Characterizing different motility-induced regimes in active matter with machine learning and noise

We examine motility-induced phase separation (MIPS) in two-dimensional run-and-tumble disk systems using both machine learning and noise fluctuation analysis. Our measures suggest that within the MIPS state there are several distinct regimes as a function of density and run time, so that systems with MIPS transitions exhibit an active fluid, an active crystal, and a critical regime. The different regimes can be detected by combining an order parameter extracted from principal component analysis with a cluster stability measurement. The principal component-derived order parameter is maximized in the critical regime, remains low in the active fluid, and has an intermediate value in the active crystal regime. We demonstrate that machine learning can better capture dynamical properties of the MIPS regimes compared to more standard structural measures such as the maximum cluster size. The different regimes can also be characterized via changes in the noise power of the fluctuations in the average speed. In the critical regime, the noise power passes through a maximum and has a broad spectrum with a 1/f^{1.6} signature, similar to the noise observed near depinning transitions or for solids undergoing plastic deformation.

Strategies to challenge discrimination and foster inclusivity for LGBT+Q+ youth in workplaces: a qualitative exploratory study in six European countries

Background

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBT+Q+) youth are highly vulnerable to work-based discrimination, which correlates with poor social, physical and mental health. The European Union funded WE-Project aims to empower LGBT+Q+ youth in Europe through work-based educational interventions. The first leg focused on exploring barriers and facilitators to workplace equality in Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain and the United Kingdom, gathering experiences of LGBT+Q+ youth and stakeholders.

Methods

Self-identifying LGBT+Q+ 15-26 year-olds were recruited via social media and diverse organisations for semi-structured interviews, while stakeholders from various institutions were invited to participate in focus group discussions based on standardised interview and discussion guidelines. Transcriptions were coded, categorised and thematically analysed, revealing five themes: societal discrimination influencing work-life, experiences of workplace discrimination, barriers to resolve discrimination, facilitators to overcome discrimination and creation of inclusive strategies.

Results

Overall 56 LGBT+Q+ youth interviewees and 38 stakeholders from 6 European countries were recruited. Facilitators overcoming workplace discrimination and inclusive strategies towards work-based equality for LGBT+Q+ youth were varyingly emphasised and included: clear policies, open communication, staff involvement and inclusive infrastructure, LGBT+Q+ quotas as well as education on diversity in schools and increasing visibility, legal recognition of partnerships, implementing youth centres, and access to counselling.

Conclusions

Results indicate several strategies to consider when designing interventions challenging work-based discrimination of LGBT+Q+ youth. Participating countries differ in social acceptance and legal protections of LGBT+Q+ youth, but experiences and voiced issues are similar, necessitating relevant anti-discrimination interventions throughout Europe.

First-line treatment of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma: a decision-making analysis among experts

BACKGROUND

The treatment landscape of metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (mccRCC) has been transformed by targeted therapies with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) and more recently by the incorporation of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Today, a spectrum of single agent TKI to TKI/ICI and ICI/ICI combinations can be considered and the choice of the best regimen is complex.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed an updated decision-making analysis among 11 international kidney cancer experts. Each expert provided their treatment strategy and relevant decision criteria in the first line treatment of mccRCC. After the collection of all input a list of unified decision criteria was determined and compatible decision trees were created. We used a methodology based on diagnostic nodes, which allows for an automated cross-comparison of decision trees, to determine the most common treatment recommendations as well as deviations.

RESULTS

Diverse parameters were considered relevant for treatment selection, various drugs and drug combinations were recommended by the experts. The parameters, chosen by the experts, were performance status, International Metastatic renal cell carcinoma Database Consortium (IMDC) risk group, PD-L1 status, zugzwang and contraindication to immunotherapy. The systemic therapies selected for first line treatment were sunitinib, pazopanib, tivozanib, cabozantinib, ipilimumab/nivolumab or pembrolizumab/axitinib.

CONCLUSION

A wide spectrum of treatment recommendations based on multiple decision criteria was demonstrated. Significant inter-expert variations were observed. This demonstrates how data from randomized trials are implemented differently when transferred into daily practice.

Detecting depinning and nonequilibrium transitions with unsupervised machine learning

Using numerical simulations of a model disk system, we demonstrate that a machine learning generated order-parameter-like measure can detect depinning transitions and different dynamic flow phases in systems driven far from equilibrium. We specifically consider monodisperse passive disks with short range interactions undergoing a depinning phase transition when driven over quenched disorder. The machine learning derived order-parameter-like measure identifies the depinning transition as well as different dynamical regimes, such as the transition from a flowing liquid to a phase separated liquid-solid state that is not readily distinguished with traditional measures such as velocity-force curves or Voronoi tessellation. The order-parameter-like measure also shows markedly distinct behavior in the limit of high density where jamming effects occur. Our results should be general to the broad class of particle-based systems that exhibit depinning transitions and nonequilibrium phase transitions.

