Leishmania braziliensis enhances monocyte responses to promote anti-tumor activity

Innate immune cells can undergo long-term functional reprogramming after certain infections, a process called trained immunity (TI). Here, we focus on antigens of Leishmania braziliensis, which induced anti-tumor effects via trained immunity in human monocytes. We reveal that monocytes exposed to promastigote antigens of L. braziliensis develop an enhanced response to subsequent exposure to Toll-like receptor (TLR)2 or TLR4 ligands. Mechanistically, the induction of TI in monocytes by L. braziliensis is mediated by multiple pattern recognition receptors, changes in metabolism, and increased deposition of H3K4me3 at the promoter regions of immune genes. The administration of L. braziliensis exerts potent anti-tumor capabilities by delaying tumor growth and prolonging survival of mice with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Our work reveals mechanisms of TI induced by L. braziliensis in vitro and identifies its potential for cancer immunotherapy.

Mitofusin 1 silencing decreases the senescent associated secretory phenotype, promotes immune cell recruitment and delays melanoma tumor growth after chemotherapy

Cellular senescence is a therapy endpoint in melanoma, and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) can affect tumor growth and microenvironment, influencing treatment outcomes. Metabolic interventions can modulate the SASP, and mitochondrial energy metabolism supports resistance to therapy in melanoma. In a previous report we showed that senescence, induced by the DNA methylating agent temozolomide, increased the level of fusion proteins mitofusin 1 and 2 in melanoma, and silencing Mfn1 or Mfn2 expression reduced interleukin-6 secretion by senescent cells. Here we expanded these observations evaluating the secretome of senescent melanoma cells using shotgun proteomics, and explored the impact of silencing Mfn1 on the SASP. A significant increase in proteins reported to reduce the immune response towards the tumor was found in the media of senescent cells. The secretion of several of these immunomodulatory proteins was affected by Mfn1 silencing, among them was galectin-9. In agreement, tumors lacking mitofusin 1 responded better to treatment with the methylating agent dacarbazine, tumor size was reduced and a higher immune cell infiltration was detected in the tumor. Our results highlight mitochondrial dynamic proteins as potential pharmacological targets to modulate the SASP in the context of melanoma treatment.

Analysis of the impact of green urban areas in historic fortified cities using Landsat historical series and Normalized Difference Indices

Urban green areas minimize the negative effects of climatic change and improve the sustainability of historic cities. Despite this, green areas have traditionally been considered a threat to heritage buildings because they cause humidity changes, that accelerate degradation processes. Within this context, this study evaluates the trends in the inclusion of green areas in historic cities and the effects it causes on humidity and conservation of earthen fortifications. To achieve this goal, vegetative and humidity information has been obtained since 1985 from Landsat satellite images. The historical series of images has been statistically analysed in Google Earth Engine to obtain maps that show the means, 25th, and 75th percentiles of the variations registered in the last 35 years. The results allow visualizing spatial patterns and plotting the seasonal and monthly variations. In the decision-making process, the proposed method allows to monitor whether the presence of vegetation is an environmental degradation agent in the nearby earthen fortifications.The analysis of the historic fortified cities of Seville and Niebla (Spain) shows a gradual increase in green areas and an interest in locating them near the earthen fortifications. The impact on the fortifications is specific to each type of vegetation and can be positive or negative. In general, the low humidity registered indicates low danger, and the presence of green areas favours drying after heavy rains. This study suggests that increasing green spaces to historic cities does not necessarily endanger the preservation of earthen fortifications. Instead, managing both heritage sites and urban green areas together can encourage outdoor cultural activities, reduce the impacts of climate change, and enhance the sustainability of historic cities.

Climate change, large fires, and cultural landscapes in the mediterranean basin: An analysis in southern Spain

Understanding the factors that influence fire regimes in Mediterranean climates is essential to reduce their risk. This research uses Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station (CHIRPS) and Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite resources to evaluate recent changes in land surface temperature, precipitation, and vegetation and their effects in the occurrence of large fires in the Mediterranean Basin. The results of the analysis of 335 fire events occurred in southern Spain from 2001 to 2020 show an increase in hazardous meteorological factors linked to droughts and thermal anomalies. The study also examines the potential of preserving traditional landscapes to minimize such risk. In fact, the maintenance and recovering of traditional agro-pastoral activities is an effective option to reduce flammability and increase the resilience of cultural landscapes in hazardous climatic conditions.

Aptamer-Based Immunotheranostic Strategies

The escape from immune surveillance is a hallmark of cancer progression. The classic immune checkpoint molecules PD-1, PD-L1, CTLA-4, LAG-3, TIM-3 novel ones are part of a sophisticated system of up- and downmodulation of the immune system, which is unregulated in cancer. In recent years, there have been remarkable advances in the development of targeting strategies, focused principally on immunotherapies aiming at blocking those molecules involved in the evasion of the immune system. However, there are still challenges to predicting their efficacy due to the wide heterogeneity of clinical responses. Thus, there is a need to develop new strategies, and theranostics has much to contribute in this field. Besides that, aptamers have emerged as promising molecules with the potential to generate a huge impact in the immunotheranostic field. They are single-stranded oligonucleotides with a unique self-folding tridimensional structure, with high affinity and specificity for the target. In particular, their small size and physicochemical characteristics make them a versatile tool for designing theranostic strategies. Here, we review the progress in theranostic strategies based on aptamers against immune checkpoints, and highlight the potential of those approaches.

Quillaja brasiliensis nanoparticle adjuvant formulation improves the efficacy of an inactivated trivalent influenza vaccine in mice

The threat of viral influenza infections has sparked research efforts to develop vaccines that can induce broadly protective immunity with safe adjuvants that trigger robust immune responses. Here, we demonstrate that subcutaneous or intranasal delivery of a seasonal trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) adjuvanted with the Quillaja brasiliensis saponin-based nanoparticle (IMXQB) increases the potency of TIV. The adjuvanted vaccine (TIV-IMXQB) elicited high levels of IgG2a and IgG1 antibodies with virus-neutralizing capacity and improved serum hemagglutination inhibition titers. The cellular immune response induced by TIV-IMXQB suggests the presence of a mixed Th1/Th2 cytokine profile, antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) skewed toward an IgG2a phenotype, a positive delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response, and effector CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells. After challenge, viral titers in the lungs were significantly lower in animals receiving TIV-IMXQB than in those inoculated with TIV alone. Most notably, mice vaccinated intranasally with TIV-IMXQB and challenged with a lethal dose of influenza virus were fully protected against weight loss and lung virus replication, with no mortality, whereas, among animals vaccinated with TIV alone, the mortality rate was 75%. These findings demonstrate that TIV-IMXQB improved the immune responses to TIV, and, unlike the commercial vaccine, conferred full protection against influenza challenge.

PRIMARY CUTANEOUS ADENOID CYSTIC CARCINOMA IN THE TRUNK: CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW

Primary cystic adenoid skin carcinoma is a rare and poorly documented neoplasm in literature worldwide, with just over 250 reports. This work describes a 52-year-old male patient, with no comorbidities, who presented this neoplasm in nodular format in the posterior thoracic region, associated with localized pain and erythema - symptoms that led him to seek medical help. The clinical findings, differential diagnosis and treatment particularities were reviewed and correlated with the clinical case. The choice of type of surgical treatment was done considering the characteristics of the primary lesion that are associated with a worse prognosis. Despite its rarity, this neoplasm is easily identified through histological examination, the correct choice of treatment and patient follow-up, essential to increase survival. Thus, this work contributes to diminish the scarcity of literature related to this topic, especially the form of treatment employed.

Observing separate spin and charge Fermi seas in a strongly correlated one-dimensional conductor

An electron is usually considered to have only one form of kinetic energy, but could it have more, for its spin and charge, by exciting other electrons? In one dimension (1D), the physics of interacting electrons is captured well at low energies by the Tomonaga-Luttinger model, yet little has been observed experimentally beyond this linear regime. Here, we report on measurements of many-body modes in 1D gated wires using tunneling spectroscopy. We observe two parabolic dispersions, indicative of separate Fermi seas at high energies, associated with spin and charge excitations, together with the emergence of two additional 1D "replica" modes that strengthen with decreasing wire length. The interaction strength is varied by changing the amount of 1D intersubband screening by more than 45%. Our findings not only demonstrate the existence of spin-charge separation in the whole energy band outside the low-energy limit of the Tomonaga-Luttinger model but also set a constraint on the validity of the newer nonlinear Tomonaga-Luttinger theory.

