Temsirolimus in VEGF-refractory metastatic renal cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Temsirolimus is an i.v. administered inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin with activity in the first-line setting in poor-prognosis patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The efficacy of this agent after failure of prior inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is unknown.

METHODS

a retrospective review of patients with metastatic RCC treated at the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute and three regional cancer centers in Ontario, Canada, through the Torisel (temsirolimus) Compassionate Use Program was conducted. Demographic, toxicity and response data were collected.

RESULTS

a total of 87 patients with metastatic RCC were identified who had previously been treated with inhibitors of VEGF subsequently treated with temsirolimus. The majority of patients had either intermediate or poor-prognosis disease at baseline. Expected toxic effects including hyperglycemia and noninfectious pneumonitis were observed. The RECIST-defined objective response rate was 5% and the stable disease rate was 65%. The median time to progression (TTP) was 3.9 months (95% confidence interval 2.8-4.8 months), and median overall survival was 11.2 months.

CONCLUSIONS

in a cohort of pre-treated intermediate to poor-prognosis patients with metastatic RCC, weekly i.v. temsirolimus is associated with predictable, but manageable toxicity, and a TTP approaching 4 months.

Clinical experience with an antimicrobial hydrogel dressing on recalcitrant wounds

OBJECTIVE

To assess the performance of a newly-introduced, iodine-based antimicrobial wound dressing (Iodozyme) within normal clinical practice.

METHOD

51 case records were collected from 30 wound care locations in England. Reporting clinicians used Iodozyme on one or more difficult wounds of their own choice (of various aetiologies) from their current case loads. Basic patient-specific data were collected, relating to both their own and their patients' experience with the product over a 6-week period of treatment (or less, if healing was achieved earlier). In every case, the wound continued to be treated in accordance with local 'best practice', in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and by the same clinician. Each wound was assessed in terms of size, condition (margins and wound bed), exudate (type and amount), comfort/pain, overall satisfaction (by patient and clinician) and healing status (in terms of healed, improved, static or deteriorated). In addition, clinicians were asked to use their own local criteria and parameters where possible, with general guidance as and when it was needed.

RESULTS

The mean duration of all wounds was 25.8 months (median 13 and range 1-312). Nine patients had a wound of less than six months' duration, and 17 had one of two years' or more duration. Within the 6-week study period, 6 wounds healed fully, 37 were judged to have improved, 7 remained static and 1 deteriorated. Overall, the majority of clinicians and patients were 'satisfied' or 'very satisfied' with product performance and 77% of clinicians concluded that the dressing was 'better' or 'much better' than other dressings they had previously used on similar wounds.

CONCLUSION

While we cannot generalise from this study, the encouraging clinical results and positive patient and clinician feedback lead us to believe that Iodozyme is a dressing worthy of consideration when treating chronic wounds. These encouraging preliminary findings are now to be followed up with a randomised control trial.

Sunitinib and sorafenib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients with renal insufficiency

BACKGROUND

Although clinical trials with sunitinib and sorafenib in metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) have included patients with moderate renal insufficiency (RI), the incidence of renal toxicity induced by their administration as well as the safety of these agents in patients with more severe renal insufficiency has not been extensively reported.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with mRCC treated with vascular endothelial growth factor-targeted therapy with either RI at time of treatment initiation or who developed RI during therapy were identified. RI was defined as serum creatinine (Cr) > or = 1.9 mg/dl or a creatinine clearance (CrCl) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) for >3 months before treatment. Objective outcomes and toxic effects of treatment were also measured.

RESULTS

A total of 39 patients were identified: 21 patients who initiated therapy with preexisting RI and 18 patients who developed RI during treatment. In patients with RI at the start of therapy, Cr increased in 57%, and 48% of patients required dose reduction. The median time to maximum RI was 6.6 months (range 0.4-19.6 months). In patients who developed RI while receiving therapy, median serum Cr and CrCl at the start of therapy were 1.5 mg/dl (range 1.1-1.8) and 61 ml/min (range 43-105), respectively. Patients experienced a median increase in serum Cr of 0.8 mg/dl (range 0.3-2.8) and a median decrease in CrCl of 25 ml/min (range 8.54-64.76). Overall, 5 patients (24%) achieved a partial response (PR), 13 (62%) had stable disease (SD) and 3 (14%) had progressive disease (PD). Estimated progression-free survival (PFS) was 8.4 months. The most common toxic effects (all grades) were fatigue (81%), hand-foot syndrome (HFS) (52%) and diarrhea (48%). Six patients experienced grade III toxicity (29%), primarily HFS.

CONCLUSIONS

Sunitinib and sorafenib can be safely given to patients with renal insufficiency, provided adequate monitoring of renal function. For those patients developing an increase in Cr, dose modifications may be required to allow continuation of therapy. The clinical outcome of patients with baseline renal dysfunction and patients who develop renal dysfunction does not appear to be compromised.

