Randomized trial of remote cancer symptom monitoring during COVID-19: Impact on symptoms, QoL, and unplanned health care utilization

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Background: Unplanned health care utilization due to poorly controlled cancer symptoms is common and important to avoid during the Covid-19 pandemic. In a randomized trial we evaluated whether remote symptom monitoring and management utilizing Symptom Care at Home (SCH), would reduce symptom burden, improve quality of life, and decrease unplanned health care use in cancer patients receiving active treatment. Methods: Patients (n = 252) receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy were randomized to the SCH intervention (n = 128) or usual care (UC) (n = 124). Daily, those in the intervention group, utilized the SCH system to report the presence and severity of 9 common symptoms during treatment. For symptoms endorsed, SCH participants received immediate, tailored automated self-management coaching. Symptoms at moderate to severe levels were automatically reported to oncology nurse practitioners who called the SCH patients to improve symptom management based on a decision support dashboard. Participants from both groups were assessed at baseline and monthly for up to 5 months on symptom burden (MDASI), mental health well-being and social isolation (PROMIS; HADS) and Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) (Penedo Covid-19 HRQoL subscale). Unplanned health care use was extracted from the EHR. Descriptive statistics examined equivalency between groups. Mixed effects models with random intercepts were utilized to examine group differences over time with post-hoc analyses to determine specific timepoint differences. Results: Participants did not differ on demographic or baseline measures. On average participants were 61 years of age, predominantly female (61%) and white (93%). A variety of cancers were represented with colon, breast and ovarian most common and 60% had stage 3 or 4 disease. Longitudinal mixed effects models found significant effects for lower symptom burden (p =.018) and better HRQoL (p =.007) for SCH participants versus UC at months 1 and 2 with improvements subsiding over the remaining months. Mental health wellbeing and social isolation were not significantly different. There were a total of 71 unplanned health care episodes with 28 for SCH and 43 for UC. Unplanned episode types included: unplanned clinic visit- 3 SCH vs 2 UC; ED visit- 10 SCH vs 16 UC and unplanned hospitalizations-15 SCH vs 25 UC. More SCH participants had no unplanned health care episodes than UC participants (χ2 4.08; p =.04). Conclusions: Remote monitoring and management of patients’ cancer and treatment-related symptoms during the Covid-19 pandemic reduced symptom burden and improved quality of life during the first two months of monitoring. Unplanned health care utilization trended lower for those remotely monitored. Extending care to the home during the pandemic can decrease demand on the health care system and improve cancer patients’ symptom experience. Clinical trial information: NCT04464486.

Improving patient outcomes with oncology hospital at home: A program model

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Background: Hospital at Home provides acute hospital level care to patients in their homes, diminishing the need for inpatient care or emergency department (ED) use. It has been evaluated for a variety of acute and chronic conditions but not in adult oncology. Results from program evaluations have demonstrated equivalent or improved outcomes with lower health care utilization and costs and high patient satisfaction when compared to usual care. The first evaluation of an oncology Hospital at Home program in the United States, Huntsman at Home (HH) was launched in 2018 to provide acute level care after hospitalization and address emergent symptoms that arise in the home between clinic visits. We describe the structure and patient profile of HH over the first 15 months of service. Methods: We compiled data for the 169 cancer patients admitted to HH between 8/2018 and 10/2019. We examined patient characteristics, the reason for referral, team structure, services provided and provider visit pattern. Results: The 169 patients referred to HH were predominately female (62%), white (83%), with metastatic disease (79%) and an average age 62 years. The most common diagnoses were GI, lung, GU and GYN cancer. All required acute level medical care and were referred by their oncology or inpatient provider after hospitalization. The HH multidisciplinary team was led by 9 nurse practitioners (NP) partnering with palliative care hospitalists, and the patient’s oncology team. Registered nurses (RN) and other home health personnel were provided by a community-based home health agency. The most common reasons for referral were acute pain, dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, infection, unstable symptoms, failure to thrive and post-surgical needs. The most common interventions provided by HH were: assessment and management of symptoms, medication monitoring and titration, monitoring lab chemistries, intravenous management and administration of medications and fluids, and wound, drain and line assessment and care. Home visits varied based on need; generally, there were 3 NP visits with 5 RN visits in the first week. Health care utilization and cost outcomes were recently reported at the ASCO Virtual Scientific meeting and demonstrated HH patients had fewer hospitalizations, shorter length of stay, decreased ED use and lower costs than the comparison group. Conclusions: HH has proven to be an effective and efficient way to successfully manage a variety of oncology acute care needs in patients’ homes averting further hospitalization or ED use. Hospital at home shows promise as an oncology care delivery model.

The oncology hospital at home: Health care utilization outcomes from the huntsman at home trial

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Background: Unplanned hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits are common during cancer care. Providing acute hospital level care at home may add value by decreasing hospital and ED use. We conducted the first evaluation of an oncology Hospital-at-Home program, Huntsman at Home (H@H). Methods: The Huntsman Cancer Institute began H@H services in 2018 and accepts referral of cancer patients for acute-medical or post-surgical care at home. Patients are admitted who require continued acute level medical care after hospitalization or have emergent unstable symptoms related to treatment or disease progression that would otherwise require ED evaluation or hospitalization. Prospectively, patients referred to H@H from 8/2018 through 10/2019 were compared to a usual care comparison group (UC) drawn concurrently from patients living within the Salt Lake City metropolitan area who qualified for admission to H@H, but lived outside the service zip codes. Probability of H@H enrollment propensity scores were constructed via random forest from patient descriptors and health care utilization at admission. We used an intent-to-treat approach for analysis. Primary outcomes were hospitalizations, length of stay (LOS), ED visits and cumulative charges over 30 and 90 days post admission to either group. Comparisons were made by generalized linear models, stratified by tertiles of H@H vs. UC propensity score. Results: 367 patients, 169 H@H and 198 UC, were evaluated. The average age was 62 yrs, 85% were Caucasian, and 77% had stage IV cancer. Propensity score distributions were overlapping, demonstrating group comparability. A variety of cancers were represented; the most common being colon, gynecologic, prostate and lung cancers. Compared to UC, H@H patients were more likely to be female (61% vs 43%) and during the month prior to admission, showed a trend towards longer LOS if hospitalized (6.7 vs 5.5 days). During the first 30 days after admission, propensity stratified comparisons showed H@H patients with lower hospital LOS (mean reduction 1.19 days, p=0.022), 56% lower odds of unplanned hospitalizations (OR 0.44, p=0.001), 45% lower odds of ED visits (OR 0.55, p=0.037) and 50% lower cumulative charges (mean ratio 0.50, p<0.001) compared to UC. Results over 90 days were similarly robust. Conclusions: In the first reported trial of an adult oncology Hospital at Home program, there was strong evidence for reduced hospitalizations, ED visits, and cost. Oncology Hospital at Home programs show promise for increased patient-centered care while simultaneously improving value.

