9021 Background: An escape room is a team-based activity in which participants collaborate to solve puzzles within a fixed time limit and escape. Prior studies demonstrate high learner satisfaction and improved teamwork and communication with medical education escape rooms. To date, no published reports describe an escape room designed specifically for hematology/oncology (hem/onc) fellows. As part of Hem/Onc Curriculum, we designed and implemented a hem/onc-focused escape room and evaluated learner satisfaction and perceived learning impact. Methods: The escape room was designed using evidence-based learning science principles (Table 1). Teams worked to solve sequential puzzles, centered on a patient case, addressing key hem/onc concepts, including transfusion medicine, peripheral blood smears, lymphoma classification, and coagulation disorders. Each solved puzzle revealed additional patient laboratory and pathology data. Successful completion required teams to diagnose the patient and select appropriate treatment. Following the activity, teams participated in a facilitator-led debrief focused on team dynamics, communication, and problem solving. Teams observed each other and shared feedback. A larger group debrief co-led by chief fellows and faculty reviewed learning objectives and key takeaways. Learner outcomes were assessed using a post-activity survey evaluating satisfaction, engagement, and impact on learning. Results: Eighteen learners participated, including 14 hem/onc fellows, 1 APP hem/onc fellow, and 3 internal medicine residents. Three of four teams escaped within 1 hour (mean completion time, 52 minutes). All participants provided positive verbal feedback. Fifteen learners completed the post-activity survey, and all respondents reported satisfaction with the activity and would recommend it for future fellows. One-word descriptors included “engaging,” “fun,” and “challenging.” Most respondents (93.3%) agreed that the activity reinforced key hem/onc concepts and improved confidence in clinical problem-solving. All learners felt the activity supported learning, and 93.3% reported that collaboration enhanced the learning experience. Participants identified team-based problem solving, clinical application, and interactive puzzles as the most effective components. Conclusions: A hem/onc escape room resulted in high learner satisfaction and reinforced hem/onc knowledge and clinical problem-solving. This feasible, fun, and innovative activity complements traditional fellowship education by leveraging adult learning principles through gamified, team-based learning and should be incorporated into training programs’ curriculum. Learning science principles applied in a hem/onc escape room. Active Learning Belonging Contrasting Cases Debriefing Deliberate Practice Elaboration Generation Listening and Sharing Reward Worked Examples
Abstract PS1-06-16: FES-PET imaging in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: implications for clinical management
Abstract Background: 18F-Fluoroestradiol (FES) positron emission tomography (PET) is approved for non-invasive detection of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer (BC) and recent updates to the National Comprehensive Cancer Center Network clinical practice guidelines include FES-PET for staging recurrent/metastatic ILC. Given the wide range of FES-PET indications, we retrospectively reviewed the management of ER+ BC patients after FES-PET at Mayo Clinic. Methods: We identified ER+ BC patients who underwent FES-PET from April 2021 to June 2025 across the Mayo Clinic. BC context at the time of FES-PET requisition was categorized as early (EBC), locally recurrent (LRBC), or metastatic (MBC). Management changes were classified as either affecting BC or non-BC care (not mutually exclusive). For pts who underwent 18F-flurodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-CT and had a discrepant result with FES-PET, we assessed the clinical impact of these discrepancies. Finally, we examined the change in clinical management when FES-PET was ordered to investigate rising tumor markers CA 15-3 or CA 27.29. Results: 166 pts underwent ≥1 FES-PET scan. At diagnosis, 57% had invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC), 33% invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), and 5.4% mixed histology. ER expression ≥ 50% was observed in 81.4% and 1.2% were HER2+. Overall, FES-PET led to a change in management in 54.5% (n=90) of pts with 43.0% (n=71) experiencing a change in BC care and 16.4% (n=27) in non-BC care. Changes in BC care occurred in 36% of EBC, 68% of LRBC, and 43.7% of MBC. The most common BC management changes after FES-PET were change in treatment strategy in 23.6% (n=39), additional BC-related imaging including further FES-PET scans in 23.0% (n=38), upstaging in 10.3% (n=17), change in surgical planning in 10.3% (n=17), local therapy in 4.2% (n=7), and biopsy avoidance in 