Defining cardiac involvement in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Recent advances in cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and other diagnostic techniques have made it easier to identify subclinical cardiac inflammation and dysfunction in the idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). Herein, we systematically review the literature regarding cardiac involvement in IIM.

METHODS

We searched Medline and EMBASE from 1990-2020 using keywords related to IIM and cardiac disease. We included English language studies in adults with any immune-mediated, inflammatory muscle pathology.

RESULTS

We identified 10425 potentially relevant abstracts, of which 29 were included. Most frequently these included patients with polymyositis or dermatomyositis without symptomatic myocarditis. Five categories of cardiac investigation were used in these patients: cardiac enzyme testing, electrocardiography (ECG), transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), CMR and nuclear medicine testing. Patients with clinical myocarditis had universally abnormal cardiac troponin levels and ECG. Elevated cardiac troponin T was more common than troponin I (cTnI) and may correlate with disease activity, whereas cTnI was more specific for cardiac involvement. Non-specific ECG changes were common. The major finding on TTE was abnormal ejection fraction. Gross systolic dysfunction was unusual, but subclinical systolic dysfunction was reported in several studies. Abnormal diastolic function was common and may be associated with disease duration. Late gadolinium enhancement (reflecting regional necrosis or scar) and abnormal myocardial mapping parameters (reflecting myocardial inflammation, fibrosis and oedema) were frequently identified on CMR, suggesting significant subclinical myocardial pathology (despite typically normal ejection fraction).

CONCLUSION

Abnormal cardiac investigations are commonly found in asymptomatic IIM patients, which has potential prognostic and treatment implications.

Evidence-Based Assessment of Genes in Dilated Cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND

Each of the cardiomyopathies, classically categorized as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, has a signature genetic theme. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy are largely understood as genetic diseases of sarcomere or desmosome proteins, respectively. In contrast, >250 genes spanning >10 gene ontologies have been implicated in DCM, representing a complex and diverse genetic architecture. To clarify this, a systematic curation of evidence to establish the relationship of genes with DCM was conducted.

METHODS

An international panel with clinical and scientific expertise in DCM genetics evaluated evidence supporting monogenic relationships of genes with idiopathic DCM. The panel used the Clinical Genome Resource semiquantitative gene-disease clinical validity classification framework with modifications for DCM genetics to classify genes into categories on the basis of the strength of currently available evidence. Representation of DCM genes on clinically available genetic testing panels was evaluated.

RESULTS

Fifty-one genes with human genetic evidence were curated. Twelve genes (23%) from 8 gene ontologies were classified as having definitive (BAG3, DES, FLNC, LMNA, MYH7, PLN, RBM20, SCN5A, TNNC1, TNNT2, TTN) or strong (DSP) evidence. Seven genes (14%; ACTC1, ACTN2, JPH2, NEXN, TNNI3, TPM1, VCL) including 2 additional ontologies were classified as moderate evidence; these genes are likely to emerge as strong or definitive with additional evidence. Of these 19 genes, 6 were similarly classified for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and 3 for arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy. Of the remaining 32 genes (63%), 25 (49%) had limited evidence, 4 (8%) were disputed, 2 (4%) had no disease relationship, and 1 (2%) was supported by animal model data only. Of the 16 evaluated clinical genetic testing panels, most definitive genes were included, but panels also included numerous genes with minimal human evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

In the curation of 51 genes, 19 had high evidence (12 definitive/strong, 7 moderate). It is notable that these 19 genes explain only a minority of cases, leaving the remainder of DCM genetic architecture incompletely addressed. Clinical genetic testing panels include most high-evidence genes; however, genes lacking robust evidence are also commonly included. We recommend that high-evidence DCM genes be used for clinical practice and that caution be exercised in the interpretation of variants in variable-evidence DCM genes.

Association of clinical factors and recent anticancer therapy with COVID-19 severity among patients with cancer: a report from the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium

BACKGROUND

Patients with cancer may be at high risk of adverse outcomes from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We analyzed a cohort of patients with cancer and coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) reported to the COVID-19 and Cancer Consortium (CCC19) to identify prognostic clinical factors, including laboratory measurements and anticancer therapies.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with active or historical cancer and a laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis recorded between 17 March and 18 November 2020 were included. The primary outcome was COVID-19 severity measured on an ordinal scale (uncomplicated, hospitalized, admitted to intensive care unit, mechanically ventilated, died within 30 days). Multivariable regression models included demographics, cancer status, anticancer therapy and timing, COVID-19-directed therapies, and laboratory measurements (among hospitalized patients).

