Trans-vaccenic acid reprograms CD8+ T cells and anti-tumour immunity.

Diet-derived nutrients are inextricably linked to human physiology by providing energy and biosynthetic building blocks and by functioning as regulatory molecules. However, the mechanisms by which circulating nutrients in the human body influence specific physiological processes remain largely unknown. Here we use a blood nutrient compound library-based screening approach to demonstrate that dietary trans-vaccenic acid (TVA) directly promotes effector CD8+ T cell function and anti-tumour immunity in vivo. TVA is the predominant form of trans-fatty acids enriched in human milk, but the human body cannot produce TVA endogenously1. Circulating TVA in humans is mainly from ruminant-derived foods including beef, lamb and dairy products such as milk and butter2,3, but only around 19% or 12% of dietary TVA is converted to rumenic acid by humans or mice, respectively4,5. Mechanistically, TVA inactivates the cell-surface receptor GPR43, an immunomodulatory G protein-coupled receptor activated by its short-chain fatty acid ligands6-8. TVA thus antagonizes the short-chain fatty acid agonists of GPR43, leading to activation of the cAMP-PKA-CREB axis for enhanced CD8+ T cell function. These findings reveal that diet-derived TVA represents a mechanism for host-extrinsic reprogramming of CD8+ T cells as opposed to the intrahost gut microbiota-derived short-chain fatty acids. TVA thus has translational potential for the treatment of tumours.

PARP9-DTX3L ubiquitin ligase targets host histone H2BJ and viral 3C protease to enhance interferon signaling and control viral infection.

Enhancing the response to interferon could offer an immunological advantage to the host. In support of this concept, we used a modified form of the transcription factor STAT1 to achieve hyper-responsiveness to interferon without toxicity and markedly improve antiviral function in transgenic mice and transduced human cells. We found that the improvement depended on expression of a PARP9-DTX3L complex with distinct domains for interaction with STAT1 and for activity as an E3 ubiquitin ligase that acted on host histone H2BJ to promote interferon-stimulated gene expression and on viral 3C proteases to degrade these proteases via the immunoproteasome. Thus, PARP9-DTX3L acted on host and pathogen to achieve a double layer of immunity within a safe reserve in the interferon signaling pathway.

Proposals for Revised International Working Group-European LeukemiaNet Criteria for Anemia Response in Myelofibrosis.

With emerging new drugs in myelofibrosis (MF), a robust and harmonized framework for defining the severity of anemia and response to treatment will enhance clinical investigation and facilitate inter-study comparisons. Accordingly, the lead authors on the 2013 edition of the International Working Group-European LeukemiaNet (IWG-ELN) response criteria in MF were summoned to revise their document with the intent to i) account for gender-specific differences in determining hemoglobin levels for eligibility criteria, ii) revise definition of transfusion-dependent anemia (TDA) based on current restrictive transfusion practices, and iii) provide a structurally simple and easy to apply response criteria that are sensitive enough to detect efficacy signals (minor response) and also account for major responses. The initial draft of the 2024 IWG-ELN proposed criteria was subsequently circulated around a wider group of international experts and their feedback incorporated. The proposed articles include new definitions for TDA (≥3 units in the 12 weeks prior to study enrollment) and hemoglobin thresholds for eligibility criteria (<10 g/dL for women and <11 g/dL for men). The revised document also provides separate (TDA vs. non-TDA) and graded (major vs. minor response) response criteria while preserving the requirement for a 12-week period of screening and observation on treatment.

Risk Prediction for Clonal Cytopenia: Multicenter Real-World Evidence.

Clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS) represents a distinct disease entity characterized by myeloid-related somatic mutations with a variant allele fraction of ≥2% in individuals with unexplained cytopenia(s) but without a myeloid neoplasm (MN). Notably, CCUS carries a risk of progressing to MN, particularly in cases featuring high-risk mutations. Understanding CCUS requires dedicated studies to elucidate its risk factors and natural history. Our analysis of 357 CCUS patients investigated the interplay between clonality, cytopenia, and prognosis. Multivariate analysis identified 3 key adverse prognostic factors: the presence of splicing mutation(s) (score = 2 points), platelet count <100×109/L (score = 2.5), and ≥2 mutations (score = 3). Variable scores were based on the coefficients from the Cox proportional hazards model. This led to the development of the Clonal Cytopenia Risk Score (CCRS), which stratified patients into low- (score <2.5 points), intermediate- (score 2.5-<5), and high-risk (score ≥5) groups. The CCRS effectively predicted 2-year cumulative incidence of MN for low- (6.4%), intermediate- (14.1%), and high- (37.2%) risk groups, respectively, by Gray's test (P <.0001). We further validated the CCRS by applying it to an independent CCUS cohort of 104 patients, demonstrating a c-index of 0.64 (P =.005) in stratifying the cumulative incidence of MN. Our study underscores the importance of integrating clinical and molecular data to assess the risk of CCUS progression, making the CCRS a valuable tool that is practical and easily calculable. These findings are clinically relevant, shaping the management strategies for CCUS and informing future clinical trial designs.

Durable responses in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia with the use of FLT3 and IDH inhibitors.

Data regarding the use of FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 (IDH1/2) inhibitors in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) are lacking. We identified 14 patients with FLT3- or IDH1/2-mutated ALL. Three early T-cell precursor-ALL patients received FLT3 or IDH2 inhibitors. Patient 1 maintains a complete remission (CR) with enasidenib after intolerance to chemotherapy. Patient 2 maintained a CR for 27 months after treatment with enasidenib for relapsed disease. Patient 3 was treated with venetoclax and gilteritinib at the time of relapse and maintained a CR with gilteritinib for 8 months. These cases suggest that FLT3 and IDH inhibitors could represent a viable therapeutic option for ALL patients with these mutations.

Structural racism is a mediator of disparities in acute myeloid leukemia outcomes.

Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and Hispanic patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have higher mortality rates than non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients despite more favorable genetics and younger age. A discrete survival analysis was performed on 822 adult patients with AML from 6 urban cancer centers and revealed inferior survival among NHB (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15, 2.22) and Hispanic (HR = 1.25; 95% CI: 0.88, 1.79) patients compared with NHW patients. A multilevel analysis of disparities was then conducted to investigate the contribution of neighborhood measures of structural racism on racial/ethnic differences in survival. Census tract disadvantage and affluence scores were individually calculated. Mediation analysis of hazard of leukemia death between groups was examined across 6 composite variables: structural racism (census tract disadvantage, affluence, and segregation), tumor biology (European Leukemia Network risk and secondary leukemia), health care access (insurance and clinical trial enrollment), comorbidities, treatment patterns (induction intensity and transplant utilization), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission during induction chemotherapy. Strikingly, census tract measures accounted for nearly all of the NHB-NHW and Hispanic-NHW disparity in leukemia death. Treatment patterns, including induction intensity and allogeneic transplant, and treatment complications, as assessed by ICU admission during induction chemotherapy, were additional mediators of survival disparities in AML. This is the first study to formally test mediators for observed disparities in AML survival and highlights the need to investigate the mechanisms by which structural racism interacts with known prognostic and treatment factors to influence leukemia outcomes.

Use, variability, and justification of eligibility criteria for phase II and III clinical trials in acute leukemia.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria can unfairly exclude patients or unnecessarily expose them to known risks if criteria are not concordant with drug safety. There are few data evaluating the extent to which acute leukemia eligibility criteria are justified. We analyzed criteria and drug safety data for front-line phase II and/or III acute leukemia trials with start dates 1/1/2010-12/31/2019 registered on clinicaltrials.gov. Multivariable analyses assessed concordance between criteria use and safety data (presence of criteria with a safety signal, or absence of criteria without a signal), and differences between criteria and safety-based limits. Of 250 eligible trials, concordant use of ejection fraction criteria was seen in 34.8%, corrected QT level (QTc) in 22.4%, bilirubin in 68.4%, aspartate transaminase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT) in 58.8%, renal function in 68.4%, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in 54.8%, and hepatitis B and C in 42.0% and 41.2%. HIV and hepatitis B and C criteria use was concordant with safety data (adjusted Odds Ratios 2.04 [95%CI: 1.13, 3.66], 2.64 [95%CI: 1.38, 5.04], 2.27 [95%CI: 1.20, 4.32]) but organ function criteria were not (all P>0.05); phase III trials were not more concordant. Bilirubin criteria limits were the same as safety-based limits in 16.0% of trials, AST/ALT in 18.1%, and renal function in 13.9%; in 75.7%, 51.4%, and 56.5% of trials, criteria were more restrictive, respectively, by median differences of 0.2, 0.5, and 0.5 times the upper limits of normal. We found limited drug safety justifications for acute leukemia eligibility criteria. These data define criteria use and limits that can be rationally modified to increase patient inclusion and welfare.

