Abstract P2-07-05: A clinical calculator to predict disease outcomes in women with hormone receptor-positive advanced stage breast cancer treated with first-line endocrine therapy

Purpose: Endocrine based therapy is an effective strategy to manage hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HR+/HER2-) advanced breast cancer (ABC). However, nearly all patients exhibit/develop either de novo or acquired resistance. While prognostic biomarkers of endocrine responsiveness are well established for the adjuvant treatment in ER+ breast cancer, less is known regarding prognostic and predictive biomarkers of response in the first line ABC setting. We sought to develop a clinical calculator based on clinical criteria for predicting progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of women with HR+/HER2- ABC who will be receiving endocrine monotherapy as first-line treatment for ABC.

Methods: The development of the clinical calculator will be based on data from modern clinical trials in women with HR+/HER2- ABC. The studies to be included in the final analyses are given in Table 1. The control arm data from trials1-6 will form the training dataset (N = 1,223) and be used to construct the clinical prediction models. Variables considered include age, race, ECOG status, disease measurability, body mass index, disease-free interval, number of metastatic sites, locations of metastatic sites, prior endocrine therapy, and prior chemotherapy. Missing values will be imputed using single imputation with all variables included in the imputation model. For continuous variables, restricted cubic splines will be used to determine if non-linear effects may be more appropriate. The Lasso regression will be used as a variable selection technique to reduce the dimensionality of covariates; initially all pairwise interactions will be included in the model. Following Lasso regression, the multivariable Cox proportional hazards models will be constructed for PFS and OS including only variables retained in Lasso. The final model will be internally validated for discrimination and calibration using 10-fold cross-validation. External validation will be performed using control arm data from EGF 30008 (N = 536).

Results: To date, control arm data from four trials (trials 1-4) have been received. The preliminary results presented here are based on pooled data from C40503 and LEA, for which data elements have been harmonized. Models for predicting PFS and OS have good calibration and are associated with bias-corrected C-indices of 0.61 and 0.65, respectively. These models will be updated using pooled data from trials 1-6.

Conclusions: Our preliminary data demonstrate that clinical calculators based on baseline clinical factors can provide accurate prediction of PFS and OS in patients with HR+/HER2- ABC treated with first-line ET. If validated, these tools may be used for risk stratification in future clinical trials and to identify patients who may require more or less aggressive therapy.

Table 1:Studies to be includedTrial NumberTrial NameTrial PISample Size in Control Arm1C40503Maura Dickler152 (letrozole)2LEAMiguel Martin179 (letrozole)3FACTJonas Bergh188 (anastrozole)4FALCONJohn Robertson194 (anastrozole)5S0226Rita Mehta345 (anastrozole)6MONARCH 3Matthew Goetz165 (nonsteroidal AI)7EGF 30008Stephen Johnston536 (letrozole)

Citation Format: Polley M-YC, Dickler MN, Johnston S, Goetz MP, de la Haba J, Loibl S, Mehta RS, Bergh J, Roberston J, Barlow W, Liu H, Tenner K, Martin M. A clinical calculator to predict disease outcomes in women with hormone receptor-positive advanced stage breast cancer treated with first-line endocrine therapy [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 P2-07-05.

Abstract PD5-07: A phase III randomized trial of anastrozole and fulvestrant versus anastrozole or sequential anastrozole and fulvestrant as first-line therapy for postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer: Final survival outcomes of SWOG S0226

Background: Anastrozole depletes estrogen via aromatase inhibition and fulvestrant binds and degrades estrogen receptor. In a Phase III trial we compared the concurrent use of these agents to anastrozole alone or sequential anastrozole and fulvestrant in first-line therapy of hormone receptor-positive metastatic breast cancer in postmenopausal women, and demonstrated improved progression-free (PFS) and overall survival (OS)-NEJM 2012. Now we report PFS and OS five years after the initial positive findings. Methods: A total of 707 patients were randomized to either 1 mg anastrozole P.O. daily (Arm 1) or to the combination of anastrozole and fulvestrant (Arm 2). Fulvestrant was administered as a loading dose of 500 mg on day 1, 250 mg on days 14, 28 and monthly thereafter. Randomization was stratified by adjuvant tamoxifen use. The primary endpoint was PFS with OS a secondary outcome. 40% patients not in visceral crisis crossed over to fulvestrant after progression on arm 1. Analysis of survival was by 2-sided stratified log-rank tests and Cox regression using intent-to-treat. Subset analyses include treatment effect by adjuvant tamoxifen exposure, initial sites of metastases and time from diagnosis. Results: There were 646 PFS events (328 and 318 for arms 1 and 2, respectively) among 694 eligible patients (345 and 349, respectively). Overall, median PFS was 13.5 months for arm 1 and 15.0 months for the arm 2 (log-rank p=0.007; HR=0.81 (95% CI 0.69-0.94)). This benefit extended similarly in visceral and non-visceral subgroups. In subset analysis for Arms 1 and 2, respectively, in tamoxifen-naive women (60%, n=414), median PFS was 12.7 vs. 16.7 months (log-rank p=0.002; HR=0.73 (95% CI 0.60-0.89) while in women exposed to tamoxifen, median PFS was 13.9 vs. 13.6 months (log-rank p=0.57; HR=0.93 (95% CI 0.73-1.19)). An improved OS in the combination arm was seen, median OS 42 and 50 months in arms 1 and 2, based on 261 and 247 deaths, respectively (log-rank p=0.028; HR=0.82 (95% CI 0.69-0.98)). In subset analysis in tamoxifen-naive women, median OS was 40.3 vs. 52.2 months for Arms 1 and 2, respectively (log-rank p=0.007; HR=0.73 (95% CI 0.58-0.92)) while in women exposed to tamoxifen, median OS was 43.5 vs. 48.2 months (log-rank p=0.85; HR=0.97 (95% CI 0.74-1.27). Patients with initial diagnosis >10 years benefitted most from the combination (HR=0.66 (95% CI 0.49-0.89)) regardless of tamoxifen exposure. Patients in Arm 1 who crossed over had post-progression survival similar to post-progression survival of Arm 2 patients. Conclusion: The addition of fulvestrant to anastrozole was associated with improved long-term PFS and OS compared to anastrozole alone, despite the use of fulvestrant at a dose lower than the approved, and despite the substantial cross over to fulvestrant after progression on anastrozole alone. The benefit was especially notable in those without recent exposure to adjuvant endocrine therapy. Ongoing translational medicine studies will further refine the need for up front fulvestrant. ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT00075764. Funding: NIH/NCI U10CA180888, U10CA180819 and AstraZeneca.

