Phenotypic spectrum and tumor risk in Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome: Case series and comprehensive literature review.

Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) is a rare congenital overgrowth condition characterized by macrosomia, macroglossia, coarse facial features, and development delays. It is caused by pathogenic variants in the GPC3 gene on chromosome Xq26.2. Here, we performed a comprehensive literature review and phenotyping of known patients with molecularly confirmed SGBS and reviewed a novel cohort of 22 patients. Using these data, we characterized the tumor risk for Wilms tumor and hepatoblastoma to suggest appropriate screening for this patient population. In addition, we discuss the phenotypic overlap between SGBS and Beckwith-Wiedemann Spectrum.

Heroin or fentanyl: Prevalence of confirmed fentanyl in ED patients with suspected heroin overdose.

Background: United States drug overdose deaths are being driven by the increasing prevalence of fentanyl, but whether patients are knowingly using fentanyl is unclear. We examined the analytical confirmation of fentanyl in emergency department (ED) patients with documented heroin overdose. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that the proportion of fentanyl and fentanyl analogs would be higher than that of confirmed heroin. Methods: This is a subgroup analysis from a prospective multicenter consecutive cohort of ED patients age 18+ with opioid overdose presenting to 10 US sites within the Toxicology Investigators Consortium from 2020 to 2021. Toxicology analysis was performed using liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. De-identified toxicology results were paired with the clinical database. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with fentanyl analytes detected in their serum. Results: Of 1006 patients screened, 406 were eligible, and of 168 patients who reported that they had taken heroin or had a documented heroin overdose, 88% (n = 147) were in fact found to have fentanyl and/or a fentanyl analog present on serum analysis (p < 0.0001). In contrast, only 46 of the 168 patients with reported or documented heroin overdose (27%) were found to have heroin biomarkers present. Conclusion: The prevalence of confirmed fentanyl in ED patients with suspected heroin overdose was extremely high, while the prevalence of heroin was very low. There was a high degree of mismatch between the opioids believed to be the overdose agent versus the actual opioids identified on serum toxicology. Clinicians in the United States should presume that fentanyl is involved in all illicit opioid overdoses and should counsel patients on harm reduction measures.

Branched-Chain Amino Acids Deficiency Promotes Diabetic Neuropathic Pain Through Upregulating LAT1 and Inhibiting Kv1.2 Channel.

Diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP), one of the most common complications of diabetes, is characterized by bilateral symmetrical distal limb pain and substantial morbidity. To compare the differences  is aimed at serum metabolite levels between 81 DNP and 73 T2DM patients without neuropathy and found that the levels of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are significantly lower in DNP patients than in T2DM patients. In high-fat diet/low-dose streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced T2DM and leptin receptor-deficient diabetic (db/db) mouse models, it is verified that BCAA deficiency aggravated, whereas BCAA supplementation alleviated DNP symptoms. Mechanistically, using a combination of RNA sequencing of mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) tissues and label-free quantitative proteomic analysis of cultured cells, it is found that BCAA deficiency activated the expression of L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1) through ATF4, which is reversed by BCAA supplementation. Abnormally upregulated LAT1 reduced Kv1.2 localization to the cell membrane, and inhibited Kv1.2 channels, thereby increasing neuronal excitability and causing neuropathy. Furthermore, intraperitoneal injection of the LAT1 inhibitor, BCH, alleviated DNP symptoms in mice, confirming that BCAA-deficiency-induced LAT1 activation contributes to the onset of DNP. These findings provide fresh insights into the metabolic differences between DNP and T2DM, and the development of approaches for the management of DNP.

CD19-directed CART Therapy for T cell/Histiocyte Rich Large B-cell Lymphoma.