Prognostic impact of 'multi-hit' versus 'single hit' TP53 alteration in patients with acute myeloid leukemia: results from the Consortium on Myeloid Malignancies and Neoplastic Diseases.

While there is clear evidence to suggest poorer outcome associated with multi-hit (MH) TP53 mutation compared to single-hit (SH) in lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), data are conflicting in both higher-risk MDS and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). We conducted an indepth analysis utilizing data from 10 US academic institutions to study differences in molecular characteristics and outcomes of SH (n= 139) versus MH (n= 243) TP53MTAML. Complex cytogenetics (CG) were more common in MH compared to SH TP53MT AML (p <0.001); whereas ASXL1 (p= <0.001), RAS (p<0.001), splicing factor (p= 0.003), IDH1/2 (p= 0.001), FLT3 ITD (p= <0.001) and NPM1 (p= 0.005) mutations significantly clustered with SH TP53MT AML. Survival after excluding patients who received best supportive care alone was dismal but not significantly different between SH and MH (event free survival [EFS]: 3.0 vs 2.20 months, p= 0.22/ overall survival [OS]: 8.50 vs 7.53 months, respectively, p= 0.13). In multivariable analysis, IDH1 mutation and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) as a time-dependent covariate were associated with superior EFS (HR; 0.44, 95% CI: 0.19-1.01, p= 0.05/ HR; 0.34, 95% CI: 0.18-0.62, p<0.001) and OS (HR; 0.24, 95% CI: 0.08-0.71, p= 0.01/ HR; 0.28, 95% CI: 0.16-0.47, p<0.001). While complex CG (HR; 1.56, 95% CI: 1.01-2.40, p= 0.04) retained unfavorable significance for OS. Our analysis suggests that unlike in MDS, multihit TP53MT is less relevant in independently predicting outcomes in patients with AML.

Expedited evaluation of hereditary hematopoietic malignancies in the setting of stem cell transplantation.

Not available.

Transfusion management and hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier treatment in a patient with anti-Rh17 antibody.

BACKGROUND: A 54-year-old Hispanic OPos female with known history of anti-Rh17 antibodies was diagnosed with Philadelphia-Chromosome positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Rh17, also known as Hr0, is a high-frequency antigen composed of several epitopes on the RhCE protein. Anti-Rh17 antibodies can be made by individuals with missing or varied C/c, E/e antigens. Anti-Rh17 antibodies are clinically significant given multiple case reports of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). Finding compatible units for patients with anti-Rh17 can be particularly difficult given that only 1 in 100,000 people are Rh17 negative. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Search for compatible units was conducted by the American Rare Donor Program (ARDP) with no leads. After chemotherapy induction and despite erythropoiesis stimulating agent administration, the patient's hemoglobin continued to trend down to a nadir of 2.8 g/dL. Here we report transfusion of incompatible pRBC to this patient with critically symptomatic anemia. HBOC-201 (Hemopure) was obtained and administered under an emergency compassionate/expanded access designation from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under an emergency Investigational New Drug (IND) application. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Overall difficulties in this case included the challenge of finding compatible units, dilemma of transfusing incompatible units in a patient with severe anemia and obtaining alternatives to blood products. This case report demonstrates the successful use of HBOC-21 in treating life-threatening anemia.

