Effect of 12-week SPARQ training on the ability of youth football players

AIM

To evaluate the effect of a 12-week physical training regime comprising five components - speed, power, agility, reaction, quickness - on young football players' performance in terms of their capacity to move quickly in different phases.

METHODS

The football players were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 12) and a control group (n = 12). The rapid change of direction mobility was systematically investigated by using outdoor tests, the Illinois 505 Agility Test, the Square Pace Test, the Nebraska Agility Test, and the T-Shape Agility Test.

RESULTS

With the intervention of training, considerable improvements were detected in all indicators, with the SPARQ training approach outperforming.

CONCLUSION

The combined results indicate that SPARQ training can deliver favourable efficiency in terms of enhancing the agility of young football players.

Psychometric validation of the Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency Diary and Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency Impact Assessment in adults in the phase 3 ACTIVATE trial

BACKGROUND

Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency is a rare hereditary disorder characterized by chronic hemolytic anemia and serious sequalae which negatively affect patient quality of life. This study aimed to psychometrically validate the first disease-specific patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments: the 7-item PK Deficiency Diary (PKDD) and 12-item PK Deficiency Impact Assessment (PKDIA), designed to assess signs, symptoms, and impacts of PK deficiency in patients enrolled in the ACTIVATE global phase 3 study of mitapivat versus placebo (NCT03548220).

METHODS

All validation analyses for the PKDD and PKDIA were performed on blinded data, with analyses on item integrity, scoring, reliability, and validity conducted on data from screening and baseline. Completion rates and baseline response distributions were characterized using descriptive statistics. Item response modelling was used to inform a weighted scoring system. Reliability was assessed by internal consistency and test-retest reliability; and validity by convergent and known-groups analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 80 adults enrolled, baseline data were available for 77 (96.3%) and 78 (97.5%) patients for the PKDD and PKDIA, respectively. Item responses skewed right, indicating that mean values exceeded median values, especially for items utilizing a 0-10 numeric scale, which were subsequently recoded to a 0-4 scale; 4 items were removed from the PKDIA due to redundancy or low relevance to the trial population. Both the PKDD and PKDIA demonstrated high internal consistency (McDonald's coefficient ω = 0.86 and 0.90, respectively), test-retest reliability (intra-class coefficients of 0.94 and 0.87, respectively), and convergent validity with other PROs (linear correlation coefficients [|r|] between 0.30-0.73 and 0.50-0.82, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The findings provide evidence of validity and reliability for the PKDD and PKDIA, the first disease-specific PRO measures for PK deficiency, and can therefore increase understanding of, and more accurately capture, the wider impact of PK deficiency on health-related quality of life. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03548220. Registered June 07, 2018; https://www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov/ct2/show/NCT03548220 .

Method for extracting pigment characteristic spectra from the phytoplankton absorption spectrum

The extraction of pigment characteristic spectra from the phytoplankton absorption spectrum has high application value in phytoplankton identification and classification and in quantitative extraction of pigment concentrations. Derivative analysis, which has been widely used in this field, is easily interfered with by noisy signals and the selection of the derivative step, resulting in the loss and distortion of the pigment characteristic spectra. In this study, a method based on the one-dimensional discrete wavelet transform (DWT) was proposed to extract the pigment characteristic spectra of phytoplankton. DWT and derivative analysis were applied simultaneously to the phytoplankton absorption spectra of 6 phyla (Dinophyta, Bacillariophyta, Haptophyta, Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, and Prochlorophyta) to verify the effectiveness of DWT in the extraction of pigment characteristic spectra.

Molecular cloning, expression analysis and functional characterization of chicken cytochrome P450 27A1: A novel mitochondrial vitamin D3 25-hydroxylase

Vitamin D₃ is hydroxylated by cytochrome P450 (CYP) before exerting biological effects. The chicken CYP involved in vitamin D₃ 25-hydroxylation has yet to be cloned, and little is known about its functional characteristics, tissue distribution, and cellular expression. We identified a novel, full-length CYP27A1 gene cloned from chicken hepatocyte cDNA that encodes a putative protein of 518 amino acids. Swiss modeling revealed that chicken CYP27A1 has a classic open-fold form. Multisequence homology alignment determined that CYP27A1 contains conserved motifs for substrate recognition and binding. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis in 2-mo-old Partridge Shank broilers demonstrated that CYP27A1 mRNA levels were highest in the liver, followed by the thigh muscles, the breast muscles, and kidneys. The transcripts of CYP27A1 in breast muscles were significantly higher in males than in females. A subcellular localization analysis demonstrated that CYP27A1 was mainly expressed in the mitochondria. In vitro enzyme assays suggested that recombinant CYP27A1 hydroxylates vitamin D₃ at the C-25 position to form 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ (25(OH)D₃). The K_m and V_max values for CYP27A1-dependent vitamin D₃ 25-hydroxylation were estimated to be 4.929 μM and 0.389 mol min^-1 mg^-1 protein, respectively. In summary, these results suggest that CYP27A1 encodes a mitochondrial CYP that plays an important physiologic role in the 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D₃ in chickens, providing novel insights into vitamin D₃ metabolism in this species.

