Medical Specialties Commons^™

Mid- To Long-Term Durability Of Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair For Blunt Thoracic Aortic Injury: Outcomes In ≥ 45 Comparator Cohort, Andrew Lawrence Frankini, Gianna Rose Zanghi, Margaret Schwab, Valentina Sara Sica, Larry Andrew Frankini Md

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Blunt traumatic thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) is a primary cause of mortality in blunt trauma injuries, with motor vehicle collisions representing the majority of cases.^1-4 Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is the standard of care for managing this vascular emergency.⁵ While TEVAR demonstrates favorable short-term outcomes, there is an insufficient characterization of cumulative mid- to long-term reinterventions and device-related complications in BTAI patients.

We conducted a meta-analysis/systematic review of studies reporting outcomes after TEVAR for BTAI in patients ≥45 years. This review was conceptualized as a comparator to the previously reviewed outcomes in younger patients (< 45 years) performed by Frankini et al. (2026)⁶, …

Delay In Care Due To High Number Of Provider Evaluations In Hip Arthroscopy, Kaylin Knapsack, Wynn Bastianelli, Alexander Cabrera, Stewart Meridian, Sean Mcmillan

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Diagnosing hip pain in young and middle-aged adults remains challenging due to overlapping intra- and extra-articular pathology. Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) and acetabular labral tears are increasingly recognized as major contributors to pain, mechanical symptoms, and functional limitation. Despite growing awareness of hip preservation surgery, delays in referral to arthroscopy-trained specialists persist and may contribute to disease progression and inferior outcomes.

Purpose: To evaluate delays in surgical management among patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for labral pathology and identify factors contributing to delayed referral to hip preservation specialists.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients undergoing hip arthroscopy …

The Comparative Efficacy Of Perioperative Pharmacological And Non-Pharmacological Strategies In Reducing Post-Anesthesia Cognitive Impairment Among Elderly Patients: A Literature Review, Mehnaz Islam Khan, Natalie Santos De La Torre, Christine Cherian, Shreya Shah

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Older adults (≥65 years) are at increased risk for postoperative cognitive impairment, including postoperative delirium (POD) and postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD), which contribute to prolonged recovery, increased morbidity, and mortality. Preventive strategies include pharmacological interventions and non-pharmacological approaches such as cognitive training; however, these approaches are typically studied in isolation. The purpose of this literature review was to compare the effectiveness of perioperative pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in reducing postoperative cognitive impairment in elderly surgical patients. A review of six studies, including randomized controlled trials and cohort studies, was conducted in patients undergoing cardiac, spinal, and noncardiac surgeries. Cognitive outcomes, …

Assessing The Utilization Of Emergency Departments For Primary Care Services In Southern New Jersey, Joshua James Novello, Sheila Joazile, Mohammad Isa

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background: Primary care (PC) is essential to proactive, comprehensive, and preventative care that can improve patient outcomes. One-third of emergency department (ED) visits are for non-emergency care that can be appropriately treated by a PC provider. In New Jersey, more than $400 million is spent annually on avoidable ED visits. Decreasing the total PC treatable ED visits per year will improve the quality of care and decrease costs. New Jersey’s PC spending, based on total health spending, is one of the lowest in the country. Demographic and socioeconomic factors in the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) examine potentially preventable ED …

De-Epithelialization Versus Pedicle De-Skinning In Reduction Mammoplasty: Comparative Outcomes From The Literature, Samantha Fry, Karina Vizzoni

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Background- Reduction mammoplasty treats symptomatic macromastia. A key step involves pedicle preparation before breast mound reconstruction. Two main techniques include: De-epithelialization: Removes epidermis, preserves dermis, De-skinning: Excises both epidermal and dermal layers. Evidence comparing surgical outcomes between these techniques is limited.

Hypothesis- De-epithelialization will result in fewer vascular complications but longer operative times than de-skinning; thus, superiority depends on case selection.

Methods- A literature review identified studies on skin removal techniques in breast reduction mammoplasty.

