Publications by authors named "David Whiteman"

Background: Understanding the factors influencing age at melanoma diagnosis by sex and anatomic site is crucial for developing effective prevention and early detection strategies. While previous research has highlighted sex-based differences in melanoma incidence by age and anatomic distribution, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We aimed to investigate sex-specific patterns in melanoma age at diagnosis across different anatomic sites and thickness categories, considering the potential influence of disease progression and detection rates.

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One in every three cancers diagnosed is a skin cancer. Europe has the global lead in the number of UV-attributable cancer cases with the highest number of melanoma cases worldwide and the second highest number of keratinocyte cancers (KC). Further increases are expected in Europe for the coming decades.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study investigated the link between skin screening/surveillance and increased melanoma diagnoses using data from over 10 million Australians over several years.* -
  • The results showed that individuals who were screened or surveilled had significantly higher rates of skin biopsies, excisions for suspected melanoma, and confirmed melanoma compared to those who weren't.* -
  • Findings suggest that increased skin detection activities can lead to higher levels of diagnostic events and melanoma incidence, indicating a robust correlation between screening practices and skin cancer outcomes.*
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Purpose: This study investigated the relationship between mucopolysaccharidosis II (MPS II) iduronate-2-sulfatase gene (IDS) variants and phenotypic characteristics, particularly cognitive impairment, using data from the Hunter Outcome Survey (HOS) registry.

Methods: HOS data for male patients (n = 650) aged ≥5 years at latest cognitive assessment with available genetic data were analyzed. Predefined genotype categories were used to classify IDS variants and report phenotypic characteristics by genotype.

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We deployed the Blended Genome Exome (BGE), a DNA library blending approach that generates low pass whole genome (1-4× mean depth) and deep whole exome (30-40× mean depth) data in a single sequencing run. This technology is cost-effective, empowers most genomic discoveries possible with deep whole genome sequencing, and provides an unbiased method to capture the diversity of common SNP variation across the globe. To evaluate this new technology at scale, we applied BGE to sequence >53,000 samples from the Populations Underrepresented in Mental Illness Associations Studies (PUMAS) Project, which included participants across African, African American, and Latin American populations.

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With over 1.5 million new cases annually, skin cancers are the most commonly diagnosed group of cancers worldwide. Among these, melanoma and keratinocyte cancers (KC), comprising squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), are predominant.

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Mucopolysaccharidosis II (MPS II; Hunter syndrome; OMIM 309900) is a rare, X-linked, heterogeneous lysosomal storage disease. Approximately two-thirds of patients develop cognitive impairment, which is difficult to assess in clinical trials, partly owing to the variable nature of cognitive impairment. Analyzing data from siblings can help to minimize this heterogeneity.

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Objectives: To estimate the incidence of melanoma in Australia among people with ancestries associated with low, moderate, or high risk of melanoma, by sex and 5-year age group; to establish whether age-specific incidence rates by ancestry risk group have changed over time.

Study Design: Modelling study; United States (SEER database) melanoma incidence rates for representative ancestral populations and Australian census data (2006, 2011, 2016, 2021) used to estimate Australian melanoma incidence rates by ancestry-based risk.

Setting, Participants: Australia, 2006-2021.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with idursulfase has been reviewed, showing improved clinical outcomes and safety, especially when started early in patients with the non-neuronopathic form of the disease.
  • * A systematic literature review analyzed 33 studies, highlighting the effectiveness of ERT and emphasizing the need for early intervention to optimize patient benefits in managing MPS II.
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Importance: It is unknown whether germline genetic factors influence in situ melanoma risk differently than invasive melanoma risk.

Objective: To determine whether differences in risk of in situ melanoma and invasive melanoma are heritable.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Three genome-wide association study meta-analyses were conducted of in situ melanoma vs controls, invasive melanoma vs controls, and in situ vs invasive melanoma (case-case) using 4 population-based genetic cohorts: the UK Biobank, the FinnGen cohort, the QSkin Sun and Health Study, and the Queensland Study of Melanoma: Environmental and Genetic Associations (Q-MEGA).

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Background: Research suggests that a high proportion of melanoma in situ (MIS) may be overdiagnosed, potentially contributing to overtreatment, patient harm and inflated costs for individuals and healthcare systems. However, Australia-wide estimates of the magnitude of melanoma overdiagnosis are potentially outdated and there has been no estimation of the cost to the healthcare system.

Objectives: To estimate the magnitude and cost of overdiagnosed MIS and thin invasive melanomas in Australia.

