Features that best define the heterogeneity and homogeneity of autism in preschool-age children: A multisite case-control analysis replicated across two independent samples

The heterogeneous nature of children with symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) makes it difficult to identify risk factors and effective treatment options. We sought to identify behavioral and developmental features that best define the heterogeneity and homogeneity in 2-5-year-old children classified with ASD and subthreshold ASD characteristics. Children were enrolled in a multisite case-control study of ASD. Detailed behavioral and developmental data were gathered by maternal telephone interview, parent-administered questionnaires, child cognitive evaluation, and ASD diagnostic measures. Participants with a positive ASD screen score or prior ASD diagnosis were referred for comprehensive evaluation. Children in the ASD group met study criteria based on this evaluation; children who did not meet study criteria were categorized as having subthreshold ASD characteristics. There were 1480 children classified as ASD (81.6% boys) and 594 children classified as having subthreshold ASD characteristics (70.2% boys) in the sample. Factors associated with dysregulation (e.g., aggression, anxiety/depression, sleep problems) followed by developmental abilities (e.g., expressive and receptive language skills) most contributed to heterogeneity in both groups of children. Atypical sensory response contributed to homogeneity in children classified as ASD but not those with subthreshold characteristics. These findings suggest that dysregulation and developmental abilities are clinical features that can impact functioning in children with ASD and other DD, and that documenting these features in pediatric records may help meet the needs of the individual child. Sensory dysfunction could be considered a core feature of ASD and thus used to inform more targeted screening, evaluation, treatment, and research efforts. LAY SUMMARY: The diverse nature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) makes it difficult to find risk factors and treatment options. We identified the most dissimilar and most similar symptom(s) in children classified as ASD and as having subthreshold ASD characteristics. Factors associated with dysregulation and developmental abilities contributed to diversity in both groups of children. Sensory dysfunction was the most common symptom in children with ASD but not those with subthreshold characteristics. Findings can inform clinical practice and research.

Prognosis after neoadjuvant chemoradiation or chemotherapy for locally advanced gastro-oesophageal junctional adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Trials typically group cancers of the gastro-oesophageal junction (GOJ) with oesophageal or gastric cancer when studying neoadjuvant chemoradiation and perioperative chemotherapy, so the results may not be fully applicable to GOJ cancer. Because optimal neoadjuvant treatment for GOJ cancer remains controversial, outcomes with neoadjuvant chemoradiation versus chemotherapy for locally advanced GOJ adenocarcinoma were compared retrospectively.

METHODS

Data were collected from all patients who underwent neoadjuvant treatment followed by surgery for adenocarcinoma located at the GOJ at a single high-volume institution between 2002 and 2017. Postoperative major complications and mortality were compared between groups using Fisher's exact test. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were assessed by log rank test and multivariable Cox regression analyses. Cumulative incidence functions were used to estimate recurrence, and groups were compared using Gray's test.

RESULTS

Of 775 patients, 650 had neoadjuvant chemoradiation and 125 had chemotherapy. These groups were comparable in terms of clinical tumour and lymph node categories, although the chemoradiation group had greater proportions of white men, complete pathological response to chemotherapy, and smaller proportions of diffuse cancer, poor differentiation, and neurovascular invasion. Postoperative major complications (20.0 versus 17.6 per cent) and 30-day mortality (1.7 versus 1.6 per cent) were not significantly different between the chemoradiation and chemotherapy groups. After adjustment, type of therapy (chemoradiation versus chemotherapy) was not significantly associated with OS (hazard ratio (HR) 1.26, 95 per cent c.i. 0.96 to 1.67) or DFS (HR 1.27, 0.98 to 1.64). Type of recurrence (local, regional, or distant) did not differ after neoadjuvant chemoradiation versus chemotherapy.

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing surgical resection for locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the GOJ, OS and DFS did not differ significantly between patients who had neoadjuvant chemoradiation compared with chemotherapy.

