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White, Launia J.

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0251-9431

Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic

Citations 61

Anatomical Localization–Based Analysis of Relapsed Secondary Central Nervous System Aggressive B‐Cell Lymphoma (R‐SCNSL)
Okcu, Izel, Wang, Yucai, Li, Z., White, Launia J. , Johnston, Patrick B., Paludo, Jonas, King, Rebecca L., Witzig, Thomas E., Habermann, Thomas M., Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Witzig, Thomas E. , Habermann, Thomas M. , Li, Zhuo , Wang, Yucai , Witzig, T.E. , Okcu, Izel , Wang, Yucai , Rosenthal, Allison C, Habermann, Thomas , Johnston, Patrick B. , Rosenthal, Allison , Paludo, Jonas , King, Rebecca L., Tun, Han W.

Hematological Oncology | March 8, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 2 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/hon.70182 Get It

ABSTRACT 162 patients with relapsed secondary central nervous system lymphoma (R‐SCNSL) (median age, 65 years; male, 59.9%) including central nervous system (CNS)‐only ( n = 120) and concomitant CNS/systemic relapse ( n = 42) were retrospectively analyzed. Overall, 21.9% of patients were classified as high risk according to the CNS International Prognostic Index (CNS‐IPI). Several biological and clinical features were significantly associated with leptomeningeal involvement, including double‐ or triple‐hit (DHL/THL) status, MYC rearrangement, negative BCL6 expression by IHC, bone marrow involvement, and concomitant R‐SCNSL. Multivariable analysis showed that leptomeningeal involvement independently predicted inferior OS and was associated with a 98% increase in the hazard of death compared with parenchymal relapse (HR = 1.98, 95% CI: 1.20–3.26, p = 0.008). Based on anatomical localization, R‐SCNSL was classified into four subtypes: parenchymal‐only involvement (parenchymal‐CNS [P‐CNS], 68/42%) and parenchymal involvement plus systemic relapse (parenchymal‐concomitant [P‐concomitant], 17/10.5%); and leptomeningeal with or without parenchymal involvement (leptomeningeal‐CNS [LM‐CNS], 52/32.1%) and leptomeningeal with systemic relapse (leptomeningeal‐concomitant [LM‐concomitant], 25/15.4%). This anatomical classification significantly impacted OS and PFS ( p < 0.001). Two‐year OS and PFS were 58.2% and 29.1% for P‐CNS, 32.4% and 17.7% for P‐concomitant, 22% and 13.9% for LM‐CNS, and 7.1% and 0% for LM‐concomitant, respectively. ASCT showed a trend toward improved survival among patients with a response (CR/PR) in a 4‐month landmark analysis. These findings support the clinical application of the anatomical classification in the management of R‐SCNSL.
Diabetes mellitus is associated with earlier detection of posterior uveal melanoma
Roden, Richard T , Churchill, Robert , White, Launia J. , Hodge, David O. , Madira, Angela E, Myrah, Justin J, Dalvin, Lauren A. , Churchill, Robert A , Fortes, Blake H , Dalvin, Lauren A , Fortes, Blake H. , Madira, Angela E.

European Journal of Ophthalmology | February 4, 2026 | Volume: 36 | Issue: 4 | Pages: 1007-1014

10.1177/11206721261419674 Get It

Purpose To explore the relationship between systemic comorbidities and presenting tumor T category in patients with uveal melanoma. Methods Single-center, retrospective cohort study of patients with posterior uveal melanoma initially diagnosed between January 2000 and December 2016. Univariate and multivariate ordinal logistic regression analyses were performed to identify comorbidities associated with presenting tumor T category, as classified by AJCC criteria. Results Initial presenting AJCC T category was T1 in 190 (43%), T2 in 130 (29%), T3 in 89 (20%), and T4 in 38 (9%). The most common comorbidities present were hypertension (250 patients, 56%), hyperlipidemia (211, 47%), obesity (137, 31%), and diabetes mellitus (87, 19%). Of these, obesity ( p = 0.034), hypertension ( p = 0.017), and diabetes mellitus ( p < 0.001) were associated with earlier presenting T category on univariate ordinal logistic regression. After multivariate regression, only diabetes mellitus ( p = 0.01) and obesity ( p = 0.04) remained significantly associated with earlier T category on initial presentation. Conclusion Among patients presenting with uveal melanoma, diabetes mellitus and obesity were associated with earlier presenting T category, which could reflect earlier detection of uveal melanoma in patients undergoing annual diabetic retinopathy screening examinations or having more frequent contact with the healthcare system. Larger studies should further explore this association and examine the utility of increased ocular screening in early detection of uveal melanoma.
Anatomical localization-based analysis of de novo secondary cns lymphoma
Okcu, Izel, White, Launia J. , Johnston, Patrick B. , Khurana, Arushi , King, Rebecca L. , Nowakowski, Grzegorz S. , Tun, Han, Okcu, Izel , Li, Zhuo , Wang, Yucai , Rosenthal, Allison , Durani, Urshila , Paludo, Jonas , Witzig, Thomas E. , Habermann, Thomas M.

