Phase IIb/III double-blind randomized trial of BIBW 2992, an irreversible, dual inhibitor of EGFR and HER2 plus best supportive care (BSC) versus placebo plus BSC in patients with NSCLC failing 1–2 lines of chemotherapy (CT) and erlotinib or gefitinib (LUX- Lung1): A preliminary report

8062

Background: No approved therapy exists for NSCLC patients (pts) who have failed chemotherapy (CT) and the reversible epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs), erlotinib (E) or gefitinib (G). The efficacy of BIBW 2992 (Tovok), a potent, irreversible inhibitor of EGFR and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) with preclinical activity against the secondary resistance mutation T790M, in pts progressing after initial clinical benefit on E/G is being assessed in this randomized trial. Methods: Pts with advanced adenocarcinoma of the lung (Stage IIIB/IV; ECOG 0–2), who have failed one or two lines of CT (including platinum) and progressed following at least 12 weeks of E or G are randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive BSC plus either oral BIBW 2992 50 mg qd or placebo until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Primary endpoint is overall survival, with progression-free survival, objective response and clinical benefit rate and duration, safety and quality of life being secondary endpoints. Enrollment of 400 pts is planned (HR=0.70, 85% power). An unblinded interim analysis of tumor response and safety by the independent Data Monitoring Committee (DMC) after the first 40 evaluable pts treated with BIBW 2992 will determine continuation to full accrual. Results: From May to November 2008, 145 pts have been randomized and 76 are still on treatment. Demographics (n=145): median age 59 (range: 30–82); female 68%, current/ex-smokers 38%; metastatic disease 91%, ECOG 0–1 92%; Asian origin 68%. 50% had one prior line of CT. Main prior EGFR-TKI was G in Asians (70%) and E in non-Asians (85%). 40% of pts had achieved a PR or CR on previous treatment with E/G. Duration of prior E/G treatment was >24 weeks and >48 weeks in 80% and 40% of pts, respectively. As expected, diarrhea, rash, anorexia, stomatitis, paronychia, nausea and vomiting were the most frequently observed adverse events. Conclusions: The trial is continuing recruitment after DMC review of efficacy and safety and updated demographics and blinded safety data will be reported.

[Table: see text]

EZH2 expression and correlation with Ki-67 and p53 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

e17018

Background: Polycomb group proteins are transcriptional repressors that silence specific sets of genes through chromatin modification. The enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), considered a member of the polycomb group proteins, is overexpressed in aggressive forms of several malignancies. However, the role of EZH2 expression in head and neck cancer has not yet been fully determined. This study was conducted to investigate the clinical value of EZH2 expression in head and neck cancer and its correlation with Ki-67 and p53 expression. Methods: Expression of EZH2, Ki-67, and p53 was determined by immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarrays from specimens of 138 cases of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Results: High EZH2 expression was observed in 51.5%. 44.2% were positive for p53. The percentage of Ki-67 staining was significantly greater in the EZH2 positive group (12.37 ± 8.51) than in the EZH2 negative group (4.73 ± 6.06, p < 0.001). EZH2 expression was significantly correlated with p53 expression (p = 0.003) and smoking history (p = 0.021). However, we found no significant differences in other clinicopathological parameters (age, sex, primary tumor size, and lymph node metastasis) and survival between the EZH2 positive and negative groups. Conclusions: These results suggest that high EZH2 expression may be associated with tumor cell proliferation and cell cycle regulation in head and neck cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A multinational phase III randomized trial with or without consolidation chemotherapy using docetaxel and cisplatin after concurrent chemoradiation in inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (CCheIN): Interim analysis

