Citations

Abstract Ivosidenib is a first-in-class mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (mIDH1) inhibitor with efficacy and tolerability in patients with advanced mIDH1 hematologic malignancies, leading to approval in frontline and relapsed/refractory (R/R) mIDH1 acute myeloid leukemia. We report final data from a phase 1 single-arm substudy of once-daily ivosidenib in patients with R/R mIDH1 myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) after failure of standard-of-care therapies. Primary objectives were to determine safety, tolerability, and clinical activity. The primary efficacy end point was the complete remission (CR) + partial remission (PR) rate. Nineteen patients were enrolled; 18 were included in the efficacy analysis. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 8 (42.1%) patients, including a grade 1 QT interval prolongation in 1 (5.3%) patient and grade 2 differentiation syndrome in 2 (10.5%) patients. Rates of CR + PR and objective response (CR + PR + marrow CR) were 38.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.3-64.3) and 83.3% (95% CI, 58.6-96.4), respectively. Kaplan-Meier estimates showed a 68.6% probability of patients in CR achieving a remission duration of ≥5 years, and a median overall survival of 35.7 months. Of note, 71.4% and 75.0% baseline red blood cell (RBC)- and platelet-transfusion-dependent patients, respectively, became transfusion independent (TI; no transfusion for ≥56 days); 81.8% and 100% of baseline RBC and platelet TI patients, respectively, remained TI. One (5.3%) patient proceeded to a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. In conclusion, ivosidenib is clinically active, with durable remissions and a manageable safety profile observed in these patients. This trial was registered at www.ClinicalTrials.gov as #NCT02074839.

ABSTRACT Introduction Endurance exercise at altitude can increase cardiac output and pulmonary vascular pressure to levels that may exceed the stress tolerability of the alveolar–capillary unit. This study examined the effect of ultramarathon trail racing at different altitudes (ranging from <1000 m to between 1500 and 2700 m) on alveolar–capillary recruitment and lung diffusion. Methods Cardiac and lung function were examined before and after an ultramarathon in 67 runners (age: 41 ± 9 yr, body mass index: 23 ± 2 kg·m −2 , 10 females), and following 12–24 h of recovery in a subset ( n = 27). Cardiac biomarkers (cTnI and BNP) were assessed from whole blood, whereas lung fluid accumulation (comet tails), stroke volume (SV), and cardiac output ( Q ) were quantified via echocardiography. Lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) and its components, alveolar membrane conductance (Dm) and capillary blood volume (Vc), were determined via a single-breath method at rest and during three stages of submaximal semirecumbent cycling (20, 30, and 40 W). Results Average race time was 25 ± 12 h. From pre- to post-race, there was an increase in cardiac biomarkers (cTnI: 0.04 ± 0.02 vs 0.13 ± 0.03 ng·mL −1 , BNP: 20 ± 2 vs 112 ± 21 pg·mL −1 ; P < 0.01) and lung comet tails (2 ± 1 vs 7 ± 6, P < 0.01), a decrease in resting and exercise SV (76 ± 2 vs 69 ± 2 mL, 40 W: 93 ± 2 vs 88 ± 2 mL; P < 0.01), and an elevation in Q at rest (4.1 ± 0.1 vs 4.6 ± 0.2 L·min −1 , P < 0.01; 40 W: 7.3 ± 0.2 vs 7.4 ± 0.3 L·min −1 , P = 0.899). Resting DLco and Vc decreased after the race ( P < 0.01), whereas Dm was unchanged ( P = 0.465); however, during the three stages of exercise, DLco, Vc, and Dm were all reduced from pre- to post-race (40 W: 36.3 ± 0.9 vs 33.0 ± 0.8 mL·min −1 ·mm Hg −1 , 83 ± 3 vs 73 ± 2 mL, 186 ± 6 vs 170 ± 7 mL·min −1 ·mm Hg −1 , respectively; P < 0.01). When corrected for alveolar volume and Q , DLco decreased from pre- to post-race ( P < 0.01), and changes in DLco were similar for all ultramarathon events ( P > 0.05). Conclusions Competing in an ultramarathon leads to a transient increase in cardiac injury biomarkers, mild lung-fluid accumulation, and impairments in lung diffusion. Reductions in DLco are predominantly caused by a reduced Vc and possible pulmonary capillary de-recruitment at rest. However, impairments in alveolar–capillary recruitment and Dm both contribute to a fall in exertional DLco following an ultramarathon. Perturbations in lung diffusion were evident across a range of event distances and varying environmental exposures.

