A phase II study of bevacizumab and erlotinib after radiation and temozolomide in MGMT unmethylated GBM patients

Survival for glioblastoma (GBM) patients with an unmethyated MGMT promoter in their tumor is generally worse than methylated MGMT tumors, as temozolomide (TMZ) response is limited. How to better treat patients with unmethylated MGMT is unknown. We performed a trial combining erlotinib and bevacizumab in unmethylated GBM patients after completion of radiation (RT) and TMZ. GBM patients with an unmethylated MGMT promoter were trial eligible. Patient received standard RT (60 Gy) and TMZ (75 mg/m2 × 6 weeks) after surgical resection of their tumor. After completion of RT they started erlotinib 150 mg daily and bevacizumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks until progression. Imaging evaluations occurred every 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Of the 48 unmethylated patients enrolled, 46 were evaluable (29 men and 17 women); median age was 55.5 years (29-75) and median KPS was 90 (70-100). All patients completed RT with TMZ. The median number of cycles (1 cycle was 4 weeks) was 8 (2-47). Forty-one patients either progressed or died with a median progression free survival of 9.2 months. At a follow up of 33 months the median overall survival was 13.2 months. There were no unexpected toxicities and most observed toxicities were categorized as CTC grade 1 or 2. The combination of erlotinib and bevacizumab is tolerable but did not meet our primary endpoint of increasing survival. Importantly, more trials are needed to find better therapies for GBM patients with an unmethylated MGMT promoter.

Biologic mesh spacer placement facilitates safe delivery of dose-intense radiation therapy: A novel treatment option for unresectable liver tumors

INTRODUCTION

Patients with unresectable liver tumors who fail initial treatment modalities have a poor prognosis (<1 yr). Although effective, delivery of high dose radiation therapy to these tumors is limited by proximity of radiosensitive bowel. We have previously reported that placement of a biologic mesh spacer (BMS) can effectively displace the bowel allowing for dose-intense radiation to be delivered with low short-term toxicity. The purpose of this study was to assess and report the long-term safety and oncologic outcomes of this cohort.

METHODS

From 2012 to 2014 seven patients with unresectable hepatic malignancy (6 IHCC, 1 CRLM) underwent BMS (acellular human dermis) placement (2 open, 5 MIS) prior to radiation therapy. Prospective registry data were reviewed for tumor and treatment details, progression, metastasis and survival. RTOG guidelines were used to define radiation toxicities.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 50.4 years (30-62 years) and 4 patients were male (57.1%). Prior to surgery, all patients had been treated for an average of 12.5 months with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and/or TACE. After surgery, all patients recovered well and received a mean radiation dose of 76.1 Gy (58.1-100 Gy) over 13-25 fractions. 1 patient received SBRT; 4 fractions, 10 Gy each. Maximum dose delivered was 100 Gy (Biologic Equivalent Dose of 140 Gy, α/β = 10). Mean time to initiation of radiation therapy was 24 days (12-48 days) from surgery. No significant GI toxicity was recorded, and no GI bleeding or ulcers were observed. Mean follow-up after XRT was 18.2 months (5.5-31 months). Three patients had no loco-regional progression of disease. 2 patients had infield progression of liver disease and another had progressive lymphadenopathy. 3 patients developed pulmonary metastasis, at a mean time to distant failure of 3 months. There are 4 survivors over 2-years from surgery.

CONCLUSION

For patients with unresectable liver tumors, placement of a BMS enhances the safety and efficacy of high-dose radiotherapy, providing a survival benefit via delay in time to progression compared to traditional treatments with no significant short or long term GI toxicity.

[Rosacea: what's new?]

Rosacea is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease with a variety of clinical manifestations such as centro-facial erythema, papules and pustules, as well as ocular involvement. Based on these manifestations, rosacea is clinically divided into four subtypes necessitating distinct therapies. Despite recent scientific advances, the pathomechanisms underlying rosacea in general and the different subtypes in particular are still elusive. Accordingly, current treatment options remain mostly broad and symptomatic. In this review we discuss the clinic of rosacea, its impact on the patient, and the pathophysiological mechanisms involved, describe treatment options and highlight differential diagnoses relevant for treating physicians.

Prognostic factors after resection of colorectal liver metastases following preoperative second-line chemotherapy: Impact of RAS mutations

BACKGROUND

After resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM), RAS mutations are associated with modest survival benefit and second-line chemotherapy confers limited hope for cure.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of RAS mutation after second-line chemotherapy for patients undergoing potentially curative liver resection for CLM.