POS0093 ASSESSMENT OF HISTOLOGICAL FEATURES OF CHRONICITY OF MINOR SALIVARY GLAND BIOPSY IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY SJOGREN’S SYNDROME

Background

The origin of the histological chronic inflammation of the salivary gland in patients with primary Sjogren’s Syndrome (pSS) is questionable. It is probably a consequence of both, the evolution of the disease itself and ageing

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate histological data of chronicity of minor salivary gland biopsy with clinical characteristics and time of evolution in a series of patients with pSS.

Methods

A cross-sectional study including 98 subjects fulfilling the ACR-EULAR 2017 classification criteria for pSS. All patients underwent a minor salivary gland biopsy requested as per clinical practice. We collected the age at diagnosis and at biopsy, xeroftalmia and xerostomia evolution time, and stimulated and unstimulated salivary flow as a clinical data. We informed the following features in the minor salivary gland biopsy: the focus score (positive if ≥ 1), atrophy, fibrosis and adiposity all graded in negative, mild, moderate, and severe stages according to pathological criteria.

Results

This study included 98 patients with pSS. the median of all recruited parameters are shown in Table 1. Only 2 patients presented severe fibrosis and adiposity, so we did not consider them for the analysis. Both, the age at diagnosis and at biopsy are significantly higher between none, mild and moderate stages in the three biopsy parameters. The age at biopsy increased in negative, mild, and moderate stages, in median, 10, 9 and 6 years in atrophy, fibrosis and adiposity respectively. Although more evolution time is observed in atrophy and fibrosis regarding classification categories, it does not reach statistical signification. Focus score is associated with atrophy as a high percentage in severe stage shows negative biopsy (78% vs 22%, p = 0.046) while in negative, mild, and moderate atrophy display a positive biopsy (61%, 73% and 64%, respectively). Furthermore, we observe a significant OR of 8.75 [1.7-68] for negative, 6 [1.25-44] in mild and 9.92 [1.8-80] in moderate compared to severe atrophy. Fibrosis and adiposity are not related to focus score. A low unstimulated salivary flow is observed in the atrophy and fibrosis stages, although differences are explained when compared negative with mild and moderate (3.5 vs 2 and 1.4 for atrophy and 3 vs 2 and 1.75 for fibrosis). Regarding adiposity, a lineal statistically significant association is observed for every stage (3.5, 1.65 and 0.7, p< 0.001). No differences in the stimulated salivary flow are shown.

Table 1.

Description of variables included in the study.

CategoriesN(%)Median(IQR)Age at diagnosis(years)55.220 (51.097, 58.407)Age at biopsy (years)57.719 (53.851, 61.333)Xerostomia (months)19.614 (10.480, 35.121)Xeroftalmia (months)21.487 (8.148, 38.735)Focus score (positive)63 (64.3%)USF (ml/15 min)2.000 (1.400, 3.000)SSF (ml/ 5min)4.500 (3.000, 5.000)AtrophyNegative28 (28.7%)Mild37 (38.1%)Moderate23 (23.7%)Severe9 (9.3%)FibrosisNegative29 (30.5%)Mild40 (42.1%)Moderate26 (27.4%)AdiposityNegative39 (41.1%)Mild38 (40%)Moderate18 (18.9%)

USF: Unstimulated salivary flow, SSF: Stimulated salivary flow

Conclusion

An older age both, at diagnosis and at biopsy are associated with a severe stage of atrophy, fibrosis, and adiposity. Patient with severe atrophy shows less positive focus score, which might be noticed for biopsy interpretation

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Alcohol-induced psychotic disorder: a study of hospitalized patients in Lisbon

Introduction

While alcohol-induced psychotic disorder (AIPD) is a well-recognised clinical disorder, relativery little is known about aspects such as epidemiology, course and treatment of the condition. Current evidence suggests AIPD can be clinically distinguised from alcohol-withdrawal delirium and schizophrenia. AIPD is associated with high comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders, high re-hospitalization and mortality rate, namely suicidal behaviour.

Objectives

The objetive of the study was to examine the correlates, clinical features, psycopathology, and short-term response in an inpatient sample with alcohol-induced psychotic disorder, predominant hallucinations (ICD-10 F10.52) admitted to Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa.

Methods

We collected retrospectively data from all admitted patients to our Alcohol Unit between January 2010 and January 2020 with the diagnosis of AIPD. The exclusion criteria were: presence of preexisting psychotic disorder, delirium, or other substance use disorders. We characterized our sample in Demographic categories, Clinical categories, Treatment and Short-term course.

Results

A total of 113 subjects were included in the study. The prevalance of alcoholic hallucinosis was found to be 1.3% of all patients who received inpatient treatment. Most individuals reported auditory hallucinations, that iniciated when they decrease their alcohol intake, and 1 in 4 had past episodes of AIPD.

Conclusions

There are specific challenges in studiyng AIPD, such as the relatively rarity of the disorder, its often transient nature and high levels of comorbidity. A high degree of recurrence and morbidity indicates a need to prevent, and intervene early with an abstinent-oriented management goal.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

POS0782 ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF MAJOR SALIVARY GLANDS IN PRIMARY SJOGREN’S SYNDROME: COMPARISON OF THREE SCORING SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATION WITH BIOPSY RESULTS

Background

Salivary glands ultrasound is an imaging technique useful for primary Sjogren’s syndrome (pSS) diagnosis. Nowadays, the use of ultrasound in diagnostic criteria is not clear. Different scoring systems have been published in recent years.

Objectives

This study aims to compare the reliability between three salivary glands ultrasound (SGUS) scores in a series of patients with pSS. Furthermore, we assessed the association of the three SGUS scores with minor salivary gland biopsy.

Methods

A cross-sectional study including 98 subjects fulfilling the ACR-EULAR 2017 classification criteria for pSS. All patients underwent an ultrasound of the salivary glands and a minor salivary gland biopsy requested as per clinical practice. An experienced Rheumatologist in SGUS evaluated systematically the previously acquired images. This Rheumatologist classified the images using three different scoring systems obtained from the grades of bilateral parotid and submandibular glands: De Vita (0-3), Salaffi (0-4) and Omeract (0-3). These three scores were performed in different days and blinded for the previous scores results. SGUS grade ≥ 2 was considered positive. Positive biopsy was deemed when focus score ≥1. We evaluated the agreement between the three scores and the individual scores with respect to the biopsy.

Results

This study included 98 patients with pSS. The distribution of the different grades according to the score system and the percentage of a positive SGUS are shown in Table 1. The reliability for a positive score for the three evaluated systems was almost perfect, with a Light’s kappa of 0.95 [0.9-1] for the De Vita-Salaffi, 0.87 [0.77-0.97] for De Vita- Omeract and 0.83 [0.71-0.94] for Salaffi-Omeract. We observed a same degree of concordance when the individual parotid and submandibular scores were evaluated. There was only a fair agreement for positivity of SGUS and a positivebiopsy in all scoring systems, specifically De Vita (kappa = 0.27 [0.09-0.45]), Salaffi (kappa = 0.26 [0.06-0.45]) and Omeract (kappa = 0.22 [0.03-0.42]). This associations with a positive biopsy did not change in magnitude when individually evaluated parotid and submandibular glands.

Table 1.

Distribution of the ultrasound grades and the percentage of positive biopsy in the different scoring systems evaluated.

01234Positive scoreVita23312618044(23.5%)(31.6%)(26.5%)(18.4%)(44.9%)Salaffi23291623746(23.5%)(29.6%)(16.3%)(23.5%)(7.1%)(46.69%)Omeract27292316039(28.4%)(30.5%)(24.2%)(16.8%)(41.1%)

Conclusion

The three SGUS scores are reliable for the evaluation of the main salivary glands in pSS. There was only weak agreement for SGUS and biopsy, so these two techniques provides complementary information and currently, SGUS cannot replace the biopsy for diagnosis purposes.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS1381 ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF ENTHESOPATHY IN IDIOPATHIC DIFFUSED SKELETAL HYPEROSTOSIS. APPLICABILITY OF THE MASEI INDEX

Background

In Diffuse idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH) o Forestier-Rotés disease the enthesis is also the hallmark of extraspinal manifestations. Despite being a characteristic hallmark of the disease, it has been poorly investigated.

Objectives

To assess the usefulness of the Madrid Sonographic Enthesitis Index (MASEI) to classify patients with DISH and to analyse the ultrasound findings in hyperostotic entheses.