Results- De-skinning was faster than de-epithelialization, though energy-assisted modalities were fastest. Nipple–areola complex (NAC) ischemia and necrosis rates were low across all methods. Superficial de-epithelialization …

Examining A Positive Variation Of The Good Behavior Game With Head Start Children At Risk For Child Adversity And Externalizing Behavior Problems., Alexandra Gibson, Courtney P D Goldenberg, Malinda J. Colwell, Amelia E. Talley, Joaquín Borrego, Adam T. Schmidt

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

BACKGROUND: Children participating in the Head Start program in the United States are predominantly from underserved groups, have increased rates of child adversity, and are at risk for externalizing behavior problems in the classroom. The Good Behavior Game (GBG) is an effective classroom management strategy for reducing disruptive and off-task classroom behaviors. However, previous research has not examined the GBG within the Head Start context.

METHODS: The current case-controlled study evaluated the effectiveness of the GBG in six Head Start children aged 3-5. Researchers conducted daily classroom behavioral observations of disruptive behaviors, and teachers completed pre- and post-treatment assessments of …

Applying User-Centered Design To Develop A Culturally Sensitive, Low-Calorie Meal Plan For Enhancing Dietary Behavioral Control In Masld, Maya Balakrishnan, Paola Martinez, Brett Deng, Ivonne Arguelles, Crystal Arguelles, Terri L Fletcher, Natalia I Heredia, Myriam Ibarra, Anna Christine Rome

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Dietary changes are essential for managing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), yet patients often face barriers related to knowledge, skills, cost, time, and cultural fit.

Aims: The purpose of this paper is to report a process for culturally tailoring a dietary intervention and its application to create a calorie-restricted meal plan for Mexican and Central American patients with MASLD. Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior and user-centered design, we produced a culturally tailored seven-day structured meal plan aligned with dietary guidelines for MASLD and weight loss.

Methods: We conducted a three-phase, mixed-methods process among Mexican/Central American patients …

Comparison Of Ecg Features, Cardiac Biomarkers, And Clinical Outcomes In Three Waves Of Hospitalized Covid-19 Pneumonia Patients With Cardiovascular Events, Yuchen Han, Jahnavi Sunkara, Tshura S Ali, Harideep Samanapally, Vidyulata Salunkhe, Fnu Deepti, Emma C. Huang, Justin J. Huang, Maiying Kong, Jiapeng Huang

The University of Louisville Journal of Respiratory Infections

Background

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a rapidly evolving virus that can severely impact the cardiovascular system. With new variants, it is important to characterize wave-specific (defined by dominant circulating variants) clinical changes.

Methods

A multi-center retrospective cohort study of patients hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 community acquired pneumonia at eight adult acute-care hospitals in the city of Louisville, KY was conducted. Patients hospitalized with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) community acquired pneumonia who experienced a cardiovascular event between March 2020 and July 2022 were included in this analysis. Variant assignment was based on temporal prevalence rather than genomic confirmation, and …

Improving Emergency Department Throughput: Implementation Of A Nurse-Driven Protocol In Pediatric Fast-Track Patients Presenting With Fever, Kerrigan A. Teeple

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Overcrowding in the emergency department presents significant operational challenges and is associated with adverse patient outcomes (Gottlieb et al., 2020). Despite throughput initiatives, increasing patient acuity and rising census levels continue to strain emergency department efficiency. This quality improvement project evaluated whether implementing a fever-reduction standing order protocol could reduce door-to-provider and door-to-disposition times for pediatric fast-track patients presenting to the emergency department. A review of evidence across 6 databases identified nurse-initiated standing orders as a best-practice strategy to expedite care, improve throughput, and reduce delays in disposition. Guided by this evidence, a standing order protocol for acetaminophen administration was …

Barriers To Palliative Care Access In Rural South Dakota: A Policy And System-Level Analysis, Harshavardhan Kadarkaraisamy

Honors Thesis

Palliative care improves the quality of life for people living with serious illness. It helps by addressing symptoms, improving communication, and providing mental, physical, and spiritual support. However, in South Dakota access to palliative care is limited in rural areas. These challenges include geographic isolation, workforce shortages, healthcare infrastructure, reimbursement, and misunderstandings about palliative care. This thesis examines the key policy barriers that limit access to palliative care in rural South Dakota. This work involves engaging with South Dakota-specific literature, rural health research, policy sources, community education, telehealth expansion, and policy reform. By focusing on the rural context of South …

Falling Star Program: A Visual Cue Intervention To Reduce Falls In Long-Term Care, Maggie Shanahan

