Obesity and renal cell carcinoma: Biological mechanisms and perspectives.

Obesity, defined by body mass index (BMI), is an established risk factor for specific renal cell carcinoma (RCC) subtypes such as clear cell RCC, the most common RCC histology. Many studies have identified an association between obesity and improved survival after diagnosis of RCC, a potential "obesity paradox." Clinically, there is uncertainty whether improved outcomes observed after diagnosis are driven by stage, type of treatment received, or artifacts of longitudinal changes in weight and body composition. The biological mechanisms underlying obesity's influence on RCC are not fully established, but multiomic and mechanistic studies suggest an impact on tumor metabolism, particularly fatty acid metabolism, angiogenesis, and peritumoral inflammation, which are known to be key biological hallmarks of clear cell RCC. Conversely, high-intensity exercise associated with increased muscle mass may be a risk factor for renal medullary carcinoma, a rare RCC subtype that predominantly occurs in individuals with sickle hemoglobinopathies. Herein, we highlight methodologic challenges associated with studying the influence of obesity on RCC and review the clinical evidence and potential underlying mechanisms associating RCC with BMI and body composition.

Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Tivozanib in Heavily Pretreated Patients With Advanced Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Tivozanib has been approved as a third-line or later therapy for advanced renal cell carcinoma based on the TIVO-3 trial, which was conducted before immune checkpoint therapies (ICT), cabozantinib, and lenvatinib/everolimus became incorporated in the current sequential treatment paradigm for advanced clear cell RCC (ccRCC). METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of patients with advanced ccRCC treated with tivozanib at MD Anderson Cancer Center during 6/2021-7/2023. A blinded radiologist assessed tumor response by RECIST v1.1. We assessed overall response rate (ORR), clinical benefit rate (CBR) [percentage of all treated patients who achieved radiologic response or stable disease (SD) for ≥ 6 months], progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. RESULTS: Of 30 analyzed patients, 23% had performance status ≥ 2; 47% had International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) poor-risk disease. Median number of prior therapies was 4 (range 1-8). All patients received prior ICT, 87% cabozantinib and 60% lenvatinib ± everolimus. Of 26 evaluable patients, 2 patients had confirmed partial response (ORR 7.7%); 5 patients had SD for ≥ 6 months (CBR 23.3%). Median PFS was 3.8 months (range 0.7-13.9); median OS was 14.1 months (range 0.3-28.5). Fifteen patients (50%) had ≥ 1 treatment-related adverse event (TRAE). There were 6 grade ≥ 3 TRAEs [hypertension, congestive heart failure (3), mucositis, and GI perforation (grade 5)]. CONCLUSIONS: In this cohort of heavily pretreated patients with advanced ccRCC, tivozanib yielded a modest clinical benefit in a minority of patients who received prior ICT, cabozantinib, and lenvatinib ± everolimus. TRAEs were consistent with previously published reports.

A phase II trial of apalutamide for intermediate-risk prostate cancer and molecular correlates.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether 6 months of preoperative apalutamide for intermediate-risk prostate cancer (IRPCa) reduces the aggregate postoperative radiotherapy risk and to evaluate associations of molecular perturbations with clinical outcomes in this study cohort. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between May 2018 and February 2020, eligible patients with IRPCa (Gleason 3 + 4 or 4 + 3 and clinical T2b-c or prostate-specific antigen level of 10-20 ng/mL) were treated with apalutamide 240 mg/day for 6 months followed by radical prostatectomy (RP) in this single-arm, phase II trial. The primary endpoint was presence of any adverse pathological feature at risk of pelvic radiation (pathological T stage after neoadjuvant therapy [yp]T3 or ypN1 or positive surgical margins). Translational studies, including germline and somatic DNA alterations and RNA and protein expression, were performed on post-apalutamide RP specimens, and assessed for associations with clinical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients underwent a RP, and only one patient discontinued apalutamide prior to 6 months. In all, 40% had adverse pathological features at time of RP, and the 3-year biochemical recurrence (BCR) rate was 15%, with 27.5% being not evaluable. Genomic alterations frequently seen in metastatic PCas, such as androgen receptor (AR), tumour protein p53 (TP53), phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN), or BReast CAncer associated gene (BRCA1/2) were underrepresented in this localised cohort. Adverse pathological features and BCR at 3-years were associated with increased expression of select cell cycle (e.g., E2F targets: adjusted P value [Padj] < 0.001, normalised enrichment score [NES] 2.47) and oxidative phosphorylation (Padj < 0.001, NES 1.62) pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative apalutamide did not reduce the aggregate postoperative radiation risk to the pre-specified threshold in unselected men with IRPCa. However, transcriptomic analysis identified key dysregulated pathways in tumours associated with adverse pathological outcomes and BCR, which warrant future study. Further investigation of preoperative therapy is underway for men with high-risk PCa.

