Article

Key clinical point: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) performed before vs after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) showed a higher axillary lymph node dissection rate and no overall survival (OS) benefits in patients with clinically lymph node-negative (cN0) breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: The axillary lymph node dissection rate was significantly higher for SLNB performed before vs after NACT (29.9% vs 7.4%; P < .001; odds ratio 5.35; P = .002). Moreover, the 4-year overall survival rate was significantly compromised when SLNB was performed before vs after NACT (88.4% vs 95.7%; hazard ratio 0.21; P = .009).

Study details: This retrospective observational study included 310 patients with cN0 BC, of whom 107 and 203 patients underwent SLNB before and after NACT, respectively.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding except Open Access funding from Springer Nature. The authors declared no financial conflicts of interest. Two authors declared non-financial ties with various sources.

Source: Fernandez-Gonzalez S, Falo C, Pla MJ, et al. Sentinel lymph node biopsy before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in cN0 breast cancer patients: Impact on axillary morbidity and survival—A propensity score cohort study. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2024 (Apr 18). doi: 10.1007/s10549-024-07274-1 Source

Key clinical point: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) performed before vs after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) showed a higher axillary lymph node dissection rate and no overall survival (OS) benefits in patients with clinically lymph node-negative (cN0) breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: The axillary lymph node dissection rate was significantly higher for SLNB performed before vs after NACT (29.9% vs 7.4%; P < .001; odds ratio 5.35; P = .002). Moreover, the 4-year overall survival rate was significantly compromised when SLNB was performed before vs after NACT (88.4% vs 95.7%; hazard ratio 0.21; P = .009).

Study details: This retrospective observational study included 310 patients with cN0 BC, of whom 107 and 203 patients underwent SLNB before and after NACT, respectively.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding except Open Access funding from Springer Nature. The authors declared no financial conflicts of interest. Two authors declared non-financial ties with various sources.

Source: Fernandez-Gonzalez S, Falo C, Pla MJ, et al. Sentinel lymph node biopsy before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in cN0 breast cancer patients: Impact on axillary morbidity and survival—A propensity score cohort study. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2024 (Apr 18). doi: 10.1007/s10549-024-07274-1 Source

Key clinical point: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) performed before vs after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) showed a higher axillary lymph node dissection rate and no overall survival (OS) benefits in patients with clinically lymph node-negative (cN0) breast cancer (BC).

Major finding: The axillary lymph node dissection rate was significantly higher for SLNB performed before vs after NACT (29.9% vs 7.4%; P < .001; odds ratio 5.35; P = .002). Moreover, the 4-year overall survival rate was significantly compromised when SLNB was performed before vs after NACT (88.4% vs 95.7%; hazard ratio 0.21; P = .009).

Study details: This retrospective observational study included 310 patients with cN0 BC, of whom 107 and 203 patients underwent SLNB before and after NACT, respectively.

Disclosures: This study did not receive any specific funding except Open Access funding from Springer Nature. The authors declared no financial conflicts of interest. Two authors declared non-financial ties with various sources.

Source: Fernandez-Gonzalez S, Falo C, Pla MJ, et al. Sentinel lymph node biopsy before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in cN0 breast cancer patients: Impact on axillary morbidity and survival—A propensity score cohort study. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2024 (Apr 18). doi: 10.1007/s10549-024-07274-1 Source

Key clinical point: Trastuzumab deruxtecan demonstrated superior efficacy over trastuzumab emtansine as second-line treatment in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer (BC) with or without brain metastases.

Major finding: Trastuzumab deruxtecan led to significantly longer median progression-free survival (15.0 vs 3.0 months; hazard ratio 0.25; 95% CI 0.13-0.45) and higher systemic (67.4% vs 20.5%) and intracranial (65.7% vs 34.3%) objective response rates than trastuzumab emtansine in patients with brain metastases. Outcomes were similar in patients without brain metastases.