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Falls among older adults in skilled nursing and long-term care settings remain a leading cause of injury, functional decline, and increased healthcare utilization, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality in this population (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2023; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ], 2022). The primary purpose of this project aimed to implement and evaluate a structured visual cue–based fall prevention intervention to reduce fall rates among high-risk residents in a long-term care facility in Northwest Indiana. The project included 23 participants aged 65 years and older who were identified as high risk for falls. Using …

Anthropometric Measurements Inform Complete Concentric Collapse Status In Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Jordan Weiner, Eugene Chio, Raj Dedhia, Colin Huntley, Michael Hutz, Phillip Huyett, Daniel Lee, Philip Losavio, Ilya Perepelitsyn, Ryan Soose, David Kent

Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Faculty Papers

OBJECTIVE: Hypoglossal nerve stimulation in the US requires drug-induced sleep endoscopy to exclude patients with complete concentric collapse. This is an expensive and time-consuming requirement. We hypothesized that supine pharyngeal width, and other demographic and polysomnographic variables would associate with complete concentric collapse.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter cohort study.

SETTING: 10 centers in the United States with experience selecting patients for and performing airway surgeries for sleep apnea including hypoglossal nerve stimulation implantation.

METHODS: 600 patients meeting criteria for hypoglossal nerve stimulation underwent measurement of supine pharyngeal width and collection of demographic and polysomnographic data followed by drug-induced sleep endoscopy. …

Emerging Near-Infrared Targeted Imaging Pharmaceutics For Ovarian Cancer, Angel J. Phillip, Annu Karithara, Subhash Chauhan, Murali Yallapu

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Accurate intraoperative identification of ovarian cancer is challenging, as standard techniques such as visual inspection, palpation, and histopathology often fail to detect microscopic disease. Residual tumor contributes to poor cytoreductive outcomes, high recurrence rates, and chemoresistance. Near-infrared (NIR) imaging using tumor-specific biomarkers has emerged as a promising approach to enhance intraoperative visualization and improve tumor margin delineation. Methods: A focused literature review was conducted using PubMed to identify preclinical and clinical studies evaluating NIR image-guided strategies in ovarian cancer. Studies involving tumor-targeted probes against folate receptor alpha, α3-integrin, mesothelin, and CA125 were included, with emphasis on probe design, delivery, …

Impact Of Intravenous Thrombolysis On Aspiration Thrombectomy Outcomes: An Imperative Trial Subgroup Analysis, Maxim Mokin, Reade Andrew De Leacy, William Mack, Raul G. Nogueira, Shahram Majidi, Dana Tomalty, Jan Vargas, Brett L. Cucchiara, Kenneth V. Snyder, Victoria Parada

School of Medicine Publications

Background The impact of intravenous (IV) thrombolysis on the outcomes of aspiration thrombectomy as the primary endovascular approach to stroke in patients with large vessel occlusion is unknown.

Methods The Imperative Trial was a prospective, investigational device exemption, multicenter trial of first-line aspiration thrombectomy that assessed the safety and efficacy of the Zoom System, including a novel 0.088 inch aspiration catheter in patients with stroke within 8 hours of onset. We compared procedural, technical, and clinical outcomes of aspiration thrombectomy based on whether patients had received IV thrombolytics prior to the intervention.

Results Among the 260 patients treated with front-line …

Cystic Fibrosis Mental Health And Wellness Questionnaire - Factors And Properties Of A Comprehensive Cf-Specific Self-Report Measure, C. Virginia O'Hayer, Patrick J. Smith, Max J. Genecov, Christopher F. Drescher, Heather Bruschwein, Chelsi N. Nurse, Katherine Lawliss, Darcy C. Esiason, Gunnar H. Esiason

Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Existing mental health self-report measures have been criticized for over-simplification, lack of CF-specific focus, susceptibility to measurement reactivity bias, and conflation of symptoms of anxiety and/or depression with CF-related symptoms and/or treatment side effects. The CF Mental Health and Wellness Questionnaire (CFMHWQ) is a 25-item measure assessing CF-specific mental health burden symptoms.

