Citations

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy faces many challenges against solid tumors including T cell exhaustion and poor CAR durability. Here, we show that engaging the CAR T cell endogenous T cell receptor (TCR) using an oncolytic virus enhances CAR T cell functionality, durability, and therapy. Upon combination therapy of solid tumors with CAR T cells and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a subpopulation of antiviral, TCR-primed CAR T cells was generated with enhanced effector functions, altered activation states, and differential gene and protein expression when compared to non–TCR-primed CAR T cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing showed clonal expansion of anti-VSV CAR T cells and enhancement of effector-associated genes with VSV-mediated CAR T cell expansion. CD4 T cells played a pivotal role in the development of these TCR-primed CAR T cells. These results provide a strong rationale both for a novel use of systemic oncolytic virotherapy and for directly exploiting the CAR T cell TCR to fine tune the CAR T cell phenotype and function.

Abstract Exposure to asbestos is the primary cause of mesothelioma, however the processes underpinning its initiation and evolutionary trajectory remain elusive. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted whole exome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 277 mesotheliomas. Using multidimensional Dirichlet process clustering we inferred phylogenies, uncovering mutation order dominated by early 13q,1p, 8p, 6q and 22q somatic copy number alterations. Mesotheliomas exhibit a spectrum of genomic intra-tumor heterogeneity spanning linear (L) to highly branched (B) tree topologies, quantifiable by the Weighted Shannon Entropy (WSE). Somatic copy number alterations emerge earlier than single nucleotide variants (SNVs), and at a much faster relative rate in L-mesotheliomas. BAP1 is the only positively selected driver in L-mesotheliomas, whereas, B-mesotheliomas harbor multiple positively selected drivers and an aggressive phenotype, including a bias of loss of RPL5, and MTAP deletion linked to breakpoint enriched with long interspersed nuclear elements. L-trees had lower WSE, but greater T-cell inflammation and tertiary lymphoid structures, despite having a lower neoantigen burden. WSE is higher in larger volume, immunologically cold mesotheliomas, and is associated with shorter survival. In summary, progressive genomic heterogeneity is a defining feature of more aggressive mesothelioma yet illuminates opportunities for precision therapeutic intervention.

Background: While surgeon burnout is extensively documented, the medical community has limited corresponding data regarding what it might mean to thrive in the profession as captured by robust measures of “flourishing.” Study Design: We conducted a cross-sectional survey measuring flourishing in a sample of 1,000 practicing US surgeons from the American Medical Association Masterfile between September and December 2025, including the Harvard Flourish Index (FI) and Secure Flourish Index (SFI). We used multivariable regression to assess personal and professional correlates of flourishing. Results Of 959 eligible surgeons in our sample, 283 (30%) responded. Mean flourishing (SFI) score was 7.98 (± 1.21) on a 0-10 scale (higher score=higher flourishing). Surgeons reported the highest flourishing in "Financial and Material Stability" (8.57 ± 2.11) and "Meaning and Purpose" (8.50 ± 1.39), while "Close Social Relationships" (7.41 ± 2.08) was the lowest-ranked domain. In multivariate linear regression, working fewer hours (adjusted β (each additional hour), -0.02; p<0.001), having children (adjusted β, 0.43; p=0.05) and viewing surgery as a calling (adjusted β, 0.28; p=0.006) were associated with higher flourishing. A majority (88%) of surgeons view the profession as a calling. Conclusion: Practicing surgeons report high levels of flourishing, with scores surpassing several historical medical and non-medical cohorts. Most surgeons reported comparatively high scores in meaning and purpose concurrent with deficits in social connectivity. Burnout and well-being conversations in the surgical professions may benefit from a flourishing framework. Naming meaning and purpose exemplars while being able to identify key deficits like social connectivity may be crucial for helping surgeons thrive.

