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4516 Background: Ipilimumab/nivolumab (ipi/nivo) is a standard of care first-line treatment (tx) for patients (pts) with mccRCC; however, ideal timing of subsequent immunotherapy txs are not well defined. We performed an analysis of patients initially treated with ipi/nivo and subsequent cohort assignments on PDIGREE (A031704). Methods: The PDIGREE trial treated pts with IMDC intermediate/poor risk mccRCC with first-line ipi/nivo (Step 1) at NCTN sites (categorized as academic (A), academic regional (R), and community (C)). Subsequent management was based on iRECIST responses at 12 weeks: pts with complete response (CR) received 1-year nivo maintenance; pts with progressive disease (PD) received cabozantinib (cabo) monotherapy, pts with non-CR/non-PD were randomized to nivo with or without cabo (for primary endpoint of overall survival [OS], target sample size was 1175). Enrollment was held when the randomized sample target was reached. Pts with unresolved toxicity at week 22 were managed off protocol. Step 1 pt demographics, assignments into Step 2, and adverse event (AE) data are presented. Descriptive statistics were used, and cohorts were compared using a chi-square test. These data were released with DSMB approval and do not inform the primary OS endpoint (1EP). Results: From May 2019 to May 2024, 1111 pts were enrolled and treated with ipi/nivo. Pt characteristics included median age 64.0 years (range 29.0-86.0); 819 (73.7%) males; White (85.1%), Hispanic (10.4%), Black (4.2%), and American Indian/Native Hawaiian (1.3%); 849 (76.8%) intermediate risk/257 (23.2%) poor risk; 458 (41.2%) at Academic, 113 (10.2%) at Regional, and 540 (48.6%) at Community centers; and 603 (54.3%) with de novo metastases. 364 pts (33%) stopped tx in Step 1: 160 (44%) for AEs, 46 (13%) for PD/clinical PD/suspected PD, 42 (12%) withdrawals, 39 (11%) alternative txs, 37 (10%) deaths on the study, 12 (3%) other complicating disease, 8 (2%) MD decision and 19 (5%) other reasons. Of the 37 deaths, 15 (1.4%) grade 5 SAEs were reported, 6 of which were due to PD. Of 747 (67%) pts registered to Step 2 at 3 months, 9 (1.2%) achieved CR, and 141 (18.9%) pts were assigned to the PD cohort. 597 pts (80%) were randomized for the 1EP, notable with fewer pts with poor risk [(21 vs 27%, p = 0.01] and bone metastases [24.5% vs 34.2%, p = 0.0007] compared to Step 1 pts who discontinued tx. Gr 3/4 tx-related AEs in 314/1093 (29%) evaluable pts included diarrhea/colitis (8%), transaminase elevation (3%), rash (2%), adrenal insufficiency (2%), fatigue (2%), and hypophysitis (1%). Conclusions: The PDIGREE trial enrolled a representative US-based population with mccRCC. Step 1 pt characteristics and associated outcomes with induction ipi/nivo reveal new insights into the tolerability and tx response of 1L ipi/nivo. Clinical trial information: NCT03793166 .

