The incidence and risks of adverse events in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of cancer drugs downplaying the harms

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Background: Proper assessment of harms of cancer treatment is essential to make risk-benefit trade off decisions in oncology clinic. CONSORT guidelines require the authors of RCTs to provide exact data for adverse events (AEs) grade 3 or higher (severe AEs), serious AEs (SAEs) and fatal AEs (FAEs) and avoid using general terms (such as well-tolerated) that downplay the harms. We aimed to assess the incidence and risks of severe AEs, SAEs and FAEs in such RCTs of cancer drugs that downplayed the harms. Methods: We extracted all the phase 2 and 3 RCTs of cancer drugs from the five major journals (NEJM, Lancet, Lancet Oncology, JAMA, JCO) from 2016 January to 2016 December. The abstracts/full texts of the papers were studied to assess if the harms of the experimental arm were downplayed. Use of any of the following terms while describing toxicities or AEs or safety was assumed to downplay the harms: acceptable, feasible, tolerable (or well-tolerated) , favorable, safe, manageable. Data on severe AEs, SAEs and FAEs for both the experimental and control cohorts were extracted from these RCTs and pooled using random-effects model to determine the overall incidence and risk. Results: Of 122 phase 2/3 RCTs of cancer drugs identified, 53 (43.4%) reports used terms downplaying the toxicities of the experimental arm and were included in this analysis. The overall incidence of severe AEs, SAEs and FAEs with these cancer drugs were 50.6% (95% CI: 41.5%-59.7%), 21.9% (95% CI: 16.3%-28.7%) and 1.6% (95% CI: 1.2%-2.2%) respectively. Compared with control, the risk of severe AEs and SAEs were significantly increased with the use of these cancer drugs: severe AEs (RR 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04-1.27, p = 0.005) and SAEs ( RR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.26-1.77, p < 0.001) . However, the risk of FAEs was similar across the experimental and control arms ( RR 0.89, 95% CI: 0.72-1.11, p = 0.306) Conclusions: Our analysis shows that considerable proportions of patients suffer severe AEs, SAEs and FAEs and significantly increased risk of severe AEs and SAEs in the trials that downplay the toxicities of cancer drugs. Terms that falsely downplay the toxicities of cancer drugs should be avoided in the reporting of RCTs to encourage accurate risk-benefit assessment.

Peritoneum metastasis (PM) as a prognostic factor in metastatic gastric cancer (MGC) treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy

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Background: Anti-PD-1 monotherapy has proven effective for the patients (pts) with MGC. However, the identification of biomarkers for predicting clinical outcomes remain as critical needs. We aimed to identify baseline characteristics associated with time to treatment failure (TTF) or overall survival (OS) for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy as second- or later-line therapy in MGC. Methods: Routine blood count parameters and clinical characteristics at baseline were retrospectively investigated in 31 pts with MGC in Aichi Cancer Center Hospital. Endpoints were TTF and OS following anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy. Kaplan-Meiyer and Cox regression analysis were applied for survival analyses. Results: Patient characteristics were as follows: median age (range), 68 (47–83); ECOG performance status (PS) 0/1, 21/10; PM +ve/-ve, 12/19; No. of metastatic sites 1–2/≥3, 18/13; No. of prior chemotherapy regimens 1–2/≥3, 11/20; and absolute eosinophil count (AEC) <150/≥150 /μl, 14/17. Objective response rate and disease control rate (RECIST ver. 1.1) were 26% vs. 0% (odds ratio [OR], 3.76; P = 0.12) and 79% vs. 50% (OR, 3.58; P = 0.12) in the PM -ve group (Cohort A) and the PM +ve group (Cohort B), respectively. On univariate analysis, the pts with poor PS, PM +ve, and high AEC were significantly poor TTF; and poor PS and PM +ve were significantly identified as prognostic factors of poor OS. On multivariate analysis, only PM +ve was independent negative impact not only for TTF but also for OS. Median TTF and OS were 5.4 vs. 1.3 months (M) (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 4.29; 95%CI, 1.60–11.5; P < 0.01) and 28.2 vs. 7.5 M (adjusted HR, 3.68; 95%CI, 1.25–10.8; P = 0.02) in Cohort A and Cohort B. Six-months TTF probabilities of 42% vs. 0% ( P = 0.03) and one-year OS probabilities of 58% vs. 8% ( P< 0.01) were observed in Cohort A compared to in Cohort B. Conclusions: PM -ve in the pts treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy was associated with better efficacy. In the pts with PM -ve, anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy could be adapted in first-line therapy. [Table: see text]

