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Introduction: IBER is an oral, potent novel cereblon E3 ligase modulator (CELMoD) agent with marked synergistic tumoricidal and immune-stimulatory effects in combination with BORT or DARA in preclinical models. CC-220-MM-001 is a phase 1/2 study evaluating dose escalations of IBER with different treatment combinations in independent cohorts, in patients (pts) with RRMM (NCT02773030); the IBER + DEX cohort showed a favorable safety profile with promising efficacy and a selected IBER RP2D of 1.6 mg 21/28 days (D). Here, we present results from the IBER + DARA + DEX (IberDd) and IBER + BORT + DEX (IberVd) cohorts. Methods: Eligible pts had received ≥ 2 prior regimens in the IberDd cohort, and ≥ 1 prior regimen in the IberVd cohort, containing at least lenalidomide or pomalidomide, and a proteasome inhibitor (PI), and had experienced disease progression on or within 60 days of last MM therapy. Escalating doses of IBER were given orally, in the IberDd cohort on D1-21, with DARA (16 mg/kg) on D1, D8, D15, and D22 (cycles [C]1-2), D1 and D15 (C3-6), and D1 (C ≥ 7), of each 28-day cycle; in the IberVd cohort, on D1-14, with BORT (1.3 mg/m2) on D1, D4, D8, and D11 (C1-8), and on D1 and D8 (C ≥ 9), of each 21-day cycle. In both cohorts DEX was given weekly. Primary objectives were to evaluate MTD, RP2D, and safety separately for each cohort; a key secondary objective was preliminary assessment of efficacy. Immune profiling was evaluated by flow cytometry from pt peripheral blood at C1D1, C2D15, C4D1, and C4D15. Results: As of June 18, 2020, 19 pts had received IberDd and 21 pts IberVd. Baseline characteristics for the 2 independent cohorts are shown in the table. All pts were refractory to their last prior regimen, and exposure to prior regimens was heterogeneous. IBER doses ranged from 1.0 to 1.6 mg; the MTD/RP2D has not been reached in either cohort. Median follow-up was 5 (0-14) and 3 (0-11) months, 10 (53%) and 13 (62%) pts continue on treatment, median cycles received was 5 (1-14) and 4.5 (1-17), with IberDd and IberVd, respectively. Grade (Gr) 3-4 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in 14 (78%) pts with IberDd, and in 13 (65%) pts with IberVd. Most frequent Gr 3-4 TEAEs of interest included neutropenia (50%), leukopenia (22%), and anemia (22%) with IberDd; and neutropenia (20%) and thrombocytopenia (20%) with IberVd. In both cohorts, neutropenia was managed with G-CSF. One pt (IberDd; 1.2 mg dose) had Gr 4 neutropenic sepsis. Occurrence of Gr 3-4 non-hematological TEAEs was low in both cohorts. One pt had Gr 2 infusion-related reaction with IberDd, and 3 pts had Gr 1-2 peripheral neuropathy with IberVd. Six (33%) and 4 (20%) pts had IBER dose reductions with IberDd and IberVd, respectively. In the IberDd cohort, with 12/19 (63%) DARA-refractory pts and 11 (58%) quad-class-refractory pts, the overall response rate (ORR) was 35% across all dosing groups (2 very good partial responses [VGPRs], 4 partial responses [PRs]); the clinical benefit rate (CBR) was 47% and disease control rate (DCR) was 88%. In the IberVd cohort, with 16/21 (76%) PI-refractory pts, 9 (43%) BORT-refractory pts, and 10 (48%) quad-class refractory pts, ORR was 50% (1 complete response, 3 VGPRs, 6 PRs); CBR was 65% and DCR was 85%. Responses with IberDd and IberVd were observed irrespective of DARA- and BORT-refractoriness, respectively. Median time to response was 4.1 (4.1-12.0) and 4.9 (3.0-13.1) weeks, in the IberDd and IberVd cohorts, respectively; median duration of response was not reached in both cohorts. Immune profiling showed dose-dependent decreases in B cells and increases in activated and differentiated T cells, in both cohorts. Except for reductions in CD38+ T cells in pts receiving IberDd, these observations were similar in pts treated with IBER + DEX. Conclusions: IberDd and IberVd showed a favorable tolerability profile in heavily pretreated RRMM pts, with promising clinical activity, even among pts refractory to the last prior regimen and previously exposed to IMiD agents, PIs, and CD38 antibodies. Immune-profiling data confirm that IBER + DEX was pharmacodynamically active in triplet combination and not augmented by the addition of DARA or BORT. The study is ongoing with continued enrollment at the 1.6 mg dose level for both cohorts. Updated results, including the MTD/RP2D, will be presented at the meeting. These results support the further development of IBER-based regimens in MM; phase 3 trials are planned to further evaluate these combinations. Disclosures van de Donk: Bristol Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Ferrer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding. Popat:Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Travel support, Research Funding; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria; Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); AbbVie: Consultancy, Honoraria; GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company). Larsen:Janssen Oncology: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Minnema:Servier: Consultancy; Kite, a Gilead Company: Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Other: travel support, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy. Jagannath:BMS, Janssen, Karyopharm, Legend Biotech, Sanofi, Takeda: Consultancy. Oriol:Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GlaxoSmithKline: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Zonder:Prothena: Consultancy; Intellia: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees; Celgene: Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Research Funding; Amgen: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees; Oncopeptide: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees; Alnylam: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees; Janssen: Consultancy, Other: Personal fees; Caelum: Consultancy; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: Personal fees. Richardson:Celgene/BMS, Oncopeptides, Takeda, Karyopharm: Research Funding. Rodriguez-Otero:Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria; Medscape: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene/Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); GlaxoSmithKline: Consultancy, Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company, Honoraria; Abbvie: Consultancy, Honoraria; Kite: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS, EXPENSES (paid by any for-profit health care company); Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Oncopeptides: Consultancy, Honoraria. Badros:Amgen: Consultancy; University of Maryland: Current Employment. Stadtmauer:Sanofi: Consultancy; AbbVie: Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Research Funding. Bringhen:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Amgen: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Karyopharm: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Consultancy; Celgene: Honoraria, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Siegel:Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Celulatiry: Consultancy; Karyopharma: Consultancy, Honoraria. Gamberi:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; GSK: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Sanofi: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria. Gironella Mesa:Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bristol Myers Squibb: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Sonneveld:Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Karyopharm: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Skyline Dx: Honoraria, Research Funding; Takeda: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Sanofi: Consultancy. Nguyen:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Di Micco:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Sorrell:Children's Oncology Group: Other: Non-member; Previous Study Chair AAML08B1; Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment. Chen:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Amatangelo:Bristol Myers Squibb: Current Employment, Current equity holder in publicly-traded company. Kueenburg:Celgene International Sàrl, a Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Boudry, Switzerland: Current Employment. Lonial:Onyx: Honoraria; Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Personal fees; Genentech: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Personal fees; Merck: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Personal fees; Abbvie: Consultancy; Millennium: Consultancy, Honoraria; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy; JUNO Therapeutics: Consultancy; TG Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Takeda: Consultancy, Other: Personal fees, Research Funding; Janssen: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Personal fees, Research Funding; BMS: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Personal fees, Research Funding; GSK: Consultancy, Honoraria, Other: Personal fees.

Abstract Background: It is not known whether modifiable lifestyle factors that predict survival after invasive breast cancer differ by subtype. Methods: We analyzed data for 121,435 women diagnosed with breast cancer from 67 studies in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium with 16,890 deaths (8,554 breast cancer specific) over 10 years. Cox regression was used to estimate associations between risk factors and 10-year all-cause mortality and breast cancer–specific mortality overall, by estrogen receptor (ER) status, and by intrinsic-like subtype. Results: There was no evidence of heterogeneous associations between risk factors and mortality by subtype (Padj > 0.30). The strongest associations were between all-cause mortality and BMI ≥30 versus 18.5–25 kg/m2 [HR (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.19 (1.06–1.34)]; current versus never smoking [1.37 (1.27–1.47)], high versus low physical activity [0.43 (0.21–0.86)], age ≥30 years versus <20 years at first pregnancy [0.79 (0.72–0.86)]; >0–<5 years versus ≥10 years since last full-term birth [1.31 (1.11–1.55)]; ever versus never use of oral contraceptives [0.91 (0.87–0.96)]; ever versus never use of menopausal hormone therapy, including current estrogen–progestin therapy [0.61 (0.54–0.69)]. Similar associations with breast cancer mortality were weaker; for example, 1.11 (1.02–1.21) for current versus never smoking. Conclusions: We confirm associations between modifiable lifestyle factors and 10-year all-cause mortality. There was no strong evidence that associations differed by ER status or intrinsic-like subtype. Impact: Given the large dataset and lack of evidence that associations between modifiable risk factors and 10-year mortality differed by subtype, these associations could be cautiously used in prognostication models to inform patient-centered care.

