Optimizing eligibility criteria and clinical trial conduct to enhance clinical trial participation for primary brain tumor patients

Building on an initiative to enhance clinical trial participation involving the Society for Neuro-Oncology, the Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Working Group, patient advocacy groups, clinical trial cooperative groups, and other partners, we evaluate the impact of eligibility criteria and trial conduct on neuro-oncology clinical trial participation. Clinical trials often carry forward eligibility criteria from prior studies that may be overly restrictive and unnecessary and needlessly limit patient accrual. Inclusion and exclusion criteria should be evaluated based on the goals and design of the study and whether they impact patient safety and/or treatment efficacy. In addition, we evaluate clinical trial conduct as a barrier to accrual and discuss strategies to minimize such barriers for neuro-oncology trials.

FDA Oncology Center of Excellence Project Renewal: Engaging the Oncology Community to Update Product Labeling for Older Oncology Drugs

The FDA conducts independent reviews of scientific data obtained with investigational drug products to ensure that they are safe and effective. As a result of this process, FDA-approved product labeling is generated that is considered one of the most trusted sources of information for use of an approved drug. But FDA approval is only the beginning of the life cycle of a new drug; the first oncology drugs now have more than 7 decades of clinical experience in the postmarketing setting. Due, in part, to lack of incentives, some companies may not seek inclusion of new data, other than new safety information, in FDA-approved product labeling. Ensuring that product labeling provides adequate directions for use is important for all drugs, including older therapies that may form the backbone of many standard combination regimens for pediatric and adult cancers. Project Renewal is an FDA Oncology Center of Excellence pilot program that leverages expertise from the clinical and scientific oncology communities to review published literature and generate a drug-specific product report summarizing data that may support updates to FDA-approved product labeling. This article provides a broad overview of Project Renewal's collaborative pilot process for identifying and assessing literature supporting potential labeling updates, while engaging the oncology community to increase awareness of FDA's evidentiary standards and deliberative processes used when considering the addition of new indications and dosing regimens to product labeling.

Glioma patient-reported outcome assessment in clinical care and research: a Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology collaborative report

Clinical trials of treatments for high-grade gliomas have traditionally relied on measures of response or time-dependent metrics; however, these endpoints have limitations because they do not characterise the functional or symptomatic effect of the condition on the person. Including clinical outcome assessments, such as patient- reported outcomes (PROs), to determine net clinical benefit of a treatment strategy is needed because of the substantial burden of symptoms and impaired functioning in this patient population. The US National Cancer Institute convened a meeting to review previous recommendations and existing PRO measures of symptoms and function that can be applied to current trials and clinical practice for high-grade gliomas. Measures were assessed for relevance, relationship to disease and therapy, sensitivity to change, psychometric properties, response format, patient acceptability, and use of self-report. The group also relied on patient input including the results of an online survey, a literature review on available clinical outcomes, expert opinion, and alignment with work done by other organisations. A core set of priority constructs was proposed that allows more comprehensive evaluation of therapies and comparison of outcomes among studies, and enhances efforts to improve the measurement of these core clinical outcomes. The proposed set of constructs was then presented to the Society for Neuro-Oncology Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology Working Group and feedback was solicited.

The FDA NIH Biomarkers, EndpointS, and other Tools (BEST) resource in neuro-oncology

In early 2016, the FDA and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published the first version of the glossary included in the Biomarkers, EndpointS, and other Tools (BEST) resource.1 The BEST glossary was constructed to harmonize and clarify terms used in translational science and medical product development and to provide a common language used for communication by those agencies. It is considered a "living" document that will be updated in the future. This review will discuss the main biomarker and clinical outcome categories contained in the BEST glossary as they apply to neuro-oncology, as well as the overlapping and hierarchical relationships among them.

Underwater polypectomy without submucosal injection for colorectal lesions ≤ 20 mm in size-a multicenter retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND

Underwater polypectomy (UWP) of large (≥ 20 mm) colorectal lesions is well described, but reports of UWP for lesions ≤ 20 mm in size, which account for > 95% of polyps encountered in routine clinical practice, are limited. We assessed the feasibility of UWP in routine practice across various sites for colorectal lesions ≤ 20 mm in size.

