Bench to Bedside Development of [18F]Fluoromethyl-(1,2-2H4)choline ([18F]D4-FCH)

Malignant transformation is characterised by aberrant phospholipid metabolism of cancers, associated with the upregulation of choline kinase alpha (CHKα). Due to the metabolic instability of choline radiotracers and the increasing use of late-imaging protocols, we developed a more stable choline radiotracer, [18F]fluoromethyl-[1,2-2H4]choline ([18F]D4-FCH). [18F]D4-FCH has improved protection against choline oxidase, the key choline catabolic enzyme, via a 1H/2D isotope effect, together with fluorine substitution. Due to the promising mechanistic and safety profiles of [18F]D4-FCH in vitro and preclinically, the radiotracer has transitioned to clinical development. [18F]D4-FCH is a safe positron emission tomography (PET) tracer, with a favourable radiation dosimetry profile for clinical imaging. [18F]D4-FCH PET/CT in lung and prostate cancers has shown highly heterogeneous intratumoral distribution and large lesion variability. Treatment with abiraterone or enzalutamide in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer patients elicited mixed responses on PET at 12-16 weeks despite predominantly stable radiological appearances. The sum of the weighted tumour-to-background ratios (TBRs-wsum) was associated with the duration of survival.

Focal therapy versus radical prostatectomy and external beam radiotherapy as primary treatment options for non-metastatic prostate cancer: results of a cost-effectiveness analysis

AIMS

Focal therapy treats individual areas of tumour in non-metastatic prostate cancer in patients unsuitable for active surveillance. The aim of this work was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of focal therapy versus prostatectomy and external beam radiotherapy (EBRT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A Markov cohort health state transition model with four health states (stable disease, local recurrence, metastatic disease and death) was created, evaluating costs and utilities over a 10-year time horizon for patients diagnosed with non-metastatic prostate cancer. National Health Service (NHS) for England perspective was used, based on direct healthcare costs. Clinical transition probabilities were derived from prostate cancer registries in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy, EBRT and focal therapy using cryotherapy (Boston Scientific) or high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) (Sonablate). Propensity score matching was used to ensure that at-risk populations were comparable. Variables included age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade group, maximum cancer core length (mm), T-stage and year of treatment.

RESULTS

Focal therapy was associated with a lower overall cost and higher quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gains than either prostatectomy or EBRT, dominating both treatment strategies. Positive incremental net monetary benefit (NMB) values confirm focal therapy as cost-effective versus the alternatives at a willingness to pay (WTP) threshold of £30,000/QALY. One-way deterministic sensitivity analyses revealed consistent results.

LIMITATIONS

Data used to calculate the transition probabilities were derived from a limited number of hospitals meaning that other potential treatment options were excluded. Limited data were available on later outcomes and none on quality of life data, therefore, literature-based estimates were used.

CONCLUSIONS

Cost-effectiveness modelling demonstrates use of focal therapy (cryotherapy or HIFU) is associated with greater QALY gains at a lower overall cost than either radical prostatectomy or EBRT, representing good value for money in the NHS.

A Systematic Review of Patients' Values, Preferences, and Expectations for the Treatment of Metastatic Prostate Cancer

CONTEXT

Advances in systemic agents have increased overall survival for men diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer. Additional cytoreductive prostate treatments and metastasis-directed therapies are under evaluation. These confer toxicity but may offer incremental survival benefits. Thus, an understanding of patients' values and treatment preferences is important for counselling, decision-making, and guideline development.

OBJECTIVE

To perform a systematic review of patients' values, preferences, and expectations regarding treatment of metastatic prostate cancer.

EVIDENCE ACQUISITION

The MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL databases were systematically searched for qualitative and preference elucidation studies reporting on patients' preferences for treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. Certainty of evidence was assessed using Grading of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) or GRADE Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (CERQual). The protocol was registered on PROSPERO as CRD42020201420.

EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS

A total of 1491 participants from 15 studies met the prespecified eligibility for inclusion. The study designs included were discrete choice experiments (n = 5), mixed methods (n = 3), and qualitative methods (n = 7). Disease states reported per study were: metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer in nine studies (60.0%), metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer in two studies (13.3%), and a mixed cohort in four studies (26.6%). In quantitative preference elicitation studies, patients consistently valued treatment effectiveness and delay in time to symptoms as the two top-ranked treatment attributes (low or very low certainty). Patients were willing to trade off treatment-related toxicity for potential oncological benefits (low certainty). In qualitative studies, thematic analysis revealed cancer progression and/or survival, pain, and fatigue as key components in treatment decisions (low or very low certainty). Patients continue to value oncological benefits in making decisions on treatments under qualitative assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

There is limited understanding of how patients make treatment and trade-off decisions following a diagnosis of metastatic prostate cancer. For appropriate investment in emerging cytoreductive local tumour and metastasis-directed therapies, we should seek to better understand how this cohort weighs the oncological benefits against the risks.

PATIENT SUMMARY

We looked at how men with advanced (metastatic) prostate cancer make treatment decisions. We found that little is known about patients' preferences for current and proposed new treatments. Further studies are required to understand how patients make decisions to help guide the integration of new treatments into the standard of care.

Metastatic prostate cancer men's attitudes towards treatment of the local tumour and metastasis evaluative research (IP5-MATTER): protocol for a prospective, multicentre discrete choice experiment study

INTRODUCTION

Systemic therapy with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and intensification with agents such as docetaxel, abiraterone acetate and enzalutamide has resulted in improved overall survival in men with de novo synchronous metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Novel local cytoreductive treatments and metastasis-directed therapy are now being evaluated. Such interventions may provide added survival benefit or delay the requirement for further systemic agents and associated toxicity but can confer additional harm. Understanding men's preferences for treatment options in this disease state is crucial for patients, clinicians, carers and future healthcare service providers.

METHODS

Using a prospective, multicentre discrete choice experiment (DCE), we aim to determine the attributes associated with treatment that are most important to men with mHSPC. Furthermore, we plan to determine men's preferences for, and trade-offs between, the attributes (survival and side effects) of different treatment options including systemic therapy, local cytoreductive approaches (external beam radiotherapy, cytoreductive radical prostatectomy or minimally invasive ablative therapy) and metastases-directed therapies (metastasectomy or stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy). All men with newly diagnosed mHSPC within 4 months of commencing ADT and WHO performance status 0-2 are eligible. Men who have previously consented to a cytoreductive treatment or have developed castrate-resistant disease will be excluded. This study includes a qualitative analysis component, with patients (n=15) and healthcare professionals (n=5), to identify and define the key attributes associated with treatment options that would warrant trade-off evaluation in a DCE. The main phase component planned recruitment is 300 patients over 1 year, commencing in January 2021, with planned study completion in March 2022.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research Authority East of England, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee (Reference: 20/EE/0194). Project information will be reported on the publicly available Imperial College London website and the Heath Economics Research Unit (HERU website including the HERU Blog). We will use the social media accounts of IP5-MATTER, Imperial Prostate London, HERU and the individual researchers to disseminate key findings following publication. Findings from the study will be presented at national/international conferences and peer-reviewed journals. Authorship policy will follow the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04590976.