RESULTS

A total of 4966 patients were included (median age 66 years, 51% female, 50% non-Hispanic white); 2872 (58%) were hospitalized and 695 (14%) died; 61% had cancer that was present, diagnosed, or treated within the year prior to COVID-19 diagnosis. Older age, male sex, obesity, cardiovascular and pulmonary comorbidities, renal disease, diabetes mellitus, non-Hispanic black race, Hispanic ethnicity, worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, recent cytotoxic chemotherapy, and hematologic malignancy were associated with higher COVID-19 severity. Among hospitalized patients, low or high absolute lymphocyte count; high absolute neutrophil count; low platelet count; abnormal creatinine; troponin; lactate dehydrogenase; and C-reactive protein were associated with higher COVID-19 severity. Patients diagnosed early in the COVID-19 pandemic (January-April 2020) had worse outcomes than those diagnosed later. Specific anticancer therapies (e.g. R-CHOP, platinum combined with etoposide, and DNA methyltransferase inhibitors) were associated with high 30-day all-cause mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical factors (e.g. older age, hematological malignancy, recent chemotherapy) and laboratory measurements were associated with poor outcomes among patients with cancer and COVID-19. Although further studies are needed, caution may be required in utilizing particular anticancer therapies.

CLINICAL TRIAL IDENTIFIER

NCT04354701.

POS1490-HPR “WHERE DOES IT HURT?”: IDENTIFYING PAIN CONTENT AND ITS CONTEXT WITHIN PAEDIATRIC AND ADOLESCENT RHEUMATOLOGY TRAINING

Background:

Complex pain symptoms present across a wide spectrum of long-term musculoskeletal conditions in paediatric rheumatology. Pain training should therefore be part of a core curriculum for the professionals working in this speciality, but it is unclear to what extent this is the case currently.

Objectives:

To identify the extent of pain-specific content included in the training of healthcare professionals in paediatric and adolescent rheumatology in the UK.

Methods:

A systematic search of documental data using key internet search engines was conducted using combinations of the following terms: ‘training’, ‘curriculum’, ‘competency’, ‘paediatric’, ‘adolescent’ and ‘rheumatology’. A targeted search of online content from the main professional organisations followed; doctors (Royal College of Paediatric and Child Health [RCPCH]), nurses (Royal College of Nursing [RCN]), physiotherapists (Chartered Society of Physiotherapy), occupational therapists (Royal College of Occupational Therapists) and psychologists (British Psychological Society). Documents from professional learned societies such as The British Society of Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology (BSPAR) and The Scottish Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology Network (SPARN) were also included. Document search strategies were designed by the authors in partnership with healthcare professionals. Data were extracted and analysed following a summative content analysis. Pain-related terms were quantified. Latent content was interpreted qualitatively to explore the context in which pain-related phrases were presented.

Results:

Nine documents were identified. Pain-related terms represented 0.17% of all words across texts (used 55 times in total). Most pain terms were found in documents aimed at doctors (n=40, 72.7%). Of the pain terms used, most were used in the context of referring to specific pain syndromes such as chronic regional pain, generalized idiopathic pain and pain amplification. Content around the assessment and management of pain was vague and no detail was given as to how health professionals should perform these tasks. There was no reference to pain intensity, location or emotion. There were several problematic conceptual issues in the way pain was presented, with pain mostly portrayed either in the context of inflammatory or non-inflammatory pain and rarely in the context of both. Musculoskeletal pain was also positioned as a ‘somatic’ symptom, potentially conveying an interpretation of pain as being psychologically mediated.

Conclusion:

Training for healthcare professionals in paediatric rheumatology would benefit from updates informed by contemporary pain theories and evidence-based practices. This is key to ensuring that children and young people with chronic pain receive effective pain care from tertiary care services focused on treating musculoskeletal disease.

Table 1.

Documents and pain terms identified

ProfessionTitleOrganisations, year.% of document covered by pain termsDoctorsGeneric syllabus level 1.RCPCH, 2018.0.14%DoctorsGeneric syllabus level 2.RCPCH, 2018.0.14%DoctorsGeneric syllabus level 3.RCPCH, 2018.0.06%DoctorsPaediatric rheumatology level 3.RCPCH, 2018.0.48%DoctorsCompetencies for the special interest module in paediatric rheumatologyRCPCH, 2014.0.43%NursesCompetencies for rheumatology nurses.RCN, 2020.0.05%NursesCompetencies for clinical nurse specialists/advanced nurse practitioners.BSPAR, 2014.0.29%NursesRole of the paediatric rheumatology nurse.SPARN, 2016.0%Allied Health Professionals (AHPs)Competencies for AHPsBSPAR, 2019.0.73%

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Contemporary and Future Approaches to Precision Medicine in Inherited Cardiomyopathies: JACC Focus Seminar 3/5

Inherited cardiomyopathies are commonly occurring myocardial disorders that are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Clinical management strategies have focused on treatment of heart failure and arrhythmic complications in symptomatic patients according to standardized guidelines. Clinicians are now being urged to implement precision medicine, but what does this involve? Advances in understanding of the genetic underpinnings of inherited cardiomyopathies have brought new possibilities for interventions that are tailored to genes, specific variants, or downstream mechanisms. However, the phenotypic variability that can occur with any given pathogenic variant suggests that factors other than single driver gene mutations are often involved. This is propelling a new imperative to elucidate the nuanced ways in which individual combinations of genetic variation, comorbidities, and lifestyle may influence cardiomyopathy phenotypes. Here, Part 3 of a 5-part precision medicine Focus Seminar series reviews the current status and future opportunities for precision medicine in the inherited cardiomyopathies.

