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ESP: PubMed Auto Bibliography 02 Jun 2025 at 01:45 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: 2025-05-28
Infection after CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy for large B cell lymphoma: Real-world analysis from CIBMTR.
Blood advances pii:537515 [Epub ahead of print].
Infection is increasingly recognized as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) receiving CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. The current study analyzed the natural history, risk factors, and outcomes of infection in 3350 R/R LBCL patients receiving commercial CD19 CAR T-cell (n=2804 axicabtagene ciloleucel, n=546 tisagenlecleucel) from December 2017 to June 2022. Infection developed in 834 (24.9%) patients within 100 days post-infusion, resulting in an infection density of 0.43 per 100 patient-days and a 100-day cumulative incidence of 22%. Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections were recorded in 527 (15.7%), 374 (11.2%), and 108 (3.2%) patients, respectively, with corresponding infection densities of 0.23, 0.15, and 0.04 per 100 patient-days. After a 24-month median follow-up, 1482 (44%) patients had died, with infection as the primary cause in 173 cases (12%). The 100-day infection-related mortality (IRM) was 1.6% (95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.0%). Patients with Karnofsky score ≤80, infection history pre-CAR-T, axicabtagene ciloleucel therapy, severe cytokine release syndrome (grade ≥3), and severe immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (grade ≥3) had increased infection risk. Infections within 100 days were an independent risk factor for inferior overall survival beyond day 100 after CD19 CAR T-cell therapy. In conclusion, study results show a significant incidence of infection and IRM in patients with R/R LBCL treated with CD19 CAR T-cell. Furthermore, results identify patients at heightened risk for infection, offering insights to guide potential interventions aimed at mitigating infection and improving patient outcomes after CAR T-cell therapy.
Additional Links: PMID-40435511
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40435511,
year = {2025},
author = {Wudhikarn, K and Herr, MM and Chen, M and Martens, MJ and Baird, JH and Gowda, L and Rangarajan, HG and Abid, MB and Kharfan-Dabaja, MA and Williams, KM and Ganguly, S and Young, JH and Sharma, A and Fatobene, G and Jain, T and Kanakry, CG and Modi, D and Grover, NS and Salem, B and Batista, MV and Vergidis, P and Yin, DE and Beitinjaneh, AM and Kelkar, AH and Nishihori, T and Holter-Chakrabarty, J and Gergis, U and Smith, M and El Boghdadly, Z and Dandoy, CE and Murthy, HS and Huppler, AR and Perales, MA and Chemaly, RF and Hill, JA and Riches, M and Auletta, JJ},
title = {Infection after CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy for large B cell lymphoma: Real-world analysis from CIBMTR.},
journal = {Blood advances},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1182/bloodadvances.2025016141},
pmid = {40435511},
issn = {2473-9537},
abstract = {Infection is increasingly recognized as a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) receiving CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy. The current study analyzed the natural history, risk factors, and outcomes of infection in 3350 R/R LBCL patients receiving commercial CD19 CAR T-cell (n=2804 axicabtagene ciloleucel, n=546 tisagenlecleucel) from December 2017 to June 2022. Infection developed in 834 (24.9%) patients within 100 days post-infusion, resulting in an infection density of 0.43 per 100 patient-days and a 100-day cumulative incidence of 22%. Bacterial, viral, and fungal infections were recorded in 527 (15.7%), 374 (11.2%), and 108 (3.2%) patients, respectively, with corresponding infection densities of 0.23, 0.15, and 0.04 per 100 patient-days. After a 24-month median follow-up, 1482 (44%) patients had died, with infection as the primary cause in 173 cases (12%). The 100-day infection-related mortality (IRM) was 1.6% (95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.0%). Patients with Karnofsky score ≤80, infection history pre-CAR-T, axicabtagene ciloleucel therapy, severe cytokine release syndrome (grade ≥3), and severe immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (grade ≥3) had increased infection risk. Infections within 100 days were an independent risk factor for inferior overall survival beyond day 100 after CD19 CAR T-cell therapy. In conclusion, study results show a significant incidence of infection and IRM in patients with R/R LBCL treated with CD19 CAR T-cell. Furthermore, results identify patients at heightened risk for infection, offering insights to guide potential interventions aimed at mitigating infection and improving patient outcomes after CAR T-cell therapy.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-28
Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia following Treatment for Metastatic Poorly Differentiated Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: A Cautionary Sequel to an Exceptional Response.
Pancreas pii:00006676-990000000-00311 [Epub ahead of print].
Additional Links: PMID-40435447
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40435447,
year = {2025},
author = {Nakasone, ES and Cohen, SA},
title = {Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia following Treatment for Metastatic Poorly Differentiated Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Carcinoma: A Cautionary Sequel to an Exceptional Response.},
journal = {Pancreas},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1097/MPA.0000000000002520},
pmid = {40435447},
issn = {1536-4828},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-28
CmpDate: 2025-05-28
Emerging Strategies for Drug-Based Cancer Risk Reduction.
American Society of Clinical Oncology educational book. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Annual Meeting, 45(3):e473708.
Chemoprevention has emerged as a promising strategy to reduce cancer incidence by using pharmacologic agents that interrupt the carcinogenesis process. This review discusses emerging insights and recent advancements in chemoprevention, emphasizing novel approaches in several cancer types. Specifically, we examine breast cancer prevention, focusing on optimized endocrine therapy dosing to enhance adherence and minimize adverse effects while maintaining efficacy. Additionally, the potential of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists to mitigate obesity-related cancer risks is evaluated, highlighting their role in addressing an increasingly prevalent risk factor in the general population. The review further explores strategies targeting colorectal cancer (CRC), specifically in familial adenomatous polyposis, a hereditary CRC syndrome that exemplifies the complex interplay between chemoprevention, genetic risk, and patient management. In prostate cancer, we highlight the evidence supporting the use of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, detailing their effectiveness in reducing cancer incidence as well as their safety profile. Across these areas, this review underscores the importance of precision medicine, advocating for personalized approaches that balance efficacy, safety, and quality-of-life considerations. Ultimately, advancing chemopreventive strategies through targeted research and clinical trials is essential for reducing cancer burden and improving patient outcomes.
Additional Links: PMID-40435434
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40435434,
year = {2025},
author = {Daca-Álvarez, M and Brunori, A and Carbone, A and Carbonell, C and Tangen, CM and Unger, JM and Lucia, MS and Oliva, M and De Censi, A and Brenner, DR and Thompson, IM and Balaguer, F},
title = {Emerging Strategies for Drug-Based Cancer Risk Reduction.},
journal = {American Society of Clinical Oncology educational book. American Society of Clinical Oncology. Annual Meeting},
volume = {45},
number = {3},
pages = {e473708},
doi = {10.1200/EDBK-25-473708},
pmid = {40435434},
issn = {1548-8756},
mesh = {Humans ; *Neoplasms/prevention & control/epidemiology/drug therapy/etiology ; Risk Factors ; Chemoprevention/methods ; Risk Reduction Behavior ; Female ; },
abstract = {Chemoprevention has emerged as a promising strategy to reduce cancer incidence by using pharmacologic agents that interrupt the carcinogenesis process. This review discusses emerging insights and recent advancements in chemoprevention, emphasizing novel approaches in several cancer types. Specifically, we examine breast cancer prevention, focusing on optimized endocrine therapy dosing to enhance adherence and minimize adverse effects while maintaining efficacy. Additionally, the potential of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists to mitigate obesity-related cancer risks is evaluated, highlighting their role in addressing an increasingly prevalent risk factor in the general population. The review further explores strategies targeting colorectal cancer (CRC), specifically in familial adenomatous polyposis, a hereditary CRC syndrome that exemplifies the complex interplay between chemoprevention, genetic risk, and patient management. In prostate cancer, we highlight the evidence supporting the use of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, detailing their effectiveness in reducing cancer incidence as well as their safety profile. Across these areas, this review underscores the importance of precision medicine, advocating for personalized approaches that balance efficacy, safety, and quality-of-life considerations. Ultimately, advancing chemopreventive strategies through targeted research and clinical trials is essential for reducing cancer burden and improving patient outcomes.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Neoplasms/prevention & control/epidemiology/drug therapy/etiology
Risk Factors
Chemoprevention/methods
Risk Reduction Behavior
Female
RevDate: 2025-05-31
CmpDate: 2025-05-28
Mitochondrial calcium signaling regulates branched-chain amino acid catabolism in fibrolamellar carcinoma.
Science advances, 11(22):eadu9512.
Metabolic adaptations are essential for survival. The mitochondrial calcium uniporter plays a key role in coordinating metabolic homeostasis by regulating mitochondrial metabolic pathways and calcium signaling. However, a comprehensive analysis of uniporter-regulated mitochondrial pathways has remained unexplored. Here, we investigate consequences of uniporter loss and gain of function using uniporter knockout cells and fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC), which we demonstrate to have elevated mitochondrial calcium levels. We find that branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism and the urea cycle are uniporter-regulated pathways. Reduced uniporter function boosts expression of BCAA catabolism genes and the urea cycle enzyme ornithine transcarbamylase. In contrast, high uniporter activity in FLC suppresses their expression. This suppression is mediated by the transcription factor KLF15, a master regulator of liver metabolism. Thus, the uniporter plays a central role in FLC-associated metabolic changes, including hyperammonemia. Our study identifies an important role for the uniporter in metabolic adaptation through transcriptional regulation of metabolism and elucidates its importance for BCAA and ammonia metabolism.
Additional Links: PMID-40435263
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40435263,
year = {2025},
author = {Marsh, NM and MacEwen, MJS and Chea, J and Kenerson, HL and Kwong, AA and Locke, TM and Miralles, FJ and Sapre, T and Gozali, N and Hart, ML and Bammler, TK and MacDonald, JW and Sullivan, LB and Atilla-Gokcumen, GE and Ong, SE and Scott, JD and Yeung, RS and Sancak, Y},
title = {Mitochondrial calcium signaling regulates branched-chain amino acid catabolism in fibrolamellar carcinoma.},
journal = {Science advances},
volume = {11},
number = {22},
pages = {eadu9512},
pmid = {40435263},
issn = {2375-2548},
mesh = {*Amino Acids, Branched-Chain/metabolism ; *Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism/genetics/pathology ; Humans ; *Liver Neoplasms/metabolism/pathology/genetics ; *Mitochondria/metabolism ; *Calcium Signaling ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Calcium Channels/metabolism/genetics ; Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/metabolism/genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; },
abstract = {Metabolic adaptations are essential for survival. The mitochondrial calcium uniporter plays a key role in coordinating metabolic homeostasis by regulating mitochondrial metabolic pathways and calcium signaling. However, a comprehensive analysis of uniporter-regulated mitochondrial pathways has remained unexplored. Here, we investigate consequences of uniporter loss and gain of function using uniporter knockout cells and fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC), which we demonstrate to have elevated mitochondrial calcium levels. We find that branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism and the urea cycle are uniporter-regulated pathways. Reduced uniporter function boosts expression of BCAA catabolism genes and the urea cycle enzyme ornithine transcarbamylase. In contrast, high uniporter activity in FLC suppresses their expression. This suppression is mediated by the transcription factor KLF15, a master regulator of liver metabolism. Thus, the uniporter plays a central role in FLC-associated metabolic changes, including hyperammonemia. Our study identifies an important role for the uniporter in metabolic adaptation through transcriptional regulation of metabolism and elucidates its importance for BCAA and ammonia metabolism.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
*Amino Acids, Branched-Chain/metabolism
*Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism/genetics/pathology
Humans
*Liver Neoplasms/metabolism/pathology/genetics
*Mitochondria/metabolism
*Calcium Signaling
Cell Line, Tumor
Calcium Channels/metabolism/genetics
Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors/metabolism/genetics
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
RevDate: 2025-05-31
CmpDate: 2025-05-28
Evaluating the Test-Negative Design for COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Using Randomized Trial Data: A Secondary Cross-Protocol Analysis of 5 Randomized Clinical Trials.
JAMA network open, 8(5):e2512763.
IMPORTANCE: The test-negative design (TND) has been widely used to assess postmarketing COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness but requires further evaluation for this application.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the TND reliably evaluates vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 using placebo-controlled vaccine efficacy randomized clinical trials (RCTs).
This secondary cross-protocol analysis constructed TND study datasets from study sites in 16 countries across 5 continents using the blinded phase cohorts of 5 harmonized phase 3 COVID-19 Prevention Network RCTs: COVE (Coronavirus Vaccine Efficacy and Safety), AZD1222, ENSEMBLE, PREVENT-19 (Prefusion Protein Subunit Vaccine Efficacy Novavax Trial COVID-19), and VAT00008. Participants included adults who received the intended number of doses, experienced COVID-19-like symptoms, and obtained SARS-CoV-2 testing. Start dates ranged from July 27, 2020, to October 19, 2021; data cutoff dates ranged from March 26, 2021, to March 15, 2022. Statistical analysis was performed from May 11, 2023, to February 25, 2025.
INTERVENTIONS: Participants received vaccines consisting of messenger RNA-1273 (COVE; 2 doses 28 days apart), ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222; 2 doses 28 days apart), Ad26.COV2.S (ENSEMBLE; 1 dose), NVX-CoV2373 (PREVENT-19; 2 doses 21 days apart), CoV2 preS dTM-AS03 (VAT00008; D614) (2 doses 21 days apart), or CoV2 preS dTM-AS03 (D614 plus B.1.351) (VAT00008; 2 doses 21 days apart) or placebo.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Main outcomes were symptomatic COVID-19 according to each trial's primary efficacy definition and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated using targeted maximum likelihood estimation under a semiparametric logistic regression model and ordinary logistic regression. Noncase exchangeability, a core TND assumption for unbiased estimation, was also assessed by estimating vaccine efficacy against non-COVID-19 illness.
RESULTS: Among the 12 157 participants included in the analysis, mean (SD) age was 45 (15) years, 6414 were female (53%), 5858 were vaccinated (48%), 2835 experienced primary COVID-19 (23%), and 2992 experienced Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-defined COVID-19 (25%). TND vaccine effectiveness estimates were concordant with RCT vaccine efficacy estimates (concordance correlation coefficient, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.58-0.96] for both outcomes). The semiparametric method had 48% smaller variance estimates than ordinary logistic regression. Noncase exchangeability was generally supported with a median vaccine efficacy against non-COVID-19 illness of 7.7% (IQR, 2.7%-16.8%) across trial cohorts and most 95% CIs including 0.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cross-protocol analysis, the TND provided reliable inferences on COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in health care-seeking populations for multiple vaccines and symptom definitions when confounding and selection bias were absent. A machine-learning approach for robust confounding control in postmarketing TND studies was also introduced.
Additional Links: PMID-40434773
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40434773,
year = {2025},
author = {Andrews, LIB and Halloran, ME and Neuzil, KM and van der Laan, L and Huang, Y and Andriesen, J and Patel, M and Fisher, LH and Janes, H and Rouphael, N and Walsh, SR and Theodore, DA and Tieu, HV and Sobieszczyk, M and El Sahly, HM and Baden, LR and Falsey, AR and Campbell, TB and Kelley, CF and Healy, CM and Immergluck, L and Luft, B and Hirsch, I and de Bruyn, G and Truyers, C and Priddy, F and Sumner, KM and Flannery, B and Follmann, D and Gilbert, PB and , },
title = {Evaluating the Test-Negative Design for COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Using Randomized Trial Data: A Secondary Cross-Protocol Analysis of 5 Randomized Clinical Trials.},
journal = {JAMA network open},
volume = {8},
number = {5},
pages = {e2512763},
pmid = {40434773},
issn = {2574-3805},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19 Vaccines/therapeutic use ; *COVID-19/prevention & control/diagnosis ; *Vaccine Efficacy ; *Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology ; Adult ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Research Design ; },
abstract = {IMPORTANCE: The test-negative design (TND) has been widely used to assess postmarketing COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness but requires further evaluation for this application.
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the TND reliably evaluates vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 using placebo-controlled vaccine efficacy randomized clinical trials (RCTs).
This secondary cross-protocol analysis constructed TND study datasets from study sites in 16 countries across 5 continents using the blinded phase cohorts of 5 harmonized phase 3 COVID-19 Prevention Network RCTs: COVE (Coronavirus Vaccine Efficacy and Safety), AZD1222, ENSEMBLE, PREVENT-19 (Prefusion Protein Subunit Vaccine Efficacy Novavax Trial COVID-19), and VAT00008. Participants included adults who received the intended number of doses, experienced COVID-19-like symptoms, and obtained SARS-CoV-2 testing. Start dates ranged from July 27, 2020, to October 19, 2021; data cutoff dates ranged from March 26, 2021, to March 15, 2022. Statistical analysis was performed from May 11, 2023, to February 25, 2025.
INTERVENTIONS: Participants received vaccines consisting of messenger RNA-1273 (COVE; 2 doses 28 days apart), ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (AZD1222; 2 doses 28 days apart), Ad26.COV2.S (ENSEMBLE; 1 dose), NVX-CoV2373 (PREVENT-19; 2 doses 21 days apart), CoV2 preS dTM-AS03 (VAT00008; D614) (2 doses 21 days apart), or CoV2 preS dTM-AS03 (D614 plus B.1.351) (VAT00008; 2 doses 21 days apart) or placebo.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Main outcomes were symptomatic COVID-19 according to each trial's primary efficacy definition and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definition. Vaccine effectiveness was estimated using targeted maximum likelihood estimation under a semiparametric logistic regression model and ordinary logistic regression. Noncase exchangeability, a core TND assumption for unbiased estimation, was also assessed by estimating vaccine efficacy against non-COVID-19 illness.
RESULTS: Among the 12 157 participants included in the analysis, mean (SD) age was 45 (15) years, 6414 were female (53%), 5858 were vaccinated (48%), 2835 experienced primary COVID-19 (23%), and 2992 experienced Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-defined COVID-19 (25%). TND vaccine effectiveness estimates were concordant with RCT vaccine efficacy estimates (concordance correlation coefficient, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.58-0.96] for both outcomes). The semiparametric method had 48% smaller variance estimates than ordinary logistic regression. Noncase exchangeability was generally supported with a median vaccine efficacy against non-COVID-19 illness of 7.7% (IQR, 2.7%-16.8%) across trial cohorts and most 95% CIs including 0.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cross-protocol analysis, the TND provided reliable inferences on COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness in health care-seeking populations for multiple vaccines and symptom definitions when confounding and selection bias were absent. A machine-learning approach for robust confounding control in postmarketing TND studies was also introduced.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*COVID-19 Vaccines/therapeutic use
*COVID-19/prevention & control/diagnosis
*Vaccine Efficacy
*Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
SARS-CoV-2/immunology
Adult
Female
Male
Middle Aged
*Research Design
RevDate: 2025-05-31
Disease Burden at the Time of Transplantation Is a Primary Predictor of Outcomes in Pediatric MDS: A Single-Center Experience.
Cancers, 17(10):.
BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remains the only curative therapy for pediatric myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in all but rare cases. While HCT outcomes for pediatric MDS are similar across the largest registry and single-center trials, factors identified as contributing to inferior outcomes vary from study to study. We performed an analysis to provide more clarity on the prognostic implications of disease characteristics, including blast burden and cytogenetic abnormalities, in the current era.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 36 consecutive children (<18 years of age at HCT) who underwent allogeneic HCT for MDS between June 2000 and October 2019 at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
RESULTS: Overall survival (OS) was 77% (95% CI 64-92%) and relapse-free survival (RFS) was 71% (95% CI 57-88%) at 2 years post-HCT. Patients with <5% blasts by morphology in the bone marrow at the time of HCT showed superior 2-year OS at 87% (95% CI 74-100%) as compared to 54% (95% CI 32-93%) in patients with ≥5% blasts, consistent with an HR of 4.6 (CI 1.14-18.7, p = 0.03). The inferior outcomes in patients with ≥5% blasts were due to increased relapse incidence (HR 7.6, CI 1.5-39.3) with no difference in NRM or acute GVHD.
CONCLUSIONS: OS and RFS were comparable to what has been observed in other large, single-center studies (OS 77%, RFS 71% at 2 years) and compared favorably to outcomes from the largest multi-center retrospective analyses.
Additional Links: PMID-40427141
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40427141,
year = {2025},
author = {Dahlberg, A and Stevenson, P and Bhatt, NS and Burroughs, L and Carpenter, PA and Summers, C and Tarlock, K and Thakar, MS and Milano, F and Deeg, HJ and Bleakley, M},
title = {Disease Burden at the Time of Transplantation Is a Primary Predictor of Outcomes in Pediatric MDS: A Single-Center Experience.},
journal = {Cancers},
volume = {17},
number = {10},
pages = {},
pmid = {40427141},
issn = {2072-6694},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) remains the only curative therapy for pediatric myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in all but rare cases. While HCT outcomes for pediatric MDS are similar across the largest registry and single-center trials, factors identified as contributing to inferior outcomes vary from study to study. We performed an analysis to provide more clarity on the prognostic implications of disease characteristics, including blast burden and cytogenetic abnormalities, in the current era.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 36 consecutive children (<18 years of age at HCT) who underwent allogeneic HCT for MDS between June 2000 and October 2019 at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center.
RESULTS: Overall survival (OS) was 77% (95% CI 64-92%) and relapse-free survival (RFS) was 71% (95% CI 57-88%) at 2 years post-HCT. Patients with <5% blasts by morphology in the bone marrow at the time of HCT showed superior 2-year OS at 87% (95% CI 74-100%) as compared to 54% (95% CI 32-93%) in patients with ≥5% blasts, consistent with an HR of 4.6 (CI 1.14-18.7, p = 0.03). The inferior outcomes in patients with ≥5% blasts were due to increased relapse incidence (HR 7.6, CI 1.5-39.3) with no difference in NRM or acute GVHD.
CONCLUSIONS: OS and RFS were comparable to what has been observed in other large, single-center studies (OS 77%, RFS 71% at 2 years) and compared favorably to outcomes from the largest multi-center retrospective analyses.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-27
Lutetium-177-PSMA-617 or cabazitaxel in metastatic prostate cancer: circulating tumor DNA analysis of the randomized phase 2 TheraP trial.
Nature medicine [Epub ahead of print].
The prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand [[177]Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 is a new standard treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), but predictive genomic biomarkers informing its rational use are unknown. We performed detailed dissection of prostate cancer driver genes across 290 serial plasma cell-free DNA samples from 180 molecular imaging-selected patients with mCRPC from the randomized TheraP trial of [[177]Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 (n = 97) versus cabazitaxel chemotherapy (n = 83). The primary endpoint was PSA50 biochemical response, with secondary endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). In this post-hoc biomarker analysis, a low pretreatment circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) fraction predicted a superior biochemical response (100% versus 58%, P = 0.0067) and PFS (median 14.7 versus 6.0 months; hazard ratio 0.12, P = 2.5 × 10[-4]) on [[177]Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 independent of predictive PSMA-positron emission tomography imaging parameters, although this benefit did not extend to OS. Deleterious PTEN alterations were associated with worse PFS and OS on cabazitaxel, whereas ATM defects were observed in select patients with favorable [[177]Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 outcomes. Comparing pretreatment and progression ctDNA revealed population flux but no evidence that alterations in individual mCRPC genes (or FOLH1) are dominant causes of acquired [[177]Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 or cabazitaxel resistance. Our results nominate new candidate biomarkers for [[177]Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 selection and ultimately expand the mCRPC predictive biomarker repertoire. We anticipate our ctDNA fraction-aware analytical framework will aid future precision management strategies for [[177]Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 and other PSMA-targeted therapeutics. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03392428 .
Additional Links: PMID-40425844
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40425844,
year = {2025},
author = {Kwan, EM and Ng, SWS and Tolmeijer, SH and Emmett, L and Sandhu, S and Buteau, JP and Iravani, A and Joshua, AM and Francis, RJ and Subhash, V and Lee, ST and Scott, AM and Martin, AJ and Stockler, MR and Donnellan, G and Annala, M and Herberts, C and Davis, ID and Hofman, MS and Azad, AA and Wyatt, AW and , },
title = {Lutetium-177-PSMA-617 or cabazitaxel in metastatic prostate cancer: circulating tumor DNA analysis of the randomized phase 2 TheraP trial.},
journal = {Nature medicine},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40425844},
issn = {1546-170X},
support = {PCF Challenge Award//Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF)/ ; Young Investigator Award//Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF)/ ; Young Investigator Award//Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF)/ ; BC Trainee Award//Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR)/ ; NHMRC Investigator Fellowship #1177837//Department of Health | National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)/ ; NHMRC Practitioner Fellowship APP1102604//Department of Health | National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)/ ; },
abstract = {The prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted radioligand [[177]Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 is a new standard treatment for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), but predictive genomic biomarkers informing its rational use are unknown. We performed detailed dissection of prostate cancer driver genes across 290 serial plasma cell-free DNA samples from 180 molecular imaging-selected patients with mCRPC from the randomized TheraP trial of [[177]Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 (n = 97) versus cabazitaxel chemotherapy (n = 83). The primary endpoint was PSA50 biochemical response, with secondary endpoints of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). In this post-hoc biomarker analysis, a low pretreatment circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) fraction predicted a superior biochemical response (100% versus 58%, P = 0.0067) and PFS (median 14.7 versus 6.0 months; hazard ratio 0.12, P = 2.5 × 10[-4]) on [[177]Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 independent of predictive PSMA-positron emission tomography imaging parameters, although this benefit did not extend to OS. Deleterious PTEN alterations were associated with worse PFS and OS on cabazitaxel, whereas ATM defects were observed in select patients with favorable [[177]Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 outcomes. Comparing pretreatment and progression ctDNA revealed population flux but no evidence that alterations in individual mCRPC genes (or FOLH1) are dominant causes of acquired [[177]Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 or cabazitaxel resistance. Our results nominate new candidate biomarkers for [[177]Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 selection and ultimately expand the mCRPC predictive biomarker repertoire. We anticipate our ctDNA fraction-aware analytical framework will aid future precision management strategies for [[177]Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 and other PSMA-targeted therapeutics. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03392428 .},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-30
CmpDate: 2025-05-27
Multiplex base editing to protect from CD33 directed drugs for immune and gene therapy.
Nature communications, 16(1):4899.
The selection of genetically engineered immune or hematopoietic cells in vivo after gene editing remains a clinical problem and requires a method to spare on-target toxicity to normal cells. Here, we develop a base editing approach exploiting a naturally occurring CD33 single nucleotide polymorphism leading to removal of full-length CD33 surface expression on edited cells. CD33 editing in human and nonhuman primate hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells protects myeloid progeny from CD33-targeted therapeutics without affecting normal hematopoiesis in vivo, thus demonstrating potential for improved immunotherapies with reduced off-leukemia toxicity. For broader application to gene therapies, we demonstrate highly efficient (>70%) multiplexed adenine base editing of the CD33 and gamma globin genes, resulting in long-term persistence of dual gene-edited cells with HbF reactivation in nonhuman primates. Using the CD33 antibody-drug conjugate Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin, we show resistance of engrafted, multiplex edited human cells in vivo, and a 2-fold enrichment for edited cells in vitro. Together, our results highlight the potential of adenine base editors for improved immune and gene therapies.
Additional Links: PMID-40425554
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@article {pmid40425554,
year = {2025},
author = {Borot, F and Humbert, O and Ehmsen, JT and Fields, E and Kohli, S and Radtke, S and Swing, K and Pande, D and Enstrom, MR and Laszlo, GS and Mayuranathan, T and Ali, AM and Weiss, MJ and Yen, JS and Newby, GA and Walter, RB and Liu, DR and Mukherjee, S and Kiem, HP},
title = {Multiplex base editing to protect from CD33 directed drugs for immune and gene therapy.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {4899},
pmid = {40425554},
issn = {2041-1723},
mesh = {Humans ; Animals ; *Gene Editing/methods ; *Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 3/genetics/metabolism/immunology ; *Genetic Therapy/methods ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells/metabolism/drug effects ; Gemtuzumab/pharmacology ; *Immunotherapy/methods ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; CRISPR-Cas Systems ; Mice ; },
abstract = {The selection of genetically engineered immune or hematopoietic cells in vivo after gene editing remains a clinical problem and requires a method to spare on-target toxicity to normal cells. Here, we develop a base editing approach exploiting a naturally occurring CD33 single nucleotide polymorphism leading to removal of full-length CD33 surface expression on edited cells. CD33 editing in human and nonhuman primate hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells protects myeloid progeny from CD33-targeted therapeutics without affecting normal hematopoiesis in vivo, thus demonstrating potential for improved immunotherapies with reduced off-leukemia toxicity. For broader application to gene therapies, we demonstrate highly efficient (>70%) multiplexed adenine base editing of the CD33 and gamma globin genes, resulting in long-term persistence of dual gene-edited cells with HbF reactivation in nonhuman primates. Using the CD33 antibody-drug conjugate Gemtuzumab Ozogamicin, we show resistance of engrafted, multiplex edited human cells in vivo, and a 2-fold enrichment for edited cells in vitro. Together, our results highlight the potential of adenine base editors for improved immune and gene therapies.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
Animals
*Gene Editing/methods
*Sialic Acid Binding Ig-like Lectin 3/genetics/metabolism/immunology
*Genetic Therapy/methods
Hematopoietic Stem Cells/metabolism/drug effects
Gemtuzumab/pharmacology
*Immunotherapy/methods
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
CRISPR-Cas Systems
Mice
RevDate: 2025-05-27
Association Between Rheumatoid Arthritis, Frailty Status, and Mortality in Older Adults with Bladder Cancer.
Clinical genitourinary cancer pii:S1558-7673(25)00070-9 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: To evaluate the associations between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and all-cause (ACM) and cancer-Specific mortality (CSM) in older adults with bladder cancer and examine how frailty may affect these associations.
METHODS: Retrospective cohort study derived from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registry and linked to Medicare claims data (SEER-Medicare). The cohort consisted of patients ≥ 65 years diagnosed with bladder cancer between 2004 and 2017. RA and frailty status were derived using validated administrative algorithms. ACM and CSM as derived from the SEER registry.
RESULTS: Frailty modified the relationship between RA and mortality outcomes (interaction P value for ACM: .002 and for CSM: .007). We observed that RA was associated with a higher risk of CSM (aHR 1.17, 95% CI, 1.01-1.35) and ACM (aHR 1.12, 95% CI, 1.05-1.20) in nonfrail patients. In frail patients with bladder cancer, RA was not independently associated with CSM (aHR 0.81, 95% CI, 0.62-1.06) or ACM (aHR 0.93, 95% CI, 0.83-1.05).
CONCLUSION: Frailty is associated with adverse health outcomes. As people are living longer, it is becoming increasingly prevalent among patients with chronic conditions such as RA. We observed that RA is associated with increased risk of ACM and CSM among nonfrail older adults with bladder cancer. The lack of an association between RA and mortality in frail patients with RA suggests that the effect of frailty on mortality may overpower the effect that RA may exert-this information can help prognosticate outcomes in patients with bladder cancer, RA, and frailty.
Additional Links: PMID-40425412
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40425412,
year = {2025},
author = {Swaminathan, M and Holt, SK and Gore, JL and Nyame, YA and Wright, J and Shah, A and Sparks, JA and Makris, UE and Grivas, P and Suarez-Almazor, M and Psutka, S and Singh, N},
title = {Association Between Rheumatoid Arthritis, Frailty Status, and Mortality in Older Adults with Bladder Cancer.},
journal = {Clinical genitourinary cancer},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {102369},
doi = {10.1016/j.clgc.2025.102369},
pmid = {40425412},
issn = {1938-0682},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: To evaluate the associations between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and all-cause (ACM) and cancer-Specific mortality (CSM) in older adults with bladder cancer and examine how frailty may affect these associations.
METHODS: Retrospective cohort study derived from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) cancer registry and linked to Medicare claims data (SEER-Medicare). The cohort consisted of patients ≥ 65 years diagnosed with bladder cancer between 2004 and 2017. RA and frailty status were derived using validated administrative algorithms. ACM and CSM as derived from the SEER registry.
RESULTS: Frailty modified the relationship between RA and mortality outcomes (interaction P value for ACM: .002 and for CSM: .007). We observed that RA was associated with a higher risk of CSM (aHR 1.17, 95% CI, 1.01-1.35) and ACM (aHR 1.12, 95% CI, 1.05-1.20) in nonfrail patients. In frail patients with bladder cancer, RA was not independently associated with CSM (aHR 0.81, 95% CI, 0.62-1.06) or ACM (aHR 0.93, 95% CI, 0.83-1.05).
CONCLUSION: Frailty is associated with adverse health outcomes. As people are living longer, it is becoming increasingly prevalent among patients with chronic conditions such as RA. We observed that RA is associated with increased risk of ACM and CSM among nonfrail older adults with bladder cancer. The lack of an association between RA and mortality in frail patients with RA suggests that the effect of frailty on mortality may overpower the effect that RA may exert-this information can help prognosticate outcomes in patients with bladder cancer, RA, and frailty.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-27
CmpDate: 2025-05-27
Does paired genetic testing improve targeted therapy choices and screening recommendations for patients with upper gastrointestinal cancers and their families? A prospective cohort of 42 patients.
BMJ open, 15(5):e091745.
OBJECTIVES: Our study was designed to assess whether paired normal-tumour testing increased access to targeted therapy, clinical trials and influenced cancer screening recommendations given to patients and their families.
DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.
SETTING: Academic cancer centre in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA.
PARTICIPANTS: Patients newly diagnosed between 01 January 2021 and 31 December 2022 with cancers of the oesophagus, gastro-oesophageal junction and stomach (CEGEJS) were included. All other cancer diagnoses such as head and neck, duodenal and lower gastrointestinal tract cancers were excluded.
INTERVENTION: Paired germline and tumour genetic test within 90 days of new patient visit.
PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of targeted therapies received (or not) when eligible, follow-up treatment data and number of inherited predispositions to cancers identified. No secondary outcome measures.
RESULTS: Of 42 patients, 32 (76.2%) were eligible for at least one targeted therapy. 19 patients received immunotherapy, when 16 had a biomarker predicting immunotherapy benefit, and benefit of immunotherapy was unclear for 3. Another 11 did not have this biomarker, and 6 of them received immunotherapy. Six pathogenic variants were identified in four high-risk genes. By 01 January 2024, 18 patients (42.9%) had died of complications of cancer.
CONCLUSION: More than 75% of patients who received tumour testing were eligible for a targeted therapy regardless of their stage at diagnosis, emphasising the need to expand access to testing with staging workup to improve survival outcomes. Six families received personalised screening recommendations, thanks to this study.
Additional Links: PMID-40425247
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40425247,
year = {2025},
author = {Tatunay, K and Cohen, S and Naylor, LV and Handford, CL and Jacobson, A and Shankaran, V and Oelschlager, B and Grady, WM and Sjoding, B and Lally, E and Facchini, L and Sun, Q and Laurino, MY and Pritchard, C and Konnick, EQ and Dubard-Gault, ME},
title = {Does paired genetic testing improve targeted therapy choices and screening recommendations for patients with upper gastrointestinal cancers and their families? A prospective cohort of 42 patients.},
journal = {BMJ open},
volume = {15},
number = {5},
pages = {e091745},
pmid = {40425247},
issn = {2044-6055},
mesh = {Humans ; Male ; Female ; *Genetic Testing/methods ; Prospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; *Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/genetics/diagnosis/therapy ; *Esophageal Neoplasms/genetics/diagnosis/therapy ; *Early Detection of Cancer/methods ; Adult ; *Molecular Targeted Therapy ; *Stomach Neoplasms/genetics/diagnosis/therapy ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVES: Our study was designed to assess whether paired normal-tumour testing increased access to targeted therapy, clinical trials and influenced cancer screening recommendations given to patients and their families.
DESIGN: Prospective cohort study.
SETTING: Academic cancer centre in the Pacific Northwest region of the USA.
PARTICIPANTS: Patients newly diagnosed between 01 January 2021 and 31 December 2022 with cancers of the oesophagus, gastro-oesophageal junction and stomach (CEGEJS) were included. All other cancer diagnoses such as head and neck, duodenal and lower gastrointestinal tract cancers were excluded.
INTERVENTION: Paired germline and tumour genetic test within 90 days of new patient visit.
PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of targeted therapies received (or not) when eligible, follow-up treatment data and number of inherited predispositions to cancers identified. No secondary outcome measures.
RESULTS: Of 42 patients, 32 (76.2%) were eligible for at least one targeted therapy. 19 patients received immunotherapy, when 16 had a biomarker predicting immunotherapy benefit, and benefit of immunotherapy was unclear for 3. Another 11 did not have this biomarker, and 6 of them received immunotherapy. Six pathogenic variants were identified in four high-risk genes. By 01 January 2024, 18 patients (42.9%) had died of complications of cancer.
CONCLUSION: More than 75% of patients who received tumour testing were eligible for a targeted therapy regardless of their stage at diagnosis, emphasising the need to expand access to testing with staging workup to improve survival outcomes. Six families received personalised screening recommendations, thanks to this study.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
Male
Female
*Genetic Testing/methods
Prospective Studies
Middle Aged
Aged
*Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/genetics/diagnosis/therapy
*Esophageal Neoplasms/genetics/diagnosis/therapy
*Early Detection of Cancer/methods
Adult
*Molecular Targeted Therapy
*Stomach Neoplasms/genetics/diagnosis/therapy
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
RevDate: 2025-05-27
Nextclade data set for the ORF5-based lineage classification of PRRSV-1.
Microbiology resource announcements [Epub ahead of print].
A Nextclade data set for PRRSV-1 ORF5 based on a global nomenclature for standardized lineage classification was developed. This tool enables rapid sequence analysis, visualization, and comparison with reference strains and vaccines. By providing accessibility, it facilitates broader adoption of PRRSV-1 classification frameworks for research and surveillance.
Additional Links: PMID-40422973
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40422973,
year = {2025},
author = {Zeller, M and Chang, J and Trevisan, G and Gauger, PC and Zhang, J},
title = {Nextclade data set for the ORF5-based lineage classification of PRRSV-1.},
journal = {Microbiology resource announcements},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0030325},
doi = {10.1128/mra.00303-25},
pmid = {40422973},
issn = {2576-098X},
abstract = {A Nextclade data set for PRRSV-1 ORF5 based on a global nomenclature for standardized lineage classification was developed. This tool enables rapid sequence analysis, visualization, and comparison with reference strains and vaccines. By providing accessibility, it facilitates broader adoption of PRRSV-1 classification frameworks for research and surveillance.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-27
CmpDate: 2025-05-27
MDM2 as a therapeutic target in advanced biliary tract cancers.
The oncologist, 30(5):.
Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors arising from cells in the bile ducts and gallbladder. The 5-year overall survival rate for all BTC stages combined is ~20%, and treatment options for patients with unresectable disease are limited, leaving an unmet clinical need. In recent years, significant efforts have been made to refine and implement targeted therapeutic approaches for patients with BTC. The adoption of early and comprehensive molecular profiling is crucial to identifying patients who may be candidates for effective targeted therapies. Characterization of the molecular landscape of BTCs led to the identification of murine double minute 2 homolog gene (MDM2) amplification across all BTC subtypes. The MDM2 protein is a critical negative regulator of p53 stabilization and activity that is an emerging actionable biomarker in BTCs. There are multiple therapeutic approaches that aim to target MDM2 activity, thereby restoring the intrinsic tumor suppressor function of p53 and halting oncogenesis. However, these have been limited by our evolving understanding of the role of MDM2 in BTC pathogenesis. Here, we offer a review of the current understanding of the role of MDM2 in BTC biology and its therapeutic implications.
Additional Links: PMID-40421959
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40421959,
year = {2025},
author = {Spencer, KR and King, GG},
title = {MDM2 as a therapeutic target in advanced biliary tract cancers.},
journal = {The oncologist},
volume = {30},
number = {5},
pages = {},
pmid = {40421959},
issn = {1549-490X},
support = {//Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2/genetics/antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism ; *Biliary Tract Neoplasms/drug therapy/pathology/genetics ; Molecular Targeted Therapy ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are a heterogeneous group of tumors arising from cells in the bile ducts and gallbladder. The 5-year overall survival rate for all BTC stages combined is ~20%, and treatment options for patients with unresectable disease are limited, leaving an unmet clinical need. In recent years, significant efforts have been made to refine and implement targeted therapeutic approaches for patients with BTC. The adoption of early and comprehensive molecular profiling is crucial to identifying patients who may be candidates for effective targeted therapies. Characterization of the molecular landscape of BTCs led to the identification of murine double minute 2 homolog gene (MDM2) amplification across all BTC subtypes. The MDM2 protein is a critical negative regulator of p53 stabilization and activity that is an emerging actionable biomarker in BTCs. There are multiple therapeutic approaches that aim to target MDM2 activity, thereby restoring the intrinsic tumor suppressor function of p53 and halting oncogenesis. However, these have been limited by our evolving understanding of the role of MDM2 in BTC pathogenesis. Here, we offer a review of the current understanding of the role of MDM2 in BTC biology and its therapeutic implications.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2/genetics/antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism
*Biliary Tract Neoplasms/drug therapy/pathology/genetics
Molecular Targeted Therapy
Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics/metabolism
RevDate: 2025-05-27
CmpDate: 2025-05-27
Extracellular vesicles from human semen induce unique tolerogenic phenotypes in vaginal dendritic cells and regulatory T lymphocytes.
Frontiers in immunology, 16:1564002.
INTRODUCTION: The regulation of immune responses to promote tolerance to the fetus is critical for successful pregnancy. An understudied aspect of this process is the initiation of regulation pre-conception via exposure to semen. Our study aimed to understand how semen impacts recipient dendritic cells (DCs) and their subsequent role in shaping CD4 T cell differentiation.
METHODS: Monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs) were exposed to semen extracellular vesicles (SEV) or vesicle-depleted semen plasma (VDSP). Phenotypic and functional markers were analyzed using flow cytometry. We also exposed epithelial sheets from vaginal tissue to SEV and VDSP, and measured the number and marker expression of emigrating cells. Finally, we tested how SEV- or VDSP-exposed DCs altered CD4 T cell differentiation by co-culturing exposed MoDCs or tissue emigrated cells with autologous naïve CD4 T cells.
RESULTS: MoDCs exhibited a significant increase of CD141, CD1a, CD38, and ILT4 expression when exposed to SEV or VDSP. A unique feature of semen-treated MoDCs was expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), a potent contributor to the induction of regulatory T cells (Tregs). SEV but not VDSP significantly increased the emigration of intraepithelial DCs. Additionally, SEV significantly enhanced the expression of multiple immunoregulatory markers in the emigrated DCs. After co-culture, we observed significantly more FOXP3+ Tregs expressing high levels of TIGIT in the groups that were initially exposed to SEV.
DISCUSSION: These findings indicate that exposure to SEV induces a tolerogenic program in DCs that can direct differentiation of a unique memory Treg subset, primed for expansion and presumably destined to support a successful pregnancy.
Additional Links: PMID-40421022
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40421022,
year = {2025},
author = {Paktinat, S and Gravett, MG and Tobey, C and Kirby, A and Horner, W and Shaffer, R and Fialkow, M and Nguyen, NP and Gornalusse, GG and Kalatehjari, M and Hughes, SM and Hladik, F and Vojtech, L},
title = {Extracellular vesicles from human semen induce unique tolerogenic phenotypes in vaginal dendritic cells and regulatory T lymphocytes.},
journal = {Frontiers in immunology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1564002},
pmid = {40421022},
issn = {1664-3224},
mesh = {Humans ; *Dendritic Cells/immunology/metabolism ; Female ; *Semen/immunology/metabolism ; *T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology/metabolism ; *Extracellular Vesicles/immunology/metabolism ; *Immune Tolerance ; Cell Differentiation/immunology ; *Vagina/immunology/cytology ; Male ; Phenotype ; Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Pregnancy ; Coculture Techniques ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The regulation of immune responses to promote tolerance to the fetus is critical for successful pregnancy. An understudied aspect of this process is the initiation of regulation pre-conception via exposure to semen. Our study aimed to understand how semen impacts recipient dendritic cells (DCs) and their subsequent role in shaping CD4 T cell differentiation.
METHODS: Monocyte-derived DCs (MoDCs) were exposed to semen extracellular vesicles (SEV) or vesicle-depleted semen plasma (VDSP). Phenotypic and functional markers were analyzed using flow cytometry. We also exposed epithelial sheets from vaginal tissue to SEV and VDSP, and measured the number and marker expression of emigrating cells. Finally, we tested how SEV- or VDSP-exposed DCs altered CD4 T cell differentiation by co-culturing exposed MoDCs or tissue emigrated cells with autologous naïve CD4 T cells.
RESULTS: MoDCs exhibited a significant increase of CD141, CD1a, CD38, and ILT4 expression when exposed to SEV or VDSP. A unique feature of semen-treated MoDCs was expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), a potent contributor to the induction of regulatory T cells (Tregs). SEV but not VDSP significantly increased the emigration of intraepithelial DCs. Additionally, SEV significantly enhanced the expression of multiple immunoregulatory markers in the emigrated DCs. After co-culture, we observed significantly more FOXP3+ Tregs expressing high levels of TIGIT in the groups that were initially exposed to SEV.
DISCUSSION: These findings indicate that exposure to SEV induces a tolerogenic program in DCs that can direct differentiation of a unique memory Treg subset, primed for expansion and presumably destined to support a successful pregnancy.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Dendritic Cells/immunology/metabolism
Female
*Semen/immunology/metabolism
*T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology/metabolism
*Extracellular Vesicles/immunology/metabolism
*Immune Tolerance
Cell Differentiation/immunology
*Vagina/immunology/cytology
Male
Phenotype
Indoleamine-Pyrrole 2,3,-Dioxygenase/metabolism
Cells, Cultured
Pregnancy
Coculture Techniques
RevDate: 2025-05-27
Glycoprotein L-deleted single-cycle rhesus cytomegalovirus vectors elicit MHC-E-restricted CD8+ T cells that protect against SIV.
Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950) pii:8150972 [Epub ahead of print].
