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2815 citation(s) found for "Nuño, Laura".

Shifting Patterns of Colorectal Cancer Burden in the United States (1999–2023): Implications for Precision Medicine Strategies and Drug Resistance in Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer
Sun, C J , Liu, Li , Lees, Elizabeth , Billstein, Laura , Zou, Yuntao , Fickel, Abigail, Yan, Yan , Wang, Yichen, Vinh, Tuan, Travers, paul, Kumbhari, Vivek , Huang, Yuting , Travers, Paul , Lees, Elizabeth H , Billstein, Laura E, Travers, Paul M , Huang, Yuting , Yan, Yan , Fickel, Abigail

Cancers | May 29, 2026 | Volume: 18 | Issue: 11 | Pages: 1768

10.3390/cancers18111768 | PMID 42279351 Get It

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains one of the common causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in the United States. Emerging increases in early-onset CRC and persistent disparities remain major public health concerns. Objective: To characterize long-term CRC incidence and mortality trends in the United States, with particular emphasis on identifying demographic groups experiencing rising or plateauing disease burden. Methods: We conducted a population-based ecological study using CRC incidence data from the United States Cancer Statistics database (1999–2022) and mortality data from CDC WONDER (1999–2023). Temporal trends were evaluated using Joinpoint regression to estimate annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC), stratified by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and urbanization level. Results: Overall CRC incidence and mortality declined during the study period (both AAPC approximately −2.08%). However, incidence increased significantly among adults younger than 55 years, particularly those aged 20–24 years. Mortality also increased among younger adults aged 25–44 years and remained elevated among individuals aged 45–54 years. Non-Hispanic Black individuals consistently experienced the highest incidence and mortality rates. Mortality declines plateaued in several older age groups after 2018–2020. Conclusions: Despite overall improvements in CRC burden, increasing incidence and mortality among younger adults and persistent disparities highlight the need for risk-stratified prevention, earlier detection strategies, and tailored therapeutic approaches.
Age-specific trends in liver cancer mortality in the United States, 1999–2023: A Joinpoint regression analysis.
Zhang, Julie Ying, Vinh, Tuan, Liu, Li, Billstein, Laura , Fickel, Abigail, Sun, Chenyu

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.e16334 Get It

e16334 Background: Liver cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. Although overall mortality has increased over the past two decades, age-specific patterns and demographic disparities are not fully characterized. Here, we analyzed U.S. liver cancer mortality trends from 1999 to 2023, with a focus on age-related, racial and ethnic, and geographic differences. Methods: Mortality data for U.S. adults aged ≥25 years from 1999 to 2023 were obtained from the CDC WONDER database (ICD-10 codes C22.0–C22.9). Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were standardized to the 2000 U.S. population. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC) across age groups, sex, race/ethnicity, U.S. census regions, and levels of urbanization. Results: From 1999 to 2023, overall liver cancer AAMRs increased from 6.95 to 10.1 per 100,000. Marked age-specific differences were observed. Mortality among adults aged 45–54 and 55–64 years peaked in the mid-2010s and subsequently experienced significant declines through 2023 (recent APCs < −4.5% for both groups; P < 0.001). Specifically, while the overall AAPC for the 55–64 age group was +1.89%, mortality significantly reversed after 2016 (APC, −4.59%). In contrast, mortality continued to rise among older adults, including those aged 65–74 years (AAPC, +2.26%), 75–84 years (AAPC, +1.69%), and aged ≥85 years (AAPC, +1.77%) (all P < 0.001). Differences in mortality trends were also identified across racial and ethnic groups. Sustained increases were observed among Non-Hispanic White individuals (AAPC, +1.89%; P < 0.001), while Hispanic/Latino populations experienced declines after 2013 (APC, −0.67%; P = 0.003). Non-Hispanic Black individuals demonstrated a significant decrease in mortality between 2017 and 2020 (APC, −3.82%; P = 0.03). Regionally, liver cancer mortality declined in the Northeast after 2013 (APC, −0.66%; P < 0.001), whereas no significant post-peak declines were observed in the South or West. Conclusions: U.S. liver cancer mortality trends exhibit substantial heterogeneity by age, race and ethnicity, and geographic region. The recent, sharp declines among middle-aged adults (APCs < −4.5%) likely reflect the success of large-scale viral hepatitis screenings and highly effective antiviral therapies, whereas continued increases among older adults may relate to the cumulative impact of metabolic risk factors and delayed diagnosis. Persistent racial and regional disparities highlight the need for targeted, age-specific prevention and surveillance strategies.
Trends and disparities in esophageal cancer mortality in the United States, 1999-2023.
Zhang, Julie Ying, Vinh, Tuan, Liu, Li, Billstein, Laura , Fickel, Abigail, Sun, Chenyu