Surgical delivery of drug releasing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol) paste with in vivo effects against glioblastoma

INTRODUCTION

The median survival of patients with glioblastoma multiforme (astrocytoma grade 4) remains less than 18 months despite radical surgery, radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy. Surgical implantation of chemotherapy eluting wafers into the resection cavity has been shown to improve length of survival but the current licensed therapy has several drawbacks. This paper investigates in vivo efficacy of a novel drug eluting paste in glioblastoma.

METHODS

Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PLGA/PEG) self-sintering paste was loaded with the chemotherapeutic agent etoposide and delivered surgically into partially resected tumours in a flank murine glioblastoma xenograft model.

RESULTS

Surgical delivery of the paste was successful and practical, with no toxicity or surgical morbidity to the animals. The paste was retained in the tumour cavity, and preliminary results suggest a useful antitumour and antiangiogenic effect, particularly at higher doses. Bioluminescent imaging was not affected significantly by the presence of the paste in the tumour.

CONCLUSIONS

Chemotherapy loaded PLGA/PEG paste seems to be a promising technology capable of delivering active drugs into partially resected tumours. The preliminary results of this study suggest efficacy with no toxicity and will lead to larger scale efficacy studies in orthotopic glioblastoma models.

Recurrent epistaxis as a presenting sign of androgen-sensitive metastatic prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is a common cancer, especially among elderly men. It is sometimes not diagnosed until it has metastasised. Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) can be the presenting manifestation of prostate cancer, and can present with bleeding (varying from isolated epistaxis to generalised haemorrhage), intravascular thrombosis, or both. A case of recurrent epistaxis from DIC due to metastatic prostate cancer occurring in an 84-year-old Caucasian man is presented, and the pathophysiology and management of DIC in association with androgen-sensitive prostate cancer are discussed.

Phase II trial of imatinib mesylate in recurrent, biomarker positive, ovarian cancer (Southwest Oncology Group Protocol S0211)

Platinum-resistant ovarian cancer continues to be a difficult therapeutic problem. Clearly, molecularly targeted agents should be evaluated in this patient population. Patients were eligible for this phase II study with stage III or IV ovarian cancer, whose tumor expressed Kit (CD117) or platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and with relapse of measurable disease within 6 months of completing frontline, platinum- and taxane-based chemotherapy. Patients were treated daily with 400 mg of imatinib mesylate orally. It was assumed that the agent would be of no further interest if the population response rate was less than 10%. A two-stage design was used for patient accrual. A total of 34 patients were registered to the study. Of these, 15 were found to be ineligible or not evaluable (8 because their tumor samples were negative for both DC117 and PDGFR). Of 19 evaluable patients, 2 (11%) tested positively for c-Kit and 17 (89%) tested positively for PDGFR. There were no objective responders. Thirteen patients (68%) had increasing disease or symptomatic deterioration, and six (32%) went off protocol during the first month due to adverse events. Median progression-free survival was 2 months (95% CI 1-3 months) and median overall survival was 10 months (95% CI 6-18 months). Eleven percent of patients experienced grade 4 hematologic/metabolic toxicity and 37% experienced grade 3 nonhematologic toxicity. We conclude that imatinib mesylate as a single agent does not appear to have useful clinical activity in c-Kit and/or PDGFR positive, recurrent ovarian cancer in heavily pretreated patients with ovarian cancer.

Effects of levocetirizine as add-on therapy to fluticasone in seasonal allergic rhinitis

BACKGROUND

Addition of H(1) antagonists to intranasal corticosteroid treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) is common in clinical practice and recommended by guidelines, despite some evidence that the additive benefits are negligible.

OBJECTIVE

To assess additional benefits of 5 mg levocetirizine dihydrochloride in seasonal AR patients using 200 mcg fluticasone propionate nasal spray once daily.

METHODS

In a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover study of 27 patients, following 2 weeks without treatment, subjects used fluticasone with levocetirizine or identical placebo for 2 weeks each. Assessments were the Juniper mini Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (mini-RQLQ), domiciliary peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF), total nasal symptoms (TNS) scores and nasal nitric oxide concentrations. Effects were interpreted and tested against minimal clinically important differences.

RESULTS

Add-on effects for levocetirizine vs. placebo excluded any clinically significant benefits: mean effects (one sided 95% confidence intervals) were mini-RQLQ -0.11 (-0.34), PNIF +0.57 (+5.23), and TNS -0.11 (-0.60). Numbers needed to treat (95% confidence intervals) by outcome were mini-RQLQ 14 (5 to 49), PNIF 4 (3-7), and TNS 3 (2-6). No significant within or between treatment effects were seen for nasal nitric oxide.

CONCLUSION

Contrary to current practice, the present results demonstrate that for the majority of patients, antihistamine add-on to effective nasal steroid treatment is inappropriate. Further work is required to confirm that this is also true in the most severe cases, and the available evidence needs to be put into guidelines and implemented.

