Enhanced MRI-guided radiotherapy with gadolinium-based nanoparticles: preclinical evaluation with an MRI-linac

Background

The AGuIX® (NH TherAguix) nanoparticle has been developed to enhance radiotherapy treatment and provide strong MR contrast. These two properties have previously been investigated separately and progressed to clinical trial following a clinical workflow of separate MR imaging followed some time later by radiotherapy treatment. The recent development of MRI-linacs (combined Magnetic Resonance Imaging–linear accelerator systems enabling MRI-guided radiotherapy) opens up a new workflow where MR confirmation of nanoparticle uptake can be carried out at the time of treatment. A preclinical study was carried out to assess the suitability of a gadolinium-containing nanoparticle AGuIX® (NH TherAguix) for nano-enhanced image-guided radiotherapy on an MRI-linac.

Methods

Treatments were carried out on F344 Fischer rats bearing a 9L glioma brain tumour. Animals received either: (A) no treatment; (B) injection of nanoparticles followed by MRI; (C) radiotherapy with MRI; or (D) injection of nanoparticles followed by radiotherapy with MRI. Pre-clinical irradiations were carried out on the 1.0 T, 6 MV in-line Australian MRI-linac. Imaging used a custom head coil specially designed to minimise interference from the radiotherapy beam. Anaesthetised rats were not restrained during treatment but were monitored with a cine-MRI sequence. Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis was used to quantify residual gadolinium in the brain in normal and tumour tissue.

Results

A preclinical evaluation of nano-enhanced radiation treatment has been carried out on a 1.0 T MRI-linac, establishing a workflow on these novel systems. Extension of life when combining radiotherapy with nanoparticles was not statistically different from that for rats receiving radiotherapy only. However, there was no detrimental effect for animals receiving nanoparticles and radiation treatment in the magnetic field compared with control branches. Cine-MR imaging was sufficient to carry out monitoring of anaesthetised animals during treatment. AGuIX nanoparticles demonstrated good positive contrast on the MRI-linac system allowing confirmation of tumour extent and nanoparticle uptake at the time of treatment.

Conclusions

Novel nano-enhanced radiotherapy with gadolinium-containing nanoparticles is ideally suited for implementation on an MRI-linac, allowing a workflow with time-of-treatment imaging. Live irradiations using this treatment workflow, carried out for the first time at the Australian MRI-linac, confirm the safety and feasibility of performing MRI-guided radiotherapy with AGuIX® nanoparticles. Follow-up studies are needed to demonstrate on an MRI-linac the radiation enhancement effects previously shown with conventional radiotherapy.

Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography Surveillance after (Chemo)Radiotherapy in Advanced Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer: Beyond the PET-NECK Protocol

AIMS

To evaluate the implementation of 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG PET-CT) surveillance after (chemo)radiotherapy, to compare outcomes for those who achieved a complete (CR), equivocal (EQR) and incomplete (ICR) nodal response on 12-week PET-CT according to their human papillomavirus (HPV) status, and to assess the safety of ongoing surveillance beyond 12 weeks in the HPV-positive EQR group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients with node-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with (chemo)radiotherapy between January 2013 and September 2017 were identified. PET-CT responses were classified as CR, ICR or EQR. Patient outcomes were obtained from electronic records.

RESULTS

In total, 236 patients with a minimum of 2 years of follow-up were identified. The mean age was 59 years; 79.3% had N2 disease; 77.1% of patients had oropharyngeal cancer and 10.1% had squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary, of whom 82.0% (169) were HPV positive; 78.0% received chemoradiotherapy. The median time from the end of radiotherapy to PET-CT was 91 days. Of the HPV-related HNSCC, 60.4% achieved CR, 29.0% EQR and 10.6% ICR. With a median follow-up of 41.7 months, there was no difference in survival between patients with HPV-related HNSCC achieving CR and EQR (median overall survival not reached for both, P = 0.67) despite the omission of immediate neck dissection in 98.0% of the EQR group.

CONCLUSION

Patients with HPV-positive HNSCC who have achieved EQR have comparable survival outcomes to those who achieved a CR despite the omission of immediate neck dissections; this shows the safety of ongoing surveillance beyond 12 weeks in this group of patients.

