Citations

Abstract Background. Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death among women with breast cancer, and the 2026 ACC/AHA dyslipidemia guideline endorses coronary artery calcium (CAC) scoring to guide statin therapy before cardiotoxic treatment. Breast cancer patients routinely undergo staging 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT, whose low- dose CT visualizes the coronary arteries, thus enabling CAC quantification at no additional cost or radiation. Methods In this single-center retrospective study, consecutive women with newly diagnosed breast cancer undergoing staging 18 F-FDG PET/CT (2009–2021) had semi- automated Agatston CAC scoring performed on the low-dose CT and were stratified by CAC presence (CAC-P) versus absence (CAC-A). We assessed a composite of cardiac diagnostic testing (stress testing, coronary CT angiography, invasive angiography), clinical events, and reclassification of statin eligibility per ACC/AHA guideline thresholds in a prevention-eligible subgroup. Results Among 276 women (mean age 55.5 years; median follow-up 7.1 years), CAC was present in 68 (25%) but was clinically reported in only 5.4%. CAC-P was associated with more cardiac testing (34% vs 12%; age-adjusted hazard ratio 2.75, 95% CI 1.43–5.28) and, though underpowered, with more atherosclerotic events (7.4% vs 1.4%), but not with the all-cause composite. In the prevention-eligible subgroup (n=39), CAC scoring would have changed statin eligibility in 64%, initiating therapy in 62% of CAC-P women and supporting de-prescribing in 67% of CAC-A women. Conclusions CAC can be feasibly quantified from staging PET/CT in women with breast cancer and would frequently reclassify statin eligibility at no additional cost or radiation, yet is rarely reported.

ABSTRACT The prognostic relevance of multiple myeloma (MM)‐defined high‐risk (HR) cytogenetic abnormalities in AL amyloidosis is incompletely defined. We retrospectively evaluated 517 newly diagnosed AL amyloidosis patients seen at Mayo Clinic between 2012 and 2021 who had baseline plasma cell FISH. HR cytogenetics were defined as t (4;14), t (14;16), t (14;20), del(17p), or 1q gain/amplification (+1q). HR abnormalities were identified in 151 patients (29%); +1q accounted for most HR cases (122/151, 81%). Compared with standard‐risk (SR), patients harboring +1q demonstrated a greater clonal disease burden, including higher dFLC and bone marrow plasma cells, greater intact immunoglobulin secretion, higher plasma cell proliferative index, and enrichment for modified SLiM‐CRAB features. Hematologic and organ response patterns of +1q patients were generally comparable to SR patients, whereas non‐1q HR patients had a higher proportion of early hematologic responses. Patients harboring +1q demonstrated significantly inferior overall survival (OS) compared with both non‐1q HR patients and SR patients (median OS 57 months vs. not reached vs. 120 months, p = 0.02). In multivariable piecewise Cox analysis, the adverse prognostic impact of +1q was most evident beyond 24 months from diagnosis (HR 2.89, 95% CI 1.64–5.09, p < 0.001), whereas non‐1q HR lesions were not independently prognostic. These findings suggest that +1q identifies a biologically distinct AL amyloidosis subset characterized by plasma cell–dominant features and inferior long‐term disease control. In contrast, other MM‐defined HR cytogenetic abnormalities appear to have limited prognostic relevance in AL amyloidosis.

Abstract Objective Surgery is an effective, yet underutilized treatment for children with drug‐resistant epilepsy. Although predictors of surgical outcomes are well described, the decision to recommend surgery varies by institution. We aim to evaluate the rates of not recommending surgery, identify associated patient characteristics, and quantify variability across centers. Methods We queried the Pediatric Epilepsy Research Consortium Surgery database, a prospective multicenter cohort of children (0–18 years) undergoing initial evaluation for epilepsy surgery. Patients with documented surgical decisions were included. Demographic, clinical, and presurgical evaluation variables were compared by surgical recommendation status. Logistic regression identified factors associated with not recommending surgery. Mixed‐effects models quantified between‐center variability. Results Among 2480 patients across 29 centers, 532 (21%) were not recommended epilepsy surgery (median center rate 17%, interquartile range [IQR] 10%–28%). After accounting for patient characteristics associated with surgical candidacy, substantial variation in decision‐making remained across centers, with a median twofold difference in the odds of not recommending surgery between otherwise similar patients evaluated at different institutions (Median Odds Ratio = 2.25; Intraclass Correlation Coefficient = .18). The clinical characteristics most strongly associated with not recommending surgery included monthly or less frequent seizures (odds ratio [OR] 2.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.75–2.69), non‐structural etiology (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.56–2.61), and taking ≤2 anti‐seizure medications (ASMs) (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.34–2.08, all p 's < .01). These characteristics showed minimal clustering across centers (ICCs < .05). Significance One in five children evaluated for epilepsy surgery are not recommended to pursue surgical treatment. Although clinical factors influence decision‐making, they do not explain the substantial variation in recommendations across pediatric epilepsy centers. Similar children evaluated at different institutions had significant differences in the odds of not being recommended surgery, suggesting that institutional decision‐making contributes importantly to surgical candidacy.