Dynamic phases, stratification, laning, and pattern formation for driven bidisperse disk systems in the presence of quenched disorder

Using numerical simulations, we examine the dynamics of driven two-dimensional bidisperse disks flowing over quenched disorder. The system exhibits a series of distinct dynamical phases as a function of applied driving force and packing fraction, including a phase-separated state as well as a smectic state with liquid-like or polycrystalline features. At low driving forces, we find a clogged phase with an isotropic density distribution, while at intermediate driving forces the disks separate into bands of high and low densities with either liquid-like or polycrystalline structure in the high-density bands. In addition to the density phase separation, we find that in some cases there is a fractionation of the disk species, particularly when the disk size ratio is large. The species phase-separated regimes form a variety of patterns such as large disks separated by chains of smaller disks. Our results show that the formation of laning states can be enhanced by tuning the ratio of disk radius of the two species, due to the clumping of small disks in the interstitial regions between the large disks. This system could be experimentally realized using sterically interacting colloidal particles suspended in a viscous fluid driven over random pinning arrays or granular matter suspended in fluid moving over a random landscape.

Transforming the Perioperative Treatment Paradigm in Non-Metastatic RCC-A Possible Path Forward

In 2017, there is no adjuvant systemic therapy proven to increase overall survival in non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab improves overall survival in metastatic treatment refractory RCC and is generally tolerable. Mouse solid tumor models have revealed a benefit with a short course of neoadjuvant PD-1 blockade compared to adjuvant therapy. Two ongoing phase 2 studies of perioperative nivolumab in RCC patients have shown preliminary feasibility and safety with no surgical delays or complications. The recently opened PROSPER RCC trial (A Phase 3 RandOmized Study Comparing PERioperative Nivolumab vs. Observation in Patients with Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma Undergoing Nephrectomy; EA8143) will examine if the addition of perioperative nivolumab to radical or partial nephrectomy can improve clinical outcomes in patients with high risk localized and locally advanced RCC. With the goal of increasing cure and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates in non-metastatic RCC, we are executing a three-pronged, multidisciplinary approach of presurgical priming with nivolumab followed by resection and adjuvant PD-1 blockade. We plan to enroll 766 patients with clinical stage ≥T2 or node positive M0 RCC of any histology in this global, randomized, unblinded, phase 3 National Clinical Trials Network study. The investigational arm will receive two doses of nivolumab 240 mg IV prior to surgery followed by adjuvant nivolumab for 9 months. The control arm will undergo the current standard of care: surgical resection followed by observation. Patients are stratified by clinical T stage, node positivity, and histology. The trial is powered to detect a 14.4% absolute benefit in the primary endpoint of RFS from the ASSURE historical control of 55.8% to 70.2% at 5 years (HR = 0.70). The study is also powered to detect a significant overall survival benefit (HR 0.67). Key safety, feasibility, and quality of life endpoints are incorporated. PROSPER RCC exemplifies team science with a host of planned correlative work to investigate the impact of the baseline immune milieu and changes after neoadjuvant priming on clinical outcomes.

Dynamic phases, clustering, and chain formation for driven disk systems in the presence of quenched disorder

We numerically examine the dynamic phases and pattern formation of two-dimensional monodisperse repulsive disks driven over random quenched disorder. We show that there is a series of distinct dynamic regimes as a function of increasing drive, including a clogged or pile-up phase near depinning, a homogeneous disordered flow state, and a dynamically phase separated regime consisting of high-density crystalline regions surrounded by a low density of disordered disks. At the highest drives the disks arrange into one-dimensional moving chains. The phase separated regime has parallels with the phase separation observed in active matter systems, but arises from a distinct mechanism consisting of the combination of nonequilibrium fluctuations with density-dependent mobility. We discuss the pronounced differences between this system and previous studies of driven particles with longer-range repulsive interactions moving over random substrates, such as superconducting vortices or electron crystals, where dynamical phase separation and distinct one-dimensional moving chains are not observed. Our results should be generic to a broad class of systems in which the particle-particle interactions are short ranged, such as sterically interacting colloids or Yukawa particles with strong screening driven over random pinning arrays, superconducting vortices in the limit of small penetration depths, or quasi-two-dimensional granular matter flowing over rough landscapes.

