Citations

Abstract Purpose: Craniopharyngiomas are rare parasellar tumors, and papillary craniopharyngiomas (PCP) represent 8-20% of cases. We assessed surgical outcomes of these very rare tumors among patients treated in the last decade. Methods: Retrospective data from the Registry of Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders (RAPID) were used to evaluate patients with PCP treated between 2011 and 2023 at 14 US-based academic skull base centers. Demographic, imaging, surgical, and outcome variables were analyzed. Results: Ninety-nine patients with PCP were included. Mean age was 51.8±14.7 and 57.6% were male. Most tumors showed mixed cystic/solid components (67.5%), were trans-infundibular (50.0%), and were treated endoscopically (74.5%), with 51.1% demonstrating gross total resection (GTR). Pituitary stalk was preserved in 51.9%. Permanent arginine vasopressin deficiency was seen in 68.8% and was associated with pituitary stalk sacrifice (p=0.02). Cerebrospinal fluid leak was the most common nonendocrine postsurgical, 30-day complication (9.1%), reason for return to the operating room (3.1%), and reason for 90-day readmission (8.1%). Return to the operating room was associated with discharge to a skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility (p=0.0001). Most patients (63.9%) received no adjuvant therapy; GTR was associated with decreased radiotherapy use (p=0.0001). BRAFV600E mutation was detected in 64/69 tumors tested, although only 1 patient was treated with a BRAF inhibitor. Conclusion: To our knowledge, the RAPID consortium enabled the largest real-world clinical information dataset for PCP. Our data can be used as a benchmark for short-term surgical outcomes. Longer-term follow-up studies are needed to understand how to optimize outcomes from each treatment modality.

Abstract Disclosure: B.M. Biller: Consulting Fee; Self; HRA Pharmaceuticals, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Sparrow, Strongbridge Biopharma. Grant Recipient; Self; Strongbridge Biopharma. A. Gilis-Januszewska: Speaker; Self; Ipsen, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk, Recordati, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.. M. Doknic: None. A.M. Pico: None. M. Fleseriu: Consulting Fee; Self; Ascendis, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson &Johnson, Karyopharm, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, Inc., Pharmacosmos. Research Investigator; Self; Ascendis. G. Raverot: None. A.M. Isidori: None. Y. Takahashi: None. J.M. Garcia: None. J.M. Silverstein: None. I. Bancos: None. E. Huang: Employee; Self; Ascendis Pharma, Inc. J. Kang: Employee; Self; Ascendis Pharma, Inc. A.S. Komirenko: Employee; Self; Ascendis Pharma, Inc. L. Domrzalski: Employee; Self; Ascendis Pharma, Inc. A. Shu: Employee; Self; Ascendis Pharma, Inc. K. Yuen: Advisory Board Member; Self; Amryt, Ascendis, Corcept, Crinetics, Novo Nordisk, Recordati, Strongbridge, Xeris. Grant Recipient; Self; Amryt, Ascendis, Corcept, Crinetics. Speaker; Self; Corcept, Novo Nordisk, Recordati. Background: Adult GHD (aGHD) is characterized by metabolic abnormalities due to insufficient growth hormone (GH) production. Lonapegsomatropin was designed to provide sustained release of unmodified somatropin, with the identical amino acid sequence as endogenous GH, and once-weekly injection reduces the burden of daily GH replacement therapy. MethodsForesiGHt was a randomized, parallel-3-arm, placebo(PL)-controlled (double-blind) and active-controlled (open-label) trial designed to establish the efficacy and safety of lonapegsomatropin in aGHD. It evaluated 259 adults with GHD across 21 countries who were GH treatment-naïve or not treated with GH in the prior year, randomized 1:1:1 to receive lonapegsomatropin, once-weekly PL, or daily somatropin (dGH). Fixed dosing was based on age and oral estrogen intake, and designed to be comparable across lonapegsomatropin and dGH arms. Following a 12-week (w) titration period to target maintenance dose, fixed doses were administered for 26w. ResultsBaseline (BL) characteristics were similar between arms. Lonapegsomatropin demonstrated superiority on the primary efficacy endpoint of change from BL in trunk percent fat at Week 38 vs PL (lonapegsomatropin -1.7% vs PL 0.4%, LS mean difference -2.0%, p < 0.0001) and on the key secondary efficacy endpoints of change from BL in total body lean mass (lonapegsomatropin 1.6 kg vs PL -0.1 kg, LS mean difference 1.7 kg, p < 0.0001) and change from BL in trunk fat mass (lonapegsomatropin -0.5 kg vs PL 0.2 kg, LS mean difference -0.7 kg, p = 0.0053). Mean total exposure and maintenance doses were similar for lonapegsomatropin and dGH arms, with larger changes from BL in average IGF-I SDS mean at Week 38 in the lonapegsomatropin arm (1.4) vs dGH arm (0.5). To assess outcomes at comparable weekly IGF-I exposure, a post-hoc analysis was performed in a subset of participants with average IGF-I SDS ≤1.75 SDS at Week 38. Mean IGF-I SDS for these subsets were similar (lonapegsomatropin -0.1, dGH -0.5), and comparable effects in fat and lean tissue compartments were demonstrated (change from BL in trunk percent fat mean -2.4% and -2.6% respectively; change from BL in total body lean mass mean 1.7 kg and 1.4 kg respectively). In the safety population, the incidence of severe AEs was low (lonapegsomatropin, 3.4%; placebo, 1.2%; dGH, 2.3%) and the incidence of treatment-related AEs was similar (lonapegsomatropin 24.7%, dGH 22.1%). Injection site reaction incidence was low and similar for lonapegsomatropin (4.5%), dGH (5.8%) and placebo (4.8%), and A1c levels remained stable in all treatment arms. ConclusionsThe results of the foresiGHt trial indicate that lonapegsomatropin is a safe, efficacious, and tolerable replacement for endogenous GH. Once-weekly dosing may be impactful for adults with GHD who typically manage multiple other medical therapies. Presentation: 6/3/2024

