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3626 Background: For patients (pts) with dMMR stage III colon cancer, the addition of atezolizumab (atezo) to adjuvant 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin plus oxaliplatin (mFOLFOX6) significantly improved disease-free survival in ATOMIC (NCT02912559). Here we present HRQOL data. Methods: Pts with surgically resected stage III dMMR colon cancer were randomized (1:1) to receive mFOLFOX6 + atezo (840 mg IV q2 weeks) for 12 cycles (6 months [mo]) followed by atezo monotherapy for 13 cycles (12 mo total) versus mFOLFOX6 for 12 cycles. HRQOL was an exploratory endpoint measured using the FACT-C (includes FACT-G), FACT/GOG-NTX, EQ5D-5L, and PRO-CTCAE. Optional participation was by paper surveys at trial registration, prior to treatment cycles 4 and 7, and at 6, 12, and 36 mo after registration. Mean changes from baseline (BL) were compared between treatment arms using general linear mixed models (negative mean changes indicate worsening). At 6 mo, a two-sided 95% confidence interval excluding a difference of 1.9 points (FACT/GOG-NTX) and 6 points (FACT-C Trial Outcome Index [TOI]) favoring the mFOLFOX6 arm would indicate non-inferiority of the addition of atezo. Rates of side effect bother (FACT-G item GP5) and pt-reported adverse events (AEs) by PRO-CTCAE (composite scores, baseline adjusted) were compared using Fisher’s exact tests. Results: Of 712 randomized pts, 581 (285 atezo+mFOLFOX6; 296 mFOLFOX6) consented to participate in the survey. Pts completed 2398/3021 (79%) of expected surveys across all time points (1218/1489 [82%] atezo+mFOLFOX6; 1180/1532 [77%] mFOLFOX6). The difference in mean changes from BL between arms indicated non-inferiority of the addition of atezo at 6 mo (table); differences remained small at 12 and 36 mo. No significant differences in mean changes from BL between arms were found at 6, 12, or 36 mo for any scale. At 6 mo, 16% vs 20% of pts in each arm reported at least “quite a bit” of side effect bother (p=0.34), favoring atezo. Across cycles, atezo was associated with higher rates of pt-reported itchy skin (62% vs 48%), cough (53% vs 43%), and shortness of breath (51% vs 41%) [all p<0.05]. Conclusions: Addition of atezo to mFOLFOX6 slightly increases pt-reported AEs, but its effect on HRQOL is minimal and not clinically meaningful. Results support tolerability of atezo+mFOLFOX6 as standard of care adjuvant treatment for pts with dMMR stage III colon cancer. Support: UG1CA189823, U10CA180821, U10CA180882; Genentech, a member of the Roche group; https://acknowledgments.alliancefound.org. Clinical trial information: NCT02912559 . Scale Mo Mean change from BL – atezo+mFOLFOX6 Mean change from BL – mFOLFOX6 Diff (95% CI) FACT/GOG-NTX 6 -10.0 -10.6 0.6 (-0.8, 2.1) 12 -8.0 -9.4 1.4 (-0.2, 2.9) 36 -7.2 -6.9 -0.4 (-2.1, 1.4) FACT-C TOI 6 -4.1 -2.5 -1.6 (-3.7, 0.6) 12 2.1 1.8 0.3 (-1.9, 2.6) 36 0.7 1.8 -1.1 (-3.7, 1.5)

ABSTRACT Leptomeningeal disease (LMD) is a rapidly fatal complication of systemic cancer for which sensitive diagnostic tools and informative biomarkers remain limited. Here, we introduce CSF-Seq, a method for whole-transcriptome sequencing of cell-free RNA (cfRNA) from human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), designed to enable molecular profiling of LMD and other central nervous system (CNS) conditions. Using a prospectively collected CSF biobank, we analyzed 125 samples spanning multiple pathologies, including breast and lung LMD, glioblastoma, traumatic brain injury, and non-cancer neurological controls. Through optimized RNA extraction, library preparation, and deep sequencing, CSF-Seq generated robust and reproducible transcriptome-wide profiles despite the low abundance and fragmentation of cfRNA in CSF. CSF transcriptomes exhibited disease-specific expression, separating LMD from non-cancer controls and from non-LMD cancers, independent of CSF collection modality. Tumor-associated epithelial transcripts, including CEACAM6 and MUC1, were consistently enriched in LMD samples, whereas immune and CNS-associated transcripts were broadly detected across disease states, consistent with contributions from both tumor and non-tumor sources. Cross-site processing of matched samples demonstrated high concordance, indicating preservation of sample-specific transcriptional signatures across independent workflows. Importantly, we identified a collection method– independent LMD gene expression signature that was significantly associated with overall survival, supporting its potential prognostic relevance. Together, these findings establish CSF-Seq as a technically robust and clinically informative platform for transcriptomic biomarker discovery in CNS metastatic disease, offering a minimally invasive approach for disease characterization, risk stratification, and longitudinal monitoring in patients with LMD.

