Consolidative Radiotherapy for Residual PET-Avid Disease on Day +30 Post CAR T-Cell Therapy in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Up to30% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients achieve a partial response (PR) to anti-CD19 Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Therapy (CART) on day +30. Most PR patients relapse and only 30% achieve spontaneous complete response (CR) without additional therapies. This study is the first to report on the role of consolidative radiotherapy (cRT) for PR PET-avid disease on day +30 post-CART in NHL.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Aretrospective review across 3 institutions from 2018 to 2022 identified 60 patients with B-cell NHL who received CART and achieved PR (Deauville 4-5) with <5 PET-avid disease sites on day +30. Progression-free survival (PFS) was defined from CART infusion to any disease progression. Overall survival (OS) was defined from CART infusion to death. Local relapse-free survival (LRFS), calculated based on the total number of PR sites, was defined from CART infusion to local relapse (LR) in the PR site identified on day +30. cRT was defined as comprehensive (compRT) - treated all PR PET-avid sites - or focal (focRT).

RESULTS

Followingday +30 PET scan, 45 PR patients were observed and 15 received cRT. Only one patient received consolidative systemic therapy and belonged to the cRT group. Prior to CART, bridging RT was given to 13 patients (9 in observation group and 4 in cRT group). There were no significant differences in the pre-CART and day +30 baseline characteristics, including the median size and SUVmax of the PR sites, between the two groups. However, the median number of PR sites on day +30 was higher in the cRT group (2 [range 1-3] vs 1 [range 1-3], p = 0.003). The median equivalent 2 Gy dose was 39.1 (Interquartile range 36.8-41) Gy, and the most common cRT regimen was 37.5 Gy in 15 fractions. The median follow-up was 21 months. Among the observed patients, 15 (33%) achieved spontaneous CR, and 27 (60%) experienced disease progression with all relapses involving the initial PR sites. Among patients who received cRT, 10 (67%) achieved CR, and 3 (20%) had disease progression with no relapses in the radiated PR sites. None of the 10 cRT patients achieving CR relapsed or required subsequent therapies. The 2-year PFS was 80% and 37% (p = 0.012) and the 2-year OS was 78% and 43% (p = 0.12) in the cRT and observation groups, respectively. Patients consolidated with compRT (n = 12) had superior 2-year PFS (92% vs 37%, p = 0.003) and 2-year OS (86% vs 43%, p = 0.048) compared to observed or focRT patients (n = 48). There were no grade 3+ RT-related toxicities. A total of 90 PR sites were identified; 64 were observed and 26 received cRT. Fourteen (22%) observed PR sites achieved spontaneous sustained CR and 42 (66%) experienced LR. Twenty-four (92%) PR sites consolidated with cRT achieved sustained CR and none experienced LR. The 2-year LRFS was 100% in the cRT sites and 31% in the observed sites (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

NHL patients who achieve PR by PET to CART are at high risk of local progression. cRT for residual PET-avid disease on day +30 post-CART appears to alter the pattern of relapse and improve LRFS and PFS.

Predictors of Local Control with Palliative Radiotherapy for Multiple Myeloma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Palliative radiotherapy (RT) is employed for patients with multiple myeloma to improve or prevent symptoms. However, the optimal dose fractionation is not well defined. The role of cytogenetics in informing RT warrants further study. We performed an institutional analysis of patients with multiple myeloma receiving palliative RT and assessed factors associated with local progression, with a focus on dose fractionation and cytogenetic abnormalities.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We queried a prospectively maintained, departmental database for consecutive patients who received palliative RT for multiple myeloma at our institution from 2015 to 2020. Double- and triple-hit were defined as the presence of two and three high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities. RT dose fractionation data were extracted from the database. Follow-up imaging was used to evaluate for progression.

RESULTS

A total of 239 patients with 362 treated lesions were included. Twenty-five patients (10.4%) with 39 lesions had double-hit cytogenetics, and 4 patients (1.7%) with 7 lesions were triple-hit. Patients had the following number of lesions treated with RT: 1 (156, 65.3%), 2 (53, 22.2%), 3 (17, 7.1%), or >3 (13, 5.4%). The most commonly targeted sites were spine (125, 34.5%), abdomen/pelvis (67, 18.5%), and lower extremity (53, 14.6%). Most lesions received doses of 20 Gy/5 fx (132, 36.5%), 8 Gy/1 fx (93, 25.7%), or 30 Gy/10 fx (48, 13.3%). RT equivalent dose in 2 Gray fractions (EQD2) was <2000 cGy for 126 lesions (34.8%) and ≥2000 cGy for 236 lesions (65.2%). At a median follow-up of 4.3 years, the risk of local progression on a per lesion basis at 1 and 4 years was 7.8% (95% CI: 5.5-11.1) and 13.4% (10.3-17.5), respectively. No cytogenetic abnormalities were correlated with local progression. Factors significant on univariate analysis included female sex [hazard ratio (HR): 1.94 (1.02-3.71), p = .045], LDH at diagnosis [HR per 10 units/liter: 1.04 (1.09-1.08), p = .016], and number of treated lesions [HR per lesion: 1.38 (1.02-1.89), p = .039]. These three covariates were included on multivariable analysis, and the only covariate to approach significance was number of treated lesions [HR for >3 versus 1: 2.43 (0.88-6.74), p = .059]. In the overall cohort, EQD2 did not impact risk of progression. Among those with >3 treated lesions, EQD2 ≥2000 cGy was associated with a significantly lower risk of progression [HR: 0.05 (0.01-0.23), p<.001]. Double- and triple-hit status were not correlated with progression. Median overall survival in all patients was 4.1 years versus 1.5 and 0.6 years in those with double- and triple-hit disease, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this large, institutional study of patients with multiple myeloma, palliative RT achieves durable long-term local control. Patients with high disease burden may be at increased risk of progression at treated sites. This group may benefit from an EQD ≥2000 cGy. Cytogenetics, including double- and triple-hit status, do not appear to influence RT response.

The Role of Radiation Therapy in the Management of Gray Zone Lymphoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Gray zone lymphoma (GZL) is a relatively rare disease predominantly affecting young adults with purportedly poor outcomes with current treatment approaches. The role of radiation therapy (RT) in the management of GZL is not well established. This is the largest study to report on the outcomes of GZL patients treated with and without RT.

MATERIALS/METHODS

A retrospective review of 30 patients with GZL treated across 3 institutions from 2009 to 2021 was performed. Event-free survival (EFS) was defined from initiation of frontline chemotherapy (CHT) to disease progression/relapse, initiation of salvage therapy, or death. Local control (LC) was defined from RT start date to in-field recurrence.

RESULTS

The median age was 32 (range: 18-86) years, and 16 (53%) patients had early stage (I-II) disease. Bulky mediastinal disease was present in 63% of patients, and the median tumor diameter was 10 (range: 1.5-18) cm. Patients received ABVD (20%), RCHOP (33%), or REPOCH (47%) as frontline CHT. Among 25 patients with interim PET/CT scan, there were 6 rapid early responders and 14 slow early responders (SER), with 2-year EFS of 33% and 24%, respectively (p = 0.13). After the completion of CHT, 15 (50%) patients achieved complete response (CR) and 10 (33%) achieved partial response (PR), with 2-year EFS of 46% and 10%, respectively (p = 0.004). RT was given to 9 patients in CR (n = 3) or in PR (n = 6). The median RT dose was 36 (30.6-48.6) Gy, at 1.8-2 Gy/fraction. Those receiving RT had bulkier disease at diagnosis (p = 0.049) and lower rates of CR following CHT (p = 0.03). After RT, 3/6 (50%) PR patients converted to CR. At a median follow-up of 4 years, the 2-year EFS was 26% for all patients, 33% for RT and 23% for noRT (p = 0.44). Among patients who did not receive upfront RT and experienced progression (n = 17), 16 (94%) relapsed in pre-existing sites. The 5-year OS was 80% for all patients, 88% for RT and 78% for no RT (p = 0.63). Patients who achieved PR to CHT and received RT had better 2-year EFS (17% vs 0%, p = 0.007) compared to patients who did not receive RT. Similarly, patients with SER who received RT had superior 2-year EFS (33% vs 13%, p = 0.038). Patients with bulky mediastinal disease had a 2-year EFS of 43% with RT and 11% without RT (p = 0.08). After 1st line treatment, 22 (73%) patients relapsed and 18 were successfully salvaged with a sustained CR. The most common salvage regimen involved high dose CHT followed by hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) (n = 15). RT was given for 7 patients in the relapsed/refractory setting (consolidative peri-HCT n = 4; definitive salvage n = 3) and 5 (71%) achieved a sustained CR. Among the 16 patients who received RT in the upfront (n = 9) or salvage (n = 7) setting, 3 patients experienced in-field recurrence translating to 2-year LC of 79%.

CONCLUSION

GZL patients have high risk of relapse and maximal upfront combined modality therapy should be considered. RT provides good local control and improves EFS particularly for SER, PR, and bulky mediastinal disease.

Change in Blood Counts after Palliative Radiotherapy for Multiple Myeloma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Radiation therapy (RT) can provide effective palliation and prevent symptomatic local progression of multiple myeloma (MM). However, RT is sometimes avoided due to concerns for secondary impact to bone marrow, potentially decreasing blood cell counts and precluding ability to receive future systemic therapies. We reviewed a series of MM patients who received palliative RT to assess changes in blood counts from pre-RT to post-RT, hypothesizing that blood counts would not significantly decline after treatment with modern RT volumes and techniques.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We utilized a prospectively maintained departmental database and included patients who received palliative RT for MM from 2015 to 2020. Lab values immediately pre-RT (within one month of RT start date) and post-RT (within three months of RT completion) including hemoglobin, lymphocytes, neutrophils, and platelets were collected. Statistical differences from pre-RT to post-RT were assessed using t-tests. ANOVA was used to compare change in blood counts between common dose fractionation regimens (30 Gy in 10 Fractions, 20 Gy in 5, and 8 Gy in 1).

