Adult North Star Network (ANSN): Consensus Guideline For The Standard Of Care Of Adults With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

There are growing numbers of adults with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy living well into their fourth decade. These patients have complex medical needs that to date have not been addressed in the International standards of care. We sought to create a consensus based standard of care through a series of multi-disciplinary workshops with specialists from a wide range of clinical areas: Neurology, Cardiology, Respiratory Medicine, Gastroenterology, Endocrinology, Palliative Care Medicine, Rehabilitation, Renal, Anaesthetics and Clinical Psychology. Detailed reports of evidence reviewed and the consensus building process were produced following each workshop and condensed into this final document which was approved by all members of the Adult North Star Network including service users. The aim of this document is to provide a framework to improve clinical services and multi-disciplinary care for adults living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Using Forum Theater as a Teaching Tool to Combat Patient Bias Directed Toward Health Care Professionals

INTRODUCTION

Health care professionals who identify as members of underrepresented and racial minority groups may experience bias from patients and patient families. These occurrences disrupt the educational and therapeutic environments, distress the targeted individuals and allies, and create potential legal liability. Yet there are few educational opportunities for individuals to brainstorm and implement strategies for responding professionally during such instances.

METHODS

Presented first as a grand rounds, then an invited workshop, and finally an invited series, this educational activity was developed in a stepwise manner over the course of a year. Each format was sequentially modified based on feedback from participants-more than 200 physicians and other health care professionals-using evaluation forms that were voluntary and anonymous. The educational activity used an adaptation of forum theater, in which participants role-played an instance of oppression with a goal of altering the ultimate outcome. This approach provided participants with the opportunity to develop and rehearse responses to workplace bias in a way that preserved the provider-patient relationship.

RESULTS

Feedback for these educational sessions was overwhelmingly positive. Participants noted the importance of acknowledging and addressing bias in the workplace and encouraged facilitators to expand the sessions in length, frequency, and scope.

DISCUSSION

Forum theater is a methodology that can be employed in health care to teach appropriate and authentic responses to expressed patient bias while maintaining the therapeutic relationship. The positive reception from participants in our preliminary sessions established a strong foundation for future improvements to this work.

Right atrium to pulmonary capillary wedge pressure ratio is associated with right ventricular failure and mortality after left ventricular assist device surgery

Introduction

Right ventricular failure (RVF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality after left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. We investigated the role of right atrium to pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (RA/PCWP) ratio as a preoperative predictor of postoperative RVF after LVAD surgery.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients who received continuous-flow LVADs (HeartMate 2, 3, and HVAD) between August 2012 and May 2018 in a single tertiary center. INTERMACS profile 1 patients were excluded. RA/PCWP ratio was calculated for the entire cohort and divided into quartiles (Q). Patients were stratified into high (Q4) vs. low (Q1–3) RA/PCWP ratio. The primary end point was the composite of in hospital mortality and RVF (defined as the need for a right ventricular assist device or inotrope dependence for >7 days). The secondary endpoint was readmission within 14 days after discharge.

Results

The study cohort consisted of 59 patients (15 patients in the high RA/PCWP group and 44 patients in the low RA/PCWP group) with a median follow-up of 21 months (Interquartile range 14–31). The mean age was 56±11 years and the majority of patients were male (88%). Patients were classified as INTERMACS profile 2 (34%), 3 (19%) or 4 (47%).

Preoperative clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic parameters were similar in both groups except for a larger proportion of patients with a dilated right ventricle and above moderate tricuspid regurgitation in the high compared to the low RA/PCWP group (73% vs. 29%; P=0.006 and 40% vs. 2%; P=0.001, respectively). Overall, 7 patients (12%) developed the primary end-point and 9 patients (15%) developed the secondary end-point.

Univariate analysis demonstrated that high RA/PCWP is associated with both primary and secondary end-points (odds ratio [OR], 7.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.2–47.2, P=0.029 and OR, 6.25; 95% CI 1.3–28.5, P=0.018, respectively). On multivariable analysis, the association remained significant after adjustment for INTERMACS score (OR, 10.6; 95% CI 1.4–80.9, P=0.022 and OR, 7.9; 95% CI 1.5–42.2, P=0.015, respectively).

