Multiparametric MRI-based radiomics nomogram for predicting malignant transformation of sinonasal inverted papilloma

AIM

To investigate the feasibility of a radiomics nomogram model for predicting malignant transformation in sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) based on radiomic signature and clinical risk factors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single institutional retrospective review included a total of 143 patients with IP and 75 patients with IP with malignant transformation to squamous cell carcinoma (IP-SCC). All patients underwent surgical pathology and had preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) sinus studies between June 2014 and February 2022. Radiomics features were extracted from contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images (CE-T1WI), T2-weighted images (T2WI), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were performed to select the features extracted from the sequences mentioned above. Independent clinical risk factors were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Radiomics nomogram was constructed by incorporating independent clinical risk factors and radiomics signature. Based on discrimination and calibration, the diagnostic performance of the nomogram was evaluated.

RESULTS

Twelve radiomics features were selected to develop the radiomics model with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.987 and 0.989, respectively. Epistaxis (p=0.011), T2 equal signal (p=0.003), extranasal invasion (p<0.001), and loss of convoluted cerebriform pattern (p=0.002) were identified as independent clinical predictors. The radiomics nomogram model showed excellent calibration and discrimination (AUC: 0.993, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.985-1.00 and 0.990, 95% CI: 0.974-1.00) in the training and validation sets, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The nomogram that the combined radiomics signature and clinical risk factors showed a satisfactory ability to predict IP-SCC.

Real-Time Segmentation of Unstructured Environments by Combining Domain Generalization and Attention Mechanisms

This paper presents a focused investigation into real-time segmentation in unstructured environments, a crucial aspect for enabling autonomous navigation in off-road robots. To address this challenge, an improved variant of the DDRNet23-slim model is proposed, which includes a lightweight network architecture and reclassifies ten different categories, including drivable roads, trees, high vegetation, obstacles, and buildings, based on the RUGD dataset. The model's design includes the integration of the semantic-aware normalization and semantic-aware whitening (SAN-SAW) module into the main network to improve generalization ability beyond the visible domain. The model's segmentation accuracy is improved through the fusion of channel attention and spatial attention mechanisms in the low-resolution branch to enhance its ability to capture fine details in complex scenes. Additionally, to tackle the issue of category imbalance in unstructured scene datasets, a rare class sampling strategy (RCS) is employed to mitigate the negative impact of low segmentation accuracy for rare classes on the overall performance of the model. Experimental results demonstrate that the improved model achieves a significant 14% increase mIoU in the invisible domain, indicating its strong generalization ability. With a parameter count of only 5.79M, the model achieves mAcc of 85.21% and mIoU of 77.75%. The model has been successfully deployed on a a Jetson Xavier NX ROS robot and tested in both real and simulated orchard environments. Speed optimization using TensorRT increased the segmentation speed to 30.17 FPS. The proposed model strikes a desirable balance between inference speed and accuracy and has good domain migration ability, making it applicable in various domains such as forestry rescue and intelligent agricultural orchard harvesting.

[Development of an asthenopia survey questionnaire for general surveys]

Objective: To design a visual fatigue questionnaire that can be used for population surveys. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study that involved three stages of subjects' recruitment. In the first stage, by convenience sampling, 150 individuals who complained of visual fatigue were selected at public places in Wenzhou City in May 2016. The 19-Item Asthenopia Survey Questionnaire (ASQ-19) was used to conduct the survey, and the questionnaire was adjusted. In the second stage, 200 outpatient participants were recruited from Wenzhou Medical University Affiliated Eye and Optometry Hospital from June 2016 to May 2017 and were divided into a visual fatigue group and a control group based on clinical diagnosis. The adjusted visual fatigue questionnaire was used for validation. In the third stage, 64 outpatient participants who met the inclusion criteria were continuously recruited from the Wenzhou Medical University Affiliated Eye and Optometry Hospital in July 2022. They were tested using the adjusted visual fatigue questionnaire and retested one week later. During the questionnaire adjustment stage, factor analysis and feedback were used to adjust the scoring method and items of the ASQ-19 questionnaire. The adjusted questionnaire was then analyzed for reliability, validity, accuracy, and subject acceptance during the validation and retest stages. Results: A total of 403 participants were included, and 456 questionnaires were distributed. Eventually, 432 valid questionnaires were collected from 379 participants, resulting in a valid response rate of 94.7%. During the questionnaire adjustment phase, there were 140 valid questionnaires from 140 participants consisting of 56 males and 84 females with an average age of (35.2±12.4) years. In the questionnaire validation phase, there were 186 valid questionnaires from 186 participants. Sixty-two participants had visual fatigue and 124 were controls. During the questionnaire retesting phase, 53 participants yielded 106 valid questionnaires. The group consisted of 20 males and 33 females with an average age of (22.8±4.9) years. After factor analysis, the symptom severity graded as none, mild, moderate, severe, and very severe was scored as 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 points, respectively. The total score was 44, and the final questionnaire consisted of 11 items (numbered 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 15, 17, 18, and 19). The 11-Item Asthenopia Survey Questionnaire (ASQ-11) had a Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.89, a split-half reliability of 0.82, and a test-retest Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.90 (P<0.001). The structural validity was 51.26%, and the discriminative validity was a t-value of 9.19 (P<0.001). On average, it took (2.82±0.43) minutes for participants to complete the questionnaire. The receiver operating characteristic curve had a cutoff value of 8.5, with a sensitivity of 74.19% and a specificity of 80.65%. Conclusion: The ASQ-11, with fewer items and a shorter completion time, is easy for participants to use and is suitable for screening or self-assessment of visual fatigue in the general population. Additionally, it is convenient for clinical and epidemiological studies related to visual fatigue.

Acute myocardial infarction and myocarditis following COVID-19 vaccination

Emerging reports raise concerns on the potential association between the COVID-19 vaccines and cardiac manifestations. We sought to evaluate cardiac complications associated with COVID-19 vaccination in a pooled analysis from our institution's cohort study and systematic review. Consecutive patients admitted to a tertiary hospital in Singapore between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2021, with the onset of cardiac manifestations within 14 days following COVID-19 vaccination, were studied. Furthermore, a systematic review was performed, with PubMed, Embase, Research Square, MedRxiv and LitCovid databases accessed from inception up to 29 June 2021. Relevant manuscripts reporting individual patient data on cardiac complications following COVID-19 vaccination were included. Thirty patients were included in the study cohort, with 29 diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 1 with myocarditis. Five patients developed heart failure, two had cardiogenic shock, three intubated, and one had cardiovascular-related mortality. In the systematic review, 16 studies were included with 41 myocarditis and 6 AMI cases. In the pooled analysis of the study cohort and the systematic review, 35 patients had AMI and 42 had myocarditis. Majority were men, and myocarditis patients were younger than AMI patients. Myocarditis patients tended to present 72 h postvaccination, while AMI patients were older and typically presented 24 h postvaccination. Majority with AMI or myocarditis developed symptoms after the first and second vaccination dose, respectively. This pooled analysis of patients presenting with cardiac manifestations following COVID-19 vaccination highlights the differences between myocarditis and AMI presentations in temporal association with the vaccination.

