Phase I/II study of neoadjuvant bevacizumab with radiation therapy and 5-fluorouracil in patients with rectal cancer: initial results

4041

Background: A phase I/II study of neoadjuvant bevacizumab with 5-fluorouracil and radiation therapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer was undertaken to determine whether inhibition of VEGF is safe and has clinical benefits by enhancing chemo- radiation therapy. Methods: 22 patients with endoscopic ultrasound or surface coil MRI staged T3/T4 non-metastatic rectal cancer were enrolled from 2001–2006. All patients completed 4 cycles of neoadjuvant therapy including: 1) bevacizumab infusion (5 or 10 mg/kg) on day 1 of each cycle; 2) peripheral venous infusion 5-FU (225 mg/m2/24 hours) administration each treatment week of cycles 2 - 4; 3) external beam irradiation delivery (50.4 Gy in 28 fractions over 5.5 weeks); and 4) surgery 7 to 9 weeks after completion of all neoadjuvant therapy. Correlative studies were undertaken before and during the trial. We collected serial tumor biopsies, PET-FDG scans, and analyzed blood and urine for potential biomarkers. Results: Mean pre-therapy tumor size was 4.7 cm (2–9 cm). Post-treatment surgical specimens usually had well-demarcated shallow ulcerations with a mean diameter of 2.4 cm (0.7–6 cm). In response to the neoadjuvant regimen, all patients had significantly (p<0.01) decreased FDG-uptake by PET. Histologic examination showed no residual primary cancer in 5 patients (ypT0). Of 17 patients with residual disease, microscopic disease usually occurred as malignant glands embedded in fibrosis (ypT1 in 3 patients, ypT2 in 4 patients, ypT3 in 10 patients). Downstaging was seen in 12/22 tumors. 8 patients had microscopic nodal metastases. Bevacizumab alone and combined treatment were both associated with increased plasma VEGF and PlGF levels in 18/18 patients (P<0.01 at all 4 timepoints compared to baseline). Viable CECs were decreased by VEGF blockade at day 3 (P<0.01 compared to baseline), and peak CEC levels during treatment was correlated with histologic tumor response (2.77 [1.18–3.18] for T3 patients, n=9 versus 1.14 [0.82–1.53] for T0-T2 patients, n=12; p=0.05). Conclusions: Addition of bevacizumab at a dose of 5 mg/kg to standard chemo-radiation is safe in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer. Bevacizumab is active and the combined regimen yields promising results.

[Table: see text]

Single fraction radiosurgery of epidural spinal cord compression: Tumor control and neurologic outcome

2041

Purpose: Spine radiosurgery improves the pain and quality of life in spine metastasis. Phase II study was performed to determine the clinical efficacy of radiosurgery for malignant epidural spinal cord compression. Method: Total 67 patients with 93 lesions of epidural spinal cord compression at the solitary spine level were accrued. All patients had pathology-proven malignancy and had epidural tumor seen on MRI or CT scan. For radiosurgery, grossly visible tumor including the involved spine was treated with single fraction radiosurgery dose of 14–20 Gy. Spinal cord dose constraint was 10 Gy to 10% partial volume of the cord. Followup included neurological exam and imaging studies every 2 months. Endpoints were radiographic tumor control and neurological outcome. Median followup time was 8 months (2–30 months). Results: Objective radiographic tumor response was seen in 82% of patients. At 2 months, complete response was in seen 27%, partial response in 30%, and minimal response in 23%, Epidural tumor progressed in 6% at or the adjacent spine level. Thecal sac patency (= decompression effect) seen on T2-weighted MR image was improved in 82% of the lesions. There was average 68% volumetric reduction of tumor at the level of most severe cord compression. This tumor reduction opened the thecal sac patency to average 75% following radiosurgery, compared to 45% before radisourgery (p<0.05). Majority of patients with neurological deficit prior to radiosurgery were ambulatory with an improved neurological function or remained clinically stable. There was one case of likely long-term radiation-induced myelopathy 13 months after radiosurgery. Conclusion: Single fraction radiosurgery achieves significant tumor response and decompressive effect of spinal cord compression. Even minimal tumor response relieves the spinal cord compression and potential neurologic improvement. Spine radiosurgery can be a viable treatment option for spinal cord compression.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A phase II trial of AZD2171 (cediranib), an oral pan-VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor, in patients with recurrent glioblastoma