Major League Baseball Marketing Strategies and Industry Promotion Approaches

The sport of baseball is one of the chief pillars of the American sports industry. Major League Baseball (MLB) is the oldest professional sports league in the United States. It has long since formulated comprehensive marketing strategies and global industry promotion approaches that have proved exceptionally successful. Accordingly, the study of MLB's marketing strategies and industry promotion approaches will be crucial for the development of baseball in China and the establishment of an industrial chain. This study employed the literature consultation method, the comparative analysis method, and the inductive method to analyze MLB's localized marketing strategies and development trends in China and obtained the following insights concerning MLB's promotion and industry development efforts in China: (1) MLB has used a “family sport” concept to promote baseball culture and employed a project culture approach to promoting the universal spread of the sport of baseball; (2) MLB has sought to join baseball with school sports as a means of developing baseball talent; (3) MLB has promoted its brand, established a baseball industry chain, and engaged in comprehensive market cultivation; and (4) MLB has strengthened baseball infrastructure and encouraged baseball's rapid development.

Breakdancing Movement Based on Image Recognition Promotes Preschool Children's Executive Function and Intervention Plan

With the continuous development of science and technology, people can apply more and more technology to the cultivation of children's abilities. In the process of cultivating children's ability, the most fancy is the study of executive function, and this is the research topic of this article. In the past, training methods such as music, mindfulness, and exercise have been used in the study of children's executive abilities to promote the development of preschool children's executive functions. While various approaches have had some effect, researchers have been exploring more comprehensive approaches to effective training. This article is aimed at studying how to use image recognition technology to conduct an intervention analysis of breakdancing in promoting the executive function of preschool children. For this reason, this paper proposes image recognition technology based on deep learning neural network and conducts research, analysis, and improvement on related technologies obtained from deep learning. This makes it more suitable for the research topic of this article and design-related experiments and analysis to explore its related performance. The experimental results in this paper show that the improved image recognition technology has improved accuracy by 31.2%. And the performance of its algorithm is also improved by 21%, which can be very effective in monitoring preschool children during breakdancing.

A descriptive evaluation of resident prescription writing errors and self-perceived learning needs in dermatology

Prescribing errors in medical practice are common, and may be preventable in a significant proportion of cases. The literature on dermatological prescription errors is scarce. We sought to determine the rate and causes of resident prescribing errors in an outpatient dermatology practice, and surveyed residents' self-perceived prescription writing learning needs. All prescription errors were tabulated at the Ricky Kanee Schachter Dermatology Clinic (Women's College Hospital) from November 2019 to January 2020. There was an overall prescribing error rate of 1.58% (23/1457), with no significant difference between topical and systemic drugs (1.85% and 0.86%, respectively; P = 0.20) or between written prescriptions and those created by the electronic medical record (1.66% and 1.29%, respectively; P = 0.84). The survey response rate was 26.2% (22/82), with respondents reporting their overall confidence in dermatology prescription writing as (mean ± SD) 7.14 ± 1.75 out of 10. While the resident prescribing error rate was relatively low, multiple errors were avoidable, and residents agree that targeted dermatology-specific training in prescription writing is needed.

Treadmill exercise ameliorates chronic REM sleep deprivation-induced anxiety-like behavior and cognitive impairment in C57BL/6J mice

Various sleep disorders have deleterious effects on mental and cognitive performance. Exercise, as an alternative therapeutic strategy, exerts beneficial impacts on human health. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of 4 weeks treadmill exercise (4W-TE) on anxiety-like behavior and cognitive performance in mice exposed to 2 months REM sleep deprivation (2M-SD) (20 h per day). Behavioral performance of mice in elevated plus maze test (EPM), open field test (OFT), Y maze test (YM) and Morris water maze test (MWM) was recorded and analyzed 28 h after the last day of sleep deprivation. After behavioral tests, various neurotransmitters including norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), serotonin (5-HT) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in mouse hippocampus were quantified using high performance liquid chromatography. The hippocampal levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were further detected using ELISA. Behavioral data indicated that 2M-SD exposure induced anxiety-like behaviors and cognitive impairment, as evidenced by the decreased open-arm entries in EPM, reduced central area travels in OFT, declined spontaneous alteration in YM and prolonged escaping latency in MWM. In addition, 2M-SD exposure increased NE and DA, decreased 5-HT and GABA, and reduced IGF-1 and BDNF levels in mouse hippocampus. Interestingly, all these behavioral, neurochemical and neurobiological changes can be ameliorated by 4W-TE training. In summary, these findings confirm the beneficial impacts of exercise on health and provide further experimental evidence for future application of exercise as an alternative therapy against the mental and cognitive problems in patients with sleep disorders.