Study details: This exploratory analysis of the phase 3 DESTINY-Breast03 trial included 524 patients with HER2+ metastatic BC with or without brain metastases who were randomly assigned to receive trastuzumab deruxtecan or trastuzumab emtansine after their disease progressed with trastuzumab and taxane treatment.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca. Six authors declared being current or former employees or holding stock or stock options of Daiichi Sankyo or AstraZeneca. Several authors declared having ties to various sources, including Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca.

Source: Hurvitz SA, Kim SB, Chung WP, et al. Trastuzumab deruxtecan versus trastuzumab emtansine in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients with brain metastases from the randomized DESTINY-Breast03 trial. ESMO Open. 2024;109294 (Apr 24). doi: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2024.102924 Source

Key clinical point: Trastuzumab deruxtecan demonstrated superior efficacy over trastuzumab emtansine as second-line treatment in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer (BC) with or without brain metastases.

Major finding: Trastuzumab deruxtecan led to significantly longer median progression-free survival (15.0 vs 3.0 months; hazard ratio 0.25; 95% CI 0.13-0.45) and higher systemic (67.4% vs 20.5%) and intracranial (65.7% vs 34.3%) objective response rates than trastuzumab emtansine in patients with brain metastases. Outcomes were similar in patients without brain metastases.

Study details: This exploratory analysis of the phase 3 DESTINY-Breast03 trial included 524 patients with HER2+ metastatic BC with or without brain metastases who were randomly assigned to receive trastuzumab deruxtecan or trastuzumab emtansine after their disease progressed with trastuzumab and taxane treatment.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca. Six authors declared being current or former employees or holding stock or stock options of Daiichi Sankyo or AstraZeneca. Several authors declared having ties to various sources, including Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca.

Source: Hurvitz SA, Kim SB, Chung WP, et al. Trastuzumab deruxtecan versus trastuzumab emtansine in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients with brain metastases from the randomized DESTINY-Breast03 trial. ESMO Open. 2024;109294 (Apr 24). doi: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2024.102924 Source

Key clinical point: Trastuzumab deruxtecan demonstrated superior efficacy over trastuzumab emtansine as second-line treatment in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancer (BC) with or without brain metastases.

Major finding: Trastuzumab deruxtecan led to significantly longer median progression-free survival (15.0 vs 3.0 months; hazard ratio 0.25; 95% CI 0.13-0.45) and higher systemic (67.4% vs 20.5%) and intracranial (65.7% vs 34.3%) objective response rates than trastuzumab emtansine in patients with brain metastases. Outcomes were similar in patients without brain metastases.

Study details: This exploratory analysis of the phase 3 DESTINY-Breast03 trial included 524 patients with HER2+ metastatic BC with or without brain metastases who were randomly assigned to receive trastuzumab deruxtecan or trastuzumab emtansine after their disease progressed with trastuzumab and taxane treatment.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca. Six authors declared being current or former employees or holding stock or stock options of Daiichi Sankyo or AstraZeneca. Several authors declared having ties to various sources, including Daiichi Sankyo and AstraZeneca.

Source: Hurvitz SA, Kim SB, Chung WP, et al. Trastuzumab deruxtecan versus trastuzumab emtansine in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients with brain metastases from the randomized DESTINY-Breast03 trial. ESMO Open. 2024;109294 (Apr 24). doi: 10.1016/j.esmoop.2024.102924 Source

Key clinical point: Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be omitted in node-positive breast cancer (BC) as only 1% of patients who achieved nodal pathological complete response (pCR) with neoadjuvant chemotherapy reported axillary recurrence (AR) in 5 years.

Major finding: The AR rate was very low at 0.65% (95% CI 0.29%-1.30%) and 1.0% (95% CI 0.49%-2.00%) at 3 years and 5 years, respectively, in patients who omitted ALND and underwent targeted axillary dissection (TAD) or sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). AR rates were comparable in both surgical cohorts at 3 years (P = .55).

Study details: This retrospective cohort study included 1144 patients with node-positive BC who achieved nodal pCR with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, of whom 58.2% and 41.8% underwent SLNB and TAD, respectively.