A prospective prostate cancer screening programme for men with pathogenic variants in mismatch repair genes (IMPACT): initial results from an international prospective study

BACKGROUND

Lynch syndrome is a rare familial cancer syndrome caused by pathogenic variants in the mismatch repair genes MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, or PMS2, that cause predisposition to various cancers, predominantly colorectal and endometrial cancer. Data are emerging that pathogenic variants in mismatch repair genes increase the risk of early-onset aggressive prostate cancer. The IMPACT study is prospectively assessing prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening in men with germline mismatch repair pathogenic variants. Here, we report the usefulness of PSA screening, prostate cancer incidence, and tumour characteristics after the first screening round in men with and without these germline pathogenic variants.

METHODS

The IMPACT study is an international, prospective study. Men aged 40-69 years without a previous prostate cancer diagnosis and with a known germline pathogenic variant in the MLH1, MSH2, or MSH6 gene, and age-matched male controls who tested negative for a familial pathogenic variant in these genes were recruited from 34 genetic and urology clinics in eight countries, and underwent a baseline PSA screening. Men who had a PSA level higher than 3·0 ng/mL were offered a transrectal, ultrasound-guided, prostate biopsy and a histopathological analysis was done. All participants are undergoing a minimum of 5 years' annual screening. The primary endpoint was to determine the incidence, stage, and pathology of screening-detected prostate cancer in carriers of pathogenic variants compared with non-carrier controls. We used Fisher's exact test to compare the number of cases, cancer incidence, and positive predictive values of the PSA cutoff and biopsy between carriers and non-carriers and the differences between disease types (ie, cancer vs no cancer, clinically significant cancer vs no cancer). We assessed screening outcomes and tumour characteristics by pathogenic variant status. Here we present results from the first round of PSA screening in the IMPACT study. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00261456, and is now closed to accrual.

FINDINGS

Between Sept 28, 2012, and March 1, 2020, 828 men were recruited (644 carriers of mismatch repair pathogenic variants [204 carriers of MLH1, 305 carriers of MSH2, and 135 carriers of MSH6] and 184 non-carrier controls [65 non-carriers of MLH1, 76 non-carriers of MSH2, and 43 non-carriers of MSH6]), and in order to boost the sample size for the non-carrier control groups, we randomly selected 134 non-carriers from the BRCA1 and BRCA2 cohort of the IMPACT study, who were included in all three non-carrier cohorts. Men were predominantly of European ancestry (899 [93%] of 953 with available data), with a mean age of 52·8 years (SD 8·3). Within the first screening round, 56 (6%) men had a PSA concentration of more than 3·0 ng/mL and 35 (4%) biopsies were done. The overall incidence of prostate cancer was 1·9% (18 of 962; 95% CI 1·1-2·9). The incidence among MSH2 carriers was 4·3% (13 of 305; 95% CI 2·3-7·2), MSH2 non-carrier controls was 0·5% (one of 210; 0·0-2·6), MSH6 carriers was 3·0% (four of 135; 0·8-7·4), and none were detected among the MLH1 carriers, MLH1 non-carrier controls, and MSH6 non-carrier controls. Prostate cancer incidence, using a PSA threshold of higher than 3·0 ng/mL, was higher in MSH2 carriers than in MSH2 non-carrier controls (4·3% vs 0·5%; p=0·011) and MSH6 carriers than MSH6 non-carrier controls (3·0% vs 0%; p=0·034). The overall positive predictive value of biopsy using a PSA threshold of 3·0 ng/mL was 51·4% (95% CI 34·0-68·6), and the overall positive predictive value of a PSA threshold of 3·0 ng/mL was 32·1% (20·3-46·0).

INTERPRETATION

After the first screening round, carriers of MSH2 and MSH6 pathogenic variants had a higher incidence of prostate cancer compared with age-matched non-carrier controls. These findings support the use of targeted PSA screening in these men to identify those with clinically significant prostate cancer. Further annual screening rounds will need to confirm these findings.

FUNDING

Cancer Research UK, The Ronald and Rita McAulay Foundation, the National Institute for Health Research support to Biomedical Research Centres (The Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust; Oxford; Manchester and the Cambridge Clinical Research Centre), Mr and Mrs Jack Baker, the Cancer Council of Tasmania, Cancer Australia, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Cancer Council of Victoria, Cancer Council of South Australia, the Victorian Cancer Agency, Cancer Australia, Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC), the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), the Institut Català de la Salut, Autonomous Government of Catalonia, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, National Institutes of Health National Cancer Institute, Swedish Cancer Society, General Hospital in Malmö Foundation for Combating Cancer.

Prostate cancer in transgender women: what does a urologist need to know?

OBJECTIVE

To review of the existing literature, current guidelines and standard of practice related to prostate cancer in transgender women, as the transgender population share many of the same healthcare needs as their cisgender counterparts, but may have additional specialist needs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a non-systematic review of the literature, current guidelines and standard of practice related to prostate cancer in transgender women.

RESULTS

Our search revealed 10 case reports of prostate cancer in transgender women, four specialist opinion papers, six cohort studies, and four systematic reviews. The information in these publications were assimilated to produce a review of prostate cancer in transgender women.

CONCLUSION

The risk of prostate cancer in transgender women who are not on gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) or who have not had gender-affirming surgery (GAS) and gender non-conforming individuals (who may never commence GAHT or have GAS) is the same as that in the cis male population. In these patients, healthcare professionals need to be able to discuss screening, diagnostic and treatment options considering future wishes for gender-affirming treatment. Prostate cancer incidence in transgender women on GAHT or following GAS is lower than age-matched cis-male counterparts, but diagnosis and treatment is more nuanced. The present review discusses the existing literature about development and incidence of prostate cancer in this population, and makes recommendations about screening, the usefulness of diagnostic tools e.g. prostate-specific antigen and magnetic resonance imaging, and considerations when formulating treatment. Potential directions for future research are discussed, which will hopefully lead to development of robust evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and management of prostate cancer in transgender women.

Evaluating the prevalence and nature of sleep disturbances in prostate cancer patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy using a combination of actigraphy and sleep questionnaires

e17046

Background: Sleep disturbances and cancer related fatigue are commonly associated. Prostate cancer patients may suffer from disturbed sleep as a result of their diagnosis and following treatment, especially with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Wrist actigraphy is a non-invasive objective method of sleep data collection. This feasibility study compares sleep data obtained by actigraphy with subjective data from sleep questionnaires in order to determine the nature and severity of sleep disturbances in patients with and without ADT use. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional pilot study was conducted on 74 patients with prostate cancer attending a regional oncology clinic. Two validated subjective sleep questionnaires namely the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index [PSQI] and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale [ESS] were used. Patients wore actigraphy watches for a minimum of five consecutive days. The parameters of interest included: actual sleep time, sleep efficiency, fragmentation index, daytime napping frequency and duration. The questionnaire and actigraphy data were compared between 20 patients receiving ADT and 41 who were treatment-naive. Results: The compliance rate for completed actigraphy was 85%. Complete data sets with actigraphy and questionnaires were available from 61 patients. Those already receiving ADT were on LHRH analogues for a median duration of 2.35 years. Poor sleep quality as self-identified by patients from the PSQI (cut-off > 5) was 49% in the treatment-naive group which increased to 70% for those on ADT. For daytime sleepiness as assessed by ESS (cut-off > 10) this was 16% and 20% respectively. Actigraphy showed that patients on ADT reported longer sleep duration (7.4 vs 6.5 hours, p = 0.02), higher levels of nocturnal wakings (51.1% vs 36.7%, p = 0.002), with greater daytime napping duration (80.7mins vs 53.0mins, p = 0.04), and frequency (8.6 vs 5.6, p = 0.02) compared to treatment-naive patients. Conclusions: Self-reported poor sleep quality is common in prostate cancer patients, which appears worse for those receiving ADT. In patients receiving ADT, data derived from actigraphy suggests that although they were sleeping for longer at night, the quality of sleep was poor which, in turn, may be responsible for an increase in the frequency and duration of daytime napping. Based on the current findings, we recommend the use of actigraphy to characterise patients’ sleep patterns and to assess if sleep treatment is needed. Actigraphic data may allow for direct comparisons of different hormonal agents on sleep whilst identifying those with specific sleep disorders amenable to therapeutic intervention.

