Phenotypic Consequences of a Genetic Predisposition to Enhanced Nitric Oxide Signaling

BACKGROUND

Nitric oxide signaling plays a key role in the regulation of vascular tone and platelet activation. Here, we seek to understand the impact of a genetic predisposition to enhanced nitric oxide signaling on risk for cardiovascular diseases, thus informing the potential utility of pharmacological stimulation of the nitric oxide pathway as a therapeutic strategy.

METHODS

We analyzed the association of common and rare genetic variants in 2 genes that mediate nitric oxide signaling (Nitric Oxide Synthase 3 [NOS3] and Guanylate Cyclase 1, Soluble, Alpha 3 [GUCY1A3]) with a range of human phenotypes. We selected 2 common variants (rs3918226 in NOS3 and rs7692387 in GUCY1A3) known to associate with increased NOS3 and GUCY1A3 expression and reduced mean arterial pressure, combined them into a genetic score, and standardized this exposure to a 5 mm Hg reduction in mean arterial pressure. Using individual-level data from 335 464 participants in the UK Biobank and summary association results from 7 large-scale genome-wide association studies, we examined the effect of this nitric oxide signaling score on cardiometabolic and other diseases. We also examined whether rare loss-of-function mutations in NOS3 and GUCY1A3 were associated with coronary heart disease using gene sequencing data from the Myocardial Infarction Genetics Consortium (n=27 815).

RESULTS

A genetic predisposition to enhanced nitric oxide signaling was associated with reduced risks of coronary heart disease (odds ratio, 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.45; P=5.5*10^-26], peripheral arterial disease (odds ratio 0.42; 95% CI, 0.26-0.68; P=0.0005), and stroke (odds ratio, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.37-0.76; P=0.0006). In a mediation analysis, the effect of the genetic score on decreased coronary heart disease risk extended beyond its effect on blood pressure. Conversely, rare variants that inactivate the NOS3 or GUCY1A3 genes were associated with a 23 mm Hg higher systolic blood pressure (95% CI, 12-34; P=5.6*10^-5) and a 3-fold higher risk of coronary heart disease (odds ratio, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.29-7.12; P=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

A genetic predisposition to enhanced nitric oxide signaling is associated with reduced risks of coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, and stroke. Pharmacological stimulation of nitric oxide signaling may prove useful in the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Assessment of Tocilizumab (Anti-Interleukin-6 Receptor Monoclonal) as a Potential Treatment for Chronic Antibody-Mediated Rejection and Transplant Glomerulopathy in HLA-Sensitized Renal Allograft Recipients

Extending the functional integrity of renal allografts is the primary goal of transplant medicine. The development of donor-specific antibodies (DSAs) posttransplantation leads to chronic active antibody-mediated rejection (cAMR) and transplant glomerulopathy (TG), resulting in the majority of graft losses that occur in the United States. This reduces the quality and length of life for patients and increases cost. There are no approved treatments for cAMR. Evidence suggests the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 6 (IL-6) may play an important role in DSA generation and cAMR. We identified 36 renal transplant patients with cAMR plus DSAs and TG who failed standard of care treatment with IVIg plus rituximab with or without plasma exchange. Patients were offered rescue therapy with the anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal tocilizumab with monthly infusions and monitored for DSAs and long-term outcomes. Tocilizumab-treated patients demonstrated graft survival and patient survival rates of 80% and 91% at 6 years, respectively. Significant reductions in DSAs and stabilization of renal function were seen at 2 years. No significant adverse events or severe adverse events were seen. Tocilizumab provides good long-term outcomes for patients with cAMR and TG, especially compared with historical published treatments. Inhibition of the IL-6-IL-6 receptor pathway may represent a novel approach to stabilize allograft function and extend patient lives.