7538

Background: Currently, the recommended treatment for inoperable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). The efficacy of consolidation chemotherapy after CCRT needs to be confirmed. The aim of this phase III randomized trial is to determine the efficacy of consolidation chemotherapy with docetaxel (D) and cisplatin (P) following definitive CCRT with the same agents in stage III inoperable NSCLC. Herein we report the pre-planned interim analysis. Methods: Patients with inoperable stage III NSCLC were randomized to either CCRT alone (observation arm) or CCRT followed by consolidation chemotherapy (consolidation arm). N2 or N3 disease was confirmed by PET and/or pathology. CCRT with D (20 mg/m2) and P (20 mg/m2) was administered every week for 6 weeks with a total dose of 66 Gy of thoracic RT as 33 fractions. In the consolidation arm, patients were further treated with 3 cycles of D and P (35 mg/m2 each on day 1 and 8, every 3 weeks). The primary endpoint is time to progression (TTP). Total target number of patients is 458. Results: From Oct 2005 to Mar 2008, 233 patients were enrolled and 226 were randomized (observation 112; consolidation 114). Patients’ characteristics were similar in both arms. In the consolidation arm, 83 patients (73%) received consolidation chemotherapy, of whom 52 (45%) completed 3 planned cycles. Grade 3–4 neutropenia occurred in 5.4% of 203 consolidation cycles. Common non-hematologic toxicities of all grades during consolidation were anorexia (47%), nausea (37%), vomiting (16%), fatigue (35%) and esophagitis (31%). At the time of this analysis, there were 40 and 41 deaths in the observation and consolidation arms, respectively. Treatment-related mortality rates were similar. With a median follow-up of 28.2 months, the median TTP was 9.0 months in the observation arm and 13.9 months in the consolidation arm (P=0.19). Median overall survival was 20.7 and 21.2 months, respectively (P=0.49). Conclusions: This interim analysis suggests that consolidation chemotherapy with DP after CCRT with weekly DP is feasible and relatively well tolerated. Patient enrollment is ongoing.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Fixed dose rate infusion of gemcitabine and UFT combination chemotherapy in patients with advanced biliary cancer

e15581

Background: Biliary cancer is diagnosed at advanced stage and recurrence is common after surgical resection. Gemcitabine and UFT combination chemotherapy showed promising results in advanced pancreatic cancer(APC) and fixed dose- rate(FDR) infusion(10mg/m2/min) of gemcitabine is more effective than 30min-infusion in APC patients. We conducted a prospective multicenter phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of FDR gemcitabine and UFT combination chemotherapy in advanced biliary cancer(ABC) patients. We evaluated the quality of life(QOL) and relationship between treatment outcome and polymorphisms of DNA repair gene such as RecQ1, RAD54L, XRCC1 and ATM. Methods: We included the chemo-naive patients with measurable metastatic or recurrent biliary adenocarcinoma except gall bladder cancer. Patients received gemcitabine infusion of rate of 10mg/m2/min on day 1, 8, and 15 plus oral UFT (400mg/m2) on day 1 to 21. We used modified PCR-RFLP method to evaluate the polymorphism of DNA repair gene. The primary endpoint was response rate. Results: From October 2006 to March 2008, 47 patients were enrolled and 33 of them were included in this analysis. Median age was 58 years(range 33–73 years) and 18 patients were male. Partial response was 24.2% and disease control rate was 51.5%. The estimated median time to progression(TTP) was 87 days(95% CI 51–123). Median overall survival was 243 days(95% CI 114–372). Grade 3/4 neutropenia was observed in 12 of 33 patients(36.4%) and 17 times of 114 cycles of chemotherapy(14.9%). No febrile neutropenia was observed. Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 5 patients(15.2%). Non-hematologic toxicities were mild. Polymorphism of XRCC1 was related to TTP(TTP of wild, heterozygous variant and homozygous variant type was 162, 71 and 25 days, respectively. p=0.0039). QOL as a secondary endpoint was not analyzed at this time. Conclusions: FDR infusion of gemcitabine and UFT combination chemotherapy in chemo-naïve patients with ABC is a well-tolerated and effective regimen.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy with weekly docetaxel and cisplatin for locally advanced head and neck cancer: Phase I study

