Translational insights and overall survival in the U31402-A-U102 study of patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd) in EGFR-mutated NSCLC

BACKGROUND

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) is broadly expressed in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is the target of patritumab deruxtecan (HER3-DXd), an antibody-drug conjugate consisting of a HER3 antibody attached to a topoisomerase I inhibitor payload via a tetrapeptide-based cleavable linker. U31402-A-U102 is an ongoing phase I study of HER3-DXd in patients with advanced NSCLC. Patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated NSCLC that progressed after EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) and platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) who received HER3-DXd 5.6 mg/kg intravenously once every 3 weeks had a confirmed objective response rate (cORR) of 39%. We present median overall survival (OS) with extended follow-up in a larger population of patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC and an exploratory analysis in those with acquired genomic alterations potentially associated with resistance to HER3-DXd.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Safety was assessed in patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC previously treated with EGFR TKI who received HER3-DXd 5.6 mg/kg; efficacy was assessed in those who also had prior PBC.

RESULTS

In the safety population (N = 102), median treatment duration was 5.5 (range 0.7-27.5) months. Grade ≥3 adverse events occurred in 76.5% of patients; the overall safety profile was consistent with previous reports. In 78/102 patients who had prior third-generation EGFR TKI and PBC, cORR by blinded independent central review (as per RECIST v1.1) was 41.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 30.0% to 52.7%], median progression-free survival was 6.4 (95% CI 4.4-10.8) months, and median OS was 16.2 (95% CI 11.2-21.9) months. Patients had diverse mechanisms of EGFR TKI resistance at baseline. At tumor progression, acquired mutations in ERBB3 and TOP1 that might confer resistance to HER3-DXd were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC after EGFR TKI and PBC, HER3-DXd treatment was associated with a clinically meaningful OS. The tumor biomarker characterization comprised the first description of potential mechanisms of resistance to HER3-DXd therapy.

Impact of high-intensity interval hyperpnea on aerobic energy release and inspiratory muscle fatigue

Respiratory muscle endurance training reportedly has beneficial effects on whole-body endurance performance. We produced a novel high-intensity interval (HII) protocol and characterized the associated physiological responses and respiratory muscle fatigue. Peak oxygen uptake of respiratory muscle (V̇O2peakRM) was estimated during the respiratory incremental test. The HII session consisted of five 3-minute hyperpnea periods at 100%V̇O2peakRM interspersed with 2-minute periods at 40%V̇O2peakRM (25 min total). The high-intensity continuous (HIC) session involved a single time-to-end bout of hyperpnea at 100%V̇O2peakRM. The moderate-intensity continuous (MIC) session involved 25 min of hyperpnea at 60% of maximal voluntary ventilation. V̇O2RM was recorded continuously, and maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax) was assessed before and after the sessions. HII session: V̇O2RM gradually increased as the sets proceeded, whereas PImax decreased significantly. HIC session: V̇O2RM increased progressively, and the time to end was 6.5 ± 0.5 min. PImax decreased significantly. MIC session: V̇O2RM did not change for 25 min, and PImax remained unchanged. The duration of V̇O2RM at near- and supra-maximal levels in the HII session (10 ± 1 min) was longer than that in the HIC session (4 ± 1 min). The decrease in PImax was larger in the HII session (-12 ± 3 %) than MIC session (-4 ± 3 %). The HII protocol is characterized by a longer time to maximally stimulate the aerobic energy system of respiratory muscle than the HIC protocol and greater inspiratory muscle fatigue than the traditional MIC protocol. These results suggest that the HII protocol could enhance the efficacy of respiratory muscle training programs.

Multiple intra-articular injections with adipose-derived stem cells for knee osteoarthritis cause severe arthritis with anti-histone H2B antibody production

Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. OA results from the breakdown of cartilage, which leads to deterioration of the entire joint and the connective tissue that holds the joint together, and gradually and irreversibly worsens over time. Adipose-derived stem/stromal cells (ADSCs) have been used in the treatment of knee OA. However, the safety and efficacy of ADSC treatment of OA remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the pathophysiology of severe knee arthritis that occurred after ADSC treatment by screening for autoantibodies in synovial fluid from patients who received ADSC treatment.

Methods

Adult Japanese patients with OA who received ADSC treatment at Saitama Cooperative Hospital between June 2018 and October 2021 were enrolled. Antibodies (Abs) were screened using immunoprecipitation (IPP) with [³⁵S]-methionine-labeled HeLa cell extracts. The detected protein was identified by liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS) and ion trap MS, and the corresponding proteins were confirmed as autoantigens using immunoblotting. Ab titers were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

A total of 113 patients received ADSC treatment, and 75% (85/113) received ADSC injection at least twice with a 6-month interval between. No obvious abnormalities were observed in any patient after their first treatment; by contrast, 53% (45/85) of patients who received their second or third ADSC injection showed severe knee arthritis. IPP detected a common anti-15 kDa Ab in synovial fluid of 62% (8/13) of the samples analyzed from patients who showed severe arthritis. This Ab was not detected in synovial fluid obtained from the same joints before treatment. The corresponding autoantigen was identified as histone H2B. All available synovial samples from patients who tested positive for anti-histone H2B Ab were newly positive after the treatment; that is, none had been positive for anti-histone H2B Ab before treatment.

Conclusions

Multiple ADSC injections for OA induced severe arthritis in a high percentage of patients, particularly after the second injection. Synovial fluid from some patients with knee arthritis contained Ab to histone H2B that appeared only after ADSC treatment. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of ADSC treatment-induced severe arthritis.

Hyperon Polarization along the Beam Direction Relative to the Second and Third Harmonic Event Planes in Isobar Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

The polarization of Λ and Λ[over ¯] hyperons along the beam direction has been measured relative to the second and third harmonic event planes in isobar Ru+Ru and Zr+Zr collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. This is the first experimental evidence of the hyperon polarization by the triangular flow originating from the initial density fluctuations. The amplitudes of the sine modulation for the second and third harmonic results are comparable in magnitude, increase from central to peripheral collisions, and show a mild p_{T} dependence. The azimuthal angle dependence of the polarization follows the vorticity pattern expected due to elliptic and triangular anisotropic flow, and qualitatively disagrees with most hydrodynamic model calculations based on thermal vorticity and shear induced contributions. The model results based on one of existing implementations of the shear contribution lead to a correct azimuthal angle dependence, but predict centrality and p_{T} dependence that still disagree with experimental measurements. Thus, our results provide stringent constraints on the thermal vorticity and shear-induced contributions to hyperon polarization. Comparison to previous measurements at RHIC and the LHC for the second-order harmonic results shows little dependence on the collision system size and collision energy.

Artificial placenta technology: History, potential and perception

As presently conceptualised, the artificial placenta (AP) is an experimental life support platform for extremely preterm infants (i.e. 400-600 g; 21-23+6 weeks of gestation) born at the border of viability. It is based around the oxygenation of the periviable fetus using gas-exchangers connected to the fetal vasculature. In this system, the lung remains fluid-filled and the fetus remains in a quiescent state. The AP has been in development for some sixty years. Over this time, animal experimental models have evolved iteratively from employing external pump-driven systems used to support comparatively mature fetuses (generally goats or sheep) to platforms driven by the fetal heart and used successfully to maintain extremely premature fetuses weighing around 600 g. Simultaneously, sizable advances in neonatal and obstetric care mean that the nature of a potential candidate patient for this therapy, and thus the threshold success level for justifying its adoption, have both changed markedly since this approach was first conceived. Five landmark breakthroughs have occurred over the developmental history of the AP: i) the first human studies reported in the 1950's; ii) foundation animal studies reported in the 1960's; iii) the first extended use of AP technology combined with fetal pulmonary resuscitation reported in the 1990s; iv) the development of AP systems powered by the fetal heart reported in the 2000's; and v) the adaption of this technology to maintain extremely preterm fetuses (i.e. 500-600 g body weight) reported in the 2010's. Using this framework, the present paper will provide a review of the developmental history of this long-running experimental system and up-to-date assessment of the published field today. With the apparent acceleration of AP technology towards clinical application, there has been an increase in the attention paid to the field, along with some inaccurate commentary regarding its potential application and merits. Additionally, this paper will address several misrepresentations regarding the potential application of AP technology that serve to distract from the significant potential of this approach to greatly improve outcomes for extremely preterm infants born at or close to the present border of viability.

