Tohoku University School of Medicine

WALTHAM, Mass.--( BUSINESS WIRE )-- BostonGene , a leading provider of AI-driven molecular and immune profiling solutions, today announced the selection of four abstracts for oral presentation, four abstracts as poster presentations, and two abstracts for online publication at the 65 th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition being held December 9-12, 2023, in San Diego, California and virtually. BostonGene will exhibit in booth #2350. “ We look forward to showcasing compelling data at ASH, which will underscore the pivotal role of molecular and immune profiling alongside advanced analytics in propelling precision medicine for individuals battling cancer,” said Nathan Fowler, MD, Chief Medical Officer at BostonGene. Details of the presentations are below: Oral presentations: Abstract: 601 Title: Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Follicular Lymphoma Treated with Tisagenlecleucel: Phase 2 Elara 3-Year Follow-up Date & time: Sunday, December 10, 2023 | 4:30 PM Location: Room 6CF - San Diego Convention Center Presenter: Stephen J Schuster, MD , Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania This presentation highlights results from the Phase 2 ELARA trial that show efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetic, and exploratory biomarker analyses in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma patients treated with tisagenlecleucel after a median follow-up of more than 3 years. Higher baseline levels of CD8+ naive T cells are associated with improved long-term clinical outcomes. Research conducted in collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, The University of Melbourne, Hospital Universitario, Oslo University Hospital, Royal Brisbane Hospital, University of Michigan, City of Hope National Medical Center, Moffitt Cancer Center, Hospices Civils de Lyon and Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Kyushu University Hospital, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, University of Amsterdam, University of California San Francisco, University of Chicago, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Universidad de Sevilla, Oregon Health and Science University, University of Cologne, West German Cancer Center, University of Duisburg-Essen, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Hokkaido University, King’s College London, University of Kansas Medical Center, Ordensklinikum Linz Barmherzige Schwestern-Elisabethinen, Universitair Ziekenhuis Gent, University Hospital of Ulm, University of Bologna, Cambridge University, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Novartis Pharma AG, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Hospital Abstract: 851 Title: A CD5 Gene Signature Identifies Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas Sensitive to Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase Inhibition Date & time: Monday, December 11, 2023: 3:45 PM Location: Room 6DE - San Diego Convention Center Presenter: Alan Cooper, University of Chicago This study highlights the discovery of a novel transcriptomic-based biomarker of BTK inhibitors (BTK-i) response in DLBCL patients. The biomarker, a CD5 gene signature, expands upon existing genetic DLBCL classifications by identifying DLBCL patients that can benefit from BTK-i, warranting further prospective validation in BTK-i clinical trials. Research conducted in collaboration with the University of Chicago, City of Hope National Medical Center, The University of British Colombia, Janssen Research & Development, Centre for Lymphoid Cancer Abstract: 905 Title: Machine Learning (ML)-Enabled Automation for High-Throughput Data Processing in Flow Cytometry Date & time: Monday, December 11, 2023 | 3:45 PM Location: Room 6CF - San Diego Convention Center Presenter: Anna Kamysheva, MSc, BostonGene This presentation describes BostonGene’s development of an ML-based algorithm for automated cell-type labeling that enables the detection of rare and/or new cell populations with high speed and accuracy. This algorithm is applicable in clinical settings, particularly for detecting hematological abnormalities and cancers. Abstract: 983 Title: Addition of Acalabrutinib to Lenalidomide and Rituximab Induces High Complete Response Rates in Patients with Previously Untreated Follicular Lymphoma: Results of a Phase II Study Date & time: Monday, December 11, 2023 | 5:30 PM Location: Grand Hall C - Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego Presenter: Paolo Strati, MD, MD Anderson The study demonstrates the safety and efficacy of lenalidomide and rituximab treatment in combination with acalabrutinib in previously untreated FL patients and highlights the use of bulk RNA sequencing with deconvolution to analyze the biological effects of this treatment combination on peripheral blood immune cells. Research conducted in collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Poster presentations: Abstract: 1676 Title: Preliminary Analysis of an Ongoing Phase II Study of Response-Adapted Therapy with Copanlisib and Rituximab for Untreated Follicular Lymphoma Date & time: Saturday, December 9, 2023 | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM Location: Halls G-H - San Diego Convention