Blood | December 4, 2025 | Volume: 146 | Issue: Supplement 1 | Pages: 3675-3675

10.1182/blood-2025-3675 Get It

Abstract Background: De novo secondary central nervous system (CNS) lymphoma (SCNSL), characterized by concurrent systemic and CNS aggressive B-cell lymphoma at diagnosis, is a rare entity with a dismal prognosis. The prognostic significance of the initial anatomical compartment of CNS involvement (parenchymal vs. leptomeningeal) is not well-defined. We sought to analyze outcomes based on CNS localization in a single-institution cohort. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 34 patients with de novo SCNSL (including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma [DLBCL], high-grade B-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (HGBCL NOS), and double-/triple-hit lymphoma) treated at the Mayo Clinic between 2002 and 2025. Clinicopathological features, radiologic findings, treatment details, and survival outcomes were abstracted from the medical records. Patients were categorized by the primary site of CNS involvement. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and groups were compared with the log-rank test. Results The study cohort had a median age of 61.5 years (range 19-79) and a median International Prognostic Index score of 3 (range 2-4). Pathological subtypes included double-/triple-hit lymphoma (n=14, 41.2%), non-germinal center B-cell like (non-GCB) DLBCL (n=11, 32.4%), germinal center B-cell like (GCB) DLBCL (n=8, 23.5%), and HGBCL NOS (n=1, 2.9%). Among patients with available data, 14 (43.8%) were positive for MYC rearrangement, 13 (54.2%) for BCL2 rearrangement, and 10 (45.5%) for BCL6 rearrangement. First-line regimens received by patients included MR-CHOP (n=18, 52.9%), DA-R-EPOCH (n=5, 14.7%), combined CODOX-M/IVAC (n=4, 11.7%), R-CHOP with intrathecal methotrexate (n=3, 8.8%), miscellaneous therapies (n=3, 8.8%), and MRT (n=1, 2.9%). The complete response rate was 58.8% (n=20). Intrathecal chemotherapy was administered to 61.8% of patients, and consolidation with autologous stem cell transplant was performed in 35.3%. Based on the CNS compartment involved, de novo SCNSL (DN-SCNSL) were classified into two subtypes: the leptomeningeal subtype, defined as leptomeningeal involvement with or without parenchymal CNS disease (LM-DN-SCNSL; n=22, 64.7%), and the parenchymal subtype, defined as parenchymal-only CNS involvement (P-DN-SCNSL; n=12, 35.3%). Parenchymal disease was multifocal in 75% of cases, supratentorial in 58.3%, and associated with a midline shift in 30%. Although no tested factors (including pathological subtype, age, sex, and bone marrow involvement) were significantly associated with the anatomical compartment, a non-significant trend was noted for BCL6 rearrangement to be more common in the leptomeningeal group (8/13, 61.5%) than the parenchymal group (2/8, 25.0%) (P = 0.18). Survival outcomes were analyzed for both anatomical and pathological classifications. For the parenchymal versus leptomeningeal cohorts, 2- and 5-year Overall Survival (OS) rates were 75.0% vs. 45.1% and 41.0% vs. 38.7%, respectively (P = 0.34). For Progression-Free Survival (PFS), the 2- and 5-year rates were 48.6% vs. 32.5% and 29.2% vs. 26.0%, respectively (P = 0.53). The 2-year OS rates by pathological subtype were 81.8% for non-GCB DLBCL, 45.8% for DHL/THL, and 37.5% for GCB DLBCL (P = 0.27). Survival outcomes (OS/PFS) were not significantly associated with patient age, sex, pathological subtype, or anatomical compartment. Conclusion DN-SCNSL can be anatomically classified into two subtypes: LM-DN-SCNSL and P-DN-SCNSL. While a prognostic trend favoring the parenchymal subtype was observed, the difference did not achieve statistical significance, a finding likely attributable to the small cohort size. This classification may hold clinical utility for guiding risk stratification, and larger studies are needed to validate these findings and identify the most optimal treatments for each subtype of DN-SCNSL.
Dopaminergic Degeneration Differentially Modulates Primary Motor Cortex Activity and Motor Behavior in Hemiparkinsonian Rats
Boschen, Suelen L. , Seethaler, Julian, Wang, Shaohua , Lujan, Wendy D., Silvernail, Jodi L., White, Launia J. , Heckman, Michael G., Carter, Rickey E. , Chang, Su-Youne , Luján, J. Luis , Boschen, Suelen L , Carter, Rickey E , White, Launia J , Heckman, Michael G.