Disclosures: This study was supported in part by a US National Institutes of Health and US National Cancer Institute Cancer Center support grant. Several authors declared receiving personal fees, grants, or consulting fees from or having other ties with various sources.

Source: Montagna G, Mrdutt MM, Sun SX, et al. Omission of axillary dissection following nodal downstaging with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. JAMA Oncol. 2024 (Apr 25). doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.0578 Source

Key clinical point: Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be omitted in node-positive breast cancer (BC) as only 1% of patients who achieved nodal pathological complete response (pCR) with neoadjuvant chemotherapy reported axillary recurrence (AR) in 5 years.

Major finding: The AR rate was very low at 0.65% (95% CI 0.29%-1.30%) and 1.0% (95% CI 0.49%-2.00%) at 3 years and 5 years, respectively, in patients who omitted ALND and underwent targeted axillary dissection (TAD) or sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). AR rates were comparable in both surgical cohorts at 3 years (P = .55).

Study details: This retrospective cohort study included 1144 patients with node-positive BC who achieved nodal pCR with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, of whom 58.2% and 41.8% underwent SLNB and TAD, respectively.

Disclosures: This study was supported in part by a US National Institutes of Health and US National Cancer Institute Cancer Center support grant. Several authors declared receiving personal fees, grants, or consulting fees from or having other ties with various sources.

Source: Montagna G, Mrdutt MM, Sun SX, et al. Omission of axillary dissection following nodal downstaging with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. JAMA Oncol. 2024 (Apr 25). doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.0578 Source

Key clinical point: Axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) can be omitted in node-positive breast cancer (BC) as only 1% of patients who achieved nodal pathological complete response (pCR) with neoadjuvant chemotherapy reported axillary recurrence (AR) in 5 years.

Major finding: The AR rate was very low at 0.65% (95% CI 0.29%-1.30%) and 1.0% (95% CI 0.49%-2.00%) at 3 years and 5 years, respectively, in patients who omitted ALND and underwent targeted axillary dissection (TAD) or sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). AR rates were comparable in both surgical cohorts at 3 years (P = .55).

Study details: This retrospective cohort study included 1144 patients with node-positive BC who achieved nodal pCR with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, of whom 58.2% and 41.8% underwent SLNB and TAD, respectively.

Disclosures: This study was supported in part by a US National Institutes of Health and US National Cancer Institute Cancer Center support grant. Several authors declared receiving personal fees, grants, or consulting fees from or having other ties with various sources.

Source: Montagna G, Mrdutt MM, Sun SX, et al. Omission of axillary dissection following nodal downstaging with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. JAMA Oncol. 2024 (Apr 25). doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.0578 Source

Key clinical point: Breast cancer (BC) diagnosed between five to <10 years postpartum (PP) was associated with a high mortality risk in women with young-onset BC (age ≤ 45 years) who had germline BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants (PV), particularly the BRCA1 mutation.

Major finding: Women with PPBC diagnosed within 5-10 years had an almost 1.5-fold higher mortality risk than nulliparous women (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.56; P = .03), with the risk being even more prominent in BRCA1 carriers (aHR 2.03; P = .02) and those with estrogen receptor-negative BC (aHR 3.12; P = .02).

Study details: This prospective cohort study included 903 women with germline BRCA1/2 PV diagnosed with stages I-III BC at age ≤ 45 years, of whom 224 were nulliparous at the time of BC diagnosis.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Oregon Health & Science University's Knight Cancer Institute, US National Institutes of Health, US National Cancer Institute, and other sources. Two authors declared receiving personal fees from various sources.

Source: Zhang Z, Ye S, Bernhardt SM, et al. Postpartum breast cancer and survival in women with germline BRCA pathogenic variants. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(4):e247421. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.7421 Source

Key clinical point: Breast cancer (BC) diagnosed between five to <10 years postpartum (PP) was associated with a high mortality risk in women with young-onset BC (age ≤ 45 years) who had germline BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants (PV), particularly the BRCA1 mutation.

