Transcriptome-Wide Association Study Identified Novel Blood Tissue Gene Biomarkers for Prostate Cancer Risk.

Objective: A number of susceptibility genes in prostate tissue have been identified to be associated with prostate cancer (PCa) risk. However, the reported genes based on assessing prostate tissue could not fully explain PCa genetic susceptibility. It is believed that genes functioning in the immune system may fill in the gap of some missing heritability.

"Everything cannot be handled virtually": Understanding intention and use of digital health technologies among rural adults and rural cancer survivors.

Purpose: This qualitative study assessed internet access and use, barriers and facilitators to participating in digital health interventions or programs, and the engagement experience in virtual versus in-person health interventions among rural adults and rural cancer survivors.

Methods: Rural adults (n = 10) and rural cancer survivors (n = 10) were recruited from previous studies to participate in an in-depth interview. The interview guide contained eight open-ended questions related to participation in technology-based programs.

Glycemic control to improve post-operative outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: Results of the SUGAR (Surgical Universal euGlycemic Attainment during Recovery) initiative.

Objective: Hyperglycemia, or glucose values >180 mg/dL, is associated with adverse post-operative outcomes. Our objective was to determine the impact of improving peri-operative glycemic control and evaluate infectious complications among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoing open gynecologic surgery.

Methods: A multidisciplinary team standardized pre-operative screening, referral algorithms, and intra-operative and post-operative hyperglycemia management (Surgical Universal euGlycemic Attainment during Recovery initiative).

Cervical cancer stage distribution and survival outcomes in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, with a disproportionate burden in sub-Saharan Africa. Understanding the cervical cancer stage and outcomes is crucial for developing effective interventions and reducing its burden. We aimed to undertake a systematic review and meta-analysis of cervical cancer stage distribution and survival outcomes in Africa.

Refractory and Resistant Herpes Simplex Virus Mucocutaneous Infections in Immunocompromised Patients: Literature Review and Proposed Definitions for Use in Clinical Trials.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is one of the most prevalent viral infections worldwide. In general, host immunity is sufficient to clear viral shedding and recurrences, although it is insufficient to prevent subsequent virologic reactivations. In immunocompromised patients, prolonged and difficult-to-treat HSV infections may develop.

MT-Keyboard: A Bayesian Model-assisted Interval Design to Account for Toxicity Grades and Types for Phase I Trials.

Conventionally, dose finding trials are based on dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) that only captures the most severe toxicities, e.g., treatment related grade 3 or higher toxicity according to the NCI Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.

Second-line treatment patterns and outcomes in advanced HCC after progression on atezolizumab/bevacizumab.

Background & Aims: Atezolizumab/bevacizumab (A/B) is now a standard first-line treatment for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the optimal second-line regimen is not known. We evaluated real-world treatment patterns and outcomes to investigate factors associated with post-progression survival (PPS).

Methods: In this multicenter, international, retrospective study, we examined clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with advanced HCC who progressed on first-line A/B.

Dynamic Contrast-enhanced MRI Processing Comparison for Distinguishing True Progression From Pseudoprogression in High-grade Glioma.

Background: Treatment-related changes may occur due to radiation and temozolomide in glioblastoma and can mimic tumor progression on conventional MRI. DCE-MRI enables quantification of the extent of blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, providing information about areas of suspicious postcontrast T1 enhancement. We compared DCE-MRI processing methods for distinguishing true disease progression from pseudoprogression in high-grade gliomas (HGGs).

Trends in Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia Diagnosis and Upgrade: A 20-Year Experience and Impact of MRI Use on Upgrade Rates.

Background: Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) is a benign proliferative breast lesion. Surgical excision of ADH is often recommended to rule out underlying malignant disease.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the trends in ADH upgrade rates over time and identify the impact of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) use on upgrade rates.

A morphometric signature to identify ductal carcinoma in situ with a low risk of progression.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) may progress to ipsilateral invasive breast cancer (iIBC), but often never will. Because DCIS is treated as early breast cancer, many women with harmless DCIS face overtreatment. To identify features associated with progression, we developed an artificial intelligence-based DCIS morphometric analysis pipeline (AIDmap) on hematoxylin-eosin-stained (H&E) tissue sections.

Polydipsia Induced Acute Angle-Closure Crisis.

