Discovery of ONO-8590580: A novel, potent and selective GABAA α5 negative allosteric modulator for the treatment of cognitive disorders

The identification and SAR development of a series of negative allosteric modulators of the GABA_A α5 receptor is described. This novel series of compounds was optimised to provide analogues with high GABA_A α5 binding affinity, high α5 negative allosteric modulatory activity, good functional subtype selectivity and low microsomal turnover, culminating in identification of ONO-8590580.

Abstract P1-11-03: Rates of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) following breast concerving surgery (BCS) and hypofractionated radiotherapy for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)

Background: The risk of IBTR following BCS for DCIS is dependent on both tumor and treatment-related factors including surgical margin width and adjuvant therapies. Management strategies should be risk stratified to avoid over/under-treatment with radiotherapy and endocrine therapy. De-escalation of treatments with safe omission of adjuvant therapies may demand a minimum margin of surgical clearance for non-high grade and selected high grade lesions.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was undertaken to examine rates of IBTR among patients undergoing BCS for core biopsy-proven DCIS between 1999 and 2010 when a minimum margin width of 5mm prevailed. The local institutional database identified 1260 DCIS cases with or without an invasive component among whom 323 had pure DCIS diagnosed mainly on screening (>90%). A total of 176 patients were treated with BCS alone (27.5%) or combined with breast radiotherapy [15 fractions of 2.67Gy to total dose of 40Gy without boost]. No patients received any form of hormonal therapy (tamoxifen/aromatase inhibitor). Ten patients died from non-breast cancer causes prior to development of IBTR leaving 167 unilateral and 1 bilateral patient (i.e. 168 cases) for analysis with high (72%), intermediate (17.8%) and low (9%) grade DCIS (or ungradeable).

Results: At a median follow up of 126 months (range 46 – 180) a total of 14 patients have developed IBTR as a first event (8.33%). Approximately half of these were non-invasive (n= 8) and half invasive (n=6). Half of DCIS recurrences (4/8) occurred in the first 12 months following surgery and all recurrent DCIS cases were manifest by 3 years compared with a steady recurrence of invasive disease up to 10 years of follow up. One case of invasive disease died from subsequent distant metastases with visceral deposits. There was no significant difference in rates of recurrence with (9/121) or without (5/46) irradiation (p=0.534). Among the 14 recurrent cases, 12 had conformal radial margins of 5mm whilst 2 cases had single minimum margins of 3mm and 2mm (accepted without re-excision due to advanced age, co-morbidity or lesion at edge of breast tissue). Characterization of molecular profiles (ER, HER2, Ki-67) for recurrent cases is ongoing.

Conclusion: These rates of local control with a target margin of 5mm and selective hypofractionated breast radiotherapy are consistent with published IBTR rates of approximately 1% per annum for DCIS patients treated with BCS and radiotherapy. Routine inclusion of hormonal therapy may be unnecessary for many patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy with comparable 10 year recurrence rates of 7 - 8% reported in the International Breast Intervention Study (IBIS)-II.""Background: The risk of IBTR following BCS for DCIS is dependent on both tumor and treatment-related factors including surgical margin width and adjuvant therapies. Management strategies should be risk stratified to avoid over/under-treatment with radiotherapy and endocrine therapy. De-escalation of treatments with safe omission of adjuvant therapies may demand a minimum margin of surgical clearance for non-high grade and selected high grade lesions.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was undertaken to examine rates of IBTR among patients undergoing BCS for core biopsy-proven DCIS between 1999 and 2010 when a minimum margin width of 5mm prevailed. The local institutional database identified 1260 DCIS cases with or without an invasive component among whom 323 had pure DCIS diagnosed mainly on screening (>90%). A total of 176 patients were treated with BCS alone (27.5%) or combined with breast radiotherapy [15 fractions of 2.67Gy to total dose of 40Gy without boost]. No patients received any form of hormonal therapy (tamoxifen/aromatase inhibitor). Ten patients died from non-breast cancer causes prior to development of IBTR leaving 167 unilateral and 1 bilateral patient (i.e. 168 cases) for analysis with high (72%), intermediate (17.8%) and low (9%) grade DCIS (or ungradeable).