Optimizing outcomes in men with prostate cancer: the cardiovascular event lowering (CaELo) pathways.

INTRODUCTION: Risk of cardiovascular disease is higher among men with prostate cancer than men without, and prostate cancer treatments (especially those that are hormonally based) are associated with increased cardiovascular risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An 11-member panel of urologic, medical, and radiation oncologists (along with a men's health specialist and an endocrinologist/preventive cardiologist) met to discuss current practices and challenges in the management of cardiovascular risk in prostate cancer patients who are taking androgen deprivation therapies (ADT) including LHRH analogues, alone and in combination with androgen-targeted therapies (ATTs). RESULTS: The panel developed an assessment algorithm to categorize patients by risk and deploy a risk-adapted management strategy, in collaboration with other healthcare providers (the patient's healthcare "village"), with the goal of preventing as well as reducing cardiovascular events. The panel also developed a patient questionnaire for cardiovascular risk as well as a checklist to ensure that all aspects of cardiovascular disease risk reduction are completed and monitored. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate cancer patients receiving ADT with or without ATT need to be more zealously assessed for prevention and aggressively managed to reduce cardiovascular events. This can and should include participation from the entire multidisciplinary healthcare team.

Immune Checkpoint Therapy Combinations in Adult Advanced MiT Family Translocation Renal Cell Carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: There remains a paucity of data regarding the efficacy of immune checkpoint therapy (ICT) combinations ± vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) targeted therapy (TT) in translocation renal cell carcinoma (tRCC). METHODS: This is a retrospective study of patients with advanced tRCC treated with ICT combinations at 11 centers in the US, France, and Belgium. Only cases with confirmed fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were included. Objective response rates (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) were assessed by RECIST, and overall survival (OS) was estimated by Kaplan-Meier methods. RESULTS: There were 29 patients identified with median age of 38 (21-70) years, and F:M ratio 0.9:1. FISH revealed TFE3 and TFEB translocations in 22 and 7 patients, respectively. Dual ICT and ICT + VEGF TT were used in 18 and 11 patients, respectively. Seventeen (59%) patients received ICT combinations as first-line therapy. ORR was 1/18 (5.5%) for dual ICT and 4/11 (36%) for ICT + VEGF TT. At a median follow-up of 12.9 months, median PFS was 2.8 and 5.4 months in the dual ICT and ICT + VEGF TT groups, respectively. Median OS from metastatic disease was 17.8 and 30.7 months in the dual ICT and ICT + VEGF TT groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective study of advanced tRCC, limited response and survival were seen after frontline dual ICT combination therapy, while ICT + VEGF TT therapy offered some efficacy. Due to the heterogeneity of tRCC, insights into the biological underpinnings are necessary to develop more effective therapies.

