Infections following chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy: 2018-2022.

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is an emerging therapeutic modality for relapsed and refractory hematological malignancies. Infectious complications following CAR T-cell therapy are not well defined.

Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of data on patients who received CAR T-cell therapy between April 2018 and December 2022 at the Karmanos Cancer Center, Detroit.

Five-Year Follow-Up of Standard-of-Care Axicabtagene Ciloleucel for Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Results From the US Lymphoma CAR T Consortium.

Purpose: Axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) is an autologous CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy that is approved for the treatment of relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma. Little is known about the long-term survivorship after CAR T-cell therapy.

Methods: We previously reported the results of 298 patients who were leukapheresed with the intent to receive standard-of-care axi-cel (n = 275 infused) after two or more previous lines of therapy at a median follow-up of 12.

False-Positive Human Immunodeficiency Virus Nucleic Acid Amplification Test After Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy With Ciltacabtagene Autoleucel.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has emerged as a novel therapeutic option for hematologic malignancies. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) amplifying 5' long terminal repeat and genes cross-react with lentiviral vector-based CAR T-cell products. Cross-reactivity between CAR T-cell products and HIV NAATs may lead to false-positive test results.

Rates of breast reconstruction uptake and attitudes toward breast cancer and survivorship among south asians: A literature review.

Our aim in this review was to ascertain rates of breast reconstruction among South Asian patients and identify attitudes towards breast cancer, survivorship, and breast reconstruction. Mastectomy rates for South Asian patients ranged from 52% to 77% and reconstruction following mastectomy varied from 0% to 14%. A negative perception of cancer, fears of social isolation, and taboos around breasts can prevent South Asian women from receiving surgical care after a breast cancer diagnosis.

Long-term outcomes of patients with large B-cell lymphoma treated with axicabtagene ciloleucel and prophylactic corticosteroids.

ZUMA-1 safety management cohort 6 investigated the impact of prophylactic corticosteroids and earlier corticosteroids and/or tocilizumab on the incidence and severity of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurologic events (NEs) following axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) in patients with relapsed/refractory large B-cell lymphoma (R/R LBCL). Prior analyses of cohort 6 with limited follow-up demonstrated no Grade ≥3 CRS, a low rate of NEs, and high response rates, without negatively impacting axi-cel pharmacokinetics. Herein, long-term outcomes of cohort 6 (N = 40) are reported (median follow-up, 26.

Strategic considerations on developing a CHIKV vaccine and ensuring equitable access for countries in need.

Chikungunya is an arboviral disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV) afflicting tropical and sub-tropical countries worldwide. It has been identified as a priority pathogen by the Coalition for Epidemics Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and as an emerging infectious disease (EID) necessitating further action as soon as possible by the World Health Organization (WHO). Recent studies suggest that disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to CHIKV infection are as high as 106,089 DALYs lost globally.

Allogeneic stem cell transplant outcomes between TBI-containing reduced intensity and myeloablative conditioning regimens for ALL in complete remission.

Total-body irradiation (TBI)-based conditioning regimen is preferred in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We retrospectively evaluated allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloSCT) outcomes of 86 adult ALL patients in complete remission (CR) who received TBI-containing reduced intensity (RIC) (Flu/Mel/TBI = 31) and myeloablative conditioning (MAC) (VP16/TBI = 47; CY/TBI = 8) between January 2005 and December 2019. All patients received peripheral blood allografts.

Direct estimates of absolute ventilation and estimated Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission risk in clinics in South Africa.

Healthcare facilities are important sites for the transmission of pathogens spread via bioaerosols, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Natural ventilation can play an important role in reducing this transmission. We aimed to measure rates of natural ventilation in clinics in KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape provinces, South Africa, then use these measurements to estimate Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission risk.

The impact of alternative delivery strategies for novel tuberculosis vaccines in low-income and middle-income countries: a modelling study.

Background: Tuberculosis is a leading infectious cause of death worldwide. Novel vaccines will be required to reach global targets and reverse setbacks resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimated the impact of novel tuberculosis vaccines in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) in several delivery scenarios.

Demonstrating multi-country calibration of a tuberculosis model using new history matching and emulation package - hmer.

Infectious disease models are widely used by epidemiologists to improve the understanding of transmission dynamics and disease natural history, and to predict the possible effects of interventions. As the complexity of such models increases, however, it becomes increasingly challenging to robustly calibrate them to empirical data. History matching with emulation is a calibration method that has been successfully applied to such models, but has not been widely used in epidemiology partly due to the lack of available software.

Patient-Reported Outcomes in Long-Term Survivors of Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma.

