Orientation of Agri-Food Companies to CSR and Consumer Perception: A Survey on Two Italian Companies

BACKGROUND

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the most important tool for implementing Sustainability Guidelines for Business (US20030018487A1), delivering economic, social and environmental benefits for all the stakeholders and is currently the focus of international studies and debates (US7260559B1), especially in the agri-food sector as demonstrated by recent patents (CA2862273A1). In most agri-food businesses operating in Italy, there is little effectiveness in the communication strategies of this instrument to the stakeholders since they are often not advanced.

METHODS

Identifying the first two food companies in the European ranking of the 6th CSR Online Awards, through an empirical survey on consumers, their level of perception of the CSR strategies communication of these companies will be analyzed.

RESULTS

In both case studies analyzed, there is the presence of a Sustainability Orientation and the evolution of CSR tools within such companies and their promotion and communication to all the stakeholders. Despite this, the level of perception of respondents on the CSR strategies communication of these companies and the promotion of CSR instruments is not optimal.

CONCLUSION

The interviewed consumers have not enriched their knowledge on CSR due to the lack of an adequate communication strategy for both case studies. Consequently, to raise awareness on the subject, there is still a great deal of cooperation needed between public institutions, local communities, businesses and citizens.

Survival advantage in patients treated with high-dose interleukin-2 (HDIL2) for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC)

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Background: A prognostic index developed at MSKCC(Memorial-Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center) relates to survival in mRCC patients (pts) treated with interferon. We evaluated 79 pts treated first line with HDIL2 to see if this prognostic index is applicable. Eligibility for HDIL2 was based on cardiopulmonary screening and performance status (PS). Method: Medical records were analyzed retrospectively from 2000–2008. Pts were categorized into favorable, intermediate & poor risk category according to MSKCC prognostic index, which includes time from diagnosis to treatment, serum calcium & LDH, hemoglobin and PS. Median survival (OS) & median progression free survival (PFS) were compared between risk categories. Results were evaluated taking into consideration potential confounders such as subsequent treatment with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) & time from nephrectomy to metastasis interval of more than 1 year. Statistical analysis utilized SPSS. Results: 29 pts (36.7%) were treated with TKIs subsequently and this had no impact on median OS compared to those not receiving TKIs. 19 pts (24%) had nephrectomy to metastasis interval of more than 1 year and this also did not impact on OS analysis compared to those with shorter time to metastasis. Poor risk group was not analyzed due to small sample size. Conclusions: Median OS for mRCC pts eligible for and treated with HDIL2 as first line therapy exceeds reports of other first line treatment, either cytokines or TKIs. The survival advantage occurs regardless of being in either favorable or intermediate risk category and this benefit is not confounded by subsequent treatment with TKIs or nephrectomy to treatment interval more than 1 year. HDIL2 pts requires good PS and organ function, but 72% were intermediate risk pts. Thus, MSKCC risk categories do not predict for HDIL2 treatment outcome. HDIL2 should still be considered as a first line agent for mRCC, in the era of TKIs, as long as patients meet the eligibility criteria, as it infers survival advantage. [Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

Phase II single institution study of sequential biochemotherapy (BCT) for patients (pts) with stage IV melanoma (M)

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Background: The utility of BCT for M remains controversial. A prospective phase II study was conducted to assess the clinical benefit of BCT in patients with stage IV M. Methods: Between March 2005 and March 2006 11 pts (6 Male and 5 Female with a median age of 54 (range 36 - 82)) with metastatic M were treated with paclitaxel 225 mg/m2 via continuous 24 hour IV infusion every 3 wks for 4 cycles or maximum benefit followed by HD IL2, 1.33 mg/m2 every 8 hours for 5 days of wk1 and wk3 based on pts tolerance to a maximum of 12 doses per wk. 2 Male pts received IL2 followed by paclitaxel. Pts had a ECOG performance status of 0 - 2, with a median time of 60 months since diagnosis of disease (range 7 to 240 months). 11 pts (92%) had multiple metastatic sites (50% had lung mets, 58% had liver mets) and 4 pts (33%) had prior chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Results: Of the 13 assessable pts one achieved a PR after paclitaxel and CR after IL2 continuing at 20+ months. One had SD for 1 year after receiving HD IL2 and SD for 6 months while on paclitaxel independently, One had PR for 6 months on paclitaxel and one had MR with paclitaxel for 3 months. 9 pts (69%) had PD on paclitaxel and again on IL2, with a median survival from treatment of 7 months, 2 of these got no IL2 due to rapid PD. An overall response rate of 30% (1 CR on paclitaxel + IL2 , 1 PR on paclitaxel, 2 SD (including MR) on paclitaxel) was seen with a median survival from treatment of 15 months. Conclusions: In this study there may be prolonged survival among responders, which may be due to synergy of sequential BCT, or may reflect single agent activity of each drug. BCT should still be considered as an experimental therapy and further evaluated.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Efficacy of gabapentin on pruritus induced by interleukin-2 (IL-2) treatment in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and melanoma

