Cambridge Translational Cancer Research Ovarian Study 01 (CTCR-OV01): Expression profiling of advanced epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) to predict chemotherapy response. A randomised phase II trial design with prospective translational endpoints

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Methods: CTCR-OV01 is a randomised phase II neoadjuvant study in stage III-IV epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Patients (pts) were consented for diagnostic and fresh tissue research biopsies, and after diagnosis was confirmed, were randomised (1:1) to: Arm A: Carboplatin AUC 7 every 3 weeks (C) × 3 cycles (cy); then interval debulking surgery (IDS); then C AUC 6 with paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 q 3w (CT) × 3 cy; and finally paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 q 3w (T) × 3 cy. Arm B: T × 3 cy; IDS; CT × 3 cy; C × 3 cy. At IDS further fresh tissue samples were collected. Clinical Endpoints: (i) Partial response rate after three cycles of chemotherapy based on CA125 (CA125 RR) and CT scan (CT RR). (ii) Median progression-free survival (PFS). Translational endpoints: Candidate genes and molecular profiles as predictive markers of response/resistance to C and T. Results: Jan ‘02-Dec ‘04, 48 pts were randomised in a single centre study. 4 patients were excluded from analysis (3pts severe toxicity; 1pt incorrect histopathology), leaving 44 patients (21pts A/23 pts B). Median age 60 yr (range 36–75 yrs); 42/44 serous papillary histology; stage III/IV = 77%/23%; grade I/II/III = 2%/34%/64%. All prognostic factors were well balanced between treatment arms. Median follow-up is 22 months (IQR 17–33.5). CA125 RR to pre-operative chemotherapy was A/B = 65%/60% (p = 1). CT RR was A/B = 47%/35% (p = 0.15). CA125 RR, was significantly associated with improvement in progression-free survival (PFS) compared to non-responders (17.3 v 12.4 months; log rank test p = 0.027). Optimal debulking surgery was possible in A/B = 53%/63%. Median PFS was 14 months (m) (A/B = 13 m/14 m (p = 0.53)). Supervised analysis of Affymetrix expression data showed significant enrichment for differential extracellular gene expression in paclitaxel resistant patients. Conclusions: Prospective controlled randomized trials using neoadjuvant treatment are ideally suited for translational research in EOC and provide unique sample sets molecular analysis.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Cyclic pneumatic soft-tissue compression accelerates the union of distal radial osteotomies in an ovine model

The aim of this randomised, controlled in vivo study in an ovine model was to investigate the effect of cyclic pneumatic pressure on fracture healing. We performed a transverse osteotomy of the right radius in 37 sheep. They were randomised to a control group or a treatment group where they received cyclic loading of the osteotomy by the application of a pressure cuff around the muscles of the proximal forelimb. Sheep from both groups were killed at four or six weeks. Radiography, ultrasonography, biomechanical testing and histomorphometry were used to assess the differences between the groups. The area of periosteal callus, peak torsional strength, fracture stiffness, energy absorbed over the first 10 degrees of torsion and histomorphometric analysis all showed that the osteotomies treated with the cyclic pneumatic pressure at four weeks were not significantly different from the control osteotomies at six weeks.

Safeness of Simplex-tobramycin bone cement in patients with renal dysfunction undergoing total hip replacement

PURPOSE

To compare the pharmacokinetic profile of tobramycin in blood, urine, and at the operative site following the use of Simplex-tobramycin bone cement in primary total hip replacement between patients with and without renal dysfunction.

METHODS

Six patients with renal dysfunction underwent cemented primary total hip replacement for osteoarthritis. The elution characteristics of Simplex-tobramycin bone cement in the 6 patients with renal dysfunction were compared with 9 patients who had normal renal function. Blood, urine, and drainage fluid specimens were collected for 72 hours postoperatively.

RESULTS

Very high concentrations of tobramycin were seen in the drainage fluid of the 2 groups. Mean serum tobramycin levels peaked at postoperative 3 hours, and declined rapidly to negligible levels at 72 hours in both groups. Mean urinary tobramycin concentrations peaked at postoperative 12 hours and declined rapidly until 48 hours in both groups. Urinary tobramycin was excreted significantly more slowly in renal dysfunction group in the first 12 hours, but not thereafter. Although serum creatinine levels of the renal dysfunction group were higher throughout the study period, the difference was not significant. Both groups achieved excellent local delivery of the antibiotic with minimal systemic concentrations.