2001

Background: AZD2171 (cediranib) is a potent, oral pan-VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor with a half-life of 20 hours compatible with once-daily dosing. A primary target of AZD2171, VEGFR2, is expressed on glioblastoma endothelium. We have demonstrated normalization of tumor vessels in recurrent glioblastoma patients treated with daily doses of AZD2171. Normalization has rapid onset, is reversible and is associated with alleviation of brain edema [Cancer Cell 2007; 11: 83]. Methods: In this phase II study of 30 recurrent glioblastoma subjects the primary endpoint was the proportion of patients alive and progression-free at 6 months (APF6). Secondary endpoints include radiographic response proportion; progression-free survival; overall survival and toxicity. At this time we are presenting radiographic response data and toxicity on the first 16 consecutive patients and APF6, PFS and OS on all 30 patients. Complete information will be available on all 30 patients at the time of presentation. Results: Twenty-eight patients have experienced disease progression and two patients remain in follow-up without progression. The primary and secondary endpoints are tabulated below: Only one of the first 16 patients was removed from the study due to toxicity (fatigue). Dose limiting toxicities of hypertension, fatigue and diarrhea were observed in 9/16 patients. There were no intracerebral hemorrhages. AZD2171 alleviated brain edema, a major cause of morbidity in glioblastoma patients, and had a steroid-sparing effect in the first 16 patients enrolled. Blood biomarkers were serially assessed and elevated levels of bFGF, SDF1a and viable circulating endothelial cells correlated with disease progression. Conclusions: AZD2171 has activity in patients with recurrent glioblastoma. Combination studies of AZD2171 with radiation and chemotherapy are planned.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

Support for a potential role of E. coli oligopeptidase A in protein degradation

Protein degradation is an essential quality control and regulatory function in organisms ranging from bacteria to eukaryotes. In bacteria, this process is initiated by ATP-dependent proteases which digest proteins to short peptides that are subsequently hydrolyzed to smaller fragments and free amino acids. While the entire genome of Escherichia coli has been sequenced, identification of endopeptidases that perform this downstream hydrolysis remains incomplete. However, in eukaryotes, thimet oligopeptidases (TOP) has been shown to hydrolyze peptides generated by the degradation of proteins by the 26S proteasome. These findings motivated us to investigate whether E. coli oligopeptidase A (OpdA), a homolog of TOP might play a similar general role in bacterial protein degradation. Herein, we provide initial support for this hypothesis by demonstrating that OpdA efficiently cleaves the peptides generated by the activity of the three primary ATP-dependent proteases from E. coli-Lon, HslUV, and ClpAP.

Chlamydia sp. in hospitalised children with community acquired pneumonia

Our aim was to document the prevalence of chlamydial infection in children less than five years of age with Community Acquired Pneumonia (CAP). Seventy three children, 1 month to 5 years of age, hospitalized with CAP were enrolled over a period of one year. Microimmunofluorescence (MIF) was done to detect IgM antibodies against Chlamydia sp. in sera of all patients; PCR was performed to detect C. pneumoniae DNA in nasopharyngeal aspirates. The prevalence of Chlamydia species infection in CAP in children < 5 years of age was 5.5% (4/73). Two cases were positive for C. trachomatis antibodies; one case was positive for C. pneumoniae antibodies and one case was positive for C. pneumoniae DNA. Chlamydia sp. have an important role in CAP in children < 5 years and for early diagnosis of infection, use of more than one method i.e. PCR and serology both is advisable.

