Characterization of cowhage-induced pruritus in inflamed and non-inflamed skin

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Pruritus is a major symptom of many inflammatory diseases and impacts greatly the quality of life in patients. We aimed to specify the characteristics of experimentally induced pruritus in normal skin and in experimentally induced inflammatory dermatitis in healthy volunteers.

METHODS

Skin inflammation was induced by the repeated application of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS 2%) on the volar forearms of 30 healthy volunteers. Inflammatory dermatitis intensity was assessed using the eczema score adapted from Frosch and Kligman. Non-histaminergic pruritus was induced by cowhage spicules rubbed on the volar forearms and recorded for 30 min on a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS) in both non-inflamed and inflamed skin.

RESULTS

Induction of inflammatory dermatitis by SLS resulted in a mild inflammatory dermatitis with an inflammation score of 2.3 ± 0.1 within 7 days of treatment. Cowhage-induced pruritus was of markedly higher intensity (P < 0.001), and all but two individuals had higher maximum pruritus intensity in inflamed skin as compared to non-inflamed skin, whereas the kinetics of the pruritus response were similar. The quality of cowhage-induced pruritus was significantly different with more 'burning' and 'painful sensations' in inflamed skin (P < 0.01). Maximum pruritus intensity in inflamed skin strongly correlated with maximum pruritus intensity in non-inflamed skin (r = 0.51, P = 0.004). Skin hydration, skin barrier integrity and dermatitis severity did not correlate with pruritus intensity.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, pruritus in inflamed skin is perceived as more intense, painful and burning. This may explain, in part, why pruritus is a major driver of quality-of-life impairment in patients with chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as atopic dermatitis.

T-cell bispecific antibodies in node-positive breast cancer: novel therapeutic avenue for MHC class I loss variants

BACKGROUND

Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) represent a prognostic factor for survival in primary breast cancer (BC). Nonetheless, neoepitope load and TILs cytolytic activity are modest in BC, compromising the efficacy of immune-activating antibodies, which do not yet compete against immunogenic chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We analyzed by functional flow cytometry the immune dynamics of primary and metastatic axillary nodes [metastatic lymph nodes (mLN)] in early BC (EBC) after exposure to T-cell bispecific antibodies (TCB) bridging CD3ε and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) or Carcinoembryonic Antigen-Related Cell Adhesion Molecule 5 (CEACAM5), before and after chemotherapy. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I loss was assessed by whole exome sequencing and immunohistochemistry. One hundred primary BC, 64 surrounding 'healthy tissue' and 24 mLN-related parameters were analyzed.

RESULTS

HLA loss of heterozygosity was observed in EBC, at a clonal and subclonal level and was associated with regulatory T cells and T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain-3 expression restraining the immuno-stimulatory effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. TCB bridging CD3ε and HER2 or CEACAM5 could bypass major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I loss, partially rescuing T-cell functions in mLN.

CONCLUSION

TCB should be developed in BC to circumvent low MHC/peptide complexes.

A closer look at right ventricular 3D volume quantification by transthoracic echocardiography and cardiac MRI

AIM

To compare right ventricular (RV) volumetry using state-of-the-art three-dimensional (3D) transthoracic echocardiography (3DE) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) near-simultaneously in a clinical setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-seven consecutive patients received comprehensive echocardiography including 3DE within 30 minutes of CMR. RV volumetry was performed offline with semi-automated 3D endocardial border tracing as well as manual delineation of the compacted myocardium in short-axis views by CMR.

RESULTS

Forty-two examinations (89%) could be analysed offline by 3D RV reconstruction. Mean RV volumes assessed by CMR and 3DE were 215±63 and 127±42 ml for end-diastole (RV-EDV), as well as 110±43 and 62±27 ml for end-systole (RV-ESV). RV-EDV, RV-ESV, and RV stroke volume measured by 3DE were significantly lower than RV volumetry by CMR. Mean bias were -88, -48, and -41 ml, respectively. Mean RV ejection fraction (-EF) showed a non-significant deviation of +2% between 3DE and CMR and the correlation coefficient was r=0.58 for RV-EF.

CONCLUSION

RV-EF can be assessed reliably using transthoracic 3DE in patients with good image quality; however, absolute RV volumes measured by 3DE show a systematic deviation to CMR volumetry that has been previously neglected and requires careful interpretation regarding anatomical cardiac imaging.

Abstract OT2-07-02: Trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a) vs investigator's choice of treatment in subjects with HER2-positive, unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer who previously received T-DM1: A randomized, phase 3 study

Background: There is no uniform standard of care for HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) after disease progression on ado-trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1). DS-8201a is a novel HER2-targeted antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) with a humanized HER2 antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload by a cleavable peptide-based linker, and with a drug-to-antibody ratio of 7 to 8. It is designed with the goal of improving critical attributes of an ADC. In an ongoing phase 1 trial, DS-8201a showed promising antitumor activity in HER2-positive BC previously treated with T-DM1 (confirmed objective response rate [ORR] of 54.5%; April 2018 data cutoff; Iwata et al, ASCO 2018). Based on preliminary results from the phase 1 trial, DS-8201a received FDA breakthrough therapy and fast track designations for metastatic BC that progressed after prior treatment with T-DM1. The pivotal, phase 2 DESTINY-BREAST01 trial in this population with HER2-positive BC who received prior T-DM1 is ongoing (Baselga et al, ASCO 2018).

Study Description: This multicenter, open-label, phase 3 trial will assess the efficacy and safety of DS-8201a in subjects with HER2-positive (IHC 3+ or IHC 2+/ISH+; confirmed by centralized testing) unresectable and/or metastatic BC whose disease progressed on or after T-DM1 (NCT03523585, DESTINY-BREAST02). Approximately 600 subjects will be randomized (2:1) to DS-8201a or investigator's choice of treatment (trastuzumab plus capecitabine or lapatinib plus capecitabine). Randomization is stratified by hormone receptor status, prior pertuzumab treatment, and history of visceral disease. DS-8201a (5.4 mg/kg) will be administered IV once every 3 weeks. Progression free survival (PFS) based on blinded, independent central review using RECIST v1.1 criteria is primary efficacy endpoint; overall survival (OS) is the key secondary endpoint. Other secondary efficacy endpoints are ORR, duration of response, clinical benefit rate, and PFS based on investigator assessment. Safety assessments include serious and treatment-emergent adverse events, physical examinations, vital signs, and clinical laboratory parameters. Health-related quality of life will also be measured. The primary analysis for PFS will occur when approximately 372 PFS events have been observed; providing 90% power to detect a hazard ratio of 0.70 in PFS (a 43% improvement in median PFS from 3.3 months with investigator's choice to 4.7 months with DS-8201a) with a 1-sided alpha of 0.025. An interim OS analysis is planned at the time of the PFS analysis. Final OS analysis will occur when approximately 428 OS events have been observed. Long-term follow-up will continue after the primary analysis every 3 months until death, withdrawal of consent, loss to follow-up, or study closure. Efficacy analyses will include all randomized subjects, and safety analyses will include all randomized subjects who received ≥1 dose of study treatment. The study will enroll subjects from approximately 160 sites including in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. For further information on this trial, contact Fabrice André at FABRICE.ANDRE@gustaveroussy.fr or visit clinicaltrials.gov.

Citation Format: André F, Shahidi J, Lee C, Wang K, Krop IE. Trastuzumab deruxtecan (DS-8201a) vs investigator's choice of treatment in subjects with HER2-positive, unresectable and/or metastatic breast cancer who previously received T-DM1: A randomized, phase 3 study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-07-02.