Genetic Phenomena Commons^™

Precision Proteogenomics Reveals Pan-Cancer Impact Of Germline Variants, Fernanda Martins Rodrigues, Nadezhda V Terekhanova, Kathleen J Imbach, Karl R Clauser, Myvizhi Esai Selvan, Isabel Mendizabal, Yifat Geffen, Yo Akiyama, Myranda Maynard, Tomer M Yaron, Yize Li, Song Cao, Erik P Storrs, Olivia S Gonda, Adrian Gaite-Reguero, Akshay Govindan, Emily A Kawaler, Matthew A Wyczalkowski, Robert J Klein, Berk Turhan, Karsten Krug, D R Mani, Felipe Da Veiga Leprevost, Alexey I Nesvizhskii, Steven A Carr, David Fenyö, Michael A Gillette, Antonio Colaprico, Antonio Iavarone, Ana I Robles, Kuan-Lin Huang, Chandan Kumar-Sinha, François Aguet, Alexander J Lazar, Lewis C Cantley, Urko M Marigorta, Zeynep H Gümüş, Matthew H Bailey, Gad Getz, Eduard Porta-Pardo, Li Ding

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

We investigate the impact of germline variants on cancer patients' proteomes, encompassing 1,064 individuals across 10 cancer types. We introduced an approach, "precision peptidomics," mapping 337,469 coding germline variants onto peptides from patients' mass spectrometry data, revealing their potential impact on post-translational modifications, protein stability, allele-specific expression, and protein structure by leveraging the relevant protein databases. We identified rare pathogenic and common germline variants in cancer genes potentially affecting proteomic features, including variants altering protein abundance and structure and variants in kinases (ERBB2 and MAP2K2) impacting phosphorylation. Precision peptidome analysis predicted destabilizing events in signal-regulatory protein alpha (SIRPA) and glial …

A Stakeholder-Informed Conceptual Framework For Evaluating Genomics In Precision Oncology, Julie A. Wiedower

All Dissertations

This dissertation explores the value of genomic testing in precision oncology with an emphasis on how US payers conceptualize and prioritize elements of value. This research aims to address gaps in understanding payer perspectives and proposes a stakeholder-informed framework for evaluating genomic testing in oncology. To achieve this aim, the presented research investigates payer perspectives, value-based cancer care priorities, and the conceptual understanding of the value of a genetic diagnosis to establish a framework for value with the payer audience in mind. Chapter 1 outlines relevant background information relating to the genomic revolution and challenges in translating genomic testing technologies …

Comic: A Bayesian Dose Optimization Design For Drug Combination In Multiple Indications With Application To Car-T Therapies, Kai Chen, Kentaro Takeda, Ying Yuan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Project Optimus, initiated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), seeks to shift the focus of dose finding and selection from the maximum tolerated dose to the optimal dose that offers the most favorable risk-benefit balance. However, applying this paradigm shift to drug combination trials presents challenges, particularly due to limited sample sizes and a large two-dimensional dose exploration space. These challenges are amplified when trials involve multiple indications. To address this, we developed a two-stage Bayesian dose optimization design, called COMIC (Combination Optimization in Multiple IndiCations), to efficiently identify Optimal Biological Dose Combinations (OBDC) for multiple indications. The …

In Vivo Assessment Of Cardiac Radiofrequency Ablation In A Large-Animal Model Using Photoacoustic-Ultrasound Imaging, Nilesh Mathuria, Krithik Vishwanath, Blake C Fallon, Antonio Martino, Giorgio Brero, Miguel Valderrabano, Richard R Bouchard

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Despite advancements in catheter technology, intraoperative assessment of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) lesions remains elusive. Prior ex vivo data suggest photoacoustic imaging (PAI) can provide RFA lesion characteristics, but in vivo data are lacking. PAI involves delivering near-infrared light to tissue, leading to transient acoustic waves that can be detected by clinically available ultrasound transducers, providing optically based tissue characterization at depth. Three epicardial RFA lesions were delivered in an open-chest porcine model. In vivo PAI-based measurements of RFA lesion dimensions matched (< 0.7-mm error) gross pathologic assessment, yielding in vivo feasibility data of PAI to provide intraoperative RFA lesion dimensions.