Strain 68-1 rhesus CMV (RhCMV) vectors induce immune responses that mediate early, complete replication arrest of SIV infection in ∼60% of vaccinated rhesus macaques (RMs). This unique efficacy depends on the ability of these vectors to elicit effector memory (EM)-biased CD8+ T cells recognizing SIV peptides presented by MHC-E, rather than MHC-Ia. These efficacious responses still occurred when spread of the 68-1 vector was impaired by deletion of the viral anti-host intrinsic immunity factor phosphoprotein 71 (pp71), but efficacy was lost with a more stringent attenuation strategy based on destabilization of Rh108, the ortholog of the essential human CMV (HCMV) transcription factor UL79 that is required for late viral gene expression. Although unable to produce infectious progeny (ie single-cycle infection), Rh108-deficient vectors elicited durable, high frequency, EM-biased, SIV-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in RMs, but these responses were MHC-Ia-restricted and therefore non-efficacious. Here, we tested a different single-cycle attenuation strategy based on deletion (Δ) of the glycoprotein L (gL) that is essential for viral entry but allows for late gene expression and viral assembly. ΔgL 68-1 RhCMV/SIV vectors, grown on gL-complementing fibroblasts, were robustly immunogenic at doses above 105 PFU, generating high frequency, EM-biased, SIV-specific CD8+ T-cell responses that were also unconventionally restricted, including the MHC-E restriction associated with efficacy. Indeed, these single-cycle vectors manifested replication arrest efficacy in 70% of vaccinated RMs, further linking MHC-E restriction with efficacy, and demonstrating that 68-1 RhCMV/SIV efficacy does not require vector dissemination within the host.
Additional Links: PMID-40420384
Publisher:
PubMed:
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@article {pmid40420384,
year = {2025},
author = {Hansen, SG and Schell, JB and Marshall, EE and Ojha, S and Feltham, S and Morrow, D and Hughes, CM and Gilbride, RM and Ford, JC and Cleveland-Rubeor, HC and McArdle, MR and Whitmer, T and Barber-Axthelm, A and Bochart, R and Smedley, J and Oswald, K and Fast, R and Shoemaker, R and Kosmider, E and Edlefsen, PT and Lifson, JD and Malouli, D and Früh, K and Picker, LJ},
title = {Glycoprotein L-deleted single-cycle rhesus cytomegalovirus vectors elicit MHC-E-restricted CD8+ T cells that protect against SIV.},
journal = {Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jimmun/vkaf104},
pmid = {40420384},
issn = {1550-6606},
support = {U19 AI128741/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; P01 AI174856/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; R01 AI059457/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Strain 68-1 rhesus CMV (RhCMV) vectors induce immune responses that mediate early, complete replication arrest of SIV infection in ∼60% of vaccinated rhesus macaques (RMs). This unique efficacy depends on the ability of these vectors to elicit effector memory (EM)-biased CD8+ T cells recognizing SIV peptides presented by MHC-E, rather than MHC-Ia. These efficacious responses still occurred when spread of the 68-1 vector was impaired by deletion of the viral anti-host intrinsic immunity factor phosphoprotein 71 (pp71), but efficacy was lost with a more stringent attenuation strategy based on destabilization of Rh108, the ortholog of the essential human CMV (HCMV) transcription factor UL79 that is required for late viral gene expression. Although unable to produce infectious progeny (ie single-cycle infection), Rh108-deficient vectors elicited durable, high frequency, EM-biased, SIV-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in RMs, but these responses were MHC-Ia-restricted and therefore non-efficacious. Here, we tested a different single-cycle attenuation strategy based on deletion (Δ) of the glycoprotein L (gL) that is essential for viral entry but allows for late gene expression and viral assembly. ΔgL 68-1 RhCMV/SIV vectors, grown on gL-complementing fibroblasts, were robustly immunogenic at doses above 105 PFU, generating high frequency, EM-biased, SIV-specific CD8+ T-cell responses that were also unconventionally restricted, including the MHC-E restriction associated with efficacy. Indeed, these single-cycle vectors manifested replication arrest efficacy in 70% of vaccinated RMs, further linking MHC-E restriction with efficacy, and demonstrating that 68-1 RhCMV/SIV efficacy does not require vector dissemination within the host.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-26
CmpDate: 2025-05-26
Distal gut colonization by oral bacteria during intensive chemotherapy: direct evidence from strain-level analysis of paired samples.
NPJ biofilms and microbiomes, 11(1):88.
Oral bacteria have been found in the colon in pathologies such as inflammatory bowel disease. To ascertain niche coalescence, 2 elements are essential: (i) paired oral/fecal samples and (ii) strain-level resolution. We profiled the microbiota in 283 samples from 39 patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy at baseline (saliva: 49, plaque: 51, stool: 43), week 2 (saliva: 18, plaque: 17, stool: 17), week 3 (saliva: 18, plaque: 21, stool: 21), and week 4 (saliva: 8, plaque: 10, stool: 10) of chemotherapy. Through strain-level analysis of paired samples, we demonstrate strong evidence for a breakdown of niche separation in most patients. The extent of overlap increased with time, particularly in patients with intestinal mucositis. Our findings provide definitive evidence for ectopic colonization of the distal gut by oral bacteria in a disease state, likely facilitated by intestinal mucositis. Microbiota contribution by the mouth to the colon may have consequences for the host.
Additional Links: PMID-40419513
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40419513,
year = {2025},
author = {Raychaudhuri, S and Gem, H and Chung, K and McLean, JS and Kerns, KA and Hullar, MAJ and Elmorr, E and Appelbaum, JB and Percival, MM and Walter, RB and Halpern, AB and Minot, SS and Kim, K and Zevin, AS and Rashidi, A},
title = {Distal gut colonization by oral bacteria during intensive chemotherapy: direct evidence from strain-level analysis of paired samples.},
journal = {NPJ biofilms and microbiomes},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {88},
pmid = {40419513},
issn = {2055-5008},
support = {T32HL007093/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; n/a//American Academy of Oral Medicine Research Advancement Committee/ ; P30 CA015704/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; P30 CA015704/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; n/a//Kuni Foundation/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; Feces/microbiology ; *Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics/drug effects ; *Mouth/microbiology ; Male ; Female ; Saliva/microbiology ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Aged ; *Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use/adverse effects ; },
abstract = {Oral bacteria have been found in the colon in pathologies such as inflammatory bowel disease. To ascertain niche coalescence, 2 elements are essential: (i) paired oral/fecal samples and (ii) strain-level resolution. We profiled the microbiota in 283 samples from 39 patients undergoing intensive chemotherapy at baseline (saliva: 49, plaque: 51, stool: 43), week 2 (saliva: 18, plaque: 17, stool: 17), week 3 (saliva: 18, plaque: 21, stool: 21), and week 4 (saliva: 8, plaque: 10, stool: 10) of chemotherapy. Through strain-level analysis of paired samples, we demonstrate strong evidence for a breakdown of niche separation in most patients. The extent of overlap increased with time, particularly in patients with intestinal mucositis. Our findings provide definitive evidence for ectopic colonization of the distal gut by oral bacteria in a disease state, likely facilitated by intestinal mucositis. Microbiota contribution by the mouth to the colon may have consequences for the host.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
Feces/microbiology
*Bacteria/classification/isolation & purification/genetics/drug effects
*Mouth/microbiology
Male
Female
Saliva/microbiology
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Middle Aged
Adult
Aged
*Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use/adverse effects
RevDate: 2025-05-26
CmpDate: 2025-05-26
HMGA2 and protein leucine methylation drive pancreatic cancer lineage plasticity.
Nature communications, 16(1):4866.
Basal pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has the worst overall survival and is the only subtype that serves as an independent poor prognostic factor. We identify elevated levels of LIN28B and its downstream target, HMGA2, in basal PDAC. Notably, LIN28B significantly accelerates KRAS-driven PDAC progression in a mouse model. Here, we show that HMGA2 promotes basal PDAC pathogenesis by enhancing mRNA translation downstream of LIN28B. Mechanistically, HMGA2 suppresses leucine carboxyl methyltransferase 1 (LCMT1) at the chromatin level, reducing PP2A methylation and activity. This leads to increased phosphorylation of S6K and eIF4B, boosting mRNA translation. Additionally, HMGA2 downregulates B56α (PPP2R5A), disrupting functional PP2A holoenzyme assembly and further sustaining phosphorylated S6K levels. Impaired PP2A function mimics HMGA2's effects, reinforcing increased mRNA translation and basal lineage features. This work uncovers a critical link between the LIN28B/HMGA2 axis, protein synthesis, and PDAC lineage specificity via LCMT1-mediated PP2A methylation and B56α-PP2A disruption.
Additional Links: PMID-40419509
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@article {pmid40419509,
year = {2025},
author = {Dobersch, S and Yamamoto, N and Schutter, A and Cavender, SM and Robertson, TM and Kartha, N and Samraj, AN and Doron, B and Poole, LA and Wladyka, CL and Zhang, A and Jang, GH and Mahalingam, AH and Barreto, G and Raghavan, S and Narla, G and Notta, F and Eisenman, RN and Hsieh, AC and Kugel, S},
title = {HMGA2 and protein leucine methylation drive pancreatic cancer lineage plasticity.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {4866},
pmid = {40419509},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {5R37CA241472-03//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ ; 1R01CA255015-01//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ ; R37 CA230617/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; K08 CA260442/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R37 CA230617/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 CA276308/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; 465590102//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (German Research Foundation)/ ; PF-24-1196662-01-RMC//American Cancer Society (American Cancer Society, Inc.)/ ; GM135362//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/ ; },
mesh = {*HMGA2 Protein/metabolism/genetics ; *Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism/pathology/genetics ; Animals ; Humans ; *Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics/metabolism/pathology ; Mice ; RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Methylation ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Protein Phosphatase 2/metabolism/genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; *Leucine/metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Basal pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has the worst overall survival and is the only subtype that serves as an independent poor prognostic factor. We identify elevated levels of LIN28B and its downstream target, HMGA2, in basal PDAC. Notably, LIN28B significantly accelerates KRAS-driven PDAC progression in a mouse model. Here, we show that HMGA2 promotes basal PDAC pathogenesis by enhancing mRNA translation downstream of LIN28B. Mechanistically, HMGA2 suppresses leucine carboxyl methyltransferase 1 (LCMT1) at the chromatin level, reducing PP2A methylation and activity. This leads to increased phosphorylation of S6K and eIF4B, boosting mRNA translation. Additionally, HMGA2 downregulates B56α (PPP2R5A), disrupting functional PP2A holoenzyme assembly and further sustaining phosphorylated S6K levels. Impaired PP2A function mimics HMGA2's effects, reinforcing increased mRNA translation and basal lineage features. This work uncovers a critical link between the LIN28B/HMGA2 axis, protein synthesis, and PDAC lineage specificity via LCMT1-mediated PP2A methylation and B56α-PP2A disruption.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
*HMGA2 Protein/metabolism/genetics
*Pancreatic Neoplasms/metabolism/pathology/genetics
Animals
Humans
*Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal/genetics/metabolism/pathology
Mice
RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Methylation
Cell Line, Tumor
Protein Phosphatase 2/metabolism/genetics
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
*Leucine/metabolism
Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)/genetics/metabolism
RevDate: 2025-05-26
Reply to "Real-world registry evidence beware: Old-world risk analysis may not be applicable to new world belatacept utilization".
Additional Links: PMID-40419022
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40419022,
year = {2025},
author = {Ahmed, S and Blosser, C and Israni, AK and Engels, EA},
title = {Reply to "Real-world registry evidence beware: Old-world risk analysis may not be applicable to new world belatacept utilization".},
journal = {American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.ajt.2025.05.027},
pmid = {40419022},
issn = {1600-6143},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-26
Choosing between HLA-Mismatched Unrelated and Haploidentical donors: Donor age considerations.
Transplantation and cellular therapy pii:S2666-6367(25)01203-5 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Haploidentical donors and HLA-mismatched unrelated donors (MMUDs) are increasingly utilized for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) emerging as an effective graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis strategy. Despite the growing use of these donor types, comparative data to guide donor selection remain limited. Donor age is a known predictor of HCT outcomes, yet its specific impact when choosing between haploidentical and MMUD donors with PTCy-based prophylaxis has not been thoroughly explored.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of donor age on HCT outcomes in patients receiving haploidentical or MMUD HCT with PTCy-based GVHD prophylaxis, hypothesizing that younger donors (<30 years) would be associated with improved outcomes compared to older donors (≥30 years) regardless of donor type.
STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 7,116 patients with hematologic malignancies from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) database, transplanted between 2013 and 2021. Donors were categorized into four groups: younger haploidentical (<30 years), older haploidentical (≥30 years), younger MMUD (<30 years), and older MMUD (≥30 years). The primary outcome was GVHD-free relapse-free survival (GRFS), defined as the absence of grade III-IV acute GVHD, chronic GVHD requiring systemic immunosuppressive therapy (IST), relapse, or death. Secondary outcomes included overall survival (OS), treatment-related mortality (TRM), relapse, grade III-IV acute GVHD, overall chronic GVHD, and chronic GVHD requiring IST. Comparisons were made between (a) younger MMUD vs. older haploidentical and (b) younger haploidentical vs. older MMUD groups using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.
RESULTS: In multivariable analysis, the older MMUD group exhibited inferior GRFS (Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.36; p=0.003), higher TRM (HR 1.49; 95% CI, 1.13-1.96; p=0.005), and increased grade III-IV acute GVHD (HR 2.88; 95% CI, 1.43-5.80; p=0.003) compared to the younger haploidentical group. The younger MMUD group had modest GRFS improvement over the older haploidentical group (HR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.78-0.98; p=0.02) and significantly reduced risks of grade II-IV acute GVHD (HR 0.67; 95% CI, 0.51-0.88; p=0.003) and chronic GVHD (HR 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65-0.94; p=0.009).
CONCLUSIONS: Younger donor age is associated with superior HCT outcomes, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing donors aged <30 years regardless of donor type when feasible.
Additional Links: PMID-40419020
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40419020,
year = {2025},
author = {Mehta, RS and Schmidt, G and Williams, K and Patel, SA and Schetelig, J and Savani, B and Askar, M and Petersdorf, E and Ringden, O and Kanakry, CG and Kanakry, JA and Stefanski, H and Arrieta-Bolaños, E and Betts, B and Benjamin, C and Gadalla, S and Wang, T and Saultz, J and Spellman, S and Jurdi, NE and Bolon, YT and Lee, SJ},
title = {Choosing between HLA-Mismatched Unrelated and Haploidentical donors: Donor age considerations.},
journal = {Transplantation and cellular therapy},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jtct.2025.05.019},
pmid = {40419020},
issn = {2666-6367},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Haploidentical donors and HLA-mismatched unrelated donors (MMUDs) are increasingly utilized for hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), with post-transplantation cyclophosphamide (PTCy) emerging as an effective graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis strategy. Despite the growing use of these donor types, comparative data to guide donor selection remain limited. Donor age is a known predictor of HCT outcomes, yet its specific impact when choosing between haploidentical and MMUD donors with PTCy-based prophylaxis has not been thoroughly explored.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of donor age on HCT outcomes in patients receiving haploidentical or MMUD HCT with PTCy-based GVHD prophylaxis, hypothesizing that younger donors (<30 years) would be associated with improved outcomes compared to older donors (≥30 years) regardless of donor type.
STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 7,116 patients with hematologic malignancies from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) database, transplanted between 2013 and 2021. Donors were categorized into four groups: younger haploidentical (<30 years), older haploidentical (≥30 years), younger MMUD (<30 years), and older MMUD (≥30 years). The primary outcome was GVHD-free relapse-free survival (GRFS), defined as the absence of grade III-IV acute GVHD, chronic GVHD requiring systemic immunosuppressive therapy (IST), relapse, or death. Secondary outcomes included overall survival (OS), treatment-related mortality (TRM), relapse, grade III-IV acute GVHD, overall chronic GVHD, and chronic GVHD requiring IST. Comparisons were made between (a) younger MMUD vs. older haploidentical and (b) younger haploidentical vs. older MMUD groups using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.
RESULTS: In multivariable analysis, the older MMUD group exhibited inferior GRFS (Hazard Ratio [HR] 1.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.36; p=0.003), higher TRM (HR 1.49; 95% CI, 1.13-1.96; p=0.005), and increased grade III-IV acute GVHD (HR 2.88; 95% CI, 1.43-5.80; p=0.003) compared to the younger haploidentical group. The younger MMUD group had modest GRFS improvement over the older haploidentical group (HR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.78-0.98; p=0.02) and significantly reduced risks of grade II-IV acute GVHD (HR 0.67; 95% CI, 0.51-0.88; p=0.003) and chronic GVHD (HR 0.78; 95% CI, 0.65-0.94; p=0.009).
CONCLUSIONS: Younger donor age is associated with superior HCT outcomes, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing donors aged <30 years regardless of donor type when feasible.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-27
CmpDate: 2025-05-26
Personalized Biopsy Schedules Using an Interval-Censored Cause-Specific Joint Model.
Statistics in medicine, 44(10-12):e70134.
Active surveillance (AS), where biopsies are conducted to detect cancer progression, has been acknowledged as an efficient way to reduce the overtreatment of prostate cancer. Most AS cohorts use fixed biopsy schedules for all patients. However, the ideal test frequency remains unknown, and the routine use of such invasive tests burdens the patients. An emerging idea is to generate personalized biopsy schedules based on each patient's progression-specific risk. To achieve that, we propose the interval-censored cause-specific joint model (ICJM), which models the impact of longitudinal biomarkers on cancer progression while considering the competing event of early treatment initiation. The underlying likelihood function incorporates the interval-censoring of cancer progression, the competing risk of treatment, and the uncertainty about whether cancer progression occurred since the last biopsy in patients that are right-censored or experience the competing event. The model can produce patient-specific risk profiles up to a horizon time. If the risk exceeds a certain threshold, a biopsy is conducted. The optimal threshold can be chosen by balancing two indicators of the biopsy schedules: The expected number of biopsies and the expected delay in detection of cancer progression. A simulation study showed that our personalized schedules could considerably reduce the number of biopsies per patient by 41%-52% compared to the fixed schedules, though at the cost of a slightly longer detection delay.
Additional Links: PMID-40415587
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40415587,
year = {2025},
author = {Yang, Z and Rizopoulos, D and Heijnsdijk, EAM and Newcomb, LF and Erler, NS},
title = {Personalized Biopsy Schedules Using an Interval-Censored Cause-Specific Joint Model.},
journal = {Statistics in medicine},
volume = {44},
number = {10-12},
pages = {e70134},
pmid = {40415587},
issn = {1097-0258},
support = {CA253910/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Humans ; Biopsy/methods/statistics & numerical data ; *Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology/diagnosis ; Male ; Disease Progression ; *Precision Medicine/methods ; *Models, Statistical ; Computer Simulation ; Likelihood Functions ; Watchful Waiting ; },
abstract = {Active surveillance (AS), where biopsies are conducted to detect cancer progression, has been acknowledged as an efficient way to reduce the overtreatment of prostate cancer. Most AS cohorts use fixed biopsy schedules for all patients. However, the ideal test frequency remains unknown, and the routine use of such invasive tests burdens the patients. An emerging idea is to generate personalized biopsy schedules based on each patient's progression-specific risk. To achieve that, we propose the interval-censored cause-specific joint model (ICJM), which models the impact of longitudinal biomarkers on cancer progression while considering the competing event of early treatment initiation. The underlying likelihood function incorporates the interval-censoring of cancer progression, the competing risk of treatment, and the uncertainty about whether cancer progression occurred since the last biopsy in patients that are right-censored or experience the competing event. The model can produce patient-specific risk profiles up to a horizon time. If the risk exceeds a certain threshold, a biopsy is conducted. The optimal threshold can be chosen by balancing two indicators of the biopsy schedules: The expected number of biopsies and the expected delay in detection of cancer progression. A simulation study showed that our personalized schedules could considerably reduce the number of biopsies per patient by 41%-52% compared to the fixed schedules, though at the cost of a slightly longer detection delay.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
Biopsy/methods/statistics & numerical data
*Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology/diagnosis
Male
Disease Progression
*Precision Medicine/methods
*Models, Statistical
Computer Simulation
Likelihood Functions
Watchful Waiting
RevDate: 2025-05-25
Setting up a CAR-T Program: A Framework for Delivery from the Worldwide Network for Blood & Marrow Transplantation.
Transplantation and cellular therapy pii:S2666-6367(25)01196-0 [Epub ahead of print].
Chimeric antigen receptor therapy (CAR-T therapy) is a genetically engineered cellular therapy that is currently integrated into the management of hematological malignancies. Institutions treating patients with CAR-T therapy need to establish a framework of delivery that covers all the main components of the patient journey including intake of patients into the program from referring centers, patient selection according to established eligibility criteria, apheresis, logistics, bridging therapy, infusion and post-infusion care. A CAR-T therapy program, with its unique requirements, needs to be delivered by a multidisciplinary team (MDT). Prior to the establishment of the program, a well-structured business plan should be developed with a clear financial and/or reimbursement model. Consideration should be given to the overall capacity and staffing requirements. Standard operating procedures and guidelines are vital for ensuring that quality standards are clearly defined and adhered to. Institutions should develop a research plan for CAR-T that may incorporate not only industry sponsored trials but also in-house CAR-T manufacture of investigational CAR-T constructs. This report presents recommendations from a group of international experts highlighting the priorities and considerations when developing a new CAR-T program.
Additional Links: PMID-40414351
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40414351,
year = {2025},
author = {Ahmed, SO and Fakih, RE and Kharfan-Dabaja, MA and Syed, F and Mufti, G and Chabannon, C and Rondelli, D and Mohty, M and Ahmari, AAA and Gauthier, J and Ruella, M and Perales, MA and Hashmi, S and Alfraih, F and Ghorashian, S and Alzahrani, M and Abba, Z and Koh, M and Pasquini, M and Ruggeri, A and Garderet, L and Albabtain, A and Weisdorf, D and Greinix, H and Samarkandi, H and Hamad, N and Atsuta, Y and Hamadani, M and Hari, P and Majhail, NS and Greco, R and Alzahrani, H and Sureda, A and Yakoub-Agha, I and Alahmari, AD and Niederwieser, D and Aljurf, M},
title = {Setting up a CAR-T Program: A Framework for Delivery from the Worldwide Network for Blood & Marrow Transplantation.},
journal = {Transplantation and cellular therapy},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jtct.2025.05.012},
pmid = {40414351},
issn = {2666-6367},
abstract = {Chimeric antigen receptor therapy (CAR-T therapy) is a genetically engineered cellular therapy that is currently integrated into the management of hematological malignancies. Institutions treating patients with CAR-T therapy need to establish a framework of delivery that covers all the main components of the patient journey including intake of patients into the program from referring centers, patient selection according to established eligibility criteria, apheresis, logistics, bridging therapy, infusion and post-infusion care. A CAR-T therapy program, with its unique requirements, needs to be delivered by a multidisciplinary team (MDT). Prior to the establishment of the program, a well-structured business plan should be developed with a clear financial and/or reimbursement model. Consideration should be given to the overall capacity and staffing requirements. Standard operating procedures and guidelines are vital for ensuring that quality standards are clearly defined and adhered to. Institutions should develop a research plan for CAR-T that may incorporate not only industry sponsored trials but also in-house CAR-T manufacture of investigational CAR-T constructs. This report presents recommendations from a group of international experts highlighting the priorities and considerations when developing a new CAR-T program.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-27
CmpDate: 2025-05-24
Analysis of more than 400,000 women provides case-control evidence for BRCA1 and BRCA2 variant classification.
Nature communications, 16(1):4852.
Clinical genetic testing identifies variants causal for hereditary cancer, information that is used for risk assessment and clinical management. Unfortunately, some variants identified are of uncertain clinical significance (VUS), complicating patient management. Case-control data is one evidence type used to classify VUS. As an initiative of the Evidence-based Network for the Interpretation of Germline Mutant Alleles (ENIGMA) Analytical Working Group we analyze germline sequencing data of BRCA1 and BRCA2 from 96,691 female breast cancer cases and 302,116 controls from three studies: the BRIDGES study of the Breast Cancer Association Consortium, the Cancer Risk Estimates Related to Susceptibility consortium, and the UK Biobank. We observe 11,207 BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants, with 6909 being coding, covering 23.4% of BRCA1 and BRCA2 VUS in ClinVar and 19.2% of ClinVar curated (likely) benign or pathogenic variants. Case-control likelihood ratio (ccLR) evidence is highly consistent with ClinVar assertions for (likely) benign or pathogenic variants; exhibiting 99.1% sensitivity and 95.3% specificity for BRCA1 and 93.3% sensitivity and 86.6% specificity for BRCA2. This approach provides case-control evidence for 787 unclassified variants; these include 579 with strong or moderate benign evidence and 10 with strong pathogenic evidence for which ccLR evidence is sufficient to alter clinical classification.
Additional Links: PMID-40413188
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Citation:
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@article {pmid40413188,
year = {2025},
author = {Zanti, M and O'Mahony, DG and Parsons, MT and Dorling, L and Dennis, J and Boddicker, NJ and Chen, W and Hu, C and Naven, M and Yiangou, K and Ahearn, TU and Ambrosone, CB and Andrulis, IL and Antoniou, AC and Auer, PL and Baynes, C and Bodelon, C and Bogdanova, NV and Bojesen, SE and Bolla, MK and Brantley, KD and Camp, NJ and Campbell, A and Castelao, JE and Cessna, MH and Chang-Claude, J and Chen, F and Chenevix-Trench, G and , and Conroy, DM and Czene, K and De Nicolo, A and Domchek, SM and Dörk, T and Dunning, AM and Eliassen, AH and Evans, DG and Fasching, PA and Figueroa, JD and Flyger, H and Gago-Dominguez, M and García-Closas, M and Glendon, G and González-Neira, A and Grassmann, F and Hadjisavvas, A and Haiman, CA and Hamann, U and Hart, SN and Hartman, MBA and Ho, WK and Hodge, JM and Hoppe, R and Howell, SJ and , and Jakubowska, A and Khusnutdinova, EK and Ko, YD and Kraft, P and Kristensen, VN and Lacey, JV and Li, J and Lim, GH and Lindström, S and Lophatananon, A and Luccarini, C and Mannermaa, A and Martinez, ME and Mavroudis, D and Milne, RL and Muir, K and Nathanson, KL and Nuñez-Torres, R and Obi, N and Olson, JE and Palmer, JR and Panayiotidis, MI and Patel, AV and Pharoah, PDP and Polley, EC and Rashid, MU and Ruddy, KJ and Saloustros, E and Sawyer, EJ and Schmidt, MK and Southey, MC and Tan, VK and Teo, SH and Teras, LR and Torres, D and Trentham-Dietz, A and Truong, T and Vachon, CM and Wang, Q and Weitzel, JN and Yadav, S and Yao, S and Zirpoli, GR and Cline, MS and Devilee, P and Tavtigian, SV and Goldgar, DE and Couch, FJ and Easton, DF and Spurdle, AB and Michailidou, K},
title = {Analysis of more than 400,000 women provides case-control evidence for BRCA1 and BRCA2 variant classification.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {4852},
pmid = {40413188},
issn = {2041-1723},
mesh = {Humans ; Female ; Case-Control Studies ; *BRCA2 Protein/genetics ; *Breast Neoplasms/genetics ; *BRCA1 Protein/genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genetic Testing ; Germ-Line Mutation ; Middle Aged ; },
abstract = {Clinical genetic testing identifies variants causal for hereditary cancer, information that is used for risk assessment and clinical management. Unfortunately, some variants identified are of uncertain clinical significance (VUS), complicating patient management. Case-control data is one evidence type used to classify VUS. As an initiative of the Evidence-based Network for the Interpretation of Germline Mutant Alleles (ENIGMA) Analytical Working Group we analyze germline sequencing data of BRCA1 and BRCA2 from 96,691 female breast cancer cases and 302,116 controls from three studies: the BRIDGES study of the Breast Cancer Association Consortium, the Cancer Risk Estimates Related to Susceptibility consortium, and the UK Biobank. We observe 11,207 BRCA1 and BRCA2 variants, with 6909 being coding, covering 23.4% of BRCA1 and BRCA2 VUS in ClinVar and 19.2% of ClinVar curated (likely) benign or pathogenic variants. Case-control likelihood ratio (ccLR) evidence is highly consistent with ClinVar assertions for (likely) benign or pathogenic variants; exhibiting 99.1% sensitivity and 95.3% specificity for BRCA1 and 93.3% sensitivity and 86.6% specificity for BRCA2. This approach provides case-control evidence for 787 unclassified variants; these include 579 with strong or moderate benign evidence and 10 with strong pathogenic evidence for which ccLR evidence is sufficient to alter clinical classification.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
Female
Case-Control Studies
*BRCA2 Protein/genetics
*Breast Neoplasms/genetics
*BRCA1 Protein/genetics
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Genetic Testing
Germ-Line Mutation
Middle Aged
RevDate: 2025-05-24
Results from a Phase 2 Study of Induction Docetaxel and Carboplatin Followed by Maintenance Rucaparib in the Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer with DNA Homologous Recombination Repair Deficiency.
European urology oncology pii:S2588-9311(25)00123-3 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine whether induction chemotherapy followed by PARP inhibitor (PARPi) maintenance improves outcomes for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) harboring alterations in homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes in comparison to a historical control cohort treated with PARPi monotherapy.
METHODS: This single-arm, open-label, investigator-initiated phase 2 trial (NCT02985021) enrolled 18 patients with mCRPC with pathogenic alterations in HRR genes between 2018 and 2021 at a single center. Patients received four cycles of induction chemotherapy with docetaxel (60 mg/m[2]) and carboplatin (area under the curve 5) every 21 d, followed by maintenance rucaparib (600 mg twice daily) until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary outcome was radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS). Subsequent to study inception, multiple other studies reported alterations in genes of the BRCA complex (BRCA-C: BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2) as most predictive of PARPi response; therefore, a post hoc analysis comparing patients with alterations in BRCA-C genes to a historical control cohort was performed.
KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: After median follow-up of 40.3 mo (interquartile range 38.5-not reached [NR]), the median rPFS for all patients was 8.1 mo (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.5-31.2), similar to a historical control cohort treated with PARPi monotherapy. Among the 12 patients with BRCA-C alterations, median rPFS was 17.7 mo (95% CI 7.5-NR; p = 0.05). A key limitation is the single-arm design.
Induction platinum-based chemotherapy followed by maintenance PARPi therapy did not improve outcomes for patients with mCRPC broadly selected for HRR deficiency. However, results were promising in the more stringently selected group with BRCA-C gene alterations. Further studies comparing this approach to PARPi monotherapy are warranted.
Additional Links: PMID-40413129
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40413129,
year = {2025},
author = {Raychaudhuri, R and Cheng, HH and Gulati, R and Schweizer, MT and Lin, A and Yezefski, T and Khan, HM and Yu, EY and Hawley, JE and Nelson, PS and Pritchard, CC and Montgomery, B},
title = {Results from a Phase 2 Study of Induction Docetaxel and Carboplatin Followed by Maintenance Rucaparib in the Treatment of Patients with Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer with DNA Homologous Recombination Repair Deficiency.},
journal = {European urology oncology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.euo.2025.04.026},
pmid = {40413129},
issn = {2588-9311},
abstract = {BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to determine whether induction chemotherapy followed by PARP inhibitor (PARPi) maintenance improves outcomes for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) harboring alterations in homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes in comparison to a historical control cohort treated with PARPi monotherapy.
METHODS: This single-arm, open-label, investigator-initiated phase 2 trial (NCT02985021) enrolled 18 patients with mCRPC with pathogenic alterations in HRR genes between 2018 and 2021 at a single center. Patients received four cycles of induction chemotherapy with docetaxel (60 mg/m[2]) and carboplatin (area under the curve 5) every 21 d, followed by maintenance rucaparib (600 mg twice daily) until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary outcome was radiographic progression-free survival (rPFS). Subsequent to study inception, multiple other studies reported alterations in genes of the BRCA complex (BRCA-C: BRCA1, BRCA2, PALB2) as most predictive of PARPi response; therefore, a post hoc analysis comparing patients with alterations in BRCA-C genes to a historical control cohort was performed.
KEY FINDINGS AND LIMITATIONS: After median follow-up of 40.3 mo (interquartile range 38.5-not reached [NR]), the median rPFS for all patients was 8.1 mo (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.5-31.2), similar to a historical control cohort treated with PARPi monotherapy. Among the 12 patients with BRCA-C alterations, median rPFS was 17.7 mo (95% CI 7.5-NR; p = 0.05). A key limitation is the single-arm design.
Induction platinum-based chemotherapy followed by maintenance PARPi therapy did not improve outcomes for patients with mCRPC broadly selected for HRR deficiency. However, results were promising in the more stringently selected group with BRCA-C gene alterations. Further studies comparing this approach to PARPi monotherapy are warranted.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-24
CmpDate: 2025-05-24
Potential impact and cost-effectiveness of oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis for men who have sex with men in Cotonou, Benin: a mathematical modelling study.
The Lancet. Global health, 13(6):e1111-e1121.
BACKGROUND: Oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can effectively reduce HIV incidence. A 2020-21 demonstration project assessed the feasibility and health outcomes of offering oral PrEP to men who have sex with men (MSM) in Cotonou, Benin. We evaluated the epidemiological impact and cost-effectiveness of this project and the potential scale-up of oral HIV PrEP for MSM in Cotonou.
METHODS: We calibrated an HIV transmission-dynamic model structured by age and risk within a Bayesian framework to MSM-specific HIV prevalence and treatment data, parameterised with project behavioural and cost (including PrEP drug, implementation, and HIV care costs) data. We estimated the impact and cost-effectiveness of the 2020-21 Cotonou demonstration project (PrEP coverage, 5-10% of all MSM who are not living with HIV in Grand Cotonou; and adherence, 13-21% taking at least four of seven required doses [ie, at least four doses per week for daily users and at least four of seven expected doses given reported sexual activity for on-demand users]) and of its potential scale-up over 5 years (from 2022 to 2027), reaching 30% coverage of MSM in Grand Cotonou and with demonstration project adherence levels. We additionally modelled ideal PrEP adherence (100% taking at least four of seven required doses). We estimated the percentage of cumulative new HIV infections averted among participating MSM over 1 year and among all MSM in Grand Cotonou and their female partners over 20 years, and cost-effectiveness as cost per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) averted over 20 years. Costs and DALYs were discounted 3% annually.
FINDINGS: We found that the demonstration project averted an estimated 21·5% (95% uncertainty interval 16·6 to 26·2) of HIV infections among participants over 1 year. With ideal adherence, cases that would be averted increased to 95·2% (90·8 to 98·8). A 5-year PrEP scale-up could avert 3·2% (1·6 to 4·8) of HIV infections among all MSM and female partners over 20 years, at US$388 (36 to 2792) per DALY averted. With ideal adherence, this decreased to -$28 (-126 to 589) per DALY averted.
INTERPRETATION: Low adherence to PrEP restricted the impact of the demonstration project. At 30% coverage among MSM by 2027, PrEP scale-up would be cost-effective at a $1225 threshold with 86·6% probability, and it could be more cost-effective if high adherence could be reached without substantially increasing costs.
FUNDING: Canadian Institutes of Health Research and US National Institutes of Health.
TRANSLATION: For the French translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.
Additional Links: PMID-40412400
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40412400,
year = {2025},
author = {Leng, T and Kessou, L and Heitner, J and Guédou, FA and Béhanzin, L and Olodo, M and Diabaté, S and Silhol, R and Dimitrov, D and Vickerman, P and Alary, M and Boily, MC and Mitchell, KM},
title = {Potential impact and cost-effectiveness of oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis for men who have sex with men in Cotonou, Benin: a mathematical modelling study.},
journal = {The Lancet. Global health},
volume = {13},
number = {6},
pages = {e1111-e1121},
doi = {10.1016/S2214-109X(25)00098-1},
pmid = {40412400},
issn = {2214-109X},
mesh = {Humans ; Male ; *Cost-Benefit Analysis ; *Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis/economics/methods ; *HIV Infections/prevention & control/epidemiology ; Benin/epidemiology ; *Homosexuality, Male/statistics & numerical data ; Adult ; Models, Theoretical ; *Anti-HIV Agents/economics/administration & dosage/therapeutic use ; Administration, Oral ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can effectively reduce HIV incidence. A 2020-21 demonstration project assessed the feasibility and health outcomes of offering oral PrEP to men who have sex with men (MSM) in Cotonou, Benin. We evaluated the epidemiological impact and cost-effectiveness of this project and the potential scale-up of oral HIV PrEP for MSM in Cotonou.
METHODS: We calibrated an HIV transmission-dynamic model structured by age and risk within a Bayesian framework to MSM-specific HIV prevalence and treatment data, parameterised with project behavioural and cost (including PrEP drug, implementation, and HIV care costs) data. We estimated the impact and cost-effectiveness of the 2020-21 Cotonou demonstration project (PrEP coverage, 5-10% of all MSM who are not living with HIV in Grand Cotonou; and adherence, 13-21% taking at least four of seven required doses [ie, at least four doses per week for daily users and at least four of seven expected doses given reported sexual activity for on-demand users]) and of its potential scale-up over 5 years (from 2022 to 2027), reaching 30% coverage of MSM in Grand Cotonou and with demonstration project adherence levels. We additionally modelled ideal PrEP adherence (100% taking at least four of seven required doses). We estimated the percentage of cumulative new HIV infections averted among participating MSM over 1 year and among all MSM in Grand Cotonou and their female partners over 20 years, and cost-effectiveness as cost per disability-adjusted life-year (DALY) averted over 20 years. Costs and DALYs were discounted 3% annually.
FINDINGS: We found that the demonstration project averted an estimated 21·5% (95% uncertainty interval 16·6 to 26·2) of HIV infections among participants over 1 year. With ideal adherence, cases that would be averted increased to 95·2% (90·8 to 98·8). A 5-year PrEP scale-up could avert 3·2% (1·6 to 4·8) of HIV infections among all MSM and female partners over 20 years, at US$388 (36 to 2792) per DALY averted. With ideal adherence, this decreased to -$28 (-126 to 589) per DALY averted.
INTERPRETATION: Low adherence to PrEP restricted the impact of the demonstration project. At 30% coverage among MSM by 2027, PrEP scale-up would be cost-effective at a $1225 threshold with 86·6% probability, and it could be more cost-effective if high adherence could be reached without substantially increasing costs.
FUNDING: Canadian Institutes of Health Research and US National Institutes of Health.
TRANSLATION: For the French translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
Male
*Cost-Benefit Analysis
*Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis/economics/methods
*HIV Infections/prevention & control/epidemiology
Benin/epidemiology
*Homosexuality, Male/statistics & numerical data
Adult
Models, Theoretical
*Anti-HIV Agents/economics/administration & dosage/therapeutic use
Administration, Oral
Young Adult
Middle Aged
Adolescent
RevDate: 2025-05-24
CmpDate: 2025-05-24
Identifying gaps in the HIV treatment cascade in Africa: a model comparison study.
The Lancet. Global health, 13(6):e1006-e1019.
BACKGROUND: Although HIV incidence has considerably decreased in eastern, central, and southern Africa, new HIV infections continue to be a major public health challenge in the region. We aimed to investigate where in the HIV treatment cascade new transmissions are occurring in Malawi, Zimbabwe, and South Africa (the three countries involved in the Modelling to Inform HIV Programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa project).
METHODS: In this model comparison study, we used six well described and independently calibrated HIV transmission dynamics models that have been used to inform HIV policy in Africa (Optima HIV, EMOD, Goals, Thembisa, PopART-IBM, and HIV Synthesis) to estimate and predict the proportion of annual new HIV transmissions attributable to people living with HIV who are undiagnosed, have been diagnosed but have not yet started antiretroviral therapy (ART), are receiving ART, and have interrupted ART in Malawi, Zimbabwe, and South Africa from 2010 to 2040 stratified by the age and sex of the individual acquiring HIV.
FINDINGS: Despite the different model structures and underlying assumptions, the six models were well aligned in relation to key HIV epidemic characteristics (including population estimates and HIV prevalence) in each of the three settings. There was, however, considerable variation in the predicted number of new infections, particularly in Malawi and Zimbabwe where this number ranged from fewer than 10 000 new infections to over 30 000 new infections in 2024. Most model results suggested that the mean age of HIV acquisition has been increasing since 2000, with men acquiring HIV at an older age than women in all three settings. All models attributed fewer than 5% of transmissions to individuals who had been diagnosed but had not yet started ART. In Malawi, the proportion of transmissions attributable to undiagnosed people with HIV in 2024 ranged from 33·3% to 75·3% across the models, and transmissions attributable to individuals who had experienced interrupted treatment ranged from 8·4% to 20·1%. In Zimbabwe, the proportion of transmissions attributable to undiagnosed individuals in 2024 ranged from 29·8% to 64·6% across the models and the proportion of transmissions attributable to individuals who had interrupted treatment ranged from 4·7% to 21·5%. In South Africa, 21·8-46·4% of transmissions in 2024 were attributable to undiagnosed individuals and 27·6-58·9% of transmissions were attributable to individuals who had interrupted treatment.
INTERPRETATION: Across the three study settings, a substantial proportion of new HIV transmissions were attributable to undiagnosed individuals and people who have received interrupted ART, reinforcing the importance of continuing HIV testing and ART re-engagement and retention interventions.
FUNDING: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Additional Links: PMID-40412394
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40412394,
year = {2025},
author = {Bansi-Matharu, L and Moolla, H and Citron, DT and Stover, J and Pickles, M and Martin-Hughes, R and Boily, MC and Nyirenda, R and Mudimu, E and Ten Brink, D and Johnson, LF and Mugurungi, O and Cambiano, V and Dimitrov, D and Smith, J and Glaubius, R and Taramusi, I and Mpofu, A and Phillips, A and Bershteyn, A},
title = {Identifying gaps in the HIV treatment cascade in Africa: a model comparison study.},
journal = {The Lancet. Global health},
volume = {13},
number = {6},
pages = {e1006-e1019},
doi = {10.1016/S2214-109X(25)00121-4},
pmid = {40412394},
issn = {2214-109X},
mesh = {Humans ; *HIV Infections/epidemiology/drug therapy/transmission ; Female ; Male ; Adult ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; Malawi/epidemiology ; Zimbabwe/epidemiology ; South Africa/epidemiology ; *Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use ; Africa/epidemiology ; Incidence ; Prevalence ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Although HIV incidence has considerably decreased in eastern, central, and southern Africa, new HIV infections continue to be a major public health challenge in the region. We aimed to investigate where in the HIV treatment cascade new transmissions are occurring in Malawi, Zimbabwe, and South Africa (the three countries involved in the Modelling to Inform HIV Programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa project).
METHODS: In this model comparison study, we used six well described and independently calibrated HIV transmission dynamics models that have been used to inform HIV policy in Africa (Optima HIV, EMOD, Goals, Thembisa, PopART-IBM, and HIV Synthesis) to estimate and predict the proportion of annual new HIV transmissions attributable to people living with HIV who are undiagnosed, have been diagnosed but have not yet started antiretroviral therapy (ART), are receiving ART, and have interrupted ART in Malawi, Zimbabwe, and South Africa from 2010 to 2040 stratified by the age and sex of the individual acquiring HIV.
FINDINGS: Despite the different model structures and underlying assumptions, the six models were well aligned in relation to key HIV epidemic characteristics (including population estimates and HIV prevalence) in each of the three settings. There was, however, considerable variation in the predicted number of new infections, particularly in Malawi and Zimbabwe where this number ranged from fewer than 10 000 new infections to over 30 000 new infections in 2024. Most model results suggested that the mean age of HIV acquisition has been increasing since 2000, with men acquiring HIV at an older age than women in all three settings. All models attributed fewer than 5% of transmissions to individuals who had been diagnosed but had not yet started ART. In Malawi, the proportion of transmissions attributable to undiagnosed people with HIV in 2024 ranged from 33·3% to 75·3% across the models, and transmissions attributable to individuals who had experienced interrupted treatment ranged from 8·4% to 20·1%. In Zimbabwe, the proportion of transmissions attributable to undiagnosed individuals in 2024 ranged from 29·8% to 64·6% across the models and the proportion of transmissions attributable to individuals who had interrupted treatment ranged from 4·7% to 21·5%. In South Africa, 21·8-46·4% of transmissions in 2024 were attributable to undiagnosed individuals and 27·6-58·9% of transmissions were attributable to individuals who had interrupted treatment.
INTERPRETATION: Across the three study settings, a substantial proportion of new HIV transmissions were attributable to undiagnosed individuals and people who have received interrupted ART, reinforcing the importance of continuing HIV testing and ART re-engagement and retention interventions.
FUNDING: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*HIV Infections/epidemiology/drug therapy/transmission
Female
Male
Adult
Adolescent
Young Adult
Middle Aged
Malawi/epidemiology
Zimbabwe/epidemiology
South Africa/epidemiology
*Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use
Africa/epidemiology
Incidence
Prevalence
RevDate: 2025-05-24
ACT on Vaping: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Novel Digital Health App with Text Messaging for Young Adult Vaping Cessation.
Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco pii:8145603 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: There is no published evidence to support the efficacy of any digital vaping cessation program for young adults (YAs) at differing levels of readiness to quit. In this pilot randomized controlled trial, we evaluated the preliminary acceptability and efficacy of a program for vaping cessation based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT on Vaping), delivered via a smartphone app and text messaging.
METHODS: YAs age 18-30 (n=61) were randomized 1:1 to ACT on Vaping (n=31) or incentivized text message control (n=30). Outcome data were collected at 3 months post-randomization. Results were compared against a priori benchmarks for acceptability (satisfaction of ≥ 3.5 on 5-point scale) and efficacy relative to control (meeting at least one of three): ≥ 1-point difference in Contemplation Ladder change scores; ≥ 5 percentage difference in 24-hour quit attempts, ≥ 5 percentage difference in cotinine-confirmed 30-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA) from all non-therapeutic nicotine/tobacco.
RESULTS: Satisfaction with ACT on Vaping averaged 3.8, exceeding the acceptability benchmark. A higher proportion of participants in the ACT on Vaping arm reported a 24-hour quit attempt (87.5% vs. 75.9%), exceeding the efficacy benchmark. Both change in quit readiness (+0.96 in ACT on Vaping vs. +0.72 in control) and cotinine-confirmed 30-day PPA (4.2% in ACT on Vaping vs. 0% in control) were descriptively higher for ACT on Vaping but did not reach the benchmark level for efficacy.
CONCLUSIONS: ACT on Vaping had promising acceptability and preliminary efficacy. A fully-powered trial of ACT on Vaping is warranted to evaluate its efficacy.
