Space-resolved visible spectroscopy for two-dimensional measurement of hydrogen and impurity emission spectra and of plasma flow in the edge stochastic layer of LHD

A space-resolved visible spectrometer system has been developed for two-dimensional (2D) distribution measurements of hydrogen and impurity emission spectra and of plasma flow in the edge stochastic layer of Large Helical Device (LHD). Astigmatism of the spectrometer has been suppressed by introducing additional toroidal and spherical mirrors. A good focal image at the exit slit is realized in a wide wavelength range (75 nm) as well as in a wide slit height direction (26 mm) with a 300 grooves/mm grating. The capability of the spectrometer optical system for the 2D measurement and further possible improvements are discussed in detail. An optical fiber array of 130 channels with a lens unit is used to spatially resolve the edge plasma into different magnetic field structure components: divertor strike points, divertor legs, X-point of the legs, the stochastic layer, and the last closed flux surface. With a 300 grooves/mm grating, the 2D distributions of several hydrogen and impurity line emissions are simultaneously obtained with absolute intensities. A clear correlation is obtained between the magnetic field structure and the emission intensity. With a 2400 grooves/mm grating with a good spectral resolution (0.03 nm/pixel), the 2D distributions of impurity flow velocity are obtained from the Doppler shift measurement. The wavelength position is accurately calibrated by investigating the wavelength dispersion as well as by correcting a mechanical error of the optical setting in the spectrometer. The uncertainty in the velocity is reduced to less than 10% of a typical impurity velocity ∼10⁴ m/s. A temporal change in the flow directions is observed at different spatial locations in divertor detachment plasma.

Abstract P5-16-04: A randomized phase II neoadjuvant study comparing docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC) with 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel (FEC-D) for hormone receptor-negative breast cancer: The Kanagawa breast oncology group (KBOG) 1101 study

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for patients with hormone receptor-negative (HR-negative) breast cancer (BC) to identify subtypes that require anthracycline treatment.

Methods: In total, 103 patients with operable HR-negative BC were registered. They were randomely assigned to administration of 6 cycles of docetaxel (75mg/m2) and cyclophosphamide (600 mg/m2) (TC6) or 3 cycles of 5-fluorouracil (500 mg/m2), epirubicin (100mg/m2), and cyclophosphamide (500mg/m2) followed by 3 cycles of docetaxel (100mg/m2) (FEC-D). Cytokeratin (CK) 5/6 and EGFR expression were used to identify basal and non-basal triple-negative (TN) BC. The primary endpoint was pathological complete response (pCR); secondary endpoints were safety, breast-conserving surgery, disease-free survival, and overall survival. Predictive factors of pCR for each regimen were also evaluated.

Results:

The pCR rate was 36% for FEC-D and 25.5% for TC6, which did not differ significantly (P=0.265). When TN BC was subdivided into basal and non-basal subtypes, the pCR rate in the basal subtype was significantly lower for TC6 (13.6%) than for FEC-D (42.9%) (P=0.033), but did not significantly differ in the non-basal (TC6, 36.4%; FEC-D, 25.0%) and HER2-positive (TC6, 41.7%; FEC-D, 35.7%) cases.

The relative dose intensities of epirubicin and docetaxel in FEC-D and docetaxel in TC6 were 96.3±13.0%, 93.5±14.6%, and 93.9±16.3% (mean±SD), respectively. Occurrence of grade ≥2 adverse events was significant in FEC-D-treated patients. Poor appetite (P<0.001), nausea (P<0.001), vomiting (P<0.001), dysgeusia (P=0.03), and fatigue (P=0.05) were significantly more common for FEC-D than TC6. Patients treated with FEC-D experienced significantly more febrile neutropenia and anemia (P=0.016 and 0.017, respectively).

The rates of breast-conserving surgery were 68.0 and 72.3% for FEC-D and TC6, respectively (P=0.641).

Patients achieved pCR had better DFS (log rank test, P = 0.287) and OS (log rank test, P = 0.069), though not significant. Patients treated with FEC-D had better DFS (log rank test, P = 0.107) and OS (log rank test, P = 0.159), though not significant. Among patients with TN BC, those treated with FEC-D had significantly better DFS (log rank test, P = 0.016) and OS (log rank test, P = 0.034) than treated with TC6.

Low ALDH1 expression and high topo IIα protein expression were strongly correlated with pCR in FEC-D, with odds ratios (ORs) of 4.33 [95% CI, 1.02–18.38] and 4.08 [0.97–17.2], respectively. ALDH1 was also associated with pCR in TC, OR=3.50 [0.84–14.6]. Other factors, including age, tumor size, nodal status, tumor grade, Ki67, p53, and TOP 2A status were not associated with pCR in either regimen.