LBA514 Background: Preclinical and clinical data show that antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) such as T-DXd may synergize with immunotherapy. Rilvegostomig (R) is a monovalent, Fc-reduced, dual checkpoint bispecific IgG1 monoclonal antibody against PD-1 and TIGIT receptors. R + T-DXd was evaluated as neoadjuvant therapy for up to 4 cycles. Methods: I-SPY2.2 is a phase II neoadjuvant trial with three neoadjuvant sequences (Blocks A/B/C). All HER2-negative subtypes were eligible for R + T-DXd in Block A. Predicted responders at the end of Block A or B could undergo surgery; otherwise, they continued to Block B +/- C. Block B pts received paclitaxel +/- carboplatin +/- pembrolizumab and Block C pts doxorubicin + cyclophosphamide (AC) +/- pembrolizumab, HR+ immune+ received IO in Blocks B/C. Results are analyzed by receptor and response predictive subtypes (RPS), that include expression-based immune, and luminal signatures with hormone receptor (HR) and HER2 status. Some pts were randomized to a control regimen (skipping R + T-DXd in block A and starting in block B). To minimize risk of interstitial lung disease (ILD) that could lead to treatment discontinuation, pts underwent pulmonary function tests and high-resolution chest CTs every 6 weeks. Abnormalities were reviewed in real time. The primary endpoint was pathologic complete response (pCR), within each RPS and HR/HER2 signature, with estimated pCR (EpCR) rates compared to subtype-specific block A goal rates and control pts in those groups. Other endpoints included safety and treatment discontinuation. Results: 105 pts were treated with R + T-DXd in block A, while 31 pts were randomized to the control regimen. Block A EpCR rate was 57% in the 12 HR+Immune+ pts vs a pre-specified goal of 15% (posterior probability, PP > .99). In 35 HR-Immune+ pts EpCR was 52% vs a pre-specified goal of 40% (PP = .87). No other groups (Immune-) had a PP > .85 for their respective pCR goal rate. HER2-IHC was 0 (27.6%), 1+ (49.5%) and 2+ (22.9%) in the treatment arm vs. 37.7%, 37.7%, and 24.7% in the control arm, with no difference in distribution between arms in immune subtypes. The most common adverse events in Block A were fatigue (84.8%), nausea (81.0%) and alopecia (58.1%). ILD was the most common adverse event of special interest in Block A and overall, occurring in 12 pts (11.4%; 7G1, 4G2, 1G3) during Block A and in 3 pts (G1, 2.9%) in other Blocks. 8 pts discontinued T-DXd + R due to ILD and proceeded to the next Block. Conclusions: When considering the full treatment strategy including block B and C regimens, experimental strategies had similar EpCR rates vs. controls in immune+ subtypes but block A rates exceeded pre-defined goal thresholds. This infers that treatment beginning with R + T-DXd has equivalent efficacy to standard of care for immune+ pts, but 64% pts with pCR skip chemotherapy (Block B) and 97% avoid AC (Block C). R + T-DXd participants avoided persistent ILD. Clinical trial information: NCT01042379 .

LBA10509 Background: The MCED test (Galleri) detects a shared cancer signal from cell-free DNA in blood and predicts a cancer signal origin (CSO) to guide diagnostic (dx) workup. PF2 (NCT05155605) is a large, prospective, multicenter, interventional study of the MCED test’s performance and safety in a diverse US intended-use population. Methods: PF2 enrolled participants aged ≥50y without clinical suspicion of cancer or cancer diagnosis/treatment within 3y of enrollment. Primary objectives were MCED performance and safety in terms of dx testing triggered by a positive (cancer signal detected) MCED test result. Participants with a positive MCED test underwent targeted dx workup guided by the predicted CSO(s). Participant-reported anxiety was assessed with the State Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results: PF2 enrolled 35,878 participants; 32,007 with a 12m cancer assessment were analyzable for performance. Of 287 (0.9%) with a positive MCED test, 173 were diagnosed with cancer within 12m, for a cancer detection rate of 0.5% (95% CI 0.5-0.6%) and positive predictive value of 60.3% (54.5-65.8%). Specificity was 99.6% (99.6-99.7%). 12m episode sensitivity was 69.8% (62.8-76.0%) in a prespecified subgroup of 12 cancers responsible for ⅔ of US cancer deaths, 66.2% (55.1-75.8%) in a subgroup of 6 aggressive cancers with low 5y survival, and 39.3% (34.9-44.0%) across all cancers. Overall CSO prediction accuracy was 91.3% (86.2-94.7%) across all cancers. The MCED test detected 151 new primary and 22 recurrent cancers; additional cancers detected by screening were those with USPSTF A/B (n=31) and C (n=60) recommended screening. Of 151 MCED-detected new primaries, 80 (53.0%) were clinical stage I-II; 107 (70.9%) were stage I-III. Of 80 MCED-detected stage I-II cancers, 71.2% had no USPSTF A/B screening recommendation. Of 35,335 participants analyzable for safety, 213 (0.6%) had invasive procedure(s) to evaluate a positive MCED test result, of which 90% were nonsurgical and 1.8x more likely for participants with vs without cancer diagnosis. Most (87.6%) had a CSO-guided dx evaluation. There were 5 study-related adverse events during the time of dx workup; none were serious. Anxiety temporarily increased for participants with a positive MCED test and cancer diagnosed, and returned to baseline by 12m. Of participants with a positive MCED test, median time from test result to dx resolution was 48d (95% CI 43-56). Few participants (7/63 [11.1%]) had cancer found by dx PET/CT after a targeted dx workup that did not reveal cancer. Conclusion: The MCED test demonstrated robust performance with a favorable safety profile. When MCED testing was added to USPSTF A/B screening, 6.5x more cancers were detected by screening, most at early stages. The diverse, representative PF2 participant population supports the generalizability of these findings to the US intended-use population. Clinical trial information: NCT05155605 .