Methods

We recruited 35 patients with DISH, according to Resnick classification criteria, who were compared with 33 healthy patients age, sex and body mass index-matched. An ultrasound was performed strictly following the MASEI protocol. The ultrasound examiners, with extensive experience in musculoskeletal ultrasound (ECOCAT group), were blinded to the diagnosis of the patients. The interobserver reliability of MASEI index measured by an ICC was 0.97 (95%, CI 89-99) [1]. Demographic, cardiovascular risk factors, clinical, radiological and MASEI-related variables were collected. We categorized into MASEI- inflammatory (MASEI-I) and MASEI-damage (MASEI-D) as previously published [2]but also into MASEI-DISH, which included the variables of thickness, structure and calcification. In the statistical analysis, patients’ data were depicted by using descriptive statistics and the comparison between groups with the Chi-square test for categorical variables and the T-Student test for numerical variables. The validity of the index was examined using the area under the ROC curve and its corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). The optimal cut-off point was defined as the one that maximizes sensitivity (S) and specificity. (Spe). The statistical program used was R software.

Results

In the analysis of the elemental lesions, the alterations in structure, thickness and calcification of the distal quadriceps (DQT) and Achilles tendons (AQT) stood out (p <0.05). In the total MASEI, the ultrasound score of ≥ 16.50 (S80%, Spe 85%), obtained with an AUC of 0.877 (95% CI, 0.79 to 0.96), was the best cut-off to differentiate patients from healthy subjects. In the categorized indices, MASEI-I: cut-off 5.50 (S 89%, Spe 76%) and AUC 0.835 (95% CI 0.73 to 0.94); MASEI-D: 7.50 (S 86%, Spe 76%) and AUC 0.850 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.94) and MASEI-DISH: 16.50 (S 74%, Spe 91%) and AUC (95% CI 0.76 to 0.95). The total MASEI in the DISH group was 27.46 (SD 14.4) compared to 10.30 (SD 6.4) in healthy controls (p<0.001) as well as in those categorized as MASEI-I, MASEI-D or MASEI-DISH (p <0.001).

Conclusion

Entheses lesions of the AQT and the DQT mark the differences between DISH and healthy patients. The optimal cut-off point was 16.50, and we did not observe any advantages in establishing MASEI categorizations that could be useful in clinical practice. Although the MASEI is an index designed to classify patients with spondyloarthritis, our study shows that it also allows differentiating DISH patients from healthy subjects. It would also be interesting to analyse the capacity of the MASEI to distinguish DISH from spondyloarthritis.

References

[1]Moya Alvarado P, et al. Rheumatol Int. 2020.

[2]Eder L et al. J Rheumatol. 2014; 41(3): 466-72.

This study has received a grant from the Catalan Rheumatology Society (2019)

Acknowledgements

Investigation Unit Sociedad Española de Reumatología

Catalan Rheumatology Society (Grant)

Disclosure of Interests

Teresa Clavaguera Speakers bureau: 2021 Jansen, UCB, Novartis, Marta Valls Speakers bureau: 2021 Lilly, Nordic, Maria Buxó: None declared, MANEL PUJOL BUSQUETS Speakers bureau: abbvie, pfizer, lilly, UCB, Janssen, Novartis, Georgina Salvador Alarcon Speakers bureau: Lilly, Novartis, Roche, abbvie, Sanofi, Eulàlia Armengol Speakers bureau: Novartis, Jansen, Xavier González-Giménez: None declared, Mireia Moreno Speakers bureau: Many: Novartis, MSD, Marta Arévalo: None declared, Vicenç Torrente: None declared, Lourdes Mateo: None declared, Susana Holgado: None declared, Xabier Michelena: None declared, Juan José De Agustín De Oro: None declared, Meritxell Sallés Lizarzaburu Speakers bureau: Lilly, Sanofi, Sonia Mínguez: None declared, ANDRES PONCE FERNANDEZ: None declared, Rosa Morlà: None declared, Paula Estrada: None declared, D Reina-Sanz Speakers bureau: Novartis, UCB, Patricia Moya: None declared, Hector Corominas Speakers bureau: Gebro, Abbvie, Fresenius, Judith Font Urgellés: None declared, Patricia Reyner Speakers bureau: Lilly, Sanofi, Nordic

POS0935 HIGHER 5-YEAR SURVIVAL OF CERTOLIZUMAB PEGOL IN YOUNG WOMEN WITH AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS. BIOBADASER DATA

Background

Certolizumab pegol (CZP) in women of childbearing age with rheumatoid arthritis has a more favorable response, suggesting a possible distinctive effect in this group1,2.

Objectives

To evaluate the retention rate of CZP compared to other anti-TNFs and anti-IL17A in patients affected by axSpA, grouped according to gender and age

Methods

Cross-sectional study within the BIOBADASER registry. Patients older than 17 years old, with axSpA receiving anti-TNFs or anti-IL-17A were selected. Mean and standard deviations of ASDAS-CRP and BASDAI were performed at baseline, 1st and 2nd year of treatment. Patients were classified according to treatment into groups 1) CZP, 2) anti-TNF, and 3) anti-IL17A, and according to sex and age in the following groups: 1) women between 18 and 45 years old (young), 2) women over 45 years old (old), 3) men.

Results

Groups and gender distribution, treatment prescription, ASDAS-CRP and BASDAI values according to therapeutic line and demographical characteristics are shown in Table 1. Overall, young women treated with CZP showed remission or low activity during follow-up, compared to low activity for the rest of the molecules.

Table 1.

Efficacy data (BASDAI and ASDAS-CRP values)

IndexFirst lineSecond or subsequent linesAll linesBaseline1 year2 or moreBaseline1 year2 or moreBaseline1 year2 or moreAnti-TNFFemale <45 n=240BASDAI5.6 (2.3)3.3 (2.1)3.2 (2.0)5.4 (2.5)3.7 (2.3)3.5 (2.2)5.5(2.4)3.5 (2.2)3.3 (2.1)ASDAS-CRP3.7 (1.2)2.0 (0.9)2.1 (0.9)3.2 (2.0)1.9 (1.0)1.9 (1.1)3.4 (1.7)1.9 (1.0)2.0 (1.0)Female >45 n=367BASDAI6.0 (1.9)-4.2 (2.6)5.7 (2.3)--5.8 (2.2)-4.2 (2.6)ASDAS-CRP3.9 (0.9)-1.8 (0.7)3.3 (1.2)--3.6 (1.1)-1.8 (0.7)Male n=1252BASDAI5.4 (2.1)3.1 (2.1)2.9 (1.9)5.2 (2.4)3.8 (2.5)3.3 (2.3)5.3 (2.3)3.4 (2.3)3.1 (2.1)ASDAS-CRP3.3 (1.3)1.9 (0.9)1.8 (0.9)3.0 (1.3)2.0 (1.1)2.2 (1.1)3.2 (1.3)1.9 (1.0)1.9 (1.0)CZPFemale <45 n=35BASDAI5.5 (1.6)3.0 (1.7)1.3 (1.0)5.2 (2.6)3.9 (3.1)2.9 (2.2)5.3 (2.2)3.5 (2.6)2.2 (1.9)ASDAS-CRP3.3 (0.5)1.2 (0.5)1.3 (1.1)2.6 (1.1)2.2 (1.2)1.9 (0.7)2.9 (0.9)1.8 (1.1)1.7 (0.8)Female >45 n=25BASDAI6.7 (1.6)--6.4 (1.8)--6.4 (1.8)-ASDAS-CRP---3.5 (1.1)--3.5 (1.1)-Male n=86BASDAI5.6 (2.3)3.3 (2.0)1.9 (2.0)5.3 (2.4)5.8 (1.8)3.1 (2.7)5.4 (2.3)4.5 (2.3)1.4 (2.3)ASDAS-CRP2.4 (1.4)2.2 (2.0)1.5 (0.6)3.1 (0.8)2.8 (1.4)2.1 (1.8)2.8 (1.1)2.4 (1.8)1.7 (1.2)Anti-IL17AFemale <45 n=36BASDAI6.0 (1.4)4.2 (2.0)3.8 (1.7)6.8 (2.2)4.8 (2.3)4.9 (2.6)6.5 (1.9)4.5 (2.1)4.4 (2.2)ASDAS-CRP3.6 (0.89)1.8 (0.7)1.6 (0.7)3.3 (0.8)2.0 (1.1)1.8 (0.8)3.4 (0.8)1.9 (0.9)1.7 (0.7)Female >45 n=57BASDAI6.2 (1.8)--6.3 (1.8)--6.3 (1.8)ASDAS-CRP3.7 (1.2)--3.8 (2.0)--3.8 (1.8)Male n=205BASDAI5.5 (2.2)2.9 (2.3)3.7 (2.5)5.8 (2.3)4.3 (2.2)3.6 (2.4)5.7 (2.3)3.8 (2.3)3.6 (2.4)ASDAS-CRP3.2 (0.9)1.6 (1.0)1.9 (0.8)3.4 (1.2)2.5 (1.0)2.5 (1.0)3.4 (1.1)2.1 (1.1)2.3 (1.0)

