free-flowing conversations, which were still guided by the structured manual. Challenges included terminating the interventionist-patient relationship at the conclusion of STEPP.
CONCLUSION: Peer support interventions for patients undergoing HSCT have the potential to enhance well-being and provide meaning for both patients preparing to undergo HSCT and HSCT survivors who serve as interventionists. Large-scale randomized clinical trials are needed to test the efficacy of peer support interventions for improving health-related outcomes among patients undergoing HSCT and HSCT survivors serving as interventionists for these interventions.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-05
Inter-organ communication in Drosophila: Lipoproteins, adipokines, and immune-metabolic coordination.
Current opinion in cell biology, 94:102508 pii:S0955-0674(25)00046-8 [Epub ahead of print].
Inter-organ communication networks are essential for maintaining systemic homeostasis in multicellular organisms. In Drosophila melanogaster, studies of adipokines and lipoproteins reveal evolutionarily conserved mechanisms coordinating metabolism, immunity, and behavior. This mini-review focuses on two key pathways: the adipokine Unpaired 2 (Upd2) and lipoprotein-mediated signaling. Upd2, a leptin analog, mediates fat-brain communication to regulate insulin secretion, sleep, and feeding behavior. Recent work has uncovered an LC3/Atg8-dependent secretion mechanism for Upd2, linking nutrient sensing to systemic adaptation. Lipoproteins, particularly ApoLpp and LTP, function beyond lipid transport, orchestrating neural maintenance and immune responses. During infection, macrophage-derived signals trigger lipoprotein-mediated lipid redistribution to support host defense. Additionally, muscle tissue emerges as an unexpected mediator of immune-metabolic coordination through inter-organ signaling. These findings highlight the intricate cross-talk between organs required for organismal survival and suggest therapeutic strategies for metabolic disorders.
Additional Links: PMID-40187050
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40187050,
year = {2025},
author = {Rajan, A and Karpac, J},
title = {Inter-organ communication in Drosophila: Lipoproteins, adipokines, and immune-metabolic coordination.},
journal = {Current opinion in cell biology},
volume = {94},
number = {},
pages = {102508},
doi = {10.1016/j.ceb.2025.102508},
pmid = {40187050},
issn = {1879-0410},
abstract = {Inter-organ communication networks are essential for maintaining systemic homeostasis in multicellular organisms. In Drosophila melanogaster, studies of adipokines and lipoproteins reveal evolutionarily conserved mechanisms coordinating metabolism, immunity, and behavior. This mini-review focuses on two key pathways: the adipokine Unpaired 2 (Upd2) and lipoprotein-mediated signaling. Upd2, a leptin analog, mediates fat-brain communication to regulate insulin secretion, sleep, and feeding behavior. Recent work has uncovered an LC3/Atg8-dependent secretion mechanism for Upd2, linking nutrient sensing to systemic adaptation. Lipoproteins, particularly ApoLpp and LTP, function beyond lipid transport, orchestrating neural maintenance and immune responses. During infection, macrophage-derived signals trigger lipoprotein-mediated lipid redistribution to support host defense. Additionally, muscle tissue emerges as an unexpected mediator of immune-metabolic coordination through inter-organ signaling. These findings highlight the intricate cross-talk between organs required for organismal survival and suggest therapeutic strategies for metabolic disorders.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-05
A Video Decision Aid Decreases Fear of Colonoscopy After an Abnormal Fecal Immunochemical Test Result: A Pilot Study.
Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education [Epub ahead of print].
Colonoscopy completion after abnormal fecal immunochemical test (FIT) results is inadequate, and patient fear is a commonly reported barrier. We developed and piloted a video decision aid that addresses fear of colonoscopy among patients with abnormal FIT results. We developed a video decision aid and, in a pilot study, randomized patients in a safety-net healthcare system with abnormal FIT results and no follow-up colonoscopy to the intervention or usual care. Both groups completed a baseline survey that measured fear of colonoscopy, knowledge about colorectal cancer (CRC), self-efficacy, and intent to complete a colonoscopy, and the intervention group repeated the survey after watching the video. Sixty patients were enrolled in the study. Participants that watched the video reported a 17.7% decrease in fear of colonoscopy (p < 0.01) across six domains, including fear of the bowel prep (p < 0.01), the actual colonoscopy procedure (p < 0.01), and possible complications from the procedure (p = 0.04). Participant CRC knowledge also increased across several measures, including a 43.5% decrease in the belief that it is difficult to know which CRC prevention recommendations to follow. Overall, 78.3% of participants found the video to be helpful, and 90.6% would recommend the video to other patients with abnormal FIT results. In a safety-net population with abnormal FIT results, a video decision aid decreased fear of colonoscopy and increased knowledge about CRC. The video decision aid was acceptable to participants and can be considered an additional tool to improve follow-up of abnormal FIT results.
Additional Links: PMID-40186724
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40186724,
year = {2025},
author = {Hopkins, T and Bell-Brown, A and Martinez-Pinto, P and Henderson, V and Ko, LK and Isler, A and Issaka, RB},
title = {A Video Decision Aid Decreases Fear of Colonoscopy After an Abnormal Fecal Immunochemical Test Result: A Pilot Study.},
journal = {Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40186724},
issn = {1543-0154},
support = {2022 Health Equity Research Award//American College of Gastroenterology/ ; K08CA241296/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; UL1 TR002319/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Colonoscopy completion after abnormal fecal immunochemical test (FIT) results is inadequate, and patient fear is a commonly reported barrier. We developed and piloted a video decision aid that addresses fear of colonoscopy among patients with abnormal FIT results. We developed a video decision aid and, in a pilot study, randomized patients in a safety-net healthcare system with abnormal FIT results and no follow-up colonoscopy to the intervention or usual care. Both groups completed a baseline survey that measured fear of colonoscopy, knowledge about colorectal cancer (CRC), self-efficacy, and intent to complete a colonoscopy, and the intervention group repeated the survey after watching the video. Sixty patients were enrolled in the study. Participants that watched the video reported a 17.7% decrease in fear of colonoscopy (p < 0.01) across six domains, including fear of the bowel prep (p < 0.01), the actual colonoscopy procedure (p < 0.01), and possible complications from the procedure (p = 0.04). Participant CRC knowledge also increased across several measures, including a 43.5% decrease in the belief that it is difficult to know which CRC prevention recommendations to follow. Overall, 78.3% of participants found the video to be helpful, and 90.6% would recommend the video to other patients with abnormal FIT results. In a safety-net population with abnormal FIT results, a video decision aid decreased fear of colonoscopy and increased knowledge about CRC. The video decision aid was acceptable to participants and can be considered an additional tool to improve follow-up of abnormal FIT results.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-05
Glycolysis model shows that allostery maintains high ATP and limits accumulation of intermediates.
Biophysical journal pii:S0006-3495(25)00211-5 [Epub ahead of print].
Glycolysis is a conserved metabolic pathway that produces ATP and biosynthetic precursors. It is not well understood how the control of mammalian glycolytic enzymes through allosteric feedback and mass action accomplishes various tasks of ATP homeostasis, such as controlling the rate of ATP production, maintaining high and stable ATP levels, ensuring that ATP hydrolysis generates a net excess of energy, and maintaining glycolytic intermediate concentrations within physiological levels. To investigate these questions, we developed a biophysical model of glycolysis based on enzyme rate equations derived from in vitro kinetic data. This is the first biophysical model of human glycolysis that successfully recapitulates the above tasks of ATP homeostasis and predicts absolute concentrations of glycolytic intermediates and isotope tracing kinetics that align with experimental measurements in human cells. We use the model to show that mass action alone is sufficient to control the ATP production rate and maintain the high energy of ATP hydrolysis. Meanwhile, allosteric regulation of hexokinase (HK) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) by ATP, ADP, inorganic phosphate, and glucose-6-phosphate is required to maintain high ATP levels and to prevent uncontrolled accumulation of phosphorylated intermediates of glycolysis. Allosteric feedback achieves the latter by maintaining HK and PFK enzyme activity at one-half of ATP demand and, thus, inhibiting the reaction of Harden and Young, which otherwise converts glucose to supraphysiological levels of phosphorylated glycolytic intermediates at the expense of ATP. Our methodology provides a roadmap for a quantitative understanding of how metabolic homeostasis emerges from the activities of individual enzymes.
Additional Links: PMID-40186355
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40186355,
year = {2025},
author = {Choe, M and Einav, T and Phillips, R and Titov, DV},
title = {Glycolysis model shows that allostery maintains high ATP and limits accumulation of intermediates.},
journal = {Biophysical journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.bpj.2025.03.037},
pmid = {40186355},
issn = {1542-0086},
abstract = {Glycolysis is a conserved metabolic pathway that produces ATP and biosynthetic precursors. It is not well understood how the control of mammalian glycolytic enzymes through allosteric feedback and mass action accomplishes various tasks of ATP homeostasis, such as controlling the rate of ATP production, maintaining high and stable ATP levels, ensuring that ATP hydrolysis generates a net excess of energy, and maintaining glycolytic intermediate concentrations within physiological levels. To investigate these questions, we developed a biophysical model of glycolysis based on enzyme rate equations derived from in vitro kinetic data. This is the first biophysical model of human glycolysis that successfully recapitulates the above tasks of ATP homeostasis and predicts absolute concentrations of glycolytic intermediates and isotope tracing kinetics that align with experimental measurements in human cells. We use the model to show that mass action alone is sufficient to control the ATP production rate and maintain the high energy of ATP hydrolysis. Meanwhile, allosteric regulation of hexokinase (HK) and phosphofructokinase (PFK) by ATP, ADP, inorganic phosphate, and glucose-6-phosphate is required to maintain high ATP levels and to prevent uncontrolled accumulation of phosphorylated intermediates of glycolysis. Allosteric feedback achieves the latter by maintaining HK and PFK enzyme activity at one-half of ATP demand and, thus, inhibiting the reaction of Harden and Young, which otherwise converts glucose to supraphysiological levels of phosphorylated glycolytic intermediates at the expense of ATP. Our methodology provides a roadmap for a quantitative understanding of how metabolic homeostasis emerges from the activities of individual enzymes.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-04
CmpDate: 2025-04-04
Phase I Study of Subcutaneous Rituximab Hyaluronidase Combined With CHOP Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in Uganda.
JCO global oncology, 11:e2400489.
PURPOSE: Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who are treated in low-resource settings have inferior outcomes compared with those in high-resource settings. Rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, when combined with chemotherapy, improves overall survival (OS) for DLBCL. However, in part due to the limited availability of infusion centers in low-resource countries, rituximab is rarely used. Subcutaneous rituximab (sqR) is a potential solution; however, its safety and efficacy have not been tested in low-income countries.
METHODS: This open-label phase I study enrolled patients 18 years or older with newly diagnosed DLBCL. The first cohort (n = 6) received intravenous rituximab plus CHOP. This cohort received sqR for subsequent cycles. The second cohort (n = 12) received sqR plus CHOP for all cycles. Safety and tolerability were evaluated; secondary outcomes included response rates and treatment completion.
RESULTS: Between October 25, 2019, and October 7, 2022, 18 patients, with a median age of 36.5 years, were enrolled; 10 were male, and 10 presented with advanced-stage disease. The most common hematologic toxicity was neutropenia (n = 9, 50%). Fifteen of the 18 participants completed treatment; 14 (93.3%) patients achieved a complete response, and one patient (6.7%) had a partial response. The OS and progression-free survival (PFS) at 12 months were 83% (95% CI, 68 to 100) and 67% (95% CI, 48 to 92), respectively. The OS and PFS at 24 months were 66% (95% CI, 47 to 92) and 67% (95% CI, 48 to 92), respectively.
CONCLUSION: As demonstrated in other parts of the world, sqR together with CHOP was safe, well-tolerated, and efficacious among Ugandan patients with DLBCL. The very high OS rates are nearly double those of historical controls and comparable with outcomes expected in resource-rich settings. This study demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of sqR-CHOP, increased the research infrastructure in Uganda, and will improve care in other resource-limited settings.
Additional Links: PMID-40184567
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40184567,
year = {2025},
author = {Menon, MP and Ddungu, H and Mubiru, KR and Adams, SV and Asea, J and Namagembe, R and Namuli, P and Kambugu, J and Towlerton, AMH and Puronen, C and Uldrick, TS and Orem, J and Warren, EH},
title = {Phase I Study of Subcutaneous Rituximab Hyaluronidase Combined With CHOP Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in Uganda.},
journal = {JCO global oncology},
volume = {11},
number = {},
pages = {e2400489},
doi = {10.1200/GO-24-00489},
pmid = {40184567},
issn = {2687-8941},
mesh = {Humans ; *Rituximab/administration & dosage/therapeutic use/pharmacology ; *Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy/pathology/mortality ; Male ; *Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use/pharmacology/administration & dosage ; Female ; Adult ; Uganda ; Vincristine/therapeutic use/administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use/administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Doxorubicin/therapeutic use/administration & dosage ; Prednisone/therapeutic use/administration & dosage/pharmacology ; Middle Aged ; *Hyaluronoglucosaminidase/administration & dosage/therapeutic use ; Young Adult ; },
abstract = {PURPOSE: Patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) who are treated in low-resource settings have inferior outcomes compared with those in high-resource settings. Rituximab, an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, when combined with chemotherapy, improves overall survival (OS) for DLBCL. However, in part due to the limited availability of infusion centers in low-resource countries, rituximab is rarely used. Subcutaneous rituximab (sqR) is a potential solution; however, its safety and efficacy have not been tested in low-income countries.
METHODS: This open-label phase I study enrolled patients 18 years or older with newly diagnosed DLBCL. The first cohort (n = 6) received intravenous rituximab plus CHOP. This cohort received sqR for subsequent cycles. The second cohort (n = 12) received sqR plus CHOP for all cycles. Safety and tolerability were evaluated; secondary outcomes included response rates and treatment completion.
RESULTS: Between October 25, 2019, and October 7, 2022, 18 patients, with a median age of 36.5 years, were enrolled; 10 were male, and 10 presented with advanced-stage disease. The most common hematologic toxicity was neutropenia (n = 9, 50%). Fifteen of the 18 participants completed treatment; 14 (93.3%) patients achieved a complete response, and one patient (6.7%) had a partial response. The OS and progression-free survival (PFS) at 12 months were 83% (95% CI, 68 to 100) and 67% (95% CI, 48 to 92), respectively. The OS and PFS at 24 months were 66% (95% CI, 47 to 92) and 67% (95% CI, 48 to 92), respectively.
CONCLUSION: As demonstrated in other parts of the world, sqR together with CHOP was safe, well-tolerated, and efficacious among Ugandan patients with DLBCL. The very high OS rates are nearly double those of historical controls and comparable with outcomes expected in resource-rich settings. This study demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of sqR-CHOP, increased the research infrastructure in Uganda, and will improve care in other resource-limited settings.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Rituximab/administration & dosage/therapeutic use/pharmacology
*Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/drug therapy/pathology/mortality
Male
*Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use/pharmacology/administration & dosage
Female
Adult
Uganda
Vincristine/therapeutic use/administration & dosage/pharmacology
Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use/administration & dosage/pharmacology
Doxorubicin/therapeutic use/administration & dosage
Prednisone/therapeutic use/administration & dosage/pharmacology
Middle Aged
*Hyaluronoglucosaminidase/administration & dosage/therapeutic use
Young Adult
RevDate: 2025-04-04
Intact HIV DNA decays in children with and without complete viral load suppression.
PLoS pathogens, 21(4):e1013003 pii:PPATHOGENS-D-24-02557 [Epub ahead of print].
To inform cure in children living with HIV (CWH), we elucidated the dynamics and mechanisms underlying HIV persistence during antiretroviral therapy (ART). In 120 Kenyan CWH who initiated ART between 1-12 months of age, 55 had durable viral load suppression, and 65 experienced ART interruptions. We measured plasma HIV RNA levels, CD4+ T cell count, and levels of intact and defective HIV DNA proviruses via the cross-subtype intact proviral DNA assay (CS-IPDA). By modeling data from the durably suppressed subset, we found that during early ART (year 0-1 on ART), plasma RNA levels decayed rapidly and biphasically and intact and defective HIV DNA decayed with mean 3 and 9 month half-lives, respectively. After viral suppression was achieved (years 1-8 on ART), intact HIV DNA decay slowed to a mean 22 month half-life, whilst defective HIV DNA no longer decayed. In five CWH, we found individual CD4+ TCRβ clones wax and wane, but average kinetics resembled those of defective DNA and CD4 count, suggesting that differential decay of intact HIV DNA arises from selective pressures overlaying normal CD4+ T cell kinetics. Finally, by modeling HIV RNA and DNA in CWH with treatment interruptions, we linked temporary viremia to transient rises in HIV DNA, but long-term intact reservoirs were not strongly influenced, suggesting brief treatment interruptions may not significantly increase HIV reservoirs in children.