Abstract Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified over 300 loci associated with the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), but putative causal genes for most are unknown. We conducted the largest disease-focused expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis using colon tissue from 252 IBD patients to determine genetic effects on gene expression and potential contribution to IBD. Combined with two non-IBD colon eQTL studies, we identified 194 potential target genes for 108 GWAS loci. eQTL in IBD tissue were enriched for IBD GWAS loci colocalizations, provided novel evidence for IBD-associated genes such as ABO and TNFRSF14, and identified additional target genes compared to non-IBD tissue eQTL. IBD-associated eQTL unique to diseased tissue had distinct regulatory and functional characteristics with increased effect sizes. Together, these highlight the importance of eQTL studies in diseased tissue for understanding functional consequences of genetic variants, and elucidating molecular mechanisms and regulation of key genes involved in IBD.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cushing disease (CD) affects mortality and quality of life along with limited long-term remission, underscoring the need to better identify recurrence risk. The identification of surgical or imaging predictors for CD remission after transsphenoidal surgery has yielded some inconsistent results and has been limited by single-center, single-surgeon, or meta-analyses studies. We sought to evaluate the multicenter Registry of Adenomas of the Pituitary and Related Disorders (RAPID) database of academic US pituitary centers to assess whether robust nonhormonal recurrence predictors could be elucidated. METHODS: Patients with treated CD from 2011 to 2023 were included. The perioperative and long-term characteristics of CD patients with and without recurrence were assessed using univariable and multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Of 383 patients with CD from 26 surgeons achieving postoperative remission, 288 (75.2%) maintained remission at last follow-up while 95 (24.8%) showed recurrence (median time to recurrence 9.99 ± 1.34 years). Patients with recurrence required longer postoperative hospital stays (5 ± 3 vs 4 ± 2 days, P = .002), had larger average tumor volumes (1.76 ± 2.53 cm 3 vs 0.49 ± 1.17 cm 3 , P = .0001), and more often previously failed prior treatment (31.1% vs 14.9%, P = .001) mostly being prior surgery. Multivariable hazard prediction models for tumor recurrence found younger age (odds ratio [OR] = 0.95, P = .002) and Knosp grade of 0 (OR = 0.09, reference Knosp grade 4, P = .03) to be protective against recurrence. Comparison of Knosp grade 0 to 2 vs 3 to 4 showed that lower grades had reduced risk of recurrence (OR = 0.27, P = .04). Other factors such as length of stay, surgeon experience, prior tumor treatment, and Knosp grades 1, 2, or 3 failed to reach levels of statistical significance in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: This multicenter study centers suggests that the strongest predictors of recurrence include tumor size/invasion and age. This insight can help with patient counseling and prognostication. Long-term follow-up is necessary for patients, and early treatment of small tumors may improve outcomes.

