[Risk factors of blood loss during liver transplantation in children with biliary atresia and its influence on prognosis]

Objectives: To study the risk factors for massive intraoperative blood loss in children with biliary atresia who underwent liver transplantation for the first time,and to analyze their impacts on graft survival,hospital stay and postoperative complications. Methods: The data of 613 children with biliary atresia who underwent liver transplantation at Department of Pediatric Organ Transplantation,Tianjin First Central Hospital from January 2015 to December 2018 were collected and analyzed. There were 270 males and 343 females, aged 7.4 (3.9) months (range: 3.2 to 148.4 months), the body weight of the recipients were (7.8±3.5) kg (range: 4.0 to 43.3 kg).According to the 85^th quad of estimated blood loss(EBL),they were divided into two groups:massive EBL group(96 cases) and non massive EBL group(517 cases). The age,height,weight and other factors between the two groups were analyzed and compared. Univariate Logistic regression and multiple stepwise regression were used to determine the risk factors of massive EBL. Then,the postoperative complications of the two groups,including portal vein thrombosis and portal vein anastomotic stenosis etc.,were analyzed and compared by chi square test. Kaplan Meier curve and log rank test were used to analyze the recipient and graft survival rate of the two groups. Results: During the study period,713 transplants were performed and 613 patients were enrolled in the study. Ninety-six patients(15.7%) had massive EBL,and the postoperative hospital stay was 21(16) days(range:2 to 116 days),the hospital stay of non-massive EBL group was 22(12)days(range:3 to 138 days)(U=24 224.0,P=0.32). Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the recipient's weight,Kasai portoenterostomy,platelet count,operation time and cold ischemia time were the risk factors of massive EBL during biliary atresia transplantation. Multiple regression analysis showed that cold ischemia time ≥10 hours,prolonged operation time(≥8 hours) and body weight<5.5 kg were important independent risk factors for massive EBL.The incidence of portal vein thrombosis,hepatic vein stenosis,intestinal leakage and pulmonary infection in patients with massive EBL were significantly higher than those without massive EBL(3.1% vs. 0.8%,9.4% vs. 2.1%,6.3% vs. 0.8%,30.2% vs. 20.1%,all P<0.05). The 3-year overall graft and recipient survival rate were significantly lower in patients with massive EBL than those without massive EBL(87.5% vs. 95.7%,P=0.001;84.4% vs. 95.4%,P<0.01,respectively). Conclusions: In children with biliary atresia who underwent liver transplantation for the first time,the effective control of intraoperative bleeding should shorten the operation time and reduce the cold ischemia time as far as possible,on the premise of ensuring the safety of operation. For children without growth disorder,the weight of children should be increased to more than 5.5 kg as far as possible to receive the operation. Reducing intraoperative bleeding is of great significance to the prognosis of children.

Five-year maintenance of clinical response and health-related quality of life improvements in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis treated with guselkumab: results from VOYAGE 1 and VOYAGE 2

BACKGROUND

Psoriasis is a chronic disease requiring long-term therapy.

OBJECTIVES

Physician- and patient-reported outcomes were evaluated through week 252 in VOYAGE 1 and VOYAGE 2.

METHODS

In total, 1829 patients were randomized at baseline to receive guselkumab 100 mg every 8 weeks, placebo or adalimumab. Patients receiving placebo crossed over to guselkumab at week 16. Patients receiving adalimumab crossed over to guselkumab at week 52 in VOYAGE 1, and randomized withdrawal and retreatment occurred at weeks 28-76 in VOYAGE 2; all patients then received open-label guselkumab through week 252. Efficacy and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) endpoints were analysed through week 252. Safety was monitored through week 264.

RESULTS

The proportions of patients in the guselkumab group who achieved clinical responses at week 252 in VOYAGE 1 and VOYAGE 2, respectively, were 84·1% and 82·0% [≥ 90% improvement in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI)]; 82·4% and 85·0% [Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) 0 or 1]; 52·7% and 53·0% (100% improvement in PASI) and 54·7% and 55·5% (IGA 0). HRQoL endpoints were achieved as follows: 72·7% and 71·1% of patients (Dermatology Life Quality Index 0 or 1: no effect on patient's life); 42·4% and 42·0% [Psoriasis Symptoms and Signs Diary (PSSD) symptom score = 0] and 33·0% and 31·0% (PSSD sign score = 0). As measured in VOYAGE 2 only, approximately 45% of patients achieved ≥ 5-point reduction in Short Form-36 physical and mental component scores, and 80% reported no anxiety or depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores < 8). Similar findings were reported for adalimumab crossovers. These effects were maintained from week 52 in VOYAGE 1 and week 100 in VOYAGE 2. No new safety signals were identified.

CONCLUSIONS

Guselkumab maintains high levels of clinical response and improvement in patient-reported outcomes through 5 years in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

AB0527 CORRELATIONS BETWEEN REDUCTIONS IN FATIGUE SEVERITY AND IMPROVEMENTS IN PHYSICAL FUNCTION AND CLINICAL RESPONSE IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: RESULTS FROM THE PHASE 3 DISCOVER PROGRAM

Background:

In patients (pts) with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), fatigue is a major driver of perceived impact of disease and has been identified as an important domain to be assessed in clinical trials.1,2 The association between fatigue and other PsA domains (eg, physical function) or clinical response is not well understood.

Objectives:

Fatigue was measured with the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT)-Fatigue questionnaire in the pivotal DISCOVER-1 and DISCOVER-2 Phase 3 studies of guselkumab (GUS) vs placebo (PBO). This post hoc analysis explores the correlation between FACIT-Fatigue and physical function and clinical response in the DISCOVER program.

Methods:

This analysis used pooled data from pts (N=1120) treated with GUS or PBO. In DISCOVER-1 and DISCOVER-2, 381 pts with active PsA (swollen joint count [SJC] ≥3, tender joint count [TJC] ≥3, C-reactive protein [CRP] ≥0.3 mg/dL) and 739 pts with active PsA (SJC ≥5, TJC ≥5, CRP ≥0.6 mg/dL) and inadequate response to standard therapies, respectively, were randomized 1:1:1 to GUS 100 mg Q4W; GUS 100 mg at W0, W4, then Q8W; or PBO. PBO pts switched to GUS 100 mg Q4W at W24. The FACIT-Fatigue questionnaire has 13 items that assess self-reported fatigue/tiredness over the last 7 days. Items are scored from 0 (very much fatigued) to 4 (not at all fatigued). FACIT-Fatigue response was defined as an increase of ≥4 points from baseline. Physical function was evaluated with the Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI). HAQ-DI response was defined as a decrease of ≥0.35 points from baseline. Clinical response was defined as achievement of ≥20% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology (ACR 20) criteria. Relationships between FACIT-Fatigue and HAQ-DI at W8/16/24 were assessed by Pearson correlation coefficients. Mean changes in HAQ-DI scores at W8/16/24 were summarized in FACIT-Fatigue responders and nonresponders. A logistic regression model was applied to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for achievement of HAQ-DI and ACR 20 response by FACIT-Fatigue response status at each visit. A multiple linear regression model was used to evaluate the association between FACIT-Fatigue and HAQ-DI at W24 after adjusting for SJC, TJC, CRP, and pt assessment of pain.