Inheritance of hypoadrenocorticism in bearded collies

OBJECTIVE

To assess heritability and mode of inheritance for hypoadrenocorticism in Bearded Collies.

ANIMALS

635 Bearded Collies.

PROCEDURES

Dogs were classified as affected by hypoadrenocorticism or unaffected. Phenotypic and pedigree data were analyzed. Heritability was estimated by use of Bayesian statistical methods. Regressive logistic models for complex segregation analyses were used to characterize mode of inheritance.

RESULTS

Hypoadrenocorticism was diagnosed in 60 (9.4%) dogs. Heritability of hypoadrenocorticism was estimated to be 0.76 with both sexes affected with equal probability. Evaluation of the pedigrees did not support a Mendelian autosomal dominant mode of inheritance. Evidence from the complex segregation analysis for a single locus of large effect on hypoadrenocorticism was not convincing.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Hypoadrenocorticism in Bearded Collies is highly heritable. Although a precise genetic mechanism responsible for inheritance of the disorder remains undetermined, breeding decisions must include consideration of the genetic likelihood of passing on this deleterious disorder to offspring of affected dams and sires.

Physicochemical foundations and structural design of hydrogels in medicine and biology

Hydrogels are cross-linked hydrophilic polymers that can imbibe water or biological fluids. Their biomedical and pharmaceutical applications include a very wide range of systems and processes that utilize several molecular design characteristics. This review discusses the molecular structure, dynamic behavior, and structural modifications of hydrogels as well as the various applications of these biohydrogels. Recent advances in the preparation of three-dimensional structures with exact chain conformations, as well as tethering of functional groups, allow for the preparation of promising new hydrogels. Meanwhile, intelligent biohydrogels with pH- or temperature-sensitivity continue to be important materials in medical applications.

Micropatterning of biomedical polymer surfaces by novel UV polymerization techniques

The "living" radical polymerization with an iniferter was used to create micropatterned biomedical surfaces. Novel, photosensitive biomedical polymers were created by the incorporation of dithiocarbamate groups from iniferters. A second monomer layer was then irradiated onto the photosensitive polymer substrate created with the iniferter to form a copolymer. Patterns were created on the films by application of modified microfabrication-based photolithographic techniques. The technique was used to create patterns with depths from 5 to 80 microm. In addition, various polymers were incorporated, including polyethylene glycol methacrylates, styrene, and methacrylic acid, to synthesize regions with different physico-chemical properties. Applications include novel surfaces for biosensors and biomaterials for the selective adhesion of cells and proteins.

Autoimmunity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is associated with the immune-mediated disorders autoimmune hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenia. Initial treatment with corticosteroids is often successful in controlling these manifestations, but splenectomy should be considered if a rapid and complete response is not obtained. For those with persistent anemia or thrombocytopenia after splenectomy, treatment directed against the underlying CLL may be considered, although the use of purine analogues has also precipitated autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Pure red cell aplasia has been reported in CLL, and usually responds to immunosuppressive therapy.

Preparation of controlled release systems by free-radical UV polymerizations in the presence of a drug

UV free-radical polymerization techniques are often used to synthesize hydrogels for controlled release applications. Numerous techniques exist for immobilizing drugs or solutes in the gel. This work focuses on the entrapment of solute in a hydrogel by conducting a photopolymerization in the presence of the monomer and the solute. A kinetic gelation model has been developed to examine the effect of the solute material on the polymerization process and the ensuing network structure. Kinetic experiments have also been conducted of the polymerization of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate in the presence of theophylline. It was found that the presence of the solute led to a more heterogeneous network with numerous microgel regions present. The effect of the size of the solute on the polymerization was also investigated.

NCCN Practice Guidelines for Breast Cancer

The therapeutic options for patients with noninvasive or invasive breast cancer are complex and varied. In many situations, the patient and physician have the responsibility to jointly explore and ultimately select the most appropriate option from among the available alternatives. With rare exception, the evaluation, treatment, and follow-up recommendations contained within these guidelines were based largely on the results of past and present clinical trials. However, there is not a single clinical situation in which the treatment of breast cancer has been optimized with respect to either maximizing cure or minimizing toxicity and disfigurement. Therefore, patient and physician participation in prospective clinical trials allows patients not only to receive state-of-the-art cancer treatment but also to contribute to the improvement of treatment of future patients.

Acid-fast-positive Legionella pneumophila: a possible pitfall in the cytologic diagnosis of mycobacterial infection in pulmonary specimens

The acid-fast stain is commonly used in the rapid cytologic assessment of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid to detect pulmonary mycobacterial infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients. The identification of acid-fast, rod-shaped organisms may be taken as presumptive evidence of such an infection, in the appropriate clinical setting. However, this determination is made less specific by the occasional acid-fast positivity of microorganisms other than mycobacteria. We report on the occurrence of a fatal pneumonia caused by acid-fast positive Legionella pneumophila detected by BAL. This is a potential pitfall in the rapid diagnosis of pulmonary mycobacterial infections.

Models for early chemoprevention trials in breast cancer

Several models are being explored for use in the phase I and phase II evaluation of breast cancer chemoprevention agents. The short-term DCIS/small invasive cancer model is probably best used in late phase I trials in conjunction with agents likely to have activity in the progression phase of neoplastic development in addition to activity in earlier phases. The core biopsy or FNA hyperplasia models may be best used with drugs that are likely to have activity primarily in the promotion phase of neoplastic development and that are suitable for longer duration trials lasting several months to years. Morphology currently is the key surrogate endpoint biomarker for assessing efficacy in phase II trials. Other biomarkers that may undergo modulation will have to be validated, in that modulation will have to be shown to be directly related to decreased cancer risk in subsequent phase III trials. Only then can they be considered as validated surrogate endpoint biomarkers and used as stand-alone efficacy markers in phase II trials. Despite accrual challenges and technologic hurdles, interest in phase I and phase II chemoprevention trials is high.