Results: At a median follow up of 126 months (range 46 – 180) a total of 14 patients have developed IBTR as a first event (8.33%). Approximately half of these were non-invasive (n= 8) and half invasive (n=6). Half of DCIS recurrences (4/8) occurred in the first 12 months following surgery and all recurrent DCIS cases were manifest by 3 years compared with a steady recurrence of invasive disease up to 10 years of follow up. One case of invasive disease died from subsequent distant metastases with visceral deposits. There was no significant difference in rates of recurrence with (9/121) or without (5/46) irradiation (p=0.534). Among the 14 recurrent cases, 12 had conformal radial margins of 5mm whilst 2 cases had single minimum margins of 3mm and 2mm (accepted without re-excision due to advanced age, co-morbidity or lesion at edge of breast tissue). Characterization of molecular profiles (ER, HER2, Ki-67) for recurrent cases is ongoing.

Conclusion: These rates of local control with a target margin of 5mm and selective hypofractionated breast radiotherapy are consistent with published IBTR rates of approximately 1% per annum for DCIS patients treated with BCS and radiotherapy. Routine inclusion of hormonal therapy may be unnecessary for many patients receiving adjuvant radiotherapy with comparable 10 year recurrence rates of 7 - 8% reported in the International Breast Intervention Study (IBIS)-II.

Citation Format: Dumitru D, Benson J, Wishart G, Provenzano E. Rates of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR) following breast concerving surgery (BCS) and hypofractionated radiotherapy for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) [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 P1-11-03.

Results of a national training programme in sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer

BACKGROUND

New Start, a structured, validated, multidisciplinary training programme in sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), was established to allow the introduction and rapid transfer of appropriate knowledge and technical skills to ensure safe and competent practice across the UK.

METHODS

Multidisciplinary teams attended a theory/skills laboratory course, following which they performed 30 consecutive SLNBs, either concurrently with their standard axillary staging procedure (training model A) or as stand-alone SLNB (training model B). SLNB was performed according to a standard protocol using the combined technique of isotope ((99m) Tc-labelled albumin colloid) and blue dye. An accredited New Start trainer mentored the first five procedures in the participant's hospital, or all 30 if stand-alone. Validation standards for model A and B were a localization rate of at least 90 per cent. In addition, for model A only, in which a minimum of ten patients were required to be node-positive, a false-negative rate (FNR) of 10 per cent or less was required.

RESULTS

From October 2004 to December 2008, 210 SLNB-naive surgeons, in 103 centres, performed 6685 SLNB procedures. The overall sentinel lymph node (SLN) localization rate was 98·9 (95 per cent confidence interval 98·6 to 99·1) per cent (6610 of 6685) and the FNR 9·1 (7·9 to 10·5) per cent (160 of 1757). The FNR was related to nodal yield, ranging from 14·8 per cent for one node and declining to 9·7, 6·6, 4·7 and 4·1 per cent for two, three, four and more than four SLNs respectively. No learning curve was identified for localization or FNR.

CONCLUSION

The programme successfully trained a wide range of UK breast teams to perform safe SLNB and suggested that a standard injection protocol and structured multidisciplinary training can abolish learning curves.

Abstract P1-01-01: Learning Sentinel Node Biopsy in the UK: Results of the NEW START Training Program

Background: NEW START-a structured, validated multi-professional surgical training programme, was established to allow rapid transfer of appropriate knowledge and technical skills to ensure safe and competent practice of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) across the UK.

Methods: Multi-professional teams attended a theory/skills-lab course delivering a standardized educational package, following which they performed SLNB in 30 consecutive patients, either concurrently with their standard axillary staging procedure — mentorship training model-or as stand-alone SLNB — apprenticeship training model. An accredited NEW START trainer mentored the first 5 procedures in the participants’ hospital, or all 30 if stand-alone. Validation standards were a localization rate of ≥90% and in the mentorship program where a minimum of 10 cases were node positive, a false-negative rate of ≥10%. SLNB was performed according to a standardised protocol using the combined technique of isotope (0.05-0.1ml of 99mTc-albumin colloid — Nanocoll®) and blue dye (Patent blue V) injected into the tumour quadrant peri-areolar tissue. Isotope was injected intra-dermally and static scintigraphic images were obtained, blue dye was injected sub-dermally after anaesthetic induction.

