Mercy Hospital St. Louis

Purpose The Exime prostatic stent, a silicone-based device designed for temporary urinary retention management, offers an alternative to indwelling urethral catheters (IUCs), allowing spontaneous voiding. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of the Exime device with IUCs in patients with urinary retention due to benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). Methods This retrospective study included 43 patients from 2020 to 2024 with failed trial without catheter (TWOC) following acute urinary retention (AUR) secondary to BPO, prostate volume ≤ 120 mL, and intravesical prostatic protrusion < 5 mm. The stent was inserted under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. Primary endpoint: effectiveness in restoring urinary flow. Secondary endpoints: complications, patient preferences, and comparisons with IUCs. Results Median patient age was 86 years (IQR 78–90); median prostate volume was 45 mL (IQR 40–61). The stent was successfully inserted in 42 patients (98%), with all achieving spontaneous voiding. Median post-void residual volume was 45 mL (IQR 38–73), and 70% retained the stent for ≥ 4 weeks. Complications included obstruction (14%), infection (9%), and migration (7%). Compared to IUCs, the Exime stent reduced symptomatic urinary tract infections (9% vs. 40%, p = 0.03), bladder spasms (16% vs. 84%, p < 0.001), and urinary leakage (0% vs. 30%, p < 0.001). Patients reported lower pain (VAS 2 vs. 8, p < 0.001) and higher satisfaction (VAS 8 vs. 1, p < 0.001). Conclusion The Exime stent effectively managed urinary retention with fewer complications and higher patient satisfaction compared to IUCs.

Aims/Background Recent agents have profoundly reshaped the multiple myeloma (MM) landscape. Their real‐world impacts need to be assessed over the long term. Methods EMMY is a non‐interventional, prospective dynamic cohort, conducted in France, since 2017, with 900 patients enrolled each year. Newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) who initiated a treatment from 2017 to 2020 are here described. Results A total of 1036 non‐transplant eligible (NTE) patients (median age: 74.9 years) and 561 patients who received autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) (median age: 60.6 years) were enrolled. For ASCT patients, a shift in induction treatment from bortezomib‐thalidomide‐dexamethasone (VTd) (29.1%) to bortezomib‐lenalidomide‐dexamethasone (VRd) (55.1%) marked the period. Maintenance treatment with R after ASCT became a standard (75% of patients). In NTE patients, R‐based regimens were increasingly used from 29.4% in 2017 (of whom Rd.: 17.0%, VRd: 10.6%) to 73.3% in 2020 (of whom Rd.: 21.8%, VRd: 48.5%). Median progression‐free survival (mPFS) was 46.5 months (95% CI: 37.8–50.6) and 18.7 months (95% CI: 16.3–20.8) in ASCT and NTE patients, respectively. In the ASCT group, patients treated with and without R maintenance had a mPFS of 51.8 (95% CI: 44.1–NA) and 29.6 months (95% CI: 21.8–40.9), respectively. In the NTE group, the mPFS was 26.3 (95% CI: 21.9–30.9) and 14.6 months (95% CI: 11.9–17.7) in patients who received an R‐based and non‐R‐based regimen, respectively. The estimated 48‐month overall survival rates were 89% (95% CI: 84.5–92.2) and 63% (95% CI: 58.5–67.1) for ASCT and NTE patients, respectively. Conclusions The 2017–2020 period was marked by the expansion of R use in both NDMM ASCT and NTE patients.

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) and polycythemia vera (PV) are rare in adolescent and young adult (AYA). These conditions, similar to those in older patients, are linked with thrombotic complications and the potential progression to secondary myelofibrosis (sMF). This retrospective study of ET and PV patients diagnosed before age 25 evaluated complication rates and impact of cytoreductive drugs on outcomes. Among 348 patients (278 ET, 70 PV) with a median age of 20 years, the of thrombotic events was 1.9 per 100 patient-years. Risk factors for thrombosis included elevated white blood cell count (>11 × 10⁹/L) (HR: 2.7, p = 0.012) and absence of splenomegaly at diagnosis (HR: 5.7, p = 0.026), while cytoreductive drugs did not reduce this risk. The incidence of sMF was 0.7 per 100 patient-years. CALR mutation (HR: 6.0, p < 0.001) and a history of thrombosis (HR: 3.8, p = 0.015) were associated with sMF risk. Interferon as a first-line treatment significantly improved myelofibrosis-free survival compared to other treatments or the absence of cytoreduction (p = 0.046). Although cytoreduction did not affect thrombotic event, early interferon use reduced sMF risk. These findings support interferon use to mitigate sMF risk in AYA ET and PV patients.

