Timing of Radiotherapy (RT) After Radical Prostatectomy (RP): Long-term outcomes in the RADICALS-RT trial [NCT00541047]

BACKGROUND

The optimal timing of radiotherapy (RT) after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer has been uncertain. RADICALS-RT compared efficacy and safety of adjuvant RT versus an observation policy with salvage RT for PSA failure.

METHODS

RADICALS-RT was a randomised controlled trial enrolling patients with ≥1 risk factor (pT3/4, Gleason 7-10, positive margins, pre-op PSA≥10ng/ml) for recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Patients were randomised 1:1 to adjuvant RT ("Adjuvant-RT") or an observation policy with salvage RT for PSA failure ("Salvage-RT") defined as PSA≥0.1ng/ml or 3 consecutive rises. Stratification factors were Gleason score, margin status, planned RT schedule (52.5Gy/20 fractions or 66Gy/33 fractions) and treatment centre. The primary outcome measure was freedom-from-distant metastasis, designed with 80% power to detect an improvement from 90% with Salvage-RT (control) to 95% at 10yr with Adjuvant-RT. Secondary outcome measures were bPFS, freedom-from-non-protocol hormone therapy, safety and patient-reported outcomes. Standard survival analysis methods were used; HR<1 favours Adjuvant-RT.

FINDINGS

Between Oct-2007 and Dec-2016, 1396 participants from UK, Denmark, Canada and Ireland were randomised: 699 Salvage-RT, 697 Adjuvant-RT. Allocated groups were balanced with median age 65yr. 93% (649/697) Adjuvant-RT reported RT within 6m after randomisation; 39% (270/699) Salvage-RT reported RT during follow-up. Median follow-up was 7.8 years. With 80 distant metastasis events, 10yr FFDM was 93% for Adjuvant-RT and 90% for Salvage-RT: HR=0.68 (95%CI 0·43-1·07, p=0·095). Of 109 deaths, 17 were due to prostate cancer. Overall survival was not improved (HR=0.980, 95%CI 0.667-1.440, p=0.917). Adjuvant-RT reported worse urinary and faecal incontinence one year after randomisation (p=0.001); faecal incontinence remained significant after ten years (p=0.017).

INTERPRETATION

Long-term results from RADICALS-RT confirm adjuvant RT after radical prostatectomy increases the risk of urinary and bowel morbidity, but does not meaningfully improve disease control. An observation policy with salvage RT for PSA failure should be the current standard after radical prostatectomy.

Why surveys are 'very hard': exploring challenges and insights for collection of authentic patient experience information with speakers of Australian First Nations languages

INTRODUCTION

Health services collect patient experience data to monitor, evaluate and improve services and subsequently health outcomes. Obtaining authentic patient experience information to inform improvements relies on the quality of data collection processes and the responsiveness of these processes to the cultural and linguistic needs of diverse populations. This study explores the challenges and considerations in collecting authentic patient experience information through survey methods with Australians who primarily speak First Nations languages.

METHODS

First Nations language experts, interpreters, health staff and researchers with expertise in intercultural communication engaged in an iterative process of critical review of two survey tools using qualitative methods. These included a collaborative process of repeated translation and back translation of survey items and collaborative analysis of video-recorded trial administration of surveys with languages experts (who were also receiving dialysis treatment) and survey administrators. All research activities were audio- or video-recorded, and data from all sources were translated, transcribed and inductively analysed to identify key elements influencing acceptability and relevance of both survey process and items as well as translatability.

RESULTS

Serious challenges in achieving equivalence of meaning between English and translated versions of survey items were pervasive. Translatability of original survey items was extensively compromised by the use of metaphors specific to the cultural context within which surveys were developed, English words that are familiar but used with different meaning, English terms with no equivalent in First Nations languages and grammatical discordance between languages. Discordance between survey methods and First Nations cultural protocols and preferences for seeking and sharing information was also important: the lack of opportunity to share the 'full story', discomfort with direct questions and communication protocols that preclude negative or critical responses constrained the authenticity of the information obtained through survey methods. These limitations have serious implications for the quality of information collected and result in frustration and distress for those engaging with the survey.

CONCLUSION

Profound implications for the acceptability of a survey tool as well as data quality arise from differences between First Nations cultural and communication contexts and the cultural context within which survey methods have evolved. When data collection processes are not linguistically and culturally congruent there is a risk that patient experience data are inaccurate, miss what is important to First Nations patients and have limited utility for informing relevant healthcare improvement. Engagement of First Nations cultural and language experts is essential in all stages of development, implementation and evaluation of culturally safe and effective approaches to support speakers of First Nations languages to share their experiences of health care and influence change.

Need for cardiac implantable electronic devices and long-term follow-up in recipients of orthotopic heart transplants

BACKGROUND

Cardiac pacemaker implantation after orthotopic heart transplantation declined dramatically after development of the bicaval anastomosis technique. However, much less is known about the rate, indications, and predictors of device implantation procedures with the current surgical technique.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the indications, patient characteristics, incidence, and survival related to cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation after heart transplantation.

METHODS

This was a single-center study of 399 consecutive adult recipients of orthotopic heart transplants with bicaval anastomosis from 1991 to 2017. The primary end point was freedom from pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implantation, and the secondary end point was all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

At the time of transplantation, the mean age of recipients was 50 ± 12 years and that of donors 31 ± 12 years. CIEDs were implanted in 8% of recipients (n = 31): 11 pacemakers (35%) for sinus node dysfunction, 17 (55%) for high-grade heart block, and 3 ICDs (10%) for the primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Early CIED implantation (<30 days) was rare and absent for sinus node dysfunction. The risk for CIED implantation increased progressively during follow-up (0-30 years; median 11 years), with low-, moderate-, and high-risk periods between 0 and 10, between 10 and 20, and between 20 and 30 years, respectively. Recipients receiving CIEDs survived longer after transplantation (21 years vs 13 years; P < .01). Recipients receiving pacemakers for heart block were more likely to receive older donor hearts at the time of transplantation.

CONCLUSION

The risk of pacemaker implantation increases progressively, while ICD implantation is rare. Donor age is the predominant risk factor for subsequent heart block. Early sinus node dysfunction requiring permanent pacing is rare.

Perinatal mental healthcare in Northern Ireland: challenges and opportunities

Perinatal mental health is a vital component of public mental health. The perinatal period represents the time in a woman's life when she is at the highest risk of developing new-onset psychiatric disorders or relapse of an existing mental illness. Optimisation of maternal mental health in the perinatal period is associated with both short- and long-term benefits not only for the mother, but also for her infant and family. However, perinatal mental health service provision remains variable across the world. At present in Northern Ireland, 80% of women do not have access to specialist community perinatal mental health services, and without access to a mother and baby unit, mothers who require a psychiatric admission in the postnatal period are separated from their baby. However, following successful campaigns, funding for development of specialist perinatal mental health community teams has recently been approved. In this article, we discuss the importance of perinatal mental health from a public health perspective and explore challenges and opportunities in the ongoing journey of specialist service development in Northern Ireland.

Measurement and assessment of grief in a large international sample

BACKGROUND

In 2022, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) and an update of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5 TR) were released for implementation worldwide and now include the new Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD). The newest definition of PGD is based on robust clinical research from the Global North yet until now has not been tested for global applicability.

METHODS

The current study assesses the new PGD ICD-11 criteria in a large international sample of 1393 bereaved adults. The majority of the sample was included from the USΑ. Additionally, we conduct a sub-sample analysis to evaluate the psychometric properties, probable caseness of PGD, and differences in network structure across three regions of residency (USA, Greece-Cyprus, Turkey-Iran).

RESULTS

The psychometric validity and reliability of the 33-item International Prolonged Grief Disorder Scale (IPGDS) were confirmed across the whole sample and for each regional group. Using the strict diagnostic algorithm, the probable caseness for PGD for the whole sample was 3.6 %. Probable caseness was highest for the Greece-Cyprus group (6.9 %) followed by Turkey-Iran (3.2 %) and the USA (2.8 %). Finally, the network structure of the IPGDS standard items and cultural supplement items (total of 33 items) confirmed the strong connection between central items of PGD, and revealed unique network connections within the regional groups.

