Jenkins, Gregory D.

Abstract Background Common genetic variation has been linked to an increased risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in case-control studies. However, the phenotypic profile and biological mechanisms by which genetic background may predispose individuals to DCM and outcomes in the general population remain unclear. Aim The primary objectives of this study were twofold: (1) to validate a DCM polygenic score (PRS-1) based on a prior meta-analysis of case–control genetic association studies [Tadros R et al. Nat Genet (2021)]; and (2) To apply this PRS, along with two recently developed PRSs for DCM [PRS-2 from Zheng SL et al. Nat Genet (2024) and PRS-3 from Jurgens SJ et al. Nat Genet (2024)] to a general population that underwent comprehensive longitudinal phenotypic assessments and had long-term outcomes available. Methods While the PRS-1 was derived from only 13 SNPs, PRS-2 and PRS-3 were generated from 709,534 and 1,072,247 SNPs, respectively with significant overlap between them. These DCM-PRSs were applied to an unselected community-based cohort (n=1897) aged >45 years, who underwent a physical examination, echocardiogram, and blood sample at baseline. Subsequent clinical outcomes were collected over a median 16 year follow-up (IQR: 15-17). Results No significant differences between the quartiles were present in terms of age, sex (48% male), and cardiovascular risk factors (CV-RF) (such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary artery disease). However, linear regression models demonstrated a significant correlation between all DCM-PRSs and left ventricular (LV) parameters, including LV ejection fraction, LV end-systolic diameter, and LV end-diastolic diameter (Table). Multivariable regression analysis confirmed that these correlations were independent of age, sex, CV-RF, and population stratification (adjusted for the first 10 principal components [PCs]). During follow-up, 47 individuals developed DCM. A logistic regression analysis, using a 3:1 matched cohort of non-DCM vs. DCM individuals based on age and sex and adjusted for the same 10 PCs, found a significant correlation between DCM development and both PRS-1 [OR=2.27 (1.06–4.85), p=0.03] and PRS-3 [OR=2.63 (1.20–5.75), p=0.02], while PRS-2 did not show a significant association [OR=1.85 (0.84–4.06), p=0.12]. No association was found between the DCM-PRSs and heart failure (HF) biomarkers (aldosterone, natriuretic peptides, ST2, Galectin-3) or HF outcomes (all-cause mortality/HF hospitalization). Conclusion PRS-1 for DCM despite being derived from only 13 risk alleles, performs at least as well as the newer and more extensive PRSs, in its correlation with LV function, dimensions, and DCM development (except for PRS-2) in a general population. The absence of correlation between these DCM-PRSs and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system or natriuretic peptides suggests that genetic background influences LV traits through mechanisms independent of these biological pathways.

This study uncovers a previously unrecognized role for NAV3 in TGF-β1-driven cardiac fibroblast activation. We show that NAV3 facilitates profibrotic remodeling through noncanonical signaling and cell cycle arrest, independently of SMAD2/3. These findings position NAV3 as a novel regulator of fibroblast phenotype and a potential modulator of cardiac fibrosis.

This economic evaluation estimates the implementation costs and cost per additional patient receiving the vaccine associated with each of the intervention strategies for increasing rates of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in primary care practices.

ABSTRACT Enzalutamide and abiraterone are hormonal treatments that improve survival in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer. Identifying genetic variants associated with the clearance of these drugs may aid in improved dosing and outcomes. We performed genetic association studies of enzalutamide and abiraterone oral clearance in the Alliance A031201 clinical trial. Genome‐wide genotyping was performed with the primary analysis limited to European‐descent participants. Pharmacogene metabolic phenotypes were estimated using PyPGx and Stargazer. Associations of metabolic activity groups for CYP3A4 , CYP3A5 , CYP2C19 and SLCO1B1 with enzalutamide clearance ( N = 706) and CYP3A4 , SLCO2B1 and UGT1A4 with abiraterone clearance ( N = 323) were tested by linear regression. Targeted SNP associations were assessed for abiraterone clearance at loci proximal to major metabolizing genes. Full genome‐wide association studies were performed for both sets of clearance values. No significant associations were identified between metabolic phenotypes and enzalutamide or abiraterone oral clearance SNPs in the SULT2A1 5′ flanking region were significantly associated with lower abiraterone clearance, (rs296373, minor allele frequency = 0.15, β = −0.457, p = 3.2E‐06). Liver protein and liver and adrenal gland gene expression QTL databases indicated significantly lower SULT2A1 expression patterns for individuals carrying associated alleles, likely explaining the lower abiraterone oral clearance. CYP2C8*3 was associated with higher enzalutamide clearance ( p = 0.012), but this was not significant after correction for multiple testing. This study is the first to identify the genetic association of SULT2A1, known to be involved in the metabolism of steroids in the liver and adrenal glands, with abiraterone clearance. Genetic variation in SULT2A1 may be useful to inform personalized dosing of abiraterone. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01949337

