Citations

Abstract Introduction: Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is characterized by hypoxemia, portal hypertension, and intrapulmonary shunting and manifests as dyspnea. The portal hypertension may be a result of cirrhosis or non-cirrhotic causes such as nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver that is associated with drug therapy. Progressive hypoxemia often occurs despite stable liver function. Ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1; KADCYLA) is an antibody-drug conjugate comprised of a humanized monoclonal antibody trastuzumab covalently linked to the cytotoxic agent maytansine. T-DM1 is prescribed in the postneoadjuvant setting in persons with residual invasive HER2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer (BC) as well as in persons with metastatic HER2+ BC who were previously treated with trastuzumab and a taxane. Liver toxicities including an asymptomatic, transient increase in transaminases and nodular regenerative hyperplasia that results in portal hypertension have been described; however, HPS secondary to noncirrhotic portal hypertension occurring with long-term exposure to T-DM1 has not been reported. We have identified patients (pts) with this infrequent, yet serious complication, and we aim to better characterize their clinical course to guide earlier detection and hopefully prevent irreversible hypoxic respiratory failure. Methods: Institutional search tools were utilized to identify pts at Mayo Clinic with HER2+ BC treated with T-DM1 in either the postneoadjuvant or metastatic setting. Electronic health records were manually reviewed for HPS criteria including 1) hypoxemia 2) portal hypertension and 3) intrapulmonary shunt/vasodilation confirmed by contrast echocardiogram or macroaggregated albumin lung perfusion scan. For pts meeting criteria for HPS, imaging was independently reviewed by a hepatologist to determine whether there was preexisting liver disease or if changes occurred after initiation of T-DM1. Results: We identified 259 pts with HER2+ BC treated with T-DM1 in the postneoadjuvant (n=70) or metastatic setting (n=185). Four pts met criteria for HPS (1.5%) while receiving T-DM1 for metastatic disease (Table 1; listed in chronological order of onset of HPS). Median age was 43 (range 35 - 53 years), median prior lines of treatment was 1.5 (range 0 - 7), and the median number of cycles of T-DM1 prior to discontinuation was 68.5 (range 51 - 90). All pts had evidence of left atrial enlargement on echocardiogram, and evidence of portal hypertension as determined by the presence of varices, and splenomegaly. Three pts had documented telangiectasias as well as Grade 1-2 elevations in serum transaminases and bilirubin. Elevations in hemoglobin were noted in 2 pts during treatment with T-DM1. All pts had a confirmed intrapulmonary shunt via contrast echocardiogram and a lung perfusion scan. Three pts discontinued T-DM1 after diagnosis of HPS and experienced some clinical improvement in hypoxia. One pt died two months after stopping T-DM1 due to progression of BC. Conclusion: HPS may occur in the setting of prolonged exposure to T-DM1 and can be associated with severe hypoxic respiratory failure. Further data are required to characterize the spectrum of liver injury that occurs with long-term use of T-DM1 to provide further guidance to clinicians as regards monitoring for these adverse effects. Patients who developed hepatopulmonary syndrome while on T-DM1Age, yrsSites of metastases# lines of prior txCycles of T-DM1Presenting sign or symptomsNon-contrast ECHO findingsSupplemental oxygenTransaminitis; hyperbilirubinemiaEvidence of portal hypertensionTelangiectasiasHgb prior to T-DM1Hgb end of txLung perfusion studyContrast ECHOPt 153LN, bone090DOE, hypoxemia, clubbingleft atrial enlargement (62 mg/m2)YesNovarices, splenomegalyNot documented12.9 g/dL10.7 g/dL13.5%Yes, small shuntPt 235LN, bone, liver751DOEleft atrial enlargement (54 mg/m2)YesGrade 1; Grade 2varices, splenomegaly; thrombocytopeniaYes, face and handsn/a11.9 g/dL24%Yes, large shuntPt 338LN, bone251Hyperbilirubinemiaborderline left atrial enlargementYesGrade 1; Grade 2varices, splenomegalyYes, trunk, extremities, face11.7 g/dL16.2 g/dL17.8%Yes, moderate shuntPt 448LN, liver186DOEleft atrial enlargement (49 mg/m2)NoGrade 1; Grade 2varices, splenomegalyYes, trunk12.5 g/dL16.1 g/dL7.9%Yes, large shunt Citation Format: Ally Higgins, Adham K Alkurashi, Patrick S Kamath, Vivek N Iyer, Ciara O'Sullivan, Tufia C Haddad. Hepatopulmonary syndrome with long term use of ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2021 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2021 Dec 7-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-18-03.

