Toripalimab (anti-PD-1) versus High-Dose Interferon-α2b as Adjuvant Therapy in Resected Mucosal Melanoma: A Phase II Randomized Trial

BACKGROUND

No standard of care for mucosal melanoma (MM) in the adjuvant setting has been established. Meanwhile, relapse-free survival (RFS) is only about five months after surgery alone. This phase II trial aimed to compare toripalimab vs. high-dose interferon-α2b (HDI) as an adjuvant therapy for resected MM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From July 2017 to May 2019, 145 patients with resected MM were randomized (1:1) to receive HDI (N = 72) or toripalimab (N = 73) for one year until disease relapse/distant metastasis, unacceptable toxicity, or withdrawal of consent. The primary endpoint was RFS. The secondary endpoints included distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), overall survival (OS), and safety.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 26.3 months, the numbers of RFS, OS, and DMFS events were 51 vs. 46, 33 vs. 29, and 49 vs. 44 in the toripalimab arm and the HDI arm, respectively. The median RFS were 13.6 (95%CI: 8.31-19.02) months and 13.9 (95%CI: 8.28-19.61) months in the toripalimab arm and HDI arm, respectively. The DMFS was not significantly different between the two arms (HR: 1.00, 95%CI: 0.65-1.54). The median OS was 35.1 months (95%CI: 27.93-NR) in the toripalimab arm, with no significant difference in all-cause death (HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.66-1.84) for the two arms. The median sums of the patients' actual infusion doses were 3672 mg and 1054.5 MIU in the toripalimab arm and HDI arm, respectively. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events with a grade ≥ 3 was much higher in the HDI arm than in the toripalimab arm (87.5% vs. 27.4%).

CONCLUSION

Toripalimab showed a similar RFS and a more favorable safety profile than HDI, both better than historical data, suggesting that toripalimab might be the better treatment option. However, additional translational studies and better treatment regimens are still warranted to improve the clinical outcome of MM.

[Source investigation on a familiar cluster of coronavirus disease 2019 in Dandong city of Liaoning Province]

To Track the source of the infection through an investigation of a clustering of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19), and provide scientific basis and Strategy for the effective control of the aggregated epidemic situation of COVID-19. Field epidemiological method was used to survey the cases and related close contacts in a family clustering epidemic of COVID-19 in Dandong city of Liaoning Province. We obtained survey data for a descriptive analysis.Real time RT-PCR technique was used to detect 2019-nCoV nucleic acid in samples collected from cases and related close contacts combined with serum specific antibody detection. A total of 3 confirmed cases and 2 asymptomatic infection cases were discovered in the clustering epidemic, with 34 close contacts.Of eight close family contacts visiting from other province, one patient was on the same flight as the confirmed case, and her antibody IgG was positive. The family clustering was caused by past infection case who visited her friend through Wuhan from other provinces to local area.

BRAF inhibitors: efficacious and tolerable in BRAF-mutant acral and mucosal melanoma

BRAF inhibitors substantially have impressive clinical efficacy in cutaneous melanoma. However, their role in acral and mucosal melanoma remains unclear. Records were reviewed of patients with metastatic or unresectable BRAF-mutant acral and mucosal melanoma hospitalized and administrated BRAF inhibitors during January 2011 and March 2016. Clinical data were collected to determine PFS, ORR, DCR, OS, and safety. Among 28 acral and 12 mucosal melanoma patients treated with BRAF inhibitors, median PFS were 3.6 (95%CI 3.0-6.4) and 4.4 (95%CI 0.8-12.7) months, median OS were 6.2 (95%CI 6.1-12.1) and 8.2 (95%CI 6.6-19.9) months; ORRs were 38.1% and 20.0%, DCRs were 81.0% and 70.0% in acral and mucosal melanoma, respectively. BRAF inhibitors were well tolerated. The most common adverse effects (AEs) were cutaneous and hematological. Grade 3/4 AEs were relatively rare. In conclusion, BRAF inhibitors have acceptable efficacy and good tolerance in BRAF mutant acral and mucosal melanoma.

[Impact of first-line chemotherapy on renal function in patients with advanced upper tract urothelial carcinoma]