Results: From October 2004 to December 2008, 210 SLNB naive surgeons, in 103 centres, performed 6,685 SLNB procedures of which 31% (2,098/6,685) were node positive. The mentorship training model was followed in 87% (5,849/6,685). Scintigraphy identified axillary lymph node drainage in 85% (5,564/6,511) with an overall SLN localization rate of 98.9% (6,610/6,685, 95% CI 98.6% to 99.1%). Node positivity was higher (P<0.001) for failed (58.7%, 44/75) than successful (31.1%, 2054/6610) localizations. The mentorship false negative rate (FNR) was 8.9% (163/1821, 95% CI 7.7% to 10.4%). The median SLN yield was 2.0 (range 1-11).

SLN localization and FNR improved with surgeon caseload so that after 20 procedures the FNR fell below 10% but no statistically significant learning curve was identified. The FNR patients who had one SLN harvested was 14.8%. The FNR rate declined to 9.4%, 6.3%, 4.5% and 4.0% for those patients with 2, 3, 4 and more than 4 SLNs removed.

Conclusion: NEW START demonstrates that a standardized injection protocol and structured multi-professional training can abolish learning curves so ensuring patient safety during national adoption of a new technique. Tumor quadrant injection using both isotope and dye has a high localization rate and low false-negative rate. Failed localization indicates higher probability of axillary nodal involvement. It is not necessary to remove more than 4 SLNs to achieve a FNR of less than 5%.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-01-01.

East of England Breast Cancer Survival Close to Best in Europe

Background: The Eurocare-4 (2000-2002) period analysis documents a mean European age-adjusted 5-year relative breast cancer survival of 79% with higher individual figures for Finland (85.7%), Norway (84.1% and Sweden (86.3%) (Lancet Oncol 2007; 8: 784-96). The corresponding figure for England was 77.8%. We now compare these predicted survival estimates with actual age-adjusted relative 5-year breast cancer overall survival (Corazziari et al, European Journal of Cancer 2004; 40:15: 2307-2316) for women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the East of England from 2000-2002Method: The East of England covers a population of 5.5 million people. 5-year age-adjusted relative breast cancer survival was calculated overall, and in specific age groups, for all women with invasive breast cancer diagnosed from 2000-2002 in the East of England for comparison with the results from the Eurocare-4 study.Results:Age-adjusted 5-year relative breast cancer survival in East of England for period 2000-2002.AGE GROUPRELATIVE SURVIVAL95% CI45-5487.5%86.1-88.9%55-6489.5%88.1-90.9%65-7483.9%81.1-86.1%75+73.3%70.1-76.4%ALL WOMEN82.5%81.4-83.6% Conclusion: These data confirm breast cancer survival rates for East of England that are close to European best figures for women aged 45-64. The age-adjusted survival of 82.5% for all women however is being reduced by worse survival in women aged 65+ and a strategy that ensures optimal breast cancer treatment for women in this age group should allow overall survival to improve even further.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 2069.

High Sensitivity and Specificity of Digital Infrared Imaging for Breast Cancer Detection in Younger Women Undergoing Breast Biopsy