Embodiment of action-related language in the native and a late foreign language - An fMRI-study

Theories of embodied cognition postulate that language processing activates similar sensory-motor structures as when interacting with the environment. Only little is known about the neural substrate of embodiment in a foreign language (L2) as compared to the mother tongue (L1). In this fMRI study, we investigated embodiment of motor and non-motor action verbs in L1 and L2 including 31 late bilinguals. Half had German as L1 and French as L2, and the other half vice-versa. We collapsed across languages to avoid the confound between language and order of language acquisition. Region of interest analyses showed stronger activation in motor regions during L2 than during L1 processing, independently of the motor-relatedness of the verbs. Moreover, a stronger involvement of motor regions for motor-related as compared to non-motor-related verbs, similarly for L1 and L2, was found. Overall, the similarity between L1 and L2 embodiment seems to depend on individual and contextual factors.

Erratum: Global Polarization of Ξ and Ω Hyperons in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV [Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 162301 (2021)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.162301.

Measurement of Direct-Photon Cross Section and Double-Helicity Asymmetry at sqrt[s]=510 GeV in p[over →]+p[over →] Collisions

We present measurements of the cross section and double-helicity asymmetry A_{LL} of direct-photon production in p[over →]+p[over →] collisions at sqrt[s]=510  GeV. The measurements have been performed at midrapidity (|η|<0.25) with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. At relativistic energies, direct photons are dominantly produced from the initial quark-gluon hard scattering and do not interact via the strong force at leading order. Therefore, at sqrt[s]=510  GeV, where leading-order-effects dominate, these measurements provide clean and direct access to the gluon helicity in the polarized proton in the gluon-momentum-fraction range 0.02<x<0.08, with direct sensitivity to the sign of the gluon contribution.

Measurements of the Elliptic and Triangular Azimuthal Anisotropies in Central ^{3}He+Au, d+Au and p+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

The elliptic (v_{2}) and triangular (v_{3}) azimuthal anisotropy coefficients in central ^{3}He+Au, d+Au, and p+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV are measured as a function of transverse momentum (p_{T}) at midrapidity (|η|<0.9), via the azimuthal angular correlation between two particles both at |η|<0.9. While the v_{2}(p_{T}) values depend on the colliding systems, the v_{3}(p_{T}) values are system independent within the uncertainties, suggesting an influence on eccentricity from subnucleonic fluctuations in these small-sized systems. These results also provide stringent constraints for the hydrodynamic modeling of these systems.

Observation of Directed Flow of Hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H in sqrt[s_{NN}]=3 GeV Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report here the first observation of directed flow (v_{1}) of the hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H in mid-central Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3  GeV at RHIC. These data are taken as part of the beam energy scan program carried out by the STAR experiment. From 165×10^{6} events in 5%-40% centrality, about 8400 _{Λ}^{3}H and 5200 _{Λ}^{4}H candidates are reconstructed through two- and three-body decay channels. We observe that these hypernuclei exhibit significant directed flow. Comparing to that of light nuclei, it is found that the midrapidity v_{1} slopes of _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H follow baryon number scaling, implying that the coalescence is the dominant mechanism for these hypernuclei production in the 3 GeV Au+Au collisions.

Beam Energy Dependence of Triton Production and Yield Ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}) in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report the triton (t) production in midrapidity (|y|<0.5) Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=7.7-200  GeV measured by the STAR experiment from the first phase of the beam energy scan at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider. The nuclear compound yield ratio (N_{t}×N_{p}/N_{d}^{2}), which is predicted to be sensitive to the fluctuation of local neutron density, is observed to decrease monotonically with increasing charged-particle multiplicity (dN_{ch}/dη) and follows a scaling behavior. The dN_{ch}/dη dependence of the yield ratio is compared to calculations from coalescence and thermal models. Enhancements in the yield ratios relative to the coalescence baseline are observed in the 0%-10% most central collisions at 19.6 and 27 GeV, with a significance of 2.3σ and 3.4σ, respectively, giving a combined significance of 4.1σ. The enhancements are not observed in peripheral collisions or model calculations without critical fluctuation, and decreases with a smaller p_{T} acceptance. The physics implications of these results on the QCD phase structure and the production mechanism of light nuclei in heavy-ion collisions are discussed.

Measurement of Sequential ϒ Suppression in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV with the STAR Experiment

We report on measurements of sequential ϒ suppression in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV with the STAR detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) through both the dielectron and dimuon decay channels. In the 0%-60% centrality class, the nuclear modification factors (R_{AA}), which quantify the level of yield suppression in heavy-ion collisions compared to p+p collisions, for ϒ(1S) and ϒ(2S) are 0.40±0.03(stat)±0.03(sys)±0.09(norm) and 0.26±0.08(stat)±0.02(sys)±0.06(norm), respectively, while the upper limit of the ϒ(3S) R_{AA} is 0.17 at a 95% confidence level. This provides experimental evidence that the ϒ(3S) is significantly more suppressed than the ϒ(1S) at RHIC. The level of suppression for ϒ(1S) is comparable to that observed at the much higher collision energy at the Large Hadron Collider. These results point to the creation of a medium at RHIC whose temperature is sufficiently high to strongly suppress excited ϒ states.

Beam Energy Dependence of Fifth- and Sixth-Order Net-Proton Number Fluctuations in Au+Au Collisions at RHIC

We report the beam energy and collision centrality dependence of fifth and sixth order cumulants (C_{5}, C_{6}) and factorial cumulants (κ_{5}, κ_{6}) of net-proton and proton number distributions, from center-of-mass energy (sqrt[s_{NN}]) 3 GeV to 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at RHIC. Cumulant ratios of net-proton (taken as proxy for net-baryon) distributions generally follow the hierarchy expected from QCD thermodynamics, except for the case of collisions at 3 GeV. The measured values of C_{6}/C_{2} for 0%-40% centrality collisions show progressively negative trend with decreasing energy, while it is positive for the lowest energy studied. These observed negative signs are consistent with QCD calculations (for baryon chemical potential, μ_{B}≤110  MeV) which contains the crossover transition range. In addition, for energies above 7.7 GeV, the measured proton κ_{n}, within uncertainties, does not support the two-component (Poisson+binomial) shape of proton number distributions that would be expected from a first-order phase transition. Taken in combination, the hyperorder proton number fluctuations suggest that the structure of QCD matter at high baryon density, μ_{B}∼750  MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3  GeV is starkly different from those at vanishing μ_{B}∼24  MeV at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV and higher collision energies.

Collision-System and Beam-Energy Dependence of Anisotropic Flow Fluctuations

Elliptic flow measurements from two-, four-, and six-particle correlations are used to investigate flow fluctuations in collisions of U+U at sqrt[s_{NN}]=193  GeV, Cu+Au at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV and Au+Au spanning the range sqrt[s_{NN}]=11.5-200  GeV. The measurements show a strong dependence of the flow fluctuations on collision centrality, a modest dependence on system size, and very little if any, dependence on particle species and beam energy. The results, when compared to similar LHC measurements, viscous hydrodynamic calculations, and trento model eccentricities, indicate that initial-state-driven fluctuations predominate the flow fluctuations generated in the collisions studied.

Evaluation of large airway specimens obtained by transbronchial lung cryobiopsy in diffuse parenchymal lung diseases

Background

The difference in diagnostic yield between surgical lung biopsy and transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) in diffuse parenchymal lung diseases (DPLD) has been reported to be due to differences in the rate of interpathologist agreement, specimen size, and specimen adequacy. In TBLC, the specimens containing large airway components are generally believed as inadequate specimens for histological evaluation, but the detailed characteristics of TBLC specimens including the large airway and the impact on histological diagnostic rates of DPLD have not been investigated.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the specimen characteristics of patients with DPLD who underwent TBLC.

