The use of pembrolizumab monotherapy for the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in the UK

Pembrolizumab has received approval in the UK as first-line monotherapy for recurrent and/or metastatic HNSCC (R/M HNSCC) following the results of the KEYNOTE-048 trial, which demonstrated a longer overall survival (OS) in comparison to the EXTREME chemotherapy regimen in patients with a combined positive score (CPS) ≥1. In this article, we provide retrospective real-world data on the role of pembrolizumab monotherapy as first-line systemic therapy for HNSCC across 18 centers in the UK from March 20, 2020 to May 31, 2021. 211 patients were included, and in the efficacy analysis, the objective response rate (ORR) was 24.7%, the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 4.8 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.6-6.1), and the median OS was 10.8 months (95% CI 9.0-12.5). Pembrolizumab monotherapy was well tolerated, with 18 patients having to stop treatment owing to immune-related adverse events (irAEs). 53 patients proceeded to second-line treatment with a median PFS2 of 10.2 months (95% CI: 8.8-11.5). Moreover, patients with documented irAEs had a statistically significant longer median PFS (11.3 vs. 3.3 months; log-rank p value = <.001) and median OS (18.8 vs. 8.9 months; log-rank p value <.001). The efficacy and safety of pembrolizumab first-line monotherapy for HNSCC has been validated using real-world data.

Association of follow-up imaging frequency with temporal incidence and patterns of distant failure following (chemo) radiotherapy for HPV related oropharyngeal cancer

OBJECTIVES

Emerging data supports radical intent therapy for oligometastatic (OM) relapsed human papilloma virus (HPV+) related oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). We assess the association of follow-up imaging frequency amongst HPV + OPC, with temporal and spatial patterns of distant relapse, to inform rationalisation of routine post-treatment imaging.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective single centre cohort study was carried out of consecutive HPV + OPC patients treated with radical intent (chemo)radiotherapy ((CT)RT) between 2011 and 2019. OM state was defined as ≤ 5 metastasis, none larger than 3 cm (OMs) or, if interval from last negative surveillance imaging > 6-months, then ≤ 10 metastasis, none larger than 5 cm, (OMp). Patients not meeting OMs / OMp criteria were deemed to have incurable diffuse metastatic disease (DMdiffuse).

RESULTS

793 HPV-OPC patients were identified with median follow-up 3.15years (range 0.2-8.9). 52 (6.6 %) patients had radiologically identified DM at first failure and were considered for analysis. The median time to recurrence was 15.1 months (range: 2.6-63 months). 87 % of distant metastasis (DM) occurred in the first two years after treatment. Twenty-seven (52 %) patients had OM (OMs or OMp) at time of failure, with 31 % having OMs. The median time from completion of treatment to diagnosis of DMdiffuse vs OM was 22.2 months (range: 2.6-63.1 months) vs 11.6 months (range: 3.5-32.5 months). The probability of being diagnosed with OM vs DMdiffuse increased with reducing interval from last negative surveillance scan to imaging identifying DM (≤6 months 88.9 %, 7-12 months 71.4 %, 13-24 months 35 %, > 24 months 22.2 %).

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate that a reduced interval between last negative imaging and subsequent radiological diagnosis of DM is associated with increased likelihood of identification of OM disease. Consideration of increased frequency of surveillance imaging during the first two years of follow up is supported, particularly for patients at high risk of distant failure.

Phase 4 Multinational Multicenter Retrospective and Prospective Real-World Study of Nivolumab in Recurrent and Metastatic Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

This study examined the real-world use of nivolumab in patients with recurrent/metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (R/M SCCHN). This was a multinational retrospective study (VOLUME) assessing treatment effectiveness and safety outcomes and a prospective study (VOLUME-PRO) assessing HRQoL and patient-reported symptoms. There were 447 and 51 patients in VOLUME and VOLUME-PRO, respectively. Across both studies, the median age was 64.0 years, 80.9% were male, and 52.6% were former smokers. Clinical outcomes of interest included real-world overall survival (rwOS) and real-world progression-free survival (rwPFS). The median rwOS was 9.2 months. Among patients with at least one assessment, 21.7% reported their best response as 'partial response', with 3.9% reporting 'complete response'. The median duration of response (DoR) and median rwPFS were 11.0 months and 3.9 months, respectively. At baseline, VOLUME-PRO patients reported difficulties relating to fatigue, physical and sexual functioning, dyspnea, nausea, sticky saliva, dry mouth, pain/discomfort, mobility, and financial difficulties. There were improvements in social functioning and financial difficulties throughout the study; however, no other clinically meaningful changes were noted. No new safety concerns were identified. This real-world, multinational, multicenter, retrospective and prospective study supports the effectiveness and safety of nivolumab for R/M SCCHN patients.

Using the derived 28-joint disease activity score patient-reported components (DAS28-P) index as a discriminatory measure of response to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy in early rheumatoid arthritis

Background

The 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28) is a widely used measure to assess disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The DAS28-P index, a derived proportion of the patient-reported components (joint tenderness and patient global assessment) within the DAS28, has been utilized as a discriminatory measure of non-inflammatory pain mechanisms in RA. This study aimed to evaluate the use of the DAS28-P index as a predictor of treatment response in early RA.

Methods

Patients with early RA enrolled in a supplemental fish oil clinical trial received a combination of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) according to a ‘treat-to-target’ protocol. First, consecutive measures of the DAS28-P index, derived from the DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR), at each visit over a 1-year period were estimated for each patient. Then, distinct subgroups of treatment responders based on the trajectories of the DAS28-P indices were identified using bivariate k-means cluster analysis. Data on baseline predictors as well as longitudinal outcomes of disease impact and DMARD use over a 1-year period and radiographic progression over a 3-year period were collected and analyzed using a random intercept, population-averaged generalized estimating equation model.

Results

121 patients were included (74% female; mean age of 57; median of 16 weeks of active disease) and a 3-cluster model was identified—the ‘Responders’ group (n = 58; 48%), the ‘Partial Responders’ group (n = 32; 26%), and the ‘Non-Responders’ group (n = 31; 26%). The ‘Partial Responders’ group had consistently higher proportions of the DAS28-P index throughout the study period and had minimal radiographic progression over time, with the lowest joint erosion score of 0.9 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.2, 1.6], observed at the 3-year follow-up. At 52 weeks, the methotrexate dose was higher for both ‘Partial Responders’ and ‘Non-Responders’ groups (18.5 mg [95% CI 15.5, 21.5] and 18.6 mg [95% CI 15.3, 21.8] respectively), when compared with the ‘Responders’ group (12.8 mg [95% CI 14.7, 20.9]).