Objective: To observe the impact of first-line chemotherapy on renal function in patients with unresectable/metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma(UTUC). Methods: A total of 222 (130 males and 92 females) unresectable/metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma patients were included in the study between January 2005 and May 2017, with age of 29 to 87 (62.4±10.1) years old. The serum creatinine level and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were compared before and after first-line chemotherapy. And predictive factors for decreased renal function were analyzed in logistic regression model. Results: After the first-line chemotherapy, the average serum creatinine level increased, with a median changing value of 1.5 μmol/L. Howerver, the eGFR improved, with a median changing value of 0.5 ml·min^-1· (1.73 m²)^-1, but the differences were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). In 149 patients who were treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy, the average serum creatinine level increased by 1.31 μmol/L and eGFR improved by 0.14 ml·min^-1·(1.73 m²)^-1, but the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). In multivariate logistic regression model, age more than and equal to 60 years old (OR=0.88, P=0.745) and cisplatin-based chemotherapy (OR=0.95, P=0.893) did not increase the risk of renal dysfunction after first-line chemotherapy. If the time interval between surgery and first-line chemotherapy was more than 1 year, the risk of renal dysfunction due to chemotherapy decreased (OR=0.54, P=0.196). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) Scale≥1 (OR=1.81, P=0.131), anemia before treatment (OR=1.14, P=0.764), the cycles of first-line chemotherapy (OR=1.41, P=0.398) may lead to increase the risk of renal dysfunction, but the differences were not statistically significant. However in the patients who accepted nephrectomy, the risk of renal dysfunction after chemotherapy increased, but the difference was still not statistically significant (OR=3.06, P=0.089). Conclusions: First-line chemotherapy, especially the cisplatin-based regimen, had no significant impact on renal function in the patients with UTUC. Nephrectomy maybe a predictive risk factor for decreased renal function after chemotherapy. Adequate assessment of renal function before treatment, hydration and close monitoring during chemotherapy can effectively protect renal function of the patients.

[A clinical analysis of 5 patients with infratentorial primary angiitis of central nervous system]

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics of infratentorial primary angiitis in central nervous system(PACNS). Methods: A total of 5 cases diagnosed as infratentorial PACNS in the neurology department of Navy General Hospital of PLA in 2015 were enrolled in the study. The clinical, imaging and pathological data were collected and analyzed. Results: All the 5 cases were male with the median onset age of thirty-four. Five cases presented with dizziness, two with headache, three with walking unstable, two with facial numbness and one with dysarthria. Rising pressure of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (190-245 cmH(2)O, 1 cmH(2)O=0.098 kPa) was found in 4 cases by the lumbar puncture, mildly increased number of leukocyte in 2 cases [(12-28)×10(6)/L], increased CSF protein in 3 cases(540-979 mg/L) and increased IgG index in 3 cases(0.84-1.45). Pons lesions were revealed by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)in 4 cases, brachium pontis lesions in 2 cases, cerebellum lesions in 2 cases, one with midbrain lesion in 1 case, unilateral lesions in 4 cases and bilateral lesion in 1 case. Different degree of edema and mass effect were shown in all lesions by MRI. Patch like enhancement was found by contrast MRI in 5 cases and meningeal enhancement in 2 cases. Elevation of choline(Cho)peak was found by magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS)in 4 cases, reduction of N-acetyl aspartate(NAA) peak in 3 cases, appearance of lactate peak in 1 case and lipid peak in another case. Arterial spin labeling(ASL) was performed in 4 cases and no hyperperfusion was found. Susceptibility weighted imaging(SWI) was performed in 3 cases and microhemorrhage in the lesions was found in 2 cases and normal in 1 case. Magnetic resonance arteriography(MRA) was performed in 1 case and no stenosis was found. Digital subtraction arteriography(DSA) was performed in 1 case and multiple stenosis of the intracranial arteries was showed. Two cases had taken the stereotactic brain biopsy and the histopathologic diagnosis was angiitis. Five cases were treated with methylprednisolone and cyclophosphamide was added on in 1 case. Good prognosis was found in all cases. Conclusions: Infratentorial PACNS mostly attacks middle-aged males. The lesions tend to locate in unilateral pons, brachium pontis, cerebellum and midbrain. Hemorrhage or microhemorrhage in lesions is often found by SWI and no hyperperfusion is shown by ASL, which would be useful to distinguish PACNS from malignant tumors. Given the limitations of brain biopsy in clinical practice, clinical and imaging features would be helpful to diagnose PACNS.

[A preliminary study of the treatment of chronic tinnitus in menopausal women]

Objective:To explore the hormone treatment outcome of the menopause related tinnitus.Method:From April 2016 to October 2016, Fifty-nine patients who were diagnosed with menopausal syndrome in the menopause clinics of Beijing Shijitan Hospital were enrolled in our study, and questionnaire-based investigation about tinnitus and menopause was performed. According to the patients' intention, they were divided into treatment group and control group. Age, BMI, menopausal KMI scores, severity of tinnitus were statistically analyzed. After 3 months follow up, the different therapeutic effects of tinnitus between two groups were analyzed. Result:There was no significant difference between two groups in age, BMI, menopausal KMI scores and severity of tinnitus. The tinnitus in untreated patients after 3 months follow up showed no improvement, while 5 cases had been cured in treatment group. Conclusion:Menopause related tinnitus was an independent type of tinnitus. Menopausal hormone therapy can be applied for treatment after excluding other tinnitus risk factors.