OP0185 RADIOGRAPHIC PROGRESSION DESPITE PERSISTENT LDA OR REMISSION IS INFLUENCED BY CURRENT SMOKING RATHER THAN THE RESPECTIVE DAS 28 LEVEL, RESULTS OF THE SWISS RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS REGISTER (SCQM)

Background:

The therapeutic aim for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is to control disease activity and prevent radiographic progression. Various clinical scores are utilized to describe disease activity in RA patients. The DAS28 score can define states of low disease activity (LDA) and remission. Despite achieving LDA or remission, radiographic progression may nevertheless occur. However, the rates and frequency of this occurrence have not been analyzed in detail.

Objectives:

To describe the frequency and rate of radiographic progression in patients with persistent LDA or remission.

Methods:

Analysis of RA patients from the SCQM cohort. Persistent LDA or remission were defined as DAS 28 ≤3.2 or <2.6 respectively, at two subsequent follow up time points in the database. We included patients with at least two sets of radiographs within these intervals of LDA and/or remission. Radiographic progression was measured with the Ratingen-score (range 0-190), which describes joint erosions numerically. Repair was defined as an improvement in the Ratingen score >5 points/year and progression as >2 or >5 points change in the Ratingen score within one year.

Results:

Among 10’141 RA patients, 4’342 episodes of remission occurred in 3’927 patients with 1’776 sets of X rays available within these episodes. Similarly, 8’136 episodes of LDA in 6’765 patients and 2’358 sets of X rays were present within these intervals. For patients in LDA or remission, rates of repair were 5.5% and 4.8%, respectively, while for radiographic progression >5 points in the Ratingen score/year were 10.3% in both groups and for >2 points change of Ratingen score/year were 27.7 and 25.4%, respectively).

No differences for demographic factors or measures of disease activity, rheumatoid factor or ACPA were found comparing patients with radiographic progression or non-progression despite LDA or remission at the beginning of the episode of LDA and/or remission.

Interestingly, 42.9% of patients in LDA with progression of >5 points in the Ratingen score/year were current smokers vs 29.4% among the non-progressors (X2 = 6.55, p = 0.01). This significant difference vanished when the cut-off for radiographic progression was set at >2 points yearly change in Ratingen score or in patients in remission.

Conclusion:

Radiographic progression despite LDA or remission are more frequent than expected. No differences in radiographic progression were found comparing LDA and remission suggesting that the goal of LDA is appropriate. Smoking seems to be an independent risk factor for radiographic progression despite LDA. Why the effect of smoking could was not demonstrated in patients in remission, remains unclear.

Disclosure of Interests:

Lena Brandt: None declared, Hendrik Schulze-Koops: None declared, Thomas Hügle Consultant of: GSK, Abbvie, Pfizer, Jansen, Novartis, Eli Lilly., Michael J. Nissen Consultant of: Abbvie, Celgene, Eli-Lilly, Janssen, Novartis and Pfizer, Hasler paul Consultant of: Abbvie, Lilly, Rudiger Muller Consultant of: AbbVie, Novartis, Grant/research support from: Gebro

AB0270 EFFECTIVENESS OF A SWITCH FROM TOFACITINIB TO BARICITINIB IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF REAL-WORLD DATA IN SWITZERLAND

Background:

Janus Kinase Inhibitors (JAKi) have recently been approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) over the last years. JAKi differ in their specificity for the different JAK family members (JAK1, JAK2, JAK3 and TYK2). All three JAKis that are currently approved in Switzerland seem to have comparable efficacy on different disease stages of RA. Whether a JAKi can be effective after discontinuation of another JAKi is one of the open questions of interest according to the EULAR RA guidelines [1].

Objectives:

To study the effectiveness of baricitinib in patients with RA after discontinuation of tofacitinib.

Methods:

Longitudinal, retrospective chart review conducted between October 2019 and December 2020 of patients with RA at two Swiss centers (Kantonsspital Aarau and Inselspital Bern). Disease activity was assessed by DAS 28.

Results:

12 patients (1 male, 11 female) were treated with 4mg baricitinib/d after tofacitinib was discontinued. Mean age of the patients was 61 years, disease duration 140 months. Patients were previously treated with at least two conventional synthetic DMARDs and 75% with at least one biological DMARD. 58% of patients were positive for ACPA, 42% for rheumatoid factor. 50% of the patients suffered from erosive disease. Tofacitinib was stopped in 92% of the patients because of an insufficient response after a mean of 25.8 months. Moderate EULAR response was achieved in 83.3% of the patients after an average of 8 months treatment with baricitinib, and good EULAR response in 58.3% after an average of 10 months. There were no serious adverse events, neoplasms, opportunistic or serious infections during follow-up.