Conclusions

Persistently high DAS28-P index scores are useful to distinguish poor patient global assessment and excessive treatment escalation in early RA, suggestive of underlying non-inflammatory pain contributing to higher disease activity score. Early identification of patients with discordant subjective and objective components of composite disease activity measures may allow better tailoring of treatment in RA.

Clinical disease course and survival outcomes following disease recurrence in adenoid cystic carcinoma with and without NOTCH signaling pathway activation

BACKGROUND

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare salivary cancer. The highest rates of disease recurrence are in patients with NOTCH pathway activation, reported in up to 20%. Novel drugs targeting NOTCH signaling are under investigation in the recurrent/metastatic (R/M) setting. To understand their clinical utility, there is an urgent need to better characterize the disease course and outcomes following current standard of care treatment.

METHODS

120 patients with R/M ACC underwent clinical review at a single UK Cancer Centre. Patients were retrospectively assessed for tumor NOTCH pathway activation using next generation sequencing (NGS) targeting NOTCH1/2/3 genes and/or NOTCH1 intra-cellular domain (NICD1) immunohistochemistry. Demographic and treatment data were extracted from the clinical notes. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed using log rank test.

RESULTS

NOTCH pathway activation was identified in 13/120 patients (11 %). In 12/101 patients analyzed by NGS, NOTCH1/3 activating somatic mutations were identified, and a further patient was identified with NICD1 diffuse nuclear staining in whom NGS testing was not possible. Patients with NOTCH pathway activation had shorter median RFS (1.1 vs 3.4 years, p = 0.2032) and significantly reduced median OS from diagnosis (4.0 vs 16.3 years, p < 0.0001). There was significantly reduced median OS from time of disease recurrence/metastasis (1.9 vs 9.6 years, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

This study clearly demonstrates a reduction in OS from time of first confirmed disease recurrence/metastasis for patients with NOTCH pathway activated ACC. This provides support for developing new drugs for this sub-group of patients, for whom clinical outcomes are significantly worse and effective treatments are lacking.

Appraising the Costs of Genomic Testing for Histology-Independent Technologies: An Illustrative Example for NTRK Fusions

OBJECTIVES

Histology-independent (HI) technologies are authorized for patients with advanced or metastatic cancer if they express a particular biomarker regardless of its position in the body. Although this represents an important advancement in cancer treatment, genomic testing to identify eligible individuals for HI technologies will require substantial investment and impact their cost-effectiveness. Estimating these costs is complicated by several issues, which affect not only the overall cost of testing but also the distribution of testing costs across tumor types.

METHODS

Key issues that should be considered when evaluating the cost of genomic testing to identify those eligible for HI technologies are discussed. These issues are explored in illustrative analyses where costs of genomic testing for NTRK fusions in England for recently approved HI technologies are estimated.

RESULTS

The prevalence of mutation, testing strategy adopted, and current testing provision affect the cost of identifying eligible patients. The illustrative analysis estimated the cost of RNA-based next-generation sequencing to identify 1 individual with an NTRK fusion ranged between £377 and £282 258. To improve cost-effectiveness, testing costs could be shared across multiple technologies. An estimated additional ∼4000 patients would need to be treated with other HI therapies for testing in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer to be cost-effective.

CONCLUSIONS

The cost of testing to identify individuals eligible for HI technologies affect the drug's cost-effectiveness. The cost of testing across tumor types varies owing to heterogeneity in the mutation's prevalence and current testing provision. The cost-effectiveness of HI technologies may be improved if testing costs could be shared across multiple agents.

The prevalence and prognostic impact of mutations promoting chromatin remodelling dysregulation in non-resectable or recurrent/metastatic adenoid cystic carcinoma

6087

Background: Few effective drug therapies exist for patients with recurrent/metastatic (R/M) adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Mutations in genes encoding chromatin remodelling proteins are described in almost 50% of ACC patients (pts). Novel drug therapies are being developed to target these pathways, and may have clinical utility in this sub-group. We sought to classify mutations in chromatin remodelling genes in ACC based on predicted pathogenicity and to determine the impact of chromatin remodelling dysregulation (CRD) on clinical outcomes. Methods: Matched clinical-genomic data from 269 pts with non-resectable or R/M ACC were included in this study. 130 pts were prospectively recruited to an ethically approved study. For these pts, DNA extracted from FFPE tissue was sequenced on a commercially available platform to detect point mutations, indels and copy number variation in 324 genes. In addition, clinical-genomic data from 139 ACC pts were collected from cBioPortal (MetTropism, Cell 2021) for analysis. Mutations were classified as pathogenic using COSMIC, ClinVar and OncoKB. Univariate survival analysis was performed to determine the impact of one or more mutations in chromatin remodelling genes on survival from first recurrence or metastasis. p values determined using Kaplan-Meier and log-rank. Results: In 269 pts with non-resectable or R/M ACC, mutations promoting CRD were identified in ARID1A (11%), CREBBP (5%), EP300 (5%), KMT2C (1%), KMT2D (5%), KDM6A (13%), and SETD2 (3%). CRD mutations were identified in 94/269 (35%) pts, with 27/269 (10%) having 2 or more CRD mutations. For patients in whom CRD mutations were present survival from recurrence was decreased (median OS 4.6 v 8.2 years, HR 1.65 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-2.40), p = 0.01). Analysis of each individual CRD gene identified that association with decreased survival from recurrence was significant for mutations in KDM6A (n = 35; median OS 4.2 vs 6.5 years; HR 2.01 (95% CI 1.25-3.22); p = 0.004), CREBBP (n = 11; median OS 4.2 vs 5.9 years; HR 2.97 (95% CI 1.20-7.38); p = 0.019) and SETD2 (n = 7; median OS 3.7 vs 5.9; HR 2.47 (95% CI 1.002-6.09); p = 0.042). Previous studies have identified NOTCH pathway activation and TP53 loss-of-function as prognostic. In a secondary analysis of pts without NOTCH activation and/or TP53 mutations (n = 202), OS from recurrence was decreased in those with CRD mutations (n = 58 median OS 5.7 vs 9.2 years, HR 1.5 (CI 95% 0.95-2.55), p = 0.07). Conclusions: We have identified a novel prognostic group of ACC pts characterised by mutations promoting CRD, which may have potential therapeutic options. Alterations in EP300/CREBBP/ARID1A may provide a rationale for treatment with CREBBP/EP300 inhibitors currently in clinical development. Significant co-occurrence with NOTCH gain of function may provide a rationale for future combination studies.

