The significant survival advantage of female sex in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a propensity-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Whether females have better survival than males in nasopharyngeal carcinoma is barely acknowledged and the exact explanations remain unknown.

METHODS

Overall, 5929 patients receiving treatment between January 2005 and December 2010 were separately stratified by stage into early and advanced stage groups, and by age into premenopausal (⩽45 years), menopausal (46-54 years) and postmenopausal (⩾55 years) groups. Matched males and females in each group were identified using the propensity score matching method. Differences in disease-free survival (DSS), overall survival (OS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) and locoregional relapse-free survival (LRFS) were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model.

RESULTS

Overall, 398, 923, 744, 319 and 313 pairs of males and females were matched in early stage, advanced stage, premenopausal, menopausal and postmenopausal group, respectively. Females showed significant advantage over males across all end points in both early and advanced stage groups (P⩽0.042). However, this advantage persisted at premenopausal age (P⩽0.042), declined during menopause (DMFS, P=0.021; DSS, P=0.100; OS, P=0.693; LRFS, P=0.330) and totally disappeared at postmenopausal age (P⩾0.344).

CONCLUSIONS

Sex significantly affects NPC survival, with a definite female advantage regardless of tumour stage. Intrinsic biologic traits appear to be the exact explanation according to the declining magnitude of sex effect with age.

Natural antisense RNAs are involved in the regulation of CD45 expression in autoimmune diseases

CD45 is a transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase that is specifically expressed in hematopoietic cells and can initiate signal transduction via the dephosphorylation of tyrosine. Alternatively spliced transcript variants of this gene encode distinct isoforms, which indicate different functional states of CD45. Among these variants, CD45RO, which contains neither exon 4, 5, or 6, is over-expressed in lymphocytes in autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and type I diabetes. The CD45 RO serves as a marker of the immune response activity and lymphocyte development. Previous studies have indicated that exon splicing is generally correlated with local hypermethylated DNA and acetylated histone modification, while autoimmune diseases are commonly associated with global hypomethylation and histone deacetylation in lymphocytes. Thus, the question arises of how exons 4, 5, and 6 of CD45RO are excluded under the status of global DNA hypomethylation and histone deacetylation in these autoimmune diseases. On the basis of the analyses of the context sequence of CD45 and its natural antisense RNA in GenBank, we proposed that the long noncoding RNA encoded by the natural antisense gene of CD45 contributes to the expressional regulation of the CD45RO splicing variant via recruitment of DNA methyltransferase and histone modification modulators specific to the sense gene CD45; thus, it is associated with the over-expression of CD45RO and the functional regulation of lymphocytes in the pathogenic development of autoimmune diseases.

Baseline neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is associated with survival and response to treatment with second-line chemotherapy for advanced prostate cancer independent of baseline steroid use

BACKGROUND

The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), proposed as an indicator of cancer-related inflammation, has known prognostic value in prostate cancer. We examine its association with survival (OS) and response in patients treated with second-line chemotherapy.

METHODS

We analysed patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated in the TROPIC trial, evaluating cabazitaxel versus mitoxantrone. Cox regression models were used to investigate the association of baseline NLR (BLNLR) with OS and the significance of a change in NLR count with treatment. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association of BLNLR counts with prostate specific antigen (PSA) and RECIST responses. The optimal NLR cut-off was established based on the concordance index of different values.

RESULTS

Data from 755, 654 and 405 patients was available for OS, PSA and RECIST response analysis respectively. Median OS was 14.0 months [95% confidence interval (CI) 13.2-14.8]. Median NLR was 2.9 (IQR: 1.9-5.1). BLNLR was associated with survival (HR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-2.1, P = 0.011) in multivariable analysis (MVA) independently of variables included in the Halabi nomogram, treatment arm and corticosteroid use. The optimal cut-off for a dichotomous NLR was selected at 3.0 based on its higher c-index related to survival. BLNLR ≥3.0 was associated with lower PSA response (40.1% versus 59.9%; P < 0.001) and RECIST response (7.7% versus 15.6%, P = 0.022) in MVA. Conversion from high (≥3) to low (<3) NLR was associated with improved survival (HR 0.66; 95% CI 0.51-0.85; P = 0.001) and higher PSA response rates (66.4% versus 33.6%; P = 0.000). Use of corticosteroids at baseline did not modify the association between NLR and survival.

CONCLUSIONS

NLR is a valid prognostic biomarker in CRPC and is associated with survival, PSA and RECIST responses in patients treated with second-line chemotherapy. Changes in NLR counts with treatment may indicate benefit. NLR prognostic value is independent of prior use of corticosteroids.

CLINICALTRIALSGOV

NCT00417079.

