O-130 Reproductive outcomes of normal ovarian reserve patients after progestin-primed ovarian stimulation with chlormadinone acetate vs GnRH antagonist: A retrospective study with inverse-probability-of-treatment weighting

Study question

To evaluate the effectiveness of chlormadinone acetate (CMA) for preventing premature LH surge in patients with normal ovarian reserve compared to cetrorelix.

Summary answer

In progestin-primed ovarian stimulation (PPOS) than GnRH antagonist (GnRH-ant), the incidence of premature LH surge was significantly lower, without significant difference in oocyte maturation rate.

What is known already

The GnRH-ant protocol is one of the conventional protocols which has some disadvantages including increased premature LH surge rate and cancelation rate. In recent years, the PPOS protocol has attracted attention as a new ovarian stimulation using progestin as an alternative to GnRH analog for suppressing a premature LH surge, however its efficacy is still controversial. In addition, many studies have investigated the reproductive outcomes of PPOS using medroxy-progesterone acetate or dydrogesterone; however, there are few reports of CMA, an oral progestin, which is inexpensive and widely used in Japan.

Study design, size, duration

This retrospective cohort study was performed in a reproduction center between March 2018 and October 2020 which included 977 Japanese patients with normal ovarian reserve undergoing PPOS with CMA (n = 299), or GnRH antagonist (GnRH-ant) with cetrorelix (n = 608) in their first IVF cycle at the reproduction center. In subgroup analysis, pregnancy outcomes after frozen embryo transfers (FET) between PPOS (n = 284) and GnRH-ant (n = 579) were also compared.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The inclusion criteria were patients aged < 40 years and AMH ≧ 1.1 ng/mL, who underwent autologous oocyte retrieval in their first IVF cycle with freeze-all strategy. The primary outcome was the incidence of premature LH surge, the secondary outcomes was oocyte maturation rate. To reduce the impact of treatment bias and potential confounding factors, we conducted logistic regression models with inverse-probability-of-treatment weighting (IPTW).

Main results and the role of chance

After IPTW, baseline clinical data were well-balanced between the two groups, including age, AMH, BMI, the duration, type, and cause of infertility, antral follicle count, the history of recurrent spontaneous abortion, and previous IVF attempts. The premature LH surge rate was significantly lower with PPOS (3.1%) compared to GnRH-ant (20.1%) (odds ratio, 0.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.11–0.36). No significant differences were found in total gonadotropin dose (2400IU for PPOS vs 2400IU for GnRH-ant, p = 0.136), the number of oocyte retrieval (n = 15 vs n = 15, p = 0.484), oocyte maturation rate (78.8% vs 77.8%, p = 0.275), fertilization rate (73.0% vs 72.0%, p = 0.412), viable embryo rate per oocyte retrieval (40% vs 40%, p = 0.890), and good quality blastocyst rate (72.0% vs 69.6%, p = 0.092). However, the good quality day-3 embryo rate was significantly lower with PPOS (37.2% vs 49.1%, p < 0.05). There were no differences in the incidence of moderate-to-severe OHSS (0.3% vs 0.7%, p = 0.481). In FET cycles, the pregnancy outcomes, such as implantation rate (43.1 % vs 51.9 %, p = 0.013) and clinical pregnancy rate (46.5% vs 54.7%, p = 0.027) were significantly lower with PPOS, however, no significant differences were found in ongoing pregnancy rate (75.6% vs 80.5%, p = 0.325), and live birth rate (72.4% vs 79.5 %, p = 0.142).

Limitations, reasons for caution

This was a retrospective cohort study conducted in a single center. The participants in this study were limited to Japanese ethnicity. The results need to be validated across different centers and other ethnicities.

Wider implications of the findings

This is the first report assessing the reproductive outcomes on PPOS using CMA, widely used in Japan. The PPOS with CMA significantly suppressed the premature LH surge rate compared to GnRH-ant protocol, without decrease in oocyte maturation rate.

Trial registration number

N/A

Abstract 5136: Development of a novel gene expression signature that correlates with intratumor microvessel density and antitumor activity of lenvatinib

Lenvatinib is a multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor and an angiogenesis inhibitor targeting mainly vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors. In our previous study, we reported that human xenograft tumors sensitive to lenvatinib showed higher microvessel density (“MVD (IHC)”) than relatively resistant tumors in immunohistochemistry (IHC). Although MVD (IHC) is a potential indicator to predict antitumor activity of lenvatinib, available IHC data are limited. Here, we investigated a novel gene expression signature (MVD gene score) calculated from RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data that reflects MVD (IHC) and antitumor effect of lenvatinib.