T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphoma (THRLBCL) is a rare histologic variant of LBCL. Limited data regarding CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CART) therapy in relapsed/refractory (R/R) THRLBCL suggest poor efficacy. We investigated CART outcomes for R/R THRLBCL through the CIBMTR registry. A total of 58 adult patients with R/R THRLBCL who received commercial CD19-CART between 2018-2022 were identified. Most patients (67%) had early relapse of disease (45% primary refractory) with a median of 3 (range: 1-7) prior therapies and were treated with Axicabtagene ciloleucel (69%). At median follow-up of 23 months post-CART, 2-year overall and progression-free survival were 42% (95% CI: 27-57) and 29% (95% CI: 17-43), respectively. In univariable analysis, poor performance status pre-CART was associated with higher mortality (HR 2.35, 95%CI 1.02-5.5). The 2-year cumulative incidences of relapse/progression and non-relapse mortality were 69% and 2%, respectively. Grade ≥3 CRS and ICANS occurred in 7% and 15% of patients, respectively. In this largest analysis of CD19-CART for R/R THRLBCL, approximately 30% of patients were alive and progression-free 2 years post-CART. Despite a high incidence of progression (69% at 2 years), these results suggest a subset of patients with R/R THRLBCL may have durable responses with CART.

Atezolizumab combined with immunogenic salvage chemoimmunotherapy in patients with transformed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Patients with relapsed/refractory (R/R) transformed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) from indolent B-cell lymphomas, including Richter transformation (RT), have a poor prognosis. PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies produce modest objective and complete response rates (ORR and CRR) in B-NHL as monotherapy but may synergize with immunogenic chemotherapies like gemcitabine and oxaliplatin (GemOx). Thus, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of atezolizumab plus rituximab and GemOx (R-GemOx+Atezo) in R/R transformed DLBCL, including RT. We conducted a phase I trial including patients with transformed DLBCL after ≥1 prior therapy. Patients received up to 4 cycles of R-GemOx-+Atezo. Patients in CR could then proceed to Ratezo maintenance until progression. A safety lead-in with dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) evaluation was enrolled to confirm the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), followed by 2 expansion cohorts: one for transformed follicular lymphoma (FL) and another for non-FL transformed DLBCL, including RT. Twenty-seven patients were enrolled. One of the 6 safety lead-in patients had a DLT attributed to atezolizumab, a grade 4 Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS). The most common grade ≥3 events were neutropenia (18.5%), lymphopenia (18.5%), and thrombocytopenia (14.8%). The overall and complete response rates (ORR and CRR) were 59% and 33%, respectively. The ORR and CRR in transformed FL were 79% and 43%, and 38% and 23% in transformed non-FL, respectively. The median PFS and OS of the total population were 4.2 and 7.7 months, respectively. R-GemOx+Atezo was well tolerated and demonstrated promising preliminary efficacy in patients with R/R transformed DLBCL.

Brentuximab vedotin plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, etoposide, and prednisone followed by brentuximab vedotin consolidation in CD30-positive peripheral T-cell lymphomas: a multicentre, single-arm, phase 2 study.

