Αρχειοθήκη ιστολογίου

Κυριακή 5 Νοεμβρίου 2017

Whole exome sequencing reveals intertumor heterogeneity and distinct genetic origins of sporadic synchronous colorectal cancer

Abstract

Sporadic synchronous colorectal cancer (CRC) refers to more than one primary tumor detected in a single patient at the time of the first diagnosis without predisposition of cancer development. Given the same genetic and microenvironment they raise, sporadic synchronous CRC is a unique model to study CRC tumorigenesis. We performed whole exome sequencing in 32 fresh frozen tumor lesions from 15 patients with sporadic synchronous CRC to compare their genetic alterations. This approach identified ubiquitously mutated genes in the range from 0.34% to 4.22% and from 0.8% to 7.0% in non-hypermutated tumors and hypermutated tumors, respectively, in a single patient. We show that both ubiquitously mutated genes and candidate cancer genes from different tumors in the same patient mutated at different sites. Consistently, obvious differences in somatic copy number variations (SCNV) were found in most patients with non-hypermutated tumor lesions, which had ubiquitous copy number amplification rates ranging from 0% to 8.8% and ubiquitous copy number deletion rates ranging from 0% to 8.2%. Hypermutated lesions were nearly diploid with 0% to 18.8% common copy number aberrations. Accordingly, clonal structures, altered signaling pathways, and druggable genes in a single patient with synchronous CRC varied significantly. Taken together, the disparate SCNVs and mutations in synchronous CRC supported the field effect theory of tumorigenesis. Moreover, the intertumor heterogeneity of synchronous CRCs implies that analysis of all tumor lesions from the same patient is necessary for appropriate clinical treatment decisions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.



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Development, content validity, and cross-cultural adaptation of a patient-reported outcome measure for real-time symptom assessment in irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract

Background

End-of-day questionnaires, which are considered the gold standard for assessing abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), are influenced by recall and ecological bias. The experience sampling method (ESM) is characterized by random and repeated assessments in the natural state and environment of a subject, and herewith overcomes these limitations. This report describes the development of a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) based on the ESM principle, taking into account content validity and cross-cultural adaptation.

Methods

Focus group interviews with IBS patients and expert meetings with international experts in the fields of neurogastroenterology & motility and pain were performed in order to select the items for the PROM. Forward-and-back translation and cognitive interviews were performed to adapt the instrument for the use in different countries and to assure on patients' understanding with the final items.

Key results

Focus group interviews revealed 42 items, categorized into five domains: physical status, defecation, mood and psychological factors, context and environment, and nutrition and drug use. Experts reduced the number of items to 32 and cognitive interviewing after translation resulted in a few slight adjustments regarding linguistic issues, but not regarding content of the items.

Conclusions and Inferences

An ESM-based PROM, suitable for momentary assessment of IBS symptom patterns was developed, taking into account content validity and cross-cultural adaptation. This PROM will be implemented in a specifically designed smartphone application and further validation in a multicenter setting will follow.

Thumbnail image of graphical abstract

Retrospective patient reports of IBS symptoms are influenced by recall and ecological bias. A digital patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for momentary symptom assessment in IBS, based on the experience sampling methodology (ESM), was developed, taking into account content validity and cross-cultural adaptation. The developed ESM-PROM assesses real-time symptoms and influencing factors in daily life, and therefore has the potential to provide insight into the fluctuating IBS symptom pattern during the day and to identify individual symptom triggers.



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Pediatric acute mastoiditis in the era of pneumococcal vaccination

Objectives/Hypothesis

The objective was to describe trends in the annual prevalence of hospitalization for pediatric acute mastoiditis since introduction of the 7-valent pneumococcal vaccine in 2000 and the 13-valent vaccine in 2010.

Study Design

Cross-sectional retrospective data analysis.

Methods

The Kids' Inpatient Database from years 2000 to 2012 was analyzed. To determine the annual prevalence of hospitalization for acute mastoiditis, nationally weighted frequencies of hospitalization for children <21 years with acute mastoiditis diagnoses were collected. Trend analysis of hospitalization rates from 2000 to -2012 was performed.

Results

From 2000 to 2012, there was no significant trend in hospitalization rates for acute mastoiditis overall (1.38 and 1.43 per 100,000 persons in 2000 and 2012, respectively; P = .86) or by age group. When comparing hospitalization rates at time points 2000 and 2012, children <1 year (4.65 and 3.27 per 100,000 persons, P = .0023) and 1 to 2 years of age (3.95 and 3.18 per 100,000 persons, respectively; P = .0107) demonstrated declines in hospitalization over time. Between 2009 and 2012, hospitalization rates also significantly declined for children aged <1 year (4.50 to 3.27 per 100,000 persons, P = .0056) and 1 to 2 years (4.30 to 3.18 per 100,000 persons, P = .0002) but increased for children 5 to 9 years (1.10 to 1.81 per 100,000 persons, P < .0001) and 10 to 20 years of age (0.41 to 0.72 per 100,000 persons, P < .0001).

Conclusions

Despite introduction of two pneumococcal vaccines, rates of hospitalization for pediatric acute mastoiditis did not decline between 2000 and 2012. Between 2009 and 2012, however, children 0 to 2 years of age showed declining hospitalization rates, possibly reflecting the protective benefit of the 13-valent pneumococcal vaccine.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 2017



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Current practices for voice rest recommendations after phonomicrosurgery

Objectives/Hypothesis

The aim of this study was to understand current protocols for voice rest implemented by laryngologists immediately after phonomicrosurgery for benign vocal fold lesions.

Study Design

Cross-sectional survey.

Methods

A 24-item survey was sent via electronic mail to laryngologists across the country to gather data on their recommendations of type and dosage of voice rest, factors involved in this decision, and recommendations for other behavioral modifications.

Results

A majority of the laryngologists implement 7 days of complete voice rest for nodules, cysts, polyps, and Reinke's edema, 1 to 4 days for leukoplakia and papilloma, and over 8 days of relative voice rest for most lesions. A majority of the laryngologists also employ a combination of complete and relative voice rest.

Conclusions

The more common recommendation for complete voice rest is 7 days for nodules, cysts, polyps, and Reinke's edema, and 1 to 4 days for leukoplakia and papilloma. Relative voice rest when recommended is typically recommended for over 8 days. Voice rest recommendations were not affected by surgery type alone, but were determined by either lesion type alone or lesion type combined with surgery type.

Levels of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 2017



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Prediction of mortality and morbidity in head and neck cancer patients 80 years of age and older undergoing surgery

Objectives

To determine postoperative complications and mortality rates in octogenarian and older head and neck cancer patients undergoing ablative surgical resections and to identify factors associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study investigating risk factors for 30-day serious complication risk and 90-day mortality risk for patients aged 80 years and older who underwent ablative head and neck oncologic surgical procedures at an academic tertiary care center between 2005 and 2015.

Results

Of the 219 patients who underwent 241 surgeries, 74 patients experienced serious complications within 30 days and 25 died within 90 days of surgery. American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score of 4 or greater, and operating room (OR) time ≥6 hours were independently associated with serious complications, whereas age ≥90 years, overall severe comorbidity score, presence of preoperative dysphagia, and large extent of resection were associated with increased risk of death in 90 days. Models to predict risk of 30-day serious complications and 90-day mortality were then developed.

Conclusion

Patient and surgical treatment factors predict risk of serious complications and mortality in patients aged 80 years and older undergoing ablative head and neck surgery. Predictive models may guide preoperative discussion with patients.

Level of Evidence

2b. Laryngoscope, 2017



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Vibratory function and healing outcomes after small intestinal submucosa biomaterial implantation for chronic vocal fold scar

Objectives/Hypothesis

Vocal fold scar is a major cause of dysphonia, and optimal treatments do not currently exist. Small intestinal submucosa (SIS) is a biomaterial developed for the treatment of a variety of pathologies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of SIS implantation on tissue remodeling in scarred vocal folds using routine staining, immunohistochemistry, and high-speed videoendoscopy (HSV).

Study Design

Prospective, blinded group analysis.

Methods

Thirteen New Zealand White rabbits underwent a vocal fold scarring procedure followed by microflap elevation with or without SIS implantation. Seven months later, they underwent a phonation procedure with HSV and laryngeal harvest. Alcian blue and elastica van Gieson staining and immunohistochemistry for collagen types I and III were used to evaluate histological healing outcomes. Dynamic functional remodeling of the scarred vocal fold in the presence of SIS implants was evaluated using HSV imaging to capture restoration of vibratory amplitude, amplitude ratio, and left-right phase symmetry.

Results

Density of collagen I was significantly decreased in SIS versus microflap-treated vocal folds. No differences were found between groups for hyaluronic acid, elastin, or collagen type III. Organization of elastin in the subepithelial region appeared to affect amplitude of vibration and the shape of the vocal fold edge.

Conclusions

SIS implantation into chronic scar reduced the density of collagen I deposits. There was no evidence of a negative impact or complication from SIS implantation. Regardless of treatment type, organization of elastin in the subepithelial region may be important to vibratory outcomes.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 2017



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Is multidisciplinary team care for head and neck cancer worth it?



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Clinical trials in rhinosinusitis: Identifying areas for improvement

Objectives/Hypothesis

To characterize trends in rhinosinusitis clinical trials to provide recommendations for therapeutic directions, highlight possible redundancy, and provide a framework for prioritization of future clinical trials.

Study Design

Database analysis.

Methods

Data were collected from ClinicalTrials.gov including all clinical trials that focused on rhinosinusitis with the exclusion of trials withdrawn prior to enrollment. Variables recorded included study design, study population, pharmaceutical involvement, publication, and whether a trial was a medical or surgical intervention. Associated publications were identified using the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases.