Brain Sciences | October 20, 2025 | Volume: 15 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 1123

10.3390/brainsci15101123 Get It

Background/Goal: Parkinson’s disease (PD) disrupts dopaminergic transmission, leading to motor deficits and altered activity in the primary motor cortex (M1). While M1 modulation is critical for motor control, its response to dopaminergic degeneration and treatment remains unclear. This study aimed to characterize M1 neuronal activity and motor behavior in hemiparkinsonian rats using in vivo calcium imaging across naïve, lesioned, and levodopa-treated states. Methods: Thirteen Sprague Dawley rats were injected with GCaMP6f in the M1 and implanted with a GRIN lens and guide cannula targeting the medial forebrain bundle. Calcium imaging and motor behavior were assessed longitudinally using a single pellet reaching test (SPRT) before and after unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioning and subsequent levodopa/carbidopa treatment. Dopaminergic lesion severity was quantified via tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry. Calcium event frequency and influx were analyzed with CNMF-E and statistical modeling. Results: Levodopa treatment improved fine motor performance as shown by a significant reduction in grasp errors (mean difference: −8.91, 95% CI: −16.66 to −1.16, p = 0.031) and increased reaching duration (mean difference: 4.13, 95% CI: 0.94 to 7.32, p = 0.019) compared to the lesioned state. M1 calcium activity showed modulation dependent on lesion severity: low-lesion rats exhibited reduced event frequency (mean difference: 0.04 Hz, 95% CI: 0.001 to 0.08, p = 0.045) and increased influx post-lesion (mean difference: −0.20 z·s, 95% CI: −0.38 to −0.02, p = 0.038), while high-lesion rats showed increased influx only after levodopa treatment (mean difference: −0.34 z·s, 95% CI: −0.52 to −0.16, p = 0.003). Correlation analyses revealed that calcium influx, but not frequency, was negatively correlated with lesion severity during levodopa treatment (Spearman r = −0.857, p = 0.024). Conclusion: M1 neuronal activity appears to be differentially modulated by dopaminergic degeneration and levodopa treatment in a lesion-dependent manner. These preliminary findings suggest dynamic cortical responses in PD and support the utility of calcium imaging for monitoring circuit-level changes in disease and therapy. Further research with larger cohorts and complementary methodologies will be necessary to validate and extend these observations.
Maternal Use of Antidepressants in Pregnancy and the Risk of Postpartum Hemorrhage: An Electronic Health Record‐Based Cohort Study
Bobo, William V. , White, Launia J. , Hodge, David O. , Moore, Katherine M. , Betcher, Hannah K. , Larish, Alyssa M., Stoppel, Cynthia , Talati, Ardesheer , White, Launia, Hodge, David, Moore, Katherine, Betcher, Hannah, V Bobo, William

Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental | August 9, 2025 | Volume: 40 | Issue: 5 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/hup.70015 Get It

