Prognostic value of HER2DX in early-stage HER2-positive breast cancer: a comprehensive analysis of 757 patients in the Sweden Cancerome Analysis Network-Breast dataset (SCAN-B)

BACKGROUND

The HER2DX risk-score has undergone rigorous validation in prior investigations involving patients with early-stage human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive (HER2+) breast cancer. In this study, we present the outcomes of the HER2DX risk-score within the most recent release of the Sweden Cancerome Analysis Network-Breast (SCAN-B) HER2+ cohort. This updated examination benefits from a larger patient sample, an extended follow-up duration, and detailed treatment information.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical and RNAseq data from the SCAN-B dataset were retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus (GSE81538). Among the 6600 patients, 819 had HER2+ breast cancer, with 757 individuals with research-based HER2DX risk-scores and corresponding survival outcomes. The HER2DX risk-score was evaluated (i) as a continuous variable and (ii) using predefined cut-offs. The primary endpoint for this study was overall survival (OS). The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox models were used to estimate OS and a multistate model with four states was fitted to better characterize patients' follow-up.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 7.5 years (n = 757). The most common systemic therapy was chemotherapy with trastuzumab (82.0%) and most tumors were classified as T1-T2 (97.1%). The HER2DX risk-score as a continuous variable was significantly associated with OS after adjustment for clinical variables and treatment regimen [hazard ratios (HR) per 10-unit increment = 1.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.13-1.51, P < 0.001] as well as within predefined risk groups (high versus low; HR = 2.57, 95% CI 1.36-4.85, P < 0.001). Patients classified as HER2DX high-risk also had higher risk of (i) breast cancer recurrence and (ii) death without previous recurrence. Within the subgroup of HER2+ T1N0 tumors (n = 297), those classified as high-risk demonstrated inferior OS compared to low-risk tumors (7-year OS 77.8% versus 96.8%, P < 0.001). The HER2DX mRNA ERBB2 score was associated with clinical HER2 status (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.91).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with early-stage HER2+ breast cancer, HER2DX risk-score provides prognostic information beyond clinicopathological variables, including treatment regimen with or without trastuzumab.

Effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease: a prespecified secondary analysis from the empa-kidney trial

BACKGROUND

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce progression of chronic kidney disease and the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in a wide range of patients. However, their effects on kidney disease progression in some patients with chronic kidney disease are unclear because few clinical kidney outcomes occurred among such patients in the completed trials. In particular, some guidelines stratify their level of recommendation about who should be treated with SGLT2 inhibitors based on diabetes status and albuminuria. We aimed to assess the effects of empagliflozin on progression of chronic kidney disease both overall and among specific types of participants in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA), and included individuals aged 18 years or older with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or with an eGFR of 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher. We explored the effects of 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily versus placebo on the annualised rate of change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR slope), a tertiary outcome. We studied the acute slope (from randomisation to 2 months) and chronic slope (from 2 months onwards) separately, using shared parameter models to estimate the latter. Analyses were done in all randomly assigned participants by intention to treat. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and then followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroups of eGFR included 2282 (34·5%) participants with an eGFR of less than 30 mL/min per 1·73 m2, 2928 (44·3%) with an eGFR of 30 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, and 1399 (21·2%) with an eGFR 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2 or higher. Prespecified subgroups of uACR included 1328 (20·1%) with a uACR of less than 30 mg/g, 1864 (28·2%) with a uACR of 30 to 300 mg/g, and 3417 (51·7%) with a uACR of more than 300 mg/g. Overall, allocation to empagliflozin caused an acute 2·12 mL/min per 1·73 m2 (95% CI 1·83-2·41) reduction in eGFR, equivalent to a 6% (5-6) dip in the first 2 months. After this, it halved the chronic slope from -2·75 to -1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (relative difference 50%, 95% CI 42-58). The absolute and relative benefits of empagliflozin on the magnitude of the chronic slope varied significantly depending on diabetes status and baseline levels of eGFR and uACR. In particular, the absolute difference in chronic slopes was lower in patients with lower baseline uACR, but because this group progressed more slowly than those with higher uACR, this translated to a larger relative difference in chronic slopes in this group (86% [36-136] reduction in the chronic slope among those with baseline uACR <30 mg/g compared with a 29% [19-38] reduction for those with baseline uACR ≥2000 mg/g; ptrend<0·0001).

INTERPRETATION

Empagliflozin slowed the rate of progression of chronic kidney disease among all types of participant in the EMPA-KIDNEY trial, including those with little albuminuria. Albuminuria alone should not be used to determine whether to treat with an SGLT2 inhibitor.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly.

Impact of primary kidney disease on the effects of empagliflozin in patients with chronic kidney disease: secondary analyses of the EMPA-KIDNEY trial

BACKGROUND

The EMPA-KIDNEY trial showed that empagliflozin reduced the risk of the primary composite outcome of kidney disease progression or cardiovascular death in patients with chronic kidney disease mainly through slowing progression. We aimed to assess how effects of empagliflozin might differ by primary kidney disease across its broad population.

METHODS

EMPA-KIDNEY, a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial, was conducted at 241 centres in eight countries (Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, the UK, and the USA). Patients were eligible if their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was 20 to less than 45 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or 45 to less than 90 mL/min per 1·73 m2 with a urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR) of 200 mg/g or higher at screening. They were randomly assigned (1:1) to 10 mg oral empagliflozin once daily or matching placebo. Effects on kidney disease progression (defined as a sustained ≥40% eGFR decline from randomisation, end-stage kidney disease, a sustained eGFR below 10 mL/min per 1·73 m2, or death from kidney failure) were assessed using prespecified Cox models, and eGFR slope analyses used shared parameter models. Subgroup comparisons were performed by including relevant interaction terms in models. EMPA-KIDNEY is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03594110.

FINDINGS

Between May 15, 2019, and April 16, 2021, 6609 participants were randomly assigned and followed up for a median of 2·0 years (IQR 1·5-2·4). Prespecified subgroupings by primary kidney disease included 2057 (31·1%) participants with diabetic kidney disease, 1669 (25·3%) with glomerular disease, 1445 (21·9%) with hypertensive or renovascular disease, and 1438 (21·8%) with other or unknown causes. Kidney disease progression occurred in 384 (11·6%) of 3304 patients in the empagliflozin group and 504 (15·2%) of 3305 patients in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·71 [95% CI 0·62-0·81]), with no evidence that the relative effect size varied significantly by primary kidney disease (pheterogeneity=0·62). The between-group difference in chronic eGFR slopes (ie, from 2 months to final follow-up) was 1·37 mL/min per 1·73 m2 per year (95% CI 1·16-1·59), representing a 50% (42-58) reduction in the rate of chronic eGFR decline. This relative effect of empagliflozin on chronic eGFR slope was similar in analyses by different primary kidney diseases, including in explorations by type of glomerular disease and diabetes (p values for heterogeneity all >0·1).

