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Abdelhakeem, Ahmed

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7186-1332

Mayo Clinic

Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont, TX

Citations 24

Oxaliplatin-induced portal hypertension in colorectal cancer: A systematic review of incidence, mechanisms, and predictive markers.
Ganatra, Nency, Kamatham, Saivaishnavi , Abdel-Razeq, Nayef Hikmat, Abdelhakeem, Ahmed

Journal of Clinical Oncology | January 12, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 2_suppl | Pages: 117-117

10.1200/jco.2026.44.2_suppl.117 Get It

117 Background: Oxaliplatin remains a cornerstone of colorectal cancer (CRC) chemotherapy but is frequently complicated by chemotherapy-associated liver injury (CALI). This manifests as sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS), nodular regenerative hyperplasia (NRH), or porto-sinusoidal vascular disorder (PSVD). These microvascular changes lead to portal hypertension (PH), splenomegaly, and thrombocytopenia, interrupting chemotherapy delivery and compromising survivorship. Despite increasing recognition, the incidence, spectrum, and management of oxaliplatin-induced portal hypertension (OIPH) remain undefined. Methods: We systematically reviewed PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane through August 2025 for prospective and retrospective cohorts of oxaliplatin-treated CRC patients reporting OIPH incidence, pathology, radiology, or interventional management. Case reports were excluded. Outcomes included incidence, latency, complications, misdiagnosis, and interventions such as bevacizumab and partial splenic embolization (PSE). Results: Eight studies including 730 patients were analyzed. OIPH developed in ~20–30% of patients, with 2–5% progressing to clinically overt disease requiring variceal banding, Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt (TIPS), PSE, or management of liver failure. Latency to presentation was typically 4–10 years after oxaliplatin exposure. Common features included splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia, varices, and ascites. Histopathology consistently showed sinusoidal dilatation, congestion, perisinusoidal fibrosis, NRH, and microthrombi, confirming endothelial-mediated injury. Up to half of chronic cases were misclassified as metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD/NAFLD) or cryptogenic cirrhosis. Bevacizumab demonstrated consistent hepatoprotection, delaying splenic enlargement and reducing thrombocytopenia, likely via preservation of sinusoidal endothelial integrity and reduction of von Willebrand factor–mediated platelet microthrombi. Interventional radiology provided therapeutic options: in a prospective phase II study, PSE restored platelet counts >130×10⁹/L in 94% and enabled chemotherapy resumption within a median of 14 days, with no grade ≥3 adverse events. Conclusions: OIPH is an under-recognized complication of CRC chemotherapy, with latency spanning years after treatment. Splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia serve as early clinical signals, while misdiagnosis as MASLD or cirrhosis is common. Bevacizumab provides hepatoprotection, and PSE offers a safe and effective option for chemotherapy-limiting thrombocytopenia. Routine monitoring of spleen volume and platelet trends should be integrated into follow-up, and prospective validation of prophylactic and interventional strategies is urgently needed.
Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy Strategies in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma: A Systematic Review of Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, Normothermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy, and Pressurized Intraperitoneal Aerosol Chemotherapy
Ganatra, Nency, Jain, Pragya , Kamatham, Saivaishnavi , Adeoye, Oluwatayo , O’Donnell, Conor, Majeed, Umair , O'Donnell, C. , Jain, Pragya , O'Donnell, Conor D J , Majeed, Umair , Abdelhakeem, Ahmed , Elantably, Dina , Babiker, Hani M.

Cancers | January 6, 2026 | Volume: 18 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 182

