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629 citation(s) found for "Zheng, Qi".

Paid Sick Leave, Care Delays, and Mortality Risk in Working Cancer Survivors
Kohut-Jackson, Abigail , Chino, Fumiko , Zheng, Zhiyuan , Han, Xuesong , Johnson, Kimberly , Yabroff, K. Robin , Johnston, Kenton J. , Barnes, Justin M. , Johnson, Kimberly J , Johnston, Kenton , Han, Xuesong , Yabroff, K Robin

Mayo Clinic

JCO Oncology Practice | June 10, 2026 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.1200/op-26-00261 | PMID 42269119 Get It

PURPOSE Cancer survivors endure costly and time-intensive care throughout treatment and survivorship. Paid sick leave provides employment and financial stability while supporting time off for medical needs. We investigated whether paid sick leave is associated with financial hardship and overall and cancer-specific mortality risk in working adult cancer survivors. METHODS Working adults age 18-64 years with a cancer history were identified from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) between 2011 and 2023. Associations of paid sick leave and financial hardship (medical care delays, problems paying medical bills, worry about paying medical bills, and cost-related medication underuse) were examined with 2011-2018 and 2019-2023 data using separate multivariable logistic regressions because of survey redesign in 2019. Linked mortality files from the National Death Index were available for 2011-2018 respondents. The association of paid sick leave and mortality risk was examined with multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS A total of 8,091 and 3,919 working cancer survivors were identified from the 2011-2018 and 2019-2023 NHIS, respectively. Paid sick leave was associated with decreased medical care delays because of cost (2011-2018 odds ratio [OR], 0.74 [95% CI, 0.60 to 0.93]; P = .008; 2019-2023 OR, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.35 to 0.74]; P < .001) but not consistently with other forms of financial hardship. In adjusted analyses, paid sick leave was associated with significant reductions in risk of overall mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.74 [95% CI, 0.61 to 0.9]; P = .003) and cancer mortality (HR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.61 to 0.91]; P = .003). CONCLUSION In working cancer survivors, paid sick leave is associated with decreased care delays and lower overall and cancer-specific mortality risk, which may be due to maintained employment, household income, and health insurance coverage leading to improvements in treatment access, affordability, and overall survivorship care.
Cancer and glaucoma: A systematic review
Yim, Tammy Si Yue , Yim, Titus Hutch Jr Yi Zheng , Wang, Kevin Kun Peng , Ang, Bryan Chin Hou , Ang, Bryan C H , Yim, Tammy S Y

Mayo Clinic

European Journal of Ophthalmology | June 2, 2026 | Volume: No volume available | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.1177/11206721261445522 | PMID 42228376 Get It

Objective Glaucoma and cancer are debilitating diseases with increasing global prevalence and morbidity. However, current literature lacks a systematic consolidation of their relationships and interactions. This systematic review aims to (A) summarize the association between intraocular/non-ocular cancers and their treatments with the prevalence and etiology of glaucoma, (B) explore glaucoma as a risk factor for complications or poor prognosis for intraocular cancer, and (C) explore the management of glaucoma secondary to cancer therapies. Methods A systematic search was performed from inception to July 2025 across three databases with variants of ‘cancer’ and ‘glaucoma’ as search terms. Findings were narratively synthesized. Results Of 8,103 identified studies, 44 were included in this review. Eighteen studies reported increased glaucoma prevalence amongst intraocular and non-ocular cancer patients. Fifteen studies suggested increased risk of regional invasion, metastases, and high-risk histopathologies when intraocular cancers co-occurred with glaucoma. Corticosteroids in cancer therapy have been linked to intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation, while androgen deprivation therapy was associated with lowered glaucoma risk. Conclusion Given the relationship between glaucoma and intraocular/non-ocular cancers, strategies to monitor and manage glaucoma risk following cancer diagnosis and/or therapy may be considered. Glaucoma may be an early sign of complications in intraocular cancers.
From risk to reward: Redefining the role of GLP-1 receptor agonist in pancreatic cancer primary prevention.
Jones, Colton, Dipko, Kawika, Dao, Jonathan , Arya, Yajur , Syal, Arshi , Neely, Ariana N., Obomanu, Elvis, Zheng, Lei, Dipko, Kawika, Neely, Ariana N., Obomanu, Elvis , Zheng, Lei, Arora, Sukeshi Patel