Introduction Antibody–drug conjugates (ADCs) are now widely used in breast cancer across multiple disease subtypes. With increasing clinical use, treatment-related toxicities have become an important factor in therapeutic decision-making. However, comparative safety data among ADCs are limited because direct head-to-head trials are lacking. Methods We conducted a systematic review and Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials evaluating ADCs in breast cancer, with the literature search updated through March 31, 2025. Treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) were classified according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. A Bayesian random-effects network meta-analysis was used to compare toxicity risks across regimens. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% credible intervals (CrIs) were estimated, and surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) values were used as descriptive ranking summaries interpreted alongside the corresponding comparative estimates. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024606194). Results Seventeen randomized trials including 8,946 patients and five ADCs—trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), sacituzumab govitecan (SG), trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd), and ARX788—were analyzed. SG and T-DXd showed the least favorable hematologic safety profiles, with SUCRA values for anemia/neutropenia of 22.6%/17.4% and 12.0%/27.0%, respectively. T-DM1-based regimens had the highest risk of thrombocytopenia. For gastrointestinal toxicities, SG ranked worst for diarrhea (SUCRA 6.0%), whereas T-DXd was associated with higher risks of nausea (2.2%), vomiting (7.9%), and decreased appetite (8.6%). In analyses of SAEs, SG had the highest rates of anemia (11.7%) and neutropenia (8.5%), while gastrointestinal SAEs occurred more frequently with T-DXd. Conclusions This network meta-analysis highlights clinically meaningful differences in ADC safety profiles and may help guide individualized toxicity management in breast cancer.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that originates from the mesothelial surfaces of certain sites within the body. Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type and represents approximately 85% of mesotheliomas. The NCCN Guidelines for Mesothelioma: Pleural provide recommendations for evaluation and treatment in patients with pleural mesothelioma. The NCCN Guidelines will continue to be updated annually based on available clinical evidence and panel consensus.

The effect of induced hypertension (iHTN) on functional outcomes in noncardioembolic acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with early neurological deterioration remains unclear. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the safety and efficacy of iHTN vs medical management. A literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Ovid Embase, and Scopus from inception through November 6th, 2025. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261282211). Studies evaluating iHTN within 72 h of AIS onset and reporting 90-day functional independence (modified Rankin Scale [mRS] 0-2) were included. Safety outcome was hemorrhagic transformation. Pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using random-effects model based on Restricted Maximum-Likelihood (REML) methods. Three studies were included, comprising 366 patients (iHTN, n = 180; control, n = 186). Mean age was 65.8 ± 11.8 years, 60.9% were men, and the mean initial NIHSS was 5.4 ± 3.5. Target systolic blood pressure (SBP) was a 15-25% increase from baseline SBP using phenylephrine. Functional independence at 90-days occurred more often in the iHTN group than in controls (68.8% vs 50.5%; RR = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.09-1.73; P = 0.007). Hemorrhagic transformation was uncommon and did not differ significantly between groups (3.3% vs 0.5%; RR = 2.08; 95% CI, 0.05-88.07; P = 0.70). In our study, phenylephrine-induced hypertension was associated with greater 90-day functional independence in selected AIS subtypes,without a significant increase in hemorrhagic transformation. However, the limited studies, predominance of retrospective designs, exclusively Asian cohorts, and heterogeneity in treatment protocols and populations warrant cautious interpretation and underscore the need for larger multicenter RCTs.

Background Glioblastoma (GBM) remains the most aggressive primary adult brain cancer attributed to its immunosuppressive nature. Radiation therapy (RT) and concurrent temozolomide chemotherapy are the standard treatments for GBM. Emerging evidence indicates that metformin has potential as an anti-tumor agent that can reshape the immune landscape across various malignancies. We thus postulate that metformin may enhance the anti-tumor effect of RT by modulating the immunosuppressive milieu in GBM. Methods We first explore multiple in vitro conditions, with or without pre-induction, and mimicked a tumor microenvironment to demonstrate a highly context-dependent effect of metformin on the polarization of bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). We then investigated the antitumor activity and immune-modulatory effects of metformin in combination with RT in GBM-bearing mice. Results The in vitro experiment showed that metformin inhibited the immunosuppressive effects of IL-4/IL-13 but also the immunostimulatory effects of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on BMDMs, demonstrating bidirectional immunomodulatory properties that depend on the baseline inflammatory stimulus. In tumor cell co-culture environment, metformin exhibited context-dependent immunoregulatory effects, predominantly promoting M1-associated activation. Notably, concurrent metformin treatment counteracted M2 polarization typically induced by the tumor microenvironment. In a high m-MCSF inducted M2-dominated condition, metformin preferentially shifted the highly polarized M2 phenotype toward an M1-like state in a time and dose-dependent manner but with limited promotion of M1 subtype maturation. RNAseq results on BMDM treated with metformin showed increased homeostasis. Metformin showed dose-dependent immunomodulatory effects when combined with RT in vitro . In syngeneic GBM mouse models, concurrent metformin + RT significantly prolonged survival and reduced tumor burden by reprogramming tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), elevating intratumoral CD8+ T-cell infiltration and the CD8+/Treg ratio, increasing circulating CD8+ T cells, reversing RT-induced expansion of monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (mMDSCs), and expanding CD4+ and CD8+ effector memory populations in peripheral blood. Conclusion Metformin demonstrates inhibitory effects on M2 phenotype of macrophages. However, it is not a simple M2 inhibitor; instead, it functions primarily as a neutralizer of highly polarized macrophage states by promoting transcriptomic homeostasis. This context-dependent activity enables metformin to relieve the profoundly immunosuppressive TME of GBM to potentiate the anti-tumor effects of RT and by enhancing systemic immune memory.

