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Management of patients with glioblastoma (GBM) often includes radiation (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ). The association between severe treatment-related lymphopenia (TRL) after the standard chemoradiation and reduced survival has been reported in GBM patients with the median age of 57. Similar findings were described in patients with head and neck, non-small cell lung, and pancreatic cancers. This retrospective study is designed to evaluate whether elderly GBM patients (age ≥65) develop similar TRL after RT/TMZ and whether such TRL is associated with decreased survival. Serial total lymphocyte counts (TLC) were retrospectively reviewed in patients (age ≥65) with newly diagnosed GBM undergoing RT/TMZ and associated with treatment outcomes. Seventy-two patients were eligible: median KPS 70, median age 71 years (range 65–86) with 56 % of patients >70 years, 53 % female, 31 % received RT ≤45 Gy. Baseline median TLC was 1100 cells/mm 3 which fell by 41 % to 650 cells/mm 3 2 months after initiating RT/TMZ (p < 0.0001). Patients with TLC <500 cells/mm 3 at 2 months had a shorter survival than those with higher TLCs with a median overall survival of 4.6 versus 11.6 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association between TRL and survival (HR 2.76, 95 % CI 1.30–5.86, p = 0.008). Treatment-related lymphopenia is frequent, severe, and an independent predictor for survival in elderly patients with GBM. These findings add to the body of evidence that immunosuppression induced by chemoradiation is associated with inferior clinical outcomes. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings suggesting that immune preservation is important in this cancer.

Abstract Purpose Optimal treatment for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) comprises polychemotherapy induction with high-dose methotrexate followed by consolidation therapy, but there is no standard treatment regimen because of a lack of comparative trials examining efficacy or relative value. We performed a retrospective outcome and relative cost analysis on consolidation regimens to gain perspective on how cost and benefit can be weighed in medical decisions for patients with PCNSL. Methods Patients with newly diagnosed PCNSL who completed consolidation at our institution from July 1, 2012, to March 1, 2019, were included. Patients completed etoposide/cytarabine (EA), high-dose cytarabine (HIDAC), or high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell rescue (HDC-ASCR) as consolidation regimen. Data were collected from the electronic medical record and our institution’s Value Driven Outcomes tool. Survival was analyzed as date of diagnosis to last known date of survival. Results Of the 22 patients included in the study, 12 completed the EA regimen, 4 completed HDC-ASCR, and 6 completed HIDAC. Facility and pharmacy costs contributed most to the cost of each treatment. HDC-ASCR treatment was 50× the cost of the cheapest treatment, HIDAC. Outcomes were numerically superior with HDC-ASCR and HIDAC compared with EA (2-year progression-free survival 100% vs. 100% vs. 63.6%, respectively, p = 0.1915). Conclusion This small retrospective cost–benefit analysis provides evidence that HDC-ASCR may be a superior treatment for PCNSL but at a higher cost than other consolidation regimens. HIDAC may increase value for patients, including elderly patients, who are not appropriate candidates for HDC-ASCR when compared with EA.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to understand the use of chemotherapy (CMT) and radiotherapy (RT) in pilocytic astrocytoma (PA) and their impact on overall survival (OS).MethodsData from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) for patients with non-metastatic WHO grade I PA from 2004 to 2014 were analyzed. Pearson’s chi-squared test and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the distribution of demographic, clinical, and treatment factors. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to account for differences in baseline characteristics. Kaplan–Meier analyses and doubly-robust estimation with multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling were used to analyze OS.ResultsOf 3865 patients analyzed, 294 received CMT (7.6%), 233 received RT (6.0%), and 42 (1.1%) received both. On multivariate analyses, decreasing extent of surgical resection was associated with receipt of both CMT and RT. Brainstem tumors were associated with RT, optic nerve tumors were associated with CMT. Cerebellar tumors were inversely associated with both CMT and RT. Younger age was associated with receipt of CMT; conversely, older age was associated with receipt of RT. After IPTW, receipt of CMT and/or RT were associated with an OS decrement compared with matched patients treated with surgery alone or observation (HR 3.29, p < 0.01).ConclusionsThis is the largest study to date to examine patterns of care and resultant OS outcomes in PA. We identified patient characteristics associated with receipt of CMT and RT. After propensity score matching, receipt of CMT and/or RT was associated with decreased OS.

Diffuse midline glioma is a malignant brain tumor with no effective treatment. These tumors often harbor a Histone H3 K27M mutation, associated with a more aggressive clinical course and poorer response to treatment. Standard-of-care treatment is radiation therapy, but disease typically recurs or progresses despite treatment and there is a paucity of the literature specific to the features and outcomes of recurrent disease. Given this, our group sought to explore what factors may be associated with disease progression and clinical outcomes to guide disease management and prognosis. Through a multicenter retrospective analysis of clinical data from patients with recurrent midline glioma and H3 K27M-mutant diffuse glioma, we identified features associated with poorer overall survival following progression following frontline therapy. Taken together, these data provide insight into tumor biology and clinical outcomes, potentially informing future clinical trials.