ABSTRACTObjectivesPrior studies have raised concerns about postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) risk associated with selective serotonin and serotonin‐norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs and SNRIs), although limitations include possible confounding by maternal indications. The current study examined the risk of PPH associated with prenatal S/NRIs accounting for diagnosed maternal depression during pregnancy.MethodsThe current study is a secondary analysis of data from a cohort of 2213 pregnancies (1997–2010) identified from a large electronic medical record‐linkage system. Exposures were identified from electronic prescriptions records and resulted in three main groups: S/NRI‐exposed pregnancies (S/NRI users), antidepressant‐unexposed pregnancies (non‐users), and S/NRI exposure in the year prior to (but not during) pregnancy (former users). Data used to identify PPH occurrences included obstetrician chart diagnoses, diagnosis codes, and recorded estimated blood loss (EBL). The risk of PPH by exposure group was estimated using unadjusted, minimally adjusted (maternal age at delivery, delivery year, parity, and maternal smoking), and depression‐adjusted models (previous covariates and maternal depression). Supplemental analyses included an examination of PPH risk with prenatal bupropion monotherapy.ResultsThe study cohort consisted of 837 S/NRI users, 401 former users, and 786 non‐users, as well as 114 bupropion users identified for additional analyses. The frequency of PPH was 11.6% in the overall cohort, and was 14.7% for S/NRI users, 10.2% for former users, and 8.7% for non‐users. The risk of PPH was significantly higher for S/NRI users than non‐users in unadjusted (OR 1.82 [95% CI 1.33, 2.49]), minimally adjusted (aOR 1.66 [1.19, 2.31]), and depression‐adjusted models (aOR 1.46 [1.02, 2.10]). The risk of PPH was also higher for S/NRI former users than non‐users in unadjusted models (OR 1.54 [1.05, 2.26]) but not minimally adjusted (aOR 1.42 [0.95, 2.11]) or depression‐adjusted models (aOR 1.41 [0.95, 2.10]). No significant differences in PPH risk were observed between S/NRI users and former users, between bupropion users and non‐users, or between S/NRI users and bupropion users.ConclusionsPrenatal S/NRI exposure was associated with an increased risk of PPH after adjusting for maternal depression, although residual confounding and confounding by other factors (including unmeasured factors) may be possible, as the risk of PPH appeared to be similar between S/NRI users and former users. Best‐practice PPH risk management strategies should be adhered to for depressed patients, especially those who require treatment with antidepressants during pregnancy.
Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia: retrospective case-control study of 54 patients from a tertiary care center
Wang, Katherine , Wentworth, Ashley B., White, Launia J. , Li, Zhuo , Bruce, Alison J., Wang, Katherine L , Pincelli, Thais P, Pincelli, Thaís , Sokumbi, Olayemi

International Journal of Women’s Dermatology | May 1, 2025 | Volume: 11 | Issue: 2 | Pages: e206

10.1097/jw9.0000000000000206 Get It

Genome‐wide association analysis identifies APOE as a mitophagy modifier in Lewy body disease
Hou, Xu , Fiesel, Fabienne C. , White, Launia J. , Quicksall, Zachary , Reddy, Joseph S. , Ross, Owen A. , Valentino, Rebecca R. , Ross, Owen A , Fiesel, Fabienne C , Hou, Xu , Heckman, Michael G. , Koga, Shunsuke , Soto‐Beasley, Alexandra I. , Watzlawik, Jens O. , Zhao, Jing , Johnson, Patrick W. , Brás, José , Guerreiro, Rita , Zhao, Na , Bu, Guojun , Dickson, Dennis W. , Springer, Wolfdieter

Alzheimer's & Dementia | May 1, 2025 | Volume: 21 | Issue: 4 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/alz.70198 Get It

AbstractINTRODUCTIONPhosphorylated ubiquitin (p‐S65‐Ub) is generated during PINK1‐PRKN mitophagy as a specific marker of mitochondrial damage. Despite the widespread deposition of p‐S65‐Ub in aged and diseased human brain, the genetic contribution to its accumulation remains unclear.METHODSTo identify novel mitophagy regulators, we performed a genome‐wide association study using p‐S65‐Ub level as a quantitative trait in 1012 autopsy‐confirmed Lewy body disease (LBD) samples.RESULTSWe identified a significant genome‐wide association with p‐S65‐Ub for rs429358 (apolipoprotein E ε4 [APOE4]) and a suggestive association for rs6480922 (ZMIZ1). APOE4 was associated with higher p‐S65‐Ub levels and greater neuropathological burden. Functional validation in mouse and human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models confirmed APOE4‐mediated mitophagy alterations. Intriguingly, ZMIZ1 rs6480922 was associated with lower p‐S65‐Ub levels, reduced neuropathological load, and increased brain weight, indicating a potential protective role.DISCUSSIONOur findings underscore the importance of mitochondrial quality control in LBD pathogenesis and nominate regulators that may contribute to disease risk or resilience.Highlights p‐S65‐Ub levels were used as a quantitative marker of mitochondrial damage. A GWAS identified two genetic variants that modify mitophagy in LBD autopsy brain. APOE4 was associated with increased p‐S65‐Ub accumulation and neuropathology. APOE4 altered mitophagy via pathology‐dependent and pathology‐independent mechanisms. ZMIZ1 was linked to reduced p‐S65‐Ub and neuropathology indicative of protection.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of primary orbital lymphoma
Wang, Kenny Y. , Kim, B. Michelle, Yu, Caroline , Welk, Grant M. , Churchill, Robert , White, Launia J. , Hodge, David O. , Dalvin, Lauren A. , Tooley, Andrea A. , Yu, Caroline Y, Churchill, Robert A , Dalvin, Lauren A