Addressing oral health-related quality of life of the elderly – A Oral health promotion approach

Background

Older people are representative of the vulnerable population. According to census 2011, the proportion of elderly in India is 8.6%. Owing to social transformation and evolving lifestyles, the number of old age homes is increasing rapidly with institutionalized elderly having poorer oral health status. This study was conducted to assess the situation among the sample of institutions meant for the elderly and to plan relevant intervention, policy development aligning with principles of health promotion to improve the oral health quality of life.

Methods

A mixed-method study was adopted after approval from the institutional ethical board. To plan an appropriate intervention, situation analysis was done by conducting in-depth interviews, administrating questionnaires and direct observation. The intervention was planned based on the data obtained by building healthy public policy by a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between institutions, distribution of oral hygiene aids, oral health education, and demonstration of oral hygiene techniques. Institutionalized elderly selected for intervention in an old age home were 82. At baseline, oral health quality of life was assessed using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). After 3 months follow-up, Paired t-tests were used to compare baseline and follow-up data.

Results

Qualitative data on thematic analysis revealed that administrators highlighted on fiscal, economic, administrative, personnel, ethical aspects of policy instrument and type of oral health care services to be provided. Quantitative results showed that mean and SD for the pre and post GOHAI score was 1.6 ± 0.41 and 3.06 ± 0.80 (P < 0.001)

Conclusions

Oral health promotion approach to address challenges and issues at the community level appears a more promising approach as it facilitates a systematic process and more comprehensive. Policy initiatives with stakeholders brought a sustainable improvement of oral health quality of life.

Key messages

Ottawa charter model oral health promotion based intervention with the coordination of stakeholders helps in improving functional ability and intrinsic capacity of institutionalized elderly. To improve the quality of life among institutionalized elderly there is a need for transformation of health systems away from disease based curative models to comprehensive health care models.

What makes digital health intrusive? Qualitative findings from an international study on diabetes

Background

Remote digital monitoring (RDM, i.e., using digital devices to monitor patients' health and behavior) is a novel care model that can improve health outcomes for people with chronic conditions. However, it could be intrusive to patients' lives. We sought to understand which aspects of RDM make it intrusive to patients and why.

Methods

We performed content analysis of qualitative data collected by using open-ended questions in an international, online survey with a convenience sample of adults with type 1 or 2 diabetes (February-July 2019). Participants were first shown scenarios describing possible RDM features (i.e. different RDM tools [for glucose or food monitoring], feedback loops [receiving feedback in consultation, or remotely by a physician, or by artificial intelligence], and data handling options [by the public or private sector]).

Results

We analyzed data from 709 participants from 24 countries (38% men, median age 38, 54% type 1). Participants found RDM burdensome (n = 468). Burden arose from RDM features that caused disruption in daily life (e.g., alerts), features that may invite undesirable attention in public (e.g., visible wearable sensors may invite questions about one's health), or from having to adapt one's life to fit in RDM (e.g., adapt one's mealtime routine around food monitoring). Participants wanted control, particularly over sharing food-monitoring data with health care professionals in real-time to receive feedback (n = 440). They felt RDM could expose a delicate topic to 'surveillance' by authority figures (i.e., their data may 'reveal' poor dietary habits, leading to criticism by physicians). Intrusion could take the form of RDM eroding the patient-physician relationship (n = 34), or fear of data misuse (n = 206), which was associated with private-sector financial interests.

Conclusions

Our findings offer directions for minimally intrusive RDM design and show that digital health may cause concerns about stigma and treatment burden.

Key messages

Remote digital monitoring is intrusive when it increases treatment burden and limits patients’ control over their own health. “Minimally intrusive” digital health design could increase patient acceptability and, ultimately, foster scalability.

OP0115 EFFECT OF NINTEDANIB ON PROGRESSION OF INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE (ILD) IN PATIENTS WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE-RELATED ILDS: FURTHER DATA FROM THE INBUILD TRIAL

Background:

In the INBUILD trial in patients with progressive fibrosing ILDs, nintedanib reduced the rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) versus placebo over 52 weeks both in the overall population and in the subgroup with autoimmune disease-related ILDs. Patients continued blinded randomised treatment until the end of the trial.

Objectives:

Assess the effects of nintedanib on the risks of death, acute exacerbation of ILD or death, and disease progression or death over the whole INBUILD trial in patients with autoimmune disease-related ILDs and a progressive phenotype.