Diagnostic accuracy of autofluorescence-Raman microspectroscopy for surgical margin assessment during Mohs micrographic surgery of basal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Autofluorescence (AF)-Raman microspectroscopy is a technology that can detect residual basal cell carcinoma (BCC) on the resection margin of fresh, surgically excised tissue specimens. The technology does not require tissue fixation, staining, labelling or sectioning, and provides quantitative diagnosis maps of the surgical margins in 30 min. OBJECTIVES: To determine the accuracy of the AF-Raman instrument in detecting incomplete BCC excisions during Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), using histology as the reference standard. METHODS: Skin layers from 130 patients undergoing MMS at the Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust (September 2022-July 2023) were investigated with the AF-Raman instrument. The layers were measured when fresh, immediately after excision. The AF-Raman results and the intraoperative assessment by Mohs surgeons were compared with a postoperative consensus-derived reference produced by three dermatopathologists. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. The study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03482622). RESULTS: AF-Raman analysis was successfully completed for 125 of 130 layers and, on average, covered 91% of the specimen surface area, with the lowest surface area covered being 87% for the eyelid and the highest being 94% for forehead specimens. The AF-Raman instrument identified positive margins in 24 of 36 BCC-positive cases [67% sensitivity, 95% confidence interval (CI) 49-82] and negative margins in 65 of 89 BCC-negative cases (73% specificity, 95% CI 63-82). Only one of 12 false-negative cases was caused by misclassification by the AF-Raman algorithm. The other 11 false-negatives cases were a result of no valid Raman signal being recorded at the location of the residual BCC due to either occlusion by blood or poor contact between tissue and the cassette window. The intraoperative diagnosis by Mohs surgeons identified positive margins in 31 of 36 BCC-positive cases (86% sensitivity, 95% CI 70-95) and negative margins in 79 of 89 BCC-negative cases (89% specificity, 95% CI 81-95). CONCLUSIONS: The AF-Raman instrument has the potential to provide intraoperative microscopic assessment of surgical margins in BCC surgery. Further improvements are required for tissue processing, to ensure complete coverage of the surgical specimens.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the most common human cancers, occurring mostly on the face and neck. Most BCCs are treated by cutting them out under local anaesthetic. This is routinely done in a hospital by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon. Surgery aims to remove all the cancer leaving the smallest scar possible, but it is often difficult to know how much normal skin to remove. Results from the laboratory often take 1 to 2 weeks to show if the cancer is clear. A technique called 'Mohs' (micrographic surgery) is recommended for these 'high-risk' BCCs. Mohs surgery removes thin layers of skin and investigates them under a microscope while the patient is still in the hospital. This is repeated until all the layers are clear of cancer. Because of the patchy availability of Mohs surgery, many patients with high-risk BCCs are treated by traditional methods that may not be as good as Mohs. We have developed an instrument that scans layers of skin and can quickly detect BCC. The instrument allows surgeons to check each removed skin layer for cancer cells to decide if more layers need to be removed. In this study, the instrument was tested on skin tissue layers from 130 patients who had Mohs surgery at the Nottingham Treatment Centre. The results showed that the instrument can measure skin layers in approximately 30 minutes and identify BCC with a similar accuracy to a Mohs surgeon, but only when the skin layers are prepared properly. With future improvements, the technology might be used to guide Mohs surgery or help surgeons in centres that do not have access to Mohs surgery.

NCCN Guidelines® Insights: Systemic Mastocytosis, Version 3.2024.

Mastocytosis is a heterogeneous group of disorders comprising cutaneous mastocytosis, systemic mastocytosis, and mast cell sarcoma. It is associated with a variety of symptoms related to the release of mast cell mediators and mast cell tissue infiltration. Referral to specialized centers with expertise in the management of mastocytosis and multidisciplinary collaboration with subspecialists (eg, allergists for the management of anaphylaxis and drug hypersensitivities, anesthesiologists for invasive procedures or surgery, high-risk obstetrician for pregnancy) is recommended. The NCCN Guidelines for Systemic Mastocytosis provide evidence- and consensus-based recommendations for the diagnosis and comprehensive care of patients with systemic mastocytosis. The multidisciplinary panel of experts convenes at least once a year to review requested changes to the guidelines from both internal and external entities as well as to discuss data on existing and new therapies. These NCCN Guidelines Insights focus on some of the recent updates to the guidelines.