4558 Background: In the past 7 years, 4 immuno-oncology (IO) based combinations have been approved for mRCC. However, QOL data on these combinations are limited to trials in which collection and reporting was not standardized, which further limits cross trial comparisons. Real-world QOL data with multiple treatment regimens are needed to understand how these regimens are tolerated in practice. Methods: ODYSSEY is a multi-site, prospective observational study of 500 US pts with mRCC. Pts must have mRCC (any histology), no prior ST, and follow up at a PCORnet study site. Exclusion criteria include treatment for cancer except mRCC. The primary objective is to determine patterns of change in QOL and symptom burden of pts with mRCC. Minimally important differences (MID) are 3 points for FKSI-19 total score, 1 point for the FKSI-Disease Related Symptoms (DRS) subscale and 7 points for FACT-G. Results: As of 1/6/25, 392 pts were enrolled of whom 299 were managed with ST. Of pts on ST, 114 were treated with IO-IO, 108 with IO-TKI, 33 with IO alone, 27 with Other, and 18 with TKI alone. Median follow up for all pts is 8.8 months (IQR 2.9, 16.2). IO-IO pts are median age 64 yrs, 81% male, 84% white, 56% prior nephrectomy, 84% clear cell; IO-TKI pts median age 66 yrs, 76% male, 92% white, 43% prior nephrectomy, 66% clear cell; IMDC risk profiles are similar. IO-IO pts are more likely to be KPS 100; whereas, IO-TKI pts have a higher median number of metastatic sites and are more likely to have bone or liver metastasis. With median follow-up of 6.0 (IQR 1.8, 14.9) and 8.8 months (4.5, 17.8) in the IO-IO and IO-TKI cohorts, 17 (15%) and 21 (19%) pts had died with a median time to death of 5.4 (2.5, 6.4) and 5.7 months (4.4, 12.8), respectively. 20 (18%) and 16 (15%) pts on IO-IO and IO-TKI had discontinued therapy at a median of 3.0 (IQR 2.0, 4.0) and 6.4 months (2.4, 13.0), respectively. Rates of discontinuation for disease progression and toxicity are similar. Baseline PROs for pts on ST are shown in the Table (higher score indicates better QOL), with RCT data for reference (NA, not assessed). Conclusions: In our prospective multi-center ODYSSEY study, we demonstrate that real world pts treated with contemporary ST have worse baseline QOL than those enrolled on pivotal RCTs. One-third of IO-IO and IO-TKI pts died or discontinued therapy within 6 months of initiation. Our data on real world vs RCT differences in baseline QOL may partially explain the limitations of current IO combination regimens in practice and support development of alternative treatment approaches. Instrument, Mean (SD) ODYSSEYIO-IO(N=114) CheckMate214(N=425) ODYSSEYIO-TKI(N=108) KEYNOTE426(N=402) CheckMate9ER(N=323) CLEAR(N=351) FKSI-19 total 56.0 (12.5) 60.1 (9.8) 53.8 (11.8) NA 58.7 (10.6) NA FKSI-DRS 27.5 (6.3) 30.7 (4.5) 27.0 (5.8) 32 (4.2) 30.2 (5.2) 31.3 (4.4) FACT-G 82.4 (16.7) 82.6 (15.0) 78.5 (16.0) NA NA NA

4553 Background: AS is a recognized strategy in select pts with mRCC to maximize QOL and delay potential toxicity of systemic therapy (ST); however, only 2 prospective studies of AS in mRCC have been published: only 1 with patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and none in the IO-TKI era. Methods: ODYSSEY is a prospective observational study of 500 US pts with mRCC. Eligible pts must have mRCC (any histology), no prior ST, age ≥19. Pts were excluded if treated for non-mRCC cancers or if not followed at a PCORnet study site. Pts completed QOL surveys at baseline, by phone every 3 months for 2 years and then every 6 months until end of follow up. The primary objective is to determine patterns of change in QOL and symptom burden of pts with mRCC. Minimally important differences (MID) are 3 points for FKSI-19 total score, 1 point for the FKSI-Disease Related Symptoms (DRS) subscale and 7 points for FACT-G. Here we report baseline pt characteristics in AS pts compared to ST pts, and baseline QOL differences between these cohorts. Results: As of 1/6/25, 392 pts were enrolled of whom 299 were managed with ST, and 93 pts deferred ST; of these, 53 pts (57%) were classified as AS. Pts on AS are median age 68 yrs, 66% male, 94% white, 81% clear cell, 50% favorable risk, 44% intermediate risk. Compared with ST pts, AS pts were more likely to have undergone nephrectomy (91% vs 53%), favorable risk profile (50% vs 15%), pancreatic metastasis (15% vs 5%), and longer time since RCC diagnosis (median 58 vs 3.3 months); and less likely to have bone, brain, or liver metastasis. After median 8.8 months follow-up (IQR 2.9, 16.2), 2 pts (4%) on AS had died compared with 45 pts (15%) on ST. One pt (2%) on AS started first-line therapy and 45 pts (15%) discontinued ST. Mean baseline QOL (FKSI-19 total, DRS and FACT-G) for AS and ST ODYSSEY pts is shown in the Table (higher score indicates better QOL), with RCT data for reference (NA, not assessed). ODYSSEY pts on AS had higher QOL for all measures compared with ODYSSEY pts on ST. FSKI-DRS was the same or lower for pts on AS compared to the pivotal trials, while ODYSSEY pts on ST had both lower FKSI-19 total and DRS. Conclusions: In our large prospective cohort from ODYSSEY, pts on AS had higher median QOL scores than pts on ST, but similar to those included in RCTs. These results suggest that some RCT pts could have benefitted from AS. Further follow up is needed to determine long term outcomes in pts on AS and how they respond to deferred ST. Clinical trial information: NCT04919122 . Instrument, Mean (SD) ODYSSEY AS (N=53) ODYSSEY ST (N=299) ODYSSEY Difference, AS vs ST (95% CI) CheckMate 214 (N=425) KEYNOTE 426 (N=402) CheckMate 9ER (N=323) CLEAR (N=351) FKSI-19 total 63.4 (9.2) 56.3 (12.5) 7.0(4.0, 10.1) 60.1 (9.8) NA 58.7 (10.6) NA FKSI-DRS 30.8 (4.2) 27.9 (6.0) 2.9(1.5, 4.7) 30.7 (4.5) 32 (4.2) 30.2 (5.2) 31.3 (4.4) FACT-G 87.9 (14.0) 82.4 (16.7) 5.6(1.1, 10.0) 82.6 (15.0) NA NA NA