CONCLUSION

Simplex-tobramycin bone cement appears to be an effective and safe means to deliver antibiotic for patients with renal dysfunction who undergo total hip replacement.

Aprotinin and epsilon aminocaproic acid are effective in reducing blood loss after primary total hip arthroplasty--a prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study

A prospective randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was undertaken to determine the efficacy and mechanism of action of two antifibrinolytic drugs aprotinin and epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA) in reducing blood loss in primary unilateral total hip arthroplasty (THA). Aprotinin was administered as a bolus of 2 x 10(6) kallikrein inhibitor units (KIU) followed by 0.5 x 10(6) KIU h(-1) for 3 h, EACA was given as 10 g over 30 min followed by 5 g over 3 h. The median postoperative blood loss 24 h postoperatively was reduced from 450 mL in the placebo group to 180 mL for aprotinin (60% reduction, P < 0.001) and to 210 mL for EACA (53% reduction, P < 0.01). In this population, there was no reduction in the perioperative transfusion requirements. The mechanism of both drugs was independent of platelets as indicated by flow cytometric measurement of change of their expression of P-selectin, platelet-monocyte aggregates, V/Va and CD40 ligand. There were no thrombotic or infective complications and no adverse events were attributable to use of either drug. Infusion of either aprotinin or EACA at the doses described is a safe and effective means of reducing blood loss after THA. These therapies provide a means of reducing blood loss in THA patients.

Effect of cyclic pneumatic soft tissue compression on simulated distal radius fractures

We investigated the effect of pneumatic pressure applied to the proximal musculature of the sheep foreleg on load at the site of a transverse osteotomy of the distal radius. The distal radii of 10 fresh sheep foreleg specimens were osteotomized and a pressure sensor was inserted between the two bone fragments. An inflatable cuff, connected to a second pressure sensor, was positioned around the proximal forelimb musculature and the leg then was immobilized in a plaster cast. The inflatable cuff was inflated and deflated repeatedly to various pressures. Measurements of the cuff pressure and corresponding change in pressure at the osteotomy site were recorded. The results indicated that application of pneumatic pressure to the proximal foreleg musculature produced a corresponding increase in load at the osteotomy site. For the cuff pressures tested (109.8-238.4 mm Hg), there was a linear correlation with the load at the osteotomy site with a gradient of 12 mm Hg/N. It is conceivable, based on the results of this study, that a technique could be developed to provide dynamic loading to accelerate fracture healing in the upper limb of humans.

The use of Palma's procedure in the salvage therapy for a leiomyosarcoma of the right pelvic sidewall: an intraoperative multidisciplinary approach

Leiomyosarcomas of the ovary and broad ligament are relatively rare. Less than 50 cases of primary ovarian and broad ligament leiomyosarcomas have been reported. The prognosis is poor, with late-stage disease being a problem in the majority of cases. It is difficult to determine the exact role of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy in the management of these tumors. So far, no cases of ovarian or broad ligament leiomyosarcomas have been reported where primary surgery for the sarcoma had to be combined with a Palma's procedure. We report a case of a right pelvic sidewall leiomyosarcoma with involvement of 10 cm of the right external iliac vein. A review of the imaging preoperatively did not suggest involvement of the venous system. Resection of the pelvic mass was carried out and a Palma's procedure was performed by the vascular surgeon. Histology reported an incompletely excised high-grade leiomyosarcoma. Chemotherapy was given postoperatively. Imaging at 12 months after surgery showed a patent vascular graft and no evidence of recurrence. There was no clinical evidence of recurrence at 21 months postsurgery.

The use of Palma's procedure in the salvage therapy for a leiomyosarcoma of the right pelvic sidewall: an intraoperative multidisciplinary approach

Leiomyosarcomas of the ovary and broad ligament are relatively rare. Less than 50 cases of primary ovarian and broad ligament leiomyosarcomas have been reported. The prognosis is poor, with late-stage disease being a problem in the majority of cases. It is difficult to determine the exact role of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy in the management of these tumors. So far, no cases of ovarian or broad ligament leiomyosarcomas have been reported where primary surgery for the sarcoma had to be combined with a Palma's procedure. We report a case of a right pelvic sidewall leiomyosarcoma with involvement of 10 cm of the right external iliac vein. A review of the imaging preoperatively did not suggest involvement of the venous system. Resection of the pelvic mass was carried out and a Palma's procedure was performed by the vascular surgeon. Histology reported an incompletely excised high-grade leiomyosarcoma. Chemotherapy was given postoperatively. Imaging at 12 months after surgery showed a patent vascular graft and no evidence of recurrence. There was no clinical evidence of recurrence at 21 months postsurgery.