Methods:

Patients with progressive fibrosing ILDs other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) were randomised to receive nintedanib 150 mg bid or placebo. Time to i) death, ii) first acute exacerbation of ILD or death, and iii) disease progression (absolute decline in FVC ≥10% predicted) or death, over the whole trial were analysed in patients with autoimmune disease-related ILDs. Incidence rates of adverse events per 100 patient–years were calculated based on events with onset between the first trial drug intake and the last intake plus 28 days. Analyses were descriptive.

Results:

Of 663 patients, 170 (82 nintedanib, 88 placebo) had autoimmune disease-related ILDs (89 RA-ILD, 39 SSc-ILD, 19 MCTD-ILD, 23 other autoimmune ILDs including Sjogren’s disease-related ILD [n=7], interstitial pneumonia with autoimmune features [n=5] and undifferentiated CTD-ILD [n=3]). Over the whole trial, in the nintedanib and placebo groups, respectively, mean (SD) exposure to drug was 15.4 (7.4) and 16.9 (6.1) months and maximum exposure was 26.0 and 25.2 months; 62 (75.6%) and 68 (77.3%) patients in these groups, respectively, completed the planned observation time. Over the whole trial, in the nintedanib and placebo groups, respectively, 9.8% and 12.5% of patients died, 12.2% and 20.5% of patients had ≥1 acute exacerbation of ILD or died, and 40.2% and 53.4% of patients had disease progression or died (Table). Diarrhoea was the most common adverse event, with incidence rates of 139.2 and 26.3 events per 100 patient–years in the nintedanib and placebo groups, respectively. Adverse events led to treatment discontinuation in 20.7% of patients in the nintedanib group and 13.6% of patients in the placebo group.

Conclusion:

Data from the INBUILD trial suggest that nintedanib has a clinically meaningful effect on slowing the progression of ILD in patients with progressive fibrosing autoimmune disease-related ILDs, with adverse events that can be tolerated by most patients.

Table.Nintedanib (n=82)Placebo (n=88)HR (95% CI)*Death8 (9.8)11 (12.5)0.80 (0.32, 1.98)≥1 acute exacerbation of ILD or death10 (12.2)18 (20.5)0.58 (0.27, 1.27)Disease progression (absolute decline in FVC ≥10% predicted) or death33 (40.2)47 (53.4)0.72 (0.46, 1.13)

n (%) with event over the whole trial (mean [SD] exposure: 15.4 [7.4] and 16.9 [6.1] months in nintedanib and placebo groups, respectively). *Based on time to first event.

Disclosure of Interests:

Eric Matteson Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Gilead, TympoBio, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Speakers bureau: Simply Speaking, Clive Kelly Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Jörg Distler Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Paid instructor for: Boehringer Ingelheim, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Anna-Maria Hoffmann-Vold Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Actelion, Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Actelion, Roche, James Seibold Shareholder of: BriaCell, Pacific Therapeutics, Consultant of: Atlantic, Blade Therapeutics, Eicos Sciences, Eiger Biopharmaceuticals, Indalo Therapeutics, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Bayer, Xenikos, Boehringer Ingelheim, Camurus, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, EMD Serono, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Shikha Mittoo Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Consultant of: Novartis, Abbvie, Pfizer, Oliver Distler Grant/research support from: Grants/Research support from Actelion, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Competitive Drug Development International Ltd. and Mitsubishi Tanabe; he also holds the issued Patent on mir-29 for the treatment of systemic sclerosis (US8247389, EP2331143)., Consultant of: Consultancy fees from Actelion, Acceleron Pharma, AnaMar, Bayer, Baecon Discovery, Blade Therapeutics, Boehringer, CSL Behring, Catenion, ChemomAb, Curzion Pharmaceuticals, Ergonex, Galapagos NV, GSK, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Inventiva, Italfarmaco, iQvia, medac, Medscape, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, MSD, Roche, Sanofi and UCB, Speakers bureau: Speaker fees from Actelion, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Medscape, Pfizer and Roche, Paul F. Dellaripa Grant/research support from: Paul Dellaripa has received institutional grants from Genentech, Consultant of: Paul Dellaripa participated in advisory boards for Boehringer Ingelheim, Alexandra James Employee of: Employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Rozsa Schlenker-Herceg Employee of: Employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Susanne Stowasser Employee of: Employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Manuel Quaresma Employee of: Employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Kevin R. Flaherty Grant/research support from: Kevin Flaherty has received grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Consultant of: Kevin Flaherty has acted as a consultant for Boehringer Ingelheim, Bellerophon, Blade Therapeutics, Roche/Genentech, and Veracyte

He was a member of the INBUILD trial Steering Committee

SAT0157 NINTEDANIB DOSE ADJUSTMENTS AND ADVERSE EVENTS IN PATIENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE-RELATED INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASES IN THE INBUILD TRIAL

Background:

In the INBUILD trial in patients with progressive fibrosing ILDs, the adverse event (AE) profile of nintedanib was characterised predominantly by gastrointestinal AEs. Dose adjustments were used to manage AEs.