Treatment Outcomes in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma With Sarcomatoid and/or Rhabdoid Dedifferentiation After Progression on Immune Checkpoint Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Metastatic RCC with sarcomatoid and/or rhabdoid (S/R) dedifferentiation is an aggressive disease associated with improved response to immune checkpoint therapy (ICT). The outcomes of patients treated with VEGFR-targeted therapies (TT) following ICT progression have not been investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 57 patients with sarcomatoid (S), rhabdoid (R), or sarcomatoid plus rhabdoid (S + R) dedifferentiation who received any TT after progression on ICT at an academic cancer center. Clinical endpoints of interest included time on TT, overall survival (OS) from initiation of TT, and objective response rate (ORR) by RECIST version 1.1. Multivariable models adjusted for epithelial histology, IMDC risk, prior VEGFR TT, and inclusion of cabozantinib in the post-ICT TT regimen. RESULTS: 29/57 patients had S dedifferentiation and 19 had R dedifferentiation. The most frequently used TT was cabozantinib (43.9%) followed by selective VEGFR TT (22.8%). The median time on TT was 6.4 months for all, 6.1 months for those with S dedifferentiation, 15.6 months for R dedifferentiation, and 6.1 months for S + R dedifferentiation. Median OS from initiation of TT was 24.9 months for the entire cohort, and the ORR was 20.0%. Patients with R dedifferentiation had significantly longer time on TT than those with S dedifferentiation (HR 0.44, 95% CI, 0.21-0.94). IMDC risk was associated with OS. CONCLUSIONS: A subset of patients with S/R dedifferentiation derive clinical benefit from TT after they have progressive disease on ICT. Patients with R dedifferentiation appeared to derive more benefit from TT than those with S dedifferentiation.

Associations between alcohol and cigarette use and type 1 and 2 myocardial infarction among people with HIV.

OBJECTIVES: People with HIV have a higher risk of myocardial infarction (MI) than the general population, with a greater proportion of type 2 MI (T2MI) due to oxygen demand-supply mismatch compared with type 1 (T1MI) resulting from atherothrombotic plaque disruption. People living with HIV report a greater prevalence of cigarette and alcohol use than do the general population. Alcohol use and smoking as risk factors for MI by type are not well studied among people living with HIV. We examined longitudinal associations between smoking and alcohol use patterns and MI by type among people living with HIV. DESIGN AND METHODS: Using longitudinal data from the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems cohort, we conducted time-updated Cox proportional hazards models to determine the impact of smoking and alcohol consumption on adjudicated T1MI and T2MI. RESULTS: Among 13 506 people living with HIV, with a median 4 years of follow-up, we observed 177 T1MI and 141 T2MI. Current smoking was associated with a 60% increase in risk of both T1MI and T2MI. In addition, every cigarette smoked per day was associated with a 4% increase in risk of T1MI, with a suggestive, but not significant, 2% increase for T2MI. Cigarette use had a greater impact on T1MI for men than for women and on T2MI for women than for men. Increasing alcohol use was associated with a lower risk of T1MI but not T2MI. Frequency of heavy episodic alcohol use was not associated with MI. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings reinforce the prioritization of smoking reduction, even without cessation, and cessation among people living with HIV for MI prevention and highlight the different impacts on MI type by gender.

Imaging Regional Airway Involvement of Asthma: Heterogeneity in Ventilation, Mucus Plugs and Remodeling.

The imaging of asthma using chest computed tomography (CT) is well-established (Jarjour et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med 185(4):356-62, 2012; Castro et al., J Allergy Clin Immunol 128:467-78, 2011). Moreover, recent advances in functional imaging of the lungs with advanced computer analysis of both CT and magnetic resonance images (MRI) of the lungs have begun to play a role in quantifying regional obstruction. Specifically, quantitative measurements of the airways for bronchial wall thickening, luminal narrowing and distortion, the amount of mucus plugging, parenchymal density, and ventilation defects that could contribute to the patient's disease course are instructive for the entire care team. In this chapter, we will review common imaging methods and findings that relate to the heterogeneity of asthma. This information can help to guide treatment decisions. We will discuss mucous plugging, quantitative assessment of bronchial wall thickening, delta lumen phenomenon, parenchymal low-density lung on CT, and ventilation defect percentage on MRI as metrics for assessing regional ventilatory dysfunction.

