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Abstract Introduction: Epcoritamab (epco) and glofitamab (glofit) are bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) approved for the treatment of patients (pts) with relapsed or refractory (r/r) large B-cell lymphomas (LBCLs). Their use is associated with relatively high response rates, with some patients experiencing prolonged remission. It is unclear whether continuous treatment beyond 12 months for pts in remission is beneficial, as continued immunosuppression may result in additional toxicity. We sought to report the outcomes of pts with prolonged remission and survival following BsAb administration. Methods: We performed a multicenter retrospective study including 21 US centers evaluating pts with r/r LBCLs receiving commercially available epco or glofit between 2023 and 2025. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were extracted from medical records. Efficacy and survival outcomes were assessed by site investigators and included overall response rate (ORR), complete and partial response (CR, PR) rates. Pts who responded to BsAbs and had ≥365 days of follow-up from initiation of BsAb treatment were included in the analysis. Results: As of May 15, 2025, a total of 312 pts with r/r LBCLs were treated with BsAbs (epco n=193, glofit n=119) with a median age of 66 years (interquartile range [IQR] 59-73) at BsAb start. Most were male (64.5%), had advanced stage disease (77.4%) and had ECOG performance status of ≤1 (93.3%) at BsAb start. Of 207 pts who had initiated treatment with BsAb ≥12 months prior to data cutoff, we identified 31 pts (15.0%) who had a response to BsAbs (19 epco, 12 glofit) and were alive without progression at 12-months post-BsAb initiation and included them in this landmark analysis. Of the cohort of 19 pts treated with epco, 6 discontinued due to reasons other than disease progression including CAR-T cell therapy (n=2), secondary malignancy (n=2), allogeneic transplant (n=1), or other reasons (n=1). Thirteen of 19 pts received ≥12 months of epco treatment, and, with a median follow-up of 16 months from the start of BsAb, 12 of 13 pts continued receiving epco beyond 12 months with one pt discontinuing after 12 months (observed for an additional 41 days prior to censoring). Of the cohort of 12 pts treated with glofit, 8 pts were observed after completing all planned therapy and 4 patients underwent allogeneic transplant. Among all 31 BsAb-treated patients alive and in remission at 12 months, at the time of data cutoff, 5 pts (12.9%) had progressed (2 previously treated with epco and 3 with glofit). Three of the 4 pts who underwent allogeneic transplant after prior glofit treatment experienced disease relapse. A total of 24 pts (77.4%) were alive at the time of last follow-up, with the causes of death being disease progression (n=1), secondary malignancy (n=1), infection (n=1), and unknown cause (n=4). Conclusions: In this large cohort of r/r LBCL pts treated with BsAbs monotherapy in the standard of care setting, a relatively small proportion of pts (15%) achieve the 12 month PFS landmark. In the absence of robust evidence for what constitutes best practice, different strategies are employed, including continuation of BsAb, observation as well as consolidation with allogeneic transplant or CAR T-cell therapy. Additional follow-up will be reported to help guide clinical decision making regarding the optimal management strategy for this high risk pt population.