Unveiling The Intercompartmental Signaling Axis: Mitochondrial To Er Stress Response (Mersr) And Its Impact On Proteostasis, Jeson J Li, Nan Xin, Chunxia Yang, Bo G Kim, Larissa A Tavizon, Jina Park, Rebecca George Tharyan, Adam Antebi, Hyun-Eui Kim

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Maintaining protein homeostasis is essential for cellular health. Our previous research uncovered a cross-compartmental Mitochondrial to Cytosolic Stress Response, activated by the perturbation of mitochondrial proteostasis, which ultimately results in the improvement of proteostasis in the cytosol. Here, we found that this signaling axis also influences the unfolded protein response of the endoplasmic reticulum (UPRER), suggesting the presence of a Mitochondria to ER Stress Response (MERSR). During MERSR, the IRE1 branch of UPRER is inhibited, introducing a previously unknown regulatory component of MCSR. Moreover, proteostasis is enhanced through the upregulation of the PERK-eIF2α signaling pathway, increasing phosphorylation of eIF2α and …

Sustained Improvement In Health-Related Quality Of Life In Transplant-Ineligible Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Treated With Daratumumab, Lenalidomide, And Dexamethasone: Maia Final Analysis Of Patient-Reported Outcomes, Aurore Perrot, Thierry Facon, Torben Plesner, Saad Z Usmani, Shaji Kumar, Cyrille Hulin, Hareth Nahi, Peter Mollee, Karthik Ramasamy, Murielle Roussel, Arnaud Jaccard, Michel Delforge, Lionel Karlin, Bertrand Arnulf, Ajai Chari, George Wang, Niodita Gupta-Werner, Shuchita Kaila, Huiling Pei, Kathryn Matt, Katharine S Gries, Robin Carson, Fredrik Borgsten, Katja Weisel

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Objectives: This final post hoc analysis evaluated patient-reported outcomes from the Phase 3 MAIA study of daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (D-Rd) versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) after median 64.5-month follow-up in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM), including patient subgroups.

Methods: Key scales from the EORTC QLQ-C30 (global health status [GHS], physical functioning, pain, and fatigue) were assessed. Scores were evaluated every 3 months for 1 year, then every 6 months until disease progression.

Results: The intent-to-treat population (n = 737) included 46.3% frail, 35.4% 70 to < 75 years old, and 43.6% ≥ 75 years old. D-Rd-treated patients showed improvements from baseline that were sustained over 5 years in the intent-to-treat population and across subgroups by age, frailty, and bone lesions. Greater proportions of patients treated with D-Rd versus Rd achieved minimally important changes for improvement at cycle 36 (year ~3) in GHS (odds ratio, 1.84 [95% CI, 1.16-2.91]), physical functioning (1.93 [1.18-3.14]), pain (1.41 [0.90-2.22]), and fatigue (2.00 [1.24-3.23]). Greater proportions of patients with bone lesions improved with D-Rd versus Rd on GHS and physical functioning.

Conclusions: In transplant-ineligible patients with NDMM, D-Rd improved health-related quality of …

Todo: A Triple-Outcome Double-Criterion Optimal Design For Dose Monitoring-And-Optimization In Multi-Dose Randomized Trials, Jingyi Zhang, Heng Zhou, Nolan A Wages, Zifang Guo, Fang Liu, Fangrong Yan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Detecting the efficacy signal and determining the optimal dose are critical steps to increase the probability of success and expedite the drug development in cancer treatment. After identifying a safe dose range through phase I studies, conducting a multidose randomized trial becomes an effective approach to achieve this objective. However, there have been limited formal statistical designs for such multidose trials, and dose selection in practice is often ad hoc, relying on descriptive statistics. We propose a Bayesian optimal two-stage design to facilitate rigorous dose monitoring and optimization. Utilizing a flexible Bayesian dynamic linear model for the dose-response relationship, we …

