ADAMTS-13 and von Willebrand factor predict venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer

ESSENTIALS: Cancer patients are at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In this study, cases and controls were cancer patients who did or did not develop VTE. von Willebrand factor (VWF) levels were higher if compared with controls and correlated with cancer stage. VWF and ADAMTS-13 are associated with the occurrence of VTE in cancer.

BACKGROUND

Patients with cancer are at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). ADAMTS-13 regulates von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity, which plays a role in the development of cancer and in VTE.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to search for an association between the levels of VWF and ADAMTS-13 and VTE in patients with cancer and to compare current scoring systems for prediction of VTE before and after addition of these parameters.

PATIENTS/METHODS

In a case-control study, in which patients with recently diagnosed cancer were followed-up for 6 months, we compared 20 patients who developed VTE (cases) and 140 patients with cancer without VTE (controls), matched for sex, age, and type and stage of cancer. We measured VWF, ADAMTS-13 (activity and antigen), P-selectin, D-dimer and F1 + 2 levels at baseline, and calculated both the Khorana score and the Khorana score expanded after addition of P-selectin and D-dimer levels.

RESULTS

VWF levels were significantly higher in cases when compared with controls (326 ± 185% vs. 242 ± 158%) and correlated with advanced stage of cancer: localized, 185 [142; 222]; locally advanced, 240 [146; 257]; metastatic, 267 [153; 324] (mean [interquartile range]). The addition of two biomarkers, ADAMTS-13 activity and F1 + 2 levels, to the Khorana score improved receiver operating curves.

CONCLUSIONS

von Willebrand factor and ADAMTS-13 are associated with the occurrence of VTE in patients with cancer. Moreover, addition of ADAMTS-13 and F1 + 2 levels to the Khorana score considerably increases the predictive value for VTE.

A French Approach to Test Fetuses with Ultrasound Abnormalities Using a Customized Microarray as First-Tier Genetic Test

Cytogenetic microarray analysis is now the first-tier genetic test used in a postnatal clinical setting to explore genomic imbalances in individuals with developmental disability and/or birth defects. However, in a prenatal setting, this technique is not widely implemented, largely because the clinical impact of some copy number variants (CNVs) remains difficult to assess. This limitation is especially true in France where termination of pregnancy for medical reasons may be performed at any stage of gestation. During a period of 15 months, we investigated 382 fetuses presenting with ultrasound anomalies, using a customized microarray designed to avoid the detection of CNVs raising challenges for genetic counseling. After excluding common aneuploidies, 20/374 (5.3%) fetuses had a pathogenic CNV, among which 12/374 (3.2%) could have been detected by karyotyping, whereas 8/374 (2.1%) were cryptic. Within these 374 cases, 300 were ongoing pregnancies at the time of array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) testing. For these pregnancies, we detected 18/300 (6%) pathogenic CNVs, among which 6/300 (2%) were cryptic. Using this approach, only 2/300 (0.6%) of the detected CNVs raised difficulties for genetic counseling. This study confirms the added value of this strategy in a prenatal clinical setting to minimize ethical issues for genetic counseling while enhancing the detection of genomic imbalances.

[Economic evaluation of the treatments of non-metastatic prostate cancer]

OBJECTIVES

Prostate cancer is the most frequent cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death in men in France. The development of treatment for prostate cancer is fast and sometimes relies on costly innovations. Medico-economic studies are however rare in this area. This literature review aims to summarize available medico-economic data on the initial management of localized prostate cancer and discuss the quality and usability of existing economic studies on the subject.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

Literature review was done using PubMed and Cochrane databases. Studies and articles were selected based on several criteria: population with initial treatment for localized prostate cancer (without metastasis), comparative studies with surgery as control treatment, studies in countries members of the OECD, articles in English or French published between 2004 and 2014.

RESULTS

The surgical robot, one of the newest innovations, is more expensive than conventional open surgery or no robotic laparoscopy, even if it is associated with a reduction of the original period of stay. Radiation therapy seems more expensive than surgery as initial therapy of localized prostate cancer.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions remain limited because of the rarity of reliable health economic studies on the subject.