Forming first impressions of others in schizophrenia: impairments in fast processing and in use of spatial frequency information

Individuals form first impressions of others all the time, which affects their social functioning. Typical adults form threat impressions in faces with neutral expressions quickly, requiring less than 40 ms. These impressions appear to be mediated by low spatial frequency (LSF) content in the images. Little is known, however, about mechanisms of first impression formation in schizophrenia. The current study investigated how quickly individuals with schizophrenia can form consistent impressions of threat compared with controls and explored the mechanisms involved. Patients and controls were presented intact, LSF- or high spatial frequency (HSF)-filtered faces with durations that varied from 39 to 1703 ms and were asked to rate how threatening each face was on a scale from 1 to 5. In order to assess the speed of impression formation for intact faces, correlations were calculated for ratings made at each duration compared to a reference duration of 1703 ms for each group. Controls demonstrated a significant relation for intact faces presented for 39 ms, whereas patients required 390 ms to demonstrate a significant relation with the reference duration. For controls, LSFs primarily contributed to the formation of consistent threat impressions at 39 ms, whereas patients showed a trend for utilizing both LSF and HSF information to form consistent threat impressions at 390 ms. Results indicate that individuals with schizophrenia require a greater integration time to form a stable "first impression" of threat, which may be related to the need to utilize compensatory mechanisms such as HSF, as well as LSF, information.

Quality control metrics improve repeatability and reproducibility of single-nucleotide variants derived from whole-genome sequencing

Although many quality control (QC) methods have been developed to improve the quality of single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in SNV-calling, QC methods for use subsequent to single-nucleotide polymorphism-calling have not been reported. We developed five QC metrics to improve the quality of SNVs using the whole-genome-sequencing data of a monozygotic twin pair from the Korean Personal Genome Project. The QC metrics improved both repeatability between the monozygotic twin pair and reproducibility between SNV-calling pipelines. We demonstrated the QC metrics improve reproducibility of SNVs derived from not only whole-genome-sequencing data but also whole-exome-sequencing data. The QC metrics are calculated based on the reference genome used in the alignment without accessing the raw and intermediate data or knowing the SNV-calling details. Therefore, the QC metrics can be easily adopted in downstream association analysis.

Excessive activation of the alternative complement pathway in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

OBJECTIVES

The complement system is involved in many immune complex-mediated kidney diseases, yet its role in the pathogenesis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) has not been examined in detail.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Screening of the glycoproteome of urine samples from ADPKD patients revealed that levels of complement factor B (CFB), serpin peptidase inhibitor, complement component 1 inhibitor (SERPING1) and complement component 9 (C9) increased, whereas complement component 1, r subcomponent-like (C1RL), CD55 and CD59 levels decreased with disease progression. Immunostaining and Western blot analysis confirmed the enhanced expression of CFB and C9 in cystic kidneys from ADPKD patients. Immunostaining also showed that the expressions of CFB and C9 in renal biopsy tissues from patients with other types of chronic kidney disease were lower than in tissues from ADPKD patients. The effect of the complement inhibitor rosmarinic acid (RMA) was evaluated in Pkd1(-/-) mice and Han:SPRD Cy/+ rats. Compared with vehicle-treated Pkd1(-/-) animals, RMA-treated mice had significantly lower serum creatinine (-50%) and blood urea nitrogen (-78%) levels, two kidneys/body weight ratio (-60%) and renal cystic index (-60%). Similar results were found in Cy/+ rats. Lower numbers of Ki67-positive nuclei and inflammatory cells and reduced fibrosis were observed in both animal models upon treatment with RMA.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that excessive activation of the alternative complement pathway is associated with ADPKD progression, probably mediated by cyst-lining epithelial cell proliferation, tubulointerstitial inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis. Targeting the complement system might represent a new therapeutic strategy for ADPKD.

Reprogramming the fate of human glioma cells to impede brain tumor development

Malignant gliomas, the most common solid tumors in the central nervous system, are essentially incurable due to their rapid growth and very invasive nature. One potential approach to eradicating glioma cells is to force these cells to undergo terminal differentiation and, in the process, to irreversible postmitotic arrest. Here, we show that neurogenin 2 (NGN2, also known as NEUROG2) synergizes with sex-determining region Y-box 11 (SOX11) to very efficiently convert human glioma cells to terminally differentiated neuron-like cells in both cell culture and adult mouse brains. These cells exhibit neuronal morphology, marker expression, and electrophysiological properties. The conversion process is accompanied by cell cycle exit, which dramatically inhibits glioma cell proliferation and tumor development after orthotopic transplantation. Most importantly, intracranial injection of NGN2- and SOX11-expressing virus into the tumor mass also curtails glioma growth and significantly improves survival of tumor-bearing mice. Taken together, this study shows a simple and highly efficient strategy for reprogramming malignant glioma cells into postmitotic cells, which might be a promising therapeutic approach for brain tumors.