Background Frontotemporal dementia is an umbrella term that encompasses several clinical syndromes with impaired behavioral, language, and motor functions. These syndromes show considerable overlap in clinical features and imaging patterns. Therefore, there is a need to investigate the syndromic heterogeneity in FTD using unbiased data-driven approaches. Methods We used data-driven clustering analysis of structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data on 400 patients with clinical FTD diagnoses [behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), semantic variant of primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), right temporal variant of frontotemporal dementia (rtvFTD), apraxia of speech with agrammatic aphasia (AOS-PAA), primary progressive apraxia of speech (PPAOS), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal syndrome (CBS) and primary progressive aphasia who did not fit into the other diagnostic categories (PPA-other)]. MR images were w-scored relative to cognitively unimpaired individuals, and principal component analysis was performed. A clustering ensemble approach, including hierarchical algorithms, was applied to the MR-based principal components, and imaging and clinical characteristics of the clusters were investigated. Various numbers of clusters ( K = 2, 3, or 4) were evaluated. Results The K = 3 solution offered the most clinically meaningful separation of FTD syndromes. The first cluster captured mostly frontal MRI abnormalities related to the speech, language and behavioral clinical dimensions, including patients with AOS-PAA, PPAOS, PPA-other, and bvFTD. The second cluster captured mostly temporal abnormalities and included mainly patients with svPPA and rtvFTD, but also bvFTD, AOS-PAA, and PPA-other. The third cluster captured cortical and subcortical atrophy, particularly in the midbrain, and included atypical Parkinsonian syndromes, with all PSP and CBS patients captured in this cluster, as well as most PPAOS patients. Considerable overlap of clinical syndromes was noted across these clusters, whereby patients with AOS-PAA, svPPA, PPA-other, and bvFTD were captured in more than one cluster. Discussion Our findings highlight heterogeneity in FTD, which mainly exists along three axes: speech, language and behavioral deficits reflecting frontal atrophy, language deficits reflecting temporal atrophy, and motor and motor speech deficits reflecting mostly midbrain and subcortical atrophy, with cortical involvement.

The diagnosis of coccidioidomycosis is often achieved serologically by the detection of antibodies against fungal antigens. While several serologic tests are available for coccidioidomycosis, all of them are performed in a laboratory setting causing delays in diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. Point-of-care testing offers the ability to provide a shorter time to result by avoiding specimen send-out, minimizing processing steps, and employing expeditious immunochemical techniques. A preliminary trial of a rapid anti-coccidioidal antibody lateral flow assay (LFA) using fingerstick blood was performed on 22 patients with coccidioidomycosis at the point of care during outpatient clinic visits. Patients were tested longitudinally over the course of one year. An LFA reader was implemented to provide an objective result by quantifying the intensity of the test line band. There was close qualitative concordance observed between positive LFA results with send-out immunodiffusion (89.5%) and complement fixation (78.4%) standard of care clinical laboratory assays. Additionally, the relationship between LFA test line density values and traditional complement fixation antibody titers was assessed.

Background We analysed the association between host genetic risk scores (GRSs) predicting efavirenz (EFV) plasma levels and exposure and suicidal behaviours in participants in one of several global antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinical trials linked to the International Network for Strategic Initiatives in Global HIV Trials (INSIGHT). Methods We conducted a matched case–control study (two controls per case) on suicide or grade-4 suicidal ideation/attempts or depression. Cases and controls were matched by EFV initiation strategy, study, and follow-up time. CYP2B6-based GRS classified participants as extensive, intermediate, or slow metabolisers. EFV and its metabolites (8-hydroxy-EFV and 7-hydroxy-EFV) were measured in plasma. Conditional logistic regression was used to analyse the associations between GRS categories, EFV levels, and suicidal behaviour. Results Among 74 cases and 146 controls, 128 (58.2%) started EFV-containing first-line treatment. Of the treatment-experienced participants, 35% were on EFV at entry. Pre-existing psychiatric conditions and recreational drug-use were more common in cases (16.2%, 25.7%) than in controls (0.7%, 9.6%). On comparing cases to controls, more cases were extensive metabolisers (52% vs. 45%), but there were fewer slow metabolisers (8% vs. 13%). The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for suicidal behaviour per one more minor allele was 0.76 (95% CI: 0.49–1.18). The OR for being a case vs. a control was 0.57 (95% CI: 0.38–0.86) per doubling of the EFV plasma level. Conclusion CYP2B6-based GRS for cytochrome P450 enzymatic activity appeared not to be associated with suicidal behaviour in individuals living with HIV treated with EFV-containing ART combinations. CYP2B6-based GRS effectively predicted EFV exposure, but suicidal behaviour appeared more likely in extensive (normal) metabolisers.

