Citations

Background/Objectives: Multi-cancer detection (MCD) tests have emerged as a promising tool to redefine the landscape of early cancer detection. Implementation of this novel technology will likely fall to primary care clinicians (PCC). The purpose of this study is to characterize and explore differences in PCCs perceptions and preferences towards MCD testing. Methods: Between March and May of 2023, this cross-sectional survey was administered to 281 PCCs, including physicians and advanced care providers practicing within an integrated healthcare system spanning five states. The survey collected data on self-reported characteristics, perceptions of MCD testing, and preferences for learning about MCD testing. Analysis was limited to those with no prior experience with MCD testing (N = 181, response rate 22.8%). Descriptive statistics summarized key variables and chi-square tests assessed differences in perceptions and preferences by key characteristics. Results: Most PCCs were interested in MCD testing (66.3%), but limited knowledge/awareness of MCD testing and confidence to manage patients with a positive test were observed, along with concerns around cost (76.7%) and misuse/poor implementation. The primary preferences for learning about MCD testing were online courses or classroom instruction (64.5%). Significant differences in perceptions and preferences for learning were observed by location, degree, and years in practice. Conclusions: PCCs in our study held positive views towards MCD testing, but gaps and variation in knowledge and confidence towards MCD testing and concerns around the cost and misuse/poor implementation were observed. While efforts to train and educate all PCCs on MCD testing is a critical first step, more research is needed to understand how best to support implementation tailored to individual and system-level needs and characteristics.

(1) Background: Cranial neuropathy is a commonly encountered condition with various underlying etiologies. While carotid artery dissection (CAD) is a well-recognized cause of ischemic stroke, CAD-related cranial neuropathy is rare and poorly characterized. We have conducted a comprehensive review of the published literature to better characterize its clinical course and outcomes. (2) Methods: We systematically reviewed the PubMed, CENTRAL, Ovid MEDLINE, and Embase literature for CAD-related cranial neuropathy. Data extracted included demographics, affected cranial nerves, symptoms, time course, diagnostic approach, and therapeutic interventions. (3) Results: From 635 screened studies, 97 met the inclusion criteria, yielding data on 108 patients with CAD- or dissecting pseudoaneurysm (dPSA)-related cranial neuropathy. The hypoglossal nerve (CN XII) was most commonly affected (76%), and the distal cervical internal carotid artery was the most frequently involved segment (89%). Most patients (90%) were treated with antithrombotic therapy which included either antiplatelets (47%) or anticoagulants (43%). Thirteen patients (12%) underwent endovascular intervention, nearly all with a diagnosed dPSA (mean size, 14.8 mm). Outcomes were favorable, with 94% experiencing symptom improvement. (4) Conclusions: Despite inherent limitations, our study demonstrates that CAD-related cranial neuropathy is typically a benign condition that has excellent outcomes with medical management. Endovascular treatment is rarely performed and is primarily reserved for cases involving diagnosed dPSA.

Background: Crohn’s disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is prevalent worldwide. It can affect any segment of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. When CD affects the anus, perianal fistulizing disease develops. The management of perianal CD is challenging and may require morbid surgery when there is no response to medical therapy. The emergence of novel biologic therapies, namely tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors, has proven to provide long-term relief and prevent disease-related complications. Perianal CD is, however, refractory or recurrent in up to 80% of patients. One of the reported options to manage perianal CD is hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), which aims at increasing tissue oxygen saturation in an attempt to promote repair and reverse local inflammation. Data on this approach is scant. Methods: A retrospective review was performed to identify patients with CD at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester who underwent HBOT for perianal disease between 2014 and 2023. Demographic and clinical data were reviewed, including the history of the disease, concomitant medical and surgical therapy and the need for fecal diversion. The HBOT regimen, including the number of sessions and clinical response, were reviewed. Results: Six patients aged from 19 to 60 years underwent HBOT for perianal CD. Two patients had a history of total proctocolectomy with ileal-anal pouch anastomosis (IPAA). All patients except one were on immunosuppressive medication including biologic agents. Four patients had fecal diversion with an ileostomy or colostomy. Patients received between 10 and 40 sessions of HBOT. Four patients reported symptomatic improvement. On physical examination and/or imaging assessment, improvement was noted in one patient. Progression of the perianal disease was noted in all other patients, with all except one requiring an operation in the following year. Conclusions: HBOT may provide symptomatic relief in some patients with refractory perianal CD, but data on its long-term efficacy remains limited.