Results

Between February 2018 and January 2020, 74 patients and 177 specimens were included. There were 85 (48.0%) large airway specimens (LAS) that contained bronchial gland or bronchial cartilage. The ideal specimen ratio was significantly lower in the LAS-positive group than that in the LAS-negative group (5.8% vs. 45.6%), and the proportion of bronchioles, alveoli, and perilobular area were similarly lower in the LAS-positive group. The presence of traction bronchiectasis and diaphragm overlap sign on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were also significantly higher in the LAS-positive group than those in the LAS-negative group. We observed a statistically significant trend in histological diagnostic yield (40.7% in LAS positive group; 60.8% in LAS positive and negative group; 91.6% in LAS negative group) (Cochran-Armitage trend test).

Conclusion

LAS is a specimen often collected in TBLC and contains a low percentage of bronchioles, alveoli, and perilobular area. Since the histological diagnostic yield tends to be higher in cases that do not contain LAS, it may be important to determine the biopsy site that reduces the frequency of LAS collection by referring to the HRCT findings in TBLC.

Heterogeneous carotid plaque is associated with cardiovascular events after percutaneous coronary intervention

Background

The relationship between carotid artery ultrasound findings and clinical outcomes in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients has not been fully elucidated.

Purpose

To investigate the relationship between carotid artery ultrasound findings and cardiovascular risks in PCI patients.

Methods

This was a single-center retrospective study investigating 691 patients who underwent PCI and carotid ultrasound testing. Maximum carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) was defined as the greatest CIMT at the maximally thick point among the common carotid artery, carotid bulb, and internal carotid artery. A carotid plaque was defined as vessel wall thickening with a CIMT ≥1.5 mm. The characteristics of carotid plaque (heterogeneity, calcification, or irregular/ulcerated surface) were evaluated visually. Patients were divided into those with and without heterogeneous carotid plaque (maximum CIMT ≥1.5 mm and heterogeneous texture). The endpoint was the incidence of a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) defined as a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke.

Results

Among 691 patients, 312 were categorized as having a heterogeneous plaque. Patients with heterogeneous plaques were at a higher risk of MACE than those without (p=0.002). A heterogeneous plaque was independently associated with MACE after adjusting for covariates (hazard ratio [HR], 1.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06–3.04; p=0.03). Calcified or irregular/ulcerated plaques were correlated with a higher incidence of MACE but both were not independently associated with MACE (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.70–2.67, p=0.36 and HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.66–1.93; p=0.66, respectively).

Conclusions

The presence of a heterogeneous carotid plaque in patients who underwent PCI predicted future cardiovascular events. These patients may require more aggressive medical therapy and careful follow-up.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

The vascular response to ultrathin biodegradable polymer sirolimus-eluting stent at 2-weeks and 1-year follow up in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Background

Recent clinical study suggests newer-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) that combine ultrathin strut and nano-coating with biodegradable polymers sirolimus-eluting stent (BP-SES) could improve long-term clinical outcomes in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) over current generation DES. However, the details of vascular response in very early and chronic phase have not been systematically addressed.

Objective and method

We exploratory investigate early and chronic vascular response following BP-SES implantation in patients with STEMI to reveal mechanism of the favorable clinical outcomes in recent studies using frequency domain-optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT).

Consecutive twenty-four patients with STEMI who underwent FD-OCT after primary PCI and were eligible for follow-up FD-OCT at 2 weeks and 1 year after implantation were enrolled between June 2018 and August 2020.

OCT was performed immediately after PCI, at 2-weeks (2W) and 1-year (1Y) after the primary PCI. Struts were recorded as uncovered if any part was visibly exposed in the lumen or covered if a layer of tissue covered all reflecting surfaces. Struts of stents that are smaller than 3.0mm of diameter with more than 80μm between the center reflection and the adjacent vessel surface were recorded as malapposed. The reduction of atherothrombotic protrusion burden within the stent was also assessed.

Results

Twenty-four patients (age 64.9±11.4 years, male 83.3%) were enrolled.

The percentage of uncovered struts significantly decreased from post-PCI to 2W follow-up and from 2W follow-up to 1Y follow-up (62±20% post-PCI versus 27±11% at 2W follow up, p&lt;0.0001 and 2W follow-up versus 3.3±3.3% at 1Y follow up, p&lt;0.0001). Malapposed struts also decreased from post-PCI to 2W follow-up (4.1±3.6% post-PCI versus 1.5±2.2% at 2W follow-up, p&lt;0.0001), but no significant difference was shown between 2W follow-up and 1Y follow-up (2W follow-up versus 1.0±2.3 at 1Y follow up, p=0.12). The average protrusion area of athero-thrombotic burden decreased (0.57±0.32 at post-PCI versus 0.42±0.22 mm2 at 2W follow up, p&lt;0.0001) and its volume showed similar tendency (16.6±10.7 at post-PCI versus 12.9±8.23 mm3 at 2W follow up, p=0.0011). Thrombus was shown in all patients at post-PCI, but two patients (8.0%) showed it at 1Y follow-up.

Conclusion(s)

This study elucidated very early and chronic vascular responses following ultrathin strut BP-SES implantation in STEMI patients by FD-OCT. It showed resolution of athero-thrombotic materials in very early phase and favorable progression of strut coverage in very early and chronic phase.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Evidence for Nonlinear Gluon Effects in QCD and Their Mass Number Dependence at STAR

The STAR Collaboration reports measurements of back-to-back azimuthal correlations of di-π^{0}s produced at forward pseudorapidities (2.6<η<4.0) in p+p, p+Al, and p+Au collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 200 GeV. We observe a clear suppression of the correlated yields of back-to-back π^{0} pairs in p+Al and p+Au collisions compared to the p+p data. The observed suppression of back-to-back pairs as a function of transverse momentum suggests nonlinear gluon dynamics arising at high parton densities. The larger suppression found in p+Au relative to p+Al collisions exhibits a dependence of the saturation scale Q_{s}^{2} on the mass number A. A linear scaling of the suppression with A^{1/3} is observed with a slope of -0.09±0.01.

AB0157 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF FILGOTINIB IN ACTIVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS WITH INADEQUATE RESPONSE TO METHOTREXATE: COMPARATIVE STUDY WITH FILGOTINIB AND TOCILIZUMAB EXAMINED BY CLINICAL INDEX AS WELL AS MUSCULOSKELETAL ULTRASOUND ASSESSMENT (TRANSFORM STUDY): STUDY PROTOCOL

Background

The administration of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors as well as biological disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs has dramatically improved even the clinical outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX). The dysregulation of JAK- signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathways via overproduction of cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) is involved in the pathogenesis of RA (1). Filgotinib, a preferential JAK1 inhibitor, is effective in suppressing disease activity and preventing the progression of joint destruction due to inhibition of the JAK-STAT pathway. IL-6 inhibitors such as tocilizumab also inhibit the JAK-STAT pathways due to inhibition of IL-6 signaling. Thus, it should be desirable to investigate whether the effectiveness of filgotinib monotherapy is non-inferior to those of tocilizumab monotherapy in RA patients with inadequate response to MTX. In addition, it is important to accurately evaluate disease activity at the joint level by using musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) and clinical disease activity indices, including subjective parameters (2).

Objectives

This study’s principal objective is to evaluate the effects of filgotinib monotherapy is non-inferior to those of tocilizumab monotherapy in RA patients with inadequate response to MTX. In addition, we will evaluate changes in patients’ parameters, including clinical disease activity indices, MSUS scores, serum biomarkers, patient-reported outcome (PRO), and modified total Sharp score (mTSS) after the administration of filgotinib or tocilizumab. Herein, we describe the study protocol for this study.