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.e16449 Get It

e16449 Background: Pancreatic cancer (PC) carries a dismal 5-year survival of < 12%, and no FDA-approved agents exist for primary prevention. PC risk is strongly linked to obesity, diabetes, and chronic inflammation. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) directly target obesity-driven inflammatory pathways, reduce metabolic stress, and modulate signaling pathways (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) that drive cancer apoptosis. Based on this biological rationale, we conducted the first large-scale real-world study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of GLP-1RA for primary prevention of PC in high-risk patients. Methods: Leveraging a large real-world database (TriNetX), we identified patients aged 18-90 years with ≥1 PC risk factor (tobacco use, obesity, type 2 diabetes, alcohol use disorder, chronic pancreatitis, first-degree relative with PC, genetic susceptibility to PC) based on ICD-10 codes. Patients were stratified by GLP-1RA exposure into two cohorts: Cohort A (GLP-1RA users with ≥ 2 months of prescriptions) and Cohort B (controls). The primary endpoint was incident PC, and the secondary endpoints were adverse events related to GLP-1RAs. Patients with outcomes before the study window were excluded. Propensity score matching adjusted for confounders. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios for categorical outcomes, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios for time-to-event outcomes. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were employed to validate the strength of our results. Results: Median follow-up was 3,397 days for GLP-1RA users and 2,531 days for controls. Demographics were balanced between cohorts (mean age 42 years; 74% White, 15% Black; 72% female). Among 572,330 high-risk patients (286,165 per cohort), PC incidence was significantly lower among GLP-1RA users (0.05%; 134/286,165) than among non-users (0.13%; 362/286,097), with a 2.6-fold reduction in the absolute incidence of PC among high-risk patients (NNT of 1,255). GLP-1RA use was associated with a 71% reduction in PC incidence (HR 0.289; 95% CI 0.237–0.352). GLP-1RA use was associated with an increased risk of gastrointestinal adverse events, including nausea/vomiting (HR 1.108; 95% CI 1.096–1.121), abdominal pain (HR 1.081; 95% CI 1.066–1.097), diarrhea (HR 1.199; 95% CI 1.182–1.217), and constipation (HR 1.159; 95% CI 1.143–1.176). Conclusions: GLP-1RA use significantly reduced PC incidence by 71% in high-risk patients, the strongest real-world signal yet for a pharmacologic prevention of this lethal malignancy. Although the absolute incidence remained low, the magnitude of the risk reduction underscores the transformative potential of GLP-1RA in preventive oncology. These findings address a critical unmet need in pancreatic oncology. Prospective mechanistic and randomized studies are warranted to validate these associations.
Platinum chemotherapy and oncolytic virotherapy as used to cooperatively sustain stem-like CD8⁺ T-cell immunity via type I interferon modulation.
Yang, Vivienne , Dong, Zhongyi , Liu, T J, 郭其森, Zhang, H Z, Ni, Bo, Bai, Long, Chen, Yiwen, Zong, Jiasheng, Xia, Xiang, Zheng, Jiaojiao, Pham, Hoang Tran , Parker, Jefferson , Morecroft, Renee, Elalfy, Aya, Ingram, Demarcus, Abdel-Hakeem, Ahmed, Ali, Muhammad, Ni, Bo , Bai, Long, Xia, Xiang, Pham, Hoang Tran, Morecroft, Renée , Elalfy, Aya, Prada, Libardo Rueda , Ali, Muhammad, Zhang, Zizhen

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 28, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: No page available