Efficacy of Cabozantinib in Metastatic MiT Family Translocation Renal Cell Carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: MiT family translocation renal cell carcinoma (TRCC) is a rare and aggressive subgroup of renal cell carcinoma harboring high expression of c-MET. While TRCC response rates to VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors are limited, efficacy of cabozantinib (a VEGFR, MET, and AXL inhibitor) in this subgroup is unclear. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, retrospective, international cohort study of patients with TRCC treated with cabozantinib. The main objectives were to estimate response rate according to RECIST 1.1 and to analyze progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Fifty-two patients with metastatic TRCC treated in the participating centers and evaluable for response were included. Median age at metastatic diagnosis was 40 years (IQR 28.5-53). Patients' IMDC risk groups at diagnosis were favorable (9/52), intermediate (35/52), and poor (8/52). Eleven (21.2%) patients received cabozantinib as frontline therapy, 15 (28.8%) at second line, and 26 (50%) at third line and beyond. The proportion of patients who achieved an objective response was 17.3%, including 2 complete responses and 7 partial responses. For 26 (50%) patients, stable disease was the best response. With a median follow-up of 25.1 months (IQR 12.6-39), median PFS was 6.8 months (95%CI 4.6-16.3) and median OS was 18.3 months (95%CI 17.0-30.6). No difference of response was identified according to fusion transcript features. CONCLUSION: This real-world study provides evidence of the activity of cabozantinib in TRCC, with more durable responses than those observed historically with other VEGFR-TKIs or ICIs.

Hyperpolarized 129Xe MR Spectroscopy in the Lung Shows 1-year Reduced Function in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Background Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a temporally and spatially heterogeneous lung disease. Identifying whether IPF in a patient is progressive or stable is crucial for treatment regimens. Purpose To assess the role of hyperpolarized (HP) xenon 129 (129Xe) MRI measures of ventilation and gas transfer in IPF generally and as an early signature of future IPF progression. Materials and Methods In a prospective study, healthy volunteers and participants with IPF were consecutively recruited between December 2015 and August 2019 and underwent baseline HP 129Xe MRI and chest CT. Participants with IPF were followed up with forced vital capacity percent predicted (FVC%p), diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide percent predicted (DLco%p), and clinical outcome at 1 year. IPF progression was defined as reduction in FVC%p by at least 10%, reduction in DLco%p by at least 15%, or admission to hospice care. CT and MRI were spatially coregistered and a measure of pulmonary gas transfer (red blood cell [RBC]-to-barrier ratio) and high-ventilation percentage of lung volume were compared across groups and across fibrotic versus normal-appearing regions at CT by using Wilcoxon signed rank tests. Results Sixteen healthy volunteers (mean age, 57 years ± 14 [SD]; 10 women) and 22 participants with IPF (mean age, 71 years ± 9; 15 men) were evaluated, as follows: nine IPF progressors (mean age, 72 years ± 7; five women) and 13 nonprogressors (mean age, 70 years ± 10; 11 men). Reduction of high-ventilation percent (13% ± 6.1 vs 8.2% ± 5.9; P = .03) and RBC-to-barrier ratio (0.26 ± 0.06 vs 0.20 ± 0.06; P = .03) at baseline were associated with progression of IPF. Participants with progressive disease had reduced RBC-to-barrier ratio in structurally normal-appearing lung at CT (0.21 ± 0.07 vs 0.28 ± 0.05; P = .01) but not in fibrotic regions of the lung (0.15 ± 0.09 vs 0.14 ± 0.04; P = .62) relative to the nonprogressive group. Conclusion In this preliminary study, functional measures of gas transfer and ventilation measured with xenon 129 MRI and the extent of fibrotic structure at CT were associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis disease progression. Differences in gas transfer were found in regions of nonfibrotic lung. © RSNA, 2022 Online supplemental material is available for this article. See also the editorial by Gleeson and Fraser in this issue.