Major finding: Women with PPBC diagnosed within 5-10 years had an almost 1.5-fold higher mortality risk than nulliparous women (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.56; P = .03), with the risk being even more prominent in BRCA1 carriers (aHR 2.03; P = .02) and those with estrogen receptor-negative BC (aHR 3.12; P = .02).

Study details: This prospective cohort study included 903 women with germline BRCA1/2 PV diagnosed with stages I-III BC at age ≤ 45 years, of whom 224 were nulliparous at the time of BC diagnosis.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Oregon Health & Science University's Knight Cancer Institute, US National Institutes of Health, US National Cancer Institute, and other sources. Two authors declared receiving personal fees from various sources.

Source: Zhang Z, Ye S, Bernhardt SM, et al. Postpartum breast cancer and survival in women with germline BRCA pathogenic variants. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(4):e247421. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.7421 Source

Key clinical point: Breast cancer (BC) diagnosed between five to <10 years postpartum (PP) was associated with a high mortality risk in women with young-onset BC (age ≤ 45 years) who had germline BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants (PV), particularly the BRCA1 mutation.

Major finding: Women with PPBC diagnosed within 5-10 years had an almost 1.5-fold higher mortality risk than nulliparous women (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.56; P = .03), with the risk being even more prominent in BRCA1 carriers (aHR 2.03; P = .02) and those with estrogen receptor-negative BC (aHR 3.12; P = .02).

Study details: This prospective cohort study included 903 women with germline BRCA1/2 PV diagnosed with stages I-III BC at age ≤ 45 years, of whom 224 were nulliparous at the time of BC diagnosis.

Disclosures: This study was supported by Oregon Health & Science University's Knight Cancer Institute, US National Institutes of Health, US National Cancer Institute, and other sources. Two authors declared receiving personal fees from various sources.

Source: Zhang Z, Ye S, Bernhardt SM, et al. Postpartum breast cancer and survival in women with germline BRCA pathogenic variants. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(4):e247421. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.7421 Source

Key clinical point: Young breast cancer (BC) survivors with a germline pathogenic variant had a higher risk for second primary breast cancer (SPBC) in the first 10 years after diagnosis than those without any mutation.

Major finding: Over a median follow-up of 10 years, 2.5% of BC survivors developed an SPBC. The SPBC risk was around five times higher in carriers vs noncarriers of germline pathogenic variants (subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR] 5.27; P = .01) and in women with primary in situ vs invasive BC (10.4% vs 2.1%; sHR 5.61; P = .01).

Study details: This prospective cohort study included 685 women diagnosed with stages 0-III BC at age ≤ 40 years who underwent unilateral mastectomy or lumpectomy as the primary surgery.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Susan G. Komen and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Four authors declared receiving grants or author royalties from various sources.

Source: Brantley KD, Rosenberg SM, Collins LC, et al. Second primary breast cancer in young breast cancer survivors. JAMA Oncol. 2024 (Apr 11). doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.0286 Source

Key clinical point: Young breast cancer (BC) survivors with a germline pathogenic variant had a higher risk for second primary breast cancer (SPBC) in the first 10 years after diagnosis than those without any mutation.

Major finding: Over a median follow-up of 10 years, 2.5% of BC survivors developed an SPBC. The SPBC risk was around five times higher in carriers vs noncarriers of germline pathogenic variants (subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR] 5.27; P = .01) and in women with primary in situ vs invasive BC (10.4% vs 2.1%; sHR 5.61; P = .01).

Study details: This prospective cohort study included 685 women diagnosed with stages 0-III BC at age ≤ 40 years who underwent unilateral mastectomy or lumpectomy as the primary surgery.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Susan G. Komen and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Four authors declared receiving grants or author royalties from various sources.

