Citations

AbstractBackgroundGenome‐wide association studies (GWAS) in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) leveraging endophenotypes beyond case/control diagnosis, such as brain amyloid β pathology, have shown promise in identifying novel variants and understanding their potential functional impact. In this study, we leverage two brain amyloid β pathology measurement modalities, PET imaging and neuropathology, to address sample size limitations and to discover novel genetic drivers of disease.MethodWe conducted a meta‐analysis on an amyloid PET imaging GWAS (N = 7,036, 35% amyloid positive, 53.67% female, age = 71) and an autopsy GWAS of brain amyloidosis (N = 6,519, 63.08% amyloid positive, 51.34% female, age at death = 83), both adjusted for covariates including age, sex and principal components of genetic ancestry. All participants in both GWAS were unrelated individuals of European descent. We defined amyloid positivity as moderate or frequent neuritic plaques using the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) staging scores within each autopsy cohort. A Gaussian mixture model (GMM) was applied to each amyloid PET imaging cohort to identify the cohort and tracer‐specific cut‐offs that differentiate amyloid positive and negative populations.ResultThe genome‐wide significant results from the meta‐analysis identified three known AD loci (APOE, CR1, and BIN1) and a novel chromosome 17 locus (rs35635959, intergenic, MAF = 0.27, OR = 1.18, p = 1.47 × 10‐8). The MAGMA gene‐level analysis excluding the APOE region suggests significant associations between rs35635959 and COASY, PLEKHH3, and TUBG2 on chromosome 17, implying the potential roles of these genes on amyloidosis. Functional annotations of rs35635959 leveraging brain eQTL databases indicate its association with differential gene expression of COASY and TUBG2 in AD brains. ROSMAP bulk and single‐nucleus RNAseq analyses link TUBG2 downregulation to the higher amyloid burden and AD diagnosis while suggesting such observations are enriched in excitatory and inhibitory neurons, reaching FDR significance.ConclusionThis study is the most extensive European GWAS of brain amyloidosis, and our findings replicate known AD loci and identify a possible novel locus (index SNP rs35635959) on chromosome 17. Functional annotations of the novel variant indicate TUBG2, implicating in microtubule organization, warrants further assessment. Ongoing efforts aim to validate these novel effects using independent datasets.

Adolescents and young adults living with advanced cancer must often discover new rules for living during cancer treatment. Such experiences may lead them to emerge to higher levels of consciousness and find personal meaning in these experiences. Newman’s theory of health as expanding consciousness was this qualitative research study’s framework examining hope’s role for adolescents and young adults living with advanced cancer. Fifteen participants aged 12-21 years created written narratives and illustrations to describe their experiences with hope. We propose an updated theoretical model in which hope facilitates expanding consciousness in adolescents and young adults living with advanced cancer.

Abstract Introduction Peyronie’s disease (PD) is a connective tissue disorder characterized by the replacement of normal elastic fibers of the tunica albuginea with collagen-containing plaques. This alteration may result in penile deformities that are most evident during erection, which can lead to significant emotional distress, sexual dysfunction, and penile pain. Collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) is indicated for the treatment of adult men with PD with a palpable plaque and curvature deformity of at least 30 degrees at therapy onset. Notably, men with ventral curvature (VC) were not included in the CCH clinical trial program due to potential concerns over the proximity of the urethra to the site of injection. Currently, CCH is contraindicated in Peyronie’s plaques that involve the penile urethra. Urethral involvement of a PD plaque is rare due to the anatomy of those structures. PD plaques form in the tunica albuginea as opposed to the corpus spongiosum which directly surrounds the urethra. Also, multiple prospective and retrospective studies have documented favorable outcomes using CCH for PD with VC. Thus, CCH may be a reasonable treatment option for patients suffering with ventral and ventrolateral penile curvatures in the absence of direct urethral involvement. Objective We are conducting a multicenter real-world retrospective collaborative research study of the safety and effectiveness of CCH in the treatment of men who had PD with VC. Methods A Phase 4, multicenter, noninterventional, retrospective review of medical records from approximately 10-15 US physician sites is being conducted. Eligible patients include those ≥18 years old with a PD diagnosis with VC and a palpable plaque that had been treated with CCH from 2014 to the study start date at the site. The primary effectiveness endpoint is percent change from (pretreatment) baseline in degree of VC at the last visit as measured at follow-up within 6 months post-treatment. Secondary endpoints include mean change from Baseline in VC and the proportion of patients with ≥30% improvement from baseline in VC at the last visit during which a measurement was collected within 6 months of final CCH treatment. Adverse events are collected throughout the study period to assess safety. Results In this first look at early data, 32 eligible patients with a median age (range) of 58.0 years (25-75 years) were included in the analysis. The percent change in penile curvature from baseline decreased, representing an improvement of 45.4% (SD: 28.62 [0-100]) (Figure), with 68.8% (22/32) of patients experiencing ≥30% improvement from baseline in VC. There were no serious adverse events. Five patients had at least one treatment-related adverse event (TRAE); 4 TRAEs were mild-to-moderate in severity and 2 were unknown. There were no reports of urethral involvement or injury. TRAEs were related to injection site bruising (n = 3), hemorrhage (n = 1), swelling (n = 1), and muscle spasm (n = 1). Conclusions This first look at early data reflecting improvements in men with PD and VC (data cutoff: 06/14/2024) is consistent with findings of effectiveness and tolerability of CCH in the treatment of men with dorsal and dorsolateral penile curvature. Disclosure Yes, this is sponsored by industry/sponsor: Endo USA Inc. Clarification: Industry initiated, executed and funded study. Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: MZ is an investigator and consultant for Endo USA Inc. MI is an investigator for Endo USA Inc. AT is an investigator and consultant for Endo USA Inc. RB is an investigator for Endo USA Inc. JM is an investigator and consultant for Endo USA Inc. JT is an employee of Endo USA Inc. DH is an employee of Endo USA Inc. GK is an employee of Endo USA Inc. KG is an investigator and consultant for Endo USA Inc. JA is an employee of Endo USA Inc. TR is an employee of Endo USA Inc. MA is an employee of Endo USA Inc. JM is an investigator for Endo USA Inc.