Consolidation responses of delipidized articular cartilage

OBJECTIVE

To determine the role of articular cartilage lipids in its load-bearing function.

DESIGN

Normal and delipidised, bovine articular cartilage specimens were statically loaded and both the hydrostatic excess pore pressure and creep strain were measured. From this the compression stiffness of the skeletal structures of both types of matrices was determined.

BACKGROUND

It has been hypothesized that surfactant injection could relief osteoarthritis, but there is no study in the literature relating to the influence of lipids, the main ingredients of such products, on cartilage load-carriage.

METHODS

Articular cartilage specimens were obtained from the patellar grooves of 2-3 year old bovine animals. When required specimen delipidization was carried out using chloroform/methanol rinsing. Both normal and delipidised samples were loaded in the consolidometer and the hydrostatic excess pore pressure and strain were measured.

RESULTS

The transient patterns of the hydrostatic excess pore pressure were similar for both types of tissue, with a relatively insignificant increase of 2% in the maximum hydrostatic excess pore pressure of the delipidized samples relative to the normal intact specimens. The maximum creep strain of the delipidised specimens decreased by 10% on average relative to their normal intact counterparts, thereby indicating that delipidization causes stiffening of the cartilage matrix.

CONCLUSION

The delipidized fluid-saturated articular cartilage is stiffer than its intact counterpart with consequence for cartilage compliance during function.

RELEVANCE

Because osteoarthritis can be accompanied by lipid loss in cartilage, this study contributes to the further understanding of the disease with potential benefit for treatment.

Biomechanical responses of normal and delipidized articular cartilage subjected to varying rates of loading

In alignment with the proposition that a lipid layer overlays the superficial zone of the articular cartilage, this study presents the consequence of the removal of lipids on the load-bearing characteristics of the tissue. Both normal unmodified and delipidized cartilage matrices were loaded at four different strain-rates of 1.3 x 10(-4)/s, 1.3 x 10(-3)/s, 1.3 x 10(-2)/s, and 1.3 x 10(-1)/s to strains of no more than 40%, to compare their stress-strain and stiffness-strain-rate characteristics. Our results demonstrate that at the lowest strain-rate of 1.3 x 10(-4)/s, the stiffness of the delipidized matrix was lower in comparison to that of the normal unmodified tissue. This response was reversed at higher strain-rates of 1.3 x 10(-2)/s and above. We conclude, therefore, that in general, at physiological rates of loading, the depletion of lipids from the articular cartilage reduces its compliance by at least 25%. We infer from the present study that this degenerative stiffening is an important contributing factor in impairing the tissue's load processing function in osteoarthritic joints.

The pharmacokinetics of Simplex-tobramycin bone cement

We prospectively investigated a consecutive series of ten patients undergoing a cemented primary total hip replacement (THR) for osteoarthritis in order to establish the elution characteristics of Simplex-tobramycin bone cement (Howmedica, Limerick, Ireland). Specimens of blood, urine and drainage fluid were collected for 72 hours postoperatively. Very high concentrations of tobramycin were found in the drainage fluid, with mean levels at one hour of 103 mg/l, which steadily declined to 15.1 mg/l after 48 hours. The mean serum tobramycin levels reached a peak of 0.94 mg/l at three hours and declined rapidly to 0.2 mg/l by 48 hours. The mean urinary tobramycin levels peaked at 57.8 mg/l at 12 hours with a rapid decline to 12.6 mg/l by 24 hours.

There was a direct correlation between the amount of tobramycin bone cement which was implanted and the amount of tobramycin systemically absorbed. Excellent local delivery was achieved with minimal systemic concentrations. Simplex-tobramycin bone cement is an efficient and safe method for the delivery of antibiotics after THR.

The pharmacokinetics of Simplex-tobramycin bone cement

We prospectively investigated a consecutive series of ten patients undergoing a cemented primary total hip replacement (THR) for osteoarthritis in order to establish the elution characteristics of Simplex-tobramycin bone cement (Howmedica, Limerick, Ireland). Specimens of blood, urine and drainage fluid were collected for 72 hours postoperatively. Very high concentrations of tobramycin were found in the drainage fluid, with mean levels at one hour of 103 mg/l, which steadily declined to 15.1 mg/l after 48 hours. The mean serum tobramycin levels reached a peak of 0.94 mg/l at three hours and declined rapidly to 0.2 mg/l by 48 hours. The mean urinary tobramycin levels peaked at 57.8 mg/l at 12 hours with a rapid decline to 12.6 mg/l by 24 hours. There was a direct correlation between the amount of tobramycin bone cement which was implanted and the amount of tobramycin systemically absorbed. Excellent local delivery was achieved with minimal systemic concentrations. Simplex-tobramycin bone cement is an efficient and safe method for the delivery of antibiotics after THR.