A greater survival of CZP compared to other treatment groups was observed in young women. This difference was observed since the first year of treatment (71,4 (64.2-77.4) all antiTNF, 84.4 (66.4-93.2) CZP, 72.2 (53.2-84.5) antiIL17) and the magnitude was maintained during the first 5 years of follow-up (Figure 1). In older women, a higher retention rate was observed for both CZP and anti-IL17A compared to anti-TNFs (71.6 (65.4-76.8) in all antiTNF, 78.1 (54.9-90.3) in CZP, 75.3 (61.3-84.9) in antiIL17). In males there were no long-term differences (79.2(76.3-81.8) all antiTNF, 73.0 (62.0-81.4) CZP, 64.6 (57.3-71.0) antiIL17)

Figure 1.

Five years retention rate (first line treatment)

Focussed on first line treatment, the differences were greater in young women. The second and subsequent lines showed the same trends with a lesser extend. Globally, we do not observe these differences in men.

Conclusion

These data suggest a possible specific effect of Certolizumab Pegol in women with axial spondyloarthritis, especially in young women and when used as first line treatment.

References

[1]Favalli E, et al. FRI0114. ARD 2018.

[2]Favalli EG, et al. FRI0042. ARD 2019

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all members who participated in the BIOBADASER project.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

POS1398 ASSOCIATION OF FUNCTIONAL SALIVARY TESTS WITH SALIVARY GLAND ULTRASOUND AND BIOPSY IN PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY SJOGREN’S SYNDROME

Background

Salivary gland ultrasonography is useful to assess salivary gland involvement in primary Sjögren Syndrome. Different publications have describes the association between decreases salivary flow and the degree of involvement with ultrasound.

Objectives

This study aims to assess the association of functional salivary tests evaluated by stimulated and unstimulated salivary flow (SSF and USF) with salivary major gland ultrasound scores (SGUS) and a positive focus score in a minor salivary gland biopsy.

Methods

A cross-sectional study including 98 subjects fulfilling the ACR-EULAR 2017 classification criteria for pSS. All patients underwent salivary functional tests, an ultrasound of salivary glands and a minor salivary gland biopsy requested as per clinical practice. The ultrasound images were graded using three different scoring systems: De Vita (0-3), Salaffi (0-4) and Omeract (0-3), obtained as the highest score achieved in the four evaluated glands, left and right parotid and submandibular. Positive biopsy was considered if focus score ≥1

Results

This study included 98 patients with pSS. We evaluated the different ultrasound scoring systems and each score individually assessed in parotid and submandibular gland with the salivary functional tests. USF is associated with all SGUS independently of the measurement, with a 2.5 ml/15min higher in negative compared to positive SGUS. Similar results were shown for SSF, with a 3 ml/5 min higher in negative compared to positive SGUS (Table 1). We observed no association between USF or SSF and a positive focus score in the minor salivary gland biopsy.

Table 1.

Association between salivary flows and ultrasound scoring systems.

Unstimulated Salivary FlowStimulated Salivary FlowUltrasound scoreGroupN(%)Means[95%CI]p-valN(%)Means[95%CI]p-valVitaN54 (55.1%)4.076[3.056, 5.096]0.00454 (55.1%)6.745[5.042, 8.447]0.011P44 (44.9%)1.839 [0.709, 2.969]44 (44.9%)3.436[1.550, 5.322]Vita ParotidN60 (61.2%)3.886[2.912, 4.861]0.00860 (61.2%)6.575 [4.961, 8.190]0.011P38 (38.8%)1.784[0.560, 3.008]38 (38.8%)3.182 [1.153, 5.210]Vita SubmandibularN55 (56.1%)4.002[2.986, 5.017]0.00755 (56.1%)6.668[4.977, 8.358]0.014P43 (43.9%)1.881[0.733, 3.030]43 (43.9%)3.458[1.546, 5.370]SalaffiN52 (53.1%)4.050 [3.005, 5.095]0.00752 (53.1%)6.754[5.015, 8.493]0.014P46 (46.9%)1.965 [0.854, 3.076]46 (46.9%)3.570[1.721, 5.419]Salaffi ParotidN58 (59.2%)3.857[2.861, 4.853]0.01658 (59.2%)6.578[4.931, 8.225]0.014P40 (40.8%)1.932 [0.733, 3.132]40 (40.8%)3.347[1.365, 5.330]Salaffi SubmandibularN54 (55.1%)4.011[2.985, 5.037]0.00754 (55.1%)6.689[4.982, 8.396]0.014P44 (44.9%)1.918[0.782, 3.054]44 (44.9%)3.505[1.614, 5.395]OmeractN56 (58.9%)3.727[2.727, 4.726]0.0156 (58.9%)6.313 [4.612, 8.014]0.043P39 (41.1%)1.854[0.656, 3.051]39 (41.1%)3.574[1.536, 5.613]Omeract ParotidN61(64.2%)3.562 [2.598, 4.526]0.04061 (64.2%)6.227[4.599, 7.854]0.036P34 (35.8%)1.874 [0.582, 3.165]34 (35.8%)3.326[1.147, 5.506]Omeract SubmandibularN57 (60.0%)3.661[2.667, 4.656]0.02857 (60.0%)6.246[4.557, 7.935]0.052P38 (40.0%)1.903[0.685, 3.120]38 (40.0%)3.603[1.534, 5.671]

N: Negative, P: Positive

Conclusion

USF and SSF are associated with SGUS system independently of the salivary gland evaluated but not with positivity in the biopsy, pointing to salivary ultrasound as a good technique to evaluate functionality. Neither USF nor SSF are associated with positivity in the biopsy indicating no link between histology and functionality.

Disclosure of Interests

None declared

Inflammasome activation, NLRP3 engagement and macrophage recruitment to tumor microenvironment are all required for Salmonella antitumor effect

Salmonella-based cancer therapies show great potential in preclinical models, but for most cases the observed antitumor effect is transient. Understanding the basis of the antitumor efficacy might guide the design of improved strains that elicit long-lasting effects, paving the wave for clinical use.  Here, we deepened into the role of macrophages and inflammasome activation in the context of Salmonella anti-melanoma effect. We showed inflammasome activation in melanoma cells upon infection, which correlated with cell surface exposure of gasdermin-D (GSDM-D) and calreticulin (CRT) and High mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB-1) release, suggesting immunogenic cell death, particularly pyroptosis. Salmonella infection upregulated levels of Caspase-11 (Casp11) mRNA, but not Nlrp3 or Nlrc4 mRNA, the only described inflammasome receptors engaged by Salmonella, suggesting that non-canonical inflammasome activation could be occurring in melanoma cells. Intratumoral administration of Salmonella to melanoma-bearing mice elicited local inflammasome activation and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production together with tumor growth retardation and extended survival in wild type but not Caspase-1/11 (Casp1/11) knockout mice despite similar levels of intratumoral IL-1β in the later. Salmonella antitumor activity was also suppressed in melanoma bearing Nlrp3 knockout mice. Salmonella induced macrophage recruitment to the tumor site and infiltrating cells exhibited inflammasome activation. Depletion experiments confirmed that macrophages are also essential for Salmonella anti-melanoma effect. Intratumoral macrophages showed a marked M2/M1 shift soon after treatment but this inflammatory profile is then lost, which could explain the transient effect of therapy.  All in all, our results highlight CASP-1/11 axis and macrophages as essential players in Salmonella-based cancer immunotherapy and suggest a possible target for future interventions.

Sick leave request following anti-COVID-19 vaccine administration is low among healthcare workers: results from a retrospective cross-sectional monocentric study

OBJECTIVE

Anti-COVID-19 vaccines were mainly associated with non-serious adverse events (AEs), whose prevalence was reported to be up to 70% in healthcare workers (HCWs). This may lead to sick leave requests, but this impact has never been quantified. This study aimed to investigate the absence from work among HCWs following anti-COVID-19 vaccination. Its association with age and previous COVID-19 infection was also assessed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This is a retrospective observational cross-sectional study on administrative data about sick leave requests after anti-COVID-19 vaccination. All the HCWs employed at the Niguarda Hospital (Milan, Italy) who received the vaccine from December 27, 2020 to February 28, 2021 were included.

