Citations

Objective: To establish international benchmark values for relevant outcome parameters in robotic Whipple. Summary Background Data: For safe adoption of surgical innovation, robust quality control is essential. Benchmarking is a validated tool for assessing surgical performance. Recent international consensus identified establishing benchmark values for robotic Whipple as top priority. Methods: We analyzed consecutive patients undergoing robotic Whipple between 2020-2023 with a minimum one-year follow-up. Reference centers were required to perform ≥15 cases/year, be scientifically active in the field, and maintain a prospective database. Benchmark criteria included benign or resectable malignant disease without neoadjuvant therapy, arterial resection, major co-morbidities, or significant previous abdominal surgery. Benchmarks were established for 13 outcome parameters. Result: The benchmark cohort comprised 418 patients from 12 centers across four continents. Benchmark values were: conversion rate ≤4.3%, transfusion rate ≤2.1%, 6-month mortality ≤2.2%, major complications ≤23.2%, and CCI® ≤20.9. Clinically relevant pancreatic fistula (grade B/C) and hemorrhage (grade B/C) rates were ≤23.6% and ≤12.7%, respectively. For pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (n=123), the benchmark for lymph node yield was ≥20. Higher surgical difficulty was associated with increased overall postoperative morbidity (R 2 =0.38, P =0.019), higher center caseload with reduced pancreas-specific complications (R 2 =0.28, P =0.044). Independent POPF predictors included duct diameter ≤4 mm (OR 1.37, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.82), anticoagulation (OR 2.45, 95% CI: 1.47, 3.99), and indication other than PDAC (OR 2.33, 95% CI: 1.68, 3.27). Conclusions: This study establishes the first international benchmarks for robotic Whipple, demonstrating oncologic outcomes and morbidity comparable to open surgery with the benefits of minimally invasive surgery.

Abstract Neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is an increasingly prevalent manifestation of acquired resistance to next generation AR signaling inhibitors (ARSI), that arises via transformation from advanced prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) through a mechanism called lineage plasticity. Through characterization of isogenic PRAD and NEPC mouse tumoroid models generated using human-relevant driver mutations (Pten-/-;Rb1-/-;Trp53-/-), we revealed an extensive epigenetic reprogramming in NEPC versus PRAD, particular at enhancers. CRISPR screens focused on TFs and coactivators revealed a NEPC lineage TF survival network comprised of ASCL1, NFIB, SOX1/11, FOXA1/2 and MYCL with exquisite dependency on the TIP60 acetyltransferase complex. During the PRAD-to-NEPC transition, FOXA1, NFIB and TIP60 chromatin binding redistributes to NEPC specific enhancers, resulting in expression of NEPC target genes in a coordinate fashion with ASCL1 functioning as master regulator, culminating in activation of MYCL. MYCL then directly recruits the TIP60 complex to target sites, where it acts as a requisite MYCL coactivator for target gene activation for NEPC growth/survival. The acetyltransferase activity of TIP60 and acetylation of its substrate H2A.Z are both required for NEPC survival, as well as two chromatin reader subunits of the TIP60 complex, BRD8 and YEATS4. Targeted chemical degradation of TIP60 revealed >500-fold dependency in NEPC relative to normal prostate, credentialing the TIP60 complex as a potential therapeutic target in NEPC. Citation Format: Zhen Sun, Jimmy L. Zhao, Wazim M. Ismail, Zahra F. Khan, Teng Han, Subhiksha Nandakumar, Serina Young, Matthew Lange, Richard Koche, Alexandre Gaspar-Maia, Charles L. Sawyers. The TIP60 acetyltransferase complex is a critical dependency in neuroendocrine prostate cancer through its role as a critical coactivator of MYCL downstream of ASCL1 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference in Cancer Research: Innovations in Prostate Cancer Research and Treatment; 2026 Jan 20-22; Philadelphia PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(2_Suppl):Abstract nr PR036.