Methods

This study is an interventional, multicenter, randomized, open-label, parallel-group and non-inferiority clinical trial with a 52-week follow-up. In total, 400 RA patients with at least moderate disease activity during treatment with MTX will be included. Patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to administration of filgotinib 200mg/day monotherapy or subcutaneous tocilizumab 162mg/biweekly monotherapy switched from MTX (Figure 1). We will evaluate disease activity by measuring clinical disease activity indices and by using MSUS. The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients who achieve an American College of Rheumatology 50 response at week 12. Important secondary endpoints are the changes from the baseline of the MSUS scores, PRO, and mTSS. We will also comprehensively analyze the serum levels of multiple biomarkers such as cytokines and chemokines.

Figure 1.

Results

Although the study results cannot be shown because the research entry is in progress, they are expected to show the non-inferiority of filgotinib monotherapy to tocilizumab monotherapy in RA patients with inadequate response to MTX.

Conclusion

The strength of this study is its prospective evaluation of therapeutic efficacy using not only clinical disease activity indices but also MSUS, which accurately and objectively evaluate disease activity at the joint level among patients drawn from multiple centers with a standardized evaluation by MSUS. In addition, we will evaluate the effectiveness of both drugs by integrating multilateral assessments, i.e., clinical disease activity indices, MSUS findings, and serum biomarkers.

References

[1]Gadina M, Le MT, Schwartz DM, Silvennoinen O, Nakayamada S, Yamaoka K, et al. Janus kinases to jakinibs: from basic insights to clinical practice. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2019;58(Suppl 1):i4-i16.

[2]Colebatch AN, Edwards CJ, Ostergaard M, van der Heijde D, Balint PV, D’Agostino MA, et al. EULAR recommendations for the use of imaging of the joints in the clinical management of rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2013;72(6):804-14.

Disclosure of Interests

Toshimasa Shimizu: None declared, Shin-ya Kawashiri: None declared, Shimpei Morimoto: None declared, Yurika Kawazoe: None declared, Shohei Kuroda: None declared, Rina Kawasaki: None declared, Yasuko Ito: None declared, Shuntaro Sato: None declared, Hiroshi Yamamoto: None declared, Atsushi Kawakami Grant/research support from: Gilead Sciences, Inc.

OP0062 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF ADALIMUMAB WITH LOW AND HIGH DOSE-METHOTREXATE IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS WITH INADEQUATE RESPONSE TO METHOTREXATE: THE RANDOMISED CONTROLLED MIRACLE STUDY

Background

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease that causes not only joint pain but also bone destruction resulting in impairment of quality of life. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors have improved prognosis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis dramatically, especially in combination with methotrexate, however, the optimal dose of the concomitant methotrexate is unclear.

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of adalimumab in combination with reduced dose of methotrexate in patients with early RA with inadequate response to methotrexate.

Methods

The MIRACLE study was a multinational, randomized, open-label study in patients with RA with inadequate response to methotrexate conducted in Asia. It compared low dose and high dose methotrexate upon starting adalimumab. Methotrexate-naive patients with RA with a disease duration of less than two years started methotrexate at 6 to 8 mg/week and increased it to the maximum tolerable dose by week 12. Patients who have not achieved remission according to simplified disease activity index (SDAI) despite methotrexate ≥ 10 mg/week at week 24 were randomised to the maximum tolerable dose of methotrexate group (10 to 25 mg/week) or the reduced dose group (6 to 8 mg/week) and started to receive subcutaneous adalimumab 40 mg every other week. The primary endpoint was non-inferiority in the achievement of SDAI remission at week 48 in the reduced dose group compared with the maximum tolerable dose group with a non-inferiority margin of -15% based on two-sided 90% confidence interval. (NCT03505008)

Results

A total of 300 patients were enrolled in the study. Among them, 291 started methotrexate and were included in the analysis. The mean age was 57.7±15.2 years, female was 74.6%, and the mean disease duration from the diagnosis of RA was 21.1±56.2 days. Anti-CCP antibody was positive in 211 (73.0%) and the mean SDAI at study enrollment was 26.5±12.4. At week 24, with the mean dose of methotrexate of 12.6±2.9 mg/week, 108 patients (37.1%) achieved remission according to SDAI and continued MTX monotherapy. 134 patients (46.0%) were randomised and started adalimumab with 68 patients in the maximum tolerable dose group and 66 patients in the reduced dose group. At week 48, the remission achievement rates were 38.4 % and 44.8 %, respectively, with the adjusted risk difference of the reduced dose group to the maximum tolerable dose group of 6.4% (-7.0% to 19.8%, 90% CI), which met the criterion for noninferiority. No significant difference was found in health assessment questionnaire disability index ≤0.5 (59.1% vs 62.0%, respectively, p=0.72) and in radiological remission rates (Δmodified total Sharp score ≤0.5, 66.3% vs 62.0 %, respectively, p=0.59). Adverse drug reactions tended to be more frequent in the maximum tolerable dose group than in the reduced dose group (22.1% vs 9.1%, respectively, p=0.06).

Conclusion

The MIRACLE randomised study demonstrated that, in patients with inadequate response to methotrexate, the efficacy of adalimumab with reduced dose of concomitant methotrexate was not inferior to that with maximum tolerable dose of methotrexate with better safety profile.

Disclosure of Interests

Hiroya Tamai Speakers bureau: Eisai, Grant/research support from: Eisai, Kei Ikeda Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Gilead, Asahi-Kasei, Grant/research support from: Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Toshiaki Miyamoto: None declared, Hiroaki Taguchi: None declared, Chang-Fu Kuo: None declared, Kichul Shin: None declared, Shintaro Hirata Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Asahi-Kasei, Astellas, Ayumi, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Chugai, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Glaxo SmithKline, Janssen, Kyorin, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, Tanabe-Mitsubishi, UCB, Paid instructor for: AbbVie, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Consultant of: AbbVie, Astellas, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eisai, Gilead, Ily Lilly, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Asahi-Kasei, Eisai, Otsuka, Sanofi, Shionogi, Chugai, Pfizer, Tanabe-Mitsubishi, Eli Lilly, UCB, yutaka okano: None declared, Shinji Sato Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Eisai, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Eisai, Hidekata Yasuoka Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Asahi Kasei Pharma, Astellas, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Kissei, Takeda, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Chugai, Novartis, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Janssen, Sanofi, Teijin, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Bayer, Glaxo Smith Kline, Paid instructor for: AbbVie, Consultant of: AbbVie, Asahi Kasei, Grant/research support from: Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Takeda, Daiichi-Sankyo, Chugai, Bristol-Myers, MSD, Astellas, In Ah Choi Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Eisai, Sung-Hwan Park: None declared, Meng-Yu Weng Paid instructor for: Novartis, Eli Lilly, ChuGai, Abbvie, Consultant of: Abbvie, Masataka Kuwana Speakers bureau: Astellas, Asahi Kasei Pharma, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai, Eisai, Janssen, Mochida, Nippon Shinyaku, Ono Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Consultant of: Boehringer-Ingelheim, Kissei, Mochida, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Asahi Kasei Pharma, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai, Eisai, MBL, Nippon Shinyaku, Ono Pharmaceuticals, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Yun Jong Lee Grant/research support from: Yuhan, Tomonori Ishii Speakers bureau: Chugai, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Glaxo Smith Kline, Pfizer, Eli Lilly, Janssen, AbbVie, Eisai, Astellas, Jinhyun Kim: None declared, Hideto Kameda Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Pfizer, Consultant of: AbbVie, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Eisai, Toshihisa Kojima Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Pfizer, Eisai, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Han Joo Baek: None declared, Ping-Ning Hsu: None declared, Chun-Ming Huang Paid instructor for: Abbvie, Pfizer, Tien-Tsai Cheng Paid instructor for: Abbvie, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Wan-Yu Sung: None declared, Takehiro Taninaga Shareholder of: Eisai.co.,Ltd., Employee of: Eisai.co.,Ltd., Masahiko Mori Shareholder of: Eisai.co.,Ltd., Employee of: Eisai.co.,Ltd., Hideaki Miyagishi Shareholder of: Eisai.co.,Ltd., Employee of: Eisai.co.,Ltd., Yasunori Sato Speakers bureau: Eisai Co., Ltd. Kowa Company, Ltd., Consultant of: MOCHIDA PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD, Tsutomu Takeuchi Speakers bureau: Astellas, AbbVie, Ayumi, Bristol Myers Squibb, Chugai, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Glaxo Smith Kline, Janssen, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Nippon-kayaku, Novartis, Pfizer, Sanofi, UCB, Grant/research support from: Asahi Kasei, AbbVie, Ayumi, Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Sanofi, UCB, Yuko Kaneko Speakers bureau: Asahi Kasei, Astellas, Ayumi, Bristol Myers Squibb, Chugai, Eisai, Elli Lilly, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Novartis, UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Chugai, Eisai, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, UCB.