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.e16102 Get It

e16102 Background: Esophageal cancer remains a significant cause of cancer mortality in the United States. While overall trends have been reported, less is known regarding contemporary long-term patterns and specific disparities across demographic and geographic strata. We aimed to characterize esophageal cancer mortality trajectories and identify populations with divergent outcomes by age, race/ethnicity, geographic region, and urbanization status. Methods: We analyzed esophageal cancer mortality data from 1999 to 2023 using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) WONDER database. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were standardized to the 2000 U.S. standard population. Joinpoint regression analysis was utilized to estimate the annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Analyses were stratified by age, sex, race/ethnicity, census region, state, and urbanization level. Results: Overall esophageal cancer mortality in the U.S. declined significantly from 1999 to 2023 (AAPC, -0.81%; 95% CI, -0.97% to -0.65%; P < 0.001). Declines were observed across most age groups, with the steepest reductions among adults aged 45-54 years (AAPC, -1.68%; 95% CI, -2.01% to -1.35%) and 55-64 years (AAPC, -1.25%; 95% CI, -1.51% to -0.99%). Marked racial and ethnic disparities were identified. Non-Hispanic (NH) Black individuals experienced the most rapid decline (AAPC, -4.07%; 95% CI, -4.42% to -3.72%). Conversely, trends among NH White individuals remained stable overall (AAPC, -0.05%; P = 0.59), characterized by an initial increase from 1999 to 2005 (APC, 1.14%; P = 0.002) followed by a modest decline from 2005 to 2023 (APC, -0.44%; P < 0.001). Regionally, the West demonstrated the largest decline (AAPC, -1.13%; 95% CI, -1.26% to -0.99%), followed by the Northeast (AAPC, -1.05%). West Virginia was the only state to exhibit a significant increase in mortality (AAPC, 1.01%; 95% CI, 0.38% to 1.64%; P = 0.003). Mortality declined significantly in metropolitan areas (AAPC, -1.09%; P < 0.001), while trends in nonmetropolitan areas remained stagnant (AAPC, 0.48%; P = 0.12). Conclusions: Despite a national decline in esophageal cancer mortality, substantial disparities persist across racial, geographic, and urbanization groups. The dramatic improvement among NH Black populations contrasts with the relative stability in NH White populations and the lack of progress in nonmetropolitan areas. The significant rise in mortality in West Virginia warrants targeted investigation. These findings underscore the critical need for population-tailored strategies to ensure equitable progress in cancer prevention and care.
Neutrophil counts as a prognostic biomarker following breast cancer surgery: Insights from a Mayo Clinic platform study.
Liu, Li , Billstein, Laura , Vinh, Tuan, Zhang, Julie Ying, Fickel, Abigail, Du, Kaili , Lees, Elizabeth , Sun, Chenyu

