Masters athletes with abnormal cardiovascular findings: a clinical consensus statement of the European Association of Preventive Cardiology of the ESC and the American College of Cardiology
Abstract Exercise training improves cardiovascular health and reduces the risk for future cardiovascular events and mortality. However, emerging evidence suggests that Masters athletes may have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular abnormalities, such as atrial arrhythmias, coronary atherosclerosis, aortic dilatation, and myocardial fibrosis, compared to their less active peers. The clinical management of Masters athletes may be challenging as available guidelines for such conditions are generally based on data derived from symptomatic sedentary patients, limiting their applicability to highly trained individuals. Other unique challenges in the clinical assessment of Masters athletes include differences in symptomatic presentations compared to sedentary individuals, potential resistance to the initiation of pharmacologic treatment, and the increasing availability of consumer wearable health data that may provide relevant information on their cardiovascular health status. The purpose of this joint EAPC/ESC and ACC Clinical Consensus Statement is to provide an in-depth update on the current state of knowledge on abnormal cardiovascular findings in Masters athletes. We present an expert-based approach on the diagnostic assessment, management, and prognosis of (i) atrial fibrillation, (ii) bradyarrhythmias, (iii) ventricular arrhythmias, (iv) coronary atherosclerosis, (v) aortic dilatation, (vi) myocardial fibrosis, and (vii) exercise-induced arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy. Clinical challenges, areas of ongoing controversy, and uncertainty and the potential underlying mechanisms are discussed. We also present future perspectives and research directives to further refine current best practice strategies. This includes the need for clinical outcome studies, dedicated randomized controlled trials in athletes, and international registries with diverse populations and longitudinal follow-up to evaluate the natural history of cardiac abnormalities and facilitate development of evidence-based approaches in the clinical management of Masters athletes with cardiovascular abnormalities.
CSF α-Synuclein Seed Amplification Assays and Skin Immunofluorescence
TPS256 Background: Currently, there are no biomarkers validated prospectively in randomized studies for resected colon cancer (CC) to determine need for adjuvant chemotherapy (AC). However, circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) represents a highly specific and sensitive approach (especially with serial monitoring) for identifying minimal/molecular residual disease (MRD) post-surgery in CC patients (pts), and may outperform traditional clinical and pathological features in prognosticating risk for recurrence. CC pts who do not have detectable ctDNA (ctDNA-) are at a much lower risk of recurrence and may be spared the toxicities associated with AC. Furthermore, for CC pts with detectable ctDNA (ctDNA+) who are at a very high risk of recurrence, the optimal AC regimen has not been established. We hypothesize that for pts whose CC has been resected, ctDNA status may be used to risk-stratify for making decisions about AC. Methods: In this prospective phase II/III trial, up to 1,912 pts with resected stage IIB, IIC, and III CC will be enrolled. Based on the post-operative ctDNA status using personalized and tumor-informed assay (Signatera, bespoke assay), those who are ctDNA- (Cohort A) will be randomized to immediate AC with fluoropyrimidine (FP)+oxaliplatin (Ox) for 3-6 mos per established guidelines v serial ctDNA monitoring. Patients who are ctDNA+ post-operatively, or with serial monitoring (Cohort B), will be randomized to FP+Ox v more intensive AC with addition of irinotecan (I) for 6 mos. One cycle of chemotherapy is allowed while awaiting ctDNA testing results for cohort assignment. The primary endpoints for Cohort A are time to ctDNA+ status (phase II) and disease-free survival (DFS) (phase III) in the immediate v delayed AC arms. The primary endpoint for Cohort B is DFS in the FP+Ox v FP+Ox+I arms for both phase II and phase III portions of the trial. Secondary endpoints include prevalence of detectable ctDNA post-operatively, time-to-event outcomes (overall survival and time to recurrence) by ctDNA status, and the assessment of compliance to adjuvant therapy. Biospecimens including archival tumor tissue, as well as post-operative plus serial matched/normal blood samples, will be collected for exploratory correlative research. Active enrollment across the NCTN started in June 2022 with CCTG sites joining in August 2023. Current accrual (as of 9-4-2025): 967/1,912. Drs. Lieu and Dasari contributed equally to the development of this trial. Clinical trial information: NCT05174169 .
Efficacy and safety of trastuzumab deruxtecan in HER2-positive advanced gastric and gastroesophageal junction cancers: A meta-analysis of real-world studies and clinical trials.