Prognostic significance of gene amplification of ACTN4 in stage I and II oral tongue cancer

Despite complete resection of the early stage of oral tongue cancer by partial glossectomy, late cervical lymph node metastasis is frequently observed. Gene amplification of ACTN4 (protein name: actinin-4) is closely associated with the metastatic potential of various cancers. This retrospective study was performed to demonstrate the potential usefulness of ACTN4 gene amplification as a prognostic biomarker in patients with stage I/II oral tongue cancer. Fifty-four patients with stage I/II oral tongue cancer were enrolled retrospectively, in accordance with the reporting recommendations for tumour marker prognostic studies (REMARK) guidelines. The copy number of ACTN4 and the protein expression of actinin-4 were evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively. The overall survival time of patients with gene amplification of ACTN4 was significantly shorter than that of patients without gene amplification (P=0.0010, log-rank test). Gene amplification of ACTN4 was a significant independent risk factor for death in patients with stage I/II oral tongue cancer (hazard ratio 6.08, 95% confidence interval 1.66-22.27). Gene amplification of ACTN4 is a potential prognostic biomarker for overall survival in oral tongue cancer.

A phase 1 study of ramucirumab in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors

OBJECTIVE

Ramucirumab is a recombinant human immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2. The aim of this phase 1 study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of ramucirumab monotherapy in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors.

METHODS

Patients with solid tumors who had not responded to standard therapy or for whom no standard therapy was available received escalating doses of ramucirumab, administered once every 2 (Q2W) or 3 (Q3W) weeks. The primary objective was to establish the safety and pharmacokinetic profiles of ramucirumab. Secondary and exploratory objectives included assessment of immunogenicity and antitumor activity. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01005355.

RESULTS

Fifteen patients were treated with ramucirumab at a dose of 6 mg/kg Q2W (N = 3), 8 mg/kg Q2W (N = 6) or 10 mg/kg Q3W (N = 6). There were no dose-limiting toxicities and the maximum tolerated dose was not reached. The most common ramucirumab-related adverse events were headache, pyrexia, hypertension and increased aspartate aminotransferase. Following single-dose administration of ramucirumab, there appeared to be a dose-proportional increase in maximum observed drug concentration but not in area under the curve. Treatment-emergent anti-ramucirumab antibodies were not detected in any patient.

CONCLUSIONS

Ramucirumab monotherapy was well tolerated and feasible at the doses and schedules used in this study population of Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors.

Impact of sarcopenia on survival outcomes in patients (pts) with metastatic gastric cancer (mGC)

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Background: Sarcopenia is a poor prognostic factor in several cancers. This study aimed to assess the predictive value of sarcopenia on survival outcomes among pts with mGC. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 170 consecutive pts with mGC starting first-line chemotherapy at the single institution during January 2013–December 2014. Inclusion criteria were as follows: treatment with fluoropyrimidine plus platinum-based regimen, ECOG PS 0–2, and adequate organ function. Skeletal muscle index (SMI) was calculated from cross-sectional area of muscle at L3 using CT scan divided by the square of the height. Baseline sarcopenia (S) was defined as 53.4 cm2/m2 for men and 38.5 cm2/m2for women. Muscle loss after chemotherapy (L) was defined as 10% ≤ reduction in SMI. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to identify whether S and L were independent prognostic factors of time to treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis included variables with p values ≤ 0.1 in univariate analyses. Results: Ninety-seven pts met the inclusion criteria; 83 (86%) were classified with S, and 39 (31%) with L. PS (0 vs. 1 and 2) and ALP (ULN> vs. ULN≤) were significantly associated with L. Overall response rate for S, non-S, L, and non-L was 60%, 63%, 63%, and 61%, respectively. S was not associated with TTF or OS. However, L was significantly associated with a shorter TTF (4.7 vs. 7.3 m, HR=1.82; 95% CI: 1.16-2.85, p=0.009) and tended toward worse OS (14.2 vs. 19.7 m, HR=1.31; 95% CI: 0.78-2.20, p=0.29). Variables with p values ≤ 0.1 in univariate analyses for TTF were L, LDH (ULN≤), ALB (ULN>), and histology (poorly differentiated). Histology was only variables with p values ≤ 0.1 for OS (p=0.002). As per multivariate analyses, only L was a significant prognostic factor of TTF. Conclusions: L is an independent negative prognostic factor of TTF in pts with mGC. Intervention for muscle loss can be a therapeutic approach for mGC. [Table: see text]

Efficacy of bevacizumab in combination with doublet chemotherapy as first-line therapy in metastatic colorectal cancer according to KRAS status