Additional Links: PMID-40184428
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40184428,
year = {2025},
author = {Reeves, DB and Litchford, M and Fish, CS and Farrell-Sherman, A and Poindexter, M and Ahmed, N and Cassidy, NAJ and Neary, J and Wamalwa, D and Langat, A and Chebet, D and Moraa, H and Antar, AAR and Slyker, J and Benki-Nugent, S and Cohn, LB and Schiffer, JT and Overbaugh, J and John-Stewart, G and Lehman, DA},
title = {Intact HIV DNA decays in children with and without complete viral load suppression.},
journal = {PLoS pathogens},
volume = {21},
number = {4},
pages = {e1013003},
doi = {10.1371/journal.ppat.1013003},
pmid = {40184428},
issn = {1553-7374},
abstract = {To inform cure in children living with HIV (CWH), we elucidated the dynamics and mechanisms underlying HIV persistence during antiretroviral therapy (ART). In 120 Kenyan CWH who initiated ART between 1-12 months of age, 55 had durable viral load suppression, and 65 experienced ART interruptions. We measured plasma HIV RNA levels, CD4+ T cell count, and levels of intact and defective HIV DNA proviruses via the cross-subtype intact proviral DNA assay (CS-IPDA). By modeling data from the durably suppressed subset, we found that during early ART (year 0-1 on ART), plasma RNA levels decayed rapidly and biphasically and intact and defective HIV DNA decayed with mean 3 and 9 month half-lives, respectively. After viral suppression was achieved (years 1-8 on ART), intact HIV DNA decay slowed to a mean 22 month half-life, whilst defective HIV DNA no longer decayed. In five CWH, we found individual CD4+ TCRβ clones wax and wane, but average kinetics resembled those of defective DNA and CD4 count, suggesting that differential decay of intact HIV DNA arises from selective pressures overlaying normal CD4+ T cell kinetics. Finally, by modeling HIV RNA and DNA in CWH with treatment interruptions, we linked temporary viremia to transient rises in HIV DNA, but long-term intact reservoirs were not strongly influenced, suggesting brief treatment interruptions may not significantly increase HIV reservoirs in children.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-04
Spindle integrity is regulated by a phospho-dependent interaction between the Ndc80 and Dam1 kinetochore complexes.
PLoS genetics, 21(4):e1011645 pii:PGENETICS-D-24-01251 [Epub ahead of print].
Faithful chromosome segregation depends upon kinetochores, large protein complexes that anchor chromosomes to dynamic microtubules, allowing for their movement at anaphase. Critical microtubule-coupling components of the budding yeast kinetochore, the Dam1 (Dam1c) and Ndc80 (Ndc80c) complexes, work cooperatively to ensure that kinetochores track with the plus-ends of microtubules. Additionally, the Dam1 complex plays a distinct role in ensuring the integrity of the mitotic spindle. However, the events required to orchestrate these diverse functions of Dam1c remain unclear. To identify regulatory events on kinetochores, we performed phosphoproteomics on purified kinetochore proteins and identified many previously unknown phosphorylation events. We demonstrate that Ndc80 is phosphorylated at Thr-248 and Thr-252 to promote the interaction between Ndc80 and the Dam1c. The phosphorylation of T248 is cell cycle regulated and depends on Mps1. Ndc80 phosphorylation at T248 and T252 does not appear to regulate kinetochore function and instead contributes to Dam1c localization to the anaphase spindle. A ndc80 phospho-deficient mutant exhibited a genetic interaction and altered spindle morphology when combined with dam1 mutant alleles. Taken together, we propose that Mps1-dependent phosphorylation of Ndc80 at T248 and T252 is removed at anaphase to allow Dam1c to help organize and stabilize the spindle.
Additional Links: PMID-40184422
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40184422,
year = {2025},
author = {Nelson, CR and Mallett, DR and Biggins, S},
title = {Spindle integrity is regulated by a phospho-dependent interaction between the Ndc80 and Dam1 kinetochore complexes.},
journal = {PLoS genetics},
volume = {21},
number = {4},
pages = {e1011645},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pgen.1011645},
pmid = {40184422},
issn = {1553-7404},
abstract = {Faithful chromosome segregation depends upon kinetochores, large protein complexes that anchor chromosomes to dynamic microtubules, allowing for their movement at anaphase. Critical microtubule-coupling components of the budding yeast kinetochore, the Dam1 (Dam1c) and Ndc80 (Ndc80c) complexes, work cooperatively to ensure that kinetochores track with the plus-ends of microtubules. Additionally, the Dam1 complex plays a distinct role in ensuring the integrity of the mitotic spindle. However, the events required to orchestrate these diverse functions of Dam1c remain unclear. To identify regulatory events on kinetochores, we performed phosphoproteomics on purified kinetochore proteins and identified many previously unknown phosphorylation events. We demonstrate that Ndc80 is phosphorylated at Thr-248 and Thr-252 to promote the interaction between Ndc80 and the Dam1c. The phosphorylation of T248 is cell cycle regulated and depends on Mps1. Ndc80 phosphorylation at T248 and T252 does not appear to regulate kinetochore function and instead contributes to Dam1c localization to the anaphase spindle. A ndc80 phospho-deficient mutant exhibited a genetic interaction and altered spindle morphology when combined with dam1 mutant alleles. Taken together, we propose that Mps1-dependent phosphorylation of Ndc80 at T248 and T252 is removed at anaphase to allow Dam1c to help organize and stabilize the spindle.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-03
CmpDate: 2025-04-03
Investigating the impact of body composition on the estimation of resting metabolic rate: new equations for adults aged ≥65 years developed using cross-sectional data.
The American journal of clinical nutrition, 121(4):795-803.
BACKGROUND: Due to changes in body composition during aging, the inclusion of body composition measures as a variable within equations to predict resting metabolic rate (RMR) may improve their predictive accuracy.
OBJECTIVES: This analysis of cross-sectional data aimed to develop and validate new RMR equations for older adults (≥65 y) incorporating variables for body composition, to predict performance and accuracy, and to explore the relative contribution of body composition variables acting directly or potentially via fat-free mass (FFM) to RMR.
METHODS: Analyses were conducted utilizing a unique international dataset of gold standard measures developed for this purpose. RMR was predicted from potential predictive variables using stepwise multiple regression. Predictive performance of the final model was assessed using double cross-validation. The new prediction equation was compared with published prediction equations for similar populations and with previously published RMR prediction equations that did not include FFM. Direct associations between the determined predictor variables and RMR with indirect effects mediated via FFM were examined using mediation final (or pathway) analysis.
RESULTS: The dataset contained 1238 participants. The predictive equations {utilizing either FFM (Equation 1) or lean body weight [LBW](Equation 2)} follow. Equation 1: RMR = 8.645 × height + 23.684 × weight - 29.717 × age + 38.213 × FFM + 209.637 × sex + 2693.223; Equation 2: RMR = -30.570 × age + 80.736 × LBW - 186.825 × sex + 3956.822 where RMR (kJ/d); height (cm); weight (kg); age (y); FFM (kg); LBW (kg); sex (M = 1, F = 0). The equation performed similarly to some anthropometric-based prediction equations. Predictors using FFM performed marginally better than those using LBW. All variables had significant (P < 0.001) direct effects upon RMR and significant (P < 0.001) indirect effects for sex, weight, and height.
CONCLUSIONS: New prediction equations predict RMR at the population level with minimal bias; however, the difference in performance with anthropometry-based equations is minimal. This may be explained by the contribution of FFM to weight, whereby equations that include weight are already accounting for FFM.
Additional Links: PMID-40180499
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40180499,
year = {2025},
author = {Porter, J and Ward, LC and Nguo, K and Davidson, Z and Gibson, S and Prentice, R and Neuhouser, ML and Truby, H},
title = {Investigating the impact of body composition on the estimation of resting metabolic rate: new equations for adults aged ≥65 years developed using cross-sectional data.},
journal = {The American journal of clinical nutrition},
volume = {121},
number = {4},
pages = {795-803},
doi = {10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.12.023},
pmid = {40180499},
issn = {1938-3207},
mesh = {Humans ; *Basal Metabolism ; *Body Composition ; Aged ; Male ; Female ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Aged, 80 and over ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Due to changes in body composition during aging, the inclusion of body composition measures as a variable within equations to predict resting metabolic rate (RMR) may improve their predictive accuracy.
OBJECTIVES: This analysis of cross-sectional data aimed to develop and validate new RMR equations for older adults (≥65 y) incorporating variables for body composition, to predict performance and accuracy, and to explore the relative contribution of body composition variables acting directly or potentially via fat-free mass (FFM) to RMR.
METHODS: Analyses were conducted utilizing a unique international dataset of gold standard measures developed for this purpose. RMR was predicted from potential predictive variables using stepwise multiple regression. Predictive performance of the final model was assessed using double cross-validation. The new prediction equation was compared with published prediction equations for similar populations and with previously published RMR prediction equations that did not include FFM. Direct associations between the determined predictor variables and RMR with indirect effects mediated via FFM were examined using mediation final (or pathway) analysis.
RESULTS: The dataset contained 1238 participants. The predictive equations {utilizing either FFM (Equation 1) or lean body weight [LBW](Equation 2)}
follow. Equation 1: RMR = 8.645 × height + 23.684 × weight - 29.717 × age + 38.213 × FFM + 209.637 × sex + 2693.223; Equation 2: RMR = -30.570 × age + 80.736 × LBW - 186.825 × sex + 3956.822 where RMR (kJ/d); height (cm); weight (kg); age (y); FFM (kg); LBW (kg); sex (M = 1, F = 0). The equation performed similarly to some anthropometric-based prediction equations. Predictors using FFM performed marginally better than those using LBW. All variables had significant (P < 0.001) direct effects upon RMR and significant (P < 0.001) indirect effects for sex, weight, and height.
CONCLUSIONS: New prediction equations predict RMR at the population level with minimal bias; however, the difference in performance with anthropometry-based equations is minimal. This may be explained by the contribution of FFM to weight, whereby equations that include weight are already accounting for FFM.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Basal Metabolism
*Body Composition
Aged
Male
Female
Cross-Sectional Studies
Aged, 80 and over
RevDate: 2025-04-08
CmpDate: 2025-04-03
Impact of tumor localization on antitumor immunity with conditionally activated CTLA-4 blockade.
Journal for immunotherapy of cancer, 13(4):.
BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) can induce antitumor efficacy but also induces immune-related adverse events. Systemically administered ICB can activate immune cells throughout the host. Conditionally active ICB with proteolytically cleaved masking domains can potentially reduce the adverse events seen with anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) antibody.
METHODS: We examined how different formats of a conditionally activated dual variable domain IgG (DVD) that binds CTLA-4 and the tumor-associated antigen prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) can lead to efficacy in syngeneic subcutaneous and metastatic murine tumor models. We also defined the capacity of these DVDs to modulate immune responses by multiparameter flow cytometry.
RESULTS: Conditionally active DVDs can uncouple antitumor efficacy from toxicity. A fully cleavable construct (symmetric DVD, sDVD), which can be released from the target tumor cells, showed superior antitumor efficacy compared with asymmetric DVD, which retains its tumor antigen binding. The sDVD elicited the highest tumor-antigen-specific T-cell responses detected in tumors and tumor-draining lymph nodes, as well as presenting the highest rate of intratumoral and splenic "non-exhausted" antigen-specific CD8 T cells. SDVD also induced the highest degrees of T-cell memory and self-renewal potential. These effects were dependent on PSCA expression by the tumors.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the notion that ICB modulation of antitumor immunity away from the tumor cells is critically important for optimal antitumor immunity. The bispecific sDVD antibody design may enable improved systemic antitumor responses than traditional ICB in both primary tumors and metastases.
Additional Links: PMID-40180419
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40180419,
year = {2025},
author = {Arias-Badia, M and Pai, CS and Lwin, YM and Chen, P and Srinath, A and Tanaka, M and Musser, E and Goodearl, A and Gorman, JV and Ritacco, W and Fong, L},
title = {Impact of tumor localization on antitumor immunity with conditionally activated CTLA-4 blockade.},
journal = {Journal for immunotherapy of cancer},
volume = {13},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {40180419},
issn = {2051-1426},
support = {P30 DK063720/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; R35 CA253175/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Mice ; *CTLA-4 Antigen/antagonists & inhibitors ; Humans ; *Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology/therapeutic use ; Male ; Cell Line, Tumor ; *Neoplasms/immunology/drug therapy ; *Immunotherapy/methods ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) can induce antitumor efficacy but also induces immune-related adverse events. Systemically administered ICB can activate immune cells throughout the host. Conditionally active ICB with proteolytically cleaved masking domains can potentially reduce the adverse events seen with anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) antibody.
METHODS: We examined how different formats of a conditionally activated dual variable domain IgG (DVD) that binds CTLA-4 and the tumor-associated antigen prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) can lead to efficacy in syngeneic subcutaneous and metastatic murine tumor models. We also defined the capacity of these DVDs to modulate immune responses by multiparameter flow cytometry.
RESULTS: Conditionally active DVDs can uncouple antitumor efficacy from toxicity. A fully cleavable construct (symmetric DVD, sDVD), which can be released from the target tumor cells, showed superior antitumor efficacy compared with asymmetric DVD, which retains its tumor antigen binding. The sDVD elicited the highest tumor-antigen-specific T-cell responses detected in tumors and tumor-draining lymph nodes, as well as presenting the highest rate of intratumoral and splenic "non-exhausted" antigen-specific CD8 T cells. SDVD also induced the highest degrees of T-cell memory and self-renewal potential. These effects were dependent on PSCA expression by the tumors.
CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the notion that ICB modulation of antitumor immunity away from the tumor cells is critically important for optimal antitumor immunity. The bispecific sDVD antibody design may enable improved systemic antitumor responses than traditional ICB in both primary tumors and metastases.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Animals
Mice
*CTLA-4 Antigen/antagonists & inhibitors
Humans
*Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors/pharmacology/therapeutic use
Male
Cell Line, Tumor
*Neoplasms/immunology/drug therapy
*Immunotherapy/methods
RevDate: 2025-04-03
Best Practices and Considerations for Conducting Research on Diet-Gut Microbiome Interactions and their Impact on Health in Adult Populations: An Umbrella Review.
Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) pii:S2161-8313(25)00055-9 [Epub ahead of print].
Diet modulates gut microbiome composition and function. However, determining causal links between diet-gut microbiome interactions and human health is complicated by inconsistencies in the evidence, arising partially from variability in research methods and reporting. Widespread adoption of standardized best practices would advance the field but requires those practices be identified, consolidated and discussed. This umbrella review aimed to identify recommended best practices, define existing gaps, and collate considerations for conducting research on diet-gut microbiome interactions and their impact on human health outcomes. Reviews meeting inclusion criteria and published after 2013 were identified using a systematic search. Recommendations, considerations and gaps relating to best practices associated with study design, participant selection, dietary intervention/assessment, biological sample collection, and data analysis and reporting were extracted and consolidated. Eight narrative reviews were included. Several general points of agreement were identified, and a recurring theme was that best practices are dependent upon the research aims, outcomes and feasibility. Multiple gaps were also identified. Some, such as suboptimal diet assessment methods and lack of validated dietary intake biomarkers, are particularly relevant to nutrition science. Others, including defining a "healthy" gut microbiome and the absence of standardized sample and data collection/analysis protocols were relevant specifically to gut microbiome research. Gaps specific to diet-gut microbiome research include the underrepresentation of microbiome-modulating dietary components in food databases, lack of knowledge regarding interventions eliciting changes in the gut microbiome to confer health benefits, lack of in situ measurement methods and the need to further develop and refine statistical approaches for integrating diet and gut microbiome data. Future research and cross-disciplinary exchange will address these gaps and evolve best practices. In the interim, the best practices and considerations discussed herein, and the publications from which that information was extracted, provide a roadmap for conducting diet-gut microbiome research. PROSPERO registration: CRD42023437645.
