Citations

PURPOSE Bone metastases (BM) occur in approximately 30% of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) and are associated with poor survival and symptomatic skeletal events (SSEs). Radium-223, an alpha-emitting bone-seeking radioisotope, and cabozantinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, have demonstrated activity in BM. RADICAL (Alliance A031801; ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04071223 ) evaluated cabozantinib ± radium-223 in mRCC with BM. METHODS This phase II trial enrolled patients with mRCC of any histology with ≥1 BM. Patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to cabozantinib ± radium-223, stratified by osteoclast-targeted therapy (OTT), prior therapy, opioid use, and International mRCC Database Consortium (IMDC) risk. The primary end point was SSE-free survival (SSE-FS). Secondary end points included safety, objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival, and overall survival (OS). A target of 124 evaluable patients was planned, with a prespecified interim futility analysis at 50% of expected SSE-FS events; the trial would stop if the stratified hazard ratio (sHR) > 1.0. RESULTS The prespecified interim futility analysis was conducted after 90 patients were enrolled and crossed the futility boundary, leading to closure at 98 patients. The final analysis included all 98 patients. Median age was 63 years, 82.7% had clear cell histology, and 79.6% were using an OTT. IMDC risk was favorable (18.4%), intermediate (67.3%), and poor (14.3%). Median follow-up was 13.1 months. Median SSE-FS for cabozantinib with radium-223 versus cabozantinib was 16.7 versus 17.6 months (sHR, 1.46 [90% CI, 0.86 to 2.51]). Median OS was 28.3 versus 19.7 months (sHR, 1.40 [95% CI, 0.70 to 2.79]). ORR was 19.4% versus 25.0% ( P = .78). Grade ≥3 adverse events were similar across arms (69.6% v 75.5%). CONCLUSION Radium-223 did not improve SSE-FS when added to cabozantinib. The combination demonstrated a manageable safety profile.

Acute cholecystitis affects ∼200,000 individuals annually in the United States, with laparoscopic cholecystectomy as the gold standard treatment. However, in high-risk surgical candidates, alternative drainage methods are necessary. Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PT-GBD) has traditionally served as the primary alternative intervention, offering rapid decompression, but is limited by a negative impact on the patient’s quality of life, the risk of long-term or even permanent tube placement, adverse events, and high recurrence rates. Endoscopic approaches, such as endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ET-GBD) and, more recently, endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (EUS-GBD), have emerged as viable alternatives to PT-GBD. EUS-GBD, first introduced in 2007, offers technical and clinical outcomes comparable to PT-GBD with fewer adverse events, shorter hospital stays, and lower rates of recurrence. The introduction of lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) has revolutionized EUS-GBD, simplifying deployment and enabling subsequent internal gallbladder access, which allows additional interventions such as cholecystoscopy and stone removal. EUS-GBD is now supported by international guidelines, and 1 device has achieved FDA approval for the management of acute cholecystitis in nonsurgical candidates. Proper patient selection is essential, guided by multidisciplinary evaluation, with EUS-GBD contraindicated in specific scenarios such as gallbladder perforation, coagulopathy, and large-volume ascites. Technical considerations include choice of access site (transgastric versus transduodenal), stent type, and procedural route [direct (freehand) or wire-guided]. Postprocedural care and stent management remain variable and nonstandardized. Emerging data suggest that interval cholecystectomy can still be performed safely after EUS-GBD. As adoption of EUS-GBD with LAMS expands, structured training and standardization of practice are crucial to optimizing outcomes.

