Wood inspired biobased nanocomposite films composed of xylans, lignosulfonates and cellulose nanofibers for active food packaging.

The growing concerns on environmental pollution and sustainability have raised the interest on the development of functional biobased materials for different applications, including food packaging, as an alternative to the fossil resources-based counterparts, currently available in the market. In this work, functional wood inspired biopolymeric nanocomposite films were prepared by solvent casting of suspensions containing commercial beechwood xylans, cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and lignosulfonates (magnesium or sodium), in a proportion of 2:5:3 wt%, respectively. All films presented good homogeneity, translucency, and thermal stability up to 153 °C. The incorporation of CNF into the xylan/lignosulfonates matrix provided good mechanical properties to the films (Young's modulus between 1.08 and 3.79 GPa and tensile strength between 12.75 and 14.02 MPa). The presence of lignosulfonates imparted the films with antioxidant capacity (DPPH radical scavenging activity from 71.6 to 82.4 %) and UV barrier properties (transmittance ≤19.1 % (200-400 nm)). Moreover, the films obtained are able to successfully delay the browning of packaged fruit stored over 7 days at 4 °C. Overall, the obtained results show the potential of using low-cost and eco-friendly resources for the development of sustainable active food packaging materials.

Prospective Study of Homologous Recombination Repair Gene Mutation Prevalence in Patients With Advanced Prostate Cancer From Latin America: Challenges and Future Approaches.

PURPOSE: The prevalence of homologous recombination repair gene mutations (HRRm) in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) is unknown. Prevalence of homologous Recombination repair (HRR) gene mutatiOns in patientS with metastatic castration resistant ProstatE Cancer in LaTin America (PROSPECT) aimed to determine this prevalence and to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study across 11 cancer centers in seven LAC countries. After informed consent, all eligible participants underwent genomic testing by provided blood samples for germline HRR testing; they also provided PC tissue blocks if available for somatic HRR testing. RESULTS: Between April 2021 and April 2022, 387 patients (median age, 70 years [49-89], 94.3% Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group 0-1) with mCRPC were enrolled in the study. Almost 40% of them had a family history of cancer, and the overall time from their initial PC and mCRPC diagnosis was 3 years and 1 year, respectively. The overall prevalence of germline HRRm was 4.2%. The mutations detected included the genes CHEK2 (n = 4, 1%), ATM (n = 3, 0.8%), BRCA2 (n = 3, 0.8%), BRIP1 (n = 2, 0.5%), RAD51B (n = 2, 0.5%), BRCA1 (n = 1, 0.3%), and MRE11 (n = 1, 0.3%). The prevalence of somatic HRRm could not be assessed because of high HRR testing failure rates (79%, 199/251) associated with insufficient DNA, absence of tumor cells, and poor-quality DNA. CONCLUSION: Despite the study's limitations, to our knowledge, PROSPECT was the first attempt to describe the prevalence of HRRm in patients with PC from LAC. Notably, the germline HRRm prevalence in this study was inferior to that observed in North American and European populations. The somatic HRR testing barriers identified are being addressed by several projects to improve access to HRR testing and biomarker-based therapies in LAC.