METHODS

A multicenter retrospective study was performed on pooled data from nine colonoscopists at 3 U.S., 1 Taiwanese and 2 Italian sites. Outcomes related to UWP on lesions ≤ 20 mm in size were analyzed.

RESULTS

In 117 patients, UWP netted 169 lesions. Polypectomy by hot (HSP, 54%) or cold (CSP, 41%) snare, and cold forceps (CFP, 5%) were performed successfully without endoscopic evidence of residual neoplasia or immediate clinically significant adverse events. The majority (74.6%) were tubular adenomas; 60.9% were from the proximal colon. Histopathologic margins were positive in 4 and unavailable in 26 CSP and 24 HSP specimens. The remainder had negative resection margins on pathologic reports.

CONCLUSION

UWP for colorectal lesions ≤ 20 mm in routine practice across multiple sites confirms the feasibility and acceptability of this technique. Improvement of resection outcomes by UWP in routine practice deserves further evaluation in a randomized controlled trial.

Modernizing Clinical Trial Eligibility Criteria: Recommendations of the American Society of Clinical Oncology-Friends of Cancer Research Brain Metastases Working Group

Purpose Broadening trial eligibility to improve accrual and access and to better reflect intended-to-treat populations has been recognized as a priority. Historically, patients with brain metastases have been understudied, because of restrictive eligibility across all phases of clinical trials. Methods In 2016, after a literature search and series of teleconferences, a multistakeholder workshop was convened. Our working group focused on developing consensus recommendations regarding the inclusion of patients with brain metastases in clinical trials, as part of a broader effort that encompassed minimum age, HIV status, and organ dysfunction. The working group attempted to balance the needs of protecting patient safety, facilitating access to investigational therapies, and ensuring trial integrity. On the basis of input at the workshop, guidelines were further refined and finalized. Results The working group identified three key populations: those with treated/stable brain metastases, defined as patients who have received prior therapy for their brain metastases and whose CNS disease is radiographically stable at study entry; those with active brain metastases, defined as new and/or progressive brain metastases at the time of study entry; and those with leptomeningeal disease. In most circumstances, the working group encourages the inclusion of patients with treated/stable brain metastases in clinical trials. A framework of key considerations for patients with active brain metastases was developed. For patients with leptomeningeal disease, inclusion of a separate cohort in both early-phase and later-phase trials is recommended, if CNS activity is anticipated and when relevant to the specific disease type. Conclusion Expanding eligibility to be more inclusive of patients with brain metastasis is justified in many cases and may speed the development of effective therapies in this area of high clinical need.

CNS Anticancer Drug Discovery and Development Conference White Paper

Following the first CNS Anticancer Drug Discovery and Development Conference, the speakers from the first 4 sessions and organizers of the conference created this White Paper hoping to stimulate more and better CNS anticancer drug discovery and development. The first part of the White Paper reviews, comments, and, in some cases, expands on the 4 session areas critical to new drug development: pharmacological challenges, recent drug approaches, drug targets and discovery, and clinical paths. Following this concise review of the science and clinical aspects of new CNS anticancer drug discovery and development, we discuss, under the rubric "Accelerating Drug Discovery and Development for Brain Tumors," further reasons why the pharmaceutical industry and academia have failed to develop new anticancer drugs for CNS malignancies and what it will take to change the current status quo and develop the drugs so desperately needed by our patients with malignant CNS tumors. While this White Paper is not a formal roadmap to that end, it should be an educational guide to clinicians and scientists to help move a stagnant field forward.

FDA Approval Summary: Pembrolizumab for the Treatment of Patients With Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Whose Tumors Express Programmed Death-Ligand 1

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to pembrolizumab for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors express programmed death-ligand 1. This work discusses the data supporting the approval decision, specifically highlighting the incorporation of a companion diagnostic in the key study and the optimal dose of pembrolizumab.