Glutamate Gating Of Ampa-Subtype Iglurs At Physiological Temperatures, Anish Kumar Mondal, Elisa Carrillo, Vasanthi Jayaraman, Edward C Twomey

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) are tetrameric ligand-gated ion channels that mediate most excitatory neurotransmission1. iGluRs are gated by glutamate, where on glutamate binding, they open their ion channels to enable cation influx into postsynaptic neurons, initiating signal transduction1,2. The structural mechanics of how glutamate gating occurs in full-length iGluRs is not well understood. Here, using the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid subtype iGluR (AMPAR), we identify the glutamate-gating mechanism. AMPAR activation by glutamate is augmented at physiological temperatures. By preparing AMPARs for cryogenic-electron microscopy at these temperatures, we captured the glutamate-gating mechanism. Activation by glutamate initiates ion channel opening that involves all ion …

Defining The Optimal Radiation-Induced Lymphopenia Metric To Discern Its Survival Impact In Esophageal Cancer, Pim J J Damen, Max Peters, Brian Hobbs, Yiqing Chen, Uwe Titt, Radhe Mohan, Peter S N Van Rossum

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: A detrimental association between radiation-induced lymphopenia (RIL) and oncologic outcomes in patients with esophageal cancer has been established. However, an optimal metric for RIL remains undefined but is important for the application of this knowledge in clinical decision-making and trial designs. The aim of this study was to find the optimal RIL metric discerning survival.

Methods and materials: Patients with esophageal cancer treated with concurrent chemoradiation therapy (CRT; 2004-2022) were selected. Studied metrics included absolute lymphocyte counts (ALCs) and neutrophil counts-and calculated derivatives-at baseline and during CRT. Multivariable Cox regression models for progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) …

What Rankings, Ratings, And Utilities Do Breast Cancer Patients Place On Tissue- And Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction?, Haoqi Wang, Nsikak M Jackson, Danmeng Huang, Rachel E Alexander, Mary Catherine Bordes, Tzuan A Chen, Summer E Hanson, Mark Schaverien, Mia K Markey, Gregory P Reece, Scott B Cantor, Aubri S Hoffman

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Utility analysis is well-established for comparing treatment options but challenging to assess with patients in clinical care. Preference assessment may be more feasible, but it is not yet known whether it correlates with utilities. The aims of this study were to (1) assess women's rankings, ratings, and utilities for tissue-based, implant-based, and no reconstruction after total mastectomy; and (2) explore assessment methods and correlations with clinical and psychosocial factors.

Methods: Forty patients considering or undergoing breast reconstruction completed 3 assessments-card ranking, visual analog scale, and standard gamble-and psychosocial questionnaires. Each woman rated 9 health states with case-matched images: 4 …

Chd1 Loss Reprograms Srebp2-Driven Cholesterol Synthesis To Fuel Androgen-Responsive Growth And Castration Resistance In Spop-Mutated Prostate Tumors, Feiyu Chen, Haoyan Li, Yin Wang, Ximing Tang, Kevin Lin, Chenling Meng, Javier Leo, Xin Liang, Jie Zhang, Vivien Van, Iqbal Mahmud, Bo Wei, Philip L Lorenzi, Maria G Raso, Ana Aparicio, Yue Lu, Daniel E Frigo, Boyi Gan, Di Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Despite undergoing castration, most individuals with prostate cancer (PCa) experience progression to castration-resistant PCa (CRPC), in which the androgen receptor (AR) remains an important driver. Concurrent genetic alterations in SPOP and CHD1 define a unique subtype of PCa, but their interactions in tumor progression and therapy response remain unclear. Here, we provide genetic evidence supporting that CHD1 loss accelerates disease progression and confers resistance to castration in males with SPOP-mutated PCa. By leveraging genetic engineering and multiomics, we uncovered a noncanonical function of CHD1 in lipid metabolism reprogramming via repressing the SREBP2 transcriptome. Loss of CHD1 induces cholesterol production, supplies …