LIMITATIONS

Future research is encouraged to include larger sample sizes and a more systematic assessment of culture.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our findings confirm the global applicability of the new ICD-11 PGD disorder definition as evaluated through the newly developed IPGDS. This scale includes culturally sensitive grief symptoms that may improve clinical precision and decision-making.

Investigation of the potential effects of firefighting water additives on soil invertebrates and terrestrial plants

The intensity and frequency of forest fires is increasing across the globe due to climate change. Additives are often added to make water more effective at extinguishing fire and preventing re-ignition. This study investigated the toxicity of nine different firefighting water additives to four species of soil invertebrates (Folsomia candida, Porcellio laevis, Porcellio scaber, and Trichorhina tomentosa) and two plant species (Agropyron cristatum and Raphanus sativus). Considerable variation in toxicity was observed among the firefighting products. The toxicity of individual products also varied considerably amongst the tested species. A hazard assessment was conducted by comparing the concentration of firefighting water additive that caused a 50% effect (LC50 or EC50) or a concentration that caused no effect (NOEC) to the concentration recommended by the manufacturer. At a rate of application representative of a forest firefighting scenario, most firefighting water additives tested in this study posed a hazard to F. candida and the three isopod species. The majority of products did not pose a risk to the two plant species included in this study. Consideration of the toxicity of firefighting water additives to terrestrial biota should be considered along with the efficacy of the product to fight fires when deciding which products to use.

Potential risk to aquatic biota from aerial application of firefighting water additives

The frequency and severity of forest fires is increasing due to climate change. Consequently, there will be an increased use of forest firefighting additives, which increase the ability of water to extinguish fires and prevent reignition. Increased use will potentially result in increased exposure to aquatic ecosystems within forests. This study examined the toxicity of nine firefighting water additives that are currently on the market to three species of freshwater invertebrates that occupy different niches within freshwater ecosystems. The toxicity of the water additives varied up to three orders of magnitude. Pelagic and epibenthic invertebrates are affected at lower rates of application than endobenthic invertebrates. A field relevant application rate of three of the nine water additives tested represent a hazard to freshwater ecosystems under varies exposure scenarios represented by the depth of a theoretical water body (15-200 cm). This study highlights the importance of application buffers around water bodies and the selection of water additives that pose the lowest hazard to freshwater ecosystem, assuming that the efficacy of the additives in extinguishing fires is similar.

Distribution of metals and radionuclides in the lichens Cladonia rangiferina and C. mitis from the past uranium mining region of Elliot Lake, Ontario, Canada

The present study was performed in the Elliot Lake area (Ontario, Canada), a site of uranium mining and milling for nearly 40 years between 1950's and 1990's. Although mining activities ceased in the mid-1990's, the site hosts several tailings management areas (TMAs) which are under ongoing rehabilitation and monitoring. Several surveys using lichens as a biomonitoring tool were completed in the 1980s and the 1990s to assess the levels of contaminants. The present survey aimed to re-visit the historical surveys, and to determine the current status of environmental recovery of the area. Our survey consisted of sampling two lichen species, Cladonia rangiferina and C. mitis, in an area covering up to 50 km from the former mining operation and the TMAs. The results reported in this work indicated that the levels of metals and radionuclides, diagnostic of mining operations, have decreased over time: particularly, the U, Th and Pb levels in both lichen species dropped by about two orders of magnitude by the 2020's compared to the 1980's. Likewise, the Cs-137 levels in both lichen species reflect present day global background. The study provides a new set of present-day regional baseline elemental concentrations for other metals that are associated with mining (Cd, As, Ti, Cs). Finally, there were weak but statistically significant differences in the levels of some elements (U, Th, Cd) between the two lichens, suggesting these two species might have different capture mechanisms or retention abilities.

ACR White Paper on Magnetoencephalography and Magnetic Source Imaging: A Report from the ACR Commission on Neuroradiology

Magnetoencephalography, the extracranial detection of tiny magnetic fields emanating from intracranial electrical activity of neurons, and its source modeling relation, magnetic source imaging, represent a powerful functional neuroimaging technique, able to detect and localize both spontaneous and evoked activity of the brain in health and disease. Recent years have seen an increased utilization of this technique for both clinical practice and research, in the United States and worldwide. This report summarizes current thinking, presents recommendations for clinical implementation, and offers an outlook for emerging new clinical indications.

Eosinophils Are a Useful Morphologic Marker to Scrutinize Plasma Cells in Endometrial Polyps

Introduction/Objective

Chronic endometritis is characterized by presence of plasma cells, which can be confirmed by immune-staining for CD138. Endometrial polyps can irritate endometrium and harbor some plasma cells. As eosinophils are much easier to be identified than plasma cells on hematoxylin and eosin stained sections, the goal of this study was to investigate if the identification of eosinophils in endometrial polyps was useful to alert us for looking for plasma cells more carefully.

Methods/Case Report

Twenty-eight (28) endometrial polyp cases were retrospectively selected and eosinophils and plasma cells were searched microscopically. Cases with eosinophils and/or plasma cells found per high power filed were further stained for CD138.

Results (if a Case Study enter NA)

There were 8 cases with positive eosinophils (eosinophil group) and 18 cases without eosinophils (negative group). Age from eosinophil group ranged from 32 to 54 years old and the negative group has ages ranged from 32 to 72 years old. In eosinophil group, six of eight (6/8) cases in eosinophil group was correlated with positive CD138 positive plasma cells (ranging from 2 to 24 per high power field), whereas 2/8 cases had 1 eosinophil without confirmed CD138+ plasma cells. Negative group without eosinophils had no plasma cells identified.

Conclusion

Our data indicate that eosinophils can be an easy target for the next step to scrutinize plasma cells in endometrial polyps, thus promoting an accurate evaluation of chronic endometritis.

Scintillation light detection in the 6-m drift-length ProtoDUNE Dual Phase liquid argon TPC

DUNE is a dual-site experiment for long-baseline neutrino oscillation studies, neutrino astrophysics and nucleon decay searches. ProtoDUNE Dual Phase (DP) is a 6  ×  6  ×  6 m 3 liquid argon time-projection-chamber (LArTPC) that recorded cosmic-muon data at the CERN Neutrino Platform in 2019-2020 as a prototype of the DUNE Far Detector. Charged particles propagating through the LArTPC produce ionization and scintillation light. The scintillation light signal in these detectors can provide the trigger for non-beam events. In addition, it adds precise timing capabilities and improves the calorimetry measurements. In ProtoDUNE-DP, scintillation and electroluminescence light produced by cosmic muons in the LArTPC is collected by photomultiplier tubes placed up to 7 m away from the ionizing track. In this paper, the ProtoDUNE-DP photon detection system performance is evaluated with a particular focus on the different wavelength shifters, such as PEN and TPB, and the use of Xe-doped LAr, considering its future use in giant LArTPCs. The scintillation light production and propagation processes are analyzed and a comparison of simulation to data is performed, improving understanding of the liquid argon properties.

A review on the use of lichens as a biomonitoring tool for environmental radioactivity

Lichens have been widely used as a biomonitoring tool to record the distribution and concentration of airborne radioactivity and pollutants such as metals. There are limitations, however: although pollutants can be preserved in lichen tissues for long periods of time, not all radioactive and inert elements behave similarly. The chemical species of elements at the source, once captured, and the mode of storage within lichens play a role in this biomonitoring tool. Lichens are a symbiotic association of an algal or cyanobacterial partner (photobiont) with a fungal host (mycobiont). Lichens grow independently of the host substrates, including rocks, soils, trees and human-made structures. Lacking a root system, lichen nutrient or contaminant uptake is mostly through direct atmospheric inputs, mainly as wet and dry deposition. As lichens grow in a large variety of environments and are resilient in harsh climates, they are adapted to capture and retain nutrients from airborne sources. The context of this review partially relates to future deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) and mining in remote areas of Canada. SMRs have been identified as a future source of energy (electricity and heat) for remote off-grid mines, potentially replacing diesel fuel generation facilities. For licensing purposes, SMR deployment and mine development requires capabilities to monitor background contaminants (natural radioactivity and metals) before, during and after deployment, including for decommissioning and removal. Key aspects reviewed herein include: (1) how lichens have been used in the past to monitor radioactivity; (2) radiocontaminants capture and storage in lichens; (3) longevity of radiocontaminant storage in lichen tissues; and (4) limitations of lichens use for monitoring radiocontaminants and selected metals.

