Immune monitoring of the circulation and the tumor microenvironment in patients with regionally advanced melanoma receiving neoadjuvant ipilimumab

We evaluated neoadjuvant ipilimumab in patients with surgically operable regionally advanced melanoma in order to define markers of activity in the blood and tumor as assessed at baseline (before ipilimumab) and early on-treatment. Patients were treated with ipilimumab (10 mg/kg intravenously every 3 weeks ×2 doses) bracketing surgery. Tumor and blood biospecimens were obtained at baseline and at surgery. Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry for select biomarkers were performed. Thirty five patients were enrolled; IIIB (3; N2b), IIIC (32; N2c, N3), IV (2). Worst toxicities included Grade 3 diarrhea/colitis (5; 14%), hepatitis (2; 6%), rash (1; 3%), elevated lipase (3; 9%). Median follow up was 18 months: among 33 evaluable patients, median progression free survival (PFS) was 11 months, 95% CI (6.2–19.2). There was a significant decrease in circulating myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC). Greater decrease in circulating monocyte gate MDSC Lin1−/HLA-DR−/CD33+/CD11b+ was associated with improved PFS (p = 0.03). There was a significant increase in circulating regulatory T cells (Treg; CD4+CD25hi+Foxp3+) that, unexpectedly, was associated with improved PFS (HR = 0.57; p = 0.034). Baseline evidence of fully activated type I CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ antigen-specific T cell immunity against cancer-testis (NY-ESO-1) and melanocytic lineage (MART-1, gp100) antigens was detected and was significantly potentiated after ipilimumab. In tumor, there was a significant increase in CD8⁺ T cells after ipilimumab (p = 0.02). Ipilimumab induced increased tumor infiltration by fully activated (CD69⁺) CD3⁺/CD4⁺ and CD3⁺/CD8⁺ T cells with evidence of induction/potentiation of memory T cells (CD45RO⁺). The change in Treg observed within the tumor showed an inverse relationship with clinical benefit and greater decrease in tumor MDSC subset Lin1−/HLA-DR−/CD33⁺/CD11b⁺ was associated with improved PFS at one year. Neoadjuvant evaluation revealed a significant immunomodulating role for ipilimumab on Treg, MDSC and effector T cells in the circulation and tumor microenvironment that warrants further pursuit in the quest for optimizing melanoma immunotherapy.

Lymphatic mapping with isosulfan blue dye in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether intraoperative lymphatic mapping with isosulfan blue dye and sentinel lymph node biopsy accurately demonstrates the pathway of regional metastases from mucosal sites in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

DESIGN

A prospective clinical study of intraoperative lymphatic mapping.

SETTING

An academic tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

Patients with previously untreated squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck whose surgical treatment included neck dissection.

INTERVENTION

Injection of isosulfan blue dye into the mucosa surrounding squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract during cervical lymphadenectomy.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Correlation of the pathologic findings in the blue sentinel lymph node with those in the remaining cervical lymphatics.

RESULTS

No blue-stained cervical lymphatics were identified after injection of the mucosa surrounding the primary squamous cell carcinoma with isosulfan dye.

CONCLUSION

The technique of intraoperative lymphatic mapping with isosulfan blue dye requires further study before it can be used for the detection of occult cervical metastases in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy for Atypical Melanocytic Lesions with Spitzoid Features

INTRODUCTION

Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is routinely used as a staging procedure for melanomas, however may also assist in understanding the biology of atypical and controversial spitzoid melanocytic skin lesions.

METHODS

Five hundred and forty-nine sentinal lymph node excisions were performed over a 5-year period. Fourteen patients with controversial melanocytic lesions were identified and of these ten underwent SLNB. The histology of the primary skin lesion and corresponding sentinal lymph nodes were evaluated and correlated with outcome.

RESULTS

Thickness of the primary melanocytic lesion ranged from 1.22 to 4 mm. Fifty percent of patients were less than 17 years of age. Ten patients underwent SLNB and three cases (30%) displayed metastatic disease in the SLNB specimen. All three patients were under 17 years of age and all underwent completion axillary dissection. One completion axillary dissection had an additional node with metastasis on routine H&E and immunohistochemical staining. No capsular invasion was seen. All three cases with metastatic disease received adjuvant systemic therapy and remain disease free at 29, 49 and 57 months follow-up. All patients with a negative SLNB remain disease free at mean follow-up of 28.1 months (range: 13-40 months).

