CD19 CAR-T With Axicabtagene Ciloleucel in R/R Large B-Cell Lymphoma With/Without Prior Autologous Stem Cell Transplant.

Background: Anti-CD19 CAR-T therapy has been a breakthrough in treatment of primary refractory or relapsed large B-cell lymphoma (r/r LBCL) and is poised to supplant previous second line of high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDT/ASCT). However, in clinical practice, high risk patients with chemoimmunotherapy sensitive disease continue to receive salvage chemoimmunotherapy or cannot access CAR-T in a timely manner and thus may still proceed to HDT/ASCT. Little is known about clinical outcomes of CAR-T in patients who receive HDT/ASCT compared to those who are transplant-naïve.

Identification of Functional Immune Biomarkers in Breast Cancer Patients.

Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as an effective, personalized treatment for certain patients, particularly for those with hematological malignancies. However, its efficacy in breast cancer has been marginal-perhaps due to cold, immune-excluded, or immune-desert tumors. Natural killer T (NKT) cells play a critical role in cancer immune surveillance and are reduced in cancer patients.

Outcomes of Patients with Myeloid Malignancies and Cardiovascular Disease Undergoing Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Introduction/background: Reduced-intensity conditioning (RIC) and nonmyeloablative (NMA) regimens have enabled patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) to undergo allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). However, little is known about long-term outcomes, including cardiovascular (CV) complications.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 99 consecutive patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who underwent allo-HSCT between September 1, 2013, and November 30, 2020.

Imaging Biomarkers to Predict Outcomes in Patients With Large B-Cell Lymphoma With a Day 28 Partial Response by F-FDG PET/CT Imaging Following CAR-T Therapy.

CD19 directed CAR-T therapy for Large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) has shown great therapeutic response in patients with relapsed/refractory disease with response rates of 60-80%. However, in patients with a partial response (PR) on initial day 28 post CAR-T therapy imaging, clinical uncertainty remains as half of these patients will ultimately have relapsed disease.   PATIENTS: In 24 patients receiving CD19 directed CAR-T therapy for relapsed/refractory LBCL achieving a PR on day 28, we utilize imaging biomarkers by 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging at pre CAR-T therapy baseline and day 28 to determine factors that may predict best overall response (B-OR), progression free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS).

Outcomes of Busulfan, Fludarabine, and 400 cGy Total Body Irradiation Compared With Busulfan and Fludarabine Reduced-Intensity Conditioning Regimens for Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation in Adult Patients With Hematologic Diseases: A Single-Center Experience.

Background: Reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens decrease the risk for nonrelapse mortality (NRM) in adult patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematologic malignancies but increase the risk for relapse. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of fludarabine-total body irradiation (TBI) with fludarabine among patients with hematologic diseases.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective study of 137 patients with different hematologic malignancies compared the outcomes of 63 patients who received a conventional RIC regimen with 2 days of IV busulfan (3.

Human Papillomavirus Impact on Temporal Treatment Trends in Oropharyngeal Carcinoma: 2010-2016.

Introduction: The study objective was to identify practice patterns in oropharyngeal cancer management from 2010 to 2016 among human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated and non-HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma (OPSCC) patients.

Methods: The National Cancer Database was utilized to identify OPSCC patients from 2010 to 2016. Frequency distributions and multivariable analyses were generated to identify practice patterns and predictors of treatment modality.

Cost-effectiveness of concurrent radiation with cetuximab or chemotherapy in older patients with oropharyngeal cancer.

To assess the cost-effectiveness of definitive therapies for nonmetastatic oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results-Medicare dataset, patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2011 were identified. The cost-effectiveness of chemoradiation (CRT) versus radiotherapy (RT), cetuximab plus RT (cetuximab-RT) versus RT and cetuximab-RT versus CRT were estimated.

Humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants including omicron in solid organ transplant recipients after three doses of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine.

Objectives: Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) receiving post-transplant immunosuppression show increased COVID-19-related mortality. It is unclear whether an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccines can overcome the reduced immune responsiveness against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants.