IMPLICATIONS: Digital interventions are a promising yet under-researched approach for reaching and supporting young adults to quit vaping. This proof-of-concept pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated a novel mobile health application and associated text messaging program (ACT on Vaping) for young adult vaping cessation and found preliminary evidence for acceptability and efficacy relative to an incentivized text message control arm, warranting evaluation in a fully-powered trial as a next step.
Additional Links: PMID-40411791
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40411791,
year = {2025},
author = {Heffner, JL and Baker, K and Georgiou, K and Graham, AL and Kelly, MM and Konstantinou, P and Lamprou, E and Lele, C and Lok, KZ and Orzechowski, M and Ruiz, RA and Serfozo, E and Karekla, M},
title = {ACT on Vaping: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of a Novel Digital Health App with Text Messaging for Young Adult Vaping Cessation.},
journal = {Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ntr/ntaf112},
pmid = {40411791},
issn = {1469-994X},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: There is no published evidence to support the efficacy of any digital vaping cessation program for young adults (YAs) at differing levels of readiness to quit. In this pilot randomized controlled trial, we evaluated the preliminary acceptability and efficacy of a program for vaping cessation based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT on Vaping), delivered via a smartphone app and text messaging.
METHODS: YAs age 18-30 (n=61) were randomized 1:1 to ACT on Vaping (n=31) or incentivized text message control (n=30). Outcome data were collected at 3 months post-randomization. Results were compared against a priori benchmarks for acceptability (satisfaction of ≥ 3.5 on 5-point scale) and efficacy relative to control (meeting at least one of three): ≥ 1-point difference in Contemplation Ladder change scores; ≥ 5 percentage difference in 24-hour quit attempts, ≥ 5 percentage difference in cotinine-confirmed 30-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA) from all non-therapeutic nicotine/tobacco.
RESULTS: Satisfaction with ACT on Vaping averaged 3.8, exceeding the acceptability benchmark. A higher proportion of participants in the ACT on Vaping arm reported a 24-hour quit attempt (87.5% vs. 75.9%), exceeding the efficacy benchmark. Both change in quit readiness (+0.96 in ACT on Vaping vs. +0.72 in control) and cotinine-confirmed 30-day PPA (4.2% in ACT on Vaping vs. 0% in control) were descriptively higher for ACT on Vaping but did not reach the benchmark level for efficacy.
CONCLUSIONS: ACT on Vaping had promising acceptability and preliminary efficacy. A fully-powered trial of ACT on Vaping is warranted to evaluate its efficacy.
IMPLICATIONS: Digital interventions are a promising yet under-researched approach for reaching and supporting young adults to quit vaping. This proof-of-concept pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated a novel mobile health application and associated text messaging program (ACT on Vaping) for young adult vaping cessation and found preliminary evidence for acceptability and efficacy relative to an incentivized text message control arm, warranting evaluation in a fully-powered trial as a next step.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-26
Immune-aging at diagnosis determines T-cell recovery in childhood leukemia survivors.
npj aging, 11(1):39.
We show that T cells in survivors of childhood leukemia exhibit distinct profiles dominated by aging-associated changes and consistent with premature immune aging. Immune profiles during survivorship in biospecimens (n = 251) from uniformly-treated children with B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia recapitulate heterogeneity at diagnosis in individual patients and correlate with genetic-risk subtypes. These data suggest that pre-therapy immune aging may determine variance in immune status during survivorship.
Additional Links: PMID-40410231
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40410231,
year = {2025},
author = {Dhodapkar, KM and Castellino, S and Kapadia, S and Azeem, MI and Horvat, A and Lawrence, T and DeRyckere, D and Dhodapkar, MV},
title = {Immune-aging at diagnosis determines T-cell recovery in childhood leukemia survivors.},
journal = {npj aging},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {39},
pmid = {40410231},
issn = {2731-6068},
support = {R01 AR077926/AR/NIAMS NIH HHS/United States ; NIH CA238471/GF/NIH HHS/United States ; P30 CA138292/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R35CA197603/GF/NIH HHS/United States ; SCOR//Leukemia and Lymphoma Society/ ; R35 CA197603/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 CA238471/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {We show that T cells in survivors of childhood leukemia exhibit distinct profiles dominated by aging-associated changes and consistent with premature immune aging. Immune profiles during survivorship in biospecimens (n = 251) from uniformly-treated children with B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia recapitulate heterogeneity at diagnosis in individual patients and correlate with genetic-risk subtypes. These data suggest that pre-therapy immune aging may determine variance in immune status during survivorship.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-23
A Principle-Based Concept Analysis of Supported Conversation for Adults With Aphasia.
Research and theory for nursing practice pii:RTNP-2024-0094 [Epub ahead of print].
Background and Purpose: Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCA[™]), an evidence-based framework to improve communicative access, is a unique concept to nursing with theoretical and technical components. Effective communication is essential in all patient interactions, and SCA™ could aid health care professionals in meeting the needs of people with aphasia. Methods: A principle-based concept analysis was conducted using a systematic and conceptually driven literature search. A review of literature from 1998 to 2024 contained in CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO databases was performed on the concept of SCA[™] The concept was explored for (a) definitional clarity (epistemological principle), (b) relevance to nursing (pragmatic principle), (c) consistency in meaning (linguistic principle), and (d) differentiation from related concepts (logical principle). Results: The final dataset consisted of 49 articles. Findings revealed that (a) SCA[™] is composed of theoretical and technical components used to acknowledge and reveal the competence of a person with aphasia, but there is a vague use and a lack of definitional clarity; (b) the philosophical framework and techniques outlined by the concept are relevant and useful for nursing; (c) there is variability in the use, nomenclature, and conceptualization of SCA[™]; and (d) the concept is poorly differentiated from other similar concepts. Implications for Practice: Nurses working with people diagnosed with aphasia and other communication disorders should consider SCA[™] and its application in nursing practice. Findings from this concept analysis stress the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to future SCA[™] studies, as nursing can lend its distinct viewpoint to integrate SCA[™] techniques into practice.
Additional Links: PMID-40409951
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40409951,
year = {2025},
author = {Thomas, AB and Van Son, CR and Nelson, LA and Fergadiotis, G and Barbosa-Leiker, C},
title = {A Principle-Based Concept Analysis of Supported Conversation for Adults With Aphasia.},
journal = {Research and theory for nursing practice},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1891/RTNP-2024-0094},
pmid = {40409951},
issn = {1541-6577},
abstract = {Background and Purpose: Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCA[™]), an evidence-based framework to improve communicative access, is a unique concept to nursing with theoretical and technical components. Effective communication is essential in all patient interactions, and SCA™ could aid health care professionals in meeting the needs of people with aphasia. Methods: A principle-based concept analysis was conducted using a systematic and conceptually driven literature search. A review of literature from 1998 to 2024 contained in CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO databases was performed on the concept of SCA[™] The concept was explored for (a) definitional clarity (epistemological principle), (b) relevance to nursing (pragmatic principle), (c) consistency in meaning (linguistic principle), and (d) differentiation from related concepts (logical principle). Results: The final dataset consisted of 49 articles. Findings revealed that (a) SCA[™] is composed of theoretical and technical components used to acknowledge and reveal the competence of a person with aphasia, but there is a vague use and a lack of definitional clarity; (b) the philosophical framework and techniques outlined by the concept are relevant and useful for nursing; (c) there is variability in the use, nomenclature, and conceptualization of SCA[™]; and (d) the concept is poorly differentiated from other similar concepts. Implications for Practice: Nurses working with people diagnosed with aphasia and other communication disorders should consider SCA[™] and its application in nursing practice. Findings from this concept analysis stress the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to future SCA[™] studies, as nursing can lend its distinct viewpoint to integrate SCA[™] techniques into practice.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-23
NIH Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease Consensus Conference 2025 Update.
Transplantation and cellular therapy pii:S2666-6367(25)01202-3 [Epub ahead of print].
In 2020, the third NIH Consensus Development Project on Criteria for Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) Clinical Trials was held with the goals of identifying gaps in understanding, prevention and treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and making actionable recommendations that would advance the field. An interim meeting was held in October 2024 to review progress on the 2020 recommendations. Each group was charged with reviewing their previous recommendations, assessing whether the field is on track to eventually achieve the goals, and considering whether recommendations should be modified in light of new data or insufficient progress. This manuscript summarizes the Working Groups' reports and helps define the research agenda for future studies in chronic GVHD. Overall, modest progress has been made on most initiatives. Some studies in progress will address key recommendations and results are eagerly anticipated.
Additional Links: PMID-40409691
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40409691,
year = {2025},
author = {Lee, SJ and Williams, KM and Sarantopoulos, S and Kitko, CL and Cutler, C and Pidala, J and Hill, GR and DeFilipp, Z and Greinix, HT and Wolff, D and Paczesny, S and Cuvelier, GDE and Schultz, KR and Pavletic, SZ},
title = {NIH Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease Consensus Conference 2025 Update.},
journal = {Transplantation and cellular therapy},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jtct.2025.05.016},
pmid = {40409691},
issn = {2666-6367},
abstract = {In 2020, the third NIH Consensus Development Project on Criteria for Chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) Clinical Trials was held with the goals of identifying gaps in understanding, prevention and treatment of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and making actionable recommendations that would advance the field. An interim meeting was held in October 2024 to review progress on the 2020 recommendations. Each group was charged with reviewing their previous recommendations, assessing whether the field is on track to eventually achieve the goals, and considering whether recommendations should be modified in light of new data or insufficient progress. This manuscript summarizes the Working Groups' reports and helps define the research agenda for future studies in chronic GVHD. Overall, modest progress has been made on most initiatives. Some studies in progress will address key recommendations and results are eagerly anticipated.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-23
American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Series #9: Management of HHV-6B After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T-Cell Therapy.
Transplantation and cellular therapy pii:S2666-6367(25)01164-9 [Epub ahead of print].
The Practice Guidelines Committee and the Transplant Infectious Disease Special Interest Group of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy developed guidelines focusing on human herpes virus 6B (HHV-6B). A compendium-style approach was used to address a series of standalone frequently asked questions (FAQs), supported by tables and figures to spotlight key concepts. Adult and pediatric infectious disease and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) content experts developed these FAQs, and finalized recommendations after consensus was reached. This ninth topic in the series focuses on the relevant risk factors, diagnostic considerations, prophylaxis, and treatment approaches relevant to HHV-6B infections after HCT and Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T-Cell Therapy.
Additional Links: PMID-40409689
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40409689,
year = {2025},
author = {Kampouri, E and Handley, G and Phan, TL and Lee, YJ and Shaw, R and Carpenter, PA and Dadwal, SS and Chemaly, RF and Papanicolaou, GA and Ogata, M and Boeckh, M and Zerr, DM and Hill, JA},
title = {American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Series #9: Management of HHV-6B After Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T-Cell Therapy.},
journal = {Transplantation and cellular therapy},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jtct.2025.05.001},
pmid = {40409689},
issn = {2666-6367},
abstract = {The Practice Guidelines Committee and the Transplant Infectious Disease Special Interest Group of the American Society for Transplantation and Cellular Therapy developed guidelines focusing on human herpes virus 6B (HHV-6B). A compendium-style approach was used to address a series of standalone frequently asked questions (FAQs), supported by tables and figures to spotlight key concepts. Adult and pediatric infectious disease and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) content experts developed these FAQs, and finalized recommendations after consensus was reached. This ninth topic in the series focuses on the relevant risk factors, diagnostic considerations, prophylaxis, and treatment approaches relevant to HHV-6B infections after HCT and Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-T-Cell Therapy.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-23
Safety and pharmacokinetics of N6LS, a broadly neutralising monoclonal antibody for HIV: a phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation study in healthy adults.
The lancet. HIV pii:S2352-3018(25)00041-4 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Broadly neutralising antibodies (bNAbs) have shown promise as both prevention and treatment strategies against HIV-1. The clinical effectiveness of bNAbs depends on enhancing their neutralisation breadth and extending their serum half-lives. In this study, we aimed to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic profile, and neutralisation activity in serum of N6LS, a HIV-1 bNAb.
METHODS: In this first-in-human, dose-escalation, open-label, phase 1 trial, healthy adult participants (aged 18-50 years) who were HIV-1 negative were recruited to the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (Bethesda, MD, USA). Three groups received one intravenous administration of N6LS at 5 mg/kg (n=3), 20 mg/kg (n=3), or 40 mg/kg (n=3); one group received one subcutaneous administration of 5 mg/kg N6LS (n=3); two groups received three administrations of either 5 mg/kg subcutaneous (n=5) or 20 mg/kg intravenous (n=5) N6LS every 12 weeks; and two groups received one subcutaneous administration of either 5 mg/kg (n=5) or 20 mg/kg (n=5) N6LS with ENHANZE drug product (EDP), recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20. The primary objectives were the safety and tolerability of N6LS with and without EDP. All participants who received N6LS were included in the primary safety analyses. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03538626, and is complete.
FINDINGS: Between June 18, 2018, and April 11, 2022, we enrolled 33 healthy adults (19 female individuals and 14 male individuals). One participant did not receive N6LS and one participant was lost to follow-up after 8 weeks. N6LS had an encouraging safety profile similar to other HIV-1 bNAbs, with no serious adverse events. Local reactogenicity was observed after administration of N6LS, with the most common symptom being mild to moderate injection site pain or tenderness in subcutaneous groups, reported in six of eight participants. All ten participants who received N6LS with EDP had mild to severe injection site erythema, which, despite being graded as severe in size, was generally not noticed by participants or deemed bothersome, and resolved without intervention. Systemic reactogenicity was mild in all groups. N6LS had an overall mean serum half-life of 48·6 days and retained its broad and potent neutralisation characteristics in serum. EDP administration increased N6LS bioavailability. No functional anti-drug antibodies to N6LS were detected following administration.
INTERPRETATION: N6LS showed a promising safety and pharmacokinetics profile while retaining its potent neutralisation characteristics in serum, making it a promising candidate for inclusion in HIV-1 prevention and therapeutic combination strategies. The addition of EDP can enable safe subcutaneous administration of higher doses and larger volumes of N6LS, supporting additional methods for prophylactic and therapeutic bNAb administration.
FUNDING: US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health.
Additional Links: PMID-40409326
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@article {pmid40409326,
year = {2025},
author = {Wu, RL and Houser, KV and Gaudinski, MR and Widge, AT and Awan, SF and Carter, CA and Holman, LA and Saunders, J and Hendel, CS and Eshun, A and Whalen, WR and Wang, X and Arthur, A and Cunningham, JE and Beck, A and Casazza, JP and Yamshchikov, GV and Rothwell, RS and Strom, L and Dittakavi, T and Happe, M and Hickman, SP and Conan-Cibotti, M and Carlton, K and Zhang, L and Huang, Y and Capparelli, EV and Castro, M and Lin, BC and O'Connell, S and Flach, BS and Bailer, RT and Narpala, SR and Serebryannyy, L and McDermott, AB and Arnold, FJ and Gall, JG and Vazquez, S and Berkowitz, NM and Gordon, IJ and Chen, GL and Kwong, PD and Huang, J and Pierson, TC and Connors, M and Mascola, JR and Zhou, T and Doria-Rose, NA and Koup, RA and Dropulic, LK and , },
title = {Safety and pharmacokinetics of N6LS, a broadly neutralising monoclonal antibody for HIV: a phase 1, open-label, dose-escalation study in healthy adults.},
journal = {The lancet. HIV},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/S2352-3018(25)00041-4},
pmid = {40409326},
issn = {2352-3018},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Broadly neutralising antibodies (bNAbs) have shown promise as both prevention and treatment strategies against HIV-1. The clinical effectiveness of bNAbs depends on enhancing their neutralisation breadth and extending their serum half-lives. In this study, we aimed to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetic profile, and neutralisation activity in serum of N6LS, a HIV-1 bNAb.
METHODS: In this first-in-human, dose-escalation, open-label, phase 1 trial, healthy adult participants (aged 18-50 years) who were HIV-1 negative were recruited to the National Institutes of Health Clinical Center (Bethesda, MD, USA). Three groups received one intravenous administration of N6LS at 5 mg/kg (n=3), 20 mg/kg (n=3), or 40 mg/kg (n=3); one group received one subcutaneous administration of 5 mg/kg N6LS (n=3); two groups received three administrations of either 5 mg/kg subcutaneous (n=5) or 20 mg/kg intravenous (n=5) N6LS every 12 weeks; and two groups received one subcutaneous administration of either 5 mg/kg (n=5) or 20 mg/kg (n=5) N6LS with ENHANZE drug product (EDP), recombinant human hyaluronidase PH20. The primary objectives were the safety and tolerability of N6LS with and without EDP. All participants who received N6LS were included in the primary safety analyses. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03538626, and is complete.
FINDINGS: Between June 18, 2018, and April 11, 2022, we enrolled 33 healthy adults (19 female individuals and 14 male individuals). One participant did not receive N6LS and one participant was lost to follow-up after 8 weeks. N6LS had an encouraging safety profile similar to other HIV-1 bNAbs, with no serious adverse events. Local reactogenicity was observed after administration of N6LS, with the most common symptom being mild to moderate injection site pain or tenderness in subcutaneous groups, reported in six of eight participants. All ten participants who received N6LS with EDP had mild to severe injection site erythema, which, despite being graded as severe in size, was generally not noticed by participants or deemed bothersome, and resolved without intervention. Systemic reactogenicity was mild in all groups. N6LS had an overall mean serum half-life of 48·6 days and retained its broad and potent neutralisation characteristics in serum. EDP administration increased N6LS bioavailability. No functional anti-drug antibodies to N6LS were detected following administration.
INTERPRETATION: N6LS showed a promising safety and pharmacokinetics profile while retaining its potent neutralisation characteristics in serum, making it a promising candidate for inclusion in HIV-1 prevention and therapeutic combination strategies. The addition of EDP can enable safe subcutaneous administration of higher doses and larger volumes of N6LS, supporting additional methods for prophylactic and therapeutic bNAb administration.
FUNDING: US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-23
CmpDate: 2025-05-23
HCC surveillance in hepatitis C: A longitudinal algorithm improves alpha-fetoprotein screening.
Hepatology communications, 9(6): pii:02009842-202506010-00015.
BACKGROUND: Surveillance for HCC remains important after hepatitis C cure. Improved sensitivity of screening with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) by using a parametric empirical Bayes (PEB) algorithm, which incorporates an individual patient's longitudinal AFP measurements, was previously demonstrated in a retrospective analysis of clinical trial data prior to widespread hepatitis C cure.
METHODS: We analyzed de-identified data extracted from the medical records of participants in the Alaska Hepatitis C Study, which aims to enroll all Alaska Native persons living in Alaska with a history of hepatitis C.We compared the performance characteristics of AFP as a screening test using the PEB method versus a fixed cutoff (FC) method in an observational setting, separately for HCC surveillance in active and cured hepatitis C.
RESULTS: The PEB and FC methods were applied to AFP levels from participants with F3/F4 fibrosis who had active hepatitis C (173 no HCC, 14 HCC) or after they achieved hepatitis C cure (162 no HCC, 12 HCC). Compared to a fixed 20 ng/mL cutoff, demonstrating 91.2% specificity in active hepatitis C, PEB increased sensitivity from 64.3% to 71.4%. After cure, a fixed 7.2 ng/mL cutoff demonstrated 91.2% specificity, and PEB increased sensitivity from 58.3% to 91.7%.
CONCLUSIONS: The PEB algorithm can increase sensitivity and lead to earlier detection of HCC among patients with F3/F4 fibrosis, both in active and even more so in cured hepatitis C. Lower AFP levels after cure indicate that for either PEB or FC methods, screening parameters, such as cutoffs for a target specificity, should be specified separately by hepatitis C treatment status for HCC surveillance.
Additional Links: PMID-40408282
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@article {pmid40408282,
year = {2025},
author = {Marsh, TL and Johnston, JM and Homan, C and Townshend-Bulson, LJ and Kim, NJ and VoPham, T and Li, X and He, Q and McMahon, BJ and Ioannou, GN and Feng, Z},
title = {HCC surveillance in hepatitis C: A longitudinal algorithm improves alpha-fetoprotein screening.},
journal = {Hepatology communications},
volume = {9},
number = {6},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1097/HC9.0000000000000719},
pmid = {40408282},
issn = {2471-254X},
mesh = {Humans ; *alpha-Fetoproteins/analysis/metabolism ; *Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis/blood/virology ; *Algorithms ; *Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis/blood/virology ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; *Hepatitis C/complications ; Bayes Theorem ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Aged ; *Early Detection of Cancer/methods ; Alaska/epidemiology ; Liver Cirrhosis/blood ; Longitudinal Studies ; Adult ; *Hepatitis C, Chronic/complications/blood ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Surveillance for HCC remains important after hepatitis C cure. Improved sensitivity of screening with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) by using a parametric empirical Bayes (PEB) algorithm, which incorporates an individual patient's longitudinal AFP measurements, was previously demonstrated in a retrospective analysis of clinical trial data prior to widespread hepatitis C cure.
METHODS: We analyzed de-identified data extracted from the medical records of participants in the Alaska Hepatitis C Study, which aims to enroll all Alaska Native persons living in Alaska with a history of hepatitis C.We compared the performance characteristics of AFP as a screening test using the PEB method versus a fixed cutoff (FC) method in an observational setting, separately for HCC surveillance in active and cured hepatitis C.
RESULTS: The PEB and FC methods were applied to AFP levels from participants with F3/F4 fibrosis who had active hepatitis C (173 no HCC, 14 HCC) or after they achieved hepatitis C cure (162 no HCC, 12 HCC). Compared to a fixed 20 ng/mL cutoff, demonstrating 91.2% specificity in active hepatitis C, PEB increased sensitivity from 64.3% to 71.4%. After cure, a fixed 7.2 ng/mL cutoff demonstrated 91.2% specificity, and PEB increased sensitivity from 58.3% to 91.7%.
CONCLUSIONS: The PEB algorithm can increase sensitivity and lead to earlier detection of HCC among patients with F3/F4 fibrosis, both in active and even more so in cured hepatitis C. Lower AFP levels after cure indicate that for either PEB or FC methods, screening parameters, such as cutoffs for a target specificity, should be specified separately by hepatitis C treatment status for HCC surveillance.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Humans
*alpha-Fetoproteins/analysis/metabolism
*Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis/blood/virology
*Algorithms
*Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis/blood/virology
Male
Female
Middle Aged
*Hepatitis C/complications
Bayes Theorem
Sensitivity and Specificity
Aged
*Early Detection of Cancer/methods
Alaska/epidemiology
Liver Cirrhosis/blood
Longitudinal Studies
Adult
*Hepatitis C, Chronic/complications/blood
RevDate: 2025-05-27
Delta-catenin is required for cell proliferation in virus-positive Merkel cell carcinoma cell lines but not in human fibroblasts.
mBio [Epub ahead of print].
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 lysine-specific histone demethylase 1 (LSD1, also known as 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.IMPORTANCEMerkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), the only known human oncogenic polyomavirus, is the primary cause of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer. MCC is driven by two viral proteins: small T (ST) and large T (LT). While the virus can replicate in skin fibroblasts, it is still unknown which type of skin cell becomes cancerous. We found that ST binds to a host protein, δ-catenin in fibroblasts, potentially playing a role in the virus lifecycle, but this interaction is missing in the cancer cells. Our study provides evidence that the cells in which the virus replicates and causes cancer are different.
Additional Links: PMID-40407323
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@article {pmid40407323,
year = {2025},
author = {Landazuri Vinueza, J 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 = {mBio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0083225},
doi = {10.1128/mbio.00832-25},
pmid = {40407323},
issn = {2150-7511},
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 lysine-specific histone demethylase 1 (LSD1, also known as 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.IMPORTANCEMerkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV), the only known human oncogenic polyomavirus, is the primary cause of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer. MCC is driven by two viral proteins: small T (ST) and large T (LT). While the virus can replicate in skin fibroblasts, it is still unknown which type of skin cell becomes cancerous. We found that ST binds to a host protein, δ-catenin in fibroblasts, potentially playing a role in the virus lifecycle, but this interaction is missing in the cancer cells. Our study provides evidence that the cells in which the virus replicates and causes cancer are different.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-23
Global, Regional, and National Burden of Nontraumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: The Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.
JAMA neurology pii:2834680 [Epub ahead of print].
IMPORTANCE: Nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) represents the third most common stroke type with unique etiologies, risk factors, diagnostics, and treatments. Nevertheless, epidemiological studies often cluster SAH with other stroke types leaving its distinct burden estimates obscure.
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the worldwide burden of SAH.
Based on the repeated cross-sectional Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, the global burden of SAH in 1990 to 2021 was estimated. Moreover, the SAH burden was compared with other diseases, and its associations with 14 individual risk factors were investigated with available data in the GBD 2021 study. The GBD study included the burden estimates of nontraumatic SAH among all ages in 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2021.
EXPOSURES: SAH and 14 modifiable risk factors.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Absolute numbers and age-standardized rates with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) of SAH incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) as well as risk factor-specific population attributable fractions (PAFs).
RESULTS: In 2021, the global age-standardized SAH incidence was 8.3 (95% UI, 7.3-9.5), prevalence was 92.2 (95% UI, 84.1-100.6), mortality was 4.2 (95% UI, 3.7-4.8), and DALY rate was 125.2 (95% UI, 110.5-142.6) per 100 000 people. The highest burden estimates were found in Latin America, the Caribbean, Oceania, and high-income Asia Pacific. Although the absolute number of SAH cases increased, especially in regions with a low sociodemographic index, all age-standardized burden rates decreased between 1990 and 2021: the incidence by 28.8% (95% UI, 25.7%-31.6%), prevalence by 16.1% (95% UI, 14.8%-17.7%), mortality by 56.1% (95% UI, 40.7%-64.3%), and DALY rate by 54.6% (95% UI, 42.8%-61.9%). Of 300 diseases, SAH ranked as the 36th most common cause of death and 59th most common cause of DALY in the world. Of all worldwide SAH-related DALYs, 71.6% (95% UI, 63.8%-78.6%) were associated with the 14 modeled risk factors of which high systolic blood pressure (population attributable fraction [PAF] = 51.6%; 95% UI, 38.0%-62.6%) and smoking (PAF = 14.4%; 95% UI, 12.4%-16.5%) had the highest attribution.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Although the global age-standardized burden rates of SAH more than halved over the last 3 decades, SAH remained one of the most common cardiovascular and neurological causes of death and disabilities in the world, with increasing absolute case numbers. These findings suggest evidence for the potential health benefits of proactive public health planning and resource allocation toward the prevention of SAH.
Additional Links: PMID-40406922
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@article {pmid40406922,
year = {2025},
author = {, and Rautalin, I and Volovici, V and Stark, BA and Johnson, CO and Kaprio, J and Korja, M and Krishnamurthi, RV and Nair, BS and Ranta, A and Rinkel, GJE and Vergouwen, MDI and Abate, YH and Abbastabar, H and Abd-Allah, F and Abdelkader, A and Abdi, P and Abdollahi, A and Abdullahi, A and Abiodun, OO and Aboagye, RG and Abouzid, M and Abtahi, D and Abu Rumeileh, S and Abualhasan, A and Abualruz, H and Abukhadijah, HJ and Abu-Zaid, A and Adamu, LH and Addo, IY and Adedoyin, RA and Adegboye, OA and Adra, S and Adzigbli, LA and Agyemang-Duah, W and Ahinkorah, BO and Ahmad, A and Ahmad, D and Ahmadzade, AM and Ahmed, A and Ahmed, H and Ahmed, SA and Aji, B and Akkaif, MA and Al-Ajlouni, Y and Al-Aly, Z and Albashtawy, M and Ali, MU and Alif, SM and Alimohamadi, Y and Aljunid, SM and Alomari, MA and Alrawashdeh, A and Alsabri, MA and Salman, RA and Altaf, A and Al-Tammemi, AB and Alvis-Guzman, N and Alwafi, H and Al-Wardat, M and Al-Worafi, YM and Aly, H and Alyahya, MSI and Alzoubi, KH and Amani, R and Amin, TT and Amindarolzarbi, A and Amusa, GA and Anderlini, D and Angappan, D and Anil, A and Anuoluwa, BS and Anwar, S and Anyasodor, AE and Apostol, GLC and Arabloo, J and Areda, D and Ärnlöv, J and Artamonov, AA and Artanti, KD and Arumugam, A and Aryan, Z and Asghari-Jafarabadi, M and Ashemo, MY and Ashraf, T and Athar, M and Athari, SS and Aujayeb, A and Awotidebe, AW and Azadnajafabad, S and Aziz, S and Azzam, AY and Babu, GR and Bagheri, N and Bahrami Taghanaki, P and Bahramian, S and Bai, R and Baig, AA and Bako, AT and Baltatu, OC and Bam, K and Banach, M and Bandyopadhyay, S and Banik, B and Bardhan, M and Barker-Collo, SL and Bärnighausen, TW and Barqawi, HJ and Barua, L and Bastan, MM and Basu, S and Bell, SL and Bensenor, IM and Berhie, AY and Beyene, KA and Bhagavathula, AS and Bhaskar, S and Bhat, AN and Bhat, V and Bhatti, GK and Bhatti, JS and Bijani, A and Bikbov, B and Birhan, MM and Birhanu, MM and Bitra, VR and Boloor, A and Borhany, H and Breitner, S and Brenner, H and Bugiardini, R and Bulamu, NB and Butt, ZA and Cabral, LS and Caetano Dos Santos, FL and Calina, D and Cámera, LA and Campos, LA and Campos-Nonato, I and Capodici, A and Carvalho, F and Castañeda-Orjuela, CA and Catapano, AL and Cegolon, L and Chadwick, J and Chakraborty, C and Chakraborty, PA and Chakraborty, S and Chandika, RM and Chanie, GS and Chattu, VK and Chaudhary, AA and Chi, G and Chichagi, F and Ching, PR and Chopra, H and Choudhari, SG and Chowdhury, EK and Chu, DT and Chung, SC and Columbus, A and Criqui, MH and da Silva, AG and Dabbagh Ohadi, MA and Dadras, O and Dai, X and Dalal, K and Dalli, LL and D'Amico, E and Dashti, M and Davletov, K and De la Cruz-Góngora, V and Debopadhaya, S and Delgado-Enciso, I and Derviševic, E and Devanbu, VGC and Dewan, SMR and Dhane, AS and Dibas, M and Do, TC and Do, THP and Dohare, S and Doheim, MF and Dokova, KG and Dongarwar, D and D'Oria, M and Doshi, OP and Doshi, RP and Dowou, RK and Dsouza, HL and Dutta, S and Dziedzic, AM and E'mar, AR and Edvardsson, D and Efendi, D and Efendi, F and El Nahas, N and Elgendy, IY and Elhadi, M and Eltaha, C and Eltahir, ME and Emeto, TI and Fabin, N and Fagbamigbe, AF and Fahim, A and Fakhradiyev, IR and Fares, J and Faris, PS and Fauk, NK and Fazylov, T and Fekadu, G and Ferreira, N and Fetensa, G and Fischer, F and Foschi, M and Fridayani, NKY and Gaipov, A and Gajjar, AA and Gandhi, AP and Ganesan, B and Garg, RK and Gebregergis, MW and Gebrehiwot, M and Gebremeskel, TG and Getie, M and Ghadimi, DJ and Ghadirian, F and Ghahramani, S and Ghasemzadeh, A and Ghazy, RM and Gholamalizadeh, M and Ghozy, S and Gil, AU and Gilani, JA and Gnedovskaya, EV and Goleij, P and Goulart, AC and Goulart, BNG and Guan, SY and Gupta, S and Habibzadeh, F and Hadei, M and Hadi, NR and Hamidi, S and Hanifi, N and Hankey, GJ and Harlianto, NI and Haro, JM and Hasan, F and Hasani, H and Hasnain, MS and Hassan Zadeh Tabatabaei, MS and Haubold, J and Havmoeller, RJ and Hay, SI and Hbid, Y and Heidari, G and Heidari, M and Hemmati, M and Hiraike, Y and Hoan, NQ and Holla, R and Hosseinzadeh, M and Hostiuc, S and Huang, J and Huynh, HH and Hwang, BF and Ibitoye, SE and Ikeda, N and Ikiroma, A and Ilaghi, M and Ilesanmi, OS and Ilic, IM and Ilic, MD and Islam, MR and Ismail, NE and Iso, H and Isola, G and Iwagami, M and Jacob, L and Jafarzadeh, A and Jain, A and Jairoun, AA and Jakovljevic, M and Jatau, AI and Jawaid, T and Jayapal, SK and Jonas, JB and Joseph, N and Jürisson, M and Kadashetti, V and Kalani, R and Kamal, VK and Kamireddy, A and Kanchan, T and Kandel, H and Karami, J and Karaye, IM and Karimi, Y and Karimi Behnagh, A and Kashoo, FZ and Kayode, GA and Kazemi, F and Kesse-Guyot, E and Khader, YS and Khaing, IK and Khan, F and Khan, MJ and Khatatbeh, H and Khatatbeh, MM and Khayat Kashani, HR and Kheirallah, KA and Khidri, FF and Khormali, M and Khosla, AA and Kim, K and Kim, YJ and Kisa, A and Kisa, S and Kivimäki, M and Kolahi, AA and Kompani, F and Korzh, O and Kostev, K and Kothari, N and Krishan, K and Krishna, V and Krishnamoorthy, V and Kuddus, M and Kulimbet, M and Kunutsor, SK and Kurniasari, MD and Kusuma, D and Kytö, V and La Vecchia, C and Lahariya, C and Lai, DTC and Lai, H and Laksono, T and Lallukka, T and Latief, K and Latifinaibin, K and Le, NHH and Le, TTT and Lee, M and Lee, SW and Lee, WC and Lee, YH and Lenzi, J and Leonardi, M and Li, MC and Li, X and Lim, SS and Lin, J and Liu, X and Lohner, V and Lorenzovici, L and Lotufo, PA and Lucchetti, G and Lusk, JB and Lutzky Saute, R and M Amin, HI and Malhotra, AK and Malhotra, K and Malik, AA and Malta, DC and Mansournia, MA and Mantovani, LG and Manu, E and Marateb, HR and Marino, M and Maroufi, SF and Martinez-Piedra, R and Martini, S and Martorell, M and Marzo, RR and Mathangasinghe, Y and Mathews, E and Maugeri, A and McPhail, SM and Mehmood, A and Mehndiratta, MM and Mehrabani-Zeinabad, K and Menezes, RG and Meo, SA and Meretoja, A and Mestrovic, T and Mettananda, CDK and Miazgowski, T and Micheletti Gomide Nogueira de Sá, AC and Minervini, G and Minh, LHN and Mirica, A and Mirrakhimov, EM and Mirza-Aghazadeh-Attari, M and Mishra, AK and Mithra, P and Mohamed, AZ and Mohamed, AI and Mohammad, AM and Mohammadi, S and Mohammadian-Hafshejani, A and Mohammed, S and Mokdad, AH and Molinaro, S and Momani, S and Moni, MA and Moodi Ghalibaf, A and Moradi, M and Moradi, Y and Moraga, P and Morawska, L and Msherghi, A and Munjal, K and Murray, CJL and Nagarajan, AJ and Naik, GR and Najdaghi, S and Nakhostin Ansari, N and Nargus, S and Davani, DN and Natto, ZS and Nauman, J and Nayak, VC and Nazri-Panjaki, A and Negoi, RI and Nematollahi, S and Newton, CRJ and Nguyen, DH and Nguyen, HTH and Nguyen, HQ and Nguyen, PT and Nguyen, VT and Niazi, RK and Nigatu, YT and Nikoobar, A and Nogueira de Sá, AT and Nomura, S and Noubiap, JJ and Nugen, F and Nzoputam, CI and Oancea, B and Oduro, MS and Ojo-Akosile, TR and Okati-Aliabad, H and Okeke, SR and Okekunle, AP and Olagunju, AT and Olaiya, MT and Oliveira, AB and Oliveira, GMM and Olorukooba, AA and Olufadewa, II and Ornello, R and Ortiz-Prado, E and Osuagwu, UL and Ouyahia, A and Owolabi, MO and Ozair, A and P A, MP and Padron-Monedero, A and Padubidri, JR and Panagiotakos, D and Panos, GD and Panos, LD and Pantazopoulos, I and Parikh, RR and Park, S and Patel, J and Patel, UK and Patoulias, D and Pedersini, P and Peprah, EK and Pereira, G and Perianayagam, A and Perico, N and Perna, S and Petermann-Rocha, FE and Philip, AK and Piradov, MA and Plotnikov, E and Polibin, RV and Postma, MJ and Pradhan, J and Prasad, M and Puvvula, J and Qasim, NH and Qian, G and Raggi, A and Rahim, F and Rahimi-Movaghar, V and Rahman, M and Rahman, MA and Rahmani, AM and Rahmanian, M and Rajaa, S and Rajabpour Sanati, A and Rajpoot, PL and Rajput, P and Ramadan, MM and Ramasamy, SK and Ramazanu, S and Rane, A and Rashedi, S and Rashidi, MM and Rathish, D and Rawaf, S and Razo, C and Reddy, MMRK and Redwan, E and Remuzzi, G and Rezaei, N and Rezaei, N and Rezaeian, M and Rocha, HAL and Rodriguez, JAB and Roever, L and Romoli, M and Romozzi, M and Ross, AG and Rout, HS and Roy, N and Roy, P and Saad, AMA and Saadatian, Z and Sabour, S and Sacco, S and Saddik, BA and Sadeghi, E and Saeed, U and Saheb Sharif-Askari, F and Sahebkar, A and Sahoo, PM and Sajib, MRUZ and Salaroli, LB and Saleh, MA and Samodra, YL and Samuel, VP and Samy, AM and Santric-Milicevic, MM and Saravanan, A and Sarkar, T and Sarode, GS and Sarode, SC and Sartorius, B and Satpathy, M and Schlaich, MP and Schneider, IJC and Schuermans, A and Selvaraj, S and Senthilkumaran, S and Sepanlou, SG and Sethi, Y and Seylani, A and Shaaban, AN and Shafie, M and Shahwan, MJ and Shaikh, MA and Shaikh, SZ and Shamim, MA and Shamsi, A and Shamsutdinova, A and Shanawaz, M and Shannawaz, M and Sharifan, A and Sharifi Rad, J and Sharma, V and Shashamo, BB and Shetty, M and Shetty, PK and Shigematsu, M and Shittu, A and Shiue, I and Shlobin, NA and Shorofi, SA and Siddig, EE and Singh, B and Singh, P and Singh, P and Singh, S and Sobia, F and Solanki, R and Solanki, S and Soraneh, S and Spartalis, M and Srinivasamurthy, SK and Stanaway, JD and Stanikzai, MH and Starodubova, AV and Sun, J and Sun, Z and Swain, CK and Szarpak, L and Tabaee Damavandi, P and Tabatabaei, SM and Tabatabaeizadeh, SA and Tabche, C and Taiba, J and Talaat, IM and Tamuzi, JL and Tan, KK and Temsah, MH and Teramoto, M and Thakur, R and Thankappan, KR and Thayakaran, R and Thirunavukkarasu, S and Ticoalu, JHV and Tiwari, K and Tonelli, M and Topor-Madry, R and Tovani-Palone, MR and Tran, AT and Tran, JT and Tran, TH and Tran Minh Duc, N and Truelsen, TC and Truyen, TTTT and Tsai, DH and Ullah, A and Unim, B and Unnikrishnan, B and Unsworth, CA and Usman, JS and Vahdati, S and Vaithinathan, AG and Valizadeh, R and Van den Eynde, J and Varghese, J and Vasankari, TJ and Venketasubramanian, N and Vervoort, D and Villafañe, JH and Vinayak, M and Vladimirov, SK and Wafa, HA and Waheed, Y and Wahood, W and Walde, MT and Wang, Y and Wickramasinghe, ND and Willeit, P and Wolde, AA and Wolfe, CDA and Wubie, YM and Xiao, H and Xu, S and Xu, X and Yamagishi, K and Yano, Y and Yarahmadi, A and Yaribeygi, H and Yaya, S and Ye, P and Yon, DK and Yonemoto, N and Yu, C and Zanghì, A and Zare, I and Zastrozhin, M and Zhang, C and Zhang, Y and Zhang, ZJ and Zhang, Z and Zhao, H and Zhou, SC and Zhumagaliuly, A and Zia, H and Zielinska, M and Zyoud, SH and Roth, GA and Feigin, VL},
title = {Global, Regional, and National Burden of Nontraumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: The Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.},
journal = {JAMA neurology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.1522},
pmid = {40406922},
issn = {2168-6157},
abstract = {IMPORTANCE: Nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) represents the third most common stroke type with unique etiologies, risk factors, diagnostics, and treatments. Nevertheless, epidemiological studies often cluster SAH with other stroke types leaving its distinct burden estimates obscure.
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the worldwide burden of SAH.
Based on the repeated cross-sectional Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, the global burden of SAH in 1990 to 2021 was estimated. Moreover, the SAH burden was compared with other diseases, and its associations with 14 individual risk factors were investigated with available data in the GBD 2021 study. The GBD study included the burden estimates of nontraumatic SAH among all ages in 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2021.
EXPOSURES: SAH and 14 modifiable risk factors.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Absolute numbers and age-standardized rates with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) of SAH incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) as well as risk factor-specific population attributable fractions (PAFs).
RESULTS: In 2021, the global age-standardized SAH incidence was 8.3 (95% UI, 7.3-9.5), prevalence was 92.2 (95% UI, 84.1-100.6), mortality was 4.2 (95% UI, 3.7-4.8), and DALY rate was 125.2 (95% UI, 110.5-142.6) per 100 000 people. The highest burden estimates were found in Latin America, the Caribbean, Oceania, and high-income Asia Pacific. Although the absolute number of SAH cases increased, especially in regions with a low sociodemographic index, all age-standardized burden rates decreased between 1990 and 2021: the incidence by 28.8% (95% UI, 25.7%-31.6%), prevalence by 16.1% (95% UI, 14.8%-17.7%), mortality by 56.1% (95% UI, 40.7%-64.3%), and DALY rate by 54.6% (95% UI, 42.8%-61.9%). Of 300 diseases, SAH ranked as the 36th most common cause of death and 59th most common cause of DALY in the world. Of all worldwide SAH-related DALYs, 71.6% (95% UI, 63.8%-78.6%) were associated with the 14 modeled risk factors of which high systolic blood pressure (population attributable fraction [PAF] = 51.6%; 95% UI, 38.0%-62.6%) and smoking (PAF = 14.4%; 95% UI, 12.4%-16.5%) had the highest attribution.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Although the global age-standardized burden rates of SAH more than halved over the last 3 decades, SAH remained one of the most common cardiovascular and neurological causes of death and disabilities in the world, with increasing absolute case numbers. These findings suggest evidence for the potential health benefits of proactive public health planning and resource allocation toward the prevention of SAH.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-23
Identifying prognostic targets in metastatic prostate cancer beyond AR.
FEBS open bio [Epub ahead of print].
Genome-wide screens using CRISPR/RNAi can identify new therapeutic vulnerabilities in prostate cancer. In this study, we combine DepMap functional screen data with a large gene expression database (N = 1012) and clinical outcomes to identify potentially druggable targets. Eight genes (CYC, CYP51A1, DHFR, EBP, KIF15, PPM1D, SQLE, and UMPS) demonstrated strong dependency in cell lines and were also associated with worse prognosis clinically, representing potential therapeutic targets in metastatic prostate cancer. Four of these (DHFR, EBP, KIF15, and PPM1D) demonstrated higher expression in neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Furthermore, all but one (KIF15) were not significantly decreased from pretreatment to posttreatment, suggesting that they may remain targetable postabiraterone therapy. All eight genes showed evidence of protein expression in prostate cancers or cell lines. These potentially druggable targets associated with prostate cancer cell line dependency and worse clinical outcomes have also demonstrated literature support as potential targets, supporting further research into their potential clinical relevance as therapeutic targets in prostate cancer.
Additional Links: PMID-40405591
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@article {pmid40405591,
year = {2025},
author = {Feng, E and Feng, E and Berg, T and Nguyen, IS and Nguyen, LG and Chen, W and Zhang, M and Quigley, D and Sharifi, M and Li, H and Coleman, I and Nelson, PS and Sjöström, M and Zhao, SG},
title = {Identifying prognostic targets in metastatic prostate cancer beyond AR.},
journal = {FEBS open bio},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/2211-5463.70059},
pmid = {40405591},
issn = {2211-5463},
support = {1DP2CA271832-01/GF/NIH HHS/United States ; P50CA097186/GF/NIH HHS/United States ; R50CA274336/GF/NIH HHS/United States ; PC190039//DoD/ ; PC210122//DoD/ ; PC200334//DoD/ ; PC230420//DoD/ ; //Institute for Prostate Cancer Research/ ; //Prostate Cancer Foundation/ ; //Swedish Cancer Society (Cancerfonden)/ ; //Swedish Prostate Cancer Foundation (Prostatacancerförbundet)/ ; //Hjelms Stiftelse för Medicinsk Forskning/ ; },
abstract = {Genome-wide screens using CRISPR/RNAi can identify new therapeutic vulnerabilities in prostate cancer. In this study, we combine DepMap functional screen data with a large gene expression database (N = 1012) and clinical outcomes to identify potentially druggable targets. Eight genes (CYC, CYP51A1, DHFR, EBP, KIF15, PPM1D, SQLE, and UMPS) demonstrated strong dependency in cell lines and were also associated with worse prognosis clinically, representing potential therapeutic targets in metastatic prostate cancer. Four of these (DHFR, EBP, KIF15, and PPM1D) demonstrated higher expression in neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Furthermore, all but one (KIF15) were not significantly decreased from pretreatment to posttreatment, suggesting that they may remain targetable postabiraterone therapy. All eight genes showed evidence of protein expression in prostate cancers or cell lines. These potentially druggable targets associated with prostate cancer cell line dependency and worse clinical outcomes have also demonstrated literature support as potential targets, supporting further research into their potential clinical relevance as therapeutic targets in prostate cancer.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-23
Cell simulation as cell segmentation.
Nature methods [Epub ahead of print].