Using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) derived cut-points, RA/PCWP >0.57 provided 67% sensitivity and 79% specificity (C-statistic = 0.73) for the prediction of in hospital mortality and RVF and 56% sensitivity and 84% specificity (C-statistic = 0.69) for the prediction of readmissions within 14 days after discharge. In comparison, in our cohort using ROC-derived cut points, pulmonary artery pulsatility index, an established RVF predictor, of less than 1.84 provided 40% sensitivity and 20% specificity (C-statistic = 0.3) for the prediction of inhospital death and RVF.

Conclusion

RA/PCWP ratio may help to identify patients at high risk of developing adverse clinical outcomes, including RVF and mortality, after LVAD surgery.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Improving the quality of maternal and newborn care in the Pacific region: A scoping review

Background

Quality care is essential for improving maternal and newborn health. Low- and middle-income Pacific Island nations face challenges in delivering quality maternal and newborn care. The aim of this review was to identify all published studies of interventions which sought to improve the quality of maternal and newborn care in Pacific low-and middle-income countries.

Methods

A scoping review framework was used. Databases and grey literature were searched for studies published between January 2000 and July 2019 which described actions to improve the quality of maternal and newborn care in Pacific low- and middle-income countries. Interventions were categorised using a four-level health system framework and the WHO quality of maternal and newborn care standards. An expert advisory group of Pacific Islander clinicians and researchers provided guidance throughout the review process.

Results

2010 citations were identified and 32 studies included. Most interventions focused on the clinical service or organisational level, such as healthcare worker training, audit processes and improvements to infrastructure. Few addressed patient experiences or system-wide improvements. Enablers to improving quality care included community engagement, collaborative partnerships, adequate staff education and training and alignment with local priorities.

Conclusions

There are several quality improvement initiatives in low- and middle-income Pacific Island nations, most at the point of health service delivery. To effectively strengthen quality maternal and newborn care in this region, efforts must broaden to improve health system leadership, deliver sustaining education programs and encompass learnings from women and their communities.

THU0022 DIFFERENTIAL DNA METHYLATION AS A PREDICTOR OF TOCILIZUMAB RESPONSE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS PATIENTS

Background:

Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drug that blocks IL-6 signalling and is effective in ameliorating disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, approximately 50% of patients do not respond adequately to TCZ and some patients report adverse events. Considering there is growing evidence that DNA methylation is implicated in RA susceptibility and response to some biologics (1, 2), we investigated DNA methylation as a candidate biomarker for response to TCZ in RA.

Objectives:

To identify differential DNA methylation signatures in whole blood associated with TCZ response in patients with RA.

Methods:

Epigenome-wide DNA methylation patterns were measured using the Infinium EPIC BeadChip (Illumina) in whole blood-derived DNA samples from patients with RA. DNA was extracted from blood samples taken pre-treatment and following 3 months on therapy, and response was determined at 6 months using the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Patients who had good response (n=10) or poor response (n=10) to TCZ by 6 months were selected. Samples from secondary poor responders (n=10) (patients who had an improvement of CDAI and were in remission at 3 months, followed by a worsening of CDAI at 6 months) were also analysed. Differentially methylated positions and regions (DMPs/DMRs) were identified using linear regression, adjusting for gender, age, cell composition, smoking status, and glucocorticoid use. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was used to identify significant pathways associated with response and Functional Epigenetic Module analysis of interactome hotspots in regions of differential methylation.

Results:

20 DMPs were significantly associated with response status at 6 months in the pre-treatment samples. Another 21 DMPs were associated with response in the 3 month samples. Within good responders, 10 DMPs showed significant change in methylation level between pre-treatment and the 3 month samples (unadjusted P-value <10-6). One DMP, cg03121467, was significantly less methylated in good responders compared to poor responders in the pre-treatment samples. This DMP is close toEPB41L4Aand thought to have a role in β–catenin signalling. GSEA of DMRs in non- and secondary non- responders identified histone acetyltransferase pathways and included theKAT2Agene, which is a repressor of NF-κB. Additional analysis of interaction hotspots of differential methylation identified significant interactions withSTAMBPandPTPN12associated with response status.

Conclusion:

These preliminary results provide evidence that DNA methylation patterns may predict response to TCZ. Validation of these findings in other larger data sets is required.