402 Background: Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) is a HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) with a cytotoxic payload. TDXd was approved in 2021 to be used in advanced gastric or GEJ cancers. Although given the recent approval, real-world evidence on efficacy and safety is limited. We sought to evaluate the efficacy and safety of T-DXd through a combined meta-analysis of clinical trials and real-world studies. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Clinicaltrials.gov databases. The original studies evaluating T-DXd in patients with metastatic/recurrent gastric/gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancers were included in the analysis. The pooled objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and the incidence of adverse events (AEs) were analyzed. A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis, and the heterogeneity of the data was evaluated by Chi-sq Q test and the I 2 statistic using OpenMeta [Analyst] (Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA). Results: This meta-analysis incorporated 8 studies (3 phase II clinical trials, 5 retrospective studies) comprising 915 patients with advanced HER2-positive gastric/GEJ cancer. The median patient age was 66.5 years (range: 27–89), with 75.4% males, 70.4% Asian, and 29.0% Caucasians. 77.9% had an ECOG performance status of 0–1, while 21.8% had ECOG ≥2. Histologically, 53.6% had intestinal and 22.9% diffuse-type adenocarcinoma. HER2 overexpression (IHC3+) was observed in 75.8% of evaluable cases, and 22.4% were IHC2+/FISH positive. 77.6% had primary gastric and 22.4% GEJ tumors. The median line of therapy was 3 (range: 2–11), with prior immune checkpoint inhibitor use in 31.8% and prior surgery in 44.5% .The pooled ORR was 47.7% (95% CI 43.0-52.4%) and DCR was 82.50% (79.40%–85.72%); PFS and OS were 4.92 and 9.86 months, respectively. Safety analysis revealed grade ≥3 AEs in 48.2% of patients, neutropenia (24.5%) being the most common. Treatment discontinuation due to adverse events occurred in 12.2%, and dose reductions were required in 21.5%. Patient-reported outcomes were not assessed in any of the studies. Conclusions: Our meta-analysis, encompassing both clinical trials and real-world data, confirms the encouraging efficacy of T-DXd in gastric/GEJ cancers, with a pooled ORR of 47.7% and a median PFS of 4.92 months, and supports its use as an early-line treatment in this challenging disease landscape. This analysis also highlights the significant incidence of grade ≥3 AEs, particularly neutropenia, which necessitates vigilant monitoring and proactive management. Future research should focus on optimizing patient selection, exploring combination therapies, and refining dosing strategies to maximize clinical benefit while mitigating toxicity.
Efficacy of perioperative and neoadjuvant therapies including immunotherapy in resectable gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA): A network meta-analysis (NMA).
399 Background: The standard of care for resectable GEA adenocarcinomas is perioperative chemotherapy with the FLOT (fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, docetaxel) regimen. Recent studies investigating the addition of checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) to perioperative chemotherapy have shown mixed results. An NMA can leverage both direct and indirect comparisons to evaluate the relative efficacies of available regimens in this setting. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science and CENTRAL were searched until August 27th, 2025. Eligible studies included phase 3 randomized trials evaluating perioperative or neoadjuvant chemotherapy +/- CPIs ± radiation in resectable GEA. The primary outcomes were disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using a frequentist NMA framework. Results: Fifteen trials including 8072 patients were analyzed. For DFS, perioperative durvalumab + FLOT (dFLOT) ranked highest (P-score = 0.99), followed by FLOT (P-score = 0.84) (HR for dFLOT vs. FLOT was 0.71, 95% CI 0.58-0.86). dFLOT also ranked higher than perioperative pembrolizumab + cisplatin and fluorouracil/capecitabine (KN-585), though this comparison was not statistically significant (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.40-1.04). Compared with CROSS, dFLOT showed superior DFS (HR of 0.48, 95% CI 0.36-0.63). For OS, dFLOT ranked the highest (P-score=0.95) and was superior to CROSS (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.42-0.77). While dFLOT appeared favorable versus FLOT (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.62-0.98), this finding was primarily driven by MATTERHORN, which did not meet its prespecified OS significance boundary (P = 0.03 vs threshold P < 0.0001), and the proportional hazards assumption was violated. Similarly, no significant OS difference was observed between dFLOT and the KN-585 arms (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.45-1.23). Conclusions: In this NMA, perioperative FLOT remained the benchmark regimen for resectable GEA. dFLOT has shown promising early results, ranking the highest for DFS and showing favorable, but not statistically definitive OS trends in comparison to FLOT. Importantly, the network enabled indirect comparisons not tested in head-to-head trials, demonstrating that dFLOT ranked above pembrolizumab+CF/CX (KN-585) without reaching statistical significance, and also outperformed CROSS. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution, as they are primarily driven MATTERHORN data in which OS did not cross the prespecified threshold and proportional hazards assumptions were violated. Perioperative immunotherapy combinations appear promising, but final MATTERHORN results and further confirmatory studies are needed before dFLOT can be considered as a new standard of care.