Long-term prevention of hereditary angioedema attacks with lanadelumab: The HELP OLE Study

Background

The aim was to evaluate long‐term effectiveness and safety of lanadelumab in patients ≥12 y old with hereditary angioedema (HAE) 1/2 (NCT02741596).

Methods

Rollover patients completing the HELP Study and continuing into HELP OLE received one lanadelumab 300 mg dose until first attack (dose‐and‐wait period), then 300 mg q2wks (regular dosing stage). Nonrollovers (newly enrolled) received lanadelumab 300 mg q2wks from day 0. Baseline attack rate for rollovers: ≥1 attack/4 weeks (based on run‐in period attack rate during HELP Study); for nonrollovers: historical attack rate ≥1 attack/12 weeks. The planned treatment period was 33 months.

Results

212 patients participated (109 rollovers, 103 nonrollovers); 81.6% completed ≥30 months on study (mean [SD], 29.6 [8.2] months). Lanadelumab markedly reduced mean HAE attack rate (reduction vs baseline: 87.4% overall). Patients were attack free for a mean of 97.7% of days during treatment; 81.8% and 68.9% of patients were attack free for ≥6 and ≥12 months, respectively. Angioedema Quality‐of‐Life total and domain scores improved from day 0 to end of study. Treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) (excluding HAE attacks) were reported by 97.2% of patients; most commonly injection site pain (47.2%) and viral upper respiratory tract infection (42.0%). Treatment‐related TEAEs were reported by 54.7% of patients. Most injection site reactions resolved within 1 hour (70.2%) or 1 day (92.6%). Six (2.8%) patients discontinued due to TEAEs. No treatment‐related serious TEAEs or deaths were reported. Eleven treatment‐related TEAEs of special interest were reported by seven (3.3%) patients.

Conclusion

Lanadelumab demonstrated sustained efficacy and acceptable tolerability with long‐term use in HAE patients.

Perceived impact of formulating, implementing and enacting national mental health policies recommendations in practice: An exploratory qualitative study within child and adolescent mental health services in Scotland

OBJECTIVE

To understand the process of formulating, implementing and enacting national recommendations into practice, by exploring the interactions between government policymakers and national and local organisations supporting and delivering policy implementation within a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) context in Scotland.

METHODS

Data collection involved 16 semi-structured individual and four focus group interviews with a purposeful sample of policymakers, national health and social care stakeholders and local outpatient and inpatient CAMHS teams representing three NHS health boards in Scotland.

RESULTS

Study participants highlighted the challenges of navigating through evolving and often conflicting policy agendas, seen to not acknowledging the current evidence base or experiential learning from services and prior evaluations. Accounts of transformation fatigue often emerged from increased expectations for staff to adopt new approaches to accommodate constantly changing recommendations. Participants also reported a lack of integration and implementation support from national health and social care organisations, leading to duplication of effort and gaps in provision or waste. Policy recommendations were perceived as sometimes vague, lacking clarity about how to deliver service transformation using a whole-system approach. The collective narratives reflected increased tension between the need for local autonomy to innovate and the limitations created vertically by the relative inflexibility of policy recommendations, and horizontally by the proliferation of national organisations delivering the same transformation aims using different approaches in a resource-constrained environment.

CONCLUSION

The findings contribute to the wider literature by offering an exploration of importance of evaluation and evidence uptake in policy formulation; the roles and remits in supporting the implementation of policy recommendations; and how the dynamics of central control and local autonomy might impact on the local enactment of policy recommendations.

A107 WHAT SIZE CUT-OFF LEVEL SHOULD BE USED TO IMPLEMENT OPTICAL POLYP DIAGNOSIS?

Background

The risk of advanced pathology and potential mismanagement increases with polyp size while performing optical diagnosis. We hypothesized that a lower polyp size cut-off (e.g., 1–3 mm) would be associated with a lower risk of misclassifying advanced neoplasia or even cancer when using optical diagnosis.

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate the proportion of patients undergoing inadequate surveillance intervals associated with different size cut-offs when using optical diagnosis.

Methods

In a post-hoc analysis of three prospective studies, the use of optical diagnosis was evaluated for three polyp size groups: 1–3, 1–5, and 1–10 mm. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients in which advanced adenomas were found and optical diagnosis resulted in delayed surveillance in each group. Secondary outcomes included agreements between surveillance intervals based on high-confidence optical diagnosis and pathology outcomes, reduction in histopathological examinations, and proportion of patients who could receive an immediate surveillance recommendation.

Results

We included 3374 patients (7291 polyps ≤10 mm) undergoing complete colonoscopies (median age 66.0 years, 75.2% male, 29.6% for screening). Among polyp sized 1–3 mm, 1–5 mm, and 1–10 mm, 0.5%, 0.6%, and 1.2% of polyps, respectively, were found to have advanced pathology ( P &lt;.0001). The percentage of patients with advanced adenomas and either 2- or 7- year delayed surveillance intervals (n=79) was 3.8%, 15.2%, and 25.3% for size cut-offs of 1–3, 1–5, and 1–10 mm polyps, respectively ( P&lt;.0001). Surveillance interval agreements between pathology and high-confidence optical diagnosis for the three groups were 97.2%, 95.5%, and 94.2%, respectively. In the cohort of patients in which patients with normal colonoscopy, polyps &gt;10 mm, and poor bowel preparation were excluded, the surveillance interval agreements between pathology and high-confidence optical diagnosis for the three groups were 96.2%, 93.6%, and 92.1%, respectively. Total reduction in pathology examinations for the three groups were 33.5%, 62.3%, and 78.2%, respectively. Furthermore, optical diagnosis could have allowed 41.0%, 58.2%, and 73.3% of patients, respectively, to be given immediate surveillance interval recommendations.

Conclusions

This study showed that limiting optical diagnosis to polyps 1–3 mm resulted in an excellent safety profile with a very low risk for inappropriate management of advanced adenomas, which makes routine clinical implementation of the “resect and discard” strategy feasible. Implementing a 3 mm cut-off could be a starting point for endoscopists to feel comfortable with the “resect and discard” strategy, with the potential of implementing a 5 mm cut-off, once optical diagnosis becomes more popular, and endoscopists become more comfortable with its use.

Funding Agencies

NoneNA

A highly virulent variant of HIV-1 circulating in the Netherlands

We discovered a highly virulent variant of subtype-B HIV-1 in the Netherlands. One hundred nine individuals with this variant had a 0.54 to 0.74 log₁₀ increase (i.e., a ~3.5-fold to 5.5-fold increase) in viral load compared with, and exhibited CD4 cell decline twice as fast as, 6604 individuals with other subtype-B strains. Without treatment, advanced HIV-CD4 cell counts below 350 cells per cubic millimeter, with long-term clinical consequences-is expected to be reached, on average, 9 months after diagnosis for individuals in their thirties with this variant. Age, sex, suspected mode of transmission, and place of birth for the aforementioned 109 individuals were typical for HIV-positive people in the Netherlands, which suggests that the increased virulence is attributable to the viral strain. Genetic sequence analysis suggests that this variant arose in the 1990s from de novo mutation, not recombination, with increased transmissibility and an unfamiliar molecular mechanism of virulence.

"It was one of those complicated cases": health practitioners' perspectives and practices of providing end-of-life care for people with profound intellectual and multiple disability

Background

Due to developments in health and social care, people with profound intellectual and multiple disability (PIMD) are living longer than ever before, meaning they are increasingly experiencing life-threatening health conditions requiring palliative care. Little is known about providing end-of-life care for people with PIMD. The aim of this study was to explore health practitioners’ perspectives and practices relating to end-of-life decision-making and planning for people with PIMD.