Nomogram to predict duration of clinical benefit from nivolumab in platinum resistant, recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

e18016

Background: Immune checkpoint blockade of the programmed death-1 receptor (PD1) with nivolumab improves survival for patients with platinum resistant recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC). However, response rates are only 15-20% and the majority of patients do not have prolonged clinical benefit. Established predictive biomarkers such as PDL1 are not reliable in this context and there remain no reliable predictors of response to nivolumab in R/M HNSCC. We therefore sought to evaluate a panel of clinical, haematology and biochemistry parameters to develop a nomogram to predict the duration of clinical benefit following treatment with nivolumab. Methods: Ninety-one patients treated with nivolumab for R/M HNSCC were included. Nivolumab was administered as standard of care management and tumour response was evaluated every 8-12 weeks using CT or MRI. The electronic clinical records were reviewed and all clinical and demographic data were extracted in addition to baseline haematology and clinical biochemistry values. Using Cox proportional hazard analysis these variables were used to create a predictive model for duration of clinical benefit. Patients were dichotomised based upon duration on nivolumab treatment. Backwards elimination with a p-value threshold of 0.05 was used to create a predictive nomogram. For the final model, patients were assigned to two groups (< 3 months and ≥ 3 months on therapy) calculated from the date of first nivolumab dose to the date of discontinuation. Progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated from the date of the first dose of nivolumab. Results: Of the 91 patients, 82 had stopped treatment at the time of analysis with a median time on treatment of 2.5 months (95% CI 1.8 to 3.6). Median PFS was 3 months with 1-year PFS rate of 15%. Median OS was 9 months with 1 year OS rate of 40%. Multivariable analysis identified multiple pre-treatment factors that correlate with time on treatment; age (HR 0.97; 95% CI 0.93-1.00, p = 0.029), oropharyngeal tumour location (HR 0.51; 95% CI 0.31-0.85, p = 0.01), N stage (HR 1.84; 95% CI 0.97-3.5, p = 0.061), M stage (HR 2.44; 95% CI 1.27-4.7, p = 0.007), and pre-treatment peripheral blood markers which included monocyte count (HR 2.83; 95% CI 1.05-7.6, p = 0.04), sodium (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.88-1.00, p = 0.057) and calcium (HR 7.6; 95% CI 1.46-39.7, p = 0.016) levels. These were included in the final nomogram which had a concordance index of 0.69. Conclusions: We have developed a novel nomogram to predict the duration of clinical benefit from nivolumab in platinum resistant R/M HNSCC for subsequent independent validation. This may assist clinicians in counselling patients and clinical decision making and could also be used to identifying poor responders for whom alternative treatment options are required.

New ABO intron 1 variant alleles

Unusual and discrepant ABO phenotypes are often due to genetic variants that lead to altered levels or activity of ABO transferases and consequently to altered expression of ABO antigens. This report describes eight genetic alterations found in 15 cases with reduced or undetectable expression of ABO antigens. Forward and reverse ABO grouping was performed by standard gel or tube methods. Adsorption-heat elution and saliva testing for H and A substances followed the AABB technical manual procedures. Genomic DNA extracted from whole blood was PCR-amplified to cover the entire ABO coding sequence, splice junctions, proximal promoter, and intron 1 enhancer. Amplification products were sequenced by next-generation or Sanger dideoxy methods, either directly or after cloning into a bacterial plasmid vector. Eight unreported alleles were found in the 15 cases analyzed. Alleles ABO*A(28+1C) and ABO*A(29-5G) harbor variants that alter the consensus sequence at the intron 1 donor and acceptor splice sites, respectively. The other alleles harbor variants that alter the consensus sequence at transcription factor-binding sites in the intron 1 enhancer: specifically, ABO*A(28+5792T), ABO*A(28+5859A), and ABO*A(28+5860G) at GATA-1 sites; ABO*B(28+5877T) and ABO*B(28+5878G) at a RUNX1 site; and ABO*A(28+5843A) at or near a C/EBP site. Molecular and serologic characterization of ABO alleles can help in their future identification and in the resolution of discrepancies.

Unusual and discrepant ABO phenotypes are often due to genetic variants that lead to altered levels or activity of ABO transferases and consequently to altered expression of ABO antigens. This report describes eight genetic alterations found in 15 cases with reduced or undetectable expression of ABO antigens. Forward and reverse ABO grouping was performed by standard gel or tube methods. Adsorption-heat elution and saliva testing for H and A substances followed the AABB technical manual procedures. Genomic DNA extracted from whole blood was PCR-amplified to cover the entire ABO coding sequence, splice junctions, proximal promoter, and intron 1 enhancer. Amplification products were sequenced by next-generation or Sanger dideoxy methods, either directly or after cloning into a bacterial plasmid vector. Eight unreported alleles were found in the 15 cases analyzed. Alleles ABO*A(28+1C) and ABO*A(29–5G) harbor variants that alter the consensus sequence at the intron 1 donor and acceptor splice sites, respectively. The other alleles harbor variants that alter the consensus sequence at transcription factor–binding sites in the intron 1 enhancer: specifically, ABO*A(28+5792T), ABO*A(28+5859A), and ABO*A(28+5860G) at GATA-1 sites; ABO*B(28+5877T) and ABO*B(28+5878G) at a RUNX1 site; and ABO*A(28+5843A) at or near a C/EBP site. Molecular and serologic characterization of ABO alleles can help in their future identification and in the resolution of discrepancies.

Centralised RECIST Assessment and Clinical Outcomes with Lenvatinib Monotherapy in Recurrent and Metastatic Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

Simple Summary

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cancer of the head and neck. Initial treatment may involve surgery and/or radiotherapy with the aim of removing the cancer and preventing spread to other parts of the body. In patients in whom ACC has recurred or spread, systemic therapies such as chemotherapy or immunotherapy have been shown to have minimal benefit and there are currently no recommended standard systemic treatment options. More recently, the targeted therapy lenvatinib has shown promising results in treating ACC patients. We aimed to summarise the real-world experience of lenvatinib use in ACC patients in the UK and found that although some patients obtained clinical benefit, there were no significant responses on radiological imaging by centralized assessment.