POS0857 PHARMACOKINETICS, SAFETY, AND EFFICACY OF SUBCUTANEOUS BRODALUMAB FOR SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS WITH MODERATE-TO-SEVERE SKIN THICKENING: A SINGLE-ARM, OPEN-LABEL, MULTI-DOSE, PHASE 1 TRIAL

Background

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune disease that causes fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. The mechanism of SSc pathogenesis and progression is not clear yet and SSc is therefore a disease with high unmet medical need. Though recent evidence reveals that interleukin-17 (IL-17) may play an essential role in the pathogenesis of multiple autoimmune inflammatory diseases, the role of IL-17 in SSc has not been established.

Objectives

This trial assessed the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and efficacy of multiple subcutaneous doses of brodalumab, a fully human anti–IL-17RA monoclonal antibody that inhibits the activity of IL-17A, IL-17C, IL-17F, IL-17A/F, and IL-17E (also called IL 25), in Japanese SSc patients with moderate-to-severe skin thickening.

Methods

In this trial, eligible patients (the modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS):10-29, present with the first symptoms of SSc other than Raynaud’s phenomenon within 60 months at enrolment) were enrolled and received subcutaneous brodalumab 210 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) during the 52-week period. Primary endpoints were PK and safety. Secondary endpoints included change from baseline in mRSS and Composite Response Index in SSc (CRISS) score. Exploratory endpoints included lymphocyte subset testing.

Results

Eligible 8 patients were enrolled. Mean (SD) age was 53.6 (10.6) years. All patients had diffuse cutaneous SSc, total mRSS was 23.1 (5.1) and disease duration was 2.2 (1.9) years. Mean (SD) serum brodalumab trough concentration increased to 21.8 (16.7) μg/mL at week 2 and remained almost constant at week 52. Drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events were observed in three patients: oral candidiasis (n=3), vulvovaginal candidiasis (n=1), and arthralgia (n=1). A rapid decrease in mRSS was observed as early as week 4 (-1.3 vs baseline, p<0.005), which continued until week 52 (-10.125 vs baseline, p<0.0001). Brodalumab reduced dermal thickness of the lesional skin consistent with the decrease in mRSS. All patients achieved a CRISS score ≥0.6 at week 24, which continued until week 52. Brodalumab induced Th17/Treg balance to Treg dominance over 52 weeks (vs baseline, p<0.05). The rapid decrease in the number of immunoglobulin G class-switched memory B cells and plasmablasts (vs baseline, p<0.01) was accompanied by an increase in the number of transitional B cells (vs baseline, p<0.05) by week 52.

Conclusion

Brodalumab demonstrated a rapid and sustained decrease in mRSS over 52 weeks in Japanese SSc patients with moderate-to-severe skin thickening, which could be attributed to its direct effects on fibroblasts and indirect effects via impacts on B and T cell subsets.

References

None.

Mean Change from Baseline in mRSS and Mean mRSS over the 52-week follow up. (Mean +/- SD)

Table 1.

Other efficacy endpoints

BaselineWeek 12Week 24Week 52Number of finger digital ulcersmean1.91.610.3SD2.32.31.60.7P valueNA0.170.040.04Percent predicted FVC, %mean86.787.185.985.3SD13.114.41414.1P valueNA0.70.450.3Percent predicted DLCO, %mean92.689.388.989.1SD22.522.919.422.2P valueNA0.060.090.18PGA, mmmean48.647.943.445.8SD23.925.72624.6P valueNA0.660.040.71CGA, mmmean68.953.539.530.3SD23.91916.713.9P valueNA<.001<.001<.001J-HAQ-DI scoremean0.220.170.130.19SD0.490.440.350.35P valueNA0.40.170.7

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the patients and their families for their participation in this trial. We thank all the investigators who had a part in this study for their contribution.

Disclosure of Interests

Takemichi Fukasawa: None declared, Ayumi Yoshizaki: None declared, Hisashi Kagebayashi Employee of: Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shinichi Sato Consultant of: Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.

POS0687 INHIBITION OF BONE EROSION, DETERMINED BY HIGH-RESOLUTION PERIPHERAL QUANTITATIVE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (HR-pQCT), IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS RECEIVING A CONVENTIONAL SYNTHETIC DMARD (csDMARD) PLUS DENOSUMAB VS csDMARD THERAPY ALONE: RESULTS OF AN OPEN-LABEL, RANDOMIZED, PARALLEL-GROUP STUDY

Background

Denosumab, a human IgG2 monoclonal antibody with high affinity for RANKL, is approved for treatment of bone erosion (ER) in patients with RA, based on the results of clinical trials. However, its effectiveness in combination with conventional therapy in RA patients has not been fully investigated in clinical practice.

Objectives

This exploratory study aimed to compare, in patients receiving conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARD) for treatment of RA, the effectiveness of combined use of csDMARD and denosumab vs csDMARD alone, in terms of inhibition of ER determined by HR-pQCT.

Methods

Detail protocol of this open-label, randomized, parallel-group study has been published previously.1 RA patients with moderate or low disease activity and progressive ER were eligible, and were randomly assigned to receive denosumab in addition to the csDMARD (denosumab) group or to continued use of the csDMARD alone (csDMARD) group. Denosumab was administered every 6 months during the 12-month study period. The primary endpoint was change in ER-depth at the second and third metacarpal bones, determined by HR-pQCT at month 6. For the primary endpoint, a linear mixed effect model analysis was performed using treatment group, sex, anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody (positive vs negative), and baseline disease activity (DAS28-ESR) as fixed effects, patients as random effects, and baseline values as covariates. For extension data, measurement time-point and the interaction between treatment group and measurement time-point was further added as fixed effects. The adverse events (AEs) were recorded.

Results

A total of 46 patients were randomized to denosumab and csDMARD groups (both N=23), and baseline characteristics were similar between both groups. Although the difference was not significant, the estimate mean (95%CI) change of ER-depth at month 6 from baseline as the primary endpoint was −0.57 (−1.52, 0.39) in the denosumab group vs −0.22 (−0.97, 0.53) in the csDMARD group, respectively. At months 6 and 12, ER-depth, -width, and -volume (extension data) were numerically lower in the denosumab group than in the csDMARD group (Table 1). Compared with patients in the csDMARD group, those in the denosumab group had significantly higher volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) at month 12. AEs were reported in 12 (52.2%) and 13 (56.5%) of patients in the denosumab and csDMARD groups, respectively. The most common AEs of denosumab groups was hypocalcemia (reported in 4), and all the events were causally related with denosumab. Serious AEs were reported in 1 (4.3%) and 2 (8.7%) of patients in the denosumab and csDMARD groups, and which were not related to treatment drug.

Table 1.