Using Twitter to increase content dissemination and control educational content with Presenter Initiated and Generated Live Educational Tweets (PIGLETs)

Live-tweeting during educational presentations is typically learner-generated and can lead to misquoted information. Presenter curated tweets have not been well described. We created Presenter Initiated and Generated Live Educational Tweets (PIGLETs) with the goal to broaden the reach of educational conferences. We hypothesized that using PIGLETs would increase the reach and exposure of our material. We developed a prospective single-arm intervention study performed during the "Not Another Boring Lecture" workshops presented at two national conferences in 2015. Presenters tweeted PIGLETs linked to unique hashtags #NotAnotherBoringLecture and #InnovateMedEd. Analytic software was used to measure the following outcomes: (1) number of tweets published by presenters versus learners, (2) reach (users exposed to content containing the hashtag), and (3) exposure (total number of times content was delivered). One hundred and twenty-six participants attended the workshops. A total of 636 tweets (including retweets) were sent by presenters containing the study hashtags, compared with 162 sent by learners. #NotAnotherBoringLecture reached 47,200 users and generated 136,400 impressions; #InnovateMedEd reached 36,400 users and generated 79,100 impressions. PIGLETs allowed presenters to reach a significant number of learners, as well as control the content delivered through Twitter. PIGLETs can be used to augment educational sessions beyond the physical confines of the classroom.

The Banff 2015 Kidney Meeting Report: Current Challenges in Rejection Classification and Prospects for Adopting Molecular Pathology

The XIII Banff meeting, held in conjunction the Canadian Society of Transplantation in Vancouver, Canada, reviewed the clinical impact of updates of C4d-negative antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) from the 2013 meeting, reports from active Banff Working Groups, the relationships of donor-specific antibody tests (anti-HLA and non-HLA) with transplant histopathology, and questions of molecular transplant diagnostics. The use of transcriptome gene sets, their resultant diagnostic classifiers, or common key genes to supplement the diagnosis and classification of rejection requires further consensus agreement and validation in biopsies. Newly introduced concepts include the i-IFTA score, comprising inflammation within areas of fibrosis and atrophy and acceptance of transplant arteriolopathy within the descriptions of chronic active T cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) or chronic ABMR. The pattern of mixed TCMR and ABMR was increasingly recognized. This report also includes improved definitions of TCMR and ABMR in pancreas transplants with specification of vascular lesions and prospects for defining a vascularized composite allograft rejection classification. The goal of the Banff process is ongoing integration of advances in histologic, serologic, and molecular diagnostic techniques to produce a consensus-based reporting system that offers precise composite scores, accurate routine diagnostics, and applicability to next-generation clinical trials.

Banff Histopathological Consensus Criteria for Preimplantation Kidney Biopsies

The Banff working group on preimplantation biopsy was established to develop consensus criteria (best practice guidelines) for the interpretation of preimplantation kidney biopsies. Digitally scanned slides were used (i) to evaluate interobserver variability of histopathologic findings, comparing frozen sections with formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue of wedge and needle core biopsies, and (ii) to correlate consensus histopathologic findings with graft outcome in a cohort of biopsies from international medical centers. Intraclass correlations (ICCs) and univariable and multivariable statistical analyses were performed. Good to fair reproducibility was observed in semiquantitative scores for percentage of glomerulosclerosis, arterial intimal fibrosis and interstitial fibrosis on frozen wedge biopsies. Evaluation of frozen wedge and core biopsies was comparable for number of glomeruli, but needle biopsies showed worse ICCs for glomerulosclerosis, interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. A consensus evaluation form is provided to help standardize the reporting of histopathologic lesions in donor biopsies. It should be recognized that histologic parameters may not correlate with graft outcome in studies based on organs deemed to be acceptable after careful clinical assessment. Significant limitations remain in the assessment of implantation biopsies.

The XIIIth Banff Conference on Allograft Pathology: The Banff 2015 Heart Meeting Report: Improving Antibody-Mediated Rejection Diagnostics: Strengths, Unmet Needs, and Future Directions

The 13th Banff Conference on Allograft Pathology was held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from October 5 to 10, 2015. The cardiac session was devoted to current diagnostic issues in heart transplantation with a focus on antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) and small vessel arteriopathy. Specific topics included the strengths and limitations of the current rejection grading system, the central role of microvascular injury in AMR and approaches to semiquantitative assessment of histopathologic and immunophenotypic indicators, the role of AMR in the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy, the important role of serologic antibody detection in the management of transplant recipients, and the potential application of new molecular approaches to the elucidation of the pathophysiology of AMR and potential for improving the current diagnostic system. Herein we summarize the key points from the presentations, the comprehensive, open and wide-ranging multidisciplinary discussion that was generated, and considerations for future endeavors.