Abstract 2046: Inhibiting IDH mutations in low-grade glioma alters cellular function and the immune environment

Somatic mutations in the genes encoding the metabolic enzymes isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) 1 and 2 occur in many cancers, including glioma, cholangiocarcinoma, and acute myeloid leukemia. Mutant IDH (mIDH) proteins have a gain-of-function enzyme activity, catalyzing the reduction of alpha-ketoglutarate (α-KG) to the oncometabolite D-2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG). 2-HG competitively inhibits α-KG-dependent enzymes, leading to epigenetic dysregulation and tumorigenesis. TET2 is an α-KG-dependent enzyme mediating the conversion of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), which leads to DNA demethylation. In mIDH tumors, TET2 activity is inhibited by 2-HG, leading to DNA hypermethylation. In addition, IDH mutations are associated with immune evasion in gliomas. IDH mutations are common in low-grade gliomas (LGG; WHO grade 2/3) and include mutations in IDH1 (~80%) and IDH2 (~4%). Ivosidenib (AG-120, IVO) is a first-in-class, oral inhibitor of mIDH1, and vorasidenib (AG-881, VOR) is an oral, potent, brain-penetrant inhibitor of both mIDH1 and mIDH2. In an ongoing perioperative study (NCT03343197), IVO and VOR demonstrated brain penetrance and >90% suppression of 2-HG in resected mIDH1 gliomas after pre-operative treatment for approximately 4 weeks. In this analysis, we examined the cellular mechanisms underlying mIDH inhibition in LGG using resected tumor tissues collected following treatment with IVO and VOR. Optimal 2-HG suppression (defined by post-treatment 2-HG levels equal to or lower than the upper range of IDH wild-type tumor 2-HG levels) in IVO- or VOR-treated samples (n=17) led to a ~2-fold increase in 5hmC compared with untreated controls and banked reference samples (n=35; P=0.04). Furthermore, immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis of the proliferation marker Ki-67 showed a ~3-fold decrease in the percentage of Ki-67-positive cells in IVO- or VOR-treated samples with optimal 2-HG suppression (n=21) compared with untreated controls (n=5; P=0.02). Tumor immune microenvironment analyses were also conducted. Comparing IVO- or VOR-treated samples (n=21) with untreated controls and banked reference samples (n=33), RNAseq analysis showed a ~2-fold decrease in the expression of tumor-associated macrophage markers CD68 (P=0.01) and CD163 (P=0.03) in mIDH oligodendrogliomas. In addition, IHC analysis from paired pre-treatment (archival) and post-treatment samples showed an increase of CD3+ T-cell infiltration (P=0.03) and CD8+ T-cell infiltration (P=0.01) in IVO- or VOR-treated samples with optimal 2-HG suppression (n=21). Single-cell RNAseq was conducted for a subset of samples, and the results will be presented. Overall, these data suggest that mIDH inhibition decreases DNA hypermethylation and tumor cell proliferation, and activates the immune microenvironment in mIDH LGG. In conclusion, these data elucidate the mechanisms underlying mIDH inhibition and support further development of mIDH inhibitors in mIDH LGG.

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Citation Format: Min Lu, Ingo K. Mellinghoff, Aaron Diaz, Jennie W. Taylor, Sung Choe, Ania Tassinari, Dongwei Zhu, Katie Sellers, Kha Le, Feng Tai, Islam Hassan, Shuchi S. Pandya, Lori Steelman, Bin Wu. Inhibiting IDH mutations in low-grade glioma alters cellular function and the immune environment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 2046.

INDIGO: A global, randomized, double-blind, phase III study of vorasidenib (VOR; AG-881) vs placebo in patients (pts) with residual or recurrent grade II glioma with an isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 (IDH1/2) mutation