Conclusions:We found that TC6 was less effective than FEC-D for treating HR-negative BC because it was insufficient for TNBC, particularly for basal BC. This suggests that anthracycline is more important than taxane for basal BC. Additionally, ALDH1 could be a marker for resistance to conventional chemotherapy.

Citation Format: Narui K, Ishikawa T, Shimizu D, Tanabe M, Sasaki T, Oba MS, Morita S, Nawata S, Kida K, Mogaki M, Doi T, Tsugawa K, Ogata H, Ota T, Kosaka Y, Sengoku N, Kuranami M, Saito Y, Suzuki Y, Suto A, Arioka H, Chishima T, Ichikawa Y, Endo I, Tokuda Y. A randomized phase II neoadjuvant study comparing docetaxel and cyclophosphamide (TC) with 5-fluorouracil, epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide followed by docetaxel (FEC-D) for hormone receptor-negative breast cancer: The Kanagawa breast oncology group (KBOG) 1101 study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-16-04.

Abstract P2-11-07: Duration of fasting before taking lapatinib is associated with skin toxicity in neoadjuvant treatment of HER2 positive breast cancer: A cohort study from JBCRG-16/Neo-LaTH

Background: In neoadjuvant dual HER2 blockade, over 30% of patients fail to complete treatment as planned because of lapatinib-induced diarrhea, rash, and hepatotoxicity. Lapatinib bioavailability, which affects both efficacy and toxicity, is influenced by prandial conditions.

Methods: To investigate the association between lapatinib dosage timing and toxicity, we reviewed the medical records of patients who were enrolled in the JBCRG-16/Neo-LaTH randomized phase II multicenter trial evaluating the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant 1000 mg/day lapatinib (La) and trastuzumab (T) therapy for 6 or 12 weeks followed by 750 mg/day La, T and weekly paclitaxel for 12 weeks in Japanese patients with primary HER2 positive breast cancer. Lapatinib dosage timing was divided into three groups: after overnight fasting, between meals, and at bedtime. We also measured serum lapatinib concentrations at steady state and dosage timing on the day prior to pharmacokinetic blood sampling. The primary endpoint was to investigate the association between lapatinib dosage timing and frequency of ≥grade 2 diarrhea. The secondary endpoint was to assess the association between dosage timing and other toxicities, pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and treatment discontinuation. Statistical analyses performed included one-way ANOVA, Welch's test and logistic regression.

Results: Out of 213 patients enrolled in JBCRG-16/Neo LaTH, we obtained dosage timing data from 143 (67%) patients: 16 (11%) after overnight fasting, 53 (37%) between meals, and 74 (52%) at bedtime. Serum lapatinib concentrations were obtained in 34/143 (24%) of patients. Dosage timing was not associated with ≥grade 2 diarrhea (8/16 (50%) after overnight fasting, 18/53 (34%) between meals, and 26/74 (35%) at bedtime; p = 0.48). However, multivariate analysis revealed that the after overnight fasting group is less likely to develop acne-like rash during La + T treatment regardless of age, BMI, or treatment.

Multivariate logistic regression analysis of factors predicting rash during La + T treatmentFactor Adjusted odds ratio95% confidence intervalp valueAge (years)≥55Reference   <552.671.18-6.310.018*BMI (kg/m2)≥23Reference   <231.040.45-2.390.933La + T duration6 weeksReference   12 weeks3.621.49-9.770.004*Concurrent endocrine treatmentYesReference   No2.170.94-5.150.068Dosage timingAfter overnight fastingReference   Others3.681.16-11.90.027*BMI cut off is based on Asian criteria for overweight status. La: Lapatinib, T: Trastuzumab, *statistically significant

In addition, serum lapatinib trough concentration and it's variability were significantly reduced in the after overnight fasting group (mean ± standard deviation (SD) = 0.35 ± 0.15 µg/ml, coefficient of variation (CV) = 42.7%) as compared to the others (mean ± SD = 0.77 ± 0.44 µg/ml, CV = 57.8%) (p<0.01) . The chance of pCR was not associated with dosage timing (8/16 (50%) after overnight fasting, 24/53, (45%) between meals, and 38/74 (51%) at bedtime; p = 0.79).

Conclusions: These data suggest that overnight fasting stabilizes the bioavailability of lapatinib, which may aid in managing lapatinib-induced rash without diminishing its therapeutic efficacy.

