Citations

Abstract BACKGROUND [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE (68Ga-Dotatate) PET is a promising imaging modality for post-operative meningioma delineation and outcome assessments following stereotactic radiosurgery. However, its utility for response assessment following other meningioma therapies, including somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) targeting [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE (177Lu-Dotatate) therapy is insufficiently understood. Here we report the 68Ga-Dotatate PET results, prospectively obtained in patients with treatment-refractory meningioma who enrolled in a phase 2, open-label clinical trial (NCT03971461) evaluating the radiopharmaceutical 177Lu-Dotatate. METHODS Patients underwent 68Ga-Dotatate PET during screening and 24±2 weeks following treatment with 177Lu-Dotatate at 7.4 GBq (200 mCi) every 8 weeks for 4 doses. Up to 5 meningioma lesions per patient were assessed by gadolinium-enhanced T1 MRI and 68Ga-Dotatate PET using lesional Krenning score and lesional to superior sagittal sinus (SSS) maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) ratio (SUVR (lesion/SSS)). RESULTS Eight patients with 16 lesions were assessed. By RANO criteria, the best radiographic response was stable disease (SD) in 7 patients (14 lesions) and partial response (PR) in 1 patient (2 lesions). Krenning score was assessed in 14 lesions (Krenning 4/3/2/1 in 3/4/5/2 lesions). Following 177Lu-Dotatate, Krenning score was reduced by ≥1 point in 9 and remained stable in 5 lesions. SUVR (lesion/SSS) was evaluated in 16 lesions. Compared to baseline, SUVR (lesion/SSS) at 6 months was partially reduced (PR, ≥50%) in 2 lesions, minimally reduced (MR, <50% and ≥25%) in 3 lesions, and stable (SD, <25% reduction and <25% increase) in 11 lesions. CONCLUSIONS 68Ga-Dotatate PET is a promising imaging biomarker in patients with advanced meningioma. Treatment with 177Lu-Dotatate led to substantial reduction in SUVR (lesion/SSS) in a subset of patients. In contrast to other reports, 68Ga-Dotatate assessments were generally concordant with post-gad T1 based MRI assessments per RANO. Updated results in an expanded group of patients will be presented.

Abstract BACKGROUND Most meningiomas are considered benign tumors, however, a subset of meningiomas are characterized by a more aggressive clinical course and require multimodal treatment. Beyond surgery and radiation, there are no effective medical treatments available. Somatostatin receptor 2 (SSTR2) is expressed by the majority of meningiomas. [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE (177Lu-Dotatate) is a SSTR2-targeting radioligand therapeutic agent that has been successful in other oncological entities, including neuroendocrine tumors. Here we report the results of a phase 2 clinical trial (NCT03971461) evaluating 177Lu-Dotatate in patients with advanced and treatment-refractory intracranial meningiomas. METHODS In this multicenter, open-label, phase 2 study, adults with advanced intracranial meningiomas received 177Lu-Dotatate at 7.4 GBq (200 mCi) every eight weeks for four doses. [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-TATE (68Ga-Dotatate) PET was performed before and at the end of treatment. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival at 6 months (PFS-6). Correlative studies evaluated the association of PFS-6, objective response rate, progression-free survival, overall survival with radiographic tumor measurements, and 68Ga-Dotatate uptake on PET. RESULTS Thirty-two patients (F=21, M=11) with progressive meningiomas (WHO 1=7, WHO 2=24, WHO 3=1) were enrolled. Median age was 65.5 (range 41-78) years. All patients previously underwent tumor resection and at least one course of radiation. Three patients (9%) had received medical therapy. Treatment with 177Lu-Dotatate was well tolerated, no treatment-limiting toxicities were observed. Of 29 evaluable patients at the data cutoff, 19 patients (66%) had achieved PFS-6 (WHO 1=4, WHO 2=15). Radiographically, the best response was partial response (PR) in 2 patients (6%) and stable disease (SD) in 20 patients (63%). CONCLUSIONS Treatment with SSTR2-targeting 177Lu-Dotatate is well tolerated and 66% of patients achieved PFS-6, comparing favorably to historical benchmarks, 177Lu-Dotatate therefore may be a useful new therapeutic modality for patients with advanced meningiomas and will be further explored in MOMENTUM-1 (NCT#06955169), an open-label, randomized, phase 2 trial.