INTERPRETATION

In a broad range of patients with chronic kidney disease at risk of progression, including a wide range of non-diabetic causes of chronic kidney disease, empagliflozin reduced risk of kidney disease progression. Relative effect sizes were broadly similar irrespective of the cause of primary kidney disease, suggesting that SGLT2 inhibitors should be part of a standard of care to minimise risk of kidney failure in chronic kidney disease.

FUNDING

Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, and UK Medical Research Council.

Clinical presentation, management, and survival in dogs with persistent atrial standstill in the United Kingdom

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the clinical and echocardiographic presentation of dogs with persistent atrial standstill (PAS), identify variables measured at first presentation that could predict their survival, and document the progression of the disease after pacing.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of medical records of dogs diagnosed with PAS at three referral hospitals of the United Kingdom over seven years.

RESULTS

Twenty-six dogs were diagnosed with PAS during the study period. Median age of the population was three years (range: 7 months-12.5 years). The most common clinical sign was syncope (14/26). Twenty-four dogs received artificial pacemakers (PM). Major complications after PM implantation were observed in four dogs (4/24). Serial echocardiographic examinations showed that cardiac dimensions of PAS dogs with left atrial or left ventricular dilation at first presentation did not return to reference range after pacing. Further dilation of the cardiac chambers, recurrence of congestive heart failure (CHF), or development of new episodes of CHF were documented in 7, 4, and 10 PAS dogs, respectively, despite pacing. Median survival time for cardiac-related deaths after PM implantation was 1512 days (18-3207). Neither CHF nor echocardiographic variables at presentation predicted survival after PM implantation in PAS dogs.

CONCLUSIONS

PAS is an uncommon bradyarrhythmia, occurring in young adult dogs. Affected dogs were often presented with syncope. Whilst syncope resolved, cardiac remodeling persisted after PM implantation. Long-term survival was favorable after PM implantation and was not predicted by congestive status or cardiac chamber size at first presentation.

Epidemiology and outcomes of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) cause many infections in the healthcare context. Knowledge regarding the epidemiology and burden of VRE infections, however, remains fragmented. We aimed to summarize recent studies on VRE epidemiology and outcomes in hospitals, long-term-care facilities (LTCFs) and nursing homes worldwide based on current epidemiological reports. We searched MEDLINE/PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for observational studies, which reported on VRE faecium and faecalis infections in in-patients published between January 2014 and December 2020. Outcomes were incidence, infection rate, mortality, length of stay (LOS), and healthcare costs. We conducted a meta-analysis on mortality (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42020146389). Of 681 identified publications, 57 studies were included in the analysis. Overall quality of evidence was moderate to low. VRE incidence was rarely and heterogeneously reported. VRE infection rate differed highly (1-55%). The meta-analysis showed a higher mortality for VRE faecium bloodstream infections (BSIs) compared with VSE faecium BSIs (risk ratio, RR 1.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17-1.82). No difference was observed when comparing VRE faecium vs VRE faecalis BSI (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.52-1.93). LOS was higher in BSIs caused by E. faecium vs E. faecalis. Only three studies reported healthcare costs. In contrast to previous findings, our meta-analysis of included studies indicates that vancomycin resistance independent of VRE species may be associated with a higher mortality. We identified a lack of standardization in reporting outcomes, information regarding healthcare costs, and state-of-the-art microbiological species identification methodology, which may inform the set-up and reporting of future studies.

The Association Between Facilitator Competent Adherence and Outcomes in Parenting Programs: a Systematic Review and SWiM Analysis

There is increasing interest about the fidelity with which interventions are implemented because it is theorized that better implementation fidelity by facilitators is associated with better participant outcomes. However, in the parenting program literature, there is mixed evidence on the relationship between implementation fidelity and outcomes. This paper provides a synthesis of the evidence on the relationship between facilitator delivery and outcomes in the parenting program literature. Following PRISMA guidelines, this paper synthesizes the results of a systematic review of studies on parenting programs aiming to reduce violence against children and child behavior problems. Specifically, it examines associations between observational measures of facilitator competent adherence and parent and child outcomes. A meta-analysis was not feasible due to study heterogeneity. As a result, Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis guidelines were followed. Searches in electronic databases, reference searching, forward citation tracking, and expert input identified 9653 articles. After screening using pre-specified criteria, 18 articles were included. The review found that most studies (n = 13) reported a statistically significant positive relationship with at least one parent or child outcome. However, eight studies reported inconsistent findings across outcomes, and four studies found no association with outcomes. The results suggest that better facilitator competent adherence is generally associated with positive parent and child outcomes. However, this finding is weakened by the methodological heterogeneity of included studies and due to the wide variety of ways in which studies conceptualized competent adherence-outcome relationships.

Organization of collagen fibers and tissue hardening: Markers of fibrotic scarring after spinal cord injury in mice revealed by multiphoton-atomic force microscopy imaging

Spinal cord injury is a dramatic disease leading to severe motor, sensitive and autonomic impairments. After injury the axonal regeneration is partly inhibited by the glial scar, acting as a physical and chemical barrier. The scarring process involves microglia, astrocytes and extracellular matrix components, such as collagen, constructing the fibrotic component of the scar. To investigate the role of collagen, we used a multimodal label-free imaging approach combining multiphoton and atomic force microscopy. The second harmonic generation signal exhibited by fibrillar collagen enabled to specifically monitor it as a biomarker of the lesion. An increase in collagen density and the formation of more tortuous fibers over time after injury are observed. Nano-mechanical investigations revealed a noticeable hardening of the injured area, correlated with collagen fibers' formation. These observations indicate the concomitance of important structural and mechanical modifications during the fibrotic scar evolution.

Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator: A Contemporary Overview

The difference between subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillators (S-ICDs) and transvenous ICDs (TV-ICDs) concerns a whole extra thoracic implantation, including a defibrillator coil and pulse generator, without endovascular components. The improved safety profile has allowed the S-ICD to be rapidly taken up, especially among younger patients. Reports of its role in different cardiac diseases at high risk of SCD such as hypertrophic and arrhythmic cardiomyopathies, as well as channelopathies, is increasing. S-ICDs show comparable efficacy, reliability, and safety outcomes compared to TV-ICD. However, some technical issues (i.e., the inability to perform anti-bradycardia pacing) strongly limit the employment of S-ICDs. Therefore, it still remains only an alternative to the traditional ICD thus far. This review aims to provide a contemporary overview of the role of S-ICDs compared to TV-ICDs in clinical practice, including technical aspects regarding device manufacture and implantation techniques. Newer outlooks and future perspectives of S-ICDs are also brought up to date.

Dynamic robotic tracking of underwater targets using reinforcement learning

To realize the potential of autonomous underwater robots that scale up our observational capacity in the ocean, new techniques are needed. Fleets of autonomous robots could be used to study complex marine systems and animals with either new imaging configurations or by tracking tagged animals to study their behavior. These activities can then inform and create new policies for community conservation. The role of animal connectivity via active movement of animals represents a major knowledge gap related to the distribution of deep ocean populations. Tracking underwater targets represents a major challenge for observing biological processes in situ, and methods to robustly respond to a changing environment during monitoring missions are needed. Analytical techniques for optimal sensor placement and path planning to locate underwater targets are not straightforward in such cases. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of reinforcement learning as a tool for range-only underwater target-tracking optimization, whose promising capabilities have been demonstrated in terrestrial scenarios. To evaluate its usefulness, a reinforcement learning method was implemented as a path planning system for an autonomous surface vehicle while tracking an underwater mobile target. A complete description of an open-source model, performance metrics in simulated environments, and evaluated algorithms based on more than 15 hours of at-sea field experiments are presented. These efforts demonstrate that deep reinforcement learning is a powerful approach that enhances the abilities of autonomous robots in the ocean and encourages the deployment of algorithms like these for monitoring marine biological systems in the future.

Improving dental epithelial junction on dental implants with bioengineered peptides

Introduction: The functionalization of titanium (Ti) and titanium alloys (Ti6Al4V) implant surfaces via material-specific peptides influence host/biomaterial interaction. The impact of using peptides as molecular linkers between cells and implant material to improve keratinocyte adhesion is reported. Results: The metal binding peptides (MBP-1, MBP-2) SVSVGMKPSPRP and WDPPTLKRPVSP were selected via phage display and combined with laminin-5 or E-cadherin epithelial cell specific peptides (CSP-1, CSP-2) to engineer four metal-cell specific peptides (MCSPs). Single-cell force spectroscopy and cell adhesion experiments were performed to select the most promising candidate. In vivo tests using the dental implant for rats showed that the selected bi functional peptide not only enabled stable cell adhesion on the trans-gingival part of the dental implant but also arrested the unwanted apical migration of epithelial cells. Conclusion: The results demonstrated the outstanding performance of the bioengineered peptide in improving epithelial adhesion to Ti based implants and pointed towards promising new opportunities for applications in clinical practice.

Rehabilitation post-COVID-19: cross-sectional observations using the Stanford Hall remote assessment tool

INTRODUCTION

The multisystem COVID-19 can cause prolonged symptoms requiring rehabilitation. This study describes the creation of a remote COVID-19 rehabilitation assessment tool to allow timely triage, assessment and management. It hypotheses those with post-COVID-19 syndrome, potentially without laboratory confirmation and irrespective of initial disease severity, will have significant rehabilitation needs.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study of consecutive patients referred by general practitioners (April-November 2020). Primary outcomes were presence/absence of anticipated sequelae. Binary logistic regression was used to test association between acute presentation and post-COVID-19 symptomatology.

RESULTS

155 patients (n=127 men, n=28 women, median age 39 years, median 13 weeks post-illness) were assessed using the tool. Acute symptoms were most commonly shortness of breath (SOB) (74.2%), fever (73.5%), fatigue (70.3%) and cough (64.5%); and post-acutely, SOB (76.7%), fatigue (70.3%), cough (57.4%) and anxiety/mood disturbance (39.4%). Individuals with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were 69% and 63% less likely to have anxiety/mood disturbance and pain, respectively, at 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Rehabilitation assessment should be offered to all patients suffering post-COVID-19 symptoms, not only those with laboratory confirmation and considered independently from acute illness severity. This tool offers a structure for a remote assessment. Post-COVID-19 programmes should include SOB, fatigue and mood disturbance management.

Economic analysis of remote monitoring in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators in the Trento area, Italy

Introduction

Remote monitoring (RM) technologies have the potential to improve patient care by increasing compliance, providing early indications of heart failure (HF), and potentially allowing for therapy optimization to prevent HF admissions. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the clinical and economic consequences of RM vs. standard monitoring (SM) through in-office cardiology visits, in patients carrying a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED).

Methods

Clinical and resource consumption data were extracted from the Electrophysiology Registry of the Trento Cardiology Unit, which has been systemically collecting patient information from January 2011 to February 2022. From a clinical standpoint, survival analysis was conducted, and incidence of cardiovascular (CV) related hospitalizations was measured. From an economic standpoint, direct costs of RM and SM were collected to compare the cost per treated patient over a 2-year time horizon. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to reduce the effect of confounding biases and the unbalance of patient characteristics at baseline.

Results

In the enrollment period, N = 402 CIED patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis (N = 189 patients followed through SM; N = 213 patients followed through RM). After PSM, comparison was limited to N = 191 patients in each arm. After 2-years follow-up since CIED implantation, mortality rate for any cause was 1.6% in the RM group and 19.9% in the SM group (log-rank test, p < 0.0001). Also, a lower proportion of patients in the RM group (25.1%) were hospitalized for CV-related reasons, compared to the SM group (51.3%; p < 0.0001, two-sample test for proportions). Overall, the implementation of the RM program in the Trento territory was cost-saving in both payer and hospital perspectives. The investment required to fund RM (a fee for service in the payer perspective, and staffing costs for hospitals), was more than offset by the lower rate of hospitalizations for CV-related disease. RM adoption generated savings of -€4,771 and -€6,752 per patient in 2 years, in the payer and hospital perspective, respectively.

Conclusion

RM of patients carrying CIED improves short-term (2-years) morbidity and mortality risks, compared to SM and reduces direct management costs for both hospitals and healthcare services.