European Journal of Ophthalmology | April 29, 2025 | Volume: 35 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 1776-1785

10.1177/11206721251338705 Get It

Purpose To describe the clinical characteristics, histopathologic subtype distribution, treatment, and outcomes of patients with primary orbital lymphoma. Major Findings There were 126 biopsy-confirmed cases of primary orbital lymphoma, with 81 (64.3%) female and 110 (87.3%) white. The average age at diagnosis was 62.7 ± 13.9 years. There were 26 (20.6%) cases with bilateral involvement. The most frequent lymphoma subtype was MALT lymphoma (N = 76, 60.3%), followed by diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (N = 18, 14.3%) and follicular lymphoma (N = 12, 9.5%). Prognosis was generally favorable, as local recurrence occurred in only 14 (11.1%) patients and final best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) loss of >1 line was seen in 30 (28.0%) patients. Bilateral lymphoma and advanced stage (Ann Arbor Stage III or IV) at presentation were associated with increased risk of local recurrence ( p = 0.0025, p = 0.049). Improved disease-specific survival was associated with diagnosis at Stage I or II ( p = 0.013), MALT subtype ( p = 0.034), or lack of chemotherapy requirement as primary treatment ( p = 0.0073). Conclusions In this single center academic cohort, MALT lymphoma subtype was most common. Overall orbital recurrence frequency was low, and bilateral lymphoma and advanced stage were associated with increased risk of local recurrence. MALT lymphoma subtype was associated with improved disease-specific survival. Long-term follow-up showed that most patients retained good visual acuity in the affected eye(s).
Cancer Incidence and Survival after Emergency Department Care in the U.S. Midwest: An Opportunity for Cancer Interception
Sherman, Mark E. , Heckman, Michael G. , DeStephano, Christopher C. , White, Launia J. , Pfeiffer, Ruth M. , St Sauver, Jennifer L , Pfeiffer, Ruth M , Heckman, Michael G , DeStephano, C C , Sherman, Mark E , Sauver, Jennifer L. St.

Cancer Prevention Research | April 7, 2025 | Volume: 18 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 413-421

10.1158/1940-6207.capr-24-0426 Get It

Abstract Historically, cancers diagnosed via the emergency department (ED) portend a poor prognosis. Recent data from the United States are sparse, and analyses of cancers detected in the years following ED visits are lacking. Thus, we analyzed data from nine rural U.S. Midwest counties included within the population-based Rochester Epidemiology Project (2015–2021). Participants without a history of cancer (N = 42,074) who did not receive ED care were matched 1:1 to ED participants on the date of ED visit, age, sex, race, ethnicity, and county of residence. Analyses were restricted to participants with records ≤2 years prior to ED or index visit and ≥30 days after. HRs and 95% confidence intervals (CI) comparing cancer incidence and deaths among ED and non-ED participants were estimated from Cox proportional hazards regression models, either unadjusted or adjusted for covariates. Cumulative cancer incidence curves accounting for competing risks of death and survival (all cause and cancer-specific) were estimated. The median follow-up was 6.3 years, with 2,719 (6.46%) cancers diagnosed among ED participants and 3,139 (7.46%) among non-ED participants. ED participants experienced lower cancer risk overall (HRAdjusted = 0.70; 95% CI, 0.66–0.74; P = 8.89 × 10−31), specifically for breast cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, and secondary cancers. Cancer-specific mortality was higher among ED participants (HRAdjusted = 1.76; 95% CI, 1.49–2.08; P = 3.62 × 10−11). Compared with non-ED participants, ED participants experienced a lower incidence of cancer but higher overall cancer-specific mortality, suggesting that subsets of ED patients may benefit from postvisit preventive interventions. Prevention Relevance: This cohort analysis shows that cancer incidence over 6 years was lower among participants after an ED visit than among matched non-ED participants, whereas cancer-specific mortality was higher in the ED group (HRAdjusted = 1.76; 95% CI, 1.49–2.08; P = 3.62 × 10−11), suggesting the potential benefit of preventive interventions.