Avalanches, plasticity, and ordering in colloidal crystals under compression

Using numerical simulations we examine colloids with a long-range Coulomb interaction confined in a two-dimensional trough potential undergoing dynamical compression. As the depth of the confining well is increased, the colloids move via elastic distortions interspersed with intermittent bursts or avalanches of plastic motion. In these avalanches, the colloids rearrange to minimize their colloid-colloid repulsive interaction energy by adopting an average lattice constant that is isotropic despite the anisotropic nature of the compression. The avalanches take the form of shear banding events that decrease or increase the structural order of the system. At larger compression, the avalanches are associated with a reduction of the number of rows of colloids that fit within the confining potential, and between avalanches the colloids can exhibit partially crystalline or anisotropic ordering. The colloid velocity distributions during the avalanches have a non-Gaussian form with power-law tails and exponents that are consistent with those found for the velocity distributions of gliding dislocations. We observe similar behavior when we subsequently decompress the system, and find a partially hysteretic response reflecting the irreversibility of the plastic events.

Dynamic regimes for driven colloidal particles on a periodic substrate at commensurate and incommensurate fillings

We numerically examine colloidal particles driven over a muffin tin substrate. Previous studies of this model identified a variety of commensurate and incommensurate static phases in which topological defects can form domain walls, ordered stripes, superlattices, or disordered patchy regimes as a function of the filling fraction. Here, we show that the addition of an external drive to these static phases can produce distinct dynamical responses. At incommensurate fillings the flow occurs in the form of localized pulses or solitons correlated with topological defect structures. Transitions between different modes of motion can occur as a function of increasing drive. We measure the average particle velocity for specific ranges of external drive and show that changes in the velocity response correlate with changes in the topological defect arrangements. We also demonstrate that in the different dynamic phases, the particles have distinct trajectories and velocity distributions. Dynamic transitions between ordered and disordered flows exhibit hysteresis, while in strongly disordered regimes there is no hysteresis and the velocity-force curves are smooth. When stripe patterns are present, transport can occur at an angle to the driving direction.

Efficacy and safety of ipilimumab in metastatic melanoma patients surviving more than 2 years following treatment in a phase III trial (MDX010-20)

BACKGROUND

In a phase III trial (ClinicalTrials.gov registration ID: NCT00094653), ipilimumab significantly improved survival versus a vaccine control in pretreated patients with metastatic melanoma. Here, we characterize outcomes of those patients who survived ≥ 2 years.

METHODS

Patients were randomized (3 : 1 : 1) to receive ipilimumab 3 mg/kg + gp100 vaccine, ipilimumab 3 mg/kg + placebo, or gp100 vaccine alone. Baseline demographic data, duration of survival, responses, and safety among patients with ≥ 2 years' survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

Among 676 randomized patients, 474 and 259 patients had at least 2 or 3 years of potential follow-up, respectively, and were eligible for analysis. Among these, 94 (20%) and 42 (16%) survived ≥ 2 and ≥ 3 years, respectively. Survival rates at 2 and 3 years were 25% (24 of 95) and 25% (13 of 53) with ipilimumab alone and 19% (54 of 284) and 15% (24 of 156) with ipilimumab plus gp100. Safety among patients with ≥ 2 years' survival was comparable with the overall study population, with the onset of new ipilimumab-related toxic effect (all grades) reported in 6 of 78 (8%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Ipilimumab results in survival of ≥ 2 years in one-fifth of pretreated patients with 2 years potential follow-up in a phase III trial. New onset, low-grade events starting after administration of the last dose were infrequent.

TRIAL REGISTRATION ID

NCT00094653.

Efficacy and safety of sorafenib in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma with and without prior cytokine therapy, a subanalysis of TARGET

Before the development of targeted therapies, administration of cytokines (e.g., interleukin-2, interferon-alpha) was the primary systemic treatment option for advanced renal cell carcinoma. Sorafenib, an oral targeted, multikinase inhibitor, significantly prolonged progression-free survival and overall survival in the Treatment Approaches in Renal Cancer Global Evaluation Trial (TARGET), a large (N = 903) phase III, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study of patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma resistant to standard therapy. This analysis of a patient subgroup from TARGET evaluated the safety and efficacy of sorafenib in patients who had received prior cytokine therapy (sorafenib: n = 374; placebo: n = 368) and in patients who were cytokine-naïve (sorafenib: n = 77; placebo: n = 84). Progression-free survival was significantly prolonged with sorafenib therapy compared with placebo among patients with and without prior cytokine therapy (respectively 5.5 vs. 2.7 months; hazard ratio, 0.54; 95% confidence interval, 0.45-0.64 and 5.8 vs. 2.8 months; hazard ratio, 0.48; 95% confidence interval, 0.32-0.73). Clinical benefit rates for sorafenib-treated patients compared with placebo patients were also higher (cytokine-treated: 83 vs. 54.3%; cytokine-naïve: 85.7 vs. 56.0%). Sorafenib was well tolerated in both subgroups (grade 3/4: 20 and 22%, respectively). Sorafenib demonstrated a consistent, significant clinical benefit against advanced renal cell carcinoma, with a twofold improvement in progression-free survival and disease control rate, with similar toxicities in patients with or without prior cytokine treatment.