ER and microstructure in denosumab group vs csDMARD group

MonthDenosumab group (n=21)csDMARDs group (n=22)Difference (Denosumab- csDMARDs)n1Estimate Means [95%CI]n1Estimate Means [95%CI]Estimate Means [95%CI]ER-depth617−0.46 [−1.31, 0.39]25−0.20 [−0.89, 0.49]−0.27 [−0.86, 0.32]1217−0.56 [−1.41, 0.29]22−0.20 [−0.90, 0.49]−0.35 [−0.95, 0.24]ER-width617−0.26 [−1.10, 0.57]25−0.06 [−0.73, 0.61]−0.20 [−0.81, 0.40]1217−0.27 [−1.10, 0.56]22−0.03 [−0.70, 0.64]−0.24 [−0.85, 0.38]ER-volume616−6.21 [−23.89, 11.46]24−1.71 [−16.07, 12.66]−4.51 [−16.67, 7.65]1217−6.25 [−23.94, 11.44]21−3.18 [−17.56, 11.20]−3.07 [−15.32, 9.17]vBMD6426.41 [2.78, 10.03]442.46 [−1.33, 6.24]3.95 [−0.05, 7.94]12389.20 [5.46, 12.95]423.66 [−0.15, 7.46]5.55 [1.46, 9.63]*

These were extension data.

This is the efficacy analysis set which excluded 3 patients from the full analysis set.

*; p<0.01

n, number of patients; n1, number of measurement points

Conclusion

Our results suggest that adding denosumab to csDMARD therapy may help prevent ER, promote ER repair, and improve bone microstructure.

References

[1]Iwamoto N, et al., Trials. 2019;20(1):1–8.

Disclosure of Interests

Naoki Iwamoto Speakers bureau: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Grant/research support from: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Ko Chiba Speakers bureau: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Shuntaro Sato: None declared, Kazuteru Shiraishi: None declared, Konosuke Watanabe: None declared, Nozomi Ohki: None declared, Akitomo Okada: None declared, Tomohiro Koga: None declared, Makiko Kobayashi Employee of: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. (retired at submission), Kengo Saito Employee of: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Naoki Okubo Employee of: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Atsushi Kawakami Speakers bureau: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Grant/research support from: Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd.

OP0112 THE EVER-LARGEST ASIAN GWAS FOR SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS AND TRANS-POPULATION META-ANALYSIS IDENTIFIED SEVEN NOVEL LOCI AND A CANDIDATE CAUSAL SNP IN A CIS-REGULATORY ELEMENT OF THE FCGR REGION

Background

Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have identified 29 disease-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for systemic sclerosis (SSc) in non-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) regions (1-7). While these GWASs have clarified genetic architectures of SSc, study subjects were mainly Caucasians limiting application of the findings to Asians.

Objectives

The study was conducted to identify novel causal variants for SSc specific to Japanese subjects as well as those shared with European population. We also aimed to clarify mechanistic effects of the variants on pathogenesis of SSc.

Methods

A total of 114,108 subjects comprising 1,499 cases and 112,609 controls were enrolled in the two-staged study leading to the ever-largest Asian GWAS for SSc. After applying a strict quality control both for genotype and samples, imputation was conducted using the reference panel of the phase 3v5 1,000 genome project data combined with a high-depth whole-genome sequence data of 3,256 Japanese subjects. We conducted logistic regression analyses and also combined the Japanese GWAS results with those of Europeans (6) by an inverse-variance fixed-effect model. Polygenicity and enrichment of functional annotations were evaluated by linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC), Haploreg and IMPACT programs. We also constructed polygenic risk score (PRS) to predict SSc development.

Results

We identified three (FCRLA-FCGR, TNFAIP3, PLD4) and four (EOMES, ESR1, SLC12A5, TPI1P2) novel loci in Japanese GWAS and a trans-population meta-analysis, respectively. One of Japanese novel risk SNPs, rs6697139, located within FCGR gene clusters had a strong effect size (OR 2.05, P=4.9×10-11). We also found the complete LD variant, rs10917688, was positioned in cis-regulatory element and binding motif for an immunomodulatory transcription factor IRF8 in B cells, another genome-wide significant locus in our trans-ethnic meta-analysis and the previous European GWAS. Notably, the association of risk allele of rs10917688 was significant only in the presence of the risk allele of the IRF8. Intriguingly, rs10917688 was annotated as one enhancer-related histone marks, H3K4me1, in B cells, implying that FCGR gene(s) in B cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SSc. Furhtermore, significant heritability enrichment of active histone marks and a transcription factor C-Myc were found in B cells both in European and Japanese populations by LDSC and IMPACT, highlighting a possibility of a shared disease mechanism where abnormal B-cell activation may be one of the key drivers for the disease development. Finally, PRS using effects sizes of European GWAS moderately fit in the development of Japanese SSc (AUC 0.593), paving a path to personalized medicine for SSc.

Conclusion

Our study identified seven novel susceptibility loci in SSc. Downstream analyses highlighted a novel disease mechanism of SSc where an interactive role of FCGR gene(s) and IRF8 may accelerate the disease development and B cells may play a key role on the pathogenesis of SSc.

References

[1]F. C. Arnett et al. Ann Rheum Dis, 2010.

[2]T. R. Radstake et al. Nat Genet, 2010.

[3]Y. Allanore et al. PLoS Genet, 2011.

[4]O. Gorlova et al. PLoS Genet, 2011.

[5]C. Terao et al. Ann Rheum Dis, 2017.

[6]E. López-Isac et al. Nat Commun, 2019.

[7]W. Pu et al. J Invest Dermatol, 2021.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS0881 EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF SUBCUTANEOUS BRODALUMAB, A FULLY HUMAN ANTI–IL-17RA MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY, FOR SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS WITH MODERATE-TO-SEVERE SKIN THICKENING: A MULTICENTER, RANDOMIZED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED, DOUBLE-BLIND PHASE 3 STUDY

Background

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare chronic connective tissue disease of unknown cause characterized by autoimmunity, vasculopathy, and fibrosis of the skin and various internal organs. It is considered to constitute an area of high unmet medical needed due to limited treatment options and no sufficiently effective treatments. Our previous study (the single-arm, open-label, phase 1 study) indicated that brodalumab, a fully human anti-IL-17RA monoclonal antibody, had a potential to improve skin sclerosis in SSc patients, which could be attributed to its direct effects on fibroblasts and indirect effects via impacts on both B cell and T cell subsets (NCT04368403).

Objectives

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of brodalumab for SSc patients with moderate-to-severe skin thickening in a phase 3, multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

Methods

Eligible patients (modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS):10-29, present with the first symptoms of SSc other than Raynaud’s phenomenon within 60 months at enrolment) were randomized (1:1) to receive subcutaneous brodalumab 210 mg every 2 weeks (Q2W) or placebo during the 52-week placebo-controlled period. Primary endpoint was change from baseline of mRSS at week 24. Patients with an increase in mRSS of ≥5 points and ≥20% from baseline at or after week 24 were permitted to receive open-label treatment with brodalumab.

Results

A total of 100 patients was randomized to the brodalumab group (n=50) or the placebo group (n=50). Forty-six and 45 patients had diffuse cutaneous SSc in the brodalumab and placebo groups, respectively. In both groups, 47 patients completed the 24-week follow-up. Forty-four and 43 patients in the brodalumab and placebo groups completed the 52-week follow-up, respectively. At or after week 24, 38 patients (placebo, n=37; brodalumab, n=1) were switched to the active drug. Brodalumab achieved the primary endpoint (treatment difference of least square mean: −21.2 [95% CI -23.9, 18.5]; P<0.0001), and demonstrated a rapid, sustained reduction in mRSS over 52 weeks. Brodalumab also elevated the composite response index in SSc (CRISS) score, suppressed new development of digital ulcers, deterioration of respiratory function, and progression of lung lesions. Moreover, treatment of brodalumab improved the frequency scale for the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (FSSG) score, global assessment by physician (CGA) and patient (PGA), the Japanese version of the health assessment questionnaire-disability index (J-HAQ-DI) score, and the functional assessment of chronic illness therapy-fatigue (FACIT-Fatigue) score. The safety profile did not differ from that previously observed in other diseases such as psoriasis and ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis.

Conclusion

Brodalumab demonstrated a rapid, sustained, and significant decrease in skin sclerosis. Moreover, the outcome of brodalumab treatment suggested its therapeutic effects on lung/respiratory functions, digital ulcers, the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, and QOL without any noteworthy safety concerns.