Source: Brantley KD, Rosenberg SM, Collins LC, et al. Second primary breast cancer in young breast cancer survivors. JAMA Oncol. 2024 (Apr 11). doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.0286 Source

Key clinical point: Young breast cancer (BC) survivors with a germline pathogenic variant had a higher risk for second primary breast cancer (SPBC) in the first 10 years after diagnosis than those without any mutation.

Major finding: Over a median follow-up of 10 years, 2.5% of BC survivors developed an SPBC. The SPBC risk was around five times higher in carriers vs noncarriers of germline pathogenic variants (subdistribution hazard ratio [sHR] 5.27; P = .01) and in women with primary in situ vs invasive BC (10.4% vs 2.1%; sHR 5.61; P = .01).

Study details: This prospective cohort study included 685 women diagnosed with stages 0-III BC at age ≤ 40 years who underwent unilateral mastectomy or lumpectomy as the primary surgery.

Disclosures: This study was funded by Susan G. Komen and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Four authors declared receiving grants or author royalties from various sources.

Source: Brantley KD, Rosenberg SM, Collins LC, et al. Second primary breast cancer in young breast cancer survivors. JAMA Oncol. 2024 (Apr 11). doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2024.0286 Source

Key clinical point: A once-daily dose of 300 mg aspirin in the adjuvant setting did not reduce risk for breast cancer (BC) recurrence or improve survival outcomes as compared with placebo in patients with high-risk nonmetastatic BC.

Major finding: Treatment with aspirin and placebo led to comparable invasive disease-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.27; P = .06) and overall survival outcomes (HR 1.19; P = .36) along with similar rates of grades 3 and 4 adverse events.

Study details: This phase 3 trial included 3020 patients with high-risk nonmetastatic BC (age 18 to <70 years) and a history of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative BC who were treated with standard therapy and were randomly assigned to receive 300 mg aspirin or placebo once daily.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the US Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program and other sources. Five authors declared receiving grants, royalties, or consulting fees from various sources.

Source: Chen WY, Ballman KV, Partridge AH, et al. Aspirin vs placebo as adjuvant therapy for breast cancer: The Alliance A011502 randomized trial. JAMA. 2024 (Apr 29). doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.4840 Source

Key clinical point: A once-daily dose of 300 mg aspirin in the adjuvant setting did not reduce risk for breast cancer (BC) recurrence or improve survival outcomes as compared with placebo in patients with high-risk nonmetastatic BC.

Major finding: Treatment with aspirin and placebo led to comparable invasive disease-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.27; P = .06) and overall survival outcomes (HR 1.19; P = .36) along with similar rates of grades 3 and 4 adverse events.

Study details: This phase 3 trial included 3020 patients with high-risk nonmetastatic BC (age 18 to <70 years) and a history of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative BC who were treated with standard therapy and were randomly assigned to receive 300 mg aspirin or placebo once daily.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the US Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program and other sources. Five authors declared receiving grants, royalties, or consulting fees from various sources.

Source: Chen WY, Ballman KV, Partridge AH, et al. Aspirin vs placebo as adjuvant therapy for breast cancer: The Alliance A011502 randomized trial. JAMA. 2024 (Apr 29). doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.4840 Source

Key clinical point: A once-daily dose of 300 mg aspirin in the adjuvant setting did not reduce risk for breast cancer (BC) recurrence or improve survival outcomes as compared with placebo in patients with high-risk nonmetastatic BC.

Major finding: Treatment with aspirin and placebo led to comparable invasive disease-free survival (hazard ratio [HR] 1.27; P = .06) and overall survival outcomes (HR 1.19; P = .36) along with similar rates of grades 3 and 4 adverse events.

Study details: This phase 3 trial included 3020 patients with high-risk nonmetastatic BC (age 18 to <70 years) and a history of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative BC who were treated with standard therapy and were randomly assigned to receive 300 mg aspirin or placebo once daily.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the US Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program and other sources. Five authors declared receiving grants, royalties, or consulting fees from various sources.

