Transcriptional programs that control expression of the autoimmune regulator gene Aire.

Aire is a transcriptional regulator that induces promiscuous expression of thousands of genes encoding tissue-restricted antigens (TRAs) in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs). While the target genes of Aire are well characterized, the transcriptional programs that regulate its own expression have remained elusive. Here we comprehensively analyzed both cis-acting and trans-acting regulatory mechanisms and found that the Aire locus was insulated by the global chromatin organizer CTCF and was hypermethylated in cells and tissues that did not express Aire. In mTECs, however, Aire expression was facilitated by concurrent eviction of CTCF, specific demethylation of exon 2 and the proximal promoter, and the coordinated action of several transcription activators, including Irf4, Irf8, Tbx21, Tcf7 and Ctcfl, which acted on mTEC-specific accessible regions in the Aire locus.

Medical cannabis and its effect on oncological outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer treated with PARP inhibitors.

BACKGROUND: Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi) play a pivotal role in ovarian cancer management. With medical cannabis emerging as a novel component of supportive care, this study investigated the impact of medical cannabis use on oncological outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer undergoing PARPi therapy. METHODS: The study included patients from a single institution database treated for ovarian cancer between January 2014 and January 2020 who received PARPi maintenance therapy in a first-line or recurrent disease setting after a confirmed response to platinum-based treatment. The study categorized patients as cannabis users and cannabis-naïve. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis and the Kaplan-Meier method were used to assess the effects of medical cannabis use on the duration of PARPi therapy, progression-free survival, and overall survival. RESULTS: Among the eligible patients (n=93), most were cannabis-naïve (69%, n=64) while the rest used medical cannabis (31%, n=29). Medical cannabis use rates were comparable for patients receiving PARPi therapy post-primary treatment or for recurrence (42%, n=9, vs 27%, n=20; p=0.1). Both groups exhibited similar median duration for PARPi therapy (12.1 vs 9.5 months; p=0.89) and progression-free survival (20 vs 21 months; p=0.83). Kaplan-Meier analysis detected no differences in progression-free survival associated with cannabis use. Although cannabis users had an extended overall survival compared with the cannabis-naïve group (129.3 vs 99 months; p=0.03), cannabis use was insignificant for overall survival on multivariate analysis (p=0.10). Multivariate analysis showed stage IV at diagnosis (p=0.02) to be the sole factor associated with progression-free survival (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: Medical cannabis usage in patients receiving PARPi treatment showed no association with duration of PARPi therapy, progression-free survival, or overall survival.

An old diagnostic tool for new indications: inpatient Holter ECG for conditions other than syncope or stroke.

Holter electrocardiography (ECG) assists in the diagnosis of arrhythmias. Its use in the inpatient setting has been described solely for the evaluation of stroke and syncope. Our aim was to assess its diagnostic value for other conditions in the internal medicine department. We included all hospitalized patients between 2018 and 2021 in a tertiary referral center. The primary outcome was a diagnostic Holter recording a new arrhythmia that led to a change in treatment. Overall, 289 patients completed a 24-h inpatient Holter ECG for conditions other than syncope or stroke, with 39 (13%) diagnostic findings. The highest diagnostic value was found in patients admitted for pre-syncope (19%), palpitations (18%), and unexplained heart failure exacerbation/dyspnea (17%). A low diagnostic yield was found for the evaluation of chest pain (5%). Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (adjusted OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1-5.4, p = 0.04), and baseline ECG with either a bundle branch block (AOR 4.2, 95% CI 1.9-9.2, p < 0.01) or atrioventricular block (first or second degree, AOR 5, 95% CI 2.04-12.3, p < 0.01) were among the independent predictors for a diagnostic test. Inpatient Holter ECG monitoring may have value as a diagnostic tool for selected patients with conditions other than syncope or stroke.