Abstract

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare cancer of secretory glands. Recurrent or metastatic (R/M) ACC is generally considered resistant to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Recent phase II studies have reported improved objective response rates (ORR) with the use of the multi-kinase inhibitor lenvatinib. We sought to evaluate real-world experience of R/M ACC patients treated with lenvatinib monotherapy within the UK National Health Service (NHS) to determine the response rates by Response Evaluation Criteria of Solid Tumour (RECIST) and clinical outcomes. Twenty-three R/M ACC patients from eleven cancer centres were included. All treatment assessments for clinical decision making related to drug therapy were undertaken at the local oncology centre. Central radiology review was performed by an independent clinical trial radiologist and blinded to the clinical decision making. In contrast to previously reported ORR of 12–15%, complete or partial response was not observed in any patients. Eleven patients (52.4%) had stable disease and 5 patients (23.8%) had progression of disease as the best overall response. The median time on treatment was 4 months and the median survival from discontinuation was 1 month. The median PFS and OS from treatment initiation were 4.5 months and 12 months respectively. Multicentre collaborative studies such as this are required to evaluate rare cancers with no recommended standard of care therapy and variable disease courses.

Precision Medicine With Leflunomide: Consideration of the DHODH Haplotype and Plasma Teriflunomide Concentration and Modification of Outcomes in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Leflunomide is a commonly used disease-modifying drug in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Its effects are mediated via inhibition of dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) by its active metabolite teriflunomide, and the pharmacokinetics of teriflunomide are highly variable. Our objective was to examine the association between the DHODH haplotype and plasma teriflunomide concentration with response to leflunomide in patients with RA where leflunomide was added to an existing disease-modifying drug regimen after failure to achieve an adequate response with conventional triple therapy.

METHODS

Patients with RA who were taking, or were about to initiate, leflunomide were included. Participant characteristics, including the DHODH haplotype, were determined. Up to 5 plasma samples were collected after leflunomide was initiated for assays of total and free teriflunomide concentration. Disease activity was determined via the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28). The association between DAS28 scores and patient covariates was determined by linear mixed-effects modeling.

RESULTS

A total of 67 patients were included in the study. The DAS28 score after initiation of leflunomide was associated with the baseline DAS28 score (β = 0.70, P < 0.001) and was higher in those who carried the DHODH haplotype 2 (β = 0.56. P = 0.01) and did not carry the shared epitope (β = 0.56, P = 0.013). As total and free plasma teriflunomide concentration increased, the DAS28 score was significantly lower (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). When considering threshold concentrations, teriflunomide concentrations >16 mg/liter were associated with a DAS28 score that was 0.33 lower, and when free teriflunomide concentration was >35 µg/liter, the DAS28 score was 0.32 lower.

CONCLUSION

Teriflunomide concentration and carriage of the DHODH haplotype 2 are associated with response to leflunomide in patients with RA, and a total plasma teriflunomide concentration of at least 16 mg/liter is needed to maximize the likelihood of response.

Clinical disease course and survival outcomes following disease recurrence in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) with NOTCH signaling pathway activation

6072

Background: ACC is a rare salivary cancer for which effective drug therapies remain lacking. The highest rates of disease recurrence are in patients with NOTCH pathway activation, which is reported in 10-20% of ACC tumors. Novel drugs targeting NOTCH signaling are under investigation in the recurrent and metastatic setting. To understand their clinical utility, there is an urgent need to better characterize the disease course and outcomes following current standard of care treatment from diagnosis and following recurrence. Methods: 120 patients with ACC underwent clinical review at a single UK Cancer Centre from 2017-19. Patients were retrospectively assessed for tumor NOTCH pathway activation using next generation sequencing (NGS) targeting NOTCH1/2/3 genes (n = 98) and/or by immunohistochemistry (IHC) for the NOTCH1 intra-cellular domain (NICD1) (n = 87). To understand the disease course with NOTCH pathway activation, treatment data including surgery, radiotherapy and systemic therapies were extracted and presented as swimmer plots. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed and a difference in survival with/without NOTCH activation was calculated with log rank test. Overall survival (OS) was calculated both from diagnosis and from first confirmed disease recurrence or metastasis, and recurrence free survival (RFS) calculated from diagnosis. Results: Of 120 patients, median age was 46 years (22-74 years). 114/120 patients (95%) had confirmed disease recurrence at clinical review. The primary site was major salivary gland in 58/120 (48%), the others were minor salivary. NOTCH1/3 activating somatic mutations were identified in 11% by NGS (11/98) and NICD1 diffuse nuclear staining was seen in 6% by IHC (5/87) for overall NOTCH activation in 11% (13/120). In NOTCH activated ACC, primary site was major salivary gland in 7/13 (54%), and non-pulmonary visceral/bone metastases were present in 6/13 (46%). Consistent with other reports, patients with NOTCH activation (n = 13) had shorter RFS (0.9 vs 3.6 years, p = 0.11) and significantly reduced OS from diagnosis (4.0 vs 16.3 years, p < 0.0001). Critically, as therapies targeting NOTCH signaling are being evaluated in recurrent/metastatic ACC, there was significantly reduced OS from time of first confirmed disease recurrence or metastasis (1.5 vs 9.6 years, p < 0.0001). This reduction in OS for NOTCH activation following recurrence was seen consistently whether patients were classified using NGS (1.9 vs 9.6 years, p = 0.0009) or NICD1 IHC (0.8 vs 8.5 years, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: This is the first study to report clinical outcomes for patients with NOTCH pathway activated ACC following disease recurrence. Although ACC is frequently considered an indolent disease, the short survival in this sub-group of ACC patients demonstrates the urgent need to develop effective drug therapies in this setting.

Health-related quality of life and work impairment in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies in South Australia

AIM

The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are rare autoimmune diseases that are usually chronic and often present with skeletal muscle inflammation and weakness. We sought to examine the impact of IIM in a cohort of 50 South Australian patients on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and work productivity (WP). We uniquely categorized patients across gender, IIM subtypes, employment status, and also whether there was extramuscular involvement from IIM.

METHODS

Multiple modalities were used, as recommended by the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group (IMACS), to assess the impact of IIM, including manual muscle strength testing (MMT-8), the Physician and Patient Global Activity Assessments (PHGAA, PTGAA), Myositis Disease Activity Assessment Tool (MDAAT), and serum creatinine kinase (CK) levels. The impacts of IIM on HRQOL and WP were analyzed using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-items Short Form (SF-36) and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) questionnaires, respectively.