[Oncological principles for local control of primary tumor]

OBJECTIVE

Review of the databases of carcinogenesis and the principles of local control of the primary tumor in order to decrease the risk of tumor progression and predict metastatic behavior.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Review of the literature using Medline databases based on scientific relevance. Research was centered on the characteristics of solid tumor development, the basics of local control of the primary tumor, latest advance in genomics and the oncological principles applied on prostate cancer surgery.

RESULTS

The cornerstone in order to cure a local or locally advanced cancer is to eradicate the primary tumor. This should be done using effective methods that can assure local control, decrease the risk of progression and metastasis. The oncological surgery is the most important step in order to have this tumor control, beside radiotherapy and systemic therapy associated. In localized prostate cancer, surgery remains the gold standard between the multiple therapeutic modalities proposed.

CONCLUSION

The local control of solid malignant tumor is primordial in order to change the natural history of the disease and decrease its risk of progression. This is the goal of oncological surgery, and starting from these principles radical prostatectomy was favored.

[Oncological outcomes of prostate cancer surgery]

OBJECTIVE

Review of the oncological results of the radical prostatectomy as initial treatment of prostate cancer, according to the surgical approach and the risk stratification using D'Amico risk groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Review of literature using Medline databases and MedScience based on scientific relevance. Research focused on the oncological results of the radical prostatectomy in series and meta-analysis published since 10 years, taking into consideration the surgical approach if mentioned.

RESULTS

The characteristics of the operated tumor highly impact the local control authenticated by the pathologic stage and the rates of positive surgical margins (PSM), in addition to the survival and the biochemical recurrence. Surgical technique adapted according to the tumor treated, was a constant challenge to the urologist, who counter balance between the oncological control and the conservation of urinary and sexual function by conditioning the type of radical prostatectomy. Results of radical prostatectomy acceptable in terms of PSM and survival are not influenced by the surgical approach but by the degree of surgical experience.

CONCLUSION

Results of radical prostatectomy show the efficient local control of prostate cancer, taking into consideration the oncological rules and indications validated by multidisciplinary meetings, based on the national (CCAFU) and European oncological guidelines. Tendency is going toward considering radical prostatectomy indicated for patients with higher risk of disease progression, so integrating surgery in a multidisciplinary personalized approach.

Fetal growth restriction and intra-uterine growth restriction: guidelines for clinical practice from the French College of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians

Small for gestational age (SGA) is defined by weight (in utero estimated fetal weight or birth weight) below the 10th percentile (professional consensus). Severe SGA is SGA below the third percentile (professional consensus). Fetal growth restriction (FGR) or intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR) usually correspond with SGA associated with evidence indicating abnormal growth (with or without abnormal uterine and/or umbilical Doppler): arrest of growth or a shift in its rate measured longitudinally (at least two measurements, 3 weeks apart) (professional consensus). More rarely, they may correspond with inadequate growth, with weight near the 10th percentile without being SGA (LE2). Birthweight curves are not appropriate for the identification of SGA at early gestational ages because of the disorders associated with preterm delivery. In utero curves represent physiological growth more reliably (LE2). In diagnostic (or reference) ultrasound, the use of growth curves adjusted for maternal height and weight, parity and fetal sex is recommended (professional consensus). In screening, the use of adjusted curves must be assessed in pilot regions to determine the schedule for their subsequent introduction at national level. This choice is based on evidence of feasibility and the absence of any proven benefits for individualized curves for perinatal health in the general population (professional consensus). Children born with FGR or SGA have a higher risk of minor cognitive deficits, school problems and metabolic syndrome in adulthood. The role of preterm delivery in these complications is linked. The measurement of fundal height remains relevant to screening after 22 weeks of gestation (Grade C). The biometric ultrasound indicators recommended are: head circumference (HC), abdominal circumference (AC) and femur length (FL) (professional consensus). They allow calculation of estimated fetal weight (EFW), which, with AC, is the most relevant indicator for screening. Hadlock's EFW formula with three indicators (HC, AC and FL) should ideally be used (Grade B). The ultrasound report must specify the percentile of the EFW (Grade C). Verification of the date of conception is essential. It is based on the crown-rump length between 11 and 14 weeks of gestation (Grade A). The HC, AC and FL measurements must be related to the appropriate reference curves (professional consensus); those modelled from College Francais d'Echographie Fetale data are recommended because they are multicentere French curves (professional consensus). Whether or not a work-up should be performed and its content depend on the context (gestational age, severity of biometric abnormalities, other ultrasound data, parents' wishes, etc.) (professional consensus). Such a work-up only makes sense if it might modify pregnancy management and, in particular, if it has the potential to reduce perinatal and long-term morbidity and mortality (professional consensus). The use of umbilical artery Doppler velocimetry is associated with better newborn health status in populations at risk, especially in those with FGR (Grade A). This Doppler examination must be the first-line tool for surveillance of fetuses with SGA and FGR (professional consensus). A course of corticosteroids is recommended for women with an FGR fetus, and for whom delivery before 34 weeks of gestation is envisaged (Grade C). Magnesium sulphate should be prescribed for preterm deliveries before 32-33 weeks of gestation (Grade A). The same management should apply for preterm FGR deliveries (Grade C). In cases of FGR, fetal growth must be monitored at intervals of no less than 2 weeks, and ideally 3 weeks (professional consensus). Referral to a Level IIb or III maternity ward must be proposed in cases of EFW <1500g, potential birth before 32-34 weeks of gestation (absent or reversed umbilical end-diastolic flow, abnormal venous Doppler) or a fetal disease associated with any of these (professional consensus). Systematic caesarean deliveries for FGR are not recommended (Grade C). In cases of vaginal delivery, fetal heart rate must be monitored continuously during labour, and any delay before intervention must be faster than in low-risk situations (professional consensus). Regional anaesthesia is preferred in trials of vaginal delivery, as in planned caesareans. Morbidity and mortality are higher in SGA newborns than in normal-weight newborns of the same gestational age (LE3). The risk of neonatal mortality is two to four times higher in SGA newborns than in non-SGA preterm and full-term infants (LE2). Initial management of an SGA newborn includes combatting hypothermia by maintaining the heat chain (survival blanket), ventilation with a pressure-controlled insufflator, if necessary, and close monitoring of capillary blood glucose (professional consensus). Testing for antiphospholipids (anticardiolipin, circulating anticoagulant, anti-beta2-GP1) is recommended in women with previous severe FGR (below third percentile) that led to birth before 34 weeks of gestation (professional consensus). It is recommended that aspirin should be prescribed to women with a history of pre-eclampsia before 34 weeks of gestation, and/or FGR below the fifth percentile with a probable vascular origin (professional consensus). Aspirin must be taken in the evening or at least 8h after awakening (Grade B), before 16 weeks of gestation, at a dose of 100-160mg/day (Grade A).

The morbidity of laparoscopic radical cystectomy: analysis of postoperative complications in a multicenter cohort by the European Association of Urology (EAU)-Section of Uro-Technology

PURPOSE

To analyze postoperative complications after laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) and evaluate its risk factors in a large prospective cohort built by the ESUT across European centers involved in minimally invasive urology in the last decade.

METHODS

Patients were prospectively enrolled, and data were retrospectively analyzed. Only oncologic cases were included. There were no formal contraindications for LRC: Also patients with locally advanced tumors (pT4a), serious comorbidities, and previous major abdominal surgery were enrolled. All procedures were performed via a standard laparoscopic approach, with no robotic assistance. Early and late postoperative complications were graded according to the modified Clavien-Dindo classification. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to explore possible risk factors for developing complications.

RESULTS

A total of 548 patients were available for final analysis, of which 258 (47%) experienced early complications during the first 90 days after LRC. Infectious, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary were, respectively, the most frequent systems involved. Postoperative ileus occurred in 51/548 (9.3%) patients. A total of 65/548 (12%) patients underwent surgical re-operation, and 10/548 (2%) patients died in the early postoperative period. Increased BMI (p = 0.024), blood loss (p = 0.021), and neoadjuvant treatment (p = 0.016) were significantly associated with a greater overall risk of experiencing complications on multivariate logistic regression. Long-term complications were documented in 64/548 (12%), and involved mainly stenosis of the uretero-ileal anastomosis or incisional hernias.

CONCLUSIONS

In this multicenter, prospective, large database, LRC appears to be a safe but morbid procedure. Standardized complication reporting should be encouraged to evaluate objectively a surgical procedure and permit comparison across studies.