[Implications of PI-RADS Version 1 and Updated Version 2 on the Scoring of Prostatic Lesions in Multiparametric MRI]

BACKGROUND

A revised version of the PI-RADS scoring system has been introduced and score-related variability between version 1 and 2 may be suspected. This study aimed to assess the PI-RADS scores derived from version 1 (v1) and the updated version 2 (v2).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

61 patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer (PCa) and 90 lesions detected on pre-biopsy 3-Tesla multiparametric MRI were included in this retrospective analysis. 2 experienced radiologists scored all lesions in consensus. Lesion scores differing between PI-RADS v1 and v2 were further analyzed. Histology data from radical prostatectomy (RP) were included when available.

RESULTS

The PI-RADS v1 and v2 score differed in 52% of patients (32/61) and in 39% of lesions (35/90). On a lesion basis, the reason for the differences were related to sum score in v1 vs. categorical system in v2 in 51% (18/35) of lesions, cutoff between PI-RADS 4 and 5 based on lesion size in v2 as opposed to the sum score in v1 in 31% (11/35) and were inconclusive in 17% (6/35). The RP subgroup indicates enhanced detection of PCas with GS 3+3 and GS 3+4 in v2.

CONCLUSION

PI-RADS scores of prostatic lesions frequently differed between v1 and v2, the major reasons for these differences being score-related. In men undergoing RP, PI-RADS v2 improved detection of low risk PCa, but did not increase accuracy for discrimination of GS 3+4 vs. GS≥4+3 compared to v1. Urologists should be aware of the system-related differences when interpreting PI-RADS scores.

Hydroxychloroquine use predicts complete renal remission within 12 months among patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil therapy for membranous lupus nephritis

The objective of this study was to identify clinical predictors of response to initial mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) therapy for membranous lupus nephritis (MLN). We observed the clinical outcomes of patients in the Hopkins Lupus Cohort within the first year of initiation of treatment with MMF therapy for newly diagnosed MLN, classified according to the new International Society of Nephrology/Renal Pathology Society (ISN/RPS) 2003 classification. Complete renal remission was defined as proteinuria less than 500 mg/24 hours. Demographic, clinical, treatment and laboratory data were examined for their association with renal remission. Twenty-nine MLN patients treated with MMF were identified. Eleven (38%) patients achieved complete renal remission by 12 months. Of those taking hydroxychloroquine, 7/11 (64%) were in remission within 12 months compared to only 4/18 (22%) of those not on hyroxychloroquine ( P 0.036 based on a log-rank test). This association persisted after controlling for the presence of anti-ds-DNA ( P 0.026). Our results provide evidence that hydroxychloroquine has a benefit for renal remission when MMF is used as the initial therapy for MLN. Although hydroxychloroquine is frequently stopped in patients with lupus nephritis, this study suggests it should be started or maintained.

The Revised (2013) Banff Classification for Antibody-Mediated Rejection of Renal Allografts: Update, Difficulties, and Future Considerations

The Banff 2013 classification (Banff 2013) for antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) in renal allografts represents the first major revision of the original Banff classification for ABMR that was published in 2003. The main impetus for this revision was the need to include C4d-negative ABMR, although this revised classification contains a number of additional features based on findings reported from 2007 to 2013. Since its publication, several studies have examined the validity of different aspects of Banff 2013 and compared it to earlier (2003, 2007) versions of the Banff ABMR classification. Recent evidence, albeit limited, indicates that Banff 2013 represents an improvement over the previous versions, enhancing our ability to accurately diagnose cases of acute/active and chronic active ABMR on renal allograft biopsy. Molecular studies appear to justify the threshold value of glomerulitis plus peritubular capillaritis score ≥2 required by Banff 2013 for the diagnosis of C4d-negative ABMR; however, other aspects of the classification, including its overall interobserver reproducibility, the clinical significance of the category of C4d staining without evidence of rejection, and whether surrogate markers might potentially substitute for the requirement for the presence of donor-specific antibodies, require additional investigation.