Additional Links: PMID-40180180
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40180180,
year = {2025},
author = {Diacova, T and Cifelli, CJ and Davis, CD and Holscher, HD and Kable, ME and Lampe, JW and Latulippe, ME and Swanson, KS and Karl, JP},
title = {Best Practices and Considerations for Conducting Research on Diet-Gut Microbiome Interactions and their Impact on Health in Adult Populations: An Umbrella Review.},
journal = {Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {100419},
doi = {10.1016/j.advnut.2025.100419},
pmid = {40180180},
issn = {2156-5376},
abstract = {Diet modulates gut microbiome composition and function. However, determining causal links between diet-gut microbiome interactions and human health is complicated by inconsistencies in the evidence, arising partially from variability in research methods and reporting. Widespread adoption of standardized best practices would advance the field but requires those practices be identified, consolidated and discussed. This umbrella review aimed to identify recommended best practices, define existing gaps, and collate considerations for conducting research on diet-gut microbiome interactions and their impact on human health outcomes. Reviews meeting inclusion criteria and published after 2013 were identified using a systematic search. Recommendations, considerations and gaps relating to best practices associated with study design, participant selection, dietary intervention/assessment, biological sample collection, and data analysis and reporting were extracted and consolidated. Eight narrative reviews were included. Several general points of agreement were identified, and a recurring theme was that best practices are dependent upon the research aims, outcomes and feasibility. Multiple gaps were also identified. Some, such as suboptimal diet assessment methods and lack of validated dietary intake biomarkers, are particularly relevant to nutrition science. Others, including defining a "healthy" gut microbiome and the absence of standardized sample and data collection/analysis protocols were relevant specifically to gut microbiome research. Gaps specific to diet-gut microbiome research include the underrepresentation of microbiome-modulating dietary components in food databases, lack of knowledge regarding interventions eliciting changes in the gut microbiome to confer health benefits, lack of in situ measurement methods and the need to further develop and refine statistical approaches for integrating diet and gut microbiome data. Future research and cross-disciplinary exchange will address these gaps and evolve best practices. In the interim, the best practices and considerations discussed herein, and the publications from which that information was extracted, provide a roadmap for conducting diet-gut microbiome research. PROSPERO registration: CRD42023437645.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-03
Predictors of Cardiac Recovery in Adults With AML Who Develop Heart Failure During Treatment.
JCO oncology practice [Epub ahead of print].
PURPOSE: Heart failure is a leading cause of death in patients with AML, who face higher risks of cardiac complications than nonleukemic cancer patients treated with anthracyclines. This study examines factors associated with myocardial dysfunction and recovery occurring during treatment of AML.
METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients with AML who sustained reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) during induction therapy at the University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (2008-2022). Multivariable analysis compared characteristics between patients who eventually recovered LVEF and those who did not, with survival analysis performed by landmark censoring.
RESULTS: Of 86 patients with AML diagnosed with systolic dysfunction, 41 (48%) failed to recover LVEF. These patients were more frequently male, older than 60 years, had preexisting cardiovascular risk factors, and leukemias of higher risk. Ischemia-related systolic failure was associated with nonrecovery (B = -2.89, P = .005), whereas chemotherapy-related dysfunction was associated with eventual recovery (B = 1.15, P = .014). Frequent use and higher doses of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) were found among patients who recovered LVEF. Failure to recover cardiac function was associated with a greater incidence of cardiac-specific mortality (51% v 23%, P = .042), although impact on overall survival was unclear.
CONCLUSION: Our retrospective single-center analysis suggests that approximately half of the patients with AML who experience LVEF decline during induction will not recover. Ischemic events during treatment were predictive of nonrecovery. The use of GDMT may improve prognosis for some patients. Given the impact of recovery, we propose the prospective verification and establishment of cardiac management algorithms in patients with AML.
Additional Links: PMID-40179338
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40179338,
year = {2025},
author = {Wu, M and Russell, K and Shaw, CM and Halpern, AB and Ghiuzeli, C and Appelbaum, JS and Hendrie, P and Walter, RB and Percival, MM},
title = {Predictors of Cardiac Recovery in Adults With AML Who Develop Heart Failure During Treatment.},
journal = {JCO oncology practice},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {OP2400734},
doi = {10.1200/OP-24-00734},
pmid = {40179338},
issn = {2688-1535},
abstract = {PURPOSE: Heart failure is a leading cause of death in patients with AML, who face higher risks of cardiac complications than nonleukemic cancer patients treated with anthracyclines. This study examines factors associated with myocardial dysfunction and recovery occurring during treatment of AML.
METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients with AML who sustained reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) during induction therapy at the University of Washington/Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (2008-2022). Multivariable analysis compared characteristics between patients who eventually recovered LVEF and those who did not, with survival analysis performed by landmark censoring.
RESULTS: Of 86 patients with AML diagnosed with systolic dysfunction, 41 (48%) failed to recover LVEF. These patients were more frequently male, older than 60 years, had preexisting cardiovascular risk factors, and leukemias of higher risk. Ischemia-related systolic failure was associated with nonrecovery (B = -2.89, P = .005), whereas chemotherapy-related dysfunction was associated with eventual recovery (B = 1.15, P = .014). Frequent use and higher doses of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) were found among patients who recovered LVEF. Failure to recover cardiac function was associated with a greater incidence of cardiac-specific mortality (51% v 23%, P = .042), although impact on overall survival was unclear.
CONCLUSION: Our retrospective single-center analysis suggests that approximately half of the patients with AML who experience LVEF decline during induction will not recover. Ischemic events during treatment were predictive of nonrecovery. The use of GDMT may improve prognosis for some patients. Given the impact of recovery, we propose the prospective verification and establishment of cardiac management algorithms in patients with AML.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-03
Safety and implementation of phase 1 randomized GLA-SE-adjuvanted CH505TF gp120 HIV vaccine trial in newborns.
The Journal of clinical investigation pii:186927 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: The neonatal immune system is uniquely poised to generate broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) and thus infants are ideal for evaluating HIV vaccine candidates. We present the design and safety of a new-in-infants glucopyranosyl lipid A (GLA)-stable emulsion (SE) adjuvant admixed with a first-in-infant CH505 transmitter-founder (CH505TF) gp120 immunogen designed to induce precursors for bnAbs against HIV.
METHODS: HVTN 135 is a phase I randomized, placebo-controlled trial of CH505TF+GLA-SE or placebo. Healthy infants aged ≤ 5 days, born to mothers living with HIV but HIV nucleic acid negative at birth were randomized to five doses of CH505TF + GLA-SE or placebo at birth and 8, 16, 32, and 54 weeks.
RESULTS: 38 infants (median age = 4 days; interquartile range 4, 4.75 days) were enrolled November 2020 to January 2022. Among 28 (10) infants assigned to receive CH505TF + GLA-SE (placebo), most (32/38) completed the 5-dose immunization series and follow-up (35/38). Solicited local and systemic reactions were more frequent in vaccine (8, 28.6% local; 16, 57.1% systemic) vs. placebo recipients (1, 10% local, P = 0.25; 4, 40.0% systemic, P = 0.38). All events were Grade 1 except two Grade 2 events (pain, lethargy). Serious vaccine-related adverse events were not recorded.
CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates the feasibility of conducting trials of new-in-infants adjuvanted HIV vaccines in HIV-exposed infants receiving standard infant vaccinations. The safety profile of the CH505TF + GLA-SE vaccine was reassuring.
CLINICALTRIALS: gov NCT04607408.
FUNDING: The trial was funded through National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease of the National Institutes of Health under grants UM1 AI068614 (HVTN Leadership and Operations Center), UM1 AI068635 (HVTN Statistical and Data Management Center), and UM1 AI068618 (HVTN Laboratory Center).
Additional Links: PMID-40178906
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40178906,
year = {2025},
author = {Violari, A and Otwombe, K and Hahn, W and Chen, S and Josipovic, D and Baba, V and Angelidou, A and Smolen, KK and Levy, O and Mkhize, NN and Woodward Davis, AS and Martin, TM and Haynes, BF and Williams, WB and Sagawa, ZK and Kublin, JG and Polakowski, L and Brewinski Isaacs, M and Yen, C and Tomaras, G and Corey, L and Janes, H and Gray, GE},
title = {Safety and implementation of phase 1 randomized GLA-SE-adjuvanted CH505TF gp120 HIV vaccine trial in newborns.},
journal = {The Journal of clinical investigation},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1172/JCI186927},
pmid = {40178906},
issn = {1558-8238},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The neonatal immune system is uniquely poised to generate broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) and thus infants are ideal for evaluating HIV vaccine candidates. We present the design and safety of a new-in-infants glucopyranosyl lipid A (GLA)-stable emulsion (SE) adjuvant admixed with a first-in-infant CH505 transmitter-founder (CH505TF) gp120 immunogen designed to induce precursors for bnAbs against HIV.
METHODS: HVTN 135 is a phase I randomized, placebo-controlled trial of CH505TF+GLA-SE or placebo. Healthy infants aged ≤ 5 days, born to mothers living with HIV but HIV nucleic acid negative at birth were randomized to five doses of CH505TF + GLA-SE or placebo at birth and 8, 16, 32, and 54 weeks.
RESULTS: 38 infants (median age = 4 days; interquartile range 4, 4.75 days) were enrolled November 2020 to January 2022. Among 28 (10) infants assigned to receive CH505TF + GLA-SE (placebo), most (32/38) completed the 5-dose immunization series and follow-up (35/38). Solicited local and systemic reactions were more frequent in vaccine (8, 28.6% local; 16, 57.1% systemic) vs. placebo recipients (1, 10% local, P = 0.25; 4, 40.0% systemic, P = 0.38). All events were Grade 1 except two Grade 2 events (pain, lethargy). Serious vaccine-related adverse events were not recorded.
CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates the feasibility of conducting trials of new-in-infants adjuvanted HIV vaccines in HIV-exposed infants receiving standard infant vaccinations. The safety profile of the CH505TF + GLA-SE vaccine was reassuring.
CLINICALTRIALS: gov NCT04607408.
FUNDING: The trial was funded through National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease of the National Institutes of Health under grants UM1 AI068614 (HVTN Leadership and Operations Center), UM1 AI068635 (HVTN Statistical and Data Management Center), and UM1 AI068618 (HVTN Laboratory Center).},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-05
CmpDate: 2025-04-03
Methylome-wide association analyses of lipids and modifying effects of behavioral factors in diverse race and ethnicity participants.
Clinical epigenetics, 17(1):54.
Circulating lipid concentrations are clinically associated with cardiometabolic diseases. The phenotypic variance explained by identified genetic variants remains limited, highlighting the importance of searching for additional factors beyond genetic sequence variants. DNA methylation has been linked to lipid concentrations in previous studies, although most of the studies harbored moderate sample sizes and exhibited underrepresentation of non-European ancestry populations. In addition, knowledge of nongenetic factors on lipid profiles is extremely limited. In the Population Architecture Using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE) Study, we performed methylome-wide association analysis on 9,561 participants from diverse race and ethnicity backgrounds for HDL-c, LDL-c, TC, and TG levels, and also tested interactions between smoking or alcohol intake and methylation in their association with lipid levels. We identified novel CpG sites at 16 loci (P < 1.18E-7) with successful replication on 3,215 participants. One additional novel locus was identified in the self-reported White participants (P = 4.66E-8). Although no additional CpG sites were identified in the genome-wide interaction analysis, 13 reported CpG sites showed significant heterogeneous association across smoking or alcohol intake strata. By mapping novel and reported CpG sites to genes, we identified enriched pathways directly linked to lipid metabolism as well as ones spanning various biological functions. These findings provide new insights into the regulation of lipid concentrations.
Additional Links: PMID-40176173
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@article {pmid40176173,
year = {2025},
author = {Hu, Y and Haessler, J and Lundin, JI and Darst, BF and Whitsel, EA and Grove, M and Guan, W and Xia, R and Szeto, M and Raffield, LM and Ratliff, S and Wang, Y and Wang, X and Fohner, AE and Lynch, MT and Patel, YM and Lani Park, S and Xu, H and Mitchell, BD and Bis, JC and Sotoodehnia, N and Brody, JA and Psaty, BM and Peloso, GM and Tsai, MY and Rich, SS and Rotter, JI and Smith, JA and Kardia, SLR and Reiner, AP and Lange, L and Fornage, M and Pankow, JS and Graff, M and North, KE and Kooperberg, C and Peters, U},
title = {Methylome-wide association analyses of lipids and modifying effects of behavioral factors in diverse race and ethnicity participants.},
journal = {Clinical epigenetics},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {54},
pmid = {40176173},
issn = {1868-7083},
support = {N01HC95160/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; 75N92021D00001, 75N92021D00002, 75N92021D00003, 75N92021D00004, 75N92021D00005, and S10OD028685/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; 75N92020D00001, HHSN268201500003I, N01-HC-95159, 75N92020D00005, N01-HC-95160, 75N92020D00002, N01-HC-95161, 75N92020D00003, N01-HC-95162, 75N92020D00006, N01-HC-95163, 75N92020D00004, N01-HC-95164, 75N92020D00007, N01-HC-95165, N01-HC-95166, N01-HC-95167, N01-HC-95168, N01-HC-95169, UL1-TR-000040, UL1-TR-001079, UL1-TR-001420, UL1TR001881, DK063491, HL148610, and R01HL105756/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL087652/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; UL1 TR000040/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; HHSN268201800010I/HB/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC85081/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL103612/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; 75N92020D00002/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; 75N92021D00002/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; HHSN268201500003C/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; U01HG007397/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; HHSN268201800012C/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; 75N92020D00005/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; 75N92021D00005/WH/WHI NIH HHS/United States ; U01HL054457, RC1HL100185, R01HL087660, R01HL119443, R01HL133221/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; 75N92022D00001/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC95163/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; U01 HL080295/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; UL1 TR001079/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; DK063491//National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease Diabetes Research Center/ ; HHSN268201800014I/HB/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; U01CA164973/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; U01 HL130114/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL087660/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; HHSN268200800007C/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; S10 OD028685/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; 75N92020D00001/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC95169/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC95164/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; UL1 TR000124/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC55222/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; HHSN268201800014C/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC95162/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC85086/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; 75N92020D00003/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL119443/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL105756/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC95168/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; K08 HL116640/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; 75N92021D00001/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; P30 DK063491/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; RC1 HL100185/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; HHSN268201200036C/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; HHSN268201800001C/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; HHSN268201800013I/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United States ; UL1TR000124/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; U01 HL054457/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC95165/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC95159/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; HHSN268201800012I/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; 75N92021D00003/WH/WHI NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC95161/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; UL1 TR001420/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; 75N92020D00004/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; HHSN268201800011C/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; 75N92020D00007/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01AG023629/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; HHSN268201800013I, HHSN268201800014I, HHSN268201800015I, HHSN268201800010I, HHSN268201800011I, and HHSN268201800012I/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United States ; HHSN268201500003I/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01HL105756, HHSN268201200036C, HHSN268200800007C, HHSN268201800001C, N01HC55222, N01HC85079, N01HC85080, N01HC85081, N01HC85082, N01HC85083, N01HC85086, R01AG023629, 75N92021D00006, U01HL080295, U01HL130114, K08HL116640, R01HL087652, R01HL092111, R01HL103612, R01HL111089, R01HL116747 and R01HL120393/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL133221/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; 75N92021D00006/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01HG010297/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC85082/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC95167/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC85083/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; HHSN268201800015I/HB/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; 75N92020D00006/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC85079/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC95166/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AG023629/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; UL1 TR001881/TR/NCATS NIH HHS/United States ; HHSN268201800011I/HB/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; N01HC85080/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HG010297/HG/NHGRI NIH HHS/United States ; U01 CA164973/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; 75N92021D00004/WH/WHI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL111089/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL116747/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 HL092111/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Genome-Wide Association Study/methods ; Female ; Male ; *DNA Methylation/genetics ; Middle Aged ; CpG Islands ; Adult ; Alcohol Drinking/genetics ; *Lipids/blood/genetics ; Ethnicity/genetics ; Racial Groups/genetics ; Smoking/genetics ; White People/genetics ; Aged ; },
abstract = {Circulating lipid concentrations are clinically associated with cardiometabolic diseases. The phenotypic variance explained by identified genetic variants remains limited, highlighting the importance of searching for additional factors beyond genetic sequence variants. DNA methylation has been linked to lipid concentrations in previous studies, although most of the studies harbored moderate sample sizes and exhibited underrepresentation of non-European ancestry populations. In addition, knowledge of nongenetic factors on lipid profiles is extremely limited. In the Population Architecture Using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE) Study, we performed methylome-wide association analysis on 9,561 participants from diverse race and ethnicity backgrounds for HDL-c, LDL-c, TC, and TG levels, and also tested interactions between smoking or alcohol intake and methylation in their association with lipid levels. We identified novel CpG sites at 16 loci (P < 1.18E-7) with successful replication on 3,215 participants. One additional novel locus was identified in the self-reported White participants (P = 4.66E-8). Although no additional CpG sites were identified in the genome-wide interaction analysis, 13 reported CpG sites showed significant heterogeneous association across smoking or alcohol intake strata. By mapping novel and reported CpG sites to genes, we identified enriched pathways directly linked to lipid metabolism as well as ones spanning various biological functions. These findings provide new insights into the regulation of lipid concentrations.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Genome-Wide Association Study/methods
Female
Male
*DNA Methylation/genetics
Middle Aged
CpG Islands
Adult
Alcohol Drinking/genetics
*Lipids/blood/genetics
Ethnicity/genetics
Racial Groups/genetics
Smoking/genetics
White People/genetics
Aged
RevDate: 2025-04-08
CmpDate: 2025-04-08
Sequential JAK inhibition enhances antitumor immunity after combined anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA4.
