Citations

Background The management of osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) is challenging, with 2 main options being conservative and surgical management. Orthobiologic therapies come to bridge the gap between these 2 options; however, inconsistencies in indication, composition, and heterogeneous evidence limit clinical decision-making. To address these challenges, 3 International Congress Meetings on Cartilage Repair of the Ankle were convened in Pittsburgh, USA (2017), Dublin, Ireland (2019), and New York, USA (2025) to establish agreement on the role of conservative management and injectable orthobiologic strategies in the treatment of OLT. Methods Seventy-five multidisciplinary experts from over 25 countries and 1 territory participated in a structured Delphi-based consensus process. Blinded surveys, structured questionnaires, and in-person discussions were used to develop and refine statements, supported by literature review and graded evidence (A1–E). Consensus strength was defined as consensus (51%-74%), strong consensus (75%-99%), or unanimous (100%) Results In total, 29 consensus statements were achieved across the 3 meetings. Strong agreement was reached regarding indications and expected outcomes of conservative management, including the role of immobilization and appropriate timing for surgical intervention. Orthobiologic injections, including platelet-rich plasma, concentrated bone marrow aspirate, and hyaluronic acid, were considered appropriate in select patients with persistent symptoms, although no superiority was demonstrated among formulations, preparation methods, or injection strategies. When used as adjuncts to surgical procedures, orthobiologics may improve radiological outcomes, with limited evidence for improvement in clinical outcomes. Technical considerations, including preferred harvest sites and a lack of standardized preparation protocols, were identified, along with key principles for patient counseling Conclusion These international consensus statements establish a standardized framework for the conservative management and use of injectable orthobiologic therapies in OLT. By clarifying indications, technical considerations, and current limitations, this work aims to improve consistency in clinical practice, guide treatment decision-making, and inform future research.

Abstract Background: Pyrimidine synthesis is a therapeutic vulnerability in cancer but inhibition results in toxicity to normal cells. Differential targeting of CTP synthase 1 (CTPS1), sparing the CTPS2 isoenzyme, is a therapeutic strategy in lymphoid cancers, supported by human genetic studies, that can potentially avoid toxicity; however, CTPS2 activity may compensate in epithelial tumours. Loss of CTPS2 protein expression characterises 25% of solid tumours and is predicted to expose a synthetic lethal vulnerability to CTPS1 inhibition. Dencatistat (STP938) is a first in class oral CTPS1 inhibitor showing >1,300-fold selectivity over CTPS2. In preclinical studies, CTPS2 expression was confirmed as a key modulator of response to CTPS1 inhibition, and dencatistat induced tumour regression in an in vivo model of CTPS2 negative ovarian cancer. Study design: The study comprises a standard 3+3 phase 1a dose escalation design, in which intra-patient dose escalation is encouraged, followed by a phase 1b safety expansion. The dose escalation study is recruiting participants with high grade advanced tumours who have exhausted standard of care therapy (excluding haematological cancers, salivary gland tumours and low grade tumours of any tissue). In addition, participants with high grade serous ovarian cancer whose tumours lack expression of CTPS2 (per central laboratory testing by immunohistochemistry) are eligible for backfill into cleared cohorts during dose escalation. The recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D) will be nominated based on safety, tolerability, target engagement and early signs of clinical efficacy. The phase 1b safety expansion study will recruit participants with CTPS2 negative ovarian, lung or endometrial cancer who will receive treatment at the RP2D. Standard inclusion criteria apply; patients with ECOG performance score >2 (>1 for phase 1a in France) or active/symptomatic CNS metastases are not eligible. The primary objectives of the study are to evaluate the safety and tolerability of single agent dencatistat and to determine the RP2D for further development. Secondary objectives comprise evaluation of pharmacokinetic properties and preliminary clinical activity. Exploratory endpoints include evaluation of target engagement, molecular features associated with response, and determination of drug metabolites. The study opened to enrolment in the UK, France and USA in September 2024 and is currently in dose escalation (NCT06297525). The phase 1b study is expected to commence mid-2026 and will include additional centres in Spain. Citation Format: Donna M. Graham, David Sommerhalder, Douglas Orr, Rowan Miller, Neeharika Makani, David O'Malley, Ira Winer, Philip A. Beer, Karen Smith, Maureen Higgins, John R. Hawse, Xiyin Wang, Saravut J. Weroha, Christophe Massard, Patricia Roxburgh. Lack of CTPS2 expression exposes synthetic lethal vulnerability to selective CTPS1 inhibition: A phase 1 dose escalation study of dencatistat (STP938) with safety expansion in biomarker selected cohorts [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026; Part 2 (Late-Breaking, Clinical Trial, and Invited Abstracts); 2026 Apr 17-22; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2026;86(8_Suppl):Abstract nr CT075.