TPS2574

Background: Low-grade gliomas (LGGs; WHO grade II) are incurable and ultimately progress to high-grade gliomas. The current treatment options consist of surgery followed by observation (“watch and wait”) for pts with lower risk for disease progression or post-operative chemo-radiotherapy (high-risk population). There are no approved targeted therapies. IDH1 and IDH2 mutations (m IDH1/2) occur in approximately 70% and 4% of LGGs, respectively, and promote tumorigenesis via neomorphic production of D-2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG). VOR, an oral, potent, reversible, brain-penetrant inhibitor of mIDH1/2, was evaluated in 76 pts with glioma in two phase 1 studies (dose escalation and perioperative) and was associated with a favorable safety profile at doses of < 100 mg daily. Preliminary clinical activity was observed in non-enhancing glioma pts in both studies, most recently with an objective response rate (ORR) of 30.8% at 50 mg QD in the perioperative study and > 90% 2-HG suppression at this dose level relative to untreated control samples (Mellinghoff et al., J Clin Oncol 2019). Methods: Approximately 366 pts will be randomized 1:1 to VOR (50 mg QD) or matched placebo and stratified by 1p19q status (intact vs co-deleted). Key eligibility criteria include: age ≥12 years; grade 2 oligodendroglioma or astrocytoma (per WHO 2016 criteria) not in need of immediate treatment and without high-risk features; centrally confirmed m IDH1/2 status; ≥1 prior surgery for glioma within the previous 5 years but no other anticancer therapy; Karnofsky performance status ≥80%; and centrally confirmed measurable, non-enhancing disease evaluable by magnetic resonance imaging. Crossover from placebo to the VOR arm is permitted upon centrally confirmed radiographic progression per RANO-LGG criteria. Primary endpoint is progression-free survival assessed by independent review. Secondary endpoints include safety and tolerability, tumor growth rate assessed by volume, time to next intervention, ORR, overall survival, quality of life assessed by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Brain questionnaire, and plasma pharmacokinetics. Exploratory endpoints include seizure activity and neuro-cognitive function. Clinical data will be reviewed regularly throughout the study by an independent data monitoring committee. The study is currently enrolling pts in the US, with additional countries planned (NCT04164901). Clinical trial information: NCT04164901 .

A phase I, open label, perioperative study of AG-120 and AG-881 in recurrent IDH1 mutant, low-grade glioma: Results from cohort 1

2003

Background: AG-120 (ivosidenib [IVO]) is a first-in-class oral inhibitor of mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (mIDH1) evaluated in 66 glioma patients (pts) in an ongoing phase 1 study. AG-881 (vorasidenib [VOR]) is an oral, potent, brain-penetrant inhibitor of mIDH1/2 evaluated in 52 glioma pts in an ongoing phase 1 study. In an orthotopic glioma model, IVO and VOR reduced 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) by 85% and 98%, respectively, despite different brain:plasma ratios (<0.04 vs 1.33). Methods: Primary endpoint: brain tumor 2-HG concentration with IVO or VOR treatment in mIDH1 low-grade glioma. Pts with recurrent non-enhancing WHO-2016 Grade (Gr) 2 or 3 mIDH1-R132H oligodendroglioma or astrocytoma undergoing craniotomy were randomized 2:2:1 to IVO 500mg QD, VOR 50mg QD, or no treatment for 4 wks preoperatively in Cohort 1. Post-operatively, pts continued to receive IVO or VOR and control pts were randomized 1:1 to IVO or VOR. Tumors were assessed for mIDH1 status, cellularity, 2-HG, and drug concentration. Treated samples were compared to control pts and mIDH1 and wild type (WT) banked reference (ref) samples. Plasma and CSF 2-HG were assessed. Pts with non-evaluable tissue were replaced. Results: As of 29 Nov 2018, 26 pts (17M, 9F; 25 Gr 2, 1 Gr 3) were randomized preoperatively (IVO 10, VOR 11, control 5), 25 received drug (IVO 12, VOR 13). At the data cut, 19 tumors were analyzed with 16 evaluable. Common (>10%) TEAEs (all grade 1/2): diarrhea (36%), hypocalcemia and constipation (each 20%), anemia, hyperglycemia, pruritus, headache and nausea (each 16%), and hypokalemia and fatigue (each 12%). Mean brain:plasma ratio: 0.16 for IVO, 2.4 for VOR. Tumor 2-HG results are shown in Table. Updated data from Cohort 1 will be presented. Conclusions: In Cohort 1 of this phase 1 perioperative study, IVO and VOR were CNS penetrant and lowered 2-HG compared to untreated samples. Cohort 2 is open and will evaluate IVO 250mg BID and VOR 10mg QD. Brain tumor 2-HG concentration. Clinical trial information: NCT03343197. [Table: see text]

Abstract CT110: Clinical pharmacology of tisagenlecleucel (CTL019) in patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)

Background: Tisagenlecleucel is a cellular immunotherapy that uses genetically modified autologous T cells to target CD19+ B cells. Little is known about the effects of dose and cellular kinetics on response and safety of tisagenlecleucel in r/r DLBCL patients (pts).

Methods: Data from a pivotal phase 2 study (JULIET; NCT02445248) were used to characterize exposure, dose, response, and safety in r/r DLBCL pts.

