A review of question prompt lists used in the oncology setting with comparison to the Patient Concerns Inventory

A question prompt list (QPL) is a simple and inexpensive communication tool used to facilitate patient participation in medical consultations. The QPL is composed of a structured list of questions and has been shown to be an effective way of helping ensure patients' individual information needs are appropriately met. This intervention has been investigated in a variety of settings but not specifically head and neck cancer (HNC). The aim of this paper was to perform a narrative review of literature reporting the use of a QPL for oncology patients and to draw comparison to the Patient Concerns Inventory (PCI-HN). The databases Scopus, PubMed and MEDLINE were searched using the key terms 'question prompt list', 'question prompt sheet', 'cancer' and 'oncology'. Of 98 articles hand searched, 30 of which were found to meet all inclusion criteria, and described in a tabulated summary. The studies concluded that the QPL was an effective intervention, enabling active patient participation in medical consultations. The PCI-HN is specific for HNC and differs from many QPLs, which are more general cancer tools. The QPL approach should prove to be a useful intervention for HNC sufferers, however further research into the clinical utility is required.

Prevention of infectious complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy

Infection and sepsis is a complication of percutaneous nephrolithotomy that can lead to morbidity, mortality, and increased costs. Herein we review the current relevant literature on the topic of prevention of sepsis after percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Loss of function variants in human PNPLA8 encoding calcium-independent phospholipase A2 γ recapitulate the mitochondriopathy of the homologous null mouse

Mitochondriopathies are a group of clinically heterogeneous genetic diseases caused by defects in mitochondrial metabolism, bioenergetic efficiency, and/or signaling functions. The large majority of proteins involved in mitochondrial function are encoded by nuclear genes, with many yet to be associated with human disease. We performed exome sequencing on a young girl with a suspected mitochondrial myopathy that manifested as progressive muscle weakness, hypotonia, seizures, poor weight gain, and lactic acidosis. She was compound heterozygous for two frameshift mutations, p.Asn112HisfsX29 and p.Leu659AlafsX4, in the PNPLA8 gene, which encodes mitochondrial calcium-independent phospholipase A2 γ (iPLA2 γ). Western blot analysis of affected muscle displayed the absence of PNPLA8 protein. iPLA2 s are critical mediators of a variety of cellular processes including growth, metabolism, and lipid second messenger generation, exerting their functions through catalyzing the cleavage of the acyl groups in glycerophospholipids. The clinical presentation, muscle histology and the mitochondrial ultrastructural abnormalities of this proband are highly reminiscent of Pnpla8 null mice. Although other iPLA2 -related diseases have been identified, namely, infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy and neutral lipid storage disease with myopathy, this is the first report of PNPLA8-related disease in a human. We suggest PNPLA8 join the increasing list of human genes involved in lipid metabolism associated with neuromuscular diseases due to mitochondrial dysfunction.

A patient with polymerase E1 deficiency (POLE1): clinical features and overlap with DNA breakage/instability syndromes

Background

Chromosome instability syndromes are a group of inherited conditions associated with chromosomal instability and breakage, often leading to immunodeficiency, growth retardation and increased risk of malignancy.

Case presentation

We performed exome sequencing on a girl with a suspected chromosome instability syndrome that manifested as growth retardation, microcephaly, developmental delay, dysmorphic features, poikiloderma, immune deficiency with pancytopenia, and myelodysplasia. She was homozygous for a previously reported splice variant, c.4444 + 3A > G in the POLE1 gene, which encodes the catalytic subunit of DNA polymerase E.

Conclusion

This is the second family with POLE1-deficency, with the affected individual demonstrating a more severe phenotype than previously described.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12881-015-0177-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Evolutionary nature of human reverse transcriptase and of viral-related DNA synthesized in vitro by human leukemic cells

The reverse transcriptase and endogenous DNA product synthesized by virus-like particles in the cytoplasm of human leukemic cells have been studied for their genetic relatedness to homologous components obtained from several animal RNA tumor viruses. The human reverse transcriptase activity was inhibited by antibodies prepared against reverse transcriptase from some animal RNA tumor viruses. The DNA molecules synthesized endogenously by the human cytoplasmic particle in the presence of actinomycin D, using the reverse transcriptase enzyme and RNA template residing in the particle, hybridized to 70S RNA purified from certain animal RNA tumor viruses. Both the human reverse transcriptase and DNA product are closely related to homologues from primate type-C viruses, more distantly related to those from murine type-C viruses, and essentially unrelated to similar structures from feline or avian type-C viruses. They are not related to type-B RNA tumor viruses. The results demonstrate that the components from the human leukemic cells are viral (type-C) and primate in nature.