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Background: IL-2 treatment causes pruritus, but the pathogenic mechanism is not well understood. Its relation to histamine is controversial, and it does not seem to correlate with the eosinophilia induced by IL-2. Direct stimulation of pain nerve fibers, such as A-delta and C fibers by the cytokines induced by IL-2 treatment has been proposed as a possible cause of pruritus. Stabilizing the nerve membrane or nerve synapses by pharmacologic means may improve pruritus, and we have used gabapentin for this purpose. Here we evaluate its efficacy. Methods: 54 patients, 34 Male, 20 female, were treated with IL-2 from January, 2005 to December, 2006. Among 30 patients who complained of pruritus, 17 patients were given gabapentin. Concurrent follow up notes of these 17 patients were reviewed. They were interviewed immediately following IL-2 treatment and retrospectively using a specific IRB approved questionaire, which quantified pruritus according to CTCAE 3.0 criteria, before and after the administration of gabapentin. The CTCAE grading scale is 0 to 3, from none, localized, widespread, to widespread pruritus interfering with daily activities. Data was analyzed with paired student T-test using SPSS 13.0 for data analysis. Results: 15 patients had renal cell carcinoma and 2 had melanoma. Mean age was 56 years. 12 patients were male and 5 were female. Gabapentin was started in hospital in 9 patients and outpatient in 8. Mean initial dose of gabapentin was 865 mg/day, and the mean time for gabapentin to provide symptom relief was 1.088 hours after each dose. According to CTCAE scale, the mean pruritus before gabapentin was 2.41 and it decreased to 0.65 after gabapentin treatment. Paired student T-test for the difference of means before and after the treatment was statistically significant (p < 0.0005). Conclusions: Pruritus induced by IL-2 infusion responds well to gabapentin, which stabilizes nerve fibers and synapses. Although other confounding causes of pruritus cannot be excluded, the major mechanism is likely due to direct or indirect effect of IL-2, which then stimulates the nerve fibers. Thus, we propose gabapentin as an effective treatment against pruritus induced by IL-2.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Role of prognostic factors in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (MRCC) eligible for treatment with interleukin (IL2)

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Background: Motzer (JCO1999) defined 5 factors that predict for poor survival of patients with MRCC: low Karnofsky scale (<80%), high LDH (>1.5 times upper limit), low Hb (<lower limit of normal), elevated corrected calcium (10 mg/dl) and absence of nephrectomy. Method: We retrospectively evaluated 124 patients with MRCC (81 male/43 female, median age 54 years, range (R) 27 to 79 years) treated in our center from 10/98–12/05 with IL2 based therapy. Patients eligible for IL2 study were included. Patients were categorized into favorable (F - 0 risk factors), intermediate (I - 1–2 risk factors) and poor (P - 3 or more risk factors) groups. 89 patients had high dose (HD) IL2 (600,000 u/kg/dose every 8 hours up to 14 doses), and 35 patients had moderate dose (MD) IL2 (5 mu/m2/day for 5 days continuous infusion or 72,000 u/kg every 8h up to 14 doses). 26 patients had prior treatment. Prognostic factors were identified at the start of IL2 therapy. Primary endpoint was survival time defined as the time from initiation of IL2 treatment to time of death or December 2005 as the last follow up for all patients. Results: Analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method. Conclusions: 1. These prognostic factors apply to IL2 treated patients and separate them into prognostic groups. 2. HD IL2 treated patients have ≥ 6 months greater survival compared to MD IL2 treated patients or historical data. [Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.