ABSTRACT Background Chimeric antigen receptor T‐cell (CAR‐T) therapy has revolutionised the treatment of hematologic malignancies, and its use is expanding rapidly into numerous other disease states including autoimmune diseases. However, CAR‐T therapy is associated with a spectrum of immune‐related toxicities. In addition to the already well characterized cytokine release syndrome and immune effector cell‐associated neurotoxicity syndrome, it has become apparent that rarely, CAR‐T can cause gastrointestinal mucosal inflammation, termed immune effector cell‐mediated enterocolitis (IEC‐EC). Aims This state‐of‐the‐art review highlights the CAR‐T mechanism and details the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, endoscopic and histopathologic features, and management of IEC‐EC. Methods This review presents the current state of knowledge through a comperhensive and detailed synthesis of all case series reported in the literature to date. Results Occurring in up to approximately 6% of patients typically following B cell maturation antigen‐targeted CAR‐T therapy, IEC‐EC presents with severe diarrhoea and malabsorption, responds poorly to treatment, and portends a dire prognosis. Multi‐disciplinary management should centre on early diagnosis, supportive cares, assessment and treatment of infections, and step‐up pharmacotherapy, often featuring biologics and small molecules drawn from the inflammatory bowel disease pharmacologic armamentarium. Conclusions Clinicians should maintain a high degree of vigilance for IEC‐EC in patients presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms following CAR‐T treatment. Early recognition and multi‐disciplinary treatment may improve patient outcomes.

Abstract Large language models (LLMs) and vision‐language models represent a fundamentally different category of artificial intelligence (AI) compared to prior image analysis approaches in digital pathology, which have largely been based on convolutional neural network architectures. This review from the American Society of Cytopathology Clinical Practice Committee examines the current evidence for LLM and vision‐language model applications in cytopathology, including structured reporting, diagnostic assistance, quality control, education, and workflow integration. The distinction between applications with preliminary evidence and those that remain hypothetical is described. A detailed assessment of the challenges that must be addressed before clinical deployment, including hallucination risk, limited explainability, bias, data privacy, validation gaps, and infrastructure barriers is discussed. A review of the regulatory landscape in the United States and European Union as it applies to AI‐enabled software as a medical device is provided. Recommendations addressing cytopathology‐specific benchmarks, multi‐institutional validation, transparent governance, and incremental deployment beginning with low‐risk applications are suggested. In the current environment, LLMs have the potential to augment cytopathology practice, but responsible adoption requires rigorous validation and sustained collaboration among cytopathologists, AI researchers, and regulatory bodies.

Purpose: Depression is prevalent yet frequently underdiagnosed. Although speech-based detection methods show promise, most prior studies have emphasized binary classification in nontonal languages. This study examined whether acoustic features of spontaneous Mandarin speech reflect depression as a categorical condition or a continuous, dimensional construct. Method: A validated emotional Mandarin speech corpus paired with self-reported depression severity scores was analyzed. Acoustic features were extracted using the extended Geneva Minimalistic Acoustic Parameter Set. A multistage analytic framework was applied, including random forest classification to distinguish depressed from nondepressed clips, linear mixed-effects modeling to examine group and severity effects, and unsupervised clustering to examine latent structure in the acoustic feature space. Results: The random forest classifier achieved an accuracy of 72.3% and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.826 on the held-out test set. Model performance favored sensitivity over precision in identifying depressed clips. SHapley Additive exPlanations analysis identified features across multiple acoustic domains, including spectral, pitch-related, voice quality, cepstral, and intensity measures, as important contributors to model predictions. Among the Top 10 features, no acoustic features showed statistically significant group differences. In contrast, median and mean fundamental frequencies were significantly positively associated with depression severity. Clustering analysis revealed overlapping group structures and a continuous distribution of severity scores across clusters. Conclusions: These findings provide preliminary support for a dimensional conceptualization of depression in spontaneous Mandarin speech. While classification models can distinguish depressed from nondepressed speech with moderate accuracy, acoustic features appear to vary more consistently with symptom severity than with diagnostic group. Speech-based measures may therefore have potential for continuous monitoring of depression, although this possibility requires further longitudinal verification.