JCI insight, 10(7): pii:187921.
While immune checkpoint inhibition (CPI) has reshaped cancer treatment, the majority of patients with cancer do not benefit from this approach, which can also cause immune-related adverse events. Induction of IFN-γ responses is thought be necessary for antitumor immunity, but growing evidence also implicates IFN-γ as a tumor-intrinsic mediator of CPI resistance. CPI-induced IFN-γ mediates activation-induced cell death in T cells as an immune-intrinsic mechanism of resistance. In this study, we found that transient block of IFN-γ signaling through administration of the JAK1 inhibitor ABT-317 enhanced antitumor T cell responses with CPI in preclinical models. Importantly, sequential but not concomitant ABT-317 treatment led to significantly reduced toxicity and improved tumor efficacy. Sequential treatment reduced activation-induced T cell death and enhanced expansion of tumor-reactive T cell subsets with increased effector function in vivo and ex vivo. Only CPI in combination with ABT-317 also enhanced memory responses by protecting mice from tumor rechallenge. These results demonstrate that JAK inhibition within a discrete time window following CPI addresses an immune-intrinsic mechanism of therapeutic resistance.
Additional Links: PMID-40014402
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40014402,
year = {2025},
author = {Arias-Badia, M and Chen, P and Lwin, YM and Srinath, A and Lyu, A and Fan, Z and Kwek, SS and Luong, DN and Setayesh, A and Sakamoto, M and Clark, M and Lea, A and Wolters, RM and Goodearl, A and Harding, FA and Gorman, JV and Ritacco, W and Fong, L},
title = {Sequential JAK inhibition enhances antitumor immunity after combined anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA4.},
journal = {JCI insight},
volume = {10},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1172/jci.insight.187921},
pmid = {40014402},
issn = {2379-3708},
mesh = {Animals ; Interferon-gamma/metabolism/immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Imidazoles/pharmacology ; },
abstract = {While immune checkpoint inhibition (CPI) has reshaped cancer treatment, the majority of patients with cancer do not benefit from this approach, which can also cause immune-related adverse events. Induction of IFN-γ responses is thought be necessary for antitumor immunity, but growing evidence also implicates IFN-γ as a tumor-intrinsic mediator of CPI resistance. CPI-induced IFN-γ mediates activation-induced cell death in T cells as an immune-intrinsic mechanism of resistance. In this study, we found that transient block of IFN-γ signaling through administration of the JAK1 inhibitor ABT-317 enhanced antitumor T cell responses with CPI in preclinical models. Importantly, sequential but not concomitant ABT-317 treatment led to significantly reduced toxicity and improved tumor efficacy. Sequential treatment reduced activation-induced T cell death and enhanced expansion of tumor-reactive T cell subsets with increased effector function in vivo and ex vivo. Only CPI in combination with ABT-317 also enhanced memory responses by protecting mice from tumor rechallenge. These results demonstrate that JAK inhibition within a discrete time window following CPI addresses an immune-intrinsic mechanism of therapeutic resistance.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Animals
Interferon-gamma/metabolism/immunology
Female
Humans
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Imidazoles/pharmacology
RevDate: 2025-04-02
Expert Perspectives on Current Challenges and Emerging Approaches for Multiple Myeloma: Narrative Review of an Inaugural Bridging the Gaps in Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Multiple Myeloma.
Clinical lymphoma, myeloma & leukemia pii:S2152-2650(25)00098-9 [Epub ahead of print].
PURPOSE: The management of multiple myeloma (MM) is becoming increasingly more complex. The approval of novel treatment approaches provides much-needed opportunities but also raises questions and controversies about how to optimally sequence therapies and select treatments for individual patients.
METHODS AND RESULTS: A panel of experts assembled to discuss current controversies in the care of patients with MM across the disease continuum. Workshop topics included: management of smoldering MM; treatment selection for transplant-eligible and transplant-ineligible patients; risk assessment and the possibility of risk-adapted treatment; use of measurable residual disease (MRD) as a clinical trial end point and to guide treatment decisions; management of early relapse; management of triple class-refractory MM; treatment sequencing; and novel therapies.
CONCLUSION: Many controversies remain regarding the management of patients with MM related to risk assessment, treatment selection and sequencing, and the optimal use of current therapies while balancing efficacy, toxicity, patient considerations, and treatment logistics. Ongoing research efforts are needed to further define the optimal use of current therapies and to develop more efficacious therapies for all patients and for particular subset populations with unmet need.
Additional Links: PMID-40175263
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40175263,
year = {2025},
author = {Chari, A and Bal, S and Ailawadhi, S and Krishnan, A and Patel, KK and Berdeja, JG and Garfall, A and Callander, N and Banerjee, R and Alsina, M and Nooka, AK and Dhakal, B and Gasparetto, C and Costello, C},
title = {Expert Perspectives on Current Challenges and Emerging Approaches for Multiple Myeloma: Narrative Review of an Inaugural Bridging the Gaps in Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Multiple Myeloma.},
journal = {Clinical lymphoma, myeloma & leukemia},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.clml.2025.03.008},
pmid = {40175263},
issn = {2152-2669},
abstract = {PURPOSE: The management of multiple myeloma (MM) is becoming increasingly more complex. The approval of novel treatment approaches provides much-needed opportunities but also raises questions and controversies about how to optimally sequence therapies and select treatments for individual patients.
METHODS AND RESULTS: A panel of experts assembled to discuss current controversies in the care of patients with MM across the disease continuum. Workshop topics included: management of smoldering MM; treatment selection for transplant-eligible and transplant-ineligible patients; risk assessment and the possibility of risk-adapted treatment; use of measurable residual disease (MRD) as a clinical trial end point and to guide treatment decisions; management of early relapse; management of triple class-refractory MM; treatment sequencing; and novel therapies.
CONCLUSION: Many controversies remain regarding the management of patients with MM related to risk assessment, treatment selection and sequencing, and the optimal use of current therapies while balancing efficacy, toxicity, patient considerations, and treatment logistics. Ongoing research efforts are needed to further define the optimal use of current therapies and to develop more efficacious therapies for all patients and for particular subset populations with unmet need.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-04
CmpDate: 2025-04-02
Statistical analysis of repertoire data demonstrates the influence of microhomology in V(D)J recombination.
Nucleic acids research, 53(6):.
V(D)J recombination generates the diverse B and T cell receptors essential for recognizing a wide array of antigens. This diversity arises from the combinatorial assembly of V(D)J genes and the junctional deletion and insertion of nucleotides. While previous in vitro studies have shown that microhomology-short stretches of sequence homology between gene ends-can bias the recombination process, the extent of microhomology's impact in vivo, particularly in humans, remains unknown. In this paper, we assess how germline-encoded microhomology influences trimming and ligation during V(D)J recombination using statistical inference on previously published high-throughput TCRα repertoire sequencing data. We find that microhomology increases both trimming and ligation probabilities, making it an important predictor of recombination outcomes. These effects are consistent across other receptor loci and sequence types. Further, we demonstrate that accounting for germline microhomology effects significantly alters sequence annotation probabilities and rankings, highlighting its practical importance for accurately inferring the V(D)J recombination events that generated an observed sequence. Together, these results enhance our understanding of how germline-encoded microhomologous nucleotides shape the human V(D)J recombination process.
Additional Links: PMID-40173015
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@article {pmid40173015,
year = {2025},
author = {Russell, ML and Trofimov, A and Bradley, P and Matsen Iv, FA},
title = {Statistical analysis of repertoire data demonstrates the influence of microhomology in V(D)J recombination.},
journal = {Nucleic acids research},
volume = {53},
number = {6},
pages = {},
pmid = {40173015},
issn = {1362-4962},
support = {R01 AI146028/GF/NIH HHS/United States ; //Mahan Fellowship/ ; /HHMI/Howard Hughes Medical Institute/United States ; },
mesh = {*V(D)J Recombination/genetics ; Humans ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/genetics ; Animals ; },
abstract = {V(D)J recombination generates the diverse B and T cell receptors essential for recognizing a wide array of antigens. This diversity arises from the combinatorial assembly of V(D)J genes and the junctional deletion and insertion of nucleotides. While previous in vitro studies have shown that microhomology-short stretches of sequence homology between gene ends-can bias the recombination process, the extent of microhomology's impact in vivo, particularly in humans, remains unknown. In this paper, we assess how germline-encoded microhomology influences trimming and ligation during V(D)J recombination using statistical inference on previously published high-throughput TCRα repertoire sequencing data. We find that microhomology increases both trimming and ligation probabilities, making it an important predictor of recombination outcomes. These effects are consistent across other receptor loci and sequence types. Further, we demonstrate that accounting for germline microhomology effects significantly alters sequence annotation probabilities and rankings, highlighting its practical importance for accurately inferring the V(D)J recombination events that generated an observed sequence. Together, these results enhance our understanding of how germline-encoded microhomologous nucleotides shape the human V(D)J recombination process.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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hide MeSH Terms
*V(D)J Recombination/genetics
Humans
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta/genetics
Animals
RevDate: 2025-04-02
Establishing the Evidence Needed for AI-driven Mammography Screening.
Radiology. Artificial intelligence, 7(3):e250152.
Additional Links: PMID-40172323
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40172323,
year = {2025},
author = {Milch, HS and Lee, CI},
title = {Establishing the Evidence Needed for AI-driven Mammography Screening.},
journal = {Radiology. Artificial intelligence},
volume = {7},
number = {3},
pages = {e250152},
doi = {10.1148/ryai.250152},
pmid = {40172323},
issn = {2638-6100},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-05
CmpDate: 2025-04-02
Septin complexes: Ahead of the curve.
Cytoskeleton (Hoboken, N.J.), 82(4):229-233.
Individual cells have robust repair systems to survive cell cortex damage caused by mechanical and chemical stresses, allowing them to maintain the integrity of tissues and organs. The contraction of an actomyosin ring at the wound edge is a major mechanism for physically closing the cell wound. In contrast to polymerization and bundling of actin filaments, little is known about how linear actin filaments are bent to be integrated into the actin ring structure encircling the wound edge. We recently found that the five Drosophila Septins function simultaneously in the regulation of actomyosin ring assembly, contraction, and disassembly during cell wound repair. These Septins form two distinct complexes-Sep1-Sep2-Pnut and Sep4-Sep5-Pnut-composed of different subunits from the same groups. Strikingly, these two distinct Septin complexes have different degrees of F-actin bending activities that are consistent with their spatial recruitment: different degrees of curved actin filaments are required for the robust formation of different regions of the actomyosin ring. In addition, we found that the two Septin complexes are regulated by different molecular pathways as a loss of Anillin only affects Sep1-Sep2-Pnut complex recruitment. These findings open new directions for how individual Septin subunits form complexes and function differentially in cellular and developmental processes.
Additional Links: PMID-40171709
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@article {pmid40171709,
year = {2025},
author = {Nakamura, M and Parkhurst, SM},
title = {Septin complexes: Ahead of the curve.},
journal = {Cytoskeleton (Hoboken, N.J.)},
volume = {82},
number = {4},
pages = {229-233},
pmid = {40171709},
issn = {1949-3592},
support = {R01 GM111635/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {*Septins/metabolism ; Animals ; Actomyosin/metabolism ; Actin Cytoskeleton/metabolism ; Drosophila Proteins/metabolism ; Actins/metabolism ; Drosophila/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Individual cells have robust repair systems to survive cell cortex damage caused by mechanical and chemical stresses, allowing them to maintain the integrity of tissues and organs. The contraction of an actomyosin ring at the wound edge is a major mechanism for physically closing the cell wound. In contrast to polymerization and bundling of actin filaments, little is known about how linear actin filaments are bent to be integrated into the actin ring structure encircling the wound edge. We recently found that the five Drosophila Septins function simultaneously in the regulation of actomyosin ring assembly, contraction, and disassembly during cell wound repair. These Septins form two distinct complexes-Sep1-Sep2-Pnut and Sep4-Sep5-Pnut-composed of different subunits from the same groups. Strikingly, these two distinct Septin complexes have different degrees of F-actin bending activities that are consistent with their spatial recruitment: different degrees of curved actin filaments are required for the robust formation of different regions of the actomyosin ring. In addition, we found that the two Septin complexes are regulated by different molecular pathways as a loss of Anillin only affects Sep1-Sep2-Pnut complex recruitment. These findings open new directions for how individual Septin subunits form complexes and function differentially in cellular and developmental processes.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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*Septins/metabolism
Animals
Actomyosin/metabolism
Actin Cytoskeleton/metabolism
Drosophila Proteins/metabolism
Actins/metabolism
Drosophila/metabolism
RevDate: 2025-04-04
CmpDate: 2025-04-02
Multicancer early detection testing: Guidance for primary care discussions with patients.
Cancer, 131(7):e35823.
Multicancer early detection (MCED) tests are an emerging technology for cancer screening. MCED tests can detect cancer signals from multiple cancers concurrently in biological samples such as blood, urine, saliva, or other bodily fluids. Some tests can suggest the most likely cancer origin, whereas others report cancer detected somewhere in the body. Although some MCED tests are currently commercially available, none are approved by the Food and Drug Administration or endorsed by any clinical practice guideline or recommendation. Most insurance companies do not currently cover MCED testing. MCED tests have not yet been evaluated for safety and effectiveness in randomized controlled trials. Because patients already are asking for MCED test prescriptions or for interpretation of results from tests acquired elsewhere, clinicians should be prepared to discuss what is known about the benefits, risks, and uncertainties of MCED testing, including performance characteristics in screening populations and preferred follow-up strategies for positive test results. At this time, clinicians should not feel obligated to initiate discussions about MCED testing with their patients. However, clinicians should engage patients who inquire about getting tested or previous MCED test results in shared decision-making, and take the opportunity to offer and help patients complete age- and sex-appropriate guideline-recommended cancer screenings. In this article, the current evidence and issues around MCED testing are summarized, and a framework for shared decision-making discussions is provided.