Optimizing radiotherapy strategies for skull base chordoma: a comprehensive meta-analysis and systematic review of treatment modalities and outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: In the treatment of skull base chordoma (SBC) surgery is considered the mainstay approach, and gross-total resection has an established relationship with progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). However, the tumor's location often interferes with attempts at complete resection. In this case, surgery for maximal resection followed by high-dose radiotherapy has been demonstrated to be the standard treatment. In this context, various modalities are available, yet no consensus exists on the most effective. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different radiotherapy modalities for SBC. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, the authors systematically searched for the treatment of SBC with radiation modalities in the PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. Outcomes assessed for each modality were as follows: OS, PFS, local control (LC), and complications. The random-effects model was adopted. A single-proportion analysis with 95% CI was used to measure the effects in single-arm analysis. For the comparative analysis, the OR with 95% CI was used to compare outcome treatment effects. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics, and statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 32 studies comprising 3663 patients, with 2322 patients who were treated with radiotherapeutic modalities, were included. Regarding 5-year OS findings in each modality study, the findings were as follows: in photon fractionated radiotherapy, an estimated rate of 77% (69%-84%, 568 patients); in conventional fractionated radiotherapy, 76% (65%-87%, 517 cases); in proton-based + carbon ion-based radiotherapy, 85% (82%-88%, 622 cases); and in a comparative analysis of proton-based and carbon ion-based therapy, there was an OR of 1.2 (95% CI 0.59-2.43, 306 cases). Regarding the 5-year PFS estimate, the rates were as follows: 35% (26%-45%, 95 cases) for photon fractionated therapy; 35% (25%-45%, 85 cases) for stereotactic radiotherapy; 77% (50%-100%, 180 cases) for proton-based and carbon ion-based radiotherapy; and 74% (45%-100%, 102 cases) for proton-based radiotherapy. Regarding LC in periods of 3 and 5 years after proton- and carbon ion-based therapy, the overall estimated rates were 84% (78%-90%, 326 cases) and 75% (65%-85%, 448 cases), respectively. For proton-based radiotherapy and carbon ion-based therapy, the 5-year LC rates were 76% (67%-86%, 259 cases) and 75% (59%-91%, 189 cases), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis highlights the finding that particle-based modalities like proton beam radiotherapy and carbon ion radiotherapy are the most effective radiation therapies available for the treatment of SBC. Furthermore, it reinforces the idea that surgery followed by radiotherapy constitutes the standard treatment.

Systematic review of recent advancements in antibody-drug and bicycle toxin conjugates for the treatment of urothelial cancer.

Antibody-drug conjugates and bicycle toxin conjugates represent a tremendous advance in drug delivery technology and have shown great promise in the treatment of urothelial cancer. Previously approved systemic therapies, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, are often impractical due to comorbidities, and outcomes for patients with advanced disease remain poor, even when receiving systemic therapy. In this setting, antibody-drug and bicycle toxin conjugates have emerged as novel treatments, dramatically altering the therapeutic landscape. These drugs harness unique designs consisting of antibody or bicycle peptide, linker, and cytotoxic payload with more targeted delivery than conventional chemotherapy, thus eliminating malignant cells while reducing systemic toxicities. Potential targets investigated in urothelial cancer include Nectin-4, TROP2, HER2, and EphA2. Initial clinical trials demonstrated efficacy in treatment of refractory advanced urothelial cancer, as well as improvement in quality of life. These initial studies led to FDA approval of two antibody-drug conjugates, enfortumab vedotin and sacituzumab govitecan. Moreover, antibody-drug and bicycle toxin conjugates are being studied in ongoing clinical trials in frontline treatment of advanced disease as well as for localized cancer. These studies highlight the potential for additional future therapies with novel targets, novel antibodies, cytotoxic and immunomodulatory payloads, and unique structural designs enhancing efficacy and safety. There is increasing evidence that combinations with other cancer therapies, especially immunotherapy, improve treatment outcomes. The combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab was recently approved for first-line treatment of advanced urothelial carcinoma. Despite the great promise of these novel drugs, robust predictive biomarkers are needed to determine the patients who would maximally benefit. This review surveys the rationale and current state of the evidence for these new drugs and describes future directions actively being explored.

Review of recent advances in novel treatments of urothelial cancer Two new types of drugs, called antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and bicycle toxin conjugates (BTCs) have shown great promise in treating urothelial cancer. Both types of drugs consist of a structure targeting a specific protein on bladder cancer cells, linked to a drug that can kill cells. This allows for effective treatment of cancer with potentially less toxicity due to the targeted nature of these treatments. We discuss the potential targets in urothelial cancer and the drugs in these classes that could treat each target. Two of these drugs, enfortumab vedotin and sacituzumab govitecan, are in clinical use for cancers that have spread, while the others are in clinical trials. Moreover, the combination of enfortumab vedotin and pembrolizumab, an immunotherapy drug, has excellent results and was recently approved for first-line treatment of urothelial cancer that has spread. Additional studies are looking into these treatments for cancers that have not spread. In the future, management of side effects, determination of which patients benefit, and overcoming when the drugs become no longer effective will be important.