Study Design. Delphi expert panel consensus. Objective. To obtain expert consensus on best practices for appropriate telemedicine utilization in spine surgery. Summary of Background Data. Several studies have shown high patient satisfaction associated with telemedicine during the COVID-19 peak pandemic period as well as after easing of restrictions. As this technology will most likely continue to be employed, there is a need to define appropriate utilization. Methods. An expert panel consisting of 27 spine surgeons from various countries was assembled in February 2021. A two-round consensus-based Delphi method was used to generate consensus statements on various aspects of telemedicine (separated as video visits or audio visits) including themes, such as patient location and impact of patient diagnosis, on assessment of new patients. Topics with ≥75% agreement were categorized as having achieved a consensus. Results. The expert panel reviewed a total of 59 statements. Of these, 32 achieved consensus. The panel had consensus that video visits could be utilized regardless of patient location and that video visits are appropriate for evaluating as well as indicating for surgery multiple common spine pathologies, such as lumbar stenosis, lumbar radiculopathy, and cervical radiculopathy. Finally, the panel had consensus that video visits could be appropriate for a variety of visit types including early, midterm, longer term postoperative follow-up, follow-up for imaging review, and follow-up after an intervention (i.e., physical therapy, injection). Conclusion. Although telemedicine was initially introduced out of necessity, this technology most likely will remain due to evidence of high patient satisfaction and significant cost savings. This study was able to provide a framework for appropriate telemedicine utilization in spine surgery from a panel of experts. However, several questions remain for future research, such as whether or not an in-person consultation is necessary prior to surgery and which physical exam maneuvers are appropriate for telemedicine. Level of Evidence: 4

Background: cGMP MANP (M-atrial natriuretic peptide) is a best-in-class activator of the pGC-A (particulate guanylyl cyclase A) receptor. Furosemide increases the effectiveness of antihypertensive agents, but activates renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. We aimed to investigate for the first time cardiorenal and neurohumoral actions of MANP in a genetic model of hypertension in spontaneously hypertensive rats. We also assessed how MANP would potentiate the blood pressure (BP)–lowering actions of furosemide while reducing the production of aldosterone. Methods: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (N=60) were randomized in vehicle, MANP, furosemide, or MANP+furosemide groups. Furosemide (1, 5, 10 mg/kg) was given as a single bolus which in MANP+furosemide groups was followed by a 60-minute infusion of MANP. Results: BP was reduced in MANP300 (300 pmol/[kg·min]) and MANP600 (600 pmol/[kg·min]) groups ( P <0.05) and was accompanied by significant increase in plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate. Furosemide alone reduced BP but less compared with MANP with no change in plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate. MANP+furosemide resulted in the greatest BP reduction and significant increase in plasma cyclic guanosine monophosphate in Fs5+MANP300, Fs10+MANP300, and Fs10+MANP600. Plasma aldosterone increased in furosemide groups, which was significantly attenuated in MANP+furosemide groups. Natriuresis and diuresis increased in all treated groups ( P <0.05) with no significant differences between furosemide and furosemide+MANP. In vitro, MANP increased cyclic guanosine monophosphate level in human vascular cells. Conclusions: We provide novel evidence that MANP potentiates the BP-lowering actions of furosemide, suppresses the activation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and preserves renal function. These data are highly relevant to clinical needs in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure.