Arrhythmia patterns in patients with COVID-19 infection during and post hospitalization detected via a patch-based mobile cardiac telemetry system

Background

Coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is the cause of the current world-wide pandemic. Cardiovascular complications occur in 20–30% of patients with COVID-19 infection including myocardial injury and arrhythmias. Current understanding of specific arrhythmia type and frequency is limited. In response to COVID-19 pandemic and overwhelmed hospital critical care and telemetry recourses, patch-based cardiac monitoring system received emergency Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for inpatient monitoring. A patch-based cardiac telemetry system has been shown to be useful for patient management during the COVID-19 pandemic and provides detailed analysis of cardiac rhythms.

Purpose

To analyze arrhythmia type and frequency in patients with COVID-19 infection, identifying arrhythmia patterns over time during hospitalization and after discharge.

Methods

A prospective cohort study during the COVID-19 pandemic was performed. We included patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection who had a patch-based mobile telemetry device placed for cardiac monitoring. A quantitative analysis including type, frequency and duration of detected arrhythmias was performed at the end of the monitoring period.

Results

A total of 103 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 diagnosis underwent monitoring. Quantitative reports for 59 patients were available for analysis, among those 59% were males, median age 65 (IQR 56–76) yrs. Mean wear time was 6.8±5.0 days. Arrhythmias were detected in 72.9% of patients. Majority of arrhythmias were SVT (59.3% of patients) and AF (22.0%). Episodes of AF duration >30 min were detected in 12 patients. New onset AF was noted in 15.0% of patients and was significantly associated with age (OR 1.4 for 5 yrs difference; 95% CI 1.01–2.05). Brady arrhythmias (2nd degree, 3rd degree AV bock, pause≥3 seconds) were seen in 18.7% of patients. Arrhythmias were consistently detected throughout the monitoring period in 52.9%-89.5% of patients daily (Figure 1). In 9 patients who were discharged with continued patch monitoring, 3 patients (33.3%) had arrhythmic events during their outpatient monitoring period.

Conclusion

A majority of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection had arrhythmias detected by patch cardiac monitor. Arrhythmias were observed throughout hospitalization with a consistent daily frequency. Patients continued to exhibit cardiac arrhythmias after hospital discharge of a type similar to that seen during hospitalization. New onset AF often occurred and was associated with older age. Inpatient application of a patch cardiac telemetry with continued monitoring as outpatient is feasible and effective in detecting occult arrhythmias in patients with COVID-19 infection.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Outpatient dermatology consultations for oncology patients with acute dermatologic adverse events impact anticancer therapy interruption: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Dermatologic adverse events (dAEs) of anticancer therapies may negatively impact dosing and quality of life. While therapy interruption patterns due to dAEs have been studied in hospitalized cancer patients, similar outcomes in outpatient oncodermatology are lacking.

OBJECTIVES

To analyse the therapy interruption patterns, clinico-histopathologic characteristics and management outcomes of outpatient dermatology consultations for acute dAEs attributed to the most frequently interrupted class of oncologic agents.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective cohort study of all cancer patients who received a same-day outpatient dermatology consultation for acute dAEs at our institution from 1 January to 30 June 2015. Relevant data were abstracted from electronic medical records, including demographics, oncologic history and explicit recommendations by both the referring clinician and consulting dermatologist on anticancer therapy interruption. Consultations with the most frequently interrupted class of oncologic treatment were characterized according to clinico-histopathologic features, dermatologic management and clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

There were 426 same-day outpatient dermatology consultations (median age 59, 60% female, 30% breast cancer), of which 295 (69%) had systemic anticancer therapy administered within 30 days prior. There was weak inter-rater agreement between referring clinicians and consulting dermatologists on interruption of anticancer treatment (n = 150, κ = 0.096; 95% CI -0.02 to 0.21). Seventy-three (25%) consultations involved interruption by the referring clinician, most commonly targeted therapy (24, 33%). Maculopapular rash was commonly observed in 23 consultations with 25 dAEs attributed to targeted agents (48%), and topical corticosteroids were most frequently utilized for management (22, 38%). The majority (83%) of consultations with targeted therapy-induced dAEs responded to dermatologic treatment and 84% resumed oncologic therapy, although three (19%) at a reduced dose. Rash recurred only in two instances (13%).