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.e12691 Get It

e12691 Background: Breast cancer prognosis is influenced not only by tumor-specific factors but also by systemic inflammatory responses. Elevated circulating neutrophils after surgery may reflect one such systemic inflammatory response that promotes a pro-tumorigenic environment. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) have been recognized as promoters of cancer activity. However, there have been no studies looking at neutrophil count alone as an independent inflammatory marker in cancer. Clinical prognostic significance of post-operative neutrophil counts remains incompletely understood. If proven significant, neutrophil count is a simple, widely available measure to predict post-operative outcomes in patients with breast cancer. Methods: Data from the Mayo Clinic Platform were retrospectively analyzed, including only breast cancer patients with normal BMI and neutrophil counts recorded within one week after breast surgery. Patients who underwent radical mastectomy were excluded. Patients were stratified into two groups based on neutrophil count: high (>7×10⁹/L) and normal (1.7–7×10⁹/L). Clinical outcomes assessed included age distribution and 5-year overall survival. Age differences were evaluated using Cohen’s D, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves and hazard ratio estimation were performed using the Mayo Clinic Platform's tool. Results: A total of 899 patients were included in the study cohort: 303 in the high neutrophil group (Cohort A) and 596 in the normal neutrophil group (Cohort B). Age distributions were comparable between groups (Cohort A mean 59.2 ± 13.1 years; Cohort B mean 59.1 ± 14.3 years; Cohen's d = 0.0079). High neutrophil counts were significantly associated with reduced 5-year survival (77.8% vs. 84.5%) and an increased risk of mortality (HR 1.63; 95% CI: 1.16–2.29; P = 0.0041). Conclusions: Recent literature supports that surgery-induced NET formation may drive metastatic progression. Findings from this retrospective analysis at Mayo Clinic suggest that elevated neutrophil counts after breast cancer surgery are associated with poorer survival and may reflect systemic inflammation. While markers like NLR and NPAR have prognostic value, neutrophil count alone is a practical, accessible biomarker for clinical use. Limitations of this study include potential confounding factors such as lifestyle and comorbidities, and lack of subgroup analysis by breast cancer type, stage, and other treatments in addition to surgery. Further prospective studies are still needed for validation. Five-year survival rate comparison. Statistic High Neutrophil counts Normal Neutrophil counts Patient Count 303 596 1 Month Survival 99% 99.8% 5 Month Survival 97% 99.3% 10 Month Survival 94.4% 97.3% 30 Month Survival 85.4% 91.9% 60 Month Survival 77.8% 84.5% Hazard Ratio* 1.63 (95% CI: 1.16–2.29) P = 0.0041.
RALLY-MF: Initial efficacy of a phase 2 study of DISC-0974, an anti-hemojuvelin antibody, to treat anemia in myelofibrosis.
Gangat, Naseema, Tefferi, Ayalew, Hexner, Elizabeth O., Michaelis, Laura C. , Gerds, Aaron Thomas, Jain, Akriti G., Islam, Prioty , Rampal, Raajit, Swords, Ronan T., Pettit, Kristen M., Bhatt, Sima, Buch, Akshay, Pelletier, Olivia, Savage, Will, Gangat, Naseema , Tefferi, Ayalew , Bose, Prithviraj , Hexner, Elizabeth O. , Gerds, Aaron T. , Jain, Akriti Gupta , Rampal, Raajit K. , Swords, Ronan , Talpaz, Moshe , Pettit, Kristen , Buch, Akshay, Pelletier, Olivia, Savage, Will, Halpern, Anna B.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 6501-6501