3% (n=5). Surgical planning changes were mostly deciding to proceed with curative intent surgery (n=11), though some surgeries were aborted upon FES-PET upstaging (n=6). Non-BC management changes included additional imaging to evaluate incidental findings in 11.5% (n=19) and procedures in 6.7% (n=11), including 5 biopsies, 2 bronchoscopies, 2 endoscopies, 1 hysterectomy, and 1 cholecystectomy. FDG/FES discordancy was observed in 22.3% of the overall population (n=37). The most common pattern was FDG-/FES+ (n=19), leading to upstaging of BC in 8 and the sole use of FES-PET for future restaging in 13 BC patients. The second most common pattern was FDG+/FES- (n=18), attributed to non-BC related FDG uptake in 11 (false-positive FDG) or post-treatment ER loss in 7. Three FDG+/FES- patients were found to have additional cancers: two non-small cell lung cancers and one lymphoma. Non-malignant causes of false positive FDG were inflammation (n=3), silicone implants (n=1), thymic hyperplasia (n=1), and unknown (n=5). Six patients initially upstaged with FDG-PET imaging proceeded to curative-intent surgery after negative FES-PET confirmatory scans (FDG+/FES-). When FES-PET was ordered to investigate rising CA 15-3 or CA 27.29 tumor markers, this led to upstaging/progression in 3 of 21 cases (1 EBC, 2 MBC). The mean tumor marker increase was 57.0% in patients with upstaging/progression versus 19.0% in those without (p=0.02, two-tailed Student’s t-test). Conclusions: FES-PET altered clinical management in approximately half of BC cases in this study. Changes in BC-specific management were most frequent in LRBC, followed by MBC and EBC. One in six patients had a non-BC clinical management change after FES-PET. FDG/FES discordance provided value in upstaging FDG non-avid cancers and downstaging FDG-avid lesions unrelated to BC, influencing curative treatment decisions. FES-PET ordered for rising tumor markers rarely changed management, though larger tumor marker increases were associated with upstaging or progression. Citation Format: N. Wiest, K. Bullock, T. Pai, M. Kornas, B. McKinley, E. Parent, P. Advani. FES-PET imaging in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer: implications for clinical management [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS1-06-16.
Abstract PD9-09: Clinical utility of 18F-fluoroestradiol positron emission tomography (FES PET) in patients (pts) with lobular breast cancer
Abstract Background: Assessing invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) with standard-of-care (SOC) imaging, such as 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-computed tomography (CT), is challenging. In May 2025, National Comprehensive Cancer Center Network guidelines added FES PET for recurrent/metastatic ILC staging. However, perceptions of the value added by FES PET to SOC imaging may vary, as only small ILC cohorts have been published. We evaluated FES PET’s clinical utility in the largest-studied cohort, to our knowledge, of ILC pts who have undergone FES PET. Methods: We identified all ILC pts who had an FES PET [PET-magnetic resonance (MR) or PET-CT)] between April 1, 2021, and May 1, 2025, at Mayo Clinic. Clinical and radiological data, including indications and management (mgmt) changes related to pts’ first FES PET, were obtained from clinical records. FES and SOC FDG PET were compared. Data were summarized with descriptive statistics. Results: 102 female pts were included: 88% White and 4.9% Black. Median age at initial breast cancer (BC) diagnosis was 57 (range, 36-79). At initial ILC diagnosis, most tumors were strongly estrogen receptor (ER) positive. Highest tumor grade was 1 in 25% of pts and 2 in 57%, with grade not documented in 19%; none had documented grade 3 ILC. Initial clinical prognostic stage was as follows: 26% stage 1, 21% stage 2, 10% stage 3, and 16% stage 4. At the time of FES PET, 37% had biopsy-confirmed metastatic ILC at the time of FES PET. The most common indications for FES PET were (re)staging ILC (49%), detecting suspected metastatic/recurrent BC (30%), and evaluating rising tumor markers like CA 15-3 or CA 27.29 (15%). 16% of pts were upstaged due to the FES PET result: 14 pts to stage 4 and 2 pts to stage 3. FES PET led to a mgmt change in 38 pts (37%), for whom the most common FES PET indications were (re)staging ILC (21 pts), detecting suspected recurrent/metastatic BC (11 pts), and detecting ER expression when biopsy was not feasible/nondiagnostic (7 pts). 19 scans (50%) led to a systemic therapy (tx) decision, 10 (26%) to a biopsy, 4 (11%) to additional imaging like MRI, 3 (8%) to locoregional tx, and 2 (5%) to a non-oncologic specialty referral to evaluate a suspected new metastasis. 