Conclusion:

The first retrospective analysis of real-world data of baricitinib following tofacitinib shows that there is a good clinical response in 70% of cases. Although limited by the number of patients this study therefore supports the notion that baricitinib after discontinuation of tofacitinib in RA patients may be an effective therapeutic option.

References:

[1]Smolen JS, Landewé RBM, Bijlsma JWJ, et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2019 update. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. 2020;79(6):685-699. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-216655, p. 695

Disclosure of Interests:

Simon Kellerhals: None declared, Jennifer Amsler: None declared, Hendrik Schulze-Koops: None declared, Thomas Hügle Consultant of: GSK, Abbvie, Pfizer, Jansen, Novartis, Eli Lilly., Michael J. Nissen Consultant of: Abbvie, Celgene, Eli-Lilly, Janssen, Novartis and Pfizer., Hasler paul Consultant of: Abbvie, Lilly, Diego Kyburz Consultant of: Abbvie, Gilead, Lilly, Novartis and Pfizer, outside of the submitted work, Rudiger Muller Consultant of: Abbvie, Novartis, Grant/research support from: Bebro Pharma

Biomedical waste management: study on the awareness and practice among healthcare workers in a tertiary teaching hospital

Bio-medical waste has a higher potential of infection and injury to the healthcare worker, patient and the surrounding community. Awareness programmes on their proper handling and management to healthcare workers can prevent the spread of infectious diseases and epidemics. This study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital to assess the impact of training, audits and education/implementations from 2009 to 2012 on awareness and practice of biomedical waste segregation. Our study reveals focused training, strict supervision, daily surveillance, audits inspections, involvement of hospital administrators and regular appraisals are essential to optimise the segregation of biomedical waste.

Multiple protein analysis of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue samples with reverse phase protein arrays

Reverse-phase protein arrays (RPPAs) have become an important tool for the sensitive and high-throughput detection of proteins from minute amounts of lysates from cell lines and cryopreserved tissue. The current standard method for tissue preservation in almost all hospitals worldwide is formalin fixation and paraffin embedding, and it would be highly desirable if RPPA could also be applied to formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue. We investigated whether the analysis of FFPE tissue lysates with RPPA would result in biologically meaningful data in two independent studies. In the first study on breast cancer samples, we assessed whether a human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER) 2 score based on immunohistochemistry (IHC) could be reproduced with RPPA. The results showed very good concordance between the IHC and RPPA classifications of HER2 expression. In the second study, we profiled FFPE tumor specimens from patients with adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma in order to find new markers for differentiating these two subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer. p21-activated kinase 2 could be identified as a new differentiation marker for squamous cell carcinoma. Overall, the results demonstrate the technical feasibility and the merits of RPPA for protein expression profiling in FFPE tissue lysates.

Recrystallization of plane strain compressed Al-1 wt.% Mn alloy single crystals of typical unstable orientations

A systematic study of crystal lattice reorientation in early stages of recrystallization has been carried out to correlate the orientations of recrystallization nuclei with the deformation microtexture and with slip systems. Microstructure and texture of Al-1 wt.% Mn single crystals of unstable initial orientations of {112}111, {100}001 and {001}110 have been examined by high-resolution field-emission gun scanning electron microscope local orientation measurements. All single crystals were channel-die deformed at room temperature and then annealed for a short time. It was shown that often observed presence of the 112 directions as rotation axes in the formation of new nuclei orientation directly suggested a close link with the deformation process.

Endoscopic transanal vacuum-assisted rectal drainage (ETVARD): an optimized therapy for major leaks from extraperitoneal rectal anastomoses

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

A major leak from a rectal anastomosis is an important surgical complication. Endoscopic transanal vacuum-assisted rectal drainage (ETVARD) is a new method for treating nonseptic major anastomotic leaks after extraperitoneal rectal anastomoses.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2002 and March 2007 a total of 17 patients (mean age 61.2 years) who developed anastomotic leakage after resection of the rectum or rectosigmoid colon were prospectively evaluated. Their treatment began with endoscopic debridement of the leak/cavity; nylon sponges were then endoscopically fitted into the cavity. Continuous suction was applied via suction tubes inserted into the sponges. Repeat endoscopies and sponge exchanges, including further debridement were essential.