References:

[1]Liu,Y., Aryee,M.J., Padyukov,L., Fallin,M.D., Hesselberg,E., Runarsson,A., Reinius,L., Acevedo,N., Taub,M., Ronninger,M.,et al.(2013) Epigenome-wide association data implicate DNA methylation as an intermediary of genetic risk in rheumatoid arthritis.Nat. Biotechnol.,31, 142–147.

[2]Plant,D., Webster,A., Nair,N., Oliver,J., Smith,S.L., Eyre,S., Hyrich,K.L., Wilson,A.G., Morgan,A.W., Isaacs,J.D.,et al.(2016) Differential Methylation as a Biomarker of Response to Etanercept in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis.Arthritis Rheumatol. (Hoboken, N.J.),68, 1353–60.

Disclosure of Interests:

Nisha Nair: None declared, Darren Plant: None declared, John Isaacs Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Merck, Pfizer, Roche, Ann Morgan Grant/research support from: I have received a grant from Roche Products Ltd to establish a registry for GCA patients treated with tocilizumab., Consultant of: I have undertaken consultancy work for Roche, Chugai, Regeneron, Sanofi and GSK in the area of GCA therapeutics., Speakers bureau: I have presented on tocilizumab therapy for GCA and glucocorticoid toxicity on behalf of Roche products ltd., Kimme Hyrich Grant/research support from: Pfizer, UCB, BMS, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Anne Barton Consultant of: AbbVie, Anthony G Wilson: None declared

Strategies to Improve Recruitment to a De-escalation Trial: A Mixed-Methods Study of the OPTIMA Prelim Trial in Early Breast Cancer

AIMS

De-escalation trials are challenging and sometimes may fail due to poor recruitment. The OPTIMA Prelim randomised controlled trial (ISRCTN42400492) randomised patients with early stage breast cancer to chemotherapy versus 'test-directed' chemotherapy, with a possible outcome of no chemotherapy, which could confer less treatment relative to routine practice. Despite encountering challenges, OPTIMA Prelim reached its recruitment target ahead of schedule. This study reports the root causes of recruitment challenges and the strategies used to successfully overcome them.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A mixed-methods recruitment intervention (QuinteT Recruitment Intervention) was used to investigate the recruitment difficulties and feedback findings to inform interventions and optimise ongoing recruitment. Quantitative site-level recruitment data, audio-recorded recruitment appointments (n = 46), qualitative interviews (n = 22) with trialists/recruiting staff (oncologists/nurses) and patient-facing documentation were analysed using descriptive, thematic and conversation analyses. Findings were triangulated to inform a 'plan of action' to optimise recruitment.

RESULTS

Despite best intentions, oncologists' routine practices complicated recruitment. Discomfort about deviating from the usual practice of recommending chemotherapy according to tumour clinicopathological features meant that not all eligible patients were approached. Audio-recorded recruitment appointments revealed how routine practices undermined recruitment. A tendency to justify chemotherapy provision before presenting the randomised controlled trial and subtly indicating that chemotherapy would be more/less beneficial undermined equipoise and made it difficult for patients to engage with OPTIMA Prelim. To tackle these challenges, individual and group recruiter feedback focussed on communication issues and vignettes of eligible patients were discussed to address discomforts around approaching patients. 'Tips' documents concerning structuring discussions and conveying equipoise were disseminated across sites, together with revisions to the Patient Information Sheet.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study illuminating the tension between oncologists' routine practices and recruitment to de-escalation trials. Although time and resources are required, these challenges can be addressed through specific feedback and training as the trial is underway.

Visibility of age restriction warnings, harm reduction messages and terms and conditions: a content analysis of paid-for gambling advertising in the United Kingdom

OBJECTIVE

The inclusion and design of age restriction warnings, harm reduction messages and terms and conditions (T&Cs) in gambling advertising is self-regulated in the United Kingdom. Our study examines the visibility and nature of this information in a sample of paid-for gambling adverts.

STUDY DESIGN

A content analysis of a stratified random sample of gambling adverts (n = 300) in the United Kingdom from eight paid-for advertising channels (March 2018).

METHODS

For each advert, we assessed whether any age restriction warnings, harm reduction messages and T&Cs were present. If so, visibility was scored on a five-point scale ranging from very poor (≤10% of advert space) to very good (≥26% of advert), which had high inter-rater reliability. Descriptive information on position, design and tone of language was recorded.