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Background: Bevacizumab (BV) plus fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy is a standard treatment as first-line therapy for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In phase 3 studies, addition of BV to doublet chemotherapy significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS), otherwise overall survival (OS) differences didn’t reach statistical significance. There are only a few reports that assess the efficacy of BV containing chemotherapy according to KRAS status. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the data of mCRC patients who received doublet chemotherapy (FOLFOX/CapeOX/SOX/FOLFIRI/IRIS) with or without BV as first-line therapy in Aichi Cancer Center or Shizuoka Cancer Center between Apr. 2007 and Aug. 2014. Patients fulfilled following criteria: histologically proven adenocarcinoma, ECOG PS 0-1, adequate organ functions. Exclusion criteria were as follows: KRAS status unknown, adjuvant chemotherapy within less than 6 months (M) before relapse, doublet chemotherapy with other biologics. We analyzed the efficacy of doublet chemotherapy with BV (Group A) and without BV (Group B), dividing into KRAS exon 2 wild type (WT) and mutant (MT). WT-A means Group A in WT. Results: Patients met the selection criteria were 578 (WT-A/WT-B 276/55, MT-A/MT-B 202/45). Patients’ backgrounds were as follows; median age (range) 63 (20-88) years old, male/female 60/40%, ECOG PS 0/1 66/34%, tumor location right colon/left colon and rectum 29/71%, number of metastases 1/ ≥ 2 48/52%, KRAS status WT/MT 57/43%. PFS in Group A/B was 13.0/8.4 m (HR 0.49, 95%CI 0.39-0.61, p < 0.0001), and OS was 32.4/27.1 m (HR 0.70, 95%CI 0.56-0.88, p = 0.0024). PFS was 12.7/8.5 m in WT-A/WT-B (HR 0.51, 95%CI 0.38-0.69, p < 0.0001), 14.5/8.0 m in MT-A/MT-B (HR 0.46, 95%CI 0.33-0.64, p < 0.0001). OS was 32.6/29.8 m in WT-A/WT-B (HR 0.85, 95%CI 0.62-1.17, p = 0.32), 31.7/25.8 m in MT-A/MT-B (HR 0.55, 95%CI 0.39-0.77, p = 0.0005), adjusted HR (variables: age, sex, ECOG PS, tumor location, et al) was 0.74 in WT (95%CI 0.53-1.05, p = 0.089), 0.69 in MT (95%CI 0.48-1.00, p = 0.047). Conclusions: Addition of BV to doublet chemotherapy as first-line therapy might prolong OS in patients with mCRC regardless of KRAS status.

Efficacy of panitumumab plus irinotecan versus cetuximab plus irinotecan in patients with wild-type KRAS exon2 metastatic colorectal cancer previously treated with bevacizumab within 6 months

800

Background: The ASPECCT study showed panitumumab (Pmab) is non-inferior to cetuximab (Cmab) for chemotherapy-refractory and intolerant wild-type (WT) KRAS exon2 metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In the subgroup analysis, Pmab provided more favorable outcomes than Cmab for patients (pts) previously treated with bevacizumab (Bmab). However, some reports suggested that anti-EGFR antibody (anti-EGFR) efficacy was reduced when received within 6 months of last administration of Bmab. In this study, we aim to evaluate the difference in efficacy between Pmab and Cmab in pts who received prior Bmab and were treated with anti-EGFR after a short interval. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated pts treated with anti-EGFR and irinotecan (IRI) after failure of Bmab, fluoropyrimidine, oxaliplatin, and IRI at two institutions. The main inclusion criteria were WT KRAS exon2 mCRC, ECOG PS 0-2, and no prior administration of anti-EGFR within 6 months after Bmab. Results: From Sep. 2008 to Mar. 2016, 124 consecutive pts met the inclusion criteria (Pmab/Cmab, 30/94). Pts’ characteristics were as follows (Pmab/Cmab): median age (range): 63/62 (38-76/27-82); male, 63%/72%; ECOG PS 0, 43%/27%; PS1, 57%/66%; PS2 0%/7%; tumor in left colon, 87%/76%; histology (por, muc), 10%/16%; ≥2 metastases, 67%/66%; ≥1 subsequent therapy, 73%/63%. Overall response and disease control rates in Pmab/Cmab were 31%/26% and 69%/67%, respectively. In Pmab/Cmab, the median overall survival was 15.8/12.2 months (HR, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.4-0.97; P=0.04) and the median progression-free survival was 6.5/5.5 months (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.49-1.16, P=0.20). The adjusted HR with 10 covariates such as age, gender, PS, tumor location, histology, primary tumor resection, number of metastatic sites, liver limited disease, time from diagnosis of metastasis and initiation date of anti-EGFR plus IRI was 0.61 for PFS (p=0.1) and 0.61 for OS (p=0.04). Conclusions: Pmab plus irinotecan showed favorable outcomes compared with Cmab plus irinotecan in pts with WT KRAS exon2 mCRC within 6 months between the last administration of Bmab and initial anti-EGFR.