ImportanceUptake of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination varies by characteristics, exposing some children to higher HPV cancer risks than others.ObjectiveTo examine whether the effectiveness of a multilevel intervention on HPV vaccination differed by race and ethnicity, rurality, and Area Deprivation Index (ADI) in children ages 11 to 12 years.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsA stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial was conducted from April 2018 to August 2022 among children at 6 Mayo Clinic primary care practices in Minnesota to improve HPV vaccination. This secondary analysis was performed from March to June 2024.InterventionA multilevel intervention that included parent reminder/recall letters, which alerted parents of children due or past due for vaccination, and health care professional audit/feedback reports, which alerted health care professionals of their own vaccination rates.Main Outcome and MeasureVaccine initiation (first dose of the 2-dose HPV vaccine) and vaccine completion (second dose) were the primary study outcomes. In this secondary analysis, the effect of the intervention on HPV vaccine initiation and completion by race and ethnicity, rurality, and ADI quartiles (Qs) was assessed.ResultsA total of 6232 children aged 11 to 12 years (3285 [52.7%] male; 3481 [55.9%] aged 11 years and 2751 [44.1%] aged 12 years) were included in the analysis. Of the study participants, 304 (4.9%) were Asian, 561 (9.0%) Black, 146 (2.3%) Hispanic, 4501 (72.2%) White, and 720 (11.6%) other, including American Indian or Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Other Pacific Islander, Samoan, unable to provide, unknown, chose not to disclose, or other unspecified. A total of 5434 participants (87.2%) were urban residents, and 2794 (44.8%) resided in ADI Q2 areas. With usual care, HPV vaccine initiation and completion rates were significantly lower with each increasing ADI quartile (initiation: Cochran-Armitage test for trend [SE], −0.02 [0.01]; P < .001; completion: Cochran-Armitage test for trend [SE], −0.05 [0.01]; P < .001) but did not differ by children’s race and ethnicity or rurality. With the intervention, vaccine initiation increased significantly for most children (range of rates, 9.2% [95% CI, 5.2%-13.3%] to 24.0% [95% CI, 7.5%-40.6%]) except those with Black race, in rural settings, and in ADI Q4 (highest area deprivation); vaccine completion increased significantly for most children (range of rates, 19.4% [95% CI, 5.5%-33.3%] to 31.2% [95% CI, 12.1%-50.3%]) except for those in ADI Q4.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this secondary analysis of a cluster randomized trial, a multilevel intervention was associated with increased HPV vaccination for most children but had limited effect for those residing in areas of highest deprivation. Future research should explore other intervention strategies that would effectively promote HPV vaccination among families in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas to reduce HPV vaccination disparities.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03501992