Genetic Testing in Men With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

This cross-sectional study assesses homologous recombination repair mutation genetic testing and associated characteristics among men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Laparoscopic Versus Open Gastrectomy for Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopy-assisted gastrectomy (LAG) is a well-established surgical technique in treating patients with early gastric cancer. However, the efficacy and safety of LAG versus open gastrectomy (OG) in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) remains unclear. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library in June 2023 for RCTs comparing LAG versus OG in patients with AGC. We pooled risk ratios (RR) and mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for binary and continuous endpoints, respectively. We performed all statistical analyses using R software version 4.3.1 and a random-effects model. RESULTS: Nine RCTs comprising 3827 patients were included. There were no differences in terms of intraoperative complications (RR 1.14; 95% CI 0.72 to 1.82), number of retrieved lymph nodes (MD -0.54 lymph nodes; 95% CI -1.18 to 0.09), or mortality (RR 0.91; 95% CI 0.30 to 2.83). LAG was associated with a longer operative time (MD 49.28 minutes; 95% CI 30.88 to 67.69), lower intraoperative blood loss (MD -51.24 milliliters; 95% CI -81.41 to -21.06), shorter length of stay (MD -0.83 days; 95% CI -1.60 to -0.06), and higher incidence of pancreatic fistula (RR 2.44; 95% CI 1.08 to 5.50). Postoperatively, LAG was also superior to OG in reducing bleeding rates (RR 0.44; 95% CI 0.22 to 0.86) and time to first flatus (MD -0.27 days; 95% CI -0.47 to -0.07), with comparable results in anastomotic leakage, wound healing issues, major complications, time to ambulation, or time to first liquid intake. In the long-term analyses at 3 and 5 years, there were no significant differences between LAG and OG in terms of overall survival (RR 0.99; 95% CI 0.96 to 1.03) or relapse-free survival (RR 0.99; 95% CI 0.94 to 1.04). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis of RCTs suggests that LAG may be an effective and safe alternative to OG for treating AGC; albeit, it may be associated with an increased risk for pancreatic fistula.

Adapted Beamforming: A Robust and Flexible Approach for Removing Various Types of Artifacts from TMS-EEG Data.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) recorded as response to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can be highly informative of cortical reactivity and connectivity. Reliable EEG interpretation requires artifact removal as the TMS-evoked EEG can contain high-amplitude artifacts. Several methods have been proposed to uncover clean neuronal EEG responses. In practice, determining which method to select for different types of artifacts is often difficult. Here, we used a unified data cleaning framework based on beamforming to improve the algorithm selection and adaptation to the recorded signals. Beamforming properties are well understood, so they can be used to yield customized methods for EEG cleaning based on prior knowledge of the artifacts and the data. The beamforming implementations also cover, but are not limited to, the popular TMS-EEG cleaning methods: independent component analysis (ICA), signal-space projection (SSP), signal-space-projection-source-informed-reconstruction method (SSP-SIR), the source-estimate-utilizing noise-discarding algorithm (SOUND), data-driven Wiener filter (DDWiener), and the multiple-source approach. In addition to these established methods, beamforming provides a flexible way to derive novel artifact suppression algorithms by considering the properties of the recorded data. With simulated and measured TMS-EEG data, we show how to adapt the beamforming-based cleaning to different data and artifact types, namely TMS-evoked muscle artifacts, ocular artifacts, TMS-related peripheral responses, and channel noise. Importantly, beamforming implementations are fast to execute: We demonstrate how the SOUND algorithm becomes orders of magnitudes faster via beamforming. Overall, the beamforming-based spatial filtering framework can greatly enhance the selection, adaptability, and speed of EEG artifact removal.

Tumor-treating fields dosimetry in glioblastoma: Insights into treatment planning, optimization, and dose-response relationships.

