Citations

BMT CTN 1506 ("MORPHO") was a phase 3 study of post-hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) maintenance with gilteritinib versus placebo for patients with FLT3-ITD-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in first remission. Subgroup analysis indicated a significant benefit of post-HCT gilteritinib for participants in North America, but no benefit for those in Europe or Asia. We conducted a post-hoc analysis of the data focusing on days from AML diagnosis to HCT, pre-HCT FLT3 inhibitor use, and FLT3-ITD measurable residual disease (MRD). Participants transplanted < 120 days from AML diagnosis and/or those treated with FLT3 inhibition pre-HCT were more likely to have improved survival from post-HCT gilteritinib. Pre-HCT MRD levels were higher (P = 0.001) in participants transplanted within 120 days from diagnosis and in those treated with a FLT3 inhibitor pre-HCT and transplanted within 120 days (P = 0.008). Pre-HCT MRD was dependent on both FLT3 inhibitor use and time to HCT, as participants treated with successive courses of chemotherapy + FLT3 inhibition had successively lower MRD by the time of HCT. Time from AML diagnosis to HCT and pre-HCT FLT3 inhibitor use both appeared to impact MRD levels immediately prior to HCT, and geographic differences in these two practice patterns likely accounted for the observed regional differences in benefit from post-HCT gilteritinib. Increasing the number of courses of treatment pre-HCT may lower MRD sufficiently to eliminate the need for post-HCT inhibition, but with a presumed risk of some patients experiencing early progression. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02997202.

Importance Although adding immune checkpoint inhibitors to neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves outcomes in high-risk early-stage breast cancer, opportunities remain to further enhance response. Dual checkpoint blockade offers a potential strategy to further enhance efficacy. Objective To evaluate the combination of anti−programmed cell death 1 protein (PD-1) cemiplimab and anti−lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG-3) added to neoadjuvant therapy in ERBB2 -negative early-stage, high-risk breast cancer. Design, Setting, and Participants The I-SPY2 (Investigation of Serial Studies to Predict Your Therapeutic Response With Imaging and Molecular Analysis 2) is an ongoing randomized clinical platform trial being conducted at multiple US clinical sites including patients with early-stage (II or III) ERBB2 -negative, high-risk breast cancer. Participants, continuously enrolled since 2010, were adaptively randomized from February 2, 2020, to December 9, 2021, to one of several experimental neoadjuvant therapies or control groups based on receptor subtypes defined by hormone receptor (HR), ERBB2 status, and MammaPrint (Agendia Inc) molecular risk, categorized as high (MP1) or ultrahigh (MP2). Data were analyzed from January 1, 2022, to August 5, 2025. Interventions Both groups received weekly paclitaxel for 12 weeks, then doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide followed by surgery; concomitant with paclitaxel, the intervention group also received 4 doses of cemiplimab and fianlimab (PCF) every 3 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures Pathologic complete response (pCR). Treatments graduated when they achieved 85% bayesian probability of success in a subtype-specific phase 3 trial. Pathway-specific biomarkers were assessed for response prediction. Results A total of 78 participants (mean [SD] age, 47 [39-54] years) were randomized to the intervention group, with 350 participants (mean [SD] age, 48 [39-57] years) randomized to the historical control population. PCF graduated in all clinical signatures, with pCR rates vs control of 44% (95% CI, 34%-53%) vs 21% (95% CI, 17%-25%) in all ERBB2 , 53% (95% CI, 39%-67%) vs 29% (95% CI, 22%-36%) in triple-negative, and 36% (95% CI, 23%-49%) vs 14% (95% CI, 9%-19%) in HR-positive and ERBB2 -negative disease. Among the total participants, 16 (21%) experienced adrenal insufficiency, including hypophysitis (11% grade 3 or 4), mostly occurring after immunotherapy completion. PCF was found to be highly effective in the subset of patients with immune signature positive status (ImPrint positive). Conclusions and Relevance In this randomized clinical trial, the combination of PD-1 and anti−LAG-3 inhibition with standard NAC was effective in early-stage ERBB2 -negative breast cancer, particularly in patients displaying a positive ImPrint immune signature. These results warrant further definitive trials. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01042379

