Citations

Objective To describe outcomes of patients with sporadic vestibular schwannoma (VS) who underwent repeat stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) after primary SRS failure. Study Design Multi-institutional historical cohort study. Setting Five tertiary care referral centers. Patients Adults ≥18 years old with sporadic VS. Intervention Primary and repeat treatment with SRS. Main Outcome Measure Microsurgery-free survival after repeat SRS. Results Across institutions, 32 patients underwent repeat SRS after primary SRS. Most patients (74%) had tumors with cerebellopontine angle extension at primary SRS (median size, 13.5 mm [interquartile range, 7.5–18.8] mm). After primary SRS, patients underwent repeat SRS at a median of 4.8 years (interquartile range, 3.2–5.7 yr). For treatment modality, 30 (94%) patients received gamma knife for primary treatment and 31 (97%) patients received gamma knife as their repeat treatment. Median tumor volume increased from 0.970 cm3 at primary SRS to 2.200 cm3 at repeat SRS. Facial nerve function worsened in two patients after primary SRS and in two patients after repeat SRS. There were no instances of intracranial complications after repeat SRS. Microsurgery-free survival rates (95% confidence interval; number still at risk) at 1, 3, and 5 years after repeat SRS were 97% (90–100%, 24), 84% (71–100%, 13), and 68% (48–96%, 6), respectively. There was one occurrence of malignancy diagnosed after repeat radiosurgery. Conclusion Overall, repeat SRS for sporadic VS has comparable risk profile, but lower rates of tumor control, compared with primary SRS.

Background: The predictive and prognostic role of BRAF alterations has been evaluated in colorectal cancer (CRC); however, BRAF alterations have not been fully characterized in non-CRC gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies. In the present study, we report the frequency and spectrum of BRAF alterations among patients with non-CRC GI malignancies. Methods: Patients with CRC and non-CRC GI malignancies who underwent somatic tumor profiling via a tissue-based or liquid-based assay were included in this study. Gain-of-function BRAF alterations were defined as pathogenic/likely pathogenic somatic short variants (SVs), copy number amplifications ≥8, or fusions (RNA or DNA). Results: Among 51,560 patients with somatic profiling, 40% had CRC and 60% had non-CRC GI malignancies. BRAF GOF alterations were seen more frequently in CRC (8.9%) compared to non-CRC GI malignancies (2.2%) (p < 0.001). Non-CRC GI malignancies with the highest prevalence of BRAF GOF alterations were bile duct cancers (4.1%) and small intestine cancers (4.0%). Among BRAF GOF alterations, class II (28% vs. 6.8%, p < 0.001) and class III (23% vs. 14%, p < 0.001) were more common in non-CRC GI malignancies. Among class II alterations, rates of BRAF amplifications (3.1% vs. 0.3%, p < 0.001) and BRAF fusions (12% vs. 2.2%, p < 0.001) were higher in non-CRC GI malignancies compared to CRC. Conclusions: Non-CRC GI malignancies demonstrate a distinct BRAF alteration profile compared to CRC, with a higher frequency of class II and III mutations, and more specifically, a higher incidence of BRAF fusions. Future studies should evaluate clinical implications for the management of non-CRC GI patients with BRAF alterations, especially BRAF fusions.

Abstract Importance Mitotane (Lysodren, o,p'-DDD [1-(o-chlorophenyl)-1-(p-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dichloroethane)] is currently the only United States Food and Drug Administration and European Medicines Agency-approved product for the treatment of adrenocortical carcinoma. Observations Mitotane is challenging to administer; however, its toxicities (specifically adrenal insufficiency) are well known, and the management of adverse consequences has established approaches. While often viewed through the prism of a cytotoxic agent, it can also interfere with hormone production making it a valuable asset in managing functional ACC. A recently completed prospective trial has shed some light on its use in the adjuvant setting, but further clarity is needed. Many think mitotane has a role in the advanced or metastatic setting, although prospective data are lacking and retrospective analyses are often difficult to interpret. Conclusions and relevance When used carefully and thoughtfully, especially in patients with hormonal excess, mitotane is an important component of the treatment armamentarium for ACC.