Abstract Background: Systemic mastocytosis (SM) comprises a spectrum of subtypes characterized by neoplastic mast cell (MC) infiltration of tissues and release of MC mediators. Non-advanced SM (NonAdvSM), including indolent SM (ISM), smoldering SM (SSM), and bone marrow mastocytosis (BMM) subtypes, is the most prevalent form of SM. NonAdvSM can be associated with debilitating symptomology which can significantly impair quality of life. The gain-of-function somatic KIT c.2447 C>T (p.D816V) mutation is found in up to 95% of patients with SM. Bezuclastinib (CGT9486) is an oral, potent, and selective type 1 tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against KIT D816V. Results from Summit (NCT05186753) Part 1 informed the recommended phase 2 dose (100 mg QD bezuclastinib) for Part 2. We report topline results from the 24-week assessment of Summit Part 2. Methods: Summit is a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo (PBO)-controlled Phase 2 trial of bezuclastinib in patients with NonAdvSM who had inadequate symptom control despite best supportive care (BSC) medications. The primary endpoint was 24-week mean change from baseline in Mastocytosis Symptom Severity Daily Diary (MS2D2) total symptom score (TSS) (range 0–110), which is a fit-for-purpose patient-reported outcome measure of NonAdvSM symptom severity. Key secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients with ≥50% reduction in serum tryptase, KIT p.D816V variant allele frequency (VAF), bone marrow (BM) MC burden, and MS2D2 TSS, ≥30% TSS reduction. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive 100mg QD bezuclastinib + BSC or PBO + BSC. Results: As of May 22, 2025, 179 patients were enrolled in Part 2: 119 were randomized to receive bezuclastinib and 60 to placebo. Patients enrolled were representative of the NonAdvSM population with moderate to severe symptoms. Median age (range) was 51 (23-78) years; 65.9% female; mean (SD) baseline MS2D2 TSS 55.6 (19.8); 82% of patients had ISM, 11% had BMM, and 7% had smoldering SSM. At baseline, median (range) KIT p.D816V VAF in whole blood, BM MC burden, and serum tryptase was 0.25% (0-34%), 10% (1-75%), and 40 (6-692) ng/mL, respectively. Bezuclastinib demonstrated statistically significant superiority to placebo on all primary and key secondary endpoints. At Week 24, bezuclastinib led to significantly greater symptom improvement vs placebo (LS mean [95% CI] MS2D2 TSS change: –24.3 [–27.6 to –21.1] vs –15.4 [–19.6 to –11.2]; placebo-adjusted difference: –8.9 points; P=0.0002). A ≥50% reduction in serum tryptase was achieved in 87.4% of bezuclastinib-treated patients vs 0% on placebo (P<0.0001). Significantly more patients receiving bezuclastinib achieved ≥50% reductions in KIT D816V VAF, serum tryptase, BM MCs (P<0.0001), MS2D2 TSS (P=0.01), and ≥30% reduction in MS2D2 TSS (P=0.0004). Most treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were low grade (gr; 70% Gr 1) and reversible. The most common TEAEs (≥10%) in any treatment group and occurring in greater frequency in the bezuclastinib arm were hair color changes (69.5% vs 5.0%), altered taste (23.7% vs 0%), nausea (22.0% vs 13.3%), increased ALT/AST (22.0% vs 6.6%), headache (17.8% vs 11.7%), alopecia (11.9% vs 3.3%), and increased ALP (10.2% vs 3.3%). TEAEs (≥10%) that occurred more often in the placebo group were diarrhea (13% vs 18%), dizziness (10% vs 12%), fatigue (7% vs 12%), and arthralgia (6% vs 15%). ALT/AST elevations ≥Gr 3 were experienced by 5.9% of patients. The only hepatic adverse events (AEs) reported were transient lab abnormalities; none required hospitalization. Treatment-related AEs requiring dose reductions occurred in 11% of patients receiving bezuclastinib. All discontinuations (5.9%) due to treatment-related AEs were due to transaminase elevations; all fully resolved. Conclusions: At 24-weeks, bezuclastinib 100 mg QD demonstrated statistically and clinically significant improvements in symptom burden and biomarkers of disease vs placebo in patients with NonAdvSM. The treatment was generally well-tolerated and effective across a population that is representative of the real-world NonAdvSM population, including SSM. These results support the use of bezuclastinib to reduce SM burden and symptoms in pts with NonAdvSM, and a potentially disease-modifying impact.