Background: Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality globally, largely due to delayed diagnosis in its early stages. While conventional diagnostic tools like low-dose CT and tissue biopsy are routinely used, they suffer from limitations including invasiveness, radiation exposure, cost, and limited sensitivity for early-stage detection. Liquid biopsy, a minimally invasive alternative that captures circulating tumor-derived biomarkers such as ctDNA, cfRNA, and exosomes from body fluids, offers promising diagnostic potential—yet its sensitivity in early disease remains suboptimal. Recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and radiomics are poised to bridge this gap. Objective: This review aims to explore how AI, in combination with radiomics, enhances the diagnostic capabilities of liquid biopsy for early detection of lung cancer and facilitates personalized monitoring strategies. Content Overview: We begin by outlining the molecular heterogeneity of lung cancer, emphasizing the need for earlier, more accurate detection strategies. The discussion then transitions into liquid biopsy and its key analytes, followed by an in-depth overview of AI techniques—including machine learning (e.g., SVMs, Random Forest) and deep learning models (e.g., CNNs, RNNs, GANs)—that enable robust pattern recognition across multi-omics datasets. The role of radiomics, which quantitatively extracts spatial and morphological features from imaging modalities such as CT and PET, is explored in conjunction with AI to provide an integrative, multimodal approach. This convergence supports the broader vision of precision medicine by integrating omics data, imaging, and electronic health records. Discussion: The synergy between AI, liquid biopsy, and radiomics signifies a shift from traditional diagnostics toward dynamic, patient-specific decision-making. Radiomics contributes spatial information, while AI improves pattern detection and predictive modeling. Despite these advancements, challenges remain—including data standardization, limited annotated datasets, the interpretability of deep learning models, and ethical considerations. A push toward rigorous validation and multimodal AI frameworks is necessary to facilitate clinical adoption. Conclusion: The integration of AI with liquid biopsy and radiomics holds transformative potential for early lung cancer detection. This non-invasive, scalable, and individualized diagnostic paradigm could significantly reduce lung cancer mortality through timely and targeted interventions. As technology and regulatory pathways mature, collaborative research is crucial to standardize methodologies and translate this innovation into routine clinical practice.

Background Global efforts to raise delirium awareness have been made over the past years, such as the formation of the iDelirium group and the institution, in 2017, of the annual World Delirium Awareness Day (WDAD) in March. In 2023, our group and researchers from around the world conducted a global one-day point prevalence study of delirium on WDAD. These strategies appear to improve delirium recognition and management. Objective To assess participants’ perceived impact of participating in the WDAD 2023 one-day point prevalence study and to gather feedback on the survey process to inform future campaigns. Methods An online survey was administered to multiple national and clinical collaborators from 44 countries participating in the one-day global point delirium prevalence study on WDAD 2023. Using SurveyMonkey®, the survey was distributed via a snowball system, with participants’ consent implied through their involvement. The survey, developed iteratively to balance time and detail, consisted of six core questions, including closed and open formats. Data were collected from September 9th to October 9th, 2023, and qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed using Excel®. Quantitative data underwent statistical analysis using IBM® SPSS Statistics28. Results 49 out of 53 (93.45%) healthcare professionals responded to the survey: 71.43% reported increased awareness, and responses were almost equally divided between those who initiated projects (46.94%) and those who did not (53.06%). Most participants (93.88%) did not find the WDAD 2023 one-day point prevalence study in March burdensome, and all expressed interest in future participation. The WDAD 2023 one-day point prevalence study highlighted diverse projects, primarily focused on delirium awareness and education. The survey found suggestions for future improvements emphasizing more efficient, digital, and engaging research methods and a clear need for educational resources, particularly in ICU delirium. Conclusions Our survey finds that participation in WDAD 2023 one-day point prevalence study boosted delirium visibility, leading to ongoing awareness, interest in future studies, and practice changes that benefit patients and the healthcare system. Further evidence-based research is needed to assess the impact of these campaigns on delirium recognition and management.

ABSTRACT Following a routine screening colonoscopy, a 54-year-old man underwent colon resection for adenocarcinoma, which revealed neoplastic B-cells in the lymph nodes surrounding the colon suggestive of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Further evaluation identified a monoclonal B-cell population, and he was diagnosed with monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis without meeting CLL diagnostic criteria. The patient had no clinical signs of leukemia and did not need acute treatment but was placed under annual surveillance. This case highlights the incidental discovery of neoplastic B-cells, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive histopathological evaluation and clinical correlation to guide management and monitoring for potential progression to CLL.