OBJECTIVE Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is commonly performed in both inpatient and outpatient settings. In this study, the authors evaluate the influence of surgical setting on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), satisfaction, dysphagia, and complications following ACDF. METHODS A prospectively collected, multi-institutional quality improvement registry was retrospectively reviewed. Patients eligible for study inclusion were those who underwent ACDF without corpectomy or arthroplasty between 2016 and 2023. The patients were stratified by surgery setting, with same-day discharge indicating outpatients and an overnight stay indicating inpatients. PROMs were collected preoperatively and at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. Patient satisfaction was measured using the North American Spine Society (NASS) outcome assessment questionnaire, and dysphagia was measured using the 10-item Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10). Propensity score overlap weighting (average treatment effect in the overlap population) was used to balance baseline covariates. RESULTS Of the 1514 patients who underwent ACDF, 462 were inpatients and 1052 were outpatients. The outpatient cohort was younger (55.1 ± 10.7 vs 60.5 ± 11.0 years, p < 0.001), had higher rates of private insurance (73% vs 52%, p < 0.001), had a lower mean American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status (2.3 ± 0.6 vs 2.6 ± 0.6, p < 0.001), and underwent more single-level surgeries (53% vs 33%, p < 0.001). Propensity weighting resulted in comparable mean ages (58.9, p > 0.9) and ASA classes (2.5, p = 0.8) as well as private insurance rates (56%, p > 0.9) between the cohorts. After weighting, the inpatient cohort had a higher share of single-level fusions (46% vs 37%, p = 0.007). An outpatient status was associated with significantly better 12-month numeric rating scale (NRS) scores for neck pain (2.4 ± 2.7 vs 3.1 ± 3.0, p = 0.006), NRS scores for arm pain (1.7 ± 2.6 vs 2.2 ± 3.0, p = 0.047), and Neck Disability Index (NDI; 7.7 ± 7.8 vs 9.8 ± 9.4, p = 0.004) and greater improvement from baseline to 12 months on the NDI (−12.5 ± 9.7 vs −10.8 ± 10.5, p = 0.017), EQ-5D (0.242 ± 0.220 vs 0.209 ± 0.226, p = 0.047), and EQ visual analog scale (10.6 ± 21.6 vs 7.1 ± 20.8, p = 0.012). Fewer outpatients reported dysphagia at 3 months postoperatively (31% vs 40%, p = 0.010). No differences were observed in readmissions or revision procedures, although fewer outpatients experienced new neurological deficits (1.0% vs 2.6%, p = 0.032) and pneumonia (< 0.1% vs 0.9%, p < 0.001). In terms of the 12-month NASS outcome assessment, a smaller proportion of the outpatient cohort reported the lowest satisfaction score (3.9% vs 8.0%, p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS Outpatient setting was associated with better PROMs at the 12-month follow-up when patients were weighted by baseline health status. These findings support the efficacy of outpatient ACDF in appropriately selected patients.