METHODS

Among 1357 patients operated for CLM between January 2005 and November 2014, patients with known RAS mutational status were identified. Outcomes after second-line chemotherapy were analyzed by RAS status.

RESULTS

Among 635 patients undergoing resection of CLM, 46 received second-line chemotherapy before resection, including 14 patients (30%) with RAS mutations. Patients who received second-line chemotherapy had significantly larger and greater number of liver metastases and were more likely to undergo major hepatectomy. Median overall (OS) and recurrence free survival (RFS) were significantly worse among patients requiring second-line chemotherapy (OS: 44.4 vs. 61.1 months, p = 0.021; RFS: 7.3 vs. 12.0 months, p = 0.001). Among patients undergoing liver resection after second-line chemotherapy, RAS mutations were associated with worse median OS and RFS (OS: 35.2 vs. 60.7 months, p = 0.038; RFS: 3.6 vs. 8.3 months, p = 0.015). RAS mutation was the only independent factor associated with OS and RFS. All patients with RAS mutations recurred within 18 months. Among patients with RAS wild-type tumors, the receipt of second-line chemotherapy did not affect OS (p = 0.493).

CONCLUSION

Among patients undergoing resection of CLM after second-line chemotherapy, RAS mutational status is an independent predictor of survival and outweighs other factors to select patients for liver resection.

Total Laparoscopic Central Pancreatectomy with Pancreaticogastrostomy for High-Risk Cystic Neoplasm

BACKGROUND

Organ-sparing pancreatic resection is important in prophylactic surgery for cystic neoplasms. There is controversy regarding the optimal surgical approach for pancreatic lesions in the neck or proximal body of the pancreas. Central compared with distal pancreatectomy is technically more challenging, but preserves more functional pancreatic tissue. Because of the prophylactic nature of the surgery and long survival of patients with benign and borderline malignant lesions, surgeons need to stratify greater importance to surgical morbidity and sparing pancreatic parenchyma.

PATIENT

The patient is a 59-year-old active woman with a symptomatic cystic neoplasm of the pancreas exhibiting high-risk imaging features. The cyst of 2.2 × 1.8 cm in the body of the pancreas was impinging on the portal venous confluence.

TECHNIQUE

The patient was positioned in the French Position, the lesser sac was opened, and the pancreatic body exposed. A retropancreatic tunnel was created with staple division of the neck. The body was mobilized off the portal vein and splenic vessels transected. A retrogastric pancreaticogastrostomy was sewn through an anterior gastrotomy. The stent was delivered past the pylorus to decrease pancreatic enzymatic activation. Pathology demonstrated a mixed predominantly branch duct IPMN with multifocal high grade dysplasia and PanIN3.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic ultrasound helps in defining cyst borders, and minimal blood loss optimizes visualization during the dissection. A minimally invasive pancreaticogastrostomy created through an anterior gastrotomy is technically feasible and safe. This approach can minimize the morbidity of prophylactic pancreatic surgery for patients with cystic neoplasms. Nevertheless, it should not compromise safety, oncologic completeness, or an organ-sparing approach.

Laparoscopic two-stage hepatectomy for bilobar colorectal liver metastases

Background

Despite the gradual diffusion of laparoscopic liver resection, the feasibility and results of laparoscopic two-stage hepatectomy (TSH) for bilobar colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) have not been described frequently. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic TSH for bilobar CRLM.

Methods

All patients eligible for laparoscopic TSH among those treated for bilobar CRLM from 2000 to 2013 were included. Demographics, tumour characteristics, surgical procedures, and short- and long-term outcomes were analysed.

Results

Laparoscopic TSH was planned in 34 patients with bilobar CRLM, representing 17·2 per cent of all 198 patients treated for bilobar CRLM. Thirty patients received preoperative chemotherapy, and 20 had portal vein occlusion to increase the volume of the remnant liver. Laparoscopic resection of the primary colorectal tumour was integrated within the first-stage hepatectomy in 11 patients. After a median interval of 3·1 months, 26 patients subsequently had a successful laparoscopic second-stage hepatectomy, including 18 laparoscopic right or extended right hepatectomies. The mortality rate for both stages was 3 per cent (1 of 34), and the overall morbidity rate for the first and second stages was 50 per cent (17 of 34) and 54 per cent (14 of 26) respectively. Mean length of hospital stay was 6·1 and 9·0 days respectively. With a median follow-up of 37·8 (range 6–129) months, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates in patients who completed TSH were 78 and 41 per cent respectively. The 3- and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 26 and 13 per cent respectively.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic TSH for bilobar CRLM is safe and does not jeopardize long-term outcomes in selected patients.