Citation Format: Tsuda M, Ishiguro H, Toriguchi N, Masuda N, Bando H, Ohgami M, Homma M, Morita S, Yamamoto N, Kuroi K, Takano T, Shimizu S, Toi M. Duration of fasting before taking lapatinib is associated with skin toxicity in neoadjuvant treatment of HER2 positive breast cancer: A cohort study from JBCRG-16/Neo-LaTH [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P2-11-07.

Structural Reconstruction of the Perivascular Space in the Adult Mouse Neurohypophysis During an Osmotic Stimulation

Oxytocin (OXT) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) neuropeptides in the neurohypophysis (NH) control lactation and body fluid homeostasis, respectively. Hypothalamic neurosecretory neurones project their axons from the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei to the NH to make contact with the vascular surface and release OXT and AVP. The neurohypophysial vascular structure is unique because it has a wide perivascular space between the inner and outer basement membranes. However, the significance of this unique vascular structure remains unclear; therefore, we aimed to determine the functional significance of the perivascular space and its activity-dependent changes during salt loading in adult mice. The results obtained revealed that pericytes were the main resident cells and defined the profile of the perivascular space. Moreover, pericytes sometimes extended their cellular processes or 'perivascular protrusions' into neurohypophysial parenchyma between axonal terminals. The vascular permeability of low-molecular-weight (LMW) molecules was higher at perivascular protrusions than at the smooth vascular surface. Axonal terminals containing OXT and AVP were more likely to localise at perivascular protrusions than at the smooth vascular surface. Chronic salt loading with 2% NaCl significantly induced prominent changes in the shape of pericytes and also increased the number of perivascular protrusions and the surface area of the perivascular space together with elevations in the vascular permeability of LMW molecules. Collectively, these results indicate that the perivascular space of the NH acts as the main diffusion route for OXT and AVP and, in addition, changes in the shape of pericytes and perivascular reconstruction occur in response to an increased demand for neuropeptide release.

Autoimmune Hepatitis Associated with Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Although autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is frequently complicated with chronic thyroiditis or other autoimmune disorders, reports on its association with immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) are scarce. We herein describe a case of AIH associated with ITP. A 75-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to our hospital due to increased aminotransferase levels and severe thrombocytopenia. Elevated serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) was detected, and tests for platelet-associated IgG and anti-nuclear antibody were positive. Following the diagnosis of AIH-associated ITP, prednisolone treatment of 0.6 mg/kg/day resulted in a decrease in the aminotransferase levels and an increased platelet count.

Up-down asymmetry measurement of tungsten distribution in large helical device using two extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectrometers

Two space-resolved extreme ultraviolet spectrometers working in wavelength ranges of 10-130 Å and 30-500 Å have been utilized to observe the full vertical profile of tungsten line emissions by simultaneously measuring upper- and lower-half plasmas of LHD, respectively. The radial profile of local emissivity is reconstructed from the measured vertical profile in the overlapped wavelength range of 30-130 Å and the up-down asymmetry is examined against the local emissivity profiles of WXXVIII in the unresolved transition array spectrum. The result shows a nearly symmetric profile, suggesting a good availability in the present diagnostic method for the impurity asymmetry study.

Incidence and prevalence of autoimmune hepatitis in the Ueda area, Japan

AIM

Although autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is considered to be rare in Japan, precise data on the incidence and prevalence of this disease are scarce due to the lack of a nationwide registry. We therefore conducted a study of these factors over a secondary medical care area.

METHODS

We retrospectively investigated the medical records of AIH patients seen during 2004-2009 and prospectively recruited subjects from 2010 to 2014 at our hospital. We surveyed via written questionnaires to all family doctors and hospitals in our secondary medical care area of Ueda, with a population 187 205 individuals over 14 years of age. We also surveyed several core liver disease hospitals in the areas neighboring Ueda.

RESULTS

Forty-eight patients with AIH were diagnosed between 2004 and 2014. AIH with histological features of acute hepatitis was increased. The average annual incidence of AIH in the area was 2.23 (age-standardized to the Japanese population). Forty-eight patients (37 patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2014, and 11 patients before 2003) were followed to the study end-point. The prevalence was 23.4 (age-standardized to the Japanese population) on 31 December 2014. After age-standardization to the World Health Organization world standard population, the incidence and prevalence of AIH decreased to 1.52 and 15.0, respectively, likely due to the high proportion of elderly patients in Japan.

CONCLUSION

The incidence and prevalence of AIH in Japan may be higher than previously believed due to increased awareness among family doctors, and a rise in the diagnosis of mild or atypical AIH.