Single-cell spatial transcriptomics promises a highly detailed view of a cell's transcriptional state and microenvironment, yet inaccurate cell segmentation can render these data murky by misattributing large numbers of transcripts to nearby cells or conjuring nonexistent cells. We adopt methods from ab initio cell simulation, in a method called Proseg (probabilistic segmentation), to rapidly infer morphologically plausible cell boundaries. Benchmarking applied to datasets generated by three commercial platforms shows superior performance and computational efficiency of Proseg when compared to existing methods. We show that improved accuracy in cell segmentation aids greatly in detection of difficult-to-segment tumor-infiltrating immune cells such as neutrophils and T cells. Last, through improvements in our ability to delineate subsets of tumor-infiltrating T cells, we show that CXCL13-expressing CD8[+] T cells tend to be more closely associated with tumor cells than their CXCL13-negative counterparts in data generated from samples from patients with renal cell carcinoma.
Additional Links: PMID-40404994
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@article {pmid40404994,
year = {2025},
author = {Jones, DC and Elz, AE and Hadadianpour, A and Ryu, H and Glass, DR and Newell, EW},
title = {Cell simulation as cell segmentation.},
journal = {Nature methods},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40404994},
issn = {1548-7105},
support = {P01 CA225517/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; U19AI128914//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health (NIH)/ ; R01 CA264646/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; P01 CA225517/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; R01 CA264646/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Single-cell spatial transcriptomics promises a highly detailed view of a cell's transcriptional state and microenvironment, yet inaccurate cell segmentation can render these data murky by misattributing large numbers of transcripts to nearby cells or conjuring nonexistent cells. We adopt methods from ab initio cell simulation, in a method called Proseg (probabilistic segmentation), to rapidly infer morphologically plausible cell boundaries. Benchmarking applied to datasets generated by three commercial platforms shows superior performance and computational efficiency of Proseg when compared to existing methods. We show that improved accuracy in cell segmentation aids greatly in detection of difficult-to-segment tumor-infiltrating immune cells such as neutrophils and T cells. Last, through improvements in our ability to delineate subsets of tumor-infiltrating T cells, we show that CXCL13-expressing CD8[+] T cells tend to be more closely associated with tumor cells than their CXCL13-negative counterparts in data generated from samples from patients with renal cell carcinoma.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-22
Glypican-3 as a Radiotheranostic Target for Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer.
Additional Links: PMID-40404528
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40404528,
year = {2025},
author = {Lee, W and Chung, JY and Baidoo, KE and Nambiar, D and Basuli, F and Coleman, I and Bakht, M and Li, C and Shin, J and Jeong, SU and Cho, YM and Beltran, H and Nelson, PS and Sowalsky, AG and Choyke, PL and Escorcia, FE},
title = {Glypican-3 as a Radiotheranostic Target for Neuroendocrine Prostate Cancer.},
journal = {European urology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.eururo.2025.05.007},
pmid = {40404528},
issn = {1873-7560},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-22
Phase II study of elraglusib (9-ING-41), a GSK-3β inhibitor, in combination with gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel in previously untreated metastatic pancreatic cancer.
ESMO open, 10(6):105122 pii:S2059-7029(25)00991-3 [Epub ahead of print].
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of elraglusib (9-ING-41), a GSK-3β inhibitor, in combination with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (GnP) in previously untreated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC).
MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a nonrandomized, Simon's two-stage, phase II study, patients with mPDAC received elraglusib 15 mg/kg on days 1 and 4 each week and GnP on days 1, 8, and 15 in a 28-day cycle. The primary endpoint was disease control rate (DCR); secondary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).
RESULTS: A total of 42 patients, who were enrolled and treated, had a median age of 67 years and were 57.1% male. Overall, 38 patients received elraglusib at 15 mg/kg and 4 at 9.3 mg/kg with GnP. DCR was 35.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) 21.6% to 52.0%], and ORR was 26.2%. The median PFS and OS were 5.4 months (95% CI 4.4-9.2 months) and 11.9 months (95% CI 7.8-16.5 months), respectively. Most common TEAEs were visual impairment (83.3%), fatigue (69%), and nausea (66.7%). Grade ≥3 TEAEs occurred in 85.7% of patients and included neutropenia (52.4%), leukopenia (42.9%), and fatigue (21.4%). The dose of elraglusib was reduced to 9.3 mg/kg due to increased exacerbation of GnP-related toxicities and frequent dose interruptions and reductions of elraglusib.
CONCLUSIONS: Elraglusib/GnP showed preliminary clinical activity. In terms of safety, elraglusib resulted in a modest exacerbation of GnP-related toxicities, leading to a dose reduction of elraglusib to 9.3 mg/kg twice a week. Based on the initial efficacy and safety data, the study was amended to a randomized phase II study that will evaluate the 9.3 mg/kg dose.
Additional Links: PMID-40403387
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40403387,
year = {2025},
author = {Mahalingam, D and Saeed, A and Powell, SF and Huerta, M and Sahai, V and Coveler, AL and Davis, EJ and Steeghs, N and Mulcahy, M and Raufi, AG and Cavalcante, L and Cervantes, A and Berlin, J and Weisskittel, T and Ugolkov, A and Mazar, AP and Mikrut, W and Smith, S and Giles, FJ and Carneiro, BA},
title = {Phase II study of elraglusib (9-ING-41), a GSK-3β inhibitor, in combination with gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel in previously untreated metastatic pancreatic cancer.},
journal = {ESMO open},
volume = {10},
number = {6},
pages = {105122},
doi = {10.1016/j.esmoop.2025.105122},
pmid = {40403387},
issn = {2059-7029},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of elraglusib (9-ING-41), a GSK-3β inhibitor, in combination with gemcitabine/nab-paclitaxel (GnP) in previously untreated metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (mPDAC).
MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a nonrandomized, Simon's two-stage, phase II study, patients with mPDAC received elraglusib 15 mg/kg on days 1 and 4 each week and GnP on days 1, 8, and 15 in a 28-day cycle. The primary endpoint was disease control rate (DCR); secondary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs).
RESULTS: A total of 42 patients, who were enrolled and treated, had a median age of 67 years and were 57.1% male. Overall, 38 patients received elraglusib at 15 mg/kg and 4 at 9.3 mg/kg with GnP. DCR was 35.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) 21.6% to 52.0%], and ORR was 26.2%. The median PFS and OS were 5.4 months (95% CI 4.4-9.2 months) and 11.9 months (95% CI 7.8-16.5 months), respectively. Most common TEAEs were visual impairment (83.3%), fatigue (69%), and nausea (66.7%). Grade ≥3 TEAEs occurred in 85.7% of patients and included neutropenia (52.4%), leukopenia (42.9%), and fatigue (21.4%). The dose of elraglusib was reduced to 9.3 mg/kg due to increased exacerbation of GnP-related toxicities and frequent dose interruptions and reductions of elraglusib.
CONCLUSIONS: Elraglusib/GnP showed preliminary clinical activity. In terms of safety, elraglusib resulted in a modest exacerbation of GnP-related toxicities, leading to a dose reduction of elraglusib to 9.3 mg/kg twice a week. Based on the initial efficacy and safety data, the study was amended to a randomized phase II study that will evaluate the 9.3 mg/kg dose.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-25
Tomosynthesis vs Digital Mammography Screening in Women with a Family History of Breast Cancer.
JAMA oncology [Epub ahead of print].
IMPORTANCE: Evidence on screening outcomes with digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) vs digital mammography (DM) in women with a family history of breast cancer is limited.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of DBT and DM screening in women with a family history of breast cancer overall and subdivided by breast cancer family history category, breast density, age group, screening interval, and screening round, and to describe characteristics of cancers detected on screening vs interval cancers.
In this comparative cohort study at imaging facilities affiliated with the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium, adult women 18 years and older with a self-reported family history of breast cancer who underwent DBT or DM from 2011 to 2018 were included, with a 1-year follow-up for breast carcinoma. Data analysis was performed between November 2023 and August 2024.
EXPOSURES: DBT or DM.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The main outcomes were absolute risk difference (ARD) between DBT and DM for recall rate, cancer detection rate, interval cancer rate, advanced cancer rate, biopsy rate, positive predictive values, sensitivity, and specificity, with inverse probability of treatment weighting.
RESULTS: A total of 208 945 women with a family history of breast cancer undergoing 502 357 screening examinations were included in the sample. Median (IQR) age was 58 (50-66) and 57 (49-66) years for the DBT and DM groups, respectively. Adjusted ARDs (DBT vs DM) were significant for recall rate (-1.51%; 95% CI, -2.42% to -0.59%) and specificity (1.56%; 95% CI, 0.65%-2.46%) in the overall cohort of 121 698 DBT and 380 561 DM examinations and among women with 1 first-degree relative (recall rate ARD, -1.72%; 95% CI, -2.70% to -0.74%; specificity ARD, 1.75%; 95% CI, 0.81%-2.69%). Among those with only second-degree relatives, the biopsy rate for DBT was significantly higher (ARD, 0.39%; 95% CI, 0.18%-0.61%). Significant ARDs were observed for the ductal carcinoma in situ detection rate (-0.71 per 1000 examinations; 95% CI, -1.03 to -0.38 per 1000 examinations) in women with almost entirely fatty breasts; recall rate (-1.90%; 95% CI, -2.88% to -0.92%) and specificity (1.93%; 95% CI, 0.97%-2.89%) in women with scattered fibroglandular densities. Significant ARDs were also observed for the positive predictive value for recall (1.75%; 95% CI, 0.84%-2.67%) in heterogeneously dense breasts, as well as the biopsy rate (0.48%; 95% CI, 0.16%-0.80%) and advanced cancer rate (-0.61 per 1000 examinations; 95% CI, -1.02 to -0.20 per 1000 examinations) in extremely dense breasts. DBT screening had a higher proportion than DM of screen-detected early-stage, invasive cancers with favorable prognostic characteristics.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study of women with a family history of breast cancer, DBT screening reduced recall rates and increased specificity compared to DM, particularly in women with 1 first-degree relative with breast cancer and those with scattered fibroglandular breast density, and reduced advanced cancer rates in women with extremely dense breasts.
Additional Links: PMID-40402477
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@article {pmid40402477,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, T and Su, YR and Lee, JM and O'Meara, ES and Miglioretti, DL and Kerlikowske, K and Henderson, L and Houssami, N},
title = {Tomosynthesis vs Digital Mammography Screening in Women with a Family History of Breast Cancer.},
journal = {JAMA oncology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40402477},
issn = {2374-2445},
abstract = {IMPORTANCE: Evidence on screening outcomes with digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) vs digital mammography (DM) in women with a family history of breast cancer is limited.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the performance of DBT and DM screening in women with a family history of breast cancer overall and subdivided by breast cancer family history category, breast density, age group, screening interval, and screening round, and to describe characteristics of cancers detected on screening vs interval cancers.
In this comparative cohort study at imaging facilities affiliated with the Breast Cancer Surveillance Consortium, adult women 18 years and older with a self-reported family history of breast cancer who underwent DBT or DM from 2011 to 2018 were included, with a 1-year follow-up for breast carcinoma. Data analysis was performed between November 2023 and August 2024.
EXPOSURES: DBT or DM.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The main outcomes were absolute risk difference (ARD) between DBT and DM for recall rate, cancer detection rate, interval cancer rate, advanced cancer rate, biopsy rate, positive predictive values, sensitivity, and specificity, with inverse probability of treatment weighting.
RESULTS: A total of 208 945 women with a family history of breast cancer undergoing 502 357 screening examinations were included in the sample. Median (IQR) age was 58 (50-66) and 57 (49-66) years for the DBT and DM groups, respectively. Adjusted ARDs (DBT vs DM) were significant for recall rate (-1.51%; 95% CI, -2.42% to -0.59%) and specificity (1.56%; 95% CI, 0.65%-2.46%) in the overall cohort of 121 698 DBT and 380 561 DM examinations and among women with 1 first-degree relative (recall rate ARD, -1.72%; 95% CI, -2.70% to -0.74%; specificity ARD, 1.75%; 95% CI, 0.81%-2.69%). Among those with only second-degree relatives, the biopsy rate for DBT was significantly higher (ARD, 0.39%; 95% CI, 0.18%-0.61%). Significant ARDs were observed for the ductal carcinoma in situ detection rate (-0.71 per 1000 examinations; 95% CI, -1.03 to -0.38 per 1000 examinations) in women with almost entirely fatty breasts; recall rate (-1.90%; 95% CI, -2.88% to -0.92%) and specificity (1.93%; 95% CI, 0.97%-2.89%) in women with scattered fibroglandular densities. Significant ARDs were also observed for the positive predictive value for recall (1.75%; 95% CI, 0.84%-2.67%) in heterogeneously dense breasts, as well as the biopsy rate (0.48%; 95% CI, 0.16%-0.80%) and advanced cancer rate (-0.61 per 1000 examinations; 95% CI, -1.02 to -0.20 per 1000 examinations) in extremely dense breasts. DBT screening had a higher proportion than DM of screen-detected early-stage, invasive cancers with favorable prognostic characteristics.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study of women with a family history of breast cancer, DBT screening reduced recall rates and increased specificity compared to DM, particularly in women with 1 first-degree relative with breast cancer and those with scattered fibroglandular breast density, and reduced advanced cancer rates in women with extremely dense breasts.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-22
Stability and Variability of the Human Fecal Microbiome Over Two Years in the Multiethnic Cohort Study: A Metagenomic Analysis.
Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology pii:762605 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Understanding the longitudinal variability of the gut microbiome is essential for advancing microbiome-based measurements and designing robust sampling protocols in observational and intervention studies of cancer and other health outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore the temporal variability and stability of the fecal microbiome over a 2-year period, using intraclass correlation (ICC) analysis of metagenomic sequencing data.
METHODS: We studied 25 older adults from the Multiethnic Cohort Adiposity Phenotype Study (MEC-APS, 2013-2016). Stool samples were collected every six months over a two-year period (5 samples) and analyzed using metagenomic sequencing. The temporal stability was evaluated using ICCs across taxonomic levels, diversity, and functional genes and pathways.
RESULTS: The microbial community showed stability in alpha diversity and overall structure, with no significant changes across time points (Shannon diversity, p = 0.95). Taxonomic composition showed strong reliability over time, with median ICCs of 0.7 at the genus level and 0.75 at species level. Functional genes also demonstrated good stability (median ICC = 0.68). However, microbial pathways were more variable, with a fair median ICC of 0.49.
CONCLUSION: While the fecal microbiome was generally stable, some taxa and functions were more dynamic and responsive to external influences.
IMPACT: Findings highlight the need for reliable microbiome measurements and sampling strategies to reduce bias in studies of the microbiome and cancer.
Additional Links: PMID-40402042
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@article {pmid40402042,
year = {2025},
author = {Moosavi, D and Curtis, KR and Randolph, TW and Kahsai, OJ and Ammar, H and Lim, U and Cheng, I and Wilkens, LR and Le Marchand, L and Lampe, JW and Hullar, MAJ},
title = {Stability and Variability of the Human Fecal Microbiome Over Two Years in the Multiethnic Cohort Study: A Metagenomic Analysis.},
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-24-1770},
pmid = {40402042},
issn = {1538-7755},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Understanding the longitudinal variability of the gut microbiome is essential for advancing microbiome-based measurements and designing robust sampling protocols in observational and intervention studies of cancer and other health outcomes. The aim of this study was to explore the temporal variability and stability of the fecal microbiome over a 2-year period, using intraclass correlation (ICC) analysis of metagenomic sequencing data.
METHODS: We studied 25 older adults from the Multiethnic Cohort Adiposity Phenotype Study (MEC-APS, 2013-2016). Stool samples were collected every six months over a two-year period (5 samples) and analyzed using metagenomic sequencing. The temporal stability was evaluated using ICCs across taxonomic levels, diversity, and functional genes and pathways.
RESULTS: The microbial community showed stability in alpha diversity and overall structure, with no significant changes across time points (Shannon diversity, p = 0.95). Taxonomic composition showed strong reliability over time, with median ICCs of 0.7 at the genus level and 0.75 at species level. Functional genes also demonstrated good stability (median ICC = 0.68). However, microbial pathways were more variable, with a fair median ICC of 0.49.
CONCLUSION: While the fecal microbiome was generally stable, some taxa and functions were more dynamic and responsive to external influences.
IMPACT: Findings highlight the need for reliable microbiome measurements and sampling strategies to reduce bias in studies of the microbiome and cancer.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-26
Analytical Performance of the NCI-myeloMATCH Assay: A Rapid Turnaround Genomic Profiling Assay for Myeloid Disorders.
The Journal of molecular diagnostics : JMD pii:S1525-1578(25)00116-3 [Epub ahead of print].
myeloMATCH is a National Cancer Institute precision medicine clinical trial initiative to evaluate treatments for acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome based on a patient's diagnostic presenting clinical and genetic profile. The National Cancer Institute myeloid assay version 2 (NMAv2) uses the Ion Torrent Genexus System, an automated platform with <48-hour turnaround from specimen receipt to reporting, to provide regulatory-compliant use for myeloMATCH across two independent clinical laboratories with harmonized workflows. Using marrow aspirate or peripheral blood clinical specimens, cell lines, and contrived reference materials, NMAv2 exhibited 99% sensitivity for 291 known mutations and 100% specificity. High reproducibility detecting all reportable variants was observed, with >98% mean positive percentage agreement and 100% negative percent agreement across six reproducibility assessments. Reproducibility experiments of companion diagnostic biomarkers (1 to 1.5× clinical limit of reporting) showed 100% positive percentage agreement and negative percent agreement. The limit of detection was 0.06% for hotspot single-nucleotide variants, 0.16% for non-hotspot single-nucleotide variants, 0.51% for hotspot insertion/deletions, approximately 1% for non-hotspot insertion/deletions, 0.23% for FLT3-internal tandem duplications, and ≤40 reads at 0.1% tumor content for fusions. Concordance of 99.39% was observed in orthogonal assays testing 76 blinded myeloid specimens in the sensitivity study, and 100% concordance was observed in testing 54 FLT3-internal tandem duplication specimens. The results show that NMAv2 has high specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, and reproducibility, and it can rapidly characterize genomic alterations in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.
Additional Links: PMID-40381914
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@article {pmid40381914,
year = {2025},
author = {Yeung, CCS and Narava, SK and Chang, TC and Saeed, M and Aicher, L and Beppu, LW and Majano, MS and Taylor, EM and Camalier, CE and Sandhuria, P and Sala-Torra, O and Li, J and Yee, LM and McShane, LM and Karlovich, C and Little, RF and Harris, L and Doroshow, JH and Williams, PM and Radich, JP and Jiwani, S},
title = {Analytical Performance of the NCI-myeloMATCH Assay: A Rapid Turnaround Genomic Profiling Assay for Myeloid Disorders.},
journal = {The Journal of molecular diagnostics : JMD},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jmoldx.2025.05.001},
pmid = {40381914},
issn = {1943-7811},
abstract = {myeloMATCH is a National Cancer Institute precision medicine clinical trial initiative to evaluate treatments for acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome based on a patient's diagnostic presenting clinical and genetic profile. The National Cancer Institute myeloid assay version 2 (NMAv2) uses the Ion Torrent Genexus System, an automated platform with <48-hour turnaround from specimen receipt to reporting, to provide regulatory-compliant use for myeloMATCH across two independent clinical laboratories with harmonized workflows. Using marrow aspirate or peripheral blood clinical specimens, cell lines, and contrived reference materials, NMAv2 exhibited 99% sensitivity for 291 known mutations and 100% specificity. High reproducibility detecting all reportable variants was observed, with >98% mean positive percentage agreement and 100% negative percent agreement across six reproducibility assessments. Reproducibility experiments of companion diagnostic biomarkers (1 to 1.5× clinical limit of reporting) showed 100% positive percentage agreement and negative percent agreement. The limit of detection was 0.06% for hotspot single-nucleotide variants, 0.16% for non-hotspot single-nucleotide variants, 0.51% for hotspot insertion/deletions, approximately 1% for non-hotspot insertion/deletions, 0.23% for FLT3-internal tandem duplications, and ≤40 reads at 0.1% tumor content for fusions. Concordance of 99.39% was observed in orthogonal assays testing 76 blinded myeloid specimens in the sensitivity study, and 100% concordance was observed in testing 54 FLT3-internal tandem duplication specimens. The results show that NMAv2 has high specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, and reproducibility, and it can rapidly characterize genomic alterations in acute myeloid leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-21
PCSK9 drives sterol-dependent metastatic organ choice in pancreatic cancer.
Nature [Epub ahead of print].
To grow at distant sites, metastatic cells must overcome major challenges posed by the unique cellular and metabolic composition of secondary organs[1]. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease that metastasizes to the liver and lungs. Despite evidence of metabolic reprogramming away from the primary site, the key drivers that dictate the ability of PDAC cells to colonize the liver or lungs and survive there remain undefined. Here we identified PCSK9 as predictive of liver versus lung colonization by integrating metastatic tropism data of human PDAC cell lines[2], in vivo metastasis modelling in mice and gene expression correlation analysis. PCSK9 negatively regulates low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol import and, accordingly, PCSK9-low PDAC cells preferentially colonize LDL-rich liver tissue. LDL-cholesterol taken up by liver-avid PCSK9-low cells supports activation of pro-growth mTORC1 activation at the lysosome, and through conversion into the signalling oxysterol, 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol, reprogrammes the microenvironment to release nutrients from neighbouring hepatocytes. Conversely, PCSK9-high, lung-avid PDAC cells rely on transcriptional upregulation of the distal cholesterol synthesis pathway to generate intermediates-7-dehydrocholesterol and 7-dehydrodesmosterol-with protective action against ferroptosis, a vulnerability in the oxygen-rich microenvironment of the lung. Increasing the amount of PCSK9 redirected liver-avid cells to the lung whereas ablating PCSK9 drove lung-avid cells to the liver, thereby establishing PCSK9 as necessary and sufficient for secondary organ site preference. Our studies reveal PCSK9-driven differential utilization of the distal cholesterol synthesis pathway as a key and potentially actionable driver of metastatic growth in PDAC.
Additional Links: PMID-40399683
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Citation:
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@article {pmid40399683,
year = {2025},
author = {Rademaker, G and Hernandez, GA and Seo, Y and Dahal, S and Miller-Phillips, L and Li, AL and Peng, XL and Luan, C and Qiu, L and Liegeois, MA and Wang, B and Wen, KW and Kim, GE and Collisson, EA and Kruger, SF and Boeck, S and Ormanns, S and Guenther, M and Heinemann, V and Haas, M and Looney, MR and Yeh, JJ and Zoncu, R and Perera, RM},
title = {PCSK9 drives sterol-dependent metastatic organ choice in pancreatic cancer.},
journal = {Nature},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40399683},
issn = {1476-4687},
abstract = {To grow at distant sites, metastatic cells must overcome major challenges posed by the unique cellular and metabolic composition of secondary organs[1]. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease that metastasizes to the liver and lungs. Despite evidence of metabolic reprogramming away from the primary site, the key drivers that dictate the ability of PDAC cells to colonize the liver or lungs and survive there remain undefined. Here we identified PCSK9 as predictive of liver versus lung colonization by integrating metastatic tropism data of human PDAC cell lines[2], in vivo metastasis modelling in mice and gene expression correlation analysis. PCSK9 negatively regulates low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol import and, accordingly, PCSK9-low PDAC cells preferentially colonize LDL-rich liver tissue. LDL-cholesterol taken up by liver-avid PCSK9-low cells supports activation of pro-growth mTORC1 activation at the lysosome, and through conversion into the signalling oxysterol, 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol, reprogrammes the microenvironment to release nutrients from neighbouring hepatocytes. Conversely, PCSK9-high, lung-avid PDAC cells rely on transcriptional upregulation of the distal cholesterol synthesis pathway to generate intermediates-7-dehydrocholesterol and 7-dehydrodesmosterol-with protective action against ferroptosis, a vulnerability in the oxygen-rich microenvironment of the lung. Increasing the amount of PCSK9 redirected liver-avid cells to the lung whereas ablating PCSK9 drove lung-avid cells to the liver, thereby establishing PCSK9 as necessary and sufficient for secondary organ site preference. Our studies reveal PCSK9-driven differential utilization of the distal cholesterol synthesis pathway as a key and potentially actionable driver of metastatic growth in PDAC.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-21
Genome-wide association study of long COVID.
Nature genetics [Epub ahead of print].
Infections can lead to persistent symptoms and diseases such as shingles after varicella zoster or rheumatic fever after streptococcal infections. Similarly, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) infection can result in long coronavirus disease (COVID), typically manifesting as fatigue, pulmonary symptoms and cognitive dysfunction. The biological mechanisms behind long COVID remain unclear. We performed a genome-wide association study for long COVID including up to 6,450 long COVID cases and 1,093,995 population controls from 24 studies across 16 countries. We discovered an association of FOXP4 with long COVID, independent of its previously identified association with severe COVID-19. The signal was replicated in 9,500 long COVID cases and 798,835 population controls. Given the transcription factor FOXP4's role in lung physiology and pathology, our findings highlight the importance of lung function in the pathophysiology of long COVID.
Additional Links: PMID-40399555
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40399555,
year = {2025},
author = {Lammi, V and Nakanishi, T and Jones, SE and Andrews, SJ and Karjalainen, J and Cortés, B and O'Brien, HE and Ochoa-Guzman, A and Fulton-Howard, BE and Broberg, M and Haapaniemi, HH and Kanai, M and Pirinen, M and Schmidt, A and Mitchell, RE and Mousas, A and Mangino, M and Huerta-Chagoya, A and Sinnott-Armstrong, N and Cirulli, ET and Vaudel, M and Kwong, ASF and Maiti, AK and Marttila, MM and Posner, DC and Rodriguez, AA and Batini, C and Minnai, F and Dearman, AR and Warmerdam, CAR and Sequeros, CB and Winkler, TW and Jordan, DM and Rešcenko, R and Miano, L and Lane, JM and Chung, RK and Guillen-Guio, B and Leavy, OC and Carvajal-Silva, L and Aguilar-Valdés, K and Frangione, E and Guare, L and Vergasova, E and Marouli, E and Striano, P and Zainulabid, UA and Kumar, A and Ahmad, HF and Edahiro, R and Azekawa, S and , and , and , and , and , and , and , and , and , and Luoh, SW and Erikstrup, C and Pedersen, OBV and Lerner-Ellis, J and Colombo, A and Grzymski, JJ and Ishii, M and Okada, Y and Beckmann, ND and Kumari, M and Wagner, R and Heid, IM and John, C and Short, PJ and Magnus, P and Ansone, L and Valenti, LVC and Lee, SA and Wain, LV and Verdugo, RA and Banasik, K and Geller, F and Franke, LH and Rakitko, A and Duncan, EL and Renieri, A and Tsilidis, KK and de Cid, R and Niavarani, A and Abner, E and Tusié-Luna, T and Verma, SS and Smith, GD and Timpson, NJ and Madduri, RK and Cho, K and Daly, MJ and Ganna, A and Schulte, EC and Richards, JB and Ludwig, KU and Marks-Hultström, M and Zeberg, H and Ollila, HM},
title = {Genome-wide association study of long COVID.},
journal = {Nature genetics},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40399555},
issn = {1546-1718},
abstract = {Infections can lead to persistent symptoms and diseases such as shingles after varicella zoster or rheumatic fever after streptococcal infections. Similarly, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) infection can result in long coronavirus disease (COVID), typically manifesting as fatigue, pulmonary symptoms and cognitive dysfunction. The biological mechanisms behind long COVID remain unclear. We performed a genome-wide association study for long COVID including up to 6,450 long COVID cases and 1,093,995 population controls from 24 studies across 16 countries. We discovered an association of FOXP4 with long COVID, independent of its previously identified association with severe COVID-19. The signal was replicated in 9,500 long COVID cases and 798,835 population controls. Given the transcription factor FOXP4's role in lung physiology and pathology, our findings highlight the importance of lung function in the pathophysiology of long COVID.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-21
Current Activity Trends and Outcomes in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy - A report from the CIBMTR.
Transplantation and cellular therapy pii:S2666-6367(25)01198-4 [Epub ahead of print].
The Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) compiles annual summary slides describing trends in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and cellular therapy (CT) practice and outcomes. This year's report includes all patients receiving their first autologous and/or allogeneic HCT/CT in the United States between 2013 and 2023 or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) from 2016 and 2023, reported to CIBMTR. Relative proportion of allogeneic and autologous HCT/CT was generated as percentage of total for donor type and for patient age, disease indication, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis, and race and ethnicity. Causes of death were summarized using frequencies, and the Kaplan-Meier estimator was used for estimating overall survival. New for this year, disease risk stratification reflects European LeukemiaNet cytogenetic risk score for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Use of allogeneic HCT increased substantially in 2023, recovering from a decline in activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with growth predominately in the 65-74 year-old age group. Overall, matched unrelated donors (MUD) continue as the most common allogeneic donor source (45%) followed by haploidentical related donors (Haplo) (21%), matched related donors (MRD) (18%), mismatched unrelated donors (MMUD) (12%) and cord blood (Cord) (3%). These trends hold in the adult patient population with a notable doubling of MMUD utilization since 2020 driven by the rapid shift to post-transplant cyclophosphamide based GVHD prophylaxis (PTCy) in this setting. In the pediatric setting, Haplo was the most common donor source surpassing MRD use in 2023 followed by MUD, Cord and MMUD. Autologous HCT continued to decline slightly while use of CAR-T therapy has rapidly increased since commercial approval in 2017 with lymphoma and multiple myeloma reaching 45% and 16%, respectively in 2023. Significant recent changes in GVHD prophylaxis in the adult allogeneic HCT setting have occurred. PTCy is most common in Haplo HCT with >90% since 2016. Among other donor sources, the most rapid adoption is in MMUD HCT at 82% in 2023. In MRD and MUD, PTCy use differs by conditioning intensity with RIC/NMA higher (58% and 64%, respectively), reflecting the standard of care established by BMT CTN 1703, compared to MAC (43% and 46%, respectively). In pediatrics, calcineurin inhibitor ± others remains the most common GVHD prevention strategy for MRD (88%) and MUD (68%). Although common in the pediatric Haplo HCT setting at 68% in 2023, use of PTCy is less common across other mismatched donor types where use of abatacept or ex-vivo T cell depletion/CD34 selection accounts for 28% and 17% in MMUD, respectively. Three-year overall survival continues to significantly improve among patients receiving allogeneic (62.1% vs 55.8%) and autologous (82.6% vs 79.6%) HCT when comparing HCT from 2017-2022 versus 2012-2016 (p<0.001), respectively. In both the adult and pediatric settings, primary cause of mortality after 100 days post-HCT remains primary disease in both allogeneic (47% and 45%, respectively) and autologous (60% and 79%, respectively). HCT/CT and CAR-T use continues to grow. Relapse remains the primary cause of death in the malignant setting supporting further efforts to mitigate risk.
Additional Links: PMID-40398621
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40398621,
year = {2025},
author = {R, SS and S, X and Temitope, O and Woo, AK and Othman, A and Yung-Tsi, B and Larisa, B and Jenni, B and Caitrin, B and Min, C and M, DS and Najla, EJ and Mehdi, H and Mary, H and H, HA and Samantha, J and Michelle, K and J, LS and Amy, M and M, PK and C, PM and Waleska, P and Rachel, P and Doug, R and Wael, S and E, SH and Patricia, S and Eileen, T and Alexis, V and Rebecca, V and J, AJ and E, SB and Mariam, AJ},
title = {Current Activity Trends and Outcomes in Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy - A report from the CIBMTR.},
journal = {Transplantation and cellular therapy},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jtct.2025.05.014},
pmid = {40398621},
issn = {2666-6367},
abstract = {The Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) compiles annual summary slides describing trends in hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) and cellular therapy (CT) practice and outcomes. This year's report includes all patients receiving their first autologous and/or allogeneic HCT/CT in the United States between 2013 and 2023 or chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) from 2016 and 2023, reported to CIBMTR. Relative proportion of allogeneic and autologous HCT/CT was generated as percentage of total for donor type and for patient age, disease indication, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis, and race and ethnicity. Causes of death were summarized using frequencies, and the Kaplan-Meier estimator was used for estimating overall survival. New for this year, disease risk stratification reflects European LeukemiaNet cytogenetic risk score for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the Revised International Prognostic Scoring System for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Use of allogeneic HCT increased substantially in 2023, recovering from a decline in activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, with growth predominately in the 65-74 year-old age group. Overall, matched unrelated donors (MUD) continue as the most common allogeneic donor source (45%) followed by haploidentical related donors (Haplo) (21%), matched related donors (MRD) (18%), mismatched unrelated donors (MMUD) (12%) and cord blood (Cord) (3%). These trends hold in the adult patient population with a notable doubling of MMUD utilization since 2020 driven by the rapid shift to post-transplant cyclophosphamide based GVHD prophylaxis (PTCy) in this setting. In the pediatric setting, Haplo was the most common donor source surpassing MRD use in 2023 followed by MUD, Cord and MMUD. Autologous HCT continued to decline slightly while use of CAR-T therapy has rapidly increased since commercial approval in 2017 with lymphoma and multiple myeloma reaching 45% and 16%, respectively in 2023. Significant recent changes in GVHD prophylaxis in the adult allogeneic HCT setting have occurred. PTCy is most common in Haplo HCT with >90% since 2016. Among other donor sources, the most rapid adoption is in MMUD HCT at 82% in 2023. In MRD and MUD, PTCy use differs by conditioning intensity with RIC/NMA higher (58% and 64%, respectively), reflecting the standard of care established by BMT CTN 1703, compared to MAC (43% and 46%, respectively). In pediatrics, calcineurin inhibitor ± others remains the most common GVHD prevention strategy for MRD (88%) and MUD (68%). Although common in the pediatric Haplo HCT setting at 68% in 2023, use of PTCy is less common across other mismatched donor types where use of abatacept or ex-vivo T cell depletion/CD34 selection accounts for 28% and 17% in MMUD, respectively. Three-year overall survival continues to significantly improve among patients receiving allogeneic (62.1% vs 55.8%) and autologous (82.6% vs 79.6%) HCT when comparing HCT from 2017-2022 versus 2012-2016 (p<0.001), respectively. In both the adult and pediatric settings, primary cause of mortality after 100 days post-HCT remains primary disease in both allogeneic (47% and 45%, respectively) and autologous (60% and 79%, respectively). HCT/CT and CAR-T use continues to grow. Relapse remains the primary cause of death in the malignant setting supporting further efforts to mitigate risk.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-21
Low Peripheral Blood Counts and Elevated Proinflammatory Cytokines Signal a Poor CD19 CAR-T Response in ALL: Immune correlates of CAR-T response.
Transplantation and cellular therapy pii:S2666-6367(25)01165-0 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has significantly improved outcomes for patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL). However, approximately 20% of patients fail to achieve a complete remission (CR), and some develop severe, life-threatening toxicities. Understanding the biological mechanisms underlying both dysfunctional responses and severe toxicity is essential for optimizing patient management and improving therapeutic efficacy.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to (1) characterize cytokine profiles associated with dysfunctional responses and severe toxicity following CAR-T infusion, (2) examine the timing and trajectory of cytokine changes in relation to treatment outcomes and evaluate potential strategies for mitigating toxicity and treatment failure.
STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of serum cytokine profiles in 86 adult and pediatric patients undergoing autologous CD19 CAR-T therapy for B-ALL. Patients were categorized into three groups: 1. Dysfunctional response- Patients who failed to achieve a minimal residual disease-negative complete remission (MRD- CR) by Day 63 or who experienced recurrence of CD19+ disease in the setting ongoing CAR T cell detection before Day 63. 2. Functional response with severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and/or Neurotoxicity (NTX)- Patients with best response of MRD- CR by Day 63 who experienced grade 3 or higher CRS or NTX. 3. Functional response without severe CRS or NTX- Patients with best response of MRD- CR by Day 63 who did not experience grade ≥ 3 CRS or neurotoxicity. Cytokine levels were measured during the first week post-infusion and correlated with treatment efficacy, toxicity outcomes, complete blood counts (CBCs), and CAR-T expansion dynamics. This analysis aimed to better understand how cytokine profiles relate to patient outcomes and immune responses in CAR-T therapy.
RESULTS: Patients with dysfunctional response exhibited decreased neutrophils, platelets and levels of granulocytic cytokines (suggestive of low bone marrow reserve) alongside elevated pro inflammatory cytokines by Day 1. Functional response with severe toxicity patients showed a progressive rise in proinflammatory cytokines, reaching similar levels to dysfunctional response patients by Day 7. We observed that high cytokines at both the Day 1 and Day 7 timepoints were associated with poor survival. These findings remained significant when adjusting for high disease burden, a known predictor of severe inflammatory toxicity and lack of response.
CONCLUSION: Early post-CAR-T infusion inflammation is associated with both dysfunctional response and severe toxicity-even after adjusting for disease burden. This suggests that inflammation, in addition to disease burden, plays a role in determining patient outcome. Therefore, strategies aimed at reducing the pro-inflammatory state prior to or early after CAR T cell infusion may improve outcomes for R/R B-ALL patients.
Additional Links: PMID-40398620
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40398620,
year = {2025},
author = {Burleigh, K and Stratton, KG and Smith, JL and Jensen, MC and Turtle, CJ and Keenan, C and Annesley, C and Summers, C and Webb-Robertson, BJ and Hirayama, AV and Gardner, RA and Gustafson, HH},
title = {Low Peripheral Blood Counts and Elevated Proinflammatory Cytokines Signal a Poor CD19 CAR-T Response in ALL: Immune correlates of CAR-T response.},
journal = {Transplantation and cellular therapy},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jtct.2025.05.003},
pmid = {40398620},
issn = {2666-6367},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has significantly improved outcomes for patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL). However, approximately 20% of patients fail to achieve a complete remission (CR), and some develop severe, life-threatening toxicities. Understanding the biological mechanisms underlying both dysfunctional responses and severe toxicity is essential for optimizing patient management and improving therapeutic efficacy.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to (1) characterize cytokine profiles associated with dysfunctional responses and severe toxicity following CAR-T infusion, (2) examine the timing and trajectory of cytokine changes in relation to treatment outcomes and evaluate potential strategies for mitigating toxicity and treatment failure.
STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of serum cytokine profiles in 86 adult and pediatric patients undergoing autologous CD19 CAR-T therapy for B-ALL. Patients were categorized into three groups: 1. Dysfunctional response- Patients who failed to achieve a minimal residual disease-negative complete remission (MRD- CR) by Day 63 or who experienced recurrence of CD19+ disease in the setting ongoing CAR T cell detection before Day 63. 2. Functional response with severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and/or Neurotoxicity (NTX)- Patients with best response of MRD- CR by Day 63 who experienced grade 3 or higher CRS or NTX. 3. Functional response without severe CRS or NTX- Patients with best response of MRD- CR by Day 63 who did not experience grade ≥ 3 CRS or neurotoxicity. Cytokine levels were measured during the first week post-infusion and correlated with treatment efficacy, toxicity outcomes, complete blood counts (CBCs), and CAR-T expansion dynamics. This analysis aimed to better understand how cytokine profiles relate to patient outcomes and immune responses in CAR-T therapy.
RESULTS: Patients with dysfunctional response exhibited decreased neutrophils, platelets and levels of granulocytic cytokines (suggestive of low bone marrow reserve) alongside elevated pro inflammatory cytokines by Day 1. Functional response with severe toxicity patients showed a progressive rise in proinflammatory cytokines, reaching similar levels to dysfunctional response patients by Day 7. We observed that high cytokines at both the Day 1 and Day 7 timepoints were associated with poor survival. These findings remained significant when adjusting for high disease burden, a known predictor of severe inflammatory toxicity and lack of response.
CONCLUSION: Early post-CAR-T infusion inflammation is associated with both dysfunctional response and severe toxicity-even after adjusting for disease burden. This suggests that inflammation, in addition to disease burden, plays a role in determining patient outcome. Therefore, strategies aimed at reducing the pro-inflammatory state prior to or early after CAR T cell infusion may improve outcomes for R/R B-ALL patients.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-21
Deep mutational scanning of rabies glycoprotein defines mutational constraint and antibody-escape mutations.
Cell host & microbe pii:S1931-3128(25)00151-9 [Epub ahead of print].
Rabies virus causes nearly 60,000 human deaths annually. Antibodies that target the rabies glycoprotein (G) are being developed as post-exposure prophylactics, but mutations in G can render such antibodies ineffective. Here, we use pseudovirus deep mutational scanning to measure how all single-amino-acid mutations to G affect cell entry and neutralization by a panel of antibodies. These measurements identify sites critical for G function and define constrained regions that are attractive epitopes for clinical antibodies, including at the apex and base of the protein. We provide complete maps of escape mutations for eight monoclonal antibodies, including some in clinical use or development. Escape mutations for most antibodies are present in some natural rabies strains. Overall, this work provides comprehensive information on the functional and antigenic effects of G mutations that can inform development of stabilized vaccine antigens and antibodies that are resilient to rabies genetic variation.
Additional Links: PMID-40398416
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40398416,
year = {2025},
author = {Aditham, AK and Radford, CE and Carr, CR and Jasti, N and King, NP and Bloom, JD},
title = {Deep mutational scanning of rabies glycoprotein defines mutational constraint and antibody-escape mutations.},
journal = {Cell host & microbe},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.chom.2025.04.018},
pmid = {40398416},
issn = {1934-6069},
abstract = {Rabies virus causes nearly 60,000 human deaths annually. Antibodies that target the rabies glycoprotein (G) are being developed as post-exposure prophylactics, but mutations in G can render such antibodies ineffective. Here, we use pseudovirus deep mutational scanning to measure how all single-amino-acid mutations to G affect cell entry and neutralization by a panel of antibodies. These measurements identify sites critical for G function and define constrained regions that are attractive epitopes for clinical antibodies, including at the apex and base of the protein. We provide complete maps of escape mutations for eight monoclonal antibodies, including some in clinical use or development. Escape mutations for most antibodies are present in some natural rabies strains. Overall, this work provides comprehensive information on the functional and antigenic effects of G mutations that can inform development of stabilized vaccine antigens and antibodies that are resilient to rabies genetic variation.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-21
CmpDate: 2025-05-21
Telehealth and Emergency Department Use Among Commercially Insured, Medicaid, and Medicare Patients Receiving Systemic Cancer Therapy in Washington State After COVID-19.
JCO clinical cancer informatics, 9:e2400217.
PURPOSE: In oncology, telehealth services were adopted as a means of mitigating the risk of COVID-19 transmission. We hypothesized that Medicaid enrollees would have less access to telehealth than commercially insured or Medicare enrollees during the pandemic, resulting in higher rates of emergency department (ED) visits during systemic cancer treatment.
METHODS: Linking Washington State SEER records with commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare records, we evaluated adults with new solid tumor malignancies who received initial systemic treatment before the COVID-19 pandemic (January 1, 2017-December 31, 2019) and after the pandemic (March 1, 2020-November 30, 2021). Poisson and logistic regressions were used to evaluate differences in the number of office visits, telehealth visits, and ED visits in the 3 months after starting systemic anticancer treatment between insurance groups before versus after the pandemic.
RESULTS: Among 2,936 commercial, 2,039 Medicaid, and 7,333 Medicare enrollees who met inclusion criteria, office-based visits fell substantially for all groups during the COVID-19 period. Medicare enrollees had fewer telehealth visits while Medicaid had more telehealth visits, compared with commercial enrollees. ED visits declined for all patients, but there were no differences between insurance groups.
CONCLUSION: In Washington State, COVID-19 resulted in a substantial decrease in office-based visits, with an accompanying increase in telehealth visits partially offsetting the difference in overall access to care. ED visit rates fell substantially, without differences between insurance groups.
Additional Links: PMID-40397836
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40397836,
year = {2025},
author = {Ramsey, SD and Sun, Q and Fedorenko, CR and Li, L and Panattoni, LE and Kreizenbeck, KL and Shankaran, V},
title = {Telehealth and Emergency Department Use Among Commercially Insured, Medicaid, and Medicare Patients Receiving Systemic Cancer Therapy in Washington State After COVID-19.},
journal = {JCO clinical cancer informatics},
volume = {9},
number = {},
pages = {e2400217},
doi = {10.1200/CCI-24-00217},
pmid = {40397836},
issn = {2473-4276},
mesh = {Humans ; *COVID-19/epidemiology/virology/prevention & control ; *Telemedicine/statistics & numerical data ; *Medicaid/statistics & numerical data ; *Medicare/statistics & numerical data ; Washington/epidemiology ; *Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Female ; *Neoplasms/therapy/epidemiology ; United States/epidemiology ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Insurance, Health/statistics & numerical data ; Adult ; SEER Program ; },
abstract = {PURPOSE: In oncology, telehealth services were adopted as a means of mitigating the risk of COVID-19 transmission. We hypothesized that Medicaid enrollees would have less access to telehealth than commercially insured or Medicare enrollees during the pandemic, resulting in higher rates of emergency department (ED) visits during systemic cancer treatment.
METHODS: Linking Washington State SEER records with commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare records, we evaluated adults with new solid tumor malignancies who received initial systemic treatment before the COVID-19 pandemic (January 1, 2017-December 31, 2019) and after the pandemic (March 1, 2020-November 30, 2021). Poisson and logistic regressions were used to evaluate differences in the number of office visits, telehealth visits, and ED visits in the 3 months after starting systemic anticancer treatment between insurance groups before versus after the pandemic.
RESULTS: Among 2,936 commercial, 2,039 Medicaid, and 7,333 Medicare enrollees who met inclusion criteria, office-based visits fell substantially for all groups during the COVID-19 period. Medicare enrollees had fewer telehealth visits while Medicaid had more telehealth visits, compared with commercial enrollees. ED visits declined for all patients, but there were no differences between insurance groups.
CONCLUSION: In Washington State, COVID-19 resulted in a substantial decrease in office-based visits, with an accompanying increase in telehealth visits partially offsetting the difference in overall access to care. ED visit rates fell substantially, without differences between insurance groups.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*COVID-19/epidemiology/virology/prevention & control
*Telemedicine/statistics & numerical data
*Medicaid/statistics & numerical data
*Medicare/statistics & numerical data
Washington/epidemiology
*Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data
Male
Female
*Neoplasms/therapy/epidemiology
United States/epidemiology
Aged
Middle Aged
SARS-CoV-2
Insurance, Health/statistics & numerical data
Adult
SEER Program
RevDate: 2025-05-21
Circulating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and liver cancer risk: a nested case-control analysis of individual participant data from 12 prospective cohorts.