Impact of induction regimens intensity and allogeneic stem cell transplantation on survival of patients with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A multi-institutional study.

Intensive chemotherapy (IC) combination with second- or third-generation TKI improves survival compared to non-IC with first-generation TKI. Allo-HCT was suggestive of improving RFS/OS after propensity score matching and multivariable analysis.

Treatment of Anemia in Lower-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome.

OPINION STATEMENT: A majority of patients with lower-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) will present with or develop anemia. Anemia in MDS is associated with decreased quality of life and may correlate with decreased progression-free survival and overall survival. In this state of the art review we summarize current risk stratification approaches to identify lower-risk MDS (LR-MDS), the natural history of the disease, and meaningful clinical endpoints. The treatment landscape of LR-MDS with anemia is also rapidly evolving; we review the role of supportive care, erythropoietin stimulating agents, lenalidomide, luspatercept, hypomethylating agents (HMAs), and immunosuppressive therapy (IST) in the management of LR-MDS with anemia. In patients with deletion 5q (del5q) syndrome lenalidomide has both efficacy and durability of response. For patients without del5q who need treatment, the management approach is impacted by serum erythropoietin (EPO) level, SF3B1 mutation status, and ring sideroblast status. Given the data from the Phase III COMMANDS trial, we utilize luspatercept in those with SF3B1 mutation or ring sideroblasts that have an EPO level < 500 U/L; in patients without an SF3B1 mutation or ring sideroblasts there is equipoise between luspatercept and use of an erythropoietin stimulating agent (ESA). For patients who have an EPO level ≥ 500 U/L or have been previously treated there is not a clear standard of care. For those without previous luspatercept exposure it can be considered particularly if there is an SF3B1 mutation or the presence of ring sideroblasts. Other options include HMAs or IST; the Phase III IMERGE trial supports the efficacy of the telomerase inhibitor imetelstat in this setting and this may become a standard option in the future as well.

Disparities in receiving disease-directed therapy, allogeneic stem cell transplantation in non-Hispanic Black patients with TP53-mutated acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Although the clinical outcomes of patients with TP53-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are dismal, subsets of patients eligible for curative-intent therapies may fare better. Because racial disparities are known to affect outcome in hematologic malignancies, the authors sought to explore disparities among patients with TP53-mutated AML. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective study was conducted in a cohort of 340 patients who had TP53-mutated AML (275 non-Hispanic White [NHW] and 65 non-Hispanic Black [NHB]) to analyze differences in treatment and outcome among NHW and NHB patients. RESULTS: The median patient age was comparable between NHW and NHB patients (p = .76). A higher proportion of NHB patients had therapy-related AML (31% vs. 20%; p = .08) and had co-mutations (74% vs. 61%; p = .06). A higher proportion of NHW patients received intensive chemotherapy compared with NHB patients (47% vs. 31%; p = .02). Conversely, a higher proportion of NHB patients received low-intensity chemotherapy (9% vs. 5.5%; p = .02) or best supportive care (22% vs. 7%; p < .001). The complete response rate (including complete responses with or without complete count recovery) was 31% versus 24.5% (p = .39) in NHW and NHB patients, respectively. Only 5% of NHB patients received allogeneic stem cell transplantation compared with 15.5% of NHW patients (p = .02). The proportion of patients who were event-free (18.5% vs. 8.5%; p = .49) or who remained alive (24.9% vs. 8.3%; p = .13) at 18 months was numerically higher in NHW versus NHB patients, respectively, but was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The current study highlights disparities between NHW and NHB patients with TP53-mutated AML. Efforts are warranted to eliminate treatment disparities in minority populations.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome after levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device placement-Case report.