11 pts had stage 4 BC pre-FES PET; their FES PET was ordered primarily for restaging (5 pts) or detecting ER expression (5 pts). Notably, of the 19 pts with a systemic tx-related change, 4 began a triple-negative BC regimen due to low FES uptake on the scan. Of the 15 pts who had FES PET to evaluate a rising tumor marker, a direct change in systemic tx occurred in 2 pts. 63/102 pts (62%) had FDG PET-CT prior to FES PET. Of these, 57% had discordant FDG and FES PET results. 39% had a higher number of avid metastatic lesions on FES PET as compared to FDG PET, primarily in the bone (8 pts) and lymph nodes (4 pts). 25% had bone, nodal, or soft tissue metastatic lesions that were FDG but not FES avid. 13 pts had FES PET-MRI; 9 of these had a prior FDG PET-CT. 2 PET-MRI pts had FES-avid metastatic lesions in unusual sites (brain, peritoneum) that were not FDG avid. Among the 38 pts with a mgmt change due to their FES PET result, 63% had prior FDG PET; 32% of the 38 pts had FES-avid metastatic lesions that were not seen on FDG PET, and 8% had FDG-avid but not FES-avid lesions. Conclusions: FES PET was useful for evaluating not only stage 4, but also early-stage ILC, with 1/3 of pts with an FES PET-driven mgmt change having early-stage BC. FES PET was most helpful for ILC (re)staging, detection of suspected recurrent/metastatic BC, and detection of ER expression when biopsy was not feasible/nondiagnostic. FES PET added clinically meaningful information beyond SOC imaging, with detection of FES-avid but not FDG-avid metastatic lesions in 1/3 of pts with an FES PET-driven mgmt change. Notably, FES PET-MRI demonstrated potential superiority over FDG PET in identifying atypical ILC metastases. Citation Format: T. Pai, C. Bullock, N. Wiest, E. Parent, P. Advani. Clinical utility of 18F-fluoroestradiol positron emission tomography (FES PET) in patients (pts) with lobular breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD9-09.
Applying learning science principles (LSP) through a simulation session (SIM) for oncology trainees (OT) about fertility preservation (FP) in patients (pts) with cancer and treatment (tx) of pregnant pts (TPP) with cancer.
9029 Background: Addressing guideline concordant FP and TPP with cancer is challenging, especially for OT. SIM, a well-known education tool, has not been traditionally used to teach these topics. As part of the hematology/oncology fellowship curriculum, we designed a SIM applying LSP to bridge this educational gap. Methods: Applying LSP of contrasting cases, elaboration, feedback, generation and just-in-time telling, chief OTs and faculty designed a SIM with 3 clinical scenarios (CS) and 3 standardized pts (SP): FP for a female pt hospitalized for acute lymphoblastic leukemia tx, FP for a male pt in clinic for germ cell tumor tx, and breast cancer tx for a pregnant pt in 2 nd trimester. OT received written educational materials (WEM) and attended a lecture 1 week and 1 day pre SIM, respectively. OT were split into 2 groups; 1 started in the FP CS and 1 in the TPP CS, and then they switched. To reduce cognitive overload, each OT participated in 1 of 2 FP CS: half in the female FP CS and half in the male. Faculty and chiefs led debriefing sessions after all CS. The FP debrief ended with a special “learner as a teacher” part, where OT who attended the female CS taught those from the male CS about their topic and vice versa. The SIM concluded with "take-home" points. Pre (after having WEM) and post SIM anonymous surveys and verbal feedback assessed OT comfort, perceptions, and knowledge. Results: A 3 hour SIM with 14 OT and 5 faculty was completed successfully. SIM ended with all OT verbally sharing a learning point and positive feedback. All OT filled pre and post SIM surveys. Pre SIM, 17% reported having prior FP education, and 42% had prior TPP education. However, only 8% and 25% felt adequately prepared for FP and TPP discussions, respectively. Post SIM survey showed major improvement in comfort and knowledge about FP and TPP (see table 1). 75% of OT favored a combination of SIM and learning by teaching over other SIM formats. 83% supported having a TPP lecture before SIM. 100% reported satisfaction with FP and TPP SIM’s quality and wanted similar activities in the future. 92% were satisfied with the learner as a teacher tool. 100% felt education about FP and TPP with cancer should be part of fellowship training. Moral/cultural concerns were discussed as possible challenges in FP education. Conclusions: The application of LSP through SIM significantly increased OTs’ comfort discussing FP and TPP with cancer, and objectively enhanced their knowledge on these topics compared to after reading WEM. The SIM was largely perceived as a successful activity to educate about challenging topics and should become part of fellowship curriculum. Pre SIM % Post SIM % Comfortable addressing FP 17 92 Comfortable addressing TPP 8 100 Correct answers about female FP 63 83 Correct answers about male FP 67 94 Correct answers about TPP with cancer 68 98
Immunotherapy outcomes in dMMR/MSI-H and/or TMB-H metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) with peritoneal metastases (PM).