Results:

FACIT-Fatigue and HAQ-DI scores and changes from baseline were negatively correlated at W8, W16, and W24 (Table 1). Mean changes in HAQ-DI were −0.31, −0.43, and −0.48 at W8, W16, and W24, respectively, in FACIT-Fatigue responders and −0.06, −0.07, and −0.09, respectively, in FACIT-Fatigue nonresponders. FACIT-Fatigue responders were significantly more likely than nonresponders to achieve HAQ-DI and ACR 20 response (OR [95% CI] at W8, 2.8 [2.2-3.7] and 2.4 [1.9-3.1]; at W16, 3.6 [2.8-4.7] and 2.9 [2.3-3.7]; and at W24, 4.4 [3.4-5.7] and 3.2 [2.5-4.2], respectively; Figure 1). Correlations between FACIT-Fatigue and HAQ-DI remained significant after adjusting for SJC, TJC, CRP, and pt assessment of pain.

Conclusion:

In pts with PsA, fatigue response is a clinically meaningful predictor of improvements in physical function and achievement of ACR 20 response, reinforcing the importance of assessing fatigue in PsA disease management.

References:

[1]Leung YY et al. J Rheumatol. 2020;96:46-9.

[2]Gudu T et al. Joint Bone Spine. 2016;83:439-43.

Table 1.

Correlation* of FACIT-Fatigue and HAQ-DI

VisitHAQ-DI and FACIT Fatigue ScoresChanges From Baseline in HAQ-DI and FACIT-Fatigue ScoresW8−0.61 (p<0.0001)−0.42 (p<0.0001)W16−0.60 (p<0.0001)−0.47 (p<0.0001)W24−0.62 (p<0.0001)−0.50 (p<0.0001)

*Determined by Pearson correlation coefficient; p-values derived from hypothesis tests of correlation ρ=0 (ie, no correlation).

Figure 1

Disclosure of Interests:

Arthur Kavanaugh Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, Janssen, Eli Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Genentech, Janssen, Eli Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Yan Liu Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Atul Deodhar Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, GSK, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Philip J Mease Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, SUN, and UCB; and personal fees from Boehringer Ingelheim and GlaxoSmithKline, Philip Helliwell Consultant of: Galapagos, Janssen, Novartis, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Janssen, Pfizer, Laure Gossec Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Biogen, Celgene, Gilead, Janssen, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Samsung Bioepis, Sanofi-Aventis, UCB, Grant/research support from: Amgen, Galapagos, Janssen, Eli Lilly, Pfizer, Sandoz, Sanofi, Alexa Kollmeier Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Elizabeth C Hsia Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, May Shawi Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Global Services, LLC, Chenglong Han Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Proton Rahman Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Grant/research support from: Janssen and Novartis.

POS1048 IN PHASE-3 TRIALS DISCOVER 1 & 2, GUSELKUMAB REDUCED FATIGUE OVER 52 WEEKS IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND DEMONSTRATED INDEPENDENT TREATMENT EFFECTS ON FATIGUE AFTER ADJUSTMENT FOR CLINICAL RESPONSE (ACR20)

Background:

DISCOVER 1 & 2 are phase-3 trials of guselkumab (GUS, an IL-23 inhibitor) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). In both trials, treatment with GUS led to significantly more improvement than placebo (PBO) in the primary endpoint (American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria [ACR20]) and in other measures of arthritis and psoriasis at week (w) 24,1,2 and these improvements were maintained through 1 year of active treatment.3,4

Objectives:

To evaluate the effect of GUS on fatigue in DISCOVER 1 & 2 using the patient reported outcome (PRO) FACIT-Fatigue, which has demonstrated content validity and strong psychometric properties in clinical trials.5

Methods:

DISCOVER 1 & 2 enrolled patients with active PsA, despite non-biologic DMARDS or NSAIDS, who were biologic naïve except ~30% of patients in DISCOVER 1 who had received 1-2 TNFi. Patients were randomized (1:1:1) in a blinded fashion to subcutaneous GUS 100 mg at w0, w4, then every (q) 8w; GUS 100 mg q4w; or matching PBO. At w24, PBO patients were switched to GUS q4w. Concomitant treatment with select non-biologic DMARDS, oral corticosteroids, and NSAIDs was allowed. The FACIT-Fatigue is a 13-item PRO assessing fatigue and its impact on daily activities and function over the past 7 days, total score ranging from 0 to 52, higher score denoting less fatigue. A change of ≥4 points is considered clinically meaningful.5 The change from baseline in FACIT-Fatigue presented below is based on observed data. Mediation analysis6 was applied to the treatment effect of GUS on FACIT-Fatigue to estimate the natural direct and indirect effects, after adjusting for ACR20 response (Table 1).

Results:

At baseline in DISCOVER 1 & 2, the mean FACIT-fatigue scores (SD) were 30.4 (10.4) and 29.7 (9.7), respectively, indicating that patients with PsA experienced fatigue worse than the general population. At w24 in the DISCOVER trials, treatment with GUS led to significant improvements in FACIT-Fatigue scores compared with PBO, as early as w16 in DISCOVER 1 and w8 in DISCOVER 2. Improvements in fatigue were similar between GUS q4w and q8w doses, and the improvements at w24 were maintained through w52 (Figure 1). After a switch to GUS q4w at w24, PBO patients achieved FACIT-Fatigue scores that were comparable to those of GUS patients (Figure 1). 54%-63% of GUS patients compared with 35%-46% of PBO patients achieved clinically meaningful improvement (≥4 points) in FACIT-Fatigue at w24 (P≤0.003). At w52, 61%-70% of both GUS and PBO to GUS groups reached this improvement. As evaluated by mediation analysis at w24, GUS had independent positive treatment effects on fatigue (12%-36% in the q8w GUS dosing group and 69%-70% in the q4w GUS group) after adjustment for ACR20 response (Table 1).

Conclusion:

In 2 phase-3 trials, GUS treatment improved fatigue when compared to PBO during PBO-controlled periods and maintained improvements through 1 year of active treatment. Substantial proportions of those effects were independent of the effects on ACR20, especially for the q4W dosing group.

References:

[1]Deodhar et al. Lancet 2020;395:1115

[2]Mease et al. Lancet 2020;395:1126

[3]Ritchlin et al. EULAR20. SAT0397

[4]McInnes et al. EULAR20. SAT0402

[5]Cella et al. J Patient-Reported Outcomes 2019;3:30

[6]Valeri et al. Psychologic Meth 2013;18:137

Table 1.