Differentiation of malignant from benign orbital tumours using dual-energy CT

AIM

To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT)-derived iodine concentration (IC), effective atomic number (Z_eff), and spectral attenuation information for differentiating malignant and benign orbital tumours.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from 41 patients with orbital tumours from November 2019 to March 2021 were analysed retrospectively. Each patient underwent contrast-enhanced DECT using a 128-section dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) system. Dual-energy information, including IC, normalised iodine concentration (NIC), Z_eff, virtual monoenergetic images (VMIs) reconstructed from 40 to 120 keV and slope (k) value were determined. Quantitative measurement of DECT parameters was undertaken by two independent radiologists blinded to clinical data. Differences in parameters were assessed using independent sample t-test. Diagnosis performance was calculated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Radiation doses of conventional CT and DECT were compared by paired t-tests.

RESULTS

Forty-one patients with histopathologically confirmed tumours were enrolled, including 10 malignant cases and 21 benign cases. Malignant orbital tumours exhibited significantly greater IC, NIC, Z_eff, CT attenuation of VMIs at 40-105 keV, and k values compared to benign orbital tumours (p<0.05). In ROC analyses, 40 keV VMI demonstrated the highest diagnostic performance of single parameters (area under the ROC curve [AUC], 0.940), and combined parameters achieved the best performance (AUC, 0.971; sensitivity, 90%; specificity, 93.55%). Radiation doses were significantly reduced in DECT than conventional CT (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Quantitative DECT analysis can be a useful technique, which yields excellent diagnostic accuracy, in the differentiation of malignant and benign orbital tumours with low radiation dose.

Identification of BRAF p. V600E-Mutant and Wild-Type by MR Imaging in Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma and Anaplastic Pleomorphic Xanthoastrocytoma

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Compared with BRAF p. V600E wild-type pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, BRAF p. V600E-mutant pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma showed a higher survival rate. In this study, we focused on finding preoperative MR imaging differences between BRAF p. V600E mutant and wild-type in pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma and anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-three patients with pathologically confirmed pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma or anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed from January 2015 to December 2020. They were divided into a BRAF p. V600E-mutant group (including 6 pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas and 5 anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas) and a wild-type group (including 8 pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas and 4 anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas). The preoperative MR imaging characteristics of these groups were statistically compared.

RESULTS

The wild-type pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma group presented with more aggressive conventional and advanced MR imaging features than the mutant pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma group, including greater mean maximum tumor diameter (3.1 [SD, 0.9] cm versus 1.7 [SD, 0.4 ] cm, P < .05), more frequent heterogeneous contrast enhancement of solid portions (100% versus 0%, P < .001), more obvious peritumoral edema (mean, [2.1 SD, 0.7] cm versus 0.6 [SD, 0.2] cm, P < .01), and lower mean minimum relative ADC (896 [SD, 86] versus 988 [SD, 73], P < .05) and mean relative ADC (1060 [SD, 159] versus 1248 [SD, 116], P < .05) on DWI. However, there was no significant difference in either conventional or advanced MR imaging features between the wild-type anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma group and the mutant anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma group.

CONCLUSIONS

Neurosurgeons should carefully interpret MR images before an operation and select appropriate surgical strategies according to genotype prediction.

[Analysis of genetic abnormalities and clinical outcome of fetus with ultrasonic nonstructural abnormality]

Objective: To analysis the incidence of abnormal genetics and the clinical outcome of fetuses with ultrasonic nonstructural abnormality. Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively. 631 pregnant women were enrolled in the Prenatal Diagnostic Center of Fujian Maternal and Child Health Hospital due to ultrasonic nonstructural abnormality from January 2016 to January 2019. According to different gestational weeks, amniotic fluid or umbilical cord blood samples were collected for chromosome karyotype analysis and SNP-array. According to the number of nostructural abnormalities, they were divided into 1 nostructural abnormality group, 2 nostructural abnormalities group, and ≥3 nostructural abnormalities group. Chi-square test was used for comparison between groups. Results: Of the 631 cases, 34 cases (5.4%, 34/631) had abnormal karyotypes, including 20 cases with abnormal chromosome number and 14 cases with abnormal chromosome structure. In results of SNP-array, there were 53 abnormal results (8.4%, 53/631), including 32 cases of pathogenic copy number variations (CNV) and 21 cases of variations of uncertain clinical significance (VOUS). The rates of pathogenic CNV were 4.57% (21/260), 4.76% (7/147) and 16.67% (4/24) in the group of 1, 2 and ≥3 nostructural abnormalities, respectively. The rate of the three groups showed a linear trend, and the difference was statistically significant (χ²=7.419,P<0.05). In the single nostructural abnormality group, the rate of pathogenic CNV of nasal bone dysplasia, fetal growth restriction (FGR) and thickened nuchal translucency (NT) were 8.11% (3/37), 7.04% (5/71) and 5.60% (7/125), respectively. Conclusions: Compared with the karyotype analysis, SNP-array can significantly improve the detection rate of genetic abnormalities in ultrasonic nonstructural abnormality. When multiple ultrasonic nonstructural abnormality were combined, the risk of genetic abnormalities showed an upward trend.

Muscle insulin-like growth factor-I modulates murine craniofacial bone growth

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is essential for muscle and bone development and a primary mediator of growth hormone (GH) actions. While studies have elucidated the importance of IGF-I specifically in muscle or bone development, few studies to date have evaluated the relationship between muscle and bone modulated by IGF-I in vivo, during post-natal growth. Mice with muscle-specific IGF-I overexpression (mIgf1+/+) were utilised to determine IGF-I- and muscle-mass-dependent effects on craniofacial skeleton development during post-natal growth. mIgf1+/+ mice displayed accelerated craniofacial bone growth when compared to wild-type animals. Virus-mediated expression of IGF-I targeting the masseter was performed to determine if post-natal modulation of IGF-I altered mandibular structures. Increased IGF-I in the masseter affected the mandibular base plane angle in a lateral manner, increasing the width of the mandible. At the cellular level, increased muscle IGF-I also accelerated cartilage thickness in the mandibular condyle. Importantly, mandibular length changes associated with increased IGF-I were not present in mice with genetic inhibition of muscle IGF-I receptor activity. These results demonstrated that muscle IGF-I could indirectly affect craniofacial growth through IGF-I-dependent increases in muscle hypertrophy. These findings have clinical implications when considering IGF-I as a therapeutic strategy for craniofacial disorders.