Dynamic contrast enhanced MRI for the evaluation of lung perfusion in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this work was to apply quantitative and semiquantitative dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) methods to evaluate lung perfusion in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). METHODS: In this prospective trial 41 subjects, including healthy control and IPF subjects, were studied using DCE-MRI at baseline. IPF subjects were then followed for 1 year; progressive IPF (IPFprog) subjects were distinguished from stable IPF (IPFstable) subjects based on a decline in percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC % pred) or diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D LCO % pred) measured during follow-up visits. 35 out of 41 subjects were retained for final baseline analysis (control: n=15; IPFstable: n=14; IPFprog: n=6). Seven measures and their coefficients of variation (CV) were derived using temporally resolved DCE-MRI. Two sets of global and regional comparisons were made: control versus IPF groups and control versus IPFstable versus IPFprog groups, using linear regression analysis. Each measure was compared with FVC % pred, D LCO % pred and the lung clearance index (LCI % pred) using a Spearman rank correlation. RESULTS: DCE-MRI identified regional perfusion differences between control and IPF subjects using first moment transit time (FMTT), contrast uptake slope and pulmonary blood flow (PBF) (p≤0.05), while global averages did not. FMTT was shorter for IPFprog compared with both IPFstable (p=0.004) and control groups (p=0.023). Correlations were observed between PBF CV and D LCO % pred (rs= -0.48, p=0.022) and LCI % pred (rs= +0.47, p=0.015). Significant group differences were detected in age (p<0.001), D LCO % pred (p<0.001), FVC % pred (p=0.001) and LCI % pred (p=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Global analysis obscures regional changes in pulmonary haemodynamics in IPF using DCE-MRI in IPF. Decreased FMTT may be a candidate marker for IPF progression.

Tobacco smoking and binge alcohol use are associated with incident venous thromboembolism in an HIV cohort.

BACKGROUND: People with HIV (PWH) are at increased risk of cardiovascular comorbidities and substance use is a potential predisposing factor. We evaluated associations of tobacco smoking and alcohol use with venous thromboembolism (VTE) in PWH. METHODS: We assessed incident, centrally adjudicated VTE among 12 957 PWH within the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS) cohort between January 2009 and December 2018. Using separate Cox proportional hazards models, we evaluated associations of time-updated alcohol and cigarette use with VTE, adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics. Smoking was evaluated as pack-years and never, former, or current use with current cigarettes per day. Alcohol use was parameterized using categorical and continuous alcohol use score, frequency of use, and binge frequency. RESULTS: During a median of 3.6 years of follow-up, 213 PWH developed a VTE. One-third of PWH reported binge drinking and 40% reported currently smoking. In adjusted analyses, risk of VTE was increased among both current (HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.02-2.03) and former (HR: 1.44, 95% CI: 0.99-2.07) smokers compared to PWH who never smoked. Additionally, total pack-years among ever-smokers (HR: 1.10 per 5 pack-years; 95% CI: 1.03-1.18) was associated with incident VTE in a dose-dependent manner. Frequency of binge drinking was associated with incident VTE (HR: 1.30 per 7 days/month, 95% CI: 1.11-1.52); however, alcohol use frequency was not. Severity of alcohol use was not significantly associated with VTE. CONCLUSIONS: Current smoking and pack-year smoking history were dose-dependently associated with incident VTE among PWH in CNICS. Binge drinking was also associated with VTE. Interventions for smoking and binge drinking may decrease VTE risk among PWH.

Lenvatinib with or Without Everolimus in Patients with Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma After Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapies.

INTRODUCTION: Lenvatinib (Len) plus everolimus (Eve) is an approved therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) after first-line vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (VEGFR-TKIs), but limited data exist on the efficacy of Len ± Eve after progression on immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and VEGFR-TKIs. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with mRCC at our institution who were treated with Len ± Eve after ICI and VEGFR-TKI. A blinded radiologist assessed objective response as defined by RECIST version 1.1. Descriptive statistics and the Kaplan-Meier method were used. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were included in the analysis. Of these patients, 81.8% had clear-cell histology (ccRCC), and 76.4% had International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium intermediate-risk disease. Median number of prior therapies was four (range, 2-10); all patients had prior ICIs and VEGFR-TKIs, and 80% were previously treated with ICI and at least two VEGFR-TKIs, including cabozantinib. One patient (1.8%) achieved a complete response, and 11 patients (20.0%) achieved a partial response, for an overall response rate (ORR) of 21.8%; 35 patients (63.6%) achieved stable disease. In all patients, median progression-free survival (PFS) was 6.2 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.8-9.4) and median overall survival (OS) was 12.1 months (95% CI, 8.8-16.0). In patients with ccRCC, ORR was 24.4%, PFS was 7.1 months (95% CI, 5.0-10.5), and OS was 11.7 months (95% CI, 7.9-16.1). 50.9% of patients required dose reductions and 7.3% discontinued treatment because of toxicity. CONCLUSION: Len ± Eve demonstrated meaningful clinical activity and tolerability in heavily pretreated patients with mRCC after disease progression with prior ICIs and VEGFR-TKIs. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: As the therapeutic landscape for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma continues to evolve, this single-center, retrospective review highlights the real-world efficacy of lenvatinib with or without everolimus in heavily pretreated patients. This article supports the use of lenvatinib with or without everolimus as a viable salvage strategy for patients whose disease progresses after treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapies, including cabozantinib.