Results

There were 269 rhinosinusitis clinical trials, dating from 1993 to 2017, that met inclusion reauirements. Of the studies included in this analysis, 51.7% had at least one scientific publication, and of those with publications, 80.6% had positive results and 19.3% had negative results. Twenty-three clinical trials (8.5%) studied drugs already approved for rhinosinusitis, 113 (42.0%) trials studied drugs that were approved for other uses, 42 (15.6%) trials studied experimental drugs, and 102 (39.4%) studied surgical intervention. Of the trials studying drugs, the data showed many clinical trials that studied the same drug. The data demonstrate a steady decline in clinical trials with medical intervention and a rise in clinical trials with surgical intervention.

Conclusions

This analysis is the first to characterize rhinosinusitis clinical trials, highlighting the over-representation of certain drugs and demonstrating an increased focus on clinical trials employing surgical intervention. We provide a framework to discuss prioritization of future studies to guide clinical and research practice.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 2017



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The relationship between endolymphatic hydrops in the vestibule and low-frequency air-bone gaps

Objectives/Hypothesis

To investigate the relationship between endolymphatic hydrops and hearing level, focusing on significant vestibular endolymphatic hydrops adjacent to the stapes footplate and low-frequency air-bone gaps.

Study Design

Retrospective study.

Methods

The study included 1,548 ears from 775 patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging examination in our university hospital to investigate possible endolymphatic hydrops between January 2012 and December 2015. Ears were evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging performed 4 hours after intravenous injection of a standard dose of gadodiamide hydrate and/or 24 hours after intratympanic injection of gadopentetate dimeglumine diluted eightfold. Comparison of hearing thresholds on pure-tone audiometry was performed between ears having endolymphatic hydrops adjacent to the stapes footplate and those having nonadjacent endolymphatic hydrops.

Results

Forty-one ears (22 men and 19 women, mean age 48.4 years) showed significant cochlear and vestibular endolymphatic hydrops adjacent to the stapes footplate, and 79 ears (30 men and 49 women, mean age 45.0 years) showed significant nonadjacent cochlear and vestibular endolymphatic hydrops. The average air-bone gap at 250 Hz was significantly higher in the group of ears with adjacent hydrops than in those with nonadjacent hydrops.

Conclusions

The appearance of low-frequency air-bone gaps suggests deterioration of endolymphatic hydrops, particularly in ears with Ménière's disease, and could be a useful indicator for evaluating and treating patients with endolymphatic hydrops.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 2017



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Motor and sensory morbidity associated with the anterolateral thigh perforator free flap

Objective

To quantify changes in motor function, sensation, and lower extremity quality of life following anterior lateral thigh free flap (ALT) resection.

Methods

This mixed methods study contained both a prospective cohort arm (n = 20) and retrospective cross-sectional arm (n = 20). In both arms, patients underwent formal motor and sensation testing of the ipsilateral and contralateral thigh by sphygmomanometry and monofilament testing. In the prospective arm, data was collected preoperatively and at the 6-month and 1-year follow-up visits. In the retrospective arm, consecutive patients with a minimum of 6-month postoperative follow-up were enrolled.

Results

Postoperatively, 82% of participants endorsed some degree of numbness and tingling at the donor site. On monofilament testing, patients from the prospective arm showed decreased sensibility of the midthigh at both the 6- and 12-month assessment (P < 0.01). Two-point discrimination scores were moderately correlated with the cross-sectional surface area of the flap. Donor thighs demonstrated a similar peak isometric quadriceps contraction (retrospective [retro]: 47 ± 24 mmHg, prospective [pro]: 90 ± 36 mmHg) to the unoperated thighs (retro: 43 mmHg ± 22, pro: 69 ± 35.3 mmHg, P = 0.49). When stratified by perforator anatomy, no significant differences were noted. Subjective donor site morbidity measured with the lower extremity function scale demonstrated no statistically significant difference between the preoperative and 12-month postoperative assessment.

Conclusion

The ALT flap offers minimal donor site morbidity. Reduced sensibility of the ALT flap is a common complaint among patients. Quadriceps strength is not significantly affected by an ALT free flap harvest.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 2017



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Pediatric tinnitus: A clinical perspective

Objectives/Hypothesis

To define the clinical features and natural history of pediatric tinnitus from a practicing otolaryngologist's perspective and formulate hypotheses therein.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of the electronic medical record was undertaken. Only relevant records with a prior otolaryngology clinic visit and audiologic testing were included. Patients seen during the last 2 years of the study period were contacted and completed a questionnaire to assess change in tinnitus and quantify potential alterations in quality of life, associated symptoms, and natural history.

Results

One hundred eighty subjects with mean/median age of 11.5/11.5 years were identified. Hearing loss was identified in 40 subjects (22.2%). Etiology of tinnitus was identified in 95 subjects (52.8 %). Tinnitus-specific and/or nonspecific therapies were given to 80 subjects (44.4%). Of the 54 available subjects, 28 (51.9%) participated in the telephone questionnaire. Tinnitus complaints shifted favorably to the improvement or resolution categories (P = .001) between the initial clinic visit and the telephone interview. Shorter duration of tinnitus was associated with a higher probability of having improved tinnitus (P = .046).

Conclusions

This study distinguishes pediatric tinnitus from adult tinnitus in terms of lower association with underlying hearing loss, lower likelihood of reported anxiety, and higher likelihood of improvement and resolution. There are opportunities for tinnitus prevention in the areas of reducing head injury and noise-induced hearing loss.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 2017



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Early participant-reported symptoms as predictors of adherence to anastrozole in the International Breast Cancer Intervention Studies II

Abstract
Background
Anastrozole reduces breast cancer risk in women at high risk, but implementing preventive therapy in clinical practice is difficult. Here, we evaluate adherence to anastrozole in the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study (IBIS) II prevention and Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) trials, and its association with early symptoms.
Patients and methods
In the prevention trial, 3864 postmenopausal women were randomized to placebo vs. anastrozole. 2980 postmenopausal women with DCIS were randomized to tamoxifen vs. anastrozole. Adherence to trial medication was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and all P-values were two-sided.
Results
In the prevention trial, adherence was 65.8% (anastrozole (65.7%) vs. placebo (65.9%); HR = 0.97 (0.87-1.09), p=0.6). Adherence was lower for those reporting arthralgia in the placebo group (p=0.02) or gynecological symptoms in the anastrozole group (P=0.003), compared with those not reporting these symptoms at 6 months. In the DCIS study, adherence was 66.7% (anastrozole (67.5%) vs. tamoxifen (65.8%); HR = 1.06 (0.94-1.20), p=0.4). Hot flashes were associated with greater adherence in the anastrozole arm (p=0.02). In both studies, symptoms were mostly mild or moderately severe, and adherence decreased with increasing severity for most symptoms. Drop-outs were highest in the first 1.5 years of therapy in both trials.
Conclusions
In the IBIS-II prevention and DCIS trials, over two-thirds of women were adherent to therapy, with no differences by treatment groups. Participants who reported specific symptoms in the IBIS-II prevention trial had a small but significant effect on adherence, which strengthened as severity increased. Strategies to promote adherence should target the first year of preventive therapy.

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Impact of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy on Health Related Quality of Life In Long-Term Survivors of Esophageal or Junctional Cancer: Results from the Randomized Cross Trial

Abstract
Background
Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) plus surgery is a standard of care for patients with esophageal or junctional cancer, but the long-term impact of nCRT on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is unknown. The purpose of this study is to compare very long-term HRQOL in long-term survivors of esophageal cancer who received nCRT plus surgery or surgery alone.
Patients and methods
Patients were randomly assigned to receive nCRT (carboplatin/paclitaxel with 41.4Gy radiotherapy) plus surgery or surgery alone. HRQOL was measured using EORTC-QLQ-C30, EORTC-QLQ-OES24 and K-BILD questionnaires after a minimum follow-up of 6 years. To allow for examination over time, EORTC-QLQ-C30 and QLQ-OES24 questionnaire scores were compared to pre-treatment and 12-months-postoperative questionnaire scores. Physical functioning (QLQ-C30), eating problems (QLQ-OES24) and respiratory problems (K-BILD) were predefined primary endpoints. Predefined secondary endpoints were global quality of life and fatigue (both QLQ-C30).
Results
After a median follow-up of 105 months, 123/368 included patients (33%) were still alive (70 nCRT plus surgery, 53 surgery alone). No statistically significant or clinically relevant differential effects in HRQOL-endpoints were found between both groups. Compared to one-year postoperative levels, eating problems, physical functioning, global quality of life and fatigue remained at the same level in both groups. Compared to pre-treatment levels, eating problems had improved (Cohen's d -0.37, p = 0.011) during long-term follow-up, whereas physical functioning and fatigue were not restored to pre-treatment levels in both groups (Cohen's d -0.56 and 0.51, resp., both p < 0.001).
Conclusion(s)
Although physical functioning and fatigue remain reduced after long-term follow-up, no adverse impact of nCRT is apparent on long-term HRQOL compared to patients who were treated with surgery alone. In addition to the earlier reported improvement in survival and the absence of impact on short-term HRQOL, these results support the view that nCRT according to CROSS can be considered as a standard of care.
CLINICAL TRIALS NUMBER
Trial registration number: Netherlands Trial Register NTR487

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Rare Cancers and Social Media: Analysis of Twitter Metrics in the First 2 Years of a Rare-Disease Community for Myeloproliferative Neoplasms on Social Media—#MPNSM

Abstract

Purpose of review

The use of social media has now become a standard 13 means of communication for many individuals worldwide. 14 The use of one specific form of social media, Twitter, has 15 increased among healthcare providers, both as a means of 16 information gathering and as a conduit for original content 17 creation. Recently, major efforts by users have been put for- 18 ward to help streamline the unprecedented amount of infor- 19 mation that can be found on Twitter. These efforts have led to 20 the creation of diseasespecific hashtag (#) medical communi- 21 ties and have greatly enhanced the ability to understand and 22 better categorize the available data on Twitter. Specifically, for 23 those involved in rare cancer fields, adhering to organically 24 designed and consistently used hashtags has led to the rapid, 25 reliable dissemination of information and the ability to effi- 26 ciently discuss and debate topics of interest in the field. For the 27 field of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), the creation of #MPNSM (myeloproliferative neoplasms on social media) in 28 2015 has facilitated interactions among healthcare stake- 29 holders from all over the world in the MPN field.

