Citations

163 Background: CRC with PM has a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Immunotherapy has shown promise in improving outcomes for patients with microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H), mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR), and high tumor mutational burden (TMB-H) tumors. However the peritoneal niche has a unique microenvironment, which can influence the effectiveness of immune check point inhibitors (ICIs). We assessed the impact of ICI on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in CRC patients (pts) and PM, considering key clinical and molecular characteristics. Methods: A retrospective review aiming to identify CRC pts with MSI-H/dMMR and PM treated with immunotherapy between 2015 and 2023 was performed. Data collected included pt demographics, tumor characteristics, and treatment details. Responses were evaluated using RECIST v1.1 criteria. Results: 37 pts were included, 9 (24%) had Lynch syndrome. The median age of diagnosis was 61 years and most pts were females (65%). Most pts had MSI-H/dMMR tumors, while one pt was treated based on ultra-hypermutated phenotype (TMB 202) and POLE mutation. Among those with available TMB data, the median TMB was 52 mutations/Mb (0-202). Common mutations were PMS2 (51%), MLH1 (38%), MSH6 (16.2%), and MSH2 (16.2%). Right-sided tumors were in 54%, mucinous histology in 62%, and ascites in 54%. Pts received a median of 11 cycles of ICI (2-52). Pembrolizumab was the most frequently used ICI (78%), while Nivolumab was used either alone (11%) or in combination with Ipilimumab (11%). Median PFS in our cohort was 7.8 months and median OS was 29.9 months. The disease control rate (DCR) was 81%, with an objective response rate (ORR) of 51.3% (9 complete responses, 12 partial responses). At the time of data collection, 30% of pts were off systemic therapy and 5-FU-based chemotherapy combined with a biologic agent was the most common subsequent treatment in 32% who had PD. Univariate analysis showed no significant differences in PFS or OS based on tumor sidedness, isolated PM, liver metastases, mucinous vs. non mucinous histology or BRAF / RAS status (WT vs mutant). Malignant ascites was associated with worse OS(HR 0.3; p= 0.03). Conclusions: Treatment with ICIs in pts with MSI-H/dMMR and/or TMB-H CRC and PM improved disease control in CRC pts with PM, however, as compared to historical controls for patients with MSI-H/d-MMR disease treated with ICI, this group showed less favorable outcomes. Malignant ascites was associated with poorer overall survival. Further research of the immune response and tumor microenvironment in the peritoneal cavity is warranted.

Abstract Background Crohn’s disease (CD) treatment is associated with increased risks of infection and malignancies. Although the safety of certolizumab pegol (CZP) is well established, long-term data from community-based observational studies are lacking. Aim This study aimed to evaluate long-term safety outcomes of patients from the SECURE registry receiving CZP relative to other CD treatments, including corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and biologics. The primary outcome of this observational study was the evaluation of malignancies. Methods Adult patients with CD were prospectively monitored for up to 8 years. Pre-specified data were collected for all enrolled patients. Adverse events of interest (AEoIs) were reported per 100 patient-years (PY) of exposure. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated for AEoIs using multivariate regression analysis accounting for exposure to multiple treatments. Malignancies reported after any exposure to CZP were attributed to CZP. Post-hoc analyses were conducted to evaluate non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), lymphoma, and pregnancy outcomes. Results A total of 3072 patients were enrolled in the study. The risk of AEoIs was similar between patients with only CZP exposure versus comparator exposure. Among patients with any CZP exposure, there was a higher frequency of serious infections (IRR: 2.56 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.00, 3.29]) and hypersensitivity or anaphylactic reactions (IRR: 4.11 [95% CI: 1.80, 9.38]) versus patients with comparator exposure. Malignancy rates were similar across groups; however, concomitant use of thiopurines was associated with higher odds of NMSC (odds ratio: 2.30 [95% CI: 1.09, 4.89]). Most cases of lymphoma (5/7) occurred in patients with exposure to thiopurines. Pregnancy outcomes were similar across groups. Conclusions No new safety signals were identified for CZP; the use of thiopurines was identified as a risk factor for NMSC. Trial registration NCT00844285.

ABSTRACT Background Pulsed‐field ablation (PFA) is an innovative non‐thermal method for arrhythmia treatment. The efficacy of various PFA configurations in relation to contact force (CF) has not been well‐studied in vivo. Objectives This study evaluated the effect of CF on acute bipolar PFA lesions in both a vegetal and an in vivo porcine heart model. Methods Bipolar PFA (500 V, 20 μs for 50 pulses) was applied to eight porcine ventricles, with CF categorized as standard (5–15 g), high (16–30 g), or very high (> 30 g) using the CARTO 3 system. PFA lesions were assessed by gross pathology, histology, and post‐ablation voltage amplitude. Additionally, a vegetal model using oscillating russet potatoes replicated the motion of a beating heart to compare lesion parameters under dynamic conditions and various PFA configurations (monopolar vs. bipolar). Results A total of 61 in vivo bipolar PFA lesions across all groups were analyzed. No significant differences in lesion surface diameter, depth, or volume were found among CF groups. In the vegetal model, monopolar setting had a better correlation between CF and lesion depth compared to bipolar setting. In addition, oscillations and catheter position (perpendicular or parallel) significantly affected lesion dimensions. Conclusion Increasing CF has a minimal effect on the size of acute bipolar PFA lesions in the porcine ventricle, suggesting that, for bipolar PFA, adequate CF is more critical than its intensity in a beating heart. For monopolar PFA, greater CF can impact lesion depth.