RESULTS

We found significantly lower HRQOL outcome scores in most of the SF-36 domains when compared to the most recent population norms (P ≤ .01). Physical health was predominantly affected with relative preservation of emotional health. There were also significant associations between MMT-8, PHGAA and PTGAA scores and HRQOL and WP.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings highlight the significant impact of IIM on HRQOL and WP in a well-characterized cohort of patients with IIM within Australia, and therefore the importance of a holistic approach to the management of these patients.

The utility of TP53 and PIK3CA mutations as prognostic biomarkers in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma

OBJECTIVES

Despite wide excision and post-operative irradiation, loco-regional and/or metastatic recurrence is a significant clinical problem in salivary adenoid cystic carcinoma (SACC). Reliable biomarkers are required to tailor post-treatment surveillance to patients at highest risk of recurrence. We sought to determine the utility of TP53 and PIK3CA mutations as prognostic biomarkers in SACC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DNA was extracted from archival tumour blocks of 145 SACC patients from 66 UK referral centres and sequenced for TP53 and PIK3CA mutations. Clinical, pathological and outcome data were analysed to determine the impact of the genomic alterations on disease recurrence and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

TP53 and PIK3CA mutations were identified in 8% (10/121 successful analyses) and 2% (3/121) of cases, respectively. There were too few PIK3CA mutations in this cohort for informative further analysis. TP53-mutated SACC had significantly shorter median OS (5.3 vs. 16.3 years, p = 0.019) and lower 10-year survival (48% vs. 81%) compared with TP53 wild-type ACC. Solid-pattern histopathology was more frequent in TP53-mutated SACC (50% vs. 15%, p = 0.27).

CONCLUSION

TP53-mutated recurrent and metastatic SACC was associated with shorter OS, which was significant when combined with published genomic data sets. Stratifying by TP53 status, in addition to established clinical, pathological and genomic biomarkers, may usefully inform follow-up strategy.

Tipifarnib in recurrent, metastatic HRAS-mutant salivary gland cancer

BACKGROUND

To the authors' knowledge, there are no approved therapies for recurrent, metastatic (R/M) salivary gland carcinoma (SGC), but molecularly targeted therapies warrant ongoing investigation. In the current study, the authors have reported on the efficacy of tipifarnib in patients with aggressive HRAS-mutant, R/M SGC.

METHODS

The current prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter, international cohort study involved 8 centers and was conducted from May 2015 to June 2019. The median follow-up was 22 months (range, 6-55 months). Subjects with HRAS-mutant R/M SGC (any histology) and disease progression within the last 6 months were enrolled. Tipifarnib was dosed orally twice daily. The authors determined the objective response rate using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (version 1.1), duration of response, and molecular predictors of response.

RESULTS

A total of 13 patients with R/M SGC were enrolled; all had received prior systemic therapy (1-3 regimens). One objective response was observed; an additional 7 of 12 evaluable patients (58%) had stable disease as their best response with a median duration of 9 months (range, 3-14 months). Five of 7 patients had >10% tumor regression and 6 of 7 had stable disease lasting >6 months. Q61R was the most frequent activating HRAS mutation noted (7 of 13 patients; 54%), but gene variant and allele frequency did not correlate with outcomes. The median progression-free survival was 7 months (95% confidence interval, 5.9-10.1 months), and the median overall survival was 18 months (95% confidence interval, 9.6-22.4 months) with approximately 58.6% of patients alive at 1 year. Survival was similar regardless of HRAS mutant variant or co-occurring PIK3CA alterations. No participant discontinued treatment because of toxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Tipifarnib resulted in modest clinical activity with a promising disease control rate among patients with HRAS-mutant, R/M SGC who developed disease progression within the last 6 months.

Modifiable Lifestyle Factors Associated With Response to Treatment in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the associations between response to algorithm‐directed treat‐to‐target conventional synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug therapy and potentially modifiable lifestyle factors, including dietary fish oil supplementation, body mass index (BMI), and smoking history in a rheumatoid arthritis (RA) inception cohort.

Methods

Patients with RA with a duration of less than 12 months were reviewed every 3 to 6 weeks to adjust therapy according to disease response. All patients received advice to take fish oil supplements, and omega‐3 status was measured as plasma levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Lifestyle factors and other variables potentially prognostic for 28‐joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) remission and DAS28 low disease activity (LDA) at the 12‐month visit were included in multivariable logistic regression models.

Results

Of 300 participants, 57.7% reached DAS28 LDA, and 43.7% were in DAS28 remission at 1 year. Increase in plasma EPA was associated with an increase in the odds of being in LDA (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.27; P < 0.0001) and remission (adjusted OR = 1.21; P < 0.001). There was some evidence that the effect of BMI on LDA might be modified by smoking history. An increase in BMI was associated with a decrease in the odds of being in LDA in current and former smokers but had no impact on LDA in patients who had never smoked. There were no meaningful associations between BMI or smoking history and remission.

Conclusion

Omega‐3 status, BMI, and smoking history are potential predictors of outcome in early RA. The possibility of an effect modification by smoking on the predictive value of BMI merits further investigation.

ELLA01-1: A study to determine the utility of TP53 mutations as a prognostic biomarker in adenoid cystic carcinoma

6585

Background: TP53 mutations are reported in 5% of patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). Whilst TP53 mutations are associated with adverse clinical outcomes across multiple tumour types, their prognostic significance in ACC is unknown. We sought to determine the utility of TP53 mutations as a prognostic biomarker in a prospective cohort of ACC patients. Methods: From April 2017 to September 2019, 146 patients with ACC were prospectively recruited to an ethically approved study. DNA was extracted from archival FFPE samples and underwent targeted next generation sequencing (Qiagen GeneRead DNAseq Targeted Panel V2 n = 134; Foundation Medicine; n = 12). Clinical, pathological and outcome data were collected on all patients and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to test for survival differences between TP53 mutated and wild-type ACC. Results: 146 ACC patients (mean age 48 years, range 16-79) underwent DNA extraction and next generation sequencing for TP53 mutations. The primary site was major salivary gland in 47% and minor salivary gland in 48% (other 5%). Analysis was successful in 122/146 patients (84%). Recurrent or metastatic disease was present in 94% (115/122) at study entry. TP53 alterations were identified in 9% (11/122), most frequently within the DNA binding domain (9/11). Non-pulmonary visceral metastases were seen more frequently in TP53 wild-type than in TP53 mutated ACC (44% vs. 10%; p = 0.042), and other clinical parameters were balanced between groups. During follow-up from diagnosis (median follow up 6.6 years), death occurred in 45% of patients with TP53 mutation and in 23% with TP53 wild-type ACC (p = ns). In TP53 mutated ACC, median overall survival was significantly shorter (5.3 vs. 16.3 years), and 10-year survival rate significantly lower (42% vs. 82%) than TP53 wild-type ACC (log-rank p = 0.013). Conclusions: In this cohort of patients with ACC, TP53 mutations were seen with a higher frequency than previously reported. This may be explained by the high frequency of recurrent or metastatic disease at study entry. TP53 mutation was associated with a statistically significant reduction in overall survival in patients with recurrent and metastatic ACC. These findings suggest that stratifying by TP53 status may be of clinical value to inform follow-up strategy in addition to established clinical, pathological and genomic biomarkers.