Citation Format: Mehta RS, Barlow WE, Albain KS, Vandenberg TA, Dakhil SR, Tirumali NL, Lew DL, Hayes DF, Gralow JR, Linden HM, Livingston RB, Hortobagyi GN. A phase III randomized trial of anastrozole and fulvestrant versus anastrozole or sequential anastrozole and fulvestrant as first-line therapy for postmenopausal women with metastatic breast cancer: Final survival outcomes of SWOG S0226 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD5-07.

Upper GI GVHD: similar outcomes to other grade II graft-versus-host disease

The significance of upper gastrointestinal tract (UGI) acute GVHD (aGVHD) compared with other grade II aGVHD is not clearly defined. We compared the outcomes of patients with grade II aGVHD with or without biopsy-proven UGI involvement in three groups: grade II aGVHD without UGI (n=178), grade II aGVHD with UGI and other sites (n=102) and isolated UGI aGVHD (n=32). The overall response (ORR) to steroids at day 28 differed among the three groups (76, 67 and 91%, respectively, P=0.01), but was only marginally different in direct comparison with those without or with UGI aGVHD (P=0.07) or with isolated UGI aGVHD (P=0.06). In multivariate analysis, as compared with grade II aGVHD patients without UGI involvement, those with UGI involvement and those with isolated UGI aGVHD had similar risks of chronic GVHD, relapse and non-relapse mortality and similar disease-free survival and overall survival. Our data suggest that patients with UGI aGVHD have similar outcomes as those without UGI involvement, supporting the view that UGI aGVHD should still be included as a grade II-defining event.

El Niño episodes coincide with California moray Gymnothorax mordax settlement around Santa Catalina Island, California

The hypothesis that El Niño events influence the settlement patterns of the California moray Gymnothorax mordax is tested. The pelagic larval duration (PLD) of larval G. mordax is unknown, but studies on leptocephalus of related species suggest that larvae are long-lived, up to 2 years. Gymnothorax mordax, an elusive predatory species and the only muraenid off the coast of California, is considered abundant in the waters around Catalina Island. Thirty-three individuals were collected from Two Harbors, Catalina Island, and otoliths were taken to provide estimates of their age. Settlement year for each individual was backcalculated using estimated age from otolith measurements. These ages were then cross referenced with the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) developed by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to correlate estimated age of settlement with known El Niño years. Of the 33 individuals collected, 30 settled at Catalina Island during El Niño years. The oldest individual in the data-set was 22 years old, placing G. mordax as one of the longer-lived predatory fishes in the system. The present study represents the first account of wild G. mordax ages and suggests that El Niño events have an important role in driving the settlement of recruits towards the northern edge of their range.

Abstract P3-07-64: Association between gene variants in SULT1A1 and UGT1A4 and disease outcomes in patients enrolled in SWOG S0226 and treated with anastrozole alone or in combination with fulvestrant for metastatic breast cancer

Background: Anastrozole (A) blocks estrogen production by inhibiting the activity of CYP19 aromatase. Fulvestrant (F) blocks estrogen receptor (ER) signaling by competitive binding, leading to ER degradation by ubiquitination. SWOG S0226 ("Phase III Randomized Trial of Anastrozole versus Anastrozole and Fulvestrant (250mg LD) as First Line Therapy for Post Menopausal Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer," ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT00075764) demonstrated that combination of A+F is superior to A alone as first-line therapy for patients with ER positive metastatic breast cancer (Mehta et al, NEJM, 2012). Our functional preclinical studies have shown that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in SULT1A1 and UGT1A4, drug conjugation enzymes that inactivate A and F, result in decreased enzyme activity toward these drugs (Edavana et al, DMD, 2013; Edavana et al Pharmgenomics Pers Med 2013). We therefore hypothesized that these SNPs will be associated with disease outcomes in S0226 patients due to altered drug levels.

Methods: Germline DNA was available for 295 (43.5%) patients enrolled in S0226 overall (157 on A and 138 on A+F). SNPs in SULT1A1 and UGT1A4 were determined either by direct sequencing or allele-specific PCR (TaqMan) assays.

Results: There was no difference in progression-free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS) comparing patients with or without available germline DNA (p = 0.86 and 0.36, respectively). The SULT1A1 G902A allele (rs6839), which confers decreased mRNA and enzymatic activity, was associated with improved PFS (GG/GA vs. AA; HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.56-0.98, p=0.033) and OS (HR 0.70, 95% 0.50-0.98, p=0.039). In exploratory subset analyses of PFS, the SULT1A1 G902A association was similar across both treatment arms (A HR=0.75; 95% CI 0.51-1.10; A+F HR=0.73; 95% CI 0.48-1.11). For OS there was some evidence of a difference by treatment (A HR=0.60; 95% CI 0.38-0.96; A+F HR=0.82; 95% CI 0.50-1.32), though no significant interaction was evident (p=0.30).

The UGT1A4 G-163A promoter variant, which leads to decreased protein expression, was not associated with PFS (AA/AG vs. GG HR 0.88, 95% CI 0.68-1.14, p=0.33); however, this variant was associated with OS (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52-0.96, p=0.027). In subset analyses with OS, the difference was marginally stronger in the A arm (HR 0.63, 95% CI 0.42-0.97, p=0.035) compared to the A+F arm (HR 0.77, 95% CI 0.49-1.21, p=0.25), though the interaction was not significant (p=0.40).

Conclusion: SULT1A1 and UGT1A4 gene variants resulting in decreased enzyme activity were associated with better PFS, OS or both in patients enrolled in SWOG S0226. Planned validation studies correlating these SNPs with drug levels and disease outcomes in additional patient cohorts will establish their clinical utility in identifying patients who benefit from A and F alone or in combination.

Funding: Supported by NIH/NCI CA118981; NIH/NCI/NCTN grants CA180888, CA180819, and CA180863; and in part by AstraZeneca.

Citation Format: Kadlubar SA, Barlow WE, Mehta RS, Daniels JR, Albain KS, Vandengerg TA, Dakhil SR, Tirumali NR, Lew DL, Gralow JR, Livingston RB, Hortobagiyi GN, Hayes DF, Rae JM. Association between gene variants in SULT1A1 and UGT1A4 and disease outcomes in patients enrolled in SWOG S0226 and treated with anastrozole alone or in combination with fulvestrant for metastatic breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P3-07-64.

