Phase I Trial of MCARH109, a G Protein-Coupled Receptor Class C Group 5 Member D (GPRC5D)-Targeted Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for Multiple Myeloma: An Updated Analysis.

MCARH109 is a first-in-class G protein-coupled receptor, class C, group 5, member D (GPRC5D)-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. This phase I clinical trial included 17 patients and determined that MCARH109 is safe at a maximum tolerated dose of 150 × 10 CAR T cells. In this updated analysis, no new serious adverse events were reported at a median follow-up of 37 months.

Antigen escape as a shared mechanism of resistance to BCMA-directed therapies in multiple myeloma.

B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-targeting therapeutics have dramatically improved outcomes in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). However, whether the mechanisms of resistance between these therapies are shared and how the identification of such mechanisms before therapy initiation could refine clinical decision-making remains undefined. We analyzed outcomes for 72 RRMM patients treated with teclistamab, a CD3 × BCMA bispecific antibody, 42% (30/72) of whom had prior BCMA-directed therapy exposure.

Building a systems-thinking community workforce to scale action on determinants of health in New Zealand.

This article describes findings from the evaluation of Healthy Families NZ (HFNZ), an equity-driven, place-based community health initiative. Implemented in nine diverse communities across New Zealand, HFNZ aims to strengthen the systems that can improve health and well-being. Findings highlight local needs and priorities including the social mechanisms important for reorienting health and policy systems towards place-based communities.

Unscheduled health care interactions in patients with multiple myeloma receiving T-cell redirection therapies.

Outcomes for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/RMM) have dramatically improved after the development and now growing utilization of B-cell maturation antigen-targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy and bispecific antibody (BsAb) therapy. However, health care utilization as a quality-of-life metric in these growing populations has not been thoroughly evaluated. We performed a retrospective cohort study evaluating the frequency and cause of unscheduled health care interactions (UHIs) among patients with R/RMM responding to B-cell maturation antigen-targeted BsAb and CAR T-cell therapies (N = 46).

Patterns of CRS with teclistamab in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma with or without prior T-cell redirection therapy.

Teclistamab (Tec) is a first-in-class BCMA × CD3 bispecific T-cell engager antibody approved for treating multiple myeloma progressing after at least 4 lines of therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the rate of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) in patients who were treated with commercial Tec and had prior exposure to other T-cell redirection therapies. A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients who completed the Tec step-up dosing phase between November 2022 and November 2023.

Current use of CAR T cells to treat multiple myeloma.

Anti-B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have dramatically improved clinical outcomes for patients with heavily pretreated multiple myeloma who have disease refractory to conventional proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs, and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies. However, despite this progress, multiple myeloma remains an incurable hematologic malignancy. In this review, we discuss practical considerations for currently FDA approved CAR T-cell therapies, including newer data evaluating those agents in earlier lines of therapy.

CD8 effector T cells enhance teclistamab response in BCMA-exposed and -naïve multiple myeloma.

Teclistamab, a B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)- and CD3-targeting bispecific antibody, is an effective novel treatment for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (R/RMM), but efficacy in patients exposed to BCMA-directed therapies and mechanisms of resistance have yet to be fully delineated. We conducted a real-world retrospective study of commercial teclistamab, capturing both clinical outcomes and immune correlates of treatment response in a cohort of patients (n = 52) with advanced R/RMM. Teclistamab was highly effective with an overall response rate (ORR) of 64%, including an ORR of 50% for patients with prior anti-BCMA therapy.

Aiming for the cure in myeloma: Putting our best foot forward.

Frontline therapy for multiple myeloma (MM) is evolving to include novel combinations that can achieve unprecedented deep response rates. Several treatment strategies exist, varying in induction regimen composition, use of transplant and or consolidation and maintenance. In this sea of different treatment permutations, the overarching theme is the powerful prognostic factors of disease risk and achievement of minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity.

A better start national science challenge: supporting the future wellbeing of our tamariki E tipu, e rea, mō ngā rā o tō ao: grow tender shoot for the days destined for you.

The majority of children and young people in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) experience good health and wellbeing, but there are key areas where they compare unfavourably to those in other rich countries. However, current measures of wellbeing are critically limited in their suitability to reflect the dynamic, culture-bound, and subjective nature of the concept of 'wellbeing'. In particular, there is a lack of measurement in primary school-aged children and in ways that incorporate Māori perspectives on wellbeing.

