Citations

Abstract Introduction: Erythromelalgia is a descriptive term for burning pain and erythema in distal extremities, often worsened by heat and improved by cold. Inherited erythromelalgia has been primarily linked to gain-of-function variants in SCN9A , encoding voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7. However, approximately 65% to 85% of patients with erythromelalgia do not have pathogenic SCN9A variants. Objectives: The objective of this study was to uncover and assess gene variants potentially associated with pediatric-onset erythromelalgia. Methods: With IRB approval and informed consent, probands and families with erythromelalgia underwent next-generation sequencing. A list of genes of interest was produced based on Mendelian inheritance models. Selected gene candidates were assessed using the Sequence Kernel Association Test-Optimal (SKAT-O). Results: Sixty-two probands with erythromelalgia and their relatives were included in Mendelian analysis, which identified variants in PR domain zinc finger protein 12 ( PRDM12 ) and dihydropyrimidinase-like protein 2 ( DPYSL2 ). In a targeted 12-gene rare-variant set analysis using SKAT-O, zinc finger homeobox protein 2 ( ZFHX2 ) showed evidence of association ( P = 6.9 × 10 −4 ), surpassing Bonferroni correction for 12 tests (α = 4.17 × 10 −3 ), whereas KIF1B showed only a nominal association signal ( P = 0.03) that did not survive multiple-testing correction. Conclusion: Genes associated with both increased and decreased pain sensitivity are of considerable interest for elucidating pain mechanisms and analgesic development. As rare variants in PRDM12 and DPYSL2 were identified in a pediatric erythromelalgia cohort and a gene-based rare-variant association signal for ZFHX2 was identified, replication and functional validation are needed.

Health care–related out‐of‐pocket and indirect costs may create financial barriers to initial and/or continued receipt of care among patients with cancer, and subsequent financial toxicity is associated with worse oncologic and quality of life outcomes. Recognition and mitigation of risk factors for financial toxicity are essential to the provision of equitable, high‐quality care.

Abstract Primary angiitis of the central nervous system is an extremely rare diagnosis, with an incidence of 2.4 cases per 1,000,000 person-years. The exact cause of PACNS remains unknown, and typically cases present with a long prodrome. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, and various infectious, autoimmune, and malignant processes must be excluded prior to final diagnosis. Given the rarity of this condition, there is often a delay in diagnosis that can range from 6 to 23 months. It is imperative that all clinical providers be aware of this diagnosis when managing patients who present with insidious and non-specific neurological symptoms. We present a case of PACNS that responded well to a therapeutic regimen of high-dose steroids and cyclophosphamide.

Abstract Objective. Proton minibeam radiation therapy (pMBRT) is a novel spatially fractionated radiation therapy technique that offers improved tumor control and reduced normal tissue toxicity. However, its clinical translation has been hindered in part by limited field sizes, low dose rates, and complex manufacturing. This work describes the design, manufacturing, and commissioning of a novel divergent pMBRT collimator along with accessory components to maximize its versatility and facilitate clinical implementation. Approach. The dosimetric outcomes for pMBRT collimator geometry, including slit width, center-to-center (CTC) spacing, thickness, divergence, and field size, were evaluated using TOPAS Monte Carlo (MC) to maximize surface peak-to-valley dose ratio (PVDR) while maintaining uniform target coverage. The collimator was constructed using brass plates held by aluminum side holders. Commissioning measurements with a PTW Bragg peak chamber and EBT4 radiochromic film were compared to TOPAS and an in-house fast GPU-based MC simulation. Ancillary equipment consisting of lead foils, range shifters, custom apertures, and secondary pMBRT collimators were characterized in tandem. Main results. An optimized divergent pMBRT collimator with 0.5 mm slit width, 2.0 mm CTC distance, and 40 mm thickness produced a surface PVDR of 4.8 while preserving quasi-homogeneous dose in the 6–14 cm depth region. Measured dose profiles demonstrated valley dose agreement within 3% for both TOPAS and GPU-based MC predictions after the simulated collimator geometry was refined to match Bragg-peak chamber average dose measurements. The onset of the quasi-homogeneous dose region was shifted toward shallower depths by using thin lead foils, without significantly impacting entrance PVDR. Apertures sharpened penumbra and enhanced peripheral PVDR. A dual collimator approach produced 2D pinhole dose arrays that resulted in valley doses from MC simulations and film measurements agreeing within ∼5%. Significance. We demonstrated a practical low-cost, large-area divergent physical pMBRT collimation system with validated MC modeling. In addition, we introduce complementary accessories that substantially expand system versatility to facilitate clinical implementation.