Appropriate Use Criteria of Left Atrial Appendage Closure Devices: Latest Evidences

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrythmia and it is linked to an increased risk of stroke. Even if anticoagulation therapy reduces the rate of stroke the benefits of this therapy have to been balanced with the increased risk of hemorrhagic event. Left atrial appendage closure is a valid alternative to long term anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation and high hemorrhagic risk. Actually new devices with different features have been tested and introduced progressively in the clinical practice. Improvements preprocedural imaging evaluation and the learning curve of the operators led to percutaneous left atrial appendage closure a safe and effective procedure. A good knowledge of different devices and the technique of implant is necessary for optimization percutaneous left atrial appendage closure and the reduction of complications during the acute phase and follow up.

Emergency Management of Electrical Storm: A Practical Overview

Electrical storm is a medical emergency characterized by ventricular arrythmia recurrence that can lead to hemodynamic instability. The incidence of this clinical condition is rising, mainly in implantable cardioverter defibrillator patients, and its prognosis is often poor. Early acknowledgment, management and treatment have a key role in reducing mortality in the acute phase and improving the quality of life of these patients. In an emergency setting, several measures can be employed. Anti-arrhythmic drugs, based on the underlying disease, are often the first step to control the arrhythmic burden; besides that, new therapeutic strategies have been developed with high efficacy, such as deep sedation, early catheter ablation, neuraxial modulation and mechanical hemodynamic support. The aim of this review is to provide practical indications for the management of electrical storm in acute settings.

Safety and efficacy of tenecteplase in patients with wake-up stroke assessed by non-contrast CT (TWIST): a multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Current evidence supports the use of intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase in patients with wake-up stroke selected with MRI or perfusion imaging and is recommended in clinical guidelines. However, access to advanced imaging techniques is often scarce. We aimed to determine whether thrombolytic treatment with intravenous tenecteplase given within 4·5 h of awakening improves functional outcome in patients with ischaemic wake-up stroke selected using non-contrast CT.

METHODS

TWIST was an investigator-initiated, multicentre, open-label, randomised controlled trial with blinded endpoint assessment, conducted at 77 hospitals in ten countries. We included patients aged 18 years or older with acute ischaemic stroke symptoms upon awakening, limb weakness, a National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 3 or higher or aphasia, a non-contrast CT examination of the head, and the ability to receive tenecteplase within 4·5 h of awakening. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either a single intravenous bolus of tenecteplase 0·25 mg per kg of bodyweight (maximum 25 mg) or control (no thrombolysis) using a central, web-based, computer-generated randomisation schedule. Trained research personnel, who conducted telephone interviews at 90 days (follow-up), were masked to treatment allocation. Clinical assessments were performed on day 1 (at baseline) and day 7 of hospital admission (or at discharge, whichever occurred first). The primary outcome was functional outcome assessed by the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 90 days and analysed using ordinal logistic regression in the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with EudraCT (2014-000096-80), ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03181360), and ISRCTN (10601890).

FINDINGS

From June 12, 2017, to Sept 30, 2021, 578 of the required 600 patients were enrolled (288 randomly assigned to the tenecteplase group and 290 to the control group [intention-to-treat population]). The median age of participants was 73·7 years (IQR 65·9-81·1). 332 (57%) of 578 participants were male and 246 (43%) were female. Treatment with tenecteplase was not associated with better functional outcome, according to mRS score at 90 days (adjusted OR 1·18, 95% CI 0·88-1·58; p=0·27). Mortality at 90 days did not significantly differ between treatment groups (28 [10%] patients in the tenecteplase group and 23 [8%] in the control group; adjusted HR 1·29, 95% CI 0·74-2·26; p=0·37). Symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage occurred in six (2%) patients in the tenecteplase group versus three (1%) in the control group (adjusted OR 2·17, 95% CI 0·53-8·87; p=0·28), whereas any intracranial haemorrhage occurred in 33 (11%) versus 30 (10%) patients (adjusted OR 1·14, 0·67-1·94; p=0·64).

INTERPRETATION

In patients with wake-up stroke selected with non-contrast CT, treatment with tenecteplase was not associated with better functional outcome at 90 days. The number of symptomatic haemorrhages and any intracranial haemorrhages in both treatment groups was similar to findings from previous trials of wake-up stroke patients selected using advanced imaging. Current evidence does not support treatment with tenecteplase in patients selected with non-contrast CT.

FUNDING

Norwegian Clinical Research Therapy in the Specialist Health Services Programme, the Swiss Heart Foundation, the British Heart Foundation, and the Norwegian National Association for Public Health.

Field scale biodegradation of total petroleum hydrocarbons and soil restoration by Ecopiles: microbiological analysis of the process

Ecopiling is a method for biodegradation of hydrocarbons in soils. It derives from Biopiles, but phytoremediation is added to biostimulation with nitrogen fertilization and bioaugmentation with local bacteria. We have constructed seven Ecopiles with soil heavily polluted with hydrocarbons in Carlow (Ireland). The aim of the study was to analyze changes in the microbial community during ecopiling. In the course of 18 months of remediation, total petroleum hydrocarbons values decreased in 99 and 88% on average for aliphatics and aromatics, respectively, indicating a successful biodegradation. Community analysis showed that bacterial alfa diversity (Shannon Index), increased with the degradation of hydrocarbons, starting at an average value of 7.59 and ending at an average value of 9.38. Beta-diversity analysis, was performed using Bray-Curtis distances and PCoA ordination, where the two first principal components (PCs) explain the 17 and 14% of the observed variance, respectively. The results show that samples tend to cluster by sampling time instead of by Ecopile. This pattern is supported by the hierarchical clustering analysis, where most samples from the same timepoint clustered together. We used DSeq2 to determine the differential abundance of bacterial populations in Ecopiles at the beginning and the end of the treatment. While TPHs degraders are more abundant at the start of the experiment, these populations are substituted by bacterial populations typical of clean soils by the end of the biodegradation process. Similar results are found for the fungal community, indicating that the microbial community follows a succession along the process. This succession starts with a TPH degraders or tolerant enriched community, and finish with a microbial community typical of clean soils.

[Study of the impact of a post-acute coronary syndrome pharmaceutical interview in hospital]

OBJECTIVES

Post-acute coronary syndrome pharmaceutical interviews were set up in our establishment. The objective of this study was to assess their impact on patient knowledge and their benefit at one year on medication compliance, cardiovascular risk factors (smoking, overweight, dyslipidemia) and the recurrence rate.