RESULTS

In total, 4,088 HCWs received the first dose of the vaccine and 4,043 completed the vaccination cycle. After the first injection, 1.6% of HCWs requested sick leave, while after the second injection, the number of requests significantly increased (+6.1%, p<0.001). A significant increase in sick leave was detected for those who have had SARS-CoV-2 infection after the first injection (+2.3%, p<0.001). After the second dose, a significant increase in sick leave was observed in the 20-30-year-old group compared to >30 years (+3.6%, p=0.017), if HCWs without a history of SARS-CoV-2 infection were considered.

CONCLUSIONS

The requests for sick leave among HCWs following the anti-COVID-19 vaccine were limited and higher after the second injection. This may help the management of the human resources when the large-scale administration of the anti-COVID-19 vaccines will involve other categories of workers.

Host factors and history of SARS-CoV-2 infection impact the reactogenicity of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine: results from a cross-sectional survey on 7,014 workers in healthcare

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to improve the post-marketing surveillance on mRNA anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, characterizing the adverse events (AEs) after the first dose of mRNA BNT162b vaccine. The associations between the AEs and individuals' characteristics were explored.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All adult healthcare workers at Niguarda Hospital (Milan, Italy) who were referred for the first dose of vaccine were offered to participate in a cross-sectional survey during the second-dose administration, between 18 January and 7 February 2021. All participants completed a questionnaire about age, gender, weight, height, medical history, concurrent therapies, employment status, previous diagnosis/testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection, and a list of 24 AEs (solicited AEs). The development of at least one solicited AEs was the main outcome. AEs were stratified by the presence of injection-site symptoms, systemic symptoms or both, and the differences between strata were assessed as a secondary outcome. Biometric data and reports of a previous diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection were also explored, as predictors of the main outcome.

RESULTS

7,014 healthcare workers were included. An incidence of 3 per 10.000 persons for serious AEs following the first administration of the mRNA BNT162b vaccine was found. An association between the development of non-serious AEs with young age, female gender, low body mass index, and previous history of SARS-CoV-2 was described.

CONCLUSIONS

This real-life study supported data on the safety profile of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. Our findings on the associations between the development of non-serious AEs with some individual characteristics may help physicians and patients make educated and informed medical decisions towards anti-COVID-19 vaccination.

Microseismicity Appears to Outline Highly Coupled Regions on the Central Chile Megathrust

We compiled a novel microseismicity catalog for the Central Chile megathrust (29°-35°S), comprising 8,750 earthquakes between April 2014 and December 2018. These events describe a pattern of three trenchward open half-ellipses, consisting of a continuous, coast-parallel seismicity band at 30-45 km depth, and narrow elongated seismicity clusters that protrude to the shallow megathrust and separate largely aseismic regions along strike. To test whether these shapes could outline highly coupled regions ("asperities") on the megathrust, we invert GPS displacement data for interplate locking. The best-fit locking model does not show good correspondence to seismicity, possibly due to lacking resolution. When we prescribe high locking inside the half-ellipses, however, we obtain models with similar data fits that are preferred according to the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). We thus propose that seismicity on the Central Chile megathrust may outline three adjacent highly coupled regions, two of them located between the rupture areas of the 2010 Maule and the 2015 Illapel earthquakes, a segment of the Chilean margin that may be in a late interseismic stage of the seismic cycle.

SP5.1.1 The harsh reality of a long waiting list for bariatric surgery, a prospective study regarding health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among morbid obese patients following bariatric surgery versus those on a waiting list, a two-year follow-up study

Aims

The aims of this study were to assess the changes in HRQoL during the 2 years follow-up between patients who underwent surgery and those on a long waiting list .

Methods

Between January to December 2017, 70 surgical patients and 69 patients on the waiting list were interviewed at baseline, 12-month and 24-month follow-up. Quality of life was measured by the SF-12v2 and the Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Lite (IWQoL) questionnaires. Socio-demographics, clinical, and surgical-related variables were collected.

Results

139 patients were analyzed, with similar baseline characteristics. Analyzing the entire sample: the higher the BMI, the worse the scores in the IWQoL. Performing more qualified work improves several aspects of the SF-12v2. In contrast, patients with depression tended to score worse on all dimensions of both questionnaires, women scored worse on the Self-Esteem domain and men improved on the Mental Health one. At 12 and 24-month follow-up, statistically significant differences were found among all aspects of the questionnaires between both groups (P&lt;.001). Furthermore, scores were lower in all domains in the evolution of wait-listed patients, with statistically differences among Bodily Pain, Emotional Role, Mental Health, and Mental Component Summary domains (P&lt;.05) at 12 months, but differences were not found at 24 months.

Conclusions

The quality of life of patients undergoing bariatric surgery is normalized one year after surgery, while patients on the waiting list get worse. Knowing the benefits of bariatric surgery, working on programs with long waiting lists should move us to fight against an unfair and unacceptable situation.

Healthcare organization and management barriers and facilitators for health promotion in primary care

Background

There are challenges in translating evidence-based interventions into practice, and the need for health care organization, management, and policy changes to align with health promotion activities within the health and social care system is well-documented. This study aims to elucidate the role of these factors as barriers/facilitators influencing the implementation of an evidence-based health promotion intervention in primary care centers in the Basque Country, Spain.

Methods

Seven focus groups were conducted with 49 health professionals from 6 primary care centers participating in the Prescribing Healthy Life (PVS) program. Text was analyzed using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) focusing on those constructs related to health care organization, management, and policy.

Results

The health promotion intervention was found to be compatible with the values of primary care professionals. However, professionals at all centers reported barriers to implementation related to: (1) external policy and incentives, (2) compatibility with existing workflow, and (3) available resources to carry out the program. Specific barriers related to high caseloads, contracting issues, short consultation times, and lack of appointment times for lifestyle counselling. Other barriers/facilitators were related to CFIR constructs networks and communication, culture, relative priority, and leadership engagement. A set of nine specific barriers-facilitators emerged.

Conclusions

In some centers, certain facilitators addressed barriers identified in other centers influencing implementation of a health promotion intervention in primary care. Proactive identification and modification of barriers by healthcare managers and policy makers can help to ensure effective integration of health promotion into primary care.

Key messages

Implementation science methods for program evaluation can help identify barriers and facilitators to health promotion implementation in primary care. Policy and incentives, compatibility, available resources, networks and communication, culture, relative priority, and leadership engagement influenced successful health promotion implementation.

Metastatic and non-metastatic melanoma imaging using Sgc8-c aptamer PTK7-recognizer

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive and deadly skin cancers, and although histopathological criteria are used for its prognosis, biomarkers are necessary to identify the different evolution stages. The applications of molecular imaging include the in vivo diagnosis of cancer with probes that recognize the tumor-biomarkers specific expression allowing external image acquisitions and evaluation of the biological process in quali-quantitative ways. Aptamers are oligonucleotides that recognize targets with high affinity and specificity presenting advantages that make them interesting molecular imaging probes. Sgc8-c (DNA-aptamer) selectively recognizes PTK7-receptor overexpressed in various types of tumors. Herein, Sgc8-c was evaluated, for the first time, in a metastatic melanoma model as molecular imaging probe for in vivo diagnostic, as well as in a non-metastatic melanoma model. Firstly, two probes, radio- and fluorescent-probe, were in vitro evaluated verifying the high specific PTK7 recognition and its internalization in tumor cells by the endosomal route. Secondly, in vivo proof of concept was performed in animal tumor models. In addition, they have rapid clearance from blood exhibiting excellent target (tumor)/non-target organ ratios. Furthermore, optimal biodistribution was observed 24 h after probes injections accumulating almost exclusively in the tumor tissue. Sgc8-c is a potential tool for their specific use in the early detection of melanoma.