[A multicenter prospective randomized controlled clinical study of 5-fluorouracil in different mass concentrations combined with triamcinolone in the treatment of keloids]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effects of 5-fluorouracil in different mass concentrations combined with triamcinolone in the treatment of keloids. Methods: From March 2018 to March 2019, 29 patients with 31 keloids receipted in the Department of Plastic Surgery of Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, 11 patients with 20 keloids receipted in the Department of Dermatology of Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Area Hospital, and 9 patients with 9 keloids receipted in the Fuzhou Heisey-Dea Aesthetic Clinic were included in this prospectively randomized control study, with 27 males and 22 females, aged (30±9) years. According to the random number table, the keloids were divided into low mass concentration group (19 keloids, 17 patients), medium mass concentration group (21 keloids, 19 patients), and high mass concentration group (20 keloids, 17 patients). Then 5-fluorouracil at mass concentrations of 0.5, 5.0, and 12.5 mg/mL combined with triamcinolone acetonide were injected respectively, once every 4 weeks, for a total of 3 times. Before the first treatment and in 3 months after the last treatment, the appearance of keloids was evaluated by Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and pain and pruritus of keloids were evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Then the score differences before and after the treatment were calculated. In 6 months after the last treatment, the patients' efficacy satisfaction was evaluated by efficacy satisfaction rating scale. Adverse reactions during the treatment were recorded. In the follow-up of one year after the last treatment, the recurrence rates of keloids were counted. Data were statistically analyzed with chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance, paired sample t test, least significant difference t test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test, or Fisher's exact probability test. Results: Before the first treatment, the appearance VSS scores of appearance of keloids in the three groups were similar (F=0.039, P>0.05). In 3 months after the last treatment, the appearance VSS scores of keloids in low mass concentration group were significantly higher than those in medium mass concentration group and high mass concentration group (t=2.267, 4.086, P<0.05 or P<0.01). In 3 months after the last treatment, the appearance VSS scores of keloids in low mass concentration group, medium mass concentration group, and high mass concentration group were significantly decreased compared with those before the first treatment (t=18.222, 44.272, 22.523, P<0.01). The differences of appearance VSS scores of keloids in low mass concentration group before and after treatment were significantly lower than those in medium mass concentration group and high mass concentration group (t=-4.096, -6.357, P<0.01), and the differences of appearance VSS scores of keloids in medium mass concentration group before and after treatment were significantly lower than those in high mass concentration group (t=-2.368, P<0.05). Before the first treatment, the pain and pruritus VAS scores of keloids in the three groups were similar (χ²=0.149, P>0.05). In 3 months after the last treatment, the pain and pruritus VAS scores of keloids in low mass concentration group were significantly higher than those in medium mass concentration group and high mass concentration group (Z=2.191, 4.386, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the pain and pruritus VAS scores of keloids in medium mass concentration group were significantly higher than those in high mass concentration group (Z=2.276, P<0.05). In 3 months after the last treatment, the pain and pruritus VAS scores of keloids in medium mass concentration group and high mass concentration group were significantly decreased compared with those before the first treatment (Z=-3.904, -3.844, P<0.01). The differences of pain and pruritus VAS scores of keloids in low mass concentration group before and after treatment were significantly lower than those in medium mass concentration group and high mass concentration group (Z=-4.265, -6.104, P<0.01). In 6 months after the last treatment, the efficacy satisfaction scores of the corresponding patients of keloids were (88±8) points in high mass concentration group, which were significantly higher than (76±8) points in medium mass concentration group and (60±8) points in low mass concentration group (t=-3.820, -6.675, P<0.01), and the efficacy satisfaction scores of the corresponding patients of keloids in medium mass concentration group were significantly higher than those in high mass concentration group (t=-2.984, P<0.05). There was only statistically significant difference in pain within the 3 groups (P<0.01). In the follow-up of one year after the last treatment, the recurrence rate of keloids in high mass concentration group was significantly lower than that in low mass concentration group (χ²=8.313, P<0.01), and the recurrence rate of keloids in medium mass concentration group was similar to the recurrence rates in low mass concentration group and high mass concentration group (P>0.05). Conclusions: After treating keloids with high mass concentration of 5-fluorouracil combined with triamcinolone acetonide, the symptoms were significantly improved, the efficacy satisfaction of patients was increased, with no obvious adverse reactions but long lasting efficacy. Their overall effects are better than treatment using medium and low mass concentrations of 5-fluorouracil, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

[Dihydromyricin alleviates doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome in rats]

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of dihydromyricetin (DHM) on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced myocardial injury and its mechanism. Methods: Twenty-four healthy male SD rats were divided into 4 groups: control group, DOX group, DOX+DHM100 group and DOX+DHM200 group. Echocardiography was used to measure cardiac function. At the end of the 6th week, the rats were anesthetized and sacrificed, and the pathological changes of the cardiac tissues were observed by HE staining, Masson staining and WGA staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was observed by TUNEL staining, and protein levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, IL-1β, bax and bcl-2 were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with the control group, the left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening decreased significantly in DOX group, while left ventricular internal dimension at systole and left ventricular internal dimension at diastole increased. In DOX+DHM group, both left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening increased, while left ventricular internal dimension at systole and left ventricular internal dimension at diastole decreased (P<0.05). Furthermore, DOX group showed significant myocardial injury histologically, while DOX+DHM group significantly inhibited DOX-induced myocardial injury in rats. Meanwhile, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was found in the DOX group, while the cardiomyocyte hypertrophy was notably inhibited in the DOX+DHM group. Compared with the control group, the apoptotic rates of cardiomyocytes and the levels of bax/bcl-2　ratio were significantly increased in DOX group, which were significantly alleviated in the DOX+DHM group (P<0.05). In addition, the levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and IL-1β were increased as compared with control group, while the levels of the above indicators were remarkably reversed in DOX+DHM group as compared with DOX group (P<0.05). Conclusion: DHM alleviates DOX-induced myocardial injury in rats by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome and reducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Sinonasal synovial sarcoma: evaluation of the role of radiological and clinicopathological features in diagnosis

AIM

To explore the value of radiological and clinicopathological features in the diagnosis of sinonasal synovial sarcomas (SS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six patients with sinonasal SS were studied retrospectively using computed tomography (CT; n=6) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI; n=4). The radiological and clinicopathological findings in this series were reviewed.

RESULTS

Three lesions were located, in both the nasal cavity, and the paranasal sinuses; one was located in the nasal cavity and nasopharynx, and the remaining two were located restrictively within the nasal cavity. An aggressive nature (invasion of adjacent structure) was found in four cases. At CT, lesions were found with isodensity with calcification mainly in the peripheral areas. Bony changes were visible in all cases. Five cases showed marked heterogeneous enhancement, and three cases contained necrotic or cystic areas. At MRI, haemorrhage was observed in three cases. All cases demonstrated the "triple sign", and two high-grade SS showed a "cobblestone-like" appearance on T2-weighted imaging (WI). All time-signal intensity curves (TICs) were of the washout type. The mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the two high-grade cases were lower than those of the low-grade or intermediate-grade cases. Histopathologically, all but one was of the monophasic type. During the 8-40 month period of follow-up, recurrence occurred in four cases.

CONCLUSIONS

A sinonasal tumour exhibiting characteristic calcification and bony change, together with haemorrhage, "triple sign" or "cobblestone-like" appearance, should engender a diagnosis of SS.

[Primary skull base chondrosarcoma: a clinicopathological analysis]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype, molecular characteristics and differential diagnosis of primary skull base chondrosarcoma. Methods: Nine cases of primary skull base chondrosarcoma were collected at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, from January 2006 to June 2019, reviewed for the clinical and radiologic data and morphologic features, immunophenotype and molecular characteristics. Results: Among all the 9 cases, six were male, three were frmale, with average age 47 years, and median age 47 years; five cases were WHO gradeⅠ, and four were WHO grade Ⅱ. Microscopically, the tumor showed lobulated growth pattern with low-medium cellularity within a chondroid or mucoid background. The tumor cells showed mild-moderate atypia, with binucleated forms, and mitosis was rare or occasional. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed tumor cells were positive for S-100 protein, vimentin, SOX-9 and D2-40, and negative for Brachyury, CK, EMA and CK8/18; the Ki-67 index was low (1% to 5%). Molecular analysis showed IDH1 R132C mutation in four cases. Conclusions: Skull base chondrosarcoma is a rare cartilaginous malignant tumor with a good prognosis. Its characteristic morphologies, combined with IHC and molecular detection are helpful for the differential diagnosis.