e17026

Background: This phase I study was performed to determine maximum tolerated dose of docetaxel when administered concomitantly with radiotherapy and cisplatin in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer. Methods: Fifteen patients were treated at varying levels of docetaxel (level 1: 0 mg/m2, level 2: 10 mg/m2, level 3: 15 mg/m2, and level 4: 20 mg/m2, once per week for a total 6 weeks) with a fixed dose of 20 mg/m2 cisplatin weekly on an outpatient basis. Radiotherapy was delivered as a standard regimen (1.8–2.0 Gy/day, 5 fraction/week) to a total dose of 66–72 Gy. Results: One out of six patients presented with dose-limiting toxicity at the 10 mg/m2/week dose of docetaxel (grade 4 febrile neutropenia which results in treatment-related death). No DLTs was noticed at the 15 mg/m2, and 20 mg/m2 dose level. Thus, the weekly docetaxel dose of 20 mg/m2 was considered as the maximum tolerated dose. Radiotherapy was completed in all patients except one, and more than 95% of the scheduled cisplatin and docetaxel were given in 93% of patients. Acute grade 3–4 toxicities were dominated by anorexia (26.7%), xerostomia (13.3%), and febrile neutropenia (6.6%). Eight (57.1%) and six (42.9%) patients had complete response and partial response. The 2-year actuarial overall survival rate and local control rate were 93.3%, and 87.5%, respectively. With a median 17.5 months (1.25–23.6) of follow-up, 13 out of 14 patients are still alive without evidence of diseases, and only one is alive with evidence of diseases. Conclusions: We determined the MTD of docetaxel to be 20 mg/m2 administered once weekly concurrently with combined with conventionally fractionated RT and weekly 10 mg/m2 CDDP. This chemoradiotherapeutic regimen serves as a promising treatment modality, in which level 3 is the recommended dose for a phase II study.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Prognostic significance of serum vascular endothelial growth factor per platelet count in gastric cancer patients

e22031

Background: Recent studies have shown that VEGF expression not in tissues but in serum sample is correlated with tumor vascularity, and high serum VEGF levels could predict poor prognosis in cancer patients. However there are limited data regarding the clinical and prognostic significance of serum VEGF levels per platelet count in advanced gastric cancer. In this study, we conducted a study to evaluate the prognostic implication of serum VEGF per platelet count in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Methods: 111 patients with histologically confirmed gastric cancer, 10 patients with early gastric cancer were included and control serum samples were acquired from 10 healthy volunteers. The levels of VEGF were measured using human VEGF quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Survival curves were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method and survival comparisons were made by the log rank test in metastatic gastric cancer. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was utilized for multivariate analyses after univariate analysis defined relevant prognostic variables. Results: A trend toward a significant positive correlation between serum VEGF and platelet counts was observed in patients of AGC (r = 0.477, P = 0.000) and there was a significant correlation between serum VEGF levels and differentiation of tumor (p = 0.014), stage (p = 0.036). The overall survival (log rank, p =0.0432) and the progression free survival (median 4.5 vs. 8.9 months; log rank, p =0.0116) were significantly shorter in patients with high VEGF per platelet count (≥1.626 pg/106). In the multivarivate analysis, performance status (P=0.025), the presence of peritoneal carcinomatosis (P=0.006), serum VEGF per platelet (P=0.005) were found to be significantly associated with poor progression free survival. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that serum VEGF per platelet count are correlated with poor overall survival and progression free survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer. Therefore measurement of serum VEGF per platelet might be useful markers for predicting disease progression and prognosis of advanced gastric cancer.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Randomized phase II clinical trial comparing tremelimumab (CP-675,206) with best supportive care (BSC) following first-line platinum-based therapy in patients (pts) with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