Mediation Analysis: Guselkumab Has Direct Effects and Indirect Effects (Mediated through ACR20) on Fatigue in PsA

EffectGUS 100 mg q8w vs. PBO (95% CI)GUS 100 mg q4w vs. PBO (95% CI)DISCOVER-1Total Effect3.1 (1.0, 5.2)(p<0.02)3.8 (1.9, 5.4)(p<0.02)% Direct Effect11.7%68.5%% Indirect effect mediated by ACR2088.3%31.5%DISCOVER-2Total Effect4.0 (2.4, 5.5)(p<0.02)3.6 (2.1, 5.0)(p<0.02)% Direct Effect36.3%69.7%% Indirect effect mediated by ACR2063.7%30.3%

ACR, American College of Rheumatology; CI, confidence interval; GUS, guselkumab; PBO, placebo; PsA, psoriatic arthritis; q4W, every 4 weeks; q8W, every 8 weeks

Disclosure of Interests:

Proton Rahman Speakers bureau: Received speakers fees from Abbott, AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Celgene, Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Grant/research support from: Received grant/research support from Janssen and Novartis, consultation fees from Abbott, AbbVie, Amgen, BMS, Celgene, Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, and Pfizer, Philip Helliwell Consultant of: Consultation fees paid to charity (AbbVie, Amgen, Pfizer, UCB) or himself (Celgene, Galapagos), Grant/research support from: Received grants/research support paid to charity (AbbVie, Janssen, Novartis), Atul Deodhar Speakers bureau: Received speakers fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myer Squibb (BMS), Eli Lilly, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Consultant of: Received consultation fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myer Squibb (BMS), Eli Lilly, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Grant/research support from: Received grant/research support from AbbVie, Eli Lilly, GSK, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Alexa Kollmeier Shareholder of: Shareholder of Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Employee of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Elizabeth C Hsia Shareholder of: Shareholder of Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Employee of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Bei Zhou Shareholder of: Shareholder of Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Employee of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Xiwu Lin Shareholder of: Shareholder of Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Employee of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Chenglong Han Shareholder of: Shareholder of Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Employee of Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Philip J Mease Speakers bureau: Received speakers fees from Abbott, Amgen, Biogen Idec, BMS, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Janssen, Pfizer, UCB, Consultant of: Received consultation fees from Abbott, Amgen, Biogen Idec, BMS, Celgene Corporation, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharmaceutical, UCB, Grant/research support from: Received grant/research support from Abbott, Amgen, Biogen Idec, BMS, Celgene Corporation, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Sun Pharmaceutical, UCB.

POS1028 PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS & CLINICAL FEATURES ASSOCIATE WITH HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN BIO-NAÏVE PATIENTS WITH ACTIVE PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS THROUGH WEEK 24 OF THE DISCOVER-2 STUDY

Background:

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by peripheral arthritis, axial inflammation, dactylitis, enthesitis, & skin/nail psoriasis. Patients (pts) with PsA often experience reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) due to these features.

Objectives:

Using EuroQoL-5 dimension-5 level (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire index & visual analog scale (EQ-VAS) scores, we assessed HRQoL in pts with PsA & its association with pt characteristics & clinical features of PsA, including fatigue.

Methods:

The Phase 3 DISCOVER-2 trial evaluated guselkumab (GUS), a human monoclonal antibody targeting the IL-23p19-subunit, in bio-naïve adults with active PsA (swollen joint count [SJC] ≥5, tender joint count [TJC] ≥5, C-reactive protein [CRP] ≥0.6 mg/dL) despite standard therapies.1 Pts were randomized 1:1:1 to GUS 100 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W); GUS 100 mg at Week 0 (W0), W4, then Q8W; or placebo (PBO). EQ-5D-5L index assesses mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, & anxiety/depression. EQ-VAS assesses pt health state. Spearman correlation testing was used to evaluate relationships between baseline (BL) pt characteristics & PsA clinical features & BL EQ-5D-5L index & EQ-VAS scores (Figure 1). Employing absolute observed scores at both W0 & W24, univariate linear regression was used to assess the association between EQ-5D-5L index & EQ-VAS scores & pt characteristics/PsA clinical features. Variables with p<0.20 in the univariate analysis were included in a multivariate analysis employing mixed-effect model for repeated measures (MMRM), controlling for all other variables; resulting p values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Least-squares (LS) mean changes in EQ-5D-5L index & EQ-VAS were assessed at W24 using MMRM.

Results:

Among 738 pts, BL EQ-5D-5L index & EQ-VAS scores were moderately to strongly correlated (ie, ≥0.4) with BL pt-reported pain (0-10 VAS), physical function (Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index [HAQ-DI]), fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue [FACIT-F] scale), & 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) physical & mental component summary (PCS & MCS) scores & weakly correlated with other variables (Figure 1). Based on univariate analyses (p<0.20) & evaluation of collinearity between variables, attributes at W0 & W24 included in the multivariate models were age, sex, CRP, FACIT-F, pain, psoriasis area & severity index (PASI) score, TJC, SJC, enthesitis, & dactylitis. In the final model, CRP, FACIT-F, pain, PASI score, & the presence of dactylitis were significantly associated with EQ-5D-5L index & EQ-VAS scores. A higher TJC was significantly associated with a worse EQ-5D-5L index score. A higher SJC was significantly associated with a worse EQ-VAS score (Table 1). For reference, in the GUS Q4W (N=244), GUS Q8W (N=246), & PBO (N=244) groups, the LS mean changes from baseline at W24 were 0.12, 0.12, & 0.05, respectively, for EQ-5D-5L index & 18.1, 18.4, & 6.8, respectively, for EQ-VAS.

Conclusion:

Joint & skin symptoms, dactylitis, fatigue, pain, & elevated levels of CRP were significantly associated with reduced HRQoL (measured by EQ-5D-5L index & EQ-VAS) in bio-naïve pts with active PsA. Treatment of multiple PsA domains may help optimize HRQoL. Improvement across clinical domains1 & in HRQoL has been observed in GUS-treated pts with PsA.

References:

[1]Mease P, et al. Lancet 2020;395:1126-36.

Table 1.

Multivariate analysis of pt characteristics/clinical features & EQ-5D-5L index & EQ-VAS scores at W0 & W24

ParameterEQ-5D-5L IndexEQ-VASEstimatep valueEstimatep valueAge (y)-0.00010.690.060.12Female-0.0030.531.110.20CRP (mg/dL)-0.005<0.001-0.510.007FACIT-F (0-52)0.007<0.0010.57<0.001Pain (0-10)-0.02<0.001-3.47<0.001PASI (0-72)-0.0010.03-0.17<0.001SJC (0-66)-0.0010.21-0.170.02TJC (0-68)-0.0010.04-0.040.41Dactylitis (Y/N)0.010.021.740.49Enthesitis (Y/N)-0.0040.33-0.980.22

Disclosure of Interests:

Jeffrey Curtis Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Corrona, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Myriad, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Corrona, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Myriad, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, and UCB, Iain McInnes Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Grant/research support from: Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, and UCB, Dafna D Gladman Consultant of: Abbvie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Feifei Yang Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Global Services, LLC, Steve Peterson Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Global Services, LLC, Prasheen Agarwal Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Alexa Kollmeier Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Elizabeth C Hsia Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Chenglong Han Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, May Shawi Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Global Services, LLC, William Tillett Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, MSD, Pfizer, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Philip J Mease Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, SUN, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, SUN, and UCB, Proton Rahman Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Grant/research support from: Janssen and Novartis.