Importance Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis characterized by sterile ulcerative skin lesions. Multiple comorbidities and clinical features have been associated with PG, but no standardized guidelines exist for classifying PG phenotypes. Objective To develop an expert-established classification framework for PG phenotypes to inform treatment guidelines and future research endeavors. Evidence Review In this modified Delphi consensus study that included 23 board-certified dermatologists and Medical Dermatology Society members with expertise in PG, panelists completed 5 rounds of anonymous, iterative online surveys that were administered from December 2023 through July 2025. Before the beginning of the consensus exercise, a literature review was performed by nonvoting researchers to summarize existing data on PG clinical associations and comorbidities. A PubMed search from inception to September 2023 identified observational studies, narrative reviews, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses describing PG clinical associations and comorbidities that were published in English. Experts indicated their agreement with proposed PG phenotypes and disease modifiers with a consensus threshold of 70% or greater. Anonymous comments and aggregated results were presented in each subsequent round. In the final round, a framework of PG phenotypes and disease modifiers was proposed for agreement. Findings Twenty-three board-certified dermatologists and Medical Dermatology Society members with expertise in PG completed 5 rounds of iterative surveys. Consensus was reached on the final set of PG phenotypes and disease modifiers, with 83% of experts in agreement. PG phenotypes were overall classified into 2 major groups: PG with autoinflammatory syndromes and nonsyndromic PG. Nonsyndromic PG included 4 phenotypes: inflammatory bowel disease–associated PG, PG in association with hematologic cancers and blood dyscrasias, drug-induced PG, and other (including idiopathic) PG. Disease modifiers of PG phenotype presentations included involvement of special sites (head/neck, genitals, or peristomal skin) and extracutaneous manifestations. Conclusions and Relevance This expert-established, descriptive framework provides a standardized classification system for distinct PG phenotypes and its modifiers. This nomenclature may inform upcoming clinical guidelines and allow for consistency in reporting epidemiological research and outcomes among patients with PG.

OBJECTIVE Cognard type V dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs), defined by spinal perimedullary venous drainage, represent a rare and aggressive neurovascular pathology. Comprehensive multicenter data remain scarce. The authors present the largest multicenter analysis to date, characterizing presentation, radiology, treatment, complications, and functional outcomes of Cognard type V dAVFs. METHODS The authors retrospectively analyzed patients with angiographically confirmed Cognard type V dAVFs from the Consortium for Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Outcomes Research (CONDOR), spanning 16 academic centers. Patient demographics, imaging features, treatment strategies, procedural complications, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores were recorded. RESULTS Among 1077 patients with dAVFs, 37 (3%) had Cognard type V lesions. The mean patient age was 57 years, and 59.5% of patients were male. Most presented with nonhemorrhagic neurological deficits (68%), while 14% had hemorrhage. The most common location was the foramen magnum (32%). Embolization was the primary treatment in 67% of cases, complete obliteration was achieved in 71% of cases. Upfront microsurgery was performed in 22% of patients (obliteration rate 88%), and radiosurgery in 14% (success rate 40%). Salvage treatment further improved obliteration outcomes. Temporary complications occurred in 8% of patients (3/37): 2 with transient neurological deficits postembolization and 1 with transient hydrocephalus after surgery. Permanent complications were observed in 3% (1/37) due to treatment-related hemorrhage. At the last follow-up (mean 2.4 years), 69% (24/35) of patients maintained or improved to an mRS score ≤ 2. No deaths occurred. Functional improvement was seen in 29% (10/35), while mRS decline was in 40% of patients (14/35), all unrelated to the dAVF itself. CONCLUSIONS Cognard type V dAVFs carry a high risk of neurological morbidity. However, favorable functional outcomes are achievable with timely, multimodal intervention. Complication rates remain low, with most being transient. These data support aggressive but tailored management to prevent permanent disability in this high-risk population.

Abstract Objective Epilepsy duration is a modifiable risk factor in the outcome of definitive epilepsy surgery; however, an analogous effect in palliative procedures has not been shown. We reviewed the Pediatric Epilepsy Surgery Database data for an association between epilepsy duration and seizure reduction in palliative procedures. Methods Patients enrolled between January 2018 and April 2025 who underwent their first epilepsy surgery with palliative intent with 6 months of follow‐up were included. Procedures included neuromodulation, corpus callosotomy, hemispherotomy, lesionectomy, and lobectomy where surgical intent was not seizure freedom. Outcomes of seizure freedom, 90% seizure reduction, and 50% seizure reduction were considered at 6–12 months and >12 months from surgery. Duration from epilepsy onset to surgery was compared for patients above and below each outcome threshold at each time point. Logistic regression analysis for the association between epilepsy duration and seizure reduction adjusted for potential confounders including procedure type, etiology, and other clinical factors. Logistic regression analysis was performed on the overall cohort and subgroups of patients with each procedure. Results A total of 588 patients were included. Initial univariate analysis suggested that epilepsy duration at time of surgery was significantly associated with seizure freedom and 90% seizure reduction at both 6–12 months and >12 months. After adjusting for confounders, only seizure freedom at >12 months was significantly associated with duration of epilepsy. When individual procedures were considered, only lobectomy was sensitive to duration of epilepsy in multivariate analysis, with significant impacts on >50% and >90% seizure reduction at >12 months. Lesional epilepsy predicted seizure freedom at >12 months. Neuromodulation and corpus callosotomy were less likely to achieve seizure reduction than other procedures. Significance We did not find an association between early epilepsy surgery and seizure reduction. This reflects the heterogeneity of our population, including different types of surgical procedures and lesional and nonlesional epilepsies.

