Citations

AbstractThis case describes a pediatric patient with a history of ichthyosis vulgaris and global anhidrosis who was diagnosed with erythema ab igne (EAI), a rare dermatosis resulting from chronic heat exposure. After developing progressive, reticulated brown patches on his extremities and abdomen, extensive diagnostic investigations were conducted to rule out autoimmune, vascular, and genetic etiologies. Bloodwork was unrevealing and biopsies showed histologic features closely resembling keratosis lichenoides chronica. Ultimately, after discovering the patient had prolonged exposure to a space heater, the diagnosis of EAI was made. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges in pediatric EAI cases and emphasizes the importance of careful history taking as part of a comprehensive evaluation.

9022 Background: High quality education is crucial for hematology/oncology (H/O) training and lifelong learning. However, H/O has historically prioritized clinical and research careers over medical education careers. Consequently, few programs support H/O educators. A CoP is a group that shares “a concern or passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.” We formed the ASCO Med Ed CoP in 2021 to provide a collaborative network and professional development venue for H/O educators. Methods: Following a published framework for developing a global health professions educator community (Establish-Grow-Sustain), we (ASCO Education Scholars Program graduates) developed CoP mission and vision statements and a leadership structure (Establish), formed committees and projects (Grow), and gathered at the ASCO Annual Meeting and via virtual Town Halls (Sustain). In 2023, we collected demographics and evaluated the CoP using a logic model focused on inputs, activities, outputs, and impact. Results: As of December 2023, the CoP includes 238 members from 143 institutions (38 [27%] non-U.S.): 207 (87%) ASCO members; 127 (53%) women, 106 (45%) men, 5 (2%) no response (NR); 111 (47%) White, 88 (37%) Asian/Pacific Islander, 27 (11%) Latinx/Hispanic, 12 (5%) Black/African-American, 8 (3%) Middle Eastern, 1 (0.4%) African, 16 (7%) NR; 146 (61%) hematologist/oncologists, 68 (29%) trainees, 6 (3%) radiation oncologists, 3 (1%) surgical oncologists, and 15 (6%) other professionals. The logic model is displayed (Table). Conclusions: The CoP has had an impact on its members, ASCO, and beyond and continues to grow and sustain itself by recruiting broadly, driving projects forward, and making structural adjustments for long-term sustainability. Upcoming projects include providing more educational resources and measuring outcomes such as changes in members’ knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Membership diversity continues to be a challenge and a priority. [Table: see text]

9000 Background: Despite IMGs accounting for up to one-third of all practicing oncologists in the United States, little is known about their contributions to presentations at international oncology meetings, such as the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). Therefore, we investigated the representation of IMGs in invited faculty roles at ASCO Annual Meetings. Methods: Speaker presentation details at ASCO 2022 and 2023 Annual Meetings were collected using publicly available program guides. We collected presentation-level variables of invited faculty roles (discussant, moderator, chairmanship, session topic presenter) and original research type (oral abstract, poster discussion, plenary session). Speaker-level variables comprised presumed gender, academic rank, and institution. Speakers were categorized into the following groups - American Medical Graduate (AMG): currently affiliated with a US institution, completed medical school in the US; IMG: affiliated with a US institution, completed medical school outside the US; non-US based speakers: affiliated with an institution outside the US; non-MD speakers. Univariable and multivariable analyses were employed to assess factors associated with the selection of presenters for invited faculty roles. Results: A total of 3337 presentations (1649 from 2022, 1688 from 2023) were included. 71.6% of the speakers were US-based, 56.6% were male and 40.5% were full professors. The highest proportion of podium presentations was by AMGs (48.5%), followed by non-US based (28.3%), IMGs (14.1%), and non-MD (9.1%) speakers. 57% of IMG presentations consisted of original research compared to 48.7% for AMGs (Table). Notably, compared to AMGs, IMGs were significantly less likely to be included in invited faculty roles (odds ratio [OR] 0.72 [95% CI 0.58 – 0.88], p <0.01), a finding that remained significant after accounting for gender and academic rank (adjusted OR 0.75 [0.61 – 0.94], p= 0.01). Conclusions: Relative to IMGs’ original research output, IMGs appear to receive less invitations for ASCO Annual Meeting invited faculty roles compared to AMGs. Our findings suggest potential under-representation and under-recognition of IMGs in these roles, despite their contributions to the oncology workforce in the US. [Table: see text]