Adhesive-free adhesion between polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and isobutylene–isoprene rubber (IIR) via heat-assisted plasma treatment

A polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) surface was modified using atmospheric pressure plasma treatment under heating (heat-assisted plasma treatment) to promote its direct adhesion to isobutylene–isoprene rubber (IIR) without any adhesives.

Correction: Adhesive-free adhesion between polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and isobutylene–isoprene rubber (IIR) via heat-assisted plasma treatment

Correction for ‘Adhesive-free adhesion between polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and isobutylene–isoprene rubber (IIR) via heat-assisted plasma treatment’ by Y. Ohkubo et al., RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 6432–6438.

Cyclic Mechanical Strain Regulates the PTHrP Expression in Cultured Chondrocytes via Activation of the Ca2+ Channel

The association between mechanical stimulation and chondrocyte homeostasis has been reported. However, the participation of PTHrP (parathyroid-hormone-related protein) in the mechano-regulation of chondrocyte metabolism remains unclear. We determined whether mechanical stimulation of chondrocytes induces the expression of PTHrP and, further, whether the mechano-modulation of PTHrP is dependent on the maturational status of chondrocytes. Cyclic mechanical strain was applied to rat growth plate chondrocytes at the proliferating, matrix-forming, and hypertrophic stages at 30 cycles/min. Cyclic mechanical strain significantly increased PTHrP mRNA levels in chondrocytes at the proliferating and matrix-forming stages only. The induction of PTHrP was dependent on loading magnitude at the proliferating stage. Using specific ion channel blockers, we determined that mechano-induction of PTHrP was inhibited by nifedipine, a Ca2+ channel blocker. These results suggest that mechanical induction of PTHrP possibly provides the environment for greater chondrocyte replication and matrix formation that would subsequently affect cartilage formation.

Muscle wasting associated with the long-term use of mTOR inhibitors

Some targeted therapies alter muscle mass due to interference with pathways of muscle metabolism. The effects of mammalian target of ra pamycin (mTOR) inhibitors on muscle mass have yet to be fully elucidated. In the present study, the computerized tomography (CT) scans of patients receiving mTOR inhibitors for at least 6 months taken at baseline and post-therapy were retrospectively retrieved, and body composition analyses were performed using the software, sliceOmatic version 5.0 (TomoVision, Inc., Magog, QC, Canada). The difference in body composition parameters was evaluated for significance. The time to treatment (TTF) failure was also compared between the sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients at the baseline. Of the 75 patients studied, 20 matched the inclusion criteria (including 16 males). The mean duration between the CT scans was 14.4±2.0 months. A total of 12 (60%) patients were sarcopenic at the baseline, whereas three more (75% in total) became sarcopenic following treatment. The use of mTOR inhibitors significantly decreased the skeletal muscle area (P=0.011) and lean body mass (P=0.007), although it had no effect on adipose tissue (P=0.163) or body weight (P=0.262). The rate of skeletal muscle wasting was 2.6 cm²/m², or 2.3 kg in 6 months. The TTF did not differ between sarcopenic and non-sarcopenic patients, and was not significantly associated with any other parameter. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that the long-term use of mTOR inhibitors induces a marked loss of muscle mass. Due to the predictive and prognostic role of sarcopenia in cancer patients, these findings may have important clinical implications.