RESULTS

In 16/17 patients ETVARD was successful, relieving patients quickly from infectious symptoms and other complaints; one patient eventually required a Hartmann's procedure. Cavity sizes varied from 2 cm x 2 cm to 10 cm x 13 cm. The mean duration of drainage was 21.4 days, with a mean of 5.4 sponge exchanges and 10.7 endoscopies, and a mean total time to closure of the cavity of 53.1 days. The total time to closure of the cavity was directly dependent on the size of the cavity ( P< 0.015). Fifteen patients received additional intramural fibrin glue injections. In eight patients ETVARD was continued on an outpatient basis. There was no advantage demonstrated for patients with diverting loop ileostomies. Patients with anastomoses that were 6 cm or less from the anocutaneous line had considerably longer healing times. The healing time depended significantly on age ( P< 0.036). Follow-up endoscopies have shown only minor anastomotic changes in two patients.

CONCLUSIONS

ETVARD is a well-tolerated and effective therapeutic option for the treatment of major leaks after extraperitoneal rectal anastomoses. In most cases ETVARD obviates the need for additional surgery, in particular diverting loop ileostomy.

Rapid detection of urinary tract infection – evaluation of flow cytometry

AIMS

Urogenital tract infection (UTI) due to bacteria is not only a common infection but also a complication during hospitalization. Therefore, the identification and quantification of bacteria in urine samples are routinely performed methods in microbiological laboratories. To differentiate between infection and contamination it is also important to quantify the leukocyte count. In this study, we suggest a screening procedure using the flow cytometer analyzer BACSYS-40i as tool for the diagnosis of UTI.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Each urine sample was inoculated onto agar plates (MacConkey agar, sheep blood agar and enterococcosel agar (Bio Merieux, Nütingen, Germany)) within 4 hours after collection. After 24 up to 48 hours incubation at 37 degrees C, bacteria were quantified by evaluation of colony-forming units (CFU) according to the criteria given by the German recommendation [MIQ 1997]. Additionally, each sample was submitted to the BACSYS-40i analyzer. The technological principle is a fluorescence flow cytometer with a laser and a fluorescent dye to identify bacteria and leukocytes with high analytical sensitivity.

RESULTS

Coefficients of variation (CV) for examination of within-run reproducibility ranged from 1.7 - 9.0% for leukocytes and from 6.2 - 24.6% for bacteria. Linearity was found to be very good, with coefficients of determination of r = 0.9998 for leukocytes, and r = 0.9994 for bacteria. Carry-over was calculated and found to be extremely low, ranging up to 0.03% for leukocytes and up to 0.002% for bacteria. The correlation coefficient for leukocyte counting is 0.979, regression y = 1.0 x + 1.0. The number of bacteria determined with the BACSYS-40i (total cell count) is higher than the number determined by culture (viable cell count). If the cut-offs of the analyzer were fixed at > or = 10(6) and < 10(5) bacteria/microl for positive, respectively negative results, 39 out of 42 patients (93%) showing unambiguous predominant clinical signs of UTI and in addition growth of bacteria involved in UTI were recognized. Six samples were questionable.

CONCLUSIONS

Results obtained by the BACSYS-40i can be reported after a few minutes. Urine samples from all 57 patients with predominant clinical signs and in addition growth of bacteria isolated from urine and known as pathogens of UTI had positive results with the analyzer (100%) for elevated bacteria and leukocyte counts. Furthermore, all patients without symptoms for UTI were negative after analysis with the BACSYS-40i (44/44; 100%).

Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy in situ studies of grain boundary migration in cold-deformed aluminium bicrystals

The crystallography of recrystallization has been investigated in channel-die deformed pure aluminium bicrystals with {100}<011>/{110}<001> orientations. The microstructural and microtextural changes during the early stages of recrystallization were followed by systematic local orientation measurements using scanning and transmission electron microscopes. In particular, orientation mapping combined with in situ sample heating was used to investigate the formation and growth of new grains at very early stages of recrystallization. Grain boundary migration and 'consumption' of the as-deformed areas was always favoured along directions parallel to the traces of the {111} slip planes that had been most active during deformation.