METHODS

Two groups were formed, an experimental group of patients who had benefited from pharmaceutical interviews and a control group of patients who had not benefited from them. The knowledge of the patients was measured using a quizz carried out before the interview and one month after for the experimental group, then one year after hospitalization for the two groups. A one-year follow-up of medication compliance assessed, control of cardiovascular risk factors and the rate of recurrence of acute coronary syndrome was carried out in both groups.

RESULTS

A significant increase in knowledge (P<0.001) after the pharmaceutical interview and its maintenance over time were observed in the experimental group. One year after hospitalization, in the experimental group, the average score on the knowledge quizz (9.2/10) was significantly higher (P<0.005) than that of the control group (6.6/10); medication compliance was significantly better (P<0.05) and greater smoking cessation was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

These encouraging results should be highlighted in order to perpetuate and develop such approaches around patient care.

Gene co-expression architecture in peripheral blood in a cohort of remitted first-episode schizophrenia patients

A better understanding of schizophrenia subtypes is necessary to stratify the patients according to clinical attributes. To explore the genomic architecture of schizophrenia symptomatology, we analyzed blood co-expression modules and their association with clinical data from patients in remission after a first episode of schizophrenia. In total, 91 participants of the 2EPS project were included. Gene expression was assessed using the Clariom S Human Array. Weighted-gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was applied to identify modules of co-expressed genes and to test its correlation with global functioning, clinical symptomatology, and premorbid adjustment. Among the 25 modules identified, six modules were significantly correlated with clinical data. These modules could be clustered in two groups according to their correlation with clinical data. Hub genes in each group showing overlap with risk genes for schizophrenia were enriched in biological processes related to metabolic processes, regulation of gene expression, cellular localization and protein transport, immune processes, and neurotrophin pathways. Our results indicate that modules with significant associations with clinical data showed overlap with gene sets previously identified in differential gene-expression analysis in brain, indicating that peripheral tissues could reveal pathogenic mechanisms. Hub genes involved in these modules revealed multiple signaling pathways previously related to schizophrenia, which may represent the complex interplay in the pathological mechanisms behind the disease. These genes could represent potential targets for the development of peripheral biomarkers underlying illness traits in clinical remission stages after a first episode of schizophrenia.

Combining MRI and clinical data to detect high relapse risk after the first episode of psychosis

Detecting patients at high relapse risk after the first episode of psychosis (HRR-FEP) could help the clinician adjust the preventive treatment. To develop a tool to detect patients at HRR using their baseline clinical and structural MRI, we followed 227 patients with FEP for 18–24 months and applied MRIPredict. We previously optimized the MRI-based machine-learning parameters (combining unmodulated and modulated gray and white matter and using voxel-based ensemble) in two independent datasets. Patients estimated to be at HRR-FEP showed a substantially increased risk of relapse (hazard ratio = 4.58, P < 0.05). Accuracy was poorer when we only used clinical or MRI data. We thus show the potential of combining clinical and MRI data to detect which individuals are more likely to relapse, who may benefit from increased frequency of visits, and which are unlikely, who may be currently receiving unnecessary prophylactic treatments. We also provide an updated version of the MRIPredict software.

59 IMPROVING DELIRIUM AWARENESS AMONGST JUNIOR DOCTORS IN A REGIONAL HOSPITAL

Background

Delirium is a common medical emergency which is well known to be associated with adverse outcomes but often remains under recognised and inappropriately managed in the acute care setting. This audit aimed to assess Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs) approach to diagnosing, managing and prescribing in patients with delirium.

Methods

Data was collected via an anonymous questionnaire and distributed to NCHDs in April 2021 and repeated again in March 2022 following several education sessions on delirium and the inclusion of the 4AT screening tool in the medical admission pro-forma. A point prevalence survey on 20 randomised patient charts was completed in April 2022 to establish if a 4AT score was documented by NCHDs in the medical admission pro-forma.

Results

Two audits were completed over a one-year period between April 2021 and March 2022 including NCHDs, n=25 and n=26 respectively. The results showed that 56% vs 70% considered delirium as a medical emergency, 40% vs 77% stated that they used the 4AT tool when assessing cognition in patients aged over 65 years of age and 72% vs 76% stated that they did not use any guideline when prescribing a medication for a patient with delirium. However, on review of 20 medical charts, 0% of patients had a documented 4AT score completed on admission in April 2022.

Conclusion

Although there was a positive improvement in NCHD’s knowledge of delirium diagnosis and management on paper, it was evident that this did not transpire into clinical practice. We will address this by delivering further education sessions on delirium, with a plan to re-audit. We have also made the National Delirium Algorithms visible in the emergency department and on the wards to act as visual prompts for our NCHDs.

[Cyberattack at Dax hospital: Presentation of the facts, consequences and feedback]

Cybersecurity is a major issue in today's world. Health structures are not immune to attacks aimed at stealing valuable sensitive data, demanding a ransom, disrupting or paralyzing a system for political purposes. The Dax Hospital Center (France) had to deal with such an attack in February 2021, bringing the entire computer system to its knees. Radiotherapy, a highly technological specialty and dependent on computers, is a very sensitive sector: unlike other specialties, computer malfunctions prevent any treatment of patients. Faced with this threat which is a reality and of which we bring here a testimony based on our experience, it is important to reflect on the human and technological means in cooperation with the IT specialists to reduce this risk as much as possible but also to be able in the event of an attack to reconstruct the system as quickly as possible and ensure continuity of care.

Point-of-care test for rapid assessment of blood lithium levels in women with bipolar disorder during perinatal period

Introduction

Determination of lithium levels in serum has become a standard of care due to its narrow therapeutic rang, thus an immediate test for determination of blood lithium may contribute to minimize toxicit, to avoid relapse and to ensure treatment adherence. This is particularly relevant during pregnancy and early postpartum because pharmaokinetic changes in renal physiology.

Objectives

The aim of this study is verify Medimate point-of-care method performance and systematically compare it with the routine laboratory measurement of lithium.

Methods

This cross-sectional method comparison study was conductec in the Unit of Perinatal Mental Health in the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. Pearson and Bland-Altman analyses were performed to assess the accuracy, precision and correlation between the capillary electrophoresis technology (Medimate MiniLab) and the ion selective electrode (ISE) potentiometry method (AVL 9180).