Diamidophosphines with six-membered chelates and their coordination chemistry with group 4 metals: development of a trimethylene-methane-tethered [PN2]-type "molecular claw"

The coordination chemistry of the phosphine-tethered diamidophosphine ligands PhP(CH2CH2CH2NHPh)2 (pr[NPN]H2) and PhP(1,2-CH2-C6H4-NHSiMe3)2 (bn[NPN]H2) featuring six-membered N–C3–P chelates was explored with group 4 metals, which allowed for the consecutive development of a new trimethylene-methane-tethered [PN2] scaffold. In the case of the propylene-linked system pr[NPN]H2, access to the sparingly soluble dibenzyl derivative pr[NPN]ZrBn2 (3-Zr) was gained, while thermally sensitive zirconium and hafnium diiodo complexes bn[NPN]MI2 (5-M, M = Zr, Hf) were isolated in the case of the benzylene-linked derivative bn[NPN]H2. Despite the related phosphine-tethered backbone architectures of both of these ligands, their group 4 complexes were found to exhibit either C1-symmetric (bn[NPN]MX2) or averaged CS-symmetric (pr[NPN]MX2) structures in solution. To restrain the overall flexibility of these systems and thereby control the properties of the resulting complexes without disrupting the six-membered chelates, the new trimethylene-methane-tethered N,N′-di-(tert-butyl)-substituted [PN2]H2 protioligand was designed. This tripodal ligand system was prepared on a gram scale and its CS-symmetric dichloro complexes [PN2]MCl2 (6-M, M = Ti, Zr, Hf) were isolated subsequently. The benzene-soluble dibenzyl derivative [PN2]ZrBn2 (7-Zr) was synthesised as well and characterised by X-ray diffraction. These results are discussed not only in conjunction with the known [NPN]-coordinated group 4 complexes incorporating five-membered chelates, but also in the context of “molecular claws” that are related to the new [PN2] tripod.

Cell-to-cell distances between tumor-infiltrating inflammatory cells have the potential to distinguish functionally active from suppressed inflammatory cells

Beyond their mere presence, the distribution pattern of inflammatory cells is of special interest. Our hypothesis was that random distribution may be a clear indicator of being non-functional as a consequence of lack of interaction. Here, we have assessed the implication of cell-to-cell distances among inflammatory cells in anal squamous cell carcinoma and a possible association with survival data. Thirty-eight patients suffering from anal carcinoma were studied using tissue microarrays, double staining immunohistochemistry, whole slide scanning and image analysis software. Therapy consisted of concurrent radiochemotherapy. Numbers of stromal and intraepithelial tumor-infiltrating inflammatory cells (TIC) and the distances between cells were quantified. Double-staining of FoxP3(+) cells with either CD8(+), CD1a(+) or CD20(+) cells was performed. Measured cell-to-cell distances were compared to computer simulated cell-to-cell distances leading to the assumption of non-randomly distributed and therefore functional immune cells. Intraepithelial CD1a(+) and CD20(+) cells were randomly distributed and therefore regarded as non-functional. In contrary, stromal CD20(+) cells had a non-random distribution pattern. A non-random distance between CD20(+) and FoxP3(+) cells was associated with a clearly unfavorable outcome. Measured distances between FoxP3(+) cells were distinctly shorter than expected and indicate a functional active state of the regulatory T cells (Treg). Analysis of cell-to-cell distances between TIC has the potential to distinguish between suppressed non-functional and functionally active inflammatory cells. We conclude that in this tumor model most of the CD1a(+) cells are non-functional as are the intraepithelial CD20(+) cells, while stromal CD20(+) cells and FoxP3(+) cells are functional cells.

Thin-film filter, wavelength-locked, multi-laser cavity for dense wavelength beam combining of broad-area laser diode bars

We report on individual wavelength locking of a multiplet of 100-μm broad-area laser diode emitters arranged on a 50% fill-factor bar by means of a single external multi-laser cavity using an ultra-narrowband thin-film filter as a dispersive optical element. The achieved wavelength-locked output power is 216 W, corresponding to an electrical-to-optical conversion efficiency of about 49.7%. The 45 emitters of the laser diode bar are stabilized within a spectral range of about 6.4 nm. Our approach is suited for killowatt-class dense wavelength beam combining of direct diode lasers.

