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ImportanceThe advanced ambulatory heart failure (HF) population comprises patients who have progressed beyond the pillars of recommended stage C HF therapies but can still find meaningful life-years ahead. Although these patients are commonly encountered in practice, national databases selectively capture the small groups accepted for heart transplant listing or left ventricular assist devices. The epidemiology, trajectories, and therapies for other ambulatory patients with advanced HF are poorly understood.ObservationsIn December 2022, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute convened a team of experts to identify knowledge gaps and research priorities for the ambulatory population with limiting daily symptoms and transition toward refractory end-stage D HF, designated as stage C2D. This article summarizes the findings from that 3-day workshop. Workshop participants surveyed the initial challenges and knowledge gaps for (1) recognition of ambulatory C2D HF, (2) estimation of the magnitude of the affected population and identifiable subpopulations, and (3) physiologic phenotypes, such as low cardiac output, right HF, cardiorenal syndromes, congestive hepatopathy and frailty, which offer distinct targets for existing and emerging therapies. Social drivers of HF and patient preferences for quality/length of survival were highlighted as essential modifiers for personalization of therapies.Conclusions and RelevanceTen key points summarized workshop findings, with target cohorts for study proposed as a crucial next step. This workshop summary is intended as a call for action to address knowledge gaps and develop new strategies to improve outcomes in the large ambulatory population with C2D HF.

Abstract Background Patients experiencing ≥1 recurrence of CDI are at elevated risk for subsequent recurrences and complications versus those with an initial CDI episode. Treatment selection for recurrent CDI (rCDI) is influenced by the number of recurrences a patient has experienced. Fecal microbiota spores, live-brpk (VOWST™; formerly SER-109, hereafter referred to as VOS for Vowst Oral Spores) is an oral microbiota-based therapeutic to prevent rCDI in adults with rCDI after antibacterial treatment for rCDI, thought to work by enabling rapid restoration of the microbiome. We report results from an integrated analysis of two Phase 3 trials to further describe safety/efficacy of VOS in patients, stratified by number of prior CDI recurrences. Methods The randomized, controlled ECOSPOR III trial enrolled 182 patients with ≥2 CDI recurrences, and the open-label, single-arm ECOSPOR IV trial enrolled 263 patients with ≥1 CDI recurrence. VOS was given as 4 capsules over 3 consecutive days after completing antibiotic treatment. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were collected through Week 8 after VOS; serious TEAEs/AEs of special interest were collected through Week 24. Efficacy endpoint included rCDI (toxin-positive diarrhea requiring treatment) through Week 8. Results A total of 77 patients had 1, 150 patients had 2, and 121 patients had ≥3 prior CDI recurrences; incidence of TEAEs was 44%, 70%, and 67%, respectively (Table 1). No serious TEAEs, TEAEs of special interest, or TEAEs leading to study withdrawal were considered related to VOS by investigators. TEAEs in ≥15% of patients with 1, 2, or ≥3 prior CDI recurrences were flatulence (6%; 29%; 29%), abdominal pain (6%; 27%; 16%), fatigue (1%; 26%; 20%), abdominal distension (3%; 22%; 20%), and diarrhea (27%; 21%; 23%). On-study recurrence rate through Week 8 in the overall population was 9.5% (95% CI: 6.6%–13.0%); in those with 1 or multiple (≥2) CDI recurrences, rates (95% CI) were 6.5% (2.1%–14.5%) and 10.3% (7.0%–14.6%), respectively. Conclusion This integrated analysis confirms VOS was well tolerated and rCDI rates were low/consistent in patients, regardless of the number of CDI recurrences. Results suggest VOS may be considered in patients with rCDI, regardless of the number of prior CDI recurrences. Disclosures Matthew Sims, MD, PhD, Adaptive Phage Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support|Applied Biocode: Advisor/Consultant|Applied Biocode: Grant/Research Support|Astra Zeneca: Grant/Research Support|Biotest AG: Grant/Research Support|ContraFect: Grant/Research Support|Janssen: Grant/Research Support|Leonard-Meron Biosciences: Grant/Research Support|Novozyme: Grant/Research Support|OpGen: Advisor/Consultant|OpGen: Grant/Research Support|Pfizer: Grant/Research Support|Prenosis: Advisor/Consultant|Prenosis: Grant/Research Support|QIAGEN: Grant/Research Support|Seres: Advisor/Consultant|Seres: Grant/Research Support|Summit Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support|Venatorx: Advisor/Consultant Colleen S. Kraft, MD, MSc, Ferring: Advisor/Consultant|Seres: Advisor/Consultant Lisa von Moltke, MD, Cara Therapeutics: Board Member|Cara Therapeutics: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company)|Seres Therapeutics: Employee|Seres Therapeutics: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company) Brooke Hasson, PhD, Seres Therapeutics: employee|Seres Therapeutics: Stocks/Bonds (Public Company) Maximilian von Eynatten, MD, Nestlé Health Science: Employment Darrell Pardi, MD, AMT, Inc: Grant/Research Support|Boehringer Ingelheim: Grant/Research Support|Exe GI: Grant/Research Support|Immunic: Advisor/Consultant|Lilly: Advisor/Consultant|Rise Therapeutics: Advisor/Consultant|Rise Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support|Seres Therapeutics: Advisor/Consultant|Seres Therapeutics: Expert Testimony|Vedanta: Advisor/Consultant|Vedanta: Grant/Research Support