ABSTRACT Aims Common genetic variants have been linked to an increased risk of non-ischaemic cardiomyopathy (NICM). The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the significance of these variants in a general population. Methods and results Thirteen NICM risk alleles, previously validated by meta-analyses of case-control genetic association studies, were used to determine genetic risk (GR) in a large, unselected cohort (n = 1897) of Olmsted County residents aged >45 years. Clinical and echocardiographic data, with biomarkers, were correlated with this NICM-GR over a median of 16 years of follow-up (interquartile range [IQR] 15–17). There were no significant differences between the study population quartiles, based on NICM-GR, in terms of age (median 61.6 [IQR 53.6–70.4]), sex (48% male), and cardiovascular risk factors. A significant correlation was detected by specific linear-regression models between NICM-GR and left ventricular (LV) ejection-fraction (beta [standard error]: −2.68 [0.68], p < 0.001), LV end-systolic-diameter (0.22 [0.06], p < 0.001), and LV end-diastolic-diameter (0.14 [0.06], p = 0.01). During follow-up, 46 subjects developed NICM. Using a 3:1 matched-cohort of non-NICM versus NICM patients, linear-regression analysis found a significant correlation between NICM-GR and NICM development (odds ratio 2.27, 95% confidence interval 1.06–4.85, p = 0.03). There was no significant association between these variants and heart failure biomarkers (aldosterone, natriuretic peptides, ST2, galectin-3). Conclusions The NICM-GR correlates with LV function and dimension, and subsequent development of NICM in the general population. The lack of correlation of these variants with cardiovascular risk factors and the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone axis or natriuretic peptides suggest different biological mechanisms involved. These findings support the need to explore newer pathophysiologic pathways in the development of NICM.

Abstract Background: Pharmacogenomic studies on antidepressant treatment outcomes could be conducted using previously collected data from electronic health record (EHR)-linked biobanks. However, absence of EHR based outcome measures is an unmet need in designing such studies We aimed to define EHR-derived antidepressant outcome measures and explore their utility in showing associations between treatment outcomes and Cytochrome P450 (CYP) metabolizer phenotypes in a proof-of-concept study. Methods: Using data from the EHR-linked cohort, Right Drug, Right Dose, Right Time: Using Genomic Data to Individualize Treatment (RIGHT 10K) Study, we collected prescription data and patient health questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) scores to compute 3 proxy measures for antidepressant response, efficacy, and acceptability: change in PHQ-9 scores, longest treatment interval with a single antidepressant, and antidepressant non-refill. Subsequently, we tested the association of both prescription-based outcomes with DNA-predicted CYP metabolizer phenotypes in European-ancestry participants. Results: We identified 3920 RIGHT 10K participants with at least 1 antidepressant prescription and European-ancestry. Participants had a mean age of 61 years and 72% were women. Implementation of the PHQ-9 outcome was not feasible because of missingness. Of both prescription-based outcomes, antidepressant non-refill reproduced several known antidepressant-CYP interactions. However, the pilot was limited by small subgroups of participants with non-normal metabolizer phenotypes. Conclusions: Derived from structured data, antidepressant non-refill is a promising outcome measure for EHR-linked biobanks that partially reproduced antidepressant-CYP interactions. However, testing on larger datasets is necessary to understand whether it would be a useful for pharmacogenomic research.

Objectives Primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing by clinician-collection is endorsed by U.S. guideline organizations for cervical cancer screening, but uptake remains low and insights into patients’ understanding are limited. This study aims to primarily address patient awareness of primary HPV screening by clinician-collection and acceptance of primary HPV screening by clinician- and self-collection, and secondarily assess factors associated with awareness and acceptance. Setting Primary care practices affiliated with an academic medical center. Methods A cross-sectional survey study of screening-eligible women aged 30–65 years was conducted to assess awareness and acceptability of primary HPV screening. We analyzed bivariate associations of respondent characteristics with awareness of primary HPV screening by clinician-collection, willingness to have clinician- or self-collected primary HPV testing, and reasons for self-collection preference. Results Respondents (n = 351; response rate = 23.4%) reported cervical cancer screening adherence of 82.8% but awareness of clinician-collected primary HPV as an option was low (18.9%) and only associated with HPV testing with recent screening ( p = 0.003). After reviewing a description of primary HPV screening, willingness for clinician-collected (81.8%) or home self-collected (76.1%) HPV testing was high, if recommended by a provider. Acceptability of clinician-collected HPV testing was associated with higher income ( p = 0.009) and for self-collection was associated with higher income ( p = 0.002) and higher education ( p = 0.02). Higher education was associated with reporting self-collection as easier than clinic-collection ( p = 0.02). Women expected self-collection to be more convenient (94%), less embarrassing (85%), easier (85%), and less painful (81%) than clinician-collection. Conclusions Educational interventions are needed to address low awareness about the current clinician-collected primary HPV screening option and to prepare for anticipated federal licensure of self-collection kits. Informing women about self-collection allows them to recognize benefits which could address screening barriers.