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.e14545 Get It

e14545 Background: Durable antitumor immunity depends on the maintenance of stem-like CD8⁺ T cells capable of sustaining long-term effector responses. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) are potent immunomodulatory agents that reshape the tumor microenvironment and augment antitumor immunity. We hypothesized that platinum-based chemotherapy alters tumor-intrinsic type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling in a manner that can be functionally restored by OV therapy, thereby promoting the generation and persistence of stem-like CD8⁺ T cells. Methods: Tumor cells treated with platinum chemotherapy were evaluated in vitro for changes in IFN-I pathway activity, OV replication, and markers of immunogenic cell death (ICD). Syngeneic mouse tumor models were used to assess antitumor efficacy and immune remodeling following combination therapy. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were analyzed by single-cell RNA sequencing and multiparameter flow cytometry to define CD8⁺ T-cell states and functional programs. Guided by these preclinical findings, a clinical trial combining XELOX, PD-1 blockade, and OV therapy was initiated (ChiCTR2500107607). Results: Platinum chemotherapy significantly suppressed tumor-intrinsic IFN-I signaling, while OV therapy restored antiviral responses, enhanced viral replication, and increased ICD in vitro. In vivo, the combination strategy resulted in superior tumor control and profound remodeling of the tumor immune microenvironment. The most pronounced immunologic effect was observed within the stem-like CD8⁺ T-cell compartment. Combination therapy induced a distinct population of TCF7⁺ ISG15^high NFATC1^low AP-1^low CD8⁺ T cells, characterized by restrained activation, enhanced persistence, and reduced propensity toward terminal exhaustion. In IRF7-deficient tumors, this stem-like CD8⁺ T-cell population failed to emerge and antitumor efficacy was significantly diminished, indicating that moderate tumor-intrinsic IFN-I signaling is required for this immune state. Conclusions: Tumor-intrinsic type I interferon signaling is a critical determinant of synergy between platinum chemotherapy and oncolytic virotherapy, enabling the maintenance of durable stem-like CD8⁺ T-cell immunity. These findings establish a mechanistic rationale for combining platinum chemotherapy, oncolytic viruses, and immune checkpoint blockade and support ongoing clinical translation. Clinical trial information: ChiCTR2500107607.
Long-term safety outcomes of pregnancy among young breast cancer survivors: Results from a prospective, multicenter cohort study.
Zheng, Yue, Niman, Samuel M. , Dibble, Kate, Rosenberg, Shoshana M., Ruddy, Kathryn Jean, Gelber, Shari , Tamimi, Rulla, Peppercorn, Jeffrey , Schapira, Lidia, Come, Steven E. , Warner, Ellen, Lambertini, Matteo, Ginsburg, E, Partridge, Ann H., Sorouri, Kimia , Dibble, Kate E. , Rosenberg, Shoshana M. , Kirkner, Gregory J. , Ruddy, Kathryn J. , Tamimi, Rulla, Schapira, Lidia , Borges, Virginia F. , Warner, Ellen , Lambertini, Matteo , Ginsburg, Elizabeth S. , Partridge, Ann H.