Abstract Background: The prognosis of patients with MM with CNS mets is poor. E6201 is an intravenous (IV) MEK inhibitor with activity against BRAF V600-mutated MM cell lines, including MAPK resistance alteration. A previous phase I trial demonstrated activity of E6201 in BRAF V600E mutated MM with a Maximal Tolerated Dose of 320mg/m2 given IV once a week x 3 weeks q 28 days. 2/23 (8.7%) of patients had a PR, 8/23 (34.8%) had SD. Two patients with MM and brain mets achieved near-CR which led to preclinical studies that demonstrated E6201 is unaffected by P-gp and BCRP transport and achieved higher brain to blood concentration (266%).In this trial, patients with BRAF mutation + MM with brain mets, single agent E6201 given at 320mg/m2 twice weekly x 3 weeks q 28 days was determined to be safe. One patient had CNS SD and a PR in lung mets, and a second patient achieved CNS stable disease and CR in a leg melanotic lesion. The drug was well-tolerated with one reversible AE thrombocytopenia (Gr 2). The final review showed intracranial response of SD in 2/4 (50%) patients and systemic SD in 3/4 (75%) patients. Methods: We are currently accruing to the dose escalation cohort of E6201 with dabrafenib 150 mg twice daily orally (n=up to 22 evaluable patients). E6201 is administered IV at 320mg/m2 twice weekly for 3 weeks every 28 days. Patients must have stage IV melanoma with BRAF mutation with at least one active lesion in the brain. Prior local therapy is allowed if done at least 3 weeks prior to cycle 1. Participants must be on a stable dose of steroids for at least 7 days and have an ECOG &lt;!–=2. The study allows one prior BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapy. The primary objectives are to determine the MTD of E6201 when combined with dabrafenib and the response rate of brain mets. The secondary objectives include duration of response, extracranial response, progression free survival, overall survival, and impact of BRAF mutation subtype and safety of the combination. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05388877 References:1.Gampa G, et al. Brain distribution of a novel MEK inhibitor E6201: implications in the treatment of melanoma brain metastases. 2018. Drug Metab Dispos.2.Tibes R et al. Safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary efficacy of E6201 in patients with advanced solid tumors, including melanoma: results of a phase I study. 2018. Brit J of Cancer. 3.Babiker Gm et al, E6201, an intravenous MEK1 inhibitor, achieves an exceptional response in BRAF V600E mutated metastatic malignant melanoma with brain metastases. 2018. Inv New Drugs4.Gampa G, Kim M, Cook-Rostie N, Laramy JK, Sarkaria JN, Paradiso L, DePalatis L, Elmquist WF. Brain distribution of a novel MEK inhibitor E6201: Implications in the treatment of melanoma brain metastases. 2018. Drug Met Disp.–&gt; Citation Format: Mahesh Seetharam, Roxana Dronca, Arkadiusz Z. Dudek, Garth Nelson, Matthew Block, Skylar Starling, Amber Baskin, Renee Bradshaw, Courtney Nelson, Kylee Andrews, Alisha Birgin, Cristina Watson, Yiyi Yan, Daruka Mahadevan, Svetomir Markovic, Tom Myers, Linda Paradiso, Hani Babiker. Phase 1 trial of MEK1 inhibitor E6201 plus dabrafenib in patients (pts) with BRAF V600-mutated metastatic melanoma (MM) with central nervous system (CNS) metastases (mets) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(7_Suppl):Abstract nr CT157.

Precision immuno-oncology involves the development of personalized cancer treatments that are influenced by the unique nature of an individual’s DNA, immune cells, and their tumor’s molecular characterization. Biological sex influences immunity; females typically mount stronger innate and adaptive immune responses than males. Though more research is warranted, we continue to observe an enhanced benefit for females with lung cancer when treated with combination chemoimmunotherapy in contrast to the preferred approach of utilizing immunotherapy alone in men. Despite the observed sex differences in response to treatments, women remain underrepresented in oncology clinical trials, largely as a result of gender-biased misconceptions. Such exclusion has resulted in the development of less efficacious treatment guidelines and clinical recommendations and has created a knowledge gap in regard to immunotherapy-related survivorship issues such as fertility. To develop a more precise approach to care and overcome the exclusion of women from clinical trials, flexible trial schedules, multilingual communication strategies, financial, and transportation assistance for participants should be adopted. The impact of intersectionality and other determinants of health that affect the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes in women must also be considered in order to develop a comprehensive understanding of the unique impact of immunotherapy in all women with lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected healthcare systems globally, resulting in significant delays and challenges in various medical treatments, particularly in cancer care. This study aims to investigate the repercussions of the pandemic on surgical interventions for colorectal cancer (CRC) in the US, using data from the National Cancer Database. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the National Cancer Database, encompassing adult patients who underwent surgical procedures for colon and rectal cancer in 2019 (pre-COVID) and 2020 (COVID). We examined various demographic and clinical variables, including patient characteristics, tumor staging, surgical approaches, and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: The analysis included 105,517 patients, revealing a 17.3% reduction in surgical cases during the initial year of the pandemic. Patients who underwent surgery in 2020 displayed more advanced clinical and pathological tumor stages compared to those treated in 2019. After diagnosis, no delay was reported in the treatment. Patients operated during the pandemic, Black patients, uninsured, and Medicaid beneficiaries had worse stage colon and rectal cancer, and individuals with lower incomes bore the burden of advanced colon cancer. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CRC surgery transcends a mere decline in case numbers, resulting in a higher prevalence of patients with advanced disease. This study underscores the exacerbated disparities in cancer care, particularly affecting vulnerable populations. The COVID-19 pandemic has left a significant and enduring imprint on CRC surgery, intensifying the challenges faced by patients and healthcare systems. Comprehensive studies are imperative to comprehend the long-term consequences of delayed screenings, diagnoses, and treatments as healthcare planning for the future must consider the unintended repercussions of pandemic-related disruptions.