METHODS: To examine common underlying factors contributing to scores on the CFMHWQ, principal component analysis (PCA) was conducted of all 25 items. We conducted cross-validation of CFMHWQ principal components, examining unadjusted correlations between each principal component, demographic characteristics (age and biological sex), negative affect (mean rank global …

Increasing Medication Adherence In Those With Hypertension, Holly Kimiecik

Evidence-Based Practice Project Reports

Hypertension is a chronic condition characterized by persistently elevated blood pressure and remains a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024), approximately 47.7% of U.S. adults have hypertension, yet only about one in five achieve blood pressure control below 130/80 mm Hg. Medication adherence plays a critical role in managing hypertension and preventing complications. Adults aged 18 years and older prescribed antihypertensive medications from a primary care clinic in Valparaiso, Indiana, participated in this six-week quality improvement intervention. Evidence from a comprehensive literature review supports combining patient …

The Meaning Of Physical Activity In The Context Of Health Sciences: A Concept Analysis, Martín G. Farinola

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Physical activity has been defined in numerous ways. Thus, this study aimed to conduct a concept analysis of the existing physical activity definitions in the health sciences literature to evaluate its conceptual precision and assess the need for a revised or novel concept better suited for this domain. The concept analysis was accomplished using tools derived from philosophical semantics. The analysis identified six definitions that explicitly state what physical activity is with sufficient clarity to allow for conceptual examination. The findings indicated that these definitions frequently merge the concept of physical activity with its contextual attributes. To address these semantic …

Purine Metabolic Adaptation Protects The Endothelium From Disturbed Flow-Induced Dna Damage And Atherosclerosis, Qian Ma, Yongfeng Cai, Zhidan Zhang, Dingwei Zhao, Yuan Zhao, Peishan Xu, Tammy Lu, Wendy Zhang, Qiuhua Yang, Yaqi Zhou, Varadarajan Sudhahar, Tohru Fukai, Hanjoong Jo, Yiming Xu, Yuqing Huo

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Despite effective lipid-lowering therapies, atherosclerosis continues to be a leading cause of death, with considerable residual cardiovascular risk. Atherosclerotic lesions develop preferentially at arterial regions exposed to disturbed flow (d-flow), which induces genomic stress, endothelial injury, and barrier dysfunction. Hemodynamic forces are known to reprogram endothelial metabolism, but the role of de novo purine synthesis (DNPS), which supplies nucleotides for genome maintenance and whose terminal steps are catalyzed by the bifunctional enzyme ATIC, remains undefined in atherosclerosis. By integrating bulk and single-cell multiomics with in vitro flow systems and in vivo models, we show that d-flow upregulates DNPS and ATIC …

Timing Isn't Everything: Rethinking Mortality Risk In Type A Aortic Dissection Surgery, Anna H Xue, Joseph S Coselli

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

No abstract provided.

Blinded By Relapse: A Rare Case Of Bilateral Vision Loss From Leukemic Meningeal Infiltration, Aun A. Bangash, Tejaswini Swamy, Chloe C. Harris, Victoria Parada

Research Symposium

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) accounts for 20% of adult leukemias, with outcomes improving through modern systemic and CNS-directed therapies. Leukemic meningeal relapse, defined as infiltration of the meninges and detected by cerebrospinal fluid cytology, is reported in 4–7% of adult ALL patients and remains a devastating complication despite CNS prophylaxis. CNS involvement typically presents with nonspecific symptoms such as headache, nausea, or cranial neuropathies; isolated, abrupt vision loss is rare. With a median survival of less than six months if untreated, timely recognition is critical. We present a case of intracranial hypertension with bilateral vision loss due to leukemic …

Diabetic Nephropathy Masquerading As Systemic Disease: The Critical Role Of Renal Biopsy In A Young Uninsured Woman With Nephrotic Syndrome, Yolanda V. Gutierrez, Alexis Vargas Del Toro, Cristina Kochi Yamamoto, Jose Loayza Pintado, Andres Suarez-Parraga

School of Medicine Publications

Nephrotic syndrome can have overlapping features across multiple diseases, making diagnosis difficult without tissue confirmation. We describe a 30-year-old uninsured Hispanic woman with type 1 diabetes, hypertension, and CKD3B who presented with nephrotic syndrome, sepsis, and progressive muscle weakness. Her pleural effusions, periorbital changes, elevated free light chains, and dysphagia raised concern for systemic conditions such as amyloidosis or polymyositis, especially given inconsistent outpatient follow-up. Because her management would differ significantly depending on the underlying cause and due to the high risk of loss to follow-up, a renal biopsy was pursued. Serologic studies were unremarkable, and biopsy ultimately confirmed diabetic …

