Citations

Abstract Background In 1999, 1 year after the approval of the first oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED), the first Princeton Consensus Conference was held to address the clinical management of men with ED who also had cardiovascular disease. These issues were readdressed in the second and third conferences. In the 13 years since the last Princeton Consensus Conference, the experience with PDE5 inhibitors is more robust, and recent new data have emerged regarding not only safety and drug–drug interactions, but also a potential cardioprotective effect of these drugs. Aim In March 2023, an interdisciplinary group of scientists and practitioners met for the fourth Princeton Consensus Guidelines at the Huntington Medical Research Institutes in Pasadena, California, to readdress the cardiovascular workup of men presenting with ED as well as the approach to treatment of ED in men with known cardiovascular disease. Method A series of lectures from experts in the field followed by Delphi-type discussions were developed to reach consensus. Outcomes Consensus was reached regarding a number of issues related to erectile dysfunction and the interaction with cardiovascular health and phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors. Results An algorithm based on recent recommendations of the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, including the use of computed tomography coronary artery calcium scoring, was integrated into the evaluation of men presenting with ED. Additionally, the issue of nitrate use was further considered in an algorithm regarding the treatment of ED patients with coronary artery disease. Other topics included the psychological effect of ED and the benefits of treating it; the mechanism of action of the PDE5 inhibitors; drug–drug interactions; optimizing use of a PDE5 inhibitors; rare adverse events; potential cardiovascular benefits observed in recent retrospective studies; adulteration of dietary supplements with PDE5 inhibitors; the pros and cons of over-the-counter PDE5 inhibitors; non–PDE5 inhibitor therapy for ED including restorative therapies such as stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, and shock therapy; other non–PDE5 inhibitor therapies, including injection therapy and penile prostheses; the issue of safety and effectiveness of PDE5 inhibitors in women; and recommendations for future studies in the field of sexual dysfunction and PDE5 inhibitor use were discussed. Clinical Implications Algorithms and tables were developed to help guide the clinician in dealing with the interaction of ED and cardiovascular risk and disease. Strengths and Limitations Strengths include the expertise of the participants and consensus recommendations. Limitations included that participants were from the United States only for this particular meeting. Conclusion The issue of the intersection between cardiovascular health and sexual health remains an important topic with new studies suggesting the cardiovascular safety of PDE5 inhibitors.

Abstract Background Heterochronic parabiosis has identified growth differentiation factor (GDF)-11 as a potential means of cardiac rejuvenation, but findings have been inconsistent. A major barrier has been lack of assay specificity for GDF-11 and its homolog GDF-8. Methods We tested the hypothesis that GDF-11 and GDF-8, and their major antagonists follistatin and follistatin-like (FSTL)-3, are associated with incident heart failure (HF) and its subtypes in elders. Based on validation experiments, we used liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry to measure total serum GDF-11 and GDF-8, along with follistatin and FSTL-3 by immunoassay, in 2 longitudinal cohorts of older adults. Results In 2 599 participants (age 75.2 ± 4.3) followed for 10.8 ± 5.6 years, 721 HF events occurred. After adjustment, neither GDF-11 (HR per doubling: 0.93 [0.67, 1.30]) nor GDF-8 (HR: 1.02 per doubling [0.83, 1.27]) was associated with incident HF or its subtypes. Positive associations with HF were detected for follistatin (HR: 1.15 [1.00, 1.32]) and FLST-3 (HR: 1.38 [1.03, 1.85]), and with HF with preserved ejection fraction for FSTL-3 (HR: 1.77 [1.03, 3.02]). (All HRs per doubling of biomarker.) FSTL-3 associations with HF appeared stronger at higher follistatin levels and vice versa, and also for men, Blacks, and lower kidney function. Conclusions Among older adults, serum follistatin and FSTL-3, but not GDF-11 or GDF-8, were associated with incident HF. These findings do not support the concept that low serum levels of total GDF-11 or GDF-8 contribute to HF late in life, but do implicate transforming growth factor-β superfamily pathways as potential therapeutic targets.