One emerging tourism experience is dark tourism, an emotionally laden experience of visiting a site of death, disaster, and sorrow, and simultaneously learning about historical dark incidents in the past. The emergence of virtual reality can shape virtual dark tourism experiences in virtual realism, which require sensory-themed experiences to enhance the experiences of visitors. This study aims to understand the effect of thermal stimuli on virtual dark tourism experiences by employing cross-modal correspondence and the sensation transference theory. Using a laboratory experiment with 107 participants with three thermal stimuli treatment groups, we deduce that thermal stimuli significantly influence individual emotions, as indicated by two measurements: self-reported and psychophysiological data from wearable devices. This study extends the understanding of cross-modal correspondence in sensory marketing and sensory design experiences in virtual dimensions through sensing, feelings, thinking, and relationships

Objectives This final post hoc analysis evaluated patient‐reported outcomes from the Phase 3 MAIA study of daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (D‐Rd) versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) after median 64.5‐month follow‐up in transplant‐ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM), including patient subgroups. Methods Key scales from the EORTC QLQ‐C30 (global health status [GHS], physical functioning, pain, and fatigue) were assessed. Scores were evaluated every 3 months for 1 year, then every 6 months until disease progression. Results The intent‐to‐treat population (n = 737) included 46.3% frail, 35.4% 70 to < 75 years old, and 43.6% ≥ 75 years old. D‐Rd‐treated patients showed improvements from baseline that were sustained over 5 years in the intent‐to‐treat population and across subgroups by age, frailty, and bone lesions. Greater proportions of patients treated with D‐Rd versus Rd achieved minimally important changes for improvement at cycle 36 (year ~3) in GHS (odds ratio, 1.84 [95% CI, 1.16–2.91]), physical functioning (1.93 [1.18–3.14]), pain (1.41 [0.90–2.22]), and fatigue (2.00 [1.24–3.23]). Greater proportions of patients with bone lesions improved with D‐Rd versus Rd on GHS and physical functioning. Conclusions In transplant‐ineligible patients with NDMM, D‐Rd improved health‐related quality of life over a 5‐year period versus Rd. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02252172

Donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) prevents acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) relapses following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Given the life‐threatening toxicities such as graft versus host disease (GVHD), the identification of variables associated with response without toxicities is warranted. We hypothesized that HLA evolutionary divergence (HED), defined by the diversity between two given alleles of the same HLA gene, may be such a factor. A retrospective multicenter case‐control study was conducted to evaluate the outcomes of pre‐emptive (preDLI) and prophylactic DLI (proDLI) regarding their HED score, in AML or MDS patients. DLI‐treated patients were matched with controls (1:2 matched) from French transplantation centers according to hospital, hemopathy, donor type, and risk classification. In total, 201 patients were included (N = 147 in the preDLI group, N = 54 in the proDLI group). Relapse‐free survival was significantly better in the preDLI group (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.14–0.55, p < 0.001) than in controls. However, this benefit was offset by a higher incidence of severe GVHD (HR = 4.88, 95% CI: 2.30–10.32, p < 0.001). HED A, B, C, DQA1, DQB1, DPB1, and DRB1 were calculated for 65 DLI‐treated patients. High‐class II HED was significantly associated with higher GVHD and relapse‐free survival (GRFS, HR = 0.33, 95% CI: 0.20–0.77, p = 0.005). Specific DQAB associations directly improved GRFS (HR = 0.23, 95% CI: 0.09–0.58, p = 0.004). In conclusion, screening the class II HED score identifies patients eligible for DLI treatment who will benefit the most from this strategy.

Background: Data on the performance of the Khorana, PROTECHT, and ONKOTEV risk assessment models (RAMs) to predict venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with pancreatic cancer (PC) receiving outpatient chemotherapy remain limited. We performed a head-to-head comparison of these RAMs in patients with newly diagnosed PC enrolled in the nationwide, multicenter, and prospective BACAP cohort. Methods: The Khorana, PROTECHT, and ONKOTEV scores were calculated at enrollment prior to chemotherapy. Patients were stratified into intermediate- and high-VTE-risk groups according to each RAM. The primary study outcome was VTE at a 6-month follow-up. The accuracy and discriminatory performance of the scores were assessed by calculating time-dependent Brier scores and c-indexes. Sub-distribution hazard ratios (SHRs) between high- and intermediate-risk patients were estimated. Results: Of 762 PC patients, 73 developed VTE within 6 months. In the competing risk analysis, the cumulative incidence of VTE at 6 months was 16.4% (95% CI, 13.8–19.1). The time-dependent Brier score was 0.14 (95% CI, 0.12–0.15) for all scores, indicating well-calibrated predictions. The respective time-dependent c-index of the Khorana, the PROTECHT, and the ONKOTEV scores was 0.50 (95% CI, 0.46–0.55), 0.50 (95% CI, 0.49–0.51), and 0.53 (95% CI, 0.48–0.58), indicating poor discrimination. The SHRs between high- and intermediate-risk patients ranged from 1.05 (95% CI, 0.76–1.44) for the ONKOTEV score to 1.06 (95% CI, 0.77–1.45) for the Khorana score. Conclusion: In newly diagnosed PC patients receiving outpatient chemotherapy, the Khorana, PROTECHT, and ONKOTEV scores demonstrated a poor performance in predicting VTE at 6 months, highlighting the need for new tools to guide thromboprophylaxis decisions.