RESULTS

A total of 334 MM patients receiving 424 courses of RT were included in this analysis. The median age at start of first treatment was 67 (IQR: 60-76) years. One-hundred ninety-five (58%) were male. Median RT dose was 20 (IQR: 8-24.5) Gy delivered over a median 5 (IQR: 1-5) fractions. Between pre-RT and post-RT, there was no significant change in hemoglobin (+0.1 g/dL (IQR: -0.8, +0.5), p = .076), lymphocyte counts (-0.3*10^9 cells/L (IQR: -0.6, 0), p = .435), or neutrophil counts (-0.1*10^9 cells/L (IQR: -1.1, +0.9), p = .310). In contrast, platelet counts significantly decreased from pre-RT (median 165*10^9 cells/L, IQR: 112-210) to post-RT (median 146, IQR: 93-194) by a median of 17.5 *10^9 cells/L (IQR: -52.5, +14.0, p<0.0001). There were no differences in changes in hemoglobin, neutrophils, or platelets between the common dose fractionations. However, there was a significantly greater drop in lymphocytes after 30 Gy in 10 fractions (p = .039, mean lymphocyte count change (in 10^9 cells/L) for 30 Gy in 10: -0.87, 20 Gy in 5: -0.47, and 8 Gy in 1: -0.27).

CONCLUSION

In this large dataset of patients receiving modern palliative RT for MM, hemoglobin, lymphocytes, and neutrophils did not significantly decline from pre-RT to post-RT. In contrast, there was a statistically significant drop in platelet count by a median 17.5*10^9 cells/L from pre-RT to post-RT, which may or may not be clinically significant depending on clinical context. Patients receiving 30 Gy in 10 fractions had greater drops in lymphocytes than those receiving lower doses. Further analyses will be performed to determine clinical, dosimetric, and volumetric predictors of decline in blood counts after radiation.

Local Control after Low-Dose Radiation for Two Rare Forms of Indolent Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma (LPL) are two rare subsets of indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). National guidelines recommend 24-30 Gy for localized SLL. However, based on data for follicular and marginal zone lymphoma, lower dose RT (4 Gy) has been increasingly utilized. We reviewed our experience with SLL and LPL and hypothesized that low dose RT would provide excellent local control.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients at three tertiary cancer centers who had been treated with RT for SLL or LPL. Response to RT was classified using the World Health Organization response criteria and by examining available PET and CT imaging. Radiographic response was assessed at first imaging follow-up and clinical response was recorded if no imaging was performed. Time to best response was noted, and Kaplan Meier estimates and cumulative incidence tests were performed to determine progression-free survival (PFS) and local progression (LP), respectively.

RESULTS

From 2014-2022, 16 patients with 18 sites of SLL (n = 13) or LPL (n = 5) were treated with RT and available to review. Five sites of SLL represented diffuse large B-cell lymphoma transformation and were excluded from analysis. In total, eight sites of SLL (seven patients) and five sites of LPL (five patients) were treated with doses ranging from 4 to 30 Gy in 2 to 12 fractions (median 20 Gy). Four sites of disease received 4 Gy in 2 fractions, one of which (SLL) progressed approximately four months after RT. This site was successfully salvaged with 24 Gy in 12 fractions. There were no other LP. Toxicity overall was low: one patient experienced grade 2 mucositis after 25 Gy in 10 fractions to the maxillary sinus and palate and the remainder of patients experienced grade 1 or no toxicity. Of 10 symptomatic sites, seven (5/7 SLL and 2/3 LPL) attained at least partial relief after RT. A complete response (CR) was achieved in 14% of SLL disease sites and 60% of LPL sites. Partial response was achieved in 57% of SLL and 40% of LPL sites, and 29% of SLL sites were deemed to be stable. One patient with SLL died after their first RT treatment, but this was unrelated to RT. The median time to best response was 284 days (IQR 189-292 days) for SLL and 131 days (IQR 106-166 days) for LPL. 4 Gy in 2 fractions did not result in any CR, yet one patient from the LPL group exhibited a striking CR after 8 Gy in 2 fractions. PFS at one year was 51% for SLL and 100% for LPL - cumulative incidence of LP at two years was 15% and 0% respectively.

CONCLUSION

In this cohort of patients with two types of indolent NHL, one patient progressed locally after 4 Gy, while none progressed after higher doses. LPL sites achieved more complete responses than SLL sites, and RT was tolerated extremely well. These results indicate that similar to other indolent lymphomas, clinical judgment should be used when deciding between 4 Gy or higher doses of RT. For SLL in particular, higher doses of RT are more likely to provide durable local control and CR.

Unique T-cell Sub-Population Shifts after SBPT and Nivolumab in Platinum Refractory HNC: Biomarker Correlates from ROR1771

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

ROR1771 was a clinical trial investigating the use of stereotactic body proton radiotherapy (SBPT) and nivolumab in recurrent platinum refractory head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The planned analysis of T-cell subpopulation and biomarker response is herein presented.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients with metastatic histologically confirmed HNSCC from any primary site received 2 cycles of nivolumab followed by SBPT to 1-2 selected target lesion(s) (hilar/lung: 8 of 12 patients), followed by maintenance nivolumab. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated pre-/post-treatment. Flow cytometry identified T-cell subpopulations. Single Cell 5' Gene Expression (GEX) and V(D)J T Cell Receptor libraries were prepared using Single Cell Immune Profiling. Seurat (v4.1.1) was used to identify cell type clusters, and differential expression post-filtration was evaluated using the Wilcoxon Rank Sum test.

RESULTS

A total of 12 patients were eligible for analysis, with one alive at time of analysis, 52 months from start of treatment. Median overall survival here was 12.5 months vs. 7.5-months on CheckMate 141. SBPT ranged from 35-50 Gy. Sequential changes in T-cell populations from baseline were noted with initiation of nivolumab, driving decrease in tumor-reactive (TTR; CD11ahighPD1+CD8+), central memory (TCM; CCR7+CD45RA-), and effector T-cells (TEF; CCR7-CD45RA-). TTR and TCM increased following SBPT, with greatest increase (3.5x TTR and 5.2x TCM) in the surviving patient. An average of 68 genes with significant differential expression between timepoints (p<0.0001) demonstrated RNA gene expression changes across all cell subtypes, including ribosomal (RPL and RPS) genes, ACTB, FTL, MALAT1, and others. This averaged 113 genes across all timepoints in the surviving patient, with peak following nivolumab induction. On T-cell receptor (TCR) analysis of this patient, the predominant clonotype diversity changed substantially following nivolumab. Following SBPT, clonotype diversity again changed to include a milieu seen neither at baseline nor with nivolumab alone. These TCRs persisted for approximately 2 weeks following SBPT before returning to resemble the nivolumab-induced TCR diversity alone, coinciding with disease recurrence.

CONCLUSION

ROR1771 demonstrated overall survival favorably comparable to CheckMate 141. Biomarker analysis of peripheral blood samples demonstrated significant shifts in T-cell subpopulations and underlying gene expression to nivolumab and then to SBPT administration. SBPT to a target lesion changed TCR clonotypes within the peripheral blood beyond those seen with nivolumab administration, with fading of these TCR clonotypes coinciding with recurrence. SBPT in combination with nivolumab may drive systemic immunologic change above that induced by nivolumab alone and warrants further investigation.

Factors Affecting Adherence, Intake, and Perceived Palatability of Oral Nutritional Supplements: A Literature Review

Oral nutritional supplements (ONS) are a clinically effective and relatively inexpensive way to supplement the diet of patients with, or at risk of, undernutrition. Good adherence is a primary determinant of the effectiveness of ONS. However adherence can be problematic for those with the greatest clinical need, such as undernourished older adults. This review aimed to appraise the available literature for the factors (contextual, personal and product related) affecting patient adherence and perceived palatability of ONS, identify areas requiring improvement and uncover gaps in the evidence to guide the focus of future research. Contextual factors identified were healthcare staff and the timing of administration. Personal factors included sensory changes and motivation which alter experience of and desire to consume ONS. The product's sensory characteristics determined palatability and intake, but undesirable attributes, such as off-flavours, can stem from nutritional ingredients. The contribution made by aroma to older adults' experience of ONS was a comparatively under-researched area. Further research should address this evidence gap to optimise the flavour, aroma profile and palatability for undernourished older consumers, thereby optimising intake. A combined multidisciplinary effort involving strategic expansion of research, industry development and clinical practice should simultaneously address the factors identified, to provide the best approach to improve adherence.

AB0142 SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS (SES) AND MEDICATION USE IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA): A SCOPING REVIEW

Background:

Socioeconomic status (SES) influences disease outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. (1, 2) Differences in medication use could partly explain this association. (3) A scoping review was used to identify research conducted on this topic and determine what knowledge gaps remain.

Objectives:

To determine what research has been conducted on this topic, how this research has defined SES and medication use, and establish what knowledge gaps remain.

Methods:

MEDLINE, EMBASE and PsychInfo were searched from their inception until May 2019 for studies which assessed SES and medication use as outcome variables. Studies were included if they measured medication use and incorporated an SES measure as a comparator variable.

SES was defined using any of the “PROGRESS” framework variables (4) including patients’ stated gender, age, educational attainment, employment, occupational class, personal income, marital status, health insurance coverage, area- (neighbourhood) level SES, or patients’ stated race and/or ethnicity. Medication use was broadly defined as either prescription or dispensation of a medicine, medication adherence, or delays in treatment. Data was extracted on studies’ primary objectives, measurement of specific SES measures, patients’ medication use, and whether studies assessed for differences in patients’ medication use according to SES variables.