Conventional radical versus focal treatment for localised prostate cancer: a propensity score weighted comparison of 6-year tumour control

BACKGROUND

For localised prostate cancer, focal therapy offers an organ-sparing alternative to radical treatments (radiotherapy or prostatectomy). Currently, there is no randomised comparative effectiveness data evaluating cancer control of both strategies.

METHODS

Following the eligibility criteria PSA < 20 ng/mL, Gleason score ≤ 7 and T-stage ≤ T2c, we included 830 radical (440 radiotherapy, 390 prostatectomy) and 530 focal therapy (cryotherapy, high-intensity focused ultrasound or high-dose-rate brachytherapy) patients treated between 2005 and 2018 from multicentre registries in the Netherlands and the UK. A propensity score weighted (PSW) analysis was performed to compare failure-free survival (FFS), with failure defined as salvage treatment, metastatic disease, systemic treatment (androgen deprivation therapy or chemotherapy), or progression to watchful waiting. The secondary outcome was overall survival (OS). Median (IQR) follow-up in each cohort was 55 (28-83) and 62 (42-83) months, respectively.

RESULTS

At baseline, radical patients had higher PSA (10.3 versus 7.9) and higher-grade disease (31% ISUP 3 versus 11%) compared to focal patients. After PSW, all covariates were balanced (SMD < 0.1). 6-year weighted FFS was higher after radical therapy (80.3%, 95% CI 73.9-87.3) than after focal therapy (72.8%, 95% CI 66.8-79.8) although not statistically significant (p = 0.1). 6-year weighted OS was significantly lower after radical therapy (93.4%, 95% CI 90.1-95.2 versus 97.5%, 95% CI 94-99.9; p = 0.02). When compared in a three-way analysis, focal and LRP patients had a higher risk of treatment failure than EBRT patients (p < 0.001), but EBRT patients had a higher risk of mortality than focal patients (p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

Within the limitations of a cohort-based analysis in which residual confounders are likely to exist, we found no clinically relevant difference in cancer control conferred by focal therapy compared to radical therapy at 6 years.

Additional Treatments to the Local tumour for metastatic prostate cancer-Assessment of Novel Treatment Algorithms (IP2-ATLANTA): protocol for a multicentre, phase II randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Survival in men diagnosed with de novo synchronous metastatic prostate cancer has increased following the use of upfront systemic treatment, using chemotherapy and other novel androgen receptor targeted agents, in addition to standard androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Local cytoreductive and metastasis-directed interventions are hypothesised to confer additional survival benefit. In this setting, IP2-ATLANTA will explore progression-free survival (PFS) outcomes with the addition of sequential multimodal local and metastasis-directed treatments compared with standard care alone.

METHODS

A phase II, prospective, multicentre, three-arm randomised controlled trial incorporating an embedded feasibility pilot. All men with new histologically diagnosed, hormone-sensitive, metastatic prostate cancer, within 4 months of commencing ADT and of performance status 0 to 2 are eligible. Patients will be randomised to Control (standard of care (SOC)) OR Intervention 1 (minimally invasive ablative therapy to prostate±pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND)) OR Intervention 2 (cytoreductive radical prostatectomy±PLND OR prostate radiotherapy±pelvic lymph node radiotherapy (PLNRT)). Metastatic burden will be prespecified using the Chemohormonal Therapy Versus Androgen Ablation Randomized Trial for Extensive Disease (CHAARTED) definition. Men with low burden disease in intervention arms are eligible for metastasis-directed therapy, in the form of stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy (SABR) or surgery. Standard systemic therapy will be administered in all arms with ADT±upfront systemic chemotherapy or androgen receptor agents. Patients will be followed-up for a minimum of 2 years.

PRIMARY OUTCOME

PFS. Secondary outcomes include predictive factors for PFS and overall survival; urinary, sexual and rectal side effects. Embedded feasibility sample size is 80, with 918 patients required in the main phase II component. Study recruitment commenced in April 2019, with planned follow-up completed by April 2024.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Approved by the Health Research Authority (HRA) Research Ethics Committee Wales-5 (19/WA0005). Study results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03763253; ISCRTN58401737.

Association of Prior Antibiotic Treatment With Survival and Response to Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Therapy in Patients With Cancer

Importance

Gut dysbiosis impairs response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and can be caused by broad-spectrum antibiotic (ATB) therapy.

Objective

To evaluate whether there is an association between ATB therapy administered concurrently (cATB) or prior (pATB) to ICI therapy and overall survival (OS) and treatment response to ICI therapy in patients with cancer treated with ICIs in routine clinical practice.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective, multicenter, cohort study conducted at 2 tertiary academic referral centers recruited 196 patients with cancer who received ICI therapy between January 1, 2015, and April 1, 2018, in routine clinical practice rather than clinical trials.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Overall survival calculated from the time of ICI therapy commencement and radiologic response to ICI treatment defined using the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (version 1.1), with disease refractory to ICI therapy defined as progressive disease 6 to 8 weeks after the first ICI dose without evidence of pseudoprogression.

Results

Among 196 patients (137 men and 59 women; median [range] age, 68 [27-93] years) with non-small cell lung cancer (n = 119), melanoma (n = 38), and other tumor types (n = 39), pATB therapy (HR, 7.4; 95% CI, 4.3-12.8; P < .001), but not cATB therapy (HR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.5-1.4; P = .76), was associated with worse OS (2 vs 26 months for pATB therapy vs no pATB therapy, respectively) (hazard ratio [HR], 7.4; 95% CI, 4.2-12.9) and a higher likelihood of primary disease refractory to ICI therapy (21 of 26 [81%] vs 66 of 151 [44%], P < .001). Overall survival in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (2.5 vs 26 months, P < .001), melanoma (3.9 vs 14 months, P < .001), and other tumor types (1.1 vs 11, P < .001) was consistently worse in those who received pATBs vs those who did not. Multivariate analyses confirmed that pATB therapy (HR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.9-6.1; P < .001) and response to ICI therapy (HR, 8.2; 95% CI, 4.0-16.9; P < .001) were associated with OS independent of tumor site, disease burden, and performance status.

Conclusions and Relevance

Despite being limited by sample size, geographic origin, and the lack of correlative analyses on patients' gut microbiota, this study suggests that pATB therapy but not cATB therapy is associated with a worse treatment response and OS in unselected patients treated with ICIs in routine clinical practice. Mechanistic studies are urgently required to investigate ATB-mediated alterations of gut microbiota as a determinant of poorer outcome following ICI treatment.