Additional Links: PMID-40170549
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@article {pmid40170549,
year = {2025},
author = {Hoffman, RM and Wolf, AMD and Raoof, S and Guerra, CE and Church, TR and Elkin, EB and Etzioni, RD and Shih, YT and Skates, SJ and Manassaram-Baptiste, D and Smith, RA},
title = {Multicancer early detection testing: Guidance for primary care discussions with patients.},
journal = {Cancer},
volume = {131},
number = {7},
pages = {e35823},
pmid = {40170549},
issn = {1097-0142},
mesh = {Humans ; *Early Detection of Cancer/methods ; *Neoplasms/diagnosis ; *Primary Health Care ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; },
abstract = {Multicancer early detection (MCED) tests are an emerging technology for cancer screening. MCED tests can detect cancer signals from multiple cancers concurrently in biological samples such as blood, urine, saliva, or other bodily fluids. Some tests can suggest the most likely cancer origin, whereas others report cancer detected somewhere in the body. Although some MCED tests are currently commercially available, none are approved by the Food and Drug Administration or endorsed by any clinical practice guideline or recommendation. Most insurance companies do not currently cover MCED testing. MCED tests have not yet been evaluated for safety and effectiveness in randomized controlled trials. Because patients already are asking for MCED test prescriptions or for interpretation of results from tests acquired elsewhere, clinicians should be prepared to discuss what is known about the benefits, risks, and uncertainties of MCED testing, including performance characteristics in screening populations and preferred follow-up strategies for positive test results. At this time, clinicians should not feel obligated to initiate discussions about MCED testing with their patients. However, clinicians should engage patients who inquire about getting tested or previous MCED test results in shared decision-making, and take the opportunity to offer and help patients complete age- and sex-appropriate guideline-recommended cancer screenings. In this article, the current evidence and issues around MCED testing are summarized, and a framework for shared decision-making discussions is provided.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Early Detection of Cancer/methods
*Neoplasms/diagnosis
*Primary Health Care
Practice Guidelines as Topic
RevDate: 2025-04-02
Time to complete oncology pharmacist tasks: A joint opinion of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association and American College of Clinical Pharmacy's Hematology/Oncology Practice and Research Network.
Journal of oncology pharmacy practice : official publication of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners [Epub ahead of print].
PurposeThe time to complete oncology pharmacist tasks is needed to determine workload and productivity. The Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) and the Hematology/Oncology Practice and Research Network (PRN) of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) partnered with the aim of establishing consensus on the time required to complete oncology pharmacy tasks.MethodsFifteen patient care tasks and 9 non-patient care tasks, commonly completed by oncology pharmacists were each assigned an average amount of time to be completed. This list was then converted into 24 statements and the Delphi survey method was utilized with an expert panel to arrive at consensus between December 2023 and February 2024. Consensus was defined as at least 75% agreement. The complete manuscript was endorsed by HOPA and ACCP Hematology/Oncology PRN.ResultsThirty-three pharmacist-experts agreed to participate in this survey with all participating in round 1, and 29 (87.9%) participating in round 2. In round 1, 9 tasks achieved consensus, with 7 of these being classified as patient care associated. Seven statements reaching 65% but less than 75% agreement were deemed to reach borderline consensus. Eight statements failed to achieve at least 65% agreement and were modified based on respondent feedback. In round 2, 15 statements were included with all achieving consensus. At the completion of round 2, all 24 statements reached consensus, and the survey was deemed complete.ConclusionThis project produced the first comprehensive consensus statements for the average time for a US-based oncology pharmacist to complete common patient and non-patient care-related tasks.
Additional Links: PMID-40170460
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40170460,
year = {2025},
author = {Griffin, SP and Signorelli, J and Raheem, F and Adler, K and Benitez, LL and Cheng, RM and Dotson, E and Fares, M and Ganti, BR and Hickey Zacholski, E and Lasko, AR and Lewallen, AB and Lynch, AC and Paulic, N and Quach, D and Vogel, V and Yacobucci, M and Riebandt, G},
title = {Time to complete oncology pharmacist tasks: A joint opinion of the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association and American College of Clinical Pharmacy's Hematology/Oncology Practice and Research Network.},
journal = {Journal of oncology pharmacy practice : official publication of the International Society of Oncology Pharmacy Practitioners},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {10781552251330252},
doi = {10.1177/10781552251330252},
pmid = {40170460},
issn = {1477-092X},
abstract = {PurposeThe time to complete oncology pharmacist tasks is needed to determine workload and productivity. The Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association (HOPA) and the Hematology/Oncology Practice and Research Network (PRN) of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy (ACCP) partnered with the aim of establishing consensus on the time required to complete oncology pharmacy tasks.MethodsFifteen patient care tasks and 9 non-patient care tasks, commonly completed by oncology pharmacists were each assigned an average amount of time to be completed. This list was then converted into 24 statements and the Delphi survey method was utilized with an expert panel to arrive at consensus between December 2023 and February 2024. Consensus was defined as at least 75% agreement. The complete manuscript was endorsed by HOPA and ACCP Hematology/Oncology PRN.ResultsThirty-three pharmacist-experts agreed to participate in this survey with all participating in round 1, and 29 (87.9%) participating in round 2. In round 1, 9 tasks achieved consensus, with 7 of these being classified as patient care associated. Seven statements reaching 65% but less than 75% agreement were deemed to reach borderline consensus. Eight statements failed to achieve at least 65% agreement and were modified based on respondent feedback. In round 2, 15 statements were included with all achieving consensus. At the completion of round 2, all 24 statements reached consensus, and the survey was deemed complete.ConclusionThis project produced the first comprehensive consensus statements for the average time for a US-based oncology pharmacist to complete common patient and non-patient care-related tasks.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-01
Objective and subjective appetite measures: high versus low eating frequency in a randomized crossover clinical trial.
Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) [Epub ahead of print].
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine objective (ghrelin and peptide YY [PYY]) and subjective appetite measures following 21-day high and low eating frequency (EF) interventions among healthy adults.
METHODS: In the randomized crossover trial (Frequency of Eating and Satiety Hormones [FRESH] study), participants completed two eucaloric 21-day study periods of low (3 meals/day) and high (6 meals/day) EF with a 14-day washout period. Self-selected foods and total energy consumed were identical in both arms. On day 21 of each period, participants completed a 7-h clinic visit with meals provided according to assigned EF. Postprandial plasma ghrelin and PYY concentrations were assessed through serial blood draws (hourly), and self-reported appetite ratings were collected every 30 min.
RESULTS: Fifty participants were recruited and completed the trial (mean age, 32 years, 78% women, and 60% non-Hispanic White). High EF resulted in smaller changes in postprandial ghrelin and PYY concentrations compared to low EF, with significant area under the curve differences between groups (p value for ghrelin = 0.03; p value for PYY < 0.001). Similar patterns were found in self-reported hunger, desire to eat, and fullness. Differences in postprandial PYY were greater among participants with overweight/obesity or high body fat percentage.
CONCLUSIONS: High EF led to smaller changes in objective and subjective appetite measures, suggesting that small frequent meals may lead to blunted satiety and less optimal appetite regulation.
Additional Links: PMID-40169355
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40169355,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, X and Perrigue, M and Schenk, JM and Drewnowski, A and Wang, CY and Beatty, SJ and Neuhouser, ML},
title = {Objective and subjective appetite measures: high versus low eating frequency in a randomized crossover clinical trial.},
journal = {Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/oby.24265},
pmid = {40169355},
issn = {1930-739X},
support = {K00CA253745/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; P30 CA015704/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 DK103674/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine objective (ghrelin and peptide YY [PYY]) and subjective appetite measures following 21-day high and low eating frequency (EF) interventions among healthy adults.
METHODS: In the randomized crossover trial (Frequency of Eating and Satiety Hormones [FRESH] study), participants completed two eucaloric 21-day study periods of low (3 meals/day) and high (6 meals/day) EF with a 14-day washout period. Self-selected foods and total energy consumed were identical in both arms. On day 21 of each period, participants completed a 7-h clinic visit with meals provided according to assigned EF. Postprandial plasma ghrelin and PYY concentrations were assessed through serial blood draws (hourly), and self-reported appetite ratings were collected every 30 min.
RESULTS: Fifty participants were recruited and completed the trial (mean age, 32 years, 78% women, and 60% non-Hispanic White). High EF resulted in smaller changes in postprandial ghrelin and PYY concentrations compared to low EF, with significant area under the curve differences between groups (p value for ghrelin = 0.03; p value for PYY < 0.001). Similar patterns were found in self-reported hunger, desire to eat, and fullness. Differences in postprandial PYY were greater among participants with overweight/obesity or high body fat percentage.
CONCLUSIONS: High EF led to smaller changes in objective and subjective appetite measures, suggesting that small frequent meals may lead to blunted satiety and less optimal appetite regulation.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-03
CmpDate: 2025-04-01
Tumor cell heterogeneity drives spatial organization of the intratumoral immune response.
The Journal of experimental medicine, 222(6):.
Intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH)-defined as genetic and cellular diversity within a tumor-is linked to failure of immunotherapy and an inferior anti-tumor immune response. We modeled heterogeneous tumors comprised of "hot" and "cold" tumor populations (giving rise to T cell-rich and T cell-poor tumors, respectively) and introduced fluorescent labels to enable precise spatial tracking. We found the cold tumor cell population exerted a "dominant cold" effect in mixed tumors. Strikingly, spatial analysis revealed that the tumor cells themselves created distinct local microenvironments within heterogeneous tumors: regions occupied by cold tumor cells showed pronounced immunosuppression, harboring increased CD206Hi macrophages and diminished local T cell function. This inferior T cell activity in cold regions persisted even after immunotherapy and mechanistically was mediated by CX3CL1 produced by the cold tumor cells. An immune cold tumor population within a heterogeneous tumor thus impairs tumor immunity on both a tumor-wide and a highly localized spatial scale.
Additional Links: PMID-40167599
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@article {pmid40167599,
year = {2025},
author = {Tanaka, M and Lum, L and Hu, KH and Chaudhary, P and Hughes, S and Ledezma-Soto, C and Samad, B and Superville, D and Ng, K and Chumber, A and Benson, C and Adams, ZN and Kersten, K and Aguilar, OA and Fong, L and Combes, AJ and Krummel, MF and Reeves, MQ},
title = {Tumor cell heterogeneity drives spatial organization of the intratumoral immune response.},
journal = {The Journal of experimental medicine},
volume = {222},
number = {6},
pages = {},
pmid = {40167599},
issn = {1540-9538},
support = {//Five For The Fight/ ; //Cancer League/ ; IRG-21-131-01//American Cancer Society/ ; V2024-002//V Foundation/ ; //University of Texas/ ; //University of California, San Francisco/ ; S10 OD021644/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; //Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy/ ; //Sanford Burnham Prebys/ ; R21 CA264599/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; RR230012//Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas/ ; R21CA264599/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; 1S10OD021644-01A1/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; P30CA040214//Huntsman Cancer Institute Cancer Center/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Tumor Microenvironment/immunology ; Mice ; *T-Lymphocytes/immunology ; Macrophages/immunology/metabolism ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Immunotherapy/methods ; Chemokine CX3CL1/metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Neoplasms/immunology/pathology ; Humans ; },
abstract = {Intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH)-defined as genetic and cellular diversity within a tumor-is linked to failure of immunotherapy and an inferior anti-tumor immune response. We modeled heterogeneous tumors comprised of "hot" and "cold" tumor populations (giving rise to T cell-rich and T cell-poor tumors, respectively) and introduced fluorescent labels to enable precise spatial tracking. We found the cold tumor cell population exerted a "dominant cold" effect in mixed tumors. Strikingly, spatial analysis revealed that the tumor cells themselves created distinct local microenvironments within heterogeneous tumors: regions occupied by cold tumor cells showed pronounced immunosuppression, harboring increased CD206Hi macrophages and diminished local T cell function. This inferior T cell activity in cold regions persisted even after immunotherapy and mechanistically was mediated by CX3CL1 produced by the cold tumor cells. An immune cold tumor population within a heterogeneous tumor thus impairs tumor immunity on both a tumor-wide and a highly localized spatial scale.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Animals
*Tumor Microenvironment/immunology
Mice
*T-Lymphocytes/immunology
Macrophages/immunology/metabolism
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Immunotherapy/methods
Chemokine CX3CL1/metabolism
Cell Line, Tumor
Neoplasms/immunology/pathology
Humans
RevDate: 2025-04-01
High-Purity CTC RNA Sequencing Identifies Prostate Cancer Lineage Phenotypes Prognostic for Clinical Outcomes.
Cancer discovery pii:754507 [Epub ahead of print].
Treatment resistance remains a universal driver of lethal metastatic prostate cancer, associated with acquired genomic alterations and lineage transitions. Using a novel high-purity CTC isolation approach for CTC transcriptional profiling, we identified four lineage phenotypes differentially associated with prognosis in metastatic prostate cancer.
Additional Links: PMID-40167119
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@article {pmid40167119,
year = {2025},
author = {Sharifi, MN and Sperger, JM and Taylor, AK and Tippins, KE and Reese, SR and Carreno, V and Kaufmann, KR and Chang, AH and Nunamaker, LA and Linebarger, C and Mora-Rodriguez, L and Schehr, JL and Krause, HM and Helzer, KT and Bootsma, ML and Blitzer, GC and Floberg, JM and Kyriakopoulos, CE and Emamekhoo, H and Heath, EI and Wells, M and Tagawa, ST and Sjöström, M and Choudhury, AD and Yu, M and Armstrong, AJ and Rathkopf, DE and Beltran, H and Nelson, PS and Feng, FY and Dehm, SM and Kosoff, D and Wei, XX and McKay, RR and Zhao, SG and Lang, JM},
title = {High-Purity CTC RNA Sequencing Identifies Prostate Cancer Lineage Phenotypes Prognostic for Clinical Outcomes.},
journal = {Cancer discovery},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {OF1-OF19},
doi = {10.1158/2159-8290.CD-24-1509},
pmid = {40167119},
issn = {2159-8290},
support = {DP2 OD030734/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; PC190039//Department of Defense/ ; 2024 TACTICAL Award//Prostate Cancer Foundation/ ; PICI//University of Wisconsin Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education/ ; },
abstract = {Treatment resistance remains a universal driver of lethal metastatic prostate cancer, associated with acquired genomic alterations and lineage transitions. Using a novel high-purity CTC isolation approach for CTC transcriptional profiling, we identified four lineage phenotypes differentially associated with prognosis in metastatic prostate cancer.},
}
RevDate: 2025-03-31
Racial variation in the advanced prostate cancer genome.
Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Racial differences in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) genomes have not yet been fully studied. We aimed to investigate transcriptomic, mutational, and clinical differences by race in a large multi-institutional cohort of men with mCRPC.
METHODS: Genomic and clinicopathologic data from four mCRPC tumor biopsy cohorts were obtained and aggregated. Gene set enrichment analyses were performed to assess pathway-level differences in gene expression by patient race. DNA alteration frequencies of known prostate cancer driver genes and clinical outcomes were compared across racial groups.
RESULTS: In our cohort of 445 men with mCRPC, tumors from African American patients (N = 26) demonstrated higher expression of MYC pathway genes (FDR q = 0.03) and lower expression of IFN-γ, IL-6/JAK/STAT3, and inflammatory pathway genes (FDR q < 0.001) compared to tumors from European American patients. TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusions were observed more frequently in tumors from European American compared to African American patients (41% vs. 11%, P = 0.015). Asian patients (N = 9) and other racial groups comprised a small minority of our cohort. No differences in overall survival were noted across racial groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite demonstrating similar clinical outcomes, cancers from African Americans display distinct tumor biology. Specifically, we observed racial differences in expression of prostate cancer driver gene pathways (including potential clinically actionable pathways of IFN-γ and JAK/STAT) and DNA alterations, including TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion. Our findings highlight the importance of racial diversity in future genomic profiling and clinical trials efforts.
Additional Links: PMID-40164700
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Citation:
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@article {pmid40164700,
year = {2025},
author = {Feng, EM and Vo-Phamhi, J and Subramanian, AN and Dias, M and Foye, A and Vinson, J and Hong, JC and Freedland, SJ and Alumkal, JJ and Beltran, H and Morrissey, C and Nelson, PS and Chinnaiyan, AM and Aggarwal, R and Small, EJ and Quigley, DA and Sjöström, M and Zhao, SG and Chen, WS},
title = {Racial variation in the advanced prostate cancer genome.},
journal = {Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40164700},
issn = {1476-5608},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Racial differences in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) genomes have not yet been fully studied. We aimed to investigate transcriptomic, mutational, and clinical differences by race in a large multi-institutional cohort of men with mCRPC.
METHODS: Genomic and clinicopathologic data from four mCRPC tumor biopsy cohorts were obtained and aggregated. Gene set enrichment analyses were performed to assess pathway-level differences in gene expression by patient race. DNA alteration frequencies of known prostate cancer driver genes and clinical outcomes were compared across racial groups.