Tumor tissues were collected from 12 mouse syngeneic tumor models followed by RNA-seq. We also stained CD31 in the same tumors and calculated MVD (IHC) score by dividing the number of CD31 positive blood vessels by tumor area. Genes that met the following criteria were selected for MVD gene score calculation: (1) genes that are specifically expressed on endothelial cell cluster in in-house single cell RNA-seq data using Hepa 1-6 mouse hepatocellular carcinoma tumor tissues; (2) well-known angiogenesis markers from literature or genes whose expression show significant correlation with MVD (IHC) in mouse syngeneic tumor models. MVD gene score was calculated as the average of logarithm transformed gene expression values. In order to examine applicability of MVD gene score, we compared MVD (IHC) and MVD gene score to lenvatinib antitumor activities on mouse syngeneic tumors.

We measured MVD (IHC) and computed MVD gene score from RNA-seq data using matched tumor tissues of 12 mouse syngeneic models. MVD gene score was correlated with MVD (IHC). As reported, lenvatinib sensitive tumor models showed higher MVD (IHC) score. They also showed higher MVD gene score calculated from RNA-seq data.

Our newly developed MVD gene score has a potential to predict the antitumor activity of angiogenic inhibitors such as lenvatinib using RNA-seq data in tumor samples. Further validation study is ongoing using various human tumor samples.

Citation Format: Megumi Kuronishi, Yoichi Ozawa, Takayuki Kimura, Yu Kato. Development of a novel gene expression signature that correlates with intratumor microvessel density and antitumor activity of lenvatinib [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 5136.

Predictive factors for malignant neoplasms veiled in deep neck infections

Background: Malignant neoplasms (MNs) in the head and neck are occasionally hidden in deep neck infections (DNIs) that require emergency treatment, which potentially leads to delayed diagnosis of MNs.Objectives: This study aimed to identify predictive factors that can prevent delays in diagnosing MNs in patients with DNIs.Methods: We retrospectively analysed data from 83 patients admitted to our hospital who were diagnosed with DNIs.Results: Four patients (4.8%) had DNIs veiling MNs in the head and neck. Statistical analyses revealed a significant association (p = .0481) of platelet to albumin ratio (PAR; ≥ 98.9 × 10³) with hidden MNs in DNIs. Furthermore, concomitant cervical lymphadenopathy, especially multiple lymphadenopathies and excluding abscesses, was higher in patients with DNIs veiling MNs (p = .0142 and p = .0023, respectively).Conclusions and Significance: The PAR, which can be easily measured and readily detected, was a potential predictive factor. Moreover, performing fine-needle aspiration for lymphadenopathies could help diagnose hidden MNs in DNIs.

Inhibition of FGFR Reactivates IFNγ Signaling in Tumor Cells to Enhance the Combined Antitumor Activity of Lenvatinib with Anti-PD-1 Antibodies

Combination therapies consisting of immune checkpoint inhibitors plus anti-VEGF therapy show enhanced antitumor activity and are approved treatments for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The immunosuppressive roles of VEGF in the tumor microenvironment are well studied, but those of FGF/FGFR signaling remain largely unknown. Lenvatinib is a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets both VEGFR and FGFR. Here, we examine the antitumor activity of anti-PD-1 mAb combined with either lenvatinib or axitinib, a VEGFR-selective inhibitor, in RCC. Both combination treatments showed greater antitumor activity and longer survival in mouse models versus either single agent treatment, whereas anti-PD-1 mAb plus lenvatinib had enhanced antitumor activity compared with anti-PD-1 mAb plus axitinib. Flow cytometry analysis showed that lenvatinib decreased the population of tumor-associated macrophages and increased that of IFNγ-positive CD8⁺ T cells. Activation of FGFR signaling inhibited the IFNγ-stimulated JAK/STAT signaling pathway and decreased expression of its target genes, including B2M, CXCL10, and PD-L1. Furthermore, inhibition of FGFR signaling by lenvatinib restored the tumor response to IFNγ stimulation in mouse and human RCC cell lines. These preclinical results reveal novel roles of tumor FGFR signaling in the regulation of cancer immunity through inhibition of the IFNγ pathway, and the inhibitory activity of lenvatinib against FGFRs likely contributes to the enhanced antitumor activity of combination treatment comprising lenvatinib plus anti-PD-1 mAb. SIGNIFICANCE: FGFR pathway activation inhibits IFNγ signaling in tumor cells, and FGFR inhibition with lenvatinib enhances antitumor immunity and the activity of anti-PD-1 antibodies.