Analysis of EPR-time profiles of transient radicals with unresolved spectra

A method for analysing EPR-time profiles of transient radicals in solution with unresolved hyperfine structure is proposed. It is based on considering the magnetic field integral of the magnetization, i.e., the total EPR signal intensity, instead of single components of overlapping EPR transitions. For a radical system involving chemical kinetics, chemically induced electron polarization (CIDEP), and spin relaxation, an analytical solution is found for the evolution of the integral magnetization in the Laplace domain. The solution in the time domain is given for the case of negligible saturation, i.e., omega2(1)T1T2 << 1. The formulae presented are suitable to avoid equivocal multi-parameter fits when analysing the results of time-resolved continuous-wave EPR experiments for the observables, which characterize the chemical kinetics, CIDEP, and electron spin relaxation of radical systems.

Application of self-assembly techniques in the design of biocompatible protein microarray surfaces

This review focuses on the application of novel technologies for generating biocompatible surfaces for high-throughput screening (HTS) of proteins. Various methods of coupling and spotting proteins on self-assembled monolayer (SAM) surfaces will be described along with the protein chip challenges pertaining to spot homogeneity, morphology, biocompatibility and reproducibility.

Analysis of the heat shock response of Neisseria meningitidis with cDNA- and oligonucleotide-based DNA microarrays

Oligonucleotide- and cDNA-based microarrays comprising a subset of Neisseria meningitidis genes were assessed for study of the meningococcal heat shock response and found to be highly suitable for transcriptional profiling of N. meningitidis. Employing oligonucleotide arrays encompassing the entire genome of N. meningitidis, we analyzed the meningococcal heat shock response on a global scale and identified 55 heat shock-deregulated open reading frames (34 induced and 21 repressed).

Antibody detection in human serum using a versatile protein chip platform constructed by applying nanoscale self-assembled architectures on gold

We report a novel high-throughput (HTP) protein chip platform, constructed on gold using self-assembly techniques, for conducting high quality antigen-antibody interactions. Biotinylated monolayers were used to immobilize a streptavidin surface with high packing density. This biocompatible platform was then used for detection of serum IgM antibodies. Serum samples of patients suspected to suffer from Lyme borreliosis were used to validate the protein chip platform using biotinylated peptide AAOspC8 molecules as the test probes. Various experimental parameters such as the effect of concentration of probes, targets, temperature of incubation, and their effect on the resulting signal-to-noise ratio are described in detail. Highly specific protein interaction data with a high signal-to-noise ratio were obtained with serum sample solutions as low as 1 microL/spot (1/10 diluted).

Acute Synovitis, Fever and Rash Possibly Caused by Metallic Debris from a Loosened Knee Prosthesis in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis

A 39-year-old woman with long-standing seropositive rheumatoid arthritis who had a total replacement of her left knee with a modular prosthesis in 1994 presented with fever, pruritic rash, and acute synovitis of that joint following local trauma. Synovial fluid showed a charcoal-like color, and contained abundant phagocytes laden with metal particles. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have undergone total joint replacement, metal particle reactions and possible hyper-sensitivity should be added to the list of potential causes of superimposed acute synovitis and systemic manifestations.

Lack of mitochondrial trifunctional protein in mice causes neonatal hypoglycemia and sudden death

Mitochondrial trifunctional protein (MTP) is a hetero-octamer of four alpha and four beta subunits that catalyzes the final three steps of mitochondrial long chain fatty acid beta-oxidation. Human MTP deficiency causes Reye-like syndrome, cardiomyopathy, or sudden unexpected death. We used gene targeting to generate an MTP alpha subunit null allele and to produce mice that lack MTP alpha and beta subunits. The Mtpa(-/-) fetuses accumulate long chain fatty acid metabolites and have low birth weight compared with the Mtpa(+/-) and Mtpa(+/+) littermates. Mtpa(-/-) mice suffer neonatal hypoglycemia and sudden death 6-36 hours after birth. Analysis of the histopathological changes in the Mtpa(-/-) pups revealed rapid development of hepatic steatosis after birth and, later, significant necrosis and acute degeneration of the cardiac and diaphragmatic myocytes. This mouse model documents that intact mitochondrial long chain fatty acid oxidation is essential for fetal development and for survival after birth. Deficiency of MTP causes fetal growth retardation, neonatal hypoglycemia, and sudden death.