Background and aim: Recent published evidence suggests that digital infrared breast scanning may be a useful adjunctive tool for breast cancer detection. In this study we have assessed the effectiveness of digital infrared imaging captured using Sentinel BreastScan (Infrared Sciences Corp., Bohemia, NY, USA) and compared the computer-generated reports from this system with expert manual review of the images as well as a new software programme currently under development called NoTouch BreastScan.Methods: A total of 100 patients scheduled for breast biopsy (n=106), following detection of an abnormality via clinical examination or breast imaging were recruited to this research ethics committee-approved study. After obtaining informed consent all patients were imaged using Sentinel BreastScan, prior to their scheduled biopsy procedure in the Cambridge Breast Unit. The data for each patient was analysed in four different ways for comparison with final pathology findings as follows: 1. Sentinel screening report (score 0 = normal, 1-5 = abnormal); 2.Sentinel neural network (positive or negative); 3. Independent expert review (positive or negative); 4. NoTouch BreastScan artificial intelligence (score 0-3 = normal, 4-10 abnormal).Results: Sensitivity for the whole group using Sentinel screening (53%) and neural network (48%) was low compared to recently published data (97%), expert review (78%) and NoTouch (70%).Sensitivity and specificity results for NoTouch BreastScan by age group are shown in table1Sensitivity and specificity results for NoTouch BreastScan by age group <50 years, n=2150-70 years, n=73>70 years, n=12All patients, n=106Sensitivity78%72%42%70%Specificity75%37%N/A48% Conclusion: This study confirms acceptable sensitivity (72%) for breast cancer detection using NoTouch BreastScan in women under 70 years of age despite the data being captured with Sentinel. This sensitivity increases to 78% for women <50 years old and is combined with a marked increase in specificity (75%) in this group. These encouraging figures may increase even further when data is captured by the NoTouch software and studies are ongoing with this novel imaging system.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 5025.

Adjuvant UK: A UK Prognostic Model for Early Breast Cancer That Includes Mode of Detection

AIM: To develop and validate a prognostication model to predict overall survival for women treated for early breast cancer in the UK based on cancer registry data. Unlike SEER, this dataset includes accurate information on mode of detection as well as systemic therapy.METHOD: Using the Eastern Cancer Registration & Information Centre (ECRIC) dataset, information was collated for 5818 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in East Anglia from 1999-2003. All patients underwent surgery, had records of pathological staging (tumour size, grade, lymph node status, ER status), systemic treatment (chemotherapy, hormone therapy, both), mode of detection (screen-detected, symptomatic) and follow up, censored on 31 December 2007. A model was derived from these data using Cox proportional hazards, with ER positive and ER negative tumours modelled separately, and this was subsequently validated in an external dataset of 5468 patients from the West Midlands Cancer Intelligence Unit (WMCIU). Validation was performed by comparing (a) observed and expected mortality (overall & breast cancer specific) at 5 & 8 years and (b) receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves in both ECRIC & WMCIU datasets.RESULTS:ECRIC datasetDifference in overall observed/expected mortality <1% at 5 years (14.8% vs 14.9%) and 8 years (18.9% vs 18.9%). Area under ROC curve (AUC) was 0.81.Difference in breast cancer specific observed/expected mortality <1% at 5 years (10.6% vs 11.0%) and 8 years (12.9% vs 13.5%). AUC was 0.84.WMCIU dataset:Difference in overall observed/expected mortality < 1% at 5 years (15.8% vs 16.5%) and 8 years (17.5% vs 17.8%). AUC was 0.79.Difference in breast cancer specific observed/expected mortality <2% at 5 years (11.0% vs 12.6%) and 8 years (12.2% vs 13.6%). AUC was 0.82.Overall model fit was good across all subgroups although the ER positive model provided better discrimination (AUC 0.82) than ER negative (AUC 0.75). There was no significant difference between the ROC curves generated with ECRIC and WMCIU data (ER positive X2 = 0.17, p=0.68; ER negative X2 =0.00, P=0.95).CONCLUSION: We have developed a prognostication model for early breast cancer based on data from a UK cancer registry that has included mode of detection for the first time. The model is well calibrated, provides a high degree of discrimination and has been validated in a second patient cohort. This model will underpin a new web-based prognostication and treatment benefit tool for early breast cancer based on UK data (Adjuvant UK).

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 4033.