Importance In a phase 2 randomized clinical trial, high-dose vitamin D 3 added to standard treatment improved progression-free survival (PFS) compared with standard-dose vitamin D 3 in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Objective To determine if high-dose vitamin D 3 added to standard chemotherapy improves outcomes in patients with previously untreated mCRC. Design, Setting, and Participants Double-blind phase 3 randomized clinical trial enrolling 455 patients with previously untreated mCRC, conducted in the US through the National Clinical Trials Network from October 2019 to December 2022 (database freeze: July 15, 2024). Interventions mFOLFOX6 (modified FOLFOX6 [5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin]) or FOLFIRI (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan) plus bevacizumab every 2 weeks with either high-dose vitamin D 3 (8000 IU daily × 14 days as loading dose followed by 4000 IU daily) or standard-dose vitamin D 3 (400 IU daily) until disease progression, intolerable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary end point was PFS assessed by the unstratified log-rank test. Secondary end points included objective response rate, overall survival, and toxicity. Prespecified subgroup analyses of PFS were performed according to known prognostic factors. Results Among 455 randomized patients (median age, 59 years; 181 [40%] female) with median follow-up 20 months, the median PFS for high-dose vitamin D 3 (n = 228) was 11.8 months (95% CI, 10.3-13.3) vs 10.3 months (95% CI, 9.4-12.2) for standard-dose vitamin D 3 (n = 227) (1-sided log-rank P = .25). There were no significant differences in objective response rate between high-dose and standard-dose vitamin D 3 (51% [95% CI, 44%-58%] vs 44% [95% CI, 37%-50%], respectively; P = .12), or in overall survival (median, 25.6 vs 27.0 months; 1-sided log-rank P = .66). There were no clinically meaningful differences in the most common grade 3 or greater adverse events between the high- and standard-dose groups, including neutropenia (n = 67 [32%] vs n = 62 [30%]) and hypertension (n = 42 [20%] vs n = 49 [23%]) or in incidence of vitamin D–associated toxicities. Conclusions and Relevance Among patients with previously untreated mCRC, addition of high-dose vitamin D 3 , vs standard-dose vitamin D 3 , to standard chemotherapy plus bevacizumab did not improve PFS. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04094688

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, causing more than 600,000 deaths every year. The human microbiome is increasingly recognized as a key regulator of cancer initiation, progression, and therapeutic response. Postbiotics—defined as non-viable microbial cells and/or their structural components and metabolites that confer health benefits—are emerging as promising and safer alternatives to live probiotics in oncology. This review provides a comprehensive mechanistic overview of the potential role of postbiotics against cancer, with a specific focus on breast cancer. Preclinical evidence demonstrates that selected postbiotics exert dose- and time-dependent anticancer effects against multiple breast cancer subtypes by modulating key oncogenic pathways (such as PI3K/AKT and NF-κB) and inducing epigenetic regulation through histone deacetylase inhibition. Beyond direct effects on tumor cell proliferation and apoptosis, postbiotics influence the breast cancer microenvironment by reshaping cytokine networks, suppressing pro-metastatic inflammation, and enhancing antitumor immune responses through the activation of NK cells and T cells. We also provide emerging links between microbiome composition, estrobolome activity, and breast cancer subtype-specific biology. Despite these encouraging findings, the clinical translation of postbiotics in oncology remains limited. Currently, only one registered clinical trial investigates postbiotics in the oncology setting (melanoma), and no clinical trials have specifically evaluated postbiotics in breast cancer patients. This highlights a substantial translational gap between preclinical evidence and clinical application. Accordingly, well-designed, tumor-specific clinical trials are urgently needed to validate the safety, efficacy, and therapeutic potential of postbiotics as novel strategies in personalized breast cancer management.

Summary Iron deficiency (ID) is often overlooked in patients with haematological malignancies due to other potential aetiologies. Daratumumab, an anti‐cluster of differentiation 38 (anti‐CD38) monoclonal antibody, is commonly used for treating multiple myeloma (MM) in the upfront and relapsed/refractory settings. Although anaemia is a common haematological toxicity associated with daratumumab, the contribution of ID in MM patients has not been systematically investigated. We conducted a retrospective case–control study to evaluate the prevalence of ID in newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients. Cases were patients receiving daratumumab, ixazomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Dara‐IRD, n = 55). We compared this group with an age‐ and sex‐matched cohort of patients with NDMM who received bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRD, n = 20) as induction therapy. At 1‐year, nearly 50% of Dara‐IRD‐treated patients met the criteria for ID (ferritin <30 mcg/L) compared with none of the VRD‐treated controls. All Dara‐IRD‐treated patients had a decrease in ferritin at 1‐year from baseline compared with only 45% of VRD‐treated patients. These findings identify a marked clinical signal of ID among NDMM patients receiving daratumumab‐based treatment. Although the study design does not establish causality or exclude regimen‐related confounding, it highlights the need for increased awareness of the importance of monitoring iron status in MM patients treated with daratumumab‐containing regimens.