Source: Chen WY, Ballman KV, Partridge AH, et al. Aspirin vs placebo as adjuvant therapy for breast cancer: The Alliance A011502 randomized trial. JAMA. 2024 (Apr 29). doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.4840 Source

Key clinical point: Red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) can be used to detect enthesitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (psoriatic enthesopathy) with musculoskeletal ultrasound scores.

Major finding: There was a significant association between clinical tenderness, presence of enthesophytes on plain radiography, and musculoskeletal ultrasound findings at entheses sites (P < .001 for each). RDW (P = .010) and MPV (P = .001) levels were elevated in patients with psoriatic enthesopathy vs control individuals without the disease, with the hematological indices being positively correlated with disease activity scores (P < .001).

Study details: This case-control study included 30 patients with psoriatic enthesopathy and 20 control individuals without the disease (age > 18 years).

Disclosures: This study received open access funding from The Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority in cooperation with The Egyptian Knowledge Bank. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Amer AS, Al Shambaky AY, Ameen SG, Sobih AK. Hematological indices in psoriatic enthesopathy: Relation to clinical and ultrasound evaluation. Clin Rheumatol. Published online April 8, 2024. Source

Key clinical point: Red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) can be used to detect enthesitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (psoriatic enthesopathy) with musculoskeletal ultrasound scores.

Major finding: There was a significant association between clinical tenderness, presence of enthesophytes on plain radiography, and musculoskeletal ultrasound findings at entheses sites (P < .001 for each). RDW (P = .010) and MPV (P = .001) levels were elevated in patients with psoriatic enthesopathy vs control individuals without the disease, with the hematological indices being positively correlated with disease activity scores (P < .001).

Study details: This case-control study included 30 patients with psoriatic enthesopathy and 20 control individuals without the disease (age > 18 years).

Disclosures: This study received open access funding from The Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority in cooperation with The Egyptian Knowledge Bank. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Amer AS, Al Shambaky AY, Ameen SG, Sobih AK. Hematological indices in psoriatic enthesopathy: Relation to clinical and ultrasound evaluation. Clin Rheumatol. Published online April 8, 2024. Source

Key clinical point: Red cell distribution width (RDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) can be used to detect enthesitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis (psoriatic enthesopathy) with musculoskeletal ultrasound scores.

Major finding: There was a significant association between clinical tenderness, presence of enthesophytes on plain radiography, and musculoskeletal ultrasound findings at entheses sites (P < .001 for each). RDW (P = .010) and MPV (P = .001) levels were elevated in patients with psoriatic enthesopathy vs control individuals without the disease, with the hematological indices being positively correlated with disease activity scores (P < .001).

Study details: This case-control study included 30 patients with psoriatic enthesopathy and 20 control individuals without the disease (age > 18 years).

Disclosures: This study received open access funding from The Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority in cooperation with The Egyptian Knowledge Bank. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Amer AS, Al Shambaky AY, Ameen SG, Sobih AK. Hematological indices in psoriatic enthesopathy: Relation to clinical and ultrasound evaluation. Clin Rheumatol. Published online April 8, 2024. Source

Key clinical point: Ultrasound assessment showed reduced thickness of nail bed and adjacent skin in clinically healthy nails of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) than in control individuals without the disease.

Major finding: Ultrasound identified more morphological changes in the clinically healthy nails of patients with PsA vs control individuals (16.89% vs 3.33%; P = .03), along with significantly lower thickness of nail bed (1.77 mm vs 2.07 mm; P = .027) and adjacent skin (2.26 mm vs 2.59 mm; P = .003). Also, the adjacent skin thickness was positively correlated with tender joint count (correlation coefficient, 0.46; P = .03), suggesting that it can be used as a disease activity indicator.

Study details: This cross-sectional study involved the ultrasound assessment of clinically healthy nails in 22 patients with PsA (219 nails) who were compared with 21 control individuals without PsA (210 nails).

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Mahmoud I, Rouached L, Rahmouni S, et al. Ultrasound assessment of psoriatic arthritis patients with clinically normal nails and evaluation of its correlation with the disease activity: A case-control study. J Ultrasound Med. Published online April 18, 2024. Source

Key clinical point: Ultrasound assessment showed reduced thickness of nail bed and adjacent skin in clinically healthy nails of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) than in control individuals without the disease.