Objectives:

Assess AEs and dose adjustments in patients with autoimmune disease-related ILDs in the INBUILD trial.

Methods:

Patients with progressive fibrosing ILDs other than idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis were randomised to nintedanib 150 mg bid or placebo. Dose reductions to 100 mg bid and treatment interruptions were permitted to manage AEs. AEs over 52 weeks of treatment (or 28 days after last trial drug intake for patients who discontinued drug before week 52) were assessed in patients who received ≥1 dose of trial drug.

Results:

Of 663 patients in the INBUILD trial, 170 (82 nintedanib, 88 placebo) had autoimmune disease-related ILDs (89 RA-ILD, 39 SSc-ILD, 19 MCTD-ILD, 23 other autoimmune ILDs). In the nintedanib and placebo groups of patients with autoimmune disease-related ILDs, respectively, over 52 weeks, the proportions of patients with ≥1 dose reduction were 28.0% and 3.4%, with ≥1 treatment interruption were 31.7% and 10.2%, and with ≥1 dose reduction and/or treatment interruption were 40.2% and 12.5% (Table). Dose intensity (amount of drug administered divided by amount that would have been received had 150 mg bid been administered over 52 weeks or until permanent treatment discontinuation) was >90% in 80.5% of patients in the nintedanib group and 95.5% in the placebo group. AEs led to permanent treatment discontinuation in 17.1% and 10.2% of patients treated with nintedanib and placebo, respectively. Diarrhoea was the most common AE, reported in 63.4% and 27.3% of patients in the nintedanib and placebo groups, respectively. Diarrhoea AEs led to dose reduction, treatment interruption and permanent treatment discontinuation in 7.3%, 9.8% and 4.9% of patients in the nintedanib group, compared with 0%, 1.1% and 1.1% of patients in the placebo group, respectively. Of the nintedanib-treated patients who experienced ≥1 diarrhoea AE, 80.8% experienced 1 or 2 events and 76.9% experienced events that were mild at worst (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE] grade 1).

Conclusion:

In the INBUILD trial, management of AEs via dose adjustments enabled most patients with autoimmune disease-related ILDs to remain on treatment for 52 weeks. Diarrhoea was the AE that most commonly led to dose adjustment.

TableNintedanib(n=82)Placebo (n=88)Patients with ≥1 dose reduction or treatment interruption33 (40.2)11 (12.5)Patients with ≥1 dose reduction23 (28.0)3 (3.4)Total number of dose reductions253Patients with ≥1 dose re-escalation after dose reduction5 (6.1)2 (2.3)Patients with ≥1 treatment interruption26 (31.7)9 (10.2)Total number of treatment interruptions3211Total duration of treatment interruptions, days, mean (SD)20.1 (15.1)19.3 (20.7)

Disclosure of Interests:

Elizabeth Volkmann Grant/research support from: Forbius, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Forbius, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Ivan Castellví Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Actelion, Kern Pharma, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Actelion, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, Sindhu Johnson Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, Roche, Merck, Bayer, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Ikaria, Eric Matteson Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Gilead, TympoBio, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Speakers bureau: Simply Speaking, Jörg Distler Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Paid instructor for: Boehringer Ingelheim, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, James Seibold Shareholder of: BriaCell, Pacific Therapeutics, Consultant of: Atlantic, Blade Therapeutics, Eicos Sciences, Eiger Biopharmaceuticals, Indalo Therapeutics, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma, Bayer, Xenikos, Boehringer Ingelheim, Camurus, Corbus Pharmaceuticals, EMD Serono, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Ulrich Costabel Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Fibrogen, Global Blood Therapeutics, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, AstraZeneca, Alexandra James Employee of: Employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Carl Coeck Employee of: Employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Manuel Quaresma Employee of: Employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Vincent Cottin Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Actelion, Bayer, Gilead Sciences, Novartis, Promedior, Celgene, Galapagos, Galecto. He was a member of the INBUILD trial Steering Committee., Speakers bureau: Actelion, Boehringer Ingelheim, Novartis, Roche, Sanofi