Abstract Background: Adhering to 2018 World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)/American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Cancer Prevention Recommendations is reportedly associated with better survival among long-term colon cancer survivors (likely affected by immortal time bias). Thus, it is important to validate survival benefits by assessing adherence shortly after diagnosis, and further investigation is needed to examine its association with chemotherapy outcomes. Methods: Using an NCI-sponsored adjuvant chemotherapy trial conducted in patients with stage III colon cancer (CALGB/SWOG 80702; NCT01150045), we included 1,666 patients who returned valid Willett food frequency questionnaires (FFQ) at chemotherapy initiation and derived WCRF/AICR scores accordingly (higher score suggesting higher adherence). The primary outcome was disease-free survival (time from FFQ completion to recurrence or death), and secondary outcomes were reduced relative dose intensity (RDI; &lt;85% suggesting worse completion) and severe toxicities (grade ≥3 for any chemotherapy-related toxicity). To estimate the associations of WCRF/AICR scores (quartiles) with survival and chemotherapy outcomes, we conducted multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression for disease-free survival and multivariable logistic regression for reduced RDI and severe toxicities. Results: Compared to those in the lowest quartile of the WCRF/AICR score, patients in the highest quartile had significantly better disease-free survival (hazard ratio: 0.75 [0.58, 0.98], Ptrend = 0.02) and lower risk of reduced RDI (odds ratio [OR]: 0.74 [0.54, 1.00], Ptrend = 0.03), but not for severe toxicities (OR: 1.24 [0.93, 1.67], Ptrend = 0.11). Conclusions: In patients with stage III colon cancer, higher adherence to WCRF/AICR recommendations was associated with better survival and chemotherapy completion, but not for severe toxicities. Funding: https://acknowledgments.alliancefound.org Citation Format: En Cheng, Chao Ma, Qian Shi, Anthony F. Shields, Peter T. Campbell, Ardaman P. Shergill, Katherine A. Guthrie, Felix Couture, Philip Kuebler, Pankaj Kumar, Benjamin Tan, Smitha S. Krishnamurthi, Kimmie Ng, Eileen M. O'Reilly, Justin C. Brown, Philip A. Philip, Jeffrey A. Meyerhardt. Associations of WCRF/AICR recommendations with survival and chemotherapy outcomes in colon cancer: CALGB/SWOG 80702 (Alliance) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(7 Suppl):Abstract nr 5038.

Fetal repair of myelomeningocele remains an effective intervention to decrease hindbrain herniation and reduce the need for postnatal CSF shunting. Effectiveness depends on a watertight closure; however, there are challenges to achieving such. Often, a separate, watertight dural closure is difficult due to the thinness and fragility of the dural membrane. This video demonstrates the approach utilizing a previously described myofascial rotation of the bilateral paraspinal muscles to construct a robust closure even without the need for a separate dural closure or patch reinforcement. This method has been associated with improved primary closure rates and fewer postnatal procedures. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2026.1.FOCVID25235

Study Design. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Objective. To assess how operative order affects clinical outcomes and complications in patients with concomitant lumbar spinal and hip pathologies. Summary of Background Data. Concomitant lumbar spinal and hip pathologies are becoming increasingly prevalent in the growing population. Determining the optimal operative order for surgical treatment remains challenging, particularly when comparing spine arthrodesis followed by hip arthroplasty (SAHA) with hip arthroplasty followed by spine arthrodesis (HASA). Prior studies report conflicting results regarding outcomes and complications. Methods. A comprehensive literature search was performed to identify studies reporting on postoperative outcomes and complications in patients with concomitant lumbar spinal and hip pathologies. Random-effects model meta-analysis of pooled outcomes was performed comparing operative order groups (SAHA and HASA), with postoperative complications and revisions being our primary endpoints. Results. A total of 22 studies, yielding 161,326 patients who received surgical treatment for concomitant lumbar spinal and hip pathologies, were included. The majority of patients underwent SAHA (pooled estimate: 88.4%, 95% CI: 76.9–96.3%, P =0.01). Females comprised 56.1% (95% CI: 49.2–62.8%) of the study population. The mean age was 70.6±6.4 years, and the mean follow-up duration was 2.6±2.1 years. The mean number of treated levels was 2.1±1.4. No significant differences were noted between the SAHA and HASA groups with respect to complications, including hip dislocation ( P =0.7), mechanical loosening ( P =0.8), periprosthetic fractures ( P =0.7), deep venous thrombosis (DVT) ( P =0.8), and infection ( P =0.9). Revisions were required in 3.6% of patients in the SAHA group (95% CI: 2.5–4.9%) and 2.6% of patients in the HASA group (95% CI: 0.5–6.2%, P =0.5). Conclusion. Among patients surgically treated for concomitant lumbar spinal and hip pathologies, SAHA was significantly more commonly performed than HASA. Our analysis shows that postoperative complications and revisions did not significantly differ depending on operative order.