Citations

Background COVID‐19 is an infectious illness, featured by an increased risk of thromboembolism. However, no standard antithrombotic therapy is currently recommended for patients hospitalized with COVID‐19. The aim of this study was to evaluate safety and efficacy of additional therapy with aspirin over prophylactic anticoagulation (PAC) in patients hospitalized with COVID‐19 and its impact on survival. Methods and Results A total of 8168 patients hospitalized for COVID‐19 were enrolled in a multicenter‐international prospective registry (HOPE COVID‐19). Clinical data and in‐hospital complications, including mortality, were recorded. Study population included patients treated with PAC or with PAC and aspirin. A comparison of clinical outcomes between patients treated with PAC versus PAC and aspirin was performed using an adjusted analysis with propensity score matching. Of 7824 patients with complete data, 360 (4.6%) received PAC and aspirin and 2949 (37.6%) PAC. Propensity‐score matching yielded 298 patients from each group. In the propensity score‐matched population, cumulative incidence of in‐hospital mortality was lower in patients treated with PAC and aspirin versus PAC (15% versus 21%, Log Rank P =0.01). At multivariable analysis in propensity matched population of patients with COVID‐19, including age, sex, hypertension, diabetes, kidney failure, and invasive ventilation, aspirin treatment was associated with lower risk of in‐hospital mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.62; [95% CI 0.42–0.92], P =0.018). Conclusions Combination PAC and aspirin was associated with lower mortality risk among patients hospitalized with COVID‐19 in a propensity score matched population compared to PAC alone.

Abstract Background: Disease relapse is common with peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCL) or cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL). Adoptive immunotherapy with CD19 directed CAR-T cells is a standard option for B cell lymphoid malignancies in the relapsed setting. This study assesses the safety and preliminary efficacy of CD4 targeting autologous CAR-T, LB1901, in patients (pts) with CD4+ relapsed or refractory (R/R) TCL. A pre-clinical study showed LB1901 exhibited potent anti-tumor activity without off-target effects (Zeng 2021). Methods: This is a phase 1, open-label, multicenter, multicohort study of LB1901 (NCT04712864; currently enrolling). Eligible pts are ≥18 years with histologically confirmed CD4+ PTCL-NOS (not otherwise specified); or CD4+ AITL (angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma); or CD4+ CTCL (either MF [mycosis fungoides] or SS [Sézary syndrome]). In Part A (dose escalation), pts with SS must have ≤2,000 circulating Sézary cells/µL to ensure safety of pts with higher disease burden. In Part B, pts with >2,000 Sézary cells/µL is allowed. CD4 expressed on tumor cells must be confirmed within 3 months prior to apheresis. Other inclusion criteria include: R/R disease with ≥2 prior lines of systemic antineoplastic therapy; for pts with PTCL-NOS or AITL, ≥1 measurable lesion according to IWG Response Criteria (Cheson 2014) and for pts with CTCL, ≥stage IIB on TNMB-ISLC/EORTC staging system; identified HSCT donor available prior to enrollment (in the event of severe recurrent infections and prolonged lymphopenia for which pt may need an allogeneic HSCT as a safety rescue); and ECOG status of 0 or 1. Response will be evaluated based on IWG response criteria for PTCL and Global Composite Response for CTCL (Olsen 2007). The study will be conducted in 2 parts (Part A: dose escalation and Part B: dose expansion). Three dose levels (0.3 X 106, 1.0 X 106, and 3.0 X 106 CAR+ viable T cells/kg) will be evaluated (N=3-6 for each dose level) with an optional dose level minus 1 (0.1 X 106 CAR+ viable T cells/kg). Part B will include 2 cohorts, PTCL and CTCL (N=12-20 for each), after the recommended dose for expansion (RDE) has been identified in Part A. Enrolled pts will undergo apheresis for PBMC collection. LB1901 will be manufactured from autologous CD8+ T cells. Pts may receive optional bridging therapy and receive lymphodepleting chemotherapy with fludarabine 30mg/m2/day and cyclophosphamide 300mg/m2/day (Flu-Cy), for 3 days followed by LB1901. Primary endpoints are incidence, duration, and severity of AEs and laboratory abnormalities (Parts A and B) and DLT at each dose level (Part A). Secondary endpoints include overall response rate; duration of response; CAR-positive T cell counts and CAR transgene level in blood; and presence of anti-CAR antibody response. Exploratory endpoints include preliminary efficacy, pharmacokinetics, and CD4+ T cell counts. Citation Format: Swaminathan P. lyer, David G. Maloney, Nora Bennani, Auris Huen, Muhammad Akram, Soo Kim, Chuan Wang, Zhiyin Liang, Henry Castro, Lida Pacaud, Mehdi Hamadani. LB1901: A phase 1, open-label, multicenter, multicohort study of CD4-targeted chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CD4-CAR-T) in relapsed or refractory T-cell lymphoma (TCL) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr CT215.