POS0200 CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS & OUTCOMES ASSOCIATE WITH WORK PRODUCTIVITY IN BIO-NAÏVE PATIENTS WITH ACTIVE PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS THROUGH WEEK 24 OF THE DISCOVER-2 STUDY

Background:

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA), a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by peripheral arthritis, axial inflammation, dactylitis, enthesitis & skin/nail psoriasis, causes impaired physical function, disability & loss of work productivity.

Objectives:

Evaluate associations between PsA clinical characteristics & outcomes including fatigue & work productivity using Work Productivity & Activity Impairment Questionnaire: PsA (WPAI-PsA).

Methods:

The Phase 3 DISCOVER-2 trial assessed guselkumab (GUS), an anti-IL-23p19 subunit monoclonal antibody, in bio-naïve adults with active PsA (swollen joint count [SJC] ≥5 & tender joint count [TJC] ≥5, C-reactive protein [CRP] ≥0.6 mg/dL) despite standard therapies.1 Patients (Pts) were randomized 1:1:1 to GUS 100 mg Q4W; GUS 100 mg at W0, W4, then Q8W; or placebo (PBO). WPAI-PsA assesses PsA-related work time missed (absenteeism), impairment while working (presenteeism), productivity loss (absenteeism+presenteeism), & daily activity during the previous week. Spearman correlation testing evaluated relationships between pt demographics & disease characteristics of PsA & WPAI domain scores based on observed values at baseline. Univariate linear regression assessed associations between WPAI & these variables based on observed data at W0 & at W24. Variables with p<0.10 were included in a multivariate analysis employing a mixed-effects model for repeated measures, controlling for all other variables; resulting p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results:

As reported elsewhere,2 least-squares mean % changes from baseline at W24 were -3.8/-19.5/-20.0/-20.5 for GUS Q4W, -3.1/-19.4/-19.7/-21.5 for GUS Q8W, & -3.5/-10.2/-10.9/-10.3 for PBO for absenteeism, presenteeism, absenteeism+presenteeism, & daily activity impairment, respectively. Among 738 pts, WPAI domain scores were moderately to strongly correlated (ie, ≥0.4) with pt-reported pain (0-10 visual analog scale), physical function (Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index [HAQ-DI]), fatigue (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue [FACIT-F] scale) & 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) Physical Component Summary (PCS) score, but weakly correlated with other variables (Figure 1). Based on univariate analyses & evaluation of collinearity between variables, attributes included in multivariate models were age, body mass index (BMI), gender, CRP, FACIT-F, pain, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI), TJC, SJC, enthesitis & dactylitis. In final model, CRP, FACIT-F, & pain were statistically significantly associated with all WPAI domains (Table 1). Presence of enthesitis & higher PASI score were significantly associated with higher loss of work productivity & activity outside work.

Conclusion:

In PsA pts, extra-articular symptoms, fatigue, pain & elevated CRP were significantly associated with WPAI-assessed work & activity impairment. Treating all major clinical manifestations of PsA is needed to help pts improve work & activity impairment. GUS effectively treats all major clinical manifestations1 & improves work & activity impairment in PsA.2

References:

[1]Mease P. Lancet 2020;395:1126-36.

[2]Curtis J. ACR 2020; Poster 0332.

Table 1.

Multivariate analysis of clinical characteristics/outcomes & WPAI domains at W0 & W24

ParameterAbsenteeismaPresenteeismaProductivity LossaActivity ImpairmentbEstimatep-valueEstimatep-valueEstimatep-valueEstimatep-valueAge-0.050.42-0.27<0.001-0.28<0.001-0.060.17Female0.910.46-1.540.22-1.740.202.380.02CRP0.730.040.970.011.010.010.89<0.001FACIT-F-0.31<0.001-0.67<0.001-0.73<0.001-0.75<0.001Pain1.03<0.0014.15<0.0014.25<0.0014.02<0.001PASI0.060.360.160.020.140.050.150.003SJC0.080.48-0.050.61-0.050.660.030.75TJC-0.100.130.110.090.090.190.100.04Dactylitis (Y/N)-1.100.392.470.052.580.050.540.57Enthesitis (Y/N)1.520.202.380.042.990.012.400.01

aPts working at baseline

bAll pts in study

Disclosure of Interests:

Jeffrey Curtis Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Corrona, Janssen, Eli Lilly, Myriad, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Corrona, Janssen, Eli Lilly, Myriad, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, and UCB, Iain McInnes Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Grant/research support from: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, and UCB, Dafna D Gladman Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Feifei Yang Shareholder of: Janssen, Employee of: Janssen, Steve Peterson Shareholder of: Janssen, Employee of: Janssen, Prasheen Agarwal Shareholder of: Janssen, Employee of: Janssen, Alexa Kollmeier Shareholder of: Janssen, Employee of: Janssen, Elizabeth C Hsia Shareholder of: Janssen, Employee of: Janssen, Chenglong Han Shareholder of: Janssen, Employee of: Janssen, May Shawi Shareholder of: Janssen, Employee of: Janssen, William Tillett Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, MSD, Pfizer, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, and Novartis, Philip J Mease Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, SUN, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, SUN, and UCB, Proton Rahman Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Grant/research support from: Janssen and Novartis

POS1029 GUSELKUMAB-TREATED PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS ACHIEVED CLINICALLY MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN GENERAL HEALTH OUTCOMES MEASURED WITH PROMIS-29 THROUGH 52 WEEKS: RESULTS FROM THE PHASE 3 DISCOVER-1 TRIAL

Background:

In the DISCOVER-1 study, the interleukin-23 p19 subunit inhibitor guselkumab (GUS) demonstrated robust efficacy across joint and skin clinical manifestations of psoriatic arthritis (PsA).1 Patients (pts) with PsA also experience a broad range of symptoms that negatively impact health-related quality of life (eg, pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, poor physical function).2

Objectives:

Assess the treatment effect of GUS on general health outcomes in pts with PsA in the DISCOVER-1 trial through Week (W) 52 using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System-29 (PROMIS-29) instrument.