BACKGROUND: CD30 expression is universal in anaplastic large-cell lymphoma and is expressed in some other peripheral T-cell lymphoma subtypes. Incorporation of brentuximab vedotin into initial therapy for people with CD30-positive peripheral T-cell lymphomas prolonged progression-free survival, but there is room for improvement, especially for people with non-anaplastic large-cell lymphoma subtypes. METHODS: We conducted a multicentre, international, single-arm, phase 2 trial to evaluate the safety and activity of CHEP-BV (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, prednisone, brentuximab vedotin, and etoposide) followed by brentuximab vedotin consolidation in patients with CD30-expressing peripheral T-cell lymphomas across five academic centres in the USA and Canada. Adults aged 18 years or older with newly diagnosed, untreated CD30-positive peripheral T-cell lymphomas, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score of 0-2, and adequate organ function were eligible to receive six planned cycles of CHEP-BV (ie, 1·8 mg/kg brentuximab vedotin intravenously on day 1, cyclophosphamide 750 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1, doxorubicin 50 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1, etoposide 100 mg/m2 daily intravenously on days 1-3, and prednisone 100 mg daily orally on days 1-5) with prophylactic G-CSF. Patients who responded to the treatment could receive brentuximab vedotin consolidation for up to ten additional cycles either after autologous haematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) or directly after CHEP-BV. The primary endpoints were unacceptable toxicity during a 3-plus-3 safety lead-in in participants who received study treatment and completed the safety evaluation period (to confirm the recommended phase 2 dose of brentuximab vedotin in CHEP-BV) and the complete response rate after CHEP-BV induction therapy in participants who received study treatment and had response evaluation. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03113500), and this cohort completed the trial. The trial is ongoing with the enrolment of a new cohort. FINDINGS: 54 patients were screened for eligibility and 48 were eligible for the study. The participants (18 [38%] women and 30 [63%] men; 34 [71%] White, four [8%] Black, five [10%] Asian, ten [21%] Hispanic, and 37 [77%] non-Hispanic people) were recruited and enrolled between Dec 4, 2017, and June 14, 2021, and followed up until Aug 25, 2023, when the database was locked for analysis. 48 participants were evaluable for toxicity, and 47 were evaluable for response (one participant died from COVID-19 before response assessment). During the safety lead-in, one of six participants had an unacceptable toxicity (ie, platelet count <10 000 per mm3 in a participant with extensive bone marrow involvement), and the proposed phase 2 dose of 1·8 mg/kg brentuximab vedotin in CHEP-BV was confirmed. At completion of CHEP-BV, 37 of 47 participants had complete response, yielding a complete response rate of 79% (95% CI 64-89). The most common CHEP-BV-related toxicities of grade 3 or higher were neutropenia (14 [29%] of 48), leukopenia (11 [23%]), anaemia (ten [21%]), febrile neutropenia (ten [21%]), lymphopenia (nine [19%]), and thrombocytopenia (nine [19%]). There were no treatment-related deaths. INTERPRETATION: In patients with mostly CD30-expressing peripheral T-cell lymphomas other than non-anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, CHEP-BV (with or without autologous HSCT) followed by brentuximab vedotin consolidation was safe and active. FUNDING: SeaGen, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Lymphoma Research Foundation, and the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health.

Phase I Trial of Brentuximab Vedotin Plus Cyclosporine in Relapsed/Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma.

INTRODUCTION: BV is an antibody-drug conjugate directed against CD30 and is safe and effective in relapsed/refractory (R/R) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Most patients with r/r cHL respond well to BV monotherapy; however, the large of majority of them eventually progress on this drug, and BV-resistant HL remains an unmet need. Preclinical data suggest that BV resistance is mediated at least in part by increased drug efflux associated with increased expression of multidrug resistance pump 1 (MDR1) while CD30 expression appears to be preserved in BV resistant cell lines and patient samples. We conducted a phase 1 study evaluating BV + cyclosporine (CsA) in BV-refractory HL and previous reported results in the dose finding cohort. Here we report the final results from the phase 1 study. METHODS: This was a phase I trial of BV + CsA in patients with r/r HL with dose-finding and dose escalation cohorts. Eligibility criteria included age ≥ 18 years with r/r HL after at least 1 prior line of therapy. Treatment consisted of 1.8 mg/kg BV intravenously on day 1 and CsA 5 to 7.5 mg/kg PO twice daily on days 1 to 5; cycles were 21 days long. Patients in the expansion cohort had to have cHL refractory to BV. The primary objectives were to evaluate safety and tolerability and to determine MTD of BV + CsA; the secondary objective was to determine efficacy of this combination. RESULTS: 29 patients were enrolled onto the study, 14 in the dose finding cohort and 15 in the dose expansion BV refractory cohort. Study accrual was terminated before target accrual due to unacceptable toxicity. 62% of patients were male, and the median age was 36 years (range: 20-69). The median number of prior therapies was 5 (range: 3-12); all patients had prior BV, and 93% had PD-1 directed therapy, and 93% were BV-refractory. Of 22 evaluable patients, CR rate was 27% and ORR 64%; median DOR 4.9 months. Treatment-related deaths occurred in 3 patients, and another patient died during cycle 1 due to cardiac arrest deemed unlikely related to be protocol therapy. All grade GI toxicity was seen in 90% of patients (G3+ in 24%); other common adverse events were nausea (90%), hypertension (90%), nausea (90%), hypertension (90%), anemia (86%), fatigue (76%), neutropenia (76%), leukopenia (76%), hypomagnesemia (76%), anorexia (66%), and hyponatremia (66%). DISCUSSION: BV + CsA demonstrated modest activity in BV-refractory r/r HL; however, toxicity is substantial.