Results

Twenty-five women with bipolar disorder in treatment with lithium during perinatal period were enrolled, corresponding to 75 blood specimens for analyses. Correlation (r), mean difference (bias), and 95% limit of agreement (LOA) of the point-of-care method [r=0.917; bias 0.0021 (95% LOA; 0.440, 0.619) mEq/L], showed that difference between ISE method and capillary electrophoresis technology was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Considering the practicality, the microchip capillary electrophoresis technology provides a simple and highly affordable way of measuring lithium levels in a single drop of blood outside the clinical laboratory. The Medimate point-of-care system (POC) appears well adapted for the rapid and specific detection of lithium as an alternative to the current ISE procedure.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

POS0387 RISK STRATIFICATION APPROACHES PERFORM DIFFERENTLY IN SSc-ASSOCIATED PAH IN EUSTAR

Background

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a major clinical challenge in systemic sclerosis (SSc), and is associated with high mortality. Risk stratification provides an estimate for individual patient risk of 1-year mortality. The aim is to detect patients with the worst prognosis to optimize management strategies. Nine risk stratification approaches have been proposed in PAH, but have not been validated in SSc-PAH.

Objectives

To assess four risk stratification models and their performance to predict 1- and 3- year mortality and to identify the best risk assessment approach for SSc-PAH.

Methods

We included all patients with SSc diagnosed with PAH by right heart catheterization (RHC) from the European scleroderma trial and research (EUSTAR) database from 2001 to February 2021. PAH was defined as mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP) ≥25 mmHg, pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) ≤15mmHg, and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) >3 Wood units (WU) in the absence of significant interstitial lung disease. We applied four different approaches for risk stratification at time of PAH diagnosis. Risk parameters included New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), NT-proBNP or BNP, and echocardiographic and hemodynamic parameters with cut-off values based on the 2015 ESC/ERS Guidelines. Model 1 and 2 stratified patients into low, intermediate and high-risk categories; while Model 3 and 4 stratified the patients into four categories (low, intermediate-low, intermediate-high and high).

Model 1: Patients with ≥ 1 high-risk parameter were considered at high risk; with ≥ 1 intermediate-risk parameter at intermediate risk, otherwise at low risk1

Model 2: Each variable was graded from 1 to 3 representing low to high risk. The mean of available risk parameters was rounded to the nearest integer to define the risk category2

Model 3: Equals Model 2, but the intermediate risk group was divided into intermediate-low and intermediate-high based on the mean score3

Model 4: Stratifies patients into four risk categories based on the proportion of low-risk parameters3

We performed analysis of 1- and 3- year mortality in patients with a minimum follow-up of 1 and 3 years, respectively.

Results

Of 911 patients who conducted RHC, 273 (30%) were diagnosed with SSc-PAH according to the inclusion criteria (Table 1). Median follow-up time was 2.8 years (IQR 1.3-5.3). The models varied in their ability to predict mortality (Figure 1). Model 1 and 4 either over- or underestimated mortality. Model 2 stratified patients according to the expected 1-year mortality of <5%, 5-10% and >10% suggested by the ESC/ERS Guidelines. Model 3, which divided the intermediate risk group in two different risk groups, segregated the risk of mortality further within this group.

Table 1.

Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients segregated by risk stratification (Model 3)

NAll patients (n=273)Low-risk (n=78)Intermediate-low (n=118)Intermediate-high (n=56)High-risk (n=21)Age, years (SD)27365 (10.7)65 (10.3)65 (10.7)65 (10.8)67 (12.8)Female sex, n (%)273230 (84)64 (82)98 (83)48 (86)20 (95)lcSSc, n (%)263221 (84)60 (80)99 (86)47 (90)15 (71)NYHA 3 or 4, n (%)261155 (59)12 (16)75 (68)49 (89)19 (95)NT-proBNP, pg/ml (IQR)1111941 (230-1485)215 (103-377)763 (325-1418)1926 (1051-5681)3314 (1129-6553)6MWD, m (SD)196321 (124.1)404 (119.7)314 (99.9)262 (128.6)215 (96.0)RHC:- mPAP, mmHg (SD)27340 (11.0)35 (8.8)41 (11.5)41 (10.8)45 (11.6)- PAWP, mmHg (SD)2739 (3.2)9 (3.0)9 (3.4)9 (3.2)8 (3.1)- Cardiac index, l/min/m2(SD)2602.8 (0.8)3.2 (0.7)2.7 (0.8)2.6 (1.0)2.0 (0.5)- PVR, WU (SD)2737.4 (4.1)5.3 (2.8)7.9 (4.0)7.9 (4.2)11.3 (4.7)Figure 1.

1- and 3-year mortality according to risk category in the four different models

Conclusion

Model 3 provides signals for a better risk stratification of patients with newly diagnosed SSc-PAH, with progressively increasing mortality across the categories. This may provide guidance for optimized management in clinical practice.

References

[1]Hoffmann-Vold, Rheum 2018

[2]Kylhammar, Eur Heart J 2018

[3]Kylhammar, ERJ open 2021

Acknowledgements

The authors thank all EUSTAR collaborators.