Methods

Seven in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with health practitioners employed in a range of hospital and community services throughout Melbourne, Australia. Questions were designed to gather information about their experience, perceptions, and attitudes relating to people with PIMD during and at the end of their life. Each interview, ranging from 40 to 60 min in length, was audio recorded and transcribed. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data.

Results

Four main themes emerged: limited participation, bias, dignity, and quality of death. Health practitioners indicated that people with PIMD are frequently excluded from participating in decision-making related to end-of-life care. Participants discussed reasons for this exclusion including challenges with communication and cognition. Participants reported a need for additional support and guidance in providing care for people with PIMD at the end of life. Professional and family bias played a role in end-of-life decision-making for people with PIMD. Participants reported a disproportional focus by palliative care practitioners on physical as opposed to emotional and spiritual well-being for patients with PIMD at the end of life. Finally, participants reported that people with PIMD generally did not die in specialised palliative care settings, but in segregated supported living environments.

Conclusions

Due to negative perceptions of a person with PIMD’s decision-making capacity, people with PIMD are likely to be assessed as unable to express choice and preference regarding end-of-life care and are offered limited opportunity to be involved in their own end-of-life care. This research provides guidance for the development of training and professional development relating to people with PIMD at the end of life. It is hoped that this will increase the accessibility of end-of-life services for people with PIMD, ensuring that a respectful and dignified death can be a reality for all humankind regardless of disability.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12904-021-00873-5.

Impact of left heart disease risk factors on risk stratification and treatment response in pulmonary arterial hypertension

Background

Contemporary registries have documented a change in the epidemiology of PAH patients displaying increasing co-morbidities associated with left heart disease (LHD). These patients are often excluded from randomized clinical trials. It is unclear whether the presence of LHD comorbidities may adversely impact the accuracy of risk stratification and response to PAH therapy.

Method

Data was extracted from the Pulmonary Hypertension Society of Australia and New Zealand registry for incident patients with a diagnosis with idiopathic/heritable/toxin-induced (I/H/D)-PAH and connective tissue disease (CTD) associated PAH from 2011 - 2020. Patients without available medication and follow up data were excluded. We used the AMBITION trial exclusion criteria to define the subpopulation with LHD risk factors and haemodynamic phenotype (PAH-rLHD).

Results

489 patients (I/H/D-PAH=251, CTD-PAH=238) were included in our analysis, with 103 (21.0%) fulfilling the definition of PAH-rLHD (34 had ≥3 risk factors for left heart disease (rLHD-hypertension, diabetes, obesity or ischaemic heart disease) and 76 had borderline haemodynamics (mean capillary wedge pressure 13–15 with pulmonary vascular resistance &lt;500 dynes sec/cm5) including 7 who met both criteria). Compared to classical PAH, patients with PAH-rLHD were older at diagnosis (66±13 vs 58±19, p&lt;0.001), had lower pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR: 393±266 vs 708±391, p=0.031) but worse exercise capacity (6MWD: 286±130m vs 327±136m, p=0.005). PAH-rLHD were more likely to be started on initial monotherapy, compared with “classical” PAH (73% vs 56%, p=0.002). In the monotherapy groups, endothelin receptor antagonists (ERA) were used in 73% PAH-rLHD, compared with 66% in classical PAH group. Both groups exhibited similar response to both mono- and combination therapy with commensurate improvements in WHO functional class (mean change 0.3±0.6 vs 0.3±0.8, p=0.443) and 6-minute walk distance (mean change 44±82 vs 48±101, p=0.723). There was no difference in survival between classical PAH and PAH-rLHD (log rank, p=0.29). The REVEAL 2.0 risk score effectively discriminated risk in both populations at baseline and first follow up (classical PAH: baseline C statistic 0.750, follow up 0.774 and PAH-rLHD: baseline C statistic 0.756, follow up 0.791).

Conclusion

Despite lower PVR at diagnosis, PAH-rLHD patients and “classical” PAH demonstrate similar response to first-line therapy with similar long term survival. The REVEAL 2.0 risk score can be effectively applied to the subpopulation of PAH-rLHD in real life clinical practice.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Acute fetal response to high-intensity interval training in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy

The majority of women do not meet the recommended levels of exercise during their pregnancies, frequently due to a lack of time. High-intensity interval training offers a potential solution, providing an effective, time-efficient exercise modality. This exercise modality has not been studied in pregnancy therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate fetal response to a high-intensity interval training resistance circuit in the late second and early third trimesters of pregnancy. Fourteen active, healthy women with uncomplicated, singleton pregnancies participated in a high-intensity interval training resistance circuit between 28 + 0/7 and 32 + 0/7 weeks. A Borg rating of perceived exertion of 15-17/20 and an estimated heart rate of 80%-90% of maternal heart-rate maximum was targeted. Fetal well-being was evaluated continuously with fetal heart-rate tracings and umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry conducted pre-and post-exercise. Fetal heart rate tracings were normal throughout the exercise circuit. Post-exercise, umbilical artery end-diastolic flow was normal and significant decreases were observed in the mean systolic/diastolic ratios, pulsatility indexes and resistance indexes. Therefore, in a small cohort of active pregnant women, a high-intensity interval training resistance circuit in the late second and early third trimesters of pregnancy appears to be a safe exercise modality with no acute, adverse fetal effects but further study is required. Novelty: High-intensity interval training, at an intensity in excess of current recommendations, does not appear to be associated with any adverse fetal effects in previously active pregnant women. High-intensity interval training is an enjoyable and effective exercise modality in previously active pregnant women.

OP0030 TREATMENT OF NON-BIOLOGIC-DMARD-IR PSA PATIENTS WITH UPADACITINIB OR ADALIMUMAB RESULTS IN THE MODULATION OF DISTINCT FUNCTIONAL PATHWAYS: PROTEOMICS ANALYSIS OF THE SELECT-PSA 1 PHASE 3 STUDY

Background:

Treatment of non-biologic-DMARD-IR (DMARD-IR) PsA patients with upadacitinib (UPA) at 15 mg QD, an oral JAK1 selective inhibitor, resulted in improvement in musculoskeletal symptoms, psoriasis, physical function, fatigue, quality of life, and inhibited radiographic progression; improvements were observed as early as Week 2 (ACR20 and ACR50). UPA 15 mg QD was non-inferior to adalimumab (ADA) 40 mg EOW for ACR201

Objectives:

To determine the relative biological pathway modulation of UPA compared with ADA in patients with PsA via the evaluation of a pre-defined set of plasma proteins associated with inflammation.

Methods:

Patients from the SELECT-PsA1 study (DMARD-IR PsA patients) were randomly selected (PBO, n=100; UPA 15 mg QD, n=100; ADA 40 mg EOW, n = 100). The levels of 92 inflammation related protein biomarkers (pBM) were analyzed using a multiplexed Proximity Extension Assay platform in plasma samples collected at baseline, week 2, and 12; change from baseline in protein levels were expressed as Log2 Fold Change; a Repeated Measure Mixed Linear Model identified proteins modulated by UPA and ADA compared to Baseline. Functional pathway prediction was performed in silico with a commercially distributed software where 52 significantly modulated pBM (mean |Log2 FC| ≥ 0.1 AND FDR ≤ 0.05) were selected; results were summarized based on 3 core biological groups: 1) adaptive immune system, 2) innate immune system, and 3) non-immune connective and vascular systems.

Results:

At the single pBM-level, at the week 2 and 12 time points, treatment with UPA 15 mg QD resulted in distinct down modulation of T cell-associated (CD5, CD8a, IL15Ra, SLAMF1, TRANCE) and myeloid cell-associated pBM (CSF-1, CCL7, CCL13) that was not observed in the ADA treated group. Reciprocally, treatment with ADA 40 mg EOW resulted in a specific down modulation of a subset of neutrophil associated pBM (CCL3, CCL4, and S100A12). Both treatments resulted in the down modulation of IFN-, IL6-, and TNF-related pBM (CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, IL6, TNFRSF19, and TNSF14) suggesting a common node of activity related to these pivotal cytokine-signaling pathways.