THU0189 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF NINTEDANIB IN PATIENTS WITH AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE-RELATED INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE TREATED WITH DMARDS AND/OR GLUCOCORTICOIDS AT BASELINE

Background:

In the INBUILD trial in patients with progressive fibrosing ILDs, nintedanib reduced the rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) vs placebo over 52 weeks in the overall population and in the subgroup with autoimmune disease-related ILDs. Patients taking stable doses of medications to treat RA or CTD were eligible, but the protocol excluded enrolment of patients treated with azathioprine, cyclosporine, mycophenolate, tacrolimus, rituximab, cyclophosphamide, or oral glucocorticoids >20 mg/day.

Objectives:

Assess the influence of DMARDs and/or glucocorticoids at baseline on the efficacy and safety of nintedanib in patients with progressive autoimmune disease-related ILDs.

Methods:

In patients with progressive autoimmune disease-related ILDs in the INBUILD trial, the rate of decline in FVC (mL/year) and adverse events (AEs) over 52 weeks of treatment (or until 28 days after last trial drug intake for patients who discontinued drug before week 52) were assessed in subgroups by use of DMARDs and/or glucocorticoids (any dose) at baseline (yes/no).

Results:

170 patients in the INBUILD trial (82 nintedanib, 88 placebo) had autoimmune disease-related ILDs (89 RA-ILD, 39 SSc-ILD, 19 MCTD-ILD, 23 other). The baseline characteristics of patients taking (n=131) and not taking (n=39) DMARDs and/or glucocorticoids are shown in the Table. All but 1 patient taking glucocorticoids at baseline was taking <20 mg/day. The mean (SE) annual rate of decline in FVC in the placebo group was numerically greater in patients taking vs not taking DMARDs and/or glucocorticoids at baseline (Figure). The effect of nintedanib vs placebo on reducing the rate of decline in FVC was numerically more pronounced in patients taking vs not taking DMARDs and/or glucocorticoids at baseline, but the treatment-by-subgroup-by-time interaction p-values did not indicate heterogeneity in the effect of nintedanib between subgroups (Figure). In patients taking vs not taking DMARDs and/or corticosteroids at baseline, respectively, diarrhoea was reported in 59.4% and 77.8% of patients treated with nintedanib and 28.4% and 23.8% of patients treated with placebo. Serious AEs were more frequent in patients taking vs not taking DMARDs and/or glucocorticoids at baseline in both the nintedanib (39.1% vs 16.7%) and placebo (35.8% vs 19.0%) groups.

Conclusion:

In the INBUILD trial, the rate of FVC decline was numerically greater in placebo-treated patients who were taking DMARDs and/or glucocorticoids at baseline than in those who were not. The rate of FVC decline was slower in patients treated with nintedanib than placebo both in patients who were and were not taking DMARDs and/or glucocorticoids at baseline. Nintedanib had an acceptable safety profile both in patients who were and were not using DMARDs and/or glucocorticoids at baseline.

DMARDs and/or glucocorticoids at baselineYes (n=131)No (n=39)Male, %51.930.8FVC, mL, mean (SD)2372 (718)2188 (619)ILD diagnosis, %RA-ILD60.325.6SSc-ILD15.348.7MCTD-ILD10.712.8Other13.712.8Biologic DMARDs, %15.3–Non-biologic DMARDs, %46.6–Glucocorticoids, %87.8–

Disclosure of Interests:

Martin Aringer Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, Janet Pope Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly & Company, Merck, Roche, Seattle Genetics, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Actelion, Amgen, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eicos Sciences, Eli Lilly & Company, Emerald, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Sandoz, Sanofi, UCB, Speakers bureau: UCB, Clive Kelly Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Anna-Maria Hoffmann-Vold Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Actelion, Bayer, GlaxoSmithKline, Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Actelion, Roche, John Belperio: None declared, Alexandra James Employee of: Employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Carl Coeck Employee of: Employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Manuel Quaresma Employee of: Employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Eric Matteson Grant/research support from: Pfizer, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim, Gilead, TympoBio, Arena Pharmaceuticals, Speakers bureau: Simply Speaking