CLPB variants associated with autosomal-recessive mitochondrial disorder with cataract, neutropenia, epilepsy, and methylglutaconic aciduria

3-methylglutaconic aciduria (3-MGA-uria) is a nonspecific finding associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, including defects of oxidative phosphorylation. 3-MGA-uria is classified into five groups, of which one, type IV, is genetically heterogeneous. Here we report five children with a form of type IV 3-MGA-uria characterized by cataracts, severe psychomotor regression during febrile episodes, epilepsy, neutropenia with frequent infections, and death in early childhood. Four of the individuals were of Greenlandic descent, and one was North American, of Northern European and Asian descent. Through a combination of homozygosity mapping in the Greenlandic individuals and exome sequencing in the North American, we identified biallelic variants in the caseinolytic peptidase B homolog (CLPB). The causative variants included one missense variant, c.803C>T (p.Thr268Met), and two nonsense variants, c.961A>T (p.Lys321*) and c.1249C>T (p.Arg417*). The level of CLPB protein was markedly decreased in fibroblasts and liver of affected individuals. CLPB is proposed to function as a mitochondrial chaperone involved in disaggregation of misfolded proteins, resulting from stress such as heat denaturation.

Targeted resequencing of the microRNAome and 3'UTRome reveals functional germline DNA variants with altered prevalence in epithelial ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is a major cause of cancer deaths, yet there have been few known genetic risk factors identified, the best known of which are disruptions in protein coding sequences (BRCA1 and 2). Recent findings indicate that there are powerful genetic markers of cancer risk outside of these regions, in the noncoding mRNA control regions. To identify additional cancer-associated, functional non-protein-coding sequence germline variants associated with ovarian cancer risk, we captured DNA regions corresponding to all validated human microRNAs and the 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of ~6000 cancer-associated genes from 31 ovarian cancer patients. Multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the 3'UTR of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor/FLT1, E2F2 and PCM1 oncogenes were highly enriched in ovarian cancer patients compared with the 1000 Genome Project. Sequenom validation in a case-control study (267 cases and 89 controls) confirmed a novel variant in the PCM1 3'UTR is significantly associated with ovarian cancer (P=0.0086). This work identifies a potential new ovarian cancer locus and further confirms that cancer resequencing efforts should not ignore the study of noncoding regions of cancer patients.

Molecular testing of 163 patients with Morquio A (Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA) identifies 39 novel GALNS mutations

Morquio A (Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA; MPS IVA) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by partial or total deficiency of the enzyme galactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS; also known as N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase) encoded by the GALNS gene. Patients who inherit two mutated GALNS gene alleles have a decreased ability to degrade the glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) keratan sulfate and chondroitin 6-sulfate, thereby causing GAG accumulation within lysosomes and consequently pleiotropic disease. GALNS mutations occur throughout the gene and many mutations are identified only in single patients or families, causing difficulties both in mutation detection and interpretation. In this study, molecular analysis of 163 patients with Morquio A identified 99 unique mutations in the GALNS gene believed to negatively impact GALNS protein function, of which 39 are previously unpublished, together with 26 single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Recommendations for the molecular testing of patients, clear reporting of sequence findings, and interpretation of sequencing data are provided.

FGF receptor genes and breast cancer susceptibility: results from the Breast Cancer Association Consortium

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women. Genome-wide association studies have identified FGFR2 as a breast cancer susceptibility gene. Common variation in other fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors might also modify risk. We tested this hypothesis by studying genotyped single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and imputed SNPs in FGFR1, FGFR3, FGFR4 and FGFRL1 in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium.

METHODS

Data were combined from 49 studies, including 53 835 cases and 50 156 controls, of which 89 050 (46 450 cases and 42 600 controls) were of European ancestry, 12 893 (6269 cases and 6624 controls) of Asian and 2048 (1116 cases and 932 controls) of African ancestry. Associations with risk of breast cancer, overall and by disease sub-type, were assessed using unconditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

Little evidence of association with breast cancer risk was observed for SNPs in the FGF receptor genes. The strongest evidence in European women was for rs743682 in FGFR3; the estimated per-allele odds ratio was 1.05 (95% confidence interval=1.02-1.09, P=0.0020), which is substantially lower than that observed for SNPs in FGFR2.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that common variants in the other FGF receptors are not associated with risk of breast cancer to the degree observed for FGFR2.