Primary epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma of the pituitary gland

Primary salivary gland-like tumors of the sella are rare and often challenging to diagnose. They reportedly derive from serous and mucinous glands that remain trapped in the infundibulum during embryogenesis. We report a 68-year-old man who presented with partial left third cranial nerve palsy, visual loss in the left eye without visual field defects, headache, weight loss and reduced muscle bulk. Neuroimaging studies demonstrated a solid and cystic, avidly enhancing lesion expanding the pituitary fossa and extending to the left cavernous sinus. The patient underwent craniotomy and the tissue removed showed features of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma similar to the salivary gland, skin and breast counterpart. No primary tumor was found outside the sella. The lesion behaved aggressively despite radio-chemotherapy and the patient died 22 months from the onset. The tumor showed a novel TP53 in-frame deletion (Gly154del) while no variants were found in H-RAS hotspot regions (codons 12, 13 and 61). Our report expands the spectrum of salivary gland-like tumors primarily occurring in the sella and emphasizes the need for specialist review of rare, non-neuroendocrine tumors of the pituitary and sella regions.

PROSPERO: A study to determine the utility of focused genomic profiling to guide selection of drug therapy in salivary gland cancer

6086

Background: For most patients with recurrent or metastatic salivary gland cancer (RM-SGC), there are no standard therapies. Many patients undergo genomic profiling to guide selection of targeted therapy. The MSK-IMPACT study applied a 468 gene next generation sequencing (NGS) panel, identifying actionable mutations in 34/114 patients (30%) with RM-SGC. Minimising cost will facilitate application within publically funded healthcare systems. We therefore sought to determine the utility of genomic profiling using a focused 24 gene targeted NGS panel to identify actionable mutations in RM-SGC with a sub-group analysis in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and non-ACC sub-types. Methods: From January 2017 to 2018, 125 patients with RM-SGC provided informed consent to an ethically approved study. Clinical and demographic characteristics were collected. DNA was extracted from FFPE samples and analysed using Qiagen GeneRead DNAseq Targeted Panel V2 in the Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine Diagnostic Laboratory, an NHS clinically accredited lab. A custom bioinformatic pipeline was validated to detect single nucleotide variants and indels ( < 40bp) to 5% mutant allele frequency. Alterations were categorised following American College of Medical Genetics guidelines and Association for Molecular Pathology tiering. Results: DNA from 101 tumours (69 major, 32 minor salivary gland) was sequenced with 95% coverage at > 350x read depth over the target enrichment. 65 patients had adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and 36 had non-ACC SGC. Median age was 55 years (range 18-80). 43 actionable alterations were identified in 33 patients within the following genes: TP53 (21%), PIK3CA (8%), ERBB2 (6%), PTEN (3%), BRAF (2%), EGFR (T790M) (1%), and AKT1 (1%). Targeted therapy was selected based on genomic findings in 12% of these patients. In ACC patients, actionable alterations were seen in 25% compared with 55% of non-ACC patients (9 adenocarcinoma, 5 salivary duct carcinoma, 3 carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma, 2 mucoepidermoid carcinoma and 1 myoepithelial carcinoma). Conclusions: This study identified actionable alterations in 33% of SGC patients using focused genomic profiling, demonstrating comparable utility to larger research panels. This focussed panel is being expanded to include emerging biomarkers such as NOTCH gene mutations, with NOTCH inhibitors currently in trials in ACC. Greater access to basket studies incorporating therapies matched to genomic alterations will maximise the clinical utility of this approach.

Utility of ctDNA to support patient selection for early phase clinical trials: the TARGET study

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) supports blood-based genomic profiling but is not yet routinely implemented in the setting of a phase I trials clinic. TARGET is a molecular profiling program with the primary aim to match patients with a broad range of advanced cancers to early phase clinical trials on the basis of analysis of both somatic mutations and copy number alterations (CNA) across a 641 cancer-associated-gene panel in a single ctDNA assay. For the first 100 TARGET patients, ctDNA data showed good concordance with matched tumor and results were turned round within a clinically acceptable timeframe for Molecular Tumor Board (MTB) review. When a 2.5% variant allele frequency (VAF) threshold was applied, actionable mutations were identified in 41 of 100 patients, and 11 of these patients received a matched therapy. These data support the application of ctDNA in this early phase trial setting where broad genomic profiling of contemporaneous tumor material enhances patient stratification to novel therapies and provides a practical template for bringing routinely applied blood-based analyses to the clinic.

Drug-induced toxicity and patient reported outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis patients following intensive treated-to-target strategy: does ceasing therapy due to toxicity worsen outcomes in long term?

AIM

While the introduction of the treat-to-target (T2T) strategy has been an important advance in the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the potential for increased toxicity due to use of concurrent drugs could adversely affect patient reported outcomes (PROs). The objective was to determine whether the cessation of therapy due to toxicity affects long-term improvement in PROs in patients treated according to T2T strategy.

METHODS

A total of 149 patients from an inception cohort of early RA were included. The occurrence and severity of toxicity were monitored at each visit over 3 years. PROs studied were function (measured using health assessment questionnaire); pain, fatigue and patient global assessment (PtGA) all assessed using a 100 mm visual analogue scale; helplessness and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). For each PRO, effect of drug withdrawal was measured by comparing mean change in PROs among patients with no/temporary vs. permanent withdrawal. In addition, effects of frequency of drug withdrawals, weeks to withdrawal and number of drugs withdrawn were analysed using linear regression.