Patient consultation survey in an ophthalmic outpatient department

INTRODUCTION

Consultation methods differ between medical practitioners depending on the individual setting. However, the central tenet to the doctor-patient relationship is the issue of confidentiality. This prospective survey highlights patient attitudes towards consultation methods in the setting of an ophthalmic outpatient department.

METHOD

Questionnaires were completed by 100 consecutive patients, who had been seen by an ophthalmologist in a single room, which had a joint doctor-patient consultation occurring simultaneously.

RESULTS

Each question of all 100 questionnaires was completed. 58% of patients were not concerned about sharing a consultation room with another patient or doctor. However, this did not equate to the 49% of patients who were indifferent to discussing issues in the joint consultation room. The most common factor was the general issue of confidentiality.

DISCUSSION

Ensuring total patient confidentiality may be deemed more necessary for certain medical specialties than for others, as seen in the practice of separate medical records in genitourinary medicine, for instance. However, with regard to patient consultations, the same level of confidentiality should be afforded across all specialties, and such factors should be borne in mind when planning outpatient clinics.

Application of neural networks in the interpretation of impedance cardiovasograms for the diagnoses of peripheral vascular diseases

An Impedance Cardio-vasograph (ICVG) system has been developed at the Electronics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (B.A.R.C) for the assessment of Peripheral Blood Flow and has been installed at the Department of Medicine, J.J. Hospital, Mumbai, India. Impedance cardio-vasography (ICVG) gives an indirect assessment of blood volume changes by measurement of normalized rate of change of electrical impedance (N dZ/dt) of the body segment. Parameters like Blood Flow Index (BFI) and Differential Pulse Arrival Time (DPAT) at different locations in both lower extremities (upper thigh, knee, calf and ankle) can be computed from these measurements. This work deals with the analysis of these parameters by a neural network system for obtaining proper diagnosis of subjects with peripheral vascular diseases. The designed network identified the presence of anatomical block or narrowing for most of cases presented to it during testing and also the status of collateral circulation in the lower limbs. The neural network was trained again, with the few cases, which were not predicted correctly. The collaterals after the site of occlusion were classified as good, moderate or poor as an aid to the physician. The network identified cases with athero-sclerotic narrowing satisfactorily and was also able to categorize cases where changes are observed only in one extremity, other remaining normal as in the cases of hemi-Leriche's syndrome. An additional parameter CVS (Coefficient of venous Statis) was calculated which is useful for the diagnosis of primary and secondary varicosity of the veins.

Subjective effects of additional doses of buprenorphine in patients on buprenorphine maintenance

OBJECTIVES

Buprenorphine has considerable abuse potential. Patients who are maintained on buprenorphine (for opioid dependence) further use additional doses besides its maintenance dose. Subjective effects of the additional doses of buprenorphine in patients on buprenorphine maintenance patients is focused in this study.

METHODS

Nineteen subjects who were maintained on buprenorphine 4mg, s/l per day for at least 1month were admitted and given three additional doses of buprenorphine 2mg, s/l at the interval of 2h each and subjective effects were assessed with the help of standard tools after 2h of each dose and the next day also. Drug was given in a cumulative dose design in the inpatient unit of a de-addiction centre.

RESULTS

Dysphoria and sleepiness increased while euphoria and drug liking decreased with additional doses of buprenorphine. These changes were statistically significant and were highest at maximum cumulative dose of 10mg.

CONCLUSION

Results suggest that abuse liability of buprenorphine in these subjects is low in higher doses. However, these findings need to be replicated in this group of patients to make a comment on clinical implication.

Lower energy levels adequate for effective transcleral diode laser cyclophotocoagulation in Asian eyes with refractory glaucoma

PURPOSE

To study the treatment parameters for diode laser cyclophotocoagulation (DLCP) in Asian Indian eyes using laser energy titrated to clinical response.