Maternal Separation Induces Orofacial Mechanical Allodynia in Adulthood

It is well known that exposure to maternal separation (MS) in early life causes plastic changes in the nervous system in adulthood, occasionally resulting in ubiquitous chronic pain. However, the pathogenic mechanisms of pain hypersensitivity remain unclear. Here, the authors examined the involvement of corticosterone in orofacial mechanical hypersensitivity induced by MS. To establish a rat model of MS, pups were placed in isolated cages 180 min/d and kept in a temperature-controlled environment at 22 ± 2 °C for 14 d. Mechanical allodynia in the whisker pad skin in adulthood was induced by MS and was significantly suppressed by successive postnatal subcutaneous administration of the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone. Corticosterone levels were increased in the serum of MS rats, and successive postnatal administration of subcutaneous corticosterone to naive rats induced mechanical allodynia in the whisker pad skin. The number of P2X3 receptor-immunoreactive (P2X3R-IR) trigeminal ganglion (TG) neurons innervating the whisker pad skin was significantly increased in MS rats and decreased following subcutaneous administration of mifepristone. The number of P2X3R-IR TG neurons innervating the whisker pad skin was also significantly increased following successive postnatal administration of subcutaneous corticosterone in naive rats. Moreover, the mechanical allodynia was suppressed 30 min after administration of the P2X3R antagonist A317491 to the whisker pad skin in MS rats. These findings suggest that the increase in P2X3R-IR TG neurons innervating the whisker pad skin via enhanced neonatal corticosterone signaling by MS plays an important role in orofacial mechanical allodynia in adulthood.

Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy in a Living Kidney Donor Diagnosed and Treated After Transplantation: A Case Report

OBJECTIVE

We report the clinical course and pathologic findings of a kidney transplant donor who was diagnosed with immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy by means of preimplantation biopsy and was later treated with methylprednisolone and tonsillectomy.

CASE REPORT

The patient was a 57-year-old woman who met the criteria for kidney donation and was accepted as a donor. Donor nephrectomy was performed, and the preimplantation biopsy revealed that the donor had IgA nephropathy. One month after the nephrectomy, the donor's laboratory findings indicated proteinuria and hematuria. Because these findings indicated active IgA nephropathy, we decided to perform tonsillectomy and methylprednisolone pulse therapy. Soon after these treatments, the patient's proteinuria and hematuria were no longer observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Subclinical IgA nephropathy can be incidentally found on preimplantation biopsies of living kidney donors. As demonstrated in this case, IgA nephropathy can become exacerbated and requires therapeutic intervention after kidney donation. Informed consent and careful observation should be used before and after transplantation, even for donors who have been determined to be eligible for kidney donation.

Involvement of Microglial P2Y12 Signaling in Tongue Cancer Pain

To elucidate if microglial P2Y12 receptor (P2Y12R) mechanisms are involved in the trigeminal spinal subnucleus caudalis (Vc; also known as the medullary dorsal horn) in intraoral cancer pain, we developed a rat model of tongue cancer pain. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells were inoculated into the tongue of rats; sham control rats received the vehicle instead. Nociceptive behavior was measured as the head-withdrawal reflex threshold (HWRT) to mechanical or heat stimulation applied to the tongue under light anesthesia. On day 14 after the SCC inoculation, activated microglia and P2Y12R expression were examined immunohistochemically in the Vc. The HWRT was also studied in SCC-inoculated rats with successive intra-cisterna magna (i.c.m.) administration of specific P2Y12R antagonist (MRS2395) or intraperitoneal administration of minocycline, a microglial activation inhibitor. Tongue cancer was histologically verified in SCC-inoculated rats, within which the HWRT to mechanical stimulation of the tongue was significantly decreased, as compared with that of vehicle-inoculated rats, although the HWRT to heat stimulation was not. Microglia was strongly activated on day 14, and the administration of MRS2395 or minocycline reversed associated nocifensive behavior and microglial activation in SCC-inoculated rats for 14 d. The activity of Vc wide dynamic range nociceptive neurons was also recorded electrophysiologically in SCC-inoculated and sham rats. Background activity and noxious mechanically evoked responses of wide dynamic range neurons were significantly increased in SCC-inoculated rats versus sham rats, and background activity and mechanically evoked responses were significantly suppressed following i.c.m. administration of MRS2395 in SCC-inoculated rats as compared with sham. The present findings suggest that SCC inoculation that produces tongue cancer results in strong activation of microglia via P2Y12 signaling in the Vc, in association with increased excitability of Vc nociceptive neurons, reflecting central sensitization and resulting in tongue mechanical allodynia.

Opioid-induced constipation

Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) is a very troublesome, difficult to manage and a nearly universal complication of chronic opioid use to control pain associated with advanced illness. Some studies have reported that OIC is so intolerable in some patients that they skip their opioid medications and bear pain instead of OIC. Laxatives have commonly been used as a prophylaxis and treatment of OIC but they are frequently ineffective because the commonly available laxatives do not target the underlying mechanism of OIC, which is the blockade of peripheral mu-receptors. Recently, there have been a number of advances in the treatment of OIC, which any physician involved with opioid-prescribing discipline should be aware of. This review will update the new options and strategies available for treating OIC along with the relevant clinical trials. Finally, this review also provides a recommendation on the preferred way to approach a patient with OIC in the modern era as well as highlight on the importance of doctor-patient communication in this setting.