Translation and application of an obesity behavior change technique training in a Spanish nursing undergraduate setting

BACKGROUND

The TEnT PEGS framework is a behavior change communication toolkit which has been shown to be useful in increasing health professional trainees' skills and knowledge about obesity-related behavior change techniques. There is no version of the behavioral change intervention toolkit in Spanish. Therefore, the objectives of this study were 1) to translate the TEnT PEGS framework into Spanish and apply it to a Spanish nursing student population; 2) To analyze whether training with the Spanish toolkit (DEPREMIO) had a positive impact on students' skills in encouraging obesi-ty-related behavioral change.

METHODS

First year nursing students (n=95) attended two face-to-face (2 hours per session) obesity management training sessions. A specifically designed pre-post test was carried out. Data were collected using an ad-hoc questionnaire of fourteen items, ten of them evaluated the student's knowledge and attitude about behavior change techniques, and four evaluated the student's perception of their skills in developing different strategies.

RESULTS

Training significantly increased most students' knowledge and attitudes with a 0.05 level of significance and effect sizes were between 0.36 and 0.77. It also increased students' skills, although not to any significant extent.

CONCLUSION

The DEPREMIO toolkit helped nursing students to acquire more knowledge, attitudes and skills in obesity management. It therefore seems that this adaptation is an acceptable and feasible training tool for the Spanish nursing student population.

Late-onset and long-lasting immune-related adverse events from immune checkpoint-inhibitors: An overlooked aspect in immunotherapy

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionised cancer therapy but frequently cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Description of late-onset and duration of irAEs in the literature is often incomplete.

METHODS

To investigate reporting and incidence of late-onset and long-lasting irAEs, we reviewed all registration trials leading to ICI's approval by the US FDA and/or EMA up to December 2019. We analysed real-world data from all lung cancer (LC) and melanoma (Mel) patients treated with approved ICIs at the University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV) from 2011 to 2019. To account for the immortal time bias, we used a time-dependent analysis to assess the potential association between irAEs and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Duration of irAEs and proportion of patients with ongoing toxicities at data cut-off were not specified in 56/62 (90%) publications of ICIs registration trials. In our real-world analysis, including 437 patients (217 LC, 220 Mel), 229 (52.4%) experienced at least one grade ≥2 toxicity, for a total of 318 reported irAEs, of which 112 (35.2%) were long-lasting (≥6 months) and about 40% were ongoing at a median follow-up of 369 days [194-695] or patient death. The cumulative probability of irAE onset from treatment initiation was 42.8%, 51.0% and 57.3% at 6, 12 and 24 months, respectively. The rate of ongoing toxicity from the time of first toxicity onset was 42.8%, 38.4% and 35.7% at 6, 12 and 24 months. Time-dependent analysis showed no significant association between the incidence of irAEs and OS in both cohorts (log Rank p = 0.67 and 0.19 for LC and Mel, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Late-onset and long-lasting irAEs are underreported but common events during ICIs therapy. Time-dependent survival analysis is advocated to assess their impact on OS. Real-world evidence is warranted to fully capture and characterise late-onset and long-lasting irAEs in order to implement appropriate strategies for patient surveillance and follow-up.

Impact of COVID-19 on social media as perceived by the oncology community: results from a survey in collaboration with the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the OncoAlert Network

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all aspects of modern-day oncology, including how stakeholders communicate through social media. We surveyed oncology stakeholders in order to assess their attitudes pertaining to social media and how it has been affected during the pandemic.

Materials and methods

A 40-item survey was distributed to stakeholders from 8 July to 22 July 2020 and was promoted through the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the OncoAlert Network.

Results

One thousand and seventy-six physicians and stakeholders took part in the survey. In total, 57.3% of respondents were medical oncologists, 50.6% aged <40 years, 50.8% of female gender and mostly practicing in Europe (51.5%). More than 90% of respondents considered social media a useful tool for distributing scientific information and for education. Most used social media to stay up to date on cancer care in general (62.5%) and cancer care during COVID-19 (61%) given the constant flow of information. Respondents also used social media to interact with other oncologists (78.8%) and with patients (34.4%). Overall, 61.1% of respondents were satisfied with the role that social media was playing during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the other hand, 41.1% of respondents reported trouble in discriminating between credible and less credible information and 30% stated social networks were a source of stress. For this reason, one-third of respondents reduced its use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regarding meeting attendance, a total of 59.1% of responding physicians preferred in-person meetings to virtual ones, and 51.8% agreed that virtual meetings and social distancing could hamper effective collaboration.