Treatment Of C-Met Antibody-Drug Conjugate Asymptomatic Pneumonitis With A Novel Steroid Regimen In Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report, Daniel A Fox, Christine Tran, Vincent Blot, David S Hong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) are a potent class of antineoplastic drugs that deliver cytotoxic agents via targeting with monoclonal antibodies; however, ADCs are associated with high rates of lung toxicities, limiting the therapeutic potential in many patients. We report a case of a patient with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer taking the ADC telisotuzumab vedotin (Teliso V) plus osimtertinib who developed ADC-induced pneumonitis despite clinical benefit. This patient was able to tolerate treatment for a prolonged period on a novel steroid regimen, using steroids when pneumonitis was asymptomatic but radiologically evident and as a daily suppressant. This treatment strategy may have …

Air Embolism After Percutaneous Lung Biopsy Or Ablation: A Report Of Six Cases, Rebecca Choi, Haylie Kieu-Mi Phan, Varshana Gurusamy, Rahul A Sheth, Bruno C Odisio, Alda L Tam

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Systemic air embolism is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of percutaneous lung biopsy and ablation. This report describes six patients (four male, two female) with air embolism following CT-guided lung interventions at two institutions between January 2021 and March 2024. Air embolisms were identified in locations such as the pulmonary vein, left ventricle, and coronary arteries, with clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic to life-threatening events. Prompt intervention, including oxygen therapy, patient repositioning, and intravenous administration of epinephrine in cases of cardiac arrest, resulted in favorable outcomes. This series highlights the importance of early detection of systemic air embolism and …

Development Of A Treatment Decision Aid For Patients With Dysplastic Nevi Who Are Candidates For Re-Excision, Jaclyn N Roland-Mcgowan, Steven Caleb Freeman, Wenelia Baghoomian, Bryan T Carroll, Caroline Choi Kim, Emily Y Chu, Kelly Carter Nelson, Kevin P White, Michael E Ming, Rebecca I Hartman, Sancy A Leachman, Stephanie Mengden-Koon, Suephy C Chen, Susan M Swetter, Victor G Prieto, Elizabeth Berry, Wesley Y Yu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Carbon Ions Versus Protons For Integrated Mode Ion Imaging, Mikaël Simard, Ryan Fullarton, Lennart Volz, Christoph Schuy, Daniel G Robertson, Colin Baker, Christian Graeff, Charles-Antoine Collins Fekete

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Incorporating image guidance into ion beam therapy is critical for minimizing beam range uncertainties and realizing the modality's potential. One promising avenue for image guidance is to capture transmission ion radiographs (iRads) before and/or during treatment. iRad image quality is typically maximized using a single-event imaging system, which involves tracking individual ions, albeit the approach is generally not suited to clinical beam settings. An alternative faster and clinically compatible method is integrated mode imaging, where individual pencil beam data is acquired, rather than single ion data. To evaluate the usefulness of transmission ion imaging for image guidance, it is …

Advancing Understanding And Therapeutic Strategies For Nut Sarcomas: Comprehensive Review Of The Literature And Two Cases, Carlos Torrado, Elise Nassif Haddad, Neeta Somaiah, Pavlos Msaouel, Alexander J Lazar

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are a group of rare cancers, among which nuclear protein in testis (NUT) sarcomas represent an ultra-rare subset driven by NUTM1 gene fusions. This article presents two unique cases of NUT sarcomas and conducts a comprehensive review of the literature to include an additional 61 cases. Our review reveals that NUT sarcoma exhibits a slightly higher incidence among women (male-to-female ratio of 1:1.03) and tends to manifest at a relatively young age (median age of 40 years). The most prevalent NUT partner genes were the MAD family in 52% of patients (33 of 63 patients, including …