Major finding: Ultrasound identified more morphological changes in the clinically healthy nails of patients with PsA vs control individuals (16.89% vs 3.33%; P = .03), along with significantly lower thickness of nail bed (1.77 mm vs 2.07 mm; P = .027) and adjacent skin (2.26 mm vs 2.59 mm; P = .003). Also, the adjacent skin thickness was positively correlated with tender joint count (correlation coefficient, 0.46; P = .03), suggesting that it can be used as a disease activity indicator.

Study details: This cross-sectional study involved the ultrasound assessment of clinically healthy nails in 22 patients with PsA (219 nails) who were compared with 21 control individuals without PsA (210 nails).

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Mahmoud I, Rouached L, Rahmouni S, et al. Ultrasound assessment of psoriatic arthritis patients with clinically normal nails and evaluation of its correlation with the disease activity: A case-control study. J Ultrasound Med. Published online April 18, 2024. Source

Key clinical point: Ultrasound assessment showed reduced thickness of nail bed and adjacent skin in clinically healthy nails of patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) than in control individuals without the disease.

Major finding: Ultrasound identified more morphological changes in the clinically healthy nails of patients with PsA vs control individuals (16.89% vs 3.33%; P = .03), along with significantly lower thickness of nail bed (1.77 mm vs 2.07 mm; P = .027) and adjacent skin (2.26 mm vs 2.59 mm; P = .003). Also, the adjacent skin thickness was positively correlated with tender joint count (correlation coefficient, 0.46; P = .03), suggesting that it can be used as a disease activity indicator.

Study details: This cross-sectional study involved the ultrasound assessment of clinically healthy nails in 22 patients with PsA (219 nails) who were compared with 21 control individuals without PsA (210 nails).

Disclosures: This study did not receive any funding. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Mahmoud I, Rouached L, Rahmouni S, et al. Ultrasound assessment of psoriatic arthritis patients with clinically normal nails and evaluation of its correlation with the disease activity: A case-control study. J Ultrasound Med. Published online April 18, 2024. Source

Key clinical point: Bimekizumab demonstrated superior efficacy than placebo and had an acceptable safety profile in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Bimekizumab vs placebo led to a significantly higher response rate for minimal disease activity (risk ratio [RR], 4.188; P < .001), ≥ 70% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology criteria (RR, 7.932; P < .0001). Bimekizumab was superior to placebo in achieving ACR20/50/70 response at a dose of 160 mg. The risk for treatment-emergent adverse events was modestly higher with bimekizumab vs placebo (RR, 1.423; P = .023), whereas that for serious malignancies, upper respiratory tract infection, injection site reactions, and pharyngitis was similar for both.

Study details: This meta-analysis of four placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials included 1323 patients with PsA (age, ≥ 18 years), of whom 853 received bimekizumab.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Science Foundation of China and the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Su QY, Yang L, Cao TY, et al. Efficacy and safety of bimekizumab in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Expert Opin Drug Saf. Published online April 23, 2024. Source

Key clinical point: Bimekizumab demonstrated superior efficacy than placebo and had an acceptable safety profile in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Bimekizumab vs placebo led to a significantly higher response rate for minimal disease activity (risk ratio [RR], 4.188; P < .001), ≥ 70% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology criteria (RR, 7.932; P < .0001). Bimekizumab was superior to placebo in achieving ACR20/50/70 response at a dose of 160 mg. The risk for treatment-emergent adverse events was modestly higher with bimekizumab vs placebo (RR, 1.423; P = .023), whereas that for serious malignancies, upper respiratory tract infection, injection site reactions, and pharyngitis was similar for both.

