Gay Dating App Users Support and Utilize Sexual Health Features on Apps

Men who have sex with men (MSM) frequently meet sex partners through dating apps. Research has demonstrated an association between app use and greater number of sex partners and STIs, but dating apps also pose an opportunity for intervention. By advocating for sexual health features on dating apps, Building Healthy Online Communities (BHOC) aims to increase communication about sexual health among app users. In partnership with Emory University, BHOC added questions to an annual survey of MSM. The questions assessed awareness and uptake of profile fields and sexual health features on the dating apps. Among survey participants, 67% (6737/10,129) reported using dating apps to meet a partner in the past year. Among this group, 77% (4993/6525) reported awareness of sexual health features. 61% of app users (2866/4721) who were aware of them reported using one or more sexual health features. BHOC continues to advocate for increased uptake of these features.

“I’m Writing a Sermon…”

“I’m writing a sermon…” prefaces most of the questions that come to the Pitts Theology Library Reference Desk from alumni. Candler School of Theology alumni regularly return to the library to inquire about the resources and databases that remain available to them through Emory University Libraries in their new ministerial settings. In addition to these one-off reference interactions, Pitts librarians also engage with alumni through a variety of means, including outreach and events, instruction, and graduation preparation and celebrations. During the academic years of 2019–20 and 2020–21, however, alumni needs and requests increased and transformed as public libraries closed in-person services and university campuses were limited to currently enrolled students and faculty. This paper will explore the evolving needs of seminary alumni brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, during which Pitts witnessed and managed an uptick in requests for access to collections, library spaces, and online databases.

Understanding Factors That Determine Clinical Trial Enrollment for African American Patients with Lymphoma

Background: Although the incidence of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is lower in minority populations, there is a difference in presentation, survivorship and participation in clinical trials (Becnel et al., 2017). African American patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) present with more aggressive features including higher lactate dehydrogenase, increased frequency of B-symptoms, and higher rate of HIV co-infection, while also presenting at a younger age than other patients. (Tiu et al., 2020). Given the association of race with lymphoma presentation and outcomes, minority participation in clinical trials is of vital importance when developing novel therapies. There have been efforts to increase participation of African Americans in cancer clinical trials including patient navigation outreach which resulted in improvement of 9% to 16% of patients approached (Fouad et al., 2016). However, a recent study illustrated that for DLBCL, acute myeloid leukemia, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia, individuals of African descent represented 1.5%, 2.3%, and 6.7% of clinical trial participants, respectively (Gopishetty et al., 2020). We are conducting the current study to identify factors that influence decisions regarding clinical trial participation in African American patients with NHL. Methods: We are identifying African American patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma who enrolled in a therapeutic clinical trial at Emory University between 2010-2020. We will utilize the electronic medical record to identify patient characteristics such as distance from medical facility, insurance status, type of insurance, comorbidities, education status, type of diagnosis, and race of diagnosing physician. This data will compare African American patients who participated in clinical trials to those who did not participate as part of their initial treatment, specifically comparing baseline characteristics of interest between the groups. Furthermore, the data mention above will be compared between African American and white patients. We are also conducting interviews with a selected group of African American patients that have opted to participate in therapeutic clinical trials to gain a thorough understanding of the barriers and benefits they endured during their experience. The interview questions are based on prior knowledge of clinical trials, distance to facility, religious/ spiritual belief, trust of the physician, additional expenses, and time corresponded to treatment. Patients are asked to rate the importance each factor in their decision to participate and elaborate on points most specific to them. In addition, the interview allows for discussion of possible factors that challenged their participation in clinical trials which may allow for insight on low participation levels nationally. Furthermore, we are going to target patients who enrolled on clinical trials and will subsequently identify patients who did not participate in studies to identify differences in perception of treatment and clinical investigation. This project is partnered with Accounting for the High Enrollment of African Americans in Winship Cancer Institute's Clinical Trials, at Emory University. Conclusions:This study is currently enrolling patients and will answer key questions related to clinical trial participation in African American patients with lymphoma. We aim for the data collected from this study to assist in creating lymphoma clinical trials that better cater to the unique needs and considerations of African Americans. Disclosures Cohen: Genentech, Takeda, BMS/Celgene, BioInvent, LAM, Astra Zeneca, Novartis, Loxo/Lilly: Research Funding; Janssen, Adaptive, Aptitude Health, BeiGene, Cellectar, Adicet, Loxo/Lilly, AStra ZenecaKite/Gilead: Consultancy.