Sequential therapy combining clofarabine and T-cell-replete HLA-haploidentical haematopoietic SCT is feasible and shows efficacy in the treatment of refractory or relapsed aggressive lymphoma

Prognosis is poor for patients with biologically aggressive Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), refractory to chemotherapy or relapsed after autologous transplantation, especially when no disease control before allogeneic transplantation is achieved. In 16 patients (median age 53, median prior regimes 5) with relapsed or refractory non-remission NHL, we analysed retrospectively the efficacy of a sequential therapy comprising clofarabine re-induction followed by a reduced-intensity conditioning with fludarabine, CY and melphalan, and T-cell-replete HLA-haploidentical transplantation. High-dose CY was utilized post-transplantation. All patients engrafted. Early response (day +30) was achieved in 94%. Treatment-related grade III-IV toxicity occurred in 56%, most commonly transient elevation of transaminases (36%), while there was a low incidence of infections (19% CMV reactivation, 19% invasive fungal infection) and GVHD (GVHD: acute III-IV: 6%; mild chronic: 25%). One-year non-relapse mortality was 19%. After a median follow-up of 21 months, estimated 1- and 2-year PFS was 56 and 50%, respectively, with 11 patients (69%) still alive after 2 years. In summary, sequential therapy is feasible and effective and provides an acceptable toxicity profile in high-risk non-remission NHL. Presumably, cytotoxic reinduction with clofarabine provides enough remission time for the graft-versus lymphoma effect of HLA-haploidentical transplantation to kick in, even in lymphomas that are otherwise chemo-refractory.

[Real-time MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy in biopsy-naïve and pre-biopsied patients with suspicion for prostate cancer]

BACKGROUND

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/ultrasound (US) fusion-guided biopsy detects more prostate cancer (PCa) than transrectal US (TRUS)-guided biopsy in patients with an indication for prostate re-biopsy. The aim of this study was a) to compare the detection rates of MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy with conventional TRUS in a double centre cohort and b) to investigate the influence of the number of pre-biopsies on the PCa detection rate.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In the period from January 2012 to July 2014, 310 consecutive patients gave written informed consent and underwent 3 Tesla MRI scans of the prostate. All patients had at least one PCa suspicious lesion in the MRI and were biopsied by MRI/US fusion followed by a conventional 10-core biopsy of the prostate. Detection rates based on technique, Gleason score and number of pre-biopsies were calculated.

RESULTS

The overall detection rate of the study was 51% (158 patients). Among these 158 patients a histopathological Gleason score of 6 was detected in 60 patients (38%), a Gleason score of 7 in 54 patients (34%) and a Gleason score≥8 in 44 patients (28%). MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy detected 110 (69.7%) of the overall detected 158 PCa. TRUS-guided biopsy detected a higher rate of Gleason score 6 (54%) and a lower rate of Gleason score≥8 (15%) lesions in comparison to 38% Gleason 6 and 28% Gleason≥8 in the MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy, respectively. Furthermore, a lower Gleason score was observed in patients with more than one pre-biopsy. The detection rate in biopsy-naïve patients undergoing MRI/US fusion was 75% (40 patients) among 75% detected Gleason score≥7.

CONCLUSION

MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy detected more PCa and also more clinically significant cancer than conventional TRUS. In our cohort patients with more than one pre-biopsy showed lower Gleason scores. The included patients with an initial MRI/US fusion-guided biopsy should be further investigated.

Left-sided primary tumors are associated with favorable prognosis in patients with KRAS codon 12/13 wild-type metastatic colorectal cancer treated with cetuximab plus chemotherapy: an analysis of the AIO KRK-0104 trial

Purpose

AIO KRK-0104 investigated first-line therapy of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) with cetuximab, capecitabine and irinotecan versus cetuximab, capecitabine and oxaliplatin. This analysis investigated the impact of primary tumor location on outcome of patients.

Patients and methods

Left-sided primary tumors were defined as tumors from rectum to left flexure, while tumors in the remaining colon were regarded right sided. Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and response rate were correlated with primary tumor location. A Cox regression model was used to evaluate interaction between primary tumor location and KRAS mutation.

Results

Of 146 patients of the AIO KRK-0104 trial, 100 patients presented left-sided (of those 68 KRAS codon 12/13 wild-type) and 46 patients right-sided primary tumors (of those 27 KRAS codon 12/13 wild-type). Left-sided tumors were associated with significantly longer OS (p = 0.016, HR = 0.63) and PFS (p = 0.02, HR = 0.67) as compared to right-sided tumors. These effects were present in the KRAS codon 12/13 wild-type population (HR OS: 0.42; HR PFS: 0.54), while no impact of primary tumor location was evident in patients with KRAS codon 12/13 mutant tumors (HR OS: 1.3; HR PFS: 1.01). A significant interaction of KRAS status and primary tumor location concerning OS and PFS was observed.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that primary tumor location and KRAS codon 12/13 mutational status interact on the outcome of patients with mCRC receiving cetuximab-based first-line therapy. Left-sided primary tumor location might be a predictor of cetuximab efficacy.