8071

Background: Pts diagnosed with advanced NSCLC with good performance status typically receive platinum-based chemotherapy; however, no approved maintenance therapy exists. Tremelimumab, a fully human anti-CTLA4 mAb, is associated with durable responses in some pts with metastatic melanoma. Methods: This open-label, randomized, multicenter, phase II clinical trial evaluating efficacy and safety of tremelimumab as maintenance therapy was conducted in pts with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with ECOG performance status ≤1. Pts treated with ≥4 cycles of first-line platinum-based therapy resulting in either stable disease (SD) or response per RECIST were eligible and were randomized 3–6 weeks after prior therapy. Pts received 15 mg/kg IV tremelimumab Q90D or BSC until disease progression. Primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS) at 3 months. Secondary endpoints included safety, objective response rate, and 1-year survival. Results: Eighty-seven pts received tremelimumab (n=44) or BSC (n=43). Nine (20.9%; 90% CI: 11.4%, 33.7%) pts receiving tremelimumab and 6 (14.3%; 90% CI: 6.4%, 26.3%) pts receiving BSC were progression free at 3 months. Among pts receiving tremelimumab, there were 2 (4.8%) partial responses and 7 (16.6%) SDs, compared with 0 and 6 (14.3%) pts receiving BSC, respectively. Treatment-related adverse events (AEs) were observed in 27 (61.4%) pts receiving tremelimumab and 3 (7.0%) receiving BSC. Nine pts (20.5%) receiving tremelimumab reported grade 3 or 4 AEs compared with 0 patients receiving BSC. The most common grade 3 or 4 AEs attributed to tremelimumab were diarrhea and colitis (n=4, 9.1%). Conclusions: In pts with advanced NSCLC and good performance status receiving platinum-based first-line therapy, single-agent tremelimumab was tolerable, with safety consistent with prior studies. Although PFS analysis did not demonstrate superiority of tremelimumab over BSC, the 4.8% objective response rate seen only in the investigational arm may support future combination studies. Analysis of 1-year survival is forthcoming.

[Table: see text]

Prognostic role of insulin-like growth factor receptor-1 (IGFR-1) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) expression in small cell lung cancer

e22155

Background: Insulin-like growth factor receptor-1 (IGFR-1) is a cellular membrane receptor overexpressed in many tumor cell lines and in some human tumors that seems to play a critical role in anti-apoptosis by enhancing cell survival. Also, insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) was reported to be a growth suppressor in variable pathways. Purpose of this study was to evaluate the state IGFR-1 and IGFBP-3 expression in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and its prognostic value. Methods: We analyzed IGFR-1 and IGFBP-3 expression in 194 SCLC tissues specimens by immunohistochemical stain. The relationship between IGFR-1 and IGFBP-3 expression and cliniopathological factors was evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to define its prognostic significance. Results: Median age was 63 years (range 38–85), 84% were men. One hundred-seventeen patients had extensive disease (60.3%), and 77 had limited disease (39.7%). With the median follow- up duration of 49.5 months (24–82), the median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 8 months (95% CI: 7.3–8.7 months), and 14.4 months (95% CI: 12.7–16 months), respectively, The IGFR-1 expression was observed in 154 of 190 tumor tissues (79.4%), whereas there was no tissue stained by IGFBP-3. Multivariate analysis showed that stage (p<0.001), response to treatment (p<0.001), LDH level (p<0.001) were the independent prognostic factors for PFS, and age (p=0.014), LDH level (p<0.001), and stage (p<0.001) for OS. The IGFR-1 positivity was not associated with PFS or OS in the whole cohort. However, 84% of 115 extensive disease patients showed IGFR-1 positivity. The subgroup analysis revealed that OS was significantly longer for patients with IGFR-1 positive compared to those with IGFR-1 negative in extensive disease (11.3% vs 0% at 2year, p=0.034). Conclusions: These results suggest that IGFR-1 expression may be useful as a prognostic marker in patients with extensive disease of SCLC.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Efficacy of pemetrexed-cisplatin (PC) in East Asian patients (pts): Subgroup analysis of a phase III study comparing PC versus gemcitabine-cisplatin (GC) in first-line treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