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Background: Cutaneous melanoma incidence varies consistently across body sites between men and women, but the underlying causes of these differences remain unclear. To date, no prospective studies have examined risk factors for melanoma separately for men and women according to body site.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the association between identified constitutional, genetic and environmental risk factors for invasive melanoma of different body sites among men and women.

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  • * A genome-wide association meta-analysis of nearly 122,000 ANX cases revealed 58 significant genetic variants and 66 related genes, with many of these findings replicated in a larger independent sample.
  • * The findings indicate a substantial genetic overlap between ANX and other conditions like depression, emphasizing GABAergic signaling as a key mechanism, thereby enhancing our understanding of the genetic basis of ANX for future research.
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The incidence and distribution of cutaneous melanoma differ between the sexes, but it is unclear whether these differences have been constant through time or across generations. We compared incidence trends by age, sex, and anatomic site by analyzing long-term melanoma data (1982-2018) in 3 populations residing at high-, moderate-, and low-ambient sun exposure: Queensland, Australia; United States White; and Scotland. We fit age-period-cohort models and compared trends in the male-to-female incidence rate ratio by site and sex.

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Assessing the motor impairments of individuals with neurological disorders holds significant importance in clinical practice. Currently, these clinical assessments are time-intensive and depend on qualitative scales administered by trained healthcare professionals at the clinic. These evaluations provide only coarse snapshots of a person's abilities, failing to track quantitatively the detail and minutiae of recovery over time.

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  • Skin cancers are super common, especially in people with fair skin, and most of them are caused by UV rays from the sun, which means we can do things to prevent them.
  • Experts from different continents suggest that fair-skinned people, especially kids, should stay out of the sun when the UV level is 3 or higher and use protection like hats, sunglasses, clothing, and sunscreen.
  • They also believe sunbathing and using tanning beds are unhealthy, so they want to spread these ideas to help everyone stay safe from skin cancer.
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Objectives: To examine recent changes in the numbers of Medicare-subsidised keratinocyte cancer excisions, particularly for younger people exposed to primary prevention campaigns since the early 1980s.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study; analysis of administrative data.

Setting, Participants: Analysis of Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) claims data for procedures related to the diagnosis and treatment of keratinocyte cancer in Australia, 2012-2021.

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Background: Mucopolysaccharidosis II (MPS II) is a rare lysosomal storage disease characterized by iduronate-2-sulfatase gene (IDS) deficiency and downstream glycosaminoglycan accumulation. Two-thirds of patients present with neuronopathic disease and evaluating cognitive function in these patients is challenging owing to limitations of currently available tests. During the clinical development of intrathecal idursulfase (idursulfase-IT), regulatory authorities requested qualitative data to further understand the neurocognitive changes observed by the investigators through the clinical trials.

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Introduction: Major depression (MD) is more common amongst women than men, and MD episodes have been associated with fluctuations in reproductive hormones amongst women. To investigate biological underpinnings of heterogeneity in MD, the associations between depression, stratified by sex and including perinatal depression (PND), and blood biomarkers, using UK Biobank (UKB) data, were evaluated, and extended to include the association of depression with biomarker polygenic scores (PGS), generated as proxy for each biomarker.

Method: Using female ( = 39,761) and male ( = 38,821) UKB participants, lifetime MD and PND were tested for association with 28 blood biomarkers.

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  • This study investigates the unclear link between childhood body mass index (BMI) and the risk of developing skin cancers like melanoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) later in life.
  • Using a Mendelian randomization approach with genetic data, researchers analyzed whether genetically predicted childhood BMI affects the likelihood of developing these skin cancers.
  • The results showed no association between childhood BMI and the risks of melanoma or other skin cancers, suggesting that efforts to reduce childhood obesity may not impact the incidence of these cancers in adulthood.
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A quantitatively-driven evaluation of existing clinical data and associated knowledge to accelerate drug discovery and development is a highly valuable approach across therapeutic areas, but remains underutilized. This is especially the case for rare diseases for which development is particularly challenging. The current work outlines an organizational framework to support a quantitatively-based reverse translation approach to clinical development.

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Background & Aims: Erectile dysfunction is common among older men and has been associated with low serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentration. However, this association may be due to uncontrolled confounding, and there is a paucity of evidence from interventional studies. We aimed to examine the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the prevalence of erectile dysfunction, in an exploratory analysis using data from a large randomized controlled trial.

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  • * The research using UK Biobank data found 22 significant genetic loci linked to perceived youthfulness in women and 43 in men, indicating differences in genetic factors between sexes.
  • * The study revealed that young-looking women have correlations with skin cancer and tanning, while men’s perceived youthfulness is linked to male-pattern baldness, suggesting that future studies should consider sex differences in their approaches.
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