Results:

1464 studies were identified by this search from which 74 studies were selected for inclusion, including 52 published articles. Studies’ publication year ranged from 1994-2019, and originated from 20 countries; most commonly from the USA.

Studies measured a median of 4 SES variables (IQR 3-6), with educational achievement, area level SES and race/ethnicity the most frequently recorded.

Likelihood of disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) prescription was the most frequent primary objective recorded.

96% of studies reported on patients’ use of DMARDs, with glucocorticoids and analgesics being reported in fewer studies (51% and 23% respectively.)

Most included studies found at least one SES measure to be significantly associated with differences in patients’ medication use. In some studies, however, this result was not necessarily drawn from the primary outcome and therefore may not have been adjusted for covariates.

70% of published studies measuring patients’ income (n=14 of 20) and 58% of those that measured race/ethnicity (n=14 of 24) documented significant differences in patients’ medication use according to these SES variables, although the direction of this effect – whether it led to ‘greater’ or ‘lesser’ medication use – varied between studies.

Conclusion:

Multiple definitions of SES are used in studies of medication use in RA patients. Despite this, most identified studies found evidence of a difference in medication use by patient groups that differed by an SES variable, although how medication use differed was found to vary between studies. This latter observation may relate to contextual factors pertaining to differences in countries’ healthcare systems. Further prospective studies with clearly defined SES and medication use measures may help confirm the apparent association between SES and differences in medication use.

References:

[1]Jacobi CE, Mol GD, Boshuizen HC, Rupp I, Dinant HJ, Van Den Bos GA. Impact of socioeconomic status on the course of rheumatoid arthritis and on related use of health care services. Arthritis Rheum. 2003;49(4):567-73.

[2]ERAS Study Group. Socioeconomic deprivation and rheumatoid disease: what lessons for the health service? ERAS Study Group. Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Study. Annals of the rheumatic diseases. 2000;59(10):794-9.

[3]Verstappen SMM. The impact of socio-economic status in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2017;56(7):1051-2.

[4]O’Neill J, Tabish H, Welch V, Petticrew M, Pottie K, Clarke M, et al. Applying an equity lens to interventions: using PROGRESS ensures consideration of socially stratifying factors to illuminate inequities in health. J Clin Epidemiol. 2014;67(1):56-64.

Acknowledgements:

This research was supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

The relation between stimulated salivary flow and the temporal consumption experience of a liquid oral nutritional supplement

Use of oral nutritional supplements (ONS) in undernourished patients has proven clinical benefits, but this can be hampered by low adherence due to poor experience of palatability. Many patients, particularly older patients, experience hyposalivation which can cause taste changes and reduce the enjoyment of foods. The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the temporal consumption experience (comprising sensory perception, in-mouth aroma release and subjective appetite) of a clinically relevant portion of ONS, for groups differing in saliva flow rates (SFR). The SFR (mL/min) of thirty healthy individuals was measured on three occasions. This data was used to categorise individuals into three groups using quartile analysis: low flow (LF) (0.3–0.6 mL/min, n = 5), medium flow (MF) (0.7–1.2 mL/min, n = 16) and high flow (HF) (1.3–1.8 mL/min, n = 9). Over the consumption of eight 15 mL sips of ONS, individuals rated their sensory perception and subjective appetite perception using line scales. Additionally, in-mouth aroma release was measured for each sip, using atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation (APCI). Compared with the MF and HF group, the LF group reported a significantly greater increase of mouth-drying over increased sips (p = 0.02). The LF group also experienced significantly higher aftertaste perception (p < 0.001), and more intense in-mouth aroma release (p = 0.015), compared with the HF group. These findings occurred concurrently with relatively lower hunger sensations in the LF and MF group. Many patients who are prescribed ONS likely experience reduced salivary flow rates. The unique sensory experiences of these individuals should be considered in order to optimise palatability and nutritional intake.

•

A full portion of ONS was evaluated by three groups differing in saliva flow rates.

•

A sensory profiling method captured perceptual differences over repeated sips.

•

Mouth-drying built up most significantly for the low saliva flow group.

•

Intensity of aftertaste and aroma release was highest in the low saliva flow group.

•

Sensorial intensity of ONS may be associated with greater feelings of satiation.

Colchicine is not effective for reducing osteoarthritic hand pain compared to placebo: a randomised, placebo-controlled trial (COLAH)

BACKGROUND

Colchicine may offer relief in osteoarthritis. This has never been investigated for hand osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of 1 mg daily colchicine vs placebo on hand pain and function over 12 weeks in older adults with hand osteoarthritis.

METHODS

Community-dwelling adults with diagnosed osteoarthritis of the hand aged 40-80 years were randomised to receive colchicine (0.5 mg twice daily) or matching placebo. Primary outcome measure was VAS hand pain score (0-100 mm). Secondary outcome measures included tender and swollen joint count, grip strength, C-reactive protein, and Michigan Hand Questionnaire total, function and pain scores. In an exploratory assessment, we compared synovial grade and power Doppler. All outcome measures were obtained at baseline and week 12. Stata v16 was used to perform constrained longitudinal data analysis models.

RESULTS

64 adults (54 females, 10 males) aged 48-79 years of age were enrolled. 59 participants completed the study (N = 28 colchicine, N = 31 placebo) (withdrawal rate 8%). Adverse reactions to the study medication occurred in nine patients. VAS score was not significantly different at baseline (61 ± 17 mm in the colchicine, 64 ± 17 mm in the placebo group). Between-group difference for VAS score at week 12 was 7.6 mm (95% CI -3.5-18.7, p-value 0.18). There were no significant differences between groups for any secondary outcomes at baseline or week 12.

CONCLUSIONS

1 mg colchicine daily for 12 weeks was not effective for reducing pain, tender and swollen joint count or increasing grip strength in symptomatic hand osteoarthritis. Our results do not support the use of colchicine in hand osteoarthritis.

Transoral laser resection of hypopharyngeal liposarcoma

Liposarcomas are rare malignant tumours of the connective tissue. Microscopically they resemble lipomas. They are usually found on the limbs or trunk. Fewer than 40 cases of hypopharyngeal liposarcoma have been reported in the literature. Surgical excision with a cervical or endoscopic approach has been the first-line treatment for these cases. We present a patient with the first documented primary excision via carbon dioxide laser using an entirely transoral approach. This case suggests a new standard of management but also highlights the difficulties with investigation and diagnosis in a rare presentation.

FRI0399 COLCHICINE IS NOT EFFECTIVE FOR REDUCING OSTEOARTHRITIC HAND PAIN COMPARED TO PLACEBO: A RANDOMISED, PLACEBO-CONTROLLED TRIAL (COLAH)

Background:

Current pharmacotherapies to treat or prevent hand osteoarthritis are limited. Colchicine, an anti-inflammatory agent effective at reducing joint pain and swelling in gouty arthritis, may offer relief in hand osteoarthritis, though this has not been investigated before.1

Objectives:

To investigate the efficacy of colchicine compared to placebo on VAS pain scores over 12 weeks in adults with hand osteoarthritis in a randomised, double-blind controlled trial.

Methods:

64 community-dwelling adults with hand osteoarthritis (American College of Rheumatology criteria)2(54 females, 48-79 years) were randomised 1:1 to colchicine (0.5mg twice daily) or placebo for 12 weeks. VAS pain scores (worst affected hand) were obtained at baseline and weeks 6, 12, and after treatment withdrawal at week 16. Secondary outcome measures included grip strength, C-reactive protein (CRP) and tender and swollen joint count (TSJC). Grip strength, TSJC and CRP were obtained at baseline and week 12. Intention-to-treat analyses, adjusted for age and gender, were performed using constrained longitudinal data analysis models in Stata v16.3This study is registered with the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12617001524381.

Results:

58 participants completed the study (N=27 colchicine, N=31 placebo, withdrawal rate 9%). Mean (S.D) VAS score of the affected hand at baseline was 71.4 (14.5) mm in the placebo and 65.4 (15.0) mm in the colchicine group (p = 0.11). VAS scores improved during treatment, but were comparable between groups at week 6, 12 and 16 (Table 1). There were no differences between groups at week 12 for CRP, TSJC or grip strength (Table 1). Adverse events related to study medications included nausea (n=4), diarrhoea (n=9), vomiting (n=3), bloating (n=1) and reflux (n=1).

Table 1.

COLAH study primary and secondary outcomes, from constrained longitudinal data analysis model

OutcomeTimepointColchicine (SE)Placebo (SE)Colchicine-Placebo(95% CI)p-valueVAS Pain (mm)6 weeks53.5 (4.5)53.9 (4.6)-0.4 (-12.3, 13.1)0.9512 weeks57.1 (4.4)48.4 (4.6)8.7 (-21.2, 3.9)0.1816 weeks62.0 (4.3)61.6 (3.7)-0.4 (-11.4, 10.5)0.94TSJC (0-20)12 weeks5.6 (0.7)3.8 (0.7)1.8 (-4.1, 0.5)0.13Grip strength (kg)12 weeks14.4 (0.8)15.3 (0.8)-0.9 (-0.2, 2.0)0.10CRP (mg/L)12 weeks4.5 (1.4)4.0 (1.3)0.5 (-3.8, 2.9)0.77

Conclusion:

Colchicine 1mg daily for 12 weeks was not effective in improving pain, tender and swollen joint count or grip strength in symptomatic hand osteoarthritis patients. This study does not support colchicine for treatment of symptoms of hand osteoarthritis.

References:

[1]Leung, YY, Hui, LLY, Kraus, VB 2015. Colchicine-Update on mechanisms of action and therapeutic uses.Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism; 45: 341-350.

