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BACKGROUND:Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) precursors. Differentiating between high-risk IPMNs that warrant surgical resection and low-risk IPMNs that can be monitored is a significant clinical problem, and we sought to discover a panel of mi(cro)RNAs that accurately classify IPMN risk status. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:In a discovery phase, genome-wide miRNA expression profiling was performed on 28 surgically-resected, pathologically-confirmed IPMNs (19 high-risk, 9 low-risk) using Taqman MicroRNA Arrays. A validation phase was performed in 21 independent IPMNs (13 high-risk, 8 low-risk). We also explored associations between miRNA expression level and various clinical and pathological factors and examined genes and pathways regulated by the identified miRNAs by integrating data from bioinformatic analyses and microarray analysis of miRNA gene targets. Six miRNAs (miR-100, miR-99b, miR-99a, miR-342-3p, miR-126, miR-130a) were down-regulated in high-risk versus low-risk IPMNs and distinguished between groups (P

Abstract Background Survival following melanoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have both been individually associated with previous history of non-melanoma skin cancers (specifically keratinocyte carcinomas [KC]). Furthermore, melanoma and CLL have been reported to occur within the same patients. The survival experience of patients with both cancers is understudied, and the role of history of KC is unknown. Additional research is needed to tease apart the independent associations between KC and CLL survival, KC and melanoma survival, and the co-occurrence of all three cancers. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among patients who were diagnosed with melanoma and/or CLL at a comprehensive cancer center between 2008 and 2020. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to examine the association between history of KC and survival following melanoma and/or CLL with careful consideration of calendar year of diagnosis, treatment regimens and other risk factors. A nested case–control study comparing patients with both CLL and melanoma to those with only CLL or only melanoma was conducted to compare blood parameters across the three groups. Results A time-dependent association was observed between history of KC and favorable melanoma survival within 4 years following diagnosis and poorer survival post 7 years after melanoma diagnosis. History of KC was not significantly associated with survival following the diagnosis of CLL, after adjustment for clinical factors including historical/concurrent melanoma. Patients with co-occurring melanoma and CLL tended to be diagnosed with melanoma first and had elevated blood parameters including white blood cell and lymphocyte counts as compared with patients who were diagnosed with only melanoma. Conclusions History of KC was an independent predictor of survival following melanoma but not of CLL. Additional studies are needed to determine if blood parameters obtained at the time of melanoma diagnosis could be used as a cost-effective way to identify those at high risk of asymptomatic CLL for the promotion of earlier CLL diagnosis.

Abstract Significant racial disparities in prostate cancer (PCa) outcomes have been reported, with African‐American men (AAM) more likely to endure adverse oncologic outcomes. Despite efforts to dissipate racial disparities in PCa, a survival gap persists and it remains unclear to what extent this disparity can be explained by known clinicodemographic factors. In this study, we leveraged our large institutional database, spanning over 25 years, to investigate whether AAM continued to experience poor PCa outcomes and factors that may contribute to racial disparities in PCa. A total of 7307 patients diagnosed with PCa from 1989 through 2015 were included. Associations of race and clinicodemographic characteristics were analyzed using chi‐square for categorical and Mann–Whitney U‐test for continuous variables. Racial differences in prostate cancer outcomes were analyzed using competing risk analysis methods of Fine and Gray. Median follow‐up time was 106 months. There were 2304 deaths recorded, of which 432 resulted from PCa. AAM were more likely to be diagnosed at an earlier age (median 60 vs. 65 years, P = 60 years), racial differences in PCSM were more pronounced, with AAM experiencing higher rates of PCSM (HR, 2.05, 95% CI, 1.26–3.34, P = 0.003). After adjustment of clinicodemographic and potential risk factors, AAM continue to experience an increased risk of mortality from PCa, especially older AAM. Furthermore, AAM are more likely to be diagnosed at an early age and more likely to have higher comorbidity indices.