Results: Cellular kinetic parameters were summarized for 81 pts using qPCR measurements from peripheral blood only. The geo-mean AUC0-28d, Cmax, and median Tmax were similar in responding and nonresponding pts, suggesting similar expansion levels (Table 1). The geo-mean Cmax in r/r DLBCL pts was 6-fold lower than in pediatric r/r ALL pts (Mueller EHA 2017), suggesting indication-specific differences. Higher expansion was associated with higher grade CRS. No relationship between dose and exposure (AUC0-28d; Cmax) was observed. Logistic regression analyses showed no impact of dose on month 3 response (2-fold increase; OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.624-1.685). Cox regression showed no apparent impact of dose on duration of response. Dose did not impact neurological events (NEs). The probability of CRS increased with increase in dose (2-fold increase in dose; OR, 2.79 for any grade CRS; 95% CI, 1.394-5.567). Anti-mCAR19 antibodies (humoral) and cellular immunity had no impact on cellular kinetics and month 3 response.

Conclusion: Differences in tisagenlecleucel expansion between r/r DLBCL and pediatric r/r ALL suggest mechanistic differences based on location of disease. Tisagenlecleucel was effective across the dose range with no impact of dose on NEs. Increased probability of higher grade CRS with increased dose and an association between expansion and CRS severity were observed. CRS was manageable with appropriately trained staff. These analyses provide insights into the relationships between exposure, response, dose, and safety in r/r DLBCL.

Table 1. Summary of Cellular Kinetic Parameters by Response at Month 3 for DLBCL PatientsParameterStatisticsCR/PR n = 31SD/PD/Unknowna n = 50All Patients N = 81AUC0-28d, copies/μg/dayn293665Geo-mean69,30070,70070,100Geo-CV, %161.3282.0219.3Fold differenceb≈ 1.0Cmax, copies/μgn314576Geo-mean647050505590Geo-CV, %244.4376.5314.4Fold differenceb1.3Tmax, daysn314576Median9.89.09.0(min-max)(5.8-16.8)(3.0-22.7)(3.0-27.7)Tlast, dayscn293665Median18059.990.1(min-max)(56.9-367)(21.9-264)(21.9-367)a Unknown response was assigned to patients (n = 17) who did not qualify as CR, PR, SD, or PD. No notable differences in the Cmax and AUC0-28d estimates were observed between SD/PD patients and patients with unknown response; b Responders over nonresponders; c Tlast is an indicator of persistence of transgene levels in peripheral blood and can be influenced by the data cutoff date, length of assessment, etc. ALL, acute lymphoblastic leukemia; CI, confidence interval; CR, complete response; CRS, cytokine release syndrome; OR, odds ratio; PD, progressive disease; PR, partial response; SD, stable disease.

Citation Format: Rakesh Awasthi, Constantine S. Tam, Ulrich Jaeger, Samantha Jaglowski, Stephen Ronan Foley, Koen van Besien, Nina D. Wagner-Johnston, Maria José Kersten, Stephen J. Schuster, Gilles Salles, Richard T. Maziarz, Özlem Anak, Lida Bubuteishvili Pacaud, Lucien Gazi, Edward Waldron, Jason Hamilton, Iulian Pruteanu, Feng Tai, Karen Thudium Mueller, Edmund K. Waller. Clinical pharmacology of tisagenlecleucel (CTL019) in patients with relapsed/refractory (r/r) diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr CT110.

Phase I study of oral sonidegib (LDE225) in pediatric brain and solid tumors and a phase II study in children and adults with relapsed medulloblastoma

Background

Sonidegib (LDE225) is a potent, selective hedgehog (Hh) inhibitor of Smoothened. This study explored the safety and pharmacokinetics of sonidegib in children with relapsed/recurrent tumors followed by a phase II trial in pediatric and adult patients with relapsed medulloblastoma (MB) to assess tumor response.

Methods

Pediatric patients aged ≥1 to <18 years were included according to a Bayesian design starting at 372 mg/m2 of continuous once daily oral sonidegib. Tumor samples were analyzed for Hh pathway activation using a validated 5-gene Hh signature assay. In phase II, pediatric patients were treated at the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) while adults received 800 mg daily.

Results

Sixteen adult (16 MB) and 60 pediatric (39 MB, 21 other) patients with an age range of 2-17 years were enrolled. The RP2D of sonidegib in pediatric patients was established at 680 mg/m2 once daily. The phase II study was closed prematurely. The 5-gene Hh signature assay showed that the 4 complete responders (2 pediatric and 2 adult) and 1 partial responder (adult) all had Hh-activated tumors, while 5 patients with activated Hh had either stable disease (n = 3) or progressive disease (n = 2). No patient with an Hh-negative signature (n = 50) responded. The safety profile for pediatric patients was generally consistent with the one established for adult patients; however, growth plate changes were observed in prepubertal pediatric patients.