Abstract Background Adult onset medulloblastoma (aMB) is a rare tumor with limited available evidence. We present a large multi-institutional retrospective cohort of aMB patients treated in the modern era, with an emphasis on understanding the role of chemotherapy at initial diagnosis. Methods We included 267 consecutive patients with aMB treated at 7 different institutions from 2000-present, controlling for chemotherapy regimen and cycles received. Results Treatment factors were highly intercorrelated with one another and with treating institution. Concurrent chemotherapy was not associated with overall survival (OS). Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with OS on univariable analyses (HR = 0.55, P = .029) and on multivariable analysis when adjusting for risk status (HR 0.55, P = .026) but not when also adjusting for treating institution. Proton craniospinal irradiation was associated with improved survival on univariable (HR = 0.50, P = .019) and multivariable analysis adjusting for risk status (HR = 0.51, P = .024) but not when treating institution was also considered. On subgroup analysis, adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved survival in M0 (HR = 0.55, P = .043) but not M1 disease, in patients with subtotal resection (HR = 0.43, P = .048) but not those with GTR. Similarly, progression-free survival was improved with chemotherapy in patients with M0 (HR = 0.57, P = .032) but not M1 disease, and in patients with subtotal (HR = 0.50, P = .054) but not gross total resection. Conclusions There was no benefit of concurrent chemotherapy. Adjuvant chemotherapy was associated with improved overall survival and this effect was driven by select subgroups, specifically those with M0 disease and those with residual tumor. We could not confirm that these associations are independent of the treating institution.

ABSTRACT Background In recent years, transcatheter implantation devices to restrict pulmonary arterial flow have emerged as a potential alternative to surgical pulmonary artery banding. Case Presentation A term male was diagnosed with critical aortic stenosis (AS) and severely reduced left ventricle (LV) systolic function. He underwent aortic balloon valvuloplasty on day 2 of life, resulting in some antegrade flow, but LV ejection fraction only improved to 15%. He remained ductal dependent for systemic perfusion. Pulmonary over‐circulation ensued with systemic steal evident in his second week of life. On day 14, he underwent a transcatheter stage 1 procedure including the placement of bilateral pulmonary flow restrictor (PFR) devices and ductal stenting. Post‐procedure, he improved clinically, weaned off respiratory support, and transitioned to oral feeds while awaiting cardiac transplant. Twelve days later, he received a donor heart, with an uneventful recovery. He is now 3 years post‐transplant and has excellent graft function, and his transplant course has been unremarkable. Conclusion Transcatheter‐based palliation for a neonate with critical AS, utilizing endoluminal PFRs, proved effective in stabilizing the infant and successfully bridging him to transplant. This highlights an opportunity for the utilization of PFRs in neonatal conditions where control of pulmonary blood flow is imperative as a bridge to transplantation.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare cutaneous soft tissue sarcoma and affects an estimated 1,500 people annually in the United States. DFSP frequently exhibits extensive local infiltration. Initial treatment is through surgical excision, and care should be taken to ensure that negative margins are achieved to minimize recurrence. Although DFSP has a reported high rate of recurrence, metastasis is more uncommon. Fibrosarcomatous DFSP is an aggressive variant with an increased risk for local recurrence and metastasis. If achieving negative margins or resection is not feasible, radiation therapy or systemic treatment are options that may be considered by a multidisciplinary team. The NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines) outline recommended treatment options available for DFSP.

AbstractEUS-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD) using lumen apposing metal stents (LAMS) has excellent technical and short-term clinical success for acute cholecystitis (AC). The goals of this study were to determine the long-term clinical outcomes and adverse events (AEs) of EUS-GBD with LAMS.A multicenter, retrospective study was conducted at 18 US tertiary care institutions. Inclusion criteria: any AC patient with attempted EUS-GBD with LAMS and minimum 30-day post-procedure follow-up. Long-term clinical success was defined as absence of recurrent acute cholecystitis (RAC) > 30 days and long-term AE was defined as occurring > 30 days from the index procedure.A total of 109 patients were included. Technical success was achieved in 108 of 109 (99.1%) and initial clinical success in 106 of 109 (97.2%). Long-term clinical success was achieved in 98 of 109 (89.9%) over a median follow-up of 140 days (range 30–1188). On multivariable analysis (MVA), acalculous cholecystitis (odds ratio [OR] 15.93, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22–208.52, P = 0.04) and the occurrence of a LAMS-specific AE (OR 63.60, 95% CI 5.08–799.29, P <0.01) were associated with RAC. AEs occurred in 38 of 109 patients (34.9%) at any time, and in 10 of 109 (9.17%) > 30 days from the index procedure. Most long-term AEs (7 of 109; 6.42%) were LAMS-specific. No technical or clinical factors were associated with occurrence of AEs. LAMS were removed in 24 of 109 patients (22%). There was no difference in RAC or AEs whether LAMS was removed or not.EUS-GBD with LAMS has a high rate of long-term clinical success and modest AE rates in patients with AC and is a reasonable destination therapy for high-risk surgical candidates.