A single center experience with high-dose (HD) IL-2 treatment for patients with advanced melanoma and pilot investigation of a novel gene expression signature as a predictor of response

9003

Background: HD IL-2 remains one of two FDA-approved therapies for the treatment of patients (pts) with advanced melanoma. Initial studies conducted 15–20 years ago reported 16% response rate with 8% of pts achieving durable responses. The toxicity of HD IL-2 limits its application to pts treated in specialized centers. We present the clinical outcome of pts treated over a recent 2 year period with HD IL-2 at a single institution and an associated retrospective pilot study evaluating the predictive value of a novel tumor gene expression signature. Methods: Clinical and radiological data were collected and analyzed on 49 consecutive pts treated with HD IL-2 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center from 10/05 - 10/07. Response was evaluated via RECIST. Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded tumor was obtained on consenting pts and classified as either Class 1, defined by melanocyte-specific genes including MITF, or Class 2, represented by immune genes, using the DNA-mediated Annealing, Selection, and Ligation (DASL) technique. Two-sided Fisher's Exact test was used to compare the proportion of responses for pts in the two classes. Results: Clinical response occurred in 16 of the 49 pts (32.6%), with 5 pts (10.2%) having a CR. Two other pts had stable disease > 12 mos; 3 pts who progressed after response had resection to NED. 10 pts remain disease/progression free at a minimum of 16 mos following treatment. 28 pts (including 13 of 16 responders) had sufficient tumor for DASL analysis. Among the 21 categorized as Class 1, 7 (33%) were responders. Of the 7 classified as Class 2, 6 (86%) were responders. This difference in response was statistically significant (p = 0.0286). Conclusions: The overall and CR rates in a contemporary series of pts with metastatic melanoma treated with HD IL-2 are twice that reported in initial studies suggesting some treatment selection on clinical grounds since the 1990s. Pts with tumors expressing an immune signature by DASL appeared more likely to respond. This finding requires prospective validation, but suggests immune-related gene expression might contribute to IL-2 responsiveness.

[Table: see text]

ECOG 8802: Phase II trial of doxorubicin (Dox) and gemcitabine (Gem) in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with sarcomatoid features

5038

Background: Patients (pts) with RCC containing sarcomatoid features have poor prognoses.Cytokine therapy is ineffective, and experience with mTor inhibitors or multi-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors is early. We evaluated Dox/Gem in these pts with locally advanced or metastatic disease to confirm previous activity of this regimen in a single institution trial. Methods: Pts received Dox 50mg/m2 IV push and Gem 1500mg/m2 IV over 30 minutes every 2 weeks (with G-CSF 5 mcg/kg/d days 2 or 3 to 10 or pegfilgrastim 6 mg day 2) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Dose reductions occurred for low granulocytes and or platelets, mucositis, cardiac toxicity, or other grade 3 - 4 toxicities. Dox was discontinued after a cumulative dose of 450 mg/m2 unless pt had normal cardiac function. The study targeted a promising response rate (RR) of 20% vs. 5%, with 90% power and 8% Type I error. A 2-stage design was used; >4 responses were needed for efficacy. Results: From February 2004 to April 2007, 39 pts with RCC of sarcomatoid (47%) or mixed histology (53%) containing sarcomatoid features were accrued by ECOG (n = 35), NCCTG (n = 2), and CALGB (n = 2). 1 pt withdrew before treatment. Pts were mostly male (81%), with cT3/T4 (68%), node negative (61%), M1 (58%) disease at diagnosis and ECOG PS 0–1. Metastases included lung (71%) and lymph nodes (58%). Pts received a median 6.5 cycles (range, 1 - 16). Treatment was moderately tolerable: grade 4 neutropenia (3 pts, 1 with fever), grade 4 dyspnea (1 pt), grade 4 peristomal infection (1 pt). 2 of 38 pts stopped treatment due to toxicity. 1 complete and 5 partial responses (PR) were observed (16%, 90% CI 7.1–28.8%). A 7th patient had an unconfirmed PR and an eighth patient had > 50 percent decrease in tumor burden after an initial progression. 9 patients had stable disease. Two pts are alive without progression (1 with a PFS of 2.5 years), 1 is alive with progression, and 35 patients have died. Median PFS is 3.5 months (95% CI 2.8–5.2 mos). Median OS is 8.8 mos (6.1–11.1 mos). Conclusions: Dox/Gem met efficacy criteria in RCC with sarcomatoid features. A TKI/Gem regimen in ECOG is planned.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Prognostic and predictive values of carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) and pathologic features in patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma receiving targeted therapy