RESULT

After 3 years, 56 (37.4%) patients ceased at least one drug permanently due to toxicity. Patients with no/temporary withdrawal (n = 93) achieved significantly greater improvement in function (mean change = -0.54 vs. -0.31, p = 0.033), pain (mean change = -39.82 vs. -5.02, p = 0.018), fatigue (mean change = -29.14 vs. -14.76, p = 0.015) and PtGA (mean change = -29.64 vs. -17.00, p = 0.018) compared with their counterparts. Higher frequency of withdrawals was associated with lesser improvements in function, pain, fatigue and PtGA, while the number of drugs withdrawn and the weeks to withdrawal had lesser effects. However, the cessation of the drugs due to their toxicity did not have a significant association with HRQoL and helplessness.

CONCLUSION

Improvements in function, pain, fatigue and PtGA at 3 years were diminished for patients who ceased drugs due to toxicity while broader measures of HRQoL were not affected.

Extraction of a well fixed but fractured ceramic acetabular liner

Ceramic fractures have been reported to occur in hip replacements, but the techniques used to extract a well fixed but fractured component are not commonly described. We present a case of ceramic liner fracture and validate a modification of a previously reported extraction technique that allowed us to save the acetabular cup and insert a polyethylene liner. With an increasing trend in ceramic bearing usage, it is likely that the number of ceramic liner fractures will increase and therefore knowledge of successful extraction techniques will be desirable.

Abstract 3060: Circulating tumor cells from small cell lung cancer patients are tumorigenic

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC), is a highly aggressive and metastatic disease with a 5 year survival of 5%. SCLC represents 15-20% of all lung cancers and causes &gt;160,000 deaths a year. The majority of patients present with metastatic disease and consequently resections are rare, while biopsies are small and only for diagnostic purposes thus hampering the study of SCLC. However, circulating tumour cells (CTCs) are highly prevalent in SCLC patients and may represent an avenue for the better understanding this disease. Our aim was to determine whether CTCs isolated from SCLC patients were able to form tumours in immunocompromised mice. This was accomplished by erythrocyte and leukocyte depletion and implantation of the remaining cells. Of the 6 initial patients whose CTCs were implanted, 4 gave rise to tumours in less than 5 months. Immuno-histochemical analysis of the tumours revealed them to be human in nature and express markers consistent with SCLC. Whole exome sequencing demonstrated that the tumours had mutations (e.g. TP53 and RB1) and CNV (e.g. loss of 3p and 13q) commonly observed in SCLC samples. Furthermore, single cell analysis of CTCs isolated from the corresponding patient revealed that genetic abnormalities detected in the tumour were also present in the patients CTCs. This confirmed that the tumours (termed CDX for CTC derived explant), were indeed derived from CTCs. In all 4 successful cases, analysis of parallel blood samples by CellSearch demonstrated that the patients had more than 400 CTCs/7.5 ml blood. Two of these patients were initially sensitive to platinum/etoposide therapy, while 2 were refractory. The doubling times of CDX derived from refractory and sensitive patients were 7.2 and 5.0 days compared to 14.2 and 13.4 days, consistent with refractory SCLC being more aggressive than sensitive SCLC. We have been able to successfully passage, freeze and resurrect all the CDX models and aim to report whether the patient response to therapy is mirrored in their CDX. These data demonstrate that SCLC CTCs are tumorigenic and we are investigating whether the CTC derived tumours represent a faithful model of the clinical disease.

Citation Format: Christopher J. Morrow, Cassandra L. Hodgkinson, Yaoyong Li, Robert Metcalf, Dominic Rothwell, Francesca Trapani, Radoslaw Polanski, Debbie Burt, Kathryn Simpson, Karen Morris, Stuart Pepper, Daisuke Nonaka, Alastair Greystole, Paul Kelly, Matthew Krebs, Jenny Antonello, Mahmood Ayub, Suzanne Faulkner, Lynsey Priest, Louise Carter, Catriona Tate, Crispin J. Miller, Fiona Blackhall, Ged Brady, Caroline Dive. Circulating tumor cells from small cell lung cancer patients are tumorigenic. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3060. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3060

Abstract 1468: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor microemboli (CTM) from patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) show heterogeneity in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and evidence of vasculogenic mimicry (VM)

Background: Circulating tumour cells (CTCs) and circulating tumour microemboli (CTM) are prevalent in patients with aggressive small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Heterogeneity in epithelial and mesenchymal phenotypes in CTCs and within CTM was investigated given evidence in preclinical models of epithelial and mesenchymal cell co-operativity advantageous for hematogenous spread and the role of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in invasion and metastasis.

Methods: Four colour immunofluorescence assays were developed and applied to tumour cells enriched by filtration from peripheral blood of extensive stage SCLC patients prior to treatment. CTCs/CTM were assessed for expression of cytokeratins (CKs, epithelial marker) and vimentin (mesenchymal marker) with DAPI stained nuclei and negative selection of leukocytes and circulating endothelial cells (CECs) by CD45 and/or vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin, CD144) expression respectively.

Results and Conclusions: CTCs were identified in all patients that expressed epithelial and/or mesenchymal markers. Individual CTM were detected comprised of tumour cells of heterogeneous EMT status and CTM were also observed containing leukocytes and/or CECs. There was substantial heterogeneity in CK and vimentin expression in CTCs and within CTM consistent with EMT plasticity and with co-operativity between epithelial and mesenchymal tumour cells. A subpopulation of CTCs co-expressed CKs and VE-cadherin that intriguingly, raises the possibility that vascular mimicry accompanies and may facilitate hematogenous spread in this aggressive tumor type. Further studies are required to explore this new hypothesis.