Disclosure of Interests

Hilde Jenssen Bjørkekjær: None declared, Cosimo Bruni Speakers bureau: Actelion, Consultant of: Boehringer-Ingelheim, Patricia Carreira: None declared, Paolo Airò Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers-Squibb, Consultant of: Bristol-Myers-Squibb, Grant/research support from: Bristol-Myers-Squibb, Roche, Janssen, CSL Behring, Carmen Pilar Simeón-Aznar Speakers bureau: Janssen, Boehringer Ingelheim and MSD, Consultant of: Janssen, Boehringer Ingelheim, Marie-Elise Truchetet: None declared, Alessandro Giollo: None declared, Alexandra Balbir-Gurman: None declared, Mickael Martin: None declared, Christopher P Denton Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim; Janssen, Consultant of: Boehringer Ingelheim; GSK; Corbus; Sanofi; Roche; Horizon; CSL Behring; Acceleron, Grant/research support from: CSL Behring; Horizon; GSK; Servier, Armando Gabrielli: None declared, Håvard Fretheim Consultant of: Bayer, GSK, Actelion, Imon Barua: None declared, Helle Bitter Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Øyvind Midtvedt: None declared, Kaspar Broch: None declared, Arne Andreassen: None declared, Yoshiya Tanaka Speakers bureau: Gilead, Abbvie, Behringer-Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Chugai, Amgen, YL Biologics, Eisai, Astellas, Bristol-Myers, Astra-Zeneca, Consultant of: Eli Lilly, Daiichi-Sankyo, Taisho, Ayumi, Sanofi, GSK, Abbvie, Grant/research support from: Asahi-Kasei, Abbvie, Chugai, Mitsubishi-Tanabe, Eisai, Takeda, Corrona, Daiichi-Sankyo, Kowa, Behringer-Ingelheim, Gabriela Riemekasten: None declared, Ulf Müller-Ladner: None declared, Marco Matucci-Cerinic: None declared, Ivan Castellví: None declared, Elise Siegert: None declared, Eric Hachulla Speakers bureau: Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline, Roche-Chugai, Consultant of: Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Roche-Chugai, Sanofi-Genzyme, Grant/research support from: CSL Behring, GlaxoSmithKline, Johnson & Johnson, Roche-Chugai, Sanofi-Genzyme, Oliver Distler Speakers bureau: Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Medscape, Consultant of: Abbvie, Acceleron, Alcimed, Amgen, AnaMar, Arxx, AstraZeneca, Baecon, Blade, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, CSL Behring, 4P Science, Galapagos, Glenmark, Horizon, Inventiva, Kymera, Lupin, Miltenyi Biotec, Mitsubishi Tanabe, MSD, Novartis, Prometheus, Roivant, Sanofi and Topadur, Grant/research support from: Kymera, Mitsubishi Tanabe, Boehringer Ingelheim, Anna-Maria Hoffmann-Vold Speakers bureau: Actelion, Boehringer Ingelheim, Jansen, Lilly, Medscape, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Roche, Consultant of: Actelion, ARXX, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Jansen, Lilly, Medscape, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Roche, Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim

Programming Optimization in Implantable Cardiac Monitors to Reduce False-Positive Arrhythmia Alerts: A Call for Research

No studies have investigated whether optimizing implantable cardiac monitors (ICM) programming can reduce false-positive (FP) alerts. We identified patients implanted with an ICM (BIOMONITOR III) who had more than 10 FP alerts in a 1-month retrospective period. Uniform adjustments of settings were performed based on the mechanism of FP triggers and assessed at 1 month. Eight patients (mean age 57.5 ± 23.2 years; 37% female) were enrolled. In 4 patients, FPs were caused by undersensing of low-amplitude premature ventricular contractions (PVCs). No further false bradycardia was observed with a more aggressive decay of the dynamic sensing threshold. Furthermore, false atrial fibrillation (AF) alerts decreased in 2 of 3 patients. Two patients had undersensing of R waves after high-amplitude PVCs; false bradycardia episodes disappeared or were significantly reduced by limiting the initial value of the sensing threshold. Finally, the presence of atrial ectopic activity or irregular sinus rhythm generated false alerts of AF in 2 patients that were reduced by increasing the R-R variability limit and the confirmation time. In conclusion, adjustments to nominal settings can reduce the number of FP episodes in ICM patients. More research is needed to provide practical recommendations and assess the value of extended ICM programmability.

Improvement of Tool Steel Powder Cold Sprayability Via Softening and Agglomeration Heat Treatments

Cold spray can produce deposits from a broad range of materials but reports on cold spray of steels are still limited to the few steel families demonstrating high ductility and medium strength. Softening and agglomeration of steel powders via heat treatment in a rotary tube furnace were investigated as promising ways to improve H13 tool steel powder cold sprayability. By adjusting starting powder size, as well as heat treatment conditions (maximum temperature, cooling rate and heat treatment atmosphere), cold spray of H13 powder improved from virtually no deposition to the production of dense, sound and thick deposits with a powder deposition efficiency of 70%. Powder agglomeration, surface state, microstructure evolution and softening are identified as key factors determining the powder deposition efficiency and resulting deposit microstructure. The developed powder modification method has the potential to facilitate the cold spray of all steels subjected to martensitic transformation.

Adaptive optics control with multi-agent model-free reinforcement learning

We present a novel formulation of closed-loop adaptive optics (AO) control as a multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL) problem in which the controller is able to learn a non-linear policy and does not need a priori information on the dynamics of the atmosphere. We identify the different challenges of applying a reinforcement learning (RL) method to AO and, to solve them, propose the combination of model-free MARL for control with an autoencoder neural network to mitigate the effect of noise. Moreover, we extend current existing methods of error budget analysis to include a RL controller. The experimental results for an 8m telescope equipped with a 40x40 Shack-Hartmann system show a significant increase in performance over the integrator baseline and comparable performance to a model-based predictive approach, a linear quadratic Gaussian controller with perfect knowledge of atmospheric conditions. Finally, the error budget analysis provides evidence that the RL controller is partially compensating for bandwidth error and is helping to mitigate the propagation of aliasing.

Assessment of diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers to assess lung consolidation in calves with induced bacterial pneumonia using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most economically significant disease for cattle producers in the U.S. Cattle with advanced lung lesions at harvest have reduced average daily gain, yield grades and carcass quality outcomes. The identification of biomarkers and clinical signs that accurately predict lung lesions could benefit livestock producers in determining a BRD prognosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves are graphical plots that illustrate the diagnostic ability of a biomarker or clinical sign. Previously we used the area under the ROC curve (AUC) to identify cortisol, hair cortisol and infrared thermography imaging as having acceptable (AUC > 0.7) diagnostic accuracy for detecting pain in cattle. Herein, we used ROC curves to assess the sensitivity and specificity of biomarkers and clinical signs associated with lung lesions after experimentally induced bovine respiratory disease (BRD). We hypothesized pain biomarkers and clinical signs assessed at specific timepoints after induction of BRD could be used to predict lung consolidation at necropsy. Lung consolidation of >10% was retrospectively assigned at necropsy as a true positive indicator of BRD. Calves with a score of <10% were considered negative for BRD. The biomarkers and clinical signs analyzed were serum cortisol; infrared thermography (IRT); mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT); substance P; kinematic gait analysis; a visual analog scale (VAS); clinical illness score (CIS); computerized lung score (CLS); average activity levels; prostaglandin E2 metabolite (PGEM); serum amyloid A and rectal temperature. A total of 5,122 biomarkers and clinical signs were collected from 26 calves, eighteen of which were inoculated with M. haemolytica. All statistics were performed using JMP Pro 14.0. Results comparing calves with significant lung lesions to those without yielded the best diagnostic accuracy (AUC > 0.75) for right front stride length at 0 h; gait velocity at 32 h; VAS, CIS, average activity and rumination levels, step count and rectal temperature, all at 48 h; PGEM at 72 h; gait distance at 120 h; cortisol at 168 h; and IRT, right front force and serum amyloid A, all at 192 h. These results show ROC analysis can be a useful indicator of the predictive value of pain biomarkers and clinical signs in cattle with induced bacterial pneumonia. AUC values for VAS score, average activity levels, step count, and rectal temperature seemed to yield good diagnostic accuracy (AUC > 0.75) at multiple timepoints while MNT values, substance P concentrations, and CLS did not (all AUC values < 0.75).