[2]Altman, R, Alarcon, G, Appelrouth, D et al, 1990. American College of Rheumatology criteria for the classification and reporting of osteoarthritis of the hand.Arthritis Rheumatology;33(11): 1601-10.

[3]Liu GF, Lu K, Mogg R, et al. 2009. Should baseline be a covariate or dependent variable in analyses of change from baseline in clinical trials?Stat Med; 28: 2509–30.

Characters from table content including title and footnotes: 465

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

OP0145 MALIGNANCY IN ANCA-ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS AND POLYARTERITIS NODOSA: AN AUSTRALIAN POPULATION-BASED STUDY

Background:

The increased risk of malignancy in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) has been attributed to late treatment related effects, with non-melanoma skin and genitourinary cancers most frequently reported in European studies1,2,3. Malignancy has not been examined in patients with AAV/PAN in Australia, where environmental factors may influence risk.

Objectives:

To determine the risk and timing of incident cancer in Western Australian (WA) AAV/PAN patients compared to controls.

Methods:

Patients and controls were ascertained through the WA Hospital Morbidity Data collection System (HMDS). Administrative hospitalisation data were linked with the WA cancer and death registries. Data was available between 1980-2015. Patients were classified into two sub-groups using International Classification of Disease (ICD) -9 and/or -10 codes: (1) GPA/MPA- granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)/microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), and (2) other-AAV/PAN- eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), PAN, and other patients with any AAV or PAN where more specific ICD-10 coding was not available. Controls were age, sex and temporally matched (at patient diagnosis date) and had no rheumatological diagnosis. Patients and controls with prior cancer were excluded from the analysis.

Spline-based estimation of time-varying hazard ratios (HR) for incident cancer in patientsvscontrols was performed using the Stata library stpm2cr4. Results for cause-specific models, which treated deaths in patients without cancer as censored, were confirmed using models treating death as a competing risk. The risk of specific cancers was analysed by Cox regression.

Results:

The analysis included 391 patients (165 GPA/MPA, 217 other-AAV/PAN) and 4913 controls, with 86 incident cancers (over 3556.7 person-years) observed in patients and 1119 (over 64997.0 person-years) in controls. Patients and controls were well matched for age (mean ± standard deviation GPA/MPA: 55 ± 18 years, other AAV/PAN: 59 ± 17 years, controls 57 ± 16 years), and sex (female: GPA/MPA 48%, other AAV/PAN 46%, controls 46%).

Incident cancer risk and timing differed between the two patient subgroups (Figure 1). The risk of incident cancer in GPA/MPA patients, compared to controls, increased with disease duration, whilst other-AAV/PAN patients had a greater risk within the first two years of diagnosis, but a similar risk to controls in the longer term.

By specific cancers, GPA/MPA patients had an increased risk of skin cancers (excluding squamous and basal cell carcinomas): hazard radio (HR) 2.71 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.55 – 4.74, and genitourinary cancers: HR 3.64, 95% CI 1.58, 8.39, which was not observed in other-AAV/PAN patients. While there was trend for an overall increase in haematological cancers, this was inconclusive.

Conclusion:

Incident cancer risk, driven by skin and genitourinary cancers, increased with disease duration in GPA/MPA patients, consistent with previous studies, suggestive of a treatment related effect. In contrast, cancer was more frequently observed early after diagnosis in other-AAV/PAN patients. Our findings suggest that vigilance for incident cancers is required for all patients with AAV and PAN after diagnosis and in long term management, considering distinct periods of greater risk by disease subgroup.

References:

[1]Heijl C et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2011;70:1415-1421

[2]Lafarge A et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2019;0:1-2

[3]Farschou M et al. Rheumatology 2015;54:1345-1350

[4]Mozumder S et al. Stata J. 2017;17(2):462-489

Disclosure of Interests:

Joanna Tieu: None declared, Susan Lester: None declared, Warren Raymond: None declared, Helen Keen Speakers bureau: Pfizer Austrlaia, Abbvie Australia, Catherine Hill: None declared, Johannes (“Hans”) Nossent Speakers bureau: Janssen

228Long-term safety and effectiveness of mavacamten in symptomatic obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) patients (pts): update from PIONEER open-label extension (PIONEER-OLE) study

Background

In a phase 2 PIONEER-HCM study, pts with symptomatic, obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) showed improvement in left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction, exercise capacity, and symptoms after 12 wk of treatment with the novel myosin modulator, mavacamten (Mava).

Purpose

To examine the long-term safety and effectiveness of Mava in PIONEER-OLE study

Methods

PIONEER-OLE (NCT03496168) is an ongoing 2-y multicenter study for adults with symptomatic oHCM who completed PIONEER-HCM (NCT02842242). The starting dose of Mava is 5 mg/d with titration at wk 6 to an individualized therapeutic dose (5, 10, or 15 mg). Evaluations are at wk 4, 6, 8, 12 and every 12 wk thereafter to monitor LV ejection fraction (LVEF), LVOT gradient, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class, NT-proBNP, drug concentration, and safety.

Results

13 pts (mean age, 57.8 y; 9 male; 12 on beta-blockers) were enrolled. Mean baseline LVOT obstruction and LVEF, and wk 12 changes from baseline, were similar to those in PIONEER-HCM (Table). Mava significantly reduced resting and provoked LVOT gradients and NT-proBNP at wk 12 and 24 compared with baseline (P<0.004). Of 10 pts who reached wk 24, 8 reported improvement in NYHA class (1 improved Class III to II; 7 improved Class II to I), and 2 pts remained Class II. Mava has been well tolerated up to 40 wk; 31 adverse events (AEs; 22 mild, 5 moderate) were reported in 8 pts; 1 pt had 3 severe and 1 serious AE (cholangiocarcinoma); all AEs were unrelated to study drug.

Results from PIONEER-OLE Parameter PIONEER-HCMa PIONEER-OLE Baseline Wk 12 Baselineb Wk 12 Change at Wk 12 Wilcoxon Signed Wk 24 Change at Wk 24 Wilcoxon Signed Mean ± SD Mean ± SD Mean ± SD Mean ± SD Mean ± SD Rank Mean ± SD Mean ± SD Rank (n=13) (n=13) (n=13)c (n=12)c (n=12)c P value (n=10)c (n=10)c P value LVOT Rest gradient, mmHg 69.7±53.9 27.8±31.3 67.3±42.8 12.0±5.4 −57.9±43.2 0.0005 10.5±4.8 −66.6±42.4 0.0020 LVOT Valsalva gradient, mmHg 93.7±55.6 36.8±37.5 89.9±30.7 (n=12) 23.6±20.0 −66.4±35.3 (n=11) 0.0020 21.1±11.5 −67.3±33.5 (n=9) 0.0039 LVEF, % 73.0±5.6 64.6±10.5 72.0±4.9 67.6±7.2 −4.4±5.5 0.0269 68.2±6.5 −3.2±3.3 0.0195 NT-proBNP, pg/mL 1601.3±2782 (n=12) 684±980 1836±2886 181±211 −1759±2789 0.0005 170±225 −2128±3104 0.0039 Data extraction date January 24, 2019. aCombined results shown for pts from PIONEER-HCM originally in cohort A (n=5) and cohort B (n=8). bBaseline in PIONEER-OLE occurred 6–18 months after completion of PIONEER-HCM. cNumber of pts with data available for analysis, unless otherwise specified.

Conclusion

Despite management with current therapies, pts enrolled in PIONEER-OLE with similar levels of obstruction and hypercontractility as in PIONEER-HCM. In this longest observation period, Mava significantly reduced obstruction (LVOT gradient) in pts with oHCM beyond standard HCM therapy, while maintaining normal LVEF and improving symptoms.

Acknowledgement/Funding

MyoKardia

A Method of Medical Knowledge Base Augmentation

The Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) of the National Library of Medicine may be viewed as a semantic network. The relationships in this semantic network are of a broader-than/narrower-than type. A knowledge base of this type may be augmented by adding new terms and new relationships to the network. The Current Medical Information and Terminology (CMIT) of the American Medical Association represents a rich source of relationships for the disease terms of MeSH. A subset of MeSH was augmented with the knowledge from a subset of CMIT using a matching and similarity strategy. The matching portion of the experiment showed that about half of CMIT may be directly merged with MeSH based on exact and partial matches and utilization of alternate and synonym terms from CMIT. The similarity portion of the experiment showed that a method of merging based on similarity of features is a workable approach to incorporating knowledge into MeSH when lexical matches are not available. Evaluation of the resulting merged knowledge base suggested that the etiology property of CMIT was the most highly inherited property. The augmented knowledge base was used as a basis for an automatic indexer. The indexer was less accurate after augmentation than before. One key difficulty stemmed from the way that CMIT was encoded into MeSH. More powerful encodings of CMIT into MeSH are being pursued. Building on MeSH, CMIT, and other such knowledge bases that already exist on the computer is one way to try to develop intelligent medical computer systems.

Abstract P5-22-01: Evaluating the risk of upgrade to invasive breast cancer and/or DCIS on excision following a diagnosis of non-classic lobular carcinoma in situ

Introduction: Non-classic lobular carcinoma in situ (NC-LCIS) is a rare pathologic entity which encompasses a variety of histologic diagnoses. As such its natural history, including upgrade rates to invasive cancer (IC) or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) on excision, is poorly characterized. We sought to evaluate the risk of upgrade to IC or DCIS when NC-LCIS is diagnosed on core biopsy.

Methods: After obtaining IRB approval, institutional pathology databases were searched for NC-LCIS core biopsy diagnoses (carcinoma in situ (CIS), carcinoma in situ with ductal and lobular features (CIS/DLF), pleomorphic LCIS (P-LCIS), variant LCIS (V-LCIS), LCIS with necrosis). Cases with a NC-LCIS core biopsy diagnosis and with available pathology results from subsequent surgery were included. Cases with known concurrent ipsilateral IC, DCIS and/or atypical ductal hyperplasia were excluded.