Functional pathway prediction based on the pBM data revealed that treatment with UPA is preferentially associated with the inhibition of T cells, but also NK cells and lymphocytes, compared to the predicted effects of treatment with ADA. Treatment with UPA also preferentially inhibited pathways related to bone damage and angiogenesis, as compared to the predicted effect of treatment with ADA. Finally, both treatments were predicted to inhibit multiple pathways associated with the activity of myeloid cells and phagocytes.

Conclusion:

Consistent with previous observations in RA2, UPA is predicted to inhibit multiple functional pathways associated the pathobiology of PsA belonging to the general categories of adaptive and innate immunity but also non-immune vascular and connective tissue biology. In contrast, treatment with ADA appears to affect more specifically functional pathways associated with the innate immune system.

References:

[1]McInnes, I. et al. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 79, 16-17 (2020).

[2]Sornasse, T., Song, I.H., Radstake, T. & McInnes, I. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 79, 581-582 (2020).

Acknowledgements:

AbbVie funded this study and participated in the study design, research, analysis, data collection, interpretation of data, reviewing, and approval of the publication. All authors had access to relevant data and participated in the drafting, review, and approval of this publication. No honoraria or payments were made for authorship.

Disclosure of Interests:

Thierry Sornasse Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Jaclyn Anderson Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Koji Kato Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Apinya Lertratanakul Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Christopher T. Ritchlin Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun, UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, UCB, Iain McInnes Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi Regeneron, UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi Regeneron, UCB Pharma

POS1054 UPADACITINIB PHARMACOKINETICS AND EXPOSURE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS FOR EFFICACY AND SAFETY IN PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS – ANALYSES OF THE PHASE 3 SELECT-PsA STUDIES

Background:

Upadacitinib (UPA) is an oral, reversible, JAK inhibitor approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The efficacy and safety profile of UPA in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) has been established in the SELECT-PsA program which includes two global Phase 3 studies.

Objectives:

These analyses characterize UPA pharmacokinetics and exposure-response relationships for efficacy and safety endpoints using data from the SELECT-PsA studies.

Methods:

The SELECT-PsA program enrolled patients with prior inadequate response (IR) or intolerance to ≥1 non-bDMARD1 (N=1705) and prior IR or intolerance to ≥1 bDMARD2 (N=642). Data from both trials was integrated for patients receiving placebo (PBO), UPA 15mg once daily (QD) and UPA 30mg QD; adalimumab data was excluded from this analysis. UPA pharmacokinetics were characterized in PsA patients using Bayesian population pharmacokinetics analyses and utilizing prior information from analyses in healthy subjects and RA patients. Exposure-response analyses were conducted using logistic regression to characterize the relationships between upadacitinib average plasma concentration during a dosing interval (Cavg) and the percentage of patients achieving ACR20/50/70 at Weeks 12 and 24, static Investigator Global Assessment of psoriasis (sIGA) of 0 or 1 (clear or almost clear) and at least a 2-point improvement from baseline, and PASI75 at Weeks 16 and 24 or experiencing selected clinically relevant safety events through week 24.

Results:

Analyses were conducted using data from 1694 subjects (for pharmacokinetics) and 1916 subjects (for exposure-response analyses). UPA model-estimated plasma exposures in subjects with PsA who received 15mg and 30mg QD doses were comparable to previously estimated exposures in subjects with RA. Body weight and methotrexate use had no clinically relevant effects on UPA exposures. There was a statistically significant relationship between UPA Cavg and the percentage of subjects who achieved Week 12 ACR50/70, Week 16 sIGA 0/1, and Week 24 sIGA 0/1 (Figure 1). No statistically significant exposure-response relationship was observed for Week 12 ACR20, Week 16 PASI75, or Week 24 ACR20/50/70 or PASI75, indicating that the 15mg QD exposures are approximately at the plateau of response for these endpoints. No statistically significant relationships were observed between upadacitinib Cavg and the percentage of subjects experiencing pneumonia, herpes zoster, hemoglobin < 8 g/dL, Grade ≥3 lymphopenia, Grade ≥3 neutropenia. There was a shallow but statistically significant exposure-response relationships with the occurrence of serious infections and decrease in hemoglobin from baseline (>2 g/dL and >2 g/dL in combination with hemoglobin < lower limit for normal).

Figure 1.

Observed and Model Predicted Efficacy Responses at Week 12 (for ACR50/70) or at Weeks 16 and Week 24 (for sIGA 0/1) Versus Upadacitinib Plasma Exposures

Conclusion:

Exposure-response analyses demonstrated that plasma exposures associated with UPA 15 mg QD achieves robust efficacy in subjects with PsA with limited effects on the evaluated safety endpoints. UPA plasma exposures associated with UPA 15 and 30mg QD are predicted to provide similar ACR responses by week 24 while a small additional efficacy benefit with UPA 30mg is predicted for the achievement sIGA 0/1.

References:

[1]van Vollenhoven R, et al. Monotherapy with Upadacitinib in MTX-naïve Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results at 48 Weeks from the SELECT-EARLY Study. 2019 EULAR; THU0197

[2]Fleischmann R, et al. Safety and Effectiveness of Upadacitinib or Adalimumab in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results at 48 weeks from the SELECT-COMPARE Study. 2019 EULAR; FRI0147

Disclosure of Interests:

Elena Muensterman Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Benjamin Engelhardt Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Sathej Gopalakrishnan Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Jaclyn Anderson Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Mohamed-Eslam Mohamed Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie.

POS0407 PROTEOMICS ANALYSIS COMPARING THE MODE OF ACTION OF UPADACITINIB BETWEEN NON-BIOLOGIC-DMARD-IR AND BIOLOGIC-DMARD-IR PsA PATIENTS IDENTIFIES DISTINCT PATHOGENIC PATHWAYS IN THE SELECT-PsA 1 AND SELECT-PsA 2 PHASE 3 STUDIES

Background:

Treatment of non-biologic-DMARD-IR1 (DMARD-IR) and biologic-DMARD-IR2 (bio-IR) PsA patients with upadacitinib (UPA) at 15 mg QD, an oral JAK1 selective inhibitor, resulted in significant improvement in signs and symptoms compared to placebo.

Objectives:

Using a pre-defined set of inflammation-related plasma protein biomarkers (pBM), to explore immunological pathway modulation by UPA 15 mg QD in PsA patients with active disease despite treatment with non-biologic or biologic DMARDs in the context of clinical response vs. non-response to treatment.

Methods:

Patients from the SELECT-PsA 1 (DMARD-IR) and the SELECT-PsA 2 (bio-IR) studies were randomly selected (PBO, n=100; UPA 15 mg QD, n=100 for each study). The levels of 92 inflammation related protein biomarkers (pBM) were analyzed using a multiplexed Proximity Extension Assay platform in plasma samples collected at baseline, week 2, and 12; change from baseline in protein levels was expressed as Log2 Fold Change; a Repeated Measure Mixed Linear Model was used to identify pBM modulated by UPA compared to Baseline, and those differentially modulated between responders (R) and non-responders (NR) according to ACR50, PASDAS Minimal Disease Activity, and PASI75 at week 12. Correlation of disease activity measures with relative levels of pBM were derived using Pearson’s correlation; PASI score was transformed as Log10 (x+1) prior to the analysis. Functional pathway prediction was performed in silico with a commercial distributed software.

Results:

At baseline, the relative levels of 37 pBM correlated with at least one baseline disease activity measure, with a marked positive correlation of IL6 with musculoskeletal end points (PASDAS and DAS28CRP), and a strong positive correlation of IL20, IL17A, IL17C, and TGFA with baseline PASI.