RESULTS

One in seven adverts (14%) did not feature an age restriction warning or harm reduction message. In adverts that did, 84% of age restriction warnings and 54% of harm reduction messages had very poor visibility. At least one in ten adverts did not contain T&Cs. In adverts that did, 73% had very poor visibility. For age restriction warnings, harm reduction messages and T&Cs, most appeared in small fonts and outside the main advert frame. Most harm reduction messages did not actually reference gambling-related harms.

CONCLUSION

Age restriction warnings, harm reduction messages and T&Cs do not always appear in paid-for gambling advertising. When they do, visibility is often very poor and the messaging not clear. The findings do not support a self-regulatory approach to managing this information in gambling adverts.

Examining the frequency and nature of gambling marketing in televised broadcasts of professional sporting events in the United Kingdom

OBJECTIVE

Gambling operators in the United Kingdom have introduced a voluntary ban on adverts broadcast during televised sport before 21:00 (the 'whistle-to-whistle' ban). To inform debates around the potential effectiveness of this ban, we examine the frequency and nature of gambling marketing in televised broadcasts across professional sporting events.

STUDY DESIGN

Frequency analysis of verbal and visual gambling marketing references during television broadcasts of football (n = 5), tennis, Formula 1, boxing and rugby union (each n = 1) from 2018.

METHODS

For each gambling reference, we coded: whether it appeared in-play or out-of-play; location (e.g. pitch-side advertising); format (e.g. branded merchandise); duration (s); number of identical references visible simultaneously; brand; and presence of age restriction or harm-reduction messages.

RESULTS

Boxing contained the most gambling references, on average, per broadcast minute (4.70 references), followed by football (2.75), rugby union (0.55) and tennis (0.11). Formula 1 contained no gambling references. In boxing, references most frequently appeared within the area-of-play. For football and rugby union, references most frequently appeared around the pitch border or within the area-of-play (e.g. branded shirts). Only a small minority of references were for adverts during commercial breaks that would be subject to the whistle-to-whistle ban (e.g. 2% of references in football). Less than 1% of references in boxing and only 3% of references in football contained age restriction or harm-reduction messages.

CONCLUSIONS

As gambling sponsorship extends much beyond adverts in commercial breaks, the 'whistle-to-whistle' ban will have limited effect on gambling exposure. Gambling sponsorship activities rarely contain harm-reduction messages.

New age-related hearing loss candidate genes in humans: an ongoing challenge

Age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is the most frequent sensory disorder in the elderly, affecting approximately one-third of people aged more than 65 years. Despite a large number of people affected, ARHL is still an area of unmet clinical needs, and only a few ARHL susceptibility genes have been detected so far. In order to further investigate the genetics of ARHL, we analyzed a series of 46 ARHL candidate genes, selected according to previous Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) data, literature updates and animal models, in a large cohort of 464 Italian ARHL patients. We have filtered the variants according to a) pathogenicity prediction, b) allele frequency in public databases, c) allele frequency in an internal cohort of 113 healthy matched controls, and 81 healthy semi-supercentenarians. After data analysis, all the variants of interest have been tested by functional "in silico" or "in vitro" experiments (i.e., molecular dynamics simulations and protein translation analysis) to assess their pathogenic role, and the expression of the mutated genes have been checked in mouse or zebrafish inner ear. This multi-step approach led to the characterization of a series of ultra-rare likely pathogenic variants in DCLK1, SLC28A3, CEP104, and PCDH20 genes, contributing to describe the first association of these genes with ARHL in humans. These results provide essential insights on the understanding of the molecular bases of such a complex, heterogeneous and frequent disorder, unveiling new possible targets for the future development of innovative therapeutic and preventive approaches that could improve the quality of life of the millions of people affected worldwide.

Abstract OT3-17-01: OPTIMA: A prospective randomized trial to validate the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of gene expression test-directed chemotherapy decisions in mostly node-positive early breast cancer

Background: Multi-parameter tumour gene expression assays (MPAs) are widely used to estimate individual patient risk and to guide chemotherapy use in hormone-sensitive, HER2-negative early breast cancer. The TAILORx trial supports MPA use in a node-negative population. Evidence in node-positive breast cancer is limited. OPTIMA (Optimal Personalised Treatment of early breast cancer usIng Multi-parameter Analysis) (ISRCTN42400492) is a prospective international randomised controlled trial (RCT) designed to validate MPA’s as predictors of chemotherapy sensitivity in a largely node-positive breast cancer population.