Quantification of Bone Marrow Edema by MRI of the Sacroiliac Joints in Patients Diagnosed with Axial Spondyloarthritis: Results from the ESPeranza Cohort

Objective: To evaluate whether the quantification of bone marrow edema (BMO) of the sacroiliac (SI) joints by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) improves capacity for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) classification in comparison with the assessment of sacroiliitis by Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) classification criteria.Method: This prospective study from the ESPeranza cohort involved 66 subjects with an available MRI of the SI joints at baseline. This subgroup includes patients with axSpA (n = 28), peripheral spondyloarthritis (n = 10), and other diagnoses that were not spondyloarthritis (n = 28). Measures of diagnostic usefulness [area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, Youden's J statistic, positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+ and LR-)] were calculated for MRI of the SI joints according to ASAS criteria and for MRI quantified by means of SCAISS (Spanish tool for semi-automatic quantification of sacroiliac inflammation by MRI in spondyloarthritis). This analysis was stratified in patients who were human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 positive and negative.Results: The AUC value with BMO quantification was 0.919 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.799-1] for HLA-B27-positive patients and 0.884 (95% CI 0.764-1) for HLA-B27-negative patients. A SCAISS cut-off point of 80 units obtained a specificity of 94.4% and LR+ 7.5, while assessment by ASAS criteria showed a specificity value of 90% and LR+ 6.4.Conclusion: For patients with suspected axSpA, quantification of BMO improves the predictive capacity of MRI of the SI joints, for both HLA-B27-positive and HLA-B27-negative patients.Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) has a dramatic impact on physical function and quality of life (1). Despite its significant impact, patients with axSpA are normally diagnosed several years after presenting symptoms (2). In this respect, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the sacroiliac (SI) joints has gained significance over the past decade, particularly in the early stages of the disease. Nowadays, imaging tests and human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 testing are among the most important diagnostic procedures for patients with suspected axSpA.

Should Animal Welfare be Included in Educational Programs? Attitudes of Secondary and University Students from Eight EU Countries

Animal Welfare (AW) educational programs aim to promote positive attitudes of future generations toward animal production systems. This study investigated whether secondary and university students in the majors that are not related to AW teaching believe that this concept should be included also in their educational programs. The determinant factors affecting students' attitudes toward such a decision were analyzed. This research has focused on eight European countries (Spain, the United Kingdom, Poland, Greece, Lithuania, Romania, Italy, and Sweden) targeting 3,881 respondents composed of 1,952 secondary and 1,929 university students. The results showed that female university students with a high level of subjective and objective knowledge on AW and who required more restrictive AW regulations, gave support to include the concept in their educational programs. However, Students who support medical experiments that use animals to improve human health were less likely to accept AW education. Furthermore, students in Italy compared to those in Sweden were prone to support AW educational programs. Results highlight the importance of teaching the AW concept as a comprehensive teaching tool at universities and schools' programs as it may constitute a starting point for a more sustainable society toward improving animal living conditions, mainly in the Mediterranean countries in secondary schools.

Baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT quantitative parameters as prognostic factors in esophageal squamous cell cancer

AIM

To determine the utility of [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT quantitative parameters as prognostic factors for the response to neoadjuvant treatment, progression-free survival (PFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty patients (29 men) diagnosed with SCC were retrospectively evaluated over a 6-year interval. Metabolic parameters were determined: maximum SUV (SUVmax), mean SUV (SUVmed), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) from baseline PET/CT study. After treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, response to treatment and patient survival were assessed. The comparison of parameters between groups of responders and non-responders was carried out using a Mann-Whitney U test ROC curves and the Kaplan-Meier method were used for analysis of prognostic factors and survival curves.

RESULTS

The average follow-up was 22.4 months, with 22 recurrence-progressions and 25 deaths. Significant differences were demonstrated between responders and non-responders with respect to tumor size, MTV and TLG. Survival analysis found significant differences for SCE and CSS depending on these three parameters.

CONCLUSION

Metabolic parameters MTV and TLG, and tumor size were prognostic factors for neoadjuvant treatment response, PFS, and CSS in patients diagnosed with SCC. Neither SUVmax nor SUVmed were predictive for any of the evaluation criteria. Results could help to personalize patient treatment.

Thoracoscopic management of congenital esophageal stenosis secondary to tracheobronchial remnant in pediatric patients

INTRODUCTION

Congenital esophageal stenosis (CES) is an extremely rare pathology in children, with an incidence of 1/25,000-50,000 live births. According to its histopathological classification, there are three types of CES: fibromuscular hyperplasia, membranous diaphragm, and tracheobronchial remnants.

CLINICAL CASE

We present the clinical case of a 39-month-old male patient diagnosed with CES secondary to tracheobronchial remnants, with multiple vomit and reflux episodes since he was 4 months old. He was admitted at the emergency department with respiratory distress. An upper GI endoscopy and an esophagogram were initially carried out. Stenosis resection and thoracoscopic esophageal anastomosis were performed.

CONCLUSIONS

Tracheobronchial remnants are the second most common presentation of congenital esophageal stenosis. They can be managed through dilatations or surgery according to etiology.

Baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT quantitative parameters as prognostic factors in esophageal squamous cell cancer

AIM

To determine the utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT quantitative parameters as prognostic factors for the response to neoadjuvant treatment, progression-free survival (PFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty patients (29 men) diagnosed with SCC were retrospectively evaluated over a 6-year interval. Metabolic parameters were determined: maximum SUV (SUVmax), mean SUV (SUVmed), metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) from baseline PET/CT study. After treatment with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, response to treatment and patient survival were assessed. The comparison of parameters between groups of responders and non-responders was carried out using a Mann-Whitney U test. ROC curves and the Kaplan-Meier method were used for analysis of prognostic factors and survival curves.

RESULTS

The average follow-up was 22.4months, with 22 recurrence-progressions and 25 deads. Significant differences were demonstrated between responders and non-responders with respect to tumor size, MTV and TLG. Survival analysis found significant differences for SCE and CSS depending on these three parameters.

CONCLUSION

Metabolic parameters MTV and TLG, and tumor size were prognostic factors for neoadjuvant treatment response, PFS, and CSS in patients diagnosed with SCC. Neither SUVmax nor SUVmed were predictive for any of the evaluation criteria. Results could help to personalize patient treatment.

POS0996 SIX-YEAR RESULTS FROM THE ESPERANZA COHORT: EVALUATION OF CLINICAL FEATURES, DISEASE ACTIVITY MEASURES AND TREATMENT ASPECTS IN AXIAL AND PERIPHERAL EARLY SPONDYLOARTHRITIS

Background:

Esperanza was a multicenter national health program developed to facilitate an early diagnosis of patients with Spondyloarthritis (SpA) in Spain.

Objectives:

To compare the clinical evolution of patients with axial SpA (axSpA) and peripheral SpA (pSpA) included in this program.

Methods:

Patients from the Esperanza cohort fulfilling ASAS criteria for axSpA or pSpA and completed the 6-year follow-up were included. Patients were classified according to the predominant symptom. In case of having axSpA and pSpA, they were classified as axSpA. Clinical features, disease activity and treatment aspects at baseline and 6-year visit were evaluated.

Results:

From 775 patients recruited at baseline, 6-year follow-up data from 178 (83.5%) fulfilling ASAS criteria at the final visit were available: 133 (74.7%) for axSpA and 45 for pSpA (25.3%). 118 (66.3%) were males (50.6% with axSpA and 62.2%, pSpA, p=0.4). Patients with axSpA had more frequently positive HLA-B27 (90.5%) vs. (9.5%), p<0.001. Follow-up clinical features are shown in Table 1. At the final visit, both axSpA and pSpA presented an improvement in clinical symptoms, disease activity (CRP, BASDAI, ASDAS and VAS-pt) and quality of life (ASQoL). A worsening of mobility (BASMI) was observed in both groups. The prevalence of uveitis, psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) at baseline was 10.7%, 18% and 5.6%, respectively. At the 6-year visit, the cumulative prevalence (CP) was 14% for uveitis (16.5% in axSpA and 6.7% in pSpA), 22.5% for psoriasis (12.8% in axSpA and 51.1% in pSpA) and 7.9% for IBD (5.3% in axSpA and 15.6% in pSpA). Most of the patients were prescribed NSAIDS at baseline and more patients maintained this treatment at the 6-year visit in axSpA compared with pSpA (96.9% vs 87.5%, p=0.02). At the final visit, a higher percentage with pSpA received csDMARDs in comparison with axSpA (81% vs. 35.7%, p<0.001). Sixty (44.4%) patients received biologic therapy at the final visit and no differences were observed in their prescription: 43% in axSpA and 48.6% in pSpA(p=0.6).