Abstract Background Chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) and bispecific antibody (BsAb) therapies are both effective for patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) follicular lymphoma (FL), but differ in treatment schedules and associated “time toxicity,” or contact days spent physically interacting with the healthcare system. While contact days can be estimated from clinical trials, real-world data provides a more nuanced depiction of treatment-related time burden, which may guide treatment decision-making. The comparative time toxicity of CAR-T vs BsAb in R/R FL is not defined. Methods We conducted a multicenter retrospective study of adults with R/R grade 1-3A FL who received standard-of-care CAR-T (axi-cel, tisa-cel, liso-cel) or BsAb (mosunetuzumab, epcoritamab) in the third-line or later setting before Jan 1, 2025. Time toxicity was defined as outpatient or inpatient days with physical health care system contact, counting multiple visits on the same day as only one day. All days after treatment initiation were counted, regardless of disease progression, therapy completion, or relation to FL therapy. Median contact days over 1-year time horizon were compared, stratified by CAR-T vs BsAb, prior lines of therapy (LOT, 2 vs 3+), and time intervals (0-1, 1-3, 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 months). Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from day of CAR-T infusion or day 1, cycle 1 for BsAb. Cox regression and propensity matching (by age, ECOG, refractory to prior LOT, POD24) were used to assess predictors and survival associations with contact days. Results Among 209 patients from 15 U.S. academic centers, median age was 64, 37% were female, 61% received CAR-T (80% axi-cel, 7% liso-cel, 13% tisa-cel) and 39% BsAb (93% mosun, 7% epcor). Most had Grade 1-2 FL (72%), advanced stage (84%), and extranodal disease (51%). Median prior LOT was 3 (range 2-15), 41% were refractory to prior LOT, and 52% had POD24. Median number of BsAb doses was 10 (range 1-36). Patients receiving BsAb were significantly older (p<.01) and had higher CIRS comorbidity scores (p<.02) in both 2 and 3+ prior LOT cohorts, and had higher ECOG scores (p=.01) and were less likely to be refractory to prior LOT (p=.029) in 3+ LOT cohort. There were no differences in POD24 rates between CAR-T and BsAb. Median PFS for the entire cohort was 3.6 yrs; median OS was not reached. In the 2 prior LOT cohort (N=75), 60% received CAR-T and 40% BsAb. With median follow-up of 1.5 years, median PFS was not reached for CAR-T and 1.6 yrs for BsAb (p<.0001). In the 3+ prior LOT cohort (N=134), 62% received CAR-T and 38% BsAb. With median follow-up of 2 yrs, median PFS was 3.6 yrs for CAR-T and 1.6 yrs for BsAb (p=.0044). In propensity matched analysis, PFS was shorter for BsAb in both 2 LOT (HR 9.0, 95% CI 1.14-71.04, p=.037) and 3+ LOT (HR 3.25, 95% CI 1.06-9.97, p=.039) cohorts as compared to CAR-T. There were no significant differences in OS between CAR-T and BsAb. Median contact days were significantly higher for CAR-T vs BsAb in the 0-1 month interval: 19 vs 8 days in 2 LOT (p<.0001) and 18 vs 7 days in 3+ LOT (p<.0001) cohorts. There were no differences in contact days between CAR-T vs BsAb in subsequent time intervals. Over 1 year, CAR-T had significantly more time toxicity than BsAb: median 51 vs 36 contact days in 2 LOT (p<.0001) and 64 vs 38 days in 3L+ LOT (p<.0001) cohorts; these remained significant in the matched analysis. B symptoms (p=.04) and Grade ≥3 cytopenias (p=.007) were associated with higher contact days in 3+ LOT cohort in univariable analysis. Higher contact days were associated with inferior PFS (HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02, p=.032) and OS (HR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02, p=.038) in 3+ LOT cohort regardless of treatment type. Discussion In this large real-world cohort of patients with R/R FL, CAR-T therapy resulted in better PFS but more time toxicity over the first year as compared to BsAb therapy. Excess time toxicity from CAR-T was driven by more contact days in the first month of treatment. This study provides benchmark data for counseling patients about expected time burden of CAR-T (51-64 days) and BsAb (36-38 days) over the first year of these therapies. Further, with superior PFS of CAR-T in this study and minimal impact of time toxicity on survival outcomes, these data can be used to better support shared decision-making in R/R FL by addressing patient preferences regarding both contact days as well as duration of disease control.

Abstract Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most common indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Although patients with FL have high response rates to therapy, most develop increasingly resistant disease. In addition, transformation into an aggressive lymphoma is associated with unfavorable outcomes. Many novel agents are under investigation, and early clinical data are encouraging. Aligning treatment with the underlying tumor biology and sequencing of therapies remain key clinical challenges. At the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s biannual 2024 Follicular Lymphoma Scientific Workshop, experts convened to discuss the role of chemotherapy in the context of new therapies, the impact of early progression on treatment sequencing, novel end points in clinical trials, disease biology and the tumor microenvironment, and new treatments on the horizon. This report focuses on updates in FL biology, first-line treatment, the role of progression of disease in 24 months, clinical trial design, and redefining cure in FL.

