CD4+ T cell depletion, immune activation and increased production of regulatory T cells in the thymus of HIV-infected individuals

Mechanisms by which HIV affects the thymus are multiple and only partially known, and the role of thymic dysfunction in HIV/AIDS immunopathogenesis remains poorly understood. To evaluate the effects of HIV infection on intra-thymic precursors of T cells in HIV-infected adults, we conducted a detailed immunophenotypic study of thymic tissue isolated from 7 HIV-infected and 10 HIV-negative adults who were to undergo heart surgery. We found that thymuses of HIV-infected individuals were characterized by a relative depletion of CD4+ single positive T cells and a corresponding enrichment of CD8+ single positive T cells. In addition, thymocytes derived from HIV-infected subjects showed increased levels of activated and proliferating cells. Our analysis also revealed a decreased expression of interleukin-7 receptor in early thymocytes from HIV-infected individuals, along with an increase in this same expression in mature double- and single-positive cells. Frequency of regulatory T cells (CD25+FoxP3+) was significantly increased in HIV-infected thymuses, particularly in priorly-committed CD4 single positive cells. Our data suggest that HIV infection is associated with a complex set of changes in the immunophenotype of thymocytes, including a reduction of intrathymic CD4+ T cell precursors, increased expression of activation markers, changes in the expression pattern of IL-7R and enrichment of T regulatory cells generation.

One-pill once-a-day HAART: a simplification strategy that improves adherence and quality of life of HIV-infected subjects

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the ADONE (ADherence to ONE pill) study was to verify the effect of a reduced number of pills on adherence and quality of life (QoL) in HIV-infected patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

DESIGN

Prospective, multicenter, study.

METHODS

Patients chronically treated with emtricitabine (FTC) + tenofovir (TDF) + efavirenz (EFV) or lamivudine (3TC) +TDF +EFV and with a HIV-RNA < 50 copies/mL were switched to the single-pill fixed-dose regimen (FDR) of FTC +TDF +EFV. Data were collected with SF-36 using visual analog scales. Results of the final (6 months) primary as-treated analysis are reported.

RESULTS

212 patients (77.4% males) of mean age 45.8 years were enrolled; 202 completed the study. One month post switch to FDR the adherence rate increased significantly to 96.1% from a baseline value of 93.8% (P < 0.01). The increase was steadily maintained throughout the study (96.2% at 6 months). QoL improved over time from 68.8% to 72.7% (P = 0.042) as well, and was significantly associated with the perception of health status, presence of adverse events (AEs) and number of reported AEs (P < 0.0001). QoL significantly influenced adherence (P < 0.0001). During FDR use the mean CD4 count increased from 556 to 605 cells/muL (P < 0.0001). At the end of follow-up 98% of patients maintained HIV-RNA level < 50 copies/mL and 100% <400 copies/mL. Four patients stopped therapy because they were lost to follow-up and 6 because of AEs (insomnia/nervousness 4, allergy 1, difficulties swallowing pills 1).

CONCLUSION

By substituting a one-pill once-a-day HAART, we observed an improvement of both adherence and QoL while maintaining high virologic and immunologic efficacy. HAART simplicity is an added value that favors adherence and may improve long-term success.

Functional and psychological evaluation after exclusive chemoradiation therapy in oral and oropharyngeal cancer

e17012

Purpose: The treatment of head and neck tumours often negatively affects speech, swallowing, body image and quality of life (QoL). Aim of this study was the evaluation of the impact of exclusive chemoradiation therapy (CH-RT) on QoL and psychological functioning. Patients and Methods: Twenty-eight patients, affected by a carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx received exclusive CH-RT. Late effects of CH-RT and psycho-oncological assessment included: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) - European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) late radiation morbidity scoring system, DISCHE morbidity recording scheme, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), Mini Mental Adjustment to Cancer (MINI MAC), and EORTC QoL Head and Neck 35. Results: After a median follow-up of 42 months (range 12–60 months) moderate-severe late toxicity was as follows: taste impairment (89.20%), salivary function (82.12%), subcutaneous tissue (7.08%). Concerning dysphagia 39% of patients complained some discomfort, 28% had a more severe toxicity whereas 7% could not have an oral feeding; patients with severe dysphagia showed higher levels of anxiety (p < 0.05): dysphagia influences the QoL, fatigue and physical-social functioning. Rates of depression and anxiety were generally low: 78.6% of our sample did not show clinical relevant anxious symptoms and 82.1% of patients did not reach the threshold of an overt depression. Just a fair concordance in rate of depression between self- and hetero-evaluated scale was observed, with higher rates relieved by MADRS compare to HADS depression subscale using 8 or 10 cut-off (Cohen's k test = 0.401) Conclusions: Our data suggest low rates of anxiety and depression, in patients treated with CH-RT, with a different evaluation between self-evaluative and hetero-evaluative scales.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Induction chemotherapy with cisplatin and epirubicin followed by radiotherapy and concurrent cisplatin in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma observed in a nonendemic population

e17040

Background: Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) represents the main therapy choice in the treatment of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Aim of this study was the clinical evaluation of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) followed by CRT in a non endemic population affected by advanced NPC. Methods: Patients with locoregionally advanced NPC were treated with three cycles of induction chemotherapy (CHT) with cisplatin (100 mg/m2) plus epirubicin (90 mg/m2), followed by cisplatin (100 mg/m2) and concomitant radiotherapy (70 Gy). Results: In 40 patients treated with such protocol, after the completion of induction CHT and CRT we observed the objective response rates of 90% and 100% respectively. Treatment tolerability and toxicity were easily controllable. With a median follow-up time of 54.5 months 3- and 5-years disease-free survival was 75% and 65.4% and 3- and 5-years overall survival was 84% and 77.5%. 3- and 5-years loco-regional control was 82.4% and 70.3%, and 5-years distant metastases-free survival was 75%. Conclusions: NACT with cisplatin and epirubicin followed by concomitant CRT represents a feasible, efficient treatment for patients with advanced NPC. This regimen ensures an excellent locoregional disease control and overall survival with a low incidence of distant metastases.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.