Radium-223 plus Enzalutamide Versus Enzalutamide in Metastatic Castration-Refractory Prostate Cancer: Final Safety and Efficacy Results.

LESSONS LEARNED: Long-term safety of radium-223 with enzalutamide was confirmed in this clinical trial. PSA-PFS2 was prolonged with the combination compared with enzalutamide alone. BACKGROUND: Previously, we showed the combination of radium-223 and enzalutamide to be safe and associated with improved efficacy based on a concomitant decline in serum bone metabolism markers compared with enzalutamide alone in a phase II trial of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) [1]. METHODS: Secondary endpoints were not included in our initial report, and we include them herein, after a median follow-up of 22 months. These objectives included long-term safety, prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-progression-free survival (PFS), and radiographic progression-free survival; PSA-PFS2 (time from start of protocol therapy to PSA progression on subsequent therapy); time to next therapy (TTNT); and overall survival (OS). Survival analysis and log-rank tests were performed using the R statistical package v.4.0.2 (https://www.r-project.org). Statistical significance was defined as p < .05. RESULTS: Of 47 patients (median age, 68 years), 35 received the combination and 12 enzalutamide alone. After a median follow-up of 22 months, final safety results did not show any increase in fractures or other adverse events in the combination arm. PSA-PFS2 was significantly improved, and other efficacy parameters were numerically improved in the combination over the enzalutamide arm. CONCLUSION: The combination of enzalutamide and radium-223 was found to be safe and associated with promising efficacy in men with mCRPC. These hypothesis-generating results portend well for the ongoing phase III PEACE III trial in this setting.

Identification of Somatic Gene Signatures in Circulating Cell-Free DNA Associated with Disease Progression in Metastatic Prostate Cancer by a Novel Machine Learning Platform.

PURPOSE: Progression from metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) to a castration-resistant (mCRPC) state heralds the lethal phenotype of prostate cancer. Identifying genomic alterations associated with mCRPC may help find new targets for drug development. In the majority of patients, obtaining a tumor biopsy is challenging because of the predominance of bone-only metastasis. In this study, we hypothesize that machine learning (ML) algorithms can identify clinically relevant patterns of genomic alterations (GAs) that distinguish mCRPC from mCSPC, as assessed by next-generation sequencing (NGS) of circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Retrospective clinical data from men with metastatic prostate cancer were collected. Men with NGS of cfDNA performed at a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified laboratory at time of diagnosis of mCSPC or mCRPC were included. A combination of supervised and unsupervised ML algorithms was used to obtain biologically interpretable, potentially actionable insights into genomic signatures that distinguish mCRPC from mCSPC. RESULTS: GAs that distinguish patients with mCRPC (n = 187) from patients with mCSPC (n = 154) (positive predictive value = 94%, specificity = 91%) were identified using supervised ML algorithms. These GAs, primarily amplifications, corresponded to androgen receptor, Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, Phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling, G1/S cell cycle, and receptor tyrosine kinases. We also identified recurrent patterns of gene- and pathway-level alterations associated with mCRPC by using Bayesian networks, an unsupervised machine learning algorithm. CONCLUSION: These results provide clinical evidence that progression from mCSPC to mCRPC is associated with stereotyped concomitant gain-of-function aberrations in these pathways. Furthermore, detection of these aberrations in cfDNA may overcome the challenges associated with obtaining tumor bone biopsies and allow contemporary investigation of combinatorial therapies that target these aberrations. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The progression from castration-sensitive to castration-resistant prostate cancer is characterized by worse prognosis and there is a pressing need for targeted drugs to prevent or delay this transition. This study used machine learning algorithms to examine the cell-free DNA of patients to identify alterations to specific pathways and genes associated with progression. Detection of these alterations in cell-free DNA may overcome the challenges associated with obtaining tumor bone biopsies and allow contemporary investigation of combinatorial therapies that target these aberrations.