Center Presenter: Rahul Lakhotia, MBBS, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health This study describes the preliminary analysis (including safety and efficacy) of an ongoing “window of opportunity” study of copanlisib, followed by response-adapted copanlisib and rituximab in treatment-naïve patients with follicular lymphoma (FL). Gene expression profiling was used to identify high-risk patients and find a predictive signature of response to PI3K inhibitor. Research conducted in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health and Mayo Clinic Abstract : 3644 Title: A Novel Comprehensive Tumor-Informed Plasma cfDNA Assay to Monitor Minimal Residual Disease for Hematological and Solid Malignancies Date & time: Sunday, December 10, 2023 |6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Location: Halls G-H - San Diego Convention Center Presenter: Anastasiya Yudina, MSc, BostonGene This presentation describes our cell-free DNA (cfDNA) testing platform for minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring. It encompasses all major clinically reliable genetic hotspots events and can detect clinically relevant mutations in plasma samples before clinical manifestation. Abstract: 3001 Title: Genomic and Transcriptomic Profiles of Blastoid and Pleomorphic Mantle Cell Lymphoma Are Distinct from Classic Histology Mantle Cell Lymphoma Date & time: Sunday, December 10, 2023 |6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Location: Halls G-H - San Diego Convention Center Presenter: Preetesh Jain, MD, MBBS, PhD, DM, MD Anderson This presentation highlights the use of BostonGene’s integrated genomic and transcriptomic analysis platform to provide a comprehensive portrait of the molecular differences between blastoid and pleomorphic mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), revealing mechanistic insights that can be used for the development of more effective therapeutic strategies. Research conducted in collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Abstract: 4872 Title: Long-Term Durable Responses in Relapsed/Refractory (r/r) ALL, DLBCL, and FL Patients Treated with Tisagenlecleucel and Its Association with Persistence of CAR T-Cells Date & time: Monday, December 11, 2023: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Location: Halls G-H - San Diego Convention Center Presenter: Rakesh Awasthi, PhD , Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research This study highlights a positive association between chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) persistence in peripheral blood post tisagenlecleucel (tisa-cel) infusion and durable clinical responses across three indications. Research conducted in collaboration with Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah, Goethe University Frankfurt, University Hospital, Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Emory University School of Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Université de Paris, Klinikum der Universität, LMU München, MD Anderson Cancer Center Online publications: Title: Test-the-Test: Clinical Utility of Comprehensive Whole Exome Sequencing and RNA-Seq for Patients with Lymphoma This study shows an acceptable turn-around-time (TAT) of 8 days for the delivery of clinical reports that include clinically relevant findings and matched clinical trials, demonstrating the feasibility of using comprehensive WES and RNA-seq molecular profiling for lymphoma patients. Research conducted in collaboration with The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Title: Molecular Findings on Plasma Cell-Free DNA Analysis Among Adults with Histiocytic Neoplasms This study describes the use of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis to evaluate the molecular findings in adults with histiocytic neoplasms, highlighting cfDNA as a potential viable tool for discovering driver mutations in multiple cancers. Research conducted in collaboration with The University of Alabama, Mayo Clinic In addition to the poster presentations, the abstracts have been published online in the November supplemental issue of “ Blood .” For more information, please visit the 65th ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition website at https://www.hematology.org/meetings/annual-meeting/abstracts . About BostonGene Corporation BostonGene has a mission to provide transformative, AI-integrated molecular analytics and biomarker discovery for precision matching of therapies to improve the lives of patients living with cancer and other immune-related diseases. BostonGene’s concierge-service model provides customized client solutions using a multi-omic approach prioritized for real-world impact to optimize standard-of-care therapies, accelerate research and provide cost-effective, measurable data-driven results. BostonGene’s tests reveal key drivers of each patient’s unique disease profile, including an in-depth profile of the immune microenvironment, actionable mutations, biomarkers of response to diverse therapies, and recommended therapies. Through these comprehensive analyses, BostonGene’s tests generate a personalized roadmap for therapeutic decision-making for each patient. For more information, visit BostonGene at http://www.BostonGene.com.

