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Continued CNS-penetrant TKI therapy with or without local CNS therapy after brain metastasis diagnosis in NSCLC.
Dhamelia, Parth , Ammakola, Yagnapriya, Batra, Nitya, Pustake, M, Ganiyani, Mohammad Arfat, Zhu, Kevin, Ahluwalia, M., Khosla, Atulya Aman , Ammakola, Yagnapriya, Pustake, Manas Vaibhav , Jatwani, Karan , Singh, Rohit , Ahluwalia, Manmeet S.

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 2036-2036

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.2036 Get It

2036 Background: Patients with oncogene-driven metastatic non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with CNS-penetrant tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) frequently develop brain metastases (BM) while continuing targeted therapy, and outcomes of adding local CNS-directed therapy in this setting are not well defined. We evaluated outcomes associated with local CNS therapy after post-TKI BM diagnosis. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network. Adults with NSCLC treated with osimertinib or lorlatinib who subsequently had a coded diagnosis of BM (ICD-10 C79.31) at least 1 month after TKI initiation and evidence of continued TKI use were included. Patients were stratified by receipt of CNS-directed local therapy (SRS/SBRT or neurosurgery) within 3 months of the index BM diagnosis versus no local therapy. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality within 180 days of the index event. Secondary outcomes included hospitalization and systemic corticosteroid use. Cohorts were balanced using 1:1 propensity score matching on demographics, comorbidities, extracranial disease, laboratory values, and TKI exposure. Survival analyses were performed, and proportional hazards assumptions were validated using Schoenfeld residuals (p>0.05). Results: Among 1,157 eligible patients, 1,053 matched pairs were generated. Within 180 days of the index brain metastasis diagnosis, mortality was lower among patients who received local CNS therapy compared with those who did not (10.9% vs 18.1%), corresponding to a hazard ratio (HR) for death of 0.54 (95% CI 0.43–0.68; p<0.001). Survival probabilities at 180 days were 88.7% in the local therapy cohort and 80.2% in the no local therapy cohort. Hospitalization within 180 days occurred in 20.3% of patients receiving local therapy and 22.4% of those without local therapy (p=0.24), with a nonsignificant trend toward delayed hospitalization (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.69–1.01). Systemic corticosteroid use was common and similar between groups (61.3% vs 59.4%; p=0.40), with no significant difference in time to steroid initiation. In an osimertinib-only sensitivity analysis, 180-day mortality was 10.5% among patients receiving local CNS therapy compared with 19.4% among those without local therapy (HR 0.48, 95% CI 0.37–0.61; p<0.001). Conclusions: In this multi-institutional real-world cohort of patients with NSCLC receiving osimertinib or lorlatinib who developed BM, receipt of local CNS-directed therapy within 3 months was associated with lower 6-month mortality compared with continuation of targeted therapy alone, with consistent findings in an osimertinib-only sensitivity analysis. These results suggest a potential survival benefit of local CNS intervention in selected patients, while acknowledging residual confounding related to intracranial disease burden and clinical indication.
Survival with Bria-IMT + CPI in advanced metastatic breast cancer at 12 and 24 months.
Nangia, Chaitali, Chumsri, Saranya, Rowland, Kendrith M., Negret, L., Bayer, Blaise, Aghajanian, Tamar, Williams, William, Priore, Giuseppe Del, Calfa, Carmen, Nangia, Chaitali, Chumsri, Saranya , Aghajanian, Tamar, Williams, William V. , Priore, Giuseppe Del, Calfa, Carmen