10.3390/cancers18020182 Get It

Background: Peritoneal metastasis represents an aggressive disease pattern in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), traditionally associated with poor survival and limited therapeutic options. Emerging intraperitoneal chemotherapy strategies—including hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), normothermic intraperitoneal paclitaxel (NIPEC/IP-PTX), and pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC)—have been investigated to improve local tumor control and survival outcomes. Methods: We systematically reviewed published studies evaluating HIPEC, NIPEC/IP-PTX, and PIPAC in PDAC, including adjuvant, cytoreductive, and palliative settings. Study characteristics, feasibility, perioperative outcomes, oncologic outcomes, and risk of bias were analyzed. Results: Across modalities, intraperitoneal treatment strategies demonstrated acceptable feasibility and safety profiles in appropriately selected patients. Adjuvant HIPEC following pancreatectomy showed reduced local–regional recurrence signals in limited cohorts. CRS + HIPEC among patients with isolated peritoneal metastases yielded encouraging multi-year survival in highly selected candidates achieving complete cytoreduction. NIPEC/IP-PTX demonstrated favorable ascites control, symptom relief, and potential conversion to resection in select patients. PIPAC was primarily used in unresectable, heavily pretreated, palliative peritoneal metastasis settings, with goals centered on disease stabilization, histologic regression, and symptom control rather than curative intent. Conclusions: Intraperitoneal chemotherapy strategies in PDAC appear feasible with signals of meaningful clinical benefit in select settings. While CRS + HIPEC may benefit carefully selected metastatic patients, NIPEC/IP-PTX and PIPAC hold value primarily in symptom control and disease stabilization. Larger prospective trials are needed to define patient selection, optimize treatment protocols, and clarify survival benefit.
Effect of pre-allogeneic HCT splenic irradiation on post-transplant engraftment and outcomes in patients with myelofibrosis: A single-center experience
Vanegas, Yenny Moreno , Ayala, Ernesto, Foran, James M. , Peterson, Jennifer , Kharfan‐Dabaja, Mohamed A. , Abdelhakeem, Ahmed , Iqbal, Madiha , Roy, Vivek , Parrondo, Ricardo D , Ailawadhi, Sikander , Hoppe, Bradford S. , Murthy, Hemant S.

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 5984-5984

10.1182/blood-2025-5984 Get It

Abstract Background: Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is the only curative option for myelofibrosis (MF) but carries significant non-relapse mortality (NRM). Splenomegaly in MF patients undergoing allo-HCT is linked to delayed engraftment, poor graft function, and worse overall survival (OS). Strategies to reduce spleen size pre-HCT have been explored. Splenic irradiation (SI) offers a non-invasive approach for rapid spleen size reduction, though data on transplant outcomes are limited. Retrospective studies suggest SI just before HCT may reduce relapse and effectively shrink spleens with acceptable toxicity. Methods: We conducted a single-center observational study on MF patients with splenomegaly undergoing allo-HCT between 2022–2024. SI (100 cGy in 5 fractions) was delivered within 6 weeks pre-HCT. Primary endpoints: engraftment kinetics (including primary engraftment failure), time to neutrophil/platelet engraftment, and transfusion independence. Secondary endpoints: OS, progression-free survival (PFS), relapse, NRM, and rates of acute/chronic GVHD. Kaplan–Meier methods were used for OS/PFS; cumulative incidence functions with competing risks were used for relapse/NRM. Results: Thirteen patients were analyzed. Median age was 63 (range 40–74) years, and 54% were male. Eight (62%) patients had primary MF, 3 (23%) post-essential thrombocytosis, and 2 (17%) post-polycythemia vera. Eleven (94.6%) patients had prior Ruxolitinib therapy, and 10 (76.9%) harbored a JAK2 mutation with a median variant allele frequency of 51% (range 34%–94%). DIPSS risk at transplant was low in 1 (7.7%), intermediate-1 in 8 (61.5%), and intermediate-2 in 4 (30.8%) patients. Median pretransplant spleen size was 22.4 (range 14.5–28) cm. Two patients had a history of thrombosis, including 1 with portal vein thrombosis. The median interval between SI and stem cell infusion was 14 (range 10–43) days. The median HCT-CI score was 2 (range 0–6), and the median KPS was 80% (range 80–100%). Most patients (76.9%) received a HLA-matched unrelated donor transplantation, while 3 (23.1%) received haploidentical donor grafts. All grafts used peripheral blood stem cells. Reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) was used in 11 (84.6%) patients, while 2 (15.4%) received myeloablative conditioning (MAC). Five (38.5%) patients received total body irradiation (TBI) as part of conditioning, with all receiving a TBI dose of 200 cGy. All patients received post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy)-based GVHD prophylaxis. With a median follow-up of 17.1 months, median neutrophil engraftment occurred at 18 (range 14–45) days, platelet engraftment at 30 (range 15–434) days, red blood cell transfusion independence at 35 (range 11–341) days, and platelet transfusion independence at 24 (range 10–312) days. Median hospital stay was 26 (range 14–86) days. Primary engraftment failure occurred in 1 (8.3%) patient. One (7.7%) patient developed veno-occlusive disease. Four (33.3%) patients experienced CMV reactivation, and 3 developed CMV disease requiring systemic therapy. Median post-transplant spleen size was 16.6 (range 12.2–25.2) cm, and 30% of patients achieved >50% spleen size reduction, with a median time of 114 (range 45–212) days, with none having a normal spleen at day 30 post-transplant but 2 (15%) patients having a normal spleen at day 100 post-transplant. At 1 year, OS was 73.3% (95%CI, 51.5–100%), and PFS was 66% (95%CI, 44%–100%). The 1-year cumulative incidence of relapse was 7.6%, while 1-year NRM was 25.7%. Seven (53%) patients developed acute GVHD, with 1 patient experiencing grade III acute GVHD that progressed to sepsis and death at day 248 post-transplant. Two additional deaths occurred (graft failure=1, multiorgan failure=1). Two (15%) patients developed moderate chronic GVHD Conclusion: In this single-center cohort, SI pre-allo-HCT was feasible, tolerated, and associated with promising OS and PFS. Engraftment occurred in >90%, with one case of primary engraftment failure and most achieving transfusion independence within reasonable time frames. SI reduced spleen size in >30%, though acute GVHD was frequent. It remains uncertain whether the incidence and severity of GVHD may be influenced using TBI as part of the conditioning regimen (albeit reduced in intensity) in addition to splenic irradiation. Larger prospective studies are needed to clarify SI's impact on engraftment, transfusion dependence, GVHD, and outcomes in MF patients.
Survival Benefit of Palliative Oophorectomy for Patients With Ovarian Metastasis From Baseline Metastatic Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Sewastjanow‐Silva, Matheus , Xiao, Lianchun , Abdelhakeem, Ahmed , Pabon, Cindy M. , Yamashita, Kohei , Yoshimura, Katsuhiro , Badgwell, Brian D. , Meyer, Larissa A. , Sagebiel, Tara , Das, Prajnan , Li, Jing , Murphy, M , Meyer, Larissa A , Blum-Murphy, Mariela A , Abdelhakeem, Ahmed , Badgwell, Brian D , Ikoma, Naruhiko , Ajani, Jaffer A. , Blum-Murphy, Mariela A.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 30, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 21 | Pages: 2361-2371