Hemorrhagic complications associated with regional anesthesia are extremely rare. The fifth edition of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine’s Evidence-Based Guidelines on regional anesthesia in the patient receiving antithrombotic or thrombolytic therapy reviews the published evidence since 2018 and provides guidance to help avoid this potentially catastrophic complication. The fifth edition of the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine’s Evidence-Based Guidelines on regional anesthesia in the patient receiving antithrombotic or thrombolytic therapy uses similar methodology as previous editions but is reorganized and significantly condensed. Therefore, the clinicians are encouraged to review the earlier texts for more detailed descriptions of methods, clinical trials, case series and pharmacology. It is impossible to perform large, randomized controlled trials evaluating a complication this rare; therefore, where the evidence is limited, the authors continue to maintain an ‘antihemorrhagic’ approach focused on patient safety and have proposed conservative times for the interruption of therapy prior to neural blockade. In previous versions, the anticoagulant doses were described as prophylactic and therapeutic. In this version, we will be using ‘low dose’ and ‘high dose,’ which will allow us to be consistent with other published guidelines and more accurately describe the dose in the setting of specific patient characteristics and indications. For example, the same ‘high’ dose may be used in one patient as a treatment for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and in another patient as prophylaxis for recurrent DVT. Due to the increasing ability to obtain drug-specific assays, we have included suggestions for when ordering these tests may be helpful and guide practice. Like previous editions, at the end of each recommendation the authors have clearly noted how the recommendation has changed from previous editions.

The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) for Lung Cancer Screening provide criteria for selecting individuals for screening and offer recommendations for evaluating and managing lung nodules detected during initial and subsequent annual screening. These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on recent updates to the NCCN Guidelines for Lung Cancer Screening.

ABSTRACT Background and Hypothesis Teclistamab, a novel bispecific monoclonal antibody targeting CD3 and B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), and chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy are promising options for treating relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). However, the rates of acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with teclistamab remain inadequately characterized. This study aims to compare the incidence, severity, and outcomes of AKI between patients receiving teclistamab and CAR-T therapy. Methods This was a retrospective study involving 64 patients with relapsed/refractory MM treated with either teclistamab or CAR-T therapy. All patients had previously received at least four lines of chemotherapy before being treated with either teclistamab or CAR-T. The primary outcome was the incidence of AKI, and secondary outcomes included AKI severity, kidney recovery rates, and mortality. Kaplan–Meier estimates for AKI-free survival were calculated, and hazard ratios (HRs) for AKI risk were determined using Cox proportional hazards models. Results Sixty-four patients met inclusion criteria for this study (30 received CAR-T and 34 received teclistamab therapy). Among these patients, 14 AKI events occurred in total (22%), with 10 events (29%) in the teclistamab group and four events (13%) in the CAR-T group. AKI-free survival estimates at 180 days after treatment initiation were 68% [95% confidence interval (CI): 53%–87%] for teclistamab patients and 90% (95% CI: 79%–100%) for CAR-T patients. While patients receiving teclistamab were found to have an increased risk of an AKI event compared to those receiving CAR-T therapy, the results were not statistically significant [HR (95% CI): 3.38 (0.93–12.31), P = .065]. Conclusions This study suggests that patients treated with teclistamab may experience a higher incidence of AKI compared to those receiving CAR-T therapy. However, further research is required to determine whether this increased risk is attributable to disease progression or teclistamab itself. These results highlight the need for close kidney function monitoring in patients receiving teclistamab.

Objective The purpose of this review was to examine new evidence since the authors' 2019 guidelines for cervical cancer (CC) screening in non-HIV immunocompromised persons and to provide updated recommendations based on literature review and expert opinion. In addition, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine efficacy in these populations was reviewed. Methods A literature search was performed similar to the authors' previous publication but was conducted through March 2023. Risk of CC, squamous intraepithelial lesions, and HPV infection in those living with solid organ transplant (SOT), end-stage renal disease (ESRD), hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), and autoimmune diseases (AID), specifically systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with addition of multiple sclerosis (MS) were researched. This update also summarizes data available on newer disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) including monoclonal antibodies (MABs). The authors then made recommendations for HPV vaccine administration, and screening using either general population guidelines or increased surveillance, the latter based on following current recommendations for women living with HIV. Additionally, the literature search included antibody response to HPV vaccines and recommendations for their administration for these same conditions. Results Based on the reviewed risks, evidence continued to support those persons living with SOT, ESRD, HSCT, and SLE, whether on immunosuppressant therapy or not, had an increased risk of HPV, squamous intraepithelial lesions, and CC whereas there was weak evidence that those persons with IBD, RA, and MS not on immunosuppressants were at risk. Data on persons using DMT/MAB were conflicting. Data showed that patients on certain immunosuppressants had lower antibody titers following HPV vaccination. There were no studies on HPV vaccine efficacy. Conclusions Following US Center for Disease Control and Prevention HIV Cervical cancer screening (CCS) guidelines is recommended for the following: SOT, ESRD, HSCT, and SLE whether on immunosuppressants or not, and IBD, RA, and MS on immunosuppressants. Shared decision-making about increased surveillance for IBD and RA not on immunosuppressants and persons on any DMT or MAB is reasonable based on conflicting data. Human papillomavirus vaccination should not change the recommendations for increased CC surveillance. A 3-dose series of the HPV vaccine is recommended for all age-eligible patients starting at 9 years of age, with catch-up to 26 years of age. Vaccination from age 27 up to age 45 years per Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices guidelines should be considered in shared decision-making. When possible, HPV vaccine series should be initiated and completed before SOT or initiation of DMT/MAB. For HSCT, the vaccine series should be readministered along with other childhood vaccines.