Methods:

Pts with active PsA (≥3 swollen + ≥3 tender joints; C-reactive protein ≥0.3 mg/dL) and inadequate response to standard conventional therapies were randomized 1:1:1 to GUS 100 mg Q4W; GUS 100 mg at W0, W4, then Q8W; or placebo (PBO). PBO pts switched to GUS 100 mg Q4W at W24. PROMIS-29 contains 4 items for each of 7 domains (anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain interference, physical function, sleep disturbance, social participation) and 1 pain intensity item; 28 items are scored on a 5-point Likert-type scale, and pain intensity is rated from 0-10. The raw score of each domain is converted to a standardized T-score, with norms based on a general population mean score=50 and a standard deviation (SD)=10. Higher scores in anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain interference, and sleep disturbance indicate more severe symptoms; higher physical function and social participation scores indicate better health outcomes. Changes ≥5 points (1/2 SD of T-score) are considered clinically meaningful. Analyses were performed using both observed (mean scores/changes, effect sizes) and imputed (clinically meaningful response, whereby change from baseline was set to 0 at W24/52 for pts who had missing data or at W24 for pts who met treatment failure criteria prior to W24).

Results:

At baseline, mean PROMIS-29 T-scores for physical function, social participation, sleep disturbance, pain, and fatigue were worse in the 381 PsA pts enrolled in DISCOVER-1 than in the general US population. Across all 7 domains, observed mean PROMIS-29 T-scores showed improvements in GUS-treated pts from baseline to W24 and W52 (Figure 1). Observed mean changes from baseline to W24 and W52, with calculated effect size, are shown (Table 1). In all pts, including those with imputed data, significantly higher percentages of pts in both GUS treatment groups vs PBO had ≥5-point improvements in fatigue, pain interference, physical function, sleep disturbance, social participation, and pain intensity domains at W24 (all nominal p<0.05). Mean improvements in PROMIS-29 domains were maintained through W52.

Conclusion:

In pts with active PsA, PROMIS-29 results indicate that GUS treatment was associated with clinically meaningful reductions in fatigue and pain and improvement in physical function and social participation, which were maintained through 1 year.

References:

[1] Deodhar A et al. Lancet. 2020;395:1115-25.

[2] Orbai A et al. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017;76:673-80.

Table 1.

Mean Change and Effect Size of Change From Baseline in PROMIS-29 Domain Scores at W24 and W52 (Observed)

Mean Change From Baseline [Effect Size]GUS Q4WGUS Q8WPBOW0-24GUS Q4WW24-52W24W52W24W52W24W52Anxiety−3.1 [−0.3]−3.1 [−0.3]−3.7 [−0.4]−4.3 [−0.5]−1.5 [−0.2]−3.6 [−0.4]Depression−2.7 [−0.3]−3.0 [−0.4]−4.0 [−0.4]−4.0 [−0.4]−0.6 [−0.1]−2.5 [−0.3]Fatigue−4.8 [−0.5]−5.6 [−0.6]−4.8 [−0.5]−6.8 [−0.7]−2.1 [−0.2]−5.7 [−0.6]Pain interference−5.4 [−0.8]−6.2 [−1.0]−5.8 [−1.0]−7.0 [−1.1]−2.8 [−0.4]−6.3 [−1.0]Physical function5.0 [0.8]5.9 [0.9]4.1 [0.6]5.0 [0.7]1.7 [0.2]4.2 [0.6]Sleep disturbance−2.5 [−0.4]−3.9 [−0.6]−3.8 [−0.6]−4.4 [−0.6]−1.5 [−0.2]−3.3 [−0.5]Social participation4.2 [0.5]5.3 [0.7]5.3 [0.6]6.6 [0.8]1.7 [0.2]4.9 [0.6]Pain intensity*−2.3 [−1.2]−2.8 [−1.5]−2.1 [−1.1]−2.7 [−1.4]−0.7 [−0.4]−2.5 [−1.3]

*Raw score; all other domains reported as T-score.

Disclosure of Interests:

Ana-Maria Orbai Consultant of: Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Eli Lilly and Company, Celgene, Novartis, Janssen, Horizon, Laura C Coates Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelehim, Celgene, Domain, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Janssen, Medac, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Gilead, Novartis, Pfizer, Atul Deodhar Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, GSK, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, GSK, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Philip Helliwell Consultant of: Galapagos, Janssen, and Novartis, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Janssen, and Pfizer, Christopher T. Ritchlin Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Gilead, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB Pharma, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, UCB Pharma, Alexa Kollmeier Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, of which Janssen Research & Development, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Elizabeth C Hsia Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, of which Janssen Research & Development, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Xie L Xu Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, of which Janssen Research & Development is a wholly owned subsidiary, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Shihong Sheng Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, of which Janssen Research & Development, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Yusang Jiang Employee of: Cytel, Inc., providing statistical support (funded by Janssen), Yan Liu Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, of which Janssen Research & Development, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Chenglong Han Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, of which Janssen Research & Development, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC.

POS1026 GUSELKUMAB PROVIDES SUSTAINED IMPROVEMENTS IN WORK PRODUCTIVITY AND NON-WORK ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS: RESULTS THROUGH 1 YEAR OF A PHASE 3 TRIAL

Background:

DISCOVER-2 was a Phase 3 trial of the first-in-class anti-IL-23-specific mAb guselkumab (GUS) in patients (pts) with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). PsA impacts patients’ productivity at work and in daily activity.1

Objectives:

To evaluate the effect of GUS on work productivity and daily activity in DISCOVER-2 through 1 year using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: PsA (WPAI- PsA).

Methods:

Bio-naïve adults with active PsA despite nonbiologic DMARDs &/or NSAIDs received subcutaneous GUS 100 mg every 4 weeks (Q4W); GUS 100 mg W0, W4, then Q8W; or placebo (PBO). At W24, PBO pts crossed over to GUS 100 mg Q4W. WPAI-PsA assesses PsA-related work time missed (absenteeism), impairment while working (presenteeism), impaired overall work productivity (absenteeism + presenteeism), and daily activity during the previous week. A shift analysis evaluated proportions of pts employed vs unemployed (regardless of desire to work) over time. Among pts working at baseline, least-squares (LS) mean changes from baseline in WPAI-PsA domains were determined using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures analysis, whereby mean changes in WPAI-PsA domains were calculated for each multiple imputation (MI) dataset using an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA); the reported LSmean is the average of all MI datasets. Also, among pts employed at baseline, indirect savings from improved overall work productivity were estimated using 2020 EU mean yearly wage estimate (all occupations).2

Results:

In pts working at baseline, significant improvement in work productivity and non-work activity vs PBO was observed at W24. Productivity gains seen with GUS at W24 continued to improve through 1 year (Table 1). Shift analysis showed relatively stable employment in pts employed at baseline (62% of shift analysis cohort) through 1 year of GUS (>91% continued to work when assessed at W16, W24, and W52 [data not shown]). For those unemployed at baseline (38% of cohort), the proportion of pts working increased by ~10% following 1 year of GUS (Figure 1). Potential yearly indirect savings from improved overall work productivity were: €7409 GUS Q4W and €7039 GUS Q8W vs €4075 PBO at W24 and were €8520 GUS Q4W, €9632 GUS Q8W, and €6668 PBO→GUS Q4W at W52.

Conclusion:

Improvement in work productivity and non-work activity was greater with GUS vs PBO among pts with active PsA through W52. Improvements demonstrated may result in reduction in PsA costs associated with work productivity.