Results: 107 cases with NC-LCIS in any pathology report were identified (1998-2016); 44 were excluded due to concurrent ipsilateral IC, the remaining 62 patients with 63 core biopsy diagnoses of NC-LCIS all underwent surgical excision and formed our study cohort. Median age was 56 years (range 43-83); 43 (68%) were postmenopausal. NC-LCIS was diagnosed on core biopsy for mammographic findings in 57 (90%) cases and for MRI findings in 6 (9%). All were BI-RADS 4 lesions; calcifications were the most common biopsy indication (50 (78%)). CIS/DLF was the most common term used for NC-LCIS (28 (44%)), followed by CIS (18 (29%)), V-LCIS (14 (22%)) and P-LCIS (3 (5%)). On core biopsy, 36/44 (82%) of NC-LCIS cases were E-cadherin negative, 38/41 (93%) were ER positive, and 6/34 (18%) were HER2 positive. IC and/or DCIS were diagnosed on subsequent surgery in 22 (33%) of patients, of which 14 (67%) were IC and 8 (18%) had DCIS only.

LesionTotalE-cadherin negativeUpgraded, N (%)Invasive cancer, N (%)DCIS only, N (%)CIS188/10 (80%)3 (16%)2 (67%)1 (33%)CIS/DLF2819/23 (83%)12 (43%)7 (58%)5 (42%)P-LCIS31/1 (100%)3 (100%)2 (67%)1 (33%)V-LCIS148/10 (80%)4 (29%)3 (75%)1 (25%)

Median IC size was 0.2 cm (0.06-1.1 cm). IC histology was ductal in n=4 (29%), lobular in n=7 (50%), and ductal and lobular in n=3 (21%). Among the 14 invasive lesions, 5 (36%) were grade I, 5 (36%) were grade II and 2(13%) were grade III, (grade was not reported for 2 remaining ICs); 12/14 (86%) were ER positive and 1/14 (7%) was HER2 positive; none had LVI or positive nodes.

Among the 42 cases not upgraded, 13 (31%) had mastectomy, 9 (21%) had excision and radiation, 20 had excision only, all had negative margins. At median follow-up of 60 months (1-224 months), 1/20 patients treated with excision only was diagnosed with DCIS, 14 months after surgery for CIS/DLF on core biopsy.

Conclusions: In this large series of NC-LCIS diagnosed on core biopsy, the upgrade rate to carcinoma was 33% supporting the recommendation for routine excision of these lesions. The cancers found at excision were all stage I and the majority were grade I or II. At a median follow-up of 60 months only 1/20 patients with pure NC-LCIS treated with excision alone developed a future ipsilateral cancer. Further study of the natural history of these rare lesions is warranted.

Citation Format: Nakhlis F, Harrison BT, Lester SC, Hughes KS, Coopey SB, King TA. Evaluating the risk of upgrade to invasive breast cancer and/or DCIS on excision following a diagnosis of non-classic lobular carcinoma in situ [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2017 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2017 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-22-01.

The impact of blackcurrant juice on attention, mood and brain wave spectral activity in young healthy volunteers

There is a growing body of evidence from randomized controlled trials which indicates that consumption of berries has a positive effect upon the cognitive function of healthy adults. It has been recommended that studies combining cognitive and physiological measures be undertaken in order to strengthen the evidence base for the putative effects of flavonoid consumption on cognitive outcomes. This pilot study utilized a randomized, double-blind and placebo controlled crossover design to assess the influence of the acute administration of anthocyanin-rich blackcurrant juice, standardized at 500 mg of polyphenols, on mood and attention. Additionally, this trial used electroencephalography (EEG) to assess if any changes in cognitive performance are associated with changes in localized prefrontal cortex neuronal activity in nine healthy young adults. Outcomes from the pilot EEG data highlight an anxiolytic effect of the consumption of a single serve blackcurrant juice, as indexed by a suppression of α spectral power, and an increase in the slow wave δ and θ spectral powers. There was also an indication of greater alertness and lower fatigue, as indexed by an increase in β power and suppression of α spectral power. Outcomes from the CogTrack™ system indicated a small acute increase in reaction times during the digit vigilance task.

Abstract P5-16-15: Lymph-vascular invasion in the absence of stomal invasion after neoadjuvant therapy: A rare pattern of residual carcinoma that lacks an AJCC/UICC T category

Background: Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer serves as an important prognostic indicator, as patients whose estrogen receptor (ER) negative and/or HER2 positive cancers undergo a pathologic complete response (pCR) have an excellent outcome. Guidelines on classification of treatment response are available, but data is lacking for the rare event where lymph-vascular invasion (LVI) is the only residual disease in the breast. Only one study (Rabban JT et al, Am J Surg Pathol, 2009) has investigated the significance of this pattern of residual disease. These authors reported 6 patients with residual LVI in the breast in the absence of stromal invasion. Five of the patients also had residual disease in lymph nodes. Prognosis was poor with four of the patients dying in less than 4 years and an additional patient dying at 10 years. The aim of our study was to gather more data on this rare pattern of residual disease, with a focus on node negative cases. Design: We retrospectively identified from our pathology database all cases in which LVI was the only residual disease in the breast after neoadjuvant therapy. Results: A total of 16 cases were identified, yielding an incidence of 1.6% of all cancers undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy over a 10 year period. All patients were females with a mean age of 54 years (range 40-69 years). Eight cancers initially presented as a palpable breast mass, 4 as vague breast symptoms, 2 as inflammatory carcinoma and 1 was detected on screening mammogram. In twelve cases the axillary lymph nodes were either suspicious by imaging or proven positive by needle biopsy. The mean pre-neoadjuvant tumor size was 2.7cm (range 0.5-8.0cm). Six cancers were negative for hormone receptors and HER2, eight cancers were positive for HER2 and 4 cancers were positive for ER. After neoadjuvant chemotherapy, nine patients had no residual disease in lymph nodes. The remaining seven patients had residual disease in lymph nodes, although minimal in the majority. The mean follow-up was 65 months for the node negative group (range 9-125 months) and 44 months for the node positive group (range 7-102 months). One death occurred in each group (at 12 months and 67 months respectively), two patients are alive with metastatic disease in the node negative group and the remaining 12 patients are alive without disease. Conclusions: Pure residual LVI after neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a rare event. Our findings show that the outcome associated with residual LVI, with or without residual cancer in nodes, might not be as dismal as previously reported, although longer follow-up will be required. The more favorable outcome observed is in contrast to the single study previously published. Although the difference may be due to details in the type of chemotherapy or stage at presentation, it is difficult to compare the 2 groups of patients due to limited information about the earlier cases. More data is needed to draw conclusions on the prognostic significance of this type of residual disease. The lack of a current AJCC/UICC T category for this finding will make identification of these patients difficult in large databases.

Citation Format: Guilbert M-C, Lester SC. Lymph-vascular invasion in the absence of stomal invasion after neoadjuvant therapy: A rare pattern of residual carcinoma that lacks an AJCC/UICC T category [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2016 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2016 Dec 6-10; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-16-15.

Cost savings with a new screening algorithm for pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic sclerosis

BACKGROUND

Screening for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is now standard care in this disease. The existing Australian Scleroderma Interest Group algorithm (ASIGSTANDARD ) is based on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and pulmonary function tests (PFT). Recently, ASIG has derived and validated a new screening algorithm (ASIGPROPOSED ) that incorporates N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level together with PFT in order to decrease reliance on TTE, which has some limitations. Right heart catheterisation (RHC) remains the gold standard for the diagnosis of PAH in patients who screen 'positive'.

AIM

To compare the cost of PAH screening in SSc with ASIGSTANDARD and ASIGPROPOSED algorithms.

METHODS

We applied both ASIGSTANDARD and ASIGPROPOSED algorithms to 643 screen-naïve SSc patients from the Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study (ASCS), assuming a PAH prevalence of 10%. We compared the costs of screening, the number of TTE required and both the total number of RHC required and the number of RHC needed to diagnose one case of PAH, and costs, according to each algorithm. We then extrapolated the costs to the estimated total Australian SSc population.

RESULTS

In screen-naïve patients from the ASCS, ASIGPROPOSED resulted in 64% fewer TTE and 10% fewer RHC compared with ASIGSTANDARD , with $1936 (15%) saved for each case of PAH diagnosed. When the costs were extrapolated to the entire Australian SSc population, there was an estimated screening cost saving of $946 000 per annum with ASIGPROPOSED , with a cost saving of $851 400 in each subsequent year of screening.

CONCLUSIONS

ASIGPROPOSED substantially reduces the number of TTE and RHC required and results in substantial cost savings in SSc-PAH screening compared with ASIGSTANDARD .

Supplementation with omega-3 fish oil has no effect on bone mineral density in adults with knee osteoarthritis: a 2-year randomized controlled trial

This study aimed to determine the effect of fish oil on bone mineral density (BMD). There were no differences in the 2-year BMD measures between high and low dose groups after adjusting for baseline BMD. This randomized controlled trial did not demonstrate any efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids on bone loss in adults.

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study is to investigate whether supplementation with high dose omega-3 fish oil could have an impact on BMD.

METHODS

In a multicentre, double-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) (ACTRN 12607000415404), 202 Australian participants aged ≥40 with knee osteoarthritis (mean age, 61.0 ± 10.0 years; 49 % female) were randomized to receive either high dose (4.5 g eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid daily) or low dose (0.45 g/day) omega-3 fish oil for 2 years. BMD was assessed at baseline and 2 years by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.