TPS623 Background: Approximately 50% of newly diagnosed invasive breast cancers are stage 1, with the majority being ER/PR-positive, HER2-negative. Genomic assays such as the Oncotype DX have identified patients (pts) with reduced risk of distant metastasis and without benefit from chemotherapy added to endocrine therapy, freeing them from excess toxicity. Genomic assays are also recognized as prognostic for in-breast recurrence (IBR) after BCS and could similarly allow de-escalation of adjuvant radiotherapy (RT). Reducing overtreatment is of interest to pts, providers, and payers. Methods: We hypothesize that BCS alone is non-inferior to BCS plus RT for in-breast recurrence and breast preservation in women intending endocrine therapy (ET) for stage 1 invasive breast cancer (ER &/or PR positive, HER2-negative with an Oncotype DX Recurrence Score [RS] of ≤18). Stratification is by age (<60; ≥60), tumor size (≤1 cm; >1-2cm), and RS (<11, 11-18). Pts are randomized post-BCS to Arm 1 with breast RT using standard methods (hypo- or conventional-fractionated whole breast RT with/without boost, or APBI) with ≥5 yrs of ET (tamoxifen or AI) or Arm 2 with ≥5 yrs of ET (tamoxifen or AI) alone. The specific regimen of ET in both arms is at the treating physician’s discretion. Eligible pts are stage 1: pT1 (≤2 cm), pN0, age ≥50 to <70 yrs, s/p BCS with negative margins (no ink on tumor), s/p axillary nodal staging (SNB or ALND), ER &/or PR positive (ASCO/CAP), HER2-negative (ASCO/CAP), and Oncotype DX RS of ≤18 (diagnostic core biopsy or resected specimen). Primary endpoint is in-breast recurrence (invasive breast cancer or DCIS). Secondary endpoints are breast conservation rate, invasive in-breast recurrence, relapse-free interval, distant disease-free survival, overall survival, patient-reported breast pain, patient-reported worry about recurrence, and adherence to ET. We assume a clinically acceptable difference in IBR of 4% at 10 yrs to judge omission of RT as non-inferior (10-yr event-free survival for RT group is 95.6% vs 91.6% for the omission of RT group). BR007 is powered to detect non-inferiority with 80% power and a one-sided α=0.025, assuming that there would be a ramp-up in accrual in the first two years (leveling off in Yrs 3-5); 1,670 pts (835 per arm) are required for randomization. Conservative loss to follow-up is 1% per yr. Some of the T1a pts screened may have Oncotype DX scores >18, making them ineligible for the study. In the accrual process, 1,714 pts will be required to register to ensure that our final randomized cohort is 1,670 pts. Current accrual (02-08-2023) is 370 screened and 323 randomized (~87% of predicted accrual). Clinical trial information: NCT04852887 .

Abstract BACKGROUND: Approximately 50% of newly diagnosed breast cancers are stage 1, with the majority being ER/PR-positive, HER2-negative. Genomic assays such as Oncotype DX® have identified pts with reduced distant metastasis and without benefit from chemotherapy, freeing patients from excess toxicity. Also, these genomic assays are prognostic of local-regional recurrence (LRR). The de-escalation of therapy is of interest to pts, providers, and payers. Low risk, as identified by Oncotype and Mammaprint®, is associated with low LRR after BCS and breast radiotherapy (RT). METHODS: We hypothesize that BCS alone is non-inferior to BCS plus RT for ipsilateral breast recurrence (IBR) and breast preservation in women intending appropriate endocrine therapy (ET) for stage 1 (ER and/or PR positive, HER2-negative, with an Oncotype DX Recurrence Score [RS] of ≤18) breast cancer. Stratification is by age (&lt; 60; ≥60), tumor size (≤1 cm; &gt;1-2cm), and RS (&lt; 11; 11-18). Pts are randomized post-BCS to Arm 1 with breast RT using standard methods (hypo- or conventional-fractionated whole breast RT with or without boost, APBI) plus 5 years of ET (tamoxifen or AI) or Arm 2 with 5 years of ET (tamoxifen or AI) alone. The specific regimen of ET in both arms is at the treating physician’s discretion. Eligible