Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell line from a malignant melanoma patient who developed the immune checkpoint inhibitor-related myasthenia gravis, myositis, and myocarditis overlap syndrome.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) are a pivotal class of immuno-oncology therapeutics that have improved survival rates for patients with cancer. Their widespread usage, however, is limited due to the development of serious and potentially deadly ICI-related side effects. To develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to identify and treat patients at risk, we need a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms mediating these potentially deadly side effects.

Prehabilitation and rehabilitation in peripheral arterial disease: Protocol and study design of the PREPARE-IT trial.

Background: Both prehabilitation and rehabilitation programs have been shown to improve functional capabilities, surgical outcomes, and quality of life in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). However, referral rates remain low, and the benefits of combined prehabilitation and rehabilitation for PAD have not been explored.

Methods: Three hundred patients with symptomatic claudication referred for femoral-popliteal endovascular stenting will be studied.

Impact of Home-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation on Physical Function, Outcomes, and Costs.

Purpose: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) improves health outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), but referral, participation, and completion rates are low. Home-based CR (HBCR) is a proposed solution, but studies on its efficacy are limited. We report our experience from a Veterans Affairs HBCR program on physical function, costs, and outcomes overlapping with the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Prediction Models in China, Japan, and Korea: Implications for East Asians?

The management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) in the United States is currently based upon large epidemiological studies in primarily non-Hispanic White subjects. Although this strategy provides a uniform approach that is simpler to implement, it may result in inappropriately targeting certain Asian populations for treatment based on inaccurate ASCVD risk estimation. In this state-of-the-art review, we detail the similarities and differences in the prevalence of ASCVD and its risk factors among Chinese, Japanese, and Korean people living in the United States and in their native countries.

Novel Therapeutic Approach Targeting CXCR3 to Treat Immunotherapy Myocarditis.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are successful in treating many cancers but may cause immune-related adverse events. ICI-mediated myocarditis has a high fatality rate with severe cardiovascular consequences. Targeted therapies for ICI myocarditis are currently limited.

Single cell RNA sequencing of haematopoietic cells in fresh and frozen human atheroma tissue.

Aims: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) is a powerful method for exploring the cellular heterogeneity within human atheroma but typically requires fresh tissue to preserve cell membrane integrity, limiting the feasibility of large-scale biobanking for later analysis. The aim of this study was to determine whether cryopreservation of fragile and necrotic atheroma tissue affects the viability and transcriptomic profiles of haematopoietic cells in subsequent scRNA-seq analysis, enabling the use of cryopreserved atheroma samples for future research.

Methods And Results: We performed scRNA-seq on five paired fresh and cryopreserved atheroma samples-three from coronary arteries and two from carotid arteries.

Pre-pandemic leukocyte count is associated with severity of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection among older women in the Women's Health Initiative.

Objective: Although dysregulated inflammation has been postulated as a biological mechanism associated with post-acute sequelae of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (PASC) and shown to be a correlate and an outcome of PASC, it is unclear whether inflammatory markers can prospectively predict PASC risk. We examined the association of leukocyte count and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) concentrations, measured ~25 years prior to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, with PASC, PASC severity, and PASC-associated cognitive outcomes at follow-up among postmenopausal women.

Methods: Using biomarker data from blood specimens collected during pre-pandemic enrollment (1993-1998) and data on 1,237 Women's Health Initiative participants who completed a COVID-19 survey between June 2021 and February 2022, we constructed multivariable regression models that controlled for pertinent characteristics.

Generation and characterization of three induced pluripotent stem cell lines for modeling coronary artery vasospasm.

Coronary artery vasospasm (CAV) is characterized by transient constriction of epicardial coronary arteries leading to angina. Its disease mechanisms are multifactorial but has centered mostly on endothelial dysfunction and smooth muscle hyperreactivity. To facilitate the investigation of these mechanisms in cell culture, we generated and characterized three induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines from patients with CAV.

The decision to disclose to your child they are a childhood cancer survivor: a qualitative study of barriers and facilitators using the theoretical domain framework.

Purpose: Childhood cancer survivors are at increased lifetime risk of morbidity and mortality, but adherence to periodic surveillance is suboptimal. One of the reasons that adult survivors of childhood cancer do not complete the recommended surveillance is that their parents may not have disclosed their cancer history to them. We sought to identify key barriers and enablers to talking to children about their cancer history.

Institutional Support for the Career Advancement of Women Faculty in Science and Academic Medicine: Successes, Challenges, and Future Directions.

