Genomic profiling of idiopathic peri-hilar cholangiocarcinoma reveals new targets and mutational pathways

Peri-hilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) is chemorefractory and limited genomic analyses have been undertaken in Western idiopathic disease. We undertook comprehensive genomic analyses of a U.K. idiopathic pCCA cohort to characterize its mutational profile and identify new targets. Whole exome and targeted DNA sequencing was performed on forty-two resected pCCA tumors and normal bile ducts, with Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) using one-tailed testing to generate false discovery rates (FDR). 60% of patients harbored one cancer-associated mutation, with two mutations in 20%. High frequency somatic mutations in genes not typically associated with cholangiocarcinoma included mTOR, ABL1 and NOTCH1. We identified non-synonymous mutation (p.Glu38del) in MAP3K9 in ten tumors, associated with increased peri-vascular invasion (Fisher's exact, p < 0.018). Mutation-enriched pathways were primarily immunological, including innate Dectin-2 (FDR 0.001) and adaptive T-cell receptor pathways including PD-1 (FDR 0.007), CD4 phosphorylation (FDR 0.009) and ZAP70 translocation (FDR 0.009), with overlapping HLA genes. We observed cancer-associated mutations in over half of our patients. Many of these mutations are not typically associated with cholangiocarcinoma yet may increase eligibility for contemporary targeted trials. We also identified a targetable MAP3K9 mutation, in addition to oncogenic and immunological pathways hitherto not described in any cholangiocarcinoma subtype.

Molnupiravir versus placebo in unvaccinated and vaccinated patients with early SARS-CoV-2 infection in the UK (AGILE CST-2): a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase 2 trial

BACKGROUND

The antiviral drug molnupiravir was licensed for treating at-risk patients with COVID-19 on the basis of data from unvaccinated adults. We aimed to evaluate the safety and virological efficacy of molnupiravir in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals with COVID-19.

METHODS

This randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, phase 2 trial (AGILE CST-2) was done at five National Institute for Health and Care Research sites in the UK. Eligible participants were adult (aged ≥18 years) outpatients with PCR-confirmed, mild-to-moderate SARS-CoV-2 infection who were within 5 days of symptom onset. Using permuted blocks (block size 2 or 4) and stratifying by site, participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either molnupiravir (orally; 800 mg twice daily for 5 days) plus standard of care or matching placebo plus standard of care. The primary outcome was the time from randomisation to SARS-CoV-2 PCR negativity on nasopharyngeal swabs and was analysed by use of a Bayesian Cox proportional hazards model for estimating the probability of a superior virological response (hazard ratio [HR]>1) for molnupiravir versus placebo. Our primary model used a two-point prior based on equal prior probabilities (50%) that the HR was 1·0 or 1·5. We defined a priori that if the probability of a HR of more than 1 was more than 80% molnupiravir would be recommended for further testing. The primary outcome was analysed in the intention-to-treat population and safety was analysed in the safety population, comprising participants who had received at least one dose of allocated treatment. This trial is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04746183, and the ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN27106947, and is ongoing.

FINDINGS

Between Nov 18, 2020, and March 16, 2022, 1723 patients were assessed for eligibility, of whom 180 were randomly assigned to receive either molnupiravir (n=90) or placebo (n=90) and were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. 103 (57%) of 180 participants were female and 77 (43%) were male and 90 (50%) participants had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. SARS-CoV-2 infections with the delta (B.1.617.2; 72 [40%] of 180), alpha (B.1.1.7; 37 [21%]), omicron (B.1.1.529; 38 [21%]), and EU1 (B.1.177; 28 [16%]) variants were represented. All 180 participants received at least one dose of treatment and four participants discontinued the study (one in the molnupiravir group and three in the placebo group). Participants in the molnupiravir group had a faster median time from randomisation to negative PCR (8 days [95% CI 8-9]) than participants in the placebo group (11 days [10-11]; HR 1·30, 95% credible interval 0·92-1·71; log-rank p=0·074). The probability of molnupiravir being superior to placebo (HR>1) was 75·4%, which was less than our threshold of 80%. 73 (81%) of 90 participants in the molnupiravir group and 68 (76%) of 90 participants in the placebo group had at least one adverse event by day 29. One participant in the molnupiravir group and three participants in the placebo group had an adverse event of a Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grade 3 or higher severity. No participants died (due to any cause) during the trial.

INTERPRETATION

We found molnupiravir to be well tolerated and, although our predefined threshold was not reached, we observed some evidence that molnupiravir has antiviral activity in vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals infected with a broad range of SARS-CoV-2 variants, although this evidence is not conclusive.

FUNDING

Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, the UK National Institute for Health and Care Research, the Medical Research Council, and the Wellcome Trust.

Pharmacokinetics of ß-d-N4-Hydroxycytidine, the Parent Nucleoside of Prodrug Molnupiravir, in Nonplasma Compartments of Patients With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Infection

ß-d-N4-hydroxycytidine (NHC), the parent nucleoside of molnupiravir, a COVID-19 antiviral, was quantified at SARS-CoV-2 transmission sites in 12 patients enrolled in AGILE Candidate-Specific Trial-2. Saliva, nasal, and tear NHC concentrations were 3%, 21%, and 22% that of plasma. Saliva and nasal NHC were significantly correlated with plasma (P < .0001). Clinical Trials Registration. NCT04746183.