Effects of total parental nutrition (TPN) during high-dose interleukin-2 treatment for metastatic cancer

Patients treated with high doses of interleukin-2 (IL-2) develop profound anorexia, malaise, loss of energy, mucositis, nausea, and vomiting, which may contribute to poor nutrition. We hypothesized that total parenteral nutrition (TPN) administration would ameliorate these changes and could improve fluid and electrolyte balance. A retrospective analysis of protein and energy intake was performed in 21 sequential patients who received a normal diet (controls) and 16 subsequent patients who received TPN during IL-2 treatment. The effect of TPN on laboratory abnormalities induced by IL-2 was also evaluated. Within 24 h of starting IL-2, mean energy intake declined to 2.5-2.8 kcal/kg in controls in contrast to the energy intake of 25-29 kcal/kg in patients receiving TPN. Protein nutrition was affected in a similar fashion, with a markedly lower protein intake in controls (0.08-0.12 g/kg) than in the TPN group (1.02-1.10 g/kg). TPN improved serum calcium and potassium concentrations, particularly during spontaneous diuresis after completion of IL-2 treatment. Unexpectedly, TPN decreased the frequency and severity of cholestatic jaundice caused by IL-2. Patients receiving TPN had an increased propensity for hyperglycemia and hypophosphatemia. High-dose intravenous bolus IL-2 therapy resulted in a markedly negative nutritional balance in control patients. A brief period of TPN during IL-2 treatment was well tolerated and corrected calorie and protein malnutrition. TPN administration also improved control of serum electrolytes. TPN did not adversely affect tumor progression or patient survival.

Acute dyslipoproteinemia induced by interleukin-2: lecithin:cholesteryl acyltransferase, lipoprotein lipase, and hepatic lipase deficiencies

Recombinant human interleukin-2 (rIL-2) is used to treat refractory cancers. During such treatment, patients develop severe hypocholesterolemia along with striking alterations in the concentration and composition of the circulating lipoproteins. The present study was undertaken to gather information about the pathogenesis of these abnormalities. Patients were studied before-, during- and after a 5-day course of high dose i.v. rIL-2. Whole plasma cholesterol was markedly reduced by rIL-2 administration (52%; P < 0.001), whereas the triglyceride concentration did not change. Thus, the lipoproteins became triglyceride enriched (P = 0.004). Low density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B (apoB), high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apoA-I concentrations all decreased. Esterified cholesterol levels were markedly reduced. Total plasma apoE increased markedly, and two kinds of abnormal particles appeared: 1) beta-migrating, very low density lipoproteins; and 2) discoidal, apoE- and phospholipid-containing particles with abnormal density and electrophoretic mobility. The activities of two lipoprotein triglyceride hydrolases, lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase, fell significantly during treatment and returned promptly to pretreatment levels after rIL-2 was discontinued. Lecithin:cholesteryl acyltransferase (LCAT) activity also decreased significantly (64%) during treatment, but in contrast to the lipases, remained low for at least 5 days after the last dose of rIL-2 (P < 0.001). High dose i.v. rIL-2 induces severe dyslipidemia with deficiencies of both postheparin lipases and acute LCAT deficiency. Most, if not all, of the lipoprotein changes observed are explained by the LCAT deficiency that follows IL-2-induced hepatocellular injury and cholestasis.

Methotrexate-associated lymphoma in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: report of two cases

This report describes 2 patients with longstanding seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with oral methotrexate (MTX) who developed large cell lymphoma of B cell phenotype. In situ hybridization studies showed nuclear staining for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) within the malignant lymphoid cells. In both cases, the lymphoma was undetectable several weeks after diagnostic biopsy followed by discontinuation of MTX. These observations suggest that, in patients with RA who develop an EBV-associated lymphoproliferative disorder, a trial of discontinuation of immunosuppressive agents may be warranted before chemotherapy is considered. In addition, there is a need for a heightened awareness of the development of lymphoma in this patient population.

A large kindred with 17q-linked breast and ovarian cancer: genetic, phenotypic, and genealogical analysis

BACKGROUND

Mutation of a specific, but as yet unidentified, gene BRCA1 on chromosome 17q results in increased susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer. It is important to know the effects of this gene in terms of the age-specific risks of these cancers and the potential interaction of this gene with other known risk factors.

PURPOSE

We performed detailed studies on a large multigenerational family, in which there is known 17q-linked breast and ovarian cancer, in order to characterize the effects of the BRCA1 mutation on development of breast and ovarian cancer.

METHODS

Data from the Utah Population Database were used to identify a family (identified as K2082) with a cluster of premenopausal breast cancer and ovarian cancer at any age. Blood samples from 195 members of the family were obtained and these individuals were genotyped for a series of four chromosome 17q polymorphic markers. Information on reproductive history, cancer incidence and treatment, and lifestyle factors was collected on 72 women in the family by questionnaire or through contact with living relatives.

RESULTS

Odds in favor of linkage of breast and ovarian cancer in this family to the BRCA1 region of chromosome 17q are greater than 10(8) to 1. The estimated risks for breast or ovarian cancer because of the BRCA1 mutation in this family are 40% by age 50 years and 90% by age 70. No differences between affected and unaffected older BRCA1 gene carriers were observed for a number of known epidemiologic risk factors for these cancers. The gender of the parent from whom the mutant BRCA1 allele was inherited was significantly associated with phenotypic expression (P = .04). A recombinant which places BRCA1 distal to the marker Mfd191 was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Women with the BRCA1 mutation are at increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. In our study population, the mutation appears to confer a lower risk of cancer at younger ages than found in previous studies. Continued interaction with family K2082 will be useful in longitudinal follow-up studies and in studies of the psychosocial implications of providing DNA diagnosis of BRCA1.