CONCLUSION

Our results confirm that some of these spitzoid lesions metastasize to regional lymph nodes and SLNB is a valuable adjunct tool in staging these lesions. However, molecular studies and a prolonged follow-up are needed to determine whether these lesions, especially those occurring in children are comparable to stage matched overt melanoma in adults.

Laparoscopically harvested omental flap for chest wall and intrathoracic reconstruction

Minimally invasive surgery has gained popularity in the last decade and its applications to plastic surgery are expanding. Pedicled omental flaps are used for the reconstruction of chest wall defects following debridement of sternal infections and mediastinitis. The main advantages of using an omental flap are its large size and bulk to fill large 3-dimensional dead spaces, long pedicle, and rich vascular and lymphatic networks. Recently, laparoscopic techniques have been described for harvesting omental flaps. Over the last 5 years in our institution, 9 laparoscopic omental flap harvests were performed. Seven were used in the reconstruction of complicated chest wall defects, sternal infections, mediastinal abscesses, and mediastinitis following cardiac surgery. Two were used to repair intrathoracic viscera. Prior abdominal surgery was not a contraindication to the laparoscopic harvest. In 1 patient, the omental transfer was converted to a free flap due to the detachment of the pedicle, and in 1 patient the omental harvest was converted to open technique due to technical difficulty due to severe abdominal adhesions. None of the patients had major intraabdominal complications postoperatively. One patient had a small transdiaphragmatic hernia treated by laparoscopic techniques. The use of laparoscopy techniques facilitated the harvesting of the omentum, making it ideal in the treatment of complicated patients with multiple comorbidities. With these techniques, pedicled omental flaps will be a reasonable treatment option for chest wall reconstruction.

Postoperative abdominal wall defects with enterocutaneous fistulae

BACKGROUND

Abdominal wall dehiscence with an associated enterocutaneous fistula is a surgical complication with high morbidity and mortality. Management of the abdominal wall defect is complicated by the continued emergence of liquid bowel contents.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Large abdominal wall wounds of 10 patients with postoperative abdominal wall dehiscence and active enterocutaneous fistulae were managed with early skin grafting directly onto the granulated abdominal viscera.

RESULTS

Skin graft take averaged 93 +/- 12%, and there were no perioperative complications related to the skin grafting procedure. Overall mortality was 1 out of 10 patients. Enterocutaneous fistula output did not prove overly injurious to the skin grafts. Wound care was simplified in all but 1 patient with fitting of an ostomy appliance.

CONCLUSION

Temporary abdominal wall wound closure with skin grafts improved patient comfort and simplified wound care in a staged reconstructive approach to this surgical complication.

Thymic hyperplasia masquerading as recurrent Hodgkin's disease: case report and review of the literature

While the appearance of a mediastinal mass in a patient in remission from Hodgkin's disease frequently indicates recurrence, a number of benign processes may present in a similar manner. Tissue confirmation of relapse should be obtained prior to initiating further chemotherapy to avoid the morbidity of unnecessary treatment. We present a case of thymic hyperplasia that developed in a patient previously treated for Hodgkin's disease. Thymic hyperplasia is a poorly understood, apparently benign process that may be confused with recurrent lymphoma. Total excision of such a mass is recommended to rule out coexistent malignancy.

Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

Each year, there are as many cases of nonmelanoma skin cancer as all other cancers combined. Although there is relatively low attributable mortality, the morbidity and expense of treatment is significant. Unlike many other malignancies, host and environmental factors relevant to the pathophysiology have been clearly demonstrated. Surgical ablation remains the mainstay of treatment.