e16067

Background: Tumor Carbonic Anhydrase IX (CAIX) expression and histologic features can predict outcome in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) treated with immunotherapy. We sought to investigate the prognostic and predictive utility of such features in patients receiving VEGF-targeted therapy. Methods: We identified 118 patients with mRCC initiating first- line VEGF-targeted therapy including 94 with clinical data, clear cell histology and available tissue. Tumors were evaluated for specific histologic features and for CAIX expression by immunohistochemistry using the MN75 antibody. The relationship between these pathology findings and tumor shrinkage and other treatment outcomes was assessed. Results: Higher tumor clear cell component was independently associated with greater tumor shrinkage (p=0.02), response (p=0.02) and treatment duration (p=0.02). Patients with high vs. low tumor CAIX expression had mean tumor shrinkages of -12% vs. -5%, respectively (p=.38). There was heterogeneity in tumor responsiveness to sunitinib or sorafenib according to CAIX status (p=0.055 for interaction): mean shrinkage was -17% vs. -25% (mean difference +8%, 95% CI -14% to +31%) for sunitinib-treated patients with high vs. low tumor CAIX expression compared to -13% vs. +9% (mean difference -22%, 95% CI -42% to -1%) for sorafenib-treated patients. Conclusions: Patients with higher clear cell component in their tumors are likely to experience superior clinical benefit from VEGF-targeted therapy. Although CAIX expression was not found to be of prognostic value in patients with clear cell mRCC treated with VEGF-targeted therapy, it may be a predictive biomarker for response to sorafenib treatment.

[Table: see text]

Prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) treated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted agents: Results from a large multicenter study

5041

Background: Prognostic factors (PF) for OS have yet to be fully defined for patients with metastatic RCC in the era of VEGF-targeted therapy. This study identifies PFs in this population and updated survival and validation results are presented. Methods: Baseline characteristics and outcomes on anti-VEGF-naïve metastatic RCC patients were collected from three US and four Canadian centers. Using a Cox proportional hazards model, 3 risk categories for predicting survival were identified on the basis of 6 pretreatment clinical features. Results: Six-hundred forty-five patients were included. The median (m) OS was 22 months (95% CI: 20.0–24.8) with a median follow-up of 25 months. Patients were treated with sunitinib (n = 396), sorafenib (n = 200) or bevacizumab (n = 49); 33% had prior immunotherapy. Four of the five PFs previously identified by MSKCC were independent predictors of short survival, including hemoglobin below the lower limit of normal (LLN) (p < 0.0001), corrected calcium above the upper limit of normal (ULN) (p = 0.0006), Karnofsky performance status <80% (p < 0.0001) and time from initial diagnosis to initiation of therapy ULN (pULN (p = 0.012) were independent adverse PFs. Patients were assigned one point for each poor PF and were segregated into three risk categories: favorable-risk (0 PFs, n = 133) median OS (mOS) 37.0 months; intermediate-risk (1 - 2 PFs, n = 292) mOS 28.5 months; and poor-risk (3–6 PFs, n = 139) mOS 9.4 months (log rank p < 0.0001). This model produced a c-index of 0.74 and the bootstrap procedure confirmed good internal validity. The discriminatory ability of the model and its parameter estimates were not affected after adjusting for prior use of immunotherapy or the type of anti-VEGF drug used. Conclusions: These data validate components of the MSKCC model with the addition of platelet and neutrophil counts. This model derived from a large population can be incorporated into patient care and clinical trials of VEGF-targeted agents.

[Table: see text]

A state-of-the-art review of esophageal trauma: where do we stand?

The esophagus provides a diagnostic and therapeutic pathway not only for gastroenterologists but for surgeons, radiologists, cardiologists, and other specialists. Unfortunately, this procedural traffic occasionally leads to iatrogenic injury. As well, though reasonably well protected anatomically, frank esophageal injuries due to non-iatrogenic causes are not uncommon. We present a review of the literature on this subject covering anatomy, etiology, diagnostics, therapeutics, and management generally.

Bevacizumab with or without erlotinib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC)

4523

Background: Bevacizumab (B) has clinical efficacy in metastatic RCC following cytokine treatment. A single-arm Phase II trial suggested potential clinical benefit of adding erlotinib (E) to B. To further assess this combination in RCC, we conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind Phase 2 trial comparing B+E vs B + placebo. Methods: Eligibility criteria included: previously untreated metastatic RCC with >50% clear cell histology; previous nephrectomy; ECOG PS 0 or 1; measurable disease; serum Ca++ ≤ 10 mg/dL; LDH ≤ 1.5 ULN; Hgb ≥ 9 g/dL; and standard exclusion criteria for B. All pts received B 10 mg/kg IV q 2 wk with either E 150 mg po daily or placebo until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Tumors were assessed using RECIST every 8 wks. A landmark analysis was performed 9 mo after accrual of the last pt. Objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) were co-primary endpoints. Secondary endpoints included response duration, overall survival, and safety. Results: 104 pts (53 B, 51 B+E) were enrolled at 20 sites from Mar 2004–Oct 2004. 65 pts have discontinued therapy. 55 have progressed (PFS HR = 0.86, CI 0.5, 1.49). Median follow-up was 9.8 mo. Median survival duration was not reached. Only 1 treatment-related death due to GI perforation occurred (on B+E). Updated safety and survival data will be presented. Conclusions: B+E and B were well tolerated. Adding E does not appear to improve efficacy from B. PFS of 8.5 months with B compares favorably with the historical PFS of ∼ 4.7 mo with interferon alpha (IFN). Results of phase III trials comparing IFN ± B are pending.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