Environmental health perspectives [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been associated with numerous deleterious health outcomes including liver damage. However, whether exposure to PFAS is associated with liver cancer risk remains unclear.
METHODS: We conducted a matched nested case-control study among 12 prospective cohort studies located in the United States. Pre-diagnostic PFAS, namely perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS), were measured from blood samples among 853 individuals who developed liver cancer and 853 matched control participants. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariable-adjusted conditional logistic regression for liver cancer risk by study-specific quartiles of concentrations and per 90[th] vs. 10[th] percentile incremental increase.
RESULTS: In the main multivariable-adjusted model, circulating PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS levels were not associated with liver cancer risk (OR per 90[th] vs. 10[th] percentile increase: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.79-1.28; 0.92, 0.73-1.15; and 0.95, 0.75-1.21, respectively). However, when analyses were stratified by sex, PFOA concentrations were positively associated with liver cancer risk in males (OR per 90[th] vs. 10[th] percentile increase: 1.62 95% CI:1.07-2.45), whereas an inverse association was observed amongst females (OR per 90[th] vs. 10[th] percentile increase:0.68, 0.50-0.92; p-interaction=0.005). Analyses separating liver cancer subtypes, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, showed no evidence of heterogeneity, although associations were stronger but not significant for HCC. No evidence of interaction was observed by time to diagnosis, time period of blood draw, body mass index, alcohol intake, ethnicity, or diabetes status.
CONCLUSIONS: In the largest study to date, none of the measured circulating PFAS were associated with liver cancer risk; however, PFOA associations appeared to differ by sex and further research is needed to explore these apparent differences by sex. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP16980.
Additional Links: PMID-40397817
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40397817,
year = {2025},
author = {Watling, CZ and Petrick, JL and Graubard, BI and Zhang, X and Barnett, MJ and Buring, JE and Chen, Y and Eliassen, AH and Gaziano, M and Kang, JH and Koshiol, J and Huang, WY and Lee, IM and Moore, SC and Mucci, LA and Neuhouser, ML and Newton, CC and Palmer, JR and Rosenberg, L and Sesso, HD and Shrubsole, M and Tinker, L and Triplette, M and Um, CY and Visvanathan, K and Wactawski-Wende, J and Willett, W and Wu, F and Zheng, W and Hofmann, J and Purdue, MP and Campbell, PT and Barupal, D and McGlynn, KA},
title = {Circulating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and liver cancer risk: a nested case-control analysis of individual participant data from 12 prospective cohorts.},
journal = {Environmental health perspectives},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1289/EHP16980},
pmid = {40397817},
issn = {1552-9924},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been associated with numerous deleterious health outcomes including liver damage. However, whether exposure to PFAS is associated with liver cancer risk remains unclear.
METHODS: We conducted a matched nested case-control study among 12 prospective cohort studies located in the United States. Pre-diagnostic PFAS, namely perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS), were measured from blood samples among 853 individuals who developed liver cancer and 853 matched control participants. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using multivariable-adjusted conditional logistic regression for liver cancer risk by study-specific quartiles of concentrations and per 90[th] vs. 10[th] percentile incremental increase.
RESULTS: In the main multivariable-adjusted model, circulating PFOS, PFOA, and PFHxS levels were not associated with liver cancer risk (OR per 90[th] vs. 10[th] percentile increase: 1.00, 95% CI: 0.79-1.28; 0.92, 0.73-1.15; and 0.95, 0.75-1.21, respectively). However, when analyses were stratified by sex, PFOA concentrations were positively associated with liver cancer risk in males (OR per 90[th] vs. 10[th] percentile increase: 1.62 95% CI:1.07-2.45), whereas an inverse association was observed amongst females (OR per 90[th] vs. 10[th] percentile increase:0.68, 0.50-0.92; p-interaction=0.005). Analyses separating liver cancer subtypes, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, showed no evidence of heterogeneity, although associations were stronger but not significant for HCC. No evidence of interaction was observed by time to diagnosis, time period of blood draw, body mass index, alcohol intake, ethnicity, or diabetes status.
CONCLUSIONS: In the largest study to date, none of the measured circulating PFAS were associated with liver cancer risk; however, PFOA associations appeared to differ by sex and further research is needed to explore these apparent differences by sex. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP16980.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-21
Social determinants of cardiovascular disease in women with and without breast cancer.
Breast cancer research and treatment [Epub ahead of print].
PURPOSE: Social determinants of health (SDOH) may impact cardiovascular (CV) risk in women with and without breast cancer (BC).
METHODS: In 153,401 participants without prevalent CV disease from the Women's Health initiative (WHI), we assessed key SDOH factors: geographic region, rurality, insurance status, and household income. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess associations between SDOH factors and a composite CV outcome, which included incident myocardial infarction, incident stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, or CV death.
RESULTS: In the final cohort, 10,954 (mean ± standard deviation [SD] age 62 ± 7 years) women developed BC, and 142,144 (mean age 63 ± 7 years) women remained free of BC. During a median follow-up time of 13 years, 18,148 women experienced the composite CV outcome. Rurality, low household income, and non-private insurance were associated with an increased risk of the composite CV outcome and CV death, both in women with and without BC.
CONCLUSIONS: SDOH factors are associated with an increased risk of CV events among women, irrespective of BC status. These associations highlight the importance of socioeconomic factors across cardiovascular health outcomes.
Additional Links: PMID-40397323
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40397323,
year = {2025},
author = {Wadden, E and Yogeswaran, V and Ray, RM and Vasbinder, A and Shadyab, AH and Xiao, Q and Richey, PA and Saquib, N and Sun, Y and Jung, SY and Pichardo, MS and Manson, JE and Anderson, G and Simon, M and Stefanick, ML and Reding, K and Barac, A and Cheng, RK},
title = {Social determinants of cardiovascular disease in women with and without breast cancer.},
journal = {Breast cancer research and treatment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40397323},
issn = {1573-7217},
abstract = {PURPOSE: Social determinants of health (SDOH) may impact cardiovascular (CV) risk in women with and without breast cancer (BC).
METHODS: In 153,401 participants without prevalent CV disease from the Women's Health initiative (WHI), we assessed key SDOH factors: geographic region, rurality, insurance status, and household income. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess associations between SDOH factors and a composite CV outcome, which included incident myocardial infarction, incident stroke, hospitalization for heart failure, or CV death.
RESULTS: In the final cohort, 10,954 (mean ± standard deviation [SD] age 62 ± 7 years) women developed BC, and 142,144 (mean age 63 ± 7 years) women remained free of BC. During a median follow-up time of 13 years, 18,148 women experienced the composite CV outcome. Rurality, low household income, and non-private insurance were associated with an increased risk of the composite CV outcome and CV death, both in women with and without BC.
CONCLUSIONS: SDOH factors are associated with an increased risk of CV events among women, irrespective of BC status. These associations highlight the importance of socioeconomic factors across cardiovascular health outcomes.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-21
The Role of SPECT/CT in 177Lu-PSMA-617 Theranostics: Case-based Review of Response and Progression Patterns.
Clinical nuclear medicine pii:00003072-990000000-01752 [Epub ahead of print].
Lutetium-177 prostate-specific membrane antigen-617 (Lu-PSMA) has demonstrated efficacy in improving progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Post-treatment single photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging is an emerging tool for monitoring treatment response, enabling the tracking of functional changes during therapy. While quantitative SPECT analysis can predict patient outcomes, qualitative assessments are more practical and time-efficient in clinical settings. This case-based review examines treatment responses based on post-treatment SPECT/CT imaging, categorizing them into favorable response, progression, and mixed response patterns to improve interpretation and guide therapeutic adjustments, aiming to optimize management of mCRPC with Lu-PSMA therapy.
Additional Links: PMID-40394842
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40394842,
year = {2025},
author = {Ghodsi, A and Demirci, RA and Chen, DL and Nelson, PS and Schweizer, MT and Yu, EY and Iravani, A},
title = {The Role of SPECT/CT in 177Lu-PSMA-617 Theranostics: Case-based Review of Response and Progression Patterns.},
journal = {Clinical nuclear medicine},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1097/RLU.0000000000005986},
pmid = {40394842},
issn = {1536-0229},
abstract = {Lutetium-177 prostate-specific membrane antigen-617 (Lu-PSMA) has demonstrated efficacy in improving progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Post-treatment single photon emission tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging is an emerging tool for monitoring treatment response, enabling the tracking of functional changes during therapy. While quantitative SPECT analysis can predict patient outcomes, qualitative assessments are more practical and time-efficient in clinical settings. This case-based review examines treatment responses based on post-treatment SPECT/CT imaging, categorizing them into favorable response, progression, and mixed response patterns to improve interpretation and guide therapeutic adjustments, aiming to optimize management of mCRPC with Lu-PSMA therapy.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-21
Identifying people with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who are most suitable for treatment with inotuzumab ozogamicin: a plain language summary.
Expert review of hematology [Epub ahead of print].
Additional Links: PMID-40394810
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40394810,
year = {2025},
author = {Marks, DI and Cassaday, RD and Ribera, JM and Schuh, AC and Park, JH and Chiaretti, S and Stelljes, M},
title = {Identifying people with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who are most suitable for treatment with inotuzumab ozogamicin: a plain language summary.},
journal = {Expert review of hematology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-5},
doi = {10.1080/17474086.2025.2493325},
pmid = {40394810},
issn = {1747-4094},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-23
CmpDate: 2025-05-21
A Systematic Review of Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 Shedding in Immunocompromised Persons.
Influenza and other respiratory viruses, 19(5):e70121.
BACKGROUND: Although reports have documented prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in immunocompromised patients, few studies have systematically analyzed data on duration of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory specimens of immunocompromised patients.
METHODS: A systematic review was undertaken to describe SARS-CoV-2 RNA and infectious virus detection in immunocompromised patients from published data between January 1, 2020 and July 1, 2022. Patients were included if there was ≥ 1 positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA result in respiratory specimens collected > 20 days since symptom onset or first positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR result.
RESULTS: Of the 183 patients, 175 were symptomatic with 83 (47.4%) that experienced intermittent relapsing symptoms, while pneumonia was reported in 122 (66.7%). Immunocompromising conditions represented were hematologic malignancy treatment (89, 48.6%), solid organ transplant (47, 25.7%), autoimmune disease treatment (14, 7.7%), solid tumor treatment (3, 1.6%), HIV infection (15, 8.2%), and primary immunodeficiency (15, 8.2%). Median duration from the first to the last positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR result was 56 days in upper respiratory and 60 days in lower respiratory tract specimens. Significant differences in median duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection were observed between patients with and without pneumonia and for patients with hematologic malignancies compared to solid organ transplant patients. Among patients with viral culture performed, median duration of replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 was 60.5 days from symptom onset (maximum 238 days) and 59 days from first RT-PCR positive result (maximum 268 days).
CONCLUSIONS: Immunocompromised persons can have replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory tissues for months, including while asymptomatic. Serial SARS-CoV-2 testing can inform the duration of isolation for immunocompromised patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Additional Links: PMID-40394759
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40394759,
year = {2025},
author = {Christofferson, RC and Giovanni, JE and Koumans, EH and Ategbole, M and Clark, SD and Godfred-Cato, S and Menon, MP and Sastalla, I and Schweitzer, BK and Uyeki, TM},
title = {A Systematic Review of Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 Shedding in Immunocompromised Persons.},
journal = {Influenza and other respiratory viruses},
volume = {19},
number = {5},
pages = {e70121},
pmid = {40394759},
issn = {1750-2659},
mesh = {Humans ; *Immunocompromised Host ; *COVID-19/virology/immunology ; *SARS-CoV-2/physiology/isolation & purification/genetics ; *Virus Shedding ; RNA, Viral ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Although reports have documented prolonged SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in immunocompromised patients, few studies have systematically analyzed data on duration of SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory specimens of immunocompromised patients.
METHODS: A systematic review was undertaken to describe SARS-CoV-2 RNA and infectious virus detection in immunocompromised patients from published data between January 1, 2020 and July 1, 2022. Patients were included if there was ≥ 1 positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA result in respiratory specimens collected > 20 days since symptom onset or first positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR result.
RESULTS: Of the 183 patients, 175 were symptomatic with 83 (47.4%) that experienced intermittent relapsing symptoms, while pneumonia was reported in 122 (66.7%). Immunocompromising conditions represented were hematologic malignancy treatment (89, 48.6%), solid organ transplant (47, 25.7%), autoimmune disease treatment (14, 7.7%), solid tumor treatment (3, 1.6%), HIV infection (15, 8.2%), and primary immunodeficiency (15, 8.2%). Median duration from the first to the last positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR result was 56 days in upper respiratory and 60 days in lower respiratory tract specimens. Significant differences in median duration of SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection were observed between patients with and without pneumonia and for patients with hematologic malignancies compared to solid organ transplant patients. Among patients with viral culture performed, median duration of replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 was 60.5 days from symptom onset (maximum 238 days) and 59 days from first RT-PCR positive result (maximum 268 days).
CONCLUSIONS: Immunocompromised persons can have replication-competent SARS-CoV-2 in respiratory tissues for months, including while asymptomatic. Serial SARS-CoV-2 testing can inform the duration of isolation for immunocompromised patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Immunocompromised Host
*COVID-19/virology/immunology
*SARS-CoV-2/physiology/isolation & purification/genetics
*Virus Shedding
RNA, Viral
RevDate: 2025-05-23
CmpDate: 2025-05-21
Smoking cessation message testing to inform app-based interventions for young adults - an online experiment.
BMC public health, 25(1):1852.
BACKGROUND: To improve the efficacy of digital smoking cessation interventions for young adults, intervention messages need to be acceptable and appropriate for this population. The current study compared ratings of smoking cessation and urge reduction messages based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (distraction themed) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (acceptance themed) in young adults who smoke.
METHODS: A total of 124 intervention messages were rated by an online Qualtrics panel of N = 301 diverse young adults who currently smoked tobacco cigarettes (Age M = 26.6 years; 54.8% male; 51.5% racial/ethnic minority; 16.9% sexual or gender minority (SGM); 62.5% daily smoking). Each participant rated 10 randomly selected messages (3,010 total message ratings; 24.3 ratings per message) on 5-point scales (higher scores representing more favorable ratings) evaluating quality of content, quality of design, perceived support for coping with smoking urges, and perceived support for quitting smoking. Mixed models examined associations between message category (distraction vs. acceptance), participant level predictors (sociodemographic variables, readiness and motivation to quit, daily smoking, psychological flexibility), and message ratings.
RESULTS: Overall ratings ranged from M = 3.61 (SD = 1.25) on support for coping with urges to M = 3.90 (SD = 1.03) on content, with no differences between distraction and acceptance messages. Male participants gave more favorable ratings on the dimensions of support for coping (p < 0.01) and support for quitting (p < 0.01). Participants identifying as SGM gave lower ratings for message design (p < 0.05). Participants with a graduate degree gave higher ratings on support for coping with urges and support for quitting (both p < 0.05). Higher motivation to quit was associated with more favorable scores across all dimensions (all p < 0.01). Those smoking daily rated messages as less helpful for coping with urges (p < 0.01) and quitting smoking (p < 0.05) compared to those smoking non-daily. Few interactions were found between message category distraction vs. acceptance and participant characteristics.
CONCLUSIONS: Distraction and acceptance messages received similar ratings among young adults who smoke cigarettes. Message revisions may be needed to increase appeal to women, SGM, those with lower education, and those less motivated to quit. Messages will be refined and used in an ongoing micro-randomized trial to investigate their real-time impact on smoking urges and behaviors.
Additional Links: PMID-40394536
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40394536,
year = {2025},
author = {Hamoud, J and Devkota, J and Regan, T and Luken, A and Waring, J and Han, JJ and Naughton, F and Vilardaga, R and Bricker, J and Latkin, C and Moran, M and Thrul, J},
title = {Smoking cessation message testing to inform app-based interventions for young adults - an online experiment.},
journal = {BMC public health},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {1852},
pmid = {40394536},
issn = {1471-2458},
support = {NCI; R01 CA246590/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States ; NIDA; T32 DA007292/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Smoking Cessation/methods/psychology ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Young Adult ; *Mobile Applications ; Cognitive Behavioral Therapy ; Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ; Motivation ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: To improve the efficacy of digital smoking cessation interventions for young adults, intervention messages need to be acceptable and appropriate for this population. The current study compared ratings of smoking cessation and urge reduction messages based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (distraction themed) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (acceptance themed) in young adults who smoke.
METHODS: A total of 124 intervention messages were rated by an online Qualtrics panel of N = 301 diverse young adults who currently smoked tobacco cigarettes (Age M = 26.6 years; 54.8% male; 51.5% racial/ethnic minority; 16.9% sexual or gender minority (SGM); 62.5% daily smoking). Each participant rated 10 randomly selected messages (3,010 total message ratings; 24.3 ratings per message) on 5-point scales (higher scores representing more favorable ratings) evaluating quality of content, quality of design, perceived support for coping with smoking urges, and perceived support for quitting smoking. Mixed models examined associations between message category (distraction vs. acceptance), participant level predictors (sociodemographic variables, readiness and motivation to quit, daily smoking, psychological flexibility), and message ratings.
RESULTS: Overall ratings ranged from M = 3.61 (SD = 1.25) on support for coping with urges to M = 3.90 (SD = 1.03) on content, with no differences between distraction and acceptance messages. Male participants gave more favorable ratings on the dimensions of support for coping (p < 0.01) and support for quitting (p < 0.01). Participants identifying as SGM gave lower ratings for message design (p < 0.05). Participants with a graduate degree gave higher ratings on support for coping with urges and support for quitting (both p < 0.05). Higher motivation to quit was associated with more favorable scores across all dimensions (all p < 0.01). Those smoking daily rated messages as less helpful for coping with urges (p < 0.01) and quitting smoking (p < 0.05) compared to those smoking non-daily. Few interactions were found between message category distraction vs. acceptance and participant characteristics.
CONCLUSIONS: Distraction and acceptance messages received similar ratings among young adults who smoke cigarettes. Message revisions may be needed to increase appeal to women, SGM, those with lower education, and those less motivated to quit. Messages will be refined and used in an ongoing micro-randomized trial to investigate their real-time impact on smoking urges and behaviors.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Smoking Cessation/methods/psychology
Male
Female
Adult
Young Adult
*Mobile Applications
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
Motivation
RevDate: 2025-05-20
A Multi-Institutional Analysis of Contralateral Axillary Metastases: Advanced Local-Regional Disease Divergent from Stage IV Breast Cancer.
Annals of surgical oncology [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Contralateral axillary metastasis (CAM) is a rare event and is considered stage IV disease. We sought to evaluate outcomes in a CAM cohort treated with curative intent and contemporary systemic and locoregional therapy.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective multi-institutional review was conducted from 2016 to 2022 of patients with CAM who underwent axillary surgery. Survival outcomes were compared with those with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) and metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
RESULTS: In total, 754 patients were included in the study (63 CAM, 188 LABC, and 503 MBC). The median age at CAM diagnosis was 62 years [(interquartile range (IQR) 49.2-69.3)], and the majority demonstrated invasive ductal histology (74.6%). Over half of the patients with CAM received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (55.6%) followed by axillary dissection (82.5%) and adjuvant radiation (74.6%) in most cases. On unadjusted analysis, the LABC cohort demonstrated the highest 3-year unadjusted overall survival (OS) (89.4%), followed by CAM (79.7%) and MBC (53%) (p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, insurance, and hormone receptor status, patients with MBC had inferior survival compared with LABC [hazard ratio (HR) 6.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.22-10.28, p < 0.001], while CAM had similar survival to that seen in LABC (HR 2.13, 95% CI 0.82-5.52, p = 0.12).
CONCLUSIONS: Survival was higher for patients with CAM compared with MBC and was similar to patients with LABC. Though the LABC group demonstrated better recurrence-free survival than the CAM group, these numbers were comparable within the first 2 years of follow-up. Our data provides additional support for the consideration of curative intent management for patients with CAM.
Additional Links: PMID-40394326
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40394326,
year = {2025},
author = {Flanagan, MR and van den Bruele, AMB and Downs-Canner, SM and Thomas, SM and Gallagher, KK and Jakub, JW and Tevis, SEA and Verdial, FC and Zhang, JQ and Elmore, LC and Mukhtar, RA and Brennan, M and Lillie, M and Gibson, TC and Verosky, A and Plichta, JK and Rosenberger, LH},
title = {A Multi-Institutional Analysis of Contralateral Axillary Metastases: Advanced Local-Regional Disease Divergent from Stage IV Breast Cancer.},
journal = {Annals of surgical oncology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40394326},
issn = {1534-4681},
support = {P30CA014236//Duke Cancer Institute/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Contralateral axillary metastasis (CAM) is a rare event and is considered stage IV disease. We sought to evaluate outcomes in a CAM cohort treated with curative intent and contemporary systemic and locoregional therapy.
PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective multi-institutional review was conducted from 2016 to 2022 of patients with CAM who underwent axillary surgery. Survival outcomes were compared with those with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) and metastatic breast cancer (MBC).
RESULTS: In total, 754 patients were included in the study (63 CAM, 188 LABC, and 503 MBC). The median age at CAM diagnosis was 62 years [(interquartile range (IQR) 49.2-69.3)], and the majority demonstrated invasive ductal histology (74.6%). Over half of the patients with CAM received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (55.6%) followed by axillary dissection (82.5%) and adjuvant radiation (74.6%) in most cases. On unadjusted analysis, the LABC cohort demonstrated the highest 3-year unadjusted overall survival (OS) (89.4%), followed by CAM (79.7%) and MBC (53%) (p < 0.001). On multivariable analysis adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, insurance, and hormone receptor status, patients with MBC had inferior survival compared with LABC [hazard ratio (HR) 6.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.22-10.28, p < 0.001], while CAM had similar survival to that seen in LABC (HR 2.13, 95% CI 0.82-5.52, p = 0.12).
CONCLUSIONS: Survival was higher for patients with CAM compared with MBC and was similar to patients with LABC. Though the LABC group demonstrated better recurrence-free survival than the CAM group, these numbers were comparable within the first 2 years of follow-up. Our data provides additional support for the consideration of curative intent management for patients with CAM.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-23
CmpDate: 2025-05-21
Alcohol intake and pancreatic cancer risk: An analysis from 30 prospective studies across Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America.
PLoS medicine, 22(5):e1004590.
BACKGROUND: Alcohol is a known carcinogen, yet the evidence for an association with pancreatic cancer risk is considered as limited or inconclusive by international expert panels. We examined the association between alcohol intake and pancreatic cancer risk in a large consortium of prospective studies.
METHODS AND FINDINGS: Population-based individual-level data was pooled from 30 cohorts across four continents, including Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. A total of 2,494,432 participants without cancer at baseline (62% women, 84% European ancestries, 70% alcohol drinkers [alcohol intake ≥ 0.1 g/day], 47% never smokers) were recruited between 1980 and 2013 at the median age of 57 years and 10,067 incident pancreatic cancer cases were recorded. In age- and sex-stratified Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for smoking history, diabetes status, body mass index, height, education, race and ethnicity, and physical activity, pancreatic cancer hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for categories of alcohol intake and in continuous for a 10 g/day increase. Potential heterogeneity by sex, smoking status, geographic regions, and type of alcoholic beverage was investigated. Alcohol intake was positively associated with pancreatic cancer risk, with HR30-to-<60 g/day and HR≥60 g/day equal to 1.12 (95% CI [1.03,1.21]) and 1.32 (95% CI [1.18,1.47]), respectively, compared to intake of 0.1 to <5 g/day. A 10 g/day increment of alcohol intake was associated with a 3% increased pancreatic cancer risk overall (HR: 1.03; 95% CI [1.02,1.04]; pvalue < 0.001) and among never smokers (HR: 1.03; 95% CI [1.01,1.06]; pvalue = 0.006), with no evidence of heterogeneity by sex (pheterogeneity = 0.274) or smoking status (pheterogeneity = 0.624). Associations were consistent in Europe-Australia (HR10 g/day = 1.03, 95% CI [1.00,1.05]; pvalue = 0.042) and North America (HR10 g/day = 1.03, 95% CI [1.02,1.05]; pvalue < 0.001), while no association was observed in cohorts from Asia (HR10 g/day = 1.00, 95% CI [0.96,1.03]; pvalue = 0.800; pheterogeneity = 0.003). Positive associations with pancreatic cancer risk were found for alcohol intake from beer (HR10 g/day = 1.02, 95% CI [1.00,1.04]; pvalue = 0.015) and spirits/liquor (HR10 g/day = 1.04, 95% CI [1.03,1.06]; pvalue < 0.001), but not wine (HR10 g/day = 1.00, 95% CI [0.98,1.03]; pvalue = 0.827). The differential associations across geographic regions and types of alcoholic beverages might reflect differences in drinking habits and deserve more investigations.
CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this large-scale pooled analysis support a modest positive association between alcohol intake and pancreatic cancer risk, irrespective of sex and smoking status. Associations were particularly evident for baseline alcohol intake of at least 15 g/day in women and 30 g/day in men.
Additional Links: PMID-40392909
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Citation:
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@article {pmid40392909,
year = {2025},
author = {Naudin, S and Wang, M and Dimou, N and Ebrahimi, E and Genkinger, J and Adami, HO and Albanes, D and Babic, A and Barnett, M and Bogumil, D and Cai, H and Chen, C and Eliassen, AH and Freudenheim, JL and Gierach, G and Giovannucci, EL and Gunter, MJ and Håkansson, N and Hirabayashi, M and Hou, T and Huang, BZ and Huang, WY and Jayasekara, H and Jones, ME and Katzke, VA and Koh, WP and Lacey, JV and Lagerros, YT and Larsson, SC and Liao, LM and Lo, K and Loftfield, E and MacInnis, RJ and Männistö, S and McCullough, ML and Miller, A and Milne, RL and Moore, SC and Mucci, LA and Neuhouser, ML and Patel, AV and Platz, EA and Prizment, A and Robien, K and Rohan, TE and Sacerdote, C and Sandin, S and Sawada, N and Schoemaker, M and Shu, XO and Sinha, R and Snetselaar, L and Stampfer, MJ and Stolzenberg-Solomon, R and Thomson, CA and Tjønneland, A and Um, CY and van den Brandt, PA and Visvanathan, K and Wang, SS and Wang, R and Weiderpass, E and Weinstein, SJ and White, E and Willett, W and Woslk, A and Wolpin, BM and Yaun, SS and Yuan, C and Yuan, JM and Zheng, W and Brennan, P and Smith-Warner, SA and Ferrari, P},
title = {Alcohol intake and pancreatic cancer risk: An analysis from 30 prospective studies across Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America.},
journal = {PLoS medicine},
volume = {22},
number = {5},
pages = {e1004590},
pmid = {40392909},
issn = {1549-1676},
mesh = {Humans ; *Pancreatic Neoplasms/epidemiology/etiology ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Alcohol Drinking/adverse effects/epidemiology ; North America/epidemiology ; Europe/epidemiology ; Prospective Studies ; Australia/epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Asia/epidemiology ; Aged ; Adult ; Incidence ; Proportional Hazards Models ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Alcohol is a known carcinogen, yet the evidence for an association with pancreatic cancer risk is considered as limited or inconclusive by international expert panels. We examined the association between alcohol intake and pancreatic cancer risk in a large consortium of prospective studies.
METHODS AND FINDINGS: Population-based individual-level data was pooled from 30 cohorts across four continents, including Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America. A total of 2,494,432 participants without cancer at baseline (62% women, 84% European ancestries, 70% alcohol drinkers [alcohol intake ≥ 0.1 g/day], 47% never smokers) were recruited between 1980 and 2013 at the median age of 57 years and 10,067 incident pancreatic cancer cases were recorded. In age- and sex-stratified Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for smoking history, diabetes status, body mass index, height, education, race and ethnicity, and physical activity, pancreatic cancer hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated for categories of alcohol intake and in continuous for a 10 g/day increase. Potential heterogeneity by sex, smoking status, geographic regions, and type of alcoholic beverage was investigated. Alcohol intake was positively associated with pancreatic cancer risk, with HR30-to-<60 g/day and HR≥60 g/day equal to 1.12 (95% CI [1.03,1.21]) and 1.32 (95% CI [1.18,1.47]), respectively, compared to intake of 0.1 to <5 g/day. A 10 g/day increment of alcohol intake was associated with a 3% increased pancreatic cancer risk overall (HR: 1.03; 95% CI [1.02,1.04]; pvalue < 0.001) and among never smokers (HR: 1.03; 95% CI [1.01,1.06]; pvalue = 0.006), with no evidence of heterogeneity by sex (pheterogeneity = 0.274) or smoking status (pheterogeneity = 0.624). Associations were consistent in Europe-Australia (HR10 g/day = 1.03, 95% CI [1.00,1.05]; pvalue = 0.042) and North America (HR10 g/day = 1.03, 95% CI [1.02,1.05]; pvalue < 0.001), while no association was observed in cohorts from Asia (HR10 g/day = 1.00, 95% CI [0.96,1.03]; pvalue = 0.800; pheterogeneity = 0.003). Positive associations with pancreatic cancer risk were found for alcohol intake from beer (HR10 g/day = 1.02, 95% CI [1.00,1.04]; pvalue = 0.015) and spirits/liquor (HR10 g/day = 1.04, 95% CI [1.03,1.06]; pvalue < 0.001), but not wine (HR10 g/day = 1.00, 95% CI [0.98,1.03]; pvalue = 0.827). The differential associations across geographic regions and types of alcoholic beverages might reflect differences in drinking habits and deserve more investigations.
CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this large-scale pooled analysis support a modest positive association between alcohol intake and pancreatic cancer risk, irrespective of sex and smoking status. Associations were particularly evident for baseline alcohol intake of at least 15 g/day in women and 30 g/day in men.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Pancreatic Neoplasms/epidemiology/etiology
Female
Male
Middle Aged
*Alcohol Drinking/adverse effects/epidemiology
North America/epidemiology
Europe/epidemiology
Prospective Studies
Australia/epidemiology
Risk Factors
Asia/epidemiology
Aged
Adult
Incidence
Proportional Hazards Models
RevDate: 2025-05-21
CmpDate: 2025-05-21
Population size interacts with reproductive longevity to shape the germline mutation rate.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 122(21):e2423311122.
Mutation rates vary across the tree of life by many orders of magnitude, with fewer mutations occurring each generation in species that reproduce quickly and maintain large effective population sizes. A compelling explanation is that large effective population sizes facilitate selection against weakly deleterious "mutator alleles" such as variants that modulate cell division or interfere with the molecular efficacy of DNA repair. However, while the fidelity of a single cell division largely determines microorganisms' mutation rates, the relationship of the mutation rate to the molecular determinants of DNA damage and repair is more complex in multicellular species with long generation times. Since long generations leave more time for mutations to accrue each generation, we posit that a long generation time likely amplifies the fitness consequences of any damage agent or DNA repair defect that creates extra mutations in the spermatogonia or oocytes. This leads to the counterintuitive prediction that the species with the highest germline mutation rates per generation are also the species with most effective mechanisms for avoiding and repairing mutations in their reproductive cells. Consistent with this, we show that mutation rates in the reproductive cells are inversely correlated with generation time; in contrast, the number of germline mutations that occur during prepuberty development trends weakly upward as generation time increases. Our results parallel recent findings that the longest-lived species have the lowest mutation rates in adult somatic tissues, potentially due to selection to keep the lifetime mutation load below a harmful threshold.
Additional Links: PMID-40392851
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40392851,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhu, L and Beichman, A and Harris, K},
title = {Population size interacts with reproductive longevity to shape the germline mutation rate.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {122},
number = {21},
pages = {e2423311122},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2423311122},
pmid = {40392851},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {R35GM133428//HHS | NIH | National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)/ ; T32 AG066574/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States ; Pew Scholarship//Pew Charitable Trusts (PEW)/ ; Career Award at the Scientific Interface//Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF)/ ; Discovery Center for Cell Lineage Tracing//Allen Foundation (The Allen Foundation)/ ; },
mesh = {*Mutation Rate ; *Germ-Line Mutation/genetics ; Animals ; Population Density ; Male ; *Reproduction/genetics ; Female ; *Longevity/genetics ; DNA Repair ; Germ Cells ; Spermatogonia ; DNA Damage ; },
abstract = {Mutation rates vary across the tree of life by many orders of magnitude, with fewer mutations occurring each generation in species that reproduce quickly and maintain large effective population sizes. A compelling explanation is that large effective population sizes facilitate selection against weakly deleterious "mutator alleles" such as variants that modulate cell division or interfere with the molecular efficacy of DNA repair. However, while the fidelity of a single cell division largely determines microorganisms' mutation rates, the relationship of the mutation rate to the molecular determinants of DNA damage and repair is more complex in multicellular species with long generation times. Since long generations leave more time for mutations to accrue each generation, we posit that a long generation time likely amplifies the fitness consequences of any damage agent or DNA repair defect that creates extra mutations in the spermatogonia or oocytes. This leads to the counterintuitive prediction that the species with the highest germline mutation rates per generation are also the species with most effective mechanisms for avoiding and repairing mutations in their reproductive cells. Consistent with this, we show that mutation rates in the reproductive cells are inversely correlated with generation time; in contrast, the number of germline mutations that occur during prepuberty development trends weakly upward as generation time increases. Our results parallel recent findings that the longest-lived species have the lowest mutation rates in adult somatic tissues, potentially due to selection to keep the lifetime mutation load below a harmful threshold.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
*Mutation Rate
*Germ-Line Mutation/genetics
Animals
Population Density
Male
*Reproduction/genetics
Female
*Longevity/genetics
DNA Repair
Germ Cells
Spermatogonia
DNA Damage
RevDate: 2025-05-23
CmpDate: 2025-05-23
Association of Lp(a) With Stroke and Cerebral Injury on MRI: Insights From the HCHS/SOL (Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos) and Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging MRI (SOL-INCA MRI).
Stroke, 56(6):1492-1504.
BACKGROUND: Lp(a) (lipoprotein[a]) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease; however, its association with cerebrovascular disease is not as well established.
METHODS: Data from a population-based cohort of Hispanics/Latinos included 16 333 individuals with baseline Lp(a) levels (nmol/L) and self-reported prevalent stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). A subset of 2642 individuals with brain magnetic resonance imaging was also included. Linear and multivariate logistic regression assessed the association of Lp(a) with (1) self-reported stroke or TIA, (2) cerebral injury defined as self-reported stroke or TIA or evidence of a stroke on brain magnetic resonance imaging, (3) white matter hyperintensity volume, and (4) silent brain infarcts. Sampling weights were utilized given the HCHS/SOL (Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos) complex sample design.
RESULTS: Mean age±SE was 41.1±0.3 years, 52.0% women, and median interquartile range (Q1, Q3) Lp(a) level of 19.7 (7.3-60.6) nmol/L; brain magnetic resonance imaging subset mean age±SE was 49.9±0.4 years, 56.4% women, and median (interquartile range) Lp(a) level of 21.7 (8.1-62.9) nmol/L. Each unit increase in log-transformed Lp(a) was associated with higher odds of self-reported stroke or TIA (odds ratio, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.01-1.27]; P=0.03). Lp(a) levels in the highest quintile (>77 nmol/L) were significantly associated with higher odds of prevalent stroke or TIA compared with Lp(a) <6 nmol/L (first quintile: odds ratio, 1.74 [95% CI, 1.09-2.77]; P=0.02). The highest proportion of cerebral injury was noted in Q5, while the lowest proportion was noted in Q2. When comparing Lp(a) >77 nmol/L with Lp(a) of 6 to <13 nmol/L (second quintile), a significant association was found between Lp(a) and cerebral injury that persisted after fully adjusted models (odds ratio, 2.03 [95% CI, 1.05-3.93]; P=0.03). Each unit increase in log-Lp(a) was associated with a 0.10 increase in log-white matter hyperintensity (β, 0.10; P=0.005). No significant association was found between Lp(a) and silent brain infarcts.
CONCLUSIONS: Lp(a) is independently and significantly associated with prevalent stroke/TIA, and white matter hyperintensity, in a large diverse population of Hispanics/Latinos.
Additional Links: PMID-40166810
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40166810,
year = {2025},
author = {Chandra, AA and Duran Luciano, P and Swett, K and Kaplan, R and Talavera, GA and Lamar, M and Tarraf, W and Marquez, F and Joshi, PH and Gallo, L and Sotres-Alvarez, D and Gianola, M and Daviglus, ML and Labovitz, DL and Gonzalez, H and DeCarli, C and Rodriguez, CJ},
title = {Association of Lp(a) With Stroke and Cerebral Injury on MRI: Insights From the HCHS/SOL (Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos) and Investigation of Neurocognitive Aging MRI (SOL-INCA MRI).},
journal = {Stroke},
volume = {56},
number = {6},
pages = {1492-1504},
doi = {10.1161/STROKEAHA.124.048439},
pmid = {40166810},
issn = {1524-4628},
mesh = {Humans ; Female ; Male ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; *Lipoprotein(a)/blood ; Middle Aged ; Hispanic or Latino ; *Stroke/blood/diagnostic imaging/epidemiology/ethnology ; Adult ; *Ischemic Attack, Transient/blood/diagnostic imaging ; Cohort Studies ; *Aging ; Aged ; White Matter ; Brain/diagnostic imaging ; White ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Lp(a) (lipoprotein[a]) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease; however, its association with cerebrovascular disease is not as well established.
METHODS: Data from a population-based cohort of Hispanics/Latinos included 16 333 individuals with baseline Lp(a) levels (nmol/L) and self-reported prevalent stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). A subset of 2642 individuals with brain magnetic resonance imaging was also included. Linear and multivariate logistic regression assessed the association of Lp(a) with (1) self-reported stroke or TIA, (2) cerebral injury defined as self-reported stroke or TIA or evidence of a stroke on brain magnetic resonance imaging, (3) white matter hyperintensity volume, and (4) silent brain infarcts. Sampling weights were utilized given the HCHS/SOL (Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos) complex sample design.
RESULTS: Mean age±SE was 41.1±0.3 years, 52.0% women, and median interquartile range (Q1, Q3) Lp(a) level of 19.7 (7.3-60.6) nmol/L; brain magnetic resonance imaging subset mean age±SE was 49.9±0.4 years, 56.4% women, and median (interquartile range) Lp(a) level of 21.7 (8.1-62.9) nmol/L. Each unit increase in log-transformed Lp(a) was associated with higher odds of self-reported stroke or TIA (odds ratio, 1.13 [95% CI, 1.01-1.27]; P=0.03). Lp(a) levels in the highest quintile (>77 nmol/L) were significantly associated with higher odds of prevalent stroke or TIA compared with Lp(a) <6 nmol/L (first quintile: odds ratio, 1.74 [95% CI, 1.09-2.77]; P=0.02). The highest proportion of cerebral injury was noted in Q5, while the lowest proportion was noted in Q2. When comparing Lp(a) >77 nmol/L with Lp(a) of 6 to <13 nmol/L (second quintile), a significant association was found between Lp(a) and cerebral injury that persisted after fully adjusted models (odds ratio, 2.03 [95% CI, 1.05-3.93]; P=0.03). Each unit increase in log-Lp(a) was associated with a 0.10 increase in log-white matter hyperintensity (β, 0.10; P=0.005). No significant association was found between Lp(a) and silent brain infarcts.
CONCLUSIONS: Lp(a) is independently and significantly associated with prevalent stroke/TIA, and white matter hyperintensity, in a large diverse population of Hispanics/Latinos.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
Female
Male
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
*Lipoprotein(a)/blood
Middle Aged
Hispanic or Latino
*Stroke/blood/diagnostic imaging/epidemiology/ethnology
Adult
*Ischemic Attack, Transient/blood/diagnostic imaging
Cohort Studies
*Aging
Aged
White Matter
Brain/diagnostic imaging
White
RevDate: 2025-05-20
Association of Cancer History with COVID-19 Risk and Outcomes Among Older Postmenopausal Women: Results from the Women's Health Initiative.
Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology pii:762540 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Several studies early in the COVID-19 pandemic suggested those with a cancer history had higher risk of COVID-19 infections and complications. However, few prospective studies evaluated the association of cancer with COVID-19 in older women. We aimed to examine the association of cancer history with risk of COVID-19 and various COVID-19 outcomes among older women.
METHODS: The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) is an ongoing cohort study that recruited 161,808 postmenopausal women aged 50-79 from 1993-1998. Those who completed the COVID-19 survey (2021-2022) were included (n=35,623). Multivariable linear and logistic regression were used to examine COVID-19 positivity, symptoms severity, long COVID, and COVID concerns/anxiety outcomes.
RESULTS: 28% (n=9,901) of participants had a history of cancer. Cancer history was not significantly associated with COVID-19 positivity (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.81-1.08), COVID-19 hospitalization (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.85-1.72), number of symptoms (LS Mean: 0.33, 95% CI: -0.20, 0.85), and long COVID (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.88-1.58).
CONCLUSIONS: History of cancer was not associated with most COVID-19 outcomes. Future studies should continue to examine physiological mechanisms contributing to differences within cancer survivors and prioritize the inclusion of underserved populations to identify strategies to address the impact of COVID-19.
IMPACT: These findings may assure cancer survivors their diagnosis alone does not increase their risk of COVID-19 and suggests older women with a history of cancer may have similar risk of COVID-19 outcomes compared to their non-cancer counterparts.
Additional Links: PMID-40392206
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40392206,
year = {2025},
author = {Hery, CM and Zhang, X and McLaughlin, E and Von Ah, D and Anderson, GL and Harris, HR and VoPham, T and Garcia, L and Shadyab, AH and Follis, S and Paskett, ED},
title = {Association of Cancer History with COVID-19 Risk and Outcomes Among Older Postmenopausal Women: Results from the Women's Health Initiative.},
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-24-1682},
pmid = {40392206},
issn = {1538-7755},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Several studies early in the COVID-19 pandemic suggested those with a cancer history had higher risk of COVID-19 infections and complications. However, few prospective studies evaluated the association of cancer with COVID-19 in older women. We aimed to examine the association of cancer history with risk of COVID-19 and various COVID-19 outcomes among older women.
METHODS: The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) is an ongoing cohort study that recruited 161,808 postmenopausal women aged 50-79 from 1993-1998. Those who completed the COVID-19 survey (2021-2022) were included (n=35,623). Multivariable linear and logistic regression were used to examine COVID-19 positivity, symptoms severity, long COVID, and COVID concerns/anxiety outcomes.
RESULTS: 28% (n=9,901) of participants had a history of cancer. Cancer history was not significantly associated with COVID-19 positivity (OR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.81-1.08), COVID-19 hospitalization (OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 0.85-1.72), number of symptoms (LS Mean: 0.33, 95% CI: -0.20, 0.85), and long COVID (OR: 1.18, 95% CI: 0.88-1.58).
CONCLUSIONS: History of cancer was not associated with most COVID-19 outcomes. Future studies should continue to examine physiological mechanisms contributing to differences within cancer survivors and prioritize the inclusion of underserved populations to identify strategies to address the impact of COVID-19.
IMPACT: These findings may assure cancer survivors their diagnosis alone does not increase their risk of COVID-19 and suggests older women with a history of cancer may have similar risk of COVID-19 outcomes compared to their non-cancer counterparts.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-22
CmpDate: 2025-05-20
MagIC-Cryo-EM, structural determination on magnetic beads for scarce macromolecules in heterogeneous samples.
eLife, 13:.
Cryo-EM single-particle analyses typically require target macromolecule concentration at 0.05~5.0 mg/ml, which is often difficult to achieve. Here, we devise Magnetic Isolation and Concentration (MagIC)-cryo-EM, a technique enabling direct structural analysis of targets captured on magnetic beads, thereby reducing the targets' concentration requirement to <0.0005 mg/mL. Adapting MagIC-cryo-EM to a Chromatin Immunoprecipitation protocol, we characterized structural variations of the linker histone H1.8-associated nucleosomes that were isolated from interphase and metaphase chromosomes in Xenopus egg extract. Combining Duplicated Selection To Exclude Rubbish particles (DuSTER), a particle curation method that excludes low signal-to-noise ratio particles, we also resolved the 3D cryo-EM structures of nucleoplasmin NPM2 co-isolated with the linker histone H1.8 and revealed distinct open and closed structural variants. Our study demonstrates the utility of MagIC-cryo-EM for structural analysis of scarce macromolecules in heterogeneous samples and provides structural insights into the cell cycle-regulation of H1.8 association to nucleosomes.
Additional Links: PMID-40390365
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Citation:
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@article {pmid40390365,
year = {2025},
author = {Arimura, Y and Konishi, HA and Funabiki, H},
title = {MagIC-Cryo-EM, structural determination on magnetic beads for scarce macromolecules in heterogeneous samples.},
journal = {eLife},
volume = {13},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40390365},
issn = {2050-084X},
support = {Scholarship for Study Abroad//Osamu Hayaishi Memorial Scholarship/ ; Overseas Research Fellowships//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; R35 GM132111/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; SNF Institute for Global Infectious Disease Research//Stavros Niarchos Foundation/ ; R35GM132111/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Histones/chemistry ; Nucleosomes/ultrastructure/chemistry ; *Cryoelectron Microscopy/methods ; Xenopus laevis ; *Macromolecular Substances/chemistry ; Nucleoplasmins/chemistry ; Nucleophosmin ; },
abstract = {Cryo-EM single-particle analyses typically require target macromolecule concentration at 0.05~5.0 mg/ml, which is often difficult to achieve. Here, we devise Magnetic Isolation and Concentration (MagIC)-cryo-EM, a technique enabling direct structural analysis of targets captured on magnetic beads, thereby reducing the targets' concentration requirement to <0.0005 mg/mL. Adapting MagIC-cryo-EM to a Chromatin Immunoprecipitation protocol, we characterized structural variations of the linker histone H1.8-associated nucleosomes that were isolated from interphase and metaphase chromosomes in Xenopus egg extract. Combining Duplicated Selection To Exclude Rubbish particles (DuSTER), a particle curation method that excludes low signal-to-noise ratio particles, we also resolved the 3D cryo-EM structures of nucleoplasmin NPM2 co-isolated with the linker histone H1.8 and revealed distinct open and closed structural variants. Our study demonstrates the utility of MagIC-cryo-EM for structural analysis of scarce macromolecules in heterogeneous samples and provides structural insights into the cell cycle-regulation of H1.8 association to nucleosomes.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Animals
*Histones/chemistry
Nucleosomes/ultrastructure/chemistry
*Cryoelectron Microscopy/methods
Xenopus laevis
*Macromolecular Substances/chemistry
Nucleoplasmins/chemistry
Nucleophosmin
RevDate: 2025-05-19
SLAM-RT&Tag: spatiotemporal profiling of RNA within nuclear compartments in situ.