Conclusions

Sonidegib was well tolerated and the RP2D in pediatric patients was 680 mg/m2 once daily. Five of the 10 MB patients with activated Hh pathway demonstrated complete or partial responses.

Panobinostat activity in both bexarotene-exposed and -naïve patients with refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma: results of a phase II trial

BACKGROUND

Panobinostat is a potent, oral pan-deacetylase inhibitor (pan-DACi) that increases the acetylation of proteins involved in multiple oncogenic pathways. Here, panobinostat is studied in bexarotene-exposed and -naïve patients with refractory cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with CTCL subtypes mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome who received ⩾2 prior systemic therapy regimens received panobinostat (20mg) three times every week. The primary objective was overall response rate (ORR) as determined by a combined evaluation of skin disease and involvement of lymph node and viscera. Disease progression was defined as an unconfirmed, ⩾25% increase in modified Severity Weighted Assessment Tool (mSWAT) compared with nadir.

RESULTS

Seventy-nine bexarotene-exposed and 60 bexarotene-naïve patients were enrolled. Reductions in baseline mSWAT scores were observed in 103 patients (74.1%). The ORR was 17.3% in all patients in the primary analysis (15.2% and 20.0% in the bexarotene-exposed and -naïve groups, respectively). The median progression-free survival was 4.2 and 3.7 months in the bexarotene-exposed and -naïve groups, respectively. The median duration of response was 5.6 months in the bexarotene-exposed patients and was not reached at data cutoff in the bexarotene-naïve patients. Additional responses were observed when less-stringent progression criteria were used. The most common adverse events were thrombocytopenia, diarrhoea, fatigue and nausea. Thrombocytopenia and neutropenia were the only grade 3/4 adverse events in >5% of patients and were manageable.

CONCLUSION

Despite a very conservative definition of disease progression, panobinostat demonstrated activity with a manageable safety profile in bexarotene-exposed and -naïve CTCL patients. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00425555.

The Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. V: methods used to establish and validate revised Axis I diagnostic algorithms

AIMS

To derive reliable and valid revised Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Axis I diagnostic algorithms for clinical TMD diagnoses.

METHODS

The multisite RDC/TMD Validation Project's dataset (614 TMD community and clinic cases, and 91 controls) was used to derive revised algorithms for Axis I TMD diagnoses. Validity of diagnostic algorithms was assessed relative to reference standards, the latter based on consensus diagnoses rendered by two TMD experts using criterion examination data, including temporomandibular joint imaging. Cutoff points for target validity were sensitivity > or = 0.70 and specificity > or = 0.95. Reliability of revised algorithms was assessed in 27 study participants.

RESULTS

Revised algorithm sensitivity and specificity exceeded the target levels for myofascial pain (0.82, 0.99, respectively) and myofascial pain with limited opening (0.93, 0.97). Combining diagnoses for any myofascial pain showed sensitivity of 0.91 and specificity of 1.00. For joint pain, target sensitivity and specificity were observed (0.92, 0.96) when arthralgia and osteoarthritis were combined as "any joint pain." Disc displacement without reduction with limited opening demonstrated target sensitivity and specificity (0.80, 0.97). For the other disc displacement diagnoses, osteoarthritis and osteoarthrosis, sensitivity was below target (0.35 to 0.53), and specificity ranged from 0.80 to meeting target. Kappa for revised algorithm diagnostic reliability was > or =0.63.

CONCLUSION

Revised RDC/TMD Axis I TMD diagnostic algorithms are recommended for myofascial pain and joint pain as reliable and valid. However, revised clinical criteria alone, without recourse to imaging, are inadequate for valid diagnosis of two of the three disc displacements as well as osteoarthritis and osteoarthrosis.

The Research Diagnostic Criteria For Temporomandibular Disorders. II: reliability of Axis I diagnoses and selected clinical measures

AIMS

The primary aim was to determine new estimates for the measurement reliability of the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (RDC/TMD) Axis I diagnostic algorithms. A second aim was to present data on the reliability of key clinical measures of the diagnostic algorithms.

METHODS

Kappa (k), computed by generalized estimate equation procedures, was selected as the primary estimate of interexaminer reliability. Intersite reliability of six examiners from three study sites was assessed annually over the 5-year period of the RDC/TMD Validation Project. Intrasite reliability was monitored throughout the validation study by comparing RDC/TMD data collections performed on the same day by the test examiner and a criterion examiner.