Banff 2013 meeting report: inclusion of c4d-negative antibody-mediated rejection and antibody-associated arterial lesions

The 12th Banff Conference on Allograft Pathology was held in Comandatuba, Brazil, from August 19-23, 2013, and was preceded by a 2-day Latin American Symposium on Transplant Immunobiology and Immunopathology. The meeting was highlighted by the presentation of the findings of several working groups formed at the 2009 and 2011 Banff meetings to: (1) establish consensus criteria for diagnosing antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR) in the presence and absence of detectable C4d deposition; (2) develop consensus definitions and thresholds for glomerulitis (g score) and chronic glomerulopathy (cg score), associated with improved inter-observer agreement and correlation with clinical, molecular and serological data; (3) determine whether isolated lesions of intimal arteritis ("isolated v") represent acute rejection similar to intimal arteritis in the presence of tubulointerstitial inflammation; (4) compare different methodologies for evaluating interstitial fibrosis and for performing/evaluating implantation biopsies of renal allografts with regard to reproducibility and prediction of subsequent graft function; and (5) define clinically and prognostically significant morphologic criteria for subclassifying polyoma virus nephropathy. The key outcome of the 2013 conference is defining criteria for diagnosis of C4d-negative ABMR and respective modification of the Banff classification. In addition, three new Banff Working Groups were initiated.

Radioembolization with Yttrium-90 microspheres (SIRT) in pancreatic cancer patients with liver metastases: efficacy, safety and prognostic factors

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinical efficacy of (90)Y radioembolization in liver metastases from pancreatic cancer, to describe treatment toxicities and to identify biomarkers as predictors of outcome.

METHODS

Data from 19 pancreatic cancer patients (9 females/10 males) who had received (90)Y radioembolization for metastatic liver disease between 06/2004 and 01/2011 were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The median age at (90)Y radioembolization was 63 years (range 43-77). In 16 patients, previous palliative gemcitabine-based chemotherapy was given for metastatic disease. Objective response in the liver after (90)Y radioembolization was 47%. Median local progression-free survival in the liver was 3.4 months (range 0.9-45.0). Median overall survival (OS) was 9.0 months (range 0.9-53.0) and 1-year survival was 24%. Cox regression models for baseline biomarkers at (90)Y radioembolization revealed correlations of increased carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (p = 0.02) and C-reactive protein (p = 0.03) with shorter OS. Short-term adverse events (nausea, vomiting, fatigue, fever and abdominal pain) did not exceed grade 3. As long-term adverse events, liver abscesses, gastroduodenal ulceration, cholestasis and cholangitis, ascites and spleen infarction were observed.

CONCLUSION

(90)Y radioembolization is able to induce an encouraging local response rate of liver metastases of pancreatic cancer patients. Most short-term toxicities are manageable; however, patients should be followed up carefully for severe long-term toxicities.

Neoadjuvant treatment of borderline resectable and non-resectable pancreatic cancer

Neoadjuvant therapy is increasingly becoming a valid treatment option for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). In borderline resectable disease, neoadjuvant therapy is employed to improve the probability of margin-clear resections. In non-metastatic, non-resectable pancreatic cancer, treatment primarily aims to induce disease control, but may achieve conversion to surgical resectability in some patients. Several treatment modalities including chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or the sequential use of both have been investigated in numerous, mostly small and non-randomized studies. Nevertheless, there is a consistent finding that neoadjuvant therapy can induce resectability in up to 30%-40% of LAPC patients. Once resection has been achieved, overall survival appears to be comparable to that observed for primarily resectable patients. Thus, patient selection evolves as an important aspect of neoadjuvant therapy; retrospective analyses identified induction chemotherapy as an appropriate tool to define LAPC patients who may benefit most from subsequent treatment with CRT. The clinical importance of induction chemotherapy may further increase once highly active protocols such as the FOLFIRINOX or the gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel regimen are introduced into novel multimodality treatment concepts.