Initial experience of the adjuvant treatments to the local tumor for metastatic prostate cancer: Assessment of novel treatment algorithms, a multicenter, phase II randomized controlled trial (IP2-ATLANTA)

TPS5600

Background: Local cytoreductive and metastasis-directed interventions are hypothesised to confer additional survival benefit beyond standard systemic therapy in patients with de novo synchronous metastatic prostate cancer. There is accumulating prospective evidence for local cytoreductive therapy. In particular, the phase III study STAMPEDE which demonstrated improved overall survival in a low burden subgroup of men following cytoreductive radiotherapy. Cytoreductive prostatectomy and minimally invasive ablative therapies (MIAT) are now subject to similar trial evaluation. IP2-ATLANTA will evaluate progression-free and overall survival outcomes with the addition of sequential multi-modal local and metastasis-directed treatments in patients with newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer compared to standard care alone. Methods: Phase II, multicentre, three-arm randomised controlled trial using a positive comparator arm ( n=918 ). An internal pilot ( n=80) feasibility phase is incorporated. All men with new histologically diagnosed, hormone sensitive, metastatic prostate cancer, within three months of commencing ADT and of PS 0-2 are eligible. Patients are randomised (1:1:1) to: Control (Standard of Care) OR Intervention 1 (Minimally invasive ablative therapy to the prostate +/- pelvic lymph node dissection [PLND]) OR Intervention 2 (prostate radiotherapy +/- lymph nodes OR Radical prostatectomy +/- PLND). Metastatic burden pre-specified by CHAARTED definition. Men with low-burden disease in intervention arms are eligible for metastasis-directed therapy (stereotactic ablative radiotherapy [SABR] or surgery). Standard systemic therapy given in all arms (incl. docetaxel). Follow-up: min. 2-years; max. 4 years. Primary outcome: progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary outcomes: Overall survival; urinary, sexual & rectal side-effects; patient reported outcome measures. HRA ethical approval (Ref: 19/WA0005). To date, 28/80 (35%) patients have been recruited and randomised across 9 open sites in the internal pilot. Median recruitment rate is 85.7% (IQR 55–86). Internal pilot recruitment expected to be complete by April 2020. IP2-ATLANTA addresses an important research gap in the role of local and metastasis-directed therapy in men with newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer. Clinical trial information: NCT03763253 .

Interim Results from the IMPACT Study: Evidence for Prostate-specific Antigen Screening in BRCA2 Mutation Carriers

BACKGROUND

Mutations in BRCA2 cause a higher risk of early-onset aggressive prostate cancer (PrCa). The IMPACT study is evaluating targeted PrCa screening using prostate-specific-antigen (PSA) in men with germline BRCA1/2 mutations.

OBJECTIVE

To report the utility of PSA screening, PrCa incidence, positive predictive value of PSA, biopsy, and tumour characteristics after 3 yr of screening, by BRCA status.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

Men aged 40-69 yr with a germline pathogenic BRCA1/2 mutation and male controls testing negative for a familial BRCA1/2 mutation were recruited. Participants underwent PSA screening for 3 yr, and if PSA > 3.0 ng/ml, men were offered prostate biopsy.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

PSA levels, PrCa incidence, and tumour characteristics were evaluated. Statistical analyses included Poisson regression offset by person-year follow-up, chi-square tests for proportion t tests for means, and Kruskal-Wallis for medians.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

A total of 3027 patients (2932 unique individuals) were recruited (919 BRCA1 carriers, 709 BRCA1 noncarriers, 902 BRCA2 carriers, and 497 BRCA2 noncarriers). After 3 yr of screening, 527 men had PSA > 3.0 ng/ml, 357 biopsies were performed, and 112 PrCa cases were diagnosed (31 BRCA1 carriers, 19 BRCA1 noncarriers, 47 BRCA2 carriers, and 15 BRCA2 noncarriers). Higher compliance with biopsy was observed in BRCA2 carriers compared with noncarriers (73% vs 60%). Cancer incidence rate per 1000 person years was higher in BRCA2 carriers than in noncarriers (19.4 vs 12.0; p =  0.03); BRCA2 carriers were diagnosed at a younger age (61 vs 64 yr; p =  0.04) and were more likely to have clinically significant disease than BRCA2 noncarriers (77% vs 40%; p =  0.01). No differences in age or tumour characteristics were detected between BRCA1 carriers and BRCA1 noncarriers. The 4 kallikrein marker model discriminated better (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.73) for clinically significant cancer at biopsy than PSA alone (AUC = 0.65).

CONCLUSIONS

After 3 yr of screening, compared with noncarriers, BRCA2 mutation carriers were associated with a higher incidence of PrCa, younger age of diagnosis, and clinically significant tumours. Therefore, systematic PSA screening is indicated for men with a BRCA2 mutation. Further follow-up is required to assess the role of screening in BRCA1 mutation carriers.

PATIENT SUMMARY

We demonstrate that after 3 yr of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, we detect more serious prostate cancers in men with BRCA2 mutations than in those without these mutations. We recommend that male BRCA2 carriers are offered systematic PSA screening.

Real-world experience with Temozolomide & Sativex in patients with recurrent High Grade Gliomas

Background

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common malignant brain tumour in adults with a median survival from progression of 8 months. A recent phase 1 study of temozolomide (TMZ) and 1:1 CBD:THC (Sativex) offers evidence of efficacy in patients with recurrent GBM (NCT01812603).

Methods

All patients receiving TMZ & Sativex (75mg/m2 daily d1 – 21 q28; Sativex continuously) for relapsed GBM or grade 3 astrocytoma at our centre were identified. Patient, tumor and treatment characteristics were recorded, and response based on sequential MRI scans using modified RANO criteria assessed.

Results

13 patients were treated over 18 months. The median age was 56; 69% were male. All had received initial chemo-radiotherapy (12 patients: 60 or 59.4Gy/30–33#; 1 patient: 45Gy/15#). 6 patients underwent reresection at recurrence. 4 patients were treated at first progression, 7 at second progression, and 2 at third or later progression. The median number of cycles of TMZ and sativex was 2. The combination treatment was tolerated well by all patients treated, with no Grade 3 or 4 toxicities, the only complaints being of discomfort in mouth after spray and ‘spaced out feeling’. Patients stopped treatment due to evidence of progressive disease on sequential MRI sign or physical deterioration. Median Overall Survival (OS) from initiation was 5.9 months (177 days); Progression Free Surival (PFS) at 3 months was 50%.

Conclusion

These results highlight some discrepancies in OS in comparison to the previous trial (NCT01812603), but our patients were treated at second/ third recurrence. We agree that the combination is well tolerated.

Factors affecting treatment strategy, completion of planned treatment and survival in older patients with glioblastoma

Introduction

For older patients with glioblastoma (GBM), age, extent of resection, and performance status are prognostic factors. However, an international survey conducted by our Unit found that >40% of neurosurgeons use age alone to discount surgery in older (65+) patients. The aim of this study was to review management in our Unit for 65+ GBM patients, to inform future approaches.