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.6501 Get It

6501 Background: Hepcidin, a central regulator of iron homeostasis, is pathologically elevated in patients with myelofibrosis (MF) and anemia. Chronic hepcidin elevation limits iron availability for red blood cell (RBC) production and contributes to anemia onset and severity. DISC-0974 is an investigational, first-in-class, monoclonal antibody that blocks hemojuvelin, a co-receptor in the bone morphogenetic protein-signaling pathway driving hepcidin expression. Methods: RALLY-MF (NCT05320198) is an ongoing Phase 2, open-label study conducted in the US. The primary aim is to evaluate DISC-0974 efficacy in participants with MF and anemia. Secondary aims include evaluating safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD). Eligible participants are ≥18 years of age with primary or secondary MF and hemoglobin (Hgb) <10 g/dL or RBC transfusion requirement. Participants enroll into 3 cohorts based on RBC units transfused in the 84 days prior to screening: non-transfusion dependent (nTD, 0 units and Hgb <10 g/dL), low transfusion burden (TD low, 1-2 units), high transfusion burden (TD high, 3-12 units). Stable dose of concomitant Janus kinase inhibitor (JAKi) is allowed. DISC-0974 is administered subcutaneously at 50 mg monthly for up to 6 doses, with escalation to 75 mg for inadequate or lost response. Primary endpoints include major hematologic response defined as transfusion independence (TI) during any consecutive 16 weeks (TD low) or 12 weeks (TD high), or a mean Hgb increase of ≥1.5 g/dL from baseline for ≥12 weeks (nTD). Secondary endpoints include PK/PD markers of iron regulation and safety assessments. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results: At data cut (16 Oct 2025), 47 participants enrolled in the nTD (n=30), TD low (n=10), and TD high (n=7) cohorts, with 53% on concomitant JAKi therapy. DISC-0974 led to sustained hepcidin reduction and iron mobilization across cohorts. DISC-0974 resulted in meaningful hematologic responses among evaluable participants: 50% of nTD participants achieved a mean Hgb increase of ≥1.5 g/dL for ≥12 weeks, 71% of TD low participants achieved TI for ≥16 weeks, and 67% of TD high participants experienced a ≥50% reduction in transfusion burden, with follow-up ongoing. Major hematologic response rates were 50% for participants on and off concomitant JAKi therapy (n=18 and n=16, respectively). DISC-0974 was associated with meaningful improvement in FACIT-Fatigue scores for nTD and TD low participants. Serious adverse events (AEs, n=9) and ≥Grade 3 AEs (n=16) were considered unrelated to DISC-0974. There were no early withdrawals due to AEs. Conclusions: DISC-0974 was well tolerated and shows a favorable safety profile. Anemia response and fatigue scores improved across patients with MF and anemia, including those receiving JAKi therapy. These data validate hepcidin reduction as a promising approach to treating anemia in MF. Clinical trial information: NCT05320198 .
Neoadjuvant DAN-222 plus niraparib in high-risk HER2-negative breast cancer: Results from the I-SPY 2 adaptive platform trial.
Isaacs, C, Howard-Mcnatt, Marissa, Yau, C, Chien, Jo, Wallace, Anne M., Han, Hyo S., Yee, D, Omene, Coral, Nanda, Rita, Chapple, Andrew, Perlmutter, J, Pohlmann, Paula R., Borowsky, Alexander D., Symmans, W. Fraser, Veer, Laura van't, Esserman, L J, Pohlmann, Paula R. , Pohlmann, Paula , Yeung, Kay T. , Isaacs, Claudine , Howard-McNatt, Marissa Michelle , Yau, Christina , Boughey, Judy C. , Han, Hyo S , Borges, Virginia F. , Falkson, Carla I. , Yee, Douglas , Omene, Coral , Nanda, Rita , Symmans, W. Fraser