RESULTS

Intersite calibrations included a total of 180 subjects. Intersite reliability of RDC/TMD diagnoses was excellent (k > 0.75) when myofascial pain diagnoses (Ia or Ib) were grouped. Good reliability was observed for discrete myofascial pain diagnoses Ia (k = 0.62) and Ib (k = 0.58), for disc displacement with reduction (k = 0.63), disc displacement without reduction with limited opening (k = 0.62), arthralgia (k = 0.55), and when joint pain (IIIa or IIIb) was grouped (k = 0.59). Reliability of less frequently observed diagnoses such as disc displacements without reduction without limited opening, and osteoarthrosis (IIIb, IIIc), was poor to marginally fair (k = 0.31-0.43). Intrasite monitoring results (n = 705) approximated intersite reliability estimates. The greatest difference in paired estimates was 0.18 (IIc).

CONCLUSION

Reliability of the RDC/TMD protocol was good to excellent for myofascial pain, arthralgia, disc displacement with reduction, and disc displacement without reduction with limited opening. Reliability was poor to marginally fair for disc displacement without reduction without limited opening and osteoarthrosis.

Correlation of MMP(1) and TIMP (1) expression with pituitary adenoma fibrosis

OBJECTIVE

To explore the correlation of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP(1)) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP(1)) with pituitary adenoma fibrosis.

METHODS

Thirty-eight pituitary adenoma specimens were divided into fibrous group (6 patients) and non-fibrous group (32 patients). MMP(1) and TIMP(1) expression was detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. The collagen content was determined by Sirius scarlet staining.

RESULTS

In fibrous and non-fibrous group: (1) the collagen content was 20.95 +/- 8.42% and 7.98 +/- 5.18% respectively, and there was a statistical significance (P < 0.01). (2) The expression of MMP(1)mRNA was 0.47 +/- 0.40 and 0.59 +/- 0.54 respectively and its protein expression was 0.12 +/- 0.09 and 0.13 +/- 0.09 respectively, and there was no statistical significance (P > 0.05). Their expression was not related to collagen content (P > 0.05). (3) The expression of TIMP(1)mRNA was 1.61 +/- 1.09 and 0.79 +/- 0.59 respectively and its protein expression was 0.58 +/- 0.11 and 0.32 +/- 0.18 respectively, and there was a statistical significance (P < 0.01). Their expression was related to collagen content (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The pathological features of pituitary adenoma fibrosis are excessive collagen deposition. High expression of TIMP(1) may be an important cause.

Incorporating prior knowledge of gene functional groups into regularized discriminant analysis of microarray data

MOTIVATION

Discriminant analysis for high-dimensional and low-sample-sized data has become a hot research topic in bioinformatics, mainly motivated by its importance and challenge in applications to tumor classifications for high-dimensional microarray data. Two of the popular methods are the nearest shrunken centroids, also called predictive analysis of microarray (PAM), and shrunken centroids regularized discriminant analysis (SCRDA). Both methods are modifications to the classic linear discriminant analysis (LDA) in two aspects tailored to high-dimensional and low-sample-sized data: one is the regularization of the covariance matrix, and the other is variable selection through shrinkage. In spite of their usefulness, there are potential limitations with each method. The main concern is that both PAM and SCRDA are possibly too extreme: the covariance matrix in the former is restricted to be diagonal while in the latter there is barely any restriction. Based on the biology of gene functions and given the feature of the data, it may be beneficial to estimate the covariance matrix as an intermediate between the two; furthermore, more effective shrinkage schemes may be possible.

RESULTS

We propose modified LDA methods to integrate biological knowledge of gene functions (or variable groups) into classification of microarray data. Instead of simply treating all the genes independently or imposing no restriction on the correlations among the genes, we group the genes according to their biological functions extracted from existing biological knowledge or data, and propose regularized covariance estimators that encourages between-group gene independence and within-group gene correlations while maintaining the flexibility of any general covariance structure. Furthermore, we propose a shrinkage scheme on groups of genes that tends to retain or remove a whole group of the genes altogether, in contrast to the standard shrinkage on individual genes. We show that one of the proposed methods performed better than PAM and SCRDA in a simulation study and several real data examples.

Incorporating prior knowledge of predictors into penalized classifiers with multiple penalty terms

MOTIVATION

In the context of sample (e.g. tumor) classifications with microarray gene expression data, many methods have been proposed. However, almost all the methods ignore existing biological knowledge and treat all the genes equally a priori. On the other hand, because some genes have been identified by previous studies to have biological functions or to be involved in pathways related to the outcome (e.g. cancer), incorporating this type of prior knowledge into a classifier can potentially improve both the predictive performance and interpretability of the resulting model.