BACKGROUND: Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a disease characterized by reversible multifocal narrowing of the cerebral arteries with clinical manifestations that typically include thunderclap headache and occasionally brain edema, stroke, or seizure. The exact pathophysiology of RCVS is not well known. CASE: A 46-year-old female with history of episodic migraine presented with 1-month duration of worsening headaches that had become more severe over the past 2 weeks. The headaches were episodic and thunderclap in onset and aggravated by physical exertion or emotional situations. A neurological examination was unremarkable including initial head computed tomography (CT). A CT angiogram of the head showed multifocal stenosis in the right anterior cerebral artery, bilateral middle cerebral arteries, and right posterior cerebral artery. Cerebral angiogram confirmed the CT angiogram findings. A repeated CT angiogram a few days later showed improvement in the multifocal cerebral arterial stenosis. Lumbar puncture and autoimmune workup were not suggestive of neuroinflammatory etiology. She had one generalized tonic-clonic seizure during her second day of hospitalization. The patient's thunderclap onset headaches resolved in 1 week after she was managed with blood pressure control and pain medication. She denied any illicit drug use or any new medications other than the placement of a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine device (IUD) about 6 weeks prior to her presentation. CONCLUSIONS: Our case suggests a possible link between RCVS and levonorgestrel-releasing IUDs.

One treatment with onabotulinumtoxinA relieves symptoms of overactive bladder in patients refractory to one or more oral medications.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Patients with overactive bladder (OAB) often undergo prolonged treatment with one or more oral OAB medications. OnabotulinumtoxinA (onabotA), a type A botulinum toxin, may provide an appropriate alternative to oral treatments in patients intolerant of or refractory to one or more oral OAB medications. The GRACE study demonstrated real-world benefits of onabotA treatment for OAB in patients refractory to oral medications. This exploratory post hoc analysis of data from the GRACE study aims to determine if treatment history impacts benefit from treatment with onabotA. METHODS: This is a subanalysis of the GRACE study, a prospective observational study (NCT02161159) that enrolled patients with symptomatic OAB inadequately managed by at least one oral OAB medication. Patients had a treatment history of one or more anticholinergics (AC) and/or ß-3 adrenoreceptor agonists (ß-3) for relief of OAB; results were stratified according to treatment history. Patients in this analysis elected to discontinue oral medications upon treatment with onabotA. Safety was followed for 12 months in all patients that received at least 1 dose of onabotA; efficacy was determined over a 12-week period. RESULTS: Compared to baseline levels, significant reductions in urinary incontinence (UI), urgency, micturition, and nocturia were noted as early as 1 week and were sustained at 12 weeks, regardless of the type and number of oral medications taken before treatment with onabotA. At 12 weeks post-onabotA, the mean change from baseline UI episodes/day for those with a treatment history of only one AC was -2.4 (n = 43, p ≤ 0.001); more than one AC, -2.4 (n = 52, p ≤ 0.001); one ß-3, -3.3 (n = 12, p < 0.05); at least one AC and at least one ß-3, -3.2 (n = 56, p ≤ 0.001). Pad and liner use was significantly decreased at 12 weeks post-onabotA across all treatment history groups. Reductions in diaper pant use varied, with less of a reduction in patients with a treatment history of more than one AC compared to patients with a history of at least one AC and one ß-3 (p < 0.05) or those with a history of only one AC (p < 0.05). Overall, a total of 253/288 of patients (88%) reported improvements on the treatment benefit scale 12 weeks after treatment with onabotA, regardless of type and number of prior oral medications. In the population of patients that received at least one dose of onabotA (N = 504), 57 adverse events were reported in 38 patients (7.5%); 9 were serious (1.8%). Urinary retention was reported in 5 patients (1.0%); 1 was severe (0.2%). Symptomatic urinary tract infection was reported in 2 patients (0.4%). CONCLUSIONS: In this exploratory post hoc analysis of real-world data from the GRACE study, there were few significant differences in outcomes based on the type and number of prior oral medications. Thus, patients who are refractory to one or more oral OAB medications may benefit from earlier treatment with onabotA.