We present a case of Acute Angle-Closure Crisis (AACC) precipitated by primary transient psychogenic polydipsia; we believe that our case is the first of its kind to be reported. A 74-year-old male presented to the emergency department with altered mental status due to acute-onset hyponatremia. Six days after admission, the patient noticed painful loss of vision in his right eye and an ipsilateral headache lasting 10-15 minutes.

Methodologies and characteristics of studies investigating the cost of the palliative phase of cancer: a systematic review.

Purpose: Improvements in the treatment of advanced cancer have increased life expectancy but have also increased the costs to healthcare systems, patients and their families. A systematic review is needed to summarize research work on the cost of cancer. The primary objective was to describe the characteristics and methodology of studies investigating the cost of cancer during the palliative phase.

Time dependency for human papillomavirus circulating tumor DNA detection after chemoradiation as a prognostic biomarker for localized anal cancer.

Background: While detection of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) weeks after surgery is linked to recurrence for other solid tumors, the optimal time point for ctDNA assessment as a prognostic biomarker following chemoradiation for anal cancer is undefined.

Methods: Patients with stages I-III anal cancer treated with chemoradiation between 12/2020-5/2024 were evaluated for HPV ctDNA status at baseline, at the end of chemoradiation, and during surveillance using a droplet digital HPV ctDNA PCR assay targeting HPV E6 and E7 oncogenes for 13 oncogenic HPV types. Median recurrence-free survival (RFS) according to HPV ctDNA status was estimated via Kaplan-Meier and compared using a log-rank test.

BCG-Induced DNA Methylation Changes Improve Coronavirus Disease 2019 Vaccine Immunity Without Decreasing the Risk for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection.

Background: The BCG vaccine induces trained immunity, an epigenetic-mediated increase in innate immune responsiveness. Therefore, this clinical trial evaluated if BCG-induced trained immunity could decrease coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related frequency or severity.

Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of healthcare workers randomized participants to vaccination with BCG TICE or placebo (saline).

Exploring age and gender disparities in cardiometabolic phenotypes and lipidomic signatures among Chinese adults: a nationwide cohort study.

Understanding sex disparities in modifiable risk factors across the lifespan is essential for crafting individualized intervention strategies. We aim to investigate age-related sex disparity in cardiometabolic phenotypes in a large nationwide Chinese cohort. A total of 254,670 adults aged 40 years or older were selected from a population-based cohort in China.

Screening Young Adult Cancer Patients for Vocational Rehabilitation Services: A Vocational Rehabilitation Readiness Screening Tool.

Purpose: We aimed to develop an online vocational rehabilitation (VR) readiness screening (VRRS) tool for young adults diagnosed with cancer. VR readiness was defined as being physically and cognitively ready to enter or return to work or school.

Methods: We developed an initial VRRS tool informed by previous studies, a scoping review to determine such a tool had not already been developed, and consultation with subject matter experts.

Reducing IgG accumulation via neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) blockade relieves neuropathic pain.

Preclinical and clinical studies have established that autoreactive immunoglobulin G (IgG) can drive neuropathic pain. We recently demonstrated that sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) in male and female mice results in the production of pronociceptive IgG, which accumulates around the lumbar region, including within the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and spinal cord, facilitating the development of neuropathic pain. These data raise the intriguing possibility that neuropathic pain may be alleviated by reducing the accumulation of IgG.

Botensilimab (Fc-enhanced anti-cytotoxic lymphocyte-association protein-4 antibody) Plus Balstilimab (anti-PD-1 antibody) in Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Metastatic Sarcomas.

Purpose: Outcomes for patients with advanced sarcomas are poor and there is a high unmet need to develop novel therapies. The purpose of this phase I study was to define the safety and efficacy of botensilimab (BOT), an Fc-enhanced anti-cytotoxic lymphocyte-association protein-4 antibody, plus balstilimab (BAL), an anti-PD-1 antibody, in advanced sarcomas.

Methods: BOT was administered intravenously (IV) at 1 mg/kg or 2 mg/kg once every 6 weeks in combination with BAL IV at 3 mg/kg once every 2 weeks for up to 2 years.

An Algorithmic Overview of Advanced Pain Therapies: A Narrative Review.

Purpose Of Review: Quickly referenceable, streamlined, algorithmic approaches for advanced pain management are lacking for patients, trainees, non-pain specialists, and interventional specialists. This manuscript aims to address this gap by proposing a comprehensive, evidence-based algorithm for managing neuropathic, nociceptive, and cancer-associated pain. Such an algorithm is crucial for pain medicine education, offering a structured approach for patient care refractory to conservative management.