Neoadjuvant treatment of borderline resectable and non-resectable pancreatic cancer

Neoadjuvant therapy is increasingly becoming a valid treatment option for patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). In borderline resectable disease, neoadjuvant therapy is employed to improve the probability of margin-clear resections. In non-metastatic, non-resectable pancreatic cancer, treatment primarily aims to induce disease control, but may achieve conversion to surgical resectability in some patients. Several treatment modalities including chemotherapy, chemoradiotherapy (CRT) or the sequential use of both have been investigated in numerous, mostly small and non-randomized studies. Nevertheless, there is a consistent finding that neoadjuvant therapy can induce resectability in up to 30%-40% of LAPC patients. Once resection has been achieved, overall survival appears to be comparable to that observed for primarily resectable patients. Thus, patient selection evolves as an important aspect of neoadjuvant therapy; retrospective analyses identified induction chemotherapy as an appropriate tool to define LAPC patients who may benefit most from subsequent treatment with CRT. The clinical importance of induction chemotherapy may further increase once highly active protocols such as the FOLFIRINOX or the gemcitabine plus nab-paclitaxel regimen are introduced into novel multimodality treatment concepts.

Cytokeratin 19-fragments (CYFRA 21-1) as a novel serum biomarker for response and survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer

Background:

CYFRA 21-1 serves as biomarker in several epithelial malignancies. However, its role in pancreatic cancer (PC) has not yet been investigated.

Methods:

Within a prospective single-centre study serial blood samples were collected from patients with confirmed advanced PC. Pre-treatment values and weekly measurements of CYFRA 21-1, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) and carcinoembryonic antigen (assessed by Elecsys 2010, Roche Diagnostics) during palliative first-line chemotherapy were obtained. Biomarker data were correlated with objective response (determined by RECIST) as well as time to progression (TTP) and overall survival (OS) using uni- and multivariate analyses.

Results:

Seventy-eight patients were included, 45% of these received treatment in prospective clinical trials. Median TTP was 3.9 months, median OS 7.7 months. Pre-treatment CYFRA 21-1 levels were significantly associated with performance status (P=0.0399) and stage of disease (P=0.0001). Marker values before chemotherapy and at the 2-month staging of all three markers were considered significant predictors for objective treatment response. Pre-treatment CYFRA 21-1 levels, as well as CA 19-9 values, could be applied to define subgroups (categorised by tertiles) with a different OS outcome (CYFRA: 14.8 vs 7.1 vs 4.8 months, CA 19-9: 14.2 vs 7.1 vs 5.2 months; P<0.0001). CYFRA 21-1 and CA 19-9 (both as categorised and as continuous variables) showed a highly significant correlation with TTP and OS at nearly all-time points assessed in univariate analysis. In multivariate analysis, only CYFRA 21-1 and performance status were independent predictors for OS.

Conclusions:

CYFRA 21-1 may serve as a valuable tool for monitoring treatment response and assessing prognosis in advanced PC.

The interpolation nasolabial flap: the advantageous solution for nasal tip reconstruction in elderly and polymorbid patients

BACKGROUND

Nasal tip is one of the most frequent areas affected by basocellular carcinoma. The treatment must avoid any postsurgical deformity, as the nasal tip is the main part of the facial triangle. Most of these patients are elderly and polymorbid. The surgeon must find a compromise between the cosmetic effect and an acceptable stress for the patient.

METHODS

There were five methods of nasal tip reconstruction used on a group of fifty elderly patients with various medical comorbidities: skin graft, bilobed flap, dorsal nasal flap, forehead flap and interpolation nasolabial flap. The resulting cosmetic effect was objectivized by a standardized questionnaire and the advantages and disadvantages of each method were discussed.

RESULTS

According to the characteristics that were considered (good vascular supply, matching skin color and texture, sufficient amount of material, possibility to cover exposed cartilage or to combine it with cartilaginous graft; scars of minimal visibility, perfect aesthetic outcome, use of local anesthesia, short surgical time, and technical simplicity) was the interpolation nasolabial flap found as the most appropriate.