163 Background: CRC with PM has a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Immunotherapy has shown promise in improving outcomes for patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR), and high tumor mutational burden (TMB-H) tumors. However the peritoneal niche has a unique microenvironment, which can influence the effectiveness of immune check point inhibitors (ICIs). We assessed the impact of ICI on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in CRC patients (pts) and PM, considering key clinical and molecular characteristics. Methods: A retrospective review aiming to identify CRC pts with MSI-H/dMMR and PM treated with immunotherapy between 2015 and 2023 was performed. Data collected included pt demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment details. Responses were evaluated using RECIST v1.1 criteria. Results: 37 pts were included, 9 (24%) had Lynch syndrome. The median age of diagnosis was 61 years and most pts were females (65%). Most pts had MSI-H/dMMR tumors, while one pt was treated based on ultra-hypermutated phenotype (TMB 202) and POLE mutation. Among those with available TMB data, the median TMB was 52 mutations/Mb (0-202). Common mutations were PMS2 (51%), MLH1 (38%), MSH6 (16.2%), and MSH2 (16.2%). Right-sided tumors were in 54%, mucinous histology in 62%, and ascites in 54%. Pts received a median of 11 cycles of ICI (2-52). Pembrolizumab was the most frequently used ICI (78%), while Nivolumab was used either alone (11%) or in combination with Ipilimumab (11%). Median PFS in our cohort was 7.8 months and median OS was 29.9 months. The disease control rate (DCR) was 81%, with an objective response rate (ORR) of 51.3% (9 complete responses, 12 partial responses). At the time of data collection, 30% of pts were off systemic therapy and 5-FU-based chemotherapy combined with a biologic agent was the most common subsequent treatment in 32% who had PD. Univariate analysis showed no significant differences in PFS or OS based on tumor sidedness, isolated PM, liver metastases, mucinous vs. non mucinous histology or BRAF / RAS status (WT vs mutant). Malignant ascites was associated with worse OS(HR 0.3; p= 0.03). Conclusions: Treatment with ICIs in pts with MSI-H/dMMR and/or TMB-H CRC and PM improved disease control in CRC pts with PM, however, as compared to historical controls for patients with MSI-H/d-MMR disease treated with ICI, this group showed less favorable outcomes. Malignant ascites was associated with poorer overall survival. Further research of the immune response and tumor microenvironment in the peritoneal cavity is warranted.
Uptake of palliative care services in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy: The Mayo Clinic Florida experience.
269 Background: There are strong data showing that patients (pts) with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving chemotherapy experience better quality of life (QOL) and longer overall survival (OS) when palliative care (PC) services are integrated early in their treatment course. Therefore, at our cancer center, pts with stage IV NSCLC have been referred to PC by oncology providers. In this study, we evaluated the uptake of PC services, specifically in pts with NSCLC who received immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). ICIs have been considered to have less severe or less frequent adverse effects as compared to chemotherapy, possibly leading to fewer referrals to PC. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all pts at the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center in Florida who received single-agent ICI therapy for the treatment of stage IV NSCLC at any point between July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2022. The primary aim was to evaluate the uptake of PC services before or during treatment with ICIs. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize pt demographics and outcomes. Results: 129 pts were identified. 53.4% were male, and 46.6% were female. The majority of pts (84.4%) were white. 62 pts (48.0%) were seen by a PC provider before or during ICI treatment; 41 of these (31.7%) were seen by PC after starting ICI therapy. When grouped by year of ICI initiation, 30/73 pts (41.0%) treated between 2015 and June 2018 were seen by a PC provider, as compared to 15/31 pts (48.3%) treated between July 2018 and June 2020 and 17/25 pts (68.0%) treated between July 2020 and July 2022. Interestingly, the majority of pts who received PC services in the 2020-2022 group (12/17, or 70.5%) were seen by a PC provider for the first time prior to ICI initiation, whereas the majority of pts who received PC services prior to July 2020 (37/45, or 82.2%) were seen by a PC provider for the first time after ICI initiation. The mean number of PC visits increased from 1.59 in the 2015-2018 group to 1.84 in the 2018-2020 group and 4.96 in the 2020-2022 group. Conclusions: Uptake of PC services in pts with stage IV NSCLC receiving single-agent ICIs at our cancer center has increased over time, which is encouraging. Nevertheless, the numbers remain suboptimal, with less than 70% of pts receiving PC services. We plan to develop a multidisciplinary quality improvement project involving implementation of a mechanism to ensure that most patients with stage IV NSCLC, regardless of the type of systemic treatment they receive, are receiving PC services.