Physical activity and molecular residual disease (MRD) in stage III colon cancer: Findings from CALGB (Alliance)/SWOG 80702.
163 Background: Being physically inactive is an independent predictor of poor outcomes in patients with stage III colon cancer. Whether physical activity can mitigate the oncologic risk of postoperative MRD is unknown. Methods: We concluded a post hoc analysis of a phase III trial evaluating celecoxib vs. placebo and 3 vs. 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with resected stage III colon cancer. Self-reported physical activity was assessed in standardized measures of metabolic equivalent hours per week (MET-h/wk) at 2 timepoints: 1) midway through and 2) 6 months after completing adjuvant chemotherapy, modeled as a time-weighted average. MRD was determined via a clinically validated, tumor-informed circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assay (Signatera, Natera, Inc.). Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were estimated using flexible parametric survival models. Results: Among 763 patients (median follow-up 6.0 years), 24% were highly active (≥18 MET-h/wk) and 32% were inactive (<3 MET-h/wk); 18% were ctDNA positive. Adjusting for covariates, DFS improved in patients who were ctDNA negative and moderately active (Ref: inactive; 3-17.9 MET-h/wk; HR=0.62, 95% CI [0.40-0.97]) or highly active (HR = 0.53 [0.30-0.94]). No benefit was seen among patients who were ctDNA positive (Ref: inactive; moderately active: HR = 1.20 [0.75-1.92]; highly active: HR=0.83 [0.45-1.54]). The interaction was not significant (Pint=0.269). Physical activity did not impact OS regardless of ctDNA status. The interaction of physical activity and adjuvant celecoxib use is shown in Table. Conclusions: Among patients who were ctDNA negative, physical activity was associated with improved DFS, and may demonstrate increased survival benefit alongside adjuvant celecoxib. The additive effects of both interventions were inconclusive among those who were ctDNA positive. Support: U10CA180821, U10CA180882, U24CA196171; https://acknowledgments.alliancefound.org; Natera, Pfizer; NCT01150045. Disease-free survival by physical activity level and celecoxib use, stratified by ctDNA status. 3-yr event # at risk Adjusted HR (95% CI) P-value Pint ctDNA Negative 0.258 Inactive + placebo 23 182 Ref Active + placebo 17 132 0.74 (0.43-1.28) 0.283 Inactive + celecoxib 23 167 0.92 (0.57-1.48) 0.720 Active + celecoxib 10 146 0.40 (0.22-0.79) 0.007 ctDNA Positive 0.221 Inactive + placebo 26 33 Ref Active + placebo 15 20 0.96 (0.50-1.84) 0.903 Inactive + celecoxib 34 54 0.62 (0.37-1.05) 0.076 Active + celecoxib 14 29 0.34 (0.18-0.64) 0.001 ctDNA, circulating tumor DNA; HR, hazard ratio; CI, confidence interval. Active = ≥9 MET-h/week, inactive = <9 MET-h/week. Celecoxib use defined by assignment in CALGB/SWOG 80702. Models adjusted by T and N stage, age, sex, race, assigned cycles of fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin, KRAS and BRAF status, BMI, and Western diet.