Abstract Objective To assess for improvement in comfort in participating in advocacy for migraine and headache disorders and knowledge needed for successful advocacy. Background The Advocacy Connection Team (ACT)‐Now program is an educational program offered through Miles for Migraine, a non‐profit advocacy organization. It is designed to teach headache fellows and patients advocacy skills. Methods In a cross‐sectional pre‐test–post‐test design, the 2021 ACT‐Now cohort of 98 participants were administered a set of 11 pre‐course survey questions identifying their role (healthcare provider/headache fellow or patient/caregiver), baseline knowledge of migraine‐related disability and stigma, and baseline engagement and comfort with advocating. The post‐course survey questions were the same as the pre‐course questions, with the addition of one question assessing knowledge of migraine‐related disability, additional questions addressing comfort levels advocating with insurance and policymakers, as well as creating an advocacy plan. Results For the pre‐course survey, 69 participants responded and for the post‐course survey, 40 participants responded. Compared to the pre‐course survey, participants were able to correctly identify epidemiological data about migraine following the ACT‐Now course (pre‐course 46% correct, post‐course 58% correct, p = 0.263). There was also an increase in the comfort level of participants in advocacy activities, including the creation of an advocacy action plan (pre‐course 23% were “very comfortable” advocating, post‐course 63%, p < 0.05). Conclusion These results demonstrate that ACT‐Now is effective at improving advocacy skills in a mixed cohort of patients and headache fellows, giving them the skills to create advocacy plans and engage with other patients and physicians, payers, and policymakers to create a more understanding, equitable and compassionate world for persons with migraine and other headache diseases.

Importance Racial and ethnic disparities exist in urogynecologic surgery; however, literature identifying specific disparities after sling operations for stress incontinence are limited. Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate racial and ethnic disparities in surgical complications within 30 days of midurethral sling operations. Study Design This retrospective cohort study identified women who underwent an isolated midurethral sling operation between 2014 and 2021 using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Women were stratified by racial and ethnic category to assess the primary outcome, 30-day surgical complications, and the secondary outcome, comparison of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Results There were 20,066 patients included. Mean age and body mass index were 53.9 years and 30.8, respectively. More Black or African American women had diabetes and hypertension, and more American Indian or Alaska Native women used tobacco. The only difference in 30-day complications was stroke/cerebrovascular accident, which occurred in only 1 Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander patient (0.1%, P < 0.0001). The most frequent complication was UTI (3.3%). Black or African American women were significantly less likely to have a diagnosis of UTI than non-Hispanic White (P = 0.04), Hispanic White (P = 0.03), and American Indian or Alaska Native women (P = 0.04). Conclusions Surgical complications within 30 days of sling operations are rare. No clinically significant racial and ethnic differences in serious complications were observed. Urinary tract infection diagnoses were lower among Black or African American women than in non-Hispanic White, Hispanic White, and American Indian or Alaska Native women despite a greater comorbidity burden. No known biologic reason exists to explain lower UTI rates in this population; therefore, this finding may represent a disparity in diagnosis and treatment.