e19049 Background: Prognosis of COVID-19 is poor in the setting of immunosuppression. Casirivimab/imdevimab (REGEN-COV), bamlanivimab, and sotrovimab are investigational monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) authorized for treatment of mild/moderate COVID-19 for patients (pts) 12 years or older and who are at high-risk for progression to severe COVID-19. These neutralizing antibodies, against SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins, have been shown to decrease risk of progression to severe disease. Recipients of allogeneic stem cell transplants (allo-SCT) or chimeric antigen T cell therapy (CAR T cell) represent a high risk population. However, treatment outcomes with these MoAbs in these pts are not well described. Methods: This retrospective study included 33 consecutive adult pts who developed mild/moderate COVID-19 and received anti-spike SARS-CoV-2 MoAbs between December 2020 and November 2021. Allo-SCT (N=27) or CAR T cell (N=6) recipients were included, and outcomes were analyzed separately. Pts received REGEN-COV (N=19), bamlanivimab (N=11), or sotrovimab (N=1), missing (N=2). Results: In the allo-SCT cohort (N=27), median age at time of COVID-19 was 55 (23-76) years. Median time from allo-SCT to COVID-19 was 31 (22-64) months. Two pts received CAR T-cell therapy prior to allo-SCT. Diagnoses included leukemia or myeloid diseases (82%), lymphoma (11%), or myeloma (7%). Transplant characteristics are summarized (Table). Thirteen pts were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 prior to breakthrough COVID-19. Events considered included hospitalization due to COVID-19, disease progression, or death from any cause. The 6-month event-free and overall survivals were 81% and 91%, respectively. In the CAR T cell recipients cohort (N=6), 4 pts received axicabtagene ciloleucel for diffuse large B-cell or follicular lymphoma and 2 received brexucabtagene autoleucel for mantle cell lymphoma. The median follow-up was 8 (1-11) months. Two pts received autologous SCT prior to COVID-19. Median time from CAR T cell therapy to COVID-19 was 10 (3-24) months. Three pts were vaccinated prior to COVID-19. Only 1 pt was hospitalized due to severe COVID-19 requiring mechanical ventilation leading to death. Conclusions: These results show a potential benefit of MoAbs in high-risk pts, namely allo-SCT or CAR T cell recipients. Future studies should evaluate the role of prophylactic use MoAbs in these populations. A comparative analysis with a matched control cohort (who did not receive MoAbs) will be provided at the meeting. [Table: see text]

Background: Lung ultrasound detects pulmonary congestion as B-lines at rest, and more frequently, during exercise stress echocardiography (ESE). Methods: We performed ESE plus lung ultrasound (4-site simplified scan) in 4392 subjects referred for semi-supine bike ESE in 24 certified centers in 9 countries. B-line score ranged from 0 (normal) to 40 (severely abnormal). Five different populations were evaluated: control subjects (n=103); chronic coronary syndromes (n=3701); heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (n=395); heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (n=70); ischemic mitral regurgitation ≥ moderate at rest (n=123). In a subset of 2478 patients, follow-up information was available. Results: During ESE, B-lines increased in all study groups except controls. Age, hypertension, abnormal ejection fraction, peak wall motion score index, and abnormal heart rate reserve were associated with B-lines in multivariable regression analysis. Stress B lines (hazard ratio, 2.179 [95% CI, 1.015–4.680]; P =0.046) and ejection fraction <50% (hazard ratio, 2.942 [95% CI, 1.268–6.822]; P =0.012) were independent predictors of all-cause death (n=29 after a median follow-up of 29 months). Conclusions: B-lines identify the pulmonary congestion phenotype at rest, and more frequently, during ESE in ischemic and heart failure patients. Stress B-lines may help to refine risk stratification in these patients. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT 03049995.