[Paraganglioma of urinary bladder: a clinicopathological features analysis of 23 cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and immunohistochemical (IHC) characteristics of paraganglioma of urinary bladder (PUB). Methods: The clinical and pathological data of 23 cases of PUB were collected at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University (7 cases); Fujian Provincial Hospital (8 cases); Fujian Medical University Union Hospital (6 cases); and First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University (2 cases) from May 2010 to November 2018. IHC staining for CK, GATA3, CD56, Syn, CgA, S-100 protein, HMB45, SDHB, OCT3/4 and Ki-67 was done using EliVision method; and the relevant literature was reviewed. Results: There were 14 women and 9 men, aged ranged from 21 to 73 years (median 51 years). Clinically, patients presented with headache, vertigo, palpitation, hypertensive crisis during micturition, hypertension, blurred vision, gross hematuria and paroxysmal pallor. The tumor sizes ranged from 0.9 to 6 cm (mean2.5 cm). Macroscopically, most tumors were exophytic and well delineated within the lamina propria or muscularis propria. The tumors were firm and nodular and showed grayish-tan cut surface. Histologically,the tumor growth pattern was expansive or showed interpenetrating infiltrative growth within the lamina propria or muscularis propria; the tumor cells were typically arranged in distinctive nests (Zellballen) with organoid arrangement; pseudo-rosette were seen in some cases. The cells were rounded or polygonal and had rich, acidophilic or amphophilic cytoplasm and may contain pigmented granules and vacuoles; the nuclei were central or eccentric, with small nucleoli, although occasionally some nuclei were pleomorphic and hyperchromatic. Spindled sustentacular cells could be seen around the nests of tumor cells in some cases. There were abundant vessels that were fissure-like, hemangioma-like or dilated. By IHC, the tumor cells were positive for GATA3 (2/23), OCT3/4 (2/23), CD56 (22/23), Syn (23/23), CgA (22/23), S-100 (sustentacular cell, 23/23) and SDHB (23/23); and negative for CK and HMB45; Ki-67 index was 1%-5%. At follow-up, there was no recurrence or metastasis in 18 cases. Conclusions: The diagnosis of PUB relies on the morphologic and IHC features; but there may be histomorphologic heterogeneity. The most important differential diagnosis is invasive urothelial carcinoma. The tumor cells may show aberrant cytoplasmic expression of OCT3/4; there is no clear correlation between SDHB and OCT3/4 expression in the group.

Abstract CS1-3: Systemic Therapy for Breast Cancer Brain Metastases

Brain metastases occur in up to half of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, 25-45% of patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, and 10-15% of patients with metastatic ER-positive breast cancer. While local approaches such as surgery and radiotherapy can be effective, they do not address extracranial disease, and can be associated with short- and long-term toxicity. As some subsets of patients live longer after a diagnosis of brain metastasis, there is increasing interest in incorporating systemic approaches. A number of regimens have been associated with efficacy in the central nervous system (CNS) in non-randomized studies. For patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, the combination of lapatinib and capecitabine has been associated with CNS response rates of 66% in the upfront setting, and 18-38% in patients whose disease has progressed after prior radiotherapy. The combination of neratinib and capecitabine led to a CNS response rate = 49% in the prospective, TBCRC 022 trial, in a population of heavily pre-treated patients. The TBCRC 022 trial is now enrolling to a cohort who will receive ado-trastuzumab emtansine + neratinib. The combination of tucatinib, capecitabine and trastuzumab was associated with a CNS response rate of 42% in a small number of patients with brain metastases treated on the phase 1 trial. Notably, patients with brain metastases (either stable or progressive) are allowed on the current tucatinib registration trial (HER2CLIMB; NCT02614794). Finally, there is evidence that monoclonal antibodies and antibody drug conjugates may have CNS activity; for example, trastuzumab-emtansine has been reported to lead to CNS regressions in up to 40% of patients, based upon case series from several institutions, and in preliminary data from the PATRICIA study, the regimen of high dose trastuzumab (6 mg/kg weekly) plus pertuzumab was associated with CNS responses and prolonged stable disease in a subset of patients. For patients with ER-positive breast cancer, endocrine therapies such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors have been reported to induce CNS responses in case reports and small case series. Recently, there has been interest in exploring the role of CDK4/6 inhibitors in patients with brain metastases. Results of the JPBO study demonstrate modest CNS efficacy of abemaciclib in patients with ER+ breast cancer, but the CNS ORR was &lt;10%. To date, no commercially available targeted agents have demonstrated efficacy against brain metastases from triple-negative breast cancer. Trials of immunotherapy approaches in breast cancer have almost completely excluded patients with active/progressive brain metastases and thus, the safety/efficacy profile of immunotherapy in this setting is unknown. An ongoing randomized trial testing carboplatin +/- veliparib is asking the question of whether a PARP inhibitor may add to platinum efficacy both intracranially and extracranially. Finally, despite the fact that most chemotherapeutic agents do not cross the intact blood brain barrier, it appears empirically that the blood-tumor barrier can be sufficiently disrupted to allow for CNS efficacy in the case of established brain metastases. Diverse agents including anthracyclines, capecitabine, platinum salts, and irinotecan have been reported to be associated with CNS response in breast cancer patients. Newer compounds (NKTR-102, Nal-IRI, tesetaxel, ANG1005) which have been engineered to improve upon CNS penetration and/or CNS residence time are in clinical development and testing.

Citation Format: N Lin. Systemic Therapy for Breast Cancer Brain Metastases [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr CS1-3.

Non-invasive cell-free fetal DNA testing for aneuploidy: multicenter study of 31 515 singleton pregnancies in southeastern China

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for aneuploidy results of 31 515 singleton pregnancies in Fujian province, southeastern China, and assess its performance in low-, moderate- and high-risk pregnancies.

METHODS

Women were categorized into groups according to whether their risk for fetal abnormality was low, moderate or high. Cell-free plasma DNA extracted from peripheral blood samples was subjected to low-coverage whole-genome sequencing. Standard Z-score analysis of the mapped sequencing reads was used to identify fetal aneuploidy, including the three main trisomies (T21, T18 and T13) and sex chromosome aneuploidy (SCA). NIPT-positive results were confirmed by amniocentesis and karyotyping. The performance of NIPT for detection of T21, T18, T13 and SCA was assessed by calculating the sensitivity and specificity.

RESULTS

The rate of chromosomal abnormality detected by NIPT in the study population was 1.38%. A higher rate of chromosomal abnormality was found in the high-risk group (1.57%) compared to the moderate-risk (1.05%) and low-risk (1.18%) groups (P < 0.05). Sensitivity and specificity, respectively, were 98.96% (95/96) and 99.94% (31 274/31 292) for detection of T21, 100% (25/25) and 99.96% (31 352/31 363) for T18, 100% (7/7) and 99.97% (31 373/31 381) for T13 and 100% (61/61) and 99.74% (31 245/31 327) for SCA. Positive predictive values were high for T21 (84.07%) and T18 (69.44%) and moderate for T13 (46.67%) and SCA (42.66%).