Lymphodepletion with high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2) and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in metastatic melanoma patients: An interim analysis

8034

Background: Lymphocyte depletion followed by homeostatic recovery has been shown to break tumor-specific tolerance. We have initiated a clinical trial of chemotherapy-induced lymphodepletion followed by high-dose (HD) IL-2 + GM-CSF in metastatic melanoma (MM) patients (pts). Methods: Pts with PS 0–1, normal organ function and with measurable MM were treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide 60 mg/kg (day 1–2), fludarabine 25 mg/m2 (day 3–7) followed by two 5-day (d) courses of intravenous HD bolus IL-2 600,000 IU/kg (d 8–12 and 21–25) and daily subcutaneous administration of GM-CSF 250 mcg/m2 (d 8 until granulocyte recovery). Results: 8 pts are presently evaluable in this first stage of accrual to confirm safety and immunomodulation. A mean of 25/28 IL-2 doses were delivered. All pts experienced transient myelosuppression with ANC < 500 cells/mm3 for a median of 7d (range 5–11d) and platelets <50,000/mm3 for a median of 5.5 days (range 0–7d). Pts exhibited reversible capillary leak associated with high-dose IL-2. With the exception of myelosuppression, no grade 4 toxicities occurred. All pts experienced neutropenic fever and 2 developed line infections. CD4+/CD25high/CD62L+ T cells rebounded by d 14, peaked around d 28 and returned to baseline by d 85. CD8+/CD28- T cells recovered to levels lower than baseline for the first 28d but then showed persistent elevation through d 113. Skewing of T-cell populations based on TCR β chain expression was observed. One pt achieved complete response, 2 achieved partial responses, and 5 progressed. Conclusions: Lymphodepletion followed by high-dose IL-2 can be safely administered, affects immune reconstitution, and has activity in MM that may be useful as a platform for enhancing immunotherapeutic strategies. The trial continues to accrue in order to better estimate antitumor activity and immunomodulation.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

PDDL2.1 -- The Art of the Possible? Commentary on Fox and Long

PDDL2.1 was designed to push the envelope of what planning algorithms can do, and it has succeeded. It adds two important features: durative actions,which take time (and may have continuous effects); and objective functions for measuring the quality of plans. The concept of durative actions is flawed; and the treatment of their semantics reveals too strong an attachment to the way many contemporary planners work. Future PDDL innovators should focus on producing a clean semantics for additions to the language, and let planner implementers worry about coupling their algorithms to problems expressed in the latest version of the language.

A phase I-II study of rituximab, ifosfamide, mitoxantrone and etoposide (R-IME) for B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma prior to and after high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDC-ASCT)

This phase I-II study describes the safety of rituximab, ifosfamide, mitoxantrone and etoposide (R-IME) as an induction regimen prior to high-dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (HDC-ASCT), and rituximab given post-HDC-ASCT for B cell non-Hodgkins's lymphoma. This study also measured the effect on disease burden and stem cell contamination. Patients with relapsed, refractory or poor risk B cell lymphomas were eligible. Patients were treated with two cycles of R-IME; all non-progressing patients under-went a third cycle and peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection. Patients underwent HDC-ASCT and those patients in remission after HDC-ASCT were treated with four additional doses of rituximab. Tumor cell contamination was measured at baseline and in the PBSC. Serial immunoglobulin levels were measured. Patients were followed for time to treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival (OS). Thirty-two patients were enrolled. Thirty patients had at least stable disease after two cycles of R-IME. Twenty-nine underwent stem cell collection. The response rate to R-IME induction was 77% (20/26) with 35% (9/26) complete response(CR). Stem cell mobilization was successful in 93% (27/29) of patients. The response rate to R-IME induction and HDC-ASCT was 95% with a confirmed CR of 68%. Median follow-up was 28 months; the median TTFand OS have not been reached. There was a significant decline in stem cell tumor cell contamination and a significant decline in IgG without an increase in infections. Forty-three per cent of patients had transient neutropenia after post-transplant rituximab. R-IME is an effective cytoreductive and mobilization regimen. There appears to be a reduction in the number of lymphoma cells in the stem cell product and the toxicity is manageable.