Transformed Mycosis Fungoides: Clinical and Pathologic Characteristics in a Single Center Retrospective Analysis

Introduction Large cell transformation (LCT) in mycosis fungoides is defined as 25% large cells and is traditionally associated with a poor prognosis and a median survival of 3-5 years. There is no consensus on the appropriate management for these patients. We aimed to characterize clinical and pathologic features of patients with transformed mycosis fungoides (tMF) at our institution and to describe treatment patterns and patient outcomes. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 63 patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of tMF seen at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University from 1990-2021. Clinical data collected from the electronic medical record included demographics, baseline laboratory values, disease characteristics, pathologic characteristics, and therapy. Kaplan-Meier curves for OS and PFS were generated for the whole cohort. Descriptive analysis was performed for covariates. The association of baseline variables with OS was modeled by Cox proportional hazards model. Results Among 63 patients with tMF, there was even distribution among male (54%) and female (46%) patients (Figure 1A). The median age at the time of large cell transformation (LCT) was 63 years (range, 20-87). This population included 46% African American (AA), 50.8% White, 1.6% other races (n=1). At the time of diagnosis, the stage was 1A-1B in 23 (36.5%), 2A in 11 (17.5%), 2B in 20 (31.7%), 3A-3B in 3 (4.8%), 4A in 5 (7.9%) and 4B in 1. The ECOG performance status (PS) was 0-1 in 49 (77.8%), 2 in 7 patients (11.1%), 3 in 3 patients, and 4 in one patient. Most patients had patches and plaques at diagnosis, 23 (36.5%) had tumors, and 9 (14.3%) had ulceration. Only 2 patients had hypopigmented MF. The most common therapies prior to LCT were topical steroids (n=34), phototherapy (n=25), topical nitrogen mustard (n=20), oral retinoids (n=14), and oral methotrexate (n=8). Radiation (RT) was received in 22 patients prior to transformation with 16 having localized RT and 9 total skin electron beam therapy (TSEB). The median time from diagnosis to LCT was 2.1 years (range, 0-32 years). Most patients had advanced stage at the time of LCT (n=45, 86%), with stage 2B the most frequent 23 (36.5%). Other stages at LCT were 1A in 1 patient, 2A in 6, 3A-B in 6, 4A in 14 and 4B in 11. Overall, 47 (74.6%) patients experienced progression in their TNMB stage following LCT. LCT occurred in the skin in 51 patients (81%), lymph nodes in 21 (33.3%), and viscera in 5 (7.9%). The percentage of large cells was >50% in 24 patients (38.1%), and < 50% in 13 (20.6%). CD30 percentage was missing in the majority of patients (n=37, 58.7%). T-cell rearrangement in blood, skin, and lymph nodes was not consistently characterized with data missing in nearly half the patients (n=30, 47.6%). In those with TCR checked in at least one location, it was non-clonal in 19, had clonal persistence in 6 (9.5%), clonality in at least one sample but either not rechecked, or not persistent in 6 (9.5%), and oligoclonal in 2 (n=3.2). The most common treated for LCT was total skin electron beam therapy (TSEB, n=16) and chemotherapy (n=14), followed by brentuximab vedotin and localized RT in 9 patients each. Other treatments included topical corticosteroids (N=2), histone deacetylase inhibitors (n=4), and mogamulizumab (n=4). The median overall survival was 2.3 years from LCT (95% CI 1.1-3.5 years), and the median PFS was 2.6 years (95% CI, 1.1-4.1 years) (Figure 1B) . The median time to treatment following LCT was 30 days (range, -1 day to 2.3 years). By cox regression, neither baseline demographic factors, tumor characteristics, treatment, nor time to LCT were associated with progression-free or overall survival. Only response to treatment for LCT (complete response, partial response, or stable disease) was associated with survival (p=0.041, Figure 1C). Conclusions We characterized the clinical features and outcomes of a cohort of patients with tMF seen at Emory University over a 30 year period. We found poor outcomes despite many patients receiving novel and targeted therapies in the modern era. Key pathologic and clinical variables such as CD30 percentage and t-cell gene rearrangement studies were not reported for many patients, suggesting standardized practices are needed in the diagnosis and pathologic evaluation of patients with tMF. Additional pathologic correlatives will be updated at the time of the presentation. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures Allen: ADC Therapeutics: Consultancy; Kyowa Kirin: Consultancy; Secure Bio: Consultancy.