Abstract Motivation Telomeres are the repetitive sequences found at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes and are often thought of as a ‘biological clock,’ with their average length shortening during division in most cells. In addition to their association with senescence, abnormal telomere lengths are well known to be associated with multiple cancers, short telomere syndromes and as risk factors for a broad range of diseases. While a majority of methods for measuring telomere length will report average lengths across all chromosomes, it is known that aberrations in specific chromosome arms are biomarkers for certain diseases. Due to their repetitive nature, characterizing telomeres at this resolution is prohibitive for short read sequencing approaches, and is challenging still even with longer reads. Results We present Telogator: a method for reporting chromosome-specific telomere length from long read sequencing data. We demonstrate Telogator’s sensitivity in detecting chromosome-specific telomere length in simulated data across a range of read lengths and error rates. Telogator is then applied to 10 germline samples, yielding a high correlation with short read methods in reporting average telomere length. In addition, we investigate common subtelomere rearrangements and identify the minimum read length required to anchor telomere/subtelomere boundaries in samples with these haplotypes. Availability and implementation Telogator is written in Python3 and is available at github.com/zstephens/telogator. Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

The NCCN Guidelines for Hepatobiliary Cancers focus on the screening, diagnosis, staging, treatment, and management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), gallbladder cancer, and cancer of the bile ducts (intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma). Due to the multiple modalities that can be used to treat the disease and the complications that can arise from comorbid liver dysfunction, a multidisciplinary evaluation is essential for determining an optimal treatment strategy. A multidisciplinary team should include hepatologists, diagnostic radiologists, interventional radiologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, and pathologists with hepatobiliary cancer expertise. In addition to surgery, transplant, and intra-arterial therapies, there have been great advances in the systemic treatment of HCC. Until recently, sorafenib was the only systemic therapy option for patients with advanced HCC. In 2020, the combination of atezolizumab and bevacizumab became the first regimen to show superior survival to sorafenib, gaining it FDA approval as a new frontline standard regimen for unresectable or metastatic HCC. This article discusses the NCCN Guidelines recommendations for HCC.

Abstract Introduction Central nervous system (CNS) relapse (CNSr) in patients with aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) occurs uncommonly (estimated incidence 5%) but carries a high morbidity and mortality. Studies have identified risk factors for CNSr such as high tumor burden and extranodal (EN) disease. However, most focus on B-cell NHL with minimal data in T-cell lymphomas (TCL), which are significantly less common and more heterogenous. The few small series of CNSr in TCL report a median overall survival (OS) less than 3 months (mo) with incidence ranging from 2.6-9%. To better define CNSr in TCL, we performed a multi-institutional retrospective analysis of TCL patients with CNSr and herein describe clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment of CNSr. Methods We performed a retrospective observational study using data from 9 US academic centers with IRB approval at individual sites. We included adult patients diagnosed with a mature T-cell neoplasm as per the 2016 WHO classification between 1/1/2009-1/1/2019, who were found to have CNSr at any time after initial diagnosis, and collected patient, disease, and treatment characteristics at time of initial diagnosis as well as at CNSr. Patients with a diagnosis of a precursor T-cell malignancy or with CNS disease identified at initial TCL diagnosis (TCLd) and/or prior to first-line systemic treatment were excluded. Results In this analysis, we report the outcomes of 75 patients (male n=45, female n=30). At TCLd, the median age was 59 years (range 20-81), and 61% of patients (n=46) had an IPI score of at least 3, 92% (n=69) had EN involvement with 37% (n=28) involving at least 2 EN sites, and 59% (n=44) had BM involvement. The most common pathologic diagnoses were peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL, NOS; 24%, n=18), angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL; 17%, n=13), adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL; 17%, n=13), and mycosis fungoides (MF; 12%, n=9) (Figure 1A). First-line systemic