CONCLUSION

Our findings support the application of NIPT for reliable and accurate testing of the general population of reproductive-age women for clinically significant fetal aneuploidy. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Prevalence and mutational determinants of high tumor mutation burden in breast cancer

BACKGROUND

High tumor mutation burden (TMB) can benefit immunotherapy for multiple tumor types, but the prevalence of hypermutated breast cancer is not well described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency, mutational patterns, and genomic profile of hypermutated breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We used de-identified data from individuals with primary or metastatic breast cancer from six different publicly available genomic studies. The prevalence of hypermutated breast cancer was determined among 3969 patients' samples that underwent whole exome sequencing or gene panel sequencing. The samples were classified as having high TMB if they had ≥10 mutations per megabase (mut/Mb). An additional eight patients were identified from a Dana-Farber Cancer Institute cohort for inclusion in the hypermutated cohort. Among the patients with high TMB, the mutational patterns and genomic profiles were determined. A subset of patients was treated with regimens containing PD-1 inhibitors.

RESULTS

The median TMB was 2.63 mut/Mb. The median TMB significantly varied according to the tumor subtype (HR-/HER2- >HER2+ >HR+/HER2-, P < 0.05) and sample type (metastatic > primary, P = 2.2 × 10^-16). Hypermutated tumors were found in 198 patients (5%), with enrichment in metastatic versus primary tumors (8.4% versus 2.9%, P = 6.5 × 10^-14). APOBEC activity (59.2%), followed by mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd; 36.4%), were the most common mutational processes among hypermutated tumors. Three patients with hypermutated breast cancer-including two with a dominant APOBEC activity signature and one with a dominant MMRd signature-treated with pembrolizumab-based therapies derived an objective and durable response to therapy.

CONCLUSION

Hypermutation occurs in 5% of all breast cancers with enrichment in metastatic tumors. Different mutational signatures are present in this population with APOBEC activity being the most common dominant process. Preliminary data suggest that hypermutated breast cancers are more likely to benefit from PD-1 inhibitors.

Interleukin-1β Regulates Lipid Homeostasis in Human Glomerular Mesangial Cells

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown that hyperlipidemia is closely related to the progression of kidney disease and glomerulosclerosis has similar pathophysiological mechanisms with atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is essentially a chronic inflammatory process and various kidney diseases are characterized by a micro-inflammatory state. Hyperlipidemia levels are not parallel to the degree of glomerulosclerosis, inflammatory factors together with lipids may contribute to the pathogenesis of glomerulosclerosis. Therefore, it is key to clarify lipid-mediated renal injury through studying the mechanism by which inflammation affects cholesterol homeostasis at the cellular level. Intracellular lipid homeostasis involves both lipid uptake and excretion, therefore in this study, we aimed to explore whether interleukin-1β (IL-1β) promotes the uptake of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) to increase in intracellular lipid levels, and to clarify the effect of IL-1β on the expression of lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor 1 (LOX-1) and ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), which may regulate cholesterol homeostasis in human mesangial cells (HMCs).

METHODS

The effect of IL-1β on uptake of Ox-LDL labeled with fluorescent Dil (Dil-Ox-LDL) by HMCs was observed using laser confocal microscopy. The effect of IL-1β on LOX-1 and ABCA1 expression in HMCs was detected by polymerase chain reaction and western blotting.

RESULTS

Laser confocal microscopy revealed that HMCs took up Dil-Ox-LDL. Treatment of HMCs with 5 ng/ml IL-1β for 24 h significantly increased uptake of Dil-Ox-LDL. IL-1β also promoted LOX-1 mRNA and protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, ABCA1 mRNA and protein expression were reduced by IL-1β in lipid-loaded HMCs in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONS

IL-1β promotes the uptake of Ox-LDL and expression of LOX-1 in HMCs, whereas it inhibits expression of ABCA1 under lipid load. The imbalance in intracellular cholesterol resulted by IL-1β can in turn transform HMCs into foam cells and aggravate glomerulosclerosis.

Duration of EEG suppression does not predict recovery time or degree of cognitive impairment after general anaesthesia in human volunteers

BACKGROUND

Burst suppression occurs in the EEG during coma and under general anaesthesia. It has been assumed that burst suppression represents a deeper state of anaesthesia from which it is more difficult to recover. This has not been directly demonstrated, however. Here, we test this hypothesis directly by assessing relationships between EEG suppression in human volunteers and recovery of consciousness.

METHODS

We recorded the EEG of 27 healthy humans (nine women/18 men) anaesthetised with isoflurane 1.3 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) for 3 h. Periods of EEG suppression and non-suppression were separated using principal component analysis of the spectrogram. After emergence, participants completed the digit symbol substitution test and the psychomotor vigilance test.

RESULTS

Volunteers demonstrated marked variability in multiple features of the suppressed EEG. In order to test the hypothesis that, for an individual subject, inclusion of features of suppression would improve accuracy of a model built to predict time of emergence, two types of models were constructed: one with a suppression-related feature included and one without. Contrary to our hypothesis, Akaike information criterion demonstrated that the addition of a suppression-related feature did not improve the ability of the model to predict time to emergence. Furthermore, the amounts of EEG suppression and decrements in cognitive task performance relative to pre-anaesthesia baseline were not significantly correlated.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that, in contrast to current assumptions, EEG suppression in and of itself is not an important determinant of recovery time or the degree of cognitive impairment upon emergence from anaesthesia in healthy adults.

DNA methylation signature of smoking in lung cancer is enriched for exposure signatures in newborn and adult blood

Smoking impacts DNA methylation genome-wide in blood of newborns from maternal smoking during pregnancy and adults from personal smoking. We compared smoking-related DNA methylation in lung adenocarcinoma (61 never smokers, 91 current smokers, and 238 former smokers) quantified with the Illumina450k BeadArray in The Cancer Genome Atlas with published large consortium meta-analyses of newborn and adult blood. We assessed whether CpG sites related to smoking in blood from newborns and adults were enriched in the lung adenocarcinoma methylation signal. Testing CpGs differentially methylated by smoke exposure, we identified 296 in lung adenocarcinoma meeting a P < 10-4 cutoff, while previous meta-analyses identified 3,042 in newborn blood, and 8,898 in adult blood meeting the same P < 10-4 cutoff. Lung signals were highly enriched for those seen in newborn (24 overlapping CpGs, Penrichment = 1.2 × 10-18) and adult blood (66 overlapping CpGs, Penrichment = 1.2 × 10-48). The 105 genes annotated to CpGs differentially methylated in lung tumors, but not blood, were enriched for RNA processing ontologies. Some epigenetic alterations associated with cigarette smoke exposure are tissue specific, but others are common across tissues. These findings support the value of blood-based methylation biomarkers for assessing exposure effects in target tissues.

Abstract OT2-07-08: Withdrawn

This abstract was withdrawn by the authors.

Citation Format: Paplomata E, Borges V, Loi S, Abramson V, Hamilton E, Hurvitz S, Lin N, Walker L, Murthy RK. Withdrawn [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT2-07-08.

Abstract ES3-3: Systemic therapy for breast cancer brain metastases

Brain metastases occur in up to half of patients with HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer, 25-45% of patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, and 10-15% of patients with metastatic ER-positive breast cancer. While local approaches such as surgery and radiotherapy can be effective, they do not address extracranial disease, and can be associated with short- and long-term toxicity. As some subsets of patients live longer after a diagnosis of brain metastasis, there is increasing interest in systemic approaches in lieu of repetitive rounds of local therapy. To date, no systemic therapy has gained an indication for the specific treatment of breast cancer brain metastases; however, a number of regimens have been associated with efficacy in the central nervous system (CNS) in non-randomized studies. For patients with HER2-positive breast cancer, the combination of lapatinib and capecitabine has been associated with CNS response rates of 66% in the upfront setting, and 18-38% in patients whose disease has progressed after prior radiotherapy. Several investigational HER2-targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitors have shown promise. The combination of tucatinib, capecitabine and trastuzumab was associated with a CNS response rate of 42% in a small number of patients with brain metastases treated on the phase 1 trial. Notably, patients with brain metastases (either stable or progressive) are allowed on the current tucatinib registration trial (NCT02614794). The combination of neratinib and capecitabine led to a CNS response rate = 49% in a prospective phase 2 trial. Finally, trastuzumab-emtansine has been reported to lead to CNS regressions in up to 40% of patients, based upon case series from several institutions.