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 625-625

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.625 Get It

625 Background: I-SPY 2 is a multicenter phase II adaptive platform trial evaluating novel agents for stage II-III high-risk breast cancer using response-predictive subtypes (RPS) and a sequential neoadjuvant treatment design of up to three blocks (A/B/C). Investigational regimens are given in Block A, followed by response-guided escalation to standard-of-care (SOC) therapy (tx) in subsequent blocks or early surgery for responders. Topoisomerase I (TOPO1) inhibition plus PARP inhibition may enhance DNA damage and tumor response. DAN-222 is a tumor-targeted polymeric camptothecin conjugate designed to improve the therapeutic index of TOPO1 inhibition. Based on favorable phase 1 safety and preliminary activity in metastatic breast cancer, DAN-222 plus niraparib was evaluated as Block A tx in HER2− disease. Notably, the neoadjuvant regimen used a higher dose of niraparib (200 mg daily) than the prior phase 1 metastatic study. Methods: Patients (pts) with HER2− breast cancer were randomized to DAN-222 plus niraparib for up to 12 weeks in Block A. Response was assessed by serial MRI and biopsy. Inadequate responders escalated early to SOC tx in Blocks B/C. Primary endpoint was pathologic complete response (pCR). Secondary endpoints included residual cancer burden, safety, early discontinuation, and treatment-strategy performance versus subtype-specific SOC tx controls. Given established PARPi sensitivity in BRCA mut disease, the key objective was to assess clinically meaningful activity of DAN-222 plus niraparib in BRCA wt pts. Accordingly, a prespecified Bayesian interim futility analysis focused on BRCA wt and tested the probability of the true pCR rate after Block A alone exceeded 15% after 50 pts. Results: Fifty pts enrolled from Sep to Dec 2024. In BRCA wt (n=47), estimated Block A pCR was 3%, with posterior probability of 0.02 that that true pCR exceeded 15%, meeting futility criteria and prompting arm closure. Across all blocks, pCR rate was 57% (8/14) for HR-HER2−; 11% (4/36) for HR+ HER2−, largely after SOC tx. 2/3 BRCA mut pts achieved pCR. Treatment strategies initiating with DAN-222 plus niraparib underperformed subtype-specific controls. 68% discontinued Block A early, mainly due to toxicity. Grade ≥3 cytopenias were common: neutropenia (n=25; 50%), anemia (24%), and thrombocytopenia (18%). Cystitis occurred in 36% (1 grade ≥3). Conclusions: Neoadjuvant DAN-222 plus niraparib showed insufficient activity and no treatment-strategy benefit in BRCA wt HER2− breast cancer, underscoring challenges for TOPO1–PARP inhibitor combinations. Although not supported for further development in this setting, these results highlight the strength of I-SPY 2 in rapidly enrolling patients and quickly distinguishing ineffective from promising therapeutic strategies to accelerate progress toward improved outcomes for patients with curable breast cancer. Clinical trial information: NCT01042379 .
Real-world clinical outcomes by HER2 expression in locally advanced/metastatic urothelial carcinoma (la/mUC): Results from the global SGNDV-003 retrospective study.
Koshkin, Vadim S. , Jaillon, Christine Abraham, Mar, Nataliya, Maillet, Denis, Shariat, Shahrokh F., Singh, Parminder, Drakaki, Alexandra, Graham, Laura, Merseburger, Axel S. , Huang, Jiaoti, Galsky, Matthew D., Sokolowski, Kevin M. , Jiang, Dingfeng, Lonning, Shaparak, Yu, Hong, Burgess, Earle F., Mar, Nataliya , Maillet, Denis , Shariat, Shahrokh F. , Singh, Parminder Pal , Khaki, Ali Raza , Drakaki, Alexandra , Galsky, Matthew D. , Yin, Lei , Zhang, Wei , Burgess, Earle F.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 4562-4562