Methods

Patients 65+ with a new GBM diagnosis in our Unit, between 2014 and 2017, were identified. Demographic data, performance status (PS), comorbidity and frailty indices, together with details of surgical/oncological management and outcome were collected.

Results

78 patients were identified. 78% aged 65–74 underwent maximal safe resection, compared with 45% aged 75–84, and 10% aged 85+. Resection was undertaken in 68% PS1, 73% PS2 and 23% PS3 patients. No PS3 patient completed intended radiotherapy, compared with 79% PS1 and 74% PS2 patients. There was a significant difference in frailty scores of patients who completed scheduled oncological therapy compared with those who did not (median score 2 vs 4.5, p=0.0338).

Median survival was 10 months for patients 65–74, 4 months for aged 75 -84, and 40 days for 85+ (p<0.0167). Median survival was significantly lower for PS3 patients (44 days) compared with PS1 or 2 (9.5 months and 7 months respectively; p<0.0167).

Conclusion

There is considerable variability in performance status and frailty of 65+ GBM patients. PS3 patients at diagnosis are very unlikely to complete oncological treatment. These factors, rather than age alone, should be used to guide management decisions.

Antibiotic treatment prior to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy as a tumor-agnostic predictive correlate of response in routine clinical practice

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Background: Antibiotic therapy (ATB) may impair efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPI) through modulation of gut microbiota. Evidence is however limited to trial participants with non-small cell (NSCLC) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In this multi-centre study, we validated the impact of ATB in patients (pts) treated with ICPI in routine practice, irrespective of tumour site. Methods: We analysed a prospective dataset of pts treated with ICPI in 2 centres. We documented timing and duration of ATB administered within 1 month prior to ICPI treatment (pATB) or concurrently (cATB) until ICPI cessation. We evaluated response and overall survival (OS) across ATB+/-. Results: We enrolled 196 pts with NSCLC (n=119), Melanoma (n=38) and other histotypes (n=39). Most pts were male (n=137, 70%) with performance status 0-1 (n=159, 84%) and a median number of 2 metastatic sites (range 0-7). Pts received mostly anti-PD-1/PD-L1 ICPI (n=189, 96%) as first-line metastatic therapy (n=120, 62%). Twenty-nine patients (15%) received pATB with penicillins (n=22, 75%) for ≤7 days (n=26, 89%). Sixty-eight pts (35%) received penicillin-based (n=49, 72%) cATB for ≤7 days (n=39, 88%). Respiratory infections were the commonest indication for both pATB (n=16, 55%) and cATB (n=38, 85%). pATB (p<0.001) but not cATB (p=0.76) was associated with worse OS (26 vs. 2 months, Hazard Ratio 7.4, 95% CI 4.2-12.9) and increased likelihood of primary refractoriness to ICPI (44% vs 81%, p<0.001). pATB consistently worsened OS in NSCLC (26 vs. 2.5 months, p<0.001), melanoma (14 vs 3.9 months, p<0.001) and other tumours (11 vs 1.1 months, p<0.001). In multi-variable analyses pATB (p<0.001, HR 3.4, 95% CI 1.9-6.1) and response to ICPI (p<0.001, HR 8.2, 95% CI 4.0-16.9) predicted for OS independent of histotype, tumour burden, PS. Conclusions: This study suggests pATB to exert an independent detrimental effect on response and survival in unselected pts treated with ICPI in routine clinical practice. Mechanistic studies are urgently required to investigate ATB-mediated alterations of gut microbiota as a determinant of poorer outcome following ICPI treatment.

Prostate-specific antigen velocity in a prospective prostate cancer screening study of men with genetic predisposition

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1038/bjc.2017.429.

Prostate-specific antigen velocity in a prospective prostate cancer screening study of men with genetic predisposition

BACKGROUND

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and PSA-velocity (PSAV) have been used to identify men at risk of prostate cancer (PrCa). The IMPACT study is evaluating PSA screening in men with a known genetic predisposition to PrCa due to BRCA1/2 mutations. This analysis evaluates the utility of PSA and PSAV for identifying PrCa and high-grade disease in this cohort.

METHODS

PSAV was calculated using logistic regression to determine if PSA or PSAV predicted the result of prostate biopsy (PB) in men with elevated PSA values. Cox regression was used to determine whether PSA or PSAV predicted PSA elevation in men with low PSAs. Interaction terms were included in the models to determine whether BRCA status influenced the predictiveness of PSA or PSAV.

RESULTS

1634 participants had ⩾3 PSA readings of whom 174 underwent PB and 45 PrCas diagnosed. In men with PSA >3.0 ng ml-l, PSAV was not significantly associated with presence of cancer or high-grade disease. PSAV did not add to PSA for predicting time to an elevated PSA. When comparing BRCA1/2 carriers to non-carriers, we found a significant interaction between BRCA status and last PSA before biopsy (P=0.031) and BRCA2 status and PSAV (P=0.024). However, PSAV was not predictive of biopsy outcome in BRCA2 carriers.

CONCLUSIONS

PSA is more strongly predictive of PrCa in BRCA carriers than non-carriers. We did not find evidence that PSAV aids decision-making for BRCA carriers over absolute PSA value alone.

Targeted prostate cancer screening in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers: results from the initial screening round of the IMPACT study

BACKGROUND

Men with germline breast cancer 1, early onset (BRCA1) or breast cancer 2, early onset (BRCA2) gene mutations have a higher risk of developing prostate cancer (PCa) than noncarriers. IMPACT (Identification of Men with a genetic predisposition to ProstAte Cancer: Targeted screening in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and controls) is an international consortium of 62 centres in 20 countries evaluating the use of targeted PCa screening in men with BRCA1/2 mutations.

OBJECTIVE

To report the first year's screening results for all men at enrollment in the study.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

We recruited men aged 40-69 yr with germline BRCA1/2 mutations and a control group of men who have tested negative for a pathogenic BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation known to be present in their families. All men underwent prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing at enrollment, and those men with PSA >3 ng/ml were offered prostate biopsy.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

PSA levels, PCa incidence, and tumour characteristics were evaluated. The Fisher exact test was used to compare the number of PCa cases among groups and the differences among disease types.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

We recruited 2481 men (791 BRCA1 carriers, 531 BRCA1 controls; 731 BRCA2 carriers, 428 BRCA2 controls). A total of 199 men (8%) presented with PSA >3.0 ng/ml, 162 biopsies were performed, and 59 PCas were diagnosed (18 BRCA1 carriers, 10 BRCA1 controls; 24 BRCA2 carriers, 7 BRCA2 controls); 66% of the tumours were classified as intermediate- or high-risk disease. The positive predictive value (PPV) for biopsy using a PSA threshold of 3.0 ng/ml in BRCA2 mutation carriers was 48%-double the PPV reported in population screening studies. A significant difference in detecting intermediate- or high-risk disease was observed in BRCA2 carriers. Ninety-five percent of the men were white, thus the results cannot be generalised to all ethnic groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The IMPACT screening network will be useful for targeted PCa screening studies in men with germline genetic risk variants as they are discovered. These preliminary results support the use of targeted PSA screening based on BRCA genotype and show that this screening yields a high proportion of aggressive disease.

PATIENT SUMMARY

In this report, we demonstrate that germline genetic markers can be used to identify men at higher risk of prostate cancer. Targeting screening at these men resulted in the identification of tumours that were more likely to require treatment.