Abstract Background Identification of individuals at increased risk for synucleinopathies is becoming more feasible with advances in biomarkers. However, the ethical and practical aspects of communicating disease risk remain unresolved, particularly across diagnostic groups and cultural contexts. Objectives We aimed to evaluate attitudes toward disclosure of future synucleinopathy risk among individuals with isolated/idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD), as well as in individuals who developed Parkinson's disease (PD), or multiple system atrophy (MSA), in a large non‐Western registry. Methods This nationwide survey study included participants from 28 movement disorders and sleep centers across Türkiye. Questionnaires assessing attitudes toward risk disclosure, additional testing, and clinical trial participation were administered face‐to‐face. Responses were analyzed using contingency tables and regression models. Results are reported following the Consensus‐Based Checklist for Reporting of Survey Studies (CROSS) guideline. Results Among 1385 participants (1039 PD, 107 MSA, 239 iRBD), individuals with iRBD showed the highest support for risk disclosure (88.3%), exceeding PD (64.4%) and MSA (51.9%). Approval declined modestly (3–8%) when framed within the absence of disease‐modifying treatment. iRBD participants were more willing for additional testing but less willing to join clinical trials (31.8%) than PD (45.3%) or MSA (48%). MSA patients expressed the greatest concern about psychological impact. Male sex had more favorable views on disclosure and trial participation, while younger and better‐educated participants favored additional testing. Conclusions Attitudes toward risk disclosure differ markedly across the synucleinopathy spectrum and demographic characteristics. Culturally informed and diagnosis‐specific disclosure strategies will be essential for trial recruitment and patient‐centered care.

ABSTRACT Beta‐lactam antibiotics (beta‐lactams) are first‐line treatments for most major infectious syndromes in acutely ill patients, with in vitro activity against common pathogens, demonstrated efficacy in trials, and a perceived low risk of adverse effects. The current dosing approach, informed by population‐level data, tends to be simplistically reduced to a “one size fits all” dosing method which only accounts for body weight (i.e., in pediatrics) and end organ function to estimate drug clearance (e.g., estimated glomerular filtration rate); this approach results in substantial variability in observed serum concentrations in acutely ill patients, which can compromise real‐world effectiveness and safety. Beta‐lactam dose individualization, therefore, defined as a dosing regimen for one patient informed by measured concentrations from that patient, has been recommended in international clinical guidelines. Comprehensive guidance on best practices for beta‐lactam dose individualization is lacking. To address this knowledge gap and develop guidance, a multidisciplinary panel of international experts was assembled from the disciplines of infectious diseases, critical care, pharmacometrics, and laboratory medicine, representing both adults and pediatrics. The panel systematically evaluated the literature, using the GRADE approach where feasible, to address broad thematic questions pertaining to whether beta‐lactam dose individualization should be pursued, for what indications beta‐lactam dose individualization is warranted, and the most critical considerations and best practices for implementation of beta‐lactam individualization. The resultant consensus recommendations will equip healthcare professionals caring for acutely ill patients treated with beta‐lactam therapy with the evidence and tools necessary to guide optimal use of beta‐lactam dose individualization.

Abstract Complement-mediated thrombotic microangiopathy can be difficult to recognize when it presents in the setting of an apparent clinical trigger, such as pregnancy, severe hypertension, or kidney transplantation. These conditions can each cause endothelial injury directly but may also unmask complement dysregulation in susceptible individuals. In these situations, the critical question is not whether a trigger exists but whether it fully explains the syndrome and whether urgent complement blockade is warranted to prevent irreversible kidney injury. In this How I Treat article, we use 3 real-world cases to illustrate how we approach this decision in practice. We emphasize the bedside features that most influence our threshold to treat, including the pattern and severity of kidney injury, tempo of disease progression, and lack of improvement with supportive or trigger-directed care. We also address the interpretation of complement genetic findings, pregnancy- and transplant-specific risk stratification, and the individualization of treatment duration. Functional assays can support mechanistic assessment in selected cases but remain an adjunct to diagnosis and should not drive management decisions.