Adjuvant UK: Validation of a UK prognostic model for early breast cancer

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Background: To develop and validate a prognostication model to predict overall survival for women treated for early breast cancer in the UK based on cancer registry data. The main advantages are that unlike SEER, this dataset includes accurate information on mode of detection as well as systemic therapy. Methods: Using the Eastern Cancer Registration & Information Centre (ECRIC) dataset, information was collated for 5,818 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in East Anglia from 1999–2003. All patients underwent surgery, had records of pathological staging (tumour size, grade, lymph node status, ER status) and systemic treatment (chemotherapy, hormone therapy, both), mode of detection (screen-detected, symptomatic) and were followed up to December 2007. A model was derived from these data using Cox proportional hazards and this was subsequently validated in an external dataset of 5,468 patients from the West Midlands Cancer Intelligence Unit (WMCIU). Validation was performed by comparing (a) observed and predicted mortality - overall and by risk group decile - and (b) receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves in both ECRIC & WMCIU datasets. Results: ECRIC dataset: Observed/predicted deaths were: 2 years (262/267), 5 years (868/867), 8 years (1108/1093). Area under ROC curve was 0.800WMCIU dataset: Observed/predicted deaths were: 2 years (317/298), 5 years (862/919), 8 years (955/999). Area under ROC curve was 0.783. The model and validation worked equally well at all time points (2, 5, 8 years) and in all risk group deciles. In the validation dataset the observed and predicted 8-year OS was within 1% (17.5% versus 18.3%). There was no significant statistical difference between the ROC curves (X2 = 2.35, P=.12) for prediction at 8 years in ECRIC and WMCIU data. Conclusions: We have developed a prognostication model for early breast cancer based on data from a UK cancer registry and validated the model using data from another UK registry. The model was well calibrated and provides a high degree of discrimination. This model will underpin the first web-based prognostication and treatment benefit tool for early breast cancer in the UK (Adjuvant UK).

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Solution-Phase parallel synthesis of 5-carboxamido 1-benzyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyloxy)-1H-pyrazoles as activators of soluble guanylate cyclase with improved oral bioavailability

A lipophilicity constrained library of 5-carboxamido 1-benzyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyloxy)-1H-pyrazoles was prepared by solution-phase parallel synthesis with removal of acidic by-products using the strongly basic MP-carbonate resin. Compounds show both activation of soluble guanylate cyclase and inhibition of platelet aggregation. Compound 12 also shows 22% oral bioavailability in rats.

LY393615, a novel neuronal Ca(2+) and Na(+) channel blocker with neuroprotective effects in models of in vitro and in vivo cerebral ischemia

In the present studies we have examined the effects of a new calcium channel blocker, LY393615 ((N-Butyl-[5,5-bis-(4-fluorophenyl)tetrahydrofuran-2-yl]methylamine hydrochloride, NCC1048) in a model of hypoxia-hypoglycaemia in vitro and in a gerbil model of global and in two rat models of focal cerebral ischaemia in vivo. Results indicated that LY393615 protected against hypoxia-hypoglycaemic insults in brain slices and also provided significant protection against ischaemia-induced hippocampal damage in gerbil global cerebral ischaemia when dosed at 10, 12.5 (P<0.05) or 15 mg/kg i.p. (P<0.01) 30 min before and 2 h 30 min after occlusion. The compound penetrated the brain well after a 15 mg/kg i.p. dose and had a half-life of 2.5 h. In further studies LY393615 was protective 1 h post-occlusion when administered at 15 mg/kg i.p. followed by 2 doses of 5 mg/kg i.p. 2 and 3 h later. LY393615 dosed at 15 mg/kg i.p. followed by 2 further doses of 5 mg/kg i.p. (2 and 3 h later) also produced a significant reduction in the infarct volume following Endothelin-1 (Et-1) middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat when administration was initiated immediately (P<0.01) or 1 h (P<0.05) after occlusion. The compound was also evaluated in the intraluminal monofilament model of focal ischaemia. The animals had the middle cerebral artery occluded for 2 h, and 15 min after reperfusion LY393615 was administered at 15 mg/kg i.p. followed by 2 mg/kg/h i.v. infusion for 6 h. There was no reduction in infarct volume using this dosing protocol. In conclusion, in the present studies we have reported that a novel calcium channel blocker, LY393615, with good bioavailability protects against neuronal damage caused by hypoxia-hypoglycaemia in vitro and both global and focal cerebral ischaemia in vivo. The compound is neuroprotective when administered post-occlusion and may therefore be a useful anti-ischaemic agent.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel pyrazoles and indazoles as activators of the nitric oxide receptor, soluble guanylate cyclase