Abstract Background: Dysregulation of ceramide and sphingomyelin levels have been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Ceramide transfer proteins (CERTs) are ceramide carriers which are crucial for ceramide and sphingomyelin balance in cells. Extracellular forms of CERTs co-localize with amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques in AD brains. To date, the significance of these observations for the pathophysiology of AD remains uncertain.Methods: A plasmid expressing CERTL, the long isoform of CERTs, was used to study the interaction of CERTL with amyloid precursor protein (APP) by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence in HEK cells. The recombinant CERTL protein was employed to study interaction of CERTL with amyloid-β (Aβ), Aβ aggregation process in presence of CERTL, and the resulting changes in Aβ toxicity in neuroblastoma cells. CERTL was overexpressed in neurons by adeno associated virus (AAV) in a mouse model of familial AD (5xFAD). Ten weeks after transduction, animals were challenged with behavior tests for memory, anxiety and locomotion. At week twelve, brains were investigated for sphingolipid levels by mass spectrometry, plaques and neuroinflammation by immunohistochemistry, gene expression and/or immunoassay.Results: Here, we report that CERTL, binds to APP, modifies Aβ aggregation and reduces Aβ neurotoxicity in vitro. Furthermore, we show that intracortical injection of AAV, mediating the expression of CERTL, decreases levels of ceramide d18:1/16:0 and increases sphingomyelin levels in the brain of male 5xFAD mice. CERTL in vivo over-expression has a mild effect on animal locomotion, decreases Aβ formation and modulates microglia by decreasing their pro-inflammatory phenotype.Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a crucial role of CERTL in regulating ceramide levels in the brain, in amyloid plaque formation and neuroinflammation, thereby opening research avenues for therapeutic targets of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Background Corticotroph tumor progression (CTP) leading to Nelson’s syndrome (NS) is a severe and difficult-to-treat complication subsequent to bilateral adrenalectomy (BADX) for Cushing’s disease. Its characteristics are not well described, and consensus recommendations for diagnosis and treatment are missing. Methods A systematic literature search was performed focusing on clinical studies and case series (≥5 patients). Definition, cumulative incidence, treatment and long-term outcomes of CTP/NS after BADX were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results were presented and discussed at an interdisciplinary consensus workshop attended by international pituitary experts in Munich on October 28, 2018. Results Data covered definition and cumulative incidence (34 studies, 1275 patients), surgical outcome (12 studies, 187 patients), outcome of radiation therapy (21 studies, 273 patients), and medical therapy (15 studies, 72 patients). Conclusions We endorse the definition of CTP-BADX/NS as radiological progression or new detection of a pituitary tumor on thin-section MRI. We recommend surveillance by MRI after 3 months and every 12 months for the first 3 years after BADX. Subsequently, we suggest clinical evaluation every 12 months and MRI at increasing intervals every 2–4 years (depending on ACTH and clinical parameters). We recommend pituitary surgery as first-line therapy in patients with CTP-BADX/NS. Surgery should be performed before extrasellar expansion of the tumor to obtain complete and long-term remission. Conventional radiotherapy or stereotactic radiosurgery should be utilized as second-line treatment for remnant tumor tissue showing extrasellar extension

Abstract Aims To evaluate the impact of various smoking status on 10-year all-cause mortality and to examine a relative treatment benefit of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) vs. percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) according to smoking habits. Methods and results The SYNTAX Extended Survival study evaluated vital status up to 10 years in 1800 patients with de novo three-vessel disease and/or left main coronary artery disease randomized to CABG or PCI in the SYNTAX trial. In the present analysis, patients were divided into three groups (current, former, or never smokers), and the primary endpoint of 10-year all-cause mortality was assessed according to smoking status. Smoking status was available in 1793 (99.6%) patients at the time of randomization, of whom 363 were current smokers, 798 were former smokers, and 632 were never smokers. The crude rates of 10-year all-cause mortality were 29.7% in current smokers, 25.3% in former smokers, and 25.9% in never smokers (Log-rank P = 0.343). After adjustment for imbalances in baseline characteristics, current smokers had a significantly higher risk of 10-year all-cause mortality than never smokers [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 2.29; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.60–3.27; P < 0.001], whereas former smokers did not. PCI was associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality than CABG among current smokers (HR: 1.60; 95% CI: 1.09–2.35; P = 0.017), but it failed to show a significant interaction between revascularization strategies and smoking status (Pinteraction = 0.910). Conclusion Current smokers had a higher adjusted risk of 10-year all-cause mortality, whereas former smokers did not. The treatment effect of CABG vs. PCI did not differ significantly according to smoking status. Clinical trial registration SYNTAX: ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT00114972; SYNTAX Extended Survival. ClinicalTrials.gov reference: NCT03417050.