Background: Two National Cancer Institute-funded pharmacovigilance programs have identified 49 serious hematology-related ADRs since 1998. The programs, called RADAR (Research on Adverse Drug events and Reports) and then SONAR (Southern Network on Adverse Reactions) involve > 50 institutions and > 75 co-investigators worldwide. The work builds on three prior studies evaluating “Davids and Goliaths” in medical oncology and in cardiology (PLOS One, eClinicalMedicine, and Journal of Scientific and Professional Integrity). Here we review the hematology focused safety investigations of RADAR/SONAR. Methods: Data were based on initial safety signals being identified by a RADAR/SONAR co-investigator. Then, case-series were derived. Collaborations with basic scientists allowed for basic science correlative studies. Results were disseminated primarily as Brief Report in the literature and Black Box warnings on the related drug. In some instances, studies identified hematologic toxicities that prevent FDA from approving a submitted drug application. Results: sADRs were frequently identified based on very small case series, including ticlopidine-and clopidogrel associated thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (22 and 10 patients, respectively), thalidomide- and lenalidomide-associated venous thromboembolism (9 and 5 patients, respectively), rituximab-associated progressive multi-focal leukoencephalopathy (22 patients), peginesatide-associated fatal anaphylaxis (5 patients), and COVID-19 vaccine associated immune thrombocytopenia (1 patient). Meta-analyses provided data for epoetin- and darbepoetin-associated mortality among cancer patients and lenalidomide- and thalidomide-associated venous thromboembolism. Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, RADAR/SONAR investigated social media and pre-prints (COVID-19 vaccine associated cerebral vein thrombosis and immune thrombocytopenia). Time from FDA approval to sADR discovery was a median of 5 years (range, 0 months (thalidomide-associated venous thromboembolism) to 34 years (ciprofloxacin-associated neuropsychiatric toxicity). Basic science correlative studies identified ADAMTS13 autoantibodies (ticlopidine), leachates that developed in a multi-dose vial (peginesatide), anti-red blood cell antibodies (epoetin-associated pure red cell aplasia), and high-risk genes (fluoroquinolones and rituximab). Overall, RADAR/SONAR studies are estimated to have saved over 1 million lives and also resulted in overall payments to the Department of Justice of $1.5 billion (related to marketing of unsafe drugs). Discussion: RADAR/SONAR has proven to be a very important adjunct to FDA and pharmaceutical manufacturer-led safety investigations for hematology, paralleling the success in medical oncology and in cardiology. Going forward, independent centers of excellence for safety-focused investigations such as the CERSI network and the SENTINEL network (both are NIH funded) should be broadened to include a hematology-focused safety center.

Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) living with advanced cancer may experience a heightened risk for existential distress. Addressing AYAs’ hopes can stimulate a dialogue about their concerns, values, and goals, provide a path to holistically support their existential needs, and potentially alleviate their distress. This study aimed to evaluate hope's role in a sample of AYAs living with advanced cancer. Method: This study used a Husserlian phenomenology-informed descriptive qualitative research design to elicit AYAs’ experiences with hope while living with advanced cancer. Participants were virtually recruited from an academic medical center and an online non-profit organization. Thematic analyses were performed across the data set to identify final themes. Results: Fifteen AYAs aged 12–21 years diagnosed with advanced hematological (80%) or solid (20%) malignancies participated in this study. A main theme of Simple Supports of Hope with a subtheme of Diversion was identified. Participants described music as a form of diversion, which supported their hope. Participants found listening to music calming and comforting and helped them cope with their distress. Performing music provided a creative outlet for negative feelings associated with cancer treatment. Participants reported creating music transformed and deintensified the treatment environment and helped spread hope to healthcare staff. Discussion: AYAs may intentionally use music to improve emotional expression, empowerment, connection, and coping strategies throughout the treatment process for cancer. Additional research needs to be conducted exploring the use of music interventions such as therapeutic songwriting or compositional music therapy to assist AYAs with building coping strategies during treatment for cancer.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease, yet our comprehension predominantly relies on studies within non‐Hispanic White (NHW) populations. Here we provide an extensive survey of the proteomic landscape of AD across diverse racial/ethnic groups. METHODS Two cortical regions, from multiple centers, were harmonized by uniform neuropathological diagnosis. Among 998 unique donors, 273 donors self‐identified as African American, 229 as Latino American, and 434 as NHW. RESULTS While amyloid precursor protein and the microtubule‐associated protein tau demonstrated higher abundance in AD brains, no significant race‐related differences were observed. Further proteome‐wide and focused analyses (specific amyloid beta [Aβ] species and the tau domains) supported the absence of racial differences in these AD pathologies within the brain proteome. DISCUSSION Our findings indicate that the racial differences in AD risk and clinical presentation are not underpinned by dramatically divergent patterns in the brain proteome, suggesting that other determinants account for these clinical disparities. Highlights We present a large‐scale proteome (∼10,000 proteins) of DLPFC (998) and STG (244) across AD cases. About 50% of samples were from racially and ethnically diverse brain donors. Key AD proteins (amyloid and tau) correlated with CERAD and Braak stages. No significant race‐related differences in amyloid and tau protein levels were observed in AD brains. AD‐associated protein changes showed a strong correlation between the brain proteomes of African American and White individuals. This dataset advances understanding of ethnoracial‐specific AD pathways and potential therapies.