Methods: OPTIMA is a partially blinded study with an adaptive two-stage design. The main eligibility criteria are women and men age 40 or older with resected ER-positive, HER2-negative invasive breast cancer and up to 9 involved axillary lymph nodes. Randomisation is to standard management (chemotherapy and endocrine therapy) or to MPA-directed treatment using the Prosigna (PAM50) test. Those with a Prosigna tumour Score (ROR_PT) &gt;60 receive standard management whilst those with a low score (≤60) are treated with endocrine therapy alone. Endocrine therapy for pre-menopausal women includes ovarian suppression. Prosigna tests are currently performed only for participants randomised to MPA-directed treatment. More than 1 tumour may be tested if participants have multi-focal tumours with discordant features and/or are considered clinically significant. The co-primary outcomes are: (1) Invasive Disease Free Survival (IDFS) and (2) cost-effectiveness. Secondary outcomes include IDFS in patients with low-score tumours and quality of life. Recruitment of 4500 patients over 5 years will permit demonstration of 3% non-inferiority of test-directed treatment, assuming 5-year IDFS of 85% with standard management. An integrated qualitative recruitment study addresses challenges to consent and recruitment, building on experience from the feasibility study which found that a multidisciplinary approach is important for recruitment success.

Results: The OPTIMA main trial opened in January 2017. Overall recruitment as of 1 July 2019 was 1123 (1100 from UK, 13 from Norway); 91% had axillary node macro-metastases. Median time from consent to treatment allocation was 12 days (interquartile range 10-14 days). The withdrawal rate from trial treatment is 3%; 50% of these continue with follow up. Prosigna tests have been performed on 608 tumours for 549 participants; 59% were luminal A, 38% were luminal B and 3% non-luminal (6 patients with non-luminal tumours [1% overall] were ineligible on receptor retesting). Of the 53 (10%) participants with &gt;1 tumour tested, 3 (6%) had discordant scores only, 7 (13%) had discordant subtypes only and 8 (15%) had both discordant scores and subtypes. Two thirds of the MPA-directed arm participants have been allocated to endocrine therapy only. The test failure rate is &lt;1%.

Conclusion: OPTIMA is one of two large scale prospective trials validating the use of test-guided chemotherapy decisions in node-positive early breast cancer. It is expected to have a global impact on breast cancer treatment.

Funding: OPTIMA is funded by the UK NIHR HTA Programme (10/34/501). Views expressed are those of the authors and not those of the HTA Programme, NIHR, NHS or the Department of Health.

Trial Inquiries: OPTIMA@warwick.ac.uk

Citation Format: Robert C Stein, Andrea Marshall, Andreas Makris, Luke Hughes-Davies, Iain R MacPherson, Carmel Conefrey, Leila Rooshenas, Sarah E Pinder, Abeer M Shaaban, Bjørn Naume, David A Cameron, Daniel W Rea, Helena M Earl, Christopher J Poole, Peter S Hall, Georgina Dotchin, Stuart A McIntosh, Victoria Harmer, Adrienne Morgan, Bethany Shinkins, Nigel Stallard, Christopher McCabe, Jenny L Donovan, John MS Bartlett, Janet A Dunn. OPTIMA: A prospective randomized trial to validate the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of gene expression test-directed chemotherapy decisions in mostly node-positive early breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2019 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2019 Dec 10-14; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT3-17-01.

Biosocial perspectives on adolescent wellbeing: time trends and cross-national patterns

Since 1985, the HBSC Study has conducted 9 quadrennial surveys. There has been a growing number of HBSC participating countries over the 3.5 decades - from 5 to almost 50, in Europe and North America. In total there have been 298 national HBSC surveys and data collected from more than 1.5 million 11, 13 and 15 year olds. This paper asks - ‘What have we found out about adolescent mental health’ from this enormous research endeavour?

1000 papers have been published from HBSC and of these, just over 10% (120) have a primary focus on mental health. Notwithstanding the complexity of how mental health is conceptualized in each case, the 120 abstracts were scanned and empirical evidence was organised according to Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological model in order to synthesise key findings, in order to evaluate: where there were significant contributions to knowledge/understanding of mental health; where this was limited and where real gaps existed.