First-line therapy with sunitinib in advanced renal cell carcinoma: interpretation of the overall survival data from ASCO 2008

Sunitinib is now a standard first-line therapy for metastatic clear-cell kidney cancer. This paper focuses on interpretation of the overall survival data presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology from the pivotal phase iii trial comparing sunitinib with interferon in the first-line setting. The previously published progression-free survival and response rate data from that study are also summarized.

Does isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis matter?

OBJECTIVES

To describe the structure-pain and structure-function associations in isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PF OA).

DESIGN

Population-based study of 819 adults aged > or =50 years with knee pain. The severity of knee pain, stiffness and disability were measured using the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Three radiographic views of the knee were obtained.

RESULTS

Isolated PF OA was mild in 142 participants and moderate/severe in 44. Mean WOMAC scores for pain, stiffness and function were associated with radiographic severity of PF OA (F(2,389)=4.7, P=0.01; F(2,392)=4.5, P=0.012 and F(2,392)=6.1, P=0.002, respectively, adjusted for age, gender, and body mass index (BMI)). Post-hoc tests demonstrated statistically significant differences for mean pain, stiffness and function score between those with mild PF OA and those with normal X-rays. In task-specific items there was evidence of a stepped response, the proportion of participants with moderate/severe/extreme pain or difficulty in performing everyday tasks increasing with the severity of PF OA. The strongest association was observed for pain going up and down stairs (age-gender-BMI adjusted odds ratio (OR) 3.0; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4,6.6. Functional tasks most strongly related to radiographic severity were: descending stairs (OR 3.2; (CI 1.5,6.5)), getting in/out of the bath (3.2; 1.5,6.6), getting in/out of a car (3.0; 1.4,6.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Mild isolated PF OA is significantly associated with symptoms of pain, stiffness and functional limitation. Further research on its recognition in clinical practice and the development of targeted treatments to prevent or slow progression are warranted.

The impact of head injury neurobehavioural sequelae on personal relationships: Preliminary findings

BACKGROUND

Existing evidence suggests that neurobehavioural disability is a frequent legacy of serious head trauma and has a major impact on the psychological well-being of relatives and friends of people with brain injuries.

OBJECTIVE

To explore which neurobehavioural legacies of serious head trauma have the greatest impact on personal relationships and increase the risk of relationship breakdown.

METHOD

Forty-eight partners of people who had suffered serious head trauma were asked to complete a 12-item measure to rate how different neurobehavioural characteristics had adversely affected their relationship with the brain injured person. Twenty-three couples who had divorced or separated from their injured partner in the years following injury comprised the 'separated' group, 25 still in the relationship at the time data were collected comprised the 'together' group.

RESULTS

Even though many neurobehavioural characteristics of brain injury were reported by partners of both the separated and the together group as placing a strain on the relationship only mood swings accounted for a significant between groups difference [t(40.13) = 3.33, p = 0.002]. The magnitude of the difference in the means was large (712 = 0.19).

CONCLUSIONS

Unpredictable patterns of behaviour, as perceived by partners of brain injured individuals, impose the greatest burden on personal relationships and may contribute to relationship breakdown.

Engaging parliamentarians as advocates for women's health: findings from Kenya and Namibia

Members of parliament (MPs) are well placed to promote national health policies that improve women's access to quality health care, including HIV services. To catalyse political will and leadership, the International Centre for Research on Women, Centre for the Study of AIDS at the University of Pretoria, International Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS and Realising Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative, conducted the Parliamentarians for Women's Health project in select African countries. This paper focus on participatory community assessments - a methodology used by the project to improve MPs' understanding of women's health issues, particularly HIV/AIDS, and to increase their engagement with civil society in order to better represent women's health needs and concerns. In-depth interviews with eight MPs from Kenya and Namibia highlight the value of the assessments in identifying women's health problems and service gaps. The MPs reported that they undertook various activities after the assessments, including gathering more information about women's health from local communities, pushing for new parliamentary committees to be a platform for health issues, using the information from the assessments to inform policy, more carefully reviewing budget allocations and establishing relationships with civil society. Participatory methods can be used to meet political leaders' needs for information and communities' needs to influence policymaking that affects their lives.

A phase I pharmacokinetic (PK) study of MBP-426, a novel liposome encapsulated oxaliplatin