Background and study aims Candy cane syndrome (CCS) refers to patients with a long and symptomatic blind afferent roux limb (BARL) after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). Revisional surgery is efficacious but can be cost prohibitive. Patients and methods We describe endoscopic blind limb reduction (EBLR), that converts the BARL into a “common channel” and eliminates food pooling, thereby improving symptoms. Patients that did not have a complete symptomatic response underwent a repeat EBLR or EBLR with septotomy (EBLR-S) based on residual BARL length. Results Five patients with CCS underwent the EBLR procedure. Mean age was 60.4 years, average BARL length 5.8 cm, and median Charlson comorbidity index was 3. Technical success was achieved in all five patients (100%). Symptom resolution was achieved in all five patients (100%). Two patients required a second procedure. Conclusions EBLR may be a potentially safe, efficacious, and cost-effective alternative to surgery in patients with CCS. Further prospective studies are needed.

Introduction To report a series of patients who developed ocular surface disease related to tisotumab vedotin-tftv (TV), an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) approved for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer. Methods This was a multicenter retrospective chart review study of patients who developed ocular surface disease related to TV between April 1st, 2022 to August 31st, 2023. Results Five patients were identified who developed ocular surface disease while on TV. All patients received a standard ocular adverse event prophylaxis regimen with each infusion per the product label, including a cool ocular compress, topical vasoconstrictor, topical steroid, and artificial tears. All five patients developed conjunctival subepithelial fibrosis. Two patients developed bilateral pseudomembranous conjunctivitis, one of whom subsequently developed conjunctival scarring. Two patients developed a bilateral culture positive conjunctivitis, which responded to topical antibiotics. One patient developed bilateral infectious keratitis and was treated with partial thickness corneal transplantation of both eyes. Conclusion TV can be associated with ocular surface disease, including conjunctival scarring and infectious keratitis. Some cases may require surgical intervention. Oncologists and ophthalmologists should be aware of the possibility of these ocular complications, especially as more ADCs are approved. Further studies are required to determine toxicity mechanisms as well as optimal prophylaxis and management strategies.

289 Background: Kristen rat sarcoma virus ( KRAS ) mutations are reported in 40-45% of colorectal cancer (CRC), and they are associated with poor prognosis. KRAS G12C mutation is reported in 3-4% of CRC patients and may be associated with worse prognosis compared to RAS non-G12C mutations. Here, we explored the prevalence and prognostic significance of KRAS G12C mutation compared to RAS non-G12C and BRAF V600E in a cohort of CRC patients from a tertiary cancer center in the United States (US). Methods: The cBioCancer Genomics Portal was used to obtain genomic data. The prevalence of KRAS G12C mutation, RAS non-G12C ( KRAS G12D, KRAS G13D, KRAS G12V, KRAS A146T, KRAS G12A, KRAS G12S, KRAS G13C, KRAS V14I, KRAS Q61H, KRAS G12R, KRAS Q61R, KRAS K117N, NRAS Q61K , NRAS Q61R , NRAS Q61L , NRAS Q61H , NRAS G13D , NRAS G13C NRAS G13R NRAS G12D , NRAS G12C , NRAS G12V, NRAS G12V and NRAS G60V ) mutations and BRAF V600E mutations was calculated. The median overall survival (mOS) was explored in CRC (MSK, Cancer Cell 2018 cohort). Patients in this cohort were not treated with KRAS G12C targeted therapy. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test comparisons. Results: In this cohort of patients with stage IV CRC (N=1134), the prevalence of KRAS G12C mutation in patients with stage IV CRC was 3.1%. In patients with RAS non-G12C mutations, BRAF V600E mutation, and RAS/BRAF V600E wild-type (WT), the prevalence was 41.7%, 7.5%, and 47.7% respectively. The mOS in KRAS G12C mutation, RAS non-G12C mutations, BRAF V600E mutation, and RAS/BRAF V600E WT was 65 months (m), 55m, 19m and 105m respectively. Compared to RAS non-G12C , the mOS of CRC patients with KRAS G12C was (65m vs 55m, p=0.54) . Compared to patients with BRAF V600E mutation, the mOS was better in patients with KRAS G12C (65m vs. 19m, p <0.0001) and in patients with RAS non-G12C (55m vs. 19m, p <0.0001). Conclusions: The prevalence of KRAS G12C mutation in this cohort was relatively similar to other reports at 3.1%. Consistent with several other reports, there was no statistically significant difference in the mOS between patients with KRAS G12C mutation and patients with RAS non-G12C mutations. Patients with BRAF V600E mutations had worse mOS compared to patients with KRAS G12C mutation and RAS non-G12C mutations. The reported high mOS in this cohort is possibly due to selection bias (patients able to afford and receive treatment at this tertiary center).