Professional Satisfaction among B.Sc. Nursing Graduates of an Institute

Introduction: Professional Satisfaction is a measure of valuation judgment of whether the expectations are met from the profession or not. This study was conducted to find out the professional satisfaction among pass-out B.Sc. Nursing graduates from an institute from batches 1996 to 2004. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted using convenient and snowball sampling technique. Out of 104 graduates, 50 were included in the study. A pre-tested semistructured questionnaire was used by self administration method to collect the information. Results: Highest satisfaction was with status 36 (75%) and lowest with working condition 27 (54%). The areas with decreasing value of satisfaction were growth and development 36 (72%), achievement and recognition 35 (70%), autonomy and challenging work 35 (69%). The majority of the respondents 27 (54%) stated that there is job security in the profession and the opportunity 26 (52%) to help others was the reason for their satisfaction but 28% said that there is no updating of knowledge and autonomy 15 (30%) in nursing profession. Conclusions: There is no difference in professional satisfaction of the respondents living in Nepal and abroad. It is seen that though there are many problems and many areas of dissatisfaction in nursing profession the respondents were satisfied to some extent with it and the reason for brain drain among B.Sc. Nursing graduates were their personal interest. Keywords: graduate; nursing; professional; satisfaction.

Professional satisfaction among B.Sc. nursing graduates of an institute

INTRODUCTION

Professional Satisfaction is a measure of valuation judgment of whether the expectations are met from the profession or not. This study was conducted to find out the professional satisfaction among pass-out B.Sc. Nursing graduates from an institute from batches 1996 to 2004.

METHODS

Descriptive cross-sectional study design was adopted using convenient and snowball sampling technique. Out of 104 graduates, 50 were included in the study. A pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used by self administration method to collect the information.

RESULTS

Highest satisfaction was with status 36 (75%) and lowest with working condition 27 (54%). The areas with decreasing value of satisfaction were growth and development 36 (72%), achievement and recognition 35 (70%), autonomy and challenging work 35 (69%). The majority of the respondents 27 (54%) stated that there is job security in the profession and the opportunity 26 (52%) to help others was the reason for their satisfaction but 28% said that there is no updating of knowledge and autonomy 15 (30%) in nursing profession.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no difference in professional satisfaction of the respondents living in Nepal and abroad. It is seen that though there are many problems and many areas of dissatisfaction in nursing profession the respondents were satisfied to some extent with it and the reason for brain drain among B.Sc. Nursing graduates were their personal interest.

Presentation of atopic disease in a large cohort of pediatric liver transplant recipients

Atopic disease occurs in solid organ transplant recipients with an increasingly recognized frequency. The time course for the development of these atopic diseases in liver transplantation has not been described. The objective was to characterize the atopic manifestations of children receiving chronic immunosuppression after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Chart review and follow-up questionnaire were utilized for 176 OLT pediatric recipients at a single institution for manifestations of allergic disease. Atopic disease was present in 25 (14.2%) patients. Median age at transplant was 16 months with a median follow-up of 63 months. Food allergy and non-food related atopic symptoms presented at a median of 11.5 (IQR, 6-28) and 19 (IQR, 5-41) months post-transplantation, respectively. The median age at transplant of the non-atopic children was 72 months, higher than patients with atopy (p < 0.001). Food allergy and atopic skin disease symptoms were present in 40% and 56% of cases, respectively. Asthma, allergic rhinitis, or both were found in 66% of cases. The onset of symptoms of food allergy and eczema (median, 12 months post-transplantation) preceded symptoms of allergic rhinitis and asthma. (median of 27 and 30 months post-transplantation, respectively). Atopy occurs in ∼14% of pediatric liver transplant recipients, with manifestations including food allergy, eczema, allergic rhinitis, and asthma.

Stability Indicating RP-HPLC Estimation of Atorvastatin Calcium and Amlodipine Besylate in Pharmaceutical Formulations

A simple, specific, accurate and stability indicating reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the simultaneous determination of atorvastatin calcium and amlodipine besylate in tablet dosage forms. A phenomenex Gemini C-18, 5 μm column having 250×4.6 mm i.d. in isocratic mode, with mobile phase containing 0.02 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate:acetonitrile:methanol (30:10:60, v/v/v) adjusted to pH 4 using ortho phosphoric acid was used. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min and effluents were monitored at 240 nm. The retention times of atorvastatin calcium and amlodipine besylate were 11.6 min and 4.5 min, respectively. The calibration curves were linear in the concentration range of 0.08-20 μg/ml for atorvastatin calcium and 0.1-20 μg/ml for amlodipine besylate. Atorvastatin calcium and amlodipine besylate stock solutions were subjected to acid and alkali hydrolysis, chemical oxidation and dry heat degradation. The degraded product peaks were well resolved from the pure drug peak with significant difference in their retention time values. The proposed method was validated and successfully applied to the estimation of atorvastatin calcium and amlodipine besylate in combined tablet dosage forms.

RP-HPLC Estimation of Risperidone in Tablet Dosage Forms

A simple, specific, accurate, and precise reverse phase liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for the estimation of risperidone in tablet dosage forms. A Phenomenex Gemini C-18, 5 mum column having 250x4.6 mm i.d. in isocratic mode, with mobile phase containing methanol: acetonitrile: 50 mM potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (80:10:10 v/v) was used. The flow rate was 1.3 ml/min and effluents were monitored at 234 nm. Clozapine was used as an internal standard. The retention time of risperidone and clozapine were 2.5 min and 3.3 min, respectively. The method was validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, specificity, limit of quantification, limit of detection, robustness and stability. The limit of detection and limit of quantification for estimation of risperidone was found to be 500 ng/ml and 990 ng/ml, respectively. Recovery of risperidone was found to be in the range of 99.02-101.68%. Proposed method was successfully applied for the quantitative determination of risperidone in tablet formulations.

The effect on pCR of bevacizumab and/or antimetabolites added to standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy: NSABP protocol B-40