The impact of health professionals' attitudes about being registered donors on the availability of organs

The mismatch between supply and demand in organ donation is well documented. Although there are many reasons for this mismatch, failure of health professionals to identify potential donors or to gain consent from bereaved relatives is considered to be significant. Such failures may be due to the attitudes of health professionals themselves towards becoming organ donors. This study focuses on the level of commitment shown by health care professionals and their student equivalents to organ donation, and assesses the ways in which they identify themselves as potential organ donors. These findings are evaluated and suggestions for future practice are offered.

Serum levels of cobalt and chromium in a complex modular total hip arthroplasty system

There is concern that modularity in a total hip arthroplasty system increases serum cobalt and chromium ion levels. This study measures the serum cobalt and chromium levels in patients with an Oxford Universal Hip (Corin, Cirencester, United Kingdom), which has a modular sliding mechanism; patients with a similarly manufactured hip with no sliding mechanism; and a control group. Loosening was excluded clinically and radiologically. Arthroplasty patients had statistically higher levels of serum cobalt and chromium than controls, but there was no significant difference in levels between the implanted groups.

Cost-effective clinical pathways at the Alfred Hospital: international lessons from Bayside Health, Australia

The paper "Caring about carepaths" by Pearson and Macintosh (2001) is an interesting article for those considering the implementation of clinical pathways. The authors have attempted to describe the experiences and lessons learned in trying to introduce clinical pathways at Cairns Base Hospital (CBH). The paper is not a research report. Rather, it is a story of what was hoped to be achieved versus what actually was achieved. Hence, the term "experiment" was used in a non-technical sense. In our commentary of that paper below, we also outline our own experience in clinical pathways at The Alfred by way of comparison, drawing upon lessons learnt that may be of interest to other hospitals.

Immune evasion by muscle-specific gene expression in dystrophic muscle

Muscle tissue from Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and the Dmd(mdx/mdx) (hereafter referred to as mdx) mouse is characterized by an abundance of necrotic myofibers and infiltrating macrophages. Both features may provide additional stimulus to the immune response directed against novel antigens, such as those delivered by gene therapy vectors. It has previously been shown that the immune evasion achieved by adeno-associated virus in healthy muscle fails in one model of muscular dystrophy. Here, we examined the immune response to adenoviral vectors and their transgenes in normal and mdx mice. We found that mdx mouse muscles contain 20 times more macrophages and 7 times more dendritic cells than healthy muscles. This higher professional antigen-presenting cell content results in a stronger immune response to antigens that can be directly presented by those cells, including viral antigens and constitutively expressed transgene products. However, we did not detect a significant immune response to beta-galactosidase expressed specifically in muscle, even at high expression levels. This result suggests that cross-presentation is not more effective in mdx mouse muscle, and that targeted vectors and tissue-specific promoters may be useful tools for evasion of the immune response in dystrophic muscle.

Gulfwatch: monitoring spatial and temporal patterns of trace metal and organic contaminants in the Gulf of Maine (1991-1997) with the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis L

Gulfwatch, established in 1991, is an international contaminant monitoring program in which the blue mussel, Mytilus edulis, is used as an indicator of the level and extent of contamination in the Gulf of Maine. Since 1991, trace metals, PAHs, PCBs, and OC pesticides have been measured in mussel tissues at 56 sites. The distribution of most metals was relatively uniform throughout the Gulf with the exception of Ag, Pb and Cr. However, the concentration of organic contaminants increased in a north-to-south direction. High concentrations of contaminants were correlated with large human population density and proximity to large rivers. Temporal analysis of five sites revealed that the majority of contaminant concentrations were either unchanged or decreasing. The concentrations of most contaminants were lower than the median of the National Status and Trends (NS & T) Mussel Watch with the exceptions of Cr, Hg, Pb and sigma PCB24. Hg concentrations at > 80% of the Gulfwatch sites exceeded the NS & T median +1 SD. Gulfwatch continues as a primary contaminant monitoring program in the Gulf of Maine.