8045

Background: East Asian ethnicity is a recognized favorable prognostic factor in the treatment of NSCLC in trials with either chemotherapy or EGFR tyrosine-kinase inhibitors (TKIs). In a global phase III study (Scagliotti JCO 2008), superior efficacy of PC was shown for pts with nonsquamous NSCLC, while Asian ethnicity was prognostic in the overall population. The purpose of this analysis is to describe the patient and disease characteristics of the East Asian pts enrolled in this study and assess efficacy according to histology and smoking history. Methods: This retrospective analysis of a large phase III study included only patients enrolled from Korea and Taiwan. For survival and progression-free survival (PFS), Cox-adjusted analyses were used to estimate the hazard ratio and 95% CI, while medians were estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Results for PFS and response rate showed trends similar to overall survival in East Asian pts, favoring PC therapy in nonsquamous pts. The use of post-discontinuation targeted therapies such as EGFR-TKIs was similar between treatment arms in the overall population and in nonsquamous pts. In East Asian pts, EGFR-TKI use was slightly higher in the GC arm, in both the overall population and in nonsquamous pts. In a further subgroup analysis defined by smoking status, East Asian nonsquamous pts treated with PC had longer survival (not statistically significant). Conclusions: Pt and disease characteristics between the East Asian subgroup and the overall population were similar, with notable differences in the percentage of pts with no smoking history and the greater use of EGFR-TKIs as post-discontinuation therapy. This analysis shows the improved efficacy outcomes for East Asian nonsquamous pts treated with PC is consistent with the previously observed treatment effect of PC on nonsquamous NSCLC.

[Table: see text]

[Table: see text]

The role of oophorectomy for colon cancer with ovarian metastasis

e15113

Background: A recent study demonstrated that colorectal cancer with ovarian metastases were less responsive to chemotherapy compared to extraovarian metastases. Hence, the ovary may actually represent a “sanctuary” for metastatic cells from CRC. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of oophorectomy on survival of colorectal cancer patients with ovarian metastasis. Methods: Between 1996 and 2008, 83 colorectal cancer patients underwent oophorectomy. For the historical control, 47 colorectal cancer patients without oophorectomy were included in the analysis. Survival and its associated factors were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test and Cox-regression analysis. Results: The median age was younger (48 years) in the oophorectomy group when compared to the historical control (54 years) (P =.012). The proportion of synchronous metastasis was higher in the oophorectomy than the control group (57% vs 30%, respectively; P=.003). After a median follow-up duration of 60.8 months (range, 7.4 - 169.7 months), the median OS was significantly longer in the oophorectomy group (28.1 vs 21.2 months, oophorectomy vs non-oophoreectomy; P=.038). For ovary-specific survival (date of ovarian metastasis diagnosis to death), colorectal cancer patients with oophorectomy showed significantly favorable survival than the control group (20.8 vs 10.9 months, respectively; P<.001). At univariate analyses, no oophorectomy (P=.038), bilaterality of ovarian metastasis (P=0.032), the presence of extraovarian metastasis (P<0.001), elevated CEA (p<0.001), poor performance status (p=0.001), no palliative chemotherapy(p=0.001), no primary disease resection(p=0.005) were identified as significantly poor prognostic factors for overall survival. The no oophorectomy, no chemotherapy, extraovarian metastasis, elevated CEA, poor performance status retained statistical significance at multivariate level. (p=0.003, p=0.004, p=0.005, p=0.015, p=0.029, respectively). Conclusions: Based on this retrospective analysis, the oophorectomy significantly prolonged survival in colorectal cancer patients with ovarian metastases. A potential role of oophorectomy in the management of colorectal cancer should be prospectively studied.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Precise measurement of the neutron magnetic form factor G(M)n in the few-GeV2 region

The neutron elastic magnetic form factor was extracted from quasielastic electron scattering on deuterium over the range Q;{2}=1.0-4.8 GeV2 with the CLAS detector at Jefferson Lab. High precision was achieved with a ratio technique and a simultaneous in situ calibration of the neutron detection efficiency. Neutrons were detected with electromagnetic calorimeters and time-of-flight scintillators at two beam energies. The dipole parametrization gives a good description of the data.

