Publications by authors named "J V M Alessi"
Background: Mutations in STK11, KEAP1, and SMARCA4 predispose to inferior immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly among KRAS-mutant cases. However, the frequency, clinicopathologic features, and clinical impact of deletions in these genes are poorly characterized.
Methods: Clinicopathologic correlates of STK11, KEAP1, and SMARCA4 deletion were analyzed in nonsquamous NSCLCs at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI).
Background: The role of activating alterations in the MAPK pathway in predicting immunotherapy efficacy in lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients is largely unknown. The aims of the randomized, phase II SQUINT trial were to assess the efficacy of nivolumab plus ipilimumab (NI) versus platinum-based chemotherapy plus nivolumab (N-CT) and to identify clinically available biomarkers of response to immunotherapy in patients with advanced or metastatic LSCC.
Methods: SQUINT was an open-label, randomized, parallel, non-comparative, phase II trial of NI versus N-CT in chemo-naïve, metastatic or recurrent LSCC adult patients.
Importance: Only a small fraction of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) respond to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) treatment. For optimal personalized NSCLC care, it is imperative to identify patients who are most likely to benefit from immunotherapy.
Objective: To develop a supervised deep learning-based ICI response prediction method; evaluate its performance alongside other known predictive biomarkers; and assess its association with clinical outcomes in patients with advanced NSCLC.
Article Synopsis
- Approximately 10% of lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD) have mucinous histology (LUADMuc), which is linked to a lighter/absent smoking history and a higher prevalence of KRAS mutations compared to LUAD without this histology (LUADnon-muc).
- A study analyzed features and treatment outcomes of LUADMuc and LUADnon-muc patients, revealing LUADMuc patients had less aggressive disease characteristics and a poorer response to current therapies, especially immunotherapy.
- Overall, LUADMuc showed lower objective response rates, shorter progression-free and overall survival compared to LUADnon-muc, highlighting a need for more effective treatment strategies for this subgroup.
Article Synopsis
- - The study aimed to find predictors of worsening mental health and self-care in diabetes patients during the 15 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on mental health disorders and emotional distress related to diabetes.
- - In a follow-up of 150 diabetes patients, 34.7% experienced increased mental health issues, particularly among those with lower middle-income and greater difficulties managing their condition, while improved diabetes control was associated with better mental health scores.
- - Self-care worsened for patients with longer diabetes duration and those using insulin, but those who adhered to social distancing saw improvements in their self-care practices.