Mogad Is The Most Common Cause Of Isolated Optic Neuritis In Children, Chaitanya Aduru, Akansha Chandrasekar, Kyla Blasingame, Jonathan Rosen, Jesse M Levine, Karla Salazar, Madhuri Chilakapati, Rod Foroozan, Victoria Hardwick, Jonathan M Yarimi, Nikita Shukla, Timothy E Lotze, Kristen S Fisher, Alexander J Sandweiss

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Objectives: The study aimed to characterize the clinical features, etiologies, and outcomes of isolated, first-time pediatric ON in the post-MOG-IgG era.

Methods: This was a single-center retrospective cohort study at Texas Children's Hospital of patients diagnosed with first-time ON between 2018-2024, with follow-up data collected through 2025. Inclusion criteria required monocular or binocular subacute vision loss with supportive paraclinical signs. Subjects were excluded if they had a prior history of demyelinating disease or extra-orbital demyelinating lesions on initial brain/spine MRI. Primary outcomes were the proportion of MOG-IgG seropositivity, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and visual acuity at onset and most …

Isass Brave New Continuing Medical Education World: The Stifling Of Innovation In Spine Surgery Through Overrestriction Of Collaboration, Morgan P. Lorio, Kai-Uwe Lewandrowski, Óscar L. Alves, Avelino Parajón, Matthew Scott-Young, Hansen A. Yuan, Alex R. Vaccaro

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: in 2020, the accreditation Council for Continuing Medical education (aCCMe) released the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Medical Education, effective january 1, 2022, to ensure that accredited activities are accurate, balanced, evidence-based, and clearly separated from marketing and sales. although these aims are broadly supported, implementation may have unintended consequences in procedure-intensive specialties such as spine surgery, where surgeon–industry collaboration often drives device innovation, clinical trials, and dissemination of new techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To examine how current interpretations of ACCME eligibility and financial-relationship standards may affect continuing medical education in spine surgery and to propose practical adaptations …

Ebp Project In A Primary, Foster Care Medical Home: Implementation Of The Ages & Stages: Social Emotional Screener, Sara Moore

2026

Background: Children in the foster care system have increased diagnoses, mental health concerns, and developmental delays.
Purpose: The pilot used the ASQ-SE to determine if the protocol was feasible and if the screener identified social-emotional difficulties in a primary care clinic that serves children in foster care. 
Method: A pilot was created, and the ASQ-SE was administered to 33 patients during well-child visits (ages 2 months-70 months) over six weeks.
Results: Implementing a social-emotional screener was feasible in the foster care primary care clinic. The infants and toddlers screened (N=33) were grouped by referral status: 57.6 % (19) …

Implementation Of Evidenced Based Practice Guidelines For Reducing Emergence Delirium In Elderly Patients Undergoing A Total Hip Replacement, Luke D. Kleinfelder

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

A total hip replacement is a common surgery for the elderly population, as it is a successful treatment option for hip fractures and end-stage osteoarthritis, a common condition associated with aging. Recovery from surgery is critical, and any postoperative complication can delay recovery, increase cost, lengthen hospital stay, and lead to a poorer long-term surgical outcome. One of the most common and severe postoperative complications for elderly patients following general anesthesia is emergence delirium. Traditional practice focuses on treating the symptoms of emergence delirium reactively instead of proactively and lacks standardized guidelines. Recent literature found a promising decrease in the …

Proposed Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines For Using Esmolol To Blunt The Sympathetic Stress Response To Laryngoscopy And Intubation, Maya Kurdi

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

Direct laryngoscopy (DL) and endotracheal intubation (ETI) are standard procedures performed during general anesthetic induction, which provoke a sympathetic stress response that can result in intraoperative hemodynamic instability. Traditional agents like lidocaine and fentanyl, commonly used to mitigate the stress response, have limitations and can lead to adverse effects. Recent literature suggests that esmolol, an ultra-short-acting, cardio-selective beta-1 adrenergic receptor antagonist, may be an effective alternative due to its rapid onset, short duration, and minimal side effects. This final scholarly project (FSP) aims to develop evidence-based practice guidelines for using esmolol as an adjunctive induction agent. A systematic literature review …