Cryopreservation of apple (Malus×domestica Borkh.) shoot tips following encapsulation-dehydration or encapsulation-vitrification

Axillary shoot tips of apple cv. Golden Delicious isolated from shoot cultures were successfully cryopreserved using the encapsulation-dehydration technique. After encapsulation in alginate gel, embedded shoot tips were dehydrated by exposure to a sterile air flow before being frozen in liquid nitrogen and subsequent slow thawing. A preculture on modified MS medium containing 0.75 M sucrose followed by 6 h of dehydration (21% residual water) led to the highest shoot regrowth of frozen, coated shoot tips (83.7%). Among the sugars tested, sucrose and sorbitol presented the best cryoprotective effect. Four other scion apple varieties and rootstocks were also successfully cryopreserved. Axillary shoot tips of five apple (Malus×domestica Borkh.) scion and rootstock cultivars were cryopreserved using the encapsulation-vitrification technique. Using a one-step freezing method, we successfully cryopreserved axillary shoot tips without the requirement of a cold hardening pretreatment of the shoot cultures. Cryopreserved shoot tips treated with aqueous cryoprotective mixture IV containing 180% (w/v) sucrose and 120% (v/v) ethylene glycol showed the highest shoot regrowth rates, which varied from 64% to 77%, depending on the cultivar.

Weekly administration of bendamustine: a phase I study in patients with advanced progressive solid tumours

BACKGROUND

The cytotoxic agent bendamustine combines a purine-like benzimidazol and alkylating nitrogen mustard group. The clinically tolerated dose for single bolus bendamustine is 215 mg/m2, for fractionated therapy on four consecutive days 85 mg/m2. The maximum tolerated dose of a day 1 and 8 (q4w) 30 min infusion schedule was recently found to be 160 mg/m2, mouth dryness and fatigue were dose-limiting. Our current phase I trial was designed to define the recommended dose of a new weekly short infusion schedule.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients with refractory malignant tumours qualified for the trial after written informed consent was obtained. Bendamustine was given as a 30-min i.v. infusion weekly for up to eight consecutive weeks.

RESULTS

Twelve patients (8 male, 4 female, median age 57.5 years, range 42-64) were enrolled in this trial. At the starting dose of 80 mg/m2, two patients had dose-limiting toxicity (fatigue grade 3, mouth dryness grade 3, fever grade 4 Common Toxicity Criteria). No dose-limiting events were observed in six patients treated at 60 mg/m2. An intermediate dose level of 70 mg/m2 was studied in three younger, less heavily pretreated patients, was well tolerated and not associated with dose-limiting events. Haematological toxicity was mild except for grade 3-4 lymphocytopenia, occurring in 11 of 12 patients. Bendamustine was found to induce long-lasting panlymphocytopenia with predominant B-cell cytotoxicity.

CONCLUSIONS

The maximum tolerated dose of weekly bendamustine given as a 30-min i.v. infusion is 80 mg/m2, mouth dryness, fatigue and fever are dose-limiting. The recommended dose for phase II trials is 60 mg/m2.

Repeated administration of short infusions of bendamustine: a phase I study in patients with advanced progressive solid tumours

PURPOSE

The cytotoxic agent bendamustine combines a purine-like benzimidazol and bifunctionally alkylating nitrogen mustard group. The drug has clinical antitumour activity in lymphoma, myeloma and breast cancer. In earlier dose-finding studies, the clinically tolerated dose for single-bolus bendamustine was 215 mg/m2; for fractionated therapy on 4 consecutive days it was 85 mg/m2. Anticholinergic symptoms, myelosuppression and cardiac dysrhythmia were dose-limiting. Our trial was designed to define the maximum tolerated dose of a short infusion schedule and to establish a recommended dose for ongoing and future clinical studies.

METHODS

Patients with refractory malignant tumours qualified for the trial after written informed consent had been obtained. Bendamustine was given as a 30-min iv. infusion on days 1 and 8 of a 4 week cycle, with a starting dose of 100 mg/m2 and an increment per group of 20 mg/m2.

RESULTS

Nineteen patients (13 male, 6 female; median age 57 years, range 37-74 years) were treated for one to two cycles with up to 180 mg/m2 bendamustine. At 160 mg/m2, fatigue grade 3 (NCI Common Toxicity Criteria) and dryness of the mouth grade 3 occurred in 2 patients, diarrhoea grade 3 in 1 patient; another patient with a history of myocardial infarction and arrhythmia developed a reversible total atrioventricular block after the first administration of 160 mg/m2 bendamustine. Other events, such as nausea/vomiting, loss of appetite, fever or chills, were not dose-limiting. Haematological toxicity was mild, except for sudden and long-lasting grade 3-4 lymphocytopenia, which occurred in all treatment cycles. Opportunistic infections were not observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The maximum tolerated dose of a days-1 and -8 schedule of bendamustine, given as a 30-min i.v. infusion, is 160 mg/ m2; mouth dryness and fatigue are dose-limiting. The recommended dose for future trials is 140 mg/m2.