Optimal dose and safety of molnupiravir in patients with early SARS-CoV-2: a Phase I, open-label, dose-escalating, randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVES

AGILE is a Phase Ib/IIa platform for rapidly evaluating COVID-19 treatments. In this trial (NCT04746183) we evaluated the safety and optimal dose of molnupiravir in participants with early symptomatic infection.

METHODS

We undertook a dose-escalating, open-label, randomized-controlled (standard-of-care) Bayesian adaptive Phase I trial at the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Clinical Research Facility. Participants (adult outpatients with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection within 5 days of symptom onset) were randomized 2:1 in groups of 6 participants to 300, 600 and 800 mg doses of molnupiravir orally, twice daily for 5 days or control. A dose was judged unsafe if the probability of 30% or greater dose-limiting toxicity (the primary outcome) over controls was 25% or greater. Secondary outcomes included safety, clinical progression, pharmacokinetics and virological responses.

RESULTS

Of 103 participants screened, 18 participants were enrolled between 17 July and 30 October 2020. Molnupiravir was well tolerated at 300, 600 and 800 mg doses with no serious or severe adverse events. Overall, 4 of 4 (100%), 4 of 4 (100%) and 1 of 4 (25%) of the participants receiving 300, 600 and 800 mg molnupiravir, respectively, and 5 of 6 (83%) controls, had at least one adverse event, all of which were mild (≤grade 2). The probability of ≥30% excess toxicity over controls at 800 mg was estimated at 0.9%.

CONCLUSIONS

Molnupiravir was safe and well tolerated; a dose of 800 mg twice daily for 5 days was recommended for Phase II evaluation.

Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism to Associate Cancer Risk

Genetic heterogeneity explains variation in predisposition for cancer. Whole-genome analysis allows risk to be quantified, giving better targeted screening and quantification of the personalized risk posed by environmental factors. Array-based approaches to whole-genome analysis are rapidly being overtaken by next-generation sequencing (NGS). In this review the different platforms currently available for NGS are compared and the opportunities and risks of this approach are discussed: including the informatics packages required and the ethical issues. Methods applicable to the personal genome machine (PGM) are given as an example of workflows.

A phase I study of gemcitabine plus dasatinib (GD) or gemcitabine plus dasatinib plus cetuximab (GDC) in refractory solid tumors

e15506

Background: Dasatinib (D) is a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor with activity against both bcr-abl and src. Cetuximab (C) is a monoclonal antibody that blocks EGFR. Preclinical models suggest D reverses resistance to G. In addition, src and EGFR pathways interact; synergism of dual blockade by D + C is possible. We evaluated two combination regimens, GD and GDC, in a Phase I dose escalation study. Methods: Patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors were enrolled in cohorts of 3–6 to either GD or GDC. G was dosed in mg/m2 weekly for 3 of 4 weeks, D was dosed in mg PO BID, and C was dosed at 250 mg/m2 weekly after loading dose of C=400; cycle length was 28 days. Dose levels were as follows: 1) G 1000 + D 50 ± C; 2) G 1,000 + D 70 ± C; 3) G 1,000 + D 100 ± C. Standard cycle 1 DLT definitions were used. Eligible pts had advanced solid tumors, adequate organ and marrow function, and no co-morbidities that would increase risk of toxicity. Serum, plasma, and skin biopsy biomarkers were obtained pre- and on treatment. Results: 25 pts have been enrolled, including 21 with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, 3 of whom had received prior G. 21 pts were evaluable for toxicity and 18 for efficacy. Four DLT were observed: Gr 3 ANC with infection (GDC1, n=1), Gr 3 ALT (GD2, n=2), and Gr 5 pneumonitis (GDC2, n=1). Possible treatment-related adverse events in later cycles included: Gr3–4 ANC (n=4), Gr4 colitis (n=1), Gr3 bilirubin (n=2), Gr3 Hgb (n=2), Gr3 Plt (n=2), Gr3 edema/fluid retention syndrome (n=1), and Gr3 vomiting (n=2). One previously untreated pt had a partial response. Eight of 18 pts, 3 of whom had received prior G, had stable disease as best response, median duration = 5 months (range 1–7). Biomarker results are pending. Conclusions: The MTD of the GD arm is G1000/D50BID. Stable disease in previous G-refractory pts was noted. Hematologic toxicities were dose-limiting; later toxicities including hematologic, LFT changes, pneumonitis, and fluid retention were seen. To address these toxicities, once daily dosing of D will be explored, followed by an expanded cohort of G + daily D vs G + bid D in pts with treatment-naïve pancreatic cancer.