A vast array of topics was explored on adolescent mental health with a strong focus on the effects of bullying, the school environment and social and economic inequalities. There was a lack of attention to the importance of friendship and prosocial behaviour. Apart from parents, the role of family members, including grandparents and siblings, in supporting or negatively impacting mental health, was neglected. It was concluded that a deeper investigation is needed into behaviours and social contexts that support positive mental health. The use of the bio-ecological model helped to systematise the evidence to provide an overview of what HBSC has achieved in terms of progressing our understanding of adolescent mental health and where gaps exist.

The implications of this review for HBSC’s future development are considered in addition to reflection on what contribution the research to date can make to policy development to improve adolescent health internationally.

A Novel Amino Acid Composition Ameliorates Short-Term Muscle Disuse Atrophy in Healthy Young Men

Skeletal muscle disuse leads to atrophy, declines in muscle function, and metabolic dysfunction that are often slow to recover. Strategies to mitigate these effects would be clinically relevant. In a double-blind randomized-controlled pilot trial, we examined the safety and tolerability as well as the atrophy mitigating effect of a novel amino acid composition (AXA2678), during single limb immobilization. Twenty healthy young men were randomly assigned (10 per group) to receive AXA2678 or an excipient- and energy-matched non-amino acid containing placebo (PL) for 28d: days 1–7, pre-immobilization; days 8–15, immobilization; and days 16–28 post-immobilization recovery. Muscle biopsies were taken on d1, d8 (immobilization start), d15 (immobilization end), and d28 (post-immobilization recovery). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was utilized to assess quadriceps muscle volume (Mvol), muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), and muscle fat-fraction (FF: the fraction of muscle occupied by fat). Maximal voluntary leg isometric torque was assessed by dynamometry. Administration of AXA2678 attenuated muscle disuse atrophy compared to PL (p < 0.05) with changes from d8 to d15 in PL: ΔMvol = −2.4 ± 2.3% and ΔCSA = −3.1% ± 2.1%, both p < 0.001 vs. zero; against AXA2678: ΔMvol: −0.7 ± 1.8% and ΔCSA: −0.7 ± 2.1%, both p > 0.3 vs. zero; and p < 0.05 between treatment conditions for CSA. During immobilization, muscle FF increased in PL but not in AXA2678 (PL: 12.8 ± 6.1%, AXA2678: 0.4 ± 3.1%; p < 0.05). Immobilization resulted in similar reductions in peak leg isometric torque and change in time-to-peak (TTP) torque in both groups. Recovery (d15–d28) of peak torque and TTP torque was also not different between groups, but showed a trend for better recovery in the AXA2678 group. Thrice daily consumption of AXA2678 for 28d was found to be safe and well-tolerated. Additionally, AXA2678 attenuated atrophy, and attenuated accumulation of fat during short-term disuse. Further investigations on the administration of AXA2678 in conditions of muscle disuse are warranted.

Clinical Trial Registration:https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier: NCT03267745.

Abstract 3348: Top 10 living with and beyond cancer research priorities

More and more people are living with the consequences of cancer and its treatment (living with and beyond cancer), yet the level of relevant research is low compared to other types of cancer research in the UK. NCRI aims to increase the level of research in this area and to ultimately improve the lives of those affected by cancer. Undefined research priorities in this broad area has been a barrier to research. The 2015 NHS Independent Cancer Taskforce report also recommends defining research priorities and to enable this research to happen. To address this barrier the NCRI has undertaken a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) to identify priorities that matter most to people affected by cancer and the health and social care professionals.A PSP consists of patients and carers, health and social care professionals. PSPs have several stages and begin with a UK-wide survey to gather questions about uncertainties in living with and beyond cancer. Once the results were analysed, an interim exercise takes place to further prioritise the uncertainties. The last stage is a final workshop where partners debate and finally arrive at a top 10 list of shared uncertainties.The living with and beyond cancer PSP received 3500 questions submitted by people affected by cancer and healthcare professionals. Through a 18-month established rigorous process, the questions are prioritised down to the Top 10 living with and beyond cancer priorities for research in June 2018. This is the first time that clear research priorities have been identified in this area. They are the most impactful research questions that will help improve the lives of people affected by cancer. The Top 10 uncertainties will be publicised widely to ensure that researchers and those who fund research really understand what matters to people affected by cancer. The top uncertainties will be promoted to many research organizations and relevant funders in the UK. We anticipate they will directly influence future research.