[A case of methotrexate-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with splenial lesions of the corpus callosum on brain MRI after complete remission with chemotherapy]

An 86-year-old woman in a wheelchair was accompanied by her husband and son as she visited our outpatient clinic due to disturbed consciousness and fever. Twenty-seven years earlier, she had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and had been treated with methotrexate (MTX) and low-dose prednisolone (PSL). She stopped taking MTX four years previously when she was diagnosed with diffuse large B cell lymphoma of the paranasal sinus. Her lymphoma went into remission after six cycles of systemic immunochemotherapy. MRI after hospitalization revealed a lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum that was hyperintense on diffusion-weighted imaging and which had low apparent diffusion coefficient values. An analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid revealed no atypical cells. The MRI findings were atypical, but her consciousness disturbance improved, leading to the diagnosis of mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion, which would be associated with a transient consciousness disturbance with a good course. However, her consciousness worsened over the next 3 weeks. One month later, a contrast-enhanced MRI showed an enlarged lesion in the callosum as well as new lesions, and the diagnosis of secondary CNS lymphoma was made. Brain biopsy is often not feasible. Less invasive and highly accurate diagnostic methods are needed, such as the identification of a spinal fluid tumor marker.

Lymphatic Dysfunction Exacerbates Cutaneous Tumorigenesis and Psoriasis-Like Skin Inflammation through Accumulation of Inflammatory Cytokines

Lymphatic transport plays an important role in coordinating local immune responses. However, the biologic effects of impaired lymphatic flow in vivo are not fully understood. In this study, we investigated the roles of the lymphatic system in skin carcinogenesis and psoriasis-like inflammation using k-cyclin transgenic (kCYC^+/-) mice, which demonstrate severe lymphatic dysfunction. kCYC^+/- mice showed augmented tumor growth in the two-stage skin carcinogenesis model and severe clinical scores in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation compared with wild-type mice. Although mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines in skin after topical application of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate or imiquimod were comparable between kCYC^+/- and wild-type mice, protein levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-17A, IL-22, and IL-23, were significantly upregulated in kCYC^+/- mice in both models. Consistently, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway and NF-κB signaling were augmented in epidermal keratinocytes in kCYC^+/- mice. These results suggest that lymphatic dysfunction in kCYC^+/- mice caused accumulation of inflammatory cytokines, leading to the exacerbation of two-stage skin carcinogenesis and imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation. These findings add insight into the clinical problems of secondary malignancies and inflammatory dermatoses that may occur with extremity lymphedema.

Providing mammography in workplaces improved screening rates: cluster randomized controlled trial

Background

Despite sufficient evidence on the importance of breast cancer screening, the screening rate has remained less than 50% in Japan. To promote behavioral change of individuals, it is important to reduce barriers to taking screening. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of an environmental approach providing opportunities for mammography (MMG) in workplaces.

Methods

Female employees aged 40 years or older were eligible. Supermarket stores were randomly assigned into two groups, the intervention arm (leaflet and MMG) and the control arm (leaflet). From May to July 2018, participants in the intervention arm were given a leaflet informing the subsidies for breast cancer screening and were provided the opportunity to have MMG in their workplace. Participants in the control group were given the same leaflet, but they had to take the screening outside the workplace as usual. The primary outcome was the breast cancer screening rate in 2018, evaluated using self-administered questionnaires. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the screening rate in the intervention arm compared with the control arm was estimated using multilevel logistic regression.

Results

We analyzed 1624 participants (mean age was 53 years) from 25 supermarket stores (intervention: 578 patients in 8 stores, control: 1046 patients in 17 stores). The screening rate in the intervention arm was 312 (54%) and was 125 (12%) in the control arm. The OR (and 95% CIs) was 7.81 (5.03-12.12) in the final model adjusted store level effects (i.e., stores and screening rate in 2017 at each store) and individual age and current smoking.

Conclusions

In a worksite-based cluster-randomized controlled trial conducted in a Japanese population, an environmental approach providing MMG opportunities in workplaces significantly increased the self-reported breast cancer screening rate within one year. (UMIN000030465)

Key messages

Providing the opportunity of mammography in Japanese supermarket stores improved the breast cancer screening rate. An environmental approach reducing barriers to screening may be more effective than conventional approaches in improving breast cancer screening rate.