Conclusion:

The early diagnosis of recent-onset SpA achieves a significant improvement in clinical features, disease activity and quality of life in patients with axSpA and pSpA after 6 years of follow-up. Although previous publications revealed a low radiographic progression in this cohort1, the worsening of BASMI must aware clinicians of possible evolutive structural damage.

Reference:

[1]Fernández-Carballido et al. RMD Open. 2020 Sep;6(2):e001345

Acknowledgements:

The Spanish Foundation of Rheumatology received funding from Pfizer (formerly Wyeth) to develop the Esperanza Program. Later, the Program has been supported by restricted grants from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III and Fondos FEDER (FIS PI13/02034 and PI17/01840) and AbbVie.

Disclosure of Interests:

Carolina Tornero: None declared, Victoria Navarro-Compán: None declared, Beatriz Joven-Ibáñez: None declared, RAQUEL ALMODOVAR: None declared, Xavier Juanola-Roura: None declared, Cristina Fernández-Carballido: None declared, Juan Carlos Quevedo-Abeledo: None declared, Jose Rosas: None declared, Azucena Hernández: None declared, Carlos A. Montilla-Morales: None declared, Jose Ramón Maneiro: None declared, A. Juan-Mas: None declared, Jose Antonio Pinto Tasende: None declared, Mireia Moreno: None declared, Jesus Sanz: None declared, Teresa Ruiz Jimeno: None declared, Manuel Moreno: None declared, María Lourdes Ladehesa Pineda: None declared, Eugenio de Miguel Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Novartis, Pfizer, MSD, BMS, UCB, Roche, Grunental, Janssen, Sanofi., Paid instructor for: Janssen, Novartis, Roche, Consultant of: AbbVie, Novartis, Pfizer, Galapagos, Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Novartis, Pfizer.

POS0242 ROLE OF HLA-B27 CARRIERSHIP IN PERIPHERAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS: DATA FROM ASAS PERSPA STUDY

Background:

HLA-B27 is well known for its role in conferring susceptibility to spondyloarthritis (SpA), and several studies evaluating its association to axial SpA phenotype have been published. However, there is few evidence about its influence in patients affected with peripheral SpA (pSpA). In this sense we find ASAS perSpA registry suitable for this purpose.

Objectives:

To identify phenotypical differences in pSpA patients regarding HLA-B27 status.

Methods:

Data from all patients fulfilling ASAS pSpA criteria with HLA-B27-testing result available included in the ASAS perSpA study were used for this analysis. Socio-demographic and disease characteristics were collected. A descriptive and comparative analysis was performed between HLA-B27 positive and negative patients, using a simple logistic regression for all variables to assess their association to HLA-B27 positivity. Results were considered significant when p <0.05. A multivariate model was also performed including significant (p<0.1) and the most relevant clinical variables in agreement of medical criteria.

Results:

Among the 4465 patients included in the registry, 555 fulfilled ASAS pSpA criteria and of them 286 had the HLA-B27 typing available. HLA-B27 was positive in 118 (41.3%) and negative in 168 (58.7%). Results are listed in Table 1. No differences were observed for gender distribution (males 55.1% in HLA-B27 positive vs 49.4% in HLA-B27 negatives). HLA-B27 positive patients were significantly younger, presented a younger disease onset, had significantly higher prior axial involvement, radiographic sacroiliitis and higher root joint involvement. On the other hand, HLA-B27 negative patients showed longer disease duration with a higher diagnosis delay. Around half of the patients in both groups showed a mono or oligoarticular pattern without differences regarding HLA-B27 status, however, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and peripheral joint damage was significantly higher in HLA-B27 negative patients. Also psoriasis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were more frequent in HLA-B27 negative patients compared to positive ones, and acute anterior uveitis (AAU) was significantly more frequent in HLA-B27 positive patients without differences in number of AAU episodes lifelong. Finally, obesity and concomitant fibromyalgia were both more common in HLA-B27 negatives. No significant differences were found for the rest of variables evaluated.

Table 1.HLA-B27+ (N = 118)HLA-B27- (N = 168)N/mean%/SDN/mean%/SDpObesity (BMI >30)1411,9%4426,3%0,003Men6555,1%8349,4%0,344Family history4437,3%5231,0%0,265Axial involvement6252,5%4225,0%<0.001Radiographic sacroilitis3028,3%2516,8%0,029Psoriathic arthritis2319,5%11272,6%<0.001Reactive arthritis54,2%31,8%0,229IBD arthritis10,9%84,8%0,098Mono/oligoarticular pattern5954,6%7651,0%0,566Root joint involvement5244,1%5432,1%0,04Tarsitis2218,6%169,5%0,028Enthesitis6252,5%6941,1%0,056Dactylitis3126,3%5130,4%0,452Peripheral structural damage97,6%4124,4%<0.001Psoriasis2117,8%12574,4%<0.001AAU2117,8%74,2%<0.001IBD21,7%137,7%0,039Fibromyalgia1513,2%4326,7%0,008Age (y)42,714,852,213,4<0.001Age onset (y)33,913,738,314,50,013Dx delay (m)4,78,27,79,80,009Disease duration (y)9,0610,214,211,6<0.001BASDAI3,92,24,42,40,06CRP16,925,11227,30,148ASDAS-CRP2,71,22,71,10,876AAU number of episodes6,88,42,11,70,265

In the multivariate analysis, age at disease onset (OR 0.96, CI95% 0.94-0.98), disease duration (OR 0.96, CI95% 0.92-0.99), PsA (OR 0.28, CI95% 0.09-0.85), presence of psoriasis (OR 0.22, CI95% 0.07-0.64), IBD related arthritis (OR 0.03, CI95% 0.01-0.19), AAU (OR 3.63, CI95% 1.22-11.9) and tarsitis (OR 2.61, CI95% 1.01-6.98) were the most important variables independently associated to HLA-B27 status.

Conclusion:

Presence of HLA-B27 in pSpA patients was associated to a higher axial and root joint involvement, an earlier disease onset and presence of AAU, but not to PsA, psoriasis and IBD that were higher in HLA-B27 negative patients.

Disclosure of Interests:

Marta Arévalo Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Nordic Pharma, Clementina López-Medina: None declared, Victoria Navarro-Compán: None declared, Mireia Moreno Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Novartis, UCB, Bristol and AMGEN, María LLop Vilaltella Speakers bureau: Novartis, Joan Calvet: None declared, Jordi Gratacos-Masmitja Speakers bureau: During the course of the year, I have received funding for courses and conferences or as an advisor and speaker from MSD, Pfizer, AbbVie, Janssen Cilag, Novartis, Celgene, and Lilly., Maxime Dougados: None declared

OP0123 SAFETY PROFILE OF JAK-INHIBITORS VERSUS TNF-INHIBITORS IN REAL-WORLD CLINICAL PRACTICE: DATA FROM A MULTICENTER REGISTER

Background:

JAK-inhibitors (JAKi) are small molecules emerging as a promising treatment for immune mediated diseases. Data from clinical trials are very promising. But long-term observational studies, with patients with diverse clinical backgrounds are required to confirm safety profile.

Objectives:

To compare the safety profile of JAKi versus TNF antagonists (anti-TNF) in a multicenter real world dataset.

Methods:

Data of patients enrolled in BIOBADASER 3.0 up to November 2020 with the start of anti-TNF or JAKi were analysed. Adverse events (AE) were classified according to Meddra dictionary (v19.0). For each group, demographic, clinical variables and ncidence rate ratios of AE per 1000 patients-year (PYs) and 95% confidence interval were estimated.

Results:

A total of 3,729 patients on anti-TNF (5,306) or JAKi (493) were analyzed. Patients on JAKi were older and with a mean disease duration of 10 years. JAKi were prescribed as first line treatment only in 24% of patients. The main reason of stopping treatment was ineffectiveness (53-59%) followed by adverse events (25-34%) in both groups. Survival during first year was similar between groups.

Table 1.