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 632-632

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.632 Get It

632 Background: Prospective data on the risk of breast cancer (BC) recurrence among young BC survivors who have a subsequent pregnancy are limited. We sought to evaluate the long-term impact of pregnancy and live birth on BC outcomes in the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Study (NCT01468246), a prospective multicenter study of women aged ≤40 years at BC diagnosis. Methods: Women with stage 0-III BC without prior hysterectomy were included. The primary endpoint was breast cancer-free interval (BCFI) between patients with and without a (a) pregnancy and (b) live birth after BC. Secondary endpoints were distant recurrence-free interval (DRFI) and overall survival (OS). A time-varying Cox proportional hazards model was performed by estrogen receptor (ER) status, controlling for age at diagnosis, tumor stage, HER2 status, tumor grade, parity at diagnosis, and germline pathogenic variant status. Results: Among 1,016 BC survivors at a median follow-up of 12 (range, 0.5-18.5) years, 198 reported ≥1 pregnancy and 165 reported ≥1 live birth post-diagnosis. Among survivors who reported a post-diagnosis pregnancy, median age at diagnosis was 32 (range, 17-40) years; most had stage I (35%) or II (40%) BC, with 72% hormone receptor (HR)-positive and 25% HER2+; 42% were nulligravid and 60% were nulliparous at diagnosis. Among BC survivors who did not become pregnant post-diagnosis, median age at diagnosis was 37 (range, 21-40) years; most had stage I (35%) or II (43%) BC, with 75% HR-positive and 28% HER2+; 25% were nulligravid and 29% were nulliparous at diagnosis. Among BC survivors with ER-positive tumors (n = 737), pregnancy after BC was not associated with a difference in BCFI (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.60, 95% CI 0.31-1.16, P = 0.130), DRFI (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.35-1.55, P = 0.416), or OS (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.24-1.40, P = 0.227). Similarly, live birth after BC did not impact BCFI (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.45-1.55, P = 0.560), DRFI (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.52-2.06, P = 0.923), or OS (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.34-1.76, P = 0.541). Outcomes among BC survivors with ER-negative tumors (n = 278) were also not affected by post-diagnosis pregnancy (BCFI [HR 1.48, 95% CI 0.70-3.14, P = 0.304], DRFI [HR 1.59, 95% CI 0.68-3.75, P = 0.287], OS [HR 0.99, 95% CI 0.39-2.49, P = 0.975]) or live birth (BCFI [HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.41-2.53, P = 0.974], DRFI [HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.24-2.69, P = 0.722], OS [HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.09-1.69, P = 0.208]). Conclusions: In this multicenter, prospective study with 12 years of median follow-up, pregnancy and live birth after BC did not impact BC events or overall survival, irrespective of ER status. These long-term data from a modern cohort provide reassurance for young BC patients interested in future fertility. Clinical trial information: NCT01468246 .
Local and state paid sick leave policies and timeliness of treatment initiation among working-age patients with early-stage breast cancer.
Shi, Kewei Sylvia , Fan, Qinjin , Bradley, Cathy J., Hu, Xin, Zhao, Jingxuan, Zheng, Zhiyuan, Han, Xuesong, Barnes, Justin M. , Chino, Fumiko , Bradley, Cathy J. , Shih, Ya‐Chen Tina , Zhao, Jingxuan , Zheng, Zhiyuan , Han, Xuesong , Yabroff, K. Robin

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 11064-11064

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.11064 Get It

11064 Background: Local and state paid sick leave (PSL) mandates have been associated with increased use of preventive services, including cancer screening, and reduced emergency care utilization. Little research has examined PSL policies and cancer after diagnosis. This study evaluates associations of PSL policies and timely treatment initiation among women with early-stage breast cancer. Methods: We identified patients aged 18-64 years newly diagnosed with stages 0-II breast cancer from the National Cancer Database in 2004-2023 and linked then to area-level policy implementation, measured as the month and year the state, county, or city required PSL. Primary outcomes were receipt of definitive surgery or neoadjuvant therapy within 30, 60, and 90 days of diagnosis. We compared changes in treatment initiation between patients residing in areas with and without PSL policies during and after the month and year of diagnosis. We used a staggered difference-in-differences design to account for differential timing of implementation, adjusting for patient demographics, clinical, and area-level characteristics. Random errors were clustered at the state level. Supplemental analyses stratified by county-level unemployment rates and individual insurance coverage. Results: The study included 1,891,411 patients, of whom 249,313 (13.2%) resided in an area with PSL policies at diagnosis. Patients in areas with PSL policies were more likely to have Medicaid, reside in higher-income and metropolitan areas. PSL policy implementation was significantly associated with a 3.4 percentage point (PPT) increase in the probability of treatment ≤30 days (95% CI: 1.1-5.7), 3.0 PPT increase ≤60 days (95% CI: 1.6-4.3), 1.3 PPT increase ≤90 days (95% CI: 0.5-2.1) (Table). Improvements in timely treatment were concentrated in low-unemployment areas; no significant improvements were observed in high-unemployment areas. The magnitude of associations between PSL policies and treatment initiation was stronger among patients without private insurance than with private insurance. Conclusions: Local and state PSL mandates were associated with earlier treatment initiation among working-age patients with early-stage breast cancer, especially in areas with low female unemployment rate. Findings suggest that PSL policies play an important role in timely cancer treatment for employed women who may not have PSL through their jobs. Association of paid sick leave policies and breast cancer treatment initiation. Time from diagnosis to surgery/neoadjuvant therapy (days) DID PPT Lower 95% CI Upper 95% CI P-value Overall ≤30 3.4 1.1 5.7 0.004 ≤60 3.0 1.6 4.3 0.000 ≤90 1.3 0.5 2.1 0.001 Low female unemployment ≤30 2.2 -0.7 5.0 0.136 ≤60 3.8 1.8 5.8 0.000 ≤90 1.2 0.3 2.2 0.012 High female unemployment ≤30 1.8 -0.6 4.2 0.145 ≤60 -1.2 -4.5 2.0 0.459 ≤90 -1.4 -3.7 0.9 0.232
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist for primary prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma in high-risk patients: A real-world analysis across metabolic, viral, alcoholic, and hereditary liver disease.
Jones, Colton, Dao, Jonathan , Neely, Ariana N., Ugwu, Chidiebube, Megiso, Muluken, Persad, Damion, Syal, Arshi , Arya, Yajur , Verinumbe, Tarfa, Velázquez, Vanessa, Obomanu, Elvis, Zheng, Lei, Neely, Ariana N., Ugwu, Chidiebube , Megiso, Muluken Zeleke, Verinumbe, Tarfa, Obomanu, Elvis , Arora, Sukeshi Patel