P-1292. Clinical and Genomic Features of Colistin Resistance Among Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated From Global Clinical Samples
Abstract Background Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAb) is a multi-drug resistant, opportunistic pathogen. Colistin is one of a few remaining treatment options, but resistance exists globally. Methods Between 2017 and 2019, 551 CRAb isolates were collected through the international Study Network of Acinetobacter as a Carbapenem-Resistant Pathogen (SNAP). Demographics, clinical characteristics, mortality, and a desirability of outcome ranking (DOOR) measure combining lack of clinical response, unsuccessful discharge, renal failure, and C. difficile infection, were recorded for each patient. A central laboratory measured colistin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), and each isolate was classified as colistin-intermediate (MIC ≤2µg/mL) or resistant (MIC ≥4µg/mL). All isolates were sequenced on the Illumina platform, and the genomes were used to construct a phylogenetic tree and assess for variants within known colistin resistance-related genes. Results 18% of the 551 isolates were colistin-resistant. Compared to patients with colistin-intermediate isolates, patients with resistant strains were more likely to have been admitted from a healthcare facility, but otherwise had similar demographics and Charlson comorbidity indices. Focusing on patients with bloodstream or respiratory infections (n=217) uncovered increased 30-day mortality in patients with monomicrobial, colistin-resistant infections (11/19, p=0.008) when compared to monomicrobial-intermediate (41/102), polymicrobial-resistant (4/20) and polymicrobial-intermediate infections (18/76). Comparative genomics indicated that the majority of isolates belonged to clonal complex 2 (CC2), and that colistin resistance concentrated in certain genetic lineages. Variant analysis uncovered nonsynonymous mutations near and within the histidine kinase domain of pmrB, part of the PmrAB two-component system that regulates lipopolysaccharide modifications which can alter colistin susceptibility. Conclusion In this global cohort, patients with monomicrobial, colistin-resistant CRAb infections had increased mortality. New treatment options are needed for multidrug-resistant CRAb, and this study provides further evidence that pmrB may serve as a worthwhile drug development target. Disclosures Madison Stellfox, MD, PhD, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals: Grant/Research Support Robin Patel, MD, a patent on Bordetella pertussis/parapertussis PCR issued, a patent on a device/method for sonication, a patent on PET imaging of bacterial infection: a patent on Bordetella pertussis/parapertussis PCR issued, a patent on a device/method for sonication, a patent on PET imaging of bacterial infection|MicuRx Pharmaceuticals and bioMérieux: Grant/Research Support|PhAST, Day Zero Diagnostics, DEEPULL DIAGNOSTICS, S.L., Nostics, HealthTrackRx, bioMérieux and CARB-X: Advisor/Consultant|Up-to-Date and the Infectious Diseases Board Review Course: Honoraria David van Duin, MD, PhD, British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy: Editor stipend|Merck: Advisor/Consultant|Merck: Grant/Research Support|Pfizer: Advisor/Consultant|Roche: Advisor/Consultant|Shionogi: Advisor/Consultant Yohei Doi, MD, PHD, GSK: Advisor/Consultant|Meiji Seika Pharma: Advisor/Consultant|Shionogi: Advisor/Consultant|Shionogi: Honoraria
Imaging‐neuropathology evaluation of Amyloid Related Imaging Abnormality sulcal effusion in a DIAN‐TU‐001 participant treated with gantenerumab
Abstract Background Amyloid related imaging abnormality edema (ARIA‐E) occurs in about 19% of individuals with autosomal dominant Alzheimer disease (ADAD) treated with an anti‐amyloid‐b monoclonal antibody (Salloway et al., 2021). In a previously reported case, ARIA‐E appeared to colocalize with decreases in PiB‐PET uptake (Joseph‐Mathurin, Llibre‐Guerra, et al, 2022), suggesting an association between amyloid‐b (Aβ) removal and ARIA‐E. Here, we compare longitudinal neuroimaging and corresponding neuropathology in an ADAD individual treated with gantenerumab, who experienced multiple ARIA‐E episodes as sulcal effusions that resolved by the end of the four‐year trial. Methods PiB‐PET and MRI were collected pre‐ and post‐randomization (2 and 4 years). The participant consented to brain donation, which was received a year after trial completion. Four tissue samples were taken from the location of the ARIA‐E in the parieto‐occipital left hemibrain as identified by MRI (one block contained the sulcus affected by ARIA‐E; the rest of the coronal section was captured in the remaining three blocks). Area fractions (AFs) of Aβ (10D5 immunohistochemistry (IHC)), tauopathy (PHF1), microglia (Iba1), and astrocytes (GFAP) in one sulcal region of interest (ROI) from each block and PiB‐PET SUVRs of corresponding ROIs were extracted ( n = 4, Figure 1). Additionally, we included PiB‐PET SUVRs corresponding to ARIA‐E findings observed in the