References:

[1]Tillett W et al. Rheumatol (Oxford). 2012;51:275–83.

[2]OECD (2020). Average wages (indicator). https://data.oecd.org/earnwage/average-wages.htm

Table 1.

Model-based estimates of LSmean changea (95% CI) from baseline in WPAI-PsA domains among pts working at baseline and with an observed change through W24 (N=474) and W52 (N=475)

Change from baselineGUS 100mg Q4WGUS 100mg Q8WPBO(W0-24)PBO → GUS 100 mg Q4W (W24-52)VisitW24W52W24W52W24W52Absenteeism, N145145147147162163LSmean-3.4 (-6.5,-0.3)-4.1 (-6.8,-1.5)-3.0 (-6.0,0.1)-4.0 (-6.6,-1.3)-3.0 (-6.0, 0.04)-3.0 (-5.5,-0.4)Diff vs. PBO-0.4 (-4.6,3.8)-0.01 (-4.2, 4.2)Presenteeism, N145145147147162163LSmean-20.1 (-23.7,-16.6)-22.4 (-26.3,-18.6)-19.6 (-23.2,-16.1)-25.7 (-29.5,-21.8)-10.5 (-13.9,-7.0)-18.5 (-22.2,-14.7)Diff vs PBO-9.7* (-14.4,-5.0)-9.2* (-13.9,-4.5)Work productivity, N145145147147162163LSmean-20.1 (-24.1,-16.1)-22.6 (-26.8,-18.3)-19.2 (-23.1,-15.2)-25.9 (-30.0,-21.7)-10.6 (-14.4,-6.8)-17.6 (-21.7,-13.6)Diff vs PBO-9.5* (-14.8,-4.2)-8.6* (-13.9,-3.3)Non-work Activity, N242242246246245245LSmean-20.5 (-23.3,-17.7)-25.7 (-28.6,-22.7)-21.2 (-23.9,-18.4)-25.4 (-28.4,-22.5)-9.9 (-12.6,-7.1)-22.3 (-25.3,-19.4)Diff vs PBO-10.6* (-14.4,-6.8)-11.3* (-15.1,-7.5)

CI=Confidence interval

a. LSmean for each MI dataset is calculated based on an ANCOVA model for the change from baseline at W24/W52. The combined LSmean, which is the average of the LSmean, taken over all the MI datasets, is presented.

*p<0.05

Disclosure of Interests:

Jeffrey Curtis Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Corrona, Janssen, Lilly, Myriad, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Corrona, Janssen, Lilly, Myriad, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, and UCB, Iain McInnes Consultant of: AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly and Company, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Grant/research support from: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen, and UCB, Steve Peterson Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Global Services, LLC, Prasheen Agarwal Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Feifei Yang Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Global Services, LLC, Alexa Kollmeier Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Elizabeth C Hsia Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Chenglong Han Shareholder of: Johnson & Johnson, Employee of: Janssen Research & Development, LLC, William Tillett Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Celgene, Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, MSD, Pfizer Inc, and UCB, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer Inc, and UCB, Philip J Mease Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim and GlaxoSmithKline, Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, SUN, and UCB, Proton Rahman Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, and UCB, Grant/research support from: Janssen and Novartis.

Ferroptosis is involved in the development of neuropathic pain and allodynia

Neuropathic pain (NP) is chronic, intractable, and typically not alleviated using analgesics. Ferroptosis is a new type of cell death characterized by mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, affecting specific types of synaptic plasticity in the spinal cord. Here, we evaluated the role of ferroptosis in NP using chronic contractile injury (CCI) in rats. The CCI and control groups were subjected to sciatic nerve ligation. The mechanical withdrawal threshold and thermal withdrawal reflex latency were used to detect changes in mechanical pain threshold and thermal pain threshold in rats, respectively. Notably, CCI caused mechanical and thermal stimulation of the injured hind paw, reduced levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and increased acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4). Treatment with the ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (10 mg/kg) 1 h after surgery upregulated GPX4 expression and downregulated ACSL4 expression, whereas the ferroptosis inducer, erastin (10 mg/kg), exerted opposite effects. Treatment with ferrostatin-1 upregulated NeuN expression and downregulated GPX4 expression, whereas erastin reversed these effects. CCI increased the number of damaged mitochondria and decreased the mean planar mitochondrial area, and treatment with erastin further exacerbated these effects. The iron ion content in the spinal cords of CCI-induced rats increased. Treatment with ferrostatin-1 decreased, whereas treatment with erastin increased iron ion content in the CCI-induced rat model. Taken together, our results showed that ferroptosis is involved in the development of NP in male rats by blocking neuron and astrocyte activation in the spinal dorsal horn.

Untargeted Metabolomic Profiling of the Correlation Between Prognosis Differences and PD-1 Expression in Sepsis: A Preliminary Study

Objectives: The mortality rate of sepsis remains very high. Metabolomic techniques are playing increasingly important roles in diagnosis and treatment in critical care medicine. The purpose of our research was to use untargeted metabolomics to identify and analyze the common differential metabolites among patients with sepsis with differences in their 7-day prognosis and blood PD-1 expression and analyze their correlations with environmental factors.

Methods: Plasma samples from 18 patients with sepsis were analyzed by untargeted LC-MS metabolomics. Based on the 7-day prognoses of the sepsis patients or their levels of PD-1 expression on the surface of CD4+ T cells in the blood, we divided the patients into two groups. We used a combination of multidimensional and monodimensional methods for statistical analysis. At the same time, the Spearman correlation analysis method was used to analyze the correlation between the differential metabolites and inflammatory factors.

Results: In the positive and negative ionization modes, 16 and 8 differential metabolites were obtained between the 7-day death and survival groups, respectively; 5 and 8 differential metabolites were obtained between the high PD-1 and low PD-1 groups, respectively. We identified three common differential metabolites from the two groups, namely, PC (P-18:0/14:0), 2-ethyl-2-hydroxybutyric acid and glyceraldehyde. Then, we analyzed the correlations between environmental factors and the common differences in metabolites. Among the identified metabolites, 2-ethyl-2-hydroxybutyric acid was positively correlated with the levels of IL-2 and lactic acid (Lac) (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively).

Conclusions: These three metabolites were identified as common differential metabolites between the 7-day prognosis groups and the PD-1 expression level groups of sepsis patients. They may be involved in regulating the expression of PD-1 on the surface of CD4+ T cells through the action of related environmental factors such as IL-2 or Lac, which in turn affects the 7-day prognosis of sepsis patients.

Pyroptosis executive protein GSDMD as a biomarker for diagnosis and identification of Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVE

This study was mainly conducted to explore the expression changes of GSDMD and conventional markers (including T-Tau, Tau181p, and Aβ_1-42 ) in the cerebrospinal fluid among patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD), followed by determination of role of GSDMD in diagnosing and identifying AD and VD.