Recent findings

In order to 30 better understand the trends and topics of interest to Twitter 31 users of this novel medical community, we conducted the 32 present analysis which focuses on Twitter analytics from the 33 first two years of #MPNSM.

Summary

In this analysis, we observed a 34 sustained increase in the number of Twitter users, number of 35 tweets, number of impressions, and number of retweets over 36 time, demonstrating the feasibility of creating and maintaining 37 a disease-specific hashtag for a rare cancer over time.



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Generational shift in melanoma incidence and mortality in Queensland, Australia, 1995-2014

Abstract

Public campaigns encouraging sun protection for skin cancer prevention began in Queensland, Australia, in the early 1980s. We examined recent trends to assess whether earlier evidence of stabilizing melanoma incidence in young people has persisted. Anonymised incidence and mortality data for in situ and invasive melanoma for the 20 years 1995-2014 were obtained from the Queensland Cancer Registry. Time trends were analysed using joinpoint regression. Birth cohort patterns were assessed using age-period-cohort models. Melanoma incidence in Queensland remains the highest recorded in the world (age-standardised incidence of invasive melanoma (2010-2014) = 72/100,000/annum). Over the 20-year period, incidence of in situ melanoma increased in all age groups. Incidence of both thin (≤1mm) and thick (>1mm) invasive melanoma was either stable or decreased in people under 60, while it increased in those aged 60 and above, particularly in men. Age-period-cohort analysis revealed decreasing age-specific incidence of invasive melanoma under 40 years of age, beginning with the birth cohort born around the mid-1960s, with steepest falls for those born around 1980 and later. Age-specific incidence was stable between 40-59 years of age from the 1945 birth cohort onwards. Melanoma mortality over the period was stable or decreased in all groups except in men aged 60 or over. These findings are evidence of real advances in the prevention and early detection of invasive melanoma in this very high-risk population. They make a compelling case for continued public health efforts to reduce the burden of melanoma in susceptible populations. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.



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Five-year relative survival for human papillomavirus-associated cancer sites

BACKGROUND

Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines can potentially prevent greater than 90% of cervical and anal cancers as well as a substantial proportion of vulvar, vaginal, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers caused by certain HPV types. Because more than 38,000 HPV-associated cancers are diagnosed annually in the United States, current studies are needed to understand how relative survival varies for each of these cancers by certain demographic characteristics, such as race and age.

METHODS

The authors examined high-quality data from 27 population-based cancer registries covering approximately 59% of the US population. The analyses were limited to invasive cancers that were diagnosed during 2001 through 2011 and followed through 2011 and met specified histologic criteria for HPV-associated cancers. Five-year relative survival was calculated from diagnosis until death for these cancers by age, race, and sex.

RESULTS

The 5-year age-standardized relative survival rate was 64.2% for cervical carcinomas, 52.8% for vaginal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), 66% for vulvar SCCs, 47.4% for penile SCCs, 65.9% for anal SCCs, 56.2% for rectal SCCs, and 51.2% for oropharyngeal SCCs. Five-year relative survival was consistently higher among white patients compared with black patients for all HPV-associated cancers across all age groups; the greatest differences by race were observed for oropharyngeal SCCs among those aged <60 years and for penile SCCs among those ages 40 to 49 years compared with other age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

There are large disparities in relative survival among patients with HPV-associated cancers by sex, race, and age. HPV vaccination and improved access to screening (of cancers for which screening tests are available) and treatment, especially among groups that experience higher incidence and lower survival, may reduce disparities in survival from HPV-associated cancers. Cancer 2017. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.



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Survival of human papillomavirus-associated cancers: Filling in the gaps

Human papillomavirus-associated cancers contribute to the total cancer burden in the United States. Although they are mostly preventable, 5-year relative survival rates can be as low as 47% for penile cancer and as high as 66% for vulvar cancer. See also pages 000-000.



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What’s New in Imaging for Gynecologic Cancer?

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the optimal modality for local staging of gynecological tumors. Advances in functional MRI with diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced sequences provide more detailed information regarding tumor cellularity, vascularity, and viability. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) now has an established role in imaging for gynecological cancers, particularly staging of locally advanced cervical cancers and pre-salvage exenterative therapy in relapsed gynecologic tumors. Novel PET tracers, targeting other aspects of tumor biology, are being evaluated although none are currently in routine clinical use. New PET/MR scanners have the potential to combine the strengths of both modalities in one sitting. This review covers advances in gynecologic imaging concentrating on cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancers.



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The effect of the KTP laser on smear layer and temperature change: an in vitro study

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser irradiation on smear layer removal and temperature changes of the root surfaces. Two hundred four extracted single-root human premolars were included. The canals were instrumented and divided into two main groups: group A (smear layer examination n:119) and group B (temperature change examination n:85). Each group was divided into subgroups (n:17) according to the different five laser power settings: A1, B1: 1 W–5.33 J/cm2; A2, B2: 1.5 W–7.52 J/cm2; A3, B3: 2 W–10.3 J/cm2; A4, B4: 3 W–15.5 J/cm2, A5, B5: 4 W–20.1 J/cm2, A6: positive control no laser irradiation-irrigated 2 mL for 2 min 2.5% NaOCl + 2 mL distilled water and A7: negative control groups no laser irradiation irrigated 2 mL for 2 min 17% EDTA + 2 mL for 2 min 2.5% NaOCl + 2 mL distilled water. The temperature elevations were measured with an infrared thermographic camera and smear layer examined by scanning electron microscope. According to Kruskal-Wallis and Tukey's tests, in all groups the highest smear scores were in the apical third. In all areas, there were statistically significant differences between negative control group (17% EDTA) and all other groups (p < 0.05). The highest smear scores were determined in 1 W KTP laser and positive control (2.5% NaOCl) groups. Statistically, in all thirds, the differences the 3 W and 4 W KTP laser groups between each other and all other groups were significant (p < 0.05). After the end of the use of the laser, increase in temperature values in all groups were found to be below 10 °C in 20 s.



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To prep or not to prep - that is the question: A randomized trial on the use of anti-flatulent medication as part of bowel preparation for patients having image-guided external-beam radiotherapy to the prostate

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Publication date: Available online 4 November 2017
Source:Practical Radiation Oncology
Author(s): Merrylee McGuffin, Naila Devji, Lyann Kehoe, Anne Carty, Steve Russell, Lisa Di Prospero, Carlo DeAngelis, Alex Kiss, Danny Vesprini, Andrew Loblaw, Laura D'Alimonte
IntroductionRadiation therapy is a standard treatment option for prostate cancer. With growing use of escalated doses and tighter margins, procedures to limit rectal size variation are needed to reduce prostate motion, increase treatment accuracy and minimize rectal toxicity. This prospective study was done to determine whether the introduction of an anti-flatulent medication would decrease rectal distention at CT simulation and throughout a course of radiation therapy.Methods and MaterialsPatients undergoing a radical course of radiotherapy to the prostate/prostate bed were eligible to participate. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention arm (anti-flatulent medication) or the control arm (no medication). For each participant, the number of CT simulation rescans was recorded. Rectal diameters were measured on CT simulation and treatment CBCT scans. Acute rectal toxicities were assessed at baseline and weekly using NCI CTCAE v4.0. Chi-square analysis was used to compare the number of participants requiring a rescan in each study arm. Change in rectal diameter over time was assessed using repeated measures ANOVA.ResultsA total of 78 patients participated, with equal numbers assigned to each study arm. There was no significant difference between arms in the number of participants requiring a CT simulation rescan (p=0.5551). There was no significant variation in rectal diameter between arms (p=0.8999). However, there was a significant effect of time (p=0.0017) and a significant interaction effect between study arm and time on rectal diameter (p=0.0141). No acute rectal toxicities above grade 2 were reported.ConclusionsThe addition of anti-flatulent medication did not affect the frequency of CT simulation rescans. Both time and the interaction between study arm and time had a statistically significant effect on rectal diameter, though neither finding was clinically significant. Instead, standardized bowel preparation education developed for this study may have been sufficient to limit rectal size variation.



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Multiple myeloma and a mischievous pacemaker: A teaching case involving irradiation of a cardiovascular implantable electronic device

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Publication date: Available online 4 November 2017
Source:Practical Radiation Oncology
Author(s): Shane Lloyd, Olivier Morin, Isaac Whitman, David Raleigh, Shannon Fogh, Paul Menzel




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Clinical log data analysis for assessing the accuracy of the CyberKnife fiducial-free lung tumor tracking system

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Publication date: Available online 4 November 2017
Source:Practical Radiation Oncology
Author(s): Masao Nakayama, Hideki Nishimura, Hiroshi Mayahara, Masaki Nakamura, Kazuyuki Uehara, Shinji Tsudou, Aya Harada, Hiroaki Akasaka, Ryohei Sasaki
PurposeThe CyberKnife Xsight Lung Tracking (XLT) and 1-View tracking systems can synchronize beam targeting to a visible lung tumor with respiratory motion during irradiation without requiring internal fiducial markers. The systems utilize a correlation model that relates external marker positions to tumor positions as well as a prediction model that predicts the target's future position. In this study, the correlation and prediction model uncertainties related to the CyberKnife fiducial-free tumor tracking system were evaluated using clinical log data.Methods and materialsData from 211 fractions in 42 patients with lung tumors were analyzed. Log files produced by the CyberKnife Synchrony system were acquired after each treatment; the mean correlation and prediction errors for each patient were calculated. Additionally, we examined the tracking tumor-related parameters and analyzed the relationships between the model errors and tracking tumor-related parameters.ResultsThe overall means ± standard deviations (SDs) of the correlation errors were 0.70±0.43mm, 0.36±0.16mm, 0.44±0.22mm, and 0.95±0.43mm for the superior–inferior (SI), left–right (LR), anterior–posterior (AP), and radial directions, respectively. The overall means ± SDs of the prediction errors were 0.13±0.11mm, 0.03±0.02mm, 0.03±0.02mm, and 0.14±0.11mm for the SI, LR, AP, and radial directions, respectively. There were no significant differences in these errors between the XLT and 1-View tracking methods. The tumor motion amplitude was moderately associated with the correlation error and strongly related to the prediction error in the SI and radial directions.ConclusionsClinical log data analysis can be used to determine the necessary margin sizes in treatment plans to compensate for correlation and prediction errors in the CyberKnife fiducial-free lung tumor tracking system. The tumor motion amplitude may facilitate margin determination.