Background/Objectives: Immortality and anti-aging research is accelerating, with implications across medicine. This narrative review explores the biological principles, translational innovations, and ethical considerations at the intersection of aging and plastic surgery, reframed for a broad clinical audience. Methods: A narrative review of the literature from PubMed, clinical trials, and translational studies was conducted, with emphasis on regenerative medicine, stem cells, tissue engineering, gene editing, and longevity pharmacologics within the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery. Results: Key themes include (1) the biology of aging and epigenetic reprogramming, (2) esthetic and regenerative innovations with broader clinical significance, (3) emerging genetic and pharmacologic longevity strategies, (4) ethical and regulatory challenges, and (5) future directions such as nanotechnology, artificial intelligence, and digital immortality. Conclusions: Immortality remains an aspirational frontier, but innovations in regenerative science and longevity research offer opportunities for improving healthspans. Medicine as a whole must balance innovation with ethics, equity, and safety in translating these discoveries to patient care.

Importance Treatment for cognitive dysfunction due to postacute sequelae of long COVID (ie, symptoms of fatigue, malaise, weakness, confusion that persist beyond 12 weeks after an initial COVID infection) remains a significant unmet need. Objective To test evidence-based rehabilitation strategies for improving cognitive symptoms in persons with long COVID. Design, Setting, and Participants This was a 5-arm, multicenter, randomized clinical trial of 3 remotely delivered interventions conducted between August 17, 2023, and June 10, 2024. The study took place at 22 trial sites and included the screening of individuals with cognitive long COVID. Interventions Participants were randomized to 1 of 5 arms: adaptive computerized cognitive training (BrainHQ [Posit Science]), cognitive-behavioral rehabilitation involving both group and individual counseling sessions (PASC-Cognitive Recovery [PASC-CoRE]) paired with BrainHQ, and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) paired with BrainHQ. Two comparator arms were included as follows: unstructured computer puzzles and games (active comparator) and sham tDCS paired with BrainHQ. The interventions occurred 5 times per week over 10 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures Cognitive and behavioral in-person assessments were performed at baseline, midintervention, at the end of intervention, and 3 months after the end of the intervention. The primary outcome measure was the modified Everyday Cognition Scale 2 (ECog2) completed at the end of the intervention compared to the baseline visit based on participant self-report looking back over the prior 7 days. Results A total of 378 individuals were screened, from which there were 328 participants (median [IQR] age, 48.0 [37.0-58.0] years; 241 female [73.5%]; race: 15 Asian [4.6%], 47 Black [14.3%], and 235 White [71.6%]; ethnicity: 52 Hispanic [15.9%]). None of the 3 active interventions demonstrated benefits on the modified ECog2 in the intention-to-treat population by the end of the intervention period. The adjusted differences in mean change were 0.0 (95% CI, −0.2 to 0.2) for BrainHQ vs active comparator, 0.1 (95% CI, −0.1 to 0.3) for PASC-CoRE + BrainHQ vs active comparator, 0.0 (95% CI, −0.2 to 0.2) for tDCS-active + BrainHQ vs tDCS-sham + BrainHQ, and 0.1 (95% CI, −0.1 to 0.3) for PASC-CoRE + BrainHQ vs BrainHQ alone. Secondary participant-reported outcomes and neuropsychological tests showed no differential benefits for any treatment arm. All 5 arms demonstrated some improvements over time on the modified ECog2 and on secondary outcomes. There were no serious adverse events attributable to the interventions. Conclusions and Relevance This phase 2 randomized clinical trial failed to demonstrate differential benefits for online cognitive training, a structured cognitive rehabilitation program, and tDCS for cognitive long COVID. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05965739 .