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.4562 Get It

4562 Background: Approximately 50-80% of patients (pts) with la/mUC have tumors with HER2 protein expression. As HER2-directed therapies enter development, a robust understanding of HER2 prevalence and real-world outcomes with standard-of-care (SOC) therapies across HER2 expression subgroups is needed. SGNDV-003 (NCT05902494) is a global retrospective chart review study in which HER2 status was assessed via central lab testing and outcomes were analyzed by HER2 status in pts with la/mUC. Methods: SGNDV-003, conducted 6/2023-7/2025, included pts with la/mUC who received ≥1 prior treatment (tx) (incl. 1 line of platinum-based chemotherapy [chemo]). HER2 status was centrally tested using a UC-specific investigational immunohistochemistry [IHC] and in situ hybridization (ISH) assays. HER2 status was defined as: HER2-positive (IHC3+ or IHC2+/ISH+), HER2-low (IHC2+/ISH- or IHC1+), HER2-expressing (IHC3+, 2+, 1+), and HER2-zero (IHC0). Index line of therapy (LOT) was defined as the first LOT received after platinum-based chemo. Outcomes included real-world objective response rate (rwORR) (per RECIST 1.1 or physician-assessed response) to index LOT, real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS), and overall survival (OS) from start of index LOT. Data was analyzed via descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 353 pts with la/mUC and available HER2 status were analyzed (male, 76%; median age, 70 years). 70% of pts were HER2 expressing (19% HER2-positive, 51% HER2-low); 30% were HER2-zero. Disease characteristics were well balanced by HER2 status. Index LOT tx and real-world outcomes are shown in the Table. Immuno-oncology therapies (IO) and enfortumab vedotin (EV) were the most common index LOTs. For IO, rwORRs were 21% for HER2-expressing and 17% for HER2-zero. For EV mono, rwORRs were 36% (HER2-expressing) and 38% (HER2-zero), respectively. Conclusions: This global study provides a robust estimate of HER2 distribution in la/mUC based on standardized central lab testing, showing high prevalence of HER2 expression. Real-world outcomes with current SOC therapies were broadly consistent across HER2 subgroups, establishing an important benchmark for the clinical development of HER2-directed therapies in this setting. HER2-positive (n=67) HER2-low (n=181) HER2-expressing (n=248) HER2-zero (n=105) Total (n=353) Real-world Outcomes rwORR, n (%)[95% CI] 17 (25.4)[15.5, 37.5] 50 (27.6)[21.3, 34.7] 67 (27.0)[21.6, 33.0] 22 (21.0)[13.6, 30.0] 89 (25.2)[20.8, 30.1] Median rwPFS (95% CI), mo 2.8(2.0, 4.1) 3.7(2.7, 5.1) 3.0(2.7, 4.5) 2.6(2.1, 3.4) 2.9 (2.6, 3.5) Median OS(95% CI), mo 12.2(9.3, 16.5) 11.5(9.5, 13.5) 11.9(10.3, 13.4) 7.7(5.9, 9.9) 10.8(9.1, 12.3) Index LOT, n% IO EV monoChemoOther tx 37 (55)17 (25)10 (15)3 (5) 94 (52)51 (28)24 (13)14 (8) 131 (53)68 (27)34 (14)17 (7) 65 (62)21 (20)12 (11)7 (7) 196 (56)89 (25)46 (13)24 (7)
Development and testing of an ex vivo, live tumor fragment platform for the prediction of immune checkpoint inhibitor response and relationship to approved biomarkers.
Braun, David A., Gierman, Hinco J., Sood, Chetan , Hrycyniak, Laura, Hernan, Hilary, Dana, Nicholas, Caenepeel, Sean, Vedder, Lindsey, Mukhopadhyay, Debabrata, Martin, Robert C. G., Broome, Barbara , Kokabi, Nima, Chen, Ruqin, Lou, Yanyan, Majeed, Umair, Ramos, Hilario J., Taube, Janis M., Petal, Premal, Advani, Pooja , Braun, David A. , Gierman, Hinco J. , Hrycyniak, Laura , Caenepeel, Sean , Sahni, Shalini, Mukhopadhyay, Debabrata , Martin, Robert C.G. , Kokabi, Nima , Majeed, Umair , Ramos, Hilario J. , Taube, Janis M