Risk Factors for Progression from Early to Advanced Stage Mycosis Fungoides: A Single Center Retrospective Analysis at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University

Introduction: Advanced stage mycosis fungoides (MF) has a median survival of 3-5 years, while early stage MF is a chronic disease typically associated with an excellent prognosis and a median survival of 20 years or more. Prior studies suggest approximately 20% of early stage MF may progress to advanced stage, but risk factors for progression remain poorly studied, particularly among African American (AA) patients. We aimed to identify clinic features associated with progression to advanced stage MF in a large urban medical center. Methods We performed a retrospective review of 388 patients with early stage (1A-2A) MF at the Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University diagnosed between 1970 and 2021. Clinical data collected from the electronic medical record included demographics, laboratory values, disease characteristics, and therapy. Our primary endpoint was to identify variables associated with progression to advanced stage MF. Progression to advanced stage was defined as a highest overall TNMB stage of 2B-4B. Overall survival (OS) was measured from time of diagnosis to date of death or last follow-up. Kaplan-Meier curves for OS were generated for the whole cohort and by progression group. Descriptive analysis was performed for each variable, and a comparison between patients who did or did not progress to advanced stage was performed using ANOVA for numerical covariates and chi-square test for categorical covariates. The association of baseline variables with OS was modeled by Cox proportional hazards model and multivariable analyses were performed on significant variables. Results Among 388 patients, the median follow up was 5 years (range 0-51). There was even distribution among male (49.0%) and female (51.0%) patients. The median age at diagnosis was 53 years (range 8-95). This population included 41.4% AA, 55.0% White, 2.3% Asian, and 1.3% other races. Stage distribution was as follows: 34.2% (n=133) stage 1A, 51.5% stage 1B (n=200), and 14.2% stage 2A (n=55). Forty-nine patients had hypopigmented MF (45 AA), and 9.4% (n=34) patients developing large cell transformation (LCT) during their disease course. Treatment at diagnosis was topical in 52.3% (n=203), systemic in 1.8% (n=7), radiation in 3.4% (n=13), and multimodality in 29.4% (n=114). Overall, 93 patients (24.1%) progressed to advanced stage. Progression to a higher stage was statistically associated with higher overall TNMB stage at diagnosis (p<0.001), T2 tumor stage (p<0.001), nodal involvement (p=0.031), positive blood flow cytometry (<0.001), T-cell receptor (TCR) clonality in the blood (p=0.014), LCT (p<0.001), and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p<0.001). Patients with hypopigmented MF were less likely to progress (hazard ratio 0.32 (95% CI 0.12-0.84) p=0.020), Sex, race, age, blood stage, and white blood cell count were not associated with risk for progression. Univariate logistic regression is summarized in figure 1. Progression to advanced stage was associated with an increased risk of death (4.75 (0.05-7.38), p < 0.001, figure 2). The median survival for patients who did and did not progress were 11 years (95% CI 7, 15) and 31 years (95% CI 25, not reached), p<0.001 respectively. Other factors associated with an increased risk of death included age > 60 (p <0.001), higher TNMB stage at diagnosis (log rank p<0.001), advanced nodal stage, (p=0.005), positive peripheral blood flow (p=0.010), TCR clonality in the blood (p=0.039), LCT (p< 0.001), elevated LDH (p<0.001), and elevated WBC (p<0.001), while hypopigmented MF was associated with a decreased risk of death (0.28 (0.09-0.90), p=0.021). On multivariable survival analysis controlling for hypopigmented MF, LCT, and stage at diagnosis, only age > 60 (3.32 (2.00-5.51), p<.001) and progression to advanced stage (4.02 (2.38-6.79), p<0.001) remained statistically significant. Conclusions We demonstrate that progression to advanced stage is associated with several baseline laboratory and disease characteristics, which bear immediate clinical relevance to the work up and staging of early stage MF. These data suggest that consistent staging and laboratory analyses with imaging for lymph node assessment, peripheral blood flow cytometry, and TCR in all newly diagnosed MF patients may aid in identifying patients at risk for progression to advanced stage disease. Figure 1 Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Antibodies in Serum and MENSA Predict Non-recurrence in Primary Clostridioides difficile infection.