Weekly paclitaxel versus ADT alone in localized high-risk prostate cancer: Results of a single-institution phase II trial

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Background: Adjuvant chemotherapy’s role after radical prostatectomy (RP) remains controversial in localized high-risk prostate cancer (HRPC). This phase II trial assessed the combination of weekly paclitaxel (WP) with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in this population. Methods: All eligible patients (pts) had undergone a laparoscopic RP with pelvic lymph node dissection for a localized HRPC defined with ≥1 of the following criteria: T3b-T4 post-operated Gleason score (GS) ≥8, PSA≥ 20 ng/mL, pN+, in Henri Mondor Hospital. Pts were randomly assigned to either triptoreline 11.25mg every 3 months during 3 years and 8 cycles of WP 100 mg/ m2 (WP arm, n=21) or triptoreline alone (ADT arm, n=26). The primary endpoint is disease free survival (DFS); events=PSA relapse, clinical and radiographic relapse, death. The planned number of pts was 152. Toxicity results indicated a good tolerability with neutropenic fever in 4.3% (n=1), and no negative impact on QoL in the WP arm (Ploussard, Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2010). Here we report 8-year DFS and overall survival (OS) results. Results: Between February 2005 and October 2007, 47 pts were enrolled. This trial was terminated prematurely because of slow accrual. After a mean follow-up of 8.4 y, we identified a PSA relapse in 25 pts (53%) and castrate-resistant prostate cancer occurred in 6 pts. No statistically difference was found in terms of either biochemical or clinical DFS (bDFS, cDFS) and OS: 8-year bDFS rate: 50% [n=11/22] in the WP arm vs 46% [n=12/26] in the ADT arm (p=0.79); 8-year cDFS rate: 95.4% [n=21/22] in the WP arm vs 88.5% [n=23/26] in the ADT arm (p=0.38). The 8-year OS rate is 90.9% (n=20/22) and 84.6% (n=22/26) respectively with no difference between treatment arms (p=0.51). No clinical, histological or biological variable demonstrated a difference in either 8-year bDFS, cDFS or OS rate. Conclusions: Provided that this trial is probably underpowered to detect a DFS benefit, adjuvant weekly paclitaxel after RP was not associated with any significant reduction in the risk of biological relapse or death compared to ADT alone in patients with localized HRPC. Chemotherapy should be only proposed in dedicated clinical trial for localized HRPC.

Adjustable continence therapy (ProACT™) after male sling failure for patients with post-radical prostatectomy urinary incontinence: a prospective study with one-year follow-up

PURPOSE

To assess the effects of the ProACT™ device as a second-line treatment for persistent incontinence after male sling insertion.

METHODS

Twenty consecutive patients were treated with the ProACT™ device due to persistent urinary incontinence following male sling insertion (9 AdVance™, 9 TOMS™, 2 InVance™). All balloons were implanted using a combination of fluoroscopic imaging and fibroscopic retrovision. Urinary symptoms were assessed prior to male sling insertion (T0) and before (T1) and 1 year after the ProACT™ insertion (T2) using questionnaires (ICIQ, USP, and ULCA-PCI-urinary bother) and by determining the number of pads used daily.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study population at T1 was 68.6 ± 9 years. The mean volume of adjustment at T2 was 4.5 ± 2.7 mL. The previous sling did not cause any technical difficulties during ProACT™ insertion. Late wound infections occurred in the two patients who had been previously treated with the InVance sling and required removal of all implanted materials (Clavien-Dindo classification IIIb). Improvement in mean urinary scores was noted in the remaining patients (n = 18) through T0, T1, and T2, respectively: The ICIQ scores were 16.8 ± 2.6, 13.1 ± 3.4, and 5.7 ± 5.7 (P < 0.0001); USP stress urinary incontinence scores were 8 ± 1.8, 5.6 ± 2.2, and 2.4 ± 2.8, (P < 0.0001); USP overactive bladder symptom scores were 6.8 ± 4.3, 7.6 ± 4.3, and 4.1 ± 3.5 (P = 0.008), UCLA-PCI urinary bother scores were 7.1 ± 11.3, 28.6 ± 12.9, and 69.6 ± 31.6 (P < 0.0001), and number of pads used were 2.9 ± 1, 2 ± 1, and 0.3 ± 0.9 (P < 0.0001). USP obstructive symptoms were 0.4 ± 1, 1 ± 1.6, and 1.3 ± 1.4 (P = 0.19).

CONCLUSIONS

The Pro-ACT™ device may provide additional benefits for improving continence in case of persistent incontinence following male sling insertion.