Summary Of Research: Efficacy Of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan In Her2-Expressing Solid Tumors By Enrollment Her2 Ihc Status: Post Hoc Analysis Of Destiny-Pantumor02, Ana Oaknin, Jung-Yun Lee, Vicky Makker, Do-Youn Oh, Susana Banerjee, Kyung Hae Jung, Luis Manso, Aránzazu Manzano, Bohuslav Melichar, Salvatore Siena, Daniil Stroyakovskiy, Anitra Fielding, Soham Puvvada, Ann Smith, Funda Meric-Bernstam

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

of the original article, 'Efficacy of Trastuzumab Deruxtecan in HER2-Expressing Solid Tumors by Enrollment HER2 IHC Status: Post Hoc Analysis of DESTINY-PanTumor02'. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) is an antibody-drug conjugate, which is a chemotherapy with a linker (deruxtecan) joined to an antibody (trastuzumab). Trastuzumab binds to the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) protein on cancer cells, where it releases the chemotherapy to kill these cells. The DESTINY-PanTumor02 clinical study tested the effectiveness of T-DXd for people with various HER2-expressing cancers and the safety of treatment. Previous results from DESTINY-PanTumor02 showed that T-DXd had antitumor activity, and the greatest effects …

Further Delineation Of The Scaf4-Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorder, Cosima M Schmid, Anne Gregor, Anna Ruiz, Carmen Manso Bazús, Isabella Herman, Urania Kotzaeridou, Lucie Dupuis, Katharina Steindl, Anaïs Begemann, Anita Rauch, Aude-Annick Suter, Bertrand Isidor, Sandra Mercier, Mathilde Nizon, Benjamin Cogné, Wallid Deb, Thomas Besnard, Tobias B Haack, Ruth J Falb, Amelie J Müller, Tobias Linden, Chad R Haldeman-Englert, Charlotte W Ockeloen, Francesca Mattioli, Alexandre Reymond, Nazia Ibrahim, Shagufta Naz, Elodie Lacaze, Jennifer A Bassetti, Julia Hoefele, Theresa Brunet, Korbinian M Riedhammer, Houda Z Elloumi, Richard Person, Fanggeng Zou, Juliette J Kahle, Kirsten Cremer, Axel Schmidt, Marie-Ange Delrue, Pedro M Almeida, Fabiana Ramos, Siddharth Srivastava, Aisling Quinlan, Stephen Robertson, Eva Manka, Alma Kuechler, Stephanie Spranger, Malgorzata J M Nowaczyk, Reem M Elshafie, Hind Alsharhan, Paul R Hillman, Leslie A Dunnington, Hilde M H Braakman, Shane Mckee, Angelica Moresco, Andrea-Diana Ignat, Ruth Newbury-Ecob, Guillaume Banneau, Olivier Patat, Jeffrey Kuerbitz, Susan Rzucidlo, Susan S Sell, Patricia Gordon, Sarah Schuhmann, André Reis, Yosra Halleb, Radka Stoeva, Boris Keren, Zainab Al Masseri, Zeynep Tümer, Sophia Hammer-Hansen, Sofus Krüger Sølyst, Connolly G Steigerwald, Nicolas J Abreu, Helene Faust, Amica Müller-Nedebock, Frédéric Tran Mau-Them, Heinrich Sticht, Christiane Zweier

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

While mostly de novo truncating variants in SCAF4 were recently identified in 18 individuals with variable neurodevelopmental phenotypes, knowledge on the molecular and clinical spectrum is still limited. We assembled data on 50 novel individuals with SCAF4 variants ascertained via GeneMatcher and personal communication. With detailed evaluation of clinical data, in silico predictions and structural modeling, we further characterized the molecular and clinical spectrum of the autosomal dominant SCAF4-associated neurodevelopmental disorder. The molecular spectrum comprises 25 truncating, eight splice-site and five missense variants. While all other truncating variants were classified as pathogenic/likely pathogenic, significance of one C-terminal truncating variant, one …