CONCLUSIONS

A high frequency of positive outcomes in the management of targeted therapy-induced dAEs by outpatient consulting dermatologists and low recurrence of skin toxicity suggests impactful reductions in interruption of anticancer therapy.

Fetal fraction-based risk algorithm for non-invasive prenatal testing: screening for trisomies 13 and 18 and triploidy in women with low cell-free fetal DNA

OBJECTIVE

To identify pregnancies at increased risk for trisomy 13, trisomy 18 or triploidy attributable to low fetal fraction (FF).

METHODS

A FF-based risk (FFBR) model was built using data from more than 165 000 singleton pregnancies referred for single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). Based on maternal weight and gestational age (GA), FF distributions for normal, trisomy 13, trisomy 18 and triploid pregnancies were constructed and used to adjust prior risks for these abnormalities. A risk cut-off of ≥ 1% was chosen to define pregnancies at high risk for trisomy 13, trisomy 18 or triploidy (high FFBR score). The model was evaluated on an independent blinded set of pregnancies for which SNP-based NIPT did not return a result, and for which pregnancy outcome information was gathered retrospectively.

RESULTS

The evaluation cohort comprised 1148 cases, of which approximately half received a high FFBR score. Compared with rates expected based on maternal age (MA) and GA, cases with a high FFBR score had a significantly increased rate of trisomy 13, trisomy 18 or triploidy combined (5.7% vs 0.7%; P < 0.001) and also of unexplained pregnancy loss (14.7% vs 10.4%; P < 0.001). For cases that did not receive a high FFBR score, the incidence of a chromosomal abnormality or pregnancy loss was not significantly different from that expected based on MA and GA. In this study cohort, the sensitivity of the FFBR model for detection of trisomy 13, trisomy 18 or triploidy was 91.4% (95% CI, 76.9-98.2%) with a positive predictive value of 5.7% (32/564; 95% CI, 3.9-7.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

For pregnancies with a FF too low to receive a result on standard NIPT, the FFBR algorithm identified a subset of cases at increased risk for trisomy 13, trisomy 18 or triploidy. For the remainder of cases, the risk of a fetal chromosomal abnormality was unchanged from that expected based on MA and GA. © 2018 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Long-term outcome of 487 patients with early-stage extra-nodal marginal zone lymphoma

Background

Localized early-stage extra-nodal marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) presents with heterogeneous organ involvement and is treated with various modalities, including resection, radiotherapy, and systemic therapy. We report the long-term outcome of a large cohort of extra-nodal MZL and assess the impact of patient and disease characteristics, organ site, and treatment strategy on disease control and survival.

Patients and methods

We identified 487 consecutive patients with stage IE or IIE MZL referred between 1992 and 2012 to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Pathology was reviewed by hematopathologists at our institution. Patient and disease factors as well as treatment types were analyzed for association with relapse-free survival, overall survival, and cumulative incidence of relapse.

Results

Median follow-up after treatment was 4.7 years. Five-year relapse-free survival and overall survival were 60% and 89%, respectively. Cumulative incidence of disease-specific death at 5 years was 1.3%. Radiotherapy alone was the initial treatment in 50% of patients, followed by surgical resection (30%), observation (8%), immunotherapy (4%), and chemotherapy (2%). Initial treatment type, primary disease site, and number of involved sites were significant factors in multivariable analysis of relapse (all P < 0.05). When compared with stomach, MZL originating in other disease sites (HR > 2.0, P ≤ 0.001), except for thyroid, had higher risk of relapse. Strategies such as antibiotics or topical therapies were associated with higher risk of relapse when compared with radiation therapy (P < 0.001). Crude rate of transformation to pathologically confirmed large-cell lymphoma was 2% (11 patients).