Methods: We analysed humoral immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants in 53 SOTR receiving SARS-CoV-2 vaccination.

Meta-regression Analysis of Study Heterogeneity for Systemic Outcomes after Periodontal Therapy.

Introduction: The contribution of periodontal disease to adverse systemic consequences remains controversial. This analysis examined 2 well-investigated conditions independently and combined-adverse pregnancy outcomes and glycemic control for patients with diabetes-based on shared pathogenic mechanisms of periodontal infection and inflammation. It was proposed that inconsistencies in study design significantly contribute to outcome discrepancies found between periodontal intervention studies undergoing meta-analysis.

Comparison of efficacy and toxicity of chemoradiation regimens for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma primary treatment.

Background: The best chemoradiation regimen to treat locally and regionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is yet to be established.

Methods: We compared overall survival (OS) and adverse events following chemoradiation regimens (high-dose [HDC] or low-dose [LDC] cisplatin, or carboplatin [CB]) in HNSCC cases selected from SEER-Medicare linked database.

Results: Of the 1335 cases who underwent radiotherapy, 264 received HDC, 259 received LDC, and 353 received CB, concurrently.

Differences in gray matter volume in episodic migraine patients with and without prior diagnosis or clinical care: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Migraine sufferers face difficulties getting appropriate care and treatment. Migraine is associated with reduced gray matter volume (GMV) in several brain regions, which could be related to various clinical characteristics of the disorder.

Objectives: To examine differences in GMV in migraine patients with and without prior clinical care for migraine and examine differences in migraine clinical variables, psychosocial symptoms and their relationship with GMV.

Treatment modalities, adverse events, and survival outcomes in older patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Chemoradiation with curative intent in older adults with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) has been a challenge, because of its potential toxicities.

Methods: We selected primary HNSCC cases from the SEER-Medicare linked database, assessed overall survival (OS) and adverse events and their associations with different treatments, across four age groups including the youngest (66-69 years) and the oldest (≥80 years).

Results: Better OS was associated with chemoradiation compared to radiation alone, not only in all patients (N = 5879) (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.

Examining the impact of physical function performance in predicting patient outcomes after lung-sparing surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of physical function performance and pulmonary function on patient outcomes after lung-sparing surgery for malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of 54 patients with MPM from 2015 to 2020 was performed. The primary objective was to assess whether physical function, as measured by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG), and pulmonary function tests were predictive of postoperative patient outcomes (ventilator days, chest tube days, hospital length of stay).

Enhanced mindfulness-based stress reduction in episodic migraine-effects on sleep quality, anxiety, stress, and depression: a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

Patients with migraine suffer from high morbidity related to the repeated headache attacks, characteristic of the disorder, poor sleep, and a high prevalence of comorbid psychosocial disorders. Current pharmacological therapies do not address these aspects of migraine, but nonpharmacological treatments such as mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) have been shown to improve both pain and psychological well-being. In this secondary analysis, we examined the change over time in sleep quality and psychosocial outcomes from the magnetic resonance imaging outcomes for mindfulness meditation clinical trial and assessed how these mediated treatment response (50% reduction in headache frequency postintervention).

Prospective Observational Study of Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw in Multiple Myeloma: Microbiota Profiling and Cytokine Expression.

Purpose: Define incidence and risk factors of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and explore oral microbial signatures and host immune response as reflected by cytokine changes in saliva and serum in multiple myeloma (MM) patients on bisphosphate (BP) therapy.

Patients And Methods: A single center observational prospective study of MM patients (n = 110) on >2 years of BP, none had ONJ at enrollment. Patients were followed every 3 months for 18 months with clinical/dental examination and serial measurements of inflammatory cytokines, bone turnover markers, and angiogenic growth factors.

Adherence to Guideline-Concordant Care and Its Effect on Survival in Black Patients with Head and Neck Cancers: A SEER-Medicare Analysis.

Background: In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), Black patients continue to have worse survival when compared with White patients. The cause of this disparity is multifaceted and cannot be explained by one etiology alone. To investigate this disparity, we used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database to examine adherence to guideline-concordant care (GCC) as defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.

Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strain PA14-UM.

is a Gram-negative nosocomial pathogen that is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis patients and immunocompromised individuals worldwide. The isolate examined in this study, PA14-UM, is a well-characterized isolate utilized in studies from the University of Maryland.

Enhanced mindfulness-based stress reduction in episodic migraine: a randomized clinical trial with magnetic resonance imaging outcomes.

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an enhanced mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR+) vs stress management for headache (SMH). We performed a randomized, assessor-blind, clinical trial of 98 adults with episodic migraine recruited at a single academic center comparing MBSR+ (n = 50) with SMH (n = 48). MBSR+ and SMH were delivered weekly by group for 8 weeks, then biweekly for another 8 weeks.

Efficacy of a novel orally active SERD AZD9496 against hormone dependent post-menopausal breast cancer depends on inhibition of cellular aromatase activity.

Treatment of hormone sensitive breast cancer tumors with endocrine therapy such as antiestrogens or aromatase inhibitors has improved the outcome significantly. Studies including our own have shown that downregulation of ERα with pure antiestrogen fulvestrant in combination with aromatase inhibitors may prolong responsiveness of the tumors to endocrine therapy. Fulvestrant has been studied as second line or first line treatment for post-menopausal hormone receptor positive breast cancers as a single agent or in combination with AIs.

Decreased nonspecific adhesivity, receptor-targeted therapeutic nanoparticles for primary and metastatic breast cancer.

Development of effective tumor cell-targeted nanodrug formulations has been quite challenging, as many nanocarriers and targeting moieties exhibit nonspecific binding to cellular, extracellular, and intravascular components. We have developed a therapeutic nanoparticle formulation approach that balances cell surface receptor-specific binding affinity while maintaining minimal interactions with blood and tumor tissue components (termed "DART" nanoparticles), thereby improving blood circulation time, biodistribution, and tumor cell-specific uptake. Here, we report that paclitaxel (PTX)-DART nanoparticles directed to the cell surface receptor fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) outperformed both the corresponding PTX-loaded, nontargeted nanoparticles and Abraxane, an FDA-approved PTX nanoformulation, in both a primary triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) model and an intracranial model reflecting TNBC growth following metastatic dissemination to the brain.

EP4 and Class III β-Tubulin Expression in Uterine Smooth Muscle Tumors: Implications for Prognosis and Treatment.

The microtubule-stabilizing agent docetaxel in combination with gemcitabine represents one of the most effective regimens against the aggressive gynecologic tumor leiomyosarcoma (LMS). Upregulation of class III β-tubulin has previously been shown to confer taxane resistance in a variety of human cancers. Prostaglandin E receptor EP4 is linked to progression of a variety of human cancers and may represent a novel target for tumor inhibition in LMS.

Definitive radiation with concurrent cetuximab vs. radiation with or without concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy in older patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck: Analysis of the SEER-medicare linked database.

Objective: To evaluate OS and toxicity after definitive radiation with concurrent cetuximab (CTX-RT) compared to radiation with concurrent cytotoxic chemotherapy (CRT) in older HNSCC patients via the SEER-Medicare linked database.

Materials And Methods: We used the SEER-Medicare linked database to evaluate OS in HNSCC patients (Oropharynx, Larynx, Hypopharynx, Nasopharynx) diagnosed over 2005-2011, following FDA approval of cetuximab in combination with radiation therapy (RT) in March 2006.

Results: 2135 beneficiaries were identified.

Intake of dietary carbohydrates in early adulthood and adolescence and breast density among young women.

Purpose: Carbohydrate intake increases postprandial insulin secretion and may affect breast density, a strong risk factor for breast cancer, early in life. We examined associations of adolescent and early adulthood intakes of total carbohydrates, glycemic index/load, fiber, and simple sugars with breast density among 182 young women.

Methods: Diet was assessed using three 24-h recalls at each of five Dietary Intervention Study in Children (DISC) clinic visits when participants were age 10-19 years and at the DISC06 Follow-Up Study clinic visit when participants were age 25-29 years.