Patient characteristics and adverse events by treatment group

Anti-TNFJAKiMean age start of treatment (SD), yrs50.8 (12.6)57.6 (11.9)Female, n (%)3122 (58.8)392 (79.5)Disease duration, median (IQR)7.0 (2.7-13.7)9.9 (4.9-16.8)First line biologic, n (%)2614 (49.3)117 (23.7)Rheumatoid Arthritis1385 (41.1)339 (95.2)Ankylsosing Spondylitis1031 (30.6)1 (0.3)Psoriatic Arthritis957 (28.4)16 (4.5)DAS28-ESR4.3 (1.4)4.7 (1.4)Survival first year (IC 95%)73.3 (71.9-74.6)69.7 (66.0-73.0)Charlson Index, mean (SD)1.9 (1.3)2.3 (1.6)Reason to stop therapy (n)*: Lack of efficacy1534 (53.2)57 (58.8) Adverse event723 (25.1)33 (34.0)Adverse events (AE)*Serious infections14.2 (12.4-16.2)33.2 (19.3-57.3)Herpes zoster5.7 (4.6-7.1)12.8 (5.3-30.7)Tuberculosis0.7 (0.4-1.3)0.0 (0.0-0.0)Malignancy/Neoplasia10.2 (8.7-11.9)15.3 (6.9-34.2)Cardiac events13.9 (12.2-16.0)30.7 (17.4-54.0)GI perforation1.2 (0.8-1.9)10.2 (3.8-27.3)Vascular events9.8 (8.3-11.5)25.6 (13.8-47.5)

*Data show the incidence rate ratio per 1000 patient-years (PYs; 95% CI)

Conclusion:

Serious infections and herpes zoster tend to be more frequent in patients on JAKi. However patients on JAKi were older, presented higher comorbidity and have a longer disease duration.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Salmonella Typhimurium Triggers Extracellular Traps Release in Murine Macrophages

Salmonella comprises two species and more than 2500 serovars with marked differences in host specificity, and is responsible for a wide spectrum of diseases, ranging from localized gastroenteritis to severe life-threatening invasive disease. The initiation of the host inflammatory response, triggered by many Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) that Salmonella possesses, recruits innate immune cells in order to restrain the infection at the local site. Neutrophils are known for killing bacteria through oxidative burst, amid other mechanisms. Amongst those mechanisms for controlling bacteria, the release of Extracellular Traps (ETs) represents a newly described pathway of programmed cell death known as ETosis. Particularly, Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) were first described in 2004 and since then, a number of reports have demonstrated their role as a novel defense mechanism against different pathogens. This released net-like material is composed of cellular DNA decorated with histones and cellular proteins. These structures have shown ability to trap, neutralize and kill different kinds of microorganisms, ranging from viruses and bacteria to fungi and parasites. Salmonella was one of the first microorganisms that were reported to be killed by NETs and several studies have confirmed the observation and deepened into its variants. Nevertheless, much less is known about their counterparts in other immune cells, e.g. Macrophage Extracellular Traps (METs) and Salmonella-induced MET release has never been reported so far. In this work, we observed the production of METs induced by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and recorded their effect on bacteria, showing for the first time that macrophages can also release extracellular DNA traps upon encounter with Salmonella Typhimurium. Additionally we show that METs effectively immobilize and reduce Salmonella survival in a few minutes, suggesting METs as a novel immune-mediated defense mechanism against Salmonella infection. Of note, this phenomenon was confirmed in primary macrophages, since MET release was also observed in bone marrow-derived macrophages infected with Salmonella. The evidence of this peculiar mechanism provides new incipient insights into macrophages´ role against Salmonella infection and can help to design new strategies for the clinical control of this transcendental pathogen.

An uncommon case of vulvar cancer metastatic to breast

Vulvar carcinoma corresponds to the fourth gynecological malignancy in incidence, with more than forty thousand new cases being estimated worldwide in 2020. It is a disease characterized by locoregional spread presenting high recurrence rates although distant metastases are an uncommon event. The purpose of this work is to describe the diagnosis, treatment, and clinical course of vulvar carcinoma in a patient who presented regional recurrences and late metastasis to the mammary gland. Vulvar cancer is a disease with a well-defined natural history; but with the advancement of therapeutic possibilities in recent years, it has been possible to improve the prognosis, reducing the chance of locoregional recurrence. Thus, the possibility of distance recurrence must be remembered in inpatient follow-up with locally advanced vulvar carcinoma, even if atypically, as in the case reported.

Key Role of Deep Orbitals in the dx2-y2-d3z2-r2 Gap in Tetragonal Complexes and 10Dq

Using first-principles calculations, we show that the origin of the intrinsic a_1g(∼3z² – r²)–b_1g(∼x² – y²) splitting, Δ_int, in tetragonal transition-metal complexes and the variations of the cubic field splitting, 10Dq, with the metal–ligand distance, R, are much more subtle than commonly thought. As a main novelty, the key role played by covalent bonding with deep valence ligand levels and thus the inadequacy of too simple models often used for the present goal is stressed. Taking as a guide the isolated D_4h CuF₆^4– complex, it is proved that Δ_int essentially arises from bonding with deep 2s(F) orbitals despite them lying ∼23 eV below 2p(F) orbitals. This conclusion, although surprising, is also supported by results on octahedral fluoride complexes where the contribution to 10Dq splitting from bonding with 2s(F) orbitals is behind its strong R dependence, stressing that explanations based on the crystal-field approach are simply meaningless.

Dietary tryptophan depletion alters the faecal bacterial community structure of compulsive drinker rats in schedule-induced polydipsia

RATIONALE

Compulsive behaviour, present in different psychiatric disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia and drug abuse, is associated with altered levels of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT). The gut microbiota regulates tryptophan (TRP) metabolism and may affect global 5-H synthesis in the enteric and central nervous systems, suggesting a possible involvement of gut microbiota in compulsive spectrum disorders.

OBJECTIVES

The present study investigated whether chronic TRP depletion by diet alters the faecal bacterial community profiles of compulsive versus non-compulsive rats in schedule-induced polydipsia (SIP). Peripheral plasma 5-HT and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were evaluated.

METHODS

Wistar rats were selected as High Drinkers (HD) or Low Drinkers (LD) according to their SIP behaviour and were fed for 14 days with either a TRP-free diet (T-) or a TRP-supplemented diet (T+). The faecal bacterial community structure was investigated with 16S rRNA gene-targeted denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) fingerprinting analysis.

RESULTS

Compulsive HD rats showed a lower bacterial diversity than LD rats, irrespectively of the diet. The TRP-depleted HD rats, the only group increasing compulsive licking in SIP, showed a reduction of bacterial evenness and a highly functionally organized community compared with the other groups, indicating that this bacterial community is more fragile to external changes due to the dominance of a low number of species. The chronic TRP depletion by diet effectively reduced peripheral plasma 5-HT levels in both HD and LD rats, while plasma BDNF levels were not altered.

CONCLUSIONS

These results highlight the possible implication of reduced microbial diversity in compulsive behaviour and the involvement of the serotonergic system in modulating the gut brain-axis in compulsive spectrum disorders.

Sgc8-c Aptamer as a Potential Theranostic Agent for Hemato-Oncological Malignancies

Background: Aptamers represent an emerging class of oligonucleotides that have the ability to bind ligands with high affinity. Sgc8-c aptamer recognizes PTK7, a member of the catalytically defective receptor protein tyrosine kinase family that is upregulated in various cancers, including hemato-oncological malignancies. Herein, an Sgc8-c-NOTA-radiolabeled probe was prepared for theranostic purpose. Materials and Methods: In this work, an Sgc8-c-radiolabeled probe against PTK7 was prepared, and biological evaluations-pharmacokinetic studies, biodistribution analysis, and in vivo molecular imaging-were performed. To obtain the radiolabeled probe, a modified 5'-amino-derivative of the Sgc8-c aptamer was bound to the metal chelator NOTA, and subsequently labeled with ⁶⁷Ga with high yield and radiochemical purity. The precursor, Sgc8-c-NOTA, the radio probe Sgc8-c-NOTA-⁶⁷Ga, and its nonradioactive complex, Sgc8-c-NOTA-^69/71Ga, were purified by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and characterized by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The binding ability of Sgc8-c-NOTA-⁶⁷Ga was studied in vitro against purified PTK7 receptor. In addition, the binding was also evidenced against the hemato-oncological A20 cell line, derived from B lymphocytes, and the corresponding A20-green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transfected cells. The proof of concept was performed on A20-GFP tumor-bearing mice, in which the biodistribution of the radiolabeled probe was evaluated through imaging, using X-ray, fluorescence, and γ modalities. The specific uptake of the probe was confirmed by blocking with the Sgc8-c aptamer in an in vivo competition assay. Results: The biodistribution results showed considerable uptake in tumor since 2 h, with highest at 48 h postinjection. However, the blood and muscle ID/g (injected dose per gram of tissue) activities were decreasing with time and tumor/no-target ratios increasing to 20 at 24 h postinjection. These results are consistent with the in vivo images. Conclusions: This study supports the utility of Sgc8-c-NOTA radiolabeled as a theranostic agent.