Objectives: Smoking is a key risk factor for pancreatitis, contributing to pathogenesis and disease progression. Data regarding second-hand smoking, or passive smoking (PS) exposure, are lacking. We therefore aimed to assess the impact of PS exposure across the pancreatitis spectrum. Methods: We analyzed baseline data from the PROCEED study, a multicenter study in the United States including patients with acute (AP), recurrent acute (RAP), and chronic (CP) pancreatitis. Participants detailed their individual smoking history and PS exposure, which was compared between AP, RAP, and CP subgroups. Participant factors and clinical characteristics were compared by level of individual and PS exposure. Results: Among 1369 participants (190 AP, 498 RAP, 681 CP), 346 (25.3%) were current and 409 (29.9%) were former smokers. The CP subgroup had the highest proportion of current smokers (36.7% CP vs 15.1% RAP, 11.1% AP, P < 0.001). PS exposure was also significantly higher in the CP subgroup (68.6% CP vs 58.2% RAP, 55.3% AP, P < 0.001). A minority (16.3%) with CP reported no smoking exposure (by self or passive) while nearly half smoked ≥20 pack-years. The mean PS duration was significantly higher in CP participants (21.8 y) compared with those with AP (17.8 y) or RAP (18.9 y) ( P < 0.0166). Conclusions: In this multicenter study, we affirmed an association with smoking use and intensity with CP-related complications. For the first time, we report a high prevalence of prior exposure to passive smoking in all pancreatitis subtypes, which requires further study to understand the impact on disease outcomes.

158 Background: PIK3CA mutations are common in CRC and may be a negative prognostic factor. INAVO is a potent and selective PI3Kα inhibitor that also promotes mut p110α degradation. BEV and CETUX are standard treatment (tx) components for RAS mut and RAS -wildtype (wt) mCRC, respectively. The Phase I/Ib INTRINSIC open-label umbrella study (NCT04929223) evaluates targeted therapies in biomarker-selected mCRC subpopulations. We report INAVO + BEV and INAVO + CETUX results. Methods: Patients (pts) with PIK3CA mut, RAS mut mCRC received INAVO (9 mg oral once daily) + BEV (intravenous [IV] 15 mg/kg every 3 weeks). Pts with PIK3CA mut, RAS wt mCRC received INAVO + CETUX (IV 400 mg/m 2 then 250 mg/m 2 weekly thereafter). Primary endpoint: confirmed objective response rate (cORR). Secondary endpoints included disease control rate (DCR), duration of response (DoR), and safety. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were exploratory. Results: At the clinical cut-off dates, 16 pts were enrolled in the BEV arm; 35, in the CETUX arm. Most had ≥2 metastatic sites at enrollment (n = 16 [100%] and 30 [85.8%], respectively) and ≥2 prior lines of metastatic therapy (16 [100%] and 28 [80.0%]). In the BEV arm, 3 pts (18.8%) had no prior BEV. In the CETUX arm, 25 pts (71.4%) had no prior CETUX; 17 (48.6%) had prior anti-EGFR therapy. All pts in the BEV arm and 34 in the CETUX arm were evaluated for efficacy and safety. Median follow-up was 9.4 months (mo; interquartile range: 5.5–14.4) and 12.6 mo (8.9–16.6), respectively. Efficacy is shown in the Table. All pts had adverse events (AEs); 15 (93.8%) and 34 (100%), respectively, had tx-related AEs (TRAEs); 5 (31.2%) and 12 (35.3%), grade 3–4 TRAEs; 2 (12.5%) and 11 (32.4%), serious AEs. One grade 5 AE (infusion-related reaction) occurred (CETUX arm). Dose reduction/interruption due to AEs occurred in 12 (75.0%) and 27 (79.4%) pts; tx withdrawal due to AEs, in 0 and 4 (11.8%) pts, respectively. Hyperglycemia was the most common AE, TRAE, and AE leading to dose reduction/interruption in both cohorts. Hypertension was observed more frequently with BEV; dermatitis acneiform and dry skin, with CETUX. Conclusions: INAVO + BEV and INAVO + CETUX showed encouraging efficacy in pts with PIK3CA mut mCRC, with no new or unexpected safety signals. Clinical trial information: NCT04929223 . INAVO + BEV(n = 16) INAVO + CETUX(n = 34) cORR, all PR, n (%) 1 (6.3) 7 (20.6)* SD, n (%) 10 (62.5) 17 (50.0) Progressive disease, n (%) 3 (18.8) 9 (26.5) Missing/NE, n (%) 2 (12.5) 1 (2.9) mDoR, mo (90% CI) 7.7 (NE) 4.4 (4.2–5.3) DCR, n (%) 11 (68.8) 15 (44.1) mPFS, mo (90% CI) 4.2 (2.8–6.8) 3.5 (2.8–4.4) mOS, mo (90% CI) 11.0 (8.5–14.5) 12.8 (10.7–13.8) CI, confidence interval; m, median; NE, not evaluable; PR, partial response; SD, stable disease. *3 pts with PRs received prior anti-EGFR therapy; 1 had a best prior response of SD (last dose 233 days before study tx) and 2 had best prior responses of PRs (last doses 134 and 171 days before study tx).