METHODS

This prospective interventional longitudinal study included 66 eyes of 66 patients with varied aetiology refractory glaucoma, no previous cycloablation, and minimum 1 year follow-up. DLCP was performed using the Oculight Diode laser system IRIS( Medical Instruments Inc., CA, USA). Power used per spot was titrated according to the audible 'pops' indicating tissue microexplosion. The mean laser energy delivered, post-laser intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction, complications, and requirement of re-treatment in various subgroups were analyzed. Differences in energy delivered in each subgroup were assessed by analysis of variance with post hocBonferroni corrections. Linear regression analysis was used to identify possible predictive factors for failure of cyclodiode therapy.

RESULTS

The mean total energy delivered per eye was 87.80+/-31.8 J (range 105.4+/-36.8 J in neovascular glaucoma (NVG) to 61.5+/-8.8 J in uveitic glaucoma (P=0.134)). Mean pre treatment IOP was 36.4+/-10.7 mmHg, which reduced to 19.4+/-9.8 mmHg (P<0.001) at 1 week, and 15.6+/-6.6 mmHg at 1 year. At 1 year, 58 of 66 patients had IOP<22.0 mmHg (response rate 87.8%), and six patients had hypotony (success rate 78.8%). The uveitic glaucoma group had 100% success rate. NVG group required maximum re-treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

DLCP with a titrated energy protocol needs resulted in lower energy in Asian Indian eyes compared to that reported in literature, and different energy levels are needed for different diseases. 'Standard treatment parameters' for DLCP may be inappropriate for all diseases and all races.

Lacrimal drainage surgery in patients with rare nasal diseases

AIM

To examine the results of open lacrimal drainage surgery in patients with rare nasal diseases.

METHOD

A retrospective review of a group of patients with rare nasal disease who underwent open lacrimal surgery over a 15-year period at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Three main groups of disease were identified: (I) patients with treated mid-face tumours; (II) patients with prior major midfacial injury or surgery; and (III) patients with congenital nasal anomalies, including nasal aplasia. The more common systemic conditions of Wegener's granulomatosis and sarcoidosis were specifically excluded.

RESULTS

Eighty-six patients (43 men; 50%) were identified with an age range between 1 and 82 years at the time of surgery. A total of 100 primary procedures were performed in 85 patients and symptomatic relief was achieved in 83/100 (83%) eyes, with 18/100 eyes (18%) requiring two or more lacrimal procedures. Lacrimal reconstructive surgery was considered impractical in two further patients. There were no intraoperative and few postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

With adequate experience, open lacrimal surgery appears to be a safe and effective procedure in the majority of patients with rare nasal diseases or major nasofacial anomalies.

Limitations of current antiretroviral agents and opportunities for development

Significant progress has been made in the field of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pharmacotherapy. This is a remarkable achievement given that the virus was first recognized in the United States in 1981 and the first antiretroviral (ARV) agent became available in 1987. There are now 20 medications in 4 different classes approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of HIV and the carefully orchestrated use of these agents has dramatically decreased HIV mortality. However, the currently available agents have concerning limitations. These include potentially life-threatening side effects, drug interactions, loss of effectiveness over time due to resistance and the need for an extremely high level of medication adherence to achieve viral suppression. In the following review, important features of the presently available agents are described, and the characteristics of an ideal ARV agent defined.

Review of Ocular Drug Delivery

Successful treatment of eye diseases requires effective concentration of drug at the eye for sufficient period of time. Conventional ocular drug delivery including eye drops, systemic administration, ophthalmic ointments, is no longer sufficient to combat ocular diseases. This article reviews the constraints with conventional ocular therapy, and explores various novel approaches, to improve the ocular bioavailability of drugs to the anterior chamber of the eye.

Ultrasound biomicroscopic quantification of the change in anterior chamber angle following laser peripheral iridotomy in early chronic primary angle closure glaucoma

AIMS

To prospectively evaluate by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) and gonioscopy the anterior chamber angle widening following laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI) in eyes with early chronic primary angle closure glaucoma (CACG).