Pembrolizumab for advanced penile cancer: a case series from a phase II basket trial.

BACKGROUND: Treatment options for unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic penile squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are limited. Previous studies have shown that 40-62% of patients with penile SCC express PD-L1. We report three cases of locally advanced or metastatic penile SCC treated with pembrolizumab. CASE PRESENTATIONS: Herein, we present three patients with recurrent, locally advanced or metastatic penile SCC who progressed on a platinum-based chemotherapy triplet and were treated with pembrolizumab, administered as part of a phase II clinical trial for rare tumors (NCT02721732). One patient with a microsatellite instability high (MSI-H) tumor experienced a durable partial response to pembrolizumab, underwent surgical consolidation, and remains disease-free 38.7 months later. Two patients experienced progressive disease within 3 months of beginning pembrolizumab. No one experienced a grade 3 or worse treatment-related adverse event. CONCLUSION: In sum, single-agent pembrolizumab was well tolerated as salvage therapy in a small cohort of patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic penile SCC. Pembrolizumab produced an objective response in an MSI-H tumor, yet it did not control disease in two patients with MSS penile SCC. Rationale combination therapies, including pembrolizumab, warrant further investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02721732 . Registered March 23, 2016.

Effects of neonatal lung abnormalities on parenchymal R2 * estimates.

Infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) often suffer from multifaceted pulmonary morbidities that are not well understood. Ultrashort echo time (UTE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a promising technique for pulmonary imaging in this population without requiring exposure to ionizing radiation. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of neonatal pulmonary disease on R2 * and tissue density and to utilize numerical simulations to evaluate the effect of different alveolar structures on predicted R2 *.This was a prospective study, in which 17 neonatal human subjects (five control, seven with bronchopulmonary dysplasia [BPD], five with congenital diaphragmatic hernia [CDH]) were enrolled. Twelve subjects were male and five were female, with postmenstrual age (PMA) at MRI of 39.7 ± 4.7 weeks. A 1.5T/multiecho three-dimensional UTE MRI was used. Pulmonary R2 * and tissue density were compared across disease groups over the whole lung and regionally. A spherical shell alveolar model was used to predict the expected R2 * over a range of tissue densities and tissue susceptibilities. Tests for significantly different mean R2 * and tissue densities across disease groups were evaluated using analysis of variance, with subsequent pairwise group comparisons performed using t tests. Lung tissue density was lower in the ipsilateral lung in CDH compared to both controls and BPD patients (both p < 0.05), while only the contralateral lung in CDH (CDHc) had higher whole-lung R2 * than both controls and BPD (both p < 0.05). R2 * differences were significant between controls and CDHc within all tissue density ranges (all p < 0.05) with the exception of the 80%-90% range (p = 0.17). Simulations predicted an inverse relationship between alveolar tissue density and R2 * that matches empirical human data. Alveolar wall thickness had no effect on R2 * independent of density (p = 1). The inverse relationship between R2 * and tissue density is influenced by the presence of disease globally and regionally in neonates with BPD and CDH in the NICU. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2. TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.

Drug and alcohol use among people living with HIV in care in the United States by geographic region.