A short course of induction chemotherapy followed by two cycles of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue for chemotherapy naive metastatic breast cancer: sequential phase I/II studies

Two cycles of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support (HDC) may increase the total dose delivered and dose intensity. A brief induction phase and different non-cross-resistant agents for each HDC cycle were used to avoid drug resistance. Twenty-six women with metastatic BC had induction and stem cell mobilization with two cycles of doxorubicin/G-CSF given every 14 days. Patients with stable disease or better after induction received HD CTCb followed by HD melphalan and dose-escalated paclitaxel. At 475 mg/m(2) of paclitaxel by 24-h infusion, dose-limiting transient peripheral sensory neuropathy was encountered. No toxic deaths occurred. Complete and near complete response after completion of therapy was achieved in 22 (85%) of 26 patients. The median EFS was 38 months. The median OS has not yet been reached. At a median follow-up of 33 (25-43) months, actuarial EFS and OS were 54% (95% confidence interval (CI), 39-69%) and 69% (95% CI, 56-79%), respectively. This double transplant approach lasts only 14 weeks and is feasible, safe, and tolerable. Whilst selection biases may in part contribute to favorable EFS and OS, a randomized comparison of standard therapy vs double transplant in both metastatic and locally advanced breast cancer is warranted.

Rituximab and ifosfamide, mitoxantrone, etoposide (RIME) with Neupogen support for B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma prior to high-dose chemotherapy with autologous haematopoietic transplant

A phase I/II study was performed to analyse the ability of ifosfamide-based chemotherapy with rituximab to produce a turmour-free graft as well as the safety of retuximab prior to stem cell harvest and post high-dose chemotherapy. Twenty-two patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were enrolled either having aggressive large-cell disease in relapse or at high/high-intermediate risk of relapse, or refractory lymphoma or mantle cell lymphoma, or indolent lymphoma. Chemotherapy consisted of ifosfamide 2 g/m2, days 1-3 with mesna, etoposide 100 mg/m2, days 1-3, and mitoxantrone 8 mg/m2 day 1, with figrastim. Rituximab was given at 375 mg/m2 for 4 doses. An encouraging overall response rate of 90%, including 11 CRs was achieved. CD34+ cells were successfully mobilized in 18 or 19 patients analysed so far with a median number of 3.4 x 10(6) cells/kg. The combination of ifosfamide-based chemotherapy with rituximab significantly reduced the number of contaminating B-cells in the stem cell product and so far there has only been a single relapse post high-dose chemotherapy with autologous haematopoietic transplant. The RIME regimen was generally well tolerated with minimal non-haematological toxicity and most of the treatment was done completely on an outpatient basis. Haematological toxicity was manageable with filgrastim, there were some infectious complications.

Risk of endometrial carcinoma associated with BRCA mutation

OBJECTIVE

Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes are associated with a greatly increased lifetime risk of breast and ovarian cancers and a modestly increased risk of several other cancer types. Several case reports of endometrial carcinoma in women with a BRCA mutation have led to speculation regarding the effect of these genes on the risk of endometrial cancer. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that germline mutation of a BRCA gene is associated with an increased risk of endometrial carcinoma.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort of 199 consecutive Ashkenazi Jewish patients with endometrial carcinoma was identified from a 12-year period at this institution. All were genotyped for the three BRCA founder mutations (185delAG and 5382insC in BRCA1 and 6174delT in BRCA2) that exist in this population, and the case frequency was compared to the known population frequency of these mutations. Additionally, endometrial carcinomas occurring in patients with BRCA mutations were assessed for somatic loss of the wild-type BRCA allele.

RESULTS

Germline BRCA mutations were identified in 3 (1 in BRCA1 and two in BRCA2) of 199 (1.5%) patients, compared to a frequency of 2.0% in this population generally. A relative risk of endometrial carcinoma associated with BRCA mutation, as estimated by the odds ratio, was calculated as 0.75 (95% CI = 0.24--2.34; P = 0.6). Loss of the wild-type BRCA allele was observed in two of three tumors associated with a BRCA mutation.

CONCLUSIONS

For individuals with a germline BRCA mutation, the lifetime risk of endometrial carcinoma is not increased.