Pharmacologic manipulation of postoperative labial wound contraction and midfacial growth in rabbits

Recent experimental work has suggested that increased lip pressure and scar contraction following lip repair with wide soft-tissue undermining may, in part, contribute to midfacial growth inhibition. The present study was designed to test this hypothesis through the application of pharmacologic agents reported to minimize scar contraction. Thirty-six 6-week-old rabbits were divided into six groups: unoperated controls, rabbits with surgically created defects left unrepaired (surgical controls), and four groups of rabbits with surgically created defects with lip repair and wide undermining on the maxillary surface. Animals with lip repair received either no injections or labial subcutaneous injections of distilled water (route-of-injection controls), normal saline, or papaverine hydrochloride for 2 weeks postoperatively. Rabbits with lip repair and saline or papaverine injections showed significantly (p less than 0.05) decreased lip pressure, relatively hypotonic orbicularis oris muscle EMG activity on the cleft lip side, and greater anteroposterior facial growth (assessed radiologically) from 2 to 24 weeks postoperatively compared with rabbits with lip repair and postoperatively compared with rabbits with lip repair and no injections or distilled water injections. Preliminary results suggest that wound contraction following lip repair and soft-tissue undermining may contribute to mid-facial growth inhibition, which may be reduced by pharmacologic manipulations in the rabbit model.

Jejeunal variceal hemorrhage: an unusual complication of needle catheter jejeunostomy

Needle catheter jejeunostomy is a useful method for providing fluid and nutritional support in selected patients after laparotomy. The technique is widely used, and complications are infrequent. We report herein a new complication of this procedure. A cirrhotic patient with portal hypertension underwent needle catheter jejeunostomy subsequent to esophageal transection for esophageal hemorrhage. The catheter functioned satisfactorily in the postoperative period and was removed before discharge. Approximately 1 yr later, gastrointestinal hemorrhage recurred which was localized to the site of the previous needle catheter jejeunostomy. Portasystemic collaterals between the small bowel and the abdominal wall at the jejeunostomy were the source of bleeding. Take-down of the jejeunostomy site and resection of the involved bowel successfully controlled hemorrhage. Needle catheter jejeunostomy may be contraindicated in patients with portal hypertension.

The great escape: How metastases of melanoma, and other carcinomas, avoid elimination

IMPACT STATEMENT

Cancers kill mainly because metastatic disease is resistant to systemic therapies. It was hoped that newer targeted and immunomodulatory interventions could overcome these issues. However, recent findings point to a generalized resistance to elimination imparted by both cancer-intrinsic and -extrinsic changes to provide survival advantages to the disseminated tumor cells. Here, we present a novel conceptual framework for the microenvironmental inputs and changes that contribute to this generalized therapeutic resistance. In addition we address the issues of experimental systems in terms of studying this phenomenon with their advantages and limitations. This is meant to spur studies into this critical aspect of tumor progression that directly leads to cancer mortality.

Accumulation of low-avidity anti-melanocortin receptor 1 (anti-MC1R) CD8+ T cells in the lesional skin of a patient with melanoma-related depigmentation

Spontaneous or therapy-induced depigmentation in patients with melanoma has long been considered a favourable prognostic indicator. In this report, we isolated T cells infiltrating the depigmented skin of an HLA-A2+/DR4+ patient with melanoma, and detected a very high frequency of CD8+ T cells specific for melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R), a hormone receptor involved in cutaneous pigmentation. In particular, tissue-infiltrating CD8+ T cells dominantly recognized the novel MC1R52-60 peptide epitope in an HLA-A2-restricted manner, and peptide-reactive CD8+ T cells were also detected in freshly isolated peripheral blood from this patient. Although type 1 CD4+ T-cell responses against MC1R were not detected in fresh tissue isolates, short-term in-vitro stimulation of peripheral blood lymphocytes resulted in the rapid expansion of CD4+ T cells reactive against novel HLA-DR4-presented epitopes derived from the MC1R protein (i.e. MC1R82-95, MC1R105-118 and MC1R149-161). MC1R peptide-specific CD8+ T-cell clones isolated from the depigmented skin of this patient were characterized by comparatively low functional avidity for specific major histocompatibility complex-peptide complexes and were poorly lytic; however, these effector cells were capable of secreting both interferon-gamma and granzyme B against relevant target cells in vitro, and may have played an important role in the induction of leucoderma in situ in this patient.