LBA1005

Background: The addition of capecitabine (X), gemcitabine (G), and bevacizumab (B) to taxanes have each improved PFS in metastatic breast cancer. The primary aims of this trial were to determine if adding X or G to docetaxel (T) → AC will increase breast pathologic complete response (pCR) rates in operable, HER2-negative breast cancer and if adding B to T-based regimens →AC will increase pCR rates. Secondary aims included assessment of clinical complete response (cCR) rates. Methods: Pts received one of 3 T-based regimens, with or without B, 15mg/kg, q3wks x 4: T 100 mg/m2 day 1; T 75 mg/m2 day 1 and X 825 mg/m2 BID days 1-14; or T 75 mg/m2 day 1 and G 1000 mg/m2 days 1 and 8. Pts then received preoperative AC x 4, with or without B for the initial 2 cycles of AC. Pts randomized to B resumed B for 10 postop doses. The primary endpoint was pCR in the breast. The maximum of the standardized pairwise differences between pCR rate for the T → AC regimen and for the other 2 T-based regimens was used as the test statistic to adjust for multiple comparisons. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the arms with and without B. Results: The groups were balanced, with 47% clinically node+, 56% poorly differentiated, and 59% HR+. Assessments for pCR were available from 1180 of 1206 randomized patients. pCR for TX and TG were 29.7% and 32% vs. 32.7% for T. Neither TX nor TG increased cCR rates relative to T (58.3% and 60.4% vs. 61.5%). TX and TG increased toxicity. Addition of B increased the pCR rate (28.4 vs. 34.5%, p=0.027) and the cCR rate (55.8 vs. 64.3%, p=0.007). The effect of B was predominantly in the HR+ subset (15.2 vs. 23.3%, p=0.008) with minimal effect in the HR- subset (47.3% vs. 51.3%, p=0.44). Grades 2/3/4 toxicities increased with B were HTN (1/<1/0% vs. 13/9/<1%), HFS (11/7/0% vs. 15/11/0%), and mucositis (10/3/0% vs. 20/5/0%). Conclusions: The addition of B to neoadjuvant chemotherapy improved pCR and cCR rates, but the addition of X or G to T did not improve outcomes. Follow-up for wound healing issues and DFS will help define the role of B in the treatment of early breast cancer. Funded by NCI PHS grants U10-CA-37377, U10-CA-69974, U10-CA-12027, U10-CA-69651, and U10-CA-44066, and F. Hoffmann La-Roche, Ltd., Genentech, USA, and Eli Lilly.

Clinical characteristics and biomarkers of breast cancer associated with choline concentration measured by 1H MRS

This study investigated the association between the total choline (tCho) concentration and the clinical characteristics and biomarker status of breast cancer. Sixty-two patients with breast cancer, 1.5  cm or larger in size on MR images, were studied. The tCho concentration was correlated with the MRI features, contrast enhancement kinetics, clinical variables and biomarkers. Pairwise two-tailed Spearman's nonparametric test was used for statistical analysis. The tCho concentration was higher in high-grade than moderate-/low-grade tumors (p = 0.04) and in tumors with higher K(trans) and k(ep) (p < 0.001 for both). The association of tCho concentration with age (p = 0.05) and triple negative biomarker (p = 0.09) approached significance. tCho was not detected in 17 patients, including 15 with invasive ductal cancer and two with infiltrating lobular cancer. Fifteen of the 17 patients had moderate- to low-grade cancers, and 11 had human epidermal growth factor-2-negative cancer, suggesting that these two factors might lead to false-negative choline. Higher tCho concentration in high-grade tumors and tumors with higher K(trans) and k(ep) indicates that choline is associated with cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis. The higher choline level in younger women may be caused by their more aggressive tumor type. The results presented here may aid in the better interpretation of (1)H MRS for the diagnosis of breast lesions.

Abstract P5-01-10: Tumor Optic Properties Measured Using Diffuse Optic Spectroscopy Imaging Correlate with Proliferation and Glucose Metabolism in Breast Cancer Patients

(Background) Diffuse Optic Spectroscopy Imaging (DOSI) is non-invasive imaging technology that employs near-infrared (NIR) light to quantitatively characterize the hemodynamic and metabolic properties of breast cancer tumors.

(Methods) We utilized DOSI to measure baseline tumor concentrations of oxy-hemoglobin (ctO2Hb), deoxy-hemoglobin (ctHHb), total hemoglobin (ctTHb), oxygen saturation (stO2), as well as water and lipid content of tumors from sixteen patients with primary breast cancer prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Core-needle biopsy specimens were also collected from these patients and analyzed for Ki67, Glut-1, and Fatty acid synthese (FAS), biomarkers of cancer proliferation, glucose metabolism and fatty acid metabolism, respectively. These optic and biological biomarkers were statistically compared to each other and to overall therapy response. (Results) Ki67 score was positively correlated with baseline levels of ctO2Hb (µM) (r = 0.51, p = 0.04), ctTHb (µM) (r = 0.51, p = 0.05), and stO2 (%) (r = 0.57, p = 0.02), and negatively correlated with lipid content (%) (r = -0.52, p = 0.04). Tumors with positive Glut-1 status (n=8) showed significantly higher baseline levels of ctO2Hb (26.2±12.5 v.s 19.9±10.1, p = 0.04), ctTHb (41±13.3 v.s 27.5±11.7, p = 0.05), and stO2 (81.1±6.6 v.s 70.2±9.9, p = 0.02) and lower baseline levels of lipid (49±17.1 v.s 66.2±10.4, p = 0.03) compared to those with negative Glut-1 status (n = 8). There were no correlation between FAS and the optic properties. Five (31.3%) of 16 tumors achieved pathologic complete response (pCR) after completion of chemotherapy followed by surgery. Tumors with pCR showed higher stO2, higher Ki67 score and higher likelihood of Glut-1 expression than those with non-pCR (p = 0.009, 0.01, 0.03, respectively).

Only p-values with statistical significance were described.

(Conclusion) Higher tumoral expression levels of Ki67 and Glut-1 were correlated with higher oxygenation and lower lipid concentration and associated with a pathologic complete response to chemotherapy. Non-invasive optic properties measured using DOSI are potential surrogate markers for tumor proliferation and glucose metabolism.

Abstract P2-02-11: Evaluation of Tumor Response Using 3T Breast MRI Following Neoadjuvant Albumin-Bound Paclitaxel and Carboplatin with Bevacizumab or Trastuzumab

PURPOSE: MRI is known as the most accurate imaging modality for evaluating the extent of residual disease following neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Although in general breast MRI is done at 1.5T, 3T can provide a better signal-to-noise ratio and may be more sensitive to detect residual disease. In this study the diagnostic performance of 3T MRI for NAC response was investigated.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: In a period of 30 months, 42 NAC patients (29-83 y/o, mean 50 y/o) who received at least three MRI scans before, during and after therapy, and had surgery after completing NAC were analyzed in this study. The NAC protocol included albumin-bound paclitaxel, carboplatin and trastuzumab for HER-2 positive patients (N= 15), or bevacizumab for HER-2 negative patients (N=27). Some patients received doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, bi-weekly for 4 cycles, as clinically indicated. Twenty-eight lesions were mass types and 14 showed non-mass-like enhancements. The residual tumor size was determined using the RECIST criteria, by measuring the longest dimension shown on MRI. When there was no enhancement (or, with a faint enhancement equal to the background normal tissue enhancement), the case was determined as complete clinical response (CCR). Pathological complete response (pCR) was defined as no residual invasive cancer cells, with or without DCIS. In cases with residual invasive cancer, the pathological size was determined as the longest dimension, either the longest dimension on H&E-stained slide or from the number of blocks (each 5 mm) where the malignant invasive tumor was detected, whichever was greater. For residual tumor showing as scattered cancer cells/nests, the longest dimension was estimated from the involved blocks.