Abstract Osteogenic differentiation is essential for bone development, metabolism, and repair; however, the underlying regulatory relationships among genes remain poorly understood. To elucidate the transcriptomic changes and identify novel regulatory genes involved in osteogenic differentiation, we differentiated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from 20 human iPSC lines into preosteoblasts (preOBs) and osteoblasts (OBs). We then performed transcriptome profiling of MSCs, preOBs and OBs. The iPSC-derived MSCs and OBs showed similar transcriptome profiles to those of primary human MSCs and OBs, respectively. Differential gene expression analysis revealed global changes in the transcriptomes from MSCs to preOBs, and then to OBs, including the differential expression of 840 genes encoding transcription factors (TFs). TF regulatory network analysis uncovered a network comprising 451 TFs, organized into five interactive modules. Multiscale embedded gene co-expression network analysis (MEGENA) identified gene co-expression modules and key network regulators (KNRs). From these analyses, KLF16 emerged as an important TF in osteogenic differentiation. We demonstrate that overexpression of Klf16 in vitro inhibited osteogenic differentiation and mineralization, while Klf16+/- mice exhibited increased bone mineral density, trabecular number, and cortical bone area. Our study underscores the complexity of osteogenic differentiation and identifies novel regulatory genes such as KLF16, which plays an inhibitory role in osteogenic differentiation both in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract Osteogenic differentiation is essential for bone development, metabolism, and repair; however, the underlying regulatory relationships among genes remain poorly understood. To elucidate the transcriptomic changes and identify novel regulatory genes involved in osteogenic differentiation, we differentiated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from 20 human iPSC lines into preosteoblasts (preOBs) and osteoblasts (OBs). We then performed transcriptome profiling of MSCs, preOBs and OBs. The iPSC-derived MSCs and OBs showed similar transcriptome profiles to those of primary human MSCs and OBs, respectively. Differential gene expression analysis revealed global changes in the transcriptomes from MSCs to preOBs, and then to OBs, including the differential expression of 840 genes encoding transcription factors (TFs). TF regulatory network analysis uncovered a network comprising 451 TFs, organized into five interactive modules. Multiscale embedded gene co-expression network analysis (MEGENA) identified gene co-expression modules and key network regulators (KNRs). From these analyses, KLF16 emerged as an important TF in osteogenic differentiation. We demonstrate that overexpression of Klf16 in vitro inhibited osteogenic differentiation and mineralization, while Klf16+/- mice exhibited increased bone mineral density, trabecular number, and cortical bone area. Our study underscores the complexity of osteogenic differentiation and identifies novel regulatory genes such as KLF16, which plays an inhibitory role in osteogenic differentiation both in vitro and in vivo.

Rituximab (RTX) is a humanized chimeric anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody that leads to immunosuppression through rapid depletion of B lymphocytes. It has been demonstrated to be useful in treating both thyroid eye disease (TED) and myasthenia gravis (MG), respectively. However, the effectiveness of RTX in concurrent TED and MG cases is unclear and not previously reported in the literature. In this study, we describe a 13-year-old girl who presented with a 10-year history of general MG and a 1-year history of Graves’ disease, bilateral proptosis, eye motility restriction, and lagophthalmos. A comprehensive evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of concurrent TED and MG. Satisfactory effectiveness was observed after RTX treatment without side effects. Based on the described observations, we suggest that RTX should be further explored as a treatment option for patients with concurrent TED and MG.

Opioid use disorders (OUDs) pose a substantial global health burden, with methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) widely adopted as an intervention; however, MMT is associated with immunosuppression, metabolic disturbances, and dysbiosis of the gut microbiota. Despite the potential of acupuncture in reducing methadone dosages and opioid addiction, the underlying biological mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to integrate clinical trial data with multi-omics analysis, including single-cell sequencing, transcriptomics, metabolomics, and metagenomics, to evaluate the effects of acupuncture in patients undergoing MMT. We collected peripheral blood mononuclear cells, plasma, and fecal samples from 48 MMT participants in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Participants were divided into acupuncture ( n = 25) and sham-acupuncture ( n = 23) groups. After 8 weeks of intervention, 84% of patients in the acupuncture group achieved ≥20% reduction in methadone dosage, compared to 39% in the sham-acupuncture group ( P < 0.01). Our findings revealed that acupuncture may activate the defense response to viruses, with altered immune cell functions in classical monocytes correlating with clinical responses to reduced methadone doses. Acupuncture might ameliorate intestinal microbial disruptions caused by OUD by up-regulating Bilophila and modulating bile acid metabolism. Furthermore, acupuncture up-regulated galectin-9 (LGALS9)-mediated intercellular communication between classical monocytes and other immune subsets. To further validate the mechanistic link between bile acid metabolism and immune regulation, we conducted in vitro experiments using THP-1 monocytes treated with cholic acid. The results showed that bile acid exposure suppressed galectin-9 and IFN-γ expression, while low-dose bile acid (simulating acupuncture effects) partially reversed this effect. These findings support a bile acid–galectin–interferon axis that may be modulated by acupuncture in OUD. Collectively, our results provide clinical and mechanistic evidence supporting acupuncture as a potential adjunct therapy to mitigate the adverse effects of long-term opioid use.