Fascial release as an adjunct to wound closure

We describe a simple technique to facilitate the primary closure of skin defects. Skin, subcutaneous tissue and fascia are undermined as a unit on both sides of the defect. Fascial releasing incisions are performed, creating two bipedicled fascial flaps attached to the overlying skin. The fascia is approximated, if possible, and the skin sutured. We believe this technique offers a number of advantages and results in a superior closure to that obtained with the conventional method of skin undermining. This approach has enabled the closure of 10 of 11 medium sized wounds.

Thoracoscopic internal mammary sentinel node biopsy: an animal model of a new technique

BACKGROUND

The nodal status remains the most important prognostic factor in breast cancer. While evaluation of the axillary lymph nodes remains a standard of practice, evaluation of the internal mammary lymph nodes is no longer routinely performed. In the era of extensive radical mastectomies, it was shown that up to 40% of breast cancer patients had nodal metastases in the internal mammary chain. This resulted in up to 10% of presumed "node-negative" patients actually being node-positive when the internal mammary nodes were examined. In the era of sentinel node biopsies, hot internal mammary nodes on lymphoscintigraphy are sometimes encountered and confusion exists regarding the appropriate approach to these nodes. New advances in endoscopic surgery have enabled a minimally invasive approach to the mediastinum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of thoracoscopic internal mammary sentinel node biopsy in an animal model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Five farm pigs were injected with isosulphan blue under the right upper nipple. After a sentinel node was identified, it was dissected thoracoscopically.

RESULTS

In all the animals, an internal mammary blue node was easily identified 1-5 min after the injection and dissected with thoracoscopic instruments without significant damage to other thoracic structures. The procedure length averaged 30 to 60 min.

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracoscopic internal mammary sentinel node biopsies are feasible, short, easy to perform, minimally invasive, and well focused toward a sentinel node. Well-planned phase I studies should be initiated to further evaluate this new technique.

Effects of intravenous versus intraatrial administration of doxorubicin on the function and structure of the heart

To evaluate the relationship of toxicity of doxorubicin to route of administration, we studied 21 mongrel dogs which were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 1) a control group undergoing intraatrial indwelling catheter placement but no drug therapy; 2) an IV group receiving weekly doxorubicin by peripheral IV bolus administration; and 3) a catheter group receiving weekly doxorubicin through an indwelling intraatrial catheter. After 8 weeks all dogs were evaluated hemodynamically and then sacrificed. Sections of right ventricle were evaluated by light and electron microscopy. Although no hemodynamic alterations were found in any of the three groups, significant ultrastructural damage consistent with doxorubicin cardiac toxicity was demonstrable in four of the six evaluable catheter dogs receiving intraatrial doxorubicin, but in none of the other 13 dogs evaluated. This finding suggests that the intraatrial administration of doxorubicin may lead to cardiac toxicity at a lower cumulative dose than noted with peripheral IV administration.

Neoadjuvant ipilimumab in locally/regionally advanced melanoma: Clinical outcome and immune monitoring