pts are stage 1: pT1 (2 cm), pN0, age ≥50 to &lt; 70 years, s/p BCS with negative margins (no ink on tumor), s/p axillary nodal staging (SNB or ALND), ER and/or PR positive (ASCO/CAP), HER2-negative (ASCO/CAP), and have an Oncotype DX RS of ≤18 (diagnostic core biopsy or resected specimen). Primary endpoint is IBR. Secondary endpoints are breast conservation rate, invasive in-breast recurrence, recurrence-free interval, distant disease-free survival, overall survival, patient-reported breast pain, patient-reported worry about recurrence, and adherence to ET. We assume a clinically acceptable difference in IBR of 4% at 10 years to judge omission of RT as non-inferior (10-year event-free survival for RT group is 95.6% versus 91.6% for the omission-of-RT group). The study is designed to be able to detect non-inferiority with 80% power and a one-sided α=0.025, and assuming that there would be a ramp-up in accrual in the first two years of the study (leveling off in Years 3-5), 1,670 (835 per arm) patients are required to be randomized. Conservative loss to follow-up is 1% per year. Some of the T1a pts screened will have Oncotype DX scores &gt;18, making them ineligible for the study. In the accrual process, pts will be required to register (1,714 patients) to ensure that our final randomized cohort is 1,670 pts. Accrual as of 6-30-2022 is 169 screened and 147 randomized. Contact information: Protocol: CTSU member website: https://www.ctsu.org. NRG Oncology Pgh Clinical Coordinating Dpt: 1-800-477-7227 or ccdPGH@NRGOncology.org. Support: U10CA180868, -180822, UG1CA189867. NCT04852887. Citation Format: Julia White, Reena S. Cecchini, Eleanor E. Harris, Eleftherios (Terry) Mamounas, Daniel Stover, Patricia A. Ganz, Reshma Jagsi, Carmen Bergom, Valérie Théberge, Mahmoud B. El-Tamer, Richard Zellars, Dean A. Shumway, Guang-Pei Chen, Stewart J. Anderson, Thomas B. Julian, Norman Wolmark, Wendy Rea. A phase III trial evaluating De-escalation of Breast Radiation (DEBRA) following breast-conserving surgery (BCS) of stage 1, HR+, HER2-, RS ≤18 breast cancer: NRG-BR007 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr OT1-12-01.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Abnormalities of the PI3kinase/AKT/mTOR signaling network are common in breast cancer (BC) and are associated with endocrine resistance. Everolimus, an mTOR-inhibitor increased PFS when combined with endocrine therapy (ET) in the metastatic setting and is thought to revert endocrine resistance. S1207 is a phase III randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the role of everolimus in combination with ET in the adjuvant setting among patients with high-risk hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative BC (NCT01674140). METHODS: Eligible patients were &gt;18 years of age with histologically confirmed invasive hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative high-risk BC. Four risk groups were defined as: 1) &gt; 2cm node-negative disease (or pN1mi), and either an Oncotype DX® Recurrence Score (RS) &gt; 25 or MammaPrint® high-risk category (MP high); 2) 1-3 positive nodes and either RS &gt;25, MP high or a pathological grade 3 tumor; 3) &gt;4 positive lymph nodes. Patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy were eligible if: 4) after surgery had &gt;1 lymph node involvement. Patients were randomized 1:1 to physician’s choice adjuvant ET in combination with one year of everolimus (10 mg PO daily) or ET plus placebo stratified by risk group. The primary endpoint was invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) evaluated by a stratified log-rank test. Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and safety. The hazard ratio (HR) for treatment efficacy was estimated using Cox regression with stratification by risk groups. Subset analyses included preplanned evaluation within risk group and exploratory analyses of menopausal status and age. RESULTS: 1,939 patients were randomized between September 2013 and May 2019, of them 1,792 were eligible and included in the analysis (896 per arm). Primary reason for ineligibility was timing after chemotherapy/radiation or not high risk. Median age was 54 years (22-85) and 32% were premenopausal. With a median follow-up of 50.5 months, there were 389 IDFS events as of May 2022 (data cutoff). 