Starting Neurohormonal Antagonists in Patients with Acute Heart Failure with Mid-Range and Preserved Ejection Fraction

Background

The clinical benefits of neurohormonal antagonist in patients with heart failure (HF) with mid-range and preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF and HFpEF) were uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic effect of starting angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-I) / angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) and β-blocker during HF hospitalization in these patients.

Methods

We analyzed 858 consecutive patients with HFmrEF (EF:40–49%) or HFpEF (EF≥50%), who were hospitalized for acute decompensated HF, were discharged alive, and were not taking ACE-I/ARB or β-blockers at admission. The study population was classified into four groups according to the status of prescription of ACE-I/ARB and β-blocker at discharge: no neurohormonal antagonist (N=342, 39.9%), ACE-I/ARB only (N=128, 14.9%), β-blocker only (N=189, 22.0%), and both ACE-I/ARB and β-blocker (N=199, 23.2%) groups. The primary outcome measure was a composite of all-cause death or HF hospitalization.

Results

The cumulative 1-year incidence of the primary outcome measure was 41.2% in the no neurohormonal antagonist group, 34.0% in the ACE-I/ARB only group, 28.6% in the β-blocker only group, and 16.4% in the both ACE-I/ARB and β-blocker group (P<0.001). Compared with the no neurohormonal antagonist group, the both ACE-I/ARB and β-blocker group were associated with a significantly lower risk for a composite of all-cause death or HF hospitalization (HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.38–0.91, P=0.02).

Conclusions

In hospitalized patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF, starting both ACE-I/ARB and β-blocker was associated with a reduced risk of a composite of all-cause death or HF hospitalization compared with not starting ACE-I/ARB or β-blocker.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Impact of catheter ablation on functional tricuspid regurgitation in patients with atrial fibrillation

Background

Since atrial functional tricuspid regurgitation (AF-TR) is associated with increased heart failure and mortality, the management of AF-TR is clinically important. Atrial fibrillation (AF) plays the main role in AF-TR. However, the effectiveness of catheter ablation (CA) and mechanism of improvement of AF-TR haven't been fully evaluated.

Purpose

We sought to investigate the impact of CA for AF on AF-TR in patients with moderate or more TR.

Methods

We retrospectively investigated consecutive 2685 patients with AF who received CA from February 2004 to December 2019 in Japan. The current study population consisted of 102 patients with moderate or greater TR who underwent CA for AF. The echocardiographic parameters were compared between pre-ablation and post-ablation transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), and the recurrence rate of AF/ atrial tachycardia (AT) was measured.

Results

The mean age was 73.2 years, 53% were women. TR severity and TR jet area significantly improved after CA for AF (TR jet area: 5.8 [3.9–7.6] cm2 to 2.0 [1.1–3.0] cm2, p<0.001). In addition, mitral regurgitation (MR) jet area, left atrial (LA) area, mitral valve diameter, right ventricular (RV) end-diastolic area, right atrial (RA) area, tricuspid valve (TV) diameter decreased after CA (p<0.001, <0.001, <0.001, = 0.02, <0.001, and <0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference between one-year recurrence of AF/AT and TR severity at pre-ablation TTE (moderate 28.6%, moderate to severe 37.2%, and severe 31.6%, p=0.72).

Conclusions

TR severity and jet area improved after CA in patients with AF and moderate or more TR. RV size, RA size, TV diameter also decreased after CA, which may be associated with TR improvement. There was no significant difference between one-year recurrence of AF/AT and TR severity at pre-ablation TTE.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

10-year clinical outcomes after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation. A single center experience

Background

Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) is becoming a routine procedure to treat patients with drug-refractory symptomatic AF. However, data regarding very long-term clinical outcomes is limited. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the 10-year clinical outcomes of patients who underwent RFCA for paroxysmal and persistent AF.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 503 consecutive patients (mean age 66,9±9,51 years; 71,6% male) who underwent RFCA for drug-refractory symptomatic AF between February 2004 and June 2011. Follow-up information was obtained using medical records and/or telephonic interviews with the patient, relatives and/or referring physicians.