Background: Within eight weeks of primary Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), as many as 30% of patients develop recurrent disease with the associated risks of multiple relapses, morbidity, and economic burden. There are no validated biomarkers predictive of recurrence during primary infection. This study demonstrates the potential of a simple test for identifying hospitalized CDI patients at low risk for disease recurrence. Methods: Forty-six hospitalized CDI patients were enrolled at Emory University Hospitals. Serum and MENSA samples prepared during weeks 1, 2, and 4 following symptom-onset were measured for antibodies specific for ten C. difficile antigens.Results: Among the 46 C. difficile-infected patients, nine (19.5%) experienced recurrence within eight weeks of primary infection. Among the 37 non-recurrent patients, 23 had anti-C. difficile MENSA antibodies specific for any of the three toxin antigens: TcdB-CROP, TcdBvir-CROP, and/or CDTb. Positive MENSA responses occurred within the first week post-symptom onset, including six patients who never seroconverted. A similar trend was observed in serum responses, but they peaked later and identified fewer patients (19/37). In contrast, none of the patients who subsequently recurred after hospitalization produced antibodies specific for the three C. difficile toxin antigens. IgA antibodies for the toxin antigens demonstrated the greatest predictive power for protection from recurrence. Discussion: The development of IgG and/or IgA antibodies for three C. difficile toxins in serum and/or MENSA has prognostic potential. These immunoassays measure nascent immune responses that reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Early identification of patients at-risk for recurrence can reduce costs and morbidity.

708 Novel ways to exploit IL-21 to augment adoptive T cell transfer therapy against tumors

BackgroundIL-21 enhances the anti-tumor capacity of adoptively transferred CD8+ T cells, while IL-2 and IL-15 impair T cell immunity by driving their expansion to a more differentiated status. Yet, these cytokines can act on many different immune cells. Given the potency of IL-21, we tested if this cytokine directly augments T cells or rather if it enhances other immune cells in the culture that indirectly improves T cell therapy.MethodsTo test this question, splenocytes from pmel-1 transgenic mice were used, as all CD8+ T cells express a transgenic TCR specific for tumor-antigen gp10025–33 overexpressed on melanoma. We then peptide activated naïve CD8+ T cells enriched or not from the spleen of pmel-1 mice and expanded them in the presence of IL-21 or IL-2 (10 ng/mL) for four days. Expanded pmel-1 from these various cultures were then restimulated with irradiated splenocytes pulsed with gp10025–33 and grown an additional seven days with IL-2 (10 ng/mL), irrespective of their initial cytokine condition. The in vitro memory phenotype, exhaustion profile, and cytokine secretion of these cultures were then assayed. Furthermore, mice bearing B16KVP melanoma tumors were infused with pmel-1 T cells expanded via these various approaches and compared for their relative capacity to engraft, persist, and regress tumor in vivo.ResultsInterestingly, we discovered that IL-21-treated T cells generated from bulk splenocytes are phenotypically and functionally distinct from IL-21-treated isolated T cells. Upon restimulation, IL-21-treated T cells from bulk splenocytes exhibited an exhausted phenotype that was like anergic IL-2-treated T cells. Moreover, few cells expressed CD62L but expressed heightened markers of suppression, including TIM3, PD-1, and EOMES. Moreover, they produced more effector molecules, including granzyme B and IFN-gamma. In vivo IL-21-treated T cells expanded from bulk splenocytes engrafted and persisted poorly, in turn mediating suboptimal regression of melanoma. Conversely, IL-21 dramatically bolstered the engraftment and antitumor activity of T cells only if they were first isolated from the spleen prior to their expansion and infusion into the animal.ConclusionsCollectively, our data shows that IL-21 may improve ACT therapy best when used directly on antitumor CD8+ T cells. Further studies will illuminate the mechanism behind this striking difference and determine whether other cell subsets reactive to IL-21 cause T cell dysfunction and/or reduced bioavailability. These findings are important for defining the best culture conditions in which to use IL-21 for ACT.AcknowledgementsWe would like to acknowledge Emory University, The Winship Cancer Institute, and the Pediatrics/Winship Flow Cytometry Core.Ethics ApprovalAll animal procedures were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Emory University, protocol number 201900225.