Malignant spinal cord compression: NICE guidance, improvements and challenges

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Malignant spinal cord compression (mSCC) is one of the most serious complications of cancer. Recent NICE guidance has aimed to improve patient pathways and outcomes for patients with mSCC. We have examined the current presentations, management and outcomes for patients with mSCC in West London following the implementation of the NICE guidance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The electronic records and clinical notes were reviewed for all patients assessed for confirmed or potential mSCC at Charing Cross Hospital in 2012. Details on the number of referrals, the proportion with confirmed mSCC, the cancer diagnosis, treatment and outcome were analysed.

RESULTS

191 patients were reviewed with 127 (66%) cases of confirmed mSCC. The commonest tumour types were prostate cancer (26 cases), lung cancer (26), breast cancer (21) and kidney cancer (15). 21% of the patients had no previous cancer diagnosis; mSCC was their presenting diagnostic event. Radiotherapy was the predominant management, 24% of the patients had first line surgical treatment. At presentation 62% of patients were either chair or bed bound. Treatment brought important mobility benefits to all patients groups with 20% of the initially chair or bed bound patients leaving the hospital with independent mobility.

CONCLUSION

Enhanced patients pathways with ease of access, rapid assessment and prompt treatment can improve outcomes. Despite these pathways many patients still present with gross motor impairment and over 20% have no previous diagnosis of cancer. Ongoing work to maintain awareness for patients and primary care of the diagnosis and emergency pathways is essential to optimize outcomes.

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma of the urinary bladder: A case report and review of systemic treatment options

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC) of the urinary bladder is a rare variant, which can occur in a pure form or in conjunction with transitional cell carcinoma. Owing to the scarcity of reported cases, the optimum treatment is yet to be defined, although the benefits of chemotherapy are increasingly recognised. We present a case of a 64-year-old man with pure LELC, treated with trans-urethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) and primary gemcitabine and platinum-based chemotherapy. He remained free of disease at six-month follow-up cystoscopy. The case adds to the growing evidence for the efficacy of chemotherapy, coupled with TUR, as part of a bladder-preserving treatment option for LELC.

Targeted prostate cancer screening in men with mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 detects aggressive prostate cancer: preliminary analysis of the results of the IMPACT study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of targeted prostate cancer screening in men with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations, an international study, IMPACT (Identification of Men with a genetic predisposition to ProstAte Cancer: Targeted screening in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers and controls), was established. This is the first multicentre screening study targeted at men with a known genetic predisposition to prostate cancer. A preliminary analysis of the data is reported.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Men aged 40-69 years from families with BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutations were offered annual prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing, and those with PSA > 3 ng/mL, were offered a prostate biopsy. Controls were men age-matched (± 5 years) who were negative for the familial mutation.

RESULTS

In total, 300 men were recruited (205 mutation carriers; 89 BRCA1, 116 BRCA2 and 95 controls) over 33 months. At the baseline screen (year 1), 7.0% (21/300) underwent a prostate biopsy. Prostate cancer was diagnosed in ten individuals, a prevalence of 3.3%. The positive predictive value of PSA screening in this cohort was 47·6% (10/21). One prostate cancer was diagnosed at year 2. Of the 11 prostate cancers diagnosed, nine were in mutation carriers, two in controls, and eight were clinically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows that the positive predictive value of PSA screening in BRCA mutation carriers is high and that screening detects clinically significant prostate cancer. These results support the rationale for continued screening in such men.

Prostate cancer in BRCA2 germline mutation carriers is associated with poorer prognosis

Background:

The germline BRCA2 mutation is associated with increased prostate cancer (PrCa) risk. We have assessed survival in young PrCa cases with a germline mutation in BRCA2 and investigated loss of heterozygosity at BRCA2 in their tumours.

Methods:

Two cohorts were compared: one was a group with young-onset PrCa, tested for germline BRCA2 mutations (6 of 263 cases had a germline BRAC2 mutation), and the second was a validation set consisting of a clinical set from Manchester of known BRCA2 mutuation carriers (15 cases) with PrCa. Survival data were compared with a control series of patients in a single clinic as determined by Kaplan–Meier estimates. Loss of heterozygosity was tested for in the DNA of tumour tissue of the young-onset group by typing four microsatellite markers that flanked the BRCA2 gene, followed by sequencing.

Results:

Median survival of all PrCa cases with a germline BRCA2 mutation was shorter at 4.8 years than was survival in controls at 8.5 years (P=0.002). Loss of heterozygosity was found in the majority of tumours of BRCA2 mutation carriers. Multivariate analysis confirmed that the poorer survival of PrCa in BRCA2 mutation carriers is associated with the germline BRCA2 mutation per se.

Conclusion:

BRCA2 germline mutation is an independent prognostic factor for survival in PrCa. Such patients should not be managed with active surveillance as they have more aggressive disease.

Urinary tract infection after stroke

BACKGROUND

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a recognized complication of stroke. We aimed to determine the incidence of UTI after acute stroke, the risk factors associated with this complication, and its association with outcome.

METHODS

Prospective study of consecutive acute stroke patients admitted to an urban teaching hospital. Routine clinical assessment included the modified National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (mNIHSS) and modified Rankin scale (mRS). Patients were followed up for 3 months, including recording of clinician diagnosis of UTI.

RESULTS

We studied 412 patients; 65 (15.8%) were diagnosed with UTI, at a median of 14 days (IQR = 4-39) post-stroke. In a binomial multivariate regression analysis, UTI was associated with urinary catheterization (OR = 3.03, 95% CI 1.41-6.52), higher mRS (OR = 1.85, 1.29-2.64) and increasing age (OR = 1.51, 1.13-2.00 for each decade). UTI was associated with death or disability at 3 months, however, this link was attenuated and became non-significant when measures of stroke severity and pre-stroke morbidity were included in a multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION

UTI is common after acute stroke. It is associated with urinary catheterization, post-stroke disability and increasing age. Avoidance of catheterization might reduce the incidence of this common complication.

Construction of tissue microarrays from prostate needle biopsy specimens

Needle biopsies are taken as standard diagnostic specimens for many cancers, but no technique exists for the high-throughput analysis of multiple individual immunohistochemical (IHC) markers using these samples. Here we present a simple and highly reliable technique for constructing tissue microarrays (TMAs) from prostatic needle biopsies. Serial sectioning of the TMAs, called 'Checkerboard TMAs', facilitated expression analysis of multiple proteins using IHC markers. In total, 100% of the analysed biopsies within the TMA both preserved their antigenicity and maintained their morphology. Checkerboard TMAs will allow the use of needle biopsies (i) alongside other tissue specimens (trans-urethral resection of prostates and prostatectomies in the case of prostate cancer) in clinical correlation studies when searching for new prognostic markers, and (ii) in a diagnostic context for assessing expression of multiple proteins in cancers from patients prior to treatment.

Processing of radical prostatectomy specimens for correlation of data from histopathological, molecular biological, and radiological studies: a new whole organ technique

AIMS

To develop a method of processing non-formalin fixed prostate specimens removed at radical prostatectomy to obtain fresh tissue for research and for correlating diagnostic and molecular results with preoperative imaging.