Nature reviews. Genetics [Epub ahead of print].
Additional Links: PMID-40389573
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Citation:
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@article {pmid40389573,
year = {2025},
author = {Khyzha, N},
title = {SLAM-RT&Tag: spatiotemporal profiling of RNA within nuclear compartments in situ.},
journal = {Nature reviews. Genetics},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40389573},
issn = {1471-0064},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-19
Dietary patterns, serum metabolites and risk of cardiovascular disease in US Hispanic/Latino adults: a prospective analysis of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).
The American journal of clinical nutrition pii:S0002-9165(25)00261-8 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Healthy dietary patterns are recommended to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet the relationships among healthy dietary patterns, blood metabolite profile, and incident CVD are not well-understood.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the associations of healthy dietary patterns and related serum metabolite profile with incident CVD in US Hispanic/Latino adults.
METHODS: The study included 13,922 participants aged 18-74 years from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Dietary pattern scores, including Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2020, healthful Plant-based Diet Index (hPDI), and alternate Mediterranean diet score (aMED), were constructed at baseline (2008-2011) based on two 24-hour dietary recalls. The primary outcome was incident CVD, encompassing myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke. Dietary-pattern-associated metabolites were identified in a subsample of participants free of diabetes at baseline (n=4,096). Associations of dietary pattern scores, individual metabolites and metabolite scores with incident CVD were evaluated using multivariable Cox regression.
RESULTS: During a median 9.7-year follow-up period, 260 CVD events occurred among 13,922 participants. After adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral factors, higher dietary pattern scores were associated with lower risk of CVD (hazard ratios [HRs]=0.53 [95% confidence interval: 0.30, 0.92], 0.50 [0.27, 0.91] and 0.62 [0.36, 1.07] for HEI-2020, hPDI and aMED, respectively, by comparing the highest tertile to the lowest tertile). A total of 60 metabolites were identified to be associated with all three dietary pattern scores, including 45 metabolites positively and 15 metabolites negatively associated with dietary pattern scores. A total metabolite score based on these 60 dietary-pattern-associated metabolites was negatively associated with risk of CVD after multivariable adjustment (HR=0.57 [0.35, 0.92] by comparing the highest tertile to the lowest tertile).
CONCLUSIONS: Healthier diet patterns and related serum metabolite profile were associated with lower risk of CVD in US Hispanic/Latino adults.
Additional Links: PMID-40389082
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40389082,
year = {2025},
author = {Yang, H and Wang, Y and Luo, K and Mossavar-Rahmani, Y and Cordero, C and Ostfeld, RJ and Martinez, C and Maldonado, L and Pirzada, A and Daviglus, M and Yu, B and Hu, FB and Kaplan, RC and Qi, Q},
title = {Dietary patterns, serum metabolites and risk of cardiovascular disease in US Hispanic/Latino adults: a prospective analysis of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).},
journal = {The American journal of clinical nutrition},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.05.008},
pmid = {40389082},
issn = {1938-3207},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Healthy dietary patterns are recommended to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet the relationships among healthy dietary patterns, blood metabolite profile, and incident CVD are not well-understood.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the associations of healthy dietary patterns and related serum metabolite profile with incident CVD in US Hispanic/Latino adults.
METHODS: The study included 13,922 participants aged 18-74 years from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Dietary pattern scores, including Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2020, healthful Plant-based Diet Index (hPDI), and alternate Mediterranean diet score (aMED), were constructed at baseline (2008-2011) based on two 24-hour dietary recalls. The primary outcome was incident CVD, encompassing myocardial infarction, heart failure, and stroke. Dietary-pattern-associated metabolites were identified in a subsample of participants free of diabetes at baseline (n=4,096). Associations of dietary pattern scores, individual metabolites and metabolite scores with incident CVD were evaluated using multivariable Cox regression.
RESULTS: During a median 9.7-year follow-up period, 260 CVD events occurred among 13,922 participants. After adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic and behavioral factors, higher dietary pattern scores were associated with lower risk of CVD (hazard ratios [HRs]=0.53 [95% confidence interval: 0.30, 0.92], 0.50 [0.27, 0.91] and 0.62 [0.36, 1.07] for HEI-2020, hPDI and aMED, respectively, by comparing the highest tertile to the lowest tertile). A total of 60 metabolites were identified to be associated with all three dietary pattern scores, including 45 metabolites positively and 15 metabolites negatively associated with dietary pattern scores. A total metabolite score based on these 60 dietary-pattern-associated metabolites was negatively associated with risk of CVD after multivariable adjustment (HR=0.57 [0.35, 0.92] by comparing the highest tertile to the lowest tertile).
CONCLUSIONS: Healthier diet patterns and related serum metabolite profile were associated with lower risk of CVD in US Hispanic/Latino adults.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-19
Acute cerebral blood flow response to heavy cream ingestion in older adults: A non-randomized pilot study.
Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD [Epub ahead of print].
BackgroundHypertension and the APOE4 allele are known risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and E4 carriers show different blood pressure (BP) and cognitive responses to high fat feeding.ObjectiveWe investigated the influence of these factors on global cerebral blood flow (CBF) and four regions of interest (ROIs) (angular gyrus, hippocampus, posterior cingulate, temporal lobe) using arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI in fasting state and after ingestion of heavy cream in older adults.Methods29 adults (age in years 66.8 ± 4.1) underwent baseline and 1, 2, 3-h ASL MRI after ingestion of 100 mL heavy cream. We used pCASL MRI with background suppression to measure CBF in ml/100 g/min. Statistical analyses included mixed-effects modeling and Pearson correlation to ascertain whether CBF changed over time and how variables influenced results.ResultsGlobal CBF decreased at 1-, 2-, and 3-h post-heavy cream, compared to time 0 (overall change 7.11%, p < 0.01); recapitulated in 3 of 4 ROIs. Mean arterial pressure emerged as a predictive variable for both baseline and post-heavy cream CBF (β = -0.25, 95% CI = -0.39, -0.10, p = 0.002). Individuals with higher BP demonstrated reduced CBF, particularly in posterior cingulate and temporal lobe (β = -5.50, 95% CI = -9.9, -1.09; β = -6.28, 95% CI = -12.35, -0.21, respectively, both p < 0.05). Examination of correlations with BP and change scores revealed that this relationship was driven largely by E4 carriers.ConclusionsCBF decreased after ingestion of heavy cream, globally and in regions known to be important in AD, and this finding was driven by E4 carriers with higher BP.
Additional Links: PMID-40388716
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40388716,
year = {2025},
author = {Ashford, NK and Rane, S and Farris, KM and Miglani, J and Chu, B and Hippe, DS and Gandhi, T and Hanson, AJ},
title = {Acute cerebral blood flow response to heavy cream ingestion in older adults: A non-randomized pilot study.},
journal = {Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {13872877251340369},
doi = {10.1177/13872877251340369},
pmid = {40388716},
issn = {1875-8908},
abstract = {BackgroundHypertension and the APOE4 allele are known risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and E4 carriers show different blood pressure (BP) and cognitive responses to high fat feeding.ObjectiveWe investigated the influence of these factors on global cerebral blood flow (CBF) and four regions of interest (ROIs) (angular gyrus, hippocampus, posterior cingulate, temporal lobe) using arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI in fasting state and after ingestion of heavy cream in older adults.Methods29 adults (age in years 66.8 ± 4.1) underwent baseline and 1, 2, 3-h ASL MRI after ingestion of 100 mL heavy cream. We used pCASL MRI with background suppression to measure CBF in ml/100 g/min. Statistical analyses included mixed-effects modeling and Pearson correlation to ascertain whether CBF changed over time and how variables influenced results.ResultsGlobal CBF decreased at 1-, 2-, and 3-h post-heavy cream, compared to time 0 (overall change 7.11%, p < 0.01); recapitulated in 3 of 4 ROIs. Mean arterial pressure emerged as a predictive variable for both baseline and post-heavy cream CBF (β = -0.25, 95% CI = -0.39, -0.10, p = 0.002). Individuals with higher BP demonstrated reduced CBF, particularly in posterior cingulate and temporal lobe (β = -5.50, 95% CI = -9.9, -1.09; β = -6.28, 95% CI = -12.35, -0.21, respectively, both p < 0.05). Examination of correlations with BP and change scores revealed that this relationship was driven largely by E4 carriers.ConclusionsCBF decreased after ingestion of heavy cream, globally and in regions known to be important in AD, and this finding was driven by E4 carriers with higher BP.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-20
Key stakeholders' experiences, knowledge and perspectives regarding care quality for breast cancer in South-West Nigeria.
Frontiers in oncology, 15:1418649.
The landscape of breast cancer care in Nigeria is complex, with various structural and individual barriers impacting patient care. Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer and a leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. In Africa, the cancer burden is expected to rise significantly, with projections estimating an increase of 50% by 2050. Rising incidence rates and barriers to care contribute to a healthcare crisis, leading to late-stage presentation and high mortality rates for women with breast cancer in Nigeria. Quality healthcare must be patient-centered, involving stakeholders - patients, clinical and community partners, and other healthcare stakeholders to achieve a desired outcome. Understanding the cancer journey from different perspectives allows for targeted approaches for increasing access to quality healthcare as well as reducing morbidity and mortality rates. To address this, healthcare provider perspectives about breast cancer care were compared with the lived experiences of breast cancer patients to emphasize the need to increase access and quality of care. A mixed method study was conducted in 2 phases: Phase I: 3 Focus group discussions (FGDs) with breast cancer patients and their care givers were conducted at the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre in Lagos, Nigeria. Phase II: A pre and post-survey of a continuing medical education course focused on breast cancer was delivered to healthcare providers in southwest Nigeria. Survey responses regarding causes for delays and barriers to care indicated financial strain, fear, and alternative treatments as the largest hurdles, coinciding with patient testimony from the FGD. Fear of mastectomy was a perceived barrier to care for 90% of healthcare providers while 87% and 86% of providers perceived seeking spiritual and herbal treatments as the largest delays of care. Despite this, a significant number of focus group participants (39%) presented within the first month of noticing a breast symptom to a proper healthcare provider. Data from our study reports that 70% of patients receive help from family to fund treatment highlighting why cancer can be a poverty trap for families and the need for universal health insurance. Half of the focus group participants had a positive interaction with their doctors, with the rest reporting neutral (19%) or even negative (31%) interactions. Our study also reports 42% of healthcare providers feeling only "somewhat" qualified to deal with breast cancer, highlighting the significant need for more education, with a further 14% feeling neutral or negative about their qualification, a potential contributing factor in negative interactions recalled by patients. Knowledge increase was consistent for best practice diagnostic modalities among healthcare providers (p < 0.05). At the same time, items related to symptoms and risks of breast cancer had inconsistent knowledge increases, indicating why further courses like these should be pursued. With the success of the course and the inspiration of breast cancer survivors, a proposed expansion into community awareness is discussed along with enlisting local practitioners in the fight against breast cancer in hopes of lowering the barriers to and delays of care in Nigeria.
Additional Links: PMID-40386555
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Citation:
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@article {pmid40386555,
year = {2025},
author = {Alabi, A and Ainsworth, V and Lawal, A and Kizub, D and Chin, J and Woodmark, C and Omidiji, O and Adegboyega, B and Sowunmi, A and Ogunyemi, A and Swanson, W and Joseph, A and Ngwa, W},
title = {Key stakeholders' experiences, knowledge and perspectives regarding care quality for breast cancer in South-West Nigeria.},
journal = {Frontiers in oncology},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {1418649},
pmid = {40386555},
issn = {2234-943X},
abstract = {The landscape of breast cancer care in Nigeria is complex, with various structural and individual barriers impacting patient care. Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer and a leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. In Africa, the cancer burden is expected to rise significantly, with projections estimating an increase of 50% by 2050. Rising incidence rates and barriers to care contribute to a healthcare crisis, leading to late-stage presentation and high mortality rates for women with breast cancer in Nigeria. Quality healthcare must be patient-centered, involving stakeholders - patients, clinical and community partners, and other healthcare stakeholders to achieve a desired outcome. Understanding the cancer journey from different perspectives allows for targeted approaches for increasing access to quality healthcare as well as reducing morbidity and mortality rates. To address this, healthcare provider perspectives about breast cancer care were compared with the lived experiences of breast cancer patients to emphasize the need to increase access and quality of care. A mixed method study was conducted in 2 phases: Phase I: 3 Focus group discussions (FGDs) with breast cancer patients and their care givers were conducted at the NSIA-LUTH Cancer Centre in Lagos, Nigeria. Phase II: A pre and post-survey of a continuing medical education course focused on breast cancer was delivered to healthcare providers in southwest Nigeria. Survey responses regarding causes for delays and barriers to care indicated financial strain, fear, and alternative treatments as the largest hurdles, coinciding with patient testimony from the FGD. Fear of mastectomy was a perceived barrier to care for 90% of healthcare providers while 87% and 86% of providers perceived seeking spiritual and herbal treatments as the largest delays of care. Despite this, a significant number of focus group participants (39%) presented within the first month of noticing a breast symptom to a proper healthcare provider. Data from our study reports that 70% of patients receive help from family to fund treatment highlighting why cancer can be a poverty trap for families and the need for universal health insurance. Half of the focus group participants had a positive interaction with their doctors, with the rest reporting neutral (19%) or even negative (31%) interactions. Our study also reports 42% of healthcare providers feeling only "somewhat" qualified to deal with breast cancer, highlighting the significant need for more education, with a further 14% feeling neutral or negative about their qualification, a potential contributing factor in negative interactions recalled by patients. Knowledge increase was consistent for best practice diagnostic modalities among healthcare providers (p < 0.05). At the same time, items related to symptoms and risks of breast cancer had inconsistent knowledge increases, indicating why further courses like these should be pursued. With the success of the course and the inspiration of breast cancer survivors, a proposed expansion into community awareness is discussed along with enlisting local practitioners in the fight against breast cancer in hopes of lowering the barriers to and delays of care in Nigeria.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-21
Designs for Vaccine Studies.
Annual review of statistics and its application, 12:1-18.
Due to dependent happenings, vaccines can have different effects in populations. In addition to direct protective effects in the vaccinated, vaccination in a population can have indirect effects in the unvaccinated individuals. Vaccination can also reduce person-to-person transmission to vaccinated individuals or from vaccinated individuals compared with unvaccinated individuals. Design of vaccine studies has a history extending back over a century. Emerging infectious diseases, such as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, have stimulated new interest in vaccine studies. We focus on some recent developments, such as target trial emulation, test-negative design, and regression discontinuity design. Methods for evaluating durability of vaccine effects were developed in the context of both blinded and unblinded placebo crossover studies. The case-ascertained design is used to assess the transmission effects of vaccines. The novel ring vaccination trial design was first used in the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Additional Links: PMID-40384944
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Citation:
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@article {pmid40384944,
year = {2025},
author = {Halloran, ME},
title = {Designs for Vaccine Studies.},
journal = {Annual review of statistics and its application},
volume = {12},
number = {},
pages = {1-18},
pmid = {40384944},
issn = {2326-8298},
support = {R01 AI085073/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Due to dependent happenings, vaccines can have different effects in populations. In addition to direct protective effects in the vaccinated, vaccination in a population can have indirect effects in the unvaccinated individuals. Vaccination can also reduce person-to-person transmission to vaccinated individuals or from vaccinated individuals compared with unvaccinated individuals. Design of vaccine studies has a history extending back over a century. Emerging infectious diseases, such as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, have stimulated new interest in vaccine studies. We focus on some recent developments, such as target trial emulation, test-negative design, and regression discontinuity design. Methods for evaluating durability of vaccine effects were developed in the context of both blinded and unblinded placebo crossover studies. The case-ascertained design is used to assess the transmission effects of vaccines. The novel ring vaccination trial design was first used in the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-20
Engage for equity plus: Transforming academic health centers to sustain patient/community engaged research structures, policies, and practices.
Journal of clinical and translational science, 9(1):e80.
INTRODUCTION: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) and patient/ community engaged research (P/CEnR) are shown to be effective approaches that improve health inequities, particularly among disadvantaged populations. While the science of CBPR demonstrates promising partnering practices that lead to effective interventions, there are institutional and structural barriers to creating and sustaining patient/community research within academic health centers (AHCs). As the field matures, there is a growing need to enhance patient/community leadership so that communities can set their own research agendas and priorities.
METHODS: Engage for Equity PLUS sought to address these challenges by implementing an engagement intervention aimed at transforming AHCs through supporting champion teams of academic, community, and patient partners to strengthen research infrastructures for P/CEnR. This paper uses a qualitative, case study analysis to describe how E2PLUS enabled champion teams at Stanford School of Medicine, Fred Hutchinson/University of Washington Cancer Consortium, and Morehouse School of Medicine to pursue institutional change strategies through coaching, workshops, contextual data analysis, and a community of practice.
RESULTS: This paper describes key themes of how E2Plus helped identify targets of change by a) using institutional data collection as core to generating critical consciousness of contextual conditions; b) implementing feasible E2PLUS strategies to leverage conditions for catalyzing a champion team for advocacy and achievable actions; c) identifying the critical role of patients/community members in stimulating change; and d) the role of continual collective reflection.
CONCLUSION: We discuss the overall implications for E2 PLUS for other AHCs working toward sustainable community/patient engaged research policies and practices.
Additional Links: PMID-40384751
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Citation:
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@article {pmid40384751,
year = {2025},
author = {Sanchez-Youngman, S and Jacquez, B and Adsul, P and Dickson, E and Akintobi, TH and Hoffman, L and Rosas, LG and Gay, S and Mendoza, JA and Mapes, D and Oetzel, J and Nease, D and Wallerstein, N},
title = {Engage for equity plus: Transforming academic health centers to sustain patient/community engaged research structures, policies, and practices.},
journal = {Journal of clinical and translational science},
volume = {9},
number = {1},
pages = {e80},
pmid = {40384751},
issn = {2059-8661},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Community-based participatory research (CBPR) and patient/ community engaged research (P/CEnR) are shown to be effective approaches that improve health inequities, particularly among disadvantaged populations. While the science of CBPR demonstrates promising partnering practices that lead to effective interventions, there are institutional and structural barriers to creating and sustaining patient/community research within academic health centers (AHCs). As the field matures, there is a growing need to enhance patient/community leadership so that communities can set their own research agendas and priorities.
METHODS: Engage for Equity PLUS sought to address these challenges by implementing an engagement intervention aimed at transforming AHCs through supporting champion teams of academic, community, and patient partners to strengthen research infrastructures for P/CEnR. This paper uses a qualitative, case study analysis to describe how E2PLUS enabled champion teams at Stanford School of Medicine, Fred Hutchinson/University of Washington Cancer Consortium, and Morehouse School of Medicine to pursue institutional change strategies through coaching, workshops, contextual data analysis, and a community of practice.
RESULTS: This paper describes key themes of how E2Plus helped identify targets of change by a) using institutional data collection as core to generating critical consciousness of contextual conditions; b) implementing feasible E2PLUS strategies to leverage conditions for catalyzing a champion team for advocacy and achievable actions; c) identifying the critical role of patients/community members in stimulating change; and d) the role of continual collective reflection.
CONCLUSION: We discuss the overall implications for E2 PLUS for other AHCs working toward sustainable community/patient engaged research policies and practices.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-21
CmpDate: 2025-05-19
Addressing Challenges in Research Aimed at Reducing Financial Toxicity Among Cancer Patients and Caregivers: An Example From the CREDIT Study (SWOG S1912CD).
Cancer control : journal of the Moffitt Cancer Center, 32:10732748251344469.
IntroductionCancer-related financial hardship is pervasive, impacting both patients and caregivers, making it crucial to address financial hardship at the household level. The CREDIT (S1912CD) study was designed to enroll and randomize cancer patients and spousal caregivers as dyads to proactive financial navigation compared to usual care. The study faced several challenges to recruitment. This paper discusses the changes made to successfully complete the study.MethodsThe study took place among NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) sites and allowed several venues for protocol feedback, including SWOG group meetings, NCORP administrator meetings, and individual calls with recruiting sites. A patient advocate worked with the study team to review and update documents to ensure the study was relevant and accessible to potential participants.ResultsSeveral barriers were identified including sites facing challenges in enrolling patient-spouse dyads, multiple financial navigation partners causing confusion and delays in delivery of the intervention, eligibility criteria concerns, and participant discomfort with providing social security numbers. Several modifications were made to address these obstacles during a study restructure, including making caregiver participation optional, streamlining intervention delivery, and modifying eligibility criteria to allow more time between diagnosis and enrollment. Changes from the restructure resulted, on average, in a 9.5 patient per month increase in accrual (4.1 to 13.6) and has enabled the study to reach overall accrual within the study timeline. Importantly, the study maintained diverse accrual and continued to accrue willing caregivers to enable exploratory analysis of caregiver outcomes.ConclusionInterventions examining how to mitigate financial hardship for cancer patients and those affected by cancer, must be pragmatic in order to be translated into sustainable programs in real world settings. Providing recruiting sites an avenue for feedback ensured that the study team could adjust the protocol to meet site needs and successfully complete this financial navigation study.
Additional Links: PMID-40384469
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Citation:
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@article {pmid40384469,
year = {2025},
author = {Bell-Brown, A and Tawfik, B and Segarra-Vazquez, B and Hopkins, T and Watabayashi, K and O'Kane, P and Carlos, RC and Langer, SL and Unger, JM and Darke, AK and Hershman, DL and Ramsey, SD and Shankaran, V},
title = {Addressing Challenges in Research Aimed at Reducing Financial Toxicity Among Cancer Patients and Caregivers: An Example From the CREDIT Study (SWOG S1912CD).},
journal = {Cancer control : journal of the Moffitt Cancer Center},
volume = {32},
number = {},
pages = {10732748251344469},
pmid = {40384469},
issn = {1526-2359},
mesh = {Humans ; *Caregivers/economics/psychology ; *Neoplasms/economics/therapy ; *Financial Stress/prevention & control ; Female ; Male ; },
abstract = {IntroductionCancer-related financial hardship is pervasive, impacting both patients and caregivers, making it crucial to address financial hardship at the household level. The CREDIT (S1912CD) study was designed to enroll and randomize cancer patients and spousal caregivers as dyads to proactive financial navigation compared to usual care. The study faced several challenges to recruitment. This paper discusses the changes made to successfully complete the study.MethodsThe study took place among NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP) sites and allowed several venues for protocol feedback, including SWOG group meetings, NCORP administrator meetings, and individual calls with recruiting sites. A patient advocate worked with the study team to review and update documents to ensure the study was relevant and accessible to potential participants.ResultsSeveral barriers were identified including sites facing challenges in enrolling patient-spouse dyads, multiple financial navigation partners causing confusion and delays in delivery of the intervention, eligibility criteria concerns, and participant discomfort with providing social security numbers. Several modifications were made to address these obstacles during a study restructure, including making caregiver participation optional, streamlining intervention delivery, and modifying eligibility criteria to allow more time between diagnosis and enrollment. Changes from the restructure resulted, on average, in a 9.5 patient per month increase in accrual (4.1 to 13.6) and has enabled the study to reach overall accrual within the study timeline. Importantly, the study maintained diverse accrual and continued to accrue willing caregivers to enable exploratory analysis of caregiver outcomes.ConclusionInterventions examining how to mitigate financial hardship for cancer patients and those affected by cancer, must be pragmatic in order to be translated into sustainable programs in real world settings. Providing recruiting sites an avenue for feedback ensured that the study team could adjust the protocol to meet site needs and successfully complete this financial navigation study.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Caregivers/economics/psychology
*Neoplasms/economics/therapy
*Financial Stress/prevention & control
Female
Male
RevDate: 2025-05-21
Dosing forgiveness of oral PrEP for cisgender women remains uncertain.
Journal of the International AIDS Society, 28(5):e26496.
Additional Links: PMID-40384398
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@article {pmid40384398,
year = {2025},
author = {Moore, M and Glidden, D and Anderson, P and Hendrix, C and Dimitrov, D},
title = {Dosing forgiveness of oral PrEP for cisgender women remains uncertain.},
journal = {Journal of the International AIDS Society},
volume = {28},
number = {5},
pages = {e26496},
pmid = {40384398},
issn = {1758-2652},
support = {5UM1AI068617-20/DA/NIDA NIH HHS/United States ; 5UM1AI068617-20//National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/ ; 1R01AI179417-01A1//National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/ ; R01AI170298//National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/ ; },
}
RevDate: 2025-05-19
CmpDate: 2025-05-19
Contrast-Enhanced Mammography Implementation: Early Struggles and Successes.
Journal of breast imaging, 7(3):345-354.
We used focus groups of radiologists who led the implementation of contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) in their practice to identify barriers and strategies for adoption. Members of the Society of Breast Imaging in the United States who served as lead on CEM implementation were invited to participate in 2 separate focus groups. Ten breast imaging radiologists with varied geographic and practice type (60% academic, 30% private, and 10% community practice) participated. There were 4 major themes identified: patient selection, workflow, contrast, and billing. Patient selection varied widely among practices, with some limiting CEM to patients unable to obtain MRI and others routinely using CEM for diagnostic workup. Lack of Food and Drug Administration approval limited screening applications in some practices. Workflow challenges were numerous, and site-specific solutions were developed for ordering, scheduling, staffing, and intravenous access. There were universal concerns regarding contrast, including safe administration, response to reactions, and biopsy planning for findings only visible on CEM. Contrast reaction training, including conducting mock codes at some practices, helped alleviate concerns of the radiologists and technologists. Finally, billing was an administrative hurdle that influenced patient selection. Ample preparation is needed to successfully start a CEM program with particular attention to patient selection, workflow, contrast administration/reactions, and billing.
Additional Links: PMID-40383922
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40383922,
year = {2025},
author = {Dashevsky, BZ and Fish, LJ and Breit, S and Waheed, U and Coffey, K and Parikh, JR and Mullen, LA and Reig, B and Dontchos, BN and Dodelzon, K and Grimm, LJ},
title = {Contrast-Enhanced Mammography Implementation: Early Struggles and Successes.},
journal = {Journal of breast imaging},
volume = {7},
number = {3},
pages = {345-354},
doi = {10.1093/jbi/wbaf018},
pmid = {40383922},
issn = {2631-6129},
mesh = {Humans ; *Mammography/methods/economics ; *Contrast Media ; Female ; *Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging ; United States ; Workflow ; Focus Groups ; Patient Selection ; *Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data ; },
abstract = {We used focus groups of radiologists who led the implementation of contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) in their practice to identify barriers and strategies for adoption. Members of the Society of Breast Imaging in the United States who served as lead on CEM implementation were invited to participate in 2 separate focus groups. Ten breast imaging radiologists with varied geographic and practice type (60% academic, 30% private, and 10% community practice) participated. There were 4 major themes identified: patient selection, workflow, contrast, and billing. Patient selection varied widely among practices, with some limiting CEM to patients unable to obtain MRI and others routinely using CEM for diagnostic workup. Lack of Food and Drug Administration approval limited screening applications in some practices. Workflow challenges were numerous, and site-specific solutions were developed for ordering, scheduling, staffing, and intravenous access. There were universal concerns regarding contrast, including safe administration, response to reactions, and biopsy planning for findings only visible on CEM. Contrast reaction training, including conducting mock codes at some practices, helped alleviate concerns of the radiologists and technologists. Finally, billing was an administrative hurdle that influenced patient selection. Ample preparation is needed to successfully start a CEM program with particular attention to patient selection, workflow, contrast administration/reactions, and billing.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Mammography/methods/economics
*Contrast Media
Female
*Breast Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging
United States
Workflow
Focus Groups
Patient Selection
*Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data
RevDate: 2025-05-21
CmpDate: 2025-05-18
A broad antibody with enhanced HIV-1 neutralization via bispecific antibody-mediated prepositioning.
Nature communications, 16(1):4617.
Antibodies targeting the highly conserved prehairpin intermediate (PHI) of class I viral membrane-fusion proteins are generally weakly neutralizing and are not considered viable therapeutic agents. We previously demonstrated that antibodies targeting the gp41 N-heptad repeat (NHR), which is transiently exposed in the HIV-1 PHI, exhibit enhanced broad neutralization in cells expressing the Fc receptor, FcγRI. To enhance neutralization in cells lacking FcγRI, we here develop a bispecific antibody (bsAb) by fusing an NHR-targeting antibody to an antibody against CD4, the HIV-1 receptor on T cells. The bsAb provides a 5000-fold neutralization enhancement and shows unprecedented neutralization breadth compared to existing broadly neutralizing antibodies. Importantly, the bsAb reduces viral load in HIV-1-infected humanized male mice, and viral envelope sequencing under bsAb pressure revealed an NHR mutation that potentially impairs viral fitness. These findings validate the NHR as a potential HIV-1 therapeutic target, setting the stage for a new class of broadly neutralizing antibodies.
Additional Links: PMID-40383778
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@article {pmid40383778,
year = {2025},
author = {Kim, S and Radford, CE and Xu, D and Zhong, J and Do, J and Pham, DM and Travisano, KA and Filsinger Interrante, MV and Bruun, TUJ and Rezek, V and Wilder, B and Palomares, M and Seaman, MS and Kitchen, SG and Bloom, JD and Kim, PS},
title = {A broad antibody with enhanced HIV-1 neutralization via bispecific antibody-mediated prepositioning.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {4617},
pmid = {40383778},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {DP1 AI158125/AI/NIAID NIH HHS/United States ; 5DP1AI158125//U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)/ ; },
mesh = {*HIV-1/immunology/genetics/drug effects ; *Antibodies, Bispecific/immunology/pharmacology/genetics ; Humans ; Animals ; *HIV Infections/immunology/virology ; Mice ; Male ; *Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology ; *HIV Antibodies/immunology ; HIV Envelope Protein gp41/immunology/genetics ; Viral Load/drug effects ; HEK293 Cells ; Receptors, IgG/genetics/immunology/metabolism ; Neutralization Tests ; CD4 Antigens/immunology ; Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies/immunology ; },
abstract = {Antibodies targeting the highly conserved prehairpin intermediate (PHI) of class I viral membrane-fusion proteins are generally weakly neutralizing and are not considered viable therapeutic agents. We previously demonstrated that antibodies targeting the gp41 N-heptad repeat (NHR), which is transiently exposed in the HIV-1 PHI, exhibit enhanced broad neutralization in cells expressing the Fc receptor, FcγRI. To enhance neutralization in cells lacking FcγRI, we here develop a bispecific antibody (bsAb) by fusing an NHR-targeting antibody to an antibody against CD4, the HIV-1 receptor on T cells. The bsAb provides a 5000-fold neutralization enhancement and shows unprecedented neutralization breadth compared to existing broadly neutralizing antibodies. Importantly, the bsAb reduces viral load in HIV-1-infected humanized male mice, and viral envelope sequencing under bsAb pressure revealed an NHR mutation that potentially impairs viral fitness. These findings validate the NHR as a potential HIV-1 therapeutic target, setting the stage for a new class of broadly neutralizing antibodies.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
*HIV-1/immunology/genetics/drug effects
*Antibodies, Bispecific/immunology/pharmacology/genetics
Humans
Animals
*HIV Infections/immunology/virology
Mice
Male
*Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
*HIV Antibodies/immunology
HIV Envelope Protein gp41/immunology/genetics
Viral Load/drug effects
HEK293 Cells
Receptors, IgG/genetics/immunology/metabolism
Neutralization Tests
CD4 Antigens/immunology
Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies/immunology
RevDate: 2025-05-18
Corrigendum to 'Evaluating the psychosocial experiences of participants in HIV cure research before, during, and after analytical treatment interruptions: A longitudinal qualitative study in the United States' [Soc. Sci. Med. Volume 366, February 2025, 117644].
Additional Links: PMID-40383698
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40383698,
year = {2025},
author = {Hill, M and Garcia, LR and Nguyen, E and Korolkova, A and Cohn, L and Rodriguez, A and Hoh, R and Deeks, SG and Peluso, MJ and Sauceda, JA and Dubé, K},
title = {Corrigendum to 'Evaluating the psychosocial experiences of participants in HIV cure research before, during, and after analytical treatment interruptions: A longitudinal qualitative study in the United States' [Soc. Sci. Med. Volume 366, February 2025, 117644].},
journal = {Social science & medicine (1982)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {118161},
doi = {10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118161},
pmid = {40383698},
issn = {1873-5347},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-17
The DNA-PK inhibitor AZD7648 alone or combined with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in patients with advanced cancer: results of a first-in-human Phase I/IIa study.
British journal of cancer [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Upregulation of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is associated with poor prognosis and decreased response to DNA-damaging agents across cancer types. A Phase I/IIa study (NCT03907969) investigated the highly potent, selective DNA-PK inhibitor AZD7648 as monotherapy or combined with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in patients with advanced cancer.
METHODS: Thirty patients received escalating doses of AZD7648 as monotherapy (n = 14), starting at 5 mg QD, or with PLD 40 mg/m[2] (n = 16). The primary objective was safety and tolerability.
RESULTS: AZD7648 monotherapy was administered at 5-160 mg BID. The most frequent class of adverse events was gastrointestinal disorders (9/14 patients, 64.3%); one patient (160 mg BID) experienced dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). No responses to AZD7648 monotherapy were observed. The maximum dose of combination therapy was AZD7648 40 mg QD days 1-7 + PLD every 28 days. 13/16 patients (81.3%) experienced gastrointestinal disorders and 11/16 (68.8%) patients had anaemia. Three patients experienced DLTs (two at AZD7648 20 mg QD 7 days + PLD; one at AZD7648 30 mg QD 7 days + PLD). Limited efficacy was observed, with one RECIST partial response.
DISCUSSION: Toxicity of AZD7648 + PLD was greater than expected and antitumour activity was limited, leading to early study termination.
Additional Links: PMID-40382524
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Citation:
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@article {pmid40382524,
year = {2025},
author = {Yap, TA and LoRusso, P and Miller, RE and Kristeleit, R and Paulovich, AG and McMorn, S and Oplustil O'Connor, L and Lombardi, B and Marco-Casanova, P and Gangl, ET and Patel, B and O'Connor, MJ and Dean, E and Zviezdin, R and Plummer, R},
title = {The DNA-PK inhibitor AZD7648 alone or combined with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in patients with advanced cancer: results of a first-in-human Phase I/IIa study.},
journal = {British journal of cancer},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40382524},
issn = {1532-1827},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Upregulation of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is associated with poor prognosis and decreased response to DNA-damaging agents across cancer types. A Phase I/IIa study (NCT03907969) investigated the highly potent, selective DNA-PK inhibitor AZD7648 as monotherapy or combined with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in patients with advanced cancer.
METHODS: Thirty patients received escalating doses of AZD7648 as monotherapy (n = 14), starting at 5 mg QD, or with PLD 40 mg/m[2] (n = 16). The primary objective was safety and tolerability.
RESULTS: AZD7648 monotherapy was administered at 5-160 mg BID. The most frequent class of adverse events was gastrointestinal disorders (9/14 patients, 64.3%); one patient (160 mg BID) experienced dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs). No responses to AZD7648 monotherapy were observed. The maximum dose of combination therapy was AZD7648 40 mg QD days 1-7 + PLD every 28 days. 13/16 patients (81.3%) experienced gastrointestinal disorders and 11/16 (68.8%) patients had anaemia. Three patients experienced DLTs (two at AZD7648 20 mg QD 7 days + PLD; one at AZD7648 30 mg QD 7 days + PLD). Limited efficacy was observed, with one RECIST partial response.
DISCUSSION: Toxicity of AZD7648 + PLD was greater than expected and antitumour activity was limited, leading to early study termination.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-16
A clinical solution for tracking clonal evolution of acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic transplantation using bulk next generation sequencing.
Bone marrow transplantation [Epub ahead of print].
Clinical next generation sequencing (NGS) typically relies on limited gene panels run on bulk marrow or blood. Current computational tools for inferring clonal relationships is generally limited by the use of a small panel of pathogenic mutations to define clones. We developed an online software (CloneTracker) that uses 'incidentally-sequenced' single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the regions of recurrent somatic mutations in addition to conventional mutation data from bulk NGS gene panels to provide detailed visualizations of clonal evolution during cancer treatment, alongside clinical data. Tested on 29 patients who underwent non-myeloablative transplantation for AML, CloneTracker successfully reconstructed the evolutionary dynamics of donor engraftment from bulk NGS and rendered intuitive visualizations of residual patient-derived hematopoiesis and relapsing malignant clones. The software does not require sequencing donor samples, as donor-derived clones are identifiable from post-HCT SNP data. This manuscript aims to introduce CloneTracker to the BMT community and make it available for those who would ascertain its clinical utility, e.g, in BMT trials leveraging molecular minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring and targeted interventions to pre-empt relapse.
Additional Links: PMID-40379905
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Citation:
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@article {pmid40379905,
year = {2025},
author = {Krakow, EF and Lee, N and Jenkins, I and Sala-Torra, O and Beppu, L and Radich, JP and Fukuda, B and Sandmaier, BM and Yeung, CC and Bozic, I},
title = {A clinical solution for tracking clonal evolution of acute myeloid leukemia after allogeneic transplantation using bulk next generation sequencing.},
journal = {Bone marrow transplantation},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40379905},
issn = {1476-5365},
abstract = {Clinical next generation sequencing (NGS) typically relies on limited gene panels run on bulk marrow or blood. Current computational tools for inferring clonal relationships is generally limited by the use of a small panel of pathogenic mutations to define clones. We developed an online software (CloneTracker) that uses 'incidentally-sequenced' single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the regions of recurrent somatic mutations in addition to conventional mutation data from bulk NGS gene panels to provide detailed visualizations of clonal evolution during cancer treatment, alongside clinical data. Tested on 29 patients who underwent non-myeloablative transplantation for AML, CloneTracker successfully reconstructed the evolutionary dynamics of donor engraftment from bulk NGS and rendered intuitive visualizations of residual patient-derived hematopoiesis and relapsing malignant clones. The software does not require sequencing donor samples, as donor-derived clones are identifiable from post-HCT SNP data. This manuscript aims to introduce CloneTracker to the BMT community and make it available for those who would ascertain its clinical utility, e.g, in BMT trials leveraging molecular minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring and targeted interventions to pre-empt relapse.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-16
Role of Donor Cytomegalovirus Serostatus in CMV-Seronegative Recipients of Unrelated Donor Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation with PTCy prophylaxis.
Transplantation and cellular therapy pii:S2666-6367(25)01170-4 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: While donor age significantly impacts allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) outcomes, the effect of donor cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus, particularly in CMV-seronegative recipients, remains a critical consideration. Donor CMV seropositivity is linked to increased CMV viremia and non-relapse mortality (NRM) in these recipients. Given the limited scope of novel antiviral prophylaxis drugs e.g., letermovir solely for CMV-seropositive recipients and the association of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) with increased CMV reactivation, this study investigates the impact of donor CMV serostatus on outcomes in CMV-seronegative acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients undergoing HLA-matched or mismatched unrelated donor HCT with PTCy.
METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, including adult CMV-seronegative AML patients who underwent unrelated donor HCT with PTCy between 2017 and 2021. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes included relapse, NRM, and acute/chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Donor age was dichotomized at ≤32 and >32 years. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards (PH) models, stratified by donor age, and Restricted Mean Survival Time (RMST) and Restricted Mean Time Lost (RMTL) analyses were performed.
RESULTS: Of 408 CMV-seronegative recipients, 127 received transplants from CMV-seropositive donors. Baseline characteristics were well-balanced between groups. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that recipients of CMV-seropositive donors had a significantly higher hazard of mortality (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.07-2.14, p = 0.019). Donor age and donor type did not significantly impact OS in this CMV seronegative patient population. RMST analysis showed that recipients with CMV-seronegative donors lived on average 2.95 months longer (p=0.045), while RMTL ratio was 1.34 (p=0.037), indicating that recipients of CMV-seropositive donors experienced a 34% higher risk of loss of survival time. The difference in OS was primarily driven by a trend toward increased relapse risk in the CMV-seropositive donor group (HR 1.42, 95% CI: 0.95-2.08, p = 0.06) rather than NRM (HR 1.19, 95% CI: 0.66-2.13, p = 0.56).
CONCLUSIONS: In CMV-seronegative adult AML patients undergoing unrelated donor HCT with PTCy, CMV-seropositive donors are associated with worse OS than CMV-seronegative donors, likely linked to higher relapse risk. These findings underscore the importance of considering donor CMV serostatus in donor selection for CMV-seronegative recipients undergoing HCT with PTCy. Further investigation is necessary to optimize donor selection strategies and improve outcomes in this patient population.
Additional Links: PMID-40379049
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40379049,
year = {2025},
author = {Mehta, RS and Aljawai, YM and Al-Juhaishi, T and Saultz, J and Milano, F and Kanakry, JA and Kanakry, CG and Lazaryan, A},
title = {Role of Donor Cytomegalovirus Serostatus in CMV-Seronegative Recipients of Unrelated Donor Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation with PTCy prophylaxis.},
journal = {Transplantation and cellular therapy},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jtct.2025.05.005},
pmid = {40379049},
issn = {2666-6367},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: While donor age significantly impacts allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) outcomes, the effect of donor cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus, particularly in CMV-seronegative recipients, remains a critical consideration. Donor CMV seropositivity is linked to increased CMV viremia and non-relapse mortality (NRM) in these recipients. Given the limited scope of novel antiviral prophylaxis drugs e.g., letermovir solely for CMV-seropositive recipients and the association of post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) with increased CMV reactivation, this study investigates the impact of donor CMV serostatus on outcomes in CMV-seronegative acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients undergoing HLA-matched or mismatched unrelated donor HCT with PTCy.
METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, including adult CMV-seronegative AML patients who underwent unrelated donor HCT with PTCy between 2017 and 2021. Primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Secondary outcomes included relapse, NRM, and acute/chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Donor age was dichotomized at ≤32 and >32 years. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards (PH) models, stratified by donor age, and Restricted Mean Survival Time (RMST) and Restricted Mean Time Lost (RMTL) analyses were performed.
RESULTS: Of 408 CMV-seronegative recipients, 127 received transplants from CMV-seropositive donors. Baseline characteristics were well-balanced between groups. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that recipients of CMV-seropositive donors had a significantly higher hazard of mortality (HR 1.51, 95% CI 1.07-2.14, p = 0.019). Donor age and donor type did not significantly impact OS in this CMV seronegative patient population. RMST analysis showed that recipients with CMV-seronegative donors lived on average 2.95 months longer (p=0.045), while RMTL ratio was 1.34 (p=0.037), indicating that recipients of CMV-seropositive donors experienced a 34% higher risk of loss of survival time. The difference in OS was primarily driven by a trend toward increased relapse risk in the CMV-seropositive donor group (HR 1.42, 95% CI: 0.95-2.08, p = 0.06) rather than NRM (HR 1.19, 95% CI: 0.66-2.13, p = 0.56).
CONCLUSIONS: In CMV-seronegative adult AML patients undergoing unrelated donor HCT with PTCy, CMV-seropositive donors are associated with worse OS than CMV-seronegative donors, likely linked to higher relapse risk. These findings underscore the importance of considering donor CMV serostatus in donor selection for CMV-seronegative recipients undergoing HCT with PTCy. Further investigation is necessary to optimize donor selection strategies and improve outcomes in this patient population.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-20
Combinations of approved oral nucleoside analogues confer potent suppression of alphaviruses in vitro and in vivo.
Antiviral research, 239:106186 pii:S0166-3542(25)00112-3 [Epub ahead of print].
Alphaviruses, including chikungunya virus (CHIKV), pose a significant global health threat, yet specific antiviral therapies remain unavailable. We evaluated combinations of three oral directly acting antiviral drugs (sofosbuvir (SOF), molnupiravir (MPV), and favipiravir (FAV)), which are approved for other indications, against CHIKV, Semliki Forest virus (SFV), Sindbis virus (SINV), and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus (VEEV) in vitro and in vivo. We assessed antiviral efficacy in human skin fibroblasts and liver cells, as well as in a mouse model of CHIKV-induced arthritis. In human skin fibroblasts, synergistic antiviral effects were observed for combinations of MPV + SOF and FAV + SOF against CHIKV, and for FAV + SOF against SFV. In human liver cells, FAV + MPV conferred additive to synergistic activity against VEEV and SINV, while SOF synergized with FAV against SINV. In mice, MPV improved CHIKV-induced foot swelling and reduced systemic infectious virus titres. Combination treatment with MPV and SOF significantly reduced swelling and infectious titres compared to monotherapies of each drug. Sequencing of CHIKV RNA from joint tissue revealed that MPV caused dose-dependent increases in mutations in the CHIKV genome. Upon combination therapy of MPV with SOF, the number of mutations was significantly lower compared to monotherapy with several higher doses of MPV. Combining these approved oral nucleoside analogues confers potent suppression of multiple alphaviruses in vitro and in vivo with enhanced control of viral genetic evolution in face of antiviral pressure. These drug combinations may ultimately lead to the development of potent combinations of pan-family alphavirus inhibitors.