METHODS

A total of 55 eyes of 55 patients with CACG presenting with less than 180 degrees peripheral anterior synechiae (PAS) were enrolled in the study. Angles were assessed by gonioscopy (Shaffer's grading) and UBM, before and 4 weeks after LPI. The angle opening distance at 250 and 500 microm from the scleral spur (AOD 250 and AOD 500) was computed. Results were analysed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

RESULTS

In the quadrant with LPI, the mean gonioscopy grade increased significantly from 0.45 to 1.45 (P<0.001) and the mean AOD 250 and AOD 500 increased from 38.5+/-25.9 to 83.5+/-48.4 microm (P<0.001) and 110.2+/-80.9 to 170.6+/-83.4 microm (P<0.001), respectively. The angles widened significantly in the opposite quadrant on UBM (AOD 250: 48.8+/-31.5-82.7+/-43.9 microm, P<0.001; AOD 500:117.2+/-65.5-172.2+/-81.7 microm; P<0.001), but the median gonioscopy grade remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONS

LPI significantly widened the anterior chamber angle in the quadrant with LPI and the quadrant furthest away in patients of CACG with established glaucomatous damage. This change was much better appreciated by the UBM than gonioscopy.

Xanthan gum: an economical substitute for agar in plant tissue culture media

Xanthan gum, a microbial desiccation-resistant polysaccharide prepared commercially by aerobic submerged fermentation from Xanthomonas campestris, has been successfully used as a solidifying agent for plant tissue culture media. Its suitability as a substitute to agar was demonstrated for in vitro seed germination, caulogenesis and rhizogenesis of Albizzia lebbeck, androgenesis in anther cultures of Datura innoxia, and somatic embryogenesis in callus cultures of Calliandra tweedii. Culture media used for eliciting these morphogenic responses were gelled with either 1% xanthan gum or 0.9% agar. Xanthan gum, like agar, supported all these responses.

Contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) in the evaluation of vascular complications of renal transplantation

Vascular complications associated with renal transplantation merit urgent investigation since they are often correctable, and timely intervention can help salvage the graft kidney. Contrast-enhanced MR angiography (CE-MRA) is a promising non-invasive technique, uses relatively non-nephrotoxic contrast agents and can rapidly demonstrate the underlying lesion in most instances. In this pictorial review we present the spectrum of abnormalities, as well as the pitfalls of interpretation of CE-MRA, that we encountered in 41 cases where there was clinical suspicion of vascular complications of renal transplantation. We believe that CE-MRA is a valuable, non-invasive screening technique in these cases, and further investigation and management of these patients can be confidently tailored to the results of the CE-MRA study.

Attainment of glycaemic goals in type 2 diabetes with once-, twice-, or thrice-daily dosing with biphasic insulin aspart 70/30 (The 1-2-3 study)

AIM

This observational study in patients with type 2 diabetes failing oral agent therapy with or without basal insulin was conducted to assess whether addition and self-titration of biphasic insulin aspart 70/30 (BIAsp 30) could achieve American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE)/International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and American Diabetes Association (ADA) glycemic targets (HbA(1c)< or =6.5 and <7%).

METHODS

Enrolled patients (n = 100, HbA(1c)> or =7.5 and < or =10%) were > or =18 years of age, had diabetes > or =12 months and had received a stable antidiabetic regimen for at least 3 months [minimum of two oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs) or at least one OAD plus once-daily basal insulin < or =60 U]. Patients discontinued prior basal insulin and added one injection of BIAsp 30 (12 U or 70-100% of prior basal insulin dose within 15 min of dinner initiation). Patients self-titrated their BIAsp 30 dose with investigator guidance every 3 or 4 days to achieve pre-breakfast fasting blood glucose (FBG) of 80-110 mg/dl. At 16 weeks, a pre-breakfast injection of 6 U of BIAsp 30 was added if week 15 HbA(1c) exceeded 6.5%; the added dose was titrated to achieve pre-dinner BG of 80-110 mg/dl. After an additional 16 weeks, 3 U of pre-lunch BIAsp 30 was added if HbA(1c) exceeded 6.5%. This added dose was adjusted based on 2-h post-lunch BG to achieve postprandial glucose of 100-140 mg/dl. Subjects achieving an HbA(1c)< or =6.5% at 15 and 31 weeks completed the study at weeks 16 and 32 respectively.