Phase II trial of amonafide in patients with advanced metastatic or recurrent endometrial adenocarcinoma. A Southwest Oncology Group study

Amonafide, a benzisoquinoline-1,3-dione was administered to 38 patients with recurrent or metastatic, bidimensionally measurable endometrial cancer. There were 34 patients with no prior cytotoxic chemotherapy, performance status of 0-2, and normal bone marrow, renal, and hepatic function were eligible for response and toxicity evaluation. Amonafide, 300 mg/m2, was administered intravenously over 1 hour daily for 5 consecutive days. Courses were repeated every 21 days. The major grade 3 or 4 toxicities were hematologic with granulocytopenia in 18 patients (53%), thrombocytopenia in 6 patients (18%), and anemia in 8 patients (24%). Infectious complications occurred in 3 patients (9%). Other side effects included cardiac dysrhythmias, hypotension, pain and phlebitis at the site of injection, nausea, vomiting, and flu-like symptoms. The overall objective response rate was 6% (95% confidence interval of 1-20%); 2 patients had a complete response (6%), 9 patients had stable disease (26%) and 21 patients had progressive disease (62%). Two patients had insufficient follow-up for response determination and are assumed to be nonresponders. The median survival of the eligible patients was 8 months. With the toxicity observed and the low response rate, amonafide at this dose and schedule has no efficacy in the treatment of endometrial cancer.

Chromosome 17q linkage studies of 18 Utah breast cancer kindreds

In this paper we present linkage results from the analysis of 18 Utah breast cancer kindreds, for three 17q markers. Four kindreds had LOD scores greater than 1.0 for at least one of the marker loci. One of these kindreds has a LOD score of 6.07 with D17S579, and we believe it to be the most informative 17q family reported to date. Among the kindreds which appear unlinked to 17q were an early-onset breast cancer family, a large breast-ovarian family, and a kindred with mixed age at onset. Analysis of individual recombinants in the linked families localizes the BRCA1 gene between THRA1 and D17S579 (Mfd188). A comparison of the Cancer and Steroid Hormone Study (CASH) model and a model which assumes a rare dominant susceptibility locus with low penetrance and no phenocopies stresses the difficulties in assessing linkage if the assumptions of the CASH model in terms of age at onset of breast cancer are not appropriate for the BRCA1 locus. A hypothetical breast cancer pedigree is used to calculate gene carrier probabilities under the CASH model, thereby illustrating some of our concerns regarding the use of this model to detect and exclude 17q linkage in breast cancer families.

Intrathecal administration of interleukin-2 for meningeal carcinomatosis due to malignant melanoma: sequential evaluation of intracranial pressure, cerebrospinal fluid cytology, and cytokine induction

A patient with interleukin (IL)-2 responsive metastatic melanoma developed meningeal carcinomatosis. Treatment was attempted with intrathecal (i.t.) IL-2 (5 weekly doses of 3-6 x 10(6) IU) without glucocorticosteroids. Marked increases in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure occurred 5-10 h following each IL-2 dose, resulting in reversible abnormalities of neurologic function. IL-2 clearance from the CSF ranged from 21 to 85 ml/h, with an apparent first order rate constant of 0.08-0.23 hr-1. These values were consistent with clearance by bulk flow mechanisms. Clearance also correlated directly with peak CSF pressure. Progressive increases in CSF tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and IL-6 levels, but not Il-1 alpha, were also noted over successive treatment cycles. Increasing neutrophilia (peaking at 12 h postdose) and a delayed lymphocytosis and monocytosis (at 20-30 h) were observed with each successive i.t. IL-2 dose. Activated lymphocytes were not observed in the CSF, however, suggesting that an exogenous source of activated lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells may be helpful in obtaining effective antitumor responses.

Evidence for cytokine-inducible nitric oxide synthesis from L-arginine in patients receiving interleukin-2 therapy

An interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin-1-inducible, high-output pathway synthesizing nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine was recently identified in rodents. High-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy is known to induce the same cytokines in patients with advanced cancer. Therefore, we examined renal cell carcinoma (RCC; n = 5) and malignant melanoma (MM; n = 7) patients for evidence of cytokine-inducible NO synthesis. Activity of this pathway was evaluated by measuring serum and urine nitrate (the stable degradation product of NO) during IL-2 therapy. IL-2 administration caused a striking increase in NO generation as reflected by serum nitrate levels (10- and 8-fold increase [P less than 0.001, P less than 0.003] for RCC and MM patients, respectively) and 24-h urinary nitrate excretion (6.5- and 9-fold increase [both P less than 0.001] for RCC and MM patients, respectively). IL-2-induced renal dysfunction made only a minor contribution to increased serum nitrate levels. Metabolic tracer studies using L-[guanidino-15N2]arginine demonstrated that the increased nitrate production was derived from a terminal guanidino nitrogen atom of L-arginine. Our results showing increased endogenous nitrate synthesis in patients receiving IL-2 demonstrate for the first time that a cytokine-inducible, high-output L-arginine/NO pathway exists in humans.

Evidence for cytokine-inducible nitric oxide synthesis from L-arginine in patients receiving interleukin-2 therapy

An interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor, and interleukin-1-inducible, high-output pathway synthesizing nitric oxide (NO) from L-arginine was recently identified in rodents. High-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy is known to induce the same cytokines in patients with advanced cancer. Therefore, we examined renal cell carcinoma (RCC; n = 5) and malignant melanoma (MM; n = 7) patients for evidence of cytokine-inducible NO synthesis. Activity of this pathway was evaluated by measuring serum and urine nitrate (the stable degradation product of NO) during IL-2 therapy. IL-2 administration caused a striking increase in NO generation as reflected by serum nitrate levels (10- and 8-fold increase [P less than 0.001, P less than 0.003] for RCC and MM patients, respectively) and 24-h urinary nitrate excretion (6.5- and 9-fold increase [both P less than 0.001] for RCC and MM patients, respectively). IL-2-induced renal dysfunction made only a minor contribution to increased serum nitrate levels. Metabolic tracer studies using L-[guanidino-15N2]arginine demonstrated that the increased nitrate production was derived from a terminal guanidino nitrogen atom of L-arginine. Our results showing increased endogenous nitrate synthesis in patients receiving IL-2 demonstrate for the first time that a cytokine-inducible, high-output L-arginine/NO pathway exists in humans.