Results

Among 503 patients enrolled in this study, 362 had paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and 141 had persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF) (72% and 28%, respectively). Mean follow-up was 8,84±3,05 years. The 10-year event-free rate for recurrent atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT) after the first procedure was 44,5% (49,4% for PAF vs 31,9% for PeAF; p=0,002 by log-rank test) and 81,9% after the last procedure (87,3% for PAF and 67,9% for PeAF; p≤0,001 by log-rank test). AT recurrence was observed most commonly during the first 12 months of the initial procedure (56%), with only 18% of them occurring after 60 months. Multivariate analysis revealed that persistent AF (hazard ratio=1,366; 95% confidence interval 1,058–1,76; p=0,017) and duration of AF >5 years (hazard ratio=1,357; 95% confidence interval 1,064–1,732; p=0,005) were independent risk factors for AT recurrence. Regarding adverse events, there were 24 (4,8%) hospitalizations for acute decompensated heart failure, 20 (4%) ischemic strokes and 14 (2,8%) bleeding complications requiring hospital admissions. Patients taking oral anticoagulation and antiarrhythmic drugs at the end of the study accounted for 32,8% and 16,7% respectively.

Conclusions

RFCA for AF provided favorable results in terms of arrhythmia event-free survival in long-term follow-up with better results in patients with paroxysmal AF. Persistent AF and long-standing AF (beyond 5 years) were associated with AT recurrence. Despite the large number of patients who discontinued oral anticoagulation, thromboembolic adverse events were rare.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Impact of decreased lymphocyte, total cholesterol, and albumin levels at discharge on all-cause death in patients with acute heart failure

Background

Lymphocyte, total cholesterol, and albumin levels consist of Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score, which has been reported to prognosticate patients with acute heart failure (AHF). However, the influence of each component of CONUT score on outcomes in patients with AHF was not fully elucidated.

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the prognostic implication of the decrease in lymphocyte, total cholesterol, and albumin levels in patients with AHF.

Methods

We analyzed 1812 AHF patients in whom data at discharge were available from a multicenter registry. The decrease of lymphocyte (Ly) count was assigned with Ly≥1600/mL (31.0%), 1200≤ Ly <1600 (26.9%), 800≤ Ly <1200 (28.6%), Ly <800 (13.5% of patients). The decrease of total cholesterol (TC) was assigned with TC≥180mg/dL (28.9%), 140≤ TC <180 (42.2%), 100≤ TC <140 (26.7%), TC <100 (2.1% of patients). The decrease of albumin (Alb) was assigned and doubled with Alb≥3.5g/dL (45.7%), 3≤ Alb <3.5 (35.1%), 2.5≤ Alb <3 (15.2%), Alb <2.5 (3.9% of patients). The primary outcome measure was all-cause death after discharge from the index hospitalization. Cumulative incidences were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and differences were assessed with the log-rank test. We constructed multivariable Cox proportional hazard models to estimate the risk of the decrease in each value per grade, with the results expressed as the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Cumulative one-year incidence of the all-cause death was higher with decreasing Ly, TC, and Alb levels (P<0.0001, P<0.0001, and P=0.02, respectively) (Figure 1). The adjusted hazard ratio for all-case death per grade decrease is most prominent in albumin (HR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.20–1.54), followed by lymphocyte count (HR: 1,23, 95% CI: 1.10–1.38), whereas it became insignificant in total cholesterol (HR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.91–1.21).

Conclusions

The prognostic implications after discharge were different in albumin, lymphocyte count, and total cholesterol in patients with AHF.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Figure 1

Autoimmune disorders and venous thromboembolism: a report from the COMMAND VTE Registry

Background/Introduction

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is a major health problem in the world. Several studies reported that autoimmune disorder is one of important risk factors for development of VTE. Furthermore, autoimmune disorder is thought to be a relatively strong risk factor for VTE recurrence, and extended anticoagulation therapy are recommended for prevention of VTE recurrence in patients with autoimmune disorders. However, it remains controversial whether patients with autoimmune disorders have higher risk for clinical events after VTE than those without.

Purpose

We sought to evaluate the clinical characteristics, management strategies, and long-term outcomes of patients with autoimmune disorders after excluding patients with active cancer in a large observational database in Japan.

Methods

The COMMAND VTE Registry is a multicenter registry enrolling 3027 consecutive patients with acute symptomatic VTE. After excluding patients with active cancer, the current study population consisted of 2332 patients, who were divided into 2 groups: patients with autoimmune disorders and those without. We estimated the cumulative incidences of the clinical outcomes. To adjust for the clinically relevant confounders, we used the multivariable Cox proportional hazard model to estimate the hazard ratio (HR) and their 95% confidence interval (CI) for the risk of patients with autoimmune disorders relative to those without for the clinical outcome measures. Furthermore, we added corticosteroids use at discharge to explore the effect of corticosteroids use.