10.1200/jco-24-01678 Get It

PURPOSE To compare overall survival (OS) in patients with baseline metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma (GA) with and without ovarian metastasis (OM). Furthermore, within the group that had ovarian metastases, we aimed to assess whether there was a survival benefit (SB) with palliative oophorectomy (PO). PATIENTS AND METHODS This is a single-institution retrospective analysis of the clinicopathological features of women diagnosed with metastatic GA with a comparison of outcomes based on PO status. We identified 240 women with baseline metastatic GAs who were treated at MD Anderson Cancer Center between February 2003 and September 2022. Among these women, we categorized a subgroup of 102 women who had OM from their primary GA. Patients were analyzed whether they underwent PO. RESULTS Patients who developed OM were most often non-Caucasian, had peritoneal involvement, and had tumors that were both human epidermal growth factor receptor 2–negative and PD-L1–negative, with signet ring cell features and diffuse histological type. Among patients with ovarian metastases, those who had PO had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group = 0, more comprehensive molecular and immunohistochemical profiling, lower percentage of family history of gastroesophageal malignancies, and lower interval between diagnosis of the GA primary and the OM. PO was associated with significantly improved OS in this subgroup (hazard ratio, 0.5 [95% CI, 0.31 to 0.81]; P = .005). CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the largest multiethnic population study assessing SB of PO in patients with GA with OM. Additionally, it is the largest study analyzing survival in this population according to the patient's multiethnic characteristics and metastasis timing and growth patterns. PO presents as a therapeutic option for women with GAs with OM if the patient is clinically suitable for surgical resection.
The addition of abemaciclib to endocrine therapy versus endocrine therapy alone in HR+/HER2− advanced breast cancer: A meta-analysis.
Shembesh, Rana H. , Alesawy, Alzahraa Faris, Abraheem, Ahmed, ElBeblawy, Rafik , Beshr, Mohammed S. , Ali, Mohamed E. , Abraheem, Ahmed, Elhadi, Muhammed , Abdelhakeem, Ahmed , Ghorab, Ahmad