5-year IDFS was 74.8% among patients treated with everolimus and 73.9% among patients treated with placebo, HR=0.93 (95% CI 0.76-1.14). However, the proportional hazards assumption was violated (p=0.02) suggesting differential treatment effect over time. The HR during the one year of treatment was 0.72 (95% CI 0.47-1.10) while after one year it was 1.00 (95% CI 0.80-1.26). The 5-year OS was 87.6% in the everolimus arm and 85.5% in the placebo arm, HR=0.98 (95% CI 0.75-1.28). Analysis by risk group did not show higher everolimus benefit as risk increased. No difference in IDFS or OS was seen among postmenopausal patients (IDFS HR=1.08 [95% CI 0.85-1.36], OS HR=1.19 [95% CI 0.87-1.61]). Among premenopausal patients, everolimus was associated with improved IDFS (HR=0.63 [95% CI 0.43-0.93]) and OS (HR=0.48 [95% CI 0.26-0.88]). Treatment completion of randomized therapy was lower in the everolimus arm compared to placebo (47.9% v 72.7%). Grade 3 and 4 toxicities were noted in 6.5% and 0.5% of patients in the placebo arm and in 31.2% and 3.7% in the everolimus arm respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of one year of adjuvant everolimus to standard adjuvant ET did not improve IDFS or OS and was associated with low completion rate and increased AEs. Among premenopausal patients there was a benefit in IDFS and OS that is hypothesis generating. Future translational studies will evaluate potential predictors of everolimus benefit and drug toxicity. Citation Format: Marianna Chavez, Jieling Miao, Lajos Pusztai, Matthew P. Goetz, Priya Rastogi, Patricia A. Ganz, Eleftherios (Terry) Mamounas, Soonmyung Paik, Hanna Bandos, Wajeeha Razaq, Anne O’Dea, Virginia Kaklamani, Andrea L.M. Silber, Lisa E. Flaum, Eleni Andreopolu, Joseph Baar, Albert G. Wendt, Jennifer F. Carney, Priyanka Sharma, Julie R. Gralow, Danika L. Lew, William E. Barlow, Gabriel N. Hortobagyi. Results from a phase III randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating adjuvant endocrine therapy +/- 1 year of everolimus in patients with high-risk hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer: SWOG S1207 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2022 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2022 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(5 Suppl):Abstract nr GS1-07.

Abstract Background Based on studies from animal models, growth differentiation factor-11 (GDF-11) may have rejuvenating effects in humans. GDF-11 has high sequence homology with GDF-8 (also known as myostatin); follistatin and follistatin-like protein-3 (FSTL-3) are inhibitory proteins of both GDF-8 and GDF-11. Methods Using highly specific liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry assays for GDF-11 and GDF-8 and immunoassays for follistatin and FSTL-3, we quantified the association of these factors with muscle size, strength, and physical performance in 2 prospective cohort studies of community-dwelling older adults (Health, Aging, and Body Composition study [Health ABC] and Cardiovascular Health Study [CHS]). Results GDF-8 levels were positively associated with thigh muscle cross-sectional area and density in Health ABC (data not available in CHS). GDF-8 levels were positively associated with lean mass (a surrogate of muscle mass) in Health ABC but not CHS, and grip strength in CHS but not Health ABC. FSTL-3 (and perhaps follistatin) was negatively associated with lean mass and had variable associations with other variables. In contrast, GDF-11 was not significantly associated with strength or performance. Conclusions GDF-8 and its binding proteins, follistatin and FSTL-3, may constitute a counterregulatory system (chalones) to restrain age-related loss of muscle mass and strength.