On October 2, 2015, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for pembrolizumab, a breakthrough therapy-designated drug, for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose tumors express programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), as determined by an FDA-approved test, and who have disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy or targeted therapy against anaplastic lymphoma kinase or epidermal growth factor receptor, if appropriate. This indication was approved concurrently with the PD-L1 immunohistochemistry 22C3 pharmDx, a companion diagnostic test for patient selection based on PD-L1 tumor expression. The accelerated approval was granted based on durable objective response rate (ORR) and an acceptable toxicity profile demonstrated in a multicenter, open-label trial enrolling 550 patients with metastatic NSCLC. The efficacy population comprised 61 patients with tumors identified as strongly positive for PD-L1, and the confirmed ORR as determined by blinded independent central review was 41% (95% confidence interval: 28.6%, 54.3%); all were partial responses. At the time of the analysis, responses were ongoing in 21 of 25 patients (84%), with 11 patients (44%) having response duration of ≥6 months. The most commonly occurring (≥20%) adverse reactions included fatigue, decreased appetite, dyspnea, and cough. The most frequent (≥2%) serious adverse drug reactions were pleural effusion, pneumonia, dyspnea, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonitis. Immune-mediated adverse reactions occurred in 13% of patients and included pneumonitis, colitis, hypophysitis, and thyroid disorders. The accelerated approval regulations describe approval of drugs and biologic products for serious and life-threatening illnesses based on a surrogate endpoint likely to predict clinical benefit. Under these regulations, a confirmatory trial or trials is required to verify and describe the benefit of pembrolizumab for patients with metastatic NSCLC.

Implications for Practice:

This report presents key information on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accelerated approval of pembrolizumab for the treatment of patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer whose tumors express programmed death-ligand 1, as determined by an FDA-approved test, and who have disease progression on or after platinum-containing chemotherapy or targeted therapy against anaplastic lymphoma kinase or epidermal growth factor receptor, if appropriate. The report discusses the data supporting the approval decision, specifically highlighting the incorporation of a companion diagnostic in the key study and the optimal dose of pembrolizumab.

A Phase II trial of tandutinib (MLN 518) in combination with bevacizumab for patients with recurrent glioblastoma

AIM

A Phase II trial of bevacizumab plus tandutinib.

METHODS

We enrolled 41 recurrent, bevacizumab-naive glioblastoma patients for a trial of bevacizumab plus tandutinib. Median age was 55 and 71% were male. Treatment consisted of tandutinib 500 mg two-times a day (b.i.d.) and bevacizumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks starting day 15. Of 37 (90%) evaluable, nine (24%) had partial response.

RESULTS & CONCLUSION

Median overall and progression-free survival was 11 and 4.1 months; progression-free survival at 6 months was 23%. All patients suffered treatment-related toxicities; common grade ≥3 toxicities were hypertension (17.1%), muscle weakness (17.1%), lymphopenia (14.6%) and hypophosphatemia (9.8%). Four of six with grade ≥3 tandutinib-related myasthenic-like muscle weakness had electromyography-proven neuromuscular junction pathology. Tandutinib with bevacizumab was as effective but more toxic than bevacizumab monotherapy.

Clinical outcome assessments in neuro-oncology: a regulatory perspective

Overall survival, progression-free survival, and to a lesser extent objective response rate, have long been the most widely accepted endpoints used to evaluate clinical benefit in oncology trials. More recently, clinical outcome assessments (COAs) that measure the impact of disease and treatment on patients' symptoms and function have been recognized as having potential to be an integral component of the risk/benefit analysis of new therapies. Although COAs have been used to evaluate cognitive and physical functioning in neurological diseases, assessing patient-centered outcomes in individuals with malignant brain tumors presents unique challenges. The approach to developing appropriate instruments to measure COAs in neuro-oncology should include identifying areas requiring new tools, reviewing existing tools that may be suitable or adapted for use in clinical trials, and engaging early with regulatory agencies to standardize a set of well-defined and reliable instruments to quantify important patient-centered outcomes.