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.e13167 Get It

e13167 Background: Abemaciclib represents a significant therapeutic advancement in the treatment of advanced metastatic breast cancer. As a selective protein-dependant kinase 4 and 6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor, it acts as a growth blocker. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of abemaciclib in combination with endocrine therapy for patients with metastatic breast cancer. Methods: We conducted an electronic search on December 27, 2024 using PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane database. Our inclusion criteria involved only randomized clinical trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of abemaciclib in combination to endocrine therapy in advanced breast cancer. Our primary outcomes were progression-free survival, overall response rate, overall survival, and grade 3 or 4 adverse effects. The hazard, odds, and risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals were used to determine the effect size. A random-effects model was applied. Results: Out of the 1,648 articles screened, only seven papers from five clinical trials met our inclusion criteria, comprising a total of 2,362 patients. Progression-free survival was significantly improved with abemaciclib in combination with endocrine therapy compared to endocrine therapy alone (hazard ratio: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.51–0.65; p < 0.001). Moreover, abemaciclib improved overall survival (hazard ratio: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.66–0.91; p = 0.002). Additionally, the overall response rate was higher with abemaciclib plus endocrine therapy compared to endocrine therapy alone (odds ratio: 2.75; 95% CI: 1.98–3.80; p < 0.001). However, grade three or higher adverse events were significantly more common in the abemaciclib group (risk ratio: 2.62; 95% CI: 2.30–2.99; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Abemaciclib combined with endocrine therapy is an effective treatment option for patients with HR-positive, HER2- negative advanced breast cancer. This combination significantly improves progression-free survival, overall survival, and response rate, making it a valuable therapeutic option in breast cancer. However, higher adverse events were observed in the abemaciclib group.
Exploring survival outcomes in sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinomas in the era of immunotherapy.
Kamatham, Saivaishnavi , Abdel-Razeq, Nayef Hikmat, Elalfy, Aya, Chiriboga, Guido , Starr, Jason S. , O’Donnell, Conor, Abdelhakeem, Ahmed , Mosalem, Osama , Babiker, Hani M. , Jones, Jeremy C , Majeed, Umair

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.e16330 Get It

e16330 Background: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (SHC) is a rare and aggressive variant of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), accounting for less than 2% of all primary liver cancers. Characterized by the presence of both epithelial and mesenchymal components, SHC demonstrates a high degree of cellular plasticity, often associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition. This phenotypic heterogeneity contributes to its aggressive clinical behavior, including rapid tumor progression, early metastasis, and poor response to conventional therapies. As a result, patients diagnosed with SHC typically have a median survival of less than 12 months, significantly lower than that observed in patients with conventional HCC. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study at the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center, focusing on patients diagnosed with SHC between April 2017 and December 2023. The data collected included demographics, performance status, underlying risk factors, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels, next generation sequencing (NGS) testing, and the treatment received. Results: A total of ten patients with confirmed diagnoses of SHC were included, with median age at the time of diagnosis 63.5 years (37-77), predimonantly male (9 out of 10), and identifying white (8 out of 10). Alcoholic cirrhosis was identified as an underlying risk factor in three patients, NASH cirrhosis in two, and HCV in two patients. The majority (6 out of 10) of the patients had localized disease, with 4 patients having denovo metastatic disease with abdominal lymph node involvement. Five patients had NGS testing (Tempus, Guardant 360, and ProvsSeq523), with resultant pathogenic variants including TP53 in 3 patients, NTRK3 fusion, IDH2, EGFR, TERT, MLH1, ARIS1A, and PALB2. Four patients were treated with combined Yitrrium-90 and systemic therapy. Three patient started systemic therapy, and two patients underwent surgical resection. Systemic Therapy used included combined Atezolizumab/ Bevacizuamab, Pembrolizumab/ Lenvatinib, Gemcitabine/ Docetaxel, Gemcitabine/ Cisplatin, Cabozantinib, and pembrolizumab monotherapy. The median overall survival for this group was 11.5 months; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.66-40.1 months. Seventy percent experienced progression, with a median progression-free survival after first line of treatment of 2.5 months; 95% CI: 1-15.3 months. Conclusions: Sarcomatoid HCC remains aggressive and difficult to treat cancer with limited overall survival. Immunotherapy based regimens have limited efficacy for this HCC variant.
Safety and efficacy analysis of modified TOPAZ-1: A biweekly regimen of gemcitabine and cisplatin plus monthly durvalumab in advanced biliary tract cancer.
Kamatham, Saivaishnavi , Abdel-Razeq, Nayef Hikmat, Elalfy, Aya, Chiriboga, Guido , Fonkoua, Lionel Aurelien Kankeu , Wu, Christina, Starr, Jason S. , Ahn, Daniel H. , O’Donnell, Conor, Mosalem, Osama , Abdelhakeem, Ahmed , Jones, Jeremy C , Conboy, Caitlin B. , Sonbol, Mohamad Bassam , Babiker, Hani M. , Bekaii‐Saab, Tanios , Tran, Nguyen H. , Borad, Mitesh J. , Majeed, Umair