Objective Glaucoma and cancer are debilitating diseases with increasing global prevalence and morbidity. However, current literature lacks a systematic consolidation of their relationships and interactions. This systematic review aims to (A) summarize the association between intraocular/non-ocular cancers and their treatments with the prevalence and etiology of glaucoma, (B) explore glaucoma as a risk factor for complications or poor prognosis for intraocular cancer, and (C) explore the management of glaucoma secondary to cancer therapies. Methods A systematic search was performed from inception to July 2025 across three databases with variants of ‘cancer’ and ‘glaucoma’ as search terms. Findings were narratively synthesized. Results Of 8,103 identified studies, 44 were included in this review. Eighteen studies reported increased glaucoma prevalence amongst intraocular and non-ocular cancer patients. Fifteen studies suggested increased risk of regional invasion, metastases, and high-risk histopathologies when intraocular cancers co-occurred with glaucoma. Corticosteroids in cancer therapy have been linked to intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation, while androgen deprivation therapy was associated with lowered glaucoma risk. Conclusion Given the relationship between glaucoma and intraocular/non-ocular cancers, strategies to monitor and manage glaucoma risk following cancer diagnosis and/or therapy may be considered. Glaucoma may be an early sign of complications in intraocular cancers.

Abstract Objectives This study examined the indications, frequency, and outcomes of cardiac surgery following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) at a single institution. As TAVR volumes increase, understanding the nature and outcomes of subsequent cardiac operations is critical, particularly as the procedure expands to younger, lower-risk populations. Methods We analysed outcomes of 61 patients who underwent cardiac surgery after TAVR at our institution from August 2011 to September 2023, excluding periprocedural complications and staged procedures. Patients were stratified into 2 groups: those requiring surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) with or without concomitant procedures (n = 33) and those undergoing non-SAVR cardiac operations (n = 28). Data were collected from a prospectively maintained cardiovascular surgery database and electronic health records. Indications for surgery, operative characteristics, and outcomes were analysed, with survival assessed using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Results The median interval between TAVR and cardiac surgery was 19 months. Indications for SAVR included infective endocarditis (36%), non-structural valve deterioration (36%), structural valve deterioration (12%), and valve thrombosis (6%). Non-SAVR operations primarily addressed mitral valve disease (43%) and coronary artery disease (29%). Operative mortality was 6.6%, with no deaths in the endocarditis subgroup. Postoperative complications included prolonged mechanical ventilation (18%), new-onset renal failure (7%), and stroke (2%). Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were 83% at 1 year and 50% at 5 years. Conclusions Although complex, cardiac operations in patients who have undergone TAVR can be performed with acceptable mortality rates. Structural valve deterioration, paravalvular leak, and endocarditis were the primary indications for SAVR, while mitral valve and coronary artery disease predominated in non-SAVR cases. These findings highlight the importance of considering nonaortic valve pathologies in TAVR planning, particularly as the procedure expands to younger, lower-risk populations.

Abstract Background Ionizing radiation (IR) accelerates atherosclerosis through induction of cellular senescence, DNA damage, defective efferocytosis, and dysregulation of clonal hematopoiesis (CH) drivers. Although low-dose colchicine reduces ischemic cardiovascular events in coronary artery disease, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its vasculoprotective effects remain incompletely defined, and whether it mitigates radiation-associated vascular injury is unknown. Methods Bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDMs) were pretreated with low-dose colchicine and exposed to 2 Gy IR. Molecular effects were assessed by RNA-seq, immunoblotting, and molecular docking. In vivo effects were tested in a partial carotid ligation (PLCL) model using spatial proteomics. Human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) from thoracic malignancy patients were analyzed before and after radiation therapy (RT). Results Low-dose colchicine suppressed IR-induced macrophage senescence signaling while preserving NRF2 activity. In a cell-free assay, colchicine directly activated aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) in a dose-dependent manner (EC 50 1–5 nM), identifying ALDH2 as a direct molecular target of colchicine. Following irradiation, colchicine restored ALDH2, reduced mitochondrial (mt)ROS - dependent p90 ribosomal S6 kinase ( p90RSK ) activation and lipid peroxidation, preserved TET2 and DNMT3A expression, and rescued impaired efferocytosis while preventing nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion. These protective effects were ALDH2-dependent, as they were lost with ALDH2 inhibition or depletion and were mimicked by pharmacologic ALDH2 activation. In vivo, colchicine attenuated radiation-induced atherosclerosis and macrophage senescence-associated stemness (SAS). Consistently, macrophages from patients after RT showed reduced ALDH2 with increased mtROS, lipid peroxidation, and senescence. Conclusion These findings identify ALDH2 as a previously unrecognized molecular target of colchicine that links mitochondrial redox control to suppression of radiation-induced macrophage senescence and atherosclerosis and may contribute to the efficacy of low-dose colchicine in cardiovascular disease.