At the single pBM-level, treatment with UPA 15 mg QD resulted in a down modulation of pBM associated with T cells, myeloid cells, and IFN-, IL6-, and TNF-related pathways in both DMARD-IR and bio-IR PsA patients. Overall effects of UPA on single pBMs were broadly similar between DMARD-IR and bio-IR patients. However, analysis of pBMs differentially modulated by UPA in R vs NR indicated that favorable clinical response (achievement of ACR50, PASDAS MDA, and PASI75) in DMARD-IR patients was associated with the down modulation of pBMs predicted to be linked to IFN, IL10, IL17, IL22, and IL27 pathways; while favorable clinical response in bio-IR patients was associated with the down modulation of multiple pBM predicted to be linked to the IL17, IL23, and IL1 pathways.

Conclusion:

UPA effects in both DMARD-IR and bio-IR PsA patients likely stem from the direct and indirect inhibition of multiple biological pathways belonging to the adaptive and innate immune systems. Responder/Non-Responder analysis suggests a possible shift from a TH1 biased biology in DMARD-IR PsA patients to a more TH17 biased biology in bio-IR PsA patients. This apparent change in the disease biology of PsA patients after inadequate response to prior therapy could be attributed to the actual alteration of the disease biology, treatment outcome-based patient selection, or both. Considering the clinical efficacy of UPA in both DMARD-IR and bio-IR PsA patients, this observation highlights the importance of targeting multiple pathways with drugs such as UPA for the treatment of a broad range of PsA patients.

References:

[1]McInnes, I. et al. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 79, 16-17 (2020).

[2]Mease, P.J. et al.Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, annrheumdis-2020-218870 (2020).

Acknowledgements:

AbbVie funded this study and participated in the study design, research, analysis, data collection, interpretation of data, reviewing, and approval of the publication. All authors had access to relevant data and participated in the drafting, review, and approval of this publication. No honoraria or payments were made for authorship.

Disclosure of Interests:

Thierry Sornasse Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Jaclyn Anderson Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Koji Kato Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Apinya Lertratanakul Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Iain McInnes Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi Regeneron, UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi Regeneron, UCB Pharma, Christopher T. Ritchlin Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun, UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, UCB

POS1032 EFFICACY OF UPADACITINIB IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS STRATIFIED BY NUMBER OF PRIOR BIOLOGIC DISEASE-MODIFYING ANTI-RHEUMATIC DRUGS

Background:

Upadacitinib (UPA) has shown efficacy and safety in patients (pts) with active PsA in the Phase 3 SELECT-PsA 1 and SELECT-PsA 2 clinical trials.1,2 Historically efficacy has been lower with second- and third-line therapy compared with first-line anti-TNF therapy in PsA;3,4 however, clinical trial data that describe efficacy in pts who have had an inadequate response (IR) to multiple biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs) are limited.

Objectives:

This analysis assessed the effects of prior bDMARD failure on UPA efficacy in the SELECT-PsA 2 trial.

Methods:

The SELECT-PsA 2 study enrolled pts with prior IR or intolerance to ≥1 bDMARD (N=642). Pts were randomized to placebo (PBO), UPA 15 mg once daily (QD, UPA15), or UPA 30 mg QD (UPA30). Stable background treatment of ≤2 non-bDMARDs was permitted; background therapy was not required. Only the pts who had IR to ≥1 bDMARD were included in this analysis; pts were subgrouped based on the number of bDMARDs failed prior to enrollment (1, 2, or ≥3). This analysis includes assessment of proportion of pts achieving ACR20/50/70, and change in HAQ-DI, FACIT-Fatigue, and SF-36 Physical Component Summary at Wk 12; static Investigator Global Assessment of Psoriasis of 0 or 1 and at least a 2-point improvement from baseline, PASI75, and change in Self-Assessment of Psoriasis Symptoms at Wk 16; and proportion of pts achieving minimal disease activity (MDA) at Wk 24. Non-responder imputation was used for binary endpoints. Mixed-effects model for repeated measures was used for continuous endpoints. Point estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the PBO subtracted treatment effect were calculated.

Results:

641 pts were randomized and received study drug; 92% were bDMARD-IR: 391 (61%) of pts failed 1 bDMARD, 116 (18%) failed 2 bDMARDs, and 83 (13%) failed ≥3 bDMARDs. In the overall study population, UPA15 and UPA30 demonstrated superiority vs placebo for all endpoints evaluated. In this post hoc analysis, the PBO subtracted treatment effect demonstrates generally consistent efficacy as compared to the overall study population for UPA15 and UPA30 across efficacy endpoints in the subgroups of pts with IR to 1, 2, or ≥3 prior bDMARDs (Figure 1). Due to limited sample sizes for pts with IR to >1 bDMARD and the pt subsets analyzed for psoriasis-related endpoints, results should be interpreted with caution.

Conclusion:

Upadacitinib demonstrated consistent efficacy in treating clinical manifestations of PsA including musculoskeletal symptoms, psoriasis, physical function, fatigue, and quality of life in pts with IR to 1 or multiple prior bDMARDs. In addition, comprehensive disease control as measured by MDA, was generally consistently achieved with upadacitinib regardless of number of prior bDMARDs tried.

References:

[1]McInnes IB, et al. Ann Rheum Dis, 2020; 79:12.

[2]Genovese MC, et al. Ann Rheum Dis, 2020; 79:139.

[3]Costa L, et al. Drugs R D. 2017;17:509-522.

[4]Reddy SM, et al. 2016;35:2955-2966.

Acknowledgements:

AbbVie and the authors thank the patients, study sites, and investigators who participated in this clinical trial. AbbVie, Inc was the study sponsor, contributed to study design, data collection, analysis & interpretation, and to writing, reviewing, and approval of final version. No honoraria or payments were made for authorship. Medical writing support was provided by Ramona Vladea, PhD of AbbVie Inc.

Disclosure of Interests:

Philip J Mease Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers, Celgene, Galapagos, Genentech, Gilead, GlaxosmithKline, Janssen, Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharma, and UCB., Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers, Celgene, Galapagos, Genentech, Gilead, GlaxosmithKline, Janssen, Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharma, and UCB., Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers, Celgene, Galapagos, Genentech, Gilead, GlaxosmithKline, Janssen, Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharma, and UCB., Apinya Lertratanakul Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Bruce Strober Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Ortho Dermatologics, Consultant of: AbbVie, Almirall, Amgen, Arcutis, Arena, Aristea, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers-Squibb, Cara, Celgene, Dermavant, Dermira, Janssen, Leo, Eli Lilly, Meiji Seika Pharma, Novartis, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, UCB Pharma, Sun Pharma, Ortho Dermatologics, Regeneron, Sanofi-Genzyme, Shigeyoshi Tsuji Speakers bureau: AbbVie Inc., Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie Inc., Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Pascal Richette Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Biogen, Janssen, BMS, Roche, Pfizer, Amgen, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB, Lilly, Novartis, and Celgene, Consultant of: AbbVie, Biogen, Janssen, BMS, Roche, Pfizer, Amgen, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB, Lilly, Novartis, and Celgene, Charles Lovan Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Dai Feng Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Jaclyn Anderson Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Filip van den Bosch Speakers bureau: AbbVie Inc., Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie Inc., Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB.

OP0233 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF UPADACITINIB IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND AXIAL INVOLVEMENT

Background:

Patients (pts) with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial involvment exhibit greater disease activity and quality of life impairments compared with those without axial involvment.

Objectives:

To characterize PsA pts with and without axial involvement and compare efficacy of UPA vs placebo (PBO) in PsA pts with axial involvement.

Methods:

In SELECT-PsA 1 (NCT03104400; N=1705, non-biologic DMARD IR) and SELECT-PsA 2 (NCT03104374; N=642, biologic DMARD IR), pts with active PsA (≥3 swollen and ≥3 tender joints), active or historical psoriasis, and on ≤2 non-biologic DMARDs were randomized to once daily UPA 15 mg, UPA 30 mg, adalimumab 40 mg every other week (SELECT-PsA 1 only), or PBO. Efficacy was assessed in pts with axial involvement (diagnosed by investigators based on totality of information) pooled from the 2 studies. Assessments included change from BL in BASDAI, BASDAI Q2 (neck/back/hip pain) and Q3 (joint swelling/pain), and the AS Disease Activity Score (ASDAS-CRP), and percentage with BASDAI 50 response, ASDAS inactive disease (ID), ASDAS low disease activity (LDA), ASDAS major improvement (MI), and ASDAS clinically important improvement (CII). Uveitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) adverse events were reviewed. Data on 24-week PBO-controlled period are presented.