Conclusion

Overall and cause-specific survival are high in early-stage extra-nodal MZL. Curative-intent treatment led to fewer relapses and reduced the need for salvage. Stomach cases had lower risk of relapse than other anatomic primary sites. This study supports the use of local therapies to treat stage IE and IIE MZL.

A prospective study of total plasma cell-free DNA as a predictive biomarker for response to systemic therapy in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancers

BACKGROUND

While previous studies have reported on the prognostic value of total plasma cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid (cfDNA) in lung cancers, few have prospectively evaluated its predictive value for systemic therapy response.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the association between changes in total cfDNA and radiologic response to systemic therapy in patients with stage IIIB/IV non-small-cell lung cancers (NSCLCs). Paired blood collections for cfDNA and computed tomography (CT) assessments by RECIST v1.0 were performed at baseline and 6-12 weeks after therapy initiation. Total cfDNA levels were measured in plasma using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Associations between changes in cfDNA and radiologic response, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were measured using Kruskal-Wallis and Kaplan-Meier estimates.

RESULTS

A total of 103 patients completed paired cfDNA and CT response assessments. Systemic therapy administered included cytotoxic chemotherapy in 57% (59/103), molecularly targeted therapy in 17% (17/103), and combination therapy in 26% (27/103). Median change in cfDNA from baseline to response assessment did not significantly differ by radiologic response categories of progression of disease, stable disease and partial response (P = 0.10). However, using radiologic response as continuous variable, there was a weak positive correlation between change in radiologic response and change in cfDNA (Spearman's correlation coefficient 0.21, P = 0.03). Baseline cfDNA levels were not associated with PFS [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.93-1.20, P = 0.41] or OS (HR = 1.04, 95% CI 0.93-1.17, P = 0.51), neither were changes in cfDNA.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large prospective study, changes in total cfDNA over time did not significantly predict radiologic response from systemic therapy in patients with advanced NSCLC. Pretreatment levels of total cfDNA were not prognostic of survival. Total cfDNA level is not a highly specific predictive biomarker and future investigations in cfDNA should focus on tumor-specific genomic alterations using expanded capabilities of next-generation sequencing.

Role of amygdala central nucleus in the potentiation of consuming and instrumental lever-pressing for sucrose by cues for the presentation or interruption of sucrose delivery in rats

Initially neutral conditioned stimuli (CSs) paired with food often acquire motivating properties. For example, CS presentations may enhance the rate of instrumental responding that normally earns that food reward (Pavlovian-instrumental transfer), or potentiate consumption of that food when the animal is food-sated. Recent evidence suggests that cues associated with the withdrawal of food and food cues (interruption stimuli or ISs) may also potentiate feeding, despite exhibiting some characteristics of conditioned inhibition. Here, we compared the ability of CSs and ISs to modulate both eating food and working for it. If CSs and ISs potentiate eating food by controlling a similar incentive state, both types of cues might also be expected to enhance instrumental responding for food. Although we found substantial potentiation of feeding by both CSs and ISs, and powerful enhancement of instrumental responding by a CS, we found no evidence for such instrumental enhancement by an IS. Furthermore, although an IS produced more FOS expression in the amygdala central nucleus (CeA) than either a previously reinforced CS or a control stimulus after a test for potentiated feeding, an intact CeA was unnecessary for potentiation of feeding by either a CS or an IS. Nevertheless, as in previous studies, CeA was critical to the ability of a CS to enhance instrumental responding. Implications for understanding the nature and basis for incentive learning are discussed.

A step out of the dark: improving the sleep medicine knowledge of trainees

OBJECTIVE

Over 40-million Americans are undiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or untreated for sleep disorders. Despite the growing need to integrate sleep medicine knowledge into the medical education curriculum, educational leaders have struggled to incorporate contemporary medical topics such as sleep medicine into the already packed curricula. We set out to examine the efficacy of an online, self-paced, sleep medicine learning module as an educational tool for medical students.