Enhancing The Diversity And Number Of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists: A Proposed Pipeline Program For Underrepresented Students, Alexis Lamoreaux

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Projects

The underrepresentation of minority groups in the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) profession impacts healthcare providers’ diversity and cultural competence. This Final Scholarly Project (FSP) proposes a pipeline program to increase diversity within the CRNA field by providing academic support, mentorship, and clinical exposure to students from underrepresented backgrounds. Given the shortage of anesthesia providers, especially in underserved areas, improving access to the CRNA profession for minority students is critical for enhancing patient outcomes. This FSP suggests establishing mentorship and skill development concepts through a 12-month structured program that targets minorities, first-generation college students, or those from rural backgrounds. The …

Assessing The Risk Of Low Energy Availability In Ncaa Division Iii Female Soccer Players, Emma C. Sturts

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Low Energy Availability (LEA) can occur when an athlete’s energy intake is insufficient to meet the physiological demands of training as well as normal physiological functions. Female soccer players may be at an increased risk of developing LEA due to the high exercise energy expenditure paired with decreased energy intake. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of LEA among Division III female soccer players. Division III female soccer players (n = 11) completed the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q). 45.5% (n = 5) of the participants were classified as “At Risk” for LEA. Of …

Tropomyosin-Related Kinase Receptor Type B Agonism In Geographic Atrophy-The Translational Challenges From Preclinical Data To A First-In-Human Trial, David Brown, Oliver Zeitz, Clare Bailey, Sunir J. Garg, Karl Csaky, James Talks, Sobha Sivaprasad, Peter M. Benz, Rolf Herrmann, Remko A. Bakker, Sebastian Bandholtz, Ankit Mittal, Qihong Huang, Serge Kosobokovs, Gudrun Simons, Andrea Giani, Jochen Huber, Martin Gliem

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

OBJECTIVE: To report results of the first-in-human trial of intravitreal tropomyosin-related kinase receptor type B (TrkB) agonist BI 754132 in participants with geographic atrophy (GA). To discuss BI 754132 clinical data in the context of the preclinical findings and their translation into human data.

DESIGN: An open-label, uncontrolled, nonrandomized phase I trial (NCT04002310) assessing the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of BI 754132 in participants with GA supported by preclinical data.

PARTICIPANTS: Participants with GA recruited between July 2019 and August 2022 in the United States and UK.

METHODS: Clinical trial comprising a single rising dose (SRD) part (n = 15) …

Nuclear Export As A Therapeutic Vulnerability In Zfta-Rela Ependymoma, Siri M Ippagunta, Amir Arabzade, Srinidhi Varadharajan, Erik Emanus, Amanda Bland, Alisha Kardian, Nicholas Laboe, Hua Sun, Tuyu Zheng, Amelia Hancock, Mark Zhai, Emma Caesar, Maxwell Park, Wilda Orisme, Melissa Johnson, Brittany Rodgers, Gregory H Turner, Jeffrey Steinberg, Burgess Freeman, Martine F Roussel, Anang Shelat, Richard Kriwacki, Thomas E Merchant, Benjamin Deneen, Michael D Taylor, Sameer Agnihotri, Shondra Pruett-Miller, Jacob A Steele, Anoop Murthy Kavirayani, David W Ellison, Arzu Onar-Thomas, Giles Robinson, Stephen C Mack, Kelsey C Bertrand

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Ependymoma (EPN) is the third most common pediatric brain tumor with no targeted therapies available to patients. In supratentorial ependymoma, the most frequent driver alteration is a gene fusion between ZFTA and RELA (denoted ZR), leads to constitutive localization of ZR in the nucleus. Because ZR is not currently druggable, we tested whether ZR expression leads to aberrant protein interactions that could represent therapeutic vulnerabilities.

Methods: Using CRISPR-Cas9 pooled screening, we identified many novel druggable ZR interacting proteins including XPO1, CARM1, SMARCA4, and CDK1. We focused on the nuclear export protein (XPO1), given the ability of most XPO1 inhibitors …