Search for the photoexcitation of exotic mesons in the pi+pi+pi- system

A search for exotic mesons in the pi;{+}pi;{+}pi;{-} system photoproduced by the charge exchange reaction gammap-->pi;{+}pi;{+}pi;{-}(n) was carried out by the CLAS Collaboration at Jefferson Lab. A tagged-photon beam with energies in the 4.8 to 5.4 GeV range, produced through bremsstrahlung from a 5.744 GeV electron beam, was incident on a liquid-hydrogen target. A partial wave analysis was performed on a sample of 83 000 events, the highest such statistics to date in this reaction at these energies. The main objective of this study was to look for the photoproduction of an exotic J;{PC}=1;{-+} resonant state in the 1 to 2 GeV mass range. Our partial wave analysis shows production of the a_{2}(1320) and the pi_{2}(1670) mesons, but no evidence for the a_{1}(1260), nor the pi_{1}(1600) exotic state at the expected levels. An upper limit of 13.5 nb is determined for the exotic pi_{1}(1600) cross section, less than 2% of the a_{2}(1320) production.

Measurement of direct f0(980) photoproduction on the proton

We report on the results of the first measurement of exclusive f_{0}(980) meson photoproduction on protons for E_{gamma}=3.0-3.8 GeV and -t=0.4-1.0 GeV2. Data were collected with the CLAS detector at the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. The resonance was detected via its decay in the pi;{+}pi;{-} channel by performing a partial wave analysis of the reaction gammap-->ppi;{+}pi;{-}. Clear evidence of the f_{0}(980) meson was found in the interference between P and S waves at M_{pi;{+}pi;{-}} approximately 1 GeV. The S-wave differential cross section integrated in the mass range of the f_{0}(980) was found to be a factor of about 50 smaller than the cross section for the rho meson. This is the first time the f_{0}(980) meson has been measured in a photoproduction experiment.

A 100 nanometer scale resistive heater-thermometer on a silicon cantilever

This paper reports a method for fabricating a 100 nm scale heater-thermometer into a silicon microcantilever based on contact photolithography and a controlled annealing process. The heater is formed during a photolithography process that can achieve a minimum feature size of about 1 microm, while careful control of doping and annealing parameters allows the heater size to be further decreased, to a width of 100 nm. The heater is fabricated onto the free end of a silicon cantilever suitable for scanning probe microscopy, and can be integrated into cantilevers with or without sharp tips. The fabricated heater has a maximum temperature of over 700 degrees C, and a heating time of 56 micros to reach 500 degrees C.

The shine problem in hair: review of imaging methods and measures for luster

There is a need for both a better understanding of the technical drivers of shiny appearance in hair and for standard methods and measures of shine. To this end, we develop standard treatment methods for changing hair shine and examine a number of image-based measurements of luster. Using psychophysical techniques to get a perceptual reference, we find that available technical measures are difficult to use when trying to quantify the small changes in shine associated with treatment.

Infiltration of intratumoral T cells and regulatory T cells are associated with p53 expression and ER status in early breast cancer: a Korean breast cancer study

Abstract #5049

Background: Immune responses, such as rich lymphocyte infiltrate, have shown associated with improved clinical outcomes in patients with breast cancer. Recently, number of tumor-infiltrating regulatory T cell has been identified as a poor prognostic marker. There is, however, not enough data evaluating the associations between the clinicopathologic factors and quantity or quality of TILs in Asian breast cancer patients.&#x2028; Material and methods: CD4-, CD8-, and Foxp3-positive tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were detected by immunohistochemistry using the paraffin-embedded samples from the 40 patients with early stage (I-III) breast cancer. Expression status of ER, PR, HER-2, p53, and Ki-67 were also evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Clinical data, such as pathologic stage, patient's age, were available for statistical analysis.&#x2028; Results: Statistically significant correlation between ER expression and CD8/CD4 ratio of the TILs (Spearman r=0.447, p=0.024) was observed. Other clinicopathlogical factors, such as PR, tumor size, nodal metastasis, tumor grade, did not show significant correlation with ratio of the TILs. Additionally, tumors with more dense accumulation of p53 protein were associated with recruitment of higher number of Foxp3-positive regulatory T cells (Spearman r=0.52, p=0.0002). Ki-67, a proliferation index of the tumor cells, was also statistically significantly associated with infiltration of regulatory T cells (Spearman r=0.46, p=0.019).&#x2028; Discussion: Our data showed that ER-positive tumors had higher ratio of CD8/CD4 TILs, which is opposite result from the previous studies. In addition, p53 overexpression and high proliferation index of the breast cancer were associated with high regulatory T cell infiltration, but not with total TIL. The role of the p53 overexpression of the tumor cells in determining immune balance and its prognostic implication will be evaluated in the future study.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 5049.