RESULTS

In subjects with baseline and 2-year assessments, mean standardized BMD at baseline for low or high dose group was 1198 ± 198 and 1157 ± 169 mg/cm(2), respectively, for the lumbar spine and was 1035 ± 165 and 1017 ± 174 mg/cm(2), respectively, for the femoral neck. There were no differences in the 2-year BMD measures between high and low dose groups after adjusting for baseline BMD in the complete case regression analyses (lumbar spine 3.7, 95 % confidence interval (CI) -7.9 to 15.3 mg/cm(2) and femoral neck -5.5, 95 % CI -14.9 to 3.9 mg/cm(2)). The findings did not change with additional adjustments of age, gender, study centre and uses of bone-related drugs during the study period as well as using the intention-to-treat analysis or limiting to older participants (≥55 years at the baseline) (all P ≥ 0.25). Mild adverse events such as headache and gastrointestinal intolerance were common but did not occur more frequently in either group. There were no serious adverse events related to the intervention.

CONCLUSION

A 2-year supplementation with high-dose omega-3 fish oil did not alter bone loss among men and women with knee osteoarthritis.

Interpretation of an Extended Autoantibody Profile in a Well-Characterized Australian Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma) Cohort Using Principal Components Analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine the relationships between systemic sclerosis (SSc)-related autoantibodies, as well as their clinical associations, in a well-characterized Australian patient cohort.

METHODS

Serum from 505 Australian SSc patients were analyzed with a commercial line immunoassay (EuroLine; Euroimmun) for autoantibodies to centromere proteins CENP-A and CENP-B, RNA polymerase III (RNAP III; epitopes 11 and 155), the 90-kd nucleolar protein NOR-90, fibrillarin, Th/To, PM/Scl-75, PM/Scl-100, Ku, topoisomerase I (topo I), tripartite motif-containing protein 21/Ro 52, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor. Patient subgroups were identified by hierarchical clustering of the first 2 dimensions of a principal components analysis of quantitative autoantibody scores. Results were compared with detailed clinical data.

RESULTS

A total of 449 of the 505 patients were positive for at least 1 autoantibody by immunoblotting. Heatmap visualization of autoantibody scores, along with principal components analysis clustering, demonstrated strong, mutually exclusive relationships between CENP, RNAP III, and topo I. Five patient clusters were identified: CENP, RNAP III strong, RNAP III weak, topo I, and other. Clinical features associated with CENP, RNAP III, and topo I were consistent with previously published reports concerning limited cutaneous and diffuse cutaneous SSc. A novel finding was the statistical separation of RNAP III into 2 clusters. Patients in the RNAP III strong cluster had an increased risk of gastric antral vascular ectasia, but a lower risk of esophageal dysmotility. Patients in the other cluster were more likely to be male and to have a history of smoking and a history of malignancy, but were less likely to have telangiectasia, Raynaud's phenomenon, and joint contractures.

CONCLUSION

Five major autoantibody clusters with specific clinical and serologic associations were identified in Australian SSc patients. Subclassification and disease stratification using autoantibodies may have clinical utility, particularly in early disease.

Decline in hand bone mineral density indicates increased risk of erosive change in early rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Despite better disease suppression with combination disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), some patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have progressive erosive disease. The objective of this study was to determine whether hand bone mineral density (BMD) loss in the first 6 months of treatment indicates increased risk of erosions at 12 months.

METHODS

Patients with DMARD-naive early RA receiving treat-to-target therapy were studied (n = 106). Hand BMD was measured at baseline and 6 months by dual x-ray absorptiometry. Hand and feet radiographs were performed at baseline and 12 months and scored using the van der Heijde modification of the Sharp method. A K-means clustering algorithm was used to divide patients into 2 groups: the BMD loss group or the no loss group, according to their absolute change in BMD from baseline to 6 months. Multiple regression analysis (hurdle model) was performed to determine the risk factors for both erosive disease and erosion scores.

RESULTS

Hand BMD loss at 6 months was associated with erosion scores at 12 months (P = 0.021). In a multiple regression analysis, hand BMD loss (P = 0.046) and older age at onset (≥50 years; P = 0.014) were associated with erosive disease, whereas baseline erosion scores (P = 0.001) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (P = 0.024) were correlated with erosion severity/progression.

CONCLUSION

In RA patients receiving treat-to-target therapy, early hand BMD loss could identify patients who are at risk of developing erosive disease at 12 months, potentially allowing intensification of treatment to prevent erosive damage.

Inflammasome gene expression alterations in Staphylococcus aureus biofilm-associated chronic rhinosinusitis

BACKGROUND

The role of inflammasomes in chronic inflammation has been the subject of intense research in recent years. Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), a persistent inflammatory disease, continues to be investigated hoping that a clearer pathophysiologic description will guide discovery of future treatment modalities. This study investigates the role of inflammasome complexes in CRS patients with Staphylococcus aureus biofilm infection, a key culprit associated with disease severity and recalcitrance.

METHODOLOGY

Sinonasal tissue samples were collected from CRS patients with (P+) and without (P-) polyps and controls. S. aureus biofilm status was obtained using fluorescence in situ hybridization and classified as biofilm positive (B+) or negative (B-). RNA was analysed using a Human Inflammasome PCR array, profiling the expression of 84 genes involved in inflammasome function.

RESULTS

Sixteen samples were obtained: 5 B+P+, 5 B-P- and 6 controls. Comparing B+P+ vs. controls showed the greatest number of differentially expressed genes. In particular, Absent in Melanoma 2 (AIM2) was consistently and significantly up-regulated in the B+P+ vs. B-P- and controls. In contrast, when comparing the B-P- vs. controls, no genes showed significant changes.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicate the involvement of inflammasome complexes and their signalling pathways in CRS patients with polyps and S. aureus biofilms. In particular, AIM2, activated by intracellular double-stranded DNA, is up-regulated in this group, implying that S. aureus may play a role in intracellular triggering of the inflammasome response. Studies with further patient stratification and assessing corresponding protein expression are needed to further characterize the role of inflammasomes in CRS.

Abstract P4-05-10: PIK3CA mutations are enriched in invasive lobular carcinomas and invasive mammary carcinomas with lobular features: Results from a TCGA sub-analysis

Background: Aberrant signaling via the PI3K pathway is a common alteration in breast cancer (BC), with frequent activating mutations in the PIK3CA gene helical (exon 9) and catalytic (exon 20) domains. These mutations occur across all BC subtypes with an overall incidence of 36%, with the highest frequency (∼45%) in luminal A/ER+ tumors. Lobular phenotype is common among luminal A tumors. We examined associations between lobular histology and molecular features among BC samples submitted for comprehensive molecular analyses for The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

Design: Experts in breast pathology reviewed digital slides of breast cancer samples submitted for comprehensive molecular profiling to the TCGA. Tumors were graded, subtyped and scored for additional histopathologic features. We tested pairwise associations between lobular features and components of grade, PAM50-derived molecular subtype and mutational status for BRAC1/2, PIK3CA, TP53 and CDH1 by performing Chi-Square analysis for comparisons with a categorical variable and the Mann-Whitney test for comparisons with an ordinal variable

Results: A total of 1132 images were scored from 589 unique cases in TCGA. For cases with multiple scorers (43% of cases), we summarized scores by taking the median (for ordinal variables) or the consensus diagnosis (for categorical variables). A total of 567 cases had a consensus diagnosis for lobular features, all of which had pathological information on components of histologic grade and 540 of which had data for TP53, CDH1, and PIK3CA mutations. 110/567 (19%) of cases were classified as invasive lobular or invasive mammary carcinoma with lobular features. The lobular cases had significantly less nuclear pleomorphism (p = 3.3 e -12), lower mitotic index (p = 3.4e-16), less tubule formation (p = 3.9e-8), increased association with lobular carcinoma in situ (p &lt; 2.2 e-16), decreased stromal inflammation (p = 1.5e-7), and decreased necrosis (p = 4.4e-11) compared with cases without lobular features. Cases with lobular features were highly enriched for CDH1 mutations with 19% of cases with lobular features having CDH1 mutations, compared with only 1% of cases without lobular features (p = 2.4 e-14). The lobular features cases were more likely to have PIK3CA mutations (p = 0.01), with 33% of the lobular features cases having PIK3CA mutations, compared with 21% of the non-lobular cases. The lobular features cases were less likely to have TP53 mutations (p = 0.02), with 13% of lobular features cases having TP53 mutations as compared with 24% of the non-lobular feature cases. Lobular status was associated with PAM50 molecular subtype (Chi-square p = 0.002) with the lobular cases significantly less likely to be basal molecular subtype and more likely to be Luminal-A.

Conclusions: PIK3CA mutations are enriched in invasive lobular carcinomas and invasive mammary carcinomas with lobular features. These associations point to the possibility that PIK3CA mutations as well as CDH1 alterations are important drivers of invasive lobular carcinomas.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P4-05-10.

Abstract P4-05-15: Breast cancers with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are associated with specific pathologic features and molecular profiles: Results from a TCGA sub-analysis

Background: Previous studies have found that particular pathologic features are more common in breast cancers arising in BRCA mutation carriers. However, the biologic and molecular bases for the morphologic associations are not clear. This study is conducted to analyze pathologic and molecular features in tumors stratified by BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation status using the breast cancer samples that have comprehensive molecular portraits characterized by the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

Methods: The digital slides of breast cancer samples submitted for comprehensive molecular profiling to the TCGA were reviewed by expert breast pathologists, who were unaware of the BRCA status or other molecular signatures. Each tumor was evaluated and scored for histologic type, nuclear pleomorphism, tubule formation, mitosis, stromal inflammation, and necrosis. 562 cases had both pathology and tumor exome sequencing data available and constituted the current study population. We determined the association of somatic BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation status with pathologic features and molecular characteristics (mutation of PIK3CA and TP53, and molecular subtypes defined by PAM50 mRNA data) using the Fisher exact test for categorical variables and the Wilcoxon test for ordinal variables.