METHODS

In this study, 60 patients with VD, 60 patients with AD, and 50 healthy controls were enrolled. Lumbar puncture was performed to collect cerebrospinal fluid samples. Patients with VD and patients with AD were evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale, Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale, Activity of Daily Living (ADL) scale, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) questionnaire, aiming to determine the behavioral ability of patients. ELISA kit was purchased to determine the levels of GSDMD, T-Tau, Tau181p, and Aβ_1-42 in cerebrospinal fluid, and the expression of inflammatory factors, IL-1β and IL-6, was also detected.

RESULTS

(1) The levels of GSDMD, T-Tau, and Tau181p in the cerebrospinal fluid were higher in patients with AD than those of patients with VD and healthy controls, while the levels of Aβ_1-42 in the cerebrospinal fluid were lower in patients with AD than that in healthy controls and patients with VD. (2) GSDMD had good diagnostic accuracy in AD. Additionally, GSDMD, T-Tau, Tau181p, and Aβ_1-42 had good discrimination accuracy in distinguishing AD and VD. (3) The expression levels of inflammatory factors (IL-1β and IL-6) in cerebrospinal fluid were higher in patients with AD than those of healthy controls and patients with VD, which were positively correlated with GSDMD expression.

CONCLUSION

The expression of GSDMD was increased in patients with AD, which could be used as a biomarker for AD diagnosis and identification from VD.

Acellular bovine pericardium matrix in immediate breast reconstruction compared with conventional implant-based breast reconstruction

Background

Acellular Bovine Pericardium Matrix (ABPM) is a new material in implant-based breast reconstruction (IBBR). Few studies have reported on its outcome and complications worldwide and most studies were without a control group. Our aim was to compare its use in IBBR with the other two conventional implant-based reconstruction methods.

Methods

A retrospective review of patients undergoing IBBR from January to December 2018 was performed. Patients were assigned to the ABPM-assisted IBBR (group A), latissimus dorsi-assisted IBBR (group B) and two-stage IBBR (group C). Patients’ post-operative complications, cost-effectiveness and Quality of Life were compared.

Results

100 patients with 100 breasts were included in the study. No complications occurred in group C (n = 11). No significant differences were noted between group A (n = 44) and group B (n = 45) in terms of overall complications (9.1% vs 11.1%, p = 0.973). Group B had the longest operative duration (310.8 ± 62.3 min, p<0.001). The cost of hospitalization forthe three groups was $8051.3 ± 849.2, $7566.0 ± 1172.7 and $7896.5 ± 1762.2, respectively (p = 0.128). The postoperative Breast-Q scores  were similar across the three groups.

Conclusions

ABPM demonstrated acceptable complication rates, cost-effectiveness and quality of life outcomes when compared to LD-assisted IBBR and two-stage IBBR.

The mechanism of lncRNA-CRNDE in regulating tumour-associated macrophage M2 polarization and promoting tumour angiogenesis

M2 macrophages can promote liver cancer metastasis by promoting tumour angiogenesis; however, the mechanism underlying macrophage polarization has not been completely revealed. In this study, we mainly explored the mechanism underlying long non‐coding RNA‐CRNDE (lncRNA‐CRNDE) in regulating M2 macrophage polarization and promoting liver cancer angiogenesis. The expression of CRNDE was up‐regulated or down‐regulated in THP‐1 cells (CRNDE^‐/‐‐THP‐1 cells and pcDNA3.1‐CRNDE‐THP‐1). THP‐1 cells were co‐cultured with liver cancer cell line H22, and M2 polarization was induced in THP‐1 by IL‐4/13 to simulate tumour‐induced macrophage polarization. As a result, after CRNDE overexpression, THP‐1 cell viability was up‐regulated, the expression of M2 membrane marker CD163 was up‐regulated, and the proportion of F4/80 + CD163+ cells was also up‐regulated. ELISA assay showed that the expression of M2 markers (including TGF‐β1 and IL‐10) and chemokines (including CCl22 and CCL22) was up‐regulated, and the expression of key signals (including STAT6, JAK‐1, p‐AKT1, and Arg‐1) was also up‐regulated, which were significantly different compared with the control group (Con). In addition, the intervention effect of CRNDE on THP‐1 was consistent between co‐culture with H22 cells and IL‐4/13 induction assay. The induced M2 THP‐1 cells were co‐cultured with HUVEC. As a result, THP‐1 cells with CRNDE overexpression can promote the migration and angiogenesis of HUVEC cells in vitro and simultaneously up‐regulate the expression of Notch1, Dll4 and VEGFR2, indicating that THP‐1 M2 polarization induced by CRNDE could further promote angiogenesis. The H22 cell tumour‐bearing mouse model was constructed, followed by injection of CRNDE anti‐oligosense nucleotides and overexpression plasmids to interfere CRNDE expression in tumour‐bearing tissues. Consequently, down‐regulation of CRNDE could down‐regulate tumour volume, simultaneously down‐regulate the expression of CD163 and CD31 in tissues, decrease the expression of key proteins (including JAK‐1, STAT‐6, p‐STAT6 and p‐AKT1), and down‐regulate the expression of key angiogenesis‐related proteins (including VEGF, Notch1, Dll4 and VEGFR2). In this study, we found that CENDE could indirectly regulate tumour angiogenesis by promoting M2 polarization of macrophages, which is also one of the mechanisms of microenvironmental immune regulation in liver cancer.

Correlation between LncRNA-LINC00659 and clinical prognosis in gastric cancer and study on its biological mechanism

Non-coding RNAs play important roles in tumorigenesis and tumour progression. In previous screening, lncRNA-LINC00659 (LINC00659) is highly expressed in gastric cancer; however, its role in gastric cancer has not been illustrated yet. In this study, the expression of LINC00659 was detected in cancer tissues and paracancerous tissues of patients with gastric cancer. As a result, LINC00659 expression was increased in gastric cancer tissues, which was closely associated with tumour stage and lymph node metastasis, but was not correlated with age, gender and tissue differentiation. Survival curve analysis showed that patients with low expression of LINC00659 harboured higher overall survival. In vitro, the level of LINC00659 was increased in gastric cancer cells. Afterwards, the expression of LINC00659 was down-regulated in SGC-7901 and BGC-823 cells by plasmid-mediated si-LINC00659 transfection. Consequently, the cell invasion ability was weakened, the cell cycle was inhibited, and cell viability was also suppressed. Luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA pull-down assay showed that LINC00659 could bind to the transcription factor SUZ12, indicating that SUZ12 was a regulatory gene of LINC00659. The overexpression of SUZ12 could resist the roles of si-LINC00659. In this study, we found that LINC00659 was highly expressed in gastric cancer, which might be related to the regulation of cell proliferation and promotion of cell invasion. Transcription factor, SUZ12, was a regulator of LINC00659. Additionally, LINC00659 could regulate cell cycle and invasion of gastric cancer by promoting the expression of SUZ12.