Abstract BACKGROUND ACNS1123 was a Phase 2 study to determine whether irradiation could be safely reduced without impacting survival in a subgroup of NGGCT patients. METHODS Patients with localized disease who achieved a complete (CR) or partial response (PR) to induction chemotherapy were eligible to receive reduced dose/volume of irradiation to 30.6Gy whole ventricular field with 54Gy tumor-bed boost. RESULTS 107 eligible NGGCT patients were accrued. The median age of patients at enrollment was 11 years (3.7-21.6). Eighty patients (75%) were male. Location was pineal in 58 (55%), suprasellar in 37 (35%), ventricles in 6 (6%), and bifocal in 6 patients (6%). Sixty-six (61.7%) patients achieved a CR/PR post-induction and were eligible and evaluable for the primary objective and received reduced dose and volume of irradiation. Eight patients progressed; 6 had a distant spinal relapse (outside the irradiation field) and 2 had a local plus distant relapse. As of December 31, 2023, the median follow-up time for eligible and evaluable patients was 5.6 years (0.9-7.9) from enrollment. Except for an unrelated death due to SARS-CoV-2 at 5.5 years from enrollment, there were no grade 3 or higher adverse events at the 60-month follow-up timepoint and no disease progressions beyond 2 years. The 5-year progression-free and overall survival for all eligible and evaluable patients are 87.9% (95% CI:79%-94.8%) and 92.4% (95% CI:82.8%- 96.8%), respectively. CONCLUSION Although the study was closed prematurely due to the concern of increased spinal relapse, the current data suggest that most patients with localized NGGCT and a CR/PR to chemotherapy will survive long-term, and, in fact, have similar survival (PFS and OS) to patients enrolled on ACNS0122 who received full dose craniospinal irradiation. The key to future biologic studies and clinical trials is identifying at diagnosis those patients at high risk for relapse.

Regular, long-term aspirin use may act synergistically with genetic variants, particularly those in mechanistically relevant pathways, to confer a protective effect on colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. We leveraged pooled data from 52 clinical trial, cohort, and case-control studies that included 30,806 CRC cases and 41,861 controls of European ancestry to conduct a genome-wide interaction scan between regular aspirin/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and imputed genetic variants. After adjusting for multiple comparisons, we identified statistically significant interactions between regular aspirin/NSAID use and variants in 6q24.1 (top hit rs72833769 ), which has evidence of influencing expression of TBC1D7 (a subunit of the TSC1-TSC2 complex, a key regulator of MTOR activity), and variants in 5p13.1 (top hit rs350047 ), which is associated with expression of PTGER4 (codes a cell surface receptor directly involved in the mode of action of aspirin). Genetic variants with functional impact may modulate the chemopreventive effect of regular aspirin use, and our study identifies putative previously unidentified targets for additional mechanistic interrogation.

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized an urgent need for devices used in the self-collection of biospecimens in an evolving patient care system. The mailing of biospecimen self-collection kits to patients, with samples returned via mail, provides a more convenient testing regimen, but could also impart patient sampling variabilities. User compliance with device directions is central to downstream testing of collected biospecimens and clear instructions are central to this goal. Methods Here, we performed an evaluation of 10 oral DNA collection devices involving either swab or saliva self-collection and analyzed ease of use and comfort level with a device, as well as DNA recovery quantity/quality and sample stability. Results We show that while these DNA quality/quantity metrics are comparable between devices, users prefer direct saliva collection over swab-based devices. Conclusions This information is useful in guiding future experiments including their use in human RNA, microbial, or viral sample collection/recovery and their use in clinical testing.

Abstract INTRODUCTION This ongoing, prospective study examines the effectiveness of methods used to successfully recruit and retain 238 Black older adults in a longitudinal, observational Alzheimer's disease (AD) study. METHODS Recruitment strategies included traditional media, established research registries, speaking engagements, community events, and snowball sampling. Participants were asked to complete an annual office testing session, blood‐based biomarker collection, optional one‐time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and community workshop. RESULTS Within the first 22 months of active recruitment, 629 individuals expressed interest in participating, and 238 enrolled in the ongoing study. Of the recruitment methods used, snowball sampling, community events, and speaking engagements were the most effective. DISCUSSION The systemic underrepresentation of Black participants in AD research impacts the ability to generalize research findings and determine the effectiveness and safety of disease‐modifying treatments. Research to slow, stop, or prevent AD remains a top priority but requires diversity in sample representation. Highlights Provide flexible appointments in the evening or weekends, offering transportation assistance, and allowing participants to complete study visits at alternative locations, such as senior centers or community centers. Continuously monitor and analyze recruitment data to identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for improvement. Implement targeted strategies to recruit participants who are underrepresented based on sex, gender, or education to increase representation. Diversify the research team to include members who reflect the racial and cultural backgrounds of the target population, to enhance trust and rapport with prospective participants.

Abstract Despite advances in understanding the genetic abnormalities in myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) and the development of JAK2 inhibitors, there is an urgent need to devise new treatment strategies, particularly for patients with triple-negative (TN) myelofibrosis (MF) who lack mutations in the JAK2 kinase pathway and have very poor clinical outcomes. Here we report that MYC copy number gain and increased MYC expression frequently occur in TN-MF and that MYC-directed activation of S100A9, an alarmin protein that plays pivotal roles in inflammation and innate immunity, is necessary and sufficient to drive development and progression of MF. Notably, the MYC-S100A9 circuit provokes a complex network of inflammatory signaling that involves numerous hematopoietic cell types in the bone marrow microenvironment. Accordingly, genetic ablation of S100A9 or treatment with small molecules targeting the MYC-S100A9 pathway effectively ameliorates MF phenotypes, highlighting the MYC–alarmin axis as a novel therapeutic vulnerability for this subgroup of MPNs. Significance: This study establishes that MYC expression is increased in TN-MPNs via trisomy 8, that a MYC-S100A9 circuit manifest in these cases is sufficient to provoke myelofibrosis and inflammation in diverse hematopoietic cell types in the BM niche, and that the MYC-S100A9 circuit is targetable in TN-MPNs.