Hypoprothrombinemia associated with interleukin-2 therapy: correction with vitamin K

We noted that patients treated with high-dose interleukin (IL)-2 (600,000 IU/kg every 8 h by intravenous bolus) at our institution frequently developed prolongation of their prothrombin time (PT). We therefore performed a prospective study of coagulation function during IL-2 treatment. Since IL-2 treated individuals are known to develop cholestatic liver dysfunction, we hypothesized that the hypoprothrombinemia was due to deficiency of liver-synthesized clotting factors and could be prevented by vitamin K replacement. Alternating patients served as controls or received prophylactic subcutaneous subcutaneous vitamin K. While the nine control patients did not exhibit a significant increase (mean +/- SD) in PT (13.6 +/- 0.6 s pretreatment, 15.0 +/- 2.2 on day 4, and 15.0 +/- 2.5 on day 7, p = 0.77 by repeated measures analysis), three patients developed marked increases in PT (greater than 18 s). Changes in partial thromboplastin time (PTT) over this interval were also not statistically significant. Factor VII levels decreased in all patients from 106 +/- 22 to 59 +/- 16 and 52 +/- 26% on days 4 and 7 (p = 0.0002). Factor VII levels in four patients dropped below the lower limit of normal. Prophylactic treatment of seven patients with vitamin K on days 1-8 of the IL-2 therapy protocol resulted in diminished changes in PT and factor VII compared to control patients (p = 0.02 and 0.003 respectively). No vitamin K-treated patient developed PT or Factor VII levels significantly outside the normal range. Prophylactic vitamin K can prevent hypoprothrombinemia in patients treated with IL-2. This may be of importance in patients with decreased hepatic vitamin K stores, who may be at risk for bleeding complications.

Reduction of testosterone synthesis after high dose interleukin-2 therapy of metastatic cancer

We have investigated the effect of high dose iv bolus interleukin-2 (IL-2) therapy on sex hormone and adrenal steroid concentrations in six men treated for metastatic renal cell carcinoma or malignant melanoma. Blood concentrations of testosterone, 17 beta-estradiol, LH, FSH, cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and DHEA sulfate (DHEA-S) were measured before and after a 5-day course of IL-2 therapy. Cortisol levels rose and DHEA-S decreased insignificantly. DHEA declined, reaching a nadir (P less than 0.001) on day 6, and testosterone decreased significantly on day 2 and reached a nadir on day 6 (P less than 0.0001). Concentrations of both steroids then gradually rose. Estradiol rose on day 4 (P less than 0.001) and then declined. Neither LH nor FSH was affected significantly, although there was a rise in the mean level of LH after IL-2 therapy. Our results suggest that high dose IL-2 therapy in men affects both adrenal and testicular androgen production without inhibiting pituitary trophic hormone secretion. These effects of IL-2 on plasma sex steroids may be the result of cytokines stimulated by IL-2 therapy, rather than direct responses to IL-2.

Cardiomyopathy associated with high-dose interleukin-2 therapy

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Isolated calcaneal metastasis in a patient with endometrial adenocarcinoma

A 55-year-old woman with a history of Stage IA endometrial adenocarcinoma, previously treated with surgery and intracavitary radiation therapy, had an isolated calcaneal metastasis. Normal radiographs led to a delay in the diagnosis of her relapse. An ankle computed tomographic scan finally identified a mass, and the surgical biopsy specimen confirmed the diagnosis. This is the first reported case of an isolated calcaneal metastasis in endometrial adenocarcinoma to the authors' knowledge.

Cytologic identification of clinically occult proliferative breast disease in women with a family history of breast cancer

A cytologic method for sampling the normal breast by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) was used to determine the frequency of clinically inapparent proliferative breast disease (PBD) in women with family histories of breast cancer. The authors attempted to obtain specimens from each quadrant of both breasts in 51 female first-degree relatives of breast cancer patients. The study group had no detectable masses by physical examination or mammography. Samples were prepared on membrane filters, Papanicolaou stained, and evaluated cytomorphologically. Three hundred seventy-eight of 408 (92.6%) possible quadrants were sampled; cellular material was obtained from 290 (76.7%) quadrants. PBD was identified in 20 of the 51 women (39.2%). When epithelium was obtained, nuclear area, perimeter, and diameter were measured with the use of computerized image analysis. Nuclei in samples containing atypical hyperplasia showed significant differences in these parameters when compared with cells from samples containing normal epithelium or benign hyperplasia. The authors' findings indicate that FNA sampling and computerized image analysis are useful in the detection and characterization of clinically inapparent PBD.

Inheritance of proliferative breast disease in breast cancer kindreds

Previous studies have emphasized that genetic susceptibility to breast cancer is rare and is expressed primarily as premenopausal breast cancer, bilateral breast cancer, or both. Proliferative breast disease (PBD) is a significant risk factor for the development of breast cancer and appears to be a precursor lesion. PBD and breast cancer were studied in 103 women from 20 kindreds that were selected for the presence of two first degree relatives with breast cancer and in 31 control women. Physical examination, screening mammography, and four-quadrant fine-needle breast aspirates were performed. Cytologic analysis of breast aspirates revealed PBD in 35% of clinically normal female first degree relatives of breast cancer cases and in 13% of controls. Genetic analysis suggests that genetic susceptibility causes both PBD and breast cancer in these kindreds. This study supports the hypothesis that this susceptibility is responsible for a considerable portion of breast cancer, including unilateral and postmenopausal breast cancer.