Abstract Aims Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is common in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Cardiac amyloidosis has poor outcomes, and its assessment in all TAVR patients is costly and challenging. Electrocardiogram (ECG) artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that screen for CA may be useful to identify at-risk patients. Methods and results In this retrospective analysis of our institutional National Cardiovascular Disease Registry (NCDR)-TAVR database, patients undergoing TAVR between January 2012 and December 2018 were included. Pre-TAVR CA probability was analysed by an ECG AI predictive model, with &gt;50% risk defined as high probability for CA. Univariable and propensity score covariate adjustment analyses using Cox regression were performed to compare clinical outcomes between patients with high CA probability vs. those with low probability at 1-year follow-up after TAVR. Of 1426 patients who underwent TAVR (mean age 81.0 ± 8.5 years, 57.6% male), 349 (24.4%) had high CA probability on pre-procedure ECG. Only 17 (1.2%) had a clinical diagnosis of CA. After multivariable adjustment, high probability of CA by ECG AI algorithm was significantly associated with increased all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.96, P = 0.046] and higher rates of major adverse cardiovascular events (transient ischaemic attack (TIA)/stroke, myocardial infarction, and heart failure hospitalizations] (HR 1.36, 95% CI 1.01–1.82, P = 0.041), driven primarily by heart failure hospitalizations (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.13–2.20, P = 0.008) at 1-year follow-up. There were no significant differences in TIA/stroke or myocardial infarction. Conclusion Artificial intelligence applied to pre-TAVR ECGs identifies a subgroup at higher risk of clinical events. These targeted patients may benefit from further diagnostic evaluation for CA.

ImportanceRedirection of care refers to withdrawal, withholding, or limiting escalation of treatment. Whether maternal social determinants of health are associated with redirection of care discussions merits understanding.ObjectiveTo examine associations between maternal social determinants of health and redirection of care discussions for infants born extremely preterm.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis is a retrospective analysis of a prospective cohort of infants born at less than 29 weeks’ gestation between April 2011 and December 2020 at 19 National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network centers in the US. Follow-up occurred between January 2013 and October 2023. Included infants received active treatment at birth and had mothers who identified as Black or White. Race was limited to Black and White based on service disparities between these groups and limited sample size for other races. Maternal social determinant of health exposures were education level (high school nongraduate or graduate), insurance type (public/none or private), race (Black or White), and ethnicity (Hispanic or non-Hispanic).Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was documented discussion about redirection of infant care. Secondary outcomes included subsequent redirection of care occurrence and, for those born at less than 27 weeks’ gestation, death and neurodevelopmental impairment at 22 to 26 months’ corrected age.ResultsOf the 15 629 infants (mean [SD] gestational age, 26 [2] weeks; 7961 [51%] male) from 13 643 mothers, 2324 (15%) had documented redirection of care discussions. In unadjusted comparisons, there was no significant difference in the percentage of infants with redirection of care discussions by race (Black, 1004/6793 [15%]; White, 1320/8836 [15%]) or ethnicity (Hispanic, 291/2105 [14%]; non-Hispanic, 2020/13 408 [15%]). However, after controlling for maternal and neonatal factors, infants whose mothers identified as Black or as Hispanic were less likely to have documented redirection of care discussions than infants whose mothers identified as White (Black vs White adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75-0.96) or as non-Hispanic (Hispanic vs non-Hispanic aOR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.60-0.87). Redirection of care discussion occurrence did not differ by maternal education level or insurance type.Conclusions and RelevanceFor infants born extremely preterm, redirection of care discussions occurred less often for Black and Hispanic infants than for White and non-Hispanic infants. It is important to explore the possible reasons underlying these differences.

Abstract Background We aimed to determine if pre-existing immunocompromising conditions (ICCs) were associated with the presentation or outcome of patients with acute coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admitted for pediatric intensive care. Methods Fifty-five hospitals in 30 US states reported cases through the Overcoming COVID-19 public health surveillance registry. Patients &lt;21 years admitted 12 March 2020–30 December 2021 to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) or high-acuity unit for acute COVID-19 were included. Results Of 1274 patients, 105 (8.2%) had an ICC, including 33 (31.4%) hematologic malignancies, 24 (22.9%) primary immunodeficiencies and disorders of hematopoietic cells, 19 (18.1%) nonmalignant organ failure with solid-organ transplantation, 16 (15.2%) solid tumors, and 13 (12.4%) autoimmune disorders. Patients with ICCs were older, had more underlying renal conditions, and had lower white blood cell and platelet counts than those without ICCs, but had similar clinical disease severity upon admission. In-hospital mortality from COVID-19 was higher (11.4% vs 4.6%, P = .005) and hospitalization was longer (P = .01) in patients with ICCs. New major morbidities upon discharge were not different between those with and without ICC (10.5% vs 13.9%, P = .40). In patients with ICCs, bacterial coinfection was more common in those with life-threatening COVID-19. Conclusions In this national case series of patients &lt;21 years of age with acute COVID-19 admitted for intensive care, existence of a prior ICCs were associated with worse clinical outcomes. Reassuringly, most patients with ICCs hospitalized in the PICU for severe acute COVID-19 survived and were discharged home without new severe morbidities.