Results

There were 188 patients (8.1%) with autoimmune disorders and 2144 patients (92%) without autoimmune disorders. Patients with autoimmune disorders were more often women (74%), and more often received corticosteroids at discharge (69%). The discontinuation rate of anticoagulation therapy was not significantly different between patients with autoimmune disorders and those without (38.0% vs. 39.7% at 3-year, P=0.35). The cumulative 5-year incidences of recurrent VTE and major bleeding were significantly higher in patients with autoimmune disorders than in those without (recurrent VTE: 14.3% vs. 8.3%, P=0.01; major bleeding: 14.9% vs. 8.8%, P=0.02). Even after adjusting confounders of patient characteristic, the excess risk of patients with autoimmune disorders relative to those without remained significant for recurrent VTE (HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.08–2.88, P=0.03) and major bleeding (HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.05–2.63, P=0.03). However, after adjusting for corticosteroids use at discharge, the excess risk was no longer significant for recurrent VTE (HR 1.42, 95% CI 0.75–2.61, P=0.27) nor major bleeding (HR 1.53, 95% CI 0.84–2.69, P=0.16).

Conclusions

Patients with autoimmune disorders had a higher risk for recurrent VTE and major bleeding than those without, and the excess risk could at least partly be attributable to corticosteroids use.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Research Institute for Production Development, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation

Long-term prediction of mortality and comparative treatment benefit following percutaneous or surgical revascularization

Background

The SYNTAX score II 2020 (SSII-2020), which was derived and externally validated from randomized trials, was designed to predict death following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with three-vessel disease and/or left main disease. We aimed to investigate its value in identifying the safest modality of revascularization in a non-randomized setting.

Methods

Five-year mortality was assessed in 7362 patients with three-vessel disease and/or left main disease enrolled in a Japanese PCI/CABG registry. New-generation drug eluting stents and imaging guidance became the default PCI strategy during enrolment of the last cohort. The discriminative ability of the SSII-2020 for 5-year mortality was assessed using Harrell's C statistic (C-index). Agreement between observed and predicted rates of all-cause mortality following either PCI or CABG and treatment benefit (absolute risk difference) for this outcome were assessed by calibration plots.

Results

The SSII-2020 had helpful discrimination (C-index = 0.72) and good calibration (intercept = −0.11, slope = 0.92) for 5-year mortality. The absolute risk difference in mortality between CABG and PCI (treatment benefit) was well calibrated when the whole population was grouped into quarters according to the predicted absolute risk difference of 5-year mortality. The observed differences in survival in favor of CABG were 4.2% (0.1 to 8.2%, log-rank p=0.05) and 8.5% (3.8 to 13.2%, log-rank p<0.01) in the respective third and fourth quarters. In contrast, the observed differences in survival were not significantly different in either the first (3.0% [−0.8 to 6.8%, log-rank p=0.12]) or the second quarter (1.3% [−2.4 to 5.1%, log-rank p=0.39]).

Conclusions

The SSII-2020 is well able to predict death at 5 years – and the mortality difference between PCI and CABG, and therefore has the potential to support decision making on revascularization in patients with three-vessel disease and/or left main coronary artery disease.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Risk factors of recurrence and major bleeding in patients with intermediate-risk for recurrence of venous thromboembolism: from the COMMAND VTE Registry

Background/Introduction

Patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE), including pulmonary embolism (PE), have a long-term risk of recurrence, and anticoagulation therapy is recommended for the prevention of recurrence. The latest 2019 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guideline classified the risks of recurrence into low- (<3%/year), intermediate- (3–8%/year), and high- (>8%/year) risk, and recommended the extended anticoagulation therapy of indefinite duration for high-risk patients as well as intermediate-risk patients. However, extended anticoagulation therapy of indefinite duration for all of intermediate-risk patients have been a matter of active debate. Thus, additional risk assessment of recurrence in intermediate-risk patients might be clinically relevant in defining the optimal duration of anticoagulation therapy. Furthermore, bleeding risk during anticoagulation therapy should also be taken into consideration for optimal duration of anticoagulation therapy. However, there are limited data assessing the risk of recurrence as well as bleeding in patients with intermediate-risk for recurrence based on the classification in the latest 2019 ESC guideline.

Purpose

The current study aimed to identify the risk factors of recurrence as well as major bleeding in patients with intermediate-risk for recurrence, using a large observational database of VTE patients in Japan.