Abstract Background Molecular underpinnings and clinical characteristics of ERBB2/HER2-mutated colorectal cancers (CRCs) remain poorly understood. We aimed to comprehensively characterize the genomic landscape and clinical features of ERBB2/HER2-mutated CRC and to compare them with those of ERBB2/HER2-amplified CRC. Patients and methods We analyzed cBioPortal data from 4348 CRC patients with available ERBB2/HER2 profiling. Clinicodemographic features, microsatellite instability (MSI), tumor mutational burden, and alterations in 94 cancer-associated genes were evaluated using chi-square/Fisher’s exact test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and hierarchical clustering. Results ERBB2/HER2 putative driver mutations were identified in 95 patients (2.2%), amplifications in 87 (2.0%), and wild-type status in 4166 (95.8%). In the overall cohort, ERBB2/HER2-mutated tumors demonstrated significant KRAS enrichment (50.5%) compared to wild-type (37.7%; P = .014) and amplified tumors (18.4%; P < .001), alongside MSI enrichment (37.2% vs 1.6%; P < .001), elevated tumor mutational burden, and right-sided predominance. ERBB2/HER2-mutated tumors also showed broad driver co-alterations largely reflecting their MSI background. In contrast, ERBB2/HER2-amplified tumors exhibited left-sided predominance, with microsatellite stable (MSS)-restricted analyses revealing selective mutual exclusivity with KRAS (Log2 OR = −1.58; q = 0.019) and TP53 co-occurrence (Log2 OR = 2.04; q = 0.019). Hierarchical clustering confirmed that mutated and amplified tumors consistently occupy separate clusters across anatomical sites. Conclusion ERBB2/HER2 mutations and amplifications represent molecularly and clinically distinct subgroups. ERBB2/HER2-mutated tumors are characterized by an MSI-enriched, hypermutated background with frequent concurrent KRAS alterations, whereas amplified tumors exhibit selective KRAS mutual exclusivity and TP53 co-occurrence. These exploratory findings support alteration-specific therapeutic strategies in CRC.

Importance Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of premature death worldwide. Assessing the LDL-C–related burden is critical for guiding prevention and treatment strategies. Objectives To estimate the global, regional, and national burden of ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke attributable to elevated LDL-C (relative to 35-54 mg/dL) from 1990 to 2023 and to quantify the contributions of population growth, aging, risk-deleted burden, and exposure changes to burden trends. Design, Setting, and Population This comparative risk assessment, part of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023, estimated population-level LDL-C exposure and associated health loss in 204 countries and territories. Mean LDL-C levels were estimated using spatiotemporal gaussian process regression based on 806 studies across 161 countries. Relative risks were derived from meta-analyses of 38 randomized clinical trials. Population-attributable fractions for deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) were estimated by age and sex for adults aged 25 years or older from 1990 to 2023, with 95% uncertainty intervals. Exposure Population-level LDL-C concentrations. Main Outcomes and Measures Population-attributable fractions, counts, and rates (all ages and age standardized per 100 000) of LDL-C–attributable deaths and DALYs from ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke, with uncertainty intervals. Results In 2023, elevated LDL-C accounted for 3.6 million deaths (95% uncertainty interval, 2.2-5.4 million; 6.0% of global mortality) and 90.7 million DALYs (95% uncertainty interval, 58.9-123.3 million; 3.2% of DALYs). Although global all-ages rates remained stable, age-standardized death and DALY rates decreased by 45.6% and 39.5%, respectively, since 1990. In 2023, age-standardized LDL-C–attributable DALY rates were highest in Eastern Europe and lowest in high-income Asia-Pacific. One-third of the global LDL-C burden occurred in India and China. Population growth and aging drove the increasing burden, with notable regional disparities in LDL-C exposure and risk-deleted DALY rates shifting toward middle-sociodemographic settings. Conclusions and Relevance Despite declining age-standardized rates, the absolute LDL-C burden has increased since 1990 due to demographic changes and has shifted toward middle-sociodemographic countries. Measurement and surveillance gaps persist. Strengthened prevention, diagnosis, and treatment access strategies are essential to mitigate the health burden of LDL-C.

Background: Noninvasive tests are well validated in metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease, but evidence in metabolic dysfunction and alcohol-associated liver disease (MetALD) and alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) is limited. We evaluated noninvasive test–based clinical care pathways for fibrosis risk stratification in MetALD and ALD. Methods: This is a multinational, multicenter, cross-sectional study across 35 centers in 16 countries (2013–2025), including adults with MetALD or ALD. Fibrosis was assessed by liver biopsy and/or vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE). In biopsy-proven participants, we analyzed the sequential pathway (Fibrosis-4 [FIB-4] first, followed by VCTE for indeterminate FIB-4) to identify advanced fibrosis (≥F3). Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using the AUC. Results: Among 893 participants (41.3% MetALD and 58.7% ALD), the median age was 52 [43.0–61.0] years, and 79.4% were male. The estimated prevalence of advanced fibrosis was 45% (32.2% in MetALD and 54.0% in ALD). Participants with MetALD had a more dysmetabolic profile but lower fibrosis stages than ALD. Among biopsy-proven participants, FIB-4 AUC was 0.720, and VCTE AUC was 0.833. FIB-4 performed better in MetALD than ALD (AUC 0.773 vs. 0.540), while VCTE accuracy was similar across groups. In the sequential pathways, the false-negative rate for advanced fibrosis (misclassified as low risk) was 6.8% (4.9% MetALD and 11.3% ALD). Conclusions: In biopsy-proven patients, FIB-4 performance was acceptable in MetALD but substantially weaker in ALD. The standard 2-step pathway performed adequately in MetALD but missed a clinically meaningful proportion of advanced fibrosis in ALD.