T(H)17 cells promote microbial killing and innate immune sensing of DNA via interleukin 26

Interleukin 17-producing helper T cells (T(H)17 cells) have a major role in protection against infections and in mediating autoimmune diseases, yet the mechanisms involved are incompletely understood. We found that interleukin 26 (IL-26), a human T(H)17 cell-derived cytokine, is a cationic amphipathic protein that kills extracellular bacteria via membrane-pore formation. Furthermore, T(H)17 cell-derived IL-26 formed complexes with bacterial DNA and self-DNA released by dying bacteria and host cells. The resulting IL-26-DNA complexes triggered the production of type I interferon by plasmacytoid dendritic cells via activation of Toll-like receptor 9, but independently of the IL-26 receptor. These findings provide insights into the potent antimicrobial and proinflammatory function of T(H)17 cells by showing that IL-26 is a natural human antimicrobial that promotes immune sensing of bacterial and host cell death.

Meta-analysis of KRAS mutations and survival after resection of colorectal liver metastases

BACKGROUND

In patients with advanced colorectal cancer, KRAS mutation status predicts response to treatment with monoclonal antibody targeting the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR). Recent reports have provided evidence that KRAS mutation status has prognostic value in patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases (CLM) irrespective of treatment with chemotherapy or anti-EGFR therapy. A meta-analysis was undertaken to clarify the impact of KRAS mutation on outcomes in patients with resectable CLM.

METHODS

PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were searched systematically to identify full-text articles reporting KRAS-stratified overall (OS) or recurrence-free (RFS) survival after resection of CLM. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95 per cent c.i. from multivariable analyses were pooled in meta-analyses, and a random-effects model was used to calculate weight and overall results.

RESULTS

The search returned 355 articles, of which 14, including 1809 patients, met the inclusion criteria. Eight studies reported OS after resection of CLM in 1181 patients. The mutation rate was 27.6 per cent, and KRAS mutation was negatively associated with OS (HR 2.24, 95 per cent c.i. 1.76 to 2.85). Seven studies reported RFS after resection of CLM in 906 patients. The mutation rate was 28.0 per cent, and KRAS mutation was negatively associated with RFS (HR 1.89, 1.54 to 2.32).

CONCLUSION

KRAS mutation status is a prognostic factor in patients undergoing resection of colorectal liver metastases and should be considered in the evaluation of patients having liver resection.

[Psoriasis: advances and challenges in 2015]

Over the course of the last decade advances in the understanding the pathogenesis of psoriasis have resulted in the development of many novel, safe and effective biologics. However, a significant proportion of patients respond inadequately to biologics--defined by failing to respond initially (lack of efficacy) or secondary failure--with diminishing response over time (loss of efficacy). Over the past years insights into molecular and genetic profiles have allowed to better define psoriasis phenotypes and to explain these therapeutic failures. Here we will illustrate these advances, describe the novel therapeutics on the horizon and review the current view of psoriasis as a systemic disease associated with co-morbidities and its important implications for the management of psoriatic patients.

The dermatologists' role in managing psoriatic arthritis: results of a Swiss Delphi exercise intended to improve collaboration with rheumatologists

BACKGROUND

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) substantially impacts the management of psoriatic disease.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to generate an interdisciplinary national consensus on recommendations of how PsA should be managed.

METHODS

Based on a systematic literature search, an interdisciplinary expert group identified important domains and went through 3 rounds of a Delphi exercise, followed by a nominal group discussion to generate specific recommendations.

RESULTS

A strong consensus was reached on numerous central messages regarding the impact of PsA, screening procedures, organization of the interaction between dermatologists and rheumatologists, and treatment goals.

CONCLUSION

These recommendations can serve as a template for similar initiatives in other countries. At the same time, they highlight the need to take into account the impact of the respective national health care system.

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells and regulatory T cells in the tumor microenvironment: A dangerous liaison

Tumor-infiltrating plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) have been associated with poor patient prognosis. We have recently uncovered the ability of pDCs to activate and expand a subset of tumor-infiltrating FOXP3⁺ regulatory T cells that express inducible costimulator (ICOS), providing new insights into the mechanisms that govern the escape of cancer from immunosurveillance.