Citation Format: Feng Li, Adrienne Morgan, Angela McCullagh, Anne Johnson, Ceinwen Giles, Diana Greenfield, Graeme Crawford, Jacqui Gath, Jane Lyons, Jervoise Andreyev, Jonathan Tobutt, Julia Tugwell, Karen Robb, Laura Cove-Smith, Lindsey Bennister, Natalie Doyle, Nicolas Lee, Rebecca Nash, Richard Simcock, Richard Stephens, Sabine Best, Susan Moug, Kristina Staley, Sandra Regan, Patricia Ellis, Stuart Griffiths, Ian Lewis. Top 10 living with and beyond cancer research priorities [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3348.

Abstract OT1-05-02: OPTIMA: A prospective randomized trial to validate the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of gene expression test-directed chemotherapy decisions in high clinical risk early breast cancer

Background:Multi-parameter tumour gene expression assays (MPAs) are widely used to estimate individual patient residual risk and to guide chemotherapy use in hormone-sensitive, HER2-negative early breast cancer. The TAILORx trial supports MPA use in a node-negative population. Evidence for MPA use in node-positive breast cancer is limited. OPTIMA (Optimal Personalised Treatment of early breast cancer usIng Multi-parameter Analysis) (ISRCTN42400492) aims to validate MPAs as predictors of chemotherapy sensitivity in a largely node-positive breast cancer population where prospective RCT (Randomised Controlled Trial) evidence is lacking.

Methods: OPTIMA is a partially blinded multi-center RCT with an adaptive two-stage design. The main eligibility criteria are women and men age 40 or older with resected ER-positive, HER2-negative invasive breast cancer and up to 9 involved axillary lymph nodes. Randomisation is to standard management (chemotherapy and endocrine therapy) or to MPA-directed treatment using the Prosigna (PAM50) test. Those with a Prosigna tumour score (ROR_PT) &gt;60 receive standard management whilst those with a low score (≤60) are treated with endocrine therapy alone. Endocrine therapy for pre-menopausal women includes ovarian suppression. The co-primary outcomes are (1) Invasive Disease Free Survival (IDFS) and (2) cost-effectiveness of test-directed treatment. Secondary outcomes include IDFS in patients with low-score tumours and quality of life. An integrated qualitative recruitment study addresses challenges to consent and recruitment and will build on experience from the feasibility study that a multidisciplinary approach at sites is important for recruitment success. Tumour blocks will be banked to allow evaluation of additional MPA technologies. Recruitment of 4500 patients over 5 years will permit demonstration of 3% non-inferiority of test-directed treatment, assuming 5-year IDFS of 85% with standard management, equivalent to a HR of 1.22. Inclusion of patients from the feasibility study will increase the power to test for non-inferiority.

Results: The OPTIMA main trial opened in January 2017. Overall recruitment (including the feasibility study) will reach 1000 in August 2018. Recruitment in Norway will commence in July 2018. Characteristics of the OPTIMA main participants recruited to 31st May 2018 are shown in the table.

Main study patient characteristicsCharacteristic %Median age in years (range)57 (40-80) Menopause statusPre34 Post66 Male1Tumour size&lt;30mm58 &gt;=30mm42Node statuspN04 pN1mi(sn)7 pN1(sn)20 pN155 pN214Historic grade16 258 336

Conclusion: OPTIMA is one of two large scale prospective trials validating the use of test-guided chemotherapy decisions in node-positive early breast cancer. It is expected to have a global impact on breast cancer treatment. Experience from the preliminary study and close engagement with centres will aid trial success.

Funding: OPTIMA is funded by the UK NIHR HTA Programme (10/34/501). Views expressed are those of the authors and not those of the HTA Programme, NIHR, NHS or the DoH.

Citation Format: Stein RC, Hughes-Davies L, Makris A, Macpherson IR, Conefrey C, Rooshenas L, Pinder SE, Thomas J, Hall PS, Cameron DA, Earl HM, Naume B, Poole CJ, Rea DW, MacIntosh SA, Harmer V, Morgan A, Hulme C, McCabe C, Stallard N, Higgins H, Donovan JL, Bartlett JM, Marshall A, Dunn JA. OPTIMA: A prospective randomized trial to validate the clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of gene expression test-directed chemotherapy decisions in high clinical risk early breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr OT1-05-02.