Predicting adverse cardiovascular events in emergency department patients with bupropion overdose.

OBJECTIVES: Bupropion toxicity can lead to adverse cardiovascular events (ACVE), but delayed onset of toxicity makes risk stratification difficult. This study aimed to validate previously defined predictors of ACVE and identify novel predictors among patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) after bupropion overdose. METHODS: This secondary analysis of prospective data from the Toxicology Investigators Consortium Core Registry analyzed adult acute or acute-on-chronic bupropion exposures from 2015 to 2018. The primary outcome was ACVE (any of the following: myocardial injury, shock, ventricular dysrhythmia, or cardiac arrest). Potential predictors of ACVE included previously derived predictors in the overall drug overdose population (prior cardiac disease, initial serum bicarbonate < 20 mEq/L, and initial QTc ≥ 500 ms), exposure circumstances, and initial serum lactate value. Candidate predictors were evaluated using univariate analysis and multivariable regression modeling. Receiver operator characteristic curves were used to derive optimal cutoff points for novel predictors, and prognostic test characteristics were calculated. RESULTS: Of 355 patients analyzed, ACVE occurred in 34 (9.6%) patients. Initial serum bicarbonate < 20 mEq/L (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.94-10.0) and initial QTc ≥ 500 ms (aOR 2.52, 95% CI 1.01-6.09) independently predicted ACVE. Exposure circumstances did not predict ACVE. Initial serum lactate > 5.2 mmol/L independently predicted ACVE (aOR 12.2, 95% CI 2.50-75.2) and was 90.7% specific with 80.3% negative predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic acidosis and QTc prolongation were validated as predictors of ACVE in ED patients with bupropion overdose. Serum lactate elevation was strongly predictive of ACVE in this study and warrants further investigation.

Let-7 restrains an oncogenic epigenetic circuit in AT2 cells to prevent ectopic formation of fibrogenic transitional cell intermediates and pulmonary fibrosis.

Analysis of lung alveolar type 2 (AT2) progenitor stem cells has highlighted fundamental mechanisms that direct their differentiation into alveolar type 1 cells (AT1s) in lung repair and disease. However, microRNA (miRNA) mediated post-transcriptional mechanisms which govern this nexus remain understudied. We show here that the let-7 miRNA family serves a homeostatic role in governance of AT2 quiescence, specifically by preventing the uncontrolled accumulation of AT2 transitional cells and by promoting AT1 differentiation to safeguard the lung from spontaneous alveolar destruction and fibrosis. Using mice and organoid models with genetic ablation of let-7a1/let-7f1/let-7d cluster (let-7afd) in AT2 cells, we demonstrate prevents AT1 differentiation and results in aberrant accumulation of AT2 transitional cells in progressive pulmonary fibrosis. Integration of enhanced AGO2 UV-crosslinking and immunoprecipitation sequencing (AGO2-eCLIP) with RNA-sequencing from AT2 cells uncovered the induction of direct targets of let-7 in an oncogene feed-forward regulatory network including BACH1/EZH2 which drives an aberrant fibrotic cascade. Additional analyses by CUT&RUN-sequencing revealed loss of let-7afd hampers AT1 differentiation by eliciting aberrant histone EZH2 methylation which prevents the exit of AT2 transitional cells into terminal AT1s. This study identifies let-7 as a key gatekeeper of post-transcriptional and epigenetic chromatin signals to prevent AT2-driven pulmonary fibrosis.