Mayo Clinic

Journal of Clinical Oncology | May 27, 2026 | Volume: 44 | Issue: 16_suppl | Pages: 10522-10522

10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.10522 Get It

10522 Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality. While antiviral and metabolic therapies have reduced incidence, scalable pharmacologic strategies for primary prevention (PP) remain a critical unmet need. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have demonstrated preclinical antitumor activity and the potential to mitigate hepatic lipotoxicity while promoting metabolic reprogramming to stabilize cirrhosis. However, while chemoprevention signals are observed in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and type 2 diabetes, the efficacy of GLP-1RAs for PP across diverse liver disease etiologies remains underexplored. To address this gap, we conducted a global, multicenter analysis on the efficacy and safety of GLP-1RAs for the PP of HCC in a pan-etiology high-risk cohort. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX database (150M patients across 108 health organizations). Adults 18–90 years at elevated HCC risk with ≥ 1 risk factor (chronic viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, MASLD, alcohol use disorder, or hereditary liver disorders) were identified. Cohort A (≥3 months of GLP-1RA) was propensity score-matched 1:1 with Cohort B (non-users) on demographics, HbA1c, BMI, and MELD-Na scores. The primary endpoint was incident HCC, and secondary endpoints were incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. We employed a 3-month lag period to mitigate immortal time bias. Time-to-event outcomes were assessed via Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards models. Sensitivity & subgroup analyses were performed to confirm robustness across non-metabolic etiologies. Results: After matching, 592,718 patients were analyzed (296,359 per cohort). Median follow-up was 2,450 days for GLP-1RA users vs 2,114 days for non-users. GLP-1RA use was associated with a 73% reduction in incident HCC (140/296,345 events vs 432/296,198) [HR 0.271 (0.224-0.328)], (NNT=1,015). Notably, the protective effect was most pronounced in non-diabetics [HR 0.179 (0.140-0.229)] and lean patients (BMI < 29) [HR 0.161 (0.103-0.252)]. Risk reductions were sustained across all etiologies, including alcohol liver disease (HR 0.379), cirrhosis (HR 0.456), chronic viral hepatitis (HR 0.477), and MASLD (HR 0.605). GLP-1RA use was associated with a significant increase in GI adverse events. Conclusions: GLP-1RA use was associated with a 73% reduction in incident HCC, consistent across subgroups. The enhanced benefit in non-diabetic and lean cohorts suggests a direct anti-neoplastic mechanism independent of weight loss or glycemic control. The NNT of 1,015 highlights the substantial public health impact of GLP-1RA therapy in preventing a high-mortality malignancy. These findings warrant prospective validation.
Outcomes and treatment patterns in germline BRCA1/2 carriers from two matched cohort studies
Morganti, Stefania , Kim, Se Eun , Jin, Qingchun , Cha, Jaeyoon , Zeigler, Jacqueline E, Newman, Alexandra Bili, Kirkner, Gregory J. , Snow, Craig , Zheng, Yue, Vincuilla, Julie, Parker, Tonia , Buehler, Ryan M. , Bychkovsky, Brittany L , Dibble, Kate E. , Sella, Tal , Ruddy, Kathryn J, Rosenberg, Shoshana M, Collins, Laura C. , Peppercorn, Jeffrey, Schapira, Lidia, Guzman-Arocho, Yaileen D, Come, Steven E. , Warner, Ellen, Poorvu, Philip D. , Lambertini, Matteo, Curigliano, G, Hughes, Melissa E. , Mittendorf, Elizabeth A, King, Tari A, Lin, Nancy U, Garber, Judy E, Tayob, Nabihah, Tolaney, S M, Partridge, Ann H, Zheng, Yue , Newman, Alexandra B , Zheng, Yue , Ruddy, Kathryn J , Peppercorn, Jeffrey M , Borges, Virginia F , Guzman-Arocho, Yaileen D , Come, Steven , Poorvu, Philip D , Lambertini, Matteo , Curigliano, Giuseppe , Mittendorf, EA , King, Tari A , Lin, Nancy U , Garber, J. E. , Tayob, Nabihah , Tolaney, Sara , Partridge, Ann H , Lynce, Filipa , Kirkner, Gregory , Snow, Craig , Vincuilla, Julie, Ruddy, Kathryn J. , Rosenberg, Shoshana M. , Peppercorn, Jeffrey , Schapira, Lidia , Borges, Virginia F. , Guzmán‐Arocho, Yaileen D. , Warner, Ellen , Lambertini, Matteo , Curigliano, Giuseppe , King, Tari A. , Lin, Nancy U. , Garber, Judy E. , Partridge, Ann H.