American Medical Trainee Perspectives on Ethical Conflicts during a Short-Term Global Health Rotation in Ethiopia: A Qualitative Analysis of 30 Cases

There has been a significant increase in the number of students, residents, and fellows from high-income settings participating in short-term global health experiences (STGHEs) during their medical training. This analysis explores a series of ethical conflicts reported by medical residents and fellows from Emory University School of Medicine in the United States who participated in a 1-month global health rotation in Ethiopia. A constant comparative analysis was conducted using 30 consecutive reflective essays to identify emerging categories and themes of ethical conflicts experienced by the trainees. Ethical conflicts were internal; based in the presence of the visiting trainee and their personal interactions; or external, occurring due to witnessed events. Themes within internal conflicts include issues around professional identity and insufficient preparation for the rotation. External experiences were further stratified by the trainee’s perception that Ethiopian colleagues agreed that the scenario represented an ethical conflict (congruent) or disagreed with the visiting trainee’s perspective (incongruent). Examples of congruent themes included recognizing opportunities for collaboration and witnessing ethical conflicts that are similar to those experienced in the United States. Incongruent themes included utilization of existing resources, issues surrounding informed consent, and differing expectations of clinical outcomes. By acknowledging the frequency and roots of ethical conflicts experienced during STGHEs, sponsors may better prepare visiting trainees and reframe these conflicts as collaborative educational experiences that benefit both the visiting trainee and host providers.

Transformation of education in the perspective of secular ethics

The article analyzes the preconditions for the transformation of the higher education system to the trinity of social, emotional, and ethical learning. The author considers the formation of education system with the use of secular Buddhist ethics on the example of Emory University (Emory, USA). The article pays great attention to the speeches of Dalai Lama and the influence of Buddhist philosophy of education on the system of socio-emotional and ethical education. The theoretical analysis of the curriculum of social-emotional-ethical training presents the methodology and the methods of the study. The object of the research is the Buddhist philosophy of education. The subject of the study is SEE Learning program (social-emotional-ethical learning) as a way of reception of the Buddhist philosophy of education in the higher education system. The author considers the implementation of SEE Learning program – social-emotional-ethical learning at Emory University (Atlanta, Georgia). This program is the result of the university’s collaboration with Dalai Lama XVI and the Tibetan Exile Community. The author concludes that the change of value orientations and the decolonization of education are factors that influence the development of educational systems. Social-emotional-ethical learning can solve the problem of lack of ethical education at universities. The introduction of ethics education will enable higher education institutions to produce not only practically and theoretically competent professionals, but also individuals who are able to understand the consequences of their decisions.

Discovery, Development, and Patent Trends on Molnupiravir: A Prospective Oral Treatment for COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic needs no introduction at present. Only a few treatments are available for this disease, including remdesivir and favipiravir. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical industry is striving to develop new treatments for COVID-19. Molnupiravir, an orally active RdRp inhibitor, is in a phase 3 clinical trial against COVID-19. The objective of this review article is to enlighten the researchers working on COVID-19 about the discovery, recent developments, and patents related to molnupiravir. Molnupiravir was originally developed for the treatment of influenza at Emory University, USA. However, this drug has also demonstrated activity against a variety of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. Now it is being jointly developed by Emory University, Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, and Merck to treat COVID-19. The published clinical data indicate a good safety profile, tolerability, and oral bioavailability of molnupiravir in humans. The patient-compliant oral dosage form of molnupiravir may hit the market in the first or second quarter of 2022. The patent data of molnupiravir revealed its granted compound patent and process-related patent applications. We also anticipate patent filing related to oral dosage forms, inhalers, and a combination of molnupiravir with marketed drugs like remdesivir, favipiravir, and baricitinib. The current pandemic demands a patient compliant, safe, tolerable, and orally effective COVID-19 treatment. The authors believe that molnupiravir meets these requirements and is a breakthrough COVID-19 treatment.