RESULTS: In our cohort of 445 men with mCRPC, tumors from African American patients (N = 26) demonstrated higher expression of MYC pathway genes (FDR q = 0.03) and lower expression of IFN-γ, IL-6/JAK/STAT3, and inflammatory pathway genes (FDR q < 0.001) compared to tumors from European American patients. TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusions were observed more frequently in tumors from European American compared to African American patients (41% vs. 11%, P = 0.015). Asian patients (N = 9) and other racial groups comprised a small minority of our cohort. No differences in overall survival were noted across racial groups.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite demonstrating similar clinical outcomes, cancers from African Americans display distinct tumor biology. Specifically, we observed racial differences in expression of prostate cancer driver gene pathways (including potential clinically actionable pathways of IFN-γ and JAK/STAT) and DNA alterations, including TMPRSS2:ERG gene fusion. Our findings highlight the importance of racial diversity in future genomic profiling and clinical trials efforts.},
}
RevDate: 2025-03-31
Hallmarks of terminal T-cell exhaustion are absent in multiple myeloma from diagnosis through maintenance therapy.
Blood pii:536435 [Epub ahead of print].
Dysregulation of the bone marrow (BM) niche in multiple myeloma (MM) alters the composition and state of resident immune cells, potentially impeding anti-tumor immunity. One common mechanism of immune inhibition in solid tumors is the induction of exhaustion in tumor-specific T cells. However, the extent of T cell exhaustion is not well-characterized in MM. As the specific mechanisms of immune evasion are critical for devising effective therapeutic strategies, we deeply profiled the CD8+ T cell compartment of newly-diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients for evidence of T cell activation and exhaustion. We applied single-cell multi-omic sequencing and mass cytometry to longitudinal BM and peripheral blood (PB) samples taken from timepoints spanning from diagnosis through induction therapy, autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), and maintenance therapy. We identified an exhausted-like population that lacked several canonical exhaustion markers, was not significantly enriched in NDMM patients, and consisted of small, nonpersistent clonotypes. We also observed an activated population with increased frequency in the PB of NDMM patients exhibiting phenotypic and clonal features consistent with homeostatic, cytokine-driven activation. As an orthogonal measurement of T cell exhaustion, we performed intracellular cytokine staining and found NDMM patients lacked functionally exhausted T cells. In summary, there was no evidence of "tumor-experienced" T cells displaying hallmarks of terminal exhaustion and/or antigen-driven activation/expansion in NDMM patients at any timepoint.
Additional Links: PMID-40163891
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40163891,
year = {2025},
author = {Shasha, C and Glass, DR and Moelhman, E and Islas, L and Tian, Y and Chour, T and Xu, G and Szeto, GL and Peng, T and Song, X and Wurscher, M and Cowan, AJ and Bumol, TF and Torgerson, TR and Greenberg, PD and Green, DJ and Newell, EW},
title = {Hallmarks of terminal T-cell exhaustion are absent in multiple myeloma from diagnosis through maintenance therapy.},
journal = {Blood},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1182/blood.2024025655},
pmid = {40163891},
issn = {1528-0020},
abstract = {Dysregulation of the bone marrow (BM) niche in multiple myeloma (MM) alters the composition and state of resident immune cells, potentially impeding anti-tumor immunity. One common mechanism of immune inhibition in solid tumors is the induction of exhaustion in tumor-specific T cells. However, the extent of T cell exhaustion is not well-characterized in MM. As the specific mechanisms of immune evasion are critical for devising effective therapeutic strategies, we deeply profiled the CD8+ T cell compartment of newly-diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients for evidence of T cell activation and exhaustion. We applied single-cell multi-omic sequencing and mass cytometry to longitudinal BM and peripheral blood (PB) samples taken from timepoints spanning from diagnosis through induction therapy, autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), and maintenance therapy. We identified an exhausted-like population that lacked several canonical exhaustion markers, was not significantly enriched in NDMM patients, and consisted of small, nonpersistent clonotypes. We also observed an activated population with increased frequency in the PB of NDMM patients exhibiting phenotypic and clonal features consistent with homeostatic, cytokine-driven activation. As an orthogonal measurement of T cell exhaustion, we performed intracellular cytokine staining and found NDMM patients lacked functionally exhausted T cells. In summary, there was no evidence of "tumor-experienced" T cells displaying hallmarks of terminal exhaustion and/or antigen-driven activation/expansion in NDMM patients at any timepoint.},
}
RevDate: 2025-03-31
AhR activation mitigates graft-versus-host disease of the central nervous system by reducing microglial NF-κB signaling.
Blood advances pii:536426 [Epub ahead of print].
Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) that occurs after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) can affect the central nervous system (CNS). The majority of allo-HCT patients receive antibiotic treatment, which alters the microbiome and essential microbiome-derived metabolites. We investigated the impact of microbiome modifications on CNS-GVHD and therapeutic strategies to overcome the microbiome-derived metabolite depletion. Antibiotic treatment of mice undergoing allo-HCT increased microglia numbers in the brain, indicating increased inflammation. In addition, microglia morphology shifted towards a highly branched phenotype. Consistent with a pro-inflammatory phenotype microglia exhibited increased NF-κB and Src activity. Antibiotic treatment caused the depletion of the bacteria-derived arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand indole-3-acetate in the brain. Conversely, treatment of primary microglia with the AhR-ligand- 6-formylindolo (3, 2-b) carbazole (FICZ) reduced NF-κB activity and phagocytic potential. Microglia expansion and morphological changes were reversed by AhR-ligand-FICZ-treatment. Moreover, the AhR-ligand indole-3-acetate was also reduced in the CNS of patients that developed acute GVHD concomitant with increased microglial NF-κB expression. In summary, we demonstrated that antibiotic treatment and a subsequent decrease of AhR-ligands resulted in increased microglia activation during CNS-GVHD. FICZ-treatment hampered CNS inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB activity, thereby providing a metabolic modifier to interfere with pathogenic microglia signaling and CNS-GVHD in vivo.
Additional Links: PMID-40163754
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40163754,
year = {2025},
author = {Zähringer, A and Morgado, I and Erny, D and Ingelfinger, F and Gawron, J and Chatterjee, S and Wenger, V and Schmidt, D and Schwöbel, LF and Adams, RC and Langenbach, M and Hartmann, A and Osswald, N and Wolf, J and Schlunck, G and Briquez, PS and Grueter, K and Ruess, DA and Frew, I and Burk, AC and Holzmüller, V and Grimbacher, B and Michonneau, D and Andrieux, G and Socié, G and Kolter, J and Börries, M and Follo, M and Blaeschke, F and Sevenich, L and Prinz, M and Zeiser, R and Vinnakota, JM},
title = {AhR activation mitigates graft-versus-host disease of the central nervous system by reducing microglial NF-κB signaling.},
journal = {Blood advances},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1182/bloodadvances.2024015000},
pmid = {40163754},
issn = {2473-9537},
abstract = {Acute Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) that occurs after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) can affect the central nervous system (CNS). The majority of allo-HCT patients receive antibiotic treatment, which alters the microbiome and essential microbiome-derived metabolites. We investigated the impact of microbiome modifications on CNS-GVHD and therapeutic strategies to overcome the microbiome-derived metabolite depletion. Antibiotic treatment of mice undergoing allo-HCT increased microglia numbers in the brain, indicating increased inflammation. In addition, microglia morphology shifted towards a highly branched phenotype. Consistent with a pro-inflammatory phenotype microglia exhibited increased NF-κB and Src activity. Antibiotic treatment caused the depletion of the bacteria-derived arylhydrocarbon receptor (AhR) ligand indole-3-acetate in the brain. Conversely, treatment of primary microglia with the AhR-ligand- 6-formylindolo (3, 2-b) carbazole (FICZ) reduced NF-κB activity and phagocytic potential. Microglia expansion and morphological changes were reversed by AhR-ligand-FICZ-treatment. Moreover, the AhR-ligand indole-3-acetate was also reduced in the CNS of patients that developed acute GVHD concomitant with increased microglial NF-κB expression. In summary, we demonstrated that antibiotic treatment and a subsequent decrease of AhR-ligands resulted in increased microglia activation during CNS-GVHD. FICZ-treatment hampered CNS inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB activity, thereby providing a metabolic modifier to interfere with pathogenic microglia signaling and CNS-GVHD in vivo.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-03
CmpDate: 2025-03-31
Unmet need for previously untreated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer: a real-world study of patients diagnosed from 2011 to 2022 in the United States.
The oncologist, 30(3):.
BACKGROUND: This real-world study describes the treatment landscape evolution after targeted therapy approval and associated survival outcomes for previously untreated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) in the United States.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis used de-identified electronic health record-derived data of patients diagnosed with mTNBC (January 2011-July 2022; index date was first-line [1L] treatment start date). Patient characteristics, treatment patterns, real-world overall survival (rwOS), and time to next treatment or death (TTNTD) were determined. Outcomes before (2011-2017, early cohort) and after (2018-2022, late cohort) targeted therapy approval were evaluated.
RESULTS: Among 2004 eligible patients, 21% were classified as Black, 13% had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥2, and 63% were diagnosed with recurrent disease; median age was 60 years. First-line chemotherapy-only (single- and multiple-agent chemotherapy) use decreased with the introduction of targeted therapies from 96% before 2018 to 65% between 2019 and 2022. From 2019, 33% of patients received programmed death-(ligand) 1 inhibitor-based regimen; ~2% received poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors. Median 1L treatment duration was 2.6 months and this did not change over time. Of all 1L patients, 34% died before second-line (2L) and 51% subsequently received 2L treatment. Median (95% CI) 1L rwOS and TTNTD were 11.3 (10.7-12.0) months and 4.3 (4.1-4.6) months, respectively. Median 1L 5-year survival [95% CI] showed statistically significant but small improvement from the early (10.9 [10.3-11.6] months) to late cohort (11.9 [10.7-13.1] months; HR [95% CI], 0.87 [0.78-0.96]).
CONCLUSION: This analysis demonstrated that, despite changes in care over time, survival improvements were not clinically meaningful; thus, a substantial unmet need for more efficacious treatments in previously untreated patients with mTNBC remains.
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@article {pmid40163689,
year = {2025},
author = {Punie, K and Kurian, AW and Ntalla, I and Sjekloca, N and Estrin, A and Dabrowski, EC and Lai, C and Hurvitz, S},
title = {Unmet need for previously untreated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer: a real-world study of patients diagnosed from 2011 to 2022 in the United States.},
journal = {The oncologist},
volume = {30},
number = {3},
pages = {},
pmid = {40163689},
issn = {1549-490X},
support = {//Gilead Sciences/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/pathology/mortality/drug therapy/therapy ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; United States/epidemiology ; Aged ; Adult ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Aged, 80 and over ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: This real-world study describes the treatment landscape evolution after targeted therapy approval and associated survival outcomes for previously untreated metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) in the United States.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective analysis used de-identified electronic health record-derived data of patients diagnosed with mTNBC (January 2011-July 2022; index date was first-line [1L] treatment start date). Patient characteristics, treatment patterns, real-world overall survival (rwOS), and time to next treatment or death (TTNTD) were determined. Outcomes before (2011-2017, early cohort) and after (2018-2022, late cohort) targeted therapy approval were evaluated.
RESULTS: Among 2004 eligible patients, 21% were classified as Black, 13% had Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥2, and 63% were diagnosed with recurrent disease; median age was 60 years. First-line chemotherapy-only (single- and multiple-agent chemotherapy) use decreased with the introduction of targeted therapies from 96% before 2018 to 65% between 2019 and 2022. From 2019, 33% of patients received programmed death-(ligand) 1 inhibitor-based regimen; ~2% received poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors. Median 1L treatment duration was 2.6 months and this did not change over time. Of all 1L patients, 34% died before second-line (2L) and 51% subsequently received 2L treatment. Median (95% CI) 1L rwOS and TTNTD were 11.3 (10.7-12.0) months and 4.3 (4.1-4.6) months, respectively. Median 1L 5-year survival [95% CI] showed statistically significant but small improvement from the early (10.9 [10.3-11.6] months) to late cohort (11.9 [10.7-13.1] months; HR [95% CI], 0.87 [0.78-0.96]).
CONCLUSION: This analysis demonstrated that, despite changes in care over time, survival improvements were not clinically meaningful; thus, a substantial unmet need for more efficacious treatments in previously untreated patients with mTNBC remains.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Humans
*Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms/pathology/mortality/drug therapy/therapy
Female
Middle Aged
Retrospective Studies
United States/epidemiology
Aged
Adult
Neoplasm Metastasis
Aged, 80 and over
RevDate: 2025-03-31
Putting computational models of immunity to the test-An invited challenge to predict B.pertussis vaccination responses.
PLoS computational biology, 21(3):e1012927 pii:PCOMPBIOL-D-24-01620 [Epub ahead of print].
Systems vaccinology studies have been used to build computational models that predict individual vaccine responses and identify the factors contributing to differences in outcome. Comparing such models is challenging due to variability in study designs. To address this, we established a community resource to compare models predicting B. pertussis booster responses and generate experimental data for the explicit purpose of model evaluation. We here describe our second computational prediction challenge using this resource, where we benchmarked 49 algorithms from 53 scientists. We found that the most successful models stood out in their handling of nonlinearities, reducing large feature sets to representative subsets, and advanced data preprocessing. In contrast, we found that models adopted from literature that were developed to predict vaccine antibody responses in other settings performed poorly, reinforcing the need for purpose-built models. Overall, this demonstrates the value of purpose-generated datasets for rigorous and open model evaluations to identify features that improve the reliability and applicability of computational models in vaccine response prediction.
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@article {pmid40163550,
year = {2025},
author = {Shinde, P and Willemsen, L and Anderson, M and Aoki, M and Basu, S and Burel, JG and Cheng, P and Ghosh Dastidar, S and Dunleavy, A and Einav, T and Forschmiedt, J and Fourati, S and Garcia, J and Gibson, W and Greenbaum, JA and Guan, L and Guan, W and Gygi, JP and Ha, B and Hou, J and Hsiao, J and Huang, Y and Jansen, R and Kakoty, B and Kang, Z and Kobie, JJ and Kojima, M and Konstorum, A and Lee, J and Lewis, SA and Li, A and Lock, EF and Mahita, J and Mendes, M and Meng, H and Neher, A and Nili, S and Olsen, LR and Orfield, S and Overton, JA and Pai, N and Parker, C and Qian, B and Rasmussen, M and Reyna, J and Richardson, E and Safo, S and Sorenson, J and Srinivasan, A and Thrupp, N and Tippalagama, R and Trevizani, R and Ventz, S and Wang, J and Wu, CC and Ay, F and Grant, B and Kleinstein, SH and Peters, B},
title = {Putting computational models of immunity to the test-An invited challenge to predict B.pertussis vaccination responses.},
journal = {PLoS computational biology},
volume = {21},
number = {3},
pages = {e1012927},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012927},
pmid = {40163550},
issn = {1553-7358},
abstract = {Systems vaccinology studies have been used to build computational models that predict individual vaccine responses and identify the factors contributing to differences in outcome. Comparing such models is challenging due to variability in study designs. To address this, we established a community resource to compare models predicting B. pertussis booster responses and generate experimental data for the explicit purpose of model evaluation. We here describe our second computational prediction challenge using this resource, where we benchmarked 49 algorithms from 53 scientists. We found that the most successful models stood out in their handling of nonlinearities, reducing large feature sets to representative subsets, and advanced data preprocessing. In contrast, we found that models adopted from literature that were developed to predict vaccine antibody responses in other settings performed poorly, reinforcing the need for purpose-built models. Overall, this demonstrates the value of purpose-generated datasets for rigorous and open model evaluations to identify features that improve the reliability and applicability of computational models in vaccine response prediction.},
}
RevDate: 2025-03-31
Deciphering HIV vaccine-induced Antibody response according to ethnicity.
AIDS (London, England) pii:00002030-990000000-00677 [Epub ahead of print].
OBJECTIVE: One recurrent question is whether an HIV-1 preventive vaccine requires adaptation to geographic and/or ethnicity background. A recent attempt to improve the Thai RV144 vaccine efficacy in South Africa resulted in non-efficacy. The potential reasons for this disappointing outcome are probably multifactorial; the role of ethnicity could not be investigated given the trials' demographics.