TPS909 Background: BCG-Exposed NMIBC (a high grade recurrence within 24 months of prior BCG, but not meeting “unresponsive” criteria) is a large patient population with a critical need for more effective treatment strategies that prevent the development of BCG unresponsive disease/progression. The current standard of care is re-treatment with BCG alone, but only ~50% of patients derive clinical benefit. While intravesical gemcitabine (with or without docetaxel) is sometimes used, multiple retrospective studies have found that GemDoce is no better than re-treatment with BCG alone for patients with BCG-exposed NMIBC. A chemoimmunotherapy strategy of intravesical Gemcitabine with BCG (GemBCG) combines the two most effective, inexpensive, and commonly used treatments for NMIBC. Based on compelling biologic rationale and preclinical data, a phase I/II (n=52) trial was initiated of GemBCG in BCG-exposed NMIBC (NCT04179162). GemBCG has minimal side effects (3.8% [2/52] with Grade 3 TRAEs (no grade 4/5 seen) with similar side effects and tolerability to BCG alone. GemBCG has a outstanding early efficacy signal (6-month complete response of 97% [28/29] in patients with CIS, compared to ~50% 6-month complete response w/ BCG alone for BCG exposed CIS). GemBCG has promising preliminary longer term efficacy (18-month HG-RFS of 76% compared to ~45-55% reported with BCG alone, GemDoce, and recombinant BCG in BCG exposed NMIBC). Correlative studies support the hypothesis that the addition of gemcitabine to BCG can favorably modulate the tumor immune microenvironment. Methods: Based on the above rationale, we initiated the “GAIN” trial (A032303/ NCT07000084), a prospective, multicenter, open-label phase III study for patients with BCG-exposed NMIBC randomized to either: re-treatment with BCG only (Arm A, SOC) or Gemcitabine + BCG (GemBCG, Arm B). BCG-exposed NMIBC is defined as a high grade NMIBC (Ta, T1, Tis/CIS) that has recurred within 24 months of prior BCG, but NOT otherwise currently meeting BCG unresponsive NMIBC. The primary objective is to compare high grade recurrence-free survival (HG-RFS) between the two treatment arms. Notable aspects of the trial include: (1) the reduced burden on investigators and research teams due to the NCI’s new streamlined data initiative, (2) liberal inclusion/exclusion criteria and pragmatic design to improve generalizability of results, and (3) Cystoscopic biopsies/TURBT at week 13/month 3 for all participants (both CIS and “papillary only”) for multiple reasons including to allow for earlier detection of BCG unresponsive disease for patient safety, increased rigor of the trial, and objectively evaluate urinary biomarkers/urinary tumor DNA. Clinical trial information: NCT04179162 .

PURPOSE Low-grade serous carcinoma (LGSOC) of the ovary, fallopian tube, or peritoneum is a hormonally driven, relatively chemoresistant malignancy with limited treatment options in the recurrent setting. Given frequent estrogen receptor (ER) expression and dysregulation of the cyclin-dependent kinases 4 and 6 (CDK4/6)–p16–Rb pathway, features shared with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer, dual endocrine, and CDK4/6 inhibition is a biologically rational strategy. This phase II trial evaluated ribociclib plus letrozole in recurrent LGSOC. METHODS This open-label, single-arm, multicenter phase II study enrolled women with measurable, recurrent LGSOC. Patients received ribociclib (600 mg orally, once daily, days 1-21 of a 28-day cycle) and letrozole (2.5 mg orally, once daily). The primary end point was investigator-assessed objective response rate (ORR) per RECIST 1.1. Secondary end points included clinical benefit rate (CBR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. RESULTS Of 74 patients screened, 51 were enrolled and 49 treated. The confirmed ORR was 30.6% (90% CI, 19.9 to 43.2), including one complete and 14 partial responses. Among responders, the median duration of response was 21.2 months. The CBR was 84% (90% CI, 72.5 to 91.6). The median PFS was 14.5 months (90% CI, 10.1 to 28.8), and the median OS was 44.5 months (90% CI, 31.8 to not reached). The most common grade ≥3 adverse event (AE) was neutropenia (47%), managed with dose modifications. Three grade 5 events (6%) occurred but were unrelated to treatment. Treatment discontinuation because of AEs occurred in 4%. No dose-limiting toxicities were observed. CONCLUSION Ribociclib plus letrozole met the primary end point, achieving meaningful response rates and durable disease control in recurrent LGSOC. The safety profile was consistent with prior CDK4/6 inhibitor studies. This combination represents a therapeutic option in this rare and genomically distinct subtype.