Tumor-treating fields (TTFields) are currently a Category 1A treatment recommendation by the US National Comprehensive Cancer Center for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma. Although the mechanism of action of TTFields has been partly elucidated, tangible and standardized metrics are lacking to assess antitumor dose and effects of the treatment. This paper outlines and evaluates the current standards and methodologies in the estimation of the TTFields distribution and dose measurement in the brain and highlights the most important principles governing TTFields dosimetry. The focus is on clinical utility to facilitate a practical understanding of these principles and how they can be used to guide treatment. The current evidence for a correlation between TTFields dose, tumor growth, and clinical outcome will be presented and discussed. Furthermore, we will provide perspectives and updated insights into the planning and optimization of TTFields therapy for glioblastoma by reviewing how the dose and thermal effects of TTFields are affected by factors such as tumor location and morphology, peritumoral edema, electrode array position, treatment duration (compliance), array "edge effect," electrical duty cycle, and skull-remodeling surgery. Finally, perspectives are provided on how to optimize the efficacy of future TTFields therapy.

Effectiveness of bio-effectors on maize, wheat and tomato performance and phosphorus acquisition from greenhouse to field scales in Europe and Israel: a meta-analysis.

Biostimulants (Bio-effectors, BEs) comprise plant growth-promoting microorganisms and active natural substances that promote plant nutrient-acquisition, stress resilience, growth, crop quality and yield. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of BEs, particularly under field conditions, appears highly variable and poorly quantified. Using random model meta-analyses tools, we summarize the effects of 107 BE treatments on the performance of major crops, mainly conducted within the EU-funded project BIOFECTOR with a focus on phosphorus (P) nutrition, over five years. Our analyses comprised 94 controlled pot and 47 field experiments under different geoclimatic conditions, with variable stress levels across European countries and Israel. The results show an average growth/yield increase by 9.3% (n=945), with substantial differences between crops (tomato > maize > wheat) and growth conditions (controlled nursery + field (Seed germination and nursery under controlled conditions and young plants transplanted to the field) > controlled > field). Average crop growth responses were independent of BE type, P fertilizer type, soil pH and plant-available soil P (water-P, Olsen-P or Calcium acetate lactate-P). BE effectiveness profited from manure and other organic fertilizers, increasing soil pH and presence of abiotic stresses (cold, drought/heat or salinity). Systematic meta-studies based on published literature commonly face the inherent problem of publication bias where the most suspected form is the selective publication of statistically significant results. In this meta-analysis, however, the results obtained from all experiments within the project are included. Therefore, it is free of publication bias. In contrast to reviews of published literature, our unique study design is based on a common standardized protocol which applies to all experiments conducted within the project to reduce sources of variability. Based on data of crop growth, yield and P acquisition, we conclude that application of BEs can save fertilizer resources in the future, but the efficiency of BE application depends on cropping systems and environments.

Repeat Next-Generation Sequencing Testing on Progression in Men With Metastatic Prostate Cancer Can Identify New Actionable Alterations.

PURPOSE: There are limited data available on the real-world patterns of molecular testing in men with advanced prostate cancer. We thus sought to evaluate next-generation sequencing (NGS) testing in the United States, focused on single versus serial NGS testing, the different disease states of testing (hormone-sensitive v castration-resistant, metastatic vs nonmetastatic), tissue versus plasma circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assays, and how often actionable data were found on each NGS test. METHODS: The Prostate Cancer Precision Medicine Multi-Institutional Collaborative Effort clinical-genomic database was used for this retrospective analysis, including 1,597 patients across 15 institutions. Actionable NGS data were defined as including somatic alterations in homologous recombination repair genes, mismatch repair deficiency, microsatellite instability (MSI-high), or a high tumor mutational burden ≥10 mut/MB. RESULTS: Serial NGS testing (two or more NGS tests with specimens collected more than 60 days apart) was performed in 9% (n = 144) of patients with a median of 182 days in between test results. For the second NGS test and beyond, 82.1% (225 of 274) of tests were from ctDNA assays and 76.1% (217 of 285) were collected in the metastatic castration-resistant setting. New actionable data were found on 11.1% (16 of 144) of second NGS tests, with 3.5% (5 of 144) of tests detecting a new BRCA2 alteration or MSI-high. A targeted therapy (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor or immunotherapy) was given after an actionable result on the second NGS test in 31.3% (5 of 16) of patients. CONCLUSION: Repeat somatic NGS testing in men with prostate cancer is infrequently performed in practice and can identify new actionable alterations not present with initial testing, suggesting the utility of repeat molecular profiling with tissue or blood of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer to guide therapy choices.