METHODS/RESULTS

The method involves a prostate slicing apparatus comprising a tissue slicer with a series of juxtaposed planar stainless steel blades linked to a support, and a cradle adapted to grip the tissue sample and receive the blades. The fresh prostate gland is held in the cradle and the blades are moved through the cradle slits to produce multiple 4 mm slices of the gland in a plane perpendicular to its posterior surface. One of the resulting slices is preserved in RNAlater. The areas comprising tumour and normal glands within this preserved slice can be identified by matching it to the haematoxylin and eosin stained sections of the adjacent slices that are formalin fixed and paraffin wax embedded. Intact RNA can be extracted from the identified tumour and normal glands within the RNAlater preserved slice. Preoperative imaging studies are acquired with the angulation of axial images chosen to be similar to the slicing axis, such that stained sections from the formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded slices match their counterparts on imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel method of sampling fresh prostate removed at radical prostatectomy that allows tissue samples to be used both for diagnosis and molecular analysis is described. This method also allows the integration of preoperative imaging data with histopathological and molecular data obtained from the prostate tissue slices.

Macrophage scavenger receptor 1 999C>T (R293X) mutation and risk of prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Variants in the gene encoding the macrophage scavenger receptor 1 (MSR1(4)) protein have been identified in men with prostate cancer, and several small studies have suggested that the 999C>T (R293X) protein-truncating mutation may be associated with an increased risk for this disease.

METHODS

Using large case-control, cohort, and prostate cancer family studies conducted in several Western countries, we tested for the 999C>T mutation in 2,943 men with invasive prostate carcinoma, including 401 males from multiple-case families, 1,982 cases unselected for age, and 575 men diagnosed before the age of 56 years, and in 2,870 male controls. Risk ratios were estimated by unconditional logistic regression adjusting for country and by a modified segregation analysis. A meta-analysis was conducted pooling our data with published data.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MSR1*999C>T mutation carriers was 0.027 (SE, 0.003) in cases and 0.022 (SE, 0.002) in controls, and did not differ by country, ethnicity, or source. The adjusted risk ratio for prostate cancer associated with being a 999C>T carrier was 1.31 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.93-1.84; P = 0.16]. The modified segregation analysis estimated the risk ratio to be 1.20 (95% CI, 0.87-1.66; P = 0.16). The risk ratio estimated from the meta-analysis was 1.34 (95% CI, 0.94-1.89; P = 0.10).

CONCLUSION

Our large-scale analysis of case and controls from several countries found no evidence that the 999C>T mutation is associated with increased risk of prostate cancer. The meta-analysis suggests it is unlikely that this mutation confers more than a 2-fold increased risk.

A Gene Expression Signature Associated with Metastatic Outcome in Human Leiomyosarcomas

Metastasis is a major factor associated with poor prognosis in cancer, but little is known of its molecular mechanisms. Although the clinical behavior of soft tissue sarcomas is highly variable, few reliable determinants of outcome have been identified. New markers that predict clinical outcome, in particular the ability of primary tumors to develop metastatic tumors, are urgently needed. Here, we have chosen leiomyosarcoma as a model for examining the relationship between gene expression profile and the development of metastasis in soft tissue sarcomas. Using cDNA microarray, we have identified a gene expression signature associated with metastasis in sarcoma that allowed prediction of the future development of metastases of primary tumors (Kaplan-Meier analysis P = 0.001). Our finding may aid the tailoring of therapy for individual sarcoma patients, where the aggressiveness of treatment is affected by the predicted outcome of disease.

ATM polymorphisms as risk factors for prostate cancer development

The risk of prostate cancer is known to be elevated in carriers of germline mutations in BRCA2, and possibly also in carriers of BRCA1 and CHEK2 mutations. These genes are components of the ATM-dependent DNA damage signalling pathways. To evaluate the hypothesis that variants in ATM itself might be associated with prostate cancer risk, we genotyped five ATM variants in DNA from 637 prostate cancer patients and 445 controls with no family history of cancer. No significant differences in the frequency of the variant alleles at 5557G>A (D1853N), 5558A>T (D1853V), ivs38-8t>c and ivs38-15g>c were found between the cases and controls. The 3161G (P1054R) variant allele was, however, significantly associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer (any G vs CC OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.17–3.87, P=0.016). A lymphoblastoid cell line carrying both the 3161G and the 2572C (858L) variant in the homozygote state shows a cell cycle progression profile after exposure to ionising radiation that is significantly different to that seen in cell lines carrying a wild-type ATM gene. These results provide evidence that the presence of common variants in the ATM gene, may confer an altered cellular phenotype, and that the ATM 3161C>G variant might be associated with prostate cancer risk.

Transcription factor E2F3 overexpressed in prostate cancer independently predicts clinical outcome

E2F transcription factors, including E2F3, directly modulate expression of EZH2. Recently, overexpression of the EZH2 gene has been implicated in the development of human prostate cancer. In tissue microrarray studies we now show that expression of high levels of nuclear E2F3 occurs in a high proportion (98/147, 67%) of human prostate cancers, but is a rare event in non-neoplastic prostatic epithelium suggesting a role for E2F3 overexpression in prostate carcinogenesis. Patients with prostate cancer exhibiting immunohistochemically detectable nuclear E2F3 expression have poorer overall survival (P=0.0022) and cause-specific survival (P=0.0047) than patients without detectable E2F3 expression. When patients are stratified according to the maximum percentage of E2F3-positive nuclei identified within their prostate cancers (up to 20, 21-40%, etc.), there is an increasingly significant association between E2F3 staining and risk of death both for overall survival (P=0.0014) and for cause-specific survival (P=0.0004). Multivariate analyses select E2F3 expression as an independent factor predicting overall survival (unstratified P=0.0103, stratified P=0.0086) and cause-specific survival (unstratified P=0.0288, stratified P=0.0072). When these results are considered together with published data on EZH2 and on the E2F3 control protein pRB, we conclude that the pRB-E2F3-EZH2 control axis may have a critical role in modulating aggressiveness of individual human prostate cancer.

Amplification and overexpression of E2F3 in human bladder cancer

We demonstrate that, in human bladder cancer, amplification of the E2F3 gene, located at 6p22, is associated with overexpression of its encoded mRNA transcripts and high levels of expression of E2F3 protein. Immunohistochemical analyses of E2F3 protein levels have established that around one-third (33/101) of primary transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder overexpress nuclear E2F3 protein, with the proportion of tumours containing overexpressed nuclear E2F3 increasing with tumour stage and grade. When considered together with the established role of E2F3 in cell cycle progression, these results suggest that the E2F3 gene represents a candidate bladder cancer oncogene that is activated by DNA amplification and overexpression.

ATM protein overexpression in prostate tumors: possible role in telomere maintenance

It has been postulated that telomere dysfunction and telomerase activation have important roles in prostate tumorigenesis. Since the ataxia-telangiectasia mutated gene product (ATM protein) is involved in maintaining telomere length and integrity, we hypothesized that its expression might be altered in prostate tumors and, thus, examined its profile in 49 tumor samples. The majority (32/49) had ATM protein levels higher than those observed in normal tissues, with only 5 of 49 tissue samples showing reduced or absent ATM levels. Three of these were from the group of 6 young-onset or sibling-pair tumors. There was a trend toward higher ATM expression in tumors with a higher Gleason score (23/32 [72%] for grade 8-10 vs 9/17 [53%] for grades 5-7), although this difference was not statistically significant. These findings support our hypothesis that the presence of the ATM protein at the same or a higher level than that in normal prostate cells might have an important role in the maintenance of the shortened telomeres commonly found in prostate cancer cells.