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Towards consensus reporting of radiation-induced liver toxicity in the treatment of primary liver malignancies: defining clinically relevant endpoints

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Publication date: Available online 4 November 2017
Source:Practical Radiation Oncology
Author(s): Tobias R. Chapman, Stephen R. Bowen, Stephanie K. Schaub, Rosanna H. Yeung, Sharon W. Kwan, James O. Park, Lei Yu, William P. Harris, Guy E. Johnson, Iris W. Liou, Matthew J. Nyflot, Smith Apisarnthanarax
Background and PurposeTo define the most clinically relevant "non-classic" radiation-induced liver disease (ncRILD) endpoints in cirrhotic patients receiving stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) or proton beam therapy (PBT) for primary liver cancer.Material and MethodsWe retrospectively collected pre-treatment, detailed toxicity (≤6 months post-treatment), and outcomes data from 48 patients. Deaths were examined for association with RILD. Univariate (UA) and multivariate (MA) Cox models defined significant predictors of overall survival (OS)/RILD-specific survival (RILD-SS).ResultsWith median follow-up of 13 months, 23 patients (48%) had an increase in CP score (≥2, 25%) and three (6%) had ≥G3 transaminase elevation. Of 18 deaths, 6 were potentially ascribed to RILD. On UA, CP score increases of ≥1, ≥2 and CP class change predicted OS, as did ≥G3 AST elevation and ≥1 CTCAE AST toxicity grade change. On MA, CP score increase of ≥2 and ≥1 CTCAE AST toxicity grade change were the strongest independent ncRILD predictors of OS. For RILD-SS, CP score increases of ≥2, ≥G3 CTCAE ALT and ≥G2 bilirubin elevations were predictive.ConclusionsIncreased CP score of ≥2 strongly predicts of both OS and RILD-SS, and should be reported in future studies along with transaminase elevations, which are also predictive of outcomes.



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Circle of Gratitude

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Publication date: Available online 4 November 2017
Source:Practical Radiation Oncology
Author(s): Christian Molerin




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Bowel and urinary quality of life after whole-pelvic versus prostate-only volumetric-modulated arc therapy for localized prostate cancer

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Publication date: Available online 5 November 2017
Source:Practical Radiation Oncology
Author(s): Kentaro Ishii, Toshiko Yamanaga, Ryo Ogino, Yukinari Hosokawa, Shun Kishimoto, Ryuta Nakahara, Chiaki Shimada, Ryu Kawamorita, Takuhito Tada, Yoshiki Hayashi, Toshifumi Nakajima
PurposeThis study aimed to compare bowel and urinary health-related quality of life (HRQOL) between prostate-only (PO) volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and whole-pelvic (WP) VMAT in patients with localized prostate cancer.Methods and MaterialsA total of 234 patients treated with definitive VMAT to 78Gy in 39 fractions were enrolled. Of these, 108 patients received PO-VMAT, and 126 patients received initial WP-VMAT to 46.8Gy in 26 fractions using a simultaneous integrated boost technique. HRQOL was prospectively assessed before radiotherapy (baseline), and 3, 6, 12, and 24months after treatment using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC).ResultsBaseline HRQOL scores did not differ significantly between the two groups. No significant between-group differences in HRQOL change from baseline were observed for all bowel and urinary EPIC domains. The proportion of patients showing a clinically relevant decrease in bowel and urinary HRQOL scores from baseline was similar between the groups throughout the follow-up period. An analysis of individual HRQOL items showed that patients undergoing WP-VMAT were more likely to report moderate/big problems with bloody stools (P=.039) and overall bowel problems (P=.008) than those undergoing PO-VMAT at 12months. However, there was no significant between-group difference in any individual items at 24months.ConclusionsBowel and urinary HRQOL is largely similar for patients receiving PO-VMAT and WP-VMAT during 24months of follow-up, with the only differences seen in responses to specific bowel HRQOL items at 12months.



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Radiation-Induced Undifferentiated Pleomorphic Sarcoma of the Heart: A Case Report

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Publication date: Available online 4 November 2017
Source:Practical Radiation Oncology
Author(s): Alexander K. Tsai, Melissa AL. Vyfhuis, Martha Francis, Fikru Merechi, Allen P. Burke, William F. Regine




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LAMPs: Shedding Light on Cancer Biology

Publication date: Available online 4 November 2017
Source:Seminars in Oncology
Author(s): Federica Alessandrini, Laura Pezzè, Yari Ciribilli
Lysosomes are important cytoplasmic organelles whose critical functions in cells are increasingly being understood. In particular, despite the long-standing accepted concept about the role of lysosomes as cellular machineries solely assigned to degradation, it has been demonstrated that they play active roles in homeostasis and even in cancer biology. Indeed, it is now well documented that during the process of cellular transformation and cancer progression lysosomes are changing localization, composition and volume and, through the release of their enzymes, lysosomes can also enhance cancer aggressiveness. LAMPs, Lysosome Associated Membrane Proteins, represent a family of glycosylated proteins present predominantly on the membrane of lysosomes whose expression can vary among different tissues, suggesting a separation of functions. In this review we focus on the functions and roles of the different LAMP family members with a particular emphasis on cancer progression and metastatic spread. LAMP proteins are involved in many different aspects of cell biology and can influence cellular processes such as phagocytosis, autophagy, lipid transport and aging. Interestingly, for all the five members identified so far, LAMP1, LAMP2, LAMP3, CD68/Macrosialin/LAMP4 and BAD-LAMP/LAMP5, a role in cancer has been suggested. While this is well documented for LAMP1 and LAMP2, the involvement of the other three proteins in cancer progression and aggressiveness has recently been proposed and remains to be elucidated. Here we present different examples about how LAMP proteins can influence and support tumor growth and metastatic spread, emphasizing the impact of each single member of the family.



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On Denny-Brown’s ‘spastic dystonia’ - what is it and what causes it?

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Publication date: Available online 4 November 2017
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology
Author(s): Jakob Lorentzen, Maud Pradines, Jean-Michel Gracies, Jens Bo Nielsen
In this review, we will work around two simple definitions of two different entities, which most often co-exist in patients with lesions to central motor pathways: Spasticity is "Enhanced excitability of velocity-dependent responses to phasic stretch at rest",(Gracies, 2005) which will not be the subject of this review. Spastic dystonia is tonic, chronic, involuntary muscle contraction in the absence of any stretch or any voluntary command. Spastic dystonia is a much less well understood entity that will be the subject this review.Denny-Brown (1966) observed involuntary sustained muscle activity in monkeys with lesions restricted to the motor cortices . He further observed that such involuntary muscle activity persisted following abolition of sensory input to the spinal cord and concluded that a central mechanism rather than exaggerated stretch reflex activity had to be involved. He coined the term spastic dystonia to describe this involuntary tonic activity in the context of otherwise exaggerated stretch reflexes. Sustained involuntary muscle activity in the absence of any stretch or any voluntary command contributes to burdensome and disabling body deformities in patients with spastic paresis. Yet, little has been done since Denny-Brown's studies to determine the pathophysiology of this non- stretch or effort related sustained involuntary muscle activity following motor lesions and there is a clear need for research studies in order to improve current therapy.The purpose of the present review is to discuss some of the possible mechanisms that may be involved in the hope that this may guide future research. We discuss the existence of persistent inward currents in spinal motoneurones and present the evidence that the channels involved may be upregulated following central motor lesions. We also discuss a possible contribution from alterations in synaptic inputs from surviving or abnormally branched sensory and descending fibres leading to over-activity and lack of motor coordination. We finally discuss evidence of alterations in motor cortical representational maps and basal ganglia lesions.



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Wheat yield responses to stomatal uptake of ozone: Peak vs rising background ozone conditions

Publication date: January 2018
Source:Atmospheric Environment, Volume 173
Author(s): Harry Harmens, Felicity Hayes, Gina Mills, Katrina Sharps, Stephanie Osborne, Håkan Pleijel
Recent decades have seen a changing temporal profile of ground-level ozone (O3) in Europe. While peaks in O3 concentrations during summer months have been declining in amplitude, the background concentration has gradually increased as a result of the hemispheric transport of O3 precursors from other world regions. Ground-level O3 is known to adversely affect O3-sensitive vegetation, including reducing the yield of O3-sensitive crops such as common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The reduction in wheat yield has been shown to be linearly related to the phytotoxic O3 dose above a flux threshold of Y (PODY) accumulated over a specific period. In the current study, we tested whether the flux-effect relationships for wheat yield and 1,000-grain weight were affected by the temporal profile of O3 exposure. A modern wheat cultivar (Skyfall) was exposed to eight different realistic O3 profiles repeated weekly: four profiles with increasing background O3 concentrations (ca. 30–60 ppb) including small peaks and four profiles with increasing O3 peak concentrations (ca. 35–110 ppb). Both wheat yield and 1,000-grain weight declined linearly with increasingPODY. The slope of the flux-effect relationships was not affected significantly by the profile of O3 exposure. Hence, flux-effect relationships developed for wheat based on exposure to enhanced peak O3 concentrations are also valid for the changing European O3 profile with higher background and lower peak concentrations. The current study also shows that the modern wheat cultivar Skyfall is more sensitive to O3 than European wheat varieties tested for O3 sensitivity in the 1980s and 1990s.