Improving management of hyponatraemia by increasing urine testing in the emergency department
Hyponatraemia on hospital admission is associated with increased length of stay, healthcare expenditures and mortality. Urine studies collected before fluid or diuretic administration are essential to diagnose the underlying cause of hyponatraemia, thereby empowering admitting teams to employ the appropriate treatment. A multidisciplinary quality improvement (QI) team led by internal medicine residents performed a QI project from July 2020 through June 2021 to increase the rate of urine studies collected before fluid or diuretic administration in the emergency department (ED) in patients admitted with moderate to severe hyponatraemia. We implemented two plan-do-study-act (PDSA) cycles to address this goal. In PDSA Cycle #1, we displayed an educational poster in employee areas of the ED and met with nursing staff at their monthly meetings to communicate the project and answer questions. We also obtained agreement from ED attending physicians and nursing leaders to support the project. In PDSA Cycle #2, we implemented a structural change in the nursing triage process to issue every patient who qualified for bloodwork with a urine specimen container labelled with a medical record number on registration so that the patient could provide a sample at any point, including while in the waiting area. After PDSA Cycle #1, urine specimen collection increased from 34.5% to 57.5%. After PDSA Cycle #2, this increased further to 59%. We conclude that a combination of educational and structural changes led to a significant increase in urine specimen collection before fluid or diuretic administration among patients presenting with moderate-to-severe hyponatraemia in the ED.
Effect of immunotherapy cessation without disease progression on outcomes in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.
e21156 Background: Immunotherapy (IO) is one of the major treatments for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (mNSCLC). IO may be discontinued in patients for many reasons, the most common being progression of disease (POD). For those patients who discontinued IO for reasons other than POD, such as immune-related adverse event (irAE), there is limited data that compare progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) when IO is continued vs. stopped. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all patients with mNSCLC (stage IV) treated with IO at our institution from 2011 to 2022. Patients who discontinued IO due to POD were excluded from the analysis. The clinical outcomes, including PFS, OS, and irAE were investigated among patients with no POD who stopped IO prior to 6 or 12 months (m) vs. those that continued IO > 6 or 12m. Results: The analysis at the 6m timepoint included 92 patients, 82.6% were white, 50% were male, 67.4% had adenocarcinoma, and 82.6% used tobacco. The most common site of metastasis was bone (28.3%), followed by CNS (20.7%). 51.2% of patients had received IO as the first line systemic therapy and 32.6% received it as their second. Pembrolizumab was the most used IO (84.78%). Among these patients, 25 discontinued IO before 6m, and 67 patients continued IO beyond 6m. irAE, of any grade, occurred in 44.0% vs 37.3% when comparing IO discontinued with IO continued group at 6m. Patients who continued treatment beyond 6m had a longer duration of PFS (22.8m vs 11.8m, p = 1.14E-04) with a significant increase in OS (34.5m vs 14.0m, p = 1.34E-07). The analysis at the 12m timepoint included 71 patients, 87.3% were white, 46.5% were male, 78.9% had adenocarcinoma, and 80.3% used tobacco. The most common site of metastasis was bone (29.9%), followed by CNS (22.5%). 62.0% of patients had received IO as the first line systemic therapy and 28.7% received it as their second. Pembrolizumab was the most used IO (87.3%). Among these patients, 30 discontinued IO before 12m, and 41 patients continued IO beyond 12m. irAE, of any grade, occurred in 36.7% vs 41.5% when comparing IO discontinued with IO continued group at 12m. Similarly, patients who continued treatment beyond 12m had a longer duration of PFS (28.4m vs 14.2m, p = 1.91E-06) with a significant increase in OS (39.9m vs 17.6m, p = 3.45E-09). Conclusions: We observed that patients with mNSCLC and no POD, who continued IO beyond 6m and 12m, experienced a significant increase in PFS and OS than those who discontinued IO, with more significant increases in those who continued IO past 12m. These findings need to be verified in a larger cohort.