RESULTS: MRI diagnosed 12 complete clinical response and 30 cases with residual cancers. In pathological examination, 12 were pCR (29%). Overall, comparing MRI diagnosis to pCR diagnosis, there were 27 true positive, 9 true negative, 3 false negative, and 3 false positive. The three false positive cases all had residual DCIS-so although MRI did not predict pCR it correctly diagnosed residual DCIS. The three false negative cases were all non-mass lesions, in which pathology showed scattered small cancer foci in 3, 14, and 14 cm areas, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MRI were 90%, 75%, and 86%. Overall, the correlation between MRI and pathologic size was higher for mass lesions than for non-mass-like lesions (r=0.80 vs. r=0.67), and similar between Her-2 positive and negative lesions (r=0.82 vs. r=0.84). The discrepancy between MRI and pathological size was larger for non-mass lesions than for mass lesions (0.6-14 cm vs. 0-3 cm).

CONCLUSIONS: Similar to 1.5T, high resolution 3T MRI has limitations for the non-mass-like lesions that break into small foci and scattered cells. This might be due to that small tumor foci have lowered angiogenic activity, limiting MR contrast agent uptake, thus lowering the detection rate. For mass lesions, MR residual tumor size was highly correlated with pathological size. Understanding the accuracy and limitations of 3T MRI for NAC patients may aid in designing an improved NAC protocol and a better surgical planning.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-02-11.

HER2 FISH ratio cut-points and pathologic complete response (pCR), residual tumor (RT), HER2 status, and survival prediction in HER2-positive breast cancer (BC)

e22033

Background: We demonstrated that pCR is correlated with increasing HER2-FISH ratio, while disease-free survival (DFS) with pCR and ER-positivity in HER2-positive breast cancer treated with trastuzumab (SABCS 2008). It is known that quantitative HER2-FISH ratio correlates with ER levels and HER2-positivity imparts a higher grade in ER-positive BC. Collectively, we hypothesized that combined ER (≥10) and a HER2 ratio cut-point may subdivide HER2-positive BC into pCR predictive subtypes.Methods: Of the 80 HER2-positive (IHC3+/FISH+) BC, quantitative HER2 FISH ratio (widely spread over 1–18.3) and ER correlation was noted (r=0.34, p=0.002). Moreover, HER2 ratio (>4) correlated with higher Ki-67 (r= 0.5, p=0.01) and grade (p trend=0.05) in ER-positive subtype, inferring a biologic cut-point. Results: Of patients with stage I-IV BC treated neoadjuvantly (92% trastuzumab-based), pCR was 0% (0/13) in ER-positive-low-HER2 compared to 77% (10/13, p=0.0001), 75% (24/32, p<0.0001) and 37.5% (3/8, p=0.043) in ER-positive-high-HER2, ER-negative-high-HER2 and ER-negative-low-HER2, respectively. DFS was 100, 90, 80% and 60% (logrank-trend p<0.05) in these 4 subtypes (excluding stage IV), respectively, at a median follow-up of 38 months (range 6–72). In ER-negative subtypes, DFS was 97% and 29% (logrank p=0.0001) in patients with or without pCR; of the six with RT, 0% DFS was noted in four with HER2-negative/HER2-reduced (HER2-R) RT, compared to 100% in the two with unchanged HER2 (p=<0.05, logrank test). In ER-positive subtypes, DFS is 95% overall, and 100% in patients with RT; 7 of 10 tested RT were HER2- R. Conclusions: pCR is crucial and high in ER-negative-high-HER2 and is crucial (but low) in ER-negative-low-HER2-positive BC for improved outcome. Improved DFS is associated with high pCR in ER-positive-high-HER2 BC, but is independent of the low pCR in ER-positive-low-HER2-subtype. Thus, combined HER2 and ER offer improved prediction. In hypothesis generating analysis, HER2-R may underlie relapse in ER-negative subtypes (HER2-basal-transitional-residual), while it may be beneficial in ER-positive subtypes (luminal-B- A-transitional) by reducing HER2-pathway mediated endocrine resistance.

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Stability Indicating RP-HPLC Estimation of Nebivolol Hydrochloride in Pharmaceutical Formulations

A simple, specific, accurate and stability indicating reversed phase liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of nebivolol hydrochloride in tablet dosage forms. A phenomenex Gemini C-18, 5 μm column having 250×4.6 mm i.d., with mobile phase containing methanol: acetonitrile: 0.02 M potassium dihydrogen phosphate (60:30:10, v/v/v; pH 4.0) was used. The retention time of nebivolol hydrochloride was 2.6 min. The linearity for nebivolol hydrochloride was in the range of 0.2-10 μg/ml. The recovery was found to be in the range of 98.68-100.86%. The detection limit and quantification limit were found to be 0.06 μg/ml and 0.2 μg/ml, respectively. Nebivolol stock solutions were subjected to acid, alkali and neutral hydrolysis, chemical oxidation and dry heat degradation. The degraded product peaks were well resolved from the pure drug peak with significant difference in their retention time values. The proposed method was validated and successfully applied to the estimation of nebivolol hydrochloride in tablet formulations.

RP-HPLC Estimation of Venlafaxine Hydrochloride in Tablet Dosage Forms

A simple, specific, accurate, and precise reverse phase high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed and validated for the estimation of venlafaxine hydrochloride in tablet dosage forms. A Phenomenex Gemini C-18, 5 mum column having 250 x 4.6 mm i.d. in isocratic mode, with mobile phase containing methanol: 0.05 M potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (70:30, v/v; pH 6.2) was used. The flow rate was 1.0 ml/min and effluents were monitored at 226 nm. Carbamazepine was used as an internal standard. The retention time of venlafaxine hydrochloride and carbamazepine were 3.7 min and 5.3 min, respectively. The method was validated for specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of quantification, limit of detection, robustness and solution stability. Limit of detection and limit of quantification for estimation of venlafaxine hydrochloride were found to be 100 ng/ml and 300 ng/ml, respectively. Recoveries of venlafaxine hydrochloride in tablet formulations were found to be in the range of 99.02-101.68%. Proposed method was successfully applied for the quantitative determination of venlafaxine hydrochloride in tablet dosage forms.