Yttrium-90 Anti-CD25-BEAM-Conditioning for Autologous Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation in Peripheral T Cell Lymphoma.

Peripheral T cell lymphomas (PTCL) have a poor prognosis with current treatments. High-dose chemotherapy followed by autologous hematopoietic cell transplant (AHCT) is used as a consolidation strategy after achieving clinical remission with first-line therapy, as well as in chemosensitive relapse if allogeneic transplant is not an option. CD25 is a targetable protein often highly expressed in PTCL. In this phase 1 clinical trial, we tested the addition of beta-emitting 90Y-labeled chimeric anti-CD25 basiliximab (aTac) to BEAM (carmustine, etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) as conditioning for AHCT in patients with PTCL. Twenty-three AHCT-eligible patients were enrolled, and 20 received therapeutic 90Y-aTac-BEAM AHCT. Radiation doses of 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 mCi/kg were tested. With no observed dose-limiting toxicities, 0.6 mCi/kg was deemed the recommended phase 2 dose. The most prevalent adverse effect, grade 2 mucositis, was experienced by 80% of patients. As of this report, 6 (30%) of the treated patients had died, 5 due to progressive disease and 1 due to multiple organ failure [median time of death 17 mo (range: 9-21 mo)] post-AHCT. Median follow-up was 24 mo (range: 9-26 mo) overall and 24 mo (range: 13-26 mo) for surviving patients. For patients who received therapeutic 90Y-aTac-BEAM AHCT, the 2-year progression-free and overall survival were 59% (95% CI: 34-77%) and 68% (95% CI: 42-84%), respectively. 90Y-aTac-BEAM appears to be safe as an AHCT conditioning regimen for PTCL, with no increased toxicity over the toxicities historically seen with BEAM alone in this patient population. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as # NCT02342782.

Hypercalcemia Secondary to Elevated PTHrP in an Infant Followed by Progression to Nephrotic Syndrome.

In infants, hypercalcemia from elevated parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) is rare, often signaling neoplasm or renal or urinary anomalies. We report an infant who presented with failure to thrive and hypercalcemia at 10 months old, with initial evaluation showing elevated PTHrP of unclear etiology with imaging negative for neoplasm and no structural anomalies of the kidneys or ureters on ultrasound. Within 6 months of presentation, the patient developed nephrotic syndrome and by 2 years had progressed to end-stage kidney disease, necessitating kidney transplantation. Genetic testing was inconclusive but suggested congenital nephrotic syndrome. While reports of hypercalcemia secondary to elevated PTHrP exist in children with known structural renal anomalies, this is the first to demonstrate hypercalcemia and PTHrP elevation before detection of renal abnormalities. Experimental models have suggested a role for increased PTHrP expression in renal cells following acute kidney injury from nephrotic syndrome, and clinically detectable PTHrP levels may indicate progression of renal injury. We suggest monitoring of renal function for early detection of nephrotic syndrome in infants and children with elevated PTHrP who otherwise lack anatomical renal anomalies or detectable malignancies.

Elevated Troponins after COVID-19 Hospitalization and Long-Term COVID-19 Symptoms: Incidence, Prognosis, and Clinical Outcomes-Results from a Multi-Center International Prospective Registry (HOPE-2).