Institutional support is crucial for the successful career advancement of all faculty but in particular those who are women. Evolving from the past, in which gender disparities were prevalent in many institutions, recent decades have witnessed significant progress in supporting the career advancement of women faculty in science and academic medicine. However, continued advancement is necessary as previously unrecognized needs and new opportunities for improvement emerge.

Personalized coronary and myocardial blood flow models incorporating CT perfusion imaging and synthetic vascular trees.

Computational simulations of coronary artery blood flow, using anatomical models based on clinical imaging, are an emerging non-invasive tool for personalized treatment planning. However, current simulations contend with two related challenges - incomplete anatomies in image-based models due to the exclusion of arteries smaller than the imaging resolution, and the lack of personalized flow distributions informed by patient-specific imaging. We introduce a data-enabled, personalized and multi-scale flow simulation framework spanning large coronary arteries to myocardial microvasculature.

Immunotherapy-Associated Atherosclerosis: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Findings and Implications for Future Research.

Purpose Of The Review: Even as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed the lifespan of many patients, they may also trigger acceleration of long-term cardiovascular disease. Our review aims to examine the current landscape of research on ICI-mediated atherosclerosis and address key questions regarding its pathogenesis and impact on patient management.

Recent Findings: Preclinical mouse models suggest that T cell dysregulation and proatherogenic cytokine production are key contributors to plaque development after checkpoint inhibition.

A quality improvement project to optimize access to psychosocial care for cancer survivors who experience fear of recurrence.

Background: The prevalence of moderate to high levels of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) in cancer survivors may vary from 22% to 87%, although most are not usually referred to psychosocial support. The After Cancer Treatment Transition (ACTT) clinic in Women's College Hospital (Toronto) provides follow-up care to cancer survivors but in a sample of 2893 patients seen April 2019 to March 2022, only 1.5% were referred to a social worker for psychosocial needs.

Prognostic Value of Qualitative and Quantitative Stress CMR in Patients With Known or Suspected CAD.

Background: Recent studies suggest that quantitative cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) may have more accuracy than qualitative CMR in coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosis. However, the prognostic value of quantitative and qualitative CMR has not been compared systematically.

Objectives: The objective was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the utility of qualitative and quantitative stress CMR in the prognosis of patients with known or suspected CAD.

A Combination of Distinct Vascular Stem/Progenitor Cells for Neovascularization and Ischemic Rescue.

Background: Peripheral vascular disease remains a leading cause of vascular morbidity and mortality worldwide despite advances in medical and surgical therapy. Besides traditional approaches, which can only restore blood flow to native arteries, an alternative approach is to enhance the growth of new vessels, thereby facilitating the physiological response to ischemia.

Methods: The Actin/R26 Rainbow reporter mouse was used for unbiased in vivo survey of injury-responsive vasculogenic clonal formation.

Assessing and Addressing Social Determinants of Cardiovascular Health: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the social conditions in which people are born, live, and work. SDOH offers a more inclusive view of how environment, geographic location, neighborhoods, access to health care, nutrition, socioeconomics, and so on are critical in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. SDOH will continue to increase in relevance and integration of patient management, thus, applying the information herein to clinical and health systems will become increasingly commonplace.

Sex differences in ICI myocarditis: Hormones to the rescue.

Sex hormones may account for sex differences observed in the prevalence and susceptibility of ICI myocarditis (Zhang , this issue).

Outcomes of Early Transition of Low-Risk Thyroid Cancer Patients from Specialist to Primary Care.

Background: Recently published clinical pathways for management of thyroid cancer outlined the criteria for transitioning low-risk patients to primary care within one to five years from diagnosis. However, discharge patterns among endocrinologists remain heterogeneous as there lacks a consensus regarding post-treatment care for thyroid cancer patients.

Objective: This study described general characteristics and outcomes of thyroid cancer patients who were discharged from specialist care and transitioned to a primary care-based follow-up clinic.

An examination of depression, anxiety, and fear of recurrence among cancer survivors who participated in a virtual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based telephone coaching program.

Background: Depression, anxiety, and fear of recurrence (FOR) are prevalent among cancer survivors, and it is recommended that they have access to supportive services and resources to address psychosocial needs during follow-up care. This study examined the impact of a virtual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based telephone coaching program (BounceBack®) on depression, anxiety, and FOR.

Method: Through the After Cancer Treatment Transition (ACTT) clinic at the Women's College Hospital (Toronto, Canada), eligible participants were identified, consented, and referred to the BounceBack® program.