Results: Of the 562 tumors, 514 had no BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation, while 48 (8.5%) of tumors were found to harbor a BRCA1 mutation (n = 16, 3%), BRCA2 mutation (n = 30, 5%), or mutation in both (n = 2, 0.3%). BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutational status showed no significant association with lobular features, tubule formation, nuclear pleomorphism, or stromal inflammation (all p &gt; 0.05), although there was a trend for increased nuclear pleomorphism in BRCA2 mutant cases (p = 0.07). The lack of significant association of BRCA1/2 mutational status with these features may be due to our study's relatively small number of BRCA1/2 mutant cases. Both BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations were associated with a higher mitotic count (p = 0.03 and 0.04, respectively). BRCA2 mutation showed no association with necrosis (p = 1), while BRCA1 mutation status was associated with increased necrosis (OR = 2.7, p = 0.04). BRCA2 mutation status showed no significant association with PAM50 subtype (p = 0.37), while BRCA1 mutation status was significantly associated with PAM50 molecular subtype (p = 0.005), with the greatest enrichment among Basal-like (7/70 Basal-like with BRCA1 mutation, 10%) and depletion among Luminal-B (0/79 Luminal-B with BRCA1 mutation, 0%). Neither BRCA1 nor BRCA2 mutations were significantly association with PIK3CA mutations (p = 0.39, 0.08, respectively). BRCA2 mutation status was not associated with TP53 mutations (p = 0.65), while BRCA1 mutation status was associated with increased TP53 mutations (OR = 4.0, p = 0.005).

Conclusion: Tumors with BRCA1 and BRCA2 alterations are associated with specific pathologic and molecular features. However, there is molecular and morphologic heterogeneity within these cancers. These factors need to be considered when designing algorithms for BRCA testing and targeted therapy in BRCA-related cancers.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P4-05-15.

Abstract P4-05-06: Host inflammation and breast cancer molecular subtypes: Updated results from a TCGA sub-analysis

Background: There is increasing evidence that the presence of a host inflammatory response to breast cancer may influence outcomes. Utilizing inflammation scores on the histology of breast cancer samples submitted for comprehensive molecular analyses for The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), we provide an updated look at associations between the presence of host inflammation and breast cancer molecular and pathologic features.

Design: Experts in breast pathology reviewed the digital slides of breast cancer samples submitted for comprehensive molecular profiling to the TCGA and scored each case for the level of inflammation present (high/moderate vs mild/minimal). We tested pairwise associations between host inflammation and molecular subtypes (DNA copy-number, RNA expression, RPPA defined subtypes, miRNA subtypes, methylation subtypes) and pathological features by performing Chi-Square analyses. Multiple hypothesis testing correction was performed using the Bonferroni method.

Results: 598 breast cancer cases with TCGA molecular profiling data were scored by the expert breast pathologists for morphological features (including inflammation). 195 (33%) of these were scored as high/moderate inflammation. Cases with inflammation had a significantly higher rate of TP53 mutations (p = 9.0e-8) with 64 of 118 (54.2%) p53 mutant cases with inflammation. Inflammation was also significantly associated with PAM50 molecular subtypes (p = 2.2e-11), with the greatest enrichment among basal-like (64.5% of 70 basal-like cases had inflammation) and the greatest depletion among Luminal A (18.1% of 166 Luminal A cases had inflammation). Cases with inflammation were significantly less likely to be lobular (p = 1.5e-7), had less tubule formation (p = 0.0006), increased mitoses (p &lt;2.2 e-16), increased nuclear pleomorphism (p = 2.9e-15), and increased necrosis (p = 2.9e-14).

Conclusions: There are strong associations between breast cancer molecular and pathological features and the host inflammatory response.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P4-05-06.

IgE-mediated food allergy--diagnosis and management in New Zealand children

AIM

To summarise the diagnosis and management of IgE-mediated food allergy (FA) in New Zealand children.

METHOD

A review of the scientific literature and subsequent consensus development.

RESULTS

FA is a common problem in New Zealand children with management necessitating accurate diagnosis, appropriate risk management, and reassessment over time.

CONCLUSION

This paper highlights the importance of a structured approach to diagnosis and management of FA in New Zealand children, guided by appropriately skilled health professionals.

Sicca Symptoms and their Association with Chronic Rhinosinusitis in a Community Sample

OBJECTIVE

To determine associations between sicca symptoms, chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) symptoms and asthma in a community survey.

METHODS

Data was obtained from the Spring 2009 South Australian Health Omnibus Survey which sampled, via interviewer administered questionnaire, 3007 individuals aged 15 years and over whose socio-demographic distribution corresponded to South Australian population estimates. Respondents were asked a range of questions relating to the presence of persistent dry eyes or dry mouth, CRS and medically diagnosed nasal polyps and asthma. Relationships between symptoms were explored using maximum likelihood dependency tree analysis.

RESULTS

THE RESPECTIVE POPULATION PREVALENCES WERE: dry mouth (5.9%), dry eyes (8.6%), nasal polyps (3.8%), CRS (13.2%) and asthma (12.0%). The overall prevalence of sicca symptoms (dry eyes or dry mouth) was 12.4%. Dependency tree analysis revealed the expected symptom clustering between (1) sicca symptoms and their association with female gender and increasing age and (2) CRS, nasal polyps and asthma (one airway hypothesis). However there was also an association between dry eyes and CRS (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.9, 3.4), which was in fact stronger than the association between CRS and asthma (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4, 2.5).

CONCLUSIONS

Sicca symptoms are common in the community. Our novel finding of a strong association between dry eyes and CRS suggests that further research into the relationship between airway inflammation and sicca symptoms is required. These findings may have particular relevance to Sjögren's syndrome (SS) in both its primary and secondary forms.

Abstract P1-15-03: Eight-Year Update of a Prospective Study of Wide Excision Alone for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) of the Breast

Background: The need for radiation therapy (RT) in conservatively managed DCIS is a source of ongoing debate. This is an updated analysis of a phase II prospective study of wide excision alone for DCIS. The study was activated in May 1995 and closed in July 2002 following accrual of 158 patients because the number of local recurrences (LR) met the predetermined stopping rules. The objective of the analysis is to update the distribution and cumulative incidence of events (LR, contralateral breast cancer [CBC], second malignancy and death from other causes). Materials and Methods: A total of 158 patients had DCIS with predominant nuclear grade 1 or 2, a mammographic extent of ≥2.5 cm, and excision with final microscopic margins of ≥1 cm or a re-excision without residual DCIS. Tamoxifen was not permitted. The results presented are from the 8-year analysis (8-year minimum potential follow-up time). Twenty-six patients without recurrence who were followed less than 8 years were excluded from the analysis as were 7 first events (4 LR) that occurred beyond 8 years of follow-up; the analysis thus includes 132 patients and 36 first events. Cumulative incidence curves were generated to assess the rates of LR or other events. Median follow up time was 10 years. Results: Overall, 36/132 patients (27%) had a first event as of April 2010. Of these 36 events, 19 were LR, 13 were CBC, 1 was a second malignancy, and 3 were deaths from other causes. Of the 19 LR, 13 (68%) were DCIS only and 6 (32%) were invasive. Fourteen occurred in the same quadrant and 5 were elsewhere in the ipsilateral breast. The 8-year estimated cumulative incidence of LR was 14.4% (95% CI: 8.4-20.4%). For all other events, the 8-year estimated cumulative incidence was 12.9% (95% CI: 3.6-13.1%).

The estimated annual percentage rates of LR, CBC, and other events were 2.1%, 1.5% and 0.4%, respectively.

Discussion: The results of this prospective study demonstrate a substantial and ongoing risk of LR and CBC in patients with small, nuclear grade 1 or 2 DCIS treated with wide excision with margins of ≥1cm in the absence of RT. Most LRs occurred in the same quadrant, rather than elsewhere in the breast, suggesting that excision alone is inadequate even for this highly selected population. Further study is warranted to determine if there is a subgroup of DCIS patients with nuclear grade 1 or 2 disease who are at low enough risk of LR following wide excision that RT can be omitted safely.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2010;70(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-15-03.

Classification of canine malignant lymphomas according to the World Health Organization criteria

A study was carried out to test the accuracy and consistency of veterinary pathologists, not specialists in hematopathology, in applying the World Health Organization (WHO) system of classification of canine lymphomas. This study represents an initiative of the ACVP Oncology Committee, and the classification has been endorsed by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WASVA). Tissue biopsies from cases of canine lymphoma were received from veterinary oncologists, and a study by pathologists given only signalment was carried out on 300 cases. Twenty pathologists reviewed these 300 cases with each required to choose a diagnosis from a list of 43 B and T cell lymphomas. Three of the 20 were hematopathologists who determined the consensus diagnosis for each case. The 17 who formed the test group were experienced but not specialists in hematopathology, and most were diplomates of the American or European Colleges of Veterinary Pathology. The overall accuracy of the 17 pathologists on the 300 cases was 83%. When the analysis was limited to the 6 most common diagnoses, containing 80% of all cases, accuracy rose to 87%. In a test of reproducibility enabled by reintroducing 5% of cases entered under a different identity, the overall agreement between the first and second diagnosis ranged from 40 to 87%. The statistical review included 43,000 data points for each of the 20 pathologists.