Objective: The effects of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics on delay of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery (MIGS) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were studied. The primary outcome was interval between first MIGS appointment and date of surgery. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study used electronic medical record data of a historical cohort who had benign MIGS in 2014–2016 ( n = 370) and a cohort in 2020 during the COVID pandemic ( n = 249). Included procedures were laparoscopic hysterectomy, myomectomy, adnexal surgery, or endometriosis excision. Patient demographics (race, ethnicity, age, marital status, language, insurance, and socioeconomic factors) were evaluated for associations with surgery delay (> 90 days from initial consultation to operating room date). Results: Median time to surgery was 21 days faster during the pandemic. In the historical cohort, 61% patients waited >90 days, and in the pandemic cohort, 47% patients waited >90 days. In the pandemic cohort, race and primary language were new factors associated with surgery delays. During the pandemic, a greater proportion of patients having surgery delays were Black or other races, compared to White, and a greater proportion did not speak English. After adjusting for referral indications, in multivariable logistic regression, patients who reported Other race had 3 times the odds of surgery delay, compared to White patients. Black patients had higher odds of surgery delay, although this estimate was less precise. Patients with a non-English primary language had >4 times the odds of surgery delay. Ethnicity, insurance and employment status, median household income, neighborhood segregation, and distance to hospital were not associated with surgery delay. Telemedicine accounted for 71% of visits in the pandemic cohort and was associated with a significant decrease in surgery delays with a median wait time of 87 days for patients seen via telemedicine, compared to 101 days for patients seen in-person. A higher proportion of patients using telemedicine were White and spoke English. Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, non-English primary language, and unemployment were associated with in-person versus telemedicine visits. Visit type was not correlated with insurance status, median household income, neighborhood segregation, and distance from the hospital. A risk score was calculated to summarize the estimated effect of intersectionality of multiple identities; multiple minority characteristics were correlated with surgery delays. Time to benign MIGS decreased from historical baselines during the pandemic, indicating improved access to surgical care. This benefit did not apply equally. Disproportionately, White patients who spoke English had no delays and used telemedicine; racial minority patients who did not speak English had greater odds of surgery delays and in-person appointments. Conclusions: Telemedicine can improve access to both MIGS care and surgical outcomes; additional strategies are needed to ensure that all patients receive care advances equitably. (J GYNECOL SURG 39:162)

Background Women with atrial fibrillation (AF) demonstrate more AF‐related symptoms and worse quality of life (QOL). Whether increased use of ablation in women reduces sex‐related QOL differences is unknown. Sex‐related outcomes for ablation versus drug therapy was a prespecified analysis in the CABANA (Catheter Ablation Versus Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation) trial. Methods and Results Symptoms were assessed periodically over 60 months with the Mayo AF‐Specific Symptom Inventory (MAFSI) frequency score, and QOL was assessed with the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life (AFEQT) summary and component scores. Women had lower baseline QOL scores than men (mean AFEQT scores 55.9 and 65.6, respectively). Ablation patients improved more than drug therapy patients with similar treatment effect by sex: AFEQT 12‐month mean adjusted treatment difference in women 6.1 points (95% CI, 3.5–8.6) and men 4.9 points (95% CI, 3.0–6.9). Participants with baseline AFEQT summary scores <70 had greater QOL improvement, with a mean treatment difference at 12 months of 7.6 points for women (95% CI, 4.3–10.9) and 6.4 points for men (95% CI, 3.3–9.4). The mean adjusted difference in MAFSI frequency score between women randomized to ablation versus drug therapy at 12 months was −2.5 (95% CI, −3.4 to −1.6); for men, the difference was −1.3 (95% CI, −2.0 to −0.6). Conclusions Compared with drug therapy for AF, ablation resulted in more QOL improvement in both sexes, primarily driven by improvements in those with lower baseline QOL. Ablation did not eliminate the AF‐related QOL gap between women and men. Registration URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT00911508.