Methods

The COMMAND VTE Registry is a multicenter registry enrolling consecutive 3027 patients with acute symptomatic VTE among 29 centers in Japan. The current study population consisted of 1703 patients with intermediate-risk for recurrence. The primary outcome measure was recurrent VTE during the entire follow-up period, and the secondary outcome measures were recurrent VTE and major bleeding during anticoagulation therapy.

Results

In the multivariable Cox regression model for recurrent VTE incorporating the status of anticoagulation therapy as a time-updated covariate, off-anticoagulation therapy was strongly associated with an increased risk for recurrent VTE (HR 9.42, 95% CI 5.97–14.86). During anticoagulation therapy, the independent risk factor for recurrent VTE was thrombophilia (HR 3.58, 95% CI 1.56–7.50), while the independent risk factors for major bleeding were age ≥75 years (HR 2.04, 95% CI 1.36–3.07), men (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.02–2.27), history of major bleeding (HR 3.48, 95% CI 1.82–6.14) and thrombocytopenia (HR 3.73, 95% CI 2.04–6.37).

Conclusions

Among VTE patients with intermediate-risk for recurrence, discontinuation of anticoagulation therapy was a very strong independent risk factor of recurrence during the entire follow-up period. The independent risk factors of recurrent VTE and those of major bleeding during anticoagulation therapy were different: thrombophilia for recurrent VTE, and advanced age, men, history of major bleeding, and thrombocytopenia for major bleeding.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Research Institute for Production Development, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation

Risk factors of recurrence in patients with cancer-associated venous thromboembolism: from the COMMAND VTE Registry

Background/Introduction

Cancer is a strong risk factor for the development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Patients with VTE have a long-term risk of recurrence, which can be prevented by anticoagulation therapy. Prolonged anticoagulation therapy is recommended for patients with cancer-associated VTE, although the risk of recurrence might depend on the individual patient.

Purpose

We aimed to identify the risk factors of recurrence in patients with cancer-associated VTE.

Methods

The COMMAND VTE Registry is a multicenter retrospective registry enrolling 3027 consecutive patients with acute symptomatic VTE among 29 Japanese centers between January 2010 and August 2014. The present study population consisted of 695 cancer-associated VTE patients. The primary outcome measure in the present study was recurrent VTE, which was defined as PE and/or DVT with symptoms accompanied by confirmation of a new thrombus or exacerbation of the thrombus by objective imaging examinations or autopsy. Discontinuation of anticoagulation was defined as a withdrawal of anticoagulation therapy lasting >14 days for any reason. We selected clinically relevant variables and variables with P values <0.1 in a univariate analysis as potential risk factors, and constructed a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model for recurrent VTE incorporating the anticoagulation therapy status as a time-updated covariate.

Results

Among the 695 study patients, recurrent VTE occurred in 78 patients, of whom 54 (69%) occurred within 6 months. The cumulative incidence of recurrent VTE was 7.7% at 3-months, 8.9% at 6-months, 11.8% at 1-year, and 17.7% at 5-years. The cumulative incidence of discontinuation of anticoagulation therapy was 18.0% at 3-months, 29.5% at 6-months, 43.4% at 1-year, and 66.5% at 5-years. The cumulative 5-year incidence of recurrent VTE was most frequent in patients with uterus/ovary cancer (26.0%), followed by those with lung cancer (24.7%). The multivariable Cox proportional hazard model revealed that chronic kidney disease (HR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.36–3.77, P=0.002), a high D-dimer level at the time of VTE diagnosis (HR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.71–4.74, P<0.001), advanced cancer (HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.05–2.72, P=0.03) and discontinuation of anticoagulation therapy (HR, 2.66; 95% CI, 1.53–4.63, P<0.001) were independently associated with an increased risk of recurrent VTE. No cancer site was independently associated with an increased risk for recurrent VTE when adjusting for the above mentioned risk factors in the multivariable Cox proportional hazard model, although the risk of recurrent VTE numerically differed according to the cancer site.

Conclusions

Among patients with cancer-associated VTE, chronic kidney disease, a high D-dimer level at the time of VTE diagnosis, advanced cancer, and discontinuation of anticoagulation therapy were independent risk factors of recurrence.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Research Institute for Production Development, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation Figure 1Figure 2

Up-front neck dissection followed by chemoradiotherapy for T1-T3 hypopharyngeal cancer with advanced nodal involvement

Background

The advantage of up‐front neck dissection (UFND) followed by chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for hypopharyngeal cancer (HPC) with advanced neck involvement remains controversial. We aimed to determine the indications.