Additional Links: PMID-40379030
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40379030,
year = {2025},
author = {Verwimp, S and Wagoner, J and Arenas, EG and De Coninck, L and Abdelnabi, R and Hyde, JL and Schiffer, JT and White, JM and Matthijnssens, J and Neyts, J and Polyak, SJ and Delang, L},
title = {Combinations of approved oral nucleoside analogues confer potent suppression of alphaviruses in vitro and in vivo.},
journal = {Antiviral research},
volume = {239},
number = {},
pages = {106186},
doi = {10.1016/j.antiviral.2025.106186},
pmid = {40379030},
issn = {1872-9096},
abstract = {Alphaviruses, including chikungunya virus (CHIKV), pose a significant global health threat, yet specific antiviral therapies remain unavailable. We evaluated combinations of three oral directly acting antiviral drugs (sofosbuvir (SOF), molnupiravir (MPV), and favipiravir (FAV)), which are approved for other indications, against CHIKV, Semliki Forest virus (SFV), Sindbis virus (SINV), and Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis virus (VEEV) in vitro and in vivo. We assessed antiviral efficacy in human skin fibroblasts and liver cells, as well as in a mouse model of CHIKV-induced arthritis. In human skin fibroblasts, synergistic antiviral effects were observed for combinations of MPV + SOF and FAV + SOF against CHIKV, and for FAV + SOF against SFV. In human liver cells, FAV + MPV conferred additive to synergistic activity against VEEV and SINV, while SOF synergized with FAV against SINV. In mice, MPV improved CHIKV-induced foot swelling and reduced systemic infectious virus titres. Combination treatment with MPV and SOF significantly reduced swelling and infectious titres compared to monotherapies of each drug. Sequencing of CHIKV RNA from joint tissue revealed that MPV caused dose-dependent increases in mutations in the CHIKV genome. Upon combination therapy of MPV with SOF, the number of mutations was significantly lower compared to monotherapy with several higher doses of MPV. Combining these approved oral nucleoside analogues confers potent suppression of multiple alphaviruses in vitro and in vivo with enhanced control of viral genetic evolution in face of antiviral pressure. These drug combinations may ultimately lead to the development of potent combinations of pan-family alphavirus inhibitors.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-16
Systematic Review of Biomechanical Forces Associated with Carotid Plaque Disruption and Stroke.
Journal of vascular surgery pii:S0741-5214(25)01043-2 [Epub ahead of print].
OBJECTIVE: Carotid plaque disruption with release of atheroembolic debris and consequent brain infarction is the primary mechanism for brain injury in patients with carotid stenosis. Disease severity is traditionally quantified by the degree of stenosis, though it is not an accurate marker of stroke-risk. It has been proposed that biomechanical forces acting on a carotid plaque may render it vulnerable to rupture by causing adverse remodeling of its morphology, or by direct disruption. We conducted a systematic review to assess the forces acting on carotid plaques and their relationship to adverse plaque outcomes.
METHODS: A literature search for studies reporting measurements of flow-related biomechanical forces acting on carotid atherosclerotic plaques was conducted using PubMed, Embase and Web of Science. Studies were included if they reported on human carotid plaques, used patient-specific geometry, measured forces on or in the atherosclerotic lesions, and reported on carotid plaque-related adverse outcomes.
RESULTS: Of 5,635 manuscripts screened, 154 met eligibility criteria. Forces were computed using patient-specific arterial geometry derived from multiple imaging modalities, mainly magnetic resonance imaging (58.4%) and ultrasonography (25.3%). Methodologies used to quantify the forces included computational fluid dynamics (31.8%), finite element analysis (10.4%), fluid-structure interaction models (27.3%), in-vivo measurements (29.9%), or in-vitro assessments (0.6%). Wall shear stress (WSS) and plaque wall stress (PWS) were the most frequently measured forces, in 72.1% and 45.5% of studies respectively. Principal PWS (n=15 studies) and WSS (n=21 studies) were elevated in patients with adverse outcomes. PWS levels of >160 kPa had a sensitivity of >80% and specificity of >75% in identifying patients with adverse events. Increasing PWS was associated with subsequent ischemic cerebrovascular events (HR=12.98 per 1 kPa increase, p=0.02). WSS levels of >50 dyn/cm2 had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 67% in differentiating patients with adverse events (plaque rupture, cerebral infarction, stroke, or transient ischemic attack) compared to those without.
CONCLUSIONS: There is heterogeneity in sample size, study design, imaging protocols, image-processing methodology, forces assessed, and adverse carotid plaque-related outcomes measured in the literature. Despite these limitations, increasing PWS and WSS were consistently associated with adverse plaque outcomes, and predicted adverse outcomes with moderate to high degrees of sensitivity and specificity. Since the information available is heterogenous, these relationships need to be confirmed in larger prospective studies.
Additional Links: PMID-40378930
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40378930,
year = {2025},
author = {Jreij, G and Canton, G and Hippe, DS and Balu, N and Yuan, C and Cebral, J and Crone, C and Sikdar, S and Hatsukami, T and Gray, V and Desikan, S and Beach, K and Lal, BK},
title = {Systematic Review of Biomechanical Forces Associated with Carotid Plaque Disruption and Stroke.},
journal = {Journal of vascular surgery},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jvs.2025.05.014},
pmid = {40378930},
issn = {1097-6809},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Carotid plaque disruption with release of atheroembolic debris and consequent brain infarction is the primary mechanism for brain injury in patients with carotid stenosis. Disease severity is traditionally quantified by the degree of stenosis, though it is not an accurate marker of stroke-risk. It has been proposed that biomechanical forces acting on a carotid plaque may render it vulnerable to rupture by causing adverse remodeling of its morphology, or by direct disruption. We conducted a systematic review to assess the forces acting on carotid plaques and their relationship to adverse plaque outcomes.
METHODS: A literature search for studies reporting measurements of flow-related biomechanical forces acting on carotid atherosclerotic plaques was conducted using PubMed, Embase and Web of Science. Studies were included if they reported on human carotid plaques, used patient-specific geometry, measured forces on or in the atherosclerotic lesions, and reported on carotid plaque-related adverse outcomes.
RESULTS: Of 5,635 manuscripts screened, 154 met eligibility criteria. Forces were computed using patient-specific arterial geometry derived from multiple imaging modalities, mainly magnetic resonance imaging (58.4%) and ultrasonography (25.3%). Methodologies used to quantify the forces included computational fluid dynamics (31.8%), finite element analysis (10.4%), fluid-structure interaction models (27.3%), in-vivo measurements (29.9%), or in-vitro assessments (0.6%). Wall shear stress (WSS) and plaque wall stress (PWS) were the most frequently measured forces, in 72.1% and 45.5% of studies respectively. Principal PWS (n=15 studies) and WSS (n=21 studies) were elevated in patients with adverse outcomes. PWS levels of >160 kPa had a sensitivity of >80% and specificity of >75% in identifying patients with adverse events. Increasing PWS was associated with subsequent ischemic cerebrovascular events (HR=12.98 per 1 kPa increase, p=0.02). WSS levels of >50 dyn/cm2 had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 67% in differentiating patients with adverse events (plaque rupture, cerebral infarction, stroke, or transient ischemic attack) compared to those without.
CONCLUSIONS: There is heterogeneity in sample size, study design, imaging protocols, image-processing methodology, forces assessed, and adverse carotid plaque-related outcomes measured in the literature. Despite these limitations, increasing PWS and WSS were consistently associated with adverse plaque outcomes, and predicted adverse outcomes with moderate to high degrees of sensitivity and specificity. Since the information available is heterogenous, these relationships need to be confirmed in larger prospective studies.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-16
Profiling regulatory elements in vivo by genome-wide methods.
Current opinion in structural biology, 92:103064 pii:S0959-440X(25)00082-X [Epub ahead of print].
The biology of gene regulation in eukaryotic genomes is a mature field. The biochemical principles of factor binding to DNA are well-known from in vitro studies, as are the structural interactions in which specific domains of these proteins interface across a short stretch of DNA to confer sequence-specific recognition. Whereas the basic principles of binding and dissociation defined in vitro apply in vivo, the living nucleus is a dynamic compartment crowded with molecules, including motors that drive chromatin movements critical for the regulation of gene expression. Understanding these dynamics in vivo has spurred the development of cutting-edge technologies to observe factor-DNA interactions. The biological significance of chromatin dynamics is now revealed by a wide variety of high-resolution chromatin profiling methods.
Additional Links: PMID-40378608
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40378608,
year = {2025},
author = {Ahmad, K and Henikoff, S},
title = {Profiling regulatory elements in vivo by genome-wide methods.},
journal = {Current opinion in structural biology},
volume = {92},
number = {},
pages = {103064},
doi = {10.1016/j.sbi.2025.103064},
pmid = {40378608},
issn = {1879-033X},
abstract = {The biology of gene regulation in eukaryotic genomes is a mature field. The biochemical principles of factor binding to DNA are well-known from in vitro studies, as are the structural interactions in which specific domains of these proteins interface across a short stretch of DNA to confer sequence-specific recognition. Whereas the basic principles of binding and dissociation defined in vitro apply in vivo, the living nucleus is a dynamic compartment crowded with molecules, including motors that drive chromatin movements critical for the regulation of gene expression. Understanding these dynamics in vivo has spurred the development of cutting-edge technologies to observe factor-DNA interactions. The biological significance of chromatin dynamics is now revealed by a wide variety of high-resolution chromatin profiling methods.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-16
Response and Survival With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor in Patients With Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma and Histology Subtypes.
Clinical genitourinary cancer, 23(4):102356 pii:S1558-7673(25)00057-6 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) are used for advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC) in different settings. Most patients have pure UC (PUC) but about one-third have UC mixed with histology subtypes (HS). We examined outcomes in patients with HS aUC treated with ICI.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included patients from 26 centers with PUC and any HS treated with ICI as 1st line (1L) upfront, maintenance avelumab (mAV), and ≥2nd line [2+L] therapy. We calculated overall and progression-free survival (OS, PFS) and observed response rate (ORR) from ICI start.
RESULTS: We included 1511 patients; 752 1L, 609 2+L, 150 mAV. 1L: median OS was 15 (95% CI, 12-17) months for patients with PUC (n = 518), 15 (95% CI, 8-23) months for squamous UC (n = 85) (HR = 1.2, [95% CI, 0.8-1.6]), 11 (95% CI, 6-17) months for micropapillary UC (n = 46) (HR = 1.2, [95% 0.8-1.8]), and 21 (95% CI, 12-30) months in patients with UC mixed with ≥2 HS (n = 30), (HR = 0.9, [95% CI, 0.5-1.4]). 2+L: median OS was 9 (95% CI, 8-10) months for patients with PUC (n = 441), 9 (95% CI, 1-12) months for squamous UC (n = 60) (HR = 1.1, (95% CI, 0.8-1.6]), 6 (95% CI, 1-11) months for micropapillary UC (n = 37) (HR = 1.1, [95% 0.7-1.6]), and 7 (95% CI, 4-10) months in patients with UC mixed with ≥2 HS (n = 17), (HR = 1.6, [95% CI, 0.9-3.1]).
CONCLUSION: We found no significant OS difference between PUC and HS in patients with aUC treated with ICI monotherapy. Limitations include retrospective design, small sample size in several subsets, lack of randomization, no central imaging or pathology review, selection and confounding biases. Results are hypothesis-generating and need prospective validation.
Additional Links: PMID-40378559
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40378559,
year = {2025},
author = {Bakaloudi, DR and Talukder, R and Enright, T and Leary, JB and Makrakis, D and Diamantopoulos, LN and Hobeika, C and Thomas, VM and Swami, U and Zakopoulou, R and Bamias, A and Brown, JR and Pinato, DJ and Latchford, C and Jindal, T and Koshkin, VS and Murgić, J and Miletić, M and Frobe, A and Johnson, J and Zakharia, Y and Alva, A and Nguyen, CB and Hui, G and Drakaki, A and Rodriguez-Vida, A and Rey-Cárdenas, M and Castellano, D and Buznego, LA and Duran, I and Barrera, RM and Marmolejo, D and McKay, RR and Stewart, TF and Barata, P and Epstein, IB and Bellmunt, J and Yu, EY and Raychaudhuri, R and Nadal, R and Vakar-Lopez, F and Gupta, S and Wright, JL and Khaki, AR and Grivas, P},
title = {Response and Survival With Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor in Patients With Advanced Urothelial Carcinoma and Histology Subtypes.},
journal = {Clinical genitourinary cancer},
volume = {23},
number = {4},
pages = {102356},
doi = {10.1016/j.clgc.2025.102356},
pmid = {40378559},
issn = {1938-0682},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors (ICIs) are used for advanced urothelial carcinoma (aUC) in different settings. Most patients have pure UC (PUC) but about one-third have UC mixed with histology subtypes (HS). We examined outcomes in patients with HS aUC treated with ICI.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included patients from 26 centers with PUC and any HS treated with ICI as 1st line (1L) upfront, maintenance avelumab (mAV), and ≥2nd line [2+L] therapy. We calculated overall and progression-free survival (OS, PFS) and observed response rate (ORR) from ICI start.
RESULTS: We included 1511 patients; 752 1L, 609 2+L, 150 mAV. 1L: median OS was 15 (95% CI, 12-17) months for patients with PUC (n = 518), 15 (95% CI, 8-23) months for squamous UC (n = 85) (HR = 1.2, [95% CI, 0.8-1.6]), 11 (95% CI, 6-17) months for micropapillary UC (n = 46) (HR = 1.2, [95% 0.8-1.8]), and 21 (95% CI, 12-30) months in patients with UC mixed with ≥2 HS (n = 30), (HR = 0.9, [95% CI, 0.5-1.4]). 2+L: median OS was 9 (95% CI, 8-10) months for patients with PUC (n = 441), 9 (95% CI, 1-12) months for squamous UC (n = 60) (HR = 1.1, (95% CI, 0.8-1.6]), 6 (95% CI, 1-11) months for micropapillary UC (n = 37) (HR = 1.1, [95% 0.7-1.6]), and 7 (95% CI, 4-10) months in patients with UC mixed with ≥2 HS (n = 17), (HR = 1.6, [95% CI, 0.9-3.1]).
CONCLUSION: We found no significant OS difference between PUC and HS in patients with aUC treated with ICI monotherapy. Limitations include retrospective design, small sample size in several subsets, lack of randomization, no central imaging or pathology review, selection and confounding biases. Results are hypothesis-generating and need prospective validation.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-16
Clinical Factors Associated With Catheter-Related VTE in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Multi-Center Study.
Additional Links: PMID-40377378
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40377378,
year = {2025},
author = {Subramanian, NG and Guffey, D and Avery, J and Garcia, D and Basom, R and Lee, SJ and Klein, K and Kebriaei, P and Rondon, G and Shpall, E and Jin, S and Young, E and Rojas Hernandez, CM and Li, A},
title = {Clinical Factors Associated With Catheter-Related VTE in Patients Undergoing Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Multi-Center Study.},
journal = {American journal of hematology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ajh.27720},
pmid = {40377378},
issn = {1096-8652},
support = {K23 HL159271/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS/United States ; //Conquer Cancer Foundation/ ; 3OT2OD032581-01S1//Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Consortium to Advance Health Equity and Researcher Diversity/ ; RR190104//Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas/ ; //American Society of Hematology/ ; },
}
RevDate: 2025-05-16
Survival Correlates With Adjuvant Choice in Sentinel Node Positive Head and Neck Cutaneous Melanoma.
The Laryngoscope [Epub ahead of print].
OBJECTIVE(S): The objective of this study is to evaluate the utilization and outcomes of completion lymph node dissection (CLND) and immunotherapy for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) positive head and neck cutaneous melanoma (HNCM).
METHODS: Patients with primary HNCM and positive SLNB in the 2020 National Cancer Database (NCDB) Melanoma file were reviewed. The frequency of CLND and immunotherapy was tracked from 2012 to 2019. Clinicodemographic features of patients were evaluated with respect to their post-SLNB treatment choice. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the time of diagnosis, and the association of therapy choice with survival was determined using a multivariate Cox regression analysis.
RESULTS: The rates of CLND declined from 66% to 18% while adjuvant immunotherapy increased to a peak of approximately 40%, with an inflection point occurring in 2016. Multivariate survival analysis indicated that immunotherapy use alone, though not CLND, was associated with improved prognosis (hazard ratio 0.65, 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.93). Patient characteristics associated with immunotherapy administration included age (p < 0.01), insurance type (p = 0.002), income (p < 0.001), and healthcare facility type (p = 0.005).
CONCLUSION: In this retrospective NCDB-based study, we find that the modern management of SLNB-positive patients has shifted towards greater use of adjuvant immunotherapy and a decline in CLND; the use of immunotherapy is associated with improved OS. Patients treated with immunotherapy were more likely to be younger, of higher income, and with private health insurance.
Additional Links: PMID-40377211
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40377211,
year = {2025},
author = {Dadafarin, S and Alvi, MA and Massa, ST and Veatch, J and Rizvi, ZH},
title = {Survival Correlates With Adjuvant Choice in Sentinel Node Positive Head and Neck Cutaneous Melanoma.},
journal = {The Laryngoscope},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/lary.32269},
pmid = {40377211},
issn = {1531-4995},
support = {1R25DC021791-01/DC/NIDCD NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {OBJECTIVE(S): The objective of this study is to evaluate the utilization and outcomes of completion lymph node dissection (CLND) and immunotherapy for sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) positive head and neck cutaneous melanoma (HNCM).
METHODS: Patients with primary HNCM and positive SLNB in the 2020 National Cancer Database (NCDB) Melanoma file were reviewed. The frequency of CLND and immunotherapy was tracked from 2012 to 2019. Clinicodemographic features of patients were evaluated with respect to their post-SLNB treatment choice. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the time of diagnosis, and the association of therapy choice with survival was determined using a multivariate Cox regression analysis.
RESULTS: The rates of CLND declined from 66% to 18% while adjuvant immunotherapy increased to a peak of approximately 40%, with an inflection point occurring in 2016. Multivariate survival analysis indicated that immunotherapy use alone, though not CLND, was associated with improved prognosis (hazard ratio 0.65, 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.93). Patient characteristics associated with immunotherapy administration included age (p < 0.01), insurance type (p = 0.002), income (p < 0.001), and healthcare facility type (p = 0.005).
CONCLUSION: In this retrospective NCDB-based study, we find that the modern management of SLNB-positive patients has shifted towards greater use of adjuvant immunotherapy and a decline in CLND; the use of immunotherapy is associated with improved OS. Patients treated with immunotherapy were more likely to be younger, of higher income, and with private health insurance.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-17
Impact of Implementation Interruptions of 1,7-Malaria Reactive Community-Based Testing and Response Approach on Malaria Control Efforts - Southern Tanzania.
China CDC weekly, 7(18):628-634.
INTRODUCTION: Surveys from the China-Tanzania Malaria Control Project demonstrated that the 1,7-malaria Reactive Community-Based Testing and Response (1,7-mRCTR) approach significantly reduced malaria incidence rates. However, implementation was disrupted by security concerns, infectious disease outbreaks, and supply shortages. This study evaluates how these interruptions affected intervention effectiveness to inform future malaria control strategies.
METHODS: The study employed a two-phased design: Phase I (2016-2018) and Phase II (2019-2021). Weekly malaria incidence rates per 100 people were calculated from cases reported by local health facilities in the intervention areas during both phases. Seasonal and trend decomposition using loess (STL) and interrupted time series modeling with piecewise linear regression were used to evaluate the impact of disruptions on 1,7-mRCTR implementation effectiveness.
RESULTS: In Tanzania's 1,7-mRCTR areas, malaria incidence peaked during November-December and June-July. Phase I's 8-month interruption reversed the weekly trend from a 0.17% decline to a 0.58% increase (P=0.001). After resumption, incidence dropped 8.96% (P=0.039) and maintained a 0.39% long-term decline (P=0.003). Even with seasonal adjustment, the interruption slowed the weekly decline from 0.08% to 0.07% (P=0.003). Phase II showed a similar pattern: a one-week interruption caused a 0.70% drop (P=0.007) but shifted the trend from a 0.02% decline to a 0.08% increase (P=0.001). After resumption, interventions stabilized the decline at 0.11% weekly (P=0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: This research demonstrates that Tanzania's malaria incidence is closely linked to seasonal patterns and consistent intervention efforts. Phase I's 8-month security-related interruption reduced 1,7-mRCTR effectiveness by 12.5%, while Phase II's 3-month pandemic-induced interruption caused only short-term fluctuations with minimal long-term impact. Rapid resumption of interventions after disruptions allowed for prompt recovery, highlighting the importance of adaptive strategies to maintain progress toward malaria control goals.
Additional Links: PMID-40376505
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40376505,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, Y and Zheng, J and Mlacha, YP and Lu, S and Abdulla, S and Li, Q and Yan, G and Zhou, X and Xiao, N and Githu, V and Gavana, T and Chaki, P and Bi, P and Sui, Y and Wang, Y and Wang, D},
title = {Impact of Implementation Interruptions of 1,7-Malaria Reactive Community-Based Testing and Response Approach on Malaria Control Efforts - Southern Tanzania.},
journal = {China CDC weekly},
volume = {7},
number = {18},
pages = {628-634},
pmid = {40376505},
issn = {2096-7071},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Surveys from the China-Tanzania Malaria Control Project demonstrated that the 1,7-malaria Reactive Community-Based Testing and Response (1,7-mRCTR) approach significantly reduced malaria incidence rates. However, implementation was disrupted by security concerns, infectious disease outbreaks, and supply shortages. This study evaluates how these interruptions affected intervention effectiveness to inform future malaria control strategies.
METHODS: The study employed a two-phased design: Phase I (2016-2018) and Phase II (2019-2021). Weekly malaria incidence rates per 100 people were calculated from cases reported by local health facilities in the intervention areas during both phases. Seasonal and trend decomposition using loess (STL) and interrupted time series modeling with piecewise linear regression were used to evaluate the impact of disruptions on 1,7-mRCTR implementation effectiveness.
RESULTS: In Tanzania's 1,7-mRCTR areas, malaria incidence peaked during November-December and June-July. Phase I's 8-month interruption reversed the weekly trend from a 0.17% decline to a 0.58% increase (P=0.001). After resumption, incidence dropped 8.96% (P=0.039) and maintained a 0.39% long-term decline (P=0.003). Even with seasonal adjustment, the interruption slowed the weekly decline from 0.08% to 0.07% (P=0.003). Phase II showed a similar pattern: a one-week interruption caused a 0.70% drop (P=0.007) but shifted the trend from a 0.02% decline to a 0.08% increase (P=0.001). After resumption, interventions stabilized the decline at 0.11% weekly (P=0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: This research demonstrates that Tanzania's malaria incidence is closely linked to seasonal patterns and consistent intervention efforts. Phase I's 8-month security-related interruption reduced 1,7-mRCTR effectiveness by 12.5%, while Phase II's 3-month pandemic-induced interruption caused only short-term fluctuations with minimal long-term impact. Rapid resumption of interventions after disruptions allowed for prompt recovery, highlighting the importance of adaptive strategies to maintain progress toward malaria control goals.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-17
China's Malaria R&D Innovations: A Scoping Review from 2013-2023.
China CDC weekly, 7(18):635-643.
Malaria remains a major global health challenge. Understanding the research progress of the potential innovative tools is important for malaria elimination. This scoping review aims to explore China's research and development (R&D) advances from 2013-2023 in addressing the current challenges and contributing to global malaria elimination. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), this review searched the English and Simplified Chinese data sources from five databases. A total of 11,112 English articles and 2,944 Chinese articles were retrieved. After screening, 44 English and 13 Chinese articles were included. Key advancements were identified in three domains: vector control, pathogen screening and diagnosis, and prevention and treatment. Innovations in vector control include studies such as the use of Serratia strains and symbiont-mediated RNAi approaches to block malaria transmission. Advances in pathogen screening and diagnosis feature biosensor development, AI monitoring technologies, and novel amplification gene and nucleic acid detection technologies. In prevention and treatment, artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) remain a cornerstone, with additional progress in industrial pharmaceuticals and technologies already in field and semi-field-testing stages. This review underscores the importance of leveraging China's R&D capacity to meet global challenges. To maximize impact, we call for global attention to strengthening international collaboration with China in malaria R&D to accelerate the commercialization, regulatory approval, and large-scale deployment of innovations.
Additional Links: PMID-40376501
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40376501,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, S and Ding, W and Lu, S and Li, L and Qian, F and Chen, C and Liu, L and Cai, Y and Liu, X and Perez, S and Frutos, R and Yao, H and Zhou, Y and Ye, C and Wu, D and Li, S and Kwete, XJ and Sui, Y and Wang, D},
title = {China's Malaria R&D Innovations: A Scoping Review from 2013-2023.},
journal = {China CDC weekly},
volume = {7},
number = {18},
pages = {635-643},
pmid = {40376501},
issn = {2096-7071},
abstract = {Malaria remains a major global health challenge. Understanding the research progress of the potential innovative tools is important for malaria elimination. This scoping review aims to explore China's research and development (R&D) advances from 2013-2023 in addressing the current challenges and contributing to global malaria elimination. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR), this review searched the English and Simplified Chinese data sources from five databases. A total of 11,112 English articles and 2,944 Chinese articles were retrieved. After screening, 44 English and 13 Chinese articles were included. Key advancements were identified in three domains: vector control, pathogen screening and diagnosis, and prevention and treatment. Innovations in vector control include studies such as the use of Serratia strains and symbiont-mediated RNAi approaches to block malaria transmission. Advances in pathogen screening and diagnosis feature biosensor development, AI monitoring technologies, and novel amplification gene and nucleic acid detection technologies. In prevention and treatment, artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) remain a cornerstone, with additional progress in industrial pharmaceuticals and technologies already in field and semi-field-testing stages. This review underscores the importance of leveraging China's R&D capacity to meet global challenges. To maximize impact, we call for global attention to strengthening international collaboration with China in malaria R&D to accelerate the commercialization, regulatory approval, and large-scale deployment of innovations.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-15
Targeting neutrophils for cancer therapy.
Nature reviews. Drug discovery [Epub ahead of print].
Neutrophils are among the most abundant immune cell types in the tumour microenvironment and have been associated with poor outcomes across multiple cancer types. Yet despite mounting evidence of their role in tumour progression, therapeutic strategies targeting neutrophils have only recently gained attention and remain limited in scope. This is probably due to the increasing number of distinct neutrophil subtypes identified in cancer and the limited understanding of the mechanisms by which these subsets influence tumour progression and immune evasion. In this Review, we discuss the spectrum of neutrophil subtypes - including those with antitumour activity - and their potential to polarize towards tumour-suppressive phenotypes. We explore the molecular pathways and effector functions by which neutrophils modulate cancer progression, with an emphasis on identifying tractable therapeutic targets. Finally, we examine emerging clinical trials aimed at modulating neutrophil lineages and consider their implications for patient outcomes.
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40374764,
year = {2025},
author = {Kwak, JW and Houghton, AM},
title = {Targeting neutrophils for cancer therapy.},
journal = {Nature reviews. Drug discovery},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40374764},
issn = {1474-1784},
abstract = {Neutrophils are among the most abundant immune cell types in the tumour microenvironment and have been associated with poor outcomes across multiple cancer types. Yet despite mounting evidence of their role in tumour progression, therapeutic strategies targeting neutrophils have only recently gained attention and remain limited in scope. This is probably due to the increasing number of distinct neutrophil subtypes identified in cancer and the limited understanding of the mechanisms by which these subsets influence tumour progression and immune evasion. In this Review, we discuss the spectrum of neutrophil subtypes - including those with antitumour activity - and their potential to polarize towards tumour-suppressive phenotypes. We explore the molecular pathways and effector functions by which neutrophils modulate cancer progression, with an emphasis on identifying tractable therapeutic targets. Finally, we examine emerging clinical trials aimed at modulating neutrophil lineages and consider their implications for patient outcomes.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-15
A comprehensive engineering strategy improves potency and manufacturability of a near pan-neutralizing antibody against HIV.
Structure (London, England : 1993) pii:S0969-2126(25)00150-9 [Epub ahead of print].
Anti-HIV envelope broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) are alternatives to conventional antiretrovirals with the potential to prevent and treat infection, reduce latent reservoirs, and/or mediate a functional cure. Clinical trials with "first-generation" bnAbs used alone or in combination show promising antiviral effects but also highlight that additional engineering of "enhanced" antibodies will be required for optimal clinical utility, while preserving or enhancing Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) manufacturing capability. Here, we report the engineering of an anti-CD4-binding site (CD4bs) bnAb, N49P9.3. Through a series of rational modifications, we produced a variant, N49P9.6-FR-LS, that demonstrates enhanced potency, superior antiviral activity in combination with other bnAbs, low polyreactivity, and longer circulating half-life. Additional engineering for manufacturing produced a final variant, eN49P9, with properties conducive to cGMP production. Overall, these efforts demonstrate the feasibility of developing enhanced anti-CD4bs bnAbs with greatly improved antiviral properties as well as potential translational value.
Additional Links: PMID-40373766
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40373766,
year = {2025},
author = {Sajadi, MM and Abbasi, A and Tehrani, ZR and Siska, C and Clark, R and Chi, W and Seaman, MS and Mielke, D and Wagh, K and Liu, Q and Jumpa, T and Ketchem, RR and Nguyen, DN and Tolbert, WD and Pierce, BG and Atkinson, B and Deming, D and Sprague, M and Asakawa, A and Ferrer, D and Dunn, Y and Calvillo, S and Yin, R and Guest, JD and Korber, B and Mayer, BT and Sato, AH and Ouyang, X and Foulke, S and Habibzadeh, P and Karimi, M and Aslanabadi, A and Hojabri, M and Saadat, S and Zareidoodeji, R and Kędzior, M and Pozharski, E and Heredia, A and Chen, H and Montefiori, D and Ferrari, G and Pazgier, M and Lewis, GK and Jardine, JG and Lusso, P and DeVico, A},
title = {A comprehensive engineering strategy improves potency and manufacturability of a near pan-neutralizing antibody against HIV.},
journal = {Structure (London, England : 1993)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.str.2025.04.016},
pmid = {40373766},
issn = {1878-4186},
abstract = {Anti-HIV envelope broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) are alternatives to conventional antiretrovirals with the potential to prevent and treat infection, reduce latent reservoirs, and/or mediate a functional cure. Clinical trials with "first-generation" bnAbs used alone or in combination show promising antiviral effects but also highlight that additional engineering of "enhanced" antibodies will be required for optimal clinical utility, while preserving or enhancing Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) manufacturing capability. Here, we report the engineering of an anti-CD4-binding site (CD4bs) bnAb, N49P9.3. Through a series of rational modifications, we produced a variant, N49P9.6-FR-LS, that demonstrates enhanced potency, superior antiviral activity in combination with other bnAbs, low polyreactivity, and longer circulating half-life. Additional engineering for manufacturing produced a final variant, eN49P9, with properties conducive to cGMP production. Overall, these efforts demonstrate the feasibility of developing enhanced anti-CD4bs bnAbs with greatly improved antiviral properties as well as potential translational value.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-15
CmpDate: 2025-05-16
Antibiotics fire up inflammation to cool vaccine responsiveness.
Cell host & microbe, 33(5):618-620.
In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Feng et al. find that broad-spectrum antibiotics perturbed the ecology of the gut microbiome in individuals receiving a rabies vaccine, resulting in systemic inflammatory responses. Such inflammation is hypothesized to alter immune homeostasis with consequences for immunological responsiveness to vaccination.
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@article {pmid40373748,
year = {2025},
author = {Kublin, JG},
title = {Antibiotics fire up inflammation to cool vaccine responsiveness.},
journal = {Cell host & microbe},
volume = {33},
number = {5},
pages = {618-620},
doi = {10.1016/j.chom.2025.04.015},
pmid = {40373748},
issn = {1934-6069},
mesh = {Humans ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects ; *Inflammation/chemically induced/immunology ; *Rabies Vaccines/immunology/administration & dosage ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects/immunology ; Vaccination ; Animals ; },
abstract = {In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Feng et al. find that broad-spectrum antibiotics perturbed the ecology of the gut microbiome in individuals receiving a rabies vaccine, resulting in systemic inflammatory responses. Such inflammation is hypothesized to alter immune homeostasis with consequences for immunological responsiveness to vaccination.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Humans
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects
*Inflammation/chemically induced/immunology
*Rabies Vaccines/immunology/administration & dosage
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects/immunology
Vaccination
Animals
RevDate: 2025-05-15
You've Got a Friend in Me: Curbside Questions Infectious Diseases Clinicians Ask Infectious Diseases Pharmacists.
Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America pii:8133181 [Epub ahead of print].
This multicenter study highlights the critical role of ID pharmacists in supporting ID consult services, with 89% of 1,518 curbside inquiries from ID clinicians resulting in clinical management changes as recommended by the pharmacist. These findings emphasize the necessity of ID pharmacists in optimizing multidisciplinary patient care.
Additional Links: PMID-40373198
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40373198,
year = {2025},
author = {Davis, MR and Kufel, JE and Kufel, WD and McCreary, EK and Oleksiuk, LM and Ours, R and Pham, CU and Ross, JK and Smith, EA and Trisler, MJ and Tverdek, F},
title = {You've Got a Friend in Me: Curbside Questions Infectious Diseases Clinicians Ask Infectious Diseases Pharmacists.},
journal = {Clinical infectious diseases : an official publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/cid/ciaf250},
pmid = {40373198},
issn = {1537-6591},
abstract = {This multicenter study highlights the critical role of ID pharmacists in supporting ID consult services, with 89% of 1,518 curbside inquiries from ID clinicians resulting in clinical management changes as recommended by the pharmacist. These findings emphasize the necessity of ID pharmacists in optimizing multidisciplinary patient care.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-15
Precise targeting of HIV broadly neutralizing antibody precursors in humans.
Science (New York, N.Y.) [Epub ahead of print].
A protective HIV vaccine will need to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) in humans, but priming rare bnAb precursor B cells has been challenging. In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 1 human clinical trial, the recombinant, germline-targeting envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer BG505 SOSIP.v4.1-GT1.1, adjuvanted with AS01B, induced bnAb precursors of the VRC01-class at a high frequency in the majority of vaccine recipients. These bnAb precursors, that target the CD4 receptor binding site, had undergone somatic hypermutation characteristic of the VRC01-class. A subset of isolated VRC01-class monoclonal antibodies neutralized wild-type pseudoviruses and was structurally extremely similar to bnAb VRC01. These results further support germline-targeting approaches for human HIV vaccine design and demonstrate atomic-level manipulation of B cell responses with rational vaccine design.
Additional Links: PMID-40373114
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40373114,
year = {2025},
author = {Caniels, TG and Prabhakaran, M and Ozorowski, G and MacPhee, KJ and Wu, W and van der Straten, K and Agrawal, S and Derking, R and Reiss, EIMM and Millard, K and Turroja, M and Desrosiers, A and Bethony, J and Malkin, E and Liesdek, MH and van der Veen, A and Klouwens, M and Snitselaar, JL and Bouhuijs, JH and Bronson, R and Jean-Baptiste, J and Gajjala, S and Rikhtegaran Tehrani, Z and Benner, A and Ramaswami, M and Duff, MO and Liu, YW and Sato, AH and Kim, JY and Baken, IJL and Mendes Silva, C and Bijl, TPL and van Rijswijk, J and Burger, JA and Cupo, A and Yasmeen, A and Phulera, S and Lee, WH and Randall, KN and Zhang, S and Corcoran, MM and Regadas, I and Sullivan, AC and Brown, DM and Bohl, JA and Greene, KM and Gao, H and Yates, NL and Sawant, S and Prins, JM and Kootstra, NA and Kaminsky, SM and Barin, B and Rahaman, F and Meller, M and Philiponis, V and Laufer, DS and Lombardo, A and Mwoga, L and Shotorbani, S and Holman, D and Koup, RA and Klasse, PJ and Karlsson Hedestam, GB and Tomaras, GD and van Gils, MJ and Montefiori, DC and McDermott, AB and Hyrien, O and Moore, JP and Wilson, IA and Ward, AB and Diemert, DJ and de Bree, GJ and Andrews, SF and Caskey, M and Sanders, RW},
title = {Precise targeting of HIV broadly neutralizing antibody precursors in humans.},
journal = {Science (New York, N.Y.)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {eadv5572},
doi = {10.1126/science.adv5572},
pmid = {40373114},
issn = {1095-9203},
abstract = {A protective HIV vaccine will need to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) in humans, but priming rare bnAb precursor B cells has been challenging. In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase 1 human clinical trial, the recombinant, germline-targeting envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimer BG505 SOSIP.v4.1-GT1.1, adjuvanted with AS01B, induced bnAb precursors of the VRC01-class at a high frequency in the majority of vaccine recipients. These bnAb precursors, that target the CD4 receptor binding site, had undergone somatic hypermutation characteristic of the VRC01-class. A subset of isolated VRC01-class monoclonal antibodies neutralized wild-type pseudoviruses and was structurally extremely similar to bnAb VRC01. These results further support germline-targeting approaches for human HIV vaccine design and demonstrate atomic-level manipulation of B cell responses with rational vaccine design.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-15
Vaccination with mRNA-encoded nanoparticles drives early maturation of HIV bnAb precursors in humans.
Science (New York, N.Y.) [Epub ahead of print].
A leading HIV vaccine strategy requires a priming immunogen to induce broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) precursors, followed by a series of heterologous boosters to elicit somatic hypermutation (SHM) and produce bnAbs. In two randomized, open-label phase 1 human clinical trials, IAVI-G002 in the United States and IAVI-G003 in Rwanda and South Africa, we evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of mRNA-encoded nanoparticles as priming immunogens (both trials) and first-boosting immunogens (IAVI-G002). The vaccines were generally safe and well tolerated, except 18% of IAVI-G002 participants experienced skin reactions. Priming induced bnAb precursors with substantial frequencies and SHM, and heterologous boosting elicited increased SHM, affinity, and neutralization activity toward bnAb development. The results establish clinical proof of concept that heterologous boosting can advance bnAb-precursor maturation and demonstrate bnAb priming in Africa where the HIV burden is highest.
Additional Links: PMID-40373112
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40373112,
year = {2025},
author = {Willis, JR and Prabhakaran, M and Muthui, M and Naidoo, A and Sincomb, T and Wu, W and Cottrell, CA and Landais, E and deCamp, AC and Keshavarzi, NR and Kalyuzhniy, O and Lee, JH and Murungi, LM and Ogonda, WA and Yates, NL and Corcoran, MM and Phulera, S and Musando, J and Tsai, A and Lemire, G and Sein, Y and Muteti, M and Alamuri, P and Bohl, JA and Holman, D and Himansu, S and Leav, B and Reuter, C and Lin, LA and Ding, B and He, C and Straus, WL and MacPhee, KJ and Regadas, I and Nyabundi, DV and Chirchir, R and Anzala, A and Kimotho, JN and Kibet, C and Greene, K and Gao, H and Beatman, E and Benson, K and Laddy, D and Brown, DM and Bronson, R and Baptiste, J and Gajjala, S and Rikhtegaran-Tehrani, Z and Benner, A and Ramaswami, M and Lu, D and Alavi, N and Amirzehni, S and Kubitz, M and Tingle, R and Georgeson, E and Phelps, N and Adachi, Y and Liguori, A and Flynn, C and McKenney, K and Zhou, X and Owuor, DC and Owuor, S and Kim, SY and Duff, M and Kim, JY and Gibson, G and Baboo, S and Diedrich, J and Schiffner, T and Shields, M and Matsoso, M and Santos, J and Syvertsen, K and Kennedy, A and Schroeter, M and Vekemans, J and Yates, J and Paulson, JC and Hyrien, O and McDermott, AB and Maenetje, P and Nyombayire, J and Karita, E and Ingabire, R and Edward, V and Muturi-Kioi, V and Maenza, J and Shapiro, AE and McElrath, MJ and Edupuganti, S and Taylor, BS and Diemert, D and Ozorowski, G and Koup, RA and Montefiori, D and Ward, AB and Hedestam, GK and Tomaras, G and Hunt, DJ and Muema, D and Sok, D and Laufer, DS and Andrews, SF and Nduati, EW and Schief, WR},
title = {Vaccination with mRNA-encoded nanoparticles drives early maturation of HIV bnAb precursors in humans.},
journal = {Science (New York, N.Y.)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {eadr8382},
doi = {10.1126/science.adr8382},
pmid = {40373112},
issn = {1095-9203},
abstract = {A leading HIV vaccine strategy requires a priming immunogen to induce broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) precursors, followed by a series of heterologous boosters to elicit somatic hypermutation (SHM) and produce bnAbs. In two randomized, open-label phase 1 human clinical trials, IAVI-G002 in the United States and IAVI-G003 in Rwanda and South Africa, we evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of mRNA-encoded nanoparticles as priming immunogens (both trials) and first-boosting immunogens (IAVI-G002). The vaccines were generally safe and well tolerated, except 18% of IAVI-G002 participants experienced skin reactions. Priming induced bnAb precursors with substantial frequencies and SHM, and heterologous boosting elicited increased SHM, affinity, and neutralization activity toward bnAb development. The results establish clinical proof of concept that heterologous boosting can advance bnAb-precursor maturation and demonstrate bnAb priming in Africa where the HIV burden is highest.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-15
Adipocyte metabolic state regulates glial phagocytic function.
Cell reports, 44(5):115704 pii:S2211-1247(25)00475-9 [Epub ahead of print].
Excess dietary sugar profoundly impacts organismal metabolism and health, yet it remains unclear how metabolic adaptations in adipose tissue influence other organs, including the brain. Here, we show that a high-sugar diet (HSD) in Drosophila reduces adipocyte glycolysis and mitochondrial pyruvate uptake, shifting metabolism toward fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis. These metabolic changes trigger mitochondrial oxidation and elevate antioxidant responses. Adipocyte-specific manipulations of glycolysis, lipid metabolism, or mitochondrial dynamics non-autonomously modulate Draper expression in brain ensheathing glia, key cells responsible for neuronal debris clearance. Adipocyte-derived ApoB-containing lipoproteins maintain basal Draper levels in glia via LpR1, critical for effective glial phagocytic activity. Accordingly, reducing ApoB or LpR1 impairs glial clearance of degenerating neuronal debris after injury. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that dietary sugar-induced shifts in adipocyte metabolism substantially influence brain health by modulating glial phagocytosis, identifying adipocyte-derived ApoB lipoproteins as essential systemic mediators linking metabolic state with neuroprotective functions.
Additional Links: PMID-40372917
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@article {pmid40372917,
year = {2025},
author = {Alassaf, M and Madan, A and Ranganathan, S and Marschall, S and Wong, JJ and Goldberg, ZH and Brent, AE and Rajan, A},
title = {Adipocyte metabolic state regulates glial phagocytic function.},
journal = {Cell reports},
volume = {44},
number = {5},
pages = {115704},
doi = {10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115704},
pmid = {40372917},
issn = {2211-1247},
abstract = {Excess dietary sugar profoundly impacts organismal metabolism and health, yet it remains unclear how metabolic adaptations in adipose tissue influence other organs, including the brain. Here, we show that a high-sugar diet (HSD) in Drosophila reduces adipocyte glycolysis and mitochondrial pyruvate uptake, shifting metabolism toward fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis. These metabolic changes trigger mitochondrial oxidation and elevate antioxidant responses. Adipocyte-specific manipulations of glycolysis, lipid metabolism, or mitochondrial dynamics non-autonomously modulate Draper expression in brain ensheathing glia, key cells responsible for neuronal debris clearance. Adipocyte-derived ApoB-containing lipoproteins maintain basal Draper levels in glia via LpR1, critical for effective glial phagocytic activity. Accordingly, reducing ApoB or LpR1 impairs glial clearance of degenerating neuronal debris after injury. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that dietary sugar-induced shifts in adipocyte metabolism substantially influence brain health by modulating glial phagocytosis, identifying adipocyte-derived ApoB lipoproteins as essential systemic mediators linking metabolic state with neuroprotective functions.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-15
Targeting the Dependence on PIK3C3-mTORC1 Signaling in Dormancy-Prone Breast Cancer Cells Blunts Metastasis Initiation.
Cancer research pii:762430 [Epub ahead of print].
Halting breast cancer metastatic relapse following primary tumor removal remains challenging due to a lack of specific vulnerabilities to target during the clinical dormancy phase. To identify such vulnerabilities, we conducted genome-wide CRISPR screens on two breast cancer cell lines with distinct dormancy properties: 4T1 (short-term dormancy) and 4T07 (prolonged dormancy). The dormancy-prone 4T07 cells displayed a unique dependency on class III PI3K (PIK3C3). Unexpectedly, 4T07 cells exhibited higher mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity than 4T1 cells due to lysosome-dependent signaling occurring at the cell periphery. Pharmacologic inhibition of PIK3C3 suppressed this phenotype in the 4T1-4T07 models as well as in human breast cancer cell lines and a breast cancer patient-derived xenograft. Furthermore, inhibiting PIK3C3 selectively reduced metastasis burden in the 4T07 model and eliminated dormant cells in a HER2-dependent murine breast cancer dormancy model. These findings suggest that PIK3C3-peripheral lysosomal signaling to mTORC1 may represent a targetable axis for preventing dormant cancer cell-initiated metastasis in patients with breast cancer. Significance: Dormancy-prone breast cancer cells depend on the class III PI3K to mediate peripheral lysosomal positioning and mTORC1 hyperactivity, which can be targeted to blunt breast cancer metastasis.
Additional Links: PMID-40372253
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@article {pmid40372253,
year = {2025},
author = {Elkholi, IE and Robert, A and Malouf, C and Wu, JL and Kuasne, H and Drapela, S and Macleod, G and Hébert, S and Pacis, A and Calderon, V and Kleinman, CL and Gomes, AP and Alvarez, JV and Aguirre-Ghiso, JA and Park, M and Angers, S and Côté, JF},
title = {Targeting the Dependence on PIK3C3-mTORC1 Signaling in Dormancy-Prone Breast Cancer Cells Blunts Metastasis Initiation.},
journal = {Cancer research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {OF1-OF20},
doi = {10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-23-2654},
pmid = {40372253},
issn = {1538-7445},
support = {25244//Cancer Research Society (CRS)/ ; FDN-143281//Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)/ ; PJT-156086//Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)/ ; //Canadian Cancer Society (CCS)/ ; R01CA292658//National Cancer Institute (NCI)/ ; CA109182//National Cancer Institute (NCI)/ ; CA253977//National Cancer Institute (NCI)/ ; CA284085//National Cancer Institute (NCI)/ ; P30CA013330//National Cancer Institute (NCI)/ ; RSG-22-164-01-MM//American Cancer Society (ACS)/ ; //Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS)/ ; //Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation/ ; //Compute Canada (Calcul Canada)/ ; //Calcul Quebec/ ; //Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS)/ ; //Institut de Recherche Clinique De Montréal Foundation/ ; //Peter Quinlan Postdoctoral research Fellowship in Oncology/ ; //Miles for Moffit/ ; //The Mark Foundation Aspire Program/ ; //The Gurwin Foundation/ ; //U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)/ ; //Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA)/ ; //Rose C. Falkenstein Chair in Cancer Research/ ; //Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF)/ ; //Diane and Sal Guerrera Chair in Cancer Genetics/ ; //Canada Research Chairs (Chaires de recherche du Canada)/ ; },
abstract = {Halting breast cancer metastatic relapse following primary tumor removal remains challenging due to a lack of specific vulnerabilities to target during the clinical dormancy phase. To identify such vulnerabilities, we conducted genome-wide CRISPR screens on two breast cancer cell lines with distinct dormancy properties: 4T1 (short-term dormancy) and 4T07 (prolonged dormancy). The dormancy-prone 4T07 cells displayed a unique dependency on class III PI3K (PIK3C3). Unexpectedly, 4T07 cells exhibited higher mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) activity than 4T1 cells due to lysosome-dependent signaling occurring at the cell periphery. Pharmacologic inhibition of PIK3C3 suppressed this phenotype in the 4T1-4T07 models as well as in human breast cancer cell lines and a breast cancer patient-derived xenograft. Furthermore, inhibiting PIK3C3 selectively reduced metastasis burden in the 4T07 model and eliminated dormant cells in a HER2-dependent murine breast cancer dormancy model. These findings suggest that PIK3C3-peripheral lysosomal signaling to mTORC1 may represent a targetable axis for preventing dormant cancer cell-initiated metastasis in patients with breast cancer. Significance: Dormancy-prone breast cancer cells depend on the class III PI3K to mediate peripheral lysosomal positioning and mTORC1 hyperactivity, which can be targeted to blunt breast cancer metastasis.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-15
Highly sensitive DNA testing of Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) in colorectal tumors.
Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology pii:762441 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) has been associated with risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), poorer CRC survival, and tumor attributes. Accurate and sensitive detection of Fn in tumor tissue is critical to evaluating their role in CRC.
METHODS: We developed a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay for detecting Fn, using the transcription termination/anti-termination gene (nusG) normalized for host tissue (solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 2A1, SLCO2A1). We assayed Fn(nusG), in matched tumor and normal tissue, for 613 participants in the Seattle site of the Colon Cancer Family Registry (SCCFR). We used logistic regression to determine the odds of Fn enrichment in tumor tissue according to tumor site and stage, adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index.
RESULTS: The limit of quantitation for Fn(nusG) was 4.1 copies/10 ng host tissue. Detection of Fn was quenched and more poorly detected at low levels in FFPE tissues using qPCR. There was low agreement between qPCR and ddPCR (Cohen's kappa = 0.46). Fn(nusG) was detected in tumor (21%) and normal (10%) tissue and enriched in 19% of tumors. Individuals with tumors enriched in Fn were more likely to be female (59% vs. 48%, respectively, p=0.04) with proximal colon tumors (57% vs 43%, p=0.026). In multivariable-adjusted analyses, proximal colon tumors were significantly associated with Fn enrichment (odds ratio vs. rectal tumors: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.11 to 3.24).
CONCLUSIONS: We established a sensitive and specific method to detect Fn enrichment in human tissues.
IMPACT: ddPCR enhanced detection of Fn(nusG) for studies targeting tumor-associated bacteria.
Additional Links: PMID-40372237
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@article {pmid40372237,
year = {2025},
author = {Hullar, MA and Kahsai, OJ and Hill, C and Levy, L and Malen, RC and Curtis, KR and Ammar, H and Sillah, A and Reedy, AM and Lampe, JW and Ogino, S and Potter, JD and Newcomb, PA and Phipps, AI},
title = {Highly sensitive DNA testing of Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) in colorectal tumors.},
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-24-1020},
pmid = {40372237},
issn = {1538-7755},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) has been associated with risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), poorer CRC survival, and tumor attributes. Accurate and sensitive detection of Fn in tumor tissue is critical to evaluating their role in CRC.
METHODS: We developed a droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay for detecting Fn, using the transcription termination/anti-termination gene (nusG) normalized for host tissue (solute carrier organic anion transporter family member 2A1, SLCO2A1). We assayed Fn(nusG), in matched tumor and normal tissue, for 613 participants in the Seattle site of the Colon Cancer Family Registry (SCCFR). We used logistic regression to determine the odds of Fn enrichment in tumor tissue according to tumor site and stage, adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index.
RESULTS: The limit of quantitation for Fn(nusG) was 4.1 copies/10 ng host tissue. Detection of Fn was quenched and more poorly detected at low levels in FFPE tissues using qPCR. There was low agreement between qPCR and ddPCR (Cohen's kappa = 0.46). Fn(nusG) was detected in tumor (21%) and normal (10%) tissue and enriched in 19% of tumors. Individuals with tumors enriched in Fn were more likely to be female (59% vs. 48%, respectively, p=0.04) with proximal colon tumors (57% vs 43%, p=0.026). In multivariable-adjusted analyses, proximal colon tumors were significantly associated with Fn enrichment (odds ratio vs. rectal tumors: 1.86; 95% CI: 1.11 to 3.24).
CONCLUSIONS: We established a sensitive and specific method to detect Fn enrichment in human tissues.
IMPACT: ddPCR enhanced detection of Fn(nusG) for studies targeting tumor-associated bacteria.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-15
Associations between calcium intake and T cell infiltration in colorectal tumours.
Cancer prevention research (Philadelphia, Pa.) pii:762438 [Epub ahead of print].
Higher T cell infiltration in colorectal tumours has been associated with better prognosis. Evidence indicates that calcium signalling is essential for T cells functioning. However, as it is unknown whether calcium intake influences T cell infiltration, we investigated the association of calcium intake with T cell subsets in the tumour microenvironment of colorectal cancer. In total, 943 participants from three cohort studies, for which data on tumour infiltrating T cells and calcium intake was available, were included for these analyses. Immune cell infiltration was quantified by digital image analyses with machine learning algorithms using a customized 9-plex multispectral immunofluorescence assay (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45RA, CD45RO, FOXP3, KRT, MKI67, DAPI). Associations between pre-diagnostic calcium intake and densities of non-overlapping subsets of epithelial and stromal tissue area T cells were assessed using multivariable binary or ordinal logistic regression analyses. A higher dietary calcium intake was positively associated with CD3+CD4-CD8- double negative T cells density in the epithelial (OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.13-2.24) and stromal (OR 1.24; 95%CI 1.06-1.45) tumour tissue area. No other statistically significant associations were observed after correcting for multiple testing. In conclusion, dietary calcium intake was associated with a higher density of CD4-CD8- double negative T cells in the epithelial and stromal tumour tissue area, but not with infiltration of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. More research is needed to further unravel the role of calcium in tumour immune profiles and associations with clinical outcomes. Our findings offer a promising basis for further research.
Additional Links: PMID-40371912
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid40371912,
year = {2025},
author = {Wesselink, E and Thomas, CE and Takashima, Y and Mizuno, H and Buchanan, DD and Qu, C and Hsu, L and Dias Costa, A and Ugai, S and Zhong, Y and Huyghe, JR and Thomas, S and Gallinger, S and Grant, RC and Le Marchand, L and Masugi, Y and van Duijnhoven, FJ and Ugai, T and Ogino, S and Nowak, JA and Peters, U and Phipps, AI},
title = {Associations between calcium intake and T cell infiltration in colorectal tumours.},
journal = {Cancer prevention research (Philadelphia, Pa.)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-25-0023},
pmid = {40371912},
issn = {1940-6215},
abstract = {Higher T cell infiltration in colorectal tumours has been associated with better prognosis. Evidence indicates that calcium signalling is essential for T cells functioning. However, as it is unknown whether calcium intake influences T cell infiltration, we investigated the association of calcium intake with T cell subsets in the tumour microenvironment of colorectal cancer. In total, 943 participants from three cohort studies, for which data on tumour infiltrating T cells and calcium intake was available, were included for these analyses. Immune cell infiltration was quantified by digital image analyses with machine learning algorithms using a customized 9-plex multispectral immunofluorescence assay (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD45RA, CD45RO, FOXP3, KRT, MKI67, DAPI). Associations between pre-diagnostic calcium intake and densities of non-overlapping subsets of epithelial and stromal tissue area T cells were assessed using multivariable binary or ordinal logistic regression analyses. A higher dietary calcium intake was positively associated with CD3+CD4-CD8- double negative T cells density in the epithelial (OR 1.57; 95% CI 1.13-2.24) and stromal (OR 1.24; 95%CI 1.06-1.45) tumour tissue area. No other statistically significant associations were observed after correcting for multiple testing. In conclusion, dietary calcium intake was associated with a higher density of CD4-CD8- double negative T cells in the epithelial and stromal tumour tissue area, but not with infiltration of CD4+ or CD8+ T cells. More research is needed to further unravel the role of calcium in tumour immune profiles and associations with clinical outcomes. Our findings offer a promising basis for further research.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-14
[18 F]-Fluoroestradiol PET (FES-PET) and [18 F] Flurodeoxyglucose PET (FDG-PET) Imaging May Aid in Managing Therapy in Patients with Metastatic Lobular Breast Cancer.
Molecular imaging and biology [Epub ahead of print].
AIM: This study examines the combination of FES-PET and FDG-PET as complementary imaging for detection of metastatic ILC.
METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated FES and FDG uptake in patients with metastatic ILC from an estrogen receptor (ER) positive primary tumor. We classified lesions into three categories (FES high/FDG low, FES high/FDG high, FES low/FDG low) using SUVmax cut-off values of 1.5 for FES and 5.0 for FDG. Qualitative evaluation included examination of the difference in the extent of disease between FES and FDG.
RESULTS: Of the 38 patients, 82% had FES uptake in all tumor sites identified by FDG, with 18% lacking FES uptake in at least one lesion. Mean (range) SUVmax for FES and FDG was 4.0 (0.67-10.6) and 4.6 (1.3-12.5), respectively. The majority of ILC patients (25/38), had lesions with FES high/FDG low uptake, consistent with the strongly ER + indolent nature of ILC. Patients with disease classified as FES high/FDG low had longer median overall survival (OS) (3.2 years) and progression-free survival (PFS) (1.5 years) than FES high/FDG high (OS = 2.1 years and PFS = 0.46 years). The median overall OS for all patients was 3.0 years (95% CI 2.5, 4.8) and PFS of 1.3 years (95% CI 0.6, 2.5). 8 patients (21%) had qualitatively more extensive disease by FES-PET.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that both FES-PET and FDG-PET can identify metastatic ILC and be useful in detecting the pattern and extent of disease. The imaging combination provides additional information for prognosis and clinical decision making, balancing suitability for endocrine therapy and aggressiveness/indolence of disease.
Additional Links: PMID-40369385
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@article {pmid40369385,
year = {2025},
author = {Manohar, PM and Peterson, LM and Jenkins, IC and Wu, QV and Kurland, BF and Novakova-Jiresova, A and Muzi, M and Chen, DL and Specht, JM and Dintzis, S and Kinahan, PE and Mankoff, DA and Linden, HM},
title = {[18 F]-Fluoroestradiol PET (FES-PET) and [18 F] Flurodeoxyglucose PET (FDG-PET) Imaging May Aid in Managing Therapy in Patients with Metastatic Lobular Breast Cancer.},
journal = {Molecular imaging and biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40369385},
issn = {1860-2002},
abstract = {AIM: This study examines the combination of FES-PET and FDG-PET as complementary imaging for detection of metastatic ILC.
METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated FES and FDG uptake in patients with metastatic ILC from an estrogen receptor (ER) positive primary tumor. We classified lesions into three categories (FES high/FDG low, FES high/FDG high, FES low/FDG low) using SUVmax cut-off values of 1.5 for FES and 5.0 for FDG. Qualitative evaluation included examination of the difference in the extent of disease between FES and FDG.
RESULTS: Of the 38 patients, 82% had FES uptake in all tumor sites identified by FDG, with 18% lacking FES uptake in at least one lesion. Mean (range) SUVmax for FES and FDG was 4.0 (0.67-10.6) and 4.6 (1.3-12.5), respectively. The majority of ILC patients (25/38), had lesions with FES high/FDG low uptake, consistent with the strongly ER + indolent nature of ILC. Patients with disease classified as FES high/FDG low had longer median overall survival (OS) (3.2 years) and progression-free survival (PFS) (1.5 years) than FES high/FDG high (OS = 2.1 years and PFS = 0.46 years). The median overall OS for all patients was 3.0 years (95% CI 2.5, 4.8) and PFS of 1.3 years (95% CI 0.6, 2.5). 8 patients (21%) had qualitatively more extensive disease by FES-PET.
CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that both FES-PET and FDG-PET can identify metastatic ILC and be useful in detecting the pattern and extent of disease. The imaging combination provides additional information for prognosis and clinical decision making, balancing suitability for endocrine therapy and aggressiveness/indolence of disease.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-14
Genetic study of von Willebrand factor antigen levels ≤ 50 IU/dL identifies variants associated with increased risk of VWD and bleeding.
Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH pii:S1538-7836(25)00311-3 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a common inherited bleeding disorder caused by low levels or activity of circulating von Willebrand factor (VWF). Genetic susceptibility to VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) below normal (≤50 IU/dL) in the general population is underexplored.
METHODS: To identify genetic variants influencing VWF:Ag levels ≤50 IU/dL, we performed a genome-wide association study in 926 cases with VWF:Ag levels ≤50 IU/dL and 12,846 controls from 7 studies from the TOPMed program. We then examined whether genome-wide significant findings were also associated with clinical diagnosis of VWD in 5 biobanks with 708 VWD cases and 1,286,069 controls, and with 6 bleeding and thrombotic disorders in FinnGen.
RESULTS: Variants at two loci were associated (P<5×10[-9]) with VWF:Ag levels ≤50 IU/dL: ABO and VWF. The VWF index variant, p.Tyr1584Cys, is a rare (0.22%) missense variant with odds ratio (OR) of 78.58, while the ABO index variant is a common intronic variant with a smaller effect (OR=2.52). Notably, both VWF (OR=7.16) and ABO (OR=1.57) variants were also associated (P<0.025) with diagnosed VWD. Among p.Tyr1584Cys heterozygotes, the penetrance of VWF:Ag levels ≤50 IU/dL was 24.2% and the penetrance of diagnosed VWD was 0.3%. p.Tyr1584Cys was associated (P<0.0042) with increased odds of heavy menstrual bleeding (OR=1.27), iron deficiency anemia (OR=1.55), and intrapartum hemorrhage (OR=2.20), but decreased odds of deep vein thrombosis (OR=0.54).
CONCLUSIONS: While p.Tyr1584Cys currently has conflicting interpretations of pathogenicity, our results suggest that it is a low penetrance pathogenic variant that contributes to VWF:Ag levels ≤50 IU/dL, bleeding, and VWD.
Additional Links: PMID-40368142
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@article {pmid40368142,
year = {2025},
author = {Friedman, RK and Heath, AS and Huffman, JE and Baker, JT and Hasbani, NR and Gagliano Taliun, SA and Chen, MH and Howard, TE and Lewis, JP and Pankratz, N and Patil, S and Reiner, AP and Thibord, F and Yanek, LR and Yao, J and Chen, HH and Curran, JE and Faraday, N and Guo, X and Wheeler, MM and Ryan, KA and Zhou, X and Cho, K and Almasy, L and Auer, PL and Becker, LC and Wilson, PWF and Boerwinkle, E and O'Connell, JR and Rich, SS and Samuels, DC and , and , and , and Blangero, J and Fornage, M and Kooperberg, C and Mathias, RA and Mitchell, BD and Rotter, JI and Johnson, AD and Smith, NL and Coban-Akdemir, ZH and Below, JE and Morrison, AC and Johnsen, JM and de Vries, PS},
title = {Genetic study of von Willebrand factor antigen levels ≤ 50 IU/dL identifies variants associated with increased risk of VWD and bleeding.},
journal = {Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jtha.2025.04.029},
pmid = {40368142},
issn = {1538-7836},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a common inherited bleeding disorder caused by low levels or activity of circulating von Willebrand factor (VWF). Genetic susceptibility to VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) below normal (≤50 IU/dL) in the general population is underexplored.
METHODS: To identify genetic variants influencing VWF:Ag levels ≤50 IU/dL, we performed a genome-wide association study in 926 cases with VWF:Ag levels ≤50 IU/dL and 12,846 controls from 7 studies from the TOPMed program. We then examined whether genome-wide significant findings were also associated with clinical diagnosis of VWD in 5 biobanks with 708 VWD cases and 1,286,069 controls, and with 6 bleeding and thrombotic disorders in FinnGen.
RESULTS: Variants at two loci were associated (P<5×10[-9]) with VWF:Ag levels ≤50 IU/dL: ABO and VWF. The VWF index variant, p.Tyr1584Cys, is a rare (0.22%) missense variant with odds ratio (OR) of 78.58, while the ABO index variant is a common intronic variant with a smaller effect (OR=2.52). Notably, both VWF (OR=7.16) and ABO (OR=1.57) variants were also associated (P<0.025) with diagnosed VWD. Among p.Tyr1584Cys heterozygotes, the penetrance of VWF:Ag levels ≤50 IU/dL was 24.2% and the penetrance of diagnosed VWD was 0.3%. p.Tyr1584Cys was associated (P<0.0042) with increased odds of heavy menstrual bleeding (OR=1.27), iron deficiency anemia (OR=1.55), and intrapartum hemorrhage (OR=2.20), but decreased odds of deep vein thrombosis (OR=0.54).
CONCLUSIONS: While p.Tyr1584Cys currently has conflicting interpretations of pathogenicity, our results suggest that it is a low penetrance pathogenic variant that contributes to VWF:Ag levels ≤50 IU/dL, bleeding, and VWD.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-14
Assessing the effect of virtual navigation interventions to improve health insurance literacy and decrease financial burden in cancer survivors: The HINT II study protocol.
Contemporary clinical trials pii:S1551-7144(25)00146-6 [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Childhood cancer survivors often face high healthcare costs to monitor and manage new or lasting effects of their treatment. Enhancing survivors' health insurance literacy (HIL) - the knowledge, ability, and confidence in enrolling in and navigating health plans - is vital for minimizing financial burden. Few studies have assessed the effect of a health insurance navigation program on improving HIL among survivors. We present the protocol for an ongoing randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing the effectiveness of two health insurance navigation programs (HINT-S and HINT-A) on improving HIL, financial burden, out-of-pocket costs, and healthcare utilization for adult survivors of childhood cancer.
METHODS: This three-arm RCT assesses the effectiveness of two digitally delivered health insurance navigation interventions and enhanced usual care (EUC) on improving HIL at six and 12 months in a national cohort of childhood cancer survivors. While HINT-S is composed of five synchronous, navigator-led sessions, HINT-A is an asynchronous, prerecorded set of five videos. EUC participants receive only a health insurance informational booklet. Financial burden, medical out-of-pocket costs, and healthcare utilization (receipt of preventive care, recommended screenings/vaccinations, and acute care) are assessed at 12 months. Moderators to the interventions' effectiveness will be investigated, as well as implementation outcomes (feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, fidelity, and cost-effectiveness).
CONCLUSIONS: There is a strong need for interventions to improve cancer survivors' HIL, helping them navigate the complexity of the U.S. healthcare system. This trial will elucidate the potential effectiveness and implementation of health insurance navigation programs that may benefit many cancer survivors.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05527392.
Additional Links: PMID-40368025
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40368025,
year = {2025},
author = {Park, ER and Kirchhoff, AC and Mitchell, CO and Durieux, N and Foor, A and Kuhlthau, K and Perez, GK and Ards, L and Alston, S and Armstrong, GT and Vaca Lopez, PL and McDonald, A and Nolan, VG and Levy, DE and Leisenring, WM and Galbraith, AA and Nathan, PC and Vukadinovich, C and Cooper, CL and Donelan, K},
title = {Assessing the effect of virtual navigation interventions to improve health insurance literacy and decrease financial burden in cancer survivors: The HINT II study protocol.},
journal = {Contemporary clinical trials},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {107952},
doi = {10.1016/j.cct.2025.107952},
pmid = {40368025},
issn = {1559-2030},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Childhood cancer survivors often face high healthcare costs to monitor and manage new or lasting effects of their treatment. Enhancing survivors' health insurance literacy (HIL) - the knowledge, ability, and confidence in enrolling in and navigating health plans - is vital for minimizing financial burden. Few studies have assessed the effect of a health insurance navigation program on improving HIL among survivors. We present the protocol for an ongoing randomized controlled trial (RCT) assessing the effectiveness of two health insurance navigation programs (HINT-S and HINT-A) on improving HIL, financial burden, out-of-pocket costs, and healthcare utilization for adult survivors of childhood cancer.
METHODS: This three-arm RCT assesses the effectiveness of two digitally delivered health insurance navigation interventions and enhanced usual care (EUC) on improving HIL at six and 12 months in a national cohort of childhood cancer survivors. While HINT-S is composed of five synchronous, navigator-led sessions, HINT-A is an asynchronous, prerecorded set of five videos. EUC participants receive only a health insurance informational booklet. Financial burden, medical out-of-pocket costs, and healthcare utilization (receipt of preventive care, recommended screenings/vaccinations, and acute care) are assessed at 12 months. Moderators to the interventions' effectiveness will be investigated, as well as implementation outcomes (feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, fidelity, and cost-effectiveness).
CONCLUSIONS: There is a strong need for interventions to improve cancer survivors' HIL, helping them navigate the complexity of the U.S. healthcare system. This trial will elucidate the potential effectiveness and implementation of health insurance navigation programs that may benefit many cancer survivors.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05527392.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-16
CmpDate: 2025-05-15
Low-cost robotic manipulation of live microtissues for cancer drug testing.
Science advances, 11(20):eads1631.
The scarcity of human biopsies available for drug testing is a paramount challenge for developing therapeutics, disease models, and personalized treatments. Microtechnologies that combine the microscale manipulation of tissues and fluids offer the exciting possibility of miniaturizing both disease models and drug testing workflows on scarce human biopsies. Unfortunately, these technologies presently require microfluidic devices or robotic dispensers that are not widely accessible. We have rapidly prototyped an inexpensive platform based on an off-the-shelf robot that can microfluidically manipulate live microtissues into/out of culture plates without using complicated accessories such as microscopes or pneumatic controllers. The robot integrates complex functions with a simple, cost-effective, and compact construction, allowing placement inside a tissue culture hood for sterile workflows. We demonstrated a proof-of-concept cancer drug evaluation workflow of potential clinical utility using patient tumor biopsies with multiple drugs on 384-well plates. Our user-friendly, low-cost platform promises to make drug testing of microtissues broadly accessible to pharmaceutical, clinical, and biological laboratories.
Additional Links: PMID-40367160
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40367160,
year = {2025},
author = {Stepanov, I and Gottshall, NR and Ahmadianyazdi, A and Sinha, D and Lockhart, EJ and Nguyen, TNH and Hassan, S and Horowitz, LF and Yeung, RS and Gujral, TS and Folch, A},
title = {Low-cost robotic manipulation of live microtissues for cancer drug testing.},
journal = {Science advances},
volume = {11},
number = {20},
pages = {eads1631},
pmid = {40367160},
issn = {2375-2548},
mesh = {Humans ; *Robotics/economics/instrumentation ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor/methods/economics/instrumentation ; *Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology ; *Neoplasms/drug therapy/pathology ; Lab-On-A-Chip Devices ; },
abstract = {The scarcity of human biopsies available for drug testing is a paramount challenge for developing therapeutics, disease models, and personalized treatments. Microtechnologies that combine the microscale manipulation of tissues and fluids offer the exciting possibility of miniaturizing both disease models and drug testing workflows on scarce human biopsies. Unfortunately, these technologies presently require microfluidic devices or robotic dispensers that are not widely accessible. We have rapidly prototyped an inexpensive platform based on an off-the-shelf robot that can microfluidically manipulate live microtissues into/out of culture plates without using complicated accessories such as microscopes or pneumatic controllers. The robot integrates complex functions with a simple, cost-effective, and compact construction, allowing placement inside a tissue culture hood for sterile workflows. We demonstrated a proof-of-concept cancer drug evaluation workflow of potential clinical utility using patient tumor biopsies with multiple drugs on 384-well plates. Our user-friendly, low-cost platform promises to make drug testing of microtissues broadly accessible to pharmaceutical, clinical, and biological laboratories.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Robotics/economics/instrumentation
Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor/methods/economics/instrumentation
*Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
*Neoplasms/drug therapy/pathology
Lab-On-A-Chip Devices
RevDate: 2025-05-14
Viral Entry.
Current topics in microbiology and immunology [Epub ahead of print].
Epstein-Barr virus chiefly infects B cells and epithelial cells but is capable of infecting other cell types in the human host. Host cell entry is a complex process mediated by several viral glycoproteins that define tropism and mediate membrane fusion. This chapter will review what is known about the function of viral glycoproteins in the entry process, explore the nature of interactions between viral glycoproteins and host cell receptors, and highlight gaps in knowledge about the entry process that remain to be filled.
Additional Links: PMID-40366394
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40366394,
year = {2025},
author = {Hardy, S and Chhan, CB and Davis, AR and McGuire, AT},
title = {Viral Entry.},
journal = {Current topics in microbiology and immunology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1007/82_2025_300},
pmid = {40366394},
issn = {0070-217X},
abstract = {Epstein-Barr virus chiefly infects B cells and epithelial cells but is capable of infecting other cell types in the human host. Host cell entry is a complex process mediated by several viral glycoproteins that define tropism and mediate membrane fusion. This chapter will review what is known about the function of viral glycoproteins in the entry process, explore the nature of interactions between viral glycoproteins and host cell receptors, and highlight gaps in knowledge about the entry process that remain to be filled.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-16
CmpDate: 2025-05-14
Subclinical Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Events Among Patients With Colorectal Cancer.
Cancer medicine, 14(10):e70938.
BACKGROUND: Prior studies have documented that patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
OBJECTIVES: To examine coronary artery calcium (CAC) as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and its association with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with CRC across the cancer treatment trajectory.
METHODS: Adults with newly diagnosed CRC were enrolled in the prospective ColoCare study from 2017 to 2024. CAC was measured from routine diagnostic computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography-CT scans at CRC diagnosis until 5 years post-diagnosis. Atherosclerosis was defined as the presence of CAC. We used multivariable-adjusted Fine and Gray models to assess the association between CAC and MACE risk, accounting for competing risks.
RESULTS: Among 300 CRC patients, the most common CVD risk factors at cancer diagnosis were hypertension (37%), hyperlipidemia (24%), and diabetes (14%). During follow-up (median = 5.3 years), 75 (25%) individuals experienced MACE: stroke (3%), new/worsening HF (9%), HF exacerbation requiring hospitalization (2%), coronary revascularization (3%), and death (19%). Among individuals with imaging at baseline (n = 101), 37 (36.6%) had CAC, and statins were not prescribed in 11 (55.0%) patients with moderate/high CAC. For those with serial imaging (n = 61), 31.1% showed worsening CAC and 3% developed new CAC. Baseline CAC conferred a higher risk of MACE (HR = 4.79; 95% CI: 1.05-21.75, p = 0.04) after accounting for cancer-related deaths as a competing risk.
CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical atherosclerosis and MACE are common among patients with CRC. Integrating CAC from routine cancer imaging can identify patients who may benefit from cardio-preventive treatment.
Additional Links: PMID-40365909
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40365909,
year = {2025},
author = {Levy, JA and Kazemian, E and Ramin, C and Loroña, NC and Nadri, M and Gasho, JO and Silos, KD and Nikolova, AP and Dey, D and Siegel, EM and Gigic, B and Hardikar, S and Byrd, DA and Toriola, AT and Ose, J and Li, CI and Shibata, D and Ulrich, CM and Tamarappoo, BK and Atkins, KM and Figueiredo, JC},
title = {Subclinical Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Events Among Patients With Colorectal Cancer.},
journal = {Cancer medicine},
volume = {14},
number = {10},
pages = {e70938},
pmid = {40365909},
issn = {2045-7634},
support = {P30CA042014//National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health/ ; R01CA160684//National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health/ ; R01CA189184//National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health/ ; R01CA207371//National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health/ ; R01CA215134//National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health/ ; R01CA254108//National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health/ ; R03CA270473//National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health/ ; U01CA206110//National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health/ ; U01CA246659//National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; Male ; Female ; *Colorectal Neoplasms/complications/epidemiology/therapy ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Prospective Studies ; *Atherosclerosis/epidemiology/etiology ; *Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology/etiology ; Risk Factors ; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography ; Coronary Vessels/diagnostic imaging ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Prior studies have documented that patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
OBJECTIVES: To examine coronary artery calcium (CAC) as a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis and its association with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with CRC across the cancer treatment trajectory.
METHODS: Adults with newly diagnosed CRC were enrolled in the prospective ColoCare study from 2017 to 2024. CAC was measured from routine diagnostic computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography-CT scans at CRC diagnosis until 5 years post-diagnosis. Atherosclerosis was defined as the presence of CAC. We used multivariable-adjusted Fine and Gray models to assess the association between CAC and MACE risk, accounting for competing risks.
RESULTS: Among 300 CRC patients, the most common CVD risk factors at cancer diagnosis were hypertension (37%), hyperlipidemia (24%), and diabetes (14%). During follow-up (median = 5.3 years), 75 (25%) individuals experienced MACE: stroke (3%), new/worsening HF (9%), HF exacerbation requiring hospitalization (2%), coronary revascularization (3%), and death (19%). Among individuals with imaging at baseline (n = 101), 37 (36.6%) had CAC, and statins were not prescribed in 11 (55.0%) patients with moderate/high CAC. For those with serial imaging (n = 61), 31.1% showed worsening CAC and 3% developed new CAC. Baseline CAC conferred a higher risk of MACE (HR = 4.79; 95% CI: 1.05-21.75, p = 0.04) after accounting for cancer-related deaths as a competing risk.
CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical atherosclerosis and MACE are common among patients with CRC. Integrating CAC from routine cancer imaging can identify patients who may benefit from cardio-preventive treatment.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
Male
Female
*Colorectal Neoplasms/complications/epidemiology/therapy
Middle Aged
Aged
Prospective Studies
*Atherosclerosis/epidemiology/etiology
*Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology/etiology
Risk Factors
Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
Coronary Vessels/diagnostic imaging
RevDate: 2025-05-15
Underinvested, Under-Referred, and Underserved: Applying a Gender Equity Continuum Framework in Cancer Control Continuum Programs and Policies to Expand to Transgender and Nonbinary Populations.
JCO oncology advances, 2(1):e2400023.
Gender-inclusive and gender-specific approaches are critically needed in cancer control continuum services to recognize and meet the needs of transgender and nonbinary (trans) populations. Current research, programs, and policies largely cater to cisgender populations and subscribe to a binary, gendered cisnormative ideology, both within health care systems and insurance policies, leaving trans people's cancer prevention and treatment needs neglected. Such disparities can be attributed to the significant gap in funding and research to address trans cancer prevention and treatment. We discuss the research, program, and policy implications of cisnormative practices and provide recommendations for promoting gender-inclusive and specific services across the cancer control continuum with the goal of eliminating cancer disparities and improving cancer outcomes for people of all gender groups, including trans populations.
Additional Links: PMID-40365115
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40365115,
year = {2025},
author = {Restar, AJ and Lucas, R and Nfn, S and Alpert, AB and Phipps, A and Wang, G and Operario, D and Radix, A and van der Merwe, LA and Lindström, S and Everhart, A and Gamarel, KE and Streed, CG},
title = {Underinvested, Under-Referred, and Underserved: Applying a Gender Equity Continuum Framework in Cancer Control Continuum Programs and Policies to Expand to Transgender and Nonbinary Populations.},
journal = {JCO oncology advances},
volume = {2},
number = {1},
pages = {e2400023},
pmid = {40365115},
issn = {2994-9750},
abstract = {Gender-inclusive and gender-specific approaches are critically needed in cancer control continuum services to recognize and meet the needs of transgender and nonbinary (trans) populations. Current research, programs, and policies largely cater to cisgender populations and subscribe to a binary, gendered cisnormative ideology, both within health care systems and insurance policies, leaving trans people's cancer prevention and treatment needs neglected. Such disparities can be attributed to the significant gap in funding and research to address trans cancer prevention and treatment. We discuss the research, program, and policy implications of cisnormative practices and provide recommendations for promoting gender-inclusive and specific services across the cancer control continuum with the goal of eliminating cancer disparities and improving cancer outcomes for people of all gender groups, including trans populations.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-15
ChIP-seq Data Processing and Relative and Quantitative Signal Normalization for Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Bio-protocol, 15(9):e5299.
Chromatin immunoprecipitation with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) is a widely used technique for genome-wide analyses of protein-DNA interactions. This protocol provides a guide to ChIP-seq data processing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with a focus on signal normalization to address data biases and enable meaningful comparisons within and between samples. Designed for researchers with minimal bioinformatics experience, it includes practical overviews and refers to scripting examples for key tasks, such as configuring computational environments, trimming and aligning reads, processing alignments, and visualizing signals. This protocol employs the sans-spike-in method for quantitative ChIP-seq (siQ-ChIP) and normalized coverage for absolute and relative comparisons of ChIP-seq data, respectively. While spike-in normalization, which is semiquantitative, is addressed for context, siQ-ChIP and normalized coverage are recommended as mathematically rigorous and reliable alternatives. Key features • ChIP-seq data processing workflow for Linux and macOS integrating data acquisition, trimming, alignment, processing, and multiple forms of signal computation, with a focus on reproducibility. • ChIP-seq signal generation using siQ-ChIP to quantify absolute IP efficiency-providing a rigorous alternative to spike-in normalization-and normalized coverage for relative comparisons. • Broad applicability demonstrated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (experimental) and Schizosaccharomyces pombe (spike-in) data but suitable for ChIP-seq in any species. • In-depth notes and troubleshooting guide users through setup challenges and key concepts in basic bioinformatics, data processing, and signal computation. Graphical overview Flowchart depicting ChIP-seq data processing steps covered in this protocol.
Additional Links: PMID-40364978
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40364978,
year = {2025},
author = {Alavattam, KG and Dickson, BM and Hirano, R and Dell, R and Tsukiyama, T},
title = {ChIP-seq Data Processing and Relative and Quantitative Signal Normalization for Saccharomyces cerevisiae.},
journal = {Bio-protocol},
volume = {15},
number = {9},
pages = {e5299},
pmid = {40364978},
issn = {2331-8325},
abstract = {Chromatin immunoprecipitation with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) is a widely used technique for genome-wide analyses of protein-DNA interactions. This protocol provides a guide to ChIP-seq data processing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, with a focus on signal normalization to address data biases and enable meaningful comparisons within and between samples. Designed for researchers with minimal bioinformatics experience, it includes practical overviews and refers to scripting examples for key tasks, such as configuring computational environments, trimming and aligning reads, processing alignments, and visualizing signals. This protocol employs the sans-spike-in method for quantitative ChIP-seq (siQ-ChIP) and normalized coverage for absolute and relative comparisons of ChIP-seq data, respectively. While spike-in normalization, which is semiquantitative, is addressed for context, siQ-ChIP and normalized coverage are recommended as mathematically rigorous and reliable alternatives. Key features • ChIP-seq data processing workflow for Linux and macOS integrating data acquisition, trimming, alignment, processing, and multiple forms of signal computation, with a focus on reproducibility. • ChIP-seq signal generation using siQ-ChIP to quantify absolute IP efficiency-providing a rigorous alternative to spike-in normalization-and normalized coverage for relative comparisons. • Broad applicability demonstrated with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (experimental) and Schizosaccharomyces pombe (spike-in) data but suitable for ChIP-seq in any species. • In-depth notes and troubleshooting guide users through setup challenges and key concepts in basic bioinformatics, data processing, and signal computation. Graphical overview Flowchart depicting ChIP-seq data processing steps covered in this protocol.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-15
Summarizing clinical evidence utilizing large language models for cancer treatments: a blinded comparative analysis.
Frontiers in digital health, 7:1569554.
BACKGROUND: Concise synopses of clinical evidence support treatment decision-making but are time-consuming to curate. Large language models (LLMs) offer potential but they may provide inaccurate information. We objectively assessed the abilities of four commercially available LLMs to generate synopses for six treatment regimens in multiple myeloma and amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis.
METHODS: We compared the performance of four LLMs: Claude 3.5, ChatGPT 4.0; Gemini 1.0 and Llama-3.1. Each LLM was prompted to write synopses for six regimens. Two hematologists independently assessed accuracy, completeness, relevance, clarity, coherence, and hallucinations using Likert scales. Mean scores with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated across all domains and inter-rater reliability was evaluated using Cohen's quadratic weighted kappa.
RESULTS: Claude demonstrated the highest performance in all domains, outperforming the other LLMs in accuracy: mean Likert score 3.92 (95% CI 3.54-4.29); ChatGPT 3.25 (2.76-3.74); Gemini 3.17 (2.54-3.80); Llama 1.92 (1.41-2.43);completeness: mean Likert score 4.00 (3.66-4.34); GPT 2.58 (2.02-3.15); Gemini 2.58 (2.02-3.15); Llama 1.67 (1.39-1.95); and extentofhallucinations: mean Likert score 4.00 (4.00-4.00); ChatGPT 2.75 (2.06-3.44); Gemini 3.25 (2.65-3.85); Llama 1.92 (1.26-2.57). Llama performed considerably poorer across all the studied domains. ChatGPT and Gemini had intermediate performance. Notably, none of the LLMs registered perfect accuracy, completeness, or relevance.
CONCLUSION: Claude performed at a consistently higher level than other LLMs, all tested LLMs required careful editing from a domain expert to become usable. More time will be needed to determine the suitability of LLMsto independently generate clinical synopses.
Additional Links: PMID-40364850
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40364850,
year = {2025},
author = {Rubinstein, S and Mohsin, A and Banerjee, R and Ma, W and Mishra, S and Kwok, M and Yang, P and Warner, JL and Cowan, AJ},
title = {Summarizing clinical evidence utilizing large language models for cancer treatments: a blinded comparative analysis.},
journal = {Frontiers in digital health},
volume = {7},
number = {},
pages = {1569554},
pmid = {40364850},
issn = {2673-253X},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Concise synopses of clinical evidence support treatment decision-making but are time-consuming to curate. Large language models (LLMs) offer potential but they may provide inaccurate information. We objectively assessed the abilities of four commercially available LLMs to generate synopses for six treatment regimens in multiple myeloma and amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis.
METHODS: We compared the performance of four LLMs: Claude 3.5, ChatGPT 4.0; Gemini 1.0 and Llama-3.1. Each LLM was prompted to write synopses for six regimens. Two hematologists independently assessed accuracy, completeness, relevance, clarity, coherence, and hallucinations using Likert scales. Mean scores with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated across all domains and inter-rater reliability was evaluated using Cohen's quadratic weighted kappa.
RESULTS: Claude demonstrated the highest performance in all domains, outperforming the other LLMs in accuracy: mean Likert score 3.92 (95% CI 3.54-4.29); ChatGPT 3.25 (2.76-3.74); Gemini 3.17 (2.54-3.80); Llama 1.92 (1.41-2.43);completeness: mean Likert score 4.00 (3.66-4.34); GPT 2.58 (2.02-3.15); Gemini 2.58 (2.02-3.15); Llama 1.67 (1.39-1.95); and extentofhallucinations: mean Likert score 4.00 (4.00-4.00); ChatGPT 2.75 (2.06-3.44); Gemini 3.25 (2.65-3.85); Llama 1.92 (1.26-2.57). Llama performed considerably poorer across all the studied domains. ChatGPT and Gemini had intermediate performance. Notably, none of the LLMs registered perfect accuracy, completeness, or relevance.
CONCLUSION: Claude performed at a consistently higher level than other LLMs, all tested LLMs required careful editing from a domain expert to become usable. More time will be needed to determine the suitability of LLMsto independently generate clinical synopses.},
}
RevDate: 2025-05-15
CmpDate: 2025-05-14
A bivalent self-amplifying RNA vaccine against yellow fever and Zika viruses.
Frontiers in immunology, 16:1569454.
INTRODUCTION: Yellow fever (YFV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses cause significant morbidity and mortality, despite the existence of an approved YFV vaccine and the development of multiple ZIKV vaccine candidates to date. New technologies may improve access to vaccines against these pathogens. We previously described a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC)-delivered self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccine platform with excellent thermostability and immunogenicity, appropriate for prevention of tropical infectious diseases.
METHODS: YFV and ZIKV prM-E antigen-expressing saRNA constructs were created using a TC-83 strain Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus-based replicon and complexed with NLC by simple mixing. Monovalent and bivalent vaccine formulations were injected intramuscularly into C57BL/6 mice and Syrian golden hamsters, and the magnitude, durability, and protective efficacy of the resulting immune responses were then characterized.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Monovalent vaccines established durable neutralizing antibody responses to their respective flaviviral targets, with little evidence of cross-neutralization. Both vaccines additionally elicited robust antigen-reactive CD4[+] and CD8[+] T cell populations. Notably, humoral responses to YFV saRNA-NLC vaccination were comparable to those in YF-17D-vaccinated animals. Bivalent formulations established humoral and cellular responses against both viral targets, commensurate to those established by monovalent vaccines, without evidence of saRNA interference or immune competition. Finally, both monovalent and bivalent vaccines completely protected mice and hamsters against lethal ZIKV and YFV challenge. We present a bivalent saRNA-NLC vaccine against YFV and ZIKV capable of inducing robust and efficacious neutralizing antibody and cellular immune responses against both viruses. These data support the development of other multivalent saRNA-based vaccines against infectious diseases.
Additional Links: PMID-40364846
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid40364846,
year = {2025},
author = {Battisti, P and Ykema, MR and Kasal, DN and Jennewein, MF and Beaver, S and Weight, AE and Hanson, D and Singh, J and Bakken, J and Cross, N and Fusco, P and Archer, J and Reed, S and Gerhardt, A and Julander, JG and Casper, C and Voigt, EA},
title = {A bivalent self-amplifying RNA vaccine against yellow fever and Zika viruses.},
journal = {Frontiers in immunology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1569454},
pmid = {40364846},
issn = {1664-3224},
mesh = {Animals ; *Zika Virus/immunology ; *Zika Virus Infection/prevention & control/immunology ; Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology/blood ; Mice ; *Yellow fever virus/immunology ; Antibodies, Viral/immunology/blood ; *Yellow Fever/prevention & control/immunology ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cricetinae ; *Viral Vaccines/immunology ; Female ; Mesocricetus ; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology ; *Yellow Fever Vaccine/immunology ; Immunogenicity, Vaccine ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Yellow fever (YFV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses cause significant morbidity and mortality, despite the existence of an approved YFV vaccine and the development of multiple ZIKV vaccine candidates to date. New technologies may improve access to vaccines against these pathogens. We previously described a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC)-delivered self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccine platform with excellent thermostability and immunogenicity, appropriate for prevention of tropical infectious diseases.
METHODS: YFV and ZIKV prM-E antigen-expressing saRNA constructs were created using a TC-83 strain Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus-based replicon and complexed with NLC by simple mixing. Monovalent and bivalent vaccine formulations were injected intramuscularly into C57BL/6 mice and Syrian golden hamsters, and the magnitude, durability, and protective efficacy of the resulting immune responses were then characterized.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Monovalent vaccines established durable neutralizing antibody responses to their respective flaviviral targets, with little evidence of cross-neutralization. Both vaccines additionally elicited robust antigen-reactive CD4[+] and CD8[+] T cell populations. Notably, humoral responses to YFV saRNA-NLC vaccination were comparable to those in YF-17D-vaccinated animals. Bivalent formulations established humoral and cellular responses against both viral targets, commensurate to those established by monovalent vaccines, without evidence of saRNA interference or immune competition. Finally, both monovalent and bivalent vaccines completely protected mice and hamsters against lethal ZIKV and YFV challenge. We present a bivalent saRNA-NLC vaccine against YFV and ZIKV capable of inducing robust and efficacious neutralizing antibody and cellular immune responses against both viruses. These data support the development of other multivalent saRNA-based vaccines against infectious diseases.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Animals
*Zika Virus/immunology
*Zika Virus Infection/prevention & control/immunology
Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology/blood
Mice
*Yellow fever virus/immunology
Antibodies, Viral/immunology/blood
*Yellow Fever/prevention & control/immunology
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Cricetinae
*Viral Vaccines/immunology
Female
Mesocricetus
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
*Yellow Fever Vaccine/immunology
Immunogenicity, Vaccine
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Although the methods of molecular biology can seem almost magical to the uninitiated, the original techniques of classical genetics are readily appreciated by one and all: cross individuals that differ in some inherited trait, collect all of the progeny, score their attributes, and propose mechanisms to explain the patterns of inheritance observed.
ESP Goal
In reading the early works of classical genetics, one is drawn, almost inexorably, into ever more complex models, until molecular explanations begin to seem both necessary and natural. At that point, the tools for understanding genome research are at hand. Assisting readers reach this point was the original goal of The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project.
ESP Usage
Usage of the site grew rapidly and has remained high. Faculty began to use the site for their assigned readings. Other on-line publishers, ranging from The New York Times to Nature referenced ESP materials in their own publications. Nobel laureates (e.g., Joshua Lederberg) regularly used the site and even wrote to suggest changes and improvements.
ESP Content
When the site began, no journals were making their early content available in digital format. As a result, ESP was obliged to digitize classic literature before it could be made available. For many important papers — such as Mendel's original paper or the first genetic map — ESP had to produce entirely new typeset versions of the works, if they were to be available in a high-quality format.
ESP Help
Early support from the DOE component of the Human Genome Project was critically important for getting the ESP project on a firm foundation. Since that funding ended (nearly 20 years ago), the project has been operated as a purely volunteer effort. Anyone wishing to assist in these efforts should send an email to Robbins.
ESP Plans
With the development of methods for adding typeset side notes to PDF files, the ESP project now plans to add annotated versions of some classical papers to its holdings. We also plan to add new reference and pedagogical material. We have already started providing regularly updated, comprehensive bibliographies to the ESP.ORG site.
ESP Picks from Around the Web (updated 28 JUL 2024 )
Old Science
Weird Science
Treating Disease with Fecal Transplantation
Fossils of miniature humans (hobbits) discovered in Indonesia
Paleontology
Dinosaur tail, complete with feathers, found preserved in amber.
Astronomy
Mysterious fast radio burst (FRB) detected in the distant universe.
Big Data & Informatics
Big Data: Buzzword or Big Deal?
Hacking the genome: Identifying anonymized human subjects using publicly available data.