For patients with ER-positive breast cancer, endocrine therapies such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors have been reported to induce CNS responses in case reports and small case series. Recently, there has been interest in exploring the role of CDK4/6 inhibitors in patients with brain metastases. Preliminary results of the JPBO study support potential CNS efficacy of abemaciclib in patients with ER+ breast cancer; final results are awaited. To date, no commercially available targeted agents have demonstrated efficacy against brain metastases from triple-negative breast cancer. Trials of immunotherapy approaches in breast cancer have almost completely excluded patients with active/progressive brain metastases and thus, the safety/efficacy profile of immunotherapy in this setting is unknown, though promising data in melanoma and lung cancer would support its exploration in patients with brain metastases from breast cancer.

Despite the fact that most chemotherapeutic agents do not cross the intact blood brain barrier, it appears empirically that the blood-tumor barrier can be sufficiently disrupted to allow for CNS efficacy in the case of established brain metastases. Diverse agents including anthracyclines, capecitabine, platinum salts, and irinotecan have been reported to be associated with CNS response in breast cancer patients. Newer compounds which have been engineered to improve upon CNS penetration and/or CNS residence time are in clinical development and testing.

Citation Format: Lin N. Systemic therapy for breast cancer brain metastases [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr ES3-3.

Abstract P1-09-15: DNA methylation markers influenced by BMI are associated with breast cancer

Body mass index (BMI) is a well-established risk factor for breast cancer. However, the underlying molecular mechanism through which BMI acts on breast cancer remain largely unknown. DNA methylation plays a critical role in regulating gene expression. Aberrant DNA methylation has been implicated in breast cancer development. We hypothesize that BMI influences DNA methylation that in turn leads to breast cancer. We therefore conducted a molecular epidemiological study to identify DNA methylation markers that are associated with BMI in healthy women and further determine the association of these DNA methylation changes with breast cancer development and occurrence. We analyzed 270 normal breast tissue from healthy women and 109 tumor tissue from breast cancer patients for genome-wide DNA methylation profiling using the Illumina Truseq® Methyl Capture EPIC sequencing technology. After data quality control, approximately 3 million CpG sites (sequencing depth≥10) were retained and included in further statistical analysis. Linear regression was performed to examine the association between BMI and each of CpG sites, adjusting for age and race. Bonferroni correction was used for control for multiple comparisons. We further investigated whether these BMI-associated DNA methylation markers were differentially methylated in normal and breast tissue. We found that 30 CpG sites were significantly associated with BMI (P&lt; 1.5x 10-8) in normal breast tissue. Many of these GpG sites were also differentially methylated in tumor and normal breast tissue. Top CpG hits are near novel and putative cancer genes mainly involved in lipid metabolism and related reproductive phenotypes that increase breast cancer risk, including KIAA0232, SHZ2, LACTB, PAPPA, and DLGAP2. The most significant CpG site associated with BMI is on chr. 4 in KIAA0232 gene. Little is known about the function of this gene, but genetic variant near the gene are associated with platelet count and volume in GWAS. The second most significant hit is on chr.20 in gene TSHZ2. This gene is found downregulated in breast and prostate cancer. LACTB gene is a tumor suppressor that modulates lipid metabolism and cell state. Its mechanism of action involves alteration of mitochondrial lipid metabolism and differentiation of breast cancer cells. PAPPA gene plays a role in inflammation and promote invasion of cancer cells. DLGAP2 is an imprinted gene, and SNPs near DLGAP2 are associated with age at menarche in AA women. Our results suggest DNA methylation may intermediate the observed association between BMI and breast cancer. Further research is warranted to validate these findings in larger studies as well as to understand the regulatory network by linking data with gene expression.

Citation Format: He C, Lin N, Castle J, Liu J, Liu Y, Wang C. DNA methylation markers influenced by BMI are associated with breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-15.

Abstract PD9-02: Evolutionary analysis of 462 serial metastatic biopsies from 208 patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) using whole exome sequencing (WES)

Background: While great strides have been made in the treatment of ER+ MBC, therapeutic resistance is nearly universal. The genomic evolution of ER+ breast cancer in the metastatic setting under the selective pressure of multiple lines of therapies is not well understood. To address this, we analyzed the clonal dynamics of serial metastatic samples (mets) to evaluate how tumors evolve and to identify acquired resistance mechanisms.

Methods: We performed WES on 462 clinically annotated samples from 208 patients (pts) with ER+ MBC, including 67 primary tumor biopsies, 229 metastatic biopsies and 160 blood samples (cfDNA). Pts with multiple mets included cases with temporally concordant metastatic tumor and blood samples (48 pts) and cases with serial mets obtained over the course of treatment in the metastatic setting (69 pts). Treatments given between the serial mets included CDK4/6 inhibitors (23 pts), and selective estrogen receptor degraders (19 pts), among others.

Results: In the temporally-concordant mets, we found that cfDNA mutations (muts) largely overlap with muts found in tumor biopsies, capturing &gt;85% of clonal tumor muts. However, we observed a higher level of heterogeneity in cfDNA compared to biopsies (p.value&lt; 1.05e-19, Welch test) and a subset of high-confidence muts that were only detected in cfDNA, including in clinically important genes such as ESR1, PIK3CA, KRAS, and ERBB2. Analysis of serial mets was used to elucidate the evolutionary dynamics within the metastatic setting under the selective pressure of treatment. The median duration between mets was 112 days and the median number of inter-biopsy unique treatments was two. Most tumors continued to evolve within the metastatic setting, with 50 out of 69 pts (72%) acquiring a meaningful sub-clone (50% increase in relative cancer cell fraction) and 31 out of 69 (45%) acquiring muts in known cancer genes, including a subset acquiring a plausible resistance alteration such as alterations that dysregulate ER (5 out of 69 pts, 7%; ESR1 mut, FOXA1 amplification (amp), NCOR1 bi-allelic deletion (del)), ERBB (4%; ERBB2 amp, ERBB3 mut), RAS (4%; KRAS mut, NRAS amp, NF1 del), FGF/FGFR (12%; FGFR2 mut, FGFR1/2 amp, FGF3 amp), and cell cycle (13%; RB1 del, CDK4 amp, AURKA amp, CDKN2A del). Finally, in pts who had multiple mets, we observed several cases of evolutionary convergence toward equivalent resistance mechanisms including convergent RB1 loss as a mechanism of resistance to a CDK4/6 inhibitor and convergent BRCA2 reversion following resistance to a PARP inhibitor.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that ER+ MBC continues to evolve under the selective pressure of treatments in the metastatic setting. These findings elucidate the challenge of studying high complexity and heavily treated tumors, while also highlighting some commonalities in the evolutionary trajectories selected by these treatments. The multiplicity of clinically relevant genomic alterations acquired in these advanced stages highlights the need for serial biopsies and the potential to inform post-progression therapeutic choices through targeting the acquired dependencies in post-progression tumors.