METHODS

We studied 87 Johns Hopkins medical students. Participants were randomly assigned to the sham module (SM, n=40) or learning module (LM, n=47). The efficacy of the tool was assessed based on changes in performance (pre- and post-module completion) on a validated sleep knowledge questionnaire (the Dartmouth Sleep Knowledge and Attitude Survey).

RESULTS

Improvement in overall sleep knowledge, as measured by the Dartmouth Sleep Knowledge and Attitude Survey, was significantly higher in the LM group compared to the SM group (F(1,84)=9.71, p<.01, η(2)=0.10). Although the SM group's improvement was significantly lower than the LM group, within-subject comparisons did show improvement from their pre- to post-assessment scores as well.

CONCLUSION

A self-paced learning module is an effective educational tool for delivering sleep medicine knowledge to medical students.

Histology and outcomes of newly detected lung lesions in melanoma patients

BACKGROUND

Melanoma frequently metastasizes to the lung. Improved radiologic techniques may decrease the need for biopsy of such lesions. The aim of this study was to examine factors predictive of a positive biopsy of melanoma.

METHODS

Using the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center melanoma database, all patients with melanoma who had undergone biopsy of a suspicious new lung lesion from 1996 to 2009 were identified. Age, date of diagnosis, histology, and stage were obtained. Chart review was carried out to obtain medical history, smoking status, radiological appearance, and histology of lung lesions biopsied.

RESULTS

Two hundred and twenty-nine patients were identified; median age was 63 years; 48% were never smokers; 27% had a prior nonmelanoma cancer; 88% of lung nodules were malignant: 69% melanoma, 19% other cancers. Among 113 patients undergoing positron emission tomography (PET), proportions of benign, melanoma, and nonmelanoma 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-avid nodules did not differ (P = 0.53). On multivariable analysis, >stage I melanoma, negative smoking history, multiple lung nodules, and no prior nonmelanoma cancer were significantly associated with a melanoma biopsy result rather than other cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, 31% of lung lesions were not melanoma. In the subset undergoing PET, this did not differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. Biopsy is mandated in melanoma patients with new lung nodules.

A hierarchical communication model of the antecedents of health care professionals' support for donations after cardiac death

Using structural equation modeling, the direct and indirect impact of five variables on the support of donation after cardiac death from the perspective of health care professionals were investigated: knowledge, trust in the transplant team, whether patients are in a state of irreversibility, whether health care professionals participate in a patient's death, and perceptions about the brain death versus cardiac death donation process. In total, 10/15 relationships posited in the model had significant pathways. The results provide insight into sequential communication strategies for generating support for donations after cardiac death.

Renal granular cell tumour (Abrikossoff tumour): case report and review of the literature

A 52-year-old female was referred to our institute for an incidental renal mass. A homogenously enhancing mass was detected on multidetector CT (MDCT) imaging. Histologically, the tumour was consistent with granular cell tumour (GCT). GCT is a benign tumour that often involves the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Rarely has it been reported to involve the genitourinary system. Here we present the first reported case of GCT with renal involvement along with its MDCT imaging features. The authors also present a review of the literature along with a review of typical MDCT imaging features of enhancing renal masses with emphasis given to renal cell carcinoma and its varying subtypes.

Abstract C6: Phase 1 study of conatumumab (AMG 655), a proapoptotic death receptor-5 agonist antibody, in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors

Background: Conatumumab is an investigational, fully human monoclonal agonist antibody that binds human death receptor-5 (DR5, TR-2), activates caspases, and induces apoptosis in sensitive tumor cells. The primary objectives of this phase 1 study were to assess the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of conatumumab in Japanese patients (pts) with advanced solid tumors.

Method: This is an open-label ascending dose study with a starting dose level of 3 mg/kg. Subsequent doses of 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg were planned. Six pts were enrolled into 1 of 3 dose cohorts (3, 10, or 20 mg/kg) of conatumumab administered intravenously once every 2 weeks as a single-agent. No conatumumab was administered on day 43 to allow assessment of terminal PK parameters. Conatumumab receptor occupancy on monocytes was assessed during the first treatment cycle. Pts remained on study until tumor progression or unacceptable toxicities occurred.