Abstract This publication represents the first part of an update to the clinical practice guideline on the diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal (Streptococcus pyogenes or GAS) pharyngitis, developed by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Diagnosis of GAS pharyngitis by clinician judgment alone is unreliable, and unselective testing incurs cost and inconvenience for individuals at low risk of having GAS infection. Clinical scoring systems have been used to quantify the probability of a positive GAS throat culture based on standardized criteria such as the presence of fever; tonsillar enlargement or exudate; tender and enlarged anterior cervical lymph nodes; and the absence of cough. The goal of this article is to determine whether a scoring system should be used to decide which patients should have a diagnostic test performed by rapid antigen detection test, molecular methods, and/or throat culture. We performed a systematic review of randomized and nonrandomized studies that compared the use of a clinical scoring system to clinician judgment alone in predicting the outcome of a throat culture. Evidence from studies in children and adults suggests the diagnostic accuracy of a clinical scoring system is comparable to or slightly higher than clinician judgment alone. However, the studies are limited due to small size, lack of uniformity in outcome measures, and incomplete data. The consensus of the panel is that the balance of benefits and harms favors use of a clinical scoring system as part of the evaluation of patients with sore throat. The principal utility of using a scoring system is to identify patients with low probability of GAS pharyngitis and to reduce unnecessary testing.

PURPOSE Although most patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) can expect an indolent course, progressive lymphoma remains the primary cause of death during the first decade after diagnosis. Progression of disease within 24 months (POD24) of starting first-line (1L) immunochemotherapy defines a high-risk population with poor survival, but better risk stratification at diagnosis is needed. METHODS The FLIPI24 model was developed and internally validated to predict 24-month event rates using individual data from 4,485 patients treated with 1L immunochemotherapy from 10 observational cohorts of FL. Overall and cause-specific survival was further evaluated in FLIPI24 risk groups. External validation in the 1L immunochemotherapy setting was performed using the prospective observational Lymphoma Epidemiology of Outcomes (LEO) cohort (N = 565) and three randomized phase III trials (N = 3,192); extension to all patients with FL (any 1L therapy) was performed in the LEO cohort (N = 1,445) and its Molecular Epidemiology Resource subcohort (N = 1,074). RESULTS The FLIPI24 model uses age and four blood-based variables (hemoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, beta-2 microglobulin, and WBC count). FLIPI24 showed consistent performance across validation and extension data sets, which was superior to existing prognostic tools. Across the four external immunochemotherapy validation data sets, patients with high-risk FLIPI24 (23%-32% of patients) had significantly higher 24-month event rates (22%-35%) and inferior 5-year overall survival (77%-83%) compared with patients with low-risk FLIPI24 (29%-31% of patients, 24-month event rates: 10%-12%; 5-year OS: 96%-97%). Results were consistent when evaluating lymphoma-related death and when extended to all patients with FL. CONCLUSION The FLIPI24 model robustly stratifies, at diagnosis, patients with FL at increased risk of lymphoma-related death versus patients with very low lymphoma-related mortality during the first decade after diagnosis. FLIPI24 can be used to enrich future clinical trial designs in newly diagnosed FL.