Phase II study of everolimus-erlotinib in previously treated patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Preclinical data suggest combining a mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor with erlotinib could provide synergistic antitumor effects in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this multicenter, open-label, phase II study, patients with advanced NSCLC that progressed after one to two previous chemotherapy regimens were randomized 1:1 to erlotinib 150 mg/day±everolimus 5 mg/day. Primary end point was the disease control rate (DCR) at 3 months; secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS) and safety.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-three patients received everolimus-erlotinib (n=66) or erlotinib alone (n=67). The DCR at 3 months was 39.4% and 28.4%, respectively. The probability for the difference in disease control at 3 months to be ≥15% was estimated to be 29.8%, which was below the prespecified probability threshold of ≥40%. Median PFS was 2.9 and 2.0 months, respectively. Grade 3/4 adverse events occurred in 72.7% and 32.3% of patients, respectively. Grade 3/4 stomatitis was observed in 31.8% of combination therapy recipients.

CONCLUSIONS

Everolimus 5 mg/day plus erlotinib 150 mg/day was not considered sufficiently efficacious per the predefined study criteria. The combination does not warrant further investigation based on increased toxicity and the lack of substantial improvement in disease stabilization.

A phase Ib dose-escalation study of everolimus combined with cisplatin and etoposide as first-line therapy in patients with extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

This phase Ib study aimed to establish the feasible everolimus dose given with standard-dose etoposide plus cisplatin (EP) for extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (SCLC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

An adaptive Bayesian dose-escalation model and investigator opinion were used to identify feasible daily or weekly everolimus doses given with EP in adults with treatment-naive extensive-stage SCLC. A protocol amendment mandated prophylactic granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). Primary end point was cycle 1 dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) rate. Secondary end points included safety, relative EP dose intensity, pharmacokinetics, and tumor response.

RESULTS

Patients received everolimus 2.5 or 5 mg/day without G-CSF (n=10; cohort A), 20 or 30 mg/week without G-CSF (n=18; cohort B), or 2.5 or 5 mg/day with G-CSF (n=12; cohort C); all received EP. Cycle 1 DLT rates were 50.0%, 22.2%, and 16.7% in cohorts A, B, and C, respectively. Cycle 1 DLTs were neutropenia (cohorts A and B), febrile neutropenia (all cohorts), and thrombocytopenia (cohorts A and C). The most common grade 3/4 adverse events were hematologic. Best overall response was partial response (40.0%, 61.1%, and 58.3% in cohorts A, B, and C, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Everolimus 2.5 mg/day plus G-CSF was the only feasible dose given with standard-dose EP in untreated extensive-stage SCLC.

Abstract P2-02-10: Evaluation of apparent diffusion coefficient to predict grade, micro-invasion and invasion in DCIS

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in distinguishing DCIS grades and identifying the presence of micro-invasive/invasive disease.

METHODS AND MATERIALS:

REB approved study with informed consent obtained from 70 women (age 36-84) scheduled for core-biopsy with results of 71 non-invasive/high-risk breast lesions. All patients underwent surgery and were assessed pre-operatively using diffusion weighted (DWI)-MRI. Lesion size, morphology and ADC values were recorded. The Kruskal Wallis or one-way ANOVA test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to study the association between ADC values and the analyzed MRI lesion characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the ability of ADC values to predict the presence of invasion.

RESULTS:

Of 71 cases, 45.1% were imaged on a 3T magnet and 54.9% on 1.5 T. Final pathology demonstrated invasive cancer in 26.8%, micro-invasion in 18.3% and pure DCIS in 59.2%. On 3T, mean ADC value was 1.20 ×10-3 mm2/s ± 0.48 (SD) (range, 0.47 - 1.78 ×10-3 mm2/s) for non-high grade DCIS, 1.23 × 10-3 mm2/s ± 0.40 (SD) (range, 0.26 - 1.77 ×10-3 mm2/s) for high-grade DCIS, and 1.15 × 10-3 mm2/s ± 0.45 (SD) (range, 0.26 - 1.75 ×10-3 mm2/s) for invasive/microinvasive disease. On 1.5T, mean ADC value was 1.04 × 10-3 mm2/s ± 0.41 (SD) (range, 0.15 - 1.85 ×10-3 mm2/s) for non-high grade DCIS, 1.01 × 10-3 mm2/s ± 0.37 (SD) (range, 0.06 - 1.76 ×10-3 mm2/s) for high-grade DCIS, and 1.11 × 10-3 mm2/s ± 0.30 (SD) (range, 0.64 - 1.76 ×10-3 mm2/s) for invasive/microinvasive disease. Based on logistic regression analysis, mean ADC value was not a significant predictor for invasiveness using 1.5 T [OR = 2.6 (95% CI (0.409, 17.12)), p = 0.3] or 3T [OR = 0.4 (95% CI (0.076, 2.399)), p = 0.3]