Results:

Prevalence of axial involvment was 31.3% in SELECT-PsA 1 and 34.2% in SELECT-PsA 2 (Table). Treatment with UPA 15 mg and 30 mg resulted in significantly greater improvements from BL in the BASDAI, BASDAI Q2 (neck/back/hip pain) and Q3 (joint swelling/pain) and ASDAS-CRP at weeks 12 and 24 vs PBO (Figure). Similarly, significantly higher percentages of pts on UPA 15 mg and 30 mg achieved BASDAI 50, ASDAS ID, LDA, MI, and CII at weeks 12 and 24 vs PBO (Figure). One pt on UPA 30 mg had incident uveitis, and no IBD was reported on UPA.

Table 1.

Demographics and Baseline Characteristics

SELECT-PsA 1SELECT-PsA 2Parameter, mean (SD)With Psoriatic Spondylitis(n=534)Without Psoriatic Spondylitis(n=1170)Pvalue*With Psoriatic Spondylitis(n=219)Without Psoriatic Spondylitis(n=421)Pvalue*BMI (kg/m2)29.9 (6.5)30.5 (6.9).081031.6 (8.0)31.3 (6.9).6226TJC6821.6 (15.1)19.2 (13.5).002227.5 (18.0)23.3 (16.2).0027SJC6611.7 (9.4)11.0 (7.9).118412.9 (9.2)11.7 (8.7).0804Physician’s Global Assessment (NRS 0–10)6.7 (1.6)6.5 (1.7).04376.6 (1.8)6.5 (1.7).1897HAQ-DI1.2 (0.6)1.1 (0.6).01701.2 (0.6)1.2 (0.7).2049n=531n=1164n=218n=416Presence of dactylitis, n (%)†188 (35.2)328 (28.0).002869 (31.5)100 (23.8).0348Presence of enthesitis, n(%)‡432 (80.9)884 (75.6).0147189 (86.3)337 (80.0).0125ASDAS–CRP3.4 (0.9)3.1 (1.0)<.00013.3 (1.0)3.2 (1.1).1032n=530n=1161n=217n=416BASDAI5.8 (2.0)5.3 (2.2)<.00016.2 (2.2)5.8 (2.2).0673n=530n=1161n=217n=416Morning Stiffness Duration (NRS 0–10; BASDAI Q6)5.0 (3.0)4.7 (3.0).03685.6 (3.2)5.1 (3.0).0454n=530n=1161n=217n=416Patient’s Assessment of Inflammatory Neck, Back, or Hip Pain (NRS 0–10; BASDAI Q2)5.8 (2.7)4.6 (3.2)<.00016.4 (2.8)5.4 (3.1).0001n=530n=1161n=217n=416

*Calculated by t-test for continuous variables and chi-square test for categorical values. Bolded if <0.05.

Defined as †LDI>0 and ‡total enthesitis count >0

Conclusion:

PsA pts with axial involvement had higher BL disease burden compared with those without axial involvement. UPA was efficacious in treating axial symptoms in pts with psoriatic spondylits.

References:

[1]van der Heijde D, et al. Lancet. 2019;394(10214):2108-2117.

Acknowledgements:

Abbvie funded the study. AbbVie participated in study design, research, analysis, data collection, interpretation of the data, reviewing, and approval. All authors had access to the relevant data and participated in the drafting, review, and approval of the abstract. No honoraria or payments were made for authorship. Medical writing support was provided by M Mehta, and J Matsuura of ICON plc (North Wales, PA) and was funded by AbbVie.

Disclosure of Interests:

Atul Deodhar Speakers bureau: Novartis and Pfizer, Consultant of: Novartis, Pfizer, AbbVie, Eli Lilly, UCB Pharma, GlaxoSmithKline, Galapagos, Janssen, Boehringer Ingelheim and Celgene, Grant/research support from: Novartis, Pfizer, AbbVie, Eli Lilly, UCB Pharma, GlaxoSmithKline, R Ranza Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, and Pfizer, Consultant of: AbbVie, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, and Pfizer, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Janssen, Fabiana Ganz Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Tianming Gao Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Jaclyn Anderson Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Andrew Ostor Consultant of: AbbVie, BMS, Roche, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Gilead, and Paradigm

POS1035 UPADACITINIB AS MONOTHERAPY AND IN COMBINATION WITH NON-BIOLOGIC DMARDs FOR THE TREATMENT OF PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: SUBGROUP ANALYSIS FROM TWO PHASE 3 TRIALS

Background:

Approximately 40% of PsA patients (pts) on advanced therapy are on monotherapy.1,2 Upadacitinib (UPA) showed efficacy and safety in pts with active PsA in the Phase 3 SELECT-PsA 1 and SELECT-PsA 2 clinical trials.3,4

Objectives:

Assess efficacy and safety in subgroups of pts treated with UPA as monotherapy or in combination with non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (non-bDMARDs).

Methods:

The SELECT-PsA program enrolled pts with prior inadequate response (IR) or intolerance to ≥1 non-bDMARD (N=1705) and prior IR or intolerance to ≥1 bDMARD (N=642). Data from both trials was integrated for pts receiving placebo (PBO), UPA 15 mg once daily (QD) and UPA 30 mg QD. Stable background treatment of ≤2 non-bDMARDs was permitted, but not required. Analysis includes UPA monotherapy vs combination therapy for endpoints: ACR20/50/70 responses and change from baseline in pain and HAQ-DI (Wk 12); Static Investigator Global Assessment of Psoriasis of 0 or 1 and at least a 2-point improvement from baseline and PASI75/90/100 responses (Wk 16); proportion of pts achieving resolution of enthesitis, dactylitis, and minimal disease activity (Wk 24). Binary outcomes, using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel-method and continuous outcomes, using mixed-effects model, were analyzed for repeated measures in the subgroups of UPA monotherapy and combination therapy. Point estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of PBO subtracted treatment effect were calculated. Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were analyzed.

Results:

Of 1916 pts, 574 (30%) received monotherapy and 1342 (70%) received combination therapy; 84% in combination therapy group received MTX +/- another non-bDMARD. Both UPA monotherapy and combination therapy led to improvements in efficacy vs PBO and across endpoints, for each dose, generally consistent point estimates of PBO subtracted treatment effect and associated overlapping CIs were observed (Figure 1). Generally, frequency of AEs and serious AEs, were comparable with UPA administered as monotherapy and combination therapy (Table 1). Frequency of AEs of serious infections and hepatic disorder were lower with monotherapy while frequency of AEs leading to discontinuation of study drug were lower with combination therapy. Most hepatic disorders were transient transaminase elevations.

Conclusion:

In the SELECT PsA trials, efficacy and safety of UPA was generally consistent when administered as monotherapy or when given in combination with non-bDMARDs. Results from this analysis support the use of UPA with or without concomitant non-bDMARDs.

References:

[1]Ianculescu I and Weisman MH, Clin Exp Rheumatol 2015; 33:S94–S97.

[2]Mease PJ, et al. RMD Open 2015; 1:e0000181.

[3]McInnes IB, et al. Ann Rheum Dis, 2020; 79:12.

[4]Genovese MC, et al. Ann Rheum Dis, 2020; 79:139.

Acknowledgements:

AbbVie and the authors thank the patients, study sites, and investigators who participated in this clinical trial. AbbVie, Inc was the study sponsor, contributed to study design, data collection, analysis & interpretation, and to writing, reviewing, and approval of final version. No honoraria or payments were made for authorship. Medical writing support was provided by Ramona Vladea of AbbVie Inc.