Two percent of men with early-onset prostate cancer harbor germline mutations in the BRCA2 gene

Studies of families with breast cancer have indicated that male carriers of BRCA2 mutations are at increased risk of prostate cancer, particularly at an early age. To evaluate the contribution of BRCA2 mutations to early-onset prostate cancer, we screened the complete coding sequence of BRCA2 for germline mutations, in 263 men with diagnoses of prostate cancer who were Collapse

Key Words Collapse

MESH Headings

• Adult
• Age of Onset
• Aged
• Base Sequence
• Breast Neoplasms/genetics
• DNA Mutational Analysis
• Female
• Genes, BRCA2
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics
• Genetic Testing
• Germ-Line Mutation/genetics
• Heterozygote
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Ovarian Neoplasms/genetics
• Pedigree
• Polymorphism, Genetic/genetics
• Prostatic Neoplasms/genetics

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Grants Collapse

Affiliation(s)

Stephen M Edwards Translational Cancer Genetics Team, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, United Kingdom
Zsofia Kote-Jarai
Julia Meitz
Rifat Hamoudi
Questa Hope
Peter Osin
Rachel Jackson
Christine Southgate
Rashmi Singh
Alison Falconer
David P Dearnaley
Audrey Ardern-Jones
Annette Murkin
Anna Dowe
Jo Kelly
Sue Williams
Richard Oram
Margaret Stevens
Dawn M Teare
Bruce A J Ponder
Simon A Gayther
Doug F Easton
Rosalind A Eeles

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Expression of the peptide antibiotics human beta defensin-1 and human beta defensin-2 in normal human skin

Normal human skin is remarkably resistant to infection from the large numbers of microorganisms that routinely colonize its surface. In addition to the role of skin as a mechanical barrier, it has long been recognized that skin and other epithelia can produce a range of anti-microbial chemicals that play an important part in eliminating potential cutaneous pathogens. Anti-microbial peptides are an important evolutionarily conserved innate host defense mechanism in many organisms. Human beta defensin-1 and -2 are cysteine-rich, cationic, low molecular weight anti-microbial peptides that have recently been shown to be expressed in epithelial tissues. In this study, we describe the characterization of human beta defensin-1 and -2 mRNA and peptide expression in normal human skin. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction we demonstrate that human beta defensin-1 is consistently expressed in skin samples from various body sites. Human beta defensin-2 demonstrates expression that is more variable and is more readily detectable in facial skin and foreskin compared with skin from abdomen and breast. In situ hybridization localizes the human beta defensin-1 and -2 transcripts to keratinocytes within interfollicular skin. Using specific antibodies, we have shown that human beta defensin-1 and -2 peptides are localized to the Malpighian layer of the epidermis and/or stratum corneum and that there are interindividual and site-specific differences in intensity of immunostaining and the pattern of peptide localization. The localization of human beta defensins to the outer layer of the skin is consistent with the hypothesis that human beta defensins play an essential part in cutaneous innate immunity.

Prevalence and determinants of hepatitis A virus exposure among prison entrants in Queensland, Australia: implications for public health control

In September 1997, a multicentre outbreak of hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection occurred in the Queensland prison system following a prolonged community-based HAV epidemic among illicit drug users. As part of the public health response, a cross-sectional survey was undertaken to estimate the sero-prevalence of, and identify the determinants for, recent and past HAV infection among the incoming male prisoner population. Exposure data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 214 consenting inmates, whose sera were screened for immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to HAV. Overall, 81 (37.9%) inmates were HAV-IgG seropositive, and four inmates were HAV-IgM seropositive, HAV-IgG seropositivity was strongly associated with year of birth (age) (Ptrend < 0.0001), being born outside Australia (relative risk (RR) 1.9, 95% CI 1.4-2.7) and being of a non-English speaking background (RR 2.5, 95% CI 1.7-3.7). Lifestyle exposures (such as occupation, overseas travel and illict drug use) were not associated with an increased risk of HAV-IgG seropositivity. In contrast, all four HAV-IgM seropositive inmates were English-speaking, Australian-born males who used illicit drugs. These findings suggest that the risk factors for recent and past HAV infections among prisoners differ, with implications for HAV control in correctional settings. Strategies for HAV prevention, including routine screening of inmates and vaccination of susceptibles, are considered in the context of current models of disease transmission.

Poor agreement between reported and recorded nocturnal cough in asthma

Reported presence or absence of night cough was compared with tape recorded cough in 15 children with perennial asthma (median age, 9 years; range, 7-14) who reported troublesome nocturnal symptoms. Measurements were made and diaries kept for 7 consecutive nights. Cough was reported on 66 of 105 (66%) and recorded on 93 (90%) available nights with poor overall agreement (Cohen's coefficient of assessment, kappa +0.30, range -0.17 to +1). The poor agreement between subjective and objective assessment of an important symptom of nocturnal asthma raises questions on the validity of symptom reporting and may in part explain the not infrequent disagreement between medical and patient assessment of disease severity.

Outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy

Outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy with endometrial sampling was performed in 160 women. The aim was to assess patient acceptance of the procedure when performed under para-cervical block. The most common indication was abnormal uterine bleeding. In 152 patients the procedure was successful, allowing thorough inspection of the uterine cavity, and in almost half of them no abnormality was detected. Thirty-one required subsequent elective admission, mainly for fibroid polypectomy. In most women the level of discomfort was assessed as 'tolerable', but in two the procedure was abandoned because of severe discomfort. Endometrial carcinoma was detected in six patients. There were no complications attributable to the procedure. Outpatient hysteroscopy considerably reduces the need for hospital admission and can provide early investigation for patients with a spectrum of gynaecological disorders, at low cost and with minimal facilities.

Successful pregnancy following bone marrow transplantation for leukaemia

We report three pregnancies with successful outcomes in two women following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for acute leukaemia using high dose melphalan alone as conditioning therapy. The increasing application and success of BMT together with the instigation of conditioning regimens that do not include total body irradiation should increase such cases. These and previous cases document that a normal outcome of pregnancy is likely in these patients.

Number and size of motoneurons in a forelimb motor nucleus of normal and dystrophic (C57BL/6J dy2j/dy2j) mice

The method of retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was used to identify the motoneurons that innervate the distal forelimb muscles via the ulnar nerve in normal and dystrophic (C56BL/6J dy2j/dy2j) mice. In both normal and dystrophic mice this motor nucleus was located in spinal segments C6 through T1. No clear division, on the basis of size, into alpha and gamma motoneuron populations was apparent. The motoneurons of dystrophic mice were fewer in number (26.5 vs. 35) but larger in cross-sectional area (780 vs. 674 microns2) than those of age-matched control mice. These results are quantitatively similar to those reported for the hind limb soleus muscle of dystrophic mice and suggest that the motoneuronal changes are a reflection of the dystrophic process rather than the associated spontaneous action potential generation seen in the dystrophic hind limb muscles.