Pathologic complete response (pCR) following weekly (wkly) paclitaxel (cremophor or albumin-bound) and carboplatin (TC) ± trastuzumab (H), ± bevacizumab (B) in patients (pts) with doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide-resistant (AC-Res) and AC-sensitive (AC-S) large and inflammatory breast cancer

591

Introduction: Historically, pCR is rare in AC-Res in contrast to AC-S BC except following TCH in HER2+ BC in preliminary analysis (SABCS-2004, #1110). Moreover, robust predictors of pCR are needed. Methods: 106 consecutive BC pts on neoadjuvant studies were treated with GM/G-CSF supported dose-dense AC (except 7**- Table ), 2 cycles if AC-Res and 4 if AC-S. Pts then received 9–12 wkly TC (3 wks on, 1 off) ± 6–8 bi-wkly B if HER2- or +12–16 wkly H if HER2+, followed by surgery. Fisher’s exact test was performed to compare pCR percentages by various characteristics. Results: pCR in breast and lymph nodes in 38 of 84 assessable tumors in the first 82 pts were documented. 67% (56/84) tumors were reduced to ≤5 mm. Overall, no difference in pCR rates were found between AC-S and AC-Res BC, but pCR rates were 2- to 4-fold higher in HER2+, AC-S (79%) and AC-Res (65%) subsets compared to HER2-, AC-S (32%) and AC-Res (16%) subsets. Higher pCR rates were associated with HER2+/hormone receptor- (HR-) > HER2+/HR+, HER2-/HR- (triple-) > HER2-/HR+, and within the HER2+ subset-IHC 3+/FISH+ or unknown > IHC 3+/FISH- or IHC 1–2+/FISH+, and ductal > other histology. No patient had clinical cardiac dysfunction or EF <50, except 1 on AC/TC. 13/106 (12%) progression or death at a median follow-up of 22 months (range 2–46) is mostly due to stage IV and CNS progression. Conclusion: Short course of TCH achieves a high rate of pCR in AC-Res and AC-S, HER2+ BC in contrast to TC ± B in AC-Res and AC-S, HER2- BC. This is the first demonstration of high rate of complete AC resistance reversal across stage II-IV, inflammatory and recurrent HER2+ BC. In vivo response adjusted 2–4 cycles of dose-dense AC limited clinical cardiac toxicity. HER2+ (IHC 3+/FISH+ or unknown), HR- and ductal histology are significant predictors of high pCR. HER2 and HR confer 4 predictive subtypes of BC.

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No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Paclitaxel, carboplatin and trastuzumab (TCH) achieves high pathological complete remission rate after in vivo response directed 2–4 cycles of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide (AC) in breast cancer patients

10583

Background: A pathological complete remission (pCR) predicts improved survival in breast cancer (BC). Treatment with AC followed by concurrent TCH improved pCR rates to 87.5% in Her2 positive 8-patient pilot study (SABCS 2004, abs #1110), confirmed by a subsequent phase II study. We hypothesized that response adjusted AC (2–4 cycles), TCH (3–4 cycles) sequence targets topoisomerase II alpha amplified and deleted clone, respectively (SABCS 2005, abs # 5056). We report here the combined analysis of the Her2 positive (fluorescence in situ hybridization + or immunohistochemistry 3+) subset of these studies. Material and Methods: Thirty-one patients with stage IIB-IV BC were accrued. Twenty-eight of 31 patients received AC in a dose dense manner with GM-CSF support. Patients received carboplatin calculated at AUC of 2 and paclitaxel at 80 mg/m2 for 3 weeks followed by 1 week of rest (1 cycle) for a maximum of 4 cycles. Concurrent trastuzumab 4 mg/kg loading dose, then 2 mg/kg/wk was administered for 12–16 weeks. Results: Twenty-nine of 31(94%, CI, 0.79–1) patients showed a clinical complete or partial response (cCR, or cPR). Nineteen of 27 patients (70%, CI, 0.50–0.86) achieved a pCR at surgery; two additional patients had ≤3 mm residual invasive cancer; and lymph node negativity rate was 73%. Of the 3 additional patients with cCR, 1died (underlying cirrhosis), 1 refused surgery, and 1 awaits surgery. A fourth patient with cPR awaits surgery. Ninety percent of the patients (28/31, CI, 0.74–0.98) are alive, and 77% (24/31, CI, 0.59–0. 90) are progression free at median follow up of 19 months (range 6–35 months). Median ejection fraction by echocardiogram was 60% (range 50–74); no patient had clinical cardiac dysfunction. One patient each on GM-CSF and peg-GCSF developed neutropenic fever. Conclusion: Short course of TCH following response adjusted 2–4 cycles of AC will have an improved therapeutic ratio with minimum cardiac toxicity and maximal response.

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Weekly carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel plus trastuzumab, or plus or minus bevacizumab: Clinical response in patients with breast cancer

10699

Background: We previously reported a high, complete pathological remission rate in the neoadjuvant setting using carboplatin and metronomic paclitaxel plus or minus trastuzumab (TC ± H) following anthracycline therapy in patients with HER2+ and triple negative (ER-, PR- and HER2-) breast cancer, respectively. [SABCS 2004 abstract #1110 & SABCS 2005 # 5056] . We now report the clinical outcome of patients with breast cancer who were treated with carboplatin and a 130-nm, albumin-bound form of paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) plus trastuzumab (nab-TCH) in HER2+ patients, or plus or minus bevacizumab (nab-TC ± B) in HER2- patients or trastuzumab-exposed HER2+ patients. Methods: Twelve consecutive patients with performance status of 0–2 were treated in the neoadjuvant or metastatic setting from April 2005 to December 2005. Of the 12 patients, 10 received prior anthracycline therapy, 10 received prior taxane therapy, 4 received prior carboplatin therapy, and 4 received prior trastuzumab therapy. Patients received carboplatin calculated at an area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) of 2 and nab-paclitaxel at 80–100 mg/m2 weekly for 3 weeks followed by 1 week of rest. Either concurrent trastuzumab therapy was administered at 4 mg/kg loading dose, followed by maintenance dose of 2 mg/kg/wk (3 patients) or concurrent bevacizumab therapy was administered at 10mg/kg every 2 weeks (8 patients). One patient received carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel alone. Results: At this point, 9 pts are evaluable. Eight of the first 9 patients achieved a major clinical response (89%, 95% CI: 52%−100%), with 2 of the 8 responders obtaining a documented complete clinical response. Of the 3 remaining patients, 1 had clinical resolution of malignant ascites, 1 had normalization of tumor marker, and 1 had resolution of pain at early follow up. None of the patients had neutropenic fever or grade 3/4 neuropathy or arthralgia. Conclusions: The above combinations (nab-TCH or nab-TC ± B demonstrated promising antitumor activity in patients with breast cancer in the neoadjuvant and metastatic breast cancer. We have initiated a phase II study exploring nab-TCH and nab-TCB (sequenced after doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide) in the neoadjuvant setting.