Chemoirradiation for glioblastoma multiforme: the national cancer institute experience

Purpose

Standard treatment for glioblastoma (GBM) is surgery followed by radiation (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ). While there is variability in survival based on several established prognostic factors, the prognostic utility of other factors such as tumor size and location are not well established.

Experimental Design

The charts of ninety two patients with GBM treated with RT at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) between 1998 and 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Most patients received RT with concurrent and adjuvant TMZ. Topographic locations were classified using preoperative imaging. Gross tumor volumes were contoured using treatment planning systems utilizing both pre-operative and post-operative MR imaging.

Results

At a median follow-up of 18.7 months, the median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for all patients was 17.9 and 7.6 months. Patients with the smallest tumors had a median OS of 52.3 months compared to 16.3 months among patients with the largest tumors, P = 0.006. The patients who received bevacizumab after recurrence had a median OS of 23.3 months, compared to 16.3 months in patients who did not receive it, P = 0.0284. The median PFS and OS in patients with periventricular tumors was 5.7 and 17.5 months, versus 8.9 and 23.3 months in patients with non-periventricular tumors, P = 0.005.

Conclusions

Survival in our cohort was comparable to the outcome of the defining EORTC-NCIC trial establishing the use of RT+TMZ. This study also identifies several potential prognostic factors that may be useful in stratifying patients.

A phase I/II trial of vandetanib for patients with recurrent malignant glioma

Vandetanib is a once-daily multitargeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, epidermal growth factor receptor, and the rearranged-during-transfection oncogene. A phase I trial was conducted to describe the pharmacokinetics of vandetanib in patients with recurrent glioma on enzyme-inducing anti-epileptic drugs (EIAEDs) and to identify the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in this population. A phase II trial evaluated the efficacy of vandetanib in patients with recurrent malignant glioma not on EIAEDs as measured by 6-month progression-free survival (PFS6). In the phase I trial, 15 patients were treated with vandetanib at doses of 300, 400, and 500 mg/day, in a standard dose-escalation design. The MTD in patients on EIAEDs was 400 mg/day, and steady-state levels were similar to those measured in patients not on EIAEDs. Dose-limiting toxicities were prolonged QTc and thromboembolism. Thirty-two patients with recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and 32 patients with recurrent anaplastic gliomas (AGs) were treated in the phase II trial, at a dosage of 300 mg/day on 28-day cycles. Six patients (4 GBM, 2 AG) had radiographic response. PFS6 was 6.5% in the GBM arm and 7.0% in the AG arm. Median overall survival was 6.3 months in the GBM arm and 7.6 months in the AG arm. Seizures were an unexpected toxicity of therapy. Vandetanib did not have significant activity in unselected patients with recurrent malignant glioma.

A phase II trial of single-agent bevacizumab in patients with recurrent anaplastic glioma

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity of single-agent bevacizumab in patients with recurrent anaplastic glioma and assess correlative advanced imaging parameters. Patients with recurrent anaplastic glioma were treated with bevacizumab 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks. Complete patient evaluations were repeated every 4 weeks. Correlative dynamic contrast-enhanced MR and (18)fluorodeoxyglucose PET imaging studies were obtained to evaluate physiologic changes in tumor and tumor vasculature at time points including baseline, 96 h after the first dose, and after the first 4 weeks of therapy. Median overall survival was 12 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.08-22.8). Median progression-free survival was 2.93 months (95% CI: 2.01-4.93), and 6-month progression-free survival was 20.9% (95% CI: 10.3%-42.5%). Thirteen (43%) patients achieved a partial response. The most common grade ≥ 3 treatment-related toxicities were hypertension, hypophosphatemia, and thromboembolism. Single-agent bevacizumab produces significant radiographic response in patients with recurrent anaplastic glioma but did not meet the 6-month progression-free survival endpoint. Early change in enhancing tumor volume at 4 days after start of therapy was the most significant prognostic factor for overall and progression-free survival.