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Primary Esophageal Melanoma with Aberrant CD56 Expression: A Potential Diagnostic Pitfall

Primary esophageal malignant melanoma (MM) is rare and extremely aggressive. For pathologists, it can be challenging to diagnose and differentiate from other poorly differentiated malignant neoplasms in the esophagus. Complicating this fact, MM can have divergent differentiation and express nonmelanocytic immunohistochemical markers including epithelial markers (cytokeratins) and rarely neuroendocrine markers. Lack of awareness of this fact by a pathologist can lead to an erroneous diagnosis and delay treatment for an already aggressive disease. Herein, we report a case of primary esophageal malignant melanoma with aberrant CD56 expression without accompanying synaptophysin or chromogranin expression.

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Natural killer cells play an essential role in resolution of antigen-induced inflammation in mice

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Publication date: January 2018
Source:Molecular Immunology, Volume 93
Author(s): Osk U.U. Anuforo, Stefania P. Bjarnarson, Hulda S. Jonasdottir, Martin Giera, Ingibjorg Hardardottir, Jona Freysdottir
This study examined whether NK cells are important for resolution of antigen-induced inflammation. C57BL/6 mice were immunized twice with methylated BSA (mBSA) and inflammation induced by intraperitoneal injection of mBSA. Mice were injected intravenously with anti-asialo GM1 (αASGM1) or a control antibody 24h prior to peritonitis induction and peritoneal exudate collected at different time points. Expression of surface molecules and apoptosis on peritoneal cells was determined by flow cytometry and concentration of chemokines, cytokines, soluble cytokine receptors and lipid mediators by ELISA and LC–MS/MS. Apoptosis in parathymic lymph nodes and spleens was determined by TUNEL staining. Mice administered αASGM1 had lower peritoneal NK cell numbers and a higher number of peritoneal neutrophils 12h after induction of inflammation than control mice. The number of neutrophils was still high in the αASGM1 treated mice when their number had returned to baseline levels in the control mice, 48h after induction of inflammation. Peritoneal concentrations of the neutrophil regulators G-CSF and IL-12p40 were higher at 12h in the αASGM1 treated mice than in the control mice, whereas concentrations of lipid mediators implicated in resolution of inflammation, i.e. LXA4 and PGE2, were lower. Reduced apoptosis was detected in peritoneal neutrophils as well as in draining lymph nodes and spleens from the αASGM1 treated mice compared with that in the control mice. In addition, αASGM1 treated mice had lower number of peritoneal NK cells expressing NKp46 and NKG2D, receptors implicated in NK cell-induced neutrophil apoptosis. Furthermore, αASGM1 treatment completely blocked the increase in CD27+ NK cells that occurred in control mice following induction of inflammation, but CD27+ NK cells have been suggested to have a regulatory role. These results indicate a crucial role for NK cells in resolution of antigen-induced inflammation and suggest their importance in tempering neutrophil recruitment and maintaining neutrophil apoptosis.



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EMG normalization method based on grade 3 of manual muscle testing: Within- and between-day reliability of normalization tasks and application to gait analysis

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Publication date: Available online 4 November 2017
Source:Gait & Posture
Author(s): Anne Tabard-Fougère, Kevin Rose-Dulcina, Vincent Pittet, Romain Dayer, Nicolas Vuillerme, Stéphane Armand
Electromyography (EMG) is an important parameter in Clinical Gait Analysis (CGA), and is generally interpreted with timing of activation. EMG amplitude comparisons between individuals, muscles or days need normalization. There is no consensus on existing methods. The gold standard, maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), is not adapted to pathological populations because patients are often unable to perform an MVIC. The normalization method inspired by the isometric grade 3 of manual muscle testing (isoMMT3), which is the ability of a muscle to maintain a position against gravity, could be an interesting alternative. The aim of this study was to evaluate the within- and between-day reliability of the isoMMT3 EMG normalizing method during gait compared with the conventional MVIC method. Lower limb muscles EMG (gluteus medius, rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, semitendinosus) were recorded bilaterally in nine healthy participants (five males, aged 29.7±6.2years, BMI 22.7±3.3kgm−2) giving a total of 18 independent legs. Three repeated measurements of the isoMMT3 and MVIC exercises were performed with an EMG recording. EMG amplitude of the muscles during gait was normalized by these two methods. This protocol was repeated one week later. Within- and between-day reliability of normalization tasks were similar for isoMMT3 and MVIC methods. Within- and between-day reliability of gait EMG normalized by isoMMT3 was higher than with MVIC normalization. These results indicate that EMG normalization using isoMMT3 is a reliable method with no special equipment needed and will support CGA interpretation. The next step will be to evaluate this method in pathological populations.



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A novel rat model of brachial plexus injury with nerve root stumps

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Publication date: Available online 4 November 2017
Source:Journal of Neuroscience Methods
Author(s): Jintao Fang, Jiantao Yang, Yi Yang, Liang Li, Bengang Qin, Wenting He, Liwei Yan, Gang Chen, Zhehui Tu, Xiaolin Liu, Liqiang Gu
BackgroundThe C5-C6 nerve roots are usually spared from avulsion after brachial plexus injury (BPI) and thus can be used as donors for nerve grafting. To date, there are no appropriate animal models to evaluate spared nerve root stumps. Hence, the aim of this study was to establish and evaluate a rat model with spared nerve root stumps in BPI.New methodIn rupture group, the proximal parts of C5-T1 nerve roots were held with the surrounding muscles and the distal parts were pulled by a sudden force after the brachial plexus was fully exposed, and the results were compared with those of sham group. To validate the model, the lengths of C5-T1 spared nerve root stumps were measured and the histologies of the shortest one and the corresponding spinal cord were evaluated.ResultsC5 nerve root stump was found to be the shortest. Histology findings demonstrated that the nerve fibers became more irregular and the continuity decreased; numbers and diameters of myelinated axons and thickness of myelin sheaths significantly decreased over time. The survival of motoneurons was reduced, and the death of motoneurons may be related to the apoptotic process.Comparison with existing method(s)Our model could successfully create BPI model with nerve root stumps by traction, which could simulate injury mechanisms. While other models involve root avulsion or rupturing by distal nerve transection.ConclusionsThis model would be suitable for evaluating nerve root stumps and testing new therapeutic strategies for neuroprotection through nerve root stumps in the future.



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A New Rat-Compatible Robotic Framework for Spatial Navigation Behavioral Experiments

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Publication date: Available online 4 November 2017
Source:Journal of Neuroscience Methods
Author(s): Sam Gianelli, Bruce Harland, Jean-Marc Fellous
BackgroundUnderstanding the neural substrate of information encoding and processing requires a precise control of the animal's behavior. Most of what has been learned from the rodent navigational system results from relatively simple tasks in which the movements of the animal is controlled by corridors or walkways, passive movements, treadmills or virtual reality environments. While a lot has been and continues to be learned from these types of experiments, recent evidence has shown that such artificial constraints may have significant consequences on the functioning of the neural circuits of spatial navigation.New methodsWe present a novel and alternative approach for effectively controlling the precise direction and speed of movement of the animal in an ethologically realistic environment, using a small robot (Sphero).ResultsWe describe the robotic framework and demonstrate its use in replicating pre-programmed or rat-recorded paths. We show that the robot can control the movement of a rat in order to produce specific trajectories and speeds. We demonstrate that the robot can be used to aid the rat in learning a spatial memory task in a large and complex environment. We show that dorsal hippocampal CA1 place cells do not remap when the rat is following the robot.Comparison with Existing Method(s): Our framework only involves positive motivation and has been tested together with wireless electrophysiology in large and complex environments.ConclusionsOur robotic framework can be used to design novel tasks and experiments in which electrophysiological recordings would be largely devoid of maze or task-dependent artifacts.



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The finding of a new heterozygous mutation site of the SCN2A gene in a monozygotic twin family carrying and exhibiting genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) using targeted next-generation sequencing

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Publication date: Available online 4 November 2017
Source:Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery
Author(s): Xue-wu Liu, Wenna Li, Tao Han, Kunkun Wei, Shan Qiao, Lei Su, Zhaofu Chi
ObjectivesGeneralized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+) is a new epilepsy syndrome named by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) in 2001. The SCN2A gene encoding α2 subunit of the neuronal sodium channel has been reported to be associated with BFNIS, GFES+, Dravet syndrome and some intractable childhood epilepsies. This study aimed to develop an approach based on next-generation sequencing to determine the genetic defects in a monozygotic twin family with GEFS+.Patients and methodsWe collected a twin family with GEFS+. The DNA of the twin patients was extracted from their peripheral venous whole blood. A total of 308 known genes related to epilepsies were selected for deep exon resequencing. The patients family's DNA was sequenced through Sanger's sequencing for expanded validation. Through systematic data analysis using established bioinformatics pipeline and segregation analysis techniques, a number of genetic variants were released.ResultsThrough detailed data analysis, we found a new heterozygous mutation c.1399G>A on exon11 of SCN2A (Nav1.2) which has not been reported in the HGMD (Human Gene Mutation Database), in the twin patients. Then we tested and verified the presence of the same mutation site in all individuals of the family. Asymptomatic individuals of this family didn't show this mutation.ConclusionThe methodology provides a reliable strategy for routine gene diagnosis of GEFS+. This observation of a potentially pathogenic mutation of SCN2A (Nav1.2) indicates that this gene should be further evaluated in order to determine possible routes of causation of GEFS+.



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A review of swallow timing in the elderly.

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A review of swallow timing in the elderly.