Abstract Background: Dysregulation of ceramide and sphingomyelin levels have been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Ceramide transfer proteins (CERTs) are ceramide carriers, crucial for ceramide and sphingomyelin balance in cells. Extracellular forms of CERTs co-localize with amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques in AD brains. To date, the significance of these observations for the pathophysiology of AD remains uncertain.Methods: The plasmid expressing CERTL, the long isoform of CERTs, was used to study the interaction of CERTL with amyloid precursor protein (APP) by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence in HEK cells. The recombinant CERTL protein was employed to study interaction of CERTL with amyloid-β (Aβ), Aβ aggregation process in presence of CERTL, and the resulting changes in Aβ toxicity in neuroblastoma cells. CERTL was overexpressed in neurons by adeno associated virus (AAV) in a familial mouse model of familial AD (5xFAD). Ten weeks after transduction, animals were challenged with behavior tests for memory, anxiety and locomotion. At week twelve, brains were investigated for sphingolipid levels by mass spectrometry, plaques and neuroinflammation by immunohistochemistry, gene expression and/or immunoassay.Results: Here, we report that CERTL, binds to APP, modifies Aβ aggregation and reduces Aβ neurotoxicity in vitro. Furthermore, we show that intracortical injection of AAV, mediating the expression of CERTL, decreases levels of ceramide d18:1/16:0 and increases sphingomyelin levels in the brain of male 5xFAD mice. CERTL in vivo over-expression has a mild effect on animal locomotion, decreases Aβ formation and modulates microglia by decreasing their pro-inflammatory phenotype.Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a crucial role of CERTL in regulating ceramide levels in the brain, in amyloid plaque formation and neuroinflammation, thereby opening research avenues for therapeutic targets of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.

AbstractBackgroundRecently, hearing loss has been identified as a promising modifiable risk factor for dementia. Several hypotheses explaining a potential underlying pathway have been proposed, including the sensory deprivation hypothesis, describing a direct causal relationship in which hearing loss leads to neuroplastic changes in the brain. Indeed, hearing loss has been associated with smaller macrostructural brain volumes, which is believed to at least partly explain the association between hearing loss and neurodegenerative disease. However, microstructural changes precede macrostructural changes. Therefore, we aimed to assess the association between hearing loss and microstructural integrity of the brain.Methods1,086 dementia‐free older adults from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study (mean age = 75.2 [SD: 4.9], 61.4% female) underwent hearing assessment (2016‐2017) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain (2011‐2013). Hearing was assessed with pure‐tone audiometry. Microstructural integrity (fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity (MD)) of multiple brain regions was determined with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Multivariable linear regression models were used to investigate the association between hearing loss and microstructural integrity of the lobes, temporal lobe gyri, medial temporal lobe structures and white matter (WM) tracts, adjusting for relevant confounders.ResultHearing loss was associated with lower WM microstructural integrity in the temporal lobe (difference in SD FA for moderate/severe hearing loss as compared to normal hearing: ‐0.19 [95% CI: ‐0.35, ‐0.03]; and difference in SD MD for moderate/severe hearing loss as compared to normal hearing: 0.15 [95% CI: 0.01, 0.28]). Hearing loss was associated with lower gray matter (GM) microstructure of the hippocampus, but not the amygdala. Moreover, hearing loss was associated with lower WM microstructural integrity of the limbic tracts and the uncinate fasciculus (Figure 1).ConclusionOur results demonstrate that age‐related hearing loss is associated with lower WM microstructural integrity in the temporal lobe, the limbic tracts and the uncinate fasciculus and lower GM microstructure in the hippocampus. These associations suggest that poorer hearing may affect brain regions that are important for different cognitive processes. However, the results should be interpreted with caution as this study is of a cross‐sectional design.