References

None.

Figure 1.

mRSS over the 24-week follow up. (Mean +/- SD)

Table 1.

Secondary endpoints at week 24

BrodalumabPlacebomeanSDmeanSDDifference95% CIP valueMedian CRISS score1NA0NANANA<0.0001Cumulative new digital ulcer count0.10.285.06.5-4.9[-6.8, -3.0]<0.0001Percent predicted FVC*, %0.194.43-5.047.395.23[2.73, 7.72]<0.0001Percent predicted DLCO*, %-0.596.808-5.966.7735.38[2.60, 8.16]0.00022FSSG score*-2.35.9910.111.16-12.4[-16.1, -8.7]<0.0001PGA*, mm-6.821.9426.124.17-32.9[-42.3, -23.4]<0.0001CGA*, mm-34.014.6913.823.05-63.4[-71.9, -54.9]<0.0001J-HAQ-DI*-0.0450.2340.6980.7065-0.743[-0.958, -0.527]<0.0001FACIT-Fatigue subscale score*2.2346.869-9.40414.765811.638[6.920, 16.356]<0.0001

*Change from baseline

Acknowledgements

We gratefully acknowledge the patients and their families for their participation in this trial. We thank all the investigators who had a part in this study for their contribution.

Disclosure of Interests

Takemichi Fukasawa: None declared, Ayumi Yoshizaki: None declared, Hisashi Kagebayashi Employee of: Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd., Shinichi Sato Consultant of: Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd.

Measurements of Proton High-Order Cumulants in sqrt[s_{NN}]=3 GeV Au+Au Collisions and Implications for the QCD Critical Point

We report cumulants of the proton multiplicity distribution from dedicated fixed-target Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3.0  GeV, measured by the STAR experiment in the kinematic acceptance of rapidity (y) and transverse momentum (p_{T}) within -0.5<y<0 and 0.4<p_{T}<2.0  GeV/c. In the most central 0%-5% collisions, a proton cumulant ratio is measured to be C_{4}/C_{2}=-0.85±0.09 (stat)±0.82 (syst), which is 2σ below the Poisson baseline with respect to both the statistical and systematic uncertainties. The hadronic transport UrQMD model reproduces our C_{4}/C_{2} in the measured acceptance. Compared to higher energy results and the transport model calculations, the suppression in C_{4}/C_{2} is consistent with fluctuations driven by baryon number conservation and indicates an energy regime dominated by hadronic interactions. These data imply that the QCD critical region, if created in heavy-ion collisions, could only exist at energies higher than 3 GeV.

Measurements of _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H Lifetimes and Yields in Au+Au Collisions in the High Baryon Density Region

We report precision measurements of hypernuclei _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H lifetimes obtained from Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3.0  GeV and 7.2 GeV collected by the STAR experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider, and the first measurement of _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H midrapidity yields in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=3.0  GeV. _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H, being the two simplest bound states composed of hyperons and nucleons, are cornerstones in the field of hypernuclear physics. Their lifetimes are measured to be 221±15(stat)±19(syst)  ps for _{Λ}^{3}H and 218±6(stat)±13(syst)  ps for _{Λ}^{4}H. The p_{T}-integrated yields of _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H are presented in different centrality and rapidity intervals. It is observed that the shape of the rapidity distribution of _{Λ}^{4}H is different for 0%-10% and 10%-50% centrality collisions. Thermal model calculations, using the canonical ensemble for strangeness, describes the _{Λ}^{3}H yield well, while underestimating the _{Λ}^{4}H yield. Transport models, combining baryonic mean-field and coalescence (jam) or utilizing dynamical cluster formation via baryonic interactions (phqmd) for light nuclei and hypernuclei production, approximately describe the measured _{Λ}^{3}H and _{Λ}^{4}H yields. Our measurements provide means to precisely assess our understanding of the fundamental baryonic interactions with strange quarks, which can impact our understanding of more complicated systems involving hyperons, such as the interior of neutron stars or exotic hypernuclei.

Probing the Gluonic Structure of the Deuteron with J/ψ Photoproduction in d+Au Ultraperipheral Collisions

Understanding gluon density distributions and how they are modified in nuclei are among the most important goals in nuclear physics. In recent years, diffractive vector meson production measured in ultraperipheral collisions (UPCs) at heavy-ion colliders has provided a new tool for probing the gluon density. In this Letter, we report the first measurement of J/ψ photoproduction off the deuteron in UPCs at the center-of-mass energy sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV in d+Au collisions. The differential cross section as a function of momentum transfer -t is measured. In addition, data with a neutron tagged in the deuteron-going zero-degree calorimeter is investigated for the first time, which is found to be consistent with the expectation of incoherent diffractive scattering at low momentum transfer. Theoretical predictions based on the color glass condensate saturation model and the leading twist approximation nuclear shadowing model are compared with the data quantitatively. A better agreement with the saturation model has been observed. With the current measurement, the results are found to be directly sensitive to the gluon density distribution of the deuteron and the deuteron breakup process, which provides insights into the nuclear gluonic structure.

Search for the Chiral Magnetic Effect via Charge-Dependent Azimuthal Correlations Relative to Spectator and Participant Planes in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

The chiral magnetic effect (CME) refers to charge separation along a strong magnetic field due to imbalanced chirality of quarks in local parity and charge-parity violating domains in quantum chromodynamics. The experimental measurement of the charge separation is made difficult by the presence of a major background from elliptic azimuthal anisotropy. This background and the CME signal have different sensitivities to the spectator and participant planes, and could thus be determined by measurements with respect to these planes. We report such measurements in Au+Au collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 200 GeV at the Relativistic Heavy-Ion Collider. It is found that the charge separation, with the flow background removed, is consistent with zero in peripheral (large impact parameter) collisions. Some indication of finite CME signals is seen in midcentral (intermediate impact parameter) collisions. Significant residual background effects may, however, still be present.

Precise Measurement of Differential Cross Sections of the Σ^{-}p→Λn Reaction in Momentum Range 470-650 MeV/c

The differential cross sections of the Σ^{-}p→Λn reaction were measured accurately for the Σ^{-} momentum (p_{Σ}) ranging from 470 to 650  MeV/c at the J-PARC Hadron Experimental Facility. Precise angular information about the Σ^{-}p→Λn reaction was obtained for the first time by detecting approximately 100 reaction events at each angular step of Δcosθ=0.1. The obtained differential cross sections show a slightly forward-peaking structure in the measured momentum regions. The cross sections integrated for -0.7≤cosθ≤1.0 were obtained as 22.5±0.68 [statistical error(stat.)] ±0.65 [systematic error(syst.)] mb and 15.8±0.83(stat)±0.52(syst)  mb for 470<p_{Σ}(MeV/c)<550 and 550<p_{Σ}(MeV/c)<650, respectively. These results show a drastic improvement compared with past measurements of the hyperon-proton scattering experiments. They will play essential roles in updating the theoretical models of the baryon-baryon interactions.

Recent progress and future prospects of hyperon nucleon scattering experiment

A new hyperon-proton scattering experiment, dubbed J-PARC E40, was performed to measure differential cross sections of the Σ+p, Σ−p elastic scatterings and the Σ−p → Λn scattering by identifying a lot of Σ particles in the momentum ranging from 0.4 to 0.8 GeV/c produced by the π±p → K+Σ± reactions. We successfully measured the differential cross sections of these three channels with a drastically improved accuracy with a fine angular step. These new data will become important experimental constraints to improve the theories of the two-body baryon-baryon interactions. Following this success, we proposed a new experiment to measure the differential cross sections and spin observables by using a highly polarized Λ beam for providing quantitative information on the ΛN interaction. The results of three Σp channels and future prospects of the Λp scattering experiment are described.