Vascular leak syndrome associated with interleukin-2: chest radiographic manifestations

Adoptive immunotherapy with interleukin-2 (IL-2) is associated with a generalized vascular leak syndrome. Pulmonary edema is a common occurrence and is rarely responsible for acute respiratory failure requiring assisted ventilation. The authors have performed a retrospective review of chest radiographs in 19 patients undergoing the priming course of high-dose IL-2 therapy for metastatic melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. This study was primarily designed to evaluate the prevalence and patterns of pulmonary edema and pleural effusions. During the first 5 days of therapy, alveolar edema was identified in 21% (n = 4) and signs of interstitial edema in 53% (n = 10) of patients. Pleural effusions were seen in 42% (n = 8). No patient in this series required assisted ventilation during this period. However, two patients subsequently developed fatal, drug-related myocardial injury. IL-2 toxicity is a well established cause of self-limited, increased-permeability pulmonary edema.

Hypocholesterolemia in patients treated with recombinant interleukin-2: appearance of remnant-like lipoproteins

Reversible acute hypocholesterolemia was observed during treatment of metastatic cancer with high-dose intravenous recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2). Further analysis revealed virtual disappearance of high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) and marked reduction in the concentration of low-density lipoproteins (LDL); the remaining LDL and intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL) were enriched in triglyceride relative to cholesterol and had broad-beta electrophoretic mobility, properties reminiscent of remnant lipoproteins. These changes differ qualitatively and quantitatively from those previously reported for other cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or the interferons (IFNs).

Severe myocarditis following high-dose interleukin-2 administration

We observed a patient who developed unusually severe myocardial dysfunction during therapy for renal cell carcinoma with high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2). Although cardiac isoenzymes became markedly elevated shortly after the completion of 14 doses of IL-2 (100,000 U/kg of IL-2 every eight hours), serial electrocardiograms revealed only nonspecific changes. Echocardiography documented diffuse myocardial dysfunction, with akinesis of the anteroseptal region, suggestive of myocardial infarction. This anteroseptal hypokinesis persisted over a five-day period. The patient died unexpectedly and postmortem evaluation of the heart revealed a severe, diffuse lymphocytic, and eosinophilic myocarditis with myocyte necrosis, especially prominent in the anteroseptal region. This is the first histologically confirmed case of myocarditis reported, to our knowledge, in association with IL-2 therapy for cancer.

Reticulocytes. I. Isolation and in vitro maturation of synchronized populations

Studies of reticulocyte maturation have been limited by the inability to obtain pure populations of age-synchronized reticulocytes and by the absence of well-defined methods for the maturation of reticulocytes in vitro. Many of these problems were overcome using temporary suppression of erythropoiesis with thiamphenicol and phlebotomy resulting in a highly reproducible reticulocyte response, Percoll density gradient separation of cells yielding essentially pure populations of age-synchronized reticulocytes, and liquid culture techniques where cell lysis is minimal. The system allows reproducible study of well-defined cohorts of reticulocytes as they mature into erythrocytes. During in vitro maturation we serially monitored changes in reticulocyte count, glucose consumption, 125I-transferrin binding, fluorescein (FITC)-labeled transferrin binding, the activities of four erythrocyte enzymes (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, phosphofructokinase, and lactate dehydrogenase) and the appearance of cells on scanning electron microscopy. These variables changed at different rates suggesting that multiple mechanisms underlie these maturational events. Transferrin binding and reticulocyte count decreased most rapidly and reached values near zero after three to four days in culture. The four enzyme activities decreased much more slowly, and only two reached pretreatment values after seven days in culture. In contrast to the findings of others, scanning electron microscopy suggested that cells do not assume the normal biconcave shape in this system. The methods described make it feasible to study the process of reticulocyte maturation in vitro. The data presented represent a first step in the study of the coordination and interrelationships of various maturational processes.

Phase II study of diaziquone in untreated advanced gastric carcinoma. A Southwest Oncology Group Study

Twenty-nine patients with a diagnosis of advanced adenocarcinoma of the stomach with gross unresectable or measurable residual disease and no prior therapy were entered into a study utilizing diaziquone (AZQ) in an intermittent 3-week schedule of 40 mg/m2. Of 28 eligible patients, 1 (4%) experienced a partial response, 7 (25%) had stable disease of no response, and 18 (64%) developed increasing disease. Two (7%) were unevaluable. Median survival was 3.8 months. Major toxicities were myelosuppression and gastrointestinal, 11 of which were considered to be life-threatening. AZQ used as a single intermittent agent appears to have no significant activity to warrant use in untreated advanced gastric carcinoma. However, recognizing the short plasma half-life of AZQ, significant responses by other schedules of administration are not precluded.

Source of iron in neutrophil-mediated killing of endothelial cells

Recently we have shown that human neutrophils activated with phorbol ester are cytotoxic for cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells in an iron-dependent manner. By using the ferric iron chelator deferoxamine mesylate, we have now investigated the source of the iron. Pretreatment of neutrophils with deferoxamine mesylate affected neither their production of O2- nor their cytotoxicity for endothelial cells after addition of phorbol ester. However, similar pretreatment of endothelial cells with deferoxamine mesylate, followed by washing of the cells, resulted in a persistent presence of chelator associated with the endothelial cells and high degrees of protection of endothelial cells from cytotoxicity. The protection was dependent on the amount of chelator used and on the duration of exposure of the endothelial cells to the chelator. These data suggest that iron, which plays an important role in oxygen radical-mediated killing of endothelial cells by neutrophils, is derived from the target (endothelial) cells.