Citation Format: Cohen O, Buendia-Buendia J, Wander S, Nayar U, Mao P, Waks A, Kim D, Freeman S, Adalsteinsson V, Helvie K, Livitz D, Rosebrock D, Leshchiner I, Dellostritto L, Garrido-Castro A, Jain E, Periyasamy S, Mackichan C, Lloyd M, Marini L, Krop I, Garraway L, Getz G, Winer E, Lin N, Wagle N. Evolutionary analysis of 462 serial metastatic biopsies from 208 patients with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC) using whole exome sequencing (WES) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD9-02.

Investigation for the role of CTX-III and microRNA-98 in diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

Osteoarthritis is a joint degeneration and proliferative inflammatory disease caused by obesity, joint deformities, trauma, and other factors. C-terminal collagen (CTX) is associated with cartilage degradation, and healthy cartilage state is one of the factors that affect osteoarthritis. microRNA-98 (miRNA-98) plays a role in inflammation. This study aims to investigate the levels of CTX-III and miRNA-98 in patients with osteoarthritis and their potential clinical usage.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Osteoarthritis was diagnosed according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria for osteoarthritis. Patients with osteoarthritis admitted to Jining No. 1 People's Hospital and healthy volunteers were included in this study. ELISA and Western blot analysis were used to detect levels of type III collagen CTX (CTX-III). Real time PCR was used to measure levels of miRNA-98 in the serum of both patients and healthy volunteers.

RESULTS

Levels of CTX-III protein in osteoarthritis patients were significantly higher than that of healthy volunteers (p = 0.0013). Levels of miRNA-98 in the serum of osteoarthritis patients were significantly higher compared to that of healthy volunteers (p = 0.0065). After treatment, levels of CTX-III protein and serum miRNA-98 in patients with osteoarthritis were significantly decreased (p = 0.014, p = 0.021). Levels of CTX-III protein and serum miRNA-98 in patients with osteoarthritis were significantly higher compared to that of healthy volunteers (p = 0.0013).

CONCLUSIONS

Both of the CTX-III and microRNA-98 are potential diagnostic indicators for the osteoarthritis.

microRNA-199a-5p mediates high glucose-induced reactive oxygen species production and apoptosis in INS-1 pancreatic β-cells by targeting SIRT1

OBJECTIVE

Hyperglycemia-induced pancreatic β-cell loss is a pathologic hallmark of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study was conducted to clarify the function of microRNA (miR)-199a-5p in high glucose-elicited β-cell toxicity and associated molecular mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

INS-1 rat pancreatic β-cells were cultured under normal (11 mM) or high (30 mM) glucose for 16-72 h and examined for miR-199a-5p expression. Gain and loss-of-function studies were performed to determine the role of miR-199a-5p in high glucose-induced apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Additionally, the involvement of SIRT1 in the action of miR-199a-5p was checked.

RESULTS

High glucose caused a significant upregulation of miR-199a-5p in INS-1 cells compared to cells under normal glucose conditions. Pre-transfection with anti-miR-199a-5p inhibitors prevented the reduction in cell viability and inhibited ROS generation in INS-1 cells after high glucose treatment. In contrast, overexpression of miR-199a-5p significantly reduced cell viability and promoted apoptosis and ROS formation in INS-1 cells, which was coupled with a downregulation of SIRT1. Knockdown of SIRT1 led to apoptotic death in INS-1 cells. Moreover, enforced expression of SIRT1 blocked miR-199a-5p-induced ROS generation and attenuated high glucose-mediated apoptosis in INS-1 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

miR-199a-5p is upregulated in pancreatic β-cells in response to high glucose and promotes apoptosis and ROS generation by targeting SIRT1. The miR-199a-5p/SIRT1 axis may represent a promising target for the treatment of T2DM.

Abstract P1-12-08: The incidence and outcomes of brain metastases in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer with the advent of modern anti-HER2 therapies

Background: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is over-expressed in approximately 20 - 30% of breast cancers. HER2-positive breast cancers frequently metastasize to the brain. In recent years, many new drugs have been approved for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). In the metastatic setting, trastuzumab was approved in 2000, lapatinib 2007, and pertuzumab and ado-trastuzumab emtansine in 2012. We sought to describe the incidence, time course, and prognostic factors of BM in patients (pts) with HER2+ MBC during the time when dramatic changes in systemic therapy occurred.

Patients/methods: The study included pts with HER2-positive MBC treated at two academic hospitals: Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) (2000-2007 [DFCI-T1], 2008-2011 [DFCI-T2]) and University of North Carolina (UNC) (2012-2014). We examined the incidence of BM (at diagnosis [dx] and within 1-2 years of MBC dx). We combined the two cohorts to examine outcomes – time to BM, survival following MBC, and survival following BM – using the Kaplan Meier method and Cox regression modeling.

Results: We identified 185 (DFCI n=128, 97 diagnosed 2000-2007 and 31 diagnosed 2008-2011; UNC n=57, all diagnosed 2012-2014) pts with HER2-positive MBC. Through a median of 4 years follow-up after the MBC dx (min 2, max 11), 118 had died and 67 were censored. The median age at MBC dx was 52 (min 25, max 88), 149 (82%) were Caucasian, 88 (48%) had hormone receptor (HR) positive BC, and 67 (37%) had de-novo (i.e., non-recurrent) MBC. BM was present at the MBC dx for 8% of pts in DFCI-T1, 16 % of pts in DFCI-T2, and 16% of pts at UNC. Within 1 year of the MBC dx, BM was present in 21% of DFCI-T1, 29% in DFCI-T2, 23% of UNC pts. Within 2 years of the MBC dx, 67 (36%) pts had developed BM, of which one third (22) were diagnosed at initial MBC presentation. In unadjusted analyses, there were no differences in time to BM dx by age (p=0.2), race (p=0.1) or HR status (p=0.1). The median survival following the development of BM for all pts was 1.5 years. A multivariable model predicting survival after the MBC dx, found factors associated with shorter survival included having (vs. not having) BM at the initial MBC dx, having received (vs. not having received) adjuvant HER2-directed therapy prior to the MBC dx, and having recurrent (vs. de novo) MBC (P≤0.02 for all). Age, HR status, race and time period of MBC dx were not significant in the multivariable model.

Conclusions: Among pts diagnosed in the modern era, after new therapies became available, BM remains a common problem for pts with HER2-positive MBC. While no obvious trends in the incidence of HER2-positive MBC are suggested, conclusions regarding incidence trends should be considered hypothesis-generating until larger, population-based data become available. Nevertheless, a dx of BM early in the course of MBC treatment and prior receipt of adjuvant trastuzumab appeared to confer a more aggressive disease course. Coordinated, prospective collection of the incidence and outcomes of BM among pts with HER2-positive MBC, studies of pts who develop BM &gt;2 years after their MBC dx, and clinical trials of treatment strategies for pts with trastuzumab-resistant BM are needed.

Citation Format: Strulov Shachar S, Deal AM, Vaz-Luis I, Dees EC, Carey LA, Hassett MJ, Garrett AL, Benbow JM, Hughes ME, Mounsey L, Lin N, Anders CK. The incidence and outcomes of brain metastases in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer with the advent of modern anti-HER2 therapies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-12-08.