Effectiveness and safety of standard chemotherapy in older patients with ovarian cancer: a retrospective analysis by age group and treatment regimen.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of standard chemotherapy administered to patients >70 years with advanced ovarian cancer (OC). Methods: Medical records of 956 advanced-stage patients with OC treated between 2002-2020 with standard surgery and paclitaxel-carboplatin chemotherapy in a three-weekly (PC-3W) or weekly (PC-1W) regimen were reviewed. Treatment response and tolerability were compared between patients ≤70 years (N=723) and >70 years (N=233) with stratification to septuagenarians (>70-80 years) and octogenarians (>80 years). Results: Median overall survival (mOS) in patients >70 was 41.26 months (95% confidence interval [Cl], 37.22-45.14) and median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 11.04 months (95% Cl, 8.97-15.74). No statistically significant differences in mPFS and mOS were observed between septuagenarians and octogenarians. Patients >70 treated with PC-1W versus PC-3W had significantly longer mOS (57.17 versus 30.00 months) and mPFS (19.09 versus 8.15 months). Toxicity rates were mostly similar between younger and older patients. Among patients >70 treated with PC-1W, the rate of neutropenia (75.7% versus 51.8%, p=0.0005), thrombocytopenia (41.0% versus 22.2%, p=0.0042) and anemia (78.1% versus 51.9%, p<0.0001) were significantly higher and the rate of grade 2 alopecia was statistically significantly lower compared with those >70 treated with PC-3W. Significantly more patients treated with PC-1W completed ≥6 chemotherapy cycles, suggesting better tolerability of this regimen. Conclusions: Older patients with OC may benefit from improved OS with reasonable toxicity if treated with standard chemotherapy. Older patients treated with PC-1W are more likely to complete the full chemotherapy course and survive longer compared with those treated with conventional PC-3W.

Interleukin 23 Produced by Hepatic Monocyte-Derived Macrophages Is Essential for the Development of Murine Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

Background and Aims: Primary Biliary Cholangitis (PBC) is an organ-specific autoimmune liver disease. Mononuclear phagocytes (MNPs), comprise of monocyte, dendritic cells and monocyte-derived macrophages, constitute major arm of the innate immune system known to be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune disorders. MNPs were shown to accumulate around intra-hepatic bile ducts in livers of PBC patients. Interleukin 23 (IL-23) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine. IL-23-positive cells were detected in livers of patients with advanced stage PBC and IL-23 serum levels found to be in correlation with PBC disease severity. Our overall goal was to assess the importance of IL-23 derived from MNPs in PBC pathogenesis. Methods: We utilized an inducible murine model of PBC and took advantage of transgenic mice targeting expression of IL-23 by specific MNP populations. Analysis included liver histology assessment, flow cytometry of hepatic immune cells and hepatic cytokine profile evaluation. Specific MNPs sub-populations were sorted and assessed for IL-23 expression levels. Results: Flow cytometry analysis of non-parenchymal liver cells in autoimmune cholangitis revealed massive infiltration of the liver by MNPs and neutrophils and a decrease in Kupffer cells numbers. In addition, a 4-fold increase in the incidence of hepatic IL-17A producing CD4+ T cells was found to be associated with an increase in hepatic IL23-p19 and IL17A expression levels. Disease severity was significantly ameliorated in both CD11ccreP19flox/flox and CX3CR1creP19 flox/flox mice as assessed by reduced portal inflammation and decreased hepatic expression of various inflammatory cytokines. Amelioration of disease severity was associated with reduction in IL-17A producing CD4+ T cells percentages and decreased hepatic IL23-p19 and IL17A expression levels. qRT-PCR analysis of sorted hepatic MNPs demonstrated high expression levels of IL-23 mRNA specifically by CX3CR1hiCD11c+ monocyte-derived macrophages. Conclusion: Our results indicate a major role for IL-23 produced by hepatic monocyte-derived macrophages in the pathogenesis of PBC. These results may pave the road for the development of new immune-based and cell specific therapeutic modalities for PBC patients not responding to current therapies.