RESULTS

We propose a simple and general framework to incorporate such prior knowledge into building a penalized classifier. As two concrete examples, we apply the idea to two penalized classifiers, nearest shrunken centroids (also called PAM) and penalized partial least squares (PPLS). Instead of treating all the genes equally a priori as in standard penalized methods, we group the genes according to their functional associations based on existing biological knowledge or data, and adopt group-specific penalty terms and penalization parameters. Simulated and real data examples demonstrate that, if prior knowledge on gene grouping is indeed informative, our new methods perform better than the two standard penalized methods, yielding higher predictive accuracy and screening out more irrelevant genes.

Initial results of a phase II study of biweekly pemetrexed and gemcitabine in patients with advanced NSCLC

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Background: Pemetrexed (P), a multi-targeted antifolate, is synergisitic with gemcitabine (G) in preclinical models. A phase I study examining a biweekly schedule established a recommended phase 2 dose of G 1500 mg/m2 followed by P 500mg/m2. Methods: Patients with Stage IIIB (with pleural effusion) or IV NSCLC, ECOG PS of 0 or 1, no prior systemic chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or biological therapy were enrolled. G was infused over 30 minutes, followed immediately by P given intravenously over 10 minutes once on day 1 every 14 days. Cycles were repeated until 12 treatments or progressive disease. All patients received folic acid, vitamin B12 and steroid prophylaxis. Results: Data on 53 patients (29 male, 24 female) are currently available. Median age: 64 (range: 35, 80), ECOG performance status 0:1 = 38%:60%, Stage IIIB:IV = 19%:81%. Three hundred twelve cycles of treatment were administered with 14 dose reductions (26.4%); median number of doses was 5 for both G and P, and median dose intensity was 98.05% for both G and P. Response data included 1 complete response (1.9%), 14 partial responses (26.4%), 24 stable diseases (45.3%), and 10 progressive diseases (18.9%), with a response rate of 28.3% (95% CI: 16.8–42.3%). Patient-based Grade 3/4 hematologic events included febrile neutropenia (9.4%), neutropenia (28.3%), and thrombocytopenia (1.9%). Grade 3/4 non-hematologic events included fatigue (22.6%), dyspnea (7.5%), dehydration (7.5%), diarrhea (5.7%), constipation (3.8%), and pneumonia (1.9%). Preliminary median survival was 7.8 months (95% CI: 6.0–10.8) with 43.4% patients censored and median TTPD was 4.6 months (95% CI: 2.8–6.1). Conclusion: Biweekly G and P appear to be well tolerated in advanced NSCLC. A clinical benefit rate (ORR + SD) of 73.6% indicates activity in patients with advanced NSCLC. The dose intensity for biweekly G and P is higher than a previously reported 6-cycle, 21-day regimen with median dose intensity of 83.2% for P and 82.2% for G (West, et al. Proc ASCO 2005; 7117).

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Updated report of a phase III study of induction therapy with gemcitabine + carboplatin (GC) followed by either delayed vs. immediate second-line therapy with docetaxel (D) in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

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Background: GC is an active regimen in patients with advanced NSCLC. For non-progressors after induction treatment, optimal timing of sequential therapy is unclear. Is it best to sequence immediately to an active non-cross resistant agent or delay the introduction of this agent until time of disease progression (PD)? This trial was designed to answer this question. Methods: Pts with Stage IIIB or IV NSCLC were enrolled. G 1000mg/m2 was administered on day 1,8 followed by C at AUC 5.0 on day 1. After 4 cycles, non-progressers were then randomized to immediate D (75mg/m2 administered on day 1 every 3 wks) or delayed D (pts were observed until first evidence of PD). Conclusions: This study confirms that it is possible to deliver docetaxel immediately following four cycles of GC without significantly increasing toxicity. The response rate of 42.1% and clinical benefit rate (CR+PR+SD) of 88.2% observed in the immediate D arm compares favorably with the rates of 6.1% and 60.6% of the delayed D arm. Additional toxicity and response information will be available at the time of the meeting.

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Purification and characteristics of pyocin B39 II. Physical and chemical properties

A purified preparation of pyocin B39 was shown to be homogeneous by disc electrophoresis and ultracentrifugation. Pyocin B39 is an antibacterial agent, protein in nature, and is capable of inhibiting the growth of susceptible cells. It caused a susceptible strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to release ultraviolet-absorbing material. Pyocin B39 appears to be a protein with a high molecular weight; its sedimentation coefficient is 32.8S. It was destroyed by 7 m urea but was resistant to attack by proteolytic enzymes, such as pepsin and trypsin. From its sedimentation coefficient, a molecular weight of about 2 x 10(6) was calculated. An electron photomicrograph of pyocin B39 revealed it as a rodlike particle, 7.50 pm long and 1.08 pm wide, with striations running at nearly right angles to the axes of the particle.