Conclusion

Social media has a useful role in supporting cancer care and professional engagement in oncology. Although one-third of respondents reported reduced use of social media due to stress during the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority found social media useful to keep up to date and were satisfied with the role social media was playing during the pandemic.

•

More than 90% of the 1076 respondents believed in the role of social media promoting scientific information and education.

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41% of respondents had trouble discriminating between credible and less credible information on social media.

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61% of respondents used social media to stay up to date with scientific information regarding cancer care and COVID-19.

•

The flow of information on COVID-19 via social media was deemed useful for 49% of respondents but caused stress in 30%.

•

52% of respondents agreed that virtual meetings and social distancing could hamper effective collaboration.

Intracranial and extracranial efficacy of lorlatinib in patients with ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer previously treated with second-generation ALK TKIs

BACKGROUND

Lorlatinib, a potent, brain-penetrant, third-generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), has substantial activity against ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study assessed the overall, intracranial, and extracranial efficacy of lorlatinib in ALK-positive NSCLC that progressed on second-generation ALK TKIs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In the ongoing phase II study (NCT01970865), patients with ALK-positive advanced NSCLC treated with ≥1 prior second-generation ALK TKI ± chemotherapy were enrolled in expansion cohorts (EXP) based on treatment history. Overall, intracranial and extracranial antitumor activity were assessed independently per modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1.

RESULTS

Of the 139 patients with ≥1 prior second-generation ALK TKI (EXP3B-5), 28 received one prior second-generation ALK TKI (EXP3B), 65 two prior ALK TKIs (EXP4), and 46 three prior ALK TKIs (EXP5). In EXP3B-5, the objective response rate (ORR) [95% confidence intervals] was 39.6% (31.4-48.2), intracranial ORR (IC-ORR) was 56.1% (42.4-69.3), extracranial ORR (EC-ORR) was 36.7% (28.7-45.3), median duration of response (DOR) was 9.6 months [5.6-16.7; IC-DOR, 12.4 (6.0-37.1); EC-DOR, 9.7 (6.1-33.3)], median progression-free survival was 6.6 (5.4-7.4) months, and median overall survival was 20.7 months (16.1-30.3). In EXP3B, the ORR was 42.9% (24.5-62.8), the IC-ORR was 66.7% (29.9-92.5), and the EC-ORR was 32.1% (15.9-52.4). In EXP4 and EXP5, the ORR was 38.7% (29.6-48.5), the IC-ORR was 54.2% (39.2-68.6), and the EC-ORR was 37.8% (28.8-47.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Lorlatinib had clinically meaningful intracranial and extracranial antitumor activity in the post-second-generation ALK TKI setting, with elevated intracranial versus extracranial ORR, particularly in patients with fewer lines of therapy.

Second-line nivolumab in relapsed small-cell lung cancer: CheckMate 331☆

BACKGROUND

Patients with relapsed small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) have few treatment options and dismal survival. Phase I/II data show activity of nivolumab in previously treated SCLC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CheckMate 331 is a randomized, open-label, phase III trial of nivolumab versus standard chemotherapy in relapsed SCLC. Patients with relapse after first-line, platinum-based chemotherapy were randomized 1 : 1 to nivolumab 240 mg every 2 weeks or chemotherapy (topotecan or amrubicin) until progression or unacceptable toxicity. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Overall, 284 patients were randomized to nivolumab and 285 to chemotherapy. Minimum follow-up was 15.8 months. No significant improvement in OS was seen with nivolumab versus chemotherapy [median OS, 7.5 versus 8.4 months; hazard ratio (HR), 0.86; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.72-1.04; P = 0.11]. A survival benefit with nivolumab was suggested in patients with baseline lactate dehydrogenase ≤ upper limit of normal and in those without baseline liver metastases. OS (nivolumab versus chemotherapy) was similar in patients with programmed death-ligand 1 combined positive score ≥1% versus <1%. Median progression-free survival was 1.4 versus 3.8 months (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.18-1.69). Objective response rate was 13.7% versus 16.5% (odds ratio, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.50-1.27); median duration of response was 8.3 versus 4.5 months. Rates of grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events were 13.8% versus 73.2%.

CONCLUSION

Nivolumab did not improve survival versus chemotherapy in relapsed SCLC. No new safety signals were seen. In exploratory analyses, select baseline characteristics were associated with improved OS for nivolumab.