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 1108-1108

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.1108 Get It

1108 Background: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains limited by resistance and cumulative toxicity in heavily pretreated patients. Bria-IMT combines a whole-cell vaccine (SV-BR-1-GM) with anti-PD-1 (CPI) to enhance tumor antigen presentation and overcome immune exhaustion. SV-BR-1-GM is an irradiated breast cancer cell line engineered to secrete GM-CSF, promoting HLA class I and II antigen presentation and T-cell activation. We identified a subset with durable clinical benefit and biologic correlates. Methods: Phase I/II evaluating the Bria-IMT regimen (SV-BR-1-GM with CPI (pembrolizumab or retifanlimab). In the phase II portion, pts were randomized 1:1 to CPI initiation at cycle 1 (C1) or delayed start at cycle 2 (C2). Two SV-BR-1-GM formulations were administered: IFNγ-stimulated (IFγ) or unstimulated (≠IFγ). Baseline circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses to SV-BR-1-GM were assessed as biomarkers. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed using Kaplan Meier (KM). Subgroup comparisons (CPI sequencing, IP formulation, DTH status, and baseline CTC status) are exploratory. Results: 32 phase 2 pts were randomized: median age 61 (range 41-80); median prior lines 6 (range 2-13); PFS 3.5 mo (95% CI 3.0 - 4.2); OS 9.5 mo (95% CI 7.0 - 17.4). Among CPI C1 vs C2 starts: median OS 13.3 v 7.4mo (HR 0.8; 95% CI 0.4-1.9, p = 0.6); OS KM probability at 12 mo 47% v 58%. Median OS w ≠IFγ v IFNγ IP =16.6 v 9.1 mo (HR 0.58; 95% CI 0.2-1.4, p = 0.23); OS KM at 12 mo 52.4% v 27.3%. DTH+ v DTH- median OS 11.9 v 4.7 mo (HR 0.0009; p = <0.001), OS KM @12 mo 48% v 0%. CTCs <5 v > 5 at baseline had median OS 16.6 v 5.5 mo (HR 0.005; 95% CI 0.0003-0.09, p < 0.001), OS at 12 mo 49% vs 33%. Among long term survivors @12mo, OS probability 44.0% (95% CI 26.2-59.7%) and @24 mo 26% (95% CI 12.1-42.4%). Median follow up 25.8 with PFS 5.4 mo. 5 received ≠IFγ formulation v 1 w IFNγ. All 6 (3 with CPI @C1, 3@C2) experienced delayed type hypersensitivity reaction to inoculation. 67% of long responders matched HLA at >1 allele, 33% no match. Grade ≥3 AEs in 47% of pts, most common injection site rxn, nausea, fatigue; no tx related D/C; no unexpected safety signals. Conclusions: In heavily pretreated MBC, Bria-IMT demonstrated a tolerable safety profile and the emergence of a long-term survivor cohort. Durable survival was observed beyond 12 and 24 months. Differential survival favoring Ph3 formulation, DTH positivity, lower baseline CTC burden, and early CPI sequencing was observed. These findings support prospective validation of DTH and CTC as predictive biomarkers and the continued use of the Ph3 IP formulation in the ongoing phase 3 study Bria-ABC (NCT06072612). Clinical trial information: NCT06072612 .
Efficacy and safety of tucatinib (TUC) vs placebo (PBO) combined with trastuzumab and pertuzumab (HP) as maintenance therapy for HER2+ metastatic breast cancer by stratified subgroups.
Hamilton, Erika P., Curigliano, G, M, Casado Martín, Lerebours, Florence, Tsurutani, Junji , Hu, Xichun, Aquino, Luciana Carla Martins de, O'Sullivan, Ciara Catherine, Tokunaga, Eriko , Okines, Alicia Frances Clare, Huang, Chiun-Sheng, Jacot, W, Sohn, J, Mueller, Volkmar, Viala, Helene, Tan, Qianwen, Feng, Wentao, Shen, Qi , Dieras, V, Curigliano, Giuseppe , Lerebours, Florence , Savard, Marie-France , Hu, Xichun , O’Sullivan, Ciara C. , Okines, Alicia , Jacot, William , Sohn, Joohyuk , Shen, Qi, Dièras, Véronique