Introduction/Objectives: Despite U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and American Cancer Society endorsement of primary HPV screening, limited published data shows low uptake. Primary Aim: Assess cervical cancer screening rates over time, particularly primary HPV test uptake, among patients in a midwestern practice. Secondary Aim: Evaluate associations between sociodemographics and screening adherence. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Qualifying subjects and type of screening test used were identified by applying ICD-9, ICD-10, lab test, and CPT codes to the Unified Data Platform. Sociodemographics were found through the electronic health record. Results: Primary HPV uptake represented <1% of annual screening from 1/2017 to 1/2022. On 1/1/2022, only 55% of 21 to 29 year old and 63% of 30 to 65 year old were up to date with screening among the studied population. For 21 to 29 year old, compared with White women, Black women were 28% less likely to be screened [RR = 0.72 (0.66-0.79)]. Compared with never-smokers, current smokers were 9% less likely to be screened [RR = 0.91 (0.87-0.96)], past smokers were 14% more likely [RR = 1.14 (1.09-1.2)]. Among 30 to 65 year old, compared with White women, Black women were 14% less likely to be screened [RR = 0.86 (0.81-0.9)]. Compared with never-smokers, current smokers were 21% less likely to be screened [RR = 0.79 (0.77-0.81)], past smokers were 6% less likely [RR = 0.94 (0.92-0.95)]. Jointly considering race, ethnicity, smoking status, Charlson score, and rurality, findings were similar for 21 to 29 year old; Black women were screened less than White women [RR = 0.73 (0.67-0.79)]; current smokers [RR = 0.9 (0.85-0.94)] and past smokers [RR = 1.12 (1.06-1.17)] were screened less than never smokers. For 30 to 65 year old, Black women were screened less than White women [RR = 0.83 (0.79-0.88)]; current smokers [RR = 0.8 (0.78-0.81)] and past smokers [RR = 0.95 (0.93-0.96)] were screened less than never smokers. Conclusions: Screening rates remained below the Healthy People 2030 goal of 79.2% over time, particularly for younger Black women and current smokers, with minimal use of primary HPV screening.

17 Background: Age-appropriate colon cancer screening has long demonstrated effectiveness in reducing colon cancer incidence and mortality. However, despite a gradual rise in compliance with colon cancer screening, significant disparities remain, particularly among patients with limited English proficiency (LEP). Multitarget stool DNA (MT-sDNA) testing (Exact Sciences, Madison, WI) has been available over the past decade in the United States as a lower-cost and non-invasive option for screening. In 2019, Exact Sciences began to offer patient navigation services comprising outbound phone, text, and e-mail reminders, and inbound phone support (>200 languages) with all MT-sDNA orders. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the disparity in successful MT-sDNA testing between LEP and EP patients in a time frame when patient navigation services were active. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients 45-75 years old enrolled in the primary care setting of our institution who received an order for MT-sDNA screening during a period in which patient navigation services began to be offered. A multi-state Cox model was constructed with time to MT-sDNA or other CRC screening predicted by English proficiency accounting for age and gender. Wald tests were used to test the association of CRC screening completion and English proficiency. Rates of completion of MT-sDNA screening and other CRC screening following MT-sDNA test ordering were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Of the 5016 patients evaluated and referred for multitarget stool DNA testing from May 1st, 2021, and May 1st, 2022, 154 patients were of LEP, and 4862 were English proficient (EP). At 180 days following a MT-sDNA test order the rate of completion for the LEP patients was 50.2% (95% CI: 42.8-58.7%) versus 70.3% (95% 69.1-71.6%) for EP individuals (p=0.001). A small portion of individuals also completed another type of CRC screen, 3.3% for LEP and 2.5% for EP (p=0.99). Conclusions: This study is consistent with the existing research demonstrating LEP as a significant demographic group linked with decreased participation in cancer screening. Our findings indicated that despite the availability of patient navigation services, individuals with LEP were still less likely to complete an MT-sDNA test successfully when compared to those with EP. [Table: see text]