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 2646-2646

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.2646 Get It

2646 Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the management of many advanced cancers but identifying patients who are likely or unlikely to benefit from ICI treatment remains a critical challenge. Biomarkers, such as PD-L1, mismatch repair deficiency, and tumor mutational burden, capture only static, unidimensional features of the complex tumor microenvironment, and therefore inadequately predict response to immunotherapy in patients. In contrast, live tumor fragments (LTFs) preserve the full complexity of the tumor microenvironment and enable functional ex vivo assessments of ICI activity. Previous efforts have had limited clinical applicability because they required larger resection specimens often collected at a single academic center. Here, the predictive capability of an ex vivo platform using core needle and forceps biopsies from multiple clinical sites was assessed and compared to approved biomarkers. Methods: Patients with eligible solid tumors (where ICI has an indication, including renal, non-small cell lung, bladder, colorectal, and triple-negative breast cancer, and others) were enrolled in ongoing, prospective observational trials (NCT05478538, NCT05520099, NCT06349642). Biopsies were cut into LTFs, encapsulated in hydrogel, and treated sequentially with IgG antibody followed by ICI (αPD-[L]1 with or without αCTLA-4). Cytokine production was assessed by a multiplexed bead-based immunoassay at multiple time points during ex vivo treatment. Using receiver operating characteristic and precision recall analyses, we identified 9 predictive cytokines (including IFN-γ, granzyme B, and CXCL9/10), which were used to develop the Elephas score (ELP-score) to assess cytokine response to ex vivo ICI treatment. Results: Of 167 eligible patient specimens, 85% (n = 142) passed quality control metrics and 130 were used for model development. Hierarchical clustering of cytokine production revealed that 27% (n = 35) of patient specimens exhibited a cytokine response to ICI. In a validation set of 20 tumors, collected from patients who were subsequently treated with ICI, ELP-score positivity correctly identified 9 of 11 patients (82%) who had an objective response (PR/CR) to ICI, including 2 patients who were negative for FDA-approved standard-of-care ICI biomarkers. Furthermore, 5 of 5 patients (100%) with clinical progressive disease were correctly characterized as ELP-score negative. Conclusions: Using routine biopsy specimens, the ex vivo live tumor platform accurately identifies patients with clinical response to ICI therapy, including those incorrectly identified by conventional biomarkers. Ongoing efforts will test these findings in an additional validation set. If confirmed, the ex vivo LTF platform could enable the identification of patients likely to benefit from ICI therapy. Clinical trial information: NCT05478538 , NCT05520099 , NCT06349642 .
Fertility concerns, counseling, and preservation in AYA females with early-stage breast cancer: Chemotherapy receipt and timing.
Nichols, Hazel, Laurent, Cecile, Keegan, Theresa, Casperson, Mallory, Abrahão, Renata , Chao, Chun, Sauder, Candice, Wernli, Karen J. , Kushi, Lawrence H., Ruddy, Kathryn Jean, Liu, Bolun , Li, Jia , Keegan, Theresa H.M. , Chubak, Jessica , Casperson, Mallory, Green, Laura Elizabeth , Sauder, Candice A. M. , Hahn, Erin E , Kushi, Lawrence H. , Ruddy, Kathryn J.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 1564-1564

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.1564 Get It

1564 Background: Adolescent and young adult (AYA) females with early-stage ER-negative and/or HER2-positive breast cancer commonly receive chemotherapy to reduce risk of recurrence. Fertility concerns, counseling, and preservation may influence chemotherapy decisions and time to chemotherapy (TTC) initiation. Methods: We surveyed AYA survivors of stage I–III premenopausal ER-negative and/or HER2-positive breast cancer treated at Kaiser Permanente Northern and Southern California (2013-2022). Fertility concerns were defined as not having completed desired family size or being unsure about having completed desired family size at diagnosis. We summarized receipt of fertility counseling, receipt of chemotherapy, and use of oocyte/embryo cryopreservation for fertility preservation (FP). Among fertility-concerned patients who received chemotherapy, TTC (days from diagnosis) was assessed separately for neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) vs for adjuvant chemotherapy (AdjC). Time to NAC was natural log–transformed and modeled with multivariable log-linear regression to estimate relative differences in TTC, adjusting for stage, study site, ER, HER2, age, and diagnosis year. Results: Of 363 respondents, 197 (54%) had fertility concerns at diagnosis; 183/197 (93%) received chemotherapy, similar to 153/166 (92%) among those without concerns (p=0.7). Of the concerned chemotherapy recipients, 45 (25%) saw a fertility specialist but did not pursue FP while 55 (30%) underwent FP. For the 112 fertility-concerned NAC recipients, FP was associated with longer TTC than no fertility specialist counseling (mean=41 vs. 30 days; adjusted ratio=1.39; 95% CI 1.15–1.69), whereas fertility specialist counseling without FP was not (mean= 31 vs. 30 days, adjusted ratio=1.04; 95% CI 0.86–1.25). For the 71 fertility-concerned AdjC recipients, TTC was similar for patients who did not see a fertility specialist (mean=63 days), those who froze oocytes/embryos (mean=65 days), and those who saw a fertility specialist but did not pursue FP (mean=69 days). Conclusions: In this AYA breast cancer cohort, there was no evidence that fertility concerns led patients to decline chemotherapy. FP was associated with a modest delay in NAC initiation (<2 weeks on average). Time to chemotherapy (TTC) among 183 AYA patients with ER− and/or HER2+ breast cancer and fertility concerns. Fertility-focused care N (n=183) Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (n=112) Mean TTC, days Relative difference in TTC, adjusted ratio (95%CI) Adjuvant chemotherapy (n=71) Mean TTC, days No fertility counseling from a specialist 83 (45%) 55 (49%) 29.6 Reference 28 (39%) 62.6 Received fertility counseling from a specialist No fertility preservation 45 (25%) 28 (25%) 30.7 1.04 (0.86,1.25) 17 (24%) 68.6 Fertility preservation 55 (30%) 29 (26%) 41.2 1.39 (1.15,1.69) 26 (37%) 64.6
Potential BMI-dependent overall survival differences in postmenopausal breast cancer patients treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors: A Mayo Clinic platform study.
Sun, Chenyu, Billstein, Laura , Zhang, Julie Ying, Fickel, Abigail, Liu, Li , Du, Kaili , Lees, Elizabeth , Sun, Chenyu, Han, Yiqun , Zhang, Julie Ying