therapy for TCL included anthracyclines for 72% (n=54). Autologous and allogenic transplants were performed prior to CNSr in 12% (n=9) and 8% (n=6) of patients, respectively. Prior to CNSr, 48% (n=36) had non-CNS relapse. Some form of CNS prophylaxis was used during initial systemic lymphoma therapy in 24% of patients (n=18), predominantly intrathecal methotrexate (IT MTX; n=16). Median time from TCLd to CNSr was 8.5mo, though this was significantly longer in MF (46.8mo [range 17.5-187.7]) versus PTCL, NOS (7.6mo [range 1.1-58.4], P=0.0002), AITL (21.2mo [range 2.0-61.6, P=0.008), and ATLL (7.3mo [range 0.7-46.4], P=0.0005) (Figure 1B). CNSr developed within 6mo of TCLd in 31% of patients (n=23) and within 12mo in 57% (n=43). Symptoms related to CNSr occurred in 71% of patients (n=53). CNSr patterns were 61% leptomeningeal (n=46), 21% parenchymal (n=16), and 17% both (n=13) with no significant survival difference between leptomeningeal or parenchymal disease alone (HR 1.45, 95% CI 0.78-2.70, P=0.28). Concomitant systemic relapse was observed in 59% of patients (n=44). The most common CNS-directed therapy for CNSr was IT MTX (56%; n=42), though multiple different IT and/or systemic regimens were used. Patients received a median of 1 line of CNS-directed treatment (range 0-5). The overall response rate to initial CNS directed treatment was 32% (16% CR, 16% PR). Median follow up after CNSr was 40.7mo. At last follow up, 83% had died (n=62). Median OS after CNSr was 4.6mo (range 0.1-68.7) (Figure 1C). Those with ATLL had the shortest median OS after CNSr (2.7mo) versus 6.3mo in MF (HR 3.69, 95% CI 1.44-9.42, P=0.005), 6.5mo in AITL (HR 2.16, 95% CI 0.92-5.06, P=0.054), and 4.8mo in PTCL, NOS (HR 1.49, 95% CI 0.70-3.19, P=0.27) (Figure 1D). The most common cause of death was progressive lymphoma (77%; n=48). Conclusions This is to our knowledge the largest series of CNSr in TCL to date. Most CNSr occurred within 12mo, though CNSr occurred later in patients with MF. Although the prognosis after CNSr was generally poor, we found that median OS in CNSr was longer than previously reported, perhaps reflecting more effective treatments for CNS and systemic relapse, inclusion of MF, or lead time bias. Further analysis of the impact of different treatment strategies and outcomes in CNSr was limited by the small sample size and heterogeneity within our cohort, and future analyses in a larger cohort should focus on factors associated with outcomes. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Horwitz: ADC Therapeutics, Affimed, Aileron, Celgene, Daiichi Sankyo, Forty Seven, Inc., Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Millennium /Takeda, Seattle Genetics, Trillium Therapeutics, and Verastem/SecuraBio.: Consultancy, Research Funding; Affimed: Research Funding; Aileron: Research Funding; Acrotech Biopharma, Affimed, ADC Therapeutics, Astex, Merck, Portola Pharma, C4 Therapeutics, Celgene, Janssen, Kura Oncology, Kyowa Hakko Kirin, Myeloid Therapeutics, ONO Pharmaceuticals, Seattle Genetics, Shoreline Biosciences, Inc, Takeda, Trillium Th: Consultancy; Celgene: Research Funding; C4 Therapeutics: Consultancy; Crispr Therapeutics: Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Research Funding; Forty Seven, Inc.: Research Funding; Kura Oncology: Consultancy; Kyowa Hakko Kirin: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium/Takeda: Research Funding; Myeloid Therapeutics: Consultancy; ONO Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Secura Bio: Consultancy; Shoreline Biosciences, Inc.: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy; Trillium Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Tubulis: Consultancy; Verastem/Securabio: Research Funding. Bennani: Purdue Pharma: Other: Advisory Board; Daichii Sankyo Inc: Other: Advisory Board; Kyowa Kirin: Other: Advisory Board; Vividion: Other: Advisory Board; Kymera: Other: Advisory Board; Verastem: Other: Advisory Board. Chavez: AstraZeneca: Research Funding; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Merk: Research Funding; MorphoSys, AstraZeneca, BeiGene, Genentech, Kite, a Gilead Company, and Epizyme: Speakers Bureau; MorphoSys, Bayer, Karyopharm, Kite, a Gilead Company, Novartis, Janssen, AbbVie, TeneoBio, and Pfizer: Consultancy; BMS: Speakers Bureau. Sokol: Dren Bio: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Kyowa-Kirin: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Saeed: Nektar Therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: research investigator; MEI Pharma Inc: Consultancy, Other: investigator; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Other: investigator; MorphoSys AG: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: Consultancy; sano-aventis U.S.