Outpatient initiation of venetoclax in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

INTRODUCTION: Venetoclax is a treatment option in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in both the front-line and relapsed/refractory settings. Initiation of therapy has been previously restricted to the inpatient setting at some institutions due to a risk of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) and limitations in medication access efficiency given the high cost of therapy. METHODS: We assessed the safety of initiating venetoclax in the outpatient setting through a single-arm, retrospective study of adult AML patients between April 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients started venetoclax during this time, with 47 (57%) patients initiated in the outpatient setting. Fifty-five percent of patients received venetoclax as first-line treatment for AML (n = 45) and 45% of patients received venetoclax for relapsed/refractory AML (n = 37). Successful initiation, defined as no hospitalizations secondary to TLS within seven days of therapy initiation, occurred in 98% of patients. The rate of TLS was 2.1% (n = 1) following venetoclax initiation. TLS symptoms were managed during hospitalization, requiring only one day of missed AML therapy. Median turnaround time for medication access was three days. Hospitalizations within seven days occurred in 17% of patients (n = 8), with the majority due to febrile neutropenia. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study provide further evidence for the safety and feasibility of initiating venetoclax in the outpatient setting with a pharmacist-led interdisciplinary protocol.

Recurrent cryptogenic strokes in a young female as a novel presentation of Parry Romberg syndrome: a case report and review.

INTRODUCTION: Parry Romberg Syndrome (PRS) is a less common genetic condition presenting with progressive hemifacial atrophy involving skin, underlying connective tissue, muscle and facial bone. Neurological manifestations include seizures, headaches, deafness and trigeminal neuralgia refractory to medications, while stroke is a less common presentation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 43-year-old right-handed female with previous history of Lower Motor Neuron (LMN) type facial palsy, seizure disorder and linear scleroderma, presented to our clinic with recurrent cryptogenic strokes. She developed progressive hemifacial atrophy on the left side and left eye ectropion and was eventually diagnosed with rare Parry Romberg Syndrome. RESULTS: Patient underwent extensive work up for stroke to rule out etiologies like hyperlipidemia, diabetes, lupus and vasculitis. Peripheral labs for inflammatory markers and Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies were unremarkable. Brain imaging at different points in time showed progressive atrophy of brain parenchyma, overlying bone, connective tissue and facial muscles on the left side. Central Nervous System (CNS) vessel imaging and diagnostic cerebral angiogram was unremarkable. CONCLUSION: This novel case underscores the potential CNS involvement in PRS, which is a rare disease entity. Neurological manifestations are not uncommon, including stroke. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms of stroke in this rare disease process, that could help develop potential therapeutic targets.

Chronic industrial perturbation and seasonal change induces shift in the bacterial community from gammaproteobacteria to betaproteobacteria having catabolic potential for aromatic compounds at Amlakhadi canal.

Escalating proportions of industrially contaminated sites are one of the major catastrophes faced at the present time due to the industrial revolution. The difficulties associated with culturing the microbes, has been circumvent by the direct use of metagenomic analysis of various complex niches. In this study, a metagenomic approach using next generation sequencing technologies was applied to exemplify the taxonomic abundance and metabolic potential of the microbial community residing in Amlakhadi canal, Ankleshwar at two different seasons. All the metagenomes revealed a predominance of Proteobacteria phylum. However, difference was observed within class level where Gammaproteobacteria was relatively high in polluted metagenome in Summer while in Monsoon the abundance shifted to Betaproteobacteria. Similarly, significant statistical differences were obtained while comparing the genera amongst contaminated sites where Serratia, Achromobacter, Stenotrophomonas and Pseudomonas were abundant in summer season and the dominance changed to Thiobacillus, Thauera, Acidovorax, Nitrosomonas, Sulfuricurvum, Novosphingobium, Hyphomonas and Geobacter in monsoon. Further upon functional characterization, the microbiomes revealed the diverse survival mechanisms, in response to the prevailing ecological conditions (such as degradation of aromatic compounds, heavy metal resistance, oxidative stress responses and multidrug resistance efflux pumps, etc.). The results have important implications in understanding and predicting the impacts of human-induced activities on microbial communities inhabiting natural niche and their responses in coping with the fluctuating pollution load.