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 1005-1005

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.1005 Get It

1005 Background: In the phase 3 HER2CLIMB-05 study (NCT05132582), TUC + maintenance HP demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) vs control treatment (Tx) (hazard ratio: 0.641, P < 0.0001) in patients (pts) with HER2+ locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Here we report additional efficacy and safety outcomes by stratified subgroups. Methods: Pts with centrally confirmed HER2+ MBC without evidence of progression following chemotherapy-based induction Tx (taxane + HP) were randomly assigned 1:1 to TUC (300 mg) or PBO BID + HP. Randomization was stratified by diagnosis ( de novo /recurrent), hormone receptor (HR) status (positive/negative), and presence or history of brain metastases (BM; yes/no). Endocrine therapy (ET) is permitted for pts with HR+ disease. The primary endpoint is investigator-assessed PFS. Confirmed objective response rate (cORR), duration of response (DOR), and safety were evaluated in stratified subgroups. Results: Among pts assigned to TUC + HP (n = 326) or PBO + HP (n = 328), ∼69% had de novo MBC, ∼53% had HR+ status with ∼45% having received concurrent ET, and ∼12% had baseline BM. At data cutoff (Sep 5, 2025), median PFS was longer with TUC than PBO + HP in all stratified subgroups; TUC + HP consistently improved cORR vs PBO + HP (Table). Safety outcomes in subgroups aligned with the overall population. Conclusions: TUC + HP demonstrated clinically meaningful efficacy vs PBO + HP in pts with de novo or recurrent disease, HR+ or HR− disease, and baseline BM or not, with no new safety signals identified. Results were consistent with the overall population and support TUC + HP as a potential new maintenance therapy across pts with HER2+ MBC. Clinical trial information: NCT05132582 . Efficacy outcomes. Overall De novo Recurrent HR+ (± ET) † HR− BM (yes) BM (no) TUC+HP(n=326) PBO+HP(n=328) TUC+HP(n=227) PBO+HP(n=226) TUC+HP(n=99) PBO+HP(n=102) TUC+HP(n=168) PBO+HP(n=176) TUC+HP(n=158) PBO+HP(n=152) TUC+HP(n=41) PBO+HP(n=40) TUC+HP(n=285) PBO+HP(n=288) Median PFS, mos (95% CI) 24.9(21.3−NE) 16.3(12.6−18.7) 28.9(22.7−NE) 16.8(12.9−19.2) 21.3(15.6−27.2) 12.7(8.3−18.1) 25.0(16.5−NE) 18.1(13.0−20.8) 24.9(19.4−NE) 12.6(9.4−16.8) 8.5(4.2−16.5) 4.2(2.2−8.1) 27.2(24.3−NE) 18.1(14.8−20.7) cORR*, % (95% CI) 22.6(18.0−27.8) 15.2(11.3−19.7) 26.1(20.2−32.7) 18.5(13.5−24.4) 15.1(8.5−24.0) 7.0(2.6−14.6) 20.1(14.0−27.5) 12.9(8.2−19.0) 25.2(18.4−33.0) 17.9(11.8−25.5) 15.0(5.7−29.8) 8.3(1.8−22.5) 23.8(18.7−29.5) 16.1(11.9−12.1) Median DOR*, mos (95% CI) 20.9(16.4−NE) 16.9(12.3−NE) NR(16.4−NE) 16.3(10.4−NE) 17.9(8.3−NE) NR(7.2−NE) 20.9(12.6−NE) 18.7(7.8−NE) NR(8.6−NE) 14.5(10.4−NE) 12.6(8.1−NE) 16.3(12.5−NE) 20.9(16.4−NE) 18.7(10.4−NE) *ORR and DOR were assessed in patients with target or non-target lesions at baseline. † Data on HR+ w/ ET will be presented.
Portal-Venous Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion for Liver Transplant
Reich, David J. , Mao, Shennen, Satish, Sangeeta , Nassar, Ahmed, Rizzari, Michael, Al‐Adra, David , Woloszyn, Jakub, Doyle, M.B. Majella, Bohórquez, Humberto, Mihaylov, Plamen, Saharia, Ashish, Wehrle, Chase J., Miller, Charles, Axelrod, David, An, Langnas, Melcher, Marc L., Akoad, Mohamed, Ghobrial, R. Mark , Kubal, Chandrashekhar, Roll, Garrett, Cohen, Ari, Chapman, William C., Pinna, Antonio, Vera, Michael de , Florman, Sander, Foley, David P. , Abouljoud, Marwan, Quintini, Cristiano , Hashimoto, Koji, Croome, Kristopher, Taner, C. Burin, Schlegel, Andrea, Schlegel, Andrea , Taner, C. Burcin , Schlegel, Andrea , Nassar, Ahmed , Rizzari, Michael D. , DiNorcia, Joseph , Bohorquez, Humberto E. , Mihaylov, Plamen , Saharia, A., Merani, Shaheed , Wehrle, Chase J. , Miller, Charles , Axelrod, David A. , Langnas, Alan N. , Melcher, Marc L. , Akoad, Mohamed Elhassan , Kubal, Chandrashekhar A. , Roll, Garrett Richard , Chapman, William C. , Pinna, Antonio D., Vera, Michael E. de , Abouljoud, Marwan , Hashimoto, Koji, Croome, Kristopher P.