Abstract Background There is growing interest in artificial intelligence (AI) models for predicting future breast cancer. We performed a systematic review of studies of mammography-based AI models for future breast cancer risk prediction to summarize current evidence, identify knowledge gaps, and inform future research directions. Methods We searched 6 databases for studies from January 1, 2012, to February 28, 2025, that evaluated mammography-based AI models for future breast cancer risk prediction. We extracted study design, participants’ race and ethnicity, geographic origin, mammogram type, vendor, prediction time frame, breast cancer type predicted, external validation, and exclusion of cancers diagnosed on the index screening mammogram. Areas under the receiver operating curve (AUCs) were summarized overall and by study characteristics. Results A total of 41 studies met our inclusion criteria. All studies were retrospective, and most used 2D mammograms (n = 37 studies) acquired using Hologic equipment (n = 25) and performed in the United States (n = 17); White, non-Hispanic women were most represented. Nearly all (n = 40) studies assessed discrimination performance with a median AUC of 0.71 for no longer than 2-year risk prediction, 0.72 for 3-4 years, and 0.71 for 5 years or more prediction. Median AUC was 0.75 for studies including index cancers vs 0.68 when excluded. Six studies reported model calibration performance ranging from good to overestimation of risk. Conclusion Future studies should evaluate models using digital breast tomosynthesis, examine performance for aggressive or advanced breast cancer, include diverse populations, and evaluate both discrimination and model calibration. Prospective evaluations are needed to determine the clinical utility of mammography-based AI models for personalized risk-based breast cancer screening before implementation.

Abstract Secondary central nervous system (CNS) large B-cell lymphoma (SCNSL) occurs in the de novo setting, as a CNS-isolated relapse, or synchronous (concomitant CNS and systemic) relapse. SCNSL is a devastating event without therapeutic consensus. Thus, we aimed to evaluate treatment outcomes in an international cohort. Progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR, estimated using competing-risk models) were reported. Prognostic factors were identified in a 6-month landmark multivariate analysis. Outcomes after thiotepa autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy (CAR-T) delivered at relapse were compared after propensity score matching (PSM). A total of 1139 patients were included in the analysis (de novo: 537; relapsed SCNSL: 602). Two-year PFS estimates were 40.4%, 43.9%, and 16.2% for de novo SCNSL, CNS-isolated relapse, and synchronous relapse, respectively. Patients with CNS-isolated relapse demonstrated low rates of systemic recurrence (24-month CIR, 6%). Thiotepa-ASCT correlated with longer survival in de novo SCNSL (PFS: hazard ratio [HR], 0.57; P = .005; and OS: HR, 0.62; P = .023) and CNS-isolated relapses (PFS: HR, 0.55; P = .002; and OS: HR, 0.39; P&lt; .0001). ASCT (thiotepa or no thiotepa) also associated with improved survival in synchronous relapses (PFS: HR, 0.57; P = .023; and OS: HR, 0.48; P = .019). Higher survival with thiotepa-ASCT than CAR-T was observed after PSM (PFS: HR, 0.45; P = .005 and OS: HR, 0.41; P = .014). These data support thiotepa-ASCT in eligible patients, particularly de novo disease and CNS-isolated relapses. CNS-isolated relapse was infrequently associated with systemic recurrence, supporting treatment regimens adopted from primary CNS lymphoma.