right hemisphere at baseline, two‐year, and four‐year visits ( n = 6). Results Overall PiB‐PET uptake increased during the first two years (before ARIA‐E) and decreased during the last two years (including ARIA‐E episodes) (0.03±0.05 vs. ‐0.04±0.04 SUVR/year, p ‐value=0.01, Figure 2). The decrease seemed more pronounced in ARIA‐E ROIs versus normal‐appearing sulcus ROIs (‐0.05±0.04 vs. ‐0.02±0.03 SUVR/year). Lower PiB uptake at last visit appeared associated with lower Aβ AF (estimates=0.03±0.01, p ‐value=0.07). The ARIA‐E ROI had an Aβ AF of 0.009 while normal‐appearing sulcus ROIs had a mean of 0.02+0.003 (Figure 3). AFs for tauopathy, microglia, and astrocytes were within the range of those of normal‐appearing sulcus ROIs, suggesting an Aβ‐specific effect, although unexamined markers may play a role. Conclusions Our preliminary findings indicated that ARIA‐E is associated with longitudinal PiB‐PET decrease and Aβ AF, supporting the link between ARIA‐E, changes in PiB‐PET, and local Aβ removal observed at autopsy. Funding : K01AG080123; U01AG042791; R01AG046179; R01AG053267
MTAP
Deletion in Oncogenesis: A Synthetic Lethality Scenario
Abstract Homozygous deletions in the gene encoding methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) occur in ∼10% of patients with cancer, including up to 45% in some tumor types, and may be associated with poor prognosis. MTAP deficiency causes accumulation of its catabolic target methylthioadenosine (MTA) that outcompetes S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) for binding to protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5), partially inhibiting PRMT5 activity as a posttranslational regulator of a variety of critical cellular functions. Prior anticancer treatments developed to target PRMT5 exhibited high rates of dose-limiting hematologic toxicities because of a lack of selectivity for tumor cells. More recently, several agents have been developed that exploit the vulnerability of MTAP-deleted cancer cells to further inhibition of the PRMT5 pathway, selectively inducing synthetic lethality in those cancer cells. MTA-cooperative PRMT5 inhibitors such as BMS-986504/MRTX1719 and AMG 193 target the PRMT5–MTA complex, whereas inhibitors of the SAM synthetase methionine adenosyl transferase 2A, such as IDE397, deprive PRMT5 of its methyl donor SAM. In this review article, we summarize the mechanisms of action, preclinical data, and clinical data available thus far for these novel classes of oncology precision medicine and discuss potential future directions relevant to MTAP deletion as a promising synthetic lethal vulnerability for cancer therapy.
Impact of Neoadjuvant Induction Chemotherapy Prior to Chemoradiation on Survival and Surgical Outcomes in Real-World Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Cohort
Background/objectives: Improvements in esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) treatment have reduced mortality. While chemoradiation before surgery was previously a standard of care, updated guidelines recommend peri-operative chemotherapy without chemoradiation. Continued investigation into optimal non-operative treatment paradigms for patients who defer surgery or are not candidates for surgery and certain chemotherapy regimens is needed. The impact of induction chemotherapy prior to chemoradiation on survival and surgical outcomes remains unclear. This study assessed survival and surgical outcomes in a real-world cohort of EAC patients receiving induction chemotherapy before chemoradiation. Methods: This single-institution, IRB-approved, retrospective cohort study included patients with newly diagnosed stage II-IVb (oligometastatic for IVb) EAC who received definitive chemoradiation (radiation ≥ 40 Gy and two cycles of chemotherapy) +/− esophagectomy from 2007 to 2022. Patients receiving induction chemotherapy were compared to those who did not. Endpoints included survival and surgical outcomes. Results: A total of 141 EAC patients received definitive chemoradiation; 83 received induction chemotherapy before chemoradiation. Patients receiving induction chemotherapy were younger (p < 0.01) with slightly lower performance status (p = 0.27) and presented at a more advanced stage (p < 0.001). Median OS was 3.5 years in the induction chemotherapy group compared to 2.2 years (p = 0.10). There was no difference in pathologic complete response (p = 0.81), esophagectomy frequency (p = 0.87), or surgical downstaging between treatment groups (p = 0.84). Conclusions: In this real-world, single-institutional patient cohort investigating induction chemotherapy prior to chemoradiation in EAC, patients receiving induction chemotherapy did well but did not have a statistically significant improvement in survival outcomes or surgical outcomes. This study showed that significant numbers of real-world patients may not receive esophagectomy. Thus, prospective, randomized clinical trials are warranted to better delineate the efficacy and selection of patients for induction chemotherapy when non-operative approaches are favored.