The Multilayered Transcriptional Architecture Of Glioblastoma Ecosystems, Masashi Nomura, Avishay Spitzer, Kevin C Johnson, Luciano Garofano, Djamel Nehar-Belaid, Alissa C Greenwald, Young Taek Oh, Frederick S Varn, Fulvio D'Angelo, Simon Gritsch, Kevin J Anderson, Simona Migliozzi, L Nicolas Gonzalez Castro, Tamrin Chowdhfury, Nicolas Robine, Catherine Reeves, Jong Bae Park, Anuja Lipsa, Frank Hertel, Anna Golebiewska, Simone P Niclou, Labeeba Nusrat, Sorcha Kellet, Sunit Das, Hyo Eun Moon, Sun Ha Paek, Franck Bielle, Alice Laurenge, Anna Luisa Di Stefano, Bertrand Mathon, Alberto Picca, Marc Sanson, Shota Tanaka, Nobuhito Saito, David M Ashley, Stephen T Keir, Keith L Ligon, Jason T Huse, W K Alfred Yung, Anna Lasorella, Roel G W Verhaak, Antonio Iavarone, Mario L Suvà, Itay Tirosh

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In isocitrate dehydrogenase wildtype glioblastoma (GBM), cellular heterogeneity across and within tumors may drive therapeutic resistance. Here we analyzed 121 primary and recurrent GBM samples from 59 patients using single-nucleus RNA sequencing and bulk tumor DNA sequencing to characterize GBM transcriptional heterogeneity. First, GBMs can be classified by their broad cellular composition, encompassing malignant and nonmalignant cell types. Second, in each cell type we describe the diversity of cellular states and their pathway activation, particularly an expanded set of malignant cell states, including glial progenitor cell-like, neuronal-like and cilia-like. Third, the remaining variation between GBMs highlights three baseline gene expression …

From Epithelium To Therapy: Transitional Cells In Lung Fibrosis, Sarah Y Shin, Jichao Chen, Irit Milman Krentsis, Yair Reisner, Rodeo Abrencillo, Danielle Wu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and lung fibrosis secondary to infections such as influenza A and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have limited treatment options outside of supportive therapy and lung transplantation. Multiple lung stem cell populations have been implicated in the pathogenesis of lung fibrosis, and more progenitor cell populations continue to be discovered and characterized. In this review, we summarize the functions and differentiation pathways of various cells that constitute the lung epithelium. We then focus on two subpopulations of KRT5

Rna Sculpting By The Primordial Helix-Clasp-Helix-Strand-Loop (Hch-Sl) Motif Enforces Chemical Recognition Enabling Diverse Kh Domain Functions, John A Tainer, Susan E Tsutakawa

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

In all domains of life, the ancient K homology (KH) domain superfamily is central to RNA processes including splicing, transcription, posttranscriptional gene regulation, signaling, and translation. Proteins with 1 to 15 KH domains bind single-strand (ss) RNA or DNA with base sequence specificity. Here, we examine over 40 KH domain experimental structures in complex with nucleic acid (NA) and define a novel Helix-clasp-Helix-Strand-Loop (HcH-SL) NA recognition motif binding 4 to 5 nucleotides using 10 to 18 residues. HcH-SL includes and extends the Gly-X-X-Gly (GXXG) signature sequence "clasp" that brings together two helices as an ∼90° helical corner. The first helix …

Temporal Trends Of Subsequent Central Nervous System Malignancies Among Survivors Of Childhood Cancer, Robert T Galvin, Yan Chen, Yan Yuan, Tabitha Cooney, Rebecca Howell, Michael A Arnold, Wendy Leisenring, Gregory T Armstrong, Joseph P Neglia, Lucie M Turcotte

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: It is not known whether temporal changes in childhood cancer therapy have reduced risk of subsequent malignant neoplasms of the central nervous system (CNS), a frequently fatal late effect of cancer therapy.