Esophageal capsule endoscopy for evaluation of patients with chronic gastroesophageal reflux symptoms: findings and its image quality

Esophageal capsule endoscopy (ECE) may offer an alternative approach to visualize esophageal lesions associated with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) disease. The objective of this study was to report the ECE findings in patients with GER symptoms and validate a new scoring system to assess ECE video quality. Five hundred two ECE were performed in patients with GER symptoms. We devised a new grading scale called ECE Utility score to assess the quality of images using five different parameters: anatomic landmarks visualized, esophageal transit time, image quality, illumination, and artifacts. The ECE cases were independently scored by two interpreters in a randomized, blinded fashion. Reflux esophagitis was diagnosed via ECE in 254 patients (50.5%). We identified 12 cases (2.4%) with suspected Barrett's esophagus and all of them had endoscopic evidence of Barrett's esophagus on esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Histologic confirmation Barrett's esophagus was found in six patients and dysplasia was found in one patient. From the 502 cases, mean ± standard deviation total ECE Utility score was 8.89 ± 0.96 for interpreter 1 and 8.96 ± 0.93 for interpreter 2. The concordance rate between the two interpreters for the ECE Utility score ranged from 75.9-96.8% across the parameters and the Pearson correlation rate of the total score was 0.81. ECE is shown to be a simple noninvasive valuable technique for evaluating esophageal mucosa and producing high quality images in patients with GER symptoms. ECE can help as an alternative screening tool for diagnosing Barrett's esophagus.

Malignant gliomas: new translational therapies

Malignant gliomas are the most common primary brain tumors in adults and carry a dismal prognosis. Despite aggressive therapy with maximal safe surgical resection, radiation and chemotherapy, these tumors invariably are refractory to or become resistant to treatment and recur. Gliomas are highly infiltrative cancers and display remarkable genetic heterogeneity making them challenging to treat. Recent progress has been made in understanding the molecular and genetic composition of these tumors and from this, promising new targets for therapy have emerged. In particular, anti-angiogenesis therapies have led to modest success in disease control. In addition, the growing body of research in cancer immunology as well as cancer stem cells has made inroads in our understanding of tumorgenesis. Translational research has been particularly crucial to the development of these therapies as much preclinical and clinical work is needed to develop the rationale for treatments, to develop biomarkers of drug activity and to elucidate mechanisms of resistance. This brief overview will discuss some of the pivotal advances made in the pursuit of improved outcomes and survival for patients with this devastating disease.

Scale to predict survival after surgery for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme

PURPOSE

Despite initial treatment with surgical resection, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) virtually always recurs. Surgery is sometimes recommended to treat recurrence. In this study, we sought to devise a preoperative scale that predicts survival after surgery for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The preoperative clinical and radiographic data of 34 patients who underwent re-operation of recurrent GBM tumors were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression modeling. The factors associated with decreased postoperative survival (P < .05) were used to devise a prognostic scale which was validated with a separate cohort of 109 patients.

RESULTS

The factors associated with poor postoperative survival were: tumor involvement of prespecified eloquent/critical brain regions (P = .021), Karnofsky performance status (KPS) < or = 80 (P = .030), and tumor volume > or = 50 cm(3) (P = .048). An additive scale (range, 0 to 3 points) comprised of these three variables distinguishes patients with good (0 points), intermediate (1 to 2 points), and poor (3 points) postoperative survival (median survival, 10.8, 4.5, and 1.0 months, respectively; P < .001). The scale identified three statistically distinct groups within the validation cohort as well (median survival, 9.2, 6.3, and 1.9 months, respectively; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

We devised and validated a preoperative scale that identifies patients likely to have poor, intermediate, and good relative outcomes after surgical resection of a recurrent GBM tumor. Application of this simple scale may be useful in counseling patients regarding their treatment options and in designing clinical trials.

Patterns and timing of recurrence after temozolomide-based chemoradiation for glioblastoma

PURPOSE

To determine recurrence patterns of glioblastoma treated with temozolomide-based chemoradiation.