Mayo Clinic

JNCI Cancer Spectrum | May 23, 2026 | Volume: 10 | Issue: 4 | Pages: No page available

10.1093/jncics/pkag055 | PMID 42185079 Get It

Abstract Background Whether outcomes of germline BRCA1/2 (gBRCA1/2)-associated breast cancer differ compared with sporadic tumors is controversial. We explored the impact of gBRCA1/2 pathogenic variant (PV) status beyond established prognostic features. Methods We conducted 2 retrospective, matched cohort studies comparing gBRCA1/2 PV carriers and noncarriers with HER2-negative, stage I-III breast cancer (Clinical Outcomes Quality Database [COQD] cohort: 185 carriers, 555 noncarriers; Young Women’s Breast Cancer Study [YWS] cohort: 113 carriers, 226 noncarriers). Matching factors were age, stage, hormone receptor status, and year of diagnosis. Clinicopathological features, treatments, and survival outcomes were compared between carriers and noncarriers. Results Most patients in COQD had stage I-II disease (87.2%), and more carriers than noncarriers had genetic testing before diagnosis (33% vs 5.6%, P &lt; .001). In YWS, 22.7% of patients had stage III tumors, and few were tested before diagnosis (14.8% of carriers vs 1.7% of noncarriers; P &lt; .001). Carriers in COQD received chemotherapy more often than noncarriers (81.1 vs 67.0%, P &lt; .001), including platinum (P = .010); the proportion was similar for carriers and noncarriers in YWS. After adjusting for chemotherapy, relapse-free survival was longer in carriers than noncarriers in COQD (adjusted hazard ratio = 0.48 [95% CI = 0.26 to 0.87], P = .016), and a favorable trend was observed for other survival outcomes in both cohorts. Triple-negative tumors appeared to drive the differences. Conclusions We observed a trend toward improved outcomes in gBRCA1/2 PV carriers compared with noncarriers. These findings suggest that carriers should not receive more aggressive treatment solely based on their germline mutation status. Prospective clinical trials in this population are warranted.
Common Medical Comorbidities, Demographic Factors and Levels of Plasma Biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurodegeneration in Black/African American Older Adults
Cid, Rosie E. Curiel, Ortega, Alexandra, Crenshaw, Kirsten, Vaccari, Juan Pablo de Rivero , Carrasquillo, Minerva M. , Zheng, D. Diane , Hinton, Dylan , Sfakianaki, Efrosyni, Crocco, Elizabeth A., Casellas, Heidi , Ramirez, Sofia, Abascal, Tan, Abel, Triana , Wang, Wei-En, Duara, Ranjan , Ertekin-Taner, Nilüfer, Loewenstein, David , de Rivero Vaccari, Juan Pablo , Zheng, D Diane , Hinton, Dylan , Casellas, Heidi , Kuchenbecker, Lindsey A. , Duara, Ranjan , Loewenstein, David , Carrasquillo, Minerva M. , Curiel, Rosie E. , Ortega, Alexandra , Crenshaw, Kirsten Horne , Vaillancourt, David E. , Crocco, Elizabeth , Ertekin‐Taner, Nilüfer

