Prognostic importance of direct assignment of parent-of-origin via long-read genome and epigenome sequencing in retinoblastoma.

Background: Current clinical sequencing methods cannot effectively detect DNA methylation and allele-specific variation to provide parent-of-origin information from the proband alone. Parent-of-origin effects can lead to differential disease and the inability to assign this in de novo cases limits prognostication in the majority of affected individuals with retinoblastoma, a hereditary cancer with suspected parent-of-origin effects.

Methods: To directly assign parent-of-origin in retinoblastoma patients, genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples for sequencing using a programmable, targeted single-molecule long-read DNA genomic and epigenomic approach.

First-in-human clinical outcomes with NG-350A, an anti-CD40 expressing tumor-selective vector designed to remodel immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments.

Background: Tumor-selective oncolytic viral vectors are promising anticancer therapeutics; however, challenges with dosing and potency in advanced/metastatic cancers have limited efficacy and usage. NG-350A is a next-generation blood-stable adenoviral vector engineered to express an agonist anti-cluster of differentiation (CD)40 antibody without affecting tumor-selectivity and oncolytic potency.

Methods: Intravenous and intratumoral (IT) administration of NG-350A was assessed in a phase Ia/Ib study in patients with metastatic/advanced epithelial tumors (NCT03852511).

Retinoblastoma survival and enucleation outcomes in 41 countries from the African continent.

Background: Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular malignancy in childhood. Despite one-third of cases occurring in Africa, little is known of the outcomes on the continent. This study aims to explore survival and globe salvage outcomes and identify their risk factors across a large cohort of patients from the African continent.

Differences in Childhood Growth Parameters Between Patients With Somatic and Heritable Retinoblastoma.

Purpose: Little is known regarding differences in childhood growth between somatic and heritable retinoblastoma (Rb) populations. We aimed to compare childhood growth parameters between somatic and heritable Rb cohorts at birth and at time of diagnosis with Rb.

Methods: A multinational, longitudinal cohort study was conducted with patients from 11 centers in 10 countries who presented with treatment naïve Rb from January to December 2019.