Posterior microphthalmos with retinal involvement related to MFRP gene: a report of 10 Brazilian patients.

BACKGROUND: To describe the phenotype and genotype of 10 Brazilian patients with variants in MFRP, posterior microphthalmos and retinal findings. METHODS: Complete ophthalmological evaluation was done at 4 different Brazilian centers. Genetic analysis was performed using commercial next generation sequencing panels for inherited retinal disorders. RESULTS: Ages of the patients ranged from 10 to 65 years and visual acuities from 0,05 to no perception of light. All were hyperopes (+4,25 to + 17,50) with a short axial length (14,4 mm to 18 mm). Common posterior segment features, though not present in all, were optic disc drusen (5/10), foveoschisis (5/10) and retinal pigmentary changes (8/10). Isolated patients presented with macular atrophy, serous retinal detachment, and chorioretinal folds. The most common variant in MFRP found in our patients was a deletion in exon 5 (c.498delC; p.Asn267Thrfs *25), present in all except 2 patients. Other variants found were c.523C>T (p.Gln175*), c.298delG (p.Ala100Argfs *37), c.666del (p.Thr223Argfs *83) and the novel variant c.257C>A (p.Ala86Asp). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of Brazilian patients with posterior microphthalmos and pathogenic variants in MFRP and the first describe of the variant p.Ala86Asp in literature. Our cases confirm the previously reported phenotype of high hyperopia, optic disc drusen, alterations in foveal architecture, retinal pigmentary changes with loss of photoreceptor function and visual field constriction. Report of such a rare condition is important to increase awareness to the phenotype of posterior microphthalmia with associated retinal conditions.

Side scatter ratio of the CD105-positive and CD105-negative red blood cell fractions is useful for the detection of low-grade myelodysplastic neoplasms by flow cytometry.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the utility of red blood cell (RBC) CD105 and side scatter (SSC) parameters by flow cytometry for the detection of low-grade myelodysplastic neoplasms (MDS) in bone marrow specimens. METHODS: Ten RBC parameters incorporating CD105 or SSC combined with the Meyerson-Alayed scoring system (MASS) metrics were retrospectively evaluated by flow cytometry for utility in detecting low-grade MDS (n = 56) compared with cytopenic controls (n = 86). RESULTS: Myelodysplastic neoplasms were associated with 7 of the RBC parameters in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis using cutoff values based on optimal and 95% specificity levels of the RBC metrics and the MASS parameters revealed the SSC ratio of CD105-positive and CD105-negative RBC fractions (CD105+/- SSC); the percentage and coefficient of variation of the CD105-positive fraction of RBCs (CD105%, CD105+CV) emerged as significant RBC variables. Two simple scoring schemes using these RBC values along with MASS parameters were identified: 1 using CD105+/- SSC, CD105%, and CD105+CV combined with the percentage of CD177-positive granulocytes (CD177%), myeloblast percentage (CD34%), and granulocyte SSC (GranSSC), and the other incorporating CD105+/- SSC, CD105+CV, CD177%, CD34%, GranSSC, and B-cell progenitor percentage. Both demonstrated a sensitivity of approximately 80%, with a specificity of roughly 90% for the detection of MDS compared with cytopenic controls. CONCLUSIONS: The red blood cell parameter, CD105+/- SSC, appears to be beneficial in the evaluation of low-grade MDS by flow cytometry.

Combined Ultrahypofractionated Whole-Breast Irradiation and IORT-Boost: A Safety and Feasibility Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The current standard of local treatment for patients with localized breast cancer (BC) includes whole breast irradiation (WBI) after breast-conserving surgery (BCS). Ultrahypofractionated WBI schemes (1-week treatment) were shown not to be inferior to the standard WBI. Tumor bed boost using photon intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) is safe and feasible in combination with standard WBI. The aim of the present study is to assess, for the first time, the feasibility and safety of combining photon IORT with ultrahypofractionated WBI. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with low-risk early BC candidates for BCS were included in this prospective study. IORT was administered at a dose of 20 Gy to the surface's applicator, and WBI was administered 3-5 weeks after surgery at a total dose of 26 Gy in five consecutive days. RESULTS: From July 2020 to December 2022, seventy-two patients diagnosed with low-risk early BC and treated in our institution were included in this prospective study. All patients completed the proposed treatment, and no severe acute or late grade 3 toxicity was observed 3 and 12 months after WBI, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirm for the first time that the combination of ultrafractionation WBI and photon-IORT after BCS is a feasible and safe option in patients with early BC.