Abstract Rationale Mucus plugs occur in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but little is known about their size and airway location or whether these mucus plug features change as emphysema worsens. Methods Computed tomographic lung scans from 31 participants with COPD from the SubPopulations and InteRmediate Outcomes In COPD Study (SPIROMICS) cohort were analyzed to quantify mucus plug size and airway location and extent of emphysema. Radiologist annotations of mucus plugs were incorporated in an image processing pipeline to generate size and location information. Emphysema was quantified as the percentage of voxels less than -950 Hounsfield units. Measurements and Main Results The length distribution of 563 annotated mucus plugs varied from 2 to 50 mm. The distribution was multimodal, and an 11-mm length defined short (“stubby,” ≤11 mm) and long (“stringy,” &gt;11 mm) plug phenotypes, with stubby plugs being most common (64%). Mucus plugs localized predominantly to airway generations 6 to 9, and their prevalence was highest in lower lobes. On a lobar basis, the mucus plug number decreased as emphysema percentage increased, whereas average mucus plug volume tended to increase. Conclusion COPD is characterized by mucus plugs of varying size and shape, and emphysematous lung regions may be differentially susceptible to formation of these plugs. The location of mucus plugs in segmental and subsegmental airways in COPD makes them amenable to treatment with inhaled medications or bronchoscopy.

Abstract Over 50% of older adults in the US take ≥5 medications, with prevalence reaching 76.8% in the emergency department (ED) setting. However, little is known about their medication self-efficacy (the ability to understand and follow medication regimens), which may influence adherence and adverse drug events when new prescriptions are added during ED visits. Our objective was to determine whether polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medication (PIM) are associated with self-efficacy. We performed a logistic regression analysis using 5-site multicenter ED survey data linked to electronic health records from patients aged ≥65 years with baseline ED visits during 2019-2021. The predictors were polypharmacy (≥5 medications) and PIM use (≥1 high-risk medication, GEMRx criteria) of prescriptions taken within 1 year of the ED visit. The outcome was low medication self-efficacy (&lt; 11 points MUSE-taking score) assessed at the ED visit. Covariates included insurance, education, marital status, race/ethnicity, caregiver support, dementia status, and frailty. Among 921 patients, 249 (27.0%) had polypharmacy and 66 (7.2%) had PIM use. Low medication self-efficacy was reported by 76 (37.8%) with polypharmacy and 26 (12.9%) with PIM use versus 125 (62.2%) and 40 (5.6%) without. Both polypharmacy (aOR 6.12, 95% CI 2.05-18.22, p = 0.001) and PIM use (aOR 33.65, 95% CI 5.81-214.35, p &lt; 0.001) were associated with greater adjusted odds of low medication self-efficacy. Frailty modified this association, with weaker effects in more frail patients (OR 5.51, 95% CI 2.57-11.8, p = 0.003). These findings suggest that the ED is an important setting to identify older adults who may struggle with medication use.

Asymptomatic aortic regurgitation (AR) has traditionally been managed conservatively until symptom onset or overt left ventricular systolic dysfunction. However, adverse myocardial remodeling—detected by myocardial strain, volumetric cardiac magnetic resonance, and fibrosis imaging—often precedes current guideline thresholds for interventions and may be irreversible. Advances in multimodal imaging now enable earlier risk stratification beyond conventional metrics. In parallel, intervention strategies are evolving, including valve repair, valve-sparing root replacement, Ross procedure, and transcatheter aortic valve replacement in selected high-risk patients. This narrative review summarizes contemporary advances in imaging and intervention for asymptomatic AR, while critically appraising current evidentiary and technical limitations that constrain earlier intervention. The review is based on a narrative synthesis of the contemporary literature, drawing from recent clinical studies, imaging advances, and guideline documents rather than a systematic evidence search.