Abstract Background Immune dysregulation, immunosuppressive therapy and active inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) increase susceptibility to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. We evaluated the risk of RSV infection in patients with active and nonactive IBD. Methods Using the TriNetX Analytics Network from October 2024 through March 2025, we identified adult patients (aged ≥18 years) with IBD. Patients were classified as having active IBD if they had recent IBD complications, IBD-related surgery, or elevated inflammatory markers (within preceding 6 months); those without recent complications,surgeries, or elevated inflammatory markers were classified as having nonactive IBD within the same period. Outcomes were assessed within 180 days after the index date and included RSV infection, bacterial pneumonia, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mechanical ventilation. Results Among 141 763 patients (47 883 patients with active IBD, 93 880 patients with nonactive IBD), 2879 patients with active IBD and 3583 with nonactive IBD received the RSV vaccination. After matching, each cohort included 46 308 patients. Active IBD was associated with higher odds of RSV infection (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.55; 95% CI, 1.18-2.04), bacterial pneumonia (aOR, 2.58; 95% CI, 2.08-3.19), ICU admissions (aOR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.88-2.28), and mechanical ventilation (aOR, 2.41; 95% CI, 2.01-2.88). RSV risk remained higher among patients with active IBD both with and without systemic corticosteroid exposure. Among RSV-vaccinated patients, RSV infection rates were not significantly different between active and nonactive IBD (aOR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.78-1.79). Conclusion Patients with active IBD had higher risk of RSV infection. Increased RSV risk was observed both among patients with active IBD with and without systemic corticosteroid exposure. Among RSV-vaccinated patients, RSV infection rates were not significantly different between active and nonactive IBD. Further prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.

The Pulmonary Embolism Reporting and Data System (PE-RADS) provides a standardized framework for reporting acute pulmonary embolism at CT and MR angiography to guide treatment considerations based on clot location and right heart imaging features.

Abstract The mutation status of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) in glioma patients has diagnostic and prognostic significance but is available only after surgery. Rapid and sensitive intraoperative molecular diagnosis is essential for distinguishing tumor from infiltrative and from normal brain tissue to maximize safe resection. IDH-mutant (mut)tumors produce high concentrations of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG), which serves as a surrogate marker of IDH mutation. Here, we use desorption electrospray ionization-multiple reaction monitoring (DESI-MRM), a form of mass spectrometry (MS), for rapid prediction of IDH mutation status. A set of 30 human brain smears was analyzed using DESI-MRM experiments to predict the mutation status of IDH and quantify 2HG in glioma samples within 2 min (endogenous reference molecule) or 7 min (external standard). Nanoelectrospray ionization (nESI) was employed as a validation method. An isotopically labeled surrogate internal standard allowed quantitative measurement of 2HG and clear separation between IDH-mut and IDH-wildtype (wt) samples, showing 100% agreement with clinical diagnosis. 2HG concentrations in IDH-mut samples ranged from 88 to 1445 ng mg–1, while IDH-wt samples exhibited 2HG concentrations of 9–15 ng mg–1. Calibration curves showed method accuracy within ≤15%. The quantitative results obtained using isotopically labeled standards showed a strong correlation between IDH mutation score and 2HG concentrations, as did an earlier semiquantitative (ratiometric, endogenous standard) method. These findings highlight the standalone capability of DESI-MRM for making measurements to justify assessments for intraoperative diagnosis and to support surgical decision-making to improve patient outcomes.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Although cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers reflect neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD), it remains unclear whether these biomarkers track neurodegeneration in early‐onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD). METHODS In 80 EOAD patients, we examined correlations between eight CSF biomarker levels and cortical thickness decreases within the EOAD cortical atrophy signature. Significant correlations were then entered into a multiple regression analysis. We also examined contributions of EOAD atrophy and CSF biomarkers to cognitive impairment. RESULTS The levels of four CSF biomarkers correlated to EOAD signature atrophy. Stepwise regression analyses revealed that CSF neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels best predicted EOAD signature atrophy. Multiple regression showed EOAD signature atrophy combined with CSF NfL levels explained more variance in cognitive impairment than either factor alone. DISCUSSION Within EOAD patients, CSF NfL levels relate to the magnitude of cortical atrophy, and a combination of EOAD signature atrophy and CSF NfL levels most robustly predict cognitive impairment.