Physiol Behav. 2017 Oct 27;:

Authors: Namasivayam-MacDonald AM, Barbon CAE, Steele CM

Abstract
Many studies evaluate dysphagia in elderly patients and compare their swallowing to younger controls to assess the degree of swallowing impairment. Previous research suggests that changes should be expected in swallowing due to aging, and these changes need to be considered when performing swallowing assessments. A systematic review was conducted to elucidate the timing of swallowing in healthy. A comprehensive multiengine literature search was conducted to find articles studying swallowing in the healthy elderly, which yielded 22,852 articles of which 11 were judged to be relevant. Only articles using videofluoroscopy as an assessment method for swallowing timing were included. The articles underwent detailed review for study quality and data extraction. The twelve studies contained data for 32 different parameters, and 10 of the 11 studies compared elderly subjects to a younger group. Timing measures from the studies were compiled for analysis. In general, bolus transit times do not appear to change with age. Of note, elderly subjects tended to have a significantly delayed swallow response times and longer duration of upper esophageal sphincter opening. Results showed a large degree of variability across studies for each of the timing measures. Confidence intervals for timing in healthy older participants were computed across studies. Potential sources of variation were identified, including methodological, stimulus-related and participant-related sources. The results suggests that aging affects only a few very specific swallowing timing parameters, and many parameters appear to be unaffected by aging. Therefore, significant differences from a young reference sample should be interpreted as dysphagia rather than normal changes due to aging.

PMID: 29101012 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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A review of swallow timing in the elderly.

Related Articles

A review of swallow timing in the elderly.

Physiol Behav. 2017 Oct 27;:

Authors: Namasivayam-MacDonald AM, Barbon CAE, Steele CM

Abstract
Many studies evaluate dysphagia in elderly patients and compare their swallowing to younger controls to assess the degree of swallowing impairment. Previous research suggests that changes should be expected in swallowing due to aging, and these changes need to be considered when performing swallowing assessments. A systematic review was conducted to elucidate the timing of swallowing in healthy. A comprehensive multiengine literature search was conducted to find articles studying swallowing in the healthy elderly, which yielded 22,852 articles of which 11 were judged to be relevant. Only articles using videofluoroscopy as an assessment method for swallowing timing were included. The articles underwent detailed review for study quality and data extraction. The twelve studies contained data for 32 different parameters, and 10 of the 11 studies compared elderly subjects to a younger group. Timing measures from the studies were compiled for analysis. In general, bolus transit times do not appear to change with age. Of note, elderly subjects tended to have a significantly delayed swallow response times and longer duration of upper esophageal sphincter opening. Results showed a large degree of variability across studies for each of the timing measures. Confidence intervals for timing in healthy older participants were computed across studies. Potential sources of variation were identified, including methodological, stimulus-related and participant-related sources. The results suggests that aging affects only a few very specific swallowing timing parameters, and many parameters appear to be unaffected by aging. Therefore, significant differences from a young reference sample should be interpreted as dysphagia rather than normal changes due to aging.

PMID: 29101012 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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[Clinical trials and perspectives of radiotherapy for uterine endometrial cancers].

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[Clinical trials and perspectives of radiotherapy for uterine endometrial cancers].

Bull Cancer. 2017 Oct 31;:

Authors: Chargari C, Maroun P, Lazarescu I, Haie-Meder C

Abstract
The adjuvant management of uterine endometrial cancer has been studied in many randomized trials, leading to define postoperative therapeutic indications, depending on the risk factors for relapse, and on the expected benefit in terms of locoregional control and survival. The potential toxicity of treatments should be also considered. We review the available literature that yielded to guidelines that were recently published, on behalf of European societies, and we highlight the perspectives on ongoing studies, aimed at better defining the place and type of adjuvant treatment.

PMID: 29100604 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Faecal microbiota transplantation versus placebo for moderate-to-severe irritable bowel syndrome: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, single-centre trial.

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Faecal microbiota transplantation versus placebo for moderate-to-severe irritable bowel syndrome: a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, single-centre trial.

Lancet Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017 Oct 31;:

Authors: Johnsen PH, Hilpüsch F, Cavanagh JP, Leikanger IS, Kolstad C, Valle PC, Goll R

Abstract
BACKGROUND: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition characterised by abdominal pain, bloating, and poor quality of life. IBS might be caused by a gut dysbiosis. We aimed to compare faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) with placebo in patients with IBS.
METHODS: In this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, single-centre study, we enrolled patients with IBS with diarrhoea or with diarrhoea and constipation (excluding dominating constipation) defined by the ROME III criteria, scored as moderate to severe according to the IBS severity scoring system (IBS-SSS; a score of ≥175). Eligible participants were aged 18-75 years and were recruited locally by general practitioners in northern Norway. We randomly assigned participants (2:1) in blocks of six to active or placebo FMT. Personnel not involved in the clinical performance of the trial generated the randomisation sequence using a randomisation website. Non-study personnel performed the final allocation and standardised the active and placebo transplants to make them identical in appearance and temperature. The faeces were freshly processed, and were used the same day (fresh transplant) or were stored in a freezer for later use (frozen transplant); participants' own faeces served as placebo. A dose of 8 mg loperamide was administered orally 2 h before endoscopy to retain the transplant. The transplant (50-80 g of faeces mixed with 200 mL of isotonic saline and 50 mL of 85% glycerol) was administered by a colonoscope to the caecum. The primary endpoint was symptom relief of more than 75 points assessed by IBS-SSS, 3 months after FMT. The primary analysis was done in the modified intention-to-treat population, excluding participants who did not undergo treatment or who were diagnosed with any other disease by pinch biopsies obtained during the treatment procedure. For the safety analysis, only participants who did not undergo treatment were excluded. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02154867. The trial has been extended with an open-labelled study treating the placebo group with frozen FMT for further exploratory studies.
FINDINGS: Between Jan 1, and Oct 30, 2015, we recruited 90 participants and randomly assigned them to active treatment (n=60) or placebo (n=30). Three participants did not undergo FMT and four were excluded after diagnosis of microscopic colitis, leaving 83 for final modified intention-to-treat analysis (55 in the active treatment group and 28 in the placebo group). 36 (65%) of 55 participants receiving active treatment versus 12 (43%) of 28 receiving the placebo showed response at 3 months (p=0·049). One participant had transient nausea and vertigo (active group) and was observed at the hospital for a few hours after the procedure. Two participants had soiling of transplant on their way home from treatment (one in each group) and three experienced self-limiting intermittent abdominal pain (one in the active group and two in the placebo group). No serious adverse events could be attributed to FMT.
INTERPRETATION: FMT induced significant symptom relief in patients with IBS. However, larger multicentre studies are needed to confirm the results.
FUNDING: HelseNord and the Norwegian Centre of Rural Medicine, University of Tromsø.

PMID: 29100842 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Factors affecting the effect of physical rehabilitation therapy for synkinesis as a sequela to facial nerve palsy.

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Factors affecting the effect of physical rehabilitation therapy for synkinesis as a sequela to facial nerve palsy.

Auris Nasus Larynx. 2017 Oct 31;:

Authors: Fujiwara K, Furuta Y, Yamamoto N, Katoh K, Fukuda S

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate factors affecting the effect of physical rehabilitation therapy for synkinesis as a sequela to facial nerve palsy.
METHODS: A total of 37 patients with peripheral facial nerve palsy in Teine-Keijinkai Hospital were enrolled in this study. All patients showed synkinesis at 6 months after the onset of facial nerve palsy and were instructed in physical rehabilitation by expert staff from their first visit. The degree of synkinesis was evaluated at 6, 9 and 12 months after the onset of facial nerve palsy based on Sunnybrook facial grading system score and asymmetry in eye opening width. The patients were divided into two groups by age, gender, cause of palsy, electroneurography (ENoG) value, onset of synkinesis, initial treatment and timing of the start of physical rehabilitation.
RESULTS: Female patients and younger patients did not show any deterioration in synkinesis. Patients in the lower ENoG group and the later onset of synkinesis group showed significant deterioration in synkinesis after the 6th month from onset of facial palsy.
CONCLUSION: Physical rehabilitation was shown to prevent significant deterioration in synkinesis in female and younger patients with facial nerve palsy. Careful follow-up with regard to synkinesis is required in cases in which the facial nerve damage is thought to be severe.

PMID: 29100751 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Oncocytic carcinoma of the salivary glands: A Danish national study.

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Oncocytic carcinoma of the salivary glands: A Danish national study.

Auris Nasus Larynx. 2017 Oct 31;:

Authors: Westergaard-Nielsen M, Godballe C, Andersen LJ, Primdahl H, Kristensen CA, Andersen E, Bjørndal K

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To present a Danish national series of oncocytic carcinoma (OC) patients, including data on treatment, recurrence and survival.
METHODS: From the national Danish database of salivary gland carcinomas, all patients diagnosed with OC from 1990 to 2005 were identified and data concerning demographics, tumor site, clinical stage and treatment profiles were extracted. A follow-up was carried out.
RESULTS: Of the 15 cases of salivary gland OC, eight were female. The incidence was 0.02/100.000 inhabitants per year in Denmark, 13 patients presented with OC in the parotid gland and two patients with OC in the submandibular gland. Eight patients had nodal involvement at the time of diagnosis. None of the patients had distant metastases at the time of diagnosis. All patients were treated with primary surgery and seven patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. Half of the patients had recurrence. Six patients were alive at 5 years follow up and one patient was alive without recurrence at 10 years follow up.
CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to report a national incidence of oncocytic carcinoma in the salivary glands. The results confirm oncocytic carcinoma to be a salivary gland carcinoma with a poor prognosis. All patients experiencing recurrence died of the disease. Treatment must be aggressive. National registries are necessary to achieve further knowledge for future treatment recommendations.

PMID: 29100750 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Skull base plasmacytoma: A unique case of POEMS syndrome with a plasmacytoma causing craniocervical instability.

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Skull base plasmacytoma: A unique case of POEMS syndrome with a plasmacytoma causing craniocervical instability.