CONCLUSION: Mean ADC acquired using a 1.5T or 3T MRI was unable to predict high-grade or invasive disease in biopsy-proven DCIS lesions. Further work is exploring voxel-based approaches that may better appreciate tumor heterogeneity and identify sub-regions of tumor with these higher risk features.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P2-02-10.

Predicting complicated Crohn's disease and surgery: phenotypes, genetics, serology and psychological characteristics of a population-based cohort

BACKGROUND

Predictors of complicated Crohn's disease (CD), defined as stricturing or penetrating behaviour, and surgery have largely been derived from referral centre populations.

AIM

To investigate whether serological markers, susceptibility genes or psychological characteristics are associated with complicated CD or surgery in a population-based cohort.

METHODS

One hundred and eighty-two members of the Manitoba IBD Cohort with CD phenotyped using the Montreal classification underwent genetic and serological analysis at enrolment and after 5 years. One hundred and twenty-seven had paired sera at baseline and 5 years later and their data were used to predict outcomes at a median of 9.3 years. Serological analysis consisted of a seven antibody panel, and DNA was tested for CD-associated NOD2 variants (rs2066845,rs2076756,rs2066847), ATG16L1 (rs3828309, rs2241880) and IL23R (rs11465804). Psychological characteristics were assessed using semi-structured interviews and validated survey measures.

RESULTS

Sixty-five per cent had complicated CD and 42% underwent surgery. Multivariate analysis indicated that only ASCA IgG-positive serology was predictive of stricturing/penetrating behaviour (OR = 3.01; 95% CI: 1.28-7.09; P = 0.01) and ileal CD (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.07-4.54, P = 0.03). Complicated CD behaviour was strongly associated with surgery (OR = 5.6; 95% CI: 2.43-12.91; P < 0.0001), whereas in multivariate analysis, only ASCA IgG was associated (OR = 2.66; 95% CI, 1.40-5.06, P = 0.003). ASCA titre results were similar at baseline and follow-up. Psychological characteristics were not significantly associated with disease behaviour, serological profile or genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

ASCA IgG at baseline was significantly associated with stricturing/penetrating disease at 9-10 years from diagnosis. Stricturing/penetrating disease was significantly associated with surgery. In a model including serology, the genotypes assessed did not significantly associate with complicated disease or surgery.

Familial breast cancer genetic testing in the West of Ireland

AIMS

The majority of hereditary breast and ovarian cancers are associated with highly penetrant mutations in two genes: BRCA 1 and 2. Our aim was to investigate the prevalence and types of BRCA mutations in patients from the West of Ireland.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was undertaken that included all patients from the counties, Mayo, Sligo, Galway, Roscommon, and Clare, who were referred to the National Centre for Medical Genetics (NCMG) for testing for mutations in BRCA 1 or 2 between 2000 and 2010. Data including age, symptoms, family history, Manchester score, and test results were recorded and analysed using SPSS.

RESULTS

The NCMG received 380 referrals from the Western seaboard, including 148 for diagnostic testing and 232 for predictive evaluation. Sixty-five patients did not attend for assessment. Two hundred and fifty-six patients fulfilled criteria for genetic counselling, which was accepted by 184, of whom 127 proceeded to testing. Predictive tests were more often declined than diagnostic [41 (46 %) vs. 16 (17 %)]. Ten mutations in BRCA 1 were identified in 20 patients (15 families), including Exon 1-23del (3 families); Exon 14-20del (2 families) and E143X (2 families). Six mutations in BRCA 2 were identified in 15 patients (12 families) including 8525delC (n = 2 families) and 8205-1G>C (n = 3 families). Patients with positive results had significantly higher Manchester scores than those with negative tests [median 25.5 (12-48) vs. 20 (8-37), p = 0.042, Mann-Whitney U test].

CONCLUSION

To identify patients with highly penetrant variants, referrals should be made with strict adherence to guidelines. Counselling should be individualised to counteract intrinsic psychological barriers to testing.