Collaborative quantitative scientists, including biostatisticians, epidemiologists, bioinformaticists, and data‐related professionals, play vital roles in research, from study design to data analysis and dissemination. It is imperative that academic health care centers (AHCs) establish an environment that provides opportunities for the quantitative scientists who are hired as staff to develop and advance their careers. With the rapid growth of clinical and translational research, AHCs are charged with establishing organizational methods, training tools, best practices, and guidelines to accelerate and support hiring, training, and retaining this staff workforce. This paper describes three essential elements for building and maintaining a successful unit of collaborative staff quantitative scientists in academic health care centers: (1) organizational infrastructure and management, (2) recruitment, and (3) career development and retention. Specific strategies are provided as examples of how AHCs can excel in these areas.

Abstract Abstract Title: Real-world analysis comparing Black and White patients with triple-negative breast cancer receiving therapy per KEYNOTE-522 Background: KEYNOTE-522 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial which resulted in the FDA approval of pembrolizumab with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with newly diagnosed, high-risk, early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Despite the significant improvement in pathological complete response (pCR) and event-free survival rates across all patients, the landmark trial included only 4.5% Black patients. It is essential to assess outcomes in representative treatment populations. We assessed real-world toxicity and treatment outcomes across Black and White patients who received standard-of-care treatment per KEYNOTE-522. Methods: In this retrospective, multicenter study, we examined patients with early-stage TNBC who received planned treatment per KEYNOTE-522 as standard-of-care (SOC) therapy. 16 sites were included in the analysis. IRB approval was obtained from each participating site. Number and length of treatment delays, treatment-related toxicities (both chemotherapy and immune-related) of all grades, and pCR rate were collected from the electronic medical record of each participating site, and deidentified data were shared for central analysis. Results: Of the 577 patients who initiated treatment with chemotherapy and immunotherapy, 534 patients were included in this analysis with 105 patients who self-identified as Black (19.7%) and 429 who self-identified as White (80.3%). There were no statistically significant differences in clinical and pathological characteristics between the two groups. White women were more likely to have grade 3+ immune-related adverse events (irAEs) compared to Black women (33.8% vs 20.9%, P=0.011). There was no significant difference across Black and White patients with respect to grade 3+ chemotherapy-related adverse events. Out of the 444 patients who have completed surgery, no difference in pCR rate was observed between Black and White women (45/86 52.3% vs 200/358 55.9%) (p = 0.6). The authors also saw no difference in the rates of hospitalizations between Black and White women (39% vs 36% p = 0.5), and rates of acute care utilization (38% vs 38% p = 0.9). Conclusions: We report safety and efficacy across Black and White women in a real-world analysis of patients who received treatment per KEYNOTE-522. Notably, White patients had a significantly higher frequency of grade 3+ irAEs, although the reason for this finding is unclear based on this analysis. Black patients had similar pCR rates and rates of treatment-related hospitalizations compared to White patients. Assessment of outcomes and toxicity by race in clinical trials and real-world analyses are critical in drug development. Citation Format: Mara Hofherr, Andrew Davis, Spenser January, Emily Owen, Farah Raheem, Lida A. Mina, Suganya Arunachalam Karikalan, Lauren Lyons, Meredith Watson Rose, Katherine Madden, Jerline Hsin, Aimee Keegan, Wai Yu, Shawna Kraft, Allison Schepers, Emily Armgardt, Douglas Mazewski, Alison Svoboda, Kayla Harwood, Jodi Taraba, Yonatan Resnick, Shelly Hummert, Lisa Grate, Sidney Keisner, Jacob Hobbs, Todd Davis, Kristin Bastian, Dawn Minikel, Wiliam Adler, Traci White, Avneek Singh Sandu, Fouad Boulbol, Kelsey Finch, Katherine Clifton. Real-world analysis comparing Black and White patients with triple-negative breast cancer receiving therapy per KEYNOTE-522 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PS14-02.