METHODS

Pretreatment and serial posttreatment magnetic resonance imaging scans of 54 patients were retrospectively evaluated. Central recurrence (i.e., local progression) and the development of new (i.e., interval appearance of discrete enhancing lesion) in-field, marginal, and distant recurrences were assessed, with the pattern of recurrence of individual lesions defined relative to the 95% isodose line (D(95)). Distant recurrences were defined as lesions completely outside D(95), marginal recurrences crossed D(95), and in-field recurrences were completely inside D(95).

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 17 months, 39 of 54 (72%) patients developed recurrent glioblastoma. Among these 39 patients, central recurrence occurred in 80% (at a median of 7 months from diagnosis); new in-field recurrence developed in 33% (at a median of 14 months); marginal recurrences developed in 15% (at a median of 18 months); and distant recurrences developed in 20% (at a median of 11 months). The actuarial rates of central, new in-field, marginal, distant, and any new recurrences at 1-year were 46%, 15%, 3%, 14%, and 25% respectively, whereas at 2 years, the rates were 68%, 60%, 32%, 28%, and 66%, reflecting an increasing probability of new lesions developing at later time points. Ten patients developed subependymal recurrences, of whom 7 developed multiple subependymal lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

Whereas central recurrence of glioblastoma treated with radiation and temozolomide predominates and persists over time, new in-field, marginal, and distant recurrences commonly develop, particularly at later time points in patients with longer survival.

Randomized phase II trial of chemoradiotherapy followed by either dose-dense or metronomic temozolomide for newly diagnosed glioblastoma

PURPOSE

Alternative dosing schedules of temozolomide may improve survival in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) by increasing the therapeutic index, overcoming common mechanisms of temozolomide resistance, or both. The goal of this randomized phase II study was to evaluate two different temozolomide regimens in the adjuvant treatment of newly diagnosed GBM.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Adult patients with newly diagnosed GBM were randomly assigned to receive standard radiotherapy with concurrent daily temozolomide followed by six adjuvant cycles of either dose-dense (150 mg/m(2) days 1 to 7 and 15 to 21) or metronomic (50 mg/m(2) continuous daily) temozolomide. Maintenance doses of 13-cis-retinoic acid were then administered until tumor progression. The primary end point was overall survival (OS) at 1 year. Tumor tissue was assayed to determine O(6)-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) promoter methylation status.

RESULTS

Eighty-five eligible patients were enrolled; 42 were randomly assigned to dose-dense and 43 to metronomic temozolomide. The 1-year survival rate was 80% for the dose-dense arm and 69% for the metronomic arm; median OS was 17.1 months (95% CI, 14.0 to 28.1 months) and 15.1 months (95% CI, 12.3 to 18.9 months), respectively. The most common toxicities were myelosuppression (leukopenia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia) and elevated liver enzymes. Pseudoprogression was observed in 37% of assessable patients and may have had an impact on estimates of progression-free survival (6.6 months in the dose-dense arm and 5.0 months in the metronomic arm).

CONCLUSION

Both dose-dense and metronomic temozolomide regimens were well tolerated with modest toxicity. The dose-dense regimen appears promising, with 1-year survival of 80%.

A randomized phase II trial of concurrent temozolomide (TMZ) and radiotherapy (RT) followed by dose dense compared to metronomic TMZ and maintenance cis-retinoic acid for patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)