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen Pharmaceutica Products, LP: Consultancy, Other: investigator; Kite Pharma: Consultancy, Other: investigator; Other-TG therapeutics: Consultancy, Other: investigator; Other-Epizyme, Inc.: Consultancy; Other-Secura Bio, Inc.: Consultancy; Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Mehta-Shah: Kiowa Hakko Kirin: Consultancy; C4 Therapeutics: Consultancy; Verastem: Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Ono Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy; Secura Bio: Consultancy, Research Funding; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy, Research Funding; AstraZeneca: Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Research Funding; Celgene: Research Funding; Innate Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Roche/Genentech: Research Funding; Corvus Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding. Olszewski: TG Therapeutics: Research Funding; PrecisionBio: Research Funding; Celldex Therapeutics: Research Funding; Acrotech Pharma: Research Funding; Genentech, Inc.: Research Funding; Genmab: Research Funding. Allen: Epizyme: Consultancy; MorphoSys: Consultancy; ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Secure Bio: Consultancy; Kyowa Kirin: Consultancy. Gerson: Abbvie: Consultancy; Kite: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy. Landsburg: Triphase: Research Funding; Takeda: Research Funding; Curis: Research Funding; ADCT: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: DSMB member; Incyte: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Morphosys: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Schuster: Adaptive Biotechnologies: Research Funding; Pharmacyclics: Research Funding; Merck: Research Funding; Genentech/Roche: Consultancy, Research Funding; Tessa Theraputics: Consultancy; Juno Theraputics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Loxo Oncology: Consultancy; BeiGene: Consultancy; Alimera Sciences: Consultancy; Acerta Pharma/AstraZeneca: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding; Nordic Nanovector: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Patents & Royalties, Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; TG Theraputics: Research Funding; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Svoboda: Atara: Consultancy; Adaptive: Consultancy, Research Funding; Astra Zeneca: Consultancy, Research Funding; Imbrium: Consultancy; Pharmacyclics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Genmab: Consultancy; Merck: Research Funding; Incyte: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; TG: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Consultancy, Research Funding. Barta: Kyowa Kirin: Honoraria; Acrotech: Honoraria; Daiichi Sankyo: Honoraria; Seagen: Honoraria.

Background: Although the use of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for resection of lung metastases has increased, surgeons still advocate for open resection as it permits palpation of lesions that may be missed on imaging. This study aimed to compare the utilization of open thoracotomy versus VATS over time and determine if the use of VATS changes perioperative outcomes. Methods: Using the Kids' Inpatient Database (2006, 2009, 2012, 2016), we identified children (age ≤20) with a diagnosis of secondary lung cancer with either lobectomy or sublobar resection coded during the same admission. Utilization was compared across years for the overall cohort and for patients with primary bone and connective tissue (PBCT) cancers. We defined prolonged length of stay (LOS) as LOS ≥75th percentile (LOS ≥7 days). Univariable and multivariable analyses compared in-hospital complication rates and LOS for open and VATS approaches. Results: Of the 1316 children (539 female) undergoing pulmonary resection, VATS was utilized in 374 (28.4%). Utilization increased rapidly from 2006 to 2009 ( P < .001 for trend), but stabilized thereafter ( P = .622). Metastatic PBCT cancers were the most common indication for resection ( n = 496, 38%), but open and VATS approaches were used nearly equally ( P = .368). Overall, 352 (26%) patients had complications. On multivariable analysis, the open approach remained independently associated with increased complications (odds ratio [OR] 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.04–2.11]). Median LOS increased for open cases (5 versus 3 days, P < .001). Furthermore, open metastasectomy was associated with prolonged LOS (OR 1.50, [1.07–2.10]) after controlling for age, sex, primary cancer, reporting year, resection extent, obesity, complications, and nonoperative intubation. Conclusion: VATS approach to pulmonary metastasectomy resulted in fewer complications and shorter LOS in a nationwide sample of children. Despite these advantages, the use of VATS has plateaued. While this study cannot comment on oncologic safety or long-term outcomes, future studies should evaluate whether indications for VATS pulmonary metastasectomy can be expanded.