CONCLUSION

Interpolation nasolabial flap is an easy and effective method for treatment of smaller and middle-sized defects of the nasal tip with minimal stress for the patient.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

PexLoc-Parallel excitation using local encoding magnetic fields with nonlinear and nonbijective spatial profiles

With the recent proposal of using magnetic fields that are nonlinear by design for spatial encoding, new flexibility has been introduced to MR imaging. The new degrees of freedom in shaping the spatially encoding magnetic fields (SEMs) can be used to locally adapt the imaging resolution to features of the imaged object, e.g., anatomical structures, to reduce peripheral nerve stimulation during in vivo experiments or to increase the gradient switching speed by reducing the inductance of the coils producing the SEMs and thus accelerate the imaging process. In this work, the potential of nonlinear and nonbijective SEMs for spatial encoding during transmission in multidimensional spatially selective excitation is explored. Methods for multidimensional spatially selective excitation radiofrequency pulse design based on nonlinear encoding fields are introduced, and it is shown how encoding ambiguities can be resolved using parallel transmission. In simulations and phantom experiments, the feasibility of selective excitation using nonlinear, nonbijective SEMs is demonstrated, and it is shown that the spatial resolution with which the target distribution of the transverse magnetization can be realized varies locally. Thus, the resolution of the target pattern can be increased in some regions compared with conventional linear encoding. Furthermore, experimental proof of principle of accelerated two-dimensional spatially selective excitation using nonlinear SEMs is provided in this study.

Banff 2011 Meeting report: new concepts in antibody-mediated rejection

The 11th Banff meeting was held in Paris, France, from June 5 to 10, 2011, with a focus on refining diagnostic criteria for antibody-mediated rejection (ABMR). The major outcome was the acknowledgment of C4d-negative ABMR in kidney transplants. Diagnostic criteria for ABMR have also been revisited in other types of transplants. It was recognized that ABMR is associated with heterogeneous phenotypes even within the same type of transplant. This highlights the necessity of further refining the respective diagnostic criteria, and is of particular significance for the design of randomized clinical trials. A reliable phenotyping will allow for definition of robust end-points. To address this unmet need and to allow for an evidence-based refinement of the Banff classification, Banff Working Groups presented multicenter data regarding the reproducibility of features relevant to the diagnosis of ABMR. However, the consensus was that more data are necessary and further Banff Working Group activities were initiated. A new Banff working group was created to define diagnostic criteria for ABMR in kidneys independent of C4d. Results are expected to be presented at the 12th Banff meeting to be held in 2013 in Brazil. No change to the Banff classification occurred in 2011.

Early ultrastructural changes in renal allografts: correlation with antibody-mediated rejection and transplant glomerulopathy

Transplant glomerulopathy (TG) is associated with antibody-mediated renal allograft rejection (AMR) and reduced graft survival. Histologically, TG is typically seen >1 year posttransplantation. However, ultrastructural changes including glomerular endothelial swelling, subendothelial widening and early glomerular basement membrane duplication are associated with development of TG but appear much earlier. We examined the specificity of these changes for AMR, and whether these are inevitably associated with development of TG. Of 98 for cause renal allograft biopsies carried out within 3 months of transplantation with available serologic data, 17 showed C4d-positive AMR and 16 had histologic changes of AMR and donor-specific antibodies (DSA), but no C4d. All three ultrastructural changes were seen in 11 of 17 biopsies with C4d-positive AMR, 8 of 16 with histologic changes of AMR and DSA but no C4d, and 0 of 65 without histologic changes of AMR and/or DSA (p < 0.0001 for both of the former groups vs. the latter). Twenty patients with positive DSA (18 with histologic changes of AMR and 11 C4d-positive) had ≥1 follow-up biopsy; eight developed overt TG 3.5-30 months posttransplantation. Among the 18 patients with DSA and histologic changes of AMR, 11 C4d-positive and 7 C4d-negative, treatment for AMR after the early biopsy significantly reduced subsequent development of overt TG.

[Submucous lipoma as a cause of invagination in adulthood]

The casuistry describes the invagination that occurred to a 67-years old patient due to the small intestine lipom. The patient with the three-day abdominal pain and vomiting was admitted to the department of surgery. On the basis of the CT examination the patient underwent an operation for the invagination of the small inkotine. The resection of the invaginated loop, the anastomosis end to end were performed. Histologicaly the submucosus lipom was found.