Mitral valve leaflets and chordae have been shown to contain different amounts and proportions of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans (PGs) corresponding to in vivo normal or diseased cyclic strain patterns. To understand the effect of cyclic strains on GAG/PG synthesis by valvular interstitial cells (VICs) isolated from valve leaflet and chordae separately, porcine VICs were seeded within collagen gels and alternately stretched or relaxed for 24 h periods for one week in a custom-designed tissue engineering bioreactor. We found cyclic-stretch-induced upregulation of total GAGs and of individual GAG classes secreted into the culture medium. Leaflet cells showed a delayed response to stretching compared to chordal cells, but altered the proportions of various GAG classes they secreted during the culture duration. Decorin and biglycan PGs were slightly responsive to stretch. We demonstrated that mechanical stretch and relaxation conditions reversibly regulate GAG and PG production in a novel 3D model of valve tissues. This is the first study using cyclic strains to modulate GAG/PG synthesis by valve cells and our results may have implications for the remodeling of the mitral valve as well as other tissues.

Background Transoral surgery (TOS), particularly transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has become the preferred modality in the United States for the treatment of early stage oropharyngeal cancer, largely due to assumptions of fewer toxicities and improved quality of life compared to primary radiotherapy (RT). However, these assumptions are based on retrospective analysis, a subset of which utilize primary RT groups not limited to T1-2 stage tumors for which transoral robotic surgery is FDA approved. Thus, there is potential for underestimating survival and overestimating toxicity, including treatment related mortality, in primary RT. Methods Consecutive cases of early T-stage (T1–T2) oropharyngeal cancer presenting to the London Health Sciences Centre between 2014 and 2018 treated with RT or chemoradiation (CRT) were reviewed. Patient demographics, treatment details, survival outcomes and toxicity were collected. Toxicities were retrospectively graded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events criteria. Results A total of 198 patients were identified, of which 82% were male and 73% were HPV-positive. Sixty-eight percent of patients experienced a grade 2 toxicity, 48% a grade 3 and 4% a grade 4. The most frequent toxicities were dysphagia, neutropenia and ototoxicity. The rates of gastrostomy tube dependence at 1 and 2 years were 2.5% and 1% respectively. There were no grade 5 (fatal) toxicities. HPV-positive patients experienced improved 5-year overall survival (86% vs 64%, p = 0.0026). Conclusions Primary RT or CRT provides outstanding survival for early T-stage disease, with low rates of severe toxicity and feeding tube dependence. This study provides a reference for comparison for patients treated with primary transoral surgery.

Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)-mutant grade 2 gliomas are malignant brain tumors that cause considerable disability and premature death. Vorasidenib, an oral brain-penetrant inhibitor of mutant IDH1 and IDH2 enzymes, showed preliminary activity in IDH-mutant gliomas. In a double-blind, phase 3 trial, we randomly assigned patients with residual or recurrent grade 2 IDH-mutant glioma who had undergone no previous treatment other than surgery to receive either oral vorasidenib (40 mg once daily) or matched placebo in 28-day cycles. The primary end point was imaging-based progression-free survival according to blinded assessment by an independent review committee. The key secondary end point was the time to the next anticancer intervention. Crossover to vorasidenib from placebo was permitted on confirmation of imaging-based disease progression. Safety was also assessed. A total of 331 patients were assigned to receive vorasidenib (168 patients) or placebo (163 patients). At a median follow-up of 14.2 months, 226 patients (68.3%) were continuing to receive vorasidenib or placebo. Progression-free survival was significantly improved in the vorasidenib group as compared with the placebo group (median progression-free survival, 27.7 months vs. 11.1 months; hazard ratio for disease progression or death, 0.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.27 to 0.56; P<0.001). The time to the next intervention was significantly improved in the vorasidenib group as compared with the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.43; P<0.001). Adverse events of grade 3 or higher occurred in 22.8% of the patients who received vorasidenib and in 13.5% of those who received placebo. An increased alanine aminotransferase level of grade 3 or higher occurred in 9.6% of the patients who received vorasidenib and in no patients who received placebo. In patients with grade 2 IDH-mutant glioma, vorasidenib significantly improved progression-free survival and delayed the time to the next intervention. (Funded by Servier; INDIGO ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04164901.).