J Clin Neurosci. 2017 Oct 31;:

Authors: Gilder H, Murphy ME, Alvi MA, Kerezoudis P, Shepherd D, Maloney PR, Yaszemski MJ, Morris JM, Dispenzieri A, Matsumoto JM, Bydon M

Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Plasmacytomas, considered to be the solitary counterparts of multiple myeloma, are neoplastic monoclonal plasma cell proliferations within soft tissue or bone. Plasmacytomas often present as a collection of findings known as POEMS-syndrome (Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, M-Protein spike, and Skin changes).
CASE DESCRIPTION: We present a report of a 47 yo male diagnosed with POEMS-syndrome secondary to a skull base plasmacytoma. The mass resulted in marked instability of the cranio-cervical junction due to bony erosion. Following an induction course of chemotherapy, he showed clinical improvement with a marked reduction in tumor size and underwent an autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplant for systemic treatment of his POEMS-syndrome. Following completion of systemic treatment, he then underwent a definitive occipital-cervical fusion without complications. His neurologic exam upon dismissal was stable with subjective improvement in left upper extremity strength. Postoperative radiographs confirmed spinal alignment and pathological examination of a small biopsy from C1 revealed benign fibrous tissue.
CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a skull-base plasmacytoma associated with POEMS-syndrome, causing cranio-cervical instability. The approach of systemic therapy combined with temporary external fixation, followed by definitive occipital cervical fusion resulted in a good outcome for this patient.

PMID: 29100675 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Psychometric Properties of Voice Activity Participation Profile-Persian Version (VAPPP).

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Psychometric Properties of Voice Activity Participation Profile-Persian Version (VAPPP).

J Voice. 2017 Oct 31;:

Authors: Faham M, Anaraki ZG, Ahmadi A, Ebadi A, Silverman EP

Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Individuals with voice disorders may experience limits in activity and restricted participation in daily activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Voice Activity Participation Profile-Persian Version (VAPPP), a questionnaire which specifically investigates activity limitation and participation restriction in Persian-speaking individuals with voice disorders.
METHOD: We completed a translation procedure according to World Health Organization guidelines, prior to administering the questionnaire to 208 participants (156 patients with dysphonia and 52 controls), each of whom completed the questionnaire. We examined various psychometric properties including item analysis, factor analysis, internal consistency, discriminant validity, criterion-related validity, and test-retest reliability were investigated for this questionnaire.
RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the 27 items on the VAPPP were distributed across four factors and that the first question, which assesses self-perceived dysphonia severity, was grouped separately. All the four subscales and total VAPPP have high internal consistency and test-retest reliability based on Cronbach's alpha coefficients and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Job effects (α = 0.85; ICC = 0.96), daily communication effects (α = 0.96; ICC = 0.83), social communication effects (α = 0.91; ICC = 0.93), emotional effects (α = 0.94; ICC = 0.76), and total score (α = 0.97; ICC = 0.88) are presented. VAPPP scores in patients with dysphonia were significantly different from those of the healthy control group (P < 0.001). The VAPPP total score has a high correlation to the Voice Handicap Index (r = 0.86; P < 0.001) CONCLUSION: The VAPPP is a reliable and valid tool for evaluating the quality of life of patients with dysphonia in Iran.

PMID: 29100714 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]



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Human plasma C3 is essential for the development of memory B, but not T, lymphocytes

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Publication date: Available online 4 November 2017
Source:Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Anaïs Jiménez-Reinoso, Ana V. Marin, Marta Subias, Alberto López-Lera, Elena Román-Ortiz, Kathryn Payne, Cindy S. Ma, Giuseppina Arbore, Martin Kolev, Simon J. Freeley, Claudia Kemper, Stuart G. Tangye, Edgar Fernández-Malavé, Santiago Rodríguez de Córdoba, Margarita López-Trascasa, José R. Regueiro

Teaser

Primary or secondary plasma C3 deficiency due to mutations in C3 or in complement Factor I impairs memory B, but not T, cell differentiation, but does not preclude intracellular C3 fragment expression in lymphocytes.


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TRIM21 negatively regulates intestinal mucosal inflammation through inhibiting Th1/Th17 cell differentiation in inflammatory bowel diseases

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Publication date: Available online 4 November 2017
Source:Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
Author(s): Guangxi Zhou, Wei Wu, Lin Yu, Tianming Yu, Wenjing Yang, Ping Wang, Xiaoping Zhang, Yingzi Cong, Zhanju Liu
BackgroundTripartite motif-containing (TRIM)21 has been implicated in pathogenesis of several types of autoimmune diseases.ObjectiveWe sought to elucidate expression of TRIM21 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and its role in regulating intestinal mucosal inflammation.MethodsTRIM21 expression was analyzed in inflamed mucosa of IBD patients by qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Peripheral blood CD4+ T cells were transfected with lentivirus-expressing-TRIM21 (LV-TRIM21) or LV-sh-TRIM21, and cytokine expression was determined by qRT-PCR and ELISA. TRIM21−/− mice were generated, and trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)- and CD45RBhighCD4+ T cell-induced colitis models were established to determine its role in the induction of intestinal inflammation.ResultsTRIM21 was predominantly expressed in CD4+ T cells and markedly decreased in inflamed mucosa of IBD patients compared with healthy controls. Ectopic expression of TRIM21 inhibited IBD CD4+ T cells to differentiate into T helper (Th)1 and Th17 cells, whereas downregulation of TRIM21 had opposite effects. TRIM21−/− mice developed more severe colitis following administration of TNBS compared with wild-type mice, characterized by increased expression of IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17A in the colon. TRIM21−/− CD45RBhighCD4+ T cells reconstituted into Rag-1−/− mice induced more severe colitis than wild-type controls. Mechanistically, IRF3 was identified as a functional downstream target of TRIM21, in that silencing of IRF3 suppressed TRIM21−/−CD4+ T cell differentiation into Th1 and Th17 cells.ConclusionsTRIM21 plays a protective role in mucosal inflammation through inhibiting Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation. Thus, TRIM21 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of IBD.

Teaser

●TRIM21 is decreased in inflamed mucosa of patients with active IBD and plays a protective role in mucosal inflammation through inhibiting Th1 and Th17 cell differentiation. TRIM21 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of IBD.


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Cytomegalovirus reactivation in patients with refractory checkpoint inhibitor-induced colitis

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Publication date: November 2017
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 86
Author(s): Cindy Franklin, Isabelle Rooms, Melanie Fiedler, Henning Reis, Laura Milsch, Saskia Herz, Elisabeth Livingstone, Lisa Zimmer, Kurt Werner Schmid, Ulf Dittmer, Dirk Schadendorf, Bastian Schilling
ObjectivesImmune checkpoint inhibitors can cause severe immune-related adverse events, with immune-related diarrhea and colitis (irColitis) being among the most frequent ones. While the majority of patients with irColitis respond well to corticosteroid treatment ± other immunomodulatory drugs such as infliximab, some patients do not show resolution of their symptoms. In the present study, we analysed the frequency of therapy-refractory irColitis, the underlying cause, and useful diagnostic approaches.MethodsBetween 2006 and 2016, 370 patients with metastatic malignant melanoma were treated with checkpoint inhibitors at the Department of Dermatology at the University Hospital Essen. All patients were identified for whom diarrhea and/or colitis was documented in the digital patient records. Patients who did not respond to standard immunosuppressive therapy within 2 weeks were classified as refractory. Demographic and clinical data of all patients were collected.ResultsWe identified 41 patients with irColitis, the majority occurring during treatment with ipilimumab. Amongst these, 5 (12.2%) were refractory to standard immunomodulatory treatment with corticosteroids and infliximab. Therapy-refractory cases tended to show more severe inflammation in colonic biopsies (p = 0.04). In all therapy-refractory cases cytomegalovirus (CMV) was detectable. CMV-DNA in colonic biopsies and in plasma was significantly more often detectable in therapy-refractory cases (in colonic biopsies p = 0.005, in plasma: p = 0.002). Presence of serum CMV IgM and positive immunohistochemical stainings of colon biopsies for CMV were also associated with refractory colitis (p=0.021; p = 0.053).ConclusionsThis report on CMV reactivation during management of checkpoint inhibitor-induced colitis emphasises the need for repetitive diagnostic measures in treatment-refractory irColitis.



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Recurrence dynamics of breast cancer according to baseline body mass index

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Publication date: December 2017
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 87
Author(s): Elia Biganzoli, Christine Desmedt, Marco Fornili, Evandro de Azambuja, Nathalie Cornez, Fernand Ries, Marie-Thérèse Closon-Dejardin, Joseph Kerger, Christian Focan, Angelo Di Leo, Jean-Marie Nogaret, Christos Sotiriou, Martine Piccart, Romano Demicheli
BackgroundIn cancer follow-up, in addition to the evaluation of survival probabilities, there is a fundamental need of assessing recurrence dynamics for optimal disease management. Although the time-dependent effect of the oestrogen receptor (ER) status of the tumour has already been described, so far no factor has proven to disentangle the multi-peak behaviour observed for breast cancer recurrences. Here, we aimed at investigating whether adiposity at diagnosis, reflected by increased patient's body mass index (BMI), could be associated with breast cancer recurrence patterns over time after primary cancer therapy.MethodsWe retrieved BMI from 734 of 777 patients with node-positive breast cancer from a phase III randomised clinical trial, which compared different chemotherapy regimens and had a median follow-up of 15.4 years. Cumulative incidence estimation as well as piecewise exponential models were carried out to estimate the distant recurrence dynamics, in all patients, as well as in subgroups based on the ER status, with the ER-positive group being further split according to the menopausal status.ResultsIn patients with ER-negative breast cancer, time-dependent analyses revealed that the hazard of late relapses could mainly be attributed to the overweight and obese patients. Within the subgroup of premenopausal patients with ER-positive tumours, obesity was associated with an early high narrow peak of distant recurrences followed by another main peak after 5 years of follow-up. The risk for overweight patients was intermediate between obese and normal-weight patients. In the postmenopausal subgroup of patients with ER-positive tumours, the distant recurrence rate was significantly more elevated in the overweight patients compared to the other BMI categories, and a second late peak of recurrences was also observed for the obese patients.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that the patient's BMI at diagnosis is associated with cancer recurrence dynamics. Patient adiposity should therefore be central to the exploration of late adjuvant treatment modalities.