RESULTS

Addition of once-daily BIAsp 30 before dinner enabled 21% of the patients to achieve AACE and IDF targets (HbA(1c)< or =6.5%) and 41% to achieve ADA targets (HbA(1c) <7%). With two daily injections of BIAsp 30, these glycaemic goals were achieved by 52 and 70% of subjects. With three daily BIAsp 30 injections, 60% of patients achieved HbA(1c)< or =6.5%, and 77% achieved HbA(1c) <7.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

This clinical trial demonstrates that initiation of once-daily BIAsp 30 to type 2 diabetes patients poorly controlled on various OAD regimens was an effective treatment approach for achieving glycaemic goals. Additional patients safely achieved these goals by increasing the number of BIAsp 30 injections from one to two, and then, if uncontrolled, from two to three doses per day. Eventually, most patients previously uncontrolled on OADs with or without basal insulin were controlled by the addition and vigorous titration of BIAsp 30 to oral agent therapy.

Guar gum: a cheap substitute for agar in microbial culture media

AIMS

To determine the possibility of using guar gum, a colloidal polysaccharide, as a cheap alternative to agar for gelling microbial culture media.

METHODS AND RESULTS

As illustrative examples, 12 fungi and 11 bacteria were cultured on media solidified with either guar gum or agar. All fungi and bacteria exhibited normal growth and differentiation on the media gelled with guar gum. Microscopic examination of the fungi and bacteria grown on agar or guar gum gelled media did not reveal any structural differences. However, growth of most of the fungi was better on guar gum media than agar, and correspondingly, sporulation was also more advanced on the former. Bacterial enumeration studies carried out for Serratia sp. and Pseudomonas sp. by serial dilution and pour-plate method yielded similar counts on both agar and guar gum. Likewise, a selective medium, succinate medium used for growth of Pseudomonas sp. did not support growth of Bacillus sp. when inoculated along with Pseudomonas on both agar or guar gum supplemented medium.

CONCLUSIONS

Guar gum, a galactomannan, which is 50 times cheaper than Difco-bacto agar, can be used as a gelling agent in place of agar in microbial culture media.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

As the media gelled with guar gum do not melt at temperature as high as 70 degrees C, these can be used for isolation and maintenance of thermophiles.

Outcome after disarticulation of the hip for sarcomas

AIMS

To review the oncological and functional outcome in 80 patients who underwent disarticulation of the hip as part of their treatment.

METHODS

Eighty patients had disarticulation, of whom 46 had a bone sarcoma and 34 a soft tissue sarcoma. In 42 patients the operation was done as the first definitive surgical procedure for that patient. In 38 patients the disarticulation followed local recurrence after unsuccessful limb salvage, three of these patients had palliative amputations already having metastatic disease. All patients had adjuvant therapy when appropriate.

RESULTS

The overall survival of the patients following the amputation was 56% at 1 year, 39% at 2 years, 27% at 5 years and 21% at 10 years. The 5-year survival of patients having the amputation as a primary procedure was 32%, for those with local recurrence it was 25% whilst for those with a palliative amputation it was nil. Local recurrence developed in 10 patients following the amputation, and was related to close margins of excision; all of these patients subsequently died. Function was on the whole poor, with only one surviving patient regularly using an artificial limb.

CONCLUSION

Disarticulation of the hip remains a disabling procedure usually carried out for high grade sarcomas with extensive involvement of bone and soft tissues in the thigh. Long term survival is possible if wide margins of excision can be achieved.