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Background: Neoadjuvant ipilimumab (ipi) for stage IIIB-C melanoma may improve the clinical outcomes and provide access to pre/post ipi blood and tumor to gain insight into host effector and suppressor immune response mechanisms. Methods: Patients were treated with ipi (10 mg/kg IV q3weeks x 4doses total) bracketing definitive surgery. Tissue samples were obtained at baseline and at definitive surgery (week ≥ 6) and serum/PBMC collected at baseline, 6 weeks, then at 3, 6, 9, 12 months and/or progression. Flow cytometry was used to monitor the host effector and suppressor immune response in blood and evaluable tumor. Results: Thirty pts (21 male, 9 female), age 40-87 were enrolled (25 cutaneous primary, 1 unknown, 4 mucosal). Six had AJCC stage IIIB (N2b, N2c) and 24 IIIC (N3) melanoma. Ninety-three cycles have been delivered (median 4). Worst toxicities included grade 3 diarrhea/colitis (5 patients; 17%), hepatic enzyme elevations (2; 7%), rash (2; 7%), lipase (1; 3%), all manageable. Median follow up is 14 months: among 29 evaluable pts 15 (52%) continue disease free. Median PFS is 15.5 months, 95% CI = (8.1,-). The probability of 6 and 12 month PFS is 82.4% (95% CI=0.63, 0.92) and 53% (95% CI=0.31, 0.70) respectively. Peripherally, a significant increase in frequency of circulating T-regs (CD4+CD25hi+ Foxp3+; p=0.02 CD4+CD25hi+CD39+; p=0.001) from baseline to 6 weeks was observed. Greater increases in T-regs were associated with improved PFS (p=0.045; HR=0.54). Significant decreases in circulating MDSCs, were observed in monocytic HLA-DR+/low/CD14+ MDSC subtype (p<0.0001). Spontaneous in vivo cross presentation was observed resulting in Th1 CD4 and CD8 antigen specific T-cell immunity (gp-100, MART-1, NY-ESO-1 peptides) with increase in frequency after ipi. Activated TIL in tumor increased after ipi (CD3+/CD4+/CD69+;p=0.06 and CD3+/CD8+/CD69+) with significant induction/potentiation of T-cell memory (CD8+/CD45RO+/TNF-α+;p=0.03). Conclusions: Neoadjuvant ipi exhibits promising clinical activity and significantly modulates the host effector and suppressor immune response. Full analysis of this completed trial and its correlates will be presented. Support: BMS, P30CA047904 and P50CA121973.

Neoadjuvant ipilimumab in locally/regionally advanced melanoma: Clinical outcome and biomarker analysis

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Background: Neoadjuvant ipilimumab (Ipi) for stage IIIB-C melanoma may improve the clinical outcome and provide access to pre/post Ipi blood. Methods: Pts were treated with Ipi (10mg/kg IV q3wks x 2 doses) bracketing definitive surgery. Tissue samples were obtained at baseline and at surgery (wk ≥ 6) and serum/PBMC collected at baseline, 6 wks, 3, 6, 9, 12 mos and/or progression. Flow cytometry was used to monitor the host immune response in blood and evaluable tumor. IHC for select markers was also performed. Baseline and wk-6 serum cytokines were tested by xMAP multiplex technology (Luminex Corp). Results: 31 pts were enrolled, 6 had stage IIIB (N2b, N2c), and 25 IIIC (N3) melanoma. Worst toxicities (N=31 pts) included grade 3 diarrhea/colitis (5 pts; 16%), hepatitis (2; 6%), rash (1; 3%), lipase (2; 6%), all manageable. Median f/u was 19 mos: among 29 evaluable pts, median PFS was 12.9 mos, 95% CI = (7.4,-). Only 2 pts died. Peripherally, a significant increase in circulating T-regs (CD4+CD25hi+ Foxp3+; p=0.02 CD4+CD25hi+CD39+; p=0.001) from baseline to 6 wks was observed. Significant decreases in circulating MDSCs, were observed in monocytic HLA-DR+/low/CD14+ MDSC (p<0.0001). Greater increases in T-regs were associated with improved PFS (p=0.034; HR=0.57). Spontaneous in vivo cross-presentation was observed resulting in Th1CD4+ and CD8+ antigen specific T-cell immunity (gp-100, MART-1, NY-ESO-1 peptides). Significant fold increase (3-10-fold) in CD3+/CD4+/INF-γ+ antigen specific T cells was seen only in pts who were progression free at 6 mos. Baseline serum IL-17 correlates with grade 3 diarrhea (p=0.02). In tumor, Tregs appeared higher at wk 6 in PD group while the opposite in clinical benefit group (p=0.09). In tumor, Ipi induced TIL T-cell activation as evidenced by CD69 in the absence of other in vitro stimulation and induced T cell memory (CD45RO+) and not naïve (CD45RO-). By IHC, there was significant increase in CD8+ TIL after ipilimumab (p=0.02). Conclusions: Neoadjuvant ipi exhibited promising clinical activity and significantly modulated the host effector and suppressor immune response. Functional studies and prediction modeling analyses of biomarker findings are ongoing.