JAMA Surgery | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 161 | Issue: 7 | Pages: 691

10.1001/jamasurg.2026.1604 | PMID 42201712 Get It

Importance Ischemia-reperfusion injury contributes to graft dysfunction after liver transplant. Hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) has been shown to improve liver function, but its benefit in extended criteria donors in a US population remains unclear. Objective To assess whether back-to-base portal-venous HOPE impacts outcomes after liver transplant in the US. Design, Setting, and Participants The Bridge to HOPE Trial is a multicenter, randomized, open-label trial with 1-year follow-up. The study took place at 15 US liver transplant centers and patients were enrolled between January 2021 and May 2023. Central assessment of complications and cholangiograms for nonanastomotic biliary strictures (NAS) was blinded to treatment arm. Participants included 219 recipients of extended-criteria donor livers after brain death (DBD) and after circulatory death (DCD) who were randomized 1:1 to HOPE after static cold storage (SCS) (n = 109) or SCS only (n = 110). Randomization was performed after liver inspection and acceptance for transplant. Data were analyzed from December 2024 to July 2025. Intervention After SCS and transport, livers underwent portal-venous HOPE until implant, using the VitaSmart HOPE System. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary efficacy end point was early allograft dysfunction (EAD). Other main outcomes included model for early allograft function (MEAF) score, hospital length of stay (LOS), patient and graft survival, and biliary complications. Additional post hoc analyses were performed. Results Overall, 219 patients (82 female [37.4%] and 137 male[62.6%]) were included (DCD, 57 of 219 [26%]) with 97% (212 of 219) completing 12-month follow-up. EAD incidence was 20.2% (22 of 109) with HOPE vs 37.3% (41 of 110) with SCS (rate difference, −17.1%; 95% CI, −27.2 to −7.0; noninferiority P &amp;lt; .001; superiority P = .005). HOPE treatment led to significantly lower MEAF mean (SD) scores (HOPE group, 4.28 [1.75]; control group, 4.82 [1.85]; mean difference, −0.54; 95% CI, −1.02 to −0.06; P = .03) and shorter median LOS (hazard ratio, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.01-1.73; P = .04). NAS on imaging and 1-year survivals were comparable between groups (patients: HOPE group, 106 of 109 [97.2%] vs SCS, 106 of 110 [96.4%]; graft: HOPE group, 104 of 109 [95.4%] vs SCS, 102 of 110 [92.7%]). Post hoc analyses showed numerically less graft loss due to NAS after HOPE (4 vs 1) and less major complications (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥IIIa) per patient, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance Back-to-base portal-venous HOPE was compared with SCS alone for extended risk DBD and DCD livers. The HOPE approach was safe and associated with reduced EAD, MEAF score, and LOS. These findings support the use of HOPE as a pragmatic strategy to improve early posttransplant outcomes. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05045794 .
Noisy probing dose facilitated dose prediction for pencil beam scanning proton therapy: Physics enhances generalizability
Zhang, Lian , Zhang, Xiao, Li, Mingzhu, Vargas, Carlos , Keole, Sameer R., Stützer, Kristin , Liu, Tianming , Wong, William W. , Vora, Sujay A., Feng, Hongying , Holmes, Jason , Zhang, Xiao, Liu, Zhengliang , Li, Mingzhu, Sio, Terence T. , Li, Sheng , Shen, Jiajian , Liu, Wei

Medical Physics | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 53 | Issue: 5 | Pages: No page available

