The Evolving Landscape of Biomarkers for Immune Checkpoint Blockade in Genitourinary Cancers.

In the past decade, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have been approved for treatment of genitourinary malignancies and have revolutionized the treatment landscape of these tumors. However, despite the remarkable success of these therapies in some GU malignancies, many patients' tumors do not respond to these therapies, and others may experience significant side effects, such as immune-related adverse events (iRAEs). Accordingly, biomarkers and improved prognostic tools are critically needed to help predict which patients will respond to ICI, predict and mitigate risk of developing immune-related adverse events, and inform personalized choice of therapy for each patient.

Understanding and overcoming resistance to immunotherapy in genitourinary cancers.

The introduction of novel immunotherapies has significantly transformed the treatment landscape of genitourinary (GU) cancers, even becoming the standard of care in some settings. One such type of immunotherapy, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) like nivolumab, ipilimumab, pembrolizumab, and atezolizumab play a pivotal role by disturbing signaling pathways that limit the immune system's ability to fight tumor cells. Despite the profound impact of these treatments, not all tumors are responsive.

Established and emerging biomarkers of immunotherapy in renal cell carcinoma.

Immunotherapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, have heralded impressive progress for patient care in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Despite this success, some patients' disease fails to respond, and other patients experience significant side effects. Thus, development of biomarkers is needed to ensure that patients can be selected to maximize benefit from immunotherapies.

Altered mental status is an independent predictor of mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Background/aims: Limited data exists on the outcomes of COVID-19 patients presenting with altered mental status (AMS). Hence, we studied the characteristics and outcomes of hospitalized COVID-19 patients who presented with AMS at our hospital in rural southwest Georgia.

Methods: Data from electronic medical records of all hospitalized COVID-19 patients from March 2, 2020, to June 17, 2020, were analyzed.

Is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Futile in Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients Experiencing In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest?

Objectives: There is limited data regarding outcomes after in-hospital cardiac arrest among coronavirus disease 2019 patients. None of the studies have reported the outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest in coronavirus disease 2019 patients in the United States. We describe the characteristics and outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest in coronavirus disease 2019 patients in rural Southwest Georgia.

Baseline use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/AT1 blocker and outcomes in hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 African-American patients.

Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to determine the effect of baseline use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-i)/AT1 blocker (ARB) on mortality in hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) African-American patients. The secondary objectives are, to determine the effect of baseline use of ACE-i/ARB on the need for mechanical ventilation, new dialysis, ICU care, and on composite of above-mentioned outcomes in the same cohort.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed data using electronic medical records from all hospitalized Covid-19 African-American patients, who either died in the hospital or survived to discharge between 2 March and 22 May 2020.