Disclosure of Interests:

Peter Nash Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Roche, Pfizer, Janssen, Amgen, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB, Eli Lilly, Novartis, and Celgene, Consultant of: AbbVie, BMS, Roche, Pfizer, Janssen, Amgen, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB, Eli Lilly, Novartis, and Celgene, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, BMS, Roche, Pfizer, Janssen, Amgen, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB, Eli Lilly, Novartis, and Celgene, Pascal Richette Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Biogen, Janssen, BMS, Roche, Pfizer, Amgen, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB, Lilly, Novartis, and Celgene, Consultant of: AbbVie, Biogen, Janssen, BMS, Roche, Pfizer, Amgen, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB, Lilly, Novartis, and Celgene, Laure Gossec Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Amgen, Biogen, BMS, Celgene, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Janssen, Sandoz, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, Amgen, Biogen, BMS, Celgene, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Janssen, Sandoz, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Amgen, Biogen, BMS, Celgene, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Janssen, Sandoz, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB, Antonio Marchesoni Speakers bureau: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Eli-Lilly, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, BMS, Celgene, Eli-Lilly, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Christopher T. Ritchlin Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Janssen, Novartis, UCB, Grant/research support from: UCB, Koji Kato Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Erin McDearmon-Blondell Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Elizabeth Lesser Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Reva McCaskill Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Dai Feng Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Jaclyn Anderson Shareholder of: AbbVie, Employee of: AbbVie, Eric Ruderman Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Gilead, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, and Pfizer.

Multiecho complex total field inversion method (mcTFI) for improved signal modeling in quantitative susceptibility mapping

PURPOSE

Typical quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) reconstruction steps consist of first estimating the magnetization field from the gradient-echo images, and then reconstructing the susceptibility map from the estimated field. The errors from the field-estimation steps may propagate into the final QSM map, and the noise in the estimated field map may no longer be zero-mean Gaussian noise, thus, causing streaking artifacts in the resulting QSM. A multiecho complex total field inversion (mcTFI) method was developed to compute the susceptibility map directly from the multiecho gradient echo images using an improved signal model that retains the Gaussian noise property in the complex domain. It showed improvements in QSM reconstruction over the conventional field-to-source inversion.

METHODS

The proposed mcTFI method was compared with the nonlinear total field inversion (nTFI) method in a numerical brain with hemorrhage and calcification, the numerical brains provided by the QSM Challenge 2.0, 18 brains with intracerebral hemorrhage scanned at 3T, and 6 healthy brains scanned at 7T.

RESULTS

Compared with nTFI, the proposed mcTFI showed more accurate QSM reconstruction around the lesions in the numerical simulations. The mcTFI reconstructed QSM also showed the best image quality with the least artifacts in the brains with intracerebral hemorrhage scanned at 3T and healthy brains scanned at 7T.

CONCLUSION

The proposed multiecho complex total field inversion improved QSM reconstruction over traditional field-to-source inversion through better signal modeling.

536 Use of A Cost-Efficient Colonoscopy Simulation Model to Improve Endoscopy Skills During the COVID Pandemic

Introduction

The use of endoscopic simulators as a learning aid in surgical training has been well established. This has been emphasised during the challenging times of COVID-19. However, their utility for training is countered by the high cost of the equipment, with the most basic simulators costing upwards of £50,000.

Method

A simple polypectomy simulator model was created using a drain-pipe and surgical gloves. n = 9 junior doctors were timed in their ability to remove the 3 polyps from the simulator. The exercise was repeated over 6 sessions over the course of 3 weeks. Means were compared using ANOVA.

Results

There was a mean relative reduction of 75% in overall time taken to complete the task(p < 0.0001). This improvement was seen for both surgical trainees(p = 0.005) and FY1 novices(p < 0.0001) and junior doctors reported feeling more confident with basic Colonoscopic skills.

Conclusions

We have demonstrated an improvement in performance times across both surgical trainees and novices. In today’s era of COVID-19, when direct training opportunities may become more scarce, simple alternatives may become vital in ensuring progression of basic surgical skills such as endoscopy. This cheap polypectomy simulator can be easily re-created across surgical units and can be used as an adjunct to traditional endoscopic training

Prospects for beyond the Standard Model physics searches at the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment: DUNE Collaboration

The Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) will be a powerful tool for a variety of physics topics. The high-intensity proton beams provide a large neutrino flux, sampled by a near detector system consisting of a combination of capable precision detectors, and by the massive far detector system located deep underground. This configuration sets up DUNE as a machine for discovery, as it enables opportunities not only to perform precision neutrino measurements that may uncover deviations from the present three-flavor mixing paradigm, but also to discover new particles and unveil new interactions and symmetries beyond those predicted in the Standard Model (SM). Of the many potential beyond the Standard Model (BSM) topics DUNE will probe, this paper presents a selection of studies quantifying DUNE's sensitivities to sterile neutrino mixing, heavy neutral leptons, non-standard interactions, CPT symmetry violation, Lorentz invariance violation, neutrino trident production, dark matter from both beam induced and cosmogenic sources, baryon number violation, and other new physics topics that complement those at high-energy colliders and significantly extend the present reach.

Trends in diabetic retinopathy screening attendance and associations with vision impairment attributable to diabetes in a large nationwide cohort

AIMS

To investigate diabetic retinopathy screening attendance and trends in certified vision impairment caused by diabetic eye disease.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of attendance in three urban UK diabetic eye screening programmes in England. A survival analysis was performed to investigate time from diagnosis to first screen by age and sex. Logistic regression analysis of factors influencing screening attendance during a 15-month reporting period was conducted, as well as analysis of new vision impairment certifications (Certificate of Vision Impairment) in England and Wales from 2009 to 2019.

RESULTS

Of those newly registered in the Routine Digital Screening pathway (n = 97 048), 80% attended screening within the first 12 months and 88% by 36 months. Time from registration to first eye screening was longer for people aged 18-34 years, and 20% were unscreened after 3 years. Delay in first screen was associated with increased risk of referable retinopathy. Although 95% of participants (n = 291 296) attended during the 15-month reporting period, uptake varied considerably. Younger age, social deprivation, ethnicity and duration of diabetes were independent predictors of non-attendance and referable retinopathy. Although the last 10 years has seen an overall reduction in vision impairment certification attributable to diabetic eye disease, the incidence of vision impairment in those aged <35 years was unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

Whilst the majority of participants are screened in a timely manner, there is considerable variation in uptake. Young adults, have sub-optimal attendance, and levels of vision impairment in this population have not changed over the last 10 years. There is an urgent need to explore barriers to/enablers of attendance in this group to inform policy initiatives and tailored interventions to address this issue.

Impact of lanadelumab on health-related quality of life in patients with hereditary angioedema in the HELP study

Background

An objective of the phase 3 HELP Study was to investigate the effect of lanadelumab on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE).

Methods

Patients with HAE‐1/2 received either lanadelumab 150 mg every 4 weeks (q4wks; n = 28), 300 mg q4wks (n = 29), 300 mg every 2 weeks (q2wks; n = 27), or placebo (n = 41) for 26 weeks (days 0–182). The Angioedema Quality of Life Questionnaire (AE‐QoL) was administered monthly, consisting of four domain (functioning, fatigue/mood, fears/shame, nutrition) and total scores. The generic EQ‐5D‐5L questionnaire was administered on days 0, 98, and 182. Comparisons were made between placebo and (a) all lanadelumab‐treated patients and (b) individual lanadelumab groups for changes in scores (day 0–182) and proportions achieving the minimal clinically important difference (MCID, −6) in AE‐QoL total score.

Results

Compared with the placebo group, the lanadelumab total group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in AE‐QoL total and domain scores (mean change, −13.0 to −29.3; p < 0.05 for all); the largest improvement was in functioning. A significantly greater proportion of the lanadelumab total group achieved the MCID (70% vs 37%; p = 0.001). The lanadelumab 300 mg q2wks group had the highest proportion (81%; p = 0.001) and was 7.2 times more likely to achieve the MCID than the placebo group. Mean EQ‐5D‐5L scores at day 0 were high in all groups, indicating low impairment, with no significant changes at day 182.

Conclusion

Patients with HAE‐1/2 experienced significant and clinically meaningful improvements in HRQoL measured by AE‐QoL following lanadelumab treatment in the HELP Study.