10.1002/mp.70509 | PMID 42192246 Get It

Abstract Background Accurate and efficient dose calculation is essential for online adaptive planning in proton therapy. Deep learning (DL) has shown promising dose prediction results for pencil beam scanning proton therapy (PBSPT) in recent years, but existing DL‐based dose prediction methods still suffer from limited generalizability and an inability to effectively handle outlier clinical cases. This may lead to inaccurate dose delivery to targets or excessive irradiation to organs at risk (OARs), thereby compromising the safety and efficacy of online adaptive proton therapy. Purpose To design a physics‐aware and generalizable AI‐based PBSPT dose prediction method that incorporates underlying physics to enhance generalizability, particularly in handling outlier clinical cases. Methods This study analyzed PBSPT plans of 103 prostate (93 for training and 10 for testing) and 78 lung cancer patients (68 for training and 10 for testing) from our institution, with each case comprising CT images and structure sets. Using the doses generated by our Monte Carlo‐based dose engine as the reference standard, we compared three methods: the region of interest (ROI)‐based method, the beam mask and sliding window method, and the proposed noisy probing dose method, which rapidly generates a low‐statistics dose via uniformly weighted spots on an expanded spot‐placement target volume without optimization. To evaluate the generalizability of these methods to rare treatment planning scenarios, 12 cases with uncommon beam angles or prescription doses were used to assess their performance, which was evaluated using dose‐volume histogram (DVH) indices, 3D Gamma passing rates (3%/2 mm/10%), and Dice coefficients for dose agreement, while prediction times were measured to gauge model efficiency. Results The proposed noisy probing dose method consistently outperformed the ROI‐based and beam mask baselines across all evaluated metrics, with more accurate dose agreement and superior generalizability. For DVH indices, the noisy probing dose method achieved the smallest deviation in clinical target volume (CTV) dose coverage: in prostate cancer, CTV D98 deviation was reduced by 45% (from 0.53 ± 0.22 Gy [RBE] for ROI‐based) and 29% (from 0.41 ± 0.28 Gy [RBE] for beam mask) to 0.29 ± 0.06 Gy [RBE]; in lung cancer, similar improvements were observed, with CTV D98 deviations reduced to 0.34 ± 0.12 Gy [RBE]. The 3D Gamma passing rates improved to 99.65% ± 1.15% for prostate targets and 97.04% ± 1.17% for lung targets. The dice coefficients of the 90% iso‐dose lines were also the highest with the noisy probing dose method (prostate: 0.983 ± 0.005; lung: 0.967 ± 0.01). For the 12 outlier cases, the noisy probing dose method maintained superior generalizability, yielding higher 3D Gamma passing rates (prostate targets: 96.79% ± 0.83%, OARs: 94.29% ± 1.01%; lung targets: 93.38% ± 1.34%, OARs: 93.95% ± 1.32%), demonstrating robust generalizability to rare clinical scenarios. The dose predictions for all testing cases were completed within 0.3 seconds. Conclusions A novel noisy probing dose method was proposed for PBSPT dose prediction in prostate and lung cancer patients. By embedding more proton‐specific physics, this method demonstrated an improvement in the generalizability of dose prediction.
Comparison of clinical outcomes in adamantinomatous and papillary craniopharyngioma: a baseline analysis before the targeted therapy era
Juncker, Ryan B. , Kim, Albert H., Evans, James J., Barkhoudarian, Garni, Fernandez-Miranda, Juan C., Pacione, Donato , Kim, Won, Zada, Gabriel, Kshettry, Varun R., BENJAMIN, CAROLINA, Gompel, Jamie J. Van, Catalino, Michael, Mamelak, Adam, Zwagerman, Nathan, Little, Andrew S., Gardner, Paul, Karsy, Michael, Couldwell, William T., Rennert, Robert C., Palmer, Joshua D., Prevedello, Daniel M., Wu, Kyle C., Karsy, Michael , Barkhoudarian, Garni , Van Gompel, Jamie, Karsy, Michael , Damante, Mark A. , Kim, Albert H , Evans, James J., Fernandez‐Miranda, Juan C. , Chicoine, Michael , Zada, Gabriel , Kshettry, Varun R. , Gompel, Jamie J. Van , Catalino, Michael P. , Mamelak, Adam N. , Zwagerman, Nathan T. , Little, Andrew S. , Pacult, Mark A. , Couldwell, William T. , Rennert, Robert C , Palmer, Joshua D. , Prevedello, Daniel M.

Neurosurgical Focus | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 60 | Issue: 6 | Pages: E11