Abstract Background Studies using heterochronic parabiosis discovered that circulating factors mediate brain aging in animal models. Methods We assessed growth differentiation factors (GDF)-11 and GDF-8 using mass spectrometry and inhibitors follistatin and follistatin-like protein-3 (FSTL-3) with ELISA in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS; N = 1 506) and the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) Study (N = 1 237). CLL-11 and beta-2 microglobulin (β2M) were measured with ELISA in a subset of 400 individuals in Health ABC. Associations were assessed with cognitive function, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings (CHS only), and incident dementia using correlations, linear regression, and Cox proportional hazards models. Results In CHS, levels of GDF-11, GDF-8, and follistatin were not correlated cross-sectionally with the 3MSE or DSST, brain MRI findings of white matter hyperintensity, atrophy, or small infarcts, nor were they associated with incident dementia. FSTL-3 was modestly correlated with poorer cognitive function, greater white matter hyperintensities, and atrophy on MRI, as well as with incident dementia with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.72 (95% CI = 1.13, 2.61) per doubling of FSTL-3. FSTL-3 was not associated with cognition or dementia in Health ABC, but GDF-8 was associated with both. The adjusted HR for incident dementia was 1.50 (95% CI = 1.07, 2.10) per doubling of GDF-8. Conclusions Total GDF-11 level was not related to cognition or dementia in older adults. Associations of GDF-8 with cognitive outcomes in Health ABC were not expected, but consistent with animal models. Associations of FSTL-3 with cognition, brain abnormalities, and incident dementia in CHS implicate TGFβ superfamily inhibition in the pathogenesis of dementia.

Abstract We examined the bactericidal activity of two proteins that are abundant in the cytoplasmic granules of human eosinophils, major basic protein (MBP) and eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). Unlike the human neutrophil's peptide defensins, both MBP and ECP killed stationary phase Staphylococcus aureus 502A in a simple nutrient-free buffer solution. Although MBP also killed Escherichia coli ML-35 with considerable efficacy under these experimental conditions, the in vitro activity of ECP against E. coli was considerably enhanced if mid-logarithmic phase bacteria replaced stationary phase organisms or if the assay medium was enriched with trypticase soy broth. The antibacterial activity of both eosinophil proteins was modulated by incubation time, protein concentration, temperature and pH. A pBR322-transformed derivative of E. coli ML-35 was used to examine the effects of ECP and MBP on integrity of the bacterial inner membrane (IM) and outer membrane. Although both MBP and ECP caused outer and inner membrane permeabilization when nutrients were present, only MBP was effective under nutrient-free conditions. Two proton ionophores (DNP and carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone) protected E. coli from the bactericidal effects of ECP but not from MBP. These findings establish that MBP and ECP have bactericidal properties and suggest that these proteins kill E. coli by similar but nonidentical mechanisms marked by an attack on the target cell's membranes. In view of evidence that high concentrations of ECP and MBP exist in cytoplasmic granules whose contents are translocated to phagocytic vacuoles, we suggest that MBP and ECP contribute to the eosinophil's ability to kill ingested bacteria.

Abstract Disparities in care, treatment-related toxicity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) for adolescents and young adults (AYAs, aged 15-39 years) with cancer are under-addressed partly because of limited collection of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in cancer clinical trials (CCTs). The AYA years include key developmental milestones distinct from younger and older patients, and cancer interrupts attainment of critical life goals. Lack of consensus on a standardized approach to assess HRQoL and treatment-related toxicity in AYA CCTs has limited the ability to improve patient outcomes. The National Cancer Institute’s Clinical Trials Network AYA PRO Task Force was assembled to reach consensus on a core set of PROs and foster its integration into AYA CCTs. Eight key considerations for selecting the core PRO AYA battery components were identified: relevance to AYAs; importance of constructs across the age continuum; prioritization of validated measures; availability of measures without licensing fees; availability in multiple languages; applicability to different cancer types and treatments; ability to measure different HRQoL domains and toxicities; and minimized burden on patients and sites. The Task Force used a modified Delphi approach to identify key components of the PRO battery. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) and the PRO Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events Measurement System met all criteria and were selected to assess HRQoL and treatment toxicity, respectively. Investigators are rapidly incorporating the recommendations of the Task Force into AYA trials. Inclusion of a standardized assessment of HRQoL and treatment toxicities in AYA CCTs is a vital first step to develop interventions to improve health outcomes for AYAs diagnosed with cancer.