Abstract Introduction We have shown that combining CAR T cells with oncolytic viruses (OVs) generates a subpopulation of highly cytotoxic CAR T cells that can mediate long-term solid tumor therapy. Methods To profile these CAR T cells, we used C57BL/6 mice bearing B16F10 tumors expressing EGFRviii, treated with anti-EGFRviii CAR T cells and the OV vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV). TCR signaling in CAR T cells was investigated using the novel Tocky transgenic mouse model, which reports T cell activation over time using an unstable fluorescent protein reporter of Nr4a3. We further investigated CAR T phenotypes using CyTOF and scRNA-Seq. Results Using an MHC I tetramer for the dominant VSV epitope VSV N52-59, we found that 20-50% of transfused CAR T adopted TCR specificity against VSV N (referred to as TCR-primed), indicating significant in vivo expansion. Ex vivo, these TCR-primed CAR T produced increased levels of granzyme B and IFNγ over tetramer-negative CAR T against either TCR or CAR targets. However, TCR-primed CAR T cells were notably less activated via Nr4a3 as compared to non-TCR-primed CAR T. CyTOF and scRNA-Seq analyses demonstrated a hypereffector phenotype among TCR-primed CAR, with increased expression of T-bet, CD44, granzyme B, IFNγ, and perforin. TCR sequencing revealed hyperexpansion of VSV N-specific CAR T cells and little overlap in clonotypes between CAR T co-treated with PBS versus VSV. These TCR-primed CAR T cells exhibited a CD4-helped phenotype with increased expression of chemotactic and migratory transcripts. When CAR T and OV were administered with antibody-mediated CD4 depletion, the TCR-primed CAR population was significantly diminished, emphasizing the importance of the immune triad for CAR T expansion. Conclusion Overall, CAR T cells that undergo endogenous anti-viral TCR priming and signaling adopt a unique phenotype that promotes their expansion and cytotoxic function. Interactions with CD4 T cells appear to be integral for the generation of this subpopulation of CD8 CAR T cells. Funding Source NIH Topic Categories Tumor Immunology: Checkpoints, Prevention, and Treatment (TIPT)

Abstract Introduction: Next generation of Theranostics studies are looking at novel combinations with radiation sensitizers to enhance PRRT’s efficacy. Here, we present safety and efficacy data from a multi-center phase 1 study of a [¹⁷⁷Lu]lutetium-dotatate -triapine combination in patients with GEP-NETs. Methods: The study consisted of two phases (dose escalation and expansion) administering the recommended phase 2 doses (RP2D) for the two agents. All patients received 200 mCi of [¹⁷⁷Lu]lutetium-dotatate on day 1 of four 8-week cycles, in combination with oral triapine administered at assigned dose levels (100 mg, 150 mg or 200mg) from days 1 to 14 of each cycle. Results: A total of 31 (A: 15 ; B: 16 ) patients received treatment. Nine patients experienced dose-limiting toxicities; Grade 3 anemia (n=1), Grade 5 cardiac arrest (n=1), and Grade 4 neutropenia (n=7). Based on the overall safety and pharmacokinetics data, a [¹⁷⁷Lu]lutetium-dotatate (200 mCi) plus triapine (150 mg) dose was selected as the RP2D for the expansion phase. Grade ≥3 treatment related adverse events were observed in 77% patients: anemia (23%), nausea and vomiting (3% ), lymphopenia ( 58%), neutropenia ( 35%) and leukopenia ( 39%). The majority of cytopenias were transient and resolved within two weeks. Among the 28 evaluable patients, the objective response rate (ORR) was 21.4% and the median progression-free survival (mPFS) has not been reached (median follow-up period: 23.7 months). Conclusions: The combination of [¹⁷⁷Lu]lutetium-dotatate (200 mCi) and oral triapine (150 mg D1-14) was well tolerated and demonstrated preliminary activity in patients with well-differentiated GEP-NETs. (NCT04234568).