Background: It is crucial to evaluate liver fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Digital pathology, an automated method for quantitative fibrosis measurement, provides valuable support to pathologists by providing refined continuous metrics and addressing inter-observer variability. Although non-invasive tests (NITs) have been validated as consistent with manual pathology, the relationship between digital pathology and NITs remains unexplored. Methods: This study included 99 biopsy-proven MASLD patients. Quantitative-fibrosis (Q-Fibrosis) used second-harmonic generation/two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy (SHG/TPEF) to quantify fibrosis parameters (q-FPs). Correlations between eight NITs and q-FPs were analyzed. Results: Using manual pathology as standard, Q-Fibrosis exhibited excellent diagnostic performance in fibrosis stages assessment with area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) ranging from 0.924 to 0.967. In addition, magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) achieved the highest diagnostic accuracy (AUC: 0.781–0.977) among the eight NITs. Furthermore, MRE-assessed liver stiffness measurement (MRE-LSM) showed the strongest correlation with q-FPs, particularly adjusted by string length, string width, and the number of short and thick strings within the portal region. Conclusions: Both MRE and digital pathology demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy. MRE-LSM was primarily determined by collagen extent, location and pattern, which provide a new perspective for understanding the relationship between the change in MRE and histological fibrosis reverse.

Abstract Background Physical activity is associated with lower colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, but its association with molecular subtypes defined by genetic and epigenetic alterations of the disease is unclear. Such information may enhance the understanding of the mechanisms related to the benefits of physical activity. Methods Pooled observational (cases: n = 5386; controls: n = 6798; studies n = 5) and genome-wide association data (cases: n = 8178; controls: n = 10 472; studies n = 5) were used. We used multivariable logistic regression models and Mendelian randomization to assess the association between physical activity and the risk of CRC subtypes defined by individual tumor markers (and marker combinations), namely microsatellite instability status, CpG island methylator phenotype status, and BRAF and KRAS mutations. We used case-only analysis to test for differences between molecular subtypes. We applied Bonferroni correction to account for multiple tests. Results In the pooled observational analysis, higher levels of physical activity were associated with lower CRC risk (Obs-per 1SD, odds ratio [OR] = 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.90 to 0.97), with an association that was stronger in males (Obs-per 1SD, OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.87 to 0.96) than in females (Obs-per 1SD, OR = 0.97, 95% CI = 0.91 to 1.03; Pinteraction = .04). Higher physical activity was associated with a lower risk of CRC across all molecular subtypes, especially in males. There was no difference in the associations by subtypes by pooled observational or Mendelian randomization analyses. The findings did not differ by study design, anatomical site, and early or late age onset of CRC. Conclusions Our findings suggest that physical activity is not differentially associated with the 4 major molecular subtypes involved in colorectal carcinogenesis, indicating that its benefits extend broadly across colorectal cancer pathogenesis.

Objective The primary lateral sclerosis ( PLS ) consensus diagnostic criteria and functional rating scale ( PLSFRS ) were recently established to facilitate and optimize future PLS clinical trials. We examined the trajectory of the PLSFRS and other functional outcome measures and biomarkers in the PLS Natural History Study ( PLS NHS ) to understand their performance in this prospective cohort. Methods The PLS NHS is a prospective, longitudinal, multicenter study of people living with PLS in different diagnostic categories: early (disease duration <2 years); probable (2–4 years); and definite PLS (4–15 years). PLSFRS scores and other functional outcome measures were collected at baseline, 3‐, 6‐, 9‐, and 12‐month follow‐up visits. Baseline characteristics were compared between the groups. The slopes of the PLSFRS and other functional outcome measures over 12 months were examined in the overall cohort and subgroups using linear mixed‐effect models. The associations between baseline characteristics and the rate of PLSFRS decline were analyzed with linear regression models. Results A total of 76 participants were included: early (n = 6); probable (n = 26); and definite (n = 44) PLS . Baseline PLSFRS total scores were highest in the early PLS group, followed by the probable and definite PLS groups. In the overall cohort, the PLSFRS total score declined by 0.33 points/month (95% confidence interval [0.27–0.39], adjusted p < 0.05). The rate of decline was steepest in the early PLS group, followed by the probable and definite PLS groups. Baseline neurofilament light chain level was associated with the rate of PLSFRS decline over 1 year ( p = 0.001). Interpretation In PLS, the rate of functional decline, as measured by the PLSFRS total score, is faster during the early phase of the disease. Neurofilament light might serve as a prognostic biomarker in PLS. ANN NEUROL 2026;99:418–428

Abstract Background Cerebrospinal fluid cell-free DNA (cfDNA) can detect and monitor leptomeningeal disease but has not been previously used to monitor parenchymal lesions. Methods Herein, we report our initial experience with CSF cfDNA monitoring for 2 patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) metastases to the thalamus, causing obstructive hydrocephalus. Results CSF samples were obtained during ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement, demonstrating high levels of cfDNA in both cases. Several genomic alterations detected in the cfDNA sequencing matched those in the tumor tissue biopsy. Follow-up CSF evaluations after subsequent therapy were used to help adjudicate pseudo-progression versus true progression. Conclusions Neither patient developed leptomeningeal disease, demonstrating CSF’s utility in evaluating solitary brain metastases in direct contact with a CSF compartment.