Association of placenta-derived extracellular vesicles with pre-eclampsia and associated hypercoagulability: a clinical observational study

OBJECTIVE

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-associated condition initiated by placental factors. We have demonstrated that placental extracellular vesicles (pcEVs) cause hypertension and proteinuria in pregnant and non-pregnant mice.

STUDY DESIGN

An observational study with both case-control and longitudinal designs.

SETTING

A single centre at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Tianjin Medical University.

POPULATION

We collected blood samples and clinical information from 54 PE patients, 33 normally pregnant women at 30-36 gestational weeks and on postpartum days 1 and 4 for the cross-sectional study, and at 22-31, 32-35 and 36-40 weeks for the longitudinal study. Non-pregnant women were also recruited.

METHODS

Blood samples were analysed using flow cytometry, coagulation tests and ELISA.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was plasma pcEV and other extracellular vesicles (EVs), and their expressions of anionic phospholipids and von Willebrand factor (VWF). Secondary variables included coagulation, ADAMTS-13 and the anionic phospholipid-binding proteins.

RESULTS

Plasma pcEVs progressively increased from pregnant women during non-menstrual period (NW) to PE patients (interquartile range [IQR] for NW: 206/microlitre [116-255], normal pregnancy [NP]: 1108/microlitre [789-1969] and PE: 8487/microlitre [4991-16 752]) and predicted PE. EVs from endothelial cells, platelets and erythrocytes accounted for <10% of pcEVs. VWF became hyper-adhesive in PE patients and contributed to the pregnancy-associated hypercoagulability.

CONCLUSION

Placental, platelet- and endothelial cell-derived EVs were significantly elevated in PE patients, but only pcEVs predicted PE. These EVs played a causal role in the pregnancy-induced hypercoagulability.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT

Placenta-derived extracellular vesicles predict pre-eclampsia and the associated hypercoagulability.

Antrodia camphorata polysaccharide resists 6-OHDA-induced dopaminergic neuronal damage by inhibiting ROS-NLRP3 activation

INTRODUCTION

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common degenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). The main pathological change is the apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNPc), thereby leading to dopamine reduction in nigral striatum. 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), a neurotoxic substance, mediates apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons and causes Parkinson-like symptoms in mice.

METHODS

Our team previously found that Antrodia camphorata polysaccharide (ACP) exerted a good behavioral improvement effect on the PD mouse model established by 6-OHDA; however, the mechanism remains unknown. Therefore, in this study, we focused on ROS-NLRP3 signal to investigate the mechanism of 6-OHDA-induced apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons MES23.5 and the protective effects of ACP on dopaminergic neurons.

RESULT

6-OHDA could further activate the expression of inflammasome NLRP3 by inducing ROS, thereby resulting in apoptosis of MES23.5 cells. ACP could inhibit the expression of ROS-NLRP3 induced by 6-OHDA, exerting a protective role in MES23.5 cells. Animal experiments also confirmed that ACP intervention could reduce the activation level of ROS-NLRP3 in the substantia nigra-striatum and improve the exercise capacity of PD mice.

CONCLUSION

Our study validated that 6-OHDA could induce apoptosis of dopaminergic neurons via ROS-NLRP3 activation. ACP could inhibit this signal and protect dopaminergic neurons, which might be promising in research of PD therapeutics.

[Aldo-keto reductase family 1 B10 participates in the regulation of hepatoma cell cycle through p27/p-Rb signaling pathway]

Objective: Aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) pathogenesis, early diagnosis and prognosis are closely related with hepatoma. Therefore, this study explores the effect and mechanism of AKR1B10 on cell cycle in hepatoma cells. Methods: HepG2 cells were infected with lentivirus LV-AKR1B10-shRNA or treated with epalrestat, an AKR1B10 inhibitor. The expression level of AKR1B10 was detected by Western blot assay and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Decreased AKR1B10 activity was detected by reduced coenzyme II (NADPH) absorbance at 340 nm. The low expression of AKR1B10 and the effect of different concentrations of epalrestat on cell proliferation and cell cycle were detected by CCK-8 method and flow cytometry. The protein expression levels of p-rb, cyclin D1, E1, p27 in HepG2 cells were detected by Western blot. The mean of the two samples was tested using independent sample t-test. Results: AKR1B10 expression level in hepatoma cells was significantly increased compared to normal liver cells, and the relative expression level of AKR1B10 protein in HepG2 cells was 6.71 ± 1.11 (P = 0.012). Epalrestat was significantly inhibited with the enzymatic activity of AKR1B10 in a dose-dependent manner. AKR1B10 gene in HepG2 cells was effectively silenced. HepG2 cells treated with different concentrations of epalrestat (AKR1B10 inhibitor) for 24, 48 and 72 h had inhibited cell proliferation, promoted G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, reduced the expression of p-Rb, cyclin D1, and cyclin E1 and increased the expression of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor p27 expression. Conclusion: AKR1B10 inhibitory expression and activity can promote G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in HepG2 cells through the p27 / p-Rb pathway.

The Mechanism of Aureusidin in Suppressing Inflammatory Response in Acute Liver Injury by Regulating MD2

Objective

In this study, we mainly explored the mechanism and target of the anti-inflammatory effects of Aureusidin (Aur) in acute liver injury.

Methods

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce inflammatory injury in Kupffer cells (KCs) in vitro. After Aur treatment with gradient concentration, flow cytometry, propidium iodide (PI) staining, and Hoechst 33342 staining were used to detect the apoptotic level of KCs, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression levels of inflammatory factors, including Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Interleukin-18 (IL-18), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Western blot was used to detect the expression of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation protein-2 (MD2), MyD88, and p-P65. Aur was labeled with biotin, followed by a pull-down assay to detect its binding with MD2. Moreover, D-GalN/LPS was used to induce acute liver injury in mice in vitro, followed by Aur treatment by gavage. H&E staining was used to detect the pathological changes of liver tissue, an IF assay was used to detect the expression of MD2, Western blot was used to detect the expression of relevant proteins.

Results

Aur pretreatment could significantly inhibit LPS-induced KC injury, downregulate the apoptotic level, inhibit the expression of inflammatory factors, decrease the level of MDA, and downregulate the expression of MD2 in cells. Aur could inhibit the activation level of TLR4/MD2-NF-κB in a dose-dependent pattern, a high dose of Aur had a superior effect compared to low-dose Aur. In the case of MD2 deletion, the effects of Aur were suppressed. Additionally, pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation assays show that Aur can bind with the MD2 protein to inhibit the activation of TLR4/MD2-NF-κB. Results of mice experiments also showed that Aur could relieve liver injury, decrease the levels of ALT and AST, and simultaneously downregulate the levels of inflammatory factors in tissues and peripheral blood.

Conclusion

We found that Aur exerted an anti-inflammatory effect by directly targeting the MD2 protein, further inhibiting the expression of TLR4/MD2-NF-κB, thereby relieving acute liver injury. Therefore, Aur might be a potential inhibitor for MD2.