OBJECTIVE The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires a low C-peptide level for insulin pump coverage unless the individual is β-cell autoantibody positive, which precludes coverage of automated insulin delivery (AID) systems for many people with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In the Randomized Trial Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Control-IQ+ Technology in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Using Basal-Bolus Insulin Therapy study evaluating the t:slim X2 insulin pump with Control-IQ+ technology, adults with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes were categorized into high C-peptide (n = 195) and low C-peptide (n = 59) groups based on CMS criteria. RESULTS In the AID group, mean HbA1c decreased from baseline by 0.8%, which was significantly greater than in the control group with both high (P &lt; 0.001) and low (P = 0.02) C-peptide levels. Results were similar in participants ≥65 years old. CONCLUSIONS The benefit of AID is present with high and low C-peptide levels. Thus, requiring a low C-peptide level as a prerequisite for AID therapy is not warranted.

This phase II trial of transoral surgery (TOS) with deintensified postoperative management in human papillomavirus (HPV)–associated oropharynx cancer (OPC) enrolled patients with resectable cT1-2 stage III/IV American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) seventh edition p16+ OPC without matted neck nodes. Those with clear margins, 0-1 + nodes (LN), and no extranodal extension (ENE) were observed (arm A); those with clear margins, 2-4 + LN, or ENE ≤1 mm were randomly assigned to 50 Gy (arm B) or 60 Gy (arm C); and those with involved margins, >4 + LN, or >1 mm ENE received weekly cisplatin and 60-66 Gy (arm D). Among 359 evaluable patients, the 54-month progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 90.6% (90% CI, 87.2% to 93.1%) and 95.3% (93.0% to 96.9%), respectively. The 54-month PFS by arm was A 93.2% (79.6% to 97.8%; all four recurrences among N1 patients), B 94.9% (89.7% to 97.5%), C 90.2% (82.7% to 94.6%), and D 85.5% (77.5% to 90.8%). The 54-month OS by arm was A 97.1% (85.7% to 99.4%), B 97.9% (93.5% to 99.3%), C 95.1% (90.1% to 97.6%), and D 92.5% (86.9% to 95.7%). PFS or OS did not differ by primary site or smoking history. TOS and neck dissection with deintensified postoperative management results in outstanding 54-month PFS and OS. Among patients with favorable pathologic characteristics, those with N1 disease are at risk of late recurrence without radiation.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate a regimen of inhaled Technosphere insulin (TI) plus insulin degludec in adults with type 1 diabetes, who prestudy were predominately using either an automated insulin delivery (AID) system or multiple daily insulin injections (MDI) with continuous glucose monitoring. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS At 19 sites, adults with type 1 diabetes were randomly assigned to TI plus insulin degludec (N = 62) or usual care (UC) with continuation of prestudy insulin delivery method (N = 61) for 17 weeks. RESULTS Prestudy, AID was used by 48% and MDI by 45%. Mean ± SD HbA1c was 7.57% ± 0.97% at baseline and 7.62% ± 1.06% at 17 weeks in the TI group and 7.59% ± 0.80% and 7.54% ± 0.77%, respectively, in the UC group (adjusted difference 0.11%, 95% CI −0.10 to 0.33, P value for noninferiority = 0.01). HbA1c improved from baseline to 17 weeks by &gt;0.5% (5.5 mmol/mol) in 12 (21%) in the TI group and in 3 (5%) in the UC group and worsened by &gt;0.5% (5.5 mmol/mol) in 15 (26%) in the TI group and in 2 (3%) in the UC group. The most common TI side effect was a brief cough; eight participants discontinued TI due to side effects. CONCLUSIONS In adults with type 1 diabetes, HbA1c after 17 weeks with a regimen of TI and degludec was noninferior to UC, which consisted predominately of either AID or MDI. TI should be considered an option for people with type 1 diabetes, particularly those who are motivated to further reduce postprandial hyperglycemia.