Study details: This meta-analysis of four placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials included 1323 patients with PsA (age, ≥ 18 years), of whom 853 received bimekizumab.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Science Foundation of China and the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Su QY, Yang L, Cao TY, et al. Efficacy and safety of bimekizumab in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Expert Opin Drug Saf. Published online April 23, 2024. Source

Key clinical point: Bimekizumab demonstrated superior efficacy than placebo and had an acceptable safety profile in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Major finding: Bimekizumab vs placebo led to a significantly higher response rate for minimal disease activity (risk ratio [RR], 4.188; P < .001), ≥ 70% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology criteria (RR, 7.932; P < .0001). Bimekizumab was superior to placebo in achieving ACR20/50/70 response at a dose of 160 mg. The risk for treatment-emergent adverse events was modestly higher with bimekizumab vs placebo (RR, 1.423; P = .023), whereas that for serious malignancies, upper respiratory tract infection, injection site reactions, and pharyngitis was similar for both.

Study details: This meta-analysis of four placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials included 1323 patients with PsA (age, ≥ 18 years), of whom 853 received bimekizumab.

Disclosures: This study was supported by the National Science Foundation of China and the Natural Science Foundation of Shanxi Province. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Su QY, Yang L, Cao TY, et al. Efficacy and safety of bimekizumab in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Expert Opin Drug Saf. Published online April 23, 2024. Source

Key clinical point: Eta (14-3-3η) protein could serve as a potential biomarker in the differential diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) because patients with PsA showed significantly lower serum levels of eta protein than patients with RA.

Major finding: Eta protein levels were significantly lower in patients with PsA vs RA (regression coefficient [B], −0.341, odds ratio [OR], 0.711; P = .007). A cutoff value of 2.64 ng/mL for eta protein could distinguish between PsA and RA with 54.7% sensitivity and 77.8% specificity (area under the curve, 0.686; P = .001).

Study details: This case-control study included 54 patients with PsA, 53 with RA, and 56 healthy individuals without any rheumatological disease, whose eta protein levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Disclosures: This study was funded by a grant from the Turkish Rheumatology Association. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Kor A, Orhan K, Maraş Y, et al. Does Eta protein differentiate rheumatoid arthritis from psoriatic arthritis? Curr Med Chem. Published online April 27, 2024. Source

Key clinical point: Eta (14-3-3η) protein could serve as a potential biomarker in the differential diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) because patients with PsA showed significantly lower serum levels of eta protein than patients with RA.

Major finding: Eta protein levels were significantly lower in patients with PsA vs RA (regression coefficient [B], −0.341, odds ratio [OR], 0.711; P = .007). A cutoff value of 2.64 ng/mL for eta protein could distinguish between PsA and RA with 54.7% sensitivity and 77.8% specificity (area under the curve, 0.686; P = .001).

Study details: This case-control study included 54 patients with PsA, 53 with RA, and 56 healthy individuals without any rheumatological disease, whose eta protein levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Disclosures: This study was funded by a grant from the Turkish Rheumatology Association. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Kor A, Orhan K, Maraş Y, et al. Does Eta protein differentiate rheumatoid arthritis from psoriatic arthritis? Curr Med Chem. Published online April 27, 2024. Source

Key clinical point: Eta (14-3-3η) protein could serve as a potential biomarker in the differential diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) because patients with PsA showed significantly lower serum levels of eta protein than patients with RA.

Major finding: Eta protein levels were significantly lower in patients with PsA vs RA (regression coefficient [B], −0.341, odds ratio [OR], 0.711; P = .007). A cutoff value of 2.64 ng/mL for eta protein could distinguish between PsA and RA with 54.7% sensitivity and 77.8% specificity (area under the curve, 0.686; P = .001).

Study details: This case-control study included 54 patients with PsA, 53 with RA, and 56 healthy individuals without any rheumatological disease, whose eta protein levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Disclosures: This study was funded by a grant from the Turkish Rheumatology Association. The authors declared no conflict of interests.

Source: Kor A, Orhan K, Maraş Y, et al. Does Eta protein differentiate rheumatoid arthritis from psoriatic arthritis? Curr Med Chem. Published online April 27, 2024. Source