Mayo Clinic

Biomolecules | May 22, 2026 | Volume: 16 | Issue: 5 | Pages: 747

10.3390/biom16050747 | PMID 42194093 Get It

Emerging evidence suggests that systemic physiological factors may influence plasma biomarker concentrations of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related neurodegenerative processes, potentially affecting their specificity for central nervous system pathology. This study examined the relationship of demographic factors and medical comorbidities with plasma biomarkers of AD and neurodegeneration in a community-dwelling cohort of Black/African American (B/AA) older adults (N = 141). Participants underwent plasma assessment of phosphorylated tau at threonine 217 (p-Tau217), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light chain (NfL). Results showed associations between plasma p-Tau217 and amyloid PET positivity, and significant intercorrelations among p-Tau217, GFAP, and NfL. Stepwise regression models incorporated demographics, amyloid PET status, and laboratory measures of renal, metabolic, and lipid function as predictors for each biomarker. p-Tau217 was primarily predicted by amyloid PET and renal function; GFAP by age and sex; and NfL by renal function, age, and sex. Findings indicate plasma biomarker concentrations in B/AA older adults reflect both central AD-related pathology and systemic physiological factors, particularly renal function, and demographic influences. Results underscore the importance of accounting for comorbid medical conditions and demographic characteristics when interpreting blood-based biomarkers and highlight the need for comprehensive medical phenotyping to improve diagnostic specificity and clinical utility.
Epstein-Barr virus-associated multiple sclerosis: recent mechanistic advances and clinical therapeutic perspectives
Cheng, Ruogu, Y, Gao , Zheng, Ruoyi , Wen, Muzi, Li, Gaoling, Pan, Wenbin, Liao, Yuqiao, Wen, Linxin , Hu, Yueyang, Zhao-Fleming, Hannah , Shang, Pei , Wen, Muzi

Mayo Clinic

Frontiers in Immunology | May 21, 2026 | Volume: 17 | Issue: No issue available | Pages: No page available

10.3389/fimmu.2026.1799161 | PMID 42253989 Get It

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory and degenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Typically occurring in young and middle-aged individuals, untreated MS can have high rates of disability and recurrence, thereby imposing a significant burden on the patient, their family, and society. Many factors are implicated in the etiology of MS, with the relationship between Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) infection and the development of MS being the subject of extensive research recently. When the human body experiences a decline in immune function, it may trigger reactivation of EBV, and this reactivation is also believed to increase the risk of onset or relapse of MS. Currently, the phenomenon of cross-reactivity resulting from molecular mimicry following EBV infection (including reactivation status) is theorized as a contributing etiology. EBV-mediated abnormalities in T cells and B cells also play a key role in the development of MS. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been thoroughly understood. Meanwhile, the limited availability of effective treatment options for MS, in particular MS progression, underscores the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we discuss the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying MS, specifically emphasizing the relationship between EBV infection and the disease pathology. Furthermore, we introduced relevant pharmacological targets in order to propose a broader range of therapeutic alternatives for individuals diagnosed with MS.