In vitro effects of glyphosate-based herbicides and related adjuvants on primary culture of hemocytes from Haliotis tuberculata

Glyphosate-based herbicides are among the most produced and widely-used herbicides. Studies have shown that commercial formulations and adjuvants may be more toxic to non-target organisms than the active ingredients alone, but the mechanisms of action of these chemicals remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effects of glyphosate, a commercial formulation and adjuvant alone using primary culture of hemocytes from the European abalone Haliotis tuberculata, a commonly farmed shellfish. Glyphosate was found to have negligible effects on viability, phagocytic activities and lysosome stability even with very high doses (i.e. 100 mg L-1). By contrast, greater effects on viability were observed for the commercial formulation and adjuvant alone, with EC50 values of 41.42 mg L-1 and 1.85 mg L-1, respectively. These results demonstrate that the toxic sublethal effects (i.e. phagocytic activity and destabilization of lysosomal membranes) of formulated glyphosate came from adjuvants and suggest they may be related to cell and organelle membrane destabilization.

Comparative Neuropsychiatry: White Matter Abnormalities in Children and Adolescents with Schizophrenia, Bipolar Affective Disorder, and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Background:

There is considerable evidence that white matter abnormalities play a key role in the pathogenesis of a number of major psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar affective disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Few studies, however, have compared white matter abnormalities early in the course of the illness.

Methods:

A total of 102 children and adolescents participated in the study, including 43 with early-onset schizophrenia, 13 with early-onset bipolar affective disorder, 17 with obsessive-compulsive disorder, and 29 healthy controls. Diffusion tensor imaging scans were obtained on all children and the images were assessed for the presence of non-spatially overlapping regions of white matter differences, a novel algorithm known as the pothole approach.

Results:

Patients with early-onset schizophrenia and early-onset bipolar affective disorder had a significantly greater number of white matter potholes compared to controls, but the total number of potholes did not differ between the two groups. The volumes of the potholes were significantly larger in patients with early-onset bipolar affective disorder compared to the early-onset schizophrenia group. Children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder showed no differences in the total number of white matter potholes compared to controls.

Conclusions:

White matter abnormalities in early-onset schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder are more global in nature, whereas children and adolescents with obsessive-compulsive disorder do not show widespread differences in FA.

Safety of hospital discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery

BACKGROUND

Ileus is common after colorectal surgery and is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Identifying features of normal bowel recovery and the appropriateness for hospital discharge is challenging. This study explored the safety of hospital discharge before the return of bowel function.

METHODS

A prospective, multicentre cohort study was undertaken across an international collaborative network. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The main outcome of interest was readmission to hospital within 30 days of surgery. The impact of discharge timing according to the return of bowel function was explored using multivariable regression analysis. Other outcomes were postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery, measured using the Clavien-Dindo classification system.

RESULTS

A total of 3288 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 301 (9·2 per cent) were discharged before the return of bowel function. The median duration of hospital stay for patients discharged before and after return of bowel function was 5 (i.q.r. 4-7) and 7 (6-8) days respectively (P < 0·001). There were no significant differences in rates of readmission between these groups (6·6 versus 8·0 per cent; P = 0·499), and this remained the case after multivariable adjustment for baseline differences (odds ratio 0·90, 95 per cent c.i. 0·55 to 1·46; P = 0·659). Rates of postoperative complications were also similar in those discharged before versus after return of bowel function (minor: 34·7 versus 39·5 per cent; major 3·3 versus 3·4 per cent; P = 0·110).

CONCLUSION

Discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery appears to be safe in appropriately selected patients.

Postoperative risk stratification in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Postoperative prognostic stratification using the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) TNM 8th edition staging rules (UICC 8) may identify additional groups of patients who could benefit from adjuvant radiotherapy. Currently, selection for such treatment is not based on all known prognostic factors, and their relative importance may vary depending on the overall risk category. The objective of this study therefore was to evaluate these possibilities. We retrospectively studied 644 patients who had surgery with curative intent for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) between March 2006 and February 2017. The outcomes of interest were disease-specific survival (DSS) and locoregional recurrence (LRR). Patients were re-staged according to the UICC 8 staging rules. Putative clinical and pathological prognostic variables were evaluated and hazard ratios estimated. Regression analysis was done to identify independent prognostic factors, and iterative analyses identified clinically-relevant risk categories with a minimum of residual prognostic variables. The significance of recognised pathological prognostic factors differed according to the overall risk category. An intermediate risk group comprising patients with pN1 disease as well those with pT3 disease solely on the basis of a depth of invasion (DOI) of more than 10 mm, was identified. A trial to evaluate the benefit or otherwise of adjuvant radiotherapy in this group is now required. Individual prognostic risk factors should be considered within the context of the overall risk category in patients with OSCC.