Methods

The data of 41 and 14 patients with stage IVA/B (T1–T3 and ≥N2a) HPC who underwent UFND followed by CRT and received CRT, respectively, were retrospectively analyzed and compared.

Results

The 5‐year overall survival (OS) and disease‐specific survival rates for the UFND and CRT groups were 61% and 52% (p = 0.1019), and 89% and 74% (p = 0.2333), respectively. Moreover, patients aged ≥70 years or those with a pulmonary disease history had a significantly poorer prognosis due to aspiration pneumonia in the UFND group. The 5‐year regional control (RC) for the UFND and CRT groups were 92% and 57%, respectively (p = 0.0001).

Conclusions

UFND followed by CRT was feasible with satisfactory RC. To further improve OS, aspiration pneumonia prevention is essential.

Outcomes of robot-assisted versus conventional laparoscopic low anterior resection in patients with rectal cancer: propensity-matched analysis of the National Clinical Database in Japan

BACKGROUND

Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery has several advantages over conventional laparoscopy. However, population-based comparative studies for low anterior resection are limited. This article aimed to compare peri-operative results of robot-assisted low anterior resection (RALAR) and laparoscopy.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study used data from patients treated with RALAR or conventional laparoscopic low anterior resection (CLLAR) between October 2018 and December 2019, as recorded in the Japanese National Clinical Database, a data set registering clinical information, perioperative outcomes, and mortality. Of note, the registry does not include information on the tumour location (centimetres from the anal verge) and diverting stoma creation. Perioperative outcomes, including rate of conversion to open surgery, were compared between RALAR and CLLAR groups. Confounding factors were adjusted for using propensity score matching.

RESULTS

Of 21 415 patients treated during the study interval, 20 220 were reviewed. Two homogeneous groups of 2843 patients were created by propensity score matching. The conversion rate to open surgery was significantly lower in the RALAR group than in the CLLAR group (0.7 versus 2.0 per cent; P < 0.001). The RALAR group had a longer operating time (median: 352 versus 283 min; P < 0.001), less intraoperative blood loss (15 versus 20 ml; P < 0.001), a lower in-hospital mortality rate (0.1 versus 0.5 per cent; P = 0.007), and a shorter postoperative hospital stay (median: 13 versus 14 days; P < 0.001) compared with the CLLAR group. The CLLAR group had a lower rate of readmission within 30 days (2.4 versus 3.3 per cent; P = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

These data highlight the reduced conversion rate, in-hospital mortality rate, intraoperative blood loss, and length of postoperative hospital stay for rectal cancer surgery in patients treated using robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery compared with laparoscopic low anterior resection.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Diastolic Fractional Flow Reserve for Functional Evaluation of Coronary Stenosis

Background

In the resting conditions, narrowing the window of coronary pressure measurements from the whole cardiac cycle to diastole improves diagnostic performance of coronary pressure–derived physiological index. However, whether this also applies to the hyperemic conditions has not yet been thoroughly evaluated.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess whether diastolic fractional flow reserve (diastolic FFR) has better diagnostic performance in identifying ischemia-causing coronary lesions than conventional FFR in a prospective, multicenter, and independent core laboratory–based environment.

Methods

In this prospective multicenter registry at 29 Japanese centers, we compared the diagnostic performance of FFR, diastolic FFR, resting distal to aortic coronary pressure (Pd/Pa), and diastolic pressure ratio (dPR) using myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) as the reference standard in 378 patients with single-vessel coronary disease.

Results

Inducible myocardial ischemia was found on MPS in the relevant myocardial territory of the target vessel in 85 patients (22%). In the receiver-operating curve analyses, diastolic FFR had comparable area under the curve (AUC) compared with FFR (AUC_{diastolic FFR}: 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58-0.73, vs AUC_FFR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.58-0.74, P = 0.624). FFR and diastolic FFR showed significantly larger AUCs than resting Pd/Pa (0.62; 95% CI: 0.54-0.70; P = 0.033 and P = 0.046) but did not show significantly larger AUCs than dPR (0.62; 95% CI: 0.55-0.70; P = 0.102 and P = 0.113).

Conclusions

Diastolic FFR showed a similar diagnostic performance to FFR as compared with MPS. This result reaffirms the use of FFR as the most accurate invasive physiological lesion assessment. (Diagnostic accuracy of diastolic fractional flow reserve (d-FFR) for functional evaluation of coronary stenosis; UMIN000015906)