Impact of Vaccination on Cost and Course of Hospitalization Associated with COVID-19 Infection.

Objective: Examine the impact of vaccination status on hospital cost and course for patients admitted with COVID-19 infection.

Design: Retrospective cohort study characterizing vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals hospitalized for COVID-19 between April 2021 to January 2022.

Setting: Large academic medical center.

A scoping review of non-pharmacological perinatal interventions impacting maternal sleep and maternal mental health.

Background: A woman's vulnerability to sleep disruption and mood disturbance is heightened during the perinatal period and there is a strong bidirectional relationship between them. Both sleep disruption and mood disturbance can result in significant adverse outcomes for women and their infant. Thus, supporting and improving sleep in the perinatal period is not only an important outcome in and of itself, but also a pathway through which future mental health outcomes may be altered.

Transition state analogue of MTAP extends lifespan of APC mice.

A mouse model of human Familial Adenomatous Polyposis responds favorably to pharmacological inhibition of 5'-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP). Methylthio-DADMe-Immucillin-A (MTDIA) is an orally available, transition state analogue inhibitor of MTAP. 5'-Methylthioadenosine (MTA), the substrate for MTAP, is formed in polyamine synthesis and is recycled by MTAP to S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) via salvage pathways.

Pasifika Prediabetes Youth Empowerment Programme: learnings from a youth-led community-based intervention study.

Aim: Using a co-design approach, we describe exploratory findings of a community-based intervention to mobilise Pasifika communities into action, with the intent of reducing the risk factors of prediabetes.

Method: A group of 25 Pasifika youth aged 15-24 years from two distinctive Pasifika communities in New Zealand were trained to lead a small-scale, community-based intervention programme (among 29 participants) over the course of eight weeks. The intervention, which targeted adults aged 25-44 years who were overweight or obese, employed both an empowerment-based programme and a co-design approach to motivate community members to participate in a physical-activity-based intervention programme.

Exploring Pasifika wellbeing: findings from a large cluster randomised controlled trial of a mobile health intervention programme.

Aim: The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of a mobile health (mHealth) intervention on the wellbeing of Pasifika peoples, and to explore factors associated with Pasifika wellbeing.

Methods: The OL@-OR@ mHealth programme was a co-designed smartphone app. Culturally relevant data was collected to examine holistic health and wellbeing status, at baseline, and at 12 weeks (end of the trial).

Developing principles of social change as a result of a Pasifika Youth Empowerment Program: A qualitative study.

Issue: Empowerment is a concept over-used in health promotion, yet it is an important process that can used in developing the capacity and capability of young people for creating social change to improve healthier lives.

Methods: The Youth Empowerment Program (YEP), a pilot study aimed at empowering 15 youth (18-24 years) to lead healthier lives. We present secondary outcomes of the original YEP study, using focus groups and mobile-mentary approaches to capture the impact of the YEP through the youths' understanding of the program.

Effect of Flumazenil on Hypoactive Delirium in the ICU: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study.

Unlabelled: To determine whether the use of flumazenil reverses hypoactive delirium and increases delirium-free days in critically ill patients who were exposed to benzodiazepine therapy during the ICU admission.

Design: This was a single-center, double-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled pilot study.

Setting: Adult ICUs at a large academic medical center in the United States.

Respiratory health in professional cleaners: Symptoms, lung function, and risk factors.

Background: Cleaning is associated with an increased risk of asthma symptoms, but few studies have measured functional characteristics of airway disease in cleaners.

Aims: To assess and characterize respiratory symptoms and lung function in professional cleaners, and determine potential risk factors for adverse respiratory outcomes.

Methods: Symptoms, pre-/post-bronchodilator lung function, atopy, and cleaning exposures were assessed in 425 cleaners and 281 reference workers in Wellington, New Zealand between 2008 and 2010.

Ethnic-specific suggestions for physical activity based on existing recreational physical activity preferences of New Zealand women.

Objectives: Recreational physical activities of New Zealand women were examined to develop ethnic-specific suggestions encouraging physical activity (PA) participation as a targeted approach to reduce obesity rates among different groups.

Methods: Healthy Māori, Pacific and European women (n=331; 16-45 years of age) completed an online Recent Physical Activity Questionnaire to assess recreational PA and adherence to PA guidelines. Existing PA preferences were tailored to make ethnic-specific suggestions aimed at increasing PA participation.