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.e16265 Get It

e16265 Background: The pivotal TOPAZ-1 trial established durvalumab plus gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) as a new first-line standard of care for advanced biliary tract cancer (ABTC). However, weekly administration of GC can lead to significant toxicity limiting its tolerability in clinical practice. Based on previous studies, we implemented biweekly regimen of GC on days 1 and 15 together with durvalumab on day 1 of each 28-day cycle to optimize the treatment delivery and improve tolerability. Here, we report the Mayo Clinic experience with biweekly GC with monthly durvalumab in patients with ABTC. Methods: At our three-site institution, we retrospectively identified patients with ABTC between January 2021 and August 2024, who received biweekly GC with monthly durvalumab. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment details - treatment related adverse events (trAEs) graded according to the NCTCAE V5.0 were collected. Outcomes included median progression-free survival (mPFS), median overall survival (mOS) and clinically assessed overall response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR). Results: 57 patients were included in our analysis, median age was 68 years (range 35-90), and 57.9% were females. 91.2% of patients had ECOG performance status of 0-1. 71.9% had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 19.3% extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and 8.7% gallbladder carcinoma. 70.2% had metastatic disease, 21 % locally advanced unresectable disease and 8.7% recurrent metastatic disease. Patients were followed for a median of 9.1 months (2.3-28.5). 91.2% of the patients received biweekly GC plus monthly durvalumab while 8.8% switched from weekly to biweekly GC plus monthly durvalumab due to treatment toxicities. Median number of treatment cycles was 5. Maintenance regimens included durvalumab (19.3%), gemcitabine/durvalumab (8.8%) and GC/durvalumab (8.8%). Median duration of follow up was 9.1 months (range 2.3 – 28.5). ORR was 36.9% and DCR was 72% (complete response 5.3%, partial response 31.6% and stable disease 35.1%). mPFS was 7.2 months, while mOS was 16 months. Grade(G) 3 or 4 trAEs included abnormal liver function tests (15.7%), infections (11.5%), anemia (8.7%), thrombocytopenia (5.2%), peripheral neuropathy (1.7%), acute kidney injury (1.7%). Immune-related AEs were noted in 6 patients (10.5%) including colitis, gastritis, hepatitis, myocarditis and hypothyroidism. There was no patient with severe neutropenia or febrile neutropenia. Only 5 patients (8.8%) stopped treatment due to trAEs. Conclusions: Biweekly GC on days 1 and 15 plus durvalumab on day 1 of each 28-day cycle is associated with a more favorable toxicity profile while maintaining efficacy similar to that observed in the TOPAZ-1 trial indicating that a de-escalation strategy is feasible with improvement in patient centered outcomes.
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.
Pai, Tanmayi , Correia, Guilherme Sacchi de Camargo, Wysokinska, Ewa , Abdel-Razeq, Nayef Hikmat, Adeoye, Oluwatayo , Aldapt, Mahmood B, Kamatham, Saivaishnavi , Tawfiq, Reema, Wolf, Emily, Rao, Rohit , Tan, Winston, Ventro, Sandra, Abdelhakeem, Ahmed , Baidoun, Firas , Elantably, Dina , Gupta, Kush , Mosalem, Osama , Wiest, Nathaniel E. , Iqbal, Madiha , Tan, Winston, Manochakian, Rami

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 9029-9029

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.9029 Get It

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
Exploring the prevalence of germline mutations in young-onset biliary tract cancer (BTC).
Chiriboga, Guido , Elalfy, Aya, Kamatham, Saivaishnavi , Abdel-Razeq, Nayef Hikmat, Shah, Priyanshi , Pirozzi, Angelo , Okano, Naohiro, Starr, Jason S. , O’Donnell, Conor, Mosalem, Osama , Abdelhakeem, Ahmed , Nunnelee, Jordan , Okano, Naohiro , Babiker, Hani M. , Tran, Nguyen H., Borad, Mitesh J. , Majeed, Umair