Methods: Five-year survivors of primary childhood cancers diagnosed between 1970 and 1999 in the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study with CNS subsequent malignant neoplasms were identified. Cumulative incidence rates and standardized incidence ratios were compared among survivors diagnosed between 1970-1979 (n = 6223), 1980-1989 (n = 9680), and 1990-1999 (n = 8999). Multivariable models assessed risk factors for CNS subsequent malignant neoplasms.

Results: A total of 157 CNS …

Quantifying Photon Counting Detector (Pcd) Performance Using Pcd-Ct Images, Linying Zhan, Guang-Hong Chen, Ke Li

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Photon counting detector CTs (PCD-CTs) have recently been introduced to clinical imaging. This development creates a new need for end-users to quantify and monitor the physical performance of PCDs. Traditionally, the characterization of PCD performance relied on detector counts, which are typically accessible to the manufacturer but are not usually available to clinical end-users.

Purpose: The goal of this work was to develop a new method for quantifying PCD performance using reconstructed PCD-CT images, without requiring access to the PCD counts.

Methods: The proposed method is based on a set of closed-form relationships that connect PCD-CT image noise, the …

Oral Microbiome Profile Of The Us Population, Anil K Chaturvedi, Emily Vogtmann, Jianxin Shi, Yukiko Yano, Martin J Blaser, J Gregory Caporaso, Barry I Graubard, Xing Hua, Autumn G Hullings, Lisa Kahle, Rob Knight, Shilan Li, Jody Mclean, Vaishnavi Purandare, Yunhu Wan, Neal D Freedman, Christian C Abnet

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Importance: The oral microbiome likely plays key roles in human health. Yet, population-representative characterizations are lacking.

Objective: To characterize the composition, diversity, and correlates of the oral microbiome in US adults.

Design, setting, and participants: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the population-representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2009 to 2012. Microbiome data were made publicly available in 2024. NHANES participants were aged 18 to 69 years and provided oral rinse samples in 1 of 2 consecutive NHANES cycles (2009-2010 and 2011-2012).

Exposures: Demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, anthropometric, metabolic, and clinical characteristics.

Main outcomes and measures: Oral microbiome …

Phase Ii Trial Of Atezolizumab And Bevacizumab For Treatment Of Hpv-Positive Unresectable Or Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma Of The Anal Canal, Van K Morris, Suyu Liu, Kangyu Lin, Haifeng Zhu, Seema Prasad, Priya Bhosale, Edwin R Parra, Ignacio Wistuba, Arjun Peddireddy, James Yao, Julia Mendoza-Perez, Mark Knafl, Scott E Woodman, Cathy Eng, Daniel Halperin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Purpose: Anti-PD-L1 antibodies are associated with responses in < 25% of patients with metastatic human papillomavirus-associated malignancies. VEGF signaling causes immune evasion and immune suppression within the tumor. We evaluated the anti-PD-L1 antibody atezolizumab and anti-VEGF antibody bevacizumab for patients with unresectable, advanced anal cancer.

Patients and methods: For this phase II study, participants with previously treated, immunotherapy-naïve anal cancer received atezolizumab (1,200 mg) and bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) intravenously every 21 days. Responses were evaluated every 9 weeks (RECIST version 1.1). The primary endpoint was the best radiographic response. Median survival was estimated by Kaplan-Meier and compared for selected biomarkers (including paired pre- and on-treatment biopsies) using a log-rank test.