Abstract Brain-derived extracellular vesicles (BDEVs) carry tau filaments and promote tau transmission in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, how APOE ε4 allele, a key genetic risk factor for AD, may change BDEV molecular structures thereby facilitate disease progression is poorly understood. Here we report comprehensive analyses of BDEVs isolated from human E3/3 and E4/4 AD brains with a biological multi-omics approach. E4/4 BDEVs significantly enhanced tau propagation in aged human MAPT (Tau) knock-in and APPNL-G-F: Tau double knock-in mouse brains in vivo and increased neuronal uptake and excitability in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons (iNeurons) compared to E3/3 BDEVs in vitro. Notably, correlation analysis of BDEV-lipidome and proteome exhibited synergistic enrichment in unsaturated free fatty acid (FFA)18:2, a precursor of inflammatory w6 FFA, and neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM1). Treatment of iNeurons with FFA 18:2 induces NCAM1 expression, recruits tau into EVs and enhance their tau seeding activity, which is blocked by NCAM1 antibody in vitro . Finally, intracerebroventricular injection of NCAM1 antibody significantly alleviated pathological tau accumulation and glial inflammation in PS19 tauopathy mouse brains, which had previously been reported to exhibit increased level of 18:2 FFA. This highlights novel pathological mechanism in tau transfer mediated by E4/4 BDEVs and emphasizes strong therapeutic potential of targeting EV molecules in AD progression.

Importance Nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) represents the third most common stroke type with unique etiologies, risk factors, diagnostics, and treatments. Nevertheless, epidemiological studies often cluster SAH with other stroke types leaving its distinct burden estimates obscure. Objective To estimate the worldwide burden of SAH. Design, Setting, and Participants Based on the repeated cross-sectional Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, the global burden of SAH in 1990 to 2021 was estimated. Moreover, the SAH burden was compared with other diseases, and its associations with 14 individual risk factors were investigated with available data in the GBD 2021 study. The GBD study included the burden estimates of nontraumatic SAH among all ages in 204 countries and territories between 1990 and 2021. Exposures SAH and 14 modifiable risk factors. Main Outcomes and Measures Absolute numbers and age-standardized rates with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) of SAH incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) as well as risk factor–specific population attributable fractions (PAFs). Results In 2021, the global age-standardized SAH incidence was 8.3 (95% UI, 7.3-9.5), prevalence was 92.2 (95% UI, 84.1-100.6), mortality was 4.2 (95% UI, 3.7-4.8), and DALY rate was 125.2 (95% UI, 110.5-142.6) per 100 000 people. The highest burden estimates were found in Latin America, the Caribbean, Oceania, and high-income Asia Pacific. Although the absolute number of SAH cases increased, especially in regions with a low sociodemographic index, all age-standardized burden rates decreased between 1990 and 2021: the incidence by 28.8% (95% UI, 25.7%-31.6%), prevalence by 16.1% (95% UI, 14.8%-17.7%), mortality by 56.1% (95% UI, 40.7%-64.3%), and DALY rate by 54.6% (95% UI, 42.8%-61.9%). Of 300 diseases, SAH ranked as the 36th most common cause of death and 59th most common cause of DALY in the world. Of all worldwide SAH-related DALYs, 71.6% (95% UI, 63.8%-78.6%) were associated with the 14 modeled risk factors of which high systolic blood pressure (population attributable fraction [PAF] = 51.6%; 95% UI, 38.0%-62.6%) and smoking (PAF = 14.4%; 95% UI, 12.4%-16.5%) had the highest attribution. Conclusions and Relevance Although the global age-standardized burden rates of SAH more than halved over the last 3 decades, SAH remained one of the most common cardiovascular and neurological causes of death and disabilities in the world, with increasing absolute case numbers. These findings suggest evidence for the potential health benefits of proactive public health planning and resource allocation toward the prevention of SAH.