This study explores the impact of artificial intelligence on the teaching of programming, focusing on the GenAI Gemini tool in Google Colab. It evaluates how this technology influences the comprehension of fundamental concepts, teaching processes, and effective teaching practices. In this research, students’ motivation, interest, and satisfaction are determined, as well as the fulfillment and surpassing of their learning expectations. With a quantitative approach and a quasi-experimental design, an investigation was carried out in seven programming groups in a polytechnic university in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The results reveal that the use of GenAI significantly increases interest in programming, with 91% of the respondents expressing increased enthusiasm. In addition, 90% feel that the integration of GenAI meets their expectations, and 91% feel that it has exceeded those expectations in terms of educational support. This study evidences the value of integrating advanced technologies into education, suggesting that GenAI can transform the teaching of programming. However, successful implementation depends on timely training of educators, ethics training for students, ongoing interest in the technology, and a curriculum design that maximizes the capabilities of GenAI.

In a phase 3 trial, vorasidenib, an oral brain-penetrant inhibitor of mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 and 2 (IDH1/2), resulted in improved progression-free survival (primary endpoint) and time to next intervention (key secondary endpoint) at second interim analysis, resulting in study unblinding. We report 6 months of additional double-blind data, from second interim analysis (Sept 6, 2022) to unblinding (March 7, 2023), and the effect of vorasidenib on volumetric tumour growth rate, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), neurocognitive function, and seizure control. INDIGO was a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial done in 92 hospitals in Canada, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA. Patients aged 12 years or older with residual or recurrent grade 2 IDH1/2-mutant diffuse glioma, a Karnofsky performance-status score of 80 or higher, at least one previous surgery, and no other previous anticancer treatment were eligible. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1; stratified according to locally determined chromosome 1p/19q codeletion status and baseline tumour size) to oral vorasidenib (40 mg) or placebo once a day in continuous 28-day cycles until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Progression-free survival per masked independent review committee was the primary endpoint, and time to next intervention was the key secondary endpoint. Prespecified secondary endpoints included tumour growth rate (6-monthly change in tumour volume) and HRQOL (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Brain [FACT-Br]). Prespecified exploratory endpoints included neurocognitive function (cognitive performance instruments) and seizure activity (self-reported). The full analysis set was used for all efficacy analyses and included all randomly assigned patients, and the safety analysis set was used for all safety analyses and included all patients who received one or more doses of vorasidenib or placebo. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04164901. Recruitment is complete and the trial is ongoing. Between Jan 9, 2020, and Feb 22, 2022, 331 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to vorasidenib (n=168) or placebo (n=163). 187 (56%) patients were male, 144 (44%) were female, and 257 (78%) were White. Median follow-up was 20·1 months (IQR 15·9 to 23·8). With an additional 6 months of follow-up, median progression-free survival (not reached [95% CI 22·1 to not estimated] vs 11·4 months [95% CI 11·1 to 13·9]; hazard ratio [HR] 0·35 [95% CI 0·25 to 0·49]) and time to next intervention (not estimated [not estimated to not estimated] vs 20·1 months [17·5 to 27·1]; HR 0·25 [0·16 to 0·40]) remained substantially improved with vorasidenib versus placebo. Tumour growth rate was –1·3% (95% CI –3·2 to 0·7) with vorasidenib and 14·4% (95% CI 12·0 to 16·8) with placebo (difference 15·9% [95% CI 12·6 to 19·3]). Mean FACT-Br total scores were similar between the vorasidenib and placebo groups (158·2 [SD 26·4] and 158·8 [23·3]) at baseline and remained high (154·2 [29·8] and 153·2 [29·4]) by the end of treatment. There was no difference between vorasidenib or placebo in neurocognitive functions of verbal learning, executive function, attention, working memory, and psychomotor function from baseline through to end of treatment. The vorasidenib group had lower rates of seizures than the placebo group (18·2 seizures per person-year [95% CI 8·4 to 39·5] vs 51·2 seizures per person-year [22·9 to 114·8]). The most common grade 3 or worse treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) in the vorasidenib and placebo groups, respectively, were increased alanine aminotransferase (17 [10%] and two [1%]), increased aspartate aminotransferase (eight [5%] and none), seizures (seven [4%] and five [3%]), and increased γ-glutamyltransferase (five [3%] and two [1%]). Serious TEAEs occurred in 20 (12%) patients in the vorasidenib group and ten (6%) in the placebo group; the most common were seizures. There were no treatment-related deaths. Vorasidenib reduced tumour growth rate and improved seizure control compared with placebo, with no observed negative effects on HRQOL or neurocognition. Additional follow-up supported the robustness of progression-free survival and time to next intervention in patients with grade 2 IDH1/2-mutant diffuse glioma. These findings support the use of vorasidenib in patients with grade 2 IDH1/2-mutant gliomas who only had surgical intervention and are not in immediate need of radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Servier.