10.3171/2026.2.focus251172 | PMID 42224722 Get It

OBJECTIVE Historically, craniopharyngioma (CP) was divided into adamantinomatous CP (ACP) and papillary CP (PCP) subtypes based on histopathological features. However, each harbors a unique genetic profile and progressively differing treatment paradigms, leading to their reclassification by the WHO in 2016 as two distinct entities. Descriptive in nature, this large multi-institutional study aimed to establish current differences between the presentation, treatment patterns, and clinical course of these pathologies to serve as a baseline for future studies as new treatment paradigms emerge. METHODS The authors queried the Registry for Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders (RAPID) database, which encompassed patients from 14 participating institutions across the United States between 2000 and 2024. The database was screened for adult patients who underwent initial CP treatment with a confirmed histopathological diagnosis of ACP or PCP. Patient demographic characteristics, clinical course, tumor treatment, and outcomes data were collected and compared by CP type. RESULTS The final analysis included 273 ACP and 99 PCP adult patients who underwent initial surgical treatment. ACP patients presented younger on average (mean 48.3 vs 52.8 years, p = 0.034). PCP patients were more likely to present with hypothyroidism (33.3% vs 20.5%, p = 0.010), hyperlipidemia (25.3% vs 15.8%, p = 0.036), fatigue (28.3% vs 17.6%, p = 0.024), temperature intolerance (9.1% vs 1.5%, p < 0.001), and cardiac arrhythmia (6.1% vs 1.1%, p = 0.006). The groups demonstrated similar postsurgical and neuroendocrinological outcomes. Postoperative median (IQR) progression-free survival did not significantly differ between groups (19.0 [7.0–37.0] for ACP vs 5.0 [3.5–7.5] months for PCP, p = 0.972). ACP patients were more likely to receive radiation after surgery (27.8% vs 15.2%, p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS This large multicenter descriptive study aimed to characterize similarities and differences between the clinical courses of molecularly distinct ACP and PCP, which has not previously been described. The findings should serve as a baseline to inform future studies, particularly with the recent introduction of targeted therapy for PCP.
Frailty and postoperative outcomes following craniopharyngioma resection: a multicenter Registry for Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders analysis
Chen, Anthony Yulin, Feng, Rui, Collopy, Calen, Rennert, Robert C., Couldwell, William T., Kshettry, Varun R., Gardner, Paul, Silverstein, Julie M., Kim, Albert H., Barkhoudarian, Garni, Kelly, Daniel, Pacione, Donato , Suryadevara, Carter M. , Kim, Won, Bergsneider, Marvin, Zada, Gabriel, Wu, Kyle C., Prevedello, Daniel M., BENJAMIN, CAROLINA, Catalino, Michael P., Mamelak, Adam, Cheok, Stephanie K., Zwagerman, Nathan T., Gompel, Jamie J. Van, Fernandez-Miranda, Juan C., Yuen, Kevin C. J., Little, Andrew S., Karsy, Michael, Evans, James J., Karsy, Michael , Barkhoudarian, Garni , Palit, Sandhya R. , Karsy, Michael , Kelleher, Sean T., Rennert, Robert C , Couldwell, William T. , Kshettry, Varun R. , Silverstein, Julie , Kim, Albert H , Kelly, Daniel, Bergsneider, Marvin , Chicoine, Michael , Zada, Gabriel , Prevedello, Daniel M. , Catalino, Michael Paul, Mamelak, Adam N. , Cheok, Stephanie , Zwagerman, Nathan T. , Gompel, Jamie J. Van , Fernandez‐Miranda, Juan C. , Yuen, Kevin C.J. , Little, Andrew S. , Evans, James J.

Neurosurgical Focus | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 60 | Issue: 6 | Pages: E7

10.3171/2026.2.focus251160 | PMID 42224740 Get It

OBJECTIVE Frailty is a known predictor of adverse outcomes in pituitary surgery, yet its impact regarding craniopharyngioma remains unclear. The authors assessed preoperative frailty, measured by the 11-factor modified frailty index (mFI-11), and its association with perioperative morbidity among adult patients undergoing craniopharyngioma surgery. METHODS Using the Registry for Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders (RAPID) database, the authors performed a retrospective cohort study of the records of patients ≥ 18 years of age who underwent craniopharyngioma surgery between June 2007 and November 2024. Patients were stratified into the following categories according to their numeric mFI-11 score: fit (scores 0 and 1), managing well (scores 2 and 3), and mildly frail (scores 4–6). Primary outcomes included hospital length of stay (LOS) and discharge disposition. Secondary outcomes included 90-day readmission, surgical outcomes, and complications. Multivariable analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of hospital LOS and non-home discharge, adjusting for age, surgeon experience, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, complications, and surgical approach. RESULTS Among 278 patients (221 fit, 43 managing well, 14 mildly frail), higher-frailty patients were older (mean age 47.8 ± 16.1 years in fit vs 60.1 ± 12.5 years in managing well vs 67.6 ± 8 years in mildly frail, p < 0.001) and more likely to present urgently (24.2% vs 36.4% vs 78.6%, p = 0.001). Gross-total resection was achieved less frequently in frail patients (44.8% vs 24.3% vs 23.1%, p = 0.030). Overall complication rates were similar; however, increasing frailty was associated with higher rates of postoperative mortality (0% vs 2.8% [1/36] vs 7.7% [1/13], p = 0.018), pneumonia (0.5% [1/195] vs 2.8% [1/36] vs 15.4% [2/13], p = 0.006), and reintubation (2.6% [5/195] vs 2.8% [1/36] vs 30.8% [4/13], p = 0.002). Higher frailty was associated with a stepwise rise in median [IQR] LOS (5 [3–8] days vs 7 [4–12] days vs 13 [6.5–21.8] days, p < 0.001) and remained an independent predictor of extended LOS on multivariable analysis (β = 1.729 per point, p = 0.006). Rates of non-home discharge showed a similar pattern (9.2% vs 30.0% vs 64.3%, p < 0.001), with frailty independently predicting non-home discharge (OR 2.352, 95% CI 1.527–3.822). Unplanned 90-day readmission rates were significantly higher in the mildly frail cohorts (22.5% vs 45.7% vs 53.8%, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS The mFI-11 scores independently predicted perioperative morbidity following craniopharyngioma resection. Incorporating frailty screening into preoperative screening may improve risk stratification, family and patient counseling, and discharge planning.
Predictors of hospital length of stay, discharge disposition, and readmission after craniopharyngioma surgery: a multicenter study from the RAPID database
Tenhoeve, Samuel A. , Tang, Anthony , Orton, Cody , Gautam, Diwas, Abdul-Rahman, Nana-Hawwa, Silverstein, Julie M., Kim, Albert H., Evans, James J., Barkhoudarian, Garni, Fernandez-Miranda, Juan C., Pacione, Donato , Kim, Won, Bergsneider, Marvin, Zada, Gabriel, Kshettry, Varun R., Wu, Kyle C., Benjamin, Carolina G., Gompel, Jamie J. Van, Catalino, Michael P., Mamelak, Adam N., Zwagerman, Nathan T., Cheok, Stephanie K., Little, Andrew S., Zenonos, Georgios A., Karsy, Michael, Morshed, Ramin A., Blackburn, Spiros L., Mukherjee, Debraj, Beer-Furlan, Andre, Couldwell, William T., Gardner, Paul A., Rennert, Robert C., Karsy, Michael , Mukherjee, Debraj , Barkhoudarian, Garni , Van Gompel, Jamie, Palit, Sandhya R. , Mukherjee, Debraj , Karsy, Michael , Gautam, Diwas , Abdul‐Rahman, Nana‐Hawwa , Silverstein, Julie , Kim, Albert H , Evans, James J., Fernandez‐Miranda, Juan C. , Bergsneider, Marvin , Chicoine, Michael , Zada, Gabriel , Kshettry, Varun R. , Gompel, Jamie J. Van , Catalino, Michael Paul, Mamelak, Adam N, Zwagerman, Nathan T. , Cheok, Stephanie , Little, Andrew S. , Zenonos, Georgios A. , Morshed, Ramin A. , Blackburn, Spiros L., Beer‐Furlan, André , Couldwell, William T. , Gardner, Paul A. , Rennert, Robert C