Asparaginase-induced pseudohyponatremia, a case-driven working strategy in pediatric patients

OBJECTIVES

When using indirect ion-selective electrode (ISE) methods, hypertriglyceridemia leads to pseudohyponatremia due to water displacement artifacts. Multiple strategies exist to minimize this interference. Our objective was to create a patient-friendly one-tube-fits-all testing setup without compromising the method robustness.

METHODS

Four strategies were evaluated in a single patient with hypertriglyceridemia. Additionally, the interchangeability between the Cobas 8000 and ABL Flex was evaluated on samples (n = 2274) with different total protein (TP) concentrations. Finally, a proof-of-concept (n = 40) was performed by re-measuring the routine sample with the ABL90 Flex.

RESULTS

ABL90 flex results and calculated sodium did not suffer from the presence of high triglyceride levels. We did not observe any significant differences between the three groups (P > 0.05) of sample types (arterial vs. venous plasma vs. venous whole blood after mixing up) nor for the analysers (Roche vs. ABL90 Flex). Passing-Bablok and Bland-Altman tests revealed interchangeability.

CONCLUSION

In future cases of hypertriglyceridemia, 1500 mg/dL will be used as a preliminary threshold for reliable sodium determination. Routine Li-heparin samples can be used for accurate sodium determination without any need for extra arterial or venous blood gas tubes, offering a patient-friendly test setup for similar cases.

Adjuvant abemaciclib combined with endocrine therapy for high-risk early breast cancer: updated efficacy and Ki-67 analysis from the monarchE study

BACKGROUND

Adjuvant abemaciclib combined with endocrine therapy (ET) previously demonstrated clinically meaningful improvement in invasive disease-free survival (IDFS) and distant relapse-free survival (DRFS) in hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, node-positive, high-risk early breast cancer at the second interim analysis, however follow-up was limited. Here, we present results of the prespecified primary outcome analysis and an additional follow-up analysis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This global, phase III, open-label trial randomized (1 : 1) 5637 patients to adjuvant ET for ≥5 years ± abemaciclib for 2 years. Cohort 1 enrolled patients with ≥4 positive axillary lymph nodes (ALNs), or 1-3 positive ALNs and either grade 3 disease or tumor ≥5 cm. Cohort 2 enrolled patients with 1-3 positive ALNs and centrally determined high Ki-67 index (≥20%). The primary endpoint was IDFS in the intent-to-treat population (cohorts 1 and 2). Secondary endpoints were IDFS in patients with high Ki-67, DRFS, overall survival, and safety.

RESULTS

At the primary outcome analysis, with 19 months median follow-up time, abemaciclib + ET resulted in a 29% reduction in the risk of developing an IDFS event [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.71, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.58-0.87; nominal P = 0.0009]. At the additional follow-up analysis, with 27 months median follow-up and 90% of patients off treatment, IDFS (HR = 0.70, 95% CI 0.59-0.82; nominal P < 0.0001) and DRFS (HR = 0.69, 95% CI 0.57-0.83; nominal P < 0.0001) benefit was maintained. The absolute improvements in 3-year IDFS and DRFS rates were 5.4% and 4.2%, respectively. Whereas Ki-67 index was prognostic, abemaciclib benefit was consistent regardless of Ki-67 index. Safety data were consistent with the known abemaciclib risk profile.

CONCLUSION

Abemaciclib + ET significantly improved IDFS in patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative, node-positive, high-risk early breast cancer, with an acceptable safety profile. Ki-67 index was prognostic, but abemaciclib benefit was observed regardless of Ki-67 index. Overall, the robust treatment benefit of abemaciclib extended beyond the 2-year treatment period.

Cytokine storm induced coagulopathy in septic shock and critical Covid-19: head-to-head comparison

Background

Septic shock generates an important inflammatory reaction, endothelial activation and a procoagulant state leading to microvascular thrombosis and subsequent organ impairment [1].

Similarly, a severe inflammatory reaction and a coagulopathy with pulmonary micro-thrombosis eventually leading to acute lung injury, is a typical feature of critical form of Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) [2].

Our aim was to compare coagulation, platelet activation and platelets-neutrophils interplay between control, septic shock and critical Covid-19 patients.

Methods/Materials

A total of 118 patients were included in our prospective, monocentric, observational study between February 2019 and June 2020. Septic shock (n=48) and Covid-19 (n=22) patients were consecutively included at admission in our ICU department. Control patients (n=48) with matched gender and co-morbidities were recruited at central lab consultation.

Results

Septic shock patients had worse severity scores due to multiple organ failure (assessed by APACHE II and SOFA score) whereas Covid-19 patients had more severe respiratory failure and a longer ICU length-of-stay (Table 1).

At the time of inclusion, CRP and lymphocyte count were comparable between septic shock and Covid-19 patients. White cell count ad neutrophil count was higher for septic shock patients.

Analysis of coagulation showed a prolonged INR, TT and aPTT in septic shock although only INR was prolonged in Covid-19. Thrombin antithrombin complex (TATc) formation was similar in both pathologies, whereas consumption of antithrombin III (ATIII) and D-dimers formation was more pronounced in septic shock.

Platelet count was lower in septic shock and platelet activation, assessed via plasmatic levels of soluble P-selectin (sCD62P) and Trem-like transcript 1 (sTLT-1), was more important in septic shock.

Neutrophil activation and NETosis, evaluated by levels of circulating myeloperoxidase (MPO) and citrullinated histone 3 (H3-Cit), was similarly increased in both groups (Figure 1).

Conclusions

This study confirmed an activation of coagulation cascade, platelet activation and NETosis in both septic shock and critical Covid-19, compared with control patients. Importantly, the extent of these changes was similar or less pronounced in critical COVID-19 compared with septic shock.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Fondation Saint Luc