Ten-Year Results of Accelerated Partial-Breast Irradiation with Interstitial Multicatheter Brachytherapy after Breast-Conserving Surgery for Low-Risk Early Breast Cancer.

Patients with an early carcinoma of the breast are commonly treated by breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and postoperative radiotherapy. Partial-breast irradiation has gained acceptance in the last few years. Between December 2008 and December 2017, 182 low-risk breast cancer patients treated by BCS in the four university hospitals of the province of Las Palmas and treated with APBI using interstitial multicatheter brachytherapy were included in this study. After a mean follow-up for survivors of 10 years, the treatment was shown to be safe, as no severe acute/late toxicity (grade ≥ 3) was observed. The 10-year IBTR was 1.7% (95%CI: 0.7-2.7%), and the cause-specific survival was 94.9% (95%CI: 93.2-96.6%). We suggest that multicatheter brachytherapy after BCS is safe and effective in early breast cancer patients.

SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein triggers gut impairment since mucosal barrier to innermost layers: From basic science to clinical relevance.

Studies have reported the occurrence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, primarily diarrhea, in COVID-19. However, the pathobiology regarding COVID-19 in the GI tract remains limited. This work aimed to evaluate SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein interaction with gut lumen in different experimental approaches. Here, we present a novel experimental model with the inoculation of viral protein in the murine jejunal lumen, in vitro approach with human enterocytes, and molecular docking analysis. Spike protein led to increased intestinal fluid accompanied by Cl- secretion, followed by intestinal edema, leukocyte infiltration, reduced glutathione levels, and increased cytokine levels [interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1ß, IL-10], indicating inflammation. Additionally, the viral epitope caused disruption in the mucosal histoarchitecture with impairment in Paneth and goblet cells, including decreased lysozyme and mucin, respectively. Upregulation of toll-like receptor 2 and toll-like receptor 4 gene expression suggested potential activation of local innate immunity. Moreover, this experimental model exhibited reduced contractile responses in jejunal smooth muscle. In barrier function, there was a decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance and alterations in the expression of tight junction proteins in the murine jejunal epithelium. Additionally, paracellular intestinal permeability increased in human enterocytes. Finally, in silico data revealed that the Spike protein interacts with cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and calcium-activated chloride conductance (CaCC), inferring its role in the secretory effect. Taken together, all the events observed point to gut impairment, affecting the mucosal barrier to the innermost layers, establishing a successful experimental model for studying COVID-19 in the GI context.

GIS-FA: an approach to integrating thematic maps, factor-analytic, and envirotyping for cultivar targeting.

KEY MESSAGE: We propose an "enviromics" prediction model for recommending cultivars based on thematic maps aimed at decision-makers. Parsimonious methods that capture genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI) in multi-environment trials (MET) are important in breeding programs. Understanding the causes and factors of GEI allows the utilization of genotype adaptations in the target population of environments through environmental features and factor-analytic (FA) models. Here, we present a novel predictive breeding approach called GIS-FA, which integrates geographic information systems (GIS) techniques, FA models, partial least squares (PLS) regression, and enviromics to predict phenotypic performance in untested environments. The GIS-FA approach enables: (i) the prediction of the phenotypic performance of tested genotypes in untested environments, (ii) the selection of the best-ranking genotypes based on their overall performance and stability using the FA selection tools, and (iii) the creation of thematic maps showing overall or pairwise performance and stability for decision-making. We exemplify the usage of the GIS-FA approach using two datasets of rice [Oryza sativa (L.)] and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] in MET spread over tropical areas. In summary, our novel predictive method allows the identification of new breeding scenarios by pinpointing groups of environments where genotypes demonstrate superior predicted performance. It also facilitates and optimizes cultivar recommendations by utilizing thematic maps.