Neurosurgical Focus | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 60 | Issue: 6 | Pages: E6

10.3171/2026.2.focus251047 | PMID 42224727 Get It

OBJECTIVE Craniopharyngiomas are benign intracranial tumors that can be difficult to manage operatively and often result in postoperative complications and prolonged recovery. Understanding the factors that influence length of stay (LOS), discharge disposition, and readmission can guide perioperative planning and patient counseling. The authors examined the clinical, radiographic, and surgical predictors of extended LOS (eLOS), nonhome discharge, 90-day readmission, and hospitalization ratio (HR) after craniopharyngioma resection using a large, multicenter cohort. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted using the Registry of Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders database, encompassing 469 patients who underwent craniopharyngioma resection at 14 US academic centers from 2011 to 2025. Patients were stratified by 4 outcomes: eLOS (> 75th percentile), discharge to home versus skilled nursing facility/rehabilitation, 90-day hospital readmission, and hospitalization ratio (i.e., integration of initial and readmission LOS). Multivariable logistic regression models identified independent predictors for each outcome among patient and surgical variables. RESULTS An eLOS (> 10 days) was independently associated with preoperative memory loss (OR 3.75, 95% CI 1.95–7.21), gait imbalance (OR 5.90, 95% CI 1.53–22.70), and postoperative complications (OR 4.07, 95% CI 2.34–7.06). The use of a nasoseptal flap was protective against an eLOS (OR 0.52, 95% CI 0.28–0.93). Discharge to home was predicted by an endoscopic approach (OR 3.87, 95% CI 1.78–8.44) and postoperative intact thirst (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.05–4.66) and negatively predicted by preoperative diabetes mellitus (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.09–0.50), LOS (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.84–0.91), and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.13–0.72). Among 385 patients with follow-up data, a 90-day readmission was independently associated with postoperative complications (OR 5.62, 95% CI 3.12–10.13), preexisting coronary artery disease (OR 4.30, 95% CI 1.46–12.69), and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (OR 3.33, 95% CI 1.76–6.44). A higher HR was associated with diabetes mellitus (unstandardized B 0.059, 95% CI 0.010–0.108, p = 0.02), postoperative complications (unstandardized B 0.054, 95% CI 0.021–0.086, p = 0.001), and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (unstandardized B 0.049, 95% CI 0.006–0.092, p = 0.02). Tumor pathologic subtype and size, prior treatment, extent of resection, and surgeon experience were not directly predictive of outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive and functional status, systemic comorbidities, and postoperative complications, in addition to surgical approach, are important predictors of the early clinical course after craniopharyngioma surgery. Early identification of high-risk patients may help to guide treatment decisions, improve discharge planning, and reduce healthcare utilization.
Emerging applications of traditional and generative artificial intelligence in liver transplantation
Bishara, Andrew, Braun, Hillary, Simonetto, Douglas A., Ge, Jin, Bishara, Andrew , Braun, Hillary , Simonetto, Douglas A , Ge, Jin , Ge, William H. , Simonetto, Douglas A.