Impact of adherence to treatment with tiotropium and fluticasone propionate/salmeterol in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases patients

OBJECTIVE

Poor adherence to treatment may contribute to the treatment gap in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). The aim of the current study was to describe the association between adherence to treatment and the risk of COPD moderate (ME) and severe (SE) exacerbations, and health care utilization.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Observational single cohort study utilizing the Quebec Provincial Health Insurance databases. All patients older than 40 years with a diagnosis of COPD between 2001 and 2010 were entered in the study cohort at the time of their first prescription for tiotropium (TIO) alone or co-administered with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (TIO + FSC). Follow-up continued to the last known claim or death. Adherence was measured by the medication possession ratio (MPR) ≥80% and persistence defined as no treatment gap ≥30 days.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

ME was defined as use of an oral corticosteroid or antibiotic, SE as COPD related hospitalization or an emergency room (ER) visit. COPD related health care resource utilization ascertained was prescription of rescue medications, ER visits, hospitalizations, intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, intubations, and general practitioner (GP) and respirologist visits.

RESULTS

There were 23,707 patients included in this study. Compliance and persistence with TIO for monotherapy patients were 61.1% and 47.6% respectively. For patients treated with TIO + FSC, compliance and persistence for TIO were 62.9% and 45.3% respectively, and for FSC they were 35.4% and 33.0%. Multivariate analyses showed a significant (P < 0.001) adjusted odds ratios for ME (OR(ME)) and SE (OR(SE)) for TIO compliant vs. non-compliant patients (TIO: OR(ME) = 0.543, OR(SE) = 0.712; TIO + FSC: OR(ME) = 0.436, OR(SE) = 0.570). Similarly for FSC compliance: OR(ME) = 0.546; OR(SE) = 0.749. Similar results were observed for persistence. Compliance and persistence with TIO and FSC were associated with significantly reduced rates of health care utilization.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the typical limitations of an administrative database study, the results of this large population-based study have shown that reduced adherence to treatment with TIO and FSC is associated with increased risk for exacerbations and higher health care utilization in COPD patients.

Impact of adherence to treatment with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol in asthma patients

OBJECTIVE

Low adherence with asthma treatment may be associated with suboptimal outcomes and hence create a treatment gap in the real-life setting. The objective of this study was to assess the long-term association between adherence to treatment with fixed-dose fluticasone propionate/salmeterol (FSC) and the risk of exacerbations and health care utilization in patients with asthma.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Observational single cohort study utilizing the Quebec Health Insurance databases. All patients (age >12 years) with a diagnosis of asthma (ICD9-CM 493.xx) between 2001 and 2010 were entered into the study cohort at the time of their first prescription for FSC at any dose. Follow-up continued to the last known claim or death. Adherence to treatment was ascertained as compliance (medication possession ratio ≥80%) and persistence (absence of treatment gap ≥30 days).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Outcomes assessed were exacerbations defined as one of the following: use of oral corticosteroid (OCS), emergency room (ER) visit for asthma or hospitalization for asthma. Asthma related health care resource utilizations ascertained were number of prescription claims for rescue medications, ER visits, hospitalizations, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, intubations, and general practitioner (GP) and respirologist visits.

RESULTS

A total of 19,126 patients were included in the study. The proportion of compliant and persistent patients were 42.7% and 29.3% respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed a significantly reduced adjusted odds of exacerbations for compliant (OR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.44-0.54) and persistent patients (OR = 0.42; 95% CI: 0.38-0.48). Similarly, significantly lower rates of health care utilization were observed for compliant and persistent patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this large population-based study have shown that increased adherence to treatment with FSC is associated with lower risk for exacerbations, lower rescue medication use and lower health care utilization in asthma patients. Despite the typical limitations of an administrative database study including validity of the diagnosis, the fact that compliance and persistence are calculated based on filled claims which does not guarantee that the patients actually took their medications, and the absence of clinical and laboratory data, the findings have implications for physician and patient awareness of the importance of adherence in the management of asthma.

The association of glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms in patients with osteosarcoma: evidence from a meta-analysis

Osteosarcoma is a life-threatening malignancy that often occurs in teenagers. Numerous studies have reported glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms are associated with osteosarcoma, but the results are inconclusive, partially because the sample size in each of published studies is relatively small. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis of the published studies to estimate the association more accurately. To preciously examine the association between the glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms and osteosarcoma, we undertook a meta-analysis of six case-control studies. The association between the glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms and osteosarcoma risk was assessed by odds ratios together with their 95% confidence intervals using a fixed-effects model or random-effects model. In addition, hazard ratio was used to measure the relationship between glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms and prognosis in patients with osteosarcoma. We found that there was significant association between the polymorphisms in GSTT1 or GSTM3 (AA versus BB) and osteosarcoma risk. In addition, there is no evidence of association on GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1 (IIe/IIe versus IIe/Val) or GSTP1 (IIe/IIe versus Val/Val) polymorphisms with prognosis in osteosarcoma. In conclusion, the GSTT1 and GSTM3 polymorphisms might influence osteosarcoma risk.