Immune reconstitution following high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue in patients with advanced breast cancer

The present study examines the nature of humoral and cellular immune reconstitution in 28 patients with advanced breast cancer following high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue. Patients underwent testing of T, B, NK and dendritic cell function at serial time points until 1 year post transplant or until the time of disease progression. Abnormalities in T cell phenotype and function were observed following high-dose chemotherapy that persisted for at least 6-12 months. The vast majority of patients experienced an inversion of the CD4/CD8 ratio and demonstrated an anergic response to candida antigen. Mean T cell proliferation in response to PHA and to co-culture with allogeneic monocytes was significantly compromised. In contrast, mean IgG and IgA levels were normal 6 months post transplant and NK cell yields and function were transiently elevated following high-dose chemotherapy. Dendritic cells generated from peripheral blood progenitors displayed a characteristic phenotype and were potent inducers of allogeneic T cell proliferation in the post-transplant period. The study demonstrates that patients undergoing autologous transplantation for breast cancer experience a prolonged period of T cell dysfunction. In contrast, B, NK, and DC recover more rapidly. These findings carry significant implications for the design of post-transplant immunotherapy.

Outpatient coronary stenting: femoral approach with vascular sealing

Miniaturized devices and pressures for increased patient convenience and lowered cost have shortened length of stay for coronary interventions. A cohort of 60 patients was recruited to assess the feasibility of outpatient stenting with vascular sealing. Patients with stable and unstable angina or myocardial infarction > 24 hours were considered for this strategy. Mean time to hemostasis, ambulation and discharge were 6.1, 256 and 296 minutes, respectively, for the 6F group, and 11.0, 351 and 489 minutes for the 7 to 8F group. No acute procedural complications occurred, and there were no ischemic complications at 24 hours or 1 month. There was 1 pseudoaneurysm requiring surgical correction, but no other access site requiring treatment. The cost saved using the 6F approach is estimated at $478 and using the 8F approach, $437. Outpatient stenting using vascular sealing is feasible and safe, and may lead to significant nationwide cost reductions in the range of $40,000,000 yearly.

Outpatient coronary stenting using the femoral approach with vascular sealing

PURPOSE

We report here the use of vascular sealing devices in conjunction with the use of small transfemoral guiding catheters to decrease time to ambulation, decrease cost associated with hospitalization and achieve early discharge.

METHODS

Fifty patients were enrolled in this pilot project from two busy interventional practices between May 1997 and February 1999. Patients with stable or unstable angina or positive ETT and with recent myocardial infarction greater than 24 hours from the time of the procedure were included. Excluded patients included those who had received glycoprotein IIb/IIIa platelet inhibitors and those with intra-procedure access site complications.

RESULTS

Of the 50 patients originally recruited, 49 underwent vascular sealing for hemostasis and 45 were discharged on the same day, as planned. Early home telephone follow-up was available on 41 of the 45 same-day discharge patients, of whom 30 noted no complaints. One patient, who had been re-accessed in the right femoral artery after a previous intervention, developed a pseudoaneurysm requiring surgical repair. One-month follow-up was available on all patients. No patient suffered a late ischemic event or access site complication requiring treatment. There were no instances of stent loss, acute closure or subacute thrombosis.

CONCLUSION

Though limited by small numbers, this pilot study shows that selected patients undergoing coronary stenting via the femoral approach can be safely treated on an outpatient basis using vascular sealing devices. Cost savings may be significant using this strategy.

How one chapter successfully created a nursing research committee

Establishing a chapter nursing research committee can be a difficult task. Many perioperative nurses have not been exposed to research in their basic nursing programs or received graduate preparation in nursing research. This lack of exposure may result in disinterest in nursing research topics. This article explains how AORN of Pittsburgh established a successful nursing research committee. The committee's process of development and its achievements can be used as a guide for other local chapters that may be struggling with similar issues.

Computer-based medical clerking

All admissions to hospital begin with medical clerking. Thus, it is an essential element of any electronic patient record system. This paper describes some initial experiments to develop a computer-based clerking tool with which doctors can record their clinical observations. The clerking tool uses a structured data entry technique which is based upon an underlying semantic network of clinical terminology. This enables data to be captured and stored in a semantically structured manner, facilitating its use in computer-based record systems and also for audit, management, and decision support purposes. The prototype tool is described, and the evaluation and preliminary results obtained are reported. Initial results indicate that structured data entry is feasible for hospital-based clerking.

Differential expression of members of the N-formylpeptide receptor gene cluster in human phagocytes

The human genes for two N-formylpeptide phagocyte chemoattractant receptors (gene symbols FPR1 and FPRL1) cross-hybridize with each other and with FPRL2, a human gene of unknown expression and function. The FPR1 product is approximately 1000-fold more sensitive than the FPRL1 product to N-formylpeptides. We now report cloning of the first cDNA for FPRL2 and the first description of the RNA distribution in normal human phagocytes for all three genes. FPR1 and FPRL1 are expressed in neutrophils and monocytes. In contrast, FPRL2 RNA is detectable in monocytes but not in neutrophils, and its product could not be activated by N-formylpeptides. Thus, the regulation of FPRL2 gene expression in vivo differs from FPR1 and FPRL1.