Outcomes of peritoneal metastases in mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) cancers treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors and variables associated with response.
e14576 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have revolutionized the treatment of many solid malignancies. ICI appears particularly effective when tumors exhibit high microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and/or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR) status. Although the response is typically quite good in this setting, there are scenarios where benefit is less than anticipated. In this study, we aimed to explore the efficacy of ICIs in patients with MSI-H/dMMR cancers with peritoneal metastasis (PM). Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review to identify patients (pts) with PM from primary MSI-H/dMMR cancers treated with immunotherapy between 2010 and 2022 at Mayo Clinic. Data was collected to include pt demographics, tumor characteristics, pathology, tumor markers, imaging, mutational profile, and previous and subsequent treatments. The primary endpoint was disease control rate (DCR), defined as objective response rate (RECIST v1.1 criteria) or stable disease. Results: Forty-six pts with MSI-H/dMMR and PM treated with ICIs. Most of our cohort were female (61%) with a median age at diagnosis of 61 years. Colorectal cancer was the most common primary site (69.6%), followed by endometrial (6.5%). Most pts received treatment with PD-1 antibodies as second-line therapy following systemic chemotherapy. DCR of the PM was 71.6 % (n= 13 PR, 9 CR, and 9 SD), with a median duration of response of 12.6 months. Thirteen pts (28.4%) had progressive peritoneal disease on ICI with a median PFS of 2.2 months. Ascites was a poor prognosticator and predicted a lack of benefit from ICI (HR 6.6, 95% CI=2.24-19.9, p= 0.006). Mucinous and signet ring histology were common in pts with peritoneal progression (61.5%); however, this was not statistically significant (HR=1.6; 95%CI= 0.4383 to 3.899, p 0.5). Multivariate analysis for the presence or absence of BRAF and/or RAS mutations was not statistically significant in predicting response. Neither was the specific MMR gene mutation(i.e., MLH1 or PMS2). Interestingly, discordant responses between the peritoneum and other sites of metastasis to immunotherapy were seen in 13 pts (28.4%), primarily as primary peritoneal progression compared to other tumor sites. Conclusions: In our cohort, the DCR of metastatic peritoneal disease in MSI-H/dMMR tumors was approximately 71%. The presence of ascites was identified as a poor prognosticator in this setting and was associated with a lack of response/benefit from ICIs. Histologic subtype (i.e., mucinous/signet ring) did not show statistical significance in predicting ICI response. The subpopulation with discordant response to ICI suggests that peritoneal immunobiology may differ from other sites. Further research on immunotherapy response in the peritoneum is needed for this special subset of pts.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus
sepsis, endocarditis and septic emboli in a patient with ulcerative colitis taking probiotics
A man in his 60s presented to the emergency room with fever and fatigue after a 2.5-month course of corticosteroids. His medical history was significant for bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement and moderately severe ulcerative colitis treated with balsalazide and daily lactobacillus-containing probiotics. Initial investigations revealed Lactobacillus rhamnosus bacteraemia without complication. Four days after hospital discharge, the patient experienced acute-onset right-sided paraesthesia and lower-limb paresis. On return to the emergency room, MRI of the brain demonstrated innumerable ring-enhancing lesions with haemorrhagic transformation. Transoesophageal echocardiogram revealed a small mobile density on the bioprosthetic aortic valve, raising the suspicion for L. rhamnosus infective endocarditis with secondary septic emboli to the brain. The patient was subsequently treated with intravenous gentamycin and ampicillin, with transition to indefinite oral amoxicillin suppressive therapy. The current case highlights the potential risk of lactobacilli translocation in an immunosuppressed patient with ulcerative colitis taking probiotics.