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 10587-10587

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.10587 Get It

10587 Background: The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and NCCN recommend germline testing for patients (pts) with biliary tract cancers (BTC), particularly those diagnosed at a young age. Prior studies estimate that approximately 15% of pts with BTC harbor pathogenic germline alterations. Germline testing can identify hereditary cancer syndromes, guide targeted therapy, and inform family counseling. This study aimed to further characterize and describe the prevalence of pathogenic germline variants (PGVs) in patients with young-onset BTC (YO-BTC). Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of medical records for pts diagnosed with YO-BTC (ages 18–55) across all Mayo Clinic tri-sites from January 2014 to October 2024. Data collected included results from germline DNA sequencing, tumor genetic testing, demographics, history of other malignancies, and family history of cancer. The primary outcome was the identification of pathogenic germline mutations associated with cancer predisposition. Results: Among 239 pts with YO-BTC, the median age at diagnosis was 43 years (range 19–55), with 62% female and 65.2% identifying as white. Clinical germline testing (e.g., Invitae, Ambry, Myriad) was performed in 123 pts (51.5%), revealing PGVs in 15 pts (12.1%), variants of uncertain significance (VUS) in 30 pts (24.3%), and likely benign variants in 4 pts (3.2%). Among those with PGVs, DNA repair mutations were the most common findings (10/15), including ATM (4), CHEK2 (2), BRCA2 (2), BAP1 (1), and PALB2 (1). One pt had a Lynch syndrome-associated mutation (MSH6), and four had mutations in other cancer-related genes (MUTYH, HOXB13, RMRP, and PIK3CA). Tumor genomic profiling (via CARIS, TEMPUS, or FoundationOne) was performed in 9 pts with PGVs, detecting the variant in 4 (44%), while liquid biopsy (Guardant) identified the PGV in 4 of 6 cases (66.6%).The majority of PGV carriers had advanced BTC (14/15), with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma being the most prevalent (11/15), while 4 had extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Additionally, most PGV carriers had a first- or second-degree relative with a prior history of malignancy (14/15), and 3 pts had a second malignancy. Of the 15 pts with PGVs, 4 had BTC associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis. Conclusions: In this large institutional series of YO-BTC, PGVs were identified in 12.1% of pts, demonstrating a significant yield from germline testing in this population. Notably, tissue and liquid biopsies demonstrated different detection rates for PGVs, underscoring the variability in PGVs reporting across platforms. Germline testing through CLIA-approved methods should remain the standard of care. DNA repair pathway mutations, particularly ATM, CHEK2, and BRCA2, were the most frequently identified PGVs, highlighting their role in the pathogenesis of YO-BTC and their potential to guide treatment decisions.
The utility of one-step nucleic acid amplification in detecting sentinel lymph node metastases in colorectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Jones, Can , ElBeblawy, Rafik , Hussein, Atif, Ali, Mohamed E. , Msherghi, Ahmed A.A. , Beshr, Mohammed S. , Abuhelwa, Ziad , Abdelhakeem, Ahmed , Elhadi, Muhammed , Mosalem, Osama , Tang, Xiaolan

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2025 | Volume: 43 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2025.43.16_suppl.e15581 Get It

e15581 Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) assessment is critical in colorectal cancer (CRC) for accurate staging and determining optimal treatment strategies. The one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) assay, which measures cytokeratin 19 (CK19) mRNA expression, has shown potential as a molecular diagnostic tool for the intraoperative detection of SLN metastases. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of OSNA for SLN metastasis in CRC. Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for studies published up to December 2024. Studies reporting diagnostic accuracy metrics for OSNA in detecting SLN metastases in CRC were included. R software (version 4.0.3) with the mada package was used to compute pooled sensitivity, specificity, false-positive rates, diagnostic odds ratios (DOR), and likelihood ratios (LR), all expressed within 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Six studies involving 3,016 patients, of whom 363 had SLNs, were included. The pooled sensitivity of OSNA was 91% (95% CI: 84.8–94.8%), while the specificity was 95.6% (95% CI: 91.7–97.8%). The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 220.59 (95% CI: 74.02–657.43). The false-positive rate was 4.4% (95% CI: 2.2–8.3%). The positive likelihood ratio (LR+) was 20.8 (95% CI: 10.5–41.2), and the negative likelihood ratio (LR−) was 0.09 (95% CI: 0.05–0.16). These findings demonstrate that in diagnostic accuracy, OSNA outperforms traditional histopathological methods, such as hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Conclusions: OSNA demonstrates superior diagnostic accuracy for detecting SLN metastases in colorectal cancer, supporting its integration into clinical workflows. Its high diagnostic accuracy and rapid intraoperative turnaround time make it an invaluable resource for improving surgical decision-making. However, variability in CK19 expression across tissues and the lack of standardized assay thresholds remain challenges that require further investigation. However, its adoption has the potential to enhance staging accuracy and improve surgical and oncological outcomes, warranting broader implementation in CRC management.