2535

Background: MBP-426 is a novel liposome encapsulated oxaliplatin (L-OHP) formulation bound to human transferrin, developed to improve the safety and efficacy of L -OHP through the prolongation of circulation time and by targeting transferrin receptors on tumor cells. In vitro, MBP-426 is effective against various human cancer cell lines. This study assessed the toxicity and safety of intravenously (IV) administered MBP-426, including defining the maximally tolerated dose (MTD), dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), and pharmacokinetics (PKs). Methods: Patients (pts) with advanced/ metastatic solid tumors refractory to conventional therapy received MBP-426 as 2–4 hrs IV infusion every 3 weeks in cohorts of 3 to 6 pts. Enrollment required age > 18 yrs, ECOG Performance Status 0–2 and adequate organ functions. Tumor response was assessed by RECIST. Plasma was sampled for PK. Results: 39 pts were dosed, median age 59 (range 27–79), 25 (64%) male. The common tumor types were colorectal 23 (60%), pancreas 3 (8%), and neuroendocrine 3 (8%). Most pts were heavily pretreated with chemotherapy or chemoradiation. 77% pts had received oxaliplatin or cisplatin. Eleven dose levels ranging from 6 to 400 mg/m2 were evaluated. At 400 mg/m2, 2/3 pts had DLT as grade 4 thrombocytopenia and prolonged thrombocytopenia (1 pt each). The recommended phase II dose is 226 mg/m2 where 1/6 pts had grade 4 thrombocytopenia. Grade 3–4 toxicities included fatigue (3 pts), hypercholesterolemia (3 pts), anemia (2 pts) and constipation (1 pt). Common grade 1–2 toxicities were nausea and/or vomiting (59%), fatigue (43%), infusion reaction (15%), thrombocytopenia (15%), anemia (13%) and peripheral neuropathy (13%). 15 pts had stable disease after 2 cycles. 3 pts with colon carcinoma refractory to conventional oxaliplatin had stable disease for 4, 5 and 6 cycles respectively, one of them had 25% decrease in target lesions. PKs of MBP-426 were dose-proportional. Main PK parameters at 226 mg/m2 were AUC 2141+419 μg.hr/ml, and t½ 89+92 hr, comparing favorably with intact L-OHP. Conclusions: MBP-426 has a favorable safety profile with thrombocytopenia as main DLT. The PK target concentration of L-OHP was exceeded at higher doses. Based on PK and toxicity profiles, the recommended dose is 226 mg/m2.

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Sunitinib in patients (pts) with unresectable primary renal cell carcinoma (RCC)

5096

Background: Sunitinib inhibits VEGF and related receptors, with high tumor shrinkage rates in metastatic (met) RCC. Shrinkage of primary tumors has been observed, although prospective investigation is lacking. The ability of sunitinib to convert primary RCC tumors from unresectable to resectable is of high clinical interest. Methods: Pts with histologically-confirmed RCC with an unresectable primary tumor with or without met disease were enrolled on a single-arm phase II trial. Primary tumors were unresectable due to ≥ 1 of the following: large tumor size, bulky lymphadenopathy, encasement of renal vessels, IVC thrombosis or proximity to vital structures. Pts received 50 mg sunitinib continuous dosing in repeated 6-week cycles. Staging by CT scans or MRI was done at baseline and every 2 cycles. A Simon 2-stage design was employed to test the alternative hypothesis of a conversion to resectability rate of 20% versus the null hypothesis of 5%; β = 0.8, α = 0.05 (n = 31). Results: 18 pts have been enrolled; 1 excluded due to a non-RCC diagnosis. Pts were unresectable due to bulky lymphadenopathy (6), IVC thrombosis (4), proximity to vital structures (4) or tumor size (3), although most pts had multiple factors. Median age among 14 evaluable pts was 61 years (range, 37–80), 59% male, 76% ECOG PS 0; 79% had distant met disease. The 14 evaluable pts have received a median of 3 cycles of therapy (range, 1–10+). Three pts (21%) have undergone primary tumor resection; viable RCC was identified in all specimens with no unexpected surgical morbidity. Nine pts (53%) had primary tumor reduction (median 19%; range, -64% to -1%). Overall, median best % change in tumor burden was 4.9% reduction for primary tumors (range, -43.1% to +8.5%) and 10.7% reduction for met sites (range, -89.5% to +28.6%). Median PFS is 4.9 months. Eleven pts (79%) discontinued therapy; 8 for PD, 1 for adverse events and 2 following surgery which removed all visible disease. Eight pts (57%) experienced grade 3 toxicity including thrombocytopenia, fatigue, hypertension, anemia, hemoptysis, and hand-foot syndrome; 1 pt had grade 4 neutropenia. Conclusions: Sunitinib has activity in unresectable primary RCC tumors, permitting resection in some pts. Continued prospective investigation is required to optimize patient selection and timing of surgery.

[Table: see text]

Effects of repeated ankle plantar-flexions on H-reflex and body sway during standing

The study investigated relations between effects of repeated ankle plantar-flexion movements exercise on the soleus Hoffmann (H) reflex and on postural body sway when maintaining upright stance. Ten young volunteers performed five sets of ankle plantar-flexions of both lower limbs. Assessment of the feet centre-of-pressure (COP) displacement and H-reflex tests were carried out in quiet stance before, during and after the exercise. H-max and M-max responses were obtained in 8 subjects and reported as the peak-to-peak amplitudes of the right soleus muscle electromyographic waves. Mean dispersion of COP along the antero-posterior direction increased significantly during the exercise; whilst the overall H-reflex response indicated a reduction without a concomitant modification in the M-max response. H-reflex responses, however, varied between participants during the first sets of exercise, showing two main trends of modulation: either depression or early facilitation followed by reduction of the H-reflex amplitude. The extent of reflex modulation in standing position was correlated to the concentric work performed during the exercise (r=0.85; p<0.01), but not to the antero-posterior COP dispersion. These results suggest that during a repeated ankle plantar-flexions exercise, modulation of the H-reflex measured in upright stance differs across individuals and is not related to changes of postural sway.