Abstract PD4-01: Acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer, preliminary results of a pilot randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the major dose-limiting side effects in breast cancer patients, with up to 97% of patients receiving an adjuvant taxane experiencing this symptom in the months and years after breast cancer treatment. CIPN often leads to loss of physical function; difficulties in activities of daily living and decreased of quality of life (QOL). Few effective interventions have been developed to alleviate CIPN in this patient population. We conducted a pilot randomized controlled trial to assess the feasibility, safety and preliminary effect of an acupuncture intervention on CIPN in breast cancer survivors.

METHODS: Patients with stage I-III breast cancer who were experiencing CIPN after the completion of a taxane-containing adjuvant chemotherapy regimen were enrolled and randomized 1:1 to immediate participation in an acupuncture intervention or to a delayed intervention control group. Participants randomized to the acupuncture arm received 18 sessions of a standardized acupuncture protocol over 8 weeks while the control group received a lower-dose acupuncture protocol consisting of 9 acupuncture sessions over 8 weeks, after the initial 8-week control period. Measures including the Patient Neurotoxicity Questionnaire (PNQ), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy Neurotoxicity subscale (FACT-NTX), and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy 20 (EORTC QLQ-CIPN20) were collected at baseline and at 8 weeks after enrollment.

RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were enrolled; 20 were randomized to the immediate acupuncture group and 20 to control. All enrolled patients were female, median age was 54, median time between enrollment and completion of chemotherapy was 14.3 months, and 72.5% of participants were White. Thirty-two patients (84%) completed at least 80% of the required sessions. No serious acupuncture-related side effects were observed. Participants randomized to the acupuncture arm experienced improvements in the PNQ sensory score (p=0.02), FACT-NTX summary score (p=0.002) and EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 score (p=0.006), respectively equivalent to 40%, 36% and 53% improvement in CIPN symptoms, as compared to controls.

MeasurementsTime pointsAcupunctureUsual CareP-valueNMeanSDMeanSDPNQ summary sensory score (0-4)Baseline202.50.82.50.90.97Changes at 8 week15-1.00.9-0.30.60.02FACT-NTX summary score (0-44)Baseline2025.08.422.19.40.40Changes at 8 week159.09.21.25.40.002EORTC QLQ-CIPN20 sensory score (0-100)Baseline2044.919.945.022.30.93Changes at 8 week15-23.818.1-5.16.40.006

CONCLUSIONS: Women with CIPN after adjuvant taxane therapy for early breast cancer experienced a significant and clinically meaningful improvement in neuropathy symptoms as a result of an 8-week acupuncture protocol. Given the prevalence of taxane-induced neuropathy in women treated for early breast cancer, acupuncture could significantly improve QOL and functional status of thousands of women treated for breast cancer every year. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and evaluate the impact of acupuncture on functional measures in women with CIPN.

Citation Format: Lu W, Giobbie-Hurder A, Freedman R, Yung R, Lin N, Partridge A, Shockro L, Stecker K, O'Connor KA, Rosenthal DS, Ligibel JA. Acupuncture for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in breast cancer, preliminary results of a pilot randomized controlled trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD4-01.

Abstract S1-01: Whole exome and transcriptome sequencing of resistant ER+ metastatic breast cancer

Background: While great strides have been made in the treatment of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) metastatic breast cancer (MBC), therapeutic resistance invariably occurs. A better understanding of the underlying resistance mechanisms is critical to enable durable control of this disease.

Methods: We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) on metastatic tumor biopsies from 88 patients with ER+ MBC who had developed resistance to one or more ER-directed therapies. For 27 of these patients, we sequenced the treatment-naïve primary tumors for comparison to the resistant specimens. Tumors were analyzed for point mutations, insertions/deletions, copy number alterations, translocations, and gene expression. Detailed clinicopathologic data was collected for each patient and linked to the genomic information.

Results: WES of all metastatic samples demonstrated several recurrently altered genes whose incidence differed significantly from primary, treatment-naïve ER+ breast cancers sequenced in the TCGA study (TCGA). These include ESR1 mutations (n=17, 19.3%; 32.86 fold enrichment, q.value&lt;7.5e-12), CCND1 amplification (n=52, 59.1%; 2.3 fold enrichment, q.value&lt;0.0073), and MAP2K4 biallelic inactivation (n=14, 15.9%; 3.04 fold enrichment, q.value&lt; 0.054).

Comparing to matched primary samples from the same patient, many alterations were found to be acquired in several cases, including for ESR1, ERBB2, PIK3CA, PTEN, RB1, AKT1, and others. Initial analysis of RNA-seq data from metastatic samples (n=59) allowed classification of individual resistance mechanisms into broader resistance modes based on the observed transcriptional state.

Conclusions: We present a genomic landscape of resistant ER+ MBC using WES and RNA-seq. Multiple genes were recurrently altered in these tumors at significantly higher rates than in ER+ primary breast cancer. When compared with matched primary tumors from the same patient, alterations in these and other genes were often found to be acquired after treatment, suggesting a role in resistance to ER-directed therapies and/or metastasis. Potential resistance mechanisms appear to fall into several categories; integrating RNA-seq data may enhance the ability to identify these categories even when genomic alterations are not identified. Multiple clinically relevant genomic and molecular alterations are identified in metastatic biopsies– with implications for choice of next therapy, clinical trial eligibility, and novel drug targets.

Citation Format: Cohen O, Kim D, Oh C, Waks A, Oliver N, Helvie K, Marini L, Rotem A, Lloyd M, Stover D, Adalsteinsson V, Freeman S, Ha G, Cibulskis C, Anderka K, Tamayo P, Johannessen C, Krop I, Garraway L, Winer E, Lin N, Wagle N. Whole exome and transcriptome sequencing of resistant ER+ metastatic breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr S1-01.

Household air pollution and personal exposure to nitrated and oxygenated polycyclic aromatics (PAHs) in rural households: Influence of household cooking energies

Residential solid fuels are widely consumed in rural China, contributing to severe household air pollution for many products of incomplete combustion, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their polar derivatives. In this study, concentrations of nitrated and oxygenated PAH derivatives (nPAHs and oPAHs) for household and personal air were measured and analyzed for influencing factors like smoking and cooking energy type. Concentrations of nPAHs and oPAHs in kitchens were higher than those in living rooms and in outdoor air. Exposure levels measured by personal samplers were lower than levels in indoor air, but higher than outdoor air levels. With increasing molecular weight, individual compounds tended to be more commonly partitioned to particulate matter (PM); moreover, higher molecular weight nPAHs and oPAHs were preferentially found in finer particles, suggesting a potential for increased health risks. Smoking behavior raised the concentrations of nPAHs and oPAHs in personal air significantly. People who cooked food also had higher personal exposures. Cooking and smoking have a significant interaction effect on personal exposure. Concentrations in kitchens and personal exposure to nPAHs and oPAHs for households using wood and peat were significantly higher than for those using electricity and liquid petroleum gas (LPG).

A Prediction Model of the Capillary Pressure J-Function

The capillary pressure J-function is a dimensionless measure of the capillary pressure of a fluid in a porous medium. The function was derived based on a capillary bundle model. However, the dependence of the J-function on the saturation Sw is not well understood. A prediction model for it is presented based on capillary pressure model, and the J-function prediction model is a power function instead of an exponential or polynomial function. Relative permeability is calculated with the J-function prediction model, resulting in an easier calculation and results that are more representative.