Background: Acute cardiac injury (ACI) after COVID-19 has been linked with unfavorable clinical outcomes, but data on the clinical impact of elevated cardiac troponin on discharge during follow-up are scarce. Our objective is to elucidate the clinical outcome of patients with elevated troponin on discharge after surviving a COVID-19 hospitalization. Methods: We conducted an analysis in the prospective registry HOPE-2 (NCT04778020). Only patients discharged alive were selected for analysis, and all-cause death on follow-up was considered as the primary endpoint. As a secondary endpoint, we established any long-term COVID-19 symptoms. HOPE-2 stopped enrolling patients on 31 December 2021, with 9299 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, of which 1805 were deceased during the acute phase. Finally, 2382 patients alive on discharge underwent propensity score matching by relevant baseline variables in a 1:3 fashion, from 56 centers in 8 countries. Results: Patients with elevated troponin experienced significantly higher all-cause death during follow-up (log-rank = 27.23, p < 0.001), and had a higher chance of experiencing long-term COVID-19 cardiovascular symptoms. Specifically, fatigue and dyspnea (57.7% and 62.8%, with p-values of 0.009 and <0.001, respectively) are among the most common. Conclusions: After surviving the acute phase, patients with elevated troponin on discharge present increased mortality and long-term COVID-19 symptoms over time, which is clinically relevant in follow-up visits.

Paradigm Shifts in Hodgkin Lymphoma Treatment: From Frontline Therapies to Relapsed Disease.

Combination chemotherapy with or without radiation has served as the primary therapeutic option for classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), leading to durable remission in a majority of patients with early- and advanced-stage cHL. Patients with relapsed/refractory (RR) cHL could still be cured with salvage chemotherapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation. Brentuximab vedotin (BV) and the anti-PD-1-blocking antibodies, nivolumab and pembrolizumab, are highly effective treatments for cHL and have revolutionized the management of the disease. Recent studies incorporating BV and PD-1 blockade into salvage therapy for RR cHL and into frontline treatment regimens have changed the cHL treatment paradigm. The novel agents are also useful in the treatment of older patients who have poor outcomes with traditional therapy. This manuscript will review current strategies for approaching the management of previously untreated, RR, and challenging populations with cHL, including how to incorporate the novel agents.

Real-World Multicenter Study of PD-1 Blockade in HIV-Associated Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma Across the United States.

BACKGROUND: Despite a higher risk of classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) in people with HIV and the demonstrated safety and efficacy of PD-1 blockade in cHL, there are limited data on the use of these agents in HIV-associated cHL (HIV-cHL). PATIENTS/METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients with HIV-cHL from the "Cancer Therapy using Checkpoint inhibitors in People with HIV-International (CATCH-IT)" database who received nivolumab or pembrolizumab, alone or in combination with other agents, and reviewed records for demographics, disease characteristics, immune-mediated adverse events (imAEs), and treatment outcomes. Changes in CD4+ T-cell counts with treatment were measured via Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Overall response rate (ORR) was defined as the proportion of patients with partial or complete response (PR/CR) per 2014 Lugano classification. RESULTS: We identified 23 patients with HIV-cHL who received a median of 6 cycles of PD-1 blockade: 1 as 1st-line, 6 as 2nd-line, and 16 as ≥3rd-line therapy. Seventeen (74%) patients received monotherapy, 5 (22%) received nivolumab plus brentuximab vedotin, and 1 received nivolumab plus ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide. The median baseline CD4+ T-cell count was 155 cells/µL, which increased to 310 cells/µL at end-of-treatment (P = .009). Three patients had grade 3 imAEs; none required treatment discontinuation. The ORR was 83% with median duration of response of 19.7 months. The median progression-free survival was 21.2 months and did not differ between patients with <200 versus ≥200 CD4+ cells/µL (P = .95). CONCLUSION: Our findings support the use of PD-1 blockade in HIV-cHL for the same indications as the general population with cHL.

Brentuximab Vedotin Plus Ibrutinib in Relapsed and Refractory Hodgkin Lymphoma.