Database searching and compound screening identified 1-benzyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyloxy)indazole (benzydamine, 3) as a potent activator of the nitric oxide receptor, soluble guanylate cyclase. A comprehensive structure-activity relationship study surrounding 3 clearly showed that the indazole C-3 dimethylaminopropyloxy substituent was critical for enzyme activity. However replacement of the indazole ring of 3 by appropriately substituted pyrazoles maintained enzyme activity. Compounds were evaluated for inhibition of platelet aggregation and showed a general lipophilicity requirement. Aryl-substituted pyrazoles 32, 34, and 43 demonstrated potent activation of soluble guanylate cyclase and potent inhibition of platelet aggregation. Pharmacokinetic studies in rats showed that compound 32 exhibits modest oral bioavailability (12%). Furthermore 32 has an excellent selectivity profile notably showing no significant inhibition of phosphodiesterases or nitric oxide synthases.

Molecular modelling of the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors

Molecular models of the 5-hydroxytryptamine receptors are reviewed with particular emphasis upon ligand receptor interactions. The use of such models in the areas of drug design and the design and rationalisation of experiments is discussed. It is clear that many groups have modelled the 5-HT receptors using either the bacteriorhodopsin structure, rhodopsin electron density map or rhodopsin alpha-carbon template. Although it is difficult to assess the accuracy of these models it is expected that the rhodopsin based models show improved accuracy over the bacteriorhodopsin based models. Nevertheless models that are thoroughly validated with experimental mutagenesis and ligand binding data are useful in a qualitative sense providing ideas upon target compounds to synthesise and the design and rationalisation of mutagenesis experiments.

Effect of vitamin E and selenium supplementation of cockerel diets on glutathione peroxidase activity and lipid peroxidation susceptibility in sperm, testes, and liver

The phospholipids of avian spermatozoa are characterized by high proportions of arachidonic (20:4n-6) and docosatetraenoic (22:4n-6) fatty acids and are therefore sensitive to lipid peroxidation. Alpha-tocopherol and glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px] are believed to be the primary components of the antioxidant system of the spermatozoa. The present study evaluates the effect of vitamin E and vitamin E plus Se supplementation of the cockerel diet on GSH-Px activity, vitamin E accumulation, and lipid peroxidation in the spermatozoa, testes, and liver. At the beginning of the experiment 75 Rhode Island Red cockerels were divided into five groups, kept in individual cages, and fed a wheat-barley-based ration balanced in all nutrients. Supplements fed to the different groups were as follows: vitamin E, 0, 20, 200, 20, and 200 mg/kg to groups 1-5, respectively, with groups 4 and 5 also receiving 0. 3 mg Se/kg. The vitamin E supplementation produced increased levels of alpha-tocopherol in semen, testes, and liver. The inclusion of the Se into the cock diet had a significant (P < 0.01) stimulating effect on GSH-Px activity in seminal plasma, spermatozoa, testes, and liver. The increased vitamin E concentration in the spermatozoa was associated with a reduction in their susceptibility to lipid peroxidation. Similarly, the increased GSH-Px activity provided enhanced protection against lipid peroxidation.

Epirubicin chemotherapy and advanced breast cancer after adjuvant CMF chemotherapy

There have been conflicting reports on the effect of prior adjuvant chemotherapy on the response of advanced breast cancer to primary chemotherapy. We report a retrospective review of the outcome of chemotherapy with epirubicin 100 mg/m2 for advanced breast cancer in 39 patients who had previously received adjuvant cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-fluorouracil (CMF). The response rate (complete responses plus partial responses) was 38.5%, with a median duration of response of 33 weeks. There was no significant difference in the response rate or duration of survival when these patients were compared with matched controls who had not received adjuvant chemotherapy. However, the limitations of this study were such that an adverse effect of adjuvant CMF on the response to epirubicin cannot be excluded.