2031

Background: Metronomic and dose dense scheduling are alternatives to conventional TMZ regimens to overcome drug resistance in part by depleting O-6 methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT). Furthermore, metronomic TMZ may inhibit endothelial recovery and act as an anti-angiogenic therapy; dose dense TMZ increases the intensity of drug delivery. Objective: To determine the overall (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) of patients with newly diagnosed GBM treated with concurrent TMZ and RT followed by dose dense or metronomic TMZ and maintenance cis-retinoic acid. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed GBM underwent standard RT with TMZ. Upon completion of this treatment, patients were randomized to receive dose-dense TMZ (150mg/m2, days 1–7 and 15–21 of a 28 day cycle) or metronomic TMZ (50mg/m2 daily in 28 day cycles), for 6 cycles. Maintenance cis-retinoic acid was prescribed following the 6 cycles of adjuvant TMZ. OS and PFS were calculated from date of diagnosis. Prospective correlative tissue analysis of MGMT status is planned. A Simon minimax 2-stage design was used for each cohort. If either group has 70% survival probability at 1 year, further evaluation in a phase III trial will be recommended. Results: 51 patients were randomized: 24 to metronomic, and 27 to dose dense. Median age is 57, and median KPS 90. 26 patients have progression of disease (POD), with a median follow up of 5 months. Grade 3/4 hematologic toxicity occurred in 7 patients (14%), 3 in the metronomic and 4 in the dose dense arm. Conclusions: Our patient population is comparable to that of other upfront GBM treatment trials. Metronomic and dose dense TMZ appear to be well tolerated with equivalent toxicities. Early analysis suggests that patients on the dose dense regimen may have better PFS than those on the metronomic arm.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Novel external sensor array for capsule endoscopy

Capsule endoscopy (CE) requires placement of an eight-lead sensor array over the abdomen that receives image and localization data transmitted from the capsule. The current process of applying this array to the skin has several disadvantages: firstly, it is time-consuming; secondly, it can be cumbersome for the patient; and thirdly, it is often difficult to place the leads consistently. A new external sensor array system designed to improve this process was tested. It was hypothesized that the new method would be able to receive the transmitted data adequately during CE. The new method and device were tested on an in-patient who had two sets of sensor arrays, batteries, and data recorders placed on her simultaneously. One set was placed in the standard fashion, which served as the control, while the other set was placed using the novel external method. The data provided by the two recorders were compared and the patient's preferences were noted. The quality of the CE images provided by the two methods was identical, but the CE localization tracings were different, presumably due to movement of the gown and leads during the recording period. No signal interference was noted. The patient preferred the external device. A prepositioned external sensor array is capable of transmitting CE data without any loss in image quality, but the localization tracing differs due to movement of the external array. This new method will require testing with a larger sample size in an outpatient setting to allow full assessment of the clinical value of the new approach.

Computing system for pediatric cardiology (CathEcho 2.5)

CathEcho version 2.5 (CathEcho 2.0) was developed as database system of clinical data for pediatric cardiology patients including X-ray and echocardiogram picture for a scientific purpose. We classified congenital heart defects and combined these data to meet any diagnosis or syndrome and any diagnostic coding system. Anatomical data was saved systematically along the anatomical hierarchy of heart. Laboratory data were calculated automatically after the validation. All congenital defects were revised and diagnosis was made automatically. In this system the determination of operation can be suggested according to the cardiac indexes and data can be reported as clinical charts. We can monitor the statistics of patient data and obtain information about patient clinical data easily even at emergency state. This system can make physician to have complete examination about congenital heart disease as well as other heart state. The followings are the main constitutions of the CathEcho version 2.5. BASIC INFORMATION RECORDS. In this part, the unique number is given to any patient. The basic patient informations are checked and stored as clinical data for the management of patients and for the research purposes. CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION RECORDS. Cardiac catheterization data are recorded in this part. The cardiac anatomical data are recorded in according to the segmental steps and the anatomical relationships. Laboratory data are recorded and the cardiac indexes are calculated automatically. This system can recommend the therapeutic plans on operation. Final diagnosis can be automatically arranged by a complete revision of anatomical and laboratory data. CARDIAC ECHOCARDIOGRAM RECORDS. Echocardiogram data are recorded systematically and the cardiac indexes can be calculated automatically. This system also can recommend the necessity of the operation. Full anatomical and laboratory data are completely revised and diagnosis can be made automatically. ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHY (EKG) RECORDS. EKG data are stored systematically and reported with catheterization data, echo data and X-ray data. X-RAY RECORDS. X-ray data of patients also are stored for the complete clinical data. With CathEcho 2.5 we are now storing the formatted clinical data for the expert systems which are now being developed to assist the therapeutic planning and updated to link to cardiac electrophysiology.