Measurement of the Sixth-Order Cumulant of Net-Proton Multiplicity Distributions in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=27, 54.4, and 200 GeV at RHIC

According to first-principle lattice QCD calculations, the transition from quark-gluon plasma to hadronic matter is a smooth crossover in the region μ_{B}≤T_{c}. In this range the ratio, C_{6}/C_{2}, of net-baryon distributions are predicted to be negative. In this Letter, we report the first measurement of the midrapidity net-proton C_{6}/C_{2} from 27, 54.4, and 200 GeV Au+Au collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The dependence on collision centrality and kinematic acceptance in (p_{T}, y) are analyzed. While for 27 and 54.4 GeV collisions the C_{6}/C_{2} values are close to zero within uncertainties, it is observed that for 200 GeV collisions, the C_{6}/C_{2} ratio becomes progressively negative from peripheral to central collisions. Transport model calculations without critical dynamics predict mostly positive values except for the most central collisions within uncertainties. These observations seem to favor a smooth crossover in the high-energy nuclear collisions at top RHIC energy.

Probing Gluon Spin-Momentum Correlations in Transversely Polarized Protons through Midrapidity Isolated Direct Photons in p^{↑}+p Collisions at sqrt[s]=200 GeV

Studying spin-momentum correlations in hadronic collisions offers a glimpse into a three-dimensional picture of proton structure. The transverse single-spin asymmetry for midrapidity isolated direct photons in p^{↑}+p collisions at sqrt[s]=200  GeV is measured with the PHENIX detector at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). Because direct photons in particular are produced from the hard scattering and do not interact via the strong force, this measurement is a clean probe of initial-state spin-momentum correlations inside the proton and is in particular sensitive to gluon interference effects within the proton. This is the first time direct photons have been used as a probe of spin-momentum correlations at RHIC. The uncertainties on the results are a 50-fold improvement with respect to those of the one prior measurement for the same observable, from the Fermilab E704 experiment. These results constrain gluon spin-momentum correlations in transversely polarized protons.

Perspectives on follow-up care and research for childhood cancer survivors: results from an international SIOP meet-the-expert questionnaire in Kyoto, 2018

INTRODUCTION

Survival of childhood cancer has increased over the past decades. This has led to the development of strategies aiming to enhance follow-up care and research, for which priorities may vary globally. We explored perspectives of an international healthcare workers panel.

METHODS

Attendants of a meet-the-expert session on childhood cancer survivorship at the 2018 SIOP conference completed a survey about their view on important follow-up care and research aspects for survivors below and over 18 years. We analysed overarching categories and subtopics, and compared Asian versus European and North American healthcare workers.

RESULTS

A total of 58 participants from different medical specialties (67.2% paediatric oncologists) and continents (48.3% Asia, 39.7% Europe/North America) responded. Follow-up care priorities for survivors below and over 18 years included physical care (39.3% ≤18 years, 35.9% >18 years) and healthcare structure (29.4%, 26.0%). Physical care was also the most important research aspect for both age groups (52.5%, 50.7%). Psychological support was the most frequently reported subtopic. Asian clinicians (n = 22) primarily prioritized physical care aspects of follow-up care, whereas European/North American (n = 19) clinicians underscored the importance of healthcare structure.

CONCLUSION

Physical care is the most important aspect of survivorship care and research according to clinicians from several continents. Asian and European/North American respondents shared most priorities, however, healthcare structure was a more important category for European/North American clinicians. The most common subtopic was psychological support, underlining also the need to involve psychologists in follow-up.

Observation of D_{s}^{±}/D^{0} Enhancement in Au+Au Collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200 GeV

We report on the first measurement of charm-strange meson D_{s}^{±} production at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV from the STAR experiment. The yield ratio between strange (D_{s}^{±}) and nonstrange (D^{0}) open-charm mesons is presented and compared to model calculations. A significant enhancement, relative to a pythia simulation of p+p collisions, is observed in the D_{s}^{±}/D^{0} yield ratio in Au+Au collisions over a large range of collision centralities. Model calculations incorporating abundant strange-quark production in the quark-gluon plasma and coalescence hadronization qualitatively reproduce the data. The transverse-momentum integrated yield ratio of D_{s}^{±}/D^{0} at midrapidity is consistent with a prediction from a statistical hadronization model with the parameters constrained by the yields of light and strange hadrons measured at the same collision energy. These results suggest that the coalescence of charm quarks with strange quarks in the quark-gluon plasma plays an important role in D_{s}^{±}-meson production in heavy-ion collisions.

Measurement of e^{+}e^{-} Momentum and Angular Distributions from Linearly Polarized Photon Collisions

The Breit-Wheeler process which produces matter and antimatter from photon collisions is experimentally investigated through the observation of 6085 exclusive electron-positron pairs in ultraperipheral Au+Au collisions at sqrt[s_{NN}]=200  GeV. The measurements reveal a large fourth-order angular modulation of cos4Δϕ=(16.8±2.5)% and smooth invariant mass distribution absent of vector mesons (ϕ, ω, and ρ) at the experimental limit of ≤0.2% of the observed yields. The differential cross section as a function of e^{+}e^{-} pair transverse momentum P_{⊥} peaks at low value with sqrt[⟨P_{⊥}^{2}⟩]=38.1±0.9  MeV and displays a significant centrality dependence. These features are consistent with QED calculations for the collision of linearly polarized photons quantized from the extremely strong electromagnetic fields generated by the highly charged Au nuclei at ultrarelativistic speed. The experimental results have implications for vacuum birefringence and for mapping the magnetic field which is important for emergent QCD phenomena.

Peripheral blood mononuclear cell response to YKL-40 and Galectin-3 in cystic fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Elevated circulating levels of YKL-40 correlate with disease severity in Cystic Fibrosis (CF), but the role of YKL-40 in the inflammatory response in CF is still under investigation. Our main goal was to evaluate if YKL-40 can modulate the expression of major cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IL-13) implicated in the inflammatory response in CF. A secondary goal was to explore the interactions between YKL-40 and other circulating proteins to determine the impacts on cytokine modulation.

METHOD

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from the blood of 83 adult CF patients in stable clinical condition. PBMCs were treated with human YKL-40 followed by the measure of IL-6, IL-10 and IL-13 gene expression. Protein arrays were used to explore the interactions between YKL-40 and circulating proteins. Interaction with Galectin-3 (GAL3) was identified, and confirmed by binding assay. Cytokine gene expressions were again monitored by RT-qPCR after PBMC treatment with GAL3, with or without YKL-40 co-stimulation.

RESULTS

Following YKL-40 stimulation, PBMC gene expression of IL-6, IL-10 and IL-13 varies across patients. IL-6 and IL-13 are coexpressed, but this response was different in male and female patients. GAL3 protein was detected in the blood of CF patients, and a molecular interaction with YKL-40 was identified. GAL3 did not interfere with the YKL-40 stimulation of IL-6, IL-10 and IL-13 but may modulate the coexpression.

CONCLUSION

We observed that YKL-40 stimulation had a variable impact on IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13 gene expression in CF PBMCs and uncovered an interaction between GAL3 and YKL-40 in the serum of CF patients. Our findings suggest that YKL-40 is not only a biomarker of disease severity in CF, but it might play an active role in the inflammatory pathophysiology of the disease.

Constraints on Cosmic Strings Using Data from the Third Advanced LIGO-Virgo Observing Run

We search for gravitational-wave signals produced by cosmic strings in the Advanced LIGO and Virgo full O3 dataset. Search results are presented for gravitational waves produced by cosmic string loop features such as cusps, kinks, and, for the first time, kink-kink collisions. A template-based search for short-duration transient signals does not yield a detection. We also use the stochastic gravitational-wave background energy density upper limits derived from the O3 data to constrain the cosmic string tension Gμ as a function of the number of kinks, or the number of cusps, for two cosmic string loop distribution models. Additionally, we develop and test a third model that interpolates between these two models. Our results improve upon the previous LIGO-Virgo constraints on Gμ by 1 to 2 orders of magnitude depending on the model that is tested. In particular, for the one-loop distribution model, we set the most competitive constraints to date: Gμ≲4×10^{-15}. In the case of cosmic strings formed at the end of inflation in the context of grand unified theories, these results challenge simple inflationary models.