The overall survival in patients with transplantation-eligible multiple myeloma has tripled over the past 2 decades, leading to a growing population of myeloma survivors. However, there is a paucity of data on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), distress, and health behaviors in long-term myeloma survivors who are in stable remission after autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT). In this cross-sectional study using data from 2 randomized controlled trials of survivorship care plans and internet-based self-management intervention in transplantation survivors, the primary objective was to measure HRQoL (using the Short Form-12, version 2.

Psychometric properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in individuals with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): a systematic review.

Purpose: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is used to assess anxiety and depression in individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); however, its measurement properties lack critical appraisal. We aimed to summarize and critically appraise the validity, reliability, and responsiveness of the HADS in COPD.

Materials And Methods: Five electronic databases were searched.

Five-year follow-up of ZUMA-1 supports the curative potential of axicabtagene ciloleucel in refractory large B-cell lymphoma.

In phase 2 of ZUMA-1, a single-arm, multicenter, registrational trial, axicabtagene ciloleucel (axi-cel) autologous anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy demonstrated durable responses at 2 years in patients with refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL). Here, we assessed outcomes in ZUMA-1 after 5 years of follow-up. Eligible adults received lymphodepleting chemotherapy followed by axi-cel (2 × 106 cells per kg).

Brexucabtagene Autoleucel for Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma in Standard-of-Care Practice: Results From the US Lymphoma CAR T Consortium.

Purpose: Brexucabtagene autoleucel (brexu-cel) is an autologous CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy approved for relapsed/refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). This therapy was approved on the basis of the single-arm phase II ZUMA-2 trial, which showed best overall and complete response rates of 91% and 68%, respectively. We report clinical outcomes with brexu-cel in the standard-of-care setting for the approved indication.

The cost and cost-effectiveness of novel tuberculosis vaccines in low- and middle-income countries: A modeling study.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is preventable and curable but eliminating it has proven challenging. Safe and effective TB vaccines that can rapidly reduce disease burden are essential for achieving TB elimination. We assessed future costs, cost-savings, and cost-effectiveness of introducing novel TB vaccines in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for a range of product characteristics and delivery strategies.

Health-Related Quality of Life Outcomes in Older Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Survivors.

The use of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has been increasing in older patients. However, the levels if distress, psychosocial functioning, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among older HCT survivors remains largely unknown. In this secondary analysis using data from 2 randomized controlled trials, we analyzed baseline Cancer and Treatment Distress (CTXD) and Confidence In Survivorship Information (CSI) surveys of HCT survivors who were age ≥60 years at the time of transplantation and alive and disease-free ≥1 year post-autologous or -allogeneic HCT.

Epidemiology and Predictors of 30-Day Readmission in CAR-T Cell Therapy Recipients.

The novel cellular immunotherapy using chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells has transformed the management of several previously incurable hematologic malignancies. Since the first CAR-T cell product was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2017, five additional products have been approved for various hematologic malignancies. Although there is now more experience with outpatient administration, CAR-T therapy was initially delivered in an inpatient setting.

Phase II Trial of Pembrolizumab and Anti-CD3 x Anti-HER2 Bispecific Antibody-Armed Activated T Cells in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: A phase II study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination of HER2 bispecific antibody (HER2Bi)-armed activated T cells (HER2 BAT) and programmed death 1 inhibitor, pembrolizumab.

Patients And Methods: Patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) with 0 to 1 performance status and normal liver, kidney, and marrow function, pre- or post-docetaxel chemotherapy were eligible. Primary endpoint was 6-month progression-free survival (PFS).

Role of High-Dose Adjuvant Chemotherapy Followed by Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Locally Advanced Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: A Retrospective Chart Review.

Purpose: Women with locally advanced/high-risk triple-negative breast cancer treated with the current standard chemotherapy continue to have a poor prognosis. High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant as treatment for locally advanced/high-risk breast cancer remains controversial due to a lack of survival benefit seen in previous phase III trials. However, these trials evaluated a heterogeneous group of patients with different receptor subtypes.

Psychometric Properties of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale in Individuals With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Protocol for a Systematic Review.

Background: In individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), anxiety and depression contribute to increased mortality and exacerbations, decreased physical functioning, and deteriorated health-related quality of life. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a patient-reported tool developed to measure symptoms of anxiety and depression in clinical settings. The HADS has been frequently used with individuals with COPD; however, its measurement properties lack critical appraisal in this population.

Importance of ventilation and occupancy to Mycobacterium tuberculosis transmission rates in congregate settings.

Background: Ventilation rates are a key determinant of the transmission rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other airborne infections. Targeting infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions at locations where ventilation rates are low and occupancy high could be a highly effective intervention strategy. Despite this, few data are available on ventilation rates and occupancy in congregate locations in high tuberculosis burden settings.