Atopic dermatitis skin lesions and the lesions produced by infectious complications of the disease look so similar that it makes it impossible for patients to spot the difference and know when to visit their doctor for treatment. But an AI-powered mobile app developed by dermatologists now puts the power of diagnosis in the hands of patients. A team of dermatologists has developed an artificial intelligence (AI) model that empowers atopic dermatitis (AD) patients to detect complications from bacterial or viral infections and distinguish between eczema and skin lesions caused by a type of blood cancer. The AI model is detailed in a paper published in the Journal of Dermatological Science on January 11, 2023. AD is a chronic disease that affects around 12 percent of people and often begins in childhood. Patients with AD typically have a suppressed skin immune barrier, which reduces their protection against microbial pathogens, leading to complications of the eczema from bacterial or viral infections. This may include herpes simplex, impetigo, and Kaposi varicelliform eruption (eczema herpeticum). Recognizing whether AD has led to any of these complications can be challenging for patients as the symptoms' appearance on the skin is very similar to AD itself. Moreover, mycosis fungoides, a type of blood cancer that causes skin lesions, can also exhibit similar symptoms to AD and may co-exist with AD. Some medications for AD can even worsen infections or mycosis fungoides. Proper and early diagnosis of complications and malignant diseases is critical for appropriate treatment and better outcomes. However, patients cannot always recognize any abnormal symptoms and visit a doctor as soon as possible due to the similarity of symptoms. To address this issue, the team trained their convolutional neural network (CNN) model on non-standard images of AD, impetigo, mycosis fungoides, herpes simplex, and Kaposi varicelliform eruption. They then compared the AI's diagnosis accuracy to a set of non-standard images manually cropped and diagnostically annotated by dermatologists. They found that their system achieved a diagnostic accuracy almost equal to the manually assessed image set. The team is currently developing an AI-powered smartphone app to translate their system, enabling patients to manage their skin diseases remotely with just their phone's camera. They are also experimenting with AD patients to improve the app's usability. Yuta Yanagisawa, a researcher with the Tohoku University School of Medicine and co-author of the paper, said, "A dermatologist would of course be able to spot the difference, but it is incredibly impractical for an AD patient to visit a dermatologist every day. If only there were some handy, low-cost mechanism that replicated that dermatologist's knowledge and could be used during a patient's daily regimen of checking their skin." The team believes that this technology will help patients with skin diseases to manage their conditions effectively and efficiently, resulting in better health outcomes.

Researchers have discovered that softer gums hinder the development of gingiva fibroblasts -- the cells that help produce the fibers that hold our teeth in place. The tissue area that surrounds our teeth is known as the gingiva, and healthy teeth will nestle firmly into the gums thanks to the many gingival fibers that connect the tooth to the gingiva. The gingiva is home to fibroblasts -- cells that contribute to the formation of connective tissue. A group of scientists from Tohoku University have discovered that the gingiva stiffness influences the properties of gingival fibroblasts, which in turn affects whether inflammation is likely to occur and make gingival fibers difficult to form. Their findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports on January 24, 2023. "We discovered that soft gingiva results in inflammation and hinders the development of gingival fibers," says Associate Professor Masahiro Yamada from Tohoku University's Graduate School of Dentistry. It has long been known that individuals with thick or stiff gingiva are less susceptible to gingival recessions. This is where the gingiva begins to recede and expose a tooth's root. Many factors can lead to gingival recession, such as gum disease, over-brushing, and chewing tobacco. But this is the first time that gingival stiffness has been attributed to biological reactions. Although fibroblasts play an important role in the maintenance, repair and healing of the gingiva, they also produce various inflammatory and tissue-degrading biomolecules which degrade the gingival fibers. In addition, fibroblasts are associated with immune responses to pathogens. Yamada, along with his colleague Professor Hiroshi Egusa, also from the Tohoku University's Graduate School of Dentistry, created an artificial culture environment that simulated soft or hard gingiva and cultured human gingival fibroblasts on them. They discovered that hard gingiva-simulated stiffness activated an intracellular anti-inflammatory system in the gingival fibroblasts that prevented inflammation. Yet, soft gingiva-simulated stiffness suppressed the fibroblastic anti-inflammatory system. This increased the likelihood of inflammation and resulted in less collagen synthesis. "Our research is the first to demonstrate the biological mechanisms at play in regard to a patient's gingival properties," adds Yamada. "The results are expected to accelerate the development of advanced biomaterials to control local inflammation or microdevices that simulate the microenvironment of inflammatory conditions."