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Risk factors, associated health problems, reasons for admission and knowledge profile of diabetes patients admitted in BPKIHS

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study was to find out the demographic profile, identify the known risk factors, assess the associated health problems, find out the reasons for admission and explore the knowledge profile of the patients admitted with diabetes in medical units of BPKIHS.

METHODS

It was hospital based exploratory study conducted among the admitted DM patients during the period of 1-3-2003 to 29-2-2004 in medical units using simple random sampling, which included 35 samples. The data was analysed using Excel and SPSS programme.

RESULTS

About 54% subjects were of age group between 40-60 yr., Hindu 85.7%, married 92.9%, and non-vegetarian 75.9 %. About 50% of subjects were on Insulin. About 60.7 % subject had hypertension, 39.3 % had ocular problem, and 25 % had renal problems. Majority of subject (82.1 %) had knowledge about the disease, they were suffering but limited subject had the knowledge about, causes, curability, treatment modalities, diet, and other aspects.

CONCLUSIONS

As the knowledge regarding various aspects of DM is very low, there is need for information booklet in Nepali and health education programme among public will be very beneficial.

Breast cancer survival and in vitro tumor response in the extreme drug resistance assay

PURPOSE

To determine whether in vitro extreme drug resistance (EDR) assay results for patients with breast carcinoma were associated with clinical outcome after chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

EDR assays were performed on tumor tissue obtained from 103 newly diagnosed breast cancer cases. EDR scores of 2 for low, 1 for intermediate, or 0 for extreme drug resistance were determined for each agent tested. In vitro EDR scores for 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide (4HC) and doxorubicin were summed for patients treated with AC, or for 4HC and 5-FU for patients treated with CMF. Treatment selection was blinded to assay results.

RESULTS

Median time to progression was significantly shorter for patients with extreme or intermediate in vitro resistance (n = 55, 48 months), compared to patients with low in vitro resistance, (n = 41, 100 months, p = 0.022). Patients demonstrating extreme to intermediate drug resistance also showed poorer survival than the low resistance group (49.5 months vs. not reached, median follow-up 48 months, p =0.011). Summed EDR scores, stage, and number of lymph nodes were significantly associated with survival in univariate and multivariate analysis. Compared to EDR scores of 4, summed EDR scores of 0-1 and summed EDR scores of 2-3 were associated with a relative risk of death of 3.09 (95%, CI 1.05-9.06, Cox proportional hazards model, p = 0.040) and 2.35 (95%, CI 1.07-5.15, Cox proportional hazards model, p = 0.033), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Extreme drug resistance testing identified patients with individual patterns of drug resistance prior to therapy. In this cohort of breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy, summed EDR scores were significantly associated with time to tumor progression and overall survival. EDR results may offer a method for optimizing treatment selection.

Biomarker conservation in primary and metastatic epithelial ovarian cancer

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to compare the overexpression of specific biomarkers in primary advanced and recurrent epithelial ovarian cancers.

METHODS

Biomarker expression by epithelial ovarian cancer specimens from primary and metastatic sites was examined by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Biomarker expression by subpopulations of tissues consisting of matched pairs of synchronous and metachronous lesions was also studied.

RESULTS

A total of 3173 epithelial ovarian cancer specimens were retrieved from women with FIGO Stage III/IV disease. These included lesions from 1036 primary and 2137 metastatic sites. The percentages of biomarker expression for primary and metastatic lesions, respectively, were MDR1, 12 and 10%; p53, 55 and 60%; HER2, 12 and 11%; EGF-R, 26 and 33%; increased microvessel counts (CD31), 21 and 36%. Approximately 73% of both primary and metastatic specimens were aneuploid, and approximately 57% of both sets had an S-phase fraction >7%. Only EGF-R and CD31 expression were found to be significantly different between the primary and metastatic tumors (P < 0.05). Of the paired synchronous cases (n = 48) evaluated, 88% of aneuploid primary lesions were associated with aneuploid metastases. Similarly, the distributions for MDR1, HER2, and p53 expression did not vary significantly between primary and metastatic sites. Pairings of metachronous cases (n = 66) revealed that nearly 80% of primary aneuploid tumors (n = 39) retained their aneuploid status at the time of relapse. Furthermore, there were no significant changes in MDR1, p53, or HER2 expression at relapse.

CONCLUSIONS

With the exception of EGF-R and CD31, clonal divergence of the biomarkers evaluated in this study probably does not play a significant role in imparting clinical heterogeneity during the advanced and recurrent stages of epithelial ovarian cancer. These particular genes likely undergo alterations early in the tumorigenesis process before metastases have become established.

Failure of high fat diets to promote mammary cancers in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Rat strains differ in their susceptibilities to chemically-induced mammary carcinogenesis. The present study tested the hypothesis that the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) strain is resistant to mammary carcinogenesis. Resistance would imply the presence of the mammary carcinoma suppressor (MCS) gene. Therefore, we also wanted to test the ability of this gene to inhibit mammary tumor promotion in the presence of high fat diets. Female SHRs were treated with DMBA (5 mg/rat) at 50 days of age and transferred to either a 20% corn oil or 19% menhaden oil + 1% corn oil diet one week later. At 17 weeks post-DMBA none of the rats in either group developed mammary carcinomas. Multiple palpable nodules formed in the mammary gland indicating that initiation had occurred. We conclude that the SHR strain is genetically resistant to DMBA-induced mammary carcinogenesis by mechanisms involving a blockade of promotion.

High fish oil diet increases oxidative stress potential in mammary gland of spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. The purpose of this study was to determine whether high omega-3 (19% menhaden oil, 1% corn oil) or high omega-6 (20% corn oil) fatty acid diets would decrease expression of hypertension in the female spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR), promote tumourigenesis in the rat 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) model of mammary cancer or increase the susceptibility of the mammary gland to lipid peroxidation. A group of rats on a 5% corn oil diet served as the low fat control group. 2. We found that the high omega-3 and high omega-6 fatty acid diets did not significantly decrease mean arterial pressure. Marked differences occurred between the effects of omega-3 and omega-6 high fatty acid diets on baseline oxidation, auto-oxidation and iron-ascorbate catalyzed oxidation. The omega-3 diet showed 675% increase in basal oxidation, a 2624% increase in auto-oxidation and a 4244% increase in iron-ascorbate catalyzed oxidation compared to the omega-6 diet in mammary tissue homogenates. Although all rats were given 5 mg DMBA (i.g.), no mammary tumours were observed in any of the dietary groups. 3. We conclude that: (i) high polyunsaturated fatty acid diets do not decrease blood pressure in the female SHR; (ii) high fish oil diet markedly increases oxidative potential in the mammary gland; and (iii) the female SHR is resistant to DMBA-induced tumourigenesis.