The growth of Bacillus stearothermophilus on stainless steel

AIMS

To determine the potential for Bacillus stearothermophilus cells to form biofilms of significance in dairy manufacture.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The ability of isolates of B. stearothermophilus from dairy manufacturing plants to attach to stainless steel surfaces was demonstrated by exposing stainless steel samples to suspensions of spores or vegetative cells and determining the numbers attaching using impedance microbiology. Spores attached more readily than vegetative cells. The attachment of cells to stainless steel was increased 10-100-fold by the presence of milk fouling the stainless steel. The growth of B. stearothermophilus as a biofilm on stainless steel surfaces was determined using a continuously flowing experimental reactor. Vegetative cells were released in greater numbers than spores from biofilms of most strains studied. Biofilms of one strain (B11) were studied in detail. Biofilms of > 106 cells cm-2 formed in the reactor and released approximately 106 cells ml-1 into milk passing over the biofilm. A doubling time of 25 min was calculated for this organism grown as a biofilm.

CONCLUSION

The formation of biofilms of thermophilic Bacillus species within the plant appears to be a likely cause of contamination of manufactured dairy products. Methods to control the formation of biofilms in dairy manufacturing plants are required to reduce the contamination of dairy products with thermophilic bacilli.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Biofilms of B. stearothermophilus growing in dairy manufacturing plants can explain the contamination of dairy products with these bacteria.

Familial ovarian malignancy

Familial ovarian cancer is a subset of ovarian cancer where there appears to be a definable genetic link in families. It accounts for less than 5% of cases of ovarian cancer seen at present. The main genes responsible, BRCA1 and BRCA2, are discussed. Screening and the prophylactic measures for women identified having a genetic trait are discussed.

Beliefs among pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons in the therapeutic approach to non-small cell lung cancer

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The physicians who initially evaluate patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) strongly impact the course of therapy. Their beliefs in treatment and prognosis may contribute to practices of variable quality and appropriateness. We sought to better describe beliefs among pulmonologists and thoracic surgeons who were selected for guiding early therapy and referrals in patients with NSCLC.

DESIGN

Mail questionnaire focusing on survival estimates, treatment perceptions, and referral patterns.

PARTICIPANTS

Twelve hundred pulmonologists and 800 thoracic surgeons who were clinically active members of the American College of Chest Physicians.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Response rates of 50% for pulmonologists and 52% for thoracic surgeons were obtained after two mailings. Five-year survival estimates for patients with resected stage I NSCLC revealed that 30% of respondents overestimated survival rates and 18% underestimated survival rates. The underestimation of survival rate was found among more respondents who are practicing pulmonology than thoracic surgery (22% vs 10% [corrected], respectively), who were trained before 1980 than after 1980 (29% vs 10% [corrected], respectively), and who were seeing < 10 lung cancer patients annually than those who were seeing > 25 (31% vs 0.14%, respectively). Beliefs in the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy or of radiation in stage I-IIIA disease divided respondents within both specialties. Chemotherapy plus radiation vs radiation alone in unresectable stage IIIA-B NSCLC was viewed as benefiting survival less often by physicians seeing < 10 lung cancer patients annually rather than > 25 (57% vs 77% [corrected], respectively) and by physicians underestimating rather than correctly estimating survival in early-stage disease (58% vs 72% [corrected], respectively). Chemotherapy was believed to confer survival benefits in patients with stage IV disease by one third of respondents.

CONCLUSIONS

Certain physician characteristics, particularly the length of time since training and NSCLC patient volume, are associated with beliefs not conclusively supported in the medical literature or with opinions inconsistent within and between specialties.

Macrophage-osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in osteoarthrotic subchondral acetabular cysts

A macrophage infiltrate is commonly found in enlarging subchondral cysts in osteoarthrosis (OA) and the surrounding bone. To determine whether osteoclast differentiation by these cells contributes to the increase in the number of osteoclasts and bone resorption that accompanies OA cyst enlargement, we isolated macrophages from the wall of OA cysts and co-cultured them with osteoblast-like UMR106 cells in the presence or absence of 1,25(OH)2D3 and M-CSE After 14 days of incubation, co-cultures of UMR106 cells and cyst-derived macrophages showed evidence of osteoclast differentiation by expression of TRAP, VNR and formation of numerous lacunar pits. We found that, unlike osteoclast precursors in monocyte and other tissue macrophage populations, the addition of M-CSF to medium is not required for osteoclast differentiation. Our findings suggest that macrophage-osteoclast differentiation is one means whereby the osteolysis associated with the enlargement of OA cysts could be effected.