Liver Transplantation | May 26, 2026 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.1097/lvt.0000000000000914 | PMID 42190268 Get It

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force in liver transplantation (LT), spanning patient selection, donor–recipient matching, intraoperative management, and post-transplant care. Historically, applications have relied on traditional machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques trained on structured clinical datasets to improve risk stratification and outcome prediction. Since 2023, however, advances in generative AI (GenAI) and large language models (LLMs) have expanded the scope of AI in LT, enabling multimodal reasoning and the extraction of clinically meaningful information from unstructured data. This review synthesizes recent AI-driven developments across the LT patient journey, from advanced chronic liver disease management to long-term post-transplant outcomes. Representative applications include ML-based models to optimize treatment selection and waitlist prioritization for hepatocellular carcinoma, random forest and gradient-boosting approaches to improve donor utilization and predict graft survival, and DL-based imaging models for graft volumetry and steatosis assessment. Post-transplant innovations encompass neural network models for graft injury classification, recurrent architectures for immunosuppression dosing and fibrosis prediction, multi-task frameworks for complication risk stratification, and integrative omics-based approaches to detect rejection and dysfunction. Emerging GenAI applications include LLM-enabled digital phenotyping of social determinants of health and multi-agent simulations of transplant selection committees. Despite rapid progress, translation into routine practice remains limited by challenges in local validation, workflow integration, and infrastructure requirements. Future opportunities lie in incorporating underutilized data domains, such as psychosocial factors, -omics, and intraoperative physiologic streams, and leveraging GenAI to enhance clinical decision support, research scalability, and patient–clinician communication. AI is poised not only to refine prediction but to reshape the conceptual and operational landscape of liver transplantation.
American Radium Society (ARS) Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for Low-Dose Radiotherapy for Treatment of Osteoarthritis
Dove, Austin, Koneru, Bobby, Small, William, Nelson, Amanda E., Jeffries, Matlock, Bennion, Phillip, Jones, Craig, Campbell, S., Tendulkar, Rahul, Russo, Suzanne , Lester, Scott, Jethwa, Krishan, Hofstetter, Catherine , Appleton, Tom, Shaffer, Richard, Russo, Suzanne , Dove, Austin P.H. , Koneru, Bobby Nagendra , Small, William, Wright, Jean L. , Jeffries, Matlock Arizona

American Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 25, 2026 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.1097/coc.0000000000001333 | PMID 42184209 Get It

Objectives: To summarize current evidence for radiotherapy in the treatment of OA. The population, intervention, comparator, and outcome questions included: What is the role of LDRT for treatment of OA?; What are risks of LDRT?; and What are the optimal RT techniques for OA? Methods: This multispecialty-led committee includes radiation oncologists, rheumatologists, orthopedic surgeons, and a patient advocate. Using the population, intervention, comparator, outcome, timing and study design (PICOTS) framework, evidence regarding treatment outcomes was assessed using Cochrane and PRISMA methodology. Eligible studies included prospective and retrospective (n≥50) studies published between January 1, 2010, and May 10, 2025, from Embase, Medline, and PubMed databases. Study type and quality were assessed. Well-established RAND-UCLA consensus methodology (modified Delphi) was used to rate the appropriateness of the treatment options. Results: Of the 548 articles identified using the search strategy, 44 were selected for inclusion. Eight additional studies were identified through backward citation searching. Ten well-designed studies accounting for biases, 15 moderately well-designed studies accounting for the most common biases, 18 studies with design limitations, 8 supplemental studies not useful as primary evidence, and 1 meta-analysis were included. Additional studies were included to provide context and were not used to guide recommendations. The results of this analysis demonstrate that LDRT results in an overall treatment response rate of 60% to 90%, with significant clinical benefits including pain reduction, increased joint mobility, and improved quality of life. Conclusions: This systematic review and consensus guidelines for LDRT treatment of OA are based on current evidence. Further high-quality studies are warranted.