Abstract Aims Influence of atrial fibrillation (AF) type on outcomes seen with catheter ablation vs. drug therapy is incompletely understood. This study assesses the impact of AF type on treatment outcomes in the Catheter Ablation vs. Antiarrhythmic Drug Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation Trial (CABANA). Methods and results CABANA randomized 2204 patients ≥65 years old or &lt;65 with at least one risk factor for stroke to catheter ablation or drug therapy. Of these, 946 (42.9%) had paroxysmal AF (PAF), 1042 (47.3%) had persistent AF (PersAF), and 215 (9.8%) had long-standing persistent AF (LSPAF) at baseline. The primary endpoint was a composite of death, disabling stroke, serious bleeding, or cardiac arrest. Symptoms were measured with the Mayo AF-Specific Symptom Inventory (MAFSI), and quality of life was measured with the Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality of Life (AFEQT). Comparisons are reported by intention to treat. Compared with drug therapy alone, catheter ablation produced a 19% relative risk reduction in the primary endpoint for PAF {adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]: 0.81 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.50, 1.30]}, and a 17% relative reduction for PersAF (aHR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.56, 1.22). For LSPAF, the ablation relative effect was a 7% reduction (aHR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.36, 2.44). Ablation was more effective than drug therapy at reducing first AF recurrence in all AF types: by 51% for PAF (aHR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.62), by 47% for PersAF (aHR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.43,0.65), and by 36% for LSPAF (aHR 0.64, 95% CI 0.41,1.00). Ablation was associated with greater improvement in symptoms, with the mean difference between groups in the MAFSI frequency score favouring ablation over 5 years of follow-up in all subgroups: PAF had a clinically significant −1.9-point difference (95% CI: −1.2 to −2.6); PersAF a −0.9 difference (95% CI: −0.2 to −1.6); LSPAF a clinically significant difference of −1.6 points (95% CI: −0.1 to −3.1). Ablation was also associated with greater improvement in quality of life in all subgroups, with the AFEQT overall score in PAF patients showing a clinically significant 5.3-point improvement (95% CI: 3.3 to 7.3) over drug therapy alone over 5 years of follow-up, PersAF a 1.7-point difference (95% CI: 0.0 to 3.7), and LSPAF a 3.1-point difference (95% CI: -1.6 to 7.8). Conclusion Prognostic treatment effects of catheter ablation compared with drug therapy on the primary and major secondary clinical endpoints did not differ consequentially by AF subtype. With regard to decreases in AF recurrence and improving quality of life, ablation was more effective than drug therapy in all three AF type subgroups. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT00911508

CD36 is a microvascular endothelial cell (MVEC) receptor mediating angiostatic activity of TSP-1 and related proteins. We previously reported that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), a biologically active lipid signaling mediator, inhibited MVEC CD36 transcription via PKD-1 signaling. Moreover, CD36 transcriptional repression abolished endothelial cell responses to TSP-1 in vitro and in vivo . We now show with luciferase transfection assays that LPA exposure significantly suppressed CD36 promoter activity in MVEC. Co-exposure to class II HDAC inhibitors SAHA or TSA reversed the inhibition of promoter activity and restored transcription. HDAC7 knockdown by shRNA also attenuated LPA-suppressed CD36 promoter activity and mRNA levels. Mechanistically, FoxO1 was found to directly interact with putative FoxO1 binding sites (FHRE) in proximal promoter in vitro by avidin-biotin-conjugated DNA-binding assay, and in vivo by chromatin IP assay. Furthermore, FHRE mutations significantly attenuated the promoter activity. Western blots and immunofluorescence microscopy showed increased nuclear accumulation of PKD-1, FoxO1 and HADC7 after MVEC were exposed to LPA. Co-IP of nuclear extracts showed a physical interaction of HDAC7 with FoxO1 that was attenuated with PKD-1 knockdown. These data demonstrate that HDAC7 modulation by LPA receptor/PKD-1 signaling pathway represses FoxO1-mediated CD36 transcriptional activity. Additionally, angiogenic transcription profiling of endothelial cells revealed significantly increased mRNA expression of 17 angiogenic genes in response to LPA, including ephrin B2 expression that was confirmed by Western Blots. Transduction of constitutively active PKD-1 (PKD-CA) into EC also increased ephrin B2 expression. Functionally, PKD-CA overexpression promoted branching morphogenesis of arterial endothelial cells in a three-dimensional spheroid assay. The data indicate that PKD-1 is a potent angiogenic and arteriogenic kinase in EC by down-regulating CD36 transcription and promoting arteriogenesis. PKD-1-FoxO1-CD36 signaling axis may have potential as an important target in cardiovascular ischemia and malignant tumors.