Results: Among 20 participants, the overall response rate was 11% [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-32]. Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 4.1 months (95% CI, 2.6-not …

Dose Prediction Via Deep Learning To Enhance Treatment Planning Of Lung Radiotherapy Including Simultaneous Integrated Boost Techniques, Wenhua Cao, Mary Gronberg, Stephen Bilton, Hana Baroudi, Skylar Gay, Zhongxing Liao, Karen Hoffman, Laurence E Court

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Recent studies have shown deep learning techniques are able to predict three-dimensional (3D) dose distributions of radiotherapy treatment plans. However, their use in dose prediction for treatments with varied prescription doses including simultaneous integrated boost (SIB), that is, using multiple prescription doses within the same plan, and benefit in improving plan quality should be validated.

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility and potential benefit of using deep learning to predict dose distribution of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) including SIB techniques and improve treatment planning for patients with lung cancer.

Methods: The dose prediction model was trained with 93 retrospective …

Justification, Margin Values, And Analysis Populations For Oncologic Noninferiority And Equivalence Trials: A Meta-Epidemiological Study, Troy J Kleber, Alexander D Sherry, Andrew J Arifin, Gabrielle S Kupferman, Ramez Kouzy, Timothy A Lin, Avital M Miller, Adina H Passy, Zachary R Mccaw, Pavlos Msaouel, Ethan B Ludmir

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Noninferiority and equivalence trials evaluate whether an experimental therapy's effect on the primary endpoint is contained within an acceptable margin compared with standard of care. The reliability and impact of this conclusion, however, is largely dependent on the justification for this design, the choice of margin, and the analysis population used.

Methods: A meta-epidemiological study was performed of phase 3 randomized noninferiority and equivalence oncologic trials registered at ClinicalTrials.gov. Data were extracted from each trial's registration page and primary manuscript.

Results: We identified 65 noninferiority and 10 equivalence trials that collectively enrolled 61 632 patients. Of these, 61 (81%) …

Lefitolimod In Combination With Ipilimumab In Patients With Advanced Solid Tumors: A Phase I Trial, Mirella Nardo, Mohamed A Gouda, Matthew J Reilley, Amadeo B Biter, Joann Lim, Ly M Nguyen, Casey R Ager, Coline A Couillault, Sarina A Piha-Paul, Siqing Fu, Apostolia M Tsimberidou, Timothy A Yap, Aung Naing, Jordi Rodon, Vivek Subbiah, Daniel D Karp, Michael A Curran, David S Hong

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: TLR9 agonists are immunomodulators that have been of interest for combined use with cancer immunotherapy. TLR9 agonists, such as lefitolimod (MGN1703), significantly increased Th1 response in preclinical models and have demonstrated efficacy in early clinical trials. This trial assessed the safety and preliminary efficacy of the combination of lefitolimod and ipilimumab in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Methods: This was a single-center, open-label, investigator-initiated phase I trial conducted at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Patients received leftolimod either subcutaneously (at escalating doses of 15-120 mg) or intratumorally (at the maximum feasible dose) in combination with ipilimumab …

Natural History Models For Lung Cancer: A Scoping Review, Renu Sara Nargund, Sayaka Ishizawa, Maryam Eghbalizarch, Paul Yeh, Seyyed Mostafa Mousavi Janbeh Saray, Yimin Geng, Edwin J Ostrin, Rafael Meza, Martin C Tammemägi, Robert J Volk, Maria A Lopez-Olivo, Iakovos Toumazis

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Natural history models (NHMs) of lung cancer (LC) simulate the disease's natural progression providing a baseline for assessing the impact of interventions. NHMs have been increasingly used to inform public health policies, highlighting their utility. The objective of this scoping review was to summarize existing LC NHMs, identify their limitations, and propose a framework for future NHM development.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore from their inception to October 5, 2023, for peer-reviewed, full-length articles with an LC NHM. Model characteristics, their applications, data sources used, and limitations were extracted and narratively synthesized.

Results: …

Concerns About The Paper, “Benefits Of Targeted Vibration For Bone Strength And Bone Density In Postmenopausal Women With Osteopenia: A Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial”, Douglas P Kiel, Theresa A Guise, Maya Styner, Janet Rubin

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

No abstract provided.