Dynamic Cardiovagal Response to Motion Sickness: A Point-Process Heart Rate Variability Study

A visual display of stripes was used to examine cardio-vagal response to motion sickness. Heart rate variability (HRV) was investigated using dynamic methods to discern instantaneous fluctuations in reaction to stimulus and perception-based events. A novel point process adaptive recursive algorithm was applied to the R-R series to compute instantaneous heart rate, HRV, and high frequency (HF) power as a marker of vagal activity. Results show interesting dynamic trends in each of the considered subjects. HF power averaged across ten subjects indicates a significant decrease 20s to 60s following the transition from "no nausea" to "mild." Conversely, right before "strong" nausea, the group average shows a transient trending increase in HF power. Findings confirm gradual sympathetic activation with increasing nausea, and further evidence transitory increases in vagal tone before flushes of strong nausea.

Toxicity of artificial runoff fostered with dry deposition particulates from industrial, commercial, and highway area in Gwangju, Korea

The adverse effects of rainwater and artificial urban runoff (an imitation of urban runoff during rainfall event) were investigated using a battery of bioassays employing three test species. Urban dusts were collected at three representative sites; commercial, industrial and highway areas. The water quality parameters of rainwater and artificial runoff revealed low hardness (23.4 approximately 34.2 mg*L(-1) as CaCO(3)) and alkalinity (7.0 approximately 34.2 mg*L(-1) as CaCO(3)). High toxicities were observed in the bioassays for the artificial runoffs. The average toxic units for D. magna, S. capricornutum, and O. latipes were 1.26(+/-0.84), 1.34(+/-1.10) and 2.05(+/-1.08), respectively. Of these species, O. latipes revealed significantly higher toxicity compared to D. magna and S. capricornutum (p < 0.05). Embryo lesions were observed with 6.25% treatments, and these significantly increased at 12.5% treatments (p < 0.05). The EC(50) values for each artificial runoff were 22.5, 22.6 and 25.4% for commercial, industrial and highway areas, respectively. With 12.5% treatment, significant delays in hatching times were observed (p < 0.05); all embryos tested did not hatched at 100% treatment. Similarly, a significant decrease in hatching success was observed at every sampling point from 25% treatment (p < 0.05). The adverse effects of artificial runoff on the three test species suggests that urban surface runoff can cause significant impairment in aquatic ecosystems.

Luminescence properties of Ca(Y(0.915-x)Gd(x)Al0.025Eu0.06)BO4 phosphors under VUV irradiation

The major phase of post-treated Ca(Y(0.915-x)Gd(x)A10.025Eu0.06)BO4 (0 < or = x < or = 0.3) phosphors was solid solutions of the constituent oxides, which had an orthorhombic warwickite-like structure. The calculated crystallite size of the Ca(Y(0.915-x)Gd(x)Al0.025Eu0.06)BO4 phosphors was approximately 36 nm. The Gd additive significantly enhanced both the charge transfer (CT) transition of O2(-) -Eu3+ and the absorption of the host materials, thereby resulting in an increase in emission intensity. The Ca(Y(0.715)Gd0.2Al0.025Eu0.06)BO4 phosphor showed the highest emission intensity at 593 nm, which was over five times as strong as that of a Gd-free Ca(Y0.915Al0.025Eu0.06)BO4 phosphor. The addition of Gd was desirable for improving the photoluminescent properties of red-emitting Ca(Y0.915Al0.025Eu0.06)BO4 phosphors.