Abstract Aims Alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) and alcohol use disorder (AUD) are interconnected and highly prevalent. Integrating substance use disorder (SUD) treatment into medical clinics may increase access to specialized care and improve liver-related outcomes. Methods A scoping review and quantitative analysis were completed on published literature before 4 September 2024. Included articles described SUD treatment integrated in medical settings for adults with liver disease and alcohol use. Specific focus in the analysis was placed on integrations that utilized telehealth formats, facilitated access to medications for AUD (MAUD), and intervened in liver transplant populations. Results Twenty-three full-length manuscripts and 10 conference abstracts met the inclusion criteria. Fourteen articles discussed MAUD access in ALD populations. Nine utilized telehealth interventions, and 12 focused on pre- and post-liver transplant populations considered high-risk for returning to alcohol use. Nine full-length manuscripts were included in a quantitative analysis, which showed a 9.7% risk difference (95% CI: 5.9–13.4) in any alcohol use, favoring integrated care over treatment as usual. Conclusions Integrated care for AUD and concurrent ALD populations can effectively reduce returns to alcohol use and be successfully integrated in a medical setting. The core ingredient of such interventions was the inclusion of an addiction medicine specialist into a medical setting, rather than an outside referral. Strategic telehealth utilization can further reduce geographic and specialty-specific barriers to SUD care in medically ill populations. More consensus is needed on key components, processes, and optimal outcomes for such integrated programs for people with concurrent liver disease and AUD.

Background The management of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIA) requires a balance between procedural risks and the potential benefit of rupture prevention. Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and anatomical results of endovascular treatment for UIAs at our institution, to benchmark our practice and potential areas for improvement, and enable transparent communication with patients by providing accurate, evidence-based information. Methods We reviewed all patients treated for an UIA between January 2017 and July 2022. Patients were grouped according to treatment technique: simple or balloon-assisted coiling; stent-assisted coiling; or flow-diverter stent placement. Clinical outcomes included perioperative mortality, transient (<3 months), and permanent morbidity (>3 months). Anatomical results were graded with the Raymond-Roy or the O’Kelly-Marotta scales. Retreatment rates, length of hospitalization, readmissions, irradiation time, and total radiation dose were assessed. Results In total, 169 patients with 201 UIAs underwent 187 endovascular procedures without death, 1% permanent morbidity, 8% transient morbidity, and 4% retreatment. The treatment subgroups analysis shows an absence of permanent morbidity associated with flow-diverter stenting and stent-assisted coiling. Simple/balloon-assisted coiling suffered 2.6% permanent morbidity. Transient morbidity was observed in 9%, 9.5%, and 6.6% of flow-diverter stenting, stent-assisted coiling, and simple/balloon-assisted coiling, respectively. Conclusions In our hospital, about one in a hundred procedures caused lasting problems, while about one in 25 aneurysms needed a second treatment. These results reflect our case selection and multidisciplinary approach. Reporting them transparently helps patients understand what outcomes to expect at our hospital.

Importance Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis (MASH) represents a high, underprioritized burden among noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and people living with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Objective To identify cost-effective management approaches to prevent, detect, and treat MASH and liver fibrosis in people living with T2D. Design, Setting, and Participants This economic evaluation consisted of a generalized cost-effectiveness analysis (GCEA) that was conducted for 12 countries (Brazil, Chile, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, and the United States), across all 6 World Health Organization (WHO) regions. A cohort state-transition model simulated liver disease development and its impact on a synthetic cohort, aged 19 years and older and living with T2D, over their lifespan across 10 liver health states. Exposures Using an 80% coverage level, 14 management approaches were compared, including screening via the Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4) test and Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) test or vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE) as well as treatment with pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcomes were the average cost-effectiveness ratios (ACERs) and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), which were used to construct care expansion paths by ranking the management approaches in order of cost-effectiveness. The main measures were the total incremental costs and the total incremental quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of each intervention. Results In this GCEA, the outcomes were evaluated with respect to country-specific willingness-to-pay thresholds. The standard of care had the lowest ACERs in 8 countries (not in Chile, Germany, Saudi Arabia, or the United States). Treatment with intensive lifestyle interventions (ILIs), after screening via ELF or VCTE, was cost-effective in all countries. ILIs and treatment with semaglutide was cost-effective in 11 countries (not in Tanzania); ILIs and treatment with resmetirom was cost-effective in 8 countries (not in Brazil, South Africa, Tanzania, or Thailand). Conclusion and Relevance In this economic evaluation, screening followed by ILIs was found to be a cost-effective management approach for MASH and liver fibrosis among people living with T2D in all countries. Screening followed by pharmacological treatment was cost-effective in most countries. These results can inform health policy decision-making and further the development of WHO recommended interventions to address NCDs.