INTRODUCTION: Brentuximab vedotin (BV) is an antibody-drug conjugate that delivers monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) to CD30+ cells and is safe and effective in relapsed/refractory (r/r) Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). Although most patients respond to BV, only a minority will obtain a complete response (CR), and almost all patients eventually progress. Ibrutinib is a Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor highly active in multiple subtypes of non-Hodgkin lymphoma; limited data exist regarding its use in HL. It irreversibly inhibits interleukin-2-inducible kinase (ITK) with Th1 based immune responses. As we previously observed preclinical synergy between ibrutinib and BV, we hypothesized ibrutinib may enhance the antitumor activity of BV in HL. We designed and conducted a phase II trial of ibrutinib plus BV in patients with R/R HL, and herein report the final primary analysis of safety and efficacy. METHODS: This was a multicenter phase II trial with a lead-in cohort in patients with r/r HL. Eligibility criteria included age ≥ 15 years with r/r HL after at least one prior line of therapy. Treatment consisted of 1.8 mg/kg BV intravenously every 3 weeks and ibrutinib 560 mg PO daily (420 mg PO daily in the lead-in cohort). Prior BV was allowed if patients were not refractory. The primary endpoint was the CR rate according to Lugano 2014. Secondary endpoints included toxicities, overall response rate (ORR), and duration of response (DOR). RESULTS: The 39 patients were enrolled onto the study, of which 67% were male; the median age was 33 (range: 17-71). 38% had extranodal disease at baseline, 51% had advanced stage disease, 51% were refractory to the prior therapy, and 21% had prior BV. Of 36 patients who were evaluable for response, the CR rate was 33% and ORR 64%; median DOR was 25.5 months. Thirteen patients proceeded to autologous transplant and 3 patients proceeded to allogeneic transplant for consolidation after response. The most common adverse events were nausea (67%), peripheral neuropathy (62%), diarrhea (59%), fatigue (46%), thrombocytopenia (46%), headache (41%), rash (41%), elevated ALT (38%), anemia (36%), vomiting (36%), abdominal pain (33%), fever (33%), and hypertension (33%). Six patients experienced unacceptable toxicity, defined as Gr 3/4 non-hematologic toxicity or non-resolving Gr 3/4 hematologic toxicity including one patient who died of multiorgan failure from suspected COVID-19 infection during cycle 1. DISCUSSION: The combination of BV and ibrutinib was active in r/r HL; however, given significant toxicity, it cannot be recommended for future development.

Allele-Specific Suppression of Variant MHC With High-Precision RNA Nuclease CRISPR-Cas13d Prevents Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND: Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has severe clinical complications of heart failure, arrhythmia, and sudden cardiac death. Heterozygous single nucleotide variants (SNVs) of sarcomere genes such as MYH7 are the leading cause of this type of disease. CRISPR-Cas13 (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and their associated protein 13) is an emerging gene therapy approach for treating genetic disorders, but its therapeutic potential in genetic cardiomyopathy remains unexplored. METHODS: We developed a sensitive allelic point mutation reporter system to screen the mutagenic variants of Cas13d. On the basis of Cas13d homology structure, we rationally designed a series of Cas13d variants and obtained a high-precision Cas13d variant (hpCas13d) that specifically cleaves the MYH7 variant RNAs containing 1 allelic SNV. We validated the high precision and low collateral cleavage activity of hpCas13d through various in vitro assays. We generated 2 HCM mouse models bearing distinct MYH7 SNVs and used adenovirus-associated virus serotype 9 to deliver hpCas13d specifically to the cardiomyocytes. We performed a large-scale library screening to assess the potency of hpCas13d in resolving 45 human MYH7 allelic pathogenic SNVs. RESULTS: Wild-type Cas13d cannot distinguish and specifically cleave the heterozygous MYH7 allele with SNV. hpCas13d, with 3 amino acid substitutions, had minimized collateral RNase activity and was able to resolve various human MYH7 pathological sequence variations that cause hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. In vivo application of hpCas13d to 2 hypertrophic cardiomyopathy models caused by distinct human MYH7 analogous sequence variations specifically suppressed the altered allele and prevented cardiac hypertrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Our study unveils the great potential of CRISPR-Cas nucleases with high precision in treating inheritable cardiomyopathy and opens a new avenue for therapeutic management of inherited cardiac diseases.