Background Contact aspiration remains a frontline approach for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Early evidence correlates catheter size with procedural efficiency and clinical outcomes. Larger‐bore (LB) aspiration catheters may enhance clot ingestion, increase aspiration force, and facilitate faster and more complete recanalization. However, the transition from standard LB catheters (0.068‐0.072″) to super‐large‐bore (SLB, ≥0.080″) devices has raised questions regarding both safety and clinical benefit. Although the use of SLB catheters is increasing, comparative data on their performance versus LB catheters remain limited. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of SLB compared with LB catheters including data from a large multicenter international registry. Methods We retrospectively analyzed patients with AIS due to LVO treated at 46 international stroke centers between January 2013 and June 2025. Among eligible patients, propensity score matching (PSM) at a 5:1 ratio was used to balance baseline characteristics between those treated with standard LB catheters and those treated with SLB catheters. Safety endpoints included intraprocedural complications, symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH), distal embolization, and 90‐day mortality. Efficacy endpoints included functional independence at 90 days (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0‐2), successful recanalization (TICI ≥2b), first‐pass effect (TICI ≥2b on the first aspiration attempt), and procedural timing to TICI2b. Results A total of 3,100 patients were included (LB n=3,024; SLB n=67). After PSM (LB n=335; SLB n=67), safety outcomes were comparable between groups in terms of intraprocedural complications occurred (p=0.5), sICH (p>0.9), embolization to new territory (p=0.2), and 90‐day mortality (p>0.9). Efficacy outcomes were similarly consistent for functional independence (mRS 0‐2) (p>0.9), successful recanalization (p>0.9), first‐pass effect (p=0.5), and time to TICI ≥2b (27.6 vs. 24.5 minutes; p=0.9). These findings remained consistent in the subgroup with ICA and M1 occlusions, with no significant differences in safety (intraprocedural complications [p=0.4], sICH [p>0.9], embolization to new territory [p=0.6], or 90‐day mortality [p>0.9], nor in efficacy outcomes (functional independence at 90 days [p>0.9], successful recanalization [p=0.9], first‐pass effect [p=0.6], and time to TICI ≥2b [p=0.9]). Conclusion In this large multicenter analysis, the use of SLB aspiration catheters demonstrated comparable safety and efficacy to standard LB catheters for MT in AIS. Despite theoretical advantages in aspiration dynamics, SLB devices did not confer significant procedural or clinical benefit over LB catheters. These findings suggest that while SLB catheters are a feasible alternative, technical and clinical outcomes remain comparable to LB catheters. Further prospective studies are warranted to clarify potential clinical advantages. image

Radiation exposure to the eye during cancer treatment can lead to ocular radiation injury (ORI), a devastating condition that can have a profound and permanent impact on vision-related quality of life. Rodent models do not have adequate ocular anatomy to accurately simulate human ORI, and modeling in non-human primates is limited by logistical and ethical concerns. To improve future translational research investigating ways to treat or prevent ORI, we developed protocols for a tree shrew model of ORI. Northern tree shrews (Tupaia belangeri) were obtained by our laboratory. Custom housing and handling methods were developed, including custom body suits to maintain the tree shrew’s body temperature during procedures. Radiation delivery was optimized to accurately deliver radiation, and imaging was performed to observe fundus changes from ORI. Optimization of tree shrew handling, housing, anesthesia approaches, radiation delivery, and clinically-relevant ocular imaging permitted successful induction and assessment of ORI in tree shrews. With these protocols, tree shrews can be used as a highly relevant model organism with key anatomic features similar to humans to study ORI.

ABSTRACT Background Intracranial and extracranial hemorrhages are significant causes of morbidity and mortality. Emergency medicine pharmacists (EMPs) can play a crucial role in anticoagulation reversal by identifying patients on anticoagulation, selecting the optimal anticoagulation reversal agent, and ensuring adequate dosing and prompt administration. The goal of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to determine the impact EMPs have on time to anticoagulation reversal and patient outcomes in anticoagulation‐associated hemorrhages. Methods A medical librarian performed a literature search in EBSCO CINAHL, Ovid Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid Embase, Ovid Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection from inception to January 2025 for all types of oral anticoagulants and for life‐threatening bleeding that required emergent reversal. Newcastle‐Ottawa was used to assess the risk of bias, and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to assess the level of certainty of the evidence. Random effects models estimating mean differences and 95% confidence intervals are reported. Results There were 2445 titles and abstracts screened, with 44 undergoing full‐text evaluation. Six observational studies including 219 patients who received an anticoagulation reversal agent with the presence of an EMP and 198 patients who received a reversal agent without an EMP were included. Time from emergency department (ED) presentation to anticoagulation reversal agent administration (75.60 min, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −101.7 to −49.5) and time from medication order to administration were faster with an EMP (−18.7 min, 95% CI: −23.5 to −14.0). There was no difference in short‐term mortality. The included studies had a high risk of bias and were deemed very low quality of evidence. Conclusion EMP involvement in patient care during anticoagulation reversal of acute hemorrhages improved time to anticoagulation reversal agent administration. Larger scale, higher‐quality studies are necessary to assess the value of EMPs in improving patient‐centered outcomes.