Citation Format: Robert Metcalf, Jessica Booth, Rajeeb Swain, Steven Bagley, Karen Morris, Matthew Krebs, Andrew Hughes, Gerard Brady, Fiona Blackhall, Caroline Dive. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and circulating tumor microemboli (CTM) from patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) show heterogeneity in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype and evidence of vasculogenic mimicry (VM). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1468. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1468

Dietary omega-3 supplementation exacerbates left ventricular dysfunction in an ovine model of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity

BACKGROUND

Cumulative dose-dependent nonischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) remains a significant risk with the use of some chemotherapeutic agents. In this context, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have been investigated for their cardioprotective potential in rodent and in vitro models of anthracycline toxicity, with conflicting results. This study evaluated prophylactic omega-3 PUFA supplementation in a large-animal model of anthracycline-induced NICM.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Merino sheep were randomized to oral drenching with omega-3 PUFA (fish oil; n = 8) or olive oil placebo (n = 9) 3 weeks before commencing repeated intracoronary infusions of doxorubicin (DOX) to induce cardiac dysfunction. Cumulative DOX dose was 3.6 mg/kg. Drenching was continued for 12 weeks after final DOX exposure. Despite significant increases in tissue omega-3 PUFA levels (P < .05 vs placebo), omega-3-treated sheep displayed greater signs of anthracycline cardiotoxicity than placebo animals, consisting of left ventricular dilatation and a greater decline in ejection fraction (P < .05), although myocardial fibrosis burden was similar in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietary intake of omega-3 PUFA fails to prevent and may indeed exacerbate DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. Clinical use of omega-3 supplementation during chemotherapy should be deferred until more information is available regarding the mechanisms of interaction between fatty acids and the myocardium during anthracycline exposure.

Front line workers in long-term care: the effect of educational interventions and stabilization of staffing ratios on turnover and absenteeism

OBJECTIVE

Front line workers in long-term care play a crucial role in helping residents achieve their highest possible functional level. High turnover (rates in excess of 100% are common) and absenteeism threaten the ability of long-term care providers to meet this goal. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a formalized certified nursing assistant (CNA) education program and stabilization of staffing ratios on turnover and absenteeism.

DESIGN AND SETTING

This study was a 12-month prospective, nonrandomized trial involving two long-term care facilities providing traditional intermediate and skilled care serving as study sites and a similar facility serving as a control. For historical comparisons, each facility served as its own control using data from the year before the interventions.

INTERVENTIONS

An in-house educational program based on the State of North Carolina core curriculum for CNAs was instituted in each study site. During the study period, efforts were made to achieve stable staffing ratios of 1 CNA:8 residents for days, 1:10 for evenings, and 1:15 for nights. Traditional quality of care indicators and resident/surrogate satisfaction were tracked during the study period.

RESULTS

Both study facilities showed a decline in turnover, with the decline reaching statistically significant levels at Facility B (134% to 41%, P = 0.0001). Absenteeism rates did not change significantly during the study period. Resident/surrogate satisfaction with nursing care was improved significantly at Facility B (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSION

A formal education program in conjunction with stabilization of staffing ratios can result in lower turnover rates for CNA's and improved resident/surrogate satisfaction.

THE TRUTH OF SHAME-CONSCIOUSNESS IN FREUD AND PHENOMENOLOGY

Abstract

This paper addresses the philosophical problems posed by shame-consciousness, specifically with respect to the question as to whether the feelings of shame signify an apprehension of truth. After reviewing several methodological problems posed by shame-consciousness, the paper takes up the theoretical treatment of shame in Freud, Scheler, Sartre, and Merleau-Ponty, in order to show how shame illuminates the constitution of subjectivity by power relations in society. This psychoanalytic and phenomenological account of shame is shown to be confirmed by material drawn from cultural studies of shame, and by contemporary feminist critique.

A multifaceted study of human papillomavirus and prostate carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the prostate and its role in prostate carcinoma are in dispute. To address these issues, two laboratories with extensive HPV experience were selected to test specimens from two populations at different risk for prostate carcinoma, using three different polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and two serologic assays for HPV.

METHODS

The cases were comprised of 51 African-American (men at high risk for prostate carcinoma) and 15 Italian (men at intermediate risk for prostate carcinoma) men with prostate carcinoma. Controls were 108 African-American men and 40 Italian men with histologically proven benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH). Prostate tissue was obtained from each patient at surgery and immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen. The PCR primer sets included two (MY09/MY11 and GP5+/ GP6+) that amplify different regions of L1 and a third (WD66,67,154/WD72,76) targeted to E6. Sensitivity in the 2 L1 PCR assays was shown to be 1 HPV DNA genome per 100 cells. Serum antibodies to HPV-16 and HPV-11 virus-like particles (VLPs) were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.

RESULTS

All available prostate carcinoma tissue specimens (n = 63) and BPH specimens from selected controls (n = 61) were tested by PCR. Human beta-globin DNA could be amplified from all specimens except three carcinomas, but no HPV DNA was detected in any case or control specimens by MY09/MY11 or E6 PCR. Microdissection of 27 carcinoma specimens was conducted to minimize nontumor DNA, but results remained negative by MY09/MY11 and GP5+/GP6+ PCR. In addition, serum specimens in cases (n = 63) and controls (n = 144) showed no differences in their responses against HPV-16 (P = 0.54) or HPV-11 VLPs (P = 0.64).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that HPV is not associated with prostate carcinoma, and that HPV DNA is not at all common in the prostate glands of older men.

The use of breastmilk in a neonatal unit and its relationship to protein and energy intake and growth

OBJECTIVE

A nutritional audit was performed to determine whether current feeding regimes were achieving nutritional goals and to evaluate the use of breastmilk (BM) in a neonatal unit (NNU).

METHODS

All fluid consumed or infused daily was documented with daily weight and weekly length and head circumference measurements in 90 preterm infants (gestational age 30.1 +/- 2.6 weeks) while in the NNU for 60 +/- 27 days. Daily protein and energy intakes were calculated using values for South Australian preterm BM.

RESULTS

Parenteral nutrition provided 85% of the daily energy in week 1 falling to 11% by week 6. Ninety per cent of infants received some of their mother's BM and 62% were discharged at least partially breastfed. Protein and energy intakes were 1.03 +/- 0.35 g and 55 +/- 10 kcal/kg/day in week 1, increasing to 2.52 +/- 0.60 g and 109 +/- 15 kcal/kg per day by week 4. Protein intake correlated with weight gain (r2 = 0.39). Weight gain was 14.0 +/- 2.0 g/kg per day and z-scores for weight declined from -0.25 on admission to -1.22 on discharge, P < 0.0001. When infants were divided into two groups comprising those who received BM or formula as their predominant enteral feed, growth and protein intake (but not energy intake) were lower in the BM-fed infants. However, enteral feeds were tolerated earlier and more quickly in those infants receiving predominantly BM.

CONCLUSION

Energy requirements were readily met using current feeding regimes for preterm infants but protein intakes were marginal. Mothers of preterm infants had similar breastfeeding rates to mothers of term infants in South Australia. The long-term effects of the lower growth rates of preterm infants fed predominantly BM compared with those fed predominantly formula are unknown and need be balanced against the benefits of BM.