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 1110-1110

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.1110 Get It

1110 Background: CDK4/6 inhibitors with endocrine therapy are widely used for HR+/HER2– metastatic breast cancer (BC). While studies have shown similar progression-free outcomes across agents, overall survival (OS) data are limited. Since OS is a definitive endpoint and BMI may influence outcomes, this study examines BMI-dependent OS differences among CDK4/6 inhibitors. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the Mayo Clinic Platform full AMC1 dataset. Postmenopausal women with BC receiving palbociclib/ribociclib/abemaciclib plus aromatase inhibitor (AI) were included. Patients with prior use of fulvestrant, anthracyclines, radiation therapy, GnRH agonists, or history of MACE, heart failure, myocardial infarction, or stroke before BC diagnosis were excluded. Patients were stratified by BMI and CDK4/6 inhibitor. The primary outcome was 5-year OS. Results: Among 1,989 patients (palbociclib: 868; ribociclib: 465; abemaciclib: 656), palbociclib was associated with significantly worse OS compared to ribociclib in BMI <25 (HR 2.91; 95% CI: 1.76–4.79; P < 0.01) and BMI ≥30 (HR 1.91; 95% CI: 1.21–3.01; P < 0.01). Compared to abemaciclib, palbociclib showed worse OS: BMI <25 (HR 1.73; P < 0.01), BMI 25–30 (HR 1.56; P < 0.01), and BMI ≥30 (HR 1.82; P < 0.01). No significant OS differences were observed between ribociclib and abemaciclib. Palbociclib patients were older, particularly in BMI <25 (Cohen's D = 0.39 vs. ribociclib; 0.27 vs. abemaciclib) and BMI ≥30 (0.28 vs. ribociclib; 0.23 vs. abemaciclib). In the BMI 25–30 group, palbociclib group was also older than ribociclib group (Cohen's D = 0.26). Conclusions: In postmenopausal BC patients on AIs and CDK4/6 inhibitors, palbociclib was associated with worse OS in BMI < 25 and BMI ≥ 30 groups, while ribociclib and abemaciclib showed similar outcomes across BMI groups. Palbociclib patients were older than those on other drugs, which may partially confound results; however, in the BMI 25–30 group, despite similar age differences, no survival difference was observed between palbociclib and ribociclib, suggesting age alone may have limited impact. These findings indicate a potential interaction between BMI and drug choice, and highlight the need for prospective studies to confirm and adjust for these variables. Limitations include the observational design and inability to perform multivariable regression analyses to adjust for confounders. Overall survival comparisons by CDK4/6 inhibitor and BMI subgroup. Comparison BMI Group Hazard Ratio (95% CI) P-value Palbociclib vs Ribociclib <25 2.91 (1.76 – 4.79) < 0.01 25 – 30 1.34 (0.87 – 2.071) 0.17 ≥30 1.91 (1.21 – 3.01) < 0.01 Palbociclib vs Abemaciclib <25 1.73 (1.29 – 2.32) < 0.01 25 – 30 1.56 (1.09 – 2.23) < 0.01 ≥30 1.82 (1.15 – 2.88) < 0.01 Ribociclib vs Abemaciclib <25 1.27 (0.81 – 1.99) 0.29 25 – 30 0.87 (0.54 – 1.43) 0.59 ≥30 1.05 (0.63 – 1.75) 0.85