Jamal, Fares

PURPOSE Neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors (nICIs) have demonstrated high response rates in deficient mismatch repair/microsatellite instability–high (dMMR/MSI-H) gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA). The NEONIPIGA and INFINITY trials demonstrated high rates of pathologic complete response (pCR) in this patient population. Furthermore, the INFINITY trial explored the feasibility of managing these patients nonoperatively, demonstrating promising results. This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes of nICIs in resectable dMMR/MSI-H GEA, with a focus on the feasibility of nonoperative management (NOM). MATERIALS AND METHODS This retrospective cohort study included patients with resectable dMMR/MSI-H GEA and treated with nICIs ± surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Patients were identified from institutional records, and clinical data were retrospectively reviewed. Primary outcomes were clinical complete response (cCR) and pCR. Secondary outcomes included event-free survival (EFS), radiologic complete response (rCR), and immune-related adverse events (irAEs). RESULTS A total of 26 patients treated between April 1, 2017, and July 30, 2025, were identified. Nine patients (34.6%) underwent surgery, of whom six (66.7%) achieved pCR. Seventeen patients (65.4%) pursued NOM, with 10 (71.4%) of 14 evaluable patients achieving cCR and 14 (82.4%) of 17 evaluable achieving rCR. One patient who initially achieved cCR had a local recurrence on surveillance endoscopy and underwent salvage endoscopic resection. At a median follow-up of 19.3 months, 15 (88.2%) of 17 patients in the NOM cohort were alive and metastasis-free, with EFS rates of 87.3% at 12 and 24 months for all patients. irAEs occurred in nine patients (34.6%), with no grade ≥3 toxicities. CONCLUSION In this retrospective cohort study, nICIs led to high cCR and pCR rates in resectable dMMR/MSI-H GEA, supporting the use of immune checkpoint inhibitors in this setting and the feasibility of NOM in select patients.

The role of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) has expanded in recent years. In resectable disease, postoperative ctDNA is able to detect patients at highest risk of recurrence months before scans. Tumor-informed assays provide the best sensitivity and emerging methylation assays are useful when tissue is scarce. In metastatic GEA, baseline ctDNA burden correlates with prognosis, and a decrease in ctDNA level after treatment initiation reflects therapeutic response. It can also uncover actionable targets, including ERBB2, FGFR2, and MSI-H, and detect resistance that can arise after starting treatment. Limitations include variable assay performance, low shedding in some tumors, clonal hematopoiesis confounding, and a lack of randomized data showing that ctDNA-guided changes improve outcomes. Ongoing trials are testing MRD-guided escalation/de-escalation and ctDNA-directed biomarker therapy. In this review, we evaluate the role of ctDNA in GEA cancers over recent years.

ABSTRACT Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by lymphocytic infiltration and destruction of exocrine glands, commonly involving the salivary and lacrimal glands, leading to dry mouth and eyes. While SS primarily affects the upper gastrointestinal tract, this case presents a rare small intestine involvement. This patient was diagnosed with SS in 2018 with positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA), rheumatoid factor (RF), SSA antibodies, and salivary lip gland biopsy. By 2021, she developed unusual cyclic episodes of nausea, vomiting, and poor oral intake, resulting in significant weight loss and recurrent hospitalizations. She had frequent hospitalizations due to her recurrent symptoms. Evaluations included esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) and colonoscopy, but pathology was nondiagnostic. Several abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) scans demonstrated bladder edema, pancolitis, and terminal ileitis with mucosal hyperenhancement of the bowel and moderate ascites, likely inflammatory. Her gastric emptying study showed hypermotility. Multiple teams, including Rheumatology, Allergy/Immunology, Gastroenterology, Hematology, and Surgery, were involved. C1 esterase antigen was normal, ruling out hereditary angioedema. PET‐CT scan did not show lymphadenopathy or significant inflammation. Full biopsy for definitive diagnosis was deferred due to concerns of decreased healing with an edematous intestine. She was trialed on Icatibant without benefit. Differentials included lupus peritonitis, protein‐losing enteropathy, and SS intestinal lymphoma. She was discharged on a trial of empiric high‐dose steroids with Rheumatology follow‐up. Symptoms recurred with steroid tapering. Her complement levels decreased with flares and increased with treatment. Rituximab was added, leading to steady clinical improvement and reduced hospitalizations. Bowel involvement has been predominantly described in lupus, often referred to as lupus enteritis or bowel vasculitis. To our knowledge, this represents the first reported case of Sjögren's syndrome. Bowel biopsies are not typically subjected to routine immunohistochemical staining. Consequently, standard testing may be limited in detecting autoimmune processes. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of SS‐related gastrointestinal manifestations and underscores the importance of considering autoimmune enteropathy, particularly in patients who respond to immunosuppressive therapy.

Acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) is a medical emergency affecting up to 25% of patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), with colectomy required in approximately 25–30% of cases during the initial admission. Intravenous corticosteroids remain the first-line therapy, though one-third of patients do not respond, necessitating rescue with infliximab or calcineurin inhibitors, which are both supported by randomized trials and guideline recommendations. Comparative studies and meta-analyses have shown similar efficacy between these agents, while sequential use is associated with higher adverse event rates and should be restricted to specialized centers. Recent data have refined infliximab use, with the PREDICT-UC trial showing no superiority of intensified dosing over standard regimens. Emerging therapies are under investigation: vedolizumab has been used as maintenance following calcineurin induction; ustekinumab has shown benefits in retrospective UC cohorts, particularly after cyclosporine; and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors represent the most recent addition. The randomized TACOS trial and the prospective TRIUMPH study demonstrated an improved short-term response with tofacitinib in steroid-refractory ASUC, and real-world reports suggest promising outcomes with upadacitinib. While infliximab and cyclosporine remain as standard rescue therapies, ongoing trials with novel agents are likely to broaden treatment options. This review summarizes the clinical features, initial management, and the role of advanced therapies in ASUC.

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease marked by cholestasis and progressive fibrosis. While ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) remains the first-line therapy, approximately 30–40% of patients have an inadequate biochemical response, increasing the risk of disease progression. Obeticholic acid (OCA), a potent farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, was the first second-line agent approved by the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and has demonstrated moderate biochemical efficacy but limited tolerability due to dose-dependent pruritus and safety concerns in cirrhosis. Fenofibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α) agonist, showed substantial alkaline phosphatase (ALP) reductions when added to UDCA, although its long-term benefit remains unconfirmed in large-scale trials and its use remains off-label in the United States, unlike FDA-approved agents. Seladelpar, a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta (PPAR-δ) agonist, and elafibranor, a dual PPAR-α/δ agonist, have both recently received FDA accelerated approval after demonstrating significant improvements in ALP, biochemical response rates, and pruritus relief in phase 3 trials. This review summarizes these second-line therapies’ mechanisms, efficacy, safety, and limitations emphasizing the need for individualized treatment decisions and ongoing research into long-term clinical outcomes.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and its progressive form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), are among the most prevalent causes of chronic liver disease worldwide, closely linked to the global rise in overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Until recently, treatment options were limited to lifestyle interventions, with no approved pharmacologic therapies. Resmetirom, a liver-directed, selective thyroid hormone receptor beta (THR-β) agonist, is a promising disease-modifying agent that targets hepatic lipid metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis. Clinical trials, including the pivotal phase 3 MAESTRO-NASH and MAESTRO-NAFLD-1 trials, have demonstrated significant improvements in liver fat reduction, lipid profiles, histological endpoints, and health-related quality of life, with a favorable safety profile. In March 2024, the FDA granted accelerated approval of resmetirom for adults with MASH and moderate-to-advanced fibrosis, marking a significant milestone in MASLD treatment. This review discusses the mechanistic rationale, preclinical data, and pivotal clinical trial outcomes supporting resmetirom’s role in MASLD/MASH management, while outlining ongoing research needs, including long-term safety, pediatric evaluation, and biomarker development for optimized patient selection.