Results: Eighteen pts (6 in each dose cohorts) received at least 1 dose of conatumumab; 9 pts were men; median age was 58 years. Tumor types included: colorectal (5), non-small cell lung (4), gastric (2), soft tissue sarcoma (2) and one each of pancreatic cancer, thymoma, mesothelioma, rectal carcinoid and parotid cancer. The grade 3 adverse events included blood creatine phosphokinase increase, pain and increased lipase. One treatment emergent serious adverse event of pain was reported in cohort 2. This serious adverse event was not considered by the investigator to be related to conatumumab. There were no DLTs observed as defined in the protocol. No deaths occurred during treatment or the safety follow-up period. No subjects had an adverse event leading to conatumumab discontinuation. Conatumumab demonstrated dose-linear kinetics with a half-life of 12 to16 days. Pharmacokinetic profiles were similar to those in the Caucasian population. Tumor response data were available for all patients. A best response of stable disease (defined as a lack of progression at the first assessment at 8-weeks) was reported in 9 patients and progressive disease in 9 patients. Monocytes were found to express DR5, and showed a high degree of conatumumab receptor occupancy after treatment at all dose levels.

Conclusions: Conatumumab administered up to 20 mg/kg once every 2 weeks did not result in dose limiting toxicities in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors. Adverse events and pharmacokinetics were similar to those in the first in human study conducted in the United States.

Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):C6.

The effect of strength training on the force of twitches evoked by corticospinal stimulation in humans

AIM

Although there is considerable evidence that strength training causes adaptations in the central nervous system, many details remain unclear. Here we studied neuromuscular responses to strength training of the wrist by recording electromyographic and twitch responses to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and cervicomedullary stimulation of the corticospinal tract.

METHODS

Seventeen participants performed 4 weeks (12 sessions) of strength training for the radial deviator (RD) muscles of the wrist (n = 8) or control training without external load (n = 9). TMS recruitment curves were constructed from stimuli at five to eight intensities ranging between 15% below resting motor threshold and maximal stimulator output, both at rest and during isometric wrist extension (EXT) and RD at 10% and 50% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC). Responses to weak TMS and cervicomedullary stimulation (set to produce a response of 10% maximal M wave amplitude during 10% MVC EXT contraction) were also compared at contraction strengths ranging from 10% to 75% MVC.

RESULTS

Isometric strength increased following strength training (10.7% for the RD MVC, 8.8% for the EXT MVC), but not control training. Strength training also significantly increased the amplitude of TMS- and cervicomedullary-evoked twitches during low-force contractions. Increases in the force-generating capacity of the wrist extensor muscles are unlikely to account for this finding because training did not affect the amplitude of twitches elicited by supra-maximal nerve stimulation.

CONCLUSION

The data suggest that strength training induces adaptations that increase the net gain of corticospinal-motor neuronal projections to the trained muscles.

The clinical impact and outcomes of immunohistochemistry-only metastases in breast cancer