Combination chemotherapy using adriamycin, DTIC, cyclophosphamide, and actinomycin D for advanced soft tissue sarcomas: a randomized comparative trial. A phase III, Southwest Oncology Group Study (7613)

The term soft tissue sarcoma refers to a large variety of malignant tumors arising in extraskeletal connective tissues that connect, support, and surround discrete anatomic structures. All visceral organs also contain a connective stroma that can undergo malignant transformation. Because of the histological similarities of this group of tumors and their relative rarity, treatment prescriptions for patients that have disseminated disease are most often uniform. In this study, we asked the question whether adding a third drug (cyclophosphamide or actinomycin D) to Adriamycin (Adr [Adria Laboratories, Columbus, OH])-(3,3-dimethyl-1-triazeno)- imidazole-4-carboxamide (DTIC) would improve the response rate and/or survival. A unique feature of this cooperative group clinical trial was the mandatory pathology review of the histological material. All patients of the Southwest Oncology Group between June 1, 1976, and November 17, 1979, who had a biopsy-confirmed diagnosis of a soft tissue sarcoma with convincing clinical or biopsy-documented evidence of metastatic disease were eligible for the study. Patients were randomized to receive (1) Adr, 60 mg/m2 intravenously, day 1, and DTIC, 250 mg/m2 every 3 weeks (104 patients); (2) Adr and DTIC as in (1) and cyclophosphamide, 500 mg/m2, day 1 (112 patients); or (3) Adr and DTIC as in (1) and actinomycin D, 1.2 mg/m2, day 1, (119 patients). There was no statistically significant difference in response rates (33%, 34%, and 24%) (P = .25). Median durations of response were 31 weeks in the Adr-DTIC arm, 26 weeks in the cyclophosphamide-DTIC-Adr arm, and 23 weeks in the Adr-DTIC-Actinomycin D arm (P = .78). Median durations of survival were 37, 42, and 50 weeks, respectively. Again, no statistically significant differences were observed (P = .59). Toxicities from each of these treatment arms were formidable and were equivalent. Prognostic factor analysis showed a prognosis based on bone marrow reserve, sex, and pathology subtype favorable to patients.

Multimodal therapy for limited small-cell lung cancer: a randomized study of induction combination chemotherapy with or without thoracic radiation in complete responders; and with wide-field versus reduced-field radiation in partial responders: a Southwest Oncology Group Study

In 1979 we initiated a phase III study in the Southwest Oncology Group (SWOG) which was designed to determine the value of chest radiation in limited-stage small-cell lung cancer patients achieving complete response after induction chemotherapy, and to test the use of wide-field v more limited-volume radiation in patients with partial responses (PRs) and patients with stable disease (SD). The induction chemotherapy (VMV-VAC) consisted of vincristine, 2 mg intravenously (IV) every week for six doses; methotrexate, 60 mg/m2 IV days 1 and 43; VP-16, 50 mg/m2/d IV days 1 to 5 and 43 to 47; doxorubicin, 60 mg/m2 IV days 22 and 64; and cyclophosphamide, 1,000 mg/m2 IV days 22 and 64. Four hundred ninety-four patients were registered, of whom 473 were eligible. Of 466 response-evaluable patients, 153 (33%) achieved complete disease remission (CR) with chemotherapy. A total of 387 patients entered the consolidation phase of treatment after chemotherapy and response determination. CR patients were prospectively randomized to receive chest radiation, consisting of 4,800 rad administered in a split-course scheme, or to continue chemotherapy without interruption. The treatment volume was based on tumor extent before the induction chemotherapy. Maintenance chemotherapy consisted of cyclophosphamide and VP-16 administered for four cycles before a period of reinduction chemotherapy consisting of VMV-VAC as described above. Patients receiving chest radiation therapy were given the same maintenance and reinduction chemotherapy programs following completion of the chest radiation. One hundred ninety-one eligible patients achieving PR or SD status after induction chemotherapy were randomized to a preinduction treatment volume or to a postinduction reduced tumor volume, with treatment portals designed according to tumor extent before or after induction chemotherapy, respectively. After completion of the entire treatment plan, there were 218 (47%) CRs and 121 (26%) PRs. These figures represent the greatest response achieved at any point in the treatment program. The median survival for all eligible patients was 57 weeks (74 weeks for CRs). Overall survival for CR patients was not different for patients who did or did not receive chest radiation. However, patterns of tumor relapse were affected by the chest radiation, as 38 of 42 relapsing patients who did not receive radiation had intrathoracic recurrences in comparison to only 20 of 36 radiated patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Granulocytic sarcoma of the prostate. Two cases causing urinary obstruction

Two cases of patients with prostatic granulocytic sarcoma in whom urinary obstruction occurred are presented. The diagnosis was made by tissue examination with hematoxylin and eosin and specific esterase stains. One patient had a myelodysplastic syndrome and the other patient had acute myeloblastic leukemia. In both cases the diagnosis of prostatic granulocytic sarcoma was unexpected. Granulocytic sarcomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of urinary obstruction in patients with myeloproliferative or myelodysplastic syndromes.

New concepts in the non-Hodgkin lymphomas: radiologic implications

Non-Hodgkin lymphomas are a heterogeneous group of neoplasms believed to be derived in the majority of cases from a common ancestor, the lymphocyte. The clinical and radiologic implications of the newer concepts in the classification, staging, and treatment of these neoplasms form the basis for this review. The disease course, staging requirements, and treatment strategies are determined by histologic classification, prognostic grade of the tumor, disease presentation in a nodal or extranodal site, and clinical stage. The unique and common radiologic features of these neoplasms are reviewed in each of the major anatomic regions of the body.

Hereditary thrombosis in a Utah kindred is caused by a dysfunctional antithrombin III gene

Maximum likelihood analysis of linkage between antithrombin III (ATIII) DNA polymorphisms and ATIII deficiency in a large Utah kindred suggests that thrombotic disease in this family is caused by a dysfunctional ATIII gene. ATIII-deficient family members were identified on the basis of: (1) reduced anticoagulant activity and (2) the presence of an electrophoretically abnormal inhibitor molecule in their plasmas. Affected individuals have two copies of the ATIII structural gene, and both alleles appear normal at the resolution of whole genome Southern blotting. However, family studies revealed statistically significant cosegregation of ATIII-deficiency trait and a particular ATIII DNA polymorphism haplotype (lod = 3.35; theta = 0.0); this result is consistent with the presence of a dysfunctional ATIII gene on a chromosome of the +, S haplotype.