Effects of total fasting or chronic food restriction on plasma endothelin levels in rats

We tested the effects of 24- and 48-h fasting and 40% calorie restriction stresses on plasma endothelin (ET)-1,2 levels in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Plasma ET-1,2 levels in pg/ml were lower in 24-h fasted rats (15.48 +/- 3.49), 48-h fasted rats (5.28 +/- 4.32), and in chronically food-deprived rats (R) (10.49 +/- 6.28) compared to ad lib-fed (AL) rats (21.23 +/- 9.38). The R rats were pair-fed 40% fewer calories than AL rats. We conclude that calorie restriction or total food deprivation stress decreases plasma ET-1,2 levels, unlike many other forms of physiological stress that have been shown to increase plasma ET-1,2 levels.

The effects of patterned calorie-restricted diets on mammary tumor incidence and plasma endothelin levels in DMBA-treated rats

Chronic caloric restriction has been shown to inhibit mammary tumor promotion in the 7,12-dimethyl-benz[a]anthracene (DMBA) rat mammary tumor model. The objectives of this study were to determine (i) the effects of chronic caloric cycling (yo-yo dieting) on mammary tumor promotion by high fat diets and (ii) the effect of three dietary regimens +/- superimposed mammary tumor burden on plasma endothelin-1,2 (ET) levels. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with DMBA (5 mg/rat) and divided into three dietary groups: ad libitum (AL) (containing 15% corn oil); 40% calorie restricted (CR) (containing 20% corn oil so consumption of fat was equivalent between AL and CR); a calorie cycled (CC) group fed alternatively AL and CR diets each 48 h period. After 10 weeks, tumor incidences were: AL, 63%; CR, 27%; CC, 57% (AL versus CR, P < 0.05; CC versus CR, P < 0.05; AL versus CC, NSD). ET levels (pg/ml plasma) were: AL, 16.0 +/- 6.54; CR, 32.31 +/- 0.34; CC, 23.44 +/- 5.04 (AL versus CR, P < 0.01; CC versus CR, P < 0.01; AL versus CC, P < 0.05). Plasma ET levels were independent of tumor incidence and tumor burden, but plasma ET levels were significantly increased in rats with a prior history of calorie restriction. As expected, maintained caloric restriction reduced mammary tumor incidence but intermittent caloric restriction (caloric cycling or yo-yo dieting) was without similar benefit.

The pathogenesis of retinopathy of prematurity as it relates to surgical treatment

Our current surgical treatment for threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is based upon three concepts which emerged from morphologic and biochemical study of 250 pairs of whole eye donations obtained over a ten year period. 1) Spindle cells normally migrate and canalize to form inner retinal vessels, but when stressed, spindle cells secrete angiogenic factors. The clinical implication is that transretinal cryotherapy to the avascular retina is efficacious because it obliterates spindle cells. The number and timing of cryosessions are determined by the migration and kinetics of spindle cells. 2) Myofibroblasts originate from the shunt, are the major cellular component of extraretinal fibrovascular proliferation (EFP), and contract to produce retinal distortion and detachment. The clinical implication is that a second transretinal cryotherapy session should obliterate the shunt and the EFP, and should eliminate the source of retinal traction. 3) Anterior ocular growth occurs exponentially during the period when ROP develops and is treated. The clinical implication is that a prophylactic scleral buckle supports the fixed surface area of the developing retina while the choroid and sclera enlarge anteriorly. Retinal distortion produces misaligned photoreceptors, and retinal detachment results in rapid retinal death.

Morphologic changes of K-Sol preserved human corneas

Supplementation of tissue culture medium with chondroitin sulfate has been shown to enhance donor corneal preservation. We assessed the efficacy of one of these chondroitin-supplemented media (K-Sol) in comparison with McCarey-Kaufman (MK) medium in maintaining corneal cellular morphology. Thirty-six human corneas, obtained within 8.6 h after death, were placed into K-Sol medium for up to 20 days preservation, and five paired control corneas were placed into MK medium for up to 6 days preservation. Specular photomicrographs were obtained every second to third day for a predetermined storage interval, then studied morphologically in a masked protocol by light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Endothelial cell loss by specular microscopy averaged 5.8% after 1 week (6 to 8 days) and 7.4% after 13 days in K-Sol medium. Epithelial changes were erratic throughout the 20 day K-Sol preservation period. However, substantial keratocyte changes occurred after 10 days, and endothelial morphology uniformly deteriorated after 17 days. The morphologic data suggest that human corneas may be able to be preserved in K-Sol medium at 4 degrees C for up to 10 days but should be cautiously used thereafter.

Irregular astigmatism induced by annular tinted contact lenses

Three patients developed irregular corneal astigmatism while wearing annular tinted soft contact lenses on a daily basis for 1.5 to 3 years. There was severe keratometer mire distortion, and photokeratoscopy revealed central and midperipheral corneal topographical irregularities in four of six eyes. In a masked protocol, scanning electron microscopy of four contact lenses revealed physical deformations in three lenses worn on affected eyes. We propose that latent stress vectors were created when the affected contact lenses were tinted. With patient usage, the stress vectors matured into physical deformations that induced irregular astigmatism. The astigmatism resolved upon discontinuing wear of these lenses, and the patients were able to wear other lenses with no recurrence of symptoms.

Abnormal sperm and photoreceptor axonemes in Usher's syndrome

Axonemes are organelles that are composed of microtubule doublets and singlets with a complex assembly of associated proteins. This study was designed to investigate the possibility that an abnormal axoneme is involved in the pathogenesis of Usher's syndrome. A masked structural and functional analysis of sperm was performed on samples from ten patients with Usher's syndrome and 33 controls, including duplicate samples from six patients and three controls. In the functional analyses, there was a significant decrease in patient sperm motility and velocity. Structurally, there was a significant increase in tail abnormalities at both the light and electron microscopic levels. Ejaculate volume and sperm concentration were normal in the patient population. The presence of abnormal axonemes was also confirmed in remnant photoreceptors of a whole eye donation from a patient with Usher's syndrome. The data suggest that defective connecting cilia axonemes may be involved in the irreversible, progressive loss of photoreceptors in Usher's syndrome.