Abstract Title: Real-world analysis of adverse events in patients with triple-negative breast cancer receiving therapy per KEYNOTE-522 Background: KEYNOTE-522 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial which resulted in the FDA approval of pembrolizumab with neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients (pts) with newly diagnosed, high-risk, early-stage triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Given the improvement in pathological complete response (pCR) and event-free survival rates, this regimen has emerged as standard-of-care (SOC) therapy. To date, real world outcome analyses are limited. Methods: In this retrospective, multicenter study, we examined pts with early-stage TNBC who received planned treatment per KEYNOTE-522 as SOC. 16 sites were included in the analysis. IRB approval was obtained from each participating site. Number and length of treatment delays, treatment related toxicities (both chemotherapy and immune-related) of all grades, and pCR rate were collected from the electronic medical record of each participating site, and deidentified data were shared for central analysis. Results: 577 pts were included in this analysis. The median age of the cohort was 52 [range 27-77]. 457 pts had T1-2 disease and 139 had T3-4 disease. 316 pts had N0 disease and 261 had N1-3 disease. 506 pts had baseline ECOG 0, 62 had ECOG 1, and 9 had ECOG 2-3. Of the 482 patients who had surgery at the time of this analysis, 219 patients had pCR (54.5%) and 192 pts were still receiving treatment. 217 patients (37%) had an adverse drug event (ADE) causing dose reductions and 228 patients (39.5%) had to discontinue treatment early. There were 360 unplanned care visits, with 91 patients having 2+ visits. 66 patients had hospitalizations due to the regimen with 102 total hospitalizations. 179 (31%) of patients had grade 3+ immune related adverse events (irAEs), including many that are rare and potentially serious. 317 (54%) had an immune related adverse effect (see Table 1). There was no significant difference in the frequency of grade 3+ irAE based on age or body mass index. We observed no difference in residual disease between patients who discontinued treatment early and those who did not. However, if patients had an ADR causing a dose reduction, pts were significantly more likely to have residual disease (P=0.039) Conclusions: In a multicenter real-world analysis, the KEYNOTE-522 regimen was associated with a high frequency of dose reductions, early treatment discontinuations, ER visits, and hospitalizations. This may have accounted for a lower pCR rate than observed in the landmark clinical trial. Most grade 3+ irAEs occurred at greater frequency in our real-world analysis. Providers should carefully monitor for toxicity to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Table 1 Citation Format: Mara Hofherr, Katherine Clifton, Spenser January, Emily Owen, Farah Raheem, Lida A. Mina, Suganya Arunachalam Karikalan, Lauren Lyons, Meredith Watson Rose, Katherine Madden, Jerline Hsin, Aimee Keegan, Wai Yu, Shawna Kraft, Allison Schepers, Emily Armgardt, Douglas Mazewski, Alison Svoboda, Kayla Harwood, Jodi Taraba, Yonatan Resnick, Shelly Hummert, Lisa Grate, Sidney Keisner, Jacob Hobbs, Todd Davis, Kristin Bastian, Dawn Minikel, Traci White, William Adler, Avneek Singh Sandu, Fouad Boulbol, Kelsey Finch, Andrew Davis. Real-World Analysis of Adverse Events in Patients with Triple Negative Breast Cancer Receiving Therapy per KEYNOTE-522 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PS14-06.

Machine learning (ML) methods are proliferating in scientific research. However, the adoption of these methods has been accompanied by failures of validity, reproducibility, and generalizability. These failures can hinder scientific progress, lead to false consensus around invalid claims, and undermine the credibility of ML-based science. ML methods are often applied and fail in similar ways across disciplines. Motivated by this observation, our goal is to provide clear recommendations for conducting and reporting ML-based science. Drawing from an extensive review of past literature, we present the REFORMS checklist (recommendations for machine-learning-based science). It consists of 32 questions and a paired set of guidelines. REFORMS was developed on the basis of a consensus of 19 researchers across computer science, data science, mathematics, social sciences, and biomedical sciences. REFORMS can serve as a resource for researchers when designing and implementing a study, for referees when reviewing papers, and for journals when enforcing standards for transparency and reproducibility.