Personalizing treatment in early-stage breast cancer: The role of standard clinical factors and genomic information in adjuvant chemotherapy decision making

572

Background: The Oncotype DX recurrence score (RS) independently predicts the likelihood of benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy. However, the clinical factors that influence chemotherapy recommendations in addition to RS are not well characterized. We sought to determine how clinicians integrate the RS and standard clinicopathologic data when choosing adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods: We identified women with ER+, HER2-, LN- breast cancer seen at DFCI in whom RS testing was performed between November 2004 and October 2008. Clinical and pathological characteristics, RS and chemotherapy treatment were identified from electronic medical records. A multivariable model was used to examine which factors drove the decision to administer chemotherapy. Results: RS was performed on 269 women with the following case distribution: RS low (<18) 50%, RS intermediate (18–30) 41%, RS high (>30) 9%. Chemotherapy was given to 7% of women with low RS, compared to 42% and 86% of women with intermediate and high RS, respectively. Tumor grade, T stage, progesterone receptor expression and RS were associated with receipt of chemotherapy in univariate analyses but age, LVI and menopausal status were not. In a multivariable logistic regression model, tumor grade, size, and RS were independent predictors of chemotherapy administration. Conclusions: Oncotype DX RS plays a critical role in medical decision making for women with early stage breast cancer at this single academic institution. However, other tumor and clinical features independently contribute to chemotherapy decisions, suggesting that tailored treatment does, and should, integrate both traditional and molecular pathological factors.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Comparison of risk stratification by OncotypeDX versus HOXB13/IL17BR index and molecular grade index in 166 estrogen receptor positive patients from multiple institutions

Abstract #1072

Background&#x2028; We have previously reported two complementary prognostic markers in breast cancer for predicting risk of recurrence (Ma et al, Clin Cancer Res, 2008): a molecular grade index (MGI) that recapitulates grade 1 and 3 tumors and stratifies grade 2 tumors, and a gene expression index (HOXB13/IL17BR or H/I) that predicts clinical outcome in estrogen receptor positive (ER+) patients and endocrine benefit (Jerevell et al, Breast Cancer Res Treat, 2007). In combination, MGI and H/I define three risk groups: Low risk (low MGI), intermediate risk (low H/I, high MGI) and high risk (high H/I, high MGI). We conducted a study to compare risk stratification by MGI and H/I within samples for which a previous recurrence score (RS) by Oncotype Dx was reported.&#x2028; Materials and Methods&#x2028; RNA was extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded sections from all obtainable samples of patients (pts) from five institutions in which a RS was reported MGH, 77pts; Brigham, 48pts; IU, 19pts; UAB, 13pts; Scripps, 9pts. Real-time RT-PCR assays for MGI and H/I were completed and binary results of low and high for both were determined using pre-defined cutpoints. Risk stratification via MGI + H/I for each sample was compared to previously reported RS's (low, intermediate or high).&#x2028; Results&#x2028; For the 166 pts, 48% had a low, 45% intermediate and 7% high RS's. Overall, risk stratifications by RS versus MGI + H/I were significantly correlated (p &lt; 0.001) with 81% of patients with low RS also having low risk (low MGI). Risk stratification by H/I + MGI reduced intermediate risk via RS by 2.5-fold (45% versus 18%).&#x2028; &#x2028; Discussion&#x2028; In ER+ pts, MGI + H/I produces a significantly smaller group of patients with intermediate risk by re-stratifying a large number of patients with intermediate RS into low and high risk groups. Risk stratification by H/I + MGI in ER+ pts is by measurement of two discrete parameters: endocrine responsiveness (H/I) and proliferative status (MGI). This may allow for more informed treatment decisions by the treating oncologist. Further studies with clinical outcome are required to establish the clinical significance of these different risk stratification methods.

Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 1072.

Polymorphism in the 5' regulatory region of the B-lymphocyte activating factor gene is associated with the Ro/La autoantibody response and serum BAFF levels in primary Sjogren's syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association between haplotypes in the 5' regulatory region of the B-lymphocyte activating factor (BAFF) gene, disease susceptibility and serum BAFF (s-BAFF) levels in Caucasian primary SS (pSS) patients.

METHODS

Case-control study in an established pSS cohort with PCR-RFLP genotyping for four SNPs (-2841 T-->C, -2704 T-->C, -2701 T-->A, -871 C-->T), which tag a haplotype block in the 5' regulatory region of the BAFF gene and s-BAFF determination by ELISA.

RESULTS

s-BAFF levels were elevated in Ro/La-positive pSS patients (n = 85, 1770 pg/ml) compared with both Ro/La-negative pSS patients (n = 27, 1193 pg/ml) and controls (n = 59, 1171 pg/ml), P < 0.001. s-BAFF increased with diversification of the anti-Ro/La antibody response, but was not correlated with age, RF or immunoglobulin G levels. There were four common BAFF haplotypes. While the CTAT haplotype was associated with Ro/La-positive pSS [odds ratio (OR) 2.6; 95% CI 1.7, 4.1; P = 0.00004], the TTTT haplotype was associated with elevated s-BAFF in autoantibody-positive pSS (n = 85; 88% females; P = 0.008). The shared -871 T allele had no independent contribution to disease susceptibility or s-BAFF.

CONCLUSIONS

Disease susceptibility for Ro/La-positive pSS is increased with the CTAT haplotype, but not associated with high s-BAFF levels. Elevated s-BAFF levels in pSS are associated with the TTTT haplotype and may be a secondary phenomenon in Ro/La-positive pSS. While both haplotypes carry the -871 T allele, this allele is not independently associated with disease susceptibility.

Epistasis between the MHC and the RCA alpha block in primary Sjögren syndrome

OBJECTIVE

The RCA alpha block (Regulators of Complement Activation, 1q32) contains critical complement regulatory genes such as CR1 and MCP. This study examined RCA alpha block haplotype associations with both disease susceptibility and diversification of the anti-Ro/La autoantibody response in primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS).

METHODS

115 patients with pSS and 98 controls were included in the study. 93 of 109 (85%) of the patients with pSS were seropositive for Ro/La autoantibodies. The Genomic Matching Technique (GMT) was used to define RCA alpha block ancestral haplotypes (AH).

RESULTS

RCA alpha block haplotypes, AH1 and AH3, were both associated with autoantibody-positive pSS (p = 0.0003). Autoantibody associations with both HLA DR3 and DR15 have been previously defined. There was an epistatic interaction (p = 0.023) between RCA alpha AH1 and HLA DR3, and this genotypic combination was present in 48% of autoantibody-positive patients with pSS compared with 8% of controls. This epistasis is most simply attributable to an interaction between C4 and its receptor, CR1, encoded within the RCA alpha block. Both DR3 and a relative C4 deficiency are carried on the major histocompatibility complex 8.1 ancestral haplotype. Only four of 92 (4%) autoantibody-positive patients with pSS did not carry any risk RCA alpha or HLA haplotype, compared with 36 of 96 (38%) controls, and there were differences in haplotype frequencies within autoantibody subsets of pSS.

CONCLUSIONS

Normal population variation in the RCA alpha block, in addition to the major histocompatibility complex, contributes genetic susceptibility to systemic autoimmune disease and the autoantibody response. This finding provides evidence for the role of regulation of complement activation in disease pathogenesis.

Canine DLA diversity: 1. New alleles and haplotypes

The aim of this component was to establish the range of DLA diversity in as many dog breeds as possible. In particular, we wanted to collect breeds that had not previously been studied. Data were submitted of 937 dogs of over 80 different breeds, and these included 17 'new' breeds. Twenty-eight new alleles were identified including 21 DLA-DRB1, 2 DLA-DQA1 and 5 DLA-DQB1 alleles. These occurred in many new haplotype combinations. One haplotype was identified that appeared to lack DQB1. Two other haplotypes carry two DQB1 genes. It was clear that each dog breed has a restricted range of DLA alleles and haplotypes, and no breed had all 88 haplotypes identified in this study.

Canine DLA diversity: 2. Family studies

The canine Major Histocompatibility Complex is referred to as DLA (for dog leukocyte antigen). There are no published studies on DLA segregation in the dog, so this part of the DLA workshop aimed to collect DNA from multigeneration families of different breeds of dogs. Twenty-two families of dogs were submitted to the workshop, comprising 313 individuals, of which 247 had one or both parents available.

Follow-up study of dogs and cats with asymptomatic Cryptococcus gattii infection or nasal colonization

The pathogenesis of Cryptococcus spp. infection following nasal colonization is unclear. This article reports follow-up data on a cohort of seven cats and five dogs identified in a previous study as sub-clinically infected with Cryptococcus spp. or colonized by C. gattii. Two cats progressed to clinical disease within four to six months of initial detection of antigenemia and nasal cavity colonization. The ten other animals remained asymptomatic but many were repeatedly positive on cryptococcal antigen testing or nasal fungal culture suggesting protracted infection or colonization. The results indicate that asymptomatically infected animals may clear the organism, remain sub-clinically infected or progress to clinical disease. Factors influencing the transition from exposure to disease require further investigation.

Haplotyping of the canine MHC without the need for DLA typing

The genomic matching technique has proven useful in MHC haplotyping in humans. We have adopted a similar approach in Australian cattle dogs and report that genotyping can be achieved with a single assay.

Sub-clinical infection and asymptomatic carriage of Cryptococcus gattii in dogs and cats during an outbreak of cryptococcosis

Since 1999, Cryptococcus gattii has emerged as an important pathogen of humans and animals in British Columbia, Canada. Nasal swabs and serum samples were collected from dogs and cats residing within the Coastal Douglas Fir biogeoclimatic zone on Vancouver Island, where clinical cases have been reported. Deep and superficial nasal fungal cultures of 280 dogs and 94 cats identified four (4.3%) cats and three (1.1%) dogs with C. gattii serotype B in their nasal cavity. Serum samples collected from 266 dogs and 84 cats identified six (7.1%) cats and two (0.8%) dogs with a positive cryptococcal antigen titer. Overall cats were 4.4 times more likely than dogs to be positive on one or both tests. Identification of sub-clinical infection and nasal colonization is an important step in the characterization of the outbreak of clinical cryptococcosis on Vancouver Island.