DESIGN: To assess the role of ethnicity in the immune responses induced in HIV vaccine trials, we considered the HVTN 204 vaccine trial, which was conducted in the USA and South Africa.
METHODS: Univariate and multivariate analysis of antibody responses were conducted to assess ethnicity, geographic location, Fc-receptor polymorphism, sex at birth, age and geographic location.
RESULTS: We found that Black South Africans displayed higher total Immunoglobulins compared to White Americans. Noteworthy, Black South Africans showed lower HIV-specific binding IgG following vaccination. As they also showed lower background at baseline, differences between ethnic groups were narrowed after baseline background subtraction, referred to as delta values for the vaccine response outcome.
CONCLUSIONS: The observed modifications of HIV-specific Ab immune responses to the HVTN 204 vaccine according to genetic, geographic location and ethnic background warrants further investigation. Additional studies of immunological differences, especially with vaccine platforms inducing high HIV-specific antibodies that correlate with vaccine efficacy may help decipher the impact of ethnicity on HIV-vaccine efficacy.
Additional Links: PMID-40162984
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40162984,
year = {2025},
author = {Lin, LY and Ferte, T and Chachage, M and Casteano, C and Laumond, G and Schmidt, S and Tahar, O and Carapito, R and Bekker, LG and Churchyard, G and Keefer, M and Moodie, Z and Viegas, E and Geldmacher, C and Lhomme, E and Moog, C},
title = {Deciphering HIV vaccine-induced Antibody response according to ethnicity.},
journal = {AIDS (London, England)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1097/QAD.0000000000004196},
pmid = {40162984},
issn = {1473-5571},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: One recurrent question is whether an HIV-1 preventive vaccine requires adaptation to geographic and/or ethnicity background. A recent attempt to improve the Thai RV144 vaccine efficacy in South Africa resulted in non-efficacy. The potential reasons for this disappointing outcome are probably multifactorial; the role of ethnicity could not be investigated given the trials' demographics.
DESIGN: To assess the role of ethnicity in the immune responses induced in HIV vaccine trials, we considered the HVTN 204 vaccine trial, which was conducted in the USA and South Africa.
METHODS: Univariate and multivariate analysis of antibody responses were conducted to assess ethnicity, geographic location, Fc-receptor polymorphism, sex at birth, age and geographic location.
RESULTS: We found that Black South Africans displayed higher total Immunoglobulins compared to White Americans. Noteworthy, Black South Africans showed lower HIV-specific binding IgG following vaccination. As they also showed lower background at baseline, differences between ethnic groups were narrowed after baseline background subtraction, referred to as delta values for the vaccine response outcome.
CONCLUSIONS: The observed modifications of HIV-specific Ab immune responses to the HVTN 204 vaccine according to genetic, geographic location and ethnic background warrants further investigation. Additional studies of immunological differences, especially with vaccine platforms inducing high HIV-specific antibodies that correlate with vaccine efficacy may help decipher the impact of ethnicity on HIV-vaccine efficacy.},
}
RevDate: 2025-03-31
Gastric (Foveolar) Dysplasia in Barrett's Esophagus: A Clinical, Molecular and Long-Term Outcome Study.
The American journal of gastroenterology pii:00000434-990000000-01668 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this long-term progression study was to evaluate the clinical and pathologic features of gastric type dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus (BE).
METHODS: Baseline biopsies from 208 BE patients from the Seattle prospective cohort were evaluated for the type and grade of dysplasia (gastric or intestinal). Twenty-seven patients progressed to cancer and 181 did not over the long term follow up period. Patients with gastric or intestinal dysplasia were compared to each other with regard to their flow cytometric DNA content abnormalities and progression rates to cancer.
RESULTS: Of the 59 patients with dysplasia at baseline, 12 (20%) had gastric dysplasia only, 24 (41%) had mixed gastric and intestinal dysplasia, and 23 (39%) had intestinal dysplasia only. Patients with any gastric dysplasia component (alone or mixed with intestinal dysplasia) showed a significantly higher rate of high-grade dysplasia (72% vs 23%, P < 0.001) at baseline and cancer development (47% versus 22%, P = 0.05), and a significantly shorter time frame to cancer development (32 versus 64 months, P = 0.008), as well as a longer BE segment length (P = 0.05), and higher rate of aneuploidy (P = 0.04), compared to patients with pure intestinal dysplasia. By multivariable analysis, gastric dysplasia showed a higher hazard ratio of progression to cancer compared to intestinal dysplasia patients.
CONCLUSION: Gastric type dysplasia is common in BE. Our study suggests that this type of dysplasia may represent a more aggressive form of neoplastic precursor than conventional intestinal type dysplasia.
Additional Links: PMID-40162676
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40162676,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, HH and Ono, Y and Paulson, TG and Grady, WM and Odze, RD},
title = {Gastric (Foveolar) Dysplasia in Barrett's Esophagus: A Clinical, Molecular and Long-Term Outcome Study.},
journal = {The American journal of gastroenterology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.14309/ajg.0000000000003450},
pmid = {40162676},
issn = {1572-0241},
abstract = {BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this long-term progression study was to evaluate the clinical and pathologic features of gastric type dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus (BE).
METHODS: Baseline biopsies from 208 BE patients from the Seattle prospective cohort were evaluated for the type and grade of dysplasia (gastric or intestinal). Twenty-seven patients progressed to cancer and 181 did not over the long term follow up period. Patients with gastric or intestinal dysplasia were compared to each other with regard to their flow cytometric DNA content abnormalities and progression rates to cancer.
RESULTS: Of the 59 patients with dysplasia at baseline, 12 (20%) had gastric dysplasia only, 24 (41%) had mixed gastric and intestinal dysplasia, and 23 (39%) had intestinal dysplasia only. Patients with any gastric dysplasia component (alone or mixed with intestinal dysplasia) showed a significantly higher rate of high-grade dysplasia (72% vs 23%, P < 0.001) at baseline and cancer development (47% versus 22%, P = 0.05), and a significantly shorter time frame to cancer development (32 versus 64 months, P = 0.008), as well as a longer BE segment length (P = 0.05), and higher rate of aneuploidy (P = 0.04), compared to patients with pure intestinal dysplasia. By multivariable analysis, gastric dysplasia showed a higher hazard ratio of progression to cancer compared to intestinal dysplasia patients.
CONCLUSION: Gastric type dysplasia is common in BE. Our study suggests that this type of dysplasia may represent a more aggressive form of neoplastic precursor than conventional intestinal type dysplasia.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-03
Viral introductions and return to baseline sexual behaviors maintain low-level mpox incidence in Los Angeles County, USA, 2023-2024.
medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences.
In 2022, mpox clade llb disseminated around the world, causing outbreaks in more than 117 countries. Despite the decay of the 2022 epidemic and the expected accumulation of immunity within queer sexual networks, mpox continues to persist at low incidence in North America without extinction, raising concerns of future outbreaks. We combined phylodynamic inference and microsimulation modeling to understand the heterogeneous dynamics governing local mpox persistence in Los Angeles County (LAC) from 2023-2024. Our Bayesian phylodynamic analysis revealed a time-varying pattern of viral importations into the county that seeded a heavy-tailed distribution of mpox outbreak clusters that display a "stuttering chains" dynamic. Our phylodynamics-informed microsimulation model demonstrated that the persistent number of mpox cases in LAC can be explained by a combination of waves of viral introductions and a return to near-baseline sexual behaviors that were altered during the 2022 epidemic. Finally, our counterfactual scenario modeling showed that public health interventions that either promote increased isolation of symptomatic, infectious individuals or enact behavior-modifying campaigns during the periods with the highest viral importation intensity are both actionable and effective at curbing mpox cases. Our work highlights the heterogeneous factors that maintain present-day mpox dynamics in a large, urban US county and describes how to leverage these results to design timely and community-centered public health interventions.
Additional Links: PMID-40162240
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40162240,
year = {2025},
author = {Paredes, MI and Liang, C and Suen, SC and Holloway, IW and Garrigues, JM and Green, NM and Bedford, T and Müller, NF and Osmundson, J},
title = {Viral introductions and return to baseline sexual behaviors maintain low-level mpox incidence in Los Angeles County, USA, 2023-2024.},
journal = {medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40162240},
support = {R35 GM119774/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; S10 OD020069/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; S10 OD028685/OD/NIH HHS/United States ; U01 CK000357/CK/NCEZID CDC HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {In 2022, mpox clade llb disseminated around the world, causing outbreaks in more than 117 countries. Despite the decay of the 2022 epidemic and the expected accumulation of immunity within queer sexual networks, mpox continues to persist at low incidence in North America without extinction, raising concerns of future outbreaks. We combined phylodynamic inference and microsimulation modeling to understand the heterogeneous dynamics governing local mpox persistence in Los Angeles County (LAC) from 2023-2024. Our Bayesian phylodynamic analysis revealed a time-varying pattern of viral importations into the county that seeded a heavy-tailed distribution of mpox outbreak clusters that display a "stuttering chains" dynamic. Our phylodynamics-informed microsimulation model demonstrated that the persistent number of mpox cases in LAC can be explained by a combination of waves of viral introductions and a return to near-baseline sexual behaviors that were altered during the 2022 epidemic. Finally, our counterfactual scenario modeling showed that public health interventions that either promote increased isolation of symptomatic, infectious individuals or enact behavior-modifying campaigns during the periods with the highest viral importation intensity are both actionable and effective at curbing mpox cases. Our work highlights the heterogeneous factors that maintain present-day mpox dynamics in a large, urban US county and describes how to leverage these results to design timely and community-centered public health interventions.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-03
Delta-catenin is required for cell proliferation in virus positive Merkel cell carcinoma cell lines but not in human fibroblasts.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology.
Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer often driven by the integration of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) into the host genome and the persistent expression of its viral oncoproteins, small tumor (ST) antigen and truncated large tumor (t-LT) antigen. While human fibroblasts support MCPyV replication, the cell of origin for MCC remains unknown. We hypothesized that MCPyV initially replicates in fibroblasts but, in rare cases, infects Merkel cell progenitors, contributing to MCC development. Using TurboID mass spectrometry, we identified δ-catenin as a novel ST interactor in fibroblasts. However, while ST binds δ-catenin in fibroblasts, this interaction is absent in virus-positive (VP)-MCC cell lines. Despite this, δ-catenin is essential for VP-MCC, but not for fibroblast, cell proliferation. We found that fibroblasts predominantly express δ-catenin isoform 1, whereas VP-MCC cells mainly express isoform 3. Overexpression of isoform 1 in VP-MCC failed to restore ST binding. δ-catenin promotes VP-MCC proliferation by regulating cell cycle gene expression through its interaction with Kaiso, a transcriptional repressor. Additionally, we found that LSD1 (KDM1A) regulates δ-catenin isoform 3 expression by modulating ESRP1, a δ-catenin splicing factor. Our findings reveal novel host factors involved in MCPyV infection and MCC tumorigenesis, suggesting that the host cell supporting viral replication and the MCC cell of origin may be distinct cell types.
Additional Links: PMID-40161767
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@article {pmid40161767,
year = {2025},
author = {Vinueza, JL and Salisbury, NJH and Dye, KN and Roman, A and Galloway, DA},
title = {Delta-catenin is required for cell proliferation in virus positive Merkel cell carcinoma cell lines but not in human fibroblasts.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40161767},
issn = {2692-8205},
support = {P30 CA015704/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R35 CA209979/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; T32 AI083203/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a highly aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer often driven by the integration of Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) into the host genome and the persistent expression of its viral oncoproteins, small tumor (ST) antigen and truncated large tumor (t-LT) antigen. While human fibroblasts support MCPyV replication, the cell of origin for MCC remains unknown. We hypothesized that MCPyV initially replicates in fibroblasts but, in rare cases, infects Merkel cell progenitors, contributing to MCC development. Using TurboID mass spectrometry, we identified δ-catenin as a novel ST interactor in fibroblasts. However, while ST binds δ-catenin in fibroblasts, this interaction is absent in virus-positive (VP)-MCC cell lines. Despite this, δ-catenin is essential for VP-MCC, but not for fibroblast, cell proliferation. We found that fibroblasts predominantly express δ-catenin isoform 1, whereas VP-MCC cells mainly express isoform 3. Overexpression of isoform 1 in VP-MCC failed to restore ST binding. δ-catenin promotes VP-MCC proliferation by regulating cell cycle gene expression through its interaction with Kaiso, a transcriptional repressor. Additionally, we found that LSD1 (KDM1A) regulates δ-catenin isoform 3 expression by modulating ESRP1, a δ-catenin splicing factor. Our findings reveal novel host factors involved in MCPyV infection and MCC tumorigenesis, suggesting that the host cell supporting viral replication and the MCC cell of origin may be distinct cell types.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-02
Long-Term Survival Following Chemoradiation in Locoregional Recurrent Germline ATM Mutated Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.
Advances in radiation oncology, 10(4):101742.
Additional Links: PMID-40161544
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40161544,
year = {2025},
author = {Safyan, RA and Zhang, K and Apisarnthanarax, S and Sham, JG and Pillarisetty, VG and Kugel, S and Dubard-Gault, M and Pritchard, CC and Konnick, EQ and Sahani, D and Chiorean, EG},
title = {Long-Term Survival Following Chemoradiation in Locoregional Recurrent Germline ATM Mutated Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.},
journal = {Advances in radiation oncology},
volume = {10},
number = {4},
pages = {101742},
pmid = {40161544},
issn = {2452-1094},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-02
Analysis of a cancer-associated mutation in the budding yeast Nuf2 kinetochore protein.
microPublication biology, 2025:.
The kinetochore is a highly conserved megadalton protein complex that ensures proper chromosome segregation via microtubule attachments. The NDC80 complex is one of the major conserved microtubule binding complexes in the kinetochore. NUF2, a protein within the NDC80 complex, has been identified as a cancer gene candidate because missense mutations, found across different tumor samples, cluster within NUF2's calponin homology domain. In this study, we examined a NUF2 cancer-associated mutation in a simple and well-studied organism, Saccharomyces cerevisiae , to elucidate its effects on cell division. We studied the budding yeast nuf2 [Q21A] mutation with the intention of extrapolating our results to the homologous cancer associated mutation in Homo sapiens NUF2 [R19H] (HsNUF2 [R19H]). Our studies demonstrate that the nuf2 [Q21A] mutant does not exhibit any growth defects or disrupt kinetochore composition. Additionally, it does not affect the Ndc80 complex's interactions with the Dam1 complex or with the Mps1 kinase. These results indicate that the yeast nuf2 [Q21A] mutant does not cause a significant defect in kinetochore function, and that the role of HsNUF2 [R19H] in cancer will need to be further investigated by directly studying the cancer-associated mutation in human cells.
Additional Links: PMID-40161439
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Citation:
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@article {pmid40161439,
year = {2025},
author = {Andrade Latino, A and Biggins, S},
title = {Analysis of a cancer-associated mutation in the budding yeast Nuf2 kinetochore protein.},
journal = {microPublication biology},
volume = {2025},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40161439},
issn = {2578-9430},
abstract = {The kinetochore is a highly conserved megadalton protein complex that ensures proper chromosome segregation via microtubule attachments. The NDC80 complex is one of the major conserved microtubule binding complexes in the kinetochore. NUF2, a protein within the NDC80 complex, has been identified as a cancer gene candidate because missense mutations, found across different tumor samples, cluster within NUF2's calponin homology domain. In this study, we examined a NUF2 cancer-associated mutation in a simple and well-studied organism, Saccharomyces cerevisiae , to elucidate its effects on cell division. We studied the budding yeast nuf2 [Q21A] mutation with the intention of extrapolating our results to the homologous cancer associated mutation in Homo sapiens NUF2 [R19H] (HsNUF2 [R19H]). Our studies demonstrate that the nuf2 [Q21A] mutant does not exhibit any growth defects or disrupt kinetochore composition. Additionally, it does not affect the Ndc80 complex's interactions with the Dam1 complex or with the Mps1 kinase. These results indicate that the yeast nuf2 [Q21A] mutant does not cause a significant defect in kinetochore function, and that the role of HsNUF2 [R19H] in cancer will need to be further investigated by directly studying the cancer-associated mutation in human cells.},
}
RevDate: 2025-04-03
CmpDate: 2025-04-03
Cancer Incidence in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)-The Onco-SOL Ancillary Study.
Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology, 34(4):491-499.
BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined how cancer incidence varies by the country of origin among US Hispanic/Latino adults. In this study, we describe the incidence rates (IR) of cancer overall and for screen-detectable, tobacco-related, and obesity-related cancers among 16,415 participants in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, an ongoing population-based cohort study of Hispanic/Latino adults from diverse backgrounds.
METHODS: Cohort participant records were linked to the state cancer registries in New York, Florida, California, and Illinois to ascertain cancer incidence from baseline (2008-2011) through 2021. We estimated weighted age-adjusted IRs and age- and sex-adjusted HRs.
RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up of 10.7 (SD = 2.0) years, 715 incident invasive cancers were diagnosed including 118 female breast, 102 prostate, and 79 bronchus and lung cancers. The IR of all cancers combined was 26.2 [95% confidence interval (CI), 22.6-30.2] per 10,000 (10K) person-years (py). The IRs were lowest among persons of Mexican descent [IR, 19.0 (95% CI, 15.0-24.1) per 10K py] and highest for those of Puerto Rican [IR, 36.6 (95% CI, 28.4-47.0) per 10K py] descent. Compared with those of Mexican descent, those of Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican descent had higher hazards of cancer incidence; the incidence of obesity-related (HR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.43-3.95) and tobacco-related (HR, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.58-5.71) cancers was also the highest among Puerto Ricans.
CONCLUSIONS: Cancer IRs varied by Hispanic/Latino heritage and were masked when Hispanics/Latinos were aggregated into a single group.
IMPACT: Understanding disparities in cancer risk by Hispanic/Latino heritage may help tailor cancer prevention and control strategies.
Additional Links: PMID-39808161
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid39808161,
year = {2025},
author = {Parada, H and Agalliu, I and Sotres-Alvarez, D and Olshan, AF and Evenson, KR and Rohan, TE and Kaplan, RC and Thompson, CA and Gallo, LC and Penedo, FJ and Cai, J and Wassertheil-Smoller, S and Thyagarajan, B and Thomas, SN and Garcia-Bedoya, OL and Daviglus, ML and Talavera, GA},
title = {Cancer Incidence in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)-The Onco-SOL Ancillary Study.},
journal = {Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology},
volume = {34},
number = {4},
pages = {491-499},
doi = {10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-24-1325},
pmid = {39808161},
issn = {1538-7755},
support = {P30 AG059299/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; U54 CA285115/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; U54 CA285117/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; U54 MD012397/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United States ; K01 CA234317/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; U54 MD012397/MD/NIMHD NIH HHS/United States ; U54 CA285117/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; P30 AG059299/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; BCRF-23-140//Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF)/ ; U01 CA259208/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; 5R01 CA227122//National Cancer Institute (NCI)/ ; N01-HC65233//National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; Female ; Male ; *Hispanic or Latino/statistics & numerical data ; Incidence ; *Neoplasms/epidemiology/ethnology ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; United States/epidemiology ; Cohort Studies ; Registries ; White ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Few studies have examined how cancer incidence varies by the country of origin among US Hispanic/Latino adults. In this study, we describe the incidence rates (IR) of cancer overall and for screen-detectable, tobacco-related, and obesity-related cancers among 16,415 participants in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos, an ongoing population-based cohort study of Hispanic/Latino adults from diverse backgrounds.
METHODS: Cohort participant records were linked to the state cancer registries in New York, Florida, California, and Illinois to ascertain cancer incidence from baseline (2008-2011) through 2021. We estimated weighted age-adjusted IRs and age- and sex-adjusted HRs.
RESULTS: Over a mean follow-up of 10.7 (SD = 2.0) years, 715 incident invasive cancers were diagnosed including 118 female breast, 102 prostate, and 79 bronchus and lung cancers. The IR of all cancers combined was 26.2 [95% confidence interval (CI), 22.6-30.2] per 10,000 (10K) person-years (py). The IRs were lowest among persons of Mexican descent [IR, 19.0 (95% CI, 15.0-24.1) per 10K py] and highest for those of Puerto Rican [IR, 36.6 (95% CI, 28.4-47.0) per 10K py] descent. Compared with those of Mexican descent, those of Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican descent had higher hazards of cancer incidence; the incidence of obesity-related (HR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.43-3.95) and tobacco-related (HR, 3.00; 95% CI, 1.58-5.71) cancers was also the highest among Puerto Ricans.
CONCLUSIONS: Cancer IRs varied by Hispanic/Latino heritage and were masked when Hispanics/Latinos were aggregated into a single group.
IMPACT: Understanding disparities in cancer risk by Hispanic/Latino heritage may help tailor cancer prevention and control strategies.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Humans
Female
Male
*Hispanic or Latino/statistics & numerical data
Incidence
*Neoplasms/epidemiology/ethnology
Middle Aged
Adult
Aged
United States/epidemiology
Cohort Studies
Registries
White
RevDate: 2025-04-02
Limitations of the MTB/RIF Assay: An Xpert Review of 4 Clinical Cases.
Open forum infectious diseases, 12(4):ofaf132.
Current U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tuberculosis (TB) guidelines recommend molecular testing for initial diagnosis of TB and detection of rifampin resistance to expedite initiation of proper treatment. The Cepheid Xpert MTB/RIF assay can detect members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and rifampin resistance by evaluating for mutations in the rpoB gene. However, false-positive and false-negative detection of M tuberculosis and rifampin resistance results can lead to incorrect treatment of patients, including overuse of second-line anti-TB drugs, and may result in patient harm and increased healthcare cost. We present a series of 4 cases to demonstrate the limitations of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay in the diagnosis of TB, emphasizing the importance of follow-up confirmatory testing and laboratory oversight in reporting accurate results.
Additional Links: PMID-40160342
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@article {pmid40160342,
year = {2025},
author = {Haas, AL and Ma, A and Pham, J and Verma, P and Malhotra, U and Church, EC and Narita, M and Escuyer, V and Shakir, SM},
title = {Limitations of the MTB/RIF Assay: An Xpert Review of 4 Clinical Cases.},
journal = {Open forum infectious diseases},
volume = {12},
number = {4},
pages = {ofaf132},
pmid = {40160342},
issn = {2328-8957},
abstract = {Current U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tuberculosis (TB) guidelines recommend molecular testing for initial diagnosis of TB and detection of rifampin resistance to expedite initiation of proper treatment. The Cepheid Xpert MTB/RIF assay can detect members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex and rifampin resistance by evaluating for mutations in the rpoB gene. However, false-positive and false-negative detection of M tuberculosis and rifampin resistance results can lead to incorrect treatment of patients, including overuse of second-line anti-TB drugs, and may result in patient harm and increased healthcare cost. We present a series of 4 cases to demonstrate the limitations of the Xpert MTB/RIF assay in the diagnosis of TB, emphasizing the importance of follow-up confirmatory testing and laboratory oversight in reporting accurate results.},
}
RevDate: 2025-03-30
Hormone-associated dietary patterns and premenopausal breast cancer risk.
Breast cancer research and treatment [Epub ahead of print].
PURPOSE: Circulating levels of sex steroid hormones have previously been associated with premenopausal breast cancer risk. Few studies have considered the association between dietary patterns and premenopausal hormone levels. Our objective was to derive dietary patterns associated with premenopausal hormone levels and investigate the association between pattern scores and premenopausal breast cancer risk.
METHODS: Using reduced rank regression among a subset of participants from the Nurses' Health Study II (NHSII) (n = 8,962), we identified dietary patterns correlated with premenopausal levels of five sex steroid hormones measured in the follicular and luteal phases. Then, in the full NHSII cohort (n = 90,341), we used Cox proportional hazards models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for breast cancer risk associated with each dietary pattern score.
RESULTS: Dietary patterns were identified for luteal estradiol, luteal free estradiol, follicular estrone, luteal estrone, and free testosterone. However, these patterns explained a low percent variation in individual hormone levels, ranging from 2.5-4.1%. During 24 years of follow-up, 1,956 premenopausal breast cancer cases were ascertained. Dietary patterns associated with luteal free estradiol (HR for fifth versus first quintile = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.11-1.49; Ptrend < 0.01) and follicular estrone (HR for fifth versus first quintile = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.10-1.49; Ptrend < 0.01) were positively associated with premenopausal breast cancer risk.
CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that while some dietary factors may marginally influence premenopausal hormone levels, the relation between sex steroid hormones and premenopausal breast cancer risk is likely not driven by diet. Future studies should consider other mechanisms through which diet may impact breast cancer risk, including inflammatory processes.
Additional Links: PMID-40159249
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40159249,
year = {2025},
author = {Fest, SN and Farland, LV and Doody, DR and Eliassen, AH and Rosner, BA and Fung, TT and Hankinson, SE and Kensler, TW and Willett, WC and Harris, HR},
title = {Hormone-associated dietary patterns and premenopausal breast cancer risk.},
journal = {Breast cancer research and treatment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40159249},
issn = {1573-7217},
support = {U01 CA176726/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; R01 CA67262/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; U01 CA176726/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {PURPOSE: Circulating levels of sex steroid hormones have previously been associated with premenopausal breast cancer risk. Few studies have considered the association between dietary patterns and premenopausal hormone levels. Our objective was to derive dietary patterns associated with premenopausal hormone levels and investigate the association between pattern scores and premenopausal breast cancer risk.
METHODS: Using reduced rank regression among a subset of participants from the Nurses' Health Study II (NHSII) (n = 8,962), we identified dietary patterns correlated with premenopausal levels of five sex steroid hormones measured in the follicular and luteal phases. Then, in the full NHSII cohort (n = 90,341), we used Cox proportional hazards models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for breast cancer risk associated with each dietary pattern score.
RESULTS: Dietary patterns were identified for luteal estradiol, luteal free estradiol, follicular estrone, luteal estrone, and free testosterone. However, these patterns explained a low percent variation in individual hormone levels, ranging from 2.5-4.1%. During 24 years of follow-up, 1,956 premenopausal breast cancer cases were ascertained. Dietary patterns associated with luteal free estradiol (HR for fifth versus first quintile = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.11-1.49; Ptrend < 0.01) and follicular estrone (HR for fifth versus first quintile = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.10-1.49; Ptrend < 0.01) were positively associated with premenopausal breast cancer risk.
CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that while some dietary factors may marginally influence premenopausal hormone levels, the relation between sex steroid hormones and premenopausal breast cancer risk is likely not driven by diet. Future studies should consider other mechanisms through which diet may impact breast cancer risk, including inflammatory processes.},
}
RevDate: 2025-03-31
CmpDate: 2025-03-29
Carfilzomib prescribing patterns and outcomes for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: a real-world analysis.
Blood cancer journal, 15(1):48.
Despite the widespread use of carfilzomib (K) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), there is no consensus on optimal K dose in milligrams per square meter (mg/m2) or dosing schedule. We assessed three modern K prescribing patterns in RRMM using a large United States electronic health record-derived database. Our final cohort (n = 486) included 136 patients (28.0%) who received K 56 mg/m2 once weekly (K56-1x), 86 (17.7%) who received 56 mg/m2 twice weekly (K56-2x), and 264 (54.3%) who received 70 mg/m2 once weekly (K70-1x). Between 2016 and 2023, once-weekly dosing became more common: K70-1x proportions changed from 21.1% in 2016 to 50.6% in 2023, K56-1x from 15.8% to 37.0%, and K56-2x from 63.2% to 12.3%. Median progression-free survival was 13.0 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 11.2-20.7] for K56-1x, 13.2 months (95% CI 9.0-28.1 months) for K56-2x, and 10.9 months (95% CI 9.9-15.3 months) for K70-1x; these differences were not statistically significant (log-rank p = 0.46). Rates of heart failure was comparable (<5% in all cohorts). In summary, our findings do not support improved outcomes with twice-weekly carfilzomib in RRMM. K56-1x may provide the best balance of efficacy, safety, and avoidance of time toxicity from frequent infusions.
Additional Links: PMID-40155649
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40155649,
year = {2025},
author = {Dong, S and Banerjee, R and Khan, AM and Wang, M and Wang, X and Afghahi, A and Afrough, A and Janakiram, M and Wang, B and Cowan, AJ and Sperling, AS and Anderson, LD and Rajkumar, SV and Kaur, G},
title = {Carfilzomib prescribing patterns and outcomes for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: a real-world analysis.},
journal = {Blood cancer journal},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {48},
pmid = {40155649},
issn = {2044-5385},
mesh = {Humans ; *Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy/mortality ; *Oligopeptides/therapeutic use/administration & dosage/adverse effects ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Practice Patterns, Physicians' ; Treatment Outcome ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/drug therapy ; Adult ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; },
abstract = {Despite the widespread use of carfilzomib (K) in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), there is no consensus on optimal K dose in milligrams per square meter (mg/m2) or dosing schedule. We assessed three modern K prescribing patterns in RRMM using a large United States electronic health record-derived database. Our final cohort (n = 486) included 136 patients (28.0%) who received K 56 mg/m2 once weekly (K56-1x), 86 (17.7%) who received 56 mg/m2 twice weekly (K56-2x), and 264 (54.3%) who received 70 mg/m2 once weekly (K70-1x). Between 2016 and 2023, once-weekly dosing became more common: K70-1x proportions changed from 21.1% in 2016 to 50.6% in 2023, K56-1x from 15.8% to 37.0%, and K56-2x from 63.2% to 12.3%. Median progression-free survival was 13.0 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 11.2-20.7] for K56-1x, 13.2 months (95% CI 9.0-28.1 months) for K56-2x, and 10.9 months (95% CI 9.9-15.3 months) for K70-1x; these differences were not statistically significant (log-rank p = 0.46). Rates of heart failure was comparable (<5% in all cohorts). In summary, our findings do not support improved outcomes with twice-weekly carfilzomib in RRMM. K56-1x may provide the best balance of efficacy, safety, and avoidance of time toxicity from frequent infusions.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Humans
*Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy/mortality
*Oligopeptides/therapeutic use/administration & dosage/adverse effects
Male
Female
Aged
Middle Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Practice Patterns, Physicians'
Treatment Outcome
Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/drug therapy
Adult
Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
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RJR Experience and Expertise
Researcher
Robbins holds BS, MS, and PhD degrees in the life sciences. He served as a tenured faculty member in the Zoology and Biological Science departments at Michigan State University. He is currently exploring the intersection between genomics, microbial ecology, and biodiversity — an area that promises to transform our understanding of the biosphere.
Educator
Robbins has extensive experience in college-level education: At MSU he taught introductory biology, genetics, and population genetics. At JHU, he was an instructor for a special course on biological database design. At FHCRC, he team-taught a graduate-level course on the history of genetics. At Bellevue College he taught medical informatics.
Administrator
Robbins has been involved in science administration at both the federal and the institutional levels. At NSF he was a program officer for database activities in the life sciences, at DOE he was a program officer for information infrastructure in the human genome project. At the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, he served as a vice president for fifteen years.
Technologist
Robbins has been involved with information technology since writing his first Fortran program as a college student. At NSF he was the first program officer for database activities in the life sciences. At JHU he held an appointment in the CS department and served as director of the informatics core for the Genome Data Base. At the FHCRC he was VP for Information Technology.
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While still at Michigan State, Robbins started his first publishing venture, founding a small company that addressed the short-run publishing needs of instructors in very large undergraduate classes. For more than 20 years, Robbins has been operating The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project, a web site dedicated to the digital publishing of critical works in science, especially classical genetics.
Speaker
Robbins is well-known for his speaking abilities and is often called upon to provide keynote or plenary addresses at international meetings. For example, in July, 2012, he gave a well-received keynote address at the Global Biodiversity Informatics Congress, sponsored by GBIF and held in Copenhagen. The slides from that talk can be seen HERE.
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Robbins is a skilled meeting facilitator. He prefers a participatory approach, with part of the meeting involving dynamic breakout groups, created by the participants in real time: (1) individuals propose breakout groups; (2) everyone signs up for one (or more) groups; (3) the groups with the most interested parties then meet, with reports from each group presented and discussed in a subsequent plenary session.
Designer
Robbins has been engaged with photography and design since the 1960s, when he worked for a professional photography laboratory. He now prefers digital photography and tools for their precision and reproducibility. He designed his first web site more than 20 years ago and he personally designed and implemented this web site. He engages in graphic design as a hobby.
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