[Table: see text]

Simultaneous spontaneous bilateral pneumothoraces in an asthmatic

The occurrence of simultaneous spontaneous bilateral pneumothoraces is a very rare event. We present a case of a 14-year old asthmatic female patient who presented to the emergency room for routine treatment. While receiving nebulizations, she suddenly developed supraclavicular fullness with crepitus. Further examination revealed a clinical diagnosis of bilateral pneumothoraces. Although this phenomenon is more commonly associated with patients on mechanical ventilation, this case illustrates that physicians must be cognizant of this unique presentation in order to initiate early and aggressive lifesaving therapy. With rapid bilateral needle thoracocentesis followed by placement of bilateral thoracostomy tubes, the patient recovered well. In this report, we also attempt to briefly review the possible pathophysiology of this form of spontaneous pneumothorax.

Dental care of patients with substance abuse

Patients who abuse alcohol, crack, heroin or prescription drugs, are likely to interact with the dental professional. The dentist should therefore be able to identify problems of abuse and provide informed care and referral. Substance abuse should be a consideration in all patients who present with dental trauma and those who present with frequent vague complaints, multiple pain medication allergies, and regimens with multiple narcotic medications. Polydrug use, either prescription or illicit, is also a possibility, and effective treatment requires prompt recognition. Dentists should be alert to drug-seeking behavior within the context of pain management, and because pain severity is an objective experience, each patient must be treated carefully and sensitively. Unrelieved or unremitting pain can be a relapse trigger and therefore adequate pain control is a necessity in the recovering chemically dependent patient. New modalities, such as coanalgesia with low-dose ketamine in the opioid addicted have been shown to work effectively. In the post-dental surgical patient with chemical dependency, agents with less psychoactive activity than their drugs of abuse, such as extended-release morphine (MS Contin) have been tried with variable success. An informed treatment plan includes recognition of substance abuse, appropriate intervention, and referral. This plan may include universal screening, followed by brief interventional therapy for positive patients and in some cases, pharmacological pain control. On discharge from the office, instructions concerning referral to a substance abuse program or, in the case of the patient who may require more immediate treatment, to the emergency department are important.

Understanding the variability in the effectiveness of community heart health programs: a meta-analysis

Over the past 25 years, community interventions to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been conducted around the world with very mixed results. This study uses meta-analysis to assess whether the variation in the observed effectiveness of community heart health programs (CHHP) is related to characteristics of the intervention program, the population under study, or the evaluation methods. A CHHP is defined as any primary prevention program that attempted to reduce the population burden of CVD by shifting the distribution of risk factors in a general population. To be included in the meta-analysis, a study must have utilized a reference group in the evaluation, employed a repeated independent cross-sectional measurement design, and reported sufficient outcome information for at least one of four major risk factors: smoking, total cholesterol, blood pressure, and body weight. Results of these studies are summarized with the effect size measure (Yi1-Yi2)-(Yr1-Yr2)Sr1 where Y = outcome measure, S = standard deviation of the outcome measure, 1 = baseline, 2 = follow-up. i = intervention, and r = reference community. This measure, which reports the net change in the intervention group in terms of the variability in the reference population before the start of the intervention, permits comparison across different outcome measures and facilitates the aggregation of effects across studies. Generalized least squares regression, which permits the incorporation of multiple, dependent effect sizes from a single study, was used to assess the impact of characteristics of the intervention (prevention strategy, type of mass communication, community organization, and environmental change), the population (setting, gender, year of follow-up measurement), and the evaluation design and implementation (the number of communities, matching of communities, the follow-up time, the response rate, and covariate adjustment in the analysis) on the effect sizes. The results of this analysis suggest that the characteristics of the evaluation method account for much of the heterogeneity in the outcome of CHHPs, though some intervention characteristics also play a role.

Swift increase in alcohol metabolism (SIAM) in the mouse: comparison of the effect of short-term ethanol treatment on ethanol elimination in four inbred strains

Ethanol metabolism increases 2 to 3 hr after the administration of ethanol. This phenomenon, called the swift increase in alcohol metabolism, has been compared in four inbred strains of mice (DBA/2J, C3H/HeJ, AKR/J and C57BL/6J). Basal rates of ethanol elimination were determined in individual mice after an i.p. injection of ethanol (2 g/kg). Little variability in this basal rate of ethanol elimination was observed within each strain. Mice were then exposed to ethanol vapor (20--22 mg/l) and rates of ethanol elimination were determined every 2 hr for 8 hr. By 2 to 3 hr, the rates of ethanol elimination initially increased 2- to 3-fold and then declined toward basal rates over the 8-hr interval in all strains studied. In another experiment, the dose of ethanol was varied to produce blood ethanol levels ranging from 50 to 250 mg/100 ml in both basal- and ethanol vapor-treated mice. Ethanol elimination increased greater than 1.5-fold in all four strains studied when basal rates were compared to rates observed after 4 hr of vapor treatment at the same blood ethanol level; however, the dose at which the maximal increase occurred differed among the strains. DBA/2J mice exhibited a maximal increase in the rate of ethanol elimination when ethanol concentrations were in the range of 30 to 50 mg/100 ml; the increase was smaller as the dose was increased. In contrast, AKR/J and C57BL/6J mice required 100 to 150 mg/100 ml of ethanol to activate the swift increase in alcohol metabolism effect. These data indicate clearly that the swift increase in alcohol metabolism effect is a common phenomenon and that dose and time relations differ in various inbred strains of mice.