Safety and efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce ileus after colorectal surgery

BACKGROUND

Ileus is common after elective colorectal surgery, and is associated with increased adverse events and prolonged hospital stay. The aim was to assess the role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for reducing ileus after surgery.

METHODS

A prospective multicentre cohort study was delivered by an international, student- and trainee-led collaborative group. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The primary outcome was time to gastrointestinal recovery, measured using a composite measure of bowel function and tolerance to oral intake. The impact of NSAIDs was explored using Cox regression analyses, including the results of a centre-specific survey of compliance to enhanced recovery principles. Secondary safety outcomes included anastomotic leak rate and acute kidney injury.

RESULTS

A total of 4164 patients were included, with a median age of 68 (i.q.r. 57-75) years (54·9 per cent men). Some 1153 (27·7 per cent) received NSAIDs on postoperative days 1-3, of whom 1061 (92·0 per cent) received non-selective cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors. After adjustment for baseline differences, the mean time to gastrointestinal recovery did not differ significantly between patients who received NSAIDs and those who did not (4·6 versus 4·8 days; hazard ratio 1·04, 95 per cent c.i. 0·96 to 1·12; P = 0·360). There were no significant differences in anastomotic leak rate (5·4 versus 4·6 per cent; P = 0·349) or acute kidney injury (14·3 versus 13·8 per cent; P = 0·666) between the groups. Significantly fewer patients receiving NSAIDs required strong opioid analgesia (35·3 versus 56·7 per cent; P < 0·001).

CONCLUSION

NSAIDs did not reduce the time for gastrointestinal recovery after colorectal surgery, but they were safe and associated with reduced postoperative opioid requirement.

Combined pathologic-genomic algorithm for early-stage breast cancer improves cost-effective use of the 21-gene recurrence score assay

Background

The 21-gene recurrence score (RS) (Oncotype DX®; Genomic Health, Redwood City, CA) partitions hormone receptor positive, node negative breast cancers into three risk groups for recurrence. The Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) model has previously been shown to accurately predict RS risk categories using standard pathology data. A pathologic-genomic (P-G) algorithm then is presented using the AAMC model and reserving the RS assay only for AAMC intermediate-risk patients.

Patients and methods

A survival analysis was done using a prospectively collected institutional database of newly diagnosed invasive breast cancers that underwent RS assay testing from February 2005 to May 2015. Patients were assigned to risk categories based on the AAMC model. Using Kaplan-Meier methods, 5-year distant recurrence rates (DRR) were evaluated within each risk group and compared between AAMC and RS-defined risk groups. Five-year DRR were calculated for the P-G algorithm and compared with DRR for RS risk groups and the AAMC model's risk groups.

Results

A total of 1268 cases were included. Five-year DRR were similar between the AAMC low-risk group (2.7%, n = 322) and the RS < 18 low-risk group (3.4%, n = 703), as well as between the AAMC high-risk group (22.8%, n = 230) and the RS > 30 high-risk group (23.0%, n = 141). Using the P-G algorithm, more patients were categorized as either low or high risk and the distant metastasis rate was 3.3% for the low-risk group (n = 739) and 24.2% for the high-risk group (n = 272). Using the P-G algorithm, 44% (552/1268) of patients would have avoided RS testing.

Conclusions

AAMC model is capable of predicting 5-year recurrences in high- and low-risk groups similar to RS. Further, using the P-G algorithm, reserving RS for AAMC intermediate cases, results in larger low- and high-risk groups with similar prognostic accuracy. Thus, the P-G algorithm reliably identifies a significant portion of patients unlikely to benefit from RS assay and with improved ability to categorize risk.

Commotio Cordis Caused During Hurling Game

A teenage boy had a cardiac arrest following a blow to the chest from a hurling ball (sliotar). Prompt resuscitation and automated external defibrillation enabled a full recovery. This is the first reported case of commotio cordis caused by a sliotar although it is described in other sports. Primary prevention of commotio cordis (CC) and secondary prevention of cardiac death are discussed.