Background: Alterations in cardiovascular function are key features of severe acute pancreatitis (AP) and contribute substantially to mortality. Although sex differences in cardiovascular diseases are well recognized, with males generally exhibiting higher risk and poorer outcomes, their influence on AP-associated cardiovascular responses remains poorly defined. Therefore, we hypothesized that cerulein-induced AP causes severity-dependent and sex-specific changes in vascular integrity and cardiac function. Methods: Obesity has been associated with more severe forms of AP. Thus, mild and severe AP were induced by cerulein injections (100µg/kg/h×12) in lean (n=10 males, n=13 females) and obese (n=9 males, n=12 females) C57BL/6J mice, respectively. Vascular permeability was assessed by FITC-dextran extravasation. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography before and after cerulein injection. Cytokines were measured with multi-plex cytokine array and the role of angiopoietin-2 (Angpt2), an endothelial-derived regulator of vascular and cardiac responses, was evaluated using a neutralizing antibody. Results: Vascular permeability did not differ significantly between sexes in either AP model. In mild AP, males and females showed comparable increases in systolic function; however, in severe AP, only female mice maintained this adaptive systolic augmentation, assessed by fractional shortening (FS; 25.78±0.27% at baseline vs. 43.44±0.57% at endpoint, n=12, p<0.0001). This impaired cardiac adaptation in males was accompanied by increased myocardial inflammatory cytokines and elevated circulating free fatty acids. Among ten circulating cytokines measured, Angpt2 levels were significantly higher in males than females (male: 63.50±1.52ng/mL, n=9 vs. female: 41.37±2.68ng/mL, n=6, p=0.013) and were negatively correlated with systolic performance (FS; R 2 =0.75, p<0.0001), while positively associated with preload (end-diastolic volume; R 2 =0.55, p=0.0015). Unexpectedly, Angpt2 neutralization did not improve the cardiac adaptations in males and instead worsened cardiac performance as reflected by reduced FS (control IgG: 32.83±1.47%, n=4 vs. Anti-Angpt2: 22.88±0.64%, n=5, p=0.013) in severe AP. Conclusions: AP elicits both sex-dependent and sex-independent cardiovascular responses, with female mice exhibiting preserved cardiac adaptation, and Angpt2 is a potential compensatory mediator of cardiac protection in severe AP.

Although structured reporting of adverse events related to medical therapies is a critical aspect of clinical trials, the current practice fails to capture postoperative complications accurately or systematically, which precludes our ability to fully assess the impact of the risks of surgical interventions on oncologic outcomes. The incorporation of standardized, procedure‐specific definitions and severity classifications for postoperative complications into adverse event reporting in trials conducted through the National Clinical Trials Network is proposed.

Background Transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR‐CM) is a progressive, fatal disease associated with a substantial health care system burden. The aim of this study was to compare health care resource utilization and associated costs among individuals with ATTR‐CM, with non‐amyloid heart failure (HF), and without HF in the United States. Methods Optum's de‐identified Clinformatics Data Mart Database (January 2016 to September 2023) was used to identify patients with ATTR‐CM based on HF and/or cardiomyopathy claims within 2 years of the first ATTR diagnosis. Patients with ATTR‐CM were matched to patients with non‐amyloid HF (HF/cardiomyopathy without ATTR) and non‐HF controls using 1:1 propensity score matching. All‐cause and cardiovascular‐related hospitalizations and costs were compared during follow‐up. Results Each matched cohort included 4571 patients (mean age, 75.3–75.5 years; 56.0%–56.6% male; mean follow‐up: 2.9–3.2 years). The ATTR‐CM, non‐amyloid HF, and non‐HF cohorts had 3.3, 2.7, and 1.5 all‐cause hospitalizations per patient during follow‐up, respectively. Compared with non‐amyloid HF, patients with ATTR‐CM had a longer mean length of stay per hospitalization (all‐cause and cardiovascular‐related: 8.0 versus 7.5 days; P <0.001), more mean days hospitalized annually per patient (all‐cause: 10.6 versus 8.4; cardiovascular‐related: 10.5 versus 8.3 [both P <0.001]), and higher mean annual inpatient hospitalization costs per patient (all‐cause: $42 868 versus $36 061; cardiovascular‐related: $42 841 versus $36 027 [both P <0.001]). In ATTR‐CM subgroups, mean cardiovascular‐related length of stay and days hospitalized were higher among patients aged 46 to 64 years and 65 to 80 years (versus >80 years), Black patients (versus White patients), and patients in the Northeast or South US regions (versus West regions). Conclusions ATTR‐CM is associated with a higher health care resource utilization/cost burden than non‐amyloid HF and the general population.