613

Background: Modern surgical and pathologic techniques can detect small volume axillary metastases in breast cancer. The clinical significance of these metastases was evaluated in comparison to patients with negative sentinel lymph nodes (Neg-SN). Methods: Retrospective database review from 1997 through 2003 for eligible patients with unilateral breast cancer and no history of significant non-breast malignancy identified 232 patients with sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases identified only by immunohistochemical stains (IHC-SN). They were compared to 252 Neg-SN controls selected at random from the same database population. Statistical analysis was performed with 2-sample tests, Kaplan-Meier, and Cox regression methods. Results: IHC-SN patients had worse prognostic features and received more systemic therapy than controls (Table). Age and ER status were similar. In 123 IHC-SN patients treated with axillary dissection (ALND), 16% had macrometastases in the non-SLNs. Only one axillary recurrence occurred in the group of IHC-SN patients without ANLD (n=109). With median follow up of 5 years (range 0.01–12.0), 28 recurrences and 25 deaths occurred. There were no differences between cases and controls for recurrence-free survival (RFS) or overall survival (OS) both by univariate and multivariate models that included variables such as age, tumor size, chemotherapy and hormone therapy [HR 0.99 (95%CI 0.43–2.28, p=0.99) for RFS, HR 2.06 (95%CI 0.79–5.35) p=0.14 for OS]. In IHC-SN patients treated with ALND, patients with positive non-SLNs (n=20) tended to have worse RFS than those with negative non-SLNs (n=103) [RFS 89% vs. 97% at 5 yrs (p=0.06)]. Conclusions: A significant number of IHC-SN patients had a macrometastasis identified at ALND. In patients not undergoing dissection, axillary recurrence was a rare event. However, failure to identify additional metastases by omitting ALND may result in understaging and inadequate systemic treatment in some patients.

[Table: see text]

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Determinants of outcome in elderly patients with positive sentinel lymph nodes

614

Background: Older women are less likely to receive standard of care treatment for breast cancer. This undertreatment may be linked to the perception that elderly patients (pts) may not tolerate or derive benefit from treatment that is often viewed as “too toxic.” Methods: From July 1997 to July 2003, 1,470 pts with invasive cancer with positive sentinel lymph nodes (PSLN) by intraoperative frozen section or final pathologic exam by hematoxylin-eosin and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC). We examined sociodemographic, pathologic, and therapeutic variables that affected the outcome of elderly pts ≥70 years old. A comorbidity score was assigned using Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 system. Chi-square, Fisher's exact Wilcoxon tests, and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used. Results: The median age was 53 years (range 21–89) and median tumor size 1.6 cm (range 0.1–11). 1,265 (86.1%) pts were <70 years old and 205 (13.9%) pts were ≥70 years old. 183 (12.5%) pts had IHC only PSLN, 1,021 (69.5%) had 1–3 PSLN, and 266 (18%) ≥4 PSLN. Breast conservation therapy (BCT) was performed in 59.7% of pts. Elderly pts were more likely to have moderate to severe comorbidities (46% vs. 11%, p < 0.0001) and BCT (67% vs. 59%, p = 0.026), compared to pts <70 years old. Elderly pts were less likely to undergo completion ALND (73% vs. 89%, p < 0.0001), adjuvant chemotherapy (43% vs. 90%, p < 0.0001) and radiotherapy following BCT (82% vs. 90%) compared to pts <70 years old. The 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) was not significantly different for elderly pts compared to non-elderly pts (87.7% vs. 91.9%, p = 0.21), on the other hand the 5-year overall survival was significantly worse for elderly pts (80.4% vs. 93.2%, p < 0.0001), a difference that was mainly due to a significantly higher 5-year cumulative incidence of death due to other causes (13.2% vs. 1.9%, p < 0.0001). On multivariate analysis, ER or PR positive status, IHC only PSLN and T1 tumors were the only factors independently associated with improved odds of 5-year DFS. Conclusions: Tumor rather than patient factors were the primary determinants of breast cancer outcomes in our cohort of node positive breast cancer pts. Elderly breast cancer pts with an estimated life expectancy beyond 5 years should receive the same standard of care therapy as their younger counterparts.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

A phase Ib study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AMG 655 in combination with gemcitabine (G) in patients (pts) with metastatic pancreatic cancer (PC)