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The association between health-related quality-of-life scores and clinical outcomes in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients: Exploratory analyses of AFFIRM and PREVAIL studies

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Publication date: December 2017
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 87
Author(s): Tomasz M. Beer, Kurt Miller, Bertrand Tombal, David Cella, De Phung, Stefan Holmstrom, Cristina Ivanescu, Konstantina Skaltsa, Shevani Naidoo
BackgroundOur exploratory analysis examined the association between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (baseline and change over time) and clinical outcomes (overall survival [OS]/radiographic progression-free survival [rPFS]) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).MethodsHRQoL, OS and rPFS were assessed in phase III trials comparing enzalutamide with placebo in chemotherapy-naïve (PREVAIL; NCT01212991) or post-chemotherapy (AFFIRM; NCT00974311) mCRPC. HRQoL was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate (FACT-P). Multivariate analyses evaluated the prognostic significance of baseline and time-dependent scores after adjusting for treatment and clinical/demographic variables. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) represented the hazard of rPFS or OS per minimally important difference (MID) score change in HRQoL variables.ResultsIn baseline and time-dependent multivariate analyses, OS was independently associated with multiple HRQoL measures across both studies. In time-dependent analyses, a 10-point (upper bound of MID range) increase (improvement) in FACT-P total score was associated with reductions in mortality risk of 19% in AFFIRM (HR 0.81 [95% CI 0.78–0.84]) and 21% in PREVAIL (HR 0.79 [0.76–0.83]). For baseline analyses, a 10-point increase in FACT-P total score was associated with reductions in mortality risk of 12% (HR 0.88 [0.84–0.93]) and 10% (HR 0.90 [0.86–0.95]) in AFFIRM and PREVAIL, respectively. rPFS was associated with a subset of HRQoL domains in both studies.ConclusionSeveral baseline HRQoL domains were prognostic for rPFS and OS in patients with mCRPC, and this association was maintained during treatment, indicating that changes in HRQoL are informative for patients' expected survival.



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Is post-mastectomy radiation therapy contributive in pN0-1mi breast cancer patients? Results of a French multi-centric cohort

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Publication date: December 2017
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 87
Author(s): Violaine Forissier, Agnès Tallet, Monique Cohen, Jean-Marc Classe, Fabien Reyal, Nicolas Chopin, Chafika Mazouni, Pierre Gimbergues, Emile Daraï, Pierre Emmanuel Colombo, Pierre Azuar, Eric Lambaudie, Gilles Houvenaeghel
AimTo assess the value of post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) to breast cancer (BC) patients with no or minimal lymph node (LN) involvement.Materials and methodsWe retrospectively analysed a French multi-centric cohort of 4283 patients treated by mastectomy and axillary dissection, with or without PMRT, between 1980 and 2013. Practices were analysed for three treatment periods (1980–1999, 2000–2005 and 2006–2013). The impact of PMRT on loco-regional recurrence (LRR), disease-free survival (DFS), BC-specific survival and overall survival was assessed in pN0-1mi patients using multivariate analyses (logistic regression and Cox model). It was subsequently assessed based on the number of clinicopathological recurrence-risk factors, generating a prognostic index (French-PMRT index), to isolate a pN0-1mi patients subgroup that might derive a benefit from PMRT. We tested the accuracy of the Cambridge-PMRT (c-PMRT) index to discriminate between patients with significantly different outcomes and the value of PMRT in each c-PMRT prognostic group.ResultsMore than half of the pN0-1mi patients of our cohort underwent PMRT, which almost significantly improved LRR-free survival and DFS. Matching pN0-1mi patients based on the number of clinicopathologic recurrence-risk factors identified a higher risk subpopulation (≥3 recurrence-risk factors), but PMRT did not improve patient outcomes. Although the c-PMRT index had the potential to predict patient outcomes, its use did not help in making the decision of whether or not to use PMRT.ConclusionWe failed to isolate a subgroup of early BC patients without LN involvement suitable for PMRT, despite studying a large cohort.



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Response rate as a potential surrogate for survival and efficacy in patients treated with novel immune checkpoint inhibitors: A meta-regression of randomised prospective studies

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Publication date: November 2017
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 86
Author(s): Giandomenico Roviello, Fabrice Andre, Sergio Venturini, Barbara Pistilli, Giuseppe Curigliano, Massimo Cristofanilli, Pietro Rosellini, Daniele Generali
IntroductionTo assess the role of the tumour response rate (RR) after immune checkpoint inhibitors–based therapy as a potential surrogate end-point of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with solid tumours, we performed a trial-based meta-regression of randomised studies comparing different immune checkpoint inhibitors–based treatments.MethodsThe systematic literature search included the electronic databases and the proceedings of oncologic meetings. Treatment effects on PFS and OS were expressed as hazard ratios (HRs); treatment effects on RR were expressed as odds ratios (ORs). A weighted regression analysis was performed on log-transformed treatment effect estimates to test the association between treatment effects on the surrogate outcome and treatment effects on the clinical outcome.ResultsTwenty-four trials, for a total of 11,894 patients, were included in the analysis. Using the complete set of data, the regression of either the log(HR) for PFS or the log(HR) for OS on the log(OR) for RR demonstrated weak associations (R2 = 0.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03–0.77; P = 0.001; and R2 = 0.32; 95% CI, 0.02–0.76; P = 0.01, respectively). The pre-planned analyses stratifying trials according to different type of disease and different mechanism of action of immune checkpoint inhibitors showed a very weak association of the RR with the OS for non–small cell lung cancer indicated and a modest association of the RR with the PFS for cytotoxic T lymphocyte–associated antigen 4 checkpoint inhibitors.ConclusionThe results of the trial-based meta-regression analysis indicated a weak correlation between RR and OS, supporting future investigations to assess the surrogacy of RR in the patient treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.



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Weekly cabazitaxel plus prednisone is effective and less toxic for ‘unfit’ metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: Phase II Spanish Oncology Genitourinary Group (SOGUG) trial

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Publication date: December 2017
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 87
Author(s): Miguel Ángel Climent, Begoña Pérez-Valderrama, Begoña Mellado, Eva María Fernández Parra, Ovidio Fernández Calvo, María Ochoa de Olza, Laura Muinelo Romay, Urbano Anido, Montserrat Domenech, Susana Hernando Polo, José Ángel Arranz Arija, Cristina Caballero, María José Juan Fita, Daniel Castellano
AimCabazitaxel (CBZ), a novel tubulin-binding taxane, improves overall survival in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) that progresses during or after docetaxel treatment. We have designed a phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CBZ as a weekly schedule for 'unfit' mCRPC patients after docetaxel failure.MethodsIn this single arm phase II study. CBZ was weekly administered in 1-hour infusion on days 1, 8, 15 and 22, every 5 weeks at 10 mg/m2 to eligible 'unfit' patients; oral prednisone (5 mg) was administered twice a day. Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) were also collected. New treatment scheme was considered effective if at least 65% of patients met a clinical benefit criteria based on prostate-specific antigen (PSA)-progression-free survival (PFS) values at week 12.ResultsSeventy patients (median age: 73.9 years) were enrolled; overall, 71.4% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS) of 2; and 84%, 16% and 11% had bone, liver and lung metastases, respectively. Objective partial response or stable disease was achieved in 61% of patients, while PSA responses of ≥50% and ≥80% were observed in 34.8% and 10.6%, respectively. The median PSA-PFS was 4.8 months; and 68.6% of patients had no progression at week 12. The most frequent grade 3/4 toxicities were neutropenia (2.8%), leukopenia (5.7%) and thrombocytopaenia (9%); no cases of febrile neutropenia were reported. Early CTC response was significantly correlated with PSA-PFS.ConclusionsCBZ/prednisone administered weekly to 'unfit' mCRPC patients appears to be as effective as classical standard 3-week scheme (TROPIC study) but with significantly lower toxicities and better tolerance. Early CTC response appears to be valuable as an early end-point of therapeutic efficacy.



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Site of childhood cancer care in the Netherlands

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Publication date: December 2017
Source:European Journal of Cancer, Volume 87
Author(s): A.M.J. Reedijk, M. van der Heiden-van der Loo, O. Visser, H.E. Karim-Kos, J.A. Lieverst, J.G. de Ridder-Sluiter, J.W.W. Coebergh, L.C. Kremer, R. Pieters
BackgroundDue to the complexity of diagnosis and treatment, care for children and young adolescents with cancer preferably occurs in specialised paediatric oncology centres with potentially better cure rates and minimal late effects. This study assessed where children with cancer in the Netherlands were treated since 2004.MethodsAll patients aged under 18 diagnosed with cancer between 2004 and 2013 were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (NCR) and linked with the Dutch Childhood Oncology Group (DCOG) database. Associations between patient and tumour characteristics site of care were tested statistically with logistic regression analyses.ResultsThis population-based study of 6021 children diagnosed with cancer showed that 82% of them were treated in a paediatric oncology centre. Ninety-four percent of the patients under 10 years of age, 85% of the patients aged 10–14 and 48% of the patients aged 15–17 were treated in a paediatric oncology centre. All International Classification of Childhood Cancers (ICCC), 3rd edition, ICCC-3 categories, except embryonal tumours, were associated with a higher risk of treatment outside a paediatric oncology centre compared to leukaemia. Multivariable analyses by ICCC-3 category revealed that specific tumour types such as chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML), embryonal carcinomas, bone tumours other type than osteosarcoma, non-rhabdomyosarcomas, thyroid carcinomas, melanomas and skin carcinomas as well as lower-staged tumours were associated with treatment outside a paediatric oncology centre.ConclusionThe site of childhood cancer care in the Netherlands depends on the age of the cancer patient, type of tumour and stage at diagnosis. Collaboration between paediatric oncology centre(s), other academic units is needed to ensure most up-to-date paediatric cancer care for childhood cancer patients at the short and long term.



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