Substance use in the U.S. varies by geographic region. Opioid prescribing practices and marijuana, heroin, and methamphetamine availability are evolving differently across regions. We examined self-reported substance use among people living with HIV (PLWH) in care at seven sites from 2017-2019 to understand current regional substance use patterns. We calculated the percentage and standardized percentage of PLWH reporting current drug use and at-risk and binge alcohol use by U.S. Census Bureau geographic region and examined associations in adjusted logistic regression analyses. Among 7,686 PLWH, marijuana use was the most prevalent drug (30%), followed by methamphetamine/crystal (8%), cocaine/crack (7%), and illicit opioids (3%). One-third reported binge alcohol use (32%). Differences in percent of current use by region were seen for marijuana (24-41%) and methamphetamine/crystal (2-15%), with more use in the West and Northeast, and binge alcohol use (26-40%). In adjusted analyses, PLWH in the Midwest were significantly less likely to use methamphetamine/crystal (aOR: 0.13;0.06-0.25) or illicit opioids (aOR:0.16;0.05-0.53), and PLWH in the Northeast were more likely to use cocaine/crack (aOR:1.59;1.16-2.17), compared to PLWH in the West. Understanding differences in substance use patterns in the current era, as policies continue to evolve, will enable more targeted interventions in clinical settings among PLWH.

A Phase I Study of Alpha-1,3-Galactosyltransferase-Expressing Allogeneic Renal Cell Carcinoma Immunotherapy in Patients with Refractory Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma.

LESSONS LEARNED: HyperAcute Renal immunotherapy was well tolerated and demonstrated antitumor activity in patients requiring salvage-line treatment for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). HyperAcute Renal immunotherapy was safely administered with concomitant salvage-line treatments for mRCC, and it may be a candidate for inclusion in novel combinations for salvage treatment of mRCC because of its unique mechanism of action. BACKGROUND: HyperAcute Renal (HAR) immunotherapy exploits a naturally occurring barrier to xenotransplantation and zoonotic infections in humans to immunize patients against metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) cells. HAR consists of two allogeneic renal cancer cell lines genetically modified to express α(1,3)Gal, to which humans have an inherent pre-existing immunity. METHODS: Patients with refractory mRCC were eligible for this phase I dose-escalation trial. Concomitant treatment was permitted after the initial 2 months of HAR monotherapy. HAR was injected intradermally weekly for 4 weeks then biweekly for 20 weeks, totaling 14 immunizations. The primary endpoint was safety and determination of a maximum tolerated dose (MTD). RESULTS: Among 18 patients enrolled, two grade 3 adverse events (AEs) were attributed to HAR, lymphopenia and injection site reaction, and no grade 4/5 AEs occurred. The recommended phase II dose (RP2D) was 300 million cells. One patient had a partial response and eight patients had stable disease, for a disease control rate of 50% (9/18). Median overall survival with low-dose HAR was 14.2 months and was 25.3 months with high-dose HAR. CONCLUSION: In pretreated mRCC, HAR immunotherapy was well tolerated and demonstrated antitumor activity. HAR immunotherapy may be a candidate for inclusion in novel combinations for salvage treatment of mRCC.

Transverse relaxation rates of pulmonary dissolved-phase Hyperpolarized 129 Xe as a biomarker of lung injury in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

PURPOSE: The MR properties (chemical shifts and R2∗ decay rates) of dissolved-phase hyperpolarized (HP) 129 Xe are confounded by the large magnetic field inhomogeneity present in the lung. This work improves measurements of these properties using a model-based image reconstruction to characterize the R2∗ decay rates of dissolved-phase HP 129 Xe in healthy subjects and patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). METHODS: Whole-lung MRS and 3D radial MRI with four gradient echoes were performed after inhalation of HP 129 Xe in healthy subjects and patients with IPF. A model-based image reconstruction formulated as a regularized optimization problem was solved iteratively to measure regional signal intensity in the gas, barrier, and red blood cell (RBC) compartments, while simultaneously measuring their chemical shifts and R2∗ decay rates. RESULTS: The estimation of spectral properties reduced artifacts in images of HP 129 Xe in the gas, barrier, and RBC compartments and improved image SNR by over 20%. R2∗ decay rates of the RBC and barrier compartments were lower in patients with IPF compared to healthy subjects (P < 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively) and correlated to DLCO (R = 0.71 and 0.64, respectively). Chemical shift of the RBC component measured with whole-lung spectroscopy was significantly different between IPF and normal subjects (P = 0.022). CONCLUSION: Estimates for R2∗ in both barrier and RBC dissolved-phase HP 129 Xe compartments using a regional signal model improved image quality for dissolved-phase images and provided additional biomarkers of lung injury in IPF.