4501

Background: AMG 655 is an investigational, fully human agonist monoclonal antibody (IgG1) that binds human death receptor 5 (DR5), activates caspases, and induces apoptosis in sensitive tumor cells. In preclinical PC models, cooperative activity is observed when G is added to AMG 655. We performed a multi-center phase I trial to evaluate AMG 655 + G in metastatic PC pts. The primary endpoint was dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). Secondary endpoints included toxicity, pharmacokinetics, antibody formation, objective response rate, progression-free survival (PFS), 6-month and overall survival. Methods: Eligible pts had previously untreated metastatic PC and ECOG PS 0 or 1. Pts enrolled into sequential cohorts and received AMG 655 3 or 10 mg/kg IV days (D) 1 and 15 and G 1000 mg/m2 IV D 1, 8, and 15 every 28 D. CT scans were obtained Q8 weeks. Results: 13 pts (3 mg/kg cohort = 6; 10 mg/kg cohort = 7) enrolled from 7/07–11/07. Pt characteristics: females 61%; ECOG PS 1 69%; median age 65 (range 35–81); liver metastases 77%. Median number of cycles: 6 (range 2–12). There were no DLT. Nine (69%) pts had grade 3–4 toxicity, the most common were: thrombocytopenia (4 pts), neutropenia (2 pts), and abdominal pain (2 pts). No anti-AMG 655 antibodies were detected. After one 3 or 10 mg/kg dose of AMG 655 after G, the Cmax and AUC of AMG 655 were similar to those in the first- in-human single-agent study (LoRusso JCO 2007; 25: abstract 3534). Preliminary data indicate no effect of AMG 655 on PK of G. Partial response 31% (4 pts, 2 unconfirmed); stable disease 38%. Median PFS: 5.3 months (95% CI, 3.5, 6.2); 6-month survival rate: 76.2% (95% CI: 42.7%-91.7%). Conclusions: AMG 655 + G is well-tolerated and may have activity in metastatic pancreatic cancer. A randomized phase II trial of G ± AMG 655 at 10-mg/kg is currently enrolling.

[Table: see text]

Safety and efficacy of AMG 655 plus modified FOLFOX6 (mFOLFOX6) and bevacizumab (B) for the first-line treatment of patients (pts) with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC)

4079

Background: AMG 655 is an investigational fully human monoclonal antibody (IgG1) agonist of human death receptor 5 (DR5). AMG 655 activates caspases and induces apoptosis in sensitive tumor cells. The primary objective of this phase 1b study was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (up to a target dose of 10 mg/kg IV every 2 weeks) of AMG 655 that can be safely administered in combination with mFOLFOX6-B to mCRC pts. Methods: Eligible pts were ≥ 18 years old with previously untreated mCRC, ECOG PS of 0 or 1, and adequate hematologic, hepatic, and renal function. Pts were enrolled into sequential cohorts of 3- or 10-mg/kg AMG 655 + mFOLFOX6-B administered on day 1 of each 14-day cycle. Study endpoints included incidence of dose-limiting toxicities (DLT), adverse events (AE), pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of AMG 655, and objective response rate (by modified RECIST). Results: As of 09/08, 12 pts (6 per cohort) were enrolled and received ≥ 1 cycle of treatment; 8 were female. Median (range) age was 54 (37–75), median (range) time on AMG 655 treatment was 6.9 (1.6 to 11.4+) months; 8 pts continue on study treatment. There were no DLTs in the first 28 days of treatment. Eight pts had grade 3–4 AE; the most common were diarrhea, febrile neutropenia, peripheral neuropathy, neutropenia, DVT, and pulmonary embolism (2 pts each). Post baseline laboratory parameters grade ≥ 3: no ALT and AST; 1 grade 3 bilirubin (due to disease progression), and 3 grade 3 lipase (asymptomatic). No anti-AMG 655 antibodies were detected. AMG 655 PK values (Cmax, Cmin) were similar to those observed with single-agent AMG 655 (LoRusso JCO 2007; 25: abstract 3534). AMG 655 did not appear to affect PK of oxaliplatin or bevacizumab. Best overall tumor response: 5 partial responses (2 unconfirmed, both underwent resection); 6 stable disease; 1 pt had non-measurable disease at baseline. Time to disease progression (3 patients): 8, 42, and 44 weeks. Conclusions: The addition of AMG 655 does not appear to substantially alter the safety profile of mFOLFOX6-B. The randomized phase 2 part of the trial (mFOLFOX6-B ± AMG 655) is in progress.

[Table: see text]