Abstract BackgroundAlternative splicing (AS) is a fundamental process in eukaryotes contributing to the diversity of mRNA isoforms with variable ratios of intron/exon. SF3B1 is a pivotal protein of the spliceosome machinery. Mutations in the SF3B1 gene have prognostic value in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL). Our previous studies have shown that SF3B1 inhibition with macrolides induces apoptosis specifically in CLL compared with normal cells. SF3B1 inhibition is associated with a widespread increase in intron retention (IR) on most transcripts, suggesting that IR can be used as a marker of spliceosome inhibition in CLL cells. However, it is unknown how the activity of SF3B1 contributes to the spliceosome activity and the poor clinical prognosis in CLL.MethodsTo better understand this process, we performed a comprehensive analysis to quantify the abundance of individual exonic and intronic mapped reads on annotated RNA-Seq transcripts derived from the B cells of 98 CLL patients and nine healthy volunteers (Normal B cells – NBC). We calculated ratios for intron and exon abundance for each transcript and use this as a measure of intron retention (IR) and a surrogate for alternative splicing (AS).ResultsWe found that 66% of CLL B-cells transcripts had significant IR elevation compared to NBC and that transcripts with high IR were associated with low expression levels and mRNA downregulation. The IR increase in CLL B-cells was independent of prognostic factors such as IgVH or SF3B1 mutations. Transcripts with the highest IR levels belonged to biological pathways associated with gene expression and RNA splicing. Also, we observed a >2-fold increase of active pSF3B1 in CLL B-cells compared to NBC. Additionally, when the CLL-B cells were treated with macrolides (pladienolide-B), a significant decrease in pSF3B1, but not total SF3B1 protein was observed. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that IR/ARS is increased in CLL and that this process is associated with SF3B1 phosphorylation and susceptibility to SF3B1 inhibitors. These data provide additional support to the relevance of AS in carcinogenesis and evidence of pSF3B1 participation in this process.

Abstract Context Thyroid nodule risk stratification allows clinicians to standardize the evaluation of thyroid cancer risk according to ultrasound features. Objective To evaluate interrater agreement among clinicians assessing thyroid nodules ultrasound features and thyroid cancer risk categories. Design, setting, and participants We surveyed Endocrine Society and Latin American Thyroid Society members to assess their interpretation of composition, echogenicity, shape, margins, and presence of echogenic foci of 10 thyroid nodule cases. The risk category for thyroid cancer was calculated following the American College of Radiology-Thyroid Imaging Reporting & Data System (ACR-TIRADS) framework from individual responses. Main Outcomes and Measures We used descriptive statistics and Gwet’s agreement coefficient (AC1) to assess the primary outcome of interrater agreement for ACR-TIRADS risk category. As secondary outcomes, the interrater agreement for individual features and a subgroup analysis of interrater agreement for the ACR-TIRADS category were performed (ultrasound reporting system, type of practice, and number of monthly appraisals). Results A total of 144 participants were included, mostly endocrinologists. There was moderate level of agreement for the absence of echogenic foci (AC1 0.53, 95% CI 0.24-0.81) and composition (AC1 0.54, 95% CI 0.36-0.71). The agreement for margins (AC1 0.24, 95% CI 0.15-0.33), echogenicity (AC1 0.34, 95% CI 0.22-0.46), and shape assessment (AC1 0.42, 95% CI 0.13-0.70) was lower. The overall agreement for ACR-TIRADS assessment was AC1 0.29, (95% CI 0.13-0.45). The AC1 of ACR-TIRADS among subgroups was similar. Conclusions This study found high variation of judgments about ACR-TIRADS risk category and individual features, which poses a potential challenge for the widescale implementation of thyroid nodule risk stratification.

AbstractBackgroundHeterozygote carriers of potentially pathogenic variants in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene have increased asthma risk. However, the frequency and impact of CFTR variation among individuals with asthma is unknown.ObjectiveTo determine whether potentially pathogenic CFTR variants associate with disease severity and whether individuals with two potentially pathogenic variants exist in a severe asthma‐enriched cohort.MethodsWe analyzed sequencing data spanning a 190.5Kb region of CFTR in participants from the Severe Asthma Research Program (SARP1‐3). Potentially pathogenic, rare CFTR variants (frequency < 0.05) were classified as CF‐causing or of varying clinical consequences (VVCC) (CFTR2. org). Regression‐based models tested for association between CFTR genotypes (0‐2 potentially pathogenic variants) and severity outcomes.ResultsOf 1401 participants, 9.5% (134) had one potentially pathogenic variant, occurring more frequently in non‐Hispanic white (NHW, 10.1% [84 of 831]) compared to African American individuals (AA, 5.2% [22 of 426]). We found ≥2 potentially pathogenic CFTR variants in 1.4% (19); 0.5% (4) of NHW and 2.8% (12) of AA. Potentially pathogenic CFTR variant genotypes (≥1 or ≥2 variants) were not cumulatively associated with lung function or exacerbations. In NHW, we found three F508del compound heterozygotes with F508del and a VVCC (two 5 T; TG12[c.1210‐11 T > G] and one Arg1070Trp) and a homozygote for the VVCC, 5 T; TG12.ConclusionsWe found potentially pathogenic CFTR variants within a severe asthma‐enriched cohort, including three compound heterozygote genotypes variably associated with CF in NHW individuals. These findings provide the rationale for CFTR sequencing and phenotyping of CF‐related traits in individuals with severe asthma.